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Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI USA: Estes Delivers Keynote Speech at International Tax Cooperation and Competition: A Reset

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas)

    U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) delivered the keynote address at International Tax Cooperation and Competition: A Reset hosted by American Enterprise Institute (AEI). Congressman Estes discussed the latest developments in international tax policy. See below for highlights and watch

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    On driving economic growth through tax policy reform:

    “It’s great to be able to talk about things that are going on in the world, and particularly things that are going on as we relate to tax policy and good economic policy, which drives good economic growth. A lot of you probably heard several of these conversations from me a lot over the last several months, as we’ve gone through this whole process to talk through what we should do, from a tax code policy within the United States and what we want to do moving forward. 

    “It’s great as we are at this point now where we’re wanting to focus on, how do we make sure that we have good policy that makes good economic growth for companies to do business in America and benefit American workers and an American economy. And ultimately raises money for tax revenue to have to fund the government and activities that we do here as well. And that’s kind of been my focus since I’ve been on Ways and Means now six years . . . I came on shortly after the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in 2017 was passed into law. That was my first term in Congress and so the guiding principles, even back then, we’re looking at, how do we make [the] U.S. more competitive in the activities that we do? 

    On the history of crafting the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act:

    “And I go back and talk a little bit about 2017 and then translate to some degree, how our efforts with TCJA in 2017 tied in with the efforts in the One Big, Beautiful Bill this year, and then how that’s also connected to the OECD discussions on Pillar One and Pillar Two. I like to go back and do a little bit of review of history when we talk about TCJA. Because we think back to 2017, the state of the economy at that point in time was, everybody was talking about this new normal, that we should just expect low 1-1.5% economic growth, and that should be the standard that we should expect in the United States.

    “The United States had the fourth-highest corporate tax rate in the world, and highest of any developed country. And so it was always putting our industry at a competitive disadvantage as we sort through activities. We had stagnant wage growth for two or three decades in terms of the average taxpayers was in the mid to high 30s was what the income level was for the individuals across the country. We also had inversions. It was the topic of the day. Whether you were a Republican president or a Democrat president, it was a problem that you were trying to address, where, because of our high tax rate, it was profitable for foreign-based businesses to come buy a valuable U.S. entity and convert it into headquarters being overseas and actually partially pay for that through the lower tax savings just by getting out of the U.S. tax burden. 

    “And then the other component that doesn’t get talked about a lot is the amount of money that was tracked overseas. I mean, literally, it was in the four to four and a half trillion dollars, where subsidiaries of U.S.-based businesses had operations in foreign countries, and because of the existing tax rate, they paid taxes in that country, the territory where they were operating in, but the U.S. tax code said, well, we want to double dip and tax you to bring that money back. So, that money was being left overseas was actually being invested and helping grow the economies over there, which wasn’t what you want from a U.S.-based business or entity. 

    “And so those were some of the big issues that we wanted to address with TCJA. It kind of drove a lot of our thought process as we went into that, and what we were starting with, just driving the corporate tax rate down down to 21% and even at that, we weren’t going to be the lowest tax rate. We didn’t want that. By the time you combine the 21% corporate rate with state and local taxes, we’re just above the midpoint of OECD countries around the world. But we think that’s appropriate. I think we’ll still be competitive, just because the innovation with U.S. businesses and the activities that we’ll focus on going forward.

    On incentivizing investment:

    “In addition to the corporate rate, we also want to make sure that we looked at, how do we, how do we incentivize investment, investment in research and development, investment in capital expenditures, investment in in our workers’ workforce, and being able to deduct the interest deductibility used for that investment. And so we structured different provisions around that. Some of those end up being temporary. And so we’ve had an actually good field experiment the last eight years where we’ve seen the results of 2017 going forward to now, and selling the economic growth that came out of that. 

    On provisions of the OBBB:  

    “Now we’re at the point of where we were working on with the One Big, Beautiful Bill to extend those provisions that had been temporary, and in the best case scenario, make as many of them as we could, permanent. We also got caught up in a lot of the campaign promises from last election, particularly from the presidential race and some of the new provisions that came in, No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime. 88% of people won’t pay tax on their Social Security because of the credits, enhanced senior credits they’ll get. Those are new items that we hadn’t talked about previously. 

    On securing permanent tax provisions to drive investment:

    “What we really wanted to do with the One Big, Beautiful Bill is how we make sure that our economy gets back to growth mode and that we continue to have good economic growth and wealth creation for not just businesses, but individuals as well as funding the Treasury. 

    “I can go down several instances in the Treasury where we actually have more receipts now than we had on things like royalty tax payments, because we had the incentive for research and development being done in the United States. Companies either brought the research and development back or started it new in the United States, and therefore our royalty income is hundreds of billions of dollars higher than it was. 

    “But even what we’ve seen is, through 2024, actual revenue was increased over what had been projected prior to TCJA. So even the discussion that there was going to be a loss to the Treasury, with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, that did not happen through 2024. Now as we look forward with OECD or the One Big, Beautiful Bill, and rolling out those provisions, so many of them, that we’re able to get permanent to move forward, [are] going to be so beneficial for us in an operation side. 

    On addressing global taxation:

    “I talked about a lot of the domestic value for economic growth, and how do we make things happen? Obviously, as part of that, we also need to talk through from an international piece and the issues there. When we were finishing up, again I go back to the little history ,we were finishing up TCJA. 

    “Part of the last things done were figuring out, how do we fit in and address the growing concern about the race to the bottom on global taxation? Obviously there’s a concern on everybody’s part that you don’t necessarily want to lose your business to a company or country that is taxing less just because they’re taxing less. But what we did was, we implemented within TCJA provisions, like GILTI and BEAT, in order to help address that, to help offset that temptation that somebody would go look and base their operations somewhere to get advantage, just purely for tax purposes. 

    On how Digital Services Taxes led to Pillar One discussions:

    “At about that same time, there were discussions going on in the world around, both from the same concern as well as a concern of raising revenue in individual countries. So six years ago, seven years ago or so when I got on Ways and Means, one of the first things that I got engaged in was talking about Digital Services Taxes, the DSTs. That was becoming the hot topic at that point in time, because multiple countries were promoting this idea of having a Digital Services Tax and looking at it in a way, basically for revenue. What I became an advocate for, along with a lot of others, was, let’s utilize OECD and come up with a consistent approach, instead of having a patchwork quilt of different codes and tax systems across the world. So that was the basis to start the discussion on what ultimately became Pillar One.

    On how what led to Pillar Two discussions:

    “About the same time that we finished the TCJA provision, then it also turned in that other countries started talking about, ‘How can we address the lower tax rates?’ And making sure that we are actually being fairly competitive in that, which led up into the discussions on Pillar Two. 

    “This is kind of starting at the end of the Trump administration, the first Trump administration. As the discussion with Philippines started up, it was more focused on a thought process along the lines of what we put into the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. In terms of how you look at provisions, like GILTI or BEAT or FDII, and craft something that works for your respective country, whether you’re European-based, or Asia or Africa, that actually accomplishes the same goal or a similar goal, to help incentivize companies to operate within your country and not look to run to some country that maybe dangles a particular foreign rate below rate in front of them. 

    On the Biden administration’s pivot on Pillar One:

    “The problem that happened after we had a change of administration, and the Biden administration was moving into discussion, was the discussion on Pillar One kind of just got put to the wayside. So the Digital Services Taxes weren’t being addressed at all from a global OECD standpoint. It was kind of allowed to wither and decline and just pause there. At the same time, there was a completely different focus on the Pillar Two piece to look at, instead of, how do we make tax competitiveness? Look at, how do we do subsidized business and operations? 

    “So it really turned into a really bad pivot from that standpoint, in terms of what the impact was going to be around the world. As the material was prepared, a lot of what was done, as drafts were coming out, there really wasn’t public awareness of that shift happened, until the final draft came out early two years ago. 

    “At that point in time, it really became apparent what had been structured was something that was going to be very discriminatory towards the United States. And the businesses working in the United States, impact them in terms of amount of tax they pay, impact them in terms of amount of processing and how they go through the administrative costs to calculate that. And the net effect on the U.S. Treasury was going to be very detrimental to that, because of the way the U.S. Treasury focused on, or even looked at the tax codes for a long period of time is, how do we come up with, in a lot of cases, non refundable credits? 

    “Basically, the incentive is that you should make a decision that results in income and tax burden for you, and then that decision, whether it’s investment in R&D or investment in capital expenditure, is what you deduct off of. Whereas a lot of other countries around the world go into more of a subsidized approach. How do they incentivize through the subsidies? Obviously that put U.S. companies at a disadvantage because our approach wasn’t being included and theirs was allowed, in terms of calculating what would be a minimum tax. 

    On working with Chairman Jason Smith on addressing tax policy inadequacies:

    “That’s where we really got heavily engaged in this is not the appropriate worldwide process to follow. It throws a lot of decades-old tax treaties on its head. What we needed to do was go back and and let’s finalize the Pillar One piece so the DSTs are addressed and and do over the process on UTPRs, that were the central piece of the Pillar Two activity. 

    “As we were working through One Big, Beautiful Bill, myself and [U.S. Congressman] Jason Smith, we had a couple of different pieces of legislation, primarily to look at, how do we protect the U.S. tax base if countries were going to go proceed down the route and implement the Pillar Two process? The Chairman’s bill was [the] Defending American Jobs and Investments Act, which would have had increased withholding tax under national companies. I had a bill titled The Unfair Tax Prevention Act or UTPA. . . But basically it . . . was going to disallow certain credits and have a similar impact on foreign-based companies operating in the United States, if they came from a country that was using those discriminatory Pillar Two pieces on U.S. business. 

    “And I’ll say this … I think Chairman Smith will say it as well, we really didn’t want a world where we would have to be drafting bills like this to offset bad bills coming from somewhere else. That wasn’t the best way to do trade. It wasn’t the best way to do tax policy that we should continue down, having this hybrid territorial tax process that has been working and will continue to work into the future. 

    “When the Trump administration came back in, a lot of comments and support from President Trump, some [from] Secretary Bessent and a host of a crew in the Treasury staff, agreed with this issue, and we’re focusing on this was a problem for America, and what we should do here. 

    On Section 899 and reaching the G7 Agreement:

    “As the One Big, Beautiful Bill was being written, we crafted just one small section that combined Jason’s and my bill together, and all of a sudden, I think it was like two months ago today, that hit the hot button and it became the hot item going into the final discussions on, the infamous Section 899 that became a hot topic out there to talk about. What it did, I think, was highlighted that, there’s a lot of concern on the part of Congress that we need to make sure that we have good tax code that works for countries across the world, but also through the negotiations that have happened, primarily with Treasury, but also with engagement with us in Congress, and how we could move forward. 

    “The agreement that was brought forth between Treasury and the G7 to actually pull the Section 899 out of the One Big, Beautiful Bill as it was sitting in the Senate, with the expectation that the G7 and OECD countries would would also pull back on their Pillar Two language that they either had already started or they would have started implementing. . . I liked that approach. 

    “I do think what we have to do and continue forward is … the trust but verify. We took the first step to pull out the 899. Now we got to continue the process follow through the G7 and OECD countries through that. At same time, [we] need to go and continue to work on the DST issue, because that wasn’t resolved, and that wasn’t as much a part of the agreement as the Pillar Two piece was. So we’ve gotta continue that work as we move forward there. 

    On finishing the One Big, Beautiful Bill and work to come on the tax code:

    “I’ve kind of gone through a lot of different topics, going back multiple years on different things. And through this process, we’re going to continue to keep focusing on, how do we implement and talk about all the things that are in the bill, we just passed the One Big, Beautiful Bill. But also going through and, like I said, trust but verify that all of the follow on countries are following through with their provisions to change the tax code and then also continue to the work to get the DSTs addressed so that there is a global solution for that as well. 

    “I’m looking for us getting back into an arena where we actually have more competitive worldwide economies. I think that U.S.-based businesses will be successful. I think a lot of foreign-based businesses will also be successful just because of the way our global economy works. I’m looking forward to taxes not slowing down good, successful economic growth.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA response to statements in French government’s updated Indo-Pacific strategy concerning Taiwan and cross-strait security

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    MOFA response to statements in French government’s updated Indo-Pacific strategy concerning Taiwan and cross-strait security

    July 20, 2025On July 18, the French government released its newest Indo-Pacific strategy report (La stratégie indopacifique de la France), which pointed out that China’s growing assertiveness in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea was undermining security in the Indo-Pacific region. The report warned that a high-intensity conflict in the Taiwan Strait would have major repercussions, such as on the global economy, and would run the risk of expanding to other areas. In addition, it reaffirmed the French government’s commitment to preserving cross-strait peace and stability, as well as its opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, threat, or coercion, and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait disputes.While the 2022 version of the report noted France’s concerns over tensions across the Taiwan Strait, this year’s version added France’s high regard for cross-strait peace and stability and opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung deeply appreciates and welcomes the statements in the new report.The joint declaration following the UK-France summit on July 10, France’s the National Strategic Review 2025 of July 14, and the updated Indo-Pacific strategy all express concern over and support for cross-strait peace and stability, demonstrating that the issue has become a matter of international consensus and interest. Upholding the spirit of integrated diplomacy, Taiwan will continue to strengthen collaboration with France and other democratic partners to jointly defend freedom and democracy and safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Dreamland Limited Announces Closing of Initial Public Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HONG KONG, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dreamland Limited (Nasdaq: TDIC) (the “Company” or “Dreamland”), a Hong Kong-based event management service provider, today announced the closing of its initial public offering (the “Offering”) of 2,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, 1,340,000 of which were offered by the Company and 660,000 by an existing shareholder (the “Selling Shareholder”), at a public offering price of US$4.00 per Class A ordinary share. The Company also filed a resale prospectus concurrent with the Offering for the resale of 5,416,740 Class A ordinary shares held by Prime Crest Holdings Limited, Fuji Holdings Limited, Yield Rights Group Limited and Allied Target Limited (the “Resale Shareholders”). The Class A ordinary shares began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on July 23, 2025 under the ticker symbol “TDIC.”

    The Company received aggregate gross proceeds of US$5,360,000 from the Offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and other related expenses. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale of Class A ordinary shares offered by the Selling Shareholder or the Resale Shareholders in the Offering.

    Net proceeds from the Offering due to the Company will be used for: (i) acquiring multi-territorial IP licenses; (ii) setting up the Company’s own ticketing platform; (iii) possible strategic acquisitions; (iv) expanding the Company’s marketing department and financing and administration department; (v) upgrading the Company’s enterprise resource planning system; (vi) repaying loans made by a director in connection with the payment of costs and expenses in connection with the Offering and obtaining a listing of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market; and (vii) working capital and other general corporate purposes.

    The Offering was conducted on a firm commitment basis. Bancroft Capital, LLC acted as the sole managing underwriter for the Offering (the “Underwriter”). Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP acted as U.S. counsel to the Underwriter, led by W. David Mannheim, Kathryn Simons and Ashley Wu, in connection with the Offering.

    A registration statement on Form F-1 relating to the Offering was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (File No.: 333-286471), as amended, and was declared effective by the SEC on June 30, 2025. The Offering was made only by means of a prospectus, forming a part of the registration statement. Copies of the final prospectus relating to the Offering may be obtained from Bancroft Capital, LLC by email at investmentbanking@bancroft4vets.com, by standard mail to 501 Office Center Drive, Suite 130, Fort Washington, PA 19034, or by telephone at +1 (484) 546-8000. In addition, copies of the final prospectus relating to the Offering may be obtained via the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Company’s securities, nor shall such securities be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of any of the Company’s securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

    About Dreamland Limited

    Dreamland Limited is a Hong Kong-based event management service provider. The Company specializes in organizing, planning, promoting and managing themed touring walk-through experience events for intellectual property owners of characters in well-publicized animated cartoons and/or live action theatrical motion pictures. Dreamland’s mission is to help customers organize, plan, promote and manage events to effectively connect with their target audiences, both in Hong Kong and in overseas markets. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: http://www.trendicint.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “believe”, “plan”, “expect”, “intend”, “should”, “seek”, “estimate”, “will”, “would”, “may”. “could”, “will”, “aim” and “anticipate” or other similar expressions in the prospectus. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov.

    For more information, please contact:

    Dreamland Limited
    Ms. Seto Wai Yue
    Email: frances.seto@trendicint.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Top guns return, nationals on target in Taber

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets Somaliland Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adam  

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Details
    2025-07-22
    President Lai meets cross-party Irish Oireachtas delegation
    On the morning of July 22, President Lai Ching-te met with a cross-party delegation from the Oireachtas (parliament) of Ireland. In remarks, President Lai stated that Taiwan and Ireland are both guardians of the values of freedom and democracy. He indicated that Taiwan will continue to take action and show the world that it is a trustworthy democratic partner that can contribute to the international community, saying that we look forward to building an even closer partnership with Ireland as we work together for the well-being of our peoples and for global democracy, peace, and prosperity. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Deputy Speaker John McGuinness is a dear friend of Taiwan who also chairs the Ireland-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association. Thanks to his efforts over the years, support for Taiwan has grown stronger in the Oireachtas. I thank him and all of our guests for traveling such a long way to demonstrate support for Taiwan and open more doors for exchanges and cooperation. Europe is Taiwan’s third largest trading partner and largest source of foreign investment. Ireland is a European stronghold for technology and innovative industries. Just like Taiwan, Ireland is an export-oriented economy. Our industrial structures are highly complementary. We hope that Taiwan’s electronics manufacturing and machinery industries can explore deeper cooperation with Ireland’s ICT software and biopharmaceutical fields, creating win-win outcomes. In May, the Irish government launched its National Semiconductor Strategy, outlining a vision to become a global semiconductor hub. Taiwan is home to the world’s most critical semiconductor ecosystem, and our own industrial development closely parallels that of Ireland. Moreover, we aspire to build non-red technological supply chains with democratic partners. I believe that going forward, Taiwan and Ireland can bolster collaboration so as to upgrade the competitiveness of our respective semiconductor industries. Together, we can help build a values-based economic system for democracies. I was delighted to receive congratulations from Deputy Speaker McGuinness on my election. Taiwan and Ireland are both guardians of the values of freedom and democracy. This visit from our guests further attests to our common beliefs. As authoritarianism continues to expand, Taiwan will continue to take action and show the world that it is a trustworthy democratic partner that can contribute to the international community. We look forward to building an even closer partnership with Ireland as we work together for the well-being of our peoples and for global democracy, peace, and prosperity. Deputy Speaker McGuinness then delivered remarks, stating that he has been to Taiwan on many occasions and that it is a great honor to join President Lai and his staff at the Presidential Office. He said that Ireland has continued to build its strong relationship with Taiwan based on our democratic values and the interests that we have in trade throughout the world, strengthening this relationship based on culture, education, and more. Noting that he served with many other diplomats from Taiwan, he said all had the same goal, which was to further the interests of the Ireland-Taiwan friendship and to ensure that it grows and prospers. The deputy speaker then extended to President Lai the delegation’s best wishes for his term in office, stating that they commit to the same values as the previous friendship groups that have been visiting Taiwan. He went on to say that some members of the group are newly elected, representing the next generation of the association, and that they are committed to working together with Taiwan to stand strong in the defense of democracy. Deputy Speaker McGuinness also noted that the father of Deputy Ken O’Flynn, one of the delegation members, played an important role as a former chairman of the association, remarking that it is good to see such continuity taking place. Deputy Speaker McGuiness said that he believes the world is facing huge challenges and uncertainty in terms of our markets and trade with one another. He said we have to watch for what the United States will do next and be conscious of what China is doing, emphasizing that the European Union stands strong in the center of this, while Ireland plays a huge role in the context of democracy, trade, and the betterment of all things for the citizens that they represent. The deputy speaker then stated that while we focus on the development of AI that is extremely important for all of us, we can work together to ensure that we control AI rather than AI controlling us. He also remarked that we cannot lose sight of our traditional trading means, saying that we have to keep all of our trade together, expand on that trade, and then take on the new technologies that come before us. Deputy Speaker McGuinness concluded his remarks by thanking President Lai for receiving the delegation, stating that they commit to their continuation of support for Taiwan and for democracy. Also in attendance were Deputies Malcolm Byrne and Barry Ward, and Senator Teresa Costello.

    Details
    2025-07-22
    President Lai meets official delegation from European Parliament’s Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield
    On the morning of July 22, President Lai Ching-te met with an official delegation from the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS). In remarks, President Lai thanked the committee for choosing to visit Taiwan for its first trip to Asia, demonstrating the close ties between Taiwan and Europe. President Lai emphasized that Taiwan, standing at the very frontline of the democratic world, is determined to protect democracy, peace, and prosperity worldwide. He expressed hope that we can share our experiences with Europe to foster even more resilient societies. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Firstly, on behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a warm welcome to your delegation, which marks another official visit from the European Parliament. The Special Committee on the EUDS aims to strengthen societal resilience and counter disinformation and hybrid threats. Having been constituted at the beginning of this year, the committee has chosen to visit Taiwan for its first trip to Asia, demonstrating the close ties between Taiwan and Europe and the unlimited possibilities for deepening cooperation on issues of concern. I am also delighted to see many old friends of Taiwan gathered here today. I deeply appreciate your longstanding support for Taiwan. Taiwan and the European Union enjoy close trade and economic relations and share the values of freedom and democracy. However, in recent years, we have both been subjected to information manipulation and infiltration by foreign forces that seek to interfere in democratic elections, foment division in our societies, and shake people’s faith in democracy. Taiwan not only faces an onslaught of disinformation, but also is the target of gray-zone aggression. That is why, after taking office, I established the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Presidential Office, with myself as convener. The committee is a platform that integrates domestic affairs, national defense, foreign affairs, cybersecurity, and civil resources. It aims to strengthen the capability of Taiwan’s society to defend itself against new forms of threat, pinpoint external and internal vulnerabilities, and bolster overall resilience and security. The efforts that democracies make are not for opposing anyone else; they are for safeguarding the way of life that we cherish – just as Europe has endeavored to promote diversity and human rights. The Taiwanese people firmly believe that when our society is united and people trust one another, we will be able to withstand any form of authoritarian aggression. Taiwan stands at the very frontline of the democratic world. We are determined to protect democracy, peace, and prosperity worldwide. We also hope to share our experiences with Europe and deepen cooperation in such fields as cybersecurity, media literacy, and societal resilience. Thank you once again for visiting Taiwan. Your presence further strengthens the foundations of Taiwan-Europe relations. Let us continue to work together to uphold freedom and democracy and foster even more resilient societies. EUDS Special Committee Chair Nathalie Loiseau then delivered remarks, saying that the delegation has members from different countries, including France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Belgium, and different political parties, but that they have in common their desire for stronger relations between the EU and Taiwan. Committee Chair Loiseau stated that the EU and Taiwan, having many things in common, should work more together. She noted that we have strong trade relations, strong investments on both sides, and strong cultural relations, while we are also facing very similar challenges and threats. She said that we are democracies living in a world where autocracies want to weaken and divide democracies. She added that we also face external information manipulation, cyberattacks, sabotage, attempts to capture elites, and every single gray-zone activity that aims to divide and weaken us. Committee Chair Loiseau pointed out another commonality, that we have never threatened our neighbors. She said that we want to live in peace and we care about our people; we want to defend ourselves, not to attack others. We are not being threatened because of what we do, she emphasized, but because of what we are; and thus there is no reason for not working more together to face these threats and attacks. Committee Chair Loiseau said that Taiwan has valuable experience and good practices in the area of societal resilience, and that they are interested in learning more about Taiwan’s whole-of-society approach. They in Europe are facing interference, she said, mainly from Russia, and they know that Russia inspires others. She added that they in the EU also have experience regulating social media in a way which combines freedom of expression and responsibility. In closing, the chair said that they are happy to have the opportunity to exchange views with President Lai and that the European Parliament will continue to strongly support relations between the EU and Taiwan. The delegation also included Members of the European Parliament Engin Eroglu, Tomáš Zdechovský, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Kathleen Van Brempt, and Markéta Gregorová.

    Details
    2025-07-17
    President Lai meets President of Guatemalan Congress Nery Abilio Ramos y Ramos  
    On the morning of July 17, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Nery Abilio Ramos y Ramos, the president of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala. In remarks, President Lai thanked Congress President Ramos and the Guatemalan Congress for their support for Taiwan, and noted that official diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Guatemala go back more than 90 years. As important partners in the global democratic community, the president said, the two nations will continue moving forward together in joint defense of the values of democracy and freedom, and will cooperate to promote regional and global prosperity and development. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:  I recall that when Congress President Ramos visited Taiwan in July last year, he put forward many ideas about how our countries could promote bilateral cooperation and exchanges. Now, a year later, he is leading another cross-party delegation from the Guatemalan Congress on a visit, demonstrating support for Taiwan and continuing to help deepen our diplomatic ties. In addition to extending a sincere welcome to the distinguished delegation members who have traveled so far to be here, I would also like to express our concern and condolences for everyone in Guatemala affected by the earthquake that struck earlier this month. We hope that the recovery effort is going smoothly. Official diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Guatemala go back more than 90 years. In such fields as healthcare, agriculture, education, and women’s empowerment, we have continually strengthened our cooperation to benefit our peoples. Just last month, Guatemala’s President Bernardo Arévalo and the First Lady led a delegation on a state visit to Taiwan. President Arévalo and I signed a letter of intent for semiconductor cooperation, and also witnessed the signing of cooperation documents to establish a political consultation mechanism and continue to promote bilateral investment. This has laid an even sounder foundation for bilateral exchanges and cooperation, and will help enhance both countries’ international competitiveness. Taiwan is currently running a semiconductor vocational training program, helping Guatemala cultivate semiconductor talent and develop its tech industry, and demonstrating our determination to share experience with democratic partners. At the same time, we continue to assist Taiwanese businesses in their efforts to develop overseas markets with Guatemala as an important base, spurring industrial development in both countries and increasing economic and trade benefits. I want to thank Congress President Ramos and the Guatemalan Congress for their continued support for Taiwan’s international participation. Representing the Guatemalan Congress, Congress President Ramos has signed resolutions in support of Taiwan, and has also issued statements addressing China’s misinterpretation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. Taiwan and Guatemala, as important partners in the global democratic community, will continue moving forward together in joint defense of the values of democracy and freedom, and will cooperate to promote regional and global prosperity and development. Congress President Ramos then delivered remarks, first noting that the members of the delegation are not only from different parties, but also represent different classes, cultures, professions, and departments, which shows that the diplomatic ties between Guatemala and the Republic of China (Taiwan) are based on firm friendships at all levels and in all fields. Noting that this was his second time to visit Taiwan and meet with President Lai, Congress President Ramos thanked the government of Taiwan for its warm hospitality. With the international situation growing more complex by the day, he said, Guatemala highly values its longstanding friendship and cooperative ties with Taiwan, and hopes that both sides can continue to deepen their cooperation in such areas as the economy, technology, education, agriculture, and culture, and work together to spur sustainable development in each of our countries. Congress President Ramos said that the way the Taiwan government looks after the well-being of its people is an excellent model for how other countries should promote national development and social well-being. Accordingly, he said, the Guatemalan Congress has stood for justice and, for a second time, adopted a resolution backing Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly. Regarding President Arévalo’s state visit to Taiwan the previous month, Congress President Ramos commented that this high-level interaction has undoubtedly strengthened the diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Guatemala and led to more opportunities for cooperation. Congress President Ramos emphasized that democracy, freedom, and human rights are universal values that bind Taiwan and Guatemala together, and that he is confident the two countries’ diplomatic ties will continue to grow deeper. In closing, on behalf of the Republic of Guatemala, Congress President Ramos presented President Lai with a Chinese translation of the resolution that the Guatemalan Congress proposed to the UN in support of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, demonstrating the staunch bonds of friendship between the two countries. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Guatemala Ambassador Luis Raúl Estévez López.  

    Details
    2025-07-08
    President Lai meets delegation led by Foreign Minister Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste of Republic of Haiti
    On the morning of July 8, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste of the Republic of Haiti and his wife. In remarks, President Lai noted that our two countries will soon mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and that our exchanges have been fruitful in important areas such as public security, educational cooperation, and infrastructure. The president stated that Taiwan will continue to work together with Haiti to promote the development of medical and health care, food security, and construction that benefits people’s livelihoods. The president thanked Haiti for supporting Taiwan’s international participation and expressed hope that both countries will continue to support each other, deepen cooperation, and face various challenges together. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to meet and exchange ideas with Minister Jean-Baptiste, his wife, and our distinguished guests. Minister Jean-Baptiste is the highest-ranking official from Haiti to visit Taiwan since former President Jovenel Moïse visited in 2018, demonstrating the importance that the Haitian government attaches to our bilateral diplomatic ties. On behalf of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I extend a sincere welcome. Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries. Our bilateral exchanges have been fruitful in important areas such as public security, educational cooperation, and infrastructure. Over the past few years, Haiti has faced challenges in such areas as food supply and healthcare. Taiwan will continue to work together with Haiti through various cooperative programs to promote the development of medical and health care, food security, and construction that benefits people’s livelihoods. I want to thank the government of Haiti and Minister Jean-Baptiste for speaking out in support of Taiwan on the international stage for many years. Minister Jean-Baptiste’s personal letter to the World Health Organization Secretariat in May this year and Minister of Public Health and Population Bertrand Sinal’s public statement during the World Health Assembly both affirmed Taiwan’s efforts and contributions to global public health and supported Taiwan’s international participation, for which we are very grateful. I hope that Taiwan and Haiti will continue to support each other and deepen cooperation. I believe that Minister Jean-Baptiste’s visit will open up more opportunities for cooperation for both countries, helping Taiwan and Haiti face various challenges together. In closing, I once again offer a sincere welcome to the delegation led by Minister Jean-Baptiste, and ask him to convey greetings from Taiwan to Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and the members of the Transitional Presidential Council. Minister Jean-Baptiste then delivered remarks, saying that he is extremely honored to visit Taiwan and reaffirm the solid and friendly cooperative relationship based on mutual respect between the Republic of Haiti and the Republic of China (Taiwan), which will soon mark its 70th anniversary. He also brought greetings to President Lai from Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council and Prime Minister Fils-Aimé. Minister Jean-Baptiste emphasized that over the past few decades, despite the great geographical distance and developmental and cultural differences between our two countries, we have nevertheless established a firm friendship and demonstrated to the world the progress resulting from the mutual assistance and cooperation between our peoples. Minister Jean-Baptiste pointed out that our two countries cooperate closely in agriculture, health, education, and community development and have achieved concrete results. Taiwan’s voice, he said, is thus essential for the people of Haiti. He noted that Taiwan also plays an important role in peace and innovation and actively participates in global cooperative efforts. Pointing out that the world is currently facing significant challenges and that Haiti is experiencing its most difficult period in history, Minister Jean-Baptiste said that at this time, Taiwan and Haiti need to unite, help each other, and jointly think about how to move forward and deepen bilateral relations to benefit the peoples of both countries. Minister Jean-Baptiste said that he is pleased that throughout our solid and friendly diplomatic relationship, both countries have demonstrated mutual trust, mutual respect, and the values we jointly defend. He then stated his belief that Haiti and Taiwan will together create a cooperation model and future that are sincere, friendly, and sustainable. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Francilien Victorin of the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Taiwan.

    Details
    2025-07-01
    President Lai meets delegation from 2025 Taiwan International Ocean Forum
    On the afternoon of July 1, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the 2025 Taiwan International Ocean Forum (TIOF). In remarks, President Lai noted that the people of Taiwan will continue to work with democratic partners throughout the world in a maritime spirit of freedom and openness to contribute to ocean governance and jointly ensure maritime security. He expressed hope that their visit will help forge stronger friendships between Taiwan and international maritime partners, so that all can work together to spur shared maritime prosperity and sustainable development for the next generation. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I want to thank our guests for coming here to the Presidential Office. The 2025 TIOF will take place tomorrow and the day after, and I thank you all for making the long trip to Taiwan to attend the event and share your valuable insights and experiences. This year’s forum will focus on strategies for strengthening maritime security and pathways to achieving a sustainable blue economy. By attending this forum, our guests are highlighting their commitment to safeguarding the oceans, and beyond that, taking concrete action to demonstrate support for Taiwan. I once again offer deepest gratitude on behalf of the people of Taiwan. Taiwan holds a key position on the first island chain, is one of the world’s top 10 shipping nations, and accounts for close to 10 percent of global container shipping by volume. As such, Taiwan occupies a unique and important position in maritime strategy. For Taiwan, the ocean is more than just a basis for survival and development; it is also an important driver of national prosperity. In my inaugural address last year, I spoke of a threefold approach to further Taiwan’s development. One of these involves further developing our strengths as a maritime nation. Our government must actively help deepen our connections with the ocean, and must continue to promote green shipping, a sustainable fishing industry, marine renewable energy, and other forms of industrial transformation. It must also make use of marine technology and digital innovation to create a new paradigm that balances environmental, economic, and social inclusion concerns. This will help enhance Taiwan’s responsibilities and competitiveness as a maritime nation. Taiwan is surrounded by ocean, and our territorial waters are a natural protective barrier. However, continued gray-zone aggression from China creates serious threats and challenges to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Our government continues to invest resources to deal with increasingly complex maritime security issues. In addition to building coast guard patrol vessels, we must also step up efforts to build underwater, surface, and airborne unmanned vehicles and smart reconnaissance equipment, so as to demonstrate Taiwan’s determination to defend democracy and freedom and commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Oceans are Taiwan’s roots, and provide the channels by which we engage with the world. The people of Taiwan will continue to work with democratic partners throughout the world in a maritime spirit of freedom and openness to contribute to ocean governance and jointly ensure maritime security. The TIOF was first launched in 2020, and has now become an important platform for enhancement of cooperation between Taiwan and other countries. I hope that our distinguished guests will reap great benefits at this year’s forum, and further hope that this visit will help forge stronger friendships between Taiwan and international maritime partners, so that all can work together to spur shared maritime prosperity and sustainable development for the next generation. Chairman of The Washington Times Thomas McDevitt, a member of the delegation, then delivered remarks, noting first that July 4th, this Friday, is Independence Day in America. Independence is a sacred, powerful word which has great meaning in this part of the world, he said. Chairman McDevitt indicated that Taiwan has truly become a global beacon of democracy and a key partner for many nations. He then quoted President Lai’s 2024 inaugural address: “We will work together to combat disinformation, strengthen democratic resilience, address challenges, and allow Taiwan to become the MVP of the democratic world.” Chairman McDevitt went on to say that he appreciated the president’s speech with regard to his philosophical depth, sensitivity, and both moral and political clarity. He said that he was deeply moved by the speech, but within a few days of it, China responded with military activities and many threats. The chairman then emphasized that we are in a civilization crisis. Chairman McDevitt mentioned that President Lai has begun a series of 10 lectures, and remarked that they would help the world to understand the identity and the nature of Taiwan, as well as the situation we are in in the world. On behalf of all the delegation, Chairman McDevitt thanked the president for his leadership in dealing with these issues thoughtfully. Chairman McDevitt concluded with a line from the Old Testament which states that if the people have no vision, they will perish. He said that he believes Taiwan’s president has led the people of Taiwan, and the world, with a vision of how to navigate this great civilization crisis together. The delegation also included Members of the Japanese House of Representatives Kikawada Hitoshi, Aoyama Yamato, and Genma Kentaro, and Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom Gavin Williamson.

    Details
    2025-05-20
    President Lai interviewed by Nippon Television and Yomiuri TV
    In a recent interview on Nippon Television’s news zero program, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions from host Mr. Sakurai Sho and Yomiuri TV Shanghai Bureau Chief Watanabe Masayo on topics including reflections on his first year in office, cross-strait relations, China’s military threats, Taiwan-United States relations, and Taiwan-Japan relations. The interview was broadcast on the evening of May 19. During the interview, President Lai stated that China intends to change the world’s rules-based international order, and that if Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted. Therefore, he said, Taiwan will strengthen its national defense, prevent war by preparing for war, and achieve the goal of peace. The president also noted that Taiwan’s purpose for developing drones is based on national security and industrial needs, and that Taiwan hopes to collaborate with Japan. He then reiterated that China’s threats are an international problem, and expressed hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war. Following is the text of the questions and the president’s responses: Q: How do you feel as you are about to round out your first year in office? President Lai: When I was young, I was determined to practice medicine and save lives. When I left medicine to go into politics, I was determined to transform Taiwan. And when I was sworn in as president on May 20 last year, I was determined to strengthen the nation. Time flies, and it has already been a year. Although the process has been very challenging, I am deeply honored to be a part of it. I am also profoundly grateful to our citizens for allowing me the opportunity to give back to our country. The future will certainly be full of more challenges, but I will do everything I can to unite the people and continue strengthening the nation. That is how I am feeling now. Q: We are now coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and over this period, we have often heard that conflict between Taiwan and the mainland is imminent. Do you personally believe that a cross-strait conflict could happen? President Lai: The international community is very much aware that China intends to replace the US and change the world’s rules-based international order, and annexing Taiwan is just the first step. So, as China’s military power grows stronger, some members of the international community are naturally on edge about whether a cross-strait conflict will break out. The international community must certainly do everything in its power to avoid a conflict in the Taiwan Strait; there is too great a cost. Besides causing direct disasters to both Taiwan and China, the impact on the global economy would be even greater, with estimated losses of US$10 trillion from war alone – that is roughly 10 percent of the global GDP. Additionally, 20 percent of global shipping passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, so if a conflict breaks out in the strait, other countries including Japan and Korea would suffer a grave impact. For Japan and Korea, a quarter of external transit passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, and a third of the various energy resources and minerals shipped back from other countries pass through said areas. If Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted, and therefore conflict in the Taiwan Strait must be avoided. Such a conflict is indeed avoidable. I am very thankful to Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide, and Kishida Fumio, as well as US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, and the other G7 leaders, for continuing to emphasize at international venues that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are essential components for global security and prosperity. When everyone in the global democratic community works together, stacking up enough strength to make China’s objectives unattainable or to make the cost of invading Taiwan too high for it to bear, a conflict in the strait can naturally be avoided. Q: As you said, President Lai, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is also very important for other countries. How can war be avoided? What sort of countermeasures is Taiwan prepared to take to prevent war? President Lai: As Mr. Sakurai mentioned earlier, we are coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. There are many lessons we can take from that war. First is that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. From the tragedies of WWII, there are lessons that humanity should learn. We must pursue peace, and not start wars blindly, as that would be a major disaster for humanity. In other words, we must be determined to safeguard peace. The second lesson is that we cannot be complacent toward authoritarian powers. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. They will keep growing, and eventually, not only will peace be unattainable, but war will be inevitable. The third lesson is why WWII ended: It ended because different groups joined together in solidarity. Taiwan, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region are all directly subjected to China’s threats, so we hope to be able to join together in cooperation. This is why we proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we will strengthen our national defense. Second, we will strengthen economic resilience. Third is standing shoulder to shoulder with the democratic community to demonstrate the strength of deterrence. Fourth is that as long as China treats Taiwan with parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China, and seek peace and mutual prosperity. These four pillars can help us avoid war and achieve peace. That is to say, Taiwan hopes to achieve peace through strength, prevent war by preparing for war, keeping war from happening and pursuing the goal of peace. Q: Regarding drones, everyone knows that recently, Taiwan has been actively researching, developing, and introducing drones. Why do you need to actively research, develop, and introduce new drones at this time? President Lai: This is for two purposes. The first is to meet national security needs. The second is to meet industrial development needs. Because Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines are all part of the first island chain, and we are all democratic nations, we cannot be like an authoritarian country like China, which has an unlimited national defense budget. In this kind of situation, island nations such as Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines should leverage their own technologies to develop national defense methods that are asymmetric and utilize unmanned vehicles. In particular, from the Russo-Ukrainian War, we see that Ukraine has successfully utilized unmanned vehicles to protect itself and prevent Russia from unlimited invasion. In other words, the Russo-Ukrainian War has already proven the importance of drones. Therefore, the first purpose of developing drones is based on national security needs. Second, the world has already entered the era of smart technology. Whether generative, agentic, or physical, AI will continue to develop. In the future, cars and ships will also evolve into unmanned vehicles and unmanned boats, and there will be unmanned factories. Drones will even be able to assist with postal deliveries, or services like Uber, Uber Eats, and foodpanda, or agricultural irrigation and pesticide spraying. Therefore, in the future era of comprehensive smart technology, developing unmanned vehicles is a necessity. Taiwan, based on industrial needs, is actively planning the development of drones and unmanned vehicles. I would like to take this opportunity to express Taiwan’s hope to collaborate with Japan in the unmanned vehicle industry. Just as we do in the semiconductor industry, where Japan has raw materials, equipment, and technology, and Taiwan has wafer manufacturing, our two countries can cooperate. Japan is a technological power, and Taiwan also has significant technological strengths. If Taiwan and Japan work together, we will not only be able to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific region, but it will also be very helpful for the industrial development of both countries. Q: The drones you just described probably include examples from the Russo-Ukrainian War. Taiwan and China are separated by the Taiwan Strait. Do our drones need to have cross-sea flight capabilities? President Lai: Taiwan does not intend to counterattack the mainland, and does not intend to invade any country. Taiwan’s drones are meant to protect our own nation and territory. Q: Former President Biden previously stated that US forces would assist Taiwan’s defense in the event of an attack. President Trump, however, has yet to clearly state that the US would help defend Taiwan. Do you think that in such an event, the US would help defend Taiwan? Or is Taiwan now trying to persuade the US? President Lai: Former President Biden and President Trump have answered questions from reporters. Although their responses were different, strong cooperation with Taiwan under the Biden administration has continued under the Trump administration; there has been no change. During President Trump’s first term, cooperation with Taiwan was broader and deeper compared to former President Barack Obama’s terms. After former President Biden took office, cooperation with Taiwan increased compared to President Trump’s first term. Now, during President Trump’s second term, cooperation with Taiwan is even greater than under former President Biden. Taiwan-US cooperation continues to grow stronger, and has not changed just because President Trump and former President Biden gave different responses to reporters. Furthermore, the Trump administration publicly stated that in the future, the US will shift its strategic focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. The US secretary of defense even publicly stated that the primary mission of the US is to prevent China from invading Taiwan, maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific, and thus maintain world peace. There is a saying in Taiwan that goes, “Help comes most to those who help themselves.” Before asking friends and allies for assistance in facing threats from China, Taiwan must first be determined and prepared to defend itself. This is Taiwan’s principle, and we are working in this direction, making all the necessary preparations to safeguard the nation. Q: I would like to ask you a question about Taiwan-Japan relations. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, you made an appeal to give Japan a great deal of assistance and care. In particular, you visited Sendai to offer condolences. Later, you also expressed condolences and concern after the earthquakes in Aomori and Kumamoto. What are your expectations for future Taiwan-Japan exchanges and development? President Lai: I come from Tainan, and my constituency is in Tainan. Tainan has very deep ties with Japan, and of course, Taiwan also has deep ties with Japan. However, among Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities, Tainan has the deepest relationship with Japan. I sincerely hope that both of you and your teams will have an opportunity to visit Tainan. I will introduce Tainan’s scenery, including architecture from the era of Japanese rule, Tainan’s cuisine, and unique aspects of Tainan society, and you can also see lifestyles and culture from the Showa era.  The Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan was completed by engineer Mr. Hatta Yoichi from Kanazawa, Japan and the team he led to Tainan after he graduated from then-Tokyo Imperial University. It has nearly a century of history and is still in use today. This reservoir, along with the 16,000-km-long Chianan Canal, transformed the 150,000-hectare Chianan Plain into Taiwan’s premier rice-growing area. It was that foundation in agriculture that enabled Taiwan to develop industry and the technology sector of today. The reservoir continues to supply water to Tainan Science Park. It is used by residents of Tainan, the agricultural sector, and industry, and even the technology sector in Xinshi Industrial Park, as well as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Because of this, the people of Tainan are deeply grateful for Mr. Hatta and very friendly toward the people of Japan. A major earthquake, the largest in 50 years, struck Tainan on February 6, 2016, resulting in significant casualties. As mayor of Tainan at the time, I was extremely grateful to then-Prime Minister Abe, who sent five Japanese officials to the disaster site in Tainan the day after the earthquake. They were very thoughtful and asked what kind of assistance we needed from the Japanese government. They offered to provide help based on what we needed. I was deeply moved, as former Prime Minister Abe showed such care, going beyond the formality of just sending supplies that we may or may not have actually needed. Instead, the officials asked what we needed and then provided assistance based on those needs, which really moved me. Similarly, when the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 or the later Kumamoto earthquakes struck, the people of Tainan, under my leadership, naturally and dutifully expressed their support. Even earlier, when central Taiwan was hit by a major earthquake in 1999, Japan was the first country to deploy a rescue team to the disaster area. On February 6, 2018, after a major earthquake in Hualien, former Prime Minister Abe appeared in a video holding up a message of encouragement he had written in calligraphy saying “Remain strong, Taiwan.” All of Taiwan was deeply moved. Over the years, Taiwan and Japan have supported each other when earthquakes struck, and have forged bonds that are family-like, not just neighborly. This is truly valuable. In the future, I hope Taiwan and Japan can be like brothers, and that the peoples of Taiwan and Japan can treat one another like family. If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem; if Japan has a problem, then Taiwan has a problem. By caring for and helping each other, we can face various challenges and difficulties, and pursue a brighter future. Q: President Lai, you just used the phrase “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” In the event that China attempts to invade Taiwan by force, what kind of response measures would you hope the US military and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take? President Lai: As I just mentioned, annexing Taiwan is only China’s first step. Its ultimate objective is to change the rules-based international order. That being the case, China’s threats are an international problem. So, I would very much hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war – prevention, after all, is more important than cure.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Columbia’s $200M deal with Trump administration sets a precedent for other universities to bend to the government’s will

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Brendan Cantwell, Associate Professor of Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education, Michigan State University

    Students at Columbia University in New York City on April 14, 2025. Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

    Columbia University agreed on July 23, 2025, to pay a US$200 million fine to the federal government and to settle allegations that it did not create a safe environment for Jewish students during Palestinian rights protests in 2024.

    The deal will restore the vast majority of the $400 million in federal grants and contracts that Columbia was previously awarded, before the administration withdrew the funding in March 2025.

    It marks the first financial and political agreement a university has reached with the Trump administration in its push for more control over higher education – and stands to have significant ripple effects for how other universities and colleges carry out their basic operations.

    Amy Lieberman, the education editor at The Conversation U.S., spoke with Brendan Cantwell, a scholar of higher education at Michigan State University, to understand what’s exactly in this agreement – and the lasting precedent it may set on government intervention in higher education.

    Palestinian rights demonstrators march through Columbia University on Oct. 7, 2024, marking one year of the war between Hamas and Israel.
    Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images

    What’s in the deal Columbia made with the Trump administration?

    The agreement requires Columbia to make a $200 million payment to the federal government. Columbia will also pay $21 million to settle investigations brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

    Columbia will need to keep detailed statistics about student applicants – including their race and ethnicity, grades and SAT scores – as well as information about faculty and staff hiring decisions. Columbia will then have to share this data with the federal government.

    In exchange, the federal government will release most of the $400 million in frozen grant money previously awarded to Columbia and allow faculty at the university to compete for future federal grants.

    How does this deal address antisemitism?

    The Trump administration has cited antisemitism against students and faculty on campuses to justify its broad incursion into the business of universities around the country.

    Antisemitism is a real and legitimate concern in U.S. society and higher education, including at Columbia.

    But the federal complaint the administration made against Columbia was not actually about antisemitism. The administration made a formal accusation of antisemitism at Columbia in May of this year but suspended grants to the university in March. The federal government had initially acknowledged that cutting federal research grants did nothing to address the climate for Jewish students on campus, for example.

    When the federal government investigates civil rights violations, it usually conducts site visits and does very thorough investigations. We never saw such a government report about antisemitism at Columbia or other universities.

    The settlement that Columbia has entered into with the administration also doesn’t do much about antisemitism.

    The agreement includes Columbia redefining antisemitism with a broader definition that is also used by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. The definition now includes “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews” – a description that is also used by the U.S. State Department and several European governments but some critics say conflates antisemitism with anti-Zionism.

    Instead, the agreement primarily has to do with faculty hiring and admissions decisions. The federal government alleges that Columbia is discriminating against white and Asian applicants, and that this will allow the government to ensure that everybody who is admitted is considered only on the basis of merit.

    The administration could argue that changing hiring practices to get faculty who are less hostile to Jewish students could change the campus climate, but the agreement doesn’t really identify ways in which the university contributed to or ignored antisemitic conduct.

    Is this a new issue?

    There has been a long-running issue that conservatives and members of the Trump administration – dating back to his first term – have with higher education. The Trump administration and other conservatives have said for years that higher education is too liberal.

    The protests were the flash point that put Columbia in the administration’s crosshairs, as well as claims that Columbia was creating a hostile environment for Jewish students.

    The administration’s complaints aren’t limited to Columbia. Harvard is in a protracted conflict with the administration, and the administration has launched investigations into dozens of other schools around the country. These universities are butting heads with the administration over the same grievance that higher education is too liberal. There are also specific claims about antisemitism on university campuses and the privileges given to nonwhite students in admissions or campus life.

    While the administration has a common set of complaints about a range of universities, there is a mix of schools that the administration is taking issue with. Some of them, such as Harvard, are very high profile. The Department of Justice forced out the president at the University of Virginia in January 2025 on the grounds that he had not done enough to root out diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the public university. The University of Virginia may have been a target for the administration because a Republican governor appointed most members of its governance board and agreed with Trump’s complaints.

    How could this change the makeup of Columbia’s student population?

    The Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that Harvard’s affirmative action program, which considered race in admissions, violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. This effectively ended race-based affirmative action for all U.S. colleges and universities.

    Now, with the Columbia deal, the government could say that it would expect to see a proportion of students who are white increase and students who are Black and Latino to decrease at Columbia. That’s a legal approach that America First Legal, a conservative legal advocacy group founded by Stephen Miller, a Trump administration official, has already tried.

    Back in February 2025, America First Legal alleged in a federal lawsuit that the University of California, Los Angeles, was using illegal admissions criteria, because of the number of Black and Latino students that were admitted by the school. That lawsuit is ongoing.

    Claire Shipman, Columbia University’s acting president, speaks during the school’s May 2025 commencement ceremony.
    Jeenah Moon/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

    What does this agreement mean for US higher education as a whole?

    It is an enormous, unprecedented shift in how the federal government works with higher education. Since the McCarthy era in the 1940s and ’50s, when professors were blacklisted and fired because of their alleged communism, Americans have not seen the federal government interrogate education.

    The federal government does have a role in securing people’s civil rights, including in the context of higher education, but this is very, very different from how the federal government has done civil rights investigations and entered into agreements with universities in the past.

    This agreement is very broad and gives the federal government oversight of things that have long been under universities’ control, such as whom they hire to teach and which students they admit.

    The federal government is now saying it has the right to look over universities’ shoulders and guide them in this work that has long been considered independent. And the government is willing to be extremely coercive to get universities to comply.

    What signal does this agreement send to other universities?

    This agreement sets a precedent for the government to direct colleges and universities to comply with its political agenda. This violates the long tradition of academic independence that had helped to make the U.S. higher education system the envy of the world.

    Columbia can afford paying $200 million to the federal government. Most universities can’t afford to pay $200 million.

    And most campuses cannot survive without federal resources, whether that comes in the form of student financial aid or research grants. This agreement sets a standard for other universities that, if they don’t immediately do what the federal government wants them to do, the government could impose penalties that are so high it could end their ability to operate.

    Brendan Cantwell is a Professor in the Department of Educational Administration at Michigan State University.

    – ref. Columbia’s $200M deal with Trump administration sets a precedent for other universities to bend to the government’s will – https://theconversation.com/columbias-200m-deal-with-trump-administration-sets-a-precedent-for-other-universities-to-bend-to-the-governments-will-261902

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA response to statements in French government’s updated Indo-Pacific strategy concerning Taiwan and cross-strait security

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA response to statements in French government’s updated Indo-Pacific strategy concerning Taiwan and cross-strait security

    July 20, 2025

    On July 18, the French government released its newest Indo-Pacific strategy report (La stratégie indopacifique de la France), which pointed out that China’s growing assertiveness in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea was undermining security in the Indo-Pacific region. The report warned that a high-intensity conflict in the Taiwan Strait would have major repercussions, such as on the global economy, and would run the risk of expanding to other areas. In addition, it reaffirmed the French government’s commitment to preserving cross-strait peace and stability, as well as its opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, threat, or coercion, and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait disputes.

    While the 2022 version of the report noted France’s concerns over tensions across the Taiwan Strait, this year’s version added France’s high regard for cross-strait peace and stability and opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung deeply appreciates and welcomes the statements in the new report.

    The joint declaration following the UK-France summit on July 10, France’s the National Strategic Review 2025 of July 14, and the updated Indo-Pacific strategy all express concern over and support for cross-strait peace and stability, demonstrating that the issue has become a matter of international consensus and interest. 

    Upholding the spirit of integrated diplomacy, Taiwan will continue to strengthen collaboration with France and other democratic partners to jointly defend freedom and democracy and safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 07/24/2025 VIDEO: Blackburn Slams Democrats for Obstructing President Trump’s Agenda and Will of the American People

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor slamming Democrats for obstructing the voting process on President Trump’s nominees, his efforts to enforce our immigration laws and secure the border, and his America First policies in the courts:

    Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s remarks on the Senate floor. 

    REMARKS AS PREPARED

    While Republicans Work to Deliver Wins for the American People, Democrats Are Obstructing President Trump’s Agenda

    In November, President Trump and Republicans received a powerful mandate from the American people to secure our border, strengthen our economy, rein in wasteful spending, and Make America Great Again.

    By passing the One Big Beautiful Bill, we delivered on this mandate by securing…

    The largest tax cut in U.S. history—including reduced taxes on tips and overtime, a $6,000 bonus deduction for seniors, and the permanent extension of President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts;

    It also reduces the burden of the death tax for millions, providing critical relief for family-owned businesses and farmers;

    It bolsters our Armed Forces with a $150 billion increase in military spending;

    It provides the largest-ever investment in border security so that we can complete the border wall and hire thousands of new Border Patrol Agents;

    It strengthens Medicaid by rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in the program;

    It restores fiscal sanity by eliminating hundreds of billions of dollars in far-left spending;

    And it accomplishes so much more.

    These are huge wins for the American people. But our work is far from finished.

    Democrats Are Hurting Americans by Obstructing President Trump’s Nominees

    At the top of the list: confirming President Trump’s nominees.

    The President deserves to have his team in place to enact his America First agenda.

    But instead of working with us to carry out the will of the American people, our colleagues across the aisle have chosen to obstruct at any cost.

    Right now, we have 135 pending nominations in the Senate.

    There is absolutely zero reason we should have this backlog—especially with such important nominations:

    U.S. ambassadorships to the Vatican, the Netherlands, Chile, Greece, and the European Union;

    Seven federal judgeships;

    U.S. Attorneys;

    Under Secretaries for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and the Navy;

    The Commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission;

    And much more.

    Democrats, however, are trying to slow down the voting process on these qualified nominees as much as possible.

    They’re losing at the ballot box, in the halls of Congress, and in the courts—so stalling is all they have left to spite the President.

    They might think that they are hurting Republicans. In reality, they are hurting the American people.

    Every single day that goes by with stalled nomination votes is another day that these qualified nominees are unable to get to work on behalf of our country.

    Democrats’ Obstruction Is Nothing New – Recent Disclosures Show Obama Manufactured Russia Collusion Hoax to Derail President Trump

    Unfortunately, this obstruction is nothing new.

    With the recent disclosures from Director of National Intelligence Gabbard, we are learning even more about how President Obama and Democrats manufactured the Russia Hoax to try to derail President Trump’s first term.

    Activist Judges Have Blocked Lawful Orders from President Trump in Attempts to Obstruct His Agenda

    For months, far-left activist judges undermined our Constitution by blocking lawful orders from the Trump administration in a brazen effort to decide nationwide policy.

    Their abuse of power only came to an end when the Supreme Court reined in the use of nationwide injunctions.

    Democrats Have Obstructed ICE Agents from Enforcing Immigration Law

    And more recently, we’ve seen Democrats try their best to obstruct a core part of the America First agenda: Securing our border.

    Americans want our border to be secure. And they want criminal illegal aliens removed from their communities. 

    Across the country, ICE and Border Patrol agents have been hard at work carrying out this mandate and arresting criminals who have no right to be in our country.

    Yet Democrats are working to vilify and undermine our brave federal law enforcement.

    We’ve seen congressional Democrats try to storm ICE facilities—including a House member who faces federal charges for assaulting an ICE officer.

    They’ve smeared ICE agents who are risking their lives to protect our country, comparing them to “secret police” and the Nazis.

    They’ve pushed legislation that would prohibit officers from wearing masks, exposing them and their families to targeted harassment.

    This is all happening as ICE officers face an 830 percent surge in assaults.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER: TARIFFS UP, TOURISM DOWN – AND UPSTATE NY IS PAYING THE PRICE; NEW DATA SHOWS CANADIAN BORDER CROSSINGS CONTINUE TO PLUMMET AS TRUMP THREATENS TO FURTHER INCREASE TARIFFS NEXT WEEK, CROSSINGS…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

    Trump Is Threatening AGAIN To Raise Tariffs On Canada Up To 35% Next Week, And New Data Shows It Is Upstate New Yorkers’ Wallets & Small Businesses Paying The Price For These Threats & Insulting Comments To Our Neighbors To The North

    Schumer Reveals New Data That Shows 376,000 Fewer Canadian Border Crossings Last Month Compared To Last Year’s Summer Tourism Season, Putting Billions For NY’s Main Streets And Local Jobs At Risk – Says We Must End This Ill-Conceived Trade War And Demands NY House Republicans Stand Up For Upstate NY

    Schumer: Trump’s Tariff War Is Cratering Upstate NY’s Summer Tourism Economy, This Must Stop 

    As Trump proposes increasing tariffs on Canadian goods up to 35% next week, with the chaos from his ill-conceived and irregularly implemented trade war continuing, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer revealed new data showing border crossings continue to plummet at all major land ports of entry in New York. New data shows approximately 376,000 fewer travelers crossed the Upstate NY-Canada border via land in June 2025 compared to June 2024, according to CBP, a more than 21% decrease.

    “Across Upstate NY, tariffs are up and raising prices for families, and tourism is way down thanks to Trump’s impulsive, ill-conceived trade war. This new data shows how Trump’s tariffs and insults are driving our closest ally and key trading partner Canada away. Hurting Upstate NY’s summer tourism industry and leaving emptier Main Streets and stores paying the price,” said Senator Schumer. “Meanwhile, Trump is threatening to throw even more fuel on this fire, threatening to raise tariffs on Canada to a whopping 35% next week, which could burn Upstate NY’s tourism industry to the ground. From Buffalo to the Thousand Islands to Plattsburgh, and everywhere in between, Upstate NY can’t afford for Trump’s tariff chaos to continue. I am fighting back to give Upstate NY businesses the relief they need, and NY House Republicans should get off the sidelines and stand up for our Main Street shops, restaurants, and small businesses before it’s too late.”

    According to new data from CBP, Upstate NY and Canada saw approximately 1.4 million border crossings in June 2025, compared to 1.75 million during the same month in 2024, a 21.5% decrease across land (both road and bridge) crossings frequented by tourists. This follows a months-long trend since Trump took office of Canadian border crossings plummeting, meaning fewer tourists at NY’s hotels, shops, & restaurants. Nationally, border crossings have decreased from approximately 5 million to 3.9 million over the same period.

    A breakdown bridge-by-bridge from the Bridge and Tunnel Operators Association of June 2025 crossings shows just how steeply tourism is declining across all the major bridge ports of entry between Upstate NY and Canada:

    NY-Canada Bridge

    Region

    June 2024 Auto Crossings

    June 2025 Auto Crossings

    Percentage Decline

    Peace Bridge

    Western NY

    450,836

    382,448

    -15.17%

    Rainbow Bridge

    Western NY

    222,654

    165,135

    -25.83%

    Lewiston-Queenstown Bridge

    Western NY

    254,200

    238,694

    -6.10%

    Whirlpool Rapids Bridge

    Western NY

    38,378

    27,252

    -28.99%

    Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge

    North Country

    51,083

    37,378

    -26.83%

    Thousand Islands Bridge

    North Country

    192,476

    165,057

    -14.25%

    Seaway Bridge

    North Country

    226,409

    224,655

    -0.77%

    Since taking office in January, Trump has damaged the United States’ relationship with Canada by threatening to annex Canada and levying 25% tariffs on Canadian goods, and is now threatening even higher tariffs at 35%. Schumer said Canadians are canceling trips to the United States because of Trump’s tariff war and threats to annex Canada as the 51st state, hurting Main Street businesses that rely on a busy summer tourism season and are already slammed by higher prices.

    Trump’s tariffs are raising costs for families, with households with lower incomes hit hardest because they tend to buy more goods in industries being tariffed. According to the Budget Lab at Yale, Trump’s tariffs are expected to cost families more than $2,700 every year. Americans are already seeing higher prices; In June 2025, prices increased by 2.7% compared to the previous year. With Trump’s threats of even higher tariffs, that means even higher costs for Upstate NY families and small businesses. In addition, with the threat of costs increasing even more, many families feel pressure to make big purchases this year, when prices are lower, but they are less financially prepared, and in some cases, taking on debt to do so.

    Schumer continues to be one of the leading advocates in Congress to end this unnecessary, damaging trade war with Canada that is decimating Upstate NY’s economy, tourism, small businesses, and local jobs.

    • Earlier this year, the Senate passed a bipartisan resolution to end tariffs on Canada, and Schumer said now more than ever, this new data should be a wake-up call to House Republicans and show the urgency to take up and pass it as well.
    • Schumer and Senate Democrats have introduced legislation exempting small businesses from tariffs.
    • Schumer has co-led amicus briefs in a lawsuit challenging Trump’s authority to levy tariffs.

    Schumer said ending this costly trade war is key to protecting American families from price increases and job losses as a result of tariffs on Canada.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Headlines Underscore President Trump’s Promises Kept

    Source: US Whitehouse

    President Donald J. Trump has delivered on his promises unlike any commander-in-chief in history — and the wins keep coming, perfectly illustrated by three recent headlines:

    • Trump’s ‘No Tax on Tips’ policy could put thousands back in servers’ pockets (KXXV-TV, Waco, TX): “Servers and other tipped workers could see significant financial benefits from President Trump’s ‘No Tax on Tips’ policy, potentially saving thousands of dollars annually.”
    • Health Care Provider Puts Stop To Trans Surgeries On Kids (The Daily Wire): “Health care provider Kaiser Permanente confirmed to The Daily Wire on Wednesday that it was pausing all transgender surgeries for patients under the age of 19 in response to pressure from the Trump administration.”
    • Trump Delivers Most Secure Border in History — June Migrant Arrests Drop 15 Percent from Prior Record (Breitbart): “The Trump administration delivered on its promise to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and set new records for the lowest number of migrant encounters. The June Southwest Land Border Encounters Report from U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows yet another decrease in migrant encounters, including the lowest number of encounters in a single day.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley Condemns GOP Gutting of Dodd-Frank & CFPB, Affirms Need for Strong Consumer Protections

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    “2008 was an avoidable economic crisis – a direct result of greed, reckless speculation, and weak regulation. That’s why Dodd-Frank was essential.”

    “If we, as members of Congress, forget the visceral harm that families across the country suffered from in 2008, then we risk rolling back the very regulations and defunding the very agencies that could prevent the next financial crash.”

    Video (YouTube)

    WASHINGTON – In a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) made plain the vital role of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which was created by the Dodd-Frank Act following the 2008 financial crisis, in protecting consumers from predatory lenders and big banks, and preventing a future financial crash.

    Rep. Pressley condemned Republicans’ rollbacks of Dodd-Frank and the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the CFPB, which will put Wall Street profits before the financial recovery and wellbeing of everyday people.

    A full transcript of her remarks as delivered is available below, and the full video is available here.

    Transcript: Pressley Condemns GOP Gutting of Dodd-Frank and CFPB, Affirms Need for Strong Consumer Protections

    House of Representatives

    July 15, 2025

    REP. PRESSLEY: Thank you to our witnesses for joining us today.

    In 2008, families across this country lost everything during the Great Recession. It was an economic catastrophe. Millions of people lost homes, lost jobs, and lost hard-earned savings. 

    Now, the majority of Gen Z who will see this hearing later were just babies 17 years ago, so I can’t fault them that they are completely unaware of the foreclosures and the pink slips.

    But I know my Republican colleagues and I certainly do remember.

    Republicans remember the heartache and pain that our country went through. It is estimated there were more than 5,000 suicides as a result of the financial crisis.

    2008 was an avoidable economic crisis – a direct result of greed, reckless speculation, and weak regulation.

    That’s why Dodd-Frank was essential. I do want to acknowledge the good work of our very own Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank in this drafting of this seminal piece of legislation.

    It created basic guardrails: stronger capital requirements so banks couldn’t gamble with our livelihoods. The CFPB – the only agency dedicated solely to protecting consumers. Regular stress tests for banks so we would never be caught off guard again.

    But just ten years later, in 2018, while 65% of families still hadn’t financially recovered from the crash, Republicans rolled back key parts of Dodd-Frank. They sent a clear message to their constituents: Wall Street’s profits margins matter more than your recovery and well-being.

    Now they’re at it again by dismantling the CFPB.

    Just look at how Townstone, a mortgage lender, would repeatedly disparage Black neighborhoods in Chicago with racist comments. The CFPB rightly held them accountable for discrimination in housing in a case that was settled last November.

    And when the Trump administration tried to reverse CFPB’s win, a federal judge denied that outrageous request, affirming the critical role of the CFPB in stopping racial discrimination in mortgage lending.

    This is just one example of how Republicans’ dismantling the CFPB has real-world consequences, like letting mortgage lenders off the hook for illegal redlining.

    To all of our witnesses, loud and proud, yes or no – do you support mortgage lenders getting away with breaking the law discriminating against Black people? Just for the record.

    KEN BENTSEN: I do not.

    TOM QUAADMAN: We don’t represent mortgage lenders, but personally, I don’t.

    PAUL KUPIEC: Not my area of expertise. I don’t want them to discriminate against anybody but –

    REP. PRESSLEY: I had a colleague across the aisle a moment ago, who said that it’s just a matter of following the rule of law, basic law. So, this is not even a controversial thing.

    Racial discrimination is illegal. So, this is not, this is not a, you know, a trick question. So really quickly, loud and proud, yes or no –

    PAUL KUPIEC: I think people should follow the law.

    REP. PRESSLEY: Okay, I’ll take that as a no.

    DENNIS KELLEHER: I agree.

    REP. PRESSLEY: All right, good.

    So, [since] its creation in Dodd-Frank, the CFPB, has returned $21 billion to more than 205 million consumers – who were exploited by predatory lenders and big banks.

    But today, Trump has fired nearly 90% of CFPB staff, and the agency under his administration has withdrawn over 60 guidance documents, dropped enforcement cases and brought the agency to a halt – leaving hard working Americans vulnerable to exploitation.

    To all my witnesses, yes or no – do you agree with the CFPB returning $21 billion to 205 million victims of deceptive and predatory financial practices? Yes or no?

    KEN BENTSEN: We don’t engage with the CFPB. So I can’t really comment, because I don’t have a background in the case that you’re citing. So I apologize.

    LINDSEY JOHNSON: When a company breaks the law and consumers are harmed, they should have redress. But I have to say – the CFPB’s use of penalties has got to have some parameters. I can tell you firsthand that there are multiple times when they go after salacious headlines and outlandish sums of money, when the company either didn’t break the law or they claimed a U-debt violation on something that was –

    REP. PRESSLEY: Okay. So, I’ll take that as a no. Reclaiming my time, because I got to get everyone else on the record here.

    Okay, yes or no – do you agree with the CFPB returning $21 billion to 205 million victims of deceptive and predatory financial practices?

    TOM QUAADMAN: ICI’s members aren’t regulated by the CFPB,

    PAUL KUPIEC: Not my area. No comment.

    DENNIS KELLEHER: My only disagreement is it should have been higher.

    REP. PRESSLEY: If we, as members of Congress, forget the visceral harm that families across the country suffered from in 2008, then we risk rolling back the very regulations and defunding the very agencies that could prevent the next financial crash.

    Thank you and I yield back.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Garden Stage Limited Announces $4.2 Million Registered Direct Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HONG KONG, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Garden Stage Limited (NASDAQ: GSIW) (“GSIW” or the “Company”), today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with several investors for the purchase and sale of an aggregate of 38,406,345 of the Company’s ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Shares”) (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) at a purchase price of $.11 per share in a registered direct offering. The purchase price for the pre-funded warrants is identical to the purchase price for Shares, less the exercise price of $0.001 per share.

    The aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of this offering are expected to be approximately $4.2 million. The transaction is expected to close on or about July 25, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

    Univest Securities, LLC is acting as the sole placement agent.

    The registered direct offering is being made pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-283618) previously filed by the Company and declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 10, 2025. A final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus describing the terms of the proposed offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website located at http://www.sec.gov. Electronic copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be obtained, when available, by contacting Univest Securities, LLC at info@univest.us, or by calling +1 (212) 343-8888.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor will there be any sales of such securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. Copies of the prospectus supplement relating to the registered direct offering, together with the accompanying base prospectus will be filed by the Company and, upon filing, can be obtained at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    About Garden Stage Limited

    GSIW, through our Operating Subsidiaries, are a Hong Kong-based financial services provider principally engaged in the provision of (i) placing and underwriting services; (ii) securities dealing and brokerage services; (iii) asset management services; and (iv) investment advisory services. Our operation is carried out through our wholly-owned Operating Subsidiaries: a) I Win Securities Limited, which is licensed to conduct Type 1 (dealing in securities) regulated activities under the SFO in Hong Kong, and b) I Win Asset Management Limited, which is licensed to conduct Type 4 (advising on securities) and Type 9 (asset management) regulated activities under the SFO in Hong Kong. I Win Securities Limited is the Stock Exchange Participant and holds one Stock Exchange Trading Right. I Win Securities Limited is a participant of the HKSCC.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and in its other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    For more information, please contact:

    Garden Stage Limited

    Chan Sze Ho
    Chief Executive Officer
    Email: rickychan@iwinsec.com
    Tel: (852) 2688 6333

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Remittix Announces Ethereum and Solana Compatible Wallet Beta Launch Date – Presale Soars to $17M

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KOŠICE, Slovakia, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Remittix, the new DeFi and low-gas-fee crypto innovation powerhouse, is unveiling the beta release timeline of its highly anticipated multi-chain crypto wallet, which will roll out in Q3 2025, in an exciting race to transform cross-border transactions.

    In terms of accessibility, speed, and cost reductions for users worldwide, the Remittix Wallet will facilitate smooth interoperability with Ethereum, Solana, and other EVM chains – a significant advancement.

    As the launch looms, enthusiasm among investors is sky high. Remittix token presale now stands at a remarkable $17 million, with over 563 million tokens sold to date. This momentum positions Remittix in the pole position for the next crypto breakout of 2025.

    Seamless Multi-Chain Wallet Solution

    The Beta Remittix Wallet has only one objective: easy global crypto transactions. From transferring stablecoins on Ethereum to staking SOL, and even token management between networks, the wallet presents industry-leading performance with very low gas fees.

    Remittix Wallet beta release will allow early customers to:

    • Store, send, and receive tokens on Ethereum and Solana
    • Use the early Remittix staking pool functionality
    • Participate in the $250,000 Remittix Giveaway
    • Accrue a 50% token bonus in presale
    • Easily engage with dApps on compatible chains

    This wallet is just part of Remittix’s broader ecosystem, hoping to disrupt the old remittance paradigm with fast, low-cost transactions that legacy platforms still can’t get right.

    As more and more hype is building up for Cardano, Solana, and other higher-layer protocols, Remittix is moving in its own direction as a cross-chain DeFi utility with a laser-sharp focus on building markets. Its momentum is copying the early-stage signs of breakout tokens like ADA and SOL.

    Bridging Crypto and Fiat in Real-World Economies

    Beyond wallet capabilities, Remittix is building out infrastructure to connect the realm of decentralized finance to real-world economies on the planet with seamless fiat-to-crypto solutions.

    While not included in the beta release, future versions of the Remittix Wallet will be built to allow users—especially in high-fee remittance regions—to exchange crypto directly into local currency.

    This will enable users to:

    • Send USDT or other stablecoins cross-border
    • Have recipients cash them out with local partners
    • Reduce transaction fees on top of legacy banking infrastructure
    • Use real-world utility for daily spending and commercial use

    The long-term vision is to give underbanked users in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America access to fast, low-cost financial services without relying on outdated intermediaries.

    How to Join the Remittix Presale

    Crypto enthusiasts, traders, and DeFi supporters are not left out; they can all join the ongoing Remittix presale by visiting the official website. All participants get to enjoy early access to wallet features, bonus token redemption and a chance at the $250,000 Giveaway – a feature headline draw that gains thousands of users daily.

    About Remittix

    Remittix is a decentralized finance platform with a particular focus on low-gas-fee crypto cross-border payments, staking, and remittances. Through its utility token and multi-chain wallet infrastructure, Remittix seeks to make crypto faster, more inclusive, and more accessible to users all over the world.

    For media inquiries:
    Visit Remittix Whitepaper & Presale Info
    Follow Remittix on X for official updates

    Contact:
    Andy Černý
    andy@remittix.io

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by Remittix. 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/05a76a1c-26e5-4402-aae2-204f06d176eb

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b1ffaae9-b78f-4050-9c51-d0eeac0ed7ba

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6c7eecc7-ce1b-437d-9f23-b58c2d013a62

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: TransFi Announces Global Stablecoin Payment Infrastructure to Drive Real-World Adoption

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW DELHI, India, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TransFi, a leading global payments infrastructure company, announces the expansion of its platform designed to power real-world adoption of stablecoins by enabling fast, secure, and compliant cross-border transactions. Operating in over 100 countries with support for more than 250 local payment methods and 40 currencies, TransFi bridges the gap between digital assets and everyday financial utility.

    As emerging markets increasingly seek stable currency alternatives, the demand for dollar-backed stablecoins is accelerating. According to a recent study by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), users in 17 countries are willing to pay an average premium of 4.7% for access to stable digital currencies, with this figure reaching as high as 30% in inflation-affected economies like Argentina. This growing demand is projected to amount to $25.4 billion in annual premium payments by 2027.

    TransFi’s AI-powered smart routing engine optimizes the payment experience by identifying the fastest and most cost-efficient rails across both fiat and stablecoin networks. This innovation reduces settlement times from days to seconds, unlocking an estimated $2.9 billion in annual efficiency gains and addressing the $11.6 billion typically trapped in slow settlement systems.

    “Our platform is built to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving financial landscape by combining speed, security, and compliance with the benefits of stablecoins,” said Rahul Sahni, COO & CPO of TransFi. “We’re proud to provide businesses and consumers with infrastructure that turns digital assets into practical financial tools.”

    TransFi offers an enterprise-ready, regulation-compliant platform with built-in KYC and AML processes. Its key services include:

    • BizPay: Streamlined business payments with fast onboarding and low fees
    • Wallet: Multi-currency storage and conversion
    • Ramp: Instant crypto on/off-ramps via 250+ payment methods
    • Single API & Widget: Easy platform integration for businesses
    • Payouts & Collections: Comprehensive global payment infrastructure

    The company’s solutions support a wide range of use cases, including remittances, payroll, digital banking, Web3, and iGaming, enabling businesses to scale with stablecoin-powered efficiency.

    About TransFi
    TransFi is a global payments infrastructure company dedicated to bridging digital assets with real-world financial systems. With operations in over 100 countries, TransFi provides secure, compliant, and fast cross-border payment solutions, supporting 250+ local payment methods and 40+ currencies. Its AI-driven platform empowers businesses and individuals to seamlessly transact using both fiat and digital currencies.

    Media Contact:

    Farhan Ahmed
    farhan@transfi.com

    Company Website: https://www.transfi.com

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Victor Ciardelli and Rate Introduce ‘Train Like a Champ,’ a Wellness Series Inspired by Champions and Built for Life’s Biggest Goals

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rate, a leading fintech company, today announced the launch of Train Like a Champ, a new in-app wellness initiative featuring professional athletes to inspire users to tackle life’s most significant milestones with the same confidence, discipline, and resilience found in professional sports. This campaign marks the next step in Rate’s evolution, expanding beyond home lending into personal and financial wellness to better support its community’s journey to a better life.

    Available exclusively in the Rate App, Train Like a Champ features guided video content from athletes such as UFC champion Julianna Peña, NFL quarterback Jameis Winston, and, coming soon, pickleball pro Grayson Goldin. Topics include strength training, mindfulness, goal-setting, and sleep routines. Each collection is designed to help users develop habits that support not only physical and mental health but also long-term goals, such as financial stability and homeownership.

    “Buying a home is one of the biggest goals in a person’s life, and it takes more than just financial readiness. It takes mental focus, emotional resilience, and a clear sense of purpose. That’s what Train Like a Champ delivers: the same mindset and discipline professional athletes use to succeed at the highest level,” said Victor Ciardelli, CEO of Rate. “For us, this is personal. It’s about helping people get to a better place physically, financially, and emotionally, so they can live their best life.”

    With a deep focus on all things wellness, Train Like a Champ offers a unique, holistic approach that connects everyday well-being with the broader life goals that matter most. Each athlete’s series is structured like a mini-masterclass, combining personal stories with guided routines to build lasting habits. The content is free and available only inside the Rate App.

    To celebrate the launch, the first 100 users who download the app through select athlete referral links will be eligible for exclusive giveaways, including Rate merchandise and signed memorabilia.

    Recent survey data from Rate shows:

    • 78% of homebuyers describe the homebuying process as overwhelming.
    • 64% feel unprepared to manage its complexities.
    • 66% report losing sleep due to homebuying stress.

    Train Like a Champ was created in direct response to these insights, offering credible coaching and guidance to help users navigate life’s challenges, reduce stress, and live happier, more productive lives.

    Content highlights include:

    • Julianna Peña: Mental preparation, breathwork, and power routines
    • Jameis Winston: Endurance, strength training, agility, and gratitude
    • (Coming soon) Grayson Goldin: Performance planning and his quest to break the world record for fastest pickleball serve

    All athlete content will be featured in the Train Like a Champ hub inside the Rate app. New videos, tips, and behind-the-scenes reels will continue to launch throughout the summer and fall 2025.

    To download the Rate app, visit https://www.rate.com/rate-app.

    About Rate
    Rate Companies is a leader in mortgage lending and digital financial services. Headquartered in Chicago, Rate has over 850 branches across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Since its launch in 2000, Rate has helped more than 2 million homeowners with home purchase loans, refinances, and home equity loans. The company has cemented itself as an industry leader by introducing innovative technology, offering low rates, and delivering unparalleled customer service. Recent honors and awards include: a Best Mortgage Lender of 2025 by Fortune; Best Mortgage Lender of 2025 for First-Time Homebuyers by Forbes; a Best Mortgage Lender of 2025 for FHA Loans, Home Equity Loans, and Lower Credit Scores by NerdWallet; Best Mortgage Lender of 2025 for Digital Experience and Down Payment Assistance by Motley Fool; Chicago Agent Magazine’s Lender of the Year for seven consecutive years. Visit rate.com for more information.

    Media Contact
    press@rate.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Fossil Fuel Polluters Want You To Clean Up Their Mess. We Can Stop Them.

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    A team of Greenpeace USA activists hold up a “Make Polluters Pay” banner outside the California State Capitol Building. © Andri Tambunan / Greenpeace

    The climate crisis is here, and we are already paying for it. You. Me. Everyone. 

    The past two years were the hottest ever recorded in the modern era. The city of Phoenix, AZ suffered through 100 straight days of greater than 100°F weather in 2024. Hurricane Helene sent catastrophic floods tearing through parts of Tennessee and North Carolina. California’s wildfire “season” continues to expand into a year-round phenomenon, extending into the winter months. In January of this year, devastating fires near Los Angeles destroyed 16,000 structures and killed 29 people. 

    The human impact of these events alone is unfathomable. The economic price tag in the aftermath is growing ever larger. In 2024 alone, NOAA documented 27 weather or climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion, leading to $184.8 billion in total damages and 568 deaths.

    © NOAA

    While climate disasters are costing us billions we don’t have, the oil and gas industry is comfortably earning trillions. In 2023, the industry earned an estimated $2.7 trillion in income globally.

    Corporate and political elites across the world have foolishly wasted decades on inaction, delay and expensive propaganda. In truth, delaying the necessary reductions in planet warming pollution is similar to refusing to pay your credit card when it is due. Before too long, the penalties and interest charges start piling up, and you can find yourself in a real mess.

    Our climate bill is overdue, but the fossil fuel industry is doing everything they can to avoid paying. They want to avoid any liability for their actions, all the while pushing the rising costs off on to taxpayers; or energy ratepayers; or just ordinary families stuck with higher bills, an unhealthy environment, looming climate hazards, and a failing insurance market.

    This is unjust and unacceptable. We have to make the polluters pay.

    All The Ways that Fossil Fuels Take Money Out of Your Pocket

    Over and over, the media and politicians have conditioned us to think that protecting the environment is a “luxury” that sadly we just can’t afford – as if a healthy biosphere that sustains life could ever be separated from “the economy.” The reality is just the opposite: saving the planet is a bargain compared to the insanely expensive climate crisis.

    Fossil fuels and climate change are forcing us to spend top-dollar in multiple ways.

    • Direct Climate Impacts. Climate science has established that climate change is driving numerous impacts both in the U.S. and around the globe – from sea-level rise to heat waves to a melting Arctic. A 2023 report from the U.S. Treasury focused on three impacts that could harm the household finances of Americans in certain parts of the county: flooding, wildfire, and exposure to high heat.
    © U.S. Global Change Research Program (USCGRP)

    The Treasury report found that these climate hazards can destroy property and public infrastructure, close businesses and eliminate jobs, spike gas and energy prices, interfere with banking and emergency services, and send people to the hospital. Public polling shows that more than one-third of U.S. adults say they have been affected by an extreme weather event in the past 2 years.

    To top it all off, it is becoming increasingly clear that climate change is driving the insurance market toward collapse.

    Insurance Collapse

    Donald Trump may not believe in climate change, but your insurance company sure does. Insurance companies can’t afford to be blinded by climate denier propaganda, which is why real, physical climate damages are now being reflected in insurance premiums and decisions about coverage.

    Data from the insurance industry suggests that from 2002 to 2022, over one-third of insurance losses (or $600 billion) were attributed to climate change, and that those losses were increasing. One recent study predicts that climate change could reduce American home values by a staggering $1.47 trillion over the next 30 years – with the losses concentrated in places with the largest climate impacts. As climate impacts expand, even places that were once dubbed “climate havens” are no longer safe from harm.

    In December 2024, the Senate Budget Committee released a report showing that climate risk is already increasing insurance “non-renewal rates” across the United States. Analysis of the data shows that areas with higher risk of fire and hurricanes had higher rates of insurance non-renewal. 

    © Kenny Stancil / Revolving Door Project and Jay Bowen / GIS developer

    Industry insiders are warning that if temperatures continue to rise, the insurance industry will simply be unable to offer coverage for many risks, which would then spread through other parts of the economy. For example, if you cannot get insurance on a house, you probably can’t get a mortgage either. This could lead to “a systemic risk that threatens the very foundation of the financial sector” in the words of one expert. Such a scenario could also lead to large migration of people away from the uninsurable parts of the country.

    We are already seeing parts of this dynamic play out in California. The January 2025 California fires will likely be the most expensive disaster in American history, with insured losses costing as much as $75 billion and total losses potentially greater than $250 billion. As a result, insurers have requested large rate hikes or have left the state entirely, leaving the state-run FAIR plan as the only option for many.

    Good News, We’ve Found the Culprits

    We don’t have to scour the planet to figure out who is to blame for these mounting crises. Independent researcher Rick Heede and colleagues have created a database ranking which coal, oil and gas corporations and state-owned companies are responsible for the majority of historic carbon emissions. Topping the list are the former U.S.S.R. and China’s coal production, but the corporations Saudi Aramco, Chevron and ExxonMobil take the #3, #4 and #5 spots on the list.

    Peer-reviewed studies have taken the next step to actually attribute certain climate impacts to specific climate polluters. Studies have linked these corporate polluters to a rise in CO2 and surface temperature, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, wildfire risk, and more. A recent study has even outlined a methodology to establish “an ‘end-to-end’ attribution that links fossil fuel producers to specific damages from warming.”

    With this data in hand, citizens, cities, states, and nations have turned to the courts to hold these corporate polluters accountable for the damages from their products. Some lawsuits have focused on investigations showing that Exxon and other oil companies had long known about the risks of climate change but acted to halt climate action. Other lawsuits are more focused on recouping the costs of local climate damages. In May, the daughter of a woman who died from extreme heat during a climate-amplified heat wave sued seven oil and gas companies for wrongful death.

    At the federal level, the Trump administration is busy firing scientists, illegally ending grants, halting data collection, and reversing what progress we have made on fighting climate pollution. But even while the federal government refuses to show true climate leadership, states and local governments have an opportunity to keep hope alive for climate sanity. States such as Vermont and New York have begun passing laws to make polluters pay directly. Sometimes called “climate superfund” laws, the idea is to impose a fee, or a climate damage tax, on fossil fuel companies in order to fund needed climate adaptation programs. Other states like California, New Jersey, and Oregon have similar pieces of legislation moving through their State Congresses. 

    No Polluter Pardons

    These lawsuits and state laws are gaining momentum, so naturally, these corporate cronies are doing everything they can to shirk their responsibilities. The fossil fuel industry may attempt to slip some form of “immunity” from liability into must-pass legislation, similar to the shield law that protects gun manufacturers. 

    People in positions of power, like President Trump, are even going a step further and doing what they can to shield polluters from scrutiny. Trump issued an Executive Order to protect fossil fuels against state overreach, and even directed the DOJ to try to block these lawsuits and laws in court. And infuriatingly, Trump recently eliminated NOAA’s database of climate disasters, depriving us of even basic information about the crisis. Moves like these can try to obscure the consequences of climate chaos, but they cannot erase real pain and suffering felt by communities experiencing these disasters.

    It’s time we stand together, hold these brazen culprits accountable and demand they pay for the damage they’ve caused. Take action with us and sign the Polluters Pay Pact today.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Following Passage of Republican Tax Bill, Cortez Masto Fights to Restore CFPB Funding, Protect Consumers from Scams

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the Stop the Scammers Act to restore critical Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) funding and authorize the CFPB to reward whistleblowers who report wrongdoing. This legislation follows the passage of the Republican tax bill, which slashed CFPB funding in half and removed vital protections for victims of scams and fraud and people experiencing unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices from financial institutions.

    “The CFPB has proven to be a champion for everyday Americans, protecting them from scammers and predatory business practices,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Slashing the CFPB’s funding is a short-sighted decision that will have long-lasting effects on working families and our financial markets. It’s important that we not only restore this funding but also give them more tools to keep us safe from scams.”

    The Stop the Scammers Act wouldencourage whistleblowers to come forward by allowing the CFPB to reward whistleblowers with financial compensation from the Civil Penalty Fund. The money for this fund comes directly from monetary penalties imposed on companies and individuals who violate federal consumer financial protection laws. The legislation would also allow whistleblowers to retain independent counsel and protect a whistleblower’s identity. The bill also restores CFPB funding to 12 percent of the Federal Reserve’s operating budget, ensuring the Bureau can carry out its mission and properly protect Americans.

    Read the full bill here. The Stop the Scammers Act has been cosponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Banking Committee Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.),Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

    As the former top law enforcement official in Nevada, Senator Cortez Masto has been a leading voice fight fraud throughout her career. She sounded the alarm on increasing check fraud scams, which cost consumers millions of dollars each year. The Senator’s bipartisan legislation to deter disruptive and potentially harmful phone calls and texts was signed into law in 2020. Most recently, she called out the Trump Administration’s Internal Revenue Service Commissioner for his involvement in a tax fraud scheme in which he encouraged people to claim a fake Tribal tax credit.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Helps Reintroduce Legislation to Make Child Care More Affordable and Accessible

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    Michigan Continues to Experience Acute Child Care Shortage

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) joined a group of his colleagues in reintroducing the Child Care for Working Families Act. This comprehensive legislation aims to make child care more affordable and accessible for hardworking families in Michigan and across the country. The bill would expand access to pre-K and support full-day, full-year Head Start programs that families rely on. Senator Peters proudly joined this legislation as an original cosponsor amid the Trump Administration’s drastic cuts to resources that help working families succeed, including cuts to health care, food assistance, and Head Start.

    “Lack of affordable child care is an ongoing crisis in Michigan. This issue impacts not only families but our entire economy,” said Senator Peters. “When parents struggle to find child care, they lose out on opportunities to provide for their family, while businesses lose out on talented workers. This bill would help ensure all families can find and afford quality child care, making a needed investment in our nation’s future.”

    A 2023 report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation found that a child care shortage is hurting Michigan’s economy on numerous fronts, including reducing labor force participation, causing worker absenteeism, and curbing Michigan’s gross domestic product output. According to the report, between lost tax revenues and business earnings, Michigan loses nearly $3 billion in economic activity every year due to lack of child care access.

    Specifically, the Child Care for Working Families Act would:

    • Improve the quality of child care and expand families’ child care options: The bill would help address child care deserts by providing resources to help open new child care providers in underserved communities. It would also increase child care options for children who receive care during non-traditional hours and support child care for children who are dual-language learners, experiencing homelessness, and in foster care.
    • Support higher wages for child care workers: Child care workers would be paid wages comparable to elementary school teachers who have similar credentials and experience.
    • Expand access to high-quality pre-K: States would receive funding to expand high-quality preschool programs for 3- and 4-year-olds.
    • Better support Head Start programs by providing the funding necessary to offer full-day, full-year programming and increasing wages for Head Start workers.

    Senator Peters has long fought to improve access to affordable child care and support working families in Michigan. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Peters recently secured resources in funding legislation advanced by the committee to help Central Montcalm Public School’s Early Childhood Center in Stanton, Michigan to provide more child care and educational services for the community. Earlier this year, Peters sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., demanding answers about the closure of five regional Head Start Offices across the country, including Chicago’s Region 5 office, which serves Michigan’s Head Start centers. Peters made clear that this decision will negatively impact the early educational programs and child care support that children and families depend on.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman, Warnock, Collins, Schumer Lead Push to Boost Supply of Doctors, Ensure Access to Medical Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), along with Senators Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), introduced the bipartisan Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act to increase the number of Medicare-supported doctor training slots available for medical students and address the shortage of primary and specialty care physicians in Arkansas and across the country.

    “There is an urgent, demonstrated need to strengthen our health care system by combating the alarming shortage of providers, particularly in rural areas,” said Boozman. “Lifting the outdated cap on residency positions supported by Medicare can expand the supply of physicians while helping ensure access to quality care and treatment in more communities nationwide. I am proud to work in a bipartisan way on this important medical workforce solution that also supports better health outcomes.”

    “Our state faces a critical shortage of primary care and specialty physicians, preventing many Georgians from accessing health care services in their community,” said Warnock. “Where you live shouldn’t determine the type of medical care you receive, and I will not stop working to help our hospitals hire and retain the health care workforce that Georgians deserve.”

    “In the face of growing demand for medical treatments and services, our country continues to struggle with a shortage of trained physicians. It is critical that we bridge the gap,” said Collins. “This bipartisan legislation would support training opportunities needed to alleviate the physician shortage and improve access to health care, particularly in rural or underserved communities, which in turn promotes healthier lives.”

    “The physician shortage in New York and across the country drastically impedes our hospitals from delivering good, quality care, leading to longer wait times and putting more strain on a healthcare system that’s already stretched thin,” said Leader Schumer. “This bipartisan legislation would expand training supported by Medicare and help ensure our communities have access to primary care and specialty physicians when they need it.”

    The U.S. faces a projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, including up to 40,000 primary care doctors and as many as 20,000 surgical specialists. In 2023, around one-quarter of Arkansas’s medical residencies were not Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education (GME) slots. Funding residencies independently is extremely costly to rural hospitals already struggling to attract and support physicians.

    Specifically, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act addresses the growing physician workforce shortage by:

    • Raising the number of residency program positions that Medicare can fund by 14,000 over seven years; and
    • Prioritizing positions for states with hospitals located in rural areas, new medical schools, hospitals training physicians in excess of their cap as well as hospitals that serve areas designated as health professional shortage areas (HPSAs). 

    Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Angus King (I-ME), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) have cosponsored the bill.

    This measure builds upon Boozman’s continued efforts to champion health care in The Natural State. In March, Boozman introduced the Physicians for Underserved Areas Act to prioritize placement of available medical residency spots in rural and underserved areas, as well as the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act to ease financial burdens on medical professionals completing their medical training.

    The bill is supported by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), National Rural Health Association (NRHA), American Medical Association (AMA) and the Greater New York Hospital Association.

    “The Association of American Medical Colleges applauds Senators Boozman, Warnock, Collins, Schumer, Gillibrand, Rosen, Klobuchar, King, Gallego, Welch, Slotkin, and Durbin for championing this important bipartisan legislation that would expand federal investment in physician training,” said AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, M.D. “With the nation facing a persistent physician shortage, this bipartisan bill would enhance and build on the investments academic health systems are making to strengthen the physician workforce by increasing Medicare support for physician training. We look forward to working with the Senate to advance this critical legislation and help ensure that patients across the country have access to timely, high-quality health care they deserve.”

    “The National Rural Health Association is proud to support the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act and thanks Senator Boozman and Senator Warnock for their work to introduce this bill. Rural communities continue to experience a chronic lack of physicians and these shortages are only projected to grow,” said NRHA CEO Alan Morgan. “This important legislation is a huge step towards recruiting and training more physicians in rural areas and ensuring that all rural residents have access to care. We look forward to continuing to work with the senators to pass this bill and find sustainable solutions to rural workforce issues.”

    “The American Medical Association commends Sens. John Boozman and Raphael Warnock for introducing this crucial bipartisan legislation that aims to address the physician shortage and resulting access challenges for patients,” said AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, M.D. “By expanding federal support for graduate medical education over the next seven years, Congress is taking a critical step toward ensuring patients nationwide have access to well-trained physicians in their communities.”

    Bill text is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Designations to Appellate Division Courts Announced

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced six designations to the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, in the First and Second Departments. Under New York’s Constitution, the Governor designates Justices of the Appellate Divisions from among the elected Justices of the State Supreme Court. This class is composed of highly skilled jurists who come from diverse personal and professional backgrounds, underscoring Governor Hochul’s commitment to ensuring New York State’s judiciary reflects the wide array of people who call New York home. The slate consists of four designations to the Appellate Division, First Department and two designations to the Appellate Division, Second Department.

    “These designations to the Appellate Division are part of my continued commitment to building a judiciary that embodies the highest standards of legal excellence and reflects the rich diversity of New York,” Governor Hochul said. “Each of these jurists brings a wealth of experience and perspective that will strengthen our courts and help ensure that justice is served fairly and equitably across our state.”

    As Justices of the Appellate Division, First Department:

    Honorable Troy Webber, Associate Justice

    Justice Troy K. Webber was elected to the Civil Court, New York County, in 1993 and assigned to the county of her birth, Bronx County. In 2002, she was elected to the Supreme Court. In 2009, Justice Webber was appointed Acting Surrogate in New York County, where she served for almost 2 years and then returned to Supreme Court, Bronx County. In 2016, Justice Webber was appointed to the Appellate Division, First Department.

    Justice Webber began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in New York County. She then served as a Law Assistant to a State Supreme Court Justice, Assistant New York State Attorney General and Deputy Bureau Chief at the New York City Law Department. Justice Webber was also a litigation associate at a law firm. Justice Webber is a graduate of New York University School of Law, where she serves on the Alumni Board of Directors.

    Justice Webber serves as Co-Chair of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission and is a member of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, the Association of Women Judges, the Judicial Friends, and the New York County Lawyers Association. She serves on the New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics, the Advisory Committee on Criminal Law and Procedure and is a member of the board of directors of JALBCA (Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert).

    Justice Webber participates in the Scales of Justice Academy, a summer legal educational program for underserved female high school students, as well as the Legal Outreach Program. She mentors students who attend NYU Law School, the City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and Fordham University School of Law and participates in moot court programs sponsored by NYU Law School and New York Law School. Justice Webber is also an adjunct professor in criminal justice at Monroe University.

    Honorable Saliann Scarpulla, Associate Justice

    Justice Saliann Scarpulla is a graduate of Boston University and Brooklyn Law School, cum laude. After law school, Justice Scarpulla clerked for the Hon. Alvin F. Klein in Supreme Court, New York County. When her clerkship concluded, Justice Scarpulla joined Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn as a litigation associate. Justice Scarpulla later moved to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as Senior Counsel in the New York Legal Services Office. From the FDIC Justice Scarpulla became Senior Vice President and Bank Counsel to Hudson United Bank.

    Justice Scarpulla returned to the New York State court system in 1999, as Principal Court Attorney to the Hon. Eileen Bransten. She was then elected to the New York City Civil Court in 2001, appointed to the New York State Supreme Court in 2009, and elected to the Supreme Court in 2012. From 2014 to 2020, Justice Scarpulla sat in the New York County Commercial Division, and she was responsible for all international commercial arbitration matters pending in the State Supreme Court. In 2020, Justice Scarpulla was appointed to the Appellate Division, First Department.

    Justice Scarpulla is a contributing author to the Commercial Litigation in New York State Courts treatise and has authored numerous articles on technology and commercial litigation. She is a frequent lecturer for, among others, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the New York County Lawyers Association, the New York State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Practicing Law Institute, and the New York State Judicial Institute. Justice Scarpulla has received the Louis J. Capozzoli Gavel award and the Thurgood Marshall award from the New York County Lawyers Association, the Rapallo/Scalia award from the Columbian Lawyers Association, and service awards from the National Association of Italian American Women and the New York Women’s Bar Association.

    Justice Scarpulla is active in several New York City and statewide bar associations and is a Business Court Representative to the American Bar Association and Co-Chair of the Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and Intellectual Property subcommittee. She is a member of New York’s Commercial Division Advisory Council, and the Co-Chair of the Council’s Subcommittee on Use of Technology in Commercial Division Cases. Justice Scarpulla also sits on the Chief Judge’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Committee, and, in October 2019, she was appointed for a term to the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board. Justice Scarpulla is a past Co-President and current Board member of Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert (JALBCA).

    Honorable Shlomo Hagler, Additional Justice

    Hon. Shlomo S. Hagler is the current Presiding Justice of the Appellate Term, First Department. He was appointed to the court in 2021. Justice Hagler began his judicial career in 1999, when he was appointed to New York City Housing Court. In 2003, he was elected to the New York City Civil Court, and in 2008, Justice Hagler was designated an Acting Justice of the Supreme Court, Civil Branch, New York County. As an Acting Justice, he established and presided over an “Innovative Guardianship Part” that combined the authority of the Supreme Court under the Mental Hygiene Law with that of the Housing Court. This initiative aimed to protect and empower vulnerable individuals within the community. In 2012, he was elected to the Supreme Court.

    Justice Hagler earned his undergraduate degree from Yeshiva University in 1988, and a Juris Doctor from the City University of New York Law School in 1991. He started his legal career as an associate at Bartlett, Bartlett & Ziegler, P.C., before serving as Court Attorney to Hon. Martin Shulman, currently an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department.

    Justice Hagler recently received an award celebrating his 25 years on the bench from the New York County Lawyers Association and in April 2025, received the Benjamin N. Cardozo award from the Jewish Lawyers Guild for excellence in the legal profession. He is also a member of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Lawyers Guild and the Gender Fairness Committee of the Supreme Court, New York County. Justice Hagler has given numerous lectures as a judicial panelist on various legal topics, including protecting tenants with disabilities in housing.

    Honorable Margaret Anne Pui Yee Chan, Additional Justice

    Justice Chan, elected in 2021 to the New York State Supreme Court, serves in the New York County Commercial Division resolving complex business disputes. Before her election, she was an Acting Justice from 2012, handling a wide range of cases from mass torts to constitutional litigation.

    Born in Hong Kong, she immigrated to Canada at age seven and then, at fourteen, to Brooklyn. When she was elected to the New York City Civil Court in 2006, she became the first Asian immigrant woman to become a New York judge. Before ascending to the bench, Justice Chan had an immigration and appellate practice in Manhattan’s Chinatown. Her partner was Benjamin Gim, who co-founded the Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund.

    Justice Chan attended Brooklyn College full time, where she majored in economics while also working full-time. She later attended Touro Law Center on a scholarship and was the managing editor of the Law Review. She then completed five years as a senior court attorney at the Appellate Division, Second Department.

    Justice Chan serves on various court committees, including the Committee on AI and the Courts and Committee on Pattern Jury Instructions (PJI) – Civil. She also served as a Fordham University School of Law adjunct professor from 2018-2024, teaching legal research and writing and the judicial-externship seminar.

    As Justices of the Appellate Division, Second Department:

    Honorable Elena Goldberg Velazquez, Additional Justice

    Justice Elena Goldberg Velazquez was appointed to the Appellate Term, 9th and 10th Judicial Districts, in 2024, where she hears appeals from landlord-tenant court, small claims court, civil court and criminal court. Recently, Justice Goldberg Velazquez was elected as the President of the Latino Judges Association.

    In 2022, Justice Goldberg Velazquez was elected to the New York State Supreme Court, 9th Judicial District. Presently, she is assigned to Westchester County where she has presided over a variety of civil hearings and trials. Since her ascension to Supreme Court, she has also been published in the New York Law Journal. Prior to becoming a Supreme Court Justice, Justice Goldberg Velazquez was a Yonkers City Court Judge, where she handled criminal matters from arraignment to disposition, landlord-tenant matters (both residential and commercial), small claims and civil matters. She also presided over trials and felony hearings. In addition, while in City Court she was appointed as an Acting Family Court Judge presiding over the Integrated Domestic Violence Court.

    Prior to being elected to the bench, Justice Goldberg Velazquez worked at the Supreme Court, Appellate Division First Department for nearly a decade. Prior to working at the Appellate Division, Justice Goldberg Velazquez worked at private law firms handling primarily civil matters.

    Justice Goldberg Velazquez is an active member of her community, having founded and served as president of her local neighborhood association. She has served as the President of the Puerto Rican Bar Association, Chair of the Women’s Committee and Chair of the Young Lawyers Committee. She is presently a member of the New York State Bar Association, Hudson Valley Hispanic Bar Association, Puerto Rican Bar Association, New York Women’s Judges Association, Westchester County Bar Association, Westchester Women’s Bar Association and the Yonkers Lawyers Association.

    Justice Goldberg Velazquez is a graduate of CUNY School of Law, where she was the managing editor of the New York City Law Review and now serves on the Board of Visitors. She earned her Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from Syracuse University where she graduated Pi Sigma Alpha. While at Syracuse, Justice Goldberg Velazquez was on the Dean’s List and a member of the nationally ranked Mock Trial Team.

    Justice Goldberg Velazquez resides in Westchester with her husband and two young daughters.

    Honorable Susan Quirk, Additional Justice

    Hon. Susan Quirk was elected to the Civil Court Bench in Brooklyn in 2016, where she served until 2018. She was then assigned to Brooklyn Family Court in 2018 to augment the bench in response to the enactment and implementation of the Raise the Age legislation, where she presided until 2022 when she was elected to the Supreme Court in Brooklyn where she currently presides over all types of criminal matters.

    Prior to becoming a judge, strongly attracted to both public service and the study of law, Judge Quirk began working as a paralegal in 1998 in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office while attending Brooklyn Law School in the evening. She graduated in 2004, receiving the distinction of being awarded the “Cali Excellence for the Future” Award for achieving the highest grade in Trial Advocacy. Upon being admitted to practice in 2005, Judge Quirk continued her career in public service by becoming an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, where she served with distinction until 2013, when she was designated a Court Attorney Referee in Supreme Court, where she continued to serve the public as a Hearing Officer until her election to the bench.

    Active in the legal community, Judge Quirk is a member of the Supreme Court Justices Association of the City of New York; the Puerto Rican Bar Association; the Brooklyn Bar Association; the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association; the Columbian Lawyers Association; the Catholic Lawyers Guild, Kings County Chapter; the Richmond County Bar Association; the Staten Island Women’s Bar Association, where she previously served on the Administrative Board; and the New York City Civil Court Judges Association, where she previously served as the Vice President for Richmond County.

    Judge Quirk is the proud mom of two young daughters, both of whom currently attend her alma mater, St. Joseph Hill Academy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Brompton Wellington Square AAA CLO ETF Declares Distributions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  (TSX: BAAA, BAAA.U) Brompton Wellington Square AAA CLO ETF announces distributions payable on August 15, 2025 to unitholders of record at the close of business on July 31, 2025 as follows:

    Ticker Amount Per Unit
    BAAA   Cdn$0.08960
    BAAA.U   US$0.08950

    About Brompton Funds
    Founded in 2000, Brompton is an experienced investment fund manager with income and growth focused investment solutions including TSX traded closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds. For further information, please contact your investment advisor, call Brompton’s investor relations line at 416-642-6000 (toll-free at 1-866-642-6001), email info@bromptongroup.com or visit our website at www.bromptongroup.com.

    About Wellington Square
    Wellington Square Advisors Inc. (“Wellington Square”) is a Toronto-based independent investment advisory led by portfolio managers Jeff Sujitno and Amar Dhanoya. Wellington Square has invested in CLOs for over 10 years with certain staff having specialized expertise gained from working for CLO managers.

    Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with exchange-traded fund investments.  Please read the prospectus before investing. Exchange-traded funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this press release and to other matters identified in public filings relating to the fund, to the future outlook of the fund and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the fund. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Brompton Funds Declare Split Share Fund Distributions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: DGS, GDV, LBS, LCS, LCS.PR.A, PWI, SBC) – Brompton Funds announces distributions payable on August 15, 2025 to class A shareholders of record at the close of business on July 31, 2025 for each of the following funds:

      Ticker Amount Per Share
    Dividend Growth Split Corp. (“DGS”) DGS $ 0.10
    Global Dividend Growth Split Corp. (“GDV”) GDV $ 0.10
    Life & Banc Split Corp. (“LBS”) LBS $ 0.10
    Brompton Lifeco Split Corp. (“LCS”) LCS $ 0.075
    Sustainable Power Infrastructure Split Corp. (“PWI”) PWI $ 0.085
    Brompton Split Banc Corp. (“SBC”) SBC $ 0.10
           

    Brompton Funds announces distributions payable on August 15, 2025 to preferred shareholders of record at the close of business on July 31, 2025 for the following fund:

      Ticker Amount Per Share
    Brompton Lifeco Split Corp. LCS.PR.A $ 0.175
           

    The funds noted above offer distribution reinvestment plans (“DRIP”) for class A shareholders which provide class A shareholders with the ability to automatically reinvest distributions, commission free, and realize the benefits of compound growth. Class A shareholders can enroll in a DRIP program by contacting their investment advisor.

    About Brompton Funds
    Founded in 2000, Brompton is an experienced investment fund manager with income and growth focused investment solutions including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) traded investment funds. For further information, please contact your investment advisor, call Brompton’s investor relations line at 416-642-6000 (toll-free at 1-866-642-6001), email info@bromptongroup.com or visit our website at www.bromptongroup.com.

    You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell units or shares of the investment funds on the TSX or other alternative Canadian trading system (an “exchange”). If the units or shares are purchased or sold on an exchange, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying units of the investment fund and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them.

    There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning units or shares of an investment fund. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the fund. You can find more detailed information about a fund in the public filings available at www.sedarplus.ca. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this document and to other matters identified in public filings relating to the funds, to the future outlook of the funds and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the funds. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Brompton Funds Declares ETF Distributions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: BDIV, BEPR, BEPR.U, BLOV, BPRF, BPRF.U, HIG, HIG.U, SPLT) – Brompton Funds announces monthly distributions for record dates from July to September 2025 for each of the following exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”):

      Ticker  Amount Per Unit
    Brompton Global Dividend Growth ETF BDIV Cdn$ 0.1200
    Brompton Flaherty & Crumrine Enhanced Investment Grade Preferred ETF BEPR Cdn$ 0.0675
      BEPR.U US$ 0.0675
    Brompton North American Low Volatility Dividend ETF BLOV Cdn$  0.0850
    Brompton Flaherty & Crumrine Investment Grade Preferred ETF BPRF Cdn$ 0.1100
      BPRF.U US$ 0.1100
    Brompton Global Healthcare Income & Growth ETF HIG Cdn$  0.0550
      HIG.U US$ 0.0550
    Brompton Split Corp. Preferred Share ETF SPLT Cdn$ 0.0550
           

    Record Dates and Payment Dates are as follows:

    Record Date Payment Date
    July 31, 2025 August 15, 2025
    August 29, 2025 September 15, 2025
    September 30, 2025 October 15, 2025
       

    About Brompton Funds
    Founded in 2000, Brompton is an experienced investment fund manager with income and growth focused investment solutions including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other Toronto Stock Exchange traded investment funds. For further information, please contact your investment advisor, call Brompton’s investor relations line at 416-642-6000 (toll-free at 1-866-642-6001), email info@bromptongroup.com or visit our website at www.bromptongroup.com.

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with exchange-traded fund investments.  Please read the prospectus before investing.  Exchange-traded funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this document and to other matters identified in public filings relating to the ETFs, to the future outlook of the ETFs and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the ETFs. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Brompton Funds Declares ETF Distributions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: BDIV, BEPR, BEPR.U, BLOV, BPRF, BPRF.U, HIG, HIG.U, SPLT) – Brompton Funds announces monthly distributions for record dates from July to September 2025 for each of the following exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”):

      Ticker  Amount Per Unit
    Brompton Global Dividend Growth ETF BDIV Cdn$ 0.1200
    Brompton Flaherty & Crumrine Enhanced Investment Grade Preferred ETF BEPR Cdn$ 0.0675
      BEPR.U US$ 0.0675
    Brompton North American Low Volatility Dividend ETF BLOV Cdn$  0.0850
    Brompton Flaherty & Crumrine Investment Grade Preferred ETF BPRF Cdn$ 0.1100
      BPRF.U US$ 0.1100
    Brompton Global Healthcare Income & Growth ETF HIG Cdn$  0.0550
      HIG.U US$ 0.0550
    Brompton Split Corp. Preferred Share ETF SPLT Cdn$ 0.0550
           

    Record Dates and Payment Dates are as follows:

    Record Date Payment Date
    July 31, 2025 August 15, 2025
    August 29, 2025 September 15, 2025
    September 30, 2025 October 15, 2025
       

    About Brompton Funds
    Founded in 2000, Brompton is an experienced investment fund manager with income and growth focused investment solutions including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other Toronto Stock Exchange traded investment funds. For further information, please contact your investment advisor, call Brompton’s investor relations line at 416-642-6000 (toll-free at 1-866-642-6001), email info@bromptongroup.com or visit our website at www.bromptongroup.com.

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with exchange-traded fund investments.  Please read the prospectus before investing.  Exchange-traded funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this document and to other matters identified in public filings relating to the ETFs, to the future outlook of the ETFs and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the ETFs. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Brompton Funds Declares Increased ETF Distributions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: BFIN, BFIN.U, BGIE, BMAX, CLSA, EDGF, TLF, TLF.U) – As a result of strong performance over the past year1, or NAV growth since launch in the case of CLSA, Brompton Funds is pleased to announce increased monthly distributions for record dates from July to September 2025 for each of the following exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”):

      Ticker Amount Per Unit Annualized
    % Increase
    Brompton North American Financials Dividend ETF BFIN Cdn$ 0.1300 8.3%
      BFIN.U US$ 0.1400 7.7%
    Brompton Global Infrastructure ETF BGIE Cdn$ 0.1350 12.5%
    Brompton Enhanced Multi-Asset Income ETF BMAX Cdn$ 0.1200 4.3%
    Brompton Split Corp. Class A Share ETF CLSA Cdn$ 0.1150 15.0%
    Brompton European Dividend Growth ETF EDGF Cdn$ 0.0575 9.5%
    Brompton Tech Leaders Income ETF TLF Cdn$ 0.1450 16.0%
      TLF.U US$ 0.1550 19.2%

    Record Dates and Payment Dates are as follows:

    Record Date Payment Date
    July 31, 2025 August 15, 2025
    August 29, 2025 September 15, 2025
    September 30, 2025 October 15, 2025
       

    About Brompton Funds
    Founded in 2000, Brompton is an experienced investment fund manager with income and growth focused investment solutions including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other TSX traded investment funds. For further information, please contact your investment advisor, call Brompton’s investor relations line at 416-642-6000 (toll-free at 1-866-642-6001), email info@bromptongroup.com or visit our website at www.bromptongroup.com.

    1Annual Compound Returns as at June 30, 2025

      1-year 3-year 5-year 10-year Since
    Inception    		 Since
    Inception    		 Inception
    Date
    BFIN 25.6% 16.5% 14.4% – 9.2% – Oct. 17, 2018
    BFIN.U 27.8% 17.0% 15.4% – – 11.4% Aug. 8, 2019
    BGIE 25.5% 15.4% 13.0% – 13.4% – Apr. 30, 2020
    BMAX 15.3% – – – 17.1% – Oct. 18, 2022
    EDGF 15.4% 14.2% 9.8% – 7.6% – July 21, 2017
    TLF 9.6% 25.4% 17.6% 17.0% 14.3% – May 20, 2011
    TLF.U 12.0% 27.0% 19.0% – – 20.4% Aug. 8, 2019
                   

    Returns are for the periods ended June 30, 2025 and are unaudited. Inception dates are noted in the table above. The table shows each ETF’s compound return for each period indicated. The performance information shown is based on net asset value per unit and assumes that cash distributions made by the ETFs on its units in the period shown were reinvested at net asset value per unit in additional units of the ETFs. Past performance does not necessarily indicate how the ETFs will perform in the future. Performance can only be provided for funds in existence for at least one year; therefore, the performance for Brompton Split Corp. Class A Share ETF is not available.

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with exchange-traded fund investments.  Please read the prospectus before investing.  The indicated rates of return are the historical annual compounded total returns including changes in unit value and reinvestment of all distributions and do not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income taxes payable by any securityholder that would have reduced returns. Exchange-traded funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this document and to other matters identified in public filings relating to the ETFs, to the future outlook of the ETFs and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the ETFs. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Brompton Funds Declares Increased ETF Distributions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: BFIN, BFIN.U, BGIE, BMAX, CLSA, EDGF, TLF, TLF.U) – As a result of strong performance over the past year1, or NAV growth since launch in the case of CLSA, Brompton Funds is pleased to announce increased monthly distributions for record dates from July to September 2025 for each of the following exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”):

      Ticker Amount Per Unit Annualized
    % Increase
    Brompton North American Financials Dividend ETF BFIN Cdn$ 0.1300 8.3%
      BFIN.U US$ 0.1400 7.7%
    Brompton Global Infrastructure ETF BGIE Cdn$ 0.1350 12.5%
    Brompton Enhanced Multi-Asset Income ETF BMAX Cdn$ 0.1200 4.3%
    Brompton Split Corp. Class A Share ETF CLSA Cdn$ 0.1150 15.0%
    Brompton European Dividend Growth ETF EDGF Cdn$ 0.0575 9.5%
    Brompton Tech Leaders Income ETF TLF Cdn$ 0.1450 16.0%
      TLF.U US$ 0.1550 19.2%

    Record Dates and Payment Dates are as follows:

    Record Date Payment Date
    July 31, 2025 August 15, 2025
    August 29, 2025 September 15, 2025
    September 30, 2025 October 15, 2025
       

    About Brompton Funds
    Founded in 2000, Brompton is an experienced investment fund manager with income and growth focused investment solutions including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other TSX traded investment funds. For further information, please contact your investment advisor, call Brompton’s investor relations line at 416-642-6000 (toll-free at 1-866-642-6001), email info@bromptongroup.com or visit our website at www.bromptongroup.com.

    1Annual Compound Returns as at June 30, 2025

      1-year 3-year 5-year 10-year Since
    Inception    		 Since
    Inception    		 Inception
    Date
    BFIN 25.6% 16.5% 14.4% – 9.2% – Oct. 17, 2018
    BFIN.U 27.8% 17.0% 15.4% – – 11.4% Aug. 8, 2019
    BGIE 25.5% 15.4% 13.0% – 13.4% – Apr. 30, 2020
    BMAX 15.3% – – – 17.1% – Oct. 18, 2022
    EDGF 15.4% 14.2% 9.8% – 7.6% – July 21, 2017
    TLF 9.6% 25.4% 17.6% 17.0% 14.3% – May 20, 2011
    TLF.U 12.0% 27.0% 19.0% – – 20.4% Aug. 8, 2019
                   

    Returns are for the periods ended June 30, 2025 and are unaudited. Inception dates are noted in the table above. The table shows each ETF’s compound return for each period indicated. The performance information shown is based on net asset value per unit and assumes that cash distributions made by the ETFs on its units in the period shown were reinvested at net asset value per unit in additional units of the ETFs. Past performance does not necessarily indicate how the ETFs will perform in the future. Performance can only be provided for funds in existence for at least one year; therefore, the performance for Brompton Split Corp. Class A Share ETF is not available.

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with exchange-traded fund investments.  Please read the prospectus before investing.  The indicated rates of return are the historical annual compounded total returns including changes in unit value and reinvestment of all distributions and do not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income taxes payable by any securityholder that would have reduced returns. Exchange-traded funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this document and to other matters identified in public filings relating to the ETFs, to the future outlook of the ETFs and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the ETFs. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Strengthens Regional Presence at Malaysia Blockchain Week 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, participated in Malaysia Blockchain Week 2025, to strengthen its ties with Southeast Asia’s fast-growing digital economy. The event, hosted at Kuala Lumpur’s World Trade Centre, drew 3,300+ attendees from 20 countries, with support from Malaysian agencies like MDEC, the Ministry of Digital, and Tourism Malaysia.

    Bitget CEO Gracy Chen delivered a keynote address titled “Two Strategies to Thrive in a Volatile Market.” She spotlighted Bitget’s focus on real-world utility, from its $300M user Protection Fund to new tools like GetAgent (an AI trading helper) and xStocks for tokenized equities. Gracy pointed to her 2024 MYBW visit as the turning point. This year, she unveiled PayFi, Bitget’s bid to simplify cross-border crypto payments in emerging markets.

    Bitget CEO Gracy Chen delivering her keynote on the mainstage of MYBW 2025.

    “Malaysia Blockchain Week has become a key platform in this region,” said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget. “Bitget will continue building here, through partnerships, localization, and product innovation. Our goal is to show up meaningfully, through utility, education, and experiences that resonate.”

    Bitget also teamed up with Pudgy Penguins (PENGU) to host Hype Drop: Kopi Rave, a side event held at Thong Kee Kopitiam in Kuala Lumpur. Blending wellness, streetwear, music, and collectibles, it drew over 400 attendees and generated strong social media buzz.

    Bitget Trivia winners with their various merch including the much-coveted Bitget Labubu doll.

    Malaysia Blockchain Week 2025 served as a timely stage for Bitget to reinforce its global leadership while celebrating Southeast Asia’s role in Web3 adoption. From shaping cross-border payment infrastructure to pioneering real-world asset trading, Bitget’s message at MYBW was clear: building in this space is about more than innovation.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform.

    Bitget is driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency. 

    Aligned with its global impact strategy, Bitget has joined hands with UNICEF to support blockchain education for 1.1 million people by 2027. In the world of motorsports, Bitget is the exclusive cryptocurrency exchange partner of MotoGP™, one of the world’s most thrilling championships.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: 

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dd30ebe8-c1fe-467d-8b57-715842f39aa4

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3ae531e0-6f67-4e30-a223-dce6eeb9bdb9

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8eeebd48-a1b6-406e-9793-a25a2abd1ef4

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Strengthens Regional Presence at Malaysia Blockchain Week 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, participated in Malaysia Blockchain Week 2025, to strengthen its ties with Southeast Asia’s fast-growing digital economy. The event, hosted at Kuala Lumpur’s World Trade Centre, drew 3,300+ attendees from 20 countries, with support from Malaysian agencies like MDEC, the Ministry of Digital, and Tourism Malaysia.

    Bitget CEO Gracy Chen delivered a keynote address titled “Two Strategies to Thrive in a Volatile Market.” She spotlighted Bitget’s focus on real-world utility, from its $300M user Protection Fund to new tools like GetAgent (an AI trading helper) and xStocks for tokenized equities. Gracy pointed to her 2024 MYBW visit as the turning point. This year, she unveiled PayFi, Bitget’s bid to simplify cross-border crypto payments in emerging markets.

    Bitget CEO Gracy Chen delivering her keynote on the mainstage of MYBW 2025.

    “Malaysia Blockchain Week has become a key platform in this region,” said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget. “Bitget will continue building here, through partnerships, localization, and product innovation. Our goal is to show up meaningfully, through utility, education, and experiences that resonate.”

    Bitget also teamed up with Pudgy Penguins (PENGU) to host Hype Drop: Kopi Rave, a side event held at Thong Kee Kopitiam in Kuala Lumpur. Blending wellness, streetwear, music, and collectibles, it drew over 400 attendees and generated strong social media buzz.

    Bitget Trivia winners with their various merch including the much-coveted Bitget Labubu doll.

    Malaysia Blockchain Week 2025 served as a timely stage for Bitget to reinforce its global leadership while celebrating Southeast Asia’s role in Web3 adoption. From shaping cross-border payment infrastructure to pioneering real-world asset trading, Bitget’s message at MYBW was clear: building in this space is about more than innovation.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform.

    Bitget is driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency. 

    Aligned with its global impact strategy, Bitget has joined hands with UNICEF to support blockchain education for 1.1 million people by 2027. In the world of motorsports, Bitget is the exclusive cryptocurrency exchange partner of MotoGP™, one of the world’s most thrilling championships.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: 

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dd30ebe8-c1fe-467d-8b57-715842f39aa4

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3ae531e0-6f67-4e30-a223-dce6eeb9bdb9

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8eeebd48-a1b6-406e-9793-a25a2abd1ef4

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Strong forestry partnership delivers for people

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    A forest tenure held by Lake Babine Nation is increasing by more than 2,000% through a partnership with the Province and a tenure transfer from West Fraser, marking a significant milestone in growing the Nation’s role in forestry.

    “This is real on-the-ground collaboration that gets things done for Lake Babine Nation, boosts the local economy and delivers for people across B.C.,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “It’s a powerful partnership – one that secures a steady fibre supply for West Fraser and helps produce world-class, made-in-B.C. wood products.”

    Through this partnership, the Lake Babine First Nations Woodland Licence is growing from approximately 5,600 hectares to encompass more than 126,000 hectares of Lake Babine Nation territory, bringing traditional values into forest management practices, over a forested area the size of about 311 Stanley Parks. The area of land available to harvest included in the licence is northeast of Smithers, near the Lake Babine Nation communities of Fort Babine (Wit’at) and Old Fort around the northern half of Lake Babine.

    “As stewards of our lands since time immemorial and still today, Lake Babine Nation has forever recognized the deep responsibility we hold in ensuring our forests are managed with ecological respect and generational sustainability,” said Chief Wilf Adam, Lake Babine Nation. “Forestry is not just an industry; its principles and mechanisms are woven into our identity, our traditions and our vision for the future. With the support of the Province, our new partnership with West Fraser will advance Lake Babine Nation toward prosperous new opportunities, along with the interconnected local economies within our area of influence. It’s a flexible agreement aimed at our great-grandchildren, through the health of our ecology and economy in balance.”

    Expanding Lake Babine Nation’s First Nations Woodland Licence was made possible through a partnership with West Fraser, serving as a model for business-to-business relationships that support long-term sustainability for the forestry sector, economic development for the communities that rely in it and reconciliation with First Nations.

    “I want to congratulate the Lake Babine Nation on what we have been able to build together,” said Sean McLaren, president and CEO, West Fraser. “This achievement would not have been possible without the leadership and the support of government. By recognizing the importance of fibre security and Indigenous partnerships, the Province is helping secure the future of the forest sector in Smithers – for our employees, contractors, local businesses and communities throughout the region.”

    The expanded tenure follows after a collaborative management agreement between Lake Babine Nation and BC Timber Sales, which ensured the continuity of BC Timber Sales operations and enhanced Lake Babine Nation’s stewardship over its territory. Lake Babine Nation established a forestry company called LBN Forestry to oversee its forestry operations. LBN Forestry is generating revenue, creating job opportunities for the community and supplying timber for local mills, together strengthening the local forestry economy.

    This milestone forest licence expansion represents a significant achievement in the implementation of Lake Babine Nation’s Foundation Agreement. The Foundation Agreement was finalized in 2020 and outlined a 20-year vision to implement Lake Babine Nation rights and title, including a vision to hold and manage a minimum of 250,000 cubic metres of forest tenure located on its territory.

    In 2021, the Province set a goal of 20% of the allowable annual cut being held by First Nations. Building upon this announcement, First Nations now hold approximately 20% of the allowable annual cut, through a mix of different types of tenures. The vision government put forward in the modernizing forestry policy intentions paper continues to guide work to evolve forestry policy.

    Quick Facts:

    • Nearly 212,000 cubic metres of allowable annual cut is being added to Lake Babine Nation’s First Nation Woodland Licence, bringing the new total to more than 230,000 cubic metres, or approximately 4,600 truckloads of logs per year.
    • The First Nation Woodland Licence covers approximately 10% of Lake Babine Nation’s territory.
    • The expanded First Nation Woodland Licence includes tenure contributed from West Fraser, building on two previous partnership agreements between the company and Lake Babine Nation.

    Learn More:

    To learn more about Lake Babine Nation, visit:
    https://www.lakebabine.com/

    To learn more about First Nations Woodland Licences, visit:
    https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/forest-tenures/timber-harvesting-rights/first-nations-woodland-licence

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SEED Program Honors More Than 70 Students at Recognition Ceremony

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: SEED Program Honors More Than 70 Students at Recognition Ceremony

    SEED Program Honors More Than 70 Students at Recognition Ceremony
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today, more than 70 high school students from southeastern North Carolina were recognized for successfully completing the SEED (Southeastern Education and Economic Development) Program, a unique career exploration initiative focused on advanced manufacturing and agriculture.

    “Every North Carolinian deserves a chance at success whether or not they want to pursue a traditional four-year degree,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Programs like SEED prepare students for careers in high-demand fields, giving them hands-on experience and industry-valued credentials. Congratulations to these students for their hard work in pursuit of a brighter future.”

    The recognition ceremony, held at the University of Mount Olive, brought together students, educators, industry partners, and community leaders to celebrate the achievements of participants from five area community colleges: Wilson Community College, Lenoir Community College, Wayne Community College, Sampson Community College, and James Sprunt Community College.

    The SEED Program is a registered pre-apprenticeship with ApprenticeshipNC, offering students a structured pathway into high-demand careers through hands-on learning, industry credentials, and exposure to real-world job environments. As a pre-apprenticeship, the program sets students up for success in future apprenticeship opportunities and long-term employment.

    Made possible through generous funding from Smithfield Foods, SEED was created in partnership with the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE), local school districts, community colleges, and regional employers. The program provides high school students with hands-on exposure to high-growth careers and helps build a sustainable talent pipeline for North Carolina’s workforce.

    “Smithfield is committed to investing in the future of agriculture and manufacturing by equipping young people with the skills and experiences they need to thrive,” said Jay Bennett, chief human resources officer for Smithfield Foods. “Through our support of the SEED program, we’re building meaningful partnerships with communities and helping students discover rewarding career paths that strengthen our industry and workforce.”

    “At Wayne Community College, we believe in the power of partnerships to transform lives and communities,” said Dr. Patricia Pfeiffer, President, Wayne Community College. “The SEED Program is a shining example of how education, industry, and public support can come together to create meaningful opportunities for our students. By giving them hands-on experiences and a clear path to future careers, we are not only preparing these young people for success but also strengthening the workforce and economy of eastern North Carolina.”

    Throughout the summer, students engaged in immersive experiences, including classroom instruction, industry tours, and technical simulations. The Advanced Manufacturing Academy was hosted by Wilson, Lenoir, and Wayne community colleges, while Sampson, James Sprunt, and Wayne community colleges led the Agricultural Academy.

    “Smithfield’s support helped bring this vision to life, giving students real-world experience in careers with long-term potential – right here in their home communities,” said Julia Wright, Board Chair of NCBCE. “We’re proud to recognize their dedication and growth through this program.”

    Each student received a certificate of completion during the ceremony, recognizing their commitment to personal growth, technical skill development, and work toward building a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

    SEED also provides financial support, covering stipends, supplies, and transportation to ensure students have the resources they need to succeed. In addition to the summer program, SEED supports career awareness for middle school students and offers professional development for teachers and counselors.

    The SEED program continues to grow, with plans to expand into additional counties and career pathways in the coming years.

    For more information on the SEED program, visit ncbce.org/seed.  

    Jul 24, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –