NewzIntel.com

    • Checkout Page
    • Contact Us
    • Default Redirect Page
    • Frontpage
    • Home-2
    • Home-3
    • Lost Password
    • Member Login
    • Member LogOut
    • Member TOS Page
    • My Account
    • NewzIntel Alert Control-Panel
    • NewzIntel Latest Reports
    • Post Views Counter
    • Privacy Policy
    • Public Individual Page
    • Register
    • Subscription Plan
    • Thank You Page

Category: Taxation

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ponte Vedra Man Indicted For Conspiracy To Traffic Firearms And Controlled Substances (DOJ)

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    acksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Braden Huston Hobbs (27, Ponte Vedra) with conspiracy to traffic firearms, conspiracy to deal firearms without a license, dealing firearms without a license, making a materially false statement to a licensed firearms dealer, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances—including 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. If convicted, Hobbs faces a minimum sentence of 5 years, up to 95 years, in federal prison.

    According to court documents and proceedings, law enforcement began investigating Hobbs when several firearms he had purchased were recovered during unrelated search warrant executions by law enforcement agencies. These firearms were recovered in the homes of drug distributors and a convicted felon. Additionally, during a series of controlled purchase operations conducted in the summer of 2024, agents purchased 11 firearms from two co-conspirators. Hobbs was the original purchaser of multiple firearms purchased from these two co-conspirators. Cellphone records later showed that at least one of the co-conspirators regularly purchased firearms from Hobbs.

    Through further investigation, agents discovered that between March 2022 and June 2024, Hobbs had purchased more than 120 firearms from 3 different federally licensed firearms dealers in Jacksonville, with 67 of those firearms being purchased between January and June 2024. Hobbs then sold those firearms to others. On multiple occasions, Hobbs advertised firearms for sale to potential customers before completing the purchase of the firearms from the federally licensed firearms dealer.

    Customers typically paid Hobbs in cash for the firearms or traded drugs for the firearms. Hobbs was aware that some of his customers intended to resell the firearms and were drug users or drug distributors. Furthermore, Hobbs asked his co-conspirators to assist him in finding buyers for the firearms and the co-conspirators advertised Hobbs’s firearms for sale. Although he engaged in the business of dealing firearms, Hobbs is not a federally licensed firearms dealer, as required by federal law.

    When Hobbs purchased the firearms from the federally licensed firearms dealers, he indicated on the required ATF Form 4473 that he was the actual buyer or transferee of the firearms. In addition, Hobbs indicated that he was not a user of or addicted to controlled substances. Both statements were false. Hobbs was not the actual buyer or transferee of the firearms, and he was a habitual user of controlled substances.

    In addition, Hobbs was distributing controlled substances, including over 500 grams of cocaine and Adderall. He routinely advertised controlled substances for sale and coordinated deals. Hobbs often sold the controlled substances to the same customers to whom he was selling firearms. On June 26, 2024, Hobbs was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for driving under the influence and trafficking in cocaine. During a search of Hobbs’s car, officers located approximately 330 grams of cocaine and 17 grams of Adderall, as well as various items used to package and distribute controlled substances.

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the North Florida HIDTA Tri-County Narcotics Task Force with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Lee Introduces the No Union Time on the Taxpayer’s Dime Act for 119th Congress

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee
    Legislation would ban “official time” practice for federal employee unions
    WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the No Union Time on the Taxpayer’s Dime Act, legislation that would prohibit the misuse of taxpayer dollars for union-related activities by federal employees during work hours. The legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA).
    “President Trump is taking strong steps to rein in overpowered public sector unions, which even Democrat leaders like FDR thought shouldn’t exist in the first place,” said Sen. Lee. “American taxpayers shouldn’t have to fund union organizing, and federal employees should be working full time for the American people when they’re on the clock.”
    “Taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for federal employees to conduct union business instead of fulfilling their official duties,” Rep. Cline said. “Ending ‘official time’ is a commonsense step to ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and to increase accountability across the federal workforce. Public funds should serve the American people, not private union interests.”
    Since the passage of the Civil Service Reform Act in 1978, the practice known as “official time” has allowed federal employees to use work hours for union-related activities and to handle cases before the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). This means federal employees can engage in union work, represent bargaining unit employees and advance union causes while being paid by the taxpayer.
    The cost of this practice to the American taxpayer is significant. According to a 2016 report by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), federal employees spent 3.6 million hours on union-related business at a cost of $177.2 million. Under the Trump Administration, this number dropped to 2.6 million hours, costing $134.9 million. However, due to the lack of unified reporting requirements, the last available data is from 2019, creating a transparency gap in the current use of official time.
    The legislation is endorsed by Heritage Action, Americans for Prosperity, and the National Right to Work Committee.
    No Union Time on Taxpayer’s Dime Act: One-pager | Bill text 
    Read the Daily Caller exclusive HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: DelBene, LaHood Introduce Legislation to Provide Tax Relief to Beauty and Salon Industry

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

    Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Darin LaHood (IL-16) reintroduced the Small Business Tax Fairness and Compliance Simplification Act, which expands the Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) tax tip credit to employer-based salons and beauty service establishments. This credit helps ensure accurate reporting of tipped income and reimburses small businesses for continuing to implement reporting systems.

    The beauty industry is predominantly comprised of small businesses, the majority of which are owned by women and people of color, and this legislation would provide them much-needed tax relief. Tips are paid as gratuity by a client directly to the worker providing the service. Employers are required to pay FICA taxes on these tips even though they are not involved in the tip transaction and 100 percent of it goes to the employee. Currently, restaurants are able to claim a tax credit for the portion of FICA taxes paid on their employees’ tips, but beauty salons do not have access to the same credit. This legislation would extend the FICA tip credit to the beauty industry creating parity with the restaurant industry. The beauty industry is predominantly comprised of small businesses, the majority of which are owned by women and people of color, and this legislation would provide them much-needed tax relief.

    “The beauty industry is largely comprised of small businesses, predominantly owned by women and women of color, with workers who rely heavily on tips. said DelBene. “Extending this tax relief to the beauty industry would provide parity with the restaurant industry, which already has the ability to claim this credit. This bipartisan legislation would bring commonsense tax relief to salons and their workers and support small businesses.”

    Small businesses are the backbone of the United States economy,” said LaHood. “I am proud to reintroduce the Small Business Tax Fairness and Compliance Simplification Act alongside Congresswoman DelBene to level the playing field for beauty salons who rely on tips for a large portion of their income. This bipartisan, commonsense piece of legislation simplifies our tax system for these small business owners and their employees while supporting job creation in central and northwestern Illinois.”

    “The Professional Beauty Association proudly supports The Small Business Tax Fairness and Compliance Simplification Act, a critical measure that levels the playing field for beauty industry employers, most of whom are small, Main Street businesses,” said Leslie Perry, PBA’s Executive Director. “We commend Congressman LaHood and Congresswoman DelBene for their leadership in advocating for fair and equitable tax policies. This legislation will provide much-needed tax relief that directly benefits small businesses and their hardworking employees across America. In addition, it complements the No Tax on Tips initiative, ensuring that beauty professionals receiving the full value of their hard-earned income does not unfairly burden their employers. We look forward to collaborating with Congressman LaHood to ensure this vital legislation becomes a reality for the industry’s employers this year.

    A copy of the bill text can be found here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Cost-of-living relief for Canberrans

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    There is a comprehensive cost-of-living package included in this year’s Budget.

    The ACT Government is offering continued support to Canberrans most impacted by cost of living pressures.

    Cost of living pressures are being felt across the country and this year’s ACT Budget does more for low-income households.

    Supporting apprentices and trainees

    One initiative is a new, one-off $250 payment to support local apprentices and trainees.

    Apprentices and trainees have a restricted earning capacity while they are obtaining their qualification.

    This payment recognises the financial pressures these Canberrans are facing.

    The ACT Government will contact eligible apprentices and trainees by the end of September. It is not necessary to apply for the payment.

    Assisting families with schooling costs

    The ACT Government is also expanding the Future of Education Equity Fund.

    The Fund has been hugely successful in supporting students and families in need, helping them with the costs of their education.

    Already in 2024, the Future of Education Equity Fund has supported more than 5000 students in Canberra.

    More families will be able to get financial assistance with things like textbooks, music lessons and sporting equipment.

    Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate

    Over 40,000 low-income households in Canberra will also benefit from an increase to the Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate.

    The payment will be increased to $800 per year, helping these households with their home energy costs.

    When combined with the $300 Federal Government energy payment, one in five Canberra households will receive $1,100 in assistance towards their energy bills.

    Targeted cost of living support

    These initiatives are part of a comprehensive cost of living package included in this year’s Budget. The package also includes:

    • expanding the Utilities Hardship Fund, including increasing vouchers from $100 to $300, to support more households to change their energy use
    • extending the Rent Relief Fund to support more Canberrans on low incomes who are experiencing rental stress or severe financial hardship
    • expanding public transport concession fares to include Canberrans with a Commonwealth Low-Income Health Care Card, to support more people accessing buses and light rail
    • additional funding to Roundabout Canberra, Scouts ACT, Fearless Women and Women’s Health Matters to support these community organisations to continue delivering essential services to vulnerable Canberrans
    • additional funding for emergency material and financial aid programs and food relief services, to support vulnerable Canberrans in need of food and other necessities
    • increasing assistance through the Taxi Subsidy Scheme, including increasing the subsidy for ride users, further reducing out-of-pocket costs for vulnerable Canberrans
    • increasing the Life Support Rebate to $150 a year, to support more Canberrans using electric life support equipment to treat a life-threatening condition.

    Find more on cost-of-living support at act.gov.au/money-and-tax/cost-of-living-support

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Join Colleagues in Letter Emphasizing Immense Harm Shuttering Department of Education will have on Students with Disabilities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, (both D-VA) joined 19 of their senate colleagues in writing to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to emphasize the detrimental effect shuttering the Department of Education will have on approximately 9.5 million students with disabilities and their families. Programs at risk include those authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which conducts vital oversight of federal civil rights laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  
    “We write with deep concern regarding the Trump administration’s recent actions to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) and the impact this will have on students with disabilities and their families,” the senators wrote. “Shuttering the Department will cause immense harm to all students, and especially students with disabilities and their families who rely on federal funding for key special education services and support.” 
    “Over the years, the Department has developed specific expertise to deliver on the promise that children with disabilities will have equal and fair access to educational opportunity in the United States. Congress has promised to families that students with disabilities will have a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment and has specifically charged the Department of Education with making that promise real in the lives of students with disabilities,” the senators continued. “…Yet, on March 20th, President Trump signed an executive order directing the closure of the Department.” 
    “We are alarmed by the potential consequences your proposed reassignment will have on the larger framework of education for students with disabilities,” the senators wrote. “Prior to the passage of IDEA, only one in five children with disabilities were educated in schools, and more than 1.8 million children were systemically excluded from public school in the United States. Disabilities were seen as medical conditions to be treated and as a result, many children with disabilities were institutionalized rather than educated. We cannot risk regression to an outdated and dehumanizing perspective on disability, which prevented millions of children from accessing the inclusive public education they deserve. Our entire nation benefits when disabled people have equal access to a high-quality education that enables them to use their gifts and talents.”
    Warner and Kaine have long supported equitable access to education for students with disabilities. Earlier this month, they joined their colleagues in cosponsoring the IDEA Full Funding Act, legislation that would ensure Congress fulfills its commitment to fully fund the IDEA.
    The letter was led by U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and cosigned by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
    Full text of the letter can be found here and below:
    Dear Secretary McMahon:
    We write with deep concern regarding the Trump administration’s recent actions to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) and the impact this will have on students with disabilities and their families. 
    Shuttering the Department will cause immense harm to all students, and especially students with disabilities and their families who rely on federal funding for key special education services and support. There are approximately 9.5 million students with disabilities in the United States. The Department administers critical programs to support these students, such as those authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and conducts vital oversight of federal civil rights laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 95 percent of students served under IDEA attend public schools, and these 7.5 million students comprise 15 percent of the public school population. 
    Over the years, the Department has developed specific expertise to deliver on the promise that children with disabilities will have equal and fair access to educational opportunity in the United States. Congress has promised to families that students with disabilities will have a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment and has specifically charged the Department of Education with making that promise real in the lives of students with disabilities. It administers programs that support employment outcomes, like the Vocational Rehabilitation Services program which supports jobseekers with disabilities in preparing for and succeeding at work, including for underserved communities such as Native Americans.  Yet, on March 20th, President Trump signed an executive order directing the closure of the Department.  This followed your decision earlier this month to move forward with a reduction in force plan that will critically damage your ability to fulfill your statutory duties to students with disabilities by eliminating nearly half of your workforce.
    It is essential to recognize the vital role the Department plays in safeguarding the rights of students with disabilities. We are concerned by President Trump’s effort to transfer implementation and oversight of special education to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a move which you indicated you support during your confirmation hearing. The Department of Education has the statutory authority to implement and enforce IDEA. Without an act of Congress giving authority to HHS, this administration’s attempts to shift IDEA responsibility to HHS will merely prevent the law from being enforced at all. The Senate report from 1979 on the creation of the Department of Education found that the “significant, but carefully restrained Federal role in education…is severely hampered by its burial in [The Department of Health, Education and Welfare]…its confusing lines of authority and administration, its fragmentation, and its obvious lack of direction.”  In other words, the Senate’s findings in 1979 indicate that this department structure was inefficient and resulted in a lack of attention to public education. The Department of Education is the only agency with an existing institutional infrastructure and a staff of subject matter experts dedicated to ensuring equal educational opportunity for children and students with disabilities. More than this, disabled students deserve to be seen as and treated as the learners and scholars they are. Students with disabilities belong in classrooms alongside their nondisabled peers, and they deserve the accommodations and supports that enable them to thrive. Because of the Department of Education’s specific expertise, it is best positioned to do the job well and efficiently. Transferring these authorities to HHS will not only overburden an agency already confronting massive workforce cuts orchestrated by this administration, but it will also stretch HHS beyond its expertise as medical, rather than educational, professionals.
    We are alarmed by the potential consequences your proposed reassignment will have on the larger framework of education for students with disabilities. Prior to the passage of IDEA, only one in five children with disabilities were educated in schools, and more than 1.8 million children were systemically excluded from public school in the United States.  Disabilities were seen as medical conditions to be treated and as a result, many children with disabilities were institutionalized rather than educated. We cannot risk regression to an outdated and dehumanizing perspective on disability, which prevented millions of children from accessing the inclusive public education they deserve. Our entire nation benefits when disabled people have equal access to a high-quality education that enables them to use their gifts and talents.
    Additionally, the Trump administration instituted a one-month freeze on investigating discrimination complaints, an unprecedented decision even during a presidential transition. The Office for Civil Rights currently faces a backlog of 12,000 investigations, half of which involve students with disabilities. While the freeze was lifted February 20th for disability discrimination claims, we are concerned that the Department will still not have the capacity to process the backlog of 6,000 disability claims, as well as any incoming additional claims—especially considering the unjustified termination of dedicated public servants across the 12 regional divisions of the Office for Civil Rights.
    While all disabled students are harmed when supports are taken away and barriers left unchecked, disabled students of color are harmed disproportionately relative to disabled white students and nondisabled students of color. Students of color are misidentified for special education – both improperly identified and improperly excluded from identification, overrepresented in restrictive placements (segregated from their nondisabled peers) and disciplined in school.  Because of cuts to the Office for Civil Rights, as well as undermining the administration of education programs such as Title I that serve low-income students (who are disproportionately of color), disabled students of color stand to suffer the greatest harms of your policy actions. The Department of Education’s irreplaceable role providing guardrails and enforcing laws has allowed progress towards the goal of equal opportunity in education. While the work is unfinished, we must move forward not backwards.
    In a speech on March 3rd, you called for the elimination of “unnecessary bureaucracy” at the Department.  Yet, the Department has the smallest staff of any Cabinet-level agency while administering the third-largest discretionary budget. Prior to the recent firings, this number stood at 4,245 employees, including over 700 employees dedicated to addressing the needs of students with disabilities.  More than 1,300 employees have since been fired, in addition to over 500 employees who have opted for separation packages. Indiscriminate firings of workers who are stewards of federal dollars appropriated by Congress with the mandate of ensuring equal access to education for all students does not eliminate “bureaucracy;” it merely impedes the Department’s ability to carry out its work on behalf of children. Indeed, following the recent reduction in force, a coalition of 20 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit arguing the layoffs are so severe the Department “can no longer function, and cannot comply with its statutory requirements.”
    We are also concerned about the combined efforts from the Department and the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) to slash $900 million in education-related research and over $600 million in educator preparation grants. These cuts will negatively impact critical research into best practices to support students with disabilities who have the shared dream of graduating high school and contributing to our economy.  The cuts also result in the suspension of highly successful programs designed to address the special education teacher shortage which has been consistent over decades and negatively impacts the educational outcomes of students with disabilities. We cannot effectively serve students with disabilities or make informed policy decisions without quality information and highly qualified teachers.
    It is critical that students, parents, teachers, and schools have clear and accurate guidance in response to these recent actions to ensure and affirm the right of all students with disabilities to a free and appropriate public education.
    We request that you respond to the following questions by no later than April 11, 2025.
    Please provide a complete list of all terminated grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements that impact students with disabilities.
    Please provide the guidance developed by the Department and DOGE to determine which grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to cancel.
    How many Department employees have been affected by the reduction in force who conduct essential functions pertaining to serving students with disabilities?
    How many employees impacted by the reduction in force are involved in investigating civil rights complaints? Of those employees, how many were investigating disability discrimination cases? 
    How many employees impacted by the reduction in force are responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)? How many employees in the Office of the General Counsel who focused on oversight of IDEA were impacted? What provisions have been made to ensure that oversight of that law continues?
    As of January 20th, 2025, how many Department staff were employed in the Institute of Education Sciences’ National Center for Special Education Research, and how many staff have been impacted by the Department’s Reduction in Force (RIF) announced on March 11th, 2025?
    Given the recent RIF and media reported cancellations of Institute of Education Sciences’ routine activities, what is the Department’s plan to carry out special education research, including the statutorily required scientific peer-review for research grants awarded by National Center for Special Education Research?
    What, if any, criteria are the Department of Education using to determine which employees and divisions to cut or eliminate?
    What is your plan to ensure that all statutory obligations to students with disabilities are properly delivered in light of recent executive actions?
    Do you commit to the timely investigation of all disability-based discrimination complaints received by the Office for Civil Rights?
    What evidence do you have that indicates transferring existing programs to other agencies will be more efficient and improve outcomes for students with disabilities?
    How will the Department continue to monitor compliance with the significant disproportionality requirement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its implementing regulation? How will cuts to OCR, OSERS, and OESE affect the Department’s ability to ensure students are protected from discrimination based on disability and race?
    This letter has been endorsed by the following organizations: Access Ready Inc., American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), The Arc of Delaware, The Arc of the United States, Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), Association of University Centers On Disabilities (AUCD), Autism Society of America, Center for Learner Equity, CommunicationFIRST, Council of Administrators of Special Education, Inc. (CASE), Council for Exceptional Children, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Delaware State Education Association (DSEA), Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF), Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children (DEC),Division for Learning Disabilities of the Council for Exceptional Children, Michigan Alliance for Special Education, MomsRising, Muscular Dystrophy Association, National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), National Down Syndrome Society, National Education Association (NEA), New America’s Early & Elementary Education Policy Team, School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA).
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fischer Joins “Mornings with Maria” to Discuss Fulfilling Promises to Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer

    Click the image above to watch a video of Sen. Fischer’s remarks
    Click here to download audioClick here to download video
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined Maria Bartiromo today on FoxBusiness to discuss the path forward to making President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent. Senator Fischer highlighted President Trump’s support of the Senate’s budget framework and emphasized the need for Republicans to work together to fulfill their promises to the American people. 
    During the interview, Senator Fischer also stressed the importance of giving President Trump time to address unfair trading practices, particularly those affecting ag producers and manufacturers.On Making Tax Cuts Permanent
    Fischer: “Well, when we passed our budget resolution last week, we were just starting the process. That’s a framework that we use here in the Senate, along with the House. In order to have reconciliation so we can meet President Trump’s agenda: to support our troops, to secure the border, to unleash American energy, and to keep taxes low. What we’re looking at here in the Senate is to make our tax cuts that we passed in 2017 permanent. If we don’t, the American public will see a $4 trillion tax increase at the end of 2026. I look forward to working with the House to make sure that we can meet all those extremely important points that we have promised the American people.”
    On President Trump Supporting the Senate’s Budget Framework  Fischer: “You know, I think we can work together to get this done. That’s our goal. We all want to be able to get this done for the American people right now. If we don’t make those tax cuts permanent, as I said, that’s a $4 trillion tax increase. The family of four that makes about $80,000 they would see $1,700 tax increase. We promised to keep taxes low. That’s one of our promises and President Trump likes ours.”On Giving President Trump Time to Address Unfair Trading Practices
    Fischer: “I want to give the President time. That’s where I’m at, and that’s where Nebraskans are, too. To be able to give the President time, as you quoted what he had put up this morning, I agree with those points. We’re seeing a decrease in oil prices. We’re seeing food prices come down. 
    “Here in Congress, we are looking at spending cuts to get spending under control. We’re looking at getting rid of a lot of regulations out there. All of that is part of this package. So, when we wait for the President’s tariffs to be able to have an impact on the unfair trade practices that we have seen against ag producers, against manufacturing here in America, we want to make sure that we’re going to be addressing that.”On Leveling the Playing Field for American-Grown Energy
    Fischer: “Nebraska is an ethanol state, we are the second largest producer. When we talk about ethanol, ethanol from Brazil comes in with no tariff right now, none. They pay zero. But yet, when we export ethanol to Brazil, 18%. Those kinds of actions by other countries need to stop. Those are prohibitive for exports. We had an administration under Joe Biden that did nothing. They had no interest whatsoever in trade. We saw an over $40 billion trade deficit. That has to stop, so we’re giving the President time.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Budget delivers significant stamp duty cuts

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    A range of new and expanded measures will further support Canberrans to find a home that suits their needs.

    The ACT Government is supporting more Canberrans to buy a home by extending a range of stamp duty concessions and exemptions.

    Funding in the 2024–2025 ACT Budget will save many more first home buyers tens of thousands of dollars when they buy their first home.

    It also includes specific assistance for downsizers, people with a disability and those fleeing domestic violence.

    Home Buyer Concession Scheme

    The ACT Government is making major changes to the Home Buyer Concession Scheme.

    Buyers are eligible for the full stamp duty concession on the first $1 million of property value.

    This will save eligible Canberrans up to $34,000 in tax when they purchase their home.

    The Budget expands the scheme from 1 July 2024 to:

    1. increase the income eligibility threshold to $250,000 a year for homebuyers who have not owned a property in the previous five years (this is an increase from $170,000 a year for homebuyers who have not owned a property in the previous two years)
    2. enable homebuyers with children to earn an additional $4,600 per child and stay eligible (up from an additional $3,330 per child).

    People fleeing family violence can have owned a property in the previous five years.

    Helping more Canberrans buy a new apartment or townhouse

    The Government has also temporarily expanded the stamp duty concession for off-the-plan unit-titled apartments and townhouses to include properties valued up to $1 million in 2024-25.

    This will begin from 1 July 2024 and will support more Canberrans to buy an apartment or townhouse.

    Currently, homebuyers do not have to pay stamp duty on off-the-plan unit-titled apartments and townhouses valued up to $800,000.

    Supporting more housing options in existing suburbs

    The Budget will temporarily extend the RZ1 Unit Duty Exemption Scheme to include properties valued up to $1 million in 2024-25.

    This will align with the Off-The-Plan Unit Duty Exemption.

    Announced in October 2023, this Scheme applies to the first transfer of unit-titled dwellings on suburban residential (RZ1) blocks.

    It is for purchases valued up to $800,000, between 27 November 2023 and 30 June 2026.

    The announcement coincided with the commencement of the new Territory Plan, which allows dual occupancy developments on large suburban residential blocks (over 800 square metres).

    This extension further supports the development of more dual-occupancy homes in existing suburbs.

    It will create more opportunities for Canberrans to find a home, including people looking to downsize in the suburbs they’ve long called home.

    More support for people with a disability

    The existing Disability Duty Concession Scheme is available to eligible homebuyers with a disability.

    The scheme will be extended from 1 July 2024 to provide a full stamp duty concession on the first $1 million of property value, to further support people with a long-term or permanent disability.

    As a result, a partial concession is now available for properties over $1 million. Previously, the scheme was limited to properties valued up to $1 million.

    There will also be a new Severe Disability Duty Exemption from 1 July 2025 to support people with a severe disability, and their carers, to find a home.

    This new exemption will mean people with severe disability and their carers will not have to pay stamp duty if the home they are buying is their principal place of residence.

    The home does not have to be bought by a Special Disability Trust.

    Supporting more pensioners to downsize

    The Government has also extended the Pensioner Duty Concession Scheme from 1 July2024.

    Pensioners will receive a full stamp duty concession on the first $1 million of property value.

    A partial concession will be available for properties over $1 million.

    This extension will support more pensioners to downsize.

    The existing scheme provides a full stamp duty concession for homes valued up to $550,000, with a decreasing concession to zero for homes valued between $550,000 and $765,000. 

    These 2024-25 ACT Budget initiatives relate to the ACT Wellbeing Framework’s housing and home wellbeing domain.

    For more information, visit the ACT Revenue Office website​​​​​​​.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Norcross, Boyle Introduce Bills to Give Tax Breaks to Workers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

    WASHINGTON, DC —Today, Representatives Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA) announced the introduction of their bills, the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act and Tax Fairness for Workers Act. Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) joined the members in leading the introduction of the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act.  

    The No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act will end the ability for corporations to deduct union busting expenses from their taxes. The Tax Fairness for Workers Act will allow workers to deduct employment expenses such as union dues, travel, and uniform costs, restoring a deduction that was stripped by the 2017 Trump tax law.  

    “The No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act and Tax Fairness for Workers Act both focus on protecting America’s workers,” said Rep. Norcross. “Every worker deserves a free and fair choice to join or form a union, and it’s time that our tax code reflects that. The No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act will end corporate handouts for union-busting campaigns, make our tax code fairer, and level the playing field for workers. The Tax Fairness for Workers Act will restore fairness and put money back into the pockets of workers who bet on themselves. During a time when the Trump Administration is attacking workers’ rights, I’m honored to have Representatives Brendan Boyle and Judy Chu partner with me in the fight to put more money into the pockets of hardworking Americans.”     

    “While Republicans continue to push tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations, we are focused on easing the burden on hardworking people and strengthening unions. It’s time for a tax system that works for teachers buying school supplies, workers paying for uniforms, and union members fighting for fair wages,” said Rep. Boyle. “The Tax Fairness for Workers Act and the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act are both key steps in restoring fairness and supporting those who build our economy.”  

    “We need policies and a tax code that support American workers and ensure wealthy corporations pay their fair share,” said Rep. Chu. “But in the last few months, this Trump-Musk administration and its corporate allies have waged an all-out assault on worker rights: paralyzing the agencies responsible for enforcing fair labor laws, revoking collective bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of federal employees, and advancing trillions in tax cuts for corporations – the same ones that spend heavily on anti-union campaigns against their own workers, and then write that off as a business expense. We need to pass our No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act to finally end the government subsidies for illegal union-busting, as well as the Tax Fairness for Workers Act to once again allow union employees to deduct their dues from their taxes.” 

    “There’s nothing fair about a tax code that’s loaded with deductions and giveaways for corporate union busters and the super-wealthy while penalizing workers for exercising their right to have a seat at the table,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “At a time when high costs are squeezing working families and the freedom to form a union is under attack, AFSCME thanks Reps. Boyle and Norcross for spearheading commonsense legislation like the Tax Fairness for Workers Act and the No Tax Breaks for Union Busters Act to level the playing field for workers.” 

    “It is unacceptable for Congress to support anti-worker tax provisions, especially when they’re considering more tax cuts for the wealthy while ignoring the urgent needs of working families. It’s time to give workers their fair share,” said Dan Mauer, Communications Workers of America’s Government Affairs Director. “Our tax code should prioritize workers organizing to have a voice on the job. That is why we wholeheartedly support the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act and the Tax Fairness for Workers Act. We commend Representatives Norcross, Boyle, Chu and all those championing a fairer tax system for working families.” 

    “The Tax Fairness for Workers Act will restore basic fairness to the tax code by allowing hard-working middle-class families to, once again, deduct common employment expenses like safety equipment, tools or the classroom supplies teachers use every day from their federal taxes—just as they could before Trump’s 2017 tax law, and just like the wealthy do now,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “It’s a simple, necessary step to right a wrong. This bill would make a noticeable difference to the monthly budget of millions. If a CEO can write off business expenses, workers should be able to do the same.” 

    The IAM Union applauds Senator Tina Smith and Representatives Donald Norcross and Brendan Boyle for introducing the Tax Fairness for Workers Act,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “The GOP’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act wrongly eliminated workers’ ability to deduct many employment related expenses, such as the cost of union dues, uniforms and tools. The IAM strongly supports the Tax Fairness for Workers Act, which rightly restores these tax deductions for working families.” 

    “The IAM Union applauds Senator Ben Ray Lujan and Representatives Donald Norcross, Brendan Boyle, and Judy Chu for introducing the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “Union busting, or union avoidance campaigns, have a chilling impact on workers’ ability to exercise their right to freely form and join unions.  This legislation would end the taxpayer subsidization of these anti-union, anti-American campaigns.” 

    The No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act would end taxpayer subsidies for corporations’ anti-union behavior by classifying corporate interference in worker organization campaigns like political speech rather than an “ordinary and necessary” business expense. Additionally, this bill would require corporations to report anti-worker interventions to the IRS and grant the Department of Treasury greater enforcement authority to hold them accountable for using company money to interfere in protected worker activities. 

    Read the full text here. 

    The Tax Fairness for Workers Act will allow workers to deduct common employment expenses such as travel, union dues, and uniform costs, restoring a deduction stripped by the 2017 Trump tax law. Workers will be able to deduct business expenses, just as employers can.  

    Read the full text here.  

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Cline Introduces No Union Time on the Taxpayer’s Dime Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06)

    Today, Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) joined Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) in introducing the No Union Time on the Taxpayer’s Dime Act, which would prohibit the use of “official time” by federal employees engaging in union activities while on the clock. This legislation would restore accountability to the federal workforce and ensure taxpayer dollars are used solely to serve the American people, not subsidize private union interests.

    “Taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for federal employees to conduct union business instead of fulfilling their official duties,” Rep. Cline said. “Ending ‘official time’ is a commonsense step to ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and to increase accountability across the federal workforce. Public funds should serve the American people, not private union interests.”

    Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) is introducing the companion legislation in the Senate.

    If enacted, this bill would:

    Eliminate the Use of Official Time: The bill would amend 5 U.S.C. § 7131 to make clear that any activity performed by an employee relating to the business of a labor organization must be carried out while the employee is in a non-duty status. In other words, federal employees can engage in union activities, but only on their own time and at their own expense.

    Ensure Taxpayer Funds Are Used Appropriately: According to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), federal employees spent 3.6 million hours performing union-related activities in 2016 alone, costing taxpayers $177.2 million. Even after reforms under the Trump Administration brought that number down to 2.6 million hours and $134.9 million in 2019, the lack of unified reporting means the full scope of the problem remains unknown today.

    Restore Accountability to the Federal Workforce: The current lack of transparency and weak statutory guardrails have enabled widespread abuse of official time. Some federal employees are spending the vast majority or all of their time engaged in union work rather than fulfilling the responsibilities of the positions for which they were hired. If you are being paid by the taxpayer, you should be doing the work of the taxpayer.

    Read the full text of the bill here.

    Background: 

    “Official time” was established under the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act to allow federal employees to represent labor organizations while remaining on the federal payroll. However, it has grown into an unaccountable and costly practice that diverts resources away from the core functions of government. Without reliable, up-to-date reporting requirements, the extent of the misuse is difficult to track, leaving the American people footing the bill for work that serves private union agendas rather than the public interest.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Malliotakis Reintroduces the University Accountability Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)

    (WASHINGTON, DC) –  Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) was joined by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) in reintroducing the University Accountability Act, legislation that would fine tax-exempt schools that violate students’ civil rights under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The legislation comes as colleges and universities across the United States still remain under fire for allowing and enabling antisemitic students to wreak havoc on their campuses.

     

    Under current federal law, a violation of Title VI, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin, can result in the loss of federal funds, but often times results in a mere corrective action that would bring the college or university back into compliance. The University Accountability Act would require colleges and universities that meet the penalty criteria to pay a fine of either five percent of the school’s aggregate administrative compensation as reported on the school’s Form 990, or $100,000, whichever is greater. After three civil rights violations, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would be required to review the college or university’s tax-exempt status for possible revocation.

     

    “Universities have a responsibility to protect their students from violence and discrimination but, instead, we’re seeing a disturbing increase in antisemitic attacks and rhetoric on college campuses,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. “Our legislation seeks to hold these institutions accountable and encourage them to investigate and crack down on instances of antisemitism to help foster a safer academic environment for all students, regardless of their gender, race or religion.”

     

    “I will continue to lead efforts to rid our colleges and universities of antisemitism alongside President Trump who is delivering on his promise to hold these failed institutions accountable for their neglect and abandonment of our Jewish students. The University Accountability Act will impose penalties on universities who violate the civil rights of their own students and put their undeserved tax-exempt status on the chopping block,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.

     

    “Since the horrific October 7, 2023, attacks, there has been a sharp rise in anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence on campuses, threatening Jewish students. The University Accountability Act ensures that any institution condoning this behavior is penalized by revoking its tax-exempt status and imposing harsh financial penalties. Not a dime of our tax dollars should be used to support colleges and universities that foster such heinous anti-Semitism,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.

     

    Last Congress, Malliotakis introduced several pieces of legislation to hold universities accountable, including the Combating Antisemitic Messaging and Promoting Unity in School Act (CAMPUS) Act, that would prohibit federal funding from going to schools that provide funding, tuition assistance, support, or a platform to an organization that engages in antisemitic behavior or fails to hold a faculty member who promotes antisemitism accountable, and the No Visas for Antisemitic Students Act, that would revoke students visas of foreign students in the United States who engage in antisemitic behavior.

     

    View the Bill Text HERE.

    Malliotakis is a member of the bipartisan House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group, and has voted for, introduced and cosponsored several pieces of legislation to provide critical military assistance to Israel, restore maximum pressure on Iran, crackdown on rising antisemitism on college campuses and secure federal security grants for the local Jewish community.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: From FIRST Robotics to NASA Rockets: Angel Saenz’s Journey to White Sands

    Source: NASA

    Long before joining NASA’s Test and Evaluation Support Team contract in October 2024, Angel Saenz was already an engineer at heart.
    A STEM education program at his high school helped unlock that passion, setting him on a path that would eventually lead to NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

    The program – FIRST Robotics Competition – is run by global nonprofit, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). It was the brainchild of prolific inventor Dean Kamen, best known for creating the Segway.
    In what the organization calls “the ultimate sport for the mind,” teams of students spend six weeks working under adult mentors—and strict rules—to design, program, and build industrial-sized robots before facing off in a themed tournament. Teams earn points for accomplishing various engineering feats, launching, grappling, and climbing their way through the obstacles of a game that’s less football and more American Ninja Warrior.
    Competing during the 2013 and 2014 seasons with the White Sands-sponsored Deming Thundercats, Saenz said FIRST was a link between abstract mathematical ideas and real-world applications.
    “Before joining FIRST, equations were just something I was told to solve for a grade, but now I was applying them and seeing how they were actually useful,” he said.
    By turning education into an extracurricular activity as compelling as video games and as competitive as any varsity sport, FIRST completely reshaped Saenz’s approach to learning.
    “There are lots of other things kids can choose to do outside of school, but engineering was always that thing for me,” he said. “I associate it with being a fun activity, I see it more as a hobby.”
    That kind of energy—as any engineer knows—cannot be destroyed. Today Saenz channels it into his work, tackling challenges with White Sand’s Composite Pressure group where he tests and analyzes pressure vessel systems, enabling their safe use in space programs.
    “Having that foundation really helps ground me,” he said. “When I see a problem, I can look back and say, ‘That’s like what happened in FIRST Robotics and here’s how we solved it.’”
    Deming High School teacher and robotics mentor David Wertz recognized Saenz’s aptitude for engineering, even when Saenz could not yet see it in himself.
    “He wasn’t aware that we were using the engineering process as we built our robot,” Wertz said, “but he was always looking for ways to iterate and improve our designs.”
    Saenz credits those early hands-on experiences for giving him a head start.
    “It taught me a lot of concepts that weren’t supposed to be learned until college,” he said.
    Armed with that knowledge, Saenz graduated from New Mexico State University in 2019 with a dual degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering.
    Now 28 years old, Saenz is already an accomplished professional. He adds White Sands to an impressive resume that includes past experiences with Albuquerque-based global manufacturing company Jabil and Kirtland Airforce Base.
    Though only five months into the job, Saenz’s future at White Sands was set into motion more than a decade ago when he took a field trip to the site with Wertz in 2013.
    “The kind invitations to present at White Sands or to take a tour of the facility has inspired many of the students to pursue degrees in engineering and STEM,” Wertz said. “The partnership continues to allow students to see the opportunities that are available for them if they are willing to put in the work.”
    In a full-circle moment, Saenz and Mr. Wertz recently found themselves together at White Sands once again for the 2024 Environmental, Innovation, Safety, and Health Day event. This time not as student and teacher, but as industry colleagues in a reunion that could not have been better engineered.

    The 2025 FIRST Robotics World Competition will take place in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center from April 16 to April 19. NASA will host an exciting robotics exhibit at the event, showcasing the future of technology and spaceflight. As many as 60,000 energetic fans, students, and industry leaders are expected to attend. Read more about NASA’s involvement with FIRST Robotics here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Five Individuals Face Federal Charges Following Multi-Agency Immigration Enforcement Operations (DOJ)

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    TLANTA – Five individuals have been charged in the Northern District of Georgia with firearms-related offenses during a multi-agency immigration enforcement operation in metro-Atlanta during the past week. The operations involved coordinated investigations led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable support from several local law enforcement partners. In addition to the individuals charged federally, law enforcement seized more than a dozen firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in connection with the operations.

    “Our office is proud to support our law enforcement partners in this effort and other enforcement initiatives to protect our communities and safeguard our national security,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. “This initiative sends a strong message to those engaged in criminal activity, whether regarding immigration-related or firearms offenses, that the ongoing and determined coordinated efforts of our federal and local law enforcement partners will achieve measurable results in making our communities safer.”

    “The successful enforcement actions taken during this multi-agency operation underscore HSI’s unwavering commitment to upholding immigration laws and targeting illegal aliens allegedly possessing and trafficking in firearms,” said Steven N. Schrank, special agent in charge of HSI Atlanta, which covers Georgia and Alabama. “By leveraging our partnerships and resources, we are identifying and apprehending those who exploit our immigration system to engage in criminal activities that threaten public safety and national security.”

    “ATF along with our federal law enforcement partners will utilize all resources to investigate firearms trafficking by transnational criminal organizations and cartels,” said Special Agent in Charge Benjamin Gibbons. “The success of these investigative efforts could not be accomplished without cohesive partnerships, which keep our communities safe.”

    “The DEA, along with our law enforcement partners, are sending a clear message to the Mexican drug cartels and their criminal associates, that keeping our communities safe is our highest priority,” said Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. 

    “FBI Atlanta is dedicated to supporting our federal partners in achieving our mutual objective of ensuring the safety of our communities,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This case clearly illustrates the success that can be achieved when federal agencies unite their resources and expertise to combat violent criminals.”

    According to Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie, the charges, and other information presented in court: From March 24 to April 2, 2025, federal law enforcement agencies conducted a series of enforcement operations targeting individuals allegedly committing firearms and other violations, including those illegally present in the United States.  During the operation, law enforcement seized 13 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.  Significantly, resulting investigations revealed that many of the firearms were bound for Mexico.

    The following defendants have been charged in connection with the operations:

    • Lucio Hernandez Mora, 45, of Riverdale, GA, was charged in a Criminal Complaint with possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully present in the United States.  On April 1, 2025, special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Department of Homeland Security, Enforcement and Removal Operations, executed a search warrant on a residence in Riverdale, Georgia and encountered Hernandez Mora, an illegal alien.  During a search of the residence, agents located two firearms, allegedly belonging to Hernandez Mora.
    • Cameron Vick, 22, of Atlanta, GA was indicted by a federal grand jury on nine counts of making a false statement to a firearms dealer in connection with the acquisition of firearms. Vick’s purchases included two belt-fed M249S rifles, believed to be destined for Mexico.  He was arrested on March 27, 2025.
    • Bernice Macias Montes, 31, of Atlanta, GA, was charged in a Criminal Complaint with making a false statement to a firearms dealer in connection with the acquisition of firearms.  ATF agents seized five firearms during a search of her residence on March 27, 2025.
    • Teresa Gonzales-Hoppo, 56, of Lithia Springs, GA, was charged in a Criminal Complaint with possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully present in the United States.  On March 27, 2025, ATF agents executed a search warrant on Gonzales-Hoppo’s residence and located a firearm, allegedly belonging to Gonzales-Hoppo.    
    • Carlos Sambrano, 28, of Rex, GA, was charged in a Criminal Complaint with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. ATF agents located seven firearms in his residence during the execution of a March 27, 2025, search warrant. 

    Hernandez Mora made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda T. Walker on April 1, 2025.  Gonzales-Hoppo made her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge John K. Larkins, III on March 28, 2025.  Vick, Macias Montes and Sambrano also made their initial appearances before Judge Larkins on March 27, 2025. 

    Members of the public are reminded that the Criminal Complaints and Indictment only contain charges.  The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

    These cases are being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable assistance provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Secret Service, Georgia State Patrol, Sandy Springs Police Department, Doraville Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Clayton County Police Department, South Fulton Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Gwinnett County Police Department, Clarkston Police Department and East Point Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys with the Northern District of Georgia, including those assigned to the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN), provided valuable support for these operations.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    The specific mission of the David G. Wilhelm Atlanta OCDETF Strike Force (Atlanta Strike Force) is to eliminate transnational organized crime syndicates and major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations in the Atlanta metropolitan area and the Northern District of Georgia. To accomplish this mission, the Atlanta Strike Force will target these organizations’ leaders, focusing on targets designated as Consolidated Priority Organization Targets, Regional Priority Organization Targets, and their associates.  The Atlanta Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers from ATF, DEA, FBI, HSI, USMS, USPIS, and IRS, as well as numerous state and local agencies; and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: CEA Chairman Steve Miran Hudson Institute Event Remarks

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Today I’d like to discuss the United States’ provision of what economists call “global public goods,” for the entire world.  First, the United States provides a security umbrella which has created the greatest era of peace mankind has ever known.  Second, the U.S. provides the dollar and Treasury securities, reserve assets which make possible the global trading and financial system which has supported the greatest era of prosperity mankind has ever known. 
    Both of these are costly to us to provide.  On the defense side, our men and women in uniform take heroic risks to make our nation and the world safer, preserving our liberties generation after generation.  And we tax hardworking Americans mightily to finance global security.  On the financial side, the reserve function of the dollar has caused persistent currency distortions and contributed, along with other countries’ unfair barriers to trade, to unsustainable trade deficits.  These trade deficits have decimated our manufacturing sector and many working-class families and their communities, to facilitate non-Americans trading with each other.
    Let me clarify that by “reserve currency,” I mean all the international functions of the dollar—private savings and trade included.  I’ve often used the example that when private agents in two separate foreign countries trade with each other, it’s typically denominated in dollars because of America’s status as the reserve provider.  That trade entails savings housed in dollar securities, often Treasurys.  As a result of all this, Americans have been paying for peace and prosperity not just for themselves, but for non-Americans too.
    President Trump has made it clear that he will no longer stand for other nations free-riding on our blood, sweat, and tears, whether in national security or trade.  The Trump Administration has already, in its first hundred days, moved forcefully to reorient our defense and trading relationships to place Americans on fairer ground.  The President has promised to rebuild our broken industrial base and pursue trade terms that put American workers and businesses first.
    I’m an economist and not a military strategist, so I’ll dwell more on trade than on defense, but the two are deeply connected.  To see how it works, imagine two foreign nations, say China and Brazil, trading with each other.  Neither country has a currency that is trusted, liquid, and convertible, which makes trading with each other challenging.  However, because they can transact in U.S. dollars backed by U.S. Treasuries, they are able to trade freely with each other and prosper.  Such trade can only occur because of U.S. military might ensuring our financial stability and the credibility of our borrowing.  Our military and financial dominance cannot be taken for granted; and the Trump Administration is determined to preserve them.
    But our financial dominance comes at a cost.  While it is true that demand for dollars has kept our borrowing rates low, it has also kept currency markets distorted.  This process has placed undue burdens on our firms and workers, making their products and labor uncompetitive on the global stage, and forcing a decline of our manufacturing workforce by over a third since its peak1 and a reduction in our share of world manufacturing production of 40%.
    We need to be able to make things in this country, as we saw during Covid, when many of our supply chains could not survive without being reliant on our biggest adversary, China.  We clearly should not rely on our biggest adversary for equipment essential to keeping our population safe and secure.  Nor should our biggest adversary be allowed to benefit so much from an international security and financial architecture we finance.
    There are other unfortunate side effects of providing reserve assets.  Others may buy our assets to manipulate their own currency to keep their exports cheap.  In doing so, they end up pumping so much money into the U.S. economy that it fuels economic vulnerabilities and crises.  For example, in the years running up to the 2008 crash, China along with many foreign financial institutions, increased their holdings of U.S. mortgage debt, which helped fuel the housing bubble, forcing hundreds of billions of dollars of credit into the housing sector without regard as to whether the investments made sense.  China played a meaningful role creating the Global Financial Crisis.  It took almost a decade to recover, until President Trump got us back on track in his first term.
    In my view, to continue providing these twin global public goods, there needs to be improved burden-sharing at the global level.  If other nations want to benefit from the U.S. geopolitical and financial umbrella, then they need to pull their weight, and pay their fair share.  The costs cannot be solely borne by everyday Americans who have already given so much.
    The best outcome is one in which America continues to create global peace and prosperity and remain the reserve provider, and other countries not only participate in reaping the benefits, but they also participate in bearing the costs.  By improving burden sharing, we can enhance resilience, and preserve the global security and trading systems for many decades into the future.
    Moreover, it is critical not just for fairness, but for capacity.  We are under siege by hostile adversaries trying to erode our manufacturing and defense industrial base and disrupt our financial system; we will be able to provide neither defense nor reserve assets if our manufacturing capacity is hollowed out.  The President has been clear that the United States is committed to remaining the reserve provider, but that the system must be made fairer.  We need to rebuild our industries to project the strength needed to protect reserve status, and we need to be able to pay our bills to do so.
    What forms can that burden sharing take?  There are many options, here are a few ideas:
    First, other countries can accept tariffs on their exports to the United States without retaliation, providing revenue to the U.S. Treasury to finance public goods provision.  Critically, retaliation will exacerbate rather than improve the distribution of burdens and make it even more difficult for us to finance global public goods.
    Second, they can stop unfair and harmful trading practices by opening their markets and buying more from America;
    Third, they can boost defense spending and procurement from the U.S., buying more U.S.-made goods, and taking strain off our servicemembers and creating jobs here;
    Fourth, they can invest in and install factories in America.  They won’t face tariffs if they make their stuff in this country;
    Fifth, they could simply write checks to Treasury that help us finance global public goods.
    Tariffs deserve some extra attention.  Most economists and some investors dismiss tariffs as counterproductive at best and devastatingly harmful at worst.  They’re wrong. 
    One reason the economic consensus on tariffs is so wrong is because nearly all of the models that economists use to study international trade assume either no trade deficits at all, or assume that deficits are short-lived and quickly self-correct through currency adjustments.  According to standard models, trade deficits will cause the dollar to weaken, which reduces imports and boosts exports, eventually wiping out the trade deficit.  If that happens, tariffs may be unnecessary, because trade will balance itself over time and, in this view, intervening with tariffs can only make things worse.
    However, that view is at odds with reality.  The United States has run current account deficits now for five decades, and these have widened precipitously in recent years, going from about 2% of GDP in the first Trump Administration to a high of nearly 4% of GDP in the Biden Administration2.  And this has happened all while the dollar has appreciated, not depreciated!
    The long run is here, and the models are wrong.  One reason is that they fail to account for the U.S. provision of the global reserve currency.  Reserve status matters and, because demand for the dollar has been insatiable, it has been too strong for international flows to balance, even over five decades.
    More recent economic analyses3 allow for the possibility of persistent trade deficits that resist automatically rebalancing, which is more in line with reality in the U.S.  They show that by imposing tariffs against exporting countries, the U.S. can improve economic outcomes, raise revenues, and impose huge losses for the tariffed nation, even with full retaliation.
    In this sense, analysis of what economists call the “incidence” of tariffs indicates that a large share and burden of the tariffs are “paid for” by the country on which we’re applying the tariffs.  Countries that run large trade surpluses are pretty inflexible—they can’t find other sources of demand to substitute for America’s.  Instead, they have no choice but to export, and America is the largest consumer market in the world.  By contrast, America has plenty of substitution options: we can make stuff at home, or we can buy from countries that treat us fairly instead of from countries that take advantage of us.  This difference in leverage means that other countries end up bearing the cost of tariffs.
    In 2018-2019, China bore the cost of President Trump’s historic tariffs through a weaker currency, meaning their citizens became poorer, with less purchasing power on the global stage.  The tariff revenue, paid for by China, was used to finance President Trump’s tax cuts for American workers and firms.  This time around, tariffs will help pay for both tax cuts and deficit reduction.
    Lower taxes on Americans, financed in part by revenue provided from foreigners, will create economic growth, dynamism, and opportunity the likes of which our country has never seen, ushering in President Trump’s new Golden Age.  Deficit reduction will help lower Treasury rates, and with them mortgage rates and consumer credit card rates, stimulating an economic boom.
    It is important to note here that tariffs are not levied simply to collect revenues.  For example, the President’s reciprocal tariffs are designed to address tariff and non-tariff barriers and other forms of cheating like currency manipulation, dumping, and subsidies to gain unfair advantage.  Revenue is a nice side effect, and if it is used in part for lowering taxes, it can help turbo-charge competitiveness improvements that boost U.S. exports.
    Burden sharing can allow the United States to continue leading the free world for many decades.  It’s a must not only for fairness, but for feasibility.  If we don’t rebuild our manufacturing sector, we will be strained in providing the security we need for our safety and to underpin our financial markets.  The world can still have the American defense umbrella and trading system, but it’s got to start paying its fair share for them.  Thank you, and I am happy to take some questions.
    [1] https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MANEMP
    [2] https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/BN.CAB.XOKA.GD.ZS?locations=US
    [3] https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5008591

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Slams Republican Budget That Slashes Medicaid to Fund Billionaires-First Tax Windfall and Add Trillions to the Debt

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    WASHINGTON, DC – Early this morning, after an overnight vote-a-thon, the U.S. Senate voted 51-48 to pass a controversial Republican budget framework.  Republicans used unprecedented budget gimmicks to pretend that adding over $4.6 trillion to the debt in the coming years by extending the Trump Tax Giveaways will magically add $0 to the national debt.  The GOP-approved budget likely will lead to severely slashing Medicaid and core programs that families depend on. 
    Now that Senate Republicans advanced their budget framework, it unlocks a process where both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate will work on the actual details of the legislation, saving their differences to hammer out later. 
    U.S. Senator Jack Reed voted against the Republican budget, stating:
    “Under the cover of late Friday night and into Saturday morning, Senate Republicans set in motion a process that will require massive borrowing and tax giveaways to the wealthiest.  The Republican budget would tear holes in Medicaid and the social safety net that helps Americans when they need a hand.”
    Two Republicans, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Rand Paul (R-KY) joined Democrats in voting against the Republican budget.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Boone County Schools Maintenance Supervisor Pleads Guilty to $3.4 Million Fraud Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Michael David Barker, 47, of Foster, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Barker admitted to a scheme to defraud the Boone County Schools system by more than $3.4 million while employed as the maintenance director.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, from about November 2019 through December 2023, Barker ordered custodial and janitorial supplies for Boone County Schools from Jesse Marks and his company, Rush Enterprises. These supplies included hand soap, trash can liners, face masks, face shields, and hand sanitizer.

    Barker admitted that he and Marks agreed that Rush Enterprises would overbill the Boone County Board of Education for these supplies. As part of this scheme, Barker approved invoices on behalf of Rush Enterprises that significantly inflated the number of products that were actually delivered to Boone County Schools. Barker submitted these fraudulent invoices to the Boone County Board of Education, which relied on them to mail checks to Rush Enterprises using the United States Mail.

    Marks deposited the checks from Boone County Schools into the business bank account for Rush Enterprises, wrote himself checks on that account that he cashed at various banks, and personally delivered some of that cash to Barker in manila envelopes. Barker admitted that he spent the cash delivered by Marks to buy vehicles and equipment and make substantial improvements to his residence in Foster.

    Marks deducted the cost of the products actually delivered to Boone County Schools from the proceeds of the overbilling scheme. Boone County Schools paid Rush Enterprises $4,310,714.82 from in or about November 2019 through in or about December 2023. Barker admitted that approximately 80 percent of the total payments received by Rush Enterprises, or $3,448,571.85, was based on fraudulent invoices.

    Barker is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Barker also owes $3,400,000 in restitution.

    “Mr. Barker took advantage of COVID-19 pandemic relief funds and put his own greed above the interests of the Boone County School system and the children it serves,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “His actions caused serious reputable harm and diminished the trust in the Boone County School system.”

    Marks, 65, of Rush, Kentucky, pleaded guilty on February 27, 2025, to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 28, 2025.

    Barker’s parents, Michael P. Barker, 68, and Lana Barker, 66, both of Foster, pleaded guilty on March 3, 2025, to structuring transactions with one or more domestic financial institutions. They admitted to making 11 cash deposits to their bank accounts totaling $97,215 starting on or about November 7, 2023, through on or about November 28, 2023. Financial institutions are required to report cash deposits of more than $10,000, and federal law prohibits structuring multiple cash deposits to avoid this reporting requirement. The deposits were in amounts ranging from $8,000 to $9,500 specifically to avoid the currency reporting requirement. The structuring scheme was uncovered by the same investigation that resulted in the indictment of their son. Michael P. Barker is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23, 2025, and Lana Barker is scheduled to be sentenced on July 1, 2025.

    Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Education-Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the West Virginia State Police, and the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office (WVSAO) Public Integrity and Fraud Unit (PIFU), and the assistance provided by the West Virginia Department of Education.

    “This case is a result of outstanding teamwork and reflects the tireless dedication of this office and its law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who stole from the American people during a national emergency,” Johnston said. “We will continue to pursue all available avenues to recover defrauded public funds and identify and prosecute those responsible.”

    United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Gabriel Price is prosecuting the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-194.

    ###

     

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: The United States can no longer continue with the policy of unilateral economic surrender.

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    “The United States can no longer continue with the policy of unilateral economic surrender.

    WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR PEOPLE, AND WE’RE GONNA TAKE CARE OF OUR PEOPLE FIRST.” –President Donald J. Trump

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNzGsyfO7vA

    MIL OSI Video –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Money laundering gang who exploited Russia-Ukraine war jailed

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Two people have been jailed for a combined 13 years for laundering more than £6 million, after an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s economic crime team.

    The group used criminal money to purchase vans and lorries in the UK and sold them to Ukraine. The earnings were then converted into cryptocurrency. They exploited the legitimate demand in Ukraine for vehicles as part of their war effort, and the lack of cryptocurrency regulation, to maximise their profit and made millions in just over a year.

    Valeriy Popovych, 52, (08.09.1972) of The Avenue, Sudbury‐on‐Thames, and Vitaliy Lutsak, 43, (07.08.1981) of Shortmead Drive, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, were sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court on Monday, 7 April, following a five-week trial.

    Oksana Popovych, 42, (19.03.1983) of The Avenue, Sudbury‐on‐Thames is due to be sentenced on Friday, 30 May at Wood Green Crown Court.

    They were all found guilty of transferring criminal property and running an unregistered money service business, following an investigation by the Met.

    The criminal enterprise enabled Valeriy and Oksana Popovych and to purchase a second house in South West London for just under £1 million.

    Detective Constable Harry Davies, from the Metropolitan Police, who led the investigation, said:

    “This was a thorough and complex investigation into an organised crime gang operating internationally, I’d like to thank the dedicated officers and our partners for their work in bringing this group to justice.

    “Mr Popovych presented himself as a hardworking, legitimate tradesman and used his reputation within the second-hand lorry market to clean criminal cash. He also callously saw the conflict in Ukraine as a lucrative business opportunity.

    “The sentences given to the group today show how committed we are in tackling organised crime groups and the serious risk they pose to our communities.”

    The investigation

    Valeriy Popovych ran an export business, Sprint Commercial Ltd, purchasing vehicles in the UK from legitimate traders and selling them in Ukraine. His wife, Valeriy Popovych, was also employed by the business.

    He would purchase the goods with criminal cash, the money was deposited in Ukraine and converted to cryptocurrency.

    Lutsak acted as the money co-ordinator and would send the Popovychs to collect criminal cash from ‘customers’ in the UK. During the investigation officers found more than $14million in cryptocurrency had passed through his “cyrptowallets” stored on his computer.

    A part of the laundered cash was controlled by a Russian National called Semen Kuksov, who was convicted on Friday, 27 October 2023 at Southwark Crown Court, under the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) Operation Destabilise.

    Kuksov was sentenced to five years and seven months’ imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, 1 February 2024.

    The arrests

    Acting on intelligence, on Wednesday, 28 June 2023, police stopped a vehicle in Twickenham in which Valeiry Popovych was the passenger. Following a search of the vehicle Met officers found more than £60,000 in cash and arrested him at the scene.

    During a further search at his address on Gloucester Road, Feltham, officers recovered £130,000 in cash. This was seized, alongside a laptop and mobile devices.

    Following Popovych’s arrest, extensive investigations by the Economic Crime Unit discovered the link with Oksana and Lutsak, who were arrested at their homes on Wednesday, 15 May 2024. Lutsak was charged on the same day.

    Valeriy and Oksana Popvych were charged on Tuesday, 14 June 2024.

    They were all found guilty by the jury on Wednesday, 5 March 2025 at Wood Green Crown Court.

    A variety of complex evidence was obtained by officers, including chats, money transactions, CCTV, cryptocurrency wallets and call logs.

    The Met’s economic crime unit worked with partner agencies including the NCA, HM Revenue and Customs and the Financial Conduct Authority to conduct a robust investigation.

    Messages outlined key times in which Valeriy and Popovych visited addresses to collect cash.

    The most crucial element was an Excel spreadsheet, named ‘V Enf Acc’. This document proved the group laundered over £6 million between August 2022 and June 2023.

    Valeriy Popovych and Vitaliy Lutsak were were both sentenced to six years and six months’ imprisonment.

    They were all found guilty of transferring criminal property over the value of £6 million under Section 327 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and running an unregistered money service business under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017.

    Negeen Momtahen, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

    “Together, these defendants used an export business as a front to launder millions of pounds of criminal cash across borders. They attempted to conceal the source of this illicit money by using secret token exchanges and cryptocurrency.

    “Money laundering is not a victimless crime – it is the financial lifeline which enables criminals to profit from their illegal activities.

    “Last year we convicted other key members of this same money laundering network. I hope this latest prosecution demonstrates our ongoing determination to dismantling these criminal operations and bringing all involved to justice.

    “We will be pursuing confiscation proceedings against the defendants to remove any available criminal benefits gained from this enterprise.”

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The 2025-26 Budget Delivers More Affordability Measures for Saskatchewan Residents

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on April 7, 2025

    The 2025-26 Budget delivers affordability for the people of Saskatchewan. In this year’s budget, record investments are being made in health care, education and community safety, in addition to delivering more affordability measures than ever before. 

    “This budget follows through on our promise to ensure Saskatchewan remains the most affordable place in Canada to live, work, raise a family and start a business,” Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance Jim Reiter said. 

    The taxation changes introduced in the 2025-26 Budget, including the initiatives in The Saskatchewan Affordability Act, provide over $250 million in tax savings this year. This is in addition to the more than $2 billion in affordability measures in each and every budget.

    Included in these changes are the largest personal income tax reduction in the province since 2008 by raising the basic personal exemption, spousal and equivalent-to-spouse exemption and dependent child exemption by $500 a year for the next four years – over and above the impact of indexation. Upon full implementation, an additional 54,000 residents will no longer be paying provincial income tax. 

    “This year’s budget reduces income taxes for every resident, family and small business in the province,” Reiter said. “It also helps make life more affordable for seniors, families with children, persons with disabilities, caregivers, new graduates, first-time homebuyers, people renovating their homes and more.”

    Families benefit from the Fertility Treatment Tax Credit, helping individuals or couples cover costs associated with fertility treatments. Doubling the Active Families Benefit tax credit and raising the qualifying income threshold to $120,000 will make accessing children’s sports, arts, cultural and recreational activities more affordable. 

    Seniors receive an increase in the senior supplement amount by $500 annually for the next four years, starting in 2025 – over and above the impact of indexation. An increase to the Personal Care Home Benefit will help more than 2,000 low-income seniors with the cost of living in a licensed personal care home. 

    The Graduate Retention Program has also increased, with a maximum benefit of $24,000 for students who live and work in Saskatchewan after graduating from a post-secondary institution. The Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship provides up to $3,000 for Grade 12 students who will be attending post-secondary institutions in the province. 

    Making housing more affordable is also a priority. As a result, all education property tax mill rates have been reduced to absorb the increase in property assessment values and ensure this assessment year is revenue neutral for the province. This change will save property owners in the province more than $100 million annually. Reinstating the Home Renovation Tax Credit saves residents up to $420 and seniors $525 annually in provincial income tax. The First-Time Homebuyers’ Tax Credit maximum benefit increased to $1,575, making homeownership more attainable for first-time homebuyers, and the PST Rebate on New Home Construction was made permanent. 

    The 2025-26 Budget also delivers for individuals receiving income assistance, with a two per cent increase for nearly 20,000 Saskatchewan Income Support clients and more than 18,000 Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability clients. Beginning July 1, 2025, the Saskatchewan Low-Income Tax Credit will increase by five per cent annually for the next four years – over and above the impact of indexation – benefiting more than 300,000 individuals and families in the province. 

    Affordability measures are also increasing for persons with disabilities and caregivers. The Disability Tax Credit and the Disability Tax Credit supplement for children under 18 both increase by 25 per cent, in addition to indexation. The Caregiver Tax Credit also increases by 25 per cent, in addition to indexation, which provides financial support for families who care for adult children or parents with physical or mental impairments.

    In addition to measures that help make life more affordable, the 2025-26 Budget includes measures that support our growing province. The Small Business Tax Rate permanently remains at one per cent, which benefits more than 35,000 small businesses and saves them over $50 million annually in corporate income taxes. The Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Tax Credit provides a non-refundable tax credit for individuals or corporations that invest in the equity of eligible Saskatchewan small and medium enterprise, while the Saskatchewan Class 1 Truck Driver Training Rebate Program supports individuals seeking their commercial driving licence. 

    To learn more about the Government of Saskatchewan’s affordability measures and other 2025-26 Budget initiatives, visit: budget.saskatchewan.ca.         

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: SEC Announces Agenda, Panelists for Roundtable on Crypto Trading

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Crypto Task Force has announced the agenda and panelists for its April 11 roundtable, “Between a Block and a Hard Place: Tailoring Regulation for Crypto Trading.”

    “Hearing the public’s concerns and suggestions helps the SEC create a clear, sensible, and fair path forward for the crypto industry,” said Commissioner Hester M. Peirce, leader of the Crypto Task Force. “I look forward to this roundtable and the rest of the series as we move toward crypto clarity for the benefit of the American public.”

    The roundtable, announced in March as part of a series, will be held at the SEC’s headquarters at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. The event will be open to the public and webcast live on the SEC’s website. Doors will open at 12 p.m.

    For online attendance, registration is not necessary; a link to watch the event will be available on April 11 on www.sec.gov. For in-person attendance, please register here.

    Attendees will be able to submit suggestions and questions on note cards available in the lobby on the day of the event, or by emailing crypto@sec.gov during the event.

    To learn more about the Crypto Task Force and the roundtable topics, please visit the Crypto Task Force webpage.

    Agenda

    1 p.m. –

    1:20 p.m.

    Opening Remarks from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission:

    • Richard Gabbert, Chief of Staff, Crypto Task Force; Senior Advisor to the Acting Chairman
    • Acting Chairman Mark Uyeda
    • Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw
    • Commissioner Hester Peirce

    1:20 p.m. –

    3 p.m.

    Roundtable: Between a Block and a Hard Place: Tailoring Regulation for Crypto Trading

    Moderator:

    • Nicholas Losurdo, Partner, Goodwin Procter LLP

    Panelists:

    • Tyler Gellasch, President and CEO, Healthy Markets Association
    • Jon Herrick, Chief Product Officer, New York Stock Exchange
    • Richard Johnson, CEO & Founder, Texture Capital
    • Dave Lauer, Co-Founder, Urvin Finance and We the Investors
    • Katherine Minarik, Chief Legal Officer, Uniswap Labs
    • Christine Parlour, Chair of Finance and Accounting, UC Berkeley
    • Chelsea Pizzola, Associate General Counsel, Cumberland DRW
    • Austin Reid, Global Head of Revenue and Business, FalconX
    • Gregory Tusar, VP, Institutional Product, Coinbase

    3 p.m. –

    3:30 p.m.

    Break

    3:30 –

    5 p.m.

    Regulatory Direction Discussion

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: ASUS “Design You Can Feel” Exhibition Opens at Milan Design Week 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ASUS today announced the opening of its all-new “Design You Can Feel” exhibition at Milan Design Week. The show explores the themes of materiality, craftsmanship, and artificial intelligence (AI) to explain the design thinking behind ASUS products, including the latest ASUS Zenbook laptops.

    The event also features playful interactive exhibits that explore the latest ASUS products and the design stories behind them as well as a spectacular immersive installation by Studio INI, the experimental design and research studio founded by Nassia Inglessis.

    Taking place at Galleria Meravigli, a historic 1920s gallery in the heart of Milan, the exhibition will run from April 8 to 13. It is open to the public from 10:00AM to 6:00PM each day and is free to attend.

    An interactive sensory experience: “Willful Wonder”, a bespoke installation by Studio INI

    The themes of the Design You Can Feel exhibition will be encapsulated by a specially commissioned installation by Studio INI. Housed beneath the curved glass ceiling of Galleria Meravigli, the installation dynamically responds as visitors walk through it, their presence activating wing-like, semi-transparent panels that open and close behind them.

    The wings, composed of an aluminum honeycomb with elements made from the ASUS proprietary material Ceraluminum™, engage the senses by reflecting and absorbing light, inviting visitors to interact with the structure as they pass through it. The entire installation mirrors Zenbook’s slim silhouette by sculpting lightness and mimicking nature’s sensitive triggering mechanisms, creating a playful interplay of revealing and concealing movements.

    “At Studio INI, we seek to create what we call an embodied intelligence in our designs – we create a seamless connection between built architecture and the human element,” said Studio INI founder Nassia Inglessis.

    “As people walk through the installation and touch the Ceraluminum™, each touch will be recorded by the changes in its conductivity. So, people will be able to see a spatial representation of their behavior in the installation.”

    Building on Studio INI’s expertise in creating experiential public artworks, the installation draws inspiration from the ASUS Zenbook laptop, known for its innovative, lightweight design and Ceraluminum™ material, to create a kinetic, biomimetic sculpture. The installation measures changes in conductivity caused by visitors’ touch to create an AI-generated model representing their real-world interactions with the piece.

    In “Willful Wonder,” humans and technology unite in an interactive journey. This fusion of technology and aesthetics mirrors the ASUS commitment to innovation, cutting-edge engineering, nature-inspired materials, and meticulous design, resulting in high-performing, practical, dynamic, lightweight, and beautiful devices.

    ASUS Design Thinking: The Inside Story

    The Design You Can Feel exhibition will showcase the latest ASUS products and the design stories behind them through playful interactive exhibits. It will encourage users to feel the lightness, duality, slimness, and sleekness of the ASUS Zenbook, the fragrance of the Adol, the outdoor functionality of ProArt, and the unique style of ROG.

    This includes the “Design Thinking: The Inside Story” exhibit, which delves into the heart of ASUS design philosophy and allows visitors to experience the company’s latest innovations firsthand. At ASUS, design thinking is more than just a process; it’s ingrained in the company’s DNA. ASUS embraces a human-centered approach that prioritizes user needs and experiences. The designs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also address real challenges, ensuring that innovation is intuitive, practical, and meaningful. By focusing on user-driven design, ASUS creates solutions that are both impactful and practical.

    Through hands-on demonstrations, visitors will discover how ASUS seamlessly blends aesthetics with functionality, focusing on enhancing everyday life. From ultra-lightweight designs crafted with revolutionary materials to versatile devices that adapt to various workflows, and even explorations into new sensory experiences, this event will showcase how the ASUS commitment to excellence and user-driven innovation shapes the future of technology.

    Next, visitors can step into the world of “Ceraluminum™: A Tribute to Nature’s Wonder” and explore the revolutionary material that’s redefining laptop design. This showcases the unique qualities of Ceraluminum™, a patented ASUS material born from modern alchemy, blending exceptional durability with exquisite craftsmanship. Visitors can discover how plasma discharges transform aluminum into a ceramic-like layer, offering unparalleled wear, scratch, and shock resistance, all while maintaining a smudge-free elegance.

    An additional attraction will be the debut of the Ceraluminum™ Signature Edition, a collection of Zenbook laptops that pay homage to Earth’s breathtaking landscapes. Each of the four distinctive finishes—Obsidian Black, Pamukkale White, Terra Mocha, and Luminous Blue—tells a story of nature’s splendor, from volcanic terrains and cascading terraces to desert dunes and bioluminescent shores. Inspired by nature and designed for a sustainable future, Ceraluminum™ eliminates traditional chemical manufacturing processes, making it 100% recyclable and environmentally responsible. This is a celebration of innovation, sustainability, and the enduring beauty of our planet.

    “At our core, we believe in the power of sensory experiences to forge meaningful connections with design. It’s all about crafting products that allow each user to feel and make good use of our innovations,” said H.W. Wei, Associate VP of ASUS Design Center.

    ASUS Zenbook Ceraluminum™ Signature Edition

    ASUS will unveil a stunning limited-edition series, a tribute to the iconic Zenbook line and the revolutionary Ceraluminum™ material, a patented technology that merges the lightness of metal with the resilience of ceramics.

    The innovative Ceraluminum™, created via ceramization of aluminum, boasts a fracture toughness three times higher than anodized aluminum while remaining remarkably lightweight. This material revolution, showcased in the Zenbook Signature Editions, underscores the dedication ASUS has to both innovation and environmental responsibility. It elevates the celebrated Zenbook line’s legacy of cutting-edge engineering and sleek design into a tangible celebration of Ceraluminum and nature’s splendor.

    Each Signature Edition Zenbook showcases the artistry of Ceraluminum, featuring a unique finish inspired by the dynamic landscapes that shape our world. This collection transforms the Zenbook into a celebration of both premium technology and the organic beauty of nature, highlighting the sensory-rich experience that Ceraluminum enables. The laptops will be displayed alongside corresponding sleeves and packaging, providing a complete visual and tactile journey.

    The ASUS Zenbook Ceraluminum Signature Edition collection is a celebration of the Zenbook and the unique beauty of Ceraluminum, inspired by Earth’s most breathtaking landscapes, each representing the raw power and beauty that shape our world. Each finish is a reminder of the ASUS commitment – not just to design, but to a philosophy – to create tools that are as enduring as the landscapes that inspire them.

    Ceraluminum™ Signature Edition release date: To be announced. Please see here to learn more about ASUS Ceraluminum™: The making of Ceraluminum™

    Design You Can Feel

    Galleria Meravigli
    Via Gaetano Negri 6
    20123 Milano
    Italy
    April 8 to 13, 2025
    10:00AM to 6:00PM daily
    https://asus.click/mdw25_pr

    NOTES TO EDITORS

    More on ASUS at Milan Design Week: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/content/zenbook/
    About ASUS Zenbook Ceraluminum™ Signature Edition: https://youtu.be/OoOHFiBDu9g
    About the Making of Ceraluminum™: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1T3HgeX8qU
    ASUS Zenbook Design Why and How: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cypFEe7-Fg
    ASUS Zenbook: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/for-home/zenbook/
    ASUS ProArt: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/proart/
    ASUS Vivobook: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/for-home/vivobook/
    ASUS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asus/posts/
    ASUS Pressroom: http://press.asus.com
    ASUS Canada Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asuscanada/
    ASUS Canada Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asus_ca
    ASUS Canada YouTube: https://ca.asus.click/youtube
    ASUS Global X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/asus

    About ASUS

    ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components, and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, the company is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies. Consistently ranked as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, ASUS is also committed to sustaining an incredible future. The goal is to create a net zero enterprise that helps drive the shift towards a circular economy, with a responsible supply chain creating shared value for every one of us.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b4da4f22-6ab8-47b5-8d8d-4818e6665a45

    The MIL Network –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Old National Renames Wealth Advisory Division

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EVANSVILLE, Ind., April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Old National Bancorp (“Old National”) has announced its wealth advisory division, Old National Investments, will now be known as Old National Wealth Advisors (“ONWA”) to better reflect the breadth of services its financial professionals provide.

    ONWA boasts around 125 team members, including more than 70 wealth advisors that are primarily located in Old National’s banking center footprint throughout the Midwest and Southeast. The professionals at Old National Wealth Advisors are backed by LPL Financial, a leading independent broker/dealer and registered investment advisor.

    ONWA’s slate of services includes:

    • Investment strategies and management
    • Estate planning and advice
    • Financial and retirement planning
    • College saving options and advice
    • Insurance options and guidance
    • Tax planning and strategies

    “When Old National Investments first debuted in the early 1990s, the intent was to complement our traditional banking services with a resource that provides investment advice and strategies,” said Chady AlAhmar1, CEO, Old National Wealth Management. “However, they have outgrown the Investments name as these advisors provide robust financial services that stretch far beyond stocks and bonds. This name change is simple but effective in illustrating that the professionals at Old National Wealth Advisors provide integrated services and holistic advice that help clients manage their wealth at each stage of life.”

    Old National delivers its wealth management services and advice through one of three service models based on the client’s needs. Two of those service models are backed by ONWA.

    1. The Investment Strategies Team of ONWA: Designed for clients focused on short- and/or long-term investing, saving, and planning for their financial future; or for clients who desire a self-service approach to online investing.
    2. Private Wealth Management through ONWA: Designed for clients who are planning for retirement, growing assets and/or planning for other major life events. Within Private Wealth Management, the client has two dedicated resources: a Wealth Advisor from Old National Wealth Advisors,2 and a Private Banker from Old National Private Banking.3
    3. 1834, a division of Old National Bank: Designed for higher-net-worth clients with diverse and complex financial priorities; those with a need for robust asset management who are focused on preserving and building wealth. 1834 also provides institutional services for businesses and nonprofit organizations, including investment management, philanthropy and endowment services, corporate trust services and retirement plan services.

    For additional information on Old National’s wealth management service models, visit oldnational.com/wealth.

    ABOUT OLD NATIONAL
    Old National Bancorp (NASDAQ: ONB) is the holding company of Old National Bank. As the sixth largest commercial bank headquartered in the Midwest, Old National proudly serves clients primarily in the Midwest and Southeast. With approximately $54 billion of assets and $30 billion of assets under management, Old National ranks among the top 30 banking companies headquartered in the United States. Tracing our roots to 1834, Old National focuses on building long-term, highly valued partnerships with clients while also strengthening and supporting the communities we serve. In addition to providing extensive services in consumer and commercial banking, Old National offers comprehensive wealth management and capital markets services. For more information and financial data, please visit Investor Relations at oldnational.com. In 2024, Points of Light named Old National one of “The Civic 50” — an honor reserved for the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States.

    1Old National Wealth Management and Chady AlAhmar are not affiliated with LPL Financial.

    2Old National Wealth Advisors: Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC.). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. Old National Bank and Old National Wealth Advisors are not registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using Old National Wealth Advisors, and may also be employees of Old National Bank. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from, and not affiliates of, Old National Bank, Old National Private Banking or Old National Wealth Advisors. Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:

    Not Insured by FDIC or Any Other Government Agency Not Bank Guaranteed Not Bank Deposits or Obligations May Lose Value

    Old National Bank provides referrals to financial professionals of LPL Financial LLC pursuant to an agreement that allows LPL to pay the Financial Institution for these referrals. This creates an incentive for the Financial Institution to make these referrals, resulting in a conflict of interest. Old National Bank is not a current client of LPL for advisory services. Please visit https://www.lpl.com/disclosures/is-lpl-relationship-disclosure.html for more detailed information.

    3Old National Private Banking: Credit products offered by Old National Bank and subject to normal credit approval. Deposit products are offered by Old National Bank. Equal Housing Lender. Member FDIC. Old National Bank is not responsible for and does not guarantee the products, services, or performance of Old National Wealth Advisors nor 1834.

    Investor Relations:
    Lynell Durchholz
    (812) 464-1366
    lynell.durchholz@oldnational.com

    Media Relations:
    Rick Vach
    (904) 535-9489
    rick.vach@oldnational.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government and industry to train up ‘clean power army’

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government and industry to train up ‘clean power army’

    Government and industry to train up ‘clean power army’ of apprentice engineers, welders, and technicians.

    • Clean energy sector to create thousands of new apprenticeships as part of Plan for Change
    • Energy Secretary tells industry forum that a clean power army of engineers, welders and technicians will be required to deliver clean power by 2030, and that government will work with industry to build it, with Regional Skills Pilots in Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire
    • Work and Pensions Secretary says the government will “give this generation the tools they need to seize the opportunity that is the clean energy transition”

    Young people will be trained to fill thousands of clean energy jobs and apprenticeships needed to deliver clean power by 2030 as part of the government’s Plan for Change to get Britain working and unlock growth.  

    The Energy Secretary has told industry, unions and trade bodies that the government will work with them to build a clean power army to hit ambitious targets for clean power by 2030 at a forum convened with the Work and Pensions Secretary today (Monday 7 April 2025).  

    The transition to clean power will create thousands of opportunities across the sector, from renewables to upgrading the UK’s grid infrastructure.  

    National Grid alone plans to support around 55,000 more jobs by the end of the decade and SSE Transmission plans are supporting a further 37,000 jobs, 17,500 of which would be in Scotland. Scottish Power’s SP Energy Networks plans to double its transmission workforce to create around 1,400 jobs and support a further 11,000 jobs across the UK – with all 3 plans subject to approvals by the regulator.    

    The government is driving forward with Regional Skills Pilot in the clean energy sector. Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire have all been identified as key growth regions for clean energy. Local partners will receive funding to identify the skills support that is needed in their area to deliver clean power by 2030, which will protect households and businesses from unstable fossil fuel markets for good. 

    Funding could go towards new training centres, courses or career advisers – supporting local people into opportunities in industries such as welding, electrical engineering, and construction.    

    The government is wasting no time in investing in good jobs for British industries, including thousands of new, skilled jobs being supported in the North East of England as contracts for the first carbon capture, usage and storage were signed in December, following a £21.7 billion commitment from the government to ensure the UK’s vision for CCUS becomes a reality. The government has also invested £55 million for port of Cromarty, to transform it into a major hub for the UK’s world-leading floating offshore wind industry, creating hundreds of skilled jobs and generating growth.  

    The latest CBI Economics figures show jobs supported by net zero sectors increased by 10% last year, with the average annual wage across the sector at £43,000 – £5,600 higher than the national average.  

    The push to support more clean energy jobs comes as the government delivers the most ambitious reforms of the UK’s energy system in a generation and record investment into homegrown clean energy projects. 

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:  

    The energy sector has always been a source of good, skilled, and unionised jobs for young people across the UK, providing secure, well-paid employment for life.   

    To meet our target to reach clean power by 2030, we need a clean power army of engineers, welders and technicians – giving thousands of young people the opportunity to play a vital role in tackling the climate crisis, increasing our energy security and boosting the economy to deliver our Plan for Change.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said:    

    With almost a million young people neither earning nor learning it is vital that we give this generation the tools they need to seize the opportunity that is the clean energy transition.  

    Our plan to Get Britian Working will overhaul employment support, giving everyone the tools and skills they need to and build a stronger, more prosperous future for them and their families.

    The government launched its Get Britain Working white paper late last year, outlining the biggest employment reforms in a generation and boost employment including reforming Jobcentres to create a genuinely public employment service so everyone can get personalised skills and employment support, as well as a Youth Guarantee ensuring every young person has the chance to earn or learn. Alongside government work to drive up employment and opportunities, the renewable sector will also continue to turbocharge the economy.  

    The government is working closely with employers to train up Britain’s young people to seize clean energy opportunities. Trade unions will also have an essential role in building the UK’s skilled energy workforce, with the government determined to drive world-class pay, terms, and conditions in the clean energy sector. The government is already driving better access and conditions for unions in the energy sector- since July EDF Renewables UK and Ireland have signed one of the first renewables industry recognition agreements with Prospect, Unite, GMB and UNISON.   

    The government has also launched Skills England and the Office for Clean Energy Jobs to bring together key partners to meet the skills needs of the next decade across all regions.    

    Opportunities are already being created through a number of schemes and initiatives to deliver training and skills for apprentices and workers transitioning from the fossil fuel sector, including innovative schemes such as the:  

    • Skills Passport: This supports oil and gas workers to identify routes into several roles in offshore wind including construction and maintenance
    • Your Apprenticeship app: A new app designed by the government with extensive input from apprentices to provide easier access to essential tools, resources, and support to help apprentices to thrive in their qualification

    Whilst driving up employment and opportunities, the renewable sector will also continue to turbocharge the economy.  

    CBI Economics analysis commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit shows that the net zero sector already contributes £83 billion annually to the UK economy, with further investment into projects predicted to grow this even further.  

    Government research has also revealed the extent in which apprenticeships can help drive this growth, with apprentices in England across the economy estimated to create £25 billion of economic growth over their lifetime.  

    Through investment and initiatives, the government will help build the pipeline of skilled workers needed to deliver clean power by 2030, which will unlock £40 billion of investment a year and reindustrialise Britain with thousands of good jobs across the country. This underscores the government’s commitment to deliver a jobs-rich clean energy transition, putting communities and trade unions at the heart of the UK’s clean energy future.    

    Notes to editors

    Skills is a devolved policy area, and therefore the remit of Skills England and the Your Apprenticeship App will only cover England. However, Skills England will assess skills needs across the whole of the UK and DESNZ is working closely with the devolved governments on ensuring we have the skilled workforce for the clean energy transition, including through the Regional Skills Pilots.   

    The RIIO T3 business plans for the UK’s 3 electricity transmission companies are all subject to approval by the energy regulator Ofgem.

    Share this page

    The following links open in a new tab

    • Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)
    • Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Crapo Statement on Senate Passage of FY 2025 Budget Resolution

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
    Published: April 05, 2025

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) issued the following statement after the Senate agreed to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Resolution by a vote of 51–48.
    “Republicans are committed to restoring the economic prosperity experienced under President Trump’s first term.  This budget resolution lays the groundwork to prevent an over-$4 trillion tax hike on American families and businesses; to make those tax cuts permanent, providing the certainty businesses need to make long-term investments and the stability families need as they save for the future; and to provide additional middle-class tax relief.  It unlocks the process to implement serious spending reforms, acknowledging that the best way to address our deficit is not to tax hardworking Americans more—it is to spend less.  I look forward to continuing our work in the coming weeks to quickly deliver on President Trump’s pro-growth economic agenda.”
    READ: Crapo: Republicans are United in Delivering Trump’s Pro-Growth Agenda
    READ: FY 2025 Budget Resolution will Deliver Permanent Tax Relief, Spur Economic Growth and Restore Fiscal Order

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo: Republicans are United in Delivering Trump’s Pro-Growth Agenda

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
    Washington, D.C.–Today on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) discussed the Senate’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Resolution that lays the groundwork to make permanent and build on the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts, ensuring American families can keep more of their hard-earned money and stop financing Washington’s spending problem.
    As Chairman of the Finance Committee, Crapo explained that the resolution’s instructions would unlock the ability for Congress to prevent a more-than $4 trillion tax hike on American families and businesses, provide certainty and predictability by making the Trump Tax Cuts permanent, and deliver additional middle-class tax relief. 
    Crapo also emphasized Republicans’ commitment to restoring fiscal sanity by achieving deficit reduction, noting that spending reforms are the best way to achieve that goal, not imposing the largest tax hike in our country’s history. 

    Full remarks as delivered:
    “The problem that we have in America is not that our taxes are too low, but that our spending is too high.
    “Republicans are unified in delivering—as President Trump calls it—one big, beautiful bill for the American people. 
    “But what does this bill include?
    “The FY 2025 Budget Resolution fulfills promises to secure America’s borders, increase our national defense, unleash our energy potential and finally start to get our fiscal house in order. 
    “I agree completely with my colleague – we have got to reduce our spending and this bill contains a target with a minimum floor of $2 trillion in spending reduction in our federal budget. 
    “Importantly, it also lays the groundwork to make permanent and build on the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts so that American families can keep more of their hard-earned money and stop financing Washington’s spending problem.
    “Our conference is united in preventing an over-$4 trillion tax hike on American families and businesses and delivering additional tax relief to those who have suffered under four years of inflation.
    “We are united in making this proven tax policy permanent to provide the certainty that businesses need to make the long-term investments that drive growth, and the stability that families need as they save and plan for the future.
    “We are also unified in our resolve to restore fiscal sanity and know that the best way to do so isn’t to tax hardworking Americans more—it’s to spend less.
    “While many tend to focus on the policy disagreements that occur—as they should—in these halls, the reality is Republicans are completely unified in delivering on President Trump’s agenda, a major portion of which is to restore the economic prosperity experienced under his previous presidency.
    “Let’s just look back for a minute at the bill we’re trying to extend and make permanent now.
    “Most Americans don’t pay attention to the minutia of tax policy.  But if you ask them, the majority will tell you they’d rather keep more of their money than let the government spend it, and that’s exactly what the 2017 tax cuts did.
    “Those Trump Tax Cuts lowered tax rates for the overwhelming majority of Americans, simplified the tax code, and encouraged companies to do business in the United States instead of abroad.
    “In addition to lowering rates across the board, it provided targeted tax relief to middle-class working families by doubling the standard deduction and the child tax credit, and to small businesses by providing a new 20 percent deduction, enabling America’s entrepreneurs to create new jobs, increase workers’ wages and reinvest in their business.
    “The majority of benefits from the Trump Tax Cuts, contrary from what you’ve heard today from the other side, flowed to working middle-class families—the bottom 50 percent of earners received the largest reduction in average tax rates at 17.3 percent. 
    “Contrary to claims that the benefits were only for ‘billionaires and corporations,’ the Trump Tax Cuts actually made the tax code even more progressive.  Meaning that the highest income earners now pay a greater share of all income taxes than they did before, and if we can extend this tax cut, that will continue to be the case.
    “The generational reforms we made in 2017 were designed to strengthen investment, boost economic growth, increase take-home pay and reduce poverty, and it worked.
    “Not only did taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned money, but a growing economy powered median household income to an all-time high.
    “The labor market improved, workers saw record wage growth and the unemployment rate fell dramatically to 3.5 percent—the lowest in 50 years. 
    “And the lowest-income workers experienced the largest wage growth.
    “There was a capital formation explosion in the United States, and corporate inversions—corporations leaving America—became a thing of the past as companies came back home and America became the place to do business again.
    “All Americans reaped the benefits of a booming economy. 
    “Extending this current, proven tax policy—and building on it—is the best way to restore economic prosperity and opportunity for working families, many of whom are still struggling to recover from the historic inflation of the last four years.
    “Tonight, I expect we’ll hear once again the ‘politics of fear’ at work as my Democrat colleagues claim all sorts of dire things will happen so that Republicans can cut taxes for the wealthy. 
    “This attack has been used for nearly a decade, and it’s just as false now as it has been in the past.
    “Americans should not be scared by these falsehoods. 
    “What they should be alarmed by is what my colleagues and I are committed to preventing: the largest tax hike in history that will occur if we do not extend the current Trump’s Tax Cuts.
    “Middle-class Americans and small businesses will pay the highest price. 
    “If the tax cuts expire:
    There will be a $4+ trillion tax hike on all Americans.
    More than $2.6 trillion of that tax increase will hit people who earn less than $400,000 per year.
    The average American household will see a more-than $1,700 increase in their tax bill.
    An over $600 billion tax increase on more than 20 million small business owners, who could face rates as high as 43.4 percent. 
    Families would have their child tax credit slashed in half from $2,000 to $1,000.
    The standard deduction, claimed by over 90 percent of taxpayers, would be cut in half.
    The economic cost has been estimated to be 6 million jobs; $540 billion in employee compensation, and $1.1 trillion of GDP.
    “Republicans are united in our efforts to prevent these damaging consequences.
    “Not only are we focused on extending these proven tax policies, but we are committed to making this growth in our economy permanent so that we don’t have to face these dire consequences in the future. 
    “Permanent tax policies promote stability and lead to more pronounced economic effects than temporary ones. 
    “Making the Trump Tax Cuts permanent will provide businesses the certainty and stability they need to make the long-term investments that drive growth, accelerate productivity and increase prosperity across all segments of the economy.
    “Studies find that a permanent extension of TCJA would increase long-run GDP by 1.1 percent and increase after-tax income for Americans of all income levels. 
    “Making the small-business deduction alone permanent is estimated to create 1.2 million jobs annually over the first ten years, increasing to 2.4 million in the long run.
    “The President’s Council of Economic Advisers just released an analysis that says extending the Trump Tax Cuts, combined with other pro-growth economic policies that we are pursuing, would:
    Boost the level of short-run real GDP by 3.3 to 3.8 percent and long-run real GDP by 2.6 to 3.2 percent;
    Raise annual real wages by $2,100 to $3,300 per worker;
    Increase real annual take-home pay for a median-income household with two children by roughly $4,000 to $5,000;
    Save over 4 million full-time equivalent jobs from being destroyed; and
    Facilitate $100 billion of investment in distressed communities.
    “That analysis also projects that extending these tax cuts, ’together with the full suite of Trump Administration policies—such as deregulation, which the CEA previously estimated would add 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points to real GDP growth rates over a decade—is expected to result in 3.0 percent annual real GDP growth rates over the next 10 years.’ 
    “Now what does that mean?
    “According to CEA, that 3.0 percent annual real GDP growth will result in $4.1 trillion in additional revenue to the Treasury to help us deal with our national debt.
    “$4.1 trillion dollars.
    “To unleash that growth, the best way to make these tax cuts permanent is by using a current policy baseline: this is the scoring method that more accurately reflects reality. 
    “The average American easily understands there is a difference between a tax increase and a spending cut. 
    “However, there’s an inherent bias in Congress’s scoring process where tax policy is treated differently than spending policy. 
    “If tax rates are scheduled to increase, like they are right now if we don’t act, preventing that tax hike is counted as a ‘cost’ in uncollected future revenue. 
    “But many spending programs are assumed to be extended beyond their expiration, so the spending just continues and continues, unabated, which the budget rules say do not have any cost.  That’s what we’re trying to fix today in this bill.
    “In fact, there is $2.5 trillion in spending that is automatically extended by our budget rules over the next ten years under a current policy baseline.
    “Even the Obama White House has used a current policy baseline for tax policy. They recognized there’s a difference between increasing taxes and cutting spending.
    “In 2013, they argued that a ‘current policy baseline to be the appropriate reference point, since it measures changes relative to the status quo, rather than the mix of expiring provisions and policy changes that would likely never be implemented.’
    “Interpreted, what they said is exactly what I’ve been saying.  You can’t say that just keeping the tax rates where they are and not raising them is the same as spending more money.
    “We need to level the playing field and sever the connection that creates a tax-and-spend budgeting process in Congress.
    “And that’s another thing that we’re going to do today.
    “Critics—who have been strangely silent over the years as trillions of dollars in spending has been automatically extended under a current policy baseline—now take offense to correcting the bias toward forcing federal spending. 
    “As applied only to tax policy, those critics assert that we’ll be increasing the deficit by using a current policy baseline, or we’re using this baseline to ‘hide the cost.’
    “Let me be very clear: we are not hiding the score that JCT or CBO would assign the bill under a current law baseline.  In fact, I like to see that score – it shows the amount of the tax increase that my colleagues on the other side are trying to push onto the American people.
    “But let’s be fully transparent—both an estimate based on current policy and one based on current law will be released when we consider this bill on the Senate floor, and then Americans can see what kind of savings have been given to them by not raising their taxes.
    “Under our existing tax regime, the tax revenue to GDP ratio this year will be 17.1 percent, meaning we will raise taxes for the federal Treasury—under our current tax policy—at about 17.1 percent of GDP.  It will also be about the same next year if we don’t let the taxes go up, meaning that the revenue will not appreciably change.
    “Yet my colleagues on the other side say it’s going to spike a hole in the deficit—why? Because they won’t get their hands on that $4 trillion of new tax revenue out of the American people.
    “This would not increase the debt relative to GDP; it would simply prevent a tax increase. 
    “And we need to be honest about what those tax increases would and would not do. 
    “Those who say we should let taxes go back up say, ‘Wow, then we could use it to pay down the national debt some more.’
    “Every tax increase that Congress has adopted for as long as I can remember was not used to pay down the national debt; it was used by Congress to spend more money.
    “Congress does not have a revenue problem—it has a spending problem.
    “Senate Republicans are united in our desire to take concrete steps to address our deficit and get our fiscal house in order.
    “Because the bill we’re debating today is within the confines of reconciliation, the scores and numbers that we’ll be discussing don’t reflect the full fiscal picture.
    “In order to have an honest discussion, there needs to be an acknowledgment that there are other factors at play that can generate economic growth and reductions in spending.
    “What am I talking about?  Economic growth.  As I indicated in one of the charts that we had up, the estimates from the CEA are that if we make the tax policy permanent, the confidence that will give our economy and the boost it will give our economy through proper tax incentive policy will grow the economy by as much as $4 trillion to the federal treasury.
    “The President is also directly impacting government spending through his efforts with the Department of Government Efficiency, aggressively cutting waste, fraud and abuse from our government programs.
    “Spending on federal government programs has ballooned in recent years.  We have a responsibility to evaluate these spending increases to ensure these programs work efficiently and effectively for everyone.  
    “The President has also undertaken, and will likely pursue more, deregulation efforts, which have as big of an impact on revenues and economic growth as tax policy does, and we should recognize that.
    “The bottom line is, in addition to the actions that Congress can take, there are activities that the President is currently engaged in that will impact our fiscal policy by either reducing spending or increasing revenue, and we should take those into consideration.
    “Congress must begin the process of restoring fiscal sanity by achieving deficit reduction, and spending reforms are the best way to achieve that goal. 
    “In contrast, imposing the largest tax hike in our country’s history would be counterproductive by easing the glide path for even more spending.
    “We will be having a very robust debate in the weeks ahead about the best way to deliver on President Trump’s agenda, and I look forward to those discussions.
    “This budget resolution unlocks the process to allow us to strengthen our national security, secure our borders, permanently extend the Trump Tax Cuts and provide additional middle-class tax relief.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Zero Hash Further Enhances its Leading Position as the Crypto-as-a-service provider for Brokerage Firms

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zero Hash, the leading infrastructure for stablecoins and crypto, today announced that it is one of the first in the industry to complete an independent assessment of its infrastructure against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation Systems Compliance and Integrity (“Reg SCI”) requirements. While not subject to Reg SCI, Zero Hash has taken the effort to voluntarily confirm that its systems exceed the most stringent capacity, integrity, security, resiliency, and infrastructure standards in financial markets.

    This milestone reinforces Zero Hash’s unrivaled position as the go-to infrastructure provider for the explosion of digital assets adoption among broker-dealers, asset managers, and financial institutions globally. Zero Hash powers many of the leading brokerage and neo-banks including Interactive Brokers, tastytrade, Current and MoneyLion. The rigorous third-party assessment was conducted by Schellman Compliance LLC, which verified that Zero Hash exceeds Reg SCI’s high standards and maintains industry-leading, robust, secure, and resilient systems.

    “Although Zero Hash does not deal in securities, many of our customers are overseen by the SEC. This assessment further demonstrates what sets us apart – our unwavering commitment to providing the most comprehensive, scalable, and secure solutions for our customers and end users,” said Scott Minneman, Chief Information Security Officer at Zero Hash. “We are powering the future of finance. Having Reg SCI verification further secures our position as the partner of choice for the world’s largest financial institutions embracing digital assets.”

    About Zero Hash
    Zero Hash is the leading crypto and stablecoin infrastructure provider that seamlessly connects fiat, crypto, and stablecoins in one platform, enabling a better way to move and transfer money and value globally.

    Through its embeddable infrastructure, start-ups, enterprises, and Fortune 500 companies build a diverse range of use cases, including cross-border payments, commerce, trading, remittance, payroll, tokenization, wallets, and on/off-ramps.

    Zero Hash Holdings is backed by investors, including Point72 Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, and NYCA.

    Zero Hash Trust Company LLC will be established in North Carolina and hold a non-depository trust charter issued by the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks.

    Zero Hash LLC is a FinCen-registered Money Service Business and a regulated Money Transmitter that can operate in 51 U.S. jurisdictions. Zero Hash LLC and Zero Hash Liquidity Services LLC are licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. In Canada, Zero Hash LLC is registered as a Money Service Business with FINTRAC.

    Zero Hash Australia Pty Ltd. is registered with AUSTRAC as a Digital Currency Exchange Provider, with DCE registered provider number DCE100804170-001. Zero Hash Australia Pty Ltd. is registered on the New Zealand register of financial service providers, with Financial Service Provider (FSP) number FSP1004503. Zero Hash Europe B.V. is registered as a Virtual Asset Services Provider (VASP) by the Dutch Central Bank (Relation number: R193684). Zero Hash Europe Sp. Zoo is registered as a VASP by the Tax Administration Chamber of Poland in Katowice (Registration number RDWW – 1212).

    Media Contacts
    Zero Hash
    Shaun O’Keeffe
    (855) 744-7333
    media@zerohash.com 

    The MIL Network –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ponte Vedra Man Indicted For Conspiracy To Traffic Firearms And Controlled Substances

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Braden Huston Hobbs (27, Ponte Vedra) with conspiracy to traffic firearms, conspiracy to deal firearms without a license, dealing firearms without a license, making a materially false statement to a licensed firearms dealer, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances—including 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. If convicted, Hobbs faces a minimum sentence of 5 years, up to 95 years, in federal prison.

    According to court documents and proceedings, law enforcement began investigating Hobbs when several firearms he had purchased were recovered during unrelated search warrant executions by law enforcement agencies. These firearms were recovered in the homes of drug distributors and a convicted felon. Additionally, during a series of controlled purchase operations conducted in the summer of 2024, agents purchased 11 firearms from two co-conspirators. Hobbs was the original purchaser of multiple firearms purchased from these two co-conspirators. Cellphone records later showed that at least one of the co-conspirators regularly purchased firearms from Hobbs.

    Through further investigation, agents discovered that between March 2022 and June 2024, Hobbs had purchased more than 120 firearms from 3 different federally licensed firearms dealers in Jacksonville, with 67 of those firearms being purchased between January and June 2024. Hobbs then sold those firearms to others. On multiple occasions, Hobbs advertised firearms for sale to potential customers before completing the purchase of the firearms from the federally licensed firearms dealer.

    Customers typically paid Hobbs in cash for the firearms or traded drugs for the firearms. Hobbs was aware that some of his customers intended to resell the firearms and were drug users or drug distributors. Furthermore, Hobbs asked his co-conspirators to assist him in finding buyers for the firearms and the co-conspirators advertised Hobbs’s firearms for sale. Although he engaged in the business of dealing firearms, Hobbs is not a federally licensed firearms dealer, as required by federal law.

    When Hobbs purchased the firearms from the federally licensed firearms dealers, he indicated on the required ATF Form 4473 that he was the actual buyer or transferee of the firearms. In addition, Hobbs indicated that he was not a user of or addicted to controlled substances. Both statements were false. Hobbs was not the actual buyer or transferee of the firearms, and he was a habitual user of controlled substances.

    In addition, Hobbs was distributing controlled substances, including over 500 grams of cocaine and Adderall. He routinely advertised controlled substances for sale and coordinated deals. Hobbs often sold the controlled substances to the same customers to whom he was selling firearms. On June 26, 2024, Hobbs was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for driving under the influence and trafficking in cocaine. During a search of Hobbs’s car, officers located approximately 330 grams of cocaine and 17 grams of Adderall, as well as various items used to package and distribute controlled substances.

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the North Florida HIDTA Tri-County Narcotics Task Force with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: LIS Technologies Inc. to Attend the World Nuclear Fuel Cycle 2025 Conference with Co-Founder and CEO Christo Liebenberg Scheduled to Present

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Oak Ridge, Tennessee, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LIS Technologies Inc. (“LIST” or “the Company”), a proprietary developer of advanced laser technology and the only USA-origin and patented laser uranium enrichment company, today announced that its Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Christo Liebenberg will be in attendance and is scheduled to participate in a Panel Discussion at the World Nuclear Fuel Cycle (WNFC) 2025 conference, held in Montreal, Canada on April 8-10th, 2025

    The panel titled, “Enriching the future: opportunities and challenges” will be held on Wednesday, April 9th from 14:00-15:15. Other panelist include representatives from Constellation Energy, Orano USA, Centrus Energy Corp. and Urenco.

    Jointly organized by the World Nuclear Association and the Nuclear Energy Institute, World Nuclear Fuel Cycle (WNFC) is a top-level international forum co-organized by the Nuclear Energy Institute and World Nuclear Association. The conference offers a timely opportunity for attendees to gain insights into critical developments affecting the commercial nuclear fuel cycle and the evolving dynamics of the fuel marketplace.

    Figure 1 – LIS Technologies Inc. Co-Founder and CEO Christo Liebenberg to Participate in Panel Discussion at the Upcoming World Nuclear Fuel Cycle 2025 Conference.

    “This international forum will feature leading companies and executives with real-world understanding of the intricacies of the fuel cycle,” said Christo Liebenberg, Co-Founder and CEO of LIS Technologies Inc. “I expect the panel to prove to be a fundamental occasion to share key insights into the industry and the delve into the opportunities, both current and upcoming, present in the United States and abroad. I look forward to an exciting and informative event that will help shape the future of this industry in the years to come.”

    “The fuel cycle is vital to the nuclear energy sector, and this event is undoubtedly one of the year’s key milestones,” said Jay Yu, Executive Chairman and President of LIS Technologies Inc. “We are proud to be the only U.S. origin, patented and independently verified Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 laser uranium enrichment technology company to be represented at WNFC 2025. Our cutting-edge approach represents a significant advancement in enrichment capabilities and holds the potential to reshape the global industry and guide the future of nuclear energy.”

    About LIS Technologies Inc.

    LIS Technologies Inc. (LIST) is a USA based, proprietary developer of a patented advanced laser technology, making use of infrared lasers to selectively excite the molecules of desired isotopes to separate them from other isotopes. The Laser Isotope Separation Technology (L.I.S.T) has a huge range of applications, including being the only USA-origin (and patented) laser uranium enrichment company, and several major advantages over traditional methods such as gas diffusion, centrifuges, and prior art laser enrichment. The LIST proprietary laser-based process is more energy-efficient and has the potential to be deployed with highly competitive capital and operational costs. L.I.S.T is optimized for LEU (Low Enriched Uranium) for existing civilian nuclear power plants, High-Assay LEU (HALEU) for the next generation of Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and Microreactors, the production of stable isotopes for medical and scientific research, and applications in quantum computing manufacturing for semiconductor technologies. The Company employs a world class nuclear technical team working alongside leading nuclear entrepreneurs and industry professionals, possessing strong relationships with government and private nuclear industries.

    In 2024, LIS Technologies Inc. was selected as one of six domestic companies to participate in the Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) Enrichment Acquisition Program. This initiative allocates up to $3.4 billion overall, with contracts lasting for up to 10 years. Each awardee is slated to receive a minimum contract of $2 million.

    For more information please visit: LaserIsTech.com

    For further information, please contact:
    Email: info@laseristech.com
    Telephone: 800-388-5492
    Follow us on X Platform
    Follow us on LinkedIn

    Forward Looking Statements

    This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For LIS Technologies Inc., particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following which are, and will be, exacerbated by any worsening of global business and economic environment: (i) risks related to the development of new or advanced technology, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, development of competitive technology, loss of key individuals and uncertainty of success of patent filing, (ii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations and (iii) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to commercially deploy a competitive laser enrichment technology, (iv) risks related to the impact of government regulation and policies including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in this and our other filings with the SEC. Only after successful completion of our Phase 2 Pilot Plant demonstration will LIS Technologies be able to make realistic economic predictions for a Commercial Facility. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

    Attachment

    • LIS Technologies Inc.

    The MIL Network –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: American Rebel Holdings Issues Corporate Update Highlighting Recent Key Milestones and Strategic Growth Initiatives

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Forged in Freedom, Fueled by Growth, Focused on the Future

    NASHVILLE, TN, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) (“American Rebel” or the “Company”), the creator of American Rebel Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) and a leading provider of safes, personal security, and patriotic lifestyle apparel, today issued a corporate update summarizing several recent developments that have strengthened the Company’s foundation and accelerated its national growth strategy.

    CEO Andy Ross commented:

    “We’ve accomplished several key goals in the past 10 days alone, and we’re just getting started. From launching our national media marketing campaign to completing an equity-based capital raise, announcing $11.4M in 2024 revenue and engaging new investors, the American Rebel brand is gaining momentum on every front. I believe we are America’s next great success story, and we are committed to doing the right type of financings that fuel our growth over the next several years.

    “American Rebel Light Beer, a premium domestic light lager, is seizing a tremendous opportunity in the $110 billion annual beer market. Our rapid growth has exceeded all initial strategic forecasts, driven by patriotic Americans who love the unbeatable combination of great taste and low calories in our beer. With every sip, American beer drinkers enjoy a brew that not only satisfies their palate but also resonates with their core values – values proudly displayed on every can: America’s Patriotic, God Fearing, Constitution Loving, National Anthem Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.”

    • 1. Successful Private Placement by H.C. Wainwright & Co.

    American Rebel completed a strategic private placement led by H.C. Wainwright & Co. H.C. Wainwright is a full-service investment bank dedicated to providing corporate finance, strategic advisory and related services to public and private companies across multiple sectors and regions. H.C. Wainwright & Co. is acting as the exclusive placement agent for the offering. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/04/3056146/0/en/AMERICAN-REBEL-ANNOUNCES-UP-TO-11-MILLION-PRIVATE-PLACEMENT-PRICED-AT-THE-MARKET-UNDER-NASDAQ-RULES.html

    • 2. Strategic Media and Investor Relations Push in South Florida

    The Company engaged in a series of high-profile investor meetings and media appearances on NBC-TV Channel 5/West Palm Beach and 39 WSFL – Home of the Florida Panthers in South Florida, culminating with a meeting with strategic partners and potential investors at the prestigious Mar-a-Lago Club. These types of media engagements help generate valuable investor interest and media exposure.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/02/3054517/0/en/American-Rebel-CEO-Andy-Ross-to-Appear-on-South-Florida-Television-Morning-Shows-on-NBC-TV-Channel-5-West-Palm-Beach-and-39-WSFL-Home-of-the-Florida-Panthers.html

    • 3. FY2024 Revenue Disclosure – $11.4M

    In a recently filed Form 12b-25, American Rebel disclosed it expects to report $11.4 million in revenue for fiscal year 2024, to be detailed in its forthcoming Form 10-K.

    Read the full filing here: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1648087/000164117225001980/formnt10-k.htm

    • 4. Release of “The American Rebel Story” Video Featuring CEO Andy Ross

    American Rebel premiered “The American Rebel Story,” a compelling video featuring CEO Andy Ross narrating the Company’s vision, values, and journey to becoming America’s next great success story.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/03/3055126/0/en/American-Rebel-Holdings-Inc-NASDAQ-AREB-Invites-Patriotic-Investors-Fans-and-Beer-Enthusiasts-to-Celebrate-Freedom-with-a-New-Video-Release-Highlighting-the-American-Rebel-Story.html

    • 5. Expansion of Successful Sponsorship with Tony Stewart Racing

    American Rebel continues to benefit from its existing sponsorship with Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) as the racing connection has opened many doors and helped establish relationships with new distributors and key accounts. The expansion of the TSR sponsorship will continue to provide immeasurable value to American Rebel as it accelerates its growth initiatives throughout 2025.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/27/3050822/0/en/American-Rebel-Expands-its-Successful-Sponsorship-for-2025-with-Tony-Stewart-Racing-TSR-in-NHRA-Mission-Foods-Drag-Racing-Series.html

    • 6. Launch of National Media Marketing Campaign – TV and Digital

    American Rebel launched a full-scale national media campaign, including a 30-second commercial airing on major television networks and a coordinated digital campaign to strengthen consumer awareness and drive sales.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/28/3051571/0/en/American-Rebel-Launches-Nationwide-Ad-Campaign-on-March-31-with-30-Second-TV-Spot-Complemented-by-Digital-Media-Across-Leading-Websites-to-Increase-Exposure-of-the-Company-and-its-.html

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Light Beer. Known for its premium quality and bold patriotic spirit, American Rebel Beer exemplifies what it means to celebrate freedom in every sip. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit www.americanrebel.com and www.americanrebelbeer.com. For investor information, visit www.americanrebelbeer.com/investor-relations.

    About American Rebel Light Beer

    Produced in partnership with AlcSource, American Rebel Light Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) is a premium domestic light lager celebrated for its exceptional quality and patriotic values. It stands out as America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.

    American Rebel Light is a Premium Domestic Light Lager Beer – All Natural, Crisp, Clean and Bold Taste with a Lighter Feel. With approximately 100 calories, 3.2 carbohydrates, and 4.3% alcoholic content per 12 oz serving, American Rebel Light Beer delivers a lighter option for those who love great beer but prefer a more balanced lifestyle. It’s all natural with no added supplements and importantly does not use corn, rice, or other sweeteners typically found in mass produced beers.

    About Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Nitro

    As tenacious as Stewart is in the cockpit of a racecar, he’s proven equally adept at providing cars and equipment for racing’s elite. The three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion can also list 31 owners’ titles to his resume, from NASCAR to USAC to the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series. In 2023 Stewart earned his 31st owner title when Matt Hagan and the TSR Funny Car team earned the championship on November 11. His team, Tony Stewart Racing, fields a powerhouse lineup in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series with Tony in Top Fuel and Matt Hagan in Funny Car. After more than four decades of racing around in circles, Stewart has embarked on a straight and narrow path, albeit at more than 300 mph. For more information on TSR Nitro go to tsrnitro.com.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc.
    info@americanrebel.com

    American Rebel Beverages, LLC
    Todd Porter, President
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. American Rebel Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: AREB; AREBW) (the “Company,” “American Rebel,” “we,” “our” or “us”) desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “forecasts” “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include benefits of marketing outreach efforts, actual placement timing and availability of American Rebel Beer, success and availability of the promotional activities, our ability to effectively execute our business plan, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and our recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Company Contact:
    info@americanrebel.com

    Investor Relations:
    ir@americanrebel.com

    Media Contact:
    Matt Sheldon
    Matt@PrecisionPR.co

    Attachment

    • American Rebel Holdings Inc.

    The MIL Network –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: CareCloud to Present at the LD Micro Invitational XV

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SOMERSET, N.J., April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CareCloud, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CCLD, CCLDO), a leading provider of practice management, healthcare technology and AI-driven solutions to medical practices across the country, is pleased to announce its participation in the 15th Annual LD Micro Invitational at the Westin Grand Central Hotel in New York on April 9-10, 2025. The Company is scheduled to present on April 10, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

    CareCloud’s management team will deliver a corporate presentation highlighting the Company’s recent developments, innovative solutions, and strategic growth initiatives. Additionally, the team will participate in one-on-one meetings with institutional and individual investors to explore opportunities and discuss CareCloud’s roadmap for continued growth and value creation.

    “We are excited to highlight CareCloud’s recent milestones, including two recent acquisitions, the conversion of our Series A preferred stock, and our significant profitability growth throughout 2024,” said Stephen Snyder, Co-CEO of CareCloud.

    About LD Micro 

    LD Micro, a wholly owned subsidiary of Freedom US Markets, was founded in 2006 with the sole purpose of being an independent resource in the micro-cap space. Through the LD Micro Index and annual investor conferences, LD has served as an invaluable asset to all those interested in discovering the next generation of great companies. For more information on LD Micro, visit www.ldmicro.com.

    About CareCloud 

    CareCloud brings disciplined innovation and generative AI to the business of healthcare. Our suite of technology-enabled solutions helps clients increase financial and operational performance, streamline clinical workflows and improve the patient experience. More than 40,000 providers count on CareCloud to help them improve patient care while reducing administrative burdens and operating costs. Learn more about our products and services including revenue cycle management (RCM), practice management (PM), electronic health records (EHR), business intelligence, patient experience management (PXM) and digital health at www.carecloud.com. 

    Follow CareCloud on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.

    Disclaimer 

    This press release is for information purposes only, and does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. 

    Forward-Looking Statements 

    This press release contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to anticipated future events, future results of operations or future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “could”, “intends,” “expects,” “plans,” “goals,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “possible,” “potential,” “target,” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. 

    Our operations involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, and any one of which, or a combination of which, could materially affect our results of operations and whether the forward-looking statements ultimately prove to be correct.

    Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements reflecting management’s expectations for future financial performance and operating expenditures, expected growth, profitability and business outlook, the impact of pandemics on our financial performance and business activities, and the expected results from the integration of our acquisitions. 

    These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our (or our industry’s) actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of the risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements, including without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s ability to manage growth, migrate newly acquired customers and retain new and existing customers, maintain cost-effective global operations, increase operational efficiency and reduce operating costs, predict and properly adjust to changes in reimbursement and other industry regulations and trends, retain the services of key personnel, develop new technologies, upgrade and adapt legacy and acquired technologies to work with evolving industry standards, compete with other companies’ products and services competitive with ours, and other important risks and uncertainties referenced and discussed under the heading titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

    The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company does not assume any obligations to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. 

    SOURCE CareCloud 

    Company Contact: 
    Norman Roth 
    Interim Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller 
    CareCloud, Inc.
    nroth@carecloud.com 

    Investor Contact:
    Stephen Snyder 
    Co-Chief Executive Officer 
    CareCloud, Inc. 
    ir@carecloud.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Improvement project completed on Perth residential street

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    Perth and Kinross Council has completed an £800,000 streetscape improvement project in Perth, in response to concerns from residents.

    People living in Pullar Terrace contacted the Council about a number of issues that were affecting the street. The land is owned by the Council’s Housing Revenue Account, so the Housing Service carried out a range of improvements including:

    • Improvements to drainage, which prevents flooding to front gardens during heavy spells of rain
    • Removing overgrown shrubs and trees which blocked out satellite and aerial signals
    • The replacement of a set of old outdoor stairs
    • Replacing a retaining wall that had started to bow
    • Improvements to a greenspace embankment, which has enhanced the look of the area and made it maintenance-free

    Residents of Pullar Terrace were fully consulted before work began, and throughout the project.

    Housing and Social Wellbeing Convener, Councillor Tom McEwan visited the street to see the improvement work. He said: “The completion of the project at Pullar Terrace underlines our commitment to enhancing the quality of life for our tenants and residents.

    “We listened to their concerns and invested a significant amount of money to address them. The positive feedback we’ve received from tenants and residents about how the work has improved the street shows the importance of the community engagement we carried out through the process.

    “The new drainage system, embankment and structural replacements have not only resolved immediate issues but also improved the overall look and functionality of the area. The project highlights how close partnership working between the Council and residents can lead to meaningful and lasting improvements.”

    Last modified on 07 April 2025

    Share this page

    Print

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 8, 2025
←Previous Page
1 … 145 146 147 148 149 … 268
Next Page→
NewzIntel.com

NewzIntel.com

MIL Open Source Intelligence

  • Blog
  • About
  • FAQs
  • Authors
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Patterns
  • Themes

Twenty Twenty-Five

Designed with WordPress