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Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 04/10/2025 Blackburn, Cantwell, Heinrich Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Transparency, Combat AI Deepfakes & Put Journalists, Artists & Songwriters Back in Control of Their Content

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) reintroduced the Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act (COPIED ACT) to combat harmful deepfakes. The bill would set new federal transparency guidelines for marking, authenticating and detecting AI-generated content, protect journalists, actors and artists against AI-driven theft, and hold violators accountable for abuses.  

    “Artificial intelligence has given bad actors the ability to create deepfakes of every individual, including those in the creative community, to imitate their likeness without their consent and profit off of counterfeit content,” said Senator Blackburn. “The COPIED Act takes an important step to better defend common targets like artists and performers against deepfakes and other inauthentic content.” 

    “The bipartisan COPIED Act I introduced with Senator Blackburn will provide much-needed transparency around AI-generated content,” said Senator Cantwell. “The COPIED Act will also put creators, including local journalists, artists and musicians, back in control of their content with a provenance and watermark process that is very much needed.”

    “Deepfakes are a real threat to our democracy and to Americans’ safety and well-being,” said Senator Heinrich. “I’m proud to support Senator Cantwell’s COPIED Act that will provide the technical tools needed to help crack down on harmful and deceptive AI-generated content and better protect professional journalists and artists from having their content used by AI systems without their consent. Congress needs to step up and pass this legislation to protect the American people.”

    The COPIED Act (S. 1396):

    Bill Text and Summary

    • Creates Transparency Standards: Requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop guidelines and standards for content provenance information, watermarking and synthetic content detection. These standards will promote transparency to identify if content has been generated or manipulated by AI, as well as where AI content originated. The bill also directs NIST to develop cybersecurity measures to prevent tampering with provenance and watermarking on AI content.
    • Puts Journalists, Artists and Musicians in Control of Their Content: Requires providers of AI tools used to generate creative or journalistic content to allow owners of that content to attach provenance information to it and prohibits its removal. The bill prohibits the unauthorized use of content with provenance information to train AI models or generate AI content. These measures give content owners—journalists, newspapers, artists, songwriters, and others—the ability to protect their work and set the terms of use for their content, including compensation.
    • Gives Individuals a Right to Sue Violators: Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general to enforce the bill’s requirements.  It also gives newspapers, broadcasters, artists, and other content owners the right to bring suit in court against platforms or others who use their content without permission.
    • Prohibits Tampering with or Disabling AI Provenance Information: Currently, there is no law that prohibits removing, disabling, or tampering with content provenance information. The bill prohibits anyone, including internet platforms, search engines and social media companies, from interfering with content provenance information in these ways.  

    Major Endorsements

    SAG-AFTRA

    “For SAG-AFTRA, protecting the ability of our members to control their images, likenesses, and voices is paramount. The capacity of AI to produce stunningly accurate digital representations of performers poses a real and present threat to the economic and reputational well-being and self-determination of our members.  Senator Cantwell’s legislation would ensure that the tools necessary to make the use of AI technology transparent and traceable to the point of origin will make it possible for victims of the misuse of the technology to identify malicious parties and go after them. We need a fully transparent and accountable supply chain for generative Artificial Intelligence and the content it creates in order to protect everyone’s basic right to control the use of their face, voice, and persona. We applaud Senator Cantwell for her leadership on the issue and support this legislation as part of a comprehensive approach to preventing unauthorized abuse of this transformative technology.” – Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator

    Nashville Songwriters Association International

    “The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the world’s largest songwriter advocacy trade association, applauds Senators Maria Cantwell, Blackburn and Heinrich for introducing legislation to help put transparency guardrails around Generative Artificial Intelligence for human creators. Specifically, we note her including artists in the Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act and recognizing it is more financially feasible for songwriters and other human creators to adjudicate these matters in a local civil court when possible. NSAI will work with her office toward adoption of this important legislation.” – Barton Herbison, Executive Director NSAI

    Recording Academy

    “The Recording Academy applauds Chair Cantwell and Senators Blackburn and Heinrich for their commitment to the ethical use of AI and their recognition of the need for guardrails that provide transparency and protection for creators. We look forward to continuing to work with them as this process moves forward.”  – Todd Dupler, Chief Advocacy and Public Policy Officer

    National Music Publishers’ Association

    “We greatly appreciate Senator Cantwell’s leadership on preventing the unauthorized use and dissemination of deepfakes. The Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act of 2025 ensures that AI-generated content is clearly identified and that there is recourse when those labels are tampered with. As AI-generated music continues to disrupt the legitimate market, it is essential that listeners know where their music is coming from. Artists and songwriters deserve protection against unauthorized imitations and this legislation is an important step towards that goal.” – David Israelite, President and CEO

    Recording Industry Association of America

    “Protecting the life’s work and legacy of artists has never been more important as AI platforms copy and use recordings scraped off the internet at industrial scale and AI-generated deepfakes keep multiplying at rapid pace. RIAA strongly supports provenance requirements as a fundamental building block for accountability and enforcement of creators’ rights. Leading tech companies refuse to share basic data about the creation and training of their models as they profit from copying and using unlicensed copyrighted material to generate synthetic recordings that unfairly compete with original works. We appreciate Senators Cantwell, Blackburn and Heinrich’s leadership with the Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act of 2025 that would grant much needed visibility into AI development and pave the way for more ethical innovation and fair and transparent competition in the digital marketplace.” – Mitch Glazier, Chairman and CEO

    The Television Academy

    “The Television Academy, representing nearly 30,000 members across all disciplines of the television industry, applauds Senator Cantwell for reintroducing the COPIED Act. As artificial intelligence and digital replication technologies evolve, the need for transparency is tantamount. This bill will set necessary federal transparency guidelines for marking, authenticating, and detecting AI-generated content. Further, it gives the broad membership of the Television Academy the ability to control their voice, likeness, and creative expressions, and give content owners the ability to pursue recourse if their content is used without permission. The Television Academy looks forward to helping get the COPIED Act adopted.” – Maury McIntyre, President and CEO

    NewsGuild-CWA

    “Journalists are essential to a free and fair democracy. Too many media companies are attempting to replace journalists with AI, resulting in false, misleading clickbait and the decimation of our news ecosystems. It is essential that journalists are not replaced by misguided media companies looking to maximize profits at the expense of human-driven journalism that informs the public and holds our institutions accountable. We thank Senator Cantwell for her leadership on ensuring fair and equitable use of Artificial Intelligence that puts the worker and their rights at the center of the deployment of this new technology.” – Jon Schleuss, President  

    News/Media Alliance

    “The News/Media Alliance, representing over 2200 news, magazine, and digital media publishers worldwide, applauds the leadership of Senators Cantwell, Blackburn and Heinrich to address the need for AI regulation. We look forward to working with them to refine and advance this critical legislation to ensure news publishers and creators of quality content are adequately protected. Legislation should balance the innovation around these emerging technologies with preserving quality, accuracy, and a thriving free press, and Senators Cantwell, Blackburn and Heinrich have taken a major step forward to accomplish that by introducing this bill.” – Danielle Coffey, President and CEO

    National Newspaper Association
    “We appreciate Senator Cantwell for taking on this difficult and disturbing issue. Deepfakes fly in the face of the true intent of the First Amendment. It’s important that citizens continue to trust local news sources to bring them quality journalism that has been vetted and verified.” – John Galer, Chair, National Newspaper Association Board of Directors; Publisher of The Journal-News in Hillsboro, IL

    America’s Newspapers

    “America’s Newspapers, the trade association representing more than 1,500 local community newspapers, commends Senator Maria Cantwell for introducing legislation that addresses the emerging problem of deepfakes. It is critical to our democracy that news organizations provide their communities with trusted information and news. The issue of deepfakes must be addressed to maintain consumer confidence in news providers. We look forward to working with Sen. Cantwell on this important legislation.” – Dean Ridings, CEO

    Rebuild Local News
    “The proliferation of deepfakes is an enormous problem that’s going to get much worse if lawmakers and regulators don’t act. This will be particularly dangerous when it comes to residents getting information about their local communities because the collapse of local news has left us with fewer journalistic watchdogs. We commend Senator Cantwell for shining a spotlight on this issue and we look forward to working with her to devise appropriate policies in this complex area.” – Steven Waldman, President

    National Association of Broadcasters

    “Deepfakes pose a significant threat to the integrity of broadcasters’ trusted journalism,” said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt. “We are grateful to Ranking Member Cantwell and Sens. Blackburn and Heinrich for reintroducing this bill to protect the authenticity of the vital local and national news that radio and television stations provide our communities. We also applaud efforts to prohibit the use of broadcasters’ news content to train generative AI systems without express consent and compensation to the news creator. We look forward to working with the committee to help advance this bill and these fundamental principles critical to our ability to continue serving communities with trusted news.” – Curtis LeGeyt, President and CEO

    Artist Rights Alliance

    “The Artist Rights Alliance (ARA) applauds Senator Cantwell for introducing legislation to combat deception and confusion in the AI marketplace and protect artists from the unauthorized and unethical use of AI. As AI technology continues to evolve at breakneck speed, we must ensure that creators do not fall victim to deepfakes and other abuses of their very personhood. ARA is grateful for Senator Cantwell’s commitment to building a framework for responsible AI that is grounded in the fundamental principles of transparency and choice.” – Jen Jacobsen, Executive Director

    Human Artistry Campaign
    “Deepfakes pose an existential threat to our culture and society, making it hard to believe what we see and hear and leaving individual creators vulnerable as tech companies use our art without consent while AI-generated content leads to confusion about what is real. Requiring transparency is a meaningful step that will help protect us all – ensuring that nonconsensual, harmful content can be removed quickly and providing a clear origin when our life’s work has been used.” – Dr. Moiya McTier, Senior Advisor

    Public Citizen

    “Public Citizen strongly believes that every person has a right to know when they are seeing, hearing or engaging with AI-generated content.  This is critical for the purposes of maintaining social trust in our society. A poll found that 79 percent of people polled worry the information they are seeing online is fake or meant to confuse. Senator Cantwell’s Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act of 2025 is an important step towards safeguarding truth and trust in the AI age. This legislation addresses key issues surrounding deepfakes and AI-generated media by directing NIST to develop robust standards for detecting and labeling synthetic content and promotes provenance protections for AI generated content. If passed, this bill would promote online transparency and ethical AI use, which is desperately needed in today’s online ecosystem.” – Richard Anthony, Emerging Technologies Policy Advocate

    The Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL), the Songwriters Guild of America (SGA), and Music Creators North America (MCNA)

    “The Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL), the Songwriters Guild of America (SGA), and Music Creators North America (MCNA) applaud Senator Cantwell for initiating a crucial, beginning step towards addressing the myriad of existential threats to the American songwriter and composer community posed by unregulated generative artificial intelligence.  As the leading organizational representatives for America’s music creators, our independent groups represent many thousands of composers and songwriters, solely. We formulate our policy positions without undue outside influence from third parties, and we extend our enthusiastic support for introduction of the proposed bill.  The urgent need to require all generative AI users to deal transparently and fairly with the creative community cannot be overstated, and we look forward to working with Senator Cantwell’s office in addressing these and the many other challenges and opportunities provided by GenAI technologies in the immediate future.” – Ashley Irwin, SCL President & MCNA co-chair

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Baker to Vegas 2025: Running to Compete, Running to Honor.

    Source: US Marshals Service

    The United State Marshals Service (USMS) is proud to announce the successful completion of the 2025 Baker to Vegas (B2V) Challenge Cup Relay by three agency teams: USMS Elite Running Team, USMS Women’s Running Team Silver, and USMS Women’s Running Team Blue. Each team represented the best of who the agency is: committed, resilient, and united in purpose.

    B2V is no ordinary relay race. It’s a 120-mile, 20-stage relay through the Mojave Desert, finishing in Las Vegas. The course pushes runners to their limits with punishing terrain, extreme temperature swings, long, steep mountain climbs, and miles of isolation. This year, runners battled sustained 25-mph headwinds – a brutal new layer of difficulty. Each team met it head-on with grit, heart, and determination.

    But this race wasn’t just about time – it was about tribute. This year our teams ran in honor of Deputy Tommy Weeks, TFO William Alden Elliott, TFO Sam Poloche, and Honorary Special Deputy Joshua Eyer – four fallen officers whose memory continues to guide and inspire us. The teams were incredibly honored to be joined on the racecourse by Kelly Weeks, whose presence brought powerful meaning to the journey and reminded everyone of the deep personal connections behind every name.

    Our tribute was woven into every step:

    • We wore red bandannas (Tommy’s favorite color) and wristbands with Tommy’s name and badge number.
    • Each runner had the names of all four of our fallen, and their end of watch dates on memorial shoe tags to ensure every footfall had meaning.  
    • Each runner carried photos of the fallen on their race bibs.
    • A memorial candle was lit for each fallen officer at the start of the race and burned until the final USMS runner crossed the finish line.
    • Tommy’s favorite songs were incorporated into our playlists, and we ran our hardest miles dedicated to our four fallen.
    • At the finish line, we handed the team batons to Kelly Weeks, a symbolic gesture that carried the memory of our heroes across 120-miles of grueling desert.

    For all three teams, this achievement did not come without personal sacrifice. Each runner, alternate, and support team member gave generously of their personal time, energy, and financial resources to represent the USMS and carry the memory of our heroes. Travel, lodging, training, gear, equipment, annual leave, and rental vehicles came out of their own pockets – which was done in service of something bigger than themselves. They did it to stand for the USMS, and to honor our fallen.

    We could not be prouder of these teams. B2V is a powerful reflection of who we are as an agency – strong, unified, selfless, and driven by purpose. It showcases our people at their best – working together to support one another and doing whatever it takes to rise to the challenge. Together we ran to compete. Together we ran to remember.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Larsen, Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell and Rep. Randall Reintroduce Legislation to Permanently Reauthorize Northwest Straits Commission

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

    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), along with Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, introduced the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025, legislation to permanently reauthorize the Northwest Straits Commission in the Puget Sound, and fund it at $10 million each fiscal year for the next six years, through Fiscal Year 2031. Joining Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, and Rep. Larsen in introducing the legislation today was U.S. Representative Emily Randall (D, WA-06).

    The Northwest Straits Commission is a community-led effort to restore marine habitats in the Northwest Straits region and address local threats to marine environments with projects such as restoring shellfish populations, protecting vulnerable ecosystems, and promoting growth for native water and shore-based plants. The Northwest Straits Commission provides funding, training, and support to seven county-based Marine Resources Committees (MRCs) and 15 Tribes. The Commission advises local officials on how to best carry out environmental projects and provides expertise to community organizations to help them be partners in their work by, for example, training volunteers to identify forage fish spawning sites.

    “The Northwest Straits Commission has an impressive track record of community-led, well-executed projects that protect Washington state’s environment,” said Rep. Larsen, the lead Democrat on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. “I am proud to support the Commission as it brings together a diverse group of local, state, tribal and federal stakeholders to restore marine habitats and create good jobs in Northwest Washington. I look forward to working with Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell and Rep. Randall to pass this bill to reauthorize the Commission so it can continue its important work for decades to come.”

    “Ensuring our rich marine resources in the Northwest Straits stay healthy is critical not only for local communities and Tribes, but also for our economy in Washington state. That’s why I first established the Northwest Straits Commission in a bipartisan way back in 1998, and fight to secure funding for it every single year,” said Senator Murray. “The Commission remains a model for how successful investments in community-led restoration projects can be, and how vital they are for restoration work that help our marine habitats recover and thrive. I am excited to continue leading the charge to permanently authorize the Northwest Straits Commission with this legislation, which would also provide a strong and consistent funding stream for the Commission over the next decade—making sure partners on the ground can expand their efforts to protect our marine species and habitats and support our outdoor recreation economy. I’ll continue fighting every way I can to secure the federal funding necessary to protect our natural resources for generations to come.”

    “The Northwest Straits bill is critical to supporting our robust coastal economy and fishing jobs, while preserving Washington’s coastal environment for generations to come,” Senator Cantwell said. “This legislation ensures we continue to support the health and sustainability of our diverse marine resources.”

    “From abalone beds and oysters, to the rugged coastline that stretches for hundreds of miles, folks from Washington’s 6th District know there’s no place quite like home. The Northwest Straits Commission has been a lifeline for our communities, providing critical resources like the Marine Resources Committees in Jefferson and Clallam counties, and working alongside Tribes all across the state,” said Rep. Randall. “Their collaborative efforts to restore and protect our marine habitats are a testament to what makes this place so special. I’m proud to co-lead this legislation to reauthorize and continue the Commission’s important work so we can continue working together to safeguard the precious marine resources that make our community and our state one-of-a-kind.”

    The Northwest Straits Commission is supported by a wide range of stakeholders, including state and federal agencies, elected leaders, and Tribal partners throughout the Puget Sound Region. More information about this bill is available here. The text of the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025 is available here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. LaMalfa Statement on House Passage of Senate Budget Resolution

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

    Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) released the following statement after the House passed the Senate Amendment to the budget resolution. Passage of this amendment is a critical step in the reconciliation process and moves us one step closer to a balanced budget.

    “Runaway spending has driven inflation and pushed costs higher across the board. This budget resolution takes an important step toward reversing that damage, bringing down energy costs, stopping a devastating tax increase, and putting us back on the path to a balanced budget without cuts to Medicare or Social Security,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “Hardworking Americans deserve policies that lower prices and strengthen our economy, not more reckless government spending. I look forward to the next steps in this process to build on this progress and deliver real relief.”

    Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Prospera Energy Announces Leadership and Operations Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prospera Energy Inc. (TSX.V: PEI, OTC: GXRFF) (“Prospera“, “PEI” or the “Corporation“)

    Leadership Announcement
    Prospera Energy is pleased to announce key appointments to its leadership team, positioning the Company for sustained long term success. Effective immediately, Shubham Garg, who has served as Chairman of the Board since October 2024, will assume the additional role of Interim Chief Executive Officer. Alongside this, Prospera welcomes Mr. Christopher Moore to its Board of Directors. A seasoned entrepreneur and investor, Mr. Moore is a prominent shareholder of the Corporation and brings a formidable blend of industry expertise and market insight. Prospera’s five-member Board now collectively owns 13% of the Company’s outstanding common equity, while reporting insiders control 36%, underscoring a strong alignment between leadership and shareholder interests.

    Mr. Moore brings a deep understanding of the oil and gas markets, paired with extensive experience in scaling businesses. His data-driven approach and sharp grasp of market trends will significantly enhance Prospera’s strategic direction. Beyond his business acumen, Mr. Moore is well-versed in corporate governance and is deeply committed to fostering transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership. With a proven track record of guiding organizations through governance enhancements, he will play a pivotal role in strengthening Prospera’s internal policies and ensuring the highest standards of integrity are upheld. His leadership will be instrumental as Prospera navigates through complex regulatory landscapes and will promote a culture of responsibility, supporting both PEI’s long-term success and the trust of stakeholders.

    Loan Amendment
    The Corporation announces a further amendment to its $11,000,000 promissory note, originally dated July 7, 2024, in collaboration with its principal lender. Following previous increases, an additional $1,000,000 has been added, bringing the total principal amount to $15,500,000. The note retains its original terms, including a 12% interest rate and a two-year maturity, with no other changes. This amendment remains subject to acceptance by the TSXV.

    Operations Update
    Amid volatile oil prices and the looming threat of potential tariffs, Prospera is proactively adapting to operational uncertainty by refining its short-term business strategy. The Corporation is evaluating options such as pausing growth capital—which is already on hold due to the seasonal spring break-up—and engaging in discussions with service providers to optimize vendor payment strategies. These measures affirm Prospera’s commitment to maintaining financial flexibility and operational resilience in an uncertain market.

    Prospera’s reactivation program, completed in Q1 2025 at its Luseland property, continues to deliver impressive results. As of April 8th, 2025, Luseland production reached 190 barrels per day (bbls/d), reflecting a remarkable 186% increase since the transformative changes to the company’s board and management on October 31st, 2024. Ongoing well optimizations are driving further success, with high fluid levels being effectively managed through pump speed adjustments as sand cuts decline, while significant opportunities for additional optimization remain. The company will provide a comprehensive operations update later this month, offering further insights into its progress and strategic direction.

    About Prospera

    Prospera Energy Inc. is a publicly traded Canadian energy company specializing in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Prospera is dedicated to optimizing recovery from legacy fields using environmentally safe and efficient reservoir development methods and production practices. The company’s core properties are strategically located in Saskatchewan and Alberta, including Cuthbert, Luseland, Hearts Hill, and Brooks. Prospera Energy Inc. is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PEI and the U.S. OTC Market under GXRFF.

    Prospera reports gross production at the first point of sale, excluding gas used in operations and volumes from partners in arrears, even if cash proceeds are received. Gross production represents Prospera’s working interest before royalties, while net production reflects its working interest after royalty deductions. These definitions align with ASC 51-324 to ensure consistency and transparency in reporting. It is important to note that BOEs (barrels of oil equivalent) may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. The BOE conversion ratio of 6 Mcf:1 bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

    For Further Information:

    Shawn Mehler, PR
    Email: investors@prosperaenergy.com

    Chris Ludtke, CFO
    Email: cludtke@prosperaenergy.com

    Shubham Garg, Chairman of the Board
    Email: sgarg@prosperaenergy.com

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Corporation and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “expects” and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of the Corporation, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

    Although Prospera believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Prospera can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks), commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures.

    The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Prospera. As a result, Prospera cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize, and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward- looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and Prospera does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by Canadian securities law.

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

    The MIL Network –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: SCO members sign industrial cooperation deals totaling 4.8 bln yuan in China’s Tianjin

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    SCO members sign industrial cooperation deals totaling 4.8 bln yuan in China’s Tianjin

    TIANJIN, April 10 — The China-SCO Conference on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development, held in north China’s Tianjin Municipality on Thursday, saw eight members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) sign cooperation contracts totaling nearly 4.8 billion yuan (about 665.82 million U.S. dollars).

    Deals for a total of 18 projects were inked, focusing on key areas such as new energy, new materials, infrastructure, mining and petrochemicals.

    Participants noted that SCO members have complementary advantages in the field of sustainable development, as well as huge potential for industrial cooperation, especially in the areas of infrastructure construction, energy and mineral resource development, the digital economy, and smart manufacturing.

    Sohail Khan, deputy secretary-general of the SCO, said that this event will be an opportunity to turn visions into reality, ushering in a new chapter of regional economic cooperation and sustainable development.

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Science Secretary hails Wrightbus as company pledges £25 million to bolster UK’s green transport revolution and drive growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Science Secretary hails Wrightbus as company pledges £25 million to bolster UK’s green transport revolution and drive growth

    Northern Ireland based bus manufacturer pledges £25 million to expand its R&D capabilities

    Wrightbus pledges £25 million for R&D into green transport revolution

    • Northern Ireland based firm Wrightbus to invest £25 million for cutting-edge research to develop next-generation electric and hydrogen vehicles
    • Investment to be transformative in cutting emissions and creating skilled local jobs to grow our economy, supporting the government’s Plan for Change
    • The success of Wrightbus shows how bold investment in Research and Development pays off – with the Science Secretary calling it a prime example of the benefits innovation can bring to businesses and the wider economy

    Millions of pounds in investment by Wrightbus to develop the next generation of green buses has been welcomed today by Science Secretary Peter Kyle, highlighting it as a key driver of economic growth under the Plan for Change.

    As the UK’s fastest-growing zero-emission bus manufacturer and a major employer in Northern Ireland and the wider UK, Wrightbus’ new funding will accelerate the next generation of electric and hydrogen-powered buses, potentially creating dozens of new jobs, slashing emissions, and supporting the government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower.

    During his visit to the company’s Northern Ireland headquarters, Science Secretary Peter Kyle praised Wrightbus as a standout example of how investing in R&D fuels business development, job creation and regional economic growth. Studies show that for every £1 a business invests in R&D, it can generate a return of 20% for the firm – with similar, additional gains spilling over into the wider British economy (1) – evidence of a dynamic economy rooted in enterprise. He called on more businesses to follow suit, emphasising that such investments are crucial for maintaining the UK’s competitive edge in science and technology and that government alone cannot deliver this growth.

    Wrightbus is part of a growing network of high-tech businesses and innovators driving growth in Northern Ireland. The region boasts a thriving advanced manufacturing sector and a rapidly expanding tech scene. One such example is Belfast-based Ionic Technologies, which is developing new ways to recycle rare materials needed for electric vehicles and wind turbines, helping to make green technologies more sustainable and less reliant on overseas supply chains.

    The government’s upcoming Industrial Strategy, set to be published this summer, will build on success stories like Wrightbus and make Britain the best country to do business – helping more firms lead the way in future industries like advanced manufacturing, clean transport, and clean energy.

    This investment follows government action to increase demand for electric vehicles, with £2.3 billion investment already boosting British manufacturing and improving charging infrastructure.

    Since July, the government has seen £34.8 billion of private investment announced into UK’s clean energy industries. The UK was the largest electric vehicle market in Europe in 2024 and the third in the world with over 382,000 sold – up a fifth on the previous year. There are now more than 75,000 public charge points in the UK – with one added every 29 minutes – ensuring that motorists are always a short drive from a socket.

    Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle said:

    Investing in innovation is central to our Plan for Change, but public investment alone is not enough to ensure British businesses remain at the cutting edge of global industries.

    Wrightbus is proof that businesses backing R&D deliver real-world impact – for both the company themselves and the local region – creating new high-quality jobs, strengthening supply chains across sectors and delivering the new industries of the future.

    Wrightbus’ investment will not only boost growth in Northern Ireland. It will help to accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero and our mission to become a clean energy superpower while keeping our economy competitive on the global stage.

    The £25 million investment announced today will be used to develop groundbreaking zero-emission vehicles, support UK businesses that provide the parts and technology needed to build them and enhance advanced testing capabilities. Funding includes:

    • £10 million to develop the world’s most efficient double-deck and single-deck electric bus, the Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner. Designed for extended range and rapid charging times, it can travel up to 200 miles on a single charge and recharge in just 2.5 hours, cutting energy costs and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
    • £5 million to develop the UK’s first hydrogen-powered coach due for release within 18 months. Capable of travelling up to 1,000km on a single refuel, it will rival diesel coaches in range and efficiency and make long-distance travel greener without compromising on performance or convenience.
    • £5 million for product validation using the UK’s most advanced proving grounds – ensuring Wrightbus vehicles are rigorously tested for durability, efficiency, and safety so that UK-manufactured buses set new global standards for reliability and performance.
    • £5 million for a world-class telematics system – an advanced vehicle monitoring system that collects real-time performance data to operators. The telematics system is improving efficiency, lowering costs, helping fleet operators optimise routes, extending vehicle lifespans and driving down operating expenses using predictive maintenance based on AI algorithms.

    Last week, Wrightbus buses passed 50 million zero-emission miles – preventing over 85,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions compared to diesel alternatives. The company’s rapid growth underscores the UK’s strength in high-tech manufacturing and the economic benefits of investing in green innovation. Wrightbus is also a potential customer of the Bradford Low Carbon Project, which received funding from the government’s flagship hydrogen programme.

    The Ballymena-based company had a record-breaking year of orders in 2024 which it is on track to exceed this year, increasing production from 1,016 to 1,200 with plans to reach 1,400 by 2026. Its supply chain supports businesses in 47 counties, from suppliers of heating systems to software developers across the UK and in key European markets, including France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

    It builds on its landmark £500 million deal with Go-Ahead in 2023 which secured over 1,000 zero-emission bus orders, creating 500 new jobs in Ballymena and supporting 7,500 jobs across the UK – strengthening the UK’s position as among the best places in the world to invest in R&D with businesses like Wrightbus leading the way in green transport innovation.

    Wrightbus CEO, Jean-Marc Gales said:

    It was a pleasure to showcase our R&D progress to the Secretary of State. This investment represents our largest amount ever into research and development and it underlines our ambition to continue be one of the very best zero-emission manufacturers in the UK and Europe.

    Innovation has played a key part in the rapid growth of Wrightbus and is one of the major things that has allowed us to switch from having a 95% diesel bus output to a 95% zero emission bus output in less than 5 years.

    The research projects we’re currently funding, including the development of our hydrogen coach, the further enhancement of the world-leading Electroliner bus, and our telematics system, will allow us to continue to push zero-emission transport boundaries and represents a huge boost for manufacturing in Northern Ireland and the wider UK.

    Notes to editors

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    Published 11 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: April 10th, 2025 N.M. Delegation Reintroduce Legislation to Permanently Protect Chaco Canyon

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    New Mexico Delegation Moves to Protect Sacred Site for Years and Generations to Come

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) reintroduced the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act, legislation to protect Chaco Canyon and the greater sacred landscape surrounding the Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The legislation will prevent future leasing and development of oil, gas, and minerals on non-Indian federal lands within a 10-mile buffer zone around the park. This proposed Chaco Protection Zone will preserve the sacred sites and cultural patrimony within Chaco Canyon and the surrounding landscape for generations to come.

    Located in northwestern New Mexico, the Greater Chaco landscape is a region of great cultural, spiritual, and historical significance to many Pueblos and Tribes that contains living sacred sites. Chaco was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and is one of only 24 such sites in the United States.

    In 2023, the Biden Administration announced it would commence a 20-year Administrative Withdrawal of non-Indian federal lands in the 10-mile buffer zone. That welcome step has been successful and is still in place but is under threat from the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress. By contrast, this legislation would provide permanent protections for the Greater Chaco Region by withdrawing non-Indian federal lands from new mineral development in perpetuity.

    “Chaco Canyon is one of the most important living cultural landscapes on the planet. It holds deep meaning for many communities and Pueblos across New Mexico,” said Heinrich, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “Our Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act will prevent new oil and gas development in the vicinity of Chaco Culture National Historical Park and permanently protect the Chaco Canyon landscape. I am proud to stand alongside the Pueblos, Tribal Nations, and New Mexicans who have called for permanent protection of this irreplaceable and sacred landscape.”

    “Chaco Culture National Historical Park – and the Greater Chaco Region – is one of the world’s greatest treasures that must be protected for our future generations. Chaco holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for Tribes and Pueblos and is one of only a handful of World Heritage Sites in the United States,” said Luján. “With the New Mexico Delegation, I am proud to reintroduce legislation to permanently protect the Greater Chaco Region. This legislation is a longstanding priority for Pueblo and Tribal communities, environmental advocates, and the New Mexico Delegation to ensure we protect our sacred sites. I look forward to working with my colleagues to protect Chaco Canyon and the Greater Chaco Region for generations to come.”

    “When we visit Chaco Canyon and the Greater Chaco Region, we better understand America’s ancient history and wisdom about astronomy. It is a sacred area that educates, inspires, and compels us to reflect on our shared history and the communities we love today,”said Leger Fernández. “I am reintroducing the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act, along with my colleagues in the New Mexico Congressional Delegation, so that we may preserve this irreplaceable, living landscape that so many Indian Tribes and Pueblos still use for traditional purposes. I will continue to work with surrounding communities and Tribal nations to preserve this jewel of New Mexico so future generations may be humbled by its beauty.”

    “Pueblo and Tribal leaders have fought to protect the sacred and ancestral lands of Chaco Canyon for generations, and the United States government must step up to ensure these lands remain protected,” said Stansbury, a member of the House Natural Resources Committee. “This legislation will protect sacred lands and sites for future generations, but we must not stop here. Protecting places like Chaco Canyon from the Trump Administration takes all of us. I am proud to join Pueblo and Tribal leaders, and the New Mexico delegation to re-introduce this critical piece of legislation.”

    “Chaco Canyon is sacred to Tribal communities and vital to our understanding of the Southwest’s cultural and environmental heritage. I’m proud to stand with leaders across New Mexico to permanently protect this irreplaceable site from future drilling and destruction. We have a responsibility to honor the voices of Indigenous leaders, safeguard our public lands, and preserve Chaco’s legacy for generations to come,” said Vasquez.

    “This legislation reflects the APCG’s long-standing commitment to protect Chaco Canyon and the Greater Chaco Region. Through countless meetings, cultural resource studies, and tireless advocacy, we have guided this effort forward. We extend our profound appreciation to Senator Luján, Representative Leger Fernández, our New Mexico Congressional Delegation, and all who stand with our Pueblos in ensuring these sacred landscapes remain a source of inspiration and cultural continuity for generations to come,” said James R. Mountain, Chairman of the All Pueblo Council of Governors.

    “As a Diné allottee and community organizer, I welcome the reintroduction of the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act as a critical step to defend our land, air, water, and sacred sites. For too long, extractive industries have threatened our health, culture, and future generations. This Act moves us closer to honoring the deep spiritual and cultural significance of Chaco while protecting the integrity of our homelands,” said Joseph Franklin Hernandez, Indigenous Energy Organizer, Naeva, Navajo Nation.

    “We are thankful and grateful for the reintroduction of the Chaco Cultural Heritage Protection Act. This would enhance our connections to the land and tell the generations ahead of the history of ancestral knowledge in astronomy, architecture, and independence. All of this in the time of pillage and extraction, the tourism economy will be enhanced.  To Our Congressional Leaders, you have our vote of endorsement,” said Former Navajo Councilman Daniel Tso.

    To ensure Indian lands and non-federal lands retain rights to develop their lands as the surrounding area is protected, this legislation strengthens protections for infrastructure and development on private, state, and Tribal lands, including Navajo allotments. According to a 2022 federal assessment of the proposed 10-mile buffer zone, only 10 Navajo allotments will be highly impacted by a withdrawal.

    The Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act is supported by the All Pueblo Council of Governors (APCG), Archaeology Southwest, Native Lands Institute, New Mexico Wild, Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, New Mexico Voices for Children, The Wilderness Society, Conservation Lands Foundation, Environment New Mexico, Sierra Club, and the National Wildlife Federation.

    Additional supporting quotes are here.

    A summary of the bill is here.

    Full text of the bill is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Global Economy – Report finds global companies have lost over $10 trillion of their market cap in 3 weeks – BestBrokers

    Source: BestBrokers

    Amid a volatile stretch for global stock markets, BestBroker’s latest analysis offers a data-driven look at how different countries are positioned in the face of a major downturn.

    Between 17 March and 8 April, the world’s 10,000 largest publicly listed companies lost a combined $10.3 trillion in market capitalisation, according to our research at BestBrokers. The U.S. was hit hardest, with $5.36 trillion wiped from company valuations, followed by China ($923.6 billion), Japan ($434 billion), Germany ($289 billion), and Taiwan ($267.7 billion).

    While the U.S. S&P 500 alone has lost nearly $6 trillion since the announcement of sweeping tariffs under President Trump, the impact has been global. Billions in value have evaporated across markets in every major region.

    Despite the scale of these losses, many leading indices are still above where they were a year ago — supported by resilient earnings and long-term growth. In addition to tracking the drop in market value, BestBrokers.com also examined how countries stack up in terms of billion-dollar company density, measured relative to population and economic output, across 74 countries and territories.

    Here are some key highlights from our report:

    • In March, we identified 5,522 publicly listed companies worldwide with a market value of at least $1 billion, with 1,873 headquartered in the United States. Three weeks after that, on March 8, the number of billion-dollar public companies dropped to 5,370, with just the U.S. losing 74 companies.
    • When adjusted for population, Monaco leads the world with 77 billion-dollar companies per million citizens, followed by Luxembourg (32) and Iceland (18).
    • Other countries with a large number of billion-dollar companies per million citizens are Switzerland with nearly 14, Sweden with 10.5, Singapore with close to 9, and Qatar with 8. Norway, Israel, and Denmark round up the top ten countries with nearly 8 companies per million people in Norway and Israel, while Denmark has 7.
    • Although the United States has the largest absolute number of billion-dollar companies, it ranks 16th globally on a per capita basis — trailing behind smaller, entrepreneurial economies like Ireland, Qatar, and Israel. The U.S. has roughly 5 billion-dollar companies per 1 million people.
    • Although the aggregate market capitalization of U.S.-based billion-dollar companies dropped to $51.75 trillion, this is still nearly double the size of the American economy.

    As volatility shakes larger markets, understanding where corporate strength is most concentrated can offer valuable insights for navigating the months ahead. Smaller, agile economies continue to punch well above their weight, signaling resilience and opportunity even as the broader market faces renewed pressure. A total of 13 countries saw a market wipeout of $100 billion or more within the past 22 days.

    These are the countries where companies have lost the most market capitalization:

    • United States – down $5.36 trillion to $51.75 trillion
    • China – down $923.6 billion to $6.87 trillion
    • Japan – down $433.9 billion to $4.68 trillion
    • Germany – down $289.1 billion $2.39 trillion
    • Taiwan – down $267.7 billion to $1.48 trillion
    • France – down $230.8 billion to $2.83 trillion
    • Switzerland – down $177.7 billion to $2.29 trillion
    • United Kingdom – down $170.5 billion to $3.47 trillion
    • Netherlands – down $149.7 billion to $1.17 trillion
    • Ireland – down $111.5 billion to $894.79 billion
    • Sweden – down $109.9 billion to $1.02 trillion
    • Hong Kong – down $108.5 billion to $835 billion
    • South Korea – down $105.6 billion to $932.9 billion.
    More detailed information about the economies with a high concentration of large-cap companies is available in the full report. It also includes the full methodology behind our findings. Feel free to use any data or graphics for publication by providing a proper link attribution to the original report. For more, see the Full Report: https://www.bestbrokers.com/forex-brokers/the-nations-with-the-most-billion-dollar-companies-per-capita-in-2025/

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan Legislation for VA Accountability Passes Senate

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

    04.10.25

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC), celebrated the passage of the Protecting Regular Order (PRO) for Veterans Act in the Senate. Sen. Sullivan, along with 10 of his Senate colleagues, introduced the legislation to establish greater accountability and oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) after a stunning multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall in 2024 followed by a multi-billion-dollar surplus two months later. This budget debacle came after the VA mismanaged funds, resulting in $10 million dollars’ worth of bonuses being improperly awarded to senior management at the VA. These bonuses ranged from $40,000 to $100,000 each, significantly more than the average disability benefits a veteran receives in a year.

    The PRO Vets Act institutes a three-year requirement for the VA to provide quarterly, in-person budget reports to Congress to encourage greater oversight and financial accountability, and withholds bonuses for senior VA and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) personnel if there are future financial shortfalls.

    “America’s veterans, who’ve served and sacrificed greatly for our country, deserve a Department of Veterans Affairs that is held to the highest possible standard of accountability,” Sen. Sullivan said. “The shocking budget debacle last year demonstrated that this agency is not meeting that high bar that we all expect. I want to thank my Senate colleagues for joining me in passing legislation to establish basic accountability measures at the VA, like quarterly in-person budget reports to Congress and the withholding of bonuses for senior VA and OMB leaders involved in any future budget debacle. I urge my colleagues in the House to pass our PRO Vets Act for commonsense guardrails on VA leadership that will help safeguard the benefits of our courageous veterans who’ve sacrificed so much on our behalf.”

    Below is a timeline of Sen. Sullivan and his colleagues’ recent work to address the lack of accountability at the VA:

    • In the summer of 2024, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) announced that it was experiencing a historic budget shortfall of $15 billion and would need $3 billion immediately to ensure the delivery of veterans’ benefits.
    • On July 31, 2024, Senators Sullivan and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) sent a letter to the SVAC chairman demanding an immediate hearing on the reported budget shortfall.
    • On September 18, 2024, SVAC held a hearing on the funding shortfall and Sen. Sullivan introduced the PRO Vets Act.
    • On September 19, 2024, Sen. Sullivan attempted to pass the PRO Vets Act as an amendment to a VA supplemental funding package, but it was blocked by Senate Democrats.
    • On November 18, 2024, Sen. Sullivan and 15 of his colleagues sent a letter to the SVAC chairman demanding greater accountability and oversight of the VA.
    • On February 5, 2025, Sen. Sullivan and 10 of his colleagues introduced the PRO Vets Act in the Senate.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Currency Exchange International, Corp. Announces Referral Agreement with Continental Currency Exchange

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Exchange Bank of Canada (“EBC” or the “Bank”) is to refer its wholesale business-to-business (B2B) banknote customers in Canada to Continental Currency Exchange, Ltd. (“CCE”), a wholly owned subsidiary of DUCA Financial Services Credit Union Ltd. (“DUCA”)

    TORONTO, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Currency Exchange International, Corp. (“CXI” or the “Company”) (TSX:CXI) (OTC:CURN), today announced a referral agreement has been entered into with CCE, one of Canada’s leading retailers of foreign exchange services. CCE operates 19 branch locations across Ontario and offers digital products, foreign exchange conversion services, pre-authorized debit and deposit transactions, foreign cheques and drafts, money transfers and wire payments in over 120 currencies. CCE is a wholly owned subsidiary of DUCA, which was formed in 1954 and has grown from a single branch credit union in Toronto to 19 branches across the GTA and Central Ontario with over 93,000 Members and over $8.3 Billion in total assets including assets under management.

    EBC will be referring its wholesale banknote customers in Canada, including financial institutions, to CCE. The referral of EBC’s banknote customers to CCE, an Ontario-based foreign exchange service provider, will mutually benefit all parties and stakeholders.

    “We are pleased and confident that the referral agreement with CCE for EBC’s banknote customers is the best outcome for EBC’s stakeholders as well as CXI shareholders,” said Randolph Pinna, CEO of CXI and EBC.

    “CCE is pleased to implement this Referral Agreement. We welcome the opportunity to build new relationships and grow our business with new B2B wholesale banknote customers that will add to our growing retail foreign exchange services business,” said Tom Robertson, CEO of CCE.

    CXI’s long-term outlook remains positive due to the Company’s focus on its growing businesses in the U.S. in conjunction with expected cost savings and anticipated additional new product growth in the U.S. market. The Company will provide further updates as the Canadian business operations are being discontinued as originally announced on February 18, 2025. During this process, EBC is committed to ensuring minimal disruption to all its stakeholders. 

    CXI is grateful to all of EBC’s team members for their contributions over the years and is committed to providing support and guidance to all employees during this transition to ensure a smooth and respectful process.  

    INFOR Financial Inc. acted as financial advisor to CXI in connection with the referral agreement with Continental Currency Exchange.

    About Currency Exchange International, Corp.

    Currency Exchange International is in the business of providing comprehensive foreign exchange technology and processing services for banks, credit unions, businesses, and consumers in the United States and select clients globally. Primary products and services include the exchange of foreign currencies, wire transfer payments, Global EFTs, and foreign cheque clearing. Wholesale customers are served through its proprietary FX software applications delivered on its web-based interface, www.cxifx.com (“CXIFX”), its related APIs with core banking platforms, and through personal relationship managers. Consumers are served through Company-owned retail branches, agent retail branches, and its e-commerce platform, order.ceifx.com.

    The Group’s wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary, Exchange Bank of Canada, based in Toronto, Canada, is currently in the process of discontinuing its operations in Canada.

    About Continental Currency Exchange, Ltd.

    Continental Currency Exchange, Ltd. is one of Canada’s leading retailers of foreign exchange services, with 19 branch locations across Ontario. The company offers foreign exchange conversion services, including international bill payments, online ordering, pre-authorized debit and deposit transactions, foreign cheques and drafts, money transfers and wire payments in approximately 100 currencies, in addition to a growing suite of digital products. The company’s Privilege Program offers clients no service fees on all cash transactions, premium discounted exchange rates, and lower prices on services including money transfers and wires. For more information, visit www.continentalcurrency.ca.  

    Contact Information

    For further information please contact:
    Bill Mitoulas
    Investor Relations
    (416) 479-9547
    Email: bill.mitoulas@cxifx.com
    Website: www.cxifx.com

    CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

    This press release includes forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. This forward-looking information includes, or may be based upon, estimates, forecasts, and statements as to management’s expectations with respect to, among other things, the merits of a referral agreement for customers and selected employees, the management of employee and customer transitions, the voluntary cessation of operations and discontinuance of Exchange Bank of Canada (EBC), financial performance in fiscal 2025 and 2026, and the associated costs and outcomes of the cessation and discontinuance period in general. Forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “preliminary,” “project,” “will,” “would,” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. 

    Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date such information is provided and on information available to management at such time. Forward-looking information involves significant risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in such forward-looking information. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking information due to a number of factors including, without limitation, an inability to implement the referral agreement for customers and selected employees on a basis which is beneficial to stakeholders, the inability of the Company to complete the cessation of EBC and discontinuance in accordance with applicable regulatory and legal requirements on a basis which is cost effective and protects the goodwill of the Company, an inability to establish direct correspondent banking relationships to support its U.S. payments business on terms which are economic or at all, the impact of delays or challenges in obtaining regulatory approvals, an inability to manage one-time wind-down costs and severance obligations on cost-effective basis, potential disruptions to operations during the transition period. the risk of reduced liquidity during the transition periods and, generally, the potential for unforeseen liabilities arising during or after the cessation of operations and discontinuance of EBC. 

    Additional risks include the ability of the Company to comply with regulatory requirements in general, the competitive nature of the foreign exchange industry, the impact of geo political changes, and trade wars on factors relevant to the Company’s business, currency exchange risks, the need for the Company to manage its planned growth, the effects of product development and the need for continued technological change, protection of the Company’s proprietary rights, the effect of government regulation and compliance on the Company and the industry in which it operates, network security risks, the ability of the Company to maintain properly working systems, theft and risk of physical harm to personnel, reliance on key management personnel, unexpected losses or challenges associated with customer attrition during the discontinuance, global economic deterioration negatively impacting tourism, volatile securities markets impacting security pricing in a manner unrelated to operating performance and impeding access to capital or increasing the cost of capital, as well as the factors identified throughout this press release and in the section entitled “Financial Risk Factors” of the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the twelve months ended October 31, 2024. 

    The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents management’s expectations as of the date hereof (or as of the date such information is otherwise stated to be presented) and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws. 

    The Toronto Stock Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. No stock exchange, securities commission, or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained in this press release. 

    The MIL Network –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Global Economy – Global Barometers decline in April – KOF

    Source: KOF Economic Institute

    The Coincident Barometer decreases for the second consecutive month and returns to the level of September 2024. The fall in the Leading Barometer keeps the indicator generally slightly above 100 points, a tendency that has been observed since May 2024. However, the recent escalation in the trade tensions is not reflected in the data.

    In April, the Coincident and the Leading Global Barometers decrease 1.5 points and 1.7 points to 92.3 and 101.9 points, respectively. In both cases, the fall is mainly driven by the Western Hemisphere indicators. Europe is a distant second. In contrast, the contribution of the Asia, Pacific & Africa region to the variation in the global indicators is almost null this month.

    “Although the unexpectedly strong announcements by President Trump on what he called ‘US Liberation Day’ and the shockwaves that followed are not yet reflected in the Global Barometers – they reflect survey data collected in March – the downward momentum of both is clearly driven by lower assessments and sentiment in the US-dominated Western hemisphere. This does not bode well for the future direction of these two leading indicators of the global economy”, comments KOF Director Jan-Egbert Sturm the latest results.

    Coincident Barometer – regions and sectors

    The 1.5-point decrease in the Coincident Barometer in April results from negative contributions of -1.1 points from the Western Hemisphere, -0.3 points from Europe, and -0.1 points from the Asia, Pacific & Africa region. The Western Hemisphere reaches 91.4 points, its lowest level since December 2023, and is closing in on the indicator for the Asia, Pacific & Africa region, which continues to record the lowest level among the regional coincident indicators (90.9 points).

    Among the Coincident sector indicators, only Construction records an increase, while, Trade, Services, the indicator for Economy (aggregated business and consumer evaluations) and Industry decrease this month.

    Leading Barometer – regions and sectors

    In April, the Western Hemisphere contributes negatively with -1.6 points to the 1.7-point fall in the Leading Global Barometer. Europe contributes -0.2 points while the Asia, Pacific & Africa region makes a positive contribution of 0.1 points. With this result, only the Western Hemisphere is below 100 points, recording the lowest level among the regions, which has not happened since December 2023. The Leading Global Barometer leads the world economic growth rate cycle by three to six months on average.

    Among the Leading sector indicators, only Economy (aggregated business and consumer evaluations) makes a slight increase in April. The marked decline in the Trade sector stands out, taking the indicator to below the 100-point level for the first time since May of last year.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – South Australia a world leader in refugee settlement – report – AMES

    Source: AMES

    South Australia boasts a world leading refugee settlement program that offers protection to people fleeing conflict and persecution in their homelands, a new report has found.

    The state accepts up to 1400 refugees each year, providing on-arrival support and case management as well as accommodation and housing, cultural orientation and access to education and employment.

    This intensive, wrap-around support, facilitated by settlement agency AMES Australia and it partners, has meant that refugees in South Australia quickly become independent and are able to contribute back to the South Australian community, the report, titled ‘Bound for South Australia: A world leading settlement destination’, says.

    The report says new refugee arrivals benefit from a range of tailored settlement programs and initiatives in South Australia largely under the aegis of the federal government’s refugee settlement arrangements.

    “Services include on-arrival support and accommodation. Newly arrived refugees are initially housed at a dedicated accommodation facility and are supported to find long-term, appropriate housing in the community,” the report says.

    “Refugee clients can access an intensive orientation program which provides information about navigating Australian society, including schooling and education, public transport, healthcare, banking, employment and rights and responsibilities. They are provided with the tools and resources they need for long-term stability and successful integration.

    “Key partnerships ensure new arrivals have access to a range of health, mental health, family violence and trauma services as well as connections to government agencies and local support groups. This ensures clients have access to essential services and social opportunities,” the report says.

    In 2023-24 229 adult refugees were supported into sustainable jobs and 115 more received ongoing employment strategy development support with 109 achieving job interviews.

    Twenty-seven refugee businesses were established with support from AMES Australia.

    More than 210 families have been supported with children’s school enrolments and 356 adults were supported to enrol in English language tuition.

    Three refugees were assisted to enrol in tertiary and vocational training and two more with obtaining recognition of overseas skills and qualifications.

    In 2023-24 there were more than 8,100 individual attendances at orientation sessions covering settlement services, housing, health, managing money, life in Australia, transport, family life and services, Australian law, education and employment.

     Long-term appropriate housing was secured for 226 client families and around 350 families were supported with on-arrival accommodation.

    Ninety-nine per cent of people exiting the refugee support program had secured permanent accommodation.

    The report says refugee settlement generates around $19 million in economic activity for South Australia each year, including more than $3 million in federal investment and $15 million in extra tax receipts and spending.

    “The settlement of refugees in South Australia adds more than $19 million to South Australia’s economy each year through federal government investment, harnessing the skills and entrepreneurialism refugees bring with them,” the report says.

    “This includes South Australia’s share of the and the $21.2 million the federal government invests in refugee settlement each year (1) and of the $9.1 million invested engagement and transitions support programs.

    “It also includes the $5.1 million paid in tax by refugees who gained employment in South Australia in 2023-24 and the $10.2 million in cash injected into the economy by those workers and entrepreneurs.

    “The skills and experience possessed by refugees represents almost a 1 per cent boost to productivity in South Australia,” the report said.

    Consultant economist Dr Ian Pringle, who produced the report, said South Australia had unique refugee settlement arrangements.

    “What sets South Australia apart is the level of community input into successful settlement outcomes,” Dr Pringle said.

    “From schools to sporting clubs, local councils, community groups and faith organisations, there is an all of community approach to making sure refugees settle well and are made to feel welcome,” he said.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murkowski Argues for Congressional Oversight of Tariffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski
    04.10.25
    Washington, DC – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made her case that Congress needs to reassert its authority – starting with oversight of levying tariffs. In light of the recent trade policies enacted by the executive branch, Senator Murkowski spoke about the role that belongs to Congress, but emphasized that institution has slowly ceded its responsibility to the executive over the last century.
    Click here to watch the Senator’s remarks.
     
    Below is the text of Murkowski’s remarks as delivered.
    Thank you, Mr. President.
    Yesterday was a day that really captured the attention of the world. We’ve all been talking about tariffs for a little bit, but yesterday was the day that really brought the focus to what was going on here in the United States.
    At 12:01 in the morning on Wednesday, President Trump’s tariffs on the countries with which the United States has had the largest trade deficits went into effect on top of the 10% tariff rates that had previously applied to all countries, which had been initiated on Saturday, April 5. Just hours later, yesterday afternoon, the President announced a 90-day pause and lowered reciprocal tariffs to 10% and at the same time, announced that he was raising tariffs on China to 125% – now today, it looks like that number is closer to 145%.
    So, to say that this has been a dizzying week in Washington, DC is probably an understatement. Those of us that are following the markets, it’s been somewhat head-spinning. I’m not going to comment here on the floor today about the negotiating tactics of President Trump. I think he is legendary, and really world renowned, for his skills in bringing nations to the table. We’re seeing some of this play out literally as we speak. Other countries that have approached the administration to have discussions about tariffs. This is a unique kind of leverage, most certainly keeping those across the table off balance. But bringing the world potentially to the brink of a ruinous trade war certainly qualifies as a very unique point of leverage.
    The effort to try to reshore manufacturing here in this country is important, it’s admirable, and it’s something that we should all be working towards. But, I think there has been general agreement that the message from the administration has been decidedly mixed, which leads to further confusion among our trading partners and our allies. If nobody understands where the finish line is, it’s hard to reach it.
    I don’t want to focus my comments here this afternoon about these possible strategies and end results of these policies. But I want to focus more on the process of how these tariffs were imposed, because I believe it is yet another example of Congress choosing to cede its powers to the executive branch. And if the global implications of these tariffs have shown us nothing else, it’s that measures that are as important as these should be considered by the 535 elected individuals that are in tune with the American people, rather than vesting that with just one individual acting unilaterally.
    It’s under Article One, Section Eight of our United States Constitution that clearly enumerates that “Congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises.” In other words, the power to levy tariffs rests with us here in the Congress.
    So why have we seen the executive take control over tariff rates? The answer lies in almost in a centuries-long series of bills that we have seen here that Congress has voluntarily enacted and laid down its authority for the executive to pick up.
    Following the disastrous Smoot Hawley Act of 1930 which plunged our nation deeper into the Great Depression, Congress passed the following legislation. First, it was the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act of 1934, which authorized the president to make limited tariff rates without congressional review on top of negotiating bilateral, reciprocal trade agreements.
    Then, it was the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which broadened the President’s trade powers to include multilateral trade agreements, while also allowing the president to unilaterally impose tariffs if imports could threaten national security.
    Then, the Trade Act of 1974, which allowed the president to protect U.S. workers by adjusting tariffs if foreign countries engaged in unfair trade practices.
    And then, just a few years later, it was the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, which gives the president authorities to address declared emergencies if “unusual and extraordinary” threats exist to national security, foreign policy, or to the economy. So those powers include, you probably guessed it, the authority to regulate or prohibit imports.
    So, in his April 2 executive order, President Trump declared a national emergency because of a lack of reciprocity in our bilateral trade relationships and our trading partners’ economic policies that suppress domestic wages. He is authorized to do so under the National Emergencies Act of 1976, so I want to be clear about all of this: I know some people might not like it, but all of what he has done is clearly above board. The president is clearly within his powers to impose tariffs on our allies, like Mexico and Canada and the EU, just as much as he is with our adversaries, like China and Russia and Iran.
    President Trump, and President Biden before him, took this route because Congress has largely relegated tariff authority to the president through the laws that effectively cede to the executive.
    And my friends, it’s just one more example of Congress abdicating instead of legislating. In my time here, I have seen a troubling pattern, in both bodies, where the party that controls the White House seems all too comfortable relinquishing authority to the President, and then rubber stamping whatever policies the executive wants enshrined into law.
    Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress have deferred to the executive to call the shots, in my view, for far too long. Now we use the phrase around here a lot: “co-equal branches of government.” I use it all the time. But the reality is, Congress was created in Article One of the Constitution. We’re given far more authority than the executive. All you need to do is look in your handy dandy little pocket constitution. Ours is a lot longer.
    Look at the authorities that we have:
    Congress may impeach and remove a President and members of the judiciary;
    Congress can override a presidential veto of legislation;
    Congress appropriates the money that funds the operation of all branches of government; and
    It is Congress that again, needs to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises.
    We also say a lot around here that “business loves certainty.” I would suggest the country’s entire tariff regime being subject to the whims of one individual lends anything but certainty. And that’s why I have signed on to Senator Grassley and Senator Cantwell’s legislation. They call it the Trade Review Act of 2025, and it would reclaim this branch’s authority and duty to help manage tariffs as outlined in the U.S. Constitution.
    The bill requires notice to Congress of the imposition of, or increase, in any tariffs. It requires notice to Congress in 48 hours. With that congressional notification, it has to include an explanation of the president’s reasoning for imposing or raising the tariffs, as well as providing an analysis of potential impact on American businesses and consumers.
    And I can tell you, the Alaskans that I’m talking to back home would really like the last part of this: an analysis of how this is going to impact us.
    And then another provision within the Grassley-Cantwell Act is within 60 days, Congress would pass a joint resolution of approval on the new tariff. Otherwise, all new tariffs on imports would expire after that deadline.
    What this act effectively would do would be to reaffirm Congress’s role with regards to tariffs. It allows for a greater engagement, if you will, between the executive and the congressional branch. Allows for the debate, allows for that engagement, allows for that understanding.
    So, again, I’m hearing from folks all over back home, because they’re worried we already pay high costs for just about everything in Alaska. They’re worried about what it’s going to mean for groceries, for cars, for furniture, electronics, even coffee.
    We had a visit with a group of high school students on the on the steps yesterday, and they were from all over the state. We had some from Ketchikan, all the way out to King Cove, and out in the YK Delta. And the first question from one of the 16-year-old’s in that group was, “Can you tell me what’s going on with tariffs? How is this going to impact us?”
    I really appreciated that question from that 16-year-old who’s paying attention to what’s going on. He’s got questions. He’s here in Washington, DC, and he’s figuring he’s going to get some answers from his senator.
    Alaskans are facing consequences. They want to know they have a voice in it, and their voice is us. It’s their senator, it’s their representative. That’s our role here.
    Now it’s been suggested, and the president himself has issued a statement about this legislation: he’s indicated that he does not support it, and that he would veto it. That is absolutely within his power.
    But, we also have powers have powers here in Congress, and we need to assert them. And so, I would hope that this bill is maybe just the start, maybe just the toe in the water, where we’re starting to see Congress reassert its authority.
    Because if we don’t stand up for the institution, if we don’t stand up for the legislative branch of our government by debating this issue by holding votes, debating. Let’s debate this! Let’s have a vote on the Trade Review Act. Because if we just sit back, if we don’t assert our authority, we’ve only got ourselves to blame when we don’t like the direction that may be taken.
    The executive has slowly arrogated more and more power since the end of World War II, and it’s dramatically accelerated post-9/11. We here in Congress have stood by, and we’ve accepted it. We’ve said it’s okay. I think it’s time for Congress to reassert itself, whether it’s on tariffs, whether it’s on the power of appropriation, whether it’s overseeing the bodies, the agencies that we as a body have authorized.
    So, let’s legislate. Let’s remember our role is to legislate. We owe that to those that we represent, as well as to this institution, for the long-term good of the nation.
    And with that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Tuberville Joins Kudlow to Discuss How President Trump’s Tariffs Strategy is Working for Alabama

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    “We got a lot of panicans here in the Capitol, but at the end of the day, President Trump holds the cards.”
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss how President Trump’s tariffs strategy is working for Alabama workers and farmers.
    Read excerpts from the interview below or watch on YouTube or Rumble.

    KUDLOW: “Alabama Senator, Mr. Tommy Tuberville. Senator Tuberville, welcome, sir. So, you hear Mr. Trump […] brought everyone to the table. You know, I was talking to Senator Blackburn and others. They didn’t go to the Chinese table. They went to the United States [of] America Donald Trump table. So, it looks like Trump’s Art of the Deal was correct all along, Senator Tuberville. What do you make of it?”
    TUBERVILLE: “Well, exactly right, Larry. We got a lot of panicans here in the Capitol, but at the end of the day, President Trump holds the cards. All those cards are the American taxpayers, Larry. They’re behind President Trump. They understand what he’s trying to do. This is gonna be our last chance. We’ll never have a President like him again—simply for the fact that he knows what he’s doing. He’s a business guy, and he knows that we cannot continue to let China steal, defraud us, do everything possible to build their country up while we’re going south. We need to continue this. And again, we need to work with these people, you know, he’s got them standing in line at the White House. I’m sure that’s one of the reasons he has a 90-day pause [while] countries were just waiting to get in the door, but China’s not coming. I’m for just hammering China. Keep putting tariffs on them. Make them hurt because they are building right and left their military—one day they think they’re gonna take us on. We cannot allow that to happen, Larry. You know that.”
    KUDLOW: “Well, I think one of the offshoots of the discussion with China for Mister Trump. Look, 125% tariff. China’s not gonna be able to sell into our market. But selling all their subsidized manufacturing stuff with cheap wages, that’s their whole economy. So, we are just cutting them off at the knees. I guess what I’m saying is, Trump has completely outfoxed Xi Jinping. Trump is the master of the chessboard, not Xi.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Exactly. Larry, China sends daily 300 container ships that have thousands of containers on each ship, 300 a day to the United States of America with mostly junk. Okay? It should be made in the United States of America. Now they make some […] car parts and things like that. But at the end of the day, we can do that here. And President Trump knows we have to get manufacturing back. Bill Clinton [and] NAFTA almost put us under. I go through small towns, Larry, in Alabama, and manufacturing’s gone. Nobody lives there. The streets are closing down. If we don’t get it back now, it’ll never happen.”
    KUDLOW: “What are your folks in Alabama saying about the trade deal and all the discussion that goes with it?”
    TUBERVILLE: “Well, you got some car manufacturers that say, you know, ‘We got a problem,’ maybe a problem with powertrains coming in, you know, from some of the car dealers and manufacturers. But at the end of the day, the ones that I’m worried about, I’m worried about the bottom 50% of the people that actually work in this country, the people that make $50,000, $60,000 and below and our farmers. Larry, my god. If we don’t do something to help our farmers, it’s over. We lost 150,000 [farms] during the Biden administration. They’re having a terrible year this year with the weather—planting season is going on right now. They’re gonna have to replant [and] they’re gonna have a tough time even getting close to making a profit. So, he has to help with the commodity prices and President Trump will do that with these tariffs.”
    KUDLOW: “You know, we made a deal with the phase one trade deal with China. They’re supposed to have purchased a lot of farm commodities, they never did. They broke the deal. So now the farmers are in trouble. What do you—do you want federal spending for the farmers? Subsidies for the farmers? Tax cuts? Tell me what you want.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Well, what we did right before Christmas, Larry, they had a terrible last year, the year before that was really awful. Input costs under Biden were out of sight. You know, a cotton picker ten years ago was $600,000 dollars. Now it’s $1.5 million. It’s out of control. And it’s out of control because people across the world are taking advantage of us. We gave them $10 billion dollars—the farmers—right before Christmas to get a loan for this year’s crops. Now again, what did I just tell you, they planted their crops in the south, and they just got wiped out. We got 10, 15 inches of rain. And so, it’s gonna be tough on the farmers, but I’ll tell you they’re resilient. They’ll work hard. All we need to do is help them just a little bit, and they’ll be there.”
    KUDLOW: “Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Senator Tommy Tuberville, thank you for your wisdom as always.”
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Gillibrand, Wyden Lead A Group Of 21 Senators In Demanding That The Trump Administration Stop Their Attacks On Social Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, ranking member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Senator Ron Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, led a group of 21 senators in a letter calling on the Trump administration and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to stop their attacks on Social Security.

    This letter comes in the wake of the administration’s repeated actions to weaken the Social Security Administration (SSA), which include staffing cuts, plans for indiscriminate closures of field offices around the nation, and limits to phone services. These cuts are upending the lives of older adults and people with disabilities who rely on the Social Security benefits that they have earned to pay their rent, purchase groceries, and afford medical bills.

    “The changes undertaken by SSA leadership and the DOGE disregard the reality of daily life for those millions of Americans,” wrote the senators. “They are spearheaded by the out-of-touch, unelected leadership of the DOGE. They hurt our nation’s older adults and people with disabilities—our grandparents, our friends, and our neighbors. And they risk debilitating the Social Security System and denying Americans the money they are owed.”

    In addition to Gillibrand and Wyden, the letter to Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek was signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Peter Welch (D-VT), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Edward Markey (D-MA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

    The full text of the senators’ letter is available here or below:

    Dear Acting Commissioner Dudek:

    We write to denounce the incessant havoc sparked by the Trump Administration’s continual cuts to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Changes implemented by SSA leadership and the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) include heinous staffing cuts, plans for indiscriminate closures of field offices around the nation, and limits to phone services. It is difficult to see how DOGE’s attacks on the SSA, and the complicity shown by SSA leadership, will improve efficiency when we are already hearing stories upon stories of how SSA’s changes have damaged the system responsible for ensuring timely, accurate payments—upending the lives of older adults and people with disabilities who rely on Social Security benefits that they earned to pay their rent, groceries, and medical bills.

    Social Security lifts 22 million Americans, including 16 million older adults, out of poverty. Many older adults rely on Social Security for life-saving sustenance—to ensure they have food to eat, a roof over their heads, and money to pay for medications. In fact, 40 percent of older Americans rely on Social Security as their only source of retirement income. Over seven million veterans received a Social Security benefit in 2024, while SSDI and Supplemental Security Income serve millions of workers with disabilities and their children. DOGE’s attacks on the SSA will break down access to services, affect timely and accurate payment of benefits,6 and have disastrous consequences for Americans everywhere.

    It is precisely because older adults, people with disabilities, and other deserving Americans count on Social Security that we are deeply concerned with efforts by DOGE and SSA leadership to impede access to SSA services. SSA has announced plans to slash at least 12 percent of its workforce, and offered a buyout incentives to staff, at a time when SSA staffing is at a 50-year low. SSA has also announced plans to close six of its ten regional offices, which coordinate and support the efforts of SSA employees. DOGE, meanwhile, has placed dozens of SSA offices across the country on the chopping block. At the same time, SSA has decided to limit the services it makes available over-the-phone, after backing down from broader restrictions following an outcry by older adults and people with disabilities. SSA’s new limits on over-the[1]phone services are still unacceptable, and the process used by SSA—swift revisions after public outcry—suggest the agency is not talking to the Americans who rely on Social Security the most before it makes its decisions. Instead, it appears that SSA leadership is pushing out half-baked ideas that lead to public confusion and panic.

    SSA leadership should strive to serve the public, not Elon Musk and his cronies with the DOGE. We are already witnessing the consequences of SSA’s complicity in DOGE’s irresponsible actions and cruel intentions. Scammers have taken advantage of the confusion surrounding SSA changes to defraud older adults. The SSA website crashed 4 times in 10 days because servers were overloaded; phone wait time and foot traffic to field offices have skyrocketed. This chaos does not create “efficiency.” It harms older adults and people with disabilities while undermining a program that is already efficient: Even as Social Security uplifts millions of older adults and people with disabilities, less than one percent of Social Security payments are improper—a percentage that includes underpayments as well as overpayments.

    We are pleased that Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, is skilled with technology, lives his life with unfettered access to services, and has not experienced what it is like to live with a severe disability or financial hardship. We are also pleased that the Trump Administration’s supposed “leadership” is comfortable enough to believe older adults will not mind a missed Social Security payment. However, their experiences do not reflect the experiences of millions of Americans who rely on Social Security. The changes undertaken by SSA leadership and the DOGE disregard the reality of daily life for those millions of Americans. They are spearheaded by the out-of-touch, unelected leadership of the DOGE. They hurt our nation’s older adults and people with disabilities—our grandparents, our friends, and our neighbors. And they risk debilitating the Social Security System and denying Americans the money they are owed.

    In light of our concerns, we ask that you answer the following questions:

    1. Reports indicate that an internal memo proposing changes to the Social Security claims process was circulated within SSA on March 13, 2025. The memo also reportedly details how the changes could significantly impact the ability of Social Security recipients to access their benefits, including through “longer wait times and processing time” and “increased challenges for vulnerable populations.” Please provide:
    1. An unredacted copy of the March 13, 2025 memo, which was sent from Acting Deputy Commissioner Doris Diaz to Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek;
    1. Copies of any other written communications that are related to the March 13, 2025 memo, including e-mail, texts, letters, memorandums, or other documents; and
    1. Copies of any written communications, including e-mail, texts, letters, memorandums, or other documents, related to SSA’s decision to revise its changes to phone services, as announced on March 26, 2025.
    1. SSA’s new limitations on over-the-phone services are likely to increase the number of visitors per-week to SSA field offices, a potential impact reportedly detailed by SSA leadership in its March 13, 2025 memo. The DOGE website lists numerous SSA offices throughout the United States that will have their lease terminated, and one analysis suggests that 47 SSA offices are slated for closure.

    Please answer the following questions about potential SSA field office closures:

    1. SSA claims in a press release on March 27th that the SSA “has not permanently closed or announced permanent closure of any local field office.” Public reporting shows that multiple SSA field offices across the country were publicly slated for lease termination, many of which were taken off DOGE’s website prior to the press release.
    1. Explain the reason for the removal of the field offices previously listed for lease termination on the DOGE website.
    1. Explain why the SSA did not issue a public correction of the information provided on SSA lease termination after its removal off the DOGE website.
    1. Provide detailed information on each location on the DOGE and GSA lease termination lists that include an SSA office, including any locations that include an SSA field office but are leased by other federal departments, such as the General Services Administration. Please include the following information for each location:
    1. What SSA functions operate out of the location, whether the location is open to the public, what services the location provides to the public, and how many members of the public visit the location each day.
    1. How the SSA office will be impacted by the lease termination listed on the DOGE website, including which services at the SSA office will cease to be offered to the public and whether the SSA office will be closed entirely.
    1. Which field offices is SSA planning to close, or considering for closure, through December 31, 2026, regardless of whether the location appears on the DOGE lease termination list? Please provide a detailed list that includes the name, city, and state of each field office.
    1. How will SSA analyze the impact of potential field office closures on people who use SSA services in light of SSA’s new limitations on over-the-phone services? If SSA does not plan to include the new limitations on over-the-phone services when analyzing potential field office closures, please explain why.
    1. SSA’s new limitations on over-the-phone services are likely to drive more people to use the SSA website, including “my Social Security” accounts, when filing for benefits or making changes to their payments. Past oversight conducted by the Senate Aging Committee demonstrated that federal departments and agencies often fail to make their websites fully accessible for people with disabilities, as required by law. Further, the unelected billionaire running DOGE demonstrated his callous disregard for people with disabilities when he decimated Twitter’s accessibility team after taking over the company.
    1. How many staff held a role in ensuring SSA website accessibility for people with disabilities on January 20, 2025?
    1. How many staff held a role in ensuring SSA website accessibility for people with disabilities on April 8, 2025?
    1. How many staff with a role in ensuring SSA website accessibility for people with disabilities were fired or accepted a buyout between January 20, 2025 and April 8, 2025?
    1. How many contracts related to ensuring SSA website accessibility for people with disabilities have been delayed or cancelled since January 20, 2025? Please describe each delayed or cancelled contract and provide a justification for each delay or cancellation.
    1. How many tests to evaluate SSA websites for accessibility for people with disabilities have been delayed or cancelled since January 20, 2025? Please provide a justification for each delayed or cancelled accessibility test.
    1. Please describe how SSA consulted with older adults and people with disabilities before making the initial decision, announced on March 18, 2025, to implement new limits to over-the-phone services. Please include the names of groups representing older adults and people with disabilities that were contacted for feedback. If SSA did not conduct this outreach, please explain why.
    1. Please describe how SSA will collect feedback from older adults and people with disabilities on the impact of its limits to over-the-phone services once those limits have been implemented, including:
    1. The groups representing older adults and people with disabilities that SSA will work with to collect feedback; and
    1. The number of in-person meetings, virtual meetings, and town-hall style meetings related to the limits on over-the-phone services that SSA will conduct through December 31, 2026, the planned locations of those events, and plans by SSA leadership to participate in those events and answer questions.

    If SSA does not plan to collect feedback from older adults and people with disabilities in this fashion, please explain why.

    Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please respond by April 22, 2025.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Delfin Midstream Provides Corporate Update Related to Key Permits and Approvals for its Leading US Energy Infrastructure Project

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Recently received the first deepwater port license from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration to own, construct and operate an export liquefied natural gas project in the United States
    • Department of Energy approved a liquefied natural gas export permit extension, granting additional time to commence exports from offshore Louisiana.

    HOUSTON, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Delfin Midstream Inc. (“Delfin”) today provided an update on key permits and approvals for its leading US based energy infrastructure project under development in Louisiana and offshore in the Gulf.

    On March 21, 2025, Delfin LNG LLC (“Delfin LNG”), a subsidiary of Delfin, received a license from the Maritime Administration (“MARAD”) authorizing Delfin LNG to own, construct, operate, and eventually decommission a deepwater port, to export Liquefied Natural Gas (“LNG”) from the United States.

    The license was issued pursuant to the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 and MARAD’s 2017 Record of Decision and is in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order titled, “Unleashing American Energy,” signed January 20, 2025. The Delfin deepwater port project will be the first offshore LNG export project in the United States. The approval process involved MARAD and the U.S. Coast Guard working with approximately 15 cooperating federal agencies along with the States of Texas and Louisiana.

    On March 10, 2025, the Department of Energy approved an LNG export permit extension for Delfin LNG, granting additional time to commence exports from the project. The permit extension, which had been delayed under the prior administration, was announced by Secretary Wright in his opening remarks at CERAWeek in Houston.

    Dudley Poston, Delfin CEO, said: “The level of support by the President of the United States and his administration for the development of critical energy infrastructure has been truly remarkable. The Delfin floating LNG project has the potential to be not just the first LNG export deepwater port facility in the United States, but a significant economic contributor and job creator over the long-term. We would like to express our deep appreciation for the significant work undertaken by Sean Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, and Chris Wright, U.S. Secretary of Energy.”

    Added Poston, “We also share our appreciation for the governors of Louisiana and Texas for their significant involvement and contributions to this process. With clear vision and action, this administration has enabled a project that can significantly realign energy economics for the long-term benefit of the people of the United States.”

    Delfin is a leader in LNG export infrastructure utilizing low-cost floating LNG technology. The brownfield deepwater port that Delfin is developing requires minimal additional infrastructure investment to support up to three floating LNG vessels producing up to 13 million tonnes of LNG annually.

    About Delfin

    Delfin is a leading LNG export infrastructure development company utilizing low-cost Floating LNG technology solutions. Delfin is the parent company of Delfin LNG. Delfin LNG is a brownfield Deepwater Port requiring minimal additional infrastructure investment to support up to three FLNG Vessels producing up to 13.2 MTPA of LNG. Delfin purchased the UTOS pipeline, the largest natural gas pipeline in the Gulf of America. Delfin LNG received a positive Record of Decision from MARAD and approval from the Department of Energy for long-term exports of LNG to countries that do not have a Free Trade Agreement with the United States. Additional information is available at www.delfinmidstream.com.

    Public Relations
    Dan Gagnier
    Gagnier Communications
    Email: Delfin@gagnierfc.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: April 10, 2025 Rep. Mullin’s Statement on House Republicans Passing Harmful Budget “Trump and his Republicans are continuing to prioritize billionaires over the hardworking families across America who rely on vital programs for survival. Despite false promises to lower costs, today House Republicans narrowly passed a budget resolution that will increase expenses… Read More

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Kevin Mullin California (15th District)

    “Trump and his Republicans are continuing to prioritize billionaires over the hardworking families across America who rely on vital programs for survival.

    Despite false promises to lower costs, today House Republicans narrowly passed a budget resolution that will increase expenses for everyday Americans who are already struggling with inflation. I voted no because Republicans are locking in higher costs for energy, food, health care and essential services, all while refusing to make the ultra wealthy pay their fair share.

    At the same time, Trump’s chaotic tariff war has been upending the economy, driving up prices and hurting American businesses. Instead of focusing on helping those affected by his policies, Republicans are doubling down on tax cuts for billionaires, leaving the rest of the country to deal with the consequences.

    Republicans’ budget has $880 billion in cuts to programs overseen by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. There’s no other way to slice it, these cuts are directly targeted at Medicaid and as a member of that committee, I will do everything I can to protect the health care program that millions of Americans rely on.

    House Democrats will continue to fight against this harmful budget, which not only slashes programs families rely on, but also exacerbates the economic instability that is already gripping our nation. We will stand strong to protect healthcare, reduce costs, and ensure that our government works for the people, not for billionaires.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Let’s Talk Disclosure: Division of Corporation Finance’s Statement on Offerings and Registration of Securities in the Crypto Asset Markets

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    Today, in furtherance of our investor protection mission, the Division of Corporation Finance clarified how the federal securities laws apply to certain offerings and registrations of securities in the crypto asset markets.[1] The Division’s statement does not address whether something is or is not a security but provides guidance for issuers of securities. Offerings and registrations for which this statement may be relevant involve equity or debt securities of issuers whose operations relate to networks, applications, or crypto assets. Other offerings and registrations for which this statement may be relevant involve crypto assets offered as part of or subject to an investment contract. Registration or qualification is not required in connection with an offering of a crypto asset if the crypto asset is not a security and not part of or subject to an investment contract. The statement reflects the Division’s observations regarding disclosures provided in response to existing requirements and takes into account crypto-related disclosure questions the Division has received.

    This guidance might be helpful for a company that is:

    • developing a blockchain and issuing debt or equity;
    • registering the offering of an investment contract in connection with an initial coin offering;
    • issuing a crypto asset that itself is a security because, for example, it provides a revenue stream based on the issuer’s performance; or
    • integrates non-fungible tokens into video games and is issuing debt or equity.

    The Division’s statement is not a definitive how-to guide for the come-in-and-register invitation that befuddled so many in recent years.[2] Rather, it is a small step in identifying relevant disclosures so that investors have material information about the projects and businesses in which they are investing. The Division highlights, for example, disclosures about the development timeline of a crypto network or application, its functions and processes, and a clear explanation of the rights of holders of the relevant security, such as dividends, profit-sharing, or voting rights. The statement reflects the fact that a token that is not a security can be sold in a securities offering, but also allows for the possibility that a centralized crypto company might issue equity or debt securities or a crypto asset that is itself a security.

    People with additional questions about how the existing disclosure requirements apply in the context of crypto assets may reach out to the Division with these questions. Several ways to contact the Division are available at https://www.sec.gov/about/divisions-offices/division-corporation-finance/division-corporation-finance-contact-us. The Crypto Task Force also welcomes inquiries and feedback on this statement through crypto@sec.gov.

    I would like to thank Cicely LaMothe, Acting Director of the Division of Corporation Finance, and her staff for their diligent work to provide clear statements about the applicability of securities regulations to crypto assets.

    [1] https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/speeches-statements/cf-crypto-securities-041025

    [2] The Crypto Task Force and other Commission staff are working on providing guidance about when and whether crypto asset issuers have to “come in and register” and what registration would entail.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Magaziner Calls for Transparency on Congressional Stock Trading Surrounding Trump’s Tariff Announcement, Demands Ban be Considered by House

    Source: US Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Mike Levin (CA-49), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and David Min (CA-47) wrote a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson requesting that he call on every member of the House of Representatives to immediately file and release their Periodic Trading Reports (PTR) for any transactions conducted between April 2, 2025 and April 9, 2025 – the window in which President Donald Trump and his administration plunged the United States into a reckless trade war, issuing on-again, off-again tariffs on nearly 90 countries. Magaziner  also called on Speaker Johnson to immediately schedule a vote on legislation to ban stock trading for members of Congress.

    The lawmakers’ letter called attention to the fact that Members of Congress closest to the President, including many of whom met or were in his presence throughout the course of the week, were in positions to profit from the unstable changes in policy.

    “It would be unconscionable for any Member of Congress to use their personal position to benefit financially, especially in a time where Americans across the country are experiencing financial chaos,” wrote Magaziner, Neguse, Levin, Horsford, Min and Ocasio-Cortez. “Therefore, we respectfully request that you join us in requesting that Members of Congress immediately release their PTRs, rather than the customary 45-day deadline. The American people deserve to know if any representatives took advantage of their positions for personal gain.”

    The lawmakers’ request is the latest in a series of commonsense efforts to ensure Members of Congress are effectively representing the interests of the American people, not their own stock portfolios. Magaziner and his fellow co-signers have also championed a number of legislative and oversight measures that would require both representatives and their families to place investments, like individual stocks, in a blind trust during their tenure in Congress – effectively banning Members of Congress from trading individual stocks. 

    Magaziner is the lead sponsor of the TRUST in Congress Act, the bill with the most momentum in Congress to ban members of Congress from trading stocks, with 60 cosponsors. 

    The full text of the letter is available here and below: 

    Thursday, April 10th

    Dear Speaker Johnson,  

    We write to urge that you join us in requesting every Member of the House of Representatives immediately file and release their Periodic Trading Reports (PTR) for any transactions conducted between April 2, 2025, and April 9, 2025. The public has the right to know whether anyone in the Congress profited from the considerable market instability and economic chaos caused by President Trump and his administration over the past week. 

    As you are well aware, President Trump’s widespread imposition of tariffs across the world sent the market into a tailspin and placed the country’s economic stability at risk. In response to the outcry from Americans and our allies, President Trump paused some of these tariffs, opening a ripe opportunity for Members — particularly those close to the President — to personally profit from the change in policy. Over the past week, House Republicans met with President Trump at the White House, attended the National Republican Congressional Committee dinner (mere hours before pausing the tariffs), and were in regular communication with the President ahead of the vote on the budget reconciliation resolution. 

    It would be unconscionable for any Member of Congress to use their personal position to benefit financially, especially in a time where Americans across the country are experiencing financial chaos. Therefore, we urge you to join us in requesting that Members of Congress immediately release their PTRs, rather than the customary 45-day deadline. The American people deserve to know if any representatives took advantage of their positions for personal gain. Further, it is with that in mind that we reiterate our request for immediate consideration of legislation to ban members of Congress from trading stocks.

    We look forward to your prompt attention and action on this matter. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Moore Votes “Yes” on Amended Budget Resolution

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed an amended version of the House budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2025, which first passed the House in February of this year.

    Now that Congress has officially passed a budget, committees will begin the work of drafting the President’s signature legislative package, which they hope to pass via the reconciliation process.

    Congressman Moore issued the following statement:

    “Today’s budget resolution gets us one step closer to delivering on President Trump’s America First Agenda. I’m proud to have supported this bill, which will bolster defense, send needed resources to the border, unleash American energy, and supercharge our economy — all while not touching benefits for those legally eligible to receive them.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Information and Resources for the UConn Community

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Dear Colleagues and Students,

    In light of issues related to immigration enforcement nationally and ongoing discussions around potential policy and legal changes at the federal level in this area, the University has, understandably, received numerous questions and concerns from faculty, staff, and students.

    UConn is a global community with students, faculty, and staff from throughout the world. We want to do all we can to share information and resources that may be useful to those community members who are impacted, or potentially impacted, during this challenging time.

    To that end, we have created a webpage listing helpful legal resources and community partners who can provide assistance to students and employees in need of help related to their immigration status. We will update the site as additional resources are identified.

    One of the questions that is most frequently asked has to do with the University providing or funding legal representation for employees and students who may be accused of being out of compliance with immigration laws.

    The University cannot devote resources to funding or otherwise supporting what would be considered the personal costs of individual students and employees based on their association with UConn. This would be using public resources to provide a private benefit not available to the general public.

    Although the University is prohibited from offering legal representation or financial assistance for legal representation, we remain committed to doing anything we can to support our students, faculty, and staff on this or any issue.

    If an employee requires general guidance about their employment-based visa sponsorship, please do not hesitate to reach out to Alison Cutler or Christene Cooper in Human Resources.

    For such guidance related to student visa sponsorship, please see the Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS) website for information or email International@uconn.edu.

    Thank you for your understanding and continued support for one another during this challenging time.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Oregon State Treasurer Steiner Issues Statement to State Retirement Plan Beneficiaries as Markets Slump Following Federal Tariff Announcements

    Source: US State of Oregon

    regon State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner, MD, asked beneficiaries of state managed retirement funds to remain calm and patient as markets gyrate following the Trump administration’s recent tariff announcements. Treasurer Steiner urged the President to rescind the tariffs that have destabilized the finances of Oregonians and Americans.

    The Oregon State Treasury (OST) manages investments for more than 400,000 beneficiaries of the Oregon Public Employee Retirement Fund (OPERF), 132,000 beneficiaries of OregonSaves (which provides automatic savings for employees of businesses who do not offer a retirement plan) and other savings accounts. In addition, OST manages investments for the Common School Fund and the Short Term Fund, on behalf of schools and state and local agencies. OST has approximately $140 billion in assets under management.

    Treasurer Steiner said:

    ” know that concerns about the unfolding economic situation are weighing on the minds of many Oregonians. I want beneficiaries to know that Treasury stands with you during these difficult times. We know what’s at stake in your savings and we are managing the funds entrusted to us with your long-term well-being foremost in our minds. I ask for your patience as we navigate these rough waters together.

    Treasury’s investment strategies are designed to buffer the impact of market turmoil on the state’s retirement, savings and public agency portfolios. The turmoil of the past week has not spared our funds. Yet, we know that our portfolio is well diversified to withstand these types of market shocks better than less diversified portfolios. We will continue to uphold our fiduciary responsibility to you and put the needs of the people and communities we serve first.

    I once again call on President Trump to change course and revoke these reckless tariffs. The trillions in savings that have evaporated from United States markets in recent days represents the hopes of millions of people saving for retirement, college, the down payment on a house, launching a business or other aspirations.

    I urge the administration to read the room: Markets are tumbling, and consumers are bracing for the fallout by cutting spending. People in our state cannot afford this unwanted and unnecessary $3,800 per household tax hike, especially at a time when half of Oregonians do not have $500 available to handle an emergency. Rescind these tariffs, so Oregonians and Americans can continue to confidently create opportunity and pursue their dreams through hard work and innovation, without the economic pain and uncertainty the administration’s arbitrary and chaotic trade policies have caused.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shapiro-Davis Administration and Statewide Advocates Highlight Victims’ Rights Week, Governor Shapiro’s Proposed $9 Million Investment in Victim Compensation

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    April 10, 2025 – Harrisburg, PA

    Shapiro-Davis Administration and Statewide Advocates Highlight Victims’ Rights Week, Governor Shapiro’s Proposed $9 Million Investment in Victim Compensation

    In honor of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and Office of Victim Advocate, teamed up with statewide victim advocacy organizations to highlight the importance of supporting survivors, raising awareness of their rights, and Governor Shapiro’s proposed $9 million investment in the Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) in the 2025-26 state budget.

    National Crime Victims’ Rights Week highlights the importance of ensuring that victims of crime receive the support, protection, and justice they deserve. Last year, over 323,000 Pennsylvanians were victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, gun violence, assault, human trafficking, homicide, and other crimes.

    “Ensuring that victims are informed, respected, and supported throughout their healing journey is our top priority. No crime victim should have to worry about paying for medical care, no family should face the stress of funeral costs, and no survivor of sexual assault should have to choose between healing and financial hardship,” said Kathy Buckley, Director of PCCD’s Office of Victims’ Services. “This week is about making sure victims know their rights-including their right to financial support to help through some of their most difficult times.”

    Speakers Include:
    Kathy Buckley, Director of the Office of Victims’ Services, PCCD
    Suzanne Estrella, Pennsylvania Victim Advocate
    Rebecca Buckham, Communications Manager, Children’s Advocacy Centers of PA (PennCAC)
    Gabriella Romeo, Public Policy Director, PA Coalition to Advance Respect (PCAR)
    Jenna Mehnert Baker, Policy Director, PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV)

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Hut 8 Schedules First Quarter 2025 Earnings Release and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hut 8 Corp. (Nasdaq | TSX: HUT) (“Hut 8” or the “Company”), an energy infrastructure platform integrating power, digital infrastructure, and compute at scale to fuel next-generation, energy-intensive use cases such as Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing, today announced it will release financial results for the first quarter of 2025 before the market opens on May 8, 2025. The Company will host a conference call and webcast to review the results on the same day at 8:30 a.m. ET.

    Conference Call and Webcast Details

    Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025
    Time: 8:30 a.m. ET

    Investors can join the live webcast here. Analysts can register here.

    Supplemental Materials and Upcoming Communications

    The Company expects to make available on its website materials designed to accompany the discussion of its results, along with certain supplemental financial information and other data. For important news and information regarding the Company, including investor presentations and timing of future investor conferences, visit the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, https://hut8.com/investors, and its social media accounts, including on X and LinkedIn. The Company uses its website and social media accounts as primary channels for disclosing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information.

    About Hut 8

    Hut 8 Corp. is an energy infrastructure platform integrating power, digital infrastructure, and compute at scale to fuel next-generation, energy-intensive use cases such as Bitcoin mining and high-potential computing. We take a power-first, innovation-driven approach to developing, commercializing, and operating the critical infrastructure that underpins the breakthrough technologies of today and tomorrow. Our platform spans 1,020 megawatts of energy capacity under management across 15 sites in the United States and Canada: five ASIC Colocation and Managed Services sites in Alberta, New York, and Texas, five high performance computing data centers in British Columbia and Ontario, four power generation assets in Ontario, and one non-operational site in Alberta. For more information, visit www.hut8.com and follow us on X at @Hut8Corp.

    Hut 8 Corp. Investor Relations
    Sue Ennis
    ir@hut8.com

    Hut 8 Corp. Public Relations
    Gautier Lemyze-Young
    gautier.young@hut8.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sorensen Joins Bipartisan Push to Protect Illinoisians from Trade War

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) has joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in co-sponsoring the Prevent Tariff Abuse Act, a bill aimed at protecting American families, workers, and farmers from unfair and unnecessary tax hikes disguised as “emergency” tariffs. The bill makes it clear that no president should be able to raise taxes on everyday Americans without approval from Congress.

    “Tariffs are taxes—plain and simple—and when presidents abuse their power to impose them without warning, it’s hardworking families and farmers in Central and Northwestern Illinois who pay the price,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen. “This bill protects our communities from skyrocketing prices and economic retaliation. Our small businesses, manufacturers, and agriculture producers deserve a fair and stable economy—not uncertainty created by impulsive decisions made behind closed doors.”

    The Prevent Tariff Abuse Act is a response to recent threats to impose massive tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, China, and even allies in Europe—all without proper Congressional oversight. These actions could lead to the largest tax increase on American consumers in a generation, raising prices on everything from groceries to gas. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo Statement at Nominations Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
    Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) delivered the following remarks at a hearing to consider the nominations of William Kimmitt to serve as Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade and Kenneth Kies to serve as the Assistant Treasury Secretary for Tax Policy.
    As prepared for delivery:
    “This meeting will come to order.  Thank you to our nominees, Mr. Kimmitt and Mr. Kies, for being here today.  Congratulations on your nominations and thank you both for your willingness to serve.
    “Today, we will first hear from William Kimmitt, who is nominated to serve as Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade.
    “If confirmed, Mr. Kimmitt will oversee the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration—or ITA.  Importantly, the ITA promotes market access and redresses unfair trade practices.  Both functions are critical to American prosperity.
    “In terms of market access, American farmers and manufacturers win when they have a chance to compete.  ITA helps to facilitate those opportunities. 
    “Our manufacturing and agricultural industries are second to none and we need to make sure they have opportunities to fairly compete at home and abroad.   
    “Mr. Kimmitt, given your background, I am confident that you will make important contributions to trade.  I look forward to working with you, if confirmed.
    “Moving to the other nominee before us today, Kenneth Kies, who is nominated to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy at the Treasury Department.
    “The Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy is the senior advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury for analyzing, developing and implementing federal tax policies and programs.  Mr. Kies, if confirmed, will be a vital partner in Congress’ efforts to enact pro-growth tax policy and ensure it is properly implemented.
    “My Republican colleagues and I are committed to preventing a $4 trillion-plus tax hike on American families and businesses, and to delivering additional tax relief for middle-class workers and families who have struggled to keep up due to historic inflation over the last four years. 
    “We are also committed to making permanent the proven tax policy of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).  Making this tax policy permanent will provide the certainty that businesses need to make long-term investments that drive growth, and will also provide the stability that families need as they save and plan for the future.
    “Fear-mongering and mischaracterization aside, the generational reforms we made in 2017 strengthened investment, boosted economic growth, increased take-home pay and reduced poverty.
    “The TCJA made the tax code more progressive, helped all Americans keep more of their hard-earned money, and fostered a growing economy that powered median household income to an all-time high. 
    “Permanently extending and building upon our current tax framework is the best way to restore economic prosperity and opportunity for working families.
    “Mr. Kies’ wealth of experience in the world of tax policy makes him eminently qualified to assist us in this effort.  
    “Mr. Kies spent a total of 47 years as a tax attorney.  His experience covers every aspect of the Internal Revenue Code and, since 1981, he has been involved in every significant piece of federal tax legislation.  He also has a first-hand understanding of the legislative process, having served as Chief Tax Counsel on the House Ways and Means Committee and as Chief of Staff on the Joint Committee on Taxation.
    “Mr. Kies, if confirmed, I look forward to working with you to deliver on President Trump’s economic agenda.
    “Thank you again, Mr. Kimmitt and Mr. Kies, for your time today.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Oklahoma City Trio Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Commit Child Sex Trafficking and Witness Tampering

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    OKLAHOMA CITY – ANTWON MONTRELL JACKSON, 43, and SARAH LARAYNA HOLLAND, 39, both of Oklahoma City, have pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit child sex trafficking, and SHANIKKA NICOLE JACKSON, 46, of Las Vegas, Nevada, has pleaded guilty to witness tampering, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

    On February 20, 2025, a federal Grand Jury charged Antwon Jackson and Holland by Second Superseding Indictment with conspiracy to commit child sex trafficking and child sex trafficking. According to the public record, in July 2024, Antwon Jackson was Holland’s pimp, and the two worked together to set up commercial sex acts for both Holland and a minor female, using online advertisements to attract customers. Between July 20, 2024, and July 25, 2024, Holland and the minor engaged in commercial sex dates in multiple cities in the Western District of Oklahoma. Customers would pay for the sex act utilizing CashApp, and the majority of the money went to Antwon Jackson.

    On April 4, 2025, Shanikka Jackson, Antwon Jackson’s sister, was charged by Superseding Information with witness tampering. According to public record, between September 17, 2024, and December 5, 2024, Shanikka Jackson attempted to influence the minor to prevent her from testifying in the pending federal trial of Antwon Jackson.

    Last week, Antwon Jackson and Holland pleaded guilty to Count 1 of the Second Superseding Indictment, and admitted they conspired to sex traffic a minor, set up commercial sex dates for the minor, benefited financially from those dates, and that they knew when they trafficked the minor, she was under 18 years old. Holland admitted she posted the online ads and transported the minor to commercial sex dates. Antwon Jackson admitted he directed Holland to post the ads and communicated with potential customers who had responded to the ads for the minor in an effort to set up dates. 

    Today, Shanikka Jackson pleaded guilty to the Superseding Information, and admitted she attempted to pass a message from Antwon Jackson to the victim, to try and influence the victim not to testify against her brother.

    At sentencing, both Antwon Jackson and Holland face up to life in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000 each. Shanikka Jackson faces up to three years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.

    This case is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Warr Acres Police Department, and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bow Bottomly and Elizabeth Joynes are prosecuting the case.

    Reference is made to public filings for additional information.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: FINWARD BANCORP ANNOUNCES DIVIDEND

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Munster, Ind., April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Finward Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNWD) (the “Bancorp” or “Finward”), the holding company for Peoples Bank (the “Bank”), today announced that on April 9, 2025 the Board of Directors of Finward declared a dividend of $0.12 per share on Finward’s common stock payable on May 12, 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 28, 2025.

    About Finward Bancorp

    Finward Bancorp is a locally managed and independent financial holding company headquartered in Munster, Indiana, whose activities are primarily limited to holding the stock of Peoples Bank. Peoples Bank provides a wide range of personal, business, electronic and wealth management financial services from its 26 locations in Lake and Porter Counties in Northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland area. Finward Bancorp’s common stock is quoted on The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC under the symbol FNWD. The website ibankpeoples.com provides information on Peoples Bank’s products and services, and Finward Bancorp’s investor relations.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This Current Report on Form 8-K may contain forward-looking statements regarding the financial performance, business prospects, growth, and operating strategies of Finward. For these statements, Finward claims the protections of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this communication should be considered in conjunction with the other information available about Finward, including the information in the filings Finward makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Forward-looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not guarantees of future performance. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by using words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance.

    Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include: the Bank’s ability to demonstrate compliance with the terms of the previously disclosed consent order and memorandum of understanding entered into between the Bank and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and Indiana Department of Financial Institutions (“DFI”), or to demonstrate compliance to the satisfaction of the FDIC and/or DFI within prescribed time frames; the Bank’s agreement under the memorandum of understanding to refrain from paying cash dividends without prior regulatory approval; changes in asset quality and credit risk; the inability to sustain revenue and earnings growth; changes in interest rates and capital markets; inflation; customer acceptance of Finward’s products and services; customer borrowing, repayment, investment, and deposit practices; customer disintermediation; the introduction, withdrawal, success, and timing of business initiatives; competitive conditions; the inability to realize cost savings or revenues or to implement integration plans and other consequences associated with mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; economic conditions; and the impact, extent, and timing of technological changes, capital management activities, and other actions of the Federal Reserve Board and legislative and regulatory actions and reforms. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are discussed in Finward’s reports (such as the Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K) filed with the SEC and available at the SEC’s Internet website (www.sec.gov). All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning Finward or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Except as required by law, Finward does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statement is made.

    In addition to the above factors, we also caution that the actual amounts and timing of any future common stock dividends or share repurchases will be subject to various factors, including our capital position, financial performance, capital impacts of strategic initiatives, market conditions, and regulatory and accounting considerations, as well as any other factors that our Board of Directors deems relevant in making such a determination. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will repurchase shares or pay any dividends to the holders of our common stock, or as to the amount of any such repurchases or dividends.

    ###

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
    CONTACT INVESTOR RELATIONS 
    (219) 853-7575

    The MIL Network –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Targa Resources Corp. Declares Increase to Quarterly Common Dividend and Announces Timing of First Quarter 2025 Earnings Webcast

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE: TRGP) (“Targa” or the “Company”) announced today that its board of directors has declared an increase to its quarterly cash dividend to $1.00 per common share, or $4.00 per common share on an annualized basis, for the first quarter of 2025, consistent with previously disclosed expectations. This dividend represents a 33 percent increase over the common dividend declared with respect to the first quarter of 2024. This cash dividend will be paid May 15, 2025 on all outstanding common shares to holders of record as of the close of business on April 30, 2025.

    The Company will report its first quarter 2025 financial results before the market opens for trading on Thursday, May 1, 2025, and will host a live webcast over the internet at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Central Time) to discuss its 2025 first quarter financial results.

    Event Information
    Event: Targa Resources Corp. First Quarter 2025 Earnings Webcast and Presentation
    Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025
    Time: 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time
    Webcast: https://www.targaresources.com/investors/events or directly at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/waa5bt3q

    Replay Information 
    A webcast replay will be available at the link above approximately two hours after the conclusion of the event. A quarterly earnings supplement presentation and updated investor presentation will also be available at https://www.targaresources.com/investors/events.

    About Targa Resources Corp.

    Targa Resources Corp. is a leading provider of midstream services and is one of the largest independent infrastructure companies in North America. The Company owns, operates, acquires and develops a diversified portfolio of complementary domestic midstream infrastructure assets and its operations are critical to the efficient, safe and reliable delivery of energy across the United States and increasingly to the world. The Company’s assets connect natural gas and NGLs to domestic and international markets with growing demand for cleaner fuels and feedstocks. The Company is primarily engaged in the business of: gathering, compressing, treating, processing, transporting, and purchasing and selling natural gas; transporting, storing, fractionating, treating, and purchasing and selling NGLs and NGL products, including services to LPG exporters; and gathering, storing, terminaling, and purchasing and selling crude oil.

    Targa is a FORTUNE 500 company and is included in the S&P 500.

    For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.targaresources.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our projected financial performance, capital spending and payment of future dividends. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, factors and risks, many of which are outside the Company’s control, which could cause results to differ materially from those expected by management of the Company. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, actions by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and non-OPEC oil producing countries, weather, political, economic and market conditions, including a decline in the price and market demand for natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil, the timing and success of our completion of capital projects and business development efforts, the expected growth of volumes on our systems, the impact of significant public health crises, commodity price volatility due to ongoing or new global conflicts, the impact of disruptions in the bank and capital markets, including those resulting from lack of access to liquidity for banking and financial services firms, and other uncertainties. These and other applicable uncertainties, factors and risks are described more fully in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Targa Investor Relations
    InvestorRelations@targaresources.com
    (713) 584-1133

    The MIL Network –

    April 11, 2025
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