Category: Pandemic

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ14: Supporting cinema industry

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

LCQ14: Supporting cinema industry
Question:

There are views that a number of cinemas in Hong Kong have closed down one after another in recent months and the industry is facing challenges such as rising operational costs and competition from streaming platforms, raising concerns that the wave of cinema closures may continue to spread. On the other hand, as cinemas serve as both an important platform for film exhibition and an important outlet for public consumption, culture and entertainment, the industry’s long-term development is in dire need of government support. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it has compiled statistics on the number of cinema closures and new openings in each of the past five years;

(2) whether it has compiled statistics on the following information of the cinemas in each of the 18 districts across the territory at present: (i)‍ ‍the number of cinemas, (ii) ‍the seating capacity, (iii) ‍the number of seats per 1 000 population, (iv) ‍the number of screens, and (v) ‍the average ticket price; and how such figures compare with those from five years ago;

(3) as regards districts with “zero/few cinemas”, whether the Government will, by making reference to past practices, consider including a cinema requirement in the land lease of individual land sale sites, stipulating that the cinema shall not be converted to other uses within the first seven years of operation; whether it has formulated measures to increase cinema supply; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(4) of the following information on the Cinema Day, which has been sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and held since 2023: the annual (i) ‍number of participating cinemas, (ii) ‍number of screenings, (iii) ‍attendance, (iv)‍‍ ‍box-office takings, and (v)‍ ‍amount of government funding; whether it has assessed the effectiveness of the Cinema Day in supporting the development of the cinema industry; whether the authorities have other measures in place to further support the cinema industry?

Reply:

President,

Regarding the questions raised by the Hon Chan Pui-leung, my reply is as follows:

(1) and (2) As at July 10, 2025, there are 52 cinemas in Hong Kong, representing a decrease of nine cinemas (15 per cent) as compared to 2020 (five years ago). Although the number of cinema closures has increased in recent years, various operators have taken over some of the closed cinemas. The number of cinemas opened and closed, and the average ticket price over the past five years are set out in Annex 1.

Currently, there are cinemas in all the 18 districts except for Wong Tai Sin. The cinema closed earlier in Wong Tai Sin has been taken over by a new operator, and will be reopened in mid-July. A comparison of the number of cinemas, screens, seats and seats per 1 000 population across all districts in Hong Kong in 2020 and 2025 is set out in Annex 2.

(3) Over the past two years, cinema industry has been encountering various challenges, including the rise of streaming platforms, downturn in global film industry, lack of blockbusters with strong appeal, high cinema rental and operational costs, and changes in audience viewing and consumption habits. In addition, both the Hong Kong and global film markets are still adapting to various post-pandemic changes and challenges. Despite the closure of some cinemas over the past two years, we have also seen new cinemas opening and seizing business opportunities. The Government will continue to closely monitor the difficulties and needs of the industry and maintain close communication with the trade. In fact, Cinema Day and 1st October Movie Fiesta: Half-Price Spectacular 2024 (1st October Movie Fiesta) launched by the Government aimed at supporting the cinema industry. Moreover, the Government has provided a range of support of different nature and levels, including nurturing talents and implementing multiple film production support schemes, which will also bring benefits to the cinema industry. However, the provision and operation of cinemas should be market-driven. At present, the Government has no plan to incorporate requirement for provision of cinema in the land sale condition of government land leases.

(4) Cinema Day and 1st October Movie Fiesta have brought confidence and impetus into Hong Kong’s film market. By offering concessionary ticket prices, both initiatives promote film culture to the public, allowing families and friends to enjoy movies in cinemas at affordable prices, thereby cultivating the habit of cinema-going and building audience, which in turn benefits the film industry in the long term. Both the Government and the Hong Kong Theatres Association consider the events effective in bringing new audience to cinemas, with attendance figures significantly increased compared to the same period in previous years and breaking records in attendance and box office receipts. In addition, medium-to-small-scale and niche films have received more attention during the events. Furthermore, restaurants and shops near cinemas offered discounts at the day of the events, providing additional incentive of watching movies at cinemas and boosting consumption in surrounding shops. Overall speaking, Cinema Day and 1st October Movie Fiesta benefit the cinemas, film industry, businesses, and the general public. The number of participating cinemas, screenings, attendance, box office receipts, and amount of government funding of both initiatives are set out in Annex 3.

Both Cinema Day and 1st October Movie Fiesta have received positive feedbacks from the public and the film market. The Government will continue to support Hong Kong film industry by enhancing both quality and quantity of Hong Kong films through the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Film Development Fund, with a view to bringing confidence and impetus into the market through quality Hong Kong films. Meanwhile, the Government will also continue to fund projects and activities that build local audience, to cultivate the habit of cinema-going and support the steady development of Hong Kong films and cinema industries.
Issued at HKT 12:25

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CategoriesMIL-OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ18: Employment support services

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is a question by Dr the Hon Ngan Man-yu and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (July 16):

Question:

The Employment Information and Promotion Programme Office (EIPPO) of the Labour Department (LD) is responsible for promoting employment services, assisting job-seekers in finding jobs through the provision of employment information, and helping employers recruit suitable staff. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the details of EIPPO’s existing staffing establishment (including the number of posts, rank distribution and the ratio of full-time to contract staff); between 2022 and 2024, (i) the operating expenses of EIPPO, (ii) the number of job fairs organised, and (iii) the number of job vacancies processed, together with a breakdown by year and industry type (e.g. retail, construction and service);

(2) of the number of successful placements referred by the EIPPO (“successful job matching”) between 2022 and 2024 and its percentage in the total number of job vacancies processed by the EIPPO, together with a breakdown by the age, sex, academic qualification and group (e.g. ethnic minorities or persons with disabilities) of job seekers, and the industry of the placement; whether it has laid down clear definitions and criteria for successful job matching (e.g. staying in employment for three months or more);

(3) whether the LD has formulated performance indicators for the EIPPO’s work, such as participation rates at job fairs, vacancy filling rates or job seeker satisfaction levels; if so, of the details (including the key indicators and their attainment between 2022 and 2024); if not, the reasons for that;

(4) whether it has plans to comprehensively review the effectiveness of the EIPPO’s services, so as to enhance the employment support measures for vulnerable workers (including low-skilled workers, women, ethnic minorities and middle-aged persons); if so, of the details (including the timetable, scope and objectives of the review); if not, the reasons for that, and whether it will conduct the relevant review;

(5) whether it will consider strengthening co-operation with enterprises, social organisations and non-governmental organisations to establish an “employment support platform for vulnerable workers”, and encouraging enterprises to provide internships and long-term employment opportunities suitable for vulnerable workers; if so, of the details (including the content of the plan, the implementation timetable, the measures to provide subsidies or incentives to enterprises, as well as the expected effectiveness); if not, the reasons for that, and whether there are other alternative measures; and

(6) whether it will, by drawing reference from LD’s practice of setting up industry-specific job centres (e.g. the Recruitment Centre for the Catering Industry, the Recruitment Centre for the Retail Industry and the Construction Industry Recruitment Centre), convert job centres in some districts into one-stop employment support centres specifically targeting women, the elderly and ethnic minorities, with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of such centres?

Reply:

President,

The Labour Department (LD) provides diversified and free employment services to job-seekers to encourage and assist them in entering the labour market. The Employment Information and Promotion Programme Office (EIPPO) under the Employment Information and Promotion Division of the LD is responsible for holding large-scale job fairs and organising publicity projects to promote the LD’s employment services and related information. The EIPPO also actively liaises with employers to canvass job vacancies from different industries with a view to assisting employers in recruiting employees and expediting the dissemination of employment information.

The reply to the Member’s question is as follows:

(1) The breakdown of the EIPPO’s staff establishment by grade from 2022-23 to 2024-25 is at Annex 1. The EIPPO’s annual operational expenses (excluding staff cost) during the same period was $5.02 million, $9.07 million and $8.94 million respectively. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some activities could not be organised in 2022, resulting in lower operational expenses for the year.

From 2022 to 2024, the EIPPO organised 13, 17 and 18 large-scale job fairs each year, offering 23 594, 36 870 and 32 900 job vacancies respectively for job-seekers to submit job applications to employers on the spot. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of large-scale job fairs organised and job vacancies recorded in 2022 were lower. A breakdown of the relevant job vacancies by industry is at Annex 2.

(2) The LD organises large-scale job fairs to provide a convenient platform for employers and job seekers to meet face-to-face. In addition to applying for jobs and attending interviews on the spot, job seekers can learn directly from employers about trade development, company culture, job requirements, etc. At the same time, they can make use of the LD’s consultation services during job fairs and obtain information on various employment programmes.

From 2022 to 2024, about 6 600, 26 500 and 32 600 job seekers attended the large-scale job fairs organised by the EIPPO each year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of job seekers visiting the large-scale job fairs was lower in 2022. Based on the questionnaire responses collected by the LD from employers after the job fairs, from 2022 to 2024, approximately 1 300, 1 900 and 2 000 job seekers were respectively employed within one month after the job fairs each year. The LD does not maintain breakdowns of the job fair visitors or individuals employed after the job fairs.

(3) and (4) The LD from time to time organises large-scale job fairs across the territory and stages district-based thematic job fairs at its job centres, including inclusive job fairs for ethnic minorities, and part-time or thematic job fairs targeting elderly and middle-aged job seekers (including women).

Overall, employers, job seekers and relevant stakeholders have strong demand for job fairs. Participating employers and job seekers respond very favourably to the events. As the number of job vacancies, success rate of recruitment, etc., may be affected by factors such as the economy, labour market situation and personal circumstances of job seekers, it is inappropriate to set Key Performance Indicators for the EIPPO or the large-scale job fairs it organises.

The LD will continue to closely monitor changes in the economy and employment market, conduct timely review on the effectiveness of various employment services, and implement appropriate enhancement measures.

(5) and (6) The LD’s ten job centres provide integrated employment services to job seekers. Apart from job referral service, job seekers can also use the facilities of the job centres, including vacancy search terminals, computers with word processing function for preparing resume, employment information corners, etc. Employment officers of the centres may also meet with job seekers to provide them with personalised employment advisory service, and based on their needs and preferences, recommend them to join suitable employment programmes or to enroll in training/retraining courses so as to enhance their employability and employment opportunities. All job centres also provide dedicated services for elderly and middle-aged persons (including women), and ethnic minorities, such as priority employment services for those aged 50 or above, and arrangement of interpretation services for ethnic minority job seekers.

Additionally, the LD implements various employment programmes including Youth Employment and Training Programme, Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme, Employment Programme for the Elderly and Middle-aged and Racial Diversity Employment Programme to support and facilitate the employment of young people, elderly and middle-aged persons (including women) as well as ethnic minorities. The LD collaborates with relevant groups, including engaging non-governmental organisations to provide employment support to participants, etc., to jointly implement employment programmes.

Apart from offering integrated employment services, job centres also collaborate with relevant groups in implementing employment programmes. Proven to be effective, this modus operandi can comprehensively and flexibly meet the needs of different groups of job seekers (including women, older persons and ethnic minorities, etc.). As such, the LD currently has no plan to set up other employment support platform, or new employment support centres for specific groups of job seekers.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 16, 2025
AIDS program funding preserved ahead of US Senate vote on Trump cuts

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The U.S. Senate late on Tuesday advanced President Donald Trump’s request to slash billions in spending on foreign aid and public broadcasting previously approved by Congress, the latest test of Trump’s control over his fellow Republicans.

However, PEPFAR, a global program to fight HIV/AIDS launched in 2003 by then-Republican President George W. Bush, is being exempted after objections from lawmakers in both parties, bringing the size of the package of cuts to $9 billion from $9.4 billion.

Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, told reporters after lunch with Republican senators that Trump could accept a change in the measure to exempt PEPFAR.

“There is a substitute amendment that does not include the PEPFAR rescission and we’re fine with that,” Vought said.

In initial votes on Tuesday, Republicans narrowly fended off solid Democratic opposition and cleared the bill over two procedural hurdles. Vice President JD Vance was needed to break a 50-50 tie in each of those tallies.

Further votes were expected this week.

Congress has until Friday to pass the rescissions package, originally a request to claw back $8.3 billion in foreign aid funding and $1.1 billion for public broadcasting. Otherwise, the request would expire and the White House will be required to adhere to spending plans passed by Congress.

Three of the Senate’s 53 Republicans voted against moving the legislation closer to passage – Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Susan Collins of Maine.

“You don’t need to gut the entire Corporation for Public Broadcasting,” Senator Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska moderate, said in a Senate speech.

She said the Trump administration also had not provided assurances that battles against diseases such as malaria and polio worldwide would be maintained, along with programs including family planning and pandemic prevention. But most of all, Murkowski said, Congress must assert its role in deciding how federal funds were spent.

If the Senate passes the bill without the PEPFAR cuts, the measure must go back to the House of Representatives for a vote before it can be sent to the White House for Trump to sign into law. Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota, a Republican, said he expected the House would act quickly to pass the measure.

The amounts at stake are extremely small in the context of the sprawling federal budget, which totaled $6.8 trillion in the fiscal year ended September 30. Yet the proposed cuts have raised the hackles of Democrats and a handful of Republicans who saw an attempt to erode Congress’s constitutionally mandated authority over spending.

They also represent only a tiny portion of all of the funds approved by Congress that the Trump administration has held up as it has pursued sweeping cuts to the federal government, including slashing thousands of jobs.

As of mid-June, Trump was blocking $425 billion in such funds, according to Democratic lawmakers tracking frozen funding.

LIFESAVING PROGRAMS

The foreign aid initiatives in Trump’s request for cuts included lifesaving support for women and children’s health and the fight against HIV/AIDS that have long had strong bipartisan support. PEPFAR is credited with saving 26 million lives.

The package also cuts funds supporting public broadcasting, which can be the main source of news and emergency information in rural parts of the U.S. Senator Mike Rounds, a South Dakota Republican, was concerned about funding cuts to Native American radio stations, but said on Tuesday he would support the rescissions package after the administration promised to fund some tribal broadcasters separately.

Democrats also have said the U.S. withdrawal of “soft power” efforts from the international stage, such as limited emergency assistance after an earthquake in Myanmar, strengthens global adversaries like Russia and China.

“It still leaves an enormous vacuum that China and Russia will fill,” Senator Charles Schumer of New York, the chamber’s Democratic leader, said.

Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who chairs the Appropriations Committee, had said she opposed Trump’s request to cut the PEPFAR funding. After the lunch meeting with Vought, she said she still wanted detailed information about the proposals.

FUNDING POWER

Standalone presidential rescissions packages have not passed in years, with lawmakers reluctant to cede their constitutionally mandated control of government spending. During Trump’s first term in 2018, Congress members rejected Trump’s request to revoke $15 billion in spending.

Trump’s Republicans hold narrow majorities in the Senate and House. So far, they have shown little appetite for opposing his policies.

The rescissions legislation passed the House by 214-212 last month. Four Republicans joined 208 Democrats in voting against it.

These cuts would overturn bipartisan spending agreements most recently passed in a full-year stopgap funding bill in March. Democrats warn a partisan cut now could make it more difficult to negotiate government funding bills that must pass by September 30 to avoid a shutdown.

Appropriations bills require 60 votes to move ahead in the Senate, but the rescissions package needs just 51, meaning Republicans can pass it without Democratic support.

“We’re going to have to work our way through that issue,” Rounds said on Tuesday, adding he felt confident Trump’s budget office would follow funding guidelines to redirect dollars to tribal media stations.

[REUTERS]

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Calls on Senate to Make DOGE Cuts Permanent

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

WASHINGTON – After exposing sweeping abuses at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) spoke on the Senate floor to urge her colleagues to pass President Trump’s rescissions bill to save taxpayer dollars and make Washington squeal.
From funding fashion week to pickle makers, Ernst cited multiple wasteful USAID projects and taxpayer-subsidized partisan propaganda at National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) that she has uncovered.
After being stonewalled, Ernst has been leading the fight to combat waste at USAID and sent Secretary of State Marco Rubio a letter detailing her experience with the rogue agency as it misled, lied, and deceived the American people about how their tax dollars are spent. She has continued her work exposing jaw-dropping waste at USAID.
Last month, Ernst demanded transparency from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) over a $1.9 million grant it provided NPR last year.

Watch Senator Ernst’s full remarks here.
Ernst’s full remarks:
“All Americans can take great pride in our nation’s generosity that has saved millions of people around the world from starvation and disease.
“And, our government agencies coordinating aid efforts should be eager to share details about how their use of taxpayer money makes the world a better place.
“Yet, over the past decade, USAID repeatedly rebuffed my requests for information, using intimidation and shell games to hide where money is going, how it’s being spent, and why.
“As a result of my oversight, I learned that the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, is a rogue bureaucracy, operating with little accountability and even, sometimes, at odds with our nation’s best interests.
“What warranted such secrecy and stonewalling?
“Here’s just some of USAID’s questionable spending that I uncovered:
“Money intended to alleviate economic distress in war-torn Ukraine was spent:
“Sending models and designers on junkets to New York City and Fashion Weeks in Paris and London, at a cost of more than $203,000;
“$148,000 went to a pickle maker;
“A dog collar manufacturer fetched $300,000; and
“A custom carpet manufacturer collected $2 million.
“Elsewhere, $20 million was awarded to Sesame Workshop, which produces Sesame Street, to create content for Iraq;
“$2 million went toward promoting tourism to Lebanon, a nation that our very own State Department warns against traveling to due to the risks of terrorism and kidnapping.
“Yes, folks, $2 million for tourism to Lebanon when we are saying, don’t travel there.
“$67,000 was spent to feed edible insects to children in Madagascar.
“Over $800,000 was sent to China’s notorious Wuhan Institute of Virology to collect coronaviruses.
“What exactly was our international development agency developing at China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology?
“Well, if the CIA, FBI, and other experts are correct that the COVID virus likely originated from a lab leak, USAID may have had a hand in a once-in-a-century pandemic that claimed the lives of millions.
“There’s no shortage of other questionable USAID projects, but President Trump is putting an end to this deep state operation.
“The foreign assistance programs that do advance American interests are now being administered under the watchful eye of Secretary Marco Rubio.
“This includes projects previously supported by USAID that were caring for orphans and people living with HIV.
“Imagine how much more good work like this could be done with the dollars that instead financed fashion shows, supported Sesame Street programs in Iraq, or ended up in China’s Wuhan Institute.
“Overseas projects without merit are being ended and the tax dollars that were paying for them will be refunded if the Senate passes the rescissions bill.
“It also cancels taxpayer subsidies to public broadcasting.
“Too often, these programs are partisan propaganda.
“You don’t have to take my word for it.
“A National Public Radio senior editor recently confessed ‘It’s true NPR has always had a liberal bent.’
“He admits the organization has ZERO Republicans in editorial positions.
“Come on folks, even CNN has Scott Jennings to roast the looney liberal lunatics on that failing network.
“NPR and PBS have a right to say whatever the heck they want, but they don’t have a right to force hardworking Americans to pay for their political propaganda being masked as a public service.
“Defunding this nonsense is causing a lot of squealing from the big spenders around here.
“Washington insiders are more upset at this effort to stop wasteful spending than at the misuse of taxpayer dollars.
“In fact, saving tax money is such a crazy concept in Washington that Democrats are threatening to shut down the entire government if this bill passes.
“It says a lot about the other side’s priorities when they’re willing to take hostage funding for veterans and senior citizens to prevent $9 billion in unnecessary waste, fraud, and abuse from being trimmed from our $7 trillion annual budget.
“The interest that we are paying on our debt alone is costing nearly $3 billion every single day.
“If we are ever going to get serious about our debt crisis, Congress needs to pass a rescissions bill like this every single week.
“Folks, the simple truth is if you can’t find waste in Washington, it’s because you simply are not looking.
“With our national debt now exceeding $37 trillion, the real question we should be asking isn’t ‘why is government spending now being scrutinized?,’ but rather, ‘why did it take so long?’”

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Scott, Colleagues Reintroduce Child Care for Working Families Act—Democrats Advocate for Affordable Child Care While Trump & Republicans Blow Up Debt on Billionaire Tax Cuts and Attack Head Start and Federal Child Care Programs
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

As Republicans deliver fresh tax breaks for billionaires and kick Americans off their health care, Democrats continue their fight to help families find and afford child care

***WATCH PRESS CONFERENCE HERE***

Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, joined their colleagues in reintroducing the Child Care for Working Families Act, comprehensive legislation to ensure families across America can find and afford the high-quality child care they need.

Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) joined Senator Murray in leading reintroduction of the legislation alongside 39 additional cosponsors in the Senate—the most in the bill’s history.

House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA-05) and Representative Summer Lee (D-PA-12) joined Representative Scott in leading reintroduction of the legislation alongside 80 additional cosponsors in the House.

“Right now, the cost of child care and other essentials is weighing millions of families down, but instead of tackling the affordability crisis, President Trump and Republicans have chosen to shower their billionaire donors with trillions of dollars in new tax breaks and kick 17 million Americans off their health care,” said Senator Patty Murray. “It’s an outrageous betrayal, and instead of wasting billions on handouts for the richest people on earth, Democrats are going to keep fighting to help working families afford the basics and get ahead—including by passing my Child Care for Working Families Act to ensure every family can find and afford the child care they need. Just about everyone now recognizes how urgent an issue the child care crisis is—and how badly it hurts families and our economy—so I invite my Republican colleagues to join us to finally deliver the actual reform we need to address this crisis. This is an ambitious and commonsense plan to build child care centers, hire and retain more early childhood educators, and make sure every family can afford child care—with the typical family paying less than $15 a day. Not only that, we’d finally set this country on the path to universal Pre-K. People actually want Congress to do this—don’t tell me we can’t afford to invest in child care and bring down costs for every family after Republicans just blew up the national debt to give tax breaks to billionaires who don’t need them.”

“Our economy forces too many workers to choose between their jobs and caring for their children. Without investments in the care economy, jobs will remain unfilled because too many workers, especially women, will have to remain at home and our economy will never reach its full potential,” said Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott. “Let’s be clear. The child care crisis cannot be solved without sustained public funding. The Child Care for Working Families Act makes the investments we need to turn our child care system around and meet the needs of children, parents, and child care workers. We must finally pass this bill and expand access to affordable, quality early learning opportunities, provide child care workers with the support they deserve, and give parents the freedom to pursue rewarding careers and contribute to our economic growth.”

As President Trump and Republicans in Congress choose to spend trillions on new tax cuts for billionaires and the biggest corporations, kick Americans off their health care, cut kids off from nutrition assistance, and raise costs on everyday essentials for working families, Democrats in Congress are continuing their push to help working people make ends meet—including by tackling the child care crisis. The cost of child care nationwide continues to rise—and far from helping tackle it, President Trump is exacerbating the affordability crisis. The average cost of child care is now $13,128—a 29% increase since 2020 that outpaces inflation. In 49 states and the District of Columbia, the average annual costs of child care for two children exceeds median rent—and in 41 states and the District of Columbia, the cost of care for one infant exceeds in-state university tuition. The crisis costs the U.S. economy over $100 billion each year. Nonetheless, President Trump has gutted oversight of and support for the federal child care office, held up child care funding to states, held up Head Start funding, and now created massive holes in states’ budgets with the “Big Beautiful Bill’s” cuts to Medicaid and SNAP—which may well force states to pare back on their own investments in child care. While two-thirds of Americans oppose Republicans’ Big Beautiful Betrayal that President Trump signed into law earlier this month, over three-quarters of Americans support increased investment to help families afford child care.

The Child Care for Working Families Act would tackle the child care crisis head-on: ensuring families can afford the child care they need, expanding access to more high-quality options, stabilizing the child care sector, and helping ensure child care workers taking care of our nation’s kids are paid livable wages. The legislation will also dramatically expand access to pre-K, and support full-day, full-year Head Start programs and increased wages for Head Start workers. Under the legislation, which Murray and Scott have introduced every Congress since 2017, the typical family in America will pay no more than $15 a day for child care—with many families paying nothing at all—and no eligible family will pay more than 7% of their income on child care.

“Families should not have to break the bank to afford child care. Democrats are fighting to ensure working families can access the child care they need, and that hardworking child care workers get paid what they deserve,” said Leader Chuck Schumer. “Republicans have a different priority – giving tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy, paid for by cutting health care and food assistance for millions of families. The contrast couldn’t be clearer and Republicans couldn’t be crueler. We hope Republicans will join us in moving forward legislation that will actually help working people and invest in kids and families.”

“Child care enables parents to work and kids to thrive. But right now, it’s impossibly expensive,” said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. “In the richest nation on earth, no parent should have to choose between groceries and child care. Under this bill, the typical family will pay no more than $15 a day for care. Ultimately, this bill is about giving every family a fair shot at the American Dream. I want my Republican colleagues to look parents in the eye and explain how they can oppose that.”

“The child care crisis is holding our families, businesses, and economy back,” said Senator Tim Kaine. “I’ve heard from parents in every corner of Virginia about how they’re being locked out of the workforce because they can’t find affordable care for their kids, and from passionate child care workers who are pressured to leave their field because of low wages. Especially as we contend with the economic chaos and uncertainty caused by President Trump, Congress can and must do more to address this issue and put affordable care within reach. By raising salaries for low-wage child care employees and capping child care costs at seven percent of working families’ incomes, we can make child care more accessible and affordable, support passionate workers in the field, and strengthen our economy.”

“Throughout our country, too many working and middle class families struggle to find access to high-quality, affordable child care, forcing parents to make tough sacrifices for their children,” said Senator Mazie Hirono. “Child care is essential to the strength of our communities, and every family should be able to access the affordable care they need and deserve. That’s why I am proud to reintroduce the Child Care for Working Families Act, which would provide a long-term investment in our children as an important step forward in tackling our country’s child care crisis.”

“Parents and working families are struggling under an affordability crisis being made worse by the Trump administration — many without any childcare options they can afford or reasonably get their kids to every day,” said Senator Andy Kim. “This bill is the comprehensive reform we need to tackle the childcare shortage, deliver families immediate relief, and make sure we better support the workers who go above and beyond to deliver this high-quality care.”

“We are experiencing a child care crisis in this country. Child care—if folks can even find it—is pushing families into poverty, and Trump’s Big Ugly bill will only exacerbate the struggles our families are dealing with,” said Representative Summer Lee. “The Child Care for Working Families Act is a means to putting an end to this crisis. We have to make sure families have access to child care slots, that no family spends more than seven percent of their income on child care, and that all early childhood educators make a livable wage. I am grateful for Ranking Member Bobby Scott and Senator Patty Murray for their partnership on this bill, and I look forward to seeing it over the finish line.”

The Child Care for Working Families Act will:
- Make child care affordable for working families.
  
  The typical family earning the state median income will pay less than $15 a day for child care.
  
  No working family will pay more than seven percent of their income on child care.
  
  Families earning below 85% of state median income will pay nothing at all for child care.
  
  If a state does not choose to receive funding under this program, the Secretary can provide funds to localities, such as cities, counties, local governments, districts, or Head Start agencies.
- Improve the quality and supply of child care for all children and expand families’ child care options by:
  
  Addressing child care deserts by providing grants to help open new child care providers in underserved communities.
  
  Providing grants to cover start-up and licensing costs to help establish new providers.
  
  Increasing child care options for children who receive care during non-traditional hours.
  
  Supporting child care for children who are dual-language learners, children who are experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care.
- Support higher wages for child care workers.
  
  Child care workers would be paid a living wage and achieve parity with elementary school teachers who have similar credentials and experience.
  
  Child care subsidies would cover the cost of providing high-quality care.
- Dramatically expand access to high-quality pre-K.
  
  States would receive funding to establish and expand a mixed-delivery system of high-quality preschool programs for 3- and 4-year-olds.
  
  States must prioritize establishing and expanding universal local preschool programs within and across high-need communities.
  
  If a state does not choose to receive funding under this program, the Secretary can provide funds to localities, such as cities, counties, local governments, districts, or Head Start agencies.
- Better support Head Start programs by providing the funding necessary to offer full-day, full-year programming and increasing wages for Head Start workers.
In the Senate, the bill is cosponsored by 44 Senators: Senators Murray, Kaine, Hirono, Kim, Schumer, Alsobrooks, Baldwin, Bennet, Blumenthal, Blunt Rochester, Booker, Cantwell, Coons, Cortez-Masto, Duckworth, Durbin, Fetterman, Gallego, Gillibrand, Hassan, Heinrich, Hickenlooper, Kelly, King, Klobuchar, Lujan, Markey, Merkley, Murphy, Padilla, Peters, Reed, Rosen, Sanders, Schatz, Schiff, Shaheen, Slotkin, Smith, Van Hollen, Warnock, Welch, Whitehouse, Wyden.

In the House, the bill is cosponsored by 83 lawmakers: Representatives Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05), Summer Lee (PA-12), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Melanie A. Stansbury (NM-01), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), André Carson (IN-07), Kathy Castor (FL-14), George Latimer (NY-16), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Hillary J. Scholten (MI-03), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Troy A. Carter (LA-02), Mark Pocan (WI-02), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Ted W. Lieu (CA-36), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Betty McCollum (MN-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Seth Moulton (MA-06), William R. Keating (MA-09), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Judy Chu (CA-28), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-09), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), Adam Smith (WA-09), Haley M. Stevens (MI-11), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Deborah K. Ross (NC-02), Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-03), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Dina Titus (NV-01), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), Shontel M. Brown (OH-11), Sean Casten (IL-06), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (VA-08), and Sharice Davids (KS-03).

A fact sheet on the legislation is available HERE.

Text of the legislation if available HERE.

“As Child Care Aware of America’s report, Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply shows, in every region of the country, there are far too many families that do not have access to affordable and high-quality child care. The high price of child care is often one of the largest household expenses for families. And yet, our educators and programs struggle to make ends meet. Current federal investment in child care is not meeting the needs faced by families across the country. The Child Care for Working Families Act would help ensure more families have access to high-quality and affordable child care,” said Child Care Aware of America.

“For far too long, children, families, and providers have borne the burden of a broken child care sector. The Child Care for Working Families Act would make access to child care more equitable and affordable for families across the country while also better valuing and compensating the child care workforce. Families need relief from untenable child care prices. Children need reliable education and care settings. Providers need increased education supports, consistent employment, and higher wages. This bill will deliver necessary improvements to America’s child care sector,” said Wendy Chun-Hoon, President and Executive Director, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP).

“Recognizing and supporting child care as a true public good simply requires the political will from our elected leaders because the political will from families across the country is already there. Americans agree we should have equal opportunities to engage in the workforce regardless of gender and parental status and making that a reality shouldn’t break the bank for families. I want to thank Senator Murray, Rep. Scott and the child care champions leading the way on the Child Care for Working Families Act. The bill builds on the excellent foundation of its previous iterations, incorporates lessons from the pandemic, ARPA, and the experience of nearly achieving historic child care and early learning policy during the Build Back Better debate. Children, families, and America’s economic growth cannot wait,” said TCF Senior Fellow and Director of Women’s Economic Justice Julie Kashen.

“Making child care more affordable isn’t just good for families—it’s essential for a thriving economy, strong businesses, and vibrant communities,” said Fatima Goss Graves, president of the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund. “Instead of working to pass legislation that will increase costs for families while giving tax breaks to billionaires, Congress should pass the Child Care for Working Families Act. This billwould lower costs for families, raise wages for early educators, and tackle the child care crisis head on.”
MIL OSI USA News –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Scott, Colleagues Reintroduce Child Care for Working Families Act—Democrats Advocate for Affordable Child Care While Trump & Republicans Blow Up Debt on Billionaire Tax Cuts and Attack Head Start and Federal Child Care Programs
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

As Republicans deliver fresh tax breaks for billionaires and kick Americans off their health care, Democrats continue their fight to help families find and afford child care

***WATCH PRESS CONFERENCE HERE***

Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, joined their colleagues in reintroducing the Child Care for Working Families Act, comprehensive legislation to ensure families across America can find and afford the high-quality child care they need.

Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) joined Senator Murray in leading reintroduction of the legislation alongside 39 additional cosponsors in the Senate—the most in the bill’s history.

House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA-05) and Representative Summer Lee (D-PA-12) joined Representative Scott in leading reintroduction of the legislation alongside 80 additional cosponsors in the House.

“Right now, the cost of child care and other essentials is weighing millions of families down, but instead of tackling the affordability crisis, President Trump and Republicans have chosen to shower their billionaire donors with trillions of dollars in new tax breaks and kick 17 million Americans off their health care,” said Senator Patty Murray. “It’s an outrageous betrayal, and instead of wasting billions on handouts for the richest people on earth, Democrats are going to keep fighting to help working families afford the basics and get ahead—including by passing my Child Care for Working Families Act to ensure every family can find and afford the child care they need. Just about everyone now recognizes how urgent an issue the child care crisis is—and how badly it hurts families and our economy—so I invite my Republican colleagues to join us to finally deliver the actual reform we need to address this crisis. This is an ambitious and commonsense plan to build child care centers, hire and retain more early childhood educators, and make sure every family can afford child care—with the typical family paying less than $15 a day. Not only that, we’d finally set this country on the path to universal Pre-K. People actually want Congress to do this—don’t tell me we can’t afford to invest in child care and bring down costs for every family after Republicans just blew up the national debt to give tax breaks to billionaires who don’t need them.”

“Our economy forces too many workers to choose between their jobs and caring for their children. Without investments in the care economy, jobs will remain unfilled because too many workers, especially women, will have to remain at home and our economy will never reach its full potential,” said Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott. “Let’s be clear. The child care crisis cannot be solved without sustained public funding. The Child Care for Working Families Act makes the investments we need to turn our child care system around and meet the needs of children, parents, and child care workers. We must finally pass this bill and expand access to affordable, quality early learning opportunities, provide child care workers with the support they deserve, and give parents the freedom to pursue rewarding careers and contribute to our economic growth.”

As President Trump and Republicans in Congress choose to spend trillions on new tax cuts for billionaires and the biggest corporations, kick Americans off their health care, cut kids off from nutrition assistance, and raise costs on everyday essentials for working families, Democrats in Congress are continuing their push to help working people make ends meet—including by tackling the child care crisis. The cost of child care nationwide continues to rise—and far from helping tackle it, President Trump is exacerbating the affordability crisis. The average cost of child care is now $13,128—a 29% increase since 2020 that outpaces inflation. In 49 states and the District of Columbia, the average annual costs of child care for two children exceeds median rent—and in 41 states and the District of Columbia, the cost of care for one infant exceeds in-state university tuition. The crisis costs the U.S. economy over $100 billion each year. Nonetheless, President Trump has gutted oversight of and support for the federal child care office, held up child care funding to states, held up Head Start funding, and now created massive holes in states’ budgets with the “Big Beautiful Bill’s” cuts to Medicaid and SNAP—which may well force states to pare back on their own investments in child care. While two-thirds of Americans oppose Republicans’ Big Beautiful Betrayal that President Trump signed into law earlier this month, over three-quarters of Americans support increased investment to help families afford child care.

The Child Care for Working Families Act would tackle the child care crisis head-on: ensuring families can afford the child care they need, expanding access to more high-quality options, stabilizing the child care sector, and helping ensure child care workers taking care of our nation’s kids are paid livable wages. The legislation will also dramatically expand access to pre-K, and support full-day, full-year Head Start programs and increased wages for Head Start workers. Under the legislation, which Murray and Scott have introduced every Congress since 2017, the typical family in America will pay no more than $15 a day for child care—with many families paying nothing at all—and no eligible family will pay more than 7% of their income on child care.

“Families should not have to break the bank to afford child care. Democrats are fighting to ensure working families can access the child care they need, and that hardworking child care workers get paid what they deserve,” said Leader Chuck Schumer. “Republicans have a different priority – giving tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy, paid for by cutting health care and food assistance for millions of families. The contrast couldn’t be clearer and Republicans couldn’t be crueler. We hope Republicans will join us in moving forward legislation that will actually help working people and invest in kids and families.”

“Child care enables parents to work and kids to thrive. But right now, it’s impossibly expensive,” said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. “In the richest nation on earth, no parent should have to choose between groceries and child care. Under this bill, the typical family will pay no more than $15 a day for care. Ultimately, this bill is about giving every family a fair shot at the American Dream. I want my Republican colleagues to look parents in the eye and explain how they can oppose that.”

“The child care crisis is holding our families, businesses, and economy back,” said Senator Tim Kaine. “I’ve heard from parents in every corner of Virginia about how they’re being locked out of the workforce because they can’t find affordable care for their kids, and from passionate child care workers who are pressured to leave their field because of low wages. Especially as we contend with the economic chaos and uncertainty caused by President Trump, Congress can and must do more to address this issue and put affordable care within reach. By raising salaries for low-wage child care employees and capping child care costs at seven percent of working families’ incomes, we can make child care more accessible and affordable, support passionate workers in the field, and strengthen our economy.”

“Throughout our country, too many working and middle class families struggle to find access to high-quality, affordable child care, forcing parents to make tough sacrifices for their children,” said Senator Mazie Hirono. “Child care is essential to the strength of our communities, and every family should be able to access the affordable care they need and deserve. That’s why I am proud to reintroduce the Child Care for Working Families Act, which would provide a long-term investment in our children as an important step forward in tackling our country’s child care crisis.”

“Parents and working families are struggling under an affordability crisis being made worse by the Trump administration — many without any childcare options they can afford or reasonably get their kids to every day,” said Senator Andy Kim. “This bill is the comprehensive reform we need to tackle the childcare shortage, deliver families immediate relief, and make sure we better support the workers who go above and beyond to deliver this high-quality care.”

“We are experiencing a child care crisis in this country. Child care—if folks can even find it—is pushing families into poverty, and Trump’s Big Ugly bill will only exacerbate the struggles our families are dealing with,” said Representative Summer Lee. “The Child Care for Working Families Act is a means to putting an end to this crisis. We have to make sure families have access to child care slots, that no family spends more than seven percent of their income on child care, and that all early childhood educators make a livable wage. I am grateful for Ranking Member Bobby Scott and Senator Patty Murray for their partnership on this bill, and I look forward to seeing it over the finish line.”

The Child Care for Working Families Act will:
- Make child care affordable for working families.
  
  The typical family earning the state median income will pay less than $15 a day for child care.
  
  No working family will pay more than seven percent of their income on child care.
  
  Families earning below 85% of state median income will pay nothing at all for child care.
  
  If a state does not choose to receive funding under this program, the Secretary can provide funds to localities, such as cities, counties, local governments, districts, or Head Start agencies.
- Improve the quality and supply of child care for all children and expand families’ child care options by:
  
  Addressing child care deserts by providing grants to help open new child care providers in underserved communities.
  
  Providing grants to cover start-up and licensing costs to help establish new providers.
  
  Increasing child care options for children who receive care during non-traditional hours.
  
  Supporting child care for children who are dual-language learners, children who are experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care.
- Support higher wages for child care workers.
  
  Child care workers would be paid a living wage and achieve parity with elementary school teachers who have similar credentials and experience.
  
  Child care subsidies would cover the cost of providing high-quality care.
- Dramatically expand access to high-quality pre-K.
  
  States would receive funding to establish and expand a mixed-delivery system of high-quality preschool programs for 3- and 4-year-olds.
  
  States must prioritize establishing and expanding universal local preschool programs within and across high-need communities.
  
  If a state does not choose to receive funding under this program, the Secretary can provide funds to localities, such as cities, counties, local governments, districts, or Head Start agencies.
- Better support Head Start programs by providing the funding necessary to offer full-day, full-year programming and increasing wages for Head Start workers.
In the Senate, the bill is cosponsored by 44 Senators: Senators Murray, Kaine, Hirono, Kim, Schumer, Alsobrooks, Baldwin, Bennet, Blumenthal, Blunt Rochester, Booker, Cantwell, Coons, Cortez-Masto, Duckworth, Durbin, Fetterman, Gallego, Gillibrand, Hassan, Heinrich, Hickenlooper, Kelly, King, Klobuchar, Lujan, Markey, Merkley, Murphy, Padilla, Peters, Reed, Rosen, Sanders, Schatz, Schiff, Shaheen, Slotkin, Smith, Van Hollen, Warnock, Welch, Whitehouse, Wyden.

In the House, the bill is cosponsored by 83 lawmakers: Representatives Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05), Summer Lee (PA-12), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Melanie A. Stansbury (NM-01), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), André Carson (IN-07), Kathy Castor (FL-14), George Latimer (NY-16), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Hillary J. Scholten (MI-03), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Troy A. Carter (LA-02), Mark Pocan (WI-02), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Ted W. Lieu (CA-36), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Betty McCollum (MN-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Seth Moulton (MA-06), William R. Keating (MA-09), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Judy Chu (CA-28), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-09), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), Adam Smith (WA-09), Haley M. Stevens (MI-11), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Deborah K. Ross (NC-02), Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-03), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Dina Titus (NV-01), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), Shontel M. Brown (OH-11), Sean Casten (IL-06), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (VA-08), and Sharice Davids (KS-03).

A fact sheet on the legislation is available HERE.

Text of the legislation if available HERE.

“As Child Care Aware of America’s report, Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply shows, in every region of the country, there are far too many families that do not have access to affordable and high-quality child care. The high price of child care is often one of the largest household expenses for families. And yet, our educators and programs struggle to make ends meet. Current federal investment in child care is not meeting the needs faced by families across the country. The Child Care for Working Families Act would help ensure more families have access to high-quality and affordable child care,” said Child Care Aware of America.

“For far too long, children, families, and providers have borne the burden of a broken child care sector. The Child Care for Working Families Act would make access to child care more equitable and affordable for families across the country while also better valuing and compensating the child care workforce. Families need relief from untenable child care prices. Children need reliable education and care settings. Providers need increased education supports, consistent employment, and higher wages. This bill will deliver necessary improvements to America’s child care sector,” said Wendy Chun-Hoon, President and Executive Director, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP).

“Recognizing and supporting child care as a true public good simply requires the political will from our elected leaders because the political will from families across the country is already there. Americans agree we should have equal opportunities to engage in the workforce regardless of gender and parental status and making that a reality shouldn’t break the bank for families. I want to thank Senator Murray, Rep. Scott and the child care champions leading the way on the Child Care for Working Families Act. The bill builds on the excellent foundation of its previous iterations, incorporates lessons from the pandemic, ARPA, and the experience of nearly achieving historic child care and early learning policy during the Build Back Better debate. Children, families, and America’s economic growth cannot wait,” said TCF Senior Fellow and Director of Women’s Economic Justice Julie Kashen.

“Making child care more affordable isn’t just good for families—it’s essential for a thriving economy, strong businesses, and vibrant communities,” said Fatima Goss Graves, president of the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund. “Instead of working to pass legislation that will increase costs for families while giving tax breaks to billionaires, Congress should pass the Child Care for Working Families Act. This billwould lower costs for families, raise wages for early educators, and tackle the child care crisis head on.”
MIL OSI USA News –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senate Intelligence Committee Passes Intelligence Authorization Act

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2025
CONTACT:
Caroline Tabler (Cotton) 202 224-2353Patrick McCann (Cotton) 202 224-2353Rachel Cohen (Warner) 202 228-6884
Senate Intelligence Committee Passes Intelligence Authorization Act
Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), and Senator Mark R. Warner (D-Virginia), Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, today released the following statements after the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence passed the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (IAA) today on a bipartisan 15-2 vote. The bill authorizes funding, provides legal authorities, and enhances oversight of national security threats and our United States Intelligence Community.
“I’d like to thank my colleagues for their tireless work on this bill that will go a long way towards keeping America safer and making the intelligence agencies charged with doing so more transparent and efficient. I am pleased this bill includes needed reforms and restructuring to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, restricts the travel of adversarial diplomats inside the United States, and protects Intelligence Community installations by adding further reviews to nearby land purchases which safeguards them against drone threats. This bill passed out of committee on a bipartisan basis and I hope my colleagues will support its passage by the full Senate,” said Senator Cotton.
“This bipartisan bill provides the Intelligence Community the resources it needs to do its mission while ensuring that we maintain rigorous oversight of the IC’s activities. This year’s IAA responds to important concerns, including by enhancing protections for whistleblowers, and also safeguards our Nation’s critical infrastructure in the wake of the Salt Typhoon compromises. At the same time, it readies the IC for the future by promoting IC energy resiliency through the deployment of nuclear technologies and enhancing the IC’s ability to detect and counter threats relating to biotechnologies and bioweapons,” said Senator Warner.
The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 will:
Significantly reform and improve efficiencies and effectiveness within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the broader Intelligence Community;
Require that visas be denied to certain nationals applying to work at the United Nations if they are known or suspected of being foreign intelligence officers or committing intelligence or espionage activities;
Prohibit the Intelligence Community from contracting with Chinese military companies engaged in biotechnology research, development, or manufacturing;
Codify tour and travel restrictions for Chinese, Russian Iranian and North Korean diplomats in the United States;
Improve the Intelligence Community’s artificial intelligence capabilities and capacity and establish guidelines for the IC’s procurement and use of artificial intelligence;
Shores up counter-intelligence risks posed by Salt Typhoon compromises of U.S. telecommunications infrastructure by leveraging IC procurement power;
Strengthen the security of telecommunications networks by establish baseline cybersecurity requirements for vendors of telecommunications services to the IC;
Establish authorities for protecting Central Intelligence Agency facilities from unmanned aircraft systems;
Require the Intelligence Community to develop a policy for sharing biotechnological threats with U.S. agencies, allies, and private-sector partners, including on PRC efforts to acquire genomic data;
Require the Director of National Intelligence to identify sites for deployment of advanced nuclear technologies;
Establish a fund to support IC efforts to acquire and integrate emerging technologies proven to meet mission needs;
Prohibit Intelligence Community contractors from collecting or selling Intelligence Community personnel location data;
Support the Intelligence Community workforce by requiring the Director of National Intelligence to issue standard guidelines for Intelligence Community personnel to document and report Anomalous Health Incidents;
Enhance protections for, and congressional oversight of, Intelligence Community whistleblowers;
Require the Director of National Intelligence to enhance efforts to counter narcotics trafficking with the Government of Mexico;
Promote transparency by requiring the Director of National Intelligence to conduct a declassification review and publish intelligence relating to the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic;
Streamline the construction of Intelligence Community facilities;
Amend the Spectrum Relocation Fund authorization to clarify eligibility for Title 50 agencies that utilize spectrum and whose usage could be impacted by future reallocation decisions;
Protect Americans’ privacy by statutorily requiring procedures governing the dissemination of U.S. identities and corresponding reporting requirements, as well as prohibits the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis from collecting intelligence on Americans; and
Provide additional reviews for foreign purchases of land near IC facilities.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: Veritex Holdings, Inc. Announces Date Change for Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Release and Cancellation of Conference Call

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

DALLAS, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Veritex Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: VBTX), the parent holding company for Veritex Community Bank, today announced a date change for release of its second quarter 2025 earnings results. Veritex will now release its second quarter 2025 earnings results before the opening of the market on Friday, July 18, 2025. The earnings release will be available on Veritex’s website, https://ir.veritexbank.com/.

Veritex also announced the cancellation of its second quarter 2025 investor conference call that Veritex had announced would occur on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 due to the announcement on July 14, 2025 that Veritex has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. There will be no conference call scheduled this quarter relating to Veritex’s second quarter results.

About Veritex Holdings, Inc.

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Veritex is a bank holding company that conducts banking activities through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Veritex Community Bank, with locations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and in the Houston metropolitan area. Veritex Community Bank is a Texas state-chartered bank regulated by the Texas Department of Banking and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. For more information, visit www.veritexbank.com.

Source: Veritex Holdings, Inc.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication may contain certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, certain plans, expectations, goals, projections, and statements about the benefits of the proposed transaction, the plans, objectives, expectations and intentions of Veritex and Huntington, the expected timing of completion of the transaction, and other statements that are not historical facts and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that are beyond the control of Veritex and Huntington. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, estimates, uncertainties and other important factors that change over time and could cause actual results to differ materially from any results, performance, or events expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including as a result of the factors referenced below. Statements that do not describe historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as expect, anticipate, continue, believe, intend, estimate, plan, trend, objective, target, goal, or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as will, may, might, should, would, could, or similar variations. The forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Veritex and Huntington caution that the forward-looking statements in this communication are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to assess and are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond Veritex’s and Huntington’s control. While there is no assurance that any list of risks and uncertainties or risk factors is complete, below are certain factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in the forward-looking statements or historical performance: changes in general economic, political, or industry conditions; deterioration in business and economic conditions, including persistent inflation, supply chain issues or labor shortages, instability in global economic conditions and geopolitical matters, as well as volatility in financial markets; changes in U.S. trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs; the impact of pandemics and other catastrophic events or disasters on the global economy and financial market conditions and our business, results of operations, and financial condition; the impacts related to or resulting from bank failures and other volatility, including potential increased regulatory requirements and costs, such as FDIC special assessments, long-term debt requirements and heightened capital requirements, and potential impacts to macroeconomic conditions, which could affect the ability of depository institutions, including us, to attract and retain depositors and to borrow or raise capital; unexpected outflows of uninsured deposits which may require us to sell investment securities at a loss; changing interest rates which could negatively impact the value of our portfolio of investment securities; the loss of value of our investment portfolio which could negatively impact market perceptions of us and could lead to deposit withdrawals; the effects of social media on market perceptions of us and banks generally; cybersecurity risks; uncertainty in U.S. fiscal and monetary policy, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve; volatility and disruptions in global capital, foreign exchange and credit markets; movements in interest rates; competitive pressures on product pricing and services; success, impact, and timing of our business strategies, including market acceptance of any new products or services including those implementing our “Fair Play” banking philosophy; changes in policies and standards for regulatory review of bank mergers; the nature, extent, timing, and results of governmental actions, examinations, reviews, reforms, regulations, and interpretations, including those related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Basel III regulatory capital reforms, as well as those involving the SEC, OCC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, CFPB and state-level regulators; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the merger agreement between Veritex and Huntington; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Veritex and Huntington; delays in completing the transaction; the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the transaction); the failure to obtain Veritex shareholder approval or to satisfy any of the other conditions to the transaction on a timely basis or at all; the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transaction are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of the two companies or as a result of the strength of the economy and competitive factors in the areas where Veritex and Huntington do business; the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; potential adverse reactions or changes to business, customer or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the transaction; the ability to complete the transaction and integration of Veritex and Huntington successfully; the dilution caused by Huntington’s issuance of additional shares of its capital stock in connection with the transaction; and other factors that may affect the future results of Veritex and Huntington. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described above can be found in Veritex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, each of which is on file with the SEC and available on Veritex’s investor relations website, ir.veritexbank.com, under the heading “Financials” and in other documents Veritex files with the SEC, and in Huntington’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, each of which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and available in the “Investor Relations” section of Huntington’s website, http://www.huntington.com, under the heading “Investor Relations” and in other documents Huntington files with the SEC.

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on information available at that time. Neither Veritex nor Huntington assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or other factors affecting forward-looking statements that occur after the date the forward-looking statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by federal securities laws. If Veritex or Huntington update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that Veritex or Huntington will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on such statements.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

In connection with the proposed transaction, Huntington will file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will include a Proxy Statement of Veritex and a Prospectus of Huntington, as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. The proposed transaction involving Huntington and Veritex will be submitted to Veritex’s shareholders for their consideration. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF VERITEX ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE TRANSACTION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Shareholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about Huntington and Veritex, without charge, at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Huntington Investor Relations, Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, Huntington Center, 41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43287, (800) 576-5007 or to Veritex Investor Relations, Veritex Holdings, Inc., 8214 Westchester Drive, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas 75225, (972) 349-6200.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION

Huntington, Veritex, and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Veritex in connection with the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information regarding the interests of the directors and executive officers of Huntington and Veritex and other persons who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of shareholders of Veritex in connection with the transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus related to the transaction, which will be filed by Huntington with the SEC. Information regarding Huntington’s directors and executive officers is available in its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 6, 2025, and other documents filed by Huntington with the SEC. Information regarding Veritex’s directors and executive officers is available in its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025, and other documents filed by Veritex with the SEC. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC. Free copies of this document may be obtained as described above under “Important Additional Information.”

The MIL Network –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – New foundation aims to give refugee communities a voice – AMES

Source: AMES

Supporting vulnerable refugees, advocating for, and building the capacity of grass roots refugee communities is the mission of a new not-for-profit organisation.

The RCAA Foundation is a refugee driven organisation that also aims to give refugees with lived experience a voice to government and in national conversations.

The inaugural foundation chair is settlement sector veteran and the retiring CEO of settlement agency AMES Australia Cath Scarth.

An extension of the Refugee Communities Association of Australia, the bi-partisan foundation aims to work with grass roots refugee communities in Australia to build their capacity, advocacy and agency.

Ms Scarth said the foundation was about self-determination and agency for refugee communities.

“The foundation is an opportunity to build capacity within refugee communities to help them devise and deliver their own solutions to the challenges they face,” Ms Scarth said.

“We saw during the COVID pandemic the ability of refugee communities to rise above challenges and support each other.

“The foundation is also an opportunity for people who are not from refugee communities to play a part in supporting them,” Ms Scarth said.

RCAA Foundation director Parsu Sharma Luital said the Foundation’s aim was “to incorporate the authentic, grassroots voices of refugees directly into key national discussions”.

“The foundation aims to make our community work sustainable. We want to create opportunities to source resources that support refugee communities and empower them to have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.

“Many people don’t understand that refugees are making positive contributions to Australia economically and socially. Part of the work of the foundation will be to change that.

“Many people also think that refugees come with problems and challenges. But they also come with solutions, skills, expertise and the opportunity to put forward and implement those solutions could materially benefit many lives,” Mr Sharma Luital said.

Fellow foundation director Elijah Buol OAM said the foundation was an extension of RCAA’s work in supporting refugee communities.

“Our mission is to support refugees and people seeking asylum and to empower them as well as to provide resources and financial support so they can achieve their goals and aspirations and fulfil their potential,” Mr Buol said.

The foundation’s constitution states its object is “to provide direct assistance to people in Australia who are disadvantaged by poverty, illness, suffering, distress, misfortune, disability, destitution or helplessness so as to arouse compassion in the community, with a particular emphasis on migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who are at financial risk or in other vulnerable circumstances”.

RCAA is the national peak body for grass roots refugee communities.

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – New foundation aims to give refugee communities a voice – AMES

Source: AMES

Supporting vulnerable refugees, advocating for, and building the capacity of grass roots refugee communities is the mission of a new not-for-profit organisation.

The RCAA Foundation is a refugee driven organisation that also aims to give refugees with lived experience a voice to government and in national conversations.

The inaugural foundation chair is settlement sector veteran and the retiring CEO of settlement agency AMES Australia Cath Scarth.

An extension of the Refugee Communities Association of Australia, the bi-partisan foundation aims to work with grass roots refugee communities in Australia to build their capacity, advocacy and agency.

Ms Scarth said the foundation was about self-determination and agency for refugee communities.

“The foundation is an opportunity to build capacity within refugee communities to help them devise and deliver their own solutions to the challenges they face,” Ms Scarth said.

“We saw during the COVID pandemic the ability of refugee communities to rise above challenges and support each other.

“The foundation is also an opportunity for people who are not from refugee communities to play a part in supporting them,” Ms Scarth said.

RCAA Foundation director Parsu Sharma Luital said the Foundation’s aim was “to incorporate the authentic, grassroots voices of refugees directly into key national discussions”.

“The foundation aims to make our community work sustainable. We want to create opportunities to source resources that support refugee communities and empower them to have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.

“Many people don’t understand that refugees are making positive contributions to Australia economically and socially. Part of the work of the foundation will be to change that.

“Many people also think that refugees come with problems and challenges. But they also come with solutions, skills, expertise and the opportunity to put forward and implement those solutions could materially benefit many lives,” Mr Sharma Luital said.

Fellow foundation director Elijah Buol OAM said the foundation was an extension of RCAA’s work in supporting refugee communities.

“Our mission is to support refugees and people seeking asylum and to empower them as well as to provide resources and financial support so they can achieve their goals and aspirations and fulfil their potential,” Mr Buol said.

The foundation’s constitution states its object is “to provide direct assistance to people in Australia who are disadvantaged by poverty, illness, suffering, distress, misfortune, disability, destitution or helplessness so as to arouse compassion in the community, with a particular emphasis on migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who are at financial risk or in other vulnerable circumstances”.

RCAA is the national peak body for grass roots refugee communities.

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – New foundation aims to give refugee communities a voice – AMES

Source: AMES

Supporting vulnerable refugees, advocating for, and building the capacity of grass roots refugee communities is the mission of a new not-for-profit organisation.

The RCAA Foundation is a refugee driven organisation that also aims to give refugees with lived experience a voice to government and in national conversations.

The inaugural foundation chair is settlement sector veteran and the retiring CEO of settlement agency AMES Australia Cath Scarth.

An extension of the Refugee Communities Association of Australia, the bi-partisan foundation aims to work with grass roots refugee communities in Australia to build their capacity, advocacy and agency.

Ms Scarth said the foundation was about self-determination and agency for refugee communities.

“The foundation is an opportunity to build capacity within refugee communities to help them devise and deliver their own solutions to the challenges they face,” Ms Scarth said.

“We saw during the COVID pandemic the ability of refugee communities to rise above challenges and support each other.

“The foundation is also an opportunity for people who are not from refugee communities to play a part in supporting them,” Ms Scarth said.

RCAA Foundation director Parsu Sharma Luital said the Foundation’s aim was “to incorporate the authentic, grassroots voices of refugees directly into key national discussions”.

“The foundation aims to make our community work sustainable. We want to create opportunities to source resources that support refugee communities and empower them to have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.

“Many people don’t understand that refugees are making positive contributions to Australia economically and socially. Part of the work of the foundation will be to change that.

“Many people also think that refugees come with problems and challenges. But they also come with solutions, skills, expertise and the opportunity to put forward and implement those solutions could materially benefit many lives,” Mr Sharma Luital said.

Fellow foundation director Elijah Buol OAM said the foundation was an extension of RCAA’s work in supporting refugee communities.

“Our mission is to support refugees and people seeking asylum and to empower them as well as to provide resources and financial support so they can achieve their goals and aspirations and fulfil their potential,” Mr Buol said.

The foundation’s constitution states its object is “to provide direct assistance to people in Australia who are disadvantaged by poverty, illness, suffering, distress, misfortune, disability, destitution or helplessness so as to arouse compassion in the community, with a particular emphasis on migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who are at financial risk or in other vulnerable circumstances”.

RCAA is the national peak body for grass roots refugee communities.

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Massie Introduces PREP Repeal Act to End “Medical Malpractice Martial Law”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Thomas Massie (4th District of Kentucky)

For Immediate Release
Contact: massie.press@mail.house.gov
Contact #: 202-225-3465

Washington, D.C.- Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) announces introduction of the PREP Repeal Act (HR 4388) to repeal sections 319F–3 and 319F–4 of the Public Health Service Act. These targeted sections are commonly referred to as the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act and currently provide sweeping liability protections to pharmaceutical companies for pandemic-related products.

“The PREP Act is medical malpractice martial law,” said Rep. Massie. “The 2005 PREP Act prevents people from holding corporations accountable for the pain and suffering they cause during Presidentially declared emergencies. Americans deserve the right to seek justice when injured by government-mandated products. The PREP Repeal Act will restore that right.”

Rep. Massie’s legislation:
- Fully repeals the liability shields and compensation fund provisions under the PREP Act.
- Restores civil remedy rights under federal and state law for those harmed by pandemic products.
- Ensures applicability to current and future lawsuits, including pending appeals.
- Rescinds unused federal funds set aside for PREP Act-related injury claims.
Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) is an original cosponsor of the legislation.

The text of Rep. Massie’s PREP Repeal Act can be found at this link.

###

MIL OSI USA News –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Urgent Care Operator Pays $3 Million Dollars to Resolve Alleged Violations of the False Claims Act

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Urgent Care Operator Bloom Care LLC and its owners have paid $3,000,000 to resolve allegations that they billed for unnecessary testing and inflated the extent of services performed.

BOISE – Bloom Care LLC and its owners have paid $3,000,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to Federal healthcare programs for medically unnecessary testing and for inflating the extent of services performed. Bloom operated Urgent Care centers in Idaho and New Mexico throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United States alleged that Bloom knowingly used the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse for billing for medically unnecessary streptococcus and influenza tests for asymptomatic patients. Additionally, the United States contends that Bloom submitted claims for high-level evaluation and management services for COVID-19 patients when Bloom knew that the services should have been billed at a lower level of service that would have been reimbursed at a lower rate. To justify these high reimbursement claims, the United States contends that Bloom exaggerated the time spent with COVID-19 patients and/or the complexity of the evaluation required to care for these patients.

“The Department of Justice is committed to identifying waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott. “I commend the federal and state agencies that investigated this case, as their important efforts protect taxpayer dollars.”

“Healthcare providers participating in federal health care programs must follow all relevant laws and rules when submitting claims – and certainly not order medically unnecessary services to boost their profits,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey McIntosh of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This settlement shows HHS-OIG’s enduring commitment to protecting the integrity of federal health care programs and the people who rely on them. We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations brought under the False Claims Act.”

“Companies that provide services to veterans will be held to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability,” said Special Agent in Charge Dimitriana Nikolov with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northwest Field Office. “Submitting claims for medically unnecessary services will not be tolerated, and the VA OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold wrongdoers accountable and ensure veterans receive the quality healthcare they deserve.”

This matter was investigated jointly by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General. Additional assistance was provided by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Assistant United States Attorney Elliot Wertheim handled this case.

The claims resolved by the settlement against Bloom Care LLC are allegations only and there has been no admission or determination of liability.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Justice Department in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The task force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866‑720‑5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

###

MIL Security OSI –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: How to give children the freedom to play all across the city – not just in playgrounds

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Michael Martin, Lecturer in Urban Design and Planning, University of Sheffield

Co-created play space with children and the community, Via Val Lagarina Milan. Milan municipality

Children play everywhere. Yet their right to play – protected by a UN convention – is constantly challenged by adults.

Play is crucial to support children’s holistic development in cognitive, emotional, physical and social skills. Likewise, we know children’s environments significantly influence their health and wellbeing, for better or worse.

But across cities, young people are let down by a built environment that fails to appropriately consider their needs.

Places where children commonly used to play, such as streets and local neighbourhoods, have been transformed into car-only spaces where traffic and parking take priority. Likewise, city spaces frequently “design out” children by prohibiting skateboarding, ball games and other kinds of play.

Over time, urban planning has confined children’s opportunities for play to dedicated playground spaces only.

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

However, children don’t have equal access to these formal play spaces. In the largest study of playgrounds in England, my colleagues and I found substantial inequalities in access to play. Children in the most deprived areas needed to travel further to their nearest playground.

In new research, I’ve explored four international examples of how children and play can be promoted in less likely urban spaces. My findings show how play can be promoted in cities to support children’s right to play anywhere – but also that there is widespread hostility to children’s right to use urban spaces for play.

Power of play

In Sydney, a pedal park installation with temporary jumps, ramps and a pump track was set up in different car parks for the duration of the winter. In Paris, a play street was created in central Paris by closing road traffic on Friday afternoons in autumn and spring.

In Belfast, temporary play equipment and playful street furniture was set up in the Cathedral Gardens public space.

Cathedral Gardens pop-up play space in Belfast meaningfully encourages children to use the city.
Park Hood Ltd.

In Milan, a community-led design involved children in creating a colourful grid, planters, growing beds and games in a school car park, which went on to inspire a new municipal programme of temporary school streets and piazzas.

These play spaces allowed children to play freely, play with objects, play pretend, play games with rules, and play physically – the core pillars of play. What’s more, they enabled children to develop new connections with their community by appropriating urban spaces to promote relaxation and fun. This was vital following the trauma of the global pandemic – all the projects were active during COVID-19 outside of lockdown.

Intergenerational encounters at the weekly play street in the 3rd District of Paris.
Rue’golotte

These short-term projects invited children to enjoy urban life in new ways. In fact, they bolstered civic access for people of all generations. In Sydney, the closure of the car park fostered a new sense of community. Caregivers, grandparents and residents were able to connect with each other in a whole different setting.

Children in Sydney play freely in a ‘pop-up pedal park’ created in a public car park.
Randwick City Council

Politics of play

But despite the positives, over time, the projects faced protest and tension. In Milan, fears from residents emerged on play being used as a tool to displace poorer communities. This was in response to the area having long been earmarked for regeneration. In Sydney, Paris and Belfast, people actively targeted and sabotaged the informal play spaces.

In Sydney, to park their cars, older citizens successfully lobbied local councillors to reduce the total amount of space for play, from the entire car park to one aisle of parking. In Paris, local businesses were exasperated by the presence of children. Collectively they threatened project initiators and staged a protest, claiming that “play streets kill local shops”. In Belfast, the pop-up play space was set on fire, multiple times. By summer 2022, much of the park had been destroyed.

Destruction and criminal damage of the Cathedral Gardens play space in Belfast.
Author

The outcomes demonstrate the politics that children, and their play, were exposed to. Because of a range of aggressive behaviour from adults, children’s use of streets and public spaces were consistently restricted. A common statement from dissenters was “children can go elsewhere”. The reality is they can’t.

In tracking informal play projects through the pandemic and subsequent years, two additional factors hampered their longer-term success. For the council projects in Sydney and Belfast, council officers hoped to direct more resources to urban play, but the lack of a specific local policy to support play was a significant constraint. By comparison, the community projects in Paris and Milan placed an unsustainable pressure on volunteers to ensure prolonged success.

Lessons from previous crises highlight how tensions and conflict can affect innovative uses of space, often diluting their progressive purpose. Ultimately, children’s play in recovery from the pandemic experienced a similar fate.

This is worrying because Unicef research has shown children’s wellbeing has continued to suffer after COVID-19.

Places that allow for children’s play can create dynamic neighbourhoods, intergenerational encounters, and meaningful participation in urban spaces – if only we let it happen.

Michael Martin does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. How to give children the freedom to play all across the city – not just in playgrounds – https://theconversation.com/how-to-give-children-the-freedom-to-play-all-across-the-city-not-just-in-playgrounds-260444

MIL OSI –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: How to give children the freedom to play all across the city – not just in playgrounds

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Michael Martin, Lecturer in Urban Design and Planning, University of Sheffield

Co-created play space with children and the community, Via Val Lagarina Milan. Milan municipality

Children play everywhere. Yet their right to play – protected by a UN convention – is constantly challenged by adults.

Play is crucial to support children’s holistic development in cognitive, emotional, physical and social skills. Likewise, we know children’s environments significantly influence their health and wellbeing, for better or worse.

But across cities, young people are let down by a built environment that fails to appropriately consider their needs.

Places where children commonly used to play, such as streets and local neighbourhoods, have been transformed into car-only spaces where traffic and parking take priority. Likewise, city spaces frequently “design out” children by prohibiting skateboarding, ball games and other kinds of play.

Over time, urban planning has confined children’s opportunities for play to dedicated playground spaces only.

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

However, children don’t have equal access to these formal play spaces. In the largest study of playgrounds in England, my colleagues and I found substantial inequalities in access to play. Children in the most deprived areas needed to travel further to their nearest playground.

In new research, I’ve explored four international examples of how children and play can be promoted in less likely urban spaces. My findings show how play can be promoted in cities to support children’s right to play anywhere – but also that there is widespread hostility to children’s right to use urban spaces for play.

Power of play

In Sydney, a pedal park installation with temporary jumps, ramps and a pump track was set up in different car parks for the duration of the winter. In Paris, a play street was created in central Paris by closing road traffic on Friday afternoons in autumn and spring.

In Belfast, temporary play equipment and playful street furniture was set up in the Cathedral Gardens public space.

Cathedral Gardens pop-up play space in Belfast meaningfully encourages children to use the city.
Park Hood Ltd.

In Milan, a community-led design involved children in creating a colourful grid, planters, growing beds and games in a school car park, which went on to inspire a new municipal programme of temporary school streets and piazzas.

These play spaces allowed children to play freely, play with objects, play pretend, play games with rules, and play physically – the core pillars of play. What’s more, they enabled children to develop new connections with their community by appropriating urban spaces to promote relaxation and fun. This was vital following the trauma of the global pandemic – all the projects were active during COVID-19 outside of lockdown.

Intergenerational encounters at the weekly play street in the 3rd District of Paris.
Rue’golotte

These short-term projects invited children to enjoy urban life in new ways. In fact, they bolstered civic access for people of all generations. In Sydney, the closure of the car park fostered a new sense of community. Caregivers, grandparents and residents were able to connect with each other in a whole different setting.

Children in Sydney play freely in a ‘pop-up pedal park’ created in a public car park.
Randwick City Council

Politics of play

But despite the positives, over time, the projects faced protest and tension. In Milan, fears from residents emerged on play being used as a tool to displace poorer communities. This was in response to the area having long been earmarked for regeneration. In Sydney, Paris and Belfast, people actively targeted and sabotaged the informal play spaces.

In Sydney, to park their cars, older citizens successfully lobbied local councillors to reduce the total amount of space for play, from the entire car park to one aisle of parking. In Paris, local businesses were exasperated by the presence of children. Collectively they threatened project initiators and staged a protest, claiming that “play streets kill local shops”. In Belfast, the pop-up play space was set on fire, multiple times. By summer 2022, much of the park had been destroyed.

Destruction and criminal damage of the Cathedral Gardens play space in Belfast.
Author

The outcomes demonstrate the politics that children, and their play, were exposed to. Because of a range of aggressive behaviour from adults, children’s use of streets and public spaces were consistently restricted. A common statement from dissenters was “children can go elsewhere”. The reality is they can’t.

In tracking informal play projects through the pandemic and subsequent years, two additional factors hampered their longer-term success. For the council projects in Sydney and Belfast, council officers hoped to direct more resources to urban play, but the lack of a specific local policy to support play was a significant constraint. By comparison, the community projects in Paris and Milan placed an unsustainable pressure on volunteers to ensure prolonged success.

Lessons from previous crises highlight how tensions and conflict can affect innovative uses of space, often diluting their progressive purpose. Ultimately, children’s play in recovery from the pandemic experienced a similar fate.

This is worrying because Unicef research has shown children’s wellbeing has continued to suffer after COVID-19.

Places that allow for children’s play can create dynamic neighbourhoods, intergenerational encounters, and meaningful participation in urban spaces – if only we let it happen.

Michael Martin does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. How to give children the freedom to play all across the city – not just in playgrounds – https://theconversation.com/how-to-give-children-the-freedom-to-play-all-across-the-city-not-just-in-playgrounds-260444

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Decisions We Take Now ‘Will Shape Development Trajectories for Decades to Come’, Deputy Secretary-General Tells High-Level Political Forum

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the opening of the 2025 high-level political forum on sustainable development, in New York today:

In 2015, the world made a landmark commitment to achieve sustainable development and ensure that no one is left behind.

The 2030 Agenda built on previous decades of development efforts and carried forward the vision and lessons of the Millenium Development Goals.

It framed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) around a paradigm shift that integrates the three core dimensions of sustainable development — economic growth, social inclusion and environmental sustainability — and underscored the vital role of effective governance and strong institutions.

It carried a promise to everyone, everywhere, to live in dignity, on a safe and healthy planet.

Today, a decade later, we meet again as the world grapples with conflicts and deepening geopolitical tensions.

The fabric of multilateralism is fading, and the SDGs seem out of reach. Hard-won development gains are at serious risk, as a multitude of challenges, exacerbated by the chronic shortfall in adequate financing.

Alarmingly, half of the world’s poorest countries have yet to return to their pre-pandemic income levels.

Inequalities have amplified. Trade tensions are escalating. The climate crisis is worsening. Democracy is under threat. And the debt crisis continues to tighten its grip on the world’s poorest countries.

The situation is truly sobering. Yet, the latest data show that while progress on SDGs has been uneven and limited, there is reason for hope.

Social protection and health systems are expanding, especially in middle-income countries, where they are reaching more people.

More mothers are surviving childbirth and more children are living beyond their fifth birthday.

Education access is broadening, creating new pathways for young people.

The number of girls who are in school and studying STEM subjects is higher than ever before.

Countries are investing in better data and technology, for policies to reach the furthest behind.

There are promised investments in digital connectivity and clean energy, to serve those in the most remote areas.

Meanwhile, the world has united behind an ambitious global agreement to confront deep-seated structural challenges and unlock faster, more inclusive progress.

The Pact for the Future, adopted last September, builds on existing reforms and commitments and charts a bold way forward to revive multilateralism and collective action, anchored in peace, solidarity and cooperation.

The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development renewed our commitment to deliver on the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, take forward debt solutions and tackle the international financial architecture.

The Ocean Conference in Nice generated important consensus on critical issues, from marine protected areas to plastic pollution, illegal fishing and maritime security.

The thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing+30) and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the women, peace and security agenda, reignited political drive for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

And there are many more opportunities this year to push our agenda forward:

The Second Stocktake of the UN Food System Summit.

The Second World Summit on Social Development.

The Biennial Summit on Finance.

The thirtieth UN Climate Change Conference, and ahead of that, new, updated and economy-wide nationally determined contributions to get our climate goals back on track.

We must build on these achievements. Make the most of the momentum and drive action — particularly through this high-level political forum.

We are under pressure because the truth is: expectations are high, trust is eroding and crises are deepening, as we strive to deliver on our promise of the 2030 Agenda.

This forum is an important opportunity to reflect, exchange and course correct. It is our space to amplify the momentum, share lessons and good practice, deepen partnerships and reignite our collective ambition to fulfil the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Over the coming days, we must reflect honestly and constructively on progress. Particularly on SDG3 on health and well-being; SDG5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment; SDG8 on decent work and economic growth; SDG14 on life below water; and SDG 17 on partnerships and means of implementation — this all with human rights at the centre of everything we do and hope to achieve.

And we must focus on the theme of this year’s meeting: “Inclusive solutions, based in science and evidence,” and take heed of key findings of the Secretary-General’s Report on the SDGs.

We need solutions that address persistent challenges, that can be adapted and applied across diverse contexts and that improve the lives of billions of people who are left behind: the 800 million people living in extreme poverty; the 2.2 billion people without safe drinking water; the 2.3 billion suffering food insecurity; the 3.4 billion without safely managed sanitation; and the countless women, Indigenous Peoples, smallholder farmers and other marginalized groups unable to access formal health and protection systems.

This forum will also welcome the tenth set of voluntary national reviews, or VNRs. They present a temperature check of every country’s journey.

Since 2016, a total of 190 countries have conducted close to 400 VNRs.

This voluntary national exercise has been almost universally adopted: a heartening sign of commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs and evidence that the SDGs are now deeply woven into national plans, policies and monitoring frameworks.

These reviews are powerful road maps to achieve the SDGs and mobilize all stakeholders. Across regions, we have seen civil society’s engagement deepen — driving progress nationally and locally. VNRs have helped build knowledge and data and offered practical pathways to dismantle structural barriers that hold us back. Over the past decade, they have inspired action through inclusive, scalable approaches, grounded in local realities.

I look forward to the 37 VNR presentations at this forum, and I encourage other countries to engage and foster a meaningful exchange of experiences. It is up to all of us to build on our successes and make this forum count.

We have come far. And have even further to go. But we have much further to go if we are to honour the promise of the SDGs.

The pathway to 2030 is narrowing. And the decisions we take now — where we invest, what we prioritize, and where we reform — will shape development trajectories for decades to come.

With five years to go, the Secretary-General’s UN80 initiative marks a historic step to build on recent reforms and ensure that the United Nations remains a trusted, agile partner, ready to tackle today’s challenges and tomorrow’s uncertainties, and drive our collective push for the 2030 Agenda nationally, regionally and globally.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: Gold Price Prediction: Can Gold Reach $5,000 in 2025? — TheExpertVault Releases Forecast on Gold Prices as of July 15
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Chicago, Illinois, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gold prices are soaring in 2025 — and investors are taking notice. As of July 15, gold is trading at $3,361 per ounce, shattering historical highs. With economic uncertainty mounting, inflation persisting, and central banks aggressively buying bullion, TheExpertVault has released a timely warning.

Worried about cash and stocks in 2025?

Gold is surging, and smart investors are moving fast.

This free 2025 Gold Guide reveals top Gold IRA companies, expert tips, and how to protect your savings before the next market shock.

Get your free 2025 Gold Guide now

Gold at $3,361 — What’s Driving the Momentum?

Gold’s rise hasn’t come out of nowhere. Over the past 18 months, several powerful forces have pushed the precious metal into record territory: inflation remains high, U.S. national debt has surged past $40 trillion, and geopolitical risks continue to escalate across multiple regions including Eastern Europe, Taiwan, and the Middle East. On top of this, global central banks are accumulating gold reserves at an unprecedented pace—making gold more attractive to retail and institutional investors alike.

In short, a combination of economic pressure and geopolitical tension is driving investors toward safe-haven assets. Gold isn’t just a hedge anymore; for many, it’s becoming a foundational part of a retirement strategy.

Explore TheExpertVault’s free GoldGuide Now

Can Gold Reach $5,000 in 2025?

According to TheExpertVault’s latest research, the possibility of gold reaching $5,000 per ounce by the end of 2025 is no longer far-fetched. This scenario hinges on several unfolding macroeconomic dynamics. First is the weakening of the U.S. dollar, as interest rate pressure and national debt weigh on currency confidence. Second, rising geopolitical instability continues to push investors toward tangible assets. And third, the ongoing trend of global de-dollarization is driving countries to diversify reserves away from fiat-based instruments and into gold.

These forces combined could very well lift gold prices to new all-time highs within the next six months.

Why $5,000 Isn’t Out of Reach

At face value, a 49% increase from current levels might appear ambitious—but historical precedent says otherwise. During the 1970s, gold surged over 1,400% in response to stagflation and monetary shocks. Following the 2008 global financial crisis, it nearly tripled in just three years. Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, gold has already climbed more than 80%, outperforming many traditional investment classes.

Gold has consistently proven its strength when other assets falter, and the economic backdrop of 2025 may once again set the stage for a massive run.

What It Means for Retirement Investors

Should gold continue its climb, early investors—particularly those using tax-advantaged vehicles like Gold IRAs—could see significant growth in their retirement portfolios. A Gold IRA allows individuals to hold IRS-approved precious metals in a self-directed account while benefiting from tax deferral and regulated storage.

Start protecting your retirement with a Gold IRA — see our top picks summarized.

TheExpertVault’s July 15 Outlook

While some might view gold’s rise as a short-term surge, TheExpertVault’s analysts see broader structural forces at play. With government debt, inflation uncertainty, and geopolitical tensions showing no signs of easing, gold’s long-term trajectory looks increasingly bullish.

Final Thoughts: Why Gold IRAs Still Matter in 2025

As inflation lingers and market uncertainty persists, investors are increasingly turning to tangible assets for retirement planning. Gold IRAs offer a tax-advantaged, regulated path to do just that—but not all providers are created equal.

This year’s rankings focus on credibility, cost-efficiency, and investor-first service to help you make an informed decision. As the role of alternative assets grows, choosing the right partner will be key.

Gold IRA Companies: FAQs

What is the most trusted gold IRA company?
Several firms are highly regarded, but the trusted ones combine transparency, consistent customer satisfaction, and educational support.

Are gold IRAs a good investment?
Gold IRAs can be an effective long-term hedge, ideal for diversification and wealth preservation during economic downturns.

How do I choose a custodian?
Look for IRS-approved custodians with clear pricing, responsive service, and secure storage options.

Can you make money with a Gold IRA?
Yes, especially when gold prices rise over time. While gold doesn’t pay dividends, it offers protection and appreciation potential—making it a valuable addition to a balanced portfolio.

Company Name: TheExpertVault
Customer Support Email: info@theexpertvault.com
Phone Number: 888-728-8834
Website: www.theexpertvault.com

Disclaimer: This analysis was conducted by TheExpertVault’s editorial team, based on independent research and third-party data. This is not financial advice. Always perform your own due diligence before making any investment decision.

Attachment
- TheExpertVault
The MIL Network –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Delta Air Lines Agrees to Pay $8.1M to Settle Alleged False Claims Act Violations Related to Payroll Support Program

Source: United States Attorneys General 1

Delta Air Lines Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, has agreed to pay $8,100,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by awarding compensation to certain corporate officers and employees that exceeded the compensation limits Delta agreed to as part of its participation in the Department of the Treasury’s Payroll Support Program (PSP).

The PSP was established by Congress in March 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to provide payroll support to passenger and cargo air carriers and certain contractors for the continuation of payment of employee wages, salaries, and benefits. The program was administered by the Department of Treasury (Treasury), and participating air carriers were required to enter into written agreements with Treasury that imposed certain conditions in exchange for the receipt of PSP funds. Among other program requirements, PSP agreements included limitations on the amount of compensation that PSP participants could pay to certain corporate officers and employees earning annual compensation in excess of $425,000.

Delta entered into PSP agreements with Treasury in 2020 and 2021, under which Delta agreed to the PSP compensation limits. The settlement resolves allegations that, between March 2020 and April 2023, Delta awarded compensation to some corporate officers and employees that exceeded the limits set by the PSP agreements. Delta allegedly violated the False Claims Act by inaccurately certifying compliance with PSP requirements in quarterly reports submitted to Treasury, as well as by not notifying Treasury of the breach once it was discovered by Delta, which would have given the government the right to demand the return of funds.

“The PSP was intended to provide critical assistance to the airline industry during the pandemic,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to holding accountable those who failed to abide by the terms and conditions governing their receipt and use of federal funds.”

“When companies accept federal assistance, especially generous pandemic-relief funds like those at issue here, they owe a duty to the American people to respect the conditions placed on those funds,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg for the Northern District of Georgia. “We will continue to enforce all available laws to punish the misuse of taxpayers’ money.”

“Our criminal investigators have been at the center of this investigation as a core part of our responsibility to safeguard the integrity and efficiency of Treasury programs and operations, and we remain steadfast in our determination to hold recipients of public funds to the highest standards,” said Treasury Deputy Inspector General Loren Sciurba.

The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by H. Remidez LLC. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. H Remidez LLC v. Delta Air Lines Inc., No. 1-23-cv-01116 (N.D. Ga.). The whistleblower will receive $850,500 in connection with the settlement.

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, with assistance from the United States Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General.

The matter was handled by Trial Attorney James Nealon and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony DeCinque for the Northern District of Georgia.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

MIL Security OSI –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Delta Airlines Agrees to Pay $8.1M to Settle Alleged False Claims Act Violations Related to Payroll Support Program

Source: US State of North Dakota

Delta Air Lines Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, has agreed to pay $8,100,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by awarding compensation to certain corporate officers and employees that exceeded the compensation limits Delta agreed to as part of its participation in the Department of the Treasury’s Payroll Support Program (PSP).

The PSP was established by Congress in March 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to provide payroll support to passenger and cargo air carriers and certain contractors for the continuation of payment of employee wages, salaries, and benefits. The program was administered by the Department of Treasury (Treasury), and participating air carriers were required to enter into written agreements with Treasury that imposed certain conditions in exchange for the receipt of PSP funds. Among other program requirements, PSP agreements included limitations on the amount of compensation that PSP participants could pay to certain corporate officers and employees earning annual compensation in excess of $425,000.

Delta entered into PSP agreements with Treasury in 2020 and 2021, under which Delta agreed to the PSP compensation limits. The settlement resolves allegations that, between March 2020 and April 2023, Delta awarded compensation to some corporate officers and employees that exceeded the limits set by the PSP agreements. Delta allegedly violated the False Claims Act by inaccurately certifying compliance with PSP requirements in quarterly reports submitted to Treasury, as well as by not notifying Treasury of the breach once it was discovered by Delta, which would have given the government the right to demand the return of funds.

“The PSP was intended to provide critical assistance to the airline industry during the pandemic,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to holding accountable those who failed to abide by the terms and conditions governing their receipt and use of federal funds.”

“When companies accept federal assistance, especially generous pandemic-relief funds like those at issue here, they owe a duty to the American people to respect the conditions placed on those funds,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg for the Northern District of Georgia. “We will continue to enforce all available laws to punish the misuse of taxpayers’ money.”

“Our criminal investigators have been at the center of this investigation as a core part of our responsibility to safeguard the integrity and efficiency of Treasury programs and operations, and we remain steadfast in our determination to hold recipients of public funds to the highest standards,” said Treasury Deputy Inspector General Loren Sciurba.

The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by H. Remidez LLC. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. H Remidez LLC v. Delta Air Lines Inc., No. 1-23-cv-01116 (N.D. Ga.). The whistleblower will receive $850,500 in connection with the settlement.

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, with assistance from the United States Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General.

The matter was handled by Trial Attorney James Nealon and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony DeCinque for the Northern District of Georgia.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Delta Airlines Agrees to Pay $8.1M to Settle Alleged False Claims Act Violations Related to Payroll Support Program

Source: United States Attorneys General

Delta Air Lines Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, has agreed to pay $8,100,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by awarding compensation to certain corporate officers and employees that exceeded the compensation limits Delta agreed to as part of its participation in the Department of the Treasury’s Payroll Support Program (PSP).

The PSP was established by Congress in March 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to provide payroll support to passenger and cargo air carriers and certain contractors for the continuation of payment of employee wages, salaries, and benefits. The program was administered by the Department of Treasury (Treasury), and participating air carriers were required to enter into written agreements with Treasury that imposed certain conditions in exchange for the receipt of PSP funds. Among other program requirements, PSP agreements included limitations on the amount of compensation that PSP participants could pay to certain corporate officers and employees earning annual compensation in excess of $425,000.

Delta entered into PSP agreements with Treasury in 2020 and 2021, under which Delta agreed to the PSP compensation limits. The settlement resolves allegations that, between March 2020 and April 2023, Delta awarded compensation to some corporate officers and employees that exceeded the limits set by the PSP agreements. Delta allegedly violated the False Claims Act by inaccurately certifying compliance with PSP requirements in quarterly reports submitted to Treasury, as well as by not notifying Treasury of the breach once it was discovered by Delta, which would have given the government the right to demand the return of funds.

“The PSP was intended to provide critical assistance to the airline industry during the pandemic,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to holding accountable those who failed to abide by the terms and conditions governing their receipt and use of federal funds.”

“When companies accept federal assistance, especially generous pandemic-relief funds like those at issue here, they owe a duty to the American people to respect the conditions placed on those funds,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg for the Northern District of Georgia. “We will continue to enforce all available laws to punish the misuse of taxpayers’ money.”

“Our criminal investigators have been at the center of this investigation as a core part of our responsibility to safeguard the integrity and efficiency of Treasury programs and operations, and we remain steadfast in our determination to hold recipients of public funds to the highest standards,” said Treasury Deputy Inspector General Loren Sciurba.

The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by H. Remidez LLC. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. H Remidez LLC v. Delta Air Lines Inc., No. 1-23-cv-01116 (N.D. Ga.). The whistleblower will receive $850,500 in connection with the settlement.

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, with assistance from the United States Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General.

The matter was handled by Trial Attorney James Nealon and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony DeCinque for the Northern District of Georgia.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

MIL Security OSI –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Delta Airlines Agrees to Pay $8.1M to Settle Alleged False Claims Act Violations Related to Payroll Support Program

Source: United States Attorneys General

Delta Air Lines Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, has agreed to pay $8,100,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by awarding compensation to certain corporate officers and employees that exceeded the compensation limits Delta agreed to as part of its participation in the Department of the Treasury’s Payroll Support Program (PSP).

The PSP was established by Congress in March 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to provide payroll support to passenger and cargo air carriers and certain contractors for the continuation of payment of employee wages, salaries, and benefits. The program was administered by the Department of Treasury (Treasury), and participating air carriers were required to enter into written agreements with Treasury that imposed certain conditions in exchange for the receipt of PSP funds. Among other program requirements, PSP agreements included limitations on the amount of compensation that PSP participants could pay to certain corporate officers and employees earning annual compensation in excess of $425,000.

Delta entered into PSP agreements with Treasury in 2020 and 2021, under which Delta agreed to the PSP compensation limits. The settlement resolves allegations that, between March 2020 and April 2023, Delta awarded compensation to some corporate officers and employees that exceeded the limits set by the PSP agreements. Delta allegedly violated the False Claims Act by inaccurately certifying compliance with PSP requirements in quarterly reports submitted to Treasury, as well as by not notifying Treasury of the breach once it was discovered by Delta, which would have given the government the right to demand the return of funds.

“The PSP was intended to provide critical assistance to the airline industry during the pandemic,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to holding accountable those who failed to abide by the terms and conditions governing their receipt and use of federal funds.”

“When companies accept federal assistance, especially generous pandemic-relief funds like those at issue here, they owe a duty to the American people to respect the conditions placed on those funds,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg for the Northern District of Georgia. “We will continue to enforce all available laws to punish the misuse of taxpayers’ money.”

“Our criminal investigators have been at the center of this investigation as a core part of our responsibility to safeguard the integrity and efficiency of Treasury programs and operations, and we remain steadfast in our determination to hold recipients of public funds to the highest standards,” said Treasury Deputy Inspector General Loren Sciurba.

The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by H. Remidez LLC. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. H Remidez LLC v. Delta Air Lines Inc., No. 1-23-cv-01116 (N.D. Ga.). The whistleblower will receive $850,500 in connection with the settlement.

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, with assistance from the United States Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General.

The matter was handled by Trial Attorney James Nealon and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony DeCinque for the Northern District of Georgia.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

MIL Security OSI –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor encourages greater collaboration between London and Lagos’ multi-billion creative economies as he meets creative leaders in Nigeria

Source: Mayor of London

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is today celebrating the impact of London and Lagos’s multi-billion creative economies and the cultural ties between the two capitals.

The Mayor is highlighting the huge impact of the creative economies and encouraging even greater collaboration as part of his trade mission to Africa, banging the drum for London as a place to invest and strengthening ties with countries across the continent.

Today, the Mayor will join with leading figures from the city’s art and entertainment businesses to celebrate creative links and forge new partnerships. The Lagos Canvas event has been organised with media powerhouse Mo Abudu and brings together people from across Nigeria’s film industry Nollywood, Afrobeat music scene, fashion and entertainment.

Lagos Canvas will include a live music performance by Rising Afro-soul talent Konstance, fashion curated by House of Zeta and featuring designers Hertunba and Wannifuga, art curated by Soto Gallery and featuring visual artist Johnson Uwadinma and multimedia artist Obi Nwaegbe, and films curated by EbonyLife Films, including clips by leading film directors Jade Osiberu and Kayode Kasum.

Later this year a London edition of Lagos Canvas is also being planned with the support of the Lagos State Government to bring together outstanding talent across music, fashion, film and art to celebrate the spirit of Lagos on an international stage.

Culture is the beating heart of London, defining how the capital is seen around the world and generating more than £63bn for the economy, having significantly surpassed pre-pandemic levels. It also supports one in five jobs in the capital.

The African continent has had a significant influence on London’s creative industries, including art, fashion and music. Afrobeat is currently one of London’s most popular music genres, and in 2023 Burna Boy became the first artist from the African continent to headline a stadium show in the UK, returning to play there again last year.

Lagos’s creative industries are also thriving with the capital rated as Africa’s top city for creative economy performance thanks to its incredible music, film, fashion and design scenes. Nigeria’s film industry is renowned with Nollywood the second largest global film industry in terms of production.

Across Nigeria the creative industry contributes approximately $5.6 billion to the nation’s GDP, with the creative sector the country’s second-largest employer. Nigeria’s Government aims for the country’s creative economy to generate $100 billion by 2030 and Sadiq wants London to create even closer ties and long-term partnerships to help drive our economies, unite communities and inspire young people.

London and Lagos have globally influential creative sectors and there has been a growing collaboration and cultural exchange between the capitals. This includes the Guest Artists Space (G.A.S.) Foundation and Yinka Shonibare Foundation which were established by artist Yinka Shonibare to provide artistic residences in Lagos and opportunities for collaboration with those in the UK, the South London Gallery which has hosted exhibitions including one celebrating the links between Lagos and Peckham, and the Tiwani Contemporary which has galleries in both cities. In March London hosted the launch of a new Creative Industries Technical Working Group that aims to deepen creative ties between the UK and Nigeria and boost innovation.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “London and Lagos are two of the most culturally dynamic cities in the world, with our music, film, fashion, design and digital creativity leading the way.

“I’m proud that across both capitals you can feel the influence of our long-standing and deeply-rooted connection, and as both of our creative industries thrive I want to see even closer collaboration.

“That’s why I’m delighted to join with the very best of Lagos’s art and entertainment business today. By working together to showcase our creativity, develop new partnerships and learn from each other, we can drive our economies forward, unite our communities and inspire young people.”

Mo Abudu, CEO, EbonyLife Group, said: “We are truly delighted to be co-hosting this special evening alongside the Mayor of London right here at EbonyLife Place in Lagos. It reflects the growing global recognition of the creative industry as a powerful driver of cultural and economic exchange. With Canvas Lagos, we are building bridges between Lagos and London — two vibrant cities bound by innovation, resilience, and an abundance of creative talent.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: Ingersoll Rand Welcomes Aurobind Satpathy to Board of Directors

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

DAVIDSON, N.C., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE: IR), a global provider of mission-critical flow creation and life sciences and industrial solutions, today announced the appointment of Aurobind Satpathy to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Satpathy currently serves as a senior partner at McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm. During his nearly 30-year career with McKinsey & Company, Satpathy led multi-billion-dollar mergers, guided companies through public-to-private transitions, and architected growth strategies that resulted in increases in market capitalization. In addition, Satpathy led global technology-enablement efforts within McKinsey’s Operations practice and held leadership roles across several offices, practices, and global committees.

“Aurobind’s leadership in high-impact engagements across diverse industries demonstrates his deep expertise in aligning strategy with execution,” said Vicente Reynal, chairman and chief executive officer of Ingersoll Rand. “We look forward to leveraging his strategic mindset, and his ability to unlock value through bold, data-driven insights will be a welcome addition to our Board.”

This appointment underscores Ingersoll Rand’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a robust and dynamic Board of Directors focused on innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.

About Ingersoll Rand Inc.
Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE: IR), driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and ownership mindset, is dedicated to Making Life Better for our employees, customers, shareholders, and planet. Customers lean on us for exceptional performance and durability in mission-critical flow creation and life sciences and industrial solutions. Supported by over 80+ respected brands, our products and services excel in the most complex and harsh conditions. Our employees develop customers for life through their daily commitment to expertise, productivity, and efficiency. For more information, visit www.IRCO.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements related to Ingersoll Rand Inc.’s (the “Company” or “Ingersoll Rand”) expectations regarding the performance of its business, its financial results, its liquidity and capital resources and other non-historical statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “target,” “endeavor,” “seek,” “predict,” “intend,” “strategy,” “plan,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “on track to,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” “guidance” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than historical facts are forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are based on Ingersoll Rand’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from these current expectations. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. The inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates, or expectations will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include, among others, (1) adverse impact on our operations and financial performance due to natural disaster, catastrophe, global pandemics (including COVID-19), geopolitical tensions, cyber events, or other events outside of our control; (2) unexpected costs, charges, or expenses resulting from completed and proposed business combinations; (3) uncertainty of the expected financial performance of the Company; (4) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of completed and proposed business combinations; (5) the ability of the Company to implement its business strategy; (6) difficulties and delays in achieving revenue and cost synergies; (7) inability of the Company to retain and hire key personnel; (8) evolving legal, regulatory, and tax regimes; (9) changes in general economic and/or industry specific conditions; (10) actions by third parties, including government agencies; and (11) other risk factors detailed in Ingersoll Rand’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as such factors may be updated from time to time in its periodic filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive.

Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Ingersoll Rand undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or development, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements.

Contacts:
Investor Relations:
Matthew.Fort@irco.com

Media:
Sara.Hassell@irco.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b07808eb-96c6-4af2-a9a7-4eb49cf9df7c

The MIL Network –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: Franklin Electric Schedules Its Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Release and Conference Call

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

FORT WAYNE, Ind., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: FELE) will release its second quarter 2025 earnings at 8:00 am ET on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. A conference call to review earnings and other developments in the business will commence at 9:00 am ET. The second quarter 2025 earnings call will be available via a live webcast. The webcast will be available in a listen only mode by going to:

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/eo2jvajq

For those interested in participating in the question-and-answer portion of the call, please register for the call at the link below.

https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI1fbffb8f4cf04503b3b3612e494f18a2

All registrants will receive dial-in information and a PIN allowing them to access the live call. It is recommended that you join 10 minutes prior to the event start (although you may register and dial in at any time during the call).

A replay of the conference call will be available from Tuesday, July 29, 2025, through 9:00 am ET on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, by visiting the listen-only webcast link above.

About Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and energy. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers around the world in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications. Franklin Electric is proud to be named in Newsweek’s lists of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024, Most Trustworthy Companies for 2024, Greenest Companies 2025, Best Places to Work in Indiana 2024, and America’s Climate Leaders 2024 by USA Today.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company’s financial results, costs, expenses or expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company’s business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, effect of price increases, raw material costs, technology factors, integration of acquisitions, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company’s accounting policies, future trends, epidemics and pandemics, and other risks which are detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

CONTACT: Jennifer Wolfenbarger
Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
260.824.2900

The MIL Network –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: Franklin Electric Schedules Its Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Release and Conference Call

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

FORT WAYNE, Ind., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: FELE) will release its second quarter 2025 earnings at 8:00 am ET on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. A conference call to review earnings and other developments in the business will commence at 9:00 am ET. The second quarter 2025 earnings call will be available via a live webcast. The webcast will be available in a listen only mode by going to:

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/eo2jvajq

For those interested in participating in the question-and-answer portion of the call, please register for the call at the link below.

https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI1fbffb8f4cf04503b3b3612e494f18a2

All registrants will receive dial-in information and a PIN allowing them to access the live call. It is recommended that you join 10 minutes prior to the event start (although you may register and dial in at any time during the call).

A replay of the conference call will be available from Tuesday, July 29, 2025, through 9:00 am ET on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, by visiting the listen-only webcast link above.

About Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and energy. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers around the world in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications. Franklin Electric is proud to be named in Newsweek’s lists of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024, Most Trustworthy Companies for 2024, Greenest Companies 2025, Best Places to Work in Indiana 2024, and America’s Climate Leaders 2024 by USA Today.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company’s financial results, costs, expenses or expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company’s business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, effect of price increases, raw material costs, technology factors, integration of acquisitions, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company’s accounting policies, future trends, epidemics and pandemics, and other risks which are detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

CONTACT: Jennifer Wolfenbarger
Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
260.824.2900

The MIL Network –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Birmingham fraudster spent part of Covid loan funds at safari park, restaurants and paying off personal credit card debt
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Birmingham fraudster spent part of Covid loan funds at safari park, restaurants and paying off personal credit card debt

Money from the loans was only supposed to be used for the economic benefit of the business
Fitness company owner Junaid Dar dishonestly obtained £45,500 in Covid Bounce Back Loans during 2020

Dar used some of the funds for legitimate purposes, but he also used money for personal spending at retailers, restaurants and leisure attractions

The 34-year-old was handed a suspended sentence following investigations by the Insolvency Service

A Birmingham fraudster who secured three Covid loans for his company when businesses were only entitled to one used some of the funds for personal spending at restaurants and a safari park.

Junaid Dar, 34, made fraudulent applications to three separate banks for Bounce Back Loans worth a combined total of £45,500 during 2020 for his JDARPT Ltd fitness company.

Dar, of Stratford Road, Birmingham, was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Thursday 10 July.

He was also ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity, 180 hours of unpaid work, and pay costs of £2,400.

David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

Junaid Dar deliberately made false representations to fraudulently receive three Bounce Back Loans when businesses were only entitled to one.

Instead of using this money to support his fitness business through the pandemic as intended, he diverted significant sums for personal spending.

Bounce Back Loans were designed to provide quick and simple financial support to businesses genuinely affected by Covid. The Insolvency Service will not tolerate abuse of the public purse and will continue to pursue fraudsters who exploited schemes designed to help legitimate businesses during a national crisis.

JDAPRT was incorporated in March 2017 with Dar as its sole director. The company’s trading activities were recorded as fitness facilities on Companies House.

Dar’s first fraudulent application was for a £13,000 Bounce Back Loan in May 2020.

In the application, Dar claimed JDAPRT’s turnover was £55,000.

Just two days later, Dar made a second application to a different bank for a Bounce Back Loan of £15,000.

In this application, Dar said his company’s turnover was now £60,000.

Dar’s third and final fraudulent application in September 2020 was for a Bounce Back Loan of £17,500.

This time, Dar falsely claimed his company’s turnover was £70,000. Insolvency Service analysis of the bank account revealed the company’s turnover was closer to £61,000.

Dar used some of the Bounce Back Loan funds for legitimate purposes. However, several transactions were recorded which Insolvency Service investigators found to be for personal use.

Payments were made to Amazon and Argos, along with spending at restaurants and meat stores. Further spending was identified at West Midlands Safari Park and making credit card payments.

JDARPT went into liquidation in July 2021.

Dar was also disqualified as a company director for 11 years from April 2022 for his misconduct at JDARPT.

Further information

Junaid Dar is of Stratford Road, Birmingham. His date of birth is 21 February 1991

JDARPT Ltd (company number 10690408)

Read more about the Bounce Back Loan Scheme and the action the Insolvency Service can take if it finds misconduct 

Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct.

About us

The Insolvency Service is a government agency that helps to deliver economic confidence by supporting those in financial distress, tackling financial wrongdoing and maximising returns to creditors.

The Insolvency Service is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade.

Read more about what we do

Press Office

Journalists with enquiries can call the Insolvency Service Press Office on 0303 003 1743 or email press.office@insolvency.gov.uk (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

Out of hours

For any out of hours media enquiries, please contact the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) newsdesk on 020 7215 2000.

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Updates to this page

Published 15 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 15, 2025
India cuts zero-dose children by 43% as South Asia hits record-high immunization in 2024

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

India has reduced the number of children who missed all vaccinations — also called zero-dose children — by 43% in just one year, according to new data released on Tuesday by WHO and UNICEF.

As per the 2024 data, India brought down its number of zero-dose children from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million in 2024 — a drop of nearly 700,000.

“This is a proud moment for South Asia. More children are protected today than ever before,” said Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, while also stressing the need to reach the remaining children in remote areas.

South Asia, as a region, achieved its highest-ever immunization coverage. In 2024, 92% of infants received the third dose of the DTP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. This marks a 2% increase from 2023 and even surpasses pre-COVID levels.

Nepal also saw major improvement, cutting its number of zero-dose children by more than half. Pakistan reached its highest-ever DTP3 coverage at 87%. However, Afghanistan remains a concern, with the lowest coverage in the region and a slight decline compared to last year.

Measles coverage improved as well: around 93% of infants received the first dose and 88% received the second. Reported measles cases fell sharply by 39% in 2024.

Vaccination against HPV (Human Papillomavirus), which prevents cervical cancer, also made progress. Bangladesh vaccinated over 7.1 million girls since launching its programme last year, while Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka also reported increases. India and Pakistan are expected to begin their HPV vaccination campaigns later this year.

The WHO and UNICEF report praised strong leadership from governments, the tireless work of frontline health workers, and the better use of data and technology for achieving these gains.

“It is heartening to see the WHO South-East Asia Region reach its highest-ever immunization rates, surpassing the pre-pandemic uptrend. We must build on this momentum and step up efforts to reach every child with these lifesaving vaccines. Together we can, and we must,” said Dr Thaksaphon Thamarangsi, Director of Programme Management, WHO South-East Asia Region.

Still, experts warned that over 2.9 million children in South Asia remain un- or under-vaccinated and must be reached to ensure full protection against deadly diseases.

(ANI)

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: World Bank Report Highlights Gender Dynamics and Opportunities in Botswana

Source: APO

.

The World Bank has released a comprehensive report, “Trends and Opportunities to Advance Gender Equality in Botswana”, analyzing gender dynamics across life-cycle stages to guide policymakers, the civil society, and development partners on key challenges and opportunities for advancing gender equality. It reveals how structural barriers in education access, financial inclusion, and labor market participation disproportionately affect women and young Batswana and provides recommendations to address these barriers.

“This report offers important insights to accelerate our ongoing efforts to create a more equitable Botswana. By addressing systemic barriers such as limited access to finance, skills gaps, and societal norms, we can unlock the full potential of youth, women, and men as drivers of economic growth. We are committed to fostering inclusivity while emphasizing various roles in advancing gender equality. The Government remains steadfast in promoting equal opportunities for all Batswana,” said Honourable Lesego Chombo, Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, at the report’s launch in Gaborone.

The report outlines five strategic priorities to address critical challenges:

(i)       Increase women’s participation in decision-making at local and national levels and strengthen gender equality under the law.

(ii)      Strengthen capacity for all-of-government gender mainstreaming.

(iii)     Reduce high rates of gender-based violence (GBV) and improve access to justice and to integrated GBV survivor support services.

(iv)     Support girls and boys to reach their full potential of human capital; and

(v)      Close wage and productivity gender gaps in entrepreneurship and employment.

“Women now account for 57% of university graduates, and Botswana has significantly expanded access to maternal health services, with most births taking place in health facilities. However, persistent gaps in women’s economic participation limit the country’s growth potential,” says World Bank Country Director for Botswana, Satu Kahkonen. “The World Bank will continue to support Botswana’s efforts to achieve gender equality and youth empowerment. Ww have committed to do so globally in our Gender Strategy 2024–2030.”

The assessment identifies gender disparities in three key areas: human capital (health, education, social protection), economic inclusion, voice and agency. Boys face higher rates of childhood stunting and lower early childhood education access, while 1 in 10 girls becomes pregnant before the age of 20, making it the leading cause of school dropout for young women. Maternal mortality, though improved, remains high at 131 deaths per 100,000 live births, and HIV continues to disproportionately affects women, with a 26% prevalence – nearly twice that of men.

Despite educational gains, women in Botswana have lower labor force participation (63% vs 73% for men), earn less, and are concentrated in informal, vulnerable jobs. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened these disparities, with women accounting for over half of all job losses. Rural and informal women workers are especially vulnerable to climate and economic shocks, underlining the need for inclusive, resilient economic systems. Despite advancements in the legal framework for gender equality, social norms and informal barriers still limit women’s full economic inclusion. Women-are more likely to run informal businesses, have less access to finance and remain underrepresented in political leadership and traditional leadership. High rates of gender-based violence, especially among marginalized groups, are worsened by weak institutional coordination and fragmented support systems.

The assessment was conducted in consultation with the Government of Botswana, development partners, and civil society organizations, and benefits from prior research and reports.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: NEWS RELEASE: STATE RELEASES FORECAST FOR JOBS AND INDUSTRIES THROUGH 2032
Source: US State of Hawaii

NEWS RELEASE: STATE RELEASES FORECAST FOR JOBS AND INDUSTRIES THROUGH 2032

Posted on Jul 14, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

KA ʻOIHANA PONO LIMAHANA

JADE T. BUTAY

DIRECTOR

KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

STATE RELEASES FORECAST FOR JOBS AND INDUSTRIES THROUGH 2032

Hawai‘i Projects 41,000 New Jobs by 2032, Led by Health Care and Food Services

News Release 2025-07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 14, 2025

HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Research and Statistics Office has released its latest statewide employment projections for industries and occupations. The projections are based on 2022 employment data and forecast trends through 2032. Statewide projections are published in even-numbered years, while county-specific projections are issued in odd-numbered years.

Key Highlights:

Hawai‘i’s total employment is projected to grow by 6.1% over the next decade, increasing from 671,010 jobs in 2022 to 712,200 by 2032 — an addition of 41,190 jobs. Each year, the state is expected to see approximately 83,050 job openings. These openings will primarily result from workers changing jobs (55%) and exiting the labor force (40%), while just 5% will stem from actual job growth. This breakdown highlights the importance of workforce replacement and job mobility in the state’s labor market.

Top Growing Industries:
- Health care and social assistance is forecast to be the fastest-growing and largest contributor to job creation, accounting for nearly one-quarter of all new positions.
- The sector is projected to grow by 12.7%, with particularly strong demand in social assistance services.
- The food services and drinking places industry will follow closely, with an 11.9% growth rate, driven by Hawai‘i’s strong hospitality sector.
- The accommodation industry is also forecast to increase by 10.2%, while creating 3,750 positions.
- The self-employed sector, bolstered by the post-pandemic gig economy, is expected to reach 58,150 workers by 2032.
In contrast, government and retail trade employment are projected to decline, influenced by federal policies and continuing shift toward e-commerce.

The projections are a valuable tool for:
- Students and jobseekers exploring career options
- Education and training providers developing programs
- Job placement specialists and career counselors guiding individuals toward employment
- Program managers and policymakers shaping workforce strategies
- Employers planning for growth or relocation
Key highlights, comprehensive data tables and other Labor Market Information (LMI) tools — such as Best Job Opportunities to 2032 — can be accessed on the Employment Projections page of the Hawai‘i Workforce Infonet (HIWI): www.hiwi.org.

Detailed narrative reports will be available by the end of July.

This effort is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, through the Workforce and Labor Market Information Grants to States (WIGS) program, with a total award of $321,585 for Program Year 2024.

# # #

Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
TDD/TTY Dial 711 then ask for 808-586-8842

View DLIR news releases:

http://labor.hawaii.gov/blog/category/news/

Media Contact:

Chavonnie Ramos

Public Information Officer, State of Hawai‘i

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

Phone: 808-586-9720

Email: [email protected]

MIL OSI USA News –
July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Portugal’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play – 15-07-2025

Source: European Parliament

Portugal is set to receive €22.2 billion in grants and loans from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the EU response to the crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. This amount corresponds to 3.1 % of the entire RRF, or 10.7 % of Portugal’s 2019 gross domestic product (GDP), and includes REPowerEU grants (€0.7 billion) and Portugal’s share (€81.4 million) from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. The Council approved the latest revision of Portugal’s national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) in May 2025. The plan has a strong focus on the country’s social, economic and environmental resilience, with measures targeting culture, housing, health, broad social responses, and forest and water management. Measures relating to climate transition, including those on industry decarbonisation and energy efficiency of buildings, account for 39.1 % of the allocation. The contribution to digital objectives represents 21.7 % of the allocation, with measures and reforms aimed at public administration and finances, education and businesses. Portugal has so far received €11.4 billion of RRF resources (51.3 % of the plan), which the Commission disbursed in the form of pre-financing and five grant and loan instalments. Portugal’s sixth and seventh payment requests are being assessed. In the context of the 2025 European Semester, the Council has recommended that Portugal accelerate implementation of its plan. The European Parliament has been a major supporter of creating a common EU recovery instrument, and takes part in interinstitutional settings to cooperate, discuss and scrutinise implementation of the Commission’s work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Third edition. The previous editions were written by Henrique Morgado Simões. The ‘NGEU delivery’ briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans. The author would like to thank Amalia Fumagalli and Ana Luisa Melo Almeida, trainees in the Directorate Members’ Research Service, for their research assistance.

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 15, 2025

CONTACT:		Jennifer Wolfenbarger Franklin Electric Co., Inc. 260.824.2900

Category: Pandemic

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Birmingham fraudster spent part of Covid loan funds at safari park, restaurants and paying off personal credit card debt

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NEWS RELEASE: STATE RELEASES FORECAST FOR JOBS AND INDUSTRIES THROUGH 2032