NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Heinrich, Luján Statement on President Trump’s 2026 Budget Request

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
    Heinrich and Luján: “Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s budget will further tank the economy and throw working families under the bus. As New Mexico’s senators, we’ll fight back”
    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) released the following statement onPresident Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Preliminary Budget Request, which proposes slashing critical investments that benefit New Mexico families to fund massive tax cuts for billionaires like Elon Musk:
    “Donald Trump’s budget doesn’t put New Mexico families first — it jeopardizes Medicaid and slashes nutrition programs and services hardworking people rely on, all to fund massive tax handouts to Trump, Elon Musk, and their billionaire donors.
    “This proposal would drive up the cost of health care, groceries, housing, and utilities; gut public school and pre-K funding; defund cancer research; weaken law enforcement’s ability to fight drug trafficking; and strip resources from wildland firefighters, farmers, Tribes, and rural communities. It also threatens our public lands — paving the way for Republicans’ massive sell-off. 
    “Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s budget will further tank the economy and throw working families under the bus. As New Mexico’s senators, we’ll fight back — to protect Medicaid and Social Security, defend every dollar we’ve secured for our communities, and keep putting New Mexico families first.”
    Among all of his proposed cuts, President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Preliminary Budget Request:
    HEALTH:
    Slashes funding for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by $33 billion (-26%).
    Slashes funding for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by $674 million. CMS helps ensure over 100 million Americans have access to affordable, high-quality health insurance by overseeing Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Affordable Care Act marketplaces.
    Cuts funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $18 billion or more than 40% — decimating funding for lifesaving medical treatments and cures.
    Decimates funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by cutting $3.6 billion — hollowing out the agency’s ability to save lives and protect Americans from health threats.
    Guts funding for substance use prevention and treatment and mental health services by $1 billion (roughly –15%) and eliminates the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration — the agency with expertise in tackling the substance use and mental health crises.
    Eliminates the Title X program, which helps nearly 3 million patients get preventative care, birth control, cancer screenings, and more in every state.
    EDUCATION:
    Guts funding for the U.S. Department of Education by $12 billion (-15%).
    Eliminates all funding for Preschool Development Grants, which help states strengthen their early childhood education system and get parents the child care and pre-K they need.
    Eliminates and cuts dozens of elementary and secondary education programs (the vast majority of which are not specified), underscoring that President Trump’s vision for returning education to the states means state and local taxpayers will pay more to support students and educators at their local schools as a result of major cuts in federal funding.
    Eliminates several higher education programs, including TRIO, GEAR UP, Federal Work Study, Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS), and more, which help Americans pursue a postsecondary education and further their careers.
    Slashes funding for the U.S. Department of Labor by $4.6 billion (-35%).
    Proposes to “Make America Skilled Again” by cutting workforce training programs that help Americans develop skills and secure good-paying jobs by roughly a third. 
    Eliminates Job Corps and the Senior Community Service Employment Program.
    Eliminates AmeriCorps, which enables over 200,000 Americans to help serve communities across the country, including by responding to natural disasters, supporting veterans, fighting the opioid epidemic, helping older Americans age with dignity, and working in our schools, educating and supporting students.
    HOUSING:
    Eviscerates the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with a 43.6% cut.
    Slashes HUD rental assistance programs by 42.8% while foisting responsibility over those programs onto state and local governments. Over 10 million Americans rely on HUD rental assistance, the vast majority of whom are seniors, people with disabilities, and children. This will rip the roofs off Americans’ heads and put even more families at risk of homelessness.
    Eliminates or cuts federal programs most targeted to build more affordable housing and address this country’s housing supply shortage, including in Tribal country. 
    Eliminates the Community Development Block Grant that cities and towns across the country use to improve the quality of life for their citizens every day.
    PUBLIC SAFETY:
    Slashes the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) budget by at least $3.7 billion (-10%).
    Guts funding for grants to help keep communities safe by over $1 billion (-26%).
    Cuts funding for Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) salaries and expenses by $545 million (-5%), endangering Americans’ safety.
    Cuts funding for Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) salaries and expenses by $212 million (-7%), weakening the agency’s capacity to crack down on drug trafficking. Also proposes shuttering major DEA offices in countries around the world, noting that those countries “are equipped to counter drug trafficking on their own.”
    Cuts funding for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) salaries and expenses by $468 million (-29%) as part of the administration’s ongoing attempt to dismantle the agency in charge of enforcing our country’s gun laws.
    Cuts $1.386 billion (-22%) from the U.S. Forest Service, gutting grant funding for state and Tribal wildfire risk reduction, volunteer fire departments, and much more. The proposal would cut at least 2,000 National Forest System staff positions, which will severely harm the administration’s stated goals of improving forest management.
    Cuts funding for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement account by $1.3 billion (-91%) which helps prevent human trafficking, stop drug trafficking, and much more, with direct implications for American communities.
    Proposes a reckless $209 million cut for NOAA’s weather satellites, which play a critical role in ensuring Americans have accurate weather forecasting and will result in a gap in observations when the current satellites retire early in the next decade.
    NUTRITION:
    Eliminates the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which provides food assistance to low-income individuals 60 years of age and older to supplement diets and addressing potential nutrient deficiencies. The preliminary budget request does not mention any of the other 16 Nutrition Programs, including WIC, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and the National School Lunch Program.
    PUBLIC LANDS:
    Cuts $900 million (- 30%) from National Park Service operations, abandoning national parks the administration says should now be transferred to the states, while providing no funding for states to manage massive new obligations that such a dramatic move would entail. This would incentivize states to sell off public lands to the highest bidder, threatening valued open space and areas of natural and historical value to local communities.
    AGRICULTURE:
    Guts funding for agricultural research, which is critical to ensuring American agriculture is competitive with the rest of the world and provides key resources to help farmers and ranchers prepare and adapt in an uncertain environment. Zeroes out foreign food aid that supports American farmers and is a lifeline for people living in extreme poverty across the world.
    TRIBES:
    Slashes $911 million (-24%) for core Tribal programs that uphold the federal government’s legally-obligated and court-ordered trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal nations. 
    Decimates core Tribal programs, including road maintenance, housing, and programs for children and families. 
    Nearly eliminates funding for construction of Tribal schools, which are already too often dilapidated, and cuts Tribal law enforcement funding by 20%.
    RURAL COMMUNITIES:
    Slashes investments in core Rural Development programs by $721 million, including investments in safe drinking water, affordable housing, and resources to bolster the rural economy.
    Cuts funding for the U.S. Department of Commerce by $1.9 billion (-18%). Outright eliminates the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), which helps economically distressed communities across America get ahead.
    Eliminates all Community Services Block Grant funding ($770 million) for community-based anti-poverty programs that help individuals and families access services to alleviate the causes of poverty.
    Eliminates funding to 27 states by zeroing out funding for 6 of 7 regional commissions, which provide grants in economically distressed communities for disaster mitigation, opioid crisis support programming, workforce training, and much more. This includes eliminating the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC).
    The Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) is one of eight authorized federal regional commissions and authorities, which are congressionally-chartered, federal-state partnerships created to promote economic development in their respective regions. Congress first authorized the establishment of the SBRC in 2008 to promote economic development in the southern border regions of New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Texas.
    Last year, Heinrich secured an expansion of the SBRC’s jurisdiction to include the following counties in New Mexico: Bernalillo, Cibola, Curry, De Baca, Guadalupe, Roosevelt, Torrance, Lea, and Valencia. These are in addition to Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra, Socorro, Lincoln, Otero, Eddy, Doña Ana, and Chaves Counties in New Mexico, which are already included within the SBRC’s jurisdiction.
    In 2023, Heinrich led the introduction of the Southwest Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act, legislation to reauthorize and fully fund the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC). The bill was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and former-U.S. Senators Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), and Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.).
    INFRASTRUCTURE:
    Cuts funding for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation by $600 million (-34%), gutting investments in key restoration projects.
    Cuts funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by $2 billion (-23%), slashing funding used to maintain our nation’s ports and harbors.
    Cuts funding for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) non-disaster grants that help communities prepare for disasters, support efforts to prevent violence and terrorism, prepare emergency responders, and more.
    Eliminates funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, ending support for more than 1,500 local public television and radio stations. 
    Eliminates funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the support provided to libraries and museums throughout the United States.
    Cuts funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by more than half by abandoning state and Tribal programs that build and maintain drinking water and sewer systems, starving states of longstanding federal funding provided to pay for states’ work enforcing federal laws, and decimating funding for cleaning up toxic Superfund sites. The request would also effectively eliminate research funding used to better understand the impacts on human health from polluted air and water and from toxic chemicals. 
    ENERGY:
    Slashes funding for the Department of Energy overall by $4.7 billion (-9.4%).
    Guts funding for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs by $2.572 billion (-74%) and proposes to rescind $15.25 billion from Infrastructure Law energy programs, which will raise energy costs for American consumers by halting vital innovation and energy projects.
    Eliminates the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps 6 million American households heat and cool their homes.
    ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
    Slashes funding for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Entrepreneurial Development Programs by $167 million, proposing the elimination of nearly all programs, including programs that support veterans as they work to start and grow a small business.
    Eliminates $291 million in funding for all current Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) financial assistance awards, which help leverage private capital to support the development of child care centers, housing, health care facilities, and small businesses. Since 2010, CDFIs have financed over 1.3 million businesses and 557,000 affordable homes.
    Completely eliminates the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, which provide funding for every state and every congressional district for cultural economic development and the creative economy.
    Guts funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by $1.5 billion, which would eliminate all manner of programs that create good jobs, help local economies, and support ocean research, health, and coastal resilience.
    More than halves funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) with a $5.2 billion (-57%) cut. Cuts funding for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science by $1.148 billion (-14%). Together, these proposed cuts would decimate America’s edge in essential scientific research that would otherwise drive future economic growth.
    FOREIGN ASSISTANCE:
    Guts funding for the U.S. Department of State and America’s international security, economic, and humanitarian assistance programs by $31.2 billion (-48%).
    Cuts funding for lifesaving and other humanitarian assistance by $4.7 billion (-54%), which will lead to preventable deaths and suffering across the globe, and threaten Americans’ safety and well-being by undercutting our efforts to stop disease outbreaks and prevent conflict. A cut of this magnitude will also lead to more migration of people fleeing poverty, conflict, and natural disasters.
    Slashes economic growth and development funding across multiple agencies and accounts by $6 billion (67%) and proposes the final dissolution of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
    Guts funding for global health initiatives by $6.2 billion (-62%).
    Reneges on our treaty dues for the United Nations (U.N.), U.N. Peacekeeping operations, and a majority of other international organizations.
    SPACE EXPLORATION:
    Cuts National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) funding by $6 billion (-24%), the largest single-year cut to NASA in U.S. history, which would mark an incredible retreat for American leadership and ambition in space. Terminates the Artemis Campaign to establish a human presence on the Moon after the Artemis III mission. Slashes funding for the Science Mission Directorate by $3.43 billion (-47%), which would cancel numerous current and planned missions to better understand our universe, solar system, and Earth.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Announces Actions to Reduce Regulatory Barriers to Domestic Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

    Source: The White House

    PROMOTING AMERICAN-MADE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to facilitate the restoration of a robust domestic manufacturing base for prescription drugs, including key ingredients and materials necessary to manufacture prescription drugs.

    • The Order directs the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the amount of time it takes to approve domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing plants by eliminating duplicative and unnecessary requirements, streamlining reviews, and working with domestic manufacturers to provide early support before facilities come online.
      • The Order directs the FDA to increase fees for and inspections of foreign manufacturing plants.
      • President Trump is directing the FDA to improve enforcement of active pharmaceutical ingredient source reporting by foreign drug producers and consider publicly displaying a list of facilities that do not comply.
    • The Order directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to accelerate the construction of facilities designed to manufacture prescription drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and other necessary raw materials.
    • The Order ensures that federal agencies issuing permits for a domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing facility designate a single point-of-contact to coordinate permit applications with interagency support from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to ensure an efficient and coordinated process.

    UNLEASHING PROSPERITY AND PROTECTING NATIONAL SECURITY THROUGH PERMITTING REFORM: President Trump is clearing bureaucratic obstacles to critical domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing in order to usher in America’s new Golden Age by ensuring access to the medicines Americans need.

    • Critical barriers and gaps still exist in establishing a domestic, resilient, and affordable pharmaceutical supply chain for American patients.
      • New construction must navigate myriad Federal, State, and local requirements ranging from building standards and zoning restrictions to environmental protocols that together diminish the certainty needed to generate investment for large manufacturing projects.
    • Estimates suggest that building new manufacturing capacity for pharmaceuticals and critical inputs may take as long as five to ten years, which is unacceptable from a national-security standpoint.
    • This Order will speed up timelines for building domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing site by reducing regulatory barriers to construction.

    DELIVERING ON PROMISES TO PUT AMERICA FIRST: President Trump is delivering on his promise to once again put America first by ensuring the FDA prioritizes American manufacturing facilities over foreign facilities.

    • President Trump: “We don’t want to be buying our pharmaceuticals from other countries because if we’re in a war, we’re in a problem, we want to be able to make our own.”
    • President Trump: “As we invest in the future, we will permanently bring our medical supply chains back home. We will produce our medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and treatments right here in the United States.”
    • This Order builds on actions from President Trump’s first term to re-shore production of essential medicines and cut down our reliance on foreign producers. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Achieves Improved Safety and Security of Biological Research

    Source: The White House

    PROTECTING AMERICANS FROM DANGEROUS GAIN OF FUNCTION RESEARCH: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to improve the safety and security of biological research in the United States and around the world. This Executive Order:

    • Ends any present and all future Federal funding of dangerous gain-of-function research in countries of concern like China and Iran and in foreign nations deemed to have insufficient research oversight.
    • Empowers American research agencies to identify and end Federal funding of other biological research that could pose a threat to American public health, public safety, or national security.
    • Prohibits Federal funding from contributing to foreign research likely to cause another pandemic. These measures will drastically reduce the potential for lab-related incidents involving gain-of-function research, like that conducted on bat coronaviruses in China by the EcoHealth Alliance and Wuhan Institute of Virology.
    • Protects Americans from lab accidents and other biosecurity incidents, such as those that likely caused COVID-19 and the 1977 Russian flu.

    ESTABLISHING SAFE AND SECURE OVERSIGHT OF DANGEROUS GAIN OF FUNCTION RESEARCH IN THE UNITED STATES: This Executive Order will increase the safety and security of biological research for Americans without impeding U.S. innovation.

    • For decades, policies overseeing gain-of-function research on pathogens, toxins, and potential pathogens have lacked adequate enforcement, transparency, and top-down oversight. Researchers have not acknowledged the legitimate potential for societal harms that this kind of research poses.
    • The Biden Administration allowed dangerous gain-of-function research with insufficient levels of oversight and actively approved Federal life-science research funding in China and other countries.
    • The 2024 United States Government Policy for Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (“DURC/PEPP”) and the 2024 Framework for Nucleic Acid Synthesis Screening are the latest examples of inadequate policies that rely on self-reporting and fail to protect Americans from dangerous research practices.
    • This Order pauses research using infectious pathogens and toxins in the United States that may pose a danger to American citizens until a safer, more enforceable, and transparent policy governing such research can be developed and implemented. It directs the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Security Advisor (NSA) to work with funding agencies to develop such a policy within 120 days.
    • Unlike previous policies, this Order contains enforcement and reporting mechanisms that will strengthen oversight and discourage subjective interpretation of policies that researchers have used in the past to evade biosafety and biosecurity oversight.

    SAFEGUARDING THE FUTURE AND PROMOTING AMERICAN BIOTECHNOLOGY DOMINANCE: President Trump is driving us into the Golden Age of American Innovation that will lead us to a safer, healthier, and more prosperous America.

    • This Order protects Americans from dangerous gain-of-function research that manipulates viruses and other biological agents and toxins, but it does not impede productive biological research that will ensure the United States maintains readiness against biological threats and continues to drive global leadership in biotechnology, biosecurity, and health research.
    • President Trump has long theorized that COVID-19 originated from a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology and has consistently pushed for transparency in investigating its origins.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Alberta Next: Albertans to decide path forward for the province

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    Albertans have always been loyal, proud and generous Canadians.

    We love Canada. We have fought wars and died defending Canada. We have opened our doors wide for millions of our fellow Canadians searching for opportunity – many of whom stay and become Albertan, and many who return home to their native province. All have been welcomed with open arms.

    Our province has contributed hundreds of billions of dollars more to the federal treasury for use in other parts of the country than we’ll ever receive back in benefits. We have allowed this to occur because, quite frankly, we know how blessed our province is with an endowment of natural resources that no other country on earth possesses – and we want all of our friends, families and fellow Canadians across the country to benefit from it.

    We do not ask for special treatment or handouts.

    We just want to be free. Free to develop and export that incredible wealth of resources we have for the benefit of our families and future generations. Free to pursue opportunities with the ideals of entrepreneurship, hard work and innovation that have become synonymous with the name of our province. Freedom to choose how best to provide health care, education and other needed social services to our people – even if its done differently than what Ottawa has in mind.

    Strong and Free is more than just our provincial motto – it represents who we are and how we want to live as a people.

    And that is why Albertans are so frustrated with the direction of our country.

    For the last 10 years, successive Liberal Governments in Ottawa – supported by their New Democrat allies – have unleashed a tidal wave of laws, policies and political attacks aimed directly at Alberta’s free economy – and in effect – against the future and livelihoods of our people.

    They have blocked new pipelines with C-69, cancelled multiple oil and gas projects, and banned the very tanker ships needed to carry those resources to new markets.

    They have stacked an oil and gas production cap on top of a crippling industrial carbon tax, making new energy and agricultural projects economically impossible to pursue without massive subsidies from governments – which Ottawa has failed to provide and which our taxpayers cannot afford.

    This onslaught of anti-energy, anti-agriculture and anti-resource development policies have scared away global investment to the tune of over a half a trillion dollars – driving those investments and jobs out of Alberta and Canada to much more attractive investment climates in the United States, Asia and the Middle East.

    Having travelled much of the world these past few years, it is evident that Canada is not viewed as an attractive place to invest in resource development, manufacturing or agriculture because of our high carbon taxes, endless red tape, and the uncertainty and chaos brought about by these and other federal government policies.

    As a result, Canada has fallen to dead last in economic growth among industrialized nations. The world looks at us like we have lost our minds. We have the most abundant and accessible natural resources of any country on earth – and yet we landlock them, sell what we do produce to a single customer to the south of us, while enabling polluting dictatorships to eat our lunch.

    For Albertans – these attacks on our province by our own federal government have become unbearable.

    As I said, these policies have cost Albertans roughly a half a trillion dollars in investment – and that loss is growing daily. It has and will continue to cost hundreds of thousands of jobs, robbing countless Albertans and other Canadians of their means of providing for their families. It has cost us a decade of opportunities and tens of billions in lost royalties that could have been invested in the health, education, infrastructure and social services Albertans and Canadians need.

    And what’s worse, Ottawa continues onward with more destructive policies.

    They have imposed net-zero mandates on our natural gas-based power grid causing investment in reliable generation from natural gas to flee, thereby endangering the future stability of our power grid, and risking future blackouts and spikes in electricity costs for Alberta families and businesses.

    They have attacked our food producers with methane taxes, onerous regulations on fertilizer, electric vehicle mandates, and many other destructive policies that have hiked costs on our farmers and ranchers, and driven billions of dollars of investment in agriculture elsewhere.

    They have interfered in provincial jurisdiction time and again. From taking over the regulation of plastics, to mandating how we operate child care, health care and dental care, to harassing law abiding firearms owners, to dozens of other examples of unconstitutional interference.

    And of course, Alberta has fought back. We always have and always will.

    We passed the Sovereignty within a United Canada Act and have invoked it twice to protect Albertans as best we can from the effects of the net zero electricity regulations and energy production cap.

    We have beat the feds in court on both the “no new pipelines law” C-69 and their attempt to regulate plastics (though they have ignored both court decisions to this point) — and we have just announced a court challenge on the net zero electricity regulations and are further preparing to also challenge the energy production cap.

    We continue to do all in our power to counteract Ottawa’s chill on investment in energy, agriculture and our other job sectors through various tax cuts and incentive programs which greatly strain the provincial budget.

    We have fought these attacks from Ottawa furiously and have won some important battles, but the lost opportunities, jobs and futures of so many Albertans are costly and demoralizing — as are the growing number of eastern politicians who choose to openly demonize and target Alberta for political gain.

    That is why a large majority of Albertans are so deeply frustrated with the results of last week’s federal election.

    It’s not that our preferred candidate and party lost. That happens in a democracy.

    It’s that the same Liberal government with almost all of the same Ministers responsible for our nation’s inflation, housing, crime and budget crisis, and that oversaw the attack on our provincial economy for the past 10 years – have been returned to power.

    Now, as we all know, one thing has changed. We have a new Prime Minister. And I will say that in my first conversation with him since the election, he had some promising things to say about changing the direction of his government’s anti-resource policies.

    However, Albertans are more of a “actions speak louder than words” kind of people.

    So while I will in good faith work with Prime Minister Mark Carney on unwinding the mountain of destructive legislation and policies that have ravaged our provincial and national economies this past decade —- until I see tangible proof of real change —- Alberta will be taking steps to better protect ourselves from Ottawa.

    As a start, I will soon appoint a Special Negotiating Team to represent our province in negotiations with the federal government on the following reforms requested by our province. We hope this will result in a binding agreement that Albertans can have confidence in – call it an Alberta Accord if you will.

    First, Alberta requires guaranteed corridor and port access to tidewater off the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic coasts for the international export of Alberta oil, gas, critical minerals and other resources in amounts supported by the free market, rather than by the dictates and whims of Ottawa.

    Every province in the country, other than Alberta and Saskatchewan, have coastal port access, and no province needs it more given the size and value of our resources. This will benefit all Canadians to the tune of trillions of dollars of economic activity including billions for First Nations’ partners.

    Second. The federal government must end all federal interference in the development of provincial resources by repealing the no new pipelines law, C-69, the oil tanker ban, the net zero electricity regulations, the oil and gas emissions cap, the net zero vehicle mandate, and any federal law or regulation that purports to regulate industrial carbon emissions, plastics, or the commercial free speech of energy companies. These laws are destroying investment confidence and costing Canada and Alberta hundreds of billions in investments each year.

    They need to go.

    Third. The federal government must refrain from imposing export taxes or restrictions on the export of Alberta resources without the consent of the Government of Alberta. Frankly, all provinces should be given that same respect for their resources.

    And fourth, the federal government must provide to Alberta the same per capita federal transfers and equalization as is received by the other three largest provinces – Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. We have no issue with Alberta continuing to subsidize smaller provinces with their needs, but there is no excuse for such large and powerful economies like Ontario, Quebec, B.C. or Alberta to be subsidizing one another. That was never the intent of equalization, and it needs to end.

    If these points can be agreed to by the federal government, I am convinced it will not only make Alberta and Canada an infinitely stronger and more prosperous country, but will eliminate the doubts a growing number of Albertans feel about the future of Alberta in Canada.

    While these negotiations with Ottawa are ongoing, our government will appoint, and I will chair, the ‘Alberta Next’ panel. This panel will be composed of some of our best and brightest judicial, academic and economic minds, to join with me in a series of in-person and online town halls to discuss Alberta’s future in Canada, and specifically, what next steps can we take as a province to better protect Alberta from any current or future hostile policies of the federal government. Details of the membership and scope of that panel will also be released in the coming weeks.

    After the work of the panel is finished, it is likely we will place some of the more popular ideas discussed with the panel to a provincial referendum so all Albertans can vote on them sometime in 2026.

    To be clear from the outset, our government will not be putting a vote on separation from Canada on the referendum ballot; however, if there is a successful citizen-led referendum petition that is able to gather the requisite number of signatures requesting such a question to be put to a referendum, our government will respect the democratic process and include that question on the 2026 provincial referendum ballot as well.

    I also want to state unequivocally that as Premier, I am entirely committed to protecting, upholding and honouring the inherent rights of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. Therefore, ANY citizen-initiated referendum question MUST not violate the constitutional rights of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and must uphold and honour Treaties 6, 7 and 8 should any referendum question ever pass. This is non-negotiable.

    Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room – that being separation.

    We are well aware that there is large and growing number of Albertans that have lost hope in Alberta having a free and prosperous future as a part of Canada. Many of these Albertans are organizing petitions to trigger a citizen-initiated referendum, as I mentioned earlier. The vast majority of these individuals are not fringe voices to be marginalized or vilified – they are loyal Albertans. They are quite literally our friends and neighbours who have just had enough of having their livelihoods and prosperity attacked by a hostile federal government. They are frustrated – and they have every reason to be.

    I want to talk directly to those Albertans.

    I know how frustrated so many of you have become with our country and the feeling of having politicians living thousands of miles away passing laws and rules that have cost you or your loved ones, jobs, careers, dreams, and opportunities for a brighter future.

    As most Albertans know, I have repeatedly stated I do not support Alberta separating from Canada. I personally still have hope that there is a path forward for a strong and sovereign Alberta within a united Canada. Let me explain a few reasons why.

    First, Alberta already has and can continue to use the Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act and other measures to fight through much of Ottawa’s damaging interference and prosper in spite of it. We will also continue our successful battles against these unconstitutional and damaging policies in both the Courts of law and public opinion.

    But there is more to be hopeful for. This past election demonstrated that attitudes across the country, especially among young people, are changing with respect to understanding the importance of free markets and the development of our natural resources. People are pushing back against government censorship and ‘cancel culture’. More and more Canadians understand that in order for Canada to play a role in ending conflict and poverty at home and abroad – our country must become strong again. And we can only do that by becoming an energy and economic superpower using the vast and unmatched energy, mineral resources and fertile lands of our country.

    85 per cent of Canadians in this last election voted for the two leaders promising to turn Canada into an energy superpower and to build resource corridors, including for oil and gas – while only 13 per cent voted for the fringe voices in the socialist NDP and Bloc parties and their extremist “leave it in the ground” policies.

    Obviously, we have a ways to go and it will take a lot of work to undo the damage caused by these last 10 years of Liberal/NDP rule, but that clear change in public opinion gives me hope. I think it should give all Albertans hope

    Now, none of us know what the future holds should Ottawa, for whatever reason, continue to attack our province as they have done over the last decade. Ultimately that will be for Albertans to decide and I will accept their judgement.

    But I am going to do everything within my power to negotiate a fair deal for Alberta with the new Prime Minister. And while doing so, our government will work with Albertans on various initiatives to better protect Alberta’s provincial sovereignty and economy from Ottawa should those negotiations fail, and the economic attacks continue.

    Alberta didn’t start this fight, but rest assured…we will finish it…and come out of it stronger and more prosperous than ever.

    In closing, I want Albertans to know how important it will be, in the coming months, for our province to be steadfast, unified and to refrain from heeding the voices of those seeking to divide Albertans against one another.

    There will be many outside – and even inside this province – who will try and sow fear and anger among us. They will seek to divide us into different camps for the purpose of marginalizing and vilifying one other based on differing opinions. Effectively pitting neighbour against neighbour — and Albertan against Albertan.

    That is not the Alberta way. It’s not who we are. And it’s not who I am.

    There are thousands of Albertans that are so frustrated with the last ten years of Ottawa’s attacks on their friends’ and family’s livelihoods that they feel Alberta would be stronger and more prosperous as an independent nation. That is an understandable and justifiable feeling to have even if we disagree on what to do about it. These Albertans are not traitors, nor should they ever be treated as such. They just love their province and family and want a better future than the one Ottawa is offering right now.

    There are also thousands of Albertans that are so attached and loyal to their identity as Canadians that there is nothing Ottawa has done to our province that would justify Alberta leaving Canada. Its not that they think everything is perfect or we’ve been treated fairly – they just believe being part of Canada, despite those problems, has much more value than leaving. These individuals are also loyal Albertans and should never be accused of being anything less.

    And then there are hundreds of thousands of Albertans that probably feel a lot like I do —- that are deeply frustrated with the way our province has been mistreated and damaged by successive federal Liberal governments and are not willing to tolerate the status quo any longer. But these Albertans still believe there is a viable path to a strong, free and sovereign Alberta empowered to succeed and prosper within a united Canada. A Canada where the federal government actually honours the constitution, upholds provincial rights, and empowers provinces to pursue their unique potentials as their people so choose.

    Regardless of what each of us believes about this issue, or what path we think is best; we, as Albertans, must be able to respectfully debate and discuss these issues with our friends, family members and neighbours.

    I know that if we do that — in the end, our province will find the best solution for this immense challenge we face, and come out of it stronger and more free than ever.

    I’ll always put my faith in Albertans to find that right path. I trust you.

    May our beautiful Alberta always remain forever strong and free.

    Related information

    • A media availability will follow on May 6 at 12 p.m.
    • Alberta Next: Albertans to decide path forward for the province

    Multimedia

    • Watch the Premier’s address to Albertans

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE, law enforcement partners arrest 8 illegal aliens, 1 American during large-scale EBT benefit fraud operation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    LOS ANGELES — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in coordination with the U.S. Secret Service and other federal, state and local partners, carried out a large-scale enforcement and interdiction operation targeting high-traffic ATM locations known for rampant fraudulent electronic benefit transfer card activity May 1 and 2.

    “This operation underscores ICE Homeland Security Investigations’ unwavering commitment — alongside our law enforcement partners — to defend public assistance programs from exploitation,” said ICE HSI Los Angeles acting Special Agent in Charge John Pasciucco. “This kind of fraud doesn’t just target government systems — it robs struggling families, children and seniors of the essential resources they rely on to survive. We will not stand by while criminals prey on the most vulnerable members of our communities.”

    ICE HSI’s El Camino Real Task Force, which includes special agents with ICE HSI and the U.S. Secret Service, as well as officers with the Los Angeles Police Department, is conducting the investigations in this matter.

    Criminals, many from Romania, have historically targeted EBT cash fund allocations to victim accounts at the beginning of each month to maximize withdrawal amounts. These individuals employ deceptive means and methods of skimming card information before ultimately reloading the stolen information onto magnetic card strips for later use.  

    This operation yielded nine arrests, including eight Romanian illegal aliens, one Mexican illegal alien, and one U.S. citizen. Special agents seized approximately 100 fraudulent cards and arrested the nine subjects for violations of 18 U.S.C. 1029. Following completion of their criminal judicial process, the eight illegal aliens will be transferred to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations custody pending removal proceedings.  

    Recent enforcement operations in February, March and April 2025 resulted in the federal arrest of 32 suspects, including 27 foreign nationals. These enforcement operations have involved strong partnerships between ICE, the U.S. Secret Service, and several state and local law enforcement agencies.

    “ICE HSI prioritizes identity and benefit fraud crimes that originate outside the United States through our Document and Benefit Fraud Task Forces,” said Pasciucco. “Criminals who exploit government programs and steal from the American people will be aggressively pursued. We are dismantling the criminal organizations behind these schemes and making it clear: Fraud will not go unanswered.”

    If you suspect someone may be involved in or a victim of human trafficking, contact local law enforcement, dial 911 or call the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Celebrates National Small Business Week

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    WASHINGTON, D.C.  – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) signed on to a resolution led by U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chairman Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Ed Markey (D-Mass.) declaring this week as “National Small Business Week” to recognize the innovators and job creators who power America’s economy.

    “In West Virginia, small businesses are an essential part of our economy, making up more than 98% of the businesses in our state and employing nearly half of our workforce. During National Small Business Week, I am proud to join my colleagues in recognizing and celebrating the critical contributions small businesses, like the female-owned Dolly’s Diner in Princeton I visited recently, make in West Virginia and across our country,” Senator Capito said.

    There are more than 34.7 million small businesses in America, accounting for more than 99.9% of all businesses and employing 45.9% of American workers, or about 59 million people.

    Click here to read the resolution. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI from USA TODAY: Meet 5 Republicans in Congress who defined Trump’s first 100 days: Markwayne Mullin: “The Connector”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    ICYMI from USA TODAY: Meet 5 Republicans in Congress who defined Trump’s first 100 days: Markwayne Mullin: “The Connector”

    “It’s only roughly 100 yards to the other side of the Capitol, but a lot of times we’re not talking like we should…”

    Washington, D.C. – ICYMI, USA TODAY published the following piece crediting U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) as one of the five GOP lawmakers “who defined Trump’s first 100days.” The story highlights Mullin as “The Connector” with “a reputation for getting into the mix” in facilitating communications between his House and Senate GOP colleagues to “pass GOP priorities… as quick as they can.”

    Additionally, USA TODAY reported on the senator’s relationship with President Trump, saying, “Mullin is also one of Trump’s closest allies in the Senate. He enjoys a strong relationship with the president, fostered through his personal connection and his public profile of defending Trump’s policies while attacking detractors.”

    Read the full story from USA TODAY HERE with excerpts below:

    Meet 5 Republicans in Congress who defined Trump’s first 100 days

    By Riley Beggin | May 5, 2025

    Markwayne Mullin: The Connector

    Sen. Markwayne Mullin has a reputation for getting into the mix. 

    The 47-year-old Oklahoman is a former mixed martial arts fighter who tried to help Capitol police barricade the House doors during the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021; sought to rescue U.S. citizens from Afghanistan in an unauthorized helicopter mission as American troops pulled out of the country in 2021; and attempted to fight Teamsters President Sean O’Brien during a committee hearing in 2023.

    Since Republicans took the House, Senate and White House, Mullin has taken on a new role as an informal liaison between the bodies as they seek to pass GOP priorities in the as quick as they can.

    Mullin served five terms in the House before being elected to the Senate in 2022. He’s kept his finger on the pulse of the House GOP conference throughout the beginning of this year, attending their meetings and checking in with House Speaker Johnson. 

    “It’s only roughly 100 yards to the other side of the Capitol, but a lot of times we’re not talking like we should,” Mullin said in a brief interview with USA TODAY. “A lot of times, when we’re talking about things, it’s a misunderstanding. And when you can at least get that out of the way and just deal with the issue itself, then you’re able to get to a positive spot.”

    Mullin is also one of Trump’s closest allies in the Senate. He enjoys a strong relationship with the president, fostered through his personal connection and his public profile of defending Trump’s policies while attacking detractors.

    As Senate Republicans sought to keep their conference together on some of Trump’s more controversial Cabinet nominees, Mullin played a role in helping “open doors” for meetings between Hegseth and other senators. He was an advocate for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during his confirmation hearings and continued to support Hegseth as he came under fire for his use of Signal to communicate intelligence information. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Griffith Statement on President Trump Executive Order Targeting Gain-of-Function Research

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

    U.S. President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to halt U.S. federal funding of gain-of-function research in overseas countries, like China and Iran, without proper oversight measures. In response to the Executive Order, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

    “President Trump’s decisive action against gain-of-function research is a significant step towards greater government agency accountability. While this news is welcomed by many who have closely investigated COVID-19 origins, I believe future congressional action is essential to monitoring gain-of-function research of concern, reforming our public health agencies and protecting American life from risky experiments that involve dangerous virus transmission in humans.”

    BACKGROUND

    In the 118th Congress, Rep. Griffith chaired the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations.

    Rep. Griffith chaired hearings on various issues, including but not limited to topics of biosafety and risky research. 

    Rep. Griffith was the lead Energy and Commerce Member in numerous forums with public health officials that were in various leadership positions during the outbreak of COVID-19, including working closely with the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

    During this time, Chairman Griffith participated in closed-door transcribed interviews questioning former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci and questioning former National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Frances Collins.

    Rep. Griffith was also a key figure in examining EcoHealth Alliance President Dr. Peter Daszak. 

    EcoHealth is the company that received grants from NIAID which in turn gave subgrants to the Wuhan Institute of Virology to conduct research on Coronavirus evolution and transmission. 

    Because of questions asked by Rep. Griffith related to significant inconsistencies and delays in required reports, among others, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently announced that Dr. Daszak and EcoHealth Alliance would be debarred for five years, cutting them off from U.S. federal funding.

    In January of 2025, the Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump was considering an Executive Order to halt federal funding to gain-of-function research. In response, Rep. Griffith called on President Trump to scrutinize the country’s national gain-of-function research policy.

    Some of Rep. Griffith’s e-newsletters on these topics can be found here and here.

    In March, Rep. Griffith introduced the Risky Research Review Act and the Royalty Transparency Act to rein in the federal health bureaucracy.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Beyer Fights For Feds

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

    As Elon Musk and the Trump Administration expand their chaotic assault on the federal government and the workers and contractors who deliver its essential services to the American people, Northern Virginia Congressman Don Beyer continues to fight for civil servants who devote their careers to making this country stronger.

    On Thursday, Beyer announced the introduction of two bills to rehire federal workers fired by Trump and Musk, and to protect them from future civil service purges. On Saturday, Beyer hosted a jobs fair for federal workers with 40 companies, organizations, and other employers; attendance dwarfed expectations, with over 2,400 people ultimately participating in the event.

    Additional coverage from local news outlets:

    Government Executive: “Federal Employees Removed By Trump Would Have Easier Pathway Back To Government Service Under Democratic Bill”

    “Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., who represents more than 72,000 federal workers, is introducing legislation to make it easier for government employees removed under the Trump administration to rejoin agencies and to deter a future president from undertaking a mass firing of the workforce.

    “The Restoring Employment and Hiring Incentives for Removed Employees (REHIRE) Act would deem any federal employee who was involuntarily removed during the period between Jan. 1, 2025, and Jan. 1, 2027, as preference eligible for competitive service appointments, a special candidate consideration in the federal hiring process normally afforded to veterans or their family members.”

    WUSA9: ‘I’m Ready To Work Seven Days A Week, Ten-Hour Days’ | Fired Federal Workers Flock To Alexandria Job Fair

    “Fired federal workers arrived at George Washington Middle School in Alexandria on Saturday, looking for their next career. A job fair hosted by Virginia Congressman Don Beyer featured more than 40 employers ready to hire now.

    …

    “I think it tells you just how many people have been impacted by cuts already, or how many people are fearful that cuts may be coming to their positions,” said City of Alexandria Mayor Aliya Gaskins. “That’s huge for Alexandria, where we have over 16,000 residents who are federal workers.”

    “Everyone at the job fair, like Marianne Carliez, wished they didn’t have to be.

    “I’m this far away from cleaning houses so I can pay my mortgage,” said Carliez, whose career in foreign aid was cut short in January when federal cuts began. “It’s been 25 years of working hard, and I miss working. That’s just, that’s all I want. I want to work.”

    “Beyer organized the job fair for Carliez and the thousands of people in a similar situation.”

    Black Virginia News: Congressman Beyer’s job fair to assist federal workers and contractors will easily hit over 2,000 people

    WJLA7: New Bill Would Rehire Fired Federal Workers And Reform Probationary Period Rules

    “A group of House Democrats led by Northern Virginia Rep. Don Beyer has introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at rehiring and protecting federal workers.

    …

    “The second bill, the PREP Act, aims to reform the probationary process for federal employees, impacting both new hires and those with new jobs or recent promotions.”

    ALXnow: City Of Alexandria Teams Up With Congressman Beyer For Federal Worker Job Fair On May 3

    “The event aims to connect job seekers with more than 40 companies and organizations looking to hire. Recruiters and hiring managers from various fields, including healthcare, IT, local government, military, consumer electronics, accounting and finance, and federal government professional services, will be there.”

    The Zebra: Beyer Sponsoring Job Fair for Federal Workers, Contractors

    “This fair is specifically for federal workers and contractors who have lost their jobs in recent months. “Every day, I’m hearing from so many of my constituents who have been laid off – or are afraid that they may be the next to lose their jobs,” said Beyer in an email announcement.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Beyer Urges ICE To Improve Treatment Of Detained Scholar Badar Khan Suri

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

    U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) today pressed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to reevaluate its detention of his constituent, Georgetown postdoctoral fellow Dr. Badar Khan Suri. In a letter, Beyer urged ICE to consider Dr. Khan Suri’s eligibility for release and to reevaluate his custody classification.

    Dr. Khan Suri is a legally admitted visiting scholar with no prior criminal record, he has not been charged with a crime, and the obscure immigration provision with which he has been charged is not a ground for mandatory detention. However, he is currently held in ICE custody at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas where he has been deemed a high-risk custody detainee requiring maximum security control and supervision. Dr. Khan Suri was detained by masked agents outside of his home in Rosslyn and charged with removability under a seldom used, Cold War-era immigration provision allowing the for the deportation of individuals deemed potential foreign policy risks. The Trump Administration is abusing this provision to instill fear and silence dissent on college campuses.

    Rep. Beyer wrote

    “I write about the alarming arrest and detention of Dr. Badar Khan Suri, a J-1 visa holder and postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University. Dr. Khan Suri is currently held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, where he has been deemed a high-risk custody detainee requiring maximum security control and supervision. However, Dr. Khan Suri has not been charged with a crime and is a legally admitted visiting scholar with no prior criminal record. The obscure immigration provision with which he has been charged does not subject him to mandatory detention. I urge you to reconsider his eligibility for release and at minimum, the reevaluation of his custody classification.

    “Dr. Khan Suri was, within days, transferred to a far-away immigration detention facility in Alexandria, Louisiana and is now being held at the Prairieland Detention Center, 1,300 miles away from his home. Once at the Prairieland Detention Center, Dr. Khan Suri was informed of his classification as a high-risk custody detainee. This classification is typically reserved for serious and violent criminal offenses, institutional disciplinary history, or affiliations to criminal organizations. As a result of the security protocols applied to this high-risk classification, Dr. Khan Suri is only permitted two hours per week of recreation, and he is not permitted to work or spend more time outside his cell. According to legal counsel, Dr. Khan Suri was also initially denied religious accommodations, including Halal food, Ramadan fasting accommodations, a Quran, and a prayer mat.

    “He has not been charged with a crime and has no prior criminal record. The invocation of his removability under 8 U.S.C. §1227(a)(4)(C) does not subject him to mandatory detention, and more importantly, are a violation of his protected speech, viewpoint, religion, national origin, and protected associations. The circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention raise serious concerns about civil liberties and academic freedom. For these reasons, we urge you to reconsider Dr. Badar Khan Suri’s eligibility for release. At minimum, his custody classification should be immediately reevaluated. Additionally, I request any documentation and materials in ICE’s possession related to Badar Khan Suri’s classification decision.”

    Full text of the letter follows below, and a signed copy is available here.

    ***

    Dear Acting Director Lyons:

    I write about the alarming arrest and detention of Dr. Badar Khan Suri, a J-1 visa holder and postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University. Dr. Khan Suri is currently held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, where he has been deemed a high-risk custody detainee requiring maximum security control and supervision. However, Dr. Khan Suri has not been charged with a crime and is a legally admitted visiting scholar with no prior criminal record. The obscure immigration provision with which he has been charged does not subject him to mandatory detention. I urge you to reconsider his eligibility for release and at minimum, the reevaluation of his custody classification.

    On the evening of March 17, 2025, Dr. Badar Khan Suri, an Indian national with valid J-1 visa status as a visiting scholar, was arrested and detained by masked Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents outside of his Arlington, Virginia home. Dr. Khan Suri was charged with removability under 8 U.S.C. §1227(a)(4)(C), a rarely invoked immigration provision allowing the government to seek the deportation of individuals deemed potential foreign policy risks by the Secretary of State.

    Dr. Khan Suri is one of many visa-holders across the country, like Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Ozturk, and others, who have been targeted amid President Donald Trump’s pursual of policies to instill fear and silence dissent on college campuses. Such policies are an assault on freedoms protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

    Dr. Khan Suri was, within days, transferred to a far-away immigration detention facility in Alexandria, Louisiana and is now being held at the Prairieland Detention Center, 1,300 miles away from his home. Once at the Prairieland Detention Center, Dr. Khan Suri was informed of his classification as a high-risk custody detainee. This classification is typically reserved for serious and violent criminal offenses, institutional disciplinary history, or affiliations to criminal organizations. As a result of the security protocols applied to this high-risk classification, Dr. Khan Suri is only permitted two hours per week of recreation, and he is not permitted to work or spend more time outside his cell. According to legal counsel, Dr. Khan Suri was also initially denied religious accommodations, including Halal food, Ramadan fasting accommodations, a Quran, and a prayer mat.

    At the time of his arrest, Dr. Khan Suri was a postdoctoral fellow at the Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, where he was teaching a course on Majoritarianism & Minority Rights in South Asia. He is married to a U.S. citizen of Palestinian descent, with whom he has three children: a nine-year-old son and five-year-old twins – a boy and a girl.

    He has not been charged with a crime and has no prior criminal record. The invocation of his removability under 8 U.S.C. §1227(a)(4)(C) does not subject him to mandatory detention, and more importantly, are a violation of his protected speech, viewpoint, religion, national origin, and protected associations. The circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention raise serious concerns about civil liberties and academic freedom. For these reasons, we urge you to reconsider Dr. Badar Khan Suri’s eligibility for release. At minimum, his custody classification should be immediately reevaluated. Additionally, I request any documentation and materials in ICE’s possession related to Badar Khan Suri’s classification decision.  

    Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I look forward to your response regarding his release and documents pertaining to his classification decision. Please respond no later than May 12, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Golden statement on President Trump’s budget proposal

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement today following the release of President Donald Trump’s FY 2026 budget proposal:

    “Right now, my focus is on opposing the GOP’s reconciliation plan to fund tax cuts for the wealthy by slashing health care for my constituents and running up the deficit. 

    “Looking ahead to the president’s FY 2026 budget request, I can’t co-sign a plan to eliminate LIHEAP, which would leave tens of thousands of Maine households in the cold. However, there are other areas where we may be aligned; For example, I support in principle the president’s proposals to increase funding for law enforcement at our border and in our international trade. These are policy priorities I could support. 

    “My staff and I will continue to review the details of the president’s budget request, while remaining focused on protecting health care this year.”

    This year, GOP majorities in Congress have pushed ahead with a budget reconciliation plan that would gut health care programs to fund the renewal of tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest households. The plan would add trillions of dollars to the national deficit.

    Golden voted against the reconciliation plan that set Congress down this reckless path in February and again in April. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Golden votes to roll back California EV mandates that could take options away from Mainers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) voted this week to roll back several waivers from the Environmental Protection Agency that allowed California to set aggressive, unrealistic new electric vehicle (EV) standards that would effectively ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles in several states across the country, potentially including Maine.

    “Maine families and small businesses should be able to buy vehicles that meet their needs, whether that’s a diesel truck or an EV,” Golden said. “The EV market is growing steadily and will continue to grow without new regulations that take options away from people looking to purchase their next vehicle.” 

    Golden voted today in favor of three resolutions under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to overturn federal agency rules. Each resolution involved EPA waivers approved by the Biden Administration under the Clean Air Act (CAA), which allows California to adopt more aggressive emissions reduction standards than the floor set by federal law.

    The CAA permits other states to adopt California’s emissions rules, thereby allowing California to set new standards for the rest of the country. Currently, there are 17 other states (including Maine) that have historically sought to adhere to California’s emissions standards.

    The resolutions included: 

    • H.J.Res. 88, voted on today, which would revoke an EPA waiver allowing California to require all new passenger vehicles sold to be zero emissions by 2035. The bill passed in a bipartisan vote of 246-164.
    • H.J.Res. 87, voted on yesterday, which would revoke an EPA waiver allowing California to require manufacturers to produce and sell increasing percentages of zero-emission trucks by 2035. The bill passed in a bipartisan vote of 231-191.
    • H.J.Res. 89, voted on yesterday, which would revoke an EPA waiver allowing California to reduce the permissible nitrogen oxide emissions from medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The bill passed in a bipartisan vote of 225-196.

    Each resolution will have to pass the Senate and be signed by the president to repeal the respective waivers. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: International Falls Student Wins Congressional Art Competition Hosted by Congressman Stauber

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) announced Nicholas Schrock, a homeschooled sophomore from International Falls, as the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. The winning entry, titled “Summer Evenings at Kakabeka Falls,” is an oil painting on canvas depicting a family on vacation. It will now hang in the U.S. Capitol alongside the winning artwork from other Congressional Districts for one year. 

    “Congratulations to this year’s Congressional Art Competition winner, Nicholas Schrock,” said Congressman Stauber. “I am excited to pass this beautiful piece of artwork in the hallway every time I head to the Capitol for votes. I’m grateful to all the students who submitted their work and shared their talents with us. It’s clear that Minnesota’s 8th District is filled with many creative young artists.”

    The Congressional Art Competition takes place each spring. Students are encouraged to visit Congressman Stauber’s website to learn more. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Nadler, Menendez, Malliotakis Introduce Legislation to Ban Non-Essential Helicopters in Wake of Hudson River Tragedy 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Rob Menendez (D-NJ), and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) introduced the Improving Helicopter Safety Act, which bans all non-essential helicopter traffic within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty. The bill comes in the wake of the tragic crash of an air tourism helicopter into the Hudson River on April 10, which claimed the lives of six people.  

    “The tragic helicopter crash last month on the Hudson River was not an isolated incident; it was the latest in a long line of preventable tragedies in the New York metropolitan region’s increasingly crowded and poorly regulated airspace,” said Congressman Jerrold Nadler. “For far too long, non-essential helicopter flights have endangered public safety and shattered the peace of our neighborhoods. I am proud to introduce the bipartisan Improving Helicopter Safety Act with my colleagues, Rob Menendez and Nicole Malliotakis, to finally put an end to these dangerous flights in our region. We owe it to the victims, and to every resident living beneath these flight paths, to put safety first and prevent future disasters.” 

    “While we have consistently worked to address the impact of non-essential helicopters on our communities, last month’s tragic crash should be a clarion call for every level of government to take action on helicopter safety,” said Congressman Rob Menendez. “Rising congestion of non-essential helicopters, coupled with concerning safety records of air tourism operators, are causing a direct threat to public safety. Along with my colleagues from New Jersey and New York, we’re doing what is necessary to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.”  

    “The tragic crash that claimed six lives in the Hudson River isn’t an isolated event, it’s the clearest sign yet of an industry that has operated without meaningful oversight for far too long and continues to pose an unacceptable public safety threat,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. “Congress must take action, which is why I’m joining my colleagues to introduce this bipartisan legislation to ban non-essential helicopter traffic within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty and finally rein in these helicopter tour companies.” 

    The crash on April 10 is part of a well-documented and escalating pattern of helicopter-related incidents in the New York Metropolitan Area. Since 1983, there have been at least 30 helicopter crashes in the region, resulting in at least 31 fatalities. In addition to furthering ongoing frustration over air traffic congestion in the region, this year’s crash also shed new light on serious concerns about regulatory oversight and operational standards for non-essential helicopter operations. 

    The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Grace Meng, Nydia Velázquez, and LaMonica McIver.  

    It is also supported by the grassroots advocacy organization Stop The Chop NY/NJ: “Stop the Chop NY/NJ commends Representatives Jerry Nadler, Rob Menendez, and Nicole Malliotakis for today’s introduction of the ‘Improving Helicopter Safety Act of 2025’ – common sense federal legislation that will, when passed, finally put an end to the dangerous helicopter conditions in the New York metropolitan area. For too long, tax-paying New Yorkers and Jerseyites have been subjected to excessive noise and air pollution, as well as the safety risks, of endless sightseeing and commuter helicopters flying, often at extremely low altitudes, over our homes, parks, and schools. We have sounded the alarm each time one of these nonessential helicopters has crashed while traversing our densely populated urban areas. However, the FAA has still not addressed the community’s concerns, harms, and pleas for relief. The multiple recent fatal crashes involving helicopters, coupled with the alarming shortage of air traffic controllers, demonstrate the need for immediate reform of the current Wild West-like conditions over NYC and surrounding communities. We also thank the additional Congressional co-sponsors: Representatives Grace Meng, Nydia Velázquez, and LaMonica McIver. This non-partisan issue negatively impacts all who live or work near the NYC and NJ heliports and/or along the helicopter flight paths. It is heartening to see our elected officials joining forces across state lines and party affiliations to end this public harm.” 

    For full bill text, click here. 

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Sign Bills into Law Expanding Support Services and Increasing Safety in Colorado Schools

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today, Governor Polis signed bills into law to expand access to speech pathology services for all Coloradans, and increase safety in Colorado school sports with proper guidelines for using life-saving devices. 

    • HB25-1075 – Regulate Speech-Language Pathology Assistants, sponsored by Representatives Lori Garcia Sander and Jacque Phillips, and Senators Barbara Kirkmeyer and Kyle Mullica. 

    “Everyone in Colorado deserves the opportunity to access needed services like speech pathology so more Coloradans can reach their full potential,” said Governor Polis. 

    • SB25-191 – Cardiac Emergency Plans for School Sports, sponsored by Senators Dylan Roberts and Iman Jodeh, and Representatives Meghan Lukens and Lindsay Gilchrist 

    “Safety in sports is a top priority, and no athlete or parent should have to wonder about the safety standards and resources that are available when there is an emergency. Thank you to the sponsors for addressing the importance of having clear safety standards for life-saving devices across all Colorado school sports to keep our student-athletes safe,” said Governor Polis. 

    Governor Polis signed the following bills into law administratively: 

    • SB25-164 – Opioid Antagonist Availability & State Board of Health, sponsored by Senators Faith Winter and Janice Marchman, and Representatives Jamie Jackson and Jenny Willford
    • SB25-166 – Health-Care Workplace Violence Incentive Payments, sponsored by Senator Kyle Mullica, and Representative Lisa Feret
    • SB25-125 – Rule Review Bill, sponsored by Senators Mike Weissman and Lisa Frizell, and Representatives Matt Soper and Javier Mabrey
    • SB25-177 – Sunset Continue Early Childhood Leadership Commission, sponsored by Senators Cathy Kipp and Scott Bright, and Representatives Emily Sirota and Mary Bradfield
    • SB25-009 – Recognition of Tribal Court Orders, sponsored by Senators Dylan Roberts and Jessie Danielson, and Representatives Ron Weinberg and Junie Joseph.
    • SB25-194 – Sunset Dental Practice Act, sponsored by Senators Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Kyle Mullica, and Representatives Monica Duran and Anthony Hartsook. Read the Governor’s signing statement here.
    • SB25-152 – Health-Care Practitioner Identification Requirements, sponsored by Senators Lisa Frizell and Dafna Michaelson Jenet, and Representatives Lori Garcia Sander and Lisa Feret. Read the Governor’s signing statement here. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Affordability Actions in the FY26 Budget to Benefit Families

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul visited Kamil and Karolina Kolodziejczyk — parents of two children — on Long Island to discuss her affordability agenda in the Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget. The Governor highlighted her efforts to increase the child tax credit, expand child care access, issue New York State’s first-ever inflation refund checks, deliver a tax cut for middle-class and low-income New Yorkers, and provide free breakfast and lunch for every K-12 student in New York — all efforts to put more money back in families’ pockets.

    B-ROLL of the Governor meeting the Kolodziejczyk family is available to stream on Youtube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

    VIDEO: The Governor’s conversation with the Kolodziejczyk family is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

    AUDIO: The Governor’s conversation with the Kolodziejczyk family is available in audio form here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s conversation with the Kolodziejczyk family is available below:

    Governor Hochul: But I just want to talk to you about some of the stresses that families are feeling now and — you’ve got the two little ones, 5-year-old and a 3-year-old.

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: Yep. 3-year-old and a 5-year-old.

    Governor Hochul: And I know a 3-year-old. I have got a 3-year-old granddaughter now. She just had her birthday, so I know this age very well and I’m a mom, so it’s great to see this. But, what’s it like? I mean, you worry about grocery shopping and what’s it like when you have to go to the counter it all adds up? Are you seeing any — what’s it like?

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: Oh yeah. Everything got so expensive in a few years. This one was born five years ago, and that’s when COVID happened and lost the job, laid off and it got tough.

    Governor Hochul: How long were you laid off when COVID hit?

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: I got laid off and I went and opened my own business with a chance and business, you know, going into HVAC.

    Governor Hochul: That was ambitious. How’s that going for you?

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: It’s going well. It’s going well. Now especially in this weather; it got really, really warm lately, so people call — we’re doing installation service. When my second son was born, my wife had to take a week from work and stay-at-home because daycare got really expensive and the needs for the kids and everything.

    Governor Hochul: Same thing happened to me — when I had my job, my son was born and then child care was not really available. I just couldn’t find much child care and it was very expensive. And so, I just ended up staying home too. So we went from having two incomes — my husband was working for the government and we went and eliminated my income — and that was when I would go to the newspapers, and cut out the coupons, and go to the big-box stores and just, yeah; you load up the big cart, and buy the diapers in bulk, and paper towels, and toilet, detergent, dishwashing liquid.

    Karolina Kolodziejczyk: Costco is my favorite.

    Governor Hochul: Costco. There a BJ’s. Or just even going to Walmart, but even those prices are going up, right?

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: Yeah. I go get the water for a week or something. It’s $100, $20 and it goes in price. Water, drinks — pull up the cart and so, definitely the prices went up, you know?

    Governor Hochul: So you got hit with COVID —

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: Yeah.

    Governor Hochul: — lost your job, came back to work, inflation hits you..

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: Inflation — the rate for the house, it’s over 6 percent.

    Governor Hochul: Yeah, yeah.

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: So the payment —

    Governor Hochul: Interest rates were going up when you bought your house and then you have property taxes.

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: Taxes up. Yeah.

    Governor Hochul: Also, especially important here on Long Island is the state and local tax deduction — and back in 2017, that was eliminated by the president who’s in office now; that was a big tax increase for New Yorkers. New Yorkers right now are sending $12 billion because of losing the state and local tax reduction. So you’re not able to deduct all your taxes, are you?

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: No, we’re over —

    Governor Hochul: You’re over the limit. So that’s money that you know you should have back in your pocket, not sending to the federal government. And that’s something that’s really a problem. So, have you ever had to make decisions about what not to buy? Like you want to do some —

    Karolina Kolodziejczyk: I do want — like some of the little things for the children and even clothes for them, like do I need that?

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: Thank God we got two boys. So one after another saving too.

    Governor Hochul: They’re always outgrowing their clothes, aren’t they?

    Karolina Kolodziejczyk: Yeah. It’s like every year, the whole — everything new for him, so. Thank God, Benjamin. But if it’s still not ripped, he could use it.

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: They’re boys, you know? They’re (inaudible).

    Governor Hochul: They’re rough on clothes, boys, aren’t they? I know that, I know that. We used to get clothes at used clothing stores and put it on layaway. You can’t buy it right when you want to buy it so you put it aside and have to come get it later. So, you know, that’s hard. It’s hard.

    Karolina Kolodziejczyk: It is hard, and like I said, I do cook at home so getting the groceries, everything we need — it’s a lot.

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: Obviously the vehicles, you got to get bigger because you got car seats with little kids.

    Governor Hochul: That’s right.

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: If you had three kids, you got a problem because what are you going to do with it? You can’t put the three car seats in the back of the vehicle. Having a bigger family, you can’t even think of nowadays.

    Governor Hochul: Are you going to have a bigger family?

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: No, it’s — you know.

    [Laughter]

    Governor Hochul: I didn’t want to pry.

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: People that consider a bigger family, they have got to think twice, you know?

    Governor Hochul: Yeah, they do. Cost of child care, in some cases, is as much as a first year of college education in a public university or college. Right? I mean, it’s so much — such a big chunk out of family’s lives and so, we’re very focused on that. You know, everything you’re talking about is not unique to you, and a lot of it is out of your control — pandemic, and inflation, and now tariffs are making all the products that even go into the less expensive stores like Walmart or Target; those products are coming from China and there’s now additional costs on them because of the tariffs. So it’s just all adding up. And, I know you feel it, right?

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: Yeah, a hundred percent. Can of all the awful things that we wish —

    Karolina Kolodziejczyk: It’s going up.

    Governor Hochul: Yeah. And the bills, utility bills and everything. Well, we’re focused on that in government to put you on my Budget. I just wrapped it up and I think it’ll be done another day officially — I’ve been done with my priorities for a little while. I really wanted to figure out a way to put money back in people’s pockets, and it’s people like you — I’ve been thinking about that. Again, none of this you asked for; you came here in search of the American Dream all the way from Poland — that joy of home ownership, which is becoming too rare for people, especially here in Long Island because it’s so expensive. You’re raising your boys here and that’s all good, but sometimes it all feels like it just comes crashing down.

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: Yeah, every month, the first, you’ve got to pay the mortgage, there’s a tax bill comes in, there’s insurance, repairs around the house. So, yeah, it’s definitely —

    Governor Hochul: So my goal is to put more money back in your pockets. I talked about my priorities back when I announced my Budget. I said, “Your family is my fight,” as your executive — families that I’m thinking about. So we have found a way, working with the Legislature, to first of all have a middle class tax cut, which will benefit about 80 percent of people on Long Island. About 1.3 million will be able to get part of this tax cut. We also are looking at families like yours, and we just talked about how expensive they are, they outgrow everything. So for families with four-year-olds or under, we’ll give a $1,000 direct rebate to you, and for the kids that are over four, $500.

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: Wow, that’s great.

    Governor Hochul: Sound good?

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: Yeah, we could definitely use it. Definitely use it.

    Governor Hochul: What would you do with that?

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: Oh, definitely we are going to spend it on first needs — stuff that is needed for the kids. And the summer is coming so we, obviously you want to spend some time with the kids. So maybe that will let us take some time off and maybe go spend more time with the kids doing a little bit, out of trouble.

    Governor Hochul: That’s not all. We have the inflation rebate. What does that mean? Because you paid so much more over the last few years because everything was higher, we collected more at the state level because of the sales tax. Right? So sales tax — we collected more so we had this surplus there, which some would say we should spend on other things, or some would say we should just stash away. And I said, “No, this is not our money. It belongs to you because you had to pay more. You didn’t ask for that.” And so, the money we accumulated there we were able to give a family like yours an additional $400.

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: Wow.

    Governor Hochul: So $400 there, and in school districts where they don’t cover the school lunches and breakfast, we’re going to pay for that so children that are struggling and their parents don’t have the money to cover it, they won’t feel a stigma. The kids that have to get it subsidized will be able to get it covered. That’s about $1,600 a year that you can either pay for the school lunch with that, or you can — you won’t have to pay this, it’s free — or you can just not have to make the sandwiches anymore. You won’t have to buy the peanut butter and jelly and all those things that are part of your shopping basket that you don’t have to buy now, and all the little snacks. So when your kids are both school aged, that’ll be $3,200 that you don’t have to spend right there

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: That’s great. That’s big.

    Governor Hochul: And then a tax rate — the largest middle class tax rate decrease in 70 years. So we’re going to work cutting middle class taxes, the direct rebates, the Child Tax Credit, covering school lunches and breakfasts, and we have calculated, for a family like yours, it should add up to about $5,000 back in your pockets. So that’s the whole goal of my Budget. Was public safety, keeping everybody safe, but also realizing —

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: There’s a middle class that needs help.

    Governor Hochul: There’s a middle class that needs help, and we get that, and we want you to keep being successful and not have all these stresses that you have. I can’t take them away from you, but maybe just help a little bit. Right?

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: Of course.

    Karolina Kolodziejczyk: I really appreciate it.

    Governor Hochul: Anything else you need me to know as I head back to Albany and finish up our work?

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: No, we really appreciated that you remember about the middle class because there’s so many of us around here, not only us, but there’re people that really need that help.

    Governor Hochul: Yeah, people come here, especially our immigrants, people who are living here because you want to contribute and have a better life and build a business and expand that. When I come back someday you’re going to have a big business, lots of employees working all over Long Island.

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: Hopefully. Hopefully.

    Governor Hochul: Well, Kamil and Karolina, it has been a pleasure just to just catch up with you a little bit, and this is a great reminder to me of why we do what we do and reminds me who we’re fighting for.

    Kamil Kolodziejczyk: Thank you. We appreciate that you remembered and took your time to come and visit us.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy in the Washington Times: Congress must help Trump admin hold IMF accountable

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, penned this op-ed in the Washington Times arguing that Congress must step up to help the Trump administration hold the International Monetary Fund (IMF) accountable for its dangerous lending practices.
    Key excerpts of the op-ed are below:
    “Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently argued that the United States must play a bigger role in global multinational organizations such as the International Monetary Fund, not a smaller role. He’s right, and Congress needs to join in this effort.
    “For several years, the IMF has acted more like a social justice fan club than a financial institution. It has strayed far from its original mission of promoting global monetary cooperation and economic stability by focusing on gender issues and climate change.
    “However, the problems at the IMF extend well beyond a failure to adhere to its mission. By making irresponsible lending decisions, the IMF has actively facilitated global instability by doling out billions of dollars to countries that promote terrorism and genocide.”
    . . .
    “Given that the U.S. is the IMF’s single largest financial contributor, this allocation was essentially a handout funded by American taxpayers to many countries that hate us. China received a roughly $38.3 billion dividend, Russia collected $16.2 billion, and Iran raked in $4.5 billion.”
    . . .
    “I introduced the No Dollars for Dictators Act to require congressional approval before a single penny’s worth of funding from the IMF goes to perpetrators of genocide or state sponsors of terrorism. Congress cannot sit on the sidelines while American tax dollars pour into the pockets of terrorists and dictators.
    “The Biden administration showed the world what chaos can unfold when the U.S. fails to put its interests first. The Trump administration is right to remind the IMF and organizations like it that America’s interests will not take a back seat to the whims of activists.”
    Read Kennedy’s full op-ed here.  Full text of the No Dollars for Dictators Act of 2025 is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons statement on UD President Assanis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
    WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement after University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis announced he would step down as president effective June 30th:
    “President Dennis Assanis is a scientific leader himself, a patent holder and innovator, and a transformational leader for the University of Delaware. Since 2016, he has brought a focus to the university on steady investment and improvement in the quality of campus research facilities, on the competitiveness of student admissions, on the quality of research—both federally and privately funded—and on the general future of the University of Delaware.
    “Dennis and his beloved wife Eleni have been a constant presence not just on UD’s campus, but throughout Delaware. As someone whose aspirations and vision for the future of the University of Delaware and its role in our state have been to constantly press for more, for greater, for better, his particular focus on the STAR campus and NIIMBL—the National Institute for Innovation in the Manufacturing of Biopharmaceuticals—and in collaborative research has elevated UD dramatically and has resulted in lasting and positive change for the better. 
    “My entire family and I express our deep gratitude to President Assanis for his tireless, energetic, effective, and innovative leadership of the University of Delaware. He has been one of the most important presidents in the history of the university, and I wish him well in his next chapter.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: AGF Reports April 2025 Assets Under Management and Fee-Earnings Assets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AGF Management Limited reported total assets under management (AUM) and fee-earning assets1 of $51.3 billion as at April 30, 2025.


    AUM
    ($ billions)
    April 30,  
    2025  
    March 31, 2025  
    % Change  
    Month-Over-  
    Month  
    April 30,  
    2024  
    % Change  
    Year-Over-  
    Year  
    Total Mutual Fund $29.3   $29.8     $26.2    
    Exchange-traded funds + Separately managed accounts $2.8   $3.0     $1.9    
    Segregated accounts and Sub-advisory $6.2   $6.2     $7.2    
    AGF Private Wealth $8.3   $8.5     $7.8    
    Subtotal
    (before AGF Capital Partners AUM and fee-earning assets1)    		 $46.6   $47.5     $43.1    
    AGF Capital Partners $2.6   $2.5     $2.6    
    Total AUM $49.2   $50.0   -1.6%   $45.7   7.7%  
    AGF Capital Partners fee-earning assets1 $2.1   $2.1     $2.1    
    Total AUM and fee-earning assets1 $51.3   $52.1   -1.5%   $47.8   7.3%  
               
    Average Daily Mutual Fund AUM $28.6   $30.1     $26.4    
               

    1 Fee-earning assets represent assets in which AGF has carried interest ownership and earns recurring fees but does not have ownership interest in the managers.

    Mutual Fund AUM by Category
    ($ billions)    		 April 30,  
    2025      		 March 31, 2025   April 30,  
    2024  
    Domestic Equity Funds $4.3   $4.4   $4.1  
    U.S. and International Equity Funds $18.0   $18.1   $15.4  
    Domestic Balanced Funds $0.1   $0.1   $0.1  
    U.S. and International Balanced Funds $1.4   $1.7   $1.6  
    Domestic Fixed Income Funds $2.0   $2.0   $1.6  
    U.S. and International Fixed Income Funds $3.2   $3.2   $3.1  
    Domestic Money Market $0.3   $0.3   $0.3  
    Total Mutual Fund AUM $29.3   $29.8   $26.2  
    AGF Capital Partners AUM and fee-
    earning assets

    ($ billions)    		 April 30,  
    2025      		 March 31, 2025   April 30,  
    2024  
    AGF Capital Partners AUM $2.6   $2.5   $2.6  
    AGF Capital Partners fee-earning assets $2.1   $2.1   $2.1  
    Total AGF Capital Partners AUM and fee-earning assets $4.7   $4.6   $4.7  

    About AGF Management Limited

    Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is an independent and globally diverse asset management firm. Our companies deliver excellence in investing in the public and private markets through three business lines: AGF Investments, AGF Capital Partners and AGF Private Wealth.

    AGF brings a disciplined approach, focused on incorporating sound, responsible and sustainable corporate practices. The firm’s collective investment expertise, driven by its fundamental, quantitative and private investing capabilities, extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and their clients to high-net worth and institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations.

    Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, AGF has investment operations and client servicing teams on the ground in North America and Europe. With over $51 billion in total assets under management and fee-earning assets, AGF serves more than 815,000 investors. AGF trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AGF.B.

    AGF Management Limited shareholders, analysts and media, please contact:

    Nick Smerek
    VP, Financial Planning & Analysis
    416-865-4337, InvestorRelations@agf.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Canoe EIT Income Fund Announces May 2025 Monthly Distribution and Quarterly Distribution on Preferred Units

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canoe EIT Income Fund (the “Fund”) (TSX – EIT.UN) announces the May 2025 monthly distribution of $0.10 per unit. Additionally, the Fund announces a quarterly distribution for preferred units. Cumulative Redeemable Series 1 (EIT.PR.A) and Series 2 Preferred (EIT.PR.B) unitholders will receive a distribution of $0.30 per unit. Unitholders of record on May 23, 2025, will receive distributions payable on June 13, 2025.

    About Canoe EIT Income Fund
    Canoe EIT Income Fund is one of Canada’s largest closed-end investment funds, designed to maximize monthly distributions and capital appreciation by investing in a broadly diversified portfolio of high quality securities. The Fund is listed on the TSX under the symbol EIT.UN, and is actively managed by Robert Taylor, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Canoe Financial.

    About Canoe Financial
    Canoe Financial is one of Canada’s fastest growing independent mutual fund companies managing approximately $20.0 billion in assets across a diversified range of award-winning investment solutions. Founded in 2008, Canoe Financial is an employee-owned investment management firm focused on building financial wealth for Canadians. Canoe Financial has a significant presence across Canada, including offices in Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.

    For further information, please contact:
    Investor Relations
    1–877–434–2796
    www.canoefinancial.com 
    info@canoefinancial.com

    Not for Distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for Dissemination in the United States of America.

    The Fund makes monthly distributions of an amount comprised in whole or in part of Return of Capital (ROC) of the net asset value per unit. A ROC reduces the amount of your original investment and may result in the return to you of the entire amount of your original investment. ROC that is not reinvested will reduce the net asset value of the fund, which could reduce the fund’s ability to generate future income. You should not draw any conclusions about the fund’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution.

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment funds. Please read the information filed about the fund on www.sedar.com before investing. Investment funds are not guaranteed and past performance may not be repeated.

    This communication is not to be construed as a public offering to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Such an offer can only be made by way of a prospectus or other applicable offering document and should be read carefully before making any investment. This release is for information purposes only. Investors should consult their Investment Advisor for details and risk factors regarding specific strategies and various investment products.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Precipitate to Present at the OTC’s Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference May 6th at 2:00pm (EST)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Precipitate Gold Corp. (the “Company” or “Precipitate”) (TSXV: PRG, OTCQB: PREIF) is pleased to announce that the Company’s President & CEO, Jeffrey Wilson will present live at the OTC’s Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on May 6th.

    DATE: May 6, 2025
    PRESENTATION TIME: 2:00pm ET (11:00 am Pacific Standard Time)
    PRESENTATION LINK: REGISTER HERE

    Available for 1×1 meetings with Company CEO, Jeffrey Wilson:
    Monday, May 5th, 12:00pm EST to 8:00pm EST
    Tuesday, May 6th, 12:00pm EST to 1:00pm EST
    Wednesday, May 7th, 12:00pm EST to 1:00pm EST and 5pm EST
    Thursday, May 8th, 12:00pm EST to 1:00pm EST
    Alternative times can be arranged directly

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the Company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that online investors pre-register to expedite participation and receive event updates. Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®
    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    About Precipitate Gold:
    Precipitate Gold Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on exploring and advancing its mineral property interests in the Dominican Republic, including its 100% owned Juan de Herrera project located immediately adjacent to GoldQuest Mining’s Romero Project, its 100% owned Pueblo Grande project located immediately adjacent to the Pueblo Viejo mine operated by Barrick, and its 100% owned Ponton project located 30km east of the Pueblo Viejo mine. Precipitate is also actively evaluating additional high-impact property acquisitions with the potential to expand the Company’s portfolio and increase shareholder value, in other favourable jurisdictions.

    Additional information can be viewed at the Company’s website www.precipitategold.com.

    On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Precipitate Gold Corp.,
    “Jeffrey Wilson”
    President & CEO
    For further information, please contact:

    Tel: 604-558-0335 Toll    Free: 855-558-0335    investor@precipitategold.com

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    This press release may contain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “proposed”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Precipitate Gold Corp.’s (“Precipitate” or the “Company”) current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Company and on assumptions it believes are reasonable. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Precipitate to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the exploration concessions may not be granted on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the concessions acquired by the Company may not have attributes similar to those of surrounding properties; delay or failure to receive governmental or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation affecting mining; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals. Although Precipitate has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Precipitate does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Smith, Rounds Push Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Access to Affordable Housing in Rural Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) on bipartisan legislation to improve federal rural housing programs and strengthen the supply of affordable housing in rural America. The Rural Housing Service Reform Act would represent the most significant Rural Housing Service reforms in decades. 
    “Working families in Silver State should have access to secure, affordable housing no matter where they live,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This bipartisan legislation would provide vital resources to improve access to affordable housing in our rural communities, from Elko to Ely.”
    The Rural Housing Service expands housing opportunities by offering loans, grants, and rental assistance to rural communities across the country. Rural parts of the country saw only a 1.7% increase in the number of housing units between 2010 and 2020, with almost half of states seeing a decrease in the number of rural units. At the same time, homelessness in rural counties is currently increasing.
    The Rural Housing Service Reform Act would improve and build upon a number of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rural housing programs. Specifically, the bill would:
    Fix a longstanding problem for properties, known as Sec. 515 properties, that were financed by the USDA decades ago and now have maturing mortgages, by making it easier for non-profits to acquire those properties and by decoupling rental assistance so that assistance doesn’t disappear when those mortgages mature;
    Make permanent a USDA pilot program to make mortgage loans available in Native communities by partnering with local Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), lenders designed to provide financing and support to underserved communities;  
    Bring the USDA’s outdated way of measuring incomes in line with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s practices;
    Modernize the USDA’s foreclosure process to cut red tape, better protect homeowners, and ensure USDA-owned properties stay affordable;
    Update the rules for the home repair loan program to make it less burdensome to get smaller loans;
    Require USDA to speed up their loan approval process;
    And make much-needed investments in IT so that USDA can process loans more quickly and with less staff time wasted on paperwork or manual data entry.
    This legislation has been endorsed by the National Rural Housing Coalition, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Housing Assistance Council, Enterprise Community Partners, Mortgage Bankers Association, Council of State Community Development Agencies, Habitat for Humanity International, National Housing Law Project, AARP, Council for Affordable and Rural Housing, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, and the National Association of Counties.
    Supportive statements from endorsing organizations can be found here. The full text of the bill can be accessed here. 
    Senator Cortez Masto is a champion for Nevada’s rural communities, working across the aisle to deliver for families. She ensured rural Nevada communities have better access to federal funds and services through the Rural Partners Network. In the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, she secured funding for rural schools and over $460 million for broadband. She also made sure the law included her legislation to help rural counties with internet access at local schools and streamline federal broadband funding to improve internet access for rural areas. She’s also introduced legislation to provide funds for homeowners to disaster-proof their houses, including by fireproofing, which is particularly important in rural and remote communities. Recently, she reintroduced the HOME and PRICE Acts to increase the supply of and access to affordable housing. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Tuberville Discusses Space, Defense Budget with additional DoD Nominees

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) spoke with Daniel Zimmerman, Justin Overbaugh, and Matthew Lohmeier, President Trump’s nominees to be the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, and Under Secretary of the Air Force, respectively.
    Excerpts from Senator Tuberville’s conversation with the nominees can be found below, and the full conversation can be found on YouTube or Rumble.
    ON CENTCOM TARGETING HOUTHIS AS FTO
    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, gentlemen, for [your] willingness to serve. Mr. Zimmerman, since March 15th, CENTCOM forces have conducted a sustained campaign targeting the Houthi terrorist organization in Yemen to restore freedom of navigation and American deterrence. As of April 27th, CENTCOM has struck over 800 targets. These targets have killed hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders, including senior Houthi missile and UAV officials. Mr. Zimmerman, in your assessment, have U.S. operations against the Houthis been a success?”
    ZIMMERMAN: “Senator, I support the administration’s forcible approach toward the Houthis beginning in the early days of the administration with the Executive Order that called for the elimination of the threat of the Houthis with allies and designated them as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. I don’t think I have access to the classified information that I would like to have to make an assessment about the efficacy of these strikes, but I support what the administration is trying to do.”
    ON MSIC IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Mr. Overbaugh, one of the organizations you will help oversee if you are confirmed is the Missile and Space Intelligence Center—we call MSIC—which is a component of DIA and located in my state [in] Huntsville, Alabama. MSIC provides a world-class analysis on the performance of foreign weapons systems, which is critical to ensuring our warfighters dominate the battlefield against our adversaries. Mr. Overbaugh, are you familiar with MSIC and MSIC’s analysis, and if so, can you talk a little bit about how important this mission is?”
    OVERBAUGH: “Senator, I am familiar with MSIC and particularly their role in feeding quality intelligence into other entities like DIA to ensure that we have an accurate threat picture. I think even more important is the potential for MSIC to play a key role to ensure we understand the key adversarial threat as it relates to ensuring that our Golden Dome is as effective as it possibly can be.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Have you had the opportunity to visit MSIC headquarters in Huntsville?”
    OVERBAUGH: “Huntsville, yes. MSIC, no.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Hopefully you get to soon. Thank you.”
    ON SUPPORTING FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AT DOD
    TUBERVILLE: “Mr. Lohmeier, you have an absolutely outstanding unique career path as a military officer. Thank you for your service. You’ve got a breadth of experience in both Air Force and Space Force, which is very uncommon, but none of those experiences are with managing large budgets. Why should you be trusted now with such a heavy responsibility at a time when we are taking [fiscal] responsibility more seriously—thank goodness—than ever before, and while there is a growing demand from the American people that we have a clean audit of the defense department?”
    LOHMEIER: “Thanks, Senator. I’m glad that I get to readdress this. While it’s true that I don’t personally have extensive experience with a large budget in a large organization or acquisition experience, I have sound judgment. I’ve demonstrated it throughout my life. I’m a fast learner. Secretary Meink, if he’s confirmed, has demonstrated that you can pass 16 or 17 clean audits at the National Reconnaissance Office. He’ll be a phenomenal leader to work with on this problem in the Department of the Air Force. What I can say is that we’ve got exceptional professionals who’ve been trying administration after administration to solve our problems—our budget problems, our acquisition problems in the Department of the Air Force—and many of them have had extensive acquisition and budgeting experience, but that doesn’t mean you’re able to solve the problems well. And so, if confirmed, what I can commit to this committee and to the American people is that I’m interested in making data-driven decisions. I’m interested in exercising keen judgement and discernments about these budget decisions, and coming to the right decisions that I believe the American people would be grateful for and trust—and doing that in concert with Secretary Meink and in support of the President’s priorities and in support of the Secretary of Defense’s priorities.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you, and your knowledge will be very important moving into space. You have a lot of experience in that area. We look forward to working with you in that area because as we know, it is going to be a much, much more important part of our military in the very near future. Thank you, gentlemen. Look forward to confirming you.”
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Banks, Rep. Mrvan Push for Northwest Indiana Hydrogen Hub

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank J. Mrvan (IN)

    Washington, D.C – Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Representative Frank Mrvan (IN-01) sent a bipartisan letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright urging the Trump administration to prioritize Northwest Indiana as a regional Hydrogen Hub.  They highlighted the region’s unmatched manufacturing strength, existing energy infrastructure, and readiness to lead in blue hydrogen production using natural gas and carbon capture.  The lawmakers argued that investing in Indiana’s hydrogen project would support President Trump’s push for American energy dominance, create jobs, lower costs, and strengthen the U.S. industrial base for decades to come.

    In part, the letter reads:  “Prioritizing a Hydrogen Hub in Northwest Indiana is a bold, pro-America decision that plays to our state’s strengths.  Indiana offers the Hoosier workforce, infrastructure and industrial knowledge to deliver results fast.  This project is a key step in strengthening America’s energy dominance, ensuring we remain the world leader in energy production while creating jobs and boosting economic growth.  We respectfully ask that the Administration make the Hydrogen Hub project in Indiana a top priority.”

    The full text of the letter is below and a pdf is available here.

    We write today to express our strong support for the ongoing development of blue hydrogen energy in Northwest Indiana’s industrial corridor. 

    This region is home to a dense manufacturing hub, containing the largest inland oil refinery and two of the largest integrated steel production facilities in our nation.  For over a century, major industry titans have made decisions to invest and locate along Northwest Indiana’s Lake Michigan shoreline.  As a result, Hoosiers in the Northwest region and across the state have been world leaders in manufacturing.

    Keeping in line with President Trump’s efforts to bolster American energy, this Hydrogen Hub presents a significant opportunity to expand energy production.  In particular, the Whiting “Refinery in Northwest Indiana is an ideal location for blue hydrogen production, which is produced from clean and reliable natural gas using carbon capture technology.  Blue hydrogen offers a quick, cost-effective solution by utilizing existing infrastructure, and will provide a scalable energy source capable of meeting immediate energy demands.  Investing in blue hydrogen production at this facility will bolster existing supply chains and will best position the United States for energy dominance. 

    Further, we believe the success of the hydrogen energy project will support the Administration’s stated goal to reshore our critical industries and strengthen our manufacturing base.  With our region’s established downstream infrastructure, midstream pipeline capacity and manufacturing prowess, the continued support for this project will ensure that our energy and steel industries remain well positioned for success into the next century. 

    Notably, the Whiting Refinery in Northwest Indiana can process up to 440,000 barrels of crude oil daily and would be an ideal site to locate a regional Hydrogen Hub.  Continuing this project means investing in Hoosiers and a state that delivers.  Indiana is ready to lead the way in blue hydrogen innovation, strengthening American manufacturing, boosting our domestic energy supply and lowering costs by maximizing the potential of our abundant and reliable fossil fuel resources.

    Prioritizing a Hydrogen Hub in Northwest Indiana is a bold, pro-America decision that plays to our state’s strengths.  Indiana offers the Hoosier workforce, infrastructure and industrial knowledge to deliver results fast.  This project is a key step in strengthening America’s energy dominance, ensuring we remain the world leader in energy production while creating jobs and boosting economic growth.  We respectfully ask that the Administration make the Hydrogen Hub project in Indiana a top priority.

    Thank you for your consideration.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister’s statement on Midwives Day

    Health Minister Josie Osborne released the following statement in recognition of Midwives Day, May 5, 2025:

    “Today, we recognize and celebrate the vital role midwives play in our health-care system. These dedicated and compassionate professionals provide exceptional care to many families in British Columbia through one of the most meaningful times in their lives – from pregnancy to birth and the post-partum period.

    “In 2024, midwives assisted in 31% of births in B.C. This is a powerful testament to the trust families place in them. Midwives deliver personalized, safe and culturally respectful care to families throughout the province, including those in rural, remote and First Nations communities. They also play a crucial role in improving maternity, reproductive and gynecological care – a core priority in my ministry’s mandate letter.

    “Midwives Day is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of midwives and our government’s commitment to supporting them. Since 2022, our government has increased the wages and benefits of midwives and has provided more supports for Indigenous midwifery and midwifery in remote communities. In addition, by implementing B.C.’s Health Human Resources Strategy, we continue to support and strengthen recruitment, retention and training for midwives. Their well-being and professional growth are key to the future of maternity care in our province and ensures stable, reliable maternity and newborn services for people in B.C.

    “To every midwife in B.C. – thank you. Your dedication and excellence mean the world to the little ones and families you serve.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson on the Retirement of Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jonathan Jackson – Illinois (1st District)

    Statement from Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson on the Retirement of Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    May 5, 2025

    I join Leader Hakeem Jeffries and my colleagues across the House in honoring the incredible legacy of Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a true champion for the people of Illinois and a fearless advocate for justice, equity, and compassion.

    From her early days as a consumer advocate to her distinguished service in Congress, Jan has never wavered in her commitment to uplifting the voices of the voiceless and standing firm in defense of our most vulnerable communities. Her leadership on the House Energy and Commerce Committee—particularly her tireless work to lower prescription drug costs and defend Medicare and Social Security—has made a profound impact on families across this country.

    Congresswoman Schakowsky has also been a guiding light within the Progressive Caucus and a fierce protector of consumer rights. Her dedication to principled public service and her unwavering progressive vision has helped shape the conscience of our Caucus and our country.

    On a personal note, I am deeply grateful for her mentorship, her wisdom, and her friendship. She has been an inspiration not only to me, but to generations of advocates and public servants in Chicagoland and beyond. Though she will be missed in the halls of Congress, her legacy will endure in the movements she helped build and the lives she helped transform.

    I wish Congresswoman Schakowsky and her family every blessing as they begin this next chapter. Thank you, Jan, for your service, your courage, and your unwavering heart!

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Murkowski Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Maternal and Infant Mortality Crisis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

    Bipartisan Senators Lead Effort to Combat Infant and Maternal Mortality Across the United States

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) reintroduced the Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services (MOMS) Act, bipartisan legislation that addresses the maternal and infant mortality crisis by increasing the number of trained midwives in the United States. The bipartisan legislation would increase funding for midwifery education and increase diversity in the maternity care workforce by recruiting students from minority or disadvantaged backgrounds.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, maternal and infant mortality is higher for Black, Native American, and Hispanic communities than their white counterparts. Integrations of midwifery into maternal health care has been linked to healthy births for moms and babies.

    “For decades, midwives have long been an essential part of New Mexico’s health care system – safely delivering children, caring for families, and improving maternal health outcomes,” said Senator Luján. “I’m proud to once again partner with Senator Murkowski to reintroduce bipartisan legislation that delivers critical funding for midwifery education to boost the maternity care workforce and increase diversity. As the maternal and infant mortality crisis continue to impact communities across our country, this legislation is an important step to address this disparity and keep families healthy.”

    “Access to quality maternal care is critical to the health and well-being of mothers and their babies. In Alaska, workforce shortages and geography present significant challenges to expecting mothers living in rural communities,” said Senator Murkowski. “I’m proud to again join the reintroduction of the Midwives for MOMS Act, which would address gaps in maternal health care by expanding opportunities for midwifery training and education. This legislation provides support for this essential workforce in Alaska and across the country to improve maternal health and perinatal care.”

    Specifically, the Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services (MOMS) Act would:

    • Authorize $15 million in grants to educate midwives who are trained in accredited midwifery programs that do not sit in schools or nursing and are eligible to sit for national certification exams;
    • Authorize $20 million in grants to educate nurse midwives who graduate from accredited nurse-midwifery programs and are eligible to sit for a national certification exam; and
    • Prioritize midwifery programs that demonstrate a focus on increasing racial and ethnic minority representation in midwifery education to address the significant lack of diversity in the maternity care workforce.

    The bill is supported by the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM), the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM), and the American Association of Birth Centers (AABC).   

    In addition to Senators Luján and Murkowski, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).

    Full text of the legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: SiriusPoint reports tenth consecutive quarter of underwriting profits and strong net income of $58m

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HAMILTON, Bermuda, May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SiriusPoint Ltd. (“SiriusPoint” or the “Company”) (NYSE:SPNT) today announced results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2025

    • Combined ratio of 95.4% in the first quarter for Core business with underwriting income of $29 million
    • Net premiums written growth of 20%, outpacing gross premiums written growth of 12% in the quarter for Core business, with strong growth from Insurance & Services
    • First quarter return on equity of 12.9%, within 12-15% ‘across the cycle’ return on equity target range
    • $59 million net impact from California Wildfires in the quarter, below guided range from the fourth quarter
    • Book value per diluted common share (ex. AOCI) of $15.15, up 3.5% in the quarter. Balance sheet remains strong with Q1’25 BSCR estimate at 227%
    • During the quarter, AM Best and Fitch affirmed our ratings and revised our outlook to Positive from Stable

    Scott Egan, Chief Executive Officer, said: “2025 has got off to a strong start. Our aim to deliver stable and consistent earnings can be seen with our first quarter return on equity of 12.9%, well within our 12-15% target range as our diverse portfolio performed well against the backdrop of elevated natural catastrophe losses.

    Our growth momentum continues, with Core gross premiums written growing by 12% in the quarter, while net premiums written increased at a faster pace of 20%, as we seek to retain a greater proportion of our increasingly profitable book. The Core underwriting result saw improvements across multiple fronts, with the attritional loss ratio, acquisition cost ratio, and underwriting expense ratios all decreasing and contributing to a 3.0 point reduction in total across these areas.

    Our earnings per share of $0.49 was flat to prior year despite lower net income, demonstrating the significant accretion benefits now being derived from the previously announced share repurchases. Our strong earnings resulted in an increase to book value of 5% in the quarter.

    Our focus will be to maintain this momentum and continue to deliver and improve throughout 2025. We are pleased to see our outlook move to Positive from Stable this year for both AM Best and Fitch. These are important proof points of our progress.”

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights

    • Net income attributable to SiriusPoint common shareholders of $57.6 million, or $0.49 per diluted common share
    • Core income of $47.4 million, including underwriting income of $28.5 million, Core combined ratio of 95.4%
    • Core net services fee income of $19.0 million, with service margin of 30.6%
    • Net investment income of $71.2 million and total investment result of $70.9 million
    • Book value per diluted common share increased $0.77 per share, or 5.3%, from December 31, 2024 to $15.37
    • Annualized return on average common equity of 12.9%

    Key Financial Metrics

    The following table shows certain key financial metrics for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:

        2025       2024  
      ($ in millions, except for per share data and ratios)
    Combined ratio   91.4 %     84.9 %
    Core underwriting income (1) $ 28.5     $ 44.3  
    Core net services income (1) $ 18.9     $ 18.1  
    Core income (1) $ 47.4     $ 62.4  
    Core combined ratio (1)   95.4 %     91.4 %
    Annualized return on average common shareholders’ equity attributable to SiriusPoint common shareholders   12.9 %     15.4 %
    Book value per common share (2) $ 15.73     $ 14.92  
    Book value per diluted common share (2) $ 15.37     $ 14.60  
    Book value per diluted common share ex. AOCI (1) (2) $ 15.15     $ 14.64  
    Tangible book value per diluted common share (1) (2) $ 14.21     $ 13.42  
    (1) Core underwriting income, Core net services income, Core income and Core combined ratio are non-GAAP financial measures. See definitions in “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliations in “Segment Reporting.” Book value per diluted common share ex. AOCI and tangible book value per diluted common share are non-GAAP financial measures. See definition and reconciliation in “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
    (2) Prior year comparatives represent amounts as of December 31, 2024.


    First     Quarter 2025 Summary

    Consolidated underwriting income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $54.1 million compared to $89.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease was primarily driven by increased catastrophe losses from the California wildfires, partially offset by increased favorable development in Property, mainly from reserve releases relating to prior year’s catastrophe events, and in A&H, due to lower than expected reported attritional losses.

    Reportable Segments

    The determination of our reportable segments is based on the manner in which management monitors the performance of our operations, which consist of two reportable segments – Reinsurance and Insurance & Services.

    Collectively, the sum of our two segments, Reinsurance and Insurance & Services, constitute our “Core” results. Core underwriting income, Core net services income, Core income and Core combined ratio are non-GAAP financial measures. See reconciliations in “Segment Reporting”. We believe it is useful to review Core results as it better reflects how management views the business and reflects our decision to exit the runoff business. The sum of Core results and Corporate results are equal to the consolidated results of operations.

    Core Premium Volume

    Gross premiums written increased by $109.2 million, or 12.4%, to $989.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $880.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Net premiums earned increased by $108.0 million, or 20.9%, to $625.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $517.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increases in premium volume were primarily driven by our Insurance & Services segment, including growth across A&H, expansion of Surety within our Other Specialties business line and continued strategic organic and new program growth in our international business.

    Core Results

    Core results for the three months ended March 31, 2025 included income of $47.4 million compared to $62.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 consists of underwriting income of $28.5 million (95.4% combined ratio) and net services income of $18.9 million, compared to underwriting income of $44.3 million (91.4% combined ratio) and net services income of $18.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease in net underwriting results was primarily driven by increased catastrophe losses, partially offset by increased favorable development and lower attritional losses.

    Catastrophe losses for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were $67.9 million, or 10.9 percentage points on the combined ratio, primarily from the California wildfires, compared to minimal losses for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Losses incurred included $34.3 million of favorable prior year loss reserve development for the three months ended March 31, 2025 primarily driven by favorable development in Property, mainly from reserve releases relating to prior year’s catastrophe events, as well as favorable development in A&H, due to lower than expected reported attritional losses, compared to $8.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 driven by decreased ultimate losses in the Credit reinsurance portfolio.

    Net services income remained stable for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024. Service margin, which is calculated as Net service fee income as a percentage of services revenues, increased to 30.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from 30.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

    Reinsurance Segment

    Reinsurance gross premiums written were $354.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an decrease of $1.6 million, or 0.4%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily driven by reduced premiums written in Casualty reflecting underwriting actions to improve profitability, partially offset by increased reinstatement premiums of $8.9 million related to our Property Catastrophe business.

    Reinsurance generated underwriting income of $8.4 million (97.1% combined ratio) for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to underwriting income of $39.9 million (84.2% combined ratio) for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease in net underwriting results was primarily driven by increased catastrophe losses of $63.1 million, or 21.8 percentage points on the combined ratio, primarily from the California wildfires, compared to minimal losses for the three months ended March 31, 2024. This was partially offset by increased favorable prior year loss reserve development of $31.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 primarily driven by favorable development in Property, mainly from reserve releases relating to prior year’s catastrophe events, compared to $10.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily driven by decreased ultimate losses in the Credit reinsurance portfolio.

    Insurance & Services Segment

    Insurance & Services gross premiums written were $635.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $110.8 million, or 21.1%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily driven by growth across A&H, expansion of Surety within our Other Specialties business line and continued strategic organic and new program growth in our international business.

    Insurance & Services generated segment income of $39.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $22.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Segment income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 consists of underwriting income of $20.1 million (94.0% combined ratio) and net services income of $18.9 million, compared to underwriting income of $4.4 million (98.4% combined ratio) and net services income of $18.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The improvement in underwriting results was primarily driven by our decreased loss ratio mainly from lower attritional losses, as well as net favorable prior year loss reserve development of $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, mainly in A&H, compared to net adverse prior year loss reserve development of $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

    Investments

    Net investment income and net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were mainly driven by interest income of $63.4 million and $76.9 million, respectively, on our debt securities and short-term investments. The decrease is driven by a lower asset base as of March 31, 2025 after executing various share repurchase transactions in 2024 and 2025.

    Webcast Details

    The Company will hold a webcast to discuss its first quarter 2025 results at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on May 6, 2025. The webcast of the conference call will be available over the Internet from the Company’s website at www.siriuspt.com under the “Investor Relations” section. Participants should follow the instructions provided on the website to download and install any necessary audio applications. The conference call will be available by dialing 1-877-451-6152 (domestic) or 1-201-389-0879 (international). Participants should ask for the SiriusPoint Ltd. first quarter 2025 earnings call.

    The online replay will be available on the Company’s website immediately following the call at www.siriuspt.com under the “Investor Relations” section.

    Safe Harbor Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond the Company’s control. The Company cautions you that the forward-looking information presented in this press release is not a guarantee of future events, and that actual events may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking information contained in this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “intends,” “seeks,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “plans,” “targets,” “estimates,” “expects,” “assumes,” “continues,” “guidance,” “should,” “could,” “will,” “may” and the negative of these or similar terms and phrases. Specific forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the trend of our performance as compared to the previous guidance, the current insurtech market trends, our ability to generate shareholder value, and whether we will continue to have momentum in our business in the future. Actual events, results and outcomes may differ materially from the Company’s expectations due to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements are the following: our ability to execute on our strategic transformation, including re-underwriting to reduce volatility and improve underwriting performance, de-risking our investment portfolio, and transforming our business; the impact of unpredictable catastrophic events, including uncertainties with respect to current and future COVID-19 losses across many classes of insurance business and the amount of insurance losses that may ultimately be ceded to the reinsurance market, supply chain issues, labor shortages and related increased costs, changing interest rates and equity market volatility; inadequacy of loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, the lack of available capital, and periods characterized by excess underwriting capacity and unfavorable premium rates; the performance of financial markets, impact of inflation and interest rates, and foreign currency fluctuations; our ability to compete successfully in the insurance and reinsurance market and the effect of consolidation in the insurance and reinsurance industry; technology breaches or failures, including those resulting from a malicious cyber-attack on us, our business partners or service providers; the effects of global climate change, including wildfires, and increased severity and frequency of weather-related natural disasters and catastrophes and increased coastal flooding in many geographic areas; geopolitical uncertainty, including the ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East and the new presidential administration in the U.S.; global economic uncertainty caused by the imposition and/or announcement of tariffs imposed on the import of certain goods into the U.S. from various countries which may have unpredictable consequences including, but not limited to, inflation or trade wars, potential impact on the Company’s credit and mortgage business and potential increase in credit spread which could impact the Company’s short-term capital and liquidity; our ability to retain key senior management and key employees; a downgrade or withdrawal of our financial ratings; fluctuations in our results of operations; legal restrictions on certain of SiriusPoint’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends and other distributions to SiriusPoint; the outcome of legal and regulatory proceedings and regulatory constraints on our business; reduced returns or losses in SiriusPoint’s investment portfolio; our exposure or potential exposure to corporate income tax in Bermuda and the E.U., U.S. federal income and withholding taxes and our significant deferred tax assets, which could become devalued if we do not generate future taxable income or applicable corporate tax rates are reduced; risks associated with delegating authority to third party managing general agents; future strategic transactions such as acquisitions, dispositions, investments, mergers or joint ventures; and other risks and factors listed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other subsequent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Financial Metrics

    In presenting SiriusPoint’s results, management has included financial measures that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). SiriusPoint’s management uses this information in its internal analysis of results and believes that this information may be informative to investors in gauging the quality of SiriusPoint’s financial performance, identifying trends in our results and providing meaningful period-to-period comparisons. Core underwriting income, Core net services income, Core income, and Core combined ratio are non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes it is useful to review Core results as it better reflects how management views the business and reflects the Company’s decision to exit the runoff business. Book value per diluted common share excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) and tangible book value per diluted common share, as presented, are non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure is book value per common share. Management believes it is useful to exclude AOCI because it may fluctuate significantly between periods based on movements in interest and currency rates. Management believes the effects of intangible assets are not indicative of underlying underwriting results or trends and make book value comparisons to less acquisitive peer companies less meaningful. Reconciliations of such non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP figures are included in the attached financial information in accordance with Regulation G and Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K, as applicable.

    About the Company

    SiriusPoint is a global underwriter of insurance and reinsurance providing solutions to clients and brokers around the world. Bermuda-headquartered with offices in New York, London, Stockholm and other locations, we are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (SPNT). We have licenses to write Property & Casualty and Accident & Health insurance and reinsurance globally. Our offering and distribution capabilities are strengthened by a portfolio of strategic partnerships with Managing General Agents and Program Administrators. With approximately $2.7 billion total capital, SiriusPoint’s operating companies have a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) from AM Best, S&P and Fitch, and A3 from Moody’s. For more information, please visit www.siriuspt.com.

    Contacts

    Investor Relations
    Liam Blackledge – Investor Relations and Strategy Manager
    Liam.Blackledge@siriuspt.com
    + 44 203 772 3082

    Media
    Natalie King – Global Head of Marketing and External Communications
    Natalie.King@siriuspt.com
    + 44 770 728 8817

     
    SIRIUSPOINT LTD.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
    As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024
    (expressed in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share and share amounts)
     
      March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024
    Assets      
    Debt securities, available for sale, at fair value, net of allowance for credit losses of $0.0 (2024 – $1.1) (cost – $4,617.0; 2024 – $5,143.8) $ 4,635.2   $ 5,131.0  
    Debt securities, trading, at fair value (cost – $140.9; 2024 – $187.3)   117.6     162.2  
    Short-term investments, at fair value (cost – $48.2; 2024 – $95.3)   48.2     95.8  
    Other long-term investments, at fair value (cost – $437.9; 2024 – $438.2) (includes related party investments at fair value of $220.1 (2024 – $217.2))   317.7     316.5  
    Total investments   5,118.7     5,705.5  
    Cash and cash equivalents   740.3     682.0  
    Restricted cash and cash equivalents   184.9     212.6  
    Due from brokers   18.8     11.2  
    Interest and dividends receivable   42.1     44.0  
    Insurance and reinsurance balances receivable, net   2,240.8     2,054.4  
    Deferred acquisition costs, net   369.3     327.5  
    Unearned premiums ceded   514.3     463.9  
    Loss and loss adjustment expenses recoverable, net   2,335.7     2,315.3  
    Deferred tax asset   293.3     297.0  
    Intangible assets   137.9     140.8  
    Other assets   284.4     270.7  
    Total assets $ 12,280.5   $ 12,524.9  
    Liabilities      
    Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves $ 5,762.6   $ 5,653.9  
    Unearned premium reserves   1,816.8     1,639.2  
    Reinsurance balances payable   1,707.5     1,781.6  
    Deposit liabilities   15.6     17.4  
    Deferred gain on retroactive reinsurance   6.6     8.5  
    Debt   663.5     639.1  
    Due to brokers   6.6     18.0  
    Deferred tax liability   94.2     76.2  
    Share repurchase liability   —     483.0  
    Other liabilities   180.4     269.2  
    Total liabilities   10,253.8     10,586.1  
    Commitments and contingent liabilities      
    Shareholders’ equity      
    Series B preference shares (par value $0.10; authorized and issued: 8,000,000)   200.0     200.0  
    Common shares (issued and outstanding: 116,020,526; 2023 – 116,429,057)   11.6     11.6  
    Additional paid-in capital   944.7     945.0  
    Retained earnings   842.5     784.9  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax   26.4     (4.1 )
    Shareholders’ equity attributable to SiriusPoint shareholders   2,025.2     1,937.4  
    Noncontrolling interests   1.5     1.4  
    Total shareholders’ equity   2,026.7     1,938.8  
    Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests and shareholders’ equity $ 12,280.5   $ 12,524.9  
     
    SIRIUSPOINT LTD.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
    For the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024
    (expressed in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share and share amounts)
     
        2025       2024  
    Revenues      
    Net premiums earned $ 626.7     $ 593.8  
    Net investment income   71.2       78.8  
    Net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses)   (0.3 )     1.0  
    Net investment income and net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses)   70.9       79.8  
    Other revenues   29.7       27.8  
    Loss on settlement and change in fair value of liability-classified capital instruments   —       (15.9 )
    Total revenues   727.3       685.5  
    Expenses      
    Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net   401.8       317.5  
    Acquisition costs, net   129.7       144.9  
    Other underwriting expenses   41.1       41.8  
    Net corporate and other expenses   60.6       56.0  
    Intangible asset amortization   2.9       2.9  
    Interest expense   18.1       20.5  
    Foreign exchange gains   (2.2 )     (3.7 )
    Total expenses   652.0       579.9  
    Income before income tax expense   75.3       105.6  
    Income tax expense   (13.3 )     (9.7 )
    Net income   62.0       95.9  
    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (0.4 )     (1.1 )
    Net income available to SiriusPoint   61.6       94.8  
    Dividends on Series B preference shares   (4.0 )     (4.0 )
    Net income available to SiriusPoint common shareholders $ 57.6     $ 90.8  
    Earnings per share available to SiriusPoint common shareholders      
    Basic earnings per share available to SiriusPoint common shareholders $ 0.50     $ 0.50  
    Diluted earnings per share available to SiriusPoint common shareholders $ 0.49     $ 0.49  
    Weighted average number of common shares used in the determination of earnings per share      
    Basic   115,975,961       168,934,114  
    Diluted   118,555,166       174,380,963  
     
    SIRIUSPOINT LTD.
    SEGMENT REPORTING
     
      Three months ended March 31, 2025
      Reinsurance   Insurance & Services   Core   Eliminations (2)   Corporate   Segment Measure Reclass   Total
    Gross premiums written $ 354.8     $ 635.1     $ 989.9     $ —     $ (5.2 )   $ —     $ 984.7  
    Net premiums written   268.5       483.5       752.0       —       (9.0 )     —       743.0  
    Net premiums earned   289.6       336.2       625.8       —       0.9       —       626.7  
    Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net   195.3       209.9       405.2       (2.0 )     (1.4 )     —       401.8  
    Acquisition costs, net   67.1       87.3       154.4       (28.0 )     3.3       —       129.7  
    Other underwriting expenses   18.8       18.9       37.7       —       3.4       —       41.1  
    Underwriting income (loss)   8.4       20.1       28.5       30.0       (4.4 )     —       54.1  
    Services revenues   —       62.1       62.1       (30.2 )     —       (31.9 )     —  
    Services expenses   —       43.1       43.1       —       —       (43.1 )     —  
    Net services fee income   —       19.0       19.0       (30.2 )     —       11.2       —  
    Services noncontrolling income   —       (0.1 )     (0.1 )     —       —       0.1       —  
    Net services income   —       18.9       18.9       (30.2 )     —       11.3       —  
    Segment income (loss)   8.4       39.0       47.4       (0.2 )     (4.4 )     11.3       54.1  
    Net investment income                   71.2       —       71.2  
    Net realized and unrealized investment losses     (0.3 )     —       (0.3 )
    Other revenues                   (2.2 )     31.9       29.7  
    Net corporate and other expenses                   (17.5 )     (43.1 )     (60.6 )
    Intangible asset amortization                   (2.9 )     —       (2.9 )
    Interest expense                   (18.1 )     —       (18.1 )
    Foreign exchange gains                   2.2       —       2.2  
    Income before income tax expense $ 8.4     $ 39.0       47.4       (0.2 )     28.0       0.1       75.3  
    Income tax expense           —       —       (13.3 )     —       (13.3 )
    Net income           47.4       (0.2 )     14.7       0.1       62.0  
    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest     —       —       (0.3 )     (0.1 )     (0.4 )
    Net income available to SiriusPoint   $ 47.4     $ (0.2 )   $ 14.4     $ —     $ 61.6  
                               
    Attritional losses $ 164.0     $ 207.6     $ 371.6     $ (2.0 )   $ (1.5 )   $ —     $ 368.1  
    Catastrophe losses   63.1       4.8       67.9       —       —       —       67.9  
    Prior year loss reserve development   (31.8 )     (2.5 )     (34.3 )     —       0.1       —       (34.2 )
    Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net $ 195.3     $ 209.9     $ 405.2     $ (2.0 )   $ (1.4 )   $ —     $ 401.8  
                               
    Underwriting Ratios: (1)                          
    Attritional loss ratio   56.6 %     61.7 %     59.3 %                 58.8 %
    Catastrophe loss ratio   21.8 %     1.4 %     10.9 %                 10.8 %
    Prior year loss development ratio (11.0)%   (0.7)%   (5.5)%               (5.5)%
    Loss ratio   67.4 %     62.4 %     64.7 %                 64.1 %
    Acquisition cost ratio   23.2 %     26.0 %     24.7 %                 20.7 %
    Other underwriting expenses ratio   6.5 %     5.6 %     6.0 %                 6.6 %
    Combined ratio   97.1 %     94.0 %     95.4 %                 91.4 %
    (1) Underwriting ratios are calculated by dividing the related expense by net premiums earned.
    (2) Insurance & Services MGAs recognize fees for service using revenue from contracts with customers accounting standards, whereas insurance companies recognize acquisition expenses using insurance contract accounting standards. While ultimate revenues and expenses recognized will match, there will be recognition timing differences based on the different accounting standards.
      Three months ended March 31, 2024
      Reinsurance   Insurance & Services   Core   Eliminations (2)   Corporate   Segment Measure Reclass   Total
    Gross premiums written $ 356.4     $ 524.3     $ 880.7     $ —     $ 25.9     $ —     $ 906.6  
    Net premiums written   290.1       337.1       627.2       —       12.1       —       639.3  
    Net premiums earned   253.6       264.2       517.8       —       76.0       —       593.8  
    Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net   124.6       176.5       301.1       (1.4 )     17.8       —       317.5  
    Acquisition costs, net   69.8       65.2       135.0       (33.2 )     43.1       —       144.9  
    Other underwriting expenses   19.3       18.1       37.4       —       4.4       —       41.8  
    Underwriting income   39.9       4.4       44.3       34.6       10.7       —       89.6  
    Services revenues   —       65.8       65.8       (37.1 )     —       (28.7 )     —  
    Services expenses   —       46.0       46.0       —       —       (46.0 )     —  
    Net services fee income   —       19.8       19.8       (37.1 )     —       17.3       —  
    Services noncontrolling income   —       (1.7 )     (1.7 )     —       —       1.7       —  
    Net services income   —       18.1       18.1       (37.1 )     —       19.0       —  
    Segment income   39.9       22.5       62.4       (2.5 )     10.7       19.0       89.6  
    Net investment income                   78.8       —       78.8  
    Net realized and unrealized investment gains     1.0       —       1.0  
    Other revenues                   (0.9 )     28.7       27.8  
    Loss on settlement and change in fair value of liability-classified capital instruments     (15.9 )     —       (15.9 )
    Net corporate and other expenses                   (10.0 )     (46.0 )     (56.0 )
    Intangible asset amortization                   (2.9 )     —       (2.9 )
    Interest expense                   (20.5 )     —       (20.5 )
    Foreign exchange gains                   3.7       —       3.7  
    Income before income tax expense $ 39.9     $ 22.5       62.4       (2.5 )     44.0       1.7       105.6  
    Income tax expense           —       —       (9.7 )     —       (9.7 )
    Net income           62.4       (2.5 )     34.3       1.7       95.9  
    Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest     —       —       0.6       (1.7 )     (1.1 )
    Net income available to SiriusPoint   $ 62.4     $ (2.5 )   $ 34.9     $ —     $ 94.8  
                               
    Attritional losses $ 134.9     $ 174.2     $ 309.1     $ (1.4 )   $ 48.7     $ —     $ 356.4  
    Prior year loss reserve development   (10.3 )     2.3       (8.0 )     —       (30.9 )     —       (38.9 )
    Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net $ 124.6     $ 176.5     $ 301.1     $ (1.4 )   $ 17.8     $ —     $ 317.5  
                               
    Underwriting Ratios: (1)                          
    Attritional loss ratio   53.2 %     65.9 %     59.7 %                 60.0 %
    Prior year loss development ratio (4.1)%     0.9 %   (1.6)%               (6.5)%
    Loss ratio   49.1 %     66.8 %     58.1 %                 53.5 %
    Acquisition cost ratio   27.5 %     24.7 %     26.1 %                 24.4 %
    Other underwriting expenses ratio   7.6 %     6.9 %     7.2 %                 7.0 %
    Combined ratio   84.2 %     98.4 %     91.4 %                 84.9 %
    (1) Underwriting ratios are calculated by dividing the related expense by net premiums earned.
    (2) Insurance & Services MGAs recognize fees for service using revenue from contracts with customers accounting standards, whereas insurance companies recognize acquisition expenses using insurance contract accounting standards. While ultimate revenues and expenses recognized will match, there will be recognition timing differences based on the different accounting standards.

    SIRIUSPOINT LTD.
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RECONCILIATIONS & OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Core Results

    Collectively, the sum of the Company’s two segments, Reinsurance and Insurance & Services, constitute “Core” results. Core underwriting income, Core net services income, Core income and Core combined ratio are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe it is useful to review Core results as it better reflects how management views the business and reflects our decision to exit the runoff business. The sum of Core results and Corporate results are equal to the consolidated results of operations.

    Core underwriting income – calculated by subtracting loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net, acquisition costs, net, and other underwriting expenses from net premiums earned.

    Core net services income – consists of services revenues which include commissions, brokerage and fee income related to consolidated MGAs, and other revenues, as well as services expenses which include direct expenses related to consolidated MGAs and services noncontrolling income which represent minority ownership interests in consolidated MGAs. Net services income is a key indicator of the profitability of the Company’s services provided.

    Core income – consists of two components, core underwriting income and core net services income. Core income is a key measure of our segment performance.

    Core combined ratio – calculated by dividing the sum of Core loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net, acquisition costs, net and other underwriting expenses by Core net premiums earned. Accident year loss ratio and accident year combined ratio are calculated by excluding prior year loss reserve development to present the impact of current accident year net loss and loss adjustment expenses on the Core loss ratio and Core combined ratio, respectively. Attritional loss ratio excludes catastrophe losses from the accident year loss ratio as they are not predictable as to timing and amount. These ratios are useful indicators of our underwriting profitability.

    Book Value Per Diluted Common Share Metrics

    Book value per diluted common share excluding AOCI and tangible book value per diluted common share, as presented, are non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure is book value per common share. Management believes it is useful to exclude AOCI because it may fluctuate significantly between periods based on movements in interest and currency rates. Tangible book value per diluted common share excludes intangible assets. Management believes that effects of intangible assets are not indicative of underlying underwriting results or trends and make book value comparisons to less acquisitive peer companies less meaningful. Tangible book value per diluted common share is useful because it provides a more accurate measure of the realizable value of shareholder returns, excluding intangible assets.

    The following table sets forth the computation of book value per common share, book value per diluted common share and tangible book value per diluted common share as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024:

      March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024
      ($ in millions, except share and per share amounts)
    Common shareholders’ equity attributable to SiriusPoint common shareholders $ 1,825.2     $ 1,737.4  
           
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax   26.4       (4.1 )
    Common shareholders’ equity attributable to SiriusPoint common shareholders ex. AOCI   1,798.8       1,741.5  
           
    Intangible assets   137.9       140.8  
    Tangible common shareholders’ equity attributable to SiriusPoint common shareholders $ 1,687.3     $ 1,596.6  
           
    Common shares outstanding   116,020,526       116,429,057  
    Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted share units and warrants   2,708,756       2,559,359  
    Book value per diluted common share denominator   118,729,282       118,988,416  
           
    Book value per common share $ 15.73     $ 14.92  
    Book value per diluted common share $ 15.37     $ 14.60  
    Book value per diluted common share ex. AOCI $ 15.15     $ 14.64  
    Tangible book value per diluted common share $ 14.21     $ 13.42  


    Other Financial Measures

    Annualized Return on Average Common Shareholders’ Equity Attributable to SiriusPoint Common Shareholders

    Annualized return on average common shareholders’ equity attributable to SiriusPoint common shareholders is calculated by dividing annualized net income available to SiriusPoint common shareholders for the period by the average common shareholders’ equity determined using the common shareholders’ equity balances at the beginning and end of the period.

    Annualized return on average common shareholders’ equity attributable to SiriusPoint common shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was calculated as follows:

        2025       2024  
      ($ in millions)
    Net income available to SiriusPoint common shareholders $ 57.6     $ 90.8  
    Common shareholders’ equity attributable to SiriusPoint common shareholders – beginning of period   1,737.4       2,313.9  
    Common shareholders’ equity attributable to SiriusPoint common shareholders – end of period   1,825.2       2,402.6  
    Average common shareholders’ equity attributable to SiriusPoint common shareholders $ 1,781.3     $ 2,358.3  
    Annualized return on average common shareholders’ equity attributable to SiriusPoint common shareholders   12.9 %     15.4 %

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF REP. JAN SCHAKOWSKY

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement after Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky announced she would not seek another term in the House of Representatives:

    A proud daughter of Illinois, Rep. Jan Schakowsky has spent her entire career standing up for the people of Chicagoland as a consumer advocate, a state legislator and a Congresswoman. Throughout her historic tenure in the People’s House, she has been a principled, progressive leader and has fiercely fought for the least, the lost and the left behind.

    For over two decades, Jan has served on the prestigious House Committee on Energy and Commerce and was a leading voice in the development of the historic Affordable Care Act. A champion for the nation’s seniors, Rep. Schakowsky has fought relentlessly to prevent the privatization of Social Security and Medicare and to make prescription drugs more affordable for hardworking American taxpayers. As Chair and Ranking Member of the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee, Jan has been a steadfast advocate for consumer safety and transparency.

    As a Caucus Chief Deputy Whip, a member of the Steering and Policy Committee and a Vice Chair of the Progressive Caucus, Jan has been a mentor, a friend and a source of encouragement to myself and so many others. The House Democratic Caucus family will miss Jan tremendously next Congress and I wish her and her family the best in this next chapter.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Larsen to Host Town Hall in Skagit County on Monday, May 12th at 6:00 p.m.

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

    Larsen to Host Town Hall in Skagit County on Monday, May 12th at 6:00 p.m.

    Skagit County, WA, May 5, 2025

    On Monday, May 12th, Rep. Rick Larsen will host an in-person town hall in Skagit County from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Rep. Larsen will share information about how he and House Democrats are fighting back against the Trump administration and answer questions from constituents.

    You can RSVP to attend the town hall here: https://larsen.house.gov/forms/form/?ID=13. RSVPs will be first come, first serve and attendance may need to be capped if demand exceeds the capacity of the town hall location. Constituents will be prioritized over non-constituents. Attendees will receive an email on the morning of May 12th with instructions and the exact location of the event.

    If you are unable to attend in-person, the town hall will be livestreamed on Rep. Larsen’s Instagram and Facebook pages, and it will be posted on his YouTube page following the event. Constituents who are unable to attend are encouraged to contact Rep. Larsen with their questions and feedback at larsen.house.gov/contact.

    This event is open to the press. Press should RSVP directly to Pam Larkin at Pam.Larkin@mail.house.gov rather than using the form. Location will be provided upon RSVP.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –