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  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Wicker Leads SASC Hearing to Consider Five Senior Pentagon Nominations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
    Watch Video Here
     
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led a hearing to consider the qualifications of five senior nominees to serve within the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, and the Department of the Navy.
    Mr. Hung Cao, nominated to serve as Under Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Michael F. Dodd, nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies, Mr. Jules W. Hurst III, nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Mr. Brent G. Ingraham, nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, and Mr. William J. Gillis, nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment all appeared before the committee.
    In his opening remarks, Chairman Wicker praised the extensive experience and expertise of the nominees and emphasized the need for quality leadership in today’s threat environment.
    Read Chairman Wicker’s hearing opening statement as delivered.
    I welcome our nominees and their families, and I am grateful for their willingness to serve our nation. The United States faces a very dangerous threat environment, and we need people like this to step up, now more than ever.
    Mr. Hung Cao has been nominated to serve as Under Secretary of the Navy. He is a 25-year Navy veteran with industry experience. As Under Secretary, he would play a critical role in the daily management of the Navy and Marine Corps. And there will be plenty to keep him busy: revitalizing shipbuilding, improving maintenance to meet 80 percent surge readiness, and enhancing the welfare of our sailors and marines. His leadership and willingness to partner with Congress will be essential for a mission-ready Navy.
    Mr. Michael Dodd has been nominated for the position of Assistant Secretary of the Defense for Critical Technologies. If confirmed, Mr. Dodd will be the first individual to hold this position officially. Mr. Dodd brings experience at the Defense Innovation Unit and in thought leadership, particularly in microelectronics. I am interested to hear what actions Mr. Dodd believes we should take to make progress in delivering our most critical technologies to the battlefield.
    Mr. Jay Hurst has been nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Recent transformations in the Army will leave him to manage a workforce that is leaner, more agile, and more effective, while also ensuring soldiers and their families receive the support they need. Mr. Hurst is a seasoned Army Reserve officer with experience as a government contractor, in civil service at the DOD, and in national security roles on Capitol Hill. I look forward to hearing his plans for strengthening the force and supporting those who serve.
    Mr. Brent Ingraham has been nominated to serve as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology. He has devoted nearly two decades of service to the Department of Defense, including in his current role as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Platform and Weapons Portfolio Management. I look forward to hearing Mr. Ingraham’s plan in his new role to ensure the Army stays on track.
    And finally, Mr. Jordan Gillis has been nominated to be the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Energy, Installations, and Environment. As a former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment, his experience will be crucial to ensuring the Department of the Army follows the law in implementing minimum Plant Replacement Value of 4 percent starting in 2030. I hope to hear today from Mr. Gillis on this issue, along with many other facility sustainment concerns.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Secure Michigan’s Propane Supply

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    Published: 06.26.2025
    Peters’ Bill Aims to Lower Energy Costs, Help Ensure Michiganders Can Heat Their Homes & Stay Safe During the Winter

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) introduced bipartisan legislation to better secure our nation’s propane supply. Peters’ Securing Our Propane Supply Act – which he introduced with U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) – would direct the Department of Energy (DOE), in consultation with the Energy Information Administration (EIA), to study and address the harm that propane shortages have on communities in Michigan and across the country. In particular, the bill would direct DOE to evaluate the effectiveness of establishing a National Strategic Propane Reserve to prevent future shortages. Michigan residents use more propane for home heating than any other state in the country, leaving our communities uniquely vulnerable to supply shortages. Peters’ legislation aims to strengthen the national propane supply, lower energy costs, and ensure Michiganders can heat their homes during the winter.
    “Hundreds of thousands of Michigan households rely on propane to heat their homes in the dead of winter, but supply shortages have led to higher prices and put folks’ safety at risk,” said Senator Peters. “This bipartisan bill would help ensure that families can reliably and affordably heat their homes when temperatures drop.”
    Michigan uses more propane in the residential sector than any other state in the country. An estimated 320,000 Michigan households use propane as their primary heating fuel. In the Upper Peninsula, that number is disproportionately higher, where roughly 18 percent of households primarily heat with propane. In fact, if the Upper Peninsula were its own state, it alone would lead the nation in the share of households that heat with propane. In 2014 and 2021, Michigan declared a state of emergency in the face of propane shortages during the height of winter. Peters’ legislation aims to prevent future shortages and ensure Americans can access affordable, reliable heat during the cold winter months.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Senators Urge Trump Admin to Protect Workers, Expand Access to Overtime Pay

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    June 26, 2025
    Biden-era rule would have made 4.3 million more workers eligible for overtime pay
    “Repealing this rule would be a huge blow to working families across the country and is another way in which Republicans continue to run on working-class values but govern according to billionaires’ wishes.” 
    Text of Letter (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) led members of the Senate Democratic Caucus in writing to the Secretary of the Department of Labor (DoL), Lori Chavez-DeRemer, urging the department to preserve President Biden’s expansion of the overtime threshold. 
    Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) joined in signing the letter. 
    Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, certain hourly, non-salaried workers who work more than 40 hours a week get paid 1.5 times their regular pay rate for the extra hours they work. But these overtime protections do not cover “bona fide executive, administrative or professional employees,” as “defined and delimited” by regulations promulgated by DOL. Under the current regulation, only those workers making a salary less than $35,568 automatically qualify for overtime. Above that salary, workers are subject to the opaque and very employer-friendly duties test to determine if their work qualifies for exemption.
    In 2024, President Biden’s DoL updated the rule, which would have raised the salary cap to $43,888 and again in January 2025 to $58,656, instituted an automatic increase every three years, and provided clearer guidance and definitions to prevent employers from misclassifying employees. 
    The changes would have made 4.3 million more workers eligible for overtime pay and put $1.5 billion into workers’ pockets annually. 
    Unfortunately, in November 2024, a Trump-appointed District Court judge in the Fifth Circuit blocked this rule from going into effect. The Biden Administration immediately appealed this ruling. But on April 24, 2025, the Trump administration indicated it would abandon its efforts to appeal the ruling and revive the 2024 rule, robbing millions of Americans of overtime protections and the thousands of dollars the rule would have earned them.
    “This refusal to defend the overtime rule in court flies in the face of President Trump’s campaign promises to help workers. It is particularly cruel as President Trump and Congressional Republicans work to force through their ‘big beautiful bill,’ which would be the biggest wealth transfer in a single bill from working class Americans to billionaires this country has ever seen,” wrote the senators. 
    Senator Warren urged Secretary DeRemer to continue fighting to preserve the rule and provide an analysis or justification for why the Department decided to stop the appeals process to defend the rule by July 5, 2025. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Schumer, Wyden, Whitehouse Demand Explanation from Big Oil Corporations Lobbying for Giveaways at Expense of American Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    June 26, 2025
    Senate Republicans have included a $1 trillion loophole for Big Oil in “big, beautiful bill” that would allow massive corporations to avoid paying federal taxes despite earning billions. 
    “Congress should not raise energy prices for working families to deliver handouts to Big Oil.”
    Text of Letters to Big Oil Companies (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environmental Public Works Committee, and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Minority Leader, pushed Big Oil companies ConocoPhillips and Ovintiv Inc. (Ovintiv) on their companies’ lobbying efforts to win a $1.1 billion tax loophole in President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” leaving middle-class families stuck with higher energy costs. 
    The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 imposed a corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) on the nation’s wealthiest companies, requiring companies reporting over $1 billion in annual profits to pay at least 15% of those profits in taxes. Section 70523 of the Senate Republicans’ reconciliation bill would add a loophole to CAMT for Big Oil. If enacted, this provision would reduce or even eliminate tax liabilities for oil and gas companies under CAMT, allowing some to pay no federal income taxes whatsoever.
    “Even after the IRA’s passage, corporations lobbied furiously to weaken CAMT as much as possible, and Senate Republicans are now close to delivering on one of Big Oil’s key requests by granting the industry a huge loophole,” wrote the senators.
    Senate Republicans are paying for this handout by cutting clean energy tax credits and vital energy programs. Experts have said the Republican bill would contribute to “higher electricity costs for consumers,” adding to already too-high utility bills. Households are at risk of losing over $2,200 in savings per year on utility bills.
    “Adding this tax break for Big Oil to the reconciliation package is especially insulting since Senate Republicans are trying to pay for this handout with cuts to other programs that would end up raising energy prices for everyday Americans,” wrote the senators. “Congress should not raise energy prices for working families to deliver handouts to Big Oil.”
    The senators are pushing ConocoPhillips and Ovintiv Inc. for answers on their involvement in lobbying for this handout, with responses due by July 9, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Australia’s set to accept its one millionth refugee – AMES

    Source: AMES

    Sometime, probably around October this year, a person will step off aircraft somewhere in Australia in the last stage of their journey way from conflict or persecution.

    This person will be the one millionth refugee settled in Australia since the end of World War II.

    The Department of Home Affairs says Australia has successfully settled more than 985,000 refugees and humanitarian entrants since the country’s first humanitarian intake occurred in 1947.

    With 20,000 refugee places currently allocated for each financial year, the million milestone is due to be reached in the early months of the 2025-26 financial year.

    Based on these figures, it is expected the one-millionth arrival to occur sometime between September and November 2025.

    The milestone represents a million individual journeys toward refuge and a million stories of people rebuilding their lives in safety with hope for the future.

    Since the 1930s, Australia has welcomed refugees fleeing global conflicts — from Jewish refugees before and after World War Two, to Southeast Asians after the Vietnam War.

    Following World War Two, Australia entered formal agreements with international bodies to accept displaced people from Europe.

    In November 1947, more than 800 people from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania arrived in Fremantle. They were the first of 170,000 displaced persons resettled in Australia after World War Two.

    Later decades saw more structured resettlement, particularly in response to major global conflicts.

    Over the past 40 years, Australia has continued to resettle people from conflict-riven regions, including the Southeast Asia the Middle East, Africa and Myanmar.

    Today, refugees from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Iraq, Syria, Myanmar and countries in the Horn of Africa continue to arrive under the humanitarian program.

    In two recent emergency situations, Australia evacuated 4100 refugees from Afghanistan following the return of the Taliban to power in 2021 and around 4,000 Ukrainians, mostly women and children, who initially arrived on tourist visas after the Russian invasion are new transitioning to permanent protection visas.

    CEO of AMES Australia Cath Scarth said the million-refugee mark was a reflection of Australia’s proud history of affording refugee to people fleeing war, conflict or persecution.

    “Australia has a generous and sophisticated refugee settlement program that not only offers refuge to people fleeing war or persecution but also equips them to build successful lives and become contributors,” Ms Scarth said.

    “We are an example to the world at a time when more than 122 million people are displaced due to war, conflict or persecution,” she said.

    Australia is a leading refugee resettlement country, ranking among the top few resettlement countries on a per capita basis.

    The United States has historically accepted the greatest number of refugees, but its program has recently been effectively shuttered by the Trump administration, meaning the loss of 100,000 annual resettlement places.

    Among refugees who have come to Australia in recent years are:

    Iraqi doctor Asseel Yako who, in his homeland, tended to battlefield wounds suffered by soldiers or militia members fighting ISIS or patching up women children horrifically injured in explosions of gunfire.

    Ten years later he is still saving lives working a consultant physician, specialising in internal medicine at Warragul Hospital, in Gippsland, Victoria.

    The job is the culmination of years of hard work, striving to get his qualifications recognised in Australia.

    He had studied and worked as a doctor for almost twenty years before arriving in Australia, but he was forced to jump through extraordinary hoops to be able practice medicine again.

    Cambodian refugee Chan Uoy has helped breathe new life into the struggling regional town of Dimboola, in Victoria’s west.

    Chan has opened the Dimboola Imaginarium, an eclectic and exotic gift shop and Air BnB recently featured in the high-end magazine Conde Nast Traveller. Chan has also recently become the deputy mayor of the local Hindmarsh Shire.

    The Dimboola Imaginarium is a stimulating space with a cornucopia of exotic wares, including an almost life-size giraffe, oversize world globes, and colourfully painted rocking horses. The five Air BB bedrooms have differing but exotic and indulgent décor.

    He has also launched the Wimmera Steampunk Festival, which this year is expected to attract 5000 visitors to the town.

    Young soccer star Yaya Dukuly is the embodiment of refugee aspiration and success.

    The 22-year-old Adelaide United soccer star was born into a refugee family in Guinea. His father is a Liberian and his mother is from Guinea.

    Yaya arrived in Australia with his family as a child and grew up in Adelaide. Now a professional footballer and Australian under-23 representative, he is also an emerging community leader and role model.

    Yaya brought is powerful and authentic new voice in the multicultural sector, supporting newly arrived refugees and advocating for their communities.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Climate Report – Global Drought Hotspots Report Catalogs Severe Suffering, Economic Damage

    Source: United Nations – Convention to Combat Desertification

    Food, water, energy crises, human tragedies in 2023-2025 detailed in sweeping analysis by U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

    Fuelled by climate change and relentless pressure on land and water resources, some of the most widespread and damaging drought events in recorded history have taken place since 2023, according to a UN-backed report launched today.

    Prepared by the U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), with support from the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), the report “Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023-2025” provides a comprehensive account of how droughts compound poverty, hunger, energy insecurity, and ecosystem collapse.

    Says UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw: “Drought is a silent killer. It creeps in, drains resources, and devastates lives in slow motion. Its scars run deep.”

    “Drought is no longer a distant threat,” he adds. “It is here, escalating, and demands urgent global cooperation. When energy, food, and water all go at once, societies start to unravel. That’s the new normal we need to be ready for.”

    “This is not a dry spell,” says Dr. Mark Svoboda, report co-author and NDMC Founding Director. “This is a slow-moving global catastrophe, the worst I’ve ever seen. This report underscores the need for systematic monitoring of how drought affects lives, livelihoods, and the health of the ecosystems that we all depend on.”

    “The Mediterranean countries represent canaries in the coal mine for all modern economies,” he adds. “The struggles experienced by Spain, Morocco and Türkiye to secure water, food, and energy under persistent drought offer a preview of water futures under unchecked global warming. No country, regardless of wealth or capacity, can afford to be complacent.”

    A wide-ranging crisis

    The new report synthesizes information from hundreds of government, scientific and media sources to highlight impacts within the most acute drought hotspots in Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia), the Mediterranean (Spain, Morocco, Türkiye), Latin America (Panama, Amazon Basin), Southeast Asia, and beyond.

    Africa: 

    • Over 90 million people across Eastern and Southern Africa face acute hunger. Some areas have been enduring their worst ever recorded drought.
    • Southern Africa, already drought-prone, was devastated with roughly 1/6th of the population (68 million) needing food aid in August 2024. 
    • In Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi, maize and wheat crops have failed repeatedly. In Zimbabwe alone, the 2024 corn crop was down 70% year on year, and maize prices doubled while 9,000 cattle died of thirst and starvation. 
    • In Somalia, the government estimated 43,000 people died in 2022 alone due to drought-linked hunger. As of early 2025, 4.4 million people – a quarter of the population – face crisis-level food insecurity, including 784,000 expected to reach emergency levels.
    • Zambia suffered one of the world’s worst energy crises as the Zambezi River in April 2024 plummeted to 20% of its long-term average. The country’s largest hydroelectric plant, the Kariba Dam, fell to 7% generation capacity, causing blackouts of up to 21 hours per day and shuttering hospitals, bakeries, and factories.

    Mediterranean:

    • Spain: Water shortages hit agriculture, tourism, and domestic supply. By September 2023, two years of drought and record heat caused a 50% drop in Spain’s olive crop, causing its olive oil prices to double across the country. 
    • Morocco: The sheep population was 38% smaller in 2025 relative to 2016, prompting a royal plea to cancel traditional Eid sacrifices.
    • Türkiye: Drought accelerated groundwater depletion, triggering sinkholes that present hazards to communities and their infrastructure while permanently reducing aquifer storage capacity.

    Latin America:

    • Amazon Basin: Record-low river levels in 2023 and 2024 led to mass deaths of fish and endangered dolphins, and disrupted drinking water and transport for hundreds of thousands. As deforestation and fires intensify, the Amazon risks transitioning from a carbon sink to a carbon source.
    • Panama Canal: Water levels dropped so low that transits were slashed by over one-third (from 38 to 24 ships daily between October 2023 and January 2024), causing major global trade disruptions. Facing multi-week delays, many ships were rerouted to longer, costlier paths via the Suez Canal or South Africa’s infamous Cape of Good Hope. Among the knock-on effects, U.S. soybean exports slowed, and UK grocery stores reported shortages and rising prices of fruits and vegetables.

    Southeast Asia:

    • Drought disrupted production and supply chains of key crops such as rice, coffee, and sugar. In 2023-2024, dry conditions in Thailand and India, for example, triggered shortages leading to a 8.9% increase in the price of sugar in the US.

    “A Perfect Storm” of El Niño and climate change

    The 2023–2024 El Niño event amplified already harsh climate change impacts, triggering dry conditions across major agricultural and ecological zones. Drought’s impacts hit hardest in climate hotspots, regions already suffering from warming tr

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Wildfire Update – June 26

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 26, 2025

    As of 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, there are 20 active wildfires in Saskatchewan. Of those active fires, two are categorized as contained, six are not contained, nine are ongoing assessment and three are listed as protecting values.   

    This year, Saskatchewan has had 268 wildfires, which is well above the five-year average of 169 to date. 

    One community remains under an evacuation order: East Trout Lake. Priority individuals from Creighton and Denare Beach have been repatriated.   

    The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s (SPSA) Recovery Task Team continues to meet with community leaders to discuss recovery efforts.      

    Over $5.1 million has been transferred directly to residents as well as communities that are distributing the $500 Government of Saskatchewan Financial Assistance to their residents that have been impacted by the wildfires. This financial support will reach over 10,000 individuals who qualify. The SPSA is continuing to coordinate with communities that have asked for its support in distributing this financial assistance.  

    Evacuees who have not yet registered are encouraged to do so through the Sask Evac Web Application or by calling 1-855-559-5502 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.  

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

    A full list of evacuated and repatriated communities can be found on the Information for Evacuees webpage. 

    As of June 26, 2025, at 11:59 PM, the provincial wildfire State of Emergency will expire. With the expiry of the State of Emergency, the SPSA will return to providing media wildfire updates as necessary. The latest information, an interactive fire ban map, frequently asked questions, fire risk maps and fire prevention tips can be found at saskpublicsafety.ca. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Stats NZ media information release: Annual enterprise survey: 2024 financial year (provisional)

    Annual enterprise survey: 2024 financial year (provisional) – information release

    27 June 2025

    The annual enterprise survey (AES) is New Zealand’s most comprehensive source of financial statistics covering more than 500,000 businesses. It provides annual information on the financial performance and financial position for industry groups operating in New Zealand.

    Key facts
    Provisional results for all AES industries are for the 2024 financial year, compared with the 2023 financial year.

    • Total income increased by $51 billion (5.5 percent) to $980 billion.
    • Total expenditure increased by $26 billion (3.1 percent) to $857 billion.
    • Businesses earned $121 billion in surplus before income tax – up $16 billion (15 percent). This increase was mainly driven by non-operating activity, with non-operating income increasing, and non-operating expenses decreasing.
    • Operating surplus (excludes non-operating income and expenses) increased by $5.0 billion (4.9 percent) to $108 billion. This was driven by a $12 billion increase in operating surplus for the financial and insurance services industries.
    • Total assets increased by $99 billion (3.5 percent) to $2.9 trillion.
    • Businesses made a 4 percent return on assets – unchanged from 2023.

    Visit our website to read this information release and to download CSV files:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Wireless networks provide high speed alternatives to remote and regional households

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    NBN Co’s fixed wireless and Starlink’s satellite networks are providing Australians living outside of the fixed-line network footprint with high speed alternatives, according to the ACCC’s latest Measuring Broadband Australia report.

    The report, which compared broadband performance during March 2025, found that both networks can deliver download speeds above 100 Mbps during evening busy hour periods between 7 and 11 PM on weekdays.

    Starlink services recorded an average busy hour download speed of 170.2 Mbps, while services on NBN Co’s new Fixed Wireless Home Fast and Fixed Wireless Superfast plans achieved median results of 166.2 and 283.5 Mbps, respectively.

    “Australians who live in regional and remote areas and cannot access a fixed-line network rely on alternatives such as satellite and fixed wireless services to connect to the internet,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.

    “The introduction of Starlink and upgrades to the NBN Fixed Wireless network have provided these consumers with access to faster speeds than before.”

    While both networks were capable of high download performance, Starlink services delivered higher upload speeds, the report found.

    The average busy hour upload speed observed on Starlink’s standard service was 29.2 Mbps. This result exceeded the individual upload performance of all monitored services on the Fixed Wireless Superfast plan, the fastest plan on the NBN Fixed Wireless network.

    The average busy hour upload speed observed on the popular Fixed Wireless Plus plan was 11.2 Mbps.

    Starlink services recorded lower averages for latency and loading times for popular websites, while NBN fixed wireless services recorded fewer outages and lower packet loss. However, the difference in average performance for these metrics is minimal and is unlikely to significantly impact the user’s overall experience.

    “In addition to our performance data, we encourage consumers to consider the price of the service, including any hardware and installation costs, and their household’s broadband usage needs” Ms Brakey said.

    Figure 1. Average busy hour speeds on Starlink and NBN Fixed Wireless plans

    • Note: *Median average used for plans with smaller sample sizes.

    Background

    The ACCC welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement in the 2025-26 Federal Budget to continue funding the Measuring Broadband Australia program for a further 12 months until June 2026. The Federal Government has funded the ACCC to run a national broadband performance monitoring and reporting program from 2017-25.

    The ACCC is seeking more volunteers for the extended program. To sign up, visit Measuring Broadband Australia.

    Data for the Measuring Broadband Australia program is provided by UK-based firm SamKnows using methodology based on speed testing programs delivered in the UK, US, Canada and New Zealand.

    Starlink operates a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites rapidly moving above the Earth’s surface. Starlink’s download and upload speed results do not include connections using Telstra’s Starlink service with plan speeds of 50/10 Mbps.

    Latency measures the average time it takes to send a packet of data to the test server and back to the consumer’s connection. Lower latency results in faster responses, providing a more reliable experience when using real-time applications such as video conferencing and online gaming. High latency may result in a lag or delay.

    Packet loss measures the percentage of packets that do not make it to their destination out of all packets sent during a test. Higher packet loss at levels above 1 per cent may be detrimental to user experience by causing lagging, reduced video quality or dropouts during real-time applications such as video streaming and video conferencing.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEA to recognize nine extraordinary individuals and organizations with its highest honor

    Source: US National Education Union

    Washington – For their exemplary work as advocates in, and outside of, their communities, nine extraordinary individuals and organizations will receive NEA’s highest and most prestigious award, the Human and Civil Rights (HRC) Awards, on July 2, at the Oregon Convention Center, in Portland, Ore.

    The theme of the 58th annual award dinner is “Building a Legacy for Collective Freedom: A Celebration of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” a timely acknowledgement of the current administration’s attempts to roll back progress on DEI initiatives, and more importantly, a recognition to the accomplishments of this year’s recipients.

    In 1966, the NEA and the American Teachers Association (ATA), a union for Black teachers at segregated schools in the south, merged into one organization. To carry on with the ATA tradition of honoring leaders of the civil rights movement, the NEA continued to sponsor the HRC awards ceremonies, holding the first award dinner of the merged Association in 1967.

    “This year’s recipients of the NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards are not just meeting the moment—they are redefining it,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “They’re giving voice to the unheard, breaking barriers, defending the truth of our shared history, and preparing the activists of tomorrow to shine the light across the country. By standing firm against attacks on public education and rooting their deeds and actions in racial and social justice, they are reigniting the promise of democracy—one classroom at a time, one school at a time, one community at a time.”

    Meet the 2025 NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards Recipients

    These NEA allies and partners received HCR awards for leading with courage, creativity, and commitment to advancing social and racial justice:

    A Modern Day MLK

    Leshun “Ship” Collins dedicates his time at Orange High School in Pepper Pike, Ohio to more than just his role as a health and physical education instructor. He has spent the past two decades mentoring young African American men to see their full potential in spite of typical societal perceptions by connecting their pride in their identity to academic achievement.

    The Male Minority Leadership Group, an afterschool mentorship program Collins created, offers a safe space young Black men to bond over their commonalities and embrace their differences. He hopes that they will learn to take control of their destiny through his program.

    As a board member of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, Collin is also dedicated to respecting and protecting women. His initiative, the White Ribbon Campaign, focuses on the issue of domestic abuse. Collins uses his allyship to support women by raising awareness and advocating for gender equality.

    Collins is the recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Award, a fitting honor for the community activist.

    Teaching Her Story So It’s Never Repeated

    Holocaust survivor and educator Maude Dahme is committed to teaching young people to stand up for what they believe in. Her own education as a child was interrupted when the German occupation of Holland ordered her and her family into a detention center.

    In 1950, Dahme immigrated to New Jersey, where she started her teaching career. For twenty years, Dahme was a member of the New Jersey Board of Education. For five of those years, she served as president and used her leadership role to implement Holocaust education into the curriculum. As a New Jersey Education Association member, she spends her summers at teacher seminars and visiting concentration camps around the world.

    Dahne is the embodiment of the word “resilient.” Her decision to use her story to teach the younger generation how to accept differences so that the history she teaches them is never repeated is why she was chosen as the recipient of the Dorros Peace and International Understanding Award.

    Breaking Glass Ceilings

    Marissa Winmill, one of the nation’s most influential figures in advancing academic opportunities for young women, strives to create future female icons. Her unrelenting will to break barriers for young women is why she is the recipient of the Mary Hatwood Futrell Award.

    Her position as a board member for the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board has allowed her to propose policies to benefit both female instructors and their students. While teaching at Washington’s Kent-Meridian High School, Winmill started a Girls Who Code club, giving female students access to tools needed to succeed in STEM fields.

    Her initiatives ensure that teenage girls are never denied access to the opportunities they need to reach their full potential show that she is following in the footsteps of former NEA President Mary Hatwood Futrell.

    The Activists of Today and Tomorrow

    Marta Silva is the recipient of the George I. Sánchez Memorial Award. In her role as a heritage language instructor at Olathe North High School in Kentucky and as the creator of the Heritage Language program, an initiative in her district to level the playing field for Hispanic students by promoting translation and interpretation skills, and career training practices, she empowers Latino students to pursue higher education and push through barriers.

    Elise Carter, one of the few African American educators in her district, in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, is carrying on the “Father of Black History’s” mission to advance African American culture, which has earned her the Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award. Carter created an innovative Social Equity course and stood firm when community leaders criticized it as critical race theory. Through years of persistence, she ensured that Black history and principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion remained part of her district’s curriculum.

    Jesús Valle is the recipient of the Wilma Mankiller Memorial Award. Through his work as a tenured professor of Native American Studies at Sacramento’s American River College, as well as his initiative of creating the Native Resource Center for Northern California Indigenous youth, he has advocated for inclusivity, pride and dignity, strengthening Native communities.

    The Showing Up for Education-Kansas City, Education Core (SURJ-KC) is an organization that consists of locally-based white educators in Kansas City seeking to educate themselves on the effects racism and white supremacy has on the public school system. SURJ-KC also creates space in its community for other individuals to gain an understanding of racial injustices by hosting public forums and panel discussions led by diverse speakers. SURJ-KC exemplifies the true allyship that is needed to dismantle harmful systems and ideologies, earning it the H. Councill Trenholm Memorial Award.

    The Mississippi Minority Farmers Alliance of North Mississippi (MMFA) is the recipient of the Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights Award. Founded by a small group of Black farmers, the MMFA has supported marginalized farmers and brought equity to the world of agriculture.

    As the most developed school in the United States to teach an Indigenous language, Ke Kula ‘O Nāwahīokalani ‘Ōpu ‘U Iki Public Charter School is making a way for Asian American and Pacific Islander youth to embrace their culture by keeping the Hawai’ian language alive. Because of the school’s commitment to reject attempts of assimilation and instead celebrate their students’ Hawai’ian identities, it is the recipient of the Ellison S. Onizuka Memorial Award.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NATO’s 5% of GDP defence target ramps up pressure on Australia to spend vastly more

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer Parker, Adjunct Fellow, Naval Studies at UNSW Canberra, and Expert Associate, National Security College, Australian National University

    After lobbying by US President Donald Trump, NATO leaders have promised to boost annual defence spending to 5% of their countries’ gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035.

    A NATO statement released this week said:

    United in the face of profound security threats and challenges, in particular the long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security and the persistent threat of terrorism, allies commit to invest 5% of GDP annually on core defence requirements as well as defence-and security-related spending by 2035.

    This development comes at a tricky time for the Albanese government. It has so far batted away suggestions Australia should increase its defence spending from current levels of around 2% of gross domestic product (GDP), or almost A$59 billion per year (and projected to reach 2.33% of GDP by 2033–34). Trump has called on Australia to increase this to about 3.5%.

    With this NATO agreement, global security deteriorating and defence capability gaps obvious, pressure is mounting on the Australian government to increase defence spending further.

    Pressure from Trump

    A long‑time critic of NATO, Trump and his key officials have castigated NATO’s readiness and spending.

    Meanwhile, Russia’s war on Ukraine, now in its fourth year, and a spate of suspected Russian sabotage across Europe have sharpened concerns about allied preparedness.

    Against this backdrop, the NATO summit saw Trump publicly reaffirms US commitment to the alliance, and European members pledged to lift defence spending.

    What exactly did NATO promise and why?

    The headlines say NATO members agreed to increase annual defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.

    In fact, the actual agreement is more nuanced.

    The summit communique, notably shorter than in previous years, broke the pledge down into two parts.

    The first is 3.5% of GDP on what is considered traditional defence spending: ships, tanks, bullets, people and so on.

    The second part – the remaining 1.5% of GDP – is to

    protect our critical infrastructure, defend our networks, ensure our civil preparedness and resilience, unleash innovation, and strengthen our defence industrial base.

    Exactly what strategic resilience initiatives this money will be spent on is up to the individual member nation.

    It might be tempting to paint NATO’s commitment to increased defence spending as evidence of European NATO partners bowing to US political pressure.

    But it’s more than that. It is a direct response to the increased threat posed by Russia to Europe, and perhaps an insurance policy against any doubts European NATO partners may have about the US reliability and enduring commitment to the 76-year-old alliance between the US and Europe.

    However, not all countries are keen on the defence spending commitment, with notable reservations from Spain and Belgium.

    These two countries are yet to meet NATO’s 2014 commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defence.

    What’s all this mean for Australia?

    The commitment to hike NATO defence spending will have an indirect impact on Australia’s own beleaguered defence spending debate.

    As mentioned, Australia’s main strategic ally – the US – has pressured Australia to hike defence spending to 3.5% of GDP, up from around 2.02% of GDP this financial year (which the government projects will reach 2.33% by 2033–34).

    Australia is not the only Indo-Pacific partner being pushed to spend more on defence. Japan is too.

    This is consistent with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Shangri-La speech in May, when he urged Asian allies to step up on defence spending, pointing to Europe as the model.

    The NATO announcement will likely embolden the US to apply greater pressure on the Australia to increase defence spending.

    Trump’s strategy towards NATO has clearly been to sow ambiguity in the minds of European countries as to the US’ commitment to NATO, to get them to come to the table on defence spending.

    This may well be a future Australia faces, too. It could mean a bumpy road ahead for Australia and its most crucial alliance partner.

    Where to from here?

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said Australia will determine its own level of defence spending, and that arbitrary GDP limits are unhelpful. Defence spending, he argues, should be based on capability needs, not demands from allies.

    And he is right, to a point.

    That said, allies have a right to have an expectation all parties in the alliance are holding up their end of the bargain.

    Australian defence spending should be based on the capabilities it needs to resource its stated defence strategy and defend its core interests. Currently, in my view, Australia’s defence capability does not match its current strategy.

    There are clear gaps in Australia’s defence capabilities, including:

    • its aged naval capability
    • a lack of mine warfare, replenishment and survey capabilities
    • a limited ability to protect critical infrastructure against missile attack
    • space capabilities.

    These are key risks, at the moment of possibly most significant strategic circumstances since the second world war.

    In the event of a major crisis or conflict in the region, Australia would not presently be able to defend itself for a prolonged period. To address this requires structural reform and defence investment.

    In response to this week’s NATO announcement, Defence Minister Richard Marles said:

    We have gone about the business of not chasing a number, but thinking about what is our capability need, and then resourcing it.

    During the election campaign both the prime minister and defence minister left the door open to increasing defence spending.

    The real unknown is how long it will take to make it happen, and how much damage it may do in the meantime to Australia’s relationship with the US and overall defence-preparedness.

    Jennifer Parker is affiliated with UNSW Canberra and ANU’s National Security College.

    – ref. NATO’s 5% of GDP defence target ramps up pressure on Australia to spend vastly more – https://theconversation.com/natos-5-of-gdp-defence-target-ramps-up-pressure-on-australia-to-spend-vastly-more-259886

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Reporting and monitoring – ACE in Schools

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

    Last updated 18 February 2025
    Last updated 18 February 2025

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    This page covers reporting and monitoring requirements for Adult and Community Education (ACE) in Schools funding.
    This page covers reporting and monitoring requirements for Adult and Community Education (ACE) in Schools funding.

    Reporting
    If you receive ACE (Schools) funding, you must submit:

    a progress report for the period 1 January to 31 May no later than 10 working days after 31 May; and
    a progress report for the period 1 January to 30 September no later than 10 working days after 30 September; and
    a final report for the period 1 January to 31 December no later than 31 January of the following year. 

    Each progress report and the final report must:

    be completed and submitted in accordance with the template that we will provide to you; and
    relate to the specific delivery commitments outlined in your Investment Plan. 

    If you receive ACE (Schools) funding to support ACE coordination you must submit to us:

    an interim report on expenditure for the period 1 January to 30 September no later than 10 working days after 30 September; and
    a final report on expenditure for the period 1 January to 31 December no later than 31 January of the following year. 

    For details about the information we require you to report, please refer to Other Fund Actuals.
    Templates for the two progress reports and one final report are available for tertiary education organisations (TEOs) to complete and submit by the due dates on DXP Ngā Kete. 
    Individual learner data
    Schools must collect and retain accurate data on each learner enrolment, including demographic information at the time of enrolment, and up-to-date records of learner attendance. This data is required for audit purposes, but you do not need to submit it to us with the full year Actuals Report unless you are voluntarily reporting National Student Numbers (NSNs).
    You should also collect and retain learner outcomes data for each course, including in relation to the intended outcomes, and whether or not you achieved these.
    National Student Number (NSN) reporting
    From 1 January 2023, education organisations that deliver under the ACE in Communities or ACE in Schools fund can voluntarily report their learners’ NSNs. This is to enable further research into ACE learners and assist in monitoring learner outcomes and pathways.
    Monitoring
    We monitor school performance to understand school performance in the sector, and to inform our decisions about future funding they may receive.
    We monitor schools funded through ACE against the following:

    commitments:

    number of learners and hours of delivery (contracted and delivered),
    hours of learner attendance,
    delivery sites, and

    performance indicators:

    course completion rates – whether learners attend on average at least 80 percent of tuition time across funded courses, and
    priority learner groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Reporting and monitoring – English Language Teaching

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

    Last updated 18 February 2025
    Last updated 18 February 2025

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    This page provides information about tertiary education organisations’ (TEOs’) reporting on English Language Teaching – Intensive Literacy and Numeracy (ELT ILN) delivery, and how we monitor their performance.
    This page provides information about tertiary education organisations’ (TEOs’) reporting on English Language Teaching – Intensive Literacy and Numeracy (ELT ILN) delivery, and how we monitor their performance.

    TEOs with an indicative allocation of ELT ILN funding submit a completed mix of provision (MoP) template to us via DXP Ngā Kete. 
    We approve the MoP through the Investment Plan (Plan) approval process.
    We monitor TEOs’ reported delivery against these commitments and other requirements and expectations that we set TEOs.
    Reporting
    If you receive ELT ILN funding, you must submit:  

    a progress report for the period 1 January to 31 May no later than 10 working days after 31 May; and 
    a progress report for the period 1 January to 30 September no later than 10 working days after 30 September; and
    a final report for the period 1 January to 31 December no later than 31 January of the following year. 

    Each progress report and the final report must:

    be submitted in accordance with the template that we will provide to you; and
    relate to the specific outcomes outlined in your Investment Plan.

    For details about the information we require you to report, please refer to Other Fund Actuals.
    Templates for the two progress reports and one final report are available for TEOs to complete and submit by the due dates on DXP Ngā Kete.
    Monitoring
    We monitor TEO performance and practices to understand their performance in the sector, and to inform our decisions about future funding they may receive.
    We monitor a TEO’s:

    achievement of MoP delivery commitments
    compliance with ELT funding conditions for the relevant year
    compliance with legislative requirements
    hours and intensity of delivery, and
    achievement of other expectations that we communicate to TEOs.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Reporting and monitoring – Intensive Literacy and Numeracy

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

    Last updated 18 February 2025
    Last updated 18 February 2025

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    This page provides information about tertiary education organisations’ (TEOs’) reporting on Intensive Literacy and Numeracy (ILN) delivery, and our monitoring of their performance.
    This page provides information about tertiary education organisations’ (TEOs’) reporting on Intensive Literacy and Numeracy (ILN) delivery, and our monitoring of their performance.

    TEOs with an indicative allocation of ILN funding submit a completed Mix of Provision (MoP) template to us via DXP Ngā Kete.
    We approve the MoP through the Investment Plan approval process.
    We monitor TEOs’ reported delivery against these commitments and other requirements and expectations that we set.
    Reporting
    If you receive ILN funding, you must submit:

    a progress report for the period 1 January to 31 May no later than 10 working days after 31 May; and
    a progress report for the period 1 January to 30 September no later than 10 working days after 30 September; and
    a final report for the period 1 January to 31 December no later than 31 January of the following year.

    Each progress report and the final report must:

    be submitted in accordance with the template that we will provide to you; and
    relate to the specific delivery commitments outlined in your Investment Plan. 

    For details about the information we require you to report please refer to Other Fund Actuals.
    Templates for the two progress reports and one final report are available for TEOs to complete and submit by the due dates on DXP Ngā Kete.
    Monitoring
    We monitor TEO performance and practices to understand their performance in the sector, and to inform our decisions about future funding they may receive.
    We monitor a TEO’s:

    achievement of MoP delivery commitments
    compliance with ILN funding conditions for the relevant year
    compliance with legislative requirements
    hours and intensity of delivery, and
    achievement of other expectations that we communicate to TEOs.

    Funding conditions by year

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Reporting and monitoring – Refugee English

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

    Last updated 18 February 2025
    Last updated 18 February 2025

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    This page provides information about tertiary education organisations’ (TEOs’) reporting on English Language Teaching Refugee English Fund (Refugee English) Fund delivery, and our monitoring of their performance.
    This page provides information about tertiary education organisations’ (TEOs’) reporting on English Language Teaching Refugee English Fund (Refugee English) Fund delivery, and our monitoring of their performance.

    Reporting
    If you receive Refugee English funding, you must submit:  

    a progress report for the period 1 January to 31 May no later than 10 working days after 31 May;
    a progress report for the period 1 January to 30 September no later than 10 working days after 30 September; and
    a final report for the period 1 January to 31 December no later than 31 January of the following year. 

    Each progress report and the final report must:

    be submitted in accordance with the template that we will provide to you; and
    relate to the specific outcomes in your Investment Plan.

    For details about the information we require you to report, please refer to Other Fund Actuals.
    Templates for the two progress reports and one final report are available for TEOs to complete and submit by the due dates on DXP Ngā Kete.
    The reports relate to the specific delivery commitments outlined in your Investment Plan. The reports cover the funded calendar year; they are cumulative and build on the information supplied in the previous reporting period for the funding year. After you have submitted a progress report, we will release it back to you for further data entry (ie, the cumulative information).
    Monitoring
    We monitor TEO performance and practices to understand their performance in the sector, and to inform our decisions about future funding they may receive.
    We monitor a TEO’s:

    achievement of mix of provision (MoP) delivery commitments
    compliance with Refugee English funding conditions for the relevant year
    compliance with legislative requirements, and
    achievement of other expectations that we communicate to TEOs.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal grand jury indicts Cheektowaga man on multiple sex trafficking charges

    Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

    BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a nine-count indictment charging Darryl Lamont Paul, a/k/a Darryl Lamont, 59, of Cheektowaga, NY, with sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, transportation across state lines of an individual with intent that such individual engage in prostitution, and using and maintaining a drug-involved premises. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, for the last 25 years, Lamont has owned NoLimit Entertainment (NLE), a company that provides entertainment, including nude dancers and topless bartenders, for parties such as stags and birthdays. Lamont is accused of conspiring with others to recruit young vulnerable women from area strip clubs, to work for NLE, and he would also refer young women to these strip clubs for additional employment.

    During that time, Lamont is accused of using force, fraud, and coercion to sex traffic a total of six victims. He is also accused of transporting one of the victims across state lines to engage in prostitution. In addition, from 2021 to March 13, 2025, Lamont maintained a Beach Road apartment in Cheektowaga, for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, and using cocaine.

    Lamont was arraigned this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was detained.

    The indictment is a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm.

    The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Conducts Mission Stop in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 26, 2025 [Image 1 of 8]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga (June 26, 2025) U.S. Navy Cmdr. Christina Carter, public health nurse deployed in support of Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25), writes on a whiteboard during a tabletop training exercise with local nurses of Vaiola Hospital as part of PP-25 in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 26, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 06.26.2025
    Date Posted: 06.26.2025 18:43
    Photo ID: 9134605
    VIRIN: 250626-N-ED646-9883
    Resolution: 7888×5261
    Size: 8.65 MB
    Location: NUKU’ALOFA, TO
    Web Views: 2
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    This work, Pacific Partnership 2025 Conducts Mission Stop in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 26, 2025 [Image 8 of 8], by PO2 Moises Sandoval, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Conducts Mission Stop in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 26, 2025 [Image 2 of 8]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga (June 26, 2025) U.S. Navy Capt. Andrew Kaplan, right, and Chief Hospital Corpsman David, center, both deployed in support of Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25), assist a local doctor perform an ultrasound during PP-25 in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 26, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 06.26.2025
    Date Posted: 06.26.2025 18:43
    Photo ID: 9134606
    VIRIN: 250626-N-ED646-3171
    Resolution: 8640×5760
    Size: 12.03 MB
    Location: NUKU’ALOFA, TO
    Web Views: 2
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    This work, Pacific Partnership 2025 Conducts Mission Stop in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 26, 2025 [Image 8 of 8], by PO2 Moises Sandoval, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

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  • MIL-OSI: Intermap Technologies Announces Voting Results of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) – Intermap Technologies Corporation (“Intermap” or the “Company”) held its annual general meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”) on June 26, 2025, at the offices of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, located at 3700, 400 Third Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta. A total of 27,270,817 Class A common shares of Intermap (“Common Shares”), representing 45.93% of the total Common Shares outstanding, were represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting.

    Intermap’s shareholders voted in favor of all items of business put forward at the Meeting, being (i) the election of all nominated directors, as more fully described in the Company’s management information circular dated May 28, 2025 (the “Circular”), and (ii) the appointment of MNP LLP as auditors of the Company, as more fully described in the Circular and in the press release issued by the Company on June 20, 2025, copies of which are available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    The results of the vote in respect of the election of directors of the Company to hold office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders, until their successors are duly elected or appointed, or until they otherwise cease to hold office, are as follows:

    Nominee   Result of Vote   Votes For   Votes Withheld
    Patrick A. Blott   Elected   18,579,224
    (96.38%)    		   698,190
    (3.62%)
    Philippe Frappier   Elected   18,696,326
    (96.99%)    		   581,088
    (3.01%)
    John (Jack) Hild   Elected   18,694,826
    (96.98%)    		   582,588
    (3.02%)
    Jordan Tongalson   Elected   18,696,326
    (96.99%)    		   581,088
    (3.01%)

    The results of the vote in respect of the appointment of MNP LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditors of the Company to hold office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders, with remuneration to be determined by the board of directors of the Company, are as follows:

    Votes For 26,566,313
    (97.42%)
    Votes Withheld 704,504
    (2.58%)

    About Intermap Technologies
    Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions, focusing on the creation and analysis of 3D terrain data to produce high-resolution thematic models. Through scientific analysis of geospatial information and patented sensors and processing technology, the Company provisions diverse, complementary, multi-source datasets to enable customers to seamlessly integrate geospatial intelligence into their workflows. Intermap’s 3D elevation data and software analytic capabilities enable global geospatial analysis through artificial intelligence and machine learning, providing customers with critical information to understand their terrain environment. By leveraging its proprietary archive of the world’s largest collection of multi-sensor global elevation data, the Company’s collection and processing capabilities provide multi-source 3D datasets and analytics at mission speed, enabling governments and companies to build and integrate geospatial foundation data with actionable insights. Applications for Intermap’s products and solutions include defense, aviation and UAV flight planning, flood and wildfire insurance, disaster mitigation, base mapping, environmental and renewable energy planning, telecommunications, engineering, critical infrastructure monitoring, hydrology, land management, oil and gas and transportation. 

    For more information, please visit www.intermap.com or contact:
    Jennifer Bakken
    Executive Vice President and CFO
    CFO@intermap.com
    +1 (303) 708-0955

    Sean Peasgood
    Investor Relations
    Sean@SophicCapital.com
    +1 (647) 260-9266

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Intermap Technologies Announces Voting Results of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) – Intermap Technologies Corporation (“Intermap” or the “Company”) held its annual general meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”) on June 26, 2025, at the offices of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, located at 3700, 400 Third Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta. A total of 27,270,817 Class A common shares of Intermap (“Common Shares”), representing 45.93% of the total Common Shares outstanding, were represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting.

    Intermap’s shareholders voted in favor of all items of business put forward at the Meeting, being (i) the election of all nominated directors, as more fully described in the Company’s management information circular dated May 28, 2025 (the “Circular”), and (ii) the appointment of MNP LLP as auditors of the Company, as more fully described in the Circular and in the press release issued by the Company on June 20, 2025, copies of which are available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    The results of the vote in respect of the election of directors of the Company to hold office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders, until their successors are duly elected or appointed, or until they otherwise cease to hold office, are as follows:

    Nominee   Result of Vote   Votes For   Votes Withheld
    Patrick A. Blott   Elected   18,579,224
    (96.38%)    		   698,190
    (3.62%)
    Philippe Frappier   Elected   18,696,326
    (96.99%)    		   581,088
    (3.01%)
    John (Jack) Hild   Elected   18,694,826
    (96.98%)    		   582,588
    (3.02%)
    Jordan Tongalson   Elected   18,696,326
    (96.99%)    		   581,088
    (3.01%)

    The results of the vote in respect of the appointment of MNP LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditors of the Company to hold office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders, with remuneration to be determined by the board of directors of the Company, are as follows:

    Votes For 26,566,313
    (97.42%)
    Votes Withheld 704,504
    (2.58%)

    About Intermap Technologies
    Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions, focusing on the creation and analysis of 3D terrain data to produce high-resolution thematic models. Through scientific analysis of geospatial information and patented sensors and processing technology, the Company provisions diverse, complementary, multi-source datasets to enable customers to seamlessly integrate geospatial intelligence into their workflows. Intermap’s 3D elevation data and software analytic capabilities enable global geospatial analysis through artificial intelligence and machine learning, providing customers with critical information to understand their terrain environment. By leveraging its proprietary archive of the world’s largest collection of multi-sensor global elevation data, the Company’s collection and processing capabilities provide multi-source 3D datasets and analytics at mission speed, enabling governments and companies to build and integrate geospatial foundation data with actionable insights. Applications for Intermap’s products and solutions include defense, aviation and UAV flight planning, flood and wildfire insurance, disaster mitigation, base mapping, environmental and renewable energy planning, telecommunications, engineering, critical infrastructure monitoring, hydrology, land management, oil and gas and transportation. 

    For more information, please visit www.intermap.com or contact:
    Jennifer Bakken
    Executive Vice President and CFO
    CFO@intermap.com
    +1 (303) 708-0955

    Sean Peasgood
    Investor Relations
    Sean@SophicCapital.com
    +1 (647) 260-9266

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Honors World War II Army Rangers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    WASHINGTON – Following her bipartisan bill to honor World War II Army Rangers, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran, recognized their distinguished service and sacrifice as Rangers Joseph Drake and John Wardell were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
    During her remarks, Ernst noted that she embarked on this effort initially because of Iowan Lester Cook, a member of the original 1st Ranger Battalion Darby Rangers.
    Watch Ernst’s full remarks here.
    Download more pictures here.
    “I was blessed to become part of the Ranger family in the early 90s…Rangers came together to celebrate the past, the present and those future warriors. What I experienced during those hot summers in Georgia and the time spent with Rangers is the young rangers of the three remaining battalions would sit in awe and listen to the stories of the Rangers that had gone before them – those Rangers of World War II.”
    “I thank you so much for your strength and your courage in leading the way through the deserts of Africa, the Far East, liberating camps of prisoners of war, and the actions that you took on D-Day, leading the way off the beach. This has been a personal endeavor for many of us for many years, and I want to thank our bill sponsors as well. It has taken seven long years to be able to present these medals to you. Gentlemen, thank you for all that you have given to your country,” said Ernst.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Colleagues Introduce Resolution Recognizing Tunisia’s Leadership in the Arab Spring, Calling Out Troubling Democratic Backsliding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    June 26, 2025

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today joined four of his Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution recognizing Tunisia’s leadership in the Arab Spring and expressing support for upholding its democratic principles and norms. Under the country’s current President Kais Saied, Tunisia has seen a recent backslide of the democratic gains made in the years following the Arab Spring. This includes a notable increase in arrests of political opponents and critics of his Administration. 
    Specifically, the resolution:
    1.      Recognizes Tunisia as the symbolic birthplace of the historic Arab Spring movement and the country’s notable democratic reforms that emerged during that period;
    2.      Commends the Tunisian people for their courage and democratic achievements made in the immediate years following the Arab Spring;
    3.      Expresses deep concern for more recent reversals of such democratic gains, including the erosion of judicial independence; political repression and arrests; and the undemocratic consolidation of power;
    4.      Urges the Government of Tunisia to release all political prisoners – including a United States citizen; to respect the rights of the people to free exercise of peaceful assembly, expression, and the press; to restore and respect the independence of electoral, judicial, and anti-corruption institutions;  
    5.      Urges the Trump Administration to sanction those Tunisian officials primarily involved in repression of peaceful democratic activity.
    U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) also cosponsored the bill.
    Full text of the resolution is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Appropriations Committee Approves Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill

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

    WASHINGTON – The House Appropriations Committee met today to consider the Fiscal Year 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act. Congressman David Valadao (CA-22), Chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, released the following statement on the bill’s passage out of full committee markup:

    “After months of hard work preparing the FY26 bill as Chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, I’m proud to see it advance out of full committee markup,” said Congressman Valadao. “This bill not only ensures Congress has the resources needed to effectively serve the American people—it also reins in unnecessary spending and refocuses our priorities to reflect our core values. Most importantly, this legislation provides the necessary funding to support Capitol Police as they work to keep Members of Congress, visitors, and staff safe. I’m grateful to Chairman Cole for his leadership and guidance throughout this process, and I look forward to building on this momentum as the bill heads to the House floor.”

    Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, “Our greatest duty is to our constituents—and this bill reflects that. The FY26 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act makes targeted and responsible investments to strengthen the institutions that serve Americans. It protects key functions of our democracy, supports critical oversight responsibilities, and ensures the safety and accessibility of the Capitol complex. Under Chairman Valadao’s leadership, we’ve advanced a measure that upholds core missions and safeguards taxpayer dollars. It’s a clear commitment to transparency, accountability, and putting the people first.”

    Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman David Valadao began the markup with remarks on the bill. Watch his full remarks here or read as prepared below:

    It is my pleasure to present the FY26 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill and report for your consideration today. I appreciate the opportunity to work once again with Ranking Member Espaillat and the minority staff throughout the FY26 process. I’d also like to thank Chairman Cole and Ranking Member DeLauro for their continued leadership. 

    We received a record number of requests from our colleagues and the Members present today, and we had the pleasure of accommodating items from both sides of the aisle in a bipartisan manner.

    This bill provides $5 billion – a 5.3 percent decrease from the FY 2025 enacted House level. By tradition, we do not consider Senate items in the House mark, but when we take them into account, the discretionary allocation totals $6.7 billion, a $51 million decrease from the FY25 enacted CR. While we had to make a number of tough choices in this bill, we believe that as the legislative branch, it is our responsibility to lead by example and make responsible funding decreases where appropriate.

    As I mentioned in our subcommittee markup on Monday, we recognize the tragic events that recently took place in Minnesota, and I am deeply concerned and saddened by the increase in political violence in this nation.

    As appropriators we have the responsibility to provide for the safety and security for Members of Congress and the United States Capitol complex, and the bill under consideration today reflects our ongoing commitment to this duty. In 2017, the Members’ Representational Allowance was increased for the purpose of providing Member security when they are away from the Capitol complex, and this bill continues to carry that increase. It also includes increased funding for the House Sergeant at Arms and the United States Capitol Police. 

    I want to take a brief moment to highlight the funding requested by the USCP for mutual aid reimbursements. As noted in the report, the Department requested 5-year funds at the rate of $5 million per year for mutual aid. This bill provides $10 million for FY26, which is double the proposed annual amount. We intend to continue providing funds on an annual basis to ensure we are providing sufficient funding that is reflective of the growing needs at hand. 

    I would also like to thank the House Sergeant at Arms and his team for the rapid manner in which they developed a number of proposals, in consultation with Members and Leadership, regarding additional security measures. In the days ahead, we look forward to discussing these proposals with our colleagues to determine the most appropriate path forward. We plan to continue the discussion on security measures and recommend that we incorporate any needed changes when we conference with the Senate. 

    Again, I’d like to thank all Members for their thoughtful contributions to the FY26 Legislative Branch Bill and report and the staff from both the majority and the minority. 


     ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s message to Exhibition Honouring Women Delegates to the 1945 San Francisco Conference

    Source: United Nations

    My thanks to the Permanent Missions of Brazil, China, and the Dominican Republic – along with UN Women – for helping to shine a spotlight on the women who helped shape the very foundation of the United Nations. 

    Eighty years ago, as the world emerged from the ashes of war, a small group of women delegates stood their ground in San Francisco. They were a handful among hundreds, but they were powerful in their determination.

    Thanks to their efforts, the Charter became the first international agreement to recognize the equality of women and men as a human right.

    Over the years, we have transformed those values into practical instruments for change – including the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and UN Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. 

    At the UN itself, for the first time in our history, we have achieved gender parity among senior leadership, Resident Coordinators, and in the international professional categories. 

    Despite advances around the world, women and girls face persistent and systemic barriers to equality across the board.  And yet, like those delegates in 1945, women everywhere continue to lead – demanding their rights, and reimagining a more just and equitable world for everyone. 

    As we mark this milestone, let us move forward together with the conviction that when women and girls rise, everyone thrives. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Canterbury granted permanent test flight airspace

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Canterbury’s Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre has been allocated permanent test flight airspace, giving advanced aviation companies the freedom to safely trial next-generation technologies, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today.

    “The Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) permanent special use airspace designation for Tāwhaki anchors Canterbury’s growing reputation as a national hub for space and advanced aviation innovation.”

    Ms Collins announced the Tāwhaki designation at the launch of the Waitaha Canterbury Aerospace Strategy, which aims to position Canterbury as a global leader in aerospace innovation by 2035. 

    “Canterbury is an ideal launchpad for the space and advanced aviation sectors due to its combination of location, test-bed facilities, research and innovation capability, manufacturing capability and workforce.

    “We know New Zealand’s space and advanced aviation sectors are growing rapidly. The space sector has grown 53 percent in the five years to 2023-24 to contribute more than $2.47 billion to the economy. The advanced aviation sector contributed $480 million in the same period, with some overlaps with the space sector. 

    “The Government sees space as having huge potential, and that’s why we’re working towards delivering a world-class regulatory environment for advanced aviation by the end of this year, as signalled less than a year ago.

    “The CAA is currently consulting on proposed changes to the Civil Aviation Rules to make it easier to test and deploy new aerospace technologies. 

    “A new rule will, in most cases, allow advanced aviation companies to freely develop their product without needing to seek further approvals.”

    “The upcoming New Zealand Aerospace Summit in Christchurch in October will draw an international audience, providing an opportunity to showcase Canterbury’s unique attributes to advanced aviation innovators.

    “Overall, this is an exciting opportunity to grow advanced aviation in New Zealand,” Ms Collins said.  

    Tāwhaki will manage the permanent Special Use Airspace by activating areas when required for operators, while minimising the effect on other airspace users.  

    Public consultation about the proposed changes to the Civil Aviation Rules closes on 27 July. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: BlackRock® Canada Announces Risk Rating Changes, Annual Management Fee Reductions and Commencement of Securities Lending Transactions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) (NYSE:BLK) today announced updates to the investment risk ratings of certain iShares exchange-traded funds (“iShares ETFs”), a reduction to the annual management fees of certain iShares ETFs, and the commencement of securities lending transactions of certain iShares ETFs, as further described below.

    Risk Rating Changes

    BlackRock Canada announces updated investment risk ratings of the iShares ETFs listed below, effective as of June 26, 2025:

    iShares ETF Name Ticker Previous Risk Rating Updated Risk Rating
    iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF(1) XDU Medium to Low Medium
    iShares Japan Fundamental Index Fund (CAD-Hedged) CJP Medium to High Medium
    iShares US Fundamental Index ETF(2) CLU Medium Medium to High
           

    (1) This investment risk rating change only applies to the Canadian dollar units (XDU) and not to the U.S. dollar units (XDU.U).
    (2) This investment risk rating change only applies to the hedged units (CLU) and not to the non-hedged units (CLU.C).

    Annual Management Fee Reductions

    BlackRock Canada has reduced the annual management fees of the iShares ETFs listed below, effective as of July 2, 2025:

    iShares ETF Name Ticker Current Management Fee New Management Fee
    iShares 0-5 TIPS Bond Index ETF XSTP, XSTP.U 0.15% 0.10%
    iShares 0-5 TIPS Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XSTH 0.15% 0.10%
           

    Securities Lending Transactions

    BlackRock Canada also announces that it may engage in securities lending transactions (the “Transactions”) from time to time for iShares Bitcoin ETF (“IBIT”) in compliance with applicable securities laws.  This is a standard practice for many Canadian iShares ETFs.

    BlackRock Canada is issuing this announcement to provide 60 days’ prior written notice to unitholders of IBIT that IBIT may enter into the Transactions on or after August 25, 2025.

    The prospectus of IBIT dated June 26, 2025, discloses additional information regarding the Transactions, including the policies related to engaging in the Transactions and the related risks.

    About BlackRock

    BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate.

    About iShares

    iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1500+ exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) and US$4.3 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

    iShares ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.

    Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”). TSX is a registered trademark of TSX Inc. (“TSX”). All of the foregoing trademarks have been licensed to S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and sublicensed for certain purposes to BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), which in turn has sub-licensed these marks to its affiliate, BlackRock on behalf of the applicable ETFs. The Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, and has been licensed for use by BFA and by extension, BlackRock and the applicable ETFs. The ETFs are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, any of their respective affiliates (collectively known as “S&P Dow Jones Indices”) or TSX, or any of their respective affiliates. Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices nor TSX make any representations regarding the advisability of investing in the ETFs.

    MSCI is a trademark of MSCI, Inc. (“MSCI”). The ETFs are permitted to use the MSCI mark pursuant to a license agreement between MSCI and BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., relating to, among other things, the license granted to BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. to use the Index. BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. has sublicensed the use of this trademark to BlackRock. The ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI and MSCI makes no representation, condition or warranty regarding the advisability of investing in the ETF.

    ©2025 BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc., or its subsidiaries in the United States and elsewhere. Used with permission.

    Contact for Media:
    Sydney Punchard
    Email: Sydney.Punchard@blackrock.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Top New Jersey Producer Rejoins Rate from CrossCountry Mortgage

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rate, a leading fintech company, proudly announces that Chad Barris, one of the country’s top-producing mortgage originators, has returned to the company.

    A 20-year industry veteran and Scotsman Guide Top 1% Mortgage Originator, Barris rejoins Rate after a seven-year tenure at CrossCountry Mortgage, reaffirming the company’s unmatched ability to support top-tier loan officers in delivering excellent service to homebuyers.

    Barris brings decades of experience, consistently ranking among the nation’s highest performers thanks to his commitment to client service, market insight, and relationship-first approach. With a proven history of helping individuals and families achieve homeownership, his return signals Rate’s continued draw for elite talent seeking long-term growth and results.

    “After a meaningful seven-year chapter with my previous group, I’m excited to take the next step in my career—one that aligns with my goals for growth and development,” said Barris. “I’m deeply grateful for the experiences and relationships I’ve built along the way. Change is never easy, but it often leads to breakthroughs. I’m ready to grow in new ways and thrilled to begin this next chapter at Rate.”

    “We are thrilled to announce that Chad has rejoined Rate!” said Jeff Nelson, Chief Production Officer, East at Rate. “As a Scotsman Guide Top 1% Originator with over 20 years of mortgage experience, Chad brings unparalleled expertise. His success is rooted in exceptional customer service and helping clients achieve their dreams of homeownership. Welcome back to the Rate family, Chad!”

    Rate continues to attract and retain the industry’s best by offering a platform purpose-built for originator success, combining AI technology, streamlined operations, and an unmatched support system. The company’s national footprint and infrastructure enable loan officers to scale their business and provide borrowers with a modern, efficient lending experience.

    About Rate

    Rate Companies is a leader in mortgage lending and digital financial services. Headquartered in Chicago, Rate has over 850 branches across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Since its launch in 2000, Rate has helped more than 2 million homeowners with home purchase loans, refinances, and home equity loans. The company has cemented itself as an industry leader by introducing innovative technology, offering low rates, and delivering unparalleled customer service. Recent honors and awards include: a Best Mortgage Lender of 2025 by Fortune; Best Mortgage Lender of 2025 for First-Time Homebuyers by Forbes; a Best Mortgage Lender of 2025 for FHA Loans, Home Equity Loans, and Lower Credit Scores by NerdWallet; Best Mortgage Lender of 2025 for Digital Experience and Down Payment Assistance by Motley Fool; Chicago Agent Magazine’s Lender of the Year for seven consecutive years. Visit rate.com for more information.

    Media Contact:
    press@rate.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: GraniteShares Announces Forward Split of PTIR

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GraniteShares has announced it will execute a forward share split for the GraniteShares 2x Long PLTR (the “Fund”). The total market value of the shares outstanding will not be affected as a result of these splits.

    After the close of the markets on July 08, 2025 (the “Payable Date”), the Fund will effect a forward split of its issued and outstanding shares as follows:

    As a result of the share split, shareholders of the Fund will receive fifteen shares for each share held as indicated in the table above. Accordingly, the number of the Fund’s issued and outstanding shares will increase by the approximate percentage indicated above.

    The ticker and CUSIP will not be affected by the transaction.

    The share split will apply to shareholders of record as of the close of the NASDAQ Stock Market (the “NASDAQ”) on July 08, 2025 (the “Record Date”), payable after the close of the NASDAQ on the Payable Date. Shares of the Funds will begin trading on the NASDAQ on a split-adjusted basis on July 09, 2025 (the “Ex-Date”). On the Ex-Date, the opening market value of the Fund’s issued and outstanding shares, and thus a shareholder’s investment value, will not be affected by the share split. However, the per share net asset value (“NAV”) and opening market price on the Ex-Date will be approximately one-fifteenth. The table below illustrates the effect of a hypothetical fifteen-for-one split on a shareholder’s investment.

    15-for-1 forward split

    Period # of shares owned Hypothetical NAV Total Market Value
    Pre-Split 10 US$ 300 US$ 3,000
    Post-Split 150 US$ 20 US$ 3,000


    About GraniteShares

    GraniteShares is an independent ETF issuer headquartered in New York City. GraniteShares offers the following leveraged single stock ETFs:

    ETF Name Ticker Underlying Stock Management Fee/Total Expense with fee waiver(1) /Total Expense without fee waiver(3)
    GraniteShares 2x Long AAPL Daily ETF AAPB Apple 0.99%/1.15%/1.65%
    GraniteShares 2x Long AMD Daily ETF AMDL AMD 0.99%/1.15%/6.04%
    GraniteShares 2x Long AMZN Daily ETF AMZZ Amazon.com 0.99%/1.15%/2.28%
    GraniteShares 2x Long BABA Daily ETF BABX Alibaba 0.99%/1.15%/1.52%
    GraniteShares 2x Long COIN Daily ETF CONL Coinbase 0.99%/1.15%/1.12%
    GraniteShares 2x Short COIN Daily ETF CONI Coinbase 0.99%/1.15%/1.12%
    GraniteShares 2x Long CRWD Daily ETF CRWL CrowdStrike 1.30%/1.50%/2.30%
    GraniteShares 2x Long DELL Daily ETF DLLL Dell Technologies 1.30%/1.50%/2.30%
    GraniteShares 2x Long INTC Daily ETF INTW Intel 1.30%/1.50%/2.30%
    GraniteShares 2x Long IONQ Daily ETF IONL IONQ 1.30%/1.50%/1.50%
    GraniteShares 2x Long LCID Daily ETF LCDL Lucid 0.99%/1.15%/1.43%
    GraniteShares 2x Long MARA Daily ETF MRAL MARA Holding 1.30%/1.50%/1.50%
    GraniteShares 2x Long META Daily ETF FBL Meta Platform 0.99%/1.15%/1.22%
    GraniteShares 2x Long MRVL Daily ETF MVLL Marvell Technology 1.30%/1.50%/1.50%
    GraniteShares 2x Long MSFT Daily ETF MSFL Microsoft 0.99%/1.15%/3.55%
    GraniteShares 2x Long MSTR Daily ETF MSTP MicroStrategy 1.30%/1.50%/1.50%
    GraniteShares 2x Short MSTR Daily ETF MSDD MicroStrategy 1.30%/1.50%/1.50%
    GraniteShares 2x Long MU Daily ETF MULL Micron Technology 1.30%/1.50%/1.50%
    GraniteShares 2x Long NVDA Daily ETF NVDL NVIDIA 0.99%/1.15%/1.06%
    GraniteShares 2x Short NVDA Daily ETF NVD NVIDIA 0.99%/1.15%/1.73
    GraniteShares 2x Long PLTR Daily ETF PTIR Palantir 0.99%/1.15%/1.18%
    GraniteShares 2x Long QCOM Daily ETF QCML Qualcomm 1.30%/1.50%/1.50%
    GraniteShares 2x Long RDDT Daily ETF RDTL Reddit 1.30%/1.50%/1.50%
    GraniteShares 2x Long RIVN Daily ETF RVNL Rivian 0.99%/1.15%/1.50%
    GraniteShares 2x Long SMCI Daily ETF SMCL Super Micro Computer 1.30%/1.50%/2.30%
    GraniteShares 1.25x Long TSLA Daily ETF TSL Tesla 0.99%/1.15%/1.98%
    GraniteShares 2x Long TSLA Daily ETF TSLR Tesla 0.99%/1.15%/1.63%
    GraniteShares 2x Short TSLA Daily ETF TSDD Tesla 0.99%/1.15%/2.59%
    GraniteShares 2x Long TSM Daily ETF TSML Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing 1.30%/1.50%/2.30%
    GraniteShares 2x Long Uber Daily ETF UBRL Uber 0.99%/1.15%/1.18%
    GraniteShares 2x Long VRT Daily ETF VRTL Vertiv 1.30%/1.50%/1.50%

    In addition, GraniteShares’ ETF suite includes the following ETFs:

    (1)   GraniteShares Advisors LLC has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Fund to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses (exclusive of any (i) interest, (ii) brokerage fees and commission, (iii) acquired fund fees and expenses, (iv) fees and expenses associated with instruments in other collective investment vehicles or derivative instruments (including for example options and swap fees and expenses), (v) interest and dividend expense on short sales, (vi) taxes, (vii) other fees related to underlying investments (such as option fees and expenses or swap fees and expenses), (viii) expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or (ix) extraordinary expenses such as litigation) will not exceed 1.15%. This agreement is effective until December 31, 2025, and it may be terminated before that date only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. GraniteShares Advisors LLC may request recoupment of previously waived fees and paid expenses from the Fund for three years from the date such fees and expenses were waived or paid, if such reimbursement will not cause the Fund’s total expense ratio to exceed the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver and/or expense payment and the expense limitation in place at the time of the recoupment.

    (2)   Estimated total cost in the absence of fee waiver or reimbursement.

    Contact Information:
    William Rhind, CEO
    GraniteShares Inc
    +1 646 876 5049
    william.rhind@graniteshares.com

    Important Information

    Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the GraniteShares funds (the “Funds”) carefully before investing. For a prospectus or summary prospectus with this and other information about the Funds, please call (844) 476 8747, or visit the website at www.graniteshares.com. Read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing.

    To obtain a prospectus for BAR, please visit
    https://www.graniteshares.com/Documents/25/Prospectus-GraniteShares-Gold-Trust.pdf

    To obtain a prospectus for PLTM, please visit
    https://graniteshares.com/media/gwrbh3ah/pltm_prospectus.pdf

    To obtain a prospectus for COMB, please visit
    https://graniteshares.com/media/4crf2x4e/graniteshares-etf-trust-comb-summary-prospectus.pdf

    Except as described above regarding the liquidation of the ETFs, shares of the Funds may be sold during trading hours on the exchange through any brokerage account, shares are not individually redeemable, and shares may only be redeemed directly from a Fund by Authorized Participants. There can be no assurance that an active trading market for shares in a Fund will develop or be maintained. Shares may trade above or below NAV. Brokerage commissions will apply.

    Fund Risks

    Multiple funds have a limited operating history of less than a year and risks associated with a new fund. The Leveraged and Daily Inverse Funds are not suitable for all investors. The investment program of the funds is speculative, entails substantial risks and include asset classes and investment techniques not employed by most ETFs and mutual funds. Investments in the ETFs are not bank deposits and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) or daily inverse (-1X and -2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Stock’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Stock’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day. The funds do not directly invest in the underlying stock.

    The Funds seek daily inverse or leveraged investment results and are intended to be used as short-term trading vehicles. Each Fund with “Long” in its name attempts to provide daily investment results that correspond to the respective long leveraged multiple of the performance of an underlying stock (each a Leveraged Long Fund). Each Fund with “Short” in its name attempts to provide daily investment results that correspond to the inverse (or opposite) multiple of the performance of an underlying stock (each an Inverse Fund).

    Investors should note that the Long Leveraged Funds and the Daily Inverse Funds pursue daily leveraged investment objectives and daily inverse investment objectives (respectively), which means that the fund is riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage and inverse strategies because the fund magnifies the performance of their underlying security. The volatility of the underlying security may affect a Funds’ return as much as, or more than, the return of the underlying security.

    For the Leveraged Long Funds because of daily rebalancing and the compounding of each day’s return over time, the return of the Fund for periods longer than a single day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Stock over the same period. The Fund will lose money if the Underlying Stock’s performance is flat over time, and as a result of daily rebalancing, the Underlying Stock volatility and the effects of compounding, it is even possible that the Fund will lose money over time while the Underlying Stock’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day.

    For the Daily Inverse Funds because of daily rebalancing and the compounding of each day’s return over time, the return of the Fund for periods longer than a single day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which will very likely differ from -100% and 200% of the return of the Underlying Stock over the same period. The Fund will lose money if the Underlying Stock’s performance is flat over time, and as a result of daily rebalancing, the Underlying Stock volatility and the effects of compounding, it is even possible that the Fund will lose money over time while the Underlying Stock’s performance decreases over a period longer than a single day.

    Shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the ETF. There can be no guarantee that an active trading market for ETF shares will develop or be maintained, or that their listing will continue or remain unchanged. Buying or selling ETF shares on an exchange may require the payment of brokerage commissions and frequent trading may incur brokerage costs that detract significantly from investment returns.

    An investment in the Fund involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The Fund is non-diversified and includes risks associated with the Fund concentrating its investments in a particular industry, sector, or geographic region which can result in increased volatility. The use of derivatives such as futures contracts and swaps are subject to market risks that may cause their price to fluctuate over time. Risks of the Fund include Effects of Compounding and Market Volatility Risk, Inverse Risk, Market Risk, Counterparty Risk, Rebalancing Risk, Intra-Day Investment Risk, Daily Index Correlation Risk, Other Investment Companies (including ETFs) Risk, and risks specific to the securities of the Underlying Stock and the sector in which it operates. These and other risks can be found in the prospectus.

    Investing in physical commodities, including through commodity-linked derivative instruments such as Commodity Futures, Commodity Swaps, as well as other commodity-linked instruments, is speculative and can be extremely volatile and may not be suitable for all investors. Market prices of commodities may fluctuate rapidly based on numerous factors, including: changes in supply and demand relationships (whether actual, perceived, anticipated, unanticipated or unrealized); weather; agriculture; trade; domestic and foreign political and economic events and policies; diseases; pestilence; technological developments; currency exchange rate fluctuations; and monetary and other governmental policies, action and inaction.

    A liquid secondary market may not exist for the types of commodity-linked derivative instruments the Fund buys, which may make it difficult for the Fund to sell them at an acceptable price. The Fund is new with no operating history. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case it could ultimately liquidate.

    Derivatives may be more sensitive to changes in market conditions and may amplify risks and losses.

    This information is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy shares of any Funds to any person in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. Please consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in Fund shares, including the possible application of foreign, state, and local tax laws. You could lose money by investing in the ETFs. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Funds will be achieved. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program.

    The Fund is distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc, which is not affiliated with GraniteShares or any of its affiliates ©2025 GraniteShares Inc. All rights reserved. GraniteShares, GraniteShares Trusts, and the GraniteShares logo are registered and unregistered trademarks of GraniteShares Inc., in the United States and elsewhere. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

    Gregory FCA for GraniteShares
    Kathleen Elicker, 484-889-6597
    graniteshares@gregoryfca.com

    Important Information

    Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For a prospectus or summary prospectus with this and other information about the Funds, please call (844) 476 8747 or visit www.graniteshares.com. Read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing.

    The investment program of the funds is speculative, entails substantial risks and include asset classes and investment techniques not employed by more traditional mutual funds.

    PRINCIPAL FUND RISKS (see the Prospectus for more information)

    GraniteShares Leveraged Long and Inverse Daily ETFs are not suitable for all investors. The funds seek daily leveraged investment results and are intended to be used as short-term trading vehicles. The funds pursue daily leveraged investment objectives, which means that the funds are riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage because the fund magnifies the performance of the underlying security. The volatility of the underlying security may affect the fund return as much as, or more than, the return of the underlying security. Investors who do not understand the Funds, or do not intend to actively manage their funds and monitor their investments, should not buy the Funds. The Funds are designed to be utilized only by traders and sophisticated investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily inverse and/or leveraged investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage and/or short sales and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. For periods longer than a single day, the Funds will lose money if the underlying stock’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Funds will lose money even if the underlying stock’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day. The Funds track the price of a single stock rather than an index, eliminating the benefits of diversification that most mutual funds and exchange-traded funds offer. Although the Funds will be listed and traded on an exchange, an investment in a Fund may not be suitable for every investor. The Funds pose risks that are unique and complex.

    This information is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy shares of any Funds to any person in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

    THE FUNDS ARE DISTRIBUTED BY ALPS DISTRIBIUTORS, INC. GRANITESHRES IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH ALPS DISTRIBUTORS, INC

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Statement on Vote on H.R. 875

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 26, 2025, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) issued the following statement on his vote against H.R. 875, the Protect Our Communities From DUI Act.

    “I have and will continue to support effective, bipartisan ways to secure our border,” said Vasquez. “But I will not support stunts that undermine our democracy. Today, American citizens are being wrongly deported, and this bill will lead to the haphazard deportation of more legal residents and citizens, workers, and parents across this country.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025: Closing Ceremony | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    The 20th annual meeting of the Internet Governance Forum is hosted by the Government of the Norway in Lillestrøm from 23 to 27 June 2025. The Forum’s overarching theme is: Building Digital Governance Together.

    —

    The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) serves to bring people together from various stakeholder groups as equals, in discussions on public policy issues relating to the Internet. While there is no negotiated outcome, the IGF informs and inspires those with policy-making power in both the public and private sectors.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p-RdPzvFfA

    MIL OSI Video –