NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Market sounding on toll road concessions to begin

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Market soundings with international and local toll road investors, operators and financiers will begin next week as the next step in exploring how toll concessions could help fund, build and operate important road infrastructure, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. 
    “The Government is focused on improving high-quality road infrastructure to boost economic growth and ensure people and freight can travel efficiently and safely. To accelerate the delivery of vital transport projects, we’re looking into alternative funding and financing methods, including the use of toll concessions.
    “New Zealand currently has three toll roads in operation in Auckland and Tauranga, with three more in various stages of construction or planning. The Government has also set expectations in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 that other roads are considered for tolling in future, including all future Roads of National Significance. 
    “Although existing toll roads are currently managed by the NZ Transport Agency, the Government is, for the first time, considering private sector involvement in the operation of toll roads. This includes the potential use of toll concessions as part of a broader approach to infrastructure delivery.
    “A toll concession involves a private entity—known as a concessionaire—being given the right to manage and maintain a toll road for a specified time. During this period, they collect toll revenue to recover costs and earn a return. In exchange, the Government receives an upfront capital payment which can be used to fund additional road projects and potentially deliver them years earlier than would otherwise be feasible.
    “Concessions may apply to existing toll roads to operate and maintain a road, or be integrated into the development of new roading infrastructure. In the latter case, a private partner could be contracted to design, construct, operate, and maintain the road, and recoup operations and maintenance costs through toll collection.
    “There are several advantages to toll concessions: they can provide immediate capital that can be used to deliver more infrastructure projects sooner, draw on private sector expertise and innovation in areas like construction and tolling technology, and can help government to share and manage risks more efficiently.
    “It is important to note that the Crown continues to own the toll road under a concession arrangement. The private operator manages the road for the duration of the concession, after which control reverts back to a government agency.
    “Next week, my officials will begin market sounding discussions with toll road investors, operators and financiers to test opportunities for private firms to operate and maintain toll roads through concessions. The officials will meet with a cross-section of market participants – from international toll road operators to domestic and international investors and iwi – to get a range of perspectives on the opportunities available. If work on concessions is taken forward, there will be wider opportunities to be involved in any transactions stage.
    “Market sounding discussions will give us deeper insight into whether toll road concessions are viable here, under what circumstances, and the different ways they could be structured and phased. 
    “The Government will test concession opportunities on:

    New Zealand’s existing three toll roads – the Northern Gateway in Auckland, and Takitimu Drive and Tauranga Eastern Link in Tauranga
    Three roads in development that Cabinet has confirmed will be tolled – Penlink, Takitimu North Link, and Ōtaki to North of Levin
    All future Roads of National Significance

    “Officials will also seek to understand the extent to which concessions could support private investment and involvement in delivering other future projects beyond the immediate RoNS programme, including an alternative Waitematā Harbour crossing, where the significant scale of such projects and investment needed means different delivery approaches may deliver greater value for New Zealanders. 
    “The Ministry of Transport has appointed global investment bank, Citi, as its financial and commercial advisor to support this market sounding process. 
    “Citi has extensive experience advising on toll road concessions overseas and we’re pleased to have access to their expertise, connections and insights to ensure we run a high calibre market sounding process.
    “The insights we get from the market sounding will inform my decisions about whether and how to take toll concessions forward, including which ones are viable and have value. I look forward to hearing what the market has to say,” Mr Bishop says. 
    The Government expects to make decisions on toll road concessions later this year. 
    Notes to editor:
    ·         Exploring toll concessions gives effect to the National-ACT coalition agreement to institute long-term city and regional infrastructure deals, allowing Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), tolling and value capture rating to fund infrastructure.
    ·         Market sounding discussions will start in the week of 7 July 2025, with discussions being held in Sydney, Wellington and Auckland until late July 2025. 
    ·         The market sounding process is being led by the Ministry of Transport and National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Limited (NIFFCo), with input from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Treasury. Global investment bank, Citi, is acting as the Ministry of Transport’s financial and commercial advisor for the market sounding process. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Market sounding on toll road concessions to begin

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Market soundings with international and local toll road investors, operators and financiers will begin next week as the next step in exploring how toll concessions could help fund, build and operate important road infrastructure, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. 
    “The Government is focused on improving high-quality road infrastructure to boost economic growth and ensure people and freight can travel efficiently and safely. To accelerate the delivery of vital transport projects, we’re looking into alternative funding and financing methods, including the use of toll concessions.
    “New Zealand currently has three toll roads in operation in Auckland and Tauranga, with three more in various stages of construction or planning. The Government has also set expectations in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 that other roads are considered for tolling in future, including all future Roads of National Significance. 
    “Although existing toll roads are currently managed by the NZ Transport Agency, the Government is, for the first time, considering private sector involvement in the operation of toll roads. This includes the potential use of toll concessions as part of a broader approach to infrastructure delivery.
    “A toll concession involves a private entity—known as a concessionaire—being given the right to manage and maintain a toll road for a specified time. During this period, they collect toll revenue to recover costs and earn a return. In exchange, the Government receives an upfront capital payment which can be used to fund additional road projects and potentially deliver them years earlier than would otherwise be feasible.
    “Concessions may apply to existing toll roads to operate and maintain a road, or be integrated into the development of new roading infrastructure. In the latter case, a private partner could be contracted to design, construct, operate, and maintain the road, and recoup operations and maintenance costs through toll collection.
    “There are several advantages to toll concessions: they can provide immediate capital that can be used to deliver more infrastructure projects sooner, draw on private sector expertise and innovation in areas like construction and tolling technology, and can help government to share and manage risks more efficiently.
    “It is important to note that the Crown continues to own the toll road under a concession arrangement. The private operator manages the road for the duration of the concession, after which control reverts back to a government agency.
    “Next week, my officials will begin market sounding discussions with toll road investors, operators and financiers to test opportunities for private firms to operate and maintain toll roads through concessions. The officials will meet with a cross-section of market participants – from international toll road operators to domestic and international investors and iwi – to get a range of perspectives on the opportunities available. If work on concessions is taken forward, there will be wider opportunities to be involved in any transactions stage.
    “Market sounding discussions will give us deeper insight into whether toll road concessions are viable here, under what circumstances, and the different ways they could be structured and phased. 
    “The Government will test concession opportunities on:

    New Zealand’s existing three toll roads – the Northern Gateway in Auckland, and Takitimu Drive and Tauranga Eastern Link in Tauranga
    Three roads in development that Cabinet has confirmed will be tolled – Penlink, Takitimu North Link, and Ōtaki to North of Levin
    All future Roads of National Significance

    “Officials will also seek to understand the extent to which concessions could support private investment and involvement in delivering other future projects beyond the immediate RoNS programme, including an alternative Waitematā Harbour crossing, where the significant scale of such projects and investment needed means different delivery approaches may deliver greater value for New Zealanders. 
    “The Ministry of Transport has appointed global investment bank, Citi, as its financial and commercial advisor to support this market sounding process. 
    “Citi has extensive experience advising on toll road concessions overseas and we’re pleased to have access to their expertise, connections and insights to ensure we run a high calibre market sounding process.
    “The insights we get from the market sounding will inform my decisions about whether and how to take toll concessions forward, including which ones are viable and have value. I look forward to hearing what the market has to say,” Mr Bishop says. 
    The Government expects to make decisions on toll road concessions later this year. 
    Notes to editor:
    ·         Exploring toll concessions gives effect to the National-ACT coalition agreement to institute long-term city and regional infrastructure deals, allowing Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), tolling and value capture rating to fund infrastructure.
    ·         Market sounding discussions will start in the week of 7 July 2025, with discussions being held in Sydney, Wellington and Auckland until late July 2025. 
    ·         The market sounding process is being led by the Ministry of Transport and National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Limited (NIFFCo), with input from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Treasury. Global investment bank, Citi, is acting as the Ministry of Transport’s financial and commercial advisor for the market sounding process. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • PM Modi, Ghana President Agree to Deepen Ties, Sign Four MoUs During Historic Visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met Ghanaian President Dr. John Dramani Mahama in Accra, marking the first state visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghana in three decades.

    PM Modi was received by President Mahama at Jubilee House, the official residence and office of the Ghanaian President. The two leaders held detailed discussions in restricted and delegation-level formats, agreeing to elevate the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership.

    During the talks, both sides reaffirmed the longstanding and cordial ties between India and Ghana and explored ways to deepen cooperation in areas including trade and investment, agriculture, capacity building, digital technology, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges.

    PM Modi welcomed the steady growth in bilateral trade and the increasing presence of Indian investments in Ghana. The leaders also discussed steps to strengthen defence and security collaboration, as well as development cooperation through India-supported infrastructure and capacity-building projects.

    India also offered to share its expertise in health, pharmaceuticals, digital public infrastructure, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and skill development. Modi reiterated India’s commitment to voicing the concerns of the Global South and thanked Ghana for its continued support on this front. He also expressed gratitude to President Mahama for the care extended to the Indian community of around 15,000 people living in Ghana.

    Both leaders exchanged views on global and regional issues of mutual interest, including the need for reforms at the United Nations. Prime Minister Modi thanked President Mahama for his support and solidarity following the recent Pahalgam attack. The two sides agreed to work together to strengthen the global fight against terrorism.

    PM Modi also congratulated Ghana on its increasing international profile, including its current term on the UN Human Rights Council and the election of Ghana’s Foreign Minister as the Commonwealth Secretary-General. The leaders reiterated their commitment to democratic values, South-South cooperation, and a shared vision for sustainable development and global peace.

    Following the talks, India and Ghana exchanged four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering Culture, Standards, Ayurveda and Traditional Medicine, and the establishment of a Joint Commission Mechanism to enhance engagement between the two countries’ Foreign Ministries.

    President Mahama hosted a State Banquet in honour of Prime Minister Modi. Thanking him for the warm hospitality, Prime Minister Modi invited President Mahama to visit India at a mutually convenient time.

  • PM Modi, Ghana President Agree to Deepen Ties, Sign Four MoUs During Historic Visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met Ghanaian President Dr. John Dramani Mahama in Accra, marking the first state visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghana in three decades.

    PM Modi was received by President Mahama at Jubilee House, the official residence and office of the Ghanaian President. The two leaders held detailed discussions in restricted and delegation-level formats, agreeing to elevate the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership.

    During the talks, both sides reaffirmed the longstanding and cordial ties between India and Ghana and explored ways to deepen cooperation in areas including trade and investment, agriculture, capacity building, digital technology, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges.

    PM Modi welcomed the steady growth in bilateral trade and the increasing presence of Indian investments in Ghana. The leaders also discussed steps to strengthen defence and security collaboration, as well as development cooperation through India-supported infrastructure and capacity-building projects.

    India also offered to share its expertise in health, pharmaceuticals, digital public infrastructure, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and skill development. Modi reiterated India’s commitment to voicing the concerns of the Global South and thanked Ghana for its continued support on this front. He also expressed gratitude to President Mahama for the care extended to the Indian community of around 15,000 people living in Ghana.

    Both leaders exchanged views on global and regional issues of mutual interest, including the need for reforms at the United Nations. Prime Minister Modi thanked President Mahama for his support and solidarity following the recent Pahalgam attack. The two sides agreed to work together to strengthen the global fight against terrorism.

    PM Modi also congratulated Ghana on its increasing international profile, including its current term on the UN Human Rights Council and the election of Ghana’s Foreign Minister as the Commonwealth Secretary-General. The leaders reiterated their commitment to democratic values, South-South cooperation, and a shared vision for sustainable development and global peace.

    Following the talks, India and Ghana exchanged four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering Culture, Standards, Ayurveda and Traditional Medicine, and the establishment of a Joint Commission Mechanism to enhance engagement between the two countries’ Foreign Ministries.

    President Mahama hosted a State Banquet in honour of Prime Minister Modi. Thanking him for the warm hospitality, Prime Minister Modi invited President Mahama to visit India at a mutually convenient time.

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Signs Five Bills into Law

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JULY 2, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe signed five pieces of legislation into law: Senate Bills (SB) 28 and 396, and House Bills (HB) 105, 169, and 974.

    “Today, we were proud to sign five bills that will benefit businesses and local governments across our state,” said Governor Kehoe. “Thank you to the men and women of the General Assembly for sending many pieces of quality legislation to my desk this session. We look forward to signing even more legislation that improves the lives of Missourians next week.”

    SB 28, sponsored by Senator Jason Bean and Representative Donnie Brown, modifies provisions relating to transportation.

    • Adds retired law enforcement and judicial members to the confidential motor vehicle and drivers licensing records statute.
    • Requires motor vehicle sales taxes to be paid before a temporary tag can be issued. This now includes transactions between individuals and through out-of-state dealers.
      • The effective date of this is delayed until the Missouri Department of Revenue’s (DOR) Motor Vehicle and Driver License System is completed.
    • Modifies specialty license plate provisions, including creating a new United States Space Force military specialty license plate.
    • Places vehicle, boat, and powersports dealers on a level playing field in regards to the fees they are required to remit to DOR.

    SB 396, sponsored by Senator Ben Brown and Representative Brad Banderman, authorizes the board of trustees of a consolidated public library district to change the dates of the fiscal year.

    • Allows the board of trustees of a consolidated library district to select a different fiscal year structure than the state fiscal year calendar.

    HB 105, sponsored Representative Jeff Vernetti and Senator Mike Bernskoetter, authorizes the conveyance of certain state property.

    • Outlines the deed property language for the conveyance of the Lee C. Fine Memorial Airport from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to the city of Osage Beach, giving Osage Beach more freedom and flexibility to make improvements without grant funding.
    • Conveys two tracts of land from the site of the former Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop A Headquarters located in Lee’s Summit. The land will be conveyed from the State of Missouri to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the purpose of a new intersection, allowing the outer roads and city streets to be received by Lee’s Summit once the new bridge and intersection is completed.
    • Outlines the deed property language for conveying a tract of land in Webster County from the State of Missouri to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, allowing for improvements to increase road safety by reducing conflict points, decreasing congestion, and replacing aging infrastructure.

    HB 169, sponsored by Representative Donnie Brown and Senator Jason Bean, modifies provisions relating to cotton trailers.

    • Redefines “cotton trailers,” increasing the allowed maximum speed to 70 MPH from 40 MPH.
    • Updates specific hauling requirements for cotton trailers to align with modern technological advancements.

    HB 974, sponsored by Representative Jim Murphy and Senator Sandy Crawford, establishes provisions relating to insurance for certain uses of motor vehicles.

    • Implements the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) model language related to cyber security standards on insurance companies, aimed at protecting consumer data.
    • Implements the National Council of Insurance Legislators model language related to peer-to-peer driving rental services.

    For more information on the legislation and additional provisions signed into law, visit house.mo.gov and senate.mo.gov. Photos from the bill signing will be uploaded to Governor Kehoe’s Flickr page.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Van Orden Urges Evers to Act Quickly to Align State Budget with Federal Healthcare Provisions

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (Wisconsin 3rd)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) sent a letter to Governor Tony Evers urging him to promptly sign the Wisconsin FY 2025-27 state budget into law. The state budget includes an increase to the state provider tax rate, which must be in effect prior to the signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.

    For nearly a decade, Wisconsin’s provider tax rate has not been updated from 1.7%. The One, Big, Beautiful Bill will allow non-Medicaid expansion states, like Wisconsin, with provider tax rates of up to 6% to remain untouched. In order for Wisconsin to fully capitalize on the Medicaid benefits in the bill, it is imperative the governor sign the state budget into law as soon as possible.

    “I cannot emphasize enough the importance of signing the proposed state budget into law without delay. As you are aware, timely enactment is especially critical this year due to the proposed increase in the state provider tax, which must be effectuated before the anticipated signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill on or around July 4, 2025,” Rep. Van Orden stated in the letter.

    The congressman continued, “Delaying the state budget enactment beyond July 3rd risks losing vital opportunities for the state’s healthcare system and the Wisconsinites who rely on it. Healthcare and rural healthcare, in particular, is vital to us in Wisconsin. We cannot leave anything on the table. Please act swiftly to sign the budget and secure the provider tax increase in time to meet this critical federal deadline.”

    “I came to Washington to fight for those in rural Wisconsin. By voting for this bill, I will be doing just that, and I am looking forward to working with our state senators, assembly members, and you to make sure our fellow Wisconsinites cannot just survive but thrive.”

    To read the full letter, click here or scroll below.

     

    The Honorable Tony Evers

    Governor of Wisconsin

    115 East Capitol

    Madison, WI 53702

    July 2, 2025

    Dear Governor Evers,

    I wanted to send you a follow up note from our conversation yesterday.

    I cannot emphasize enough the importance of signing the proposed state budget into law without delay. As you are aware, timely enactment is especially critical this year due to the proposed increase in the state provider tax, which must be effectuated before the anticipated signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill on or around July 4, 2025.

    This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I implore you to put politics aside, and our neighbors first.

    The One Big Beautiful Bill will have a profoundly beneficial impact on Wisconsinites from all socioeconomic backgrounds by ensuring that Badger Care, in its current form and scope, remains solvent into the future and bolstering our rural healthcare systems.

    Wisconsin will immediately receive a $500,000,000 plus up for rural healthcare infrastructure, and an additional billion dollars annually for healthcare in our great state.

    Additionally, this bill protects SNAP for those most in need, prevents a 25% tax hike on Wisconsin families, makes the Small Business Deduction permanent and increases it to 23%, and removes the Death Tax so our farmers can pass their land onto the next generation.

    Delaying the state budget enactment beyond July 3rd risks losing vital opportunities for the state’s healthcare system and the Wisconsinites who rely on it. Healthcare and rural healthcare, in particular, is vital to us in Wisconsin. We cannot leave anything on the table. Please act swiftly to sign the budget and secure the provider tax increase in time to meet this critical federal deadline.

    I came to Washington to fight for those in rural Wisconsin. By voting for this bill, I will be doing just that, and I am looking forward to working with our state senators, assembly members, and you to make sure our fellow Wisconsinites cannot just survive but thrive.

    Forward!

    All the best,

    Derrick Van Orden

    Member of Congress

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Van Orden Urges Evers to Act Quickly to Align State Budget with Federal Healthcare Provisions

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (Wisconsin 3rd)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) sent a letter to Governor Tony Evers urging him to promptly sign the Wisconsin FY 2025-27 state budget into law. The state budget includes an increase to the state provider tax rate, which must be in effect prior to the signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.

    For nearly a decade, Wisconsin’s provider tax rate has not been updated from 1.7%. The One, Big, Beautiful Bill will allow non-Medicaid expansion states, like Wisconsin, with provider tax rates of up to 6% to remain untouched. In order for Wisconsin to fully capitalize on the Medicaid benefits in the bill, it is imperative the governor sign the state budget into law as soon as possible.

    “I cannot emphasize enough the importance of signing the proposed state budget into law without delay. As you are aware, timely enactment is especially critical this year due to the proposed increase in the state provider tax, which must be effectuated before the anticipated signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill on or around July 4, 2025,” Rep. Van Orden stated in the letter.

    The congressman continued, “Delaying the state budget enactment beyond July 3rd risks losing vital opportunities for the state’s healthcare system and the Wisconsinites who rely on it. Healthcare and rural healthcare, in particular, is vital to us in Wisconsin. We cannot leave anything on the table. Please act swiftly to sign the budget and secure the provider tax increase in time to meet this critical federal deadline.”

    “I came to Washington to fight for those in rural Wisconsin. By voting for this bill, I will be doing just that, and I am looking forward to working with our state senators, assembly members, and you to make sure our fellow Wisconsinites cannot just survive but thrive.”

    To read the full letter, click here or scroll below.

     

    The Honorable Tony Evers

    Governor of Wisconsin

    115 East Capitol

    Madison, WI 53702

    July 2, 2025

    Dear Governor Evers,

    I wanted to send you a follow up note from our conversation yesterday.

    I cannot emphasize enough the importance of signing the proposed state budget into law without delay. As you are aware, timely enactment is especially critical this year due to the proposed increase in the state provider tax, which must be effectuated before the anticipated signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill on or around July 4, 2025.

    This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I implore you to put politics aside, and our neighbors first.

    The One Big Beautiful Bill will have a profoundly beneficial impact on Wisconsinites from all socioeconomic backgrounds by ensuring that Badger Care, in its current form and scope, remains solvent into the future and bolstering our rural healthcare systems.

    Wisconsin will immediately receive a $500,000,000 plus up for rural healthcare infrastructure, and an additional billion dollars annually for healthcare in our great state.

    Additionally, this bill protects SNAP for those most in need, prevents a 25% tax hike on Wisconsin families, makes the Small Business Deduction permanent and increases it to 23%, and removes the Death Tax so our farmers can pass their land onto the next generation.

    Delaying the state budget enactment beyond July 3rd risks losing vital opportunities for the state’s healthcare system and the Wisconsinites who rely on it. Healthcare and rural healthcare, in particular, is vital to us in Wisconsin. We cannot leave anything on the table. Please act swiftly to sign the budget and secure the provider tax increase in time to meet this critical federal deadline.

    I came to Washington to fight for those in rural Wisconsin. By voting for this bill, I will be doing just that, and I am looking forward to working with our state senators, assembly members, and you to make sure our fellow Wisconsinites cannot just survive but thrive.

    Forward!

    All the best,

    Derrick Van Orden

    Member of Congress

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Van Orden Urges Evers to Act Quickly to Align State Budget with Federal Healthcare Provisions

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (Wisconsin 3rd)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) sent a letter to Governor Tony Evers urging him to promptly sign the Wisconsin FY 2025-27 state budget into law. The state budget includes an increase to the state provider tax rate, which must be in effect prior to the signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.

    For nearly a decade, Wisconsin’s provider tax rate has not been updated from 1.7%. The One, Big, Beautiful Bill will allow non-Medicaid expansion states, like Wisconsin, with provider tax rates of up to 6% to remain untouched. In order for Wisconsin to fully capitalize on the Medicaid benefits in the bill, it is imperative the governor sign the state budget into law as soon as possible.

    “I cannot emphasize enough the importance of signing the proposed state budget into law without delay. As you are aware, timely enactment is especially critical this year due to the proposed increase in the state provider tax, which must be effectuated before the anticipated signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill on or around July 4, 2025,” Rep. Van Orden stated in the letter.

    The congressman continued, “Delaying the state budget enactment beyond July 3rd risks losing vital opportunities for the state’s healthcare system and the Wisconsinites who rely on it. Healthcare and rural healthcare, in particular, is vital to us in Wisconsin. We cannot leave anything on the table. Please act swiftly to sign the budget and secure the provider tax increase in time to meet this critical federal deadline.”

    “I came to Washington to fight for those in rural Wisconsin. By voting for this bill, I will be doing just that, and I am looking forward to working with our state senators, assembly members, and you to make sure our fellow Wisconsinites cannot just survive but thrive.”

    To read the full letter, click here or scroll below.

     

    The Honorable Tony Evers

    Governor of Wisconsin

    115 East Capitol

    Madison, WI 53702

    July 2, 2025

    Dear Governor Evers,

    I wanted to send you a follow up note from our conversation yesterday.

    I cannot emphasize enough the importance of signing the proposed state budget into law without delay. As you are aware, timely enactment is especially critical this year due to the proposed increase in the state provider tax, which must be effectuated before the anticipated signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill on or around July 4, 2025.

    This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I implore you to put politics aside, and our neighbors first.

    The One Big Beautiful Bill will have a profoundly beneficial impact on Wisconsinites from all socioeconomic backgrounds by ensuring that Badger Care, in its current form and scope, remains solvent into the future and bolstering our rural healthcare systems.

    Wisconsin will immediately receive a $500,000,000 plus up for rural healthcare infrastructure, and an additional billion dollars annually for healthcare in our great state.

    Additionally, this bill protects SNAP for those most in need, prevents a 25% tax hike on Wisconsin families, makes the Small Business Deduction permanent and increases it to 23%, and removes the Death Tax so our farmers can pass their land onto the next generation.

    Delaying the state budget enactment beyond July 3rd risks losing vital opportunities for the state’s healthcare system and the Wisconsinites who rely on it. Healthcare and rural healthcare, in particular, is vital to us in Wisconsin. We cannot leave anything on the table. Please act swiftly to sign the budget and secure the provider tax increase in time to meet this critical federal deadline.

    I came to Washington to fight for those in rural Wisconsin. By voting for this bill, I will be doing just that, and I am looking forward to working with our state senators, assembly members, and you to make sure our fellow Wisconsinites cannot just survive but thrive.

    Forward!

    All the best,

    Derrick Van Orden

    Member of Congress

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Find Mining Announces Timely Cloud Mining Opportunity – A New Choice for the Volatile Crypto Market to Seize Your Million-Dollar Opportunity

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, UK, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — At a time when the global cryptocurrency market is experiencing turbulent fluctuations, opportunities and risks are equally huge. In the past month, Bitcoin has broken through key resistance levels several times and then quickly fell back; Ethereum has been turbulent during its technological upgrades; and Ripple has been fluctuating in the legal and geopolitical vortex.

    Faced with this unpredictable market, many investors are thinking about a question: Is there a way to participate in the crypto market and enjoy stable and sustainable returns?

    Find Mining, a fast-growing cloud mining company in the UK, has given its own answer.

    Unlike traditional mining machines, Find Mining provides cloud-based mining services:

    No need to buy expensive mining machines

    No need to bear high electricity bills

    No need to worry about hardware depreciation or maintenance

    Users only need to register online and select the appropriate mining contract. Find Mining will allocate computing power to users in its globally distributed data centers and automatically mine around the clock, allowing investors to get rid of technical barriers and easily enjoy profits.

    Sign up and get $15, and novices can also try it at “0 cost”

    In order to lower the entry threshold for new users, Find Mining has set up a welcome bonus for novices:

    1. Sign up and get $15
    2. You can buy a mining contract worth $15 without pre-depositing funds
    3. Daily automatic settlement of income

    This means that even a novice with no experience in cryptocurrency can immediately try zero-risk mining and easily open the door to wealth.

    Funds are safe, compliant and transparent, and users have no worries

    Find Mining takes compliance and security as its core strategy. All customer funds are managed by top banks and equipped with SSL encryption and insurance protection.

    Whether it is investment income or account balance, users can view it in real time through the visual dashboard, and the flow of funds is clear at a glance.

    Not just mining, the referral program helps you create multiple passive income

    In addition to basic mining income, Find Mining has also launched a generous referral reward program to help users expand their income channels:

    First-level commission: You can get a 3% commission on the total investment of the directly recommended user

    Second-level commission: If the referee recommends a new user, you can also get a 1.5% commission

    This means that even if you do not make additional investments, as long as you share your referral link, you can continue to receive passive dividends

    Four steps to start your crypto passive income journey

    Visit Find Mining official website and register to receive a $15 welcome bonus.

    • Select a contract
    • Choose a cloud mining plan that suits you and flexibly match your budget and time period
    • Automatic mining

    After purchasing a contract, the platform will immediately allocate computing power and start, truly achieving 24/7 continuous profitability.

    • Daily income is credited to your account

    The system settles income every 24 hours and directly deposits it into your account, which can be seen and withdrawn at any time.

    Stable income, an “invisible shield” against market fluctuations

    Unlike the wildly fluctuating coin prices, cloud mining income is more stable and predictable.

    Find Mining’s daily income is automatically distributed according to the contract, allowing investors to stay away from the anxiety caused by the ups and downs of the market. For those who desire financial stability, this is undoubtedly a more reassuring choice.

    Grab the million-dollar cloud mining opportunity and start now

    The global crypto market is changing rapidly, and more people are turning their attention to cloud mining, which has a low entry threshold and can bring a smoother long-term profit curve.

    Whether you are a novice who has just come into contact with cryptocurrencies or an old player who has tried cryptocurrency investment, Find Mining may become your “invisible shield” against market uncertainty.

    Sign up now to receive a $15 cloud mining contract and seize the new track of stable income!

    Click to enter the Find Mining official website

    Official email: info@findmining.com

    Disclaimer: This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, investment solicitation, or a trading recommendation. Cryptocurrency mining and staking carry risk, including potential loss of capital. Always conduct due diligence and consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Summer 2025 Newsletter – In The Flow

    Source: US Geological Survey

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was on the scene in Western Maryland to collect water data during and after the flooding caused by several inches of rain. Quantifying floods is vital for planning infrastructure that can withstand such extremes in the future.

    As the flooding occurred, USGS crews traversed the area, collecting high flow measurements at over two dozen locations in Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties. The job was challenging as certain roads were difficult or impossible to pass due to flooding.

    USGS crews also attempted to measure high flow at Georges Creek, which was at the epicenter of flooding in the town of Westernport, Maryland, and near the site of the school evacuation, but it was too dangerous. Our crew returned when it was safer to collect two streamflow measurements while flows were still elevated, and then later when flooding subsided, identified high-water marks to estimate the volume of water during the peak of the flood.

    Days later, evidence of the damage caused by the flood were visible throughout Westernport and across towns in the area, including at Georges Creek, where flooding caused the ground to collapse beneath an unused train line, leaving rails that were twisted mid-air and dangling for several dozen yards, yet somehow still connected on the other side.

    The USGS, EPA, along with federal, state, and local partners collect water samples at over a hundred locations across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including the Choptank River as seen here.

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently published flow-normalized trends in loads of nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended sediment for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed from water years 1985 through 2023. This monitoring-based information provides federal, state, and local managers with accurate and timely information about the health of streams and rivers entering the Bay.

    Understanding changes in the 64,000 square mile Chesapeake Bay watershed is critical to understanding the health of the Bay. States in the Bay watershed recognized this and in 2004 they formed the Non-Tidal Network (NTN), a collection of 123 monitoring stations that follow standard sampling protocols and analysis methods.

    Spanning six states from New York to Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia, the consistency of the NTN provides accurate information on conditions and changes in water quality.

    This is no small task and is only possible through teamwork from local, state, and federal partners who collect and analyze information from the 123 NTN stations. The total NTN dataset has over 51,000 samples — that’s about 3.5 samples collected every single day since 1985! The USGS plays a critical role in the NTN, providing information on how much water is flowing at the gages, collecting samples, and analyzing load and trend results.

    A map of the Chesapeake Bay watershed showing the distribution of Non-Tidal Network (NTN) stations as of 2023.

    But the data doesn’t collect itself. It takes dedicated people from federal, state, and local partner agencies, including the USGS, to sample all 123 stations routinely.

    On a chilly morning in early March 2024, Kelly McVicker and Shane Mizelle, two hydrologic technicians from the USGS, made their way out to the catwalk of the Conowingo Dam to collect water samples after a storm.

    Over the next hour, they repeatedly lowered a sampling bottle into the turbid, roaring waters some several dozen feet below, bringing it back up and transferring it to a larger container. They repeated this procedure at multiple points along the wide river to ensure that the sample would represent the conditions of the river at that particular point in time.

    Month after month, and sometimes more frequently as dictated by storms, technicians from the USGS and other agencies repeat this process across 123 stations. In each instance the technicians follow consistent sampling collection, storage and analysis to allow for comparison over the entire network.

    After the field, the samples are shipped to laboratories and analyzed, and laboratory staff run quality assurance tests.

    Next, the data are returned to the collecting agencies and reviewed by their staff. If the data are approved and nothing is out of line, they are submitted to the Chesapeake Environmental Data Repository where the data are reviewed before inclusion.

    Now, nutrient and sediment loads and trends can be calculated from the data.

    USGS scientists use a statistical method known as Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge and Season (WRTDS) to compute the flow-normalized load of nutrients and sediment at each station for each year the data are available. A station can have a load computed after 5 years of data, and after 10 years, the scientists will run a trend analysis to determine if the load is increasing, decreasing, or has no discernable trend.

    The results computed at the 123 stations include trends in suspended sediment and total and dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus. Each year’s results are compared against the historic record to ensure a consistent dataset is used.

    Following the load and trend analyses, the data are published in a data release, updated on a website and the results are distributed to NTN partners and other Chesapeake Bay stakeholders.

    This tremendous effort would not be possible without the support of local and state governments and non-profits across the Chesapeake region.

    USGS installs three temporary groundwater stations to monitor drought conditions in Delaware

    Jacob Mavrogeorge builds a groundwater gage in Delaware.

    The U.S. Geological Survey installed groundwater stations in three locations across the state to monitor groundwater levels, doubling the number of active groundwater stations in Delaware operated by USGS from 3 to 6.

    Until June 2025, Delaware was in a state of drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and these sites were selected with the help of the Delaware Geological Survey to track groundwater levels throughout the state.

    Monitoring at these sites will continue through at least September 30, 2025.

    Funding was provided through the USGS Next Generation Water Observing System program (NGWOS) in response to drought conditions that had persisted since last summer.

    View data from these sites, DE-Cb12-10, DE-Gb55-08, DE-Ng11-37.

    Additional Updates to our Water Monitoring Network

    This Winter and Spring we added the following sites to our monitoring network:

    • Piscataway Creek at Joint Base Andrews, MD (01653521): Gage height, specific conductance, temperature, and turbidity.
    • Piscataway Creek Tributary at Joint Base Andrews, MD (01653522): Gage height, specific conductance, temperature, and turbidity.

    We also added HIVIS cameras to the following sites:

    • Whitemarsh Run at White Marsh, MD (01585100) 
    • Mattawoman Creek Near Pomonkey, MD (01658000) 
    • Beaverdam Creek Near Cheverly, MD (01651730) 
    • Watts Branch at Washington, DC (01651800) 
    Reductions to Data Collection at a Handful of Monitoring Sites

    Given proposed budget cuts from a cooperating agency, we foresee the following reductions to data collection at a handful of sites beginning on October 1, 2025. If there are questions concerning these sites, please email gs-w-mdtws_information@usgs.gov.

    The following sites will be fully discontinued. Although historical data will remain accessible, no new data will be collected:

    • Rock Creek at Sherrill Drive, Washington, DC (01648000): Continuous discharge.
    • Luzon Branch above Rock Creek at Washington, DC (01648011): Continuous discharge and water temperature.
    • Anacostia River at Kenilworth at Washington, DC (01651760): Continuous discharge water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity.
    • Anacostia River near Buzzard Point at Washington, DC (01651827): Continuous discharge, water temperature, specific conductance, and turbidity.

    Watts Branch at Washington, DC (01651800) will lose its continuous discharge reporting, but all other continuous measurements will remain.

    Discrete metals and bacteria water-quality analyses (cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, mercury, E. coli bacteria) at the following sites will be discontinued; however other water-quality parameters (phosphorus, nitrogen, and suspended sediment) will still be collected:

    • Rock Creek at Joyce Road, Washington, DC (01648010) 
    • Hickey Run at National Arboretum at Washington, DC (01651770)
    • Watts Branch at Washington, DC (01651800)

    Stay Up-To-Date On Our Latest Science

    These are the latest publications that our Center’s scientists contributed to:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Summer 2025 Newsletter – In The Flow

    Source: US Geological Survey

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was on the scene in Western Maryland to collect water data during and after the flooding caused by several inches of rain. Quantifying floods is vital for planning infrastructure that can withstand such extremes in the future.

    As the flooding occurred, USGS crews traversed the area, collecting high flow measurements at over two dozen locations in Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties. The job was challenging as certain roads were difficult or impossible to pass due to flooding.

    USGS crews also attempted to measure high flow at Georges Creek, which was at the epicenter of flooding in the town of Westernport, Maryland, and near the site of the school evacuation, but it was too dangerous. Our crew returned when it was safer to collect two streamflow measurements while flows were still elevated, and then later when flooding subsided, identified high-water marks to estimate the volume of water during the peak of the flood.

    Days later, evidence of the damage caused by the flood were visible throughout Westernport and across towns in the area, including at Georges Creek, where flooding caused the ground to collapse beneath an unused train line, leaving rails that were twisted mid-air and dangling for several dozen yards, yet somehow still connected on the other side.

    The USGS, EPA, along with federal, state, and local partners collect water samples at over a hundred locations across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including the Choptank River as seen here.

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently published flow-normalized trends in loads of nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended sediment for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed from water years 1985 through 2023. This monitoring-based information provides federal, state, and local managers with accurate and timely information about the health of streams and rivers entering the Bay.

    Understanding changes in the 64,000 square mile Chesapeake Bay watershed is critical to understanding the health of the Bay. States in the Bay watershed recognized this and in 2004 they formed the Non-Tidal Network (NTN), a collection of 123 monitoring stations that follow standard sampling protocols and analysis methods.

    Spanning six states from New York to Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia, the consistency of the NTN provides accurate information on conditions and changes in water quality.

    This is no small task and is only possible through teamwork from local, state, and federal partners who collect and analyze information from the 123 NTN stations. The total NTN dataset has over 51,000 samples — that’s about 3.5 samples collected every single day since 1985! The USGS plays a critical role in the NTN, providing information on how much water is flowing at the gages, collecting samples, and analyzing load and trend results.

    A map of the Chesapeake Bay watershed showing the distribution of Non-Tidal Network (NTN) stations as of 2023.

    But the data doesn’t collect itself. It takes dedicated people from federal, state, and local partner agencies, including the USGS, to sample all 123 stations routinely.

    On a chilly morning in early March 2024, Kelly McVicker and Shane Mizelle, two hydrologic technicians from the USGS, made their way out to the catwalk of the Conowingo Dam to collect water samples after a storm.

    Over the next hour, they repeatedly lowered a sampling bottle into the turbid, roaring waters some several dozen feet below, bringing it back up and transferring it to a larger container. They repeated this procedure at multiple points along the wide river to ensure that the sample would represent the conditions of the river at that particular point in time.

    Month after month, and sometimes more frequently as dictated by storms, technicians from the USGS and other agencies repeat this process across 123 stations. In each instance the technicians follow consistent sampling collection, storage and analysis to allow for comparison over the entire network.

    After the field, the samples are shipped to laboratories and analyzed, and laboratory staff run quality assurance tests.

    Next, the data are returned to the collecting agencies and reviewed by their staff. If the data are approved and nothing is out of line, they are submitted to the Chesapeake Environmental Data Repository where the data are reviewed before inclusion.

    Now, nutrient and sediment loads and trends can be calculated from the data.

    USGS scientists use a statistical method known as Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge and Season (WRTDS) to compute the flow-normalized load of nutrients and sediment at each station for each year the data are available. A station can have a load computed after 5 years of data, and after 10 years, the scientists will run a trend analysis to determine if the load is increasing, decreasing, or has no discernable trend.

    The results computed at the 123 stations include trends in suspended sediment and total and dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus. Each year’s results are compared against the historic record to ensure a consistent dataset is used.

    Following the load and trend analyses, the data are published in a data release, updated on a website and the results are distributed to NTN partners and other Chesapeake Bay stakeholders.

    This tremendous effort would not be possible without the support of local and state governments and non-profits across the Chesapeake region.

    USGS installs three temporary groundwater stations to monitor drought conditions in Delaware

    Jacob Mavrogeorge builds a groundwater gage in Delaware.

    The U.S. Geological Survey installed groundwater stations in three locations across the state to monitor groundwater levels, doubling the number of active groundwater stations in Delaware operated by USGS from 3 to 6.

    Until June 2025, Delaware was in a state of drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and these sites were selected with the help of the Delaware Geological Survey to track groundwater levels throughout the state.

    Monitoring at these sites will continue through at least September 30, 2025.

    Funding was provided through the USGS Next Generation Water Observing System program (NGWOS) in response to drought conditions that had persisted since last summer.

    View data from these sites, DE-Cb12-10, DE-Gb55-08, DE-Ng11-37.

    Additional Updates to our Water Monitoring Network

    This Winter and Spring we added the following sites to our monitoring network:

    • Piscataway Creek at Joint Base Andrews, MD (01653521): Gage height, specific conductance, temperature, and turbidity.
    • Piscataway Creek Tributary at Joint Base Andrews, MD (01653522): Gage height, specific conductance, temperature, and turbidity.

    We also added HIVIS cameras to the following sites:

    • Whitemarsh Run at White Marsh, MD (01585100) 
    • Mattawoman Creek Near Pomonkey, MD (01658000) 
    • Beaverdam Creek Near Cheverly, MD (01651730) 
    • Watts Branch at Washington, DC (01651800) 
    Reductions to Data Collection at a Handful of Monitoring Sites

    Given proposed budget cuts from a cooperating agency, we foresee the following reductions to data collection at a handful of sites beginning on October 1, 2025. If there are questions concerning these sites, please email gs-w-mdtws_information@usgs.gov.

    The following sites will be fully discontinued. Although historical data will remain accessible, no new data will be collected:

    • Rock Creek at Sherrill Drive, Washington, DC (01648000): Continuous discharge.
    • Luzon Branch above Rock Creek at Washington, DC (01648011): Continuous discharge and water temperature.
    • Anacostia River at Kenilworth at Washington, DC (01651760): Continuous discharge water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity.
    • Anacostia River near Buzzard Point at Washington, DC (01651827): Continuous discharge, water temperature, specific conductance, and turbidity.

    Watts Branch at Washington, DC (01651800) will lose its continuous discharge reporting, but all other continuous measurements will remain.

    Discrete metals and bacteria water-quality analyses (cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, mercury, E. coli bacteria) at the following sites will be discontinued; however other water-quality parameters (phosphorus, nitrogen, and suspended sediment) will still be collected:

    • Rock Creek at Joyce Road, Washington, DC (01648010) 
    • Hickey Run at National Arboretum at Washington, DC (01651770)
    • Watts Branch at Washington, DC (01651800)

    Stay Up-To-Date On Our Latest Science

    These are the latest publications that our Center’s scientists contributed to:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rural Grocery Sustainability Grant Applications Open July 9

    Source: US State of North Dakota

     The North Dakota Department of Commerce today announced that applications for the Rural Grocery Store Sustainability Grant will open Wednesday, July 9, at 3 p.m. CDT. This competitive grant program is designed to enhance food access and support the long-term sustainability of grocery services and food co-ops in rural North Dakota communities.

    With funding of up to $150,000 available per applicant, the program seeks to strengthen local food systems, support economic resilience and foster collaborative community development efforts. A 20% non-state match is required and can include in-kind support.

    “This grant supports grocery stores, but it’s more including food security, local partnerships and investing in the sustainability of our rural communities,” said Commerce Community Services Director Maria Effertz.

    Eligible applicants include political subdivisions, tribal entities and regional councils serving communities with populations of 4,500 or fewer. Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate regional cooperation and collaboration between food providers, schools, restaurants and other local entities.

    Projects must be completed within 18 months of award and funding will prioritize initiatives that demonstrate long-term sustainability through strong business plans and community impact.

    Key Dates:

    • Applications open: Wednesday, July 9, at 3 p.m. CDT
    • Application deadline: Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 5 p.m. CDT
    • Award notification: Wednesday, Sept. 17 

    Applications must be submitted through the online portal. For more details and to preview application questions, visit ndgov.link/rural-grocery.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Arbor Realty SR, Inc. Prices Offering of $500 Million of 7.875% Senior Notes due 2030

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    UNIONDALE, N.Y., July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (“Arbor”) (NYSE: ABR) today announced that its subsidiary, Arbor Realty SR, Inc. (the “Issuer”), has priced an offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”) in a private offering to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and outside the United States to non-United States persons in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes will be the senior, unsecured obligations of the Issuer and will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior, unsecured basis by Arbor. The offering is expected to close on July 9, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

    The Issuer intends to use a portion of the net proceeds of the offering to refinance, redeem or otherwise repay Arbor’s remaining outstanding 7.50% Convertible Notes due 2025 and use any remaining proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes.

    J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

    The offer and sale of the Notes and the related guarantee have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and, unless so registered, the Notes and the related guarantee may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall it constitute an offer, or the solicitation of any sale, of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

    About Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.

    Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ABR) is a nationwide real estate investment trust and direct lender, providing loan origination and servicing for multifamily, single-family rental (SFR) portfolios, and other diverse commercial real estate assets. Headquartered in New York, Arbor manages a multibillion-dollar servicing portfolio, specializing in government-sponsored enterprise products. Arbor is a leading Fannie Mae DUS® lender and Freddie Mac Optigo® Seller/Servicer, and an approved FHA Multifamily Accelerated Processing (MAP) lender. Arbor’s product platform also includes bridge, CMBS, mezzanine and preferred equity loans. Rated by Standard and Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, Arbor is committed to building on its reputation for service, quality and customized solutions with an unparalleled dedication to providing our clients excellence over the entire life of a loan.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    Certain items in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Arbor and the Issuer can give no assurance that their expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Arbor’s and the Issuer’s expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in economic conditions generally, and the real estate markets specifically, continued ability to source new investments, changes in interest rates and/or credit spreads, and other risks detailed in Arbor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and its other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Arbor and the Issuer expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Arbor’s or the Issuer’s expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

    Contact:
    Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.
    Investor Relations
    516-506-4200
    InvestorRelations@arbor.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Arbor Realty SR, Inc. Prices Offering of $500 Million of 7.875% Senior Notes due 2030

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    UNIONDALE, N.Y., July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (“Arbor”) (NYSE: ABR) today announced that its subsidiary, Arbor Realty SR, Inc. (the “Issuer”), has priced an offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”) in a private offering to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and outside the United States to non-United States persons in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes will be the senior, unsecured obligations of the Issuer and will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior, unsecured basis by Arbor. The offering is expected to close on July 9, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

    The Issuer intends to use a portion of the net proceeds of the offering to refinance, redeem or otherwise repay Arbor’s remaining outstanding 7.50% Convertible Notes due 2025 and use any remaining proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes.

    J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

    The offer and sale of the Notes and the related guarantee have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and, unless so registered, the Notes and the related guarantee may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall it constitute an offer, or the solicitation of any sale, of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

    About Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.

    Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ABR) is a nationwide real estate investment trust and direct lender, providing loan origination and servicing for multifamily, single-family rental (SFR) portfolios, and other diverse commercial real estate assets. Headquartered in New York, Arbor manages a multibillion-dollar servicing portfolio, specializing in government-sponsored enterprise products. Arbor is a leading Fannie Mae DUS® lender and Freddie Mac Optigo® Seller/Servicer, and an approved FHA Multifamily Accelerated Processing (MAP) lender. Arbor’s product platform also includes bridge, CMBS, mezzanine and preferred equity loans. Rated by Standard and Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, Arbor is committed to building on its reputation for service, quality and customized solutions with an unparalleled dedication to providing our clients excellence over the entire life of a loan.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    Certain items in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Arbor and the Issuer can give no assurance that their expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Arbor’s and the Issuer’s expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in economic conditions generally, and the real estate markets specifically, continued ability to source new investments, changes in interest rates and/or credit spreads, and other risks detailed in Arbor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and its other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Arbor and the Issuer expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Arbor’s or the Issuer’s expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

    Contact:
    Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.
    Investor Relations
    516-506-4200
    InvestorRelations@arbor.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Arbor Realty SR, Inc. Prices Offering of $500 Million of 7.875% Senior Notes due 2030

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    UNIONDALE, N.Y., July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (“Arbor”) (NYSE: ABR) today announced that its subsidiary, Arbor Realty SR, Inc. (the “Issuer”), has priced an offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”) in a private offering to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and outside the United States to non-United States persons in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes will be the senior, unsecured obligations of the Issuer and will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior, unsecured basis by Arbor. The offering is expected to close on July 9, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

    The Issuer intends to use a portion of the net proceeds of the offering to refinance, redeem or otherwise repay Arbor’s remaining outstanding 7.50% Convertible Notes due 2025 and use any remaining proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes.

    J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

    The offer and sale of the Notes and the related guarantee have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and, unless so registered, the Notes and the related guarantee may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall it constitute an offer, or the solicitation of any sale, of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

    About Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.

    Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ABR) is a nationwide real estate investment trust and direct lender, providing loan origination and servicing for multifamily, single-family rental (SFR) portfolios, and other diverse commercial real estate assets. Headquartered in New York, Arbor manages a multibillion-dollar servicing portfolio, specializing in government-sponsored enterprise products. Arbor is a leading Fannie Mae DUS® lender and Freddie Mac Optigo® Seller/Servicer, and an approved FHA Multifamily Accelerated Processing (MAP) lender. Arbor’s product platform also includes bridge, CMBS, mezzanine and preferred equity loans. Rated by Standard and Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, Arbor is committed to building on its reputation for service, quality and customized solutions with an unparalleled dedication to providing our clients excellence over the entire life of a loan.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    Certain items in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Arbor and the Issuer can give no assurance that their expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Arbor’s and the Issuer’s expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in economic conditions generally, and the real estate markets specifically, continued ability to source new investments, changes in interest rates and/or credit spreads, and other risks detailed in Arbor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and its other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Arbor and the Issuer expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Arbor’s or the Issuer’s expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

    Contact:
    Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.
    Investor Relations
    516-506-4200
    InvestorRelations@arbor.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Mercury Selected to Improve U.S. Defense Supply Chain Resilience for Priority Domestic Microelectronics Technology

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANDOVER, Mass., July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mercury Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a technology company that delivers mission-critical processing to the edge, today announced it has been selected by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for funding through its Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program to develop a next-generation RF signal conditioning multi-chip package (MCP). The IBAS Program aims to improve the readiness and competitiveness of the defense industrial base through investments in high-priority domestic technologies and supply chains.

    Under a two-year, $8.5 million contract with commercial partner Systems Innovation Engineering, Mercury will develop and demonstrate a new solution designed to enhance the performance and cost of X-band Active Electronically Steered Array (AESA) radars used in air, sea, and ground-based applications. This ultra-compact signal conditioning package will leverage Mercury expertise and innovation in microwave and mixed signal technologies to reduce the size, weight, and power requirements of these integrated assemblies by more than 80% compared to existing hardware. By leveraging state-of-the-art processes, this capability will be more producible, affordability will be improved, and high-volume missions will be enabled.

    “This award demonstrates DoD’s confidence in Mercury’s ability to rapidly develop innovative RF solutions that utilize a broad set of our in-house capabilities, spanning engineering design, advanced packaging, and high-volume manufacturing production,” said Ken Hermanny, Mercury’s Senior Vice President of Signal Technologies. “We’re building a first-of-its-kind signal conditioning module optimized for performance and scalable to meet future demands for a wide range of radar programs and customers.”

    “This effort exemplifies the power of our processing platform to bring together silicon-to-system innovation from across Mercury,” said Tony Trinh, Senior Director of Advanced Packaging within Mercury’s recently formed Advanced Concepts Group. “By drawing on capabilities from across our enterprise to build an integrated yet configurable, high-performance solution, we are accelerating technology insertion and supporting our customer’s mission with trusted, leading-edge technology.”

    “This capability will play a pivotal role in advancing RF sensor performance and readiness to counter the evolving threat landscape we will face in the years ahead,” said John Schofield, who supports the IBAS Program as a Chief Scientist assigned to the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Crane Division. “It supports the warfighter by enabling faster, more reliable threat detection, delivered through trusted, U.S.-sourced innovation.”

    Mercury Systems – Innovation that matters®
    Mercury Systems is a technology company that delivers mission-critical processing to the edge, making advanced technologies profoundly more accessible for today’s most challenging aerospace and defense missions. The Mercury Processing Platform allows customers to tap into innovative capabilities from silicon to system scale, turning data into decisions on timelines that matter. Mercury’s products and solutions are deployed in more than 300 programs and across 35 countries, enabling a broad range of applications in mission computing, sensor processing, command and control, and communications. Mercury is headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, and has more than 20 locations worldwide. To learn more, visit mrcy.com. (Nasdaq: MRCY)

    Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement
    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those relating to the Company’s focus on enhanced execution of the Company’s strategic plan. You can identify these statements by the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “continue,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “likely,” “forecast,” “probable,” “potential,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, continued funding of defense programs, the timing and amounts of such funding, general economic and business conditions, including unforeseen weakness in the Company’s markets, effects of any U.S. federal government shutdown or extended continuing resolution, effects of geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in or cost increases related to completing development, engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, changes in, or in the U.S. government’s interpretation of, federal export control or procurement rules and regulations, including tariffs, changes in, or in the interpretation or enforcement of, environmental rules and regulations, market acceptance of the Company’s products, shortages in or delays in receiving components, supply chain delays or volatility for critical components, production delays or unanticipated expenses including due to quality issues or manufacturing execution issues, adherence to required manufacturing standards, capacity underutilization, increases in scrap or inventory write-offs, failure to achieve or maintain manufacturing quality certifications, such as AS9100, the impact of supply chain disruption, inflation and labor shortages, among other things, on program execution and the resulting effect on customer satisfaction, inability to fully realize the expected benefits from acquisitions, restructurings, and operational efficiency initiatives or delays in realizing such benefits, challenges in integrating acquired businesses and achieving anticipated synergies, effects of shareholder activism, increases in interest rates, changes to industrial security and cyber-security regulations and requirements and impacts from any cyber or insider threat events, changes in tax rates or tax regulations, such as the deductibility of internal research and development, changes to interest rate swaps or other cash flow hedging arrangements, changes to generally accepted accounting principles, difficulties in retaining key employees and customers, litigation, including the dispute arising with the former CEO over his resignation, unanticipated costs under fixed-price service and system integration engagements, and various other factors beyond our control. These risks and uncertainties also include such additional risk factors as are discussed in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28, 2024 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made.

    INVESTOR CONTACT
    Tyler Hojo
    Vice President, Investor Relations
    Tyler.Hojo@mrcy.com

    MEDIA CONTACT
    Turner Brinton
    Senior Director, Corporate Communications
    Turner.Brinton@mrcy.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Mercury Selected to Improve U.S. Defense Supply Chain Resilience for Priority Domestic Microelectronics Technology

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANDOVER, Mass., July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mercury Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a technology company that delivers mission-critical processing to the edge, today announced it has been selected by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for funding through its Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program to develop a next-generation RF signal conditioning multi-chip package (MCP). The IBAS Program aims to improve the readiness and competitiveness of the defense industrial base through investments in high-priority domestic technologies and supply chains.

    Under a two-year, $8.5 million contract with commercial partner Systems Innovation Engineering, Mercury will develop and demonstrate a new solution designed to enhance the performance and cost of X-band Active Electronically Steered Array (AESA) radars used in air, sea, and ground-based applications. This ultra-compact signal conditioning package will leverage Mercury expertise and innovation in microwave and mixed signal technologies to reduce the size, weight, and power requirements of these integrated assemblies by more than 80% compared to existing hardware. By leveraging state-of-the-art processes, this capability will be more producible, affordability will be improved, and high-volume missions will be enabled.

    “This award demonstrates DoD’s confidence in Mercury’s ability to rapidly develop innovative RF solutions that utilize a broad set of our in-house capabilities, spanning engineering design, advanced packaging, and high-volume manufacturing production,” said Ken Hermanny, Mercury’s Senior Vice President of Signal Technologies. “We’re building a first-of-its-kind signal conditioning module optimized for performance and scalable to meet future demands for a wide range of radar programs and customers.”

    “This effort exemplifies the power of our processing platform to bring together silicon-to-system innovation from across Mercury,” said Tony Trinh, Senior Director of Advanced Packaging within Mercury’s recently formed Advanced Concepts Group. “By drawing on capabilities from across our enterprise to build an integrated yet configurable, high-performance solution, we are accelerating technology insertion and supporting our customer’s mission with trusted, leading-edge technology.”

    “This capability will play a pivotal role in advancing RF sensor performance and readiness to counter the evolving threat landscape we will face in the years ahead,” said John Schofield, who supports the IBAS Program as a Chief Scientist assigned to the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Crane Division. “It supports the warfighter by enabling faster, more reliable threat detection, delivered through trusted, U.S.-sourced innovation.”

    Mercury Systems – Innovation that matters®
    Mercury Systems is a technology company that delivers mission-critical processing to the edge, making advanced technologies profoundly more accessible for today’s most challenging aerospace and defense missions. The Mercury Processing Platform allows customers to tap into innovative capabilities from silicon to system scale, turning data into decisions on timelines that matter. Mercury’s products and solutions are deployed in more than 300 programs and across 35 countries, enabling a broad range of applications in mission computing, sensor processing, command and control, and communications. Mercury is headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, and has more than 20 locations worldwide. To learn more, visit mrcy.com. (Nasdaq: MRCY)

    Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement
    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those relating to the Company’s focus on enhanced execution of the Company’s strategic plan. You can identify these statements by the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “continue,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “likely,” “forecast,” “probable,” “potential,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, continued funding of defense programs, the timing and amounts of such funding, general economic and business conditions, including unforeseen weakness in the Company’s markets, effects of any U.S. federal government shutdown or extended continuing resolution, effects of geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in or cost increases related to completing development, engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, changes in, or in the U.S. government’s interpretation of, federal export control or procurement rules and regulations, including tariffs, changes in, or in the interpretation or enforcement of, environmental rules and regulations, market acceptance of the Company’s products, shortages in or delays in receiving components, supply chain delays or volatility for critical components, production delays or unanticipated expenses including due to quality issues or manufacturing execution issues, adherence to required manufacturing standards, capacity underutilization, increases in scrap or inventory write-offs, failure to achieve or maintain manufacturing quality certifications, such as AS9100, the impact of supply chain disruption, inflation and labor shortages, among other things, on program execution and the resulting effect on customer satisfaction, inability to fully realize the expected benefits from acquisitions, restructurings, and operational efficiency initiatives or delays in realizing such benefits, challenges in integrating acquired businesses and achieving anticipated synergies, effects of shareholder activism, increases in interest rates, changes to industrial security and cyber-security regulations and requirements and impacts from any cyber or insider threat events, changes in tax rates or tax regulations, such as the deductibility of internal research and development, changes to interest rate swaps or other cash flow hedging arrangements, changes to generally accepted accounting principles, difficulties in retaining key employees and customers, litigation, including the dispute arising with the former CEO over his resignation, unanticipated costs under fixed-price service and system integration engagements, and various other factors beyond our control. These risks and uncertainties also include such additional risk factors as are discussed in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28, 2024 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made.

    INVESTOR CONTACT
    Tyler Hojo
    Vice President, Investor Relations
    Tyler.Hojo@mrcy.com

    MEDIA CONTACT
    Turner Brinton
    Senior Director, Corporate Communications
    Turner.Brinton@mrcy.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Blasts Paramount’s $16 Million Settlement with Trump

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Calls for full Commission vote on Paramount’s pending merger

    Washington (July 2, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, released the following statement after Paramount Global, the parent of CBS News, agreed to pay $16 million to settle a frivolous lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump. Paramount reportedly had pushed for the settlement to help facilitate approval of its merger with Skydance Media, which is currently being reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

    “Paramount’s decision to pay $16 million to settle Trump’s baseless lawsuit is a blow to journalistic independence. With the FCC currently reviewing Paramount’s merger with Skydance, this timing also raises serious questions about FCC independence and Paramount’s true reason for settling with Trump. The public deserves to have complete confidence that the FCC’s merger review is free from political interference. For that reason, the FCC must proceed with the utmost transparency, and Chairman Carr must hold a full Commission vote on the merger. I will be watching the Commission’s next steps very closely.”

    Senator Markey has aggressively pushed back on the Trump administration’s efforts to attack news organizations and intimidate the media. In May 2025, Senators Markey and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) wrote to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, urging the FCC to take a vote on the merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media. In March 2025, Senators Markey and Luján, along with Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), introduced the Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act, legislation that would prohibit the FCC from revoking broadcast licenses or taking action against broadcasters based on the viewpoints they broadcast. In February 2025, Senators Markey and Luján, along with Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), wrote to Chairman Carr and then-Commissioner Nathan Simington regarding the FCC’s recent, politically motivated actions against broadcasters and public media.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to New York Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Severe Storms and Flooding

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in New York of the Aug. 1 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses due to severe storms and flooding occurring on Aug. 8-10, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the counties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, St. Lawrence and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe of New York.

    Under this declaration SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

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

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

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

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is Aug. 1, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to New York Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Severe Storms and Flooding

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in New York of the Aug. 1 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses due to severe storms and flooding occurring on Aug. 8-10, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the counties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, St. Lawrence and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe of New York.

    Under this declaration SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

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

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

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

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is Aug. 1, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: More and more tourists are flocking to Antarctica. Let’s stop it from being loved to death

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darla Hatton MacDonald, Professor of Environmental Economics, University of Tasmania

    VCG via Getty Images

    The number of tourists heading to Antarctica has been skyrocketing. From fewer than 8,000 a year about three decades ago, nearly 125,000 tourists flocked to the icy continent in 2023–24. The trend is likely to continue in the long term.

    Unchecked tourism growth in Antarctica risks undermining the very environment that draws visitors. This would be bad for operators and tourists. It would also be bad for Antarctica – and the planet.

    Over the past two weeks, the nations that decide what human activities are permitted in Antarctica have convened in Italy. The meeting incorporates discussions by a special working group that aims to address tourism issues.

    It’s not easy to manage tourist visitors to a continent beyond any one country’s control. So, how do we stop Antarctica being loved to death? The answer may lie in economics.

    Future visitor trends

    We recently modelled future visitor trends in Antarctica. A conservative scenario shows by 2033–34, visitor numbers could reach around 285,000. Under the least conservative scenario, numbers could reach 450,000 – however, this figure incorporates pent-up demand from COVID shutdowns that will likely diminish.

    The vast majority of the Antarctic tourism industry comprises cruise-ship tourism in the Antarctic Peninsula. A small percentage of visitors travel to the Ross Sea region and parts of the continent’s interior.

    Antarctic tourism is managed by an international set of agreements together known as the Antarctic Treaty System, as well as the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).

    The Treaty System is notoriously slow-moving and riven by geopolitics, and IAATO does not have the power to cap visitor numbers.

    Pressure on a fragile continent

    About two-thirds of Antarctic tourists land on the continent. The visitors can threaten fragile ecosystems by:

    • compacting soils
    • trampling fragile vegetation
    • introducing non-native microbes and plant species
    • disturbing breeding colonies of birds and seals.

    Even when cruise ships don’t dock, they can cause problems such as air, water and noise pollution – as well as anchoring that can damage the seabed.

    Then there’s carbon emissions. Each cruise ship traveller to Antarctica typically produces between 3.2 and 4.1 tonnes of carbon, not including travel to the port of departure. This is similar to the carbon emissions an average person produces in a year.

    Global warming caused by carbon emissions is damaging Antarctica. At the Peninsula region, glaciers and ice shelves are retreating and sea ice is shrinking, affecting wildlife and vegetation.

    Of course, Antarctic tourism represents only a tiny fraction of overall emissions. However, the industry has a moral obligation to protect the place that maintains it. And tourism in Antarctica can compound damage from climate change, tipping delicate ecosystems into decline.

    Some operators use hybrid ships and less polluting fuels, and offset emissions to offer carbon-neutral travel.

    IAATO has pledged to halve emissions by 2050 – a positive step, but far short of the net-zero targets set by the International Maritime Organization.

    Can economics protect Antarctica?

    Market-based tools – such as taxes, cap-and-trade schemes and certification – have been used in environmental management around the world. Research shows these tools could also prevent Antarctic tourist numbers from getting out of control.

    One option is requiring visitors to pay a tourism tax. This would help raise revenue to support environmental monitoring and enforcement in Antarctica, as well as fund research.

    Such a tax already exists in the small South Asian nation of Bhutan, where each tourist pays a tax of US$100 (A$152) a night. But while a tax might deter the budget-conscious, it probably wouldn’t deter high income, experience-driven tourists.

    Alternatively, a cap-and-trade system would create a limited number of Antarctica visitor permits for a fixed period. The initial distribution of permits could be among tourism operators or countries, via negotiation, auction or lottery. Unused permits could then be sold, making them quite valuable.

    Caps have been successful at managing tourism impacts elsewhere, such as Lord Howe Island, although there are no trades allowed in that system.

    Any cap on tourist numbers in Antarctica, and rules for trading, must be based on evidence about what the environment can handle. But there is a lack of precise data on Antarctica’s carrying capacity. And permit allocations amongst the operators and nations would need to be fair and inclusive.

    Alternatively, existing industry standards could be augmented with independent schemes certifying particular practices – for example, reducing carbon footprints. This could be backed by robust monitoring and enforcement to avoid greenwashing.

    Looking ahead

    Given the complexities of Antarctic governance, our research finds that the most workable solution is a combination of these market-based options, alongside other regulatory measures.

    So far, parties to the Antarctic treaty have made very few binding rules for the tourism industry. And some market-based levers will be more acceptable to the parties than others. But doing nothing is not a solution.

    The authors would like to acknowledge Valeria Senigaglia, Natalie Stoeckl and Jing Tian and the rest of the team for their contributions to the research upon which this article was based.

    Darla Hatton MacDonald receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Australian Forest and Wood Innovations Centre, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and the Soils CRC. She has received in-kind support from Antarctic tour operator HX.

    Elizabeth Leane receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Dutch Research Council, and DFAT. She also receives in-kind support and occasional funding from Antarctic tourism operator HX and in-kind support from other tour operators.

    – ref. More and more tourists are flocking to Antarctica. Let’s stop it from being loved to death – https://theconversation.com/more-and-more-tourists-are-flocking-to-antarctica-lets-stop-it-from-being-loved-to-death-258294

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin took part in a meeting with members of the Russian Government

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Vladimir Putin held meeting with members of the Government of the Russian Federation via videoconference. Participation in it was taken by Sergei Sobyanin.

    The meeting began with a discussion of measures to support participants in the special military operation (SVO) who were injured and remained in military service. Their social security should remain one of the priority areas of work, the Russian President emphasized.

    The meeting also discussed topics related to the construction of high-speed highways, the first of which will connect Moscow and St. Petersburg. According to Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev, systematic work is underway to implement this project – all key financial and organizational procedures have already been completed.

    “The construction of a test section of the route, from Zelenograd to Tver, 129 kilometers long, will be critical for the implementation of the high-speed railway project. The section includes the sixth and seventh stages of the project and will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2027. It will become an experimental testing ground for all systems of the domestic high-speed train, developed at the Ural Locomotives plant by the Sinara Group. The delivery of the first two trains is synchronized with the construction of these sections,” said Vitaly Savelyev.

    Once the highway opens, travel time from Moscow to St. Petersburg will be just 2 hours and 15 minutes. Passenger traffic on the route is expected to be at least 23 million people by the end of 2030.

    It is planned that by 2045 the length of the high-speed highway network will exceed 4.5 thousand kilometers.

    Vitaly Savelyev also promised to report next spring on the completion dates and parameters of the remaining high-speed railways that are planned to be built next. These are the roads from Moscow to Yekaterinburg, Adler, Ryazan and Minsk.

    In addition, the meeting discussed issues of developing the country’s backbone airport network. According to Vladimir Putin, this work must be carried out dynamically, without losing momentum.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/13021050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Phil Scott Appoints Dave Wolk to Serve on School District Redistricting Task Force

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of Dave Wolk, of Rutland, to serve as the Governor’s appointee on the School District Redistricting Task Force after signing H.454, An act relating to transforming Vermont’s education governance, quality, and finance systems into law. The Task Force is charged with recommending new school district boundaries and configurations to the General Assembly for action next legislative session.

    “The passage of H.454 serves as a guide for education transformation in Vermont. The work ahead, this summer and into next legislative session, will be just as important, so we can deliver better outcomes for our kids at a price taxpayers can afford,” said Governor Phil Scott. “I believe Dave’s experience in education and leadership in all branches of government will bring an important perspective to this work and will prioritize what’s best for our kids.”

    “I am honored that Governor Scott has appointed me, and I am delighted to continue to serve Vermont.  I approach the Task Force with an open mind, knowing that the results of the endeavor are not likely to be popular or widely embraced across the state,” said Wolk. “But it is important work, with a short timeline, and it must be done thoughtfully, with a focus on what is best for all of our students and educators, as well as Vermont taxpayers.  It will be very challenging but very necessary, for the benefit of Vermont.”

    Wolk is a lifelong Vermonter and has led intertwined careers in education and government leadership, in all three branches of government, for over 50 years. He grew up in Rutland and graduated from Rutland High School before going on to earn degrees from Middlebury College, the University of Vermont, and Harvard University.

    He served as a guidance counselor and teacher at Mt. St. Joseph Academy, academic dean at the St. Sebastian’s School, principal of Barstow Memorial School, principal of Rutland High

    School, superintendent of schools in Rutland City (with a one-year return engagement in 2019) and Vermont’s Commissioner of Education.

    His government service included four years as a Vermont state senator from 1988-92. Wolk began his presidency at what later became Castleton University in 2001, and was the longest serving president in Castleton’s history, culminating in his first failed retirement in December 2017.

    After leaving Castleton he developed Wolk Leadership Solutions, where he assisted school, college and private sector leaders as a mentor and coach. He closed that enterprise in November 2022 when he was elected Rutland County Assistant Judge, and he has served in that capacity ever since. During his professional career he served on more than 40 state and national boards and commissions, including 12 years as a member and later chairman of the board of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation.

    Outside of his professional work, Wolk has officiated 39 weddings (often for former students) and serves as a hospice volunteer. His favorite days are weddings and the births of grandchildren, currently there are eight.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Multiple Eastern North Carolina Health Care Professionals Charged in Connection with 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown

    Source: US FBI

    RALEIGH, N.C. – Today, Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar announced criminal charges against five individuals and one company, in connection with alleged schemes to defraud and abuse the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and other insurance carriers.  The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The charges stem from Medicaid kickbacks to patients in exchange for attending substance abuse services, and from false and fraudulent billings to Medicare for durable medical equipment.

    “Fraud against our healthcare system is not a victimless crime – it threatens patient care, burdens taxpayers, and undermines trust in critical programs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar. “Today’s charges demonstrate our offices resolve to pursue those who attempt to profit by violating federal law and jeopardizing public resources. We will continue to work with our federal and state law enforcement partners to ensure accountability.”

    “Today’s record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown sends a crystal-clear message to criminal actors, both foreign and domestic, intent on preying upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers: we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will hold you accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Make no mistake – this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.”

    All the cases are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and illegal drug diversion schemes that involved the submission of over $14.6 billion in intended loss and over 15 million pills of illegally diverted controlled substances. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled to line their own pockets. The United States has seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles and other assets in connection with the takedown.

    The following individuals have been charged in the Eastern District of North Carolina:

    • Kimberly Mable Sims (a lab company owner), Francine Sims Super (an office manager), and Keke Komeko Johnson (a compliance officer), were charged by information in connection with the payment of more than $1 million in illegal remunerations in the form of gift cards to patients of Life Touch, LLC (“Life Touch”), a North Carolina substance abuse treatment company, and in connection with false statements to Medicaid auditors regarding the same. The inducements resulted in more than $25 million in payments from Medicaid to Life Touch. As alleged, over four years, Life Touch, through its compliance officer and managers, routinely paid patients based upon the number of days per week that they received services. Life Touch staff also received kickbacks from a lab company that it utilized for drug testing services. The charging documents further allege that Medicaid auditors were deceived regarding these ongoing practices at Life Touch and the lab company. In addition, Super and Johnson were each charged with failure to file a tax return. Life Touch and Brandon Eugene Sims were previously charged in this case. More than $6 million in assets in the form of cash, real estate and other assets haven been seized. The cases are being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tasha Gardner, and Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. Gilmore of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

    • Randal Fenton Wood, 56, of Flagler Beach, Florida, was charged by information with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with a scheme to bill Medicare, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), and other insurance programs for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (“DME”). As alleged in the information, Wood and others partnered with purported marketing entities which solicited Medicare beneficiaries to accept durable medical equipment, such as braces and pneumatic compression devices, by illegally waiving copays and pressuring beneficiaries to accept the equipment without verifying that the equipment was medically necessary. The marketing entities sold the beneficiary information and the prefilled orders to Wood and other DME supply companies, who developed and implemented a “doctor chase” model to pressure physicians into signing or altering orders so that they could be billed in full. The DME supply companies owned by or affiliated with Wood received over $39 million in reimbursement from Medicare for DME ordered through this scheme. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Beraka of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

    In addition to the foregoing cases, which were a part of the National Enforcement Action, Acting United States Attorney Bubar today also announces the convictions of the following healthcare and mental health practitioners in connection with an investigation into billing and documentation practices by Medicaid mental health providers Our Treatment Center and Partners Against Sexually Transmitted Diseases, which operated in Raleigh, North Carolina:

    • Dawn Marie Meacham, 61, of Raleigh, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) pled guilty to Conspiracy to Make and Use Materially False Writings and Documents Relating to Health Care Matters, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  At sentencing, which remains pending, Meacham faces up to 5 years of imprisonment on the charge.

    • Kim Jones Kelly, 68, of Greenville, a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS) pled guilty to Conspiracy to Make and Use Materially False Writings and Documents Relating to Health Care Matters, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  At sentencing, which remains pending, Kelly faces up to 5 years of imprisonment on the charge.

    • Pius Ondachi, 54, of Raleigh, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) pled guilty to Making and Using Materially False Writings and Documents Relating to Health Care Matters, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1035(a)(2).  At sentencing, which remains pending, Ondachi faces up to 5 years of imprisonment on the charge.

    • Tequila Vinson Bogan, 48, of Smithfield, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) pled guilty to Conspiracy to Make and Use Materially False Writings and Documents Relating to Health Care Matters, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  At sentencing, which remains pending, Bogan faces up to 5 years of imprisonment on the charge.

    • Ifeoma Ezugwu, 56, of Raleigh, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA) pled guilty to Making and Using Materially False Writings and Documents Relating to Health Care Matters, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1035(a)(2).  At sentencing, which remains pending, Ezugwu faces up to 5 years of imprisonment on the charge.

    • Queensly Onuzulike, 49, of Raleigh, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) pled guilty to Conspiracy to Make and Use Materially False Writings and Documents Relating to Health Care Matters, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  At sentencing, which remains pending, Onuzulike faces up to 5 years of imprisonment on the charge.

    • Tamika Rochaelle Autry, 29, of Wilson, a Certified Peer Support Specialist and Qualified Practitioner, pled guilty to Making and Using Materially False Writings and Documents Relating to Health Care Matters, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1035(a)(2).  At sentencing, which remains pending, Autry faces up to 5 years of imprisonment on the charge.

    Special Assistant United States Attorney Tasha C. Gardner, of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office – Medicaid Investigations Division, serves as prosecutor on each of these cases.

    “Individuals and entities that participate in federal healthcare programs are expected to obey the laws meant to preserve the integrity of program funds,” said Kelly J. Blackmon, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of Medicare and Medicaid fraud.”

    “Healthcare fraud isn’t a crime that only exists on paper. These schemes drain taxpayer-funded government programs designed to assist citizens who may not otherwise be able to afford healthcare. The FBI and our partners work tirelessly to stop people from defrauding the government, protect the integrity of the programs for those who truly need it, and bring offenders to justice,” said FBI Charlotte Acting Special Agent in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr.

    “We remain committed to uncovering misconduct in use of healthcare funds and holding offenders accountable,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Richard Gaskins, Charlotte Field Office, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. “Our special agents will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to pursue individuals who try to exploit federal relief programs for their personal gain.”

    “These people were entrusted to help provide health care and necessary medical tests to patients, but instead they used patients’ information to commit Medicaid fraud,” said North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “I’m grateful for the work of our office’s Medicaid Investigations Division to hold these fraudsters accountable, as well as the partnerships with federal and state law enforcement and prosecutors that helped get this done. We’ll make sure anyone who abuses taxpayer dollars is held accountable.”

    “This criminal charge underscores the VA Office of Inspector General’s commitment to vigorously investigate those who would seek to defraud VA healthcare programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Nate Landkammer with the VA Office of Inspector General’s Mid-Atlantic Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners for their efforts in this investigation.”

    Principal Assistant Deputy Chief Jacob Foster, Assistant Deputy Chief Rebecca Yuan, Trial Attorney Miriam L. Glaser Dauermann, and Data Analyst Elizabeth Nolte, all of the Health Care Fraud Unit of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, led and coordinated this year’s Takedown. The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, and Texas Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Arizona, Central District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California, District of Columbia, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Middle District of Georgia, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Kentucky, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Maine, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, Northern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nevada, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Western District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, District of North Dakota, Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, District of South Carolina, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Washington, and Northern District of West Virginia; and State Attorneys General’s Offices for California, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team used cutting-edge data analytics to identify and support the investigations that led to these charges.

    The Eastern District of North Carolina, in particular, worked with the following law enforcement organizations to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the enforcement period: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office – Medicaid Investigations Division (MID), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRSCI), the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Forces. Prior to the charges announced as part of today’s nationwide Takedown and since its inception in March 2007, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force, which operates in 27 districts, charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively billed Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurers more than $27 billion.

    A complaint, information, or indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: National Health Care Fraud Takedown Results in Charges Against 324 Individuals, Including 13 in Northern District of Illinois

    Source: US FBI

    Northern District of Illinois Defendants Charged for Nearly $2 Billion in Fraudulent Reimbursements

    CHICAGO — Thirteen defendants in the Northern District of Illinois are facing federal criminal charges as part of the largest national health care fraud enforcement action in Department of Justice history–and the largest ever in the Northern District of Illinois.  The Administration has identified health care fraud as a top priority for white-collar enforcement.

    More than 320 defendants were charged nationwide for allegedly participating in various health care fraud schemes involving more than $14.6 billion in intended losses.  The government seized more than $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, and other assets as part of the national enforcement effort.  The takedown involved federal and state law enforcement agencies across the country and represented an unprecedented effort to combat health care fraud schemes that exploit both patients and taxpayers.

    In the Northern District of Illinois, the 13 defendants are charged with various crimes related to health care, with some allegedly participating in fraud schemes involving more than $1.83 billion billed to government programs and private health insurers.  The fraud schemes caused the Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Medicare, and other insurers to pay more than $865 million in fraudulent reimbursements.

    The nationwide takedown was led and coordinated by the Health Care Fraud Unit of the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and its core partners from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  The cases were investigated by agents from HHS-OIG, FBI, DEA, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, and other federal and state law enforcement agencies.  The cases are being prosecuted by Health Care Fraud Strike Force teams from the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, 48 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide, and nine State Attorney Generals’ Offices.

    “The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois is proud to partner with the Department of Justice and multiple law enforcement agencies in the largest health care fraud takedown in our District’s history,” said Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.  “Health care fraud is an insidious crime that siphons off hard-earned tax dollars meant to provide care for people of limited means as well as the vulnerable and disabled.  It leads to increased health care costs, including higher insurance premiums and taxes, as well as potentially jeopardizing the quality and safety of treatment.  At nearly $2 billion, the alleged combined fraud at issue in these cases is staggering. This type of criminal conduct not only undermines the very fabric of our health care system, but also can lead to mistrust between patient and health care provider, especially when the criminal conduct is committed by medical professionals in a position of trust.  Our Office will continue to vigorously pursue those who seek to exploit these critically important health care programs by placing greed and profits above patient care.”

    “This record-setting health care fraud takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.  “Make no mistake–this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.”

    The thirteen defendants in northern Illinois were charged in five cases filed in the Northern District of Illinois:

    U.S. v. Charolia, et al

    RUKNUDDIN “RICK” CHAROLIA, 43, AAMIR ALI ARIF, 32, SHEARYAR ARIF, 28, and FIZZA FARID, 29, all foreign citizens, were indicted for their alleged participation in a $700 million health care fraud scheme in which false and fraudulent claims were submitted to Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans for over-the-counter Covid-19 test kits, durable medical equipment products, and genetic tests that were not requested, not medically necessary, and/or not provided to the beneficiaries.  As alleged in the indictment, Charolia and Aamir Ali Arif operated a call center in Pakistan called Hello International Marketing Solutions (“HIMS”), that obtained Medicare beneficiary information, including Medicare beneficiary identification numbers, through theft and deception.  HIMS then purportedly contacted beneficiaries to obtain patient consent for the durable medical equipment products, Covid-19 test kits, and genetic tests, even though the products and services were often not requested or medically necessary.  The purported consent for the Covid-19 test kits was sometimes even faked through artificial intelligence.  Charolia, Aamir Ali Arif, Shearyar Arif, and Farid allegedly caused the durable medical equipment providers and laboratories to submit approximately $703 million in fraudulent claims for products and services that were not requested, not medically necessary, or not provided to beneficiaries, receiving at least approximately $418 million from Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.  Additionally, Charolia, Aamir Ali Arif, and FAIZAN SALEEM, 28, also a foreign national, were charged for their alleged participation in a conspiracy to defraud the United States and violate the Anti-Kickback Statute for their sale and distribution of Medicare beneficiary information, including Medicare BINs, to durable medical equipment providers and laboratories in the United States. 

    All five defendants were also charged with participating in a money laundering conspiracy in which fraud proceeds were transferred to various U.S. accounts controlled by the defendants in an effort to conceal the source, location, ownership, and control of the funds.  The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Kelly M. Warner and Claire Sobczak Pacelli of the Midwest Strike Force, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jasmina Vajzovic of the Northern District of Illinois.

    U.S. v. Ahmed, et al

    ANOSH AHMED, 41, formerly of Chicago and Houston, Texas, MOHAMED SIRAJUDEEN, 53, of Chicago, MAHMOOD SAMI KHAN, 36, of Houston, Texas, and SUHAIB AHMAD CHAUDHRY, 34, of Houston, Texas, were indicted for their roles in an alleged $894 million fraudulent Covid-19 testing scheme.  As alleged in the indictment, Ahmed, Sirajudeen, and Khan caused clinical laboratories in Illinois and Texas to submit false and fraudulent claims to the U.S. government’s HRSA Covid-19 Uninsured Program seeking reimbursement in the amount of approximately $894 million for Covid-19 testing, of which approximately $293 million was paid. 

    According to the indictment, Ahmed was a physician who used patient information obtained from a variety of sources, including a patient list from a hospital where he previously worked, to generate false claims that were submitted through a laboratory in Illinois.  Dr. Ahmed allegedly falsely represented that the identifiers were associated with uninsured individuals who had submitted biological samples for Covid-19 testing, knowing that the purported patients had not submitted any samples.  Ahmed allegedly also submitted false claims through labs in Texas that he owned but which were not operational.  According to the indictment, Ahmed, Sirajudeen, Khan, and Chaudhry then laundered the fraud proceeds through various bank accounts to conceal the origin of the funds.  Ahmed and Khan were charged with wire fraud and, along with Chaudhry, with conspiracy to commit money laundering.  Ahmed was also charged with conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks, obtaining individually identifiable health information without authorization and for commercial advantage, and money laundering.  Sirajudeen was charged with money laundering.  

    The government has seized approximately $100 million in assets in this matter.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sheri Mecklenburg and Kelly Guzman of the Northern District of Illinois, and Trial Attorney Claire Sobczak Pacelli of the Midwest Strike Force.

    U.S. v. Elkoussa

    JAMIL ELKOUSSA, 35, of Orland Park, Ill., was charged with five counts of wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the U.S. government’s HRSA Covid-19 Uninsured Program.  As alleged in the indictment, Elkoussa operated Meridian Medical Staffing, which purported to collect samples for Covid-19 tests at numerous sites in Illinois and Florida.  Elkoussa allegedly caused a laboratory to submit approximately $233 million in fraudulent claims to the HRSA Uninsured Program for Covid-19 test specimens purportedly collected from patients, even though he knew that such test specimens had not been collected from the purported patients, and many of those patients did not exist.  According to the indictment, Elkoussa’s fraudulent conduct resulted in approximately $154 million in HRSA payments to the laboratory, for which Elkoussa received more than $60 million.   

    Approximately $6 million in assets have been seized in this matter.  The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Claire Sobczak Pacelli of the Midwest Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Guzman of the Northern District of Illinois.

    U.S. v. Muhammad, et al

    MINHAJ FEROZ MUHAMMAD, 37, and SUFYAN FEROZE, 34, both of Naperville, Ill., were charged in connection with their involvement with FZ Medical Inc., d/b/a Next Labs Inc., which allegedly submitted more than $72 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for Covid-19 laboratory testing services that were not provided to insureds.  According to the indictment, the lab was paid more than $9.7 million for these claims.  The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Kelly M. Warner, with substantial assistance by former Trial Attorney Victor B. Yanz of the Midwest Strike Force.

    U.S. v. Farley

    CHER FARLEY, 52, of Earlville, Ill., was charged in connection with her acquisition of foreign-sourced drugs labeled as Botox and Sotox, and the subsequent dispensing of those drugs without a prescription.  As alleged in a criminal information, Farley caused foreign-sourced Botox and Sotox without proper labeling to be introduced into interstate commerce from China and dispensed without a prescription to multiple victims.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Kelly of the Northern District of Illinois.

    ~~~

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force, which works in partnership with U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide.  Prior to the charges announced as part of today’s nationwide takedown and since its inception in March 2007, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force, which operates in 27 districts, charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively billed Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurers more than $27 billion.

    The public is reminded that charges are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Indicted in Federal Court for Allegedly Carjacking Two Vehicles and Robbing Two Credit Unions in Chicago

    Source: US FBI

    CHICAGO — A federal grand jury has indicted a man for allegedly carjacking two vehicles and robbing two credit unions in Chicago.

    MAURICE D. LEE, JR., committed the carjackings and robberies in May of last year, according to an indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Chicago.  The first carjacking and robbery occurred on May 10, 2024, when Lee took a Toyota from a driver and robbed a credit union at the University of Illinois Chicago, the indictment alleges.  The second carjacking and robbery occurred on May 17, 2024, when Lee took a Toyota and robbed another credit union at the University of Illinois Chicago, the indictment states.  Lee allegedly brandished a handgun in all the carjackings and robberies. 

    The indictment charges Lee, 32, of Chicago, with two counts of carjacking, two counts of robbery, and four counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.  Each firearm count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years, resulting in a total mandatory minimum sentence of 28 years in federal prison.  Each robbery count is punishable by up to 20 years, while each carjacking count is punishable by up to 15 years.

    Lee was arrested two days after the second robbery.  He was in state custody until his arrest last month in the federal case.  He remains detained without bond awaiting trial in federal court.  Arraignment is set for July 7, 2025, at 9:45 a.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes.

    The indictment was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI.  Valuable assistance was provided by the University of Illinois Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Police Department.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Asheeka Desai.

    The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation delivers Egypt’s address at the roundtable on “Revitalizing international development cooperation”


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    H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, delivered Egypt’s speech at the multilateral roundtable titled “Revitalizing international development cooperation”, on behalf of H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, during the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development held in Spain from June 29 to July 3, 2025.

    Dr. Rania Al-Mashat explained that the current period is witnessing a significant decline in progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, due to escalating geopolitical tensions and multiple ongoing crises, which has resulted in successive negative impacts, especially on developing and least developed countries, which bear the heaviest burden of the global debt crisis leading to a widening and deepening gap between developed and developing countries day by day.

    H.E.  added that the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development represents an important opportunity to reaffirm the existence of genuine political will to address the situation and to discuss effective proposals that would enhance concessional financing, support existing financial mechanisms, including Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), as well as develop new mechanisms to mobilize the required financing.

    The Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation pointed out that among these mechanisms, development-linked debt instruments are an example of financial instruments that can contribute to stimulate funding linked to development priorities, affirming the importance of donor countries’ commitment to their pledges to developing countries, adding that the challenges faced by developing countries are also beginning to affect many middle-income countries, which face the risk of undermine the progress they have achieved due to the worsening global debt situation.

    Al-Mashat emphasized the need to focus on priority sectors, such as health and education, while making concerted efforts to alleviate debt burdens, which can be achieved by implementing sustainable mechanisms that contribute to supporting developing countries in a integrated manner.

    In conclusion of her speech, H.E. stated that the conversation should not be limited to increasing the volume of financing alone, but should also focus on capacity building of countries, so that they are able to work effectively to achieve their national priorities and implementing their development strategies independently and sustainably, expressing her hope that the conference would come out with concrete recommendations capable of making a real, positive impact in advancing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Press Release on the recent development in Mali


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    The Ministry of External Affairs expresses its deep concern regarding the abduction of three Indian nationals employed at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, Republic of Mali. The incident occurred on 1st July 2025, when a group of armed assailants carried out a coordinated attack at the factory premises and forcibly took three (03) Indian nationals as hostages.

    2. It has come to the knowledge of the Government of India that many military and government installations at multiple locations of western and central Mali were attacked by terrorists on 01 July 2025.

    3. The Embassy of India in Bamako is in close and constant communication with the relevant authorities of the Government of Mali, local law enforcement agencies, as well as the management of Diamond Cement Factory. The Mission is also in touch with the family members of the abducted Indian nationals.

    4. The Government of India unequivocally condemns this deplorable act of violence and calls upon the Government of the Republic of Mali to take all necessary measures to secure the safe and expeditious release of the abducted Indian nationals. Senior officials of the Ministry are closely monitoring the evolving situation and remain engaged at various levels to facilitate safe and early release of Indian Nationals.

    5. The safety, security and welfare of Indian nationals abroad remains a matter of utmost priority for the Government of India. The Ministry advises all Indian citizens currently residing in Mali to exercise utmost caution, remain vigilant and stay in close contact with the Embassy of India in Bamako for regular updates and necessary assistance.

    6. The Ministry shall continue to extend all possible support and remains committed to ensuring the safe return of the abducted Indian nationals at the earliest.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs – Government of India.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa: Communications Committee Puts Conditions to the Approval of Government Communications and Information Systems (GCIS) Budget


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    The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has put conditions on the adoption of its budget vote report on the Government Communications and Information Systems (GCIS).

    The committee’s conditions have been forwarded to the Standing Committee on Appropriations in terms of section 10(5) of the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act 9 of 2009.

    This decision was taken on the basis that the committee felt that the 2025-2030 strategic and 2025/26 annual performance plans of the GCIS as well as the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) lacked clarity and measurable targets.

    The committee also believes that the GCIS’ five-year strategic plan is misaligned to the government’s Medium-Term Development Priorities. The strategy refers to the need to move to evidence-based communication without outlining what impact it will have on the country’s drive for inclusive economic growth and job creation, and how such will be measured.

    The committee stands against a spray-and-pray approach to development communication which has no attendant measurable targets and cogent monitoring and evaluation framework.

    As part of its conditions to the Minister in the Presidency, the committee wants GCIS to, among others, come up with a policy or legislative instrument that is going to ensure alignment, coherence and results-based measurement framework within government communication system.

    The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Khusela Sangoni Diko, said: “The committee is recommending approval of this budget with a proviso that within the course of twelve months there is legislative reform to ensure that there is a policy instrument that guides government communications.”

    Ms Diko further said that GCIS needs to fast-track reform on the laws that govern MDDA, Brand South Africa and government media spent. The committee also wants GCIS to provide quarterly performance reports on the implementation of the government communication policy framework.

    These conditions extend to GCIS’ entity, the MDDA, which must provide clarity on how the it is going to be moving community radio stations to self-transmission. The committee also called on MDDA to provide a fundraising strategy with clear measurable targets.

    The GCIS budget will be debated under vote 4 on Friday, 4 July 2025, in a mini plenary of the National Assembly at the Good Hope Chamber from 13:00 to 15:00

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: UK: Amnesty International urges UK Government to use the opportunity provided by the Timms Review to establish an independent social security commission

    Source: Amnesty International –

    In response to the Government’s welfare bill passing its second reading in Parliament tonight, Jen Clark, Amnesty International UK’s Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Lead, said

    “The legislative process surrounding this welfare bill has been incredibly harmful to disabled people who depend on social security. It is disappointing that the bill advanced despite the dedicated efforts of campaigners and supportive MPs to abolish it. The rushed timeline restricts proper scrutiny of its remaining elements, particularly those that discriminate against individuals with fluctuating conditions, falling short of international standards.

    “While we are cautiously relieved that some of the most harmful aspects of the bill, specifically the changes to PIP, have been paused, the overwhelming lack of public support for these changes is undeniable. Recent polling by Savanta, commissioned by Amnesty, shows that 75% of respondents believe that removing PIP from people in need is cruel. Although the Government’s concession on this issue is welcome, serious questions still need to be addressed.

    “We are waiting for key details about the Timms review, which must not serve as a smokescreen to evade accountability or scrutiny through statutory consultation. This review presents a vital opportunity to realign social security with its fundamental purpose: ensuring that no one has to live in poverty

    “Amnesty International calls on the UK government to establish a Social Security Commission with statutory powers, drawing inspiration from the Beveridge Report and past Royal Commissions. This Commission should carry out an independent inquiry into the UK social security system, driving comprehensive reform to ensure that all individuals have an adequate standard of living grounded in dignity and human rights.”

    Rick Burgess Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People added, “Kier Starmer has marked his first year in parliament by betraying disabled people. Our lives have been traded through a shambolic, farcical parliamentary process. They have won a small battle but we’ll keep fighting. There’s no peace because there’s no justice.” 

    MIL OSI NGO –