Category: Americas

MIL-OSI USA: Ricketts Leads Bicameral Legislation Pushing European Allies to Snapback U.N. Sanctions on Iran

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)
February 13, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced bicameral legislation that would push the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, otherwise known as the E3, to start a snapback of U.N. sanctions on Iran. These snapback sanctions would incude export controls, travel bans, asset freezes, and other restrictions on those involved in Iranian nuclear and missile activities. U.S. Representatives Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05) introduced bipartisan companion legislation in the House.
“Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism, and their actions have led to the murder of American servicemembers,” Senator Ricketts said. “Iran’s possession of a nuclear weapon would threaten our security and the security of our allies. Snapback sanctions are key to ensuring that President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign is successful. This legislation delivers a strong message to our European allies. They need to step up.”
“Under the Biden administration, Iran grew more emboldened, bolstering its terrorist proxies worldwide with training, funding, and intelligence—all while expanding its nuclear stockpile,” Rep. Tenney said. “In contrast, within his first month in office, President Trump has taken decisive action to counter Iran’s malign influence and has pledged to reinstate his Maximum Pressure campaign. However, our E3 allies must invoke snapback sanctions on Iran before the ability to do so expires this October. Invoking snapback sanctions will restore all the UN sanctions on Iran that were lifted by the Obama administration’s failed Iran nuclear deal. This bicameral and bipartisan resolution sends a strong message to the E3 that it needs to step up and stop enabling Iran’s nuclear expansion. The time for snapback is now.”
“We cannot forget where the money ends up when sanctions are lifted on Iran — the world’s leading state sponsor of terror,” Rep. Gottheimer said. “The Iranian regime continues to finance a robust network of terrorist proxies, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, while actively trying to jumpstart their nuclear program. These actions pose a grave threat to the security and stability of the Middle East, our key democratic ally Israel, and the entire world. Our E3 allies must act swiftly and initiate snapback sanctions to curb Iran’s nuclear and other nefarious ambitions.”
Ricketts’ bill is co-sponsored by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Jim Justice (R-WV), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Todd Young (R-IN).
Text of the legislation can be found here. Bill introduction was first covered by Fox News here.
Ricketts announced the legislation yesterday in a conference call with Nebraska media.
BACKGROUND:
Specifically, the legislation:
Recognizes that Iran’s possession of a nuclear weapon would threaten the security of the United States, our allies, and our partners;
Condemns Iran’s flagrant and repeated violations of the first Iran nuclear deal;
Condemns Communist China and Putin’s Russia for supporting Iran’s malign activities;
Reaffirms America’s right to take any necessary measures to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons;
Supports increased sanctions on entities and individuals supporting Iran’s nuclear program;
Calls on the United Kingdom, France, and Germany to invoke the snapback of United Nations sanctions against Iran under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 as soon as possible.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Dean Heyl Appointed as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Public Affairs

Source: US Department of Labor

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the appointment of Dean A. Heyl as assistant secretary for public affairs.

“It is my great privilege to get to tell the story of the Department of Labor as we seek to advance the fortunes of job seekers, wage earners, and retirees everywhere,” said Heyl.

Heyl served in the first Trump Administration as the department’s director of the office of public liaison. Prior to returning to the department, he was the president and founder of Heyl Enterprises. He has extensive experience in government relations and as an attorney working with a number of associations. Earlier in his career, he served as a senior advisor to the Idaho attorney general and governor.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Troy Finnegan Appointed as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Administration and Management

Source: US Department of Labor

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the appointment of Troy W. Finnegan as assistant secretary for administration and management.

“It is an honor to return to the department and continue serving an administration that believes in the limitless potential of American job creators and workers,” said Finnegan.

Finnegan previously served as executive secretary to the secretary of labor, where he managed department correspondence and high-level administrative processes. He also brings extensive legal expertise to the department, formerly working as special counsel at Akerman LLP and as general counsel for one of Florida’s largest philanthropic organizations, Dr. Phillips Charities.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Sues Trump Administration, Challenging Elon Musk’s Unconstitutional Exercise of Power

Source: US State of California Department of Justice

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

Musk was never elected, nominated, or confirmed — an affront to the U.S. Constitution

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a coalition of 14 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit that challenges Elon Musk’s unlawful exercise of power. In today’s lawsuit, the attorneys general argue that Mr. Musk, an unconfirmed, unelected government employee, is exercising authority that exceeds what the U.S. Constitution permits. In his commanding of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the lawsuit alleges, Mr. Musk is acting with at least as much authority as a “principal officer of the United States” — a position that only Congress can create and one that requires Senate confirmation. The lawsuit alleges that, by acting as a “principal officer,” Mr. Musk is acting in violation of the U.S. Constitution’s Appointments Clause, and the coalition seeks to immediately halt this unlawful exercise of power.

“Elon Musk does not occupy a position that Congress created or that the Senate confirmed — Mr. Musk occupies a position the President made up. This is a clear and dangerous effort to bypass the nomination and confirmation process required under the Constitution. DOGE’s ransacking of federal agencies has sown tremendous chaos, instilled distrust among the American people, and has caused deep harm to our country,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Like a bull in a china shop, Mr. Musk is wielding an enormous amount of illegitimized power over sensitive systems and important government programs that are vital to the American way of life.”

In the lawsuit filed today, the attorneys general argue that Mr. Musk has unraveled federal agencies, accessed sensitive data, and caused widespread disruption for state and local governments, as well as critical systems American people rely on daily. By disrupting billions of dollars in federal funding essential for law enforcement, healthcare, education, and other critical services, Mr. Musk’s actions harm the states, including California.

In filing today’s lawsuit, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of New Mexico, Arizona, Michigan, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

A copy of the complaint can be found here.

# # #

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Brazilian National Pleads Guilty to Perjury

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Defendant convicted of murder, attempted murder and physical and mental torture by Brazilian authorities for his involvement in “The Slaughter of Curió” in 2015

BOSTON – A Brazilian national residing in Malden, Mass. has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston for lying on his asylum application and at an immigration hearing. Upon applying for a U.S. Visa, the defendant never disclosed his arrest in a case involving the murders of 11 people, mostly teenagers, in Brazil in retaliation for the death of a police officer, an incident known as The Slaughter of Curió.

Antonio Jose De Abreu Vidal Filho, 31, pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury before U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper who scheduled sentencing for Mau 29, 2025. In May 2024, De Abreu was indicted by a federal grand jury.

In April 2014, De Abreu joined the Ceara State Military Police – Brazilian state forces who, under the governor, do first line policing on the street. In the early morning hours of Nov. 12, 2015, numerous Brazilian military police officers employed by the government of the Brazilian state of Ceará, including De Abreu, participated in a mass killing event of primarily young people from the impoverished neighborhoods of Barroso, Messejana, Guajeru, Curió and Lagoa Redonda in the capital of Ceará.

The killings were in retaliation for the death of another police officer who was attempting to defend his wife who was being assaulted. In total, 11 people, mostly teenagers, were murdered and many others seriously injured and tortured. This incident has come to be known as A Chacina do Curió or The Slaughter of Curió or The Curió Massacre. A total of 45 individuals, including De Abreu, were charged by the Brazilian authorities and, on Aug. 31, 2016, De Abreu was arrested and detained by the Brazilian police. He was subsequently released pending trial on May 24, 2017.

Two weeks later, on June 9, 2017, while in Recife, Brazil, De Abreu applied for a United States non-immigrant B2 visitor visa. When asked whether he had ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, De Abreu responded “no.” Thereafter, on or about June 21, 2017, the United States Department of State approved De Abreu’s Visa Application and issued him the B2 Visa based upon his false representations. De Abreu used the B2 Visa and travelled to Miami on May 30, 2018.

Between May 30, 2018 through Aug. 14, 2023, as a result of the approval of his Visa Application, De Abreu obtained various state driver’s licenses, a social security card, travel documents and authorizations for employment.

De Abreu applied for asylum on Jan. 29, 2020, and lied when asked whether he had ever been accused, charged, arrested, detained, interrogated and imprisoned in any country other than the United States. He also failed to disclose his arrest and detention in Brazil when he applied for adjustment of status with United States Citizenship and Immigration Service.

On June 25, 2023, De Abreu was convicted of 11 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and four counts of physical and mental torture in the First Court of Fortaleza, Ceará. That same day, De Abreu was sentenced to 275 years and 11 months in prison and an arrest warrant issued.

On Feb. 9, 2024, De Abreu testified under oath at an immigration hearing conducted by U.S. Immigration Court, falsely claiming that he had never lied to immigration officials and that the only reason he had left off important information on immigration documents filed with the United States government was because he had not yet been arrested.

The charge of misuse of visas, permits and other documents provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of perjury provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of falsifying, concealing and covering up a material fact provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Bradley Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Office; Mathew O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; and Denis C. Riordan, District Director of the Fraud Detection and National Security Division of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. This matter was investigated with the assistance of the United States Interagency Human Rights Violators & War Crimes Center. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura J. Kaplan of the National Security Unit is prosecuting the case.

MIL Security OSI –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Haverhill Man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Claim for Brazilian Resident

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

BOSTON – A Haverhill man has pleaded guilty to making false statements in connection with a Massachusetts Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claim he submitted in 2020 on behalf of a man who was living in Brazil at the time, and therefore ineligible to receive PUA benefits.

Julio Roncaly Morais, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of false statements before U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs who scheduled sentencing for May 28, 2025. In June 2024, Morias was indicted by a federal grand jury.

Morais filed a Massachusetts PUA claim on June 3, 2020, on behalf of a co-conspirator who was living in Brazil before and after the PUA claim was filed. In the PUA application, Morais certified under penalty of perjury that the co-conspirator was a resident of Massachusetts and was able and available to work in Massachusetts but was unable to due to the pandemic. As a result of this claim, the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance paid a total of $5,202 in benefits before suspending payments.

The charge of false statements provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in charge for the Homeland Security Investigations New England Field Office; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Fraud Detection and National Security and the Woburn and Norwood Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Begg Lawrence, James D. Herbert and Samuel R. Feldman of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

MIL Security OSI –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Foreign Nationals Plead Guilty to Illegal Entry into the United States

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that Mura Kvec, 39, Manix Razmias, 38, and Geto Kvec, 19, all citizens of Romania, pleaded guilty to a criminal complaint charging each of them with illegally entering the United States at a time or place other than designated for entering the country by immigration authorities.

According to court records, on February 10, 2025, at approximately 12:45 a.m., U.S. Border Patrol agents were notified of three individuals walking south on Lake Road in Newport Center, Vermont, a road that borders the United States and Canada. Minutes later, a Border Patrol Agent stopped a car with four individuals traveling south on Lake Road and conducted an immigration inspection. In response to the agent’s questions, the driver was determined to be a U.S. citizen. The other passengers, Mura Kvec, Manix Razmias and Geto Kvec, admitted to being citizens of Romania. None of them possessed the necessary documents that would allow them to stay or remain in the United States legally. Under further questioning, the United States Border Patrol determined the three Romanians had entered the United States at a place other than an open port of entry.

During their initial court appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle on February 11, 2025, each of the three Romanians entered a guilty plea and received a time-served sentence. They had faced up to 6 months’ imprisonment.

Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory efforts of the United States Border Patrol.

The prosecutor was Assistant United States Attorney Greg Waples. Karen Shingler, Esq. represented Mura Kvec, Michael Straub, Esq. represented Manix Razmias, and the Office of the Federal Public Defender represented Geto Kvec.

MIL Security OSI –

February 14, 2025

MIL-OSI: Trisura Group Reports Fourth Quarter and Record Annual Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trisura Group Ltd. (“Trisura” or “Trisura Group”) (TSX: TSU), a leading specialty insurance provider, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024.

David Clare, President and CEO of Trisura, stated, “Trisura achieved strong Operating net income of $38.2 million in the quarter, or $0.79 per share, supporting our highest ever annual Operating net income of $135.8 million, driven by growth, strong underwriting, and higher Net investment income. Operating combined ratio of 81.5% for the quarter and 82.9% for the year shows the strength and potential of the combined platform.

Growth, strong earnings, unrealized gains and the impact of foreign exchange lifted book value by 27% to $785 million, an all-time high. Profitability from core operations continued, resulting in a 19.4% Operating ROE.

We made significant progress expanding in 2024. Premiums from our US Surety platform grew by 197% in the year, broadening our footprint and developing relationships with important distribution partners. In US Corporate Insurance we bound our first premium, continued to establish our brand and grow our network while we build out licenses.

We observed weaker performance from a group of US programs we had previously non-renewed. These programs have been included in Exited lines, to clearly demonstrate their impact. Premium growth and profitability continued in our ongoing portfolio of US Programs.

Despite the impact of Exited lines, Trisura achieved an 88.8% Combined ratio for the year, and a 96.7% Combined ratio in the quarter. Net income in Q4 grew by 70.1% to $19.3 million and we reached our highest annual Net income ever of $118.9 million.

Growth initiatives remain well-funded with our highest book value yet and a conservative 11% debt-to-capital underscoring flexibility and capacity for growth.”

Financial Highlights

Insurance revenue increased by 5.2% in Q4 2024 led by strength in Primary lines (Surety, Corporate Insurance and Warranty). Importantly, these are the lines that have the highest underwriting margin.
Net income of $19.3 million in the quarter grew 70.1% compared to Q4 2023 as a result of growth in the business, higher Net investment income, as well as a lower Loss ratio. Operating net income⁽¹⁾ of $38.2 million in the quarter grew 47.6% compared to Q4 2023, as a result of growth in the business, higher Net investment income, as well as a lower Loss ratio.
Operating EPS⁽²⁾ of $0.79 for the quarter increased compared to $0.54 in the prior year, demonstrating the strength of core operations⁽³⁾ through continued growth and profitability. EPS of $0.40 in Q4 2024 was greater than $0.23 in Q4 2023, as a result of growth in the business, higher Net investment income, and improved profitability. EPS in the quarter was impacted by a higher Loss ratio associated with Exited lines.
Book value reached a new record of $785.3 million and book value per share⁽⁴⁾ of $16.44 increased 26.3% from December 31, 2023, the combined result of earnings from Trisura Specialty, investment returns and foreign exchange.
ROE⁽⁴⁾ of 16.9% increased compared to 12.2% in Q4 2023, demonstrating a return to our mid-teens target. Operating ROE⁽⁵⁾ of 19.4% was slightly lower than Q4 2023, as strong profitability from core operations continued, but Shareholders’ equity increased disproportionately from unrealized gains and foreign exchange.

Amounts in C$ millions	Q4 2024	Q4 2023	Variance	2024	2023	Variance
Insurance revenue	794.2	755.0	5.2%	3,118.3	2,789.2	11.8%
Net income	19.3	11.3	70.1%	118.9	66.9	77.6%
Operating net income⁽¹⁾	38.2	25.9	47.6%	135.8	110.2	23.3%
EPS – diluted, $	0.40	0.23	73.9%	2.45	1.42	72.5%
Operating EPS – diluted, $⁽²⁾	0.79	0.54	46.3%	2.80	2.34	19.7%
Book value per share, $⁽⁴⁾	16.44	13.02	26.3%	16.44	13.02	26.3%
Debt-to-Capital ratio⁽⁴⁾	11.1%	10.8%	0.3pts	11.1%	10.8%	0.3pts
ROE⁽⁴⁾	16.9%	12.2%	4.7pts	16.9%	12.2%	4.7pts
Operating ROE⁽⁵⁾	19.4%	20.0%	(0.6pts)	19.4%	20.0%	(0.6pts)
Combined ratio	96.7%	105.4%	(8.7pts)	88.8%	91.2%	(2.4pts)
Operating combined ratio⁽⁶⁾	81.5%	88.1%	(6.6pts)	82.9%	81.9%	1.0pts

Insurance Operations

Insurance revenue of $794.2 million, increased by 5.2% compared to Q4 2023, reflecting stronger growth from Surety and Warranty in particular. Trisura’s Primary lines (Surety, Corporate Insurance and Warranty) grew by 17.7% in the quarter.
The consolidated Operating combined ratio⁽³⁾ was 81.5% for the quarter reflecting a lower Loss ratio⁽³⁾ than the prior year, driven by strong results in Surety and Corporate Insurance, slightly offset by investments in our US expansion.
Strong underwriting contributed to a loss ratio in Trisura Specialty of 12.8%, a ROE of 27.4% and Operating ROE of 24.9% in Q4 2024.

Capital

The Minimum Capital Test ratio⁽⁷⁾ of our regulated Canadian subsidiary was 276% as at December 31, 2024 (251% as at December 31, 2023), which comfortably exceeded regulatory requirements⁽⁸⁾ of 150%.
As at December 31, 2024, the Risk-Based Capital⁽⁹⁾ of the regulated US insurance companies are expected to be in excess of the various company action levels of the states in which they are licensed. Calculations are finalized as statutory returns are completed.
Consolidated debt-to-capital ratio of 11.1% as at December 31, 2024 is below our long-term target of 20.0%.

Investments

Net investment income rose 5.8% in the quarter compared to Q4 2023. The portfolio benefited from increased capital generated from strong operational performance.

Earnings Conference Call

Trisura will host its Fourth Quarter and 2024 Annual Earnings Conference Call to review financial results at 9:00a.m. ET on Friday, February 14th, 2025.

To listen to the call via live audio webcast, please follow the link below:

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/mghkbw3a/

A replay of the call will be available through the link above.

About Trisura Group

Trisura Group Ltd. is a specialty insurance provider operating in the Surety, Warranty, Corporate Insurance, Program and Fronting business lines of the market. Trisura has investments in wholly owned subsidiaries through which it conducts insurance operations. Those operations are primarily in Canada and the United States. Trisura Group Ltd. is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “TSU”.

Further information is available at http://www.trisura.com. Important information may be disseminated exclusively via the website. Investors should consult the site to access this information. Details regarding the operations of Trisura Group Ltd. are also set forth in regulatory filings. A copy of the filings may be obtained on Trisura Group’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Name: Bryan Sinclair

Tel: 416 607 2135

Email: bryan.sinclair@trisura.com

Trisura Group Ltd. Consolidated Statements of Financial Position As at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except as otherwise noted)
As at	December 31, 2024	December 31, 2023
Cash and cash equivalents	270,378	604,016
Investments	1,434,534	890,157
Other assets	42,392	53,712
Reinsurance contract assets	2,771,163	2,003,589
Capital assets and intangible assets	29,383	16,657
Deferred tax assets	44,043	16,314
Total assets	4,591,893	3,584,445
Insurance contract liabilities	3,546,053	2,769,951
Other liabilities	162,302	120,065
Loan payable	98,272	75,000
Total liabilities	3,806,627	2,965,016
Shareholders’ equity	785,266	619,429
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	4,591,893	3,584,445

Trisura Group Ltd. Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income For the three and twelve months ended December 31 (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except as otherwise noted)
	Q4 2024	Q4 2023	2024	2023
Insurance revenue	794,162	754,953	3,118,322	2,789,187
Insurance service expenses	(881,999)	(615,167)	(2,748,110)	(2,245,246)
Net income (expense) from reinsurance contracts assets	101,624	(135,627)	(253,980)	(458,606)
Insurance service result	13,787	4,159	116,232	85,335
Net investment income (loss)	17,138	16,206	67,045	51,669
Net gains (losses) & net credit impairment losses	2,886	9,058	24,699	(8,763)
Total investment income	20,024	25,264	91,744	42,906
Finance expenses from insurance contracts	(7,015)	(27,716)	(78,522)	(75,875)
Finance income from reinsurance contracts	5,908	23,511	67,732	65,759
Net insurance finance expenses	(1,107)	(4,205)	(10,790)	(10,116)
Net financial result	18,917	21,059	80,954	32,790
Net insurance and financial result	32,704	25,218	197,186	118,125
Other income	508	727	7,506	7,654
Other operating expenses	(6,804)	(10,346)	(42,932)	(32,947)
Other finance costs	(947)	(565)	(3,270)	(2,409)
Income before income taxes	25,461	15,034	158,490	90,423
Income tax expense	(6,208)	(3,714)	(39,575)	(23,482)
Net income	19,253	11,320	118,915	66,941
Operating net income	38,181	25,875	135,850	110,201
Other comprehensive income (loss)	17,194	8,452	43,843	6,328
Comprehensive income	36,447	19,772	162,758	73,269

Trisura Group Ltd. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the three and twelve months ended December 31 (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except as otherwise noted)
	Q4 2024	Q4 2023	2024	2023
Net income	19,253	11,320	118,915	66,941
Non-cash items	(3,127)	(11,727)	(20,517)	5,264
Change in working capital	102,620	100,302	68,598	194,038
Realized (gains) losses	(784)	1,769	(2,314)	3,950
Income taxes paid	(16,609)	(1,736)	(42,316)	(9,841)
Interest paid	(984)	(1,115)	(2,640)	(2,439)
Net cash from (used in) operating activities	100,369	98,813	119,726	257,913
Proceeds on disposal of investments	140,380	12,894	342,306	102,492
Purchases of investments	(221,476)	(41,001)	(795,269)	(219,121)
Acquisition of subsidiary	–	–	(15,015)	–
Net purchases of capital and intangible assets	(647)	32	(3,835)	(714)
Net cash (used in) investing activities	(81,743)	(28,075)	(471,813)	(117,343)
Shares issued	–	(63)	2,989	51,507
Shares purchased under Restricted Share Units plan	922	436	(2,215)	(1,409)
Loans received	–	–	46,607	–
Loans repaid	–	–	(23,335)	–
Principal portion of lease payments	(234)	(510)	(2,006)	(2,034)
Net cash from (used in) financing activities	688	(137)	22,040	48,064
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents, during the period	19,314	70,601	(330,047)	188,634
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	262,850	531,484	604,016	406,368
Currency translation	(11,786)	1,931	(3,591)	9,014
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	270,378	604,016	270,378	604,016

Non-IFRS Financial Measures and other Financial Measures

Table 1 – Reconciliation of reported Net income to Operating net income⁽⁴⁾: reflect Net income, adjusted for certain items to normalize earnings to core operations in order to reflect our North American specialty operations.

	Q4 2024	Q4 2023	2024	2023
Net income	19,253	11,320	118,915	66,941
Adjustments:
Non-recurring Surety revenues	–	–	–	(4,596)
Impact of certain changes in Fronting reinsurance structures	–	–	1,435	–
Loss from run-off program	–	19,196	3,714	47,229
Non-recurring items	(3,100)	4,549	3,565	4,549
Impact of Exited lines	30,577	–	30,577	–
Impact of SBC	(839)	1,589	3,507	(1,914)
Impact of movement in yield curve within Finance (expenses) income from insurance and reinsurance contracts	(396)	2,071	1,207	723
Net (gains) losses	(2,886)	(9,058)	(24,699)	8,763
Tax impact of above items, and other tax adjustments	(4,428)	(3,792)	(2,371)	(11,494)
Operating net income	38,181	25,875	135,850	110,201

Table 2 – ROE⁽⁴⁾and Operating LTM ROE⁽⁵⁾: a measure of the Company’s use of equity.

	Q4 2024	Q4 2023
LTM net income	118,915	66,941
LTM average equity	702,012	549,672
ROE	16.9%	12.2%
Operating LTM net income⁽¹⁾	135,850	110,201
Operating LTM ROE	19.4%	20.0%

Table 3 – Reconciliation of Average equity⁽¹⁰⁾to LTM average equity: LTM average equity is used in calculating Operating ROE.

	Q4 2024	Q4 2023
Average equity	702,348	556,538
Adjustments: days in quarter proration	(336)	(6,866)
LTM average equity	702,012	549,672

Footnotes

(1) See section on Non-IFRS financial measures table 10.2 in Q4 2024 MD&A for details on composition. Operating net income is a non-IFRS financial measure. Non-IFRS financial measures are not standardized financial measures under the financial reporting framework used to prepare the financial statements of the Company to which the measure relates and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other companies. Details and an explanation of how it provides useful information to an investor can be found in the Q4 2024 MD&A, Section 10, Operating Metrics table.

(2) This is a non-IFRS ratio. Non-IFRS ratios are not standardized under the financial reporting framework used to prepare the financial statements of the Company to which the ratio relates and might not be comparable to similar ratios disclosed by other companies. Details on composition and an explanation of how it provides useful information to an investor can be found in the Q4 2024 MD&A, Section 10, table 10.17.

(3) See Section 10, Operating Metrics in Q4 2024 MD&A for the definition of Operating Net Income, and for further explanation of “core operations”.

(4) This is a supplementary financial measure. Refer to Q4 2024 MD&A, Section 10, Operating Metrics table for its composition.

(5) This is a non-IFRS ratio. See table 10.18 in Q4 2024 MD&A for details on composition, as well as each non-IFRS financial measure used as a component of ratio, and an explanation of how it provides useful information to an investor.

(6) This is a non-IFRS ratio. Refer to Q4 2024 MD&A, Section 10, Operating Metrics table for its composition. Operating combined ratio excludes the impact of certain items to normalize results in order to reflect our Trisura Specialty operations.

(7) This measure is calculated in accordance with the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada’s (OSFI’s) Guideline A, Minimum Capital Test.

(8) This target is in accordance with OSFI’s Guideline A-4, Regulatory Capital and Internal Capital Targets.

(9) This measure is calculated in accordance with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Risk Based Capital for Insurers Model Act.

(10) Average equity is calculated as the sum of opening equity and closing equity over the last twelve months, divided by two.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information

Note: This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, include statements regarding operations, business, financial condition, expected financial results, performance, prospects, opportunities, priorities, targets, goals, ongoing objectives, strategies and outlook of our Company and its subsidiaries, as well as the outlook for North American and international economies for the current fiscal year and subsequent periods, and include words such as “expects,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “seeks,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “forecasts”, “potential” or negative versions thereof and other similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would” and “could”.

Although we believe that our anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information are based upon reasonable assumptions and expectations, the reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of our Company to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated or implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the impact or unanticipated impact of general economic, political and market factors in the countries in which we do business; the behaviour of financial markets, including fluctuations in interest and foreign exchange rates; global equity and capital markets and the availability of equity and debt financing and refinancing within these markets; insurance risks including pricing risk, concentration risk and exposure to large losses, and risks associated with estimates of loss reserves; strategic actions including dispositions; the ability to complete and effectively integrate acquisitions into existing operations and the ability to attain expected benefits; changes in accounting policies and methods used to report financial condition (including uncertainties associated with critical accounting assumptions and estimates); the ability to appropriately manage human capital; the effect of applying future accounting changes; business competition; operational and reputational risks; technological change; changes in government regulation and legislation within the countries in which we operate; governmental investigations; litigation; changes in tax laws; changes in capital requirements; changes in reinsurance arrangements and availability and cost of reinsurance; ability to collect amounts owed; catastrophic events, such as earthquakes, hurricanes or pandemics; the possible impact of international conflicts and other developments including terrorist acts and cyberterrorism; risks associated with reliance on distribution partners, capacity providers and program administrators; third party risks; risk that models used to manage the business do not function as expected; climate change risk; risk of economic downturn; risk of inflation; risks relating to cyber-security; risks relating to credit ratings; and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in our documents filed with securities regulators in Canada.

We caution that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements and information, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Except as required by law, our Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether written or oral, that may be as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Cautionary Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures

Reported results conform to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), in accordance with IFRS. In addition to reported results, our Company also presents certain financial measures, including non-IFRS financial measures that are historical, non-IFRS ratios, and supplementary financial measures, to assess results. Non-IFRS financial measures, such as operating net income, are utilized to assess the Company’s overall performance. To arrive at operating results, our Company adjusts for certain items to normalize earnings to core operations, in order to reflect our North American specialty operations. Non-IFRS ratios include a non-IFRS financial measure as one or more of its components. Examples of non-IFRS ratios include operating diluted earnings per share and operating ROE. The Company believes that non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios provide the reader with an enhanced understanding of our results and related trends and increase transparency and clarity into the core results of the business. Non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios are not standardized terms under IFRS and, therefore, may not be comparable to similar terms used by other companies. Supplementary financial measures depict the Company’s financial performance and position, and are explained in this document where they first appear, and incorporates information by reference to our Company’s current MD&A, for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024. To access MD&A, see Trisura’s website or SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. These measures are pursuant to National Instrument 52-112 Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure.

The MIL Network –

February 14, 2025

MIL-OSI: Patria Announces Changed Record Date for Previously Announced Regular Quarterly Dividend

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Patria Investments Limited (Nasdaq:PAX) has amended the record date of its recently declared quarterly cash dividend of US$0.15 per share from February 28, 2025 to February 25, 2025. The payment date for the quarterly dividend will remain March 17, 2025, as previously announced on February 12, 2025.

About Patria

Patria is a global alternative asset manager and industry leader in Latin America. Founded over 35 years ago, Patria has total assets under management of $41.9 billion, and offices in 13 cities on 4 continents. Patria aims to generate attractive long-term investment returns and, through a diversified platform with strategies that include Private Equity, Infrastructure, Credit, Real Estate, Public Equities and Global Private Markets Solutions, serve as the gateway to alternative investments for both local investors in Latin America, as well as global investors. Further information is available at www.patria.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “outlook,” “indicator,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative version of these words or other comparable words, among others. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this press release and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information or future developments or to release publicly any revisions to these statements in order to reflect later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. Further information on these and other factors that could affect our financial results is included in filings we have made and will make with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including but not limited to those described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in our periodic filings.

Contact: Patria Shareholder Relations
E. PatriaShareholderRelations@patria.com
T. +1 917 769 1611

The MIL Network –

February 14, 2025

MIL-OSI: Prestige Wealth Inc. Announces First Half of Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HONG KONG, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prestige Wealth Inc. (Nasdaq: PWM) (the “Company” or “Prestige Wealth”), a wealth management and asset management services provider based in Hong Kong, today announced its unaudited financial results for the six months ended March 31, 2024.

Mr. Kazuho Komoda, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Reflecting upon the first half of fiscal year 2024, we made many strategic layouts including exploring the path of using technology method to scale up wealth management business, preparing for expanding business areas and actively seeking talents for business upgrade. Meanwhile, we also maintain stable growth in our existing business and garnered an increase of our total revenues from compared to the same period of fiscal year 2023.”

Mr. Komoda continued, “Benefited from our efforts and status of listed company, we have access to better business resources, advanced technology, and financing capabilities to hedge against negative macroeconomic impacts. In fact, we have also made many significant strategic initiatives in fiscal year 2024, including acquisitions and post IPO financing. This presents us with immense opportunities, and we want to assure our clients and shareholders that we are in prime position to harness these prospects. We will continue to strive to create value for all shareholders.”

First Half of Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results

	For the Six Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023		Change		Change
	USD		USD		USD		%
	(Unaudited)		(Unaudited)
Selected Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income Data:
Net revenues	497,629		312,964		184,665		59.01
Operation cost and expenses	(1,105,629	)	(311,871	)	793,758		254.51
(Loss) Income from operations	(608,000	)	1,093		(609,093	)	(55,726.72	)
Other income	118,580		3,335		115,245		(3,455.59	)
(Loss) Income before income taxes	(489,420	)	4,428		(493,848	)	(11,152.85	)
Income taxes (expenses) benefits	(14,009	)	21,132		(35,141	)	(166.29	)
Net (loss) income	(503,429	)	25,560		(528,989	)	(2,069.60	)
(Loss) Earnings per ordinary share – basic and diluted	(0.055	)	0.003		(0.058	)	(1,933.33	)

Net Revenues

Net revenues were $497,629 in the six months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $312,964 in the six months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to increase in net revenue from asset management services, partially offset by the decrease in net revenue from wealth management services.

Net revenue from wealth management services was $11,685 in the six months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $74,875 in the six months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease number of cases of referrals.
Net revenue from asset management services was $485,944 in the six months ended March 31, 2024, increased from $238,089 in the six months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to the Company provided asset management related advisory services to new client.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Operating costs and expenses are primarily comprised of selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $1,105,629 in the six months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $311,871 in the six months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was mainly due to the increases in wages & salaries from senior management, depreciation of right-of-use assets and audit fee.

(Loss) Income from operations

Loss from operations was $608,000 in the six months ended March 31, 2024, compared to an income from operations of $1,093 in the six months ended March 31, 2023.

Income Tax (Expenses) Benefits

Income tax expenses were $14,009 in the six months ended March 31, 2024, compared to an income tax benefit of $21,132 in the six months ended March 31, 2023, primarily because the Company had net taxable profits from one of its subsidiaries.

Net (Loss) Income

Net loss was $503,429 in the six months ended March 31, 2024, compared to a net income of $25,560 in the six months ended March 31, 2023.

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

Basic and diluted loss per share was $0.055 in the six months ended March 31, 2024, compared to basic and diluted earnings per share $0.003 in the six months ended March 31, 2023.

Balance Sheet

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $294,548, compared to $431,307 as of September 30, 2023.

Cash Flow

Net cash used in operating activities was $2,995,580 in the six months ended March 31, 2024, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $454,660 in the six months ended March 31, 2023, mainly due to increase in prepayment.

Net cash used in investing activities was $2,862,641 in the six months ended March 31, 2024, compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $1,414,297 in the six months ended March 31, 2023, due to decease in loan and interest repayment from a related party.

Net cash used in financing activities was $nil in the six months ended March 31, 2024, compared to net cash used by investing activities of $545,499 in the six months ended March 31, 2023, due to decease in deferred offering cost.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On November 27, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. ASU 2023-07 is designed to improve the reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM. All public entities will be required to report segment information in accordance with the new guidance starting in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, with early adoption permitted. The Group is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard and does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 expands existing income tax disclosures for rate reconciliations by requiring disclosure of certain specific categories and additional reconciling items that meet quantitative thresholds and expands disclosures for income taxes paid by requiring disaggregation by certain jurisdictions. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Group is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard and does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Recent Developments

On November 4, 2024, the Company completed its acquisition of all shares of SPW Global Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, which in turn wholly owns Wealth AI PTE LTD. or Wealth AI, a company incorporated under the laws of Republic of Singapore. Wealth AI is a company based in Singapore that offers personalized, cost-effective wealth management solutions using artificial intelligence. Founded by AI experts from top technology companies in 2022, Wealth AI is dedicated to the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in wealth management.

On December 16, 2024, the Company completed its acquisition of all shares of InnoSphere Tech Inc. (“InnoSphere Tech”), a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. InnoSphere Tech is a technology company that leverages its advantages in web scraping technology to collect data on finance, wealth management, and related industries according to international standards. Through the accumulation and processing of large amounts of data, its system can train a specialized large model tailored for the wealth management industry, providing robust foundational support to clients in the financial sector that surpasses traditional general-purpose large models.

On December 16, 2024, the Company also completed its acquisition of all shares of Tokyo Bay Management Inc. (“Tokyo Bay”), a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. Tokyo Bay is a company based in Tokyo, Japan. Founded by experienced professionals, the Tokyo Bay team has accumulated extensive premium client resources and local market knowledge over the past years, providing wealth management services, family affairs services, lifestyle management services and related value-added services to high-net-worth clients in Japan.

About Prestige Wealth Inc.

Prestige Wealth Inc. is a wealth management and asset management services provider based in Hong Kong, assisting its clients in identifying and purchasing well-matched wealth management products and global asset management products. With a focus on quality service, the Company has retained a loyal customer base consisting of high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients in Asia. Through the Company’s wealth management service, it introduces clients to customized wealth management products and provides them with tailored value-added services. The Company provides asset management services via investment funds that it manages and also provides discretionary account management services and asset management-related advisory services to clients. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: http://ir.prestigewm.hk/index.html.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or other similar expressions in this prospectus. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.

PRESTIGE WEALTH INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
	March 31, 2024			September 30, 2023
	(Unaudited)
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	294,548		$	431,307
Restricted cash		200,000			200,000
Accounts receivable		350,826			273,257
Contract asset		3,002			91,565
Note Receivables		1,037,199			3,755,794
Amounts due from related parties		1,619,590			1,592,593
Right-of-use assets, current		213,978			213,814
Income tax receivable		45,783			29,279
Prepaid expenses and other assets		2,765,857			66,484
Total current assets		6,530,783			6,654,093

NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Right-of-use asset, non-current	$	42,247		$	140,898
Prepaid expenses and other assets		68,672			68,620
Total non-current assets	$	110,919		$	209,518
Total assets	$	6,641,702		$	6,863,611

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Income tax payable	$	37,345		$	27,648
Lease liability, current		237,535			220,101
Amounts due to related parties		190,844			—
Deferred tax liabilities		11,858			14,415
Other payables and accrued liabilities		435,228			257,906
Total current liabilities	$	912,810		$	520,070

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Lease liability, non-current	$	49,095		$	160,996
Total non-current liabilities	$	49,095		$	160,996
Total liabilities	$	961,905		$	681,066

Shareholders’ equity
Ordinary share ($0.000625 par value, 1,600,000,000 shares authorized, 9,150,000 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024; $0.000625 par value, 160,000,000 shares authorized, 9,150,000 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023)*	$	5,719		$	5,719
Additional paid in capital		2,570,664			2,570,664
Retained earnings		3,139,565			3,642,994
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(36,151	)		(36,832	)
Total shareholders’ equity	$	5,679,797		$	6,182,545
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	6,641,702		$	6,863,611

* The shares are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the Company’s share subdivision on July 15, 2022.

PRESTIGE WEALTH INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	For the six months ended March 31,
	2024			2023
	(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)
Net revenue
Wealth management services
Referral fees	$	11,685		$	74,875

Asset management services
Advisory service fees		459,974			212,486
Management fees		25,970			25,603
Subtotal		485,944			238,089
Total net revenue		497,629			312,964

Gross Margin		497,629			312,964

Operation cost and expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses		1,105,629			311,871
Total operation cost and expenses		1,105,629			311,871

(Loss) Income from operations		(608,000	)		1,093

Other income		118,580			3,335

(Loss) Income before income taxes		(489,420	)		4,428
Income taxes (expenses) benefits		(14,009	)		21,132

Net (loss) income	$	(503,429	)	$	25,560

Other comprehensive (loss) income
Foreign currency translation adjustment		681			6,016
Total comprehensive (loss) income	$	(502,748	)	$	31,576

(Loss) Earnings per ordinary share
Basic and diluted	$	(0.055	)	$	0.003

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding*
Basic and diluted		9,150,000			8,000,000

The MIL Network –

February 14, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Calls for the Senate to Confirm Kelly Loeffler as SBA Administrator

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, spoke on the Senate floor in support of Kelly Loeffler to be confirmed as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Chair Ernst has highlighted Kelly Loeffler’s plan to fix the broken SBA and advanced her nomination out of committee on a bipartisan vote of 12-7.
Watch her full remarks here.
Ernst’s remarks as delivered:
“Mr. President, later today we have the opportunity to advance the nomination of the Honorable Kelly Loeffler to be the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
“Senator Loeffler is immensely qualified for this role.
“As a successful businesswoman, it is abundantly clear that Senator Loeffler truly understands what it takes to be an entrepreneur and will be an effective voice for small businesses across America.
“Since President Trump’s election in November, optimism on Main Street has surged to its highest levels since 2018!
“Our nation’s job creators – small businesses – are excited about the prospect of having a dedicated and knowledgeable leader at the helm of SBA.
“Last week, the Small Business Committee, where I serve as Chair, favorably reported her nomination out with a bipartisan vote — a sure sign that my friends on both sides of the aisle believe she is fit to lead SBA.
“Senator Loeffler will bring accountability back to the agency and promote policies that will truly benefit American small businesses.
“As evidenced in her nomination hearing, Senator Loeffler’s experience and her expertise make her the right person to lead the SBA and advocate for our small businesses.
“Growing up on her family’s farm in Bloomington, Illinois, Senator Loeffler experienced firsthand the problems facing America’s farmers and small business owners.
“And as a fellow farm girl myself, I look forward to having some more Midwest common sense in Washington D.C.!
“Senator Loeffler also witnessed her parents start up a small trucking business and navigate complex rules and regulations.
“She understands the struggles small businesses face because you know what, she has experienced them.
“Fortunately, Senator Loeffler is ready to cut the red tape and reduce the burdens that so many of our job creators still face today.
“Senator Loeffler is also a successful entrepreneur.
“She was the first employee and CEO of a financial technology company.
“Through her hard work and tenacity, she aggressively grew the company and took it public within three years.
“Additionally, Senator Loeffler knows what it means to work for Main Street and the American people.
“During COVID, as a U.S. Senator, she worked tirelessly to bring relief to the people of Georgia, specifically through the Paycheck Protection Program.
“However, she, like me, recognizes that some took advantage of this program, and they need to be held accountable.
“During her confirmation hearing, Senator Loeffler detailed her zero-tolerance policy for waste, fraud, and abuse in the SBA.
“Mr. President, that should be welcome news for all of us.
“In addition, Senator Loeffler indicated the need for a full-scale audit – I started my political career as an auditor so I agree with this – the full-scale audit at the SBA to uncover any improper spending, and stated she would rely on that data to make the best decisions for the future of SBA.
“Senator Loeffler also noted the importance of working with Congress, particularly when it comes to disaster relief.
“She recognized the tragedy of the SBA’s disaster shortfall – which lasted for 66 days in the middle of back-to-back natural disasters – she recognized that this should never happen again.
“SBA’s vital role in the disaster process cannot be overstated, and we must ensure we have an Administrator who will alert Congress at the first signs of any concerns.
“The SBA needs a strong leader with a proven track record in business management, and Senator Loeffler brings all of that and more to the table.
“I look forward to working with Senator Loeffler to ensure small businesses all across America can thrive and maintain these high levels of optimism we’re already seeing under this administration.
“I urge my colleagues to advance her nomination. Support her with a yes vote.”

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senators Markey, Luján, Peters Condemn Weaponization of Federal Communications Commission Against Broadcasters and Public Media

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Letter Text (PDF)
Washington (February 13, 2025) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.), members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, wrote to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioner Nathan Simington regarding recent actions taken by the FCC under the Trump administration demonstrating that the FCC is weaponizing its authority over broadcasters and public media for political purposes.
In the letter the lawmakers wrote, “We write to express our serious concern about the recent actions taken by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under Chairman Carr to open or reopen investigations into broadcasting companies without any evidence of wrongdoing in what appears to be an attempt to intimidate broadcasters for political purposes. Specifically, we are concerned by both of your recent assertions that broadcast stations could be investigated over their editorial decision-making, which raises concerns under the First Amendment. Additionally, we are deeply concerned that in just the first two weeks under Chairman Carr, the Commission has reinstated three previously closed complaints against ABC, CBS, and NBC — absent any new evidence — without also reinstating a similar complaint against a Fox broadcasting station. Finally, we are troubled by your announced investigation into PBS and National Public Radio (NPR) member stations without any evidence that these news sources have departed from decades-long practices for sponsorship disclosures. Taken together, these efforts appear politically motivated and designed to punish, censor or intimidate members of the free press based on political disagreement with editorial choices. This weaponization of the FCC is unacceptable. We urge you to immediately cease such conduct and respect the First Amendment.
The lawmakers continue, “We urge you both to follow the Constitution, immediately cease abusing the FCC’s legal authority, and return to the evidence-based decision-making that has been a staple of the Commission’s long and storied history.”

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Hits Trump’s Trade Policy on CNBC: “It Almost Seems Like A Tariff Tantrum”

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
02.13.25
Cantwell Hits Trump’s Trade Policy on CNBC: “It Almost Seems Like A Tariff Tantrum”
WA depends on steel & aluminum imports; last year, the state imported $1.2B worth of steel & aluminum for aerospace, shipbuilding, electronics & more; Last round of Trump trade wars nearly decimated WA’s apple export market to India; Cantwell helped negotiate end to retaliatory tariffs in 2023 & restore the market
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and a senior member of the Senate Committee on Finance, appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box to push back against President Trump’s aggressive use of tariffs, even against the United States’ closest allies, instead of focusing on opening up export markets and lowering costs for American consumers.
“This is the fourth week of the Trump Administration, and I would hope that we would have been hearing about how we’re lowering costs on housing, food prices, and drugs. And instead, we’re now in – it almost seems like a tariff tantrum, like we’re just going to tariff everything. And what I would like to see is an engagement by both Democrats and Republicans pushing back on this notion that a ‘tariff everything’ strategy is the way to get out of this situation,” Sen. Cantwell told Squawk Box’s Andrew Ross Sorkin.
“I’ve been critical of Obama’s tariffs. I’ve been critical of Biden’s tariffs. What I want people to understand is we live in a world, now, where alliances and dealing with these issues on a coalition basis will get us further, because 95% of consumers are outside the United States,” she continued.
“In the last Trump administration, he did the same thing [… he] cut hundreds of apple jobs in my state that never recovered. But it decimated a $120 million market, and then, basically, because of the retaliatory tariffs, we were without an apple market to India. I worked in the Biden administration to get that restored. So, what people don’t understand is, in this environment, you don’t just lose farmland — because actually, Bill Gates or somebody will buy it — you’re losing farmers. And right now, the world, we should be opening up markets. We should be opening up agriculture opportunities around the globe.”
Her full appearance on Squawk Box can be viewed HERE; a transcript of the interview is HERE.
In Washington state, two out of every five jobs are tied to trade and trade-related industries. Combined, the state imported $1.21 billion worth of steel and aluminum last year – and the major industries and employers in Washington that rely on steel and aluminum include aerospace, shipbuilding, utilities, and electronics.
When President Trump imposed steel tariffs in 2018, our trading partners immediately responded by imposing tariffs of their own on Washington products, especially agriculture, including cherries, apples, pears, and potatoes. Nationally, across all industries, the steel and aluminum tariffs resulted in a decrease in production worth about $3.4 billion per year, according to an ITC report.
Sen. Cantwell has remained a steadfast supporter of free trade to grow the economy in the State of Washington and nationwide. Sen. Cantwell was the leading voice in negotiations to end India’s 20% retaliatory tariff on American apples, which was imposed in response to tariffs on steel and aluminum and devastated Washington state’s apple exports. India had once been the second-largest export market for American apples, but after President Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum in his first term, India imposed retaliatory tariffs in response and U.S. apple exports plummeted. The impact on Washington apple growers was severe: Apple exports from the state dropped from $120 million in 2017 to less than $1 million by 2023. In September 2023, following several years of Sen. Cantwell’s advocacy, India ended its retaliatory tariffs on apples and pulse crops which was welcome news to the state’s more than 1,400 apple growers and the 68,000-plus workers they support.
Last week, Sen. Cantwell also delivered a major speech on the Senate floor arguing that the president’s arbitrary tariffs would threaten domestic job creation and economic growth in an Information Age. She outlined a strategy focused on building coalitions, growing exports, and establishing principles to support innovation in the Information Age.
Sen. Cantwell also voted against advancing the nomination of Howard Lutnick, President Trump’s choice to be Secretary of the Department of Commerce, citing concerns with Lutnick’s support for Trump’s proposed tariffs. More information on how President Trump’s proposed tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China would affect consumers and businesses in the State of Washington can be found HERE.
In May 2023, Sen. Cantwell sent a letter urging the Biden Administration to help U.S. potato growers finally get approval to sell fresh potatoes in Japan. In June 2023, Sen. Cantwell hosted U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), then-chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, in Washington state for a forum with 30 local agricultural leaders in Wenatchee to discuss the Farm Bill.
In 2022, Sen. Cantwell spearheaded passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a law to crack down on skyrocketing international ocean shipping costs and ease supply chain backlogs that raise prices for consumers and make it harder for U.S. farmers and exporters to get their goods to the global market.
In August 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sen. Cantwell sent a letter to then-Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue requesting aid funds be distributed to wheat growers. In December 2018, Sen. Cantwell celebrated the passage of the Farm Bill, which included $500 million of assistance for farmers, including those who grow wheat.
In 2019, Sen. Cantwell helped secure a provision in the $16 billion USDA relief package, ensuring sweet cherry growers could access emergency funding to offset the impacts of tariffs and other market disruptions.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Sounds Alarm on Trump Funding Cuts for Lifesaving Biomed Research

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
02.13.25
Cantwell Sounds Alarm on Trump Funding Cuts for Lifesaving Biomed Research
State University is on the front lines of avian flu research – Trump’s NIH cuts could jeopardize pandemic response
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 Finance Committee, joined the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. expressing serious alarm over the Trump Administration’s recent decisions that threaten to undermine America’s life-saving biomedical research infrastructure, in violation of federal law.
“This change to NIH’s indirect cost rate represents an indiscriminate funding cut that will be nothing short of catastrophic for the lifesaving research that patients and families are counting on. The Administration’s new policy means that research will come to a halt, sick kids may not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials may shut down abruptly,” the Senators wrote.
Last week, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced it would set the maximum rate for indirect costs to 15 percent—creating a serious funding shortfall for research institutions of all types across the country. This move would dismantle the biomedical research system and stifle the development of new cures for disease.
This Trump administration action is blatantly illegal as Congress’ bipartisan Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations law prohibits modifications to NIH’s indirect costs. Moreover, Congress specifically included this language in the law after President Trump similarly tried to unilaterally impose a sweeping across-the-board cut for research institutions in his first term – and Congress has included it in every appropriations law since then.
Research entities in Washington state received $1.29 billion in NIH funding in Fiscal Year 2023, which supports nearly 12,000 jobs and nearly $3 billion in economic activity. A state by state analysis of total NIH funding, jobs supported, and economic activity supported through NIH research is available HERE.
Earlier this week, Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown joined 21 other attorneys general in filing a multi-state lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts challenging the move. A federal judge in Boston temporarily blocked the NIH rate cut and set a hearing for February 21st.
Sen. Cantwell discussed the repercussions of the proposed NIH cuts during her floor speech explaining her opposition to RFK Jr.’s nomination to head the Health and Human Services Administration last night. Video of Sen. Cantwell’s speech is available HERE, audio HERE, and transcript HERE.
For decades, Sen. Cantwell has remained a staunch supporter of medical innovation and evidence-based science, including treatments for fentanyl addiction, abortion, vaccinations, stem cell research, and more.
The full text of the letter is HERE and below.
Dear Secretary Kennedy,
We write to express our serious concern with the Trump Administration’s recent decisions that threaten to undermine the nation’s biomedical research infrastructure and set us back generations. The steps the Trump Administration has taken will create a serious funding shortfall for research institutions nationwide, threaten to undermine progress on lifesaving scientific advancements, could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars, and threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers.
As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH plays a critical role in sustaining the research infrastructure necessary for scientific breakthroughs in cancer treatment, infectious disease prevention, and medical technology innovation, among many others. President Trump has wreaked havoc on the nation’s biomedical research system in recent weeks. In his first several days in office, President Trump imposed a hiring freeze, communications freeze, ban on travel, and cancellation of grant review and advisory panels that are necessary to advance research. While some of these efforts have been reversed, they continue to cause confusion and miscommunication among researchers and recipients of NIH funds.
Just last week, NIH announced an illegal plan to cap indirect cost rates that research institutions rely on. In capping indirect cost rates at 15 percent for NIH-funded grants, this policy would cut funding essential for conducting research, such as operating and maintaining laboratories, equipment, and research facilities. This change to NIH’s indirect cost rate represents an indiscriminate funding cut that will be nothing short of catastrophic for the lifesaving research that patients and families are counting on. The Administration’s new policy means that research will come to a halt, sick kids may not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials may shut down abruptly.
These confusing and harmful policy changes threaten patient safety. The strength of the American research enterprise – recognized as the best in the world – is built on Congress’ bipartisan commitment to supporting essential research infrastructure. This funding, which Congress has long appropriated on a bipartisan basis, fuels groundbreaking medical discoveries and cements the United States’ position as the global leader in biomedical research.
In addition to the stifling impact on discovering new cures and ripping away treatment from those who need it, changes to NIH policy and communications threaten jobs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with everyone from custodians, to research trainees, to scientists facing potential layoffs. NIH research supported more than 412,000 jobs and fueled nearly $93 billion in new economic activity in Fiscal Year 2023. Every dollar the NIH invests in research generates almost $2.50 in economic activity. These reckless policy changes not only threaten biomedical innovation and research, but also the livelihoods of thousands of workers in every state across the nation.
The Trump Administration has left researchers, universities, and health systems with great uncertainty about whether they can continue to support entire research programs and patient clinical trials across the country. Institutions and grantees nationwide are dealing with an unprecedented external communications “pause” enacted by new leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the lack of transparency regarding the Administration’s illegal funding freeze, and the uncertainty of how new Executive Orders would be applied to their critical work. These actions resulted in NIH freezing grant reviews and cancelling advisory meetings, delaying critical funding that scientists need to continue advancing new cures and treatments. These disruptions do not just slow research – they cost lives.
The NIH plays a critical role in our nation’s efforts to fund scientific advancements that improve health and save lives. Our standing as a world leader in funding and producing new medical and scientific innovations has been put at risk by these recent actions from the Trump Administration. We urge you to stop playing political games with the lifesaving work of the NIH and to allow NIH research to continue uninterrupted.
Sincerely,

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan Legislation Strengthens U.S./Israel Alliance, Reinstates “Peace Through Strength” Policies in the Middle East

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
02.13.25
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), introduced a package of three bills focused on promoting stability and security in the Middle East: the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act, the United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025, and the Stop the ICC. These bills work to strengthen the U.S.-Israel military alliance, bolster the U.S. sanctions regime against Iran—the architect of chaos in the Middle East—and prohibit U.S. funding of or cooperation with the antisemitic International Criminal Court (ICC). Much of Sullivan’s Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act dovetails with President Trump’s recent executive orders on Iran and Israel.
“Taken together, this suite of bills sends a clear message that the United States stands firmly with Israel,” said Senator Sullivan. “The Biden administration refused to enforce the comprehensive Iran sanctions that President Trump enacted during his first term. As a result, Iran was given more than $70 billion and used this windfall to spread terror across the Middle East and in Israel. Congress needs to send a clear message that this must stop. Further, to better protect our interests at home and strengthen our alliance with Israel, we must strengthen the U.S.-Israel security partnership and stand with Israel against antisemitic institutions that threaten the existence of our closest ally in the Middle East. It’s time to return to ‘peace through strength’ in the Middle East and stand stronger than ever against the Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies that are threatening Israel and American interests throughout the region.”
See below for summaries of Senator Sullivan’s legislation.
Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act
This legislation supports the return to a maximum pressure posture toward Iran by strengthening the U.S. sanctions regime against Iran by filling the gaps on existing sanctions legislation and mandating rigorous enforcement of sanctions. Specifically, the legislation expands the range of sanctions to encompass the full logistical chain of Iranian energy exports, it creates an interagency task force to constantly track Iranian illicit activities, and it sunsets the timeline to issue sanctions waivers. It also includes provisions to encourage a new multilateral contact group with like-minded nations to coordinate international sanctions enforcement efforts.
Specifically, the bill takes several important measures:
Imposes secondary sanctions on the entire logistical chain of foreign entities supporting Iran’s illicit oil sales, including Chinese banks, maritime insurance providers, and flagging registries, as well as the executive-level leadership in those corporations and their immediate family members. It also imposes sanctions on family members of individuals in Iran sanctioned for terrorism, ballistic missile production, or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) facilities.
Creates an interagency Iran sanctions working group tasked with constantly tracking illicit transfers of Iranian oil, gas, and related products, with a periodic reporting plan to outline efforts to keep abreast of the evolving sanctions-evasion efforts, and identify new sanctions designations packages.
Creates a multilateral contact group for harmonizing and enforcing international sanctions on Iran.
Directs the provision of a private sector reporting mechanism, which financially incentivizes private sector counterparts to share information about illicit Iranian transfer operations.
Initiates a periodic (180-day) review by the President to justify maintaining existing waivers on eligible nations’ purchase of Iranian oil, accompanied by a detailed, credible plan to phase out the need for waivers for each applicable country. This would include sunset waiver authority on Iran sanctions, following a periodic congressional review.
Sunsets the presidential sanctions waiver authority in February 1, 2029.
This legislation is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).
The United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025
This bill strengthens the U.S.-Israel security partnership by extending and expanding existing bilateral security initiatives. It also establishes new cooperative programs, including a broader initiative on unmanned systems, establishing a Defense Innovation Unit in Israel, and advocating for consideration of Israel’s inclusion in the National Technology Industrial Base (NTIB). Finally, it calls for greater cooperation between Israel and regional countries in advancing work on Integrated Air and Missile Defense.
Specifically, this bill takes several important measures:
Establishes a program between the United States and Israel on Countering Unmanned Systems (C-UxS). This entails a program of cooperation to develop, test, and deploy advanced C-UxS technologies to address threats posed by UAS, funded at $150 million per year.
Extension and expansion of the U.S.-Israel Counter-UAS Cooperative Program. This would increase funding for the current initiative from $55 million to $75 million annually.
Extension and expansion of the United States-Israel Anti-Tunneling Cooperative Program. Extends the authorization of the U.S.-Israel Anti-Tunneling Cooperative Program to Dec 31, 2028 and increases the authorization to $80 million per year.
Authorizes cooperation between the United States and Israel on emerging defense technologies for 5 years (United States-Israel Future of Warfare Act). Provides $47.5 million a year to encourage further defense collaboration with Israel in areas of emerging technologies, including autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum, and biotechnology.
Reauthorizes the War Reserves Stockpile Authority – Israel (WRSA-I); extends the authorization of WRSA-I, which expires at the end of 2026, through January 1, 2029.
Establishes a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) office in Israel. A DIU office in Israel will work with the Israeli Minister of Defense and private sector to counter Iran’s development of dual-use defense technologies.
Israel-National Technology Industrial Base (NTIB) Engagement. This requires the Secretary of Defense to engage with his or her Israeli counterpart to initiate a discussion on the process of Israeli ascension into NTIB.
Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD). This requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a report on strengthening IAMD in the Middle East.
This legislation is cosponsored by Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).
Stop the ICC Act
This bill prohibits funding for and cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), based on its antisemitic efforts to prosecute top Israeli officials and create a false equivalence between Israel and Hamas, a terrorist organization. It also prohibits U.S. economic support for the Palestinian Authority (PA) based on its cooperation with the ICC’s investigations against Israeli officials. Specifically, it instructs the President to freeze property assets and deny visas to any foreigners who materially or financially contributed to the ICC’s efforts to “investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute a protected person.” Protected persons are defined as all current and former military and government officials of the U.S. and allies that have not consented to the court’s jurisdiction, such as Israel. The legislation covers the 32-member NATO and the 19 major non-NATO countries, which include Israel, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, and Egypt. It would also rescind any funds the U.S. has designated for the ICC and prohibit any future money for the court.
Background: In May 2024, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan announced that he was seeking warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas leadership. In November 2024, the court issued warrants for Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Gallant and Hamas leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
This legislation is cosponsored by Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Wyoming Delegation Introduces Legislation to Ensure Reliable Mail Delivery in the Cowboy State
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

Washington, D.C.— Senators Cynthia Lummis, John Barrasso, and Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (all R-WY) introduced the bipartisan and bicameral Postal Operations Stay Timely and Local (POSTAL) Act. This legislation prevents the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from closing, consolidating, or downgrading processing and distribution centers (P&DC) if it would eliminate the only P&DC in a state.

“The people of Wyoming are greatly disadvantaged by the mail delivery policies implemented under the Biden administration,” said Lummis. “It is commonsense for every state to have at least one sorting facility, to ensure efficient and timely in-state mail delivery. I am proud to champion this commonsense mail policy for rural communities, so every American, regardless of zip code, can rely on USPS once again.”

“The United States Postal Service (USPS) is a lifeline in rural states like Wyoming,” said Barrasso. “Keeping a processing and distribution center in Wyoming will help prevent delays and keep mail operations running smoothly across our state. I’ll continue to fight to make sure the people of Wyoming have access to a reliable and timely postal service.”

“Wyoming residents and postal employees are deeply concerned about the impact of these planned downgrades,” said Hageman. “The Postal Regulatory Commission found Postmaster General DeJoy’s plan to move processing out of state will lead to substantial delays and undermine reliable mail service for rural communities. For many Wyomingites, USPS is vital for everything from healthcare access to ensuring election integrity. This bill protects Cheyenne and Casper’s P&DC status and safeguards Wyoming’s postal infrastructure.”

Background:
- The USPS, under its “Delivering for America” modernization plan, has begun to consolidate or downgrade many of its existing processing and distribution centers, shifting the bulk of mail processing and delivery functions to other locations.
- As part of this shift, USPS plans to downgrade both P&DC facilities in Wyoming, shifting Casper’s P&DC operations to Billings, Montana and Cheyenne’s operations to Denver, Colorado, leaving Wyoming without an in-state P&DC.
Bill text can be found here.
MIL OSI USA News –
February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Graham Statement On RFK Jr. Confirmation

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after voting to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Kennedy Jr. was confirmed by a vote of 52-48.

“Every president deserves their team. I look forward to working with RFK Jr. to improve our quality of life and health in America.”

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Graham Statement on Rollins Confirmation

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after voting to confirm Brooke Rollins as the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Rollins was confirmed by a vote of 72-28.

“Congratulations to Brooke Rollins for being confirmed by the Senate to be our next Agriculture Secretary. America is blessed with the most abundant, affordable, and safe food supply in the world. Under Brooke’s leadership, we will take agriculture to a new level in America.”

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Fischer Questions Experts on Importance of Increased U.S. Presence in Greenland

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer

At a Senate Commerce Committee hearing this week, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) questioned expert witnesses on the strategic importance of Greenland and the need to maintain a strong American presence in the Greenland-Iceland-UK (GIUK) Gap.

During the hearing, Senator Fischer questioned Dr. Rebecca Pincus, Director of the Wilson Center Polar Institute, and Mr. Alexander Gray, a senior fellow in National Security Affairs at the American Foreign Policy Council, on the importance of Pituffik Space Base and the U.S. radar systems based in Greenland, as well as the significance of the GIUK Gap in light of increased Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic. Senator Fischer highlighted how critical it is that the Department of Defense maintain its access to spectrum airwaves so it can detect and track incoming threats to our homeland.

Click the image above to watch a video of Sen. Fischer’s questioning

Click here to download audio

Click here to download video

Senator Fischer questions experts:

Senator Fischer: Dr. Pincus, there’s been much discussion of late on Greenland, but I think what’s underappreciated is something that you were trying to focus on, and that’s the importance of Greenland to a whole host of U.S. strategic interests that are there. And, obviously, yes, we need to develop a good working relationship, a good partnership, with Greenland. You mentioned the Space Base that’s in Greenland. It’s a critical forward operating location. It is the Department’s northernmost installation. It hosts radar systems that are essential to our missile defense.

You know, the comment was made that there could be flight paths of ICBMs over Greenland. Well, that may or may not happen. But what is key there is that no matter where in the Arctic ICBMs are flying, what we have to have is radars to be on Greenland so that not only can they track, but they can also detect any incoming threats.

I’d also like to consider the Greenland-Iceland-UK (GIUK) Gap, and Mr. Gray, maybe you’d want to add some into this discussion as well. As we look at the increased Russian submarine activity there in recent years, and you couple that with the growing Chinese and Russian presence in the Arctic, I think it’s hard to understate that Gap’s importance. So, both of you, do you assess that increased U.S. presence in the GIUK Gap would be beneficial?

Dr. Pincus: Thank you very much, Senator, for that terrific question. You know, I think it’s very helpful to talk in terms of specifics. And in Greenland, we have long had radar installations to give us early warning of incoming ICBMs coming from Eurasia. And in the current era of hypersonics, new missiles, new missile delivery systems, it’s very important that those radars remain in place and that we recapitalize and modernize them to give us as much advance notice as possible. So, there’s a big radar system at the Pituffik Base. There’s a big airfield, there’s a deep-water port on the east coast of Greenland, that is the westernmost point of the GIUK gap. So, it is a key point for monitoring Russian naval activity and, you know, I think we are looking at a set of challenges in the GIUK gap related to Russian activity, undersea activity. That is a real problem set for us.

The gap between Greenland, Iceland, the U.K., also I would add Norway, provides us some really important points from which to support monitoring and activity. It would be best to talk to the Department of Defense in a classified setting about what specific capabilities and access they may need. But I will say that the 1951 Defense Agreement gives us very wide access to Greenland. We have never had a problem asking for access and permissions and not getting it. And both Greenland and Denmark have made it clear that they stand ready to have that conversation again. I think the Danish defense investments that have been announced include domain awareness capabilities and presence that will help us.

There’s certainly more that can be done, but I think being very specific about ‘what the problem is’ is helpful in terms of thinking about our appropriate response, and also recognizing that in an event of a contingency, fixed installations—whether it’s a radar asset or an airfield—they would be taken out with long range missile strikes. So, I would say that Russia doesn’t have the capability to seize and hold Greenland, and nor would there be a strong military argument for it to do so, given that its most likely response in the event of a contingency would be to strike those assets and then keep moving on.

Senator Fischer: Which would also make it extremely important that DOD maintains that spectrum is used to be able to identify what’s coming in, not just for the homeland but also for Greenland.

Dr. Pincus: Absolutely, and I think having a conversation about air defense and missile defense options we have. We do not have interceptors in Greenland. We do not have interceptors in Canada. We have them in Alaska. So, I think there is a conversation to be had about that specific capability. Thank you.

Senator Fischer: Mr. Gray, before I get called out, please.

Mr. Gray: Thank you, Senator. So many of our concerns, strategically, about Greenland, going back to the ‘40s, have been about the GIUK gap, and it’s been a concern across multiple great power competitors. It is a concern today. To me, the question is less—Dr. Pincus has made the comment about militarily, it would probably not be taken out. I’m more concerned about a future political arrangement in Greenland that could be influenced or controlled adversely by an adversary power in a way that would prevent us from being able to exercise the type of control or the type of domain awareness over the gap that we have had in recent years.

That’s why I think these proposals that I’ve mentioned, others have put forward for what is the long-term political arrangement in connection with Greenland—it’s so important because we have to have the ability to maintain some sort of control and some sort of awareness over that gap.

Senator Fischer: Thank you.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: At Hearing, Military Leaders Confirm to Warren that DoD is Writing a Blank Check to Deploy Troops for Immigration Enforcement

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

February 13, 2025

Warren: “When DOD has been tasked with doing DHS’s job, it has cost taxpayers a lot more money.”

Warren: “I’m concerned that we’re going to see the same problem that we saw the last time: big costs and little transparency and accountability.”

Video of Exchange (YouTube)

Washington, D.C. – At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the SASC Subcommittee on Personnel, questioned General Gregory M. Guillot of the U.S. Air Force, Commander of the United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defense Command, and Admiral Alvin Holsey of the U.S. Navy, Commander of the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), about the cost, readiness, morale, and national security impacts of deploying American troops to patrol the Southern border and to help detain migrants at Guantanamo Bay.

Upon taking office, President Trump ordered NORTHCOM to “seal” the southern border and directed SOUTHCOM to expand Guantanamo’s Migrant Operations Center (MOC) to a capacity of 30,000. Yet, when the Pentagon has been tasked with leading operations typically done by the Department of Homeland Security, taxpayers pay much more.

Senator Warren pointed to two examples: it costs 3 times more to deport migrants on military aircraft than civilian planes used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and has cost ICE at least 5 times more per detention bed to hold migrants at the Guantanamo naval base than at facilities in the U.S.

Admiral Holsey confirmed that the Pentagon does not have a cost estimate for these immigration operations, though DoD is supposed to consider costs before deploying troops. Admiral Holsey committed to providing an estimate to Congress as soon as possible and to inform the committee if he determines that the operations are not militarily effective.

A 2021 Government Accountability Office report found DoD cost estimates for border deployments were “unreliable” and excluded “significant costs.” Four years later, the DoD has still not implemented any of the GAO’s recommendations to make those cost estimates more accurate. General Guillot said he “assume(d)” that underestimating those costs would put future missions and readiness at risk.

Senator Warren also highlighted the potential impact of these deployments on troop morale.

“Many Texas National Guard members who deployed to the southern border have felt isolated, without purpose, and some have even committed suicide. I think it is important that we have better oversight over these plans and that we make these plans conform to the law,” said Senator Warren.

Senator Warren explained that “political stunts like this” can have serious implications for the military’s budget, readiness, and morale. The goal of this stunt appears to be to feign toughness by militarizing immigration enforcement — even if it means ballooning costs for the Pentagon and damaging readiness and morale for our servicemembers.

Transcript: Hearing “To receive testimony on the posture of United States Northern Command and United States Southern Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2026 and the Future Years Defense Program.”
Senate Armed Services Committee
February 13, 2025

Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, the Trump Administration is sending troops to the southern border and holding immigrants at Guantanamo — redirecting active-duty military personnel from critical missions, and costing taxpayers several times more than when DHS does the same job. That seems to be bad for national security, bad for our military families, and bad for America’s bottom line.

We’ve seen this before. When the first Trump Administration deployed troops to the border, it pegged the cost at $1 billion over 3 years. But the GAO found that the Department of Defense estimates were “not reliable” and excluded “significant costs.” DOD reports to Congress missed more than half the actual total cost for entire fiscal years. So GAO made 7 detailed recommendations for the Department of Defense to improve its cost estimates, but four years later, the Department of Defense has not executed a single one. Now, DOD estimates that this new border deployment will cost almost $1 billion over just the next 8 months, but that may be another underestimate.

General Guillot, you are overseeing the border deployment. Does underestimating the costs of an operation put future missions and future readiness at risk?

General Guillot, U.S. Air Force, Commander of the United States Northern Command: Senator, I would assume so, but I think I need to point out that NORTHCOM has not appropriated funds for the Southwest border, and we’ve never had reprogramming or pass through funding. This is all done through the Department Comptroller and the services.

Senator Warren: I appreciate that, but I’m asking the question about running past the limits and the consequences of that. Because the money has to come from somewhere and I’m concerned that we’re going to see the same problem that we saw the last time: big costs and little transparency and accountability.

When DOD has been tasked with doing DHS’s job, it has cost taxpayers a lot more money. It costs 3 times more to deport migrants on military aircraft than civilian planes that ICE often uses, and has cost ICE at least 5 times more per detention bed to hold migrants at Guantanamo naval base than at facilities in the United States.

Any time civilian authorities ask DOD for help, DOD is supposed to evaluate the request based on six criteria, including cost. But we don’t even have a cost estimate for the new Guantanamo operations.

So, Admiral Holsey, what do you expect the budgetary cost of SOUTHCOM’s Guantanamo operations will be through the end of this fiscal year?

Admiral Holsey, U.S. Navy, Commander of the United States Southern Command: Senator, we’re new into the process right now. We have assets down there to start building up a camp. It is a phased approach, so it’s not automatically going up to 30,000 –

Senator Warren: So you’re telling me you actually don’t know the cost yet?

Admiral Holsey: Not at this point, Ma’am.

Senator Warren: Not at this point. So the decision to deploy DoD personnel and assets was made without knowing the cost, which is exactly what DoD is supposed to consider in making the decision to deploy. Will you at least commit to provide that estimate to Congress as soon as you have it?

Admiral Holsey: Yes, Senator. I will work with OSD and DoD to get that to you.

Senator Warren: Alright. I will hold you to that. I’m relying on you both also to tell us if DOD blows past whatever estimates you give us. Given the potentially astronomical costs, will you commit to informing this committee if you determine that these operations are not militarily effective?

Admiral Holsey: Yes, Senator.

Senator Warren: Alright. You know, we also need to know if the operations are having an unmanageable impact on readiness or morale. Political stunts like this can easily damage troops morale. Many Texas National Guard members who deployed to the southern border have felt isolated, without purpose, and some have even committed suicide. I think it is important that we have better oversight over these plans and that we make these plans conform to the law. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Bonamici Renew Fight Against Misinformation in Pregnancy Care

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

February 13, 2025

Bill Text (PDF)

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) reintroduced the Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation (SAD) Act, to crack down on attempts by crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) to deceive and misinform women seeking reproductive health care.

Senators Edward Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto, (D-Nev.), Richard Durbin, (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) joined as co-sponsors.

CPCs routinely rely on deceptive advertising practices to trick pregnant women into thinking they offer comprehensive reproductive health care, only to discourage them from getting abortions. These deceptive tactics include making false claims about reproductive health care and lying about the risks of receiving an abortion or using certain forms of contraception. CPCs, which are generally not Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-covered entities, have been found to falsely claim to be HIPPA-compliant in order to collect women’s sensitive health information and in some cases even disclose that data to law enforcement.

Nationwide, false advertising by CPCs is preventing women from getting the reproductive health care they need. The SAD Act would direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules prohibiting disinformation in the advertising of abortion services. It would also give the Federal Trade Commission authority to enforce these rules and collect penalties from organizations, including CPCs, that violate these rules.

Senator Warren and Representative Bonamici first introduced this bill in the 117th Congress.

“Fighting back against misinformation and deceptive practices is an important tool to protect access to safe and reliable reproductive care. Reproductive rights are under attack in our country. This bill will help us push back against crisis pregnancy centers’ attempts to undermine a woman’s right to choose,” said Senator Warren.

“Crisis pregnancy centers further their own anti-choice agenda by taking advantage of people seeking reproductive care,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Tragically, when CPCs provide false and misleading information about abortion and contraception, patients do not get necessary medical care. The Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation (SAD) Act will put an end to these unfair and deceptive practices so pregnant Americans can access comprehensive, science-based reproductive care.”

“Crisis pregnancy centers rely on predatory practices to spread deceptive, misleading information and dissuade patients from receiving necessary health care. Patients deserve objective medical guidance from professionals—not inaccurate, stigmatizing, and even life-threatening information. The Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation Act stops these centers from interfering with patient care and ensures that patients are receiving all of the information they need to make the best decisions for their health,” said Senator Blumenthal.

“It is critical that patients seeking reproductive care are given accurate medical advice from a trusted doctor, and not preyed on with misinformation from anti-abortion organizations posing as ‘crisis pregnancy centers,’” said Senator Booker. “This legislation will protect women seeking reproductive health care, including abortion care, from fraudulent clinics and predatory lies.”

“When women seek reproductive health care, they should be able to trust that their provider is offering comprehensive, factual information. Efforts by crisis pregnancy centers, many of which use half-truths and false advertising to mislead women about their options, undermine the reproductive rights of women,” said Senator Durbin. “I’m joining Senator Warren and Congresswoman Maloney to crack down on the deceptive practices of crisis pregnancy centers.”

“Women who need reproductive care need certified, comprehensive health care providers with medical expertise to ensure they can make an informed decision about their health care,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Crisis pregnancy centers intentionally confuse vulnerable women in a way that can put their health in danger.”

“As Republicans cut away at access to reproductive care and amplify health disinformation, it is more important than ever to demand the truth. The Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation Act is crucial for stopping peddlers of mis-and-disinformation in their tracks, so they do not continue to mislead, lie, and scare people from getting the care they need. Abortion care is health care, and every American should be able to access this care safely,” said Senator Markey.

“MAGA Republicans are on a crusade to destroy reproductive rights nationwide by spewing misinformation and pushing deceptive practices that undermine access to vital reproductive services,” said Senator Merkley. “We need to get politicians and pundits out of the exam room. Our bill ensures that crisis pregnancy centers across the country will not be able to mislead or lie to Americans seeking reproductive health care, including abortion care.”

“So-called ‘crisis pregnancy centers,’ propped up by anti-choice extremists, are notorious for misleading women about the services they provide and lying to them about their options for evidence-based reproductive health care. CPCs have also been known to deliberately deceive women into thinking their private health information is protected when it’s not, since they aren’t bound by HIPAA like real health care providers,” said Senator Murray. “As Republican state legislatures continue to funnel taxpayer money to these unaccountable anti-abortion centers, it’s more important than ever that Congress cracks down on their deceptive practices–that’s what this legislation is about.”

“With reproductive rights constantly under threat, it’s vital that people can access reliable and trustworthy abortion care. These people are preying on pregnant women with misinformation and blatant lies about abortion. It’s wrong, and it’s why Vermont passed legislation to hold them accountable for their lies,” said Senator Welch. “Our bicameral legislation follows Vermont’s lead and requires accountability for engaging in deceptive practices that undermine reproductive rights.”

“In a post-Roe world, it’s more important than ever that women everywhere have accurate information on which to base their reproductive care decisions,” Senator Wyden said. “Deceptive ‘crisis pregnancy centers’ target vulnerable patients who are looking for medical providers they can trust with their health, safety, and wellbeing and, instead, intercept them with false, harmful misinformation. ‘Crisis pregnancy centers’ must be stopped.

“The unchecked spread of disinformation about reproductive health continues to endanger patients. This must end.

This bill will help stop crisis pregnancy centers from spreading deceptive advertising about abortion, and work to guarantee that everyone can get the accurate information and quality care they need and deserve. Planned Parenthood Action Fund is grateful to Sen. Warren and Reps. Bonamici and Sykes for re-introducing the Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation Act and for their continued leadership in the fight to protect sexual and reproductive health care and rights. It’s time to end the manipulative tactics of these fake clinics so that all patients can control their own bodies, lives, and futures,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

As a practicing OBGYN, I know firsthand how important it is that pregnant people have access to accurate information so that they can make important decisions about their care and lives without bias, stigma or shame,” said Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley, Power to Decide CEO and practicing OB-GYN. “We urge Congress to pass the ‘SAD Act’ so that every person has access to medically accurate information and the power to decide their reproductive futures.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Senator Reverend Warnock Secures Commitment from Fed Chair to Report to Congress If Musk-Led DOGE Attempts to Access Protected Systems or Undermine Agency’s Independence

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

WATCH: Senator Reverend Warnock Secures Commitment from Fed Chair to Report to Congress If Musk-Led DOGE Attempts to Access Protected Systems or Undermine Agency’s Independence

Senator Reverend Warnock secured a commitment from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, to report to Congress if the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) attempts to undermine the agency’s independence

The commitment came during the Federal Reserve’s semi-annual Monetary Policy Report to Congress during a Wednesday’s Senate Banking committee hearing

Senator Reverend Warnock’s questioning underscored concern around the recent reports of DOGE accessing several federal agencies’ privileged information

During the hearing, Senator Reverend Warnock also highlighted the recent news of the dissolution of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Senator Reverend Warnock on DOGE: “Thousands of Georgians, of all political stripes, have written into my office, and they are alarmed by an unelected billionaire and his hackster’s dangerous and illegal attempts to access American private data”

Senator Reverend Warnock on CFPB: “Certainly the bureau (CFPB) was not created to be dismantled. Since its inception, the CFPB has been the only federal agency solely dedicated to protecting Americans’ wallets and pocketbooks from scammers, predatory companies, and financial services”

Watch Senator Reverend Warnock at Thursday’s hearing HERE

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), a member of the Banking Committee, secured a commitment from Chair of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, promising to report back to Congress and specifically, the Senate Banking committee, if he learned of any attempt by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to access the Federal Reserve’s protected systems or any attempt to undermine the agency’s independence.

“Will you commit to report to this committee, majority and minority, immediately, should you become aware of any such attempt by Elon Musk or DOGE to pierce the Fed’s (Federal Reserve) independence or access protected systems?” asked Senator Reverend Warnock.

“Yes,” said Chair Jerome Powell.

The line of questioning came as there have been reports that several agencies have been accessed by DOGE, namely the Department of Treasury. Additionally, Senator Warnock addressed the shuttering of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Last congress, Senator Warnock chaired the Banking subcommittee that had jurisdiction over CFPB.

“Since its inception, the CFPB has been the only federal agency solely dedicated to protecting Americans’ wallets and pocketbooks from scammers, predatory companies, and financial services. The CFPB reduced costs for Americans, returning more than $21 billion to Americans who had been cheated, since its inception. I want to focus on that as folks are talking about chasing after waste and fraud and abuse,” said Senator Reverend Warnock.

The hearing marked the first of the Semiannual Monetary Policy Reports to Congress from the Federal Reserve this Congress, which are written reports to Congress containing discussions of “the conduct of monetary policy and economic developments and prospects for the future.”

Watch the Senator’s full remarks and line of questioning HERE.

See below transcript of the key exchange between Senator Warnock and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell:

Senator Reverend Warnock (SRW): “I want to echo the words of ranking member Warren and so many of my colleagues today on DOGE and project 2025’s illegal attack on the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau, certainly the bureau was not created to be dismantled.”

“Since its inception, the CFPB has been the only federal agency solely dedicated to protecting Americans’ wallets and pocketbooks from scammers, predatory companies, and financial services. The CFPB reduced costs for Americans, returning more than $21 billion to Americans who had been cheated, since its inception. I want to focus on that as folks are talking about chasing after waste and fraud and abuse.”

“The CFPB has returned more than $21 billion to Americans.”

“Make no mistake, this attack on the CFPB will increase costs for Americans and give the green light to fraudsters and predatory actors seeking to cheat hard-working Americans.”

“Chairman Powell, thousands of Georgians of all political stripes have written into my office, and they are alarmed by an unelected billionaire and his hackster’s dangerous and illegal attempts to access American private data, and the Treasury Department systems that control six trillion dollars in annual payments to millions of American citizens, including social security, Medicare, and tax refunds.

“Has Elon Musk or members of his team, to your knowledge, attempted to access the Fed’s protected data and systems?”

Chair of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powel (JP): “I don’t believe.”

SRW: “Will you commit to report to this committee, majority and minority, immediately should you become aware of any such attempt by Elon Musk or DOGE to pierce the Fed’s independence or access protected systems?

JP: “Yes.”

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Congratulates Brooke Rollins on Confirmation as U.S. Ag Secretary

Source: US State of Nebraska

. Pillen Congratulates Brooke Rollins on Confirmation as U.S. Ag Secretary

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen extended his congratulations to Brooke Rollins on her overwhelming confirmation as the new secretary of agriculture. The U.S. Senate confirmed President Donald J. Trump’s selection to head the USDA on a vote of 72-28. Gov. Pillen issued the following statement:

“I’ve had the opportunity to meet with Sec. Rollins. I know that she will be a strong representative at the federal level on issues related to ensuring our nation’s food supply, creating new export markets, and meeting the needs of our nation’s farmers and ranchers. I’ve extended an invitation to Sec. Rollins so she can see first-hand how we utilize our natural resources, innovative technologies and strong work ethic to propel Nebraska to be a top ag producer. I look forward to the time when we can make that visit happen.”

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Attention teens and young people – if you do your taxes, you might get money back

Source: US State of Oregon

ax season is here and there may be good reasons to file a tax return even for people who aren’t required to file, which is the case for many young people.

Young people who work often don’t end up filing a tax return. They may not meet the income threshold requiring them to file a return. Or they be under the misconception that their parents file for them because they are a dependent. Also, they may find tax forms confusing and worry about making a mistake.

In most cases, young people should file a return to report their income and get any excess withholding refunded.

Through an ODHS pilot program last year at seven urban, rural and suburban high schools in Oregon, students met after school and prepared their own tax returns using IRS-approved software. A teacher-facilitator helped them access the software on the IRS website and answered their questions about forms and terms. Students in the pilot received refunds of their state and federal tax withholding between $95 and $1,246.

“The high school pilot really opened our eyes as to the need for this help. Many students didn’t even know they could file. They thought their parents did it for them. And once they logged into the software, they worked through it easily. Some of the refund amounts – over $1000 in several cases – really surprised me,” Meg Reinhold, J.D., ODHS Senior Data and Performance Analyst, Tax Infrastructure Program Coordinator, said. Learn more about the Infrastructure Program below.

No matter how old someone is, finding ways to file a tax return for free is easy. The Oregon Department of Revenue’s website lists many ways to file for free or to get free help: https://www.oregon.gov/dor/programs/individuals/Pages/get-free-tax-help.aspx.

And it isn’t too late to file returns from prior years to get withholding back from those years too. Many software programs now help individuals prepare and file their tax returns from previous years.

Where to get free help filing taxes

The Oregon Department of Human Services Tax Infrastructure Grant Program was created by HB 4117 (2022). The program is funded with $8 million General Fund per biennium. Grants fund culturally relevant and culturally specific organizations, Tribal governments, and rural community organizations to support tax credit education and free tax return preparation for individuals with low incomes. Funding is also used to support and increase the number of certified tax preparers in the state.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI: Diginex announces new AI functionality after winning Government recognition for AI-powered compliance innovation

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HONG KONG, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diginex Limited (“Diginex Limited” or the “Company”), a Cayman Islands-based impact technology company specializing in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, today announced the development of new AI functionality which is expected to be built leveraging OpenAI’s platform. The Company anticipates that the deployment of this AI feature will contribute to revenue growth starting in 2025 by enhancing diginexESG‘s value proposition and driving increased customer adoption. The initial focus will be on helping companies comply with sustainability disclosure requirements set by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which are increasingly being mandated for companies involved in global ESG reporting. These features will provide rapid data extraction, improved compliance, and enhanced risk assessment for users of the Company’s ESG SaaS reporting product, diginexESG.

This AI functionality positions diginexESG to capture the growing demand for ESG reporting solutions – a market projected to reach between USD 1.5 billion and USD 4.35 billion by 2027, with an expected CAGR of 15.9% to 30% according to industry research from Verdantix – and is alongside the Company’s recent selection by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) of Hong Kong for the Green and Sustainable Fintech PoC program. The FSTB, which oversees financial and treasury policy for the Hong Kong SAR Government, launched this program to support innovative green fintech solutions with measurable environmental and financial impact. This builds on previous recognition where, in December 2023, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, named Diginex as winner of the “Sustainability or Climate-related Disclosure and Reporting” category.

The FSTB launched this program to accelerate the development and commercial adoption of green fintech solutions by technology firms and research institutions. “We are thrilled to receive this endorsement and support from FSTB, which underscores the importance of AI technology in addressing significant challenges within the ESG and sustainability industry,” said Mark Blick, Chief Executive Officer of Diginex Limited. “We will be accelerating our efforts to deliver innovative AI-powered functionality that will support companies with their ESG, Climate and Supply Chain data collection and reporting while improving efficiency and customer experience. We plan to collaborate closely with leading global financial institutions to introduce this new feature to their clients.”

About Diginex Limited

Diginex Limited is a Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands in 2024, with subsidiaries located in Hong Kong, United Kingdom and United States of America. Diginex Limited conducts operations through its wholly owned subsidiary Diginex Solutions (HK) Limited, a Hong Kong corporation (“DSL”) and DSL is the sole owner of (i) Diginex Services Limited, a corporation formed in the United Kingdom and (ii) Diginex USA LLC, a limited liability company formed in the State of Delaware. DSL commenced operations in 2020, is headquartered in Hong Kong, and is a software company that empowers businesses and governments to streamline ESG, climate, and supply chain data collection and reporting. DSL is an impact technology business that helps organizations to address the some of the most pressing ESG, climate and sustainability issues, utilizing blockchain, machine learning and data analysis technology to lead change and increase transparency in corporate social responsibility and climate action.

Diginex’s products and services solutions enable companies to collect, evaluate and share sustainability data through easy-to-use software. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://www.diginex.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements concerning the Company’s product offerings, business strategy, projections and future growth. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs, including the expectation that the Company’s business strategy will be successful. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Diginex
Investor Relations
Email:ir@diginex.com

Jackson Lin
Lambert by LLYC
Phone: +1 (646) 717-4593
Email: jian.lin@llyc.global

The MIL Network –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI: Freehold Royalties Declares Dividend for February 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Freehold Royalties Ltd. (Freehold) (TSX: FRU) announces that its Board of Directors has declared a dividend of Cdn. $0.09 per common share to be paid on March 17, 2025 to shareholders of record on February 28, 2025.

These dividends are designated as “eligible dividends” for Canadian income tax purposes.

Freehold is uniquely positioned as a leading North American energy royalty company with approximately 6.1 million gross acres in Canada and approximately 1.2 million gross drilling acres in the United States. Freehold’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada under the symbol FRU.

The MIL Network –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI: Epsilon Energy Ltd. Announces New Share Repurchase Program and Borrowing Base Redetermination

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HOUSTON, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Epsilon Energy Ltd. (“Epsilon” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: EPSN) today announced that its Board of Directors terminated and revoked authority under the normal course issuer bid program which commenced on March 27, 2024. At the same time, the Board of Directors approved a new one-year share repurchase program, under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to 2,200,876 common shares, representing 10% of the outstanding common shares of Epsilon, for an aggregate purchase price of not more than US $13.0 million, pursuant to a normal course issuer bid. The one-year period commenced on February 12, 2025. The program will end on February 11, 2026, unless the maximum amount of common shares is purchased before then or Epsilon provides earlier notice of termination.

The Company believes that the market price of its common shares may not reflect their underlying value and the Board of Directors has authorized this initiative because, in the Board’s opinion, the proposed repurchase of common shares constitutes an appropriate use of Epsilon’s funds, and the repurchase of its common shares is one way of creating shareholder value.

Repurchases will be made from time to time through the facilities of the NASDAQ Global Market. The price paid for the common shares will be, subject to applicable securities laws, the prevailing market price of such common shares on the NASDAQ Global Market at the time of such purchase. The Company intends to fund the purchase out of available cash and does not expect to incur debt to fund the share repurchase program.

The Company also announced the results of a borrowing base redetermination on the Company’s senior secured reserve-based lending revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Frost Bank (the “Lender”). Effective on February 10, 2025, the Lender redetermined the borrowing base at $45 million, which will remain until the next redetermination later in the year.

About Epsilon

Epsilon Energy Ltd. is a North American onshore natural gas and oil production and gathering company with assets in Pennsylvania, Texas, Alberta, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

Contact Information:

281-670-0002

Jason Stabell
Chief Executive Officer
Jason.Stabell@EpsilonEnergyLTD.com

Andrew Williamson
Chief Financial Officer
Andrew.Williamson@EpsilonEnergyLTD.com

The MIL Network –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven Statement After Voting to Confirm Brooke Rollins as Secretary of Agriculture

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
02.13.25
WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement after voting to confirm Brooke Rollins to serve as Secretary of Agriculture:
“Congratulations to Brooke Rollins on her confirmation to lead the Department of Agriculture. Secretary Rollins grew up on a ranch so she not only has the right background, but she has the ear of President Trump and will be a great advocate for our farmers and ranchers. We look forward to working with her to advance the priorities of our producers and rural America, and appreciate her commitment to come to North Dakota to see firsthand our state’s agricultural leadership.”
During Rollins’ hearing before the Agriculture Committee, Hoeven outlined a broad range of efforts to strengthen U.S. agriculture and secured commitments from Rollins to work with him on:
Passing a strong farm bill that makes needed investments in the farm safety net, among other producer priorities.
Implementing and quickly delivering the $33.5 billion in disaster assistance that he worked to secure for producers in the year-end funding legislation.
The assistance package addresses losses from both natural disasters and challenging markets and has funding specifically set aside for livestock losses due to wildfire.

Ensuring access for agriculture producers to U.S. Forest Service lands in North Dakota, including for grazing on the national grasslands.
Improving access to foreign markets for U.S. farmers and ranchers.
Visiting North Dakota to learn firsthand about precision agriculture efforts in the state, including the partnership between Grand Farm, North Dakota State University and the Agricultural Research Service.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven, Shaheen, Moran & Bennet Reintroduce Legislation to Establish Permanent Air Guard Tuition Assistance Program

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
02.13.25
WASHINGTON – Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) reintroduced legislation to establish a permanent federal tuition assistance (FTA) program benefitting Air National Guard members. The Air Guard Standardizing Tuition Assistance to Unify the Services (STATUS) Act requires the Secretary of the Air Force to provide tuition assistance to drill-status members of the Air National Guard, consistent with the program available to the Army National Guard. The legislation is supported by the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS). The legislation follows efforts by Hoeven and Shaheen to:
Establish and fund a FTA pilot program, and ensure that North Dakota and New Hampshire Air Guardsmen had access to this important benefit.
Secure a total of $18.8 million across fiscal years (FY) 2020-2023 to support the program.
“Our Air Guard members deserve to receive the same benefits as their counterparts, both in the reserve and active duty components of the military,” said Senator Hoeven. “Our legislation makes the Air Guard FTA pilot program that we first worked to establish in 2020 permanent and available to drill-status Guard members across the country. Doing so will ensure the Air Guard, like the Happy Hooligans in Fargo, can continue to recruit the best and brightest members to support the increasingly high-tech missions they take on in defense of our nation.”
“Ensuring that the brave women and men serving in the Air National Guard have access to educational opportunities will not only help our recruitment and retention, but will also enhance our overall military preparedness and provide service members the benefits they deserve,” said Senator Shaheen. “Passing our bipartisan legislation will make tuition more affordable for the Air National Guard and bring their educational benefits in line with the other service branches. Let’s get this done.”
“The men and women in the Air National Guard work alongside their active-duty counterparts to protect our nation and serve our communities,” said Senator Moran. “Providing the same educational benefits to the Air National Guard that the Army National Guard receives will help increase recruitment rates and make certain our servicemembers have access to the benefits they deserve.”
“Colorado is home to over 1,500 Air National Guardsmen whose dedication and sacrifice helps keep our state and country safe,” said Senator Bennet. “Our bipartisan bill will help attract, develop, and retain members of the Air National Guard and ensure servicemembers nationwide have the educational benefits they deserve.”
“We must take care of the servicemembers who take care of our nation. One way to show our gratitude is to invest in their future through federal tuition assistance,” said retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, NGAUS President. “We must equally provide for our Soldiers and our Airmen. This bill corrects a long-standing gap in National Guard benefits and will empower our Airmen to reach new heights in knowledge and skill. We thank Senators Hoeven and Shaheen for their efforts and continued support of the National Guard.”

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Votes Against Confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Serve as HHS Secretary

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
February 13, 2025
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after the Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. by a vote of 52-48 to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services:
“I am extremely disappointed that my Republican colleagues lacked the basic courage necessary to vote against Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This man is an unqualified, anti-science, anti-vax extremist—and it will be our kids, not Mr. Kennedy, who pay the price, when he refuses to ensure they are protected against preventable yet deadly diseases like measles or whooping cough.
“I’m also gravely concerned that Mr. Kennedy’s confirmation will further endanger Medicaid, putting at risk the roughly 80 million Americans who rely on it. With every passing day, it becomes clearer and clearer that Republicans care more about tax breaks for the billionaires they pal around with on the golf course than prescriptions for the middle-class folks who actually work at Mar-a-Lago.
‘They’re not making America great again—they’re making America sick again. That’s the Trump-Kennedy promise.”
-30-

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025

Category: Americas

WATCH: Senator Reverend Warnock Secures Commitment from Fed Chair to Report to Congress If Musk-Led DOGE Attempts to Access Protected Systems or Undermine Agency’s Independence

Where to get free help filing taxes