NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Board of Trustees of Tidal ETF Trust (the “Trust”) has approved a reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares of the SoFi Select 500 ETF (NYSE Arca: SFY) (the “Fund”). The reverse split will take effect after the close of trading on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”) on October 1, 2024.
Following the reverse stock split, every five shares of the Fund will be consolidated into one share, effectively decreasing the total number of issued and outstanding shares by approximately 80%. The per-share net asset value (NAV) and the opening market price will increase proportionally by five times on the following trading day.
Details of the Reverse Stock Split:
Reverse Split Ratio: 1:5
Approximate Decrease in Total Outstanding Shares: 80%
Additionally, the Fund’s CUSIP number will change as follows, effective after the close of the market on the Effective Date:
Old CUSIP
New CUSIP
886364207
886364173
Impact on Shareholders
The reverse stock split will not alter the overall value of a shareholder’s investment. The value of an investor’s holdings in the Fund remains unchanged, even though the number of shares will decrease, and the per-share price will increase:
Shares of the Fund will begin trading on a split-adjusted basis on the Exchange on October 2, 2024.
Redemption of Fractional Shares and Tax Implications
In cases where shareholders hold fractional shares following the reverse split, the Fund will redeem those fractional shares for cash at the Fund’s split-adjusted NAV on the Effective Date. This redemption could result in tax consequences, with shareholders potentially recognizing gains or losses based on the redemption of fractional shares. However, apart from this, the reverse split will not be a taxable event for shareholders, and no transaction fees will be charged for the redemption of fractional shares.
About Tidal Financial Group
Formed by ETF industry pioneers and thought leaders, Tidal Financial Group set out to revolutionize the way ETFs have historically been developed, launched, managed, marketed, and sold. With a focus on growing AUM, Tidal offers a comprehensive suite of services, proprietary tools, and methodologies designed to bring clients ideas to market. Tidal is an advocate for ETF innovation and is on a mission to provide issuers with the intelligence and tools needed to effectively launch ETFs and optimize growth potential in a highly competitive space. As of September 1, 2024, Tidal managed 172 funds with over $19 billion in AUM.
SoFi’s mission is to empower individuals to achieve financial independence and fulfill their ambitions. Financial independence isn’t just about being wealthy; it’s about having your money work for the life you want to live. Everything SoFi does is focused on helping people take control of their finances. SoFi is always innovating and creating solutions that provide the tools and resources needed for them to reach their goals.
Before investing you should carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other information is in the prospectus. A prospectus may be obtained by visiting www.sofi.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
Investing involves risk including loss of principal. Please visit each fund’s page for specific fund risks.
SoFi ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.
DENVER, Sept. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EverCommerce Inc. (Nasdaq: EVCM) (the “Company”), a leading provider of SaaS solutions for service SMBs, announced today the appointment of Alexi Wellman to its Board of Directors, effective Monday, September 23, 2024.
“We are excited to welcome Alexi to our Board of Directors,” said EverCommerce CEO and Chairman of the Board Eric Remer. “Alexi brings extensive experience in operations, financial management, accounting and audit processes and corporate governance that will serve us well in pursuing our growth strategy.”
Upon joining the EverCommerce Board, Ms. Wellman will serve on the Company’s Audit Committee, bringing substantial expertise from her roles as CEO and CFO of Altbaba, Inc., vice president of finance and global controller at Yahoo Inc., CFO of Nebraska Book Company and practicing CPA and audit partner at KPMG LLP.
Ms. Wellman also serves on the Board of Directors for public companies including ESS Tech, Inc. (NYSE: GWH) and Werner Enterprises (Nasdaq: WERN), where she is the Chair of both Boards’ Audit Committees.
“I am thrilled to join the Board of Directors at EverCommerce and apply my financial and governance experience to the Company’s mission of simplifying and empowering the lives of its SMB service business customers,” said Ms. Wellman.
Alongside this appointment, EverCommerce is also announcing that current Board member Debby Soo will be leaving the Company’s Board, effective October 31, 2024.
“The Board of Directors, EverCommerce leadership and I thank Debby for her contributions over the past three and a half years,” said Remer. “We appreciate the insight and expertise she brought to the Company.”
About EverCommerce
EverCommerce (Nasdaq: EVCM) is a leading service commerce platform, providing vertically-tailored, integrated SaaS solutions that help more than 690,000 global service-based businesses accelerate growth, streamline operations, and increase retention. Its modern digital and mobile applications create predictable, informed, and convenient experiences between customers and their service professionals. With its EverPro, EverHealth, and EverWell brands specializing in Home, Health, and Wellness service industries, EverCommerce provides end-to-end business management software, embedded payment acceptance, marketing technology, and customer experience applications. Learn more at EverCommerce.com.
Investor Contact
Brad Korch SVP and Head of Investor Relations 720-796-7664 IR@evercommerce.com
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iBio, Inc. (NYSEA:IBIO), an AI-driven innovator of precision antibody immunotherapies, today announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, and provided a corporate update.
“Our fiscal year 2024 was a transformational year for iBio, as we’ve solidified our business and financial position as a next-generation antibody company with a machine-learning-enabled platform for designing and developing difficult-to-drug therapeutics,” said CEO and Chief Scientific Officer Martin Brenner, Ph.D., DVM. “We made significant progress entering the fast-growing cardiometabolic and obesity space with our collaboration with AstralBio and strengthened our financial position by eliminating our debt associated with the facility and closing a fully subscribed financing including participation from Ikarian Capital, Lynx1 Capital Management, ADAR1 Capital Management, and other institutional and accredited investors. We continued to build our drug discovery platform, adding innovative technologies that are helping to advance our pipeline and provide critical support to our biopharma partners with best-in-class antibody discovery and development projects.”
Business Developments:
Expanded the AI-powered technology stack with the launch of ShieldTx™, a patent-pending antibody masking technology designed to enable specific, highly targeted antibody delivery to diseased tissue without harming healthy tissue.
In February, iBio closed the sale of its early-stage PD-1 asset to Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for $1MM in upfront cash with contingent downstream payments of up to $52.5MM, a pivotal moment that showcased the power of iBio’s platform to discover best-in-class assets.
Added bispecific capabilities with its EngageTx™ technology. We advanced a Trop2 x CD3 molecule to clinical candidate selection stage by demonstrating in a humanized mouse model of squamous cell carcinoma, a significant 36 percent reduction in tumor size 14 days after tumor implantation and after a single dose. Additionally, we leveraged our EngageTx technology and Epitope Steering technology to successfully develop multiple MUC16 x CD3 molecules, which show potent cell killing against ovarian cancer cells.
Entered into a collaboration with AstralBio, Inc. to provide an exclusive license in the cardiometabolic and obesity space. iBio will develop four targets of interest with rights to license up to three of these targets prior to entering the clinic.
Corporate Developments:
At the Company’s Special Meeting of Stockholders held on November 27, 2023, iBio’s stockholders authorized a reverse stock split, with a ratio ranging from 1-for-5 to 1-for-20 (the “Range”), with the ratio within such Range to be determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), and thereafter the Board approved a one for twenty (1-for-20) reverse stock split of the Company’s shares of common stock. The reverse stock split was effective November 29, 2023.
Entered into a best-efforts public offering with investors in the fiscal second quarter for gross proceeds of approximately $4.5MM before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses
Entered into a securities purchase agreement for a private investment in public equity financing with several institutional investors and an accredited investor in the fiscal third quarter and consummated the financing in the fiscal fourth quarter for gross proceeds of approximately $15.0MM before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses.
During the third and fourth quarters, strengthened the Company’s cash position after previously issued warrants were exercised for proceeds of approximately $4.5MM.
The Company closed the sale of its manufacturing facility located in Bryan, Texas (the “Property”) to the Board of Regents of the Texas A&M University System for $8.5MM. Following the issuance of pre-funded warrants having a value of $4.5MM to the lender, Woodforest National Bank, iBio and its wholly owned subsidiary, iBio CDMO LLC, satisfied all of the conditions of the settlement agreement releasing the Company and its subsidiary of all obligations with respect to the debt secured by the Property, which coupled with the release of approximately $915K in restricted cash previously held by Woodforest, eliminated approximately $13.2MM in secured debt from the Company’s balance sheet.
Strengthened its Board of Directors and executive leadership team through the appointments of Dr. Brenner to the Board of Directors, effective June 1, 2024, and Kristi Sarno as Senior Vice President, Business Development, effective August 8, 2024.
“We ended this fiscal year well-positioned to advance our technology to drive value for patients and shareholders,” said Chief Financial Officer Felipe Duran. “We strengthened our balance sheet through capital raises and debt extinguishment. In fiscal year 2024, we executed transactions which brought in non-dilutive funding, and we continue to pursue business development projects to strengthen our financial position.”
Financial Results:
Revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, were approximately $0.2 million, an increase of 100% over fiscal 2023.
R&D and G&A expenses for fiscal 2024 decreased $5.1 million and $7.3 million, respectively, over the comparable period in fiscal 2023. The decrease in R&D and G&A reflects the Company’s cost savings implemented to support its growing investments in its pipeline, platform technologies, employees, and related infrastructure.
iBio’s consolidated net loss for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, was $24.9 million, a decreased loss of $40.1 million compared to 2023 primarily because of the decrease in expenses related to the Company’s discontinued operations and cost saving initiatives.
iBio held cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $14.4 million as of June 30, 2024.
As disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, which was filed on September 20, 2024 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the audited financial statements contained an audit opinion from its registered public accounting firm that includes an explanatory paragraph related to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. See further discussion in footnote 2 to the Company’s financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. This announcement is made pursuant to NYSE American LLC Company Guide Sections 401(h) and 610(b), which requires public announcement of the receipt of an audit opinion containing a going concern paragraph.
About iBio, Inc.
iBio is an AI-driven innovator that develops next-generation biopharmaceuticals using computational biology and 3D-modeling of subdominant and conformational epitopes, prospectively enabling the discovery of new antibody treatments for hard-to-target cancers, and other diseases. iBio’s mission is to decrease drug failures, shorten drug development timelines, and open up new frontiers against the most promising targets. For more information, visit www.ibioinc.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and include statements such as ending the fiscal year being well-positioned to advance the Company’s technology to drive value for patients and shareholders; and continuing to pursue business development projects to strengthen the Company’s financial position. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the Company’s ability to successfully advance its technology and continue to pursue business development projects to strengthen the Company’s financial position; its ability to obtain regulatory approvals for commercialization of its product candidates, or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements; regulatory limitations relating to its ability to promote or commercialize its product candidates for specific indications; acceptance of its product candidates in the marketplace and the successful development, marketing or sale of products; the continued maintenance and growth of its patent estate; its ability to establish and maintain collaborations and attract and increase partnership opportunities; competition; the substantial doubt exists related to the Company’s ability to operate as a going concern; its ability to raise additional capital in order to fully execute the Company’s longer-term business plans and the other factors discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2024. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
iBio, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (In Thousands, except per share amounts)
Years Ended
June 30,
2024
2023
Revenues
$
225
$
—
Operating expenses:
Research and development
5,185
10,327
General and administrative
11,674
19,016
Total operating expenses
16,859
29,343
Operating loss
(16,634
)
(29,343
)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense
(172
)
(83
)
Interest income
363
213
Loss on sales of debt securities
—
(98
)
Gain on sale of intellectual property
1,000
—
Total other income
1,191
32
Net loss from continuing operations
(15,443
)
(29,311
)
Loss from discontinued operations
(9,464
)
(35,699
)
Net loss
$
(24,907
)
$
(65,010
)
Comprehensive loss:
Consolidated net loss
$
(24,907
)
$
(65,010
)
Other comprehensive loss – unrealized gain on debt securities
—
180
Other comprehensive income – foreign currency adjustment
—
33
Comprehensive loss
$
(24,907
)
$
(64,797
)
Loss per common share attributable to iBio, Inc. stockholders – basic and diluted – continuing operations
$
(4.03
)
$
(47.88
)
Loss per common share attributable to iBio, Inc. stockholders – basic and diluted – discontinued operations
$
(2.47
)
$
(58.31
)
Loss per common share attributable to iBio, Inc. stockholders – basic and diluted – total
$
(6.50
)
$
(106.19
)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted
3,831
612
iBio, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets (In Thousands, except share and per share amounts)
June 30, 2024
June 30, 2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
14,210
$
4,301
Restricted cash
—
3,025
Subscription receivable
—
204
Promissory note receivable and accrued interest
713
—
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
749
664
Current assets held for sale (see Note 3 – Discontinued Operations)
—
18,065
Total Current Assets
15,672
26,259
Restricted cash
215
253
Promissory note receivable
1,081
1,706
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net of accumulated amortization
339
610
Operating lease right-of-use asset
2,401
2,722
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation
3,632
4,219
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
5,368
5,388
Security deposits
26
50
Total Assets
$
28,734
$
41,207
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
358
$
1,849
Accrued expenses
2,028
4,561
Finance lease obligations – current portion
299
272
Operating lease obligation – current portion
436
389
Equipment financing payable – current portion
178
160
Term promissory note – current portion
218
—
Insurance premium financing payable
123
—
Term note payable – net of deferred financing costs
—
12,937
Contract liabilities
200
—
Current liabilities related to assets held for sale
—
1,941
Total Current Liabilities
3,840
22,109
Finance lease obligations – net of current portion
53
351
Operating lease obligation – net of current portion
2,688
3,125
Equipment financing payable – net of current portion
63
241
Term promissory note – net of current portion
766
—
Total Liabilities
7,410
25,826
Stockholders’ Equity
Series 2022 Convertible Preferred Stock – $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023; 0 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023
—
—
Common stock – $0.001 par value; 275,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023; 8,623,676 and 1,015,505 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, respectively
TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ninepoint Partners LP (“Ninepoint Partners”) today announced the September 2024 cash distributions for its ETF Series securities. The record date for the distributions is September 27, 2024. All distributions are payable on October 7, 2024.
The per-unit September distributions are detailed below:
About Ninepoint Partners
Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canada’s leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $7 billion in assets under management and institutional contracts. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies including Alternative Income and Real Assets, in addition to North American and Global Equities.
For more information on Ninepoint Partners LP, please visit www.ninepoint.com or please contact us at 416.362.7172 or 1.888.362.7172 or invest@ninepoint.com.
Ninepoint Partners LP is the investment manager to the Ninepoint Funds (collectively, the “Funds”). Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees (if any), and other expenses all may be associated with investing in the Funds. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Prospective investors who are not resident in Canada should contact their financial advisor to determine whether securities of the Fund may be lawfully sold in their jurisdiction.
Please note that distribution factors (breakdown between income, capital gains and return of capital) can only be calculated when a fund has reached its year-end. Distribution information should not be relied upon for income tax reporting purposes as this is only a component of total distributions for the year. For accurate distribution amounts for the purpose of filing an income tax return, please refer to the appropriate T3/T5 slips for that particular taxation year. Please refer to the prospectus or offering memorandum of each Fund for details of the Fund’s distribution policy.
The payment of distributions and distribution breakdown, if applicable, is not guaranteed and may fluctuate. The payment of distributions should not be confused with a Fund’s performance, rate of return, or yield. If distributions paid by the Fund are greater than the performance of the Fund, then an investor’s original investment will shrink. Distributions paid as a result of capital gains realized by a Fund and income and dividends earned by a Fund are taxable in the year they are paid. An investor’s adjusted cost base will be reduced by the amount of any returns of
capital. If an investor’s adjusted cost base goes below zero, then capital gains tax will have to be paid on the amount below zero.
OTTAWA — Terry Sheehan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Seniors, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Geoff Stewart, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), will make an announcement for sustainable affordable housing in Northwestern Ontario.
OTTAWA— Terry Sheehan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Seniors, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Geoff Stewart, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), will make an announcement for sustainable affordable housing in Northwestern Ontario.
Date: Monday, September 23, 2024
Time: 1:15 p.m. ET
Location: This virtual event will be held using the Webex platform. Accredited media are asked to pre-register by emailing media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca to obtain the announcement link.
Note: To help ensure optimal sound quality, journalists are encouraged to use a microphone (headphones/headset) or a landline and to avoid using speaker mode if queuing up for questions.
BROOKFIELD, NEWS, Sept. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brookfield Corporation (NYSE: BN, TSX: BN) today announced that after having taken into account all election notices received by the deadline for the conversion of its Cumulative Class A Preference Shares, Series 40 (the “Series 40 Shares”) (TSX: BN.PF.F) into Cumulative Class A Preference Shares, Series 41 (the “Series 41 Shares”), there were 29,920 Series 40 Shares tendered for conversion, which is less than the one million shares required to give effect to conversion into Series 41 Shares. Accordingly, there will be no conversion of Series 40 Shares into Series 41 Shares and holders of Series 40 Shares will retain their Series 40 Shares.
About Brookfield Corporation
Brookfield Corporation is a leading global investment firm focused on building long-term wealth for institutions and individuals around the world. We have three core businesses: Alternative Asset Management, Wealth Solutions, and our Operating Businesses which are in renewable power, infrastructure, business and industrial services, and real estate.
We have a track record of delivering 15%+ annualized returns to shareholders for over 30 years, supported by our unrivaled investment and operational experience. Our conservatively managed balance sheet, extensive operational experience, and global sourcing networks allow us to consistently access unique opportunities. At the center of our success is the Brookfield Ecosystem, which is based on the fundamental principle that each group within Brookfield benefits from being part of the broader organization. Brookfield Corporation is publicly traded in New York and Toronto (NYSE: BN, TSX: BN).
The mission will encourage travel-trade operators to feature Alberta itineraries, build relationships with industry partners, and secure valuable coverage in top-tier media publications. Meetings with New York-based sport associations will build relationships with key contacts and enable strategic conversations about Alberta’s potential to host upcoming major sporting events.
“No matter where you’re from or what your interests are, Alberta has something for you—whether you come to explore our majestic natural landscapes, discover our vibrant cities or to watch the world’s best athletes compete in major sporting competitions. I’m looking forward to showing the United States what Alberta has to offer.”
The U.S. is Alberta’s largest international market. In 2023, more than 1.2 million visitors from the U.S. came to Alberta. Through meetings with media partners and sport associations, the mission aims to encourage more American travellers to choose Alberta, and to spend more, stay longer and explore more parts of the province when they visit.
Sport tourism is a fast-growing market, with many visitors coming to Alberta to watch or participate in major sporting events. Strengthening sport tourism in the province will help advance Alberta’s goal of reaching $25 billion in annual visitor expenditures by 2035.
Minister Schow will be joined by one staff member. Mission expenses will be posted on the travel and expense disclosure page. Travel Alberta officials will also join Minister Schow, covering their own expenses.
Alberta’s government is committed to working with its national and international partners to advance shared interests that can lead to new opportunities for people and businesses in Alberta and around the world.
MIAMI, FL and KANSAS CITY, KS, Sept. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Clover Leaf Capital Corp. (Nasdaq: CLOE) (“CLOE” or “Clover Leaf”), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, and Digital Ally, Inc. (Nasdaq: DGLY) (“Digital Ally”) today announced that on September 20, 2024, Clover Leaf convened and then adjourned, without conducting other business, its special meeting of its stockholders in lieu of its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting” ) to 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time on Friday, September 27, 2024. At the meeting, stockholders of Clover Leaf will be asked to vote on proposals to approve, among other things, its proposed initial business combination (the “Business Combination”) with Kustom Entertainment, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Kustom Entertainment” or the “Company”), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Clover Leaf, CL Merger Sub, Inc., a Nevada corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clover Leaf (“Merger Sub”), Yntegra Capital Investments LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in the capacity as the Purchaser Representative (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and Digital Ally, Inc., a Nevada corporation and the sole stockholder of the Company (“Digital Ally”). There is no change to the location, the record date, the purpose or any of the proposals to be acted upon at the Meeting.
As a result of this change, the Meeting will now be held at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, September 27, 2024 via the live webcast at https://www.cstproxy.com/cloverlcc/bc2024. Also as a result of this change, the deadline for holders of Clover Leaf’s Class A common stock issued in Clover Leaf’s initial public offering to submit their shares for redemption in connection with the Business Combination, is being extended to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. The record date for Clover Leaf’s stockholders to vote in the Meeting remains July 24, 2024.
Clover Leaf plans to continue to solicit proxies from stockholders during the period prior to the Meeting. Only the holders of the Clover Leaf’s common stock as of the close of business on July 24, 2024, the record date for the Meeting, are entitled to vote at the Meeting.
If any Clover Leaf stockholder has any questions or need assistance, such stockholder should (i) reach out to his, her or its broker or (ii) contact Morrow Sodali LLC, Clover Leaf’s proxy solicitor, for assistance via e-mail at CLOE.info or toll-free call at 800-662-5200. Banks and brokers can place a collect call to Morrow Sodali LLC at 203-658-9400 or email at CLOE.info@investor.morrowsodali.com.
About Kustom Entertainment, Inc.
Kustom Entertainment, Inc., a recently formed wholly-owned subsidiary of Digital Ally, will provide oversight to currently wholly-owned subsidiaries TicketSmarter, Kustom 440, and BirdVu Jets.
TicketSmarter offers tickets to more than 125,000 live events ranging from concerts to sports and theatre shows. TicketSmarter is the official ticket resale partner of over 35 collegiate conferences, over 300 universities, and hundreds of events and venues nationally. TicketSmarter is a primary and secondary ticketing solution for events and high-profile venues across North America. For more information on TicketSmarter, visit www.Ticketsmarter.com.
Established in late 2022, Kustom 440 is an entertainment division of Kustom Entertainment, Inc., whose mission it is to attract, manage and promote concerts, sports and private events. Kustom 440 is unique in that it brings a primary and secondary ticketing platform, in addition to its well-established relationships with artists, venues, and municipalities. For more information on Kustom 440, visit www.Kustom440.com.
Kustom Entertainment operates through its wholly-owned subsidiaries TicketSmarter, Inc. (“TicketSmarter”), Kustom 440, Inc. (“Kustom 440”), and BirdVu Jets, Inc. (“BirdVu Jets”). Following the closing of the Business Combination, TicketSmarter, Kustom 440, and BirdVu Jets will combine their management teams and focus on concerts, entertainment and garnering additional ticketing partnerships, as well as using existing sponsorships and sports property partnerships to develop alternative entertainment options for consumers.
About Clover Leaf Capital Corp.
Clover Leaf Capital Corp. is a newly organized blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1955. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, CLOE’s and Kustom Entertainment’s expectations with respect to the proposed business combination between CLOE and Kustom Entertainment, including statements regarding the benefits of the transaction, the anticipated timing of the transaction, the implied valuation of Kustom Entertainment, the products offered by Kustom Entertainment and the markets in which it operates, and Kustom Entertainment’s projected future results. Words such as “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside CLOE’s and Kustom Entertainment’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause actual future events to differ materially from the expected results, include, but are not limited to: (i) the risk that the transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of CLOE’s securities, (ii) the risk that the transaction may not be completed by CLOE’s business combination deadline, even if extended by its stockholders, (iii) and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by Clover Leaf; (iv) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the transaction, including the adoption of the agreement and plan of merger (“Merger Agreement”) by the stockholders of CLOE, (v) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement, (vi) the failure to obtain any applicable regulatory approvals required to consummate the business combination; (vii) the receipt of an unsolicited offer from another party for an alternative transaction that could interfere with the business combination, (viii) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on Kustom Entertainment’s business relationships, performance, and business generally, (ix) the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of the post-combination company to grow and manage growth profitability and retain its key employees, (x) costs related to the business combination, (xi) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Kustom Entertainment or CLOE following the announcement of the proposed business combination, (xii) the ability to maintain the listing of CLOE’s securities on the Nasdaq prior to the business combination, (xiii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the proposed business combination, and identify and realize additional opportunities, (xiv) the risk of downturns and the possibility of rapid change in the highly competitive industry in which Kustom Entertainment operates, (xv) the risk that demand for Kustom Entertainment’s services may be decreased due to a decrease in the number of large-scale sporting events, concerts and theater shows, (xvi) the risk that any adverse changes in Kustom Entertainment’s relationships with buyer, sellers and distribution partners may adversely affect the business, financial condition and results of operations, (xvii) the risk that Changes in Internet search engine algorithms and dynamics, or search engine disintermediation, or changes in marketplace rules could have a negative impact on traffic for Kustom Entertainment’s sites and ultimately, its business and results of operations; (xviii) the risk that any decrease in the willingness of artists, teams and promoters to continue to support the secondary ticket market may result in decreased demand for Kustom Entertainment’s services; (xix) the risk that Kustom Entertainment is not able to maintain and enhance its brand and reputation in its marketplace, adversely affecting Kustom Entertainment’s business, financial condition and results of operations, (xx) the risk of the occurrence of extraordinary events, such as terrorist attacks, disease epidemics or pandemics, severe weather events and natural disasters, (xxi) the risk that because Kustom Entertainment’s operations are seasonal and its results of operations vary from quarter to quarter and year over year, its financial performance in certain financial quarters or years may not be indicative of, or comparable to, Kustom Entertainment’s financial performance in subsequent financial quarters or years; (xxii) the risk that periods of rapid growth and expansion could place a significant strain on Kustom Entertainment’s resources, including its employee base, which could negatively impact Kustom Entertainment’s operating results; (xxiii) the risk that Kustom Entertainment may never achieve or sustain profitability; (xxiv) the risk that Kustom Entertainment may need to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which many not be available on acceptable terms or at all; (xxv) the risk that third-parties suppliers and manufacturers are not able to fully and timely meet their obligations, (xxvi) the risk that Kustom Entertainment is unable to secure or protect its intellectual property, (xxvii) the risk that the post-combination company’s securities will not be approved for listing on Nasdaq or if approved, maintain the listing and (xxviii) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the proxy statement and/or prospectus relating to the business combination, including those under the “Risk Factors” section therein and in CLOE’s other filings with the SEC. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Kustom Entertainment and CLOE assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Important Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the transaction, CLOE has filed the Registration Statement with the SEC, which includes a proxy statement to be distributed to holders of CLOE’s common stock in connection with CLOE’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by CLOE’s stockholders with respect to the transaction and other matters as described in the Registration Statement, as well as a prospectus relating to the offer of the securities to be issued to Kustom Entertainment’s stockholder in connection with the transaction. Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and security holders and other interested parties are urged to read the Registration Statement, any amendments thereto and any other documents filed with the SEC carefully and in their entirety because they contain important information about CLOE, Kustom Entertainment and the transaction. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by CLOE through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: 1450 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2520, Miami, FL 33131.
Participants in Solicitation
CLOE and Kustom Entertainment and their respective directors and certain of their respective executive officers and other members of management and employees may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of CLOE is set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 22, 2024. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, are included in the proxy statement/ prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC regarding the transaction. Stockholders, potential investors and other interested persons should read the proxy statement/prospectus carefully before making any voting or investment decisions. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release shall not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed business combination. This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.
Moody’s Ratings (Moody’s) has upgraded the local and foreign-currency long-term issuer ratings of the Government of Iceland to A1 from A2 and changed the outlook to stable from positive.
The key driver for the upgrade is the government’s improving fiscal metrics, which Moody´s expects to continue, with a sizeable reduction in the budget deficit and a clearly established downward trend in the government debt ratio since a recent peak in 2020. Moody’s expects the budget deficit to decline broadly in line with the government’s medium-term plans, which the rating agency considers credible.
A consensual settlement of the HF Fund’s (A2 positive) liabilities, which are included in government debt, and renewed sales of government held bank shares will likely result in additional one-off reductions in the debt ratio, in addition to an underlying declining trend. Secondly, tight monetary and fiscal policy has started to moderate elevated inflation, which supports Moody´s assessment of Iceland’s strong institutions and pro-active and well-coordinated policy stance.
Iceland’s medium-term fiscal policy framework has been a credit strength, ensuring fiscal sustainability and the creation of fiscal space over time since its introduction in 2015. The fact that the authorities are now considering to replace the current balanced budget rule with an expenditure rule is credit positive, as such a change would strengthen the framework further by contributing more strongly to macroeconomic stability.
The stable outlook reflects balanced risks at the A1 rating level. Moody´s expects fiscal consolidation to continue over the coming years broadly as planned in the medium-term fiscal plan. The economy is expected to return to robust growth next year, after a temporary slowdown this year as the tight monetary and fiscal policy cool the previously overheated economy. The sovereign’s economic and fiscal metrics may improve faster than Moody´s currently expects. At the same time, Iceland remains a small and comparatively undiversified economy, sensitive to sector-specific shocks. Also, its debt ratio and debt affordability metrics remain weaker than close peers at the same rating level, making fiscal strength relatively sensitive to shocks.
The rating could be upgraded further if the government debt ratio continued to decline much faster than under Moody´s baseline assumptions and debt affordability metrics aligned with higher-rated peers. The rating could also be upgraded if the ongoing economic diversification efforts yielded stronger results in terms of reducing volatility of economic growth.
Conversely, the rating would come under downward pressure if the government deviated significantly from its medium-term fiscal plans, resulting in a material increase in the public debt ratio with no indication of a timely correction.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)
Washington D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) spoke on floor of the House of Representatives to honor her Deputy District Director, Kim McMillion, for her 25 years of service in the House of Representatives.
Remarks as prepared are below.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Kim McMillion, who serves as my Deputy District Director over my Beckley, West Virginia office. Kim recently celebrated her 25th year working for the House of Representatives.
Throughout her career spanning three different Members, Kim has served the people of West Virginia with a grateful heart, always working to find solutions when issues arise between federal agencies and our constituents.
She is well-known throughout the district for her work in assisting with identifying federal grant opportunities, acquiring medals and purple hearts for veterans in the community, and her expertise in handling complex issues of immigration and social security affecting our constituents.
She is truly a wealth of knowledge and an invaluable member of my staff.
Outside of work, Kim’s greatest joy is her family. She is a wonderful wife to her husband, Frankie, mother to Tyler and her late son, Derrick, and grandmother to Jonathan, Charlee, and Abigail.
I am delighted to commend her here on the House Floor for her 25 years of service to the United States Congress and to our great state of West Virginia and invite my colleagues to join with me in congratulating her on this achievement.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07)
Birmingham, AL – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced $1.2 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to expand mental health and substance use services in Jefferson County and the Black Belt. Alabama Regional Medical Services (ARMS) in Birmingham and Rural Health Medical Program in Selma were each awarded $600,000 to expand access to needed care and combat the mental health and opioid crises. The awards are part of a $240 million investment by the Biden-Harris Administration to launch and expand behavioral health care services in Community Health Centers across America.
“When our most vulnerable Alabamians are in need of care, it is the amazing health care professionals at our Community Health Centers who stand in the gap,” said Rep. Sewell. “I am thrilled that the Biden-Harris Administration is working to expand mental health and substance use treatments for the patients that these facilities serve. These awards represent a critical step forward in our fight against the mental health and opioid crises.”
“Alabama Regional Medical Services is deeply honored to receive this significant funding from HRSA to expand and integrate behavioral health services into primary care,” said Alabama Regional Medical Services (ARMS) CEO, Dr. Thomas Greer, Jr. “Our communities are increasingly facing mental health and substance use disorders challenges, and this award will allow us to better serve our patients. With this investment, ARMS will be better positioned to help address these challenges and achieve improved mental health and wellness outcomes in Birmingham, Alabama and the surrounding areas. We thank HRSA for this award and for recognizing the need in the City of Birmingham and for their continued partnership with ARMS in providing quality health care to children, youth and families in our community.”
“I want to thank the Health and Human Services 330 Grant Branch for allowing us the opportunity to receive this funding,” said Rural Health Medical Program CEO Keshee Dozier-Smith. “I also want to thank Congresswoman Terri Sewell for continuing to support our efforts within her district. We know she fights every day for health equity and other needed resources in our community and we know through her support and others who represent the State of Alabama this funding was made available for us to expand these services.”
Health centers are trusted community providers and a primary source of care for individuals across the country who are uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in Medicaid—making them well-positioned to respond to the urgent need for behavioral health services that are high quality, stigma-free, culturally competent and readily accessible.
A full list of Alabama Community Health Centers receiving funding is available here. More information on the announcement can be found here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug Lamborn (5th District of Colorado)
Washington, D.C. –Today, Congressman Doug Lamborn attended the Hudson Institute and the Space Foundation workshop with congressional, government, and industry officials to discuss the future of the American hypersonic missile program. Space Foundation CEO, Maj. Gen. (Ret) Heather Pringle and Rebeccah Heinrichs, Senior Fellow and Director, Keystone Defense Initiative at the Hudson Institute gave introductory remarks. Congressman Lamborn delivered a keynote address as well as a Q & A directly following the keynote. Congressman Lamborn was joined by several members of Congress, including Reps. Bacon, Norcross, and Fong.
“My position as Chairman of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee has allowed me to gain unique insight into some of the nation’s most pressing threats and the development of technological sectors across the defense landscape. I have fought hard to ensure the United States stays at the forefront of advancements in warfare, and I have sounded the alarm in areas where we are falling behind. We must correct this downward trajectory now. My future hope is that events like today’s will continue and that we will one day be the leaders in hypersonics,”said Congressman Doug Lamborn.
“When applied to space, hypersonics are a critical leadership element for our defense and for driving further technology innovation. From a defense perspective, hypersonic technology could enhance our ability to deter adversaries in space which is without a doubt a contested environment. Moreover, the dual use aspect of hypersonics contributes to technological leadership, innovation and collaborative space missions with our allies,”said Maj. Gen. (Ret) Heather Pringle, Space Foundation CEO.
“I am grateful for the leadership of Chairman Lamborn and the Hudson Institute for organizing this very timely assessment of the state of U.S. hypersonic weapons programs,”said Congressman Don Bacon, Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technology and Innovation and member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee. “We’ve made significant progress in technology development, but more must be done to advance hypersonic weapons technology, especially in fielding defensive capabilities for hypersonic weapons and developing our industrial base and test infrastructure. Today’s event generated useful insights that will inform Congress’ oversight of these vital national security programs,”said Congressman Don Bacon.
“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I’ve witnessed both the potential for U.S. hypersonic capabilities and potential threats from adversaries. We must bolster our supply chain and industrial base to handle the complexity and durability needed for hypersonic missiles and other critical technologies. I’m glad I was able to join my Republican colleagues for a bipartisan discussion on this topic as we explore how to ensure safety and security for all Americans,”said Congressman Donald Norcross.
“Today’s event was a great opportunity to promote the commercial hypersonic industry and talk about the continuing work that must be done,” said Rep. Vince Fong (CA-20). “Getting to speak about the innovative developments being done in this industry in my district by the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, and NAWS China Lake and my proposal, the MACH Act, to the NASA Reauthorization bill, was an important part of demonstrating the innovative technologies that are advancing the space market and all the prospect in an effort in advancing commercial hypersonic. As a nation, we must build off the legacies to continue to be on the cutting-edge,“said Congressman Vince Fong.
“As China and Russia continue to expand their hypersonic capabilities, it is crucial that our nation updates its defense systems to combat and deter these modern threats. In order to maintain strategic stability as well as competitive advantage, we must focus on developing our offensive hypersonic capabilities as well as investing in defensive counter-hypersonic systems. In order to accomplish this, adequate testing facilities are necessary to replicate the conditions which are unique to hypersonic flight,”said Congressman Pat Fallon.
Click hereto watch the Congressman Lamborn’s keynote address
India Achieves Tier 1 Status in Global Cybersecurity Index 2024 The stellar achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to global cybersecurity: Minister of Communications Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia
With a remarkable score of 98.49 out of 100, India joins the ranks of ‘role-modelling’ countries
Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 4:50PM by PIB Delhi
India has marked a significant milestone in its cybersecurity efforts by achieving top Tier i.e. Tier 1 status in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024, published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). With a remarkable score of 98.49 out of 100, India joins the ranks of ‘role-modelling’ countries, demonstrating a strong commitment to cybersecurity practices across the globe.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) played a pivotal role as the nodal agency representing India in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024. Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Hon’ble Minister of Communications, hailed the accomplishment as a Proud Moment for Bharat. He said, “This stellar achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to cybersecurity and highlights the remarkable growth of India’s telecom sector.”
The GCI 2024 assessed national efforts based on five pillars: legal, technical, organizational, capacity development, and cooperation. The comprehensive questionnaire includes 83 questions, covering 20 indicators, 64 sub-indicators, and 28 micro-indicators, ensuring a thorough evaluation of each country’s cybersecurity landscape.
India’s strong performance in cybersecurity is driven by a series of initiatives and measures undertaken by the Government of India to enhance cyber resilience and establish robust frameworks for cybercrime laws and cybersecurity standards. The country’s legal institutions are well-prepared to address cybersecurity challenges and combat cybercrime, ensuring the protection of its digital infrastructure. Additionally, Sectoral Computer Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) provide sector-specific technical support and incident reporting, further strengthening India’s cybersecurity capabilities.
Education and awareness have been central to India’s cybersecurity strategy. Targeted campaigns and educational initiatives have promoted secure online practices across sectors, including private industry, public institutions, civil society, and academia. The integration of cybersecurity into primary and secondary education curricula further underscores the country’s dedication to cultivating a knowledgeable and well-prepared digital citizenry.
In addition, incentives and grants have driven skill development and promoted research and innovation within India’s cybersecurity industry. International collaborations, along with bilateral and multilateral agreements, have further strengthened India’s capacity-building and information-sharing efforts, solidifying its role as a global leader in cybersecurity.
India’s leap to Tier 1 in the GCI 2024 is a clear indicator of the nation’s elevated cybersecurity commitments. This achievement not only reflects Government of India’s dedication to securing its digital domain but also sets a benchmark for other nations. DoT continues to spearhead India’s efforts in securing its digital infrastructure on the global stage.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)
Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) spoke at a Ways and Means digital trade hearing focused on protecting American innovation by establishing and enforcing strong digital trade rules.
Congresswoman Miller began her remarks by explaining how specific Korean digital policies, if passed, will end up harming U.S. businesses and threaten our national security in the Indo-Pacific.
“Korea may soon pass online platform laws and regulations that would make it difficult for U.S. companies to operate in their country. I am very concerned that such an important, strategic ally like the Republic of Korea is pursuing economic policies that target and discriminate against U.S. technology companies while welcoming state-owned Chinese companies with open arms. Chinese firms are the fastest growing tech companies in Korea, with many leveraging strategic partnerships with Korean monopolies who have a strong influence in Korea’s legislature. I am very concerned about the national security implications of Korea’s ill-advised economic discrimination and would urge them not to go down this path, and instead, continue our important technology partnership and the goals established in our free trade agreement. Our trade agreement with Korea is the second largest Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by trade flows, second only to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). It is extremely concerning to me that our two biggest FTAs are both facing obstacles in the world of digital trade,” said Congresswoman Miller.
Congresswoman Miller asked the President of Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), Robert D. Atkinson, how China will benefit from the Korean digital policies and how this will affect the United States regarding the economy and national security.
“Can you explain how China wins if Korea pursues economic discrimination policies against the United States and why are Chinese firms seeking to drastically increase their Korean userbase? Do you believe that Korea is assisting them in their growth?” asked Congresswoman Miller.
“Last time I was there [in Korea], I tried to use google maps to figure out where to go and I couldn’t. I could use a Korean app company and they say it’s national security. It has nothing to do with national security. It’s the fact that they wanted to favor their own domestic map companies, their own domestic players. That’s what they’re doing now by copying the European Digital Markets Act (DMA) and what they want to do is they want to be able to pass a law that would require American companies to turn over data to be interoperable to do other kinds of things that would benefit Korean companies. But they can’t write the law so blatantly that it admits that, so it would benefit Korean companies, but it would also benefit Chinese companies. They’re willing to make that trade-off because they think it’s going to benefit their companies more, and it’ll hurt our companies. This will benefit Chinese companies and make them stronger. I would put Korea again in the same categories as I’d put Canada. They need us a lot more than we need them. They’re dependent upon us not just for military, but they’re so focused right now on building technology partnerships. They want technology partnerships with us and we’re going ahead and saying “yes,” but I think there must be a quid pro quo with that. Yeah, we want technology partnerships with you so we can both be stronger against the Chinese, but we’re not going to do partnerships with you if you do these kinds of discriminatory things,” responded Dr. Atkinson.
“What are the national security concerns related to U.S. foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific should the U.S. be less economically tied to our strategic ally as they grow closer to China?” asked Congresswoman Miller.
“So, the fundamental question I think in, in the Indo-Pacific is, are these countries going to gradually move over into the China orbit or are they going to stay in the Western democratic market orbit? The Koreans don’t want to pick. They want to have really close relationship with the Chinese because they know Chinese are predatory and retaliatory. They will hurt the Korean companies. They’ve done that before, but we need to let them know that they can’t have it both ways. They have to pick. We’re their defender. They need to be on the side of the allies and democracy, so I think it’s a critical, critical issue that we make them choose and choose us,” responded Dr. Atkinson.
To take on the Government of India Vision of Swachh Bharat, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR) along with Autonomous Body, Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and two PSUs i.e. National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) & Central Electronics Ltd. (CEL) has launched the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign 2024 starting from 17th Sept to 2nd Oct., 2024 with a series of activities focusing on collective cleanliness efforts and community engagement.
Swachhata Hi Seva campaign rolled out with collective Swachhata Pledge and plantation by senior officers under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’programme.
Special initiatives have been taken by the Department duringSwachhata Hi Seva Campaign 2024 whichinclude the Plantation drives,Trainings & Workshop and Shramdaan activity around the office of DSIR and its organizations i.e. CSIR, CEL and NRDC.
Union Health Minister Shri J P Nadda lists out achievements of the Union Health Ministry in the First 100 Days of the New Government Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest publicly funded health coverage program: Shri JP Nadda
“The U-WIN portal has been developed for full digitization of vaccination services for complete vaccination record of pregnant women and children from birth to 17 years under the Universal Immunization Programme”
“There has been 98% increase in medical colleges from 387 in 2013-14 to 766 in 2024-25”
“MBBS Seats increased by 64,464 (i.e., 125%) from 2013-14 (51,348 seats) to 2024-25 (11,5812 seats) while the number of PG seats increased by 39,460 (i.e., 127%) from 2013-14 (31,185 seats) to 2024-25 (73,111 seats)”
“In the first phase, BHISHM Cubes are being placed in 25 AIIMS and Institutes of National Importance for rapid deployment in the respective region in case of disaster / health emergencies”
“Union Health Ministry in consultation with the States/UTs is preparing a detailed rollout plan for logistics and training of health professionals for the introduction of the new TB treatment regimen early next year”
Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 4:48PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda highlighted the key achievements of the Union Health Ministry in the first 100 days of the government at a press conference, here today. Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav and Smt. Anupriya Singh Patel were also present.
The Union Health Minister noted that around Rs.15 lakh crores of investment have been made in the last 100 days with speed and scale across different ministries. He noted that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched several key initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery and access in India. The following are some of the achievements made in the last 100 days across different health schemes:
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY:
Shri Nadda said that the recent announcement of expansion of the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY scheme to include all senior citizens, irrespective of income group, aged 70 years and above will potentially benefit around 6 crore individuals across 4.5 crore families. Highlighting that Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest publicly funded health coverage program, Shri Nadda informed that the expanded scheme will be implemented from October this year.
U-WIN Portal:
Another significant advancement is the U-WIN Portal which has been developed for full digitization of vaccination services for complete vaccination record of pregnant women and children from birth to 17 years under the Universal Immunization Programme. The citizen-centric services of the digital platform include ‘Anytime Access’ and ‘Anywhere’ vaccination services, Self-Registration by citizens using the U-WIN web-portal or the U-WIN citizen mobile application, automated SMS alerts, universal QR-based eVaccination Certificate and utility to create their Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID for themselves and Child ABHA ID for their children. The portal is in 11 regional languages including Hindi.
Stating that “the U-WIN portal has been developed for full digitization of vaccination services for complete vaccination record of pregnant women and children from birth to 17 years under the Universal Immunization Programme”, he informed that the portal is already operational on pilot basis. As on 16th September 2024, 6.46 crore beneficiaries have been registered, 1.04 crore vaccination sessions have been held and 23.06 crore administered vaccine doses have been recorded on the portal.
New TB Treatment Regimen & Made-in-India TB Diagnostics:
A shorter and more efficacious treatment regimen is now available for use under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) which would help in reducing the treatment duration from 9-12 months to 6 months. It has been validated along with Health Technology Assessment (HTA) by ICMR. Shri Nadda informed that the Union Health Ministry in consultation with the State/UT governments is preparing a detailed rollout plan for logistics and training of health professionals for the introduction of this new regimen early next year. He also highlighted the expected reduction in duration of the treatment regimen in approximately 75,000 DRTB cases across the country.
In order to ensure country wide coverage for TB and Drug Resistance diagnosis by ‘state of the art’ molecular methods, a new indigenous diagnostic system (Patho detect) has been validated by ICMR, along with field feasibility. Shri Nadda stated that it would lead to reduction in turn-around times for test results, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality of TB patients.
Deployment of BHISM Cubes:
BHISHM Cubes are portable and rapidly deployable modular medical facility intended to provide emergency lifesaving clinical care in event of disaster/public health emergencies. Union Health Minister stated that BHISM cubes have the capacity to handle about 200 cases of diverse nature in emergency situations such as trauma, bleeding, burns, fractures, etc. In the 1st Phase, BHISHM Cubes will be placed in 25 AIIMS and Institutes of National Importance (INIs) for rapid deployment in the respective region in case of disaster / health emergencies. States may also deploy at strategic locations subsequently. India has gifted four BHISHM Cubes to Ukraine during the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s visit to the country recently.
Use of Drone Services:
Drones service aid in rapid, cost-effective and safe delivery of medical supplies and samples in hard-to-reach and tough terrains. Fifteen (15) AIIMS/INIs/NE institutions have been identified for Drone Services. Drone trials and trainings have been completed in 12 institutes. Shri Nadda said that drones provide safe, accurate reliable pickup & delivery of medicines, vaccines, blood, diagnostic specimens & other life-saving items to difficult-to-reach facilities.
Medical Education:
Increase in Medical Colleges:
The Union Health Minister said that the increase in medical colleges and MBBS and PG seats would lead to increase in the availability of doctors in the healthcare system.
There is an increase of 8.07% in Medical Colleges from 706 in 2023-24 to 766 in 2024-25. There has been 98% increase in medical colleges from 387 in 2013-14 to 766 in 2024-25. During the same period, 379 new medical colleges have been established and, presently there are 766 (Govt: 423, Pvt: 343) medical colleges in the Country.
Increase in MBBS seats:
There is an increase of 6.30 % in MBBS seats from 1,08,940 in 2023-24 to 1,15,812 in 2024-25. MBBS Seats increased by 64,464 (i.e., 125%) from 2013-14 (51,348 seats) to 2024-25 (11,5812 seats).
Increase in PG seats:
There is an increase of 5.92% in PG seats from 69,024 in 2023-24 to 73,111 in 2024-25. During the last ten years, the number of PG seats increased by 39,460 (i.e., 127%) from 2013-14 (31,185 seats) to 2024-25 (73,111 seats).
Operationalization of National Medical Register:
National Medical Register (NMR) is a comprehensive dynamic database for all allopathic (MBBS) registered doctors in India. NMR is linked with Aadhaar ID of the doctors that ensures the individual’s authenticity.
Shri Nadda said that NMR being a key component of the country’s Ayushman Bharat digital mission, it would be part of Healthcare Professional Registry (HPR). He further said that NMR will ensure provision of data covering details of around 13 lakh doctors in the country – State-wise, those who have left the country, those who have lost their license to practice, or details of doctors who have lost their lives.
National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS):
Virtual National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) Assessment of Ayushman Arogya Mandir -Sub Centre:
NQAS are set of standards designed to ensure and improve the quality of healthcare services in District Hospitals, Community Health Centres, Ayushman Arogya Mandir – Primary Health Centre, Ayushman Arogya Mandir – Urban Primary Health Centre and Ayushman Arogya Mandir – Sub Health Centre.
Shri Nadda said that as on 31st August 2024, 13,782 Public Health Facilities are NQAS Certified. A total of 5,784 Public Health Facilities have been NQAS Certified from 1st April 2024 till date, in which 3,134 facilities (including 2,734 Ayushman Arogya Mandir – Sub Centers) have been NQAS certified at all levels in the first 100 days.
The virtual National Quality Assurance Standards assessments for Ayushman Arogya Mandir-Sub Centres commenced on August 1st after requisite trainings. 58 assessments have been done, with 104 more assessments scheduled to take place by end of September, 2024. “This will give an impetus to ensuring Quality standards for all levels of public health care facilities improving comprehensive primary healthcare of citizens” Shri Nadda said.
National Quality Assurance Standards for Integrated Public Health Laboratories:
Release of NQAS for IPHLs spread across district level health facilities is aimed at improving the quality and competence of management and testing systems in IPHLs. This will positively impact the reliability of test results and enhance the quality of diagnostics & patient care.
Establishment of AIIMS in Darbhanga:
Union Cabinet has approved setting up of new AIIMS at Darbhanga on 15.09.2020 at an estimated cost of Rs. 1264 Crore. Shri Nadda stated that the issue of allotment of land for AIIMS Darbhanga, which was pending for over 3 years has been finally settled and the Government of Bihar has allotted and since handed over 150.13 acres of land on 12.8.2024 required for AIIMS Darbhanga. He further noted that AIIMS institutions would serve to fill the gap in affordable tertiary healthcare services and reduce out of pocket expenditure.
Completion of Super Specialty Blocks:
Completion of construction works of Super Specialty Blocks (SSB) has been taken up as upgradation projects of existing Government Medical Colleges under PMSSY of four Government Medical Colleges in Bihar, these include:
a) Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Bhagalpur
b) Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College, Gaya
c) Sri Krishna Medical College, Muzaffarpur
d) Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital.
The launch of Super Specialty Blocks in Government Medical Colleges (Bihar) would serve to fill the gap in affordable tertiary healthcare services and reduce out of pocket expenditure, Shri Nadda highlighted.
Launch of Food Import Rejection Alerts:
The Union Minister also highlighted the introduction of the Food Import Rejection Alerts (FIRA), an online portal designed to notify the public and relevant food safety authorities about food import rejections at Indian borders and training of food street vendors by the FSSAI. The portal has been launched today at the second edition of the Global Food Regulators Summit 2024 hosted by FSSAI at Bharat Mandapam.
Shri Apurva Chandra, Union Health Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Officer on Special Duty, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Smt. LS Changsan, Addl. Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Shri Dhirendra Ojha, Principal DG, PIB, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and senior officials of the Union Health Ministry were present on the occasion.
White Oak River, North Carolina: Wetlands like these are useful for preventing floods, reducing erosion, and preserving biodiversity. But every wetland is unique, and it is important to understand the impacts of climate on a local level.
Credit: Norm Lane/Shutterstock
GAITHERSBURG, Md. — The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has entered into a cooperative agreement with the University of Vermont (UVM) to establish a Climate Measurements Center of Excellence. The agreement includes an award of $2.7 million appropriated by Congress for this purpose and was made following a competitive process announced earlier this year.
“Our goal is to advance trust in measurements and technology in service to the nation. Effective measurements are key to understanding the dynamics of complex climate systems, and this center of excellence can amplify our impact and enable the development of equitable climate adaptation plans,” said Chuck Romine, the associate director for laboratory programs at NIST.
Climate impacts are felt differently from one region of the U.S. to another, and for communities to develop adaptation plans, they need more granular information than is currently available. The Climate Measurements Center of Excellence will support communities by providing standards frameworks, regional data, and the tools communities need to make decisions.
Climate impacts at the community level are expected to be diverse, complex and interrelated. Examples of possible impacts include diminished agricultural productivity, poor air quality, increased food costs, supply chain and commercial logistics disruptions, and public health issues. Preparing for and mitigating these impacts could be challenging for any one community alone. Therefore, the center will bring local climate researchers together to share resources and ideas and will serve as a hub for stakeholders including government climate offices, universities, nonprofits, industry and NIST.
The new center of excellence will establish and coordinate research teams that combine resources from the physical, biological and social sciences. It will also support the development of national standards and measurements for tracking hazards and risks associated with climate impacts. Throughout the three-year funding period, NIST will support the center through leadership, collaboration and community coordination.
DFS drives expansion of digital payments in India and abroad Digital payment transactions volume grew to 18,737 crore in FY 2023-24 from 2,071 crore in FY 2017-18 at Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 44%; with value of transactions at ₹3,659 lakh crore in FY23-24 from ₹1,962 lakh crore in FY17-18 at CAGR of 11%
UPI transactions volume grew to 13,116 crore in FY 2023-24 from 92 crore in FY 2017-18 at CAGR of 129%; with value of UPI transactions reaching ₹200 lakh crore trillion in FY23-24 from ₹1 lakh crore in FY17-18 at CAGR of 138%
UPI now seamlessly facilitates live transactions in 7 countries, including key markets such as UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, and Mauritius
Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 3:31PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, plays a critical role in driving the promotion of digital payments in the country.
Efforts to accelerate the adoption of fast payment system like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionised the way financial transactions are conducted, enabling real-time, secure, and seamless payments for millions.
This initiative aligns with the Government’s vision of a cashless and inclusive economy, empowering every citizen in their financial decision.
In comparison with previous fiscal years, the digital payments landscape has demonstrated remarkable expansion in Financial Year (FY) 2023-24. Key insights include:
Growth in Digital Payment Transactions:
Digital payments in India have witnessed significant growth, with the total number of digital payment transactions volume increased from 2,071 crore in FY 2017-18 to 18,737 crore in FY 2023-24 at Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 44%. Furthermore, during the last 5 months (April-August) of the current financial year 2024-25, the transaction volume has reached to 8,659 crore.
Source: RBI, NPCI & Banks
The value of transactions has grown from ₹1,962 lakh crore to ₹3,659 lakh crore at CAGR of 11%. Additionally, in the last 5 months (April-August) of the current financial year 2024-25, the total transaction value has surged to an impressive ₹1,669 lakh crore.
Source: RBI, NPCI & Banks
UPI’s Continued Success:
UPI remains the cornerstone of India’s digital payment ecosystem. UPI has revolutionised digital payments in the country, UPI transactions have grown from 92 crore in FY 2017-18 to 13,116 crore in FY 2023-24 at CAGR of 129%. Furthermore, during the last 5 months (April-August) of the current Financial Year 2024-25, the transaction volume has reached 7,062 crore.
The ease of use facilitated by growing network of participating banks and fintech platforms, has made UPI the most preferred mode of real-time payments for millions of users across the country.
Source: NPCI
The value of UPI transactions has grown from ₹1 lakh crore to ₹200 lakh crore at CAGR of 138%. Additionally, in the last 5 months (April-August FY2024-25), the total transaction value has surged to an impressive ₹101 lakh crore.
Source: NPCI
UPI: P2M and P2P Transactions (by Volume in crore) for Aug 2024
The contribution of P2M transactions reached 62.40% in Aug’ 2024, where 85% of these transactions are up to a value of ₹500. This indicates the trust that UPI enjoys among citizens for making low value payments.
UPI and RuPay Global Expansion:
India’s digital payments revolution is extending beyond its borders. Both UPI and RuPay are rapidly expanding globally, enabling seamless cross-border transactions for Indians living and traveling abroad. Presently, UPI is live in 7 countries, including key markets such as UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, allowing Indian consumers and businesses to make and receive payments internationally. This expansion will further bolster remittance flows, improve financial inclusion, and elevate India’s stature in the global financial landscape. As per ACI Worldwide Report 2024, in 2023 around 49% of the global real-time payment transactions is happening in India.
India is rapidly emerging as a global leader in digital payments. With UPI’s global expansion and the continued rise of digital transactions, India is setting new benchmarks for financial inclusion and economic empowerment of common citizen.
Department of Financial Services remains committed to advancing digital payment solutions that are secure, scalable, and inclusive, while also exploring new avenues to strengthen India’s position in the global financial ecosystem.
Department of Posts played a pioneering role in distributing toolkits to beneficiaries under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, first in Mahesana district of Gujarat Postmaster General Shri Krishna Kumar Yadav reviews Progress of Postal Services in Mahesana Division, Emphasised achievement of targets
Not Just Letters and Parcels, the Department of Posts is Connecting People with Various Government Welfare Schemes at door step – Postmaster General Shri Krishna Kumar Yadav
Department of Posts Plays a Key Role in Delivering Toolkits to Artisans/Beneficiaries under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme – Postmaster General Krishna Kumar Yadav
Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 3:56PM by PIB Ahmedabad
In addition to delivering letters and parcels, Department of Posts is now ensuring that various government welfare schemes and their benefits reach to all citizens. Department of Posts has access to last mile of the country and is equally involved in the joys and sorrows of the people. Postmaster General, North Gujarat Region, Shri Krishna Kumar Yadav, expressed these views during his visit to the Mahesana Head Post Office on 20th sepetember 2024. Under the campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’, tree plantation was conducted at the Mahesana Head Post Office to spread the message of environmental protection. Superintendent of Post Offices, Mahesana Division Shri H.C. Parmar welcomed the Postmaster General and provided detailed information about the progress of postal services in Mahesana.”
Postmaster General Shri Krishna Kumar Yadav delivered a cheque for ₹10 lakh as a claim payment to the family of Shri Babubhai Rabari from Mahesana, who had taken the Tata Group’s accident insurance policy for just ₹399 through India Post Payments Bank, after his untimely death.
Postmaster General Shri Krishna Kumar Yadav added that the Department of Posts is also playing a vital role in the PM Vishwakarma Scheme. Under this scheme, toolkits are being provided to artisans/beneficiaries through the Department of Posts. Department of Posts led by distributing the first toolkit in the country to Shri Rameshbhai Babubhai Senma, a resident of Jagannathpura village in the Mahesana Postal Division, North Gujarat Region.
Shri Krishna Kumar Yadav told that the PM Vishwakarma Scheme has been launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (M/o MSME) for the upliftment of traditional artisans and craftsmen engaged in various trades like blacksmithing, goldsmithing, pottery, carpentry, and sculpting, among others. The aim is to preserve cultural heritage and integrate these artisans into the formal economy and global value chains. The scheme is being implemented through the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC). Toolkits for 18 identified trades under this scheme will be distributed to artisans/beneficiaries through post offices. The Department of Posts is the logistics partner for the Ministry of MSME in this scheme and will ensure the smooth transportation and delivery of toolkits to beneficiaries across the country.
Postmaster General Shri Krishna Kumar Yadav conducted a detailed review of the progress of postal services in the Mahesana Division. Currently, there are a total of 6.77 lakhs savings accounts, 79,000 IPPB accounts, 66,000 Sukanya Samriddhi accounts, and 4,000 Mahila Samman Savings Certificates opened in Mahesana Division. Additionally, 61 villages have been covered as ‘Sampoorna Sukanya Samriddhi Grams,’ 100 villages covered as Sampoorna Bima Grams,’ and 5 villages designated as Five-Star Villages. Through the Passport Seva Kendra at the Mahesana Head Post Office, more than 7,015 people have obtained passports in this financial year. 14,000 people have enrolled or updated their Aadhaar through the post office, while 70,000 people have benefited from CELC through India Post Payments Bank. More than 69,000 individuals received payments totaling ₹22.4 crore through the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System at door step.
During his visit to the Mahesana Head Post Office, Shri Krishna Kumar Yadav emphasized the importance of good behavior towards customers. Postmaster General emphasized the importance of conducting extensive campaigns and Dak Chaupals in the remaining days of the financial year to achieve the allocated targets for various services. He also highlighted the need to connect the citizens with these services, ensure prompt resolution of public grievances, and responsiveness towards customers.
During this visit, Superintendent of Post Offices Shri H.C. Parmar, Assistant Superintendent Shri R.M. Rabari, Shri N.K. Parmar, Shri Vishal Brahmbhatt, IPPB Branch manager Shri J. Rohit and Postmaster, Mahesana HO Shri D G Patel were present.
WASHINGTON — On Friday, six public-interest, media-reform, media-justice, and labor organizations joined to file an amicus curiae brief defending the Federal Communications Commission’s broadcast ownership rules against an industry challenge in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The six groups are Common Cause, the Communications Workers of America-National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians, Free Press, the Future of Music Coalition, the musicFIRST Coalition, and the United Church of Christ Office of Communication, Inc. (“UCC Media Justice”). All of these entities have long participated in FCC proceedings and court cases on this issue. Attorneys Cheryl Leanza and Rachel Stillwell authored and filed the brief on the groups’ behalf.
The FCC’s media-ownership rules are designed to promote competition, viewpoint diversity, ownership diversity, and the delivery of local content by broadcast stations licensed to serve communities all across the United States. A series of deregulatory decisions the agency has made over the last two decades has significantly pared back these rules. The FCC undergoes a congressionally mandated review of these regulations every four years.
Prior legal challenges from both industry groups and public-interest organizations have played out in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. This time, the broadcast industry brought its suit in a different circuit. Broadcasting conglomerates and the trade groups representing them argue that the Biden FCC should eliminate more of the few ownership limits that remain on the books.
As today’s amicus brief explains, broadcast lobbyists suggest that their businesses should no longer be regulated because people already have access to the same kinds of content on the internet. The broadcasters’ assertion, the brief says, would “leave out of the picture the many Americans who do not fit their vision of a life lived completely online, consuming only national news and culture.” As the filing notes, millions of people in the United States still need to or choose to rely primarily on free broadcasting services for local news, cultural content, and emergency information that broadcast outlets distribute more reliably than internet sources.
Free Press Vice President of Policy and General Counsel Matt Wood said:
“As always, the broadcast industry wants to have its cake and eat it too. Lawyers for giant media conglomerates argue that free and over-the-air local broadcasting remains a unique and special service, yet also insist that their industry should be completely unfettered from any common-sense ownership limits because of competition from internet sources. They can’t have it both ways. For broadcasting to remain a source of diverse and truly local content—serving populations that national and homogenized news sources so often ignore—the Federal Communications Commission must retain its rules preventing a single company from dominating the airwaves or owning quite literally every broadcast outlet in the same city.”
United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry Policy Advisor Cheryl Leanza said:
“Broadcast media is unique: Local television engenders more trust, more local news, and thus more local engagement on everything from elections to community needs. Local radio is an important means to preserve and enliven local culture. Previous FCC decisions permitting vast consolidation have been disastrous—for the court to reverse the most recent FCC decision to keep the remaining rules and close loopholes would be even more so. In line with multiple other federal court decisions, the Eighth Circuit should reject any hint that each iteration of the quadrennial-review process mandates further consolidation.”
Common Cause Director for Media and Democracy Ishan Mehta said:
“In this era of media consolidation, we need local television and radio stations to provide a much-needed avenue for the public to hear diverse voices as they seek to make informed decisions at the ballot box. When media outlets are owned by a small number of corporations, it narrows the available perspectives and stifles the investigative journalism that our democracy depends on. We ask the court to preserve the FCC’s role in protecting diversity and furthering competition to ensure a healthy media ecosystem for all Americans.”
NABET-CWA President Charlie Braico said:
“Locally owned broadcast television and radio stations and the jobs they create are critical to the well-being of our communities. Consolidation in the media industry and Wall Street’s downsizing and stripping of local news operations for profits, along with the ‘narrowcasting” of information on the internet, has left Americans more isolated and divided than ever. The FCC’s ability to enforce local broadcast ownership rules is critical to preventing further harm.”
Future of Music Coalition Director Kevin Erickson said:
“Radio is a medium uniquely equipped to uplift the voices of diverse local communities expressed through diverse American musical traditions. Sadly, as we’ve seen over the years, ownership consolidation has empowered large companies and private equity firms to move away from the live and local emphasis that makes AM/FM radio special, replacing regional character with narrow formats and repetitive playlists presented by robots. We’re proud to join with a diverse array of groups in defending the FCC’s important role in protecting ownership diversity and healthy competition.”
###
About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.
The 2024 Enabling Native Researchers and Other Minorities Through Graduate Engineering (ENRGE) internship cohort. From left, Javier Moscoso, Chelsea Neely, Success Oluwole, Adrian Gomez, Zain ulAbdeen, and Danish Saleem. Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL
Internships offer students the opportunity to gain valuable experience in their field before joining the workforce—but for interns at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), they have the added motivation of contributing to meaningful work in energy efficiency and renewable energy. For interns in the Enabling Native Researchers and Other Minorities Through Graduate Engineering (ENRGE) program, undergraduate and graduate students at minority-serving institutions gain valuable experience in power, energy, and cybersecurity. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration’s Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program, which aims to create and support a sustainable career pathway that prepares a diverse workforce of talented students to make immediate and significant contributions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
ENRGE brings undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at minority-serving institutions with underrepresented backgrounds—such as Native, Black, Asian, Hispanic, and Latino Americans—to NREL for hands-on summer internships. The interns work on research projects that look at how human or natural threats may disrupt the U.S. electrical grid, assess the cybersecurity of distributed energy systems, or research pathways to strengthen the U.S. electrical grid.
“Many companies and teams look forward to new pools of student interns, as they’ll bring with them fresh ideas, new perspectives, and creative approaches to the projects or processes,” said NREL’s Danish Saleem, senior engineer and ENRGE program leader.
This past summer, JavierMoscoso, Adrian Gomez, ZainulAbdeen, and Success Oluwole participated in NREL’s second ENRGE summer internship program.
“We were fortunate to have Javier, Zain, Adrian, and Success this year at NREL,” Saleem said. “Their exceptional work, dedication, and contributions toward NREL’s clean energy goals was invaluable.”
Making the Personal Universal
Javier Moscoso. Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL
For Javier Moscoso, energy and climate issues hit home—that is, they affect him and all the people of Puerto Rico. “It’s a personal mission,” Moscoso said.
Hurricanes Maria and Fiona wreaked havoc on Puerto Rico in 2017 and 2022. Fiona knocked out power for 80% of the island’s customers who depended on an already fragile power system. Moscoso has witnessed the damage the hurricanes—and the loss of power—cause. He spoke with a woman using an oxygen tank earlier in 2024 about issues she faced when power goes away. She died following a power outage this summer. “I’m talking because I live this,” he said.
The ENRGE internship allows Moscoso to work on important cybersecurity projects, but it also allows him to talk with NREL people—like Laboratory Director Martin Keller, who Moscoso met with earlier this summer—about the issues Puerto Rico faces. “Not having a strong cybersecurity background before coming here, I have felt comfortable with my team, and I was always eager to learn more and get out of my comfort zone,” Moscoso said. “It gives me the opportunity to test out what I like and see new things that I maybe didn’t think I would ever like or work with. I have come to familiarize myself with cybersecurity and how crucial it is in power systems today. If I’m honest, I have come to appreciate how impactful this experience will be for my future. I think there is no better place than NREL to be exposing myself to this through many readings, workshops, and conversations with mentors. I look forward to continue learning and contributing in the best way I can.”
Moscoso’s work at NREL involves looking at the cybersecurity of utility-scale batteries and distributed energy resources (DER) deployment for underserved communities on separate projects. He completed a literature review on the cybersecurity of DERs, and his background informed the case studies he wrote on Puerto Rico. “It’s my opportunity to give visibility to Puerto Rican communities,” he said.
Moscoso said that there is intention to everything he does, which is why the ENRGE internship was enticing. It allowed him to bring his personal story and experience to NREL, which he will then take back to Puerto Rico. Encouraged by his time at NREL and with ENRGE, he will begin graduate school in Puerto Rico, where part of his time will be spent continuing a renewable energy project he began before coming to NREL.
Prior to arriving at NREL, Moscoso engaged other students on the design and architecture of a solar gazebo to be constructed at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. The gazebo will provide power on campus for students in the event of an outage. Moscoso has presented on this project at NREL and to many national outlets. The project includes an educational component where talks will be given on renewable energy and energy consumption.
What started as a napkin drawing is morphing into a reality that will benefit other Puerto Ricans, and Moscoso hopes that this first gazebo can be replicated across the island.
“Javier serves as an excellent example of someone who took full advantage of the networking and professional development opportunities that NREL and the ENRGE internship offered,” said NREL’s Chelsea Neely, cybersecurity researcher and ENRGE program coordinator. “Almost every week, he came to me to tell me who he met at NREL and what research and development opportunities he was excited about. We are so proud of the impact he has made here at NREL and can’t wait to see him continue his mission towards clean energy transformation.”
Exploring a New Career Pathway
Adrian Gomez. Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL
The path to NREL was not a straight line for Adrian Gomez. From the U.S. Army to education in criminal justice, his background was outside of energy. When Gomez decided that the criminal justice route was not what he wanted, he enrolled in the Ecotech Institute to learn about sustainable technologies.
Then the school closed permanently.
Gomez returned to criminal justice briefly before he learned about ENRGE. When he found the ENRGE internship opportunity at NREL, it felt like a fit. “It’s the right choice,” he said. “Everything led up to this. This is something I can do.”
At NREL, Gomez brings a cybersecurity background to the Clean Energy Cybersecurity Accelerator—which aims to expedite the deployment of novel or emerging operational technology security solutions—and learned from researchers involved in the cybersecurity situational awareness tool designed for renewable energy systems. For the Clean Energy Cybersecurity Accelerator, Gomez researched cyberattack scenarios involving solar panels and what types of attacks might cause disruptions.
“It’s interesting to see how everything is interconnected—how everything in a system affects everything else,” Gomez said. Researching cybersecurity has made Gomez hyperaware of cybersecurity concerns. He is paying attention to what is happening in the world in that regard. “I’m vigilant about those interconnections and how my role in cybersecurity is involved in that sphere.”
Following the ENRGE internship, Gomez will return to school to pursue a master’s degree in cybersecurity.
“For someone new to research, Adrian embraced the uncomfortable, often nonlinear path his research took him down this summer,” Neely said. “I was impressed with his ability to take on new concepts and come away from this experience with research he felt proud of. With the encouragement of researchers at NREL, we’re thrilled to hear he’s decided to pursue an advanced degree in cybersecurity. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for him as he builds on the skills he has learned here at NREL.”
Meeting the Challenges of Cybersecurity Through Computational Science
Zain ul Abdeen. Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL
Zain ul Abdeen came to NREL with a background in machine learning and artificial intelligence through a previous internship in NREL’s Computational Science Center, which comes in handy when asked to anticipate and respond to cyberattacks on power systems. Zain had worked as a computational scientist prior to arriving at NREL, and his computational skills were put to good use on cybersecurity projects.
Zain helped to test the performance of power system algorithms during adversarial attacks and built a model to detect anomalies in the system. With both, Zain was able to apply computational knowledge to specific challenges in cybersecurity. “We considered various kinds of attacks on the grid and how the algorithm was affected and how another model performed at detecting the attack,” he said.
A key component of Zain’s work is training models well enough that they are trustworthy when it comes to detecting and responding to attacks. That means designing robust systems that are well trained on possible scenarios and attacks.
“ENRGE is so well structured, and the mentors are very helpful,” he said. “They’re always there to help you solve a problem in your research. They listen, provide guidelines, and guide you in the right direction.”
“Zain’s final presentation of his projects this summer were incredibly impressive,” Neely said. “He made a big impact on his projects in such a short period of time. His successes clearly reflect the strong relationships he built with his mentors, Dr. Shuva Paul and Dr. Vivek Singh. We were very lucky to have his talents in the cybersecurity center this summer, and I can’t wait to read his next publications!”
Seizing an Unexpected Opportunity
Success Oluwole. Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL
When Success Oluwole went to her mentor and mechanical engineering department chair at Alabama Agriculture and Mechanical University, she asked him to keep his ears open for relevant opportunities. He called her up one day and directed Oluwole to an opportunity in the ENRGE program.
“I noticed it was a cybersecurity position and I’m quite in the mechanical engineering field,” she said. “So, I remember saying, ‘I’m not sure if this is the right fit for me.’”
The chair told Oluwole that she should not think like that—that she should be open to opportunities, even if the fit is not a direct match for her experience.
She applied to the ENRGE program. “I have always wanted to work at a national lab because I have research experience and working at the lab will give me more opportunities to do research full time,” she said.
When she interviewed for the role, it was the first time Oluwole had been interviewed by a panel, and she was nervous but optimistic, she said. When the offer came, Oluwole jumped at it. “The program gives people from minority communities the opportunity to work at a national lab. I’m Nigerian, and not many international students like me who come to this country have this opportunity. I knew working at NREL would be a great stepping stone for my career.”
Oluwole quickly realized that there was overlap between cybersecurity and mechanical engineering. She said she had the notion that there would be a lot of coding, but the actuality of the cybersecurity projects she worked on allowed her to use skills she brought with her to NREL.
She was able to deploy project management experience—data collection and budgeting—to help coordinate Liberty Eclipse, an annual full-scale cybersecurity preparedness exercise run by the U.S. Department of Energy. Oluwole also worked on a project involving cyber-informed engineering (CIE), which provides engineers a framework to integrate cybersecurity into the early design stages and throughout the life cycle of engineered systems. “I’ve been trying to apply the principles of CIE to the design, development, and operations of the wind turbines in the United States. I’ve been trying to apply the 12 principles of CIE to basically each level of a wind turbine,” she said.
“Success truly blossomed during her 10 weeks here at NREL,” Neely said. “She did a fantastic job collaborating with her mentor and I could tell she was really open trying things outside of her comfort zone. The fact that she left her experience better able to understand how cybersecurity affects her work as a mechanical engineer is a huge win for all of us. I feel so privileged to witness her growth and can’t wait to see what the future has in store for such a promising young researcher.”
Oluwole values the experiences she is gaining in the ENRGE program.
“Every single day since I started my internship here, I have been grateful, because this has been a blessing,” she said. “This program has been transformative. I’ve met great people. I’ve been able to apply my academic knowledge. I hope the program grows so that other people from minority communities can have the opportunities to learn like I have this summer.”
Before joining NREL, Oluwole did not have cybersecurity as a potential career path, but she is glad she has been able to gain this experience in an unexpected field.
ENRGE began with one intern in 2023 and has grown to four interns, two of whom have decided to pursue higher education as a result of their time in the program.
“Coming from diverse engineering and technical backgrounds, ENRGE interns learned to appreciate the importance of taking an interdisciplinary approach to the cybersecurity of energy systems,” Neely said. “Each of them has a very bright future as leaders in this important field. I hope their experience at NREL influences how they design and build critical cyber-physical systems of the future.”
Learn more about NREL’s ENRGE program and about NREL’s internship opportunities.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (LA-02)
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) announced $292,714,591 in Battery Materials Processing Grants from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for Element 25 (Louisiana) LLC and Honeywell International Inc.These awards were made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Congressman Carter helped craft and voted for.
“I’m excited to celebrate this significant step in our nation’s pursuit of sustainable energy and innovation,” said Rep. Carter. “This funding strengthens the battery materials industry and keeps the U.S. at the forefront of advanced technology manufacturing. With projects from Honeywell and Element 25, Louisiana is leading the nation’s clean energy transition, equipping our workforce with high-tech skills, and driving lasting economic growth. These investments not only boost our economic competitiveness but also lay the foundation for a cleaner, more sustainable future. I’m proud to see Louisiana shaping a self-sufficient energy future for America.”
Element 25 (Louisiana) LLC was awarded $166,128,094 to launch “Project Laver,” a state-of-the-art refining facility in the Baton Rouge area to produce high purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM), a critical component in lithium-ion batteries. This facility will be the first of its kind in the United States. Once operational, this plant will create over 140 permanent jobs for Louisiana workers, including those transitioning from the oil and gas industry, as well as 400 construction jobs. The project will also foster long-term community success by creating apprenticeships for 5% of its workforce, providing on-the-job training and opportunities for career growth.
Honeywell International Inc. was awarded $126,586,497 to build a groundbreaking facility in Geismar, Louisiana, to produce Lithium (bis)FluoroSulfonyl Imide (LiFSI), a critical electrolyte salt for lithium batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage. This new facility will be the first of its kind in the United States. This project will create approximately 100 construction jobs and 70 full-time, high-paying, permanent, high-tech positions available once the plant is operational.
Background
The Battery Materials Processing Grants Program is designed to provide grants for battery materials processing to ensure that the United States has a viable battery materials processing industry. Funds can also be used to expand our domestic capabilities in battery manufacturing and enhance processing capacity.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (LA-02)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) released the following statement congratulating New Orleans native Ava Dejoie Cates on her appointment as Regional Administrator of Region 6 for the Small Business Administration (SBA):
“I am proud to have recommended Ava Dejoie Cates, an incredibly talented leader, for the role of SBA Region 6 Regional Administrator. This is an outstanding achievement and a well-deserved recognition of her extensive experience and commitment to workforce and business development. Ava’s leadership has already transformed Louisiana’s workforce landscape, and her vision for empowering small businesses will undoubtedly bring transformative growth across the region.
“With over 25 years of public service and a deep-rooted passion for supporting entrepreneurs, Ava brings heart and expertise to this role. Her work ethic will serve her well as she fosters economic resilience and opportunity. I look forward to seeing the positive impact of her leadership as she helps small businesses thrive and continues driving economic progress.
“Ava, your commitment to innovation, collaboration, and economic development will surely benefit communities and entrepreneurs. Congratulations!”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (LA-02)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-LA) praised eight bills that he either introduced or cosponsored that passed in the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure this week.
Congressman Carter is the lead sponsor of H.R. 9037, the Federal Emergency Mobilization Accountability (FEMA) Workforce Planning Act, bipartisan legislationthat requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to submit a plan to Congress every three years that includes specific retention, recruitment, and deployment goals for its workforce.
“In Louisiana, we’ve seen how storms are increasingly more dangerous and unpredictable. My FEMA Workforce Planning Act is a critical step toward ensuring FEMA is better equipped to respond to disasters by creating clear goals for employee recruitment, retention, and training,” said Rep. Carter. “By requiring regular updates and audits, the bill promotes accountability and ensures that FEMA’s staffing plans are aligned with the evolving needs of disaster response. This bipartisan legislation is a smart move toward filling gaps in FEMA’s workforce, which in turn will help communities receive the support they need in times of crisis.”
In 2023, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report called “FEMA Disaster Workforce: Actions Needed to Improve Hiring Data and Address Staffing Gaps.” The report said that FEMA faced challenges deploying staff with the right skills and training to meet the needs of communities impacted by federally declared disasters. It also said that FEMA is short 6,200 workers, which means the agency is 35% short of the staff it needs. At the height of FEMA workforce deployments in October 2017, GAO found that 54 percent of staff were serving in a capacity in which they were not formally certified according to FEMA’s qualification system standards.
Congressman Carter is also a cosponsor on several bills that will strengthen benefits for disaster victims and communities working to recover:
H.R.6083, the Duplications of Benefits Victims Relief Act, clarifies that a post-disaster loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA) is not considered disqualifying for receiving other federal recovery funding. During past disasters in Louisiana, most notably the floods of 2016, recovery funds promised to victims were reduced or eliminated if a homeowner had qualified for a federal disaster recovery loan from the SBA. Because the homeowner was already approved for federal relief, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) stated it would be a “duplication of benefits” for them also to receive a federal recovery grant from the Community Development Block Grant—Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. While SBA loans are required to be repaid to the federal government, CDBG-DR grants are one-time payments to victims and do not require repayment.
H.R. 5623, the Addressing Addiction After Disasters Act, improves the federal Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program by allowing FEMA to provide services for substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder. Studies show that after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005, alcohol consumption increased by about 185% from before the storm, and the annual hospitalization rate for substance use disorders increased by approximately 30%.
H.R. 2672, the FEMA Loan Interest Payment Relief Act amends the Stafford Act to reimburse local governments and electric cooperatives for the interest on loans used for disaster recovery efforts. Many of these entities, particularly smaller and rural municipalities, need immediate funds for recovery and infrastructure repairs, but FEMA reimbursements often take time, leaving them with high-interest loan payments. This bill relieves them of that financial burden, allowing them to focus on recovery rather than loan costs.
Background
In total, Congressman Carter is a cosponsor of or introduced the following bills that passed in the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure today:
H.R. 9037, the Federal Emergency Mobilization Accountability (FEMA) Workforce Planning Act (Introduced)
H.R. 2672, the FEMA Loan Interest Payment Relief Act
H.R. 8530, the Improving Federal Building Security Act of 2024
ANS to H.R. 9135, the Ensuring Airline Resiliency to Reduce Delays and Cancellations Act
ANS to H.R. 8505, the Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act
H.R. 6083, the Duplications of Benefits Victims Relief Act
ANS to H.R. 5623, the Addressing Addiction After Disasters Act
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (LA-02)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) released the following statement after the announcement that H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 will receive a vote on the House floor. Congressman Carter is a cosponsor of this legislation:
“WEP and GPO are harmful provisions that slash public servant’s Social Security benefits. I signed the discharge petition to bring the Social Security Fairness Act to the floor and I’m proud we’re acting NOW. Our teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other federal employees should NOT be penalized when it comes to collecting their pension. We must change this antiquated law and give people the benefits they’ve earned!”
Background
Last December, Congressman Carter was the Ranking Member for a Ways and Means Committee field hearing in Baton Rouge, LA focused on the effects of the Windfall Elimination Penalty (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) on everyday Americans, where he heard from Louisianians struggling to make ends meet due to these harmful provisions.
The WEP and GPO prevent federal retirees like police, teachers, firefighters, state workers and their spouses who earned pensions from those careers from collecting their full Social Security benefits earned while working outside of government, affecting over two million Americans, including thousands in Louisiana.
WEP dates to 1983 and reduces Social Security benefits for workers who paid into both a civil service pension from their time in government employment and Social Security, in a Social Security covered job outside of government.
GPO dates to 1977 and reduces by two-thirds the retirement or disability pension from a federal, state, or local government for spouses and widows or widowers if the spouse or widow did not pay in themselves.
The Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and has bipartisan, bicameral support.
A federal jury convicted Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez, also known as El Menchito, today of conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine while knowing and intending that they would be imported into the United States, and using, carrying, and brandishing firearms, including destructive devices, in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy, following a two-week jury trial in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between 2007 and 2017, Oseguera-Gonzalez, 34, led an international drug trafficking organization responsible for importing large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico into the United States. Oseguera-Gonzalez was the second in command of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), which is based in the State of Jalisco in Mexico. The CJNG is one of the most dangerous drug cartels in Mexico. Oseguera-Gonzalez personally used firearms, destructive devices, murder, and kidnapping to control the drug trafficking organization. Oseguera-Gonzalez also ordered his subordinates to shoot down a Mexican military helicopter so that he could escape capture by Mexican law enforcement.
“El Menchito led the Jalisco Cartel’s efforts to use murder, kidnapping, and torture to build the Cartel into a self-described ‘empire’ by manufacturing fentanyl and flooding the United States with massive quantities of lethal drugs. Today, fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat the United States has ever faced,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “El Menchito now joins the growing list of high-ranking Cartel leaders that the Justice Department has convicted in an American courtroom. We are grateful to our Mexican law enforcement partners for their extensive cooperation and sacrifice in holding accountable leaders of the Jalisco Cartel.”
“Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez pioneered the manufacturing of fentanyl in Mexico to help build his father’s Jalisco Cartel into one of the world’s most powerful drug syndicates. His crimes caused horrific violence and death in the United States, Mexico, and around the globe,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Today’s guilty verdict demonstrates that our prosecutors and agents, working with our Mexican law enforcement partners, will relentlessly pursue justice against the leaders of the drug trafficking organizations who destroy lives and poison our communities.”
“As second-in-command of CJNG, Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez used extreme violence to traffic massive amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine into the United States,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “His conviction underscores the Criminal Division’s commitment to disrupting and dismantling organizations that manufacture and distribute deadly drugs into our communities. Today’s verdict also sends a powerful message to the cartel leadership: we will work with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to find you and bring you to justice. We are especially grateful to the Mexican authorities for their substantial assistance in this case.”
“Today’s guilty verdict sends a clear message that the DEA will stop at nothing to investigate and dismantle criminal drug networks that threaten the safety and health of the American people,” said Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “As one of the highest-ranking members of the Jalisco Cartel, Oseguera-Gonzalez was responsible for pushing vast quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States while engaging in violence, kidnapping, and bribery to build and protect the Jalisco Cartel. I commend the men and women of the DEA Los Angeles Field Division for their outstanding work on this case.”
According to the evidence presented at trial, from 2012 to 2015, Oseguera-Gonzalez oversaw the manufacture of more than three million pounds of methamphetamine in one area of Mexico. In April 2015, Oseguera-Gonzalez personally directed the distribution of over 55,000 pounds of cocaine. According to trial testimony, in October 2013, Oseguera-Gonzalez made plans to “do it big” with counterfeit oxycontin pills—just before the fentanyl epidemic began in the United States. According to witness testimony, the defendant said in 2015 that he was “building an empire with . . . fentanyl.” Oseguera-Gonzalez was arrested by Mexican authorities on local charges in June 2015. He remained detained in Mexico until his extradition to the United States in February 2020. While in prison in Mexico, Oseguera-Gonzalez continued to control the CJNG, negotiating drug transactions and approving the purchase of firearms and destructive devices, including .50 caliber firearms and 40 mm grenades.
Oseguera-Gonzalez personally used extreme violence to grow and control the cartel. For example, when five men owed Oseguera-Gonzalez money for drugs in the United States, Oseguera-Gonzalez violently killed all five men. On another occasion, the defendant shot one of his drivers in the head a close range. In an intercepted message, Oseguera-Gonzalez also described having 13 people tied up—one of whom he decided to release only after the man agreed to make fentanyl pills for Oseguera-Gonzalez.
Oseguera-Gonzalez also amassed an arsenal of weapons. His hitmen, which he called the Special Forces of the High Command, used the weapons to protect him and help him escape capture by Mexican authorities. For example, on May 1, 2015, the defendant’s hitmen—acting on Oseguera-Gonzalez’s personal orders—shot down a Mexican armed forces helicopter while 18 soldiers and police were on board. At least nine people on board the helicopter died as a result of Oseguera-Gonzalez’s order. Oseguera-Gonzalez’s men used an Iranian-made rocket-propelled grenade and a .50 caliber belt-fed firearm to shoot down the helicopter. Both weapons were painted with “CJNG” and a pixel camouflage pattern unique to Oseguera-Gonzalez’s hitmen.
Less than two months after escaping capture, Oseguera-Gonzalez was arrested in Jalisco, Mexico. When he was surrounded by soldiers and police, he brandished an assault weapon and grenade launcher, demanding to be released because he was a member of the CJNG. The weapon Oseguera-Gonzalez used to threaten police bore the same pixel camouflage pattern and was emblazoned with CJNG and Oseguera-Gonzalez’s nicknames: Menchito, 02, and Jr.
Oseguera-Gonzalez faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 40 years in prison and a statutory maximum penalty of life plus 30 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2025. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The DEA Los Angeles Field Division investigated the case with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided critical assistance in securing the extradition of Oseguera-Gonzalez and in obtaining important evidence for the trial. The Criminal Division’s Office of Enforcement Operations provided significant assistance. The Justice Department thanks Mexican authorities for their assistance in securing the extradition of Oseguera-Gonzalez and in securing evidence and testimony presented in court.
Acting Deputy Chief Kaitlin Sahni and Trial Attorneys Kate Naseef, Jonathan R. Hornok, and Lernik Begian of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section are prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (LA-02)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) commended the passage of his bill H.R. 4403, theSecuring the Cities Improvement Actin the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs this week. This legislation would ensure stability within the Securing the Cities (STC) program and partnerships with at-risk cities.
“My bill will help cities build and maintain their security capabilities against nuclear, radiological, chemical, and biological threats, offering a more targeted and effective approach to national security preparedness and response,” said Rep. Carter. “This legislation is critical for sustaining our preparedness and ensuring the safety of our nation against terrorism, showing that we’re serious about protecting our communities, including New Orleans and surrounding areas, which are vital to our nation’s energy and economic security.”
The Securing the Cities Improvement Act would allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) to determine which cities to partner with for the STC program based on the jurisdiction’s capability and capacity to prepare for and respond to threats or vulnerabilities against a terrorist attack and other high-consequence events utilizing nuclear or other radiological materials. It would also establish performance metrics and milestones for the STC program and monitor expenditures for the program. Furthermore, this legislation would require DHS to provide a report to Congress regarding participation in the STC program, the establishment of metrics and milestones for the program, and plans for any changes to the program.
Background
The STC Initiative was launched by the Department of Homeland Security in Fiscal Year 2007 as a pilot program to support New York City, Jersey City, and Newark in detecting and preventing nuclear or radiological threats. The STC program has now grown and provides 14 local governments with detection equipment, training, exercise support, operational and technical subject matter expertise, and programmatic support. However, the program is limited to “high-risk urban areas” designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program. This linkage between STC and UASI can create uncertainty for local governments participating in the program, as the composition of jurisdictions in the UASI program can vary considerably from one year to the next.
TheSecuring the Cities Improvement Act is cosponsored by Reps. Bennie G. Thompson (D-M.S.), Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, and Clay Higgins (R-L.A.).
OTTAWA — Terry Sheehan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Seniors, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Geoff Stewart, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), will make an announcement regarding sustainable affordable housing in Northwestern Ontario.
OTTAWA— Terry Sheehan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Seniors, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Geoff Stewart, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), will make an announcement for sustainable affordable housing in Northwestern Ontario.
Date: Monday, September 23, 2024
Time: 1:15 p.m. (ET)
Location: This virtual event will be held via the Webex platform. Accredited journalists wishing to attend are requested to register in advance by email at media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca to get the link to the ad.
Note: To ensure optimal sound quality, we encourage journalists to use a microphone (headset) or landline and to avoid using speakerphone mode when on hold to ask a question.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Michelle Steel (CA-48)
WASHINGTON, D.C.– With recent reports indicating that General Secretary for the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam plans to meet with Meta and Google while in the United States next week, Rep. Michelle Steel is calling on both companies to refuse their meetings and clarify whether they support Vietnam’s persecution of those utilizing their platforms.
In letters to both Meta and Google, Steel notes that under To Lam’s leadership, Vietnam has doubled down on the repression of human rights, with over 170 prisoners of conscience currently detained. Such abuses largely occur due to the communist regime’s vast surveillance of online discourse, including on Meta and Google’s very platforms.
“To Lam is a dangerous authoritarian who has stifled free expression and taken many prisoners of conscience in Vietnam. Corporations like Google and Meta – who allegedly facilitate open communication – must reverse course and refuse to grant legitimacy to someone who jails his own citizens simply for speaking their mind,” said Rep. Michelle Steel, who represents a large population of Vietnamese Americans in Orange County, CA. “If these big tech companies choose to give To Lam a platform, the Vietnamese people and Vietnamese Americans should assume that Meta and Google support Communist Vietnam’s persecution of users on their very own platforms.”
To Lam, who recently took over as Vietnam’s head of state after a stint as Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security, will be in New York for a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. Even prior to his current human rights abuses, To Lam has a documented history of stifling free speech.
Rep. Steel represents parts of Los Angeles County and Orange County, including the Little Saigon community, which has the largest population of Vietnamese anywhere outside of Vietnam.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined Senate colleagues in filing an amicus brief supporting the federal law they helped pass to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices. The brief, which was filed in AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals v. Becerra; Bristol Myers Squibb Co. v. Becerra; and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Becerra, urges the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to uphold the constitutionality of Congress allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices for consumers. The brief argues that the Constitution empowers Congress to enact policy reforms and improve federal programs.
“Appellants now attempt to accomplish through judicial action what they could not through the legislative process. Appellants’ position in this litigation boils down to the argument that the United States Constitution prohibits the federal government from negotiating the prices of the products it purchases,” wrote the Senators. “Appellants seek to prevent reform of a purchasing process that Congress itself made. They argue that Congress, having created this process, now cannot unmake the process or even amend it for the benefit of the American public and the American taxpayer.”
“As the Appellees’ brief ably explains, the Appellants’ position is wrong as a matter of constitutional law. Congress improves laws all the time. Congress has the right and indeed the duty to do so,” they continued. “The Program takes nothing from the pharmaceutical industry—not its drugs and not its patents. The Program does not coerce industry participants to do or say anything. Like every other market participant, manufacturers may sell their products at prices buyers think is fair (or not fair) and buyers may make market choices in turn.”
The Senators conclude by asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to affirm that there has been no constitutional violation in allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices for consumers.
The lawmakers’ amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit can be read in full HERE.
Senator Rosen has been leading the fight to lower prescription drug costs. Earlier this year, she introduced bipartisan legislation to lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for seniors. Senator Rosen also announced that starting this year, Nevada seniors will have their annual out-of-pocket costs for brand-name prescription drugs effectively capped at $3,300 a year as a result of the legislation she helped pass. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, Senator Rosen helped lower prescription drug costs for seniors, lower health care premiums, and cap the insulin costs for those on Medicare Part D at $35/month per prescription.