CHICAGO — A man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge for illegally importing the drug Pentobarbital into the United States from Mexico for use in committing suicide.
DANIEL GONZALEZ-MUNGUIA, also known as “Alejandro Vasquez,” 41, of Puebla, Mexico, pleaded guilty in federal court in Chicago to one count of importing a controlled substance into the United States. The charge is punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis set sentencing for Sept. 9, 2025.
Pentobarbital, also known as Nembutal, is a drug sold in Mexico for the purpose of euthanizing animals. In the U.S., Pentobarbital is a controlled substance and has been used in state-sponsored executions. Gonzalez-Munguia admitted in a plea agreement that from 2012 to 2021, he operated an online drug business that sold and distributed bottles of Pentobarbital to hundreds of individuals in the U.S. and throughout the world, including individuals in Illinois. Many of the buyers consumed the product and died, the plea agreement states.
The investigation by Homeland Security Investigations began in 2016 after a parcel of the drug was intercepted in a Chicago suburb. Authorities in the U.S. and several foreign countries conducted well-being checks and recovered Pentobarbital from numerous individuals who admitted to being despondent and ordering the suicide drug online from Gonzalez-Munguia. Law enforcement provided assistance to those individuals.
Gonzalez-Munguia admitted that he initially shipped bottles of the drug directly from Mexico and in the manufacturer’s packaging, but thereafter disguised it as a cosmetic product and used intermediaries to transport it into the U.S. before shipping to customers around the world.
The guilty plea was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Daniel Johnsen, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of Homeland Security Investigations, and Ruth Mendonça, Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Illinois Army National Guard Counterdrug Program, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, and law enforcement agencies in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kartik K. Raman is prosecuting the case.
CONCORD – A Dominican man was sentenced yesterday in federal court for trafficking drugs at a public housing development in Portsmouth, Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces.
Maikol Jordan Saldivar-Diaz, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott to 30 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. In November 2024, Saldivar-Diaz pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of controlled substances.
“Saldivar-Diaz is an illegal immigrant who chose to distribute drugs outside of a public housing development,” said Acting United States Attorney Jay McCormack. “The families at the housing development deserve better than to be endangered by those dealing and buying dangerous narcotics nearby. We will continue to support our partners to ensure public neighborhoods in the Granite State are safeguarded from drug activity and violence.”
According to court documents, Portsmouth Police Department was notified of drug activity at a public housing development in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Investigators were subsequently able to identify Saldivar-Diaz as the source of this drug activity. On three occasions in June and July of 2024, Saldivar-Diaz sold controlled substances to a confidential informant, including quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
Portsmouth Police Department led the investigation. The Drug Enforcement Administration provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Scanlon is prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and U.S. Representative Adrian Smith (NE-03) led their Nebraska colleagues in reintroducing the North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act. The bill would award the Congressional Gold Medal to the collective individuals and communities who volunteered or donated food and other items to the North Platte Canteen in North Platte, Nebraska, during World War II.
U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) is an original cosponsor of the Senate legislation. U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02), and Mike Flood (NE-01) are original cosponsors of the House legislation.
“During the world’s darkest time, a host of patriotic Nebraskans volunteered to give our service members a taste of home and of hope at the North Platte Canteen. Those volunteers included my own mother, Florence. I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation, which will honor the Nebraskans who ran the North Platte Canteen for nearly five years during World War II,” said Senator Fischer.“For four and a half years, the North Platte Canteen gave a sense of home to more than 6 million American troops traversing the country by train to serve in the Second World War. Volunteers from Nebraska communities came from as much as 200 miles away to lend a hand and provide meals, refreshments, and baked goods to up to 5,000 soldiers per day at the Canteen’s peak. This bill will honor this monumental patriotic effort as a great moment in American history. I thank Sen. Fischer for bringing legislation in the Senate and the entire delegation for supporting its introduction,” said Congressman Smith.
“The North Platte Canteen is an excellent example of Nebraska’s tradition of patriotism. Our nation needs to be inspired by stories of service now more than ever. This bill will give these volunteers the recognition they deserve,” said Senator Ricketts.
“During World War II, 55,000 Nebraskans showed their patriotism and love for this country by volunteering time and donating food to the North Platte Canteen, which in turn served millions of soldiers. As a veteran, I know how much those soldiers appreciated the acts of kindness exhibited to them and I am honored to join this movement to recognize their work,” said Congressman Bacon.
“The North Platte Canteen has long been remembered as a symbol of Nebraska’s patriotism and our state’s love for our country’s Armed Forces. This measure is a salute to the people and communities who supported the canteen, and I look forward to working with my colleagues towards awarding them a Congressional Gold Medal as a token of our appreciation,” Congressman Flood.
“The Nebraska American Legion is proud to endorse Senator Fischer’s bill regarding the North Platte canteen and its many volunteers that served the greatest generation going into battle. For many years, trains carrying our GI’s across America would stop in North Platte to allow railroad workers a short time to perform whatever maintenance was required on the train and get it ready for its next journey. The good people of North Platte took advantage of this opportunity and would provide refreshments to the GI’s during the brief stop. These volunteers demonstrated first-hand the patriotic spirit of Nebraskans and our tremendous Nebraska hospitality,” said Nebraska American Legion Department Adjutant Dave Salak.
“We appreciate Senator Deb Fischer’s leadership on the effort to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the those who supported the North Platte Canteen. From Christmas Day of 1941 throughout World War II, 55,000 Nebraska women volunteered to provide refreshments and support to nearly seven million American servicemen who passed by rail through North Platte, Nebraska. Stopping by the North Platte Station, many times only for a few minutes, receiving a sandwich, a slice of pie or a cup of coffee, in their route across the country, allowed Nebraska to show their appreciation and support. To recognize the effort of these Nebraskans by awarding them the Congressional Gold Medal is incredibly fitting and perfect timing. Nebraska mobilized 144,000 servicemembers during the second World War,” said Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director John Hilgert. “We are recognizing their service on this 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II by presenting them each with a medal and ribbon especially minted by the State of Nebraska’s Department of Veterans Affairs. To recognize the outstanding effort of those who served on the home front through the efforts made at the North Platte Canteen is only fitting. From the home front to the battle front, Nebraska gave her all for victory. Awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the effort is not simply a remembrance but rather it is a lesson for generations to come. A lesson of sacrifice, teamwork, and dedication to mission. As Nebraska’s Governor Jim Pillen often says, “Together we can!”
“The Friends of the National World War II Memorial proudly endorses the North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act. We commend Senator Fischer for championing this important legislation to recognize the extraordinary volunteers who selflessly served at the North Platte Canteen during World War II. Through their dedication, these volunteers provided warmth, nourishment, and encouragement to more than six million American service members traveling to the European and Pacific theaters. Their efforts embodied the spirit of the Greatest Generation—whose sacrifices, both on and off the battlefield, helped secure victory over tyranny. Honoring the North Platte Canteen volunteers with the Congressional Gold Medal is a long-overdue tribute to their remarkable service and enduring legacy,” said Friends of the National World War II Memorial Executive Director Holly Rotondi.
“The volunteers of the North Platte Canteen embodied the true Spirit of American patriotism not through combat, but through kindness. In the darkest days of World War II, they turned a small Nebraska train depot into a beacon of hope, serving over six million soldiers with warmth, gratitude and unwavering support. Their selfless dedication to the troops, many of whom were mere teenagers heading to the front lines, exemplifies the highest ideals of service and sacrifice. Honoring them with a Congressional gold medal is not just a recognition of their deeds, but a tribute to the power of unity, generosity, and the American spirit,” said North Platte Mayor Brandon Kelliher.
“During the horrors of World War II something amazing happened. Out of the upheaval of war a group of ladies began an effort that would forever affect the lives of six million service personnel. Beginning with a handful of ladies and growing to 55,000 volunteers, the North Platte Canteen became a home away from home for so many young men and women travelling to and from war. These volunteers served food but more importantly they brought love to a group of young people far from home and headed to far away places that they might never return from. Many were returning from experiences most can never imagine. This love (and food) left an indelible mark on all those that experienced it. It was simply America at its best,” said Lincoln County Historical Museum Director and Curator James Griffin.More information:
The North Platte Canteen was a railroad stop in North Platte, Nebraska, that was recognized during World War II for providing hospitality to soldiers traveling through the area. An estimated 55,000 people from 125 communities throughout Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas contributed food, money, or time to serve the Canteen’s estimated 6 million visitors.
The North Platte Canteen operated from Christmas Day, 1941 to April 1, 1946. It was the largest community-based canteen in the U.S. and one of the largest volunteer efforts during World War II.
Read the full text of the bill here.
Read more about the North Platte Canteen here.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
February 21, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Following news that the Trump administration cut protections for hundreds of thousands of Haitians in the United States with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following statement:
“Donald Trump’s decision to rip away protections for Haitians who are legally in the United States is shameful. Haiti is not safe right now and Haitians with TPS are here legally after fleeing unfathomable violence and instability. These individuals have legal status and are actively contributing to our communities, something I’ve seen firsthand in Massachusetts. Revoking TPS for Haitians will harm up to half a million of our neighbors and devastate communities. The United States made a promise to these families, and the President should honor that promise and reverse this decision immediately.”
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
February 18, 2025
The chief executive of the private equity group that yielded a roughly $800 million profit from its investment in Steward Health Care is set to face the US Senate soon in his bid to serve as a top official at the Pentagon, and his company’s involvement in the now-troubled hospital chain is drawing scrutiny.
The extent of Cerberus Capital Management chief executive Stephen Feinberg’s involvement with Steward were among the questions Senator Elizabeth Warren posed in a letter sent Monday night ahead of his upcoming confirmation hearing. The letter includes dozens of concerns the Massachusetts Democrat has over the billionaire’s nomination as deputy defense secretary.
“Cerberus, under your leadership, has exemplified the concerns that I have long had about private equity firms: that its focus on debt-fueled acquisitions, managed for the short-term and for the benefit of insider executives, ultimately leaves the companies it acquires as hollowed-out shells and hurts workers, customers, and communities,” Warren wrote in the letter shared with The Boston Globe.
Steward is listed as one of several companies Warren says Cerberus invested in that later went bankrupt or struggled financially, including Chrysler, gun maker Remington, defense contractor DynCorp, and grocery chain Albertsons.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
February 18, 2025
Democrats say they’re starting to find their footing to push back against Trump’s massive tax, immigration and defense bill. And their line of attack is simple: This bill won’t lower prices.
“You promised the American people that you would immediately lower costs, ‘starting on Day One.’ However, weeks into your presidency, congressional Republicans are moving forward with legislative plans to increase the cost of living for hardworking Americans,” 32 Senate Democrats wrote Tuesday morning in a letter to Trump.
Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts), Jeff Merkley (Oregon), Ron Wyden (Oregon) and Amy Klobuchar (Minnesota) led the missive, which was obtained first by The Washington Post.
It follows Rep. Brendan Boyle (Pennsylvania) and House Budget Committee Democrats’ 12-hour amendment-a-thon last week as House Republicans voted to advance their budget resolution to the floor. Boyle at the end of the session said the GOP was “betraying the middle class of this country and those who aspire to be in it.”
…
Read the full article here.
By: Jacob BogageSource: Washington Post
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
February 19, 2025
A pair of Senate Democrats demanded Department of Government Efficiency staffers associated with Elon Musk vacate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, saying their presence undermines an agency responsible for regulating the billionaire’s yet-to-be-released payments venture.
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff said Musk is “not only neutralizing the pro-consumer agency that will supervise X’s digital wallet – he is also potentially gaining access to confidential corporate data that could provide X with an unfair advantage over its competitors.”
DOGE staffers descended on the agency earlier this month, upending operations, closing its headquarters and effectively rendering the agency dormant for the time being.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Alex Hinton, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology; Director, Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights, Rutgers University – Newark
Attendees take selfies at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Md., on Feb. 20, 2025. Andrew Harnick/Getty Images
A month later, Trump’s supporters gathered at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, in Oxon Hill, Maryland, from Feb. 19-22 to celebrate the advent of this golden age.
Gold glitter jackets, emblazoned with phrases like “Trump the Golden Era,” are for sale in the CPAC exhibition hall. There, attendees decked out in other MAGA-themed clothing and accessories network and mingle. They visit booths with politically charged signs that say “Defund Planned Parenthood” and collect brochures on topics like “The Gender Industrial Complex.”
Another booth with a yellow and black striped backdrop resembling a prison cell’s bars was called a “Deportation Center.” Attendees photographed themselves at this booth, posing beside full-size cutouts of Trump and his border czar, Tom Homan.
Trump’s heroism, his supporters believe, was illustrated after a bullet grazed his ear during an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July 2024. Trump quickly rose to his feet, pumped his fist in the air and yelled, “Fight, fight, fight.”
The phrase became a MAGA rally cry and, in February 2025, it has been stamped on CPAC attendees’ shirts and jackets.
After Trump’s 2024 election victory, many Trump supporters dubbed it
“the greatest comeback in political history.” MAGA populist Steven Bannon invoked this phrase at a pre-CPAC event on Feb. 19.
When Bannon spoke on the CPAC main stage on Feb. 20, he led the crowd in a raucous “fight, fight, fight” chant. He compared Trump with Abraham Lincoln and George Washington and called for him to run again for president in 2028.
The MAGA faithful believe that Trump is like a human “wrecking ball,” as evangelical leader Lance Wallnau said in 2015. This metaphor speaks to how Trump supporters believe the president is tearing down an entrenched, corrupt system.
One established the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which is devoted to eliminating government waste. DOGE, led by billionaire Elon Musk, has dismantled USAID and fired thousands of government workers whom MAGA views as part of an anti-Trump “deep state.”
Musk stole the show at CPAC on Feb. 20. Speaking to a cheering crowd, Musk held up a large red chain saw and yelled, “This is the chain saw for bureaucracy.”
Speaker after speaker at this year’s CPAC have celebrated this and other wrecking-ball achievements on panels with titles like “Red Tape Reckoning,” “Crushing Woke Board Rooms” and “The Takedown of Left Tech.”
3. The Midas touch
A golden age requires a builder. Who better, the MAGA faithful believe, than a billionaire businessman with a self-proclaimed “Midas touch.” This refers to King Midas, a figure in Greek mythology who turns everything he touches into pure gold.
“Trump Will Fix It” signs filled his 2024 campaign rallies. And MAGA supporters note that Trump began fixing the country on Day 1 by “flooding the zone” with executive orders aimed at implementing his four-pronged “America First” promise. In addition to draining the swamp, this plan pledges to “make America safe again,” “make America affordable and energy dominant again” and “bring back American values.”
These themes run through the remarks of almost every CPAC speaker, who offer nonstop praise about how Trump is securing the country’s borders, increasing energy independence, repatriating who they call illegal aliens, restoring free speech and reducing government regulation and waste.
CPAC speakers said that Trump has already racked up a slew of successes just a month into his presidency.
This includes Trump using the threat of tariffs to bring other countries to the negotiating table.
Meanwhile, Trump supporters are pleased that he has been working to cut deals to end the conflict in Gaza and the war between Russia and Ukraine, while reorienting U.S. foreign policy to focus on China.
The MAGA faithful believe that Trump is restoring an era of American exceptionalism in which the U.S. is an economic powerhouse, common senseis the rule, and traditional values centered on God, family and freedom are celebrated.
And they believe in a future where the U.S. is, as Trump said in his inaugural address, “the envy of every nation.”
Alex Hinton receives funding from Alex Hinton receives funding from the Rutgers-Newark Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Politics and Race in America, Rutgers Research Council, and Henry Frank Guggenheim Foundation.
Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
02.21.25
In All-Night Senate Floor Fight, Cantwell Votes NO on Republican Tax Giveaways to Ultra-Rich, YES on Lower Costs for Working Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, released this statement following Senate passage of a Republican-led budget resolution, after votes on 30 Democratic amendments.
“Tonight, Senate Republicans voted to give $4 trillion in tax cuts to corporations and the ultra-rich while failing to protect programs like Medicare and Medicaid,”said Sen. Cantwell.“Republicans voted ‘no’ on our efforts to make housing more affordable, and they rejected efforts to reduce grocery prices. This is the fifth week of the Trump Administration. He is not doing enough to lower the cost of everyday goods for working families and neither will this Republican budget plan.”
The budget resolution passed 52-48. Senate Republicans now have to hammer out their differences with the budget approach the House is slated to consider, likely next week.
Before passage, the Senate voted on 30 Democratic amendments to improve the bill, including:
An amendment to prioritize the needs of working families first and prohibit tax cuts for people making $1 billion or more. Failed 47-51. Cantwell voted YES.
An amendment to prevent giving tax cuts for the wealthy while food prices are still high. Failed 48-52. Cantwell voted YES.
An amendment to protect Medicaid and prohibit providing tax cuts for the ultra-rich if any cuts are made to Medicaid. Failed 49-51. Cantwell voted YES.
An amendment to make housing more affordable. Failed 47-53. Cantwell voted YES.
Republicans voted all of these and dozens more Democratic amendments down.
[. 22 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and Alberta’s government is reaffirming its commitment to combatting this unthinkable crime. Human trafficking is a violation of fundamental human rights that takes advantage of vulnerable people, subjecting victims to forced labour, sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse. It perpetuates cycles of poverty and trauma, affecting individuals and communities across the province.
Alberta’s government recognizes the urgent need to address human trafficking and provide comprehensive supports for survivors. Introduced in December 2024, the Combatting Trafficking in Persons grant helps organizations prevent human trafficking, protect at-risk people and empower survivors. Since being introduced, organizations that play a critical role in ending human trafficking and supporting survivors have applied for the grant and 19 will receive funding to support their critical work.
“Human trafficking leaves lasting scars on victims, survivors and communities. We are taking a strong stance against traffickers and bolstering support networks for survivors. This funding will empower community-based organizations to provide specialized services that protect vulnerable individuals and disrupt the cycle of exploitation. With these community grants, we are ensuring traffickers are held accountable and survivors have the support they need from organizations such as The Alberta Centre to rebuild their lives.”
Collaboration and community partnerships are vital to combatting human trafficking. These grants strengthen the capacity of organizations to work with law enforcement, non-profits and Indigenous communities to deliver critical supports where they are needed most. These grants provide resources to empower survivors with the tools and services they need to recover and thrive. By investing in prevention, we are addressing the root causes of trafficking and reducing exploitation in our communities.
The Combatting Trafficking in Persons grants focus on three areas: prevention, protection and empowerment. Funded projects aim to prevent human trafficking by increasing public awareness of its signs and risk factors, supporting community engagement and fostering collaboration. Protection efforts will provide emergency support and help victims navigate legal and health care systems, while empowerment initiatives will assist survivors through peer support networks, skill-building programs and advocacy efforts.
“With the Alberta Centre leading the way, we now have a dedicated, community-led organization working in partnership with the Government of Alberta and focused on disrupting trafficking networks and empowering survivors. This centre brings hope for vulnerable individuals and a safer future for all Albertans. Our work is focused on empowering those affected by trafficking, disrupting networks of exploitation, and fostering safer, more resilient communities.”
“With the funding from the Government of Alberta, RESET Society of Calgary will increase the capacity within our program and decrease our waitlist to support survivors as they transition from situations of sex trafficking to healing, empowerment and sustaining stable lives for themselves and their children. Proactive initiatives like this from the Alberta government will bring agencies and partners together to provide critical trauma-informed programs and supports.”
“Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA) is thankful to the Alberta government for its ongoing commitment to address human trafficking in Alberta and for support to continue our work to prevent human trafficking in friendship centre communities across the province. ANFCA looks forward to working in partnership with our member friendship centres, the Alberta government and other stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking in the province.”
Priority consideration was given to initiatives that meaningfully include persons with lived experience of human trafficking, as well as Indigenous-led programs. This approach ensures that funding supports culturally relevant, survivor-centered services with the greatest impact on vulnerable populations.
Quick facts
The 19 organizations receiving provincial funding include:
Alberta Native Friendship Centres
ALERT
Buckspring Foundation
Catholic Social Services
CEASE
Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre
Chiniki First Nation
Goodstoney First Nation
HER Victory
Hull Services
Kainai Transition Centre Society
Métis Nation of Alberta
Narrow Road Society
REACH
RESET Society
Salvation Army
The Alberta Centre for Human Trafficking
Tsuut’ina Nation
Waypoints
Recipients of the Combatting Trafficking in Persons Grant must be located in Alberta. To be eligible to apply, applicants must be one of the following:
A registered not-for-profit/charitable organization in Alberta.
A community-based coalition or network (with a designated fiscal agent).
An Indigenous community, including Tribal Councils, First Nations and Metis Settlements.
Related information
Combatting Trafficking in Persons Grant
Related news
Empowering survivors of human trafficking (Dec. 13, 2024)
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced changes to the parliamentary secretary team.
In their new roles, the parliamentary secretaries will support their respective cabinet ministers to make progress on the priorities that matter most to Canadians. They will engage directly with Canadians on key initiatives and represent the government at home and abroad. Their appointments are effective immediately.
The changes to the parliamentary secretary team are as follows:
Vance Badawey becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
Jaime Battiste becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Chris Bittle becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Mike Kelloway becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Irek Kusmierczyk becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Seniors
Bryan May becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
Yasir Naqvi becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
Taleeb Noormohamed becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs (Canada-U.S.)
Jennifer O’Connell becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety (Cybersecurity)
Marc G. Serré becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Terry Sheehan becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Ryan Turnbull becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
Adam van Koeverden becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada
The Prime Minister also welcomed the following new members to the parliamentary secretary team:
Kody Blois becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Julie Dzerowicz becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs and Latin America)
Arielle Kayabaga becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business
Viviane Lapointe becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages and Associate Minister of Public Safety
Tim Louis becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage
Francesco Sorbara becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs
These new parliamentary secretaries will work to deliver real, positive change for Canadians. They join the following parliamentary secretaries remaining in their portfolio:
Paul Chiang, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Peter Fragiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
Lisa Hepfner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
Anthony Housefather, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board
Iqra Khalid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue
Annie Koutrakis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence
Kevin Lamoureux, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Stéphane Lauzon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizens’ Services
James Maloney, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Sherry Romanado, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness
Randeep Sarai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Maninder Sidhu, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development
Charles Sousa, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
Anita Vandenbeld, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development
Sameer Zuberi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities
Quote
“Our government is laser-focused on the issues that matter most to you and your family. With these additions to our strong team, we will create and protect Canadian jobs, build more homes, reduce emissions, make life cost less, and defend Canadian interests.”
Quick Facts
Parliamentary secretaries are chosen by the Prime Minister to assist ministers.
The responsibilities of parliamentary secretaries generally fall into two broad categories: House of Commons business and department-related duties.
Parliamentary secretaries are not members of Cabinet and do not play a formal role in the Cabinet decision-making process. They support their ministers, but overall responsibility and accountability remains with the minister.
ABINGDON, Va. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the FBI apprehended an illegally present citizen of Egypt and Turkey when officers and agents arrested Noareleslam Abdelrahman, 27, during an at-large, targeted enforcement action in Abingdon.
“Noareleslam Abdelrahman was illegally present in Virginia in blatant and knowing violation of U.S. immigration laws,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. acting Field Office Director Patrick Divver. “ICE remains dedicated to our mission of ensuring safety and security through the arrest and removal of individuals who undermine the safety of our communities and the integrity of our immigration laws. We take this mission extremely seriously, and we will continue to arrest and remove alien offenders.”
The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Abdelrahman June 23, 2023, after he illegally entered the United States near Yuma, Arizona, and served him a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge.
An immigration judge with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review in Eloy, Arizona, granted Abdelrahman an immigration bond August 10, 2023. ICE released Abdelrahman from Eloy Federal Correctional Facility after he posted his $8,000 immigration bond.
Abdelrahman violated the terms of his bond by moving from New Jersey to Virginia on an unknown date without notifying EOIR of his move.
ICE served Abdelrahman with a notice of custody determination and canceled his immigration bond after his arrest and he remains in ICE custody.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X: @EROWashington.
BATON ROUGE, La. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Juan Antonio Reyes, 51, an illegally present Salvadorian national in Baton Rouge Feb. 17 after being alerted that he tried to purchase a firearm.
Reyes illegally entered the United States at an unknown place and time. An immigration judge granted him a voluntary departure Nov. 22, 1993, but he failed to depart the United States.
Reyes was arrested by immigration officers in Baton Rouge on April 21, 1997, and was removed from the U.S. on April 24, 1997. He was arrested by West Baton Rouge sheriff’s deputies for filing a false public record and forgery May 16, 2000. The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Reyes at the West Baton Rouge Detention Center and served a warrant of removal and notice to reinstate prior order Aug. 4, 2000. He was removed from the U.S. Sept. 5, 2000.
ICE received an alert Jan. 23, 2024, after Reyes’ firearm purchase attempt was denied by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about ICE New Orleans’ mission to increase public safety on X at @ERONewOrleans.
ATLANTA (February 21, 2025)—Today, the Georgia Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 68, a sweeping reform of the state’s tort laws, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon).
“SB 68 is a major step toward reining in the excessive litigation that is driving up costs for healthcare providers, job creators, and consumers,” said Sen. Kennedy. “Since 2016, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has estimated that litigation costs have risen 7.1% per year—far outpacing inflation. Nuclear verdicts and frivolous lawsuits cost Georgia households an average of $5,035 annually. This broken system cannot continue.”
Sen. Kennedy continued, “The consequences of excessive litigation extend far beyond the courtroom. Because of rising litigation cost, small business owners are forced to lay off employees or shut down as their liability insurance premiums skyrocket. Pregnant women in rural areas must now travel over two hours to see an OB-GYN because local hospitals have been forced to close. When healthcare providers leave the state due to an unpredictable legal climate, entire communities suffer. It’s time to restore fairness and stability to our civil justice system, and today’s passage of SB 68 is a critical step in that direction.”
Sen. Kennedy sponsored and carried SB 68 on behalf of Governor Brian P. Kemp, who made tort reform his top priority for the 2025 Legislative Session in his State of the State address last month.
For more information about the legislation, read it here.
# # # #
Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District, which includes Crawford, Monroe, Peach and Upson counties, as well as portions of Bibb and Houston counties. He may be reached at (404) 656-6578 or by email at John.Kennedy@senate.ga.gov.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado
Republicans’ national budget will cut critical services for Coloradans, increase the deficit, and give tax cuts to billionaires
Republicans voted down critical Democratic-led amendments, including Hickenlooper’s amendment to prevent energy price increases
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement after he voted against the fiscal year 2025 Senate Budget Resolution:
“The Republicans’ extreme budget proposal will cut critical services like health care to bankroll tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy,” said Hickenlooper.“We’re all for making government more efficient and cutting actual waste and abuse. This budget will not do that. It will increase inflation and our deficit, which is why I’m voting against it.”
Hickenlooper voted “No” on the budget resolution after Republicans voted against critical Democratic-led amendments – including provisions to prevent cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act.
Hickenlooper spoke on the Senate floor in support of his amendment to protect the low cost of energy by blocking Republican-led attempts to slow renewable energy development. Video of his full remarks HERE.
“Most of the energy that’s ready to go today is clean and affordable. Any action that blocks the rollout of [this energy] will raise prices for working Americans, it’s going to kill jobs, and cede complete control of emerging industries to China,” Hickenlooper said on the Senate floor.
In total, Hickenlooper introduced and joined over 20 amendments to the 2025 Senate Budget Resolution to oppose Republican provisions that would harm Coloradans, including amendments to:
Protect Affordable, Clean Energy
Defend Essential Health Care
Protecting Maternal Health:Opposes legislation that would reduce health care coverage for moms and babies covered by Medicaid. Medicaid covers about 1.5 million births each year.
Defending Children’s Health Care: Opposes legislation that would reduce health care benefits for children enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). In 2024, 37 million U.S. children were enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP.
Protecting Health Care in Schools: Opposes legislation that would reduce funding for school-based health centers. Medicaid helps fund 3,900 school health centers across the country.
Protecting TRICARE: Protects health care access for military families, including reinstating the TRICARE reimbursement exemption for children’s hospitals.
Safeguard the Federal Workforce
Protect National Park Service Workers:Requires the federal government to maintain a sufficient workforce to support recreational access and land management on Department of the Interior lands, including for the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management.
Bolstering the VA Workforce: Establishes a reserve fund to reverse workforce cuts at the Veterans Health Administration, particularly for personnel who provide care in rural areas.
Supporting Funding for NIH: Promotes U.S. competitiveness and innovation by protecting funding for research and development at the National Institutes of Health.
Protect Immigrant Rights
Protecting Sensitive Locations from ICE:Establishes a reserve fund to prohibit school resource officers from assisting with immigration enforcement operations on children during school hours while on school property.
AffirmingBirthright Citizenship:Hickenlooper’s amendment with Senator Rosen upholds the Constitution of the United States and affirms that birthright citizenship applies to all persons born or naturalized in the United States.
Prevent Wildfires and Combat Western Drought:
Preventing Wildfire Risk: Hickenlooper joined an amendment with Senators Schiff, Bennet, Heinrich, Lujan, and Padilla to establish a reserve fund for sufficient staffing and resources for wildfire risk reduction.
Budget resolutions guide federal spending and revenue policies for the year, but do not have the power of law. The Senate and the House must pass identical budget resolutions to start the larger budget reconciliation process.
Budget resolution and budget reconciliation bills only require a simple majority to pass the Senate.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement to welcome the new Premier of Prince Edward Island:
“I congratulate Rob Lantz on becoming interim leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island and being sworn in as the province’s new Premier.
“We will work together to protect our workers, create good-paying jobs, grow the economy, and put Canadians at the forefront of every opportunity. This includes breaking down barriers between provinces and territories and making progress on other priorities of Islanders and all Canadians – from health care, to affordability, to climate action.
“I thank Dennis King for his service to Prince Edward Island as Premier and for his valuable partnership over the last six years.”
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3
Thisrecallinvolves the potential need for device explant. The FDA has identified this recall as the most serious type. This device may cause serious injury or death if you continue to use it without following theWhat to Dosection below.
Affected Product
Product Names:
ACCOLADE, PROPONENT, ESSENTIO, and ALTRUA 2 dual chamber (DR) standard life (SL) and DR extended life (EL) pacemakers
VISIONIST and VALITUDE cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers (CRT-Ps)
On December 12, 2024, Boston Scientific Corporation sent all affected customers an Urgent Medical Device Information letter recommending the following actions for health care providers:
If a device enters Safety Mode, immediately replace the device in patients who are at high risk of harm associated with interrupted pacing that may occur with Safety Mode. Recommend non-urgent replacement for other patients.
Do not rely on battery life estimates in Safety Mode. This mode uses more power, decreases battery life and may cause incorrect battery life estimate.
For patients with certain devices, who are at risk if Safety Mode occurs:
Schedule device replacement promptly when the battery life remaining reaches four years or if the remaining battery life is already less than 4 years.
Conduct system follow-ups (remote or in-office) at least once every 12 months.
In addition, on December 16, 2024, the FDA issued an FDA Safety Communication with recommendations for patients, caregivers, and health care providers:
Recommendations for Patients and Caregivers
Continue to work with your health care provider to monitor your Accolade pacemaker device, either remotely or during your existing in-office follow-up schedule.
Discuss with your health care provider if you are a candidate for remote monitoring. Remote monitoring enables your provider to receive regular updates, including a Safety Mode alert, from your device.
If not a candidate for remote monitoring, discuss an in-office monitoring schedule with your health care provider to help ensure that your device is functioning properly.
If monitoring indicates that your device entered Safety Mode, discuss a plan with your health care provider for surgery to replace the pacemaker.
Discuss your current pacing needs and potential risk of your device entering Safety Mode with your health care provider.
If you are determined to be at high risk of harm if your device entered Safety Mode based on your pacing needs, your health care provider may contact you about replacement of your device.
Consult with your health care provider if you have new or worsening symptoms such as lightheadedness or loss of consciousness, or questions about your device potentially entering Safety Mode.
Report any problems with your Accolade pacemaker device to the FDA.
Recommendations for Health Care Providers
Review the recall notice from Boston Scientific for a subset of Accolade pacemaker devices with an increased risk to permanently enter Safety Mode due to the battery underpowering the system because of a manufacturing issue with the battery cathode. The recall notice includes the following important information:
Description of the battery problem and clinical impact of Safety Mode,
Recommended actions for individual patient evaluation, device replacement, and follow-up intervals, and
Model numbers and Unique Device Identifier (UDI) information.
Be aware that the FDA is working with the manufacturer to evaluate the potential risk of this issue in all Accolade pacemaker devices.
Consider the potential need for early device replacement and a patient’s specific reliance on their pacemaker when making treatment recommendations.
Discuss the benefit and risks of all available treatment options with your patients.
Remain alert for further updates and recommendations from the FDA and the manufacturer.
While the FDA’s evaluation is ongoing, health care providers should:
Monitor patients with Accolade pacemaker devices through remote or in-office visits for red box alerts indicating that a patient’s device is in Safety Mode, or symptoms indicating device performance issues, such as lightheadedness or loss of consciousness. General prophylactic device replacement is not recommended.
If monitoring indicates that the device has entered Safety Mode, schedule surgery for a replacement pacemaker. Timely replacement is recommended to avoid risks associated with time spent in Safety Mode.
Report any problems your patients experience with Accolade pacemaker devices to the FDA.
Reason for Recall
Boston Scientific Corporation is recalling devices due to a manufacturing issue that could cause the device to enter Safety Mode under certain conditions. If the device enters Safety Mode, early device replacement is needed. Safety Mode is an intended feature that activates during critical device component failures. When the device experiences three power-on resets within 48 hours due to battery issues, Safety Mode is initiated. Once a device enters Safety Mode, it cannot be reversed and may cause these devices to only provide unipolar sensing and pacing, which can lead to serious injury or death due to interruption of pacing.
Devices in the ACCOLADE family of pacemakers and CRT-Ps have an increased chance to enter Safety Mode during remote data collection (telemetry) or other higher-powered operations. Additionally, devices in Safety Mode must be removed and replaced.
The use of affected devices may cause serious adverse health consequences, including slow heartbeats (bradycardia), fainting (syncope), and death.
There have been 832 reported injuries. There have been two reports of death.
Device Use
The ACCOLADE family of pacemakers is designed to treat slow heart rhythms (bradyarrhythmias) by providing dual-chamber (atrial and ventricular) and adaptive rate pacing.
These devices include:
single-chamber pacemakers (SR) for ventricular or atrial pacing and sensing
dual-chamber pacemakers (DR) for both atrial and ventricular pacing and sensing
CRT-P devices, which offer therapies like cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) to manage heart failure by coordinating ventricular contractions through biventricular electrical stimulation. They also provide bradycardia pacing, including adaptive rate pacing, to detect and treat slow heart rhythms.
Contact Information
Customers in the U.S. with questions about this recall should contact Boston Scientific at 1-800-227-3422.
Additional FDA Resources
Additional Company Resources
Unique Device Identifier (UDI)
The unique device identifier (UDI) helps identify individual medical devices sold in the United States from manufacturing through distribution to patient use. The UDI allows for more accurate reporting, reviewing, and analyzing of adverse event reports so that devices can be identified, and problems potentially corrected more quickly.
Headline: Apple Intelligence comes to Apple Vision Pro in April
February 21, 2025
UPDATE
Apple Intelligence comes to Apple Vision Pro in April
visionOS 2.4 advances spatial computing with a powerful set of Apple Intelligence features — including Writing Tools, Image Playground, and Genmoji — and introduces Spatial Gallery, the Apple Vision Pro app for iPhone, and more
Today, Apple announced Apple Intelligence is coming to Apple Vision Pro in April. With Apple Intelligence for Vision Pro, users will be able to proofread, rewrite, and summarize text using Writing Tools; compose text from scratch using ChatGPT in Writing Tools; explore new ways to express themselves visually with Image Playground; create the perfect emoji for any conversation with Genmoji; and much more. Apple Intelligence will be available in beta on visionOS 2.4 with support for U.S. English. More features and support for additional languages will roll out throughout the year.
visionOS 2.4 also introduces new apps and features to help users discover and share the magic of spatial computing. Spatial Gallery — a new app for Vision Pro — features a curated collection of spatial photos, spatial videos, and panoramas from artists, filmmakers, photographers, and more. The Apple Vision Pro app for iPhone offers users a new way to download apps and games from the App Store; discover experiences from Apple TV, Spatial Gallery, and more; easily find helpful tips; and quickly access information for their Vision Pro. Enhancements to Guest User make it easier than ever for users to share apps and experiences with family, friends, and colleagues using a nearby iPhone or iPad.
“Apple Vision Pro is helping users communicate, collaborate, and experience entertainment in entirely new ways — and we’re continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible in spatial computing with visionOS 2.4,” said Mike Rockwell, Apple’s vice president of the Vision Products Group. “With Apple Intelligence, Vision Pro users will be able to take their productivity and creativity to new heights using features like Writing Tools, Image Playground, and Genmoji. And we’re excited for users to discover and share incredible new experiences with Spatial Gallery.”
Apple Intelligence on Apple Vision Pro
Apple Intelligence offers new ways for Apple Vision Pro users to express themselves visually, simplify everyday tasks, and get things done effortlessly — all with groundbreaking privacy protections. An initial set of Apple Intelligence features will be available in April with visionOS 2.4 for users with their device and Siri language set to U.S. English. Support for more Apple Intelligence features and additional languages will roll out throughout the year.
With Writing Tools, users can refine their words by rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing text nearly everywhere they write, including Mail, Notes, and third-party apps. With Rewrite, users can adjust the tone of their text to make it more friendly, professional, or concise, or specify the change they’d like to make using Describe Your Change. Proofread checks grammar, word choice, and sentence structure with suggested edits. Users can also select text and have it recapped in several formats with Summarize. And with Compose, users can ask ChatGPT to generate content for anything they’re writing about.
Image Playground allows users to easily create fun and unique images from themes, costumes, accessories, and places. Users can add their own text descriptions, and can even create images in the likeness of a family member or friend using photos from their photo library. The experience is integrated directly into apps like Messages and Freeform, and is also available as a dedicated app for Apple Vision Pro.
Users will be able to create Genmoji by simply typing or speaking a description into the emoji keyboard. Genmoji can be added inline to messages, shared as a sticker, or sent as a Tapback.
Smart Reply in Messages and Mail identifies questions and suggests relevant replies, so Apple Vision Pro users can easily respond to texts and emails with just a few taps.
With Create a Memory Movie in Photos, users can simply type a description, and Apple Intelligence will pick out the best photos and videos, craft a storyline with chapters based on themes identified from the photos, and arrange them into a movie with its own narrative arc and a soundtrack. As with all Apple Intelligence features, user photos and videos are kept private, and are not shared with Apple or anyone else.
Natural language search in Photos makes it even easier for users to find a specific photo, album, or a moment in a video just by describing it.
visionOS 2.4 also includes support for Priority Messages in Mail, Mail Summaries, Image Wand in Notes, Priority Notifications in Notification Center, and Notification Summaries. Apple Intelligence uses on-device processing to protect users’ privacy whenever possible. For requests that require even larger models, Private Cloud Compute extends the privacy and security of Apple products into the cloud to unlock even more intelligence. When using Private Cloud Compute, users’ data is never stored or shared with Apple; it is used only to fulfill the request. Independent experts can inspect the code that runs on Apple silicon servers to continuously verify this privacy promise, and are already doing so.
Introducing Spatial Gallery
visionOS 2.4 introduces Spatial Gallery, a new app that features a selection of spatial photos, spatial videos, and panoramas curated by Apple for Apple Vision Pro. With Spatial Gallery, users will enjoy breathtaking and intimate moments spanning art, culture, entertainment, lifestyle, nature, sports, and travel, with new content released regularly. At launch, users can discover remarkable perspectives from photographers like Jonpaul Douglass and Samba Diop; new stories and experiences from iconic brands including Cirque du Soleil, Red Bull, and Porsche; behind-the-scenes moments from Apple Originals like Disclaimer, Severance, and Shrinking; and special moments from top artists.
The Apple Vision Pro App for iPhone
Starting in April, Apple Vision Pro users will be able to queue apps and games to download, discover new spatial content and experiences, easily find helpful tips, and quickly access information about their device from their iPhone with the new Apple Vision Pro app. The app will appear for Vision Pro users when they update their iPhone to iOS 18.4, and it can also be downloaded from the App Store.
The Discover page offers curated recommendations for new and noteworthy experiences available on Apple Vision Pro. Users can quickly see popular apps and games on the App Store; nearly 300 3D movies, Apple Immersive titles, and more video content on the Apple TV app; and the latest spatial photos, spatial videos, and panoramas featured in the Spatial Gallery.1 New Apple Immersive titles include “Ice Dive” from the Adventure series; “Sharks” from the Wild Life series; and Man vs. Beast. “Arctic Surfing” — the latest episode of Boundless — debuts worldwide today, while the next episode of Adventure, “Deep Water Solo,” debuts next Friday, February 28.
On the My Vision Pro page, users will find tips for getting the most out of Apple Vision Pro; can easily access information such as their current visionOS version and device serial number; and set up Personalized Spatial Audio. Users with vision correction needs will be able to store and view the App Clip code for their ZEISS Optical Inserts in the Apple Vision Pro app.
Guest User with iPhone and iPad
Apple Vision Pro users around the world have loved sharing the magic of spatial computing with family, friends, and colleagues through Guest User. From Control Center, users can choose which apps their guest can see, and guests can save their eye and hand setup for up to 30 days after their last use.
With new enhancements to Guest User in visionOS 2.4, users can start a Guest User session with their nearby iPhone or iPad. When their device is unlocked, they can choose which apps are accessible to their guest and start View Mirroring with AirPlay, making it easy to guide a guest through their Vision Pro experience.
Availability
Apple Vision Pro is available in Australia, Canada, China mainland, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, the U.A.E., the UK, and the U.S.
Apple Intelligence will be available in beta on Apple Vision Pro with visionOS 2.4. The first set of features will be available for Vision Pro users with their device and Siri language set to U.S. English. Feature availability varies by region. More features and support for additional languages will roll out throughout the year.
Spatial Gallery will be available with visionOS 2.4 for users in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, the U.A.E., the UK, and the U.S. It can be redownloaded from the App Store for Vision Pro.
The Apple Vision Pro app for iPhone will be available with iOS 18.4. The app will be available to download from the App Store, and will automatically appear on a user’s iPhone once they update to iOS 18.4 and have both devices associated with the same Apple Account.
Customers can book a demo for free online. Demos are hosted at all Apple Store locations where Apple Vision Pro is available.
3D movie availability varies by country or region.
Headline: Apple Intelligence expands to more languages and regions in April
Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system that delivers helpful and relevant intelligence, will soon be available in more languages, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified) — as well as localized English for Singapore and India.
These new languages will be accessible in nearly all regions around the world with the release of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 in April, and developers can start to test these releases today.
With the upcoming software updates, iPhone and iPad users in the EU will have access to Apple Intelligence features for the first time, and Apple Intelligence will expand to a new platform in U.S. English with Apple Vision Pro — helping users communicate, collaborate, and express themselves in entirely new ways.
Apple Intelligence marks an extraordinary step forward for privacy in AI and is designed to protect users’ privacy at every step. It starts with on-device processing, meaning that many of the models that power Apple Intelligence run entirely on the device. For requests that require access to larger models, Private Cloud Compute extends the privacy and security of iPhone into the cloud to unlock even more intelligence.
Apple Intelligence will continue to expand with new features in the coming months, including more capabilities for Siri.
430+ orgs and 330,000+ individuals support Greenpeace organizations in fight against abuse of the legal system and corporate overreach
Mandan, North Dakota (February 21, 2025)–North Dakota is set to become the battleground for one of the most consequential free speech cases in recent history. Energy Transfer, the Big Oil corporation behind the Dakota Access Pipeline, is seeking $300 million in damages from Greenpeace USA and Greenpeace International, accusing these organizations of playing a central role in organizing the Indigenous-led resistance to the pipeline back in 2016. The lawsuit is one of the largest Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) cases ever filed, and one of the biggest cases to go to court in North Dakota. Trial begins on February 24, 2025.
“This case is a prime example of corporations abusing the legal system to silence critics and keep their operations secret,” said Sushma Raman, Greenpeace USA Interim Executive Director. “It is also a critical test of the future of the First Amendment – both freedom of speech and peaceful protest – under the Trump Administration and beyond. But we are fighting back, and we are not fighting back alone.”
Energy Transfer’s claims against the Greenpeace entities fall into three broad categories: defamation, tortious interference, and on the ground claims.
The claims related to defamation allege that the Greenpeace entities made false statements, which caused damages to the company.
“The important thing to note here is that by the time Greenpeace entities made any of these statements that are at issue, these were statements that were already widely circulated in the public,” said Deepa Padmanabha. “These were not statements that Greenpeace invented, and they were all legitimate expressions of the First Amendment protected right to speak.”
Energy Transfer also claims that Greenpeace made alleged false statements to financial institutions involved with financing the Dakota Access Pipeline – and that based on those statements, the financial institutions took action that cost Energy Transfer hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. The financial institutions, however, had their own commitments and conducted their own due diligence regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline.
“The last bucket of claims are related to on the ground incidents such as trespass, conversion, and aiding and abetting,” said Padmanabha. “This is the area of claims that makes it clear that Energy Transfer’s target is much bigger than Greenpeace. Beyond the impact that this could have on the Greenpeace entities, one of the most worrisome things about the case is that it could establish dangerous new legal precedents that could hold any participant at protests responsible for the actions of others at those protests – including unknown individuals. And you can imagine that this would have a serious chilling effect on anybody who wants to engage in protest.”
“Greenpeace played an extremely limited role at Standing Rock, and is proud of showing up in solidarity with Standing Rock activists. At no time did Greenpeace engage in property destruction or violence. All claims to the contrary are a reckless disregard for the truth.”
Fighting back against SLAPP lawsuits
SLAPP stands for Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. These types of cases masquerade as ordinary civil lawsuits, but their true purpose is to retaliate against those who speak out against harms. Such meritless lawsuits are meant to silence or bankrupt opponents by dragging defendants through a long, lengthy, expensive legal process.
As SLAPPs are a growing threat, most U.S. states have put legal protections in place to protect advocates. But in North Dakota – and 17 other states – no anti-SLAPP statutes exist. Last Congress, Representatives Raskin, Wyden, and Kiley introduced bipartisan legislation to deter corporations from filing SLAPP suits and to protect everyone’s right to free speech. In Europe, the European Union’s anti-SLAPP Directive entered into force in May 2024.
On Feb 11th, 2025, Greenpeace International initiated the first test of the EU’s new anti-SLAPP Directive by filing a lawsuit against Energy Transfer in the Netherlands.
“Energy Transfer is attempting to hold Greenpeace International, a dutch-based nonprofit foundation accountable for hundreds of millions of dollars of alleged damages for signing on to a letter with over 500 organisations from more than 50 countries,” said Greenpeace International General Counsel Kristin Casper. “It is this, along with many more reasons, we believe Energy Transfer’s pending US$300 million suit is a contender for the award of the most blatant SLAPP anywhere in the world.”
Big Oil companies Shell, Total, and ENI have also filed SLAPPs against Greenpeace entities in recent years. Just last year, Shell came after Greenpeace UK and Greenpeace International in a multimillion dollar lawsuit. After a quarter of a million people spoke out, the lawsuit was settled in December 2024.
“Greenpeace has faced a long history of threats,” said Charlie Cray, Greenpeace USA Senior Strategist. “When the Rainbow Warrior ship was bombed in 1985, we said ‘you can’t sink a rainbow.’ And now we’re saying: ‘you can’t sue a movement.’ Whatever happens in North Dakota, we will continue to campaign for a green and peaceful future.”
Partner quotes
“The lawsuit against Greenpeace isalso an attack on the Indigenous movementin our fight for self-determination to protect Mother Earth, our waters, sacred and cultural sites and our youth and future generations. These colonialist lawsuits are trying to send a warning to anyone who might consider speaking out and to be quiet – any of you could be next.” – Morgan Brings Plenty, Standing Rock Youth Council
“The case against Greenpeace illustrates how mega-corporations can use lawsuits to silence, intimidate and ruin their critics. America must demand, and Congress must pass, bipartisan legislation to protect First Amendment rights against ruinous litigation practices.” – Rep. Jamie Raskin
“Amnesty International USA stands steadfast with Greenpeace USA in their fight against Big Oil’s attempt to punish and silence a strong advocate for environmental rights and climate justice for its fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline. As we experience the continual warming of our planet year over year due to the burning of fossil fuels, we need Greenpeace USA now more than ever to advocate and be a strong voice for the communities most at risk from the impacts of the climate crisis, rather than defending itself against retaliatory lawfare.” – Justin Mazzola, Researcher, Amnesty International USA
“Everyone who says they care about freedom – of whatever political stripe – should join together to support the Greenpeace campaign to protect people’s right to speak out against corporate abuses. As Greenpeace knows from its own experience, too often corporations use their political, economic and legal power not just to run PR campaigns justifying their wrongdoing, but to threaten public interest advocates with bad-faith lawsuits (SLAPPs) and other intimidation tactics.” – Robert Weissman, Co-president of Public Citizen
“No matter how hard they try, corporate powers will never silence the voice of the people. Working alongside movement allies, we know our collective pursuit of liberation and transformative change endangers what corporations like Energy Transfer rely on: a status quo built on injustice. We know this through our year-round issue-based and electoral organizing. TOP is proud to be in solidarity with Greenpeace as it fights this shameful attempt to stifle dissent and protest.” – David Villalobos, Political Director of Texas Organizing Project (TOP)
Contact: Madison Carter, Greenpeace USA Senior Communications Specialist, [email protected]
Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.
By Passing Their Reckless Budget, Senate Republicans Took The First Step In A Process To Benefit Billionaires At The Expense Of Hardworking Nevadans
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) released the following statement after voting against Republicans’ extreme budget resolution that will gut programs Nevadans rely on – like Medicaid, SNAP, and more – to pay for more tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. This is the first step in the budget reconciliation process. Senator Rosen tried to pass provisions to lower housing costs, protect Medicaid, and prevent billionaires from getting more tax cuts, but Senate Republicans blocked them.
“Senate Republicans just pushed through a budget resolution in the dead of night that will cut critical programs like Medicaid and SNAP to pay for more tax giveaways for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations,” said Senator Rosen. “I’ll always stand with hardworking Nevadans, and I’ll oppose any attempt to target programs that families rely on. That is why I voted against this partisan resolution.”
Senator Rosen has been a strong critic of Republicans’ budget plans that would give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy by cutting programs Nevadans rely on. This week, she took to the Senate floor to call out Congressional Republicans for this extreme budget plan. Senator Rosen also joined her Senate colleagues in urging President Donald Trump to reject Congressional Republicans’ legislative plans to increase the cost of living for Americans.
Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement on the Republicans’ Budget Resolution voted on in the Senate early this morning:
“Republicans have proven what we knew all along: that they’ll prioritize their billionaire friends at the expense of working families,” said Senator Baldwin. “Wisconsin families need relief at the grocery store, pharmacy, and gas pump, and that’s what I’m working for. But, this budget resolution paves the way to gut Medicaid and jeopardize healthcare for 70 million Americans, all to make room for tax breaks for the wealthiest individuals and biggest corporations. That’s simply not right.”
Senator Baldwin sought votes on amendments to block any cuts to Medicaid that would rip away health care from Americans and also close a tax loophole that allows Wall Street investment managers to often pay almost half the tax rate compared to most other Wisconsin workers:
Preventing seniors from having their health care ripped away, including those in nursing homes;
Preventing children from having their health care ripped away, including those on the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP);
Preventing health care for those battling addiction and substance use disorder from being ripped away;
Preventing cuts to funding for rural Americans, including essential funding for hospitals;
Preventing pregnant women from having their health care ripped away; and
Closing the carried interest loophole that benefits wealthy money managers on Wall Street, something that President Trump also supports.
Alberta’s government is building the Alberta Recovery Model to increase access to supports focused on prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery. Everyone deserves an opportunity to pursue recovery from addiction or mental health challenges. Alberta’s government partners with organizations such as the Alberta Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association to ensure recovery-oriented services are accessible to Albertans in need.
With support from Alberta’s government, the Canadian Mental Health Association (Alberta Division) and Centre for Suicide Prevention have partnered with Medicine Hat Family Service to operate the recovery college, which will officially open on March 4. For more than a year, recovery college courses have been available in the Medicine Hat region online; this partnership will increase accessibility with both in-person and online options offered within the community. Recovery colleges use an innovative group support model where people in recovery help others build the skills needed to thrive.
The province has invested $3.6 million over three years to support recovery colleges in Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Edmonton, Calgary, Grande Prairie, Camrose, Red Deer and Wood Buffalo. Over the past three years alone, Alberta recovery colleges have provided about 2,000 courses to approximately 10,000 participants in 40 communities.
“I’m so glad Medicine Hat will soon be home to its own fully operational recovery college. Recovery colleges are an excellent resource to support Albertans in their pursuit of recovery as they provide free, recovery-focused mental health services. I want to thank all our partners, professionals and those with lived experiences that have made this project possible. Alberta’s government is proud to continue our work in ensuring Albertans from all across the province can access crucial recovery services.”
“Establishing meaningful connection with others is an important part of recovery. Our government is grateful for the work done by those across the province to support recovery colleges, establishing connection and providing education to those in need. With this kind of support, Albertans will have the tools they need to live in long-term recovery from addiction or mental health challenges.”
“As a strong advocate for mental health, I am pleased to see expanded support in Medicine Hat for those seeking resources for recovery. Nobody who is dealing with mental illness or addiction should be left wondering how to get help, and I am confident the recovery college will play an important role in many peoples lives.”
Recovery colleges offer short-term courses and discussion groups on a variety of mental health topics. Delivered online and in-person, courses are facilitated by two trainers: a professional and a person with lived experience. Any Albertan aged 16 and over is welcome to participate. No referral is necessary, and the courses are free.
The recovery college model in Alberta is based on successful recovery colleges in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia to provide access to mental health supports through a range of courses that help develop resiliency, wellness, connection, belonging and hope.
“Recovery colleges help people make healing connections by sharing mutual life experiences. Courses embody hope, belonging, meaning and purpose and encourage participants to actively engage their mental health recovery journeys. This partnership with Alberta’s government and Medicine Hat Family Service restores this welcoming program for people in Medicine Hat, delivered by local partners.”
“I came from a dark place in life. They just brought me into the light a little bit – and that’s all it took. That’s what I needed to strive and to be confident within myself.”
In the 2023-24 recovery college evaluation survey:
92 per cent of respondents said they felt more hopeful about the future after attending recovery college.
62 per cent of respondents said they learned how to address challenges before they became a crisis with learnings from recovery college.
80 per cent of respondents who attended multiple sessions said they were more able to engage in their community, for example, by volunteering, working or doing leisure activities.
88 per cent of respondents said they felt a greater sense of belonging as a result of participating in recovery college.
Alberta’s government is making record investments in mental health services to support Albertans of all ages in their pursuit of wellness and recovery. This includes investing in digital supports like 211 Alberta and Kids Help Phone; investing in affordable online and in-person counselling; and supporting early intervention initiatives such as in-school mental health services.
Quick facts
Alberta’s government is investing $3.6 million over three years (2024-25 to 2026-27) to support the operation of recovery colleges.
Medicine Hat’s recovery college will be fully operational on March 4.
Albertans can call 211 Alberta for information on mental health and addiction supports and services.
Related information
Recovery Colleges in Alberta
211 Alberta
Recovery College Medicine Hat
Related news
Supporting mental health and addiction recovery (June 21, 2019)
GRAND JUNCTION – Today, Governor Polis, the Global Business Development Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), and the Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP) announced that Morgan Mining, a leading interdisciplinary construction, mining, engineering, and management firm, has selected Grand Junction, Colorado, for expansion. This project will grow the advanced manufacturing industry and create new, good-paying jobs in rural Colorado.
“I’m thrilled that Morgan Mining is expanding in western Colorado, bringing 893 new good-paying jobs to Grand Junction and Mesa County. Colorado is the best place to live, work, and do business, and this exciting announcement shows that our leadership to lower costs for workers and build a strong workforce continues to attract businesses to our strong economy, strengthening our Colorado for All,” said Governor Polis.
Morgan Mining provides specialized mining labor, production management, and mining supplies for mining operations and other ancillary services. The company plans to expand its business through additional contracts throughout the United States and has identified the need to purchase a new site and refurbished mining equipment. The new site will serve as a hub for product and material suppliers to consign substantial inventory and equipment that would provide faster delivery to end users.
“We are excited to move forward with our expansion plans in Mesa County. We decided that creating a mining-focused hub in Mesa County provided the best economic and growth opportunities for Morgan. From the outset of this expansion project, OEDIT and GJEP were very actively engaged with us and ultimately provided the support needed to tip the scales in favor of Mesa County. We look forward to continuing our relationship with these entities, as well as other local leaders, as this expansion moves forward,” said Justin Morgan, President of Morgan Mining.
In Mesa County, Morgan Mining expects to create 893 net new jobs at an average annual wage of $92,447, or 167% of the average annual wage in Mesa County. The positions will include engineers, electricians, and finance roles.
“We are thrilled to partner with Grand Junction Economic Partnership and support Morgan Mining’s expansion in Mesa County. When advanced manufacturing companies expand in rural Colorado, they strengthen and diversify regional communities and economies. That’s a win for western Colorado and a win for the state of Colorado,” said OEDIT Executive Director Eve Lieberman.
“Morgan Mining’s investment into Mesa County represents a significant milestone for the regional economy. With up to 893 new jobs projected over the next eight years, this expansion provides incredible opportunities for local workforce development while reinforcing the region’s reputation for supporting industry growth. We are proud to partner with Project West Co Mining as they invest in our community’s future,” said Curtis Englehart, Executive Director for the Grand Junction Economic Partnership.
The Colorado Economic Development Commission approved up to $10,890,875 in a performance-based Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit for the company over an eight-year period. These incentives are contingent upon Morgan Mining, referred to as Project WesCo Mining throughout the OEDIT review process, meeting net new job creation and salary requirements.
In addition to Colorado, Morgan Mining considered Tennessee for expansion. The company currently has 226 employees, 196 of whom are in Colorado.
About Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all to thrive in Colorado’s economy. Under the leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with economic development partners across the state, we foster a thriving business environment through funding and financial programs, training, consulting and informational resources across industries and regions. We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding Colorado businesses and providing programs that support entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth. Our goal is to protect what makes our state a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit and retire—and make it accessible to everyone. Learn more about OEDIT.
About the Grand Junction Economic Partnership
The Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP) works to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the Grand Junction area by supporting high-impact capital investment and job creation. GJEP is a single stop for businesses looking to relocate or expand in the cities of Grand Junction and Fruita, the Town of Palisade, and surrounding communities in Mesa County. Operating as a 501(c)3, GJEP offers free services that help businesses navigate incentives and opportunity zones and connect with realtors and developers, the workforce, local leadership, and more. Visit www.gjep.org for more information.
DENVER – Today, pursuant to her authority as acting Governor under the Colorado Constitution, Article IV, § 13, Lieutenant Governor Primavera appointed Ian J. Kellogg to the 2nd Judicial District Court. The appointment fills the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of the Honorable Darryl F. Shockley, and is effective immediately.
Mr. Kellogg is a Trial Attorney for the Securities and Exchange Commission, a position he has held since 2022. His practice consists of civil and federal securities matters. Previously, he was an Assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office (2014-2022); Associate Attorney at Morrison & Foerster (2011-2014); Associate Attorney at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck (2008-2011), and Law Clerk for Judge Neil Gorsuch, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit (2007-2008). Mr. Kellogg earned his B.A. from Gonzaga University in 1999 and his J.D. from Stanford Law School in 2007.
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today joined a coalition of 16 attorneys general in issuing a joint statement ahead of a court hearing in Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. National Institutes of Health. At today’s hearing, the attorneys general will seek an extension of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the Trump administration’s unlawful cuts to funds that support life-saving medical and public health research at universities and research institutions across the country, such as research institutes at CUNY and SUNY, including Stony Brook University, University at Buffalo, University at Albany, and others. The coalition today released the following statement:
“The Trump administration’s attempt to cut research funding at thousands of research institutions across the country is not only unlawful; it undermines public health, our economy, and our competitiveness. There are laws in place that protect this funding, and the President cannot simply toss those laws aside.
“This research funding covers expenses that facilitate critical components of biomedical research, such as lab, faculty, infrastructure, and utility costs. Without it, lifesaving and life-extending research, including clinical trials, could be significantly compromised. These cuts would have a devastating impact on universities around the country, many of which are at the forefront of groundbreaking research efforts – while also training future generations of researchers and innovators. They would force many universities to redirect funds and ultimately reduce research activities. Research funded by the National Institutes of Health has found new treatments for adult and childhood cancer, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, PTSD, and more.
“Attorneys general are not just fighting for the rule of law; we are fighting for our loved ones, our friends, and our neighbors, and we will not allow President Trump to play politics with our public health. We are heartened that less than six hours after filing our lawsuit, the court recognized the devastating impacts of this directive and granted an emergency temporary restraining order preventing the administration from implementing these unlawful cuts. Today, we urge the court to continue to block these funding cuts as we keep fighting this reckless abuse of power.”
On February 10, Attorney General James joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) challenging the Trump administration’s attempt to unilaterally cut “indirect cost” reimbursements at every research institution throughout the country. Less than six hours after the attorneys general filed their lawsuit, the court issued a TRO against NIH, barring it from cutting billions in funding for biomedical and public health research.
Joining Attorney General James in making today’s statement are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.
Headline: Governor Stein Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments
Governor Stein Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments lsaito
Raleigh, NC
Today, Governor Josh Stein announced Boards and Commissions appointments.
Governor Stein has appointed the following individual to the MyFutureNC Board of Directors:
Kindl S. Detar of Mecklenburg as the Governor’s Office Designee. Detar is currently a Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Governor Josh Stein. Previously, Detar served as the Special Deputy Attorney General & Director of the Public Protection Section for the North Carolina Department of Justice.
Governor Stein has appointed the following individual to the North Carolina Real Estate Commission:
The Honorable James Beaty, Jr. of Forsyth as a Public Member. Beaty Jr. is a retired United States District Court Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina. He has remained active in his community, serving on the Board of Deacons at United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church of Winston-Salem. James Beaty Jr. further remains an active member of the North Carolina Chapter of the National Association of Guardsmen.
Governor Stein has appointed the following individual to the State Board of Refrigeration Contractors:
Professor Srinath Ekkad of Wake as the Engineering School of the UNC System. Ekkad is the Department Head of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering and the Special Advisor to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at North Carolina State University. Ekkad has over 25 years of experience in research, teaching and administration.
(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that his office’s Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) has arrested Tierra Chawntell Moody, 42, of Moncks Corner, S.C., on one count of Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult {43-35-0085 (D)} and one count of Financial Transaction Card Fraud, value more than $500 in a six-month period {16-14-0060(a)(1-5)}. Moody was booked into the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center on February 21, 2025.
An investigation by VAMPF revealed that, between May 9, 2024 and June 24, 2024, Moody is alleged to have knowingly made unlawful and unauthorized use of the funds or assets of a vulnerable adult. Specifically, it is alleged that Moody, while working as the victim’s caregiver, converted the victim’s funds for her own personal use by using the victim’s debit card to obtain money via ATM cash withdrawals without the authorization of the victim. The victim, a vulnerable adult under South Carolina law, resided in Charleston County, S.C., at the time of the alleged misconduct.
This case was referred to VAMPF by the Charleston Police Department and will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.
Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult is a felony and, upon conviction, has a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. Financial Transaction Card Fraud, value more than $500 in a six-month period, is a felony and, upon conviction, has a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine of between $3,000 and $5,000, or both.
Pursuant to federal regulations, VAMPF has authority over Medicaid provider fraud; abuse and neglect of Medicaid beneficiaries in any setting; and the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of individuals residing in assisted living facilities or nursing homes.
Attorney General Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.
The South Carolina Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, dba VAMPF, receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $2,889,252 for federal fiscal year 2025. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $963,084 for FFY 2025, is funded by South Carolina.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, February 21, 2025/APO Group/ —
In a significant announcement at the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo being held from, February 18 – 21, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), declared the multilateral Bank’s intention to establish a $1 billion oil service financing facility in Guyana. This initiative aims to enhance local participation in the country’s fast growing oil industry, in alignment with the government’s local content policies. The Bank will deploy the $1 billion facility directly to qualifying corporate clients or through a factoring line via local banks, enabling them to finance invoices from local contractors.
President Oramah highlighted the transformative potential of Guyana’s estimated 12 billion barrels of crude oil reserves. Emphasising the transformative power in proactive resource management, he advised Guyana to aggressively harness and build capital from its oil resources.
He said, “Given the level of oil production in Guyana and its offshore location, I estimate that the oil service sector would amount to 5 to 8 billion US dollars annually. But where will it go? Most of it would be paid to oil service companies abroad, if Guyana does nothing to avoid that. A 50% retention in Guyana would increase Guyana’s GDP by 29% to 47%.” As such, he called for robust local content policies that would enable Guyanese entrepreneurs to become significant players in the oil value chain.
Based on Afreximbank’s rich history of supporting commodity-dependent economies, President Oramah shared insights to complement the ongoing efforts of the Guyanese government. He acknowledged the inherent risks associated with dependency on a single commodity and laid stress on the importance of diversification.
He cautioned, “The commodity market is prone to volatility and cyclicality; hence, the reliance on crude revenues as a primary source of government funding could expose the national economy to volatile commodity markets.” As such, he advised the government to secure long-term off-take contracts with oil service companies, which will enhance market access and price stability.
In the spirit of deepening Afri-Caribbean partnership, President Oramah remarked that skilled oil service companies from Ghana, Egypt, and South Africa, are “ready and willing to support Guyanese… And of course, Afreximbank is there to underwrite the marriage.”
He added that: “These measures are necessary if Guyana and other new entrants in the Caribbean and Africa are to avoid the painful “Dutch Disease. We make these suggestions based on the three long decades of financing oil and gas activities across Africa. We have witnessed oil-dependent economies transform for better or worse through these periods. In all these, the difference reflected the policy choices the leaders made.”
Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) recently introduced legislation that would end handouts to China funded by American taxpayers by removing China’s outdated designation as a “developing country” in international treaties.
The Ending China’s Unfair Advantage Act would prohibit any American taxpayer dollars from funding a United Nations treaty known as the Montreal Protocol and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) until China is no longer defined as a developing country. China’s current designation as a developing nation under these treaties allows it to abide by a different set of rules and access funding – including American taxpayer dollars – from the multilateral funds.
“American tax dollars have been funneled to China for decades because of special treatment from the United Nations,” said Senator Barrasso. “By maintaining its classification as a developing country, China keeps getting handouts from American taxpayers and gets to play by a different set of rules. This ridiculous and outdated policy must end now. This bill forces the United Nations to end China’s unfair advantage once and for all.”
Cosponsors of this legislation include U.S Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)
Full text of the legislation can be found here.
Background:
Under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, developing countries are eligible for financial assistance through a special multilateral fund. The U.S. is the largest contributor to the fund, giving almost $1 billion.
China has received nearly $1.4 billion from this multilateral fund over the years, due to their classification as a developing country under the Montreal Protocol.
The U.S. is required to phase down production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, by 85% by 2036 and China has until 2045 to reduce HFC use by 80%. China is given an extra decade, under the Kigali Amendment, to produce HFCs. It is also allowed an extra 5% in HFC production and consumption.
In 2023, the U.S. delegation at the 35th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP35) proposed removing the PRC from the Protocol’s list of “developing countries.” Objections from the PRC and its supporters prevented its inclusion in the agenda.
In 2022, the Senate passed an amendment declaring that China is not a developing country and that the United Nations and other intergovernmental organizations should not treat China as such. It also conditioned the Senate’s ratification on the administration submitting a proposal to remove China as a developing country before the next meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol.
Senator Barrasso introduced this bill in the 117th and 118th Congresses.
