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Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed & Whitehouse Advocate for Passage of Child Care Affordability Bill to Expand High-Quality Child Care Options

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC – Child care is essential to families, communities, and our economy.  But instead of making federal investments to help bring down the cost of child care, the Trump Administration is raising costs for working families in order to provide a bigger tax windfall for billionaires and special interests.  The Republican tax law also slashed Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provide critical support to children, families, child care centers and the child care workforce.  And the Trump Administration has made deep cuts within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Children and Families.

    To help working families afford the rising cost of child care, expand the range of high-quality child care options, and strengthen America’s child care infrastructure and workforce, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are teaming up with Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, to reintroduce the Child Care for Working Families Act (S.2295).

    This comprehensive legislation seeks to alleviate the high cost of child care for working families; provide families with more flexible options for high-quality, affordable child care; and boost wages for early childhood workers.  The bill would cap child care expenses at 7 percent of working families’ incomes, making it affordable for all parents and providing historic investments in the child care workforce, including higher pay, better benefits and improved training opportunities. It would also help increase access to pre-K education while supporting full-day Head Start programs.

    “Right now, the cost of child care and other essentials is weighing millions of families down, but instead of tackling the affordability crisis, President Trump and Republicans have chosen to shower their billionaire donors with trillions of dollars in new tax breaks and kick 17 million Americans off their health care,” said Senator Murray.

    “Working parents need access to high-quality, affordable child care that meets their needs.  But too many parents simply can’t afford it.  This bill would help lower the cost of child care and allow working parents to keep more of their paychecks so they can afford to raise a family.  Making child care more accessible and affordable is critical to families, communities, businesses, and future economic growth.  Studies show that investing in quality child care and early childhood education saves money in the long run and is linked to better graduation rates and lower use of public benefits later in life,” said Senator Reed.  “This is a chance to help lift children out of poverty, save working parents real money, and strengthen our workforce.  We’ve got to prioritize investing in what’s important to us – for Democrats that is expanding access to affordable and high-quality child care.”

    “Making child care more affordable will lower one of the biggest costs in many families’ budgets, and give parents more flexibility to participate in the workforce,” said Senator Whitehouse.  “As President Trump fuels the affordability crisis with his chaotic tariffs and his Big, Beautiful-for-Billionaires Bill, our legislation will lower the cost of child care for working Rhode Island families, set kids up for success, and ensure early childhood educators are paid fairly for their hard work.”

    Last month, Ruth J. Friedman, a senior fellow at the Century Foundation, testified before Congress on the state of America’s child care crisis, noting: “An approach like the Child Care for Working Families Act takes the necessary steps to adequately build child care supply and reduce parent costs. It would be transformative for American families, eliminating child care as a barrier to the workforce and child care bills as a barrier to economic security and wellbeing.  Ultimately, it would give parents much more freedom to raise their families and be productive members of society.”

    According to the Economic Policy Institute, Rhode Island is ranked as the 18th most expensive state for infant care, with the average annual cost exceeding $16,750 per year, or $1,397 per month.  And according to a WalletHub Child Care Costs by State report released this month, Rhode Island ranked 7th-highest in the nation for child care costs for married couples, with data showing 10.42 percent of married couples’ income was spent on family-based child care and 11.45 percent was spent on center-based child care.

    The cost of child care nationwide continues to rise—and far from helping tackle it, President Trump is exacerbating the affordability crisis. The average cost of child care is now $13,128—a 29% increase since 2020 that outpaces inflation. In 49 states and the District of Columbia, the average annual costs of child care for two children exceeds median rent—and in 41 states and the District of Columbia, the cost of care for one infant exceeds in-state university tuition. The crisis costs the U.S. economy over $100 billion each year. Nonetheless, President Trump has gutted oversight of and support for the federal child care office, held up child care funding to states, held up Head Start funding, and now created massive holes in states budgets with the “Big Beautiful Bill’s” cuts to Medicaid and SNAP—which may well force states to pare back on their own investments in child care. While two-thirds of Americans oppose Republicans’ Big Beautiful Betrayal that President Trump signed into law earlier this month, over three-quarters of Americans support increased investment to help families afford child care.

    The Child Care for Working Families Act would tackle the child care crisis head-on: ensuring families can afford the child care they need, expanding access to more high-quality options, stabilizing the child care sector, and helping ensure child care workers taking care of our nation’s kids are paid livable wages.

    The legislation would also dramatically expand access to pre-K, and support full-day, full-year Head Start programs and increased wages for Head Start workers.  Under the legislation, which Murray, Reed and Whitehouse have been pushing since 2017, the typical family in America will pay no more than $10 a day for child care—with many families paying nothing at all—and no eligible family would pay more than 7 percent of their income on child care.

    The Child Care for Working Families Act will:

    • Make child care affordable for working families. 
      • The typical family earning the state median income will pay less than $15 a day for child care.
      • No working family will pay more than seven percent of their income on child care.
      • Families earning below 85% of state median income will pay nothing at all for child care.
      •  If a state does not choose to receive funding under this program, the Secretary can provide funds to localities, such as cities, counties, local governments, districts, or Head Start agencies.
    • Improve the quality and supply of child care for all children and expand families’ child care options by:
      • Addressing child care deserts by providing grants to help open new child care providers in underserved communities.
      • Providing grants to cover start-up and licensing costs to help establish new providers.
      • Increasing child care options for children who receive care during non-traditional hours.
      • Supporting child care for children who are dual-language learners, children who are experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care.
    • Support higher wages for child care workers.
      • Child care workers would be paid a living wage and achieve parity with elementary school teachers who have similar credentials and experience.
      • Child care subsidies would cover the cost of providing high-quality care. 
    • Dramatically expand access to high-quality pre-K.
      • States would receive funding to establish and expand a mixed-delivery system of high-quality preschool programs for 3- and 4-year-olds.
      • States must prioritize establishing and expanding universal local preschool programs within and across high-need communities.
      • If a state does not choose to receive funding under this program, the Secretary can provide funds to localities, such as cities, counties, local governments, districts, or Head Start agencies.
    • Better support Head Start programs by providing the funding necessary to offer full-day, full-year programming and increasing wages for Head Start workers.         

    The Child Care for Working Families Act is endorsed by: AFL-CIO, AFSCME, AFT, All Our Kin, The Center for American Progress, The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Child Care Aware of America, Community Change Action, Council for Professional Recognition, Family Value @ Work, MomsRising, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), National Education Association (NEA), National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), Oxfam, Save the Children, Save the Children Action Network, SEIU, YWCA, Zero to Three.

    In addition to Murray, Reed, and Whitehouse, the Senate bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Chuck Schumer, (D-NY), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-NM), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tammy Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    In the House, the bill is being introduced by U.S. Representative Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Huffman Blasts Sec. Burgum, AG Bondi Alcatraz Visit Amid Trump Plan to Reopen Island Prison

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

    July 17, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA) issued the following statement regarding Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s visit to Alcatraz Island as part of the Trump administration’s bizarre and troubling proposal to reopen the former federal penitentiary – now a treasured national park and historic site – as an active prison for detained immigrants:

    “Today I almost felt sorry for Secretary Doug Burgum. He’s a smart guy, a serious guy, and he knows reopening Alcatraz is batshit crazy. But he has to pretend otherwise to stay in Trump’s good graces, so everyone pretends to love the Emperor’s beautiful new clothes while giggling behind his back,” Huffman said.

    “As for the merits of this proposal, if you thought “Alligator Alcatraz” was dumb, cruel, and wasteful, you’ll run out of adjectives for this idiotic political stunt,” Huffman continued. “I told Secretary Burgum last month that not a single serious person at the National Park Service – from superintendents to janitors – thinks this is a good idea. It would also be a financial boondoggle – not just the massive amount it would cost to reopen Alcatraz as a prison, but all the money and goodwill the Park Service would lose from closing one of America’s most popular tourist destinations.”

    “The bottom line: this is deeply idiotic, transparently political, and ultimately unlikely to happen. The only possible rational explanation for why Pam Bondi was touring Alcatraz today is that she thinks it might be a good place to hide the Epstein files,” Huffman concluded.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Europe urged to diversify trade markets over US tariff coercion, supply chains disruption

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

    As Washington presses ahead with additional tariffs on products from the European Union (EU) and beyond, European officials and experts are urging the diversification of trade markets to mitigate the damage that such coercive financial statecraft is inflicting on global supply chains.

    TARIFF GAME SETTING OFF CHAIN REACTION

    U.S. President Donald Trump announced Saturday that his administration would impose 30 percent tariffs on EU and Mexican exports, arguing that bilateral trade had long been unbalanced and lacked reciprocity.

    Trucks wait to enter the Container Terminal Tollerort in Hamburg, Germany, May 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

    The Irish Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald described the tariff threat as “volatile” and “not helpful at all.” “That poses a challenge for Ireland, for Europe, for the world,” she told Xinhua at a press conference in London.

    Countries across Europe have been warning about the impact of the seemingly unrelenting tariff assaults on their economies.

    The Bank of Slovenia estimated that U.S. tariffs could indirectly disrupt the broader European value chain and impact about 15,000 jobs in Slovenia, a significant number in a country of just 2.1 million people.

    The Bank of England also said in its latest Financial Stability Report that the global economy faces rising downside risks, citing U.S. tariffs, and despite a new trade agreement between Britain and the United States in May, a further escalation in trade disputes globally could amplify financial stress and drag on economic growth in Britain.

    Companies of all sizes, from those exporting to the U.S. to manufacturers heavily reliant on global supply chains, are feeling the strain that the tariffs are placing on their operations.

    Neb Chupin, founder of Croatia’s Hermes International, a successful fig jam producer in the U.S. market, said, “With 10 percent tariffs, we are losing about 20,000 U.S. dollars a week. What would happen with 30 or even 50 percent tariffs? I cannot even sleep at night as the situation is very unstable.”

    With 40 percent of exports going to the U.S., Finland’s pharmaceutical industry could also be severely affected by potential U.S. tariffs. Johanna Sipola, deputy CEO of Keskuskauppakamari, or the Finnish Chamber of Commerce, called the tariffs “unrealistic” and warned that the greater risk is the uncertainty they create.

    “If the tariffs were implemented, the repercussions for international pharmaceutical production would be significant. The industry’s delivery chains are unusually global, and even minor disruptions can trigger substantial changes in medicine prices and demand,” Sipola said.

    Beyond the immediate effects, the high-stakes tariff game is setting off a chain reaction across global supply chains and geopolitical dynamics.

    Gavran Igor, an economic analyst from Bosnia and Herzegovina, said that the longer-term impact of the tariffs could prove even more damaging for Balkan manufacturers that are integrated into EU-based industries, particularly automotive supply chains.

    Czech Republic’s Finance Minister Zbynek Stanjura said that exports to the United States account for less than 3 percent of the country’s total exports. However, the country would also be indirectly affected through its European partners who purchase Czech goods and components.

    STRENGTHENING COOPERATION WITH MULTI-PARTNERS URGED

    Inevitably, even countries with modest trade ties to the world’s largest economy can still feel the ripple effects of Washington’s unpredictability. In response, experts recommend that European nations broaden their trade partnerships, especially with China, Southeast Asia and other regions.

    “Europe must, in the long term, become more independent from the American market. A joint free trade zone with the ASEAN countries and the rapid ratification of the agreement with Mercosur are urgently needed,” Dirk Jandura, president of the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services, said in a statement after Trump’s new tariff announcement.

    Mario Boselli, chairman of the Italy China Council Foundation, said that the shifting dynamics might prompt Europe to reconsider its external economic strategy. In his view, strengthening cooperation with China is a “highly strategic choice.”

    “If economies, like the EU, China, the United Kingdom, Brazil and India, keep global trade open, the U.S. tariffs’ impact on global supply chains will be lower. That’s the opportunity,” said Carlo Altomonte, associate professor of the Department of Social and Political Sciences of Bocconi University in Milan.

    Martin Geissler, Partner at the management consultancy Advyce & Company, echoed the suggestions by sharing Germany’s auto industry as an example. “German automakers have often not yet recognized the growth prospects that exist in Africa and many emerging countries,” Geissler said, contrasting this with China’s strategic engagement with multi-partners.

    Bernardo Mendia, Secretary General of the Portugal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is leading a Portuguese delegation to the ongoing China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing.

    A key factor driving Portugal’s participation this year, in his words, is the rise of protectionism, logistical disruptions and geopolitical shifts. In the face of these challenges, China offers a distinctive platform to develop innovative solutions, business models, and collaborative partnerships, he said.

    Looking ahead, experts believe that Washington’s trade policies could ultimately backfire on the U.S. economy itself.

    “The U.S. needs many of our industrial products, which cannot be easily replaced in the short term. This allows German manufacturers of these goods to largely pass on the tariffs in their prices to the detriment of the U.S. economy,” said Juergen Matthes, head of International Economic Policy, Financial and Real Estate Markets Research Unit at the German Economic Institute. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Tuberville OP-ED: The Fed Has Gone Rogue—Fire Jerome Powell

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) penned a scathing op-ed in the Daily Caller calling for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to be fired. In the piece, Sen. Tuberville addresses his concern with Powell’s refusal to lower interest rates during a time of economic growth in the Golden Age of America. Chair Powell’s decision to play politics is hurting hardworking American families.

    Read excerpts from Sen. Tuberville’s op-ed below or the full piece here.

    “President Donald J. Trump and his America First policies are back, and the American people can feel the momentum. After four years of disastrous open-border policies, skyrocketing inflation, and woke bureaucrats running wild, the tide is finally turning. Thanks to the President’s tariffs and tax cuts, the Trump economic engine is revving back up. Prices are low. The stock market is up. Employment numbers are on the rise. America is returning to energy dominance. Families are finally starting to feel like they’re keeping more of their paycheck. But there’s still one major obstacle standing in the way of unleashing America’s full economic potential — and that’s Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

    Let’s cut the bull, Jerome Powell has gone rogue. He’s acting like a coach whose team is down by 2 at the end of the 4th quarter – but instead of kicking a field goal to win the game, they punt the ball. Inflation is at the lowest point in four years under President Trump – but Jerome Powell is still using the old Biden Democrat Socialist playbook. As a result, interest rates are through the roof, borrowing costs are squeezing families, and small businesses are getting crushed. Americans are ready to build, buy, hire, and grow — but the Fed is playing games instead of cutting rates and letting the economy breathe. That’s not just bad policy. That’s sabotage.

    This isn’t his first offense either. Powell’s track record is a mess. Back in 2021, as Biden and the Radical Left were pumping the economy with trillions of dollars in reckless spending, Powell stood in front of the American people and told them inflation was “transitory.” He basically told American consumers to not believe their own lying eyes. But the American people aren’t stupid. They saw prices rising at the pump, at the grocery store, and on every utility bill. What Powell called “transitory” turned out to be full-blown, historic inflation that was here to stay as long as Biden and Powell were the ones calling the shots.

    […]

    Let’s not pretend this wasn’t political. Powell has aligned himself with the D.C. Swamp, the same corrupt system that’s tried everything to stop Donald Trump from putting America First. The Fed is supposed to be independent, but under Powell, it’s acting like the economic arm of the Democrat Socialist Communist Party. Powell isn’t just a bad economist. He’s a symbol of the woke elites that look down on farmers, truckers, teachers, and welders — the backbone of this nation — and thinks they should just sit down and be quiet while the “experts” in D.C. run things.

    In the United States of America, we believe in freedom, faith, hard work, and putting the American taxpayer first. We don’t take orders from the World Economic Forum. We don’t answer to Davos. And we sure don’t let Ivy League elites in glass towers decide whether families in Alabama can afford to buy a house or start a business.

    If your quarterback is fumbling the ball, missing reads, and throwing picks, you bench him. You don’t give him another season; you send him packing. President Trump knows how to win. We need a Federal Reserve that supports that mission, not one that tries to undermine it. This isn’t just about monetary policy, it’s about our future. 

    It’s time to fire Jerome Powell and bring in a Fed Chair who understands the America First vision — someone who will fight inflation by empowering American workers, not punishing them. Someone who understands that prosperity starts with cutting taxes, slashing regulation, and letting a free people create, build, and thrive. Jerome Powell had his shot. He blew it. It’s time for a new leader at the Fed.”

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Huge boost for UK industry as Government powers ahead with cuts to electricity costs

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Huge boost for UK industry as Government powers ahead with cuts to electricity costs

    The Government has announced a huge boost to UK industry as it powers ahead with its plan to cut electricity costs.

    • Plans to slash electricity network costs for energy-intensive businesses by 90% are set in motion as Government launches new consultation.
    • Around 500 of UK’s most energy-intensive firms set to save up to £420m a year when current 60% discount on network charging costs increases to 90% from 2026.
    • Shows UK getting on with delivering announcements in Modern Industrial Strategy that will level the playing field for British businesses, backed by Plan for Change

    Around 500 of the UK’s most energy-intensive businesses such as British Steel and INEOS are set for a huge boost as the Government powers ahead with a 90% discount for businesses’ network charging costs.

    Delivering on its promise in the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy launched last month to slash energy costs for heavy industry, the Government today (18 July) launches a four-week consultation on its plans to increase the discount on businesses’ electricity network charges from 60% to 90%.

    The landmark new support is expected to save around 500 of Britain’s most energy-intensive firms in key sectors like steel, ceramics, glass and chemicals up to £420m per year from 2026 when in force and bring the UK’s industrial energy prices in line with European competitors, helping secure jobs and attract new investment as part of the Plan for Change.

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    This government is on the side of British industry. When we make promises we deliver on them. That’s why we’re wasting no time in powering ahead with our plans to tackle energy costs for great British businesses and level the playing field.

    The cornerstone of our modern Industrial Strategy, this landmark new support will meet a longstanding need from industry which other governments shirked – paving the way for new investment and job creation at the heart of our Plan for Change.

    The launch of the consultation on the Network Charging Compensation (NCC) scheme, part of the Government’s British Industry Supercharger package of measures to tackle industrial electricity costs, will seek industry’s views on the 30% uplift and double the window which businesses have to apply for support through the scheme from one month to two.

    Network charges are the costs paid by electricity network users for access to the service and are already discounted by 60% for some of the UK’s biggest industrial businesses through the NCC scheme since April 2024, saving businesses millions of pounds every month.

    The proposals in the consultation launched today would see their costs fall by around a further £7 per megawatt hour (/MWh) bringing electricity prices more into line with European countries such as France and Germany.

    The news follows Deloitte’s latest survey of finance officers which has found the UK is the joint top location for investment in the world, and new data from Make UK and BDO which finds that manufacturing in the UK has recovered to 2019, pre-pandemic, levels in every region, with 12,000 new jobs created in the year to March 2024.

    The uplift follows other new landmark support for British industry announced in last month’s modern Industrial Strategy, with the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme expected to slash energy costs by up to 25 percent for over 7,000 businesses.

    This scheme, which government will consult on shortly and is due to come into force in 2027, will cut costs for thousands of electricity-intensive businesses in key manufacturing sectors like aerospace, automotive and chemicals, supporting hundreds of thousands of skilled jobs by exempting firms from paying levies like the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs and the Capacity Market.

    A new Connections Accelerator Service will also come into force by the end of 2025, streamlining access to the UK electricity grid for major investment projects to speed up delivery and bring new high-quality jobs and economic growth.

    New powers in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, currently before Parliament, could also allow the Government to reserve grid capacity for strategically important projects, cutting waiting times and unlocking growth in key sectors.

    Gareth Stace, Director General of UK Steel, and Chair of Energy Intensive Users Group, said:

    Increasing network charge compensation under the Government’s Supercharger scheme is a very welcome and much-needed step towards achieving competitive electricity prices for the UK’s steel sector and other foundation industries.

    These reforms reflect solutions that UK Steel has long advocated to address the persistent challenge of uncompetitive industrial electricity costs. While more still needs to be done, this is meaningful progress.

    Truly competitive energy prices are essential to unlocking investment, creating jobs, accelerating decarbonisation, and securing the long-term future of steelmaking in the UK.

    Investment Minister Baroness Gustafsson visited Special Melted Products – an historic British advanced manufacturing firm which currently benefits from the 60% network charging discount – in Sheffield yesterday to welcome the news, as well as a major investment in the company from Taiwanese firm Walsin Lihwa, set to create over 200 skilled jobs by 2028.

    Notes to editors:

    • The Government’s modern Industrial Strategy can be found here.
    • The consultation will be published on Gov.UK later today here.
    • The total estimated value of the network charging compensation component of the Supercharger (at 90%) is £310-420m this year (in 2025 prices).
    • The NCC uplift will provide an estimated additional £7-10/MWh discount to eligible businesses.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leading lights of UK research spearhead search for world’s best talent

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Leading lights of UK research spearhead search for world’s best talent

    12 leading universities and research institutions selected to deliver government’s £54 million fund to recruit world’s top researchers.

    • 12 leading universities and research institutions selected to deliver government’s £54 million fund to recruit world’s top researchers
    • From AI to medicine, cutting-edge research is delivering the new breakthroughs and products that are key to economic growth, the core mission of the Plan for Change   
    • Global Talent Fund is just one part of over £115 million in funding dedicated to attracting top talent to the UK

    12 of the UK’s leading universities and research institutions, across all 4 nations, will deliver the Global Talent Fund: a £54 million investment in Britain’s future prosperity and economic growth.

    The new £54 million Global Talent Fund is designed to attract a total of 60-80 top researchers (both lead researchers and their teams) to the UK, working in the 8 high priority sectors critical to our modern Industrial Strategy like life sciences and digital technologies.  By bringing the very best minds in fields that will be critical to the future of life and work to the UK, we can pave the way for the products, jobs and even industries that define tomorrow’s economy, to be made and grow in Britain.

    From Argentine César Milstein’s work on antibodies, to Hong Kong-born Sir Charles Kao who led the development of fibre optics, through to German Ernst Chain’s efforts to make penicillin usable in medicine, there is a long pedigree of overseas researchers making great breakthroughs whilst working in the UK. We want the UK to continue to be the natural home of the very best science and research, the world over. 

    Driving new tech innovations and scientific breakthroughs will fire up the UK economy and put rocket boosters on the government’s Plan for Change. The IMF estimates that breakthroughs in AI alone could boost productivity by as much as 1.5 percentage points a year, which could be worth up to an average £47 billion to the UK each year over a decade. Other technologies could be gamechangers too: quantum computing could add over £11 billion to the UK’s GDP by 2045, while engineering biology could drive anywhere between £1.6-£3.1 trillion in global impact by 2040. 

    Science Minister Lord Vallance said:

    Genius is not bound by geography. But the UK is one of the few places blessed with the infrastructure, skills base, world-class institutions and international ties needed to incubate brilliant ideas, and turn them into new medicines that save lives, new products that make our lives easier, and even entirely new jobs and industries. Bringing these innovations to life, here in Britain, will be critical to delivering this government’s Plan for Change.

    My message to the bold and the brave who are advancing new ideas, wherever they are, is: our doors are open to you. We want to work with you, support you, and give you a home where you can make your ideas a reality we all benefit from.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    The UK is home to some of the world’s best universities which are vital for attracting international top talent. Supported by our new Global Talent Taskforce, the Global Talent Fund will cement our position as a leading choice for the world’s top researchers to make their home here, supercharging growth and delivering on our Plan for Change.

    The institutions selected to deliver the Global Talent Fund are:

    • University of Bath 
    • Queen’s University Belfast 
    • University of Birmingham 
    • University of Cambridge 
    • Cardiff University 
    • Imperial College London 
    • John Innes Centre 
    • MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology 
    • University of Oxford 
    • University of Southampton 
    • University of Strathclyde
    • University of Warwick 

    These organisations will each get an equal share of the £54 million Fund, to use bringing some of the world’s foremost researchers and their teams to the UK. Each of them has a track record of recruiting and supporting top international R&D talent, as well as securing international competitive research funding to the UK. They are empowered to develop their own approaches and plans to spend their share of the Global Talent Fund to attract research talent from the around the globe in their choice of Industrial Strategy areas, including covering visa and relocation costs for researchers and their family members.

    The Global Talent Fund, administered by UKRI, is just one part of over £115 million funding that is being dedicated to attracting the very best scientific and research talent to the UK. In addition to this fund, 2 fellowships have been launched, aimed at bringing groundbreaking AI research teams to UK organisations and labs: the £25 million Turing AI ‘Global’ Fellowships, as well as a UK-based expansion of the Encode: AI for Science Fellowship.

    Alongside this, 2 new fast-track research grant routes have been announced by the National Academies – including £30 million from the Royal Society for a Faraday Discovery Fellowship accelerated international route, part-funded by their £250 million DSIT endowment. The Royal Academy of Engineering has announced a similar fast track international route, as part of its £150 million Green Future Fellowships endowment from DSIT – this funding will ensure the UK competes for the best global talent in science and research. While researchers looking to relocate to the UK can also benefit from the Choose Europe scheme, thanks to the UK’s association to Horizon Europe.

    All of these efforts will be supported by the Global Talent Taskforce. Launched as part of the Industrial Strategy, the taskforce will report directly to the Prime Minister and Chancellor, and support researchers, scientists and engineers as well as top-tier investors, entrepreneurs and managerial talent to bring their skills to Britain.

    Work to cultivate top AI research talent in the UK is further bolstered through the Spärck AI scholarships, which will provide full funding for master’s degrees at 9 leading UK universities specialising in artificial intelligence and STEM subjects. These scholarships will open for applications in Spring 2026. We also support postgraduate research broadly, with £500 million UKRI funding supporting over 4.700 students at 45 higher education institutions to study projects in biological, engineering and physical, and natural and environmental sciences.

    Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath, said: 

    Our university was founded with a mission to work closely with industry, and partnership working has been in our DNA ever since. We are truly delighted to play our part in attracting outstanding global academics to help power research in the UK’s industrial strategy priority areas. 

    This major investment recognises the vital role universities play in driving innovation and growth across the UK. We look forward to working with DSIT and UKRI to attract more bright minds to play their part in our innovation-fuelled and impact-focussed research.

    Professor Sir Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor at Queen’s University Belfast said:

    We are proud that Queen’s has been selected as one of the 12 institutions to deliver the Global Talent Fund. This funding will allow us to bring world-leading researchers to Northern Ireland in priority areas such as advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity, fields that are vital to our economy and to the UK’s global competitiveness.

    By attracting exceptional talent from outside the UK, we are strengthening our research base, and helping to drive innovation within the local economy. This is a clear endorsement of the excellence and impact of research at Queen’s, and of our role in helping to deliver the UK government’s Industrial Strategy.

    Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at the University of Birmingham said:

    I am delighted that the University of Birmingham has been selected to support the government’s vision to attract exceptional international researchers to the UK. In celebration of our 125 anniversary this year, our University is committed to investing in the recruitment of 125 leading researchers. The Global Talent Fund investment means that we will now go even further – drawing a diverse community of world-leading researchers to Birmingham. They will join a thriving and ambitious research environment, where the potential for discovery, collaboration, and impact has never been greater. We look forward to welcoming a new generation of global research leaders to our University and city and to seeing the positive impact their work will have on the UK economy and on the health and wellbeing of society.

    Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor, University of Cambridge, said:

    The University is grateful for this award of funding. The Fund will bolster emerging and accelerating research areas, in line with the goals of the government’s Industrial Strategy. This investment will be pivotal in securing and supporting international academic expertise and strengthening the strategic opportunities the University is seeking to catalyse for both the University and the UK more widely.  We look forward to the opportunities this will unlock.

    Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner said:

    We are delighted to have secured this funding to help us attract the world’s best minds to Cardiff and Wales.

    It is a clear endorsement of our standing and place in the UK research community and sends a clear message that we are well-positioned to attract global talent. It will enable us to support more of the world’s leading academics in Wales – helping to further boost our research capacity and global reputation in key research areas.

    Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London said:

    Imperial College London is a global university and international researchers are central to our success. They bring fresh perspectives, new ideas, and a spirit of discovery that enriches our community and drives breakthroughs that benefit all of society – from tackling malaria to breakthroughs in quantum computing.

    The Global Talent Fund will support our efforts to attract the brightest minds from around the world. We look forward to welcoming them and continuing to push the boundaries of knowledge together.

    Professor Cristobal Uauy, Director designate, John Innes Centre said:

    This funding is a major boost to our efforts at the John Innes Centre to attract ambitious world-leading researchers to join our Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet vision.

    By bringing outstanding talent to the Norwich Research Park, we are strengthening the UK’s global leadership in bio-based innovation, data-driven biology, and sustainable, high-value agri-tech, key pillars of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.

    As a Chilean researcher who relocated to the UK, I’ve experienced first-hand the friendly, open and collaborative academic environment here. The world-class facilities, technology platforms and institutional support provided at the John Innes Centre are unrivalled. It’s the kind of environment where scientists can take bold ideas forward, build meaningful collaborations, and create lasting global impact.

    Jan Löwe, Laboratory of Molecular Biology Director, said:

    We welcome the government’s drive to attract global talent which addresses key barriers faced by researchers wishing to relocate to the UK.

    The LMB’s scientific breakthroughs and technological advances have been driven by talented scientists of all nationalities since our origins in the 1940s. Science is a creative pursuit, and creativity thrives on diverse input from people of different backgrounds.

    Research has no borders, and this funding will enable the LMB and fellow UK institutions to be competitive in the global scientific talent market and attract gifted scientists from around the world to drive UK innovations for the benefit of all.

    Professor Irene Tracey CBE, FRS, FMedSci, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, said:

    Oxford University has a long history of attracting exceptional global talent, enabling world-leading research, teaching, and innovation with wide-reaching social and economic impact. In 2021–2022, our science parks, knowledge exchange, and the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine contributed to a £6.6 billion boost to the UK economy, with our spinouts supporting over 31,600 UK jobs. Globally, the AZ vaccine is estimated to have saved over 6 million lives in its first year, resulting in a worldwide health economic impact of £2 trillion. The Global Talent Fund will draw internationally recognised experts to Oxford, building capability for future innovation and growth in the Industrial Strategy areas we have prioritised.

    Professor Mark E. Smith, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton, said:

    We are proud that the University of Southampton has been chosen as one of the small number of organisations for this exciting and important initiative.

    Attracting world-leading researchers to work in the United Kingdom will help to lead innovation in the technologies of the future, supporting industry and driving economic growth.

    Southampton is a global University with a wealth of research talent and this funding will help us to build further on our existing strengths and partnerships.

    Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, said:

    We welcome this important investment in global talent that UKRI has committed to and the alignment it creates between the new Industrial Strategy and the research and innovation leadership that is critical to its success. 

    Strathclyde is proud of its position as a leading international technological university. We deliver impact collaboratively by bringing together the excellent talented people we have at Strathclyde and through working closely with partners in other universities, industrial partners, innovation centres and National Laboratories through research that addresses market opportunities and national priorities – from climate resilience and sustainable energy to health innovation, and security and resilience.

    This new funding from UKRI and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology reflects confidence in our ability to translate cutting-edge discovery into real-world applications and solutions, working collaboratively with industry, government and global partners. It will enhance our research environment, widen our talent pipeline and further enable our mission as a place of useful learning.

    Professor Stuart Croft, Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Warwick said:

    The University of Warwick is known for our world-leading expertise in Advanced Manufacturing and the Arts and this £4.35 million investment will accelerate the development of innovative insights, solutions, products, and services in an inter-disciplinary way. It will also help drive inclusive regional and national growth in the Creative Industries.

    Through our strong partnerships with SMEs, industry, and local councils, this initiative will play a key role in advancing UK innovation and delivering meaningful benefits to communities across the West Midlands and the wider UK. 

    In our 60th anniversary year we are reaffirming our commitment to making a better world together and this funding will further strengthen our determination to deliver our vision.

    Professor Christopher Smith, International Champion at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), said:

    Global challenges from climate change to energy security, food systems to antimicrobial resistance do not respect borders, and neither should the research and innovation required to address them. Time and again, international collaboration has driven transformative breakthroughs: from the discovery of the Higgs boson at CERN, to the global effort to decode the complex wheat genome, enabling the development of high-yield, climate-resilient crops that support food security worldwide. The impact of global partnerships is clear.

    The Global Talent Fund is a vital part of UKRI’s mission to support an open, dynamic, and diverse research and innovation system. By supporting our brilliant research institutes to attract outstanding individuals from across the world and foster collaboration between nations, we are strengthening the UK’s position at the heart of the global knowledge economy. This fund aligns with our enduring commitment to international engagement, and to working together to shape a better future for all.

    Notes to editors

    The £54 million Global Talent Fund comes over 5 years, starting in 2025/2026. The fund, administered by UKRI and delivered by universities and research organisations, will cover 100% of eligible costs, including both relocation and research expenses, with no requirement for match funding from research organisations. The initiative also includes full visa costs for researchers and their dependants, removing significant financial and administrative barriers to relocation.

    Funding will be distributed evenly amongst the 12 research organisations.

    The small number of world-class researchers, and their teams, who go on to be supported by these funds, will come to live and work in the UK via existing routes such as the Skilled Worker, Global Talent, and the Innovator Founder visas.

    There are no plans to change existing visa routes – and the Immigration White Paper sets out the government’s broad approach to restoring order to the immigration system through the Plan for Change.  

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Regulatory Relief for Certain Stationary Sources to Promote American Chemical Manufacturing Security

    Source: US Whitehouse

    class=”has-text-align-center”>By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    1. The United States relies on a strong chemical manufacturing sector to support industries like energy, national defense, agriculture, and health care. These facilities produce essential inputs for critical infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, medical sterilization, semiconductors, and national defense systems. Maintaining a robust domestic chemical industry is vital to safeguarding the supply chains that underpin our economy and to reducing the Nation’s dependence on foreign control over materials critical to national resilience. As adversaries expand influence over key inputs, continued domestic production is essential not only to economic resilience but also to military readiness, public health, and national preparedness.

    2. On May 16, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency published a final rule titled New Source Performance Standards for the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry and Group I & II Polymers and Resins Industry, 89 FR 42932 (HON Rule). The HON Rule imposes new emissions-control requirements on certain chemical manufacturing facilities, some of which were promulgated pursuant to section 112 of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7412.

    3. The HON Rule imposes substantial burdens on chemical manufacturers already operating under stringent regulations. Many of the testing and monitoring requirements outlined in the HON Rule rely on technologies that are not practically available, not demonstrated at the necessary scale, or cannot be implemented safely or consistently under real-world conditions. For many facilities, the timeline for compliance as set forth at 89 FR 42953-42955 would require shutdowns or massive capital investments before any proven pathway to compliance exists. The HON Rule imposes requirements that assume uniform technological availability across facilities, despite significant variation in site conditions, permitting realities, and equipment configurations. A disruption of this capacity would weaken key supply chains, increase dependence on foreign producers, and impair our ability to respond effectively in a time of crisis. These consequences would ripple across sectors vital to America’s growing industrial strength and emergency readiness.

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 112(i)(4) of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7412(i)(4), do hereby proclaim that certain stationary sources subject to the HON Rule, as identified in Annex I of this proclamation, are exempt from compliance with those aspects of the HON Rule that were promulgated under section 112 of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7412 for a period of 2 years beyond the HON Rule’s relevant compliance dates (Exemption). This Exemption applies to all compliance deadlines established under the HON Rule applicable to the stationary sources listed in Annex I, with each such deadline extended by 2 years from the date originally required for such deadline. The effect of this Exemption is that, during each such 2-year period, these stationary sources will be subject to the emissions and compliance obligations that they are currently subject to under the applicable standard as that standard existed prior to the HON Rule. In support of this Exemption, I hereby make the following determinations:

    a. The technology to implement the HON Rule is not available. Such technology does not exist in a commercially viable form sufficient to allow implementation of and compliance with the HON Rule by the compliance dates in the HON Rule.

    b. It is in the national security interests of the United States to issue this Exemption for the reasons stated in paragraphs 1 and 3 of this proclamation.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.

    DONALD J. TRUMP  

    ANNEX I

    1. Shell Chemical LP
    i. Affected Facility/Source: Geismar Plant, Louisiana

    2. SABIC Innovative Plastics Mt. Vernon, LLC
    i. Affected Facility/Source: Manufacturing Plant, Indiana

    3. Bakelite Synthetics
    i. Affected Facility/Source:
    a. Riegelwood, North Carolina;
    b. Conway, North Carolina;
    c. Crossett, Arkansas;
    d. Louisville, Kentucky;
    e. Lufkin, Texas;
    f. Taylorsville, Mississippi

    4. The Dow Chemical Company
    i. Affected Facility/Source: Glycol II Plant, Louisiana

    5. Trinseo LLC
    i. Affected Facility/Source:
    a. Trinseo Facility, Georgia
    b. Trinseo Facility, Michigan

    6. Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A.
    i. Affected Facility/Source:
    a. Formosa Plastics Corporation, Louisiana
    b. Formosa Plastics Corporation, Texas

    7. Union Carbide Corporation/The Dow Chemical Company
    i. Affected Facility/Source:
    a. Seadrift Operations, Texas
    b. Hahnville, St. Charles Parish Facility, Louisiana

    8. Westlake Vinyl’s LLC/Westlake Corporation
    i. Affected Facility/Source:
    a. Petrochemical Complex, Louisiana
    b. Styrene Monomer Production Facility, Louisiana
    c. Styrene Marine Terminal, Louisiana
    d. Lake Charles South Facility, Louisiana
    e. Lake Charles North Facility, Louisiana

    9. BASF TotalEnergies Petrochemicals LLC
    i. Affected Facility/Source: Port Arthur Facility, Texas

    10. BASF Corporation
    i. Affected Facility/Source:
    a. Geismar Facility, Louisiana;
    b. North Geismar Facility, Louisiana;
    c. Freeport Facility, Texas

    11. Rubicon LLC
    i. Affected Facility/Source: Geismar Facility, Louisiana

    12. CITGO Petroleum Corporation
    i. Affected Facility/Source:
    a. Lake Charles Refinery, Louisiana
    b. Corpus Christi Refinery, Texas
    c. Lemont Refinery, Illinois

    13. INEOS Americas LLC
    i. Affected Facility/Source: Bayport EO Plant, Texas

    14. Celanese Corporation
    i. Affected Facility/Source:
    a. Narrows Facility, Virginia
    b. Clear Lake Facility, Texas
    c. Bishop Facility, Texas
    d. Bay City Facility, Texas

    15. Huntsman Petrochemical LLC
    i. Affected Facility/Source:
    a. Huntsman Pensacola, Florida
    b. Huntsman Conroe, Texas

    16. TotalEnergies Petrochemicals & Refining USA, Inc.
    i. Affected Facility/Source:
    a. TotalEnergies Petrochemicals & Refining USA, Inc., Alabama
    b. Cos-Mar StyreneMonomer Plant, Alabama
    c. TotalEnergies Polystrene Plant, Louisiana
    d. Port Arthur Refinery, Texas

    17. Indorama Ventures Xylenes and PTA
    i. Affected Facility/Source: Decatur Facility, Alabama

    18. Denka Performance Elastomer LLC
    i. Affected Facility/Source: LaPlace Neoprene Production Facility, Louisiana

    19. Sasol Chemicals (USA) LLC
    i. Affected Facility/Source: Lake Charles Chemical Complex, Louisiana

    20. Philips 66 Company
    i. Affected Facility/Source:
    a. Sweeny Refinery, Texas
    b. WRB Refining LP Calvert Refinery, Illinois
    c. WRB Refining LP Borger Refinery, Texas

    21. Indorama Ventures Oxides, LLC
    i. Affected Facility/Source: Port Neches Facility, Texas

    22. Eastman Chemical Company
    i. Affected Facility/Source: Longview Facility, Texas

    23. DuPont Specialty Products USA, LLC
    i. Affected Facility/Source: Pontchartrain Site, Louisiana

    24. Stepan Company
    i. Affected Facility/Source: Millsdale Facility, Illinois

    25. Ascend Performance Materials Operations LLC
    i. Affected Facility/Source:
    a. Ascend Decatur, Alabama;
    b. Ascend Alvin, Texas;
    c. Ascend Pensacola, Florida

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: From holding coins to income: LET Mining builds a passive income system for XRP

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Among them, XRP is eye-catching and its price has soared because it has a strong technical network that can process a large number of transactions per second. Ripple’s cooperation with mainstream financial institutions and institutional investors in the field of cross-border payments will also benefit it.

    However, the token is still volatile and speculative. The cloud mining service launched by LET Mining allows users to use XRP payments, start a planned cloud computing power contract, and obtain passive income every day, so that users are not affected by the price of tokens and can obtain stable income every day.

    Core advantages of LET Mining platform
    ● XRP direct recharge participation: users can directly use XRP to purchase cloud computing power without currency exchange or cumbersome operations, which is more efficient and provides a better experience.

    ● Daily stable income, withdrawable at any time: mining income is settled daily and automatically distributed to the account balance. Users can withdraw or reinvest at any time to maximize income.

    ● High transparency and contract visualization: each input and output income is transparent and traceable throughout the process;

    ● Security guarantee: cold and hot wallets are separated to ensure asset security;

    How to quickly start cloud mining with XRP? Only 4 steps:

    1. Register an account
    Visit the LET Mining official website: https://letmining.com/, register to get a new user $12 registration reward.

    2. Recharge XRP
    Select “XRP Recharge” in the account, the system will generate an XRP wallet address, copy the address and transfer it from the exchange or personal wallet. (50XRP is enough to participate)

    3. Choose a contract plan
    The platform provides a variety of cloud mining contracts, including short-term stable, long-term compound interest and high return types, free to choose.

    ●Experience Contract: Investment amount: $100, contract period: 2 days, daily income of $4, expiration income: $100 + $8
    ●BTC Classic Hash Power: Investment amount: $500, contract period: 5 days, daily income of $6, expiration income: $500 + $30
    ●DOGE Classic Hash Power: Investment amount: $3,200, contract period: 22 days, daily income of $46.08, expiration income: $3,200 + $1,013.76
    ●BTC Advanced Hash Power: Investment amount: $5,000, contract period: 29 days, daily income of $76.5, expiration income: $5,000 + $2,218.5
    ●BTC Advanced Hash Power: Investment amount: $10,000, contract period: 43 days, daily income of $174, expiration income: $10,000 + $7,482

    (Click here to view more high-yield contract details)

    4. Start income
    After the contract is activated, the system will issue you mining income in proportion every day, which can be withdrawn to the XRP wallet address at any time, truly achieving “holding coins to make money” and easily enjoying digital passive income.

    From static holding to active income generation: a strategy suitable for every investor

    In today’s volatile crypto market, simply waiting for the price of the currency to rise will not give you a continuous advantage. Especially when the market is sideways or volatile, it is particularly important to have a passive income plan that can generate sustainable cash flow. The cloud mining strategy provided by LET Mining is a solution for investors to “reap profits no matter how the market changes.”

    Conclusion: Your XRP is not just a number, but also a tool for producing assets

    LET Mining turns XRP into a digital machine that “works” for you every day, without investing a lot of time and energy, but can continue to generate income. For crypto investors who are looking for a steady growth path, this is a perfect attempt to balance flexibility and efficient returns.

    Join LET Mining now and turn your XRP into a digital asset that appreciates every day, making “holding coins” truly the first step to “wealth freedom.”

    Official website: https://letmining.com/
    Contact email: info@letmining.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: From holding coins to income: LET Mining builds a passive income system for XRP

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Among them, XRP is eye-catching and its price has soared because it has a strong technical network that can process a large number of transactions per second. Ripple’s cooperation with mainstream financial institutions and institutional investors in the field of cross-border payments will also benefit it.

    However, the token is still volatile and speculative. The cloud mining service launched by LET Mining allows users to use XRP payments, start a planned cloud computing power contract, and obtain passive income every day, so that users are not affected by the price of tokens and can obtain stable income every day.

    Core advantages of LET Mining platform
    ● XRP direct recharge participation: users can directly use XRP to purchase cloud computing power without currency exchange or cumbersome operations, which is more efficient and provides a better experience.

    ● Daily stable income, withdrawable at any time: mining income is settled daily and automatically distributed to the account balance. Users can withdraw or reinvest at any time to maximize income.

    ● High transparency and contract visualization: each input and output income is transparent and traceable throughout the process;

    ● Security guarantee: cold and hot wallets are separated to ensure asset security;

    How to quickly start cloud mining with XRP? Only 4 steps:

    1. Register an account
    Visit the LET Mining official website: https://letmining.com/, register to get a new user $12 registration reward.

    2. Recharge XRP
    Select “XRP Recharge” in the account, the system will generate an XRP wallet address, copy the address and transfer it from the exchange or personal wallet. (50XRP is enough to participate)

    3. Choose a contract plan
    The platform provides a variety of cloud mining contracts, including short-term stable, long-term compound interest and high return types, free to choose.

    ●Experience Contract: Investment amount: $100, contract period: 2 days, daily income of $4, expiration income: $100 + $8
    ●BTC Classic Hash Power: Investment amount: $500, contract period: 5 days, daily income of $6, expiration income: $500 + $30
    ●DOGE Classic Hash Power: Investment amount: $3,200, contract period: 22 days, daily income of $46.08, expiration income: $3,200 + $1,013.76
    ●BTC Advanced Hash Power: Investment amount: $5,000, contract period: 29 days, daily income of $76.5, expiration income: $5,000 + $2,218.5
    ●BTC Advanced Hash Power: Investment amount: $10,000, contract period: 43 days, daily income of $174, expiration income: $10,000 + $7,482

    (Click here to view more high-yield contract details)

    4. Start income
    After the contract is activated, the system will issue you mining income in proportion every day, which can be withdrawn to the XRP wallet address at any time, truly achieving “holding coins to make money” and easily enjoying digital passive income.

    From static holding to active income generation: a strategy suitable for every investor

    In today’s volatile crypto market, simply waiting for the price of the currency to rise will not give you a continuous advantage. Especially when the market is sideways or volatile, it is particularly important to have a passive income plan that can generate sustainable cash flow. The cloud mining strategy provided by LET Mining is a solution for investors to “reap profits no matter how the market changes.”

    Conclusion: Your XRP is not just a number, but also a tool for producing assets

    LET Mining turns XRP into a digital machine that “works” for you every day, without investing a lot of time and energy, but can continue to generate income. For crypto investors who are looking for a steady growth path, this is a perfect attempt to balance flexibility and efficient returns.

    Join LET Mining now and turn your XRP into a digital asset that appreciates every day, making “holding coins” truly the first step to “wealth freedom.”

    Official website: https://letmining.com/
    Contact email: info@letmining.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Valadao Stands Up for American Financial Privacy and Innovation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G. Valadao (California)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement after voting for the CLARITY Act, the GENIUS Act, and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act. These bills help regulate digital assets to provide consumers with long-overdue protections while prioritizing the essential right to financial privacy and safeguarding the ability for digital asset developers to innovate within the cryptocurrency space.

    “Americans deserve financial privacy, and it’s long past time we put real guardrails in place to protect that right,” said Congressman Valadao. “As more people invest in digital assets, we need a framework in place that encourages innovation, puts consumers first, and keeps the federal government from overreaching into Americans’ personal finances. These bipartisan bills reaffirm our commitment to free markets and individual freedom, and I was proud to support them.”

    The CLARITY Act helps create a safer, more predictable environment for companies and consumers who use digital assets like cryptocurrency by:

    • Making it easier for businesses that work with digital assets to grow and innovate.
    • Giving clear rules to companies that offer cryptocurrency services to everyday customers.
    • Protecting consumers by requiring more transparency and responsibility from cryptocurrency firms.
    • Defining the roles of crypto regulation for the two major financial regulators—the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)—so they don’t overlap or conflict.
    • Setting up a legal process for cryptocurrency companies to register and operate properly in the U.S. 

    The GENIUS Act prioritizes consumer protection, fosters innovation, and protects U.S. currency interests by:

    • Creating a nationwide system for regulating stablecoins.
    • Requiring stablecoins to be backed by safe, reliable assets—mainly U.S. Treasury bonds and U.S. bills—to protect consumers.
    • Strengthening the U.S. dollar’s role as the world’s leading currency by increasing demand for U.S. Treasury assets.

    The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act stops the federal government from creating a digital version of the dollar that could be used to track or control Americans’ personal finances by:

    • Blocking the Federal Reserve (Fed) from launching a government-controlled digital currency for everyday Americans.
    • Ensuring the Fed can’t act like a big government-run bank that collects your financial data.
    • Preventing the government from sneaking around this rule by using third parties.
    • Stopping the government from using digital currency to influence interest rates or spending behavior.
    • Making clear that Congress—not federal agencies—have the final say on whether a digital dollar is created.

    Read the full CLARITY Act bill here.

    Read the full GENIUS Act bill here.

    Read the full Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warnock Renews Effort to Address Bias in Housing Appraisals, Help Families Build Generational Wealth through Homeownership

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Warnock Renews Effort to Address Bias in Housing Appraisals, Help Families Build Generational Wealth through Homeownership

    Senator Reverend Warnock’s legislation would empower Georgians with more data and tools to fight bias that would lower their homes’ values
     For most Americans, the largest driver of wealth is their home. This makes it important to have accurate, unbiased home valuations
    Research from Brookings has found homes in Black neighborhoods are valued roughly 21% to 23% below what their valuations would be in non-Black neighborhoods
    In March, Senator Warnock introduced a comprehensive legislative package of housing bills to address the ongoing housing affordability and availability crisis in the United States
    ICYMI from The Atlanta Voice: Warnock leads Senatorial effort to even the playing field in home appraisals
    Senator Warnock: “This bill is an important next step in helping Georgia families and all Americans realize the full value of their homes, and it empowers them with more data and tools to fight bias that would lower their homes’ values”
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and five of his Senate colleagues introduced new legislation to address appraisal bias in the home buying and selling processes. Housing appraisals are supposed to provide an objective estimate of a home’s market value to ensure homebuyers pay a fair price and homeowners receive the full value of their home. Unfortunately, systemic bias in the appraisal process has disadvantaged families of color for far too long. To combat appraisal biases faced by many current and aspiring homeowners, Senator Warnock’s Appraisal Modernization Act empowers Georgians with more data and tools to fight bias that would lower their homes’ values. The legislation would:
    Increase transparency to support oversight and enforcement against bias by requiring the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to publish an online database of property-level appraisal and other home valuation data that lenders collect in connection with a mortgage application.
    Protect and empower consumers by codifying a consumer’s right to appeal a home valuation (also known as a Reconsideration of Value (ROV)) or request a second appraisal and directing the development of standardized policies to ensure consistent treatment of consumers who request an ROV or second appraisal.
    Together, these provisions will empower consumers to realize the full value of their homes. The urgency of this legislation was only further heightened when, last week, the Trump administration announced it was ending the federal task force dedicated to removing racial bias from the appraisal process. 
    “Home valuations are a critical part of the mortgage lending process and ensuring families can build generational wealth through homeownership,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “This bill is an important next step in helping Georgia families and all Americans realize the full value of their homes, and it empowers them with more data and tools to fight bias that would lower their homes’ values.”
    “I am very proud to continue the work I started as County Executive to make homeownership more equitable and accessible. As County Executive I signed a law that outlawed appraisal bias in Prince George’s County – and now it’s time we outlaw it across the nation. Home ownership should not be just a dream for the rich but an opportunity for all. Many Marylanders see home ownership as the surest way to build wealth, and they’re right. This legislation will increase transparency, protect consumers, and give Marylanders a true chance to thrive,” said Senator Alsobrooks.
    “Too many families of color suffer from systemic biases in the home appraisal process,” said Senator Booker. “One of the largest drivers of wealth for Americans is their home, and the color of your skin should not be a determinant of your home’s value. This bill is a critical step in ensuring more reliable appraisal methods, and empowering consumers to appeal potentially discriminatory valuations.”
    “For far too long, the American Dream of buying a home has been kept out of reach for families of color by a system that is fundamentally broken,” said Senator Kim. “Every family should be able to achieve that dream, and this bill will take common sense steps to make the changes needed to make those dreams come true.”
    Inconsistency in the appraisal market can disrupt the entire housing ecosystem by improperly inflating or deflating home values, while bias can perpetuate historic disinvestment in communities of color and contribute to the widening racial and ethnic wealth and homeownership gaps. That is why industry stakeholders and fair housing advocates have long supported increasing transparency in appraisal data and why most responsible lenders believe ROV is an important part of maintaining the integrity of the appraisal process. Several studies have also identified a clear relationship between lower valuations and Black neighborhoods and revealed overt references to race in appraisals. On average, today White families hold $1.3 million in wealth, compared to $211,000 for Black and $227,000 for Latino families. For most Americans, the largest driver of wealth is their home. This makes it important to have accurate, unbiased home valuations.
    “An appraisal has the power to determine the value of a consumer’s most important financial asset and can hold the key to determining whether the consumer is able to purchase a permanent home rather than rent, access credit on reasonable terms, and build wealth for generations to come,” said Nikitra Bailey, Executive Vice President of the National Fair Housing Alliance® (NFHA ). “NFHA commends Senator Warnock and his colleagues for a sensible bill designed to help consumers, appraisers, and lenders obtain the data necessary to ensure home valuations are fair and consistent.”
    “The Housing Policy Council (HPC) has long advocated for extending access to GSE data to all market participants, to enhance risk management models and practices across the housing finance ecosystem. Shared access to all government appraisal data would be a good first step to accomplish this worthy goal. HPC looks forward to working with Senator Warnock on this important policy objective,” said Ed DeMarco, President of the Housing Policy Council.
    “As President of NAMB, I will always support any legislation that ensures the fairness, protection, and privacy of homebuyers, and I applaud Senator Warnock for leading this effort. The reality is that we must be thorough in the quest to protect consumers, and we hope that your colleagues will consider this important bill as it navigates the legislative process,” said James Nabors II, President of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers.
    “The Appraisal Modernization Actis a vital first step toward remedying the decades of discrimination that have been baked into the home valuation system. The public appraisal database will enable researchers to develop more reliable valuation methods that do not rely on old data tainted by unacceptable attitudes and practices. And strengthening the consumer’s right to appeal a defective valuation will help them to protect their home equity going forward,” said Andrew Pizor, Senior Attorney, National Consumer Law Center
    “For most homeowners, their home represents family, stability and their primary financial asset,” says Laura Arce, senior vice president, Economic Initiatives at UnidosUS. “The economic value of that home includes many factors, but the race or ethnicity of its owner should not be one of them. UnidosUS supports the Appraisal Modernization Actand applauds its sponsors, Senators Warnock, Alsobrooks, Blunt Rochester, Kim, Warren, and Booker. The home appraisal industry is overdue modernization, and this bill will bring needed transparency and a common sense right to appeal to the appraisal process. American families should not have to continue to leave equity behind.”
    As a member of the Senate Banking Committee, which oversees federal housing policies, Senator Warnock has worked to increase affordable housing and illuminate a path to homeownership, a cornerstone of the American Dream. As one of twelve brothers and sisters growing up in public housing in Savannah, Senator Warnock deeply understands the importance of having a place to call home and homeownership. In March 2025, Senator Warnock introduced a comprehensive legislative package of housing bills to address the ongoing housing affordability and availability crisis in the United States. In the past few years, Senator Warnock voted for government funding legislation that increased America’s housing supply, strengthened housing affordability, and addressed the homelessness crisis, including by: increasing the supply of affordable housing nationwide with funding to build 10,000 new rental and homebuyer units; extending funding for the Yes In My Backyard (“YIMBY”) grant program to support efforts to increase our nation’s housing supply and lower housing costs through state and local zoning changes; and delivering $275 million in new funding for Homeless Assistance Grants to help address homelessness in communities across the country and providing new resources to better connect people experiencing homelessness with health care services. Senator Warnock has also secured nearly $80 million in housing investments to provide affordable housing options for Georgians at all income levels and repair hazardous housing conditions in low-income housing units. 
    In addition to Senator Warnock, the Appraisal Modernization Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). 
    A fact sheet on the legislation can be found HERE.
    Bill text for the Appraisal Modernization Act can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Claiming FRCGW as a credit this tax time

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Rivalry Announces Revocation of Management Cease Trade Order

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rivalry Corp. (the “Company” or “Rivalry”) (TSXV: RVLY), an internationally regulated sports betting and media company, is pleased to announce that effective July 17, 2025, the Ontario Securities Commission has revoked the management cease trade order (“MCTO”) it had previously granted to the Company on May 2, 2025 under National Policy 12-203 – Management Cease Trade Orders, as the Company successfully completed the filing of its (i) annual audited financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis, and related certifications for the year ended December 31, 2024, and (ii) unaudited interim financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis, and related certifications for the three months ended March 31, 2025 (collectively, the “Annual and Interim Filings”).

    The revocation of the MCTO means members of management are no longer prevented from trading the Company’s securities. All of the Annual and Interim Filings are available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    About Rivalry

    Rivalry Corp. wholly owns and operates Rivalry Limited, a leading sport betting and media company offering fully regulated online wagering on esports, traditional sports, and casino for the digital generation. Based in Toronto, Rivalry operates a global team in more than 20 countries and growing. Rivalry Limited has held an Isle of Man license since 2018, considered one of the premier online gambling jurisdictions, as well as an internet gaming registration in Ontario, and is currently in the process of obtaining additional country licenses. With world class creative execution and brand positioning in online culture, a native crypto token, and demonstrated market leadership among digital-first users Rivalry is shaping the future of online gambling for a generation born on the internet.

    No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

    Company Contact:
    Steven Salz, Co-founder & CEO
    ss@rivalry.com

    Investor Contact:
    investors@rivalry.com

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

    This news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (“forward-looking statements”). All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “achieve”, “could”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “objective”, “continuous”, “ongoing”, “estimate”, “outlook”, “expect”, “project” and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. These statements are only predictions.

    Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management of the Company at the date the statements are made based on information then available to the Company. Various factors and assumptions are applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to and involve a number of known and unknown, variables, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause the Company’s actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include regulatory or political change such as changes in applicable laws and regulations; the ability to obtain and maintain required licenses; the esports and sports betting industry being a heavily regulated industry; the complex and evolving regulatory environment for the online gaming and online gambling industry; the success of esports and other betting products are not guaranteed; changes in public perception of the esports and online gambling industry; failure to retain or add customers; the Company having a limited operating history; negative cash flow from operations and the Company’s ability to operate as a going concern; operational risks; cybersecurity risks; reliance on management; reliance on third parties and third-party networks; exchange rate risks; risks related to cryptocurrency transactions; risk of intellectual property infringement or invalid claims; the effect of capital market conditions and other factors on capital availability; competition, including from more established or better financed competitors; and general economic, market and business conditions. For additional risks, please see the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis for the 12 months ended December 31, 2024 under the heading “Risk Factors”, and other disclosure documents available on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    No assurance can be given that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Energy Sector – New rules unlock network connection barriers to support electrification

    Source: Electricity Authority

    The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko (the Authority) is making it easier and faster to connect to the electricity network so New Zealand can electrify faster.
    The changes are the first steps in the Authority’s work to make it easier and more efficient for businesses, developers and other consumers to get access to the electricity network so communities and the economy can benefit.
    The Authority consulted on a package of changes late last year, with a focus on reducing the time and cost to connect infrastructure such as public EV charging stations, manufacturing, and solar farms.
    Authority General Manager Networks and System Change Tim Sparks says standardised rules about how the 29 lines companies process connection applications and how they develop and structure pricing for new and upgraded connections are vital to getting more electricity into the network and reducing costs.
    “Inconsistencies and inefficiencies in the application processes and pricing methodologies across New Zealand’s 29 lines companies can add unnecessary time and cost to projects, particularly for those who want to operate in multiple regions,” Sparks said. “The changes we’ve announced today will help address these issues and unlock more of the barriers to electrification.
    “Under the new rules, lines companies must offer the least-cost, technically acceptable solution,” Sparks said. “Any extra costs to enhance the connection – for example running the connection underground – will be paid for by whoever requested it. This ensures people aren’t paying for other network costs they didn’t ask for.”
    The Authority’s changes include introducing processes for larger users wanting to connect – such as an EV charge point operator or a public transport operator electrifying its fleet – including setting timeframes for decisions. To date, large energy users haven’t had baseline protections because the rules have only applied to electricity generators directly connecting to the network. Providing a clear and consistent process will increase transparency and certainty for those needing to connect and make the process more efficient for everyone involved.
    “We have been working with the Commerce Commission and industry on these improvements, which we believe will increase transparency and consistency and address some known issues. Overall, we expect both lines companies and those needing to connect will benefit from more efficient connection processes. All New Zealanders will benefit over time through increased choice and value as more services and infrastructure come online sooner.”
    The Authority is introducing eight new requirements to improve the network connection application process and four new connection pricing requirements. The Authority is further considering two of the rule changes originally proposed in last year’s consultation papers to ensure they fully and effectively address the issues they are intended to resolve. They are:
    – the ‘reliance limit’, which aimed to prevent already high-upfront charges from increasing further
    – creating an obligation for distributors to connect all applications that meet certain criteria.
    The Authority expects to further consult on these two further potential changes before the end of the year.
    The Authority is now seeking feedback on the draft wording of the new connection pricing rules to ensure it accurately reflects the decisions made. The technical consultation on the draft wording of the new rules for connection application processes will open in August.
    Most of the requirements for new connection pricing methodologies come into effect on 1 April 2026 to align with any other distribution pricing changes, as well as with the Commerce Commission processes. The new requirements for the connection application processes come into effect in the second half of 2026, allowing 12 months after the changes have been gazetted. The exception is the application process for large consumers, which will come into effect 18 months after being gazetted, as this involves entirely new processes that need to be developed.
    For more information:
    Notes:The Electricity Authority is an independent Crown Entity with the main statutory objective to promote competition in, reliable supply by, and the efficient operation of, the electricity industry for the long-term benefit of consumers. The additional objective of the Authority is to protect the interests of domestic consumers and small business consumers in relation to the supply of electricity to those consumers.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Feenstra Supports Three Bills to Bolster American Leadership in Digital Assets, Ban Central Bank Digital Currency in United States

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) voted for three pieces of legislation to bolster American leadership in the digital asset marketplace and to ban the creation of a central bank digital currency in the United States.

    “The increasing adoption of digital assets and the use of blockchain technologies can grow our economy and provide American families with a new opportunity to grow wealth. However, under President Biden, digital assets were attacked, which crushed innovation and created uncertainty for businesses. We want digital asset innovation to happen in America and crypto jobs to be created in America – without ceding ground to foreign countries,” said Rep. Feenstra. “That’s why I voted for three bills to cement American leadership in the digital asset marketplace and to ban the creation of a central bank digital currency in the United States. Under President Trump, we are protecting Americans’ financial security, investing in our economy, and making America the crypto capital of the world.”

    The Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act establishes clear roles for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), provides consumer protections through greater transparency and accountability in the marketplace, and helps digital asset firms operate legally and with confidence in the United States.

    The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act provides clear rules of the road for the issuance of payment stablecoins, which are pegged to a stable currency like the U.S. dollar.

    The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act would ban the creation of a central bank digital currency in the United States.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Barry Moore cosponsors bipartisan Bridge Investment and Modernization Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Barry Moore

    Washington D.C. – Congressman Barry Moore (AL-01) cosponsored the Bridge Investment and Modernization Act of 2025, introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee members Representatives Shomari Figures (AL-02) and Mike Ezell (MS-04).

    This bipartisan legislation reauthorizes the Bridge Investment Program through 2031 and cuts government red tape that only allowed one large Bridge Investment Program grant per state. Reauthorizing this program will streamline federal funding, ensuring projects like the I-10 Bridge and Bayway Project get the necessary resources needed for completion.

    This legislation will deliver faster, more effective repairs and upgrades to bridges across the nation. The Bridge Investment and Modernization Act was also submitted into the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Portal by Reps. Figures and Ezell for consideration in the reauthorization package, which is expected to come to the floor later this year or early next year.

    “Alabama’s economy depends on strong roads and bridges to transport goods, support businesses, and connect our communities,” said Moore. “I’m proud to support this bill, which makes critical reauthorizations to move federal dollars where they’re needed most while cutting the bureaucratic red tape we see so often in Washington. This bill allows for continued investments in American infrastructure and specifically advances projects like the I-10 Bridge and Bayway Project in Mobile, making travel safer and easier for so many across the Gulf Coast. I will continue working with President Trump and Transportation Secretary Duffy to ensure we deliver on a new I-10 bridge.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Joins Gallego and Colleagues in Condemning Trump Administration for Letting Credit Union Off the Hook for Overcharging Military Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    July 17, 2025
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and six of her colleagues in condemning the Trump Administration for its recent decision to terminate the consent order against Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU). This decision effectively excuses NFCU from accountability for charging millions in illegal surprise overdraft fees to their members—primarily active-duty servicemembers, Veterans, Department of Defense employees and their families.
    “In 2024, the CFPB found that between 2017 and 2022, NFCU charged overdraft fees on ATM withdrawals and debit card purchases – even when accounts showed sufficient funds,” the Senators wrote in a letter to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Acting Director Russell Vought. “In response, the Bureau issued a consent order requiring NFCU to pay $95 million in penalties and restitution: $80.6 million directly to harmed consumers and $15 million to the CFPB’s victims relief fund.”
    That order was rescinded on July 1, 2025.
    “As former CFPB officials have noted, this decision raises serious concerns about whether the Bureau is still capable—or even willing—to fulfill its legal mandate,” the Senators continued. “At a minimum, the public and Congress deserve answers.”
    The letter was cosigned by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD).
    The full letter is available below and on Senator Duckworth’s website:
    Dear Acting Director Vought,
    We write to express profound alarm over the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s recent decision to terminate the consent order against Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU), effectively excusing them from accountability for charging millions in illegal surprise overdraft fees to their members – primarily active-duty service members, veterans, Department of Defense employees, and their families.1 This decision appears to prioritize financial institutions over the very servicemembers the Bureau is charged with protecting. The restitution funds intended to compensate harmed consumers are now at risk of being withheld. This reversal is particularly troubling given your Bureau’s pledge less than three months ago to prioritize protections for military consumers.
    In 2024, the CFPB found that between 2017 and 2022, NFCU charged overdraft fees on ATM withdrawals and debit card purchases—even when accounts showed sufficient funds. In response, the Bureau issued a consent order requiring NFCU to pay $95 million in penalties and restitution: $80.6 million directly to harmed consumers and $15 million to the CFPB’s victims relief fund. Your recent two-page order terminating that consent order provides no detailed explanation or justification for this reversal.
    On April 16, 2025, under your leadership, the Bureau pledged to “focus its enforcement and supervision resources on pressing threats to consumers, particularly service members and their families and veterans.”3 And yet, your abrupt reversal of this consent order suggests your stated commitment to servicemembers is little more than lip service. The CFPB’s mission is to protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices and to hold lawbreaking companies accountable. Under your direction, it is doing neither. As former CFPB officials have noted, this decision raises serious concerns about whether the Bureau is still capable—or even willing—to fulfill its legal mandate. At a minimum, the public and Congress deserve answers.
    Accordingly, we respectfully request answers to the following questions no later than July 30, 2025:
    How much of the $80.6 million in restitution remains unpaid to affected consumers?
    What portion of the $15 million originally designated for the Victims Relief Fund was actually deposited? If any amount was withheld or returned, please explain.
    Were affected consumers notified that the consent order was terminated and that restitution obligations may be altered or withdrawn?
    Was the Bureau’s Office of Servicemember Affairs consulted before the consent order was terminated? If not, why not?
    What was the full legal and factual basis for terminating the consent order?
    What communications or meetings occurred between the CFPB and Navy Federal Credit Union from January 1, 2025, to the present? Please include dates, topics, and participants.
    Who at the CFPB authorized the termination of the consent order, and what internal processes were followed to approve it? Please identify all senior staff, attorneys, and political appointees involved.
    Was any analysis conducted on the impact of this decision on affected consumers or on military households more broadly? If so, please provide a copy of that analysis.
    How does this action align with the CFPB’s publicly stated enforcement priorities, particularly your April 16, 2025, memo referencing protections for servicemembers and veterans?
    At a time when families are feeling the strain of higher costs and every dollar is hard-earned, the American people—especially our servicemembers, veterans, and military families—deserve more. They deserve a Bureau that has their backs, not one that shields institutions from accountability.
    Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your prompt and thorough response.
    Sincerely,
    – 30 –

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Pragmatic engagement – what Albanese’s visit reveals about China relations in a turbulent world

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edward Sing Yue Chan, Postdoctoral Fellow in China Studies, Australian National University

    The Albanese government has faced an increasingly uncertain world since its re-election in May.

    US President Donald Trump has cast a long shadow over the Australia–US alliance, raising fresh questions about Canberra’s long-term regional strategy.

    Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s approach to foreign policy is reflecting a careful recalibration – one that seeks to balance security partnerships with the pursuit of economic opportunities, especially with Australia’s largest trading partner, China.

    Albanese has wrapped up a six-day visit to China which was characterised by a highly pragmatic approach to dealing with the problems and irritants in the bilateral relationship.

    Economic engagement

    Albanese’s visit to Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu – cities emblematic of Australia’s political, economic and cultural connections with China – was more than symbolic.

    It was a high-profile diplomatic venture, with Albanese meeting both the Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

    But it was more than a leaders’ summit. A large team of key business leaders in banking, manufacturing, mining and education were on the trip to meet their Chinese counterparts and seek more cooperation.

    Economic engagement dominated the visit. As Albanese highlighted before his trip, “my priority is jobs”.

    Broader partnerships spanning multiple sectors, including healthcare, education and green energy, were canvassed. The two nations also explored closer cooperation on energy transition and climate change.

    Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian has even floated a collaboration on artificial intelligence.

    However, the suggestion has been met with caution in Canberra due to ongoing concerns around national security and data governance.

    Cooperate where we can

    Beyond trade and investment, the visit also marked an effort to rebuild people-to-people exchanges.

    Since last year, Australian citizens have been able to visit China for up to 30 days without a visa. In turn, Australia will welcome more Chinese visitors under a new Memorandum of Understanding promoting Australia as a premier tourist destination for Chinese travellers.

    Albanese’s meetings with Xi Jinping and Li Qiang also yielded concrete results.

    The official joint statement emphasised economic cooperation, particularly in climate-related areas such as steel decarbonisation, dryland farming and the green economy.

    These outcomes align with the Albanese government’s guiding principle: cooperate where we can.

    The deeper economic cooperation has been noted in China, where there is an expectation collaboration will continue to accelerate on the back of improved relations.

    As James Laurenceson of the Australia–China Relations Institute recently noted, a stronger economic partnership will help foster more resilient ties across the board.

    More independent foreign policy

    Other analysts also see increased mutual benefits in the bilateral relationship.

    China-watcher James Curran suggests the visit may signal a maturing, more independent Australian foreign policy.

    The primary role of Australian statecraft is to do everything we possibly can to avoid a conflict. To avoid ever getting close to a decision about following the Americans into a war of that kind.

    This was best illustrated by Albanese’s refusal to provide Washington with a wide-ranging and largely open-ended commitment to support the US in any conflict with China over Taiwan.

    Indeed, as Curran observes, Albanese has tried to steer the relationship away from disagreement and towards pragmatic engagement.

    Following his meeting with Xi, Albanese was repeatedly asked by Australian journalists if he raised sensitive issues such as Taiwan, China’s military build-up and the South China Sea.

    While he confirmed these topics were addressed, he emphasised a preference for peaceful engagement:

    […] we want peace and security in the region. That is in the interest of both Australia and in the interest of China.

    Unsurprisingly, the joint statement made no reference to these issues, reflecting a mutual decision to sidestep confrontation in favour of stabilising the relationship.

    Quietly managing differences

    This diplomatic posture toward China would appear to be a defining feature of the Albanese government’s second term: strengthening cooperation while quietly managing differences.

    Rather than highlighting points of contention, the government is opting to avoid open disagreement where possible.

    Overt disputes risk destabilising bilateral ties. If issues are raised publicly, it is unlikely to shift entrenched positions on either side. This explains why the ownership of the Port of Darwin, for example, was not mentioned during Albanese’s meeting with Xi.

    Critics, however, argue this risks projecting weakness towards China.

    Justin Bassi, executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, warns the government is staying silent in the face of ongoing Chinese coercion:

    Australia is only complying with China’s desires when the government says nothing and leaves the public to trust that the threats posed by China are all being dealt with in the classified realm. This is not viable policy. Australia’s sovereignty must not be contingent on Beijing’s preferences.

    Even within China, analysts are cautious about Albanese’s approach. As one Chinese scholar told us, “a stable relationship does not necessarily mean a friendly one”.

    In fact, while the Chinese media has stressed Australia and China’s shared commitment to regional stability, this was barely mentioned in the official joint statement.

    Mutual interests

    Still, there is recognition on both sides that pragmatism rather than ideological grandstanding is the more sustainable path forward.

    In sum, Albanese’s visit does not mark a dramatic reset or bold new direction in Australia–China relations. Rather, it signals a shift toward greater realism.

    In an increasingly complex and multipolar world, diplomacy grounded in mutual interests, rather than ideology, is not just practical, but may be a growing trend across the globe.

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

    – ref. Pragmatic engagement – what Albanese’s visit reveals about China relations in a turbulent world – https://theconversation.com/pragmatic-engagement-what-albaneses-visit-reveals-about-china-relations-in-a-turbulent-world-260578

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Votes to Foster Digital Innovation and Advance Consumer Protections

    Source: US Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – On July 17, 2025, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) voted in support of two bipartisan bills — the CLARITY Act and the GENIUS Act — marking a critical step forward in the regulation of digital assets, the protection of crypto users, and blockchain innovation. 

    “These bipartisan bills, while not perfect, add important and much-needed regulation and guardrails to the digital asset industry,” said Vasquez. “We need to continue working to develop clear, commonsense rules that protect consumers, promote innovation, and prevent fraud and money laundering. New Mexicans deserve transparency, accountability, and equal access to new financial tools.”

    The CLARITY Act establishes a regulatory framework for digital assets. Under the bill, more established digital assets would be treated like commodities and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), while newer assets would be treated as securities and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This legislation would help prevent fraud, create a more stable market, and ensure all investors are playing by the same rules.

    The GENIUS Act establishes the rules of the road for stablecoins: digital assets backed by physical assets like the U.S. dollar which currently lack comprehensive federal regulations to protect consumers. By establishing the first ever guardrails for these assets – holding stablecoin issuers to strict requirements, and instituting strong protections against trafficking – this bill safeguards consumers and strengthens financial security.

    “We need to ensure our regulatory frameworks keep pace with innovation, and this is a step in the right direction,” said Vasquez. “I will continue to seek out ways to maximize consumer protections and ethics standards in the cryptocurrency industry.”

    Vasquez continues to fight for the economic security of all New Mexicans by holding Big Tech accountable and protecting consumers from digital exploitation.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Bonamici, Oregon Delegation Slam Trump Education Funding Cuts Harming Schools Across the State

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    July 17, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) led the Oregon Democratic delegation—Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Representatives Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05)—to demand the Trump Administration reverse its abrupt cutoff of more than $73 million in federal education funds for Oregon, harming afterschool programs, specialized literacy programs, educator training, and support for English language learners at schools.

    “Any withholding of these critical funds will negatively affect the State of Oregon’s efforts to increase academic outcomes for all our students, particularly our multilingual and migrant education students. It will undermine successful initiatives to recruit talented teachers and retain them in our schools, and it will undermine the ability for students to be taught in safe and secure environments. Additionally, withholding funds that support student learning through summer and after-school programs will undermine Oregon’s efforts to help all students thrive in their education,” wrote the lawmakers to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.

    The Oregon delegation letter follows Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announcing the state joined a coalition of states to file a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s freezing of these federal education funds. The Administration this week also moved to fire 1,400 Education Department employees, impacting the agency’s ability to perform essential functions such as distributing financial aid and essential federal dollars.

    “Oregon’s school districts are dedicated and efficient stewards of federal dollars, leveraging funds from [these grant programs] to improve student outcomes and serve Oregon’s student population,” they continued. “For example, Neah-Kah-Nie School District in rural Tillamook County uses ESEA Title II, Part A dollars to fund literacy interventionists in their rural elementary schools so students struggling with reading, writing, and comprehension get targeted support. Without Title II dollars, Portland Public Schools, Oregon’s largest school district serving more than 44,000 students, will lose the ability to provide critical professional development and support for teachers working in low-income schools with challenging student needs.”

    The lawmakers stressed, “In addition, Hood River Valley School District uses a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant under ESEA Title IV to administer academic support in after-school programs at four Title I schools across this rural region. Similarly, Umatilla School District uses the funds for an after-school program that supports extended learning for roughly half of its K-12 students and provides an opportunity for the students to participate in robotics and a variety of STEAM-focused classes.”

    Merkley and Wyden also previously joined 30 Senate colleagues to demand OMB Director Vought and Secretary McMahon immediately release nearly $7 billion in frozen funding for K-12 schools and adult literacy programs nationwide.

    “We respectfully demand that you abide by the law and immediately release this previously appropriated funding. Oregon’s students are counting on you and so are we,” the lawmakers directed.

    Full text of the Oregon delegation’s letter can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister Carney engages First Nations Rights Holders on the Building Canada Act

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Canada’s new government is ready to get our country building major projects again – and projects built in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples will be at the forefront of this work.

    To that end, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, convened the First Nations Major Projects Summit in Gatineau, Québec, to engage First Nations groups on the Building Canada Act and how to most effectively build major projects in partnership with Indigenous Peoples. Over 250 First Nations leaders, regional organizations, and other Rights Holders’ representatives attended the meeting in person and virtually to share their insights, ideas, and priorities.

    The Prime Minister heard from First Nations and discussed how the Building Canada Act was designed to transform the Canadian economy and contribute to greater prosperity for Indigenous communities, through equity and resource management projects. To ensure that these major projects are built in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, the federal government is moving forward with several new measures, including:

    • Standing up an Indigenous Advisory Council that will closely work with the new Major Federal Projects Office. Comprised of First Nations, Inuit, Métis, as well as Modern Treaty and Self-Government representatives, the Advisory Council will help ensure Indigenous perspectives and priorities are integrated at each stage.
    • Dedicating $40 million in funding for Indigenous participation. From early discussions on which projects to include to ongoing governance and capacity-building, new funding streams will support meaningful participation of Indigenous leadership in nation-building projects.
    • Expanding the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program. The government has doubled the program to $10 billion to help unlock capital for Indigenous communities to gain full equity ownership in major nation-building projects.

    Collaboration will continue with First Nations leadership at all levels through regional dialogue tables. The Prime Minister will soon meet separately with the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee and Métis leadership to further advance these conversations on a distinctions basis.

    Quotes

    “It’s time to build big projects that will transform and connect our economy. Central to this mission is shared leadership with Indigenous Peoples. Working in partnership, we can seize this opportunity and build lasting prosperity for generations.”

    “This Summit marks a turning point. The One Canadian Economy Act is not just about inclusion – it’s about recognizing that prosperity comes when First Nations are full partners in shaping the future. Together, we are building an economy that reflects our shared values, our shared responsibilities, and our shared potential.”

    “Today represents a historic opportunity. Together, we’re beginning the work of building a better future, one in which Indigenous economies and priorities are truly integrated into the national economy. By listening, engaging, and learning in the spirit of true partnership, we are taking the first steps toward that brighter, more equitable future.”

    “The One Canadian Economy Act is designed to build Canada strong – building economic resilience here at home while ensuring that First Nations, and all Canadians, benefit. To achieve our objectives, we will – and must – look to advance the interests of Indigenous communities. That is the only path to shared success. The First Nations Major Projects Summit marks the first step in that process – setting the stage to create lasting economic opportunities for First Nations across Canada.”

    “It’s time to build major energy and resource projects again in Canada to strengthen our economy and secure our sovereignty in the face of threats. A key part of how we will do this successfully is transforming how we think about First Nations partnership. First Nations are not just participants in our economy – they are the original stewards of this land, Rights Holders, governments, and builders. With meaningful collaboration as partners, they enable us to build better. It’s clear: if we are serious about retooling our economy, then reconciliation must be front and centre, not just at today’s Summit, but in perpetuity.”

    Quick facts

    • Central to the Building Canada Act is Indigenous consultation, participation, equity, and partnership. The Act requires meaningful consultation on which projects are deemed in the national interest and on the conditions that projects will have to meet.
    • The Government of Canada will advance nation-building projects while respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples recognized and affirmed by Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and the rights set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including the principle of free, prior, and informed consent.
    • The Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation is responsible for managing the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program. Loan guarantees are available to support Indigenous equity participation in projects of various sizes, reflecting the diversity of opportunities and economic development priorities in Indigenous communities across Canada.
    • By advancing national interest projects, the Government of Canada is committed to working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to support economic prosperity, grounded in respect for constitutionally protected rights and modern treaty obligations.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Opens Business Recovery Center in San Angelo to Help Businesses Impacted by July Storms and Flooding

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the opening of an SBA Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Tom Green Countyto assist small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations and residents affected by severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding beginning July 2.

    Beginning Friday, July 18, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Business Recovery Center in San Angelo to answer questions and assist with the disaster loan application process. No appointment is necessary, walk-ins are welcome. Those who prefer to schedule an in-person appointment in advance can do so at appointment.sba.gov.

    The center’s hours of operation are as follows:

    TOM GREEN COUNTY
    Business Recovery Center
    Angelo State University
    69 N. Chadbourne St.
    San Angelo, TX  76903

    Opens at 10 a.m., Friday, July 18
    Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

    The following location is also open and continues to serve survivors:

    KERR COUNTY
    Business Recovery Center
    The YES Center at First Presbyterian Church
    823 North St.
    Kerrville, TX   78028

    Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    “SBA’s Business Recovery Centers have consistently proven their value to business owners following a disaster,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “Business owners can visit these centers to meet face‑to‑face with specialists who will guide them through the disaster loan application process and connect them with resources to support their recovery.”

    Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofit organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to these disasters. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

    SBA representatives will also provide help to business owners and residents at disaster recovery centers when they are opened in the impacted area.

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.813% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Sept. 4, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 6, 2026.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: North American Construction Group Ltd. Second Quarter Results Conference Call and Webcast Notification

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ACHESON, Alberta, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — North American Construction Group Ltd. (“NACG” or “the Company”) (TSX:NOA.TO/NYSE:NOA) announced today that it will release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, after markets close. Following the release of its financial results, NACG will hold a conference call and webcast on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 7:00 a.m. Mountain Time (9:00 a.m. Eastern Time).

    The call can be accessed by dialing:
    Toll free: 1-800-717-1738
    Conference ID: 53211

    A replay will be available through September 15, 2025, by dialing:
    Toll Free: 1-888-660-6264
    Conference ID: 53211
    Playback Passcode: 53211

    A slide deck for the webcast will be available for download the evening prior to the call and will be found on the company’s website at www.nacg.ca/presentations/

    The live presentation and webcast can be accessed at: North American Construction Group Ltd. Second Quarter Results Conference Call and Webcast Registration

    A replay will be available until September 15, 2025, using the link provided.

    About the Company

    North American Construction Group Ltd. is a premier provider of heavy civil construction and mining services in Australia, Canada, and the U.S. For over 70 years, NACG has provided services to the mining, resource and infrastructure construction markets.

    For further information, please contact:        

    Jason Veenstra, CPA, CA
    Chief Financial Officer
    North American Construction Group Ltd.
    Phone: (780) 960-7171
    Email: ir@nacg.ca

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: North American Construction Group Ltd. Second Quarter Results Conference Call and Webcast Notification

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ACHESON, Alberta, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — North American Construction Group Ltd. (“NACG” or “the Company”) (TSX:NOA.TO/NYSE:NOA) announced today that it will release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, after markets close. Following the release of its financial results, NACG will hold a conference call and webcast on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 7:00 a.m. Mountain Time (9:00 a.m. Eastern Time).

    The call can be accessed by dialing:
    Toll free: 1-800-717-1738
    Conference ID: 53211

    A replay will be available through September 15, 2025, by dialing:
    Toll Free: 1-888-660-6264
    Conference ID: 53211
    Playback Passcode: 53211

    A slide deck for the webcast will be available for download the evening prior to the call and will be found on the company’s website at www.nacg.ca/presentations/

    The live presentation and webcast can be accessed at: North American Construction Group Ltd. Second Quarter Results Conference Call and Webcast Registration

    A replay will be available until September 15, 2025, using the link provided.

    About the Company

    North American Construction Group Ltd. is a premier provider of heavy civil construction and mining services in Australia, Canada, and the U.S. For over 70 years, NACG has provided services to the mining, resource and infrastructure construction markets.

    For further information, please contact:        

    Jason Veenstra, CPA, CA
    Chief Financial Officer
    North American Construction Group Ltd.
    Phone: (780) 960-7171
    Email: ir@nacg.ca

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Mine Crypto Anywhere, Anytime: BAY Miner Unveils Eco-Friendly Mobile Platform

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Chicago, Illinois, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a monumental leap for cryptocurrency accessibility, BAY Miner, a global leader in digital asset mining solutions, has officially launched its cutting-edge mobile cloud mining application. This powerful tool empowers everyday users to mine Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies directly from their smartphones—no mining rigs, no complex setups, and no prior experience required.

    With this launch, BAY Miner is dismantling traditional barriers to entry in the world of cryptocurrency mining and ushering in a new era of mobile-first, green-powered, and globally accessible digital income.

    Democratizing Mining: The Vision Behind BAY Miner

    The cryptocurrency landscape has long been dominated by professional miners with access to costly ASIC rigs, complex software, and high electricity consumption. BAY Miner challenges that legacy model with an inclusive approach that makes digital mining as simple as tapping your screen.

    We believe that crypto mining should not be limited to experts or those with large capital investments. Our mobile app is a gateway for millions of users around the world to participate in the digital economy and earn passive income securely, sustainably, and efficiently.

    Core Highlights of the BAY Miner Platform

    Mobile-Optimized Cloud Mining Infrastructure

    The BAY Miner app allows users to lease powerful hash rate from professional-grade, renewable energy-powered data centers. All mining activities are handled remotely, freeing users from the need to manage or maintain hardware. The mobile interface is sleek, intuitive, and designed for maximum accessibility—regardless of technical skill.

    • Compatible with Android and iOS
    • Low data usage and zero battery drain
    • 100% remote mining operation
    • Accessible in 160+ countries

    Advanced Security for Maximum Asset Protection

    Security lies at the heart of BAY Miner’s ecosystem. The platform employs enterprise-grade cybersecurity protocols including:

    • End-to-end AES-256 encryption
    • Cloudflare® firewall and DDoS mitigation
    • McAfee®-level malware detection
    • Two-factor authentication (2FA) and biometric login
    • Daily backups and encrypted data isolation

    Whether a user is managing $50 or $5,000 in assets, their funds and personal data are protected with industry-leading safeguards.

    Mining for Everyone: How It Works

    BAY Miner eliminates the complexity of crypto mining. With just a smartphone, anyone can generate daily earnings in five simple steps:

    Step 1: Create a Free Account

    Register via https://bayminer.com. New users receive a $15 welcome bonus, instantly credited.

    Step 2: Choose a Mining Contract

    Select from flexible mining contracts tailored to short-term or long-term strategies. Contracts are priced in USD, giving users full transparency and predictable returns.

    Step 3: Fund with Crypto

    Users can deposit using:

    • Bitcoin (BTC)
    • Ethereum (ETH)
    • XRP
    • Tether (USDT – ERC20 & TRC20)
    • Dogecoin (DOGE)
    • Litecoin (LTC)
    • Solana (SOL)
    • Bitcoin Cash (BCH)

    Deposits are instantly converted to USD, locking in value at the current rate.

    Step 4: Mining Starts Automatically

    Once the plan is activated, mining begins in real-time. There are no downloads, updates, or installations required—everything runs seamlessly in the background.

    Step 5: Earn Daily and Withdraw Anytime

    Earnings are updated daily and users can withdraw their balance once it reaches $100, or reinvest to grow faster.

    A Global Movement: Empowering Millions with Passive Crypto Income

    BAY Miner has already achieved impressive scale:

    • Over 6 million users registered globally
    • Operations in 160+ countries
    • $25 million+ mined and distributed
    • Trusted by both crypto newcomers and experts

    From freelancers in Southeast Asia to students in South America and retirees in Europe, BAY Miner’s mobile-first platform is providing financial freedom to users from all walks of life.

    Sustainability Meets Innovation

    With the climate impact of traditional crypto mining under increasing scrutiny, BAY Miner has prioritized environmental sustainability. All data centers powering BAY Miner’s cloud infrastructure are:

    • 100% fueled by renewable energy
    • Carbon-offset verified
    • Designed with high-efficiency cooling systems

    This green commitment ensures that users can mine crypto ethically without contributing to global carbon emissions.

    Roadmap and Upcoming Features

    BAY Miner continues to evolve, with several major features in development for Q3 and Q4 2025:

    • NFT-backed mining contracts for transferable hash power
    • Referral rewards program with tiered commissions
    • Multi-wallet integrations including MetaMask, Trust Wallet, and Coinbase
    • DeFi yield options to combine mining with staking

    These updates will expand BAY Miner’s ecosystem and further solidify its position as the most innovative and inclusive mining solution available.

    About BAY Miner

    BAY Miner is a global cryptocurrency mining platform that offers secure, accessible, and eco-friendly mobile cloud mining solutions. With a mission to democratize digital asset generation, BAY Miner empowers users across the world to earn passive crypto income without hardware, technical knowledge, or upfront capital. The platform operates with full transparency and prioritizes green energy, data security, and financial inclusion.

    Media Contact

    Press Inquiries:
    Email: info@bayminer.com
    Website: https://bayminer.com
    App Download: https://bayminer.com/xml/index.html#/app

    BAY Miner – Powering the Future of Crypto Mining. Anywhere. Anytime.

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

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: PDF Solutions to Report Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results on August 7, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PDF Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDFS), a leading provider of comprehensive data solutions for the semiconductor ecosystem, announced that it will release Second quarter fiscal 2025 financial results after the market close on Thursday, August 7, 2025. John Kibarian, CEO, and Adnan Raza, CFO, will host a live teleconference on Thursday, August 7, 2025, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time / 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results.

    To participate on the live call, analysts and investors should pre-register at: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BId4a92799e4e24169a58f6ea3c713566b

    Registrants will receive dial-in information and a unique passcode to access the call. We encourage participants to dial-in into the call ten minutes ahead of scheduled time.

    The teleconference will also be webcast simultaneously on the Company’s website at https://ir.pdf.com/webcasts. A replay of the conference call webcast will be available after the call on the Company’s investor relations website.

    About PDF Solutions
    PDF Solutions (Nasdaq: PDFS) provides comprehensive data solutions designed to empower organizations across the semiconductor and electronics industry ecosystems to improve the yield and quality of their products and operational efficiency for increased profitability. The Company’s products and services are used by Fortune 500 companies across the semiconductor ecosystem to achieve smart manufacturing goals by connecting and controlling equipment, collecting data generated during manufacturing and test operations, and performing advanced analytics and machine learning to enable profitable, high-volume manufacturing.

    Founded in 1991, PDF Solutions is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. The Company (directly or through one or more subsidiaries) is an active member of SEMI, INEMI, TPCA, IPC, the OPC Foundation, and DMDII. For the latest news and information about PDF Solutions or to find office locations, visit https://www.pdf.com/.

    PDF Solutions and the PDF Solutions logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of PDF Solutions, Inc. or its subsidiaries.

    Company Contacts

    Adnan Raza
    Chief Financial Officer
    (408) 516-0237
    adnan.raza@pdf.com

    Sonia Segovia
    Investor Relations
    (408) 938-6491
    sonia.segovia@pdf.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Clawback of $1.1B for PBS and NPR puts rural stations at risk – and threatens a vital source of journalism

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Allison Perlman, Associate Professor of Film & Media Studies, University of California, Irvine

    Nathan Heffel and Grace Hood rehearse their Colorado Public Radio public affairs program in Centennial, Colo., in 2017. Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images

    The U.S. Senate narrowly approved on July 16, 2025, a bill that would claw back federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which distributes money to NPR, PBS and their affiliate stations. The US$9 billion rescission package will withdraw $1.1 billion Congress had previously approved for the CPB to receive in the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years. In addition, it makes deep foreign aid cuts. All Democrats present voted against the measure, joined by two Republicans: Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. As long as the House, which approved a previous version, votes in favor of the Senate’s version of the bill by midnight July 18, Trump will be able to meet a budgetary deadline by signing the measure into law in time for it to take effect.

    What will happen to NPR, PBS and local stations?

    NPR and PBS provide programming to local public television and radio stations across the country. The impact on them will be direct and indirect.

    Both NPR and PBS receive money from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, an independent nonprofit corporation Congress created in 1967 to receive and distribute federal money to public broadcasters. More than 70% of the money it distributes flows directly to local stations. Some stations get up to half of their budgets from the CPB.

    But NPR and PBS get much of their funding from foundation grants, viewers’ and listeners’ donations, and corporate underwriting. And local public radio and TV stations also get support from an array of sources besides CPB.

    “There’s nothing more American than PBS,” said the network’s CEO, Paula Kerger, at a congressional hearing on March 26, 2025.

    Only about 1% of NPR funding, and 15% of PBS funding, comes directly from the government via the CPB. However, once local radio and television stations lose federal funding, they’ll be less able to pay NPR and PBS for the programs they produce.

    The nearly 1,500 public media stations in the U.S. rely on a mix of NPR, PBS and third-party producer programming, such as American Public Media and PRX, for the programs they offer. Local stations also produce and air regional news and provide emergency broadcasts for the government.

    In rural areas with few broadcast stations and spotty cellphone coverage, public broadcast stations are vital sources of information about important community news and updates during emergencies. Federal support is essential for the programming and day-to-day operations of many local stations and allows for the maintenance of equipment and personnel to operate these vital community resources.

    We believe that stations in communities that most need them, especially in rural locations, would be hit especially hard because they rely heavily on CPB funding.

    Why are Republicans taking this step?

    Public broadcasting has long been a target of conservative Republicans. They say that with a highly diversified media landscape, the public no longer needs media that is subsidized by federal dollars. They also claim that public broadcasting has a liberal bias and taxpayers should not be required to fund media that slants to the left politically.

    Why is public media necessary when there’s news on the internet?

    As journalism revenue has plummeted, public broadcasting has remained a vital source for news in communities across the nation. This is especially true in rural communities, where economic and political pressures have threatened the survival of local journalism.

    In addition, with much online news coverage placed behind paywalls, public radio and television plays an important role in making quality journalism available to the American public.

    Want crucial information about water systems in your drought-prone community? Public radio station KVMR in Nevada City, Calif., has a program for you.
    KVMR screenshot

    Why did Congress approve these funds 2 years ahead?

    Public broadcasting has gotten roughly $550 million per year from the federal government in recent years. The CPB has always approved and designated those funds two years in advance, due to a provision in the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, after Congress has voted to provide that money. The CPB then has distributed that funding primarily through grants to PBS and NPR affiliate stations to support their technical infrastructure, program development and audience research.

    What are the consequences for Native communities?

    Dozens of Native American stations are at risk of closing once the CPB is defunded. Native Public Media, a network of 57 radio stations and four TV stations, is a key source of news and information for tribal communities across the nation and relies on CPB support.

    U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, a South Dakota Republican, publicly stated that he secured an agreement with the White House to move $9.4 million in Interior Department funding to two dozen Native American stations. But there is no provision related to this promise within the legislation.

    Allison Perlman is the co-chair of the Scholars Advisory Committee of the American Archive of Public Broadcasting.

    Josh Shepperd and Allison Perlman are under contract to co-author an update of the history of public broadcasting for Current, public media’s trade journal, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Josh and Allison are not paid employees or vendors of either institution.

    – ref. Clawback of $1.1B for PBS and NPR puts rural stations at risk – and threatens a vital source of journalism – https://theconversation.com/clawback-of-1-1b-for-pbs-and-npr-puts-rural-stations-at-risk-and-threatens-a-vital-source-of-journalism-255826

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman Joins Capito, Colleagues to Advocate for Critical Education Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
    WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), joined by eight of their Republican colleagues, sent a letter to White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought, advocating for the release of anticipated education formula funding.
    Specifically, Boozman and colleagues requested the release of education funding secured in the FY 2025 Full-Year Continuing Resolution Act, which President Trump signed into law earlier this year.
    This legislation contains critical funding that states, including Arkansas, rely on to help students, families and local economies. Releasing federal funding as allocated is necessary for Natural State school districts and organizations as they depend on funding secured through grants such as the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants, among others.
    Boozman and Capito were joined by Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Susan Collins (R-ME), Deb Fischer (R-NE), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jim Justice (R-WV), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Mike Rounds (R-SD). 
    Text of the letter can be found below and here. 
    Dear Director Vought,
    We write to ask you to faithfully implement the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Full-Year Continuing Resolution Act, which President Trump signed into law earlier this year, including the education formula funds that states anticipated receiving on July 1, 2025.
    The Continuing Resolution contained funding for Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants; 21st Century Community Learning Centers; Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants; English Language Acquisition; Migrant Education; Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants (including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants). Withholding these funds will harm students, families, and local economies.
    The decision to withhold this funding is contrary to President Trump’s goal of returning K-12 education to the states. This funding goes directly to states and local school districts, where local leaders decide how this funding is spent, because as we know, local communities know how to best serve students and families. Withholding this funding denies states and communities the opportunity to pursue localized initiatives to support students and their families.
    We share your concern about taxpayer money going to fund radical left-wing programs. However, we do not believe that is happening with these funds. These funds go to support programs that enjoy longstanding, bipartisan support like after-school and summer programs that provide learning and enrichment opportunities for school aged children which also enables their parents to work and contribute to local economies.
    These funds also go to support adult learners. These students are often adults seeking second chances for a myriad of reasons, for example, caregiving responsibilities or financial challenges. These are adult learners working to gain employment skills, earn workforce certifications, or transition into postsecondary education. We should be making educational opportunities easier for these students, not harder.
    We welcome the opportunity to work with you and Secretary McMahon to ensure that all federal education funding goes towards programs that help states and school districts provide students an excellent education. We want to see students in our states and across the country thrive, whether they are adult learners, students who speak English as a second language, or students who need after-school care so that their parents can work. We believe you share the same goal.
    We encourage you to reverse your decision and release this Congressionally-approved funding to states.
    Thank you for your attention to this request, and we look forward to your prompt reply.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Wildfire Update July 17

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 17, 2025

    As of 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, there are 48 active wildfires in Saskatchewan. Of those active fires, six are categorized as contained, 10 are not contained, 17 are ongoing assessment and 15 are listed as protecting values. 

    Eight communities are currently under an evacuation order: Resort Subdivision of Lac La Plonge, La Plonge Reserve, Northern Village of Beauval, Jans Bay, Patuanak/English River First Nation as well as priority individuals from Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Northern Village of Pinehouse and Canoe Lake Cree First Nation/Cole Bay/Canoe Narrows.  

    Any evacuees should register through the Sask Evac Web Application and then call 1-855-559-5502 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to have their needs assessed and for additional assistance. Individuals who need help registering through the application can call the 855 Line for assistance.   

    Evacuees supported by the Canadian Red Cross should call 1-800-863-6582.

    A full list of evacuated communities can be found on the Active Evacuations webpage. 

    As a reminder, there is a fire ban in place in the area north of the provincial forest boundary, up to the Churchill River. The fire ban prohibits any open fires, controlled burns and fireworks in the designated boundary. This includes provincial parks, provincial recreation sites, and the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District within the boundary. 

    Earlier today, the Province of Saskatchewan and the community of Denare Beach announced the opening of a Community Resilience Centre to provide a safe and supportive space for residents and business owners to share their questions, describe their needs, provide information and updates, receive case management supports and receive services to help them through recovery and rebuilding efforts. Case management support and services will include financial support, navigation assistance, help with applications and individual counselling services. 

    The centre is located at the Denareplex, 1700 Wigwam Drive, and is running today, July 17, 2025, from noon to 9 p.m., and will open again on July 18, 2025, from 9 a.m. to noon. The centre is expected to be open two days per week for the following weeks. 

    The latest wildfire information, an interactive fire ban map, frequently asked questions, fire risk maps and fire prevention tips can be found at: saskpublicsafety.ca. 

    Review the current fire bans and restrictions in provincial parks and recreation sites. 

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Graphjet provides Nasdaq hearing update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Graphjet Technology (“Graphjet” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq:GTI), a leading developer of patented technologies to produce graphite and graphene directly from agricultural waste, announced that Mr. Chris Lai, the CEO/CFO of Graphjet has attended the previously reported hearing with the Hearing Panel on July 17, 2025 and has together with the Company’s attorney presented the Company’s case to the Hearing Panel.

    During the hearing, Mr. Chris Lai made a commitment to the Hearing Panel that the Company’s Forms 10Q for the three months ended December 31, 2024, March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025 would be filed by the middle of September 2025. The Company will update investors by making an additional press release should there be any material changes to mid-September filing.

    The Hearing Panel will review the Company’s presentation, and is expected to return a decision within two weeks.  There can be no assurance that the Hearing Panel will approve the Company for continued listing on Nasdaq. 

    The Company will make additional update press releases from time to time when there is a material development.

    About Graphjet Technology Sdn. Bhd.
    Graphjet Technology Sdn. Bhd. (Nasdaq: GTI) was founded in 2019 in Malaysia as an innovative graphene and graphite producer. Graphjet Technology has the world’s first patented technology to recycle palm kernel shells generated in the production of palm seed oil to produce single layer graphene and artificial graphite. Graphjet’s sustainable production methods utilizing palm kernel shells, a waste agricultural product that is common in Malaysia, will set a new shift in graphite and graphene supply chain of the world. For more information, please visit https://www.graphjettech.com/.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    The information in this press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “aim,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” and similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) changes in the markets in which Graphjet competes, including with respect to its competitive landscape, technology evolution or regulatory changes; (ii) the risk that Graphjet will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plans, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; (iii) Graphjet is beginning the commercialization of its technology and it may not have an accurate estimate of future capital expenditures and future revenue; (iv) statements regarding Graphjet’s industry and market size; (v) financial condition and performance of Graphjet, including the anticipated benefits, the implied enterprise value, the financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, the products, the expected future performance and market opportunities of Graphjet; (vi) Graphjet’s ability to develop and manufacture its graphene and graphite products; and (vii) those factors discussed in our filings with the SEC. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that will be described in the “Risk Factors” section of the documents to be filed by Graphjet from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward- looking statements, and while Graphjet may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, they assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law. Graphjet does not give any assurance that Graphjet will achieve its expectations.

    Graphjet Technology Contacts

    Investors
    ceo.graphjet@graphjettech.com

    Media
    ceo.graphjet@graphjettech.com

    The MIL Network –