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Category: Commerce

  • MIL-OSI Economics: [Interview] How Samsung Embeds Accessibility and User-Centered Values Into Its Home Appliances

    Source: Samsung

    Guided by its vision of “AI for All,” Samsung Electronics continues to develop home appliances that are intuitive and convenient for a wide range of home environments. Among the most impactful advancements are accessibility features designed to make these appliances easier to use for individuals with disabilities and older adults — reflecting the company’s commitment to inclusive design.
     
    Samsung Newsroom sat down with Bona Lee, Vice President and Head of Customer eXperience (CX) Insight Group at Digital Appliances (DA) Business, Samsung Electronics, to discuss the latest accessibility features in Samsung’s home appliances and the philosophy that shapes them.
     
    ▲ Bona Lee from Samsung Electronics demonstrates the negative color mode on the Family Hub refrigerator’s display.
     
     
    Q. What core value or principle guides your approach when designing accessibility features for home appliances?
     
    Using home appliances typically involves a combination of sensory input — such as sight, sound and touch — along with cognitive functions like making selections and adjusting settings, as well as physical actions like pulling, pushing or lifting. These steps can present challenges for some users.
     
    Samsung is working to reduce or eliminate these usability barriers to ensure that everyone can access all features and benefit from the latest technologies. As part of our broader commitment to inclusive design, we offer tailored solutions for different accessibility needs — such as tactile stickers for buttons, audio cues for users with visual impairments and control panels positioned at heights accessible to wheelchair users.
     
     
    Q. What are some standout accessibility features or services that users might not be aware of?
     
    ▲ Visibility enhancement settings on the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo
     
    The Bespoke AI Laundry Combo offers a significantly more streamlined control experience than before. While previous models required users to turn a dial and strain to read small text to select a cycle, the new model features a built-in digital screen with large, easy-to-read fonts. AI further enhances usability by prioritizing frequently used cycles at the top of the menu.
     
    What’s more, SmartThings routines empower individuals with limited mobility by automating device control. A simple voice command like “I’m going to sleep” can turn off lights and appliances, creating a more comfortable and accessible home environment.
     
     
    Q. What new accessibility features have been introduced in the 2025 Bespoke AI appliance lineup?
     
    In the 2025 lineup of Bespoke AI appliances, Bixby can now recognize individual voices using Voice ID technology and provide accessibility settings tailored to each person. In addition, with built-in microphones and speakers, users can ask Bixby about the appliance’s status and receive key alerts via voice responses.
     
    Moreover, the Auto Open Door feature — highly praised by users with limited mobility — has been expanded to more products, including refrigerators, washing machines, ovens and dishwashers. A light tap or simple voice command like “Open the [device] door” provides easy, hands-free access.
     
    ▲ The Auto Open Door feature on the Family Hub refrigerator
     
     
    Q. Are there any ongoing collaborations focused on enhancing accessibility in home appliances?
     
    Samsung is actively collaborating with various organizations to identify and address real-world accessibility challenges. We receive objective evaluations and expert guidance from various professional organizations including the Korea Center for Accessibility Assessment & Research. Additionally, accessibility features for our screen-equipped appliances — such as voice guidance and improved visibility — are being developed in alignment with the European Accessibility Act that goes into effect this June.
     
    Internal collaboration is just as vital. The Samsung Family Supporters group — comprised of employees with disabilities and those with family members who have disabilities — is actively involved in shaping accessibility initiatives. Furthermore, the newly established Accessibility Employee Resource Group (ERG) within the Device eXperience (DX) Business fosters open dialogue by encouraging members to share real-life experiences and ideas to improve accessibility across our products and services.
     
     
    Q. What results or improvements have come from these collaborations so far?
     
    While many visually impaired users found voice guidance for operating SmartThings-connected appliances helpful, some reported that the initial device connection process was challenging.
     
    To address this, we improved the SmartThings app and partnered with TUAT Corp. — the developer of AI-powered visual assistance app Sullivan Plus — to introduce a dedicated mode that recognizes Samsung appliances and helps users easily connect them to SmartThings. Selected for Samsung’s C-Lab Outside startup incubator, Sullivan Plus is expected to further enhance the overall user experience.
     
    We’ve also developed assistive tools based on ideas and feedback from employees and the Samsung Family Supporters group. Designs for these tools are shared on ITDA, a public platform for customizing and 3D-printing assistive devices. One example is a stick-on handle for drawers, designed to support users with limited hand mobility. Development continues toward creating more automated assistive solutions that offer even greater convenience.
     
     
    Q. What steps is Samsung taking to further advance its vision of “AI for All” in the future?
     
    “AI for All” reflects Samsung’s commitment to ensuring that the benefits of technology are seamlessly integrated into everyday life — regardless of a user’s physical abilities or environment. It’s about transforming individual features into connected, inclusive experiences that make life better for everyone.
     
    Looking ahead, Samsung will continue to embed universal design principles that prioritize inclusivity into product development. This includes gathering input from diverse user groups during the planning stage, leveraging user data to identify new opportunities and collaborating with both internal and external experts and organizations to create more meaningful solutions.
     
    As AI capabilities in home appliances evolve, the goal is to create a truly intelligent in-home experience — one that understands each user, their family and their environment by automating tasks and reducing the need for manual input. Rather than addressing diversity with isolated features, Samsung strives to deliver integrated, all-in-one solutions that adapt to any situation.
     
    We see this as the future of innovation — where accessibility and technology come together to serve everyone, under the vision of “Universal Accessibility, Universal Technology.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Homes fit for heroes: Raft of news measures to improve military family housing

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Homes fit for heroes: Raft of news measures to improve military family housing

    Living conditions for families in military housing will be transformed under a new Consumer Charter, as Defence Secretary John Healey promised to “stop the rot” in military housing.

    Defence Secretary John Healey visits military housing

    • New Consumer Charter for families in military homes, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.
    • Measures will include higher move-in standards, more reliable repairs, renovation of the worst homes, and a named housing officer for every family – all in place before the one-year anniversary of 36,000 military homes being brought back into public ownership.
    • Pledge comes alongside the announcement of an independent, expert team appointed to help deliver a rapid Defence Housing Strategy – with work already underway.

    The Charter will be part of a new Defence Housing Strategy, to be published later this year, which will set out further plans to improve the standard of service family homes across the country.

    Under the Charter, basic consumer rights, from essential property information and predictable property standards, to access to a robust complaints system, will be rapidly introduced. These will be underpinned by new, published satisfaction figures, putting forces families front and centre.

    The wider Defence Housing Strategy – overseen by the Defence Secretary and the Minister for Veterans and People, Al Carns – will also turbocharge the development of surplus military land, creating opportunities for Armed Forces homeownership. It will further support the delivery of affordable homes for families across Britain as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    It follows the Government’s landmark deal, completed in January, to bring back 36,000 military homes into public ownership, reversing a 1996 sale described by the Public Accounts Committee as “disastrous”, and saving the taxpayer £600,000 per day by eliminating rental payments to a private company.

    The announcement follows the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to deliver “homes for heroes” and means that under this government, support will be there for veterans at risk of homelessness. This included removing local connection tests for veterans seeking social housing, meaning as of November, veterans will have access to the housing support they need.

    Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:

    Our Armed Forces serve with extraordinary dedication and courage to keep us safe. It is only right that they and their families live in the homes they deserve.

    For too long, military families have endured substandard housing without the basic consumer rights that any of us should expect in our homes. That must end and our new Consumer Charter will begin to stop the rot and put families at the heart of that transformation.

    We cannot turn around years of failure on forces housing overnight, but by bringing 36,000 military homes back into public ownership, we’ve already taken greater control and are working at pace to drive up standards. This is about providing homes fit for the heroes who serve our nation, and I’m determined to deliver the decent, affordable housing that our forces families have every right to expect.

    The new Consumer Charter will include the following commitments: 

    • A strengthened move-in standard so families can have confidence that the home they are moving into will be ready on time and will be clean and functional.

    • Improved, clearer information for families ahead of a move, including photographs and floor plans of all homes when a family applies for housing.

    • More reliable repairs, including an undertaking to complete urgent repairs within a set timeline consistent with Awaab’s Law, and a new online portal for service personnel to manage repairs.

    • Raising the minimum standard of forces family housing with a new programme of works targeted at the worst homes, with up to 1,000 refurbished as a downpayment on the broader programme of renewal to be set out in the Defence Housing Strategy.

    • Better and clearer communication for families, including a named housing officer for every service family who they can contact for specific housing related queries.

    • A new, simpler complaints process that will shorten the process to two stages in line with industry best practice, so that service personnel and families have a quicker resolution, backed up by the new Armed Forces Commissioner.

    • Modernising policies to allow more freedom for families to make improvements, giving them a greater sense of pride in their homes.

    These improvements will be in place by the one-year anniversary of the announcement to buy back military homes last December, with final detail to be set out in the Defence Housing Strategy following consultation with military personnel and their families.

    Many of the commitments in the Charter will be achieved by driving better performance – and better value for the taxpayer – from existing suppliers of maintenance and support for service family housing.

    The new standards will be underpinned by new published customer satisfaction measures and enhanced accountability so families can have confidence in the improvements being made. This will sit alongside an independently conducted stock survey, as recommended by the Kerslake review of military housing which was published last year.

    The Defence Housing Strategy will be driven by an independent review team whose members have been announced today, and which will be chaired by former Member of Parliament and housing expert Natalie Elphicke Ross OBE, drawing on expertise from industry and forces families.

    In the meantime, the Defence Secretary and the Minister for Veterans and People have instructed the MOD to immediately plan improvements for the new Consumer Charter, as part of a short-term action plan to enhance the family homes after years of neglect.

    Natalie Elphicke Ross, Chair of the Defence Housing Strategy Review said:

    Our pride in our armed forces must include pride in our military homes. Delivering better housing, boosting home ownership opportunities for service personnel and improving the experiences of service families will be at the heart of our work.

    David Brewer, Chief Operating Officer of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, said:

    We are dedicated to making changes that will bring real improvements to the lives of families living in military homes and the plans set out in the new charter are an important step towards doing this.

    The advisory team, announced today, brings together an exceptional group of individuals, who through their expertise and experience will help ensure our housing strategy maximises benefits, not just to families living in military homes, but to communities and industry more widely.

    Antony Cotton MBE said:

    Our Armed Forces community are the backbone of our society, so improving the standard of service family housing is essential if we are to continue to retain and recruit the soldiers, sailors and aviators that protect us selflessly, every day. I welcome this consumer charter as a starting point to give our military families an improved service, and homes they deserve.

    Background

    The members appointed to the Defence Housing Strategy review team are: 

    • Chair, Natalie Elphicke Ross OBE, Director and Head of Housing at The Housing & Finance Institute. Previously Natalie chaired the New Homes Quality Board on standards and redress for customers of new build homes, co-chaired the Elphicke-House Report 2015 on the role of local authorities in housing supply and served as an expert adviser on the development of the national strategy for estate regeneration. A former law firm partner specialising in housing finance, Natalie’s experience includes advising central and local governments, lenders, developers and housing associations on financing, structuring and delivering homes across all tenures.

    • Bill Yardley, Chair of McCarthy Stone Shared Ownership Limited. Bill serves as Chair of a regulated residential development company and is a Non- Executive Director at the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, in the Houses of Parliament and at the Surrey Property Group Limited. He has previously worked at board level in the public and private sectors in residential development, regulated housing, property investment, education and the NHS and has been a public member of Network Rail and chaired a charity. Bill has also served as a Crown Representative and on the Government Construction Board.

    • Cat Calder, Housing Specialist, Army Families Federation. Cat is a housing professional with over 13 years of experience advocating for improved living conditions for families in military accommodation. She has held key positions within the Army Families Federation and has direct experience of military housing, having previously lived in service family accommodation for a number of years.

    • Nigel Holland, former Divisional Chair, Taylor Wimpey and Non-Executive Director of The Riverside Group. Formerly a Divisional Chair of Taylor Wimpey, one of the UK’s largest residential developers. Nigel is also a Non-Executive Director of The Riverside Group, a major provider of affordable housing, care and support services in England and Scotland, with more than 75,000 homes in management. He has a wealth of experience in the homebuilding industry, leading large-scale developments in the UK and overseas. 

    • Alex Notay, Chair and Commissioner, Radix Big Tent Housing Commission. Alexandra is an internationally recognised expert on housing, placemaking and ESG. She has 20 years’ strategic advisory and investment experience across four continents and in August 2024 took over as Chair of the Radix Big Tent Housing Commission. Until July 2024 she was Placemaking and Investment Director at Thriving Investments, the fund and asset management arm of Places for People Group, overseeing a UK-wide residential strategy.

    • James Hall, Housing and Land, Greater London Authority. James has over a decade’s experience in housing and development, working with the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. He worked extensively on strategy, policy and communications in Westminster and Whitehall, and most recently worked at the Greater London Authority on housing policy and delivery.

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    Published 18 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Gregory W. Buckley Elected President of Adams Natural Resources Fund

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BALTIMORE, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc. (NYSE: PEO), one of the nation’s oldest closed-end funds, today announced that Gregory W. Buckley has been elected President of the Fund.

    Mr. Buckley has been an Executive Vice President and a portfolio manager of ADX since April 20, 2023. He will continue to serve as a member of the portfolio management team that is currently headed by CEO James P. Haynie.

    Mr. Buckley joined Adams Natural Resources Fund in September 2013 as a senior equity analyst covering the energy and utilities sectors. He was promoted to Vice President-Research in April 2015. He is also a Vice President-Research of Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc., PEO’s affiliate, since 2019. “Greg has done an excellent job since joining the PEO portfolio management team and has exhibited the dedication and insight that I believe will make him valuable as President of the Fund,” said Mr. Haynie.

    Mr. Buckley began covering the energy sector in 1999 and prior to joining Adams Funds worked at BNP Paribas as an Equity Analyst and Portfolio Manager. His experience also includes managing a long/short Energy fund at Citadel LLC and working as an Energy Analyst at Pioneer Investments.

    Mr. Buckley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Villanova University and an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina.

    Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected closed-end funds and is the longest-tenured closed-end fund specializing in energy and natural resources stocks.

    About Adams Funds
    Since 1929, Adams Funds has consistently helped generations of investors reach their investment goals. Adams Funds is comprised of two closed-end funds, Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc. (NYSE: ADX) and Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc. (NYSE: PEO).The Funds are actively managed by an experienced team with a disciplined approach and have paid distributions for more than 90 years across many market cycles. The Funds are committed to paying a minimum annual distribution rate of 8% of NAV paid evenly each quarter throughout the year, providing reliability for long-term shareholders. A portion of any distribution may be treated as paid from sources other than net income, including but not limited to short-term capital gain, long-term capital gain, and return of capital. The final determination of the source of all distributions for tax reporting purposes in a calendar year, including the percentage of qualified dividend income, will be made after year-end. Shares can be purchased through our transfer agent or through a broker. For more information about Adams Funds, please visit: adamsfunds.com.

    For further information: adamsfunds.com/about/contact │800.638.2479

    The MIL Network –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Bigstack Opportunities I Inc. Announces Receipt of TSXV Conditional Approval and Filing of Filing Statement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    TORONTO, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bigstack Opportunities I Inc. (“Bigstack”) (TSXV: STAK.P), a capital pool company as defined under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV” or the “Exchange”), is pleased to announce that the TSXV has conditionally approved the previously announced business combination with Reeflex Coil Solutions Inc. (“Reeflex”), as described in Bigstack’s press releases dated November 4, 2024, January 17, 2025 and April 16, 2025 (the “Transaction”), which will constitute Bigstack’s Qualifying Transaction (as such term is defined in Policy 2.4 – Capital Pool Companies of the Corporate Finance Manual of the Exchange).

    In connection with the Transaction, Bigstack has filed its filing statement dated April 14, 2025 (the “Filing Statement”) on its SEDAR+ profile. Investors are encouraged to review the Filing Statement on Bigstack’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, as well as Bigstack’s press releases dated November 4, 2024, January 17, 2025 and April 16, 2025. The Filing Statement provides detailed information about, among other things, the Transaction, Reeflex, Coil Solutions Inc. (“Coil”), Reeflex’s expected acquisition of Coil pursuant to a share purchase agreement dated April 14, 2025 (the “Share Purchase Agreement”) between Reeflex and all of the shareholders of Coil (the “Coil Acquisition”), and the resulting company following completion of the Transaction (the “Resulting Issuer”).

    Assuming all conditions are satisfied, Bigstack and Reeflex anticipate closing of the Transaction to occur on or around May 1, 2025, or such other date as may be agreed to between the parties, and that trading of the Resulting Issuer’s common shares will commence shortly thereafter. Bigstack will issue a further press release once the Exchange issues its bulletin announcing its final approval of the Transaction and the date that trading of the common shares of the Resulting Issuer is expected to commence on the Exchange. The Resulting Issuer’s trading symbol will be “RFX”.

    In connection with the Transaction, Bigstack is expected to change its name to “Reeflex Solutions Inc.”

    Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, the satisfaction of all conditions provided for in the agreements governing the Transaction, which include representations, warranties, covenants and conditions customary for a transaction of this nature, the receipt of all necessary regulatory, corporate and third party approvals, including final TSXV acceptance, the release of the escrowed proceeds to Reeflex pursuant to the concurrent financing of the Reeflex, as described in Bigstack’s press release dated April 16, 2025, the closing of the Coil Acquisition, and the receipt of approval for the listing of the common shares of the Resulting Issuer by the Exchange, all subject to the completion of the Transaction. There can, however, be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative. Shares of Bigstack are currently halted from trading on the Exchange, and trading is not expected to resume until after closing of the Transaction. The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

    Business and History of Reeflex

    Reeflex is a privately-held corporation incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) on June 14, 2024. Its head and registered offices are located in Calgary. Reeflex currently has no business operations or assets other than cash and a management team that has been working on the Transaction and the proposed going public structure for the past year. On April 14, 2025, Reeflex entered into the Share Purchase Agreement.

    Business and History of Coil

    Founded in 2007 in Redcliff, Alberta, Coil specializes in innovative drilling products and services for the global oil and gas industry. In 2010, Coil expanded its operations, opening a second facility in Calgary, Alberta, introducing a line of downhole fracking tools and venturing into custom tool design. In 2012, Coil launched its coil tubing injector line. In 2013, Coil opened a third facility in Red Deer, Alberta. In 2014, Coil developed two distinct models of, and manufactured, its first full coil tubing units. In 2016, Coil expanded sales to Asia, Africa, Australia, North America, South America and Europe. In 2017, Coil designed and built the largest free-standing mast unit in the world. In 2022, Coil established a dedicated manufacturing division in Calgary, Alberta, operating under its tradename, Ranglar, for injectors and mobile equipment. In 2024, Coil completed a reorganization with its shareholders, which resulted in the conversion of preferred shares and debt into common shares. Today, Coil continues to focus on coiled tubing solutions and downhole tools, offering a comprehensive range of services including rentals, sales, training, testing and consulting. With 41 employees, Coil has developed patented products that are distributed worldwide, including a key distributor in Germany and more than 60 active clients. On April 14, 2025, Coil entered into the Share Purchase Agreement.

    Overview of Bigstack

    Bigstack is a “capital pool company” under the policies of the Exchange and it is intended that the Transaction will constitute the “Qualifying Transaction” of Bigstack, as such term is defined in CPC Policy. The Bigstack Shares are currently listed on the Exchange and Bigstack is a reporting issuer in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. Bigstack was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) on November 25, 2020.

    Additional Information

    All information contained in this press release with respect to Reeflex and Coil was provided by Reeflex and Coil, respectively, to Bigstack for inclusion herein. Bigstack and its directors and officers have not independently verified such information and have relied exclusively on Reeflex and Coil for any information concerning Reeflex and Coil.

    Forward Looking Information

    This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking information” (“forward-looking information”) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this press release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information.

    More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Transaction and its constituents steps, including the Coil Acquisition and the Transaction (including the completion, structure, terms and timing thereof), the expected corporate structure of the Resulting Issuer and its subsidiaries, if any, the future financial performance of the Resulting Issuer or any of the parties, the concurrent financing of Reeflex and the potential release of escrowed proceeds therefrom, and the trading of Bigstack’s securities and any securities of the Resulting Issuer on the TSXV. Although Bigstack believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking information will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; inability to complete the Concurrent Financing on the terms described herein or at all; and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. There can be no certainty that the Transaction and related transactions will be completed on the terms set out in the agreements among the parties and described in press releases of Bigstack or at all. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, Bigstack disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking information or otherwise.

    Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Filing Statement, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.

    The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

    Bigstack Opportunities I Inc.

    For further information, please contact Eric Szustak, the President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and a director of Bigstack.

    Eric Szustak
    President, CEO, CFO, Corporate Secretary and Director
    Email: eszustak@jbrlimited.com
    Telephone: (905) 330-7948

    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.

    The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. 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 the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

    The MIL Network –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Unleashing American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    class=”has-text-align-center”>BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
    A PROCLAMATION
    The Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (PRIMNM) was established by Proclamation 8336 of January 6, 2009 (Establishment of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument), and then further expanded by Proclamation 9173 of September 25, 2014 (Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument Expansion).  Under these monument proclamations, over 400,000 square miles in the Pacific Ocean were appropriated and withdrawn from all forms of entry, location, selection, sale, leasing, or other disposition under the public land laws for care and management by the Federal Government.The PRIMNM was established to protect and preserve the lands and marine environment around Wake, Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands; Johnston and Palmyra Atolls; Kingman Reef; and the historic and scientific objects therein.  These objects include fish, birds, marine mammals, coral, and the general biodiversity of the ecosystems encompassed by the PRIMNM.As part of the management of the PRIMNM, commercial fishing is currently prohibited within its boundaries.  As explained herein, following further consideration of the nature of the objects identified in Proclamations 8336 and 9173 and the protection of those objects already provided by relevant law, I find that appropriately managed commercial fishing would not put the objects of scientific and historic interest that the PRIMNM protects at risk.With respect to fish in particular, fisheries in the region are effectively managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.  Management of the PRIMNM is doing little to guard fish populations against overfishing as tunas and other pelagic species found within the boundaries of the PRIMNM are migratory in nature, and do not permanently reside within the PRIMNM.As a result of the prohibitions on commercial fishing, American fishing fleets have lost access to nearly half of the United States’ Exclusive Economic Zone in the Pacific Islands.  This has driven American fishermen to fish further offshore in international waters to compete against poorly regulated and highly subsidized foreign fleets.  This disadvantages honest United States commercial fishermen and is detrimental for United States territories like American Samoa, whose private sector economy is over 80 percent dependent on the fishing industry.Proclamations 8336 and 9173 do not list recreational fishing as a threat to local fish populations within the PRIMNM.  A host of Federal protections exist under current laws and agency management designations to protect the area’s natural resources, vulnerable marine species, and unique habitats, such as coral and seamount ecosystems.These laws include the Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Endangered Species Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712), the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), the Refuge Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 460k et seq.), the Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (Oil Pollution Act) (33 U.S.C. 2701et seq.), and Title I of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (Ocean Dumping Act), 33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.  For example, the Endangered Species Act generally prohibits the taking of listed fish and wildlife species, and also generally ensures that Federal actions, including fisheries management, are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any such species nor adversely modify designated critical habitats.  Numerous other statutes, including the Clean Water Act, the Oil Pollution Act, and the Ocean Dumping Act, address both land-based and ocean-based sources of pollution and help ensure that water quality conditions support the conservation values of the Pacific Remote Island ecosystems.Therefore, I find that appropriately managed commercial fishing would not put objects of scientific and historic interest within the PRIMNM at risk.After further consideration of the nature of the objects identified in Proclamations 8336 and 9173 and the protection of those objects already provided by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and other relevant laws, I find that a prohibition on commercial fishing is not, at this time, necessary for the proper care and management of the PRIMNM or the objects of historic or scientific interest therein.NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 320301 of title 54, United States Code (Antiquities Act), hereby proclaim that:(a)  All language under the section entitled “Management of the Marine National Monument” in Proclamation 9173 is deleted and replaced with the following:“Nothing in this proclamation shall change the management of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument as specified in Proclamation 8336.  The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall have primary responsibility for management of the Monument Expansion pursuant to applicable legal authorities.  The Secretary of Commerce, through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall within the Monument Expansion have primary responsibility with respect to fishery-related activities regulated pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and any other applicable legal authorities.  The Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior shall not allow or permit any appropriation, injury, destruction, or removal of any object of the Monument Expansion except as provided for by this proclamation as modified by the Proclamation of April 17, 2025 (Unleashing American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific).Between 50 to 200 nautical miles from the landward boundaries of the Monument, the Secretary of Commerce shall not prohibit commercial fishing within the boundaries of the Monument and the Monument Expansion in those areas where the Monument and Monument Expansion is coterminous with the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States.  The implementation of any regulation of commercial fishing within the Monument and the Monument Expansion shall be done in coordination with the Secretary of Defense.  Only United States flagged vessels shall be allowed to commercially fish within the boundaries of the Monument and the Monument Expansion, except that permits may be issued to foreign flagged vessels to transship fish harvested by United States fishermen.The Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior shall take appropriate action pursuant to their respective authorities under the Antiquities Act; the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; and such other authorities as may be available to implement this proclamation, to regulate fisheries, and to ensure proper care and management of the Monument Expansion.The United States shall continue to preserve the freedom of the seas (i.e., all of the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law and enjoyed by all nations, including the conduct of military activities, exercises, and surveys in or over the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States), and to protect the training, readiness, and global mobility of the United States Armed Forces as United States national interests that are essential to the peace and prosperity of civilized nations.The Secretary of Defense shall continue to manage Wake Island and Johnston Atoll as specified in Proclamation 8336.”.(b)  The Secretary of Commerce, through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall expeditiously publish new proposed rules in the Federal Register to amend or repeal all burdensome regulations that restrict commercial fishing in the PRIMNM.Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to revoke, modify, or affect any withdrawal, reservation, or appropriation, other than the one created by Proclamations 8336 and 9173.Nothing in this proclamation shall change the management of the areas designated and reserved by Proclamations 8336 and 9173, except as explicitly provided in this proclamation.If any provision of this proclamation, including its application to a particular parcel of land, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this proclamation and its application to other parcels of land shall not be affected thereby.IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand thisseventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
                                  DONALD J. TRUMP

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    class=”has-text-align-left”>By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
    Section 1.  Background.  The United States controls one of the largest and most abundant ocean resources in the world, with over 4 million square miles of prime fishing grounds.  With this vast resource and centuries of hard work from American fishermen, our Nation has the greatest seafood in the world.
    Most American fish stocks are healthy and have viable markets.  Despite these opportunities, seafood is one of the most heavily regulated sectors in the United States.  Federal overregulation has restricted fishermen from productively harvesting American seafood including through restrictive catch limits, selling our fishing grounds to foreign offshore wind companies, inaccurate and outdated fisheries data, and delayed adoption of modern technology.
    The United States should be the world’s dominant seafood leader.  But in addition to overregulation, unfair trade practices have put our seafood markets at a competitive disadvantage.  Nearly 90 percent of seafood on our shelves is now imported, and the seafood trade deficit stands at over $20 billion.  The erosion of American seafood competitiveness at the hands of unfair foreign trade practices must end.
    Sec. 2.  Purpose.  The United States must address unfair trade practices, eliminate unsafe imports, level the unfair playing field that has benefited foreign fishing companies, promote ethical sourcing, reduce regulatory burdens, and ensure the integrity of the seafood supply chain.  Previously, I signed Executive Order 13921 of May 7, 2020 (Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth).  That successful order — which remains in effect — enhanced the competitiveness of United States seafood, streamlined regulations, supported maritime jobs and coastal economies, and improved data collection.  During the past 4 years, our fishermen were once again crushed under the pressure of unnecessary regulations and unfavorable policies.  It is vital that we now build upon our previous hard work with new, additional measures to promote domestic fishing.
    Sec. 3.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States to promote the productive harvest of our seafood resources; unburden our commercial fishermen from costly and inefficient regulation; combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; and protect our seafood markets from the unfair trade practices of foreign nations.
    Sec. 4.  A New Era of Seafood Policy.  (a)  The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and with input from the United States fishing industry, shall immediately consider suspending, revising, or rescinding regulations that overly burden America’s commercial fishing, aquaculture, and fish processing industries at the fishery-specific level.  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce shall identify the most heavily overregulated fisheries requiring action and take appropriate action to reduce the regulatory burden on them, in cooperation with the Regional Fishery Management Councils, interagency partners, and through public-private partnerships, as appropriate.  This process shall include the following actions:
    (i)    The Secretary of Commerce shall request that each Regional Fishery Management Council, within 180 days of the date of this order, provide the Secretary of Commerce with updates to their recommendations submitted pursuant to Executive Order 13921, to reduce burdens on domestic fishing and to increase production.  Building upon the earlier goals, identified actions should stabilize markets, improve access, enhance economic profitability, and prevent closures.  The Regional Fishery Management Councils will commit to a work plan and a schedule for implementation to ensure these actions are prioritized.
    (ii)   The Secretary of Commerce shall solicit direct public comments, including from fishing industry members, technology experts, marine scientists, and other relevant parties, for innovative ideas to improve fisheries management and science within the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.); the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); the Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.); and other applicable laws.
    (iii)  The Secretary of Commerce shall pursue additional direct public engagement to ensure executive departments and agencies (agencies) are focusing core fisheries management and science functions to directly support priority needs that strengthen our Nation’s seafood supply chain.
    (b)  Upon completion of the process described in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of Commerce shall consider updating the Department of Commerce’s contribution to the Unified Regulatory Agenda.  The Secretary of Commerce shall resume submission of annual reports to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, and the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality pursuant to these activities as described in Executive Order 13921.
    (c)  The Secretary of Commerce shall direct the National Marine Fisheries Service to incorporate less expensive and more reliable technologies and cooperative research programs into fishery assessments conducted pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1867.  As soon as practicable, the Secretary of Commerce shall expand exempted fishing permit programs to promote fishing opportunities nationwide.  Further, the Secretary of Commerce shall take all appropriate action to modernize data collection and analytical practices that will improve the responsiveness of fisheries management to real-time ocean conditions.
    (d)  The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall develop and implement an America First Seafood Strategy to promote production, marketing, sale, and export of United States fishery and aquaculture products and strengthen domestic processing capacity.  This program shall accelerate the Department of Agriculture’s efforts to educate American consumers about the health benefits of seafood and increase seafood purchases in nutrition programs.
    (e)  Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative, in consultation with members of the Interagency Seafood Trade Task Force, shall assess seafood competitiveness issues and jointly develop a comprehensive seafood trade strategy.  The strategy shall be based upon the Seafood Trade Strategy of November 3, 2020, that improves access to foreign markets and addresses unfair trade practices — including IUU fishing and unjustified non-tariff barriers — while ensuring a fair and competitive domestic market for United States seafood producers.
    (f)  The United States Trade Representative shall examine the relevant trade practices of major seafood-producing nations, including with regard to IUU fishing and the use of forced labor in the seafood supply chain, and consider appropriate responses, including pursuing solutions through negotiations or trade enforcement authorities, such as under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2411).
    (g)  The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and other relevant agencies, shall immediately consider revising or rescinding recent expansions of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program to unnecessary species and further improve the program to more effectively target high-risk shipments from nations that routinely violate international fishery regulations.  The Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall use cost savings to improve thorough checks at United States ports to prevent IUU seafood from entering the market.  The Secretary of Commerce shall further consider options to use improved technology to identify foreign fishery-related violations.
    (h)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall review all existing marine national monuments and provide recommendations to the President of any that should be opened to commercial fishing.  In making these recommendations, the Secretary of Commerce will consider whether the opening of the monuments to commercial fishing would be consistent with the preservation of the historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest originally identified in the proclamations establishing the marine national monuments.
    Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
    DONALD J. TRUMP
    THE WHITE HOUSE,
    April 17, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Dan Goldman, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Organized Labor, Energy Advocates Slam Trump Administration’s Stop Work Order on New York’s Second Largest Offshore Wind Project

    Source: US Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)

    Trump Administration Illegally Ordered Construction to Cease at Empire Wind 1, Threatens Offshore Wind Projects Nationwide 

     

    Empire Wind 1 Development Employs 1,500 Union Workers, Will Power 500,000 NYC Homes Upon Completion 

     

    See Pictures and Video from Event Here

    New York, NY – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) was today joined by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, organized labor, and industrial workforce and energy advocates for a press conference slamming the Trump administration’s unlawful stop work order for the fully-permitted Empire Wind 1 wind farm — the second-largest wind farm project in New York State — and urging the administration to reverse course. 

    The project employs 1,500 union workers and was set to deliver clean, renewable energy to over half a million New York City homes, provide over $100 million in supply chain economic investments across New York, and make significant progress toward the city’s climate and energy goals. 

    “Trump’s decision to halt the Empire Wind 1 project, and all offshore wind development, is a betrayal of his own ‘America first’ agenda,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “If executed, this directive would kill thousands of union jobs, reduce American manufacturing, increase energy prices, weaken our national security, and hand the clean energy future to China. In the name of his assault on climate initiatives, the President is actually undermining his own agenda and reducing American energy independence and dominance. I urge my Republican colleagues to work together to reverse this ill-advised decision.”

    Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said, “Donald Trump has made it clear that he is hellbent on keeping our air polluted and putting Americans out of work. The President claims to be all about creating blue collar jobs, but here he is erasing over 1,000 union jobs in what remains of Brooklyn’s working waterfront. With Empire Wind, Brooklyn is leading the nation’s transition toward renewable, reliable, and affordable energy. We won’t back down just because Trump says so. I’m proud to stand with Rep. Goldman and so many other partners today to reject this reckless decision.”

    State Senator Andrew Gounardes said, “The Trump Administration’s decision to revoke approval for Empire Wind 1 is a slap in the face to all New Yorkers. Empire Wind 1 isn’t just about power generation—it’s about powering our economy with good-paying union jobs, apprenticeships for our young workers, and billions in economic investment in neighborhoods like Sunset Park and Red Hook. This project was fully permitted. Shovels were already in the ground, creating jobs. We cannot sit by quietly while this administration blocks the path toward affordable energy, resilient infrastructure, and jobs that support families.”

    Councilmember Alexa Avilés said, “I am profoundly concerned by the decision to stop the ongoing offshore wind project in New York. Our community has fought for years to ensure that Sunset Park would be part of solutions to reduce carbon emissions, build healthier and green energy, and provide new local union jobs. It is undeniable that we must build offshore wind to address our energy needs while recognizing the climate crisis. Thank you to all the community partners, city agencies, unions and Equinor for their commitment to our community and offshore wind. We stand in deep support.”

    Glen Siegel and Michael Stamatis, Managing Partners of SSBMT L.P., Operators of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, said, “We are deeply disappointed by the Trump Administration’s abrupt and shortsighted decision to halt all construction of Equinor’s Empire Wind project in federal waters. This decision undermines years of planning, investment, and collaboration between public and private partners working together to realize New York’s clean energy goals and create good-paying union jobs right here in Brooklyn. Equinor’s Empire Wind project is not only essential to our state’s energy future—it is the catalyst for revitalizing SBMT as a national hub for offshore wind staging, assembly, and operations. This project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform New York’s working waterfront, drive economic development, and deliver sustainable, renewable energy to millions of residents.”

    Vincent Alvarez, President of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and Climate Jobs New York Director, said, “Hundreds of workers were prepared to start jobs on the offshore construction of Empire Wind 1 in just a few weeks, but now, their financial futures have been pulled out from under them. Thousands more jobs supporting the offshore wind industry – on the port at South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, assembly and staging at Arthur Kill Terminal on Staten Island, and component manufacturing in Albany and across the country, to name a few – are also all now at risk. Our union members and our communities are counting on clean energy jobs. We need to protect them.”

    Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, and Climate Jobs New York Director, said, “This announcement is a blow to New York’s hardworking tradesmen and tradeswomen who are counting on this project to create high-quality, long-lasting jobs, and to everyone in New York who is struggling to afford their electric bills right now. Empire Wind was going to bolster the middle class, make our air cleaner, and bring much-needed local power to our energy grid to lower costs. This stop work order on a shovel-ready energy project is a massive step backward for union workers and our quest to build more domestic energy, and it sends a chilling effect to any developers looking to build energy projects here in America.”

    Christopher Erikson, Business Representative for Local Union No. 3 IBEW, said, “The nearly 29,000 members of Local Union No. 3, IBEW are disappointed with the federal government’s decision to pause construction on the Empire Wind 1 project. This action is detrimental to my members, other Building Trades workers, Sunset Park, and the surrounding communities who were counting on clean energy to be added to the grid to help power our neighborhoods. Local 3, IBEW members have been preparing for this project for years in anticipation of the union wages and benefits that would support them and their families. We stand in solidarity with Congressman Goldman, Equinor, and the team behind Empire Wind to express our dismay, disappointment, and anger at this shortsighted decision by the Trump administration. We hope this is only a pause, so that we can get to work on securing a clean energy future in our city and a healthier planet for ourselves and our families.”

    Jesse Solomon, Executive Director of the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Corporation, said, “For the past year, SBIDC has been working directly with small businesses in Brooklyn to help them access offshore wind contracts and prepare for a generational economic opportunity. Empire Wind 1 is central to that progress. This is one of the most important climate and economic development projects New York has ever seen – we stand with Rep. Goldman in urging the federal government to reinstate this project.” – Jesse Solomon, Executive Director, Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation.” 

    Chris Ward, Interim President and CEO at Waterfront Alliance said, “Clean, affordable, and reliable power for 500,000 homes. 1,000 jobs. A billion-dollar port. Yesterday, the Trump administration decided that New Yorkers do not need these. With the scratch of a pen, an incredible $2 billion investment to make the world better was halted. Waterfront Alliance is confident that wiser minds will prevail. We will offer every support to Equinor, the State and City of New York, and our partners in offshore wind and port development to see that this decision is reversed,”

    Esther Rosario, Executive Director of Climate Jobs New York, said, “If we stall these projects, we don’t just jeopardize our energy grid’s stability—we put workers’ livelihoods at risk. These aren’t abstract ideas — they’re real paychecks that were promised to working people in our unions and our communities. Local businesses, from bodegas to gas stations, also benefit when these projects are underway. We urge our federal government to reverse their decision to halt this project and our leaders in New York to stay the course and invest in and protect the union jobs that are rebuilding our middle class and building our future.”

    Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said, “The federal government is placing American energy independence and abundance, thousands of union jobs, and clean air at risk with the reckless stop work order for Empire Wind. This project is fully permitted and will provide energy for half a million homes – there are no other ways to get that amount of energy into New York’s grid in the near term when electric demand is growing. We are proud to stand with Governor Hochul, Congressman Goldman, our friends in labor, and the environmental movement to fight this attempt to derail our clean energy future and hurt New York’s nation-leading progress to develop offshore wind power.”

    Allyson Samuell, Sierra Club’s Senior Campaign Organizer in New York said, “Offshore wind creates good jobs with good salaries and doesn’t pollute our air and water. This is the future for our energy system. The downstate New York region is incredibly dense, we don’t have a lot of space for large scale energy infrastructure on land. Offshore wind projects, like Empire Wind 1, are the ideal solution for providing electricity to the entire New York City metro-area. This project is essential to helping downstate New York meet the rising demand for electricity and ensure reliable energy for families. For New Yorkers, this is local power that is generated near where it’s needed, bringing us closer to energy independence.”

    Spurred by clean energy subsidies in President Biden and House Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act, the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project would be the first of its kind to plug directly into the New York City power grid, ultimately powering over 500,000 homes. The South Brooklyn Marine Terminal would also be the largest offshore wind Operations and Maintenance hub as well as staging area in the United States.  

    Congressman Goldman has championed the Empire Wind 1 project and offshore wind energy as a national security and economic imperative since taking office. 

    Last June, Congressman Goldman joined elected officials to break ground on the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, which would serve as the largest offshore wind staging and maintenance port in the nation and connect offshore wind power to over 500,000 homes across New York City. 
    Last Spring, Congressman Goldman led a walking tour of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal to tout the role that Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits played in making Brooklyn the future offshore wind capital of America.  
    Congressman Dan Goldman is a member of the Congressional Offshore Wind Caucus, which pushes for policies to improve offshore wind technology, increase investment in the offshore wind workforce, and position the United States as a global leader in the industry. 

     ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: AGs secure ruling against Google’s digital advertising monopolies

    Source: Washington State News

    OLYMPIA — Consumers and small businesses got a major court victory after the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia found that Google maintained illegal monopolies in the digital advertising technology industry, stifling competition and harming website publishers, advertisers, and consumers.

    The Washington state Attorney General’s Office joined a bipartisan coalition of seventeen attorneys general joining the Department of Justice (DOJ) to sue Google in 2023, seeking to stop Google’s anticompetitive conduct that threatens markets in the online advertising industry. 

    “Google’s unlawful monopoly in digital advertising has harmed businesses whose operations are largely funded by online advertising,” Attorney General Nick Brown said after the ruling. “Google’s anticompetitive practices have resulted in higher fees and limited advertising options that has become a vital tool for business both large and small businesses to connect with consumers.”

    In January 2023, DOJ and the coalition of attorneys general sued Google for stifling competition in the advertising technology industry, harming website publishers, advertisers, and consumers. The lawsuit alleged Google’s market power allows it to control nearly every aspect of online ad sales, allowing it to extract higher fees from advertisers while paying lower amounts to publishers for their ad space.

    This conduct hurts consumers and web publishers by making it harder for websites to make enough money on their advertising inventory, preventing them from offering internet users content for free, without subscriptions, paywalls, or alternative forms of monetization.

    Today’s decision, issued by Judge Leonie Brinkema of the Eastern District of Virginia, found Google liable for violating antitrust law by acquiring and maintaining monopolies in the publisher ad server and ad exchange markets for open-web display advertising. The judge also found Google liable for unlawfully tying together its publisher ad server and its ad exchange and that Google harmed competition, its own customers, and Internet users by imposing anticompetitive policies that reduced quality and increased prices.

    A second phase of the trial to determine remedies for Google’s conduct will take place at a later date.

    This lawsuit is led by the attorneys general of New York, California, and Virginia and DOJ, along with the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington, and West Virginia.

    -30-

    Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

    Media Contact:

    Email: press@atg.wa.gov

    Phone: (360) 753-2727

    General contacts: Click here

    Media Resource Guide & Attorney General’s Office FAQ

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Philadelphia Woman Sentenced to Five Years in Prison For Defrauding Her Employer of More Than $250,000 and the U.S. Government of $23,000

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Kimberly Lawson, 44, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Michael M. Baylson to 60 months in prison, five years of supervised release, and $244,343 in restitution, for the unauthorized use of her employer’s identity to embezzle from him and his company and her fraudulent applications to the Small Business Administration (SBA) to obtain Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”).

    In September 2023, Lawson was charged by indictment with one count of bank fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and four counts of wire fraud, and pleaded guilty to all charges against her in September 2024.

    The fraud loss attributed to Lawson for the workplace embezzlement is $250,817.80, and for the fraud against the government $23,000, for a total fraud loss amount of $273,817.80.

    In March 2018, Lawson began working as the office manager of an area electrical contracting company, where her responsibilities included tracking employee hours, invoices, and vendor payments, and writing checks to vendors from the company’s bank account. She was also responsible for reconciling bank statements, reviewing images of checks, and confirming the checks cleared. Lawson did not have signature authority on the checks but was authorized to use her employer’s signature stamp to sign the checks he authorized.

    As detailed in court filings and admitted to by the defendant, between 2018 and 2020, Lawson used her knowledge and access to divert significant amounts of the company’s money to external accounts that she controlled, through hundreds of fraudulent vendor and employee payments, unauthorized payroll transactions, and unauthorized electronic transfers. To avoid discovery of her fraudulent activities, Lawson intentionally mislabeled entries in the company’s accounting software, making them look authentic by recording them as legitimate payables.

    In addition, the defendant attempted to steal money from her employer’s 401k account, submitting two separate loan requests totaling more than $17,000, but her employer learned of and was able to cancel the requests before any funds were disbursed.

    In addition to the workplace embezzlement, Lawson fraudulently sought $253,874 in EIDLs from the SBA, filed in 15 separate applications in different names including her own. Only the applications that she submitted in her husband’s and his sister’s names were approved for funding, with each receiving $8,500 and $14,500, respectively, deposited into bank accounts controlled by Lawson. Among numerous false statements made in the applications, Lawson falsely represented that she had a retail business, that her husband had a construction business, and her sister-in-law had a cleaning business.

    In 2012, Lawson was convicted in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania of defrauding a different employer of more than $293,000 and received a sentence of 21 months’ imprisonment.

    “Kimberly Lawson’s greed is her downfall,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “This is now the second time that she’s being sentenced for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from an employer — and this go-round, she decided to defraud the federal government, as well. Perhaps today’s longer prison term will prove more impactful than her first. Either way, we won’t rest until criminals like this get the message that we will find and punish financial fraud.”

    “Through a multitude of deceptions and manipulations, Ms. Lawson stole from her employer and from the United States in the pursuit of her own personal gain,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dave Carter of FBI Philadelphia. “This sentencing serves as a reminder that those who exploit their positions for financial profits will be held accountable. I want to thank our FBI personnel and our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their diligent efforts in bringing this defendant to justice.”

    The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anita Eve.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Restores American Seafood Competitiveness

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    STRENGTHENING THE U.S. FISHING INDUSTRY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to restore American seafood competitiveness.
    The Order strengthens the U.S. fishing industry by reducing regulatory burdens, combating unfair foreign trade practices, and enhancing domestic seafood production and exports.
    It directs the Secretary of Commerce to immediately consider suspending, revising, or rescinding regulations that overly burden America’s commercial fishing, aquaculture, and fish processing industries.
    It directs the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to:
    Incorporate better, cheaper, more reliable technologies and cooperative research programs into fishery assessments.
    Expand exempted fishing permit programs to promote fishing opportunities nationwide.
    Modernize data collection and analytical practices to improve the responsiveness of fisheries management to real-time ocean conditions.

    The Order establishes an America First Seafood Strategy to boost U.S. seafood production, sales, and exports, ensuring long-term industry growth and global competitiveness.
    The Order also mandates the development of a seafood trade strategy to address unfair competition, low environmental and labor standards, and illegally sourced seafood from abroad, while expanding access to foreign markets for American seafood products.
    It tasks the administration with improving the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) to better detect high-risk shipments from countries that violate international laws.
    It orders a review of all existing marine national monuments to assess opening them to commercial fishing.
    ADDRESSING THREATS TO AMERICAN SEAFOOD COMPETITIVENESS: President Trump recognizes that overregulation and unfair trade practices have eroded the U.S. fishing industry’s global leadership.
    The U.S. controls over four million square miles of prime fishing grounds but imports nearly 90% of its seafood, resulting in a trade deficit exceeding $20 billion.
    The seafood industry is one of the most heavily regulated sectors in the United States, with restrictive catch limits and outdated data hampering American fishermen’s productivity.
    Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, forced labor in foreign seafood supply chains, and unfair trade practices abroad all undermine U.S. markets.
    SUPPORTING AMERICAN FISHERMEN: This Executive Order builds on President Trump’s commitment to revitalize the U.S. fishing industry.
    In 2020, President Trump signed an Executive Order to promote seafood competitiveness and remove unnecessary regulatory burdens.
    Upon returning to office, President Trump signed an Executive Order halting offshore wind projects to preserve a robust U.S. fishing industry for future generations.
    President Trump implemented tariffs to protect America’s fishing industry—praised as being a lifeline for the shrimping industry.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Enterprise Bancorp, Inc. Announces First Quarter Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOWELL, Mass., April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enterprise Bancorp, Inc. (“Enterprise”) (NASDAQ: EBTC), parent of Enterprise Bank, announced its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Net income amounted to $10.4 million, or $0.84 per diluted common share, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $10.7 million, or $0.86 per diluted common share, for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and $8.5 million, or $0.69 per diluted common share, for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

    On December 9, 2024, Enterprise announced its intention to merge with Rockland Trust Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Independent Bank Corp. (NASDAQ: INDB). The proposed merger is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. As previously announced, Enterprise shareholders approved of the proposed merger on April 3, 2025. No vote of Independent Bank Corp. shareholders is required.

    Selected financial results at or for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024, were as follows:

    • The returns on average assets and average equity were 0.87% and 11.45%, respectively.
    • Tax-equivalent net interest margin (non-GAAP) (“net interest margin”) was 3.32%.
    • Total loans amounted to $4.05 billion, an increase of 1.7%.
    • Total customer deposits (non-GAAP) amounted to $4.15 billion, a decrease of 0.9%.
    • Wealth assets under management and administration amounted to $1.51 billion, a decrease of 1.6%.

    Chief Executive Officer Steven Larochelle commented, “As we continue to work toward the upcoming merger with Rockland Trust, I am pleased to announce our team delivered strong results in the first quarter. Loan growth was solid at 1.7% for the quarter and 11% for the last twelve months. Operating results compared to the prior year quarter were positively impacted by net interest income growth of 10% resulting from strong loan growth and an increase in net interest margin.”

    Executive Chairman & Founder George Duncan stated, “Our anticipated merger with Rockland Trust has been well received by our shareholders, customers and communities with shareholders approving the merger on April 3rd. The planning for our integration into Rockland Trust is going well and the anticipated synergies and cultural alignment of our two banks remains attractive.”

    Net Interest Income
    Net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2025, amounted to $38.7 million, an increase of $3.5 million, or 10%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase was due primarily to an increase in loan interest income of $6.6 million, partially offset by increases in deposit interest expense of $1.0 million and borrowings interest expense of $1.0 million as well as a decrease in income on other interest-earning assets of $637 thousand.

    Net Interest Margin
    Net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2025, December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024, amounted to 3.32%, 3.29% and 3.20%, respectively.

    During the first quarter of 2025, the Company sold non-performing loans with a net book value of $956 thousand, resulting in net recoveries of $461 thousand and loan interest income of $486 thousand. The sale of non-performing loans impacted both loan yields and net interest margin favorably by 5 basis points for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    Three months ended – March 31, 2025, compared to March 31, 2024

    The increase in net interest margin was due to loan growth and, to a lesser extent, an increase in loan yields, partially offset by increases in the average balance of funding liabilities and funding costs.

    The increase in interest-earning asset yields of 21 basis points was due primarily to loan repricing and originations at higher interest rates, partially offset by an increase in funding costs of 9 basis points driven by higher market rates and increases in certificate of deposits and borrowed funds.

    Provision for Credit Losses
    The provision for credit losses for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, are presented below:

        Three months ended   Increase / (Decrease)
    (Dollars in thousands)   March 31,
    2025
      March 31,
    2024
    Provision for credit losses on loans – collectively evaluated   $                         685     $                         417     $                         268  
    Provision for credit losses on loans – individually evaluated                             (565 )                            1,451                            (2,016 )
    Provision for credit losses on loans                               120                              1,868                            (1,748 )
                 
    Provision for unfunded commitments                               211                            (1,246 )                            1,457  
                 
    Provision for credit losses   $                         331     $                         622     $                       (291 )

    The provision for credit losses on collectively evaluated loans of $685 thousand for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, resulted mainly from loan growth, partially offset by net recoveries, which were primarily from the sale of non-performing loans noted above.

    The decrease in the provision for credit losses of $291 thousand, compared to the prior year quarter, was due primarily to a net decrease in reserves on individually evaluated loans of $2.0 million, partially offset by an increase in reserves for unfunded commitments of $1.5 million.

    The decrease in reserves on individually evaluated loans was due primarily to two commercial relationships that experienced improvement in their collateral valuation compared to the prior year period, while the increase in reserves for unfunded commitments resulted primarily from an increase in off-balance sheet commitments that required a reserve.

    Non-Interest Income
    Non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2025, amounted to $5.2 million, a decrease of $307 thousand, or 6%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease was due primarily to a decrease in gains on equity securities of $766 thousand, partially offset by an increase in wealth management fees of $247 thousand.

    Non-Interest Expense
    Non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025, amounted to $29.9 million, an increase of $1.0 million, or 4%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase was due primarily to increases in salaries and employee benefits expense of $760 thousand and merger-related expenses of $290 thousand.

    Income Taxes
    The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2025, amounted to 23.3%, compared to 23.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

    Balance Sheet
    Total assets amounted to $4.90 billion at March 31, 2025, compared to $4.83 billion at December 31, 2024, an increase of 2%.

    Total investment securities at fair value amounted to $603.9 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $593.6 million at December 31, 2024, an increase of 2%. The increase during the three months ended March 31, 2025, was largely attributable to a decrease in unrealized losses on debt securities resulting from decreases in market interest rates during the period, partially offset by principal pay-downs, calls and maturities. Unrealized losses on debt securities amounted to $79.9 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $101.8 million at December 31, 2024, a decrease of 22%.

    Total loans amounted to $4.05 billion at March 31, 2025, compared to $3.98 billion at December 31, 2024, an increase of 2%. The increase during the three months ended March 31, 2025, was due primarily to an increase in commercial real estate loans of $70.2 million.

    Total deposits amounted to $4.30 billion at March 31, 2025, compared to $4.19 billion at December 31, 2024, an increase of 3%. The increase during the three months ended March 31, 2025, was due primarily to an increase in brokered deposits of $150.0 million. Excluding brokered deposits, total deposits decreased $37.0 million during the first quarter of 2025.

    Total borrowed funds amounted to $94.5 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $153.1 million at December 31, 2024, a decrease of 38%. The decrease during the three months ended March 31, 2025, resulted primarily from the increase in brokered deposits during the period.

    Total shareholders’ equity amounted to $385.4 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $360.7 million at December 31, 2024, an increase of 7%. The increase during the three months ended March 31, 2025, was due primarily to a decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive loss of $17.0 million and an increase in retained earnings of $7.3 million.

    Credit Quality

    Selected credit quality metrics at March 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024, were as follows:

    • The allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) for loans amounted to $64.0 million, or 1.58% of total loans, compared to $63.5 million, or 1.59% of total loans. The decrease in the ACL for loans to total loan ratio was due primarily to a decrease in reserves on individually evaluated loans.
    • The reserve for unfunded commitments (included in other liabilities) amounted to $4.6 million, compared to $4.4 million. The increase was driven primarily by an increase in off-balance sheet commitments that required a reserve.
    • Non-performing loans amounted to $28.5 million, or 0.70% of total loans, compared to $26.7 million, or 0.67% of total loans.

    Net recoveries for the three months ended March 31, 2025, amounted to $424 thousand, or 0.04% of average total loans, which included $461 thousand in recoveries from the sale of non-performing loans noted above. Net charge-offs for the three months ended March 31, 2024, amounted to $122 thousand, or 0.01% of average total loans.

    Wealth Management
    Wealth assets under management and administration, which are not carried as assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, amounted to $1.51 billion at March 31, 2025, a decrease of $24.7 million, or 2%, compared to December 31, 2024, resulting primarily from a decrease in market values.

    ABOUT ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
    Enterprise Bancorp, Inc. is a Massachusetts corporation that conducts substantially all its operations through Enterprise Bank and Trust Company, commonly referred to as Enterprise Bank, and has reported 142 consecutive profitable quarters. Enterprise Bank is principally engaged in the business of attracting deposits from the general public and investing in commercial loans and investment securities. Through Enterprise Bank and its subsidiaries, the Company offers a range of commercial, residential and consumer loan products, deposit products and cash management services, electronic and digital banking options, as well as wealth management, and trust services. The Company’s headquarters and Enterprise Bank’s main office are located at 222 Merrimack Street in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Company’s primary market area is the Northern Middlesex, Northern Essex, and Northern Worcester counties of Massachusetts and the Southern Hillsborough and Southern Rockingham counties in New Hampshire. Enterprise Bank has 27 full-service branches located in the Massachusetts communities of Acton, Andover, Billerica (2), Chelmsford (2), Dracut, Fitchburg, Lawrence, Leominster, Lexington, Lowell (2), Methuen, North Andover, Tewksbury (2), Tyngsborough and Westford and in the New Hampshire communities of Derry, Hudson, Londonderry, Nashua (2), Pelham, Salem and Windham.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    This earnings release contains statements about future events that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by references to a future period or periods or by the use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “upcoming,” “estimate,” “assume,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “plan,” and other similar terms or expressions. Forward-looking statements should not be relied on because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Company. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors may cause the actual results, performance, and achievements of the Company to be materially different from the anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, (i) disruption from the proposed merger with Independent; (ii) the risk that the proposed merger with Independent may not be completed in a timely manner or at all; (iii) the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the proposed merger with Independent; (iv) the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals for the proposed merger with Independent; (v) the ability to successfully integrate the combined business; (vi) the possibility that the amount of the costs, fees, expenses, and charges related to the proposed merger with Independent may be greater than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected or unknown factors, events, or liabilities; (vii) the failure of the conditions to the proposed merger with Independent to be satisfied; (viii) reputational risk and the reaction of the parties’ customers to the proposed merger with Independent; (xi) the risk of potential litigation or regulatory action related to the proposed merger with Independent; (x) the impact on us and our customers of a decline in general economic conditions and any regulatory responses thereto; (xi) potential recession in the United States and our market areas; (xii) the impacts related to or resulting from uncertainty in the banking industry as a whole; (xiii) increased competition for deposits and related changes in deposit customer behavior; (xiv) the impact of changes in market interest rates, whether due to a continuation of the elevated interest rate environment or further reductions in interest rates and a resulting decline in net interest income; (xv) the lingering inflationary pressures, and the risk of the resurgence of elevated levels of inflation, in the United States and our market areas; (xvi) the uncertain impacts of ongoing quantitative tightening and current and future monetary policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; (xvii) increases in unemployment rates in the United States and our market areas; (xviii) adverse changes in customer spending and savings habits; (xix) declines in commercial real estate values and prices; (xx) a deterioration of the credit rating for U.S. long-term sovereign debt or uncertainty regarding United States fiscal debt, deficit and budget matters; (xxi) cyber incidents or other failures, disruptions or breaches of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of cyber-attacks; (xxii) severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, geopolitical instability or other external events, including as a result of changes in U.S. presidential administrations or Congress, including potential changes in U.S. and international trade and tariff policies and the resulting impact on the Company and its customers; (xxiii) the effect of volatility in the capital markets on our fee income from our wealth management business; (xxiv) competition and market expansion opportunities; (xxv) changes in non-interest expenditures or in the anticipated benefits of such expenditures; (xxvi) changes in tax laws; (xxvii) the risks related to the development, implementation, use and management of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learnings; (xxviii) potential increased costs related to the impacts of climate change; and (xxix) current or future litigation, regulatory examinations or other legal and/or regulatory actions. Therefore, the Company can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. For more information about these factors, please see our reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q on file with the SEC, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Any forward-looking statements contained in this earnings release are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no duty, and specifically disclaim any duty, to update or revise any such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT
    This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

    In connection with the proposed transaction between Independent and Enterprise, Independent has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) that includes a proxy statement for a special meeting of Enterprise’s shareholders to approve the proposed transaction and that also constitutes a prospectus for the Independent common stock that will be issued in the proposed transaction, as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF INDEPENDENT AND ENTERPRISE ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT INDEPENDENT, ENTERPRISE AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Copies of the Registration Statement and of the proxy statement/prospectus and other filings incorporated by reference therein, as well as other filings containing information about Independent and Enterprise, can be obtained, free of charge, as they become available at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Independent Investor Relations, 288 Union Street, Rockland, Massachusetts 02370, telephone (774) 363-9872 or to Enterprise Bancorp, Inc., 222 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852, Attention: Corporate Secretary, telephone (978) 656-5578.

    ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (unaudited)
     
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)   March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    Assets            
    Cash and cash equivalents:            
    Cash and due from banks   $       52,194     $       42,689     $       41,443  
    Interest-earning deposits with banks             34,543               41,152             106,391  
    Total cash and cash equivalents             86,737               83,841             147,834  
    Investments:            
    Debt securities at fair value (amortized cost of $674,601, $685,766 and $749,561 respectively)           594,691             583,930             643,924  
    Equity securities at fair value               9,242                 9,665                 8,102  
    Total investment securities at fair value           603,933             593,595             652,026  
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock               4,932                 7,093                 2,482  
    Loans held for sale               1,069                    520                    400  
    Loans:            
    Total loans        4,049,642          3,982,898          3,654,322  
    Allowance for credit losses           (64,042 )           (63,498 )           (60,741 )
    Net loans        3,985,600          3,919,400          3,593,581  
    Premises and equipment, net             41,464               42,444               44,671  
    Lease right-of-use asset             23,946               24,126               24,645  
    Accrued interest receivable             21,782               20,553               20,501  
    Deferred income taxes, net             42,338               49,096               47,903  
    Bank-owned life insurance             67,927               67,421               65,878  
    Prepaid income taxes               4,099                 2,583                 5,771  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets             11,006               11,398               12,667  
    Goodwill               5,656                 5,656                 5,656  
    Total assets   $ 4,900,489     $ 4,827,726     $ 4,624,015  
    Liabilities and Shareholders‘ Equity            
    Liabilities            
    Deposits:            
    Customer deposits   $ 4,150,668     $ 4,187,698     $ 4,106,119  
    Brokered deposits           149,975                      —                      —  
    Total deposits        4,300,643          4,187,698          4,106,119  
    Borrowed funds             94,493             153,136               63,246  
    Subordinated debt             59,894               59,815               59,577  
    Lease liability             23,699               23,849               24,303  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities             29,422               33,425               30,945  
    Accrued interest payable               6,983                 9,055                 6,386  
    Total liabilities        4,515,134          4,466,978          4,290,576  
    Commitments and Contingencies            
    Shareholders‘ Equity            
    Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued                    —                      —                      —  
    Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 12,510,019, 12,447,308 and 12,376,562 shares issued and outstanding, respectively.                  125                    124                    124  
    Additional paid-in capital           111,621             111,295             108,246  
    Retained earnings           335,568             328,243             306,943  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss           (61,959 )           (78,914 )           (81,874 )
    Total shareholders’ equity           385,355             360,748             333,439  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 4,900,489     $ 4,827,726     $ 4,624,015  
    ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (unaudited)
     
        Three months ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)   March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    Interest and dividend income:            
    Other interest-earning assets   $               535     $               833     $            1,172
    Investment securities                  3,608                    3,881                    4,034
    Loans and loans held for sale                55,408                  54,528                  48,817
    Total interest and dividend income                59,551                  59,242                  54,023
    Interest expense:            
    Deposits                18,288                  19,488                  17,272
    Borrowed funds                  1,706                       394                       694
    Subordinated debt                     867                       867                       867
    Total interest expense                20,861                  20,749                  18,833
    Net interest income                38,690                  38,493                  35,190
    Provision for credit losses                     331                     (106 )                     622
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses                38,359                  38,599                  34,568
    Non-interest income:            
    Wealth management fees                  2,097                    2,043                    1,850
    Deposit and interchange fees                  2,157                    2,240                    2,069
    Income on bank-owned life insurance, net                     506                       522                       458
    Net gains on sales of loans                       47                         33                         22
    Net (losses) gains on equity securities                   (301 )                     (30 )                     465
    Other income                     682                       808                       631
    Total non-interest income                  5,188                    5,616                    5,495
    Non-interest expense:            
    Salaries and employee benefits                19,936                  19,276                  19,176
    Occupancy and equipment expenses                  2,582                    2,364                    2,459
    Technology and telecommunications expenses                  2,709                    2,687                    2,745
    Advertising and public relations expenses                     752                       609                       743
    Audit, legal and other professional fees                     541                       460                       734
    Deposit insurance premiums                     878                       950                       859
    Supplies and postage expenses                     229                       242                       237
    Merger-related expenses                     290                    1,137                         —
    Other operating expenses                  2,032                    2,117                    1,955
    Total non-interest expense                29,949                  29,842                  28,908
    Income before income taxes                13,598                  14,373                  11,155
    Provision for income taxes                  3,163                    3,646                    2,648
    Net income   $          10,435     $          10,727     $            8,507
                 
    Basic earnings per common share   $              0.84     $              0.86     $              0.69
    Diluted earnings per common share   $              0.84     $              0.86     $              0.69
                 
    Basic weighted average common shares outstanding         12,464,721           12,433,895           12,292,417
    Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding         12,495,458           12,460,063           12,304,203
    ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
    Selected Consolidated Financial Data and Ratios
    (unaudited)
         
        At or for the three months ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)   March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    Balance Sheet Data                    
    Total cash and cash equivalents   $        86,737     $        83,841     $        88,632     $      199,719     $      147,834  
    Total investment securities at fair value            603,933              593,595              631,975              636,838              652,026  
    Total loans         4,049,642           3,982,898           3,858,940           3,768,649           3,654,322  
    Allowance for credit losses           (64,042 )           (63,498 )           (63,654 )           (61,999 )           (60,741 )
    Total assets         4,900,489           4,827,726           4,742,809           4,773,681           4,624,015  
    Customer deposits         4,150,668           4,187,698           4,189,461           4,248,801           4,106,119  
    Brokered deposits            149,975                       —                       —                       —                       —  
    Borrowed funds              94,493              153,136                59,949                61,785                63,246  
    Subordinated debt              59,894                59,815                59,736                59,657                59,577  
    Total shareholders’ equity            385,355              360,748              368,109              340,441              333,439  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity         4,900,489           4,827,726           4,742,809           4,773,681           4,624,015  
                         
    Wealth Management                    
    Wealth assets under management   $   1,214,050     $   1,230,014     $   1,212,076     $   1,129,147     $   1,105,036  
    Wealth assets under administration   $      297,233     $      305,930     $      302,891     $      267,529     $      268,074  
                         
    Shareholders’ Equity Ratios                    
    Book value per common share   $          30.80     $          28.98     $          29.62     $          27.40     $          26.94  
    Dividends paid per common share   $            0.25     $            0.24     $            0.24     $            0.24     $            0.24  
                         
    Regulatory Capital Ratios                    
    Total capital to risk weighted assets     13.06 %     13.06 %     13.07 %     13.07 %     13.20 %
    Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets(1)     10.39 %     10.38 %     10.36 %     10.34 %     10.43 %
    Tier 1 capital to average assets     8.98 %     8.94 %     8.68 %     8.76 %     8.85 %
                         
    Credit Quality Data                    
    Non-performing loans   $        28,479     $        26,687     $        25,946     $        17,731     $        18,527  
    Non-performing loans to total loans     0.70 %     0.67 %     0.67 %     0.47 %     0.51 %
    Non-performing assets to total assets     0.58 %     0.55 %     0.55 %     0.37 %     0.40 %
    ACL for loans to total loans     1.58 %     1.59 %     1.65 %     1.65 %     1.66 %
    Net (recoveries) charge-offs   $          (424 )   $             221     $              (7 )   $          (130 )   $             122  
                         
    Income Statement Data                    
    Net interest income   $        38,690     $        38,493     $        38,020     $        36,161     $        35,190  
    Provision for credit losses                   331                  (106 )                1,332                     137                     622  
    Total non-interest income                5,188                  5,616                  6,140                  5,628                  5,495  
    Total non-interest expense              29,949                29,842                29,353                29,029                28,908  
    Income before income taxes              13,598                14,373                13,475                12,623                11,155  
    Provision for income taxes                3,163                  3,646                  3,488                  3,111                  2,648  
    Net income   $        10,435     $        10,727     $          9,987     $          9,512     $          8,507  
                         
    Income Statement Ratios                    
    Diluted earnings per common share   $            0.84     $            0.86     $            0.80     $            0.77     $            0.69  
    Return on average total assets     0.87 %     0.89 %     0.82 %     0.82 %     0.75 %
    Return on average shareholders’ equity     11.45 %     11.82 %     11.20 %     11.55 %     10.47 %
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent)(2)     3.32 %     3.29 %     3.22 %     3.19 %     3.20 %
    (1) Ratio also represents common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets as of the periods presented.
    (2) Tax-equivalent net interest margin is net interest income adjusted for the tax-equivalent effect associated with tax-exempt loan and investment income, expressed as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
    ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
    Consolidated Loan and Deposit Data
    (unaudited)
     
    Major classifications of loans at the dates indicated were as follows:
     
    (Dollars in thousands)   March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    Commercial real estate owner-occupied   $      708,645     $      704,634     $      660,063     $      660,478     $      635,420  
    Commercial real estate non owner-occupied         1,629,394           1,563,201           1,579,827           1,544,386           1,524,174  
    Commercial and industrial            483,165              479,821              415,642              426,976              417,604  
    Commercial construction            664,936              679,969              674,434              622,094              583,711  
    Total commercial loans         3,486,140           3,427,625           3,329,966           3,253,934           3,160,909  
                         
    Residential mortgages            450,456              443,096              424,030              413,323              400,093  
    Home equity loans and lines            105,779              103,858                95,982                93,220                85,144  
    Consumer                7,267                  8,319                  8,962                  8,172                  8,176  
    Total retail loans            563,502              555,273              528,974              514,715              493,413  
    Total loans         4,049,642           3,982,898           3,858,940           3,768,649           3,654,322  
                         
    ACL for loans           (64,042 )           (63,498 )           (63,654 )           (61,999 )           (60,741 )
    Net loans   $   3,985,600     $   3,919,400     $   3,795,286     $   3,706,650     $   3,593,581  
    Deposits are summarized at the periods indicated were as follows:
     
    (Dollars in thousands)   March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    Non-interest checking   $     1,028,326   $     1,077,998   $     1,064,424   $     1,041,771   $     1,038,887
    Interest-bearing checking              715,517              699,671              682,050              788,822              730,819
    Savings              284,960              270,367              279,824              294,566              285,090
    Money market           1,437,907           1,454,443           1,488,437           1,504,551           1,469,181
    CDs $250,000 or less              393,890              377,958              375,055              358,149              337,367
    CDs greater than $250,000              290,068              307,261              299,671              260,942              244,775
    Total customer deposits           4,150,668           4,187,698           4,189,461           4,248,801           4,106,119
    Brokered deposits              149,975                       —                       —                       —                       —
     Deposits   $     4,300,643   $     4,187,698   $     4,189,461   $     4,248,801   $     4,106,119
    ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
    Consolidated Average Balance Sheets and Yields (tax-equivalent basis)
    (unaudited)
     
    The following table presents the Company’s average balance sheets, net interest income and average rates for the periods indicated:
     
        Three months ended March 31, 2025   Three months ended December 31, 2024   Three months ended March 31, 2024
    (Dollars in thousands)   Average
    Balance
      Interest(1)   Average
    Yield(1)
      Average
    Balance
      Interest(1)   Average
    Yield(1)
      Average
    Balance
      Interest(1)   Average
    Yield(1)
    Assets:                                    
    Other interest-earning assets(2)   $            44,673   $           535   4.86 %   $            68,224   $           833   4.85 %   $            86,078   $         1,172   5.48 %
    Investment securities(3) (tax-equivalent)                689,138               3,705   2.15 %                704,629               3,985   2.26 %                763,692               4,157   2.18 %
    Loans and loans held for sale(4) (tax-equivalent)              4,015,667             55,555   5.60 %              3,911,386             54,673   5.56 %              3,608,157             48,960   5.46 %
    Total interest-earnings assets (tax-equivalent)              4,749,478             59,795   5.10 %              4,684,239             59,491   5.06 %              4,457,927             54,289   4.89 %
    Other assets                  98,003                        101,952                          91,794        
    Total assets   $        4,847,481           $        4,786,191           $        4,549,721        
                                         
    Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:                                    
    Non-interest checking   $        1,034,122                   —       $        1,106,823                   —       $        1,069,145                   —    
    Interest checking, savings and money market              2,405,722             10,332   1.74 %              2,471,854             11,728   1.89 %              2,418,947             11,356   1.89 %
    CDs                686,689               7,121   4.21 %                683,248               7,760   4.52 %                549,097               5,916   4.33 %
    Brokered deposits                  76,647                 835   4.42 %                        —                   —   — %                        —                   —   — %
    Total deposits              4,203,180             18,288   1.68 %              4,261,925             19,488   1.82 %              4,037,189             17,272   1.72 %
    Borrowed funds                154,911               1,706   4.47 %                  37,812                 394   4.15 %                  63,627                 694   4.38 %
    Subordinated debt(5)                  59,847                 867   5.79 %                  59,768                 867   5.80 %                  59,530                 867   5.82 %
    Total funding liabilities              4,417,938             20,861   1.91 %              4,359,505             20,749   1.89 %              4,160,346             18,833   1.82 %
    Other liabilities                  59,976                          65,720                          62,500        
    Total liabilities              4,477,914                      4,425,225                      4,222,846        
    Stockholders’ equity                369,567                        360,966                        326,875        
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $        4,847,481           $        4,786,191           $        4,549,721        
                                         
    Net interest-rate spread (tax-equivalent)           3.19 %           3.17 %           3.07 %
    Net interest income (tax-equivalent)                 38,934                     38,742                     35,456    
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent)           3.32 %           3.29 %           3.20 %
    Less tax-equivalent adjustment                     244                         249                         266    
    Net interest income       $       38,690           $       38,493           $       35,190    
    Net interest margin           3.29 %           3.27 %           3.17 %
    (1) Average yields and interest income are presented on a tax-equivalent basis, calculated using a U.S. federal income tax rate of 21% for each period presented, based on tax-equivalent adjustments associated with tax-exempt loans and investments interest income.
    (2) Average other interest-earning assets include interest-earning deposits with banks, federal funds sold and Federal Home Loan Bank stock.
    (3) Average investment securities are presented at average amortized cost.
    (4) Average loans and loans held for sale are presented at average amortized cost and include non-accrual loans.
    (5) Subordinated debt is net of average deferred debt issuance costs.

    Contact Info: Joseph R. Lussier, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (978) 656-5578

    The MIL Network –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Manufacturing Loans Skyrocket Under Trump Administration

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced a major surge in manufacturing loans during the first 90 days of the Trump Administration. Compared to the same period during the Biden Administration, the number of SBA 7(a) loan approvals for small manufacturers has increased by 74%.

    The 7(a) loan program is SBA’s flagship program, a public-private partnership which offers government-guaranteed loans to help small businesses finance equipment purchases, real estate acquisition, working capital (including revolving credit lines), and business expansion. Since Jan. 20, 2025, SBA has approved over 1,120 7(a) loans for manufacturers with a total loan volume of $677 million. During the same period in 2021, SBA approved less than 650 7(a) loans for manufacturers with a total loan volume of $497 million. Nearly 99% of American manufacturers are considered to be small businesses.

    “Loan applications and approvals for small manufacturers are surging – a clear sign that American manufacturing is roaring back, fueled by pro-growth policies that put American workers and businesses first,” SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said. “Thanks to President Trump’s agenda to restore economic and national security, SBA is helping to power an industrial comeback – meeting massive demand to help America’s small producers expand operations, create good-paying jobs, and restore our supply chains.”

    Manufacturing has been on the rebound since President Trump took office, boosted by his pro-business agenda – including tax cuts, deregulation, energy independence and tariffs. The country gained 10,000 manufacturing jobs during President Trump’s first full month in office after losing more than 111,000 under President Biden in 2024.

    Under Administrator Loeffler, the SBA has dedicated significant resources to support small manufacturers and workers. Last month, the agency announced its Made in America Manufacturing Initiative – a campaign to cut $100 billion in red tape, increase access to capital, and promote a skilled workforce. As part of this initiative, agency leaders have met with more than 150 small manufacturers across the country – holding roundtables and site tours on its Made in America Roadshow.

    SBA guarantees numerous different types of loans to help small businesses and manufacturers start and grow their businesses. In addition to the 7(a) loan program, the agency also guarantees 504 loans – which provide long-term, fixed rate financing of up to $5 million for major fixed assets that promote business growth and job creation.

    # # #

     

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and 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.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Finstad Introduces Legislation to Remove SBA Offices from Sanctuary Cities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) introduced the Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act, legislation that would remove and relocate U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offices located in jurisdictions that have adopted sanctuary policies, to better ensure resources benefit American small businesses and rural communities.

    “Sanctuary jurisdictions raise serious public safety concerns and erode the rule of law,” said Rep. Finstad. “In Minnesota, cities like Minneapolis continue to circumvent federal law and prioritize illegal immigrants. This legislation ensures that the Small Business Administration is focused on its mission of providing critical resources and support to American citizens and small businesses while rejecting Democrat-run cities’ out-of-touch priorities.”

    “For decades, sanctuary cities have disregarded federal law without consequence, resulting in violence and heartbreak for American citizens. Many of these lawless cities have put the SBA offices at risk,” said Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business. “I fully support the Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act, which will move SBA offices out of sanctuary cities and into safer, pro-business, pro-America municipalities that believe in the rule of law. Small businesses deserve to operate without the threat of crime and violence exacerbated by sanctuary policies.”

    Background:

    Specifically, the Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act:

    • Ensures that SBA offices are not located in sanctuary jurisdictions. If an office is currently in a state that is not a sanctuary jurisdiction, it will be relocated to another area within that same state.
    • Requires the Administrator to make a public determination on the relocation of offices within 60 days of the passage of this legislation.

    The Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act defines “sanctuary jurisdiction” as any state or political subdivision of a state that has in effect policies that prohibit or restrict immigration enforcement.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Goosehead Insurance Appoints Bill Wade to Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WESTLAKE, Texas, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Goosehead Insurance (NASDAQ: GSHD), a leader in personal lines insurance distribution, is proud to announce the appointment of Bill Wade to its Board of Directors. Wade, with over 25 years of experience as a senior partner and consultant at Bain & Company, brings deep expertise in leveraging emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), to fuel innovation, operational efficiency, and transformational growth.

    Throughout his career, Wade has been at the forefront of integrating digital strategies to help companies and private equity firms optimize performance and achieve scalable, tech-enabled growth. His work includes implementing AI-powered analytics, driving digital transformation, and designing agile operating models that deliver extraordinary results. Wade’s forward-thinking approach positions him as an ideal partner for Goosehead’s aggressive technology-driven expansion.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Bill to our Board,” said Mark E. Jones, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Goosehead Insurance. “Bill’s proven success in leveraging technology to drive transformational growth is exactly what we need as we aggressively invest to win the tech race in the insurance industry. Technology is the battleground, and we already have a substantial lead—our goal is to extend it and secure our place as the top distributor of personal lines insurance in the U.S. in my lifetime. Bill’s expertise, vision, and strong existing relationships with several board members make him an invaluable addition to our team.”

    “Bill’s addition to our Board is a pivotal moment in our journey to transform the insurance industry through bold innovation and cutting-edge technology,” said Mark Miller, CEO of Goosehead Insurance. “With his expertise in AI and digital transformation, we are positioned to break new ground, elevate client experiences, and strengthen our leadership in the industry. Together, we’ll push boundaries and turn ambitious goals into measurable achievements.”

    Wade holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar and Siebel Scholar, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accountancy from Brigham Young University.

    “Goosehead has already disrupted the personal lines insurance space with its client-first, tech-driven approach,” said Wade. “The company’s commitment to AI and advanced technology solutions creates a unique opportunity to redefine scalability and client value in the industry. I’m thrilled to join the Board and contribute to shaping the next chapter of Goosehead’s growth.”

    Founded in 2003, Goosehead Insurance has prioritized innovation with technology and human capital, becoming a leader in personal lines insurance. This focus aligns perfectly with Wade’s expertise.

    About Goosehead

    Goosehead (NASDAQ: GSHD) is a rapidly growing and innovative independent personal lines insurance agency that distributes its products and services through corporate and franchise locations throughout the United States. Goosehead was founded on the premise that the consumer should be at the center of our universe and that everything we do should be directed at providing extraordinary value by offering broad product choice and a world-class service experience. Goosehead represents over 200 insurance companies that underwrite personal and commercial lines. For more information, please visit goosehead.com or goosehead.com/become-a-franchisee.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which represent Goosehead’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical facts and may include statements that address future operating, financial or business performance or Goosehead’s strategies or expectations. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may”, “might”, “will”, “should”, “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “projects”, “potential”, “outlook” or “continue”, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements.

    Factors that could cause actual results or performance to differ from the expectations expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, conditions impacting insurance carriers or other parties with which Goosehead does business, the loss of one or more key executives or an inability to attract and retain qualified personnel and the failure to attract and retain highly qualified franchisees. These risks and uncertainties also include, but are not limited to, those described under the captions “1A. Risk Factors” in Goosehead’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in Goosehead’s other filings with the SEC, which are available free of charge on the Securities Exchange Commission’s website at: www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated. All forward-looking statements and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Goosehead or to persons acting on behalf of Goosehead are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Goosehead does not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable law.

    Contacts
    Investor Contact:
    Dan Farrell
    Goosehead Insurance – VP Capital Markets
    Phone: (214) 838-5290
    Email: dan.farrell@goosehead.com; IR@goosehead.com 

    PR Contact:
    Mission North for Goosehead Insurance
    Email: goosehead@missionnorth.com; PR@goosehead.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Announces First Mentor-Protégé Agreement Under Enhanced Program

    Source: NASA

    NASA is marking progress in strengthening the agency’s small business partnerships, supply chain resiliency, and domestic space manufacturing capabilities.
    Under the agency’s enhanced Mentor-Protégé Program, NASA has announced the first Mentor-Protégé Agreement between L3Harris Technologies, a NASA large prime contractor, and Parametric Machining, Inc., a veteran-owned small business.
    This agreement will help advance NASA’s mission by fostering innovation and reinforcing the agency’s supply chain. As NASA continues to advance the Artemis campaign, deep space exploration, and aeronautics research, partnerships like this are essential in securing a resilient and efficient supplier base.
    “We are excited to facilitate the first agreement under the newly enhanced NASA Mentor-Protégé Program,” said Dwight Deneal, assistant administrator for NASA’s Office of Small Business Programs. “This agreement, and the many that will follow, promote domestic ingenuity and manufacturing and provide opportunities for small businesses to grow and thrive within NASA’s industrial base.”
    Through Mentor-Protégé Agreements, large prime contractors serve as mentors, offering technical and business development assistance to small business protégés. This collaboration not only enhances protégés’ capabilities but also provides mentors with a stronger, more reliable subcontracting base, enabling them to fill their supply chain gaps. Additionally, protégés gain potential prime and subcontract opportunities, enhanced technical capabilities, technical training, and long-term business growth.
    Relaunched in November 2024, the merit-based NASA Mentor-Protégé Program is designed to bolster small business development while strengthening NASA’s supply chain and industry base. By focusing on a targeted set of North American Industry Classification System codes, including research and development and aerospace manufacturing, NASA ensures that participating small businesses are well-positioned to contribute to long-term mission objectives.
    The agreement between L3Harris Technologies and Parametric Machining, Inc. demonstrates the value of NASA’s revamped Mentor-Protégé Program. NASA is actively accepting new Mentor-Protégé Agreements and encourages large prime contractors and small businesses to explore the benefits of forming partnerships under the program. Participating in the Mentor-Protégé Program provides:

    Enhanced manufacturing capabilities and subcontracting opportunities.
    Mentorship from experienced NASA prime contractors.
    Opportunities to advance competitiveness in government contracts.
    Access to technical assistance and business development support.
    A pathway for small businesses to integrate into NASA’s supply chain.

    L3Harris Technologies is a prime contractor at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, supporting the Geostationary Extended Observations Imager Instrument Implementation contract. NASA Goddard also will serve as the administering center for this agreement.
    For more information on NASA’s Mentor-Protégé Program and how to participate, visit:
    https://www.nasa.gov/osbp/mentor-protege-program
    -end-

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Banking: Training course on trade in services concludes in Geneva for WTO acceding governments

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Training course on trade in services concludes in Geneva for WTO acceding governments

    The governments represented were Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Belarus, Bhutan, Curaçao, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Participants received training on the  GATS disciplines, including how to create schedules of commitments, and how to view services from a sectoral perspective. They also learned how to develop market access offers in services in the context of bilateral market access negotiations.
    The course also covered current trends in services trade, and provided participants with an overview of the Joint Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation, launched in 2017 by a group of WTO members to streamline regulations and reduce unnecessary barriers to services trade. In addition, the course looked into cross-cutting topics, such as e-commerce and investment facilitation. Experience-sharing roundtables were also organized with selected WTO members active in accessions and with former services negotiators.
    Speaking at the closing session of the course, WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang emphasized the transformative potential of the WTO accession process and the importance of trade in services in this process. He noted that services negotiations can drive domestic reform and attract foreign direct investment. DDG Zhang encouraged participants to continue advancing their governments’ accession negotiations while actively engaging across all areas of the WTO’s work.
    In a fireside chat with Hamid Mamdouh, former Director of the Trade in Services and Investment Division, on the last day of the course, WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill emphasized the dynamism and resilience of services trade. She noted that many recently acceded members have been outperforming most WTO members in services trade growth, GDP growth and domestic investments.
    At the opening session on 7 April, Maika Oshikawa, Director of the WTO’s Accessions Division, highlighted the value of specialized training courses the WTO Secretariat has been regularly providing since 2016 on key pillars of accession negotiations. She said that “understanding WTO disciplines and practices on trade in services is essential for preparing market access offers and conducting bilateral market access negotiations.”
    Markus Jelitto, Officer in Charge of the WTO Trade in Services and Investment Division, said: “Negotiating services in the context of WTO accession is a complex challenge — but one that holds significant potential. Services trade offers exceptional opportunities for developing economies, including those in the process of WTO accession.”
    Mondher Mimouni, Director of ITC’s Division of Market Development, stressed the importance of mastering WTO rules on services trade, especially for acceding governments. He said: “This training is a critical step toward maximizing the benefits of WTO membership.”
    Ylham Yarashov, a participant from Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Finance and Economy, said the course provided useful guidance  to support his government’s accession efforts. He stated: “The knowledge gained from this training will be applied directly because we will be beginning to build Turkmenistan’s position and preparing our offers and requests in a way that responds to both our economic interests and development priorities.”
    Another course participant, Sonam Tshering Dorji from Bhutan’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, said: “The course provided me with deeper insights into the world of services, which are highly relevant to the work of my Ministry. It has also strengthened my ability to read and draft schedules of commitments, while offering valuable opportunities to expand my network with fellow negotiators from various acceding governments.”
    Carol Young from The Bahamas Investment Authority who also participated in the course, said: “The training highlighted the need to better align my country’s National Investment Policy with WTO principles to prepare for its accession to the Organization.”

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    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “Anusandhan” National Research Foundation (ANRF) to anchor upscaled collaborations involving private players, says Dr Jitendra Singh;

    Source: Government of India

    “Anusandhan” National Research Foundation (ANRF) to anchor upscaled collaborations involving private players, says Dr Jitendra Singh;

    ANRF to Anchor India’s Scientific Future: Dr. Jitendra Singh Charts Roadmap for Cross-Ministry Collaboration

    ‘No More Silos’: Dr. Jitendra Singh Pitches Unified Scientific Vision

    From Lab to Market: Govt Taps ANRF to Turn Research into Scalable Public Goods with commercial viability

    Dr. Jitendra Singh Chairs Joint Review Meet of All Science Ministries, Charts Unified Innovation Roadmap

    Posted On: 17 APR 2025 10:19PM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant move aimed at transforming India’s scientific research and innovation ecosystem into a collaborative and commercially viable enterprise, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh today called for positioning the newly constituted “Anusandhan” National Research Foundation (ANRF) as a critical organisation for all science ministries and departments across the government and declared that ANRF has been envisaged to anchor upscaled collaborations involving private players.

     Chairing a high-level joint  meeting of all the science Ministries and departments in Govt of India  at the National Science Centre here today, the Minister laid out a vision for aligning research outcomes across departments with national priorities, private sector participation, and market readiness.

    At the core of this shift, said Dr Jitendra Singh,  is the aspiration to build a unified research strategy that breaks silos, avoids duplication and delivers tangible, scalable benefits to society. “All the science ministries must work with the intent to deliver market-relevant, public-good products,” he  emphasised, adding that ANRF will not only act as a coordinating body but also serve as a catalyst to bring in private sector investment and innovation.

    The ANRF’s newly appointed CEO, Dr.Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, outlined a bold roadmap that envisions catalytic funding models, deep private sector integration, and AI-led scientific acceleration. The agency is set to model its functioning on globally successful institutions like the NSF and DARPA, launching cross-ministerial missions focused on economic growth and societal impact.

    Notably, ANRF is set to launch a “Small Business Deep Tech Innovation” programme inspired by global best practices, aimed at supporting startups and MSMEs in scaling technologies for real-world application. In a bid to maximise national research infrastructure, ANRF will also roll out a “Cloud of Research and Innovation Infrastructure” to allow deep-tech startups and institutions to access underused equipment across the country.

    The foundation’s AI-for-Science initiative is another key highlight, focusing on using AI to model scientific equations in physics, chemistry, and biology — a leap expected to drastically shorten the time from theory to practice in core scientific domains.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored the importance of projects with visible public utility, citing CSIR’s HANSA-NG aircraft, the Department of Atomic Energy’s Bharat Small Modular Reactors, and space-based applications as models to emulate.

    The HANSA-NG, a two-seater trainer aircraft developed indigenously by CSIR-NAL, is already witnessing strong market interest with 110 orders and production lined up in collaboration with Pioneer Clean Arms Pvt Ltd. Dr. Jitendra Singh noted the project’s potential to reduce India’s dependency on expensive foreign pilot training, and suggested roping in private airlines and aerospace component manufacturers to scale up production beyond Bengaluru.

    Similarly, the Department of Atomic Energy is developing the Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR), a 200 MW pressurised water reactor intended for industrial applications and grid-independent power generation. These initiatives demonstrate the type of innovation the Minister wants the ANRF to incubate and scale.

    India’s space programme also featured prominently in the review. From the recent success of the SPADEX satellite docking to the development of reusable engine technology and advanced space exploration missions, the Department of Space reported rapid strides, including preparations for India’s human spaceflight mission by 2040.

    Across the spectrum — whether it’s ocean mining technology from the Ministry of Earth Sciences, bio-manufacturing hubs by DBT, or cutting-edge chips and AI solutions in partnership with semiconductor labs — the government is pushing for synergy, scalability, and sustainability.

    Concluding the meeting, Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated that the future of Indian science lies in integration and innovation. “The time for working in silos is over. We must institutionalise collaboration and deliver solutions that matter,” he said, signalling a new era for India’s science ecosystem — one where policy, private investment, and research institutions converge under the stewardship of ANRF.

    The meeting was attended by Tarun Kapoor, Advisor to the Prime Minister; Hari Ranjan Rao, Additional Secretary in the PMO; Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology; Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR; Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space, along with other senior officials.

    ******

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    (Release ID: 2122587) Visitor Counter : 63

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government holds seminar on “United Response to US’s Unjustified Imposition of Tariffs” for HKSAR Deputies to NPC and HKSAR members of National Committee of CPPCC (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ​The Government held a seminar today (April 17) at the Central Government Offices to exchange views with around 100 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC) and HKSAR members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on the United States (US)’s unjustified imposition of tariffs. The seminar aimed to address the risks posed by the US’s bullying and barbaric actions and to unite all sectors in analysing and seizing opportunities in the new international trade order.

    The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, stated at the seminar that the US’s recent imposition of so-called “reciprocal tariffs” on multiple countries and regions seriously violates the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and recklessly undermines the international trade order. He pointed out that the US’s imposition of a so-called 145 per cent tariff on Hong Kong, which has zero tariffs, is full of fallacies and violates logic. The Government has repeatedly issued stern statements expressing strong disapproval and urged the US to cease disrupting free trade.

    The opinions expressed at the seminar reflected that the US Government’s bullying and unjustified imposition of tariffs is a disruption to the global trade order, severely impacting the global supply chain that many countries have worked hard to establish over the past few decades. Hong Kong will not yield and will face challenges with a firm attitude of turning crises into opportunities. In the process of restructuring global trade relations and supply chains, Hong Kong must maintain confidence, stand shoulder to shoulder with our country, grasp the emerging new order, explore new trade frontiers, safeguard economic security, and promote economic upgrading and transformation.

    The Government is fully committed to leading society in unity and co-operation, strengthening regional trade collaboration, deepening international exchanges and co-operation, exploring emerging markets, and driving the sustainable development of Hong Kong.

    As members of the country’s major institutions, HKSAR deputies to the NPC and HKSAR members of the National Committee of the CPPCC are leaders from various sectors of Hong Kong. They will leverage their influence in their respective roles, consolidate strength, and play a driving role in the “long battle” of restructuring the trade order. They will also provide advice to the Government to jointly navigate through this “long battle”.

    Also attending the seminar were the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Acting Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-san; and the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan.

    Under the guidance of the Chief Executive, the current-term Government has established a regular exchange mechanism with HKSAR deputies to the NPC and HKSAR members of the National Committee of the CPPCC to enhance the Government’s communication and collaboration with them. This includes exchanges and meetings on a regular and non-regular basis, seminars and exchange sessions on various issues and policies. An exchange and liaison office and an exclusive contact point for the NPC deputies and CPPCC members have also been set up to better collect their views and recommendations. The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau will continue to take forward the regular exchange mechanism for strengthening the organisation and unity of patriots with affection for the country and our city.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: C-DOT and Sterlite Technologies Ltd. (STL) achieve India’s First Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) over Multi-Core Fibre

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 17 APR 2025 4:49PM by PIB Delhi

    In a landmark achievement, C-DOT, jointly with Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL), has successfully tested India’s first QKD transmission over a 4-core Multi-Core Fibre (MCF) — marking a major milestone in the nation’s journey towards quantum-secured communication networks.

    Multi-Core Fibre (MCF) technology provides a powerful solution by enabling data transmission  across multiple cores within a single fibre, significantly saving physical space and infrastructure costs. In the context of QKD — which typically requires a dedicated dark fibre for the quantum  channel, MCF offers a significant advantage: it enables the physical separation of quantum  and classical signals into distinct cores within single fibre. This allows for the simultaneous transmission of QKD and high-capacity data traffic on a single fibre without compromising quantum signal integrity thereby saving fibre cost.

    In this activity, the quantum signals of QKD were transmitted through one core, while simultaneously, the other three cores on the same fibre were used to carry high-speed user data. A stable QKD link was established over a distance exceeding 100 km, validating the robustness and stability of quantum communication even amidst high-capacity classical data traffic.

    The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), India’s premier telecom R&D centre under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of  India, has emerged as a key player in advancing India’s quantum communication ecosystem.  C-DOT has successfully developed and deployed industry-grade Quantum Key Distribution  (QKD) systems. Notably, C-DOT’s QKD systems have received Technology Approval from the  Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), a body under the DoT. 

    Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL) is a leading global provider of integrated digital networks, specialising in optical fibre manufacturing and network designs, with 10+ global manufacturing plants and a customer base spanning 100+ countries. As a trailblazer in Optical  Networking, Optical Connectivity, Data Centres, and Enterprise solutions, STL has recently developed Multi-Core Fibre (MCF), positioning it at the forefront of building future-ready,  scalable fibre networks. STL’s Multicore fibre leverages Space Division Multiplexing in 7 and 4  core fibre to achieve ultra-high transmission capacity per fibre within the same diameter. 

    Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, stated, “This initiative is a  key milestone for India’s telecom ecosystem. This achievement clearly establishes the  feasibility of integrated quantum-classical networks over next-generation optical fibres saving  costs for QKD deployments drastically”.

    Rahul Puri, CEO, Optical Networking Business, STL said: “This breakthrough collaboration with C-DOT underscores India’s growing prowess in pioneering next-gen digital infrastructure. By successfully integrating QKD with our indigenously developed MCF, we have demonstrated how cutting-edge optical innovations can revolutionized secure communication. We are committed to advancing India’s quantum communication ambitions while driving global optical leadership. This milestone is a testament to the power of public-private partnerships in building a digitally sovereign and secure nation.”

    Both C-DOT and Sterlite Technologies (STL) reaffirm their commitment to advancing India’s capabilities in quantum communication and optical network innovations. This achievement is a foundational step toward realizing a cost effective, secure and resilient national quantum communication infrastructure.

    *****

    Samrat

    (Release ID: 2122447) Visitor Counter : 82

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Conference on Simplification of Procedures and Best Practices for E-commerce concludes (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Conference on Simplification of Procedures and Best Practices for E-commerce concludes       
         This marks the first time for Hong Kong Customs to organise a large-scale A/P regional conference focusing on e-commerce, bringing together more than 200 representatives from the WCO, A/P Customs administrations, ASEAN members, and international and local industries. This Conference was also supported by the Economic and Technical Co-operation Work Programme under the ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Agreement. 
          
         The event commenced with a ceremony officiated by the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan; the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat; and the Head of Trade Facilitation Division of ASEAN Secretariat, Mr Cuong Ba Tran.

         Speaking at the commencement ceremony, Dr Chan highlighted that e-commerce is rapidly expanding across the globe, and Hong Kong is at the forefront to connect with global markets, in particular with ASEAN and other close partners in the A/P region. Noting that it is imperative for policymakers to closely collaborate with stakeholders to create a conducive environment for the healthy growth of e-commerce, he said that the Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into a cross-boundary e-commerce logistics and distribution centre, focusing on enhancing the efficiency of cross-boundary goods distribution and improving infrastructure connectivity, thereby strengthening Hong Kong’s competitiveness to position Hong Kong as a leading hub for e-commerce.Issued at HKT 18:52

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: FDA Commissioner Makary Announces New Policy on Individuals Serving on FDA Advisory Committees

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    For Immediate Release:
    April 17, 2025

    In keeping with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s promise to carry out the Department’s work with “radical transparency” and mitigate perceived industry influence and conflicts of interests, FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary, M.D., M.P.H., announces a policy directive that limits individuals employed at companies regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, such as pharmaceutical companies, from serving as official members on FDA advisory committees, where statutorily allowed. As part of this effort, the agency will prioritize and elevate the role of patients and caregivers, strengthening the voices of their communities.
    The FDA uses its advisory committees to obtain independent expert advice and recommendations on scientific, technical, and policy decisions.
    “While the FDA should be partnering with industry to ensure a user-friendly review process, the scientific evaluation of new products should be independent,” said Commissioner Makary. “Industry employees are welcome to attend FDA advisory committee meetings, along with the rest of the American public, but having industry employees serve as official members of FDA advisory committee members represents a cozy relationship that is concerning to many Americans. In fact, the FDA has a history of being influenced unduly by corporate interests.”
    “Public trust in the healthcare-industrial complex is at an all-time low. We need to restore impeccable integrity to the process and avoid potential conflicts of interest,” said Commissioner Makary.
    Today’s action will not preclude employees of regulated companies from attending or presenting their views at advisory committee meetings or serving as representative members of the committee when required by statute. Also, exceptions can be made in rare circumstances (i.e., when the scientific expertise in an area is only available from an employee of an FDA-regulated company) provided that the official strictly complies with the applicable ethics requirements.
    By limiting employees of FDA-regulated companies from serving as officials, the FDA aims to boost public trust in its decisions and improve how its advisory committees operate.
    ###

    Boilerplate

    The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

    Inquiries

    Consumer:
    888-INFO-FDA

    Content current as of:
    04/17/2025

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    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS RELEASE: HAWAI‘I MARCH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AT 2.9 PERCENT

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    NEWS RELEASE: HAWAI‘I MARCH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AT 2.9 PERCENT

    Posted on Apr 17, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

    DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM

    KA ʻOIHANA HOʻOMOHALA PĀʻOIHANA, ʻIMI WAIWAI A HOʻOMĀKAʻIKAʻI

     

    RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS DIVISION

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    JAMES KUNANE TOKIOKA

    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

     

    1. EUGENE TIAN

    CHIEF STATE ECONOMIST

    HAWAI‘I MARCH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AT 2.9 PERCENT 

    Jobs Increased by 11,800 Year-Over-Year

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    April 17, 2025

    HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) today announced that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March was 2.9 percent, compared to 3.0 in February. In March, 666,600 persons were employed and 19,900 were unemployed, for a total seasonally adjusted labor force of 686,500 statewide. Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in March, up from 4.1 percent in February.

    The unemployment rate figures for the state of Hawai‘i and the U.S. in this release are seasonally adjusted in accordance with U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) methodology. The not-seasonally adjusted rate for the state was 2.4 percent in March, compared to 2.8 percent in February.

    Industry Payroll Employment (Establishment Survey)

    In a separate measure of employment, total nonagricultural jobs increased by 2,500 month-over-month, from February 2025 to March 2025. Job gains were experienced in Leisure & Hospitality (+1,300); Other Services (+300); and Construction (+100). Job losses occurred in Manufacturing (-100); Information (-100); Professional & Business Services (-100); Private Education & Health Services (-100); Trade, Transportation & Utilities (-200); and Financial Activities (-200). Within Leisure & Hospitality, job expansion occurred in Food Services & Drinking Places. Government employment went up by 1,600 jobs, primarily due to above average seasonal hiring of workers at both the Department of Education and the University of Hawai‘i system. Year-over-year, nonfarm jobs have gone up by 11,800, or 1.8 percent.

     

    Technical Notes:

    Labor Force Components

    The concepts and definitions used by the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program are the same as those used in the Current Population Survey for the national labor force data:

    • Civilian labor force. Included are all persons in the civilian noninstitutional population ages 16 and older classified as either employed or unemployed. (See the definitions below.)
    • Employed persons. These are all persons who, during the reference week (the week including the twelfth day of the month), (a) did any work as paid employees, worked in their own business or profession or on their own farm, or worked 15 hours or more as unpaid workers in an enterprise operated by a member of their family, or (b) were not working but who had jobs from which they were temporarily absent because of vacation, illness, bad weather, childcare problems, maternity or paternity leave, labor-management dispute, job training, or other family or personal reasons, whether or not they were paid for the time off or were seeking other jobs. Each employed person is counted only once, even if he or she holds more than one job.
    • Unemployed persons. Included are all persons who had no employment during the reference week, were available for work, except for temporary illness and had made specific efforts to find employment sometime during the four-week period ending with the reference week. Persons who were waiting to be recalled to a job from which they had been laid off need not have been looking for work to be classified as unemployed.
    • Unemployment rate. The unemployed percent of the civilian labor force [i.e., 100 times (unemployed/civilian labor force)].

    Seasonal Adjustment

    The seasonal fluctuations in the number of employed and unemployed persons reflect hiring and layoff patterns that accompany regular events such as the winter holiday season and the summer vacation season. These variations make it difficult to tell whether month-to-month changes in employment and unemployment are due to normal seasonal patterns or to changing economic conditions. Therefore, the BLS uses a statistical technique called seasonal adjustment to address these issues. This technique uses the history of the labor force data and the job count data to identify the seasonal movements and to calculate the size and direction of these movements. A seasonal adjustment factor is then developed and applied to the estimates to eliminate the effects of regular seasonal fluctuations on the data. Seasonally adjusted statistical series enable more meaningful data comparisons between months or with an annual average.

    Current Population (Household) Survey (CPS)

    A survey conducted for employment status in the week that includes the twelfth day of each month generates the unemployment rate statistics, which is a separate survey from the Establishment Survey that yields the industry job counts. The CPS survey contacts approximately 1,000 households in Hawai‘i to determine an individual’s current employment status. Employed persons consist of 1) all persons who did any work for pay or profit during the survey reference week, 2) all persons who did at least 15 hours of unpaid work in a family owned enterprise operated by someone in their household and 3) all persons who were temporarily absent from their regular jobs, whether they were paid or not. Persons considered unemployed are those that do not have a job, have actively looked for work in the prior four weeks and are available for work. Temporarily laid-off workers are counted as unemployed, whether or not they have engaged in a specific job-seeking activity. Persons not in the labor force are those who are not classified as employed or unemployed during the survey reference week.

    Benchmark Changes to Local Area Unemployment Statistics Data

    Statewide and sub-state data for 2019 to 2024 have revised inputs and data for 1990 to 2024 have been re-estimated to reflect revised population controls and model re-estimation.

    Change to Monthly Employment Estimates

    This release incorporates revised job count figures for the seasonally adjusted series. The revised data reflects historical corrections applied to unadjusted super sector or sector-level series dating back from 2018 through 2024. For years, analysts with the state of Hawai‘i Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Research and Statistics Office have developed monthly employment estimates for Hawai‘i and its metropolitan areas. These estimates were based on a monthly survey of Hawai‘i businesses and analysts’ knowledge about our local economies. Beginning with the production of preliminary estimates for March 2011, responsibility for the production of state and metropolitan area (MSA) estimates were transitioned from individual state agencies to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

    For Hawai‘i, this means the transition of statewide, Honolulu and Kahului-Wailuku MSA estimates for both the seasonally adjusted and not-seasonally adjusted areas are produced by BLS. State agencies will continue to provide the BLS with information on local events that may affect the estimates, such as strikes or large layoffs/hiring at businesses not covered by the survey and to disseminate and analyze the Current Employment Statistics (CES) estimates for local data users. BLS feels this change is designed to improve the cost efficiency of the CES program and to reduce the potential bias in state and area estimates. A portion of the cost savings generated by this change is slated to be directed toward raising survey response rates in future years, which will decrease the level of statistical error in the CES estimates. Until then, state analysts feel this change could result in increased month-to-month variability for the industry employment numbers, particularly for Hawai‘i’s counties and islands. BLS can be reached at 202-691-6555 for any questions about these estimates.

    The not-seasonally adjusted job estimates for Hawai‘i County, Kaua‘i County, Maui, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i are produced by the state of Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

    Labor Force Estimates for Small Areas

    Labor Force estimates for the islands within Maui County (Maui, Moloka‘i and Lānai) are produced by the state of Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

    Seasonally Adjusted Labor Force and Unemployment Estimates for Honolulu and Maui County

    BLS publishes smoothed seasonally adjusted civilian labor force and unemployment estimates for all metropolitan areas, which includes the City and County of Honolulu and Maui County.

    BLS releases this data each month in the Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment news release. The schedule is available at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/metro.toc.htm.

    Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization

     

    Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization for States, 2024 annual averages (percent)  
    Area Measure  
    U-1 U-2 U-3 U-4 U-5 U-6
                 
    United States 1.5 1.9 4.0 4.3 4.9 7.5
                 
    Hawai‘i 0.8 1.1 3.1 3.2 4.0 6.4

     

    The six alternative labor underutilization state measures based on the Current Population Survey (CPS) and compiled on a four-quarter moving-average basis defined as:

    U-1, persons unemployed 15 weeks or longer, as a percent of the civilian labor force;

    U-2, job losers and persons who completed temporary jobs, as a percent of the civilian labor force;

    U-3, total unemployed, as a percent of the civilian labor force (this is the definition used for the official unemployment rate);

    U-4, total unemployed plus discouraged workers, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus discouraged workers;

    U-5, total unemployed, plus discouraged workers, plus all other marginally attached workers*, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all marginally attached workers; and

    U-6, total unemployed, plus all marginally attached workers, plus total employed part-time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all marginally attached workers.

    *Individuals who want and are available for work, and who have looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months (or since the end of their last job if they had one within the past 12 months) but were not counted as unemployed because they had not searched for work in the four weeks preceding the survey, for such reasons as childcare or transportation problems, for example. Discouraged workers are a subset of the marginally attached.

    Please note that the state unemployment rates (U-3) that are shown are derived directly from the CPS. As a result, these U-3 measures may differ from the official state unemployment rates for the latest four-quarter period. The latter are estimates developed from statistical models that incorporate CPS estimates, as well as input data from other sources, such as state unemployment claims data.

    ###

    Media Contacts:

     

    Dr. Eugene Tian

    Chief State Economist

    Research and Economic Analysis Division

    Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism

    Phone: 808-586-2470

    Email: [email protected]

    Laci Goshi

    Communications Officer

    Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism

    Cell: 808-518-5480

    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: Minister receives a detailed briefing on crime statistics in Nelson Mandela Bay

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on Wednesday concluded a series of high-level engagements in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality aimed at assessing the state of policing and enhancing crime-fighting strategies in the region.

    During his visit, the Minister received a detailed briefing on crime statistics in the metro, with a particular focus on serious and violent crimes, including murder, kidnappings, extortion and gang-related activities. 

    The briefing also highlighted the strategic interventions currently in place to combat these crimes and improve public safety. 

    Owing to the investigations conducted by the SAPS, around seven cases have been enrolled on the court roll, in respect of insurance murders with six suspects being implicated. 

    The second meeting was with the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber. During that meeting, the Chamber presented challenges they experience as a result of crime, but further expressed the fruitful working relationship with the SAPS. The Chamber proposed further initiatives to be explored in strengthening the fight against crime. 

    The final engagement of the day was a meeting with a broad range of community stakeholders, including representatives from the Chinese community and religious leaders. This follows recent incidents involving the kidnapping of among others, Chinese nationals, and robberies at places of worship. 

    The Minister commended the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Hawks and all partner units involved in the high-risk rescue operation conducted in Gqeberha on Tuesday. 

    “Through swift coordination, disciplined execution and unshakable bravery, our law enforcement officers successfully rescued a kidnapped American citizen,” the South African Police Service said in a statement. 

    “During the rescue, the suspects opened fire on the police, resulting in three of the five suspects being fatally shot and two others fleeing, a manhunt is currently underway for these suspects. 

    “The actions of the members reflect the highest standards of professionalism and an unwavering commitment to justice.”

    Minister Mchunu said the safety of every person in the municipality, regardless of nationality, faith or background, is a non-negotiable. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Sánchez, Chu Lead Democrats in Raising Concerns about Corruption Risks from Trump Chaotic Tariff Scheme

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    April 17, 2025

    Over 45 lawmakers sound alarms about possible illicit payments, influence-peddling, insider trading

    Text of Letter (PDF) 

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, along with Representatives Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, and Judy Chu (D-Calif.), led a group of 44 Congressional Democrats in writing to Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer with concerns over  the potential for corruption in the implementation of the administration’s tariff policy. 

    The Trump administration’s tariffs rollout is rife with opportunities to unduly influence President Trump and other administration officials. The chaotic nature of the tariffs, including announcing them and pausing them shortly after they went into effect, provides ample opportunity for private sector corporations or sovereign nationals to corruptly seek exemptions. 

    “Corporations and sovereign nations facing existentially high stakes, and knowing tariffs are controlled by a small circle in the White House, can petition officials not to apply tariffs to them after the 90-day pause, to grant them exemptions, to decrease tariffs, or to impose tariffs on competitors — and can quietly offer something in return,” wrote the lawmakers. 

    President Trump’s record on tariffs in his first term illustrates his willingness to give preference to donors and allies while punishing enemies. Politically loyal companies that donated to Republican candidates, as well as companies with financial or political ties to President Trump, were more likely to be granted tariff exemptions after President Trump imposed them in his first administration. After auditing the Trump Administration’s tariff exclusion practices in 2018 and 2019, the Commerce Department’s Office of Inspector General found evidence of “off-record communications” and an “appearance of improper influence in decisionmaking for tariff exclusion requests.”

    “We fear the Administration is once again turning its tariffs policy into an underground market of exemptions in exchange for financial and political favors,” said the lawmakers. 

    President Trump has said he will consider exemptions and make decisions “instinctively,” while bragging about global leaders calling him in search of exemptions. 

    Trump’s ad-hoc process has started to bear fruit for special interests. Last week, the White House exempted smartphones and certain other high-end electronics from tariffs targeting China. Within hours, Big Tech stock prices soared — particularly the value of Apple, which makes the vast majority of its iPhones in China. Apple CEO Tim Cook donated to President Trump’s inauguration and cultivated a strong relationship with him in recent months, as he did during Trump’s first term to win tariff exemptions.  

    The on-and-off nature of President Trump’s tariffs also opens the door to rampant insider trading. Administration officials — and their families and friends — with early knowledge of changes in tariff policy can buy positions they expect will rise and sell those that will fall. On April 9, 2025, minutes before the administration announced a pause on most tariffs, the trading market began to skyrocket — suggesting that insiders acted on non-public information about the coming pause. President Trump then posted on social media “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!!,” still before any official announcement, causing stocks to further spike.

    Members of Congress, including Senator Warren, have asked the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and ethics officials to investigate whether any securities laws were violated with this announcement.

    At the same time, the top ethics watchdog who can hold the administration accountable appears poorly positioned to tackle tariff-related corruption. In late March 2025, USTR Ambassador Greer was named Acting Director of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and now serves in both roles simultaneously. Therefore, a top tariff policy official is responsible for ensuring that tariff policy decisions are made free of financial conflicts.

    “This dual appointment raises blatant conflicts that risk undermining OGE’s ability to independently monitor trade officials’ conduct and recommend investigations into misconduct when necessary,” concluded the lawmakers. 

    The lawmakers asked the officials to provide clarity on the Trump administration’s exemption policy, if any official exemption request processes exist, where exemptions will be reported, whether an appeals process exists, the administration’s plans to ensure tariff exemptions are not corrupted, and more, by April 29, 2025.

    Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) joined in signing the letter. 

    The following Representatives joined in signing the letter: Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Greg Casar (D-T.X.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Cleo Fields (D-La.), Bill Foster (D-Ill.), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Al Green (D-Texas), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Timothy Kennedy (D-N.Y.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Summer Lee, (D-Pa.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.). 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: How Microsoft and Cloudforce help higher education innovate with Azure AI

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: How Microsoft and Cloudforce help higher education innovate with Azure AI

    Learn how deploying AI platforms in higher education with Microsoft and Cloudforce can help improve outcomes, streamline tasks, and ensure data privacy.

    Many leaders in higher education are eager to tap into the vast potential of AI. In fact, 89% of institutions are engaged in AI strategic planning in some capacity.1 They aim to improve student outcomes with personalized learning, streamline administrative tasks for faculty and staff with AI-powered agents, and take advantage of the countless other ways generative AI can help them innovate. Top institutions are already deploying AI platforms in higher education.

    Microsoft and our network of partners can support your journey forward with AI. Unlike many publicly available AI tools, a solution built by a Microsoft partner with Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service keeps your AI interactions private, allowing you to stay in control of your institution’s information. It’s also easier to maintain compliance with data privacy laws like Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

    Bring opportunity to life

    Discover the potential of AI to help accelerate learning, prepare students for the future, and improve efficiency.

    Microsoft’s commitment to Trustworthy AI means that AI is secure, safe, and private. Students, faculty, and researchers can also select from a wide array of leading models, with popular options from creators such as OpenAI, Meta, DeepSeek, and more, to find the best fit for their use cases.

    In a datasheet on accelerating AI innovation, we highlight how our partner Cloudforce has developed the nebulaONE® solution, powered by Azure OpenAI Service, to simplify access to Microsoft’s most advanced generative AI capabilities. Let’s explore how it empowers institutions to achieve more.

    Download the AI innovation datasheet

    How nebulaONE by Cloudforce aims to bring secure AI to all

    Many students and faculty are already using generative AI. But as they adopt their own unsecured AI tools, it creates concerns with IT governance, security, privacy, and data protection, and it limits the ability to scale AI throughout the institution. Cloudforce, a Microsoft Supplier of the Year in 2024, has expertise in building AI solutions to address those concerns, as well as over a decade of experience designing and deploying complex infrastructure and cloud-native apps exclusively on Azure. Cloudforce built nebulaONE on Azure to use its built-in security and privacy features, and the company is engaged with dozens of higher education institutions to fulfill its mission of providing secure AI access for all.

    Discover Azure in education

    A conversational generative AI gateway, nebulaONE allows students, faculty, researchers, and staff to harness cutting-edge AI models to reimagine learning experiences, accelerate research, protect intellectual property, and drive institutional efficiencies in every department. It includes an intuitive, multimodal chat interface for the AI interactions that are familiar to many, and it provides the ability to develop low-code, task-specific AI agents to drive innovation and efficiency across campus. The nebulaONE platform deploys to your Azure environment, so your data remains private, and you gain the compliance and security protections built into Azure AI services.

    Click to enlarge

    “We know leaders in higher education are facing pressure to prepare the workforce of tomorrow to succeed with AI, or risk being left behind,” says Cloudforce CEO Husein Sharaf. “We created nebulaONE to address the most pressing needs of educators and students, with a rapid implementation process that securely enables generative AI use at scale. Our campus-wide management layer keeps institutions in the driver’s seat from a cost and governance perspective, while a simple, custom-branded user interface drives user adoption. Our platform provides the foundation for a flexible AI strategy that evolves as new models and capabilities emerge.”

    Cloudforce supports institutional leaders wherever you are in your journey, whether that’s exploring AI for the first time or connecting an AI platform to their full data estate. The Cloudforce team can host workshops to help identify early use cases or provide trainings and prompt-a-thons to reinforce best practices and teach you and your colleagues how to develop your own agents. They also offer assistance with change management and strategic communications to drive campus-wide adoption of nebulaONE and the uses that provide the most value for your institution.

    The real-world impact of generative AI in higher education

    One success story comes from the University of California, Los Angeles, John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management (UCLA Anderson). Leaders at UCLA Anderson had concerns with using public AI platforms, so they looked for a partner who could deliver a secure, private experience that enabled their priority use cases. They chose to adopt nebulaONE because it’s a fully managed platform that deploys in their Azure environment, and within about two months, they launched a generative AI chatbot to support MBA students with their capstone project.

    Explore AI in education

    UCLA Anderson leaders sought to develop and deploy a host of AI-powered chatbots for a variety of specific purposes, and Cloudforce validated use cases and provided hands-on training to empower UCLA staff to independently build them with nebulaONE. The school has now deployed bots to help students register for classes and provide feedback on essays, as well as a forthcoming AI-powered agent that will reduce administrative tasks for career coaches so they can spend more time with the school’s 40,000 alumni. Several months after UCLA deployed the platform, monthly active user rates continued to increase rapidly, growing by 485% from December 2024 to January 2025.

    UCLA is hardly alone. A growing number of colleges and universities are deploying nebulaONE to harness the power of AI:

    • California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) now provides secure, university-managed AI for all students through TitanGPT, as the custom-branded platform is known. They have also started exploring use cases for support solutions, like an agent to streamline HelpDesk support and their IT ticketing system.
    • London Business School sought to find a cost-effective, scalable AI solution, with access to a variety of AI foundation models. After a brief demo, they quickly began a full deployment to all 6,000 students, faculty, and researchers—the first in the United Kingdom to do so.
    • TerpAI, the chatbot built on the nebulaONE platform at the University of Maryland, acts as a digital assistant and educational resource to help faculty and students brainstorm ideas, analyze data, create study guides, develop lesson plans, and more.
    • The platform is nicknamed CWRU AI at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), where the CRWU community can select between AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4o or 3.5 Turbo, Meta’s Llama 3.2, and DeepSeek R1. CWRU AI uses AI reasoning to analyze images, PDFs, Word, and Excel files, and the community can deploy chatbots connected to specific data sources for departments or groups.

    Learn more about what’s possible with AI

    These examples highlight how leaders in higher education can quickly and securely implement generative AI to enhance student services, academic offerings, and operational efficiency. Ready to deploy AI at your school? Discover how nebulaONE can make AI accessible by downloading the datasheet from Microsoft and Cloudforce.

    Download the AI innovation datasheet

    Learn more about how to get started with these resources:


    1 Jenay Robert. 2024 EDUCAUSE AI Landscape Study​. Research report. Boulder, CO, US: EDUCAUSE, February 2024.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Magaziner Leads Roundtable on Impact of Trump Tariffs on Rhode Islanders

    Source: US Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02)

    CRANSTON, RI — Today, U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) hosted a roundtable discussion with representatives of the construction, hospitality, health care and manufacturing sectors in Rhode Island to address the negative impact of President Trump’s recent tariffs on workers, consumers and small businesses.

    “Presient Trump’s tariffs are the largest tax increase on the Middle Class in decades,” said Magaziner. “Tariff rates now are the highest that we have had since before the Great Depression.”

    View full video remarks from all speakers during today’s press conference here.

    View or download photos from today’s full roundtable discussion here.

    Speakers included:

    • Justin Kelley, Director of Organizing and Strategic Planning for the Rhode Island Building & Construction Trades Council, who spoke about the risk of construction projects being cancelled or scaled back due to tariffs imposed on building materials.
    • Ryan Moot, Manager of Business Development and Government Affairs, Rhode Island Hospitality Association, who spoke on the impact tariffs would have on local restaurants due to rising food costs and decreased tourism.
    • Lauryn T. Estrella, Executive Director, Home Medical Equipment and Services Association of New England (HOMES), who spoke about how the tariffs will make durable medical equipment more expensive and harder for patients to access.
    • Darryl Lindie, Owner of AA Sign & Awning in Warwick, who spoke about the impact to project-based small businesses.

    BACKGROUND

    The roundtable comes less than two weeks after President Trump’s unprecedented and chaotic tariff rollout on over 90 countries. A 10 percent tariff tax remains on goods from most countries, with significantly higher tariffs on many goods from China, Mexico and Canada.. Trump’s erratic tariff policy has resulted in continued sharp changes in the stock market, fueling economic uncertainty for consumer prices and businesses. 

    The group discussed how tariffs affect the cost of construction and housing materials, increase prices on medical devices that raise healthcare costs, impact Rhode Island’s vital tourism and travel industry, and make it difficult for Rhode Island small businesses to manage the cost of their inputs. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell, Senate Democrats Warn About Republicans Raising Food Costs to Give Tax Breaks to Billionaires

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    04.17.25
    Cantwell, Senate Democrats Warn About Republicans Raising Food Costs to Give Tax Breaks to Billionaires
    “Congress should not give tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans by taking away food assistance from millions of Americans,” wrote the senators More than 1 in 10 Washingtonians use SNAP to purchase food, half of whom are in families supporting children
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Committee on Finance, joined 45 Senate Democratic colleagues in sending an open letter to the American public warning that Congressional Republicans are trying to take food away from hungry families in order to give tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans.
    The budget plan that Congressional Republicans are currently pushing will require deep cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to fund the planned tax breaks. Their plan demonstrates that, after promising to lower prices for families, Republicans in Congress are instead making it more difficult for families to put food on the table.
    “Congress should not give tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans by taking away food assistance from millions of Americans,” wrote the senators.
    “SNAP supports 42 million Americans, including nearly 8 million seniors, 16 million children, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans, in putting food on their tables each month,” they continued. “Cuts of this magnitude—or anything close to it—would be devastating to American families in every state.”
    SNAP is used by 888,300 Washington residents, or 11% of the state’s population. More than 53% of SNAP participants in Washington are in families with children, and more than 38% are in families with members who are older adults or are disabled.
    Along with Sen. Cantwell, the letter was signed by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and 43 other Senate Democrats.
    The full text of the letter can be found HERE.
    The GOP’s budget plan will also require significant cuts to Medicaid, a central pillar of Washington state’s health care system, and under President Trump’s direction, Elon Musk’s DOGE team has targeted Social Security for drastic reductions.
    In March, Sen. Cantwell heard from voices across Washington state about the dangers of President Trump and the GOP’s proposed cuts to Medicaid. Doctors, patients, and health care providers in Seattle, Spokane, and the Tri-Cities warned that such cuts would devastate Washington state’s health care system and limit access to lifesaving care. Sen. Cantwell spoke out against President Trump’s nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; in his nomination hearing, she pressed him repeatedly on his willingness to stand up for Medicaid funding. She ultimately voted against his nomination, citing his refusal to stick up for Medicaid during the hearing, which is of particular concern given the Republicans’ draconian budget bill, which would require massive cuts.
    Sen. Cantwell is also fighting against President Trump’s plans to cut Social Security. As a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, she highlighted the danger that the President’s nominee to head the Social Security Administration, Frank Bisignano, poses to the program. At his confirmation hearing, she mentioned the story of a constituent in Seattle who was incorrectly presumed dead shortly after Elon Musk sicced his DOGE team on the Social Security Administration to hunt down unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud.  Sen. Cantwell voted against his nomination in committee.  The full Senate has yet to vote on the nomination.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Seminar on US tariffs held

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government today held a seminar at the Central Government Offices to exchange views with around 100 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC) and Hong Kong SAR members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on the subject of the unjustified imposition of tariffs by the US.

     

    The seminar aimed to address the risks posed by what the Government sees as bullying and barbaric actions by the US and to unite all sectors in analysing and seizing opportunities in the new international trade order.

     

    Chief Executive John Lee stated at the seminar that the recent imposition of “reciprocal tariffs” by the US on multiple countries and regions seriously violates World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and recklessly undermines the international trade order.

     

    He said that the move by the US to impose a 145% tariff on Hong Kong, which has zero tariffs, is fallacious and violates logic. The Government has issued several stern statements expressing its strong disapproval and urging the US to cease disrupting free trade.

     

    Participants in the seminar agreed that the US tariffs represent a bullying disruption to the global trade order, severely impacting the global supply chains that many countries have worked hard to establish over the past few decades. They resolved that Hong Kong will not yield and will take the attitude of turning a crisis into an opportunity. Hong Kong, they determined, must maintain confidence, stand shoulder to shoulder with the Mainland, grasp the emerging new order, explore new trade frontiers, safeguard economic security, and promote economic upgrading and transformation.

     

    Hong Kong SAR deputies to the NPC and Hong Kong SAR members of the National Committee of the CPPCC will leverage influence in their respective roles, consolidate strength, and play a driving role in restructuring the trade order. They will also provide advice to the Government to jointly navigate the long battle ahead.

     

    The Government said it is fully committed to leading society in a spirit of unity and co-operation, strengthening regional trade collaboration, deepening international exchanges and co-operation, exploring emerging markets, and driving the sustainable development of Hong Kong.

     

    Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing, Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui, Acting Secretary for Transport & Logistics Liu Chun-san and Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan also attended the seminar.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Biotech IPOs surge 68.4% YoY to $8.52 billion in 2024 amid public market recovery, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Biotech IPOs surge 68.4% YoY to $8.52 billion in 2024 amid public market recovery, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Business Fundamentals

    Biopharmaceutical initial public offerings (IPOs) saw an upturn in 2024, with 50 completed IPOs raising $8.52 billion, a 68.4% increase from the $5.06 billion raised in 2023 and marking the highest total IPO value raised since 2021. This rebound, driven by US Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, marks the highest total since 2021. While cautious, investors are showing increased interest in companies with strong clinical data, signaling a recovery in the public markets and a shift toward more advanced-stage biopharmaceuticals, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    According to GlobalData’s Pharmaceutical Intelligence Center Deals Database, completed IPOs that raised more than $100 million almost doubled, from $4.39 billion across 15 IPOs in 2023 to $7.88 billion across 24 IPOs in 2024.

    Alison Labya, Business Fundamentals Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The increase in the number of high-value IPOs in 2024 suggests that while public investors remain selective, increased capital availability due to interest rate cuts has facilitated investments in biopharmaceutical companies with a strong value proposition.”

    The largest biopharmaceutical IPO completed in 2024 was Switzerland-based dermatology company Galderma, which raised $2.48 billion. Galderma’s IPO followed a planned IPO in February 2022 that did not close, as well as Galderma postponing its IPO in March 2023 amid market volatility.

    Labya adds: “Despite the overall increase in IPO value raised, discovery and preclinical-stage companies saw a four-fold drop in total IPO value from $490.6 million in 2023 to $112.5 million in 2024, indicating a shift in public investor preference towards more advanced stage companies.”

    However, IPO activity could be dampened by an anticipated increase in private biopharmaceutical M&A in 2025 as companies seek to refill their pipelines ahead of upcoming patent expirations.

    Labya concludes: “The US President Donald Trump’s administration has introduced uncertainty to the biopharmaceutical industry across healthcare policies, drug pricing reforms, and regulatory frameworks, all of which could impact investor confidence. Additionally, Trump’s recent tariff announcement on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China has led to increased market volatility, potentially delaying IPOs as investors await the countries’ responses to the tariffs.”

    Note: Includes all completed IPO deals for companies headquartered globally from 2020–2025 YTD. Includes deals where deal values are disclosed in the public domain.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    April 18, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: Price discrimination is getting smarter — and low-income consumers are paying the price

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Raymond A. Patterson, Professor, Area Chair, Business Technology Management, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary

    For customers who don’t have the freedom to choose where they shop, technological advancements — particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and intrusive personal data collection — are making price discrimination, inflation and lower-quality goods increasingly likely. Vulnerable consumers are most at risk.

    Flexibility-based price discrimination allows companies to charge different people different prices for the same produce or service, based on how easily they can walk away.

    When consumers can easily find better deals elsewhere, they hold the power. However, AI tools are allowing sellers to become increasingly adept at uncovering how much flexiblity their consumers have. This practice raises serious ethical concerns.

    Dynamic pricing allows companies to take advantage of customers who can’t easily go elsewhere.

    Dollar stores, for example, often serve low-income communities in smaller markets. When these retailers realize their customers have limited alternatives, they are less inclined to keep prices low. Product quality can decline as well.

    Economic impacts of price discrimination

    In our recent study, we examined how flexibility-based price discrimination affects a seller’s profitability in a competitive market, and demonstrated how consumer welfare is affected. Using economic modelling, we studied how price discrimination can impact consumers from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

    We found that companies don’t just raise prices when customers aren’t able to easily switch to a competitor — for low-income consumers they also reduce product quality as well. This double blow hits low-income consumers hard. As technology improves, the gap between high- and low-income consumers grows wider.

    Our findings show that companies that take advantage of consumer inflexibility are likely to prosper, often at the expense of those with the least power to choose.

    The same thing happens with provincial trade barriers and tariffs. Product quality, price and income are known to be intertwined, with higher income countries receiving higher quality goods. When consumers’ ability to find the best possible deal is limited, companies will exploit that lack of choice, as is implied by our study.

    When retailers realize their customers have limited alternatives, they are less inclined to keep prices low.
    (Shutterstock)

    Inflexible consumers with lower incomes suffer more from price discrimination than high-income consumers in the same situation. Any barriers that reduces consumer flexibility disproportionately harms low-income consumers, who are more likely to face lower-quality products as a result.

    In markets where these consumers are targeted, low-quality products are often the norm. As an example, tests revealed the presence of lead, phthalates, toxic flame-retardant chemicals and polyvinyl chloride components in colourfully labelled children’s products at American and Canadian dollar stores.

    In contrast, high-income consumers may see their product quality improve. This is because high-income consumers are willing and able to pay for the improved quality and technology-enabled price discrimination can enable the seller to satisfy their needs better.

    Technology and consumer resilience

    Our study provides valuable insights for both lawmakers and policymakers. It demonstrates that new policies are necessary to protect vulnerable consumers with limited flexibility from price discrimination.

    But this is only part of the story. When these same techniques are used to target wealthier consumers, it can result in positive social outcomes for them. The differing outcomes for high versus low income inflexible consumers will exacerbate wealth inequity.

    For firms investing in new technologies like AI, flexibility-based price discrimination can inadvertently benefit competitors by partitioning the market — even if the competitor doesn’t use the technology.

    For companies, many things can cause or reveal consumer inflexibility, technology being a primary example. Technology advances rapidly. Catering to either high- or low-income customers causes businesses to make different strategic choices depending on how flexible their customer base is when it comes to new technological developments.

    For customers, maintaining flexibility is critical. Flexibility can take many forms: having access to transportation to access a wider range of stores, avoiding consumer debt or having enough savings. It can also mean having a smartphone with unlimited data to make online price comparisons.

    However, not all consumers can maintain this kind of flexibility. Working parents, for example, might not have the time or financial bandwidth to comparison shop for groceries across multiple stores. It can increase their vulnerability to higher prices and lower-quality goods.

    Policy implications and the path forward

    Whether flexibility-based price discrimination should be supported or restricted depends on who it targets. Flexibility-based price discrimination may require regulatory intervention or price subsidies to ensure ethical implementation. While ensuring the quality of low-end products is increasingly important, addressing the limitations on consumer flexibility caused by socioeconomic status is key.

    The U.S. has recently removed internet subsidies for rural customers, and its impacts have been dire. Without internet access, consumers lose digital flexibility.

    In Canada, Indigenous and rural communities similarly lack access to high-speed broadband and also must travel long distances to reach major shopping centres. Our results show that, as flexibility declines, so does consumer welfare for rural low-income populations.

    If there is a positive side to all of this, it’s that companies can adapt quickly to these shifts. Businesses like dollar stores are likely to benefit in the short term, although product quality will likely decline for people who can least afford it. This isn’t just an ethical choice made by these companies, but an economic inevitability in a system where people have unequal access to rapidly evolving technology.

    As trade tensions grow, mitigating consumer inflexibility should be a key policy focus for Canada. Support should start with low-income households by increasing their ability to choose how and where they shop.

    In the long term, price discrimination will continue to prey on the socioeconomic, geographic and literacy-based barriers that underlie the digital divide. The goal should be policy reform to empower flexibility for those most affected.

    Raymond A. Patterson currently receives funding from the Haskayne School of Business and the National Cybersecurity Consortium (NCC). Previous funding has been obtained from a variety of private and public sources.

    Emily Laidlaw receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the National Cybersecurity Consortium.

    Jian Zhang receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Price discrimination is getting smarter — and low-income consumers are paying the price – https://theconversation.com/price-discrimination-is-getting-smarter-and-low-income-consumers-are-paying-the-price-252723

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 18, 2025
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