NewzIntel.com

Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – New foundation aims to give refugee communities a voice – AMES

    Source: AMES

    Supporting vulnerable refugees, advocating for, and building the capacity of grass roots refugee communities is the mission of a new not-for-profit organisation.

    The RCAA Foundation is a refugee driven organisation that also aims to give refugees with lived experience a voice to government and in national conversations.

    The inaugural foundation chair is settlement sector veteran and the retiring CEO of settlement agency AMES Australia Cath Scarth.

    An extension of the Refugee Communities Association of Australia, the bi-partisan foundation aims to work with grass roots refugee communities in Australia to build their capacity, advocacy and agency.

    Ms Scarth said the foundation was about self-determination and agency for refugee communities.

    “The foundation is an opportunity to build capacity within refugee communities to help them devise and deliver their own solutions to the challenges they face,” Ms Scarth said.

    “We saw during the COVID pandemic the ability of refugee communities to rise above challenges and support each other.

    “The foundation is also an opportunity for people who are not from refugee communities to play a part in supporting them,” Ms Scarth said.

     RCAA Foundation director Parsu Sharma Luital said the Foundation’s aim was “to incorporate the authentic, grassroots voices of refugees directly into key national discussions”.

    “The foundation aims to make our community work sustainable. We want to create opportunities to source resources that support refugee communities and empower them to have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.

    “Many people don’t understand that refugees are making positive contributions to Australia economically and socially. Part of the work of the foundation will be to change that.

    “Many people also think that refugees come with problems and challenges. But they also come with solutions, skills, expertise and the opportunity to put forward and implement those solutions could materially benefit many lives,” Mr Sharma Luital said.

    Fellow foundation director Elijah Buol OAM said the foundation was an extension of RCAA’s work in supporting refugee communities.

    “Our mission is to support refugees and people seeking asylum and to empower them as well as to provide resources and financial support so they can achieve their goals and aspirations and fulfil their potential,” Mr Buol said.

    The foundation’s constitution states its object is “to provide direct assistance to people in Australia who are disadvantaged by poverty, illness, suffering, distress, misfortune, disability, destitution or helplessness so as to arouse compassion in the community, with a particular emphasis on migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who are at financial risk or in other vulnerable circumstances”.

    RCAA is the national peak body for grass roots refugee communities.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE New York investigation, alongside partners, leads to extradition of United Kingdom citizen to face charges in $99 million wine fraud

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    NEW YORK – An investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations New York, in coordination with federal partners, has resulted in the extradition of a United Kingdom citizen to face charges related to an alleged $99 million wine fraud scheme. James Wellesley, age 56, was arraigned following his extradition from the UK, where he was arrested in 2022.

    In 2022, Wellesley, along with his co-defendant Stephen Burton, were charged with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracy in connection with a scheme perpetrated through Bordeaux Cellars, a company he and Burton operated.

    HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella, Jr., and Assistant Director in Charge, FBI New York Field Office Christopher G. Raia, announced Wellesley’s arraignment.

    “James Wellesley and his co-conspirator are accused of masterminding their nearly $100 million international fraud scheme that exploited the unsuspecting public, including New Yorkers, for their own selfish enrichment. As alleged, the defendants claimed Bordeaux Cellars boasted a high-value wine stockpile and a clientele of ‘high-net-worth wine collectors’ – and in turn profited handsomely – all while they swindled investors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Patel. “Let it be known, regardless of the nature of the transnational criminal scheme, HSI New York, alongside our law enforcement partners, will continue to adapt and evolve to fight global and domestic financial crimes wherever and whenever possible.”

    “Today’s arraignment sends a message to all perpetrators of global fraud schemes that my office will work tirelessly to ensure they answer for crimes committed in the U.S,” stated U.S. Attorney Nocella. “We will not rest in our efforts to seek justice for victims of fraud.”

    “James Wellesley and his business partner allegedly concocted an elaborate scheme defrauding investors out of millions of dollars to finance their own personal expenses. Their alleged deceit spread across years and continents,” stated FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “Today’s arraignment signals to all criminals that the FBI will practice the same resolve in bringing perpetrators to justice.”

    Wellesley was ordered detained pending trial. Burton, 58, was extradited from Morocco in 2023 and is currently pending trial.

    The indictment alleges that from at least June 2017 and continuing through February of 2019, the defendants posed as executives of Bordeaux Cellars. The defendants solicited investors, including residents of the Eastern District of New York, at, among other places, investor conferences held in the U.S. and overseas. The defendants claimed to investors that Bordeaux Cellars brokered loans between investors and high-net-worth wine collectors that would be fully collateralized by high-value collections of wine.

    The defendants promised that investors would receive regular interest payments from the borrowers, and that Bordeaux Cellars would keep custody of the wine, securing the loans while the loans were outstanding. As alleged, these representations were lies, the “high-net-worth wine collectors” did not actually exist, and Bordeaux Cellars did not maintain custody of the wine purportedly securing the loans. Instead, the defendants used incoming loan proceeds to make fraudulent interest payments to investors and for their own personal expenses, resulting in $99 million dollars’ worth of misdirected funds.

    The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE New York investigation, alongside partners, leads to extradition of United Kingdom citizen to face charges in $99 million wine fraud

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    NEW YORK – An investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations New York, in coordination with federal partners, has resulted in the extradition of a United Kingdom citizen to face charges related to an alleged $99 million wine fraud scheme. James Wellesley, age 56, was arraigned following his extradition from the UK, where he was arrested in 2022.

    In 2022, Wellesley, along with his co-defendant Stephen Burton, were charged with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracy in connection with a scheme perpetrated through Bordeaux Cellars, a company he and Burton operated.

    HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella, Jr., and Assistant Director in Charge, FBI New York Field Office Christopher G. Raia, announced Wellesley’s arraignment.

    “James Wellesley and his co-conspirator are accused of masterminding their nearly $100 million international fraud scheme that exploited the unsuspecting public, including New Yorkers, for their own selfish enrichment. As alleged, the defendants claimed Bordeaux Cellars boasted a high-value wine stockpile and a clientele of ‘high-net-worth wine collectors’ – and in turn profited handsomely – all while they swindled investors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Patel. “Let it be known, regardless of the nature of the transnational criminal scheme, HSI New York, alongside our law enforcement partners, will continue to adapt and evolve to fight global and domestic financial crimes wherever and whenever possible.”

    “Today’s arraignment sends a message to all perpetrators of global fraud schemes that my office will work tirelessly to ensure they answer for crimes committed in the U.S,” stated U.S. Attorney Nocella. “We will not rest in our efforts to seek justice for victims of fraud.”

    “James Wellesley and his business partner allegedly concocted an elaborate scheme defrauding investors out of millions of dollars to finance their own personal expenses. Their alleged deceit spread across years and continents,” stated FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “Today’s arraignment signals to all criminals that the FBI will practice the same resolve in bringing perpetrators to justice.”

    Wellesley was ordered detained pending trial. Burton, 58, was extradited from Morocco in 2023 and is currently pending trial.

    The indictment alleges that from at least June 2017 and continuing through February of 2019, the defendants posed as executives of Bordeaux Cellars. The defendants solicited investors, including residents of the Eastern District of New York, at, among other places, investor conferences held in the U.S. and overseas. The defendants claimed to investors that Bordeaux Cellars brokered loans between investors and high-net-worth wine collectors that would be fully collateralized by high-value collections of wine.

    The defendants promised that investors would receive regular interest payments from the borrowers, and that Bordeaux Cellars would keep custody of the wine, securing the loans while the loans were outstanding. As alleged, these representations were lies, the “high-net-worth wine collectors” did not actually exist, and Bordeaux Cellars did not maintain custody of the wine purportedly securing the loans. Instead, the defendants used incoming loan proceeds to make fraudulent interest payments to investors and for their own personal expenses, resulting in $99 million dollars’ worth of misdirected funds.

    The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE New York investigation, alongside partners, leads to extradition of United Kingdom citizen to face charges in $99 million wine fraud

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    NEW YORK – An investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations New York, in coordination with federal partners, has resulted in the extradition of a United Kingdom citizen to face charges related to an alleged $99 million wine fraud scheme. James Wellesley, age 56, was arraigned following his extradition from the UK, where he was arrested in 2022.

    In 2022, Wellesley, along with his co-defendant Stephen Burton, were charged with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracy in connection with a scheme perpetrated through Bordeaux Cellars, a company he and Burton operated.

    HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella, Jr., and Assistant Director in Charge, FBI New York Field Office Christopher G. Raia, announced Wellesley’s arraignment.

    “James Wellesley and his co-conspirator are accused of masterminding their nearly $100 million international fraud scheme that exploited the unsuspecting public, including New Yorkers, for their own selfish enrichment. As alleged, the defendants claimed Bordeaux Cellars boasted a high-value wine stockpile and a clientele of ‘high-net-worth wine collectors’ – and in turn profited handsomely – all while they swindled investors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Patel. “Let it be known, regardless of the nature of the transnational criminal scheme, HSI New York, alongside our law enforcement partners, will continue to adapt and evolve to fight global and domestic financial crimes wherever and whenever possible.”

    “Today’s arraignment sends a message to all perpetrators of global fraud schemes that my office will work tirelessly to ensure they answer for crimes committed in the U.S,” stated U.S. Attorney Nocella. “We will not rest in our efforts to seek justice for victims of fraud.”

    “James Wellesley and his business partner allegedly concocted an elaborate scheme defrauding investors out of millions of dollars to finance their own personal expenses. Their alleged deceit spread across years and continents,” stated FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “Today’s arraignment signals to all criminals that the FBI will practice the same resolve in bringing perpetrators to justice.”

    Wellesley was ordered detained pending trial. Burton, 58, was extradited from Morocco in 2023 and is currently pending trial.

    The indictment alleges that from at least June 2017 and continuing through February of 2019, the defendants posed as executives of Bordeaux Cellars. The defendants solicited investors, including residents of the Eastern District of New York, at, among other places, investor conferences held in the U.S. and overseas. The defendants claimed to investors that Bordeaux Cellars brokered loans between investors and high-net-worth wine collectors that would be fully collateralized by high-value collections of wine.

    The defendants promised that investors would receive regular interest payments from the borrowers, and that Bordeaux Cellars would keep custody of the wine, securing the loans while the loans were outstanding. As alleged, these representations were lies, the “high-net-worth wine collectors” did not actually exist, and Bordeaux Cellars did not maintain custody of the wine purportedly securing the loans. Instead, the defendants used incoming loan proceeds to make fraudulent interest payments to investors and for their own personal expenses, resulting in $99 million dollars’ worth of misdirected funds.

    The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dingell, Great Lakes Task Force Announce $2.1 Million for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

    Dingell, Great Lakes Task Force Announce $2.1 Million for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission

    Washington, July 15, 2025

    Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI), along with her fellow Great Lakes Task Force co-chairs, today announced the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted $2,152,513 to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to address invasive sea lamprey in the Grand River in Grand Rapids. 
     
    “Sea lampreys are highly invasive and are a significant danger to the native fish of the Great Lakes and the entire Great Lakes ecosystem. The Great Lakes fishery supports billions of dollars in the economy and hundreds of thousands of jobs, and we must protect this critical natural resource,” Dingell said. “The work of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission has reduced sea lamprey populations by more than 90%, and we must continue to support their efforts to sustain healthy fish and lakes for generations to come.” 
     
    The Great Lakes Fishery Commission will use the grant funding to:

    • develop and implement new sea lamprey control techniques; 
    • design a new sea lamprey barrier, and conduct pre-barrier-construction work on the Grand River in Grand Rapids, Michigan (MI), which will protect more than 4,000 river miles from sea lamprey; and 
    • aid in recovery of native fish species.

    Learn more about the Great Lakes Fishery Commission’s Sea Lamprey work here.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Northland News – $3.8M of Regional Sporting Facilities Rate funding allocated

    Source: Northland Regional Council

    Ruakākā Wahitakaro and Northland Regional Volleyball Arena will receive up to $2.6 million and Sportsville Dargaville Stage Two up to $1.2M in the latest allocations from the Northland Regional Council’s Regional Sporting Facilities Rate.
    The council’s Strategic & Commercial Projects Manager Phil Heatley says the GST exclusive sums will go to Ruakākā Wahitakaro and Northland Regional Volleyball Arena in the current financial year and to Sportsville Dargaville Stage Two in 2026-2027.
    Stage One of Ruakākā Wahitakaro was a community centre completed in 2024. The estimated total project cost for Stage Two is $8.5M and will include a multi-sport indoor facility featuring two indoor courts and supporting meeting spaces. It will also include ‘Northland’s Home of Volleyball’, a regional facility for volleyball providing training and competition opportunities and the ability to host regional, district and community events.
    Mr Heatley says Sportsville Dargaville Stage One was completed in December 2018 and involved six multi-purpose outdoor courts with a supporting multi-sport facility.
    “The estimated project cost of Stage Two is $9M and will include a multi-sport indoor facility featuring two indoor courts and supporting meeting spaces.” “It is designed to provide opportunities for training and district competitions and the ability to host regional, district and community level events.”
    Mr Heatley says the NRC struck the targeted $14.07 plus GST Regional Sporting Facilities Rate (per SUIP/Rating Unit) in its 2024-2034 Long Term Plan to provide funding support to assist in the development of Northland sporting facilities that are of regional or district-wide benefit.
    A working group made up of representatives from the NRC, Northland’s three district council’s and Sport Northland had recommended the funding for the 2024-2027 financial years. Regional councillors had confirmed the group’s recommendation at a council meeting late last month.
    “This will give those overseeing the projects a degree of certainty to plan and a platform to apply for third party funding.”
    Mr Heatley says potential recipient projects are identified through a regionwide consultation process, initially to inform ‘Kokiri ai Te Waka Hourua’, a strategy for play, active recreation and sport. The strategy was produced in partnership by the NRC, Sport Northland, Northland’s three district councils and Sport New Zealand.
    “A proposed project is presented to Sport Northland in the first instance, by a regional or district not-for-profit sporting focussed group, for consideration and prioritisation.”
    “Substantial work by the working group sees the prioritisation of regional sporting facility projects.
    Mr Heatley says for this allocation, 16 projects had been in varying states of readiness with six being advanced enough to be able to be scored and benchmarked against council-approved criteria. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch, Hawley, Klobuchar Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Streamline Drug Patent Litigation, Lower Cost of Prescription Drugs 

    US Senate News:

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

    Legislation would make it easier for generic and biosimilar drugs to enter the market, increasing competition and lowering the price of prescription drugs 
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) teamed up to introduce the Eliminating Thickets to Improve Competition (ETHIC) Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to streamline drug patent litigation, encourage fair market competition, and lower prescription drug prices by making it easier for generic and biosimilar companies to enter the market. U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19) introduced companion legislation in the House. 
    “For decades, Big Pharma has exploited U.S. courts and the patent system through anti-competitive practices that prevent generic and biosimilar competitors from entering the market, forcing Vermonters to pay more out of pocket for life-saving drugs. It’s outrageous, and it’s gone on for far too long,” said Senator Welch. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the ETHIC Act to stop pharmaceutical companies from abusing the patent system and lower prescription drug prices for patients across the country. Congress must pass our legislation to cut drug costs for families and streamline access to care.” 
    “Big Pharma knows exactly what it’s doing in monopolizing the U.S. patent system: driving up drug costs for Americans while preventing generic-drug manufacturers from getting their foot in the market. This bipartisan bill would break up the anticompetitive ‘patent thickets’ that pharmaceutical companies have abused to the detriment of the American patient,” said Senator Hawley. 
    “Big Pharma is exploiting loopholes in our courts and patent system to block generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals from the market, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs for everyone,” said Senator Klobuchar. “Enough is enough. Our bipartisan bill will close these loopholes, strengthen competition, and lower prescription drug prices.” 
    “America leads the world in medical innovation and Congress understands the necessity of strong IP protections. Groundbreaking research and development fuels our economy, improves quality of life for patients, and brings down healthcare costs – one of the drivers of our national debt. Unfortunately, loopholes in our current patent system allow manufacturers to file for duplicative patents that delay competition. I am proud to lead this legislation to ensure new patents include real innovation and bring additional value to patients,” said Rep. Arrington. 
    The U.S. Patent system was designed to promote innovation and foster competition. However, pharmaceutical companies are exceedingly abusing the patent system through patent extension strategies such as “patent thicketing,” a strategy in which pharmaceutical companies develop a “web” of patents around their most profitable drugs. These patent thickets deter generic and biosimilar drugs from entering the market, due to the high cost of challenging each patent in a thicket.  
    The ETHIC Act codifies the practice that many federal district courts across the country already apply to limit the number of patents or patent claims a company can assert in litigation. Specifically, this bipartisan bill: 

    Streamlines patent litigation by limiting to one, the number of patents per patent thicket a pharmaceutical company can assert in litigation. 

    Prohibits a patent owner from asserting multiple patents from the same thicket in separate actions against the same alleged infringer to circumvent the intent of the law. 

    Safeguards quality patents that improve existing drugs, benefiting patients. 

    The ETHIC Act is endorsed by the Association for Accessible Medicines and Generation Patient. 
    “Patent thickets increasingly serve as a barrier to patient access to lower-cost generic and biosimilar medicines. This bill proactively addresses anticompetitive patent thickets by limiting brands to a single patent out of a duplicative patent family in Hatch-Waxman and biologics patent litigation, said John Murphy III, President and CEO, Association for Accessible Medicines. “In alignment with the Administration’s Executive Order on competition, this bill will accelerate generic and biosimilar launches and stop these problematic double patenting practices.”  
    “As an organization representing over 25 million young adults with chronic conditions in the United States, we witness daily the barriers to accessing affordable, life-saving medicines. For young adults striving for financial security and independence, these obstacles to accessing necessary medicines are especially daunting. With the leadership of Senators Welch and Hawley, the ETHIC Act represents a pragmatic step toward closing loopholes that allow brand-name pharmaceutical companies to use overlapping patents to block competition. By limiting infringement claims to one patent per group of closely related patents, this legislation promotes fair competition and enables more affordable treatment options for our community. It is time to prioritize the health and futures of patients, and this legislation is a step forward in that direction,” said Sneha Dave, Founder and Executive Director, Generation Patient. 
    Learn more about the ETHIC Act. 
    Read and download the full text of the bill. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Greens react to chancellor’s plans to place financial services at the heart of government’s growth agenda

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    / by Green Party

    Reacting to plans by Rachel Reeves to place financial services at the heart of the government’s growth agenda by softening up regulations on banks and reintroducing greater risk-taking into the financial system, co-leader of the Green Party Adrian Ramsay MP, said:

    “If in their desperation to achieve growth, the government is willing to set up the conditions for another disastrous financial crash, then we need to question whether growth should be the be-all and end-all of economic policy.

    “For Greens the focus will always be on improving health and wellbeing, creating greater equality and building a greener economy. And designing economic policy as a means to those ends.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Defra Secretary of State at Water UK Reception

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Speech

    Defra Secretary of State at Water UK Reception

    Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs delivered a speech at the UK Water Reception hosted at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre

    This is a moment for Government and industry to join together to unlock the potential of our water sector and grow our economy in every region of this country.

    We need water for economic growth.

    Communities can’t function without it. Water is essential for every household and business across the country. We need it to grow the food that feeds our families. To build 1.5 million new homes, hospitals, schools and roads. To cool power stations that supply our electricity and the data centres to run our IT systems. 

    Water flows through our breathtaking countryside, boosting our tourism and leisure industries.

    The public were not aware at the time of the last general election, this country was facing water rationing within ten years.  There was not enough water to meet the growing demands of our population. As David just said, no new reservoirs had been built in 30 years.

    Water infrastructure was outdated and crumbling. Leaking pipes wasted valuable water supplies. Record levels of sewage polluted our waterways.

    [Political section removed]

    In just one year, we’ve introduced tough new measures to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. Including ringfencing customers’ money so it can only be spent on what it was intended for: upgrading and improving water infrastructure.

    Our Water Special Measures Bill became law in February, giving the regulators new powers to hold water companies to account.

     And Sir Jon Cunliffe, the former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, will soon complete the biggest review of the water sector in a generation to ensure we have a robust regulatory framework to clean up our waterways, build the infrastructure we need for a reliable water supply, and restore public confidence in this vital economic sector.

    He will publish his full findings next week, and the Government response will follow quickly afterwards.

    This strong action has laid the groundwork for the sector to move forward.

    Today is the start of a new partnership between the water sector and government.

    Turning the page on the past to begin a new chapter of growth and opportunity.

    The water sector is a priority for economic growth.

    We’ve worked together and secured £104 billion pounds of private sector investment in the water sector over the next five years.

    That’s the biggest private sector investment into our water sector in its entire history, and the second biggest investment in any part of the economy over the lifetime of this parliament – and getting this investment right matters.

    It will build and upgrade infrastructure in every region of the country – cutting sewage in half by 2030 and cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas.

    So, parents don’t have to worry about letting their children splash about in the water. So, we can experience the majesty of national treasures like Lake Windermere. Or enjoy a moment of calm by going for a swim in nature.

    It will fund nine new reservoirs and nine large-scale water transfer schemes, and reduce leaks from water pipes.

    So families – like those in Guildford –   don’t have to rely on bottled water when their water supply is disrupted. So businesses don’t lose profits when they’re forced to shut because the taps have run dry. So farmers can keep growing food in the face of increasingly unstable and unpredictable weather patterns.

    This vast investment will fuel economic growth.

    Over the next 5 years, it will create 30 thousand good, well-paid jobs in every corner of the country.

    Jobs that are rooted in the communities they serve.

    Money to upgrade roads, schools and hospitals. Encouraging businesses to invest in the area. Attracting more visitors to support rural tourism.

    This investment will make sure we can build 1.5 million homes this Parliament, construct major infrastructure projects to support the green energy transition, and power new industries such as data centres that can unlock the UK’s AI potential.

    This is what we mean when we talk about the Government’s Plan for Change.

    We must work together to make sure that £104 billion is spent in the best way to secure the improvements we want to see, and in the timescales we want to see them.

    Earlier this year, my colleague the Water Minister Emma Hardy and I toured the country to see how this investment will be spent.

    Around Cambridge, one of the UK’s fastest growing economies, investment in water infrastructure will support 4500 new homes, community facilities such as schools and leisure centres, and office and laboratory space in the city centre.

    On the River Avon, Wessex Water are investing £35 million pounds to expand the Saltford Water Recycling Plant, increasing their wastewater treatment capacity by 40% to meet rising demand, and creating local jobs near Bath.

    And in Hampshire, work’s begun on the Havant Thicket Reservoir, the first reservoir to be built in the South East since the 1970s and when it’s full, this will supply water to around 160,000 people and, during construction, it will generate more than £10 million a year to the South East economy,  with construction jobs and apprenticeships.

    We need to get spades in the ground in every region.

    I’ve set up a Water Delivery Taskforce to bring together Government, regulators, and water industry representatives, to ensure water companies complete their planned investments on time and on budget – providing value for money for customers.    

    The Taskforce will make sure we have the water, wastewater and drainage needed for the new developments and infrastructure that will drive long-term economic growth.

    Energy and Utility Skills estimate 43,000 people will be needed to take up jobs in the water industry over the next five years.

    That’s good, skilled, well paid jobs such as bioresources technicians, hydraulics specialists, engineers, construction workers, and surveyors.

    It’s imperative we have the skilled workforce in place.

    Because without it, all this investment will not be possible.

    That’s why we’re here today. To work together to ensure the industry and supply chain have the capacity to meet our shared ambitions for a successful, growing water sector underpinning a successful, growing economy.

    This demands a whole Government approach.

    Torsten Bell, the Minister for Pensions, and Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills, will both be here today, will give more details on how we plan to do this via our employment and skills programmes.

    And I’m delighted that later today I’ll sign our ‘Water Skills Pledge’ with Alison McGovern, the Minister for Employment – affirming our commitment to ensuring the water sector has the skills and workforce it needs to succeed.

    We will work together to show people that a career in the water industry and its supply chain is something they can be proud of for a lifetime.

    Something that gives you new skills, exciting challenges and can set you up for life – wherever in this country you live.

    These are jobs that make a difference. Making sure people have a reliable, clean water supply, protecting our food security, cleaning up our waterways – and stimulating economic growth in every part of the country to raise living standards and wages and improve people’s lives.

    This is a fresh start, a moment to build new partnerships and set the direction for the water sector of the future.

    We are working together to bring about the change that people in this country voted for last year. It’s an exciting time for the water industry, and I’m proud to stand alongside you as we chart the journey forwards to success.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Rachel Reeves Mansion House 2025 speech

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    Rachel Reeves Mansion House 2025 speech

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivered her second Mansion House speech on the evening of Tuesday 15 July 2025.

    Lord Mayor, Governor, Ladies and Gentlemen.

    My thanks go to the City of London Corporation for hosting us here this evening…

    …and to the Lord Mayor for his address…

    …as well as to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury for all her hard work.

    It is a year since my party was elected to office…

    …and year since I was appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

    Recently, on a visit to a primary school, a young girl asked me –

    “if you could have any job in the world, what would it be?”

    Given the events of the last few weeks, I suspect many of you would have sympathised if I had said –

     “anything but the Chancellor.”

    But I didn’t.

    Because I am proud to stand here tonight and address you for a second time at Mansion House…

    …as the Chancellor of Exchequer.

    This evening, I want to talk about the progress we have made over the past year:

    Restoring stability;

    Securing investment;

    And delivering reform.

    And I want to talk about the future:

    The economy that we are building;

    The opportunities that we are seizing;

    And the prosperity that we together are creating.

    In my Mais lecture last year, I talked about how a resilient economy must be built on security.

    And the importance of that security has been brought into sharp focus in recent months.

    As the world changes before our eyes, and global economies are becoming more uncertain.

    The job of a responsible government is not just to watch this change –  

    We must step up, not step back.

    We must build a dynamic economy on strong and secure foundations…

    …where success is not limited to a handful of sectors, a few people, or certain parts of the country…

    …but where the rewards of hard work are shared…

    …harnessing the contribution of every part of Britain.

    This is the foundation of an economy and a country that is more active and more confident…

    …where people and business look to the future and talk about hope…

    …talk about opportunity…

    …assured of their own capability, and of the ability of our country to boldly face the challenges ahead…

    …and certain in the prize when they succeed:

    Of higher wages and higher living standards;

    The renewal of Britain in every home and every high street.

    To put it simply: a Britain that is better off.

    The financial services sector is critical to my ambitions for our country.

    It is one of the largest and most successful sectors in the UK…

    …worth around 10% of total economic output…

    …and supporting 1.2 million jobs in clusters right around the UK:

    In Cardiff, and Belfast and Edinburgh where we have growing Fintechs;

    In Manchester, where BNY have their new Angel Square hub;

    And in London, the financial centre of the world.

    And financial services is also critical in people’s everyday lives:

    Whether that’s a couple looking to buy their first home;

    A budding entrepreneur wanting to start  their first business;

    Or people getting more out of the money they’re putting aside for the future.  

    And that’s what these plans, that I will set out tonight, will deliver.

    Growth must be built on a platform of economic stability.

    When we came into office…

    …it was our government, this government, that restored Britain’s reputation as a beacon of stability by putting the public finances back on a firm footing…

    …getting debt on a downward path, while investing prudently alongside business.

    That was – and still is – the right choice…

    …because there is nothing progressive – [political redaction] – about a government that simply spends more and more each year on debt interest, instead of on the priorities of ordinary working people.

    And fiscal stability is a choice that reflects economic reality.

    National debt remains at its highest level since the 1960s…

    …and globally, the cost of borrowing has increased in recent years.

    This is not the inheritance that I would have chosen…

    …but it is the reality.

    And that is why the Prime Minister, and I and this government are remain committed to our non-negotiable fiscal rules.

    The stability that we have restored is already delivering:

    Four cuts in interest rates by the Bank of England since the General Election, reducing the cost of mortgages and business lending;

    [political redaction]

    And investment is returning to our economy.

    At the Spending Review, I set out £120 billion of public investment over the next five years…

    …and last month, the Prime Minister confirmed that the UK has attracted £120 billion of private investment – in just the last 12 months.

    In a globally competitive market…

    …firms all over the world are choosing to invest in Britain…

    …as one of the best places to start up, to scale up and to list:

    The FTSE is at an all-time high, today, for the first time ever, breaking 9000 points;

    London is home to the deepest equity capital market in Europe;

    It is the third biggest venture capital market globally;

    And the London Stock Exchange is the most international in the world…

    …with the FTSE soon to include shares listed not just in sterling but also in dollars and in euros.

    Last year, to ensure the UK remains competitive, we made significant changes to the listing regime…

    …for example, relaxing dual class share rules to give founders flexibility to pursue their growth ambitions.

    The FCA have today published their final Prospectus Rules…

    …simplifying the listing and capital raising processes for firms of all sizes.

    And, as I committed to last year at Mansion House, we are delivering PISCES…

    …a brand-new type of stock exchange for private company share trading…

    …with the first trading events due to take place later this year.

    And I am announcing a new Listings Taskforce with the Office for Investment…

    …to attract the best businesses in the world to IPO here in London.

    But we must do more to ensure that British savers benefit from the success of growing British businesses.

    Last year at Mansion House, I set out an overhaul of our pensions system…

    …and the Pension Schemes Bill, led by my colleague the Pensions Minister, will be signed into law in the next few months.

    The creation of Defined Contribution and Local Government Pension Scheme megafunds…

    …will mean larger and more powerful pots of funding invested productively across the country.

    Pension funds, and this government, are united in our determination to deliver higher returns for savers and more investment in the economy.

    That is why, since last year, funds covering the majority of the Defined Contribution market have committed to the Mansion House Accord…

    …pledging to invest at least 10% of their main funds into private assets such as infrastructure and growth markets…

    … with at least half of that going into UK projects.

    And I would also like to congratulate the Lord Mayor on his employer pension pledge…

    I am delighted, Lord Mayor, to see businesses such as Tesco, First Group and Octopus making this commitment…

    …and like you Lord Mayor I look forward to seeing more companies joining up.

    The UK economy is enhanced by its outward-facing approach…

    …and this year we have built on that with our new trade deals:             

    A trade deal with the United States, where we were the first country to sign a deal so that British businesses are better protected against tariffs, and where we have worked with our G7 colleagues to avert new taxes.

    I’m pleased to welcome US Securities and Exchange Commissioner Hester Peirce here tonight…

    …who is driving forward proposals for greater digital collaboration between our two financial centres. Thank you for being here.

    And a trade deal with the European Union, where our strategic partnership will slash red tape and reduce costs for business…

    …as well as providing a platform to further deepen our relationship in future.

    And I am pleased to welcome the European Union’s Financial Services Commissioner Maria Luis Albuquerque.

    Maria Luis, we met earlier today to discuss our continued cooperation on financial services, and I look forward to working more closely with you.

    And a trade deal with India, with whom our recent FTA agreement will give us the best trading relationship of any country in the world with India.

    And we have concluded the first Economic and Financial Dialogue with China in six years.

    And we are implementing the Berne Financial Services Agreement with Switzerland too.

    At the G20 in South Africa later this week I will continue the call I made at the IMF Spring meetings –

    …for countries to come together to tackle trade imbalances and drive growth…

    …underpinned by stronger multilateral institutions.

    I look forward to hearing more on this from the Governor in his address…

    …and I would like to congratulate him on his recent appointment as Chair of the Financial Stability Board…

    …a testament to both Andrew and this government’s commitment to international standards.

    Britain is open for business;

    Open for trade;

    Open for investment.

    And that’s why we must be willing to change how we do things to stay competitive in that global economy.

    We have ripped up the planning rules;

    We have swept away regulations;

    We have published our industrial strategy;

    And today we can go further, by announcing the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy…

    …including my Leeds Reforms…

    …named after one of the UK’s great hubs for financial services…

    …and the city that I have been proud to represent as a Member of Parliament for fifteen years.

    These are the most wide-ranging package of reforms to financial services regulation in more than a decade.

    At Mansion House last year, I said we must regulate for growth and not just for risk…

    …and we are delivering on that commitment…

    …while continuing to protect financial stability…

    …so that the benefits of a thriving and growing financial services sector can be realised for people all over Britain.

    Let me set out the details of that package in four parts:

    First, I am rolling back regulation that has gone too far in seeking to eliminate risk;

    Second, I am delivering targeted changes in the areas where the UK already has particular strengths;

    Third, I am making changes to capital requirements to unlock more productive capital;

    And fourth, I am introducing measures to boost retail investment so that more savers can reap the benefits of UK economic success.

    I will begin with the biggest reforms.

    As I promised last year, I am delivering the most significant reform to the Financial Ombudsman Service since its inception…

    …including proposing to limit for ten years for claims.

    This will speed up the time it takes for consumers to get redress for their complaints…

    … returning it to its original purpose as a simple, impartial arbitration service…

    …and ensuring that it no longer acts as a quasi-regulator.

    And I welcome the announcement today, made by the Financial Ombudsman Service that will reduce the interest rate it applies before a decision from 8% to base rate plus 1%.

    I am introducing new targets for the FCA and PRA to cut times on authorisations and approvals…

    …and I have tasked the FCA with assessing the impact of the Consumer Duty and whether it unduly effects wholesale activity…

    …to ensure that regulators are really regulating for growth.

    And I am streamlining the Senior Managers and Certification Regime…

    …reducing the burdens it imposes on firms by 50%…

    …and slashing approval timelines…

    …so you can bring in talent to your business more quickly.

    My next set of reforms provide targeted regulatory support to the areas where the UK does already have a comparative advantage.

    For insurance – where Britain is the destination of choice for underwriting complex, specialised and high-value risk…

    …I am introducing a new competitive framework for captive insurance.

    For asset management – where the UK is the world’s second largest centre…

    …I am futureproofing the regulatory regime and will publish draft legislation in early 2026.

    For sustainable finance, I am determined to focus our efforts on policies that matter most to our world-leading sector and support investment in the transition…

    …so, after consultation and consideration, I have decided not to pursue a green taxonomy…

    …but instead work with regulators through the Transition Finance Council to capitalise on the £200 billion opportunity of the global transition to net zero.

    And for Fintech – where almost half of Europe’s Fintech’s are already based here in the UK…

    …the PRA and FCA are launching a scale-up unit to support innovative firms to grow in the UK, including in our world-leading payments system.

    And I will drive forward developments in blockchain technology…

    …including tokenised securities and stablecoins…

    …and an ambitious design for a new digital gilt instrument…

    …so that UK financial services can be at the forefront of digital asset innovation.

    And because I believe the UK is the best place in the world for financial services…

    …today I’ve announced the Office for Investment’s new concierge service.

    Launching by October this year, it will provide a tailored service to companies considering setting up and expanding in the UK…

    …and I am grateful to Chris Hayward from the City of London Corporation, for his work to drive this forward.

    Thank you Chris.

    Now, let me turn to the changes I am making to capital requirements…

    …to allow UK banks to do more lending and release more capital for investment into our infrastructure and into our businesses.

    First, I am supporting the Bank of England’s decision to raise the asset threshold for MREL requirements to between £25 and £40 billion.

    This will benefit the challenger banks and bring increased competition and innovation to the market…

    …and support those businesses to expand their footprint here in the UK.

    Second, I am confirming our approach to Basel 3.1…

    …implementing lower capital requirements for domestically focussed banks from January 2027…

    …while preserving flexibility on our approach for international banks to ensure the UK always remains competitive while aligning with international standards.

    Third, I have committed to meaningful reform of the UK’s ringfencing regime…

    …recognising that now is the time to go further in tackling inefficiency and boosting growth…

    …while retaining the aspects of the regime that support financial stability and protect consumer deposits.

    And fourth, following the new, growth focussed remit letter I sent in November…

    …I welcome the Financial Policy Committee’s announcement that it will review the overall level of bank capital needed for UK financial stability…

    …reporting back to me by the end of this year.

    The review will inform the work the Treasury is taking forward with the Bank…

    …to ensure the prudential framework strikes the optimal balance to deliver resilience, growth and competitiveness.

    And I welcome the recent changes the Financial Policy Committee has announced to the loan-to-income limit on mortgage lending…

    …which the PRA and FCA are implementing immediately…

    …that means tens of thousands more people could be able to get a mortgage in the next year alone…

    …with Nationwide already offering its ‘Helping Hand’ mortgage to more first time-buyers…

    …supporting alone an additional 10,000 each year.

    And my thanks to Dame Debbie Crosbie for her leadership.

    My final set of reforms are focussed on boosting savings investment.

    I recognise the potential for ISA reform to improve returns for savers…

    …and access capital for UK businesses.

    I have confirmed that Long-Term Asset Funds can be included in stocks and shares ISAs…

    …allowing long-term ISA investors to benefit from this innovative product.

    And I will continue to consider further changes to ISAs…

    …engaging widely in the coming months…

    …and recognising that despite the differing views on the right approach…

    …we are united in wanting better outcomes for both UK savers and for the UK economy.

    For too long, we have presented investment in too negative a light…

    …quick to warn people of the risks, without giving proper weight to the benefits…

    …and our tangled system of financial advice and guidance…

    …has meant people cannot get the right support to make decisions for themselves. 

    That is why we are working with the FCA to introduce a brand-new type of targeted support for consumers ahead of the new financial year.

    And I also welcome the campaign to promote the benefits of retail investment which will launch next April…

    …and the action to look at our current approach to risk warnings – and that will report back in January…

    …and I’m grateful to Chris Cummings of the Investment Association for spearheading both of those initiatives.

    Thank you very much Chris.

    Today, I have placed financial services at the heart of this government’s growth mission…

    …recognising that Britain cannot succeed and meet its growth ambitions…

    …without a financial sector that is fighting fit and thriving.

    The reforms I have set out this evening are the next chapter in how I intend to support this growth…

    …and I thank Gwyneth Nurse and her brilliant team at the Treasury for all of their hard work on this package.

    I knew that Gwyneth would get the biggest clap …

    I am also pleased to have been able to work in lockstep with our regulators…

    …and I want to extend my thanks both to Nikhil Rathi and Sam Woods for their innovation and the work they have done in response to my updated remit letters last year.

    Thank you Nikhil and thank you Sam.

    We have been bold in regulating for growth in financial services…

    …and I have been clear on the benefits that that will drive…

    …with a ripple effect felt right across all sectors of our economy…

    …putting pounds in the pockets of working people.

    Getting better deals on their mortgages…

    better returns on their savings

    and more jobs paying good wages across our country

    As I look ahead…

    …it is clear that we must do more.

    In too many areas, regulation still acts as a boot on the neck of businesses…

    …choking off the enterprise and innovation that is the lifeblood of economic growth.

    Regulators in other sectors must take up the call I make this evening…

    …not to bend to the temptation of excessive caution…

    …but to boldly regulate for growth…

    …in the service of prosperity for our whole country.

    I’m really proud of how far we have come in the last year as government and as a country.

    I know that the changes that we have made will reform and transform our economy and our country.

    And I know that you will waste no time in seizing the opportunities that lie ahead:

    To build a stronger economy;

    To deliver the renewal of Britain;

    And to make working people in all parts of Britain better off.

    Thank you very much.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lee, Budd Introduce Keep Your Coins Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) cosponsored the Keep Your Coins Act today with U.S. Senator Tedd Budd (R-NC) to allow Americans to maintain self-custody of crypto assets, protecting their financial privacy and freedom from burdensome regulations and third-party custodians. 

    “Americans deserve to keep their crypto assets where they choose – not where they’ve been forced by the federal government,” said Senator Mike Lee. “Washington’s dragnet-style surveillance has eroded the financial privacy of law-abiding Americans for decades. I’m proud to join Senator Budd’s Keep Your Coins Act to protect Americans’ privacy and ability to maintain self-custody of crypto assets.”

    “Self-custody is a founding principle of the digital asset ecosystem and needs to be protected. I introduced the Keep Your Coins Act of 2025 to ensure the federal government cannot infringe on a person’s ability to control their own digital assets. If cryptocurrencies are going to be digital cash, we need to protect a person’s right to hold their digital cash however they want. I urge my colleagues to support this common-sense legislation to ensure financial freedom for the digital asset ecosystem,” said Senator Budd.

    Leading wallet platforms Exodus, Ledger, Casa, Block, MetaMask, and Uniswap joined in celebrating the reintroduction of the Keep Your Coins Act, saying:

    “As leading providers of self-custodial wallets, we applaud Senator Budd’s introduction of the Keep Your Coins Act, which mirrors Congressman Davidson’s bill in the House. This crucial legislation protects individuals’ fundamental right to own digital property by safeguarding against regulatory overreach. We look forward to continuing to support this legislation and establishing the United States as a haven for financial autonomy and economic freedom.”

    The Keep Your Coins Act:

    Prevents the federal government from having access to and surveillance of transactions in the digital asset ecosystem by:

    • Prohibiting any federal agency from promulgating a rule that would impair an individual’s ability to act as a self-custodian.
    • Protecting an individual’s right to conduct peer-to-peer transactions with their digital assets without the need to utilize a third-party intermediary.
    • Empowering individuals to maintain control over their digital assets through self-hosted wallets to ensure financial freedom and a decentralized cryptocurrency ecosystem.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Electricity sector changes create more ways to save

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Kiwi households and businesses will be able to save more on their electricity bills as a result of changes announced by the Electricity Authority (EA) today, Energy Minister Simon Watts and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones say.

    “The changes today are welcome developments for consumers who are not getting a fair deal at present from the energy market,” Mr Watts says.

    “First, solar is getting another big boost – energy companies must now pay households with rooftop solar and battery who export their electricity to the grid at peak times a fair price for that electricity – this will help reduce power bills and encourage more solar installations and electricity generation.

    “The large energy companies will also need to offer time of use plans by 30 June 2026 to provide better options for customers to save money by moving their electricity use from peak periods.”

    Mr Watts says these simple solutions will help Kiwis with the cost-of-living impacts driven in part by rising electricity costs. 

    “New Zealand needs more electricity generation to power our economy, and Kiwis rightly expect abundant and affordable energy, which this government is taking action to deliver.

    “The Government is working on a review of the electricity sector, with a focus on ensuring Kiwis get a fair price and aren’t hit in their pockets, and on addressing energy shortages.”

    “The new rules announced today will give New Zealanders more ways to reduce their costs and will incentivise uptake of solar and battery systems, as well as drive power prices down over the long term. Ensuring energy companies pay a fair price for consumers exporting electricity to the network is one of the single best ways to help boost solar uptake to date.

    “I want to see more New Zealanders benefitting from the smarter use of electricity. For this to happen, the electricity sector must appropriately reward consumers for the benefits they provide when they shift their power use away from peak times. 

    Mr Jones says that as our electricity market evolves, these small-scale systems will play an increasingly important role in enabling peak morning and evening demand to be met with local supply. 

    “With new, fairer rebates in place, there will be better opportunities for people to receive income from solar electricity they sell back to the grid.” 

    The Task Force was established by the Electricity Authority and Commerce Commission, with MBIE as an observer in August last year in response to the winter power crisis. 

    The Task Force is focused on enabling new generators and independent retailers to enter, and fairly compete, in the market as well as providing more options for consumers.

    “I thank the Task Force members and the Authority for their work in reaching these decisions. There is more work to do, and I look forward to further Task Force decisions in coming weeks,” Mr Watts says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Defra Secretary of State at UK Water Reception

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Defra Secretary of State at UK Water Reception

    Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs delivered a speech at the UK Water Reception hosted at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre

    This is a moment for Government and industry to join together to unlock the potential of our water sector and grow our economy in every region of this country.

    We need water for economic growth.

    Communities can’t function without it. Water is essential for every household and business across the country. We need it to grow the food that feeds our families. To build 1.5 million new homes, hospitals, schools and roads. To cool power stations that supply our electricity and the data centres to run our IT systems. 

    Water flows through our breathtaking countryside, boosting our tourism and leisure industries.

    The public were not aware at the time of the last general election, this country was facing water rationing within ten years.  There was not enough water to meet the growing demands of our population. As David just said, no new reservoirs had been built in 30 years.

    Water infrastructure was outdated and crumbling. Leaking pipes wasted valuable water supplies. Record levels of sewage polluted our waterways.

    [Political section removed]

    In just one year, we’ve introduced tough new measures to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. Including ringfencing customers’ money so it can only be spent on what it was intended for: upgrading and improving water infrastructure.

    Our Water Special Measures Bill became law in February, giving the regulators new powers to hold water companies to account.

     And Sir Jon Cunliffe, the former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, will soon complete the biggest review of the water sector in a generation to ensure we have a robust regulatory framework to clean up our waterways, build the infrastructure we need for a reliable water supply, and restore public confidence in this vital economic sector.

    He will publish his full findings next week, and the Government response will follow quickly afterwards.

    This strong action has laid the groundwork for the sector to move forward.

    Today is the start of a new partnership between the water sector and government.

    Turning the page on the past to begin a new chapter of growth and opportunity.

    The water sector is a priority for economic growth.

    We’ve worked together and secured £104 billion pounds of private sector investment in the water sector over the next five years.

    That’s the biggest private sector investment into our water sector in its entire history, and the second biggest investment in any part of the economy over the lifetime of this parliament – and getting this investment right matters.

    It will build and upgrade infrastructure in every region of the country – cutting sewage in half by 2030 and cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas.

    So, parents don’t have to worry about letting their children splash about in the water. So, we can experience the majesty of national treasures like Lake Windermere. Or enjoy a moment of calm by going for a swim in nature.

    It will fund nine new reservoirs and nine large-scale water transfer schemes, and reduce leaks from water pipes.

    So families – like those in Guildford –   don’t have to rely on bottled water when their water supply is disrupted. So businesses don’t lose profits when they’re forced to shut because the taps have run dry. So farmers can keep growing food in the face of increasingly unstable and unpredictable weather patterns.

    This vast investment will fuel economic growth.

    Over the next 5 years, it will create 30 thousand good, well-paid jobs in every corner of the country.

    Jobs that are rooted in the communities they serve.

    Money to upgrade roads, schools and hospitals. Encouraging businesses to invest in the area. Attracting more visitors to support rural tourism.

    This investment will make sure we can build 1.5 million homes this Parliament, construct major infrastructure projects to support the green energy transition, and power new industries such as data centres that can unlock the UK’s AI potential.

    This is what we mean when we talk about the Government’s Plan for Change.

    We must work together to make sure that £104 billion is spent in the best way to secure the improvements we want to see, and in the timescales we want to see them.

    Earlier this year, my colleague the Water Minister Emma Hardy and I toured the country to see how this investment will be spent.

    Around Cambridge, one of the UK’s fastest growing economies, investment in water infrastructure will support 4500 new homes, community facilities such as schools and leisure centres, and office and laboratory space in the city centre.

    On the River Avon, Wessex Water are investing £35 million pounds to expand the Saltford Water Recycling Plant, increasing their wastewater treatment capacity by 40% to meet rising demand, and creating local jobs near Bath.

    And in Hampshire, work’s begun on the Havant Thicket Reservoir, the first reservoir to be built in the South East since the 1970s and when it’s full, this will supply water to around 160,000 people and, during construction, it will generate more than £10 million a year to the South East economy,  with construction jobs and apprenticeships.

    We need to get spades in the ground in every region.

    I’ve set up a Water Delivery Taskforce to bring together Government, regulators, and water industry representatives, to ensure water companies complete their planned investments on time and on budget – providing value for money for customers.    

    The Taskforce will make sure we have the water, wastewater and drainage needed for the new developments and infrastructure that will drive long-term economic growth.

    Energy and Utility Skills estimate 43,000 people will be needed to take up jobs in the water industry over the next five years.

    That’s good, skilled, well paid jobs such as bioresources technicians, hydraulics specialists, engineers, construction workers, and surveyors.

    It’s imperative we have the skilled workforce in place.

    Because without it, all this investment will not be possible.

    That’s why we’re here today. To work together to ensure the industry and supply chain have the capacity to meet our shared ambitions for a successful, growing water sector underpinning a successful, growing economy.

    This demands a whole Government approach.

    Torsten Bell, the Minister for Pensions, and Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills, will both be here today, will give more details on how we plan to do this via our employment and skills programmes.

    And I’m delighted that later today I’ll sign our ‘Water Skills Pledge’ with Alison McGovern, the Minister for Employment – affirming our commitment to ensuring the water sector has the skills and workforce it needs to succeed.

    We will work together to show people that a career in the water industry and its supply chain is something they can be proud of for a lifetime.

    Something that gives you new skills, exciting challenges and can set you up for life – wherever in this country you live.

    These are jobs that make a difference. Making sure people have a reliable, clean water supply, protecting our food security, cleaning up our waterways – and stimulating economic growth in every part of the country to raise living standards and wages and improve people’s lives.

    This is a fresh start, a moment to build new partnerships and set the direction for the water sector of the future.

    We are working together to bring about the change that people in this country voted for last year. It’s an exciting time for the water industry, and I’m proud to stand alongside you as we chart the journey forwards to success.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: River Valley Community Bancorp Announces 2nd Quarter Results (Unaudited)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    YUBA CITY, Calif., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — River Valley Community Bancorp (OTC markets: RVCB) with its wholly owned subsidiary, River Valley Community Bank (collectively referred to as the “Bank”), today announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025. The full earnings release can be found on the Bank’s Investor Relations website at Investor Relations – River Valley Community Bank.

    The Bank remains highly rated with BauerFinancial, and Depositaccounts.com and serves its customer base through its offices located at:

    • 1629 Colusa Avenue, Yuba City, CA
    • 580 Brunswick Rd, Grass Valley, CA
    • 905 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA
    • 904 B Street, Marysville, CA
    • 401 Ryland Street, Ste. 205, Reno, NV (Loan Production Office)
    • 1508 Eureka Rd., Ste. 100, Roseville, CA (Loan Production Office)
    • 2901 Douglas Blvd., Ste. 140, Roseville, CA – Opening in 3Q2025!

    The Bank offers a full suite of competitive products, services, and banking technology. For more information please visit our website at www.myrvcb.com or contact John M. Jelavich at (530) 821-2469.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: White River Bancshares Co. Announces Annual Cash Dividend of $0.50 Per Diluted Share

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — White River Bancshares Company (OTCQX: WRIV) (the “Company”), the holding company for Signature Bank of Arkansas (the “Bank”), today announced its Board of Directors declared an annual cash dividend of $0.50 per share. The dividend will be payable on August 29th, 2025, to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 18th, 2025.

    “We sincerely thank every shareholder for your trust and investment in our community bank. I’m proud that our 2024 performance enables us to reward our shareholders through both earnings growth and our annual cash dividend,” said Gary Head, Chief Executive Officer.

    About White River Bancshares Company

    White River Bancshares Company is the single bank holding company for Signature Bank of Arkansas, headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Bank has locations in Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville, Rogers, Brinkley, Harrison and Jonesboro, Arkansas. Founded in 2005, Signature Bank of Arkansas provides a full line of financial services to small businesses, families and farms. White River Bancshares Company (OTCQX: WRIV), trades on the OTCQX® Best Market.  

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains statements about future events. These forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions of management of the Company and the Bank and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions or the negative of those terms. Our ability to predict results of future events and the actual effect of future plans or strategies are inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from those predicted in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects or that could affect the outcome of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates; the economic health of the local real estate market; general economic conditions; credit deterioration in our loan portfolio that would cause us to increase our allowance for loan losses; legislative or regulatory changes; technological developments; monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; the quality or composition of our loan and securities portfolios; demand for loan products in our market areas; deposit flows and costs of capital; competition; retention and recruitment of qualified personnel; demand for financial services in our market areas; and changes in accounting principles, policies, and guidelines. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

    Contact: Scott Sandlin, Chief Strategy Officer
      479-684-3754

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Mint Miner launches XRP cloud mining service to promote intelligent value-added of digital assets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With the rapid expansion of the Ripple ecosystem, Mint Miner, the world’s leading green cloud mining platform, has launched a breakthrough service: AI-driven intelligent cloud mining based on XRP. Introducing XRP mining into a platform where users can access data remotely breaks the long-standing inherent perception that XRP is “unmineable”.

    Mint Miner cloud mining does not require any hardware or technical background. Global users can start XRP cloud mining with one click through a browser or mobile app to obtain stable daily income.

    XRP cloud mining: speed, efficiency and income
    XRP has long been a crypto asset favored by institutions due to its high performance and low cost in the field of cross-border payments. Mint Miner’s intelligent mining system, XRP is entering a new stage – not only can it be used for payment, but also for creating sustainable income.

    Mint Miner automatically schedules through AI algorithms. The platform not only supports XRP mining, but also can intelligently switch to BTC, ETH, DOGE, USDC and other assets with better returns to ensure that users maximize their mining returns. Daily income is settled in real time, and multiple mainstream cryptocurrencies are supported for extraction, truly realizing income freedom.

    Five advantages of Mint Miner XRP cloud mining:

    ❶Full ecosystem XRP support: From purchasing contracts to extracting income, all can be completed through XRP, without the need to exchange other assets.

    ❷AI-driven intelligent mining: The algorithm monitors the income data of the entire network in real time, dynamically adjusts the computing power, and ensures the maximization of mining income.

    ❸Remote barrier-free operation: No mining machine or configuration is required, just register and log in to the App or website to start mining.

    ❹Flexible income currency: Supports settlement of multiple currencies such as BTC, ETH, USDC, SOL, DOGE, LTC, BCH, etc.

    ❺Principal return mechanism: After the contract expires, the system automatically returns the initial investment and income to ensure the safety of user funds.

    Mint Miner has diversified contracts to suit different user strategies

    Various flexible contracts with terms ranging from 1 day to 20 days. Suitable for novices with short-term mining returns, and also suitable for crypto asset holders seeking long-term returns. All contracts have fixed income and automated management mechanisms to ensure that the investment process is simple, transparent and controllable.

    It only takes 3 steps to start Mint Miner cloud mining:

    ①Register an account–Visit the Mint Miner official website and fill in your username and email address. You can get a $15 new user bonus;

    ②Select a contract–Choose a suitable cloud mining contract based on your personal budget and strategy;
    The following is a list of some of the cloud computing power contracts

    For more information, view contract details or start mining, please visit:https://mintminer.com/

    ③Start making money–Settle income every 24 hours. The income will be automatically sent to the account and can be withdrawn or reinvested at any time.

    Mint Miner leads the next generation of crypto mining experience
    Since its establishment in 2016, Mint Miner has been committed to bringing institutional-level mining services to global users, covering more than 180 countries and regions around the world, and the number of users has exceeded 5 million. The introduction of XRP cloud mining not only continues the platform’s consistent technological leadership, but also represents the further popularization and personalized development of crypto asset management.

    Finally:
    “We believe that true financial inclusion comes from the simplification of technology and the improvement of efficiency,” said a Mint Miner spokesperson: “XRP is one of the ideal crypto assets. Global users can participate in the growth of the XRP network and obtain stable income every day without any threshold.”

    Mining income is credited daily, regardless of market fluctuations
    In the current market environment with increasing uncertainty, Mint Miner provides a reliable and automated way to increase the value of digital assets. No longer relying on price speculation, no longer restricted by cumbersome technology, using AI and cloud computing, everyone can participate in the future cloud mining system.

    Media Contact:
    Contact Email: info@mintminer.com
    Official Website: https://mintminer.com/

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Secures Key Provisions to Protect Rock Island Arsenal, Support Illinois Quantum Technology Research and Safeguard Care for Veterans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    July 15, 2025
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), secured several important provisions to support our state’s residents, Servicemembers, Veterans and economy in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that SASC recently approved last week and the full Senate will now consider. Some of the priorities Duckworth secured to help Illinoisans include protecting Rock Island Arsenal from any restructuring until the Army provides more information about their proposed plans, expanding access to vital health care services for our state’s servicemembers, Veterans as well as military families and supporting research and development at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in Chicago.  
    “The brave Illinoisans who serve our nation in uniform at home and abroad deserve to know that our country fully supports them as they and their families sacrifice to defend our country,”?said Senator Duckworth.?“While I do not support every provision in this bipartisan compromise, I’m proud I was able to secure several important provisions to benefit our state by protecting operations at Rock Island Arsenal, protecting health care access for our military and Veteran families and supporting groundbreaking quantum computing research in Chicago. I’m glad the Armed Services Committee included these important provisions in this year’s NDAA and I hope the full Senate approves it as soon possible.” 
    Key Duckworth provisions secured in this year’s Committee-passed NDAA that would support Illinoisans include:
    Supporting and Protecting Rock Island Arsenal Operations:
    By Protecting Jobs: This provision would restrict the Secretary of the Army from using any funds allocated for restructuring until the Army provides more information about their proposed plan to integrate Joint Munitions Command and Army Sustainment Command, helping ensure operations at Rock Island Arsenal are not affected unnecessarily.
    By Sustaining Workload and Industrial Base: This provision would establish a 5-year pilot program requiring DoD to give preference to public-private partnerships in arsenals, especially those non-public partners that ensure equitable workshare to DoD employees to protect critical skills. This provision would help ensure arsenals and factories, like Rock Island Arsenal, remain active and viable while preserving the skilled workforce, equipment and production capacity critical to the nation’s defense industrial base.
    By Constructing a Child Development Center at Rock Island Arsenal: The bill authorizes $50 million in Major Construction funds for a new addition to the Child Development Center at Rock Island Arsenal and to consolidate the existing facilities and make upgrades to meet DoD guidelines and safety requirements, ensuring that eligible families at Rock Island Arsenal have a safe, modern facility for childcare. 
    By Improving Predictive Manufacturing Analytics at Army Arsenals: Language urging the continued implementation of industrial control networks across our Army’s arsenals to enable the collection, aggregation, and analysis of data associated with the manufacture and repair of equipment and supplies. This work completed by MxD, the nation’s digital manufacturing and cybersecurity institute, located in Chicago, helps ensure the efficiency and security of the critical manufacturing completed at Rock Island Arsenal and the Army’s other arsenals.? 
    By Expanding Robotic Enhancements for Armaments Manufacturing: Language authorizing an additional $5 million for the Secretary of the Army to expand prototyping and production capacity by integrating robotics, automation and digital manufacturing into the munitions industrial base, further modernizing production at Rock Island Arsenal with technology pioneered by innovators in Chicago.? 
    By Improving the Governance of the Organic Industrial Base: Language directing the Army to analyze the effectiveness of their current governance and resourcing model for the Army’s arsenals, depots as well as ammunition plants and identify opportunities for changes to ensure the enterprise and its workforce can support the military’s munitions and sustainment requirements now and in the future. The Senator helped secure this provision alongside Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK). ? 
    Safeguarding Veteran Medical Care in North Chicago: This provision, led with Senator Durbin, would secure a one-year extension of the Joint Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, which supports the operations of the North Chicago-based Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC). This provision will help safeguard continued access to vital services for military families and Veterans in the area.  
    Protecting Cities Like Chicago from the Trump Administration’s Overreach with the Military: A modified version of a provision of Senator Duckworth’s Military In Law Enforcement Accountability Act (MiLEAA) requires servicemembers identify themselves as part of the military when assisting federal law enforcement when operating in the United States. As the Trump Administration continues to send federal agents and our nation’s military into our communities to intimidate their fellow Americans, this provision ensures that servicemembers identify themselves properly—to avoid public misunderstanding about who is providing logistical support versus conducting arrests or law enforcement duties. 
    In light of the Trump administration’s increasing use of troops to support law enforcement within the United States, another provision will help ensure troops know how to responsibly operate within the bounds of domestic laws and protect American civil rights. This provision requires DoD to provide legal training to all servicemembers, including a refresher within 90 days of any mobilization or deployment, on their responsibilities under the law of armed conflict, rules of engagement, defense support for civil authorities and standing rules for the use of force within the United States.
    Strengthening Domestic Suppliers of Critical Uniform Components: Language prohibiting the Department of Defense from sourcing clothing, fabrics or components from countries of concern—such as China, Iran, North Korea and Russia—when using domestic sourcing waivers under the Berry Amendment, to prevent further weakening of the U.S. clothing and textile industrial base and bolstering Chicago’s top-quality garment industry.
    Investing in Quantum Technology in Chicago: Language recognizing the importance of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) program, which aims to build a commercially useful FTQC by 2033, and encouraging the Department to concurrently prepare algorithms to operate those machines, while the hardware is being built. This provision recognizes the importance of the development of the first FTQC, which is being built at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in Chicago, Illinois. 
    Championing Domestic Manufacturing in Belleville: Language requesting DoD provide data and analysis on the necessary war reserves for footwear and textiles, and the accompanying surge needs in the event of crisis or conflict. This report language is a modified version of the Senator’s Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTS) Act, which recognizes that our defense industrial base for combat boots needs investment in order for it to support our troops and help ensure they have the sturdiest and most protective boots in a possible war, like those manufactured in Illinois at Belleville’s Belleville Boot Manufacturing Co.
    Advancing U.S. Bioindustrial Manufacturing Innovation in Champaign: This provision would support the innovative work being done at advanced facilities like the University of Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Hub (iFAB) by requiring more information on how DoD is investing in this technology critical for national security.
    Encouraging Investment in Nuclear Energy and Domestic Printed Circuit Boards: Language allowing the Office of Strategic Capital to enter into investments in nuclear fusion and fission energy and directing OSC to explore printed circuit boards (PCBs) and PCB assemblies, to ensure these critical technologies—which Illinois plays a central role in manufacturing and advancing—has sufficient capital investments to scale for warfighting. 
    Protecting Servicemembers from Dangerous PFAS in their Protective Garments: Language requiring the DoD to articulate its plan for acquiring chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threat protective garments free from toxic PFAS chemicals as soon as possible.?Innovative Illinois research and development and manufacturing is leading the way on alternatives that protect servicemembers without relying on toxic chemicals.  
    Designing a New Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at Scott Air Force Base: The bill authorizes $6 million in Planning and Design funds for the construction of a new aircraft maintenance hangar to support the training and operational mission of the 126th Aerial Refueling Wing at Scott Air Force Base. The current hangar was constructed in 1956, remains in disrepair and no longer meets Department of Defense standards or mission requirements, making a new hangar critical to the Wing’s mission. 
    Renovating General Jones Readiness Center: The bill authorizes $5 million in Planning and Design funds for major alternations to the General Richard L. Jones National Guard Readiness Center in Chicago. This facility was built in 1931 and remains one of the largest readiness centers in the country. Renovating it to meet mission requirements is a top priority for the Illinois National Guard. 
    In addition to these provisions, Senator Duckworth also successfully worked to protect Universities like Northwestern University and University of Illinois from having their DoD funding for critical technological research cut unnecessarily. 
    Other key funding for Illinois projects contained in the committee-passed bill include:
    $5 million authorized in Planning and Design funds to support forging annex at Rock Island Arsenal.
    $3.05 million authorized in Planning and Design funds to support range control at Marseilles Training Center.
    $8 million authorized in Planning and Design funds to support the Peoria Armory Readiness Center.
    $36 million authorized to boost Fort Sheridan area maintenance support activity.
    A full list of Duckworth’s priorities included in the FY26 NDAA can be found here.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Ministry of Economic Development: SEZs have become points of growth and concentration of high technologies.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    On July 15, the Federation Council held a round table on the topic of “Development of special economic zones of the technology-implementation type as a driver of innovation.” The event was organized by the Committee on Economic Policy with the participation of Senator Vladimir Kravchenko. The discussion was attended by Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Svyatoslav Sorokin, representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, heads of special economic zones (SEZ) of the technology-implementation type, as well as industry experts.

    Today, there are seven special economic zones of the technology implementation type operating in Russia. Despite their small number, they demonstrate impressive results from year to year, promoting the development of high-tech production and innovative infrastructure. They include: SEZ Technopolis Moscow (Moscow), Saint Petersburg (Saint Petersburg), Dubna (Moscow Region), Tomsk (Tomsk Region), Innopolis (Republic of Tatarstan), Istok (Fryazino, Moscow Region), and Saratov (Saratov, Saratov Region).

    In his report, Svyatoslav Sorokin noted the importance of technology implementation zones in the formation of non-resource growth of the economy and the technological sovereignty of the country.

    “Today we see that, despite the fact that there are only seven technology-implementation SEZs, they generate almost half of all revenue and jobs created in the SEZ territory. This speaks to the high efficiency of this format and its key role in the development of high-tech production,” the deputy minister emphasized.

    Today, there are more than 570 residents registered in the TVT SEZ, 32 of which have foreign capital. The total revenue of residents exceeds 1.75 trillion rubles (43% of the total revenue for all SEZs), and the volume of investments amounted to more than 764 billion rubles. Thanks to the activities of these zones, more than 50 thousand highly paid jobs have been created.

    “Residents of technology-implementation SEZs today produce unique IT solutions, medical products, and products for the aviation and space industries. These are real growth points and architects of the innovative economy,” noted Svyatoslav Sorokin.

    The roundtable participants discussed proposals for fine-tuning the SEZ mechanism, aimed at increasing their efficiency and investment attractiveness. The Ministry of Economic Development will work on initiatives from the constituent entities of the Russian Federation to adjust the methodology for assessing the efficiency of special economic zones, providing for increased attention to the development of technologies and the introduction of innovations. The new approach will be implemented taking into account the emphasis on technology implementation processes that ensure the implementation of the strategic goals of the national economy – structural adaptation of industries and the achievement of technological sovereignty of the country. These measures are aimed at increasing the competitiveness of Russian enterprises, accelerating scientific and technological progress and ensuring the sustainability of economic growth in the context of global competition.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report 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: Ministry of Economic Development: SEZs have become points of growth and concentration of high technologies.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    On July 15, the Federation Council held a round table on the topic of “Development of special economic zones of the technology-implementation type as a driver of innovation.” The event was organized by the Committee on Economic Policy with the participation of Senator Vladimir Kravchenko. The discussion was attended by Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Svyatoslav Sorokin, representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, heads of special economic zones (SEZ) of the technology-implementation type, as well as industry experts.

    Today, there are seven special economic zones of the technology implementation type operating in Russia. Despite their small number, they demonstrate impressive results from year to year, promoting the development of high-tech production and innovative infrastructure. They include: SEZ Technopolis Moscow (Moscow), Saint Petersburg (Saint Petersburg), Dubna (Moscow Region), Tomsk (Tomsk Region), Innopolis (Republic of Tatarstan), Istok (Fryazino, Moscow Region), and Saratov (Saratov, Saratov Region).

    In his report, Svyatoslav Sorokin noted the importance of technology implementation zones in the formation of non-resource growth of the economy and the technological sovereignty of the country.

    “Today we see that, despite the fact that there are only seven technology-implementation SEZs, they generate almost half of all revenue and jobs created in the SEZ territory. This speaks to the high efficiency of this format and its key role in the development of high-tech production,” the deputy minister emphasized.

    Today, there are more than 570 residents registered in the TVT SEZ, 32 of which have foreign capital. The total revenue of residents exceeds 1.75 trillion rubles (43% of the total revenue for all SEZs), and the volume of investments amounted to more than 764 billion rubles. Thanks to the activities of these zones, more than 50 thousand highly paid jobs have been created.

    “Residents of technology-implementation SEZs today produce unique IT solutions, medical products, and products for the aviation and space industries. These are real growth points and architects of the innovative economy,” noted Svyatoslav Sorokin.

    The roundtable participants discussed proposals for fine-tuning the SEZ mechanism, aimed at increasing their efficiency and investment attractiveness. The Ministry of Economic Development will work on initiatives from the constituent entities of the Russian Federation to adjust the methodology for assessing the efficiency of special economic zones, providing for increased attention to the development of technologies and the introduction of innovations. The new approach will be implemented taking into account the emphasis on technology implementation processes that ensure the implementation of the strategic goals of the national economy – structural adaptation of industries and the achievement of technological sovereignty of the country. These measures are aimed at increasing the competitiveness of Russian enterprises, accelerating scientific and technological progress and ensuring the sustainability of economic growth in the context of global competition.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report 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: The Central Banks of Georgia and the Republic of Korea have launched a joint project to develop non-cash payments

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Tbilisi, July 16 (Xinhua) — The central banks of Georgia and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have officially launched a joint project to develop non-cash payments aimed at modernizing the payment infrastructure and expanding financial inclusion in Georgia, the National Bank of Georgia reported on Tuesday.

    A delegation from the Central Bank of Kazakhstan and the Korea Institute of Financial Telecommunications and Clearing /KFTC/ recently visited Georgia on a working visit. During the visit, a cooperation agreement was signed, which provides for the launch of the above-mentioned project.

    The parties expressed confidence that cooperation will make a significant contribution to the development of a modern and inclusive payment system, as well as strengthen economic ties between the two countries. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report 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: The Central Banks of Georgia and the Republic of Korea have launched a joint project to develop non-cash payments

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Tbilisi, July 16 (Xinhua) — The central banks of Georgia and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have officially launched a joint project to develop non-cash payments aimed at modernizing the payment infrastructure and expanding financial inclusion in Georgia, the National Bank of Georgia reported on Tuesday.

    A delegation from the Central Bank of Kazakhstan and the Korea Institute of Financial Telecommunications and Clearing /KFTC/ recently visited Georgia on a working visit. During the visit, a cooperation agreement was signed, which provides for the launch of the above-mentioned project.

    The parties expressed confidence that cooperation will make a significant contribution to the development of a modern and inclusive payment system, as well as strengthen economic ties between the two countries. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King on Potential Recissions Legislation: ‘Checks and Balances Essentially have Melted Away’

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today spoke on the Senate floor to speak on the Senate floor against the ‘Recissions Package’ currently being considered. This legislation aims to remove Congressionally-approved funding from critical public services including, but not limited to, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) which helps to fund Maine Public broadcasting and public interest newsgathering nationwide, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) which leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage and directs and coordinates the world’s response to health emergencies before they can pose a threat to American lives.

    More specifically, King made the point that this bill is a further abdication of congressional authority to fund national priorities, also known in the Constitution as “the power of the purse.”

    The full transcript of Senator King’s floor speech from this morning is below.

    +++

    “Mr. President, I’d like to talk today about the rescission bill that will be coming before us in the next couple of days, and I want to really cover two points – what is being done in this bill, and how it’s being done. I think they are equally important. In fact, I think perhaps how it is being done is more significant in the long run. The rescission bill talks about essentially two areas, public broadcasting, and USAID. In my view, the rescission, the total rescission of those two agencies, by the way –it is a total rescission— it’s not selective cutting of certain programs or partially, it’s the whole thing, both in the corporation for public broadcasting and USAID, go from bad policy to downright dangerous, and I want to talk about that for a minute.

    “Public broadcasting has a unique place in the United States and our media environment in that it is the only media form not driven by advertising and advertising dollars. It cannot be driven by ratings. It therefore is able to provide programming to the American people that they probably almost certainly would not have access to otherwise. It wouldn’t simply find a home on commercial broadcasting because the ratings wouldn’t be there, but that doesn’t mean the programming isn’t important. 

    “My kids were raised on ‘Sesame Street.’ It made a huge difference in their readiness to go to school, in their understanding of language and numbers, and the whole basis of our education system. ‘Sesame Street’ is a program that wouldn’t find a home on commercial broadcasting. Likely, also with “Nova” with “Nature” and yes, the “PBS Newshour.”

    “The [corporate] news business today has become more entertainment because it’s based upon advertising [and] attracting viewers and therefore is more inciteful. And I don’t mean – I mean that c-i-t-e not s-i-g-h-t. More inciting to people’s anger and unrest in order to keep them viewing. Whereas the PBS Newshour is pretty much straight news. It wouldn’t get ratings on MSNBC or Fox News, but it provides a source of news both in terms of nationally, but also in each state.

    “The local national public radio “All Things Considered”, those kinds of programming are essential to providing information. Now, some people may think it’s biased. I don’t think anything done by a human is going to be free of any and all bias, but it is pretty much straight news. And it’s an asset to our communities, particularly our rural communities.

    “And by the way, this isn’t where we have federal dollars that are supporting all of these initiatives. In fact, the majority of the support for public broadcasting, both television and radio, comes from the public, from contributions. So, in effect, our federal dollars are matched to a very high degree by the public making their own contributions. That’s an indication of how much the public values these wonderful assets to our information environment here in the country. And to cut off federal funding is just — it’s an essential piece of the funding. A lot of it goes to the local stations. We talk about the corporation for public broadcasting, we think of PBS and the national programs, but a lot of this funding ends up going to the local stations all over the country that provide essential sources of information to their public.

    “By the way, the costs we’re talking about is ridiculously low. I did the calculation. The relationship between the cost of the public broadcasting to the federal budget is, let’s see, it’s seven cents to $10,000. That’s the ratio. Seven cents out of $10,000. That’s what we’re talking about here, an almost immeasurable part of the federal budget, but the return on investment is enormous. It’s enormous. If this were a gigantic $100 billion program, we’d be having a different kind of discussion, but this is a relatively small program in the context of the federal budget, with a very high return on investment to the American people. 

    “Now let’s talk about USAID and the [majority] whip was just talking about that. He listed a number of projects that I think are questionable, that I don’t necessarily support, but USAID is an essential part of our foreign policy to help to stabilize unstable parts of the world, to extend America’s soft power, to build America’s brand, and yes, to do some very essential projects. For example, in PEPFAR, which is an initiative of the George W. Bush administration, involving AIDS, the estimate is that that initiative since its beginning in 2005 has saved 25 million lives. 25 million lives were saved by that program that will be destroyed by this bill. You can’t tell me that having that level of benefit to the people of the world does not [result in] the benefit of the United States, the sponsor of the initiative.

    “Same thing with malaria. The estimates are that the malaria program, which goes back to I believe it was the Obama Administration, has prevented 1.5 billion cases of malaria, which is a real plague in many parts of the world, and saved 11 million lives. Just those two programs together, those two USAID projects, have saved 36 million lives, and we’re talking about cutting them off. That’s not only bad policy, it’s cruel. It’s cruel, and it undermines the credibility of this country.

    “Now, of course, foreign aid has a lot of benefits aside from the ones that I’ve just outlined. By the way, if the Congress and the Administration wants to cull the programs and say we don’t think this one is necessary, this is not a good expenditure of the people’s money, that’s fine. But that’s not what this bill does. This bill throws out the beneficial baby with the questionable bathwater. It is a total abdication of America’s engagement with the world.

    “Vaccination campaigns, food security, nutrition programs, disaster response, refugee support. This aligns with our American values. As I say, it’s a relatively small part of the budget. It helps to stabilize fragile states. It cuts the risk of extremism and terrorism and conflict. And James Mattis put it best. General James Mattis, one of the most distinguished military officers of our time, said, ‘If you don’t fund the State Department fully, then you’re going to have to buy me more bullets.’

    “That puts it most succinctly, you’re going to have to buy me more bullets, because the programs of USAID tend to stabilize the world and mitigate the tendency toward extremism and violence. And since we have started to gut A.I.D., which was one of the first actions of this administration in January and February, China has stepped into our shoes.

    “I’m on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Intelligence Committee. I have seen and heard testimony that China is basically stepping in where we’re walking away. We are handing Africa and Latin America to the Chinese. In some cases, to the very programs that we were sponsoring. They’re the ones now engaging with local governments, local leadership, getting the credit for helping with these kinds of problems across the world. We’re giving away the goodwill that is part of the American brand. We’re giving away the opportunity to build alliances, to strengthen our influence, especially in competition with regimes like China and Russia.

    “It also creates markets for U.S. goods and the U.S. economy. A significant share of the foreign aid ends up going back to businesses and NGO’s here in the United States. So, it actually contributes to our economic development. Countries that are receiving this USAID end up being partners and customers of U.S. goods, products, and services. I mentioned it saves lives, it aligns with our values, and there’s nothing wrong with talking about values. That’s a part of what we should be doing. USAID is doing important work all over the world. I met with USAID people in Kabul, Afghanistan. I met with them in Jordan, where they’re working on a water desalinization project that will literally save Jordan. Jordan is a country that has no water, and they’re facing a tremendous crisis. One of the projects that they’re relying on is a very large water production facility supported by USAID. That’s the kind of project that I think we need to continue.

    “Again, I would not say that every single project they’ve sponsored is what I would have agreed upon. That’s our job as oversight bodies, to take a look at the projects being sponsored, the administration can also do that, and they can then cull the projects we don’t think are a useful expenditure of the government’s money, or the people’s money. But not the wholesale destruction of an agency that is critical, I believe, to the foreign policy of the United States. 

    “So, that’s the picture on these rescissions. I believe the more important question, though, Mr. President, as I’ve mentioned, is how this is being done. The question is, who has the power in our government over appropriations? That’s the fundamental question. Where is the power over appropriations, where do the federal dollars go?

    “The answer, of course, is the Congress. Article 1, Section 8. The Congress has the ‘power of the purse.’ The president can submit his budget, and he can submit a budget that zeros out USAID, that zeros out corporation for public broadcasting. But then, the way the process works, we have hearings, we have meetings with the appropriation committee. The appropriators meet, decide, discuss, debate, and come to the floor with a bill that represents the consensus of those on the appropriations committee. And then we consider it here.

    “This process that we’re talking about here—this rescission process—turns the whole thing upside down. It basically says the administration can decide programs that are going to go away, and you can take it or leave it, Congress. I believe it shreds the appropriations process. The appropriations committee, indeed, this body, becomes a rubber stamp for whatever the administration wants.  

    “The deeper problem, Mr. President, is I believe this is another step in Congress’ abdication of its constitutional authority, which has dramatically accelerated since January. The war power, Article 1, Section 8, an express power of the Constitution, we barely could have a debate about that, and the President attacked another sovereign country, which may have been the right thing to do, but there was no consultation, there was no attempt whatsoever to engage Congress, which has the power over declaring war, before that step was taken.

    “Foreign trade, again, foreign trade, trade among nations is the term in the Constitution, is expressly delegated by the Constitution to the Congress, and the Congress has delegated some of that authority to the president, to a president, any president, under emergency circumstances. But this President has expanded emergency to mean just about anything.

    “We learned this week he’s talking about a 50% tariff against Brazil because he doesn’t like the way the current government is treating the prior president. Has nothing to do with trade, has nothing to do with trade deficits or the tariffs. It has to do with something the President individually doesn’t like. That’s not the way the systems supposed to work. The up and down rollercoaster we’ve been on with regards to tariffs is a perfect example of why one person shouldn’t have this authority. This should be something done thoughtfully and systematically here in the Congress. Under Article 1 Section 8, to debate and decide what appropriate tariff levels there are across the world and not this helter skelter up and down changing every other day that has not only affected inflation in this country and brought it up, but it’s also created enormous uncertainty both in our markets and across the world. And finally, we see the power of the purse, Congress’s fundamental responsibility. 

    “And by the way, Mr. President, as I talk to my colleagues, particularly my Republican colleagues, about this issue over the last several months, one of the common refrains is, don’t worry, we don’t have to buck the President because the courts will take care of it. The courts will take care of us. They’ll protect us. Well, that ain’t happening. The ridiculous decision of the Supreme Court yesterday on the Department of Education is an indication that we cannot count on the courts to protect us from the depredations of an authoritarian, proto authoritarian regime. They basically said the President can continue to gut the Department of Education because we are going to hear the case later and decide when it comes. They did the same right with birthright citizenship. They punted on the issue and allowed the activities, the authoritarian-like activities to continue before they get to the case in their own good time.

    “So we can’t count on the courts. That means we’re it. The Congress, the Senate has to stand up for the Constitution. What this bill is, is another building block in the edifice of authoritarianism that we’ve seen built, that we are seeing built before our eyes. A building block in the edifice of authoritarianism.

    “Why is this important? Is this just a dispute between the Congress and the President, politics as usual. Democrats undermining a Republican president, and it’s just going to be all about the midterms and the elections of 2028? No, this is much deeper than that.

    “The fundamental premise of the Constitution is the separation of power and the reason it’s there is because history tells us if power is concentrated, it’s dangerous. Madison put it bluntly in the 47th Federalist: ‘The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive and judiciary in the same set of hands may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.’ He used the word tyranny. Madison wasn’t mincing words. History tells us that if you concentrate power in one set of hands it’s dangerous. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. We know that from 1,000 years of human nature. And that was exactly what the framers of the Constitution were trying to prevent by this complicated, difficult structure where there’s power in the Congress, power in the states, power in the executive, power in the courts, two houses of Congress vetoes, overrides.

    “All of those checks and balances which has become a kind of cliche are there for a fundamental reason, and that’s to protect our liberty. To protect us from the danger of power being concentrated in one set of hands. Now the framers thought that they didn’t have to worry about this, having set up the Constitution the way they did, because they said never will the Congress give up its power. The term they used was ambition must be made to counteract ambition. That there would be institutional rivalry and we would never give up. They didn’t reckon on parties. They didn’t reckon on party primaries. They didn’t reckon on the executive having such sway with the legislative branch that the checks and balances essentially have melted away.

    “So this bill is important because of the merits, as I talked about, about the danger of wiping out USAID and all the good it does in the world and the good it does for our country, and also wiping out public broadcasting and all the good that it does, the irreplaceable good that it does for the people in the United States.

    “But it’s also more dangerous than ever because it’s one more step, as I mentioned, in the breakdown of the fundamental constitutional structure that says power must be divided, because if it’s concentrated in one set of hands — and I don’t care if it’s Donald Trump or the archangel Gabriel. It’s dangerous to have the power in one set of hands. That’s how we lose our liberty.

    “Madison said when the executive and legislative are united in one body, there can be no liberty. Mr. President, we must listen. We must listen to history, to the people that brought us here, the people that brought us this government, the geniuses that formed this structure to protect the liberty of the American people. And it may seem like a small thing. This is one more bill, one more item. But it is one more step, in my view, toward empowering the executive at the expense, not of the Congress, but of the people. But of the people of the United States.

    “Mr. President, I don’t know what it’s going to take, but I hope this debate, this discussion will lead us to finally say this is a line too far. We’re going to draw a line here, and we’ll establish a relationship with the president that is cooperative, collaborative, bipartisan, and sharing the power that the Constitution gives to each of us.

    “There’s nothing less than the liberty of our people that’s at stake. I therefore urge my colleagues to vote against this bill and begin a discussion in the appropriations process as to these two elements and how they should be structured and funded. That’s the way it should be done, not by the dictate of a President, of one who is trying to collapse the authority in our Constitution into his own hands. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Shaheen Highlights Key Investments Secured in Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    **Shaheen secured more than $14.7 million for critical projects across New Hampshire**

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies (Ag-FDA) Subcommittee and a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, participated in a full committee markup of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Ag-FDA Appropriations bill. In a unanimous vote, the Committee approved the bipartisan legislation, which would provide $27.1 billion in discretionary funding, including more than $14.7 million for critical projects across the Granite State, helping invest in a wide range of programs benefitting New Hampshire and the country.

    “As Ranking Member of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I’m proud to deliver this bipartisan bill that will help address the high costs that so many Americans are facing and invest in rural communities across the nation,” said Ranking Member Senator Shaheen. “The resources we secured will help support our efforts to tackle housing, food and energy costs, ensure New Hampshire’s farmers have the support they need, invest in the outdoor recreation economy, protect public health and more. I’m proud to have shaped this legislation in a way that benefits the Granite State and all of America.”

    Summary of Shaheen priorities included in the Agriculture Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026:

    Defending Access to Food Assistance

    Senator Shaheen has long fought to protect access to food assistance programs that help families put food on the table. In the FY26 Ag-FDA bill, Shaheen helped secure $8.2 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to help low-income families receive healthy, nutritious food products like milk, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and more. Shaheen also helped fund the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) which provides food boxes for low-income older adults across the country.

    Shaheen, who is also the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, successfully fought for the inclusion of funding to fulfill America’s commitment to international food aid programs. Specifically, the bill provides $1.5 billion for Food for Peace and $240 million for McGovern-Dole Food for Education—a bipartisan defense of these programs that address world hunger, save lives and create additional markets for American farmers.

    Investing in America’s Rural Communities

    In the FY26 Ag-FDA bill, Senator Shaheen built on her work to support rural communities across the nation, including to address the affordable housing crisis. The bill fully funds the Rental Assistance program so that participating families can remain housed, provides funding to preserve the existing affordable housing portfolio and makes $1 billion in financing available for very low-income homebuyers, many of whom are first-time homeowners.

    Shaheen has continually fought for federal funding to help ensure Granite State communities have the resources needed to tackle the housing affordability crisis. In the FY24 Ag-FDA bill, Shaheen worked to include key provisions from her Strategy and Investment in Rural Housing Preservation Act. Those provisions were continued in the FY26 Ag-FDA bill. Shaheen’s standalone legislation would ensure that hundreds of thousands of low-income tenants in rural areas are able to maintain access to safe and affordable housing.

    Shaheen has also led legislative action in the Senate to support energy efficiency projects and initiatives. Shaheen secured $4 million for a new Energy Circuit Rider Pilot program in the FY26 Ag-FDA bill to help ensure communities in rural America can take advantage of cost savings from energy efficiency and clean energy projects. The provision is based on legislation Shaheen recently reintroduced, the Energy Circuit Riders Act, to establish a new grant program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development to help eligible entities hire local, on-the-ground experts that travel to rural communities and provide technical assistance on projects that help spur economic development and reduce energy costs that help ease rural property tax rates. This pilot is modeled after a successful program in New Hampshire through Clean Energy NH.

    Protecting Public Health

    The FY26 Ag-FDA Appropriations bill also provides vital funding for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to stay ahead of the curve on approving medical products, regulating the food supply and more. Shaheen worked in a bipartisan way to defend the FDA’s budget, providing more than $7 billion in funding for the agency. Shaheen secured the following funding to protect the public health of Americans:

    • $5 million and report language at the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research to develop and validate new surrogate endpoints, including C-peptide, that could help improve health outcomes and reduce disease burden for patients with Type 1 diabetes.
    • Gives the FDA the authority to seize and destroy illegal tobacco products at ports of entry, requires the Center for Tobacco Products to spend $200 million of their $712 million on enforcement activities and provides $2 million for the Coordination of the Interagency Tobacco Task Force.
    • Report language encouraging the FDA to prioritize the approval of biosimilar products.
    • Report language directing the FDA to provide a report on the challenges it faces preventing counterfeit drugs from reaching the market, including recommendations for how to address the problem.

    Supporting Farmers with Vital Tools and Groundbreaking Research

    Shaheen built on her longstanding work to support New Hampshire’s small and diversified farmers by defending the conservation tools used by the state’s agricultural producers to help protect and sustain their land’s natural resources. The FY26 Ag-FDA bill defends the Conservation Technical Assistance program, funding conservation activities at $949 million. The bill also maintains critical funding for Farm Service Agency staffing in county offices in the Granite State and makes $10.5 billion in farm loans available to help producers access capital across the country.

    Shaheen was also able to successfully include $2 million for New England Protected Agriculture research at the Agricultural Research Service. The University of New Hampshire is well-positioned to help lead this effort. This research will help improve cultivation practices and help farmers extend the growing season for fruit and vegetable crops.

    Supporting New Hampshire’s Outdoor Economy

    Shaheen also secured continued funding for the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program (SNOTEL), including an additional $2 million to continue the ongoing study regarding potential Northeast expansion of this program. Senator Shaheen secured the initial $1 million for this study in FY23 government funding legislation. Shaheen recently introduced the bipartisan Snow Survey Northeast Expansion Act with Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) to establish a SNOTEL network across the Northeast to track mountain snow accumulation and precipitation rates.

    Senator Shaheen also included the following Congressionally Directed Spending projects for New Hampshire, totaling more than $14.7 million.

    Recipient

    Project

    Account

    Funding ($)

    University System of New Hampshire

    Center for Excellence in Education and Discovery for Plant Science (CEED Plant Science)

    Research Facilities Act Program

    $1,925,000

    Belmont Police Department

    Drive to Safety

    Rural Community Facilities Program

    $73,000

    Chesley Memorial Library

    Chesley Memorial Library Energy Efficiency and Emergency Power Project

    Rural Community Facilities Program

    $95,000

    Cottage Hospital

    Cottage Hospital Asbestos Abatement

    Rural Community Facilities Program

    $1,725,000

    Croydon School District

    Croydon Schoolhouse Renovation and Expansion

    Rural Community Facilities Program

    $1,176,000

    Families Flourish Northeast Inc

    Interrupting Intergenerational Addiction

    Rural Community Facilities Program

    $1,000,000

    Franklin Pierce University

    Renovation and Upgrade to Health Sciences Facilities at Franklin Pierce University, Rindge Campus

    Rural Community Facilities Program

    $1,000,000

    Maplewood Station

    Maplewood Station Community Center

    Rural Community Facilities Program

    $750,000

    The Walpole Foundation

    Walpole Village School

    Rural Community Facilities Program

    $830,000

    Town of Bethlehem

    Bethlehem’s Transfer Station Project

    Rural Community Facilities Program

    $750,000

    Town of Deerfield

    George B. White Solar Project

    Rural Community Facilities Program

    $248,000

    Town of Gorham

    Replacement of Rescue Truck

    Rural Community Facilities Program

    $301,000

    Town of Hampton

    Hampton Public Safety Pier

    Rural Community Facilities Program

    $125,000

    Town of Hancock

    Hancock Fire Station Renovation Project

    Rural Community Facilities Program

    $600,000

    Town of Unity

    Unity Fire Station and Emergency Community Shelter

    Rural Community Facilities Program

    $2,100,000

    Town of Walpole

    Walpole NH Police Station

    Rural Community Facilities Program

    $2,058,000

    TOTAL:

    		    

    $14,756,000

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Alexander Novak: Joint work of Russia and Nigeria within OPEC makes a decisive contribution to ensuring predictability of the oil market

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexander Novak met with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of Nigeria Olawale Edun.

    “Russia values the friendly nature of Russian-Nigerian relations, which are based on the principles of mutual respect and similar approaches to current issues on the international and regional agenda. We see Abuja as a promising partner on the African continent,” said Alexander Novak, opening the negotiations.

    The parties discussed full-cycle cooperation in the oil and gas industry: from geological exploration to field development, interaction in the energy sector, industrial equipment supplies, and in the financial and banking sector.

    Particular attention was paid to issues of interaction and coordination of efforts within the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) and OPEC. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized Russia’s commitment to promoting the legitimate interests of gas exporters in global energy markets.

    “Our joint work within OPEC makes a decisive contribution to ensuring stability and predictability of the global oil market. The decisions taken are based on real market indicators and trends and are aimed at balancing it in the face of economic challenges. We believe that our collective actions within OPEC and OPEC meet long-term national interests and contribute to strengthening the economies of our countries,” added Alexander Novak.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report 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: Dmitry Chernyshenko: 61% of our citizens are involved in regular physical education and sports

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    “Despite external challenges, the industry has been steadily developing. As of June 2025, almost 61% of our citizens are involved in regular physical education and sports. This is the main indicator of the effectiveness of state policy, which was determined by our head of state. Let me remind you that, according to the instructions of President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, it should be at least 70% by 2030,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    Last year, Russia hosted 645 international and almost 3 thousand national competitions, and held more than 2.3 thousand training camps in Olympic sports. Particular attention was paid to the development of new international formats. Russia hosted the BRICS Games and the Future Games (united participants from 116 countries in 21 phygital disciplines).

    The Deputy Prime Minister named support for adaptive sports and veterans of the SVO as a key area of work. This topic was the focus of the meeting of the Council under the President. In 2024, 11 sports competitions were held for veterans of the SVO. In May of this year, the final of the Victory Cup in phygital sports was organized for them. On the instructions of the head of state, complex multi-stage competitions will be held for SVO participants, a comprehensive support system, infrastructure for training and rehabilitation will be built.

    In 2025, a comprehensive state program was launched, within the framework of which at least 350 sports facilities will be built annually, and support for children’s sections, coaches, and mass adaptive sports will be strengthened.

    “According to Rosstat, the total expenditure on sports in the country is about 700 billion rubles. One of the key tasks is to consolidate all these resources in the sports sphere, including extra-budgetary funds,” noted Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    In addition, it is necessary to conduct an analysis of the impact of extra-budgetary sources on achieving the indicators of this comprehensive state program. The Ministry of Sports is preparing a system for rating regions by efficiency in the field of physical culture and sports. It is also important to regularly conduct research on the satisfaction of our citizens with the conditions for engaging in physical culture and sports in the regions.

    “The return of Russian athletes to the world arena is our primary task. 67 international federations allow our athletes to compete in their events. Almost 4,000 Russians in 28 Olympic sports have been allowed to participate in international tournaments under the auspices of the federations. Our plans for 2025 include participation in 29 world championships and other major competitions,” said Mikhail Degtyarev.

    In 2024, unified federations were created for gymnastics, water sports, canoeing, baseball and softball.

    As the Minister noted, one of the most important instruments for strengthening the system will be the Russian Sports Fund, created this year on the instructions of the President. In 2024, the total amount of deductions from gambling on sports exceeded 35 billion rubles.

    Special attention is given to our historical regions. The Russian Ministry of Sports will finance capital repairs, construction and reconstruction of sports facilities. Plans up to 2027 include, among other things: construction of 35 FOKOTs and 15 modular sports facilities, equipping 66 sports institutions with equipment.

    The Ministry of Sports has approved a list of 24 most accessible sports for organizing free sections and preferential conditions for children from low-income families. An order has been issued by the Ministry of Sports banning application fees for athletes under 18 years of age at interregional and all-Russian competitions.

    The GTO complex is an important tool for engaging in sports. 2.7 million people met the standards in 2024, more than 1 million received a gold badge.

    On the instructions of the President of Russia, the “Zemsky Trainer” program was launched.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko and Mikhail Degtyarev presented state and departmental awards in the field of sports. Among them were the Order of Honor, medals of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 1st and 2nd class, and others, awarded in accordance with the decree of the President.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. Schedules Earnings Release and Quarterly Earnings Call to Discuss its Financial Results for the Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. (“Carlyle Secured Lending”) (NASDAQ: CGBD) will host a conference call at 11:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 to announce its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025. The Company will report its quarterly financial results on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

    The conference call will be available via public webcast via a link on Carlyle Secured Lending’s website at carlylesecuredlending.com and will also be available on the website soon after the call’s completion.

    About Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc.    

    Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. is a publicly traded (NASDAQ: CGBD) business development company (“BDC”) which began investing in 2013. The Company focuses on providing directly originated, financing solutions across the capital structure, with a focus on senior secured lending to middle-market companies primarily located in the United States. Carlyle Secured Lending is externally managed by Carlyle Global Credit Investment Management L.L.C., an SEC-registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of Carlyle.

    Web: carlylesecuredlending.com

    About Carlyle   

    Carlyle (“Carlyle,” or the “Adviser”) (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Carlyle AlpInvest. With $453 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2025, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,300 people in 29 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group.

    Contacts:

    Investors: Media:
    Nishil Mehta Kristen Ashton
    +1-212-813-4918 +1-212-813-4763
    publicinvestor@carlylesecuredlending.com kristen.ashton@carlyle.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Portman Ridge Finance Corporation Closes Merger with Logan Ridge Finance Corporation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Portman Ridge Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: PTMN) (“Portman Ridge” or “PTMN”) today announced the closing of the previously announced merger of Logan Ridge Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: LRFC) (“Logan Ridge” or “LRFC”) with and into PTMN, with PTMN remaining as the surviving company. Based on July 11, 2025 financial data, the combined company had total assets in excess of $600 million.

    Ted Goldthorpe, President and Chief Executive Officer of PTMN and Head of the BC Partners Credit Platform, stated, “We would like to thank the shareholders and independent directors of both companies for their strong support throughout the merger process. With the merger now complete, we look forward to rebranding PTMN as BCP Investment Corporation later this summer, which will better reflect our affiliation with the broader BC Partners Credit Platform.

    Looking forward, we are excited about the opportunities ahead. We will seek to leverage the combined company’s enhanced scale, further diversified portfolio, cost savings due to lower overall operating expenses, and improved stock trading liquidity to deliver compelling risk-adjusted returns for our shareholders.”

    In connection with the closing of the merger, LRFC shareholders are entitled to receive approximately 4.0 million shares of PTMN common stock in the aggregate, or 1.5 shares of PTMN common stock for each common share of LRFC, based on the applicable exchange ratio and payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares.

    Prior to the closing of the merger, LRFC’s investment adviser announced a cash payment of $0.47 per share to LRFC shareholders of record as of May 6, 2025, which is expected to be paid to the applicable legacy LRFC shareholders on or about July 25, 2025. Additionally, on July 14, 2025, LRFC’s Board of Directors declared a tax distribution of $0.38 per share to LRFC shareholders of record as of July 14, 2025, which is expected to be paid to the applicable legacy LRFC shareholders on or about July 22, 2025.

    Additional Merger Related Initiatives

    • In the coming weeks: Portman Ridge will rebrand and begin operating under the name BCP Investment Corporation (the “Company” or “BCIC”). In connection with the rebranding, the Company will continue to trade on the Nasdaq under the new ticker symbol “BCIC”.
    • Beginning in 2026: The Company will transition to paying its currently quarterly base distribution on a monthly basis, while retaining the potential for quarterly supplemental distributions. The quarterly supplemental distributions will continue to approximate 50% of the incremental net investment income earned in excess of the base monthly distributions.
    • Over the next 24 months: To further align the Company’s interests with shareholders and drive additional value creation, the Company, along with its management, its adviser and their affiliates intend to purchase up to 20% of the Company’s outstanding common stock to the extent the Company’s shares continue to trade below 80% of net asset value (“NAV”), which implies a share price of $15.08 based on Portman Ridge’s March 31, 2025 NAV per share, or approximately a 20% premium to PTMN’s June 26, 2025 closing market price. These purchases will begin no earlier than 60 calendar days following the date of the closing of the LRFC merger and may occur through various methods, including open market purchases and privately negotiated transactions, and may be conducted pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 trading plans. In this regard and as previously announced, PTMN’s Board of Directors has authorized an open market stock repurchase program of up to $10 million for the period from March 12, 2025, to March 31, 2026. The Company, its management and its adviser also reserve the right to conduct tender offers as part of the Company’s broader value creation initiatives.

    Transaction Advisors

    Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company, served as financial advisor to the Special Committee of PTMN in connection with the transaction. Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP acted as the legal counsel to the Special Committee of PTMN.

    Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor to the Special Committee of LRFC in connection with the transaction. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP acted as the legal counsel to the Special Committee of LRFC.

    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Dechert LLP served as legal counsel to PTMN and LRFC with respect to the transaction.

    About Portman Ridge Finance Corporation

    PTMN is a publicly traded, externally managed closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. PTMN’s middle market investment business originates, structures, finances and manages a portfolio of term loans, mezzanine investments and selected equity securities in middle market companies. PTMN’s investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Sierra Crest Investment Management LLC, an affiliate of BC Partners Advisors L.P. (“BC Partners”).

    PTMN’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), earnings releases, press releases and other financial, operational and governance information are available on Portman Ridge’s website at www.portmanridge.com.

    About BC Partners Advisors L.P. and BC Partners Credit

    BC Partners is a leading international investment firm in private equity, private credit and real estate strategies. Established in 1986, BC Partners has played an active role in developing the European buyout market for three decades.

    Today, BC Partners executives operate across markets as an integrated team through the firm’s offices in North America and Europe. For more information, please visit https://www.bcpartners.com/.

    BC Partners Credit was launched in February 2017 and has pursued a strategy focused on identifying attractive credit opportunities in any market environment and across sectors, leveraging the deal sourcing and infrastructure made available from BC Partners.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    Some of the statements in this communication constitute forward-looking statements because they relate to future events, future performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements may include statements as to future operating results and distribution projections of the Company; business prospects of the Company, and the prospects of its portfolio companies; and the impact of the investments that the Company expects to make. In addition, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “seek,” “plan,” “should,” “estimate,” “project” and “intend” indicate forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. The forward-looking statements contained in this communication involve risks and uncertainties. More information on the risks and other potential factors that could affect these forward-looking statements is included in the Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-285230) filed with the SEC (the “Registration Statement)” that contains a joint proxy statement and prospectus for PTMN and LRFC (the “Joint Proxy Statement”).

    Although the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that they may make directly to you or through reports that the Company in the future may file with the SEC, including the Registration Statement and Joint Proxy Statement, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

    Contacts:
    Portman Ridge Finance Corporation
    650 Madison Avenue, 3rd floor
    New York, NY 10022

    Brandon Satoren
    Chief Financial Officer
    Brandon.Satoren@bcpartners.com
    (212) 891-2880

    The Equity Group Inc.
    Lena Cati
    lcati@equityny.com
    (212) 836-9611

    Val Ferraro
    vferraro@equityny.com
    (212) 836-9633

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. to Announce 2Q25 Results on July 29, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MILWAUKEE, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. (NYSE: APAM) will report its second quarter 2025 financial results and information relating to its quarterly dividend on July 29, 2025 at approximately 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time). Artisan Partners Asset Management’s earnings release and supplemental materials will be available on the investor relations section of artisanpartners.com at that time. Chief Executive Officer and President Jason Gottlieb , Executive Chair Eric Colson, and Chief Financial Officer C.J. Daley will host a conference call on July 30, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss the results.

    A live webcast of the conference call will be available via the investor relations section of artisanpartners.com. Those interested in participating in the conference call should dial:

       
    United States/Toll Free: 1-877-328-5507
    International: 1-412-317-5423
    Conference ID: 10199994
       

    An audio replay of the conference call will be available one hour after the end of the conference until August 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) by dialing the following:

       
    United States/Toll Free: 1-877-344-7529
    International: 1-412-317-0088
    Replay Conference ID: 4893273
       

    An audio replay will also be available via the investor relations section of artisanpartners.com within 24 hours after the end of the conference.

    About Artisan Partners

    Artisan Partners is a global investment management firm that provides a broad range of high value-added investment strategies in growing asset classes to sophisticated clients around the world. Since 1994, the firm has been committed to attracting experienced, disciplined investment professionals to manage client assets. Artisan Partners’ autonomous investment teams oversee a diverse range of investment strategies across multiple asset classes. Strategies are offered through various investment vehicles to accommodate a broad range of client mandates.

    Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc.

    Investor Relations Inquiries
    866.632.1770
    ir@artisanpartners.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The State Duma approved in the first reading the bill on investment programs in the housing and communal services sector.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    At a meeting on Tuesday, July 15, State Duma deputies supported in the first reading a systemic bill that will help increase investment in the housing and utilities sector and modernize the utilities infrastructure.

    The bill was prepared in the context of fulfilling the order of Russian President Vladimir Putin to attract budget and private funds in the amount of 4.5 trillion rubles for the modernization of critical infrastructure by 2030.

    “The bill introduces a rule for resource supplying organizations to approve investment programs. We also link these programs with depreciation already taken into account in the current tariffs. In the absence of legislatively established directions for depreciation, it is impossible to track what purposes it is spent on (major repairs, covering current expenses, or placing funds on deposits), since this remains at the discretion of the resource supplying organization,” Deputy Minister of Economic Development Mikhail Kaminsky noted at the plenary session.

    Depreciation charges in the housing and utilities sector are part of the cost of fixed assets that organizations include in their costs to compensate for their wear and tear. Depreciation is already included in the tariffs that the population pays for housing and utilities services, while depreciation can also be used for purposes not related to the modernization of housing and utilities facilities, which leads to insufficient funding of investment programs and accelerated wear and tear of infrastructure.

    Now the direction of depreciation to finance investment programs will become mandatory. This will allow the investment resource already included in the tariff to be used for the development of the industry. According to Mikhail Kaminsky, today no more than 10% of organizations have investment programs.

    The mechanism of regulatory agreements, which will be extended to the heat supply sector and fine-tuned in water supply, will help support investments in the regions of the Russian Federation. The agreement will establish the procedure for determining and changing tariffs for the heat supply organization, and will record the obligations of the subject of the Russian Federation, the municipality to set tariffs for the entire term of the agreement. This is necessary to attract private investment and provide regions and municipalities with the opportunity to provide budget support measures to resource supply organizations.

    “We are thus providing the opportunity to record long-term mutual obligations of resource supplying organizations, regions and municipalities: organizations will receive long-term tariffs that take into account investment programs for a period of at least five years, and regions and municipalities will receive modernized infrastructure facilities,” Mikhail Kaminsky clarified.

    The bill also introduces a unified approach to monitoring the implementation of investment programs. Currently, regional state control over investment programs is carried out within the framework of tariff regulation. Now the bodies authorized to do so, which are determined by the region itself, will work according to the rules of the basic law on control. In particular, they will receive the right to inspect the implementation of investment program activities.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: PBK Miner opens a new era of XRP mining: Increase your daily stable income with the cryptocurrency XRP

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, United Kingdom, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PBK Miner, a leader in renewable energy cloud mining, has announced the launch of new mining contracts that allow users to start mining Bitcoin with Ripple (XRP) and other cryptocurrencies. 

    There was a huge surge in the prices of XRP due to the extreme involvement of whales, as the whales held more than 1 million XRP the price rose to $2.75. PBK Miner a revolutionizing mining platform that operates on renewable energy has announced a new mining contract for XRP, that will allow users to mine the Bitcoin by using XRP and many other cryptocurrencies. The easy, convenient and renewable energy based crypto mining of PBK allows its users to earn up to $6,998 every day without any complex knowledge and system. 

    For More Details visit the official website of PBK Miner and download the app to start mining.

    Future of Cloud Mining with renewable energy:
    Renewable energy resources like Solar and wind are used as energy source for mining farms, that reduce the cost of mining significantly. PBK Miner not only utilizes the renewable energy for mining but also feeds the surplus energy to the national grid, making the greener future possible.

    New Cloud Mining Contracts, Higher ROI, Zero Hassle: 
    The newly created mining contracts for XRP are suitable for everyone, weather a person who is new or an experienced person. There are a variety of contracts available from where you can choose according to what suits you best. The minimum contract price is $10.

    Its outstanding features include:
    •Get $10 instant bonus immediately after signing up. (One-click sign up).
    •Daily payouts with higher returns.
    •No additional service fees or management fees.
    •Supports multiple cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, XRP, USDT, etc.
    •Affiliate program referral bonusses up to $30,000.
    •Guaranteed 100% uptime and 24×7 customer service support.

    How to get started
    1. Register: Create an account on the PBK Miner platform in a few minutes.
    2. Choose a mining contract: Choose between different investment plans based on your budget and income goals.
    3. Start mining and earn money every day: From the second day on, your income will grow as your passive income is consumed.

    Exclusive access to XRP mining opportunities
    The latest update to PBK Miner introduces a mining model based on Ripple (XRP), allowing users to mine Bitcoin directly using XRP. This opens up a new avenue for XRP holders looking to diversify their income streams and maximize returns.

    Join the Passive Income Revolution
    With over 8.5 million users and more than 100 mining farms worldwide, PBK Miner continues to lead the cloud mining industry with cutting-edge technology and sustainable energy practices. The platform’s latest product provides an easy way to accumulate cryptocurrency wealth, allowing everyone to participate in mining.

    In Conclusion:
    PBK Miner is a company engaged in technical services and abides by local laws and regulations. PBK Miner provides a simple and profitable cloud mining method. PBK Miner’s platform allows you to easily maximize your profits.

    Start increasing your income with PBK Miner’s hassle-free cloud mining solution.
    For more details, please visit PBK Miner official website:

    https://pbkminer.com

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or a trading recommendation. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and may result in loss of funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence, including consulting a professional financial advisor, before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities.

    Media Contact:
    Alison Evans
    PBK Miner
    info@pbkminer.com

    The MIL Network –