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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Rosen Introduce Bill to Expand Affordable Housing Access in Fast-Growing Cities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) introduced the Housing Choice Vouchers Fairness Act to update the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) decades-old Housing Choice Voucher allocation formula so fast-growing cities like Las Vegas can access more of them. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is the federal government’s major program that helps low-income families, elderly and disabled individuals, and veterans afford housing in the private market. 

    Currently, the federal formulas that allocate vouchers are based on outdated population calculations dating back to the 2000 census. This legislation authorizes an additional two billion dollars in funding for the Housing Choice Voucher program to make sure public housing authorities that represent the country’s 25 fastest-growing cities with a population of over 100,000 can provide enough vouchers to meet the needs of their populations.

    “Las Vegas is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, and as our population expands, so does our need for affordable housing,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Current housing voucher programs aren’t cutting it, and this legislation would fill that gap to help working Nevada families find homes.”

    “Nevada is facing an affordable housing crisis, and it makes no sense that an outdated allocation formula is preventing us from receiving our fair share of federal housing vouchers,” said Senator Rosen. “That’s why I’m helping to introduce a bill to update the formula and provide additional funding to fast-growing cities like Las Vegas. I’ll keep pushing for solutions to lower housing costs for Nevada families.”

    Senators Rosen and Cortez Masto are working to lower housing costs and prevent housing prices from increasing further. Last year, Cortez Masto secured $9.4 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of San Francisco’s targeted fund — almost twice as much as Nevada received the year before — to build more middle-class homes, and she’s pushing to reform the FHLB system. Cortez Masto is also leading legislation to significantly increase the amount of federal funds available for the HOME Investment Partnership Program to build more affordable housing across the country. Recently, her legislation to cut red tape to speed up federal land transactions and lower housing costs was signed into law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Master Circular – Credit facilities to Scheduled Castes (SCs) & Scheduled Tribes (STs)

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    RBI/2025-26/03
    FIDD.CO.GSSD.BC.No.02/09.09.001/2025-26

    April 01, 2025

    The Chairman/ Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer
    All Scheduled Commercial Banks (including Small Finance Banks)

    Madam/ Dear Sir,

    Master Circular – Credit facilities to Scheduled Castes (SCs) & Scheduled Tribes (STs)

    The Reserve Bank of India has, from time to time, issued a number of guidelines/instructions to banks on credit facilities to Scheduled Castes (SCs) & Scheduled Tribes (STs). The enclosed Master Circular consolidates the circulars issued by Reserve Bank on the subject till date, as listed in the Appendix.

    Yours faithfully,

    (R. Giridharan)
    Chief General Manager

    Master Circular – Credit Facilities to Scheduled Castes (SCs) & Scheduled Tribes (STs)

    Banks should take the measures indicated below to step up their advances to SCs/STs.

    1. Planning Process

    1.1 The District Level Consultative Committees formed under the Lead Bank Scheme should continue to be the principal mechanism of co-ordination between banks and development agencies in this regard. The district credit plans formulated by the Lead Banks should clearly indicate the linkage of credit with employment and development schemes.

    1.2 Banks will have to establish closer liaison with the District Industries Centres, which have been set up in different districts for promoting self-employment.

    1.3 At the block level, a certain weightage is to be given to SCs/STs in the planning process. Accordingly, the credit planning should be weighted in their favour and special bankable schemes suited to them should be drawn up to ensure their participation and larger flow of credit to them for self-employment. It will be necessary for the banks to consider their loan proposals with utmost sympathy and understanding.

    1.4 Banks should periodically review their lending procedures and policies to see that loans are sanctioned in time, are adequate and production-oriented and that they generate incremental income to make them self-liquidating.

    1.5 While formulating the Block/ District Credit Plan, special focus may be given to villages with sizeable population of SC/ST communities/ specific localities (bastis) in the towns/villages having a concentration of these communities.

    2. Role of Banks

    2.1 Bank staff may help the borrowers in filling up the forms and completing other formalities so that they are able to get credit facility within a stipulated period from the date of receipt of applications.

    2.2 In order to encourage SC/ST borrowers to take advantage of credit facilities, greater awareness among them about various schemes formulated by banks needs to be created through various means such as brochures, visits by field staff etc so that salient features of the schemes, as also the advantages that will accrue to them are known to such borrowers. Banks should advise their branches to organize meetings more frequently exclusively for SC/ST beneficiaries to understand their credit needs and to incorporate the same in the credit plan.

    2.3 Circulars issued by RBI/NABARD should be circulated among the staff for compliance.

    2.4 Banks should not insist on deposits while considering loan applications under Government sponsored poverty alleviation schemes/self-employment programmes from borrowers belonging to SCs/STs. It should also be ensured that applicable subsidy is not held back while releasing the loan component till the full repayment of bank dues. Non-release of subsidy upfront amounts to under-financing and hampers asset creation/income generation.

    2.5 The National Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development Corporation and National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation have been set up under the administrative control of Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, respectively. Banks should advise their branches/controlling offices to render all the necessary institutional support to enable these institutions to achieve the desired objectives.

    2.6. Loans sanctioned to State Sponsored Organisations for Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes for the specific purpose of purchase and supply of inputs and/or the marketing of the outputs of the beneficiaries of these organisations are eligible for priority sector classification.

    2.7 Rejection of SC/STs’ loan applications under government programmes should be done at the next higher level instead of at the branch level and reasons of rejection should be clearly indicated.

    3. Role of SC/ST Development Corporations

    The Government of India has advised all State Governments that the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes Development Corporations can consider bankable schemes/proposals for bank finance.

    4. Reservations for SC/ST beneficiaries under major Centrally Sponsored Schemes.

    There are several major centrally sponsored schemes under which credit is provided by banks and subsidy is received through Government Agencies. Credit flow under these schemes is monitored by RBI. Under each of these, there is a significant reservation/relaxation for the members of the SC/ST communities.

    4.1 Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM)

    DAY-NRLM (previously known as NRLM) was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India by restructuring the erstwhile Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana, effective from April 1, 2013. DAY-NRLM would ensure adequate coverage of vulnerable sections of the society such that 50% of these beneficiaries are SCs/STs. Details of the scheme are available in the Master Circular on DAY-NRLM as updated from time to time.

    4.2 Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)

    The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, launched the DAY-NULM (previously known as NULM) by restructuring the erstwhile Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY), effective from September 24, 2013. Under DAY-NULM, advances should be extended to SCs/STs to the extent of their strength in the local population. Details of the scheme are available in the Master Circular on DAY-NULM as updated from time to time.

    4.3 Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) Scheme

    Under the DRI Scheme, banks provide finance up to ₹15,000/- at a concessional rate of interest of 4 per cent per annum to the weaker sections of the community for engaging in productive and gainful activities. In order to ensure that persons belonging to SCs/STs also derive adequate benefit under the DRI Scheme, banks have been advised to grant eligible borrowers belonging to SCs/STs such advances to the extent of not less than 2/5th (40 percent) of total DRI advances. Further, the eligibility criteria under DRI, viz. size of land holding should not exceed 1 acre of irrigated land and 2.5 acres of unirrigated land, are not applicable to SCs/STs. Members of SCs/STs satisfying the income criteria of the scheme can also avail of housing loan up to ₹20,000/- per beneficiary over and above the individual loan of ₹15,000/- available under the scheme.

    5. Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for Scheduled Castes (CEGSSC)

    The CEGSSC was launched by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment on May 6, 2015 with the objective of promoting entrepreneurship amongst the Scheduled Castes (SCs), by providing credit enhancement guarantee to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs), which extend financial assistance to these entrepreneurs. IFCI Ltd. has been designated as the Nodal Agency under the scheme, to issue the guarantee cover in favour of MLIs for financing SC entrepreneurs.

    Individual SC entrepreneurs/Registered Companies and Societies/Registered Partnership Firms/Sole Proprietorship firms having more than 51% shareholding and management control for the previous 6 months by SC entrepreneurs/ promoters/ members are eligible for guarantee from IFCI Ltd. against the loans extended by MLIs.

    The amount of guarantee cover under CEGSSC ranges from a minimum of ₹0.15 cr to a maximum of ₹5.00 cr.

    The tenure of guarantee is up to a maximum of 7 years or repayment period, whichever is earlier.

    6. Monitoring and Review

    6.1 A special cell should be set up at the Head Office of banks for monitoring the flow of credit to SC/ST beneficiaries. Apart from ensuring the implementation of the RBI guidelines, the cell would also be responsible for collection of relevant information/data from the branches, consolidation thereof and submission of the requisite returns to RBI and Government.

    6.2 The Head Office of banks should periodically review the credit extended to SCs/STs on the basis of returns and other data received from the branches. Any major gap or variation in credit flow to SCs/STs on a year to year basis should be reported to the Board as part of the review on the theme of “Financial Inclusion” in terms of circular DBR No.BC.93/29.67.001/2014-15 dated May 14, 2015.

    6.3 Banks should review the measures taken to enhance the flow of credit to SC/ST borrowers on a quarterly basis. The review should also consider the progress made in lending to these communities directly or through the State Level Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Corporations for various purposes based, amongst others, on field visits of the senior officers from the Head Office/Controlling Offices.

    6.4 SLBC Convenor bank should invite the representative of National Commission for SCs/STs to attend SLBC meetings. Besides, the Convenor bank may also invite representatives from the National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) and State Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (SCDC) to attend SLBC meetings.

    7. Reporting Requirements

    Data on advances to SCs and STs should be reported as prescribed in the Master Direction on Priority Sector Lending as updated from time to time, within the time frames stipulated.

    Appendix

    Credit Facilities to Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes

    List of Circulars Consolidated in the Master Circular

    No. Circular No. Date Subject
    1. DBOD.No.BP.BC.172/C.464(R)-78 December 12, 1978 Role of Banks in Promoting Employment
    2. DBOD.No.BP.BC.8/C.453(K)-Gen January 09, 1979 Agricultural Credit to Small and Marginal Farmers
    3. DBOD.No.BP.BC.45/C.469(86)-81 April 14, 1981 Credit Facilities to SC / ST
    4. DBOD.No.BP.BC.132/C.594-81 October 22, 1981 Recommendations of the Working Group on the Development of Scheduled Castes
    5. RPCD.No.PS.BC.2/C.594-82 September 10, 1982 Credit Facilities to SC / ST
    6. RPCD.No.PS.BC.9/C.594-82 November 05, 1982 Concessional Bank Finance to SC / ST Development Corporations
    7. RPCD.No.PS.BC.4/C. 594-83 August 22, 1983 Credit Facilities to SC / ST
    8. RPCD.No.PS.BC.20/C.568(A)-84 January 24, 1984 Credit Facilities to SC / ST – Rejection of Loan Applications
    9. RPCD.No. CONFS.62/PB-1-85/86 July 24, 1985 Role of Private Sector Banks in Lending to SCs / STs
    10. RPCD.No.SP.BC.22/C.453(U)-85 October 09, 1985 Credit Facilities to Scheduled Tribes under DRI Scheme
    11. RPCD.No.SP.BC.129/C.594(Spl)/88-89 June 28, 1989 National SC / ST Finance and Development Corporation
    12. RPCD.No.SP.BC.93/C.594.MMS-90/91 March 13, 1991 Scheduled Caste Development Corporation (SCDCs) – Instructions on Unit Cost
    13. RPCD.No.SP.BC.122/C.453(U)-90-91 May 14, 1991 Housing Finance to SCs / STs – Inclusion under the DRI
    14. RPCD.No.SP.BC.118/C.453(U)-92/93 May 27, 1993 Priority Sector Advances – Housing Finance
    15. RPCD.No.LBS.BC.86/02.01.01/96-97 December 16, 1996 Inclusion of National Commission for SCs / STs in State Level Bankers Committees (SLBCs)
    16. RPCD.No.SP.BC.124/09.09.01/96-97 April 15, 1997 Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of SCs / STs – Insisting on Deposits from SCs/ STs by Banks
    17. RPCD.No.SAA.BC.67/08.01.00/98-99 February 11, 1999 Credit Facilities to SCs / STs
    18. RPCD.No.SP.BC.51/09.09.01/2002-03 December 04, 2002 Proceedings of the work shop on the role of financial institutions in the development of SCs and STs
    19. RPCD.No.SP.BC.102/09.09.01/2002-03 June 23, 2003 Sample study for review of credit flow to SCs and STs – Major Findings
    20. RPCD.SP.BC.No.49/09.09.01/2007-08 February 19, 2008 Credit facilities to SC/ STs – Revised Annexure
    21. RPCD.GSSD.BC.No.81/09.01.03/2012-13 June 27, 2013 Restructuring of SGSY as National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)
    22. RPCD.CO.GSSD.BC.No.26/09.16.03/2014-15 August 14, 2014 Restructuring of Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) as National Urban Livelihood Mission

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s rapid AI growth sparks hiring boom

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Job seekers attend a job fair held in Shanghai, east China, Feb. 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    As China’s job market grows increasingly competitive, college graduates are discovering that mastering artificial intelligence (AI) skills could be their key to success.

    At a recent job fair in south China’s Guangdong, a company specializing in brain-computer interface research and development made its ambitions clear, expressing a strong desire to hire algorithm engineers while noting that “there is no cap on hiring!”

    “We offer a complimentary two-bedroom apartment and an annual salary of 400,000 to 700,000 yuan,” said Zheng Hui, founder of the startup NeuroDance. That’s roughly 55,000 to 96,000 U.S. dollars, a highly competitive package for new job seekers.

    As China prioritizes boosting graduate employment, roles in emerging sectors like AI and robotics remain in critically short supply.

    Official data shows that a record 12.22 million college graduates are expected to enter the job market in 2025. This year’s government work report has pledged to expand employment and business startup opportunities for students and other young people.

    At the job fair that concluded on Monday, AI-related positions in electronics, IT and advanced manufacturing emerged as some of the most in-demand roles.

    Tech firms like BYD, Pony.ai and UBTECH are actively recruiting for positions such as autonomous driving algorithm engineers and AI engine R&D engineers, drawing significant interest from job seekers.

    Liu Silei, who is studying robotics, cognition and intelligence at the Technical University of Munich, returned to China for the recruitment event. “China’s AI boom is providing ample career opportunities,” Liu said.

    At a similar job fair held in east China’s Hangzhou recently, 830 companies offered 21,000 positions, with half of them in AI algorithms and large models.

    Chinese firm Unitree Robotics posted 10 AI-related roles, with monthly salaries reaching up to 70,000 yuan, underscoring the lucrative opportunities emerging in this sector.

    “DeepSeek’s explosive growth is driving AI integration across sectors, and the intensifying competition for AI professionals is pushing companies to increase salaries,” said Li Qiang, executive vice president of Zhaopin, an online recruitment platform in China.

    Data from the platform shows that job postings for algorithm engineers and machine learning roles in February grew by 46.8 percent and 40.1 percent year on year, respectively, with average monthly salaries surpassing 20,000 yuan.

    The AI talent shortage deepened in Q1 2025, with demand outpacing supply by a ratio of 3:1, according to a report by Liepin, a Chinese job-seeking service provider. Specifically, there are nine job openings for every search algorithm engineer and seven for each recommendation algorithm specialist.

    Demand for AI education and talent development is also surging. Job openings for AI trainers after this year’s Chinese New Year soared by 112 percent, with positions offering a monthly salary of over 15,000 yuan, according to Zhaopin.

    “The most urgent needs are fundamental scientists and cross-disciplinary experts,” said Wang Liang, a researcher from the Institute of Automation under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. “They are crucial for advancing home-grown AI chip development and original algorithms while also accelerating AI’s adoption across industries.”

    The DeepSeek phenomenon has sparked an AI race among China’s tech giants, including Alibaba and Tencent. At the same time, their models are being rapidly adopted across government services, manufacturing, healthcare, consumer goods and urban management, creating an unprecedented demand for professionals who can blend AI expertise with industry-specific knowledge.

    AI only became an official undergraduate major in China in 2019. Currently, most AI professionals transition from backgrounds in computer science, software engineering, electronics, or mechanical engineering. These fields require a strong foundation in advanced linear algebra, probability theory, statistics and programming skills.

    China’s higher education system has introduced AI programs at over 500 universities, marking one of the fastest disciplinary expansions in its history.

    Leading Chinese universities such as Tsinghua University, Wuhan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University have announced plans to expand their enrollments in AI and related interdisciplinary fields to meet the growing demand for talent.

    Industry reports indicate that by 2030, China is expected to face a shortage of 4 million AI professionals.

    AI entrepreneurs are urging working professionals to upskill in AI. “AI competency must become a core citizen skill,” said Liu Qingfeng, chairman of iFLYTEK. “Free AI training initiatives targeting low-income and disadvantaged groups should also be considered.”

    “Young professionals should dedicate weekly time to track global AI advancements across industries,” said Wang Xingxing, founder of Unitree Robotics. “This will be the opportunity multiplier.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff Urge Attorney General Bondi to Reverse Course on Unjustified Firings of Immigration Judges

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Schiff Urge Attorney General Bondi to Reverse Course on Unjustified Firings of Immigration Judges

    The unjustified firings come as immigration courts are already under immense pressure to adjudicate roughly 3.6 million backlogged cases, with further strains expected with Trump’s mass deportation agenda

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) joined 64 House and Senate Democrats in urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to reverse the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s (EOIR) alarming decision to fire immigration judges even as the immigration courts currently face a staggering backlog of immigration cases. In February, EOIR abruptly fired 20 immigration judges, removed all nine Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) judges appointed during the Biden Administration, and terminated four individuals in senior EOIR leadership positions, with indications they may remove even more judges.

    “We write with great concern regarding the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s (EOIR) decision to fire numerous immigration judges as the immigration courts face a staggering backlog of cases and a likely influx of new cases pursuant to President Trump’s mass-deportation agenda,” wrote the lawmakers.

    The lawmakers highlighted the resource gaps left by these unjustified firings, citing data exclusively provided to the Committees, writing: “The termination of the [Assistant Chief Immigration Judges] (ACIJs) left roughly 25 percent of immigration courts without appropriate or established leadership or additional judges to preside over immigration matters. The fired ACIJs oversaw 18 of the 71 immigration courts and supervised 135 of approximately 700 immigration judges and over 400 staff members.”

    The lawmakers emphasized that these judges helped supervise other immigration judges, and firing them will lessen the quality and slow down immigration case decisions amid preexisting large case backlogs. Immigration courts are under pressure to adjudicate roughly 3.6 million immigration cases, and a recent analysis found that 700 additional immigration judges would be needed to clear the case backlog by FY 2032.

    “The absence of experienced ACIJs will impact immigration court dockets, in particular by further contributing to backlogs at courts with priority dockets, such as the detained dockets, juvenile dockets, Family Expedited Removal Management (FERM) dockets, and credible fear dockets,” continued the lawmakers. “The firings also will directly impact the Migration Protection Protocols (MPP) docket, a purported priority of the Trump Administration, which has commenced at the San Diego and El Paso courts. The two ACIJs with the most experience managing the MPP docket were among those fired.”

    The lawmakers further underscored the lack of notice or justification provided for the firings, suggesting they were politically motivated. They noted the harmful caseload impacts of the BIA judge removals, which unlawfully reduced the size of the BIA from 28 to 15 appellate immigration judges.

    The lawmakers concluded by outlining the grave consequences of continuing to threaten the EOIR workforce and making a series of information requests.

    “Further jeopardizing the immigration courts’ ability to address the case backlog are EOIR’s efforts to reduce the overall size of the EOIR workforce,” concluded the lawmakers. “Despite the impact on adjudications and court efficiency, it appears EOIR leadership may continue to fire immigration judges. … Alarmingly, the Trump Administration also has not indicated any plans to replace the recently fired judges—a process that requires intensive training that can take upwards of one year.”

    The letter was led by U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee. In addition to Padilla and Schiff, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    U.S. Representatives Yassamin Ansari (D-Ill.-01), Becca Balint (D-Vt.-AL), Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.-02), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.-01), Shontel Brown (D-Ohio-11), Sean Casten (D-Ill.-06), Gerald Connolly (D-Va.-11), Lou Correa (D-Calif.-46), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas-30), Danny Davis (D-Ill.-07), Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas-07), Jesús García (D-Ill.-04), Daniel Goldman (D-N.Y.-10), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.-05), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.-01), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07), Henry Johnson (D-Ga.-04), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.-08), George Latimer (D-N.Y.-06), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.-18), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.-08), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.-04), James McGovern (D-Mass.-02), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.-AL), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.-06), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.-02), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.-02), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.-05), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.-01), Thomas Suozzi (D-N.Y.-03), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.-02), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii-02), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.-23), and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.-43) also signed the letter.

    Senator Padilla is a leading voice in Congress opposing President Trump’s anti-immigrant actions and rhetoric. He’s led efforts to highlight the rising challenges at immigration courts including court backlogs, due process issues, and the importance of legal representation.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear Attorney General Bondi:

    We write with great concern regarding the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s (EOIR) decision to fire numerous immigration judges as the immigration courts face a staggering backlog of cases and a likely influx of new cases pursuant to President Trump’s mass-deportation agenda.

    On February 14, 2025, EOIR abruptly terminated 20 immigration judges via email without prior notice or stated cause, including 13 judges who had not yet been sworn in and seven of EOIR’s approximately 40 assistant chief immigration judges (ACIJs). Additionally, EOIR removed nine Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) members, all of whom were appointed during the Biden Administration. These removals followed the termination of four individuals in senior EOIR leadership positions. The termination of the ACIJs left roughly 25 percent of immigration courts without appropriate or established leadership or additional judges to preside over immigration matters. The fired ACIJs oversaw 18 of the 71 immigration courts and supervised 135 of approximately 700 immigration judges and over 400 staff members. They played key roles in ensuring immigration judges under their supervision adjudicated cases properly and efficiently. These changes will lessen the quality of immigration case decisions and the speed at which immigration cases are adjudicated.

    There have been valid criticisms in the past regarding the politicized hiring of immigration judges. Under President George W. Bush’s Administration, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales improperly considered political affiliations when selecting immigration judges. In addition, under the first Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions changed the hiring process to quickly add six new BIA members who were immigration judges with among the highest asylum denial rates in the country. There is no indication, however, that the hiring process for the recently fired immigration judges and ACIJs was politicized. The immigration judges and ACIJs had varied backgrounds and had previously worked as ICE attorneys, prosecutors, DHS officials, and members of the private immigration bar. In addition, two of the fired ACIJs are veterans; one is a disabled veteran, and the other is a combat veteran with a pending disability claim.

    The decision to terminate these experienced ACIJs is particularly baffling, given the immense pressure the immigration courts are under to adjudicate roughly 3.6 million immigration cases. A recent analysis found that 700 additional immigration judges would be needed to clear the case backlog by FY2032.11 The absence of experienced ACIJs will impact immigration court dockets, in particular by further contributing to backlogs at courts with priority dockets, such as the detained dockets, juvenile dockets, Family Expedited Removal Management (FERM) dockets, and credible fear dockets. The firings also will directly impact the Migration Protection Protocols (MPP) docket, a purported priority of the Trump Administration, which has commenced at the San Diego and El Paso courts. The two ACIJs with the most experience managing the MPP docket were among those fired.

    EOIR terminated the ACIJs with no warning, and in at least one case, an ACIJ received the termination email during an asylum hearing and had to abruptly depart the hearing, leaving the status of the case unclear. The termination emails did not cite any legal provision or basis for the removals, stating only that the ACIJs’ “employment was no longer in the best interest of the agency.” Like the EOIR leadership terminated shortly after President Trump took office, the ACIJs who were fired apparently had no conduct or performance issues prior to their termination.

    EOIR also forced out every BIA member appointed during the Biden Administration through threats of demotion or reduction in force notices. This occurred despite the governing regulation stating the BIA shall consist of 28 members. Reducing the size of the BIA from 28 to 15 members will have practical repercussions on the Board’s caseload and quality of decisions.

    Further jeopardizing the immigration courts’ ability to address the case backlog are EOIR’s efforts to reduce the overall size of the EOIR workforce. According to the union representing immigration judges, about 85 immigration court professionals, including 18 judges, accepted the Trump Administration’s deferred resignation offer or early retirement. Despite the impact on adjudications and court efficiency, it appears EOIR leadership may continue to fire immigration judges. Acting Director Owen recently issued a memo stating that EOIR may decline in the future to recognize restrictions for removing “inferior officers,” including the director, deputy director, all immigration judges, all appellate immigration judges, all administrative law judges, the chief administrative hearing officer, the general counsel, and the assistant director for policy. Another memo indicated that EOIR could not be “confident” that judges hired during the Biden Administration were hired in a “merit-based” and “appropriate” manner. Alarmingly, the Trump Administration also has not indicated any plans to replace the recently fired judges—a process that requires intensive training that can take upwards of one year.

    We call on you to respond to the following questions at your earliest possible convenience, and no later than April 11, 2025.

    1. Between January 20, 2025 and the date of the Department’s response to this letter, please provide the number of people in the following positions that have been dismissed, fired, reassigned, or otherwise let go, including by resignation or accepting an early retirement:

    a. Immigration judges;

    b. ACIJs;

    c. BIA members; and

    d. Immigration court staff, including legal assistants, attorneys, and administrative staff.

    2. What are the locations of the immigration courts where the departed personnel, including immigration judges, ACIJs, and immigration court staff, were located?

    3. Please provide the individual justifications, including indications of bias or impropriety, for the removal of immigration judges, ACIJs, and BIA members between January 21, 2025 and the date of the Department’s response to this letter?

    4. What is your plan to hire immigration court staff, immigration judges, and ACIJs by the end of FY 2025 and by the end of FY 2026?

    5. What is your plan to reduce the immigration court backlog? As part of that plan, have you conducted any assessment regarding how reducing immigration court staff and immigration judges will impact the backlog of cases?

    6. What is your plan to apply expedited removal to people currently in removal proceedings under section 240 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)? Have you provided any related instructions to immigration judges to block terminations of cases where the individual has demonstrated prima facie eligibility for a benefit and has an application pending for relief under the INA?

    7. How do you plan to reduce the number of BIA members through regulation?

    8. What, if any, plans do you have to convert IJs and/or ACIJs to “Special Inquiry Officers”?

    Thank you for your attention to this matter.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: LA Times: ‘Misguided mission’: Senators blast detaining migrants at Guantanamo

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    ICYMI: LA Times: ‘Misguided mission’: Senators blast detaining migrants at Guantanamo

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — In case you missed it, in a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, discussed the Trump Administration’s unlawful detention of migrants at Naval Station Guantánamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO) following his visit to the base. Last week, Padilla joined a delegation of U.S. Senators in traveling to Guantánamo Bay to conduct oversight of the ongoing Department of Defense activities to support the Department of Homeland Security in the unlawful relocation of migrants. The Senators blasted the Trump Administration for its unlawful relocation of migrants and waste of taxpayer dollars and military resources.

    In his interview, Padilla reiterated the “enormous” costs to taxpayers of the “misguided” Guantánamo Bay mission, emphasizing the Trump Administration’s lack of preparation and lack of reasoning for detaining migrants at Guantánamo Bay as opposed to within the United States. He also stressed that there is “no clear authority” for the Administration to take these unlawful actions, and underscored that many of the migrants being detained here are considered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to be “low-risk.”

    Padilla previously denounced Trump’s relocation of immigrants from the United States to Guantánamo Bay as unlawful and demanded answers earlier this year.

    Key Excerpts:

    • Senators who visited the U.S. military base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, where the Trump administration has flown hundreds of migrants for deportation, on Saturday called on the Trump administration to “immediately cease this misguided mission.”
    • “After examining the migrant relocation activities at Guantánamo Bay, we are outraged by the scale and wastefulness of the Trump Administration’s misuse of our military,” the senators wrote. “It is obvious that Guantanamo Bay is a likely illegal and certainly illogical location to detain immigrants. Its use is seemingly designed to undermine due process and evade legal scrutiny.”
    • Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said his biggest takeaways were that the administration didn’t properly prepare for the operation and that the cost to taxpayers is “enormous.” “It was sort of a ready-fire-aim approach to this whole thing,” he said.
    • In an interview with The Times, Padilla said officials could not adequately explain why the migrants had to be held at Guantanamo, not some facility in the United States. …  “We asked repeatedly, you mean to tell me that across the 48 states in the continental U.S., there’s not space for [around 40 low-level detainees]?” Padilla said, adding that he has issues with Trump’s detention and deportation operation. “But even recognizing that, there’s a much more cost-effective way of doing it than this.”
    • Among the senators’ questions Friday, Padilla said, was what authorities are doing to meet the minimum standards for detention conditions, and which set of standards they are aiming to meet, such as those pertaining to the Navy or to ICE. There was no clear response, he said. “A lot of it seemed to be still very much a work in progress because this is unique, in terms of it being an ICE mission at a foreign location,” he said. “That in and of itself is extremely concerning because there’s no clear authority for anything they are doing at Guantanamo.”
    • At times, Padilla said, officials gave contradictory information. For example, he said the answer to some questions was “it depends on their conviction.” But Padilla pointed out that some detainees haven’t been convicted of anything, and are being held based on an arrest or charge.

    Full text of the article is available here and below:

    LA Times: ‘Misguided mission’: Senators blast detaining migrants at Guantanamo

    By Andrea Castillo

    • Sen. Alex Padilla, after visiting Guantanamo, said the Trump administration didn’t properly prepare for the operation and that the cost to taxpayers is “enormous.”
    • Eighty-seven migrants from primarily Latin American countries were held at the facility as of Friday, 42 of them considered “low risk.”

    Senators who visited the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where the Trump administration has flown hundreds of migrants for deportation, on Saturday called on the Trump administration to “immediately cease this misguided mission.”

    The delegation of senators — four Democrats and one Independent — said they were angered that they had to fly to Cuba on Friday for answers to questions they’ve been asking administration officials for months.

    “After examining the migrant relocation activities at Guantanamo Bay, we are outraged by the scale and wastefulness of the Trump Administration’s misuse of our military,” the senators wrote. “It is obvious that Guantanamo Bay is a likely illegal and certainly illogical location to detain immigrants. Its use is seemingly designed to undermine due process and evade legal scrutiny.”

    Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said his biggest takeaways were that the administration didn’t properly prepare for the operation and that the cost to taxpayers is “enormous.”

    “It was sort of a ready-fire-aim approach to this whole thing,” he said.

    In an interview with The Times, Padilla said officials could not adequately explain why the migrants had to be held at Guantanamo, not some facility in the United States.

    The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Guantanamo is best known for holding suspected terrorists and the mastermind behind the Sept. 11 attacks, but some of the migrants held there are classified as “low-level” detainees.

    “We asked repeatedly, you mean to tell me that across the 48 states in the continental U.S., there’s not space for [around 40 low-level detainees]?” Padilla said, adding that he has issues with Trump’s detention and deportation operation. “But even recognizing that, there’s a much more cost-effective way of doing it than this.”

    Padilla traveled to Guantanamo with Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee; Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee; Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, the top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; and Sen. Angus King of Maine, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee.

    The delegation was led by Reed. King, an Independent, caucuses with the Democrats.

    Padilla is a member of the Judiciary Committee and chairs its immigration subcommittee.

    Upon arrival Friday, the senators were briefed by Homeland Security officials, agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Navy personnel. They visited three sites: lower-level detainees, higher-level detainees and the final 15 suspected foreign terrorists held in connection to the 9/11 attacks.

    Eighty-seven migrants were held at the facility as of Friday, primarily from Latin American countries: 42 in a dormitory at the Migrant Operations Center and 45 at Camp 6, on a separate part of the base. Camp 6 is a medium-security military prison.

    On March 11, the Trump administration flew 40 migrants held at Guantanamo back to the U.S., a few days ahead of a court hearing in a pair of lawsuits challenging whether it is legal to hold detainees there for civil immigration purposes.

    A federal District Court judge in Washington, D.C., declined to block the administration from sending more migrants to Guantanamo. Afterward, the administration began sending more migrants there.

    The Trump administration has broadly portrayed migrants sent to Guantanamo as dangerous, though many had no criminal record in the U.S. Officials have claimed without evidence that some have ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

    President Trump issued an executive order in January to expand the Migrant Operations Center “to full capacity.” He suggested 30,000 migrants could be housed on the base.

    Among the senators’ questions Friday, Padilla said, was what authorities are doing to meet the minimum standards for detention conditions, and which set of standards they are aiming to meet, such as those pertaining to the Navy or to ICE. There was no clear response, he said.

    “A lot of it seemed to be still very much a work in progress because this is unique, in terms of it being an ICE mission at a foreign location,” he said. “That in and of itself is extremely concerning because there’s no clear authority for anything they are doing at Guantanamo.”

    At times, Padilla said, officials gave contradictory information. For example, he said the answer to some questions was “it depends on their conviction.” But Padilla pointed out that some detainees haven’t been convicted of anything, and are being held based on an arrest or charge.

    Padilla said officials kept using the phrase “the worst of the worst” to describe the migrants.

    “If they’re all the worst of the worst, they should all be in the high-risk or violent-offender category,” he said.

    Padilla said officials “did everything they could” to keep the visitors from speaking with detainees. He said he managed to ask a couple of detainees held in the low-level area when they had arrived, and they told him Thursday.

    Detainees have had scarce access to phone calls. Padilla said officials recognized the need and have planned for equipment to be shipped to accommodate private attorney calls. He took that as a sign of the lack of preparation.

    Padilla said he fears some detainees will be deported to their country of origin and face persecution or death because of the lack of access to counsel.

    Some of the officials expressed frustration with the continuously evolving operational instructions, Padilla said. Military personnel told him they had received short notice before being transferred to Guantanamo.

    Those moves leave critical missions short-staffed, Padilla said.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Electronics Appoints Mauro Porcini as President and Chief Design Officer

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics today announced the appointment of Mauro Porcini as its President and Chief Design Officer (CDO). Having previously held key leadership roles at PepsiCo and 3M, Mr. Porcini brings his extensive expertise to Samsung Electronics further enhancing its user-centered approach to design innovation.
     
    Mr. Porcini was born in Italy and holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Industrial Design from Politecnico di Milano in Milan, Italy. At PepsiCo, he was credited with outstanding leadership of the company’s design teams and was recognized as a leader in design innovation, contributing to product designs as well as the entire company’s design process and maximizing the brand experience.
     
    With the addition of Mr. Porcini, Samsung Electronics plans to further strengthen its design capabilities across all business areas, including mobile, TV and home appliances.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Statement by the Monetary Policy Board: Monetary Policy Decision

    Source: Reserve Bank of Australia

    At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate target unchanged at 4.10 per cent and the interest rate paid on Exchange Settlement balances at 4 per cent.

    Underlying inflation is moderating.

    Inflation has fallen substantially since the peak in 2022, as higher interest rates have been working to bring aggregate demand and supply closer towards balance. Recent information suggests that underlying inflation continues to ease in line with the most recent forecasts published in the February Statement on Monetary Policy. Nevertheless, the Board needs to be confident that this progress will continue so that inflation returns to the midpoint of the target band on a sustainable basis. It is therefore cautious about the outlook.

    The Board noted that monetary policy is well placed to respond to international developments if they were to have material implications for Australian activity and inflation.

    The outlook remains uncertain.

    Private domestic demand appears to be recovering, real household incomes have picked up and there has been an easing in some measures of financial stress. However, businesses in some sectors continue to report that weakness in demand makes it difficult to pass on cost increases to final prices.

    At the same time, a range of indicators suggest that labour market conditions remain tight. Despite a decline in employment in February, measures of labour underutilisation are at relatively low rates and business surveys and liaison suggest that availability of labour is still a constraint for a range of employers. Wage pressures have eased a little more than expected but productivity growth has not picked up and growth in unit labour costs remains high.

    There are notable uncertainties about the outlook for domestic economic activity and inflation. The central projection is for growth in household consumption to continue to increase as income growth rises. But there is a risk that any pick-up in consumption is slower than expected, resulting in continued subdued output growth and a sharper deterioration in the labour market than currently expected. Alternatively, labour market outcomes may prove stronger than expected, given the signal from a range of leading indicators.

    More broadly, there are uncertainties regarding the lags in the effect of monetary policy and how firms’ pricing decisions and wages will respond to the demand environment and weak productivity outcomes while conditions in the labour market remain tight.

    Uncertainty about the outlook abroad also remains significant. On the macroeconomic policy front, recent announcements from the United States on tariffs are having an impact on confidence globally and this would likely be amplified if the scope of tariffs widens, or other countries take retaliatory measures. Geopolitical uncertainties are also pronounced. These developments are expected to have an adverse effect on global activity, particularly if households and firms delay expenditures pending greater clarity on the outlook. Inflation, however, could move in either direction. Many central banks have eased monetary policy since the start of the year, but they have become increasingly attentive to the evolving risks from recent global policy developments.

    Sustainably returning inflation to target is the priority.

    Sustainably returning inflation to target within a reasonable timeframe is the Board’s highest priority. This is consistent with the RBA’s mandate for price stability and full employment. To date, longer term inflation expectations have been consistent with the inflation target and it is important that this remain the case.

    The Board’s assessment is that monetary policy remains restrictive. The continued decline in underlying inflation is welcome, but there are nevertheless risks on both sides and the Board is cautious about the outlook.

    The Board will rely upon the data and the evolving assessment of risks to guide its decisions. In doing so, it will pay close attention to developments in the global economy and financial markets, trends in domestic demand, and the outlook for inflation and the labour market. The Board is resolute in its determination to sustainably return inflation to target and will do what is necessary to achieve that outcome.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Statement by the Monetary Policy Board: Monetary Policy Decision

    Source: Airservices Australia

    At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate target unchanged at 4.10 per cent and the interest rate paid on Exchange Settlement balances at 4 per cent.

    Underlying inflation is moderating.

    Inflation has fallen substantially since the peak in 2022, as higher interest rates have been working to bring aggregate demand and supply closer towards balance. Recent information suggests that underlying inflation continues to ease in line with the most recent forecasts published in the February Statement on Monetary Policy. Nevertheless, the Board needs to be confident that this progress will continue so that inflation returns to the midpoint of the target band on a sustainable basis. It is therefore cautious about the outlook.

    The Board noted that monetary policy is well placed to respond to international developments if they were to have material implications for Australian activity and inflation.

    The outlook remains uncertain.

    Private domestic demand appears to be recovering, real household incomes have picked up and there has been an easing in some measures of financial stress. However, businesses in some sectors continue to report that weakness in demand makes it difficult to pass on cost increases to final prices.

    At the same time, a range of indicators suggest that labour market conditions remain tight. Despite a decline in employment in February, measures of labour underutilisation are at relatively low rates and business surveys and liaison suggest that availability of labour is still a constraint for a range of employers. Wage pressures have eased a little more than expected but productivity growth has not picked up and growth in unit labour costs remains high.

    There are notable uncertainties about the outlook for domestic economic activity and inflation. The central projection is for growth in household consumption to continue to increase as income growth rises. But there is a risk that any pick-up in consumption is slower than expected, resulting in continued subdued output growth and a sharper deterioration in the labour market than currently expected. Alternatively, labour market outcomes may prove stronger than expected, given the signal from a range of leading indicators.

    More broadly, there are uncertainties regarding the lags in the effect of monetary policy and how firms’ pricing decisions and wages will respond to the demand environment and weak productivity outcomes while conditions in the labour market remain tight.

    Uncertainty about the outlook abroad also remains significant. On the macroeconomic policy front, recent announcements from the United States on tariffs are having an impact on confidence globally and this would likely be amplified if the scope of tariffs widens, or other countries take retaliatory measures. Geopolitical uncertainties are also pronounced. These developments are expected to have an adverse effect on global activity, particularly if households and firms delay expenditures pending greater clarity on the outlook. Inflation, however, could move in either direction. Many central banks have eased monetary policy since the start of the year, but they have become increasingly attentive to the evolving risks from recent global policy developments.

    Sustainably returning inflation to target is the priority.

    Sustainably returning inflation to target within a reasonable timeframe is the Board’s highest priority. This is consistent with the RBA’s mandate for price stability and full employment. To date, longer term inflation expectations have been consistent with the inflation target and it is important that this remain the case.

    The Board’s assessment is that monetary policy remains restrictive. The continued decline in underlying inflation is welcome, but there are nevertheless risks on both sides and the Board is cautious about the outlook.

    The Board will rely upon the data and the evolving assessment of risks to guide its decisions. In doing so, it will pay close attention to developments in the global economy and financial markets, trends in domestic demand, and the outlook for inflation and the labour market. The Board is resolute in its determination to sustainably return inflation to target and will do what is necessary to achieve that outcome.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU launches course on cybersecurity basics for seniors

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    A course of lectures on financial and computer literacy “Basics of Cybersecurity for the Senior Generation” was launched at Novosibirsk State University on March 28. Its students were pensioners from the Sovietsky District of Novosibirsk. This course on financial literacy is conducted by Sber specialists with the support of Faculty of Economics, NSU. It is organized within the framework of the mandatory course “Service Learning”, which is being implemented in various formats in all universities of the country and is aimed at developing citizenship, responsibility, leadership qualities and patriotism in combination with professional competencies through the implementation of socially oriented projects. The tasks for students are set by social partners. They also supervise the activities of students throughout the academic semester.

    — The mandatory course “Service Learning” is an important platform for revealing the potential of young people in solving project tasks that have practical significance, and the social focus helps to more accurately build internal motivation for their solution. This is a subtle educational approach that develops the idea of volunteering, adding to it the experience of team solutions, reflection at all stages and mentoring from curators from both the university and the social partner. As part of the course, students receive a project result and reflect it on the Dobro.RF platform. It is open to everyone and can also be implemented by other regions in the course of solving similar problems, — said Elena Obukhova, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor of the Department of Management of the Faculty of Economics of NSU.

    One of such projects was a course of lectures on financial and computer literacy for pensioners, organized jointly with the Administration of the Sovietsky District of Novosibirsk with the support of State Duma deputy Alexander Aksenenko. The course consists of 4 lectures and three practical classes.

    — In the modern world of technological progress, fraudsters are moving into the category of cyberspace, that is, pickpocket fraud and apartment thefts are becoming less common, because people have stopped keeping paper money at home and carrying it in their wallets. Now it is a cashless world and fraudsters are already trying to steal non-cash money, so it is important to protect yourself in cyberspace, — said Nadezhda Volkova, Head of Financial Literacy and Sales Efficiency at Sberbank Siberian Bank.

    Unfortunately, the most vulnerable category of citizens to cyber fraudsters are people of retirement and pre-retirement age. Our lectures are aimed at telling about the methods of cyber fraudsters and teaching the population to identify fraudsters and not fall for their tricks.

    The information campaign about recruiting students for the 2025 course was held among the active pensioners of the Sovetsky District who had previously participated in various educational programs, including the Silver Age University, Our Favorite Front Garden, and 20 Meetings with Interesting People, which had been held since 2022. The course on cybersecurity interested the audience, and almost 200 people signed up for it.

    — The topics covered in the course are particularly relevant given the growing statistics of fraudulent actions against citizens of our country. People of retirement age are in a particularly vulnerable position. In Novosibirsk, the level of defrauded citizens is especially high in the Sovetsky District — this is noted by representatives of the local government. And the issues of financial stability and savings strategy are relevant in our unstable times. The accelerated pace of digitalization poses challenges for us and pushes us to continuous learning. The older generation is faced with new tasks, not only related to performing everyday activities using various devices and programs, but also more complex ones, such as promoting communities on social networks, preparing materials and data, — Elena Obukhova explained.

    The first part of the course of 4 lectures from Sber experts will be held at NSU. It is dedicated to financial literacy and protection from fraudsters. On April 28, Nadezhda Volkova gave a lecture on “Cybersecurity Basics for the Older Generation”. On April 4, there will be a lecture on “Data Protection on the Internet. Drops”. It will continue the topic of cybersecurity. Representatives of the older generation will be told how to protect themselves on the Internet, how to create passwords correctly so that they are memorable only to you and at the same time meet the requirements of reliability and security. Listeners will learn who drops are (this is what attackers call people with the help of whom they hide stolen funds) and how not to become a dropper yourself. On April 11, the lecture will be dedicated to digital financial assets. It will be about a new type of money, as well as what it was created for and how to handle it correctly. The first part of the course will end on April 18 with a lecture on a long-term savings program for senior citizens.

    The second part of the classes, dedicated to computer literacy, will be conducted by a team of first-year students from the Business Informatics department: Mark Roninson, Artem Kuleshov and Alexander Zhuravlev. It was developed taking into account questions and wishes from the pensioners participating in the program. It will cover topics such as storing and sending data (between devices/applications), booking tickets and hotels, shopping on marketplaces, working with messengers, a short course in preparing content for social networks, including video editing, etc.

    The first lecture was met with great interest by the audience. Its listeners left the following comments:

    “Thanks to all the organizers! The guys met us, quickly checked the lists, saw us off, and met us. A very interesting lecture! The students are great! They prepared, waited for us, cared, and tried! Thank you very much!”

    “The lecture went by in one breath. Thanks to Nadezhda Volkova – she presented the information in an interesting, accessible way and with real examples. Thanks to the organizers of this lecture course. Special thanks to the students of the NSU Economics Department for meeting us and paying attention to us until the very end of the lecture.”

    “What an interesting lecture on cybersecurity was today! Nadezhda Volkova enthusiastically shared her knowledge in this area. The hall was full, young students helped, showed the way, were attentive and polite. It was very nice!”

    “A great start to the course. Organized in a very modern way: fast, comfortable, friendly, high-quality presentation. An unexpected pleasant bonus was a tour of NSU. Thank you!”

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: New national standards for residential buildings released

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    People watch a demonstration of an unmanned remote tower crane working at a construction site in Huangdao District of Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, Sept. 18, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development on Monday released new national standards for residential projects, aiming to meet the people’s demand for improved living quality.
    The new standards, targeting residential projects as a whole, emphasize safety, comfort, green practices and smart design while specifying requirements for construction, use and maintenance in terms of scale, layout, functionality, performance and key technical measures.
    The new standards, effective May 1, cover seven aspects that include general principles, basic regulations, living environment, building space, structure, indoor environment, and building equipment.
    Key provisions include a minimum ceiling height of three meters for new residential buildings, mandatory elevators for structures with four or more floors, and enhanced sound insulation standards for walls and floors.
    According to China’s existing home design standards, which have been in effect since 2012, the ceiling height requirement is 2.8 meters.
    An official from the ministry said that rapid economic and social development, coupled with improvements in living standards and construction technology, have raised expectations for housing quality.
    The new standards, formulated through extensive consultation and research, will further support the high-quality development of urban housing, the official added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese teams, local rescuers race against time in Myanmar quake relief

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Members from the China Search and Rescue Team and the Rescue Team of Ramunion jointly transfer a pregnant survivor at a quake site in Mandalay city, Myanmar, March 31, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, multiple Chinese rescue teams have arrived in the disaster-stricken areas, working with local responders around the clock to search for survivors.

    So far Chinese teams have rescued six survivors in severely-hit Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay. The rescuers combed through the ruins of apartments, hotels and hospitals to find signs of life. Continuous aftershocks, power cuts, destroyed roads and communication interruptions made their rescue work even harder.

    Meanwhile, more Chinese rescue teams are heading to Myanmar, bringing in earthquake experts, structural engineers, medical personnel and canine units, as well as life detectors, demolition equipment and field hospital systems.

    According to Myanmar’s State Administration Council, by Sunday about 1,700 people have been reported killed, 3,400 injured, and 300 missing in the massive 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the country and its neighbors on Friday.

    Survivors rescued

    Early on Monday, the China Search and Rescue Team found a woman at a collapsed hotel in Mandalay city after more than five hours of intense work. The survivor had been trapped for nearly 60 hours and had good vital signs when rescued.

    At another site, members of China’s Blue Sky Rescue Team worked with local volunteers and recovered a survivor on Sunday.

    Satellite images showed that countless buildings were reduced to rubble in the city, located less than 20 km from the epicenter.

    In the capital Nay Pyi Taw, a 37-member rescue and medical team from China’s Yunnan Province arrived on Saturday evening with emergency supplies such as full-function life detectors, earthquake early warning systems, portable satellite phones and drones.

    The team, alongside local rescuers, rescued an elderly man trapped for nearly 40 hours under the rubble of Ottara Thiri Private Hospital after an emergency rescue operation overnight.

    On Sunday morning, Myanmar’s State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing visited the hospital and expressed his appreciation to members of the Chinese rescue team for their timely assistance.

    Challenges ahead

    Mandalay’s Sky Villa is among the most severely affected structures in the city. Two apartment buildings have completely collapsed, and another 12-story building was reduced to six stories by the earthquake, burying many.

    Among the anxious onlookers was Daw Nan Mya Aye, a 65-year-old retired high school teacher. She stood with a composed yet weary expression, her hands tightly clasped in front of her.

    “Our house had 11 people. When the quake struck, I wasn’t home — I had just returned from a meditation center and was staying at my daughter’s place. My niece and nephew were also at work,” she recalled.

    As of Sunday evening, two of her family members had been pulled from the rubble. One of them was her 76-year-old sister. Her 14-year-old niece, badly injured with broken hip bones, was sent to hospital.

    “We have lost so many family members. There aren’t many of us left,” she said softly.

    At dawn on Monday, a woman was pulled out from the rubble of a condominium after hours of rescue efforts by the China Search and Rescue Team and a civilian team from RAMUNION RESCUE.

    A girl and a pregnant survivor were also pulled out at the Sky Villa quake scene soon after.

    Despite challenges like confined working areas, frequent aftershocks, residual fires and dense smoke, local and international rescuers are racing against time, hoping to save more people as the crucial 72-hour window of earthquake rescue closes.

    Hope endures

    Among the brave rescuers is 19-year-old Pyae Phyo Aung, a member of Myat Thada Rescue. Since 2016, he has dedicated himself to saving lives, but he said nothing has tested him like this disaster.

    “We are rescuing people trapped in the rubble — some with their legs pinned, some buried up to their waists, and others completely covered,” he said. “We prioritize saving the living before retrieving the dead.”

    His team alone has saved 11 people so far, he said.

    In Mandalay, more than 100 young overseas Chinese volunteers in Myanmar have started providing technical, information and logistical support such as collecting information under the guidance of the professional rescue team.

    Officials from the Myanmar rescue department also briefed the rescue team on Myanmar’s arrangements for international rescue efforts.

    Li Wenyang, a member of the China Blue Sky Rescue Team, said they plan to divide the city into several search areas to let volunteers collect information on missing persons, survivors and casualties, so as to facilitate planning and assessment for the incoming rescue forces.

    On Sunday afternoon, a chartered flight took off from Kunming, the capital of China’s Yunnan Province, carrying approximately 7.3 tons of relief supplies for Myanmar, including clothes, medicines, instant noodles, tents and other daily necessities. This was the second batch of provincial-level relief supplies that Yunnan has sent to Myanmar.

    On Sunday night, 118 members of the China International Search and Rescue Team arrived in Nay Pyi Taw, while on Monday morning, the first batch of emergency humanitarian earthquake relief supplies provided by the Chinese government to Myanmar departed from Beijing.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Grand Canal stars in hit TV show

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    All the main characters reside in a neighborhood in Huajie (Flower Street) along the bank of a section of the Grand Canal. [Photo/China Daily]

    More than 700 years ago, Italian merchant and explorer Marco Polo trekked to China, leaving a deep impression of the Grand Canal — the country’s major waterway artery — and providing the detailed portrayal in the famous book, The Travels of Marco Polo, that stirred Europeans’ curiosity about the Eastern world.

    This also became the inspiration for writer Xu Zechen’s best-selling novel Northward, which won the 10th Mao Dun Literature Award thanks to its epic recounting of the canal and riverside people over a turbulent span of more than one century.

    In the novel, an Italian explorer who regards Polo as his idol ventures to China during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) to search for his missing younger brother, embarking on a fate-intertwining journey with several Chinese individuals. Narrated in two parallel lines that switch between ancient and modern times, the skillfully structured tale also recounts the stories of their descendants.

    For director Yao Xiaofeng, a native of Jiangsu province — where 687 kilometers of the canal flow through eight cities — the novel captivated him in 2018. The veteran had previously spent years searching for a proper story about the water and people residing along its banks.

    With award-winning scriptwriter Zhao Dongling on board to pen the tale, the novel was adapted into a 38-episode, eponymous TV series that began airing on China Central Television’s CCTV-1 and streaming site iQiyi earlier last month.

    Starring actress Bai Lu and actor Ou Hao, the series — which is set between 2000 and 2014 — has attracted audiences, as evidenced by its related topics garnering 2.26 billion views on the social platform Weibo.

    Centering on six neighboring families residing near one section of the canal in Huai’an, Jiangsu province, the drama chronicles their ups and downs, following their children as they move to Beijing to seek education or startup opportunities, riding the wave of the country’s unprecedented internet business expansion.

    “It’s like a destined encounter that led me to helm this drama. The canal was part of my childhood memories. I was a self-taught swimmer, and many of the mischievous acts by the children in the drama are inspired by my own experiences,” Yao told China Daily during a telephone interview.

    In 2014, the Grand Canal was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, inspiring Yao to read several books and watch documentaries about the world’s longest artificial waterway.

    Delving deeper into Xu’s canal-centered novels, such as Stories of Beijing Western Suburbs and Jerusalem, Yao gained a profound understanding of how the canal — which stretches nearly 3,200 km and flows through 35 cities — serves as an economic and cultural artery for the country, influencing the livelihoods of numerous local residents.

    Captivated by the spiritual core of Xu’s tales, which depict themes of homesickness and destiny, Yao, alongside major creators, including screenwriter Zhao and chief producer Zhang Shuwei, took a road trip along the section of the canal in Jiangsu province. They collected firsthand information by interviewing nearly 100 boatmen who live and work on barges.

    “The journey took around half a month. Many boatmen’s families, consisting of parents and one or two children, live, sleep, and entertain themselves on their boats. They rarely go ashore, unless they need to purchase daily necessities from supermarkets,” Yao recalls.

    However, what has touched Yao the most is the boatmen who had to leave the water due to the fishing ban in certain sections to protect the local ecosystem. “On the boat, they are like fish in water. But when they are relocated to life on land, you can sense their deep sense of loss, even though their new life is more comfortable and stable,” Yao remarks.

    Having to leave the environment they know best due to societal changes, many boatmen struggle with feelings of uselessness and a loss of confidence. These experiences inspired the character played by actor Hu Jun — a once-successful barge operator who faces a personal crisis after the decline of his water transportation business.

    Zhang, the chief producer, tells China Daily that she also feels impressed by how boatmen take the boats as their “moving houses”.

    “The core of their lives revolves around boats, and when they discuss buying a boat, the gravity is akin to how we city dwellers talk about buying an apartment,” says Zhang.

    During their survey journey through cities such as Huai’an and Yangzhou, Zhao recalls meeting young people who had graduated from foreign colleges and returned to their hometowns to start small businesses, such as opening bookstores.

    “We heard many interesting stories and incorporated some of their elements into the drama,” Zhang adds.

    The series’ major scenes are set in Huajie (Flower Street), a riverside community home to 18 characters from six families. To find the perfect filming location, the crew surveyed multiple sites before selecting Bacheng Old Street in Kunshan — a 200-meter-long, narrow street lined with densely packed, gray-tiled houses.

    “Although filming on a sound-stage makes it easier to control lighting and the surrounding environment — such as avoiding onlookers — we chose to embrace the challenges of shooting on location and built the characters’ homes directly on the street,” says Zhang.

    This also makes the filming feel more authentic, and full of everyday life. In some long takes, the scenes capture lively children joyfully running from their own courtyards to their neighbors’, a bustling wonton stall opening for breakfast and residents sitting on small stools, enjoying their morning meals.

    Interestingly, the construction work was kept on to ensure that the props and room decorations updated according to economic and societal development of the times, especially as local families’ lives improved following the canal’s successful bid for UNESCO’s list, which has boosted local tourism and cultural businesses, according to Zhang.

    The drama also explores the theme of root-seeking, according to the director.

    Ma Siyi, one of six children living in Huajie, is a descendant of the Italian explorer’s brother and his Chinese wife. After years of struggling with her appearance and background, she embarks on a journey to Italy in one episode to trace her roots. Raised by her Chinese grandmother after losing her father at a young age, her story highlights the quest for identity.

    Similarly, in the final episodes, her five close friends, who mostly move to Beijing after growing up, return to their hometown, symbolizing their own journeys to reconnect with their roots.

    “It has been a timeless literary theme revolving around ‘who I am’ and ‘where I come from’. Until the end of the drama, the audience will see how all the characters’ fates are bound to their ancestors from over 100 years ago,” says Yao.

    “Personally, this is the most captivating part of the tale and the reason it has drawn me to adapt it into a TV drama,” he adds.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Pou Hihiri sculpture inspires hope in Muriwai

    Source: Auckland Council

    Hundreds of residents and visitors gathered in Muriwai on Sunday 23 March for the official unveiling and naming ceremony of Pou Hihiri – a new sculpture commemorating the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle.

    Designed by renowned artist Jeff Thomson in collaboration with the Muriwai community, the sculpture consists of eight columns and benches crafted from materials salvaged from Category 3 houses that were deconstructed following the devastating 2023 storms.

    “What the sculpture stands for is multifaceted, says Clare Bradley, chair of the Muriwai Community Association.

    “Using material from the deconstructed homes gives it a real connection to the event that led to their destruction.
    “It serves as a strong reminder that this has happened in our community, so the events of 13 February 2023 will not be forgotten.”

    Jeff reflected on the strong sense of community throughout the project.

    “It’s been a fascinating project, and it’s still ongoing. I’ll continue to add materials to the sculpture until the deconstruction in Muriwai is complete,” says Jeff.

    Linda Greenalgh, Group Community and Social Recovery Lead for the Recovery Office, shared how deeply the ceremony moved her.

    “The whenua is regenerating, spaces are coming back to life, and there’s a strong sense of hope and momentum.”

    Pou Hihiri is a fully self-funded public artwork, made possible through the generosity of hundreds of donors who contributed funds, artworks, products, services and time to bring this meaningful project to life.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Wallet Partners with Venus Protocol to Expand DeFi Yield Options on BNB Chain

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, a leading Web3 non-custodial wallet, has entered into a strategic partnership with Venus Protocol, the top DeFi lending platform on BNB Chain. Through this integration, users can now stake BNB, USDT, and USDC on BNB Chain directly within the wallet to earn up to 10.33% APY. The feature offers real-time earnings tracking and fully flexible redemptions, simplifying access to stable on-chain yield.

    This partnership enhances Bitget Wallet’s Earn offering by integrating one of the most trusted protocols on BNB Chain, enabling users to access decentralized lending markets with just a few taps. Venus Protocol powers some of the largest and most active lending pools in the ecosystem, offering high-efficiency and secure infrastructure. By embedding this functionality directly into the Bitget Wallet interface, users can bypass complex DeFi platforms and interact with yield opportunities in a streamlined, intuitive way—without leaving the wallet or bridging assets.

    “We’re excited to partner with Bitget Wallet to bring DeFi lending to a broader audience in a seamless and user-friendly way,” said Danny Cooper, Vanguard Team Lead at Venus Protocol. “This integration aligns with our mission to make decentralized finance more accessible and efficient for everyone. Through this collaboration, more users can tap into secure and sustainable yield opportunities directly from their wallets.” The integration with Venus provides users with a more diverse set of earning options, representing a growing suite of earning tools embedded within the wallet, enabling users to maximize yield without compromising on security or control.

    “Our mission is to help users unlock the full value of their assets through intuitive and secure DeFi products,“ said Alvin Kan, COO of Bitget Wallet. “By partnering with Venus Protocol, we’re making stable on-chain yield more accessible. We‘ll continue to build a broader earning ecosystem that empowers users to grow their portfolios confidently, all within Bitget Wallet.“

    About Bitget Wallet
    Bitget Wallet is the home of Web3, uniting endless possibilities in one non-custodial wallet. With over 60 million users, it offers comprehensive on-chain services, including asset management, instant swaps, rewards, staking, trading tools, live market data, a DApp browser and crypto payment solutions. Supporting over 130 blockchains, 20,000+ DApps, and millions of tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges, along with a $300+ million protection fund to ensure safety of users’ assets. Experience Bitget Wallet Lite to start a Web3 journey.
    For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook
    For media inquiries, please contact media.web3@bitget.com

    About Venus Protocol
    With over $2.3B total supply, Venus Protocol is the leading decentralized lending and borrowing platform on BNB Chain, offering users seamless access to crypto-backed loans, yield generation, and an innovative governance model. By providing a secure, efficient, and scalable DeFi ecosystem, Venus empowers users to maximize their digital asset holdings.
    For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Web
    For media inquiries, please contact verify@venus.io

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2284792c-b429-4bc8-8dbd-d91e888c6ed8

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Signalgate’ was damaging to the Trump administration. It could be deadly for Yemeni civilians

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Sarah G. Phillips, Professor of Global Conflict and Development; Non-Resident Fellow at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies (Yemen), University of Sydney

    The “Signalgate” story has received wall-to-wall coverage since Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of The Atlantic, published explosive details about a Signal group chat where senior US officials discussed impending airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen.

    Perhaps unsurprisingly, the coverage has focused on details of most concern to Western audiences, including the depth of the security breach, the classification status of the material that was shared, and the implications of sending war plans through a non-secure platform.

    But what are the implications of this for Yemen? In short, it helps the Houthis and hurts the civilians living under their control.

    Providing the Houthis with intelligence

    Yemeni civilians are caught in an impossible position. They have suffered from years of ruthless violence in a civil war that began with the Houthi capture of the capital, Sana’a, in 2014. The conflict grew even more violent when a Saudi-led (and Western-backed) military coalition entered the fray to back the Yemeni government the following year, imposing a crippling blockade that lasted until 2021.

    The war has caused a humanitarian disaster, with malnutrition rates among the highest in the world. The Houthis have consolidated their control over much of Yemen’s population through the weaponisation of food distribution and brutal repression of dissent.

    In early 2024, the Houthis then began attacking ships in the Red Sea, bringing retaliatory strikes by the United States, United Kingdom, and Israel. Each of these have caused further civilian casualties and harm.

    The Houthis (and their Iranian and Russian supporters) will draw comfort from the Signal chat group’s apparent confirmation the US strikes on March 15 were not a sign of the Trump administration’s intent to dislodge them from power:

    Vice President JD Vance (14 March, 08:16am ET): The strongest reason to do this is, as POTUS said, to send a message.

    Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (14 March, 08:27am ET): This [is] not about the Houthis. I see it as two things: 1) Restoring Freedom of Navigation, a core national interest; and 2) Reestablish deterrence, which Biden cratered.

    The Houthis can withstand intermittent airstrikes – they have withstood airstrikes for over two decades.

    But a more substantial intervention — one that combines a coalition of local forces with guaranteed air support from Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates (with US support) — would pose a far greater threat to the Houthis.

    With this apparently not being considered, the Houthis may now feel emboldened to press-gang more people into military service before a fresh assault on the strategically important oil fields in Marib. This is the last major city in northern Yemen still under government control.

    The Houthis have tried to take Marib before, but were prevented by Yemeni troops supported by Saudi air cover. Controlling the oil fields in Marib is vital to the group’s ability to sustain itself economically.

    Putting Yemeni civilians at risk

    While the Trump administration claims the chat did not compromise sources and methods, Goldberg noted a US-based intelligence officer was named. The Atlantic removed their name for security reasons.

    The publication’s decision to remove this detail is a stark reminder of whose security matters — and whose doesn’t. The transcript reads:

    National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (15 March, 13:48pm ET): VP. Building collapsed. Had multiple positive ID…

    Waltz (15 March, 14.00pm ET): Typing too fast. The first target – their top missile guy – we had positive ID of him walking into his girlfriend’s building and it’s now collapsed.

    Putting aside the fact this was a residential building — it should not be an aside, but this is how most news coverage has been treating it — this detail is important to the Houthis.

    This is because Waltz confirms “multiple” sources had positively identified a target, which the Houthis may use to justify further crackdowns, forced disappearances and even executions of those they accuse of being spies.

    The Trump administration was clearly reckless in divulging this detail. But it’s striking The Atlantic did not consider the danger posed to Yemeni civilians by publishing it. Experts on the Houthis – and their methods of subjugation – could have quickly highlighted this point if they were consulted.

    From a Yemeni perspective, a named source may have even been preferable to the hazy, but authoritative, confirmation of US operational methods and sources. The lack of specificity in the transcript plays to the Houthis’ dragnet approach to extinguishing independent voices by forcibly disappearing people on fake allegations of espionage.

    These are typically aid workers, academics, minorities, journalists and members of civil society who are not vocally aligned with the group.

    These abductions have been occurring for years, but ramped up in the middle of 2024. Dozens of members of civil society and aid organisations (and potentially many more) were kidnapped last year. Some are confirmed to have died in detention; many others have not been heard from since.

    There are reports that abductions are already escalating in response to the latest US strikes.

    The ongoing abductions have had a chilling effect on the willingness of local and international aid providers to speak out against the Houthis. This has helped the Houthis consolidate their control over the flow of humanitarian assistance (particularly food), which they divert based on political, rather than needs-based, calculations as a means of coercing compliance.

    Yemeni civilians are seldom, if ever, a consideration in the geopolitical machinations that concern their country. The reflexive prioritisation of Western security interests exposed in the group chat – and the publication of these details – condemns them to further insecurity.

    Sarah G. Phillips receives funding from The Australian Research Council as a Future Fellow (FT200100539), and is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies.

    – ref. ‘Signalgate’ was damaging to the Trump administration. It could be deadly for Yemeni civilians – https://theconversation.com/signalgate-was-damaging-to-the-trump-administration-it-could-be-deadly-for-yemeni-civilians-253524

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: From Rongelap to Mejatto – how Rainbow Warrior helped move nuclear refugees

    The second of a two-part series on the historic Rongelap evacuation of 300 Marshall islanders from their irradiated atoll with the help of the Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior crew and the return of Rainbow Warrior III 40 years later on a nuclear justice research mission. Journalist and author David Robie, who was on board, recalls the 1985 voyage.

    SPECIAL REPORT: By David Robie

    Mejatto, previously uninhabited and handed over to the people of Rongelap by their close relatives on nearby Ebadon Island, was a lot different to their own island. It was beautiful, but it was only three kilometres long and a kilometre wide, with a dry side and a dense tropical side.

    A sandspit joined it to another small, uninhabited island. Although lush, Mejatto was uncultivated and already it was apparent there could be a food problem.Out on the shallow reef, fish were plentiful.

    Shortly after the Rainbow Warrior arrived on 21 May 1985, several of the men were out wading knee-deep on the coral spearing fish for lunch.

    Islanders with their belongings on a bum bum approach the Rainbow Warrior. © David Robie/Eyes of Fire

    But even the shallowness of the reef caused a problem. It made it dangerous to bring the Warrior any closer than about three kilometres offshore — as two shipwrecks on the reef reminded us.

    The cargo of building materials and belongings had to be laboriously unloaded onto a bum bum (small boat), which had also travelled overnight with no navigational aids apart from a Marshallese “wave map’, and the Zodiacs. It took two days to unload the ship with a swell making things difficult at times.

    An 18-year-old islander fell into the sea between the bum bum and the Warrior, almost being crushed but escaping with a jammed foot.

    Fishing success on the reef
     The delayed return to Rongelap for the next load didn’t trouble Davey Edward. In fact, he was celebrating his first fishing success on the reef after almost three months of catching nothing. He finally landed not only a red snapper, but a dozen fish, including a half-metre shark!

    Edward was also a good cook and he rustled up dinner — shark montfort, snapper fillets, tuna steaks and salmon pie (made from cans of dumped American aid food salmon the islanders didn’t want).

    Returning to Rongelap, the Rainbow Warrior was confronted with a load which seemed double that taken on the first trip. Altogether, about 100 tonnes of building materials and other supplies were shipped to Mejatto. The crew packed as much as they could on deck and left for Mejatto, this time with 114 people on board. It was a rough voyage with almost everybody being seasick.

    The journalists were roped in to clean up the ship before returning to Rongelap on the third journey.

    ‘Our people see no light, only darkness’
     Researcher Dr Glenn Alcalay (now an adjunct professor of anthropology at William Paterson University), who spoke Marshallese, was a great help to me interviewing some of the islanders.

    “It’s a hard time for us now because we don’t have a lot of food here on Mejatto — like breadfruit, taro and pandanus,” said Rose Keju, who wasn’t actually at Rongelap during the fallout.

    “Our people feel extremely depressed. They see no light, only darkness. They’ve been crying a lot.

    “We’ve moved because of the poison and the health problems we face. If we have honest scientists to check Rongelap we’ll know whether we can ever return, or we’ll have to stay on Mejatto.”

    Kiosang Kios, 46, was 15 years old at the time of Castle Bravo when she was evacuated to “Kwaj”.

    “My hair fell out — about half the people’s hair fell out,” she said. “My feet ached and burned. I lost my appetite, had diarrhoea and vomited.”

    In 1957, she had her first baby and it was born without bones – “Like this paper, it was flimsy.” A so-called ‘jellyfish baby’, it lived half a day. After that, Kios had several more miscarriages and stillbirths. In 1959, she had a daughter who had problems with her legs and feet and thyroid trouble.

    Out on the reef with the bum bums, the islanders had a welcome addition — an unusual hardwood dugout canoe being used for fishing and transport. It travelled 13,000 kilometres on board the Rainbow Warrior and bore the Sandinista legend FSLN on its black-and-red hull. A gift from Bunny McDiarmid and Henk Haazen, it had been bought for $30 from a Nicaraguan fisherman while they were crewing on the Fri. (Bunny and Henk are on board Rainbow Warrior III for the research mission).

    “It has come from a small people struggling for their sovereignty against the United States and it has gone to another small people doing the same,” said Haazen.

    Animals left behind
     Before the 10-day evacuation ended, Haazen was given an outrigger canoe by the islanders. Winched on to the deck of the Warrior, it didn’t quite make a sail-in protest at Moruroa, as Haazen planned, but it has since become a familiar sight on Auckland Harbour.

    With the third load of 87 people shipped to Mejatto and one more to go, another problem emerged. What should be done about the scores of pigs and chickens on Rongelap? Pens could be built on the main deck to transport them to Mejatto but was there any fodder left for them?

    The islanders decided they weren’t going to run a risk, no matter how slight, of having contaminated animals with them. They were abandoned on Rongelap — along with three of the five outriggers.

    Building materials from the demolished homes on Rongelap dumped on the beach at arrival on Mejatto. Image: © David Robie/Eyes of Fire

    “When you get to New Zealand you’ll be asked have you been on a farm,” warned French journalist Phillipe Chatenay, who had gone there a few weeks before to prepare a Le Point article about the “Land of the Long White Cloud and Nuclear-Free Nuts”.

    “Yes, and you’ll be asked to remove your shoes. And if you don’t have shoes, you’ll be asked to remove your feet,” added first mate Martini Gotjé, who was usually barefooted.

    The last voyage on May 28 was the most fun. A smaller group of about 40 islanders was transported and there was plenty of time to get to know each other.

    Four young men questioned cook Nathalie Mestre: where did she live? Where was Switzerland? Out came an atlas. Then Mestre produced a scrapbook of Fernando Pereira’s photographs of the voyage. The questions were endless.

    They asked for a scrap of paper and a pen and wrote in English:

    “We, the people of Rongelap, love our homeland. But how can our people live in a place which is dangerous and poisonous. I mean, why didn’t those American people test Bravo in a state capital? Why? Rainbow Warrior, thank you for being so nice to us. Keep up your good work.”

    Each one wrote down their name: Balleain Anjain, Ralet Anitak, Kiash Tima and Issac Edmond. They handed the paper to Mestre and she added her name. Anitak grabbed it and wrote as well: “Nathalie Anitak”. They laughed.

    Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira and Rongelap islander Bonemej Namwe on board a bum bum boat in May 1985. Fernando was killed by French secret agents in the Rainbow Warrior bombing on 10 July 1985. Image: © David Robie/Eyes of Fire

    Fernando Pereira’s birthday
     Thursday, May 30, was Fernando Pereira’s 35th birthday. The evacuation was over and a one-day holiday was declared as we lay anchored off Mejato.

    Pereira was on the Pacific voyage almost by chance. Project coordinator Steve Sawyer had been seeking a wire machine for transmitting pictures of the campaign. He phoned Fiona Davies, then heading the Greenpeace photo office in Paris. But he wanted a machine and photographer separately.

    “No, no … I’ll get you a wire machine,” replied Davies. ‘But you’ll have to take my photographer with it.” Agreed. The deal would make a saving for the campaign budget.

    Sawyer wondered who this guy was, although Gotjé and some of the others knew him. Pereira had fled Portugal about 15 years before while he was serving as a pilot in the armed forces at a time when the country was fighting to retain colonies in Angola and Mozambique. He settled in The Netherlands, the only country which would grant him citizenship.

    After first working as a photographer for Anefo press agency, he became concerned with environmental and social issues. Eventually he joined the Amsterdam communist daily De Waarheid and was assigned to cover the activities of Greenpeace. Later he joined Greenpeace.

    Although he adopted Dutch ways, his charming Latin temperament and looks betrayed his Portuguese origins. He liked tight Italian-style clothes and fast sports cars. Pereira was always wide-eyed, happy and smiling.

    In Hawai`i, he and Sawyer hiked up to the crater at the top of Diamond Head one day. Sawyer took a snapshot of Pereira laughing — a photo later used on the front page of the New Zealand Times after his death with the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior by French secret agents.

    While most of the crew were taking things quietly and the “press gang” caught up on stories, Sawyer led a mini-expedition in a Zodiac to one of the shipwrecks, the Palauan Trader. With him were Davey Edward, Henk Haazen, Paul Brown and Bunny McDiarmid.

    Clambering on board the hulk, Sawyer grabbed hold of a rust-caked railing which collapsed. He plunged 10 metres into a hold. While he lay in pain with a dislocated shoulder and severely lacerated abdomen, his crewmates smashed a hole through the side of the ship. They dragged him through pounding surf into the Zodiac and headed back to the Warrior, three kilometres away.

    “Doc” Andy Biedermann, assisted by “nurse” Chatenay, who had received basic medical training during national service in France, treated Sawyer. He took almost two weeks to recover.

    But the accident failed to completely dampen celebrations for Pereira, who was presented with a hand-painted t-shirt labelled “Rainbow Warrior Removals Inc”.

    Pereira’s birthday was the first of three which strangely coincided with events casting a tragic shadow over the Rainbow Warrior’s last voyage.

    Dr David Robie is an environmental and political journalist and author, and editor of Asia Pacific Report. He travelled on board the Rainbow Warrior for almost 11 weeks. This article is adapted from his 1986 book, Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior. A new edition is being published in July to mark the 40th anniversary of the bombing. 

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘Signalgate’ was damaging to the Trump administration. It could be deadly for Yemeni civilians

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah G. Phillips, Professor of Global Conflict and Development; Non-Resident Fellow at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies (Yemen), University of Sydney

    The “Signalgate” story has received wall-to-wall coverage since Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of The Atlantic, published explosive details about a Signal group chat where senior US officials discussed impending airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen.

    Perhaps unsurprisingly, the coverage has focused on details of most concern to Western audiences, including the depth of the security breach, the classification status of the material that was shared, and the implications of sending war plans through a non-secure platform.

    But what are the implications of this for Yemen? In short, it helps the Houthis and hurts the civilians living under their control.

    Providing the Houthis with intelligence

    Yemeni civilians are caught in an impossible position. They have suffered from years of ruthless violence in a civil war that began with the Houthi capture of the capital, Sana’a, in 2014. The conflict grew even more violent when a Saudi-led (and Western-backed) military coalition entered the fray to back the Yemeni government the following year, imposing a crippling blockade that lasted until 2021.

    The war has caused a humanitarian disaster, with malnutrition rates among the highest in the world. The Houthis have consolidated their control over much of Yemen’s population through the weaponisation of food distribution and brutal repression of dissent.

    In early 2024, the Houthis then began attacking ships in the Red Sea, bringing retaliatory strikes by the United States, United Kingdom, and Israel. Each of these have caused further civilian casualties and harm.

    The Houthis (and their Iranian and Russian supporters) will draw comfort from the Signal chat group’s apparent confirmation the US strikes on March 15 were not a sign of the Trump administration’s intent to dislodge them from power:

    Vice President JD Vance (14 March, 08:16am ET): The strongest reason to do this is, as POTUS said, to send a message.

    Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (14 March, 08:27am ET): This [is] not about the Houthis. I see it as two things: 1) Restoring Freedom of Navigation, a core national interest; and 2) Reestablish deterrence, which Biden cratered.

    The Houthis can withstand intermittent airstrikes – they have withstood airstrikes for over two decades.

    But a more substantial intervention — one that combines a coalition of local forces with guaranteed air support from Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates (with US support) — would pose a far greater threat to the Houthis.

    With this apparently not being considered, the Houthis may now feel emboldened to press-gang more people into military service before a fresh assault on the strategically important oil fields in Marib. This is the last major city in northern Yemen still under government control.

    The Houthis have tried to take Marib before, but were prevented by Yemeni troops supported by Saudi air cover. Controlling the oil fields in Marib is vital to the group’s ability to sustain itself economically.

    Putting Yemeni civilians at risk

    While the Trump administration claims the chat did not compromise sources and methods, Goldberg noted a US-based intelligence officer was named. The Atlantic removed their name for security reasons.

    The publication’s decision to remove this detail is a stark reminder of whose security matters — and whose doesn’t. The transcript reads:

    National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (15 March, 13:48pm ET): VP. Building collapsed. Had multiple positive ID…

    Waltz (15 March, 14.00pm ET): Typing too fast. The first target – their top missile guy – we had positive ID of him walking into his girlfriend’s building and it’s now collapsed.

    Putting aside the fact this was a residential building — it should not be an aside, but this is how most news coverage has been treating it — this detail is important to the Houthis.

    This is because Waltz confirms “multiple” sources had positively identified a target, which the Houthis may use to justify further crackdowns, forced disappearances and even executions of those they accuse of being spies.

    The Trump administration was clearly reckless in divulging this detail. But it’s striking The Atlantic did not consider the danger posed to Yemeni civilians by publishing it. Experts on the Houthis – and their methods of subjugation – could have quickly highlighted this point if they were consulted.

    From a Yemeni perspective, a named source may have even been preferable to the hazy, but authoritative, confirmation of US operational methods and sources. The lack of specificity in the transcript plays to the Houthis’ dragnet approach to extinguishing independent voices by forcibly disappearing people on fake allegations of espionage.

    These are typically aid workers, academics, minorities, journalists and members of civil society who are not vocally aligned with the group.

    These abductions have been occurring for years, but ramped up in the middle of 2024. Dozens of members of civil society and aid organisations (and potentially many more) were kidnapped last year. Some are confirmed to have died in detention; many others have not been heard from since.

    There are reports that abductions are already escalating in response to the latest US strikes.

    The ongoing abductions have had a chilling effect on the willingness of local and international aid providers to speak out against the Houthis. This has helped the Houthis consolidate their control over the flow of humanitarian assistance (particularly food), which they divert based on political, rather than needs-based, calculations as a means of coercing compliance.

    Yemeni civilians are seldom, if ever, a consideration in the geopolitical machinations that concern their country. The reflexive prioritisation of Western security interests exposed in the group chat – and the publication of these details – condemns them to further insecurity.

    Sarah G. Phillips receives funding from The Australian Research Council as a Future Fellow (FT200100539), and is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies.

    – ref. ‘Signalgate’ was damaging to the Trump administration. It could be deadly for Yemeni civilians – https://theconversation.com/signalgate-was-damaging-to-the-trump-administration-it-could-be-deadly-for-yemeni-civilians-253524

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst, Rollins Fulfill Commitments to Expand Access to Biofuels

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

    RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, joined U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins at an ethanol production facility in Atlantic, Iowa to announce the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) continued support of the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP).
    Ernst has championed HBIIP since its inception and helped it grow into an essential tool for retail store owners to purchase the infrastructure necessary to provide higher blends of biofuels at the pump.

    Click here for more photos from today’s visit.
    “Thank you, Secretary Rollins, for announcing certainty for our farmers and biofuel producers while you’re right here visiting the great state of Iowa,” Senator Ernst said.“I’ve worked hard to help develop and maintain HBIIP over the years to ensure that from Casey’s to your local mom-and-pop gas stations, retail store owners have the tools they need to deliver higher blends of biofuels at the pump, expanding access to homegrown fuels and choices for consumers. This is another example of how the Trump administration is putting our rural communities first.”
    “President Trump is honoring our commitment to America’s farmers, ranchers and small businesses, especially here in Iowa where corn and soy growers are crucial to supporting ethanol and biodiesel production,” Secretary Rollins said. “Under the President’s leadership, we are moving away from the harmful effects of misguided climate policies like the Green New Deal. Instead, USDA will deploy energy investments that prioritize the needs of our rural communities. Through HBIIP, we will expand access to domestic, homegrown fuels which will increase good paying jobs for hardworking Americans, restore rural prosperity and strengthen our nation’s energy security.”
    Today’s announcement positively impacts over 275 stores across Iowa and provides certainty for the state’s farmers and biofuel producers. Iowa leads the nation in ethanol and biodiesel production, with 42 ethanol plants capable of producing over 4.7 billion gallons annually and 10 biodiesel plants with the annual production capacity of 416 million gallons.
    Background:
    Ernst was instrumental in creating and maintaining HBIIP as part of her commitment to invest in renewable fuel infrastructure, rural job opportunities, and hardworking farmers. She introduced the Biofuel Infrastructure and Agricultural Production Market Expansion Act, which would provide resources to retailers for purchasing more compatible biofuel infrastructure.
    More broadly, Ernst has been a leading advocate for homegrown, Iowa biofuels, securing access to E15 for the summer driving months, while continuing the call for permanent, nationwide availability that would give those in the biofuel industry the certainty they deserve. She has also advocated for raising RVO obligations to match biofuel production capacity and blasted the Biden administration for leaving behind all of rural America with the incomplete, delayed 45Z guidance.
    Ernst met with Secretary Rollins multiple times during her confirmation process and secured critical commitments from her in support of Iowa farmers. Ernst has been working in tandem with Rollins and the Trump administration to deliver results for the entire Iowa agriculture community.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Protecting The Social Safety Net: Gillibrand And East Harlem Elected Officials Demand No Cuts To Social Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    Today, Senator Gillibrand stood alongside East Harlem elected officials to urgently call on the Trump administration to protect Social Security after their repeated actions to cut back the agency and the critical services it provides. New York City is home to one of the largest senior populations living in poverty nationwide, and cuts to the agency will decimate the Social Security system and deny New Yorkers their hard-earned benefits. 

    “Social Security is a promise, not a political bargaining chip. The Trump Administration’s reckless efforts to undermine this vital program will have devastating consequences for millions of New Yorkers,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I urge the Trump Administration to safeguard this necessary lifeline and ensure Americans have access to services they rightfully deserve.”

    “Food stamps (SNAP) and EBT systems are vital tools in the fight against hunger and food insecurity, in my district, the state, and in communities around our nation,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). “These programs ensure millions of individuals and families can access nutritious food, while EBT provides a secure, efficient, and dignified way to access benefits. Beyond feeding families, SNAP has strengthened local economies by supporting grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and food retailers, and every dollar spent has generated economic growth. Additionally, EBT further enhances this impact by streamlining distribution, cutting administrative costs, and preventing fraud to ensure resources reach those who need them most. Donald Trump and Elon’s attempt to cut these essential programs are an attack on working families, seniors, and future generations. We will combat these reckless cuts and fight to protect and strengthen the safety net that millions rely on. American families deserve nothing less.”

    “The assault on Social Security isn’t just a policy change; it’s a moral betrayal. It’s stealing dignity from those who earned it with decades of hard work. We won’t tolerate a system that sacrifices our elders and those with disabilities to pad bottom lines. This isn’t about numbers; it’s about human lives, about families facing impossible choices. We’re drawing a line. This is our promise: we will defend every penny, every benefit, every person who relies on Social Security, with every ounce of our strength. They will not dismantle this lifeline on our watch,” said Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs.

    “Millions of low-income households, including thousands in my district, risk losing essential food assistance under the proposed House Republican cuts to SNAP,” said Councilwoman Diana Ayala. “These harmful reductions would endanger the health and stability of our community, creating long-term social and economic challenges. With the rising cost of living, many working families are already struggling to afford basic necessities, with some forced to work multiple jobs just to get by. Seniors living on fixed incomes face even greater hardship, as rising food and housing costs make it increasingly difficult for them to afford nutritious meals. Hunger affects a child’s ability to learn, makes it harder for job seekers to find employment, and places additional strain on individuals with disabilities. Programs like SNAP have played a crucial role in reducing food insecurity and supporting families in need. Now, as inflation continues to drive up costs, we must fight to protect this vital program and ensure that no one—whether a working parent, an older adult on a fixed income, or a person with disabilities—is left without the resources they need to survive.”

    The Social Security Administration (SSA) has already announced plans to cut 7,000 staff, despite the fact that SSA staffing is already at a 50-year low, and there are historically long case backlogs. Now, the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” plans to limit phone support for seniors, forcing them to file certain claims online – a challenge for many older adults – or visit a Social Security Administration office in person, even though appointments for these visits can only be made over the phone. DOGE is simultaneously planning to shutter Social Security Administration offices across the country, including two in New York.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Team CFA finds success at mine rescue competition

    Source:

    CFA’s Oscar 1 Emergency Response Mine Rescue Brigade has brought home a podium finish at the Victorian Mine Rescue Competition (VMRC) over the weekend (28-30 March).

    VMRC is an annual safety training exercise, which pits mine rescue and emergency response teams from Victoria and New South Wales against each other in a series of simulated emergency situations.       

    Organised by the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA), it also allows teams to share knowledge and experience in a challenging but fun environment. 

    Teams gathered on Friday in Heathcote to compete in eight realistic, high pressure, scenario-based challenges including firefighting, first-aid, underground search and rescue, and a ropes exercise.  

    CFA’s team Oscar 1 claimed a win in the fire exercise scenario and third place in the Breathing Apparatus exercise.  

    First Lieutenant of the team Karl Shay said the other teams put up some tough competition.  

    “It was an excellent weekend,” Karl said. “You get six months of training in just one weekend. 

    “On the Friday night our crew actually got a call-out to a job with a man stuck down a mine shaft, so it was a great chance to use our skills and assist them to safety.” 

    The firefighting exercise included one of CFA’s gas prop cars and required participants to run through the scenario of a large car fire.  

    Tom Heather, a member of the Oscar 1 team, said the weekend provided a good opportunity to train and get together with all the rescue brigades.  

    “It puts us head-to-head, but we treat it like real-life training,” Tom said.  

    “We are all bouncing off one another. You really come together as a team. 

    “I am definitely proud to be part of CFA and to show people what we can do and what we are here for.”  

    Members of Oscar 1 unit also compete with other teams including Central Victorian Mutual Aid. Oscar 1 member Darcy Mcclure-Wallace won the overall individual skills category and was part of the overall winning team, Foster Gold Mine, with other members of the Oscar 1 unit. 

    Submitted by CFA Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Carbon Streaming Announces Financial Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, March 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Carbon Streaming Corporation (Cboe CA: NETZ) (OTCQB: OFSTF) (FSE: M2Q) (“Carbon Streaming” or the “Company”) today reported its financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. All figures are expressed in United States dollars, unless otherwise indicated. The Company will host a live audio call at 11:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. In addition, the Company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Sam Wong to the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) effective April 1, 2025.

    Carbon Streaming Chief Executive Officer Marin Katusa stated: “In the fourth quarter of 2024, Carbon Streaming focused on its restructuring efforts and evaluating strategic alternatives while taking significant steps to reduce costs and improve financial sustainability. We successfully reduced the number of individuals receiving full-time salaries from 24 at the start of 2024 to 4 by January 2025, resulting in significant savings to ongoing operating expenses. With cost reductions complete, our priority in 2025 is to maximize value from our existing portfolio while continuing to explore all strategic options to enhance shareholder value.  More specifically, we will evaluate all potential acquisitions, divestments, corporate transactions, and strategic partnerships. While the voluntary carbon market continues to experience difficult market conditions and many economic uncertainties exist, we are committed to adapting to market conditions and ensuring the best path forward for our shareholders. With respect to the Rimba Raya, Magdalena Bay and Sustainable Community Streams, the Company remains focused on protecting our investments and preserving our rights as we will with all our investments.”

    Annual Highlights

    • Ended the year with $37.4 million in cash and no corporate debt.
    • Reduced the number of individuals receiving full-time salaries at the Company – including employees, consultants, and directors – from 24 at the start of 2024 to 8 by year-end, with a further decrease to 4 full time employees by January 2025, resulting in significant savings in ongoing operating expenses.
    • Recognized a net loss on revaluation of carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements of $58.2 million (net loss on revaluation of $32.9 million in 2023). The net loss on revaluation for each period was driven by reductions in the carbon credit production and sales profiles and carbon credit pricing assumptions, and an increase to the risk-adjusted discount rate.
    • Continued the previously-announced corporate restructuring plan, which resulted in a non-recurring restructuring charge of $2.6 million.
    • Generated $1.6 million in settlements from carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements (settlements of $55 thousand in 2023).
    • Operating loss of $68.3 million (operating loss of $45.0 million in 2023).
    • Recognized net loss of $67.4 million (net loss of $35.5 million in 2023).
    • Adjusted net loss was $5.2 million (adjusted net loss of $7.6 million in 2023) (see the “Non-IFRS Accounting Standards Measures” section of this news release).
    • Paid $8.1 million in upfront deposits for carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements (paid $7.6 million in upfront deposits in 2023).

    Fourth Quarter Highlights

    • Recognized a net loss on revaluation of carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements of $13.2 million (net loss on revaluation of $24.0 million in Q4 2023). The net loss on revaluation for each period was driven by reductions in the carbon credit production and sales profiles and carbon credit pricing assumptions, and an increase to the risk-adjusted discount rate.
    • Generated $0.5 million in settlements from carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements (settlements of $nil in Q4 2023).
    • Operating loss of $14.9 million (operating loss of $26.8 million in Q4 2023).
    • Recognized net loss of $16.9 million (net loss of $26.1 million in Q4 2023).
    • Adjusted net loss was $0.9 million (adjusted net loss of $2.2 million in Q4 2023) (see the “Non-IFRS Accounting Standards Measures” section of this news release).
    • Paid $2.2 million in upfront deposits for carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements (paid $2.1 million in upfront deposits in Q4 2023).

    Financial Highlights Summary

      Three months ended
    December 31, 2024    		 Three months ended
    December 31, 2023    		 Year ended December 31, 2024 Year ended December 31, 2023
    Carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements        
    Revaluation of carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements $ (13,190)   $ (23,952)   $ (58,155)   $ (32,897)  
    Settlements from carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements1   513     –     1,550     55  
    Other financial highlights        
    Other operating expenses   1,760     2,691     10,340     12,035  
    Operating loss   (14,923)     (26,784)     (68,335)     (45,002)  
    Net loss   (16,932)     (26,092)     (67,369)     (35,501)  
    Loss per share (Basis and Diluted) ($/share)   (0.32)     (0.55)     (1.34)     (0.75)  
    Adjusted net loss2   (884)     (2,225)     (5,214)     (7,586)  
    Adjusted net loss per share (Basic and Diluted) ($/share)2   (0.02)     (0.05)     (0.10)     (0.16)  
    Statement of financial position        
    Cash3   37,350     51,416     37,350     51,416  
    Carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements3   9,081     60,122     9,081     60,122  
    Total assets3   48,683     117,111     48,683     117,111  
    Non-current liabilities3   112     1,083     112     1,083  
    1. Relates to the net cash proceeds generated from the Company’s carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements.
    2. “Adjusted net loss”, including per share amounts, is a non-IFRS® Accounting Standards (the “IFRS Accounting Standards”) financial performance measure that is used in this news release. This measure does not have any standardized meaning under the IFRS Accounting Standards and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. For more information about this measure, why it is used by the Company, and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable measure under the IFRS Accounting Standards, see the “Non-IFRS Accounting Standards Measures” section of this news release.
    3. Cash, carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements, total assets and non-current liabilities are presented as at the relevant tabular reporting date.

    Portfolio Updates

    Rimba Raya Stream: On April 26, 2024, the Company announced that it was informed that PT Rimba Raya Conservation (“PT Rimba”), the local concession holder for the Rimba Raya project, had its Forest Utilization Business License (the “Concession License”) revoked by the Indonesian Government’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry (the “MOEF”). PT Rimba challenged the MOEF’s revocation of the Concession License, and in July 2024, the State Administrative Court of Jakarta (the “Court of Jakarta”) reached a decision on PT Rimba’s claim and declared that the revocation by the MOEF of the Concession License is void. The MOEF appealed the decision of the Court of Jakarta and in September 2024, the State Administrative High Court of Jakarta (the “High Court of Jakarta”) upheld the Court of Jakarta’s decision declaring that the revocation by the MOEF of the Concession License is void. The MOEF submitted an appeal of the decision of the High Court of Jakarta and as such, the decision of the High Court of Jakarta upholding that the revocation by the MOEF of the Concession License is void does not yet have permanent legal force. While the appeal process is underway, the interlocutory decision issued by the Court of Jakarta on May 16, 2024, requiring the MOEF to suspend the implementation of its decree in respect of the revocation of the Concession License, will remain in place.

    In October 2024, InfiniteEARTH Limited and its Indonesian subsidiary PT InfiniteEARTH Nusantara, the project operators of the Rimba Raya project (collectively “InfiniteEARTH”) delivered a notice of intent to abandon the project (the “RR Notice of Abandonment”). Pursuant to the RR Notice of Abandonment, InfiniteEARTH claims that a Regulation entitled Regulation of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Number 7 Year of 2023 issued on June 14, 2023 by the Indonesian Government (“Regulation No. 7 2023”), prohibits the issuance and transfer of carbon rights from PT Rimba to InfiniteEARTH. InfiniteEARTH claims that as a result of Regulation No. 7 2023, it has been unable to economically develop or continue to operate the Rimba Raya project and that this is a force majeure event under the Rimba Raya Stream. The Company has notified InfiniteEARTH that it rejects the assertion that Regulation No. 7 2023 is an event of force majeure and has commenced an arbitration seeking, among other things, an order that the RR Notice of Abandonment is invalid or void.

    In October 2024, the Company commenced an arbitration administered by the International Centre of Dispute Resolution against InfiniteEARTH in accordance with the Rimba Raya Stream; and against the shareholders of InfiniteEARTH Limited in accordance with the Strategic Alliance Agreement (the “SAA“). The arbitration has since been bifurcated into two arbitration proceedings, dealing with (i) the Rimba Raya Stream; and (ii) the SAA.

    In October 2024, the Company also issued a Notice of Action in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice seeking declaratory relief against the principals of InfiniteEARTH Limited and their related entities, seeking to enforce its rights in relation to guarantees and non-competition agreements related to the Rimba Raya Stream and the SAA. Some of the defendants have counterclaimed. The dispute between the Company and InfiniteEARTH arises out of acts and omissions that the Company alleges are improper and in breach of the Rimba Raya Stream, the SAA and related agreements. Management of the Company believes that delivering the Notice of Arbitration and issuing the Notice of Action in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice were important steps in preserving the Company’s legal and contractual rights.

    As a result of the uncertainty of the duration and outcome of the appeal process in respect of the Concession License and the ongoing legal dispute between the Company, InfiniteEARTH and the founders of InfiniteEARTH, the Company has reclassified the status of the Rimba Raya Stream to “Expired”. As at December 31, 2024, the Company has determined the fair value of the Rimba Raya Stream to be $nil.

    Magdalena Bay Blue Carbon Stream: In the third quarter of 2024, Fundación MarVivo Mexico, A.C. and MarVivo Corporation (collectively, “MarVivo”) delivered a notice of intent to abandon the project (the “MarVivo Notice of Abandonment”). Pursuant to the MarVivo Notice of Abandonment, MarVivo claims that the failure to transfer the concession rights from the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (“SEMARNAT”), Mexico’s environment ministry, to the jurisdiction of Mexico’s National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (“CONANP”), constitutes an event of force majeure and that it is no longer economical to develop or continue to operate the project. The Company’s position is that the attempt to abandon the project constitutes a breach of the terms of the Magdalena Bay Blue Carbon Stream. The Company has notified MarVivo that it rejects the assertion that the failure to transfer the concession rights constitutes an event of force majeure and that if MarVivo abandons the project or takes steps to wind-down, this will amount to a breach of the terms of the Magdalena Bay Blue Carbon Stream. As a result of the MarVivo Notice of Abandonment and the assertions of MarVivo, the Company has determined the fair value of the Magdalena Bay Blue Carbon Stream to be $nil as at December 31, 2024. The Company reserves all rights with respect to the agreements between the parties and intends to strictly enforce its legal and contractual rights under the Magdalena Bay Blue Carbon Stream.

    Sustainable Community Stream: In the third quarter of 2024, the Company exercised its contractual rights to terminate the Sustainable Community Stream as a result of, among other things, the failure of the project operator, Will Solutions Inc., to meet its milestone related to the registration of its Ontario project and its failure to develop and implement the project in accordance with the project plan (including continued delays in project development activities and lower-than-expected project enrollments). As a result of the Sustainable Community Stream being terminated, the fair value of the Sustainable Community Stream was determined to be $nil as at December 31, 2024. The Company intends to strictly enforce its legal and contractual rights under the Sustainable Community Stream.

    Cerrado Biome Stream: At the time of project registration, the project planned to expand the project to 80,000 hectares by incorporating more land parcels, and to generate approximately 13 million carbon credits over a 30-year project life. Enrollment of additional land parcels has been slower than anticipated, primarily due to declining demand and lower pricing for REDD+ carbon credits. As a result, the expected revenue from carbon credit sales has decreased, reducing the financial incentive for landholders to transition from agricultural production to REDD+ project enrollment. Currently, the project consists of two land parcels covering approximately 11,000 hectares, expected to generate 1.2 million carbon credits over 30 years; however, the actual number of carbon credits issued will depend on the project’s ability to attract additional landholders. Revenue shortfalls have been driven by delays in the Verra verification process and price volatility for credits issued by REDD+ projects.

    Waverly Biochar Stream and Royalty: Following the accelerated payment of the final milestone payments in the second quarter of 2024, the project reached mechanical completion and first biochar production in the third quarter of 2024. However, additional technical challenges prevented continuous operation of the facility and have continued to delay full production capacity. The project is currently focused on securing additional funding to support commissioning, the initial facility audit, and the first output audit with Puro.earth. Verification was anticipated in the third quarter of 2025, with first issuance of carbon credits to follow immediately thereafter, but is now expected to be delayed.

    In 2023, the Company announced an agreement to provide Microsoft Corporation with carbon credits from the Waverly Biochar Stream of up to 10,000 carbon credits per year. Under this agreement, the Company is committed to delivering a minimum quantity of credits on specified future dates. If the Company is unable to fulfill this commitment, Microsoft Corporation may request that credits be sourced from an alternative project of their choosing.

    Community Carbon Stream: In 2024, the projects under the Community Carbon Stream issued over 1,600,000 carbon credits from the Mozambique cookstove project, the Uganda cookstove project, the Tanzania cookstove project, and the Uganda household safe water project. Additionally, the Community Carbon Stream generated $1.1 million in cash settlements for the year ended December 31, 2024.

    On May 8, 2024, the Company amended the terms of the Community Carbon Stream resulting in, among other things, revising the Company’s economic interest to provide for a tiered streaming structure which is adjusted as certain return on invested capital thresholds are achieved, and adjusting the portfolio composition and milestone payments to focus on the five strongest projects, three cookstove projects in Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda and two water purification projects in Malawi and Uganda.

    Following the May 2024 amendment, the Company anticipates that the project’s actual emission reductions will be materially lower than previously expected due to methodological changes and declining prices, which have reduced forecasted creditable unit deployments. Concerns over emissions reduction overestimation, additionality, and verification challenges have raised questions about cookstove credit quality, prompting methodological revisions as the market adapts to evolving buyer expectations. While these changes aim to enhance credibility, they have also reduced demand and driven down prices.

    Nalgonda Rice Farming Stream: In December 2024, the Company delivered a notice to Core CarbonX Pte. Ltd. and its services provider, Core CarbonX Solutions Private Limited that an event of default occurred and is continuing due to the failure of the project to reach development completion prior to June 30, 2024. While no further action has been taken at this time, the Company reserves all rights under its agreements.

    The project was registered with Verra on February 10, 2025, using the UNFCCC Clean Development Mechanism Methodology AMS-III.AU: Methane emission reduction by adjusted water management practice in rice cultivation in the VCS program (“AMS-III.AU”). Registration and first validation of the project was delayed when Verra temporarily inactivated AMS-III.AU as part of a broader review of validation and verification quality and began developing a revised rice-specific methodology to replace AMS-III.AU. During this review, Verra determined that certain projects identified as having quality issues with validations and/or verifications would remain on hold, but Core CarbonX’s projects, including the Nalgonda Rice Farming project, were approved for registration under AMS-III.AU.

    Verra released the new VCS Methodology VM0051 (Improved Management in Rice Production Systems v1.0) on February 27, 2025, which the project plans to transition to for the second monitoring period. However, the project has already applied the guidelines required under the VCS Methodology VM0051. At this time, it is not known how the transition to the new methodology will impact the project, if at all.

    As of December 31, 2024, approximately 32,000 landholders were enrolled in the project, covering 36,548 hectares of farmland. Enrollment remains ongoing, with a target of expanding to approximately 62,000 hectares. However, progress has been slower than expected due to registration delays, which have also postponed farmer compensation and, in turn, affected enrollment. The project was registered with Verra on February 10, 2025.

    Enfield Biochar Stream: In April 2024, Standard Biocarbon Corporation (“Standard Biocarbon”) achieved its first biochar production. However, technical challenges have delayed the commissioning process. Standard Biocarbon is working with PYREG GmbH, the engineer and builder of the PYREG Machines, to resolve these issues as it scales toward full operating capacity. The project continues to collect operational data required for a facility audit and official registration with the Puro.earth carbon credit standard. Currently, the project is on care and maintenance while seeking additional funding to support commissioning, the initial facility audit, and the first output audit.

    Azuero Reforestation Stream: On May 21, 2024, the Company, Microsoft Corporation and Rubicon Carbon Capital LLC (“Rubicon”) entered into a carbon credit streaming agreement, as amended on November 23, 2024 (the “Azuero Reforestation Stream”) with Azuero Reforestation Colectiva, S.A. (“ARC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ponterra Ltd. (“Ponterra”), for a reforestation project located on Azuero Province, Los Santos Province, Republic of Panama. Under the terms of the Azuero Reforestation Stream, ARC will deliver 13.5% of the carbon credits created by the project to the Company. Additionally, Microsoft Corporation has entered into an offtake agreement to purchase 100% of the Company’s carbon credits delivered under the terms of the Azuero Reforestation Stream through to 2040. Carbon Streaming will also act as the sole marketer of ARC’s carbon credits not already committed to the co-investors under the Azuero Reforestation Stream.

    Under the terms of the Azuero Reforestation Stream, Carbon Streaming, alongside Rubicon and Microsoft Corporation, will fund 100% of project costs over seven years. The Company agreed to make an upfront deposit of up to $7.1 million with $0.3 million paid on closing, and additional milestone payments made as the project achieves planting and sapling survival milestones, and will receive 13.5% of total credits, which is expected to be approximately 438,000 carbon credits through 2052.

    Sheep Creek Reforestation Stream: In January 2025, the Company received a Notice of Adverse Impact from Mast Reforestation SPV I, LLC (“Mast”) and the parent company of Mast, Droneseed Co. d/b/a Mast Reforestation under the Sheep Creek Reforestation Stream pursuant to which, among other things, Mast advised the Company that the Sheep Creek project has experienced significantly higher than expected mortality rates and that the surviving seedlings had exhibited slower than expected growth rates. As a result, Mast indicated to the Company that it no longer expects to deliver the Company the agreed-upon 286,229 carbon removal credits, referred to as forecast mitigation units (“FMUs”) under the Climate Action Reserve’s Climate Forward program under the Sheep Creek Reforestation Stream, as Mast no longer considers the existing Sheep Creek project plan and budget to be viable. The Company has formally responded to the Notice of Adverse Impact and requested that Mast respond to the Company’s significant concerns regarding, among other things, the timing of the delivery of the Notice of Adverse Impact, and the characterization of the cause of the adverse impact. The Company is continuing to evaluate all legal avenues available under the Sheep Creek Reforestation Stream. As a result, the Company no longer anticipates generating cash flow from the Sheep Creek Reforestation Stream and has determined its fair value to be $nil as of December 31, 2024.

    Feather River Reforestation Stream: In 2024, carbon credit market demand has generally shifted towards lower risk carbon credits. FMUs, which are designed to facilitate forward financing, inherently carry higher risk, leading to supply that has exceeded demand. FMU issuance is expected in 2025. However, given the uncertainties surrounding FMU sales, the Company has determined the fair value of the Feather River Reforestation Stream to be $nil as of December 31, 2024.

    Baccala Ranch Reforestation Stream: In March 2025, Mast delivered the Company a notice of termination of the Baccala Ranch Reforestation Stream and the Baccala Ranch project, thereby confirming it will forego any plantings. The Company had not advanced any funds for the Baccala project and the closing of the Baccala Ranch Reforestation Stream remained subject to customary closing conditions.

    Amazon Portfolio Royalty: Following a corporate reorganization, Future Carbon assigned its interests in the Yellow Ipe, ABC Norte and Gairova projects (collectively the “Ecologica Portfolio”) to Ecological Assessoria Ltda. and its affiliates (collectively “Ecologica”), and retained the Rio Madeira Project, (the “Future Carbon Portfolio”). To reflect this restructuring, the Original Amazon Royalty was replaced on April 17, 2024, by two new royalty agreements: one between the Company and Future Carbon for the Future Carbon Portfolio (the “FC Amazon Royalty”), and another between the Company and Ecologica on the Ecologica Portfolio (the “Ecologica Amazon Royalty”). Each agreement carried a purchase price of $1.5 million, maintaining the original $3.0 million investment. No additional funds were advanced by the Company as part of Future Carbon’s reorganization.

    Bonobo Peace Forest Royalty: The royalty agreement was originally intended to convert into a stream agreement upon successful validation and verification of the project. However, due to political instability in the DRC, weakened market sentiment for REDD+ projects, and a significant decline in demand for REDD+ carbon credits, Carbon Streaming decided to halt further investment. The Company currently has no plans to proceed with a stream agreement.

    The project has been seeking additional investment to support a renewed technical effort for registration under the new Verra VM0048 methodology. Given the material uncertainty surrounding fundraising for REDD+ project development, the early-stage nature of the project’s technical development, and persistent weakness in demand for REDD+ carbon credits, the Company has determined the fair value of the Bonobo Peace Forest Royalty to be $nil as at December 31, 2024.

    Strategy

    Carbon Streaming is currently focused on maximizing value from the existing portfolio of investments and pursuing all options to achieve that goal. During 2024, the Company has undergone changes to the Board and management, including the termination of certain consulting contracts, which reduced ongoing cash expenditure and streamlined decision-making. The Company continues to focus on its previously announced evaluation of strategic alternatives with a focus on maximizing value for all shareholders. These alternatives could include acquisitions, divestments, corporate transactions, financings, other strategic partnership opportunities or continuing to operate as a public company.

    The Company’s carbon credit streaming agreements are structured to retain a portion of the cash flows from carbon credit sales, with stream-specific retention varying. Project partners typically receive the balance through ongoing delivery payments under the terms of each agreement. Cash flows are subject to fluctuations based on realized carbon credit prices and agreement terms. As the Company continues to evaluate its strategic direction, it remains focused on optimizing portfolio economics and managing exposure to market volatility.

    Outlook

    Carbon Streaming continues to reposition itself for success and for maximizing shareholder value amid ongoing challenges. In May 2024, as part of its ongoing corporate restructuring first initiated in 2023, the Company announced changes to its senior management and Board after constructive discussions with certain shareholders. The Company continues to evaluate strategic alternatives for the business and remains focused on cash flow optimization through the reduction of operating expenses and a reassessment of its existing streams and royalties. Building on the previous measures implemented by the Company to reduce ongoing operating expenses, further steps have been taken in recent months, including significantly reducing employee headcount, renegotiating and amending vendor agreements to lower costs, eliminating cash-settled director’s fees to the Board and terminating certain consulting contracts. As the Company’s broader strategy continues to evolve, these recent steps are expected to result in significant reductions to annualized ongoing operating expenses when compared to 2024.

    While the Company aims to increase cash flow generation through the sale of carbon credits from several streaming agreements over the next year, there remains ongoing uncertainty regarding the evolving nature of carbon markets, including potential registry delays, project-specific issues, and methodology-related risks, in addition to impacts the industry may face as a result of general economic, political and regulatory conditions. In 2024, the Company has recognized a decrease in the fair values of the Rimba Raya Stream, the Magdalena Bay Blue Carbon Stream, the Sustainable Community Stream, and the Sheep Creek Reforestation Stream to $nil as a result of the failure of the respective projects to meet their obligations under the stream agreements and ongoing legal disputes. The Company is actively pursuing all available legal remedies to protect its investments and enforce its contractual rights. Given the multiple ongoing litigation matters, the outcomes remain uncertain and could materially impact the Company’s financial position and strategic direction. Please refer to the “Legal Proceedings” section of the Company’s most recently filed MD&A for further information.

    Given the evolving nature of carbon markets and ongoing legal considerations, Carbon Streaming is focussed on maximizing value from the existing portfolio of investments and pursuing all options to achieve that goal.

    For a comprehensive discussion of the risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could impact the Company’s strategy and outlook, including without limitation, changes in demand for carbon credits and Indonesian developments described herein, investors are urged to review the section of the Company’s most recently filed AIF entitled “Risk Factors” a copy of which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    2024 Results Conference Call Details

    The Company’s management team will host a conference call on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. ET to provide a brief company update. Participants may join by dialing +1 289-514-5100 or toll free from North America at +1 800-717-1738. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company website until 11:59 p.m. ET on May 1, 2025.

    About Carbon Streaming

    Carbon Streaming’s focus is on projects that generate high-quality carbon credits and have a positive impact on the environment, local communities, and biodiversity, in addition to their carbon reduction or removal potential. This approach aligns our strategic interests with those of project partners to create long-term relationships built on a shared commitment to sustainability and accountability and positions us as a trusted source for buyers seeking high-quality carbon credits.

    ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY:
    Marin Katusa, Chief Executive Officer
    Tel: 365.607.6095
    info@carbonstreaming.com
    www.carbonstreaming.com

    Investor Relations
    investors@carbonstreaming.com

    Media
    media@carbonstreaming.com

    Non-IFRS Accounting Standards Measures

    Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted Loss Per Share

    The term “adjusted net loss” in this news release is not a standardized financial measure under the IFRS Accounting Standards and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies where similar terminology is used. These non-IFRS Accounting Standards measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance, cash flows and financial position as prepared in accordance with the IFRS Accounting Standards. Management believes that these non-IFRS Accounting Standards measures, together with performance measures and measures prepared in accordance with the IFRS Accounting Standards, provide useful information to investors and shareholders in assessing the Company’s liquidity and overall performance.

    Adjusted net loss is calculated as net and comprehensive loss and adjusted for the revaluation of carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements, the revaluation of warrant liabilities, the impairment loss on early deposit interest receivable, the revaluation of derivative liabilities, the revaluation of the convertible note, the impairment loss on investment in associate, the gain on dissolution of associate, and the corporate restructuring which the Company views as having a significant non-cash or non-continuing impact on the Company’s net and comprehensive loss calculation and per share amounts. Adjusted net loss is used by the Company to monitor its results from operations for the period.

    The following table reconciles net and comprehensive (loss) income to adjusted net loss:

      Three months ended 
    December 31, 2024
    		   Three months ended 
    December 31, 2023
    		   Year ended
    December 31, 2024
    		   Year ended
    December 31, 2023
    		  
    Net loss and comprehensive loss $ (16,932)   $ (26,092)   $ (67,369)   $ (35,501)  
    Adjustment for non-continuing or non-cash settled items:        
    Revaluation of carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements   13,190     23,952     58,155     32,897  
    Revaluation of warrant liabilities   (43)     (79)     (642)     (6,530)  
    Impairment of early deposit interest receivable   –     –     307     –  
    Revaluation of derivative liabilities   –     –     (680)     (686)  
    Revaluation of Convertible Note   –     –     –     (558)  
    Revaluation of preferred shares   2,558     –     2,558     –  
    Impairment of investment in associate   –     –     –     1,044  
    Gain on dissolution of associate   –     –     (104)     –  
    Corporate restructuring   343     (6)     2,561     1,748  
    Adjusted net loss   (884)     (2,225)     (5,214)     (7,586)  
    Loss per share (Basic and Diluted) ($/share)   (0.32)     (0.55)     (1.34)     (0.75)  
    Adjusted net loss per share (Basic and Diluted) ($/share)   (0.02)     (0.05)     (0.10)     (0.16)  
                             

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, “forward-looking information”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking information, including, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated impact of changes to the Company’s Board and management; the impact of the Company’s restructuring strategies, including evaluation of strategic alternatives; the ability of the Company to execute on expense reductions and savings from operating cost reduction measures; statements with respect to cash flow optimization and generation; its sales strategy; supporting the Company’s carbon streaming and royalty partners; timing and the amount of future carbon credit generation and emission reductions and removals from the Company’s existing streaming and royalty agreements; statements with respect to the projects in which the Company has streaming and royalty agreements in place; statements with respect to the Company’s growth objectives and potential and its position in the voluntary carbon markets; statements with respect to execution of the Company’s portfolio and partnership strategy; statements with respect to the ongoing legal process to protect the Company’s investment in the Rimba Raya project and to enforce its legal and contractual rights; statements ; and statements regarding the Company’s intention to strictly enforce its legal and contractual rights under the Sustainable Community Stream and the Magdalena Bay Blue Carbon Stream and the Sheep Creek Reforestation Stream.

    When used in this news release, words such as “estimates”, “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “will”, “believes”, “intends” “should”, “could”, “may” and other similar terminology are intended to identify such forward-looking information. This forward-looking information is based on the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. They should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be an accurate indication of whether or not such results will be achieved. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: general economic, market and business conditions and global financial conditions, including fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and stock market volatility; volatility in prices of carbon credits and demand for carbon credits; change in social or political views towards climate change, carbon credits and environmental, social and governance initiatives and subsequent changes in corporate or government policies or regulations and associated changes in demand for carbon credits; the Company’s expectations and plans with respect to current litigation, arbitration and regulatory proceedings; limited operating history for the Company’s current strategy; concentration risk; inaccurate estimates of project value, which may impact the ability of the Company to execute on its growth and diversification strategy; dependence upon key management; impact of corporate restructurings; the inability of the Company to optimize cash flows or sufficiently reduce operating expenses; reputational risk; risks arising from competition and future acquisition activities failure or timing delays for projects to be registered, validated and ultimately developed and for emission reductions or removals to be verified and carbon credits issued (and other risks associated with carbon credits standards and registries); foreign operations and political risks including actions by governmental authorities, including changes in or to government regulation, taxation and carbon pricing initiatives; uncertainties and ongoing market developments surrounding the validation and verification requirements of the voluntary and/or compliance markets; due diligence risks, including failure of third parties’ reviews, reports and projections to be accurate; dependence on project partners, operators and owners, including failure by such counterparties to make payments or perform their operational or other obligations to the Company in compliance with the terms of contractual arrangements between the Company and such counterparties; failure of projects to generate carbon credits, or natural disasters such as flood or fire which could have a material adverse effect on the ability of any project to generate carbon credits; volatility in the market price of the Company’s common shares or warrants; the effect that the issuance of additional securities by the Company could have on the market price of the Company’s common shares or warrants; global health crises, such as pandemics and epidemics; and the other risks disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated as of March 31, 2025 filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date of this news release. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: REMAINING THE REVEREND: Senator Reverend Warnock Discusses Faith in Lawmaking During Speech to Seminary Alma Mater

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    REMAINING THE REVEREND: Senator Reverend Warnock Discusses Faith in Lawmaking During Speech to Seminary Alma Mater

    Senator Reverend Warnock provided inspiration and a path forward for people of faith in this trying political in a speech to students, alumni of his alma mater, Union Theological Seminary
    Senator Reverend Warnock earned two Master’s Degrees and a Doctorate from Union Theological Seminary
    Senator Reverend Warnock’s remarks were given during Union Theological Seminary’s Faith and Public Policy Event
    Senator Reverend Warnock: “In this moment that feels empty and void, I want us to trust the promise. Habakkuk said, ‘there is a time, an appointed time, but at the end, it shall speak and not lie, though it tarries, wait for it, because it will surely come.’ So, let’s wait and work for the vision. God bless all you”
    Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), provided guidance and inspiration to Union Theological Seminary students and alumni on navigating this political climate as a person of faith. The audience included students, religious leaders, nonprofit representatives and Reverend Dr. Serene Jones, the 16th President of the historic theological school.
    During the speech, which was given during the seminary’s Faith and Public Policy event, Senator Warnock highlighted the importance of his motto of “keeping the faith” during these unprecedented times.
    “I’m going to keep fighting the good fight, but I don’t want you to forget about your own power and the one who empowers you. Selma was about ordinary citizens creating the context for change,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I’m not waiting on the midterms to get some change. I need some folk who are going to shake it up right now, and if ever, we needed voices of faith. We need those voices right now.”
    “In this moment that feels empty and void, I want us to trust the promise. Habakkuk said ‘There is a time, an appointed time, but at the end, it shall speak and not lie, though it tarries, wait for it, because it will surely come. So, let’s wait and work for the vision. God bless all you,” Senator Warnock concluded.
    Read the full transcript of Senator Reverend Warnock’s remarks below:
    “It’s wonderful to be here with men and women, people of faith, particularly at a time like this, it is impossible to overstate the importance of your witness at a time like this.
    “So, I got my start in the work of trying to live out what it means to be a person of faith engaged in the work of social change at Morehouse College and at Union Seminary. Morehouse, of course, the home of Martin Luther King, Jr. If you’ve ever been on that campus, there’s a statue of Dr. King standing in front of the King Chapel where we were required to go twice a week as freshmen – when I was there in the dark ages – that statue is Dr. King pointing with his finger, resolutely pointing into the future. And every time I passed that statue, I felt like Dr. King was pointing me somewhere, that I was there to get more than just an education, that my education needed to be for something.
    “Then I went to Union Seminary, a place that takes seriously the platform of a Palestinian Jewish rabbi who said, ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, to center the work of the poor.’ And I had a great journey there. I went just to get an MDiv, ended up staying in New York for a decade, and the impact of that on my vision of the world, is again, difficult to overstate.
    “I had a running train between Union Seminary and Abyssinia Baptist Church, between Morningside Heights and Harlem, between Jerusalem and Athens, between ivory towers and ebony trenches, and the conversation between those two things is what I have tried to live out in all of my years and in all of my work in ministry.
    “James Cohen, who was my mentor and tormentor, would say ‘You’ve got to apply yourself. You’ve got to put your mind to the task. You’ve got to love Jesus with your mind!’ And it is that discipline that is also so deeply needed in this moment in which we are seeing a church that is allergic to critical reflection and self-awareness, which then allows it to stomach such deep contradictions to insist on putting the 10 Commandments in a church while refusing to stand up to provide lunch and breakfast to those kids in that very same school. If that’s your Christianity, you’re worshiping something other than Jesus.
    “So thank you, Union Seminary for being who you are, for doing the work that you are doing. I continue to fight for voting rights because as Serena said, democracy is a spiritual practice. It takes great faith to be a democracy, right? Because, let’s face it, the people can break your heart too. We’re fighting against despots, but it’s not like the people always get it right. But we’re on this journey because we do believe that our best chances are with each other. So, let’s stay on the journey. Let’s keep doing the work.
    “I was in Selma a few weeks ago to observe the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. I was there that Sunday morning preaching at the Tabernacle Church, one of the historic churches there that was at the center of that movement. And as I was preparing to preach and spend that day in Selma, I thought about a story that Reverend, Mayor, Ambassador, Andrew Young told me – the great thing about living in Atlanta is you literally walk among giants every day – Andy Young told me this story, he said that after they had passed the civil rights law in 1964 following that March on Washington, in ’63, Dr. King made his way to the White House to meet with President Johnson, and he said, ‘I’m glad we got that done, glad we passed civil rights law, but we need a voting rights law.’ LBJ said, ‘I agree with you, you’re right, but I can’t get that done right now. There’s no way I can get a voting rights law through the Congress. Martin, are you kidding? Do you know how much political capital I had to spend to get that civil rights law done? I had to get it through all the Dixiecrat all of the resistance. We got that done, and now you coming to me just a few months later saying, now you want a voting rights law. It’s not that I’m against it. I just don’t have the power to get that done. Certainly not right now.’
    “And so staff left feeling no doubt, all dejected. And someone turned to Dr. King and said, ‘Doc, what are we going to do now?’, – that’s how preachers talk to each other. He said, ‘Well, I guess we’re going to have to get the President some power.’
    “I love that story. A lowly Baptist preacher without office, position says regarding the most powerful man on the planet who said, I don’t have the power to do that right now, but this preacher, speaking from a different tradition and hearing the sound of a different drummer, hearing what Howard Thurman called the sound of the genuine, says ‘I guess we’re going to have to go and get the President some power’.
    “So I know that there are a lot of folk in this moment looking to those of us who are on Capitol Hill, saying, what are they going to do? I know there were frustrations around what happened with the CR, and trust me, that was a fierce debate.
    […]
    “Well, they’re looking at folks like us who are on Capitol Hill, and they’re like, ‘What are you going to do?’ And I want you to know that I’m committed. There are those of us who are committed. I’m going to keep fighting the good fight, but I don’t want you to forget about your own power and the One who empowers you. Selma was about ordinary citizens creating the context for change, and they went to Selma to give the President some power.
    “I’m not waiting on the midterms to get some change. That’s how politicians think, I need some folk who are going to shake it up right now, and if ever, we needed voices of faith. We need those voices right now.
    “They are busy trying to cut Medicaid by nearly a billion dollars. Two out of five children in Georgia count on Medicaid. I think one in 10 veterans in our country. A whole lot of people need Medicaid, and they’re looking to cut Medicaid, they’re cutting veterans, you name it, for the noble project of giving the wealthiest people in America a tax cut. And by the way, the folks will talk about the deficit and the debt and the need to deal with government waste, they’re blowing a hole in the debt! Do you understand that? Like they’re not going to even cut the debt, they’re going to add to the debt, in order to do it. If you’re going to add to the debt, you ought to at least do it to help some students, to help some workers, to help some senior citizens get health care. If you’re going to add to the debt, it ought to be for something noble and worthwhile. They’re adding to the debt to give the wealthiest people in the country a tax cut out of some theory that has long been disproven, of trickledown economics. I’ve been hearing that story since 1980 and we still waiting on it to trickle down.
    “So, we need your voice, and your voice is [needed] now more than ever. And if you make some noise in the streets, there’ll be those of us who’ll be fighting in the suites, and I’m still not above getting arrested. I moved from being agitator to being a legislator, I get the write laws. Last time they were passing their last reconciliation bill during the Trump first administration, I was out there in the rotunda of the Capitol standing up with the clergy, and they were passing the $2 trillion tax cut then, and I got arrested that day, and what they didn’t understand was that I had already been arrested. I’ve been arrested before. I got arrested, first time as a student at Union. That’s what Union teaches you, but in a real sense, my spirit and my soul has been arrested by a vision, and that was in 2017, I had no idea that four years later, the same Capitol Police that arrested me, would escort me to my office or to my next meeting.
    “So keep the faith. Let me close in this way. Nobody believes a preacher when he says, ‘As I close.’ But I woke up this morning and because I lead a prayer call every Tuesday morning at 7:14 AM, Second Chronicles 7:14. ‘Is my people who are called by my name.’ I woke up this morning and for my own time of devotion, I said, let me see what the lectionary reading is this morning. And I pulled up the lectionary reading, and it was the reading in the Gospel of Luke, where the angel Gabriel comes to tell Mary that […] she’s about to experience a holy hijacking. That God is getting ready to disrupt her life in an unimaginable way, that a baby is to be born, and that the promise is going to come through her.
    “[…] Because I didn’t grow up in high church traditions, felt a little bizarre to me to be reading that passage at this time. I grew up in Pentecostal and Baptist circles. When I’m hearing this, the reading about Gabriel coming to Mary, I’m expecting to hear some Christmas carols in the background. I’m expecting to see some lights and some trees. But you all know, you always I’m talking to clergies today. Today is the Annunciation, March 25, nine months before the birth, the angel comes and speaks to Mary about that for which there is little or no evidence.
    “And so, in this moment that feels empty and void, I want us to trust the promise. Habakkuk said ‘There is a time, an appointed time, but at the end, it shall speak and not lie, though it tarries, wait for it, because it will surely come.’ So, let’s wait and work for the vision. God bless all of you.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Supporting better rehabilitation rates for injured Kiwis

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Updates to ACC’s Accredited Employers Programme taking effect today are designed to improve workplace injury rehabilitation for around one-fifth of New Zealand’s workforce and support our economic growth, says ACC Minister Scott Simpson.
    “ACC’s fundamental purpose is to prevent injuries and get injured Kiwis back to independence as soon as possible. But rehabilitation rates have been slipping over the past decade, which is why they’re a crucial focus for me as I look to significantly improve ACC’s performance and long-term financial sustainability,” says Mr Simpson.
    “The Accredited Employers Programme plays a big role in that – more than one in five full-time equivalent employees in New Zealand work for an accredited employer. I welcome the improvements ACC has made to enhance health and recovery outcomes for this substantial part of our workforce.”
    The Programme allows sufficiently large employers to manage their employees’ claims for work injuries and occupational diseases in-house. In return for taking on the financial liability and claim management of work injuries, accredited employers receive a reduction in their work account levy.
    The changes taking effect today include updates to improve performance monitoring and the way employers handle claims. These are the first substantive updates to the programme since its inception in 2000.
    “The Accredited Employers Programme provides employers with a financial incentive to reduce workplace injuries and support staff to return to independence quickly,” says Mr Simpson.
    “Ensuring employers help their employees get back to health and return to work makes absolute sense, as rehabilitation rates need serious improvement. These changes will ensure employers are meeting their obligations and providing the right support to their employees.”
    Notes to editors
    About the Accredited Employers Programme:

    The Accredited Employers Programme includes some of New Zealand’s largest employers. There are around 130 employers in the programme, encompassing approximately 435,000 full time equivalent (FTE) employees, around 23 per cent of New Zealand’s total FTEs.
    To remain in the Programme, Accredited Employers undertake an annual accreditation process, including an assessment, to ensure they are meeting all the requirements for the programme. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Celebrating 110-years of Yarralumla Nursery

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 01/04/2025

    For 110 years, Yarralumla Nursery has contributed to Canberra being regarded as the ‘garden city’ through the propagation of millions of trees and shrubs.

    “Early in Canberra’s development it was realised that trees and shrubs would have to be raised locally if the garden city concept was to be achieved. This was in part due to the difficulty in successfully establishing plants that would succeed in Canberra’s harsh climatic and soil conditions,” said Minister for City and Government Services, Tara Cheyne.

    “In 1914, Yarralumla Nursery was established to do just that. Since first opening its doors, it has become a leader in horticulture research and provides high-quality products to Canberra businesses and locals.

    “Yarralumla Nursery provides a free Plant Issue Scheme which gives a plant allocation to new landowners in Canberra’s new suburbs. The Scheme aims to help new landowners take the first steps to establish a sustainable garden with plants suitable for our local climate and soil conditions while beautifying their homes and suburb.

    “Yarralumla Nursery also provides wholesale services to landscape and construction businesses, government departments, educational facilities, horticulture trade, primary producers, wholesale and retail nurseries.

    “One of the most impressive resources that the Nursery has is its seed bank which has been used to create Canberra’s tree canopy. The seed bank is a living record of every seed collected, purchased and stored at the Yarralumla Nursery since 1913.

    “Yarralumla Nursery won the Employer of the Year Award at the 2024 Nursery and Garden Industry NSW and ACT Awards and is on track to become the first nursery in the ACT accredited by Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia.

    “The team at Yarralumla Nursery are dedicated to innovation. They have made improvements to propagation facilities, automated systems, growing substrates, acquired new potting machines to increase efficiencies and even discovered a new variety of Hardenbergia.

    “Yarralumla Nursery produces over 500 different native and exotic species and distributed over 300,000 plants last year and are still looking to improve their efficiencies and range.

    “Today we are planting an Elm Tree called “Yarralumla Weeper”. This is a species which Yarralumla Nursery has grown and distributed across Canberra since the 1930s.

    “I look forward to seeing the dedicated team at Yarralumla Nursery continue to implement innovative solutions for the benefit of our local environment,” said Minister Cheyne.

    – Statement ends –

    Tara Cheyne, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Oakland Woman Who Made Multiple Fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Claims Using Stolen Identities Sentenced To 33 Months And One Day

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN FRANCISCO – Kari Marie Russo was sentenced today to 33 months and one day in federal prison for submitting numerous fraudulent unemployment insurance claims using stolen identities.  U.S. District Judge James Donato handed down the sentence.

    Russo, 46, and her co-defendant Steven Dunsmore, 35, both of Oakland, were indicted by a federal grand jury on Oct. 3, 2023.  A federal grand jury also indicted Russo on Sept. 17, 2024, on a single count of failure to appear.  On Dec. 10, 2024, Russo pleaded guilty to two counts of fraudulent use of unauthorized access device, two counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of failure to appear.  

    According to court documents, beginning in June 2020, Russo and Dunsmore engaged in an elaborate scheme to submit fraudulent unemployment insurance claims to California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) using other people’s personally identifying information, such as their names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers, without their authorization.  

    As a result of the fraudulent applications, Dunsmore and Russo received approximately $336,545 in EDD funds.  

    Additionally, while Russo was on pretrial release so that she could participate in a residential drug treatment program, Russo left the program without permission and failed to appear in court on Jan. 8, 2024, as ordered.  She was captured by the U.S. Marshals Service on June 11, 2024.

    Dunsmore previously pleaded guilty on Feb. 26, 2024, to two counts of fraudulent use of unauthorized access device and two counts of aggravated identity theft.  Judge Donato sentenced Dunsmore on June 17, 2024, to 24 months and one day in federal prison and ordered him to pay $336,545 in restitution.  

    In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Donato also ordered Russo to pay $336,545 in restitution, jointly and severally with Dunsmore.  

    Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins, Quentin Heiden, Special Agent-in-Charge, Western Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D., made the announcement.  

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy Garbers is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Laurie Worthen.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by DOL-OIG, FBI, DHS-OIG, and California’s Employment Development Department.  
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Firm Capital Property Trust Reports Q4/2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NAV Growth
    Strong Sequential AFFO Growth
    Declining AFFO Payout Ratio To 100%

    TORONTO, March 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Firm Capital Property Trust (“FCPT” or the “Trust”), (TSX: FCD.UN) is pleased to report its financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024.

    PROPERTY PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS
    The portfolio consists of 64 commercial properties with a total gross leasable area (“GLA”) of 2,514,580 square feet, five multi-residential complexes comprised of 599 units and four Manufactured Home Communities comprised of 537 units. The portfolio is well diversified and defensive in terms of geographies and property asset types, with 49% of NOI (43% of asset value) comprised of grocery anchored retail followed by industrial at 28% of NOI (30% of asset value). In addition, the portfolio is well diversified in terms of geographies with 38% of NOI (40% of asset value) comprised of assets located in Ontario, followed by Quebec at 38% of NOI (33% of asset value).

    TENANT DIVERSIFICATION
    The portfolio is well diversified by tenant profile with no tenant currently accounting for more than 13.0% of total net rent. Further, the top 10 tenants are comprised of large national tenants and account for 32.4% of total net rent.

    MANAGEABLE MORTGAGE MATURITY PROFILE GOING INTO 2025 AND 2026
    The Trust was able to refinance or repay in full all 2024 mortgage maturities. Going forward, the Trust has only $13.2 million and $41.9 million or 4.3% and 13.8% of its total outstanding mortgages coming due in 2025 and 2026, respectively. Senior management is currently in active discussions with its lenders regarding the 2025 maturities and does not anticipate any refinancing issues to occur.

    Q4/2024 HIGHLIGHTS

    Key highlights for the three months ended December 31, 2024 are as follows:

    • Adjusted Funds From Operations (“AFFO”) was approximately $4.8 million, 1% higher than the same period in 2023;
    • AFFO per Unit for Q4/2024 increased by 2% to $0.130 over Q4/2023.
    • AFFO Payout ratio decreased to 100% for Q4/2024 from 101% over the same period in 2023;
    • Net income was approximately $5.8 million, compared to income of $6.8 million recorded for the same period in 2023;
    • $7.83 Net Asset Value (“NAV”) per Unit, a 5% increase from Q4/2023;
    • Net Operating Income (“NOI”) was approximately $10.0 million, a 5% increase from the same period in 2023;
    • Same Property NOI increased 4% over Q4/2023;
    • Commercial occupancy was 94.5%, Multi-Residential occupancy was 95.3% while Manufactured Homes Communities occupancy was 100.0%;
    • Conservative leverage profile with Debt / Gross Book Value (“GBV”) at 51.0%; and
    • The Trust declared and approved monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0433 per Trust Unit for Unitholders of record on April 30, 2025, May 30, 2025 and June 30, 2025, payable on or about May 15, 2025, June 16, 2025 and July 15, 2025, respectively.

    See chart below for additional information:

      Three Months   Twelve Months Ended
      Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Change   Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Change
    Rental Revenue $ 15,587,337 $ 14,544,449 7%   $ 60,576,995 $ 57,508,091 5%
    NOI – IFRS Basis 9,957,731 9,451,214 5.4%   38,576,870 36,727,491 5%
    NOI – Cash Basis 9,865,803 9,459,501 4.3%   38,700,828 36,597,428 6%
    Same-Property NOI 9,769,693 9,439,040 4%   38,753,444 36,539,608 6%
    Net Income 5,754,200 6,809,718 (16%)   33,886,990 15,367,821 121%
    FFO 5,272,271 5,253,312 0%   19,320,579 18,627,450 4%
    AFFO 4,805,695 4,739,112 1%   18,636,734 16,700,144 12%
                   
    Total Assets         $ 651,949,269 $ 637,378,171 2%
    Total Mortgages         304,819,251 303,792,112 0%
    Credit Facility         27,700,000 31,300,000 (12%)
                   
    Unitholders’ Equity         306,379,896 291,692,787 5%
    Units Outstanding (000s)         36,926 36,926 (0%)
                   
    FFO Per Unit $0.143 $0.142 1%   $0.523 $0.504 4%
    AFFO Per Unit $0.130 $0.128 2%   $0.505 $0.452 12%
    Distributions Per Unit $0.130 $0.130 0%   $0.520 $0.520 (0%)
                   
    FFO Payout Ratio 91% 91%     99% 103% (362) bps
    AFFO Payout Ratio 100% 101%     103% 115% (1,198) bps
    Wtd. Avg. Int. Rate – Mort. Debt         4.2% 3.7% 50 bps
    Debt to GBV         51% 53% (200) bps
                   
    GLA – Commercial, SF         2,514,580 2,553,184 (2%)
    Units – Multi-Res         599 599 0%
    Units – MHCs         537 537 0%
                   
    Occupancy – Commercial         94.5% 96.5% (200) bps
    Occupancy – Multi-Res         95.3% 96.9% (160) bps
    Occupancy MHCs         100.0% 100.0% 0 bps
                   
    Rent PSF – Retail         $18.84 $18.81 0%
    Rent PSF – Industrial         $9.12 $8.16 12%
    Rent per month – Multi-Res         $1,604 $1,405 14%
    Rent per month – MHCs         $671 $612 10%
                   

    For the complete financial statements, Management’s Discussion & Analysis and supplementary information, please visit www.sedar.com or the Trust’s website at www.firmcapital.com

    DISTRIBUTION REINVESTMENT PLAN & UNIT PURCHASE PLAN
    The Trust has in place a Distribution Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”) and Unit Purchase Plan (the “UPP”). Under the terms of the DRIP, FCPT’s Unitholders may elect to automatically reinvest all or a portion of their regular monthly distributions in additional Units, without incurring brokerage fees or commissions. Under the terms of the UPP, FCPT’s Unitholders may purchase a minimum of $1,000 of Units per month and maximum purchases of up to $12,000 per annum. Management and trustees have not participated in the DRIP or UPP to date and own or control approximately 10% of the issued and outstanding trust units of the Trust.

    ABOUT FIRM CAPITAL PROPERTY TRUST (TSX : FCD.UN)
    Firm Capital Property Trust is focused on creating long-term value for Unitholders, through capital preservation and disciplined investing to achieve stable distributable income. In partnership with management and industry leaders. The Trust’s plan is to own as well as to co-own a diversified property portfolio of multi-residential, flex industrial, and net lease convenience retail. In addition to stand alone accretive acquisitions, the Trust will make joint acquisitions with strong financial partners and acquisitions of partial interests from existing ownership groups, in a manner that provides liquidity to those selling owners and professional management for those remaining as partners. Firm Capital Realty Partners Inc., through a structure focused on an alignment of interests with the Trust sources, syndicates and property and asset manages investments on behalf of the Trust.

    FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue”, and by discussions of strategies that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Trust. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and various future events will not occur. Although management of the Trust believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements will occur as anticipated. Neither the Trust nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any forward-looking statements, and no one has any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or such other factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, which may be made only by means of a prospectus, nor shall there be any sale of the Units in any state, province or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under securities laws of any such state, province or other jurisdiction. The Units of the Firm Capital Property Trust have not been, and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered, sold or delivered in the United States absent registration or an application for exemption from the registration requirements of U.S. securities laws.

    Certain financial information presented in this press release reflect certain non- International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) financial measures, which include NOI, Same Store NOI, FFO and AFFO. These measures are commonly used by real estate investment entities as useful metrics for measuring performance and cash flows, however, they do not have standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are not necessarily comparable to similar measures presented by other real estate investment entities. These terms are defined in the Trust’s Management Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the year ended December 31, 2024 as filed on www.sedar.com.

    For further information, please contact:

    Robert McKee   Sandy Poklar
    President & Chief Executive Officer   Chief Financial Officer
    (416) 635-0221   (416) 635-0221
         

    For Investor Relations information, please contact:

    Victoria Moayedi
    Director, Investor Relations
    (416) 635-0221        

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sens. Markey and Capito, Reps. Cammack and Magaziner Reintroduce Legislation to Alleviate Administrative Burden for Caregivers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Family caregivers provide $600 billion in unpaid care every year
    Bill Text (PDF)
    Washington (March 31, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), and Representatives Seth Magaziner (RI-02), and Kat Cammack (FL-03) today reintroduced the Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers (ABC) Act, legislation that would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Social Security Administration (SSA), and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to review their eligibility, processes, procedures, forms, and communications to reduce the administrative burden on family caregivers. The legislation would then require CMS, SSA, and CHIP to report to Congress after two years about any issues they are facing and any next steps they are taking to support family caregivers.
    Family caregivers serve as a primary source of support for seniors and people with disabilities of all ages. In the United States alone, there are more than 48 million family caregivers. More than half of family caregivers act as an advocate for their loved one with care providers, community services, or government agencies. However, one in four family caregivers say they want help with forms, paperwork, and eligibility for services. Many report competing responsibilities while experiencing serious emotional, physical, and finance challenges.
    “Caregivers, like my father was, serve on the frontlines of our nation’s health care system by giving our families and friends the care and support they need to remain in their homes and communities with their loved ones,” said Senator Markey. “But caregivers are struggling needlessly to navigate complex, burdensome, and stressful processes each and every day while also still managing day-to-day family and professional responsibilities. The Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act will help lift the weight off caregivers by clearing the red tape that so often gets in their way. I thank Senator Capito and Representatives Magaziner and Cammack for their partnership on this critical legislation.”
    “More than 1 in 4 Americans over 50 are now caregivers. I was one of these caregivers for my parents during their struggle with Alzheimer’s disease and know personally how hard it can be to balance all of the responsibilities put on individuals caring for their loved ones,” Senator Capito said. “One of the most common frustrations I hear from caregivers in West Virginia is how difficult it is to navigate federal processes and procedures. The Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act would attempt to ease this often-stressful time by requiring federal agencies, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Social Security Administration, to review their processes, procedures, forms, and communications to reduce the administrative burden on family caregivers.”
    “Family caregivers have a lot on their plates, devoting their lives to support others,” said Representative Magaziner. “They shouldn’t have to struggle with confusing paperwork and delays on top of their essential work. The bipartisan ABC Act will make it easier for families to get the support they need so caregivers can focus on what matters most — caring for their loved ones.”
    “America’s family caregivers work around-the-clock to provide essential care for their loved ones, and over half act as advocates on behalf of their family members. The last thing these caregivers need is more red tape that distracts from their support for those in their care,” said Representative Cammack. “I’m honored to introduce this bipartisan and bicameral ABC Act with my colleagues to lower the burden around the important medical decisions caregivers must make every day. Together we can support the 48 million caregivers that make up a critical part of our health care landscape in the U.S.”
    Cosponsors in the Senate include John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.).
    Cosponsors in the House include Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Jared Golden (ME-02), Greg Steube (FL-17), Deborah Ross (NC-02), August Pfluger (TX-11), Ed Case (HI-01), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Darren Soto (FL-09), and Vern Buchanan (FL-16).
    The ABC Act is endorsed by: AARP, ADA Watch/Coalition for Disability Rights & Justice, Aging Life Care Association, Alliance for Aging Research, Alliance for Retired Americans, Allies for Independence, ALS Association, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, American Academy of Nursing, American Association on Health and Disability, American Heart Association, American Network of Community Organizations and Resources (ANCOR), American Psychological Association Services, American Society for Transportation and Cellular Therapy, American Society on Aging, Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, Caregiver Action Network, Caring Across Generations, Child Neurology Foundation, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), Diverse Elders Coalition, Elder Services of Berkshire County Inc., Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Family Caregiver Alliance, National Center on Caregiving, Fight Colorectal Cancer, Gerontological Society of America, Grayce, Greater Lynn Senior Services, Hispanic Federation, Huntington’s Disease Society of America, Japanese American Citizens League, Justice in Aging, Lakeshore Foundation, LeadingAge, LifePath, Lymphoma Research Foundation, Massachusetts Councils on Aging, Medical Alley, Mystic Valley Elder Services, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, National Adult Day Services Association, National Alliance on Caregiving, National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA), National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, National Council on Aging, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, National Disability Rights Network, National Down Syndrome Congress, National Federation of Filipino American Associations, National Fragile X Foundation, National Health Council, National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation, National Patient Advocate Foundation, National Respite Coalition, NMDP, OCA- Asian Pacific American Advocates, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, Senior Connection, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, Southeast Asian Resource Action Center (SEARAC), Speak Foundation, the Arc of the United States, The ERISA Industry Committee, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Third Way, USAging, Village to Village Network, and Well Spouse Association.
    “Family caregivers are the backbone of our nation’s long-term care system, and they are overwhelmed managing their loved ones’ care,” said AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond. “This bill would help alleviate bureaucratic red tape for family caregivers. AARP urges Congress to swiftly pass this important legislation.”
    “Millions of Americans struggle to care for loved ones while also navigating the red tape of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. The Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers (ABC) Act will cut through that red tape, making it easier for families to access these vital programs. This means caregivers can spend less time fighting paperwork and more time providing essential care and taking care of themselves,” said Jason Resendez, President & CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving.
    “Family caregivers provide over $600 billion in care each year, greatly benefiting the system and the person needing care, but are overburdened by navigating the health care system and all the paperwork that comes with it. Simplifying these processes improve the caregiver’s well-being, allow them more quality time with the person they care for, and could improve coordination with health and benefits systems,” said Christina Irving, Client Services Director at Family Caregiver Alliance.
    “Caregiver Action Network (CAN) strongly supports the Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act. CAN’s mission is to improve the quality of life for tens of millions of family caregivers, and this Act could help reduce their stress by making it easier to access the resources and information they need while caring for their loved ones,” said Marvell Adams Jr., CEO of Caregiver Action Network.
    “USAging is proud to support the Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act, a vital step in recognizing the selfless contributions of caregivers by addressing the challenges they face when providing care to their loved ones. This bill will help reduce stress and time spent helping loved ones access important benefits, supporting the overall well-being of caregivers. With the numbers of older Americans rising at a historic rate, family caregivers need more support, and they need it now,” said Sandy Markwood, CEO of USAging.
    “As an organization founded by a family caregiver, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is pleased to support the Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act. Caring for a loved one with dementia is a 24/7 responsibility, and it becomes even more stressful trying to navigate the complexities of accessing benefits. Cutting administrative red tape and making it easier for caregivers to connect with programs, services, and assistance would alleviate a major stressor and expedite vital support to caregivers. AFA is grateful to Sen. Markey, Sen. Capito, Rep. Cammack, Rep. Magaziner, and all who support this legislation in Congress for working together to help family caregivers,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., President & CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
    “Caregivers of the Autism community frequently reach out to the Autism Society’s helpline, citing the complex navigation of critical services like Medicaid and Social Security as major obstacles to receiving care. The ABC Act would reduce this burden, allowing caregivers to focus on what matters most — supporting their loved ones,” said Christopher Banks, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America.
    “Helping older adults understand and complete documents for caregiver support is not only the right thing to do from a community perspective, but it is also significantly more cost-effective. Leveraging caregiver support avoids or delays more expensive long-term care options, such as nursing homes or assisted living facilities,” said Bill Zagorski, Board Chair for the National Adult Day Services Association. “Moreover, Adult Day Services play a significant role to caregivers. It assists with access to and reduces barriers to these vital programs as well as providing caregiver respite in order to allow aging adults, seniors and individuals with cognitive, physical, intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to age in place in their communities.”
    “Caregivers are the true backbone of our nation, offering unwavering support to those in need and often sacrificing their own well-being in the process. By supporting caregivers through this act, we are taking a vital step toward providing the long-overdue assistance they so desperately need. This legislation will help to alleviate the administrative burdens that many caregivers face on a daily basis, making their challenging roles more manageable. By reducing the overwhelming paperwork, navigating complex systems, and offering additional resources, we can ensure caregivers are able to focus more on the well-being of their loved ones, while receiving the support they need. This step is essential in recognizing and honoring the incredible work that caregivers do and ensuring they are equipped with the tools necessary to continue providing care with dignity and compassion,” said Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Connell, Executive Director of Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging (MCOA).
    In July 2024, Senator Markey celebrated the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee passage of his caregiving and Alzheimer’s provisions in the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2024. Earlier that month, Senator Markey announced his “Caring for Caregivers” agenda, a comprehensive legislative agenda which calls for the economic security, support and resources, and protection and promotion of family caregivers and their loved ones’ health and wellbeing. In June 2024, Senator Markey introduced the Elder Pride Act, legislation to establish an Office of LGBTQI Inclusion within the Department of Health and Human Services to advocate, coordinate activities, recommend policies for, and collect data on LGBTQI+ older adults.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Markey, Rep. Ansari Introduce Legislation to Help Families Pay their Heating and Cooling Bills

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Legislation would provide urgently needed relief for families as energy prices rise 
    Bill Text (PDF) | Section-by-Section (PDF)
    Washington (March 31, 2025) — Senator Edward J. Markey, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) today reintroduced the Heating and Cooling Relief Act, bold legislation to significantly expand and modernize the severely underfunded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The bill would ensure year-round access to affordable and reliable heating and cooling for lower-income households who experience disproportionately high energy burdens.
    Despite the urgent need for relief, in 2023, only about 18 percent of income-eligible households received LIHEAP assistance, with less than 3 percent of eligible households receiving cooling assistance. Meanwhile, low-income families spend nearly three times more on energy bills than non-low-income households, and nearly one in six households are behind on their utility bills. The Heating and Cooling Relief Act would deliver critical energy assistance to millions more households, protecting families from utility shutoffs and empowering states to address the growing threat of climate-fueled extreme heat and cold.
    “No one should have to choose between turning the heat on in the winter and putting food on the table, but that’s a sacrifice more and more families are forced to make, especially as the climate crisis exacerbates extreme weather,” said Senator Markey. “Our Heating and Cooling Relief Act would significantly expand LIHEAP so that energy assistance is available to all those who need it. It would also protect consumers from predatory practices and utility shutoffs, and boost emergency energy assistance and access to life-saving cooling relief. I will keep fighting to ensure that every household can afford the energy they need to stay healthy and safe—and to support a just transition away from fossil fuels.”
    “No one should have to make sacrifices around paying for food, rent, or essential medication to keep air conditioning on in the summer and heat on in the winter,” said Rep. Yassamin Ansari. “In Arizona, this is a matter of life or death. Last year, over 600 people died from extreme heat, and Phoenix already broke our own record for the first 99-degree day of the year. Our Heating and Cooling Relief Act will expand LIHEAP so that every family can afford their energy bills – in Maricopa County, this will literally save lives.”
    The Heating and Cooling Relief Act is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Representatives Nannette Barragán (CA-44), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Andre Carson (IN-07), Troy Carter (LA-02), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Summer Lee (PA-12), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Grace Meng (NY-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Adam Smith (WA-09), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).
    “On behalf of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, I applaud Senator Markey’s introduction of the Heating and Cooling Relief Act of 2025. Senator Markey was a cosponsor of LIHEAP when it began as a temporary program in 1981 and has played a key role in transforming it into the successful program that it is today. This bill will transform LIHEAP into a program that provides year-round energy assistance, recognizing that access to cooling is now as essential as heating for low-income families. No family should have to struggle between paying their home energy bill or food, clothing, and medicine, and this bill will help protect families from having to make that difficult decision,” said Mark Wolfe, Executive Director at the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.
    “This ambitious bill shines a spotlight on the energy affordability challenges faced by low-income families who urgently need access to LIHEAP,” said Olivia Wein, Senior Attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. “We look forward to working with parties to refine this legislation and focus its impact on people with the greatest need.”
    “As extreme heat and climate chaos continue to intensify year after year, millions of families are grappling with the real-life, devastating consequences. These unnatural events are killing people and making them sick in their own homes. Our communities, many of whom don’t own housing and are struggling with the rising cost of living, should not have to risk their lives to avoid extremely high energy bills. In this critical moment, to save lives and strengthen climate resilience in vulnerable communities, access to essential heating and cooling relief is both a necessity and a right,” said Caleb Smith, Resiliency Coordinator at WE ACT for Environmental Justice.
    “As extreme heat becomes increasingly dangerous with longer, more frequent, and more intense heat waves every year, it is critical people can protect themselves from unhealthy and potentially deadly home temperatures. The risk of heat-related illness, injury, and death is particularly high for families and older adults who don’t have air conditioning or can’t afford to run it. The Heating and Cooling Relief Act would help people stay safe by making crucial investments in efficient and affordable home cooling strategies. Extreme heat events kill more people than any other type of severe weather or climate disaster, but Congress can prevent some of these deaths by passing the Heating and Cooling Relief Act,” said Jill Rosenthal, Director of Public Health Policy at the Center for American Progress.
    “Too many households face a terrible choice when summer temperatures soar. Feed the kids? Pay the rent? Or stay safe from deadly heat? This critical bill will alleviate that burden by helping low-income households keep their power on and make their homes more weatherproof and energy efficient. It will also refill a long-empty emergency contingency fund, giving states an important backstop in an increasingly extreme climate,” said Juanita Constible, Senior Advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
    “In the richest country in the world, no kid should have to go to bed freezing cold because their family can’t afford to keep the heat up. No one should die in their own home during heat waves because they can’t afford air conditioning. This legislation is a vital step towards lowering the cost of living for working people and ensuring every American has a safe and healthy home. It shows that tackling the climate crisis goes hand in hand with helping working people,” said Sunrise Movement Executive Director Aru Shiney-Ajay.
    “Expanding federal funding to help families afford to pay their energy bills is essential as tens of millions of American families continue to experience punishing energy burdens. President Trump’s chaotic disruption of our economy and his gutting of indispensable government programs has resulted in a crisis of energy affordability. This legislation is vitally important to ensure that American families can afford essential energy service under Trump’s disastrous economy,” said Tyson Slocum, Energy Program Director at Public Citizen.
    “No American family should have to skip heating or cooling their home to a safe and comfortable temperature just to make ends meet. The Heating and Cooling Relief Act is a commonsense update to an essential program that keeps our lights on, protects the vulnerable, and ensures we’re prepared for growing energy demand and worsening disasters. Strengthening LIHEAP is about fiscal, moral, and national responsibility. At a time of rising costs and extreme weather, this bill brings overdue reforms that put working families first, cut red tape, and modernize our response to energy emergencies. The Sierra Club is proud to support it,” said Xavier Boatright, Deputy Legislative Director at Sierra Club.
    Specifically, the Heating and Cooling Relief Act would:
    Substantially increase LIHEAP funding to ensure year-round assistance, including an additional $2 billion for emergency energy assistance and $1 billion in Just Transition Grants to help vulnerable households adapt to a changing climate;
    Broaden eligibility so that households earning up to 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Line or 80 percent of State Median Income can qualify, while ensuring lower energy burdens for lower-income households and capping household energy burdens at 3 percent of monthly income;
    Protect consumers from utility shutoffs, excessive late fees, and predatory energy practices that disproportionately impact vulnerable communities;
    Expand emergency assistance, ensuring extreme heat and cold are recognized as qualifying emergencies and that states can provide vital cooling relief;
    Increase funding for weatherization and home electrification, to help low-income households reduce energy costs, improve health and safety, and transition to clean, resilient energy systems;
    Streamline enrollment and outreach, improving coordination with other federal programs and increasing access through automatic enrollment and simplified verification; and
    Strengthen reporting requirements to better track affordability, equity, and climate resilience outcomes.
    The Heating and Cooling Relief Act is endorsed by National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), Center for Energy Poverty and Climate, Public Citizen, Sunrise Movement, Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, Center for American Progress, Sierra Club, Citizens for Citizens, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), National Housing Law Project (NHLP), National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA), Citizens Action Coalition, WE ACT, The Utility Reform Network (TURN), Climate Resolve, Indiana Conservation Voters, Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), Elevate, Evergreen Action, Center for Biological Diversity, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Climate and Community Institute, Federation of American Scientists (FAS), Solar United Neighbors Action, North Carolina Justice Center, Creation Care Partners, Faith in Place Action Fund, National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH), Direct Action Against CenterPoint Energy (DAACE), Energy for All Coalition, Indiana Environmental Clean Energy J40 Corporation,  Office of the People’s Counsel – District of Columbia Government, Arizona Sustainability Alliance.
    Senator Markey is a champion for energy access, affordability, and reliability. In March 2025, he hosted a roundtable with Massachusetts LIHEAP providers, consumer advocates, and national energy assistance organizations to discuss the urgent need to strengthen and expand LIHEAP. In July 2024, Senator Markey and several New England Senators sent a letter to the Department of Energy urging it to consider the disproportionate negative impacts of LNG on New England—especially on energy prices—in its underlying environmental and economic analyses for LNG export authorization decisions. In December 2023, Senator Markey led a letter urging the Federal Trade Commission to immediately intervene, investigate, and rigorously enforce consumer protection laws against certain electric supply companies. In October 2023, he celebrated the release of $130 million in LIHEAP funding for Massachusetts, helping residents afford winter heating costs. Additionally, he has pushed for greater investments in home efficiency and electrification to help low-income families reduce their energy burdens. He originally introduced the Heating and Cooling Relief Act with Representative Jamaal Bowman in January 2022.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tajik, Kyrgyz and Uzbek presidents sign historical treaty to boost regional cooperation

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Tajik President Emomali Rahmon (C), Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov (L) and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev hold a trilateral meeting in Khujand, Tajikistan, March 31, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The presidents of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan signed a treaty on the junction point of their national borders in Khujand, Tajikistan’s second-largest city, on Monday.

    According to the Tajik presidential press service, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a trilateral meeting in Khujand to formalize the agreement.

    Rahmon called the treaty’s signing “a highly symbolic” event, highlighting its significance for the three countries. He said that Tajikistan deeply values its relations with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, which are founded on the principles of good neighborliness, equality, mutual respect and the consideration of each other’s interests. The comprehensive development of relations among the three countries is one of the priorities in Tajikistan’s foreign policy, according to a statement from the Tajik presidential office.

    The leaders discussed key issues related to regional cooperation, underscoring the need to strengthen neighborly relations, advance joint infrastructure and economic projects, and expand the region’s tourism potential, according to a statement from the Kyrgyz presidential office.

    Japarov said that regional integration is progressing well and that enhancing cooperation across various sectors will be critical to achieving sustainable development and prosperity in Central Asia.

    Mirziyoyev extended his congratulations to Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan for successfully resolving border-related issues and signing the delimitation treaty. He said the agreement would foster regional stability, promote sustainable development, and raise the international standing of the entire region.

    In addition to the trilateral discussions, Rahmon and Mirziyoyev held a one-on-one meeting, during which they signed a protocol to exchange instruments of ratification for the treaty on allied relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

    The meeting, conducted in an atmosphere of friendship and brotherhood, concluded with the exchange of these historic documents, officially bringing the treaty into force. The treaty was initially signed during a high-level bilateral summit in Dushanbe on April 18, 2023.

    Meanwhile, Rahmon and Japarov also signed a protocol to exchange the ratification instruments for the border treaty between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The two leaders engaged in comprehensive discussions on cooperation in trade, economy, energy, culture and humanitarian affairs, culminating in the signing of the protocol, which finalized the agreement.

    The border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan stretches approximately 970 km, and delimitation talks began in 2002. Since the autumn of 2022, the two countries have conducted intensive negotiations, successfully finalizing the border’s delineation in December 2024. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Local News – Kids’ fun in Porirua these holidays

    Source: Porirua City Council

    Easter and the first school holidays are fast approaching and in Porirua you’re spoiled for choice, with many paid or free activities and events to keep everyone busy.
    If you’re of a mind to be active, why not give Porirua Grand Traverse a nudge? In its 20th year, the event, on Sunday 6 April (yes, slightly before the holidays) has something for the serious multisporters to a fun run/walk to do with friends or whānau – check out poriruagrandtraverse.co.nz for more details.
    The Wellington Phoenix Women have one home game left at their Porirua Park fortress, on 20 April. Tickets are reasonably priced but keep an eye on the Council Facebook page as we have passes to give away.
    Kai Tahi, meanwhile, is one of our city’s most exciting destinations. Along with a sustainable market on 5 April, there’s always the Thursday Grooves to check out – and on 15 April, they are showing the Rabbit Academy and Peter Rabbit movies at 11.15am and 1pm FREE. There will also be some fun play activities, so come down to enjoy the cool vibes and kai at Kai Tahi!
    Other activities to consider these holidays:
    – Porirua Library holiday programme
    – Plimmerton community Easter market at the boating club (12 April)
    – Titahi Bay Easter Fair at Te Rauparaha Park (18 April)
    – City Nature challenge between 25 and 28 April (check out the iNaturalist app)
    – Let’s Play activities on 14 April (11am-1pm, Jillett St, Titahi Bay) and 16 April (11am-1pm, Matahoura Park, Cannons Creek)
    – Battle Hill Forest Park – check out those eels! – or any of the city’s bike trails and walks
    – Test your detective skills at the New Zealand Police Museum
    – Adrenalin Forest, Porirua Indoor Raceway, North City Tenpin, Pirate’s Cove Mini Golf or Awesome Bounce

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –