Category: housing

MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Cuellar Votes NO on Partisan Budget Bill

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28)

Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), voted against the partisan budget bill, expressing concern that the legislation would raise costs for working families and make deep cuts to essential programs – including Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which includes school meals, and health coverage for millions of Americans.

“I voted against this bill because I believe it would harm families in my district,” said Rep. Cuellar. “No fiscally responsible budget adds $3.8 trillion to the national debt. That’s just not sustainable. I’ve supported responsible tax cuts in the past to help working families and small businesses. But that’s not what this bill does. It shifts the burden onto families who are just trying to get ahead while giving the biggest breaks to those who need them the least.”

Rep. Cuellar continued: “According to estimates, more than 43,000 people in my district could lose their health coverage – 34,000 through the Affordable Care Act and another 9,000 through Medicaid. Similarly, over 3.4 million Texans rely on SNAP to put food on the table. With 17% of Texas households already facing food insecurity, we can’t afford to cut back on school meals or nutrition assistance.

“These aren’t just numbers – they represent families, children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities who rely on these programs to get by. This is in addition to new tariffs driving up prices on groceries, clothing, home goods, and essential supplies families rely on every day.”

Rep. Cuellar also raised concerns about the process used to draft and pass the legislation. “They held the final committee hearing at one o’clock in the morning,” he added. “The final version of the bill was over a thousand pages long, and members had just a few hours to review it – with amendments still being written late into the night. That kind of rushed process limits accountability and makes it harder to ensure the final product works for the folks we represent.”

The bill is projected to raise taxes on low-income households, reduce Medicaid and SNAP funding by hundreds of billions of dollars, and remove key protections that help patients afford care. It would also limit states’ ability to respond to health emergencies and reduce provider funding that rural hospitals, nursing homes, and community clinics rely on to stay open.

“This bill doesn’t reflect the values of Texas or the needs of working families,” Rep. Cuellar concluded. “People in South Texas aren’t asking for special treatment, just a fair shot. That means protecting health care, investing in kids, and making sure tax policy is responsible and balanced.”

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El diputado Cuellar vota NO al proyecto de presupuesto partidista

Washington, D.C. – Hoy, el congresista Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), votó en contra del proyecto de presupuesto partidista, expresando su preocupación de que la legislación aumentaría los costos para las familias trabajadoras y haría profundos recortes a programas esenciales – incluyendo Medicaid, el Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP), que incluye comidas escolares, y la cobertura de salud para millones de estadounidenses.

“Voté en contra de este proyecto de ley porque creo que perjudicaría a las familias de mi distrito”, dijo el representante Cuellar. “Ningún presupuesto fiscalmente responsable añade 3,8 billones de dólares a la deuda nacional. Eso no es sostenible. He apoyado recortes de impuestos responsables en el pasado para ayudar a las familias trabajadoras y las pequeñas empresas. Pero eso no es lo que hace este proyecto de ley. Transfiere la carga a las familias que sólo intentan salir adelante, mientras que da las mayores exenciones a quienes menos las necesitan.”

El diputado Cuéllar continuó “Según las estimaciones, más de 43.000 personas en mi distrito podrían perder su cobertura de salud – 34.000 a través de la Ley de Asistencia Asequible y otros 9.000 a través de Medicaid. Del mismo modo, más de 3,4 millones de tejanos dependen de SNAP para poner comida en la mesa. Con el 17% de los hogares de Texas ya se enfrentan a la inseguridad alimentaria, no podemos darnos el lujo de recortar en las comidas escolares o asistencia nutricional.”

“No son sólo números: son familias, niños, ancianos y personas con discapacidad que dependen de estos programas para salir adelante. Esto se suma a los nuevos aranceles que hacen subir los precios de los comestibles, la ropa, los artículos para el hogar y los suministros esenciales de los que dependen las familias cada día.”

El representante Cuellar también expresó su preocupación por el proceso utilizado para redactar y aprobar la legislación. “Celebraron la audiencia final del comité a la una de la madrugada”, añadió. “La versión final del proyecto de ley tenía más de mil páginas, y los miembros tuvieron sólo unas pocas horas para revisarlo, con enmiendas que se seguían escribiendo hasta altas horas de la noche. Ese tipo de proceso apresurado limita la responsabilidad y hace más difícil garantizar que el producto final funcione para la gente a la que representamos.”

El proyecto de ley aumentaría los impuestos a las familias con rentas bajas, reduciría la financiación de Medicaid y SNAP en cientos de miles de millones de dólares y eliminaría protecciones clave que ayudan a los pacientes a costearse la atención sanitaria. También limitaría la capacidad de los estados para responder a emergencias sanitarias y reduciría la financiación de proveedores de la que dependen hospitales rurales, residencias de ancianos y clínicas comunitarias para permanecer abiertos.

“Este proyecto de ley no refleja los valores de Texas ni las necesidades de las familias trabajadoras”, concluyó el diputado Cuéllar. “La gente del sur de Texas no está pidiendo un trato especial, sólo una oportunidad justa. Eso significa proteger la asistencia sanitaria, invertir en los niños, y asegurarse de que la política fiscal es responsable y equilibrada.”

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MIL OSI USA News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Speaker Johnson: The President is waiting with his pen. And the American people are waiting for relief.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — Ahead of passage, Speaker Johnson delivered the closing argument for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on the House floor this morning, arguing for its swift passage and immediate consideration by the U.S. Senate.

Click here to watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks

Below are Speaker Johnson’s remarks as delivered:

After a long week and a long night and countless hours of work over the past year, a lot of prayer and a lot of teamwork, my friends, it quite literally is again Morning in America, isn’t it? And after four long years of President Biden’s failures, President Trump’s America First agenda is finally here, and we are advancing that today.

What we’re going to do here this morning is truly historic, and it will make all the difference in the daily lives of hard-working Americans. The Dallas waitress pulling overtime, the Detroit mom counting bills late at night, the Kentucky coal miner waiting on his second chance. These are the forgotten men and women of our country that we are all called here to serve, and the One Big Beautiful Bill will deliver for those people.

It revives our economy. It will deliver historic tax relief. It will make the largest investment in our border security in a generation. It will unleash affordable American energy again, restore common sense to government, secure generational savings and strengthen our national defense, while it also strengthens our essential programs like Medicaid for the people who need it the most. That’s what we’re doing with the One Big Beautiful Bill.

To put it simply, this bill gets Americans back to winning again, and it’s been a long time coming. This One Big Beautiful Bill is the most consequential legislation that any party has ever passed, certainly under a majority this thin. Legislation of this magnitude is truly nation shaping and life changing. It’s the kind of transformational change that future generations will study one day.

They’ll look back at this day as a turning point in American history, and it’s exactly what we were sent here to do. Let the record show that when the House Democrats vote in a few moments, this is what they’ll be voting for. Their vote will show that they are apparently for the largest tax increase in the history of our country. They will be voting for when they vote against this bill, waste, fraud, and abuse. They will be voting against safer communities, American energy dominance and American strength on the world stage.

Today wouldn’t be possible without the leadership of arguably the most powerful and the most successful and the most respected president in the modern era of the United States. Our Democratic colleagues mock the objective truth. We were delivered unified government, my friends, in November, the White House, the Senate and the House were delivered to the party on this side of the aisle. So you can laugh all you want.

None of this would be possible without the leadership of the 45th and the 47th president of the United States, Donald J. Trump, and it would not be possible without the really hard work of the men and women on this side of the aisle.

I just want to name our chairman of their House committees that produced and did all the hard work to produce the big, beautiful bill. Scripture says we give honor where honor is due, Mr. Leader, and we’re going to do that here quickly: Chairman G.T. Thompson of the Agriculture Committee, Chairman Mike Rogers of the Armed Services Committee, Chairman Jodey Arrington of the Budget Committee, Chairman Tim Walberg, Education and Workforce Committee, Chairman Brett Guthrie, Energy and Commerce Committee, Chairman French Hill, Financial Services Committee, Chairman Mark Green, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, Judiciary Committee, Chairman Bruce Westerman, House Natural Resources Committee, Chairman James Comer Oversight and Accountability Committee, Chairman Sam Graves, Transportation and Infrastructure, Chairman Jason Smith, Ways and Means Committee, and I want to make special mention of Chairwoman Virginia Foxx of the Rules Committee, who, by my count, sat in that chair and led that Rules Committee for almost seemed like two straight days. And I think she took two short breaks. She’s the “iron lady of the House,” and I’m so grateful for all their hard work.

The beauty of what we produce with the One Big Beautiful Bill over here is that this was a team effort. This was men and women who were elected to come here, the duly elected representatives of the people back home. They rolled up their sleeves. They got down in the trenches. We began this effort over a year ago.

It was actually March of last year, because we anticipated, and we believed, that we would be delivered unified government, that we would have a Republican leader in the White House, Donald J. Trump, that we would have the Senate and the house, and that we would have that moment of opportunity. And so, we planned, and we worked, and we locked arms together as a team, and we have delivered this against all odds.

The media has tried to divide us. They’ve written our eulogy about 10 times, and you know what? Sometimes it’s good to be underestimated, isn’t it? But we got this done, and I’m so proud of the work of every member of this House Republican Conference who worked in their committees. Every single member had a say in this, every single constituent, the millions of people that are represented here, have their voices and their interests reflected, because we did this together as a team, and it’s quite an achievement.

I just want to say that all that tireless work has led to the hard work of crafting this legislation, and we’ve been ready since day one to deliver on this agenda. Unified control of government is a rare mandate. It doesn’t happen very often. It’s happened just three times for our party in the last half century. We do not take it for granted, and we are delivering on that mandate here today.

The American people gave us a mandate in November. They sent a message with their vote. They gave this side of the aisle the power, and we’re going to use it to make their lives better. What we’re achieving here today is nothing short of historic, and that’s true. House Republicans are getting it done again.

In the Republican Party, see, we believe in a simple principle. We believe that America really is a shining city on a hill. Ronald Reagan used to talk about that, he was referencing Scripture. He understood that America is exceptional. He understood that, as it says right there above the Speaker’s rostrum, our national motto, that we trust in God, in God is our trust. These are the things that make our nation exceptional, and the people of our country, they deserve, they deserve better.

We’ve been working hard to deliver so that the people of our country see this again as a shining city on a hill, and that people around the world see us for who we should be. One thing that we can all agree on, on both sides of the aisle, is that a strong America is good for everybody, all around the world. All of us together, regardless of party, were called here to stand together and defend those freedoms and to defend those foundations that made us the greatest nation in the history of the world. All of us have to look and recognize that the shine has not been on that city in a while. We’re here to restore it, and this piece of legislation, as large as it is and historic as it is, will do that very thing.

Now look, we’re accomplishing a big thing here today, but we know this isn’t the end of the road just yet. We’ve been working closely with Leader Thune and our Senate colleagues, the Senate Republicans, to get this done and delivered to the President’s desk by our Independence Day, that’s July 4.

Today proves that we can do that, and we will do that. And it doesn’t matter how much the media doubts this, or how much the Democrats, you know, give us their narratives. Doesn’t matter how long the speeches are. It doesn’t change the facts; we’re delivering, and we’re doing it in a big way.

So, to our friends in the Senate, I would just say, the President is waiting with his pen. The American people are waiting for this relief. They are waiting for these life changing results, and we are going to finish this job. This is a historic moment that we will be talking to our children and our grandchildren about, and everyone will remember America’s back. I yield back.

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MIL OSI USA News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: House Republicans Pass President Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ – U.S. Representative Barry Loudermilk

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)

Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) issued the following statement on the House of Representatives passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.

“Today, my Republican colleagues and I passed President Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill Act — a historic win for the American people. An extensive amount of work went into this legislation, which will extend tax cuts for hard-working Americans, unleash American energy stifled by the Democrats’ Green New scam, and provide much-needed support for our brave Border Patrol agents. This bill also gives the administration the tools to investigate, expose and cut fraud, waste, and abuse within federal government agencies, while protecting the core services that many Americans rely upon.

“This is an historic bill aimed at delivering on the mandate the American people gave us in November. Republicans have ensured that Americans can keep more of what they earn, and pay lower prices for food and gas, as a result of our pro-energy approach. Americans can also expect a return to a safer nation, as we equip Border Patrol and Homeland Security with the tools needed to expel foreign terrorists and criminals — and to keep them from returning. The Big, Beautiful Bill is the pro-family, pro-America policy needed to restore American excellence at home and abroad.”

Background

Border Security

• Provides funding for 10,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel.
• Provides funding for detention capacity sufficient to maintain an average daily population of at least 100,000 aliens.
• Provides funding for at least one million annual removals.
• Introduces a new series of fees that provide funding and resources to various agencies.
• Funds the hiring of 10,000 new ICE agents and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) criminal investigators
• Codifies permanent fees for immigration services, to ensure cost recovery and reduce the federal deficit.

• Provides $12 billion to reimburse states for actions taken to deter, mitigate, or prevent unlawful or illicit activities related to border security.

Permanent Extension of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

• Makes the 2017 Trump-era tax cuts permanent – protecting the average taxpayer from a 22 percent tax hike.
• Saves the average American family $1,700 – the equivalent of 9 weeks of groceries.
• Increases real annual take-home pay for a median-income household with two children by roughly $4,000 to $5,000.
• Raises annual real wages by $2,100 to $3,300 per worker.
• Delivers on President Trump’s priorities of no tax on tips, overtime pay, or car loan interest, and provides additional tax relief for our seniors.

• Repeals the requirement for firearm silencers and takes the manufacturer tax on silencers to $0
• Locks in and boosts the doubled Child Tax Credit for more than 40 million families, and provides additional tax relief for American families.
• Supports working families by expanding access to childcare and making the paid leave tax credit permanent.
• Puts American families in control of their health care by expanding health savings accounts and cementing into law a Trump Administration policy that offers more choice and flexibility for health coverage options.
• Starts building financial security for America’s children, at birth, with the creation of new savings accounts.

Unleashes American Energy

• Reinstates quarterly onshore oil and gas lease sales, generating $12 billion in revenue.
• Mandates at least thirty lease sales in the Gulf of America over the next fifteen years, and six in the Cook Inlet, generating billions of dollars in new revenue.
• Returns to reasonable oil and natural gas royalty rates.
• Requires geothermal lease sales, generating $23 million in new revenue.
• Resumes leasing for energy production in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, generating over $1 billion in new revenue and savings.
• Resumes coal leasing on federal lands.
• Increases timber sales on federal lands and requires long-term timber contracts.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Mike Levin Slams Passage of GOP’s “Big Ugly Bill”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

May 22, 2025

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) released the following statement after voting against the so-called “Big Ugly Bill” being pushed by House Republicans and the Trump Administration:

“I voted no because this bill is a disaster for working families. It would rip health care away from 14 million Americans—including over 25,000 in my district—by slashing Medicaid and imposing harsh work requirements. It would take food assistance away from up to 10 million Americans. It would drive up household energy bills, even as nearly 80 million Americans already struggle to pay for utilities.

“And what’s all this pain for? To pay for giant tax breaks for billionaires like Elon Musk. Meanwhile, the rest of us will be left with a $3.8 trillion increase in the national debt, triggering deep, automatic cuts to Medicare and other vital programs.

“President Trump and Speaker Johnson are once again putting billionaire donors ahead of everyday Americans—at the direct expense of children, seniors, veterans, and working families.

“This fight is far from over. The bill still has to pass the Senate, and it’s likely to come back to the House. I urge the Senate to reject this cruel, backward legislation and stand up for the people we’re here to serve.”

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MIL OSI USA News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI: Brag House, Florida Gators Athletics, and Learfield Successfully Launch Inaugural Brag Gators Gauntlet at University of Florida

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brag House Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBH), the Gen Z engagement platform at the intersection of gaming, college sports, and digital media, announced the successful launch of the inaugural Brag Gators Gauntlet series. The first activation of this series, in partnership with Florida Gators Athletics and Learfield’s Florida Gators Sports Properties, took place online on Saturday, May 17, 2025, ahead of the Gators’ 9–3 college baseball victory over Alabama at Condron Family Ballpark.

The Brag Gators Gauntlet: Baseball Edition featured a Fortnite (private lobbies, no-build) solos tournament and a baseball-inspired scoring format. Open to current students and alumni of both the University of Florida and the University of Alabama, the activation served as a digital gaming tailgate leading into the Florida–Alabama baseball game. The activation, which had capacity for 100 competitors, received nearly 300 gamer registrations ranging from freshman to alumni.

“It was exciting to see so many UF students and alumni participate,” said Lavell Juan Malloy II, CEO and Co-Founder of Brag House. “The activation created a gamified digital tailgate, where they came together around school pride and competition in a Fortnite tournament designed with baseball-themed rules. It added a new layer to game day, especially as the Gators took the series with a commanding 9–3 win.”

Michael Yencik, a third-year student at University of Florida on a pre-med track studying nutritional sciences, was crowned champion of the Brag Gators Gauntlet: Baseball Edition. Competing under the gamertag MrGittyGut, Yencik secured the top spot after consistently high placements across all heats and a standout performance in the final heat. “It was a surreal experience,” said MrGittyGut, when asked about this activation and how it ties into the Gators spirit and college baseball. He added “Gators all the way! We’ve had an unbelievable season, from playing well in football to a National Championship in Basketball. You can’t go wrong with the Gators no matter what.”

The Gauntlet series also reflects Brag House’s broader strategy of integrating Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, loyalty-driven engagement, and scalable digital experiences tailored to Gen Z audiences. This first activation at the University of Florida is what Brag House envisions as the first step in a larger series of campus experiences being planned in collaboration with Learfield, with more activations in the series being planned for select universities across the country in 2025.

“This is the foundation of a broader initiative,” said Lavell Juan Malloy II, CEO and Co-Founder of Brag House. “By merging college sports with interactive digital gaming formats, we’re building a new layer of fan engagement that serves students, alumni, schools, and brand partners alike.”

About Brag House

Brag House is a leading media technology gaming platform dedicated to transforming casual college gaming into a vibrant, community-driven experience. By seamlessly merging gaming, social interaction, and cutting-edge technology, the Company provides an inclusive and engaging environment for casual gamers while enabling brands to authentically connect with the influential Gen Z demographic. The platform offers live-streaming capabilities, gamification features, and custom tournament services, fostering meaningful engagement between users and brands. For more information, please visit www.braghouse.com.

About Learfield

Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the execution and prospects of the Brag Gators Gauntlet and Brag House’s and Learfield’s plan to expand the Brag Gauntlet model. For a full discussion of these risks, please refer to Brag House’s SEC filings.

Media Contact:
Fatema Bhabrawala
Director of Media Relations
fbhabrawala@allianceadvisors.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Adele Carey
VP, Investor Relations
ir@thebraghouse.com

The MIL Network –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove Statement on House Passage of Republicans’ Big Backstabbing Bill

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) released the following statement after House passage of the Republican reconciliation bill:

“House Republicans just sold out their constituents to the highest bidders: Donald Trump and his billionaire boys club. Debated and brought to the House Floor in the dead of night, they passed a monstrosity of a bill that strips millions of Americans of their healthcare, food assistance, housing, and more.

“Never before has it been clearer that Donald Trump and the Republican Party have completely abandoned seniors and working families. Trump’s reckless tariffs have already inflated the prices of everyday essentials like groceries and clothing. Now, they are gutting the very safety net programs that keep Americans alive—all to fund tax breaks for billionaires like Elon Musk. Meanwhile, Moody’s just downgraded the U.S. credit outlook, which will drive up interest rates, loans, and household debt.

“The American people are suffering, and Donald Trump is to blame–along with every spineless Republican who refuses to stand up for their constituents. I am urging my Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle to put the needs of their constituents first and vote against this Big Backstabbing Bill. Millions of lives are at stake.”

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MIL OSI USA News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Malliotakis Celebrates House Passage of One Big Beautiful Bill
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)

Legislation Builds on 2017 Tax Cuts, Delivers Border Security and Energy Independence for American Families
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis released the following statement after the House passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill calling it “a big win for hardworking taxpayers.”

“Today marks a historic victory for Staten Islanders, Brooklynites, and families across the nation who have been calling for tax relief. Our legislation builds on the success of President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts by making those tax provisions permanent, while delivering additional tax relief for senior citizens, increasing the SALT and Standard Deductions, and expanding the Child Tax Credit to ensure hardworking Americans keep more of their hard-earned money.

We also included key provisions to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicaid program so tax dollars go to protect our seniors, disabled, and the most vulnerable citizens who rely on it. We also strengthen our national security, fund border barriers and the deportation of criminals, and boost domestic energy production. The Senate must now act without delay as failure to do so would let key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expire, leading to a $4 trillion tax hike on American families and businesses. It’s time to deliver real results and tax relief and fulfill our commitments to America.”

WATCH MALLIOTAKIS’ REMARKS HERE

Highlights of the House Passed “One, Big, Beautiful Bill”

Increases SALT & Standard Deductions:
- Quadruples the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction to $40,000 and raises the Standard Deduction to $16,300 for individuals and $32,600 for married couples building on the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which originally doubled the standard deduction.
Tax Relief for Seniors:
- Includes a provision mirroring Malliotakis’ legislation to provide a bonus deduction for seniors on Social Security—$4,000 for individuals earning up to $75,000 and $8,000 for married couples earning up to $150,000.
Tax Relief for Working & Middle Class Families:
- Fulfills President Trump’s commitment to eliminate taxes on tips and overtime, stops the return of the Alternative Minimum Tax that crushed middle-income families, makes the 2017 tax cuts permanent, and allows Americans to fully deduct auto loan interest on American-made vehicles.
- The Big Beautiful Bill also makes adoption tax credits more accessible, expands 529 education savings accounts, supports scholarships and school choice, expands the Child Tax Credit to $2,500, and improves access to child care. Malliotakis’ legislation to extend tax-free employer reimbursement for students and college graduates is also included.
Protecting & Strengthening Medicaid:
- Safeguards New York’s most vulnerable Medicaid population by preserving the 50% federal reimbursement match, prevents illegal immigrants from receiving Medicaid benefits, eliminates PBM’s abusive use of spread pricing in Medicaid, and cracks down on fraudsters by targeting waste, fraud, and abuse.
Keeps Our Borders Secure:
- Provides funding for the detention and deportation of criminal illegal immigrants, hiring of 10,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, enforcement of the Remain in Mexico policy and construction of new border barriers.
Revolutionizes Our National Security:
- $12.5 billion to modernize our air traffic control system at Newark Airport and other facilities, funding for the Golden Dome to help protect our homeland, investments in American shipbuilding to strengthen our naval fleet, and upgrades to our military to meet 21st-century threats.
Unleashes American Energy:

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MIL OSI USA News –
May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Three Students Earn National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships

Source: US State of Connecticut

Three students with ties to the University of Connecticut have recently earned National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships (NSF-GRFP). The trio includes one current graduate student and two recent alumni, one of whom is currently enrolled in UConn’s Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates Program (RaMP).

The oldest graduate fellowship of its kind, the NSF-GRFP was first awarded in 1952. The program recognizes and supports outstanding students in NSF-supported disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited institutions in the United States. In addition to a three-year annual stipend of $37,000, plus another $16,000 paid to the student’s home institution, fellows have access to a wide range of professional development opportunities over the course of their graduate careers.

The Graduate Research Fellowships, always highly competitive, became even more so this year as the NSF drastically reduced the number of fellowships it awarded. Over the past decade, the NSF awarded approximately 2,100 fellowships per year out of an annual pool of nearly 14,000 applications – an acceptance rate of about 15%. In 2025, the NSF awarded just 1,000 fellowships.

“Nearly three quarters of a century after its creation, the NSF-GRFP remains the gold standard of graduate fellowships supporting advanced study in STEM disciplines,” says Vin Moscardelli, director of UConn’s Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships. “Fellows are recognized not only for their academic and scholarly promise but for their demonstrated commitment to making an impact beyond their research endeavors. Earning an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship this year – when the total number of awards was reduced by more than half – is a testament to the remarkable promise shown by all three of these future scientists.”

UConn’s 13 combined recipients in 2024 and 2025 lead all New England public universities. The school also had three undergraduate students, four graduate students, and nine recent alumni who earned Honorable Mention in this cycle.

UConn’s most recent National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship awardees Savanna Brown and Hailey Baranowski along with their faculty mentor ecology and evolutionary biology professor Elizabeth Jockusch. (Contributed photo)

The two students currently at UConn are:

Hailey Baranowski ’24 (CAHNR, CLAS) was a member of the RaMP program and worked in the lab of ecology and evolutionary biology professor Elizabeth Jockusch. There they researched the developmental and morphological function of novel genes in red flour beetles.

Baranowski will begin doctoral studies at the University of Illinois this fall and will continue research on bee health while pursuing a doctorate in entomology.

“Bees are vital to food security and the beauty of our world,” says Baranowski. “This fellowship allows me to pursue the questions that need to be answered to help save them and us.

“The support I received from my connections at UConn made this possible. As an undergraduate, I completed my first research project using a SURF grant from the Office of Undergraduate Research and worked with a wide variety of faculty and external collaborators who have continued to support me beyond graduation.”

Savanna Brown is a second-year graduate student in ecology and evolutionary biology and is also mentored by Jockusch. Her research focuses on treehoppers and leafhoppers – a group of charismatic and morphologically captivating insects that thrive in nearly every corner of the world.

“Being awarded the NSF-GRFP is an incredible honor, especially during a time when the value of science and our work at research institutions is doubted by many,” says Brown. “As a first-generation college student who has faced significant obstacles in my journey through academia, I feel profoundly grateful that this fellowship recognizes me not only for the value of my research, but more holistically as a human whose contributions to the scientific community go beyond intellectual merit alone.”

Jockush, who is currently department head in ecology and evolutionary biology, described Baranowski and Brown as “a dynamic duo in the lab this year.”

“Savanna is intellectually voracious. She is also a keen observer, self-starter and quick learner who embraces opportunities to be mentored and to serve as a mentor,” says Jockush. “I’m sure I have already learned as much from Savanna as she has from me. Savanna would probably say the same about Hailey, whom she mentors.

“Little about Hailey’s UConn journey has been predictable. She’s been a beekeeper, a student farmer, and a host of a WHUS radio show ‘the Hive,’ which features fun facts about bees along with music. Hailey’s outsized enthusiasm for bees, along with their seemingly effortless ability to connect with people, makes them the glue of multiple communities, including this year’s post-baccalaureate research cohort.

“In different ways, Savanna and Hailey have both earned this honor and the freedom it brings to pursue their curiosity.”

In addition to Baranowski and Brown, Abigail Yu ’20 (CLAS), who earned her undergraduate degree in physiology and neurobiology, also received an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. She is currently a graduate student at UCLA in the school’s interdepartmental doctorate program for neuroscience.

The Office of National Scholarships & Fellowships (ONSF) is a resource for students interested in learning more about the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and other prestigious scholarships and fellowships that support graduate study in all fields. ONSF is part of Enrichment Programs and is open to all graduate and undergraduate students at the University, including students at the regional campuses. For more information contact Vin Moscardelli, Director of UConn’s Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Shaping Students’ Education, One Clinical Instruction at a Time

Source: US State of Connecticut

On May 13, 2025, UConn School of Nursing clinical instructors came together to celebrate the conclusion of the 24-25 academic year and all their hard work.

About 50 clinical instructors from both pre-licensure programs – traditional four-year Baccalaureate program (B.S.) and Accelerated Second-Degree Certificate Entry into Nursing/BS program (CEIN/B.S.) – attended the event.

Karen Stevens, pre-licensure clinical placement assistant, with Jonathan XV at the clinical instructor appreciation event on May 13, 2025. (Coral Aponte / UConn Photo)

Before the celebration, instructors took part in a mini retreat led by Prelicensure Program Director Jean Coffey, Ph.D., APRN, CPNP, FAAN, and Assistant Director Elizabeth Mayerson, DNP, FNP-BC, CNE.

The retreat “provided an opportunity for collaboration and idea-sharing on how best to support students during clinical placements,” said Aime Liggett, pre-licensure clinical placement assistant.

Tina Huey, associate director of faculty development at the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, spoke on how to give verbal and written feedback to students. Other topics included post clinical conference ideas and clinical role-playing exercises.

Following the mini retreat was the appreciation event. Everyone gathered on Storrs Hall Terrace for food, laughter, conversation, and a visit with Jonathan XV.

“It was a meaningful way to express gratitude for our clinical instructors and recognize all of their hard work and the critical role they play in shaping our students’ education,” said Liggett.

Preparing The Next Generation

Clinical instruction is crucial in shaping a nurse’s education. For undergraduates, the last four semesters are dedicated to small-group clinical experiences in a variety of settings. This is where students take what they have learned and apply it in the real world.

The Accelerated Second Degree, CEIN/B.S. program, is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree and are interested in pursuing a career in nursing. For this program, students are required to complete a series of clinical learning experiences to successfully meet the learning outcomes of their program of study.

The School of Nursing is affiliated with about 70 health care agencies. These include hospitals, schools, day care centers, housing for the elderly, extended care facilities, community health agencies, ambulatory centers, and clinics. In addition to spending time with patients in the clinical setting, time is devoted to conferences with instructors and peers to discuss patient care experiences.

Between the two programs, the school had 123 clinical instructors for the 24-25 school year.

Dawn Sarage, MSN, RN, CNL, CMSRN, CHSE. (Contributed Photo)

Dawn Sarage, MSN, RN, CNL, CMSRN, CHSE, is one of those instructors, serving as both a simulation facilitator and the lead didactic instructor for an adult medical-surgical nursing course.

Sarage understands the importance of her role and knows how vital it is to prepare the next generation of nurses.

“I became a clinical instructor because I wanted to help students smoothly transition from school to practice,” she said. “My own transition into nursing was difficult. I often felt unprepared and unsure of myself, despite doing well in school. That experience drives me to create learning environments where students can build confidence, apply their knowledge, and feel supported as they grow.”

Having a dual role in simulation and a classroom setting, allows her to connect with her students on a deeper level. In simulation, the smaller groups give her the opportunity to observe her students more closely providing them with constructive feedback and support tailored specifically to them.

When recalling something she loves about being a clinical instructor she mentioned being able to see the “aha” moments when a student suddenly understands a concept.

“Knowing that something I explained helped something click for them is one of the most gratifying parts of this role,” Sarage remarked.

Having such a strong impact on student nurses’ learning experience, the appreciation event is meant to highlight and congratulate those, like Sarage, who are a part of that clinical instructor team.

“It was an honor to be recognized, and I truly appreciated it. But more than that, I saw it as an opportunity to express gratitude for the many other clinical instructors I work with in my lead instructor role,” said Sarage.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI: Drones Used for Power Line Inspection Industry Exploding, Expected to Reach $323 Billion By 2032

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

PALM BEACH, Fla., May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The Global Drone Power Line Inspection Market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. A report from Wise Guy Reports projected that the Drone Power Line Inspection Market Industry is expected to grow from 26.66(USD Billion) in 2024 to 323.8 (USD Billion) by 2032. The Drone Power Line Inspection Market CAGR (growth rate) is expected to be around 36.63% during the forecast period (2025 – 2032). The report said: “Key market drivers propelling the growth of the drone power line inspection market include increasing demand for reliable and efficient power transmission and distribution, rising emphasis on safety and regulatory compliance, and technological advancements in drone technology. Moreover, government initiatives and support for drone-based inspections and the growing need for remote inspection solutions amidst challenging terrains and weather conditions further contribute to the market expansion. Opportunities for exploration and capture reside in the integration of AI and machine learning capabilities into drones, enabling more accurate and efficient inspection processes. Additionally, the development of autonomous drones with advanced navigation and obstacle avoidance systems holds significant potential for reducing inspection time and costs. Recent trends in the drone power line inspection market revolve around the adoption of multi-rotor drones for enhanced stability and maneuverability. Furthermore, the integration of advanced sensors, such as thermal imaging and high resolution cameras, provides detailed and comprehensive inspection results. The use of drone-mounted LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) systems is also gaining traction, offering precise measurements and 3D mapping capabilities, allowing for thorough and reliable assessments of power lines.” Active Companies in the markets today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH).

Wise Guy Reports continued: “Stringent government regulations and safety standards are also driving the growth of the Global Drone Power Line Inspection Market Industry. In many countries, regular inspections of power lines are mandatory to ensure the safety and reliability of the power grid. Traditional inspection methods, such as manual inspections or the use of helicopters, can be time-consuming, expensive, and hazardous. Drones provide a safer and more efficient alternative, enabling utilities to comply with regulatory requirements while reducing the risk to human inspectors.” It concluded: “Major players in Drone Power Line Inspection Market industry are continuously striving to gain a competitive edge by developing innovative and cost-effective solutions. Leading Drone Power Line Inspection Market players are investing in research and development to improve the capabilities of their drones and enhance the efficiency of their inspection services. The Drone Power Line Inspection Market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period, owing to the growing demand for drones for power line inspection tasks. Technological advancements and the increasing adoption of drones for various applications are driving the growth of the Drone Power Line Inspection Market. Partnerships and collaborations among market participants are also contributing to the development of the Drone Power Line Inspection Market Competitive Landscape.”

ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) National Drone as a Service (DaaS) Grows Through Closing a Fifth Acquisition, Adding Powerline Inspection Capabilities – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), Enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, today announces the closing of its fifth US acquisition as part of its national DaaS rollout. The acquisition of Laventure & Associates, Inc. boosts in-house expertise to service the fast-growing powerline inspection market. The Fort Pierce, Florida land surveying, mapping, and services firm with more than two decades of experience brings a strong portfolio of repeat customers, including for multi-year power line inspections. It further enhances the services capabilities of ZenaTech’s DaaS business and provides operational synergies with other recent Florida acquisitions, further solidifying a strategic foothold in the state.

“Laventure & Associates is an important addition that will leverage new capabilities for AI drones to conduct powerline inspections, potentially adding to our overall DaaS services portfolio future growth. This marks our fifth US acquisition to date, demonstrating steady progress toward acquiring and integrating up to 20 additional companies and new services growth over the next 12 months,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

The global drone power line inspection market was valued at approximately USD 26.66 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 323.8 billion by 2032, exhibiting a remarkable CAGR of 36.63% during the forecast period, according to market research company WiseGuy Reports.

Powerline inspections are important in assessing transmission infrastructure for damage, wear, or vegetation interference to ensure safety and reliability. Traditionally performed by ground crews or helicopters, these inspections are often slow, costly, and hazardous. ZenaTech plans to combine industry land survey and inspections expertise with advanced drone capabilities to deliver faster, safer, and more precise inspections, helping power companies reduce downtime, improve maintenance, and streamline operations.

ZenaTech’s DaaS business will incorporate the ZenaDrone 1000 and the IQ series of multifunction autonomous drones to provide a variety of solutions from land surveys and power line inspections to power washing and bar code scanning inventory management automation, made accessible and cost effective through an Uber-like business model paid for on a regular subscription or pay-per-use basis. Customers can conveniently access drones for eliminating manual or time-consuming tasks and achieving superior results.

The DaaS business model offers customers reduced upfront costs and convenience ─ there is no need to purchase drone hardware and software, find a drone pilot, manage maintenance and operation, or acquire regulatory approvals. The model also offers scalability to use more often or less often based on business needs. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

In Additional ZENA News: ZenaTech’s (NASDAQ:ZENA) Advances Its US Southeast DaaS Business with a Bolt-On Land Survey Company Acquisition Offer – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, announced it has extended an offer to acquire a well-established Florida land survey engineering firm that could serve as a bolt-on to another recently acquired land survey company. The acquisition would strengthen ZenaTech’s Drone as a Service presence in the high-growth Florida market and would be the fourth acquisition in the Southeast region and the fifth acquisition nationally.

“This target acquisition will strengthen our regional Florida coverage by delivering faster and more precise drone-powered surveys to construction, real estate and government customers, while accelerating our broader US DaaS rollout,“ said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., CEO of ZenaTech. “With the global drone survey market growing at over 19% a year, we plan to leverage this growth by building a scalable, recurring revenue business that captures long-term value across land surveys and other legacy industries ripe for drone innovation.”

Accurate land surveys are essential for the planning, design, and execution of roads, bridges, and building projects for cities, commercial, and residential projects, and are required for legal purposes. Remotely piloted drones with an array of sensors and cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and GPS systems for capturing high-resolution pictures and data are revolutionizing the land survey industry, gathering aerial data across expansive terrains in a matter of hours instead of weeks or months using more traditional photogrammetry methods.

The Drone as a Service or DaaS business model works similarly to Software as a Service (SaaS), but instead of providing software over the internet, this model offers drone technology solutions and services on a subscription or pay-per-use basis. Both business and government customers can conveniently access drones for tasks such as surveying, inspections, security, law enforcement, power washing or precision agriculture solutions without having to buy, operate, or maintain the drones themselves. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.zenatech.com/newsroom/

Other recent developments in the markets include:

NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) – AI is transforming industries and tackling global challenges. The NVIDIA Jetson™ platform drives this revolution by providing tools to develop and deploy AI-powered robots, drones, IVA applications, and autonomous machines. Powered by generative AI at the edge, as well as NVIDIA Metropolis and Isaac™ platforms, Jetson offers scalable software, modern AI stack, flexible microservices and APIs, production-ready ROS packages, and application-specific AI workflows.

The new Jetson Orin™ platform also gives you up to 275 trillion operations per second and 8X the performance of the last generation. Seven different modules based on the same architecture—from the entry-level Jetson Orin Nano™ to the highest performance Jetson AGX Orin—make this the ideal platform for the new age of robotics.

Tomahawk GCS, an AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) product line specializing in autonomous and intelligent multi-domain systems, has recently been awarded a $5.1 million contract to support the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) Human-Machine Integrated Formations (HMIF) rapid prototyping project. Following a rigorous selection process, AV’s Tomahawk’s Grip TA5 was selected as the Dismounted Common Controller (DCC) to significantly enhance human-machine teaming for battlefield operations.

The HMIF initiative, led by the U.S. Army RCCTO, is accelerating the integration of autonomous and robotic systems into formations to enhance situational awareness, lethality, and survivability. With its modular architecture and multi-platform compatibility, the Grip TA5 provides operators command-and-control of multiple robotic assets in real-time, enhancing mission adaptability and response speed.

EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH), the world’s leading Urban Air Mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company, recently announced that it will release its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 on Monday, May 26, 2025, before the U.S. market opens.

EHang’s management team will host an earnings conference call at 8:00 AM on Monday, May 26, 2025, U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 PM on Monday, May 26, 2025, Beijing/Hong Kong Time).

AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), a leading provider of best-in-class unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and sensors for military, public safety, and commercial use, recently announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, highlighted by gross margin improvement and significant reduction in operating expenses.

AgEagle CEO Bill Irby commented, “In the first quarter of 2025 we delivered a significantly improved financial performance marked by strong gross margin improvement and a meaningful reduction in operating expenses. This pivotal milestone is a clear validation of the strategic decisions we have made to streamline operations, sharpen our commercial focus, and prioritize higher-margin product lines. With a strengthened balance sheet, improved cash position, and reduced cash burn, AgEagle is now operating from a healthier and more resilient financial foundation.

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SOURCE: FN Media Group

The MIL Network –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Lights, Coffee, Action: Routines That Work For You

Source: Samsung

We all have routines—those little sequences of actions that shape our mornings, help us stay focused, or ease us into a restful night. But what if those routines could just… happen? With SmartThings, they can. By connecting your favorite smart devices into one seamless ecosystem, SmartThings takes the guesswork—and the extra steps—out of everyday life.
Whether you’re easing into your morning, heading out the door, or getting into a fitness flow, SmartThings routines can transform ordinary moments into something a little more magical.
Here are a few of our favorite examples:
Good Morning: Wake Up Ready

There’s nothing like starting your day with intention—and a little automation. With the Good Morning routine, your home comes to life right alongside you. Whether triggered by a set time, motion sensor, or your Galaxy Watch or Ring detecting you’ve woken up, this routine helps you rise and shine effortlessly.
Philips Hue lights gradually brighten to simulate a natural sunrise, gently easing you awake. At the same time, Somfy blinds rise to let in real sunlight and boost your mood. Samsung TV Plus tunes in to your local morning news—no remote needed. Meanwhile, the Eve Smart Plug powers up your coffee pot in the kitchen, so your first cup is ready when you are.
Let’s Get Physical: Your Wellness Oasis, On Demand

Fitness isn’t just about reps—it’s about creating the right environment. With the Let’s Get Physical routine, SmartThings sets the scene so you can focus on your workout, not the setup.
Your favorite yoga or workout playlist begins streaming automatically through your Sonos speaker, while your Bosch air purifier quietly activates to keep the air fresh and allergen-free—helping you breathe deeper and stay focused. A virtual instructor appears on your Samsung TV, guiding you through every move. Meanwhile, the Nest Thermostat drops the temperature slightly to keep you cool and comfortable as you get your sweat on.
Good Bye: Peace of Mind as You Head Out

Leaving the house shouldn’t require a dozen double-checks. Let SmartThings take care of it all—so you can head out with peace of mind and come home to a calm, refreshed space.
As your Good Bye routine kicks in, Somfy blinds lower to protect your privacy and improve energy efficiency. The Samsung JetBot gets to work, vacuuming your floors while you’re away. LIFX lights turn off automatically to save energy, and your Ecobee thermostat shifts into eco-mode or adjusts to a more efficient temperature. For extra reassurance, your Arlo outdoor cameras activate—quietly keeping an eye on things until you return.
Make the Magic Happen
In the SmartThings app, you can tap into a library of curated experiences designed to simplify your life. Just head to the “Discover” section in the Routines tab to explore popular options like Gentle Wake Up, Energy Saver, and more—prebuilt and ready to go.
Prebuilt routines not for you? Make your own routine in a few easy steps:

Open the SmartThings app
Tap the “Routines” tab at the bottom of the screen.
Tap the “+” icon to create a new routine.
Choose “If” conditions — like time of day, motion detection, or your Galaxy device waking up.
Add your “Then” actions — such as turning on lights, adjusting the thermostat, or starting your playlist.
Give your routine a name and hit Save. It’s as simple as that!

Other Smart Routines to Try
Looking to take things even further? Here are a few more ideas SmartThings users love:

Movie Night: Lights dim, TV switches to your favorite streaming app, sound system powers on, and blinds close for a theater-like experience.
Welcome Home: Garage door opens as you pull in, front door unlocks as you arrive, hallway lights turn on, thermostat adjusts, and your favorite music greets you.
Wind Down: Lights shift to a warm glow, blinds lower, calming sounds or white noise plays, and devices like TVs or tablets shut off at a set time.

SmartThings routines are all about making life simpler, smoother, and a little more fun. The best part? You can customize every detail to suit your lifestyle and the devices you already use.
Want to wake up to jazz instead of the news? Prefer working out with a HIIT session over yoga? You’re in control—SmartThings just helps make it happen automatically.

MIL OSI Economics –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Young food entrepreneurs are changing the face of rural America

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Dawn Thilmany, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Colorado State University

Many rural food businesses, like Daily Loaf Bakery in Hamburg, Pa., rely on farmers markets to reach customers. Susan L. Angstadt/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images

Visit just about any downtown on a weekend and you will likely happen upon a farmers market. Or, you might grab lunch from a food truck outside a local brewpub or winery.

Very likely, there is a community-shared kitchen or food entrepreneur incubator initiative behind the scenes to support this growing foodie ecosystem.

As rural America gains younger residents, and grows more diverse and increasingly digitally connected, these dynamics are driving a renaissance in craft foods.

One food entrepreneur incubator, Hope & Main Kitchen, operates out of a school that sat vacant for over 10 years in the small Rhode Island town of Warren. Its business incubation program, with over 300 graduates to date, gives food and beverage entrepreneurs a way to test, scale and develop their products before investing in their own facilities. Its markets also give entrepreneurs a place to test their products on the public and buyers for stores, while providing the community with local goods.

Food has been central to culture, community and social connections for millennia. But food channels, social media food influencers and craft brews have paved the way for a renaissance of regional beverage and food industry startups across America.

In my work in agriculture economics, I see connections between this boom in food and agriculture innovation and the inflow of young residents who are helping revitalize rural America and reinvigorate its Main Streets.

Why entrepreneurs are embracing rural life

An analysis of 2023 U.S. Census Bureau data found that more people have been moving to small towns and rural counties in recent years, and that the bulk of that population growth is driven by 25- to 44-year-olds.

This represents a stark contrast to the 2000s, when 90% of the growth for younger demographics was concentrated in the largest metro areas.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to remote work options it created, along with rising housing prices, were catalysts for the change, but other interesting dynamics may also be at play.

One is social connectedness. Sociologists have long believed that the community fabric of rural America contributes to economic efficiency, productive business activity, growth of communities and population health.

Maps show that rural areas of the U.S. with higher social capital – those with strong networks and relationships among residents – are some of the strongest draws for younger households today.

Another important dynamic for both rural communities and their new young residents is entrepreneurship, including food entrepreneurship.

Rural food startups may be leveraging the social capital aligned with the legacy of agriculture in rural America, resulting in a renewed interest in craft and local foods. This includes a renaissance in foods made with local ingredients or linked to regional cultures and tastes.

According to data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. local sales of edible farm products increased 33% from 2017 to 2022, reaching $14.2 billion.

The new ‘AgriCulture’

A 2020 study I was involved in, led by agriculture economist Sarah Low, found a positive relationship between the availability of farm-based local and organic foods and complementary food startups. The study termed this new dynamic “AgriCulture.”

We found a tendency for these dynamics to occur in areas with higher natural amenities, such as hiking trails and streams, along with transportation and broadband infrastructure attractive to digital natives.

The same dynamic drawing young people to the outdoors offers digital natives a way to experience far-reaching regions of the country and, in some cases, move there.

A thriving food and beverage scene can be a pull for those who want to live in a vibrant community, or the new settlers and their diverse tastes may be what get food entrepreneurs started. Many urban necessities, such as shopping, can be done online, but eating and food shopping are local daily necessities.

Governments can help rural food havens thrive

When my colleagues and I talk to community leaders interested in attracting new industries and young families, or who seek to build community through revitalized downtowns and public spaces, the topic of food commonly arises.

We encourage them to think about ways they can help draw food entrepreneurs: Can they increase local growers’ and producers’ access to food markets? Would creating shared kitchens help support food trucks and small businesses? Does their area have a local advantage, such as a seashore, hiking trails or cultural heritage, that they can market in connection with local food?

The farm store at Harley Farm Goat Dairy in Pescadero, Calif., draws people headed for hiking trails or the coast in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

Several federal, state and local economic development programs are framing strategies to bolster any momentum occurring at the crossroads of rural, social connections, resiliency, food and entrepreneurship.

For example, a recent study from a collaboration of shared kitchen experts found that there were over 600 shared-use food facilities across the U.S. in 2020, and over 20% were in rural areas. In a survey of owners, the report found that 50% of respondents identified assisting early-growth businesses as their primary goal.

The USDA Regional Food Business Centers, one of which I am fortunate to co-lead, have been bolstering the networking and technical assistance to support these types of rural food economy efforts.

Many rural counties are still facing shrinking workforces, commonly because of lagging legacy industries with declining employment, such as mining. However, recent data and studies suggest that in rural areas with strong social capital, community support and outdoor opportunities, younger populations are growing, and their food interests are helping boost rural economies.

Dawn Thilmany receives funding from the United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Development Administration, and Colorado state agencies focused on agriculture, economic development and food systems.

– ref. Young food entrepreneurs are changing the face of rural America – https://theconversation.com/young-food-entrepreneurs-are-changing-the-face-of-rural-america-245531

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Work requirements are better at blocking benefits for low-income people than they are at helping those folks find jobs

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Anne Whitesell, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Miami University

Meeting work requirements to get government benefits can lead to burdensome paperwork. JackF/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Republican lawmakers are battling over a bill that includes massive tax and spending cuts. But they’re having trouble agreeing on provisions intended to reduce the cost of Medicaid.

The popular health insurance program, which is funded by both the federal and state governments, covers about 78.5 million low-income and disabled people – more than 1 in 5 Americans.

The House is getting ready to vote on a budget bill designed to reduce federal Medicaid spending by requiring anyone enrolled in the program who appears to be able to get a job to either satisfy work requirements or lose their coverage. It’s still unclear, however, whether Senate Republicans would support that provision.

Although there are few precedents for such a mandate for Medicaid, other safety net programs have been enforcing similar rules for nearly three decades. I’m a political scientist who has extensively studied the work requirements of another safety net program: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

As I explain in my book, “Living Off the Government?
Race, Gender, and the Politics of Welfare,” work requirements place extra burdens on low-income families but do little to lift them out of poverty.

Work requirements for TANF

TANF gives families with very low incomes some cash they can spend on housing, food, clothing or whatever they need most. The Clinton administration launched it as a replacement for a similar program, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, in 1996. At the time, both political parties were eager to end a welfare system they believed was riddled with abuse. A big goal with TANF was ending the dependence of people getting cash benefits on the government by moving them from welfare to work.

Many people were removed from the welfare rolls, but not because work requirements led to economic prosperity. Instead, they had trouble navigating the bureaucratic demands.

TANF is administered by the states. They can set many rules of their own, but they must comply with an important federal requirement: Adult recipients have to work or engage in an authorized alternative activity for at least 30 hours per week. The number of weekly hours is only 20 if the recipient is caring for a child under the age of 6.

The dozen activities or so that can count toward this quota range from participating in job training programs to engaging in community service.

Some adults enrolled in TANF are exempt from work requirements, depending on their state’s own policies. The most common exemptions are for people who are ill, have a disability or are over age 60.

To qualify for TANF, families must have dependent children; in some states pregnant women also qualify. Income limits are set by the state and range from US$307 a month for a family of three in Alabama to $2,935 a month for a family of three in Minnesota.

Adult TANF recipients face a federal five-year lifetime limit on benefits. States can adopt shorter time limits; Arizona’s is 12 months.

An administrative burden

Complying with these work requirements generally means proving that you’re working or making the case that you should be exempt from this mandate. This places what’s known as an “administrative burden” on the people who get cash assistance. It often requires lots of documentation and time. If you have an unpredictable work schedule, inconsistent access to child care or obligations to care for an older relative, this paperwork is hard to deal with.

What counts as work, how many hours must be completed and who is exempt from these requirements often comes down to a caseworker’s discretion. Social science research shows that this discretion is not equally applied and is often informed by stereotypes.

The number of people getting cash assistance has fallen sharply since TANF replaced Aid to Families with Dependent Children. In some states caseloads have dropped by more than 50% despite significant population growth.

Some of this decline happened because recipients got jobs that paid them too much to qualify. The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan office that provides economic research to Congress, attributes, at least in part, an increase in employment among less-educated single mothers in the 1990s to work requirements.

Not everyone who stopped getting cash benefits through TANF wound up employed, however. Other recipients who did not meet requirements fell into deep poverty.

Regardless of why people leave the program, when fewer low-income Americans get TANF benefits, the government spends less money on cash assistance. Federal funding has remained flat at $16.5 billion since 1996. Taking inflation into account, the program receives half as much funding as when it was created. In addition, states have used the flexibility granted them to direct most of their TANF funds to priorities other than cash benefits, such as pre-K education.

Many Americans who get help paying for groceries through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are also subject to work requirements. People the government calls “able-bodied adults without dependents” can only receive SNAP benefits for three months within a three-year period if they are not employed.

A failed experiment in Arkansas

Lawmakers in Congress and in statehouses have debated whether to add work requirements for Medicaid before. More than a dozen states have applied for waivers that would let them give it a try.

When Arkansas instituted Medicaid work requirements in 2018, during the first Trump administration, it was largely seen as a failure. Some 18,000 people lost their health care coverage, but employment rates did not increase.

After a court order stopped the policy in 2019, most people regained their coverage.

Georgia is currently the only state with Medicaid work requirements in effect, after implementing a waiver in July 2023. The program has experienced technical difficulties and has had trouble verifying work activities.

Other states, including Idaho, Indiana and Kentucky, are already asking the federal government to let them enforce Medicaid work requirements.

Then-Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks during a news conference in 2017, in Little Rock, Arkansas, calling for Medicaid work requirements.
AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo

What this may mean for Medicaid

One version of the Republican budget bill floated in 2025 would introduce Medicaid work requirements nationwide for childless adults age 19 to 64, with some exemptions.

But most people covered by Medicaid in that age range are already working, and those who are not would likely be eligible for work requirement waivers. An analysis by KFF – a nonprofit that informs the public about health issues – shows that in 2023, 44% of Medicaid recipients were working full time and another 20% were working part time. In 2023, that was more than 16 million Americans.

About 20% of the American adults under 65 who are covered by Medicaid are not working due to illness or disability, or because of caregiving responsibilities, according to KFF. This includes both people caring for young children and those taking care of relatives with an illness or disability. In my own research, I read testimony from families seeking work exemptions because caregiving, including for children with disabilities, was a full-time job.

The rest of the adults under 65 with Medicaid coverage are not working because they are in school, are retired, cannot find work or have some other reason. It’s approximately 3.9 million Americans. Depending on what counts as “work,” they may be meeting any requirements that could be added to the program.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that introducing Medicaid work requirements would save around $300 billion over a decade. Given past experience with work requirements, it is unlikely those savings would come from Americans finding jobs.

My research suggests it’s more likely that the government would trim spending by taking away the health insurance of people eligible for Medicaid coverage who get tangled up in red tape.

Anne Whitesell is a 2024-2025 PRRI Public Fellow.

– ref. Work requirements are better at blocking benefits for low-income people than they are at helping those folks find jobs – https://theconversation.com/work-requirements-are-better-at-blocking-benefits-for-low-income-people-than-they-are-at-helping-those-folks-find-jobs-256839

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: FDA will approve COVID-19 vaccine only for older adults and high-risk groups – a public health expert explains the new rules

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Libby Richards, Professor of Nursing, Purdue University

Older adults will continue to receive yearly COVID-19 shots, but lower-risk groups will not, says the FDA. dusanpetkovic via iStock / Getty Images Plus

On May 20, 2025, the Food and Drug Administration announced a new stance on who should receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The agency said it would approve new versions of the vaccine only for adults 65 years of age and older as well as for people with one or more risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes. These risk factors include medical conditions such as asthma, cancer, chronic kidney disease, heart disease and diabetes.

However, healthy younger adults and children who fall outside of these groups may not be eligible to receive the COVID-19 shot this fall. Vaccine manufacturers will have to conduct clinical trials to demonstrate that the vaccine benefits low-risk groups.

FDA Commissioner Martin Makary and the agency’s head of vaccines, Vinay Prasad, described the new framework in an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine and in a public webcast.

The Conversation U.S. asked Libby Richards, a nursing professor involved in public health promotion, to explain why the changes were made and what they mean for the general public.

Why did the FDA diverge from past practice?

Until the May 20 announcement, getting a yearly COVID-19 vaccine was recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older, regardless of their health risk.

According to Makary and Prasad, the Food and Drug Administration is moving away from these universal recommendations and instead taking a risk-based approach based on its interpretation of public health trends – specifically, the declining COVID-19 booster uptake, a lack of strong evidence that repeated boosters improve health outcomes for healthy people and the fact that natural immunity from past COVID-19 infections is widespread.

The FDA states it wants to ensure the vaccine is backed by solid clinical trial data, especially for low-risk groups.

Was this a controversial decision or a clear consensus?

The FDA’s decision to adopt a risk-based framework for the COVID-19 vaccine aligns with the expected recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, an advisory group of vaccine experts offering expert guidance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine policy, which is scheduled to meet in June 2025. But while this advisory committee was also expected to recommend allowing low-risk people to get annual COVID-19 vaccines if they want to, the FDA’s policy will likely make that difficult.

Although the FDA states that its new policy aims to promote greater transparency and evidenced-based decision-making, the change is controversial – in part because it circumvents the usual process for evaluating vaccine recommendations. The FDA is enacting this policy change by limiting its approval of the vaccine to high-risk groups, and it is doing so without any new data supporting its decision. Usually, however, the FDA broadly approves a vaccine based on whether it is safe and effective, and decisions on who should be eligible to receive it are left to the CDC, which receives research-based guidance from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Change is coming to COVID-19 vaccine policy.
Rock Obst, CC BY-SA

Additionally, FDA officials point to Canada, Australia and some European countries that limit vaccine recommendations to older adults and other high-risk people as a model for its revised framework. But vaccine strategies vary widely, and this more conservative approach has not necessarily proven superior. Also, those countries have universal health care systems and have a track record of more equitable access to COVID-19 care and better COVID-19 outcomes.

Another question is how health officials’ positions on COVID-19 vaccines affect public perception. Makary and Prasad noted that COVID-19 vaccination campaigns may have actually eroded public trust in vaccination. But some vaccine experts have expressed concerns that limiting COVID-19 vaccine access might further fuel vaccine hesitancy because any barrier to vaccine access can reduce uptake and hinder efforts to achieve widespread immunity.

What conditions count as risk factors?

The New England Journal of Medicine article includes a lengthy list of conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 and notes that about 100 million to 200 million people will fall into this category and will thus be eligible to get the vaccine.

Pregnancy is included. Some items on the list, however, are unclear. For example, the list includes asthma, but the data that asthma is a risk factor for severe COVID-19 is scant.

Also on the list is physical inactivity, which likely applies to a vast swath of Americans and is difficult to define. Studies have found links between regular physical activity and reduced risk of severe COVID-19 infection, but it’s unclear how health care providers will define and measure physical inactivity when assessing a patient’s eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines.

Most importantly, the list leaves out an important group – caregivers and household members of people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 infection. This omission leaves high-risk people more vulnerable to exposure to COVID-19 from healthy people they regularly interact with. Multiple countries the new framework refers to do include this group.

Why is the FDA requiring new clinical trials?

According to the FDA, the benefits of multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines for healthy adults are currently unproven. It’s true that studies beyond the fourth vaccine dose are scarce. However, multiple studies have demonstrated that the vaccine is effective at preventing the risk of severe COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and death in low-risk adults and children. Receiving multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines has also been shown to reduce the risk of long COVID.

The FDA is moving to risk-based access for COVID-19 vaccines.

The FDA is requiring vaccine manufactures to conduct additional large randomized clinical trials to further evaluate the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 boosters for healthy adults and children. These trials will primarily test whether the vaccines prevent symptomatic infections, and secondarily whether they prevent hospitalization and death. Such trials are more complex, costly and time-consuming than the more common approach of testing for immunological response.

This requirement will likely delay both the timeliness and the availability of COVID-19 vaccine boosters and slow public health decision-making.

Will low-risk people be able to get a COVID-19 shot?

Not automatically. Under the new FDA framework, healthy adults who wish to receive the fall COVID-19 vaccine will face obstacles. Health care providers can administer vaccines “off-label”, but insurance coverage is widely based on FDA recommendations. The new, narrower FDA approval will likely reduce both access to COVID-19 vaccines for the general public and insurance coverage for COVID-19 vaccines.

The FDA’s focus on individual risks and benefits may overlook broader public health benefits. Communities with higher vaccination rates have fewer opportunities to spread the virus.

What about vaccines for children?

High-risk children age 6 months and older who have conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 are still eligible for the vaccine under the new framework. As of now, healthy children age 6 months and older without underlying medical conditions will not have routine access to COVID-19 vaccines until further clinical trial data is available.

Existing vaccines already on the market will remain available, but it is unclear how long they will stay authorized and how the change will affect childhood vaccination overall.

Libby Richards has received funding from the National Institutes of Health, the American Nurses Foundation, and the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute

– ref. FDA will approve COVID-19 vaccine only for older adults and high-risk groups – a public health expert explains the new rules – https://theconversation.com/fda-will-approve-covid-19-vaccine-only-for-older-adults-and-high-risk-groups-a-public-health-expert-explains-the-new-rules-257226

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: A decade after the release of ‘The Martian’ and a decade out from the world it envisions, a planetary scientist checks in on real-life Mars exploration

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Ari Koeppel, Postdoctoral Scientist in Earth and Planetary Science, Dartmouth College

‘The Martian’ protagonist Mark Watney contemplates his ordeal. 20th Century Fox

Andy Weir’s bestselling story “The Martian” predicts that by 2035 NASA will have landed humans on Mars three times, perfected return-to-Earth flight systems and collaborated with the China National Space Administration. We are now 10 years past the Hollywood adaptation’s 2015 release and 10 years shy of its fictional timeline. At this midpoint, Mars exploration looks a bit different than how it was portrayed in “The Martian,” with both more discoveries and more controversy.

As a planetary geologist who works with NASA missions to study Mars, I follow exploration science and policy closely. In 2010, the U.S. National Space Policy set goals for human missions to Mars in the 2030s. But in 2017, the White House Space Policy Directive 1 shifted NASA’s focus toward returning first to the Moon under what would become the Artemis program.

Although concepts for crewed missions to Mars have gained popularity, NASA’s actual plans for landing humans on Mars remain fragile. Notably, over the last 10 years, it has been robotic, rather than crewed, missions that have propelled discovery and the human imagination forward.

NASA’s 2023 Moon to Mars Strategy and Objectives Development document lays out the steps the agency was shooting for at the time, to go first to the Moon, and from there to Mars.
NASA

Robotic discoveries

Since 2015, satellites and rovers have reshaped scientists’ understanding of Mars. They have revealed countless insights into how its climate has changed over time.

As Earth’s neighbor, climate shifts on Mars also reflect solar system processes affecting Earth at a time when life was first taking hold. Thus, Mars has become a focal point for investigating the age old questions of “where do we come from?” and “are we alone?”

The Opportunity, Curiosity and Perseverance rovers have driven dozens of miles studying layered rock formations that serve as a record of Mars’ past. By studying sedimentary layers – rock formations stacked like layers of a cake – planetary geologists have pieced together a vivid tale of environmental change that dwarfs what Earth is currently experiencing.

Mars was once a world of erupting volcanoes, glaciers, lakes and flowing rivers – an environment not unlike early Earth. Then its core cooled, its magnetic field faltered and its atmosphere drifted away. The planet’s exposed surface has retained signs of those processes ever since in the form of landscape patterns, sequences of layered sediment and mineral mixtures.

Layered sedimentary rocks exposed within the craters of Arabia Terra, Mars, recording ancient surface processes. Photo from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment.
NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

Arabia Terra

One focus of scientific investigation over the last 10 years is particularly relevant to the setting of “The Martian” but fails to receive mention in the story. To reach his best chance of survival, protagonist Mark Watney, played by Matt Damon, must cross a vast, dusty and crater-pocked region of Mars known as Arabia Terra.

In 2022 and 2023, I, along with colleagues at Northern Arizona University and Johns Hopkins University, published detailed analyses of the layered materials there using imagery from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Mars Odyssey satellites.

By using infrared imagery and measuring the dimensions of surface features, we linked multiple layered deposits to the same episodes of formation and learned more about the widespread crumbling nature of the terrain seen there today. Because water tends to cement rock tightly together, that loose material indicates that around 3.5 billion years ago, that area had a drying climate.

To make the discussions about this area easier, we even worked with the International Astronomical Union to name a few previously unnamed craters that were mentioned in the story. For example, one that Watney would have driven right by is now named Kozova Crater, after a town in Ukraine.

More to explore

Despite rapid advances in Mars science, many unknowns remain. Scientists still aren’t sure of the precise ages, atmospheric conditions and possible signatures of life associated with each of the different rock types observed on the surface.

For instance, the Perseverance rover recently drilled into and analyzed a unique set of rocks hosting organic – that is, carbon-based – compounds. Organic compounds serve as the building blocks of life, but more detailed analysis is required to determine whether these specific rocks once hosted microbial life.

The in-development Mars Sample Return mission aims to address these basic outstanding questions by delivering the first-ever unaltered fragments of another world to Earth. The Perseverance rover is already caching rock and soil samples, including ones hosting organic compounds, in sealed tubes. A future lander will then need to pick up and launch the caches back to Earth.

Sampling Mars rocks could tell scientists more about the red planet’s past, and whether it could have hosted life.

Once home, researchers can examine these materials with instruments orders of magnitude more sensitive than anything that could be flown on a spacecraft. Scientists stand to learn far more about the habitability, geologic history and presence of any signs of life on Mars through the sample return campaign than by sending humans to the surface.

This perspective is why NASA, the European Space Agency and others have invested some US$30 billion in robotic Mars exploration since the 1960s. The payoff has been staggering: That work has triggered rapid technological advances in robotics, telecommunications and materials science. For example, Mars mission technology has led to better sutures for heart surgery and cars that can drive themselves.

It has also bolstered the status of NASA and the U.S. as bastions of modern exploration and technology; and it has inspired millions of students to take an interest in scientific fields.

A selfie from NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover with the Ingenuity helicopter, taken with the rover’s extendable arm on April 6, 2021.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Calling the red planet home?

Colonizing Mars has a seductive appeal. It’s hard not to cheer for the indomitable human spirit while watching Watney battle dust storms, oxygen shortages and food scarcity over 140 million miles from rescue.

Much of the momentum toward colonizing Mars is now tied to SpaceX and its CEO Elon Musk, whose stated mission to make humanity a “multi-planetary species” has become a sort of rallying cry. But while Mars colonization is romantic on paper, it is extremely difficult to actually carry out, and many critics have questioned the viability of a Mars habitation as a refuge far from Earth.

Now, with NASA potentially facing a nearly 50% reduction to its science budget, the U.S. risks dissolving its planetary science and robotic operations portfolio altogether, including sample return.

Nonetheless, President Donald Trump and Musk have pushed for human space exploration to somehow continue to progress, despite those proposed cuts – effectively sidelining the robotic, science-driven programs that have underpinned all of Mars exploration to date.

Yet, it is these programs that have yielded humanity’s richest insights into the red planet and given both scientists and storytellers like Andy Weir the foundation to imagine what it must be like to stand on Mars’ surface at all.

Ari Koeppel receives funding from NASA.

– ref. A decade after the release of ‘The Martian’ and a decade out from the world it envisions, a planetary scientist checks in on real-life Mars exploration – https://theconversation.com/a-decade-after-the-release-of-the-martian-and-a-decade-out-from-the-world-it-envisions-a-planetary-scientist-checks-in-on-real-life-mars-exploration-255752

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Press Briefing – May 22, 2025 – 2:00 PM

Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

Spokesperson Tammy Bruce leads the Department Press Briefing at the Department of State, on May 22, 2025.

———-
Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
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Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USSTATEBPA/signup/32562

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Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

#StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp9VNFw00Ok

MIL OSI Video –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Feenstra Votes to Pass President Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) voted to pass President Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill.”

“Today, I proudly voted for President Trump’s ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ to deliver historic tax cuts for American families, farmers, workers, and small businesses. This legislation also funds our border patrol agents, continues construction of the border wall, revives domestic manufacturing, unleashes American energy dominance, and kicks illegal immigrants off taxpayer-funded benefits,” said Rep. Feenstra. “More than 77 million Americans made clear at the polls that they want President Trump’s America First agenda codified into law, and our ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ delivers on this promise. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, our families will see big tax cuts, American workers will have higher wages, our farmers will see relief from the death tax, and our small businesses and local manufacturers will grow and thrive. Iowa will lead the way to restore our economic might and revive our manufacturing dominance.”

Feenstra-led and -sponsored provisions include:
- An increase in the exemption on the death tax,
- Support for small businesses to offer paid family and medical leave to their employees,
- Flexibility for community banks to offer agricultural business loans at more affordable rates for farmers and rural businesses,
- Investments in homegrown Iowa biofuels,
- Tax provisions to help American businesses compete on a level playing field with foreign businesses,
- Higher standard deduction for families and workers,
- New $4,000 bonus deduction for seniors,
- Increased child tax credit for families,
- Permanent 23% deduction for qualified business income for small businesses,
- Lower crop insurance costs for young, beginning, and veteran farmers,
- Support for foreign animal disease prevention, mitigation, and response,
- Prevention of administrative errors when distributing SNAP payments, ensuring nutrition assistance is fighting food insecurity, and,
- Investments in watershed infrastructure and flood prevention.
###

MIL OSI USA News –
May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Dedication and professionalism of Armed Forces rewarded with above inflation pay rise
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Press release

Dedication and professionalism of Armed Forces rewarded with above inflation pay rise

Government recognises professionalism and dedication of the Armed Forces with 4.5% pay rise, which follows last year’s record pay deal for personnel.
Military personnel are to receive an above inflation pay rise of 4.5% (3.75% for senior officers), recognising their extraordinary professionalism and the sacrifices they make to keep the British people safe.  

The award forms part of the government’s efforts to fix recruitment and retention, while demonstrating how it is renewing the contract with those who serve.  

The pay rise maintains the MOD’s status as a National Living Wage employer, while recognising the important work of military personnel in keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad – foundational to this government’s Plan for Change.

This pay award follows last year’s headline award of 6% (5% for senior officers) and a significant uplift for new recruits of approximately 35%, ensuring all full-time members of the Armed Forces were paid the National Living Wage for the first time. This means Armed Forces personnel have received a cumulative pay award of 10.5% (8.75% for senior officers) since July 2024.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

Our people are what make the UK Armed Forces’ reputation one of the best around the world. Our forces work tirelessly to keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad. 

Today’s above inflation pay award recognises their dedication and underlines this Government’s commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve.

Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said:

This Armed Forces pay award continues to demonstrate our commitment to our people. It ensures that those who work so hard for our safety and security are supported.

To do what they do takes immense courage, determination and sacrifice and I’m pleased to see so much done to recognise their efforts.

Pay, accommodation and pension are key pieces of a bigger puzzle, and we will continue to put those pieces together to ensure the strength of our military for years to come.

Starting salaries for Other Ranks who have completed initial training will increase to approximately £26,334, benefiting around 7,800 of our most junior personnel.

Starting pay for junior officers will rise to around £34,676.

The package includes two new targeted retention payments for specific Royal Navy Catering Services personnel, addressing critical retention challenges in this specialist area.

A new Afloat Environmental Allowance will replace existing provisions, bringing coherence and clarity to recognise different conditions across naval platforms.

Medical specialists will benefit from an increased Medical Officers’ Golden Hello to enhance its attractiveness for consultants and registrars in specialisms with workforce capability gaps.

The Government has already taken decisive action to tackle recruitment and retention challenges by announcing new financial retention packages.

Around 5,000 eligible aircraft engineers across all three Services are eligible to receive £30,000 when they sign up for an additional three years of service. And a new £8,000 retention payment for around 4,000 eligible Army Privates and Lance Corporals each year for the next three years when they sign up for an additional three years of Service.

This announcement follows recent action taken by the department to improve the offer for our Armed Forces personnel. This includes improving living conditions through a new Consumer Charter to provide homes fit for the heroes who serve our nation, and are creating a new, independently-appointed, Armed Forces Commissioner who will have the power to investigate issues raised directly by serving personnel and their families.

Last year the Armed Forces saw a headline award of 6% (5% for senior officers) and a significant uplift for new recruits of approximately 35%. The Government has taken decisive action to tackle recruitment and retention challenges by announcing new financial retention packages.

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Published 22 May 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy awarded with Gratitude from the President of Russia

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

At the 20th St. Petersburg International Book Fair, which is taking place in our city, the rector of the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Andrei Rudskoy was awarded the Gratitude of the President of Russia for his participation in the creation of the book “Putin in the Mirror of Time. Biography Milestones and Chronicles of the Era.” The award was presented by the Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov and the President of the Russian Book Union Sergei Stepashin.

The book, co-authored by historian Alexander Myasnikov and journalist Sergei Dmitriev, is a biography of Vladimir Putin, supplemented with unique photographs and historical information.

Andrey Rudskoy noted: It is a great honor to receive the Gratitude of the President of Russia from the hands of the Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Dmitrievich Beglov and the President of the Russian Book Union Sergey Vadimovich Stepashin. Our joint work with Sergey Nikolaevich Dmitriev and Alexander Leonidovich Myasnikov “Putin in the Mirror of Time” has found a worthy assessment among a wide range of readers, and for us this is the main indicator that we are making our contribution to the creation of the chronicle of modern Russia, telling about the key events and achievements of the country. It is undoubtedly pleasant that the award ceremony took place within the framework of the XX St. Petersburg International Book Salon, where the Polytechnic Publishing House is traditionally represented.

The book “Putin in the Mirror of Time. Milestones of the Biography and Chronicles of the Era” is a large-scale work covering key moments in the life and political career of Vladimir Putin. The publication not only covers biographical milestones, but also offers a deep analysis of the era in which the Russian president managed to return the country to its status as a great power. Through the prism of presidential documents, speeches and messages to the Federal Assembly, the authors recreate a vivid and dynamic chronicle of the events that defined modern Russia.

Let us recall that the 20th anniversary St. Petersburg International Book Fair opened today on Palace Square. It will last four days. Last year, it was visited by more than half a million people.

The SPbPU Publishing and Printing Center (POLITEKH-PRESS) traditionally becomes an active participant in the Book Salon. At the stand, the company presents a wide range of products: new books of the current year, exclusive series of postcards and flip calendars with picturesque views of St. Petersburg and the Polytechnic University. Guests can also purchase a variety of souvenirs.

This year, special attention is paid to the current topics of the Book Salon. The events and exposition of POLITEKH-PRESS are dedicated to the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland and the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. This is reflected in the special design of the stand with information posters called “Polytechnicians for Victory”, which tell about the role of the university staff and students during the war.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: U.S. retail gasoline prices heading into Memorial Day weekend are at a four-year low
Source: US Energy Information Administration

In-brief analysis

May 22, 2025

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Note: Real prices are adjusted to May 2025 dollars.

The retail price for regular-grade gasoline in the United States on May 19, the Monday before Memorial Day weekend, averaged $3.17 per gallon (gal), 11% (or 41 cents/gal) lower than the price a year ago. After adjusting for inflation (real terms), average U.S. retail gasoline prices going into Memorial Day weekend are 14% lower than last year, largely because crude oil prices have fallen.

Memorial Day weekend is one of the biggest travel weekends of the year, and many of those travelers will go by car. The American Automobile Association (AAA) expects 39.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend this year, an increase of 3% compared with last year.

Substantially lower crude oil prices—which are the main component of retail gasoline prices—have kept retail gasoline prices lower than usual going into spring. From May 1 to May 19, Brent crude oil prices averaged $64 per barrel (b), 20% less in real terms than in January and 26% less than in May 2024. Concerns about future economic growth, record-high U.S. crude oil production, and, more recently, announcements that OPEC+ will accelerate crude oil production increases have contributed to falling crude oil prices.

Data source: Bloomberg L.P. and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Note: Real prices are adjusted to May 2025 dollars.

Retail gasoline prices on the Monday before Memorial Day weekend are only 4% (or 13 cents/gal) higher than on the first Monday of January. Retail gasoline prices typically increase much more than that as gasoline demand increases going into the summer driving season and retailers are required to start selling more expensive summer-grade gasoline. Over the last 10 years and excluding 2020, retail gasoline prices increased 19% (or 49 cents/gal) on average from January to May.

U.S. gasoline prices vary regionally, reflecting local supply and demand conditions, state fuel specifications, and state taxes. Retail gasoline prices are usually the highest on the West Coast because of:
- The region’s limited connections with other major refining centers
- Tight local supply and demand conditions
- Higher-than-average state taxes in several West Coast states
- Gasoline specifications for California that make gasoline more costly to manufacture
On May 19, West Coast prices averaged $4.29/gal, down 10% in real terms from this time last year.

Gasoline prices on the Gulf Coast are usually the lowest of any U.S. region. Gulf Coast states are home to more than half of U.S. refining capacity, and more gasoline is produced than is consumed in the region. Gulf Coast states also have lower gasoline taxes than the national average. Gulf Coast prices on May 19 averaged $2.79/gal, down 13% from this time last year.

On the East Coast, which has the most gasoline demand of the five regions, retail gasoline prices averaged $2.99/gal, down 17% from 2024.

Prices are also down in the Midwest and the Rocky Mountains compared with last year. Midwest prices averaged $3.03/gal, down 15% from the previous year, and Rocky Mountains prices averaged $3.13/gal, down 12% from 2024 after adjusting for inflation.

Principal contributor: Alexander de Keyserling

MIL OSI USA News –
May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: FDA and CBP Seize Nearly $34 Million Worth of Illegal E-Cigarettes During Joint Operation

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

For Immediate Release:
May 22, 2025

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the seizure of nearly two million units of unauthorized e-cigarette products in Chicago, with an estimated retail value of $33.8 million. The seizures, which occurred in February of this year in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), were part of a joint federal operation to examine incoming shipments and prevent illegal e-cigarettes from entering the country.
During this operation, the team uncovered shipments of various illegal e-cigarette products, almost all of which originated in China and were intended for shipment to various U.S. states. FDA and CBP personnel determined that, in an apparent attempt to evade duties and the review of products for import safety concerns, many of these unauthorized e-cigarette shipments contained vague product descriptions with incorrect values. Upon examining shipments, the team found several brands of unauthorized e-cigarettes, including Snoopy Smoke, Raz, and others.
“The FDA, working with our federal partners, can and will do more to stop the illegal importation and distribution of e-cigarette products in the United States,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. “Seizures of illegal e-cigarettes keep products that haven’t been authorized by the FDA out of the United States and out of the hands of our nation’s youth.”
These seizures are another example of coordinated compliance and enforcement actions across federal agencies to curb the distribution and sale of illegal e-cigarettes. In the lead up to this operation, the joint FDA and CBP team identified potentially violative incoming shipments and completed other investigative work. The team was also able to successfully implement several new internal efficiencies and procedures building off previous operations.
“We continue to see an increased number of shipments of vaping related products packaged and mislabeled to avoid detection,” said Bret Koplow, Ph.D., J.D., Acting Director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “However, we have been successful at preventing these shipments from entering the U.S. supply chain – despite efforts to conceal the true identity of these unauthorized e-cigarette products.”
Most shipments violated the FDA’s Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), while some products were also seized for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) violations for unauthorized use of protected trademarks. All of the e-cigarette products seized in this operation lacked the mandatory premarket authorization orders from the FDA and therefore cannot be legally marketed or distributed in the United States.
Standard practice for products forfeited to the government include disposing of the products in accordance with the law. In the case of unauthorized new tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, that generally means they will be destroyed.
FDA also sent, for the first time, import informational letters to 24 tobacco importers and entry filers responsible for importing these illegal e-cigarettes. The letters advise the recipients that it is a federal crime to make false statements or entries to the U.S. government, and the FDA seeks information on the steps they have taken to ensure compliance with applicable federal tobacco laws and regulations. Specifically, the letters advise the firms to ensure their import entries contain complete and accurate information moving forward. Failure to do so may also be viewed as an intentional attempt to circumvent the FDA’s review of the shipment. Firms are requested to respond to the letters within 30 days with the requested information.
FDA and CBP are members of a federal task force focused on e-cigarette enforcement. Previous FDA-CBP joint actions include the seizure of $18 million of illegal e-cigarettes at a cargo examination site in Los Angeles International Airport in 2023, seizure of $7 million of illegal e-cigarettes at a warehouse in Miami, and operations in Chicago announced in June and October of 2024 resulting in the seizure of illegal e-cigarettes valued at more than $77 million.
In addition to product seizures, the FDA has issued over 750 warning letters to firms for manufacturing, selling, or distributing unauthorized new tobacco products. It has also issued more than 800 warning letters to retailers for selling these products and filed civil money penalty complaints against 87 manufacturers and over 175 retailers for their distribution or sale.
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MIL OSI USA News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: More Than $50M Awarded By Restore NY Communities
Source: US State of New York

overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than $50 million has been awarded to 50 projects through the State’s Restore New York Communities Initiative. Restore New York supports municipal revitalization efforts with funds to help remove and reduce blight, reinvigorate communities and generate new residential and economic opportunities statewide. The program, administered by Empire State Development, is designed to help local governments encourage new commercial investments through community revitalization, growing local housing, and putting properties back on the tax rolls to increase the local tax base.

“Revitalizing and rehabilitating vacant and blighted areas of our communities for housing or development is vital to make downtowns thrive,” Governor Hochul said. “Restore New York helps our municipalities plan for the future by catalyzing economic growth and supporting housing, businesses and cultural spaces. We are further unlocking the potential of these sites and communities across New York.”

Two applications were awarded a Special Project designation because, if left undeveloped, the parcel or property causes severe economic injury or creates a depressing effect on the overall economic development potential of the community. The City of Rome was awarded $3.5 million to rehabilitate two buildings that were destroyed by the tornado that touched down in Rome on July 16, 2024. Upon completion, these buildings will add an additional 180,000 square feet of commercial manufacturing space to the community. Additionally, the City of Ogdensburg was awarded $3.5 million to rehabilitate several historic mill buildings on the St. Lawrence River waterfront into a mixed-use complex.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State is building for the future by supporting projects that advance statewide priorities like increasing housing and revitalizing communities. Through the Restore New York Communities Initiative, we are working together with municipalities to remove blight and generate new investments to promote sustainable economic growth.”

A full list of Restore New York projects awarded funding in this round is available below, or online here.

The Capital Region was awarded more than $4.45 million to support four projects:
- Village of Colonie – $999,934: This project involves demolishing an abandoned, deteriorating building at 1579 Central Avenue, making the property readily available for future development opportunities.
- City of Glens Falls – $1 million: The “Lofts at Warren” project, located at 109 and 115-117 Warren Street, will involve the demolition of two garages and the redevelopment of two vacant lots. The resulting mixed-use building will consist of 3,000 square-feet of first-floor commercial space and 65 one- and two-bedroom apartments on three floors. The commercial space will be utilized by retail and office storefront space leased to small businesses serving the City’s distressed First Ward and high-traffic Warren Street Corridor.
- Village of Hoosick Falls – $985,000: This project involves the rehabilitation of a vacant warehouse at 1 Center Street into a mixed-use property with commercial opportunities and one- and two-bedroom residential units. It will provide incubator space at fixed rates, with plans for a locally owned brewery and gym/fitness center.
- City of Schenectady – $1.5 million: The St. Clare’s Hospital redevelopment project will rehabilitate one of the largest buildings in the city – a 400,000 square foot building at 600 McClellan Street – on a 17-acre site. The building will be repurposed into a mixed-use property with approximately 236 apartments with on-site daycare and is part of a targeted redevelopment effort by the City and Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority.
Central New York was awarded $6 million to support seven projects:
- Village of Cayuga – $1 million: This project will transform a 20,000 square-foot vacant and deteriorated office building into a waterfront lodging destination. Located at the Beacon Bay Marina, 6255 Water Street, this redevelopment will include the creation of 10-15 one or two-bedroom suites, and a small outdoor rooftop event space with scenic views.
- City of Cortland – $242,000: This project involves the demolition of a property, formerly known as the Roundhouse Mill, at 41 Elm Street. Set in an otherwise largely residential neighborhood, the mill has been vacant and deteriorating for several years, and demolition will allow for the future redevelopment of the 1.5-acre site, part of the City’s Brownfield Opportunity Area.
- City of Fulton – $1 million: This project will redevelop the blighted former Nestle Building at 533 South 4th Street into a 30,000 square-foot advanced manufacturing incubator, targeting startup companies and fostering regional economic growth. The new facility will serve as a hub for innovation, supporting the needs of emerging manufacturers and leveraging opportunities created by the Micron semiconductor plant being developed in nearby Clay. The outcome will be a state-of-the-art facility, designed to drive job creation, industrial innovation and sustained regional development.
- City of Oneida – $1 million: This project involves the partial demolition and rehabilitation of two vacant and severely dilapidated structures at 136 and 138 Madison Street. The buildings will retain their historic character, with each accessible to the other via a common elevator and stairwell, and new spaces added on the upper floors. Parking will be constructed to service the project. The redevelopment will include 15 live/work units and is across the street from a previous Restore New York project at 155 Madison Street.
- Onondaga County – $1 million: The Milton Corner Development project consists of the reconstruction of five contiguous lots at 2281, 2273, 2263, 2259 and 2243 Milton Avenue in Solvay that were previously developed, but lost to a fire several years ago. The developer plans to demolish remaining walls and foundations and build a mixed-use building with parking and storage in the basement area. On the street level, the building will offer 12,000 square feet of new retail space and 33 apartments on the upper three floors.
- City of Oswego – $700,000: The Oswego Freight House redevelopment will transform the historic 7,200-square-foot rail freight house at 20-24 West Utica Street into a 10-brewer barrel brewery, taproom, and retail space. The project will preserve the building’s 175-year-old character while addressing years of structural decay and blight. Located near the City’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative projects, this redevelopment will leverage completed and ongoing investments to further revitalize the Utica Street corridor.
- City of Syracuse – $1.058 million: This project aims to transform two vacant, underutilized and blighted properties at 366 and 615 West Onondaga Street into approximately 31 new housing units, including both market-rate and affordable options, alongside six office suites. This project falls within the City’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative zone.
The Finger Lakes was awarded $5.94 million to support six projects:
- Village of Dansville – $710,000: This project involves a historic, three-story building at 154-162 Main Street that has been vacant for years and mostly uninhabitable. Phase one is nearing completion and includes the restoration of five first-floor commercial units returning the façade to its original design. Restore New York funding will support Phase Two, which includes the creation of four affordable, one-bedroom and four market-rate two-bedroom apartments on the vacant second and third floors. Windows, doors, and historic features such as trim work will be restored and reused wherever possible.
- City of Geneva – $1 million: The DeSales High School Revitalization Project will consist of the comprehensive renovation of the interior and exterior of the long vacant school at 136 and 138 Madison Street. The renovated property will feature 17 market-rate residential units and four commercial offices while retaining the existing gym, which will continue to be leased to a local school.
- Town of Macedon – $480,000: This project involves the renovation and restoration of 103 Main Street, which has been left underutilized and vacant. The first-floor commercial unit will be rehabilitated into restaurant space, and the walk-out basement transformed into storage and utility space. Three loft-style apartment units will be built on the upper floor. The project will include electrical, HVAC, and plumbing upgrades; construction of an elevator shaft and elevator; accessibility upgrades; and a new side entrance that will provide easy access to the Trolley Town Square public park.
- Monroe County – $2 million: Built in 1929, the Genesee Valley Trust Building (now the Times-Square Building) at 45 Exchange Street is one of Rochester’s most iconic high-rises. Post-COVID the building has become mostly vacant. This project intends to convert the vacant floors into market-rate apartments, while refreshing 15,000 square feet of existing space into modern, attractive commercial and retail suites. This project in total will convert over 100,000 square feet of space into a certified historic rehabilitation project, approved by the New York State Historic Preservation Office and the National Parks Service.
- Village of Medina – $850,000: This project intends to re-activate a historic mixed-use building at 409-13 Main Street, known as the Waters Building, by creating two commercial units in the rear-facing, sub-grade space; a new commercial flex kitchen at street-level; and four new residential units in the structure’s fully vacant upper story. This project will provide an enhanced destination and add an amenity to a planned waterfront destination.
- Village of Phelps – $900,000: This project will restore and revitalize the 1892-era Phelps Hotel at 90 Main Street, which has been vacant for approximately 40 years. In an effort to restore the interior to its historic roots, the project will involve significant renovations in order for the building to be considered habitable. The reconstruction will include installing plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems, and creating eight upper-story residential units alongside a restaurant and speakeasy on the first floor and basement.
Long Island– The Long Island Region was awarded $1.79 million to support two projects:
- Village of Port Jefferson – $790,000: This project includes the demolition and redevelopment of 1506 and 1510-1512 Main Street. This will allow for the future redevelopment of an approximately 35,290 gross square foot, four-story mixed-use building consisting of 42 multi-family residential units, and approximately 1,800 square feet of commercial space.
- Suffolk County – $1 million: This project is the development of a multi-family, mixed income rental housing at 309 Merritt Avenue in the Hamlet of Wyandanch in the Town of Babylon. The development will include 81 residential units in a 4-story, 82,000 square foot building with proximity to transit. This location is the site of a former cream distributor that has already been demolished. The ground floor of the development will include parking, a lobby, management office, common laundry and a fitness center.
The Mid-Hudson Region was awarded more than $4.24 million to support six projects:
- City of Kingston– $477,000: Located at the entrance of the Cornell Street arts corridor, the long-dormant commercial property at 289 Foxhall Avenue will be rehabilitated for the purchase and use by Headstone, Inc., creating new opportunities for jobs, apprenticeships and job shadowing for high school students. Studio spaces will be available to lease by local independent artisans and will provide administrative spaces for local arts organizations. Parking lots will be landscaped to anticipate planned street redesign and provide a welcoming space on a street that has become an arts destination.
- City of Poughkeepsie– $1 million: The project will renovate the upper floors of the historic Bardavon Opera House at 31 Market Street and the adjacent three-story building at 39 Market Street into a single 35,000 square-foot, five-story mixed-use development. This will create 49 new residential units, that range from studio to two-bedroom apartments, and make improvements to the building’s mechanical systems and structural stability. The entire ground level will be rehabilitated, activating retail space that has been vacant for years.
- Town of Cornwall – $800,000: The project will transform a long vacant former car dealership at 317 Main Street into a new, upscale 52-unit boutique hotel with a full-service restaurant and bar in the heart of the town. The project will create 35 new full-time hospitality positions and address a significant shortfall in Orange County lodging options, as determined by a study completed by the Orange County Department of Tourism and Film.
- Town of Fallsburg – $755,450: The proposed project involves the demolition of a condemned schoolhouse at 36 Laurel Avenue and site preparation for the future construction of a 5,000-square-foot healthcare facility. The cleared, shovel-ready site and enhanced infrastructure will support the construction of a permanent medical home for underserved residents.
- Town of Rockland – $1 million: The Livingston Legacy Holdings Project will transform seven long vacant, formerly commercial structures on 10 Pleasant Street into a bustling multi-use hospitality campus, featuring a restaurant, a sake brewery and tasting room, open air market, public gardens and multi-use spaces for other community-defined needs. Once complete, this campus will feature a much-needed venue suitable for large gatherings and social events requiring large spaces, parking, and catering capabilities.
- Village of Sleepy Hollow –$211,500: This project is for site deconstruction, cleanup and improvements for 64/68 Beekman Avenue. This vacant and neglected site is located at the heart of the Village’s main commercial corridor, squarely within its NY Forward boundary. Revitalization of the site will increase access to services and make the Village’s downtown more livable. The building at these properties burned down years ago and the site has been overgrown with scattered debris for more than a decade.
The Mohawk Valley was awarded nearly $8 million to support six projects:
- City of Rome – $3.5 million – Special Project: This project will repair, rehabilitate, and modernize two tornado-damaged vacant properties at 220 South Madison Street and 522 Henry Street. The EF-2 tornado that swept through the region on July 16, 2024 extensively damaged the 180,000-square-foot facility, collapsing portions of the roof, shattering windows, blowing out entire exterior walls and damaging critical electrical infrastructure. One building will be developed for mixed use with first-floor commercial and event space, and the other will become the largest available industrial space in the Utica-Rome metropolitan statistical area.
- City of Amsterdam – $1 million: This project will involve the conversion of the former Sonoco Paper Mill at 58-62 Forest Road into a bakery, brewpub and retail location. Upon completion the site will serve as the production and distribution center for Boogie Lab Bakery. The conversion of this abandoned factory into a new production facility for the Bakery and a Brewpub is expected to bring at least 150 jobs to the city.
- Village of Boonville – $1 million: The Boone Building at 133, 135 and 139 Main Street suffered a devastating fire in 2020, hollowing out the core of the village’s downtown. Reconstruction is planned that will create three first-floor commercial spaces to house a sporting goods store, artisanal meat market, and jewelry store/boutique gift shop. The two upper floors will be ten residential one- and two-bedroom units.
- Village of Cooperstown – $1 million: This project will demolish 217 Main Street, the site of a former cheese factory, furniture store and baseball bat factory that has sat vacant for years. After demolition, a 50-unit, elevator serviced three-story apartment building will be constructed. This development will yield sorely needed accessible, affordable, and permanent supportive housing, featuring energy efficiency and green building practices, with on-site parking and amenities.
- Village of Herkimer – $1 million: This project involves the rehabilitation of the historic former Masonic Temple, a 17,524-square-foot property on 415 N. Main Street, into a vibrant commercial hub addressing long-term vacancy and structural decline. The project will develop spaces for diverse business uses, including the region’s only certified kitchen to support food-based enterprises. This project resolves safety and aesthetic concerns, mitigates blight, and leverages the Village’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative to drive economic growth.
- Village of Richfield Springs – $469,593: The total project includes the rehabilitation and renovation of 241 Main Street into an inn with guest rooms, an event center, and re-establishing the historic mineral spas. Outside renovations include securing the building’s envelope by replacing the roof, repairing the chimney and steps, installing gutters, and updating the fire escape. Inside renovations include transforming the fourth floor into an apartment, renovating the third-floor bathrooms and laundry room, upgrading electrical and HVAC, and repairing the plumbing.
The North Country was awarded more than $8.6 million to support eight projects:
- City of Ogdensburg – $3.5 Million – Special Project: This project includes the adaptive reuse of 119 W. River Street, a long-abandoned former waterfront hotel property situated along the St. Lawrence River. This transformative downtown initiative focuses on restoring two historic stone mill buildings to create a vibrant mixed-use destination, including 10 residential apartments. The redevelopment will breathe new life into a blighted area, enhance the local economy, and provide unique retail, residential, recreational, and dining opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
- Village of Canton – $749,997: This project will demolish 6,400 square feet of vacant buildings and reconstruct 4,500 square feet of commercial and event space at 15 Gouverneur Street. The objective is to create a welcoming, functional mixed-use space that restores the beauty and history of Canton’s downtown waterfront and increases economic activity and opportunities.
- Town of Elizabethtown – $500,000: The project involves two buildings on a single parcel of land at 13 Lawrence Way. The Hale House is a 6,500 square foot, 200-year-old building that was once a single-family home, but today is mostly vacant. It will be rehabilitated into four apartments – each approximately 1,650 square feet – aimed to attract young families and professionals. Additionally, the Law Library is completely vacant and lacks heat, water, and wastewater, and will be rehabilitated into a single unit.
- Town of Lowville – $560,000: The project will redevelop approximately 6,500 square-feet of vacant space at 7623 North State Street, a historic brick block building in Downtown. Funding will assist with the costs for the installation of electrical and plumbing throughout the building, the construction of an ADA-compliant elevator, a stairwell, masonry repairs, and the construction of eight market-rate housing units and amenities.
- Town of Martinsburg – $1 million: The General Martin Apartments project repurposes the former Glenfield Elementary School at 5960 Main Street into 63 affordable housing units. This adaptive reuse will include 55 one-bedroom, six two-bedroom, and two studio apartments. The building will undergo substantial renovations, incorporating community amenities like a fitness center, laundry facilities, a community room and an outdoor garden.
- City of Ogdensburg – $914,355: Small City Brewing Company will transform a vacant building at 110 Lake Street into a craft brewery, advancing the development of Ogdensburg’s Marina District – a Brownfield Opportunity Area. The project will include a manufacturing facility with a commercial grade five-barrel brewing system and the addition of a 400 square foot grain room. SCBC plans to wholesale to restaurants and bars and open a retail tasting room on-site with a commercial kitchen and event space.
- City of Plattsburgh – $405,000: The 5500 Peru Street project is aimed at revitalizing a multi-use building in a key area within the community. This project involves the reconstruction of a building that has been mostly vacant since 2006 into two residential units and more than 4,300 square feet of renovated commercial space.
- Village of Waddington – $1 million: The former St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 129 Lincoln Avenue is a 5,120-square-foot stone Georgian structure built in 1818. The now-vacant structure faces severe decay, threatening its place within the historic district. The Village plans to stabilize and rehabilitate the site, comprising the church, the adjoining brick rectory, and a rear wooden garage, to create a multi-use, non-sectarian recreational hub. This transformation will preserve its architectural heritage while drawing new residents, fostering community engagement and providing entertainment options.
The Southern Tier was awarded $5.4 million to support seven projects:
- City of Corning – $600,000: The project involves the historic rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of the former Steuben County Courthouse at 10 West First Street into seven apartment-style, market-rate residential units.
- City of Elmira – $1 million: The Carriage House Inn Project consists of the complete renovation and adaptive reuse of 254 Baldwin Street, transforming the property into a boutique-style hotel to support and develop Elmira’s tourism arts and cultural industries. The finished site will house the Tommy Hilfiger Archive, event space, and 12 hotel rooms.
- Village of Franklin – $1 million: Funds will support the rehabilitation of three adjoining, vacant, commercial/mixed-use properties at 438-444 Main Street in the heart of the Village’s Historic District totaling 13,500 square feet. The vacant and under-utilized space will be redeveloped into five new commercial businesses and a new apartment. The businesses include a restaurant, café/art studio, arcade & lounge, retail shop and commercial office space, seeking to fill the void of commercial businesses/services that are being sought by visitors.
- Village of Hammondsport – $1 million: Restore funds will advance the redevelopment of the Curtiss School on 15 Bauder Avenue into 24 apartments, providing workforce housing ideal for young professionals and older adults. The redevelopment will also address the deteriorating building structure, particularly the roof. The building’s gymnasium will be adapted into commercial space ideal for retail, office or other community focused use.
- City of Hornell – $300,000: The Landman Building is prominently located at 83-93 Main Street in downtown Hornell across from City Hall. The proposed project includes a full adaptive reuse of the existing building, with the addition of a third story. Once completed, the building will be a mixed-use development that will bring more residents and business opportunities into the downtown.
- Village of Johnson City – $500,000: The proposed project consists of selective internal demolition and rehabilitation at the vacant former David College at 400 Riverside Drive to accommodate 62 apartments, five single-family homes and approximately 22,000 square feet of commercial space.
- City of Norwich – $1 million: This two-story, 12,400-square-foot former office building at 23 East Main Street will be repurposed to meet critical community needs. The first floor will become a childcare center for 46 children, addressing Chenango County’s childcare desert. The second floor will house Commerce Chenango offices with a reception area, boardroom and conference space, supporting local businesses. The site’s emergency generator and location also position it for FEMA shelter designation, further strengthening community resilience.
Western New York was awarded more than $6.1 million to support six projects:
- Village of Almond – $1 million: This project includes the partial demolition and complete rehabilitation of a condemned, vacant and previously abandoned property known as “The Old Coslo’s Building” at 59 Main Street. The project proposes to rehabilitate this parcel into a mixed-use facility with five retail stores, 14 offices and four low-income apartments.
- City of Jamestown – $721,704: The proposed Prendergast Landing redevelopment project aims to revitalize a historic, vacant building at 106-8 Fairmount Avenue and two adjacent lots into a vibrant, family-friendly destination. The refurbished three-story building will foster local economic growth by featuring a small café, a retail outfitter for outdoor activities, and a boutique showcasing local small businesses on the ground floor. The second floor will offer flexible office spaces ideal for entrepreneurs and a multipurpose room for community events. The third floor will provide three residential lofts that enhance the living experience close to recreational amenities.
- Town of Niagara – $890,000: This project will redevelop a commercial site at 3505 Hyde Park Boulevard by rehabbing a 62,000 square foot building for future potential manufacturing, as well as demolishing other dilapidated buildings on the site to make way for more than 15 acres of industrial space.
- Niagara County – $1.25 million: This project will rehab property along Cayuga Creek at 519 Cayuga Drive in Niagara Falls to create a mixed-use complex. They will be focused on the restoration of the retail space, the rehab of the apartments upstairs and the buildout of the dock with 15 new slips for recreational boaters to visit the neighborhood via the water.
- City of Niagara Falls – $1.25 million: Funding will support a portion of the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Community Initiative. The Medical Center parking garage located at 620 10th Street is in bad condition and several sections are no longer accessible due to structural damage. Medical offices located on the top floor of this garage will be moved to the existing hospital across the street. Once demolished, the open space will be reconstructed into a flat parking area and a new parking garage will be constructed across the street at 621 10th Street.
- City of North Tonawanda – $1 million: The Riverfront Vista project includes redevelopment of the former Metzger Removal site, a 3.1-acre brownfield site that encompasses 235 River Road and 190 Main Street. The $33.3 million project consists of a mixed-use residential and commercial project comprised of a four-story multi-family building with 48 apartment units and a mixed-use building with 39 apartments along with over 7,600 square-feet of commercial space and 2,690 square feet of community space.
State Senator Sean Ryan said, “Restore NY is one of New York’s most impactful economic development programs. It encourages new business by reducing vacancy and paving the way for new commercial development. These awards will help turn underutilized properties into assets for the surrounding communities.”

Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “This round of awards, made possible by Governor Hochul and Restore New York, takes smart and strategic steps to breathe life back into our communities. Mitigating damage and restoring blighted structures will attract new business and restore the character of local towns in a sustainable way — conserving resources and building materials in the process. By bolstering local revitalization efforts, these projects open municipalities to economic, environmental, and residential opportunities that enhance quality of life for all New Yorkers.”

These awards complement Governor Hochul’s economic development vision by making strategic investments in communities across the State which revitalize the economy and create more opportunities for New Yorkers. The FY2026 Budget invests $100 million for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and $100 million for NY Forward. These programs help municipalities promote quality of life, foster socio-economic development and create walkable, livable and safer neighborhoods in every corner of the state. Additionally, the $400 million Championing Albany’s Potential initiative, a collaborative, State-led effort to revitalize Albany’s downtown core. The Budget also includes funding for the state’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative; new this year, the 10 councils will compete, in part, for $150 million in funding as part of the new ACHIEVE initiative to advance catalytic economic development projects backed by enhanced implementation funding to jump-start regional growth.

MIL OSI USA News –
May 27, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Govt should defuse NZ’s social timebomb – but won’t

We have been handed a long and protracted recession with few signs of growth and prosperity. Budget 2025 signals more of the same, writes Susan St John.

ANALYSIS: By Susan St John

With the coalition government’s second Budget being unveiled, we should question where New Zealand is heading.

The 2024 Budget laid out the strategy. Tax cuts and landlord subsidies were prioritised with a focus on cuts to social and infrastructure spending. Most of the tax package went to the well-off, while many low-income households got nothing, or very little.

Even the tiny bit of the tax package directed to low-income people fell flat. Family Boost has significantly helped only a handful of families, while the increase of $25 per week (In Work Tax Credit) was denied all families on benefits, affecting about 200,000 of the very poorest children.

In the recession, families that lost paid work also lost access to full Working for Families, an income cut for their children of about $100 per week.

No one worked out how the many spending cuts would be distributed, but they have hurt the poor the most. These changes are too numerous to itemise but include increased transport costs; the reintroduction of prescription charges; a disastrous school lunch system; rising rents, rates and insurance; fewer budget advisory services; cuts to foodbank funding and hardship grants; stripping away support programmes for the disabled; inadequately adjusted benefits and minimum wage; and reduced support for pay equity and the living wage.

The objective is to save money while ignoring the human cost. For example, a scathing report of the Auditor General confirms that Oranga Tamariki took a bulldozer to obeying the call for a 6.5 percent cut in existing social services with no regard to the extreme hurt caused to children and struggling parents.

Budget 2025 has already indicated that Working for Families will continue to go backwards with not even inflation adjustments. The 2025 child and youth strategy report shows that over the year to June 2024 the number of children in material poverty continued to increase, there were more avoidable hospitalisations, immunisation rates for babies declined, and there was more food insecurity.

Human costs all around us
We can see the human costs all around us in homelessness, food insecurity, and ill health. Already we know we rank at the bottom among developed countries for child wellbeing and suicide rates.

Abject distress existing alongside where homes sell for $20 million-$40 million is no longer uncommon, and neither are $6 million helicopters of the very rich.

Changes in suicide rates (three-year average), ages 15 to 19 from 2018 to 2022 (or most recent four-year period available). Source: WHO mortality database

At the start of the year, Helen Robinson, CEO of the Auckland City Mission, had a clear warning: “I am pleading with government for more support, otherwise what we and other food relief agencies in Auckland can provide, will dramatically decrease.

“This leaves more of Auckland hungry and those already there become more desperate. It is the total antithesis of a thriving city.”

The theory held by this government is that by reducing the role of government and taxes, the private sector will flourish, and secure well-paid jobs will be created. Instead, as basic economic theory would predict, we have been handed a long and protracted recession with few signs of growth and prosperity.

Budget 2025 signals more of the same.

It would be a mistake to wait for simplistic official inequality statistics before we act. Our current destination is a sharply divided country of extreme wealth and extreme poverty with an insecure middle class.

Underfunded social agencies
Underfunded and swamped social agencies cannot remove the relentless stress on the people who are invisible in the ‘fiscally responsible’ economic narrative. The fabricated bogeyman of outsized net government debt is at the core, as the government pursues balanced budgets and small government-size targets.

A stage one economics student would know the deficit increases automatically in a recession to cushion the decline and stop the economy spiralling into something that looks more like a depression. But our safety nets of social welfare are performing very badly.

Rising unemployment has exposed the inadequacy of social protections. Working for Families, for instance, provides a very poor cushion for children. Many “working” families do not have enough hours of work and face crippling poverty traps.

Future security is undermined as more KiwiSavers cash in for hardship reasons. A record number of the talented young we need to drive the recovery and repair the frayed social fabric have already fled the country.

The government is fond of comparing its Budget to that of a household. But what prudent household would deliberately undermine the earning capacity of family members?

The primary task for the Budget should be to look after people first, to allow them to meet their food, dental and health needs, education, housing and travel costs, to have a buffer of savings to cushion unexpected shocks and to prepare for old age.

A sore thumb standing
In the social security part of the Budget, NZ Super for all at 65, no matter how rich or whether still in full-time well-paid work, dominates (gross $25 billion). It’s a sore thumb standing out alongside much less generous, highly targeted benefits and working for families, paid parental leave, family boost, hardship provisions, accommodation supplement, winter energy and other payments and subsidies.

Given the political will, research shows we can easily redirect at least $3 billion from very wealthy superannuitants to fixing other payments to greatly improve the wellbeing of the young. This will not be enough but it could be a first step to the wide rebalancing needed.

New Zealand has become a country of two halves whose paths rarely cross: a social time bomb with unimaginable consequences. It is a country beguiled by an egalitarian past that is no more.

Susan St John is an associate professor in the Pensions and Intergenerational Equity hub and Economic Policy Centre, Business School, University of Auckland. This article was first published by Newsroom before the 2025 Budget and is republished with permission.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp: Mercedes-Benz Establishing North American Headquarters, new Research & Development Hub in Metro Atlanta

Source: US State of Georgia

ATLANTA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Mercedes-Benz will establish Atlanta as Mercedes-Benz’s headquarters in North America by centralizing and uniting key corporate functions. The company will move up to 500 jobs to the existing Mercedes-Benz facility, known as “1MB,” in Fulton County, and make a multi-million dollar investment in a future state-of-the-art Research & Development (R&D) facility to also be located nearby.

“Georgia continues to lead the way in the future of mobility and technical innovation, attracting world-class companies like Mercedes-Benz that are driving the automotive industry forward,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “We’re excited that a job creator that already has close ties to Georgia is doubling down on that choice and growing their presence here in the best state for business and opportunity.”

Mercedes-Benz opened its “1MB” facility in 2018 in Sandy Springs, which currently supports approximately 800 jobs in Georgia.

“We thank the State of Georgia for its support in deepening Mercedes-Benz’s roots in the Atlanta area as we bring even more talented team members to this world-class city,” said Jason Hoff, CEO of Mercedes-Benz North America. “This strengthens our position for continued growth and reinforces our established commitment to the U.S. market. Bringing our teams closer together will enable us to be more agile, increase speed to market, and ensure the best customer experience.”

The ”1MB” facility located in Sandy Springs will house the existing sales teams as well as financial services teams and corporate functions. The new state-of-the-art Research & Development hub will be located near Sandy Springs. The company anticipates that the move to metro Atlanta will be completed by August 2026. To learn more about Mercedes-Benz, visit www.mbusa.com/en/careers or group.mercedes-benz.com/careers.

“We’re excited to see Mercedes-Benz expanding in Sandy Springs,” said Mayor Rusty Paul, City of Sandy Springs. “Since establishing their headquarters here in 2018, they have been outstanding corporate partners. Their decision to grow in Sandy Springs highlights the success of the city’s recent infrastructure and capital investments which are now clearly paying dividends. This expansion represents a wonderful opportunity and a significant milestone for our continued development.”

“Having a globally recognized brand like Mercedes-Benz reaffirm its commitment by investing and growing here in Fulton County is a testament to the strength and vitality of our community,” said Chairman Robb Pitts, Fulton County Board of Commissioners. “It proves Fulton County continues to be a destination for corporate solutions, providing major companies an accessible, vibrant, and growing community for their business to thrive in.”

“This expansion is a testament to both Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to excellence and metro Atlanta’s strength as a hub for innovation and talent. When the 1MB facility opened in 2018, it quickly became an integral part of our business landscape, driving economic growth and elevating the region’s global presence,” said Katie Kirkpatrick, President & CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “We are proud to see this partnership deepen as Mercedes-Benz continues to invest in our future shared success.”

Assistant Director of Statewide Projects Elizabeth McLean represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this competitive project in partnership with the City of Sandy Springs, Select Fulton, Metro Atlanta Chamber, and Georgia Power.

“Since the strategic decision to relocate Mercedes-Benz USA to Sandy Springs in 2018, we have watched Mercedes-Benz become an integral part of our business community. Their continued growth and community involvement are a prime example of why we recruit industry leaders such as Mercedes-Benz to Georgia,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “This expansion and commitment to R&D in the metro Atlanta area will further strengthen the company’s long-term success, and highlights the talent and collaborative partnerships fostered by the University System of Georgia.”

About Mercedes-Benz AG

Mercedes-Benz AG is part of the Mercedes-Benz Group AG with a total of around 175,000 employees worldwide and is responsible for the global business of Mercedes-Benz Cars and Mercedes-Benz Vans. Ola Källenius is Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG. The company focuses on the development, production, and sales of passenger cars, vans, and vehicle-related services. Furthermore, the company aspires to be the leader in the fields of electric mobility and vehicle software. The product portfolio comprises the Mercedes-Benz brand with Mercedes AMG, Mercedes Maybach, and G Class with their all-electric models as well as products of the smart brand. Mercedes-Benz AG is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of high-end passenger cars.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI: Primech AI Commences 2-Year Lease Deployment of HYTRON Autonomous Bathroom Cleaning Robot at Major Singapore Shopping Mall

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SINGAPORE, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Primech AI Pte. Ltd. (“Primech AI” or the “Company”), a subsidiary of Primech Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: PMEC), today announced the successful deployment of its state-of-the-art autonomous bathroom cleaning robot, HYTRON, at one of Singapore’s premier lifestyle and shopping destinations. This deployment represents a significant milestone in the Company’s mission to revolutionize facility services through advanced robotics and AI-driven technology.

The HYTRON robot, powered by NVIDIA’s Jetson Orin Super module, delivers exceptional performance in real-time AI processing, energy efficiency, and intelligent decision-making capabilities within a compact design specifically engineered for high-traffic public environments.

“Our deployment at this shopping mall demonstrates how advanced robotics and AI can dramatically improve cleanliness and hygiene standards in busy commercial spaces,” said Charles Ng, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Primech AI. “HYTRON represents our commitment to addressing real-world challenges in facilities management through purpose-built technological solutions.”

HYTRON’s sophisticated capabilities leverage NVIDIA’s comprehensive suite of technologies, including CUDA for high-performance parallel computing, cuDNN for accelerated deep learning performance, TensorRT for optimized AI inference, and NVIDIA Driver for stable hardware-software communication. These technologies enable HYTRON to maintain consistent cleanliness standards with minimal human intervention.

Visitors can now observe HYTRON in operation, working efficiently to maintain restroom cleanliness with precision and reliability throughout the mall’s operating hours. The robot’s presence has already generated significant interest among shoppers and facilities management professionals alike.

This latest HYTRON deployment at one of Singapore’s busiest lifestyle destinations underscores Primech AI’s expanding market presence and mission to transform urban hygiene solutions through innovative robotics. The Company continues to focus on creating tailored solutions for space-constrained environments typical in urban settings across Asia and Europe.

About Primech AI
Primech AI is a leading robotics company dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation in technology. With a team of passionate individuals and a commitment to collaboration, Primech AI is poised to revolutionize the robotics industry with groundbreaking solutions that make a meaningful impact on society. For more information, visit www.primech.ai.

About Primech Holdings Limited
Headquartered in Singapore, Primech Holdings Limited is a leading provider of comprehensive technology-driven facilities services, predominantly serving both public and private sectors throughout Singapore. Primech Holdings offers an extensive range of services tailored to meet the complex demands of its diverse clientele. Services include advanced general facility maintenance services, specialized cleaning solutions such as marble polishing and facade cleaning, meticulous stewarding services, and targeted cleaning services for offices and homes. Known for its commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology, Primech Holdings integrates eco-friendly practices and smart technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency and client satisfaction. This strategic approach positions Primech Holdings as a leader in the industry and a proactive contributor to advancing industry standards and practices in Singapore and beyond. For more information, visit www.primechholdings.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, for example, statements about completing the acquisition, anticipated revenues, growth, and expansion. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are also based on assumptions regarding the Company’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure that such expectations will be correct. The Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.

Company Contact:
Email: ir@primech.com.sg

Investor Relations Contact:
Matthew Abenante, IRC
President
Strategic Investor Relations, LLC
Tel: 347-947-2093
Email: matthew@strategic-ir.com

The MIL Network –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI: Modern Renters Crave Easy, Digital Experiences, AppFolio Research Finds
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Report reveals growing appetite for services that deliver convenience

Property managers must elevate the resident experience to attract renters amid rising competition

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AppFolio (NASDAQ:APPF), the technology leader powering the future of the real estate industry, today released its 2025 AppFolio Renter Preferences Report. Drawing on insights from over 2,000 U.S. renters, the report outlines key strategies for property managers to gain an edge in a competitive market shaped by rising costs, higher vacancies, and slower rent growth.

Residents Want Services That Offer Convenience in Their Daily Lives
Today’s renters expect property managers to offer a digital, consumer-friendly experience similar to what they receive from retailers and on-demand applications. However, the availability of these services – like renter rewards programs, security deposit alternatives, and prompt maintenance support – is still limited, presenting a gap for property managers to fill.
- Residents who are satisfied with their property manager are 73% more likely to plan to renew their lease. Similarly, those who are satisfied with maintenance are 71% more likely to say they are planning to renew their lease, and 86% of renters who are satisfied with communication about maintenance issues are also satisfied with their property manager.
- Despite online payments becoming more common, 39% of renters still pay rent through traditional methods like cash or check, with 59% of those renters reporting that online payments are not available to them.
- When considering a new rental, renters report the most valuable financial services to them are online rent payment (86%), rent reporting (72%), renter rewards programs (72%), flexible rent (69%), and security deposit alternatives (65%).
Modernizing the Moving Experience Is an Untapped Opportunity
Moving is a highly stressful part of the rental journey and while digital move-in services can greatly reduce this burden, they remain underutilized. Those who use them overwhelmingly find them helpful.
- While 35% of renters plan to move from their current housing, primarily seeking better living spaces or lower rent, 44% of those choosing to renew their leases cite the high cost of moving as their main reason for staying.
- Three-fourths of renters have experienced challenges during the move-in process, with setting up utilities being reported as the top issue.
- Fewer than 30% of renters have completed their move-in tasks through digital tools, yet 80% of those who have used them found the digital tools beneficial.
Understanding Generational Differences Is Key to Meeting and Exceeding Resident Expectations
Gen Z is on track to become the largest renter demographic by 2030. With accessing homeownership continuing to be a challenge, many see rental homes as long-term residences and expect homes that use technology to improve everyday life.
- 71% of Gen Z renters consider digital move-in services important, compared to 58% of Millennials, 53% of Gen X, and 34% of Baby Boomers.
- When evaluating a new rental, 69% of Gen Z are interested in smart home technology, compared to 58% of Millennials, 50% of Gen X, and 46% of Baby Boomers.
- 77% of Gen Z renters prioritize flexible rent, in contrast to 67% of Millennials, 49% of Gen X, and 37% of Baby Boomers.
“Residents expect fast, easy, and personalized experiences—and our report shows that demand is only growing,” said Stacy Holden, Vice President, Industry Principal at AppFolio. “Property managers that meet and exceed resident expectations will not only address current gaps in service but also attract new renters and build stronger relationships with existing residents.”

Explore the top trends defining today’s rental landscape and download the 2025 AppFolio Renter Preference Report.

Survey Methodology
AppFolio commissioned a survey of 2,002 U.S. renters ages 18 and up, which was conducted from January 24–30, 2025.

About AppFolio
AppFolio is the technology leader powering the future of the real estate industry. Our innovative platform and trusted partnership enable our customers to connect communities, increase operational efficiency, and grow their business. For more information about AppFolio, visit appfolio.com.

For more information, please contact:
AppFolio
appfolio@missionnorth.com

The MIL Network –
May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Bin Collections & Recycling Centres Operating as Normal Over May Bank Holiday
Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

Bin Collections & Recycling Centres Operating as Normal Over May Bank Holiday

22 May 2025

Derry City and Strabane District Council is reminding residents that bin collections and Recycling Centres will continue as normal on the upcoming May Bank Holiday, Monday 26th May 2025.

Residents are advised to leave out their bins as usual on collection day. The Council is encouraging everyone to stay committed to recycling by using Blue and Brown bins correctly, helping reduce household waste over the holiday weekend.

Please note that Council offices on Strand Road, Derry, and Derry Road, Strabane, will be closed on Monday 26th May and will reopen on Tuesday 27th May. Registry Offices in both Derry and Strabane will also be closed on the Monday, reopening the following day.

For those enjoying local attractions, the Guildhall and Tower Museum will remain open and welcoming visitors over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Council-operated cemeteries will remain open daily from 8:00am to 8:00pm throughout the holiday period.

The Council’s Out of Hours Dog Warden Service will be in operation to respond to ongoing dog attacks on people or animals. To report an incident, call 07734 128096. Please note that while the Council is not obligated to respond to other reports outside of normal hours, serious voicemails will be assessed.

All Council parks and greenways will be open, and the public is encouraged to enjoy these spaces responsibly keeping them clean by using the bins provided.

The Alley Theatre will also be open throughout the weekend, with Encore’s The Little Mermaid showing on Saturday 24^th May.

Leisure Services Opening Times – Bank Holiday Monday 26th May:
- Open: Bishop’s Field, Templemore Sports Complex, Riversdale Leisure Centre, Melvin Sports Complex, Derg Valley Leisure Centre
- Closed: Brooke Park, City Baths, Foyle Arena, Brandywell
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Lilian Seenoi-Barr, encouraged residents to make the most of the long weekend:

“I’d like to wish everyone across our city and district a relaxing and enjoyable Bank Holiday. Let’s continue taking pride in our beautiful environment by recycling, respecting public spaces, and supporting our local attractions and services.”

For full and up-to-date service details, please visit the Council website:
www.derrystrabane.com/services/opening-hours
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair serves as a platform for promoting regional cooperation between China and Russia

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

HARBIN, May 22 (Xinhua) — The 34th Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair, which recently concluded in the city of Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, has injected new impetus into cooperation between the Chinese border province and Russian regions.

One of the main topics of the event, which took place from May 17 to 21, was regional cooperation between China and Russia.

The Heilongjiang Province is separated from some Russian regions only by the Heilongjiang River /Amur/. “The Amur does not simply divide us, but on the contrary, connects us. This is a connection of two neighbors,” noted the acting governor of the Jewish Autonomous Region /JAR/ Maria Kostyuk, calling the Heilongjiang Province the only such strategic partner for the JAR.

M. Kostyuk participated in the Harbin International Trade and Economic Fair for the first time in the capacity of the head of the region. Previously, she had visited the exhibition many times when she worked in the mayor’s office of the city of Birobidzhan.

“We worked together with our sister city Hegang in Heilongjiang Province not only on exchanging businessmen, but also introducing businesses to each other’s territory so that we could have very proper cooperation. For the second year in a row, Birobidzhan and Hegang have presented a joint exposition at the Harbin International Trade and Economic Fair,” she noted.

In addition to Hegang and Birobidzhan, sister city relations have been established between Chinese and Russian cities such as Heihe and Blagoveshchensk, as well as Tongjiang and Bogdanovich, which helps to unlock the potential for cooperation between the border areas of the two countries.

“In terms of humanitarian cooperation, the Amur Region is the leader among other regions of Russia in terms of the number of Russian-Chinese joint events, just as the Heilongjiang Province is among Chinese regions,” emphasized the Governor of the Amur Region Vasily Orlov in an interview with the media on the sidelines of the 34th Harbin International Trade and Economic Fair.

“We have more than 200 events. They are held annually, there are very bright, iconic ones that have become the calling card of our cities – Blagoveshchensk and Heihe, as well as the Amur Region and Heilongjiang Province,” he explained, expressing hope that in the future the level of these events will increase through the involvement of additional partner regions on both sides.

Both leaders of Russian regions also noted the dynamics of development of cooperation with Heilongjiang Province in such areas as agriculture, logistics and tourism.

On the sidelines of the current Harbin International Trade and Economic Fair, the Russian Export Center (REC) organized another festival-fair “Made in Russia.” It featured products from over 100 Russian manufacturers from 50 regions of the country.

During the festival-fair, specialized negotiations on the B2B model were also held between Chinese and Russian companies, which, according to REC General Director Veronika Nikishina, provided a unique opportunity to establish important business contacts and expand the horizons of cooperation.

REC is organizing a similar festival-fair on the sidelines of the Harbin International Trade and Economic Fair for the second time. As part of the event, a Made in Russia retail store also opened in Harbin.

“I think that candies and chocolates made in Russia have a unique and rich taste, and they are inexpensive. Our whole family likes them very much,” said one shopper surnamed Sun.

“We opened the first warehouse distribution center in Suifenhe, Heilongjiang Province, with an area of over 4,500 square meters, to supply and continuously provide the Made in Russia retail chain with original and high-quality Russian products,” explained V. Nikishina, noting that from the point of view of the extensive development of the national brand, the Chinese market is one of the most important and promising in the world.

According to M. Kostyuk, residents of China and Russia are always interested in communicating with each other as neighbors and close people. “We already have experience of long-term cooperation with border cities of Heilongjiang Province. We must also go together today along one path in order to develop our mutual cooperation,” she summarized. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 27, 2025
VP calls for evidence-based validation, digitisation, translations, and cross-disciplinary studies of ancient texts

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (2)

lign=”center”>Focus on alternative medicine, says VP
VP lauds global centre for traditional medicine in Jamnagar
Belief that anything Indic or ancient is regressive has no place in modern India-VP
VP commissions the statue of “Charaka -Father of Ayurveda” and Statue of “ Sushruta- Father of Surgery” at Raj Bhavan, Goa

The Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today called for focussing on alternative medicine and for evidence based validation of our ancient texts to make them accessible and applicable to contemporary challenges. Speaking at an event in RajBhavan, Goa he said, “ We are a nation with a difference….We are rediscovering our roots, and we will get rooted in our roots. I strongly focus on alternative medicine because India is the home of alternative medicine. It is being practiced now very extensively….Let us not confine our ancient texts to libraries. They are not meant for shelf of library. They are meant to be widely disseminated. Let us bring timeless ideas to life through research, innovation, and reinterpretation using modern scientific tools. Let us pursue evidence-based validation, digitisation, translations, and cross-disciplinary studies to make these treasures accessible and applicable to contemporary challenges….. am extremely happy that World Health Organisation has recognised it by establishing a global centre for traditional medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat. What a powerful recognition of universal relevance of our systems like Ayurveda.”

“Time for us to look back in our Vedas, in our Upanishads, in our Puranas, in our history and time to tell our children from birth about our civilizational depth of knowledge”, he added

https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1925442859010036125

Addressing the gathering after commissioning the statutes, Shri Dhankhar stated, “We are celebrating today, those who epitomize knowledge — Charak. Charak was a royal physician in Kushan Kingdom. Charak is known as father of medicine and Charak author Charak Samhita, it is a foundational text for Ayurveda. The other one, Sushrut, father of Surgery, then. I had the occasion to see what you had put in paintings. Surgical instruments during those days, so forward looking and we must always remember. Sushrut was a disciple of Dhanvantari, another celebrated name. ….Let the lives and works of Charaka and Sushruta be a source of inspiration and motivation for all, particularly our impressionable minds.”

https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1925425566821621965

Reflecting on the need to take pride in our ancient knowledge, Shri Dhankhar underscored, “ I wish to also focus on, also highlight a particular cultural trait. It is our cultural trait. Within sections of our society, there is a belief. Anything Indic or ancient is a regressive. This trait has no place in modern India. This trait has no place in our times. The world has realised our importance. Time for us also to realise it. We cannot afford a situation to believe West is modern and progressive. Look at the current scenario and you will find it is far from it. India is the center. International Monetary Fund was not wrong and must have said with great difficulty, we are center of excellence. We are a hot spot of golden opportunities, opportunity for investment. That being the situation, let us believe in Indic situations. West is far behind us. In their own mind, they are learning from us.”

https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1925445876149100705

Underlining the ancient civilizational knowledge, the Vice-President said, “ The entire West will be stunned if we learn more about our treasure of knowledge…. Charaka, Sushruta, Dhanvantri, Jivaka, renowned Ayurvedic physician. And he was Buddha’s personal doctor…..When it comes to mathematics and astronomy, Aryabhatta, we have named our satellites after him, a great name, and during those times we had Baudhayana, great mathematician, and we have Varahamihira…. He was there when Chandragupta Vikramaditya court was there…..he was one of those. He was having an observatory at Ujjain during those times.”

https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1925442964870111623

“We are a unique civilisation….Long before we came to be abreast of the modern surgical situations, 300 surgical procedures, plastic surgery, fracture management, and even caesarean delivery. Just imagine. We need to take great pride in it. At that point of time, what we call super specialty hospitals. The things they transact in medical science, we had it already. And it is not only that. They put it in writing for academicians. Sushruta’s writings reflect not just merely anatomical knowledge, but a profound scientific spirit emphasising accuracy, training, hygiene and patient care”, he added

May 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: France: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2025 Article IV Mission
Source: IMF – News in Russian

A Concluding Statement describes the preliminary findings of IMF staff at the end of an official staff visit (or ‘mission’), in most cases to a member country. Missions are undertaken as part of regular (usually annual) consultations under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, in the context of a request to use IMF resources (borrow from the IMF), as part of discussions of staff monitored programs, or as part of other staff monitoring of economic developments.

The authorities have consented to the publication of this statement. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF Executive Board for discussion and decision.
Paris, France – May 22, 2025

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, led by Manuela Goretti and comprising Florian Misch, Rasmane Ouedraogo, Maryam Vaziri, and Torsten Wezel, conducted discussions during May 12-22 for the 2025 Article IV Consultation with France. At the end of the visit, the mission issued the following statement:

The French economy has demonstrated resilience despite high uncertainty, with disinflation progressing well and the labor market remaining robust. However, high and rising public debt, combined with significant domestic and external headwinds to the recovery, highlights the need to strengthen public finances and pursuing structural reforms to foster sustainable growth. The French authorities’ commitment to bring the deficit below 3 percent of GDP by 2029 is welcome and should be supported by a credible and well-designed package of measures. Advancing France’s structural reform agenda will be crucial to boost productivity and facilitate fiscal consolidation. While the financial sector remains resilient, strong supervisory practices need to continue adapting to an increasingly complex financial landscape. France’s sustained efforts to deepen the European single market remain critical to support the economy and strengthen its ability to withstand shocks.

Economic Outlook

High domestic and external uncertainty is expected to continue weighing on the short-term economic outlook. Real GDP growth is projected to slow to 0.6 percent in 2025 and reach 1 percent in 2026. These projections reflect a delayed recovery in private consumption and investment due to weak confidence and fiscal tightening this year, despite some uplift from monetary policy easing. Weaker external demand, amid trade tensions, market volatility, and geo-economic uncertainty, is expected to further dampen exports and investment prospects. These projections are based on the April World Economic Outlook global assumptions and do not reflect the latest trade policy announcements. Over the medium term, growth is projected to converge to around 1.2 percent, before decelerating towards its long-term potential of 1 percent reflecting both demographic trends and need for further structural reforms. The disinflationary process is progressing well, with average headline inflation projected at 1.2 percent in 2025, due to base effects and lower energy prices, and core inflation at 1.9 percent.

The outlook remains subject to significant downside risks, notwithstanding potential upsides. Deepening geoeconomic fragmentation and rising trade tensions could disrupt trade and financial flows and dampen economic activity. In such an environment, uncertainty would increase, and financial conditions could tighten further, reducing domestic demand and worsening debt dynamics. Political fragmentation and social tensions could delay fiscal consolidation and reform efforts, further weighing on confidence and the outlook, raising fiscal risks. On the upside, easing trade tensions and renewed structural reform momentum could improve growth prospects over the medium term. Domestic reforms could be strengthened through deeper coordination and integration at the EU level. Consumption could be stronger if household saving rates eased more rapidly on the back of dissipating uncertainty. Business investment and export performance could also surprise on the upside, driven by higher demand—in France and in the rest of Europe—including for defense as well as digital and green technologies.

Fiscal Policy: Reducing Debt while Refocusing Spending Priorities

Building on the 2025 budget, the authorities are committed to implementing their Medium-term Fiscal Structural Plan (MTFSP) to bring the deficit below 3 percent of GDP by 2029. While the envisaged adjustment is appropriate to improve debt dynamics and strengthen France’s resilience to shocks, it needs to be supported by a credible and well-designed package of measures and remains subject to implementation risks, as evidenced by recent setbacks. Under staff’s current policy baseline scenario, which incorporates only legislated and clearly specified measures, the deficit is projected to decline to 5.4 percent of GDP in 2025, in line with the budget target. However pending approval of significant additional measures, it would remain around 6 percent of GDP in the medium-term, keeping debt on an upward trend until 2030. While short-term risks remain manageable, debt dynamics have weakened significantly, following consecutive fiscal slippages in 2023 and 2024, and remain highly sensitive to the real interest rate and growth path. In this context, France’s commitment to undertake further fiscal consolidation, as per EU rules, represents an important mitigating factor.

Significant additional fiscal efforts will be crucial to preserve fiscal space and create room to absorb rising spending demands, while placing debt on a downward path. Staff recommends a frontloaded structural fiscal effort of 1.1 percent of GDP in 2026, followed by an average of about 0.9 percent of GDP per year over the medium term, broadly in line with the authorities’ plans. The recommended adjustment would allow the country to exit the excessive deficit procedure by end-2029, as targeted. Staff’s debt sustainability analysis indicates that the recommended fiscal path would markedly reduce medium-term debt sustainability risks, with the debt-stabilizing primary balance being reached in 2027.

Achieving this substantial fiscal consolidation will require decisive actions and difficult decisions to ensure equity and fairness amid challenging trade-offs:

Given France’s already high tax-to-GDP ratio, any new tax measures should be focused on reducing inefficient tax expenditures and tackling tax avoidance while improving equity. While exceptional temporary revenue measures can help kickstart much needed fiscal adjustment, France’s level of taxation—among the highest in the EU—indicates that sustained tax-based fiscal consolidation, of the magnitude necessary to advance France’s medium-term plans, would hamper business confidence, household consumption, and growth potential. Building on recent experiences, the authorities should continue to monitor and evaluate tax expenditure programs to address inefficiencies vis-à-vis intended objectives and generate savings. This approach would also simplify the tax system and facilitate revenue forecasting.

The authorities should focus on rationalizing spending and strengthening its efficiency, with concerted action across all government levels: central government, social security, and local governments. France has the highest spending-to-GDP ratio among EU countries. There are several avenues to rationalize spending and improve its quality, while preserving growth-enhancing investment in key priority areas and mitigating distributional impacts on the most vulnerable. The planned expansion of spending reviews and efforts to minimize overlaps across government entities, including local governments, can streamline spending by addressing inefficiencies and reducing red tape. There is also scope to further improve the targeting of social benefits, including by reviewing eligibility and duration of unemployment benefits, to better target active labor market initiatives, as well as to further simplify and harmonize pension schemes, while ensuring a balanced system, building on the 2023 pension reform. These efforts would foster less fragmented and longer careers while enhancing the sustainability and intergenerational equity of the social security system. Enhanced monitoring and financial coordination can also generate savings at the local and national levels.

The authorities’ initiatives to reinforce public finances forecasting and budget controls, in response to recent fiscal slippages, are welcome. The March 2025 Action plan by the authorities aims at enhancing monitoring of tax revenue, fostering greater transparency, and reinforcing the role of the High Council for Public Finances. Sustained efforts in these areas are essential to identify and proactively address fiscal risks, strengthen public finance management, and enhance fiscal policy credibility. Contingency plans will be also needed to ensure that pressing priority spending needs, including in defense, are met without compromising public finances.

Macrostructural Policies to Support Jobs and Productivity Growth

Raising weak productivity growth is critical for sustaining France’s economic prospects, in the face of substantial fiscal consolidation needs. The per capita income gap between France and the US has increased since the early 2000s and now exceeds 20 percent, primarily due to lower productivity and employment in France. Macro-structural reforms can play a critical role in lifting potential output, while facilitating fiscal consolidation efforts. For example, an increase in potential GDP growth of 0.3 percentage points could help reduce public debt by nearly 10 percent of GDP over the long term.

France is well-positioned to capitalize on the green and digital transitions through greater efforts to support innovation and access to capital. France’s comparative advantage in low-carbon technologies and its potential to become a European hub for Artificial Intelligence can foster the development of new technologies and support growth. Ongoing efforts by the authorities to review and rationalize state aid and R&D tax expenditures by focusing on the most impactful schemes and better targeting eligibility criteria can boost innovation and help close gaps with peers. Enhancing access to finance and reducing financing costs for productive but credit-constrained firms is crucial and should be supported by advancing the EU Savings and Investment Union which can increase the availability of capital and its efficient allocation.

To support entrepreneurship, policies should focus on easing entry barriers and reducing the regulatory burden. France performs relatively well in terms of product market regulation, but reducing administrative market entry barriers for firms, especially in some services sectors, is crucial for boosting business dynamism and productivity growth. The Simplification Bill, currently under discussion, would be an important step towards further reducing the regulatory burden and streamlining requirements, particularly for small and medium size firms. At the European level, deepening the single market through the removal of remaining intra-EU trade barriers and greater harmonization of regulations can help firms achieve economies of scale and incentivize innovation by expanding market size.

Sustained efforts to promote employment and job quality remain critical to facilitate green and digital transitions, amid an aging workforce, and boost productivity growth. While employment rates have increased, they remain low in segments of the population compared to other countries. Possible areas for policy intervention include further social benefit reforms to enhance work incentives and reduce career fragmentation, particularly among younger and older individuals. These measures can be complemented by efforts to further raise labor force participation of women, including through recent initiatives to support STEM careers, and better integrate migrants into the labor market. Promoting workforce skills and healthy aging would also contribute to job quality.

Adapting to a Complex Financial Landscape
The banking sector has demonstrated resilience to recent shocks, supported by prudent lending standards and strong precautionary buffers. While profitability remains below the EU average, banks’ solvency and liquidity positions are robust, with adequate buffers. Sound prudential measures are mitigating housing market risks as property prices stabilize, while risks to the banking sector from corporate indebtedness and sovereign exposures remain manageable. Notwithstanding high uncertainty, financial stability risks remain contained, with French banks showing resilience under severe geopolitical and recessionary stress test scenarios, applied in the context of the IMF’s 2025 Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP).

The connections between the banking system, insurance firms, and domestic funding markets warrant continued close monitoring. The FSAP stress test indicates that investment funds possess sufficient liquidity to withstand large redemption shocks, and French banks’ liquidity buffers can absorb potential market shocks from associated fixed-income sell-offs. Moreover, liquidity management tools to contain redemption risks have been widely adopted. Nevertheless, amid global uncertainty and episodes of high market volatility, there is scope to further strengthen oversight through greater monitoring and data sharing on fund liability structures as well as closer collaboration among non-bank financial institutions supervisors in France and at the EU level.

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/22/CS-France-2025

MIL OSI
MIL OSI Russia News –
May 23, 2025