NewzIntel.com

Category: Economy

  • MIL-Evening Report: John Pesutto owes Moira Deeming $2.3m, but he doesn’t have it. Can former premiers be forced to pick up the tab?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Legg, Professor of Law, UNSW Sydney

    Victorian MP Moira Deeming attracted headlines recently when news broke she’s intending to sue three former Liberal premiers, among other party figures.

    Why? Deeming is trying to recoup millions of dollars in legal costs after a successful defamation case.

    Who pays for legal action in Australia, particularly in civil courts, can be confusing. But given how expensive litigation can be and the big names involved in this case, it’s worth unpacking.

    How did we get here?

    In March 2023, Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming spoke at a “Let Women Speak” rally held at Parliament House in Melbourne. The rally was interrupted by protesters, who were described as “neo-Nazis”.

    After the rally, the then-Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto made a series of public statements implying Deeming had associations with the neo-Nazi groups and therefore needed to be expelled from parliament.

    Perhaps unsurprisingly, in December 2023 Deeming sued Pesutto in the Federal Court for defamation. A year later, she won her lawsuit.

    Pesutto was ordered to pay $300,000 in damages for the harm to Deeming’s reputation and the associated emotional distress she suffered.

    But that wasn’t the end of what Pesutto had to pay.

    Last month, the Federal Court also ordered Pesutto to pay $2.3 million to cover Deeming’s costs in winning her suit (in addition to having to pay his own costs).

    This has created some serious problems for both Pesutto and Deeming.

    It is a problem for Pesutto because he doesn’t have the money to pay and is now facing bankruptcy proceedings and his own possible expulsion from parliament.

    Former premier Jeff Kennett has spruiked a crowdfunding campaign to help fund Pesutto’s legal liabilities.

    It is a problem for Deeming because she will be out $2.3 million if Pesutto cannot come up with the money.

    So, Deeming is now looking around for someone else who might be made to pay Pesutto’s tab.

    What does the law say?

    The reason Pesutto has to pay is that in nearly all Australian courts, the standard order at the end of a lawsuit is that the loser has to pay the costs – for example, lawyers’ fees, court costs, and expert witness fees – of the winner.

    Usually the loser simply makes payment, unless they don’t have the financial means to do so, and the court proceedings are over.

    However, the court can make “third-party costs orders”. These are orders making someone other than the losing party responsible for paying the loser’s costs bill.

    Deeming’s solicitor has indicated, in a widely reported letter to Pesutto’s lawyers, that Deeming intends to seek payment of her costs from up to nine Liberal Party notables, including former premiers Ted Baillieu, Denis Napthine and Jeff Kennett, due to their alleged funding of Pesutto’s legal costs during the case.

    Though the court rules allow for a third party to pay costs, and courts have broad discretion to make almost any kind of costs order, the High Court has established certain circumstances that should be considered first.

    These circumstances include where a party to a lawsuit is insolvent or a “person of straw”, and where a third party has an interest in the subject of the litigation.

    Perhaps tellingly, the letter from Deeming’s solicitor reportedly states Pesutto was a person of straw and that the Liberal Party figures did have an interest in the proceedings. However, this would need to be accepted by a court for Deeming to be successful.

    How can people bankroll the court battles of others?

    Providing money to support another person bringing litigation was originally frowned on by the law. It was regarded as “champerty” and “maintenance”. Both were treated as criminal offences.

    The High Court of Australia has observed that law of maintenance and champerty can been traced to the Statute of Westminster the First of 1275. Some trace it back to Greek and Roman law.

    Maintenance was where a person “improperly, and for the purpose of stirring up litigation and strife, encourages others either to bring actions, or to make defences which they have no right to make”.

    But there were exceptions, such as where the maintainer acted from charitable motives or because the person maintained was family.

    Champerty was a type of maintenance where the funder received some reward, such as part of the outcome of the successful litigation. The vice was stirring up litigation, oppressing others and creating an incentive to tamper with evidence.

    Over time, however, Australian jurisdictions abolished the prohibition.

    Access to justice, including the ability to raise a defence, is often costly in Australia because of legal fees and the loser pays system. Many litigants need financial help to bring or defend litigation.

    Indeed, Australia now allows third-party litigation funding where a corporate entity funds the proceedings in return for a share of the recovery, as is commonly used in class actions and insolvency cases.

    While bankrolling of civil litigation is now business as usual, it is not entirely unregulated. The courts have power to prevent an “abuse of process”, typically through permanently halting proceedings.

    An abuse of process typically arises where the use of the court’s procedures unjustifiably negatively affects a party, or where it serves to bring the administration of justice into disrepute.

    If a funder repeatedly supported unmeritorious claims or defences, or misused court procedures, then the courts can step in, but this is a high bar.

    As a result, the main response to third parties financing litigation is to seek costs from them when the unsuccessful party cannot pay. Deeming will need to pursue this through the court.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. John Pesutto owes Moira Deeming $2.3m, but he doesn’t have it. Can former premiers be forced to pick up the tab? – https://theconversation.com/john-pesutto-owes-moira-deeming-2-3m-but-he-doesnt-have-it-can-former-premiers-be-forced-to-pick-up-the-tab-258059

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray, State Sen. Riccelli, MultiCare CEO & Local Providers Raise Alarm Over Republican Health Care Cuts in Eastern and Central WA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    NEW: 16 million could lose health insurance under GOP bill, CBO finds

    ***WATCH FULL PRESS CONFERENCE HERE; DOWNLOAD HERE***

    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, hosted a virtual press conference laying out how the budget reconciliation bill that Republicans passed through the House of Representatives on May 22nd  will be devastating for Washington state’s health care system and the 1.9 million people across Washington state who rely on Apple Health, as well as the more than 270,000 Washingtonians who access coverage through the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace, Washington Healthplanfinder. Joining Senator Murray for the press conference were Washington State Senator Marcus Riccelli (LD-3), MultiCare Inland Northwest and Yakima Senior Vice President Alex Jackson, Navigation and Engagement Supervisor at Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, Alex Cordova, and Julie Sparkman, a home care provider in Spokane and member of SEIU 775.  

    The Republican legislation would cut more than $1 trillion from America’s health care system and is the largest cut to Medicaid in history. Updated estimates released yesterday by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that Republicans’ legislation will kick 16 million people off their health insurance—between the drastic cuts to Medicaid and the sabotage of the Affordable Care Act and refusal to expand tax credits Democrats passed to lower health insurance premiums. Among other things, Republicans’ bill would institute work reporting requirements for Medicaid, which have been proven not to increase employment and just strip health care coverage from people who are already working or exempt—this would put more than 620,000 Washingtonians at risk of losing their health care coverage or having it delayed because of a wall of new paperwork. Republicans’ reconciliation bill also includes a provision to defund Planned Parenthood, threatening the closure of up to 200 health centers. Republicans are advancing the legislation through the budget reconciliation process, which only requires a simple majority to pass in both chambers of Congress.

    “I can’t emphasize this enough: the Republican bill is nothing short of a catastrophe for health care in America. And this legislation would be a massive hit to our state’s budget. One estimate from KFF found that Washington state would lose around $32 billion in federal Medicaid spending over the next 10 years. There is just no way our state would be able to make up that shortfall,” Senator Murray said on the press call today. “The Republican tax bill will strangle everyone who relies on Medicaid in red tape, creating more barriers to coverage through intentionally confusing and burdensome new work reporting requirements that could leave more than 620,000 Washingtonians without health coverage or delayed coverage. The vast majority of people on Medicaid are already working—this bill is just a scam by Republicans to make it so hard to qualify for Medicaid that people just give up. And again, this bill will mean higher costs and less access to health care for everyone—not just people on Medicaid or the ACA…My office has been flooded with calls and emails from people who are terrified about what the cuts in this bill would mean for them and their families.”

    “So, here’s my message to everyone today: this is not over. We can kill this bill. It won’t be easy, but we have to fight, and we have to try,” Senator Murray continued. “In 2017, Americans across the country spoke out, got loud, took to the streets, and the wave of public outcry we created ultimately killed Republicans’ first attempt at ACA repeal…Republicans in Congress are not immune to public pressure, and neither is this Administration. Your voice matters. Whatever you can do to speak up—please do it. And for my part, I will not be quiet. I will keep sounding the alarm every way I can, talking to my colleagues, and lifting up the stories of people who would be hurt by this bill.”

    The Joint Economic Committee estimated last month that at least 274,000 people in Washington state would lose their health insurance under the Republican plan. Communities in Central and Eastern Washington are among the most reliant on Medicaid and the two Congressional Districts in Washington state with the most people enrolled in Medicaid (known as Apple Health in Washington state) are WA-04 and WA-05. In Washington’s 4th District, 38 percent of the population (300,511 people) rely on Medicaid, including 70 percent of kids. In Washington’s 5th District, 30 percent of the population (237,567 people), including 56 percent of kids, rely on the program.

    “For people in Spokane and across Washington State, these proposed federal Medicaid cuts represent a real threat to basic health, access to care, and financial stability,” said Washington State Senator Marcus Riccelli (LD-3). “There is no doubt this legislation will force many of our rural hospitals and clinics to close and lead to increased wait times and reduced services in urban areas, like I represent. It’s clear many people in Spokane and Washington will face unneeded health risks and suffering…In Spokane County, over 35 percent of the population is covered by Medicaid. Pulling the rug from underneath thousands of people in my community and across our state, and across this country, will mean a loss of comprehensive services to people. This means reducing or eliminating access to primary care, behavioral health, and dental care. This means delaying care. This means floods of people ending up in the emergency room that did not have to be there…And let’s be clear, the more people that end up in our hospital systems, the more expensive it will be on our already overburdened system…Working families will face significant costs to treat chronic illness or a trip to emergency room, which is already overwhelming enough…Six in ten Washington adults already say they can’t pay an unexpected medical bill, and three in 10 Washington residents say they live in a household with medical debt already, even with insurance. Can you imagine if these cuts happen, if you’re even able to find care, now what you’d be faced with?”

    “From a patient’s perspective, the biggest concerns about the [One Big Beautiful Bill] Act are the numerous provisions that will make it harder for patients to get health insurance coverage and keep that coverage. Some of those barriers include: a shortened enrollment period; requirements to purchase insurance via the Health Benefits Exchange every year—right now, patients are automatically re-enrolled; requirements to verify individuals on Medicaid expansion every six months; requirements for those in the expansion population to verify work status, again, every six months,” said Alex Jackson, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive for MultiCare Inland Northwest and Yakima. “When people lose their coverage, their medical needs don’t go away. In fact, look at health insurance coverage—the lack of health insurance coverage can end up exacerbating those needs, as patients without insurance genuinely don’t receive the preventive care that they desperately need that keep patients and populations healthy. Patients may even ration food or skip medication altogether. All this adds up to patients who, when they do seek care, will require higher level care—which is also more expensive. In addition, they often enter the healthcare system through an emergency department…putting increased stress, not only on them, but on other patients in emergency department care as well. In accordance with our mission in MultiCare, we provide care for all who need it, any day, any hour of the day as well, irregardless of their ability to pay. When patients lose access to health insurance, health systems like MultiCare will have no choice but to care for those patients and absorb the increased costs associated with providing uncompensated care—creating a financially unintentional and unsustainable situation for health systems. Ultimately, we may have to cut services, causing entire communities to lose important access to care. For smaller hospitals and health systems, particularly those in rural areas that have already been mentioned today, they have may have no choice but to close their doors entirely, leaving those communities without access to even seeking our services like an emergency department. And not only that, it will also close, likely, the largest employer in that community as well.”

    “We provide 150,000 visits every year to the working poor in our communities. Last year, we provided over 90,000 visits to patients on Medicaid and Qualified Health Plan insurances. We estimate about one-third of our patients will lose their health coverage, not because they are not eligible, but because of the heavy administrative burdens, or because less of the subsidies will make their coverage unaffordable. Our community health center has been a navigator lead organization since 2014, the beginning of the Affordable Care Act. Our navigators cover 6,600 square miles, mostly rural, between Yakima and Kittitas County. We have completed over 200,000 Medicaid and health benefit exchange applications during that time, we have heard a lot of family stories about what makes health care accessible and affordable,” said Alex Cordova, Navigation and Engagement Supervisor at Yakima Neighborhood Health Services. “Most of our help has gone to helping people apply for Medicaid, and if they make just too much money for Medicaid, then we have looked at their options through the exchange products. Most of the people we have are working, disabled, or have children at home they are caring for. We are really worried about [what] the proposed changes will do for our families, and so are they. Recently, we had a family of five, parent working as a construction worker. Their children did qualify for Apple Health. Unfortunately, the parents did not—they were a little bit over income by like $150. Then we did have them explore the insurances through the exchange, but they were grateful for the help, but they were just worried that losing subsidies will make it harder for them to have insurance in the future. We also see…a lot of clients with Medicaid coming in, and they are quite fearful for the future. They ask, what’s going on, what’s going to happen to my coverage? How is that going to affect my family? So, just right now, open enrollment is from November 1st to January 15th, but the exchanges are going to shorten the open enrollment period by a month. And right now, also losing tax credits is going to make it harder for families to get insurance through the exchange. So, we’re supposed to be moving forward, not backwards.”

    “Almost exactly two years ago, my grandson Magnus was in a horrific car accident just outside Liberty Lake. He was only four months old. One moment he was smiling and babbling, and the next, he was being rushed by ambulance to Sacred Heart, fighting for his life. By the time my daughter and I arrived at the hospital, Magnus was already in the Pediatric ICU. He had suffered internal injuries, three skull fractures, and multiple brain bleeds. The doctors told us the chances of survival were almost none, to prepare for end-of-life care. Those were the worst three days of my life. I lived them five minutes at a time. I didn’t want to step away—not to eat, not even to go to the bathroom—because I was terrified, he wouldn’t be there when I got back. But Magnus made it. He spent a month in the PICU. And what saved him wasn’t luck. It was the infrastructure. It was the ambulance, the ICU, the trained doctors and nurses, the machines keeping him alive—and every bit of it supported by Medicaid,” Julie Sparkman, Spokane home care provider and member of SEIU 775. “This is what’s at stake. When people talk about cutting Medicaid, especially in rural areas, they’re talking about shutting down hospitals, losing emergency care, and removing access to life-saving treatment. Magnus didn’t have time to be transferred. If the nearest hospital had been hours away—he wouldn’t be here today…I support our family with my work as a home care provider. But here’s the truth: healthcare workers are going to leave the field. Caregivers like me are preparing to leaving this work. Not because we want to, but because we have bills, too. Rent, groceries, gas—it all keeps going up, but Medicaid funding has to be there for that program to remain. When Medicaid is cut by hundreds of billions of dollars, caregivers lose hours, wages get cut, and benefits disappear. Many of us simply won’t be able to stay in this work, even though we love it—because love doesn’t pay the electric bill. And when we leave, it’s not just a workforce problem. It’s a care crisis. Clients go without support, families burn out, and rural communities are left behind. None of this is theoretical. Accidents happen. Illness happens. Aging happens.  Emergencies don’t care where you live, or how far the nearest hospital is. And you don’t come out of an ICU by accident—it takes skilled people, working systems, and resources. We built this safety net for a reason—so people in crisis have somewhere to go, and someone to help them. We cannot abandon it now. We need to fight to protect Medicaid, protect our hospitals, and protect rural healthcare. Because no one should lose the person they love just because the care they needed was too far away or already gone.”

    Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered at today’s press conference, are below and video is HERE:

    “Thank you all for joining this call today.

    “We are here because right now in Congress, Republicans are ramming through a mega-bill that would gut health care access across the country—all so they can pay for tax handouts for billionaires.

    “This big, betrayal of a bill, which they are trying to get to President Trump’s desk before July 4th, would be a 1 trillion dollar hit to our health care system and the largest cut to Medicaid in history. Nearly 11 million people in America would lose their health care coverage, that’s nearly 8 million people getting kicked off Medicaid and another 3 million who would lose their Affordable Care Act Marketplace coverage.

    “Not only that, but Republicans are refusing to extend critical tax credits that lower people’s health insurance premiums—which will make another 4.2 million people lose coverage. And that will raise costs for everyone. People getting kicked off their health care, hospitals and nursing homes in our rural areas will shut down, small businesses no longer being able to afford to provide health care for their employees, and skyrocketing premiums for working and middle-class families.

    “I can’t emphasize this enough: the Republican bill is nothing short of a catastrophe for health care in America. And this legislation would be a massive hit to our state’s budget—one estimate from KFF found that Washington state would lose around $32 billion in federal Medicaid spending over the next 10 years. There is just no way our state would be able to make up that shortfall.  

    “The Republicans tax bill will strangle everyone who relies on Medicaid in red tape, creating more barriers to coverage through intentionally confusing and burdensome new work reporting requirements that could leave more than 620,000 Washingtonians without health care coverage or delayed coverage. The vast majority of people on Medicaid are already working—this bill is just a scam by Republicans to make it so hard to qualify for Medicaid that people just give up.

    “And again, this bill will mean higher costs, less access to health care for everyone—not just people on Medicaid or the ACA. And you know, that is especially true in our rural communities, which stand to be the hardest hit by this legislation. One analysis found that 700 rural hospitals across the country would be forced to close under this bill. You’ll hear more from Alex Jackson with MultiCare about how this bill would affect hospitals in Central and Eastern Washington.

    “Now my office has been flooded with calls and emails from people who are terrified about what the cuts in this bill would mean for them and their patients. An endocrinologist in Wenatchee wrote to tell me about how, after the ACA became law, they saw many new patients who had insurance for the first time in their adult life. These patients had been paying for expensive over-the-counter insulin, but under the ACA they were finally able to get better treatment with newer insulins and more advanced technology. They wrote: ‘If Medicaid cuts take away coverage for these patients, it will be like going back to the dark ages in terms of treatment.’

    “A doctor in Yakima wrote to tell me about one of their patients, an 82-year-old woman who has chronic pain and heart issues. Her Medicaid coverage pays for a caregiver, and it allows her to live at home relatively independently. Without Medicaid, all of that would fall away.

    “A doctor in Spokane wrote to tell me how many of their patients are already suffering extreme financial hardship. Many of them can barely scrape enough money together for their appointments, and that is with the current levels of Medicaid support. And they wrote: ‘these patients are our neighbors and community members—not criminal freeloaders as some people seem to believe.’

    “Another person from Spokane explained how cutting Medicaid—meaning more care goes uncompensated—will exacerbate the existing shortage of mental health care in Spokane County.

    “Now, Trump and his cabinet full of billionaires clearly don’t get it. But I have to say, for the life of me, I do not understand how some of the same Republicans who represent districts most reliant on Medicaid, ever looked at this bill, looked at what it would do to the people they serve, and said, ‘count me in!’

    “So, here’s my message to everyone today: this is not over. We can kill this bill. It won’t be easy, but we have to fight, and we have to try.

    “This bill is in the Senate now, and Republican senators are going to change it—which means if they can pass it, it will have to go back to the House again. In 2017, Americans across the country spoke out, they got loud, they took to the streets, and the wave of public outcry we created ultimately killed Republicans’ first attempt at ACA repeal. So, blocking this Health Care Heist is not out of reach.

    “Republicans in Congress are not immune to public pressure, and neither is this Administration. Your voice matters. Whatever you can do to speak up—please do it. For my part, I will not be quiet. I will keep sounding the alarm every way I can, talking to my colleagues, and lifting up the stories of people who would be hurt by this bill.

    “We have a big task in front of us, but we have stopped Republican health care repeal before, we can do it again.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: South Africa unveils plan to tackle climate change in coastal areas

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

    A man works at the Extrupet plastic recycling center in Wadeville, near Johannesburg, South Africa, on June 5, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    To mark World Environment Day, South Africa on Thursday unveiled its inaugural Coastal Climate Change Adaptation Response Plan, a strategic initiative to enhance resilience in coastal areas facing climate threats.

    Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Dion George said the initiative aligns with South Africa’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and supports the country’s ocean economy goals while safeguarding critical sectors like tourism and fisheries.

    “This plan provides a strategic framework to guide national, provincial, and local government efforts in building coastal resilience. It emphasizes the importance of protecting coastal communities, infrastructure, and natural systems through proactive planning, risk-informed development, and collaborative governance,” said George.

    The minister called on all sectors, government, business, civil society, and individuals, to join hands in implementing the plan.

    “By aligning climate adaptation with economic development, South Africa can build a thriving, inclusive, and climate-resilient blue economy that benefits both people and the planet,” he said.

    South Africa’s coastline is facing growing climate challenges that threaten coastal communities, key economic sectors, critical infrastructure, and ecosystems.

    Scientific projections indicate worsening impacts such as accelerated sea-level rise, intensifying coastal erosion, and more frequent severe storms that trigger destructive flooding and forced displacement of vulnerable residents. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s 1,000-kW-class civil turboshaft engine obtains production license

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

    This photo taken on June 5, 2025 shows an AES100 engine displayed at the review meeting on the engine’s development work in Zhuzhou City, central China’s Hunan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    A civil turboshaft engine, primarily designed for helicopters, has obtained its production license and secured a sales contract, laying a solid foundation for the growth of low-altitude equipment, Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) announced on Thursday.

    The AES100 engine represents China’s first independently developed 1,000-kW-class advanced civil turboshaft engine, achieving full compliance with international airworthiness standards.

    The granting of this production license signifies China’s capability to independently develop and manufacture advanced civil turboshaft engines, said Li Gaiqi, chief designer of the AES100 engine.

    He noted that this achievement is of great importance to the AES100 engine in serving the low-altitude economy and supporting the general aviation industry.

    The engine can maintain stable operations in complex conditions, including icy, heavy rain and strong electromagnetic environments. It has a high safety level, excellent cost-effectiveness and broad environmental adaptability, with outstanding performances in key indicators such as energy efficiency and service life, reaching internationally advanced levels, according to the AECC.

    It can be used in 5-to-6-tonne twin-engine helicopters and 3-to-4-tonne single-engine helicopters, as well as tiltrotor aircraft and other aerial vehicles, and can undertake missions in such areas as transport, sightseeing, patrols and rescue operations.

    The engine production license is a document issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China to authorize manufacturers to produce civil aviation engines in accordance with approved designs, quality assurance systems and technical management systems. It is a critical qualification in the aircraft manufacturing sector. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Schrier’s Legislation to Improve Hydropower Relicensing Transparency, Support Clean Energy Production Passes Energy Subcommittee

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier’s M.D. (WA-08) bipartisan bill, the Hydropower Relicensing Transparency Act (H.R. 3657), passed through the Energy Subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. This bill will support clean, reliable, and affordable energy for Washington state ratepayers by enhancing efficiency and transparency for all parties involved in the hydropower dam relicensing process. Hydropower dams must relicense their dams with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in order to continue operating a facility every 30 to 50 years.  Congresswoman Schrier introduced this bill alongside Congressman Russ Fulcher (ID-01).

    “Over half of the energy produced in Washington State comes from hydropower, making it an essential part of our state’s economy, future, and clean energy goals,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “Chip manufacturing and data center expansion are driving energy demand through the roof, and it’s critical that we meet the moment. By providing transparency on the hydropower dam relicensing process, we can better inform all parties and streamline the process. I’m thrilled to work with both parties on this to bring this closer to the President’s desk.”

    “Hydropower is an essential and dependable baseload energy source for the Northwest,” said Congressman Fulcher. “I am proud to support the Hydropower Relicensing Transparency Act, H.R. 3657, with my colleague Representative Kim Schrier of Washington. This legislation requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to report annually—rather than every three years—on its progress in getting crucial hydropower facilities relicensed. FERC has not demonstrated its ability to license and relicense facilities in a timely manner to meet the growing demands of the region and support this clean energy. More congressional oversight is needed to increase transparency, address bottlenecks, and help ensure applicants can move through FERC’s process more efficiently.”

    According to a DOE report, FERC relicensing activity is set to more than double in the coming decade. On average, relicensing a hydropower facility takes between seven to ten years to complete. This legislation will help maintain resource adequacy in the Pacific Northwest by requiring the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to provide an annual report to Congress on the status of the relicensing process for each application for a renewed hydropower dam license. The bill now moves to the Full Committee of Energy and Commerce for consideration. 

    “The Hydropower Relicensing Transparency Act is a commonsense, bipartisan step toward greater accountability and public trust in how our rivers are managed,” said Thomas O’Keefe, PhD, Director of Policy and Science, American Whitewater. “By requiring the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to provide annual updates on the status of pending hydropower relicensing proceedings, this bill empowers communities, Tribes, resource agencies, and stakeholders with the information they need to ensure that these critical decisions reflect today’s environmental values, energy priorities, and public interests.” 

    “I thank Rep. Schrier and the Energy Subcommittee of E&C for advancing this important legislation for the hydropower industry. At a time of rising energy demand, we need to protect as much clean energy as we can,” said Malcolm Woolf, President and CEO of the National Hydropower Association. “Hydropower can help ensure Americans’ electricity is reliable and affordable for decades to come, but it’s hampered by a prohibitively long, costly, and disorganized relicensing process that could ultimately take many GW of energy off the grid. This bill is a good first step to ensuring a more transparent regulatory process, and we urge the full House to pass it swiftly.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia is in the firing line of Trump’s looming ‘revenge tax’. It’s a fight we’re unlikely to win

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Graeme Cooper, Professor of Taxation Law, University of Sydney

    Alexey_Arz/Shutterstock

    The Australian Labor Party just won an election victory for the ages. Now, it may be forced to walk back one of the key achievements of its first term.

    Here’s why: United States President Donald Trump is about to declare an income tax war on much of the world – and we Australians are not on the same side.

    Over in the US, the “One Big Beautiful Bill act” – a tax and spending package worth trillions of dollars – has been passed by the House of Representatives. It’s now before the Senate for consideration.

    Within it lies a new and highly controversial provision: Section 899. This increases various US tax rates payable by taxpayers from any country the US claims is maintaining an “unfair foreign tax” by five percentage points each year, up to an additional 20% loading.

    Having been an integral part of an international effort to create a global 15% minimum tax, Australia now finds itself in the firing line of Trump’s “revenge tax” warfare – and it’s a fight we’re unlikely to win.

    A global minimum tax rate

    The origins of the looming income tax war started in 2013, when the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released its plan to stamp out “base erosion and profit shifting”.

    This refers to a range of strategies often used by multinational companies to minimise the tax they pay, exploiting differences and gaps in the tax rules of different countries.

    The OECD’s first attempt to tackle the problem was a collection of disparate measures directed not only at corporate tax avoidance, but also controlling tax poaching by national governments and “sweetheart deals” negotiated by tax officials.

    Under both Labor and the Coalition, Australia was initially an enthusiastic backer of these attempts.

    However, the project was not a widespread success. Many countries endorsed the final reports but, unlike Australia, few countries acted on them.

    After the failure of this first project, the OECD tried again in 2019. This evolved to encompass two “pillars” to change the global tax rules.

    Pillar one would give more tax to countries where a company’s customers are located. Pillar two is a minimum tax of 15% on (a version of) the accounting profits of the largest multinationals earned in each country where the multinational operates.

    Labor picked up this project for the 2022 election, promising to support both pillars – and they honoured that promise.

    US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on May 22.
    The Washington Post/Getty

    Mixed success

    Around the world, the two pillar project had mixed success. Pillar one was dead-on-arrival: most countries did nothing. But Australia and several other countries, mostly in Europe, implemented pillar two – the global minimum tax.

    The OECD has always maintained the base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project was a coalition of the willing, meant to rebalance the way income tax is allocated between producer and consumer countries, and rid the world of tax havens.

    In the US, Republicans did not share that view. For them, BEPS was simply another attempt by foreign countries to get more tax from US companies.

    This Republican dissatisfaction with the OECD is now on full display. On the first day of his second term, Trump issued an executive order, formally repudiating any OECD commitments the Biden administration might have given.

    He also directed his officials to report on options for retaliatory measures the US could take against any foreign countries with income tax rules that are “extraterritorial” or “disproportionately affect American companies”.

    Why Australia is so exposed

    Australia could find itself in the firing line of Trump’s tax warfare on many fronts. And the US doesn’t lack firepower. Section 899 adds to a number of retaliatory tax provisions the US already had at its disposal.

    The increased tax rates would affect Australian super funds and other investors earning dividends, rent, interest, royalties and other income from US companies.
    Australian super funds in particular are heavily invested in US markets, which have outperformed local stocks in recent years.

    It would also affect Australian managed funds owning land and infrastructure assets in the US, as well as Australian entities such as banks that carry on business in the US.

    And there are other measures that would expose US subsidiaries of Australian companies to US higher tax.

    The bill would even remove the doctrine of sovereign immunity for the governments of “offending” countries. Sovereign immunity refers to a tax exemption on returns that usually applies to governments. This means the Australian government itself could have to pay tax to the US.

    There are concerns on Wall Street this will dampen demand for US government bonds from foreign governments, which are big buyers of US Treasuries. The argument may sway some in the Senate – but how many remains to be seen.

    What Australia may need to do next

    We may be incredulous that anyone would consider our tax system combative, but enacting the OECD pillar two was always known to be risky.

    There are other, homegrown Australian tax measures that have drawn American ire.

    In 2015, Australia enacted an income tax measure (commonly called the “Google tax”) specifically directed at US tech companies. In 2017, we followed this up with a diverted profits tax. Trump’s bill specifically targets both measures.

    Tying ourselves to the OECD’s global minimum tax project might have seemed like a good idea in 2019. In 2025, it looks decidedly unappealing, and not just because of Trump.

    First, there is not actually any serious revenue in pillar two for Australia. Treasury’s revenue estimate totalled only $360 million after four years, just slightly more than a rounding error in the federal budget.

    Second, we are increasingly alone and vulnerable in this battle. It might feel emotionally satisfying to stand up to the US. If there was a sizeable coalition alongside us, there might be some point.

    If Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill act does pass through the US Senate, the Australian government and business will be left exposed to much higher costs.

    Since abandoning the US market is not really an option, it might be time to surrender quietly and gracefully – by reversing, at the very least, the contentious bits of pillar two.

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

    – ref. Australia is in the firing line of Trump’s looming ‘revenge tax’. It’s a fight we’re unlikely to win – https://theconversation.com/australia-is-in-the-firing-line-of-trumps-looming-revenge-tax-its-a-fight-were-unlikely-to-win-257961

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Policy Briefing on the Property Insurance Crisis Hosted by Congresswoman Frederica Wilson

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Frederica S Wilson (24th District of Florida)

    Today, June 5th, 2025, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24) hosted a policy briefing on the Property Insurance Crisis in Florida and across the nation. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson brought policy experts to discuss the rising costs of property insurance, its coverage, and the challenges consumers face when dealing with property insurance.

    “Everywhere I go in Florida, doesn’t matter what parts folks are from, people are concerned about our property insurance crisis. And with hurricane season just starting, causing a rush through the hearts of South Florida Families, the fear of the rising costs of homeowner’s insurance is real and tangible for folks,” Congresswoman Frederica Wilson said. “That’s why I introduced the Homeowners’ Defense Act and convened a policy briefing, because we need real solutions to this crisis. Property insurance has become too expensive, with limited options and many insurers refusing coverage. It’s time we tackle this issue head-on.”

    According to Insurify, Florida’s projected cost of property insurance averages about $11,000 a year.

    As part of the 119th Congress, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson introduced the Homeowners’ Defense Act.  The Act seeks to bolster state efforts in managing natural disaster risks, support insurance market stability, and encourage mitigation and preventive measures to reduce future losses.

    Joining Congresswoman Frederica Wilson in this briefing were Congressman Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-2), Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-5), and Congressman Jonathan Jackson (IL-1).

    “Florida’s property insurance crisis is pushing families to make impossible choices. I’ve heard from Central Floridians that they are forgoing coverage altogether because they can’t afford both healthcare and property insurance. It’s a shame that the property insurance crisis has put folks in this position,” said Congressman Maxwell Frost (FL-10). “And it’s leading to a dangerous situation as climate change creates even more devastating hurricane seasons. We need urgent, collective action from policymakers and industry leaders before this makes worse the ongoing housing crisis.”

    “The escalating cost of homeowners insurance is not just a coastal issue; it’s hitting families hard right here in Chicago and the First District. We’ve seen premiums jump by as much as 50% in Illinois in just a few short years. Many of my constituents, particularly those in historic neighborhoods with older homes, are facing a double whammy: skyrocketing rates and, in some cases, the inability to find coverage at all,” Congressman Jonathan Jackson said (IL-1). “We need to explore all avenues – from federal support for mitigation and reinsurance, like ideas in H.R. 827, to robust state oversight – to ensure that insurance remains accessible and affordable, and that homeowners are treated fairly.”

    “I was proud to join my friend Congresswoman Frederica Wilson today to confront one of the most pressing challenges facing homeowners across the country – skyrocketing property insurance costs. This is hitting working families in every corner of America, especially Louisiana, and it’s squeezing them out of homeownership. The briefing made one thing clear: as natural disasters become more prevalent, property and casualty insurance rates will continue to rise and impact more communities. We have more storms in more places that have historically never had this before. There will continue to be a strain on communities as people will be dropped from insurance coverage after sustaining damages. This is unacceptable. Property insurance should be fair, accessible, and affordable for everyone,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02).

    Congresswoman Nikema Williams said (GA-5), “Climate change’s impact on the insurance market is something I’ve experienced firsthand. After a hailstorm damaged my roof and those of my neighbors, I filed a claim—only to be labeled high-risk and dropped by my insurer. This is part of a growing trend of insurance companies pulling out of markets they consider too risky due to climate change. For families already struggling to get by, losing home insurance could mean losing the chance to build equity and generational wealth. If we leave this issue unaddressed—or worse, pretend it doesn’t exist—we put all homeowners at serious risk.”

    The panel included Doug Heller from the Consumer Federation of America, Robert Gordon from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, and Baird Webel and Diane Horn from the Congressional Research Service. Alice Hill, the David M. Rubenstein senior fellow for energy and the environment at the Council on Foreign Relation, moderated the event.

    Vice Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Commission, Kionne McGhee, said “The crushing weight of mortgages, taxes, and insurance is already wiping out generational wealth. And with the high cost of property insurance, folks are struggling to even protect their families. Some insurance companies can raise rates and still stay within the law–decisions made behind closed doors with no regard for the people affected. For families with no savings, higher payments don’t mean just cutting back—it means choosing between skipping meals just to keep their homes. We need to address this property insurance crisis head-on for the sake of the families of Miami-Dade County and across the nation.”

    Douglas Heller, Director of Insurance at the Consumer Federation of America said, “Over the past several years, Americans have experienced an unprecedented increase in the cost of homeowners insurance and an equally unprecedented decrease in its availability. This is not only causing acute financial pain for millions of families, it is making homeownership less sustainable and less attainable. In order to address this crisis, as climate change increases risk across the country, we need to invest in loss mitigation and resilience, and we also need to demand better oversight and more scrutiny of the insurance companies that we rely on to protect our homes.”

    Robert Gordon, APCIA’s senior vice president of policy, research, and international  said, “APCIA commends Rep. Frederica Wilson, Rep. Maxwell Frost, Rep. Nikema Williams, Rep. Darren Soto, and Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Vice Chair Kionne McGhee for their interest in addressing factors impacting the cost of living, including housing and homeowners insurance.  The growing demographic shifts and property values to high-climate-risk areas, inflation in the cost to repair and replace property, climate change, legal system abuse, delayed regulatory approval of rate filings, and mandated coverages have collectively resulted in escalating insurance losses.  Insurance is a passthrough of those costs. While homeowners insurance is a relatively small percent of the overall cost of homeownership, APCIA is committed to working with housing groups and regulators on long-term solutions to improve the availability and affordability of insurance. APCIA is also committed to working with members of Congress on commonsense mitigation and resiliency solutions that will better protect consumers and slow the rate of increase in property losses.” 

    The Congressional Research Service has published multiple reports on the Property Insurance Crisis, including “Homeowners Insurance and California Wildfires,” “Natural Disasters and the Homeowners Insurance Market,” and ‘“Hearing on “The Factors Influencing the High Cost of Insurance for Consumers”’

    For photos and B-Roll of the event, click here.

    For the livestream of the event, click here.

    This event was held in Rayburn House Office Building; Room 2075.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: MediCoin Launches Worldwide — A New Era for On-Chain Medical Claims

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The moment the crypto and healthcare communities have been waiting for is here! MediCoin officially launches worldwide, ushering in a new era of blockchain-powered access to legal claims tied to medical expenses. $MEDI is now live at $0.10. The future of healthcare and legal claims starts now.

    What Is MediCoin?
    MediCoin is a utility token built on the Base blockchain that empowers users to purchase and invest in legal claims involving healthcare costs where another party is legally responsible.
    These include (among others):
    Personal injury claims
    Medical malpractice cases
    Defective medical device cases
    Pharmaceutical cases

    All claims are carefully vetted and tokenized on the MediCoin platform, providing buyers with exclusive access to high-potential legal assets that have traditionally been available only to law firms or institutional investors. The platform operates exclusively with the MediCoin token ($MEDI).

    Why MediCoin Matters
    Legal claims related to medical expenses often result in substantial settlements. By bridging cryptocurrency with real-world legal finance, MediCoin brings much-needed transparency, accessibility, and investment opportunities to an outdated system — while simultaneously helping claimants secure funds more efficiently.

    How to Buy MediCoin
    MediCoin is now live globally at a public token price of $0.10. Here’s how to get started:
    Set up MetaMask and switch to the Base Network
    Fund your wallet with ETH (Coinbase withdrawal recommended)
    Visit MediCoin.com and connect your wallet
    Purchase $MEDI tokens at MediCoin.com/Buy and join the movement
    For support and FAQs, visit MediCoin.com/FAQ.

    “We’re excited to build the future of healthcare on-chain,” said the MediCoin Team. “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter where blockchain technology unlocks access to legal claims tied to medical expenses and creates investment opportunities for the global crypto community.”

    Join MediCoin today and be part of the revolution transforming healthcare and legal claims recovery.

     Follow MediCoin
    Stay up to date and join the conversation:
    X (Twitter): @MediCoinX
    Instagram: @MediCoinX
    Website: www.MediCoin.com

    For more info: Support@MediCoin.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz: Trump Tax Plan Would Raise Costs, Cut Health Care For Millions To Benefit Ultra-Wealthy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

    WASHINGTON — In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) warned that the Republican tax bill would raise costs for working families and cut critical programs like Medicaid and food assistance in order to pay for tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans.

    “No one asked for this. No one asked for the biggest wealth transfer in American history — from the poorest people in the country to the richest people to ever exist. No one asked for the biggest ever cuts to Medicaid — to kick 14 million people off of health insurance and raise out-of-pocket costs for 20 million people. No one asked for food assistance to be slashed for millions of children and low-income families. No one asked for higher prices at the pump or on their electricity bills. No one asked for students across the country to lose federal financial aid,” Senator Schatz began. “I don’t think Trump voters asked for this. I know Harris voters didn’t. I don’t think anybody wants this.”

    “It is quite hard to believe that you would cut food assistance and cut health care and cut help for regular working people in order to shovel money to people making more than $4 million a year. But that is exactly what they’re doing. It is as if they designed this bill in a lab to make the maximum number of people angry. It’s unpopular. It is unnecessary. And they’re doing it anyway,” Senator Schatz continued. “Do [billionaires] need $300,000? Because I know people who need $300. I know people who actually won’t be able to stay on any health care at all if these [Obamacare] subsidies go away.”

    The full text of Senator Schatz’s remarks is below. Video is available here.

    No one asked for this. No one asked for the biggest wealth transfer in American history — from the poorest people in the country to the richest people to ever exist. No one asked for the biggest ever cuts to Medicaid — to kick 14 million people off of health insurance and raise out-of-pocket costs for 20 million people. No one asked for food assistance to be slashed for millions of children and low-income families. No one asked for higher prices at the pump or on their electricity bills. No one asked for students across the country to lose federal financial aid. No one asked for any of this, and I really mean that. That’s not just a rhetorical flourish. I don’t think Trump voters asked for this. I know Harris voters did not ask for this. I don’t think anybody really wants this.

    I think the reason that all of these crazy, harmful policies are about to be enacted is for one simple reason — and that is to generate enough revenue to satisfy the insatiable desire for tax cuts for people who make more than $4 million a year. They are literally taking money out of food assistance and Medicaid and Affordable Care Act monthly subsidies. By the way, you don’t know if you get a subsidy or not. You just go on the exchange, and you pay the thing. The thing is, that thing is probably four, five, six hundred dollars a month less than it used to be because of the subsidies.

    So it’s one thing to say 14 million people are going to get kicked off of Medicaid — and they will. It’s another thing to say, because of those Medicaid cuts, a bunch of clinics and hospitals in rural communities are going to shut down — and they will. I think what’s a little underrated is many, many more millions of people are going to pay not 50 bucks more a year, not $100 more per month, but many hundreds of dollars more per month. Why? Because when you yank that money out of the system — it is what is called a pay-for. It means it generates a ton of revenue. How does it generate that revenue? By screwing regular people.

    They are racing to pass a bill that does all of these things, that raises the deficit — excuse me, the debt — by many, many trillions of dollars. And I think the problem that some of us have — and I really appreciate the presiding officer, and when we agree we work really well together, and when we disagree we are at least able to stay civil, and so I’m trying to take the edge off of this — but one of the reasons that it sounds like I’m frothing at the mouth and saying a bunch of partisan talking points is that it’s kind of hard to believe that any political party would actually do this on purpose.

    It is quite hard to believe that you would cut food assistance and cut health care and cut help for regular working people in order to shovel money to people making more than $4 million a year. But that is exactly what they’re doing. It is as if they designed this bill in a lab to make the maximum number of people angry. It’s unpopular. It is unnecessary. And they’re doing it anyway.

    Hospitals serving rural and low-income communities will be forced to shutter because they won’t be adequately compensated for their services. And by the way — again, not a talking point — go and visit any rural clinic or hospital, ask them what percentage of their payer mix comes from Medicaid and what would happen if they lost a big chunk of that. A lot of them say — the big ones (big is relative, but in the state of Hawai‘i our big institutions say), “Well, we could stay afloat. We’d just have to deliver a lot less care, and then everybody would end up in the ER.” Right? The Queen’s Medical Center — the sort of number one trauma center right in the middle of Honolulu — is already bursting at the seams. You’ve got multiple people in the hallways, all of the rooms, all of the beds are taken. It was just a couple of months ago that they finally figured out a way not to release the psychiatric emergencies right onto Punchbowl Avenue in their hospital gowns. That’s before they do this to the hospitals.

    After the ACA passed, you go on the exchange, select a plan, and pay a fraction of what you used to pay. And I think one of the things is that the Obamacare is now so old that people forgot how horrible it was before then — really horrible. And so now you just go on and you’re kind of irritated because it’s still money, and it still feels like too much, and it still feels like your HMO or your provider, you know, kind of nitpicks you and, you know, doesn’t cover a bunch of care, and the co-pays are too high. But it is way, way, way better than it used to be. And so this whole enterprise is for one single purpose — and that is to generate enough money to cut taxes for billionaire corporations and people who make $4 million or more in revenue. It’s very, very few people benefiting and tens of millions of people being screwed.

    There’s little in this bill that will help regular people who are already struggling to meet their monthly obligations, but there are plenty of rewards for the ultra-wealthy. Millionaires stand to gain roughly $70,000 in tax cuts, while billionaires in the top 1% will see close to $300,000 in benefits. And how do they find that money to shovel to the millionaires and billionaires?

    I don’t mind a millionaire or a billionaire. I know like two billionaires — not close, but I’ve like met them — and I’m sure I know many millionaires. There are a number of colleagues in the Senate who are in that category, so it’s not like I’m not trying to demonize anybody. I’m just saying — do they need $300,000? Because I know people who need $300. I know people who actually won’t be able to stay on any health care at all if these subsidies go away.

    This is not the closing of loopholes. This is not fiscal discipline. And I want to make this point as clearly as I can: we would be in a harder position to argue against this bill if it were actually deficit neutral, right? Because traditionally the accusation against Democrats is — they want to bust the budget, and Republicans want to be responsible. But this one’s weird, because this is like — under the guise of “we’ve got to do austerity, we’ve got to do tough stuff, we’ve got to cut” — and then they come up with a bill that actually increases the deficit over baseline. Even when they do their kind of nonsensical accounting where they basically have stopped counting the tax cuts that are in place because that — “Oh no, that’s the baseline.”

    And so the whole enterprise — and everybody needs to understand this — they are making everything more expensive. That is food, that is medicine, that is groceries, that is gasoline, that is electricity. And the reason they’re making it more expensive is because they are either indifferent to the suffering, or — more importantly — they just need the money. And they don’t need the money to — you know, we’ve raised taxes in the past as a country to fight a war, right? To beat Nazism. Or we’ve raised taxes in the past to shrink the deficit. Or we’ve raised taxes and raised costs for people to invest in something important. That’s not what we’re doing here.

    We are blowing up the budget, and we are harming regular people in order to provide tax cuts for people who literally didn’t ask for it.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Wrong signal, wrong time: Minister Schulz

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: More Sons of Freedom Doukhobors receive support to heal

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    More people belonging to the Sons of Freedom Doukhobor community are receiving financial health and well-being support, as part of the B.C. government’s apology for historical wrongs committed against them.

    In August 2024, the Province, in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross, distributed funds to living survivors who were forcibly apprehended and kept in New Denver as children. Now, the remaining health and well-being funds will be shared among:

    • living survivors who were not school-aged when they were forcibly taken, and
    • deceased survivors’ descendants, including spouses or common-law partners and legally adopted children.

    Descendants of survivors who are still alive or who have already received the health and well-being fund are not eligible to receive additional support.

    This work is part of the Province’s ongoing efforts to honour the legacy of the New Denver survivors and to acknowledge the hardships they experienced at the hands of government.

    People who believe they may be eligible to receive support but have not been contacted can email the Ministry of Attorney General: sofd@gov.bc.ca.

    The deadline to contact the ministry is January 2026.

    In 1899, the Doukhobors fled persecution in Russia, seeking refuge in Canada. Many settled in the Kootenay Boundary region in B.C. During the first half of the 20th century, the Province targeted the Sons of Freedom, a group within the Doukhobor community, with fines and seizure of property for acts of civil disobedience, such as missing school and protesting naked.

    In addition, hundreds of children from the Sons of Freedom were forcibly removed from their families and placed in institutions in New Denver between 1953 and 1959. There, many of the children were subjected to physical, emotional and sexual abuse that left deep, generation-spanning scars on them, their families, loved ones and the broader community.

    The Province issued a formal apology for these historical wrongs in February 2024.

    Learn More:

    For guidelines on determining eligibility and how to access the funds, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Backgrounder%20-%20SoF%20Health_Wellbeing%20Funds%20Phase%202.pdf

    To learn more about government’s apology, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/30239

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Coons raises concerns over Trump’s Sixth Circuit nominee’s qualifications and experience

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) earned praise yesterday for his questioning of Whitney Hermandorfer, President Donald Trump’s nominee for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, regarding her lack of professional experience as part of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. 

    Trump nominated Hermandorfer to fill the vacancy left by Judge Jane Stranch’s decision to take senior status. Senator Coons questioned Hermandorfer’s readiness to fill the seat, as Hermandorfer has only 10 years of legal work experience and has never tried a case to a jury verdict, performed direct or cross examinations in federal court, taken or defended depositions, or delivered oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    Senator Coons pointed out that the judge Hermandorfer has been nominated to replace had over three decades of legal experience before President Barack Obama nominated her to the Sixth Circuit. He also noted that the non-partisan American Bar Association, which has historically been seen as objective vetter by presidents of both parties, would likely rate Hermandorfer as ‘unqualified’ because of her lack of experience.

    From USA TODAY: Trump nominees for judgeships face scrutiny of youth, lack of experience

    “I am concerned about the striking brevity of your professional record,” Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware, told Hermandorfer. He said she only graduated from law school 10 years, [sic] ago, but the judge she is being recommended to replace had 31 years on the bench before her nomination.

    Coons pointed to a longtime standard from the American Bar Association that says federal judicial appointees should have at least 12 years of experience. While the association has long been involved in vetting judicial appointments, Attorney General Pam Bondi has said the association, which many conservatives criticize as too liberal, won’t be involved.

    From POLITICO: Confirmation process begins for Trump’s first judicial nominees

    …Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware suggested the nominee lacked the experience typically seen in lawyers proposed for federal appellate judgeships.

    “I am concerned about the striking brevity of your professional record,” said Coons. “You graduated from law school just a decade ago,” said Coons.

    Under further examination by Coons, Hermandorfer acknowledged she has never been lead counsel in a federal jury trial, questioned a witness on the stand or conducted a deposition.

    A video of Senator Coons’ full questioning and transcript of his comments are available below.

    WATCH HERE

    CAC: Thank you very much. Ms. Hermandorfer, thank you for your service and the Tennessee Attorney General’s office, and congratulations to you and your family for your nomination. As you may know, I am not a reflexive ‘no’ vote on nominees of a president of the other party. I supported President Trump’s judicial nominees in his first term when they had the qualifications and experience for the job and the character and the independence to carry out the role of a judge, particularly circuit judge, with integrity. I am concerned about the striking brevity of your professional record. You graduated from law school just a decade ago, and you spent four years with impressive clerkships, but often nominees for a position such as the circuit have real experience in court. Have you ever served as the sole or chief counsel in any case, tried to a jury verdict?

    Hermandorfer: Not to a jury verdict, Senator.

    CAC: Have you ever served as the sole or chief counsel in any case tried to a final judgment?

    Hermandorfer: I’ve served as chief counsel in many final judgment cases in trial court. If you mean a bench trial, I’m sorry I don’t understand, a bench trial would be no, but final judgment.

    CAC: How many direct examinations have you personally taken in federal court?

    Hermandorfer: As an appellate lawyer, I don’t usually take direct examinations, and the answer is zero.

    CAC: How many cross examinations have you taken in federal court?

    Hermandorfer: None.

    CAC: How many depositions have you taken?

    Hermandorfer: Again, as an appellate lawyer, that’s not really part of my practice.

    CAC: How many depositions have you defended?

    Hermandorfer: I have not defended depositions.

    CAC: How many federal appellate oral arguments have you presented?

    Hermandorfer: Federal appellate oral arguments? That would be four.

    CAC: And how many Supreme Court oral arguments have you presented?

    Hermandorfer: None. Though I’ve second-chaired and been counsel of record in Supreme Court matters.

    CAC: I’ll just point out that the jurist you’ve been nominated to replace, Judge Jane Stranch, had 31 years of legal experience under her belt when nominated to this position in the Sixth Circuit, and the ABA, although disregarded by some, has long had a standard that without more than adozen years of federal service, they would deem someone unqualified for positions such as what you’ve been nominated for. Let me move to a different issue, the Federal Rule of Civil Procedure Number 65 sets out the rules of the road for issuing TROs and PIs, including whether a party moving must post a security bond. What factors should an appellate judge consider when ruling on a challenge to a security bond set or not set by a district court under FRCP 65c before issuing a TRO or a PI?

    Hermandorfer: So, this comes up sometimes when the state is a litigant, and oftentimes parties can move to waive the security bond, and what a court is looking to is the gravity of harm to the potential appellant, should the case, the disposition in the District Court, be allowed to moveforward. So, it’s similar to kind of equitable considerations of harm and the gravity of that harm, and whether it would be reparable or, you know, compensable on the other end.

    CAC: Thank you. And in what sorts of cases is it typical to set or require a security bond?

    Hermandorfer: So, I think cases in which there’s going to be financial exposure, for example, on behalf of an appellant, could be such a case where a bond might be…

    CAC: Post contract case, or a case involving infringement of a patent or something like that. Does your analysis change if the matter is a constitutional case brought by a private plaintiff against allegedly unconstitutional actions of the federal government?

    Hermandorfer: So, it’s, I would have to take each constitutional violation and ruling on its own terms, and wouldn’t want to prejudge but the equitable factors, of course, would be the ones that I would apply in such a situation.

    CAC: How would you set a bond for something as foundational as a violation of the Constitution?

    Hermandorfer: I’m not sure I could answer that in the abstract, senator.

    CAC: And I’m not sure district court judges could answer that either. What tools does the Sixth Circuit, or any circuit, have to enforce its judgments? If you were confirmed and a party disobeys an order of the Sixth Circuit, perhaps even one you wrote, what would you do?

    Hermandorfer: Well, I know that there are mechanisms by which, of course, judgments are entered and executed and enforced through federal district courts.

    CAC: And what are those mechanisms?

    Hermandorfer: Well, the federal district court sometimes can issue contempt rulings, for example, that are appealable. And you know, if you’re talking about warrants or orders of those sort, I know the U.S. Marshals’ office has some sort of involvement in that, but I confess this hasn’t been part of something that I’ve litigated.

    CAC: And when would you feel you’d met the standard to call in the marshals to execute your judgment?

    Hermandorfer: I think it’s very difficult again, to answer that question in the abstract, and I could just tell you, as a party, I’ve followed the appellate practice process whenever I felt as though a judgment had gone the wrong way against me, and I’ve secured appellate relief in those situations.

    CAC: Last question, what would you do if the U.S. Marshals were to disobey and refuse to execute the judgment of the circuit court, if they were instructed by the DOJ to stand down and to refuse to implement an order of the court?

    Hermandorfer: That would, probably, as junior appellate judge on my court, be something that I would look to my colleagues and whatever governing rules and precedents would govern that situation, but again, on the abstract as a hypothetical matter.

    CAC: Ms. Hermandorfer, I hope this is an abstract and hypothetical matter, but it’s one that occupies quite a few of us and quite a bit of our discussion on this committee, as we come up against the question of whether or not we have a president willing to disobey orders of federal courts. Thank you for your testimony. Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi says dialogue, cooperation only correct choice for China, U.S. in phone call with Trump

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

    Xi says dialogue, cooperation only correct choice for China, U.S. in phone call with Trump

    BEIJING, June 5 — Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that dialogue and cooperation are the only correct choice for China and the United States.

    In the phone talks initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, Xi said that recalibrating the direction of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations requires the two sides to take the helm and set the right course, adding that it is particularly important to steer clear of the various disturbances and disruptions.

    Noting that at the suggestion of the U.S. side, the two countries’ lead officials recently held an economic and trade meeting in Geneva, Xi said it marked an important step forward in resolving the relevant issues through dialogue and consultation, and was welcomed by both societies and the international community.

    The two sides need to make good use of the economic and trade consultation mechanism already in place, and seek win-win results in the spirit of equality and respect for each other’s concerns, he said, adding that the Chinese side is sincere about this, and at the same time has its principles.

    The Chinese, Xi said, always honor and deliver what has been promised, urging both sides to make good on the agreement reached in Geneva. In fact, China has been seriously and earnestly executing the agreement, Xi added.

    The U.S. side should acknowledge the progress already made, and remove the negative measures taken against China, he said.

    The two sides should enhance communication in such fields as foreign affairs, economy and trade, military, and law enforcement to build consensus, clear up misunderstandings, and strengthen cooperation, Xi added.

    Xi emphasized that the United States must handle the Taiwan question with prudence, so that the fringe separatists bent on “Taiwan independence” will not be able to drag China and the United States into the dangerous terrain of confrontation and even conflict.

    Trump said that he has great respect for Xi, and the U.S.-China relationship is very important.

    The United States wants the Chinese economy to do very well, and the United States and China working together can get a lot of great things done, he said.

    Trump said the United States will honor the one-China policy.

    The meeting in Geneva was very successful and produced a good deal, he said, adding that the United States will work with China to execute the deal.

    The United States loves to have Chinese students coming to study in America, Trump said.

    Xi welcomed Trump to visit China again, for which Trump expressed heartfelt appreciation.

    The two presidents agreed that their teams should continue implementing the Geneva agreement and hold another round of meetings as soon as possible.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi says dialogue, cooperation only correct choice for China, US in phone call with Trump

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

    Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that dialogue and cooperation are the only correct choice for China and the United States.

    In the phone talks initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, Xi said that recalibrating the direction of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations requires the two sides to take the helm and set the right course, adding that it is particularly important to steer clear of the various disturbances and disruptions.

    Noting that at the suggestion of the U.S. side, the two countries’ lead officials recently held an economic and trade meeting in Geneva, Xi said it marked an important step forward in resolving the relevant issues through dialogue and consultation, and was welcomed by both societies and the international community.

    The two sides need to make good use of the economic and trade consultation mechanism already in place, and seek win-win results in the spirit of equality and respect for each other’s concerns, he said, adding that the Chinese side is sincere about this, and at the same time has its principles.

    The Chinese, Xi said, always honor and deliver what has been promised, urging both sides to make good on the agreement reached in Geneva. In fact, China has been seriously and earnestly executing the agreement, Xi added.

    The U.S. side should acknowledge the progress already made, and remove the negative measures taken against China, he said.

    The two sides should enhance communication in such fields as foreign affairs, economy and trade, military, and law enforcement to build consensus, clear up misunderstandings, and strengthen cooperation, Xi added.

    Xi emphasized that the United States must handle the Taiwan question with prudence, so that the fringe separatists bent on “Taiwan independence” will not be able to drag China and the United States into the dangerous terrain of confrontation and even conflict.

    Trump said that he has great respect for Xi, and the U.S.-China relationship is very important.

    The United States wants the Chinese economy to do very well, and the United States and China working together can get a lot of great things done, he said.

    Trump said the United States will honor the one-China policy.

    The meeting in Geneva was very successful and produced a good deal, he said, adding that the United States will work with China to execute the deal.

    The United States loves to have Chinese students coming to study in America, Trump said.

    Xi welcomed Trump to visit China again, for which Trump expressed heartfelt appreciation.

    The two presidents agreed that their teams should continue implementing the Geneva agreement and hold another round of meeting as soon as possible. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tech Security – Tax assessment period a prime time for scams, expert warns

    Source: Botica Butler Raudon Partners & Passion PR

    Inland Revenue (IR) has begun issuing income tax assessments to New Zealanders, kicking off the annual cycle of tax refunds and chasing up tax owned.

    With cybercriminals known to exploit this period, Norton experts are warning that Kiwis will soon be targeted with a range of tax scams, from phishing emails to phone impersonations and fake refund promises.

    “New Zealand is one of the most heavily impacted countries by a new wave of AI-driven, hyper-personalised cyber threats. That makes tax time an especially risky period,” says Mark Gorrie, Managing Director Norton APAC.

    “Our latest Q1 2025 Threat Report points out that breached data and AI tools are giving cybercriminals just enough personal information and design sophistication to easily manipulate people.”

    Key tips for protecting yourself:

    • IR never includes refund amounts or login links in emails or texts 
    • Watch for suspicious domains (e.g. ird.com.nz, ird.qovt.nz); the real one is ird.govt.nz 
    • Be wary of terms like “fiscal activity”, “excess payment” or “Department of Taxes” 
    • Never give out personal info over the phone unless you’ve verified the caller – hang up and call IR back using their official number 
    • Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and secure personal documents.

    Limit what you share online. Scammers can use social media info to guess security questions or build convincing fake messages.

    Consider enrolling in an identity protection service. These services can monitor your financial and personal data, alert you to unusual activity, and help you recover more quickly if your identity is compromised.

    Common types of tax scams:

    • Phishing emails impersonating IR, often claiming issues with your refund or tax return 
    • Fake IR calls demanding immediate payment for tax debts that don’t exist 
    • Identity theft, with scammers using your IR number to lodge fraudulent returns 
    • Social media scams offering fake tax help or posing as IR reps 
    • Emails with fake tax documents that install malware when opened 
    • Bogus refund offers used to harvest personal or banking info 
    • Scam charities asking for “deductible” donations
    • Tax payment scams involving prepaid gift cards or unusual repayment methods.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Portman Ridge Announces Change of Date to the Special Meeting of Stockholders to Allow Additional Time for Stockholders to Vote “FOR” the Share Issuance Proposal

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Stockholders of PTMN Who Have Voted Thus Far Have Expressed Strong Support for the Proposed Merger

    Both Leading Independent Proxy Advisors, Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) and Glass Lewis & Co. (“Glass Lewis”), Have Recommended PTMN Stockholders Vote “FOR” the Share Issuance Proposal

    NEW YORK, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Portman Ridge Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: PTMN) (“Portman Ridge” or “PTMN”) announced today that its Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “PTMN Special Meeting”) will take place on June 20, 2025, rather than June 6, 2025, to provide stockholders with additional time to cast their vote to approve the share issuance proposal in connection with the proposed merger of Logan Ridge Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: LRFC) (“Logan Ridge” or “LRFC”) with and into PTMN (the “Share Issuance Proposal”).

    Stockholders of PTMN can attend the meeting and cast their votes by following the instructions outlined in the amended joint proxy statement. Alternatively, stockholders can also access the virtual meeting and vote by going to the following website: http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PTMN2025SM, or by calling 1-833-218-3911 and providing the control number which is listed in the proxy card received. The Board of Directors of PTMN unanimously recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the proposals related to the proposed merger.

    Furthermore, leading independent proxy advisory firms, ISS and Glass Lewis, have both recommended that PTMN stockholders vote “FOR” the proposed merger.

    The record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the reconvened Special Meeting remains the close of business on May 6, 2025. Stockholders as of the record date are eligible to vote, even if they have subsequently sold their shares. Stockholders who have already voted do not need to take any further action. Proxies previously submitted will be voted at the reconvened meetings unless properly revoked.

    The Board of Directors of PTMN respectfully requests stockholders vote their proxies as soon as possible. Voting promptly will help ensure that the Special Meeting can proceed without further delays.

    Stockholders can access the joint proxy statement and prospectus by clicking HERE. Stockholders who have questions about the meeting date, joint proxy statement or about voting their shares should contact PTMN’s proxy solicitor, Broadridge, at 1-833-218-3911.

    About Portman Ridge Finance Corporation

    PTMN is a publicly traded, externally managed investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company (a “BDC”) under the 1940 Act. PTMN’s middle market investment business originates, structures, finances and manages a portfolio of term loans, mezzanine investments and selected equity securities in middle market companies. PTMN’s investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Sierra Crest. PTMN’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), earnings releases, press releases and other financial, operational and governance information are available on Portman Ridge’s website at www.portmanridge.com.

    About Logan Ridge Finance Corporation

    LRFC is a BDC that invests primarily in first lien loans and, to a lesser extent, second lien loans and equity securities issued by lower middle-market companies. LRFC invests in performing, well-established middle-market businesses that operate across a wide range of industries. It employs fundamental credit analysis, targeting investments in businesses with relatively low levels of cyclicality and operating risk. For more information, visit www.loganridgefinance.com.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    Some of the statements in this communication constitute forward-looking statements because they relate to future events, future performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements may include statements as to future operating results of PTMN and LRFC, and distribution projections; business prospects of PTMN and LRFC, and the prospects of their portfolio companies; and the impact of the investments that PTMN and LRFC expect to make. In addition, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “seek,” “plan,” “should,” “estimate,” “project” and “intend” indicate forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. The forward-looking statements contained in this communication involve risks and uncertainties. Certain factors could cause actual results and conditions to differ materially from those projected, including the uncertainties associated with (i) the ability of the parties to consummate the merger on the expected timeline, or at all; (ii) the expected synergies and savings associated with the merger; (iii) the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger, including the expected elimination of certain expenses and costs due to the merger; (iv) the percentage of PTMN shareholders and LRFC shareholders voting in favor of the applicable Proposal (as defined below) submitted for their approval; (v) the possibility that competing offers or acquisition proposals will be made; (vi) the possibility that any or all of the various conditions to the consummation of the merger may not be satisfied or waived; (vii) risks related to diverting management’s attention from ongoing business operations; (viii) the combined company’s plans, expectations, objectives and intentions, as a result of the merger; (ix) any potential termination of the merger agreement; (x) the future operating results and net investment income projections of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company; (xi) the ability of Sierra Crest to implement its future plans with respect to the combined company; (xii) the ability of Sierra Crest and its affiliates to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (xiii) the business prospects of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company, and the prospects of their portfolio companies; (xiv) the impact of the investments that PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company expect to make; (xv) the ability of the portfolio companies of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company to achieve their objectives; (xvi) the expected financings and investments and additional leverage that PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company may seek to incur in the future; (xvii) the adequacy of the cash resources and working capital of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company; (xviii) the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of the portfolio companies of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company; (xix) the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with the merger may result in significant costs of defense and liability; and (xx) future changes in laws or regulations (including the interpretation of these laws and regulations by regulatory authorities). PTMN and LRFC have based the forward-looking statements included in this document on information available to them on the date hereof, and they assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although PTMN and LRFC undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that they may make directly to you or through reports that PTMN and LRFC in the future may file with the SEC, including the Registration Statement and Joint Proxy Statement (in each case, as defined below), annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This communication is not, and under no circumstances is it to be construed as, a prospectus or an advertisement and the communication is not, and under no circumstances is it to be construed as, an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities in PTMN, LRFC or in any fund or other investment vehicle managed by BC Partners or any of its affiliates.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    This communication relates to the proposed merger of PTMN and LRFC and certain related matters (the “Proposals”). In connection with the Proposals, PTMN has filed a registration statement (Registration No. 333-285230) with the SEC (the “Registration Statement”) that contains a combined joint proxy statement for PTMN and LRFC and a prospectus of PTMN (the “Joint Proxy Statement”) and has mailed the Joint Proxy Statement to its and LRFC’s respective shareholders. The Registration Statement and Joint Proxy Statement will contain important information about PTMN, LRFC and the Proposals. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. SHAREHOLDERS OF PTMN AND LRFC ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PTMN, LRFC AND THE PROPOSALS. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain the documents filed with the SEC free of charge at the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov or, for documents filed by PTMN, from PTMN’s website at https://www.portmanridge.com, and, for documents filed by LRFC, from LRFC’s website at https://www.loganridgefinance.com.

    Participants in the Solicitation

    PTMN, its directors, certain of its executive officers and certain employees and officers of Sierra Crest and its affiliates may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Proposals. Information about the directors and executive officers of PTMN is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025. LRFC, its directors, certain of its executive officers and certain employees and officers of Mount Logan and its affiliates may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Proposals. Information about the directors and executive officers of LRFC is set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be considered participants in the solicitation of the PTMN and LRFC shareholders in connection with the Proposals will be contained in the Registration Statement, including the Joint Proxy Statement included therein, and other relevant materials when such documents become available. These documents may be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

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

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

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

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Logan Ridge Announces Change of Date to the Special Meeting of Stockholders to Allow Additional Time for Stockholders to Vote “FOR” the Merger Proposal

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Stockholders of LRFC Who Have Voted Thus Far Have Expressed Strong Support for the Proposed Merger

    Both Leading Independent Proxy Advisors, Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) and Glass Lewis & Co. (“Glass Lewis”), Have Recommended LRFC Stockholders Vote “FOR” the Merger Proposal

    NEW YORK, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Logan Ridge Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: LRFC) (“Logan Ridge” or “LRFC”) announced today that its Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “LRFC Special Meeting”) will take place on June 20, 2025, rather than June 6, 2025, to provide stockholders with additional time to cast their vote to approve the proposed merger of LRFC with and into Portman Ridge Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: PTMN) (“Portman Ridge” or “PTMN”) (the “Merger Proposal”).

    Stockholders of LRFC can attend the meeting and cast their votes by following the instructions outlined in the amended joint proxy statement. Alternatively, stockholders can also access the virtual meeting and vote by going to the following website: http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LRFC2025SM, or by calling 1-833-218-3962 and providing the control number which is listed in the proxy card received. The Board of Directors of LRFC unanimously recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the proposed merger.

    Furthermore, leading independent proxy advisory firms, ISS and Glass Lewis, have both recommended that LRFC stockholders vote “FOR” the proposed merger.

    The record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the reconvened Special Meetings remains the close of business on May 6, 2025. Stockholders as of the record date are eligible to vote, even if they have subsequently sold their shares. Stockholders who have already voted do not need to take any further action. Proxies previously submitted will be voted at the reconvened meetings unless properly revoked.

    The Board of Directors of LRFC respectfully requests stockholders vote their proxies as soon as possible. Voting promptly will help ensure that the Special Meeting can proceed without further delays.

    Stockholders can access the joint proxy statement and prospectus by clicking HERE. Stockholders who have questions about the meeting date, joint proxy statement or about voting their shares should contact LRFC’s proxy solicitor, Broadridge, at 1-833-218-3962.

    About Logan Ridge Finance Corporation

    LRFC is a business development company (a “BDC”) that invests primarily in first lien loans and, to a lesser extent, second lien loans and equity securities issued by lower middle-market companies. LRFC invests in performing, well-established middle-market businesses that operate across a wide range of industries. It employs fundamental credit analysis, targeting investments in businesses with relatively low levels of cyclicality and operating risk. For more information, visit www.loganridgefinance.com.

    About Portman Ridge Finance Corporation

    PTMN is a publicly traded, externally managed investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. PTMN’s middle market investment business originates, structures, finances and manages a portfolio of term loans, mezzanine investments and selected equity securities in middle market companies. PTMN’s investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Sierra Crest. PTMN’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), earnings releases, press releases and other financial, operational and governance information are available on Portman Ridge’s website at www.portmanridge.com.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    Some of the statements in this communication constitute forward-looking statements because they relate to future events, future performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements may include statements as to future operating results of PTMN and LRFC, and distribution projections; business prospects of PTMN and LRFC, and the prospects of their portfolio companies; and the impact of the investments that PTMN and LRFC expect to make. In addition, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “seek,” “plan,” “should,” “estimate,” “project” and “intend” indicate forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. The forward-looking statements contained in this communication involve risks and uncertainties. Certain factors could cause actual results and conditions to differ materially from those projected, including the uncertainties associated with (i) the ability of the parties to consummate the merger on the expected timeline, or at all; (ii) the expected synergies and savings associated with the merger; (iii) the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger, including the expected elimination of certain expenses and costs due to the merger; (iv) the percentage of PTMN shareholders and LRFC shareholders voting in favor of the applicable Proposal (as defined below) submitted for their approval; (v) the possibility that competing offers or acquisition proposals will be made; (vi) the possibility that any or all of the various conditions to the consummation of the merger may not be satisfied or waived; (vii) risks related to diverting management’s attention from ongoing business operations; (viii) the combined company’s plans, expectations, objectives and intentions, as a result of the merger; (ix) any potential termination of the merger agreement; (x) the future operating results and net investment income projections of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company; (xi) the ability of Sierra Crest to implement its future plans with respect to the combined company; (xii) the ability of Sierra Crest and its affiliates to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (xiii) the business prospects of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company, and the prospects of their portfolio companies; (xiv) the impact of the investments that PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company expect to make; (xv) the ability of the portfolio companies of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company to achieve their objectives; (xvi) the expected financings and investments and additional leverage that PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company may seek to incur in the future; (xvii) the adequacy of the cash resources and working capital of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company; (xviii) the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of the portfolio companies of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company; (xix) the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with the merger may result in significant costs of defense and liability; and (xx) future changes in laws or regulations (including the interpretation of these laws and regulations by regulatory authorities). PTMN and LRFC have based the forward-looking statements included in this document on information available to them on the date hereof, and they assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although PTMN and LRFC undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that they may make directly to you or through reports that PTMN and LRFC in the future may file with the SEC, including the Registration Statement and Joint Proxy Statement (in each case, as defined below), annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This communication is not, and under no circumstances is it to be construed as, a prospectus or an advertisement and the communication is not, and under no circumstances is it to be construed as, an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities in PTMN, LRFC or in any fund or other investment vehicle managed by BC Partners or any of its affiliates.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    This communication relates to the proposed merger of PTMN and LRFC and certain related matters (the “Proposals”). In connection with the Proposals, PTMN has filed a registration statement (Registration No. 333-285230) with the SEC (the “Registration Statement”) that contains a combined joint proxy statement for PTMN and LRFC and a prospectus of PTMN (the “Joint Proxy Statement”) and has mailed the Joint Proxy Statement to its and LRFC’s respective shareholders. The Registration Statement and Joint Proxy Statement will contain important information about PTMN, LRFC and the Proposals. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. SHAREHOLDERS OF PTMN AND LRFC ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PTMN, LRFC AND THE PROPOSALS. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain the documents filed with the SEC free of charge at the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov or, for documents filed by PTMN, from PTMN’s website at https://www.portmanridge.com, and, for documents filed by LRFC, from LRFC’s website at https://www.loganridgefinance.com.

    Participants in the Solicitation

    PTMN, its directors, certain of its executive officers and certain employees and officers of Sierra Crest and its affiliates may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Proposals. Information about the directors and executive officers of PTMN is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025. LRFC, its directors, certain of its executive officers and certain employees and officers of Mount Logan and its affiliates may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Proposals. Information about the directors and executive officers of LRFC is set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be considered participants in the solicitation of the PTMN and LRFC shareholders in connection with the Proposals will be contained in the Registration Statement, including the Joint Proxy Statement included therein, and other relevant materials when such documents become available. These documents may be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

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

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

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

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: UK – Urgent action needed on “silent crisis” facing workers – IOSH

    Source: Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)

    Millions of workers worldwide are facing a “silent crisis” of being trapped in unsafe, unfair and exploitative conditions, according to the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

    Speaking at the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Ruth Wilkinson, IOSH’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, highlighted the health and safety risks faced by these workers every day, from exposure to harmful chemicals and dangerous machinery to stress and long working hours.

    Despite global commitments, she said nearly 3 million workers die from job-related accidents and diseases every year while 395 million suffer non-fatal injuries.

    She urged delegates attending the plenary to come together to ensure decent work is a reality for everyone, adding failure to do will bring about significant consequences.

    Ruth said: “Every day, millions of workers around the world face a silent crisis — one that unfolds not in headlines, but in hospitals, homes, and workplaces. From exposure to harmful chemicals and dangerous machinery, to the toll of stress, poor ergonomics, and long hours — our workers are navigating a minefield of risks.

    “And yet, in far too many places, the systems meant to guarantee them with decent work — our occupational safety and health frameworks — remain largely underdeveloped, underfunded, or unenforced.

    “High-level declarations are not enough. We need urgent, coordinated, and well-funded action to make decent work a reality for all. We must take bold, coordinated action to ensure that every worker, in every corner of the world, is treated with dignity, fairness, and safety. The time for fragmented efforts is over. Only through a strong, well-resourced, and accountable global approach can we protect workers’ rights, uphold human dignity, and build a future where no one is left behind.  

    “Our failure to address these challenges urgently will fail humanity and weaken resilience, jeopardising our collective future and undermining the very foundation of sustainable and inclusive economic growth.”  

    The conference is being held by the International Labour Organization (ILO) from 2-13 June. It is attended by delegates from ILO member states, including representatives of governments, employers and workers. Discussions this year include the development of new standards to enhance the protection of workers from biological hazards in the workplace, ensure decent work conditions in the platform economy, and promote innovative strategies for transitioning from informal to formal employment.

    IOSH is the global chartered membership body for the occupational safety and health profession, with a vision of a safe and healthy world of work and a mission to drive action by all who can influence occupational safety and health. It att

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: North Dakota Department of Commerce Announces New Tools to Empower Economic Growth

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    The North Dakota Department of Commerce is thrilled to announce two new tools for partners aimed at supporting our mission of empowering the growth of the North Dakota economy.

    Commerce has purchased an umbrella subscription to LOIS, a property marketing software that markets our available sites and buildings globally. This subscription is statewide and provides service for all Regional, County, Local, and Downtown/Mainstreet economic development organizations and Tribal governments at no additional charge.

    Additionally, Commerce has acquired Lasso, an RFI data collection software used by corporate location decision-makers, site selectors, and economic development organizations. Access to Lasso will enable organizations to prepare for future site selection projects and keep their site and building database up to date on the LOIS property marketing map.

    “These new tools will significantly strengthen our ability to position North Dakota’s sites and communities in the competitive marketplace for business attraction,” said Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken. “By providing comprehensive and up-to-date property marketing data, we can better showcase the opportunities available in our state and entice businesses to consider North Dakota as their next location.”

    The introduction of LOIS and Lasso represents a significant step forward in our efforts to enhance economic development across North Dakota. These tools not only provide valuable data and insights but also foster collaboration among various community and economic development organizations. By leveraging these resources, we can create a more cohesive and effective strategy for attracting new businesses and supporting existing ones.

    “These tools have significantly enhanced our ability to market properties and attract new businesses—but what’s been even more impactful is how they’ve strengthened collaboration between the regional council and our local EDC partners,” said Amber Metz, Executive Director of Lake Agassiz Development Group. “By working together and leveraging shared data and resources, we’re better positioned to showcase the opportunities from Ransom to Traill County and the broader region. It’s exciting to see how this partnership is driving momentum for future growth.”

    Benefits For North Dakota Organizations

    • Extend Marketing Reach: LOIS enables community sites and buildings to be viewed on a custom map, optimized with property brochures, geospatial map layers, demographic and workforce data, web visitor analytics, and sharing tools.
    • Preparedness for Site Selection Pursuits: Using Lasso allows organizations to proactively prepare for corporate site selection by sending RFIs and storing data in a cloud database for future retrieval.
    • Property Marketing Data Accuracy: Pre-populating the Lasso RFI ensures that the data fields corresponding to the public-facing property brochure in the LOIS property marketing map are updated.

    “We are thrilled to see the rollout of LOIS and Lasso,” said Red River Regional Council Executive Director Dawn Mandt. “Rural communities and regions, which can struggle to afford such tools, now have the same opportunity to promote their spaces as major cities. Our regions have been advocating for this for years, and we are looking forward to utilizing these services to enhance our economic development efforts.”

    LOIS and Lasso Training: Training will cover how to integrate the LOIS Map viewer on organization websites, generate reports, and walk through the Lasso RFI process.

    • LOIS Training
      • Wednesday, July 9: 2:00-3:00 PM CDT
      • Thursday, July 10: 1:00-2:00 PM CDT
    • Lasso Training “How to fill out an RFI”
      • Tuesday, July 22: 10:30 – 11:30 AM CDT
      • Tuesday, July 29: 1:00 – 2:00 PM CDT

    For more information, please go to https://www.commerce.nd.gov/lois.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Your chance to try simpler train tickets in Yorkshire and the East Midlands this September

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Your chance to try simpler train tickets in Yorkshire and the East Midlands this September

    Up to 4,000 rail passengers can take part in each route of the pay-as-you-go ticketing trials.

    • digital ticketing trials will start from the end of the summer across Yorkshire and the East Midlands  
    • passengers can now sign up for one of the 4,000 places available  
    • demonstrates government action to overhaul ticketing and get more people onto our railways as part of our Plan for Change

    From today (6 June 2025), thousands of passengers across the north and East Midlands will have a chance to volunteer to take part in a new digital ticketing trial.  

    Backed by government funding, the trials will use GPS-based technology to track train journeys, ensuring passengers pay the best fare for the journey they take.  

    Digital ticketing builds on the government’s plans to overhaul the railways to make them simpler, more flexible and passenger-focused. Ahead of the creation of Great British Railways, the government continues to work to deliver positive changes like this for passengers – attracting more people back onto our trains, boosting the economy and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change. 

    The trials being operated by East Midlands Railway (EMR) and Northern Trains will run along these routes:

    • Leicester to Derby to Nottingham 
    • Harrogate to Leeds 
    • Sheffield to Doncaster 
    • Sheffield to Barnsley 

    Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said: 

    Contactless ticketing is making journeys easier to navigate for millions of passengers and now our digital trials are actively recruiting volunteers to help expand this technology across Yorkshire and the East Midlands. 

     Simplifying ticketing is a major part of our plans to overhaul the railways. I encourage anyone who regularly gets the train along these routes to get involved and help us build a ticketing system that delivers a better experience for passengers and communities across the country.

    Unlike the previous rollout of pay-as-you-go, which uses contactless payment at barriers, these trials will use GPS-based technology to track people’s location throughout their train journey.

    Up to 1,000 passengers will be able to take part in each route of the trials, meaning 4,000 passengers in total. The first trial to get underway will be on EMR between Leicester, Derby and Nottingham, kicking off at the beginning of September. The other routes, operated by Northern, will begin between September and November, with each running for 9 months from the start date. 

    Anyone interested in taking part should check EMR and Northern Trains’ websites, where a recruitment campaign has been launched.

    Alex Hornby, Commercial and Customer Director, Northern Trains, said:

    These trials mark an important step forward in simplifying rail travel and making the experience as frictionless as possible for our customers. By trialling pay-as-you-go technology on some of our routes, we’re helping to shape a future where hopping on a train is as easy as checking in and out.

    We will now be reaching out to regular customers on those routes to see if they would be willing to participate in these trials later this year. We’re excited to see how they respond and look forward to playing our part in modernising how people travel by rail in the north.

    These trials are expected to build on the success of the rollout of contactless ticketing at 53 stations across the south east. Since its introduction, more than 2 million entries and exits have been made using contactless cards or mobile devices, averaging around 140,000 a week – showing how popular the system is with customers using those stations already. 

    The department is also working closely with Greater Manchester and the West Midlands to develop their proposals for rolling out contactless ticketing even further. 

    Jenna Cowie, Interim Commercial Director at East Midlands Railway, said:

    We’re excited to be part of a project that aims to improve the way people travel and it is a great opportunity for our customers in Derby, Nottingham and Leicester to be among the very first in the country to experience a new, smarter way to buy train tickets.

    This trial is all about making train travel easier, faster and more intuitive. No more fare confusion – just check in and out with your phone and travel knowing you’ll automatically pay the best-value fare for your journey.

    This follows on from a watershed moment last month when South Western Railway (SWR) services became the first train operating company to transfer back into public control since the passing of the Public Ownership Bill, ending almost 30 years of fragmentation and waste under privatisation.   

    By bringing track and train together, Great British Railways will enable operations to run more seamlessly, bringing accountability and reliability back into the railways and, in turn, helping to reduce delays and cancellations.  

    Great British Railways will not just be the name of the new nationally owned railway, it symbolises a complete reset that will mark the high standard of service and delivery the public should expect to receive.    

    This week, the government also announced £15.6 billion – the biggest ever investment – in buses, trams and local train infrastructure for city regions, benefiting working people across the north, the Midlands and the south west. The funding – a more than double real-terms increase in capital spending on local transport in city regions by 2029 to 2030 compared with 2024 to 2025 – will empower local leaders to invest in transport projects that will make a difference to their local area.

    Rail media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: More than £32 million to resurface roads and build new cycle lanes in the north east and Yorkshire as region hosts UK’s largest women’s cycling race

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    More than £32 million to resurface roads and build new cycle lanes in the north east and Yorkshire as region hosts UK’s largest women’s cycling race

    Investing in safer roads will encourage more women to cycle, build healthier, stronger communities and help ease pressure on the NHS.

    • an extra £20 million boost will improve roads across the north east and Yorkshire – part of an additional £500 million to tackle potholes nationwide
    • future of Roads Minister visits the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women – the UK’s biggest women’s cycling race – to promote safer roads for female cyclists
    • this is on top of nearly £12.8 million to build new cycle lanes and pavements in the north east – making active travel easier and easing pressure off the NHS, all part of the government’s Plan for Change

    Cyclists in the North East and Yorkshire will get around safely and easily as the government invests an extra £32 million to tackle potholes and build new cycle lanes in the region.

    Today (6 June 2025), the Minister for the Future of Roads will be in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, to speak to local schools, cycling clubs and female cycling champions during Stage 2 of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women – the UK’s biggest women’s road cycling race.

    The minister will show how the government is taking action to resurface roads and emphasise the need to make them safer and more accessible for all road users, including female cyclists. Her visit follows the £15.6 billion boost announced earlier this week to empower local leaders to invest in local transport projects that will make a real difference across England’s city regions – including South Yorkshire, the north east and Tees Valley.

    Pothole-ridden roads put everyone off cycling, with this impact felt the most by women. According to research from Cycling UK, more than half of women (58%) said their cycle journeys were limited by safety concerns and a lack of suitable infrastructure, with 36% of women pointing to poor roads as a main factor.

    The government is investing an extra £20 million to resurface roads across the north east and Yorkshire so that cyclists and all road users can get around more safely, more easily and with confidence.

    On top of this uplift, local cyclists are also benefiting from an almost £13 million boost to build new cycle lanes and pavements in the north east.

    Better roads and new cycle lanes will make it easier and safer for people to cycle. This will lead to 43,000 fewer sick days a year across the country and add £1.4 billion to the UK economy, putting money in the pockets of hardworking families to help deliver the government’s Plan for Change.

    Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

    Safer roads mean safer spaces to cycle. The Lloyds Tour of Britain Women is a fantastic way to show women and girls the power of cycling and the difference it can make to their lives.

    By investing in better roads, we’re delivering our Plan for Change – encouraging more women and girls to hop on a bike, easing pressure on the NHS and building healthier, stronger communities.

    Across the country, the government is investing a total of £1.6 billion to resurface roads – enough to fill 7 million extra potholes – which includes an extra £500 million boost to go above and beyond the government’s manifesto commitment.

    Lizzie Deignan MBE, Olympic silver medallist and world champion, said:

    I am incredibly passionate about getting more women and girls on bikes, whatever their background or ability. The benefits of cycling are vast, from improving your health, meeting new people and developing new skills and confidence.

    Having better cycling infrastructure across the UK will definitely break down barriers, which currently prevent women and girls from participating in cycling.

    Programmes like British Cycling’s Breeze and Go-Ride clubs are reaching out to local communities and creating opportunities to make it easier for women and girls to access cycling, so we can enable safe and fun environments to make sure that everyone can enjoy the freedom of riding a bike.

    With more investment in our roads and cycle lanes, programmes like this can go further as we bring the joy of cycling to more people across the country.

    The £13 million for new cycle lanes and pavements in the north east comes from a £291 million package to build new active travel infrastructure across the whole country and encourage more people to walk, wheel, scoot and cycle.

    The improvements will help people across the country make 30 million more journeys by bike or foot every year, including more than 20 million new walk-to-school journeys by children and their parents.

    Caroline Julian, Director of Brand and Engagement at British Cycling, said:

    Significant barriers still exist that prevent many people from accessing the health, economic and social benefits that cycling brings. We know from our research that road safety is the biggest reason that holds people back from getting on a bike. This is, unfortunately, particularly the case for women.

    We are encouraged to see the significant government investment in road and cycle lane infrastructure in the north-east and Yorkshire regions. Investing in infrastructure and places to ride, alongside strengthened promotion and enforcement of the Highway Code, is of critical importance to make cycling accessible to all.

    RAC Senior Policy Officer, Rod Dennis, said:

    Whether on two wheels or four, the quality of the nation’s roads must be improved to make journeys smoother and safer. It’s crucial now that councils use this cash as effectively as possible.

    While dangerous potholes must be filled quickly, councils need to do more surface dressing work to ensure decent roads stay in a better state for longer and resurface those that are beyond repair.

    IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards, Nicholas Lyes, said:

    Poorly maintained roads are not just a nuisance, they are a road safety hazard, particularly for those on two wheels. We welcome this additional funding that focuses not just on smoother surfaces but safer infrastructure, which will improve journey choice for people.

    Roads media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Miller, Lofgren, Capito, and Padilla Reintroduce the Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

    Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswomen Carol Miller (R-WV) and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Alex Padilla (D-CA), reintroduced the Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites Act (PEAKS) Act. The PEAKS Act would ensure Critical Access Hospitals in mountainous areas receive fair compensation for ambulatory services and modify distance requirements.  

    “Everyone, regardless of where they live, should have access to quality and affordable health care. My home state of West Virginia has more Critical Access Hospitals in mountainous areas than any other state in the country, and I know how hard it can be for those who live in rural, mountainous regions to receive treatment in a timely manner. The Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites Act (PEAKS Act) is life-saving legislation that will ensure Critical Access Hospitals in mountainous areas are compensated fairly for the ambulatory services they provide to patients and positively impact rural communities across the nation. It’s imperative that all patients, especially those that live in unforgiving terrain, can access emergency medical care,” said Rep. Carol Miller.

    “All Americans deserve quality access to health services, even if they reside in areas that are difficult to access. To protect the wellbeing of our rural residents, we must ensure that these hospitals have enough funding to continue providing their life-saving services. The Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites (PEAKS) Act allows us to do so, by broadening the requirements to become a Critical Access Hospital and by providing fair compensation for their emergency transportation services. The American public should be able to rely on its ambulances,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren.

    “As residents of the Mountain State, we are proud of our beautiful peaks, however, we are also aware of the transportation challenges—especially for ambulances—that exist due to our mountainous topography. I’m proud to introduce the PEAKS Act to address this challenge and ensure even our most rural residents can depend on ambulance services, as well as ensure our critical access hospitals are able to provide the best care possible,” said Senator Capito.

    “We commend Congresswoman Miller for her leadership in introducing the PEAKS Act, which addresses the financial and operational challenges rural hospitals in West Virginia and across the country face every day. Her continued commitment to supporting access to care in underserved communities is deeply appreciated by our hospitals, providers, and the patients they serve. The PEAKS Act is a strong step toward ensuring the long-term sustainability of rural healthcare, and we’re proud to support this important effort,” said Jim Kaufman, President and CEO, West Virginia Hospital Association

    Click HERE for bill text. 

    Background: 

    • Critical Access Hospitals are hospitals that serve residents in rural areas.
    • The PEAKS Act would allow for Critical Access Hospitals located in mountainous areas to be reimbursed for their emergency medical transportation services.
    • The Act would also make certain that Critical Access Hospitals would not lose their designation despite any new hospital that is built within 15 miles. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Discusses The 4th Financing for Development Conference—Contribution of the IMF to the International Financing for Development Agenda

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 5, 2025

    Washington, DC: On June 3, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) discussed the staff paper on the contribution of the IMF to the international financing for development agenda, prepared in view of the 4th Financing for Development Conference (FfD4) to be held in Sevilla, Spain from June 30 to July 3, 2025. The paper outlines the challenging context for development, updates staff’s assessment on the achievability of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and proposes actions to accelerate development progress.

    The series of shocks since 2020 has added to longstanding structural challenges, with low-income and fragile countries affected the most. Debt vulnerabilities deserve attention, particularly for low-income countries. While debt appears sustainable for most countries, many are facing high interest costs and elevated refinancing needs that constrain their ability to finance critical spending necessary to progress on their development path. Against this background, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 appears increasingly unlikely.

    Accelerating development progress will require a major collective effort, including advancing a strong domestic reform agenda, providing adequate international support to complement and facilitate domestic reforms, and proactively addressing debt vulnerabilities. Importantly, while developing countries share many characteristics, increasing heterogeneity across countries calls for appropriate differentiation in countries’ policy and reform agenda, as well as in the support from the international community.

    The IMF has a strong role to play in supporting countries maintain or restore macroeconomic and financial stability, which is a key condition to enable sustainable growth and development. Through its surveillance, capacity development, and financial support to countries faced with balance of payment needs, the IMF helps countries advance this agenda, including through continuous adjustments in its policies to ensure they remain fit for purpose and aligned with evolving needs of the membership. It also plays a leading role on debt and the global debt architecture, through its monitoring of debt vulnerabilities and debt sustainability assessments and further enhancing its work to tackle debt challenges and improve debt restructuring processes, including through the Common Framework and progress at the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable. In all these activities, the IMF collaborates closely with partners, particularly the World Bank.

    Executive Board Assessment[1]

    Executive Directors welcomed the opportunity to discuss the contribution of the IMF to the international financing for development agenda, as well as the review of recent experiences in the IMF’s collaboration with the World Bank, ahead of the 4th Financing for Development Conference. Directors concurred with staff’s analysis of the challenging context for development, as the series of shocks since 2020 has added to longstanding structural challenges weighing on economic and social progress in developing countries, with low‑income and fragile countries affected the most.

    Directors agreed that debt vulnerabilities deserve specific attention, in particular for low‑income countries. They noted that, while debt appears sustainable for most countries under baseline assumptions, uncertainties and risks to the baseline have increased significantly. In addition, many countries face high interest costs and elevated refinancing needs that constrain their ability to finance critical spending necessary to progress on their development path.

    Directors noted with regret that achieving the sustainable developments goals (SDGs) by 2030 appears increasingly unlikely, as it would require financing that exceeds credible assumptions and surpasses what countries could absorb without creating additional macroeconomic imbalances.

    Directors agreed that accelerating development progress requires a major collective effort comprising strong domestic reforms, significant international support, and proactively addressing debt vulnerabilities. They noted that, while developing countries share many characteristics, increasing heterogeneity across countries calls for appropriate differentiation in countries’ policy and reform agenda, as well as in the support from the international community.

    Directors emphasized the importance of advancing a strong domestic reform agenda to maintain or promote a stable and sound macroeconomic and financial environment and boost private‑sector led growth and job creation. This includes increasing the efficiency of public spending and optimizing the use of available resources, mobilizing domestic resources, strengthening debt management, and improving governance. These reforms are also key to increase resilience against external shocks.

    Directors also agreed that international support, through well‑coordinated and sequenced capacity development (CD), and additional public and private financing, will be critical to complement and facilitate domestic reforms. They underlined the importance of proactively addressing debt challenges and supported the proposed approach to: (i) improve further debt restructuring processes to ensure countries with unsustainable debt have access to timely and sufficiently deep debt relief, building on progress already made in particular under the Common Framework and through the work at the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR); and (ii) accelerate the implementation of the “3‑pillar approach” to help countries with sustainable debt and a robust reform agenda, where productive spending is crowded out by high debt service. They welcomed the recent publication of the GSDR “Restructuring Playbook” and supported further strengthening the IMF’s contribution to help address debt vulnerabilities, consistent with its role and policies and respecting its duty of neutrality. They also underlined the importance of further enhancing debt transparency and the accuracy of debt data.

    Directors agreed that, while the IMF is not a development institution, it has a strong role to play to help member countries maintain or restore macroeconomic and financial stability, which is a key condition to enable sustainable growth and development. They underlined the importance of IMF surveillance, CD, and financial support to members faced with balance of payment needs, to achieve this objective, and looked forward to the upcoming comprehensive surveillance review and review of program design and conditionality. Directors highlighted the recent reforms to ensure that the lending framework remains fit for purpose, including the finalization in October 2024 of the review of the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT) facilities and financing and the review of the Charges and the Surcharge Policy, and the significant expansion of CD delivery over time, with a strong emphasis on supporting low‑income countries and fragile and conflict‑affected states. In this context, some Directors saw room to further scale up the IMF’s concessional facilities and CD support. Some others cautioned against placing greater emphasis in IMF‑supported programs on development spending needs and higher financing volumes. Directors supported the continued active role of the IMF on debt issues and its sustained engagement in international efforts to address debt vulnerabilities. Some Directors noted that a greater emphasis in the paper on the IMF’s existing work on climate would have better illustrated that the Fund is already actively contributing to help address these challenges, in line with its mandate. A few Directors also highlighted the macro‑critical nature of inequality and its impact on long‑term stability and development, and supported a deeper analytical and operational engagement on these fronts within the Fund’s existing mandate.

    Directors underlined the importance of IMF collaboration with partners, in particular the World Bank and relevant UN agencies, building on comparative advantages and consistent with each institution’s mandate. They welcomed the review of recent experiences in the IMF’s collaboration with the World Bank and underscored the critical importance of maintaining or further deepening this efficient collaboration, leveraging the respective expertise of both institutions for an optimal division of work and avoiding duplication.

    Directors underscored the importance of clear communication to promote a better public understanding of the institution’s unique role, mandate, and activities in fostering macroeconomic and financial stability, which is a prerequisite for sustainable growth and development.

    [1] An explanation of any qualifiers used in summing up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Randa Elnagar

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/05/pr25184-imf-discusses-4th-financing-dev-conference-contribution-imf-intl-financing-for-dev-agenda

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee Chairman Lawler Delivers Opening Remarks at Hearing on Syria

    Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

    Media Contact 202-321-9747

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee Chairman Michael Lawler delivered opening remarks at a subcommittee hearing titled, “After Assad: The Future of Syria.”

    Watch Here

    -Remarks-

    Syria is at a turning point. The fall of Bashar al-Assad this past December following four decades of authoritarian rule has created conditions for unprecedented change for Syria and for the Middle East. This change comes with significant risk. The Syrian war dating back to 2011 has left most of the country in ruins, destroyed by years of indiscriminate bombing by Assad and his Russian and Iranian backers. The cost of reconstructing this broken country will be in the tens of billions, even by the most modest assessment, and investors face significant hurdles as they work to navigate the complex sanctions regime that has emerged after four decades of Assad family rule. While there are rightfully many who seek to break down barriers, advocating for sanctions relief to ensure reconstruction can take place and put Syria on a path of success, we must not lose sight of core US interests in this rush to embrace Syria’s new regime. There remain significant questions about Syria’s new interim authorities led by US-designated foreign terrorist organization Hayat Tahir al-Sham (HTS), a former al Qaeda affiliate. Ahmed al Shara, despite his hardened past, continues to verbally signal a commitment to reform through his ability, though his ability to deliver remains to be seen, which is why we must be explicit with our goals for Syria. This includes the counter ISIS mission, which has been a central part of US foreign policy since 2014.

    We must set clear expectations for the interim authorities on what we expect from them with respect to counterterrorism cooperation to prevent a resurgence and assume responsibility for detention centers holding thousands of ISIS members and affiliated individuals in the Northeast. Concerns about extremism are not by any means limited to ISIS. Iran and its proxies have long used the country as a sanctuary space to plan and carry out attacks, including against Israel, while Russia sees Syria as a strategic launch pad to undermine our interest not just in the Middle East but much further afield from Africa to Europe. There must be clear red lines when it comes to Iran and its proxies as well as Russia’s ability to operate in Syria. Preventing Syria from being used as a sanctuary space is vital not just for the US but also for Syria.

    This will no doubt be one of the metrics used as the international community measures the success of Syria’s transition and by extension for the prospects for further economic relief. For Syria to succeed and reestablish itself on the international world stage, it must take action to prevent extremism from thriving once again, including by signaling a commitment to inclusive governance by establishing a positive working relationship with our Kurdish partners, the Syrian Democratic Forces. They have been at the forefront of the campaign to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS. On that basis, the Trump administration has rightfully taken steps to waive US sanctions on a limited and temporary basis, giving Alhara sufficient time to demonstrate he is able to turn his words into actions, but this is not, I have to stress, a full embrace of Al Shara or those he continues to surround himself with. We must use this opportunity to press him on key US priorities, notably as to counterterrorism while also retaining limitations on US sanctions relief to ensure Iran and Russia cannot benefit financially. Al Shara has expressed a concerning willingness to embrace Moscow despite Putin’s complicity in war crimes against the Syrian people. For Russia, their presence in Syria is not just about the Middle East. It’s a vital staging ground essential to everything they do in Africa and the eastern Mediterranean. We underestimate the strategic importance Syria holds for the Russians at our own peril.

    Make no mistake, what happens in Syria does not stay in Syria. The country has consistently demonstrated its ability to impact and shape affairs far outside its borders, from Europe’s migrant crisis to ISIS to the war in Ukraine. When Secretary Rubio testified before Congress last month, he said, “There is no guarantee that by outreach and working with the transitional authority in Syria, things are going to work out. It may work out. It may not work out. But if we don’t reach out and try, it’s a guarantee not to work out.” I echo the secretary’s sentiments and just came back along with the ranking member from a trip to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Jordan. That was the sentiment shared there as well. We want to give this an opportunity to work but are fully cognizant of the consequences of failure. Here during this hearing, we will further examine Syrian stability and the vital role Syria and the Syrian people play in the Middle East.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Grassley Report Shows Biden DOJ Sent Taxpayer-Funded Grants to Soros-Backed, Soft-on-Crime NGOs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released a Majority staff report exposing the disastrous consequences of the Biden Department of Justice’s (DOJ) grants to two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) – the Soros-backed Vera Institute of Justice and Impact Justice, which houses the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Resource Center.

    The Trump administration has since terminated these grants to ensure DOJ awards align with the administration’s stated priorities: “support[ing] law enforcement operations, combat[ing] violent crime, protect[ing] American children, support[ing] American victims of trafficking and sexual assault, and enhanc[ing] coordination among law enforcement.” Ninety-three percent of DOJ’s recently terminated grants only impacted NGOs.

    “The Biden-Harris administration awarded millions of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars to advance left-leaning agendas that ultimately put lives at risk. The American people overwhelmingly rejected these soft-on-crime, defund-the-police policies in the last election because they undermined the safety and security of their communities. Organizations like the Vera Institute and Impact Justice that promote radical ideology have no business collecting another dime from the federal treasury. Americans are safer without their influence in the criminal justice system,” Grassley said.

    Read the Grassley staff report HERE.

    Background:

    Under the Biden-Harris administration, the Vera Institute was awarded millions of taxpayer dollars to prop up left-wing District Attorneys, who would then partner with the Vera Institute to implement Soros-backed progressive policies. These policies included prioritizing violent criminals over victims and declining to fully prosecute felony charges – including assault, kidnapping, rape and murder.

    Impact Justice & the PREA Resource Center was awarded $7.45 million by the Biden-Harris administration to help combat sexual abuse in prisons and ensure the integrity of the PREA audit process.  However, the PREA auditors routinely failed to uncover pervasive sexual abuse. Further, PREA Resource Center training materials endangered women by encouraging the housing of transgender inmates in female prisons. This was done without due regard for inmate safety and in ways inconsistent with federal regulation.

    Key Findings of the Report’s Analysis on the Vera Institute:

    The Vera Institute used taxpayer funds to gain unprecedented access to progressive prosecutor offices. Below are several examples that illustrate the Vera Institute’s influence over federal prosecutors across the county.

    • In New York, New York County DA Alvin Bragg partnered with the Vera Institute and declined to prosecute certain misdemeanor felonies, actively worked to downgrade felony charges to misdemeanors and refused to detain criminals before their trials. Meanwhile, Bragg attempted to prosecute President Donald Trump for federal campaign finance violations.
      • In 2025, there were over 48,000 individuals arrested for misdemeanors in New York County, but only 3,000 of them were detained.
    • In Georgia, Athens DA Deborah Gonzalez partnered with the Vera Institute and pledged to protect illegal immigrant defendants and release criminals on bonds that do not require the posting of money.
      • During the Gonzalez’s tenure, the Gonzalez negotiated a lenient plea deal for a sexual predator and serial rapist who preyed on women and children. Gonzalez later refused to pursue the death penalty for the murderer of Laken Riley.
    • In Wisconsin, Milwaukee DA John Chisholm partnered with the Vera Institute to implement several progressive, soft-on-crime policies and reportedly told the Milwaukee Sentinel-Journal, “Is there going to be an individual I divert, or I put into a treatment program, who’s going to go out and kill somebody? You bet.”
      • In 2020, the Milwaukee DA’s office released a criminal twice before he ultimately drove an SUV through a Christmas Parade, killing six and injuring 62 others.
    • In Missouri, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner partnered with the Vera Institute and pledged to “expand diversion programs, decline to prosecute low level cases and decrease the number of people held on cash bail.”
      • Under the guidance of the Vera Institute, the Gardner dismissed more than 9,000 criminal cases and refused to prosecute 90 percent of reported crime, including cop killers and a child murderer.
    • In Massachusetts, Suffolk County DA Rachel Rollins partnered with the Vera Institute and instructed prosecutors to decline prosecution of 15 different crimes, as well as create a screening unit tasked with decreasing the number of arraigned cases.
    • In Virginia, Fairfax Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano partnered with the Vera Institute and repeatedly released violent illegal immigrants back on the streets.
      • The Fairfax Commonwealth Attorney’s office repeatedly released an illegal immigrant who had a record of 29 run-ins with law enforcement and a documented history of sexual assault and indecent exposure. The illegal immigrant raped a woman in October 2024 upon release.

    -30- 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Five Highs Gang Members Convicted by Jury of RICO Conspiracy, Drug Trafficking, and Firearms Offenses

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    Following a three-week trial, a federal jury in Minneapolis convicted five Minnesota men today for their involvement in the Highs — a violent Minneapolis street gang — and in gang-related murders, shootings, and narcotics distribution.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, defendants Tyreese Giles, 24, Josiah Taylor, 31, Trevaun Robinson, 29, William Banks, 35, and Gregory Brown, 35, all of Minneapolis, were members of various “cliques,” or subsets, of the Highs — a criminal enterprise that controlled territory north of West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis. Members of the Highs committed murders, narcotics trafficking, weapons violations, burglaries, assaults, and robberies on behalf of the enterprise. As part of their Highs membership, the defendants were expected to retaliate against their rivals, the Lows gang, which operated south of West Broadway Avenue. These two gangs had been in a gang war that spanned years and alleged members of the Lows gang have been separately charged with federal crimes, including racketeering charges.

    “This is the second successful trial against members and associates of the Highs gang in this case in the last three weeks,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This case and these trials show the Department’s relentless determination to hold accountable criminal enterprises that use murder and intimidation to exert power and control narcotics territory. We will continue to dismantle violent gangs and secure justice for victims and their loved ones in communities around the country.”

    “The Highs have long terrorized north Minneapolis, bringing drugs, violence, and murder,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson for the District of Minnesota. “This verdict represents yet another step in our fight against gang violence. I want to thank the coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who joined together to bring down this violent criminal street gang. I also want to thank the Justice Department’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section for lending their expertise and partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on our RICO cases.”

    “This case is a powerful example of how we use federal racketeering laws to take down violent gangs at the center of community violence,” said Acting Director Daniel Driscoll of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “These individuals relied on firearms, retaliation, and drug trafficking to fuel chaos and assert fear and dominance over their neighborhoods. ATF special agents worked closely with our partners to map the gang’s structure and document their vicious acts of violence, to bring the full weight of the law against its members. We will continue to use every tool available to protect the public and hold violent offenders accountable.”

    “The verdict today reflects the United States Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) dedication to building great partnerships with other federal agencies, as well as state and county law enforcement, to bring violent criminals in our communities to justice,” said Acting Inspector in Charge Steve Hodge of USPIS.

    “As financial investigators, IRS Criminal Investigation brings a unique skill set to dismantling violent criminal enterprises,” said Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of the IRS Criminal Investigation Chicago Field Office. “Our special agents are experts in exposing how criminal organizations move and hide their illicit funds. By following the money, we developed critical financial evidence on significant fentanyl suppliers. As an agency on the RICO task force to combat violent crime, IRS-CI will continue to collaborate with our federal, state, and local partners to make a noticeable impact in our community. These convictions are a critical step in restoring safety and stability to the streets of Minneapolis and maintaining the marked decrease in violence in our community.”

    As proven at trial, the gang war escalated when, on Sept. 9, 2021, a prominent Highs member was shot and killed at a barbershop in Minneapolis. About two hours later, suspecting that the Lows were responsible for the killing, defendant Giles traveled to Pennwood Market in Lows territory. Once there, Giles, who was dressed in black and wearing a mask covering his face, shot and killed a Lows member. He fired the fatal shot into the victim’s back before he attempted to flee from the scene.

    Evidence at trial tied defendant Robinson to two shootings — one into a crowd of individuals in downtown Minneapolis on July 7, 2019, and another in the parking lot of Merwin Liquors, a Highs hangout, on April 2, 2022.

    Defendants Taylor and Banks trafficked drugs, including fentanyl, on behalf of the Highs. Evidence proved that Brown was a high-level narcotics supplier for the Highs and coordinated trips to and from Arizona for Highs members to obtain tens of thousands of fentanyl pills to sell on the streets of Minneapolis. Each defendant was arrested in possession of narcotics, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, and oxycodone, and one possessed a firearm in furtherance of their narcotics trafficking.

    The jury convicted defendants Giles, Robinson, Banks, And Brown of Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Conspiracy. Defendants Taylor and Banks were also convicted of drug trafficking conspiracy. The jury convicted Taylor of the separate crime of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    This is the second of several trials in this case, which charged over 40 defendants with RICO conspiracy, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, and other charges related to their activities as members and associates of the Highs gang. Nine defendants are awaiting trial.

    The ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections are investigating the case, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to the investigation.

    Trial Attorneys Brian Lynch and Alyssa Levey-Weinstein of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Lopez-Calhoun and Carla Baumel of the District of Minnesota are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Milestone for Favarh’s Project SEARCH at UConn Health

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    A specialized training program at UConn Health is now responsible for helping more than 60 adults overcome barriers to independent employment since 2016.

    Favarh’s Project SEARCH, which works with employers to provide structured work experiences for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, has graduated its 10th cohort at UConn Health, which is the first employer in Connecticut to serve as a host site.

    The milestone bridge ceremony at UConn Health Wednesday celebrated the accomplishment of the five interns who completed a 10-month program that included daily hands-on work experiences in a variety of departments and settings. One of them, Ryan Cook, drew cheers (and some tears of happiness) when he announced from the podium, “We are proud to share that we are all employed.”

    Graduates of Favarh’s Project SEARCH at UConn Health from years past celebrate with the Class of 2025 as the training program celebrates its 10th cohort at UConn Health. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)

    Cook, from Terryville, already is working at the Walgreens in Thomaston, as a cashier. He spent part of his internship as a cashier in the cafeteria in UConn Health’s main building, as well as in the pharmacy and the linen department.

    “We were not sure where our path would take us before Project SEARCH, but now we are profoundly grateful for being able to experience such amazing internships and met so many wonderful people along the way,” Cook said before accepting his certificate.

    Scott Masson, of Canton, interned in the mailroom, UConn Center on Aging, and central receiving, and is employed as a utility worker at Naples Pizza and the neighboring Fork and Fire Restaurant in Farmington.

    “We are glad to have all of you in our corners,” Masson told the audience, which included mentors, department representatives, and Project SEARCH graduates from previous years, in addition to family members. “You encourage us at every step of our employment journey. We could not ask for better leaders to have assisted us. It has been a life-changing experience. Our self-confidence as never been higher.”

    The ceremony also included a video about Favarh’s Project SEARCH at UConn Health, featuring this year’s interns:

    [embedded content]

    Meghan Dyer, from Bristol, interned in dental finance, the psoriasis center, and dental telecommunications. Reflecting on the bridge ceremony, she says, “It was definitely emotional. There’s a lot of people that I just don’t know, but it’s nice to see almost like the history of this program walking the halls, because I’m part of it now. I can say that I’m a graduating member of Project SEARCH’s 10 years.”

    Meghan Dyer is newly employed at UConn Health in dental telecommunications following completing of an internship with Favarh’s Project SEARCH at UConn Health. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)

    Dyer had interviewed for a paid position in dental telecom. She described a call she had while on duty there about two weeks before graduating.

    “It’s almost like a sitcom,” she says. “Completely mundane day, the out of the blue, the phone that never takes inbound calls magically gets an inbound call, and it’s Pamela Rucker from HR, telling me I got the job… It was like a pipe dream – I wasn’t expecting it to happen, would have loved it to happen. I wanted to be in the medical field.”

    The bridge ceremony included an open forum, where attendees spoke about their connection to the program. George Moses is the operations manager for housekeeping and linens, both areas where interns have been rotating through from the program’s start.

    “It’s been amazing,” Moses said. “They have taught our staff some great skills too, how to communicate and communicate with each other very well. It’s just been a pleasure.”

    Then he addressed Logan Haynes, who interned in custodial, housekeeping, and central receiving:

    Logan Haynes is among five young adults who completed a 10-month internship with Favarh’s Project SEARCH at UConn Health. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)

    “And Logan, you are an amazing young man!”

    Haynes, from Canton, is employed as a dishwasher at Beanz & Co., a coffee shop in Avon.

    Beanz & Co. also hired Chloe Roberts, who interned in the kitchen, the dermatology clinic, and the psoriasis center.

    “It was a bit scary for a couple weeks, and then the staff was really nice and kind and it helped me get through my experience and job skills,” Roberts says. “I used to be shy, talking to the patients, but now my confidence went up a little bit.”

    Over its 10 years at UConn Health, 98% of Favarh’s Project SEARCH interns have found successful independent employment, working a minimum of 16 hours a week in a nonseasonal position with market wages. The National Project SEARCH placement rate is 72%.

    “I think the mentors here at UConn really understand the program and the purpose, and that is a big part of why we’re so successful,” says Sandy Finnimore, Favarh’s competitive employment coordinator. “The mentors understand that this is not just something to fill the interns’ day, it’s going to change their life. They have to be held accountable and teach them their skills, or they’re not going to be successful, and the mentors understand that. We’ve been very lucky, because all of our mentors have been amazing.”

    Finnimore has been involved in the program at UConn Health since Day 1.

    “[Ten years ago] I wouldn’t be able to fathom that this many people would have come into my life and I would have been a part of teaching them,” she says. “It’s just unbelievable.”

    For Favarh assistant manager Keegan Riley, this was the first cohort she worked with at UConn Health.

    Sandy Finnimore of Favarh directs Ryan Cook toward a camara at the bridge ceremony for Project SEARCH at UConn Health. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)

    “They did so well,” Riley says. “They came in so nervous and excited and driven. I mean, they didn’t’ stop, they just kept trying, kept trying, kept trying. Any feedback we gave them, anything that the mentor said they need to work on, we told them, and they applied it. They were hungry for that position and that job.”

    After the ceremony, Cook reflected on his biggest takeaway from his Project SEARCH experience.

    “Learning about who I wanted to become and changing my life around,” Cook says.

    The 11th cohort, which starts at UConn Health in August, has eight interns.

    Favarh is based in Canton and is a chapter of the Arc, a worldwide organization that supports people with disabilities. In partnership with UConn Health Human Resources and the Connecticut Departments of Developmental Services and Rehabilitative Services, Favarh brought Project SEARCH to UConn Health in 2015.

    Learn more about Project SEARCH at UConn Health.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Hanmi Bank Hosts Grand Opening Celebration of New Branch in Duluth, Georgia

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DULUTH, Ga., June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hanmi Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: HAFC) (“Hanmi”), the holding company for Hanmi Bank, today welcomed local officials and community members to its grand opening celebration for its newest branch in Duluth, Georgia. Honored guests included Georgia State Representative Long Tran (Dist. 80), and Gwinnett County Commissioner Kirkland Carden. They were joined by several Hanmi Bank executives, including Bonnie Lee, President and CEO, Anthony Kim, Chief Banking Officer, and Cindy Yum, who serves as Branch Manager for the new Duluth location.

    The Duluth branch is Hanmi’s first full-service branch in Georgia, located at 2330 Pleasant Hill Road, Suite 100 – less than 30 miles from Atlanta. Georgia continues to be a key hub for Korean business investment and expansion. In fiscal year 2023, Korean companies announced over $10 billion in new investments and the creation of more than 12,600 jobs across the state, according to the Office of the Governor. Total trade between Georgia and Korea reached $17.5 billion last year, underscoring the strength of this dynamic economic partnership.

    “Our expansion in Georgia is an important step in our growth plans, and we’re excited to be a part of this community,” said Bonnie Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hanmi Financial Corporation. “Duluth is a vibrant and diverse city that values business opportunity and community strength. We look forward to supporting local businesses and individuals, and contributing to the continued economic vitality of this region through our relationship-based banking model.”

    Hanmi Bank Duluth Branch offers a comprehensive range of personal and business banking services, including checking and savings accounts, commercial lending, SBA loans, and specialized financial solutions. Bank hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

    About Hanmi Financial Corporation
    Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Hanmi Financial Corporation owns Hanmi Bank, which serves multi-ethnic communities through its network of 32 full-service branches, five loan production offices and three loan centers in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Hanmi Bank specializes in real estate, commercial, SBA and trade finance lending to small and middle market businesses. Additional information is available at www.hanmi.com.

    Contact
    Kelly McAndrew
    Financial Profiles, Inc.
    310-622-8239
    kmcandrew@finprofiles.com

    Source: Hanmi Bank

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1979e6ea-5852-40ca-a7fe-5713ce755da3

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Five Highs Gang Members Convicted by Jury of RICO Conspiracy, Drug Trafficking, and Firearms Offenses

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    Following a three-week trial, a federal jury in Minneapolis convicted five Minnesota men today for their involvement in the Highs — a violent Minneapolis street gang — and in gang-related murders, shootings, and narcotics distribution.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, defendants Tyreese Giles, 24, Josiah Taylor, 31, Trevaun Robinson, 29, William Banks, 35, and Gregory Brown, 35, all of Minneapolis, were members of various “cliques,” or subsets, of the Highs — a criminal enterprise that controlled territory north of West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis. Members of the Highs committed murders, narcotics trafficking, weapons violations, burglaries, assaults, and robberies on behalf of the enterprise. As part of their Highs membership, the defendants were expected to retaliate against their rivals, the Lows gang, which operated south of West Broadway Avenue. These two gangs had been in a gang war that spanned years and alleged members of the Lows gang have been separately charged with federal crimes, including racketeering charges.

    “This is the second successful trial against members and associates of the Highs gang in this case in the last three weeks,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This case and these trials show the Department’s relentless determination to hold accountable criminal enterprises that use murder and intimidation to exert power and control narcotics territory. We will continue to dismantle violent gangs and secure justice for victims and their loved ones in communities around the country.”

    “The Highs have long terrorized north Minneapolis, bringing drugs, violence, and murder,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson for the District of Minnesota. “This verdict represents yet another step in our fight against gang violence. I want to thank the coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who joined together to bring down this violent criminal street gang. I also want to thank the Justice Department’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section for lending their expertise and partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on our RICO cases.”

    “This case is a powerful example of how we use federal racketeering laws to take down violent gangs at the center of community violence,” said Acting Director Daniel Driscoll of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “These individuals relied on firearms, retaliation, and drug trafficking to fuel chaos and assert fear and dominance over their neighborhoods. ATF special agents worked closely with our partners to map the gang’s structure and document their vicious acts of violence, to bring the full weight of the law against its members. We will continue to use every tool available to protect the public and hold violent offenders accountable.”

    “The verdict today reflects the United States Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) dedication to building great partnerships with other federal agencies, as well as state and county law enforcement, to bring violent criminals in our communities to justice,” said Acting Inspector in Charge Steve Hodge of USPIS.

    “As financial investigators, IRS Criminal Investigation brings a unique skill set to dismantling violent criminal enterprises,” said Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of the IRS Criminal Investigation Chicago Field Office. “Our special agents are experts in exposing how criminal organizations move and hide their illicit funds. By following the money, we developed critical financial evidence on significant fentanyl suppliers. As an agency on the RICO task force to combat violent crime, IRS-CI will continue to collaborate with our federal, state, and local partners to make a noticeable impact in our community. These convictions are a critical step in restoring safety and stability to the streets of Minneapolis and maintaining the marked decrease in violence in our community.”

    As proven at trial, the gang war escalated when, on Sept. 9, 2021, a prominent Highs member was shot and killed at a barbershop in Minneapolis. About two hours later, suspecting that the Lows were responsible for the killing, defendant Giles traveled to Pennwood Market in Lows territory. Once there, Giles, who was dressed in black and wearing a mask covering his face, shot and killed a Lows member. He fired the fatal shot into the victim’s back before he attempted to flee from the scene.

    Evidence at trial tied defendant Robinson to two shootings — one into a crowd of individuals in downtown Minneapolis on July 7, 2019, and another in the parking lot of Merwin Liquors, a Highs hangout, on April 2, 2022.

    Defendants Taylor and Banks trafficked drugs, including fentanyl, on behalf of the Highs. Evidence proved that Brown was a high-level narcotics supplier for the Highs and coordinated trips to and from Arizona for Highs members to obtain tens of thousands of fentanyl pills to sell on the streets of Minneapolis. Each defendant was arrested in possession of narcotics, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, and oxycodone, and one possessed a firearm in furtherance of their narcotics trafficking.

    The jury convicted defendants Giles, Robinson, Banks, And Brown of Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Conspiracy. Defendants Taylor and Banks were also convicted of drug trafficking conspiracy. The jury convicted Taylor of the separate crime of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    This is the second of several trials in this case, which charged over 40 defendants with RICO conspiracy, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, and other charges related to their activities as members and associates of the Highs gang. Nine defendants are awaiting trial.

    The ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections are investigating the case, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to the investigation.

    Trial Attorneys Brian Lynch and Alyssa Levey-Weinstein of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Lopez-Calhoun and Carla Baumel of the District of Minnesota are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Patriot National Bancorp Announces Completion of $10M Registered Direct Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    STAMFORD, Conn., June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Patriot National Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PNBK) (the “Company”), the parent company of Patriot Bank, N.A., today announced that it has successfully completed a registered direct offering of 8,524,160 shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $1.25 per share, raising gross proceeds of $10,655,200.

    The registered direct offering follows the Company’s March 20, 2025 private placement that raised over $50 million in gross proceeds from a diverse group of accredited investors.

    Steven Sugarman, President of Patriot National Bancorp, stated, “We are pleased by the continued strong investor interest in Patriot Bank. The success of this offering further strengthens the Bank’s capital base and enhances our ability to execute on our strategic objectives. With a significantly reinforced balance sheet, we are well-positioned to serve our clients and communities with greater resilience and flexibility. We appreciate the confidence our investors have placed in our team and our mission.”

    The shares of common stock described above were offered and sold pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-287283), which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 22, 2025. A prospectus supplement describing the terms of the registered direct offering has been filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC served as capital markets adviser to the Company. Blank Rome LLP and Robinson & Cole LLP served as counsel for the Company.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of these 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 any such state or jurisdiction.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the Company’s plans, objectives, goals, strategies, business plans, future events or performance. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “targets,” “designed,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “will” or other similar words and expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Because forward-looking statements relate to future results and occurrences, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties, changes in circumstances and other factors that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on the Company’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding its business, plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Many possible events or factors could affect the Company’s future financial results and performance and could cause its actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any anticipated results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others: (i) the dilution to be caused by the Company’s issuance of additional shares of its capital stock in connection with the offering, (ii) general competitive, economic, political and market conditions, or (iii) other factors that may affect future results of the Company.

    Given these factors, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All information set forth in this press release is as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

    Learn more about Patriot National Bancorp, Inc. at www.bankpatriot.com

    Media Inquiries:
    Kirsten Hoekman
    khoekman@bankpatriot.com
    (203) 252-5905

    The MIL Network –