Category: Americas

MIL-OSI: EAT & BEYOND ANNOUNCES SIGNING OF AGREEMENT FOR ACQUISITION OF 100% OF MILO MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Eat & Beyond Global Holdings Inc. (CSE: EATS) (OTCPK: EATBF) (FSE: 988) (“Eat & Beyond” or the “Company”), an investment issuer focused on the global plant-based and alternative protein sector, is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a securities exchange agreement dated January 31, 2025 (the “Definitive Agreement”), which sets out the terms and conditions for the acquisition by the Company of 100% of the issued and outstanding shares and 100% of the outstanding warrants in the capital of Milo Media Technologies Inc. (“Milo Media”) in exchange for securities of Eat & Beyond (the “Transaction”).

Pursuant to the terms of the Definitive Agreement, the material terms of the Transaction are as follows:
- In consideration for the Transaction and on closing thereof, Eat & Beyond will issue an aggregate of 15,000,000 common shares of Eat & Beyond (the “Payment Shares”) to Milo Media shareholders at a deemed price of $0.185 per Payment Share and will issue 15,000,000 common share purchase warrants (“Replacement Warrants”);
- Each Replacement Warrant will permit the holder thereof to acquire one common share in the capital of Eat & Beyond at the price of $0.05 per share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance (being the same exercise price and expiration of the original warrants surrendered for cancellation); and
- There is no hold period for the Payment Shares or the Replacement Warrants pursuant to applicable securities laws.
The Transaction is an arms-length transaction and no change in management or the Board of Directors of Eat & Beyond is being contemplated at this time. The Definitive Agreement contemplates other material conditions precedent to the closing of the Transaction, including, compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements and receipt of all necessary regulatory, corporate, third-party, board and shareholder approvals being obtained, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed, or at all. No finder’s fees are expected to be paid in connection with the Transaction.

About Milo Media

Milo Media is a private company existing under the laws of the Province of British Columbia. Milo Media has developed cutting-edge financial infrastructure technology designed to seamlessly integrate digital assets with traditional financial networks. Its intellectual property includes:
- Advanced Order Routing Software – A dynamic system that optimizes payment pathways on-chain and across the Interledger Protocol (ILP) to maximize liquidity efficiency.
- Scalable Infrastructure – A modular architecture designed to handle high transaction volumes, enabling financial institutions to interact with the XRP ledger (XRPL) and other blockchain networks effortlessly.
- Liquidity Provisioning & Automated Market Making (AMM) – Proprietary technology that enhances liquidity access within on-chain and ILP networks, ensuring efficient transaction execution.
- Compliance & Security Framework – A regulatory framework designed to align with Know-Your-Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements and help facilitate adherence to jurisdictional standards.
Strategic Significance of the Acquisition

The acquisition of Milo Media is intended to provide Eat & Beyond with a first-mover advantage as the first publicly traded company – to the best of the Company’s knowledge – to actively participate in the XRPL ecosystem. Milo Media’s financial infrastructure solutions are expected to enable Eat & Beyond to acquire Ripple (XRP) through active participation on the XRP network, akin to how Bitcoin miners earn Bitcoin. This unique model is expected to position Eat & Beyond to generate value directly from the network’s growth and adoption.

“By acquiring Milo Media, Eat & Beyond is hopes to strategically position itself at the forefront of blockchain-powered financial infrastructure,” said Young Bann, CEO of Eat & Beyond. “This move is expected to cement our role as early adopters in the digital asset space, providing shareholders with exposure to the XRPL and Ripple while actively contributing to its expansion.”

About Eat & Beyond

Eat & Beyond is an investment issuer that identifies and makes equity investments in global companies that are developing and commercializing innovative food tech, sustainability and technology. Led by a team of industry experts, Eat & Beyond provides retail investors with the unique opportunity to participate in the growth of a broad cross-section of opportunities in the alternative food, sustainability and technology sectors.

Learn more: https://eatandbeyond.com/

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

For further information: For further information, please contact Young Bann, CEO, young@purposeesg.com.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the 1933 Act or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release includes certain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements herein, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “potential”, “possible”, and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results “will”, “may”, “could”, or “should” occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements relating to the Company’s business plans and expected future growth, the completion of the Transaction on the terms described herein or at all, the expected benefits of the Transaction, the Company’s future cryptocurrency plans and strategies, the Company’s proposed strategic expansion and growth strategies, the Company’s ability to provide investors with exposure to digital assets, the potential success of the Company’s business and its brand, the growth of XRP and other digital assets and the mainstream adoption of various cryptocurrencies. Forward-looking information reflects the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, technical, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, including the speculative nature of cryptocurrencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation, the Company’s ability to execute on its business plans; the Company’s ability to raise debt or equity through future financing activities; the Company’s ability to increase its business in cryptocurrency-based technologies; any adverse changes and developments regarding XRP, XRPL or the cryptocurrency ecosystem; the growth and development of decentralized finance and the digital asset sector; any new rules and regulations with respect to decentralized finance and digital assets; the inherent volatility in the prices of certain cryptocurrencies including XRP; increasing competition in the crypto and blockchain industries; general economic, political and social uncertainties in Canada and the United States; currency exchange rates and interest rates; the limited resources of the Company; the Company’s reliance on the expertise and judgment of senior management and the Company’s ability to attract and retain key personnel; the speculative nature of cryptocurrencies in general; and the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by law. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

The MIL Network –
February 1, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico amp up the risk of a broader trade war

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Markus Wagner, Professor of Law and Director of the UOW Transnational Law and Policy Centre, University of Wollongong

It’s official. On February 1, US President Donald Trump will introduce a sweeping set of new 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. China will also face new tariffs of 10%.

During the presidential campaign, Trump threatened tariffs against all three countries, claiming they weren’t doing enough to prevent an influx of “drugs, in particular fentanyl” into the US, while also accusing Canada and Mexico of not doing enough to stop “illegal aliens”.

There will be some nuance. On Friday, Trump said tariffs on oil and gas would come into effect later, on February 18, and that Canadian oil would likely face a lower tariff of 10%.

This may only be the first move against China. Trump has previously threatened the country with 60% tariffs, asserting this will bring jobs back to America.

But the US’ move against its neighbours will have an almost immediate impact on the three countries involved and the landscape of North American trade. It marks the beginning of what could be a radical reshaping of international trade and political governance around the world.

What Trump wants from Canada and Mexico

While border security and drug trade concerns are the official rationale for this move, Trump’s tariffs have broader motivations.

The first one is protectionist. In all his presidential campaigning, Trump portrayed himself as a champion of US workers. Back in October, he said tariff was “the most beautiful word in the dictionary”.

Trump hasn’t hidden his fondness for protectionist trade measures.

This reflects the ongoing scepticism toward international trade that Trump – and politicians more generally on both ends of the political spectrum in the US – have held for some time.

It’s a significant shift in the close trade links between these neighbours. The US, Mexico and Canada are parties to the successor of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Trump has not hidden his willingness to use tariffs as a weapon to pressure other countries to achieve unrelated geopolitical goals. This is the epitome of what a research project team I co-lead calls “Weaponised Trade”.

This was on full display in late January. When the president of Colombia prohibited US military airplanes carrying Colombian nationals deported from the US to land, Trump successfully used the threat of tariffs to force Colombia to reverse course.

Read more:
What are tariffs?

The economic stakes

The volume of trade between the US, Canada, and Mexico is enormous, encompassing a wide range of goods and services. Some of the biggest sectors are automotive manufacturing, energy, agriculture, and consumer goods.

In 2022, the value of all goods and services traded between the US and Canada came to about US$909 billion (A$1.46 trillion). Between the US and Mexico that same year, it came to more than US$855 billion (A$1.37 trillion).

One of the hardest hit industries will be the automotive industry, which depends on cross-border trade. A car assembled in Canada, Mexico or the US relies heavily on a supply of parts from throughout North America.

Tariffs will raise costs throughout this supply chain, which could lead to higher prices for consumers and make US-based manufacturers less competitive.

Auto manufacturing stands to be hit hard by Trump’s tariffs.
Around the World Photos/Shutterstock

There could also be ripple effects for agriculture. The US exports billions of dollars in corn, soybeans, and meat to Canada and Mexico, while importing fresh produce such as avocados and tomatoes from Mexico.

Tariffs may provoke retaliatory measures, putting farmers and food suppliers in all three countries at risk.

Trump’s decision to delay and reduce tariffs on oil was somewhat predictable. US imports of Canadian oil have increased steadily over recent decades, meaning tariffs would immediately bite US consumers at the fuel pump.

We’ve been here before

This isn’t the first time the world has dealt with Trump’s tariff-heavy approach to trade policy. Looking back to his first term may provide some clues about what we might expect.

In 2018, the US levied duties on steel and aluminium. Both Canada and Mexico are both major exporters of steel to the US.

In his first term, Trump imposed major tariffs on US steel imports.
ABCDstock/Shutterstock

Canada and Mexico imposed retaliatory tariffs. Ultimately, all countries removed tariffs on steel and aluminium in the process of finalising the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Notably, though, many of Trump’s trade policies remained in place even after President Joe Biden took office.

This signalled a bipartisan scepticism of unfettered trade and a shift toward on-shoring or re-shoring in US policy circles.

The options for Canada and Mexico

This time, Canada and Mexico’s have again responded with threats of retaliatory tariffs.

But they’ve also made attempts to mollify Trump – such as Canada launching a “crackdown” on fentanyl trade.

Generally speaking, responses to these tariffs could range from measured diplomacy to aggressive retaliation. Canada and Mexico may target politically sensitive industries such as agriculture or gasoline, where Trump’s base could feel the pinch.

There are legal options, too. Canada and Mexico could pursue legal action through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s dispute resolution mechanisms or the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Both venues provide pathways for challenging unfair trade practices. But these practices can be slow-moving, uncertain in their outcomes and are susceptible to being ignored.

A more long-term option for businesses in Canada and Mexico is to diversify their trade relationships to reduce reliance on the US market. However, the facts of geography, and the large base of consumers in the US mean that’s easier said than done.

The looming threat of a global trade war

Trump’s latest tariffs underscore a broader trend: the widening of the so-called “Overton window” to achieve unrelated geopolitical goals.

The Overton Window refers to the range of policy options politicians have because they are accepted among the general public.

Arguments for bringing critical industries back to the US, protecting domestic jobs, and reducing reliance on foreign supply chains gained traction after the ascent of China as a geopolitical and geoeconomic rival.

These arguments picked up steam during the COVID-19 pandemic and have increasingly been turned into actual policy.

The potential for a broader trade war looms large. Trump’s short-term goal may be to leverage tariffs as a tool to secure concessions from other jurisdictions.

Trump’s threats against Denmark – in his quest to obtain control over Greenland – are a prime example. The European Union (EU), a far more potent economic player, has pledged its support for Denmark.

A North American trade war – foreshadowed by the Canadian and Mexican governments – might then only be harbinger of things to come: significant economic harm, the erosion of trust among trading partners, and increased volatility in global markets.

Markus Wagner receives funding from the Department of Defence, Australia as a Chief Investigator on a project titled Weaponised Trade.

– ref. Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico amp up the risk of a broader trade war – https://theconversation.com/trumps-25-tariffs-on-canada-and-mexico-amp-up-the-risk-of-a-broader-trade-war-248667

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect AM Radio for Wisconsin Farmers, Families

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
WISCONSIN – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and a bipartisan group of colleagues introduced the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. The legislation would require automakers to keep AM radio accessible in all of their new passenger vehicles, including electric vehicles at no additional charge. The legislation comes as many major automakers are removing AM radio from their new vehicles.
“Wisconsin families across the state, especially those in our rural and farming communities, depend on AM radio to receive critical emergency alerts and high-quality local news,” said Senator Baldwin. “I am proud to work with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to stand up for the Americans who want and rely on AM radio to do their jobs, stay safe, and keep in touch with their local communities.”
If enacted, the bill would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule requiring new vehicles to maintain access to broadcast AM radio at no additional cost to the consumer and provide small vehicle manufacturers at least four years after the date DOT issues the rule to comply. The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act also requires automakers to inform consumers, during the period before the rule takes effect, that the vehicles do not maintain access to broadcast AM radio.
This legislation is led by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Ed Markey (D-MA) and co-sponsored by John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jim Justice (R-WV), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), James Lankford (R-OK), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rick Scott (R-FL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Todd Young (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Jim Banks (R-IN), and John Hoeven (R-ND).

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Durbin Call on PhRMA to Embrace Prescription Drug Price Transparency

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) are urging the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) to support their Drug-price Transparency for Consumers (DTC) Act. The bipartisan bill would require price disclosures on prescription drug advertisements to empower consumer choice and reduce patients’ bloated spending on medications.

“The United States is one of only two developed countries in the world that permits such pharmaceutical commercials. President Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary has expressed interest in outright banning this practice. It would be wise for drug companies to adopt commonsense solutions to address the concerns that have been raised about DTC prescription drug advertising,” the senators wrote.

“The United States Senate previously voted unanimously to pass our measure to require that pharmaceutical companies disclose their list prices in DTC ads, and it is our hope that this policy will become law this Congress… In addition to President Trump’s previous support, our bill in the 118th Congress was cosponsored by Vice President Vance. Given PhRMA’s stated support for pharmacy benefit manager transparency, it is only reasonable to have transparency across the pharmaceutical supply chain,” they continued.

Read the senators’ letter HERE and below.

Stephen J. Ubl

President and CEO of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

Dear Mr. Ubl:

Drug manufacturers in the United States spend approximately $6 billion annually in direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug advertisements, with approximately one-third of all commercial time across evening news programs being consumed with these pharmaceutical promotions. It is a similar story when consumers stream their favorite show or scroll through social media. Yet consumers learn nothing from these advertisements about the cost of the prescription drug. This must change.

A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that more than two-thirds of drugs advertised on television were considered “low therapeutic value”. This creates concern for taxpayers, as a review we requested from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found prescription drugs advertised on television accounted for 58 percent of Medicare’s overall spending on prescription drugs between 2016-2018. In 2022, the two most-advertised drugs on television alone accounted for $1.7 billion in Medicare spending.

The United States is one of only two developed countries in the world that permits such pharmaceutical commercials. President Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary has expressed interest in outright banning this practice. It would be wise for drug companies to adopt commonsense solutions to address the concerns that have been raised about DTC prescription drug advertising.

As you are aware, the United States Senate previously voted unanimously to pass our measure to require that pharmaceutical companies disclose their list prices in DTC ads, and it is our hope that this policy will become law this Congress. This bipartisan legislation would ensure that when patients are bombarded with information about the newest wonder drug, the price is not kept secret. President Trump previously has issued regulations to advance this policy.

There is a lot of value in knowing a prescription drug’s list price, the most accessible and standardized price of a drug, which is set by the manufacturer itself. This is especially important for consumers with high-deductible health insurance plans, those who are underinsured, or have no health insurance coverage at all—particularly as efforts are underway to reform the rebate structure used by pharmacy benefit managers.

Some of your member companies previously disclosed drug list prices in advertisements, and PhRMA previously has wanted to be more transparent with the American public about price information for advertised medications. We appreciate that 35 drug manufacturers voluntarily have certified to follow PhRMA’s “Guiding Principles on Direct-to-Consumer Advertisements,” which includes directing patients to find information about the cost of medicine, including the list price, on the company’s website. We are glad that drug companies agree that consumers should know the price of a prescription drug before purchasing it. But in instances where manufacturers currently do opt to provide pricing information (e.g., “pay as little as $0 per dose”), they can understate or obscure a patient’s out-of-pocket liability.

Studies show that patients are better able to approximate their out-of-pocket expenses when provided with the list price. When voluntarily choosing to promote medications over the airwaves, manufacturers already are required to disclose safety, side effects, and contraindication information. Yet, for many patients, price plays a primary role in clinical adherence.

Recently, we reintroduced our bipartisan legislation (S.229) to bring price transparency to DTC prescription drug ads. In addition to President Trump’s previous support, our bill in the 118th Congress was cosponsored by Vice President Vance. Given PhRMA’s stated support for pharmacy benefit manager transparency, it is only reasonable to have transparency across the pharmaceutical supply chain.

We urge you to take the reasonable, minimal step of embracing our bipartisan legislation to empower patients and providers and commit to voluntarily disclosing list prices in DTC advertisements. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

-30-

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Gerber Products Company Announces Recall and Discontinuation of All Batches of Gerber® Soothe N Chew® Teething Sticks Due To Choking Hazard
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

Summary

Company Announcement Date:

January 31, 2025

FDA Publish Date:

January 31, 2025

Product Type:

Food & Beverages
Foodborne Illness

Reason for Announcement:

Recall Reason Description

Potential choking hazard for babies and young children

Company Name:

Gerber Products Company

Brand Name:

Brand Name(s)

Gerber

Product Description:

Product Description

Gerber® Soothe N Chew® Teething Sticks

Company Announcement

ARLINGTON, VA., January 31, 2025 — Gerber Products Company is initiating a recall and discontinuation of all batches of GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS due to a potential choking hazard for babies and young children.

GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS were distributed nationwide via the internet and to distribution centers and retail stores in the following states and territories: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI and Puerto Rico.

Recalled products can be identified as follows:
- GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – STRAWBERRY APPLE, Net Wt. 3.2 Oz (90g), with UPC 0 15000 04618 7, all lot codes
- GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – BANANA, Net Wt. 3.2 Oz (90g), with UPC 0 15000 04608 8, all lot codes
- GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – BANANA, Net Wt. 1.59 Oz (45g), with UPC 0 15000 01015 7, all lot codes
This recall and discontinuation is isolated to GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – STRAWBERRY APPLE and GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – BANANA.

The recall was initiated after receiving consumer complaints of choking incidents. To date, one emergency room visit has been reported to the firm.

Consumers who may have purchased GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS should not feed this product to their child and can return the product to the retailer where it was purchased for a refund. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a health care provider. For any additional support needed, Gerber is available 24/7 at 1-800-4-GERBER (1-800-443-7237).

We are working with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on this recall and will cooperate with them fully.

We sincerely apologize for any concern or inconvenience this action represents to parents, caregivers and retail customers.

(Press Release URL: https://www.nestleusa.com/media/pressreleases/gerber-recalldiscontinuation-soothe-n-chew-teething-sticks)

Company Contact Information

Consumers:

1-800-4-GERBER (1-800-443-7237)

Product Photos

MIL OSI USA News –
February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Identity Months Dead at DOD

Source: United States Department of Defense

Guidance from the Secretary of Defense: “Identity Months Dead at DoD”

Our unity and purpose are instrumental to meeting the Department’s warfighting mission. Efforts to divide the force – to put one group ahead of another – erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution.

Going forward, DoD Components and Military Departments will not use official resources, to include man-hours, to host celebrations or events related to cultural awareness months, including National African American/Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and National American Indian Heritage Month. Service members and civilians remain permitted to attend these events in an unofficial capacity outside of duty hours.

Installations, units, and offices are encouraged to celebrate the valor and success of military heroes of all races, genders, and backgrounds as we restore our warrior culture and ethos. We are proud of our warriors and their history, but we will focus on the character of their service instead of their immutable characteristics.

This guidance is effectively immediately.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Army Corps of Engineers Awards $10 Million Contract For FM Diversion

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) awarded a contract of $10,097,097 to BCSS, LLC to fund the excavation, replacement and repaving of the existing Highway 75 intersection in support of the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Area Flood Risk Management Project.
These funds were provided by the fully-paid-for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) helped craft and shepherd through Congress. The USACE received $437 million in funding under the BIL to complete all remaining federal work for the diversion project.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Four years on from the Military Coup in Myanmar
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Joint statement by Australia, Canada, the European Union, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States
Today marks four years since the Myanmar military regime overthrew the democratically elected government in Myanmar, creating one of the largest crises in the Indo-Pacific. Since the coup, the people of Myanmar remain subject to military rule that has deprived many of their rights, democratic aspirations and, for thousands, their liberty and their lives.

We condemn in the strongest terms the Myanmar military regime’s escalating violence harming civilians, including human rights violations, sexual and gender-based violence, and systematic persecution and discrimination against all religious and ethnic minorities. The military’s airstrikes are killing civilians, destroying schools, markets, places of worship and medical facilities; with almost a 25-fold increase since 2021 this represents an average of three airstrikes per day. The rise in airstrikes in areas with no active conflict has marked a clear escalation by the military.

We call on the Myanmar military regime to immediately de-escalate violence, ensure unhindered and safe humanitarian access across the country, and we urge all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.

As of 2025, humanitarian needs have increased twenty-fold since the coup. Over one-third of the population,19.9 million people, are now in need of humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs. An estimated 15.2 million people are in need of food assistance and cases of preventable diseases are on the rise.

Increasing needs and ongoing conflict have displaced up to 3.5 million people internally – an increase of nearly one million in the last year. Many more people are forced to flee across Myanmar’s borders. Rising transnational crime, including narcotics production and trafficking, scam centres and human trafficking, harm the people of Myanmar and affect neighbouring countries, risking instability in the broader region.

The current trajectory is not sustainable for Myanmar or the region. Now is the time for the Myanmar military regime to immediately change course. We strongly urge the Myanmar military regime to cease violence, including harming civilians and civilian infrastructure, release all political prisoners, and engage in genuine and inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders. These are essential first steps towards any peaceful, democratic transition, reflecting the will of Myanmar’s people.

We reiterate our support for the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Five Point Consensus, including the ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy, in addressing the Myanmar and resultant refugee crisis. We strongly welcome collaboration between the ASEAN and United Nations (UN) Special Envoys. We call on the international community to continue to support the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2669 (2022). We underline the need for accountability for all atrocities committed in Myanmar, human rights must be safeguarded, violations and abuses must be prevented.

We will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and support their vision for an inclusive, peaceful and prosperous future.

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Published 31 January 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Launches Massive 10-to-1 Deregulation Initiative
Source: The White House
ELIMINATING 10 REGULATIONS FOR EACH NEW REGULATION ISSUED: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to unleash prosperity through deregulation.
- The Order requires that whenever an agency promulgates a new rule, regulation, or guidance, it must identify at least 10 existing rules, regulations, or guidance documents to be repealed.
- The Director of the Office of Management and Budget will ensure standardized measurement and estimation of regulatory costs.
- It requires that for fiscal year 2025, the total incremental cost of all new regulations, including repealed regulations, be significantly less than zero.
HALTING THE REGULATORY ONSLAUGHT: President Trump will halt the job killing and inflation-driving regulatory blitz of the Biden Administration.
- The Biden Administration imposed a historic $1.7 trillion in costs on the American people.
- Overregulation stops American entrepreneurship, crushes small business, reduces consumer choice, discourages innovation, and infringes on the liberties of American citizens.
  
  It also contributes to the high cost of living, including by driving up energy prices.
BUILDING ON PAST SUCCESS: President Trump’s first Administration undertook the most aggressive and successful regulatory reduction effort in history.
- In his first term, President Trump asked the agencies to eliminate two regulations for each one new regulation issued. Not only was this 2-for-1 goal achieved, the first Trump Administration eliminated five and a half regulations for everyone new regulation issued.
- This Executive Order builds on President Trump’s previous success to improve daily lives of the American people by reducing unnecessary, burdensome, and costly Federal regulations.
MIL OSI USA News –
February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA News: Limiting Lame-Duck Collective Bargaining Agreements That Improperly Attempt to Constrain the New President

Source: The White House

class=”has-text-align-center”>MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

SUBJECT:       Limiting Lame-Duck Collective Bargaining Agreements That Improperly Attempt to Constrain the New President

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 7301 of title 5, United States Code, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Policy and Purpose. In the final days of the prior administration’s tenure, it purposefully finalized collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) with Federal employees in an effort to harm my Administration by extending its wasteful and failing policies beyond its time in office. For example, the Department of Education negotiated a CBA on January 17, 2025 — 3 days before I took office — that generally prohibits the agency from returning remote employees to their offices.

Such last-minute, lame-duck CBAs, which purport to bind a new President to his predecessor’s policies, run counter to America’s system of democratic self-government. CBAs quickly negotiated to include extreme policies on the eve of a new administration are purposefully designed to circumvent the will of the people and our democracy. Such CBAs inhibit the President’s authority to manage the executive branch by tying his hands with inefficient and ineffective practices. The Supreme Court has explained that a President “cannot choose to bind his successors by diminishing their powers.”

Therefore, it is the policy of the executive branch that CBAs executed in the 30 days prior to the inauguration of a new President, and that purport to remain in effect despite the inauguration of a new President and administration, shall not be approved.

Sec. 2. Standards for CBA Duration. (a) No executive department or agency (agency) or agency employees shall make a CBA governing conditions of employment in the 30 days prior to a change in Presidential administrations that:

(i)    creates new contractual obligations;

(ii)   makes substantive changes to existing agreements; or

(iii) extends the duration of an existing agreement.

(b) Subsection (a) of this section applies only to the extent that its requirements do not prevent CBAs from rolling over under existing contractual provisions.

(c) To the extent that subordinate agency personnel have executed a CBA that violates the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, but the applicable agency head has not yet approved such agreement pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 7114(c), such agency head shall promptly disapprove such agreement as inconsistent with the requirements of this memorandum.

(d) The requirements of this section do not apply to CBAs that primarily cover law enforcement officers, as that term is used in 18 U.S.C. 1515(a)(4).

Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) If the Federal Labor Relations Authority or a court of competent jurisdiction issues a final judgment holding that section 2(d) of this memorandum would prevent this memorandum from being considered a Government-wide rule or regulation for purposes of 5 U.S.C. 7117(a)(1), section 2(d) of this memorandum shall be severed and rendered inoperative thereby and given no force or effect.

(d) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(e) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA News: National Black History Month, 2025

Source: The White House

class=”has-text-align-center”>BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Today, I am very honored to recognize February 2025 as National Black History Month.

     Every year, National Black History Month is an occasion to celebrate the contributions of so many black American patriots who have indelibly shaped our Nation’s history.

     Throughout our history, black Americans have been among our country’s most consequential leaders, shaping the cultural and political destiny of our Nation in profound ways. American heroes such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Thomas Sowell, Justice Clarence Thomas, and countless others represent what is best in America and her citizens. Their achievements, which have monumentally advanced the tradition of equality under the law in our great country, continue to serve as an inspiration for all Americans. We will also never forget the achievements of American greats like Tiger Woods, who have pushed the boundaries of excellence in their respective fields, paving the way for others to follow.

     This National Black History Month, as America prepares to enter a historic Golden Age, I want to extend my tremendous gratitude to black Americans for all they have done to bring us to this moment, and for the many future contributions they will make as we advance into a future of limitless possibility under my Administration.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2025 as National Black History Month. I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Peters Announces $1 Million Investment to Help Address Gun Violence in Communities Across Michigan

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

Published: 01.31.2025

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) announced a $1 million investment from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to help address gun violence in communities across Michigan. The funding is being awarded to the Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI) and will be used to assess the impact of community intervention programs that aim to reduce cyclical and retaliatory gun violence in targeted urban cities.

“Michiganders continue to feel the impacts of gun violence in their own communities, and we must do more to promote safety in our neighborhoods,” said Senator Peters. “This innovative program will help inform best strategies to address gun violence while helping to curb the cycle of gun-related offenses.”

As part of the project, MPHI will engage at least 100 individuals in three urban areas across Michigan who have active firearm offenses. Once identified, MPHI will provide them with evidence-based programming aimed at reducing gun violence – including street outreach, mentoring, life skills training and opportunities for employment. During the 18-month program, participants will be compared against a control group from the same three urban areas to determine the effectiveness of programming aimed at reducing gun violence.

The funding for this project comes from the DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance program, which supports new and innovative strategies for preventing and reducing crime, improving community safety, and strengthening criminal justice system outcomes. You can read more about the program here.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Peters Announces $2 Million Federal Investment to Expand the City of Grand Rapids’ “Cure Violence” Program

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

Published: 01.31.2025

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) announced a $2 million federal investment from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to help the City of Grand Rapids to build on the success of its “Cure Violence” program, which has helped to significantly reduce gun violence in initial focus areas in the city.

“As gun violence continues to impact Michiganders, it’s essential that we support innovative programs that have proven successful at making a difference in our communities,” said Senator Peters. “The ‘Cure Violence’ program has made important progress to reduce gun violence, and I’m thrilled that this funding will help bring it to every corner of Grand Rapids.”

Through street-level outreach and community engagement, the “Cure Violence” program has been successful in addressing gun violence in the City’s Third Ward. This grant award will allow the City of Grand Rapids to expand the “Cure Violence” model city-wide, helping to support other locations where gun violence has continued to rise. Funding will also assist the City of Grand Rapids to build a comprehensive and unified approach to reducing gun violence across the city.

The funding for this project comes from the DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance program, which supports new and innovative strategies for preventing and reducing crime, improving community safety, and strengthening criminal justice system outcomes. You can read more about the program here.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Dominican National with Pending Federal Indictment Charged with Illegal Reentry

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Defendant previously released and deported following arrest for federal drug and firearm charges

BOSTON – A Dominican national, residing in Lawrence with pending federal fentanyl trafficking and firearm charges, has been arrested and charged with unlawfully reentering the United States. After the defendant was arrested and charged in 2023 with alleged federal drug and firearm offenses, he was released on conditions and later deported.

Santo Alberto Baez Baez, 36, is charged with one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Baez Baez was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint in June 2023 with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances (fentanyl). He was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2023 with one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

In 2022, law enforcement began investigations into multiple drug trafficking organizations (“DTOs”) that distributed large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine in the Lawrence area. According to court documents, on June 21, 2023, search warrants were executed at 13 locations in Massachusetts, including three locations in Lawrence, allegedly used by the DTOs. It is alleged that, during a search of one of the Lawrence-based residences, Baez Baez was found in the bedroom where a Rossi model M971 .357 caliber revolver loaded with .38 special ammunition and a silencer, a box of .38 special ammunition, a container of controlled substances – some of which were packaged in clear plastic bags for sale – and a brick that weighed approximately 200 grams – later analyzed and determined to contain fentanyl – was recovered. According to the criminal complaint, fraudulent identification documents, including social security cards and Baez Baez’s Dominican passport, where also discovered.

At the time of his arrest, it was determined that Baez Baez had an outstanding state warrant for distribution of fentanyl, and it was determined that he was not legally present in the United States.

Following a detention hearing on federal charges, Baez Baez was released by the Court on conditions on July 11, 2023. According to court documents, he was later brought into the custody of immigration authorities and placed into removal proceedings and, on Aug 28, 2023, he was ordered removed from the United States to the Dominican Republic. Baez Baez was removed on Sept. 19, 2023, at which time his fingerprint, photograph and signature were obtained.

It is alleged that on an unknown date and location, Baez Baez reentered the United States without being inspected. Authorities learned that Baez Baez was living in Lawrence, Mass.

According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 18, 2024, an individual was stopped for a traffic violation in Andover, Mass. The operator produced a New York driver’s license identifying himself as Jose Villar Baez. It was determined that there was a warrant for “Villar Baez” in Concord District Court for leaving the scene of an accident, causing property damage and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. The operator of the vehicle was arrested and later fingerprinted. Fingerprint analysis allegedly determined that “Villar Baez,” the operator of the vehicle, was in fact Baez Baez. According to the criminal complaint, Baez Baez was released by a state clerk magistrate on personal recognizance.

On Jan. 27, 2025, a federal arrest was issued for Baez Baez for violating his pre-trial release. On Jan. 31, 2025 Baez Baez was arrested in Lawrence at a location that had been previously searched in June 2023 at the time Baez Baez originally was arrested.

The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison and three years of supervised release. The charge of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of no less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, no less than four years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense provides for a sentence of no less than five years in prison to run consecutively with any sentence imposed on the drug offense. Baez Baez will also be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. 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; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police and made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service for the District of Massachusetts and the Natick Police Department. U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Dell’Anno and Christopher Pohl of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.

This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MIL Security OSI –

February 1, 2025

MIL-OSI: Dividend Growth Split Corp. Renews At-The-Market Equity Program

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Not for distribution to U.S. newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

TORONTO, Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: DGS, DGS.PR.A) Dividend Growth Split Corp. (the “Fund”) is pleased to announce it has renewed its at-the-market equity program (“ATM Program”) so that the Fund can issue class A and preferred shares (the “Class A Shares” and “Preferred Shares”, respectively) to the public from time to time, at the Fund’s discretion. This ATM Program replaces the prior program established in August 2024 that has terminated. Any Class A Shares or Preferred Shares sold under the ATM Program will be sold through the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) or any other marketplace in Canada on which the Class A Shares and Preferred Shares are listed, quoted or otherwise traded at the prevailing market price at the time of sale. Sales of Class A Shares and Preferred Shares through the ATM Program will be made pursuant to the terms of an equity distribution agreement dated January 31, 2025 (the “Equity Distribution Agreement”) with RBC Capital Markets (the “Agent”).

Sales of Class A Shares and Preferred Shares will be made by way of “at-the-market distributions” as defined in National Instrument 44-102 Shelf Distributions on the TSX or on any marketplace for the Class A Shares and Preferred Shares in Canada. Since the Class A Shares and Preferred Shares will be distributed at the prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, prices may vary among purchasers during the period of distribution. The ATM Program is being offered pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated January 31, 2025 to the Fund’s short form base shelf prospectus dated August 1, 2024. The maximum gross proceeds from the issuance of the shares will be $100 million for each of the Class A and Preferred Shares. Copies of the prospectus supplement and the short form base shelf prospectus may be obtained from your registered financial advisor or from representatives of the Agent and are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The volume and timing of distributions under the ATM Program, if any, will be determined at the Fund’s sole discretion. The ATM Program will be effective until September 1, 2026, unless terminated prior to such date by the Fund. The Fund intends to use the proceeds from the ATM Program in accordance with the investment objectives and investment strategies of the Fund, subject to the investment restrictions of the Fund.

The Fund invests in a portfolio (the “Portfolio”) consisting primarily of equity securities of Canadian dividend growth companies. In addition, the Fund may hold up to 20% of the total assets of the Portfolio in global dividend growth companies for diversification and improved return potential, at the discretion of Brompton Funds Limited (the “Manager”). In order to qualify for inclusion in the Portfolio, at the time of investment, each dividend growth company included in the Portfolio must have (i) a market capitalization of at least $2.0 billion; and (ii) a history of dividend growth or, in the Manager’s view, have high potential for future dividend growth.

The investment objectives for the Class A Shares are to provide holders with regular monthly cash distributions targeted to be at least $0.10 per Class A Share and to provide the opportunity for growth in the net asset value per Class A Share.

The investment objectives for the Preferred Shares are to provide holders with fixed cumulative preferential quarterly cash distributions in the amount of $0.16875 per Preferred Share (6.75% per annum on the original $10.00 issue price) until August 30, 2029, and to return the original issue price to holders of Preferred Shares on August 30, 2029.

Over the last 10 years, the Class A Shares have delivered a 12.8% per annum total return based on NAV, outperforming the S&P/TSX Composite Total Return Index by 4.1% per annum.⁽¹⁾ The Preferred Shares have returned 5.5% per annum over the last 10 years, outperforming the S&P/TSX Preferred Share Total Return Index by 2.5% per annum.⁽¹⁾

About Brompton Funds

Founded in 2000, Brompton is an experienced investment fund manager with income and growth focused investment solutions including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other TSX traded investment funds. For further information, please contact your investment advisor, call Brompton’s investor relations line at 416-642-6000 (toll-free at 1-866-642-6001), email info@bromptongroup.com or visit our website at www.bromptongroup.com.

(1) See Performance table below.

Dividend Growth Split Corp. Compound Annual Returns to December 31, 2024	1-Yr	3-Yr	5-Yr	10-Yr	Since Inception
Class A Shares (TSX: DGS)	54.6%	15.9%	19.0%	12.8%	11.1%
S&P/TSX Composite Total Return Index	15.7%	7.8%	10.5%	7.4%	6.4%
Preferred Shares (TSX: DGS.PR.A)	5.6%	5.6%	5.6%	5.5%	5.4%
S&P/TSX Preferred Share Total Return Index	21.6%	1.6%	5.8%	2.5%	3.2%

Returns are for the periods ended December 31, 2024, and are unaudited. Inception date December 3, 2007. The table shows the compound return on a Class A Share and Preferred Share for each period indicated compared to the S&P/TSX Composite Total Return Index (“Composite Index”), and the S&P/TSX Preferred Share Total Return Index (“Preferred Share Index”) (together the “Indices”). The Composite Index tracks the performance, on a market weight basis and total return basis, of a broad index of large-capitalization issuers listed on the TSX. The Preferred Share Index tracks the performance, on a market‑weight basis and total return basis, of a broad index of preferred shares trading on the TSX that meet the criteria relating to size, liquidity and issuer rating. The Fund is actively managed; therefore, its performance is not expected to mirror that of the Indices, which have more diversified portfolios and include a substantially larger number of companies. Furthermore, the Indices’ performance is calculated without the deduction of management fees, fund expenses and trading commissions, whereas the performance of the Fund is calculated after deducting such fees and expenses. Additionally, the performance of the Class A Shares is impacted by the leverage provided by the Preferred Shares. The performance information shown is based on the net asset value per Class A Share and the redemption price per Preferred Share and assumes that cash distributions made by the Fund during the periods shown were reinvested at net asset value per Class A Share and redemption price per Preferred Share in additional Class A Shares or Preferred Shares of the Fund. Past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.

You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell shares of the Fund on the TSX or other alternative Canadian trading system (an “exchange”). If the shares are purchased or sold on an exchange, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying shares of the Fund and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them.

There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning shares of an investment fund. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the Fund. You can find more detailed information about the Fund in its public filings available at www.sedarplus.ca. The indicated rates of return are the historical annual compounded total returns including changes in share value and reinvestment of all distributions and does not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income tax payable by any securityholder that would have reduced returns. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this document and to other matters identified in public filings relating to the Fund, to the future outlook of the Fund and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the Fund. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities nor will there be any sale of such securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

The MIL Network –

February 1, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, Colleagues Condemn DoD Decision To End Policy Allowing U.S. Service Members To Access Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care Services

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

January 31, 2025

HARTFORD—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined 17 of their Senate colleagues in releasing the following statement on the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) rescission of a policy that allowed service members to get reimbursed for travel and transportation for non-covered reproductive care. A memo that updates the Joint Travel Regulations to rescind this policy was issued earlier this week.
“This decision strips away service members’ ability to access the reproductive care they need, which is nothing short of abhorrent. It runs contrary to a core goal of the Department of Defense – to ensure the health and wellbeing of all our service members so that our force remains ready at all times to protect Americans and keep this nation safe.
“U.S. service members have no control over where they are stationed and what state laws may govern their bodies. The policy that the Department of Defense took away from our servicewomen and military families provided them the ability to travel to another state to seek out the care they need. Rescinding that does nothing to enhance military readiness.
“At a time when we are already facing military recruitment and retention challenges, we should do all we can to assure those who answer the call to serve America that we will do everything in our power to support them and their families. Instead, this extreme action does the opposite and sends a message to servicewomen—who make up more than 17 percent of our military’s active duty—that they are not as valuable as their male counterparts.
“We will do everything in our power to mitigate the impact that this extreme decision will have on members of our military and ensure their health and safety comes first.”
The statement was led by U.S. Senator Shaheen (D-NH) and also joined by U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Angus King (I-Maine), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.).

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICE Denver officers arrest illegal Mexican national charged with assault and kidnapping

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

DENVER — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Juan Benitez-Ortega, 48, an illegally present Mexican national in Adams County, Colorado, Jan. 30.

“The arrest and eventual removal of this individual reaffirms our commitment to enforcing the laws of our nation and protecting our communities.” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Denver Field Office Director Robert Guadian. “This subject will no longer be allowed to continue to terrorize the citizens of Colorado.”

Ramirez unlawfully entered the United States in Nov. 1998, at an unknown location.

Officials in Adams County, charged Benitez with felony assault, kidnapping or false imprisonment on Dec. 28. Benitez also has a prior conviction for driving while ability impaired.

ICE officers issued Ramirez an intent to reinstate a prior order of removal, and he will remain in ICE custody until his removal from the U.S.

Members of the public with information regarding child sex offenders can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ERO Denver’s mission to increase public safety throughout Colorado and Wyoming on X at @ERODenver.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: EPW Democrats to Zeldin: Provide Valid Legal Basis for EPA Funding Freeze that is Threatening Jobs and Jeopardizing Infrastructure Projects

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
During his first days on the job, EPA Administrator Zeldin rubber stamps Trump’s crippling funding freeze and violates federal law
Washington (January 31, 2025) – Today, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) joined Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and all Democratic members of the Committee in demanding answers from newly-confirmed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin about the agency’s freezing of Congressionally appropriated funds, including those that have already been obligated. According to public reporting, the EPA sent letters to grant recipients explaining it was pausing “all funding actions related to” the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Not only are these funding cuts already having devastating effects on communities, with reports of jobs in jeopardy and essential infrastructure projects on the chopping block, but failing to allow grant recipients to access funds that have already been obligated violates federal law.
“We write concerning troubling reports that the Environmental Protection Agency is attempting to claw back funds that have already been obligated to grant recipients. We believe that this is contrary to federal law,” wrote Senators Whitehouse, Markey, Sanders, Merkley, Kelly, Padilla, Schiff, Blunt Rochester, and Alsobrooks. “Many of us have also been contacted by grantees in our states reporting that they no longer have access to the grant money that has been obligated to them.”
The Senators further pressed Administrator Zeldin on his failure to abide by the commitments he made to Members of the Committee during his confirmation hearing. When asked if he believed the president or executive branch could ignore congressional appropriation decisions and instructions, then-nominee Zeldin responded, “If confirmed, I pledge to respect all of Congress’s duly enacted statutes.” When asked if he pledged to respect congressional appropriation decisions and instructions and resist any efforts within the executive branch to circumvent them, he reaffirmed his commitment to executing on EPA’s mission and recognized Congress’s power of the purse, stating “Particularly as a former Member of Congress, I appreciate and respect the Congressional funding process. I commit to fully following the law.”
But it appears that in his first days as EPA Administrator, Zeldin is already allowing President Trump to pull the strings at EPA by failing swiftly to address these funding freezes that undermine EPA’s core mission and run contrary to federal law.
“Federal law and regulations require that obligated funds be provided to grantees absent proof of misuse of funds,” wrote the Senators. “We further note that the Solar for All program furthers several goals, all of which are part of EPA’s core mission, which you support. It is designed to help reduce carbon pollution, air pollutants, and household energy costs by financing community and rooftop solar in low-income communities. It will further help drive American manufacturing, boosting the economy and creating jobs.”
Accordingly, the Senators demanded that Administrator Zeldin provide a valid legal justification for the funding freezes and explain when he plans restore the availability of the funds to grant recipients.
The text of the letter is below, and a full version (with footnotes) is available here.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, Tillis, Padilla, Schiff Introduce Legislation to Give Tax Relief to Disaster Victims

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2025, legislation that allows Americans to exclude any qualified catastrophe mitigation payment made under a state-based catastrophe loss mitigation program from their income tax. The bill would provide needed relief to homeowners after a major flood or hurricane.
“Louisianans understand the impact of devastating storms, but with the help of state and local programs, we have tools to rebuild and return to wholeness,” said Dr. Cassidy. “If communities need tax relief, let’s give it to them!”
“This commonsense legislation takes a critical step toward empowering individuals and communities to better protect themselves from the devastating effects of natural disasters like Hurricane Helene,” said Senator Tillis. “By excluding qualified catastrophe mitigation payments from income tax, we are incentivizing property owners to make the necessary improvements that reduce damage and save lives. This proactive approach to disaster preparedness not only helps families rebuild faster but strengthens our resilience in the face of future disasters.”
“The devastating fires in Southern California underscored the urgent need to empower homeowners to take proactive steps to keep their families and homes safe,” said Senator Padilla. “As these disasters become more frequent and more extreme due to the climate crisis, we should incentivize — not penalize — taxpayers for protecting their homes. That’s why the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act would provide a tax exemption on payments from state-based programs for homeowner investments in critical disaster-related improvements.”
“We have seen how natural disasters have devastated communities around the country, and we must ensure we have the resources and programs in place to respond,” said Senator Schiff. “Homeowners should not face additional taxes for wanting to protect their homes and our bipartisan legislation will provide the needed tax relief to help affected Americans recover from these disasters.”
The bill defines a qualified catastrophe mitigation payment as any amount received for making improvements to an individual’s property for the sole purpose of reducing the damage that would be done to such property by a flood, windstorm, earthquake, or wildfire.
Cassidy, Tillis, Padilla, and Schiff were joined by U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Katie Britt (R-AL), Michael Bennett (D-CO), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Kennedy (R-LA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Ted Budd (R-NC) in cosponsoring the legislation.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tillis, Padilla, Cassidy, Schiff Introduce Legislation to Exclude Catastrophe Mitigation Payments from Income Taxes

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2025, legislation that excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, any qualified catastrophe mitigation payment made under a state-based catastrophe loss mitigation program.
“This commonsense legislation takes a critical step toward empowering individuals and communities to better protect themselves from the devastating effects of natural disasters like Hurricane Helene,” said Senator Tillis. “By excluding qualified catastrophe mitigation payments from income tax, we are incentivizing property owners to make the necessary improvements that reduce damage and save lives. This proactive approach to disaster preparedness not only helps families rebuild faster but strengthens our resilience in the face of future disasters.”
“The devastating fires in Southern California underscored the urgent need to empower homeowners to take proactive steps to keep their families and homes safe,” said Senator Padilla. “As these disasters become more frequent and more extreme due to the climate crisis, we should incentivize — not penalize — taxpayers for protecting their homes. That’s why the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act would provide a tax exemption on payments from state-based programs for homeowner investments in critical disaster-related improvements.”
“Louisianans understand the impact of devastating storms, but with the help of state and local programs, we have tools to rebuild and return to wholeness,” said Dr. Cassidy. “If communities need tax relief, let’s give it to them!”
“We have seen how natural disasters have devastated communities around the country, and we must ensure we have the resources and programs in place to respond,” said Senator Schiff. “Homeowners should not face additional taxes for wanting to protect their homes and our bipartisan legislation will provide the needed tax relief to help affected Americans recover from these disasters.”
Background:
The bill defines a “qualified catastrophe mitigation payment” as any amount received for making improvements to an individual’s property for the sole purpose of reducing the damage that would be done to such property by a windstorm, earthquake, flood, or wildfire.
The Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2025 is co-sponsored by Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Michael Bennett (D-CO), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Kennedy (R-LA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Ted Budd (R-NC).
The Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2025 is endorsed by North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey and the North Carolina Insurance Association.
“Passing federal legislation that would ensure all state-funded, pre-disaster mitigation grants are tax-free would allow these grants to have the maximum impact,” said Mike Causey, Insurance Commissioner, State of North Carolina. “These mitigation grants protect homes and have a direct impact on insurers and the claims they pay for such disasters, which is critical for ensuring an insurance market that is stable and available and affordable for homeowners. Because North Carolina has been a leader in windstorm mitigation through our Strengthen Your Roof and Strengthen Your Coastal Roof grant programs, and because working to maintain a healthy market is one of my goals as Insurance Commissioner, I am in total support of this bill. I thank Senator Tillis for proposing it.”
“North Carolina Insurance Association (NCIUA) has made grants of more than $100 million so that our policyholders can invest in resilient construction and fortified roofs,” said Gina Hardy, CEO, North Carolina Insurance Association. “Given the possibility of more frequent catastrophic events, we believe all of the grant money we invest should be free of federal taxation and remain with our policyholders so they can continue to strengthen and improve their homes.”
Full text of the bill is available HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Coons warns about Russian efforts against Romania and Moldova in interview with The Counteroffensive

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) sat down with The Counteroffensive’s Tim Mak to encourage continued western support for Romania and Moldova, both of which are victims of intensive Russian coercion campaigns in eastern Europe amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Last month, Senator Coons led a congressional delegation to Moldova and Romania, where he saw firsthand Russia’s attempts to undermine the independence and democracy of both countries. Romania, a crucial NATO ally, faced widespread Russian interference in their November presidential election that propelled pro-Russia NATO-skeptic candidate Calin Georgescu to first place before the election was annulled. Meanwhile, Moldova also faced intensive Russian interference, including disinformation and vote-buying campaigns, in its October presidential election and a referendum on joining the European Union, which ultimately passed despite Russia’s efforts. The country is also dealing with an energy crisis, as Russia started off the year by cutting off gas supplies to Moldova’s only power plant, with devastating consequences for Moldovan civilians now struggling through the winter.
In the interview, Senator Coons also encouraged President Trump and Republicans not to abandon Ukraine nearly three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country.
The Counteroffensive: TOP DEM SENATOR: DON’T TAKE EYES OFF MOLDOVA, ROMANIA
As violent as the war in Ukraine is, there are broader Russian threats that the United States needs to pay attention to, said Sen. Chris Coons, a senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Coons recently returned from a Congressional delegation to Moldova and Romania, and gave an exclusive interview with The Counteroffensive to share lessons learned.
“Russia has a playbook, and it has a set of plays that it’s running,” and not just in Ukraine, he said, referring to hybrid warfare techniques that include threats to Moldova’s energy security and influence operations in Romania.
“Their sabotage operations are continuing right now across Central and Western Europe: fires and attacks and assassinations; and that their influence operations using social media; cyber attacks; good old fashioned bribery – are actually having an influence on politics,” he warned. “These are not isolated.”
Read the full article here.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Ahead of expected Trump tariffs, Senators Coons and Kaine introduce legislation to require congressional approval of new tariffs on U.S. allies

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) yesterday introduced the Stopping Tariffs on Allies and Bolstering Legislative Exercise of (STABLE) Trade Policy Act, which would rein in chaos that President Trump could create by unilaterally imposing tariffs on trading partners like the ones expected to go into effect this weekend on Canada and Mexico.
The STABLE Trade Policy Act would institute a requirement of congressional approval before a president could impose new tariffs on U.S. allies and free trade agreement (FTA) partners. Currently, the president can impose tariffs on any nation using authorities that Congress created to combat national security risks and address international emergencies. The bill reclaims congressional authority over trade policy and limits the president’s ability to treat allies as enemies.
“Congress gave the president the authority to impose tariffs so that he could combat our enemies in the event of a national security crisis, not so that he could pursue grudges against our allies and neighbors. If the president is going abuse this power to bully and coerce our allies, Congress should take this authority back,” said Senator Coons. “If this weekend’s tariffs go into effect, they’ll do catastrophic damage to our relationships with our allies and raise costs for working families by hundreds of dollars a year. Congress needs to stop this from happening again.”
“Virginians want costs to go down, not up. But President Trump’s plans to impose broad-based tariffs would raise the price of everyday goods and hurt our economy,” said Senator Kaine. “It’s time for Congress to make it clear that no president should abuse existing tariff authorities designed to protect America’s national security from threats posed by our adversaries to slap tariffs on our allies and closest trading partners. I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Coons to take that step to protect Americans’ pocketbooks from sharp price hikes and safeguard our relationships with our allies.”
The introduction of STABLE Trade Policy Act comes shortly before President Trump’s across-the-board tariffs on Canada and Mexico are expected to go into effect. On his first day in office, President Trump pledged 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada to go into effect February 1. The two nations, both members of the U.S.M.C.A. trade agreement that President Trump negotiated, accounted for almost one-third of all U.S. goods imports last year. Additionally, President Trump has promised 10% tariffs on China. President Trump has already threatened and then rescinded tariffs on Colombia.
Specifically, the STABLE Trade Policy Act would:
Require the president to explain to Congress any proposal to impose tariffs on allies and FTA partners.
The president must explain why challenges with allies cannot be better addressed through diplomacy or other mechanisms.
The president must assess of how tariffs will impact the U.S. economy and U.S. foreign policy interests.
Require congressional approval for new or additional tariffs on imports from allies and FTA partners.
The bill constrains tariff authorities created by Congress to combat national security risks and address international economic emergencies.
The executive branch retains full authority to impose safeguard tariffs to combat unfair trade practices.
The full bill text is available here.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Crapo Welcomes Spring 2025 Interns

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
Washington, D.C.–Six interns joined U.S. Senator Mike Crapo’s (R-Idaho) Washington, D.C., Boise and Pocatello offices for the winter and spring 2025 terms.
“The young individuals joining my office for the spring term will get to experience firsthand historic moments with President Trump’s return to office,” said Crapo. “They will actively engage with Idaho’s constituents, expand their knowledge of the federal policymaking process and grow hard and soft skills important for their next career step. I am delighted to have them on board for this spring and look forward to their success.”
Three interns will serve in the Washington, D.C., office:
Kennedy Cummins is a Murtaugh, Idaho, native and a senior at Boise State University. She is studying political science. Kennedy interned in Senator Crapo’s Boise office in the fall.
Samuel Jardine is an Idaho Falls, Idaho, native a junior at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He is studying political science with a professional emphasis in political strategy and a minor in business.
Madison Schmidt is a senior at Boise State University, pursuing a degree in political science and a certificate in business. Madison attended high school in Meridian, Idaho.
Two interns will serve in the Boise office:
Ellison Winger is a sophomore at Boise State University. She is majoring in political science and minoring in business.
Jack Marmor moved to Idaho when he was three-years-old. He is a senior at Boise State University, pursuing a degree in criminal justice.
One intern served in the Pocatello office during the month of January:
Giovanni DeLaRosa is a Pocatello, Idaho, native. Giovanni is studying political science and business management at Columbia University in New York City.
Crapo hosts interns in his Washington, D.C., office as well as in the various regional offices throughout Idaho. The applications for the summer and fall 2025 terms close on March 1. Students interested in positions for the spring, summer or fall semesters can find more information about the application process, internship expectations, and deadlines for applying on the Senator’s official website at: https://www.crapo.senate.gov/services/for-students/internships

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Works to Expand Child Care Access for Families and Small Businesses

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
WASHINGTON – As Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is introducing bipartisan legislation with Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) to increase the availability of affordable, high-quality child care for working families. This bill would allow non-profit child care providers to participate in Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs.
“When traveling river to river across Iowa, I consistently hear about the difficulties families face in finding affordable, high-quality child care,” said Chair Ernst. “As chair of the Small Business Committee, I’m bringing Iowans’ concerns to Washington. In many of our state’s rural communities, religious organizations often offer the only child care options but for too long have been denied access to federal funding. To drive down prices, I’m dedicated to real solutions like this that expand options and kick down regulatory hurdles on behalf of hardworking families.”
“There is a significant need for additional child care in Decatur County, and oftentimes, for-profit business isn’t able to completely meet that need. If a program like the SBA loan program was available to help fund small, rural, non-profit child care centers, this would help reduce the upfront financial cost of construction and expedite the process of expanding services and adding additional child care slots,” said Shannon Erb, President of Decatur County Development Corporation. “The team at Decatur County Development Corporation wholeheartedly supports this bill and would like to thank Senator Ernst for leading the way to support rural child care. We are excited about the direct impact this could have on the future of our community and other rural communities across the country.”
“The Iowa Women’s Foundation proudly supports the bipartisan Small Business Child Care Investment Act being introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Joni Ernst (R) and Jacky Rosen (D). This bill will expand access to quality affordable child care by allowing non-profit child care providers to utilize programs offered by the Small Business Administration,” said Iowa Women’s Foundation. “This bill will help meet a critical need for affordable quality child care in Iowa communities across the state, a major focus of the Iowa Women’s Foundation. We applaud the bipartisan work of Senators Ernst and Rosen in addressing this critical need in our state.”
“As a director of a non-profit child care center in a rural community, we would greatly appreciate the opportunity to apply for the SBA Loans. There continues to be a need for child care that offers families the same quality found in larger communities,” said Tiffany Finch, Director of Cambridge Little Achievers Center. “Allowing non-profit child care centers the same access to SBA Loans would allow us to apply for funding that can focus on the quality and culture of the programs without adding more expense to rural families. The SBA loans can help and invest in our staff and families!”
The bipartisan Small Business Child Care Investment Act would:
Ensure that qualified non-profit providers have equal access to key SBA loan options that allow providers to invest in and expand their operations;
Create local jobs and give working families more options for affordable and quality child care; and
Protect religiously-affiliated non-profit providers access to the larger and more flexible loan programs like 7(a) and 504 that can be used for real estate, construction, remodeling, and other expenses critical to maintaining and expanding high-quality child care operations.
Background:
Ernst has been a strong advocate for increasing access to affordable, high-quality child care in Iowa.
On her annual River to River Tour, Ernst routinely visits child care centers to understand the needs of Iowans and bring their voices to Washington.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Appoints Joshua J. Williford to the 18th Judicial District

Source: US State of Colorado

DENVER – Today, Governor Polis appointed Joshua J. Williford to the 18th Judicial District Court. The appointment is effective immediately and fills a new judgeship created by House Bill 20-1026, which changed the boundaries of the existing 18th Judicial District and established the new 23rd Judicial District.

Mr. Williford is an Arapahoe County Court Judge in the 18th Judicial District, a position he has held since 2017. His docket consists primarily of criminal matters. Previously, Mr. Williford was Chief Deputy District Attorney (2014-2017), Senior Deputy District Attorney (2011-2014), and Deputy District Attorney (2007-2011) in the 18th Judicial District; and Deputy District Attorney in the 17th Judicial District (2003-2007). Mr. Williford earned his B.A. from Wheaton College in 2000 and his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2003.

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MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Arizona Couple Pleads Guilty to $1.2B Health Care Fraud

Source: US State of California

An Arizona couple pleaded guilty for causing over $1.2 billion of false and fraudulent claims to be submitted to Medicare and other health insurance programs for expensive, medically unnecessary wound grafts that were applied to elderly and terminally ill patients.

According to court documents, Alexandra Gehrke, 39, and her husband, Jeffrey King, 46, both of Phoenix, conspired with others to orchestrate the massive scheme. Gehrke ran two companies, Apex Medical LLC and Viking Medical Consultants LLC, that contracted with medically untrained “sales representatives” to locate elderly patients, including hospice patients, who had wounds at any stage and order amniotic wound grafts from a specific graft distributor. Gehrke instructed and financially incentivized the sales representatives to order grafts only in sizes 4×6 centimeters or larger, even if the wound was much smaller, to maximize health insurance reimbursement. Gehrke, through companies she owned and controlled, received over $279 million in illegal kickbacks from the distributor of the grafts in exchange for the orders. Gehrke in turn paid the sales representatives tens of millions of dollars in unlawful kickbacks. Gehrke then referred the patients to a company co-owned by King, which contracted with nurse practitioners to apply the grafts. King’s company fraudulently billed Medicare, TRICARE (the health care program for U.S. service members and their families), CHAMPVA (the health care program for spouses and children of permanently disabled veterans), and commercial insurance plans for the grafts. Gehrke and King, who had no medical training, directed the nurse practitioners to suspend their own medical judgment and apply all grafts ordered by the sales representatives, even when medically unreasonable and unnecessary, which resulted in the application of grafts to infected wounds, wounds that had already healed, and wounds that were not responding to the grafts.

From November 2022 through May 2024, Gehrke, King, and others, through companies they owned, operated, and controlled, submitted $1,212,005,778 in false and fraudulent claims to health insurance plans. This included over $960 million in false and fraudulent claims to the federal health care programs — Medicare, TRICARE, and CHAMPVA. The federal and private health care insurers paid $614,990,420 based on the false and fraudulent claims.

In their plea agreements, Gehrke and King agreed to pay restitution in the amounts of $614,990,420 and $605,690,110, respectively. They also agreed collectively to forfeit over $410 million in funds that they obtained from the fraud. To date, the government has seized nearly $100 million in assets that Gehrke and King accumulated from the scheme, including bank account balances exceeding $68 million, four luxury vehicles valued over $980,000, $22 million of life insurance annuities, and jewelry and precious metals.

Gehrke pleaded guilty on Oct. 24, 2024, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 11 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. King pleaded guilty on Jan. 31 to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. His sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Gary M. Restaino for the District of Arizona; Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke of the FBI Atlanta Field Office; Deputy Inspector General Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Director Kelly Mayo of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS); and Special Agent in Charge Kris Raper of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG) South Central Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI, HHS-OIG, DCIS, and VA-OIG investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Shane Butland of the National Rapid Response Strike Force of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Williams for the District of Arizona are prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Former Hospital Administrator Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison in Identity Theft Scheme that Spanned Three Decades

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Victim Falsely Prosecuted, Jailed, and Forcibly Medicated with Psychotropic Drugs

An Iowa hospital administrator who lived under a false identity for more than 30 years and caused the false imprisonment, involuntary hospitalization, and forced medication of his victim was sentenced today to 12 years in federal prison.

Matthew David Keirans, age 59, from Hartland, Wisconsin, received the prison term after an April 1, 2024, guilty plea to one count of false statement to a national credit union administration insured institution and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Evidence presented at hearings in the case established that Keirans and his identity theft victim worked together at a hotdog cart in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the late 1980s. Keirans assumed the victim’s identity and, for the next three decades, used that identity in every aspect of his life. Keirans obtained several false documents in the victim’s name, including a Kentucky birth certificate.

In 2013, Keirans obtained employment as a high-level administrator in an Iowa City hospital. Keirans provided the hospital with false identification documents during the hiring process, including a fictitious I-9 form, social security number, date of birth, and other identification documents in his victim’s name. After getting hired, Keirans worked for the hospital remotely from his residence in Wisconsin. Keirans’ access to, and roles in, the system architecture of the hospital’s computer infrastructure were “the highest it could be,” and Keirans “was the key administrator of critical systems.”

Between March 2014 and May 2022, Keirans repeatedly obtained vehicle and personal loans from two credit unions in the Northern District of Iowa using the victim’s name, social security number, and date of birth. Keirans obtained nine loans with a total value of over $250,000 from the credit unions. Keirans also obtained various lines of credit from other lenders in the victim’s name and with his personal identifiers.

Keirans also maintained deposits at a national bank in the victim’s name. In August 2019, the victim, who was homeless at the time, entered the branch of the national bank in Los Angeles, California, and told a branch manager that he had recently discovered that someone was using his credit and had accumulated large amounts of debt. The victim stated that he did not want to pay the debt and wished to close his accounts at the bank. The victim presented the bank with his true social security card, as well as an authentic State of California identification card. Due to the large amount of currency in the accounts, the branch manager asked the victim a series of security questions, which the victim was unable to answer. The national bank then called the Los Angeles Police Department (“LAPD”).

LAPD officers spoke with Keirans on the telephone, who stated he lived in Wisconsin and did not give anyone in California permission to access his bank accounts. After faxing the LAPD a series of phony identification documents, the LAPD arrested Keirans’ victim on two felony charges. After Keirans requested his victim’s prosecution, the victim was charged in Keirans’ name and held without bail at the Los Angeles County Jail.

In the ensuing months, Keirans contacted the LAPD and Los Angeles District Attorney (LADA) numerous times requesting updates on the victim’s prosecution. Meanwhile, Keirans’ victim continued to assert throughout the California criminal proceedings that he was not Keirans. A California state court judge ultimately found Keirans’ victim was not mentally competent to stand trial and ordered Keirans’ victim to a California mental hospital. The California state court also ordered Keirans’ victim to receive psychotropic medication.

In March 2021, Keirans’ victim pled “no contest” to the two felony charges in exchange for a “time-served” sentence, a $400 fine, and immediate release from custody. In total, Keirans’ victim spent 428 days in county jail and 147 days in the mental hospital as a result of Keirans’ false reports to the LAPD and LADA. The state court also ordered Keirans’ victim to “use only their true name, Matthew Keirans” in the future.

After his release from jail and hospital, Keirans’ victim made numerous attempts to regain his identity. For his part, Keirans continued to make false reports and statements to law enforcement officials in Wisconsin and California. The State of California billed the victim over $118,000 for the costs of his “care” in the mental hospital between October 20, 2021, and March 15, 2021.

In January 2023, after learning where Keirans was employed, the victim contacted the Iowa City hospital’s security department about Keirans. The hospital referred Keirans’ complaint to a local law enforcement agency, which assigned an experienced detective, Ian Mallory, to investigate the victim’s complaint. The detective conducted an investigation and, over the course of the ensuing months, unraveled Keirans’ identity theft scheme. Among other things, the detective obtained DNA evidence that conclusively proved that Keirans was not the son of an elderly man in Kentucky, as Keirans had claimed, but that Keirans’ victim was the man’s son.

During an interview with the detective in July 2023, Keirans initially insisted that the victim was “crazy” and “needed help and should be locked up.” After the detective presented Keirans with the results of the DNA testing, however, Keirans confessed to the three-decade identity theft scheme. Keirans also admitted to providing fraudulent documents to authorities in Los Angeles from his residence in Wisconsin to aid in the arrest, prosecution, and incarceration of the victim. A California court ultimately exonerated the victim after Keirans pled guilty in federal court.

Keirans was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Keirans was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment and fined $10,000. He was ordered to make $6,191 in restitution the victim and ordered to repay $10,000 in court-appointed attorney fees. Keirans must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

At the sentencing hearing, Chief Judge Williams said Keirans’ crime was “egregious,” “callous,” and “Kafkaesque.” Chief Judge Williams stated Keirans “weaponized the criminal justice system to achieve his goals.” Chief Judge Williams praised the “remarkable and exceptional work” of the Iowa detective.

“Matthew Keirans spent decades pretending to be someone he was not, all the while knowing that his victim was suffering,” said United States Attorney Timothy T. Duax. “Keirans used his victim’s identity to live his life, obtain loans, and lines of credit. When the victim tried to clear his name of Keirans’ debts, Keirans deliberately and calculatedly lied to police officers and prosecutors in California in order to keep his victim locked up, unable to live his life, and to keep his own secret safe. Today, Keirans has been held responsible for his actions and will spend years in prison.”

“I would like to thank Detective Mallory for his tenacious work on this case,” said University of Iowa Police Chief Lucy Wiederholt. “His persistence in finding the facts highlights our commitment to helping victims of crime.”

“The FBI is committed to working with our local law enforcement partners wherever we can to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution,” said Eugene Kowel, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge. “The FBI commends the University of Iowa Police Department’s tenacity in bringing Keirans’ fraudulent crimes to an end, and we remain dedicated to holding individuals like Keirans accountable when they break the laws of our country and impose harm on victims.”

Keirans is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the University of Iowa Police Department.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 23-CR-1020.

Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

MIL Security OSI –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: MILHORN PLEADS GUILTY IN DUI DEATH ON NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Oxford, Mississippi – Connor Milhorn, 20, entered guilty pleas to two counts relating to an alcohol related crash on the Natchez Trace Parkway in May of 2024. Milhorn, who appeared before Judge Sharion Aycock, pled guilty to Aggravated DUI for causing death to another and to Aggravated DUI for causing serious bodily injury to a minor child. His sentencing will be scheduled for a later date.

On May 11, 2024, shortly after 4:45 in the morning, law enforcement Rangers were dispatched to a collision involving a Hummer H3 and a Toyota Tundra. Upon arriving on the scene, they found the driver of the Tundra deceased and his minor child severely injured in the backseat. The child was transported by helicopter to Memphis, Tennessee for life saving medical care.

The investigation by the Rangers resulted in them learning that Milhorn was operating his Hummer at a high rate of speed and under the influence of alcohol while driving on the Natchez Trace Parkway. Milhorn’s vehicle collided head on with the Tundra resulting in the death and serious injury at issue in the case.

This case was investigated by the Natchez Trace Parkway Law Enforcement Rangers. The case was prosecuted by AUSA John Herzog Jr.

MIL Security OSI –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senate Republicans Block Resolution Condemning Pardons of Violent J6 Offenders

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – During the presidential campaign last year, President Trump pledged to pardon non-violent offenders who participated in the January 6 (J6), 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. And just days before taking the oath of Office, Vice President -elect JD Vance stated: “obviously people that committed violence against police officers that day should not get a pardon.”
However, on the first day of President Trump’s second term he commuted the prison sentences for 14 of the most notorious J6 offenders, including leaders of the paramilitary groups the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys. Simultaneously, he granted a “full, complete and unconditional pardon” to the rest of the approximately 1,560 defendants, including those convicted of violently assaulting police officers.
Many of the people Trump called “patriots” had extensive rap sheets. Some had prior convictions or pending charges for crimes ranging from rape to sexual abuse of a minor to manslaughter. While Trump’s pardons did not absolve offenders from every crime they committed in the past, his actions helped every one of them escape justice for their actions on January 6. Some of the J6ers who got a pardon from Trump have already been arrested for other crimes or involved in deadly altercations with police officers.
Among those pardoned by Trump were 169 people who pled guilty to assaulting police officers on January 6th. During the siege of the Capitol that day, over 80 U.S. Capitol Police Officers were assaulted, as well as over 60 officers from the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department.
This week, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse joined every member of the Democratic caucus in introducing a resolution condemning the pardons of individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police Officers. The resolution simply states: “Resolved, That the Senate disapproves of any pardons for individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police officers.”
But when U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) requested unanimous consent for the resolution on the floor, Republicans blocked the measure, with opposition from Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) objecting on behalf of his colleagues in the majority.
Unanimous consent is a common route senators take for simple resolutions, military nominations and other actions, but adoption can be blocked if one single senator objects, sometimes on behalf of others.
“These pardons were a slap in the face of the Capitol Police who stand up every day to protect members of Congress. They have our back; we should have theirs. Choosing subservience to President Trump rather than condemning the pardons of the criminals who attacked the Capitol is a shameful betrayal of these dedicated officers,” said Senator Reed.
Senator Whitehouse stated: “These pardons are an insult to the men and women of the Capitol Police and the DC Police who protected democracy from the brutal rioters on January 6. Less than two weeks from their pardons, they’re already back committing crimes, and now provide a personal army with demonstrated willingness to commit acts of political violence at the behest of Donald Trump.”
The senators urged Senate Republicans to work with Democrats to pass the resolution, ensure accountability, and respect for law enforcement officers across the country.
Among the individuals granted a full, complete, and unconditional pardon by President Trump was a Florida man who attacked a police officer with an explosive device during the J6 assault and was deemed by a federal judge to pose a serious ongoing danger to the general public, particularly to members of law enforcement, if released.
Another J6 offender who was pardoned was the so-called QAnon Shaman, who, according to press reports declared soon after his pardon: “Now I’m gonna buy some (expletive) guns.”
And a Missouri woman convicted in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and seen holding the broken nameplate of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), was given a pardon by President Trump, only to be sentenced for another crime: killing a mother of two in a drunken-driving crash.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: January 31st, 2025 Heinrich Introduces Legislation to Improve Access to Chiropractic Services

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act, legislation to expand Medicare coverage of chiropractic services to ensure patients enrolled in the program can access care as a non-drug alternative for pain management. Additionally, it would expand Medicare coverage to include x-rays and other diagnostic services needed to determine and prescribe appropriate chiropractic treatments.
“New Mexicans deserve to have the care they need, when they need it,” said Heinrich. “By expanding Medicare to include chiropractic services, seniors will have more choices and freedom to pick the care that’s right for them.”
The legislation is led by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.). Alongside Heinrich, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.),Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).
The text of the bill is here.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025

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