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  • MIL-OSI: TC Energy to issue first quarter 2025 results on May 1 and hold annual meeting of common shareholders on May 8

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — News Release – TC Energy Corporation (TSX, NYSE: TRP) (TC Energy or the Company) will release its first quarter 2025 financial results on Thursday, May 1 at 6:30 a.m. MDT / 8:30 a.m. EDT and hold its 2025 annual meeting of common shareholders on Thursday, May 8, at 10 a.m. MDT / 12 p.m. EDT.

    First quarter 2025 financial results
    François Poirier, TC Energy President and Chief Executive Officer, Sean O’Donnell, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, and other members of the executive leadership team will discuss the financial results and Company developments on Thursday, May 1 at 6:30 a.m. MDT / 8:30 a.m. EDT.

    Members of the investment community and other interested parties are invited to participate by calling 1-833-752-3826 (Canada/U.S. toll free) or 1-647-846-8864 (International toll). No passcode is required. Please dial in 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. Alternatively, participants may pre-register for the call here.

    Upon registering, you will receive a calendar booking by email with dial in details and a unique PIN. This process will bypass the operator and avoid the queue. Registration will remain open until the end of the conference call.

    A live webcast of the teleconference will be available on TC Energy’s website at TC Energy – Events and presentations or via the following URL: https://www.gowebcasting.com/13942. The webcast will be available for replay following the meeting.

    A replay of the teleconference will be available two hours after the conclusion of the call until midnight EDT on May 8, 2025. Please call 1-855-669-9658 (Canada/U.S. toll free) or 1-412-317-0088 (International toll) and enter passcode 6585702.

    2025 annual meeting
    TC Energy is also pleased to announce that it has filed its 2025 Management Information Circular, along with the related meeting and proxy materials, for its annual meeting of common shareholders (the Meeting) to be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 10 a.m. MDT / 12 p.m. EDT. The Meeting will be held in a virtual-only format via live video webcast. The webcast, including the live question and answer session, will be recorded and archived for replay following the Meeting.

    The 2025 Management Information Circular, including information on the business of the Meeting, is available on our website at www.tcenergy.com and under TC Energy’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

    For more information on participating in the live virtual meeting, please visit the annual meeting page on our website at 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

    About TC Energy
    We’re a team of 6,500+ energy problem solvers connecting the world to the energy it needs. Our extensive network of natural gas infrastructure assets is one-of-a-kind. We seamlessly move, generate and store energy and deliver it to where it is needed most, to homes and businesses in North America and across the globe through LNG exports. Our natural gas assets are complemented by our strategic ownership and low-risk investments in power generation.

    TC Energy’s common shares trade on the Toronto (TSX) and New York (NYSE) stock exchanges under the symbol TRP. To learn more, visit us at TCEnergy.com.

    FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
    This release contains certain information that is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties (such statements are usually accompanied by words such as “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “estimate”, “intend” or other similar words). Forward-looking statements in this document are intended to provide TC Energy security holders and potential investors with information regarding TC Energy and its subsidiaries, including management’s assessment of TC Energy’s and its subsidiaries’ future plans and financial outlook. All forward-looking statements reflect TC Energy’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements were made and as such are not guarantees of future performance. As actual results could vary significantly from the forward-looking information, you should not put undue reliance on forward-looking information and should not use future-oriented information or financial outlooks for anything other than their intended purpose. We do not update our forward-looking information due to new information or future events, unless we are required to by law. For additional information on the assumptions made, and the risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the anticipated results, refer to the most recent Quarterly Report to Shareholders and Annual Report filed under TC Energy’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

    -30-

    Media Inquiries:
    Media Relations
    media@tcenergy.com
    403-920-7859 or 800-608-7859

    Investor & Analyst Inquiries:
    Gavin Wylie / Hunter Mau
    investor_relations@tcenergy.com
    403-920-7911 or 800-361-6522

    PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/0c6d0642-71b0-458e-815f-875a1bcf958b

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: While Trump, Republicans, RFK, Jr. Dismantle HHS, Pressley, Warren Re-Introduce Bill to Confront Racism as a Public Health Crisis

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    Anti-Racism in Public Health Act Would Require Federal Government to Actively Develop Anti-Racist Health Policy

    Bill Text (PDF)

    WASHINGTON – Today, with Trump and Republicans continuing their coordinated attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and RFK, Jr. dismantling the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including closing the Office of Minority Health, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) are re-introducing the Anti-Racism in Public Health Act of 2025, legislation that would declare racism a public health crisis and require the federal government to actively develop anti-racist health policy. The bill would help expand research and investment into the public health impacts of structural racism through two bold new programs within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    “While Trump and Republicans embolden white supremacy and carry out their coordinated assault on Black, brown, and other marginalized communities, we must continue pushing back and advancing an affirmative, anti-racist agenda that addresses racism as the public health crisis that it is,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. “By expanding research into the public health impacts of structural racism and requiring the federal government to develop anti-racist health policy, our bill is the type of responsive legislation the moment demands. I’m grateful to Senator Warren for her ongoing partnership as we continue working to dismantle centuries of racism in our public health system.”

    “For centuries, racism has denied Black and Brown mothers life-saving care during pregnancies and led to higher rates of chronic illness like diabetes and asthma,” said Senator Warren. “We’re renewing the fight to tackle racial disparities head-on and give everyone a chance at a healthy life.”

    In addition to researching of the impacts of structural racism on public health, the Anti-Racism in Public Health Act would:  

    • Create a “National Center for Anti-Racism” at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to declare racism as the public health crisis that it is and further develop the research base and knowledge of the science and practice of anti-racism. The Center would be responsible for:
      • Conducting research, collecting data, awarding grants, and providing leadership and coordination on the science and practice of anti-racism in the provision of health care, the public health impacts of systemic racism, and the effectiveness of interventions to address these impacts; 
      • Creating at least three regional centers of excellence in anti-racism; 
      • Educating the public on the public health impacts of structural racism and anti-racist public health interventions; 
      • Consulting with other Centers at the CDC to ensure that scientific and programmatic activities initiated by the agency consider structural racism in their designs, conceptualizations, and executions; and 
    • Create a Law Enforcement Violence Prevention Program within the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the CDC. Physical and psychological violence perpetuated by law enforcement results in deaths, injuries, trauma, and stress, and disproportionately affects marginalized populations. This bill would take a public health approach to combating police brutality by creating a dedicated law enforcement violence prevention program at the CDC.

    In October 2022, as a result of the lawmakers’ introduction of the Anti-Racism in Public Health Act, HHS awarded $493,000 to the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) to support their efforts to address homelessness and substance use disorder policies that create or perpetuate health disparities and contribute to structural racism.

    Joining Pressley and Warren in introducing the Anti-Racism in Public Health Act are Representatives Joyce Beatty, Shontel Brown, André Carson, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Dwight Evans, Hank Johnson, Jennifer McClellan, Jerry Nadler, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Mark Pocan, Delia C. Ramirez, Jan Schakowsky, Terri Sewell, Adam Smith, Melanie Stansbury, Mark Takano, Bennie G. Thompson, Ritchie Torres, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Bonnie Watson Coleman.

    The legislation is endorsed by the following organizations: Columbia NOW, SC; Power to Decide; Public Citizen; National Council of Jewish Women; YW Boston; Physicians for a National Health Program; Center for Policing Equity; Justice in Aging; Feminist Women’s Health Center; Guttmacher Institute; Center for Reproductive Rights; Diversity Uplifts, Inc.; Every Mother Counts; Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals; and Boston Medical Center.

    A copy of the bill text can be found here.

    In November 2022, Rep. Pressley, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission Dr. Bisola Ojikutu held a roundtable discussion with public health advocates to highlight the nearly $493,000 in new federal funding to help Boston address the public health impacts of structural racism.

    In October 2022, Rep. Pressley, Senator Warren, and Congresswoman Barbara Lee applauded the new funding for BPHC, which was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) alongside nine other grants to community organizations across the country. In total, HHS awarded over $4.8 million to support local efforts to address policies that may create or perpetuate health disparities and contribute to structural racism.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Care within sight: How technology is making healthcare more accessible

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Care within sight: How technology is making healthcare more accessible

    (left) Illustration of an optics diagram published in 1894. (center) Dr. Sunil Gupta holds a mobile retinal scan device powered by IRIS software, standing next to a projection showing the results of a recent exam. (right) Ophthalmic vision test showing letters and numbers at varying sizes to determine a patient’s strength of vision.

    In 2020, IRIS was selected as a recipient of the Microsoft AI for Health Initiative grant. This collaboration provides IRIS with access to advanced AI tools and Azure computing resources, further enhancing their diagnostic solutions. Deep learning has presented significant opportunities for the automated detection of retinal diseases, including DR. This approach allows for rapid and accurate detection of potential diseases, often within seconds, and facilitating immediate follow-up and treatment decisions. Research suggests that retinal screening using digital photography and telemedicine can lead to early detection, potentially preventing over 90% of DR cases.

    The IRIS software allows healthcare providers at various levels of training to conduct retinal scans and return a diagnosis quickly. After capturing the images, they are securely uploaded to the IRIS platform, enhanced for clarity, and reviewed remotely by a licensed eyecare professional at the IRIS Reading Center. Diagnosis results, including images and reports, are then added to the patient’s health record, enabling referrals to specialists if needed.

    Advancements in telemedicine now enable remote consultations, offering care without the need to visit an eye doctor in person. This is notable given that there are approximately 200,000 ophthalmologists worldwide, and roughly 20,000 currently practicing in the United States, with some states lacking any. IRIS software is part of that solution by creating a new model where skilled health workers can travel to a person’s home to capture the retinal scans and submit them for a timely diagnosis, reducing the strain on patients to make special trips to the closest doctor. Consequently, nearly 30 million individuals in the United States with diabetes may receive more timely diagnosis and treatment.

    In West Virginia, a small community hospital achieved notable success by integrating IRIS technology. Within 13 months, they conducted over 1,500 exams, detecting diabetic retinopathy in 16.17% of patients and other eye conditions in 24.4%. This program improved patient outcomes and satisfaction by making screenings more accessible and convenient, significantly impacting patients.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cramer, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Make Adoption Tax Credit Refundable

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – To support families choosing adoption, the existing Adoption Tax Credit allows adoptive families to deduct up to $16,810 in qualified expenses. The tax credit eases the financial cost of adoption and supports prospective and adoptive families.

    U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), co-chairs of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, with U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM),  introduced the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act to restore the refundable portion of the Adoption Tax Credit. By allowing the tax credit to be refundable, families will be able to access the full amount as a refund, even if the credit exceeds a family’s tax burden. The credit was previously refundable in 2010 and 2011.

    “Adoption is a true joy for families, but it is not without significant financial cost,” said Cramer. “Our bill will make the credit refundable to help all adoptive families access the full amount of the adoption tax credit, regardless of their tax burden. Support for adoptive families is essential to ensure more children find the stable, loving home they deserve.”

    “Minnesotans have a long and proud tradition of adoption to welcome children into safe and loving homes,” said Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan legislation will allow more families to access the full adoption tax credit, helping ensure a smooth and successful transition for children and families. As co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I’ll keep working to improve the adoption process and help every child find the permanent home they deserve.”

    “Offering permanent homes to adoptive children strengthens families and is a blessing,” said Blackburn. “The Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act would reduce the financial burden of adoption and make adoption more accessible.”

    “For families across the country, adoption is a blessing that provides children with a loving, stable home,” said Luján. “Families should not face steep financial costs for opening their arms and offering a permanent home to adoptive children. That is why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act to lower the financial cost of adoption and help more children find loving homes.”

    Senate cosponsors include U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-SC), Mark Warner (D-VA), James Lankford (R-OK), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angus King (I-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ). The legislation was also introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07), Blake Moore (R-UT-01), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Don Beyer (D-VA-08), and Robert Aderholt (R-AL-04).

    This legislation is endorsed by the Adoption Tax Credit Working Group Executive Committee and 100 national, state, and local groups.

    Click here for bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lee, Tuberville Introduce Legislation to Repurpose Woke USAID Funding to Improve Veterans’ Homes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee

    WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) introduced the Veterans First Act of 2025, which will redirect wasteful taxpayer funding previously allocated for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to instead pay for outstanding repairs in state veterans’ homes. This legislation follows the Trump administration’s actions to largely shut down USAID after it was revealed that the agency was using taxpayer funds to pay for radical leftist priorities. Rep. Dave Taylor (R-OH) leads the effort in the U.S. House of Representatives.

    “Our bill takes 2 billion dollars that was going to be thrown into the USAID money pit and distributed to radical progressive causes across the globe, and instead puts it toward desperately needed housing and hospitals for the men and women who defend America,” said Senator Lee. “We should put our veterans before any foreign interests or organizations.” 

     “Let’s be honest, USAID was largely being used as a Democrat slush fund under Joe Biden,” said Sen. Tuberville. “We don’t need to waste BILLIONS of taxpayer dollars on research in Wuhan or transgender operas in Colombia when our own veterans are living in horrible conditions. There are more than 160 state veteran homes across the country that provide long-term care to eligible military veterans. The VA currently offers construction grants that cover up to 65% of renovation costs, but funding constraints can cause years of delays for homes that are waiting to receive federal funds to match the funds approved at the state level. This critical legislation would provide sufficient federal funding to cover all outstanding Priority 1 VA State Home Construction projects that already have the state-matching funds. Our veteran heroes were willing to lay down their lives for our freedom. The least we can do is make sure they have a decent place to call home.

     “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, taxpayer dollars were wastefully sent overseas to fund DEI initiatives while the pressing needs of veterans here at home were ignored,” said Rep. Taylor. “Under President Trump, Republicans are getting our Nation’s priorities straight and our Heroes are at the top of the list. I am proud to lead this bill to ensure State Veterans Homes across our country are equipped with the funding to meet our veterans’ needs.”

     The Veterans First Act of 2025 would:

    • Redirect $2 billion of USAID funds toward State Veteran Home repairs and renovations,
    • Provide sufficient funding to cover all outstanding Priority 1 VA State Home construction grants,
      • These are ready-to-go projects that already possess state-matching funds and are only awaiting federal matching funds to being work.
    • Put America’s veterans first and reorient our nation’s spending priorities.

    Read full text of the legislation here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Bombardment, deprivation and displacement continue in Gaza

    Source: United Nations 2

    Humanitarian Aid

    Hostilities across the Gaza Strip continue to take a devastating toll on the population, with daily reports of Israeli strikes killing and injuring many civilians, UN aid coordination office OCHA said on Thursday. 

    OCHA said dozens of people, including at least eight children, were killed in Gaza City on Wednesday after an Israeli strike hit a residential building. Many others are still missing under the rubble. 

    The agency stressed that civilians must be protected and should never be a target.

    Medical evacuations and displacement orders

    Israel’s total blockade on all commercial and lifesaving relief supplies remains in place, though the World Health Organization (WHO) pointed to some good news as 18 Gazans were medically evacuated for specialized treatment abroad. 

    The patients along with nearly 30 companions headed for Norway, Malta, Luxembourg and Romania via the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza on Wednesday.

    WHO noted, however, that some 12,500 patients in the enclave still need to be evacuated.

    Access to healthcare facilities has been impacted by displacement orders issued by the Israeli military and the safety of healthcare workers remains at risk.

    At least two medical professionals were reported killed as they left their health facility in Gaza City on Monday, according to OCHA.

    Today, 12 out of 17 hospitals in the Gaza Strip are partially functional and there is only one field hospital. 

    Blockade’s devastating impacts

    WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the dire health conditions in a media briefing on Thursday.

    He said the blockade, which took effect on 2 March, has prevented the entry of all food and medicine. Additionally, 75 per cent of UN missions within Gaza over the past week were denied or impeded.

    “This blockade is leaving families hungry, malnourished, without clean water, shelter, and adequate healthcare, and increasing the risk of disease and death,” he said, speaking from WHO Headquarters in Geneva.

    He noted that during the recent “precious ceasefire” WHO was able to re-supply the Gaza health system as well as its warehouses. Stocks are now dangerously low and will run out within two to four weeks.

    Healthcare under attack

    Tedros said that “180,000 doses of routine childhood vaccines – enough to fully protect 60,000 children under the age of two – have not been allowed to enter, leaving newborns and young children at risk.”

    Furthermore, it is estimated that since the ceasefire collapsed, almost 1,500 people have been killed, including 500 children, and almost 400,000 people have been displaced again.

    “The health system is only functioning partially and is overwhelmed. Meanwhile, healthcare continues to be attacked,” Tedros said, recalling that more than 400 humanitarians have been killed since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023, following the deadly Hamas terror attacks in southern Israel.

    Looting on the rise

    As supplies inside the Gaza Strip near exhaustion and the situation becomes increasingly dire, there has been an increase in looting in recent days, OCHA said.  

    Several incidents were reported in Rafah, and Deir Al-Balah, and Al Zawaida earlier this week.

    OCHA once again reiterated the urgency of re-opening crossings to allow the entry of critical supplies. 

    Children going hungry

    Currently, more than 60,000 children are reportedly suffering from malnutrition at a time when community kitchens are rapidly running out of fuel and supplies.   

    Humanitarian partners are also warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. 

    “The loss of water – together with the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock – are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations,” OCHA said.

    This week, humanitarian partners also identified more than a dozen unaccompanied and separated children and are doing everything possible to reunite them with their families. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Sorry gamers, Nintendo’s hefty Switch 2 price tag signals the new normal – and it might still go up

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Egliston, Senior Lecturer in Digital Cultures, Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow, University of Sydney

    Last week, Nintendo announced the June 5 release of its long anticipated Switch 2. But the biggest talking point wasn’t the console’s launch titles or features. At US$449 in the United States, and A$699 in Australia, many were struck by the steep cost.

    However, this price doesn’t seem quite as high once you compare it to the broader history of hardware pricing. And it may still go up.

    History of Nintendo pricing

    The original NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) console cost US$179 when it was released in 1985. That’s US$525, or A$590, adjusted for 2025 inflation.

    But other consoles have been even pricier. The PlayStation 3 launched in North America in 2006 at around US$499 (US$782 today). When it launched in Australia the next year, it retailed at A$999 (upwards of A$1500 today).

    Nintendo’s main competitors are Sony (Xbox) and Microsoft (PlayStation). Both are subsidised by their broader media and technology businesses, which means they can afford to make higher-cost consoles, and even take losses on console sales.

    The Xbox Series X and Playstation 5 both launched in Australia for A$749 in 2020.
    Shutterstock

    Compared to Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft depend more heavily on licensing third-party content and offering subscription services, such as Xbox Game Pass, to drive recurring revenue.

    Nintendo’s business model, by contrast, revolves around selling both its consoles and original “first-party” titles.

    Nintendo also takes a different approach to console development, by prioritising lower-spec, lower-cost hardware aimed at a broader and often more casual audience. The company has typically made profits on both its hardware and software (particularly its first-party games).

    Our research suggests many players appreciate this strategy. Rather than competing directly with Sony and Microsoft on technical performance, they felt Nintendo focused on delivering fun and accessible experiences through affordable technology.

    Still, the current economic conditions make the Switch 2’s price hard to swallow. With the rising cost of living and stagnant wages, even historically “normal” prices can feel out of reach.

    The tariff question

    Why is Nintendo increasing the price of Switch 2 – especially given the enormous commercial success of the original 2017 Switch at its lower price point of US$299 and A$469?

    The Switch 2 release was announced on the same day the Trump administration unveiled plans for sweeping new tariffs, including a proposed minimum 10% tariff on all imports (and higher on Vietnam, China and Cambodia, where Nintendo manufactures its consoles).

    Doug Bowser, president at Nintendo of America, has claimed tariffs “weren’t factored into the pricing” of the Switch 2.

    But it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which Nintendo simply absorbs those costs. The company has historically maintained positive margins on hardware. It is also famously conservative when it comes to its pricing strategy.

    Not just tariffs — and not just Nintendo

    The Switch 2’s price tag is a window into broader shifts in the business of games. Games are more popular than ever. And apart from a small dip in 2022, they’re making more money than ever.

    But they’re also more expensive to make. Reports claim Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War had a combined development and marketing budget of around US$700 million.

    Low interest rates, particularly during the pandemic, meant rising production costs could be offset by cheap money from big publishing, technology, and entertainment conglomerates investing in videogame companies.

    Venture capital firms and tech giants alike piled in. The result was huge growth for the industry, as well as some blockbuster mergers.

    But the era of near-zero interest rates is no more – and the flow of money that once covered soaring development costs is slowing down.

    Gaming companies have responded with mass layoffs, further exacerbated by exuberance (largely from management) for artificial intelligence to increase efficiency. Beyond this, they are turning to more aggressive monetisation strategies.

    Games such as Fortnite and Call of Duty don’t just make money from sales. They keep players inside their ecosystems, spending money over time.

    Research has shown developers are increasingly designing games for ongoing user monestisation,
    whether through micro-transactions, battle passes, extra downloadable content, subscriptions or in-game advertising.



    Read more:
    ‘Literally just child gambling’: what kids say about Roblox, lootboxes and money in online games

    What happens next?

    Between tariffs, inflation and rising game development costs, the US$450 Switch 2 (and its US$80/A$110 games) may just be the beginning. In the short term, we’re likely to see higher prices for both consoles and games.

    The effects of US tariffs on Switch 2 pricing in Australia remain unclear. However, the Australian dollar’s recent roller coaster ride, partly driven by uncertainty over US tariffs, could mean further price hikes to offset increased import costs.

    We saw Sony adjust prices for the PS5 mid-generation in response to production costs. There’s no reason to assume the Switch 2 price will remain static.

    In the longer term, we’re entering a market where the line between “freemium” and “premium” continues to blur. Premium games now often come with built-in expectations of ongoing monetisation, moving away from one-off sales.

    Platform holders such as Nintendo remained notable exceptions, favouring upfront pricing and self-contained experiences. Although they, too, may gradually shift away from this.

    Ben Egliston is a recipient of funding from the Australian Research Council (DE240101275, DP250100343). He has previously received funding from Meta and TikTok.

    Taylor Hardwick is employed under funding by the Australian Research Council (FF220100076; DE240101275). She is a board member of both Freeplay, a Melbourne-based independent games festival, and the Digital Games Research Association of Australia.

    Tianyi Zhangshao does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Sorry gamers, Nintendo’s hefty Switch 2 price tag signals the new normal – and it might still go up – https://theconversation.com/sorry-gamers-nintendos-hefty-switch-2-price-tag-signals-the-new-normal-and-it-might-still-go-up-254063

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: As more communities have to consider relocation, we explore what happens to the land after people leave

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christina Hanna, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Planning, University of Waikato

    Christina Hanna, CC BY-SA

    Once floodwaters subside, talk of planned retreat inevitably rises.

    Within Aotearoa New Zealand, several communities from north to south – including Kumeū, Kawatiri Westport and parts of Ōtepoti Dunedin – are considering future relocations while others are completing property buyouts and categorisations.

    Planned retreats may reduce exposure to harm, but the social and cultural burdens of dislocation from land and home are complex. Planning, funding and physically relocating or removing homes, taonga or assets – and even entire towns – is challenging.

    Internationally, research has focused on why, when and how planned retreats occur, as well as who pays. But we explore what happens to the places we retreat from.

    Our latest research examines 161 international case studies of planned retreat. We analysed what happens beyond retreat, revealing how land use has changed following withdrawal of human activities.

    We found a wide range of land use following retreat. In some cases, comprehensive planning for future uses of land was part of the retreat process. But in others we found a failure to consider these changing places.

    Planned retreats have happened in response to various climate and hazard risks, including sea-level rise and coastal erosion, tsunami, cyclones, earthquakes, floods and landslides.

    The case studies we investigated range from gradual transitions to sudden changes, such as from residential or business activities to conservation or vacant lands. In some cases, “sea change” is evident, where once dry land becomes foreshore and seabed.

    Through our research, we identified global “retreat legacies”. These themes demonstrate how communities across the world have sought similar outcomes, highlighting primary land-use patterns following retreat.

    Case studies reveal several themes in what happens to land after people withdraw.
    Hanna,C, White I,Cretney, R, Wallace, P, CC BY-SA

    Nature legacies

    The case studies show significant conversions of private to public land, with new nature and open-space reserves. Sites have been rehabilitated and floodplains and coastal ecosystems restored and reconnected.

    Open spaces are used for various purposes, including as nature, community, stormwater or passive recreational reserves. Some of these new zones may restrict structures or certain activities, depending on the risk.

    For example, due to debris flow hazard in Matatā in the Bay of Plenty, only transitory recreation or specific low-risk activities are allowed in the post-retreat environment because of the high risk to human life.

    Planning and investment in new open-space zones range from basic rehabilitation (grassed sites) to established parks and reserves, such as the Grand Forks riverfront greenway which borders rivers in the twin US cities of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and East Grand Forks, Minnesota. This area now hosts various recreational courses and connected trails as well as major flood protection measures.

    Project Twin Streams has transformed former residential sites to allow rivers to roam in the floodplain.
    Wikimedia Commons/Ingolfson, CC BY-SA

    Nature-based adaptations are a key function in this retreat legacy. For example, Project Twin Streams, a large-scale environmental restoration project in Waitakere, West Auckland, has transformed former residential sites into drainage reserves to make room for rivers in the floodplain.

    Importantly, not all retreats require significant land-use change. Continued farming, heritage preservation and cultural activities show that planned retreats are not always full and final withdrawals from a place.

    Instead, they represent an adapted relationship. While sensitive activities are relocated, other practices may remain, such as residents’ continued access to the old village of Vunidogoloa in Fiji for fishing and farming.

    Social and economic legacies

    Urban development in a small number of retreated sites has involved comprehensive spatial reorganisation, with planning for new urban esplanades, improved infrastructure and cultural amenities.

    One example is the comprehensive infrastructure masterplan for the Caño Martín Peña district in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which involves communities living along a tidal channel. The plan applied a community-first approach to retreat. It integrated infrastructure, housing, open space, flood mitigation and ecological planning.

    Alternatively, the decision to remove stopbanks and return the landscape to a “waterscape” can become a tourism feature, such as in the marshlands of the Biesbosch National Park in the Netherlands. A museum is dedicated to the transformed environment.

    The Biesbosch marshland nature reserve was created following historic flooding.
    Shutterstock/Rudmer Zwerver

    Where there was no post-retreat planning or site rehabilitation, ghost towns such as Missouri’s Pattonsburg leave eerie reminders of the costs of living in danger zones.

    Vacant and abandoned sites also raise environmental justice and ecological concerns about which retreat spaces are invested in and rehabilitated to avoid urban blight and environmental risks. Retreat sites may include landfills or contaminated land, requiring major site rehabilitation.

    The 12 case studies from Aotearoa New Zealand demonstrate a range of new land uses. These include new open-space reserves, the restoration of floodplains and coastal environments, risk mitigation and re-development, and protection measures such as stopbanks.

    Moving beyond retreat

    Our research highlights how planned retreats can create a transition in landscapes, with potential for a new sense of place, meaning and strategic adaptation.

    We found planned retreats have impacts beyond the retreat site, which reinforces the value of spatial planning.

    The definition and practices of “planned or managed retreat” must include early planning to account of the values and uses the land once had. Any reconfigurations of land and seascapes must imagine a future well beyond people’s retreat.

    Christina Hanna received funding from the national science challenge Resilience to Nature’s Challenges Kia manawaroa – Ngā Ākina o Te Ao Tūroa and from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Endeavour Fund.

    Iain White received funding from the national science challenge Resilience to Nature’s Challenges Kia manawaroa – Ngā Ākina o Te Ao Tūroa, from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Endeavour Fund and from the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake. He is New Zealand’s national contact point for climate, energy and mobility for the European Union’s Horizon Europe research program.

    Raven Cretney received funding from the national science challenge Resilience to Nature’s Challenges Kia manawaroa – Ngā Ākina o Te Ao Tūroa.

    Pip Wallace does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. As more communities have to consider relocation, we explore what happens to the land after people leave – https://theconversation.com/as-more-communities-have-to-consider-relocation-we-explore-what-happens-to-the-land-after-people-leave-253653

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Press Briefing – April 10, 2025

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Spokesperson Tammy Bruce leads the Department Press Briefing, at the Department of State, on April 10, 2025.

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    X: https://x.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
    Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56iOof8AidY

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Statement on Trump’s Chaotic Tariff Pause

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    WASHINGTON, DC — In an overdue reversal, President Donald Trump abruptly announced via his social media platform today that he ordered a pause of his tariffs regime for 90 days.  U.S. Senator Jack Reed reacted to the news by stating:
    “After causing a financial disaster, President Trump came to his senses and realized what Democrats, small businesses, working families, Main Street and Wall Street have told him all along: his blanket tariff tax regime meant higher prices, fewer jobs, and a likely recession. 
    “It was clear from the get go that the Trump Administration hadn’t done its homework on tariffs.  They literally miscalculated on the math and threw the global economy into disarray.  Due to the Trump Administration’s recklessness, our economy shed trillions of dollars and consumers and businesses were left holding the bag for higher prices.  President Trump is directly to blame.  He created these tariffs out of thin air and chose to put them on American consumers.  This was an ‘own goal’ of historic proportions.  The American people deserve better.”  
    In response to Trump implementing his tariff taxes last week, U.S. financial markets acted with volatility, triggering the loss of trillions of dollars.  Today’s abrupt announcement of the pause seemed to tamp down the economic chaos, but the President’s reckless tariff and economic policy has created significant uncertainty for businesses and financial markets and continues to put our economy at risk.  Senator Reed supports legislation to end the ‘Trump sales tax’ on imported goods and restore Congress’ constitutional authority over tariffs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Cortez Masto Reintroduce Legislation to Combat Organized Retail Theft

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to crack down on flash mob robberies and intricate retail theft schemes. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 would establish a coordinated multi-agency response and create new tools to tackle evolving trends in organized retail theft.

    “Retail crime has cost Iowa billions, and it’s even worse across the nation. Organized theft rings deploy innovative tactics to pilfer goods, and it’s causing financial harm to businesses, putting employees and consumers at risk and funding transnational criminal organizations throughout the world. It’s time for the law to catch up and prevent criminals from exploiting the internet and online marketplaces. Our bill improves the federal response to organized retail crime and establishes new tools to recover stolen goods and illicit proceeds, and deter future attacks on American retailers,” Grassley said.  

    “Large criminal organizations are constantly evolving their tactics to steal goods from retailers and the supply chain in communities across the Silver State,” said Cortez Masto. “The rise in organized retail crime has left businesses scrambling, and it is time for Congress to pass this bipartisan legislation to help law enforcement agencies keep our communities safe.” 

    According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), more than 84 percent of retailers report that violence and aggression from criminal activities has become more of a concern since 2022, resulting in injuries and deaths among employees, customers, security officers and law enforcement personnel. NRF also estimates that larceny incidents increased by 93 percent in 2023 compared to 2019. In recent years, criminal organizations have increasingly turned to retail crime to generate illicit profits, using internet-based tools to organize flash mobs, sell stolen goods and move money.  

    The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act would establish an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security that combines expertise from state and local law enforcement agencies, as well as retail industry representatives. The bill would also create new tools to assist in federal investigation and prosecution of organized retail crime, and help recapture lost goods and proceeds.

    Additional cosponsors include Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

    The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act is supported by the National Retail Federation (NRF), United Postal Service (UPS), Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), Association of American Railroads (AAR), Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), American Trucking Associations, Retail Industry Leaders Association, Reusable Packaging Association (RPA), the Home Depot, Iowa Soybean Association and National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC).

    “NRF applauds Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., for their continued leadership to address one of retail’s biggest challenges, the rise of organized retail crime. ORC is a multibillion-dollar crisis impacting retailers, their associates and the customers they serve. ORC is occurring across the retail enterprise – supply chains, bricks-and-mortar stores, warehouses and online – with stolen product sold for a profit, oftentimes to fund other crimes. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 will align efforts within a new Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center to ensure that resources and information-sharing will be available across local, state, federal and private-sector partners to bring cases and prosecutions against organized theft groups. This legislation is an important step to help prevent ORC from infiltrating local communities across the country,” said NRF Executive Vice President of Government Relations David French.

    “UPS supports the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act as it provides the necessary resources and coordination to protect the movement of American goods throughout our country while safeguarding the integrity of our national supply chain from rail to road, to retail,” said President of UPS Global Public Affairs Michael Kiely.

    “Organized cargo theft and fraud disrupt intermodal freight supply chains, risk the safety of our workforce, and harm the U.S. economy. The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) applauds Senator Grassley, Senator Cortez Masto, Congressman Joyce, and Congresswoman Lee for their leadership in championing critical legislation to address this urgent threat. The bipartisan Combating Organized Retail Crime Act will provide important resources to detect and fight organized crime throughout the supply chain, ensuring that our industry can continue delivering goods to American consumers safely and efficiently,” said Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) President & CEO Anne Reinke.

    “Highly motivated and sophisticated criminal networks continue to wreak havoc on communities, retailers and employees across America. They are targeting retailers through brazen organized retail crime schemes, defrauding customers via gift card scams and attacking our supply chains by hijacking our rails and truck shipments. Dismantling these organized criminal rings requires cooperation and collaboration. RILA applauds Sens. Grassley and Cortez Masto for their leadership and commitment to enacting the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), which brings federal, state, and local law enforcement together to intercept and prosecute these criminal enterprises. RILA looks forward to working with them to get this critical piece of legislation signed into law,” said Retail Industry Leaders Association Senior Executive Vice President of Public Affairs Michael Hanson.

    “Organized criminal operations continue to evolve and escalate their targeted attacks against our nation’s supply chain and retailers,” said Association of American Railroads President and CEO Ian Jefferies. “This alarming trend affects every industry — including the nation’s largest railroads, which experienced a 40% spike in cargo theft last year. Disrupting these organized crime networks requires a unified, federally led response. Chairman Grassley and Rep. Joyce’s bipartisan legislation provides the strategic framework necessary to disrupt these criminal networks and safeguard our supply chain.”

    “The trucking industry takes great pride in delivering America’s freight safely and on time; however, the billions of tons of goods transported by trucks from coast to coast have increasingly become a prime target for organized crime rings, including transnational organizations, putting truck drivers at risk and raising costs for consumers,” said American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear. “ATA commends this bipartisan group of leaders for addressing this alarming trend and safeguarding our supply chain. By empowering federal agencies to improve cooperation across jurisdictions and ramp up enforcement actions, this bill would strike an effective blow against organized crime.”

    “Across the United States, communities small and large are facing an unprecedented number of Organized Retail Crime (ORC) incidents. The Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act would provide the necessary resources to bring the people and organizations behind this nationwide problem to justice by establishing formal coordination between law enforcement and the private sector,” said ICSC President and CEO, Tom McGee. “We applaud Senators Grassley and Cortez Masto for reintroducing the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act. We believe the bill represents a huge step in the right direction towards addressing this growing issue.”

    “We welcome the bipartisan action led by Senators Grassley and Cantwell and Representatives Bacon, Gottheimer, Hurd and Meeks to reassert Congressional authority over the tariff process. While we support the Administration’s efforts to grow our economy, we also believe that Congress has a critical role to play in setting trade policy and has clear Article 1 authority to set duties and taxes,” said National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for Global Trade Policy Tiffany Smith.

    Background:

    Grassley and Cortez Masto introduced similar legislation in 2022 and 2023. On Fight Retail Crime Day in 2023, Grassley held a press conference alongside the National Retail Federation and congressional cosponsors to push for passage of the legislation. 

    At a roundtable in Iowa, Grassley met with a group of local, state and federal officials to explore the shadowy ties between a spike in organized retail crime and the illicit drug trade.

    In December of 2021, Grassley called on the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security to prioritize a response to organized retail crimes.  

    Legislative text is available HERE. A summary of the bill is available HERE.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Jordan, Lee and Fitzgerald Launch Bicameral Investigation into Potential Ivy League Tuition Pricing Collusion

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) are inspecting the tuition pricing practices of Ivy League member institutions. The chairmen are joined by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, and Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform and Antitrust.

    “We are particularly concerned that Ivy League member institutions appear to collectively raise tuition prices while engaging in price discrimination by offering selective financial aid packages to maximize profit. These institutions establish the industry standard for tuition pricing, creating an umbrella effect for all colleges and universities to justify higher tuition costs than they could otherwise charge in a competitive market,” the lawmakers wrote.

    “The structure and operation of the higher education market strongly suggests the market is not functioning properly and is subject to widespread violations of antitrust laws,” the lawmakers continued.

    The lawmakers sent letters to eight Ivy League universities requesting documents and communications regarding their apparent collusion to raise tuition prices. They contend that the Ivy Leagues’ anti-competitive agreements, use of shared admissions algorithms and ongoing coordination with third parties – such as the College Board and the Common Application – may violate federal antitrust law.

    Their letters follow:

    Background:

    Federal antitrust law prohibits:

    • Certain agreements among competitors that limit competition on price, output or quality of services;
    • Coordination with noncompetitor third parties to facilitate collusion;
    • Businesses from locking consumers into one market, and then forcing consumers to purchase related goods and services in a secondary market; and
    • Certain members of boards of directors from sitting on the boards of competitors.

    There are significant concerns that Ivy League member institutions’ coordinated practices and alleged collusion violate federal antitrust law, and that these institutions continue to benefit from prior collusion, despite Congress sunsetting their antitrust exemption in 2022.

    Additionally, the lawmakers warn:

    • Despite a steady increase in consumer demand and massive endowments that grow yearly, universities continue to limit output and drive prices higher.
    • Binding early decision programs may eliminate students’ ability to receive and compare competing financial aid offers.
    • Institutions requiring students to purchase on-campus housing and meal-plan packages, in addition to tuition, undermines consumer choice and restricts competition in secondary markets.
    • Directors or trustees currently serving on the boards of multiple higher education institutions or other organizations that influence admissions create conflicts of interest.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Johnson Seek Explanation from FBI on Handling of Hunter Biden’s Laptop

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) are demanding Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel provide all internal communications and records relating to the FBI’s handling of Hunter Biden’s laptop.

    “On April 1, 2025, Catherine Herridge and Michael Shellenberger published a report and released FBI ‘chat messages’ from October 2020, which revealed that FBI officials were ‘actively shutting down discussion of the [Hunter Biden] laptop’s credibility before the 2020 presidential election,’” the chairmen wrote.

    “While your predecessor opted to stonewall and ignore our multiple requests for information on the matter, we expect that under your leadership the FBI will be transparent with Congress. The American people deserve to see every document, along with a detailed explanation of how the FBI handled the laptop since the day they first possessed it on December 9, 2019,” the chairmen continued.

    Grassley and Johnson requested the following information:

    1. All “chat messages” referenced in Catherine Herridge and Michael Shellenberger’s report, including but not limited to all messages provided to any office or committee of the U.S. House of Representatives referring or relating to the Hunter Biden laptop.
    2. All text messages, instant messages, team chats and all other “chat messages” referring or relating to the Hunter Biden laptop, sent between and among the following individuals:
      1. Elvis Chan;
      2. Laura Dehmlow;
      3. Bradley Benavides;
      4. James Dennehy; and
      5. Any other FBI employee or detailee involved in the receipt, review or assessment of the Hunter Biden laptop.
    3. All FBI records from December 1, 2019 to the present related to Hunter Biden and his electronic devices.

    Read the full letter HERE.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Opening more doors to primary care

    Alberta’s government is working to ensure every resident has access to the primary care services they need. With a focus on regions with limited access to care, the new centres will serve as hubs for services in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.

    The centres will increase access to primary care providers – such as physicians, nurse practitioners and pharmacists – while easing pressure on emergency departments and urgent care centres by providing convenient, day-to-day health care services under one roof.

    “We are committed to making primary health care more accessible. Advancing plans for new primary care centres will make it easier for all people in Alberta, including Indigenous Peoples, to access day-to-day services in every corner of the province to improve health outcomes and patient experiences.”

    Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

    This $20-million investment will determine the project scope, locations and costs needed to guide future capital decisions. Alberta’s government is taking an integrated approach to health system planning that responds to local needs and priorities.

    “Planning is one of the most essential parts of the construction process. Our team at Alberta Infrastructure is proud to partner with Alberta Health to ensure communities get the specific health projects they need on time, on budget and close to home.”

    Martin Long, Minister of Infrastructure

    Alberta’s government is committed to improving Indigenous health care and programs to support better health outcomes for First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Alberta. Several of the new primary care centres will support Indigenous communities by prioritizing the delivery of high-quality, timely and culturally appropriate care in collaboration with Indigenous partners. Budget 2025 is also investing $45 million for Indigenous health initiatives over three years to help address health inequities and promote health and wellness.

    “Improving access to culturally appropriate health care for Indigenous communities across the province demonstrates our government-wide commitment to working alongside Indigenous Peoples and communities in support of meaningful reconciliation. My colleagues at Health are working closely with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to identify and support Indigenous-led programs and services that make a meaningful difference in their communities. We know we have more work to do, and we aren’t slowing down.”

    Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations

    In 2024, the government introduced seven regional health corridors that reflect how Albertans access care and travel to receive services. These corridors, shaped by travel data and public engagement, are informing planning decisions and will help identify where the new primary care centres are most needed.

    “This investment will support Primary Care Alberta’s ongoing work to build a stronger, more unified primary care system – one that puts patients first, supports our front-line teams and brings care to where people are. By expanding access to primary care in rural and remote communities, we will improve access to primary care services for Albertans previously underserved by the health care system.”

    Kim Simmonds, chief executive officer, Primary Care Alberta

    These investments lay the groundwork for a stronger, more accessible primary care system that meets the needs of all Albertans – today and for generations to come.

    Quick facts

    • There are more than 12,000 registered physicians and more than 68,000 regulated nurses delivering health care services in Alberta.
    • Primary Care Alberta’s priorities are to:
      • Ensure every Albertan has access to high-quality primary care services across the province.
      • Incentivize care models that improve health outcomes and prioritize patient experience.
      • Support integrated teams of family physicians, nurse practitioners, midwives and pharmacists to provide the best care possible.

    Related information

    • Budget 2025

    Related news

    • New pay model, better access to family doctors (Dec. 19, 2024)
    • Nurse practitioners expand primary care access (Nov. 20, 2024)
    • Leading primary care into the future (Oct. 15, 2024)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tampa Man Pleads Guilty To Fraudulently Spending More Than $300,000 In Covid Relief Funds

    Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)

    Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Denys Perez (31, Tampa) has pleaded guilting to wire fraud related to COVID relief funds. Perez faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. In addition, he faces a forfeiture order of $502,900, as well as a forfeiture order for the property he purchased with proceeds of his offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

    According to the plea agreement, between September 2021 and January 2022, Perez applied for COVID relief funds through the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Based on the information submitted by Perez, he was awarded $502,900 in EIDL funds. As part of the application process, Perez certified he would use all the EIDL proceeds solely as working capital to alleviate the economic injury caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Contrary to this certification, Perez fraudulently spent more than $300,000 of his EIDL on personal expenses, including the purchase of a house.  

    In May 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The task force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. 

    This case was investigated by the Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Merrilyn E. Hoenemeyer.

    To report a COVID-related fraud scheme or suspicious activity, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) by calling the NCDF Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Enact to Host First Quarter 2025 Earnings Call May 1st

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RALEIGH, N.C., April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enact Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACT) (Enact) announced it will issue its first quarter earnings release after the market closes on April 30, 2025. Enact will host a conference call to review first quarter 2025 financial results on May 1, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. (ET).

    Enact’s earnings release, summary presentation and financial supplement will be available through the company’s website, https://ir.enactmi.com/, at the time of their release to the public.

    Participants interested in joining the call’s live question and answer session are required to pre-register by clicking here to obtain a dial-in number and unique PIN. It is recommended to join at least 15 minutes in advance, although you may register ahead of the call and dial in at any time during the call. If you wish to join the call but do not plan to ask questions, a live webcast of the event will be available on our website, https://ir.enactmi.com/news-and-events/events.

    The webcast also will be archived on the company’s website for one year.

    About Enact Holdings, Inc.
    Enact (Nasdaq: ACT), operating principally through its wholly-owned subsidiary Enact Mortgage Insurance Corporation since 1981, is a leading U.S. private mortgage insurance provider committed to helping more people achieve the dream of homeownership. Building on a deep understanding of lenders’ businesses and a legacy of financial strength, we partner with lenders to bring best-in class service, leading underwriting expertise, and extensive risk and capital management to the mortgage process, helping to put more people in homes and keep them there. By empowering customers and their borrowers, Enact seeks to positively impact the lives of those in the communities in which it serves in a sustainable way. Enact is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

    Investor Contact
    Daniel Kohl
    EnactIR@enactmi.com

    Media Contact
    Sarah Wentz
    Sarah.Wentz@enactmi.com

    This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: A fair go for young Australians in this election? Voters are weighing up intergenerational inequity

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Woodman, TR Ashworth Professor in Sociology, The University of Melbourne

    Securing the welfare of future generations seems like solid grounds for judging policies and politicians, especially during an election campaign. Political legacies are on the line because the stakes are so high.

    There is a real possibility that today’s young people could become the first Australian generation to suffer lower living standards on some key measures than their parents. Unaffordable housing is the main flashpoint. But other challenges weigh heavily, including student debt, insecure work and climate change.

    No political leader would want to preside over a society that leaves younger generations worse off than those that preceded them. Yet that possibility should be on voters’ minds as they prepare to pass judgement at the ballot box on May 3.

    Young voters wield power

    In recent elections, young people have been largely overlooked. Yet, for the first time I can remember, all the major political parties have explicitly recognised that many young people are doing it tough.

    Political strategists would be mindful demographics are clearly shifting. This will be the first election where Gen Z and Millennials will outnumber Baby Boomers (and Gen X) at the ballot box.

    The good and the bad

    But intergenerational equality can be hard to pin down, as people disagree on what counts and how to count it. On many measures of living standards, young Australians are demonstrably better off than their parents.

    Many of the nice things in life, such as international travel and electronic gadgets, are much cheaper. The future may be uncertain, but unless we decide to live more sustainably as a society, today’s young people are still on track to consume more over the course of their lifetime than previous generations.

    However, the things that really matter, including housing and education, cost more than ever before. And that means crucial life transitions to secure and happy adult lives are taking longer and feel less certain.

    Our policy settings might be making this worse. Many experts argue the tax system is stacked against the young because it favours people who have already built up wealth and assets.

    Education is becoming more expensive, while converting educational credentials into employment outcomes is harder than it was. And getting together the deposit for a house is onerous, as costs increase faster than people can save.

    Policy pitch

    In this election, a swag of policy offerings to young voters has already been made.

    Labor is promising to cut student HECS debts and make housing more affordable. The Coalition will allow young home buyers to dip into their superannuation to purchase their first property, while the Greens want to cap rent increases.

    So, who is likely to win the young vote? In recent decades younger Australian voters have shifted towards the left. Unlike in some similar countries, this has also included young men, although at a slower pace than women.

    However, young voters are a diverse lot. United States President Donald Trump’s success at harvesting a greater share of the American youth vote, in part through tapping into cost-of-living concerns, suggests younger voters should not be taken for granted in Australia.

    What’s missing from the debate

    The elephant in the room in any conversation about inequality between the generations is the growing role intergenerational financial supports play in shaping young people’s lives. These transfers help reproduce, and even sharpen, economic inequalities between young people.

    As part of the Life Patterns Project, I have spent the past 20 years with colleagues tracking young people as they transition from secondary school to early adulthood.

    One of our recent findings is that parents are increasingly supporting their young adult children through crucial life events. This includes helping with bills, rent, and often a deposit for a house.

    And this has consequences for inequality over time. The ability to fall back on family resources is playing an even greater role in determining how easily a young person will navigate school and university, land a decent job and buy into the housing market.

    This is in turn increases the pressure on parents to continue supporting their children well into their adult years. The financial squeeze is being felt particularly sharply by those who can’t really afford to help, at least without changing their own plans for the future, including their retirement.

    No appetite for real reform

    So these intergenerational challenges are not just affecting young people. They also have an impact on parents, some of whom are risking their own financial security to help their adult children. They also risk making Australia a less equal society.

    Recently, Anglicare advocated an inheritance tax to reduce the role intergenerational transfers play in shaping unequal outcomes for future generations.

    But the major political parties are in no hurry to embrace such a measure. Nor any other significant reforms to the tax treatment of housing to try and improve affordability.

    Nevertheless, at this election, younger generations are on the agenda in a new way. Politicians will ignore them at their peril.

    This is the fifth article in our special series, Australia’s Policy Challenges. You care read the other articles here

    Dan Woodman receives funding from the Australian Research Council

    – ref. A fair go for young Australians in this election? Voters are weighing up intergenerational inequity – https://theconversation.com/a-fair-go-for-young-australians-in-this-election-voters-are-weighing-up-intergenerational-inequity-250782

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why are so many second-generation South Asian and Chinese Canadians planning to vote Conservative?

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Emine Fidan Elcioglu, Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Toronto

    After months of political decline, the Liberal Party of Canada is showing signs of recovery, buoyed, some suggest, by a surge of national pride in the face of Donald Trump’s tariff war and threats to Canadian sovereignty.

    But this apparent rebound obscures a more surprising political shift: the growing appeal of the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) among immigrants and their children.

    Traditionally, immigrant and visible minority communities have supported the centrist Liberal Party. In the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), where over half of all residents identify as “visible minority” (the category used by stats can), Chinese and South Asian Canadians have long formed a key part of the Liberal base.

    Yet recent polling tells a different story. An October 2024 survey found that 45 per cent of immigrants had changed their political allegiances since arriving in Canada, with many now leaning Conservative.

    Meanwhile, another national survey from January 2025 found that a majority of East Asian (55 per cent) and South Asian (56 per cent) respondents expressed support for the Conservative Party, far outpacing support for the Liberals or the NDP.

    Nationally, racialized citizens now make up over 26 per cent of Canada’s population, with South Asians and Chinese Canadians the two largest groups.

    While detailed racial breakdowns remain rare in Canadian polling, the few available data points suggest a meaningful shift. This pattern also reflects a broader trend: South Asian and Chinese Canadians in the GTA are increasingly politically active, with rising turnout and growing partisan diversification.

    Ramping up outreach

    The Conservative Party, for its part, has taken notice. Under Pierre Poilievre’s leadership, the CPC has actively recruited racialized candidates and ramped up outreach in suburban swing ridings — particularly through ethnic media advertising and messaging focused on economic self-reliance and family values.

    This rightward shift among racialized voters may seem counter-intuitive. The Conservative Party has historically represented white, affluent voters, and under Stephen Harper (who led from 2006 to 2015), implemented policies that curtailed immigration, tightened citizenship rules and cut social programs in ways that disproportionately harmed racialized communities.

    Why, then, would racialized Canadians increasingly turn to the right?

    In a study I recently published, I interviewed 50 Canadian-born children of South Asian, Chinese and white immigrants living in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). I argue that this shift is not a contradiction but provides a window into how racialized groups navigate inequality, exclusion and the search for belonging.

    While there are many reasons 2nd-generation racialized Canadians may support the Conservative Party, this study highlights one under-documented explanation. Voting for a right-wing party that represents the interests of white, wealthy citizens can be a way for second-generation South Asian and Chinese Canadians to seek acceptance when power is linked to whiteness..



    Read more:
    Why are brown and Black people supporting the far right?

    The hidden costs of fitting in

    In other words, many of these racialized Canadians don’t vote Conservative because they’re unaware of inequality. They vote Conservative because they’re trying to navigate it.

    Growing up in precariously middle-class households, the young adults I interviewed watched their immigrant parents face deskilling and downward mobility despite arriving in Canada with professional credentials.

    They saw their families pressured to “Canadianize” their names and accents, only to be sidelined by employers who still favoured whiteness.

    And they were raised in a society where multiculturalism celebrates cultural symbols but often ignores structural racism.

    In this context, support for the Conservatives reflects not ignorance of marginalization, but a way to move through it. Aligning with the right becomes a signal of belonging.

    As one young South Asian Canadian man put it:

    “You’ve arrived. You’re a Canadian. So, start voting like one.”

    This desire to belong doesn’t emerge in a vacuum. It’s shaped by racial scripts that reward conformity and penalize dissent — most notably, the model minority stereotype.



    Read more:
    Searching for anti-racism agendas in South Asian Canadian communities

    The price of acceptance

    The model minority stereotype casts Asian Canadians as hardworking and quietly successful. On the surface, it sounds like praise. But in practice, it hides inequality and demands silence in exchange for conditional belonging.



    Read more:
    Model minority blues: The mental health consequences of being a model citizen — Don’t Call Me Resilient EP 9

    That acceptance is fragile. After Sept. 11, 2001, many South Asians, particularly those perceived as Muslim, were quickly recast as dangerous outsiders.

    A similar dynamic resurfaced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Asian Canadians faced a sharp rise in racial harassment. In both cases, those once celebrated as “model” citizens were suddenly treated as threats.



    Read more:
    The model minority myth hides the racist and sexist violence experienced by Asian women

    In some contexts, political restraint, like staying quiet or avoiding protest, can function as a survival strategy. But that’s not what I observed in this study.

    The second-generation Canadians I interviewed were not politically quiet. They were vocal in their support for the Conservative Party. For them, voting Conservative was a way to assert they already belonged, not by asking for inclusion, but by showing they did not need to. Conservatism became a marker of success, self-reliance and alignment with those at the centre of Canadian life.

    Canada’s official embrace of multiculturalism reinforces this logic. While often praised as a national strength, multiculturalism can obscure how racism really works. Structural barriers are hidden behind feel-good narratives of inclusion.

    Rethinking belonging

    In Canada, ideas about who belongs are often shaped by race, class and respectability. Racialized people must not only prove they are hardworking and law-abiding, but also demonstrate that they’ve “fit in.” For some, voting Conservative becomes a way to show they’ve done just that — a way of saying: “I’m not like them. I’m one of you.”

    But this strategy comes at a cost. In reinforcing the very structures that marginalize them, racialized voters may gain individual recognition while deepening collective exclusion. And in rejecting equity-based platforms, they may forgo the policies that could build a more just society.

    This dynamic isn’t limited to the second generation. A recent CBC survey found that four in five newcomers believe Canada has accepted too many immigrants and international students without proper planning.

    Some immigrants are increasingly expressing exclusionary views, often toward those who arrived more recently. This, too, is a form of aspirational politics. And it shows just how deeply race, precarity and belonging are entangled in Canada today.

    None of this means that racialized Conservative voters are naïve. Their decisions often reflect a clear-eyed understanding of how power works.

    But if we want a fairer political future, we must reckon with the ways race, class and nationalism shape belonging — not just at the ballot box, but in the stories we tell about who gets to be “Canadian.”

    As sociologist Ruha Benjamin reminds us, inclusion shouldn’t be treated as an act of generosity. It’s not about “helping” the marginalized — it’s about understanding that we’re all connected. When fear shapes policy and public goods are stripped away, everyone suffers.

    Emine Fidan Elcioglu does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Why are so many second-generation South Asian and Chinese Canadians planning to vote Conservative? – https://theconversation.com/why-are-so-many-second-generation-south-asian-and-chinese-canadians-planning-to-vote-conservative-253820

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Pat Fallon Introduces Securing America’s Federal Equipment (SAFE) in Supply Chains Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pat Fallon (TX-04)

    WASHINGTON – Representatives Pat Fallon (TX-04) and Ro Khanna (CA-17) as well as Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Gary Peters (D-MI) today introduced their Securing America’s Federal Equipment (SAFE) in Supply Chains Act, which would protect America’s cybersecurity by ensuring the Department of Defense (DoD) does not unintentionally acquire counterfeit electronics or those from unauthorized sellers: 

    “The proliferation of artificial intelligence has allowed US adversaries to conduct offensive cyber-operations with alarming speed and impact, creating the possibility of a devastating attack on our nation’s most sensitive networks,” said Rep. Fallon. “Simultaneously, our adversaries have been targeting our hardware and software systems by selling the US government counterfeit products through what are known as ‘grey market’ sellers. These products, although marketed as genuine hardware, allow our adversaries to gain access to US government systems, making it far easier to conduct subsequent cyber-attacks. This is unacceptable.”

    “With the rising threat posed by Chinese aggression, not only in the Indo-Pacific, but here at home by means of artificial intelligence and cyber attacks, it’s critical that the Department of Defense secure its vital infrastructure,” continued Rep. Pat Fallon. “In order to do so, we must ensure that the US military only purchases electronic equipment from approved vendors that are free from adversarial, particularly CCP influence. Under President Trump’s bold leadership, the US is finally focused on breaking its dependency on Communist China. The SAFE Supply Chains Act dovetails with this endeavor and is in the best interest of US national security.”

    Background:

    Due to increased cyberattacks on vulnerable supply chains and federal agencies, including the Department of Defense (DoD), it is vital that when purchasing information technology products, the DoD only purchase these electronics from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or their authorized resellers. Under the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARs), in order for businesses to contract with the U.S. military, they are required to only acquire electronic products from these OEMs or authorized sellers. However, there are still many cases of federal government employees purchasing technology from grey-market sellers rather than authorized sellers. Grey-market sellers may circumvent trusted supply chains and provide counterfeit technology that could harm security networks within the DoD. These counterfeit devices are often older and may contain unsafe and unreliable components, causing technology to malfunction or completely fail, leading to significant damage to networks and operations. 

    The Securing America’s Federal Equipment (SAFE) in Supply Chains Act would:

    Prohibit the DoD from using a covered product from an entity other than an original equipment manufacturer or authorized seller;

    Allow the Secretary of Defense to waive the prohibition of a covered product, upon written notice to the Congressional Defense Committees, if they determine the waiver is necessary in the interest of national security;

    Require written notice on justification for waivers and any security mitigations that have been implemented and a plan of action to avoid future waivers for similar future purchases; and

    Require the DoD to submit a report to Congress that lists the number and types of covered products for which a waiver was granted and why.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Alan Wilson announces guilty plea and sentence in Orangeburg case of vulnerable adults locked in unlicensed facilityRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that on April 10, 2025, Tracy Timothy Wright, 53 years old, of Orangeburg, S.C., pleaded guilty in Orangeburg County to one count of Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult {43-35-85(C)} and one count of Criminal Conspiracy {16-17-410}. The Honorable Charles McCutchen sentenced Wright to five years in prison, suspended to three years at the South Carolina Department of Corrections, followed by two years of probation on each count. The sentences are to run concurrently.

    An investigation by the Attorney General’s Vulnerable Adult and Medicaid Provider Fraud (VAMPF) unit and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety (ODPS) revealed that, between January 16, 2024 and February 5, 2024, Wright, while working as a caretaker at an unlicensed community residential care facility, confined residents in locked rooms within the care facility and prevented the residents from accessing basic necessities such as food, clothing, medicine, shelter, supervision, medical services, and any way to get out of the building. The residents were immediately taken into emergency protective custody by law enforcement. Additionally, ODPS firefighters identified that a malfunctioning natural gas heater in the facility was causing a buildup of gas fumes inside the residence, requiring the immediate venting of the residence by emergency personnel.

    Charges remain pending against Wright’s co-conspirator and facility owner, Estelle A. Hutchinson, 52 years old, of Orangeburg, S.C. Pending charges against Hutchinson include five counts of Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult {43-35-0085 (C)}, four counts of Kidnapping {16-03-0910}, and one count of Criminal Conspiracy {16-17-410}. This case is also being prosecuted by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office.

    Pursuant to federal regulations, the VAMPF has authority over Medicaid provider fraud and the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of individuals residing in assisted living facilities or nursing homes. 

    The South Carolina Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, dba VAMPF, receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $2,889,252 for federal fiscal year 2025. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $963,084 for FFY 2025, is funded by South Carolina.

    Attorney General Wilson stressed that all defendants are innocent until proven guilty in court.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 27 Colorado Schools Received State’s First Purple Star School Designation

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – In a special ceremony on Thursday, Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova and Governor Jared Polis awarded the state’s first-ever Purple Star School designation to 27 schools from eight school districts and the Charter School Institute. The Purple Star School designation recognizes school communities for their work to support military-connected students and their families. 

    “Colorado is the proud home to a strong military and veteran community, and it’s only appropriate that our schools are recognized for the work they do to support military families and their children. I’m excited to celebrate the schools who are leading this work and setting an example for the rest of the state,” said Governor Jared Polis. 

    Commissioner Córdova and Gov. Polis were joined by members of the State Board of Education, representatives from the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission, and military school liaisons from the United States Army, Air Force, and Space Force. 

    “Military families and their children make extraordinary sacrifices in service to our country. For military-connected students, frequent moves and long separations from loved ones can present unique challenges. Our Purple Star Schools go above and beyond to create welcoming, supportive environments where every student feels seen, supported, and a true sense of belonging—no matter where their family is stationed,” said Cordova. 

    Last spring, Gov. Polis signed into law House Bill 24-1076 – sponsored by Reps. Bob Marshall (D-Douglas County) and Mike Weissman (D-Adams/Araphaoe) and Sens. Rhonda Fields (D-Adams/Arapahoe) and Bob Gardner (R-El Paso/Teller) – creating the Purple Star Program to recognize schools that help military-connected students navigate the academic and social-emotional challenges that come with frequent relocations, parental deployments, and adjusting to new school communities. 

    Purple Star Schools must meet specific criteria, including offering dedicated programs and resources for military-connected students and their families. More information about the Purple Star Program is available on the Colorado Department of Education’s website. 

    The following schools received the Purple Star designation: 

    Academy School District 20 

    • Douglass Valley Elementary School
    • Eagleview Middle School
    • Ranch Creek Elementary School 

    Aurora Public Schools 

    • Edna and John Mosley P-8 School 

    Colorado Springs School District 11

    • Jenkins Middle School James
    • Irwin Elementary School – Howard
    • McAuliffe Elementary School 

    Charter School Institute 

    • Colorado Military Academy 

    District 49 

    • Bennett Ranch Elementary School
    • Falcon Middle School 

    Ellicott School District 22 

    • Ellicott Elementary School 

    Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 

    • Abrams Elementary School
    • Aragon Elementary School
    • Eagleside Elementary School
    • Jordahl Elementary School
    • Mesa Elementary School
    • Mountainside Elementary School
    • Patriot Elementary School
    • Weikel Elementary School
    • Welte Education Center
    • Carson Middle School
    • Fountain Middle School
    • Fountain-Fort Carson High School 

    Harrison School District 2 

    • James Irwin Charter Middle School
    • James Irwin Elementary School–Astrozon 

    Widefield School District 3 

    • Grand Mountain School
    • Widefield High School 

    The Colorado Department of Education’s vision is to create equitable educational environments where all students and staff in Colorado thrive. Our role is to improve student outcomes and ensure students and families across Colorado have access to high-quality schools by serving, guiding, and elevating our state’s 178 school districts and BOCES. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Alerts Californians to Job Recruitment Scams

    Source: US State of California

    Thursday, April 10, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert asking Californians to be aware of job recruitment scams. Job recruitment scams occur when bad actors trick job seekers into providing money or personal information by posing as employers, recruiters, or job placement agencies. These scams often promise high-paying jobs with urgent hiring, little qualifications, or the opportunity to work from home — and can sometimes be a front to recruit job seekers to assist with criminal activity. Scams can occur through various forms of communication including text messages, phone calls, and postings on online job sites. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), job and fake employment agency scams are one of the top forms of fraud. Losses from these scams have nearly tripled from 2020 to 2024, with consumers losing $501 million in 2024. 

    “As job recruiting scams become more popular, I urge Californians to exercise caution and be wary of offers that sound too good to be true,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Remember if a stranger offers you a job you didn’t apply for, it’s most likely a scam.”

    Learn the Warning Signs

    There are many potential signs of a job scam. Be wary if the job posting or email exhibits any of these signs:

    • Asks for money.
    • Asks for you to make purchases on their behalf — such as gift cards.
    • Asks you to share your credit card number or bank details.
    • Asks you to receive or send money or packages for people you don’t know or haven’t met in person.
    • Promises easy money – especially if it involves sending or receiving money or packages.
    • Asks you to open a bank account or cryptocurrency account at someone else’s direction.
    • Claims to offer a “secret” list of government jobs or a chance to get on an inside track for government employment for a fee. Government job listings are always free —find them at jobs.ca.gov, usajobs.gov, or about.usps.com/careers.
    • Lists a company without an established physical office. 
    • Gives a short timeline or puts pressure on you to urgently respond.  

    Spot the Scam: What are Money Mules?

    Job recruitment scams can also be used to recruit unsuspecting job-seekers, sometimes called money mules, to assist with criminal activity. If someone you don’t know sends you money and asks you to forward or transfer the money, you could be fueling fraud. Transferring money on behalf of others not only furthers criminal activity, but it could also lead to consequences for consumers, like losing money or serving jail time. 

    Protect Yourself from Job Scams

    If you receive a possible scam message: 

    • DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK. If you think a text or message could be legitimate, contact the company using a website or phone number you know is real — not the information in the text.
    • Do some research. Search online for the name of the company and words like “review,” “scam,” or “complaint.” If you can’t find the company online, steer clear.
    • File a complaint. File a complaint with the FBI, the Federal Trade Commission, and our office. Be sure to include the phone number from where the text originated, and the website listed within the text.
    • Delete any scam texts or messages received. 

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Houston removes foreign fugitive wanted for aggravated homicide

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    HOUSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Hedilberto Nunez Garay, a 41-year-old illegal alien, to his home country of Mexico, April 9. Nunez is wanted in Durango, Mexico, for aggravated homicide for allegedly murdering Eladio Carrasco Corral, a 63-year-old Mexican national, Sept. 3, 2020.

    ICE transported Nunez from the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, Texas, to the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge Port of Entry in Laredo, Texas, where he was turned over to Mexican authorities.

    “For far too long, dangerous foreign fugitives like this alleged murderer have been able to illegally enter the U.S. and hide out in our local communities to evade prosecution abroad for violent crime,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. “Those days are over as the law enforcement community in Texas has banded together to aggressively track down foreign fugitives, transnational gang members and other criminal aliens illegally residing in the country and remove them to their country of origin to face justice for their alleged crimes.”

    Nunez illegally entered the U.S. on an unknown date and at an unknown location. The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office arrested Nunez Nov. 12, 2007, in Yorkville, Illinois, for driving without a license. Following his arrest, Nunez departed the U.S. on an unknown date. He illegally reentered the U.S. April 29, 2022, and was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol near Eagle Pass, Texas, and expelled to Mexico under Title 42. Nunez illegally entered the U.S. for a third time on an unknown date and at an unknown location. After receiving a tip from the National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center, ICE fugitive operations officers quickly located Nunez, with assistance from the Waco Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety, and he was safely taken into custody June 4, 2024. An immigration judge with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review ordered Nunez removed to Mexico Oct. 30, 2024. The Board of Immigration Appeals dismissed a subsequent appeal of that decision March 20.

    Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives are urged to contact ICE by calling the ICE Tip Line at 1 (866) 347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.

    For more news and information on ICE’s efforts to enforce our nation’s immigration laws in Texas follow us on X at @EROHouston.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Abaxx Announces Closing of C$10,065,000 Second Tranche of C$32,915,000 Convertible Debenture Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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

    TORONTO, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abaxx Technologies Inc. (CBOE:ABXX)(OTCQX:ABXXF) (“Abaxx” or the “Company”), a financial software and market infrastructure company, indirect majority shareholder of Abaxx Singapore Pte Ltd. , the owner of Abaxx Commodity Exchange and Clearinghouse (individually, “Abaxx Exchange” and “Abaxx Clearing”), and producer of the SmarterMarkets™ Podcast, today announces that it has closed the second and final tranche (the “Second Tranche”) of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the “Offering”) of secured convertible debentures (the “Debentures”) for aggregate gross proceeds of C$10,065,000.

    The outstanding principal amount of the Debentures, together with any accrued and unpaid interest, will become due and payable in full on March 26, 2028 (the “Maturity Date”) and will be payable in cash. Each Debenture consists of C$1,000 principal amount of secured convertible debentures of the Company and is convertible into common shares of the Company (each, a “Debenture Share”) at the option of the holder thereof prior to the Maturity Date at a conversion price equal to $13.00 per Debenture Share (the “Conversion Price”).

    The Company has the right to redeem the Debentures at redemption price equal to 105% of the principal amount of the outstanding Debentures plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date prior to the date of redemption: (a) at any time, should the VWAP of the Company’s common shares exceed 130% of the Conversion Price for no fewer than 20 out of 30 consecutive trading days, or (b) after March 26, 2027.

    The Debentures were issued at an original issue discount equal to 2.5% of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures and bear interest at a rate of 7.0% per annum from the date of issue, payable semi-annually in arrears in cash on June 30 and December 31 of each year following the first interest payment date of September 30, 2026. The Debentures are secured against certain publicly-traded securities owned by the Company.

    The Offering is subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the final approval of Cboe Canada. The net proceeds of the Second Tranche are expected to be used for general corporate and working capital purposes. The Debentures and Debenture Shares issuable pursuant to the Second Tranche are subject to statutory hold periods of four months and one day from the date of issuance. No finder fees were issued in connection with the Second Tranche.

    In connection with the Offering, so long as the Debentures remain outstanding, the Company has agreed to not assume any additional indebtedness without the consent of a majority of the holders of Debentures as may be outstanding from time to time, other than: (a) certain permitted debt arrangements of up to C$10,000,000 for working capital or regulatory capital requirements in the normal course of business, and (b) trade indebtedness in the normal course of its business.

    The securities offered in the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons, absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction.

    About Abaxx Technologies
    Abaxx is building Smarter Markets — markets empowered by better financial technology and market infrastructure to address our biggest challenges, including the energy transition. In addition to developing and deploying financial technologies that make communication, trade, and transactions easier and more secure, Abaxx is an indirect majority-owner of subsidiaries Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing, recognized by MAS as a “recognised market operator” (RMO) and “approved clearing house” (ACH), respectively.

    Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing are a Singapore-based commodity futures exchange and clearinghouse, introducing centrally cleared, physically deliverable commodities futures and derivatives to provide better price discovery and risk management tools for the commodities critical to our transition to a lower-carbon economy.

    For more information please visit abaxx.tech, abaxx.exchange and smartermarkets.media.

    For more information about this press release, please contact:

    Steve Fray, CFO
    Tel: +1 647-490-1590

    Media and investor inquiries:

    Abaxx Technologies Inc.
    Investor Relations Team
    Tel: +1 246 271 0082
    E-mail: ir@abaxx.tech

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    This press release includes certain “forward-looking statements” which do not consist of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe Abaxx’s future plans, objectives, or goals, including words to the effect that Abaxx expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as “seeking”, “should”, “intend”, “predict”, “potential”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “estimates”, “may”, “could”, “would”, “will”, “continue”, “plan” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Since forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to Abaxx, Abaxx does not provide any assurance that actual results will meet respective management expectations. Risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information related to Abaxx in this press release includes, but is not limited to: matters related to the Offering and the conversion of the Debentures,regulatory approvals, the agreement to not assume additional indebtedness except certain permitted indebtedness, and the inability of Abaxx to apply the use of proceeds from the Offering as anticipated. Such factors impacting forward-looking information include, among others: the inability to obtain required approvals for the Offering, risks relating to the global economic climate; dilution; Abaxx’s limited operating history; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing; the competitive nature of the industry; currency exchange risks; the need for Abaxx to manage its planned growth and expansion; the effects of product development and need for continued technology change; protection of proprietary rights; the effect of government regulation and compliance on Abaxx and the industry; acquiring and maintaining regulatory approvals for Abaxx’s products and operations; the ability to list Abaxx’s securities on stock exchanges in a timely fashion or at all; network security risks; the ability of Abaxx to maintain properly working systems; reliance on key personnel; global economic and financial market deterioration impeding access to capital or increasing the cost of capital; and volatile securities markets impacting security pricing unrelated to operating performance. In addition, particular factors which could impact future results of the business of Abaxx include but are not limited to: operations in foreign jurisdictions, protection of intellectual property rights, contractual risk, third-party risk; clearinghouse risk, malicious actor risks, third-party software license risk, system failure risk, risk of technological change; dependence of technical infrastructure; and changes in the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labor and international travel and supply chains, and the risk factors identified in the Company’s most recent management’s discussion & analysis filed on SEDAR+. Abaxx has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of Abaxx’s normal course of business.

    Abaxx cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. In addition, although Abaxx has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. When relying on forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Abaxx has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraphs will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Abaxx as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Abaxx undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements and information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and information. Cboe Canada does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Rubio meets with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio meets with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen at the Department of State, on April 10, 2025.

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    X: https://x.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
    Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4c3pTEXaUE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Deluzio Votes No on Extreme Anti-Voter Republican Bill to Strip Voter Registration Rights from Millions of Americans

    Source: US Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA)

    If passed into law, this bill would especially impact the tens of millions of married women, seniors, and U.S. Military servicemembers

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former voting rights attorney Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) voted no on the Republican anti-voter bill up for a vote in the House of Representatives today. If passed into law, the Republican SAVE Act could disenfranchise millions of eligible American citizens and create unnecessary administrative burdens at the state and local levels. The measure’s restrictions threaten to strip away the right to vote from tens of millions of eligible American voters, including nearly 70 million married women who changed their last name from their birth certificate and our troops who rely on their military ID or are deployed far from home. 

    “This dangerous bill could block millions of American citizens—especially military servicemembers and married women—from voting in our country’s elections. Patriotic Americans should be outraged,” said Congressman Deluzio. “If House Republicans were serious about securing our elections, they could have accepted my amendment that would have provided free photo identification to all eligible American voters—but House Republicans didn’t even consider it. The Senate should reject this bill, and Congress should focus on the urgent work of fighting corruption and strengthening our democracy.” 

    Congressman Deluzio’s amendment was rejected without a vote by the Republican-controlled House Rules Committee. The text of the amendment is here.  

    Pennsylvania’s Republican Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt, who is the chief elections official for Pennsylvania, wrote a letter to Congressman Deluzio opposing the SAVE Act. In it, he writes that, “The right to vote is sacred, and making that right contingent on having access to paperwork a voter does not have in their possession, or which may include a name that the voter has long since changed, overly burdens this important right of citizenship, and will disenfranchise Americans seeking to make their voices heard at the ballot box.” 

    Under the Republican SAVE Act, millions of American citizens could be blocked from voting. This bill requires that voters provide a passport, birth certificate with their current legal name, or military service papers in order to register, change their political party, or update their current address. It is unclear if these requirements would also apply to existing registered voters. Here are just some of the real-life impacts of this proposal: 

    • More than 146 million Americans do not have a passport and would need to obtain one. U.S. passports typically cost around $130, require substantial time and effort to obtain, and take weeks to process and arrive. 
    • Nearly 70 million women do not have a birth certificate that matches their current legal name. This means that married women without a U.S. passport would be unable to cast their ballot.
    • In order to vote in the country they serve, servicemembers would be required to provide military service papers, often with sensitive information, alongside their military ID card, which is insufficient under the Republican bill
    • This bill would remove the ability for Americans to register to vote by mail or online, even if the only reason is to update one’s party registration or address. This would require American citizens who want to register to vote to present their documents in person to an elections official. 
    • This legislation would also subject state and local election officials to hefty criminal fines and up to five years in federal prison. These criminal penalties would apply even if the election official registers an eligible American citizen. 

    More details on the bill’s impact on people in Pennsylvania is available from the House Committee on Administration. 

    The bill passed the House of Representatives this morning on a vote of 220-208 and now advances for consideration in the Senate. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Sudan faces unprecedented hunger and displacement as war enters third year

    Source: United Nations 2

    By Vibhu Mishra

    Peace and Security

    The conflict in Sudan has become one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century, leaving millions of women, children and displaced families suffering from violence, food insecurity and the collapse of essential services.

    As the war enters its third year, UN humanitarians warn that immediate action is essential.

    “This is a manmade crisis, driven by conflict – not by drought or floods or earthquakes and because of the obstruction of access to humanitarian assistance by parties to the conflict,” Shaun Hugues, Regional Emergency Coordinator at the UN World Food Programme (WFP), told journalists in New York, via video link from Nairobi.

    The brutal war between rival militaries – the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced over 12.4 million people, including more than 3.3 million as refugees in neighbouring countries.

    “Tens of thousands more will die in Sudan during a third year of war unless we have the access and resources to reach those in need,” Mr. Hugues warned.

    Half the population facing hunger

    According to WFP, approximately half of Sudan’s population – 25 million people – is facing extreme levels of hunger, including about five million children and mothers suffering acute malnutrition.

    The war, which started on 15 April 2023, has decimated critical infrastructure and led to widespread food shortages, making it the only place in the world currently classified as experiencing famine.

    Famine has been confirmed in at least 10 locations in Sudan, including the Zamzam camp, home to 400,000 displaced persons (IDPs). Another 17 areas are at risk in the coming months.

    “The scale of what is unfolding in Sudan threatens to dwarf much of what we have seen over previous decades,” Mr. Hugues said.

    Women, girls at extreme risk

    Women and girls face unprecedented vulnerability, with a sharp increase in maternal deaths and over 80 per cent of hospitals in conflict zones non-operational, leaving many without critical medical care.

    Furthermore, cases of conflict-related sexual violence remain hugely underreported, UN Women said, warning that “evidence points to its systematic use as a weapon of war”.

    “Women in Sudan are enduring the gravest forms of violence – particularly sexual violence,” said Anna Mutavati, UN Women Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.

    “Their strength is extraordinary, but they cannot and should not be left to navigate this crisis alone.”

    Fragile gains

    Despite challenges, humanitarians are making progress. WFP assistance has tripled since mid-2024, as teams access new areas.

    For its part, UN Women has assisted over 15,000 women in some of the worst affected areas, providing critical services and skills trainings. It has also helped set up safe spaces where women and girls can access shelter and protection.

    “But these gains are fragile, and they are still just a fraction of the needs,” Mr. Hugues said.

    © WFP/Abubakar Garelnabei

    A UN convoy carrying food aid travels west from Port Sudan.

    Race against time

    Along with fighting, physical access is a major challenge.

    With rains approaching, many routes will become impassable, complicating aid delivery, he said.

    “We need access. We need to be able to quickly move humanitarian assistance to where it is needed, including through front lines, across borders, within contested areas, and without lengthy bureaucratic processes.”

    Mr. Hugues also highlighted the urgent need of funding, noting that WFP is already forced to reduce rations by up to half of what is needed in some places.

    “Without funding, we are faced with the choice to either cut the number of people receiving assistance or to cut the amount of assistance they receive,” he said, noting that the agency needs an additional $650 million to continue its operations over the next six months.

    It also needs $150 million for programmes assisting Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries.

    Sudan needs peace

    Mr. Hugues stressed that above all, the Sudanese people need peace.

    “We need a ceasefire and an end to hostilities so that they can begin to rebuild their lives,” he said.

    Alongside, UN Women underscored the need to ensure women’s voices “are amplified at every peace negotiation table.”

    “We urge all stakeholders – governments, donors, the international community – to act decisively. Sudanese women deserve not merely survival, but the dignity to rebuild and thrive,” Ms. Mutavati said.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DelBene, DeLauro, Torres Introduce Legislation to Bring Back Monthly Child Tax Credit Payments

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

    Today, U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Ritchie Torres (NY-15) reintroduced the American Family Act, legislation that would make permanent the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC), which provided families with monthly payments of up to $300 per child.

    The expanded, monthly Child Tax Credit is proven to help rebuild the middle class and lift millions of children out of poverty. The 2021 expansion of the credit in the American Rescue Plan Act was based on the American Family Act. It led to a historic reduction in poverty in the United States, particularly for children. Research showed that child poverty fell by nearly half to 5.2%, its lowest level on record.

    President Trump campaigned on lowering costs for American families and Vice President JD Vance voiced support for bolstering the Child Tax Credit on the campaign trail. As Republicans work on a forthcoming tax package, they must include the fully expanded Child Tax Credit – a commonsense, tested policy that delivers for American workers and families.

     “I consistently hear from families in my district and across the country about the challenges they face getting by. The costs of housing, food, and child care can be overwhelming. Democrats have a proven solution to help families in the expanded Child Tax Credit. We know that it works because we have seen it before, and it is supported by considerable data and countless stories from families,” said DelBene. “Republicans let the expanded Child Tax Credit expire at the end of 2021 and since then child poverty has more than doubled. Lifting kids out of poverty should not be a partisan issue. Yet, Republicans continue to prioritize the wealthy and well-connected and refuse to work to create bipartisan tax policy that supports working families. If we truly want to make America a place where families and the middle class can thrive, we need to pass the American Family Act.”

    “Families are living paycheck to paycheck,” said DeLauro. “They need help dealing with high costs and the Child Tax Credit is one of our most powerful and proven solutions – an antidote to inflation. It provides middle and working-class families with unprecedented economic security and lifts millions of children out of poverty. I am proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this legislation. We need the Child Tax Credit now.”

    “The American Family Act would be a lifeline for millions of families who have been left behind for far too long. By expanding and fully refunding the Child Tax Credit, we would make a crucial investment in the future of our children — lifting millions out of poverty, putting money directly into the pockets of working families, and ensuring that every child, no matter their background, has a fair shot at success,” said Torres. “The evidence is clear: the expanded CTC worked at exponentially reducing childhood poverty, and it is time to make it permanent. This is not just economic policy: it is a moral imperative.”

    Senators Michael Bennet (CO), Cory Booker (NJ), and Raphael Warnock (GA) introduced identical legislation in the Senate.

    The American Family Act would:

    • Increase the value of the CTC from the current level of $2,000 per child to $6,360 for newborns, $4,320 for children ages one through six, and $3,600 for children age six through 17.
    • Make the credit fully refundable, ensuring that the families of 17 million low-income children left out of the CTC under current law will receive the full credit.
    • Provide for monthly delivery of the credit so families have access to the credit as bills arrive.
    • Index the CTC for inflation to preserve the value of the credit moving forward.

    A copy of the bill text can be found here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Rep. Jimmy Gomez Grills Trump Trade Chief Over $4,600 “Tariff Tax” on Families as Trump Caves on $6 Trillion Trade Agenda

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

    Gomez: “You imposed tariffs on an island inhabited by penguins. Consumer confidence is plummeting—and you’re saying, ‘Trust us?’”

    **VIDEO AVAILABLE**

    Watch his full remarks HERE.

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — At a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on the Trump Administration’s 2025 Trade Policy Agenda with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) delivered a powerful rebuke of the Trump administration’s reckless tariff policy, calling out its devastating impact on working families and exposing the out-of-touch economic priorities driving it. In a pointed exchange with Trump’s top trade official, Gomez demanded answers, accountability, and clarity for everyday Americans feeling the squeeze.

    During his five-minutes of questioning, Rep. Gomez:

    • Confronted Greer on the skyrocketing costs of Trump’s tariffs and their impact on food, clothes, cars, and basic household goods
    • Blasted the administration’s misleading claims of “short-term pain,” equating it to economic gaslighting
    • Exposed Greer’s multiple overlapping roles — including USTR, acting ethics chief, and whistleblower overseer — and questioned who’s really running the trade agenda
    • Mocked the administration’s incompetence, citing reports of tariffs on an island inhabited only by penguins

    KEY MOMENTS FROM THE HEARING:

    On tariffs as a hidden tax on working people: “Do you agree that tariffs are a tax—yes or no? …Economists say that 98 to 99% of that tax is passed on to the American consumer in higher prices… and it’s going to fall disproportionately, especially on working Americans.”

    On the real cost of Trump’s trade war: “Yesterday, it was said there’d be a $3,800-a-year increase for working families. Today it’s $4,600. What’s the increase going to be tomorrow—$5,200?”

    On the disconnect between Trump’s advisors and American families: “My constituents don’t make $1.5 million a year like you did at King & Spalding. We check our budgets every month to decide what we have to cut back on. That’s the reality for working families.”

    On hypocrisy at the top: “You also have a Cabinet of billionaires. Lucknick, Bescent, Elon Musk—I mean Donald Trump himself. For them, $4,600 doesn’t mean anything. But for the average worker, it does.”

    On lack of credibility and leadership in the trade agenda: “You’re the USTR, the acting ethics chief, the chief whistleblower, and the lead trade negotiator—so who’s actually running the show? Even Donald Trump said it was the Commerce Secretary.”

    On the administration’s failure to level with the American people: “You’re saying, ‘Trust us, trust us—there’ll be short-term pain.’ But we see a plan that doesn’t make sense, a flawed formula, the stock market crashing, and red lights blinking on a recession.”

    On calling out absurdity and demanding accountability: “You imposed tariffs on an island inhabited by penguins. Consumer confidence is plummeting—and you’re saying, ‘Trust us’? That doesn’t pass the smell test.”

    Rep. Gomez concluded: “We’ve worked on other issues before, and I hope we can work on others moving forward—but you need to be straight about who’s running the show, because this is going to fall and hurt the American worker.”

    You can read the full transcript HERE.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Demand Key Communications and Records Relating to FBI’s Handling of Hunter Biden’s Laptop

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson

    WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel demanding that the FBI provide internal communications and records relating to its handling of Hunter Biden’s laptop since the day they first possessed it on December 9, 2019.

    “On April 1, 2025, Catherine Herridge and Michael Shellenberger published a report and released FBI ‘chat messages’ from October 2020, which revealed that FBI officials were ‘actively shutting down discussion of the [Hunter Biden] laptop’s credibility before the 2020 presidential election,’” the senators wrote. 

    “While your predecessor opted to stonewall and ignore our multiple requests for information on the matter, we expect that under your leadership the FBI will be transparent with Congress. The American people deserve to see every document, along with a detailed explanation of how the FBI handled the laptop since the day they first possessed it on December 9, 2019,” the senators noted to Director Patel.

    Sens. Johnson and Grassley have requested the following information:

    1. All “chat messages” referenced in Catherine Herridge and Michael Shellenberger’s report, including but not limited to all messages provided to any office or committee of the U.S. House of Representatives referring or relating to the Hunter Biden laptop.

    2. All text messages, instant messages, team chats, and all other “chat messages” referring or relating to the Hunter Biden laptop, sent between and among the following individuals:

      1. Elvis Chan;
      2. Laura Dehmlow;
      3. Bradley Benavides;
      4. James Dennehy; and
      5. Any other FBI employee or detailee involved in the receipt, review, or assessment of the Hunter Biden laptop.

    3. All FBI records from December 1, 2019 to the present related to Hunter Biden and his electronic devices. 

    See Catherine Herridge’s post about the letter here.

    Full text of the letter can be found here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –