NewzIntel.com

Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI: XRP attracts much attention, FindMining launches a new cloud mining strategy to earn daily income

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — XRP’s rise has benefited from heavy institutional capital inflows, especially closely related to the progress of cryptocurrency ETFs. Peter Brandt and Bitget analysts are bullish and expect XRP to rise to $4.47-$5 this year. Brandt particularly emphasized that XRP’s current form has a rare “compound fulcrum” technical structure, suggesting that a large-scale bull market may have started.

    In this context, more and more investors are starting to think: In addition to holding coins and waiting for them to rise, is there a more efficient way to make XRP start “working” before it rises?

    This is exactly the answer provided by Find Mining – an innovative platform that allows users to directly use XRP to start remote Bitcoin mining machines, and enjoy stable daily BTC passive income while holding XRP. With this model, XRP is no longer just a chip “waiting for appreciation”, but is transformed into an asset that generates cash flow, providing investors in the current volatile market with a more flexible strategy option.

    XRP has natural advantages: fast confirmation, low transfer fees, and strong liquidity. With these characteristics, XRP is very suitable as a start-up asset for mining. Through FindMining’s cloud mining service, users do not need to buy mining machines, do not need technical background, and do not need to check all the time, and can make the XRP in their hands generate stable passive income every day.
    FindMining Platform Core Advantages
    ● XRP direct deposit participation: Users can directly use XRP to purchase cloud computing power without currency exchange or cumbersome operations, which is more efficient and provides a better experience.
    ● Stable daily income, available for withdrawal at any time: Mining income is settled daily and automatically distributed to the account balance. Users can withdraw or reinvest at any time to maximize their income.
    ● High transparency and contract visualization: every investment and output income is transparent and traceable;
    ● Security guarantee: separation of hot and cold wallets to ensure asset security;
    How to quickly start cloud mining with XRP? Just 4 steps:
    1. Register an account
    Visit the FindMining official website and register with one click to get a $15 registration bonus for new users.
    2. Deposit XRP
    Select “Deposit XRP” in your account, and the system will generate an XRP wallet address. Copy the address and transfer it from an exchange or personal wallet. (50XRP is enough to participate, and the target label is the date of each day, for example: 20250715)
    3. Choose a contract plan
    The platform provides a variety of cloud computing power contracts, including short-term stable, long-term compound interest and high-yield types, for you to choose freely.
    ●Trial contract: Investment amount: $100, Contract period: 2 days, Daily income: $4, Expiration income: $100 + $8
    ●BTC stable computing power: investment amount: 500 USD, contract period: 5 days, daily income: 6.5 USD, maturity income: 500 USD + 32.5 USD
    ●BTC Elite Hashrate: Investment amount: $2,600, Contract period: 13 days, Daily income: $50.4, Expiration income: $3,500 + $1,209.6
    ●BTC Advanced Computing Power: Investment amount: $5,300, Contract period: 19 days, Daily income: $81.62, Expiration income: $5,300 + $1,550.78
    ●BTC high-quality computing power: investment amount: $12,800, contract period: 30 days, daily income: $218.88, maturity income: $12,800 + $6,566.4
    (Click here to view more high-yield contract details)
    4. Start earning income
    After the contract is activated, the system will distribute the mining income to you in proportion every day, and you can withdraw it to the XRP wallet address at any time, truly realizing “making money by holding coins” and easily enjoying digital passive income.
    Don’t wait for the price to rise, but create value every day
    Instead of letting XRP “lying” quietly in your wallet, it is better to let it “work” for you every day. FindMining’s XRP cloud mining brings stable daily income to users, which is also the key reason why more and more global cryptocurrency investors choose FindMining.
    FindMining combines the holding value of XRP with passive mining income through an innovative cloud computing mechanism, providing a novel “passive + speculative” hybrid income path. The price technical structure is healthy and volatile, but it is expected to rise under the support of ETFs. FindMining provides investors with a new entry point with great potential.
    In the digital economy era, the value of assets comes not only from price increases, but also from continuous cash flow. FindMining makes your XRP a real “profit tool” through smart cloud mining. Join FindMining now and let digital assets create value for you every day!
    Official website: https://findmining.com/
    Contact Email: info@findmining.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Turkish law that allows the killing of roaming dogs and cats – E-001682/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The welfare and management of stray dogs are not regulated at EU level.

    The Commission provides financial support to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) for the implementation of the platform on animal welfare for Europe[1] and its fourth action plan (2024-2026), which aims to improve animal welfare, through priority topics, including stray dog population control.

    Türkiye, as a member of WOAH and of the platform, participates in training and capacity-building activities related to dog population management, all of which are supported by the Commission. The goal of the platform is to help member countries progressively comply with WOAH standards on animal welfare.

    The Commission also supports WOAH’s work to adopt and revise the existing standards, such as those related to dog population management.

    As a WOAH member, Türkiye should implement international animal welfare standards, including those on stray dog population management[2].

    • [1] https://rr-europe.woah.org/en/Projects/animal-welfare-platform-europe/.
    • [2] i.e. Chapter 7.7: Dog population management of WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code.
    Last updated: 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Possible softening of EU digital rules as part of an agreement with the USA – P-002815/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-002815/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Petra Steger (PfE), Mary Khan (ESN)

    According to an exclusive report in the Wall Street Journal on 20 June 2025, the United States and the European Union are apparently on the verge of an agreement on several points of discord[1]. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA) are likely to soften the very EU digital laws that the Commission recently praised as the cornerstones of the digital decade[2]. The German Handelsblatt also reports that a joint committee has been set up to give US tech companies a say in the application of market rules in future[3]. In particular, the abolition or at least substantial mitigation of the DSA, which is misused as an ideologically motivated censorship tool to suppress unwelcome opinions in the digital space under the guise of the fight against disinformation, is long overdue. If US President Trump were to succeed in rolling back this attack on freedom of expression which the DSA represents, he would also be successfully defending free speech in Europe, which is the Achilles’ heel of any genuine democracy.

    • 1.Has the Commission negotiated with the US Government to abolish or water down the DMA or DSA?
    • 2.Is the Commission planning to set up a joint committee to give US tech companies a say in the application of market rules?
    • 3.What specific DSA provisions are up for discussion and what reductions in staff numbers does the Commission anticipate as a result of a possible reduction in regulatory intervention?

    Submitted: 10.7.2025

    • [1] https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/u-s-eu-near-deal-on-non-tariff-trade-irritants-455c42f1
    • [2] https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000275377/eu-kommission-will-trump-besaenftigen-und-setzt-die-digitalregeln-aus
    • [3] https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/handelsstreit-eu-will-es-us-tech-konzernen-ploetzlich-leichter-machen/100137164.html
    Last updated: 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Re-emergence of sheep pox and goat pox in Greece – aid needed for affected livestock farmers – E-002766/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002766/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left)

    There has been a particularly strong re-emergence of sheep pox and goat pox in Greece, mainly in Thessaly, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Chalkidiki and Fokida. As a result of this crisis, tens of thousands of animals have been killed, extensive areas have been placed under quarantine, animal movements have been prohibited, slaughterhouse operations have been suspended and livestock farmers, especially pastoral farmers, have seen their incomes plummet.

    This all takes place in a broader context of lack of prevention, inadequate checks on imports from non-EU countries (in particular the Balkans) and understaffing of veterinary services. This new combination of factors comes on top of a series of natural disasters (Cyclone Ianos, storms Daniel and Elias), which have already placed considerable strain on livestock farming in the Greek region, which is now under threat of total collapse, with wider consequences for the agri-food sector, landscape conservation, the local economy and national livestock production.

    In view of the seriousness of the situation, will the Commission say:

    • 1.Does it intend to activate European mechanisms for affected Greek farmers?
    • 2.Does it intend to strengthen monitoring, checks and veterinary care, particularly in border regions, through animal health protection programmes?
    • 3.Does it consider that pastoral livestock farming – as a form of sustainable and extensive farming – requires specific support under the new CAP and the EU’s mountain and rural policies?

    Submitted: 8.7.2025

    Last updated: 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The sustainability of Spanish public spending – E-000252/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission assesses fiscal sustainability in a comprehensive way, considering a country’s overall public finances at different time horizons.

    For this, the Commission accounts for the expected change in age-related spending, including for pension and healthcare systems. Long-term projections are prepared and discussed with all Member States within the Ageing Working Group and published in a triennial ‘Ageing Report’.

    If pensions contribute to an identified sustainability risk, the Commission will signal this through several channels, including through the European Semester of economic and fiscal policy coordination.

    With the introduction of the Recovery and Resilience Facility an extra incentive was provided for Member States to implement reforms. Spain committed to a pension reform in its recovery plan.

    The Commission preliminary assessment of the fourth payment request[1] considered the fiscal sustainability requirements of the pension reform as satisfactorily fulfilled[2], noting that ‘the closure clause legislated as part of Milestone 409 ensures that corrective measures enter into force as soon as necessary so that the long-term fiscal sustainability of the pension reforms […] is preserved even under less favourable developments than assumed’.

    Since 2024, under the revamped fiscal rules, Member States commit to a 4-year plan during which public finances are put on a sustainable footing.

    This adjustment period can be extended from four to seven years — as is the case for Spain — if Member States commit to set of reforms and investments, notably to improve the long-term budgetary and economic outlook.

    • [1] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e8b93743-5a80-4c10-9caa-4dabedc95728_en?filename=C_2024_4171_1_EN_annexe_acte_autonome_nlw_part1_v2_1.pdf.
    • [2] These requirements are set out in the Council Implementing Decision: https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-10150-2021-ADD-1-REV-2/en/pdf.
    Last updated: 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – European funds supporting illicit exploitation or trading of natural resources by Rwanda – P-001270/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    A project funded by the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is under implementation.

    It aims to promote modernisation of the mining sector in Rwanda and specifically supports technical and vocational education training, skills training , improvement of safe working conditions based on international standards, and digitalisation of mining sector services.

    The project was approved under the multiannual indicative programme for Rwanda, for 2021-2023. Project activities do not involve direct mining investments, nor the extraction, transformation or processing of minerals.

    The project is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) with the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) and the Integrated Polytechnic Regional College in Kigali, as the two main local partners.

    The project is co-financed with BMZ and implemented by GIZ, with whom the Commission has signed a Delegation Agreement. The EU funds under this project are administered directly by GIZ, applying standard regulations in terms of justification of expenses. GIZ is a pillar assessed Member State organisation and project implementation is subject to GIZ contractual rules and internal controls

    This means that it is GIZ and not the Commission, who has signed a contract with RMB according to their own pillar-assessed rules. Oversight is also ensured through the Project Steering Committee including the EU Delegation, which provides strategic guidance and oversight.

    On 17 March 2025, the EU adopted restrictive measures against, among others, sanctions on the current RMB’s chief executive officer[1]. RMB as an institution has not been sanctioned.

    The Commission has requested that GIZ as the implementing partner put in place all possible measures to ensure that the RMB’s chief executive officer does not benefit directly or indirectly, from any support provided to the RMB as an institution.

    • [1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/03/17/democratic-republic-of-the-congo-eu-lists-further-nine-individuals-and-one-entity/.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Snail, Inc. Announces Intent to Explore Proprietary USD-Backed Stablecoin

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CULVER CITY, Calif., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Snail, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNAL) (“Snail Games” or the “Company”), a leading global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment, announced its intention to explore pursuing a strategic digital asset initiative that includes the evaluation and feasibility for introduction of its own proprietary stablecoin. This initiative would be subject to a range of factors, including but not limited to, regulatory approvals, market conditions, technical feasibility, cybersecurity safeguards, financial controls, and internal governance. The Company believes that exploring stablecoin infrastructure may position it as an early mover within the digital entertainment industry. While no decisions have been made to integrate such technology into the Company’s corporate strategy, it continues to evaluate and explore opportunities as part of its broader innovation roadmap.

    Recognizing the growing potential of crypto-based transactions in the digital entertainment and gaming industry, the Company is currently assessing the feasibility of developing and exploring its stablecoin with multiple external use cases, with no current timeline or commitment.

    To support this initiative, Snail Games has retained Dr. George Cao, an external consultant. Dr. Cao earned his PhD degree in Computer Science from the University of Chicago and is the Founder and the Chief Executive Officer of AscendEX, a full-stack cryptocurrency financial platform that offers simple solutions for investing, trading, and earning to global users. In addition, the Company also retained seasoned legal advisors, including a nationally recognized law firm ranked by Chambers FinTech Legal USA as a leading firm serving cryptocurrency and blockchain clients.

    “This stablecoin exploration is a natural evolution of our innovation-led strategy and will support a broader effort to evaluate how blockchain-based technologies could be aligned with the Company’s long-term goal to be at the forefront of digital transformation in the entertainment space,” said Snail, Inc. co-CEO Hai Shi. “To support this initiative, we’ve engaged a nationally recognized law firm and a seasoned strategic advisor to support and guide the successful exploration of this opportunity. We are evaluating potential future phase hiring needs for professionals with specialized experience in blockchain, stablecoins, and digital asset strategy. While our focus continues to remain on gaming across our ARK franchise, indie titles, and other up-and-coming genres, this investigation into the crypto space and evaluation of the feasibility of launching our own stablecoin would mark a key step in advancing our vision of driving innovation across digital entertainment. We’re excited to share continued updates as we reach meaningful milestones in our evaluation.”

    About Snail, Inc.
    Snail, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNAL) is a leading, global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment for consumers around the world, with a premier portfolio of premium games designed for use on a variety of platforms, including consoles, PCs, and mobile devices. For more information, please visit: https://snail.com/.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “should,” “plan,” “intend,” “may,” “predict,” “continue,” “estimate” and “potential,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this press release and in our public filings with the SEC and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding (i) the evaluation and feasibility for introduction of Snail’s own proprietary stablecoin and any future implementation, which will depend on multiple factors, including regulatory considerations, technical readiness, risk assessments and strategic alignment with Snail’s core business, (ii) Snail as a pioneer among public companies within the digital entertainment industry to integrate stablecoin infrastructure directly into its corporate strategy, (iii) Snail showcasing its ongoing commitment to fostering creativity and innovation across its global portfolio, (iv) Snail’s long-term investment in the next generation of gamers and creators, and (v) Gen Alpha projected to become the most digitally fluent and commercially influential generation to date. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed by the Company with the SEC on March 26, 2025 and other documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC, including the Company’s Forms 10-Q filed with the SEC. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

    Disclaimer:

    This press release does not constitute an offer, sale or solicitation of an offer to buy any digital asset or security. The Company has not committed to a specific launch timeline or use case deployment. Any future implementation will depend on multiple factors, including regulatory considerations, technical readiness, risk assessments and strategic alignment with Snail’s core business. Snail may determine at any time to abandon its current intent to explore the issuance of A proprietary US dollar-backed stablecoin.

    Investor Contact:
    John Yi and Steven Shinmachi
    Gateway Group, Inc.
    949-574-3860 
    SNAL@gateway-grp.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Passes Tuberville Legislation to Protect American Fishermen from Cartels

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
    Alabama lands 34 percent of all recreationally caught Red Snapper in the Gulf
    WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act to target cartel members who are illegally catching and smuggling red snapper and tuna imports into the country.
    “This is great news for our hardworking fishermen who have worked overtime to compete with Mexican cartels flooding our markets with illegal red snapper,” said Senator Tuberville. “It’s also a win for every American because it cuts off the cash flow to cartels, which have been terrorizing our communities. I’ll continue standing up for our fishermen and fighting to preserve the outdoor activities Alabamians enjoy.”
    The Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act would require the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of red snapper or tuna imported into the United States. Snapper poaching continues to be an issue across the Gulf of America, as Mexican fishermen illegally catch red snapper, smuggle it into their country, and then rip off American consumers by selling our fish back to us. 
    Full text of the legislation can be found here.
    BACKGROUND:
    Mexican fishermen cross the maritime border between Texas and Mexico on small boats called “lanchas” to illegally catch red snapper in U.S. waters and return to Mexico. The fish are sold in Mexico or mixed in with legally-caught red snapper then exported back into the United States across land borders. Red snapper is one of the most well-managed and profitable fish in the Gulf of America, but illegal fishing by Mexican lanchas puts law-abiding U.S. fishermen and seafood producers at a competitive disadvantage. Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities violate both national and international fishing regulations.
    Cartels engaged in drug smuggling and human trafficking also engage in the profitable illegal fishing of red snapper. The same fishing boats and fishermen who catch red snapper also smuggle drugs and humans for the cartels, and these profits support the organization.
    Technology exists to chemically test and find the geographic origin of many foods, but not for red snapper or tuna. With the help of machine learning, NIST scientists are currently able to chemically determine the geographic origin of foods, including strawberries, apples, cherries, ginseng, ginkgo, beef, honey, and rice. Using those same methodologies, these scientists believe it would be possible to determine the geographic origin of red snapper, allowing law enforcement to have a better understanding of the networks that support illegal fishing.
    The Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act would develop a field test kit the Coast Guard could use to accurately ascertain whether fish were caught in Mexico or U.S. waters, thus allowing federal and state law enforcement officers to identify the origin of the fish and confiscate illegally caught red snapper or tuna before it is imported back into the U.S. It would also reduce the financial incentives for the crime, since the fish could no longer be sold back into the United States. If successful, this method could be expanded to identify other IUU fish.
    MORE:
    Tuberville Takes Aim At Cartels Engaged in Illegal Red Snapper Fishing
    Tuberville Voices Concerns About New Federal Red Snapper Limits
    Tuberville, Colleagues Advocate for Management Flexibility to Preserve Red Snapper Season
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Statement from Secretary of State Anna Gainey on World Youth Skills Day 2025

    Source: Government of Canada News

    July 15, 2025                Gatineau, Quebec                Employment and Social Development Canada

    Secretary of State (Children and Youth), Anna Gainey, today issued the following statement to highlight World Youth Skills Day 2025:

    ‘’Today, we mark United Nation’s World Youth Skills Day.  Young Canadians grew up with technology and are helping redefine what it means to work with digital tools. Further developing digital skills and encouraging youth to learn skilled trades are key to building the workforce of tomorrow.

    Our initiatives help young people tackle the important challenges and shifts that technologies are bringing to an increasingly digitally focused labour market.

    Through the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), post-secondary students receive hands-on work experience in their field of study. For example, projects supported by the Information and Communications Technology Council and Technation provide students with opportunities in tech-immersive roles such as cybersecurity, AI, health tech, digital technologies, agri-tech and more. Canada Summer Jobs provides youth between the ages of 15 and 30 years old with a range of job opportunities, including in digital fields.

    Your new government recognizes the importance of the development of high-demand skills such as digital skills and skilled trades. We will continue to invest in Canadians to build the strongest economy in the G7 and help Canada’s youth gain the skills they need to get good jobs. Join me in wishing all a happy World Youth Skills Day!’’

    Associated links

    World Youth Skills Day.
    Find student work placements in STEM or business – Canada.ca
    Canada Summer Jobs – What this program offers – Canada.ca
    Job Bank

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: As house prices drop, will the retirement nest egg still be such a safe bet?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Claire Dale, Research Fellow, the Pensions and Intergenerational Equity (PIE) research hub, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    MonthiraYodtiwong/Getty Images

    Changes to KiwiSaver, global economic uncertainty and predictions house prices could drop by as much as 20% by 2030 all mean retirement is looking very different to how it once did.

    A retirement strategy based on the equity held in a house is no longer as reliable as it has been in the past. Home ownership in Aotearoa New Zealand fell from 75% in 1991 to 60% in 2023 and is projected to fall to 48% in 2048.

    The average age of a first-home buyer has also risen to 36, meaning an increasing number of New Zealanders (13%) are paying off their mortgages after they reach retirement age.

    The number of retirees renting is also on the rise. By 2048, 40% of them will rent, placing pressure on New Zealand’s housing stock.

    KiwiSaver is unlikely to replace the traditional housing nest egg. New Zealanders have, on average, NZ$37,079 in their KiwiSaver accounts, with thousands of people reaching close to retirement age with less than $10,000 saved.

    Investing at the price peak

    The prospect of retirement looks bleakest for those currently aged between 35 and 49 years old. A recent report from credit agency Centrix found this group was struggling the most financially.

    A big part of the problem is that house prices skyrocketed just as they became first-time home buyers. The average asking price for residential property rose by 60.3% over the past decade, from $556,931 at the beginning of 2015 to $892,579 at the end of 2024.

    While incomes have also increased, they have not matched housing prices. In 2000, houses cost about five times the median household income. But by 2025, the median price had risen to 7.5 times the median household income.

    Those who bought their first home around the peak in 2021 are likely to be hit hardest by the forecast drop in house values. According to data insight firm Cotality (formerly Corelogic), nominal prices are expected to pass their 2021 peak by mid-2029. But when adjusted for inflation, prices in mid-2030 would be a fifth below the peak.

    Working into retirement

    Older New Zealanders are also facing significant housing pressures.

    According to a 2022 report from Treasury, over half of superannuitants still paying off mortgages spent more than 80% of their superannuation income on housing costs. Those who are mortgage-free are spending less than 20% of their super on housing.

    Between 2019 and 2024, the percentage of overdue mortgages for the 50+ age groups ranged between 2% and 2.5%, compared to a range of 1% to 1.5% for all mortgages.

    People between the age of 55 and 64 are likely to have purchased their homes in the late 1990s and early 2000s, so are less likely to be hurt by the 2021 peak and subsequent trough.

    Despite this apparent advantage, only 38% of people between 55 and 64 are mortgage free.

    KiwiSaver issues

    The possibility of using accumulated KiwiSaver funds to clear a mortgage is also diminishing. As a result of the 2025 Budget changes to KiwiSaver, employee and employer contributions will rise from April 2026 to 3.5% and from April 2028 to 4%, offsetting the reduced annual government contribution.

    The end of employer contributions matters particularly to the 24% of those aged over 65 years who are still in the workforce. A rule change in 2021 means employers are not required to make contributions or to deduct employee contributions, unless the employee continues to make KiwiSaver contributions.

    But current global crises are affecting KiwiSaver returns. Uncertain and volatile markets, especially for actively managed funds, mean fund managers reallocate money to try to minimise losses. Not all their bets pay off.

    By 2030, Stats NZ projects that approximately 265,000 people aged 65 and over will be in the workforce.

    The Office for Seniors notes that although older workers have challenges finding and staying in paid work, a third of the workforce is aged over 50 and 50% of people aged 60 to 69 are employed.

    Importantly, as the Retirement Commission research found, a third of people over 65 were not working by choice. An increasing number, who neither own their home nor have significant retirement savings, have to continue working past 65 because they need the money to eat and pay the bills.

    As New Zealand’s population ages, and more seniors have to work to pay for the essentials, it’s clear retirement is going to look different. Betting on the value of a house to fund life after 65 is less certain than it used to be. More than ever, New Zealanders need to consider how they will live well in their later years.

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

    – ref. As house prices drop, will the retirement nest egg still be such a safe bet? – https://theconversation.com/as-house-prices-drop-will-the-retirement-nest-egg-still-be-such-a-safe-bet-259380

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: As house prices drop, will the retirement nest egg still be such a safe bet?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Claire Dale, Research Fellow, the Pensions and Intergenerational Equity (PIE) research hub, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    MonthiraYodtiwong/Getty Images

    Changes to KiwiSaver, global economic uncertainty and predictions house prices could drop by as much as 20% by 2030 all mean retirement is looking very different to how it once did.

    A retirement strategy based on the equity held in a house is no longer as reliable as it has been in the past. Home ownership in Aotearoa New Zealand fell from 75% in 1991 to 60% in 2023 and is projected to fall to 48% in 2048.

    The average age of a first-home buyer has also risen to 36, meaning an increasing number of New Zealanders (13%) are paying off their mortgages after they reach retirement age.

    The number of retirees renting is also on the rise. By 2048, 40% of them will rent, placing pressure on New Zealand’s housing stock.

    KiwiSaver is unlikely to replace the traditional housing nest egg. New Zealanders have, on average, NZ$37,079 in their KiwiSaver accounts, with thousands of people reaching close to retirement age with less than $10,000 saved.

    Investing at the price peak

    The prospect of retirement looks bleakest for those currently aged between 35 and 49 years old. A recent report from credit agency Centrix found this group was struggling the most financially.

    A big part of the problem is that house prices skyrocketed just as they became first-time home buyers. The average asking price for residential property rose by 60.3% over the past decade, from $556,931 at the beginning of 2015 to $892,579 at the end of 2024.

    While incomes have also increased, they have not matched housing prices. In 2000, houses cost about five times the median household income. But by 2025, the median price had risen to 7.5 times the median household income.

    Those who bought their first home around the peak in 2021 are likely to be hit hardest by the forecast drop in house values. According to data insight firm Cotality (formerly Corelogic), nominal prices are expected to pass their 2021 peak by mid-2029. But when adjusted for inflation, prices in mid-2030 would be a fifth below the peak.

    Working into retirement

    Older New Zealanders are also facing significant housing pressures.

    According to a 2022 report from Treasury, over half of superannuitants still paying off mortgages spent more than 80% of their superannuation income on housing costs. Those who are mortgage-free are spending less than 20% of their super on housing.

    Between 2019 and 2024, the percentage of overdue mortgages for the 50+ age groups ranged between 2% and 2.5%, compared to a range of 1% to 1.5% for all mortgages.

    People between the age of 55 and 64 are likely to have purchased their homes in the late 1990s and early 2000s, so are less likely to be hurt by the 2021 peak and subsequent trough.

    Despite this apparent advantage, only 38% of people between 55 and 64 are mortgage free.

    KiwiSaver issues

    The possibility of using accumulated KiwiSaver funds to clear a mortgage is also diminishing. As a result of the 2025 Budget changes to KiwiSaver, employee and employer contributions will rise from April 2026 to 3.5% and from April 2028 to 4%, offsetting the reduced annual government contribution.

    The end of employer contributions matters particularly to the 24% of those aged over 65 years who are still in the workforce. A rule change in 2021 means employers are not required to make contributions or to deduct employee contributions, unless the employee continues to make KiwiSaver contributions.

    But current global crises are affecting KiwiSaver returns. Uncertain and volatile markets, especially for actively managed funds, mean fund managers reallocate money to try to minimise losses. Not all their bets pay off.

    By 2030, Stats NZ projects that approximately 265,000 people aged 65 and over will be in the workforce.

    The Office for Seniors notes that although older workers have challenges finding and staying in paid work, a third of the workforce is aged over 50 and 50% of people aged 60 to 69 are employed.

    Importantly, as the Retirement Commission research found, a third of people over 65 were not working by choice. An increasing number, who neither own their home nor have significant retirement savings, have to continue working past 65 because they need the money to eat and pay the bills.

    As New Zealand’s population ages, and more seniors have to work to pay for the essentials, it’s clear retirement is going to look different. Betting on the value of a house to fund life after 65 is less certain than it used to be. More than ever, New Zealanders need to consider how they will live well in their later years.

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

    – ref. As house prices drop, will the retirement nest egg still be such a safe bet? – https://theconversation.com/as-house-prices-drop-will-the-retirement-nest-egg-still-be-such-a-safe-bet-259380

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: As house prices drop, will the retirement nest egg still be such a safe bet?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Claire Dale, Research Fellow, the Pensions and Intergenerational Equity (PIE) research hub, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    MonthiraYodtiwong/Getty Images

    Changes to KiwiSaver, global economic uncertainty and predictions house prices could drop by as much as 20% by 2030 all mean retirement is looking very different to how it once did.

    A retirement strategy based on the equity held in a house is no longer as reliable as it has been in the past. Home ownership in Aotearoa New Zealand fell from 75% in 1991 to 60% in 2023 and is projected to fall to 48% in 2048.

    The average age of a first-home buyer has also risen to 36, meaning an increasing number of New Zealanders (13%) are paying off their mortgages after they reach retirement age.

    The number of retirees renting is also on the rise. By 2048, 40% of them will rent, placing pressure on New Zealand’s housing stock.

    KiwiSaver is unlikely to replace the traditional housing nest egg. New Zealanders have, on average, NZ$37,079 in their KiwiSaver accounts, with thousands of people reaching close to retirement age with less than $10,000 saved.

    Investing at the price peak

    The prospect of retirement looks bleakest for those currently aged between 35 and 49 years old. A recent report from credit agency Centrix found this group was struggling the most financially.

    A big part of the problem is that house prices skyrocketed just as they became first-time home buyers. The average asking price for residential property rose by 60.3% over the past decade, from $556,931 at the beginning of 2015 to $892,579 at the end of 2024.

    While incomes have also increased, they have not matched housing prices. In 2000, houses cost about five times the median household income. But by 2025, the median price had risen to 7.5 times the median household income.

    Those who bought their first home around the peak in 2021 are likely to be hit hardest by the forecast drop in house values. According to data insight firm Cotality (formerly Corelogic), nominal prices are expected to pass their 2021 peak by mid-2029. But when adjusted for inflation, prices in mid-2030 would be a fifth below the peak.

    Working into retirement

    Older New Zealanders are also facing significant housing pressures.

    According to a 2022 report from Treasury, over half of superannuitants still paying off mortgages spent more than 80% of their superannuation income on housing costs. Those who are mortgage-free are spending less than 20% of their super on housing.

    Between 2019 and 2024, the percentage of overdue mortgages for the 50+ age groups ranged between 2% and 2.5%, compared to a range of 1% to 1.5% for all mortgages.

    People between the age of 55 and 64 are likely to have purchased their homes in the late 1990s and early 2000s, so are less likely to be hurt by the 2021 peak and subsequent trough.

    Despite this apparent advantage, only 38% of people between 55 and 64 are mortgage free.

    KiwiSaver issues

    The possibility of using accumulated KiwiSaver funds to clear a mortgage is also diminishing. As a result of the 2025 Budget changes to KiwiSaver, employee and employer contributions will rise from April 2026 to 3.5% and from April 2028 to 4%, offsetting the reduced annual government contribution.

    The end of employer contributions matters particularly to the 24% of those aged over 65 years who are still in the workforce. A rule change in 2021 means employers are not required to make contributions or to deduct employee contributions, unless the employee continues to make KiwiSaver contributions.

    But current global crises are affecting KiwiSaver returns. Uncertain and volatile markets, especially for actively managed funds, mean fund managers reallocate money to try to minimise losses. Not all their bets pay off.

    By 2030, Stats NZ projects that approximately 265,000 people aged 65 and over will be in the workforce.

    The Office for Seniors notes that although older workers have challenges finding and staying in paid work, a third of the workforce is aged over 50 and 50% of people aged 60 to 69 are employed.

    Importantly, as the Retirement Commission research found, a third of people over 65 were not working by choice. An increasing number, who neither own their home nor have significant retirement savings, have to continue working past 65 because they need the money to eat and pay the bills.

    As New Zealand’s population ages, and more seniors have to work to pay for the essentials, it’s clear retirement is going to look different. Betting on the value of a house to fund life after 65 is less certain than it used to be. More than ever, New Zealanders need to consider how they will live well in their later years.

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

    – ref. As house prices drop, will the retirement nest egg still be such a safe bet? – https://theconversation.com/as-house-prices-drop-will-the-retirement-nest-egg-still-be-such-a-safe-bet-259380

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Costa Rica Resident Sentenced for Orchestrating Multimillion-Dollar International Telemarketing Scheme

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    A Costa Rica resident was sentenced today to more than 15 years in prison for carrying out a years-long telemarketing scheme that defrauded victims in the United States from a call center in Costa Rica.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Roger Roger, 41, of Costa Rica, led a fraudulent telemarketing scheme in which co-conspirators, who falsely posed as U.S. government officials, contacted victims in the United States to tell them that they had won a substantial “sweepstakes” prize. After convincing victims, many of whom were elderly, that they stood to receive a significant financial reward, the victims were told that they needed to make a series of up-front payments before collecting their supposed prize. Co-conspirators used a variety of means to conceal their true identities, including Voice Over Internet Protocol technology, which made it appear as though they were calling from Washington, D.C., and other locations in the United States. Roger recruited and taught others how to mislead victims on the phone and convince them to send money from the United States to Costa Rica for non-existent prizes. The evidence at trial showed that Roger and his co-conspirators stole over $4 million from their hundreds of victims.

    In September 2024, Roger was convicted at trial of one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, four counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit international money laundering, and two counts of international money laundering. At sentencing, Roger was ordered to pay more than $3.3 million in restitution and to forfeit more than $4.2 million.

    Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson for the Western District of North Carolina; Inspector in Charge Rodney Hopkins of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) Atlanta Division; Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd of the IRS Criminal Investigation’s (IRS-CI) Detroit Field Office; and Acting Special Agent in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. of the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office made the announcement.

    The USPIS, IRS-CI, and FBI investigated the case.  

    Trial Attorneys Andrew Jaco and Amanda Lingwood of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Costa Rica to secure the arrest and February 2023 extradition of Roger.

    If you or someone you know is aged 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim, and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern time. English, Spanish and other languages are available.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Mullin, Padilla, Curtis, Schiff Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    RELEASE: Mullin, Padilla, Curtis, Schiff Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Curtis (R-Utah), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced bipartisan legislation to support and commemorate the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games set to take place in Los Angeles, California and Salt Lake City, Utah, through the minting of new commemorative coins.

    Representatives Frank Lucas (R-Okla.-03), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.-41), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37), and Blake Moore (R-Utah-01) introduced companion legislation in the House.

    The America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act would direct the Treasury Department to mint and issue four types of coins each in commemoration of the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The coins would be minted at no cost to the federal government, and any proceeds collected from the sale of these commemorative coins would aid in the execution of the 2028 and 2034 Games as well as support their legacy programs, which include the promotion of youth sports in the United States.

    Oklahoma City, OK, will host two 2028 Olympic sports, softball and canoe slalom. Softball will be held at Devon Park, the largest softball stadium in the world, and canoe slalom at Riversport Rapids.

    “American athletes are the pinnacle of our exceptionalism and I am looking forward to them leading the way as we host both the 2028 Summer Olympic Games and the 2034 Winter Olympic Games. As Oklahoma’s world-class facilities will be home to multiple official venues, I am honored to join with my colleagues on this important legislation,” said Senator Mullin.

    “After years of careful preparation and federal collaboration, Los Angeles will be under the world spotlight for the Olympic and Paralympic Games before we know it,” said Senator Padilla. “Our bipartisan legislation will help ensure Los Angeles has the resources it needs to put on a world-class event — with a token to commemorate the Games for years to come. There is strong congressional interest in promoting and supporting all upcoming U.S.-hosted Olympic events to showcase our nation and our athletes on the global stage, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to advance this bill.”

    “The 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will showcase Utah’s pioneer spirit, community strength, and commitment to excellence,” said Senator Curtis. “These commemorative coins honor not just the athletes, but the values that built our state and the legacy we’ll pass on to future generations.”

    “It is no small honor to host the Olympic Games, and no small feat to organize them either. That is why these commemorative coins would not only pay proper tribute to such a great honor, but also help pay for the preparations to ensure the upcoming Olympic games – including the 2028 games in my home state – receive the resources they need,” said Representative Lucas.

    “The dedication demonstrated by the American athletes who participate in the Olympic and Paralympic Games is truly inspiring and our nation is honored to host both the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games and Salt Lake City 2034 Winter Games. That is why I am proud to join my colleagues in celebrating our athletes by introducing America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act. As a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, which has jurisdiction over this legislation, I look forward to Congress moving quickly to advance this important bill. As an Angelino, I am excited to witness the Olympics return to Los Angeles after 44 years, and I am proud to join with my colleagues to honor the Salt Lake City 2034 Games as well,” said Representative Sherman.

    “The Olympic and Paralympic Games are incredible events that celebrate athletic achievement and the human spirit. I’m especially excited for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, which will allow southern California residents to get an up-close look at these remarkable competitions as well as deliver a tremendous boost to our tourism economy. I want to thank all of my colleagues who have worked together to advance the bipartisan America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act,” said Representative Calvert.

    “As we gear up for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, I’m proud to co-lead the America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act,” said Representative Kamlager-Dove. “This commemorative coin will celebrate not only the upcoming games, but also nearly a century of Olympic history in Los Angeles. The 2028 Games in Los Angeles memorialized by this coin will be a feat all Angelenos and Americans can be proud of.”

    “I’m immensely proud to represent Utah in co-leading the America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act. The return of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games to Salt Lake City in 2034 will mark only the second time in history that the Winter Olympics have returned to the same city, and I cannot wait to see Utah front and center on the world stage once again,” said Representative Moore. “This bid was supported by over 80% of Utahns and will bring billions in GDP growth, tens of thousands of jobs, and showcase the world’s best athletes on the Greatest Snow on Earth. I’m also thrilled that the Summer Olympics will return stateside to Los Angeles in 2028 and look forward to this bill quickly passing through both houses of Congress.”

    “The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will mark the historic return of the summer Games to America in more than 30 years,” said LA28 Chief Executive Officer Reynold Hoover. “The heart and dedication demonstrated by the athletes who participate in the Games is truly unparalleled. Los Angeles 2028, followed by Salt Lake 2034 will serve as an opportunity for American athletes to showcase their talent and resilience on the world’s stage. We’re grateful to Senators Padilla, Curtis, Schiff, and Mullin and Congressmembers Sherman, Lucas, Calvert, Kamlager-Dove and Moore for moving this bill forward to honor these athletes and our U.S. host cities for the 2028 and 2034 Games.”

    “As a four-time Olympian, I greatly appreciate the commemorative coin program as another means of showcasing our Olympic and Paralympic athletes,” said Catherine Raney Norman, Vice President Development and Athlete Relations, Salt Lake City-Utah 2034, A four-time Olympic speed skater. 

    Specifically, the America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act would direct the Treasury Department to mint and issue commemorative $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, half-dollar clad coins, and proof silver $1 coins in commemoration of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games set to be held in in Los Angeles and the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games set to be held in Salt Lake City.

    The United States has hosted the modern Olympic Games nine times, with the 2028 Games set to become the third time Los Angeles will host the summer Olympic Games and the 2034 Games set to become the second time Salt Lake City will host the Olympic Winter Games.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley Introduces Legislation to Prevent Future Medicaid Cuts, Invest in Rural Hospitals

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    Tuesday, July 15, 2025

    Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced new legislation to invest in rural hospitals and prevent any future cuts to Medicaid hospital funding. Senator Hawley’s legislation builds on provisions he secured for rural hospitals in the recently enacted reconciliation bill. Senator Hawley’s new bill would double the federal investment in rural health care while reversing future changes to Medicaid hospital funding.
    At Senator Hawley’s behest, the reconciliation bill created for the first time a rural hospital fund. But Congressional leadership also scheduled reductions in states’ provider tax authority to begin in some states as early as 2028. States levy provider taxes to finance a portion of their Medicaid costs, allowing them to access federal Medicaid funds for critical-access hospitals and rural providers.
    “President Trump has always said we have to protect Medicaid for working people. Now is the time to prevent any future cuts to Medicaid from going into effect,” Senator Hawley said. “We should also increase our support for rural hospitals around the country. Under the recent reconciliation bill, Missouri will see an extra $1 billion for hospitals over the next four years. I want to see Medicaid reductions stopped and rural hospitals fully funded permanently.” 
    Senator Hawley’s Protect Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act would:
    Repeal the provider tax moratorium and the future reduction of provider tax authority in the reconciliation bill. This would restore a key aspect of Medicaid funding that states rely on to finance their programs.
    Repeal provisions in the reconciliation bill related to state directed payments that could reduce Medicaid reimbursements.
    Double the total investment in the Rural Health Transformation Fund to $100 billion.
    Extend the life of the Rural Health Transformation Fund from five years to ten years.
    Read the full bill text here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Casten Introduces Bill to Combat Illicit Activity in DeFi

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

    July 15, 2025

    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) introduced the Compliant Operations of Decentralized Entities (CODE) Act of 2025, legislation to combat illicit activity and address cybersecurity concerns associated with decentralized finance (DeFi).

    “We cannot ignore the illicit activity currently ongoing within the cryptocurrency ecosystem, like North Korean hackers exploiting vulnerabilities in DeFi systems to steal cryptocurrency and fund their nuclear weapons program,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “We can and should leverage automated systems to instantly flag, halt, or address illicit finance and cybersecurity issues. The CODE Act strikes the right balance by exploring innovative, technological solutions for DeFi entities before prescribing risk-based requirements to strengthen compliance with U.S. anti-money laundering laws.”

    Specifically, the CODE Act creates a public-private partnership with the Department of the Treasury, key federal agencies, DeFi services, and risk management experts to explore integrating anti-money laundering (AML), sanctions, Know-Your-Customer (KYC), and cybersecurity checks into the computer code that underpins DeFi services.

    The bill also includes language addressing conflicts of interest to prohibit cryptocurrency companies linked to the President and his family, such as World Liberty Financial, from participating in the partnership program. 

    This would allow the partnership to identify consensus AML standards for DeFi and develop consistent technological controls that satisfy Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requirements. Upon conclusion of the partnership, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) would be required to promulgate a rulemaking to establish tailored anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance requirements for DeFi entities that meet the goals of the BSA.

    Text of the legislation can be found here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Harshbarger Co-Leads Bipartisan PBM Reform Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, Representative Harshbarger (R-TN) joined her fellow pharmacist in Congress Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA) in introducing his bipartisan PBM Reform Act which would protect patients and pharmacies from the harmful and anticompetitive business practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBM). 

    “It’s time to put an end to the shady and manipulative practices of pharmacy benefit managers. For too long, PBMs have driven up drug prices and padded their pockets while independent community pharmacies are being pushed to the financial brink. My colleagues and I are committed to changing that. This legislation delivers long-overdue accountability, increases transparency, lowers out-of-pocket costs for families, and saves taxpayer dollars. Local pharmacies and the patients they serve are at a breaking point, and they deserve relief. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill and look forward to passing real PBM reform that will deliver for both patients and providers,” said Rep. Diana Harshbarger. 

    The PBM Reform Act would: 

    • Ban “spread pricing” in Medicaid and move to a transparent system that ensures pharmacies are fairly and adequately reimbursed for serving Medicaid beneficiaries.
    • Establish new requirements for PBMs under Medicare Part D, including a policy to delink PBM compensation from the cost of medications and increase transparency.
    • Promote transparency for both employers and patients in their prescription drug plans, with semi-annual reporting on drug spending, rebates, and formulary determinations.
    • Require Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to define and enforce “reasonable and relevant” contract terms in Medicare Part D pharmacy contracts and enforce oversight on reported violations.

    Original Co-Sponsors include: Buddy Carter (R-GA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Rick Allen (R-GA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), John Rose (R-TN), Derek Tran (D-CA), and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY). 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar Statement on Decision to Keep Duluth Federal Prison Open

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar released the following statement about the Federal Bureau of Prisons decision to keep the Duluth facility open.

    “This is good news for Duluth. I spoke with the Director of the Bureau of Prisons ahead of his visit to Duluth last week and urged him to reconsider the decision to deactivate the facility. I emphasized the harmful impact its closure would have on the employees who work there, as well as their families, and the regional economy. I am glad the BOP heard the concerns of people on the ground and reversed course.” 

    In December 2024 and in February 2025 Senator Klobuchar wrote to the Bureau of Prisons asking them to explain the decision to close FPC Duluth. She also asked Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche about keeping the facility open. She also expressed her concerns in calls with the previous BOP Director and the new director ahead of his visit to the facility last week.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Seventeen Individuals Charged for Smuggling Kilogram Quantities of Cocaine Through the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned three separate indictments charging 17 individuals with drug trafficking through the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. Two defendants are also charged with money laundering.

    First Indictment

    On June 26, 2025, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging three individuals with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

    As alleged in the indictment, beginning on a date unknown, but not later than in or about 2023, to the date of the indictment,

    [1] Kristian Yadiel Falcón-López

    [2] Chazz David Carter-Justiniano

    [3] Natalia Díaz-García

    knowingly and intentionally conspired and agreed with each other and with other individuals to possess with intent to distribute and distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine through the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.

    Falcón-López and Charter-Justiniano are also charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments which involved the proceeds of their drug trafficking activities.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan R. McCabe and María Cristina Semanaz-Ojeda from the Transnational Organized Crime Section are in charge of the prosecution of the case.

    Second Indictment

    The second indictment charges the following individuals with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine through the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport:

    [1] Jonathan Ramírez-Colón, a.k.a. “Momia”

    [2] Ivelisse García-Osorio

    [3] Stephanie L. Suárez-Vélez

    [4] Francheska Muriel-Quintana

    [5] Estephanie Torres-Bosa, a.k.a. “Fany”

    [6] Charitty M. Hernández-Reyes

    The alleged period of the conspiracy is from a date unknown, but no later than in or about 2018, to the date of the indictment. Documents filed in the case also allege that Defendant Ramírez-Colón recruited couriers (commonly known as “mules”) and sent them with cocaine-filled suitcases to be checked in at the airport and transported to the continental United States where the cocaine would be delivered to other persons.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio J. López-Rivera from the Transnational Organized Crime Section is in charge of the prosecution of the case.

    Third Indictment

    The third indictment unsealed today charges eight individuals with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine through the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. Those defendants are:

    [1] Sandy L. Guardiola-Bermúdez, a.k.a. “Guny/Mario”

    [2] Carlos Alberto Cruz-Bonilla, a.k.a. “Huesito”

    [3] Onix Negrón-Guerrido

    [4] Jomar Maldonado-Ríos

    [5] Tanyshkaliz Archilla-Rivera, a.k.a. “Tany”

    [6] Yarauni Nieves-Rivera

    [7] Yairaliz Arzuaga-Díaz

    [8] Patricia Ayala-Otero

    According to the indictment, the conspiracy began on a date unknown, but not later than in or about 2023 and lasted through the date of the indictment. Documents filed in the case allege that the defendants were part of a drug trafficking organization comprised of a network of recruiters, coordinators, and transporters who traveled from Puerto Rico to the continental United States via commercial flights with cocaine for wholesale distribution, all for significant financial gain.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio J. López-Rivera from the Transnational Organized Crime Section is in charge of the prosecution of the case.

    “These drug trafficking organizations were using the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport to smuggle large quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico to several destinations throughout the continental United States. Today, federal agencies dismantled these organizations by arresting leaders, organizers and travelers who made their distribution network possible,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow. “The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners in Puerto Rico and the Continental United States to gather the evidence necessary to bring the leaders and other members of these criminal organizations to justice.”

    “These investigations demonstrate the DEA’s unwavering commitment to protecting our airports and the communities from the impact of drug trafficking. These criminal organizations believed they could operate with impunity out of Puerto Rico, but today, they are facing the swift hand of justice. I am deeply grateful for the tireless work of our agents, analysts, local and federal partners,” said Michael Miranda, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Agency Caribbean Division.

    If convicted on the drug conspiracy charges, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Those defendants charged with money laundering face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The Drug Enforcement Administration is in charge of the investigations with the assistance of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Puerto Rico Police Bureau and their respective Airport Investigations and Tactical Teams (AirTAT). The San Juan Municipal Police, the Carolina Municipal Police and the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury also collaborated during the investigations and arrests.

    AirTAT identifies, locates, disrupts, dismantles, and prosecutes transnational crime organizations using the airports in Puerto Rico to smuggle narcotics, weapons, human cargo, counterfeit documents, illegal proceeds, and other contraband.

    These cases are part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Infrastructure: IMI CIB promotes dialogue in London on the UK’s €846 billion plan

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Mauro Micillo, Chief of the IMI CIB Division at Intesa Sanpaolo

    LONDON, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division of Intesa Sanpaolo hosted the conference “Infrastructure and Growth Opportunities for Europe and the UK: Focus on the UK Infrastructure Strategy” in London, bringing together institutions, companies and investors to discuss the growth prospects linked to the United Kingdom’s new ten-year infrastructure plan.

    “Intesa Sanpaolo is playing a catalytic role in supporting investments alongside institutions, corporates, funds and investors to support the key projects of the United Kingdom’s new 10-year infrastructure plan. Financing sustainable infrastructure, while supporting the so-called twin transition (green and digital), will continue to be a strategic pillar of the IMI CIB Division’s strategy.”

    Mauro Micillo, Chief of the IMI CIB Division at Intesa Sanpaolo

    The United Kingdom’s Plan outlines investments of more than €846 billion between 2025 and 2035, centred on three strategic pillars:

    • infrastructure works
    • energy transition
    • enhancement of social and environmental systems.

    The Conference stems from the belief that a constructive public-private dialogue is key to accelerating projects that strengthen the competitiveness of the United Kingdom and Europe.

    In 2024 alone, global project finance volumes surpassed €300 billion, with transactions involving Intesa Sanpaolo’s IMI CIB Division representing around €45 billion — nearly 15% of the global total.

    IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division’s Activities in the United Kingdom

    The London branch of Intesa Sanpaolo’s IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division serves as the main hub for the UK & MEA Region, which also includes operations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Istanbul.

    In 2024, total financing volumes for corporate and financial institution clients in the Region amounted to approximately €8.5 billion (as of 31/12/2024).

    Since 2023, the IMI CIB Division has participated in numerous international transactions originating in the United Kingdom, supporting transition and innovation, for a total value of approximately €11 billion.

    Key projects supported by the IMI CIB Division include:

    • CO₂ transport and storage – Liverpool Bay T&S.
    • Acquisition of National Grid Transmission by Macquarie AM.
    • Renewables and energy efficiency operations with TRIG and SEEIT.

    These initiatives confirm the Intesa Sanpaolo Group’s ongoing commitment to enabling sustainable and digital transformation, in line with the Group’s 2022–2025 Business Plan

    Contact: international.media@intesasanpaolo.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a06e75ac-8a5b-4a97-abcc-b480cb22b9de

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MOBIA named an Eaton Partner Awards Winner

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DARTMOUTH, Nova Scotia, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MOBIA Technology Innovations, a leading Canadian business transformation partner, proudly announced that it has been named an Eaton Partner Awards Winner for 2024. MOBIA’s commitment to delivering unequalled value to its customers with innovative technology solutions that enable successful business transformation solidified the company’s place among Eaton’s top partners in Canada.

    Supporting customers across telecommunications, financial services, retail, utilities, healthcare, and many other industries, MOBIA executes technology transformations that reimagine the way medium to large enterprises operate in today’s ever-changing markets. Over the years, the company has collaborated with Eaton on many of these initiatives, confident that Eaton’s innovative technology offers the most reliable and secure power solutions for data centers and other critical enterprise infrastructure. “Working with Eaton to tailor solutions that power infrastructure and hardware for our customers has allowed us to deliver unmatched performance and peace of mind,” said Chris Peerless, Vice President at MOBIA. “As we continue to work together on these initiatives, we look forward to growing and strengthening our partnership.”

    The Eaton Partner Awards recognizes channel partners who have shown strong growth and commitment to superior customer service over the last year. “MOBIA consistently embodied Eaton partner values throughout 2024, delivering outstanding service and solutions to customers,” said Jodi Bonham, IT Channel Manager at Eaton. “We are excited to see what the future of our growing partnership holds and look forward to continuing to do great work together in 2025 and beyond.”

    As the partnership between MOBIA and Eaton continues to evolve, MOBIA customers will benefit from more of Eaton’s innovation, including:

    • Cybersecurity – First to market with a cyber secure network card, Eaton continues to expand its cybersecurity capabilities with the new Network-M3 card.
    • Brightlayer Data Center Suite – Offering a portfolio of digital solutions that enable enterprise customers to manage an increasingly complex ecosystem of IT and operational technology assets, Brightlayer seamlessly integrates with Eaton’s secure hardware.
    • Power management for AI – As more customers embrace and adopt AI, their power requirements will change. Eaton’s scalable and secure power management and connectivity solutions are the perfect fit for new AI deployments.

    To learn more about MOBIA contact LJ Hambly at laura.hambly@mobia.io.

    ABOUT MOBIA
    MOBIA is a leading expert in business transformation and innovative enterprise technology systems. With hundreds of customers across North America, MOBIA partners with organizations of all sizes, across all verticals to transform the way they work. Focused on people, processes, technology, and culture, MOBIA helps businesses reach their full potential. MOBIA is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies and Canada’s Top Growing Companies. To learn more, visit Mobia.io

    ABOUT EATON
    Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to improving the quality of life and protecting the environment for people everywhere. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re accelerating the planet’s transition to renewable energy, helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges, and doing what’s best for our stakeholders and all of society.
    Founded in 1911, Eaton is marking its 100th anniversary of being listed on the New York Stock Exchange. We reported revenues of $20.8 billion in 2022 and serve customers in more than 170 countries.

    For more information, visit www.eaton.com Follow us on https://www.linkedin.com/company/eaton

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: July Federal Grand Jury 2025-A Indictments Announced

    Source: US FBI

    United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the results of the July Federal Grand Jury 2025-A Indictments.

    The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.

    Kennedy Antonio Ramirez Acosta. Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute. Ramirez Acosta, 39, a Mexican national, is charged with knowingly possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute. The Drug Enforcement Administration Tulsa Resident Office, the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office, and the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyson McCoy is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-239

    Ventura Rivera Arteaga; Ruben Amadow Meza Medina. Drug Conspiracy (Count 1); Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute (Counts 2 & 4); Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien (Count 3); Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises (Counts 5 & 6). Rivera Arteaga, 40, a Mexican national, and Meza Medina, 20, a Mexican national, are charged with conspiring to distribute fentanyl. They are separately charged with knowingly possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute and maintaining two separate residences for fentanyl distribution. Additionally, Rivera Arteaga is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in Dec. 2024. The Drug Enforcement Administration Tulsa Resident Office, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office, and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mandy Mackenzie is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-229

    Elijah Lee Chandler, Jr.  Attempted Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises. Chandler, 36, of Tulsa, is charged with attempting to possess more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and with possessing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. He is further charged with maintaining a residence to distribute methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tulsa Police Department, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nasar is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-231

    Douglas Eugene Chaney.Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Chaney, 50, of Tulsa, is an individual who is knowingly required to register as a sex offender. He is charged with failing to register as a sex offender from April to May 2025. The U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michele Hulgaard is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-230

    Daniel Contreras-Martinez.Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Contreras-Martinez, 46, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in June 2008. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Bailey is prosecuting the case. 
    25-CR-244

    Ramey Joe-Don Dill. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Dill, 38, of Ochelata, is an individual who is knowingly required to register as a sex offender. He is charged with failing to register as a sex offender in May 2025. The U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michele Hulgaard is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-232

    Luis Flores-Rodriguez.Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute. Flores-Rodriguez, 34, a Mexican national, is charged with knowingly possessing cocaine with intent to distribute. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Rogers County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shakema Onias is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-245

    Franklin Francisco Gioani-Arubio. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Gioani-Arubio, 31, a Honduran national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in Nov. 2017. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory Richard is prosecuting the case. 
    25-CR-246

    Jarod Wade Jenkins. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Jenkins, 26, of Hominy, is charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition, knowing he was previously convicted of a felony. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Harris is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-247

    Thomas William Martin.Production of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography. Martin, 42, of Mannford, is charged with coercing a minor child to produce a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct. He is additionally charged with possessing visual images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children under 12 years old. The FBI, the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Broken Arrow Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara Heign and Ashley Robert are prosecuting the case. 25-CR-233

    Felecia Martinez. Attempted Bulk Cash Smuggling Out of the United States. Martinez, 40, of Tulsa and a member of the Potawatomi Nation Tribe, is charged with concealing $32,950 in cash and attempting to transport it to Mexico. At the time of the offense, Martinez was on pre-trial release in the Northern District of Oklahoma related to a case charging her with drug conspiracy, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and maintaining a drug-involved premises. The Drug Enforcement Administration Tulsa Resident Office, the U.S. Probation Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma, the Department of Homeland Security Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team, and the Laredo Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam McConney and Matthew Cyran are prosecuting the case. 25-CR-234

    Sebastain Quino-Velasco. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Quino-Velasco, 51, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in June 2010. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Valeria Luster is prosecuting the case. 
    25-CR-248

    Rebecca Dawn Quintero Torres. Drug Conspiracy; Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Use of a Communication Facility in Committing, Causing, and Facilitating the Commission of a Drug Trafficking Felony. Quintero-Torres, 50, of Tulsa, is charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine in June 2025. She is further charged with using the United Parcel Service and knowingly possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The Homeland Security Investigations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyson McCoy is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-240

    Dominic Rocky Torres. Conspiracy to Commit Hobbs Act Robbery; Hobbs Act Robbery; Aiding and Abetting Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Use of Minor in Crime of Violence (superseding). Torres, 22, of Tulsa and a member of the Cherokee Nation, is charged with conspiring with others and aiding and abetting others to obstruct commerce by robbery. Further, he knowingly aided and abetted in brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Lastly, Torres intentionally used a minor child to commit a crime of violence. The FBI and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stacey Todd and Jessica Wright are prosecuting the case. 25-CR-112

    Luciano Vasquez, Jr. Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. Varquez, 58, of Sand Springs, is charged with conspiring with others to launder more than $16 million, including depositing two fraudulent United States Treasury tax refund checks totaling more than $727,800. The U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ammon Brisolara is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-242

    John Edgar Williams, IV; Jeremy Mindez Ruff; Savannah D’naisha May Gage; Nevaeh Charise Cox; Trinity Rinique Goudeau; Shavari Shantell Melton; Vanessa Lashay Bell; Ashley Elaine Charles. Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking (Count 1); Transporting an Individual for Prostitution (Counts 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, and 13); Interstate Travel to Aid Racketeering (Count 4); Distribution of Child Pornography (Count 5); Sex Trafficking (Counts 6 & 12); Sex Trafficking a Minor (Counts 8, 11, and 14) (superseding). Williams, 38, Gage, 25, Cox, 39, Goudeau, 24, Melton, 20, Bell, 20, Charles, 37, of Tulsa, and Ruff, 39, of Dallas, Texas, are charged with conspiring with each other to recruit, entice, and harbor a person by threats of force to engage in a commercial sex act for payment. Williams, Gage, Ruff, and Goudeau are charged separately for transporting people to engage in prostitution and other sexual activities. Williams, Ruff, Gage, Cox, Goudeau, Melton, and Charles are further charged with using interstate and foreign commerce to promote and manage a business enterprise involving prostitution. Ruff, Cox, Gage, Goudeau, and Melton are charged with recruiting and enticing minor children, between 14 and 18 years old, to engage in sexually explicit acts. Additionally, Williams, Gage, and Goudeau are charged with benefiting financially from recruiting, harboring, and providing transportation to an individual to engage in commercial sex acts. Lastly, Cox is further charged with knowingly distributing visual images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. The Tulsa Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Police are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth Elmore, John Brasher, and John W. Dowdell are prosecuting the case. 25-CR-197

    Allan Ray Wright; Jamie Lynn Wright. Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor. Allan Wright, 30, and Jamie Wright, 32, of Tulsa are charged with attempting to coerce a minor child they believed to be under 18 years old to engage in sexually explicit activity. The Homeland Security Investigations and the Owasso Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Wright and Ashley Robert are prosecuting the case. 25-CR-241

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp: Georgia’s AAA Bond Rating Reaffirmed by Rating Agencies

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Georgia has again had the highest ratings of AAA reaffirmed with a stable outlook by each of the three main credit rating agencies: FitchRatings, Moody’s Investors Service, and S&P Global Ratings. This follows last week’s release of Moody’s reaffirmation of this coveted level of financial trustworthiness. 

    “I am proud to report that thanks to our state’s resilient economy and commitment to conservative budgeting, Georgia has once again secured the highest bond rating possible from all three main credit rating agencies,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Georgia continues to be a safe and stable bet for job creators. That’s why we continue to see record investment and economic development, and it’s one of the many reasons we are well-positioned to save Georgia taxpayers tens of millions of dollars with low interest borrowing rates in the years to come.”

    For the second year in a row, Georgia has not issued general obligation bonds and has instead funded capital projects with cash, generating a net estimated savings of about $2.81 billion over a 20-year period.

    Bond Rating Agency Report Excerpts

    Fitch Ratings: “Georgia’s affirmed ‘AAA’ IDR, GO and guaranteed revenue bond ratings reflect the state’s proven willingness and ability to maintain fiscal balance and a broad-based, growth-oriented economy that supports solid revenue gains over time.”

    Moody’s Investors Service: “Georgia’s Aaa issuer rating reflects the state’s large and diverse economy, strong population and employment growth, robust reserves and liquidity, strong fiscal governance and flexibility and low direct leverage from debt, pension and OPEB liabilities.”

    S&P Global Ratings: “The ‘AAA’ long-term rating reflects our view of Georgia’s demonstrated resilient budgetary performance across credit cycles, coupled with responsive financial management that has enabled the state to make timely adjustments to general fund expenditures.

    The rating also incorporates our view of the state’s favorable population growth trends, and ability to attract diversified business developments and expansion within Georgia’s already large and diverse economic base, and our expectation that the state’s annual growth rates will match or be slightly above that of the nation.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: The Victory Bancorp, Inc. 2025 Second Quarter Earnings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LIMERICK, Pa., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Victory Bancorp, Inc. (OTCQX: VTYB), the holding company for The Victory Bank, today announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025.

    Financial Highlights for Second Quarter 2025
       
    • Net Consolidated Earnings:
    Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, surged to $693 thousand — a $404 thousand increase over the $289 thousand reported in Q2 2024. This substantial growth reflects the continued strength of our financial performance. Return on average equity climbed to 9.07%, up from 7.30% in the previous quarter and more than doubling the 4.08% reported a year ago. Return on average assets also improved significantly, rising to 0.59% from 0.25% in Q2 2024.
       
    • Deposit Growth:
    The bank opened a new branch in spring 2025 in the Horsham market. This new location, along with targeted promotions tied to the opening, has contributed to the growth in deposits in Q2. Total deposits grew to $426.43 million as of June 30, 2025, an increase of $41.82 million from June 30, 2024. This deposit growth has supported strategic balance sheet expansion while enabling the Bank to fully eliminate its highest funding source, borrowings, as of Q2 2025.
       
    • Book Value:
    Book value per common share rose to $15.57 as of June 30, 2025, compared to $14.84 at year-end 2024 and $14.28 as of June 30, 2024.
       
    • Stockholders’ Equity:
    Stockholders’ equity increased to $30.99 million, up from $29.34 million at December 31, 2024, and $28.16 million a year ago. This growth continues to reinforce the company’s strong capital position.
       
    • Credit Quality and Loan Metrics:
    Credit quality remained strong, with no nonperforming assets reported for the quarter and net charge-offs at -0.01%, indicating net recoveries. The allowance for credit losses to total loans stood at 0.88%, reflecting continued sound risk management practices.
       
    • Earnings per Share:
    Basic and diluted earnings per common share were $0.35 and $0.34, respectively, for Q2 2025, compared to $0.15 basic and $0.14 diluted in Q2 2024.

    Chairman and Bank Leader Joseph W. Major commented,

    “Victory Bancorp delivered an extraordinary second quarter in 2025, with net income soaring 140% compared to Q2 of 2024 — a remarkable milestone that highlights the strength and resilience of our financial performance. This improvement was powered by disciplined cost control, strong loan portfolio health, and continued deposit growth. We remained focused on protecting our margin by carefully managing interest expense on new deposits and maintaining rigorous pricing discipline on new loans. Our book value per share climbed to a record high of $15.57, and return on equity exceeded 9%, signaling continued momentum and exceptional operational execution.”

    “We continue to see the benefits of our community-focused relationship banking model and the dedication of our exceptional team. As we enter the second half of the year, we remain focused on supporting the financial success of our clients, expanding responsibly, and delivering sustained value to shareholders. The opening of our new Horsham branch further extends our footprint into a vibrant and growing market, positioning us to serve more businesses and individuals while deepening our community impact.”

    Victory Bancorp, Inc. is traded on the OTCQX market under the symbol VTYB and is the parent company of The Victory Bank. The Bank, founded in 2008, is a Pennsylvania state-chartered commercial bank headquartered in Limerick Township, Montgomery County. It offers a full range of banking services, including checking and savings accounts, home equity lines of credit, and personal loans. In addition to traditional banking, the Bank specializes in high-quality business lending, serving small and mid-sized businesses and professionals. With four offices across Montgomery and Berks Counties, it is dedicated to meeting the financial needs of the local community. For more information, visit its website at VictoryBank.com. FDIC-Insured.

    This presentation may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, loan demand, real estate values, and competition; changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; changes in legislation or regulation; and other economic; competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, pricing, products, and services.

    Contact:
    Joseph W. Major,
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

    Robert H. Schultz,
    Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer

    Owen Magers
    Investor Relations
    484-791-3435

    The Victory Bancorp, Inc.
    548 N. Lewis Rd.
    Limerick, PA 19468

             
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (unaudited) 
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
        3 Months Ended
        Jun 30,   Dec 31,   Jun 30,
    Selected Financial Data   2025   2024   2024
                 
    Investment securities $ 43,323   $ 44,642   $ 46,325  
                 
    Loans, net of allowance for credit losses   392,557     390,954     396,499  
                 
    Total assets   477,089     461,024     469,787  
                 
    Deposits   426,433     397,080     384,615  
                 
    Borrowings   0     15,440     42,617  
                 
    Subordinated debt   17,342     17,309     12,843  
                 
    Stockholders’ equity $ 30,987   $ 29,337   $ 28,155  
                 
    Book value per common share $ 15.57   $ 14.84   $ 14.28  
                 
    Allowance/loans   0.88 %   0.92 %   0.89 %
                 
    Nonperforming assets/total assets   0.00 %   0.05 %   0.01 %
                 
        3 Months Ended
        Jun 30,   Dec 31,   Jun 30,
    Selected Operations Data   2025   2024   2024
                 
    Interest income $ 7,149   $ 7,281   $ 7,200  
                 
    Interest expense   3,620     3,886     3,994  
                 
    Net interest income   3,529     3,395     3,206  
                 
    Provision for loan losses   (75 )   (32 )   110  
                 
    Other income   257     299     209  
                 
    Other expense   2,980     3,000     2,935  
                 
    Income before income taxes   881     726     370  
                 
    Income taxes   (188 )   (168 )   (81 )
    Net income $ 693   $ 558   $ 289  
                 
                 
    Earnings per common share (basic) $ 0.35   $ 0.28   $ 0.15  
                 
    Earnings per common share (diluted) $ 0.34   $ 0.28   $ 0.14  
                 
    Return on average assets (annualized)   0.59 %   0.48 %   0.25 %
                 
    Return on average equity (annualized)   9.07 %   7.58 %   4.08 %
                 
    Net charge-offs(recoveries)/average loans   (0.01 )%   0.00 %   0.01 %

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman Kim Delivers Opening Remarks at Hearing on Critical Mineral Supply Chains

    Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

    Media Contact 202-321-9747

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman Young Kim delivered opening remarks at a hearing titled, “Breaking China’s Chokehold on Critical Mineral Supply Chains.”

    Watch Here

    -Remarks-

    Good morning and welcome to East Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee hearing titled Breaking China’s Chokehold on Critical Mineral Supply Chains. I want to thank our witnesses for joining us this morning.
    Critical minerals — lithium, cobalt, real earth elements, and others — are the building blocks of modern technology, powering electric vehicles, microchips, and advanced defense systems. Global demand for these minerals is surging. With lithium demand alone, growing nearly 30% annually from 2021 to 2024, driven by rising electric vehicle battery production. Yet, the People’s Republic of China, or PRC, controls 92% of global rare earth element processing and dominates the manufacturing of battery and magnet components. This chokehold reinforced by China’s tens of billions in global mining investments and tactics like price manipulation and export restrictions poses a direct threat to the United States and our allies.
    While the U.S. possesses significant mineral resources, domestic production alone cannot meet the speed or scale of this demand. The U.S. manufacturing, they operate their operation costs, increased significantly in the region, increasing the regional bureau.
    It will take decades to permit natural mining in America. Moreover, the federal government lacks the financial capacity to fully subsidize the level of investment needed to drive large scale private sector investment expansion of domestic production, relying solely on domestic solutions is insufficient. Therefore, we need a bold global strategy to secure resilient, diversified supply chains free from Chinese control.
    The current geopolitical landscape offers an opportune window to act. The recent developments such as President Trump’s critical minerals agreement with Ukraine and the U.S. facilitated peace deal in the Democratic Republic of Congo, open new opportunities to access vital resources.
    We’ve also seen coordination like the recently announced quad critical minerals initiative underscore the importance of critical minerals to broader regional engagement. As the administration renegotiates trade relationships, we can strengthen partnerships with our allies to build non-Chinese supply chains, enhancing both economic and national security.
    So in today’s hearing, we will explore these challenges and opportunities. We will examine how to build a proactive global strategy to establish supply chains free from Chinese dominance. So our goal today is very clear: to ensure the United States and its allies have secure, reliable access to the critical minerals that will define the future of technology and security. I look forward to a productive discussion.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: What Trump’s decision to send more weapons to Ukraine will mean for the war

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By David Hastings Dunn, Professor of International Politics in the Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham

    At face value, Donald Trump’s announcement about his plans on Russia and Ukraine look like a major policy change. Speaking from the Oval Office on July 14, where he had been meeting with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, the US president said he would send “top-of-the-line-weapons” to help Kyiv and – unless a ceasefire deal is agreed inside a 50-day time limit – the US would impose secondary sanctions on any countries dealing with Russia.

    But while this represents a significant departure from Trump’s previous approach, it’s more of a step back towards the policy approach of his predecessor Joe Biden than the U-turn that some commentators are claiming.

    For months Russia has stepped up its bombardment of Ukraine, buoyed by the fact that neither the US Congress nor the White House has authorised any new military aid to Kyiv. Moscow would have been aware of this lack of US action and its missile and drone attacks against Ukraine have aimed to run down the stocks of air defence missiles supplied by Biden while paying lip service to the idea of peace negotiations.

    For Trump the penny appears finally to have dropped as to what was happening. His frustration and disappointment in Putin is what has finally led to him calling this out. According to Trump, Putin “fooled a lot of people – Clinton, Bush, Obama, Biden – he didn’t fool me. At a certain point talk doesn’t talk, it’s got to be action”.

    The decision to send new supplies of defensive – and potentially even longer-range offensive missiles – to Ukraine (even if the Europeans pay for them) is an important signal to Russia. But so too is the threat of tariffs of 100% on countries, such as India and China, that sustain the Russian economy by buying its oil and gas at knockdown prices.

    The US senate, led by Lindsay Graham, the influential Republican senator for South Carolina, has been itching to pass these secondary sanctions for months. Now that the Trump administration appears to have adopted this plan it is a significant policy instrument to pile the pressure on Russia.

    The change in Trump’s approach may also mean that the $US8 billion (£6 billion) of frozen Russian assets in the US (and US$223 billion in Europe) could be released to aid Ukraine, which would provide a ready means to pay for the US arms transfers.

    Limits to US support

    What has not changed, however, is the goal of Trump’s policy towards the war in Ukraine. While the Biden administration called out the illegality of Putin’s unprovoked aggression and called for the restoration of Ukrainian sovereignty, Trump is merely calling for a ceasefire.

    Trump may say he is “disappointed” with Putin, but he has not labelled him as the aggressor. In fact at one point he was blaming Ukraine for the invasion. And, significantly, he has not demanded that Russia give up the 20% of Ukraine that it currently illegally occupies.

    As at July 14, Russian troops occupy about 20% of Ukraine’s sovereign territory.
    Institute for the Study of War

    The US president is also silent on what the US would commit to in terms of security and stability for Ukraine after the fighting stops. This is a much bigger question than Ukraine’s Nato membership. America’s European allies in Nato regard some sort of stability force on Ukrainian territory as necessary to deter any future Russian aggression.

    Whether or not US troops would be involved (and all the signs are that they would not), some sort of US security “back-stop” or guarantee is still seen in Europe as key to its success – as would be US logistical and intelligence support for its operation.

    But why the 50-day delay?

    Another aspect of the change in Trump’s policy is the long lead time that Russia has been given to come to the table. A lot of Ukrainian civilians are likely to die during this period if the intense bombardment continues. On the battlefield, 50 days would give the Russians an extended window during a renewed summer offensive to make further territorial gains inside the occupied provinces.

    So Trump’s proposals have to be viewed through the prism of his propensity to set deadlines that are then pushed back multiple times – as with the on-again, off-again tariffs, which have given Trump the nickname Taco (“Trump always chickens out”) on Wall Street.

    Russian senator, Konstantin Kosachev, was certainly taking this view when he told the BBC after Trump’s announcement that, “if this is all Trump had to say about Ukraine today, then so far it’s been much ado about nothing”.

    This sentiment was shared by the Russian stock market which rose 2.7% in the aftermath of Trump’s announcement. Analysts had expected much worse, so the long delay in the prospect of anything actually happening was clearly seen as a long way off and potentially subject to change or cancellation. Trump is seen by many as both inconsistent in his threats and unpredictable as to where policy will eventually settle.

    The fact that Trump told BBC Washington correspondent Gary O’Donoghue that while he was “disappointed” with Putin, he was “not done with him” – and his clear reluctance to act quickly and decisively in sanctioning Russia – should be seen as an important counterpart to the apparent policy shift.

    Like so many things with the 47th US president, it’s important not to react to the media appearances or the headlines they provoke, without also paying attention to the policy actions of his administration.

    David Hastings Dunn has previously received funding from the ESRC, the Gerda Henkel Foundation, the Open Democracy Foundation and has previously been both a NATO and a Fulbright Fellow.

    – ref. What Trump’s decision to send more weapons to Ukraine will mean for the war – https://theconversation.com/what-trumps-decision-to-send-more-weapons-to-ukraine-will-mean-for-the-war-261192

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: What Trump’s decision to send more weapons to Ukraine will mean for the war

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By David Hastings Dunn, Professor of International Politics in the Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham

    At face value, Donald Trump’s announcement about his plans on Russia and Ukraine look like a major policy change. Speaking from the Oval Office on July 14, where he had been meeting with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, the US president said he would send “top-of-the-line-weapons” to help Kyiv and – unless a ceasefire deal is agreed inside a 50-day time limit – the US would impose secondary sanctions on any countries dealing with Russia.

    But while this represents a significant departure from Trump’s previous approach, it’s more of a step back towards the policy approach of his predecessor Joe Biden than the U-turn that some commentators are claiming.

    For months Russia has stepped up its bombardment of Ukraine, buoyed by the fact that neither the US Congress nor the White House has authorised any new military aid to Kyiv. Moscow would have been aware of this lack of US action and its missile and drone attacks against Ukraine have aimed to run down the stocks of air defence missiles supplied by Biden while paying lip service to the idea of peace negotiations.

    For Trump the penny appears finally to have dropped as to what was happening. His frustration and disappointment in Putin is what has finally led to him calling this out. According to Trump, Putin “fooled a lot of people – Clinton, Bush, Obama, Biden – he didn’t fool me. At a certain point talk doesn’t talk, it’s got to be action”.

    The decision to send new supplies of defensive – and potentially even longer-range offensive missiles – to Ukraine (even if the Europeans pay for them) is an important signal to Russia. But so too is the threat of tariffs of 100% on countries, such as India and China, that sustain the Russian economy by buying its oil and gas at knockdown prices.

    The US senate, led by Lindsay Graham, the influential Republican senator for South Carolina, has been itching to pass these secondary sanctions for months. Now that the Trump administration appears to have adopted this plan it is a significant policy instrument to pile the pressure on Russia.

    The change in Trump’s approach may also mean that the $US8 billion (£6 billion) of frozen Russian assets in the US (and US$223 billion in Europe) could be released to aid Ukraine, which would provide a ready means to pay for the US arms transfers.

    Limits to US support

    What has not changed, however, is the goal of Trump’s policy towards the war in Ukraine. While the Biden administration called out the illegality of Putin’s unprovoked aggression and called for the restoration of Ukrainian sovereignty, Trump is merely calling for a ceasefire.

    Trump may say he is “disappointed” with Putin, but he has not labelled him as the aggressor. In fact at one point he was blaming Ukraine for the invasion. And, significantly, he has not demanded that Russia give up the 20% of Ukraine that it currently illegally occupies.

    As at July 14, Russian troops occupy about 20% of Ukraine’s sovereign territory.
    Institute for the Study of War

    The US president is also silent on what the US would commit to in terms of security and stability for Ukraine after the fighting stops. This is a much bigger question than Ukraine’s Nato membership. America’s European allies in Nato regard some sort of stability force on Ukrainian territory as necessary to deter any future Russian aggression.

    Whether or not US troops would be involved (and all the signs are that they would not), some sort of US security “back-stop” or guarantee is still seen in Europe as key to its success – as would be US logistical and intelligence support for its operation.

    But why the 50-day delay?

    Another aspect of the change in Trump’s policy is the long lead time that Russia has been given to come to the table. A lot of Ukrainian civilians are likely to die during this period if the intense bombardment continues. On the battlefield, 50 days would give the Russians an extended window during a renewed summer offensive to make further territorial gains inside the occupied provinces.

    So Trump’s proposals have to be viewed through the prism of his propensity to set deadlines that are then pushed back multiple times – as with the on-again, off-again tariffs, which have given Trump the nickname Taco (“Trump always chickens out”) on Wall Street.

    Russian senator, Konstantin Kosachev, was certainly taking this view when he told the BBC after Trump’s announcement that, “if this is all Trump had to say about Ukraine today, then so far it’s been much ado about nothing”.

    This sentiment was shared by the Russian stock market which rose 2.7% in the aftermath of Trump’s announcement. Analysts had expected much worse, so the long delay in the prospect of anything actually happening was clearly seen as a long way off and potentially subject to change or cancellation. Trump is seen by many as both inconsistent in his threats and unpredictable as to where policy will eventually settle.

    The fact that Trump told BBC Washington correspondent Gary O’Donoghue that while he was “disappointed” with Putin, he was “not done with him” – and his clear reluctance to act quickly and decisively in sanctioning Russia – should be seen as an important counterpart to the apparent policy shift.

    Like so many things with the 47th US president, it’s important not to react to the media appearances or the headlines they provoke, without also paying attention to the policy actions of his administration.

    David Hastings Dunn has previously received funding from the ESRC, the Gerda Henkel Foundation, the Open Democracy Foundation and has previously been both a NATO and a Fulbright Fellow.

    – ref. What Trump’s decision to send more weapons to Ukraine will mean for the war – https://theconversation.com/what-trumps-decision-to-send-more-weapons-to-ukraine-will-mean-for-the-war-261192

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Blue Navy Recovery Scales Support to Meet Increased Demand for Unclaimed Property in California

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Irvine, CA , July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blue Navy Recovery, a recognized leader in the asset recovery space, has expanded its operations in response to a rising volume of unclaimed property claims in California. As the state reports growing pools of dormant assets—including old bank accounts, refund checks, and insurance proceeds—Blue Navy Recovery is ramping up its service capacity to help more residents secure what’s rightfully theirs. The firm’s success in the region continues to solidify its position as a top choice for unclaimed property support in  California.

    Blue Navy Recovery logo representing a trusted leader in unclaimed property recovery across California.

    With millions in unclaimed funds transferred to the state every year, the process of reclaiming those assets can often overwhelm individuals. Blue Navy Recovery simplifies this journey by managing the full recovery process on behalf of its clients. The firm handles everything: from initial eligibility checks and documentation to direct communication with state officials—ensuring accuracy and peace of mind for Californians seeking to recover assets long forgotten or unknown. The company’s results are reflected in a growing number of client reviews and reported outcomes shared by verified clients on Google and in recent coverage in Business Insider and Yahoo! Finance.

    “Our California clients are seeing success not because the process got easier, but because we’ve removed the guesswork,” said David Dorfman, Managing Partner at Blue Navy Recovery. “This expansion allows us to serve more people efficiently while maintaining the one-on-one service that defines our work.”

    As demand grows, so does the company’s investment in personalized support. From Google to Yelp, users continue to point to real results—not theory—as the reason they trust Blue Navy’s process. The firm has processed many successful claims in California alone, ranging from relatively small account balances to substantial fund recoveries linked to estates or inactive investments.

    The company’s secure and streamlined process helps reduce paperwork and improve communication. With clear guidance throughout each claim, Blue Navy Recovery offers a solid pathway from inquiry to payout. As a performance-based service, clients incur no upfront fees, and pay only when funds are successfully recovered. The company recently celebrated their 200th successful unclaimed property recovery case alongside their 40th 5-star review, a story that was picked up by media outlets like Yahoo! Finance, Business Insider, and Globe Newswire.

    To learn more about how to claim unclaimed property in California, or to explore real user studies and common case outcomes, visit Blue Navy Recovery’s website.

    Blue Navy Recovery’s website provides streamlined support for unclaimed property claims in California.

    About Blue Navy Recovery

    Blue Navy Recovery is a professional unclaimed property recovery firm that helps individuals and families recover lost or forgotten funds held by the state. With deep experience navigating the claims process in California and Georgia, we’ve helped return millions of dollars to rightful owners. We handle the paperwork, follow-ups, and filing — so you don’t have to. Our team only collects a percentage of the recovered amount, with no upfront cost. 

    Press inquiries

    Blue Navy Recovery
    https://www.bluenavy.org
    David Dorfman
    david@bluenavy.org
    (619) 215-1972

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Lightchain AI Launches Bonus Round Following Completion of $21M Presale

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHREWSBURY, United Kingdom, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lightchain AI, the decentralized smart contract platform powered by artificial intelligence, has officially launched the Bonus Round of its presale following the successful completion of all 15 initial stages. With over $21 million raised from early supporters, the Bonus Round offers investors a final opportunity to participate at a fixed token price of $0.007.

    This milestone marks a major step forward in Lightchain AI’s roadmap, as the project continues to expand its ecosystem with growing wallet distribution, community engagement, and developer adoption.

    We’ve seen exceptional momentum across the board—from wallet growth to community interest,” said a spokesperson from Lightchain AI. “The Bonus Round gives participants a fair, final chance to join the network ahead of launch.”

    Lightchain AI Drives Real Adoption Through Expanding Wallet Distribution

    Lightchain AI is driving real adoption through expanding wallet distribution, reflecting broad-based interest across both retail and strategic holders. With all 15 presale stages completed and over $21 million raised, the Bonus Round continues to fuel decentralized growth at a fixed price point.

    Wallet activity is growing as Lightchain delivers on utility: public GitHub repositories are launching, validator and contributor nodes are being onboarded, and the Developer Portal is live with full technical documentation. Grants and liquidity incentives support builders and meme coin creators through the active Launchpad, encouraging wallet engagement beyond passive holding.

    Combined with fair tokenomics and optimized gas performance, Lightchain AI’s expanding wallet base signals real-world adoption—built on transparent progress, not speculation. This is participation with purpose.

    Secure Your Lightchain AI Tokens Today!

    Step into the future with Lightchain AI tokens, where decentralization meets cutting-edge AI innovation. Designed for transparency, efficiency, and scalability, these tokens reward pioneers and loyal supporters alike. 

    After raising millions across 15 successful presale stages, the Bonus Round is here—offering fixed pricing and an exclusive investment opportunity you don’t want to miss! 

    Lightchain’s ecosystem is packed with game-changing features: real-time AI execution powered by the AIVM, scalable sharded architecture, and a builder-first approach supported by a $150,000 grant pool. Add optimized gas consumption and strategic token allocation, and you’ve got more than just another blockchain project—it’s a movement. 

    Don’t just watch the future unfold—be part of it. Get your tokens now and help build a smarter, decentralized tomorrow!

    https://lightchain.ai

    https://lightchain.ai/lightchain-whitepaper.pdf

    https://x.com/LightchainAI

    https://t.me/LightchainProtocol    

    Contact:
    SHAJAN SKARIA
    media@lightchain.ai

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by Lightchain AI. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/022f6ad4-9104-4fb3-bab9-8fd73ff59a2a

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7074bcbe-a7d2-493b-a49e-2720c11749cc

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Province advances systemic changes to integrate social services, prevent crises

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    On the one-year anniversary of the release of the representative for children and youth’s (RCY) Don’t Look Away report, the Province is providing an update on its co-ordinated cross-government work across several ministries to better integrate social services and move to a more prevention-based model of support for children and youth.

    The report called for systemic transformation across government to better support vulnerable children and families in B.C. by detailing the devastating story of a child’s abuse and death. In response, the Province made eight key commitments and launched a cross-government deputy-minister project board to ensure a co-ordinated response to improving child and youth well-being in B.C. As part of this work, government is collaborating with Indigenous people and all partners to develop a child and youth well-being action plan and outcomes framework.

    This plan will serve as the cornerstone of the Province’s strategy to better aligning services across government, setting standards for child and youth well-being, preventing crises by prioritizing the most vulnerable and measuring the effectiveness of government programs in meeting core needs.

    “Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of Don’t Look Away, and we continue to hold the sacred stories of Colby and the other children in this report in our hearts and minds,” said Jodie Wickens, Minister of Children and Family Development. “Every child in our province deserves safety, belonging and love, and we must do better. We are working with all our partners toward a renewed model of child well-being that focuses on prevention, care and supporting families before they find themselves in crisis.”

    While the plan and framework are being developed, the Province has made improvements to the way it serves children, youth and families. The Ministry of Children and Family Development has added tools for oversight and tracking that make sure child or youth visits occur at least once every 90 days and has increased its workforce by almost 20% in the last two years. The ministry is also improving resources for kinship care providers and providing updated information about supports available.

    B.C. is leading the country with First Nations as they reclaim jurisdiction over their children, youth and families. With a unique context of 204 First Nations, the Province has already signed 12 agreements with Nations that have determined their paths forward, with dozens more to come. A major step forward on the path of lasting reconciliation, this work will improve outcomes for children and youth and reduce the over-representation of Indigenous children and youth in care, and the Province is committed to consulting with Indigenous partners on its child and youth well-being action plan.

    “We hear these calls to action and are committed to continue advancing self-determination so that Indigenous children in B.C. are not only safe, supported and loved, but remain connected to their communities, families, culture and language,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.  

    Across government, several initiatives are underway to support the objectives of the plan, create strong foundations for families, and protect and uplift the most vulnerable. The stories in Don’t Look Away show that early supports are critical, and that is why government has taken action to provide more early intervention and mental-health and addiction programs for young people. 

    “Young people in British Columbia need access to age-appropriate mental-health and substance-use services that meet their unique needs,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “That’s why we’re focused on expanding prevention and early-intervention services, like Foundry Centres and Integrated Child and Youth Teams, to communities across the province. These services are vital to help young people get back on their feet, while our government continues to build a full continuum of mental-health and addictions care for everyone.”

    As recommended by the RCY, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction has introduced an exemption to lift up people with disabilities and their families and to help reduce financial hardship for people with disabilities. That exemption ensures individuals and families receiving income, disability or hardship assistance can keep the full amount of the new federal Canada Disability Benefit without any reduction to their provincial benefits.

    “We want people with disabilities and their families to have access to the supports they need,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “That’s why this exemption allows people receiving provincial assistance to retain the entire amount of their federal Canada Disability Benefit, further helping them to support their children.” 

    The recommendations in Don’t Look Away address systemic issues that are directed at all of government. The RCY has acknowledged that the Province has taken action on 65% of the recommendations it is tracking from recent RCY reports, including Don’t Look Away.

    “The representative has recognized the steps we’ve taken so far and that the systemic changes we are making will take time,” Wickens said. “But we also hear the clear message that this work must continue, and it must expand. We are proud of the progress to date, but we know this is just the start and there is much more to do. Our government is determined to continue this work alongside the RCY and our Indigenous partners to change the way we work.”

    Government is committed to fundamentally rethinking how it supports children and families through improved accountability, increased oversight, enhanced safety and better co-ordination of services.

    Quick Facts:

    • Ministries involved in the development of a child and youth well-being action plan and outcomes framework include the Attorney General, Education and Child Care, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Health, Public Safety and Solicitor General, and Social Development and Poverty Reduction.
    • Since 2017, the Ministry of Children and Family Development has received year-over-year budget increases to significantly improve the supports and services provided to B.C.’s children, youth and families.
    • The ministry’s 2025-26 budget increased by $321.6 million to more than $2.4 billion, more than 81% of which goes directly to programs and services.

    Learn More:

    To learn more about RCY investigation and review, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024CFD0009-001124

    A backgrounder follows.

    MIL OSI Canada News –