NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: REPORT: Rosen Recognized As One of the Top 10 Most Effective Senate Democrats for Second Time in A Row

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    Senator Rosen Was Also Recently Reaffirmed As One Of The Most Bipartisan Senators
    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) was named one of the top ten most effective Democratic Senators in the 118th Congress, according to a non-partisan study by the Center for Effective Lawmaking at the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University released today. Senator Rosen was the ninth most effective Senate Democrat and the third-most effective first-term senator, making her one of only four first-term senators who “exceeded expectations” as above-average effective lawmakers.
    “Nevadans know that I’m an independent voice for them in the U.S. Senate who works across party lines to get things done,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m honored to have been recognized once again as one of the most effective senators for my work to deliver for the people of Nevada. I’ll continue to be a strong, effective advocate for our state and will work tirelessly to help hardworking families thrive.”
    Since arriving in Congress, Senator Rosen has worked across party lines to deliver for Nevada. She has been consistently named and reaffirmed as one of the most bipartisan members of the Senate. She has also been recognized as one of the most independent senators for being willing to break with her own party to deliver for Nevada.
    The Center for Effective Lawmaking at the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University legislative effectiveness scorecard can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Blasts Trump Executive Order Attempting to Disenfranchise Millions of American Voters

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla Blasts Trump Executive Order Attempting to Disenfranchise Millions of American Voters

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and California’s former Secretary of State, issued the following statement condemning President Donald Trump’s harmful executive order that threatens to disenfranchise millions of American voters and undermines Congress’ authority over the administration of federal elections and the independence of the Election Assistance Commission:

    “As former California Secretary of State and Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee, I know full well that President Trump’s executive order does nothing to improve the safety of our federal elections — what it would do is disenfranchise millions of eligible American voters. 

    “President Trump is a notorious election denier. He lacks the authority to implement many of the changes laid out in this illegal executive order, which also ignores the requirements set forth in the bipartisan Help America Vote Act.

    “Free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy and attempts by the President to make it harder for eligible voters to participate hurts all Americans, regardless of party. I stand ready to work with anyone on responsible solutions to improve election security and increase voter participation, but this sham order is not the answer. I will keep fighting against the Trump Administration’s brazen attempts to undermine our elections, and will work to protect American voters.”

    As Ranking Member of the Rules Committee, which has oversight over federal elections, Senator Padilla has fought against President Trump’s unprecedented attacks against election security. Last week, Padilla and Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) led 29 Democratic Senators in urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to continue the essential work of the Department of Justice’s Election Threats Task Force, which directs the Department’s efforts to protect election officials from rising threats and acts of violence. Last month, he pressed senior officials at CISA for answers after they fired employees who have worked to combat election misinformation. During his first business meeting as Rules Committee Ranking Member, Padilla highlighted threats to election security and the importance of free and fair elections. Additionally, Padilla expressed serious concerns about the dangerous implications for elections following President Trump’s executive order purporting to bring independent regulatory agencies under total control of the White House. Padilla previously denounced the illegal firing of Federal Election Commission (FEC) Chair Ellen Weintraub and led 10 Democratic Senators to demand President Trump rescind his attempt.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Votes to Confirm Bhattacharya to Lead NIH

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement after voting to confirm Jay Bhattacharya as the next director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH):

    “As Chairman of the Senate’s Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, I have worked closely with past NIH Directors and look forward to working with Director Bhattacharya on our shared goal of making America healthy again through medical research,” Senator Capito said. “As a medical researcher himself, Director Bhattacharya understands the unique needs of those in this field. I was pleased to vote to confirm him and look forward to the progress he will make modernizing NIH to best meet the health care challenges facing our nation, enabling the next lifesaving medical breakthroughs.”

    Senator Capito previously met with Bhattacharya in February to discuss his nomination and learn more about his vision to lead NIH.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz, Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Boost U.S. Cultural Trade Amid Competition From China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Cultural Trade Promotion Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation to strengthen America’s creative industries and expand cultural exports. By bolstering the creative economy, this legislation will help U.S. businesses—including Native-owned, small, and rural enterprises—reach new global markets, create jobs, and strengthen America’s influence abroad amidst increasing competition from China.

    “America’s creative industries are a powerful force, driving jobs at home and shaping perceptions of our country abroad. Recently, China has doubled down on promoting its cultural exports, and we’ve been falling behind,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. “This bipartisan bill will help us level the playing field by expanding export opportunities for American businesses everywhere from Maui to Memphis so that our creative economy remains the global leader.”

    “We cannot allow China to continue to outpace the United States in overall cultural exports, and Tennessee is home to countless creative entrepreneurs who need support to export their products and grow their businesses,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Cultural Trade Promotion Act would improve access to international shipping services for these small businesses to strengthen our economy and promote high-quality American goods.” 

    Over the past decade, China has aggressively expanded its cultural trade through coordinated government investments and programs. In 2014, China surpassed the United States in overall cultural exports, and it continues to leverage cultural promotion as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. Meanwhile, America’s cultural trade surplus has declined, dropping from $31.5 billion in 2019 to $17.8 billion in 2021 before rebounding slightly to $21 billion in 2022, according to the National Endowment for the Arts.

    The Cultural Trade Promotion Act would direct the Foreign Commercial Service to promote U.S. creative economy goods abroad and require the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee to include the creative economy in its annual governmentwide strategic plan. The bill would also improve access to international shipping services for small businesses by facilitating collaboration between the International Trade Administration and the U.S. Postal Service. Additionally, it would promote products from American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian-owned businesses and include a representative of the creative industries on the Department of Commerce’s Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tesla sales halve in EU amid broader EV boom

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Sales of electric vehicles in the European Union (EU) rose in the first two months of 2025, but Tesla saw a sharp drop in new registrations, industry data showed on Tuesday.

    Battery-electric car sales grew by 28.4 percent year-on-year to about 255,489 units, accounting for 15.2 percent of the total EU market, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).

    Tesla registered around 19,000 new vehicles during the same period, down nearly 49 percent from more than 37,000 a year earlier.

    The decline comes amid strained transatlantic ties, worsened by U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about “buying” Greenland and tariff hikes on the EU. Tesla, whose CEO Elon Musk has close ties with Trump, has faced growing consumer backlash in parts of Europe. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley Exposes Big Tech as Willing Collaborators in Censorship: ‘They Own It’

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    Tuesday, March 25, 2025

    Today in a hearing of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) exposed how Big Tech uses its market power to squelch competition, suppress conservative voices, and even sway voters and control elections, such as when they buried the infamous Hunter Biden laptop story just days before the 2020 presidential election. 
    “It was their decision. They own it. And truthfully Facebook and others had a pattern of censoring long before this,” Hawley said, referring to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s claim that the company was pressured into censorship by the Biden Administration. “They have been avid participants in this censorship campaign.”
    [embedded content]
    “Companies like Facebook, Meta have enormous structural power that Mark Zuckerberg has spent [. . .] billions of dollars amassing. He has worked to destroy competitors who might break that power up or challenge that power in any way. He has used that power to stifle competition. He’s using it to stifle views he doesn’t like,” Senator Hawley continued. “This is a textbook example of what happens when a monopoly that has a political agenda [. . .] uses that monopoly in order to try to control other competitors and also to try to control the information that flows to the American people.” 
    Senator Hawley concluded that until these companies are stripped of their power, nothing will change. 
    Senator Hawley has been vocal about holding Big Tech accountable. Earlier this month, he held a hearing to highlight Big Tech’s role in facilitating child exploitation on their platforms. He has also advocated for those victimized by Big Tech and harmful AI, including having their voice and images used without their consent. 
    Watch the full exchange here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: After Pressure From Warren, Social Security Nominee Commits To Meet Staffing Needs and Protect Social Security Benefits

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    March 25, 2025
    Following Musk’s cuts to the social security workforce, seniors face longer wait times, planned office closures, and more benefit interruptions.
    Video of Exchange (YouTube)
    Washington, D.C. – At a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) got Mr. Frank Bisignano, President Trump’s nominee for Social Security Commissioner, to commit to meeting the staffing needs necessary to protect social security benefits amidst the Trump administration’s efforts to gut the Social Security Administration (SSA).
    In the last month, SSA announced plans to cut over 7,000 employees and close regional offices across the country. Weeks later, it implemented a policy forcing seniors to verify their identity online or in-person, creating accessibility concerns. And last week, Acting Commissioner Dudek publicly threatened to shut down the agency after a judge blocked DOGE’s efforts to access seniors’ sensitive information. All of these actions raise serious concerns about the potential interruption of benefits.
    Public reports indicate that SSA may reduce its workforce by 50 percent and is considering ending the leases of 45 field offices—effectively shutting them down. When questioned if he would reverse these layoffs if confirmed, Mr. Bisignano committed to “hav[ing] the right staffing to get the job done.” Senator Warren responded, “I’m going to hold you to that.”
    Senator Warren sent two letters to Mr. Bisignano ahead of his confirmation hearing, one with concerns over how staff layoffs and office closures are impacting seniors’ benefits and another pressing him on if DOGE’s cuts are a “prelude to privatization” of SSA. 
    Transcript: Hearings to examine the nomination of Frank Bisignano, of New Jersey, to be Commissioner of Social Security Administration for the term expiring January 19, 2031.
    Senate Finance Committee
    March 25, 2025
    Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 90 years ago, Congress passed the Social Security Act, and the deal was simple: you work hard, you pay into Social Security across all your earnings years, and then when you retire, you can count on having those social security benefits that you paid for. 
    And now co-presidents Trump and Musk want to renege on that deal, so DOGE has taken a sledgehammer to the Social Security Administration, firing staff, closing field offices, and pulling the plug on phone services. 
    Last week, the acting commissioner of Social Security, who is openly working with Elon Musk, actually threatened to shut down the entire agency. Now this isn’t about efficiency. Elon said the quiet part, about his plans, right out loud. Musk said we should, quote, “eliminate Social Security.” The richest man in the world said that Social Security for 73 million Americans should be destroyed. 
    Mr. Bisignano, you have been nominated to be in charge of Social Security, and seniors need to have a right to know if you’re going to protect their benefits. 
    So, let’s start simple. Say a 66-year-old man qualifies for Social Security. Mr. Bisignano, could the Social Security Administration, or Elon Musk, or Donald Trump decide to cut his benefits by $5,000 for no reason, without a new law passed by Congress?
    Mr. Frank Bisignano, nominee for Social Security Commissioner: Is that a question? 
    Senator Warren: Yeah, that’s a question. 
    Mr. Bisignano: I don’t see that happening.
    Senator Warren: I didn’t ask if you see it happening. Could they, by law, cut those benefits without coming to Congress? 
    Mr. Bisignano: No. 
    Senator Warren: No? All right, so let’s dig deeper. Suppose the same 65-year-old calls the helpline to apply for Social Security, but he’s told about the new DOGE rule, so he has to go online or in person. He can’t drive. He has trouble with the website, so he waits until his niece can get a day off to take him to the local Social Security office, but DOGE closed that office, so they have to drive two hours to get to the next closest office. When they get there, there are only two people who are staffing a fifty-person line, so he doesn’t even make it to the front of the line before the office closes and he has to come back. 
    Now let’s assume it takes our fellow three months to straighten this out, and he misses a total of $5,000 in benefits checks, which, by law, he will never get back. So, Mr. Bisignano, is that a benefit cut?
    Mr. Bisignano: Well, first of all, Senator—
    Senator Warren: Is that a benefit cut? I’m sorry, my time is limited here. That’s an easy question. Yes or no, is it a benefit cut?
    Mr. Bisignano: I have no intent to have anything like that happen under my watch, ma’am. 
    Senator Warren: I understand that. Is it a benefit cut?
    Mr. Bisignano: I’m not sure what to call it. It sounds like a horrible situation. 
    Senator Warren: Is the person getting the $5,000 they were legally entitled to?
    Mr. Bisignano: That was your scenario. 
    Senator Warren: So, are they getting $5,000 they were legally entitled to?
    Mr. Bisignano: I don’t know. I mean—You just told me—
    Senator Warren: You don’t know? 
    Mr. Bisignano: Yeah, I mean—
    Senator Warren: Look, let’s be clear: that you keep $5,000 from them, by announcing a policy, it’s illegal, but there are backdoor ways to accomplish the same thing. DOGE is considering slashing up to 50% of the Social Security Administration’s workforce. That means longer lines, more errors, and for everyone who gives up or who dies before they get their benefits sorted out, those delays and errors also turn into benefit cuts. 
    Elon Musk is the richest man in the world, so he doesn’t need social security. He’d be glad to get rid of it, but only Congress can cut Social Security benefits, and Elon is trying a backdoor way. 
    So, Mr. Bisignano, if you are confirmed in this job, will you commit to reversing these cuts so that seniors get the money that the law says they are entitled to?
    Mr. Bisignano: What I will commit to is that I will run the agency, and I will be in charge of the agency, and I will look at every item you want me to look at.
    Senator Warren: That’s not what I’m asking you. I’m asking—you just answered the previous questions by saying you would follow the law. The law is to deliver the benefits that people are legally entitled to. If you don’t have the staff, if you don’t answer the phones, if you don’t fix the mistakes, people don’t get what they’re legally entitled to. So, I want to know, are you willing to commit, right now, that you will put enough people back to work so they can do the job of delivering the benefits that Americans earned? Yes or no?
    Mr. Bisignano: I will commit to have the right staffing to get the job done.
    Senator Warren: To get the job done? Meaning delivering the benefits people are entitled to?
    Mr. Bisignano: Yes. 
    Senator Warren: I’m going to hold you to that.
    Mr. Bisignano: I appreciate that. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia stands firm behind its foreign aid in the budget, but the future remains precarious

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Melissa Conley Tyler, Honorary Fellow, Asia Institute, The University of Melbourne

    This week’s budget will come as a relief to Australia’s neighbours in the Indo-Pacific that rely on development assistance. The Albanese government did not follow the lead of US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in cutting its foreign aid.

    The Trump administration froze foreign assistance and dismantled the US Agency for International Development (USAID) when it came into office. Meanwhile, the UK announced 40% aid cuts of its own.

    It is to Australia’s credit this has not happened here. Australia’s development budget remains intact this year and in forward estimates.

    Sensible policymakers seem to recognise that Australia’s strategic circumstances are different. As a nation surrounded by low- and middle-income countries, Australia cannot vacate the field on development issues without enormous reputational, diplomatic and strategic damage.

    This budget shows Australia is committed to its region – with 75% of the foreign assistance budget flowing to the Indo-Pacific – and sees development partnerships as a way to solve shared problems.

    What’s in the budget for aid and development

    The details of the development budget show Australia has been listening to its partners to identify critical gaps and reprioritise funds.

    In the Pacific, funding has risen to a historic high, with no country receiving less aid. There have been changes in focus to respond to the US funding cuts, including programs on HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea and Fiji and gender-based violence in the Pacific.

    This fits with Australia’s desire to be a partner of choice – and to prevent an increased Chinese presence in the region.

    In Southeast Asia, Australia has increased its aid to all countries and has shifted funding, particularly in health where the US was a major donor.

    This is in Australia’s interest. A new program on Indonesian human and animal health, for example, will help prevent health system failures in areas such as tuberculosis and polio elimination on Australia’s doorstep.

    Funds have also been reallocated to support civil society organisations working in vital areas like media freedom and human rights, which would have been a casualty in the US cuts.

    There was also a shift in humanitarian funding to Myanmar and Bangladesh, where the US aid withdrawal has left Rohingya refugees in a desperate state.

    Importantly, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is helping local organisations survive US cuts by allowing temporary flexibility in the use of grant funding to help them continue to deliver essential services.

    Beyond these reprioritisations, the other heartening thing about the budget is its normality.

    It maintains funding for assistive technology for people with disabilities and an Inclusion and Equality Fund to support LGBTQIA+ civil society organisations and human rights defenders. There are programs on maternal health, including reproductive rights.

    The future is still precarious

    However, it would be wrong to think this budget will fill the gaps left by the US withdrawal.

    The ANU Development Policy Centre estimates that traditional OECD donors will cut at least 25% of their aid by 2027. It said, “when that much of a thing goes missing, it’s clearly at risk of collapse”.

    Some development organisations will close their doors, potentially including household names that Australians have donated to for years. This is a time of huge transformation for the sector.

    Another future problem will be maintaining multilateral institutions that rely on US funding – including the World Health Organization, World Food Programme, World Bank and Asian Development Bank. This will require a concerted effort with other countries.

    So, while the Australian budget shows a government deploying current funding as intelligently as possible, there will eventually be limits to this approach.

    In the “new world of uncertainty” described in the treasurer’s budget speech, it simply won’t be possible to meet Australia’s strategic aims and keep development spending at its current rate. It is still far away from 1% of the federal budget.

    At some point, Australia must rethink the trajectory of its international commitments.

    Analysis by the Development Intelligence Lab, a think tank working on development cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, has shown that over the last 25 years, the international parts of the federal budget – defence, intelligence, diplomacy and development – have held steady at around 10%.

    In a time of disruption, this might need to change. In 1949, for example, Australia invested almost 9% of the federal budget on development and diplomacy alone – not including defence.

    Those in the foreign aid sector can celebrate Australia has not pulled back on its commitments like the US and UK. At the same time, we should expect the next government will inevitably be called on to do more.

    Melissa Conley Tyler is Executive Director at the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D), an initiative funded by the foreign affairs and defence portfolios and hosted by the Australian Council for International Development..

    – ref. Australia stands firm behind its foreign aid in the budget, but the future remains precarious – https://theconversation.com/australia-stands-firm-behind-its-foreign-aid-in-the-budget-but-the-future-remains-precarious-253028

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Colleagues Slam Draconian Immigration Registration Order

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    March 25, 2025

    Washington D.C.—U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today joined Senate colleagues in a letter to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) opposing the Trump administration’s resurrection of a draconian and discriminatory immigration policy that forces immigrants to register with the federal government and carry proof of their registration at all times.   

    “The Administration has explicitly linked this revived registration requirement to enforcement efforts, empowering federal prosecutors to target immigrants who fail to comply. This creates a perilous dilemma for immigrants who entered the country without inspection and have had no prior contact with federal authorities,” the lawmakers wrote to USCIS senior official Kika Scott. “Those who register risk exposing themselves to removal proceedings, while those who refrain from registering face the threat of criminal prosecution. The policy further jeopardizes millions of immigrants—including those with lawful status—by subjecting them to penalties for simply failing to carry proof of registration.” 

    The lawmakers continued, “This registration policy echoes historical precedents that have been widely discredited and condemned. The Alien Registration Act of 1940 was initially implemented during World War II in a climate of fear and xenophobia, requiring noncitizens to register at post offices across the country. Now, by dusting off and weaponizing an outdated law, the Trump administration is reviving a dangerous precedent that will undermine fundamental civil liberties, disproportionately burden immigrant communities and millions of mixed-status families, and transform America into a ‘carry your papers’ country.” 

    The lawmakers request answers by April 8, 2025, to questions including: 

    1. How does USCIS plan to implement this registration requirement, and what resources will be allocated to its implementation and enforcement?  
    2. What mechanisms will be in place to ensure that individuals who register are not automatically placed in removal proceedings or expedited removal? 
    3. What safeguards exist to prevent racial profiling and discriminatory enforcement practices in the application of this law?  
    4. Who will have access to any registration database and for what purposes? 

    The letter was led by U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey, D-Mass. In addition to Wyden, the letter was signed by Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Senators Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. 

    The full text of the letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murkowski and Colleagues Reintroduce Resolution Affirming Support for the Equal Rights Amendment

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski

    03.25.25

    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joins Mazie Hirono (D-HI), along with Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), and Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), in reintroducing a bipartisan, bicameral resolution to overcome a significant obstacle to the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). This resolution would eliminate an arbitrary deadline set by Congress in 1972, paving the way to for the ERA to become the 28th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex.

    “The state of Alaska ratified the ERA and amended the State Constitution in 1972, and that is a legacy I am proud to continue advocating for at the federal level,” said Senator Murkowski. “It is past time for the equal rights of women to be guaranteed in the United States Constitution, and I will continue to advocate for the passage of this resolution until that is achieved.”

    “I am proud that Hawaii was the first state to ratify the ERA, but we must finally amend the Constitution to ensure that the next generation of women are guaranteed equal rights,” said Senator Hirono. “With the reintroduction of this resolution, we reaffirm our commitment to fighting for equal opportunity and equal rights for all. It has been over a century-long fight to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, and we won’t stop until gender equity is enshrined in the Constitution.”

    “For centuries, women – particularly women of color and LGBTQ+ folks – have been treated as less than – less deserving of pay, less protected by law, less free to show up as our authentic selves in a world that constantly pushes us down,” said Rep. Pressley. “By enshrining the ERA into law, we are taking the necessary step to center our most vulnerable and marginalized communities, close the gender wage gap, combat sex discrimination, reduce gender-based violence, ensure freedom over our bodies, and more. The time is now to affirm gender equality once and for all.”

    “The Equal Rights Amendment is a short yet powerful declaration — ‘Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex,’” Congresswoman Dean said. “Words matter—and we must be explicit in our Constitution to ensure that equality is a reality for every person in our nation. I’m grateful for Congresswoman Pressley’s leadership in this century-long fight and in the enduring legacy of Congresswoman Shirley Chislom and others before us. We must expand the mission of the 19th Amendment and fulfill the promise of the ERA.”

    “When I was 27, I represented my state at the National Women’s Conference in Houston—and I still have the ERA pin I wore that day. I’ve kept it all these years because the fight isn’t over. Two years ago, I went to Seneca Falls and met with the next generation of activists. Let me tell you—they are just as committed, just as fearless, as I was back then. And like me, they’re still waiting for this country to guarantee women the same constitutional protections as men,” said Congresswoman Garcia. “Those fighting against the ERA are the same ones who fear powerful women—the ones who pay us less, promote us less, and try to silence us. It’s long overdue to make the ERA the 28th Amendment of the Constitution. I stand today for justice, for fairness, and for future generations of women and girls who deserve fairness, justice, and equality of opportunities.”

    “There is no deadline for equal rights,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “The United States Congress and the required number of states have ratified the Equal Rights Amendment, which is over 100 years in the making. An arbitrary deadline will not stop progress on equal rights. Now is the time for Congress to pass this resolution to ensure that we enshrine equal protections for our mothers, sisters, daughters, and grandmothers who have championed this cause.”

    “Generations of women, especially women of color, have relentlessly fought for equal rights in a system that has long denied them fairness under the law — and that fight is far from over,” said Rep. McClellan. “I led the fight in Virginia to make our Commonwealth the final state needed to ratify the ERA, taking a stand on the right side of history. Now, we must finish the job by enshrining gender equality in the Constitution once and for all.”

    “Women throughout history have fought tirelessly against sexism and inequality, refusing to accept a world that denied them their full rights. Their courage paved the way for progress—but the fight is far from over. We are grateful for the leadership of Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Mazie Hirono, and Rep. Ayanna Pressley in reintroducing this important resolution, recognizing the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. This Women’s History Month we renew our commitment to the pursuit of true gender equality. The women who came before us didn’t give up, neither will we,” said Zakiya Thomas, President & CEO, ERA Coalition.

    The full text of the resolution can be found here.

    Background

    The Equal Rights Amendment states that “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.” When the resolution was passed by Congress on March 22, 1972, Congress set a deadline of 1977, and later extended to 1982, for the amendment to be adopted by three-quarters of the states required for ratification. The ERA reached the 38-state threshold in 2020.

    Senator Murkowski has cosponsored this resolution in every Congress since it was first introduced during the 112th Congress.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Native of Guatemala arrested, charged with making a false statement

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Gendry Amilcar Niz-Niz, 25, a native of Guatemala, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with making a false statement, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew J. Henning and Sasha Mascarenhas, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, at approximately 4:30 p.m. on March 16, 2025, Niz-Niz was pulled over on Main Street in the City of Lockport for numerous vehicle and traffic violations. The Lockport Police Department requested assistance from U.S. Border Patrol personnel after  Niz-Niz provided a foreign identification document. He presented an identification card appearing to have originated from the Republic of Guatemala Department of Transportation, bearing the name Juan Martinez-Chavez. When asked his name and country of citizenship by a U.S. Border Patrol agent, Niz-Niz responded “Juan Martinez.” The photo on the identification card matched the defendant. An immigration check utilizing the name and date of birth listed on the identification card did not show any documentation of a legal entry into the United States. In addition, Niz-Niz admitted to entering the U.S. illegally and stated that this was the first time he had been encountered or arrested by immigration authorities. Niz-Niz was then taken into custody. Further investigation determined that Niz-Niz had previously been arrested under the name Gendry Amilcar Niz-Niz in Tucson, Arizona in November 2021.

    The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Lockport Police Department, under the direction of Chief Steven Abbott and U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent-in-Charge Martin B. Coombs.

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

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Markey, Rep. Schakowsky Introduce Legislation to Protect Clean Water and Wastewater Utilities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Bill Text (PDF)

    Washington (March 25, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) today introduced the Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act, legislation that would provide funding for clean water and wastewater utilities to become members of the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC). The WaterISAC is a critical source of information and best practices for water systems to protect against, mitigate, and respond to threats.

    “The essential water systems that provide us with water to drink, cook, and clean are increasingly facing threats from extreme weather, cyber attacks, and even terrorism,” said Senator Markey. “The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act will secure and protect our water systems against these threats by expanding access to the critical Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which helps water utilities of all sizes share information, best practices, and response techniques. I thank Congresswoman Schakowsky for her partnership on this important legislation.”

    “Every person should have access to clean water to meet their basic needs. As the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events increase and cyber security threats against our infrastructure emerge, we must work together to protect our nation’s water systems,” said Congresswoman Schakowsky. “I am proud to join Senator Ed Markey in reintroducing the Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act. This bill will help assist local water systems in gaining access to the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC), a non-profit clearinghouse for information regarding threats to water safety. This kind of information sharing is critical to ensuring the health and safety of communities’ drinking water across the country.”

    The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act is endorsed by American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies, and Water Environment Federation.

    “In recent years, our nation’s drinking water and wastewater utilities have faced mounting threats from cyber attacks and infrastructure vulnerabilities that pose national security concerns and public health hazards,” said Tom Dobbins, CEO of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies. “The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act will enable more utilities to prepare for, mitigate, and respond to dangerous security threats by facilitating access to WaterISAC’s critical resources. AMWA is proud to support this legislation.”

    “WaterISAC is a vital resource for public clean water utilities seeking to strengthen their preparedness and resilience against natural hazards, physical and cyber security threats,” said Adam Krantz, CEO of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. “The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber (Water ISAC) Threat Protection Act will expand utility participation in WaterISAC, ensuring water systems of all sizes have access to its essential tools and resources.”

    “WaterISAC helps drinking water and wastewater systems of all sizes stay attuned to emerging threats by disseminating vulnerability alerts, sharing subject matter expertise, and recommending effective response actions,” said John P. Sullivan, Chief Engineer of the Boston Water and Sewer Commission and Chairman of the WaterISAC Board of Managers. “The WaterISAC Threat Protection Act will enhance federal efforts to support WaterISAC participation and will help get threat information and best practice guidance into the hands of more water and wastewater systems across the country.”

    Senator Markey is a champion for improving access to clean water. In December 2022, Senator Markey secured federal investments in Massachusetts water resources and infrastructure projects so that residents can access safe, reliable, and clean drinking water. In November 2022, Senator Markey called on Holtec to publicly commit to abide by the Environmental Protect Agency’s (EPA) regulations and not discharge any effluent water from Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station into Cape Cod Bay without prior authorization by modifying its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. In October 2022, Senator Markey helped secure nearly $2.5 million in federal funding from the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Safe and Clean Communities Grant Program for the UMass Lowell’s clean drinking water project.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Markey, Whip Durbin, Colleagues Slam Draconian Immigration Registration Order

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Letter Text (PDF)

    Washington (March 25, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) led eight colleagues in writing today to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) senior official Kika Scott to express strong disapproval of the Trump administration’s resurrection of one of the country’s most draconian and discriminatory immigration policies: forcing immigrants to register with the federal government and carry proof of their registration at all times. 

    The letter was signed by Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

    In the letter, the lawmakers write, “The Administration has explicitly linked this revived registration requirement to enforcement efforts, empowering federal prosecutors to target immigrants who fail to comply. This creates a perilous dilemma for immigrants who entered the country without inspection and have had no prior contact with federal authorities. Those who register risk exposing themselves to removal proceedings, while those who refrain from registering face the threat of criminal prosecution. The policy further jeopardizes millions of immigrants—including those with lawful status—by subjecting them to penalties for simply failing to carry proof of registration.”

    The lawmakers continue, “This registration policy echoes historical precedents that have been widely discredited and condemned. The Alien Registration Act of 1940 was initially implemented during World War II in a climate of fear and xenophobia, requiring noncitizens to register at post offices across the country. Now, by dusting off and weaponizing an outdated law, the Trump administration is reviving a dangerous precedent that will undermine fundamental civil liberties, disproportionately burden immigrant communities and millions of mixed-status families, and transform America into a ‘carry your papers’ country.”

    The lawmakers request answers by April 8, 2025 to questions including:

    • How does USCIS plan to implement this registration requirement, and what resources will be allocated to its implementation and enforcement?
    • What mechanisms will be in place to ensure that individuals who register are not automatically placed in removal proceedings or expedited removal?
    • What safeguards exist to prevent racial profiling and discriminatory enforcement practices in the application of this law?
    • Who will have access to any registration database and for what purposes?

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Joins Senators Moran and Hawley Introducing Legislation to Provide Affordable, Reliable Energy to Kansas and Other States

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
    Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) joined Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) in introducing the Southwestern Power Administration Fund Establishment Act, which would help stabilize energy rates and improve the electric grid to states in the Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA), including Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. 
    Specifically, the SWPA would be granted the authority to operate on a self-funding, revolving fund. This change would allow SWPA more stable funding to lower customer rates, which can fluctuate because of market demands and severe weather. Additionally, the SWPA would have the ability to plan long-term infrastructure and power replacement improvements to avoid drastic and unnecessary spikes in power rates.
    “Kansans – especially our farmers and ranchers – need reliable and affordable power,” said Senator Marshall. “Consumers have suffered from high energy costs for too long, and this bill will help deliver stable and affordable power while improving our power grid infrastructure. I am proud to stand with Senators Jerry Moran and Josh Hawley in supporting this important legislation.”
    “It is critical that Kansans have access to reliable electricity at stable rates, especially during extreme and dangerous weather,” said Senator Moran. “This legislation will provide funding stability that will allow energy providers to make needed infrastructure improvements and prevent Kansans from suffering mass power outages.”
    “After the devastating tornadoes last weekend that left victims without power for days, Missourians deserve consistent and affordable energy,” said Senator Hawley. “This legislation will ensure that every Missourian has access to power they can rely on.”
    The legislation is supported by the Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., Southwestern Power Resources Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and American Public Power Association.
    “Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. and its member co-ops have strongly supported the Southwestern Power Fund Establishment Act for its ability to provide appropriated dollars that will improve grid reliability while helping to stabilize rates,” said Lee Tafanelli, CEO, Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. “We thank our home state Sens. Moran and Marshall for bringing forward legislation that will have a positive impact on our rural electric cooperatives and their consumer-members.”
    “Federal hydropower is a reliably renewable generation resource,” said Nicki Fuller, Executive Director, Southwestern Power Resources Association. “This legislation recognizes the value of protecting that resource throughout the six-state region, making sure that these important assets are maintained. This legislation would go a long way toward ensuring grid reliability and affordably throughout the region for millions of homes, farms, and small businesses. I thank Sens. Moran and Marshall for introducing this important bill that represents good business sense.”
    “NRECA supports the Southwestern Power Administration Fund Establishment Act. The self-financed revolving loan fund authorized by this bill would allow the Southwestern Power Administration to better manage infrastructure needs while being more responsive to market conditions and electric demands created by extreme weather events,” – National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
    “The American Public Power Association applauds the introduction of the Southwestern Power Fund Establishment Act. Since 1943, not-for-profit public power utilities and rural electric cooperatives have successfully partnered with the Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA) to bring reliable hydropower produced at Army Corps dams to millions of customers in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. While SWPA customers pay all costs of generating and transmitting the electricity in their power rates, a complicated funding process has increasingly failed to provide the financial certainty necessary to steady power rates to customers during drought and extreme weather events. The Southwestern Power Fund Establishment Act would streamline this process in a manner that would help avoid rate spikes and economic hardship for communities served by public power utilities and rural electric cooperatives while continuing to ensure that SWPA customers pay all costs associated with generating and transmitting hydropower produced at Corps dams. It is a win-win for the federal government and communities served by not-for-profit electric utilities,” – American Public Power Association.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy champions bill to help Louisiana farmers recover from crop loss

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today reintroduced the Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act. The bill would give farmers more flexibility by improving the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC)’s ability to set discounts for farmers who experience crop loss.
    “Too often, federal insurers give American farmers short shrift when regional disasters damage their crops. The Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act would make sure that fickle government policies don’t control the fate of Louisiana farms,” said Kennedy.
    The Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act would give the FCIC more latitude to review the methodology it uses to determine discounts for farmers who experience crop loss. It would give stakeholders input into the process of setting those discounts and require a report to be issued following the review.
    The bill would also allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) to establish a regional discount consideration that accounts for extreme weather events and natural disasters. 
    Background:
    The FCIC, which the RMA manages, provides federal crop insurance policies to approved insurance providers to sell coverage to America’s farmers and ranchers.
    The discounts provided to farmers who experience crop loss generally do not reflect the real damages farmers incur. This often leaves farmers without the flexibility they need to keep their farms afloat in the long run.
    The FCIC does not take regional disasters into account when it calculates discounts.
    Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.) reintroduced the legislation in the House of Representatives.
    “Sudden crop losses due to severe weather have a heavy impact on the farmers at the heart of our nation’s food supply. By proposing much-needed flexibility and more specialized support to federal crop insurance programs, I’m fighting to ensure Louisiana farmers have the support they need when disaster strikes,” said Letlow.
    Full text of the Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Scott Questions Dr. Mehmet Oz at Confirmation Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
    WASHINGTON — Recently, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Finance Committee, questioned Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Senator Scott and Dr. Oz discussed a range of topics, including drug pricing, CRISPR technology, and telemedicine. 
    Excerpts from Senator Scott’s questioning can be found below:
    Watch the full video here.
    On prescription drug pricing…
    “We need to have a long conversation about how expensive drugs are these days, but at the same time, we should have a similar conversation about how when drugs hit that generic market, they dropped precipitously in price … I would hate to, for the lack of a better way of saying, shortchange the American people by focusing on the original sticker price without having the value proposition long-term over the ultimate cost of a drug, when it’s in the generic forms.”
    On CRISPR technology and innovation…
    “I do think that CRISPR technology as we know it today, is going to transform medicine as we know it tomorrow … I hope that you have a commitment, in your new position, to move forward with some of the cell and gene therapy access models that we’re talking about, making it affordable for people … on Medicare and Medicaid.”
    On telemedicine…
    “There’s a silver lining in Covid … It was the development and the acceleration of telemedicine. And I think it’s going to save millions, if not trillions of dollars over time. I hope that you are committed to doing as much investigation as necessary to make sure that telemedicine is not just here to stay, but that it is embraced, adopted throughout our country, wherever it is practical to be used.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ADVISORY: Governor Newsom to provide remarks promoting California’s creative economy

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Mar 25, 2025

    LOS ANGELES – Tomorrow, Governor Gavin Newsom will offer remarks at an event hosted by Vogue to announce the upcoming Vogue World Hollywood and highlight California’s recent work to promote investments in the state’s creative economy.

    WHEN: Wednesday, March 26 at approximately 10:30 a.m.

    LIVESTREAM: The event will not be livestreamed. 

    **NOTE: This in-person event will be open to credentialed media only. Credentialed media interested in attending to hear the Governor’s remarks must RSVP here by no later than 8 p.m., March 25.  The event does not include a Q/A portion. Location information and instructions will be provided by the event organizers prior to the event.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: BlackRock® Canada Announces Final March Cash Distributions for the iShares® Premium Money Market ETF

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), today announced the final March 2025 cash distributions for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF. Unitholders of record on March 26, 2025 will receive cash distributions payable on March 31, 2025.

    Details regarding the final “per unit” distribution amounts are as follows:

    Fund Name Fund
    Ticker    		 Cash
    Distribution
    Per Unit
    iShares Premium Money Market ETF CMR $0.121

    Further information on the iShares ETFs can be found at http://www.blackrock.com/ca.

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

    About iShares ETFs
    iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1500+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$4.2 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2024, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

    iShares® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.

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

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – ‘Tech bro’ culture stifling startup sector – academics – UoA

    Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

    You might have heard the term ‘tech bro’ – a shorthand for the hypermasculine culture synonymous with the startup world. But while it’s often associated with Silicon Valley, that same culture is alive and well in New Zealand’s innovation scene too, say researchers Professor Anne de Bruin and Dr Janine Swail.

    Entrepreneurial ecosystems: the networks, organisations, and funding systems that support startup ventures, might seem open to all. But they’re far from gender neutral, the researchers say.

    “The strong association of masculine traits with entrepreneurship persists, hindering gender equity,” says de Bruin.

    In a new paper, de Bruin and Swail examine how gender dynamics shape startup ecosystems, and how feminist theories can be used to make them more inclusive and equitable.

    “If you think about Auckland’s startup sector, it’s still pretty ‘tech bro’,” says Swail. “We need to rethink what it means to be inclusive in entrepreneurship.”

    She says this starts with challenging the norms that shape entrepreneurial culture – norms that can make women and non-binary people feel unwelcome.

    “Imagine you’re a female deep-tech entrepreneur looking for a lab or an accelerator programme,” says Swail. “You walk into a space that feels overwhelmingly masculine; in-jokes, blokey language, a boys club. It can be difficult to feel like you belong, let alone thrive.”

    One of the biggest barriers? Unacknowledged gender bias baked into the structures and language of entrepreneurship. De Bruin points to New Zealand’s finance ecosystem, where most venture capitalists are men.

    “The way people communicate and operate in that world is often coded in a very masculine way. Language matters, and when we start to unpack it, we see how women and others are often excluded, even unintentionally.”

    If New Zealand wants to develop a genuinely diverse startup sector, we need to question who it’s built for, and who’s being left out.

    Feminist theories argue for a shift from accepting the status quo to actively creating gender-equitable ecosystems.

    One international organisation the researchers point to doing just that is Coralus (originally SheEO). Formerly led in New Zealand by Dame Theresa Gattung, Coralus was launched in Canada in 2015 as an experiment in more equitable funding for women and nonbinary people. Since then, it has flipped the traditional funding model favouring male-led ventures and distributed nearly $19 million to more than 190 female- and non-binary-led ventures using a collective decision-making model.

    “By challenging traditional funding structures, Coralus reimagines what an entrepreneurial ecosystem can look like,” says Swail. “Even the name change – from SheEO to Coralus – reflects a broader, more inclusive vision.”

    If New Zealand wants to develop a genuinely diverse startup sector, we need to question who it’s built for, and who’s being left out, says de Bruin. “We can create new pathways and build a future for entrepreneurship that’s more inclusive, more equitable, and ultimately, more innovative.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Dundee Corporation Delivers on Strategic Goals and Reports 2024 Profit

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — “2024 marked a transformative year for Dundee with broad positive performance in our core strategy and key initiatives that further align our capital structure with our long-term growth objectives,” said Jonathan Goodman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dundee Corporation. “During the third quarter, we sold 11 million shares of our position in G Mining Ventures Corp. (“G Mining”) for proceeds of $95.9 million, which was partially used to redeem both classes of our preferred shares and substantially pay down our outstanding loan balance. The redemption of the preferred shares and repayment of our corporate loan is a significant milestone, reducing our cash outflows, enhancing our financial flexibility and positioning Dundee for continued, sustainable growth for the long-term. As we move into 2025, our focus is increasingly on broadening Dundee’s sources of cash flow. Development of the Borborema Project, where we hold an attractive royalty, is progressing well, according to its operator, Aura Minerals Inc., with ramp-up scheduled for early 2025 and commercial production expected in the latter half of the year. This key milestone marks a pivotal step in reinforcing Dundee’s financial position and highlights our ongoing efforts to establish income streams that support our long-term growth objectives.”

    “In addition, we continue to make considerable progress in simplifying Dundee as we shed non-core businesses and investments and free up our capital and talent which can be deployed more strategically. In September, we announced our exit from the investment management business with the divestiture of our flow-through funds which will position us to operate with greater agility in the mining sector. Post year-end, we announced that the ownership group of Android, of which we are 20%, has agreed to sell its interest in the company which demonstrates continued rationalization of the non-core legacy assets and enables us to recycle capital into our core mining business.

    Mr. Goodman concluded: “The entire team at Dundee continues to work diligently to implement and execute our strategy across all fronts. I am encouraged by our ability to sustain and grow our momentum into 2025 as we look forward to the opportunities ahead of us. Our team remains committed to growing the core business, and positioning Dundee to deliver long-term, sustainable value for our stakeholders, shareholders and partners. I would like to thank the entire team for their hard work in navigating a time of continued evolution.”

    SOLID YEAR-END 2024 RESULTS

    • In August 2024, the Corporation sold 11.0 million shares of G Mining Ventures Corp. (“G Mining”) for net proceeds to the Corporation of $95.9 million. Subsequent to year-end, the Corporation sold its remaining 2.9 million shares of G Mining for net proceeds of $45.3 million.
    • Upon the partial sale of G Mining in August of 2024, the Corporation partially repaid $14.0 million of its outstanding loan with Earlston Investments Corp. in 2024 and paid the remaining $5.0 million of loan principal in 2025.
    • In September 2024, the Corporation paid an aggregate of $46.7 million to exercise its option to redeem all its outstanding Preference Shares Series 2 and Preference Shares Series 3 at a price of $25.00 per share and pay the final associated dividends.
    • Subsequent to year-end, Dundee announced the sale of its interest in Android Industries, L.L.C. (“Android”) for cash proceeds of approximately $24.5 million at closing, with additional proceeds payable contingent upon the release of all escrows.
    • In December 2024, the Corporation announced its exit from the investment management business with the divesture of its flow-through related investment management contracts for nominal consideration, aligning internal resources to our long-term strategic priorities.
    • In the third quarter of 2024, Dundee backstopped an $8.0 million rights offering for Maritime Resources Corp. (“Maritime”) and made purchases pursuant to private agreements to acquire approximately 253.0 million common shares of the company and increase our undiluted ownership interest to 43%. The Corporation earned 33.2 million compensation warrants for backstopping the rights offering. Subsequent to year-end, Dundee exercised warrants to acquire 11.8 million additional common shares of Maritime, increasing Dundee’s undiluted ownership interest to 44%.
    • Reported net loss from all portfolio investments for the fourth quarter of 2024 of $2.1 million (2023 – loss of $0.8 million). The key drivers during the quarter included a $4.3 million and $2.9 million market depreciation in the Corporation’s investments in Saturn Metals Limited (“Saturn Metals”) and Ausgold Limited (“Ausgold”), respectively, offset by a $3.7 million investment gain in G Mining. For 2024, the Corporation reported net income from portfolio investments of $65.9 million (2023 – loss of $23.0 million). The top performer of 2024 was the $53.6 million fair value gain in Reunion Gold Corporation.
    • In October 2024, the Corporation announced the completion of the sale of 8,000 shares of TauRx Pharmaceuticals Ltd. to a private investor at a price of US$125.00 per share for proceeds of US$1.0 million (Cdn$1.4 million).
    • Reported consolidated general and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of $3.8 million (2023 – $2.5 million). For 2024, the Corporation reported consolidated general and administrative expenses of $16.3 million (2023 – $16.1 million).
    • Reported net loss attributable to owners of the Corporation for the fourth quarter of 2024 of $8.2 million (2023 – $2.8 million). For 2024, the Corporation reported net earnings attributable to owners of the Corporation of $59.1 million (2023 – loss of $38.8 million), or earnings of $0.64 per share (2023 – a loss of $0.43 per share).

    SEGMENTED FINANCIAL RESULTS

    Mining Investments

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Corporation reported a net loss before taxes from the mining investments segment of $4.2 million (2023 – $1.6 million). Performance from the mining portfolio investments incurred a total loss of $2.6 million (2023 – $1.3 million), which is included in net earnings or loss from this segment. Key drivers during the quarter included a $4.3 million and $2.9 million market depreciation in the Corporation’s investments in Saturn Metals and Ausgold, respectively, offset by a $3.7 million investment gain in G Mining Ventures Corp. (“G Mining”). The share of losses from equity accounted mining investments during the fourth quarter of 2024 was $1.6 million (2023 – $0.3 million).

    During 2024, the Corporation reported net earnings before taxes from the mining investments segment of $61.6 million (2023 – loss of $24.0 million). Performance from the mining investments portfolio contributed $62.5 million (2023 – loss of $24.0 million) to net earnings or loss before taxes in this segment. The key driver of performance during the current year was a $53.6 million market appreciation in the Corporation’s investment in Reunion Gold Corporation, prior to the business combination with G Mining. The share of losses from equity accounting mining investments during 2024 was $1.7 million (2023 – $2.2 million).

    Corporate and others

    The Corporation reported a pre-tax loss from the corporate and others segment, including non-core subsidiaries, of $0.5 million (2023 – $0.3 million) during the three months ended December 31, 2024. During 2024, the corporate and others segment reported pre-tax earnings of $5.5 million (2023 – loss of $12.0 million).

    The fair value of non-mining portfolio investments in the corporate and others segment increased by $0.5 million (2023 – $0.5 million) during the fourth quarter of the current year. The fair value of portfolio investments in this segment increased by $3.4 million (2023 – $1.1 million) during 2024.

    In the fourth quarter, the segment’s non-mining equity accounted investments reported pre-tax earnings of $1.9 million (2023 – $0.3 million). During the same period, the segment’s subsidiaries reported pre-tax losses of $0.1 million (2023 – $0.1 million). During 2024, the segment’s non-mining equity accounted investments reported pre-tax earnings of $1.5 million (2023 – loss of $1.9 million), while subsidiaries reported pre-tax losses of $1.3 million (2023 – $3.2 million).

    Mining Services

    During the three months ended December 31, 2024, the mining services segment, comprised of the Corporation’s 78%-owned subsidiary, Dundee Sustainable Technologies Inc. (“Dundee Technologies”), reported a pre-tax loss of $4.5 million (2023 – $1.2 million), which included a $2.9 million impairment charge to intangible assets and receivables. During 2024, Dundee Technologies incurred a pre-tax loss of $7.9 million (2023 – $4.3 million).

    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY ON A PER SHARE BASIS

           
    Carrying value as at December 31,   2024       2023  
    Mining Investments      
    Portfolio investments $ 95,490     $ 126,671  
    Equity accounted investments   30,013       15,731  
    Royalty   18,921       18,921  
        144,424       161,323  
    Corporate and Others      
    Corporate   32,976       18,342  
    Portfolio investments ‒ other   70,495       68,482  
    Equity accounted investments ‒ other   30,240       28,874  
    Real estate joint ventures   2,364       2,852  
    Subsidiaries   3,403       7,738  
        139,478       126,288  
    Mining Services      
    Subsidiaries   (208 )     2,439  
    Equity accounted investment   –       98  
        (208 )     2,537  
           
    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 283,694     $ 290,148  
    Less: Shareholders’ equity attributable to holders of:      
    Preference Shares, series 2   –       (27,667 )
    Preference Shares, series 3   –       (18,125 )
    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLASS A SUBORDINATE SHARES AND CLASS B SHARES OF THE CORPORATION $ 283,694     $ 244,356  
           
    Number of shares of the Corporation issued and outstanding:      
    Class A Subordinate Shares   86,269,735       85,832,805  
    Class B Shares   3,114,491       3,114,491  
    Total number of shares issued and outstanding   89,384,226       88,947,296  
           
    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY ON A PER SHARE BASIS * $ 3.17     $ 2.75  

    * Shareholders’ Equity on a per share basis is calculated as total shareholders’ equity per the financial statements, less the carrying amount of Preference shares, series 2 and series 3, and divided by the total number of Class A and Class B shares issued and outstanding.

    The Corporation’s audited consolidated financial statements as at and for years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, along with the accompanying management’s discussion and analysis, as well as the Annual Information Form, have been filed on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR”) and may be viewed by interested parties under the Corporation’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca or the Corporation’s website at www.dundeecorporation.com.

    ABOUT DUNDEE CORPORATION:

    Dundee Corporation is a public Canadian independent mining-focused holding company, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “DC.A”. The Corporation is primarily engaged in acquiring mineral resource assets. The Corporation operates with the objective of unlocking value through strategic investments in mining projects globally. Our team conducts due diligence in order to assess the geological, technical, environmental, and financial merits and risks of each project and looks to deploy capital where it can either seek to generate investment returns or where the Corporation can collaborate with operating partners and take strategic partnerships through direct interests in mining operations.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

    This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects Dundee Corporation’s current expectations regarding future events. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Dundee Corporation’s control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Annual Information Form of Dundee Corporation and subsequent filings made with securities commissions in Canada. Dundee Corporation does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

    Investor and Media Relations
    T: (416) 864-3584
    E: ir@dundeecorporation.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Nick Brown testifies in support of ‘permit to purchase’ legislation

    Source: Washington State News

    OLYMPIA — Attorney General Nick Brown today told legislators they can save lives by passing permit to purchase legislation for gun buyers (HB 1163).

    “This policy gives us the tools we need to ensure gun buyers aren’t doing so illegally under existing state and federal laws,” Brown said in his testimony to the Senate Committee on Law & Justice. “Through background checks, training, and other safety steps, we can make meaningful use of the critical time between someone’s choice to purchase a firearm and when they obtain that weapon.”

    The bill, which the committee is scheduled to vote on Thursday, enhances permitting for firearms by requiring applicants to complete State Patrol-certified safety training, including essential firearm safety procedures, responsible firearm handling, and live-fire exercises to ensure practical firearm proficiency.

    “Research and data clearly show that permit-to-purchase programs reduce gun-related deaths, curb gun trafficking, and improve law enforcement officer safety. This bill will save lives,” said Senate Law & Justice Committee Chair Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond.

    HB 1163 also establishes in-depth background checks conducted to receive a permit, background checks at the point of purchase, and an annual re-check to ensure permit holders remain eligible. Together, these elements provide more certainty that people who are prohibited from owning guns are quickly and consistently identified and won’t be able to purchase a firearm.

    “Gun violence is the number one cause of death for our kids. Not disease, not vehicular collisions, not drugs. As a mom of two little kids, and having lost someone I love to gun violence, this is personal to me,” said House Rep. Liz Berry, D-Seattle, the bill’s lead sponsor. “But I am not alone. Being afraid that our children will suffer from gun violence should not be part of our daily lives. It is unacceptable, it is unsustainable, and we must act today. Permit to Purchase will save lives and make all our communities safer.”

    Connecticut enacted similar permit-to-purchase legislation 30 years ago and saw a 40% drop in gun homicides in the decade that followed, according to Johns Hopkins University researchers.

    “This bill builds on our commonsense requirement that background checks be part of the process for buying firearms in Washington,” said Sen. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds. “By having people get a permit and background check before they purchase, we can ensure only responsible owners are the ones who have access to firearms in our state/”

    The bill previously passed out of the House on a vote of 58-38.

    -30-

    Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

    Media Contact:

    Email: press@atg.wa.gov

    Phone: (360) 753-2727

    General contacts: Click here

    Media Resource Guide & Attorney General’s Office FAQ

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump silences Voice of America – end of a propaganda machine or void for China and Russia to fill?

    ANALYSIS: By Valerie A. Cooper, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

    Of all the contradictions and ironies of Donald Trump’s second presidency so far, perhaps the most surprising has been his shutting down the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) for being “radical propaganda”.

    Critics have long accused the agency — and its affiliated outlets such as Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia — of being a propaganda arm of US foreign policy.

    But to the current president, the USAGM has become a promoter of “anti-American ideas” and agendas — including allegedly suppressing stories critical of Iran, sympathetically covering the issue of “white privilege” and bowing to pressure from China.

    Propaganda is clearly in the eye of the beholder. The Moscow Times reported Russian officials were elated by the demise of the “purely propagandistic” outlets, while China’s Global Times celebrated the closure of a “lie factory”.

    Meanwhile, the European Commission hailed USAGM outlets as a “beacon of truth, democracy and hope”. All of which might have left the average person understandably confused: Voice of America? Wasn’t that the US propaganda outlet from World War II?

    Well, yes. But the reality of USAGM and similar state-sponsored global media outlets is more complex — as are the implications of the US agency’s demise.

    Public service or state propaganda?
     The USAGM is one of several international public service media outlets based in Western democracies. Others include Australia’s ABC International, the BBC World Service, CBC/Radio-Canada, France Médias Monde, NHK-World Japan, Deutsche Welle in Germany and SRG SSR in Switzerland.

    Part of the Public Media Alliance, they are similar to national public service media, largely funded by taxpayers to uphold democratic ideals of universal access to news and information.

    Unlike national public media, however, they might not be consumed — or even known — by domestic audiences. Rather, they typically provide news to countries without reliable independent media due to censorship or state-run media monopolies.

    The USAGM, for example, provides news in 63 languages to more than 100 countries. It has been credited with bringing attention to issues such as protests against covid-19 lockdowns in China and women’s struggles for equal rights in Iran.

    On the other hand, the independence of USAGM outlets has been questioned often, particularly as they are required to share government-mandated editorials.

    Voice of America has been criticised for its focus on perceived ideological adversaries such as Russia and Iran. And my own research has found it perpetuates stereotypes and the neglect of African nations in its news coverage.

    Leaving a void
     Ultimately, these global media outlets wouldn’t exist if there weren’t benefits for the governments that fund them. Sharing stories and perspectives that support or promote certain values and policies is an effective form of “public diplomacy”.

    Yet these international media outlets differ from state-controlled media models because of editorial systems that protect them from government interference.

    The Voice of America’s “firewall”, for instance, “prohibits interference by any US government official in the objective, independent reporting of news”. Such protections allow journalists to report on their own governments more objectively.

    In contrast, outlets such as China Media Group (CMG), RT from Russia, and PressTV from Iran also reach a global audience in a range of languages. But they do this through direct government involvement.

    CMG subsidiary CCTV+, for example, states it is “committed to telling China’s story to the rest of the world”.

    Though RT states it is an autonomous media outlet, research has found the Russian government oversees hiring editors, imposing narrative angles, and rejecting stories.

    A Voice of America staffer protests outside the Washington DC offices on March 17, 2025, after employees were placed on administrative leave. Image: Getty Images/The Conversation

    Other voices get louder
     The biggest concern for Western democracies is that these other state-run media outlets will fill the void the USAGM leaves behind — including in the Pacific.

    Russia, China and Iran are increasing funding for their state-run news outlets, with China having spent more than US$6.6 billion over 13 years on its global media outlets. China Media Group is already one of the largest media conglomerates in the world, providing news content to more than 130 countries in 44 languages.

    And China has already filled media gaps left by Western democracies: after the ABC stopped broadcasting Radio Australia in the Pacific, China Radio International took over its frequencies.

    Worryingly, the differences between outlets such as Voice of America and more overtly state-run outlets aren’t immediately clear to audiences, as government ownership isn’t advertised.

    An Australian senator even had to apologise recently after speaking with PressTV, saying she didn’t know the news outlet was affiliated with the Iranian government, or that it had been sanctioned in Australia.

    Switched off
     Trump’s move to dismantle the USAGM doesn’t come as a complete surprise, however. As the authors of Capturing News, Capturing Democracy: Trump and the Voice of America described, the first Trump administration failed in its attempts to remove the firewall and install loyalists.

    This perhaps explains why Trump has resorted to more drastic measures this time. And, as with many of the current administration’s legally dubious actions, there has been resistance.

    The American Foreign Service Association says it will challenge the dismantling of the USAGM, while the Czech Republic is seeking EU support to keep Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty on the air.

    But for many of the agency’s journalists, contractors, broadcasting partners and audiences, it may be too late. Last week, The New York Times reported some Voice of America broadcasts had already been replaced by music.

    Dr Valerie A. Cooper is lecturer in media and communication, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington.  This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Guterres urges Caribbean leaders to keep pushing for peace, climate action

    Source: United Nations 2-b

    Peace and Security

    In an address on Wednesday to Caribbean leaders meeting in Barbados, UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced a potential plan to support an “effective force” in Haiti as armed gangs continue to terrorize the population. 

    Mr. Guterres was speaking during the opening of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Meeting in the capital Bridgetown, where he called for unity to achieve progress in peace and security, climate and sustainable development.

    “A unified Caribbean is an unstoppable force,” he said. “I urge you to keep using that power to push the world to deliver on its promises.”

    ‘Trouble in paradise’

    The Secretary-General noted that the region’s “exquisite beauty is famed the world over, but there is trouble in paradise.”

    He told leaders that “wave after wave of crisis is pounding your people and your islands – with no time to catch your breath before the next disaster strikes.”

    Caribbean countries are experiencing uncertainty fuelled by geopolitical tensions, along with the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, soaring debt and interest rates, and a surge in the cost of living. 

    Global solutions exist

    These are all happening “amidst a deadly swell of climate disasters – ripping development gains to shreds, and blowing holes through your national budgets,” and as countries “remain locked-out of many international institutions – one of the many legacies of colonialism today.”

    The UN chief insisted that “the cure for these ills is global,” and the world needs to deliver on hard-won global commitments to address the immense challenges the international community is facing.

    He listed three key areas “where, together, we must drive progress.” 

    Peace in Haiti

    Mr. Guterres called for unity for peace and security, “particularly to address the appalling situation in Haiti – where gangs are inflicting intolerable suffering on a desperate and frightened people.”

    He said CARICOM and its Eminent Persons Group have provided invaluable support in this regard. 

    “We must keep working for a political process – owned and led by the Haitians – that restores democratic institutions through elections,” he said.

    Security and stability

    A Security Council-backed Multinational Security Support Mission is currently on the ground to assist the Haitian National Police.

    The Secretary-General said he will soon report to the Council on the situation in the country, including proposals on the role the UN can play to both support stability and security, and address the root causes of the crisis.

    He intends to present a proposal similar to the one for Somalia, in which the UN assumes responsibility for the structural and logistical expenditures necessary to put the force in place. Salaries are paid through a trust fund that already exists.

    “If the Security Council will accept this proposal, we will have the conditions to finally have an effective force to defeat the gangs in Haiti and create the conditions for democracy to thrive,” he said, drawing applause.

    © WFP/Fedel Mansour

    Hurricane Beryl last July caused devastation on Union Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

    Climate crisis opportunity

    His second point – unity on the climate crisis – underlined “a deplorable injustice” as Caribbean countries “have done next to nothing” to create it. Moreover, they have “fought tooth and nail for the global commitment to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.”

    Mr. Guterres said countries must deliver new national climate plans ahead of the COP30 UN climate conference later this year.  The plans must align with the 1.5 goal, with the G20 group of industrial nations leading the way.

    “This is a chance for the world to get a grip on emissions,” he said. “And it’s a chance for the Caribbean to seize the benefits of clean power, to tap your vast renewables potential, and to turn your back on costly fossil fuel imports.”

    As finance is required, he underscored the need for confidence that the $1.3 trillion agreed at the previous COP will be mobilized. Developed countries also must honour their promises on adaptation finance and make meaningful contributions to the new Loss and Damage Fund.

    “When the Fund was created, the pledges made were equivalent to the new contract for just one baseball player in New York City,” he remarked.

    Finance for sustainable development

    Meanwhile, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) “are starved of adequate finance, as debt servicing soaks-up funds, and international financial institutions remain underpowered.”

    The Secretary-General said Caribbean countries have been at the forefront of the fight for change, pioneering bold and creative solutions.  He said the Pact for the Future, together with the Bridgetown Initiative, marks significant progress.

    Mr. Guterres thanked Caribbean leaders for supporting the Pact, which UN Member States adopted last year. 

    Key deliverables include support for an SDG Stimulus of $500 billion annually and commitment to reform international financial institutions to allow greater participation by developing countries. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Urges Stockholders of AMPS, ML, AMPY, HEES to Act Now

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm in the 2024 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating:

    • Altus Power, Inc. (NYSE: AMPS), relating to the proposed merger with TPG. Under the terms of the agreement, Altus Power will be acquired by TPG for $5.00 per share of its Class A common stock in an all-cash transaction.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for April 9, 2025.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/altus-power-inc-amps/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • MoneyLion Inc. (NYSE: ML), relating to the proposed merger with Gen Digital Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of MoneyLion will receive $82.00 per share in cash, and one contingent value right per share entitling the shareholder to a contingent payment of Gen Digital common stock.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for April 10, 2025.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/moneylion-inc-ml/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Amplify Energy Corp. (NYSE: AMPY), relating to the proposed merger with Juniper Capital. Under the terms of the agreement, Amplify shareholders will retain approximately 61% of Amplify’s outstanding equity.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for April 14, 2025.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/amplify-energy-corp-ampy/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: HEES), relating to the proposed merger with Herc Holdings Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, H&E shareholders will receive $78.75 in cash and 0.1287 shares of Herc common stock for each share they own. H&E’s shareholders will own approximately 14.1% of the combined company.

    ACT NOW. The Tender Offer expires on April 15, 2025.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/he-equipment-services-inc-hees/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
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    jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
    Tel: (212) 971-1341

    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2025 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (www.monteverdelaw.com).  Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Opposes Mehmet Oz for Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement opposing Dr. Mehmet Oz to serve as President Donald Trump’s Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The statement follows her vote against his nomination in the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance today.

    “President Trump has endorsed the House Republican plan to cut nearly a trillion dollars in funding for Medicaid, and this administration and Elon Musk have shown a clear willingness to disrupt Medicare as well. These cuts would directly harm children and seniors,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Dr. Oz has demonstrated a complete deference to Trump, and I’m not confident he would fight to protect Medicaid and Medicare from the Trump administration’s chainsaw. I therefore oppose his confirmation.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Rosen Press USDA to Not Take Food Away from Food Banks and Hungry Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) joined Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and 23 of their colleagues in a letter pressing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for more information about the cancellation of previously-approved funding through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) for food banks and other emergency food providers. This action by the Trump Administration would take food away from hungry Americans already facing high grocery prices and hurt American farmers who are being squeezed by tariffs and other cuts to domestic markets.

    “We write regarding the reported cancellation of hundreds of millions of dollars in previously approved funding for food banks and other emergency food providers through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP),” wrote the Senators. “A cancellation of these funds could result in $500 million in lost food provisions to feed millions of Americans at a time when the need for food shelves is extremely high due to costly groceries and an uncertain economy.” 

    “If true, this major shift in a program utilized by emergency food providers in every state in the nation will have a significant and damaging impact upon millions of people who depend upon this program for critical food assistance,” the Senators continued. “In addition, this program consists of purchases of U.S. commodities at a time when America’s growers and producers are struggling due to tariffs, proposed tariffs, animal disease and many other challenges.”

    Read the full letter here.

    Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen have been vocal opponents of the Trump Administration’s efforts to cut critical programs Nevadans rely on all while trying to give further tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. Earlier this month, the Senators demanded the USDA reverse its cancellation of food purchase programs across the U.S., warning of the harmful impacts this move will have on both families and American farmers. Additionally, Cortez Masto and Rosen have pushed multiple Departments under the Trump Administration for detailed, public information regarding the impacts of President Trump’s federal funding freeze, hiring freeze, and terminations on Nevada – including the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture, and the General Services Administration.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, Merkley Introduce Bill to Stop Overpayments in the Medicare Advantage Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the No Unreasonable Payments, Coding, or Diagnoses for the Elderly (No UPCODE) Act to improve the way Medicare Advantage plans assess patients’ health risks and reduce overpayments for care. The No UPCODE Act will save taxpayers billions by eliminating incentives to overcharge Medicare for care.
    “Medicare is going insolvent, and our budget deficit is expanding. We need to stop overpaying where we can if we’re to preserve Medicare for Americans who rely on it,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This is the direction we need to go.”
    “Fraud, waste, and abuse by bad actors are destroying the stability of both Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare—this must end,” said Senator Merkley. “Our bipartisan bill cracks down on the fraudsters overcharging taxpayers by billions of dollars every year, closing the loopholes they use to turn sick patients into healthy profits.”
    Traditional Medicare plans reimburse providers for the cost of treatments rendered, while Medicare Advantage is paid a standard rate based on the health of an individual patient. Because of this, Medicare Advantage plans have a financial incentive to make beneficiaries appear sicker than they may be to receive a higher Medicare reimbursement. According to a CBO budget option report, addressing overcoding will save $124 billion over 10 years. 
    The No UPCODE Act would eliminate those incentives by:

    Developing a risk-adjustment model that uses two years of diagnostic data instead of just one year.
    Limiting the ability to use old or unrelated medical conditions when determining the cost of care. 
    Ensuring Medicare is only charged for treatment related to relevant medical conditions.
    Closing the gap between how a patient is assessed under traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

    Background
    Earlier this month, Cassidy discussed his No UPCODE Act during U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Director nominee Mehmet Oz’s confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Meets With Illinois Air Traffic Controllers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    March 25, 2025

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois representatives from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), including President of the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), Toby Hauck.  During their meeting, Durbin and the NATCA members touched on the industry’s critical staffing shortage and spoke about steps to recruit, train, and retain air traffic controllers.  The leaders also discussed replacing outdated equipment and improving mental health support for air traffic controllers who often work 10 hour days, six days a week.

    “When we board a flight, we expect to arrive safely at our destination.  But that’s not possible without the critical work of our air traffic controllers, who are strained by the industry’s staffing shortage,” said Durbin.  “Today, I met with Illinois-based air traffic controllers and Toby Hauck, President of the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center, to discuss how the federal government can better support them.”

    Photos of the meeting are available here.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Questions Witnesses In Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Censorship

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    March 25, 2025

    Durbin questions a majority witness on whether the January 6 insurrection was protected free speech; highlights the Trump Administration’s assault on the First Amendment

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution hearing entitled “The Censorship Industrial Complex.” 

    Durbin began by asking Benjamin Weingarten, a Commentator and Senior Contributor to The Federalist, about the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol. Mr. Weingarten has written about the existence of a so-called Censorship Industrial Complex that he believes has been directed by the Biden Administration. As part of this, Weingarten has stated, “the Capitol riot fueled the war on wrongthink” and that “[c]lemency for Capitol rioters, perhaps above all other opening actions [by the Trump Administration], should represent the start of the end of that war.”

    “Do you think the January 6 riot at the Capitol was protected free speech?” Durbin asked.

    Mr. Weingarten responded, “I think to the extent there was peaceful protest, that is free speech, and when it bleeds into violence to action, that’s when it certainly crosses a line.”

    Durbin responded, “You believe that some of the individuals who received full and unconditional pardons by the President of the United States had in fact crossed the line and were guilty of criminal conduct?”

    Mr. Weingarten stated that “some people [on January 6] committed crimes.”

    “They certainly did [commit crimes]—140 policemen were assaulted by these rioters. I’m on the policemen’s side and I hope you are too,” said Durbin.

    Durbin then asked about Mr. Weingarten’s “whole-of-society war” rhetoric and what it means. Mr. Weingarten said it’s when “government is working hand-in-hand with civil society to achieve some sort of outcome.”

    “Do you think that’s inherently wrong or insidious?” Durbin asked.

    Mr. Weingarten responded, “On its face, it’s potentially chilling when you have government and civil society working hand-in-glove because that blurring of the line between civil society and the state can cross into potentially draconian methods and outcomes.”

    Durbin then asked about whether Mr. Weingarten’s definition of “whole-of-society-war” is in line with the former President George W. Bush’s actions following 9/11.

    Durbin then asked Dr. Mary Anne Franks, a Professor at George Washington University Law School, about the Trump Administration’s attacks on law firms. The Trump Administration has recently targeted several law firms for their association with the President’s perceived enemies, including Perkins Coie and Paul Weiss. Reportedly, the Administration has created a list of more than a dozen firms that it may target.

    “I think this attack on law firms for representing unpopular clients—unpopular with this Administration—is one of the most dangerous developments I’ve seen and the violation of basic free speech… What do you think about the future of legal representation at these law firms, at least one of them has reached a settlement with the Trump Administration?” Durbin asked.

    Dr. Franks responded, “I very much share your alarm about those actions because as you mentioned, access to the courts is a very key principle of our freedoms, and to threaten law firms that are trying to do what all of us should rely on which is to defend people’s rights in court, is extremely chilling.”

    Durbin concluded by asking Gabe Rottman, Vice President of Policy at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP), about the Trump Administration’s views on freedom of the press. The Trump White House recently refused to allow the Associated Press (AP) in the White House press pool for using “Gulf of Mexico” instead of “Gulf of America.”

    “You use the term ‘Gulf of Mexico’ [and] you’re not welcome in the White House,” Durbin said.

    Mr. Rottman responded, “it’s explicit viewpoint discrimination that underpins retaliatory actions by the White House and that makes it a First Amendment violation.”

    Video of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.

    Audio of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.

    Footage of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here for TV Stations.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Members Padilla, Morelle Secure Reversal on Damaging Plan to Close Federal Buildings With Congressional Offices

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Ranking Members Padilla, Morelle Secure Reversal on Damaging Plan to Close Federal Buildings With Congressional Offices

    Padilla and Morelle: “We are relieved that GSA and DOGE have heeded our strong objections and reversed course”
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, and U.S. Representative Joe Morelle (N.Y.-25), Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, followed up on their March 7 letter to the General Services Administration (GSA), welcoming its abandonment of joint efforts with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cancel leases or sell federal buildings that host Congressional or other Legislative Branch offices. The Members continued to press GSA on their reckless efforts to close or sell off hundreds of other federal facilities at the direction of President Trump and Elon Musk and the indiscriminate firings of GSA Congressional support and regional management staff.
    “Members of Congress utilize offices across the country to carry out their constitutional duties within their home states and districts,” wrote the lawmakers. “We reiterate that closing facilities that host Congressional offices and forcing them to relocate would directly interfere with Congress’s constitutional duties, pose significant security risks, and cause disruption to essential constituent services. We are relieved that GSA and DOGE have heeded our strong objections and reversed course.”
    Trump’s GSA failed to respond to the lawmakers’ March 7 letter and still refuses to be transparent or accountable to Congressional oversight over these potential plans to cancel leases and sell off federally owned facilities.
    “This lack of responsiveness to Congress is unacceptable. GSA is funded and overseen by Congress and is accountable to the American people and their duly elected representatives in Congress,” wrote the lawmakers. “A lack of transparency, combined with uncoordinated and chaotic policy announcements and execution, is the opposite of ‘government efficiency.’”
    The lawmakers condemned the sweeping firings of GSA staff for entire regions and of GSA’s Congressional Support Program staff, who are critical to establish and maintain in-state Congressional offices. While the plans to sell off federally owned buildings in the Legislative Branch have been called off, these offices need a strong workforce to maintain essential operations.
    “DOGE and GSA have continued their indiscriminate firing of GSA Congressional Support staff and regional building management staff, leaving dozens of federal buildings with Congressional tenants without adequate support,” continued the lawmakers. “DOGE and GSA should similarly reverse course on these untargeted and short-sighted staff reductions that risk disrupting congressional operations.”
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Acting Administrator Ehikian:
    We write to follow up to our March 7 letter regarding the General Services Administration’s (GSA) ongoing efforts to cancel leases and sell off federally owned facilities in concert with the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). We remain particularly concerned with the unacceptable impacts that would result from the unilateral forced relocations of Congressional offices or other Legislative Branch agencies.
    Unfortunately, GSA has failed to respond in a timely way. This lack of responsiveness to Congress is unacceptable. GSA is funded and overseen by Congress and is accountable to the American people and their duly elected representatives in Congress. A lack of transparency, combined with uncoordinated and chaotic policy announcements and execution, is the opposite of “government efficiency.”
    Nevertheless, we are encouraged by reports and information that we have received through other channels that GSA has stopped its misguided plans to cancel leases or divest buildings that host Legislative Branch agencies and offices. We are also pleased that GSA and DOGE are no longer pursuing lease terminations or taking steps to divest buildings that host Members of Congress offices in their home states and districts. These reports were confirmed by GSA’s press release issued Friday afternoon on March 21 with a reduced list of buildings identified for divestment.
    As noted in our March 7 letter, Members of Congress utilize offices across the country to carry out their constitutional duties within their home states and districts. We reiterate that closing facilities that host Congressional offices and forcing them to relocate would directly interfere with Congress’s constitutional duties, pose significant security risks, and cause disruption to essential constituent services. We are relieved that GSA and DOGE have heeded our strong objections and reversed course.
    However, DOGE and GSA have continued their indiscriminate firing of GSA Congressional Support staff and regional building management staff, leaving dozens of federal buildings with Congressional tenants without adequate support. DOGE and GSA should similarly reverse course on these untargeted and short-sighted staff reductions that risk disrupting congressional operations.
    We all share the stated goals of ensuring efficient use of federal office space and being responsible stewards of taxpayer funds. GSA should consult with Legislative Branch tenants and reach appropriate agreements that ensure safety, security, and avoid disrupting operations. If DOGE and GSA again consider unilaterally terminating leases or divesting buildings that host Congressional or other Legislative Branch offices, you should immediately notify Congressional leadership, the Senate and House Sergeants-at-Arms, the Senate Rules Committee, and the Committee on House Administration on a bipartisan basis.
    Thank you for your continued attention to these important considerations when it comes to Legislative Branch use of GSA facilities.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –