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Category: Finance

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Duckworth Celebrate 100 Years Of Chicago Union Station

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    July 25, 2025

    SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statements to celebrate 100 years of Chicago Union Station:

    “Chicago, often referred to as the crossroads of America, holds a unique position in the converging point for railroads that cross our nation,” said Durbin. “Our very own Union Station is one of the busiest rail terminals in the country, and this week marks 100 years of reliable transportation for passengers. We were able to secure a significant federal investment for Union Station to ensure our city remains not just a crossroads, but a thriving nexus that efficiently connects people, goods, and ideas—and I’ll continue working to secure resources to modernize the Station. As we celebrate this centennial achievement, I look forward to keeping the heart of America’s rail network beating strong into the future.”

    “Chicago is a national epicenter of passenger, commuter and freight rail—with Union Station at the heart,” Duckworth said. “As we celebrate the Station’s 100-year anniversary, we also honor the hardworking engineers, conductors and staff who help more than 30 million riders each year get where they need to go safely and efficiently. I’m proud to work alongside Senator Durbin and our local leaders to secure critical investments for Union Station and the Chicago Hub Improvement Program—efforts that will improve passenger rail not only in Chicago but across the Midwest foryears to come.”

    In 2023, Durbin and Duckworth announced $93.6 million in secured federal funding for the Chicago Hub Improvement Project (CHIP) through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal-State Partnerships for Intercity Passenger Rail grant program, which received funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. CHIP is Amtrak’s multi-phased project to revitalize Chicago Union Station and revolutionize Midwest passenger rail.

    Durbin worked to bring parties together—local officials, the State, Amtrak, and other stakeholders including labor, environmental groups, and businesses—to ensure there was a unified push for the project. In September of 2023, Durbin, Duckworth, and U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL-05) led 29 Midwest colleagues in a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose expressing their support for Amtrak’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program application for CHIP.

    In May of this year, Durbin raised the issue of CHIP funding with Transportation Secretary Duffy, urging the DOT to obligate the remaining funds for the $93.6 million grant awarded in 2023.

    Durbin and Duckworth will continue to build upon previous investments in the CHIP and lead stakeholders in advocating to advance the improvement of Chicago Union Station, cementing its critical importance to both Illinois and the Midwest.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Foreign Investors in Charlotte Eagle Lake (JF42) Project Obtain Conditional Green Card Approval

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EB5 Capital is pleased to announce the first individual I-526E petition approval for an investor in its Charlotte Eagle Lake (JF42) project. An I-526E approval is a significant step in the EB-5 immigration process as it qualifies the investor and their eligible family members for conditional permanent residency in the United States. The approved petition was filed in January 2025 and was pending for approximately six months.

    Charlotte Eagle Lake (JF42) is the development of a five-building apartment complex with 280 units located in the Eagle Lake neighborhood of Charlotte, North Carolina. It is expected to create over 800 jobs and is poised to contribute to the growth and economic revitalization of the Charlotte metropolitan area. The project is one of 21 multifamily developments in EB5 Capital’s portfolio.

    “We’re excited to have secured the first I-526E approval for this project in such a short time,” said Juline Kaleyias, Vice President of Business Development at EB5 Capital. “This achievement reflects our dedication to providing high-quality EB-5 investment opportunities to our investors.”

    To date, EB5 Capital has raised investor funds across over 45 EB-5 projects throughout the United States. JF42 is EB5 Capital’s 34th project which has reached the conditional green card stage for foreign investors going through the EB-5 immigration process. Now that the first petition has been approved, additional I-526E petition adjudications for this project are expected in the coming months.

    About EB5 Capital

    EB5 Capital provides qualified foreign investors opportunities to invest in job-creating commercial real estate projects under the United States Immigrant Investor Program (EB-5 Visa Program). As one of the country’s oldest and most active Regional Center operators, the firm has raised more than one billion dollars of foreign capital across over 45 EB-5 projects. Headquartered in Washington, DC, EB5 Capital’s distinguished track record and leadership in the industry has attracted investors from over 75 countries. Please visit www.eb5capital.com for more information.

    Contact:
    Katherine Willis
    Director, Marketing & Communications
    media@eb5capital.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Hong Kong SAR, Vanuatu officials discuss strengthening business and trade exchanges

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    HONG KONG, July 25 (Xinhua) — Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chief Executive Lee Jiachao met with Vanuatu Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Management Johnny Koanapo Rasu here on Friday.

    Welcoming the visit of J. Koanapo Rasu and his delegation to Hong Kong to participate in trade and economic cooperation activities, Li Jiachao said the SAR invites Vanuatu enterprises to leverage the city’s role as a “super-connector” and “super-value-added creator” to explore overseas markets and China’s hinterland, and expand trade and business exchanges between the two sides.

    Li Jiachao stressed that Hong Kong is currently making full use of its advantage as a link between China’s interior and the rest of the world under the policy of “one country, two systems” and actively deepening international exchanges and cooperation.

    The SAR chief executive also noted that in addition to strengthening development in traditional markets, Hong Kong will continue to explore emerging markets around the world, such as those in the Belt and Road Initiative countries, and expand trade and economic ties with countries in the Global South, including Vanuatu. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Pennsylvania Residents Sentenced to Prison for Narcotics Trafficking

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    One of the defendants also sentenced on unlawful possession of a firearm conviction

    JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Three residents of Pennsylvania have been sentenced in federal court on their convictions of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute quantities of crack cocaine, cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and/or methamphetamine, with one of the defendants also being sentenced for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    The sentences imposed by United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan were:

    Defendant Age Residence Sentence
    Azheem Ellis 49 Philadelphia, Pa. 96 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release
    James Dotson 47 Johnstown, Pa. 180 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release
    Sandra Box 59 East Conemaugh, Pa. 33 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release

    According to information presented to the Court, from in and around April 2019 to in and around July 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Ellis conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine, and quantities of heroin, cocaine, and crack. During this same timeframe, Dotson conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine, 28 grams or more of a mixture of crack, 40 grams or more of a mixture of fentanyl, and quantities of heroin and cocaine. Additionally, in and around June 2021, Dotson—who had been previously convicted of a felony—unlawfully possessed a firearm. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. Further, from in and around February 2021 to in and around April 2021, Box conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute quantities of heroin and crack. The  defendants were intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of the drugs that they distributed to others, with Ellis and Dotson as two of the main targets of the wiretap investigation.

    Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

    Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of the defendants. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies.

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell, Colleagues Call For Investigations Into Deaths of Americans in Gaza

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    07.25.25
    Cantwell, Colleagues Call For Investigations Into Deaths of Americans in Gaza
    Lawmakers seeking accountability for the July 11 death of Saifulla Kamel Musallet, as well as updates into the deaths of 6 other Americans
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined 28 of her Democratic colleagues in the Senate in sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Attorney General Pam Bondi calling for an investigation into the death of Palestinian-American Saifullah Kamel Musallet in the West Bank earlier this month, as well as updates into the investigations of other deaths in Gaza, including 26-year-old Aysenur Ezgi Eygi from Washington state.
    “The Netanyahu government has failed to hold anyone accountable for any of these seven killings of Americans and the United States government has failed in its responsibility to protect American citizens overseas and demand justice for their deaths. These failures have made it more likely that more Americans and other civilians will be killed in the West Bank by Israeli security forces or violent settlers who can act with impunity,” the senators wrote.
    “Following the Trump Administration’s sudden revocation of all U.S. sanctions against extremist settlers in the West Bank, the first five months of 2025 have seen the highest rate of settler attacks in years and the killing of another American. We urge you to pursue a different approach.”
    Saifullah Kamel Musallet, a 20-year-old Palestinian American from Florida, was visiting family near the West Bank town of Sinjil on July 11 when he was beaten to death by extremist Israeli settlers. He is the seventh American killed in the region since Jan. 1, 2022 – a list that also includes University of Washington student Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was shot and killed by Israeli military during a peaceful protest against illegal settlements in September.
    Following Aysenur Ezgi Eygi’s death, Sen. Cantwell sent a solo letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling for a full and independent investigation.
    “The killings of these Americans in the West Bank have been met by a lack of accountability from the Netanyahu government and a pattern of indifference by the U.S. government. These failures have contributed to an unacceptable culture of impunity when it comes to killing of civilians in the West Bank, including Americans,” the senators wrote yesterday. “It is long past time for the U.S. government to demand accountability in these killings of Americans.”
    The letter was led by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and is cosigned by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jack Reed (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Chris Murphy (D-CN).
    Full text of the letter is HERE and below.
    Dear Secretary Rubio and Attorney General Bondi,
    We write with grave concern regarding the brutal killing of a Palestinian-American, Saifullah Kamel Musallet, near the West Bank town of Sinjil, on July 11, 2025. The U.S. government must conduct a credible and independent investigation into his beating death and hold all perpetrators accountable. Protecting and supporting U.S. citizens abroad is one of the foremost responsibilities of the U.S. government. The Biden Administration failed to secure accountability for the killing of respected Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, or any of the other four American citizens – Omar Assad, Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, Mohammad Ahmed Mohammad Khdour, and Aysenur Ezgi Eygi – killed in the West Bank while they were in office.[1] Following the Trump Administration’s sudden revocation of all U.S. sanctions against extremist settlers in the West Bank, the first five months of 2025 have seen the highest rate of settler attacks in years and the killing of another American. We urge you to pursue a different approach.
    Saifullah Kamal Musallet is the seventh American citizen killed in the West Bank since January 2022 — and the fifth in just the last nineteen months. The killings of these Americans in the West Bank have been met by a lack of accountability from the Netanyahu government and a pattern of indifference by the U.S. government. These failures have contributed to an unacceptable culture of impunity when it comes to killing of civilians in the West Bank, including Americans.
    Saifullah Kamel Musallet, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen from Florida, was visiting family in the West Bank when he was beaten to death by extremist Israeli settlers during a settler attack on the town of Sinjil. Reports indicate that ambulances could not reach the injured for more than two hours because settlers were blocking the area and the Israeli military refused to allow ambulances to pass.[2] In April of this year, a 14-year-old boy from New Jersey, Amer Mohammad Saada Rabee, was also killed in the West Bank. Amer was reportedly shot at the entrance to Turmus Ayya and the Israeli army pronounced him dead after detaining him. Reports suggest that Amer was shot a total of 11 times and two other Americans were also shot in the incident.[3]
    Last year, three other U.S. citizens were killed in the West Bank, including two teenagers. Tawfic Abdel Jabbar and Mohammad Ahmed Mohammad Khdour were both 17-year-old U.S. citizens visiting their families in the West Bank when they were shot and killed in separate incidents. In both cases they were shot in the head while they were traveling in vehicles.[4] The third U.S. citizen gunned down in the West Bank last year was Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old American citizen raised in Seattle who was shot in the head by an Israeli soldier from a distance of 200 meters.[5]
    The Netanyahu government has failed to hold anyone accountable for any of these seven killings of Americans and the United States government has failed in its responsibility to protect American citizens overseas and demand justice for their deaths. These failures have made it more likely that more Americans and other civilians will be killed in the West Bank by Israeli security forces or violent settlers who can act with impunity.
    It is long past time for the U.S. government to demand accountability in these killings of Americans. To that end, we urge you to immediately launch an independent investigation into the brutal killing of Saifullah Kamel Musallet, including the circumstances that blocked ambulances from reaching him. We also ask that you provide us with an update on the status of any investigations into the killings of the six other Americans who have been killed since January 2022, and provide us with a briefing on actions you are taking to ensure accountability for their deaths and to prevent future killings of Americans in the West Bank.
    We respectfully ask for a response within two weeks.

    [1] Lucas, Ryan. “DOJ Silent as Families of Americans Killed in West Bank, Gaza Demand It Investigate.” NPR, 10 Oct. 2024, www.npr.org/2024/10/10/nx-s1-5106059/west-bank-gaza-israel-justice-department/.
    [2] Levine, Heidi, et al. “Palestinian American from Florida Killed in the West Bank, Family Says.” The Washington Post, 12 July 2025, www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/07/11/palestinian-american-west-bank-death-tampa/.
    [3]Ott, Haley. “American Teen Fatally Shot in Israeli-Occupied West Bank as Netanyahu Visits Trump.” Cbsnews.com, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-west-bank-palestinian-american-amir-mohammed-rabee-killed/.
    [4] Yahya Abou-Ghazala, and Alex Marquardt. “Families of Killed Palestinian-Americans Demand Answers of US, Israel.” CNN, 23 Feb. 2024, www.cnn.com/2024/02/23/world/palestinian-americans-demand-answers-invs.
    [5] Hubbard, Ben, and Gulsin Harman. “At Funeral in Turkey, Family Mourns American Activist Aysenur Eygi.” The New York Times, 14 Sept. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/09/14/world/middleeast/turkey-us-activist-killed-israel-west-bank.html.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Joins Whitehouse, Heinrich, Colleagues to Reintroduce Bill to Make Homeownership More Accessible for First-Time Buyers  

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    Bicameral First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act would help make homeownership a reality for young Americans amidst skyrocketing housing costs 
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and 10 Democratic Senators in reintroducing the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, legislation that aims to support middle-class Americans purchasing their first home. The Senators’ legislation would establish a refundable tax credit worth up to 10% of a home’s purchase price—up to a maximum of $15,000—for first-time homebuyers.  
    “Everyone should have a fair chance to experience the joy of buying their first home–it’s a pillar of the American Dream. But skyrocketing housing prices have pushed that dream out of reach for folks in red and blue states alike,” said Senator Welch. “Our legislation will provide a financial boost to first-time homeowners to give more hardworking Americans a fair shot at buying their first home.”  
    “Owning a home is at the core of the American dream, but too many young families have been priced out of homeownership in recent years because of the housing supply crunch. And Trump’s chaotic tariff regime has increased homebuilding costs, forcing developers to pause construction on much-needed new units,” said Senator Whitehouse. “Our tax credit for first-time homebuyers would help make the American dream a reality for more of the young Americans left behind in Trump’s billionaire-first economy.” 
    “Buying your first home is more than just owning property: It’s a source of pride, stability, and hope for the future. Unfortunately, buying a home is out of reach for many families right now. We’re changing that with my First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act,” said Senator Heinrich. “I’m proud to reintroduce this bill to ease the financial burden on aspiring homeowners and give every working family an equal opportunity to realize the American dream of owning a home.” 
    In 2022, the median sale price for a home in the U.S. was 5.6 times higher than the median income, a higher ratio than during the years immediately before the 2007 mortgage crisis, and the highest disparity on record. An NBC News analysis earlier this month found that the cost of building a single-family home could soon rise by more than $4,000 thanks to President Trump’s tariff agenda, which is expected to increase the costs of many of the materials used to build houses. 
    In Vermont, which faces a housing shortage and has the fourth-highest rate of homelessness in the country, an estimated 7,000 new homes will need to be built each year for the next 25 years to help alleviate the crisis. Nationwide, the shortage of affordable housing opportunities costs the American economy an estimated $2 trillion each year. High housing costs reduce disposable income and economic mobility, stifling economic opportunities for those who can no longer afford housing in their communities.  
    Housing unaffordability is especially harmful to younger Americans, who are struggling to reach the same milestones their parents did at their age. In 2024, the typical age of a first-time homebuyer reached a record high of 38, up from 29 in 1981. And first-time homebuyers, as a percentage of all homebuyers nationwide, fell from 38% to 24% over that same period, the lowest percentage ever recorded. 
    Under the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, taxpayers would have the option of receiving the credit at the time of purchase by working with their mortgage issuer. Alternatively, taxpayers could elect to treat the purchase of their home as occurring in the prior taxable year to receive the credit before tax season if they are unable to qualify for the credit at point of sale. 
    The credit phases out for those making above 150% of area median income and for those buying a house with a purchase price above 110% of the area median purchase price. Additionally, the credit is limited to home purchases financed through federally backed mortgages. 
    The First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.). U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) and Mike Thompson (D-CA-04) led the reintroduction of the legislation in the House of Representatives.  
    The legislation is endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Cooperative Credit Union Association, Mortgage Bankers Association, Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing, Rhode Island Association of REALTORS, RIHousing, Housing Network of Rhode Island, HousingWorksRI, Rhode Island Builders Association, Rhode Island Mortgage Bankers Association, Santa Clara County REALTORS, Santa Cruz County REALTORS, and Monterey County REALTORS. 
    Read and download the full text of the bill. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Recent Speaking Engagements

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    Over the past several months, I have spoken with a variety of audiences about the recent and ongoing work of the Congressional Budget Office.

    The conversations have allowed me to share insights about CBO’s role in the legislative process—including the reconciliation process—while reiterating the agency’s commitment to providing objective, nonpartisan, and transparent analysis.

    From March through July 2025, I participated in the following events:

    • March 3: Discussed the U.S. macroeconomic and fiscal outlook during the 41st Annual Economic Policy Conference of the National Association for Business Economics.
    • March 5: Spoke at the Milken Institute’s 2025 Finance Forum about the state of the U.S. budget and economy.
    • March 27: Took part in a “fireside chat” at the ERISA Industry Committee’s (ERIC’s) Spring Policy Conference, where I discussed CBO’s role and ongoing work.
    • April 8: Met virtually with a class at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School to talk about the outlook for the U.S. budget.
    • April 16: Joined the Hoover Institution’s Jon Hartley for a podcast in which we discussed, among other things, CBO’s role and the value that the agency places on accuracy and transparency.
    • April 22: Participated in a discussion about the fiscal impact of the Trump Administration’s policies during a J.P. Morgan investor seminar.
    • May 5: Engaged in a panel discussion at the Milken Institute’s 2025 Global Conference in Los Angeles about the federal budget and national debt.
    • June 11: Delivered remarks and answered questions during the Committee for Economic Development’s Biannual Trustee Policy Summit.
    • July 15: Participated in a discussion about the fiscal implications of the 2025 reconciliation act (Public Law 119-21) during a J.P. Morgan investor roundtable.
    • July 15: Delivered remarks and participated in a Q&A session at the 22nd Annual Economic Measurement Seminar of the National Association for Business Economics.

    I have also discussed CBO’s role in the legislative process more generally and emphasized our commitment to transparency and analytical rigor in recent interviews. (Those interviews appeared in the Wall Street Journal, on Bloomberg’s Big Take podcast, and on Bloomberg TV’s Wall Street Week.) As part of those discussions, I outlined the distinctions between CBO and the Joint Committee on Taxation, explaining how the two agencies differ and how we often work collaboratively to support the Congress.

    I look forward to engaging with other audiences and topics in the months ahead.

    Phillip L. Swagel is CBO’s Director.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • PM Modi honoured in Maldives as India’s second-longest serving Prime Minister

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a ceremony marked by warmth and diplomatic goodwill, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Friday extended congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recognising his achievement as India’s second-longest serving Prime Minister in consecutive terms.

    Addressing a formal banquet held in Male in honour of the visiting Indian leader, President Muizzu hailed Prime Minister Modi’s uninterrupted tenure of 4,078 days as a reflection of his “unwavering commitment to public service and dedication to the progress and prosperity of the Indian people.”

    “Tonight, we are delighted to reciprocate that friendship and goodwill in the spirit of the close ties between our two nations. Let me convey my heartiest congratulations to Your Excellency on becoming the second-longest serving Prime Minister of India. This remarkable milestone is a testament to your leadership and vision,” said President Muizzu.

    Prime Minister Modi arrived in the Maldivian capital earlier in the day from the United Kingdom, where he had concluded a landmark official visit. He was received at Velana International Airport by President Muizzu and senior members of the Maldivian Cabinet, including the Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister, and Minister of Homeland Security.

    The visit comes at the invitation of President Muizzu, in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of Maldivian independence. Prime Minister Modi is attending the national celebrations as the Guest of Honour- a gesture symbolic of the deep and enduring relationship between the two countries.

    India was among the first nations to recognise the Maldives’ independence in 1965, and the latest visit is viewed as an opportunity to reaffirm bilateral cooperation in areas including maritime security, regional stability, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange.

    With 4,078 consecutive days in office, Prime Minister Modi has surpassed the uninterrupted tenure of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who served 4,077 days between 1966 and 1977. This milestone further consolidates Modi’s position in India’s political history, underlining a decade of sustained leadership.

    — IANS

  • PM Modi honoured in Maldives as India’s second-longest serving Prime Minister

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a ceremony marked by warmth and diplomatic goodwill, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Friday extended congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recognising his achievement as India’s second-longest serving Prime Minister in consecutive terms.

    Addressing a formal banquet held in Male in honour of the visiting Indian leader, President Muizzu hailed Prime Minister Modi’s uninterrupted tenure of 4,078 days as a reflection of his “unwavering commitment to public service and dedication to the progress and prosperity of the Indian people.”

    “Tonight, we are delighted to reciprocate that friendship and goodwill in the spirit of the close ties between our two nations. Let me convey my heartiest congratulations to Your Excellency on becoming the second-longest serving Prime Minister of India. This remarkable milestone is a testament to your leadership and vision,” said President Muizzu.

    Prime Minister Modi arrived in the Maldivian capital earlier in the day from the United Kingdom, where he had concluded a landmark official visit. He was received at Velana International Airport by President Muizzu and senior members of the Maldivian Cabinet, including the Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister, and Minister of Homeland Security.

    The visit comes at the invitation of President Muizzu, in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of Maldivian independence. Prime Minister Modi is attending the national celebrations as the Guest of Honour- a gesture symbolic of the deep and enduring relationship between the two countries.

    India was among the first nations to recognise the Maldives’ independence in 1965, and the latest visit is viewed as an opportunity to reaffirm bilateral cooperation in areas including maritime security, regional stability, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange.

    With 4,078 consecutive days in office, Prime Minister Modi has surpassed the uninterrupted tenure of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who served 4,077 days between 1966 and 1977. This milestone further consolidates Modi’s position in India’s political history, underlining a decade of sustained leadership.

    — IANS

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Made in America Week, 2025

    Source: US Whitehouse

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

    Since the earliest days of our history, our Nation’s future has been forged by skilled American hands and proud American hearts.  From the settlers at Jamestown to the titans of industrialization and manufacturing, America has understood that, in order to be a great Nation, we must be a Nation that builds, creates, innovates, and fights for the needs of our own workers, families, and industries first.  This Made in America Week, my Administration recommits to furthering this legacy — and we pledge to embolden our workers, reenergize our industries, and bring back those beautiful words:  “Made in the U.S.A.”

    Though the United States has long been a hub of manufacturing and an epicenter of ingenuity, over the decades, a globalist ruling class closed our factories, shipped away our jobs, and stripped our families and our communities of their homes, fortunes, and dreams. They hollowed out America as they built up China, and American citizens suffered as a result.

    Every day, my Administration is once again reclaiming American sovereignty by modernizing and improving existing trade agreements, negotiating new deals based on the principles of fairness and reciprocity, and taking strong enforcement actions against trading partners that break the rules.  We are putting our Nation’s interests first.

    In March, I proudly signed an Executive Order to create the United States Investment Accelerator, establishing an office within the Department of Commerce tasked with facilitating investments higher than $1 billion in America.  I also signed a Presidential Memorandum to bolster foreign investment while defending our national security interests.  To further unleash domestic production, with the enactment of the historic One Big Beautiful Bill earlier this month, we delivered interest deduction for loans on new American-made vehicles, as well as 100 percent expensing for new factories, equipment, and machinery.  These pro-worker, pro-family policies are leveling the playing field for American businesses and boosting production on American shores.

    I have also directed the Federal Trade Commission to crack down on sellers who falsely claim their products are “Made in the U.S.A.”  Americans want to support their fellow citizens rather than send their money overseas in exchange for poor-quality goods.  The “Made in the U.S.A.” label is not just a slogan, but a sign that a product truly connects us with the ingenuity, quality craftmanship, and livelihood of our Nation.

    As a result of my Administration’s leadership and America First vision, companies are lining up to do business with the United States.  Already, we have attracted trillions of dollars’ worth of foreign and domestic investments — and our work is only just beginning.  These historic investments are drastically increasing our domestic manufacturing capabilities, reinvigorating struggling industries, and unleashing a new wave of American innovation.  Thanks to my Administration’s commonsense policies, for 4 months in a row, job numbers have beat market expectations, with American-born workers accounting for all of the job gains since I took office.

    Together, we are rebuilding our Nation with American heart, hands, and grit.  We are bringing back a culture of boldness and creativity that will empower the next generation of innovators, unleash the full strength of the American spirit, and ensure our economy, our culture, and our way of life remain the envy of the world.  Above all, under my leadership, we are proudly building, inventing, and creating in the United States of America once again.

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim this week, July 20 through July 26, 2025, as Made in America Week.  I call upon all Americans to pay special tribute to the builders, the ranchers, the crafters, the entrepreneurs, and all those who work with their hands every day to make America great.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth 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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: United States Energy Association (USEA) Chief Executive Office (CEO) Mark W. Menezes to Bring United States (U.S.) Energy Expertise to African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 Stage

    Source: APO – Report:

    Mark W. Menezes, President and CEO of the United States Energy Association (USEA), joins a roster of high-level speakers at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference – taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. Bringing decades of experience bridging public and private sector energy leadership, Menezes’s participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 underscores the U.S.’s enduring commitment to supporting Africa’s energy transformation through strategic partnerships, technical assistance and investment facilitation.

    At the helm of the USEA, Menezes oversees the Energy Utility Partnership Program (EUPP), a flagship initiative supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development, which supports national utilities and energy institutions across sub-Saharan Africa in expanding access to electricity, integrating renewable energy, improving grid stability and strengthening institutional capacity. The USEA currently operates in more than a dozen African countries, with long-standing partnerships in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal, Djibouti and Ethiopia as well as across regional power pools like the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), Eastern Africa Power Pool and the West Africa Power Pool.

    AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

    In Uganda, the USEA has partnered with the country’s Uganda Electricity Generation Company, the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company and major distribution companies including Umeme and the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company. Through a wide-ranging support program, USEA has delivered significant results including the development of a national Energy Mix Diversification Strategy, the certification of asset management personnel and significant cost savings by replacing foreign contractors with locally trained hydropower maintenance teams.

    Meanwhile, in Kenya, the USEA supports utilities including the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company and other public and private entities through the East Africa Regional Transmission Planning Program. The initiative has helped develop the region’s first integrated load flow planning model to strengthen cross-border energy planning between Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. The USEA has also been deeply engaged in Senegal since 2015, supporting the country’s national electricity company SENELEC in managing a growing portfolio of energy projects through technical assistance in project management, procurement and power system modeling. In Ethiopia, the USEA played a key role in the drafting and passage of the country’s Geothermal Resource Development Proclamation, which created the legal foundation for private investment in Ethiopia’s vast geothermal potential. The USEA also helped Ethiopia Electric Power secure a $7.7 million grant through the African Union Commission’s Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility to advance development of the Alalobeda geothermal field.

    Meanwhile, the USEA, in collaboration with the SAPP, facilitated executive exchanges, helped reform governance bylaw and supported the development of regional frequency and environmental guidelines aligned with international standards. As such, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 is set to serve as a critical platform for the USEA to deepen its partnerships with African utilities, regulators and private sector stakeholders. As Africa continues to balance the urgent need for energy access with long-term sustainability and industrialization goals, the USEA’s technical support, training programs and planning tools offer frameworks for reform and investment readiness.

    “Through the USEA and programs like EUPP, African countries are building stronger, smarter and more resilient energy systems. AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will provide the ideal forum to accelerate this momentum,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP of Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.

    – on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

    About Mark W. Menezes:
    Mark W. Menezes is President and CEO of the United States Energy Association, representing 150 members across the U.S. energy sector. A former U.S. Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary of Energy, he managed a $34 billion budget and oversaw national labs, nuclear programs, and major energy initiatives. Menezes has held senior roles at Berkshire Hathaway Energy, in Congress as Chief Counsel for the House Energy & Commerce Committee, and as a partner at Hunton & Williams LLP. He founded Global Sustainable Energy Advisors and teaches energy law at Georgetown. He holds degrees from LSU and is licensed in D.C., Texas, and Louisiana.

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: No more missed opportunities: Strengthening Africa-Caribbean trade and investment in an era of Global Trade Disruption (By Pamela Coke-Hamilton and Benedict Oramah)

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    By Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, International Trade Centre, and Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman, Afreximbank (www.Afreximbank.com). 

    The share of bilateral exports between Africa and the Caribbean, despite extensive shared history, has never surpassed 6%, according to an ITC and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) study, leaving much room for growth of up to $2.1 billion within the next 5 years according to new studies. Key to this growth is adding value in priority sectors, such as minerals, processed food, , manufactured products, transport, travel and creative industries.  

    We’re living in precarious times.

    In an era marked by global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and fragmented supply chains, Africa and the Caribbean are at a critical juncture.

    Most Caribbean countries now face a blanket 10% tariff on (https://apo-opa.co/455uBCM) goods exported to their biggest trading partner, the United States – which takes 40% of its total exports. The so-called reciprocal tariffs on African nations  (https://apo-opa.co/4lIyzZ7)ranges from 10-50%, with Lesotho facing the single highest tariff of all US trading partners, nullifying preferences granted through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). 

    These are real challenges, especially for smaller firms that are having to adapt with little time and often scarce resources. But there are also promising prospects on the horizon—if we dare to seize them.

    Africa, for one, is now moving into full, accelerated implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), arguably the biggest decision made by African Heads of Government in six decades. This treaty has the power not only to revolutionize African trade and development, but also to equip African countries with stronger negotiating power in multilateral arenas—therefore boosting their collective ability to change the terms of global trade.  

    The Caribbean, with its smaller, remote and import-dependent economies, is one of the region’s most vulnerable to external shocks, whether from tariff escalations, climate disasters or supply chain disruptions. But it also has a chance to invest in long-term stability and economic growth by diversifying exports and trading partners, processing goods before export to retain more value, and strengthening regional and international trade ties.

    While many are taking a wait-and-see approach on what this next phase of global trade will look like, for Africa and the Caribbean, this is an approach that neither can afford. With the longstanding sociocultural history shared by the two regions, the time is ripe to forge far deeper ties through mutually beneficial, trade-led economic growth and development—and serve as a model of South-South cooperation that inspires others to follow in their footsteps.

    Investing in interregional, value-added trade

    Despite efforts at regional integration, trade between Africa and the Caribbean remains minimal. ITC data shows that bilateral trade has never exceeded 6% of total exports for either region. In fact, African exports to the Caribbean have declined since 2014 and have been close to 0.1% since 2020, while Caribbean exports to Africa remain volatile, from just 0.8% of total exports in 2020 to 2.3% in 2022.

    There is room to grow, from the current $729 million in interregional trade to potentially $2.1 billion within the next 5 years, if trade barriers are slashed and investments are made in key sectors.

    A formalised trade corridor could reduce regulatory divergence and non-tariff barriers. For instance, Caribbean rum exporters currently face an 88% tariff when selling to African markets—a significant barrier to growth.

    But removing or lowering trade barriers alone is not enough.

    Access to trade and Investment finance are vital for tapping into the major untapped growth potential in trade in value-added goods. This is critical for priority sectors like minerals and metals, processed food and animal feed, manufactured products, travel,  transport and creative industries, where the regions have comparative advantages and synergies are possible. Trade between the regions currently relies heavily on unprocessed commodities, which reflects missed opportunities for industrial collaboration, innovation and economic diversification.

    Afreximbank’s presence in the region, through its Barbados office established about two years ago is set to significantly boost trade between the two regions. This is further strengthened by the ongoing project to create the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC), and the initiative to create the CARICOM Eximbank – an Afreximbank subsidiary. Additionally, the CARICOM Payment and Settlement System (CAPSS), being developed by Afreximbank and CARICOM central banks, will deepen and improve efficiency of intra-CARICOM payments in national currencies. Through its integration with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), CAPSS will accelerate integration of financial systems of the two regions while boosting Africa-Caribbean trade and investments.

    In the fast-growing creative economy, for instance, both regions already have longstanding traditions in textiles, ceramics and woodwork, and can build on their shared cultural heritage. The collaboration between African and Caribbean designers, musicians and artists also offers significant potential for growth.

    Afreximbank Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) has highlighted fashion, design and crafts as a priority value chain, and has doubled programme funding from $1 billion to $2 billion for the next three years, aimed at providing infrastructure, financing and resources to scale Africa and diasporic creative industries globally. The Bank is also developing a $500 million private equity film fund to support African filmmakers. These efforts reflect the scale of ambition required to transform the creative industries into global growth engines.

    Breaking bottlenecks

    To take advantage of these economic growth opportunities, foundations need to be laid. The major hurdles in enhancing Africa-Caribbean trade include weak institutional frameworks, logistical inefficiencies and infrastructural gaps. Despite their geographic proximity—just 1,600 miles apart—the lack of direct transport links and weak regulatory frameworks make trade between the two regions cumbersome.

    Logistics, unfortunately, remains a major bottleneck. ITC data show that 57% of unrealized trade potential stems from logistical challenges. Both regions score poorly on the logistics index, according to the World Bank, ranking among the lowest in the world in terms of transport efficiency. Investing in interregional infrastructure will be key, including direct maritime and air transport links, improving ports and enhancing digital infrastructure.

    For example, the Afreximbank has an ongoing $3 billion credit facility for CARICOM countries, to boost trade infrastructure and the competitiveness of small businesses. These are the types of arrangements, when replicated, that make a difference in the long term.

    Empowering small businesses to seize the moment

    But all of this could be for naught unless both regions’ small businesses are empowered to act and seize these opportunities for themselves. The Strengthening AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Project, an initiative spearheaded by Afreximbank and the ITC, is forging vital links between the private sectors of Africa and the Caribbean. This ambitious endeavour aims to cultivate not only strategic commercial partnerships but also cultural connections. In collaboration with the Caribbean Private Sector Organization and the African Business Council, the project empowers both regions to unearth business opportunities and stimulate business-to-business exchanges, paving the way for a dynamic synergy to elevate the economic landscape of both Africa and the Caribbean.

    Small businesses are the backbone of the African and Caribbean economies but remain underrepresented in trade. The first-ever Global Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Ministerial Meeting, was hosted by ITC and the Government of South Africa in Johannesburg this month, in the year of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, which positioned small businesses as key players in global trade reform. Afreximbank enabled the participation of 15 ministers to attend, 10 from Africa and five from the Caribbean. Days later, the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) will kick off in St. George’s Grenada from 28 to 30 July 2025, where the work to increase trade and investment between the two regions will continue. To participate, please visit https://ACTIF2025.com.

    Our alliance is more than just a response to global uncertainty; it is a blueprint for inclusive, resilient and opportunity-driven trade in the 21st century. Together, Africa and the Caribbean can showcase South-South trade as a solution in a time of great change.

    – on behalf of Afreximbank.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen Johnson Requests Records on Former President Biden’s Declining Mental and Physical Health

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson

    WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) sent a letter to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) requesting documents and communications about former President Biden’s declining mental and physical health over the course of his presidency. This letter follows Chairman Johnson’s requests to former Biden cabinet officials to voluntarily appear for interviews before his Subcommittee to discuss the former president’s mental and physical health.  

    A recent news report indicated that NARA provided “more than 27,000 records” to the White House Counsel’s Office, which is reviewing the effect of the former president’s health on official decisions.

    “These allegations, which received renewed interest following the publication of a book detailing the former president’s mental and physical decline, raise serious questions about who was making key presidential decisions if the former president was incapable of doing so. One of these key decisions may have involved the presidential power to grant clemency or pardons — a matter that the White House Counsel’s Office, among other entities, are currently investigating,” Chairman Johnson wrote.

    Chairman Johnson requested all records that NARA provided to the White House Counsel’s Office referring or relating to former President Biden’s mental or physical health decline, or the alleged coverup. Also requested were communications between White House officials, members of the cabinet, and staff referring or relating to former President Biden’s mental or physical health. 

    Read more about Chairman Johnson’s letter in Fox News.

    The full text of the letter can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 07/24/2025 Blackburn Sounds the Alarm on Tennessee Universities’ Employees Concealing DEI Programs to Skirt Trump Order

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) probed three Tennessee universities – the University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Belmont University –after staff members were caught on camera admitting to rebranding and concealing their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs to skirt the Trump administration’s executive actions to end these divisive, woke programs. A staffer at Belmont University also admitted to hiding illegal aliens on campus.

    Click here to download video of Senator Blackburn’s remarks during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about DEI.

    Below are excerpts from Senator Blackburn’s letters urging these Tennessee universities to comply with President Trump’s executive action.

    UTK Employee Says University is Still “Fully Committed to the Work of DEI”

    “Leaked footage shows UTK employees discussing how the University is concealing woke DEI programs by renaming them while continuing to push the harmful content. In one video, a UTK employee said that the DEI programs had not been abandoned and, ‘[They have] been fully committed to the work of DEI.’ He goes on to say, ‘these committees and task forces were built back in 2020 and they’re still up and running… it’s just in terms of some of these bills… they know how to navigate the language within the bills to ensure that DEI is protected.’”

    Vanderbilt Employee Says DEI “Naming” Changed Because Different Universities Were Under Investigation

    “Leaked video footage shows Vanderbilt employees discussing how the University is concealing woke DEI programs by renaming them while continuing to push this harmful content. In the video, a Vanderbilt employee can be heard saying, ‘different universities were under investigation for their DEI practices… so that’s why I think the naming has changed… we have things that clue people in and let people know.’ Later in the video, when asked if they are engaged in DEI initiatives, she responded affirmatively. And, in another video, one employee exhibited blatant political bias, which raises questions about the extent to which such bias is forced onto the student body by certain activist employees.”

    Belmont Employee Admits University Is Concealing Both Illegal Aliens and DEI Programs

    “Earlier this month, leaked video footage shows a Belmont official explaining how your institution has schemed to reframe its DEI initiatives under different names in violation of President Trump’s executive order. In the video, In the video, the Belmont official can be heard saying, ‘we always try to just adapt to what’s happening around us, but that does not mean, like, what we’re focusing on completely stops, we definitely have to navigate very carefully and just cautiously.’ Later in the video, the Belmont official can be heard referencing enforcement operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to remove criminal illegal aliens from our communities, stating, ‘we do have undocumented students here,’ and ‘we don’t communicate to anybody externally who is undocumented.’ This administration has been very clear: postsecondary education programs funded by the federal government should benefit American citizens—not illegal aliens.”

    Click here to read the full letter to the University of Tennessee.

    Click here to read the full letter to Vanderbilt. 

    Click here to read the full letter to Belmont.

    RELATED

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Skyward Specialty Announces Change for Second Quarter Earnings Call to Thursday, July 31 at 12 PM EDT

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc.™ (NASDAQ: SKWD) (“Skyward Specialty” or “the Company”) today announced a change of its previously announced second quarter earnings call. The conference call and webcast will now be held on Thursday, July 31 at 12:00 p.m. EDT.

    Skyward Specialty will issue its second quarter 2025 earnings results after the market closes on Wednesday, July 30. The earnings results will be available on the Company website at investors.skywardinsurance.com/ under Quarterly Results.

    Investors may access the live audio webcast via the link on the Company’s investor site at investors.skywardinsurance.com/ under Events & Presentations. Additionally, investors can access the earnings call via conference call by registering via the conference link. Users will receive dial-in information and a unique PIN to join the call upon registering.

    A webcast replay will be available two hours following the call in the same location on the Company’s investor website.

    About Skyward Specialty

    Skyward Specialty is a rapidly growing and innovative specialty insurance company, delivering commercial property and casualty products and solutions on a non-admitted and admitted basis. The Company operates through nine underwriting divisions – Accident & Health, Agriculture and Credit (Re)insurance, Captives, Construction & Energy Solutions, Global Property, Professional Lines, Specialty Programs, Surety and Transactional E&S. SKWD stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, which represents the top fourth of all Nasdaq listed companies.

    Skyward Specialty’s subsidiary insurance companies consist of Great Midwest Insurance Company, Houston Specialty Insurance Company, Imperium Insurance Company, and Oklahoma Specialty Insurance Company. These insurance companies are rated A (Excellent) with stable outlook by A.M. Best Company. Additional information about Skyward Specialty can be found on our website at www.skywardinsurance.com.

    For investor relations information contact:

    Natalie Schoolcraft
    nschoolcraft@skywardinsurance.com
    614-494-4988

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Stack Capital Group Inc. Announces Upsize to Its Previously Announced Best Efforts Private Placement Now Combined With the Non-Brokered Private Placement for Gross Proceeds of Up to $35,000,000

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

    TORONTO, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Stack Capital Group Inc., (the “Company”) (TSX:STCK & TSX:STCK.WT.A) is pleased to announce that, as a result of strong investor demand, the Company has doubled the size of its previously announced “best efforts” private placement to up to 1,454,545 units of the Company (the “Units”) and up to $20,000,000 in gross proceeds (the “LIFE Offering”). After giving effect to the upsize of the LIFE Offering, the Company now expects to raise up to $35,000,000 in total gross proceeds under the combined LIFE Offering and Concurrent Private Placement (as defined herein).

    Each Unit will be issued at a price of $13.75 per Unit (the “Offering Price”) and will be comprised of one common share (a “Common Share” and the Common Shares comprising the Units being the “Unit Shares”) and one-quarter of one Common Share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole warrant, a “Warrant”). Each Warrant shall be exercisable by the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share (a “Warrant Share”) for a period of 24 months following the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) at an exercise price of $17.00 per Warrant Share, subject to adjustment in certain events.

    In connection with the upsize of the LIFE Offering, the Company has entered into an amended agreement with Canaccord Genuity Corp., Raymond James Ltd., RBC Capital Markets and TD Securities Inc., to act as co-lead agents and joint bookrunners (collectively, the “Joint Bookrunners”), for and on behalf of a syndicate of agents (together with the Joint Bookrunners, the “Agents”).

    As previously announced, the Company also intends to complete a concurrent non-brokered private placement of up to 1,090,909 Units at the Offering Price to certain investors that have been identified to the Joint Bookrunners, for gross proceeds of up to $15,000,000, or such higher number as determined by the Company in its discretion (the “Concurrent Private Placement” and, together with the LIFE Offering, the “Offering”). The terms of the Concurrent Private Placement remain the same and the closing of the LIFE Offering is not conditional upon the closing of the Concurrent Private Placement.

    In addition, the Company has applied to the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) for the listing of the Unit Shares, Warrants and Warrant Shares under the Offering.

    The LIFE Offering is being made to purchasers resident in all provinces of Canada, except Québec, pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption from the prospectus requirement available under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions and Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption of the Canadian Securities Administrators (collectively, the “LIFE Exemption”). Subject to compliance with the terms of the LIFE Exemption, the Unit Shares and Warrants offered under the LIFE Exemption will not be subject to resale restrictions pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. In addition, the Agents may offer the Units for sale on a private placement basis pursuant to available exemptions from the registration or prospectus requirements to investors resident in the United States and certain other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States, in each case, as agreed to by the Company and the Joint Bookrunners; provided it is understood that the Company will not be required to register or make any filings (other than reports on sales of securities in the United States and Canada) in such jurisdictions.

    In connection with the upsize of the LIFE Offering, there is an amended and restated offering document related to this LIFE Offering that can be accessed under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.com and on the Company’s website at www.stackcapitalgroup.com. Prospective investors should read this amended and restated offering document before making an investment decision.

    All Units issued under the Concurrent Private Placement will be issued in accordance with applicable securities laws pursuant to available exemptions from the prospectus requirements. It is anticipated that all Units issued to investors outside of Canada under the Concurrent Private Placement will be issued pursuant to Ontario Securities Commission Rule 72-503 – Distributions Outside Canada and will therefore not be subject to resale restrictions pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

    The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for investments in accordance with the Company’s investment principles and general corporate and working capital purposes.

    The Offering is expected to close on or about August 8, 2025, or such other date or dates as may be agreed to by the Company and the Joint Bookrunners (each such date, a “Closing Date”) and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX.

    At the closing of the Offering, the Company will pay to the Agents a cash fee equal to 5.0% of the gross proceeds raised in connection with the Offering.

    The Company anticipates certain insiders of the Company will participate in the Offering. Any participation in the Offering by insiders constitutes a “related party transaction” as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”). However, the Company expects to rely on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 based on the fact neither the fair market value of the Units subscribed for by the insiders, nor the consideration for the Units paid by such insiders, is expected to exceed 25% of the Company’s market capitalization as at the date of this news release.

    No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. This news release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities of the Company in the United States of America. The Units, Unit Shares, Warrants and Warrant Shares have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) or any state securities laws and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, within the United States, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction or for the account or for the benefit of U.S. Persons (as defined under applicable securities laws) or persons in the United States unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration is available.

    About Stack Capital Group Inc.

    The Company is an investment holding company and its business objective is to invest in equity, debt and/or other securities of growth-to-late-stage private businesses. Through the Company, shareholders have the opportunity to gain exposure to the diversified private investment portfolio; participate in the private market; and have liquidity due to the listing of the Common Shares on the TSX. At the same time, the public structure also allows the Company to focus its efforts on maximizing long-term performance through a portfolio of high growth businesses, which are not widely available to most Canadian investors. SC Partners Ltd. has taken the initiative in creating the Company and acts as the Company’s administrator and is responsible to source and advise with respect to all investments for the Company.

    Forward looking and other cautionary statements

    Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities law. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions. Forward-looking information contained or referred to in this news release includes, but may not be limited to, the details of the Offering, the completion of the Offering, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX, the business of the Company and the proposed use of proceeds of the Company.

    Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. The material assumptions supporting these forward-looking statements include, among others, that the Company will receive the necessary approval for the Offering from the TSX, will satisfy the terms of the LIFE Exemption and any other applicable securities exemptions or safe harbours and will satisfy the commercial closing conditions of the Offering. Additional risk factors that may impact the Company or cause actual results and performance to differ from the forward looking statements contained herein are set forth in the Company’s most recent annual information form under the heading “Risk Factors” (a copy of which can be obtained under the Company’s profile on www.sedarplus.com).

    Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    For more information, please visit our website at www.stackcapitalgroup.com or contact:
    Brian Viveiros
    VP, Corporate Development, and Investor Relations
    647.280.3307
    brian@stackcapitalgroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Amplify ETFs Announces Net Asset Value Adjustment for the Breakwave Tanker Shipping ETF (BWET)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Amplify ETFs today announced that the net asset value (NAV) of the Breakwave Tanker Shipping ETF (BWET) was increased by $0.1465 per share on July 23, 2025. This adjustment is a result of a security pricing error in calculating the Fund’s NAV.

    Fund Ticker
    (NYSE Arca)    		 Revised NAV
    (07/23/2025)    		 Original NAV
    (07/23/2025)    		 Change (%)
    Breakwave Tanker Shipping ETF BWET $10.8364 $10.6899 +1.37%
             

    The adjustment represents a one-time correction and no additional NAV changes are anticipated.

    For more information about the Breakwave Tanker Shipping ETF (BWET), visit AmplifyETFs.com/BWET.

    About Amplify ETFs
    Amplify ETFs, sponsored by Amplify Investments, has over $12 billion in assets across its suite of ETFs (as of 6/30/2025). Amplify ETFs delivers expanded investment opportunities for investors seeking growth, income, and risk-managed strategies across a range of actively managed and index-based ETFs. To learn more, visit AmplifyETFs.com.

    Carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. This material must be accompanied by a prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. Investing in freight futures can be volatile and is not suitable for all investors. https://www.amplifyetfs.com/bwet/pro.

    The Fund is not a mutual fund or any other type of investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and is not subject to regulation thereunder.

    An investment in the Fund involves significant risks. You could lose all or part of your investment in the Fund, and the Fund’s performance could trail that of other investments. The Fund invests solely in Freight Futures. Such concentration may result in a high degree of volatility in the net asset value of the Fund under specific market conditions and over time. Futures are speculative and the value of the Shares of the Fund relates directly to the value of, and realized profit or loss from, the Freight Futures and other assets held by the Fund, and fluctuations in price could materially affect the Fund’s shares.

    Investments in freight futures typically fluctuate in value with changes in spot charter rates. Charter rates for tanker vessels are volatile and although they have increased from historically low levels, there is no guarantee that shipping rates for crude and refined products will remain at such elevated levels. The Fund will not take defensive positions to protect against declining freight rates, which could cause a decline to the value of the Fund’s shares.

    Although the Fund’s shares are listed and traded on the NYSE Arca, there can be no guarantee that an active trading market for the shares will be maintained. If an investor needs to sell shares at a time when no active trading market for them exists, the price the investor receives upon sale of the shares, assuming they were able to be sold, likely would be lower than if an active market existed.

    Breakwave Advisors LLC (“Breakwave”) is a registered “commodity trading advisor” with the NFA and will act as such for the Fund. Breakwave specializes in shipping and freight investments. Amplify Investments LLC, the Sponsor, serves as the “commodity pool operator” to the Fund and is registered in such capacity with the NFA.

    Amplify ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Advantage Solutions Announces Date for its Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ST. LOUIS, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Advantage Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ GS: ADV) announced today that it will release financial results for the second quarter at 7 a.m. EDT on Aug. 7, 2025, followed by a conference call at 8:30 a.m. EDT on the same day.

    The conference call can be accessed live by dialing 1-800-715-9871 for U.S. callers or 1-646-307-1963 for international callers. The conference ID is 5720569. Approximately three hours after the call, a replay will be available by dialing 1-800-770-2030 for U.S. callers or 1-609-800-9909 for international callers. The playback ID is 5720569#. The replay recording will be available until Aug. 14, 2025.

    Interested investors and other parties may also listen to a simultaneous conference call webcast by logging onto the Investor Relations section of the Advantage Solutions website at ir.youradv.com. The online replay will be available for a limited time shortly following the call.

    About Advantage Solutions

    Advantage Solutions is the leading omnichannel retail solutions agency in North America, uniquely positioned at the intersection of consumer-packaged goods brands and retailers. With its data- and technology-powered services, Advantage leverages its unparalleled insights, expertise and scale to help brands and retailers of all sizes generate demand and get products into the hands of consumers, wherever they shop. Whether it’s creating meaningful moments and experiences in-store and online, optimizing assortment and merchandising, or accelerating e-commerce and digital capabilities, Advantage is the trusted partner that keeps commerce and life moving. Advantage has offices throughout North America and strategic investments and owned operations in select international markets. For more information, please visit youradv.com.

    Investor Contacts: 
    Ruben Mella, CFA
    investorrelations@youradv.com     

    Media Contacts: 
    Jeff Levine
    press@youradv.com     

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Erayak Power Solution Group. Announces $3 Million Registered Direct Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Wenzhou, China, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Erayak Power Solution Group Inc.. (NASDAQ: RAYA) (“Erayak” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer, designer, and exporter of high-quality products in the power supply industry, today announced that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain institutional investors for the purchase and sale of an aggregate of 30,612,246of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Shares”) (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) at a purchase price of $0.098 per share in a registered direct offering. The purchase price for the pre-funded warrants is identical to the purchase price for Shares, less the exercise price of $0.0001 per share.

    The aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of this offering are expected to be approximately $3 million. The transaction is expected to close on or about July 28, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

    Craft Capital Management is acting as the sole placement agent for the offering. 

    The registered direct offering is being made pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-278347) previously filed by the Company and declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on May 16, 2024.

    The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. The prospectus supplement describing the terms of the public offering will be filed with the SEC prior to the closing and will form a part of the effective registration statement, available on the SEC’s website located at http://www.sec.gov.

    Copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from Craft Capital Management, 377 Oak St., Lower Concourse, Garden City, NY 11530, Attention: Syndicate Dept.; email: info@craftcm.com

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

    About Erayak Power Solution Group Inc.

    Erayak specializes in the manufacturing, research and development, and wholesale and retail of power solution products. Erayak’s product portfolio includes sine wave and off-grid inverters, inverter and gasoline generators, battery and smart chargers, and custom-designed products. Our products are used principally in agricultural and industrial vehicles, recreational vehicles, electrical appliances, and outdoor living products. Our goal is to be the premier power solutions brand and a solution for mobile life and outdoor living. For more information, visit www.erayakpower.com.   

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release contains forward-looking statements. In addition, from time to time, we or our representatives may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing. We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations and projections about future events, which we derive from the information currently available to us. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance, including: our financial performance and projections; our growth in revenue and earnings; and our business prospects and opportunities. You can identify forward-looking statements by those that are not historical in nature, particularly those that use terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “contemplates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “plans,” “projected,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “hopes” or the negative of these or similar terms. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should consider various factors, including: our ability to change the direction of the Company; our ability to keep pace with new technology and changing market needs; and the competitive environment of our business. These and other factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are only predictions. The forward-looking events discussed in this press release and other statements made from time to time by us or our representatives, may not occur, and actual events and results may differ materially and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about us.  We are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release and other statements made from time to time by us or our representatives might not occur.

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Skyline Corporate Communications Group, LLC
    Lisa Gray, Senior Account Manager
    One Rockefeller Plaza, 11th Floor
    New York, NY 10020
    Office: (646) 893-5835

    Email: lisa@skylineccg.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Monmouth County, New Jersey, Man Admits to Armed Bank Robbery

    Source: US FBI

    TRENTON, N.J. – A Monmouth County man admitted to armed bank robbery, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Jeffrey L. Kniffin, 51, of Wall Township, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi on July 22, 2025, to a one-count Information charging him with armed bank robbery.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    On October 23, 2024, Kniffin entered a bank in Wall Township, New Jersey armed with a loaded handgun, approached a bank teller, and demanded cash from the teller. After demanding the money, Kniffin removed the handgun from his pocket and displayed it towards the teller. During his interaction with the teller, Kniffin instructed multiple times, “Don’t do anything stupid.” Kniffin received approximately $27,072 in cash from the teller and then fled the bank. He was apprehended and arrested by law enforcement several minutes later. At the time of his arrest, law enforcement recovered from Kniffin and his immediate surroundings a loaded firearm and more than $25,000 in cash.

    The count of armed bank robbery carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for November 24, 2025.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited task force officers with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges. She also thanked the Wall Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Sean O’Halloran, and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, for their assistance in the investigation.

    The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

                                                                                       ###

    Defense counsel: John M. Holliday, Esq.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illinois Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison

    Source: US FBI

    HAMMOND – Yesterday, Kareim J. Coverson, 37 years old, of Calumet City, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Phillip P. Simon after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.

    Coverson was sentenced to 41 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $614,597.50 in restitution to the victims of the offense.

    According to documents in the case, between approximately May 2019 and June 2020, Coverson participated in a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $3.3 million from the proceeds of large business checks stolen out of the mail.  Coverson and his co-conspirators registered fictitious corporations with the Indiana and Illinois Secretaries of State, opened fraudulent corporate bank accounts, and deposited the stolen checks into the fraudulent accounts.  The actions of Coverson and his associates resulted in an unrecovered loss of over $1 million to the affected businesses and financial institutions.

    Coverson is the last of 10 defendants to be convicted and sentenced in this case and a related prosecution arising from the same scheme.   In April 2024, Coverson’s brother, Oliver Coverson, was sentenced to 96 months in prison for his role as the organizer of the scheme.  Earlier this year, Defendant Scott Vue received a prison sentence of 51 months for his role in the offense, which included opening fraudulent bank accounts, depositing stolen checks, and recruiting additional participants to the conspiracy.

    “The Coverson brothers and their associates assembled a large criminal conspiracy that caused millions of dollars of harm to businesses and banks throughout the United States.  These defendants stole from small and large businesses alike, disrupting the flow of commerce, and compromising the mail and financial systems on which everyday Americans rely to conduct their business,” said Proctor.  “As the court’s sentences in this case demonstrate, such conduct is not tolerated in the Northern District of Indiana and will be met with serious consequences.”   

    This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary D. Heater.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Swatting Charges

    Source: US FBI

    Baltimore, Maryland – Today, Evan Strauss, 27, of Moneta, Virginia, pled guilty to conspiracy, cyberstalking, interstate threatening communications, and threats to damage or destroy by means of fire and explosives. 

    Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Acting Special Agent in Charge Amanda M. Koldjeski, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office.

    According to the guilty plea, Strauss helped create and operate an online group known as “Purgatory.”  The group used multiple online social-media platforms, including Telegram and Instagram, to coordinate and plan swatting and doxxing activities and to announce and brag about swats that they conducted.  

    “Swatting” is a term used to describe a criminal incident in which an individual contacts emergency services and falsely reports an emergency, often involving an act of violence that reportedly has or will occur at a particular location to elicit an armed law enforcement response to that location.  “Doxxing” is a term used to describe the practice of — searching for and publishing on the Internet — personal, private, or identifying information about an individual with malicious intent, such as providing the information for the purpose of facilitating the swatting of the individual.

    From December 10, 2023, through January 18, 2024, Strauss and his co-conspirators, including a co-conspirator who resided in Hagerstown, Maryland, and made calls from Maryland, placed swatting calls to police and other emergency response departments. One or more of the conspirators, acting with the intent to threaten, intimidate, and harass individuals and entities, falsely reported emergencies in the form of violent acts at particular locations to cause armed law enforcement responses.

    Strauss and his co-conspirators often used shared scripts to plan and coordinate their conduct. They then called police departments using Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) services to obscure their phone numbers and identities.

    As part of the scheme, Strauss called the Newark Delaware Police Department and falsely claimed that he heard a man firing shots in a school hallway. Moments later, the Maryland co-conspirator called the department again, threatening to shoot a specific Newark High School teacher and kill students. As a result of these calls, which occurred in the middle of the school day, authorities placed the school on lockdown as police officers rushed to respond. Later the same day, Strauss and other conspirators bragged about the incident and posted images from the resulting news coverage onto their group’s social media accounts.

    Strauss encouraged a Purgatory conspirator to “shut down” an airport. Following Strauss’ urging, the conspirator used a VOIP number to call the Albany Police Department in Albany, New York, stating he was going to the Albany International Airport to “shoot everybody up” and that his “friend” was going to set off bombs in the airport. Police units then rushed to respond to these threats.

    Additionally, as part of this scheme, the Maryland co-conspirator called the Houston County Sheriff’s Office in Dothan, Alabama, and threatened to burn down part of a residential trailer park and kill any law enforcement officers who arrived to respond to the threat.

    Strauss faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for each count of threatening to damage or destroy by fire or explosive and a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for conspiracy, cyberstalking, and interstate threats.  Co-conspirators Brayden Grace, 19, of Columbus, Ohio, and Owen Jarboe, 19, of Hagerstown, Maryland, pled guilty earlier this year and are awaiting sentencing.

    Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is scheduled for Thursday, November 6, at 10 a.m.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI for its work in the investigation.  Additionally, Ms. Hayes praised the Joint Terrorism Task Force, Columbus; Ohio Police Department; Newark, Delaware Police Department; Lenoir City, Tennessee Police Department; Albany, New York Police Department; Albany County, New York Sheriff’s Office; Fairburn City, Georgia Police Department; Bethel Park, Pennsylvania Police Department; Giles County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office; Blue Springs, Missouri Police Department; Tarboro, North Carolina Police Department; Boston, Massachusetts Police Department; Dodge County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office; Houston County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office; and the FBI’s Mobile, Richmond, Boston, Charlotte, and Cincinnati Field Offices for their valuable assistance. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert I. Goldaris and Patricia C. McLane who are prosecuting the case.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • 6 MoUs signed, ₹4,850 crore credit announced in PM Modi and President Muizzu bilateral talks

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu at the President’s Office in Male on Friday, marking a diplomatic milestone during his visit to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Maldives’ independence and six decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

    Reflecting on the partnership, the two leaders reviewed progress on the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a ‘Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership’ that was adopted during President Muizzu’s state visit to India in October 2024. Modi reiterated India’s commitment to deepening engagement with Maldives in line with the “Neighbourhood First” and “Vision MAHASAGAR” doctrines.

    President Muizzu, in turn, acknowledged India’s consistent support as the “first responder” in times of crisis, and both leaders discussed avenues for enhanced cooperation across infrastructure development, capacity building, health, climate action, and disaster preparedness. They also reviewed maritime security collaboration under the Colombo Security Conclave framework.

    On the economic front, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the importance of concluding a proposed Free Trade Agreement and a Bilateral Investment Treaty to unlock new trade and investment opportunities. He also welcomed recent steps toward digital integration, including agreements for the use of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), RuPay card acceptance, and local currency trade mechanisms, with a view to boosting tourism and digital commerce.

    Six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged across key areas such as fisheries, aquaculture, meteorology, digital public infrastructure, pharmacopoeia, and a concessional Line of Credit. A new Line of Credit, amounting to approximately ₹4,850 crore (about USD 550 million), was announced for infrastructure and other developmental activities in Maldives. An amended agreement on existing lines of credit was also signed, bringing down Maldives’s annual debt repayment by 40%, from USD 51 million to USD 29 million.

    The leaders jointly inaugurated a roads and drainage project in Addu City and six High Impact Community Development Projects across various cities. Modi also handed over 3,300 social housing units and 72 vehicles intended for the Maldives National Defence Force and immigration authorities.

    In a gesture of medical diplomacy, India gifted two units of Aarogya Maitri Health Cubes (BHISHM) to the Maldives. These mobile health units, equipped with modern medical devices, can support 200 casualties and sustain six personnel for up to 72 hours.

    Further underlining shared environmental goals, Modi and Muizzu planted mango saplings, symbolising India’s “Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam” campaign and the Maldives’ “Pledge of 5 Million Trees” initiative.

    Prime Minister Modi also thanked President Muizzu for his condemnation of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and for expressing solidarity with India’s fight against terrorism.

  • MIL-OSI: Southside Bancshares, Inc. to Ring NYSE Opening Bell to Celebrate 65th Anniversary

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TYLER, Texas, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Southside Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) (NYSE:SBSI), parent company of Southside Bank, will ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, July 28th to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Southside Bank. Lee R. Gibson, Chief Executive Officer, alongside members of the Company’s management team and board of directors, will participate in the ceremonial bell ringing.

    “We are honored to ring the NYSE opening bell to commemorate Southside’s 65th anniversary,” said Lee R. Gibson, Chief Executive Officer. “Since we first opened our doors in 1960, we have remained committed to helping people and businesses of our Texas communities thrive and prosper. This significant milestone is a testament to the hard work of our team members and our longstanding dedication to our customers, communities, and shareholders.”

    The bell ringing ceremony begins at approximately 8:25 AM CT and can be streamed at https://www.nyse.com/bell.

    About Southside Bancshares, Inc.

    Southside Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Tyler, Texas, with approximately $8.34 billion in assets as of June 30, 2025, that wholly-owns Southside Bank. Southside Bank currently operates 53 branches and a network of 71 ATMs/ITMs throughout East Texas, Southeast Texas and the greater Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin and Houston areas. Serving customers since 1960, Southside Bank is a community-focused financial institution that offers a full range of financial products and services to individuals and businesses. These products and services include consumer and commercial loans, mortgages, deposit accounts, safe deposit boxes, treasury management, wealth management, trust services, brokerage services and an array of online and mobile services.

    To learn more about Southside Bancshares, Inc., please visit our investor relations website at https://investors.southside.com. Our investor relations site provides a detailed overview of our activities, financial information and historical stock price data. To receive email notification of company news, events and stock activity, please register on the website under Resources and Investor Email Alerts. Questions or comments may be directed to Lindsey Bailes at (903) 630-7965, or lindsey.bailes@southside.com.

    For further information:
    Lindsey Bailes
    903-630-7965
    lindsey.bailes@southside.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Northeast Bank Announces New Date for Fiscal 2025 Fourth Quarter Earnings Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PORTLAND, Maine, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northeast Bank (the “Bank”) (NASDAQ: NBN), a Maine-based bank, announced today that the Bank will host a conference call with a simultaneous webcast at 1:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 to discuss the Bank’s fiscal 2025 fourth quarter earnings. This conference call was previously announced as occurring on July 31, 2025. The conference call will be hosted by Rick Wayne, President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard Cohen, Chief Financial Officer, and Pat Dignan, Chief Operating Officer.

    The Bank will release its fiscal 2025 fourth quarter earnings results on Monday, July 28, 2025 as previously announced.

    To access the conference call by phone, please go to this link (Phone Registration), and you will be provided with dial in details. The call will be available via a live webcast, which can be viewed by accessing the Bank’s website at www.northeastbank.com and clicking on the Investor Relations section. To listen to the webcast, attendees are encouraged to visit the website at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. Please note there is a slide presentation that will accompany the webcast. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available online for one year at www.northeastbank.com.

    About Northeast Bank

    Northeast Bank (NASDAQ: NBN) is a bank headquartered in Portland, Maine. We offer personal and business banking services to the Maine market via seven branches. Our National Lending Division purchases and originates commercial loans on a nationwide basis. ableBanking, a division of Northeast Bank, offers online savings products to consumers nationwide. Information regarding Northeast Bank can be found at www.northeastbank.com.

    NBN-F

    For More Information:
    Richard Cohen, Chief Financial Officer
    Northeast Bank
    27 Pearl Street, Portland, ME 04101
    207.786.3245 ext. 3249
    www.northeastbank.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Wall Street Shiba Raises $500,000 in 72 Hours, Launches STIBA ICM Labs to Power the Next Era of MemeFi

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wall Street Shiba ($STIBA), a next-generation memecoin bridging AI, DeFi, and Internet Capital Markets, has successfully raised $500,000 within 72 hours of its presale launch. The project introduces a novel approach to MemeFi by combining real-world utility, institutional-grade partnerships, and advanced anti-exploit technologies.

    Backed by World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a global financial group known for supporting high-impact projects, $STIBA aims to create a sustainable and credible memecoin ecosystem. The initiative is further strengthened by the introduction of STIBA ICM Labs, a smart launchpad enabling secure token creation.

    Introducing STIBA ICM Labs
    At the core of the ecosystem is STIBA ICM Labs — a secure token generation platform with built-in safety protocols, including:

    • Hyper Anti-Rug Protection – Liquidity auto-migrated to Uniswap post-bonding curve to prevent rug pulls
    • Sniper Bot Blacklisting – Automatically blocks 80% of bots at launch
    • Sell-Limit Controls – Top holders restricted from dumping more than 30% in a single transaction
    • DAO Governance – Tokens created via ICM Labs include on-chain governance structures
    • Launch Incentives – Eligible creators receive 0.02 ETH, 5,000 $STIBA, and trading fee bonuses

    Note: All features are currently undergoing experimental testing and may evolve over time.

    Tokenomics Overview

    • Total Supply: 10 billion $STIBA
    • Presale: 25%
    • Liquidity Pool: 15%
    • Staking & Rewards: 15%
    • Marketing & Growth: 15%
    • Airdrop: 10%
    • Project Development: 20%

    Roadmap Highlights

    • Phase 1: Presale & Community Building
    • Phase 2: ICM Labs Rollout
    • Phase 3: Centralized Exchange Listings + DAO Governance
    • Phase 4: MemeFi Ecosystem Partnerships & Cross-chain Expansion
    • Phase 5: Global USD1 Payment Integration

    About Wall Street Shiba

    Wall Street Shiba ($STIBA) is the first MemeFi project designed to bridge internet culture, decentralized finance, and institutional-grade financial backing. With support from World Liberty Financial, it aims to empower creators and traders through utility-driven innovation and secure blockchain infrastructure.

    For more information, visit: https://wallstreetshiba.com
    Follow on X: https://x.com/shibawallstreet

    Media Contact:

    Wall Street Shiba Team
    Email: contact@wallstreetshiba.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the “Wall Street Shiba ($STIBA)”. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.

    Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.

    Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6be7c55c-743d-47e0-b030-573c1eae6463

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Laredo, Texas, Man Sentenced to 63 Months for Smuggling Over 100 Illegal Aliens in Locked Trailer

    Source: US FBI

    LAREDO, Texas – A 49-year-old resident of Laredo has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Juan Manuel Aguirre pleaded guilty Feb. 6.

    U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison has now ordered Aguirre to serve 63 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court considered Aguirre’s history of smuggling aliens on multiple occasions and the danger he posed by transporting them in a sealed, locked, dark and unventilated trailer that required authorities to open with a bolt cutter. 

    “Human smuggling is an incredibly dangerous enterprise, and it requires the trafficker to care absolutely nothing about the lives and safety of those they transport,” said Ganjei. “Fortunately, there were no deaths in this case, but the underlying facts indicate that several of those transported had difficulty breathing and feared for their life. The Southern District of Texas will make sure that all human smugglers pay a serious price for their callousness.”

    On Dec. 2, 2024, law enforcement observed several individuals being loading into a white trailer in a warehouse parking lot. Aguirre was the driver of the truck hauling it. After he departed the location, authorities conducted a traffic stop which resulted in the discovery of 101 aliens locked inside the trailer, 13 of whom were children as young as 13 years old.

    Multiple illegal aliens reported they had difficulty breathing and feared for their life due to the conditions in the trailer. They were from the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba and Honduras.

    Aguirre will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety and Border Patrol conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection, Drug Enforcement Administration and Webb County Sheriff’s Office. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Scott Bowling is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Laredo, Texas, Man Sentenced to 63 Months for Smuggling Over 100 Illegal Aliens in Locked Trailer

    Source: US FBI

    LAREDO, Texas – A 49-year-old resident of Laredo has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Juan Manuel Aguirre pleaded guilty Feb. 6.

    U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison has now ordered Aguirre to serve 63 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court considered Aguirre’s history of smuggling aliens on multiple occasions and the danger he posed by transporting them in a sealed, locked, dark and unventilated trailer that required authorities to open with a bolt cutter. 

    “Human smuggling is an incredibly dangerous enterprise, and it requires the trafficker to care absolutely nothing about the lives and safety of those they transport,” said Ganjei. “Fortunately, there were no deaths in this case, but the underlying facts indicate that several of those transported had difficulty breathing and feared for their life. The Southern District of Texas will make sure that all human smugglers pay a serious price for their callousness.”

    On Dec. 2, 2024, law enforcement observed several individuals being loading into a white trailer in a warehouse parking lot. Aguirre was the driver of the truck hauling it. After he departed the location, authorities conducted a traffic stop which resulted in the discovery of 101 aliens locked inside the trailer, 13 of whom were children as young as 13 years old.

    Multiple illegal aliens reported they had difficulty breathing and feared for their life due to the conditions in the trailer. They were from the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba and Honduras.

    Aguirre will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety and Border Patrol conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection, Drug Enforcement Administration and Webb County Sheriff’s Office. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Scott Bowling is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jonesboro Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine

    Source: US FBI

          JONESBORO—Thomas Demetrius Williams, a multi-convicted felon, will spend the next 216 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on Monday, July 21, 2025, by United States District Judge D. P. Marshall Jr.

          On April 29, 2024, Williams, 41, of Jonesboro, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Judge Marshall also sentenced Williams to five years’ supervised release. Williams was indicted on April 2, 2024, in a second superseding indictment, on two counts of felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

          On October 12, 2021, law enforcement officers received information that Williams was in possession of a large amount of methamphetamine. An investigation revealed that Williams was on parole with an active search waiver on file. As law enforcement officers approached Williams’ residence he shared with his girlfriend to conduct a parole search, they observed three vehicles in the driveway. While at the residence, law enforcement officers observed the girlfriend and a small child in the grey vehicle in the driveway. The girlfriend stated the vehicle belonged to Williams. At that time, law enforcement officers circled the block and when they arrived back at Williams’ residence, they observed the white vehicle that had previously been in the driveway was no longer there.

          During a parole search of Williams’ residence, law enforcement officers located a debit card in Williams’ name. While awaiting the arrival of a canine officer, Williams was observed driving by his residence in the white vehicle. Not long afterwards, Williams stopped his vehicle and made contact with the law enforcement officers at his residence. Upon arrival of the canine officer, it was deployed to search the area. The canine officer alerted to the presence of narcotics in the grey vehicle. Law enforcement officers searched the grey vehicle and located the bag the girlfriend had been carrying. During a search of the bag, it was revealed to contain 730.4 grams of pure methamphetamine, 299.5 grams of marijuana, 19.7651 grams of ecstasy pills, 4.7289 grams of oxycodone pills, $1,999 in cash, and a stolen Ruger, LCP .380 firearm.

          Williams was sentenced as a Career Offender on the drug conviction due to his criminal history that includes aggravated assault, three domestic battery convictions, a terroristic threatening conviction, three serious drug convictions, drug trafficking convictions, and felon in possession of firearm convictions. There is no parole in the federal system.

          This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

          The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin O’Leary.

    # # #

    Additional information about the office of the

    United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at

    https://www.justice.gov/edar

    X (formerly known as Twitter):

    @USAO_EDAR 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Madera, California, School Executive Charged with Stealing Federal Funds From Charter School for Disadvantaged K–8th Graders

    Source: US FBI

    On July 17, 2025, a federal grand jury returned a sealed indictment charging Nicholas M. Retana, 67, of Madera, with one count of embezzling money from a program that received federal funding, Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez announced.

    On Monday the indictment was unsealed and Retana was arraigned.

    According to court documents, Retana was the founder and executive director of a kindergarten through 8th grade charter school in Madera County until early 2020. As executive director, Retana used school funds on improper personal expenses for himself, his family, and associates. He concealed the misused funds by mislabeling the expenses in school accounting records and misrepresenting the expenses when asked. For example, Retana purchased new Ford F-150 Raptor pickup trucks for his two sons using school funds. He also had a personal relationship with a self-proclaimed sex worker turned relationship coach whom he paid $12,000 using school funds.

    This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey A. Spivak and Cody S. Chapple are prosecuting the case.

    If convicted, Retana faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    MIL Security OSI –