NewzIntel.com

    • Checkout Page
    • Contact Us
    • Default Redirect Page
    • Frontpage
    • Home-2
    • Home-3
    • Lost Password
    • Member Login
    • Member LogOut
    • Member TOS Page
    • My Account
    • NewzIntel Alert Control-Panel
    • NewzIntel Latest Reports
    • Post Views Counter
    • Privacy Policy
    • Public Individual Page
    • Register
    • Subscription Plan
    • Thank You Page

Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Inverness groups awarded Common Good Funding

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Six projects that will benefit charities, families and local sports clubs are to receive £82,880 Inverness Common Good Funding which has been awarded by Members of The Highland Council’s City of Inverness Area Committee today.

    Leader of Inverness and Area Cllr Ian Brown said: “Inverness Common Good Fund continues to support a variety of local groups and charities making a significant difference to the lives of people. I am pleased to see the range of awards benefitting the health and wellbeing particularly for those more vulnerable in our communities.

    The following grants have been awarded:

    • Highlands & Islands Blood Bikes (£10,500) towards the costs of a motorcycle for urgent medical response (e.g. blood samples, patient medications, human donor milk) for NHS Highland, with significant support to Raigmore Hospital and NHS patients.
    • Inverness Rowing Club (£7,000) towards an all abilities pontoon project on the Caledonian Canal.
    • Apex Scotland: (£7,000) towards the Challenge Team to support the implementation of a woodworking project aimed at participants who have experience with the justice system to offer an opportunity for skill development, personal growth, and community reintegration leading to meaningful employment.
    • Shopmobility Highland (£21,000) towards shopmobility based in Eastgate Centre, Inverness providing support to anyone who requires a mobility aid to have the use of a manual wheelchair, powerchair or mobility scooter.
    • Calman Trust (£18,380) towards Beyond Club Artysans to support the employment of a youth worker.
    • Inverness Angling Club (£19,000) towards financial support for the continued arrangements in respect of the Inverness Common Good Fund River Fishings.

    Members also noted that the Inverness Common Good Fund Sub Committee has agreed that as part of ongoing liaison arrangements officers undertake discussions with office bearers of the Inverness Angling Club to review the current action plan with the outcome reported to a future meeting of the Sub-Committee.

    19 May 2025

    Share this story

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Winter Payments Welfare Advice boosts increased benefits awarded

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Households in the Inverness Area have benefited significantly from Welfare Advice received by Highland Council Officers when applying for the Inverness Winter Payment Scheme.

    Leader of Inverness and Area, Councillor Ian Brown explained: “Councillors have agreed to continue the Inverness Common Good Fund Winter Payments Scheme for 2025/26 which will provide financial support to eligible households when extra fuel is needed to keep homes warm during the winter months. The scheme is aimed at anyone on a low income of all ages and not just pensioners.”

    He added: “We have heard today of examples where the Winter Payments Scheme has brought major financial boosts of 3 figure sums to some households through engagement with the Council’s Welfare Advice Team. Council officers, in discussion with households have been able to identify other benefits they are eligible for to help improve their quality of life. I would like to commend the Council’s Welfare Advice Team for the continuous excellent service they provide to our communities.

    “I encourage anyone who is entitled to benefits to claim them or ask for help in claiming them if they feel they cannot apply.”

    Councillors have agreed £0.237m Inverness Common Good Funding for the Inverness Winter Payments Discretionary Scheme for 2025/26 of £115 per eligible household in addition to the financial support already available to some households from Social Security Scotland, Pension Age Winter Heating Payment and other sources.

    Members agreed to apply a Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase to the £111 award rate for 2024/25 resulting in this year’s higher total of £115.

    Inverness Common Good Funding can only be used where regard has been given to benefiting people living within the geographic area of the former Burgh of Inverness.

    Over 1,600 households in Inverness benefitted from the much-needed Scheme last winter 2024/25 – which was available to eligible people within the 7 specified Inverness Wards of Aird and Loch Ness, Inverness West, Inverness Central, Inverness Ness-side, Inverness Millburn, Culloden and Ardersier and Inverness South.

    During winter 2024/25 the scheme made 1,687 payments of £111 totalling £187,257 to eligible people on low incomes to help them with their winter fuel bills.

    The ‘Worrying About Money Guide’ covers information for people waiting for claims to be assessed as well as those already receiving benefits. Topics including advice on what to do if anyone finds themselves having a sudden loss of income or if their statutory sick pay does not cover their living expenses. There is also information on how to apply to the Scottish Welfare Fund, maximising income and benefit advice, debt advice and how to challenge a decision.

    The Worrying About Money Guide is available on the Highland Council website at:  https://www.highland.gov.uk/directory_record/102970/benefit_advice

    The 2024/25 Inverness Winter Payment Scheme is now closed. Members have agreed that the 2025/26 scheme will open for new applications from 1 December 2025 to 28 February 2026 inclusive.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Jayapal Statement on SCOTUS Ruling Allowing for the Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela:

    “The Trump administration is cruelly moving forward with ending TPS for 350,000 Venezuelans who have fled the authoritarian Maduro regime. Venezuelans face extreme oppression, arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killings, and torture. Poverty levels are surging, and essentials like electricity, water, and medical care are scarce. The dire circumstances in Venezuela make it clear that this is exactly the type of situation that requires our government to provide TPS.

    “The Administration’s move to end TPS for Venezuelans throws out people who are contributing substantially to our economy, including in Florida, which is home to the largest share of TPS holders of all 50 states, with almost 300,000 TPS holders, about 60 percent of whom are Venezuelan. Economists have warned that the Administration’s cruel moves on ending TPS for those who have committed no crimes and are here working will have enormous economic consequences, disrupt businesses, increase prices for consumers, and lead to deeper labor shortages. 

    “It is shameful that the Trump administration would pull the rug out from so many Venezuelans who came into the country lawfully, fleeing untold violence and devastation in their home country.“

    The US Department of State has a “Do Not Travel” advisory for Venezuela due to high rates of violent crime, including homicide, as well as the presence of active terrorist groups. The Department of State withdrew all diplomatic personnel in 2019. 

    Issues: Immigration

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Aifeex Hosts Grand Global AI Summit in Bangkok, Accelerates Global Expansion and Leads the New Era of Artificial Intelligence

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On May 18, 2025, Aifeex, a global leader in technological innovation, hosted its 2025 Global Artificial Intelligence Summit in Bangkok, Thailand.
    The landmark event brought together leading technology experts, industry pioneers, and global investors to witness Aifeex’s visionary approach to artificial intelligence and the ongoing execution of its global AI strategy. 

    During the summit, Ford Cooper, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Aifeex, pointed out that artificial intelligence is at a historic turning point—similar to the early days of the electricity revolution—and is set to reshape the global landscape in the years ahead.
    He said, “Now is the best time to seize the AI opportunity and change the course of our future.” 

    Aifeex’s flagship platform, the Takwin AI System, uses advanced data analysis and prediction tools to provide accurate insights into cryptocurrency market trends, helping users stay ahead of the coming market shifts.

    At the summit, Alex Jensen, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Aifeex, announced that the company is rapidly advancing the deployment of its global operations centers, with the Thailand hub now officially launched and operational. He emphasized that investing in AI not only holds tremendous potential, but also reflects the trajectory of our times. Encouraging attendees to seize the moment and embrace challenges with ambition, he stated, “Choose the hard path, and life becomes easier,” a remark that drew resounding applause from the audience.

    The summit showcased Aifeex’s exceptional achievements in AI research and development, platform innovation, and community building. It also marked a further consolidation of the company’s leadership position in the Asia-Pacific region, while laying a strong foundation for future expansion into Africa, the Middle East, and other emerging markets.

    As Aifeex’s core technological platform, the Takwin System is demonstrating broad application potential within the financial sector—driven by its multi-model synergy, reinforcement learning capabilities, and large-scale scenario simulation.

    Through this platform, Aifeex is empowering the future of both everyday life and investment.

    The Bangkok summit marked not only a significant milestone in Aifeex’s global expansion strategy, but also a powerful signal of AI’s transformative role in shaping the future of society and driving economic change. 

    Aifeex remains steadfast in its mission of “Empowering the Future Through Technology” and will continue to advance the global adoption and implementation of AI—working collaboratively across industries to usher in a new era of intelligent innovation, 

    The MIL Network –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM remarks at business reception: 19 May 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    PM remarks at business reception: 19 May 2025

    Prime Minister’s remarks from the business reception in Downing Street.

    Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

    Commissioner Sefcovic.

    It’s fantastic to welcome you all to mark the strategic partnership that we have agreed today with the EU.

    Trade deals are much talked about.

    People tried for a long time to get a trade deal with India, and it didn’t happen for eight years. We came along and did that deal with India.

    People tried and talked about a deal with the US, we came along and did that deal with the US.

    Nobody believed we could do a better deal with the EU, and we’ve just done a better deal with the EU.

    I always said, I’m not particularly keen on the performance side of politics. I think it’s the delivery that matters.

    And this has happened because of the serious, pragmatic way that we’ve gone around our negotiations, and when I met Ursula and Antonio at the beginning of the exercise, we committed to each other that we wouldn’t do it by megaphone diplomacy.

    We would do the hard yards of real diplomacy and negotiation, and that’s the base on which we got this deal today.

    And so, in the space of just under two weeks, three trade deals.

    That tells you something about serious pragmatism.

    It tells you something about our commitment to growth, but it also tells you something about the country, because others only want to do trade deals with businesses and economies that they want to tie themselves to going forward.

    It reflects the strength of all those that are represented here and many, many others, because we have dramatically improved our trading ties with the largest economy in the world, the US, the fastest growing economy in the world, India, and the largest trading bloc in the world, the EU.

    And that is, as I say, a vote of confidence in this country.

    We’re living in a different world. It’s a different era, and notwithstanding that instability, that uncertainty, the decisions that we’ve taken to stabilize the economy and lead the way internationally have made Britain a place that people want to do business with once again.

    And I’m really proud to be leading a government and a country where others are telling me that they’re very pleased to see the UK back leading on the world stage, whether it’s defense and security, whether it’s trade or the economy or many of the other global issues that face us.

    And to underline that Britain is a place where people want to do business. Once again,  I’m delighted that we’re announcing major new European investments into Britain today.

    Rheinmetall investing £60 million in Telford.

    Knauf Insulation…

    Investing £170 million in North Wales.

    And NewCold investing £235 million in Corby.

    Together, creating hundreds of new jobs across the UK.

    We also have news today of great British companies – like Octopus energy – expanding in Europe.

    So I want to say a huge thank you to everyone here… 

    For backing Britain.

    And let’s just take a closer look at the deal we’ve struck today.

    It gives us unprecedented access to the EU market –  

    The best of any country outside the EU or EFTA.

    All while sticking to our red lines.

    It’s good for bills, good for jobs, good for borders…

    Good for businesses large and small.

    By 2040 it will increase Britain’s GDP by around £9 billion.

    Our SPS agreement will make food and agriculture trade cheaper and easier…

    Cutting admin costs that can reach thousands for a single lorry…

    Opening up EU markets for British food exporters…

    Lifting the de facto ban on British burgers, bangers and shellfish…

    And bringing down prices for British consumers.  

    Our new Defence and Security Partnership…

    Will strengthen our security…

    And open the door to working with the EU’s new defence fund –

    Boosting Britain’s defence industry.

    By increasing our co-operation on emissions trading…

    We’re saving UK businesses…

    From having to pay £800 million in EU carbon taxes.

    By increasing cooperation on energy…

    We’re bringing down bills over the long term,

    And boosting our renewables industry in the North Sea.

    The deal also protects our steel exports from new EU tariffs,

    Saving the industry £25 million each year.

    And it puts the fishing industry on a stable footing…

    Protecting our access, rights and fishing areas…

    With no increase in the amount that EU vessels can catch in our waters. 

    And our fishing industry will also benefit from that new SPS agreement, slashing costs and red tape.

    So this a new deal for a new era…

    One that will bring huge benefits to the British people.

    And by the way –

    For business travellers – and tourists –

    We confirmed today…

    That you’ll be able be able to use e-Gates in Europe –

    Ending those huge queues at passport control.

    That really is something to celebrate!

    You know, when I became Prime Minister…

    Almost a year ago…

    I said I would deliver in the national interest.

    And I think we’ve shown today, once again –

    That I meant it.

    So thank for you for your support –

    Now let’s build on this progress…

    Let’s keep showing that Britain is open for business…

    And working with all our partners –

    To deliver for the British people.

    Thank you all.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Foreign Minister Holds Talks with Danish Counterpart

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Beijing on Monday with visiting Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.

    Wang Yi, also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, pointed out that Denmark was one of the first Western countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China and establish diplomatic relations with it.

    According to the Chinese diplomat, the two sides have always shown mutual respect and treated each other as equals, established a comprehensive strategic partnership and built high-level mutually beneficial cooperation, with green development playing a leading role.

    Wang Yi stressed that the most important experience that has ensured the healthy and stable development of China-Denmark relations over the past 75 years is the firm adherence to the principle of equality of all countries regardless of their size and respect for each other’s fundamental interests.

    The Chinese Foreign Minister noted that on the Greenland issue, China fully respects Denmark’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and, in turn, hopes that the Danish side will continue to support China’s legitimate position on issues related to its own sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    Wang Yi expressed China’s willingness to firmly adhere to bilateral opening-up with Denmark, take green development as a key aspect to inject new impetus into practical cooperation, and continue to deepen cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, scientific research, innovation and green economy.

    According to the Chinese diplomat, China is currently making efforts to expand high-level opening-up, which will create a broader development space for foreign-invested companies. The Chinese side invites Danish enterprises to invest and do business in China. “We also hope that Denmark can provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises operating in the country,” Wang Yi added.

    As he recalled, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, and since the beginning of this year, Chinese-European relations have demonstrated stable and positive dynamics.

    According to the head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, China wants to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with the European side to jointly promote the healthy development of relations between China and the EU and hopes that Denmark will play an active role in this direction.

    In addition, Wang added, China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with European countries including Denmark to jointly safeguard the international system with the UN at its core and the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its center.

    L. L. Rasmussen, for his part, stated that the Danish government and parliament firmly adhere to the one-China principle, intend to strengthen interstate contacts at a high level, expand dialogue and mutual understanding in various fields, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of investment and green transition, establish closer cultural and humanitarian exchanges in order to promote the sustainable and dynamic development of bilateral relations.

    “The Danish side takes an open position towards investments by Chinese companies in Denmark, and Danish companies also expect to make long-term investments in the Chinese market,” L. L. Rasmussen emphasized.

    He added that Denmark firmly supports free trade and opposes decoupling, hoping to strengthen communication and coordination with China on multilateral issues to jointly safeguard the multilateral system and international order, and maintain the momentum of globalization.

    The parties also exchanged views on the Ukrainian crisis and other international and regional issues. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Pass the One, Big, Beautiful Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    President Donald J. Trump’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make good on the promises Republicans have made — and that’s why advocacy groups and other stakeholders are coming out in droves to urge Congress to immediately pass the landmark bill.
    Here’s what they’re saying about the One, Big, Beautiful Bill:
    American Exploration & Production Council CEO Anne Bradbury: “On behalf of America’s leading independent producers of oil and natural gas, AXPC urges all House Republicans to pass the budget reconciliation and advance President Trump’s agenda to unleash American energy. This legislation takes decisive steps towards improving our nation’s energy landscape by repealing the Biden-era menthane tax, unlocking oil and gas development on federal lands, and alleviating regulatory pain points that have stymied the build out of American energy. Passing this bill is essential to secure America’s energy dominance through smart, durable reforms.”
    NumbersUSA: “For decades Congress has promised to secure the border and failed to deliver. The House Reconciliation bill delivers on the promise of building the border wall, 10,000 ICE officers, detention beds, historic funding for Customs and Border Patrol and a tax on money illegal aliens send out of the country. The Trump Administration needs this funding to deport illegal aliens, millions of whom entered the country over the last four years. The American people voted in mess this last election to secure our borders and return law and order to our immigration system. Congress must not fail them.”
    Airlines for America: “A4A strongly supports the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and applauds the inclusion of a critical investment of $12.5 billion in modernizing the Federal Aviation Administration’s air traffic facilities, systems and infrastructure. For years, A4A has been sounding the alarm about ATC staffing shortages and antiquated equipment, such as copper wires and floppy disks. Given the challenges facing the air traffic system, these funds are a vital down payment on updating the technology that guides 27,000 flights, 2.7 million passengers and 61,000 tons of cargo every day—all while driving five percent of our nation’s GDP. The legislation also makes smart, strategic investments in Customs and Border Protection personnel and training for the aviation workforce of tomorrow while supporting American energy dominance in aviation fuel production. We encourage the House to pass this legislation and deliver on the Department of Transportation’s plan to help keep our skies safe and efficient. Modernizing our National Airspace System is necessary, and passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will help ensure the United States has a world-class aviation system.”
    National Federation of Independent Business SVP for Advocacy Adam Temple: “On behalf of NFIB, the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, I write in support of the Committee’s legislative proposal to comply with reconciliation instructions contained within the concurrent resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025, H. Con. Res. 14. As written, this is one of the most pro-small business pieces of tax legislation in recent history.”
    CTIA—The Wireless Association President and CEO Ajit Pai: “The wireless industry urges swift passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The critical spectrum and tax provisions in this legislation will allow the wireless industry to invest, create jobs, propel economic growth, and secure America’s edge in innovation.”
    Job Creators Network CEO Alfredo Ortiz: “House Republicans’ big, beautiful reconciliation bill is exactly what the country needs to jumpstart the economy and guarantee the safety and prosperity of Americans for decades to come. It helps people of all backgrounds but especially small businesses, the backbone of our economy, by making permanent and expanding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It increases the small business tax deduction used by 26 million entrepreneurs annually from 20% to 23% — a tax cut Job Creators Network has long been the leading voice for. The bill also restores 100% immediate expensing, allowing businesses to write off investments, expansion, and modernization. It will empower Main Street to expand, hire, raise wages, and reinvest in their communities, while also providing significant tax relief for ordinary folks. All Republicans should unite to support this historic reconciliation bill. We need Tax Cuts Now.”
    Business Roundtable President & COO Kristen Silverberg: “Business Roundtable strongly supports the House budget reconciliation bill. This important legislation ensures a more competitive, pro-growth tax system, secures our borders and takes the necessary step of raising the debt ceiling. We urge members of the House Budget Committee to swiftly pass this measure.”
    Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council President & CEO Karen Kerrigan: “SBE Council strongly supports the One Big, Beautiful Bill and urges every member of the U.S. House to vote in support of this economically powerful package. The One Big, Beautiful Bill provides entrepreneurs and small businesses with the tools and policy environment they need to invest in their businesses and workforce, to innovate and strengthen their firms, and to lead America’s economic resurgence.”
    Associated Equipment Distributors SVP Daniel B. Fisher: “This legislation will spur economic growth and job creation, incentivize capital investment, and ensure AED members, which supply and maintain the equipment needed to build, feed and fuel America, remain competitive for years to come. We urge support for the bill and look forward to working with the entire House of Representatives to approve it as soon as possible.”
    National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association Interim CEO Michele Stanley: “NSSGA appreciates that ‘The One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ includes aggregates industry priorities, such as bonus depreciation, the Research and Development Tax Credit, small business deductions, keeping the corporate tax rate at the status quo and protecting percentage depletion and estate taxes. Additionally, we appreciate the committee’s commitment to safeguarding associations’ tax-protected status. NSSGA thanks the committee for introducing this bill and encourages the Ways and Means Committee and the House of Representatives to pass this package in a timely manner.”
    60 Plus Association Chairman Jim Martin: “It’s a win for seniors across the country. The President and House Republicans are providing much needed tax relief to middle and low-income seniors.”
    Association of Mature American Citizens Action SVP Andrew J. Mangione, Jr.: “This bill is a win for seniors, for taxpayers, and for the future of our country. We urge swift passage and full support from lawmakers who value liberty, accountability, and the financial security of AMAC members across the country.”
    RATE Coalition Executive Director Dan Combs: “This legislation is a clear step toward preserving a tax code that spurs job creation, boosts wages, and builds on the legacy created by President Trump and Congress under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Now is the time for Congress to come together, finish the work, and deliver a strong, stable economic foundation for American workers and businesses. A competitive corporate tax rate is key to keeping the U.S. ahead and a top destination for investment in the global economy. This bill goes a long way towards making that possible.”
    Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi: “We’ve said from the start: No Tax on Tips should include @Uber drivers & couriers. Grateful the new House Ways & Means bill does just that. Thanks to @POTUS and @RepJasonSmith for backing all tipped workers—no matter how they work. Let’s get this done!”
    DoorDash CEO Tony Xu: “Thanks to @POTUS and @RepJasonSmith, millions of Dashers may soon get a tax break on their hard-earned tips. Following advocacy from 40K Dashers, including dozens in DC last week, the House’s budget bill is an important step in making #NoTaxOnTips a reality.”
    Americans for Prosperity Chief Government Affairs Officer Brent Gardner: “The Republican Party has an incredible opportunity to put the country on the right track for long-term economic growth by making the Trump Tax Cuts permanent and avoiding the largest tax hike in American history. This bill is smart pro-growth policy that would provide certainty for American businesses and lead to sustained prosperity for millions of working Americans. This legislation also takes meaningful action to cut billions in special interest giveaways, reforming broken programs, and rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse –   ensuring that taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars are spent wisely. It’s about making government work better for the people it serves. We’re encouraged by the foundation laid in the House and stand ready to work with Senate lawmakers to get this measure across the finish line. The moment for action is now. We urge all Members to support this legislation and put our economy on the path to growth and opportunity.”
    Concerned Veterans for America Executive Director John Vick: “Failing to extend President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would impose the largest tax hike in U.S. history on American families and businesses. Congress must seize its opportunity to protect our long-term prosperity while improving the lives of middle-class Americans. The American people sent a clear message last November: they are tired of massive tax hikes, higher prices, reckless government spending, and Biden-era “Green New Deal” giveaways. Congress must answer this call by moving budget reconciliation forward. As veterans, we fought for a better future for our fellow Americans. We also understand that a strong economy is the bedrock of American strength at home and abroad. Today, CVA calls on Congress to act to protect the promise of long-term economic growth and prosperity for all Americans.”
    The LIBRE Initiative Executive Director Sandra Benitez: “We commend the House Budget Committee for taking a positive step to ensure that we continue extending tax relief to middle-class families and job creators, including Latinos who cannot afford a tax hike. Now it is critical that the House of Representatives have a full House vote as quickly as possible and approve this pro-growth legislation to help unleash prosperity and opportunity for all. The LIBRE Initiative looks forward to educating and activating the Latino community on the benefits of this critical legislation.”
    America First Policy Institute: “Conservatives must deliver to the American people! The One, Big, Beautiful Bill cuts taxes for ALL Americans, secures the border, stands up to the woke mob by empowering parents and protecting women and children, and much more!”
    Independent Women Center for Economic Opportunity Director Patrice Onwuka: “Passing the Big, Beautiful Bill is an imperative. The stakes are high. If Congress fails to pass this bill, average Americans face a massive 22% tax increase, 40 million families will see their Child Tax Credit slashed in half, and 26 million small businesses face a 43.4% top tax rate. Republicans should not hold up tax relief for American families and small businesses to bail out high-tax blue states.”
    Family Business Coalition: “Family Business Coalition supports the ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ which includes tax relief that will help family businesses expand, upgrade equipment, and hire more workers. FBC urges the House to take action now to move this process forward in Congress.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Salesman Who Defrauded Women and Older Adults Denied Bankruptcy Discharge

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    The U.S. Trustee Program (USTP) recently obtained a judgment denying a bankruptcy discharge to a door-to-door salesman who concealed his business interests and lied in his bankruptcy case to evade his creditors, including women and older adults whom he defrauded.

    On April 18, the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon entered a default judgment denying a discharge to chapter 7 debtor Jason Gillis. Gillis — who sold vacuums, air filters, and related products — crafted fraudulent schemes generally targeting women he pursued as romantic partners and their elderly parents. In one such scheme, he solicited investments in his businesses but used the money primarily for personal expenses. His victims included a 79-year-old woman recovering from a stroke. In addition to running up debts using the identities of the woman and her daughter without their knowledge or consent, Gillis arranged for the older woman to take out a mortgage on her home, purportedly under duress. In total, he persuaded her to transfer more than $100,000 to a business bank account that he controlled, then diverted a significant amount of the funds to pay for personal expenses.

    Gillis also used some of those funds to lease a recreational vehicle valued at about $150,000 from another woman in her seventies, whose daughter he briefly dated. After taking possession of the RV, which he then lived in, Gillis stopped making lease payments and refused to disclose the vehicle’s location.

    Gillis filed a chapter 7 bankruptcy petition in August 2024 amid several lawsuits and judgments based on claims of breach of contract, fraud, and theft by deception. An investigation by the USTP’s Portland office revealed that to avoid collection efforts, Gillis concealed his interests in several businesses by transferring nominal ownership to victims while he retained full control and by forging signatures on forms filed with the Oregon Secretary of State. He also made several false statements in his bankruptcy case about his assets and financial affairs, including his multiple business interests; the transfers of nominal ownership; deposits to undisclosed financial accounts; and a wrongful death settlement related to his mother’s estate.

    Gillis did not respond to or defend against the USTP’s complaint to deny his bankruptcy discharge, leading to a default judgment in the USTP’s favor. As a result, Gillis remains personally liable for his debts — including more than $1.7 million in unsecured debts listed in his bankruptcy schedules — and creditors may continue collections on claims against him.

    “Bankruptcy is not a safe haven for fraudsters,” said Acting U.S. Trustee Jonas V. Anderson for Region 18, which includes the District of Oregon. “The U.S. Trustee Program, as the watchdog of the bankruptcy system, is committed to rooting out deceptive schemes that harm innocent victims.”

    One of the USTP’s core functions is to combat bankruptcy fraud and abuse through civil enforcement actions against debtors who engage in fraud or otherwise abuse the bankruptcy system. When circumstances warrant, the USTP takes action to deny those debtors a discharge. Generally, under the Bankruptcy Code, debtors are not entitled to a discharge if they conceal property with intent to hinder, delay or defraud a creditor or an officer of the bankruptcy estate, such as the private trustee administering the estate. The Code also prevents a discharge if the debtor knowingly and fraudulently made a false oath or account in or in connection with the bankruptcy case.

    The USTP’s mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders — debtors, creditors and the public. The USTP consists of 21 regions with 89 field offices nationwide and an Executive Office in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the USTP at www.justice.gov/ust. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Salesman Who Defrauded Women and Older Adults Denied Bankruptcy Discharge

    Source: US State of Vermont

    The U.S. Trustee Program (USTP) recently obtained a judgment denying a bankruptcy discharge to a door-to-door salesman who concealed his business interests and lied in his bankruptcy case to evade his creditors, including women and older adults whom he defrauded.

    On April 18, the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon entered a default judgment denying a discharge to chapter 7 debtor Jason Gillis. Gillis — who sold vacuums, air filters, and related products — crafted fraudulent schemes generally targeting women he pursued as romantic partners and their elderly parents. In one such scheme, he solicited investments in his businesses but used the money primarily for personal expenses. His victims included a 79-year-old woman recovering from a stroke. In addition to running up debts using the identities of the woman and her daughter without their knowledge or consent, Gillis arranged for the older woman to take out a mortgage on her home, purportedly under duress. In total, he persuaded her to transfer more than $100,000 to a business bank account that he controlled, then diverted a significant amount of the funds to pay for personal expenses.

    Gillis also used some of those funds to lease a recreational vehicle valued at about $150,000 from another woman in her seventies, whose daughter he briefly dated. After taking possession of the RV, which he then lived in, Gillis stopped making lease payments and refused to disclose the vehicle’s location.

    Gillis filed a chapter 7 bankruptcy petition in August 2024 amid several lawsuits and judgments based on claims of breach of contract, fraud, and theft by deception. An investigation by the USTP’s Portland office revealed that to avoid collection efforts, Gillis concealed his interests in several businesses by transferring nominal ownership to victims while he retained full control and by forging signatures on forms filed with the Oregon Secretary of State. He also made several false statements in his bankruptcy case about his assets and financial affairs, including his multiple business interests; the transfers of nominal ownership; deposits to undisclosed financial accounts; and a wrongful death settlement related to his mother’s estate.

    Gillis did not respond to or defend against the USTP’s complaint to deny his bankruptcy discharge, leading to a default judgment in the USTP’s favor. As a result, Gillis remains personally liable for his debts — including more than $1.7 million in unsecured debts listed in his bankruptcy schedules — and creditors may continue collections on claims against him.

    “Bankruptcy is not a safe haven for fraudsters,” said Acting U.S. Trustee Jonas V. Anderson for Region 18, which includes the District of Oregon. “The U.S. Trustee Program, as the watchdog of the bankruptcy system, is committed to rooting out deceptive schemes that harm innocent victims.”

    One of the USTP’s core functions is to combat bankruptcy fraud and abuse through civil enforcement actions against debtors who engage in fraud or otherwise abuse the bankruptcy system. When circumstances warrant, the USTP takes action to deny those debtors a discharge. Generally, under the Bankruptcy Code, debtors are not entitled to a discharge if they conceal property with intent to hinder, delay or defraud a creditor or an officer of the bankruptcy estate, such as the private trustee administering the estate. The Code also prevents a discharge if the debtor knowingly and fraudulently made a false oath or account in or in connection with the bankruptcy case.

    The USTP’s mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders — debtors, creditors and the public. The USTP consists of 21 regions with 89 field offices nationwide and an Executive Office in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the USTP at www.justice.gov/ust. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: Overshooting 1.5°C: even temporary warming above globally agreed temperature limit could have permanent consequences

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Paul Dodds, Professor of Energy Systems, UCL

    Earth’s surface temperature has been 1.5°C hotter than the pre-industrial average for 21 of the last 22 months.

    The 2015 Paris agreement committed countries to keeping the global temperature increase “well below 2°C”, which is widely interpreted as an average of 1.5°C over a 30-year period. The Paris agreement has not yet failed, but recent high temperatures show how close the Earth is to crossing this critical threshold.

    Climate scientists have, using computer simulations, modelled pathways for halting climate change at internationally agreed limits. However, in recent years, many of the pathways that have been published involve exceeding 1.5°C for a few decades and removing enough greenhouse gas from the atmosphere to return Earth’s average temperature below the threshold again. Scientists call this “a temporary overshoot”.

    If human activities were to raise the global average temperature 1.6°C above the pre-industrial average, for example, then CO₂ removal, using methods ranging from habitat restoration to mechanically capturing CO₂ from the air, would be required to return warming to below 1.5°C by 2100.


    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.


    Do we really understand the consequences of “temporarily” overshooting 1.5°C? And would it even be possible to lower temperatures again?

    Faith that a temporary overshoot will be safe and practicable has justified a deliberate strategy of delaying emission cuts in the short term, some scientists warn. The dangers posed by remaining above the 1.5°C limit for a period of time have received little attention by researchers like me, who study climate change.

    To learn more, the UK government commissioned me and a team of 36 other scientists to examine the possible impacts.

    How nature will be affected

    We examined a “delayed action” scenario, in which greenhouse gas emissions remain similar for the next 15 years due to continued fossil fuel burning but then fall rapidly over a period of 20 years.

    We projected that this would cause the rise in Earth’s temperature to peak at 1.9°C in 2060, before falling to 1.5°C in 2100 as greenhouse gases are removed from the atmosphere. We compared this scenario with a baseline scenario in which the global temperature does not exceed 1.5°C of warming this century.

    Our Earth system model suggested that Arctic temperatures would be up to 4°C higher in 2060 compared to the baseline scenario. Arctic Sea ice loss would be much higher. Even after the global average temperature was returned to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in 2100, the Arctic would remain around 1.5°C warmer compared to the baseline scenario. This suggests there are long-term and potentially irreversible consequences for the climate in overshooting 1.5°C.

    Temperature increases caused by overshooting 1.5°C are primarily felt in the Arctic and on land.
    Selena Zhang, Maria Russo, Luke Abraham and Alex Archibald.

    As global warming approaches 2°C, warm-water corals, Arctic permafrost, Barents Sea ice and mountain glaciers could reach tipping points at which substantial and irreversible changes occur. Some scientists have concluded that the west Antarctic ice sheet may have already started melting irreversibly.

    Our modelling showed that the risk of catastrophic wildfires is substantially higher during a temporary overshoot that culminates in 1.9°C of warming, particularly in regions already vulnerable to wildfires. Fires in California in early 2025 are an example of what is possible when the global temperature is higher.

    Our analysis showed that the risk of species going extinct at 2°C of warming is double that at 1.5°C. Insects are most at risk because they are less able to move between regions in response to the changing climate than larger mammals and birds.

    The impacts on society

    Only armed conflict is considered by experts to have a greater impact on society than extreme weather. Forecasting how extreme weather will be affected by climate change is challenging. Scientists expect more intense storms, floods and droughts, but not necessarily in places that already regularly suffer these extremes.

    In some places, moderate floods may reduce in size while larger, more extreme events occur more often and cause more damage. We are confident that the sea level would rise faster in a temporary overshoot scenario, and further increase the risk of flooding. We also expect more extreme floods and droughts, and for them to cause more damage to water and sanitation systems.

    Floods and droughts will affect food production too. We found that impact studies have probably underestimated the crop damage that increases in extreme weather and water scarcity in key production areas during a temporary overshoot would cause.

    We know that heatwaves become more frequent and intense as temperatures increase. More scarce food and water would increase the health risks of heat exposure beyond 1.5°C. It is particularly difficult to estimate the overall impact of overshooting this temperature limit when several impacts reinforce each other in this way.

    In fact, most alarming of all is how uncertain much of our knowledge is.

    For example, we have little confidence in estimates of how climate change will affect the economy. Some academics use models to predict how crops and other economic assets will be affected by climate change; others infer what will happen by projecting real-word economic losses to date into future warming scenarios. For 3°C of warming, estimates of the annual impact on GDP using models range from -5% to +3% each year, but up to -55% using the latter approach.

    We have not managed to reconcile the differences between these methods. The highest estimates account for changes in extreme weather due to climate change, which are particularly difficult to determine.

    We carried out an economic analysis using estimates of climate damage from both models and observed climate-related losses. We found that temporarily overshooting 1.5°C would reduce global GDP compared with not overshooting it, even if economic damages were lower than we expect. The economic consequences for the global economy could be profound.

    So, what can we say for certain? First, that temporarily overshooting 1.5°C would be more costly to society and to the natural world than not overshooting it. Second, our projections are relatively conservative. It is likely that impacts would be worse, and possibly much worse, than we estimate.

    Fundamentally, every increment of global temperature rise will worsen impacts on us and the rest of the natural world. We should aim to minimise global warming as much as possible, rather than focus on a particular target.


    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.


    Paul Dodds has received funding from the UK government through the Climate Services for a Net Zero World (CS-N0W) programme. While the UK government set the research questions for the study, it was carried out independently by scientists from nine organisations. Dodds has also received funding for other research projects from a range of organisations, including UK Research and Innovation organisations (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Natural Environment Research Council); the IEA Energy Technology Systems Analysis Program (ETSAP); and private organisations (National Grid; Fuels Industry UK; Johnson Matthey; Cadent). A team at UCL led by Paul Dodds jointly develops the UK TIMES energy system model in a partnership with the UK government. This model was not used in this study.

    – ref. Overshooting 1.5°C: even temporary warming above globally agreed temperature limit could have permanent consequences – https://theconversation.com/overshooting-1-5-c-even-temporary-warming-above-globally-agreed-temperature-limit-could-have-permanent-consequences-255523

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: Britain is already becoming an ‘island of strangers’ – but immigration isn’t the driver

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Michael Skey, Lecturer in Media and Communications, Loughborough University

    Matthew Troke/Shutterstock

    Keir Starmer’s recent speech on immigration has generated a good deal of controversy. In announcing a government white paper to cut legal migration, the prime minister said: “Nations depend on rules – fair rules. Sometimes they’re written down, often they’re not, but either way, they give shape to our values … Without them, we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together.”

    As someone who has researched what gives people a sense of national belonging, I would argue there is evidence that Britain has become an “island of strangers” in the sense that people live increasingly isolated lives. But the problem has very little to do with migration.


    Want more politics coverage from academic experts? Every week, we bring you informed analysis of developments in government and fact check the claims being made.

    Sign up for our weekly politics newsletter, delivered every Friday.


    New public opinion research from think tank More in Common has found that 50% of Britons feel disconnected from society around them, while 44% say they sometimes feel like “strangers in their own country.” This feeling of alienation was strongest among Asian Britons.

    Some evidence suggests a relationship between diversity (ethnic and racial diversity) and lack of social cohesion, rather than migration. The More in Common polling found that 53% of those polled say multiculturalism benefits the UK’s national identity, while 47% say it harms it. But the evidence is mixed, and studies find that it is inequality, not diversity, that has the biggest effect.

    Rather than portraying the problem as solely because of immigration, the prime minister might usefully focus on other significant factors that have made people feel like strangers.

    First is the dramatic loss of community spaces and assets in recent decades in the face of local government cuts and rising property prices. Government austerity has led to a decrease in funding for local authorities of around 50% between 2010 and 2020.

    My own research in this area shows the significance of places like community centres in allowing young people from different backgrounds to come together. When they do, they feel a greater sense of belonging in their communities. Some research has also shown a link between austerity cuts to youth services and rising knife crime.

    Over the last three decades, places and spaces where people come together to participate in activities and engage with those from different backgrounds have been decimated.

    Between 2018 and 2023 in London alone, 46 community spaces permanently shut down. The public service union Unison estimates that “funding cuts have led to the closure of more than two-thirds of council-run youth centres in England and Wales since 2010”.

    Almost 800 libraries were closed during the 2010s, and more continue to disappear each year. Leisure centres are also at risk. A 2023 report by the Local Government Association suggests that 40% of council areas will lose some or all of their leisure centre services in the next two years.

    The undermining of publicly-owned community spaces has been matched in the private sector. The pub – a key marker of community identity for many – has been subject to increasing pressure.

    A recent report from industry body the BBPA claimed that “nearly 300 pubs closed across England and Wales in 2024 – an equivalent of six a week”. The group pointed to rising costs and the fact that consumer habits are changing, with younger people drinking far less.

    A lonely island

    The loss of community assets means people have fewer places to engage with others on a regular basis. There is also evidence that the pandemic and online isolation have driven high rates of loneliness affecting all age groups and generations.

    According to the Campaign to End Loneliness, in 2022 nearly 50% of UK adults reported feeling lonely occasionally, sometimes, often or always. And around 7% experience chronic loneliness.

    While levels of isolation and loneliness have gone up for all generations, it is notable that a report for the Centre for Social Justice found the problem is worst for 18- to 24-year-olds, with 29% of this age group saying they “feel a fundamental separateness from other people and the wider world”.

    Britain’s younger generations are struggling with loneliness.
    Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock

    When it comes to discussing community and cohesion in contemporary Britain, it is interesting that only certain groups (usually particular kinds of migrants and their offspring) are the focus. We can see this in wider political and media debates, where such groups are blamed for living separate lives or not integrating.

    I’ve written about this idea before, finding that minority groups “broadly replicate the ethnic majority in terms of their attitudes towards British identity and institutions”. More recent survey data supports this. Figures for various ethnic groups are remarkably consistent when it comes to feeling they belong in Britain – Asian (85%), black (86%) and white (84%).

    Class divide

    The idea that people in Britain are increasingly living separate lives – or in what Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, calls a segregated society – is rarely discussed in terms of inequality or class.

    And yet, the More in Common polling found that financial insecurity is one of the strongest predictors of whether Britons feel disconnected from society.

    Income inequality in Britain is widening. Recent figures show that in 2022 alone, “incomes for the poorest 14 million people fell by 7.5%, while incomes for the richest fifth saw a 7.8% increase”. Moreover, research shows a link between lower economic status and higher rates of loneliness and social isolation.

    It is perhaps these growing divisions that should really be the focus of any government strategy. Focusing on local initiatives designed to protect, or expand, community assets such as libraries and youth and outreach centres appears a much more productive means of ensuring that Britain’s isn’t completely transformed into an island of strangers.

    Michael Skey receives funding from the Arts & Humanities Research Council

    He is a member of Amnesty International

    – ref. Britain is already becoming an ‘island of strangers’ – but immigration isn’t the driver – https://theconversation.com/britain-is-already-becoming-an-island-of-strangers-but-immigration-isnt-the-driver-256724

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Estes Votes to Advance One Big, Beautiful Bill

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

    Last night, Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) voted to advance the full budget reconciliation bill in the House Budget Committee – which passed the committee 17 – 16. He delivered remarks in support of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act last Friday in the Budget Committee markup.
     
    “The bill we’re marking up here today is the culmination of years of work to extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, secure our borders and rein in wasteful Washington spending,” said Rep. Estes. “It’s a bill that meets the mandate provided to this Congress by the American people last November. It’s a bill for the American people, and my friends on the left have only empty talking points to try and paint this legislation as something that it’s not.”

    Watch video of Rep. Estes’ remarks  
    Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s good to be here with you and our colleagues as we work to advance the America First policies that are embedded in this One Big, Beautiful Bill.
     
    The bill we’re marking up here today is the culmination of years of work to extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, secure our borders and rein in wasteful Washington spending.
     
    It’s a bill that meets the mandate provided to this Congress by the American people last November. It’s a bill for the American people, and my friends on the left have only empty talking points to try and paint this legislation as something that it’s not.
     
    Today, I want to take a brief moment and refute some of the lies with some of the facts.
     
    First, let’s look at the historic Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. While nearly half of my Republican and Democrat colleagues were not here in 2017, I remember the quote “crumbs” Nancy Pelosi claimed the middle class Americans would be receiving because of the Trump Tax Cuts. The reality is those “crumbs” were really thousands of dollars in lower taxes, increased wages, and stronger economic opportunities for Americans at all economic levels.
     
    On Tax Day of this year, I wrote an op-ed about the left’s deceit on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Mr. Chairman, I’d like to submit that op-ed for the record.
     
    In it, I said, “The New York Times noted in 2019 that most Americans received a tax cut from the 2017 tax reform but simply didn’t believe it. “Their quote was: “To a large degree, the gap between perception and reality on the tax cuts appears to flow from a sustained—and misleading—effort by liberal opponents of the law to brand it as a broad middle-class tax increase,” the paper wrote. 
     
    “And in 2021, then-House Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries told MSNBC, “83% of the benefits went to the wealthiest 1%, and they saddled us with approximately $2 trillion in debt to subsidize the lifestyle of the rich and shameless.”
     
    “The statement was so bad, The Washington Post upgraded its fact check from two “Pinocchios” to three and called it a “zombie claim.” That’s because Jeffries and Democrats were relying on projections of what would happen after significant provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expired—the same provisions Republicans are trying to save and Democrats are trying to stop.”
     
    In the op-ed, I went on to say that the flow of misinformation has convinced a broad swath of Americans that they didn’t receive a tax cut – which they did – and the same cast of deceivers is trying to dupe Americans by promoting the extension of the law as a tax giveaway for millionaires and billionaires – which it isn’t. The Joint Committee on Taxation says that Americans making between 30,000 and 80,000 dollars would pay 15 percent less in taxes in 2027 under our bill, a nearly double higher percentage than those making over 1 million dollars.
     
    Nevertheless, we’re already seeing success in our physical and financial security.
     
    This week we learned the annual inflation rate is the lowest it’s been since Joe Biden first took office more than four years ago. Let me clear – prices are too high, and the impact of inflation is still hurting Americans and hurting Kansans, but we’re finally turning the page.
     
    Mr. Chairman, this bill – particularly the pro-family, pro-worker, pro-growth provisions – is critical to preventing a massive tax increase for everyday Americans, to give our economy a boost, secure our border and bend the curve on decades of Washington’s waste, fraud and abuse spending. I urge my colleagues to support this One Big, Beautiful Bill.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Capital Bank Adds Veteran Delaware Commercial Banking Team Expanding Presence in the Region

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ROCKVILLE, Md., May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Capital Bancorp (NASDAQ: CBNK) announced today the expansion of its Commercial Banking operations in Delaware with the addition of several highly experienced relationship managers. This strategic move marks a key milestone in the Bank’s Mid-Atlantic growth strategy, positioning Capital Bank to serve more businesses across the state of Delaware and surrounding areas.

    Located in Southern Delaware, Ritchie Francia is a seasoned commercial banker with deep ties to the Delaware business community. Based in the Rehoboth Beach area, Ritchie will anchor Capital Bank’s efforts in Sussex County, bringing his decades of experience and strong community relationships to clients in one of Delaware’s fastest-growing markets.

    Joining Ritchie are Sarah Ferguson and John Hassiepen in the Greater Wilmington area. Both Sarah and John are respected banking professionals with long track records of helping local businesses achieve their financial goals. Together, these additions bring deep market expertise, strong community connections, and a reputation for client service that aligns with Capital Bank’s relationship-driven approach.

    All three bankers are recognized as top performers, having recently earned prestigious sales awards for high achievement in commercial banking. Their success reflects a shared commitment to delivering exceptional value to clients through tailored financial solutions.

    “Our investments in Delaware represents an exciting next step for Capital Bank as we continue to expand our reach across the Mid-Atlantic,” said Steve Poynot, President and Chief Operating Officer of Capital Bank. “With the addition of Ritchie, Sarah, and John, we are building a team of experienced professionals who not only understand the local business landscape but are deeply invested in the success of their communities.”

    Capital Bank’s Delaware expansion is part of a broader strategic effort to strengthen its Commercial Banking footprint across the region. The Bank continues to invest in top talent and local market expertise to better serve businesses throughout Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and beyond.

    About Capital Bank
    Capital Bancorp Inc., reported $3.3 billion in assets as of March 31, 2025, and was ranked #9 in American Banker’s Top 20 High Performing Banks in 2024. The bank is known for its consultative approach and commitment to human-centric banking, serving commercial customers for over 25 years in the DC Metro Region. As a member of the Federal Reserve Bank system, Member FDIC, and Equal Housing Lender, Capital Bank is dedicated to helping customers achieve their financial goals while maintaining a strong fiduciary duty to its shareholders.

    For more information, visit http://capitalbankmd.com
    Dominic Canuso
    EVP, Chief Financial Officer
    dcanuso@capitalbankmd.com
    240-283-0402 ext.1223

    The MIL Network –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: RegEd Launches RIA Compliance Control Center to Streamline Oversight for Registered Investment Advisers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Raleigh, NC, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RegEd, the leading provider of compliance and credentialing solutions for the financial services industry, has announced the launch of the RIA Compliance Control CenterSM, a purpose-built solution that enables registered investment advisers (RIAs) to streamline supervision and enhance oversight across the full spectrum of compliance activities. 

    With increasing regulatory complexity and resource constraints, RIAs face mounting pressure to manage compliance obligations more efficiently while maintaining rigorous oversight. RegEd’s RIA Compliance Control Center empowers firms to meet these challenges head-on with a centralized, automated platform that delivers powerful capabilities to support compliance with SEC and state regulations. 

    “Registered investment advisers need tools that not only ensure compliance, but also scale with their business,” said Adam Schaub, VP, Platform Product Management at RegEd. “The RIA Compliance Control Center delivers the automation, integration, and visibility firms need to simplify oversight, reduce risk, and keep pace with a fast-evolving regulatory environment.” 

    The RIA Compliance Control Center is available in modular or bundled formats and includes robust capabilities such as: 

    • Personal Trade Monitoring and Pre-Clearance – Automate trade surveillance, with direct feeds from leading brokerage firms. 
    • Form ADV Part 2B Supplement Management – Ensure always-current, compliant disclosures with automated data population. 
    • Gifts, Gratuities & Contributions – Manage approval workflows and reporting with centralized tracking. 
    • Outside Business Activities – Streamline OBA submissions, attestations, and disclosures. 
    • IAR Continuing Education (IAR CE) – Access RegEd’s industry-leading CE catalog with intuitive dashboards for IARs and compliance teams. 
    • Advertising Review – Leverage AI-powered tools to review marketing materials and accelerate compliance with the SEC Marketing Rule. 
    • Licensing, Registration & Onboarding – Automate key workflows and maintain compliance throughout the IAR lifecycle. 

    The RIA Compliance Control Center also features advanced capabilities such as a unified compliance dashboard, WORM archiving, customizable questionnaires, advanced hierarchy management, and seamless integration with CRM and marketing systems through open APIs. 

    By delivering a holistic view of compliance status, both at the firm and individual level, the RIA Compliance Control Center helps advisers prioritize critical obligations, ensure timely fulfillment, and reduce manual effort. 

    For more information about the RIA Compliance Control Center, visit www.reged.com to request a free consultation or demonstration. 

    About RegEd

    RegEd is the market-leading provider of RegTech enterprise solutions with relationships with more than 200 enterprise clients that represent more than 35 of the top 50 insurance companies.  

    Established in 2000 by former regulators, the company is recognized for continuous regulatory technology innovation with solutions hallmarked by workflow-directed processes, data integration, regulatory intelligence, automated validations, business process automation and compliance dashboards. The aggregate drives the highest levels of operational efficiency and enables our clients to cost-effectively comply with regulations and continuously mitigate risk.  

    Trusted by the nation’s top financial services firms, RegEd’s proven, holistic approach to RegTech meets firms where they are on the compliance and risk management continuum, scaling as their needs evolve and amplifying the value proposition delivered to clients. For more information, please visit www.reged.com. 

    The MIL Network –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Security National Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: SNFCA) Announces Completion of Lending Transaction on Residential Development Loan in Arrowhead Ranch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MURRAY, Utah, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Security National Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: SNFCA), announced the successful conclusion of its lending transaction which facilitated the development of the Arrowhead Ranch residential project located in Payson, Utah. As a result of this transaction Security National realized “profit-split” income of nearly $4,000,000, which was in addition to the over $3,200,000 in interest and origination fees which were earned over the term of the loan.

    This acquisition and development loan was originated by the Company in June of 2021 in relation to over 500 planned residential units across various product types on a 162-acre parcel.

    The Company believes that this return on investment is above that which it would realize from competing general debt offerings. In addition, this transaction placed the Company’s residential mortgage segment in a position to offer long-term financing to potential purchasers, as an added benefit to the developer and homebuyers.

    This transaction demonstrates the Company’s enhanced lending capabilities, which provide increased value to homebuilders and the real estate development community. The proceeds of this profit split will be reinvested in similar transactions that the Company determines are attractive and will strengthen its asset base.

    “This transaction marks another important step in the strategic growth of our lending capabilities,” said Scott Quist, Chief Executive Officer of Security National. “By working with reputable, local developers we are able to structure attractive loan terms that benefit both the Company and the developers.”

    About Security National Financial Corporation

    Security National Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: SNFCA) operates in three reportable business segments: life insurance, cemetery and mortuary, and mortgages. The life insurance segment is engaged in the business of selling and servicing selected lines of life insurance, annuity products, and accident and health insurance. These products are marketed in 40 states through a commissioned sales force of independent licensed insurance agents who may also sell insurance products of other companies. The cemetery and mortuary segment consists of eight mortuaries and five cemeteries in the state of Utah, one cemetery in the state of California, and one cemetery and four mortuaries in the state of New Mexico. The Company also engages in pre-need selling of funeral, cemetery, mortuary, and cremation services through its cemetery and mortuary locations. The mortgage segment originates and underwrites or otherwise purchases residential and commercial loans for new construction, existing homes, and other real estate projects. The mortgage segment operates through 100 retail offices in 23 states and is an approved mortgage lender in several other states.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about future financial performance, asset strategy, and capital allocation. Actual results may differ materially due to various risks and uncertainties. For a full discussion of these risks, please refer to the company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    For Further Information Contact: Scott M. Quist
    or Garrett S. Sill
    Security National Financial Corporation
    P.O. Box 57250
    (Telephone) (801) 264-1060
    (Fax) (801) 264-8430
    *Website: www.securitynational.com*

    The MIL Network –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Structural changes in the global financial system and the transmission of financial conditions

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    The Great Financial Crisis (GFC) was a watershed event that set in motion two related structural changes to the global financial system. Those changes define the state of the system today. The first is the shift in the underlying claims from those on private sector borrowers (especially mortgages) to claims on the government in the form of sovereign bonds. The second structural change is the shift from banks to non-bank financial intermediaries. The GFC was essentially a banking crisis where (mostly) regulated banks were the protagonists. The post-GFC financial system has, instead, cast portfolio managers and other non-bank financial intermediaries as the main actors to take centre stage.

    Even as expansive fiscal policies have meant that sovereign bond issuance has outpaced the growth of private sector debt, portfolio managers of all stripes have absorbed the rapid issuance of sovereign bonds. The global nature of sovereign bond markets means that currency choice is an integral part of the investment decision. Pension funds and life insurance companies from rich economies that have obligations to their beneficiaries or policyholders in domestic currency nevertheless hold a globally diversified asset portfolio in several currencies. Currency hedging is therefore a key theme, and the system has evolved to allow such hedging. In this process, the banking system has played a crucial role. Banks enable the market for foreign exchange (FX) swaps, allowing investors to hedge currency risk. When boiled down, an FX swap is a collateralised borrowing operation. A euro area pension fund, for example, borrows dollars to invest in dollar bonds by pledging euros as collateral, with a promise to unwind the transaction at a pre-agreed exchange rate. In this sense, FX swaps make money fungible across currencies. The outstanding stock of FX swaps stands at $113 trillion, having increased rapidly since the GFC. Accounting convention allows not including FX swaps in debt, even though they are collateralised borrowing arrangements. In this respect, the apparently smaller footprint of the banking sector after the GFC is more an artifact of accounting conventions, rather than the underlying economics. Most of the time, the FX swap market lies out of view, but it is thrust into the limelight from time to time. The eventful first few months of 2025 are a good example.

    This lecture takes the audience through the operation of the FX swap market and how, with the greater role of global portfolio investors, it has served to intensify the transmission of financial conditions across borders. Portfolio decisions involve gross positions and are only loosely related to current account imbalances and associated net positions. As sovereign bond markets are set to grow even larger with expansive fiscal policies in key jurisdictions, this lecture aims to highlight how the sovereign bond market and exchange rates are two sides of the same coin. The banking sector plays the key linchpin role in connecting the two, even if the accounting convention allows them to keep a smaller footprint.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: Call for banking sector to ensure financial systems are inclusive

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga has called on the banking sector to be intentional in designing financial systems that assist the underserved and empower the marginalised.

    Addressing the Group of Twenty (G20) Breakfast-Round Table on the Empowerment of Women and Disability Inclusion in the Banking Sector, the Minister emphasised that financial inclusion is not a luxury but it is a right that is a critical enabler of economic independence, dignity, and equality.

    “Yet, across the world and particularly here in South Africa, too many women remain excluded from basic financial services without bank accounts, denied access to credit and disconnected from investment opportunities.

    “This exclusion is even more pronounced for women living with disabilities, rural women, young women and women in the informal employment,” Chikunga said on Monday in Johannesburg.

    The breakfast meeting was aimed at engaging the banking sector in investing in the work of the Empowerment of Women Working Group and the G20 Disability Inclusion Initiatives.

    The Minister encouraged the banking sector to reimagine financial systems by ensuring they serve women entrepreneurs, especially those leading micro and small enterprises; create demand-driven financial products tailored to women’s lived realities and incentivise financial institutions to become more inclusive through policy and innovation.

    Furthermore, Chikunga suggested that the banking sector invest in digital literacy, infrastructure and access to technology for women and persons with disabilities as well as integrate inclusion into the very architecture of economic planning.

    “We must also look at the role of care infrastructure not as a social cost but as an economic multiplier. Investment in the care economy is investment in jobs, community wellbeing and women’s ability to fully participate in the workforce.

    “Together, we must not only reimagine, but also actively innovate alternative pathways to building an economy that is dynamic, resilient, and inclusive enough to truly leave no one behind.

    “Together, let’s explore practical strategies, share success stories, break barriers, challenge stereotypes and fast track the development of financing models that unlock the full economic potential of women and persons with disabilities. Together, lets create a banking environment where everyone can thrive,” she said.

    The Minister explained that G20 Empowerment of Women Working Group (EWWG) has committed to advancing three urgent priorities that include the care economy, financial inclusion for and of women, and gender-based violence and femicide.

    “As part of this working group, we have developed several empowerment programmes as legacy projects that we wish to partner with private sector partners beyond South Africa’s G20 Presidency.

    “To this end, we have conceptualised and designed a series of Transformative Emerging Industrialists Accelerator Programs and intend to rally all relevant stakeholders, particularly SOEs, private sector companies and industry associations behind their implementation,” the Minister said.

    These programs will target emerging women industrialists in key sectors, including energy security, the maritime, defence and aerospace industries, platform economies and agriculture, among others.

    Participating emerging industrialists will work alongside experienced industry associations, receiving support from ideation through to product development, financing, market access, and commercialisation pathways.

    “To advance disability inclusion, we have also developed an investment case for the establishment of a Disability Inclusion Nerve Centre, a legacy project of South Africa’s Chairship of the G20 Empowerment of Women Working Group.

    “This centre will serve as a cornerstone for advancing disability rights and inclusion in the region, aligning with both South Africa’s constitutional imperatives and international commitments,” the Minister said.

    The centre will focus on the following priorities:

    • Research on mainstreaming the mights of persons with disabilities, particularly in the areas of financial inclusion, care economy, artificial intelligence (AI), climate change and conducive working conditions.
    • Establishing a national disability data observatory.
    • Strengthening data collection and reporting systems across public and private sectors.
    • Developing early childhood disability screening protocols.
    • Enhancing institutional capacity through strengthened disability focal points.
    • Leveraging AI for disability inclusion.
    • Supporting special schools across South Africa to train teachers, address the digital divide, and improve educational outcomes for learners with disabilities.
    • Developing a model disability inclusive classroom and school for South Africa.

    South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency from 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025 under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: Financing biodiversity key for realising Africa’s economic potential

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Narend Singh has called on delegates from governments across the continent to innovatively think about financing biodiversity, beyond the traditional funding from national budgets.

    According to the Deputy Minister, more than 7 000 species across the continent face extinction, which could harm Africa’s economic potential.

    “Biodiversity is not a luxury; it is the foundation of our economies, our health, and our survival. As you are aware that the financing gap to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 from all sources is estimated at 200 billion US Dollars annually. 

    “Every hectare of forest cleared, every waterway polluted, and every species lost diminishes not just our ecological wealth, but our economic potential,” Singh said on Monday in Cape Town.

    He was addressing the regional dialogue for member States of the Southern African Development Community, the East African Community and other Anglophone countries on the update or revision of national and regional biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs).

    This regional dialogue offers an opportunity for countries that have already revised their NBSAPs to share good practices, address common challenges, and identify potential solutions.

    The goal of the NBSAP is to conserve and manage biodiversity to ensure sustainable benefits to the people of South Africa, through co-operation and partnerships that build on strengths and opportunities.

    “Strong NBSAPs are more than policy, they are strategic tools to unlock international finance, attract private investment, and guide public spending where it matters most. But a plan on paper is not enough – it must be matched by budgets and political commitment,” he said.

    The Deputy Minister offered insights into the innovative finance solutions that were developed in South Africa through the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) programme.

    The BIOFIN programme supports countries to enhance their financial management of biodiversity and ecosystems.

    “Through the BIOFIN programme, a framework has been developed to guide a fee setting process for biodiversity permits, which enables cost recovery and value attribution to the natural resources. 

    “The basis for this work is that revenue from sources such as protected area gate fees, tourism concessions, conferencing facilities, fees and permits related to biodiversity can play an important role in supporting the financial sustainability of the conservation estate,” he said.

    Through the programme, some municipalities have given rates relief to conservation areas leading to funds saved which can be further invested into biodiversity conservation. 

    “The financial result of this has been 124 000.00 US dollars saved by conservation areas over the last three years. We were delighted to learn from the Botswana example, where their rate collection increased seven-fold,” Singh said.

    A biodiversity offset portal will be launched on 22 May 2025 as part of celebrating the International Day of Biodiversity. 

    The offset portal which will be publicly accessible is aimed at improving the way offsets are conducted for the benefit of funding protected area management.

    “The Biodiversity Sector investment portal was launched in 2022 and formally handed over to the Government of South Africa. The portal has been institutionalized within the department and established a Biodiversity Economy Investment Portal, officially recognised as an ongoing conduit of opportunities for investment in the Small and Medium Enterprises. The department has fully taken over the portal and allocated a budget towards its ongoing maintenance,” he said. –SANews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: SIU to probe SITA, Bushbuckridge municipality

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is poised to launch separate investigations into the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) and Bushbuckridge Local Municipality in Mpumalanga Province.

    This after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed two proclamations authorising the corruption busting unit to probe the two entities.

    At the SITA, the SIU will investigate allegations of maladministration and corruption focusing on the procurement of a Turnkey Software Asset Management Solution and Integrated Logistics Support Services. 

    “The SIU will assess whether the procurement process adhered to National Treasury guidelines or if it was tainted by irregularities, lack of transparency, or wasteful expenditure. Additionally, the investigation will examine any unlawful or improper conduct by SITA employees, suppliers, or other entities involved in the contract.

    “The investigation period spans 13 July 2017 to 16 May 2025, including any relevant conduct before or after this timeframe,” the SIU said.

    The investigation at the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality will zero in on serious maladministration and unlawful conduct related to a street paving contract for the Lillydale Phase 1 project.

    “The SIU aims to address allegations regarding the fairness, competitiveness, transparency, equity, and cost-effectiveness of the procurement process, examining whether it has violated any applicable legislation, National Treasury guidelines, or municipal policies. Additionally, the investigation will scrutinise any instances of unauthorised, irregular, fruitless or wasteful expenditure connected to this project.

    “The investigation will also examine improper conduct by municipal officials, employees, suppliers, or service providers and determine whether such conduct resulted in financial losses for the municipality or the state.

    “The Proclamation covers conduct occurring between 1 January 2018 and 16 May 2025, as well as any related activities before or after this period that are connected to the matters under investigation,” the SIU said.

    Furthermore, evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during the investigations will be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

    “Beyond investigating maladministration, corruption, and fraud, the SIU is committed to identifying systemic failures and recommending measures to prevent future losses.

    “Under the SIU Act, the SIU is also authorised to initiate a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to address any wrongdoing identified during its investigation resulting from acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration,” the unit concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: Call to close financial inclusion gap for women

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr David Masondo, has emphasised the importance of closing the financial inclusion gap for women and ensuring that they can leverage financial services to smooth their incomes, invest in opportunities, and protect themselves against shocks.

    “Usage remains low, and significant gaps persist, particularly for women, youth, informal workers, and rural entrepreneurs,” Masondo said on Monday in Skukuza, Mpumalanga.

    Addressing the second Plenary Meeting of the Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion, the Deputy Minister said empowering women is not just a matter of fairness or social equity; it is smart economics.

    “When women gain access to financial tools and earnings, they invest in their families and communities to an impressive degree. Studies find that women typically reinvest up to 90% of their income back into their households, compared to around 30–40% for men. 

    “We have seen that financially empowering a woman creates a ripple effect; children stay in school longer, family nutrition improves, and local economies become more resilient. Conversely, when women remain on the margins of finance, we all lose out on growth and innovation.

    “Let us remember that closing the financial inclusion gap for women is not a sidebar, it is central to our agenda. … Giving women access to and the ability to use affordable payments, credit, and insurance will boost development broadly,” he said.

    The Deputy Minister asserted that South Africa has made women’s economic empowerment a priority in the national strategies encouraging progress is being made.

    “But there is much farther to go to ensure that the creative entrepreneur I described, and millions like her can prosper. She does not want charity; she wants the playing field: levelled reliable digital payments, safe savings, and fair credit so her enterprise can grow.

    “Turning this vision into reality will require concerted action on multiple fronts: public policy, private innovation, and grassroots capacity-building. South Africa is committed to doing its part. 

    “Through our Financial Sector Development Reform Program (FSDRP), supported by partners like the World Bank and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, we invest in the infrastructure and reforms that move inclusion from access to usage,” Masondo said.

    The Reserve Bank has launched the Inclusive Payments Digitalisation Programme that aims to bring practical digital payment solutions to the informal sector.

    “We have piloted it in two communities, Tembisa and Hammanskraal, to develop digital ecosystems right where people live and work. Some of you visited these enterprises in March. 

    “This pilot is a testament to what is possible when we blend policy intent with on-the-ground innovation. We plan to expand such efforts, informed by data and community feedback, so that no entrepreneur is left behind by the digital finance revolution.

    “Our commitment goes further. We are streamlining regulations to encourage low-cost fintech solutions through the Intergovernmental Fintech Working Group, strengthening consumer protection to build trust in digital finance through the Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI) Bill, and improving connectivity in rural areas through the SA Connect programme,” he said.

    In essence, efforts are being made to create an environment where using financial services is easy, affordable, and safe so that inclusion translates into actual economic participation. 

    “But South Africa cannot do it alone. The beauty of the Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) is that it allows us to learn from each other and to tackle common challenges together. Every country in this room has experiences, successful policies, clever tech applications, and even instructive failures that can inform the way forward for all of us,” Masondo said.

    GPFI is an inclusive platform for Group Twenty (G20) countries, non-G20 countries and relevant stakeholders for peer learning, knowledge sharing, policy advocacy and coordination. 

    It is the primary implementing mechanism of the G20 Financial Inclusion Action Plan (FIAP).

    South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency from 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025 under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Rosen Lead Colleagues in Demanding President Trump Lift Hold on High-Speed Internet Funding for New Mexico

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee, and U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) led 1o Senate colleagues in a letter demanding that the Trump administration release funding for states under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This program connects families in the hardest-to-serve communities to high-speed internet. Senator Luján successfully helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that created the BEAD Program. New Mexico has been approved to receive $675 million in funding through the BEAD Program, but the Trump administration’s pause on this critical program is indefinitely delaying New Mexico’s ability to connect New Mexicans to high-speed internet.

    “We write with concern regarding the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) recent announcement that it is delaying the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program,” wrote the senators. “This unprecedented move by the NTIA will further delay our communities from having the connectivity they need to grow and thrive. To unlock the full strength of the U.S. economy, every community must have access to the vast opportunities enabled by broadband, and this can be achieved by your Administration following the law as outlined in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58).”

    “Currently, there are multiple states ready for broadband providers to put shovels in the ground tomorrow,” the senators continued. “NTIA must act swiftly to release BEAD funding to states that have already been approved and expeditiously work to approve the remaining eligible applications. Time is of the essence, and our rural and tribal communities cannot afford more delays.”

    In addition to Senators Luján and Rosen, the letter was signed by Senators Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Gary Peters (D-MI), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Angus King (I-ME).

    As Ranking Member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, Senator Luján is a strong champion for 100% broadband connectivity. In the 118th Congress, Senator Luján introduced the bipartisan Tribal Connect Act to make it easier for Tribes to secure high-speed internet access at Tribal Essential Community-Serving Institutions through the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF) Schools and Libraries Program, or E-Rate program. In the 117th Congress, Senator Luján introduced legislation to help close the homework gap by equipping school buses with Wi-Fi technology and improving financing options for broadband deployment.

    The full letter can be found here or below:

    Dear President Trump:

    We write with concern regarding the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) recent announcement that it is delaying the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This unprecedented move by the NTIA will further delay our communities from having the connectivity they need to grow and thrive. To unlock the full strength of the U.S. economy, every community must have access to the vast opportunities enabled by broadband, and this can be achieved by your Administration following the law as outlined in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58).

    The intent of Congress when it created and appropriated over $42 billion for the bipartisan BEAD program was to connect the hardest-to-serve Americans to high-speed internet and finally close the digital divide. Congress explicitly shaped this program to give deference to states, so they could address the unique challenges their states face reaching the goals of the program Congress mandated.

    Currently, there are multiple states ready for broadband providers to put shovels in the ground tomorrow. Forty-two states have begun or completed their BEAD application process. Three states have even had their applications fully approved and yet are waiting on funds to be released by your Administration. Many states have applications that are tech-neutral and dramatically more cost-effective than previous projects funded by federal broadband programs, all while fulfilling the program’s mission to bring high-speed, reliable broadband to all unserved communities in their state. The attempts by NTIA to revise the state application process at this late stage will cause further delays to the program and leave rural and tribal communities behind in an increasingly connected economy. NTIA must act swiftly to release BEAD funding to states that have already been approved and expeditiously work to approve the remaining eligible applications. Time is of the essence, and our rural and tribal communities cannot afford more delays.

    It is imperative to follow the law, deliver on the promise of access to affordable high-speed internet, and ensure that every American, regardless of where they live, has the tools to succeed in the modern economy.

    Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy on Meet The Press: Republican Tax Plan is Greatest Transfer of Wealth from the Poor and Middle Class to the Rich in the History of the Country

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    May 18, 2025

    [embedded content]

    WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Sunday joined NBC’s Meet the Press with Kristen Welker to discuss the Trump administration and congressional Republicans’ plan to give the ultra-wealthy a giant tax break paid for by slashing Medicaid and programs millions of Americans rely on, and President Trump’s corruption of U.S. foreign policy.

    Murphy slammed the disastrous Republican tax plan: “Well, what we’re standing in the way of is the most massive transfer of wealth from the poor and the middle class to the rich in the history of the country. This budget bill is an absolute disaster. It is going to kick over 10 million people off of their health care — Medicaid covers about a quarter of all Americans — in order to pass along a new trillion-dollar tax cut for the richest 1%. Nobody in this country is asking for that…These guys are running the economy recklessly because all they care about is the health of the Mar-a-Lago billionaire class. They only care about their corporate friends. They’re going to destroy this economy, they’re going to throw millions of people off of health care, just so that they can pass along a benefit to a small handful of very rich Americans.”

    Murphy pushed back on claims by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that the growing deficit is due to Democratic policies: “I think it’s important to remember that some of the most important legislative achievements during Joe Biden’s presidency were done in a way that reduced the deficit. In fact, the Inflation Reduction Act – which made massive investments in renewable energy, reduced prescription drug costs – was done in a way that drove down the deficit, not driving the deficit up. Most of the deficit was added under Joe Biden’s presidency was in those early days when we were still recovering from the pandemic. But there’s just no doubt that it was Donald Trump who added more to the deficit than any president in the history of the country, and he is on pace to do it for a second time. It’s going to crater the economy. And listen, it won’t have an impact on his billionaire friends. His Mar-a-Lago crowd will come out all right, but it will impact the regular people I represent in New Britain, Bristol and Bridgeport, Connecticut.”

    On Trump’s corrupt trip to the Middle East, Murphy said: “So why did he choose these three countries to go to for his first major foreign trip? It’s not because these are our most important allies, are the most important countries in the world. It’s because these are the three countries willing to pay him off. Every single one of these countries is giving Trump money — the plane from Qatar and investment in his cryptocurrency scam from the UAE, and they are asking for national security concessions in return. This is the definition of corruption. Foreign governments putting money in the President’s pocket and in the United States, giving them national concerning concessions that hurt our own security.”

    He continued: “By the way, the plane is not a gift to the American people, as the Secretary said. It is going directly to Donald Trump. That library will take a decade to build, and so once he leaves the White House until the library is built, he gets to use that plane to fly around all of his billionaire friends while his policies result in millions of Americans losing their health care and having to pay higher costs. That is the definition of corruption.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scotland’s future must be at the heart of Europe

    Source: Scottish Greens

    19 May 2025

    Patrick Harvie MSP comments on EU/UK trade deal

    Reacting to Starmer’s European Union trade deal, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie has said, “the only deal good enough for Scotland is a deal to rejoin the EU”.

    The trade deal secured by the UK Labour Government and the European Union guarantees EU fishing boats access to UK waters until 2038, controversial carbon markets and farming agreements.

    Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:

    “Five years after Brexit, we are still picking up the pieces of a disastrous decision that the people of Scotland overwhelmingly rejected.

    “Keir Starmer may celebrate this deal as if it’s the greatest possible outcome, but in reality, this is just another disappointment that lets Scotland down. We didn’t vote to leave the EU, but Scottish communities and businesses are being hit the hardest by decisions made in Westminster.

    “This deal fails to deliver for people or planet, it shows the true long-term economic damage that pandering to Nigel Farage and the far-right can have on the economy and our society. The only deal good enough for Scotland is a deal to rejoin the EU that allows Scotland to regain our rights as European citizens.

    “Scotland deserves better. As an independent nation, we could rejoin the EU and work together with our friends across the continent to tackle the climate emergency and build a fairer, greener Europe.”

    Alongside industrial trade agreements, the deal is set to include a youth experience scheme and potential access to the Erasmus+ programme, something the Scottish Greens have long called for.

    Mr Harvie added:

    “Rejoining Erasmus+ would be extremely welcome, but this hasn’t been included in the initial deal, and clearly hasn’t been a priority for Labour Ministers. Young people have already been missing out on life-changing opportunities, and their freedom of movement should be restored to them.

    “It’s more important than ever that the UK government get this part of the deal over the line to open doors for students in Scotland, the UK, and across Europe.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur, Murray Call for Energy Department to Reverse New, Expanded Caps on Indirect Research Costs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

    ICYMI: Kaptur, Murray call for reversal of arbitrary cap on DOE-funded research — a policy already blocked in federal court for university grants

    Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, sent a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright expressing deep concern about the Department’s recently announced caps on indirect costs for DOE research for a variety of recipients. The new caps, which follow the Department’s previously announced arbitrary cap on indirect costs for research at universities, will jeopardize critical research and innovation — and Kaptur and Murray call for the immediate reversal of the policy.

    “We write in response to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) decision to impose sweeping new caps on indirect cost rates across a wide spectrum of its funding recipients — including state and local governments, non-profit organizations, and for-profit partners,” write Kaptur and Murray. “Capping indirect cost rates far below their current values compounds the detrimental policy you have already announced cutting funding for university-led research, and these proposed cuts put energy innovation and economic development in communities across the country at serious risk.”

    The lawmakers note the policy will disproportionately hurt smaller research institutions: “Ultimately, this policy threatens to prevent smaller, under-resourced organizations from getting the support they need to conduct cutting-edge research, which will stifle innovation in regions that need investment the most.”

    “If left to stand, the consequences of these cuts will be severe: multi-sector collaboration will be chilled, community-led innovation efforts across the US will be disrupted, and thousands of jobs supporting energy and infrastructure will be at risk. This abrupt policy change will undercut the very institutions — state and local governments, non-profits, and research organizations — that drive energy innovation, workforce development, and clean energy solutions in local communities,” Kaptur and Murray write.

    They conclude by calling for an immediate reversal of the policies and demanding answers on how the Department determined the caps, whether it consulted with stakeholders, and whether it considered the economic consequences.

    The full letter is available HERE and below:

    The Honorable Christopher Wright
    Secretary of Energy
    U.S. Department of Energy
    1000 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, DC 20585

    Dear Secretary Wright,

    We write in response to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) decision to impose sweeping new caps on indirect cost rates across a wide spectrum of its funding recipients — including state and local governments, non-profit organizations, and for-profit partners. While direct costs support salaries, supplies, and equipment, indirect costs provide essential support for general operations and infrastructure. Capping indirect cost rates far below their current values compounds the detrimental policy you have already announced cutting funding for university-led research, and these proposed cuts put energy innovation and economic development in communities across the country at serious risk. Like so many actions your Department has already taken, these new cuts will also raise energy costs for American families and businesses.

    By imposing an arbitrary, inflexible cap of 10 or 15% on indirect costs — regardless of organizational type, mission, or financial structure — the Department is undermining the ability of its grantees and partners to deliver on DOE’s core priorities. Ultimately, this policy threatens to prevent smaller, under-resourced organizations from getting the support they need to conduct cutting-edge research, which will stifle innovation in regions that need investment the most. These indirect cost caps disregard the essential infrastructure required to administer safe, scalable, and high-impact projects.

    Local governments and non-profits, already stretched thin, now face arbitrary limitations that will squash efforts to fortify electricity grids to be robust to storms and other disruptions, initiatives to ensure all community members can access affordable and reliable energy, and emerging technology deployment at the local level.

    If left to stand, the consequences of these cuts will be severe: multi-sector collaboration will be chilled, community-led innovation efforts across the US will be disrupted, and thousands of jobs supporting energy and infrastructure will be at risk. This abrupt policy change will undercut the very institutions — state and local governments, non-profits, and research organizations — that drive energy innovation, workforce development, and clean energy solutions in local communities. America’s energy future must be built on strong partnerships — not policies that penalize those on the front lines of progress.

    These abrupt changes have been announced without the transparency you have promised, without public engagement, and without any meaningful justification. Worse, they appear to ignore the diverse cost structures and compliance burdens that entities must absorb to responsibly manage federal funds. These are not “wasteful” administrative expenses — they are essential costs of conducting federally sponsored research that benefits the American people.

    We reiterate our call to immediately reverse these harmful caps, urge you to engage stakeholders and experts in crafting any future reforms, and request written responses to the following questions by no later than May 30:

    1. What will happen to existing (conditional and nonconditional) awards if they do not meet the new terms and conditions in this policy?
    2. What data and models did DOE use to conclude that a uniform 10 or 15% cap would be sufficient and sustainable across such varied institutional types (e.g., local governments, non-profits, for-profits)? Will DOE release this analysis publicly?
    3. How does DOE justify this cap given that many organizations and governments currently operate with indirect cost rates significantly higher than the new proposed cap?
    4. How does DOE reconcile these cost caps with existing negotiated indirect cost rates under OMB Circulars and 2 CFR 200, particularly where they exceed the new ceilings?
    5. What outreach or consultation — if any — did DOE undertake with non-profit, municipal, or private-sector stakeholders prior to issuing these policy changes?
    6. What specific exemptions, waivers, or appeal mechanisms will DOE make available for awards where capped indirect costs would result in program delays, layoffs, or funding shortfalls?
    7. Has DOE assessed the potential regional economic and workforce consequences of capping indirect costs on state, local, and non-profit implementation partners? If so, will DOE release that analysis publicly?

    We look forward to your responses and attention to this critical issue.

    Sincerely,  

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur Statement Following Budget Committee Hearing Held In Dark Of Night

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

    Washington, DC – Tonight, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) released the following statement after House Republicans reconvened a Budget Committee hearing at 10 pm on Sunday evening. While most Americans are preparing for the work week and not tuned in, The GOP has failed to advance its legislation to kick 13.7 million Americans off their health care, and make middle-class families suffer in order to fund Trillions in tax giveaways to Millionaires, Billionaires, and wealthy corporate donors.

    “This bill that is being rammed through the Budget Committee in the dead of night on a weekend is a betrayal to the American people. It is just another bonanza for Billionaires,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “Don’t they have enough yet? Now the GOP Majority is making it harder for struggling people on Medicaid, by pushing legislation that would kick 13.7 million Americans off their health care. They are voting to reduce food to the hungry, by cutting back $300 Billion in SNAP funding for those struggling just to get by.”

    “Our nation is the richest nation on Earth. Surely we can and must do better than this cruel, damaging and harmful legislation. When a handful of top Billionaires in our nation hold half the wealth of our nation, that is too much to few,” continued Congresswoman Kaptur. “The Billionaire class owns as much as the 160 million American and families in the bottom half of our population in the middle-class and working-class. Such a radical financial stratification of our nation’s population is dangerous. It must not be perpetuated. As the late President John F. Kennedy said, ‘if a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.’”

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: Central African Republic Implements the Enhanced General Data Dissemination System (e-GDDS)

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, May 19, 2025/APO Group/ —

    With the successful launch of the new data portal—the National Summary Data Page (NSDP) — the Central African Republic has implemented a key recommendation of the IMF’s Enhanced General Data Dissemination System (e-GDDS) to publish essential macroeconomic and financial data. The e-GDDS is the first tier of the IMF Data Standards Initiatives that promote transparency as a global public good and encourage countries to voluntarily publish timely data that is essential for monitoring and analyzing economic performance.

    The launch of the NSDP is a testament to the Central African Republic’s commitment to data transparency. It serves as a one-stop portal for disseminating various macroeconomic data compiled by multiple statistical agencies. The published data include statistics on national accounts, prices, government operations, debt, the monetary and financial sector, and the external sector.

    The launch of the NSDP was supported by an IMF technical assistance mission, financed by the Government of Japan through the Japan Administered Account for Selected Fund Activities (JSA), and conducted in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) from May 12 to 16, 2025. The mission was hosted by “Institut Centrafricain de Statistique et des Études Économiques et Sociales,” in close collaboration with the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) and the Ministry of Finance and Budget.

    With this reform, the Central African Republic will join 75 countries worldwide and 33 countries in Africa using the e-GDDS to disseminate standardized data.  

    Mr. Bert Kroese, Chief Statistician and Data Officer, and Director of the IMF’s Statistics Department, welcomed this as a major milestone in the Central African Republic’s statistical development. He went on to express that the country would benefit from the improvement in data transparency and that the IMF stood ready to “continue supporting the authorities in further developing their statistical systems.”

    MIL OSI Africa –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish people show strong support for free tuition

    Source: Scottish National Party

    The SNP’s Katy Loudon, former teacher and candidate in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, has praised the “transformative impact” of free tuition as a key element of John Swinney’s Cost of Living Guarantee as a poll showed strong Scottish public support for the policy.

    The poll, conducted by Survation for True North, revealed that 57% of respondents support the SNP policy of free tuition with only 17% opposed to it. Those backing free tuition include over half of those who voted Labour last year.

    Free tuition is one of four elements of John Swinney’s Cost of Living Guarantee. Others include free prescriptions, expanded free childcare and the lowest council tax bills in the UK.

    In 2008 the SNP scrapped the ‘Graduate Endowment’ – the label Labour and the LibDems gave to their version of tuition fees.

    Tuition fees were first introduced by the Labour party in 1998 despite Tony Blair declaring just weeks before the 1997 election that: “Labour has no plans to introduce tuition fees for higher education.”

    And Labour still can’t be trusted with tuition fees.

    To be elected Labour leader, Keir Starmer promised Labour members he would “support the abolition of tuition fees”. Yet now he claims it would be ‘impossible‘ to abolish tuition fees despite the fact it is a reality in Scotland.

    Since being elected Labour has increased tuition fees in England to a staggering £9,535. If those fees were imposed in Scotland, parents of two children, would face having to pay £76,280 for their children’s education.

    With Scottish Labour’s finance spokesperson signalling that they could consider bringing in backdoor tuition fees, the threat of the return oftuition fees in Scotland still looms.

    Commenting on tuition fees, Katy Loudon said:

    “As a former teacher, I know first-hand the transformative impact that free tuition has had on Scotland’s young people.

    “Under the SNP, there are record numbers of Scottish students attending university and near-record numbers from our most deprived areas.

    “Meanwhile Labour governments in England and Wales have increased tuition fees to record levels.

    “I, along with many fellow teachers and parents, have seen countless futures changed by free tuition, and I’m enormously proud of the difference SNP policies like this are making every day.

    “Labour in power is letting Scots down, but you know the SNP is always on Scotland’s side.

    “The SNP abolished Labour’s tuition fees and we will never let them be reimposed on Scotland’s students.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Solaris Presale Surges Past $1 Million as July Launch Date Nears

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Bitcoin Solaris (BTC-S) presale is gaining massive traction, having already raised over $1,000,000 in just a few weeks, with more than 8,900 unique participants joining the movement. With a launch date set for July 31, 2025, the limited-time presale is generating unprecedented momentum in the crypto space.

    Bitcoin Solaris has captured the attention of early adopters with its real-world utility, mobile mining capabilities, and inclusive community model. The project’s upcoming Solaris Nova App, currently in beta, allows users to mine BTC-S from any device—mobile, desktop, or browser—making blockchain participation more accessible than ever.

    Key Features Fueling the Frenzy:

    • Mobile mining with Solaris Nova App
    • Dual-layer architecture (PoW + DPoS)
    • Up to 10,000 TPS and 2-second finality
    • 99.95% lower energy use vs traditional mining
    • Audited smart contracts (Cyberscope & Freshcoins)
    • KYC-verified (Freshcoins)

    In a rapidly evolving market, Bitcoin Solaris stands out by blending security, scalability, and user-friendly design. With its energy-efficient consensus algorithm, built-in wallet, and DeFi-ready Helios Layer, BTC-S offers users a seamless experience from setup to earning.

    A Presale with Power

    • Current Price: $4
    • Next Phase: $5
    • Launch Price: $20
    • End Date: July 31, 2025

    This short-duration presale has become one of the fastest-moving events in crypto this year. With only 90 days to run, the BTC-S team expects strong demand in the final weeks.

    Community-Driven Rewards

    Bitcoin Solaris has also introduced a Double Rewards Referral Program designed to fuel viral growth:

    • Referrers earn 5% commission in BTC-S
    • Referred users receive a 5% bonus on purchases
    • Rewards are credited instantly—no delays

    This strategy has triggered an explosion of organic promotion across social platforms, helping spread awareness and accelerate adoption.

    Influencer Attention Builds

    Crypto influencers are also taking notice. CryptoChester, known for his detailed crypto reviews, recently featured Bitcoin Solaris as one of the most promising presales of 2025, further amplifying interest across his growing community.

    Built for the Real World

    Bitcoin Solaris offers a practical approach to blockchain participation:

    • Mine from any device
    • Built-in app wallet for convenience
    • No technical expertise required
    • Low power usage and fast transactions

    Final Call to Early Adopters

    With the presale heating up and time running out, Bitcoin Solaris presents a rare opportunity to join a high-potential project in its earliest phase.

    Website: https://www.bitcoinsolaris.com/
    Telegram: https://t.me/Bitcoinsolaris
    X (Twitter): https://x.com/BitcoinSolaris

    Media Contact:
    Xander Levine
    info@bitcoinsolaris.com

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

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

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/28471965-177b-4f42-8449-18d208879a90

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/158f16c9-4d65-424a-bcdc-fafc27d6725c

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3a0ed92a-d512-4c9c-b22e-14d52f2918ec

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5445dab4-3a10-481b-897b-000a24895f23

    The MIL Network –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: AIMSCAP Goes Wild with the World Trading Tournament (WTT)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AIMSCAP, a regulated financial brokerage under the AIMS Group, is taking the global trading world by storm through its strategic partnership with the World Trading Tournament (WTT) — the most anticipated gamified trading competition of the year. AIMSCAP will be sending its top traders to compete for a share of the staggering USD 2.75 million prize pool, culminating in a spectacular grand finale aboard a mega yacht in Dubai.

    AIMSCAP X WTT 2.75 Million Prize money Tournament

    The collaboration was officially launched during the AIMSCAP x WTT Dinner in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, graced by distinguished guest Arthur Huis in’t Veld, CEO of WTT. The event brought together over 100 attendees, including prominent industry professionals, trading communities, and fintech enthusiasts — marking a significant milestone in the global advancement of competitive trading.

    The excitement continues as the next WTT roadshow events head to Bali (28 May 2025) and Hong Kong (31 May 2025). These exclusive gatherings will offer participants a chance to engage directly with trading experts, gain insights into the WTT’s global tournament structure, and explore the future of gamified trading with AIMSCAP. Seats are limited — visit our official website or social media platforms for more information.

    The maiden 2025 WTT season promises a fully immersive trading experience designed to foster networking, collaboration, and innovation across borders. As the Official Strategic Partner, AIMSCAP is dedicated to delivering impactful educational content, engaging traders at every level, and driving excitement from the regional qualifiers to the grand showdown in Dubai.

    The future of trading is here — and we’re just getting started. 

    AIMS X WTT Dinner in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    About AIMSCAP

    AIMSCAP is a globally trusted financial broker and a key member of AIMS Group, serving institutional and retail clients in over 8 countries. As part of the AIMS Group ecosystem, AIMSCAP delivers high-performance trading platforms, competitive pricing, and a client-first approach—empowering traders around the world with innovative brokerage solutions and fintech infrastructure.

    Press inquiries

    AIMSCAP
    https://www.aimscap.com
    Benson Low
    support@aimscap.com

    A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.youtube.com/embed/F5OwKOdnpKA

    The MIL Network –

    May 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Capito, Barrasso Introduce Growing America’s Small Businesses and Manufacturing Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) recently introduced pro-growth legislation to boost investment in American manufacturing and help small businesses, farmers, and ranchers purchase the equipment and supplies they need to build their operations and support their employees.
    The Growing America’s Small Businesses and Manufacturing Act will reduce tax bills for business owners looking to purchase equipment—including machinery, farming equipment, energy infrastructure, building upgrades, commercial vehicles, mining equipment, and more. This will free up resources to go toward employee salaries, materials, and other critical business expenditures.
    “West Virginia’s manufacturers and small business owners are the backbone of our economy,” Senator Capito said. “The Growing America’s Small Businesses and Manufacturing Act will give them the tools they need to compete, grow, and hire. By allowing greater investment in equipment and operations, this bill strengthens our global competitiveness and supports the hardworking Americans driving innovation and economic growth across the country.”
    “Wyoming’s small businesses are what keeps our economy going strong. We want to make sure they have every opportunity to succeed,” Senator Barrasso said. “Right now, they face an uphill battle with high prices and a mountain of new regulations. The Growing America’s Small Businesses and Manufacturing Act will go a long way in helping Wyoming’s farmers, ranchers and small businesses expand their operations, better compete and hire more workers.” 
    “Manufacturers are driving the economy by investing in job-creating projects and cutting-edge equipment and machinery. The Growing America’s Small Businesses and Manufacturing Act would incentivize and support these important investments by reducing the cost of capital equipment purchases and the debt financing that makes them possible. Manufacturers commend Sens. Barrasso and Capito for their leadership in introducing this bill, and we encourage Congress to include these policies in comprehensive legislation that preserves and extends pro-manufacturing tax provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” Charles Crain, Managing Vice President of Policy, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), said.
    “Doubling the small business expensing threshold (Section 179) will be a huge win for small employers. This will allow small businesses to make significant capital investments which will help to grow the Main Street economy. NFIB applauds Senators Barrasso and Capito for introducing this important legislation,” Jeff Brabant, Vice President, Federal Government Relations, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), said.
    “America’s economic security relies on a strong manufacturing sector and small business growth. The “Restore American Investment Now” (RAIN) Coalition applauds Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) for introducing the Growing America’s Small Businesses and Manufacturing Act, which restores the EBITDA standard for business interest deductibility. Restoring the EBITDA standard will help businesses to invest, grow, and create jobs. We thank the Senators championing this pro-growth legislation to strengthen American manufacturing, support small business expansion, and create more opportunity for American workers,” Michael O’Rielly, Spokesman, RAIN Coalition, said.
    “Tax policy plays a critical role in the restaurant industry’s success. Pro-growth policies ensure that restaurant owners can continue investing in their businesses – upgrading equipment, expanding dining rooms, and creating jobs. With economic uncertainty beginning to slow spending, restoration of the critical interest expense deductions and small-business expensing are top priorities for our members. We appreciate Sens. Barrasso and Capito’s continued support of restaurant operators and small business owners and hope that Congress will include these important policies in any tax package they pass this year,” Sean Kennedy, Executive Vice President, National Restaurant Association, said.
    BACKGROUND:
    The Growing America’s Small Businesses and Manufacturing Act delivers two pro-growth tax proposals that will boost investment in capital-intensive industries like manufacturing, energy production, and agriculture.
    Expanded Business Interest Deduction:
    The bill revises the limitation from 30% of a business’s Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT), back to 30% of Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization, and depletion (EBITDA).
    This protects businesses from being punished for investments in machinery, capital equipment, mining, drilling, and research and development (R&D).
    Enhanced Small Business Expensing:
    The second provision expands Section 179, which allows taxpayers to deduct the cost of certain business assets in the year they are purchased rather than depreciating them over time.
    Under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the maximum deduction amount was increased to $1 million from $500,000, helping small businesses acquire the equipment needed to expand operations.
    The bill builds on this success by lifting the deduction cap to $2.5 million, accelerating small businesses’ access to capital.
    The provision covers a wide range of eligible expenses, including machinery, mining tools, farming implements, energy production equipment, commercial vehicles, building upgrades, and other critical investments.
    Full text of the legislation can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 20, 2025
←Previous Page
1 … 551 552 553 554 555 … 1,544
Next Page→
NewzIntel.com

NewzIntel.com

MIL Open Source Intelligence

  • Blog
  • About
  • FAQs
  • Authors
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Patterns
  • Themes

Twenty Twenty-Five

Designed with WordPress