Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)
COMING SOON to the North and South Lawn of the White House: Two 100ft flag poles—courtesy of President Trump.
Category: Americas
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MIL-OSI Video: “We’re going to have a country that you can be proud of, not a laughingstock all over the world.”
Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)
#PresidentTrump #Trump #WhiteHouse #tariffs #China #trade #goldenage
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MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Nick Langworthy Announces $50,000 Grant for the City of Elmira for Planning and Zoning Projects
Source: US Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) announced a $50,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and New York State to the City of Elmira for the city’s Planning and Zoning Updated project.
This grant funding will help the city of Elmira rezone and develop a zoning process that is in line with the needs of the city. This investment will contribute to a ten-year Comprehensive Plan, as well as updated long-term zoning methods. In addition to the ARC funding, New York State sources will provide $180,000, bringing the total project funding to $230,000.
“I’m proud to announce the $50,000 ARC grant for the City of Elmira,” said Congressman Langworthy. “Elmira’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations were last updated in 2016 and 1998. By updating these two projects, Elmira will be able to access new funding sources, ensure economic growth opportunities, and streamline development.”
“I want to thank Congressman Nick Langworthy and our great team at City Hall for working together to secure this $50,000 grant towards our city planning and zoning updates,” said Mayor Daniel Mandel, City of Elmira. “Every dollar we can get through grant funding means savings for our Elmira Taxpayers, and that is why I have put an emphasis on working with our Congressman and State Representatives to seize as many opportunities as we can find. The funds here will help pay for our 10-year comprehensive plan which will be a great tool to guide construction, growth and investment across our city.”
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MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Rep. Pfluger On Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)
Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) joined Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street to discuss his recent visit to Midland. On the visit, Rep. Pfluger hosted EPA Regional Administrator Scott Mason and Rep. Julie Fedorcheck (ND-At-Large) to tour one of Diamondback Energy’s production sites and participate in a roundtable discussion with producers, stakeholders, EPA officials, and other local leaders on the energy industry’s future. Read more about the trip and view pictures here.
Watch the full interview HERE or read highlights below.
Maria Bartiromo: Earlier this week, you hosted EPA officials at the Permian Basin, the energy capital of West Texas and your district, to address these federal oil and gas regulations that were put in place under the Biden administration. Tell me about that, and how is Trump cutting back on that red tape, and what are the challenges that energy producers are still facing? Because I know this is night and day when you look at the policies, correct?
Rep. Pfluger: Well, you’re absolutely right, and they are still facing a number of challenges… But what a difference an election makes to bring in Mr. Scott Mason, who is the Region 6 EPA Director, as well as Lee Zeldin, who showed up in the Permian Basin, and to demonstrate to them the work that has been done in the Permian Basin and throughout the other producing regions in the country, to produce efficient, affordable, reliable energy…I think most producers there really want a sweet spot, and that sweet spot, price-wise, is somewhere between $65 and $80 / bbl because they want predictability.Rig counts are already starting downward because they’re making business decisions and are not quite sure about what the future holds. But when you talk about lower gasoline prices, yes, that is very, very important, but it’s also important that we have a good, predictable supply and demand, and that’s what producers are worried about right now, which is just predictability. They’re going to hang in there, they always have. We’ve always survived. But again, a good sweet spot, $65 to $85 really helps our economy flourish.
Maria Bartiromo: They also need predictability on policy, because these are long-term contracts that these oil companies and oil suppliers, and drillers are making. And so, they need to know that permitting, for example, is going to be sustained, permitting deregulation, so that they can actually get the permits on a timely basis, and they can actually invest the way they want to. How can you, as a lawmaker, codify some of these executive orders that President Trump has put in place to ensure that they don’t go away in four years?
Rep. Pfluger: Well, President Trump has taken very aggressive action on deregulation. Administrator Lee Zeldin is leading the way with 31 deregulatory acts, and as chairman of the Republican Study Committee, we are championing an initiative that would codify many of those actions already, and you’re exactly right. They [companies] want predictability, not to have to compete against the U.S. government, not to have to compete against the overreaching nature of that far left liberal machine that we’ve seen for so long. And they want to know that the investments that they’re going to make are actually going to return profits that they can put into more drilling, more access to energy, so that we can actually have affordable, reliable energy, not just here, but also for our partners and allies.
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MIL-OSI USA: Amo Lambasts Trump Trade War and Republican Budget Cuts That Are Raising Costs on Rhode Islanders
Source: US Congressman Gabe Amo (Rhode Island 1st District)
PROVIDENCE – Today, Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01) visited the West End Community Center in Providence to highlight how Trump’s chaotic trade war and the Republican plan to gut food assistance programs is jacking up the cost of living in Rhode Island. During the visit, the Congressman toured the food pantry, early education programs, and community facility and met with staff. As the Center celebrates its 50th year in operation, the staff have noted an increase in food assistance need from the approximately 100 local families it serves each day.
“Every day, the West End Community Center food pantry helps approximately 100 Rhode Island families put food on their table,” said Congressman Amo. “Yet Trump and congressional Republicans are threatening this assistance by pursuing a chaotic trade war and budget cuts that are jacking up the cost of energy, groceries, and gas while stripping working Rhode Islanders of critical support that helps them afford food. The West End Community Center is a lifeline for families in Rhode Island, and I’ll continue to fight to protect them from harmful cuts and unnecessary tariffs.”
“I want to thank Congressman Amo for visiting our facility and volunteering with our staff,” said Denise Greene, Executive Director of West End Community Center. “With so much uncertainty in the news, and with so many policies being pursued that raise the cost of living and threaten the wellbeing of the families in Rhode Island, it’s reassuring to know that we have a prominent voice in Congress advocating for us.”
“The West End Community Center is an anchor for the Providence community—providing vital food assistance, early education, and supportive services to hundreds of residents every week,” said Alyssa McDermott, Director of Housing and Community Development, City of Providence. “Through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, the City proudly supports their work to fight food insecurity. At a time when national policies threaten to unravel the safety net so many depend on, our investment in local organizations like the West End Community Center is more important than ever.”
BACKGROUND
On April 9, 2025, Congressman Amo spoke on the House floor to slam the Republican budget resolution and share the story of a Rhode Islander who would be hurt by Republican cuts.
On February 25, 2025, Congressman Amo took to the House Floor to slam the Republican budget resolution that threatens devastating cuts to critical programs. The day before, Congressman Amo submitted two amendments to the House Committee on Rules to protect SNAP and affirm that Medicaid is a critical program for more than 306,000 Rhode Island residents. The Republican-controlled House Committee on Rules refused to consider Congressman Amo’s amendments.
During the House Budget Committee markup on February 13, 2025, Congressman Amo offered two amendments to support protecting and extending Medicare’s solvency as well as protect SNAP, the Community Eligibility Provision, the School Breakfast Program, and the National School Lunch Program.
The Republican budget resolution directs specific committees to achieve spending cuts or increases. Republicans leaked menu of options includes:
- At least $880 billion in cuts for the Energy and Commerce Committee, which could target Medicaid, Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium assistance, and repeal Inflation Reduction Act policies.
- At least $230 billion in cuts for the Agriculture Committee, which could target SNAP.
- Up to $4.5 trillion in new spending for the Ways and Means Committee, which could include tax cuts for the top one percent, repeal of Inflation Reduction Act policies, cuts to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and Social Services Block Grant, cuts in Medicare payments to providers, and cuts to ACA premium assistance.
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MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Montana Private Nonprofits Affected by July Winds
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Montana of the May 23, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the straight-line winds occurring July 24, 2024.
The disaster declaration covers the Montana counties of Missoula and Powell.
Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to PNPs providing non-critical services of a governmental nature who suffered financial losses directly related to the disaster. Examples of eligible non-critical PNPs include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.
EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
“SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 3.25% and terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than May 23.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
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MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Norma Torres Condemns CBP Detainment of Laborers in Pomona
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)
April 23, 2025Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres issued the following statement in response to the detainment of a group of day laborers by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) outside the Home Depot in Pomona:
The use of federal agents to target workers outside of a hardware store sends a chilling message to every immigrant in our district. It is cruel, it is unnecessary, and it is absolutely unacceptable.
My office stands firmly with our immigrant community. We will not sit by while fear is sown in our neighborhoods. I am demanding answers from CBP and will be working with local leaders to ensure accountability and protection for those targeted.
My office is actively working to confirm all details surrounding the situation. We are committed to providing accurate and timely information as it becomes available.
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MIL-OSI USA: Trahan Nominates Third District Students to Service Academies
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)
Trahan Nominates Third District Students to Service Academies
Lowell, April 23, 2025
LOWELL, MA – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) hosted a ceremony to nominate students from across the Third District to United States Service Academies. The event was held at Dracut’s Harvey J. Gagnon Harmony Hall.
“It’s one of my greatest honors and most serious responsibilities to nominate outstanding young men and women from our district to our nation’s service academies,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “These students are driven by something bigger than themselves – by a desire to serve, to lead, and to contribute to the common good. Their commitment to country and community inspires hope for the future of our armed forces and our nation.”
This year, Trahan nominated students from across the Third District to the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Nominees include:
West Point:Savannah Liles, Littleton, Littleton High School
Gavin Datta, Acton, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School
Harold Nerrow, Concord, Concord-Carlisle High School, Villanova University
Samuel Richenburg, Haverhill, St. John’s Prep
Tait O’Koniewski, Lawrence, Austin Preparatory School
Hieu-Shawn Phan, Methuen, Northeastern University – Liberty Battalion Army ROTC
Private First Class Pearl Kalungi, Lowell, United States Army
Thomas Collins, Tyngsborough, Tyngsborough High School
Raily Romano Hidalgo, Haverhill, Haverhill High SchoolNaval Academy:
Thomas Livens, Carlisle, Lawrence Academy
Lincoln Green, Concord, Concord-Carlisle High School
Yazmin Jenkins, Lowell, Greater Lowell Technical High School
John James Rubera, Haverhill, Haverhill High School
Eliot Hong, Billerica, Shawsheen Valley Technical High SchoolAir Force Academy:
Charles Stone, Concord, Concord-Carlisle High School
Darro Sieu, Billerica, Billerica Memorial High SchoolMerchant Marine Academy:
Gunnar Lyons, Concord, Concord-Carlisle High School
The student nominees were interviewed and recommended by volunteer members of Trahan’s Service Academy Board, which is composed of academy alumni, veterans, and community leaders. Current board members include:
Pat Wojtas: A United States Air Force veteran, Pat was the first woman in Massachusetts to be commissioned to the Air Force through the ROTC program at UMass Amherst. She is currently a member of the Chelmsford Select Board.
Leanne Collazo: A retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and West Point graduate, Suzanne was a UH-60 pilot and Battalion Commander.
John Moses: A United States Army veteran, John has been an active member of the Afghan Evac community since the start of evacuation in August 2021. He is currently a member of the Chelmsford School Committee.
Harold Naughton Jr.: A Major in the United States Army Reserve, Harold previously represented the 12th Worcester District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
David Cote: A United States Marine Corps veteran and graduate of the United States Naval Academy, David leads The Summit Project, a veteran-focused nonprofit that sustains the memories of post-September 11th servicemembers who were killed in action. In 2011, he was named the Military Times Marine of the Year.
Paulette Joyce: A retired Westford teacher, Paulette advocates for veterans following the passing of her husband, United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Fred Joyce.More information on the military service academy nomination process can be found HERE.
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MIL-OSI Canada: Yom HaShoah: Premier Smith
Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)
“On Yom HaShoah, a day of remembrance and introspection, we vow to never forget the victims of the Holocaust. More than six million Jewish men, women and children were imprisoned, tortured and murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators.”
“In the years following the Second World War, the world committed to ‘Never Again’ stand by without fighting against such heinous atrocities. Never again would evil be permitted to go unchecked, and never again would the Jewish people be left alone to struggle against antisemitism.
“There is no room for hatred in Alberta and Alberta’s government will always condemn terrorism and hate. Together, we will stand against antisemitism, stand with the Jewish people, and stand for the province we love. I invite all Albertans to act in solidarity with the Jewish community and commemorate Yom HaShoah.
“Never Again.”
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MIL-OSI Canada: Changes to lobbying rules will make compliance more manageable
Organizations in British Columbia will benefit from simplified reporting requirements when lobbying government.
Amendments to the Lobbyists Transparency Act (LTA), passed in April 2024, will officially come into force on May 27, 2025. The changes were informed by concerns from smaller organizations, such as non-profits, about the administrative burden they bear when complying with the act’s reporting requirements. These amendments will apply to all organizations covered by the act.
The LTA requires individuals and organizations that engage in lobbying activities and meet specific criteria to register their efforts in an online public registry, ensuring citizens can see who is attempting to influence government decisions. The changes to the act are not intended to curb transparency, but to make compliance more manageable.
The amendments remove the requirement to report funding requested from a government body, reduce the reporting frequency for funding received from monthly to every three months, and clarify reporting requirements for organizations that lobby as part of an informal group.
These changes were designed to help smaller organizations more easily comply with the law and express their views, needs and concerns through open lines of communication with government.
Separately, a parliamentary committee must undertake a review of the act every five years and submit a report with recommendations for future reform within one year of beginning its review. A committee is expected to be appointed for this purpose in the coming weeks. Information about the work of this committee and potential opportunities to engage in its work will be available on the legislative assembly’s website following its appointment and initial meetings.
Learn More:
To learn more about the online lobbyists registry, visit: https://www.lobbyistsregistrar.bc.ca/
To learn more about parliamentary committees, visit: https://www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentary-business/committees
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MIL-OSI Canada: Northern Community Shuttle Program approves services
People in the northern rural communities of the province will have access to reliable, safe and affordable regional transportation options with eight community shuttles.
“People with limited transportation options rely on the Northern Community Shuttle Program to get them around and connect to their friends and family,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit. “This program ensures people in communities can continue to access the services they need and when they need them in small northern communities.”
The Northern Community Shuttle Program enables local governments, First Nations communities and not-for-profit organizations to develop small-scale transportation solutions that connect to services, amenities and long-haul transportation services, such as BC Bus North. Shuttle services in and between communities support the mobility of people who live and work in northern B.C., allowing them to visit family and friends and access the services they need.
“Having eight organizations support their communities through the operation of inter-community shuttle services is an important piece of supporting the social fabric of northern B.C.,” said Ben Campbell, CEO, Northern Development. “Reliable, affordable and safe transportation options between rural communities is crucial to the well-being of individuals for social, economic and health reasons. The continuation of seven services and addition of Yekooche First Nation as a shuttle operator demonstrates the value of this work for residents and visitors of northern B.C.”
Northern Development Initiative Trust manages the Northern Community Shuttle Program, which provides grants to communities and organizations to operate community shuttles. This program will ensure the continuation of services provided by seven organizations and the addition of one new service provider. Funding of more than $1.3 million is allocated to the eight approved shuttles for a two-year operating term until 2027.
Learn More:
For a backgrounder about the eight community shuttles, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Northern_Community_Shuttle_Backgrounder.pdf
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MIL-OSI USA: NIH study reveals how inflammation makes touch painful
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 2
News Release
Wednesday, April 23, 2025Researchers uncover the cellular and molecular basis for sensing heat and inflammatory pain.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered clues as to how our bodies turn sensations such as heat and touch into signals sent to the brain — and how these signals can be altered by inflammation to drive pain. The research focuses on the nerve cells in the skin that help us detect the location, intensity, and emotional quality of touch, known as somatosensory neurons. By combining advanced imaging techniques with detailed molecular analysis, the researchers explored how heat and touch activate different types of receptor cells in mice.
“To develop better treatments for pain, it’s critical that we deepen our understanding of the biology behind how sensory signals are received, transmitted, and ultimately perceived by the brain,” said Alex Chesler, Ph.D., co-author of the study and senior investigator at NIH. “Over the past few years, we developed a platform for watching sensation in action, revealing new details about the cells and molecules required and, in this study, how inflammation triggers pain.”
The research revealed how different types of cells were “called into action” depending on whether the stimulus was innocuous, such as gentle warmth or touch, or noxious, meaning a stimulus strong enough to potentially cause damage to normal tissue. For example, heat and gentle touch were transmitted by entirely different types of cells. When the stimulus was more intense, the nerve cells began to overlap in their roles for transmitting the sensations of heat and pressure, providing an explanation for how cells detect and distinguish between innocuous and noxious stimuli.
Inflammation is well known to be linked to pain, but the understanding of what is happening on the cellular and molecular levels is less clear. In their experiments, researchers injected prostaglandin E2 into the skin, a molecule that causes inflammation and drives pain. With the inflammatory response set into motion, researchers found that certain neurons used for signaling pain (nociceptors) became active and sensitized to heat for a long duration, demonstrating the cellular processes at play.
“This explains how inflammation drives ongoing pain and why heat becomes more painful,” said Nick Ryba, Ph.D., co-author and senior investigator at NIH. “However, what was unexpected was that touch detection remained unchanged.”
The study found that inflammation-related hypersensitivity to touch, known as tactile allodynia, was caused by the ongoing nociceptor activity induced by inflammation superimposed on the normal sensation of touch. This finding is consistent with previous research at NIH showing that the ion channel PIEZO2 plays a crucial role in this type of pain.
The research is part of a long-term collaboration between the groups headed by Drs. Chesler and Ryba. Together these labs conduct basic research focusing on how sensory input is detected and processed by the brain to evoke specific behaviors. According to Dr. Chesler, even though this study is in mice, the similarities to humans in the neural pathways far outweigh the differences, so the findings hold important implications for people.
“By learning more about how touch and heat are signaled in the body, we’re identifying new clues for treating pain,” said Dr. Chesler. “Our study shows how different types of pain may benefit from different types of treatments. In short, by identifying exactly which cells and molecules ‘turn up the volume’ of different types of pain, we may be able to identify the ‘switches’ that can turn the volume down.”
The research was led by investigators in the Sensory Cells and Circuits Lab at NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health and the Taste and Smell Section at NIH’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
About the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH): NCCIH’s mission is to define, through rigorous scientific investigation, the usefulness and safety of complementary and integrative health approaches and their roles in improving health and health care. To learn more about NCCIH and its programs, visit https://www.nccih.nih.gov.
About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.
NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health®Reference
Ghitani N, von Buchholtz LJ, MacDonald DI, Falgairolle M, Nguyen MQ, Licholai JA, Ryba NJP, Chesler AT. A distributed code across nociceptor classes for thermosensation and inflammatory pain. Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08875-6.###
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MIL-OSI USA: Revitalizing Historic Landmarks in Western New York
Source: US State of New York
overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of the Historic Post Office at One East Avenue in the City of Lockport after a comprehensive historic rehabilitation and renovation as part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The $9.7 million project included a rehabilitation of the interior and exterior historic fabric of the building together with renovations to improve the facility for modern use. Before and after photos of the project are available here.
“I’m working to revitalize historic landmarks and the communities that they define, and the revitalization of the Historic Post Office will allow Lockport’s rich history to live on through generations to come,” Governor Hochul said. “As the first Governor from Western New York in over 100 years, I’m committed to providing resources and investment so that all of our extraordinary communities can live up to their full potential.”
The One East Avenue Historic Post Office was opened in 1902. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. The three-story, red brick and terra cotta building combines Beaux Arts massing with sculptural detail inspired by classical and Renaissance design. The historic rehabilitation and renovation undertaken by Iskalo Development Corp. included meticulous restoration of the building’s historic features and modernization improvements including new electrical, plumbing, mechanical and sprinkler systems and elevator installation. Iskalo purchased the building in 2015 and served as the Architect and Construction Manager for the project.
The 31,600-square-foot building offers “move-in ready” boutique retail and office suites for lease and is anchored by Big Ditch Brewing which recently opened a Tap Room and Innovation Brewery. The Grigg Lewis Foundation was the first tenant to occupy space in the building.
New York State Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “As a round three winner of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, Lockport is really harnessing its Canal history and heritage as a catalyst for future growth and rejuvenation. The completion of the renovated Historic Post Office continues the City’s momentum toward becoming a world-class destination for residents to live, work and play, and for visitors from all over to enjoy.”
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Governor Hochul’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative projects are strengthening city centers throughout the state. Seeing new life breathed into the century-old Historic Post Office as part of Lockport’s reenergization is a testament to investing in our downtowns.”
New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “As we reflect on 200 years of the Erie Canal, we continue to contemplate ways to elevate the communities that have risen along its banks over these last two centuries. The completion of the Lockport post office, made possible in large measure by Governor Hochul’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, is the perfect illustration of how this program works to bring positive change to downtown centers throughout the state. It is just one of many examples of how the DRI program is bringing positive change to communities from across the Erie Canal.”
City of Lockport Mayor John Lombardi III said, “What an exciting time for the City of Lockport. I sincerely thank the New York Department of State for being in our great city today and for creating a much-needed initiative for the Revitalization of our Downtown Corridor. The Historic rehabilitation and renovation of the ‘Historic Post Office,’ the former Niagara County Courthouse, and the establishment of the anchor tenant ‘Big Ditch Brewing,’ has created a much-needed catalyst for our city. And has provided a destination point for many new visitors, hopefully generating some interest in the gifts Lockport has to offer. What better place for the Big Ditch than within a hundred yards of The Big Ditch? Thank you, Paul Iskalo and Matt Kahn, for creating another reason to love Lockport.”
Founder and President of Iskalo Development Paul B. Iskalo said, “The historic rehabilitation and renovation of the Historic Post Office is a great accomplishment for Iskalo Development and downtown Lockport. And its completion would not have been possible without assistance from the State of New York, City of Lockport, Five Star Bank and Niagara County Industrial Development Agency.”
The City of Lockport was named the Western New York Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Round 3 winner in October 2018. The Historic Post Office received $1.795 million from the DRI, as well as state and federal historic preservation tax credits. In addition to the Historic Post Office, other projects awarded DRI funding include $2.2 million to create rooftop and outdoor event space at the Spalding Mill; $1.35 million to redevelop the F&M Building to house a mix of residential and commercial uses; $955,000 to support the development of commercial space as part of the Harrison Lofts project; $865,000 to enhance connectivity on Pine Street; $800,000 for the renovation of the Tuscarora Club including a boutique hotel; $600,00 for the renovation of the Historic Palace Theatre; $275,000 for additional sculptures as part of the Lock Tenders Tribute; $230,000 for reconstruction of South Street; and $630,000 for a Small Project Grant Fund to support smaller, commercial and mixed-use projects.
The City of Lockport has been chosen as a featured field visit during the World Canals Conference in Buffalo in September. The Department of State will be presenting a panel at the Conference on the ways that the Downtown Revitalization Initiative has helped spark a renaissance in downtown revitalization in over 20 Canal corridor communities. In advance of the conference, DOS produced a case study on the subject entitled, “Downtown Revitalization Along the Erie Canal.”
Downtown Revitalization Initiative
The Downtown Revitalization Initiative was created in 2016 to accelerate and expand the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all ten regions of the state to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for investment. Led by the Department of State with assistance from Empire State Development, Homes and Community Renewal and NYSERDA, the DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative “plan-then-act” strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation and results in compact, walkable downtowns that are a key ingredient to helping New York State rebuild its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to achieving the State’s bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles. Through eight rounds, the DRI has awarded a total of $900 million to 89 communities across every region of the State. -
MIL-OSI USA: Companies and President Operating Oregon Wood Treatment Facility to Pay $1.5M in Criminal Fines for Hazardous Waste and Air Pollution Charges
Source: US State of North Dakota
A federal judge in Oregon yesterday sentenced the two companies responsible for the operation of the J.H. Baxter wood treatment facility in Eugene, Oregon, and their president, for hazardous waste and Clean Air Act violations. Collectively, they were ordered to pay a total of $1.5 million in criminal fines. In addition, the court ordered the companies to serve five years of probation and the companies’ president, Georgia Baxter-Krause, of Deschutes, Oregon, to serve 90 days in prison and one year of supervised release.
Both companies — J.H. Baxter & Co. Inc. and J.H. Baxter & Co., A California Limited Partnership (collectively J.H. Baxter) — previously pleaded guilty to charges of illegally treating hazardous waste and knowingly violating the Clean Air Act’s regulations for hazardous air pollutants. Georgia Baxter-Krause previously pleaded guilty to two counts of making false statements in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the federal statute governing hazardous waste management.
“On more than 100 different days, J.H. Baxter knowingly and illegally boiled off hazardous waste, emitting the discharge into the air,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “J.H. Baxter’s President, Georgia Baxter-Krause, then made false statements about the unlawful practice. Protecting the public’s health is among our highest priorities, and we will prosecute those who violate environmental laws.”
“The J.H. Baxter companies knowingly mishandled hazardous waste and repeatedly violated the Clean Air Act by venting hazardous substances directly into the air, right across the street from people’s homes. The company president then lied to cover up these crimes,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Jeffrey Hall for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s sentencing highlights the significant penalties that Congress has provided for illegally treating or disposing of hazardous waste as well as the Agency’s continued efforts to ensure that Americans have clean air, land, and water.”
“The defendant companies boiled hazardous waste into our community’s air instead of properly dealing with it and Georgia Baxter-Krause lied when confronted about it,” said Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Chief of the Eugene and Medford Branches of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our federal, state, and local partners to investigate and prosecute those who put Oregonians at risk in violation of federal law.”
According to court documents, J.H. Baxter used hazardous chemicals to treat and preserve wood at its Eugene facility. The wastewater from the wood preserving processes was hazardous waste.
To properly treat wastewater from its wood treatment process, J.H. Baxter operated a legal wastewater treatment unit to treat and evaporate the waste. For years, however, when J.H. Baxter had too much water on site, including process wastewater and precipitation, J.H. Baxter’s employees at the facility would transfer hazardous process wastewater to an available wood treatment retort to “boil it off,” greatly reducing its volume. J.H. Baxter would then remove the remaining waste from the retort, label it as hazardous waste and ship it offsite for disposal.
J.H. Baxter did not have a permit to treat its hazardous waste in this manner, as required by RCRA. Additionally, J.H. Baxter’s facility was subject to certain Clean Air Act emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants, which required it to minimize air pollution emissions. However, during the illegal treatment, employees were directed to open all vents on the retorts, allowing discharge to the surrounding air.
After Oregon inspectors discovered this activity, they requested information about the companies’ practice of boiling off hazardous wastewater. On two separate occasions, Georgia Baxter-Krause gave false information in response, which included information about the dates the practice took place and which retorts were used.
The investigation determined that Georgia Baxter-Krause knew J.H. Baxter maintained detailed daily production logs for each retort. From approximately January to October 2019, J.H. Baxter boiled off hazardous process wastewater in its wood treatment retorts on 136 known days. Georgia Baxter-Krause was also aware that during this time J.H. Baxter used four of its five retorts to boil off wastewater.
This case was investigated by the EPA Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Lane Regional Air Protection Agency, EPAs Pacific Northwest (Region 10) office, and the Oregon State Police.
This case was an Environmental Crimes Task Force (ECTF) investigation. ECTF is an initiative in the District of Oregon that identifies, investigates, and prosecutes significant environmental, public lands, and wildlife crimes. ECTF leverages the resources and effort of federal, state and local regulatory agencies and law enforcement to protect human health, safeguard natural resources and wildlife and hold violators accountable.
Trial Attorneys Rachel Roberts and Stephen J. Foster of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. McLaren for the District of Oregon and EPA Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel Karla G. Perrin prosecuted the case.
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MIL-OSI Global: ‘Dreams delayed’ no longer: Report identifies key changes needed around Black students’ education
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Tanitiã Munroe, PhD candidate (ABD) and researcher, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto
As Langston Hughes, the influential Harlem Renaissance poet, playwright and social activist, once wrote: “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?”
This poignant question is echoed in the title of the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s recently released Dreams Delayed report, which shines a spotlight on how systemic racism has continued to derail the educational aspirations of Black students across Ontario.
Laying out a clear and urgent roadmap, Dreams Delayed: Addressing Systemic Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination in Ontario’s Public Education System captures both institutional responsibilities — for example, what the provincial government, school boards, faculties of education and educators must do — and the long-standing demands of Black families, students and communities who have been calling for meaningful change for decades.
Call for important benchmarks
The report’s title reflects a painful truth: the dreams of Black students have too often been deferred by persistent barriers in classrooms, hallways and boardrooms.
For generations, Black families, students and community advocates have chronicled these injustices. By weaving their testimonies with data and legal analysis (including 83 reports), Dreams Delayed brings their struggle into sharp focus and translates it into a concrete policy blueprint.
Its benchmarks are for measurable improvement in graduation rates, fewer suspensions, an elimination of biased academic streaming and an increase in Black teacher representation within four years.
I am a doctoral researcher specializing in the kindergarten to Grade 12 experiences of Black students and their families. I also serve as senior research co-ordinator at the the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement (CEBSA) with the Toronto District School Board.
I’ve seen the very principles this report highlights in action at CEBSA. By grounding our work in evidence and partnering closely with students, families and communities, sustained effort can transform long‑deferred dreams into meaningful, lasting change. In this process, students’ voices and agency must be at the heart of every decision.
Turning commitments into action
Over multiple generations, parents and activists have pushed schools to treat Black students fairly.
In 1992, provincial adviser and former politician Stephen Lewis reported that Black students felt unwelcome and overlooked in their schools. Unfortunately, many of the same issues kept appearing in study after study over the next 30 years.
Researchers found that Black students were often treated differently by teachers and administrators, leading to feelings of not belonging at school. They noted a lack of Black teachers and lessons that did not include Black history or contributions, which made it hard for Black youth to see themselves reflected in their education.
Read more:
Black History: How racism in Ontario schools today is connected to a history of segregation
Black students and their families have consistently described varied unfair treatment. Discipline is one major example. For a long time, Black children have been punished more harshly at school. One Toronto study found that between 2006 and 2011, 42 per cent of Black high school students were suspended at least once, compared to 18 per cent of white students. This huge disparity showed that Black youth were far more likely to be removed from class for what educators judged as misbehaviour.
Anti-Black racism, alienation in schools
In daily school life, many Black students across Ontario have faced anti-Black racism and bias.
They’ve endured racial slurs like the “n-word” from peers (and occasionally staff), and too often these incidents were not taken seriously by schools. Being one of the few Black students in a classroom, or studying a curriculum focused almost entirely on European or white perspectives, can make school feel alienating.
Read more:
Anti-Black racism is not a ‘consensual schoolyard fight’
These conditions — disproportionate suspensions, low expectations, not enough Black representation among staff and repeated racist incidents — have undermined Black students’ well‑being and achievement for years. Awareness of these systemic problems is growing.
Despite the slow pace of change, community advocacy has led to important victories. In 2017, the Toronto District School Board ended the School Resource Officer (SRO) program.
This decision came after Black students, families and advocacy groups like Black Lives Matter, Education Not Incarceration and Policing-Free Schools voiced concerns about the program’s harmful and criminalizing impact on Black and racialized youth.
This decision underscored the power of organized resistance and the importance of listening to students’ lived experiences.
However, to address anti-Black racism in schools meaningfully, we need sustained action, transparent accountability and continued school, family and community involvement. Every day, Black students should learn in an environment where they are safe, respected and empowered to succeed.
Recommendations for systemic change
Dreams Delayed outlines specific recommendations across three main areas: accountability, data monitoring and student well-being.
Accountability and transparency: Under accountability, the report emphasizes openly recognizing anti-Black racism. It recommends creating human rights offices in school boards to handle discrimination complaints effectively. Schools and teachers’ unions must hire more Black educators and address workplace racism to create representative and supportive environments. The Ministry of Education must establish clear anti-racism frameworks and hold schools accountable for human rights standards.
Monitoring and evaluation: Monitoring data is crucial because we can’t fix what isn’t measured. The OHRC recommends standardized data collection across all school boards, tracking suspensions, academic outcomes and incidents of discrimination. Publicly available data allows communities to hold schools accountable and track progress transparently. An innovative recommendation is implementing early intervention systems to identify and address patterns of racial harassment proactively.
Student well-being is central. Ultimately, the goal is for Black students to feel fully supported and able to succeed. The Dreams Delayed plan calls for expanding initiatives that directly support Black youth, including the graduation coach for Black Students. This program places dedicated coaches (often Black mentors) in schools to help Black students with academics and career planning, and has shown promise in improving graduation rates.
Another recommendation is to grow student and family advocate programs so that more Black families have access to advocacy when dealing with schools, and creating affirming education spaces for Black students. Such spaces and important resources are offered through CEBSA, such as programs to connect Black students with STEM opportunties and post-secondary pathway planning.
Turning advocacy into action
By acting on the report’s key recommendations — building accountability, collecting race‑based data, transforming curriculum and expanding student supports — those long‑deferred dreams can finally begin to materialize.
Meaningful progress, however, will demand collective resolve and sustained action. Educators, policymakers and communities must move beyond acknowledging the problem and dedicate themselves to reshaping the system so every Black student is seen, heard, valued and afforded an equal chance to succeed.
The next few years will be critical. The measure of success will be simple: when Black students across Ontario no longer have to fight for the basics — dignity, safety, respect — but can focus fully on learning, growing and pursuing their futures with confidence.
Dreams Delayed offers a pivotal opportunity to transform Ontario’s schools into spaces of belonging and possibility.
Embracing its recommendations with urgency and sincerity would honour generations of advocacy and finally create an education system where every student, especially every Black student, is empowered to thrive.
Tanitiã Munroe is a Senior Research Coordinator at the Toronto District School Board.
– ref. ‘Dreams delayed’ no longer: Report identifies key changes needed around Black students’ education – https://theconversation.com/dreams-delayed-no-longer-report-identifies-key-changes-needed-around-black-students-education-254439
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MIL-OSI USA: This Ain’t Our First Hike: National Park Week in the Heart of Texas
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
National Park Week is here—April 19 through April 26—and it’s the perfect time to step back and appreciate the natural heritage that makes the Lone Star State so extraordinary. This year, the National Park Service (NPS) is celebrating with the theme “National Park Playlist,” highlighting the connections between music and nature from songs about nature to heavy metal.
With Earth Day falling right in the middle of National Park Week, it’s also a time to honor both the planet and the great outdoors—two birds, one stone. National Park Week also includes National Junior Ranger Day, a special opportunity for young Texans to connect with nature through the NPS Junior Ranger Program. With games, hands-on activities, and guided learning offered at more than 400 national parks across the country, it’s a fun and family-friendly way to plant the seeds of environmental stewardship early.
You don’t have to travel far to experience the great outdoors. Texas is home to numerous parks, offering everything from piney woods and desert plains to sweeping mountain ranges. Among its most treasured gems are Guadalupe Mountains and Big Bend National Parks, two stunning landscapes that exemplify the natural beauty and vibrant wildlife of the Lone Star State.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to Texas’ highest peak and a rugged beauty that draws hikers and nature lovers year-round. Established as a national park in 1966, it shares a geological history with nearby Carlsbad Caverns National Park, where over 119 caves were formed through the dissolution of limestone over millions of years. These mountains carry the stories of ancient hunter-gatherers and the Mescalero Apache, whose presence is still honored today.
In the northern reaches of the Chihuahuan Desert, Big Bend stretches more than 800,000 acres. It offers dramatic canyons, desert solitude, and some of the best stargazing in the world. The park is a haven for wildlife, hosting approximately 31 species of snakes, 22 species of lizards, and more than 450 species of birds. Despite scorching summer temperatures that can exceed 115 degrees, the desert blooms with ocotillo, yucca, lechuguilla, bluebonnets, and desert marigolds. In fact, Big Bend contains more species of cacti than any other national park in the country.
Humans have called this region home for millennia, with archaeological sites within the park that date back nearly 10,000 years. The Comanche were the last indigenous people to inhabit the area before American settlers in the late 1800s. And in a little-known chapter of Texas history, camels once roamed this land, having been brought in for military purposes in the 1850s. Through several expeditions, these camels marched over rough, rocky terrain with little to no water or vegetation. They were eventually sold off to ranchers and circuses after the expeditions.
This year, Big Bend is at the heart of an exciting conservation effort. I introduced the Big Bend National Park Boundary Adjustment Act, which would allow the NPS to acquire approximately 6,100 acres along the park’s western edge and help protect the land that makes this region, rich in ecological and culture meaning, so special. If passed, the legislation would be a step forward in preserving Texas’ natural wonders not just for us, but for generations to come.
Here in Texas, National Park Week is a celebration of our land and our communities. The Lone Star State has never done things halfway, and our approach to public lands is no exception. Because in Texas, we know the land isn’t just ours to enjoy—it’s ours to protect for those who will walk it next.
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MIL-OSI Canada: Alberta joining global wildlife council
Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)
The ratification of Alberta’s groundbreaking membership places Alberta among leading nations like Austria, Finland and Spain – countries recognized for their commitment to responsible wildlife stewardship. It reflects Alberta’s growing role as a global leader in sustainable hunting practices and practical conservation strategies.
While in Doha, Qatar, the minister will attend the 71st General Assembly of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation and showcase Alberta as a world-class international hunting destination – boosting the province’s outfitting industry, supporting local jobs and connecting with global partners to exchange knowledge on wildlife management and conservation best practices.
“Alberta is world-famous for hunting, fishing and outdoor adventure. Joining this international group shows the strong conservation work happening here and opens new doors to share what we’re doing – and learn from others, too.”
Following the conference, Minister Loewen will travel to the United Kingdom to meet with experts on human-wildlife conflicts and promote Alberta hunting opportunities in Europe.
Minister Loewen will be joined by one government employee. Mission expenses will be posted on the travel and expense disclosure page.
April 24 – 25
- Travel to Doha, Qatar.
April 26
- Attend the 71st General Assembly of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation.
April 27 – 28
- Meetings with Qatari Wildlife Development Department.
April 29
- Travel to London.
April 30 – May 1
- Meetings with wildlife conflict experts at the University of Surrey and hunting industry stakeholders.
May 2
- Travel to Edmonton.
*Subject to change.
Quick facts
- The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation is a global authority on biodiversity and hunting that has been uniting responsible hunters and governments from more than 80 countries since 1930.
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MIL-OSI Canada: 21 New Officers Hired to Support Frontline Policing in Saskatchewan
Source: Government of Canada regional news
Released on April 23, 2025
The Government of Saskatchewan is funding 21 new police officer positions filled over the past year as part of the province’s $11.9 million Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods commitment to hire approximately 100 new municipal police officers.
“Saskatchewan residents expect and deserve to feel safe in their communities and that means having enough police officers on the ground where they are needed the most,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said. “We are proud to support municipal police services in expanding their frontline capacity to prevent and respond to criminal activity in their communities.”
Officers have been hired and are currently training at the Saskatchewan Police College before they begin serving in Saskatchewan municipalities – seven each in Saskatoon and Regina, three in Moose Jaw, and two each in Estevan and Weyburn. Additional officers will enhance policing and law enforcement capabilities to improve overall community safety and wellbeing for Saskatchewan residents.
“This investment under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods initiative is a vital step forward in our ongoing efforts to enhance public safety across all Saskatchewan communities,” Saskatoon Chief of Police Cameron McBride said. “The addition of seven frontline officers will strengthen our ability to proactively address criminal activity and improve quality of life in our communities. We are grateful for the government’s support as we continue working to ensure our neighbourhoods remain safe places to live, work and raise families.”
This marks the first step toward fulfilling Saskatchewan’s commitment to hire approximately 100 new officers across the province.
“The residents of Weyburn and Saskatchewan are very fortunate to have a provincial government that recognizes the current law enforcement needs and takes appropriate action to address those needs, in order to ensure our communities are safe and Saskatchewan continues to remain a great place to live in,” Weyburn Police Service Chief Brent VanDeSype said. “Funding under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods initiative enabled the Weyburn Police Service to hire two new police officers. This is a very welcome and significant boost that enhances our service and our ability to better meet the safety needs of our community.”
In 2024-25 and 2025-26, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested $2 billion in public safety to support policing and community safety in the province and enhance access to justice services.
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For more information, contact:
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MIL-OSI Canada: Canadian Coast Guard Inshore Rescue Boat training in Parry Sound, Ontario
Source: Government of Canada News
April 23, 2025
Parry Sound, ON. – The Canadian Coast Guard’s Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) program will hold search and rescue training for crews between April 25 and May 12, 2025 in Parry Sound, Ontario.
Training will be carried out during daytime and nighttime hours at the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Base in Parry Sound and surrounding waters south to Midland, and north to Britt. The public can expect to see upwards of 10 CCG Zodiac Fast Rescue Craft and helicopters throughout the area. There is no real emergency or danger to the public.
This training certifies and prepares students to respond to marine emergencies during the summer months, such as, but not limited to, medical emergencies, missing persons/boaters, vessels aground, vessels taking on water, and disabled vessels.
Each summer, the Canadian Coast Guard hires post-secondary students and trains them as IRB crews at stations across Canada. These stations provide supplementary search and rescue services during the busy summer boating season. The IRB program provides employment experience and mentorship to post-secondary students.
On the Great Lakes, the Canadian Coast Guard operates six IRB stations. They are located at Britt (Georgian Bay), Brebeuf Island (Georgian Bay), Hill Island (St. Lawrence River), Port Lambton (St. Clair River), Thames River (Lake St. Clair) and Long Point (Lake Erie). IRB stations are open annually from May to October.
For more information on the IRB program, visit: Inshore Rescue Boat service
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MIL-OSI Security: Holyrood — Excessive speeder ticketed by RCMP Traffic Services East
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
A 37-year-old man was ticketed by RCMP Traffic Services East for excessive speeding yesterday.
Shortly after 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, police observed a vehicle travelling 165 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the Trans Canada Highway near Butter Pot Park. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was ticketed for excessive speeding. His license was suspended and the vehicle was seized and impounded. During the traffic stop, police received complaints from motorists regarding the same vehicle, which had luckily already been located.
RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador. We thank the public for continuing to report incidents of excessive speed, dangerous driving, impaired driving, and crimes within their communities.
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MIL-OSI: CORRECTION – Middlefield Global Dividend Growers ETF Distributions
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
TORONTO, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a release issued today by Middlefield Sustainable Global Dividend ETF (TSX: MDIV), please note the source should have read as Middlefield Global Dividend Growers ETF. The corrected release follows:
Middlefield Global Dividend Growers ETF (TSX: MDIV) (the “Fund”) is pleased to announce that distributions for the second quarter of 2025 will be payable to unitholders of Middlefield Global Dividend Growers ETF as follows:
Record Date Payable Date Distribution Per
Trust UnitApril 30, 2025 May 15, 2025 $0.06 May 31, 2025 June 13, 2025 $0.06 June 30, 2025 July 15, 2025 $0.06
The trust units trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol MDIV.The Fund offers a distribution reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) for unitholders which provides unitholders with the ability to automatically reinvest distributions, commission free, and realize the benefits of compound growth. Unitholders can enroll in the DRIP program by contacting their investment advisor.
Middlefield
Founded in 1979, Middlefield is a specialist equity income asset manager with offices in Toronto, Canada and London, England. Our investment team utilizes active management to select high-quality, global companies across a variety of sectors and themes. Our product offerings include proven dividend-focused strategies that span real estate, healthcare, innovation, infrastructure, energy, diversified income and more. We offer these solutions in a variety of product types including ETFs, Mutual Funds, Closed-End Funds, Split-Share Funds and Flow-through LPs.
For further information, please visit our website at www.middlefield.com or contact Nancy Tham in our Sales and Marketing Department at 1.888.890.1868.
This press release contains forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is based on historical information concerning distributions and dividends paid on the securities of issuers historically included in the portfolio of the Fund. Actual future results, including the amount of distributions paid by the Fund, may differ from the monthly distribution amount. Specifically, the income from which distributions are paid may vary significantly due to: changes in portfolio composition; changes in distributions and dividends paid by issuers of securities included in the Fund’s portfolio from time to time; there being no assurance that those issuers will pay distributions or dividends on their securities; the declaration of distributions and dividends by issuers of securities included in the portfolio will generally depend upon various factors, including the financial condition of each issuer and general economic and stock market conditions; the level of borrowing by the Fund; and the uncertainty of realizing capital gains. The risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results are described under “Risk Factors” in the Fund’s prospectus and other documents filed by the Fund with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The forward-looking information contained in this press release constitutes the Fund’s current estimate, as of the date of this press release, with respect to the matters covered hereby. Investors and others should not assume that any forward-looking statement contained in this press release represents the Fund’s estimate as of any date other than the date of this press release.
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MIL-OSI Russia: At the XV Eurasian Economic Youth Forum in Yekaterinburg, Vladimir Stroyev shared his experience in implementing DPO programs
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
On April 23, 2025, the rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev took part in the XV Eurasian Economic Youth Forum “Eurasian Synergy: Multipolarity – Integration – Dialogue of Civilizations”.
The Eurasian Economic Youth Forum (EEYF) is being held from April 21 to 25 in Yekaterinburg at the Ural State University of Economics. More than 20,000 people from 116 countries, representing 209 universities, are taking part in the Forum.
Rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev gave a report on the topic “Experience of the Eurasian Network University in implementing programs of additional professional education in the EAEU space.”
Vladimir Vitalyevich told the audience that in 2022, the State University of Management was one of the initiators of the creation of the scientific and educational consortium “Eurasian Network University” – a project that united more than 30 universities from 7 states of the Eurasian space: Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, as well as universities of Uzbekistan and Transnistria as observers. More distant countries, such as Iran or Cuba, are also showing interest in joining the ENU. The ENU Secretariat is based at the State University of Management and carries out the necessary operational activities of the consortium.
The rector of the State University of Management reported that in 2024 alone, with the support of Rossotrudnichestvo, 18 additional professional education programs were implemented, for the implementation of which 324 quotas were allocated. Among the program areas: management, marketing, management in the field of science and education, logistics and others. The programs turned out to be especially in demand in Belarus, 260 citizens of the union state studied under them. In-person strategic sessions on additional professional education programs were also held in Belarus, at the Russian House in Minsk.
The basis of the DPO programs is a modular-block structure developed on the basis of the experience accumulated at the State University of Management. The program can be assembled from modules of different levels of complexity, duration of training and technologies for conducting educational events.
“One example of a successfully implemented educational initiative of the State University of Management is the program “Strategic Planning and Macroeconomic Forecasting: Theoretical Foundations and Practice of the EAEU”. It is interesting because it was developed not only by specialists of the State University of Management, but also by teachers of the Belarusian State University of Economics, as well as leading experts of the Eurasian Economic Commission. Last year, 27 specialists from the EAEU countries successfully completed training within the framework of this program,” said Vladimir Stroyev.
In conclusion of the report, the rector of the State University of Management noted that participation in such advanced training programs is becoming a driver for the development of trade and economic relations between Eurasian states, providing their participants with the opportunity to get acquainted with the experience and best business practices in the EAEU countries, and establish business contacts. Feedback received from participants in the additional professional education programs shows a high interest in such educational projects in the EAEU countries, which is largely due to the absence of a language barrier, and this makes the learning process more effective.
Photo from the official website of the EEFM.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 23.04.2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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MIL-OSI Canada: Premier’s statement on Yom HaShoah
Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking Yom HaShoah:
“At sundown tonight, British Columbians join people around the world in observing Yom HaShoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day.
“We stand with Jewish communities everywhere in remembrance and mourning. We honour the memory of the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. Today we also mourn the lives of millions more who died because of their ethnicity, sexual identity, disability or opposition to the Nazi regime.
“During the Holocaust, known in Hebrew as the Shoah, Jewish communities across Europe were systematically persecuted, confined to ghettos and sent in cattle cars to concentration camps built solely for the purpose of human extermination.
“We must reject the poison of disinformation and denial and ensure that all future generations know the truth of this dark period in human history. Our government is working with the Jewish community here in B.C. to ensure that all high school students in the province learn about the Holocaust as part of their education about injustices and discriminatory practices in Canada and around the world.
“Our government condemns the rise in antisemitic acts that followed the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel, and we are committed to ensuring that our province is safe and welcoming for people of all faiths and backgrounds.
“Each of us has the right to safety, dignity and a life without fear of unjust persecution. On this solemn day of reflection, we must recommit ourselves to the eternal pledge of ‘Never again.’”
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MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Pingree Demand Trump Administration Halt Implementation of Reckless Reorganization at the Department of the Interior
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)
Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, issued the following statement on the Trump Administration’s move to significantly reorganize the Department of the Interior:
“On Friday afternoon before a holiday weekend, the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittees received a letter from the Department of the Interior related to a Department-wide reorganization to consolidate administrative and support services. The letter does not include any detail about changes to organizational structure, funding flows, staffing, or any other functions, and the Trump Administration has not yet agreed to provide any further information. The letter states that the first phase of the reorganization would start within 48 hours—on Easter Sunday.
“It is unacceptable for the Administration to unilaterally overhaul agency structure and funding through a hasty, mid-year shuffle—especially when the fiscal year 2025 Appropriations bill clearly maintains the Department’s longstanding operations and organization. The services it seeks to move from each individual bureau to the department level—like hiring seasonal park rangers, engaging with communities around specific public lands, conducting fair and cost-effective bidding for major construction projects, and overseeing grants tied to program-specific eligibilities—form the operational backbone of each bureau and reflect their distinct missions and authorities. Making such broad-sweeping changes without conducting detailed organizational research, evaluating consequences, planning a transition, or consulting Congress is reckless.
“Given the Administration’s ongoing illegal funding freezes, assault on the federal workforce, haphazard cancellation of building leases, and other efforts to throw agencies into total chaos and paralyze the federal government, we cannot take any such reorganization as a serious attempt to improve efficiency. We demand that the Department of the Interior halt implementation of this large-scale reorganization and propose such changes in the President’s budget request for full examination and final determination by Congress.”
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MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s Press Encounter on Climate
Source: United Nations secretary general
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, may I first express to the Government and people of Türkiye my full solidarity in this difficult moment.
President Lula of Brazil and I just concluded a unique meeting with a cross-section of world leaders focused on climate action and a just transition.
The gathering included 17 participants at level of heads of state and government representing some of the world’s largest economies — including China and the European Union — and some of the world’s most climate vulnerable countries.
We also had leaders currently chairing important regional partnerships — the African Union, ASEAN, and the Alliance of Small Island States and CARICOM, along with many others.
It was among the most diverse meetings of heads of state focused exclusively on climate in some time.
Yet I heard a unifying message.
Yes, our world faces massive headwinds and a multitude of crises.
But we cannot allow climate commitments to be blown off course.
We must keep building momentum for action at COP30 in Brazil — and today was an important part of that effort.
We don’t have a moment to lose.
No region is being spared from the ravages of accelerating climate catastrophes.
And the crisis is deepening poverty, displacing communities, and fuelling conflict and instability.
At the same time, countries are waking up to a clear fact:
Renewables are the economic opportunity of the century.
Dissenters and fossil fuel interests may try to stand in the way.
But as we heard today, the world is moving forward. Full-speed ahead.
No group or government can stop the clean energy revolution.
Science is on our side — and economics have shifted.
Prices for renewables have plummeted and the sector is booming — creating jobs and boosting competitiveness and growth worldwide.
The pathway out of climate hell is paved by renewables.
They offer the surest route to energy sovereignty and security, and ending dependence on volatile and expensive fossil fuel imports.
We also know collective climate action works.
Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the projected global warming-curve has been bent down — from over four degrees of temperature rise within this century, to 2.6 degrees if current national climate action plans are fully implemented.
But that is catastrophic so we must go further and faster.
Today, I urged leaders to take action on two fronts.
First — to step up efforts to submit the strongest possible national climate plans well ahead of COP30.
And leaders today committed to put forward ambitious and robust plans as soon as possible what was a strong message of hope.
These new climate plans offer a unique opportunity to lay out a bold vision for a just green transition over the next decade.
They should align with 1.5 degrees and set emissions-reduction targets that cover all greenhouse gases and the whole economy as several today mentioned clearly.
Most importantly, they should help speed-up a just transition away from fossil fuels to renewables…
Link national energy and development strategies with climate goals…
And signal to policymakers and investors alike a total commitment to achieving global net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Second — as leaders turbocharge their own transitions, I urged them to scale-up support for developing countries.
Those least responsible for climate change are suffering from its worst effects.
Africa and other parts of the developing world are experiencing faster warming —and the Pacific islands are seeing faster sea-level rise — even while the global average itself is accelerating.
Meanwhile, despite being home to 60 per cent of the world’s best solar resources, Africa has only around 1.5 per cent of installed solar capacity – and receives just two per cent of global investment into renewables.
We need to change this — fast.
At COP30, leaders must deliver a credible roadmap to mobilize $1.3 trillion a year for developing countries by 2035.
Developed countries must honour their promise to double adaptation finance to at least $40 billion a year, by this year.
And we need significantly increased contributions and innovative sources of finance to support the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage.
Across all these fronts, we will keep up the push — including at a special event in September in the final weeks to COP30.
As today’s meeting made clear, we cannot, must not, and will not let up on climate action.
Thank you.
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MIL-OSI USA: April 29: IAM Union, NFFE-IAM, Labor Allies to Celebrate Federal Workers Outside Union Station
Source: US GOIAM Union
MEDIA ADVISORY
WASHINGTON, April 23, 2025—The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), along with the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), will host a federal worker thank you event on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. outside Union Station in Washington, D.C.
This gathering of hundreds of union members and leaders will celebrate the contributions of federal workers and will be held during the week of the IAM Union Legislative Conference. The conference serves as a vital platform for IAM members to strategize and amplify their voices in the halls of Congress. Throughout the three-day event, IAM members engaged in productive discussions with lawmakers, advocating for policies supporting working families nationwide.
Federal workers are the backbone of our nation, providing essential services that keep our country running. They are healthcare professionals caring for our military veterans, wildland firefighters protecting our lives and property, and park rangers watching after our national treasures. The IAM Union, America’s largest defense labor union, has the highest percentage of military veteran members in the labor movement.
Event Details:
What: IAM Union and NFFE-IAM to host a visibility event to thank federal workers
When: Tuesday, April 29, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: At Columbus Circle in front of Union Station
Who: IAM Union, NFFE-IAM, labor allies, and community supporters
RSVP: Interested reporters can RSVP by emailing Bethany Shelton (bshelton@iamaw.org).
Volunteers will distribute informational materials, engage with commuters, and hold signs thanking federal workers. Members of Congress, elected officials, and local community leaders are invited to attend this event.
The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) recently launched the “Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network.”
This collaborative initiative, developed in partnership with the AFL-CIO, We The Action, Democracy Forward, AFGE, ACS, NTEU, Partnership for Public Service, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and other organizations, aims to provide free and direct legal support to federal workers who have been unjustly terminated or mistreated during the Trump administration.
In light of the significant challenges faced by many federal employees, the Rise Up network seeks to ensure that those who have been wrongfully terminated, as well as current workers concerned about their employment rights, have access to essential legal resources and support.
Workers can find the assistance they need by visiting workerslegaldefense.org .
“The IAM Union will come together to make our voices heard and to strategize on the best ways forward in the fight for federal workers and workers’ rights everywhere,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “We will continue to hold events that uplift the contributions of federal workers and let them know that the IAM has their backs.”
The IAM Union invites members of the media to attend and cover this event. Visuals and interview opportunities will be available.
“Federal employees need the support of their elected officials, community partners, and the American people now more than ever,” said Randy Erwin, National President of the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM). “The dedicated workers who have given their careers to serving this nation are facing the biggest threat to their right to form and join a union that this country has ever seen. NFFE and the IAM will continue to fight against these unconstitutional attacks and promote the critical work that civil servants accomplish every day across the country on behalf of their fellow Americans.”
The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.
goIAM.org | @IAM_Union
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MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Alan Wilson demands City of Columbia repeal unconstitutional faith-based counseling banRead More
Source: US State of South Carolina
(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has formally demanded that the City of Columbia repeal City Ordinance 2021-021, citing clear conflicts with state law and violations of constitutional rights. In a letter sent to the Columbia City Council today, Wilson urged immediate action to bring the city into compliance with state statutes and the South Carolina Constitution.
The ordinance in question bans licensed counselors from offering any form of so-called “conversion therapy” to minors, a term Wilson notes has been mischaracterized and weaponized by activist groups to restrict religious freedom and professional judgment in counseling.
“Our Office has reviewed the ordinance and determined it directly conflicts with state law, particularly the Medical Ethics and Diversity Act passed by the General Assembly in 2022,” said Wilson. “Municipalities do not have the authority to regulate professions that require statewide uniformity, such as counseling and psychological therapy. This ordinance crosses the line, violates the law, and must be repealed.”
The 2022 Medical Ethics and Diversity Act explicitly prohibits local governments from interfering with a healthcare provider’s professional judgment, including in the realm of psychological counseling. It affirms the rights of patients and families to choose counseling that aligns with their values, including religious beliefs.
Attorney General Wilson further emphasized the legal precedent supporting his Office’s position, citing federal rulings such as Otto v. City of Boca Raton and King v. Governor of New Jersey, which found similar bans on counseling practices unconstitutional under free speech and religious liberty protections.
“The ordinance prioritizes ideology over individuals, silencing faith-based counselors and denying families the freedom to choose the care that reflects their deeply held beliefs,” Wilson stated. “We are committed to defending South Carolinians’ right to religious liberty and protecting counselors from unconstitutional mandates.”
The Attorney General has requested a formal response from the City by May 5, 2025, and expressed willingness to meet with city officials to resolve the matter.
You can read the letter here.
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MIL-OSI Video: Are YOU next to carry the fire forward?
Source: US Army (video statements)
About the U.S. Army:
The Army Mission – our purpose – remains constant: To deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt & sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force.
Interested in joining the U.S. Army?
Visit: spr.ly/6001igl5LConnect with the U.S. Army online:
Web: https://www.army.mil
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-army
#USArmy #Soldiers #Military #Shorts #Army -
MIL-OSI: Double Deposit Bonus. 100x Leverage. No KYC. Crypto Futures Trading Made Easy on BexBack.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SINGAPORE, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With Bitcoin’s price fluctuating below $100,000, many analysts predict a prolonged period of high volatility in the crypto market. Holding spot positions may struggle to generate short-term profits in such conditions. As a result, 100x leverage futures trading has become the preferred tool for seasoned investors looking to maximize potential gains in this volatile market. BexBack Exchange is ramping up its efforts to offer traders unmatched promotional packages. The platform now features a 100% deposit bonus, a $50 welcome bonus for new users, and 100x leverage on cryptocurrency trading, providing exceptional opportunities for investors.
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What Is 100x Leverage and How Does It Work?
Simply put, 100x leverage allows you to open larger trading positions with less capital. For example:
Suppose the Bitcoin price is $100,000 that day, and you open a long contract with 1 BTC. After using 100x leverage, the transaction amount is equivalent to 100 BTC.
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Contact:
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business@bexback.comDisclaimer: This content is provided by BexBack. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.
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MIL-OSI: EverGen Infrastructure Corp. Announces Private Placement of Common Shares and Entering Into of Share Purchase and Reorganization Agreement
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities Laws.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EverGen Infrastructure Corp. (“EverGen” or the “Company”) (TSXV: EVGN) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a share purchase and reorganization agreement (the “Agreement”) on April 22, 2025, with Ask America, LLC (the “Purchaser”), an arm’s length limited liability company existing under the laws of New Jersey. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Purchaser has agreed to act as the lead investor in a private placement of common shares of the Company (“Common Shares”) for total gross proceeds of up to CAD$7,000,000 (the “Private Placement”). A copy of the Agreement will be accessible on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
Private Placement
Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company intends to complete the Private Placement of up to an aggregate of 11,666,667 Common Shares at a price of $0.60 per Common Share with the Purchaser and other subscribers for total gross proceeds of up to CAD$7,000,000. In connection with the Private Placement, Purchaser has agreed to subscribe for and purchase 8,333,333 Common Shares in the Private Placement, for gross aggregate proceeds of CAD$5,000,000 (the “Share Purchase”) on the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement. Upon execution of the Agreement, the Purchaser paid a deposit of CAD$1,800,000 to the Company for the Share Purchase, with the remaining CAD$3,200,000 to be paid by the Purchaser to the Company upon closing of the Private Placement. The Common Shares issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a four month hold period. The Company anticipates using the proceeds of the Private Placement for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, subject to and concurrent with the closing of the Private Placement, the majority of the executive officers and directors of the Company will resign and be replaced with a new management team consisting of Chase Edgelow as Chief Executive Officer, Ron Green as Chief Operating Officer, with Sean Hennessey continuing as Chief Financial Officer and a new board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) consisting of: Chase Edgelow, Varun Anand, Blake Almond, and Mischa Zajtmann (collectively, the “Change of Management”). The foregoing changes will constitute a “Change of Management” (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange). The closing of the Private Placement may also result in the Purchaser becoming a new “Control Person” of the Company (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange). The completion of the Private Placement and the Change of Management is expected to occur in early May 2025.
It is also anticipated that, prior to closing of the Private Placement, 1,211,026 options, warrants and other equity settled incentive securities held by current and former members of the Company’s management and the Board will be surrendered for cancellation. Upon completion of the Private Placement, EverGen will have issued and outstanding up to 25,686,352 Common Shares (up to 25,806,225 Common Shares on a fully diluted basis).
New Management Team & Board
The new management team and board brings unparalleled knowledge of the Company and its assets, a focused strategy dedicated to improving operational efficiencies and cost structure, and a long-term vision to continue to grow EverGen into a highly strategic and valuable infrastructure platform.
Chase Edgelow (Director & Chief Executive Officer): Brings a direct hands-on approach as co-founder and former CEO of EverGen, along with 20 years of financial and operational expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors. He is the founding partner of Chase Capital, a private capital platform dedicated to investing in, advising and growing businesses with a focus on the circular economy and energy transition. He spent over a decade with Macquarie Group specializing in sourcing, structuring and managing private energy and infrastructure investments on behalf of Macquarie and other co-investment partners, in addition to providing traditional M&A, capital raising and advisory services for corporate clients. Holds a degree in Engineering Physics from Queen’s University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and Professional Engineer of Alberta (non-practising).
Ron Green (Chief Operating Officer): An accomplished leader with over 30 years of experience in the energy & infrastructure sectors, specializing in operational excellence and team development. Proven track record of driving success in turnaround situations, with expertise in optimizing operations and aligning strategic incentives. Throughout his career, Mr. Green has held key executive roles, including CEO of Promeita Energy, Vice President of Rockwater Energy Solutions, Chief Operating Officer of Pure Energy Services Ltd., and Executive Vice President of Delaney Energy. In addition to his executive leadership roles, Mr. Green is a founding board member of Beyond Energy Services & Technology Corp, which he has guided from a start-up to a >$100m revenue business. He is a graduate of Queens University’s Executive Program and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. With extensive experience in operational leadership and people management, he is a trusted expert in driving sustainable growth and value creation.
Sean Hennessy (CFO): Sean is a chartered accountant with over 15 years of finance and accounting experience in the clean energy and infrastructure industries, which includes ten years at Altera Infrastructure (previously Teekay Offshore Partners), a global energy infrastructure group and a Brookfield Business Partners portfolio company. Sean obtained his Chartered Accountant designation at PwC New Zealand, where he worked in both the tax and assurance practices, before transitioning to Canada. He is experienced with financial reporting for public companies under both IFRS and US GAAP, on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange. Sean completed a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration (Accounting, Finance and Commercial Law) degree and a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics) degree at Victoria University of Wellington.
Varun Anand (Director): Varun serves as the Outsourced Chief Investment Officer and representative of ASK America LLC. He brings over a decade of global investment experience across public and private markets, with a strong track record of identifying and executing high-quality infrastructure opportunities. An award-winning portfolio manager, Varun has developed particular expertise in the renewable energy sector, having invested extensively in both Canadian and international renewable energy assets. During his tenure at Starlight Capital, he led the investment in the Company’s IPO in 2021 and built one of its largest shareholder positions by 2022. Varun holds a Bachelor of Mathematics with a Finance specialization from the University of Waterloo and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Blake Almond (Director): Blake has 17 years of experience in M&A and private & public capital markets including 8 years focused on organics, bioenergy and other circular economy infrastructure assets. He spent 10 years with Macquarie Capital in Sydney where he executed M&A and public & private capital markets deals in bioenergy and natural resources. Today he leads the financial advisory business Circ Partners where he advises global infrastructure private equity funds and industrial sponsor clients on circular economy infrastructure investments. Notably, while at Macquarie Capital, Blake advised on cross-border M&A transactions between Canada and Australia including Viterra Inc on the A$1.6bn acquisition of ABB Grain Ltd and Eldorado Gold Corporation on the A$2.1bn acquisition of Sino Gold Mining Limited. Blake is a Member of the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) and the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR).
Mischa Zajtmann (Director): Mischa has 15 years of experience providing consulting and executive management expertise for Canadian and American listed companies in the resource sector with projects in South America, Africa, and Asia. He is a co-founder of EverGen. Mischa was a corporate securities lawyer who began his career at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, focused primarily on corporate securities transactions, including M&A and corporate finance. He has advised both purchasers and target companies in a wide variety of M&A transactions—including issuers listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange and underwriters, in connection with public offerings and private placements of equity securities, regulatory compliance, and general corporate and commercial matters. Mischa has a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Saskatchewan Law School and is a member of the British Columbia Bar.
Corporate Strategy
With a strengthened balance sheet following the private placement and the appointment of the new management team and board, EverGen is strategically positioned to unlock substantial shareholder value. The Company’s immediate focus is on driving operational excellence, enhancing capital efficiency, and establishing a foundation for scalable growth through the following key pillars:
Operational Excellence to Maximize Returns: Deployment of performance-driven systems and accountability frameworks across core facilities to drive margin expansion and operational reliability.
Cost Optimization and Capital Discipline: Allocation of capital to high-impact optimization projects aimed at reducing operating volatility and improving unit economics. Overhead will be streamlined, and opportunities to lower financing costs will be actively pursued to reinforce a lean, agile cost structure.
Strategic Growth: Upon stabilization of core operations, the Company will leverage industry relationships and execution capabilities to re-initiate disciplined project development and pursue accretive partnership opportunities that support long-term growth and shareholder value creation.
Shareholder and Stock Exchange Approvals
Completion of the Private Placement and the Change of Management is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and disinterested holders of Common Shares holding more than 50% of the Common Shares giving consent to the Private Placement and the Change of Management, in accordance with the policies and requirements of the TSX Venture Exchange by executing a written consent (the “Shareholder Written Consent”).
EverGen Board Approval and Recommendation
EverGen previously announced on February 28, 2025 that the Board formed a special independent committee (the “Special Committee”) to evaluate and review potential strategic transactions with the goal of maximizing value for EverGen shareholders and other stakeholders of the Company. Based on the recommendation of the Special Committee, the Board has unanimously approved the Agreement and the Private Placement and has determined that the completion of the Change of Management and the Private Placement is in the best interests of EverGen. The Board recommends that the EverGen shareholders execute the Shareholder Written Consent. Any EverGen shareholder wishing to obtain and execute the Shareholder Written Consent should contact EverGen as set forth below.
About EverGen Infrastructure Corp.
EverGen, Canada’s Renewable Natural Gas Infrastructure Platform, is combating climate change and helping communities contribute to a sustainable future. Headquartered on the West Coast of Canada, EverGen is an established independent renewable energy producer which acquires, develops, builds, owns and operates a portfolio of Renewable Natural Gas, waste to energy, and related infrastructure projects. EverGen is focused on Canada, with continued growth expected across other regions in North America and beyond.
For more information about EverGen Infrastructure Corp. and our projects, please visit www.evergeninfra.com.
About ASK America LLC
ASK America LLC is backed by a multi-generational U.S. family office with several decades of investment experience across a broad spectrum of asset classes. The family office has amassed substantial assets under management, fueled by the success of its wholly owned consumer products business as well as the consistent growth of its investment portfolio. Through ASK America LLC, the group brings a combination of operational acumen and patient, long-term capital to its partnerships, with a steadfast commitment to fostering sustainable growth and delivering superior risk-adjusted returns.
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information
This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “will”, “estimates”, “believes”, “intends” “expects” and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward looking statements and information concerning: the completion of the Private Placement and the terms thereof, including the issuance of Common Shares, the completion of the Change of Management, the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange of the Private Placement and the Change of Management, the offering price of the Common Shares, the cancellation of certain options, warrants and other equity settled incentive securities of the Company, and receipt of the Shareholder Written Consent. EverGen cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of EverGen, including expectations and assumptions concerning EverGen, the Private Placement, the Change of Management, the timely receipt of all required TSX Venture Exchange, shareholder and regulatory approvals and exemptions (as applicable, including the Shareholder Written Consent) and the satisfaction of other closing conditions. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of EverGen. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and EverGen does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by securities law.
This press release is not an offer of the securities for sale in the United States. The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”)) or any U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an available exemption from the registration requirement of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts
EverGen Infrastructure Corp.
Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer
Mischa Zajtmann
604-202-7004
mischa@evergeninfra.com