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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI USA: “Stable” Coins or Risky Business?

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The Division of Corporation Finance issued another installment today[1] in its ongoing statement series dedicated to jurisdictional carve-outs for crypto.  This one opines that certain so-called “stablecoins” are not securities.  What’s remarkable about this statement is not so much its ultimate conclusion, but the analysis staff relies on to get there.  The statement’s legal and factual errors paint a distorted picture of the USD-stablecoin market that drastically understates its risks.

    Much of the staff’s analysis is premised on issuer actions that supposedly stabilize price, ensure redeemability, and otherwise reduce risk.  Staff also acknowledges, albeit briefly, that some USD-stablecoins are available to retail purchasers only through an intermediary and not directly from the issuer.  But it is the general rule, not the exception, that these coins are available to the retail public only through intermediaries who sell them on the secondary market, such as crypto trading platforms.  Over 90% of USD-stablecoins in circulation are distributed in this way.[2]  Holders of these coins can redeem them only through the intermediary.  If the intermediary is unable or unwilling to redeem the stablecoin, a holder has no contractual recourse against the issuer.  The role of intermediaries, particularly unregistered trading platforms, as primary distributors of USD-stablecoins poses a panoply of significant, additional risks that staff does not consider.[3]

    Staff fails to unpack the consequences of this market structure and how it affects risk.  The fact that intermediaries conduct most retail USD-stablecoin distribution and redemption significantly diminishes the value of the issuer actions staff relies on as “risk-reducing features.”  Key among these features is an issuer asset reserve that staff describes as designed to “satisfy fully their redemption obligations,” i.e., with enough assets to pay out a $1 redemption for each outstanding coin.  But generally speaking, as described above, issuers have no “redemption obligations” to retail coin holders.  These holders have no interest in or right to access the issuer’s reserve.  If they redeem coins through an intermediary, they are paid by the intermediary, not from the issuer’s reserve.  The intermediary is not obligated to redeem a coin for $1 and will instead pay the holder the market price.  Retail coin holders therefore do not, as staff claims, have a “right[]” to “redemption for USD on a one-for-one basis.”

    It is also grossly inaccurate for staff to suggest that just because an issuer’s reserve is, at some point, somehow valued at or above the par value of its outstanding coins, the issuer has sufficient reserves to satisfy unlimited redemption requests (from intermediaries or coin holders) at any future time.  First, the issuer’s overall financial health and solvency cannot be judged by the value of its reserve, which tell us nothing about its liabilities, risk from proprietary financial activities, and so forth.  Second, there is always a risk, particularly in times of market stress or if the price of a stablecoin drops, of a “run” scenario where intermediaries and/or issuers cannot honor all redemption requests in real time.[4]  This leads to a “self-reinforcing cycle of redemptions and fire sales of reserve assets.”[5]  Major run events have already occurred with USD-pegged stablecoins, with significant consequences for the broader stablecoin market and the traditional banking system.[6] 

    Staff further overstates the assurance value of issuer reserves by claiming that some issuers publish reports, called “proof of reserves,” that “demonstrate that a stablecoin is backed by sufficient reserves.”  As the SEC and the PCAOB have warned, proof of reserve reports demonstrate no such thing.  Their content is unregulated, not subject to PCAOB standards, and determined entirely at the issuer’s discretion.  They are “typically [ ] not designed to” and “often provide no assurance as to the reliability of the information provided.”[7]  Other regulators have similarly warned of the general lack of transparency and reliability in how stablecoin reserves are invested, managed, and valued.[8]  Whatever claims issuers make about their reserves, stablecoin holders have unfortunately learned the hard way that these claims often turn out to be false.[9]

    Understanding these facts, it becomes clear that as a legal matter, staff is simply wrong that the issuer’s reserve is a “risk-reducing” feature under the Reves test. Risk-reducing features under Reves include collateralization, insurance, or federal regulatory oversight.[10]  Because retail coin holders generally have no right to access the issuer’s reserve to guarantee redemption at any price, let alone $1, the reserve does not “collateralize” stablecoins held by the retail public.[11]  Without a redemption right against the issuer, a retail stablecoin holder has no claim in a bankruptcy proceeding, as an unsecured creditor or otherwise, if the issuer becomes insolvent.[12]  Just like the product at issue in Reves, USD-stablecoins are “uncollateralized and uninsured.”[13]  Even intermediaries responsible for retail redemptions may not be secured creditors of the issuer, meaning they too would have limited or no ability to recover directly from the reserve if the issuer declares bankruptcy.  The contractual arrangements between issuers and intermediaries are bespoke and generally non-public, leaving retail coin holders (and regulators) in the dark.

    The statement also presents a practical problem:  what if any existing stablecoins actually meet the stated criteria and fall within the staff’s definition of “Covered Stablecoin”?  It is hard to even understand what staff’s criteria are because the statement is written as though issuers have redemption obligations directly to retail coin holders when in general, they do not.  For example, staff claims that issuers stabilize the price because they “mint[ ] and redeem[ ] Covered Stablecoins on a one-for-one basis with USD at any time and in unlimited quantities.”  But staff fails to explain if or how that occurs in the typical case of a USD-stablecoin that is purchased and redeemed by retail holders only through intermediaries.  To the extent distribution and redemption affect the retail market price, it is the intermediaries, not the issuers, whose actions matter.  What are the practices and obligations of those intermediaries?  Is that information disclosed to the retail public?  Staff gives us no idea.

    These legal and factual flaws in the staff’s statement do a real disservice to USD-stablecoin holders, and, given the central role of stablecoins in the crypto markets, to crypto investors more generally.  They feed a dangerous industry narrative about the supposed stability and safety of these products.  This is perhaps best highlighted by the staff’s choice to parrot a highly misleading marketing term, “digital dollar,” to describe USD-stablecoins.  Make no mistake:  there is nothing equivalent about the U.S. dollar and unregulated, privately-issued crypto assets that are opaque (clearly even to the staff), uncollateralized, uninsured, and laden with risk at every step of their multi-layer distribution chain.  They are risky business. 

    [1] The timing of today’s statement – issued as the country is reeling from market turmoil not seen since the early days of COVID-19 – calls into question how the Commission is choosing to deploy its increasingly limited staff resources.

    [3] See IOSCO Policy Recommendations for Crypto and Digital Asset Markets Final Report, pp. 9, 71-72 (Nov. 16, 2023) (“The majority of stablecoin distribution[ ] [ ] occurs on secondary markets through [crypto asset service providers] and clients may not be aware of what rights they have and do not have against a stablecoin issuer … [i]n many stablecoin structures, the stablecoin issuer will allow only larger institutions and crypto-asset trading platforms to interact directly with the stablecoin issuer to create and to redeem stablecoins … [this] creates conflicts [of interest between the issuer and intermediary] and gives rise to potential misuse of inside information, market manipulation and other misconduct”); SEC Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Exercise Caution with Crypto Asset Securities:  Investor Alert (Mar. 23, 2023) (“crypto asset securities trading platforms or other intermediaries (such as so-called ‘crypto exchanges’) may offer a combination of services that are typically performed by separate firms that may each be required to be separately registered with the SEC, a state regulator, or a SRO.  The commingling of these functions, exchange, broker-dealer and custodial functions, for example, creates conflicts of interest and risks for investors ….”).

    [10] See Reves v. Ernst & Young, 494 U.S. 56, 69 (1990).

    [11] See Black’s Law Dictionary, “Collateral” (12th ed. 2024) (defined as “[p]roperty that is pledged as security against a debt; the property subject to a security interest or agricultural lien.” (citing UCC Article 9-102(a)(12)); SEC v. Wallenbrock, 313 F.3d 532, 539 (9th Cir. 2002) (“here the so-called collateralization appears to be a fiction … investors had no way of reaching the assets.”).

    [13] See Reves, 494 U.S. at 69.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Pender Growth Fund Provides Financial Highlights and Company Updates

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSXV: PTF) Pender Growth Fund Inc. (the “Company”) today announced its financial and operational results for the year ended December 31, 2024.

    Financial Highlights

    • Net income was $55,473,592 for the year ended December 31, 2024 (December 31. 2023 – Net income $1,029,528) due to positive investment performance during the year.
    • Net income per Class C common share (“Share”) for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $7.61 (December 31. 2023 – Net income per Share $0.14).
    • The Company’s total shareholders’ equity increased by $53,195,329, from $69,886,178 at December 31, 2023 to $123,081,057 as at December 31, 2024, due to net income from positive investment performance of $55,473,592 during the year, offset by shares repurchase of $2,278,263 under the Company’s Normal Course Issuer Bid (“NCIB”).
      • Shareholders’ equity was $17.25 per Share as at December 31, 2024 (December 31, 2023 – $9.48).
      • 7,133,229 shares were outstanding as at December 31, 2024 (December 31, 2023 – 7,368,229), a decrease of 235,000 shares as a result of shares repurchase under the NCIB, which was renewed on February 15, 2024.
      • At December 31, 2024, 64.7% of the investment portfolio was made up of public companies and 35.3% of private companies and Net Assets were 56.9% publicly listed companies, 31.1% private unlisted companies, and 12.0% cash and other assets net of liabilities.
      • Management Expense Ratio (“MER”) before performance fees was 2.65% for the year ended December 31, 2024, up 0.34% compared to 2.31% in 2023.
    PERFORMANCE

    (Based on Shareholders’ Equity)

    		 3 Month 1 Year 3 Year 5 Year Since Inception
    Class C 14.2 % 81.9 % -12.9 % 29.9 % 21.4 %


    Portfolio Highlights

    The completion of the sale of Copperleaf in the third quarter of 2024 and the resulting injection of $70 million cash, substantially changed the Company’s portfolio.

    In October, the Company closed the purchase of four private technology companies from Pluribus Technologies. The acquisition was made by Pender Software Holdings (“PSH”) a new entity owned 86% by Pender, with the balance owned by Acorn Partners Inc. (“Acorn”) and its principals. Acorn (www.acorncappartners.com) is a Vancouver based company that invests in tech companies and provides advisory services to clients. In early 2025, Acorn was merged into PSH and the shares of PSH formerly held by the Acorn were transferred to its principals. The four software companies acquired are each cash flow positive and stable. PSH is leaving existing management in place to facilitate a focus on operational excellence with strategic support and access to capital managed by Pender and Acorn. Ampere Chan, the founder and CEO of Acorn is the CEO of PSH. Pender intends to use PSH as a vehicle for investing in additional software companies. We believe this new enterprise has great potential. 

    With the significant run up in equities over the last year that has pushed large cap equity valuations to multi year highs, we remain vigilant and prepared for increased volatility as we enter 2025. The general trend in inflation continues to moderate towards central bank target levels and expectations are for continued interest rates cuts, albeit at a more moderate pace. Potential headwinds could also include trade policies, particularly tariffs, which could weigh on corporate earnings, and fiscal challenges in developed economies as government deficit spending remains high. There is always the potential for volatility as market expectations shift after such a strong run in risk assets in the past few quarters.

    We believe that the Company continues to be well-positioned today to pursue its investment objectives and we continue to find attractive investments opportunities as valuations in micro and small cap stocks in North America remain attractive despite the recent rally this year.

    Investment results may be affected by future developments and new information that may emerge about broad economic conditions, inflation, central bank measures, geopolitical risks, market risk, unexpected judicial or regulatory proceedings and other global events, factors that are beyond the Company’s control.

    While macro events have driven investor sentiment, we have remained focused on our bottom-up fundamental research to identify companies that can thrive in a wide range of economic scenarios. We believe that this environment provides compelling opportunities for long-term focused investors and that the Company is well-positioned to continue to pursue its investment objectives.

    In 2024, as always, we worked closely with our private portfolio companies and certain of our public portfolio companies.

    Other Highlights

    We continued to acquire shares of the Company in the market under our NCIB because we believe the shares are trading at a discount to their intrinsic value. On February 20, 2025, the Company launched a new NCIB, under which the Company may purchase a maximum of 587,342 shares, or 10% of the Company’s public float on launch date, during the one-year period ending February 19, 2026.

    We encourage you to refer to the Company’s MD&A and the annual audited financial statements for the year-ended December 31, 2024, and other disclosures available under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca for additional information.

    About the Company        

    Pender Growth Fund Inc is an investment firm. Its investment objective is to achieve long-term capital growth. The Company utilizes its small capital base and long-term horizon to invest in unique situations, primarily small cap, special situations, and illiquid public and private companies. The firm invests in public and private companies principally in the technology sector. It trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “PTF” and posts its NAV on its website, generally within five business days of each month end.

    Please visit www.pendergrowthfund.com.

    For further information, please contact:

    Tony Rautava

    Corporate Secretary
    Pender Growth Fund Inc.
    (604) 653-9625
    Toll Free: (866) 377-4743
    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    Forward-Looking Information

    This news release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of applicable securities laws) relating to the business of the Company and the environment in which it operates. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as “believe”, “anticipate”, “project”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “will”, “may”, “estimate” and other similar expressions. These statements are based on the Company’s expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections and include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s decreased portfolio risk and future investment opportunities. The forward-looking statements in this news release are based on certain assumptions; they are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual information form available at www.sedarplus.ca. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Readers, therefore, should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BitMart Joins Global Dollar Network to Advance Trusted Stablecoin Adoption

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Mahe, Seychelles, April 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  BitMart, a global leader in cryptocurrency trading, is proud to announce its strategic partnership with Paxos, the issuer of Global Dollar (USDG), through its participation in the Global Dollar Network (GDN). This collaboration marks a significant milestone in BitMart’s commitment to accelerating adoption of trusted, stable, and enterprise-grade digital assets.

    The Global Dollar Network is an open network of market leaders working collectively to build a stablecoin-enabled, accessible financial system. USDG, the digital asset powering this network, is a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin issued by Paxos Digital Singapore Pte. Ltd. (PDS), a financial institution under prudential oversight by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). USDG is substantively compliant with MAS’s upcoming stablecoin framework.

    As a newly onboarded GDN partner, BitMart will not only enable users to purchase USDG directly on its platform but also facilitate broader trading options by introducing USDG trading pairs in the near future. This integration enhances the utility and accessibility of USDG across global markets.

    For more details on USDG and its terms of use, please visit: https://www.paxos.com/terms-and-conditions/stablecoin-terms-conditions

    About BitMart
    BitMart is the premier global digital asset trading platform. With millions of users worldwide and ranked among the top crypto exchanges on CoinGecko, it currently offers 1,700+ trading pairs with competitive trading fees. Constantly evolving and growing, BitMart is interested in crypto’s potential to drive innovation and promote financial inclusion. To learn more about BitMart, visit their Website, follow their X (Twitter), or join their Telegram for updates, news, and promotions. Download BitMart App to trade anytime, anywhere.

    About Global Dollar (USDG)
    Global Dollar (USDG) is a trusted U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin issued by Paxos Digital Singapore Pte. Ltd., which is subject to prudential oversight by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. USDG powers the Global Dollar Network, an enterprise-grade network of market leaders accelerating stablecoin adoption.

    Disclaimer:
    Use of BitMart services is entirely at your own risk. All crypto investments, including earnings, are highly speculative in nature and involve substantial risk of loss. Past, hypothetical, or simulated performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

    The value of digital currencies can go up or down and there can be a substantial risk in buying, selling, holding, or trading digital currencies. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital currencies is suitable for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. BitMart does not provide any investment, legal, or tax advice.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Sanders, Baldwin Demand Answers on Trump, RFK Jr. Ripping $12 Billion Away from Communities to Tackle Public Health Threats, Opioids Crisis, & More

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Senators warn that de-obligation of funds will put health and well-being of the American people in jeopardy—and flies in face of Congress’ intent

    Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, led a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demanding answers on the Trump administration’s abrupt decision to rip away $12 billion in funding that had already been awarded to states, Tribes, and localities across the country to address public health threats, tackle the substance use and mental health crises, and more. Earlier this week, 23 states and the District of Columbia—including Washington state—sued the Trump administration in federal court in Rhode Island over the decision to cancel the funding. On Thursday, Judge Mary S. McElroy, temporarily barred HHS from cutting the grants, noting the states had made a strong case.

    The letter was also signed by: Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Jack Reed (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angus S. King Jr. (I-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Christopher A. Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), and Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR).

    “We write with extreme concerns about the Department’s decision to suddenly terminate grants and de-obligate funds that have already been awarded to states, Tribes, and localities across the country to address public health threats, including the devastating substance use and mental health crisis,” write the Senators. “Last week, without any notice the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) terminated approximately $12 billion in supplemental funding that states and communities were actively putting to use to address urgent needs and protect Americans’ health. Pulling the rug out from these local efforts will make our country less prepared to tackle ongoing disease outbreaks like bird flu and measles, the fentanyl crisis, and much more—and will put the health and well-being of the American people in jeopardy.”

    In their letter, the Senators explain that Congress appropriated funding to bolster states, Tribes, and localities’ efforts to protect Americans from public health threats—and provided that funding to be used over the course of several years, understanding the need for the resources would extend well beyond the termination of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

    “Over the course of several bills, Congress appropriated supplemental funding to respond to the pandemic, support behavioral health and recovery efforts, and better prepare for future threats. States and local jurisdictions across the country have been dutifully spending down funds that were obligated to them, consistent with purposes of the appropriations, the length of time they were made available in law, and the conditions of their grants,” the lawmakers write. “The Department’s stated rationale for terminating these grants is that the pandemic is over. However, these funds were not appropriated to only be available or used during the pandemic or the COVID-19 public health emergency. Understanding various needs would go well beyond the specific period of the pandemic, Congress appropriated many of these funds without fiscal year limitation to be available until expended. Congress chose not to condition the availability of the funding on whether there was an active public health emergency or limit the period of availability of funding accordingly.”

    The lawmakers discuss some implications of the Department’s abrupt actions, and ask Kennedy for answers to a list of detailed questions, “These de-obligations include funds appropriated to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. These resources have been helping states and local communities prevent and treat mental health and substance use conditions that worsened during the pandemic and that states are still struggling to address…These funds were being used to bolster already underfunded health departments across the country to help modernize data systems to enable electronic case reporting, build laboratory capacity, and improve testing capabilities for diseases such as avian influenza, measles, and other respiratory diseases. The abrupt cancellation of these grants will further strain health departments responding to the ongoing bird flu and measles outbreaks, as well as the resurgence of other infections such as tuberculosis, pertussis, and syphilis… The immediate cancellation of these funds will not only make our country less safe from diseases, but will result in the firing of hundreds, if not thousands of public health workers nationwide. Washington state alone has estimated these grant terminations will put at least 200 jobs at risk.”

    “As previously stated, the ‘cause’ given by the Department for terminating these funds is completely inconsistent with the purposes for which Congress appropriated these funds. HHS must immediately reverse course,” they conclude.

    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:

    Dear Secretary Kennedy:

    We write with extreme concerns about the Department’s decision to suddenly terminate grants and de-obligate funds that have already been awarded to states, Tribes, and localities across the country to address public health threats, including the devastating substance use and mental health crisis. Last week, without any notice the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) terminated approximately $12 billion in supplemental funding that states and communities were actively putting to use to address urgent needs and protect American’s health. Pulling the rug out from these local efforts will make our country less prepared to tackle ongoing disease outbreaks like bird flu and measles, the fentanyl crisis, and much more—and will put the health and well-being of the American people in jeopardy.

    During President Trump’s first administration, the COVID-19 pandemic killed over 500,000 Americans in 2020 alone. It exposed significant weaknesses in our public health infrastructure and preparedness capabilities while also exacerbating our mental health and substance use crises. Over the course of several bills, Congress appropriated supplemental funding to respond to the pandemic, support behavioral health and recovery efforts, and better prepare for future threats. States and local jurisdictions across the country have been dutifully spending down funds that were obligated to them, consistent with purposes of the appropriations, the length of time they were made available in law, and the conditions of their grants.

    The Department’s stated rationale for terminating these grants is that the pandemic is over. However, these funds were not appropriated to only be available or used during the pandemic or the COVID-19 public health emergency. Understanding various needs would go well beyond the specific period of the pandemic, Congress appropriated many of these funds without fiscal year limitation to be available until expended. Congress chose not to condition the availability of the funding on whether there was an active public health emergency or limit the period of availability of funding accordingly.

    These de-obligations include funds appropriated to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These resources have been helping states and local communities prevent and treat mental health and substance use conditions that worsened during the pandemic and that states are still struggling to address. These are not issues that ended when the COVID-19 public health emergency ended—drug overdose deaths in 2023 topped 105,000 and suicide rates and mental health conditions among youth continue to climb post-pandemic. These funds, which states are required to expend by September 30, 2025, are being used for early intervention for children, crisis response teams, overdose prevention work, to build out the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, and much more. States were preparing to wind down these programs as the funding expires, but the abrupt cancellation of these grants puts lives and essential response efforts at serious risk as states scramble to adjust. In Wisconsin, for example, the state has indicated that the termination of these grants may result in those in substance use treatment being discharged before treatment is complete or reducing the amount of the lifesaving opioid overdose reversal drug, naloxone, provided to law enforcement in communities across the state.

    The de-obligations also include funds granted through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that have supported a wide range of public health programs administered by state and local health departments and were not set to expire until fiscal year 2026, or in some cases, 2027. These funds were being used to bolster already underfunded health departments across the country to help modernize data systems to enable electronic case reporting, build laboratory capacity, and improve testing capabilities for diseases such as avian influenza, measles, and other respiratory diseases. The abrupt cancellation of these grants will further strain health departments responding to the ongoing bird flu and measles outbreaks, as well as the resurgence of other infections such as tuberculosis, pertussis, and syphilis.

    For example, Lubbock, Texas, the center of the ongoing measles outbreak that has infected at least 400 individuals, had 3 grants terminated that were being used to respond to the outbreak. Public health officials in Maine announced the state will lose $91 million in funding and indicated the grants were being used to fill gaps in their public health infrastructure including biosecurity and mental and behavioral health care. North Carolina’s cut of $100 million will affect the state’s immunization program and infectious disease response. The immediate cancellation of these funds will not only make our country less safe from diseases, but will result in the firing of hundreds, if not thousands of public health workers nationwide. Washington state alone has estimated these grant terminations will put at least 200 jobs at risk.

    Given the sudden nature of these actions and lack of notice provided to grantees we request the information and responses to the following questions by April 7, 2025 at 5:00pm.

    1. Provide a list of grants terminated, including any grants that were terminated and later reinstated.

    2. Provide a table of de-obligated funds by state.

    3. What is the source of the de-obligated funds? Provide the amount by public law and account/section.

    4. What is the Department’s justification for terminating these grants?

    5. Why did the Department only provide a 30-day window for states to close out grants and not provide more notice for the orderly winddown of programs?

    6. What is the Department’s plan for the approximately $12 billion in funding that was de-obligated?

    7. Does the Department have plans to de-obligate additional supplemental funding, including funds provided in the American Rescue Plan?

    8. Did the Department ensure that the emails they sent were up to date and confirm that all states and grantees whose funds were de-obligated were aware prior to the Department rescinding these funds?

    As previously stated, the “cause” given by the Department for terminating these funds is completely inconsistent with the purposes for which Congress appropriated these funds. HHS must immediately reverse course.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: World News in Brief: Cholera surges worldwide, DR Congo update, WHO leads global health emergency exercise

    Source: United Nations 2

    Peace and Security

    A global surge in cholera is threatening vulnerable people from Angola to Myanmar, fuelled by conflict, natural disasters and climate change, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.

    The UN health agency registered almost 810,000 cases and 5,900 deaths from the preventable disease in 2024; that’s about 50 per cent higher than the previous year, according to Dr Philippe Barboza, who leads WHO’s cholera team.

    He said the latest reported cases are almost certainly underestimates and that the disease continues to affect countries that were previously cholera-free.

    Funding cuts

    Recent cuts to international aid funding are also hindering the response, Dr Barboza said, giving the example of how in the previous two years, a donation of $6 million would have allowed WHO to fully control any outbreak occurring in either Malawi or Zambia.

    “But this amount of money is not available. So, this is a very major concern…outbreaks are getting worse and worse, deadlier and deadlier, but the funds are getting smaller and smaller.”

    WHO data indicates that for the first time in 10 years, Namibia reported infections this year, while Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe are also experiencing a resurgence.

    Angola has also reported nearly 10,000 cholera infections so far during 2025 and 380 people have died from the disease up to the end of March.

    Its capital city Luanda has been badly affected. In the past 28 days, the country reported almost 3,500 cases – making up 56 per cent of all the cases across Africa.

    Conflict, mass displacement, natural disasters and climate change have intensified outbreaks, particularly in rural and flood-affected areas, with poor infrastructure and limited access to healthcare.  

    But it’s not all doom and gloom. In September, production of cholera vaccines reached record levels, with the highest number of doses since 2013.

    “We also need to increase funding to support the response effort,” Dr. Barboza said. 

    Situation remains critical in Eastern DR Congo, say peacekeepers

    The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MONUSCO, continues to implement its mandates amidst a still critical security situation in the restive east, said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric on Friday.

    While reciprocal attacks between the CODECO and Zaire militias are continuing to target civilians in Ituri, MONUSCO continues to “push for an effective process of local political dialogue and to negotiate the safe release of abducted civilians,” including children.

    Regarding the situation in the regional capital Goma which was overrun by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in January, Mr. Dujarric said that “non-essential international staff for the UN are returning to Goma,” although “the protection situation under the M23 occupation remains challenging”.

    Mass displacements

    On the humanitarian end, renewed hostilities in North Kivu between armed groups in Rutshuru have “triggered the displacement of some 7,500 people,” said Mr. Dujarric.

    Local partners have also reported a raid on Mukongola General Referral Hospital by armed elements in the South Kivu province. “They vandalized the maternity ward, the pharmaceutical supplies and injured at least one individual,” he added.

    While Mr. Dujarric said that “humanitarian partners [were] working tirelessly to scale up assistance despite the insecurity and the constraints,” UN colleagues on the ground have reported that “ongoing military operations continue to impede humanitarian access.”

    “We reiterate our call for immediate, safe and sustained access to all areas,” the UN Spokesperson concluded.

    Pandemic control exercise puts WHO emergency system to the test

    The World Health Organization (WHO has successfully concluded a two-day exercise simulating the outbreak of a fictional virus spreading across the world – and what it will take to contain it.

    Convened by more than 15 countries, 20 regional health agencies, health emergency networks and other partners, “Exercise Polaris” was designed to test a new global coordination mechanism for health emergencies, under the umbrella of the WHO’s Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC).

    “This exercise proves that when countries lead and partners connect, the world is better prepared,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

    Coordination and collaboration

    GHEC’s structure, which emphasises the importance of coordinating the deployment of surge teams and experts – and of enhancing collaboration between countries – “shows that global cooperation is not only possible, it is essential,” said Tedros. “No country can face the next pandemic alone.”

    Throughout the simulation, while countries were leading their own response efforts, WHO provided technical guidance and emergency support.

    “The Global Health Emergency Corps has evolved into a powerful platform, building on practice, trust and connection,” said Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme. “Exercise Polaris showed what is possible when countries operate with urgency and unity supported by well-connected partners.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: PIMCO Closed-End Funds Announce Proposed Reorganizations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Board of Trustees of each of the following funds has approved the following proposals to reorganize the PIMCO closed-end municipal funds (each, a “Merger” and collectively, the “Mergers”), subject to the various shareholder approvals and other contingencies described below:

    • National Mergers: PIMCO Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: PMF) and PIMCO Municipal Income Fund III (NYSE: PMX) with and into PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II (NYSE: PML);
    • New York Mergers: PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: PNF) and PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund III (NYSE: PYN) with and into PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II (NYSE: PNI); and
    • California Mergers: PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II (NYSE: PCK) and PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III (NYSE: PZC) with and into PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: PCQ).

    If the Mergers are consummated, each of PML, PNI, and PCQ (each, an “Acquiring Fund”) would acquire all of the assets and liabilities of, as applicable, PMF, PMX, PNF, PYN, PCK, and PZC (each, an “Acquired Fund”), and the common shares of each Acquired Fund would, in effect, be exchanged for new common shares of the corresponding Acquiring Fund with an equal aggregate net asset value. In addition, each Fund has one or more series of Remarketable Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares (“RVMTP Shares”) outstanding. As part of each Merger, the outstanding RVMTP Shares of each Acquired Fund are expected to, in effect, be exchanged for RVMTP Shares of the corresponding Acquiring Fund with an aggregate liquidation preference equal to, and other terms that are substantially identical to, the corresponding series of RVMTP Shares of each such Acquired Fund.

    Each Merger is subject to approval by the applicable Acquiring Fund’s common shareholders to issue additional common shares (the “Merger Shares”) to be distributed to the Acquired Funds’ shareholders and, with respect to each Acquired Fund, the consent to the Merger of its RVMTP shareholders, as applicable. No Merger will be contingent upon the consummation of any other Merger. Common shareholders of the Acquiring Funds will be asked to vote on the applicable proposals at a Special Meeting of shareholders expected to take place on or about June 27, 2025, at a time and location to be stated in the proxy statement/prospectus (the “Shareholder Meeting”). A proxy statement/prospectus containing information about the meeting and the proposed reorganizations is expected to be mailed to each Acquiring Fund’s shareholders of record as of April 14, 2025. The proxy statement/prospectus will also be distributed to Acquired Fund shareholders to serve as a prospectus and an information statement for the Acquiring Fund Merger Shares. No action is needed from common shareholders of the Acquired Funds.

    Following the Mergers, each Acquiring Fund will continue to be managed in accordance with its existing investment objective and strategies:

    • PML seeks to provide current income exempt from federal income tax.
    • PNI seeks to provide current income exempt from federal, New York State and New York City income tax.
    • PCQ seek to provide current income exempt from federal and California income tax.

    The proxy statement/prospectus will include a comparison of, and more information regarding, the Acquiring Funds and their applicable Acquired Funds’ investment objective and strategies and other policies.

    It is currently expected that the Mergers will be completed on or about August 1, 2025, subject to PIMCO’s market outlook and operational considerations, the shareholder approvals described above and the satisfaction of applicable regulatory requirements and customary closing conditions.

    Further information regarding the proposals is contained in a proxy statement/prospectus that has been filed publicly and will be mailed to shareholders in the near future once declared effective.

    About PIMCO

    PIMCO was founded in 1971 in Newport Beach, California and is one of the world’s premier fixed income investment managers. Today we have offices across the globe and 3,000+ professionals united by a single purpose: creating opportunities for investors in every environment. PIMCO is owned by Allianz S.E., a leading global diversified financial services provider.

    This press release is not intended to, and does not, constitute an offer to purchase or sell shares of the funds; nor is this press release intended to solicit a proxy from any shareholder of the funds. The solicitation of the purchase or sale of securities or proxies to effect each Merger described herein will only be made by a final, effective registration statement, which will include a definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus, after the registration statement is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

    This press release references a joint proxy statement/prospectus filed by each Acquiring Fund and to be distributed as a proxy statement/prospectus to the shareholders of each Acquiring Fund and as a prospectus and an information statement to the shareholders of each Acquired Fund. The joint proxy statement/prospectus may be amended or withdrawn. The joint proxy statement/prospectus has not yet been declared effective by the SEC and will not be distributed to shareholders of the funds unless and until it is declared effective by the SEC.

    Investors and shareholders are urged to read the applicable joint proxy statement/prospectus and any other relevant documents when they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed reorganizations. After it is filed, free copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus will be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements. These statements may involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the performance of financial markets, the investment performance of PIMCO’s sponsored investment products and separately managed accounts, general economic conditions, future acquisitions, competitive conditions and government regulations, including changes in tax laws. Readers should carefully consider such factors. Further, such forward-looking statements speak only on the date at which such statements are made. PIMCO undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statement.

    This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. PIMCO is a trademark of Allianz Asset Management of America LLC in the United States and throughout the world. PIMCO Investments LLC, 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, is a company of PIMCO. ©2025, PIMCO.

    For information on PIMCO Closed-End Funds:
    Financial Advisors: (800) 628-1237
    Shareholders: (844) 337-4626 or (844) 33-PIMCO
    PIMCO Media Relations: (212) 597-1054

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Scarlet Sails graduation celebration won a prestigious award.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Graduation Celebration “Scarlet Sails”

    The Scarlet Sails Graduation Festival was recognized as the absolute winner of the XIII annual national award “Event of the Year”. The prestigious award was received in the nomination “Best Direction and Production of the Event” in the category “Innovative Solution of the Year”. The award ceremony took place at the Vladimir Mayakovsky Theater.

    The Scarlet Sails graduates’ festival, which has become a calling card not only for St. Petersburg but for all of Russia, has once again confirmed its uniqueness and significance. This award once again emphasizes the highest level of organization and creative work of the team.

    The Leningrad Graduation Ball appeared in 1968, and was discontinued in 1979. In 2005, on the initiative of Joint-Stock Bank “ROSSIYA”, the Government of St. Petersburg and Channel Five, the holiday was revived. A ship with scarlet sails reappeared in the waters of the Neva.

    All this time, Channel Five has been providing its live television broadcast without fail. For several years in a row, Channel Five’s team has been organizing a colorful water-pyrotechnic show. The main director is Mikhail Kolpakhchiev. The production of the concert part on Palace Square is provided by the event agency “ERA”. In 2024, Vladislav Kabanov and Maxim Akhtyamova acted as directors.

    Every year, the organizers of the legendary graduation try to surprise graduates and spectators, using innovative approaches and modern technologies. So last year, the stage complex used many technical means, lifting devices, platforms and suspended mechanisms, scenery hovering in the air, complex art objects. An unprecedented step by artists and designers is the high-altitude arrangement of multimedia screens and the creation of a wave-like non-linear form from them. This has never been done in the world before.

    The shape of the structure itself was more airy and open compared to previous years. A minimum number of walls were used. This allowed increasing the viewing angle to 270 degrees. The stage had the shape of a tree with a huge crown, with which various metamorphoses took place. The organizers paid special attention to the lighting component of the concert. The audience was presented with unusual experiments in the form of clear synchronization of computer graphics on LED panels and physical effects of light beams, as well as the work of pyrotechnic devices during the performance of Russian pop stars.

    The water-pyrotechnic show in the Neva River water area unfolded in ten locations. Under the salvoes of fireworks and a firefall, the audience, together with the heroes of the show, saw how true love is born and what power it has: it helps to overcome life’s trials. The culmination of the holiday was the appearance of the snow-white brig “Russia” with scarlet sails. A flock of dolphins gliding along the water, which accompanied the ship, added magic to the moment. They were flyboarders in luminous suits. During the final song “There are millions of us”, a crystal opened on the ship – a symbol of true love.

    In 2024, the festival was seen by almost 37 million people worldwide. The live broadcast of the water-pyrotechnic show on Channel Five took first place in the federal broadcast in the key audience of the channel “All 25-59” with a share of 11.4%. Over the past 17 years, the festival has been watched by a record number of Russian TV viewers – 7.7% aged 25 to 59. The water extravaganza was also broadcast by other federal channels. Its combined share on the air of four channels is 26.6% in the audience over 18 years old.

    The total television audience for the holiday in Russia and the CIS countries reached 25.5 million people.

    The fifth also broadcast the legendary graduation online on its website and official social media accounts. In 2024, the show was watched online by 11.3 million people, which is almost 12% more than in 2023.

    Reference*

    The Event of the Year award has been presented since 2011. During this time, it has gained an audience and fame among professionals in the event industry. The award traditionally identifies the best practices in Russia and covers all event formats, allows you to identify trendsetters and gives a well-deserved assessment of their achievements.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Waterbury Man Guilty of Firearm Offense Related to Gun Trafficking Operation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced a federal jury in New Haven today found LUIS PEREZ, 46, of Waterbury, guilty of a firearm offense related to an extensive gun trafficking investigation.

    According to court documents, statements made in previous court proceedings, and evidence presented during the trial, in May 2023, members of the FBI Waterbury Safe Streets Task Force conducted three controlled purchases of a total of nine firearms, and one controlled purchase of cocaine, from Perez.  An expanded investigation revealed that Perez was acquiring numerous firearms, most of which were purchased by straw purchasers from licensed gun dealers in Kansas and then shipped through the U.S. Mail to a stash location maintained by Perez’s associate, Algelly Diaz, in Hartford.  Perez then sold the firearms, which included assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, to others throughout Connecticut.  Perez and Diaz are previously convicted felons who cannot lawfully purchase or possess firearms.

    The investigation further revealed that, between August 2020 and May 2023, one of Perez’s co-conspirators purchased at least 73 firearms from a licensed gun dealer in Deerfield, Kansas. 

    Perez and Diaz were arrested on May 19, 2023.  On that date, investigators executed search warrants at locations in Connecticut, Kansas, and California.  A search of Perez’s residence and vehicle revealed nine firearms; more than 200 rounds of ammunition; distribution quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl/heroin; items used to process and package narcotics for street sale; and more than $7,000 in cash.  In addition, a search of Diaz’s residence revealed approximately 90 rounds of ammunition, and a search of a package that was shipped to Diaz and seized from the mail stream revealed an additional three firearms.

    The jury found Perez guilty of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  On March 19, 2025, Perez pleaded guilty to the other nine counts of the indictment in which he was charged, including one count of firearms trafficking conspiracy, three counts of firearms trafficking, two counts of mailing nonmailable firearms, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.

    At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Perez faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

    Perez has been detained since his arrest.

    Diaz pleaded guilty and, on February 4, 2025, was sentenced to 48 months of imprisonment.  Three others charged as a result of this investigation also pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

    This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Connecticut State Police; and the Waterbury, Meriden, Hartford, Manchester, East Hartford, West Hartford, and Chino (Calif.) Police Departments.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Christopher J. Lembo through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Portland Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Using Instagram to Sexually Exploit Children Online

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland man was sentenced to federal prison Thursday for using Instagram, a social media platform, to persuade children to produce and send him sexually explicit images of themselves.

    Solomon Dean Cook, 21, was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison and ten years’ supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $103,000 in restitution to his victims.

    According to court documents, in January 2022, the parent of a victim in Portland called the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center (NTOC) to report that an Instagram user had persuaded their child to produce and share a sexually explicit photo. The user threatened to distribute the image if the child did not continue producing and sending more images. During follow-up interviews with investigators, the victim identified a second child in Portland that Cook victimized.

    Federal agents traced two Instagram accounts to Cook and learned that he posed as a “sugar daddy” online by offering large amounts of money to entice children into sending him sexually explicit photos. Once the victims agreed, Cook’s demands for sexually explicit materials escalated and he threatened to release images of the victims if they did not comply with his demands. Investigators learned that between November 2021 and May 2022, Cook exploited three minor victims in this manner. 

    On May 11, 2022, Cook was arrested after agents executed a federal search warrant on his residence. During the search, Cook confessed to enticing the reporting victim into producing a sexually explicit image and to exploiting additional victims in the same manner. Investigators also searched Cook’s phone and found sexually explicit images of five minor victims and several adult victims.

    On June 7, 2022, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a four-count indictment charging Cook with sexual exploitation of children, attempted sexual exploitation of children, and receiving and possessing child pornography.

    On September 4, 2024, Cook pleaded guilty to three counts of enticing a minor online and one count of possessing child pornography.

    This case was investigated by FBI Portland’s Child Exploitation Task Force (CETF). It is being prosecuted by Mira Chernick, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

    Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

    The FBI CETF conducts sexual exploitation investigations, many of them undercover, in coordination with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. CETF is committed to locating and arresting those who prey on children as well as recovering and assisting victims of sex trafficking and child exploitation.

    Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Missouri Man Admits Child Pornography Offense

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. LOUIS – A man from O’Fallon, Missouri, on Friday admitted possessing child sexual abuse material on multiple electronic devices and in a cloud account.

    Davie John Metzger, 55, of O’Fallon, Missouri, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of receipt of child pornography. He admitted possessing 369 images of child sexual abuse material on a flash drive, 24 images on a hard drive, 211 in an online cloud storage account and 343 on a cell phone. Metzger’s conduct had triggered three CyberTipline reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The June 30, 2023, tip was triggered when he uploaded an image depicting a girl between the ages of 3 and 7. A subsequent court-approved search of his online account revealed photos that he’d surreptitiously taken of women and girls in public places.

    Metzger is scheduled to be sentenced on July 8. The crime carries a mandatory minimum prison term of five years and a maximum of 20 years.

    The FBI and the St. Charles County Cybercrime Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson is prosecuting the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Pivotal Helix Wins Gold 2025 Edison Award

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., April 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pivotal, the market leader in light electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, today announced it was recognized with the prestigious Gold 2025 Edison Award in The Future of Personal Flight & Drive category for the Helix, its high-performance, cloud-connected personal aircraft.

    The Helix redefines personal mobility. Hop into the flight deck, power the props, tilt to take off straight up, then tilt back to cruise in this electric biplane. From the panoramic canopy to the ergonomic flight controls, every inch of the flight deck is designed for ease of use. By reducing complexity, Pivotal’s single-seat aircraft immerses the pilot in the wonder of flight, minimizes points of failure, and offers a high degree of safety.

    “We are honored to be recognized by the Edison Awards for Pivotal’s innovations in personal aviation. Like Edison and Ford, who transformed how people lived and moved in everyday life, we set out to make flight more accessible,” said Ken Karklin, CEO of Pivotal. “Our light eVTOL aircraft combine breakthrough electric propulsion and an unconventional architecture with simplified controls, opening the skies to more people than ever before.”

    “At Pivotal, we are driven by a relentless focus on excellence. Our mission is to bring safe, easy-to-fly eVTOL aircraft to market, transforming the future of personal aviation by rethinking and executing the art of possible,” added Karklin.

    “Pivotal’s Helix is a game-changing innovation in personal transportation, making the future of personal flight a reality right now. It’s the kind of forward-thinking solution that exemplifies the visionary work we recognize at the Edison Awards,” said Frank Bonafilia, CEO, Edison Awards.

    All nominations are reviewed by the Edison Awards Steering Committee with the final ballot being determined by an independent judging panel. The panel is composed of more than 3,000 senior business executives and academics from the fields of product development, design, engineering, science, marketing, and education, as well as past winners.

    About the Helix
    Ideal for recreation and short-hop travel, the Helix personal aerial vehicle takes off and lands on grass, asphalt, snow, ice—there’s no landing gear, just a keel strip. Fly-by-wire controls, a 270° view, and quiet operation allow pilots to become immersed in their natural surroundings. At the heart of this vehicle is a robust fault-tolerant design with triple modular redundancy for reliability and safety. As an ultralight aircraft, the Helix complies with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Regulation Part 103.

    About The Edison Awards
    Established in 1987, The Edison Awards™ recognize excellence in new product and service development, marketing, design, and innovation. Developed and maintained in the legacy of Thomas Edison, The Edison Awards™ “symbolize the persistence and excellence personified by Thomas Edison and his Menlo Park team, while also strengthening the human drive for innovation, creativity, and ingenuity.

    About Pivotal
    Pivotal designs, develops, and manufactures light eVTOL aircraft. An industry pioneer, Pivotal is renowned for the BlackFly, the first light eVTOL to be commercially available and delivered to customers in the United States. In October 2023, Pivotal introduced its next generation production aircraft, the Helix, and in January 2024 began sales of the Helix. The company’s distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable technology platform have been under continuous improvement for well over a decade, and today, Pivotal has the most mature technology in the light eVTOL category. Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal vehicles are designed for a wide range of consumer, public safety, and defense applications. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA. For videos and more information, visit https://pivotal.aero.

    Media Contact:
    Heidi Groshelle
    press@pivotal.aero

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8736958f-fbaf-4405-a56c-c2fcaed2a7bc

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Work continues to repair washout damage on Westside Road

    Drivers are advised that Westside Road will remain closed through the weekend for repairs following a significant washout on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

    Repairs to the road include debris removal and the installation of new culverts at the washout site. The Ministry of Transportation and Transit anticipates reopening Westside Road to single-lane-alternating traffic sometime on Monday, April 7, 2025.

    The washout occurred following heavy rainfall, which triggered water and debris to release down a channel and cover the road.

    The ministry, along with its maintenance contractors, is collaborating with local governments, Indigenous communities and stakeholders to ensure a co-ordinated and safe approach to the repairs. Work is restricted to daylight hours. The ministry will provide updates about the schedule for reopening of the road as the work progresses.

    For up-to-date information about road conditions, visit DriveBC: https://DriveBC.ca  

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Secretary Chavez-DeRemer announces ‘America at Work’ listening tour

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer is embarking on a nationwide listening tour to hear more about the challenges and opportunities facing everyday Americans at work. This effort will keep President Trump’s promise to listen to the voices of forgotten workers left behind by Washington. 

    Throughout the tour, the Secretary will meet with various workers, union members, employers, and community leaders to ensure real-world experiences help shape and modernize federal labor policies and practices by taking the conversation directly to America’s workforce.

    “D.C. bureaucrats shouldn’t be telling modern-day businessowners and workers what’s best for them,” Secretary Chavez-DeRemer said. “As a businesswoman and former mayor, I’ve always found that getting the best results requires listening first. I’m excited to visit communities across the country to listen, learn, and bring hardworking Americans’ feedback to Washington to tell the story of America at Work.”

    The Department of Labor’s “America at Work” listening tour kicks off in Northeastern Pennsylvania this weekend with meetings and a roundtable discussion hosted by local union leaders and elected officials. 

    Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s key priorities for the listening tour include:

    • Fostering partnerships between businesses, unions, and educators to create a stronger workforce pipeline. 
    • Strengthening pathways to good-paying, sustainable jobs across U.S. industries. 
    • Identifying ways to improve workforce development and enhance economic prosperity. 
    • Promoting skills training, apprenticeships, and career education that meet modern workforce needs. 
    • Cutting the red tape stifling innovation or job growth while protecting workers’ rights. 
    • Supporting federal labor policies that empower both workers and job creators. 
    • Championing Made in America jobs and the industries that drive them. 
    • Highlighting best practices from the communities getting it right by showcasing America at Work. 
    • Above all, putting American workers first.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (CMS-4208-F)

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services

    Background 

    The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule on April 4, 2025, that modernizes and improves Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D), Medicare cost plan, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) programs. The Contract Year (CY) 2026 MA and Part D final rule implements changes related to prescription drug coverage, the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, dual eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs), Star Ratings, and other programmatic areas, including the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. This final rule also codifies existing sub-regulatory guidance in the MA and Part D programs. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 16 charged in sweeping Houston-based multimillion-dollar illegal gambling, money laundering conspiracy

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    HOUSTON – Several Houston-area residents were taken into custody April 2 on various charges including conspiracy, operating illegal game rooms, bribery, and money laundering following one of the largest law enforcement operations in East Texas history.

    The operation was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with assistance from IRS Criminal Investigation; the Houston Police Department; FBI; High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program; Harris County Constable’s Office – Precinct One; Harris County District Attorney’s Office; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Drug Enforcement Administration.

    In addition to those indicted in the scheme, authorities also arrested 31 illegal aliens on various immigration and firearms charges. One of those included an illegal alien who allegedly assaulted a law enforcement officer.

    The indictment, returned March 26 and unsealed upon the arrests, alleges Nizar Ali, 61, of Richmond, and others allegedly conspired to own, operate or assist in the operation of illegal game rooms. All also conspired to conduct financial transactions to conceal and disguise the nature and source of the proceeds of the illegal gambling business, which totaled more than $22 million, according to the charges.

    More than 700 law enforcement officers from 18 agencies served a total of 45 search and 40 seizure warrants at locations throughout Houston and the surrounding area. The locations included 30 illegal game rooms with names such as El Portal and Yellow Building.

    During the operation, authorities recovered more than $11 million in seized cash and bank accounts, as well as $5 million in property and vehicles, 2,000 slot machines, 100 Rolex watches and eight firearms. Law enforcement also seized approximately $6.5 million from bank accounts and other financial institutions pursuant to the court-issued warrants.

    In addition to Ali, others taken into custody include Naeem Ali, 33, and Amer Khan, 68, both of Richmond; Ishan Dhuka, 33, and Sahil Karovalia, 32, both of Rosenberg; Sarfarez Maredia, 38, and Shoaib Maredia, 40, both of Sugar Land; Yolanda Figueroa, 40, of Pasadena; Viviana Alvarado, 45, of LaPorte; and Anabel Eloisa Guevarra, 46, Precela Solis, 27, Maria Delarosa, 53, Claudia Calderon, 37, and Lucia Hernandez, 34, all of Houston.

    Two others – Sayed Ali, 59, of Richmond, and Stephanie Huerta, 35, of Houston – are considered fugitives and warrants remain outstanding for their arrests.

    All are charged with conspiracy, operating an illegal gambling business and interstate travel in aid of racketeering which each carry possible prison terms of five years as well as conspiracy to commit money laundering which has a maximum 20-year possible prison term. Ali is also charged with 32 counts of federal program bribery for allegedly paying more than $500,000 to an undercover officer in an attempt to protect the illicit game rooms from law enforcement intervention. If convicted, he faces up to 10 more years in prison on each count. With the exception of the money laundering charge, which has the possibility of a $500,000 maximum fine or twice the value of the property involved, the remaining counts carry a maximum $250,000 potential fine.

    Other agencies who provided support to the operation included U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Harris and Montgomery Counties’ sheriff offices, the Houston Fire Department, Texas Attorney General’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety and Baytown and Pasadena police departments.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Mark McIntyre, John Marck and Carolyn Ferko are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon Fyffe and Tyler Foster are handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.

    An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Asphalt Contractor to Pay Nearly $1.3 Million to Settle Claims that it Falsified Quality Test Results

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MINNEAPOLIS – Anderson Brothers Construction Company of Brainerd LLC, a construction and paving company located in Brainerd, Minnesota, has agreed to pay $1,295,610 to resolve allegations it violated the False Claims Act and the Minnesota False Claims Act from 2017 through 2022 by routinely and knowingly falsifying test results to make its paving material appear to be higher quality than it was and submitting those falsified results to the government in seeking payments for road paving in Minnesota.  

    The United States and the State of Minnesota alleged that, as a condition of payment for federally funded road paving contracts, Anderson Brothers was required to perform certain quality tests of its paving material and submit the results to the government.  The United States and the State of Minnesota further alleged that Anderson Brothers falsified the results and submitted them to the government to receive financial incentives for superior quality paving material and avoid deductions for lower-quality material.  As a result of those false test results, the United States and the State of Minnesota alleged that the government funded payments to Anderson Brothers for unearned incentives and Anderson Brothers avoided financial deductions that would have occurred had Anderson Brothers submitted truthful test results. Of the $1,295,610 civil settlement, the United States will receive $660,761 and the State of Minnesota will receive $634,849.

    “Protecting taxpayer dollars from fraud and abuse is one of our top priorities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “The submission of false claims for federally funded government contracts will not be tolerated. This settlement should serve as proof that we will actively investigate this conduct whenever it occurs and will hold to account any company that fails to bill accurately for the products provided.”

    “Today’s settlement reinforces the fact that companies doing business with the government must fully comply with federal regulations and contractual obligations,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Licari, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Midwestern Region. “When fraudulent conduct like this undermines the integrity of highway paving putting the safety of the travelling public at risk, it’s our job, together with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, to put an end to it.”

    The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Kacie Dixon, a former Bituminous Mix Technician at Anderson Brothers.  Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery.  The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Dixon v. Anderson Brothers Construction Company of Brainerd, LLC., Civil Action No. 22-cv-02078 (D. Minn.).  

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a joint effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota with assistance from the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Transportation.  The U.S. Government also received significant assistance in this matter from the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

    The matter was investigated by Fraud Section Trial Attorney Danielle Rowan and Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Fuller and Adam Hoskins for the District of Minnesota.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Cipher Mining Announces March 2025 Operational Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cipher Mining Inc. (NASDAQ:CIFR) (“Cipher” or the “Company”) today released its unaudited production and operations update for March 2025.

    Key Highlights

    Key Metrics March 2025
    BTC Mined1 210
    BTC Sold 206
    BTC Held2 1,034
    Deployed Mining Rigs 75,000
    Month End Operating Hashrate (EH/s) 13.5
    Month End Fleet Efficiency (J/TH) 18.9

    1 Includes March power sales estimates (based on current meter data and nodal prices) equivalent to 3 bitcoin (using month-end bitcoin price of $82,945) and 26 BTC mined at JV data centers representing Cipher’s ownership

    2 Includes ~394 BTC pledged as collateral

    Management Commentary for March

    In March, Cipher demonstrated the strength of its mining operation with another month of consistent production. Since the last update, the company has continued to make substantial progress on the construction of Black Pearl, highlighted by the ahead of schedule receipt of our second transformer for the site. In addition, Cipher maintains high conviction in the HPC opportunity, and in the significant value of our pipeline for HPC compute.

    Bitcoin Production and Operations Updates for March 2025

    Cipher produced ~2101 BTC in March. As part of its regular treasury management process, Cipher sold ~206 BTC in March, ending the month with a balance of ~1,0342 BTC.

    Black Pearl construction continues to progress ahead of schedule.

    About Cipher

    Cipher is focused on the development and operation of industrial-scale data centers for bitcoin mining and HPC hosting. Cipher aims to be a market leader in innovation, including in bitcoin mining growth, data center construction and as a hosting partner to the world’s largest HPC companies. To learn more about Cipher, please visit https://www.ciphermining.com/.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws of the United States. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and includes this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. Any statements made in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, such as, statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations regarding its planned business model and strategy, its bitcoin mining and HPC data center development, timing and likelihood of success, capacity, functionality and timing of operation of data centers, expectations regarding the operations of data centers, potential strategic initiatives, such as joint ventures and partnerships, and management plans and objectives, are forward-looking statements and should be evaluated as such. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “seeks,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “strategy,” “future,” “forecasts,” “opportunity,” “predicts,” “potential,” “would,” “will likely result,” “continue,” and similar expressions (including the negative versions of such words or expressions).

    These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Cipher and its management, are inherently uncertain. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: volatility in the price of Cipher’s securities due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and regulated industry in which Cipher operates, Cipher’s evolving business model and strategy and efforts it may make to modify aspects of its business model or engage in various strategic initiatives, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Cipher’s business, and the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations and to identify and realize additional opportunities. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of Cipher’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 25, 2025, and in Cipher’s subsequent filings with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Cipher assumes no obligation and, except as required by law, does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

    _____________________________

    1 Includes March power sales estimates (based on current meter data and nodal prices) equivalent 3 bitcoin (using month-end bitcoin price of $82,945) and 26 BTC mined at JV data centers representing Cipher’s ownership

    2 Includes ~394 BTC pledged as collateral

    Website Disclosure

    The company maintains a dedicated investor website at https://investors.ciphermining.com/ (“Investors’ Website”). Financial and other important information regarding the Company is routinely posted on and accessible through the Investors Website. Cipher uses its Investors’ Website as a distribution channel of material information about the Company, including through press releases, investor presentations, reports and notices of upcoming events. Cipher intends to utilize its Investors’ Website as a channel of distribution to reach public investors and as a means of disclosing material non-public information for complying with disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. In addition, you may sign up to automatically receive email alerts and other information about the Company by visiting the “Email Alerts” option under the Investors Resources section of Cipher’s Investors’ Website and submitting your email address.

    Contacts:
    Investor Contact:
    Courtney Knight
    Head of Investor Relations at Cipher Mining
    courtney.knight@ciphermining.com

    Media Contact:
    Ryan Dicovitsky / Kendal Till
    Dukas Linden Public Relations
    CipherMining@DLPR.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2cf6789b-60a7-46dd-85e3-468e9ca2cacd

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Men Sentenced for Their Roles in a Deadly Human Smuggling Operation in Santa Teresa

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – Three men involved in a coordinated human smuggling operation in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, have been sentenced after their actions led to a fatal vehicle collision that claimed the lives of two undocumented non-citizens.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    According to court records, on June 23, 2023, Jose Hermosillo-Camarillo, 22, of Albuquerque, drove a vehicle carrying four undocumented non-citizens at high speeds through Santa Teresa, New Mexico, with Jesus Manuel Soto, 20, a Mexican national, as a passenger in the same vehicle. Despite no law enforcement engaging in a high-speed pursuit, Hermosillo-Camarillo drove recklessly, running two red lights and attempting an illegal U-turn at an intersection. This resulted in his vehicle being struck by a semi-truck traveling at 60 mph, causing severe injuries to the occupants and leading to the deaths of two—one at the scene and another later at the hospital. U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to render aid and secure the area until New Mexico State Police arrived and took command.

    Sergio Raul Diaz, 20, also of Albuquerque, drove a second vehicle in tandem with Hermosillo-Camarillo’s car. After the collision, Diaz fled into Texas at high speeds, running a red light and evading capture until his vehicle was immobilized by a tire deflation device. Four undocumented non-citizens from Diaz’s vehicle attempted to flee on foot but were apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol. Troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety arrested Diaz at the scene.

    Survivors revealed that smugglers charged approximately $1,500 per person for transportation. They also identified Soto as the foot guide that led them across the U.S.-Mexico border to meet Hermosillo-Camarillo and Diaz.

    Court records revealed that Hermosillo-Camarillo had been arrested previously for similar offenses in New Mexico and Arizona but had not been charged.

    Hermosillo-Camarillo, Soto, and Diaz each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport an illegal alien resulting in death. Hermosillo-Camarillo was sentenced to 144 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Soto received an 18-month prison sentence and will face deportation proceedings upon his release. Diaz was sentenced to 42 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, made the announcement today.

    Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol, New Mexico State Police, Hatch Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and New Mexico Department of Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy M. Castellano prosecuted the case as 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 –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Statement Following Finance Committee Vote on Bisignano Nomination to Lead Social Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    April 04, 2025

    Washington, D.C. — Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement after the committee voted off the Senate floor on the nomination of Frank Bisignano to be the commissioner of Social Security. The vote was 14-13, a party line.

    “By moving ahead with this vote, the Republican majority is sending a simple message to whistleblowers: put your whistles away,” Wyden said. “This level of disregard for whistleblower protection is unprecedented in the modern era of the Finance Committee. As the co-chair of the Whistleblower Caucus, along with former-Chairman Chuck Grassley, I am disturbed that the majority is unwilling to exercise its own judgement and work on a bipartisan basis to verify whether a nominee lied to the Finance Committee. Social Security is too important to Americans to stand by and do nothing while the Senate’s advice and consent role is thrown in the dust bin.”

    At the Finance Committee’s confirmation for Bisignano, Wyden asked the nominee to respond to a letter from a former senior official at Social Security alleging Bisignano was intimately involved in agency activities, including consulting with DOGE officials and rushing through the onboarding process for Akash Bobba, disregarding privacy laws and other safeguards raised by career employees at Social Security.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Merkley Demand RFK Jr. Reverse Mass Firings at Head Start, Office of Child Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    April 04, 2025
    Senators to Secretary Kennedy: “The termination of staff is alarming and will compound the challenges already facing these programs and services…with no clear planning nor considerations for how early childhood services will be impacted”
    Washington D.C.— U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) said today they are joining Senate colleagues to condemn the Trump Administration’s mass firings of federal employees at the Office of Head Start (OHS) and the Office of Child Care (OCC) and to urge Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to reinstate these employees immediately. 
    “This attack on employees at a time when children, families, child care providers, and early educators are relying on critical early childhood programs undermines the Department’s role in administering and conducting oversight of early childhood programs, including Head Start programs and child care assistance for working-class families across the country,” wrote the Senators. “We are deeply concerned by reports of a high number of employees at OHS and OCC who have been fired across the country who provide critical support to Head Start programs and help make child care safer and more affordable. The termination of staff is alarming and will compound the challenges already facing these programs and services, including the lack of timely and transparent information, with no clear planning nor considerations for how early childhood services will be impacted.”
    The sweeping firings of staff from these critical offices will severely restrict access to child care for working-class families. The Head Start program serves nearly 800,000 children, providing comprehensive services to help children receive health care and insurance, while offering parents job training, education, housing support, and nutrition services. 
    “The Administration’s decision to reduce staff comes at a time when it is increasingly expensive to run child care and early learning programs, the cost of child care continues to be out of reach for many working-class families, and the demand for quality child care continues to far outpace the supply,” continued the senators. “We are deeply concerned about the exacerbation of these issues for child care providers and children and families as a result of the Administration’s termination of a large portion of OHS and OCC staff, including the sudden closure of five of the ten Regional Offices and RIFs.”
    In addition to Wyden and Merkley, the letter was led by Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and also co-signed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). 
    Full text of the letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN rights office calls for end to Israel’s ‘illegal presence’ in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

    Source: United Nations 2

    Peace and Security

    Amid reports of escalating settler violence in the West Bank, the UN rights office, OHCHR, briefed the Palestinian rights committee at UN Headquarters in New York, which also featured a screening of the Oscar winning documentary No Other Land.

    The Palestinian co-director of the documentary, Basel Adra, delivered remarks to the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. Ambassador Riyad Mansour of the Observer State of Palestine and Israeli Human Rights lawyer Netta Amar Schiff – who joined via videolink – also took part.

    No Other Land, directed by Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers, sheds light on the lived reality of Palestinians under occupation in Masafer Yatta, a collection of 19 hamlets, in the occupied West Bank.

    ‘The same reality’

    “I wanted the world to know that we exist in this land…But even after winning the Oscar we went back to the same reality,” said Mr. Adra at the beginning of his remarks.

    UN Photo/Loey Felipe

    James Turpin, Chief of Prevention and Sustaining Peace Section, UN Human Rights, speaks during the meeting of the Committee on Exercise of Inalienable Rights of Palestinian People.

    Addressing the overall human rights situation, James Turpin, who heads the Prevention and Sustaining Peace Section at OHCHR, said that for 15 years his office “has monitored, recorded and warned about the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the widespread violations resulting from Israel’s 57-year military occupation.”

    “The documentary film, No Other Land, brings to life, in a compelling and accessible way, what the UN has documented in countless reports,” added Mr. Turpin.

    As of 2022, approximately 20 per cent of the West Bank had been designated as “firing zones” by Israeli authorities – or military areas closed to civilians – affecting over 5,000 Palestinians from 38 communities.

    Settlement expansion continues

    “There are now over 737,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank” and “steps are regularly taken to accelerate construction of additional housing units in new or existing Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem”, Mr. Turpin said.

    Israel’s policies and practices in the OPT “undermines the territorial integrity essential to the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and violates the prohibition against acquiring territory by force,” he added.

    In October 2023, in Masafer Yatta, Basel Adra’s cousin was shot in the chest by an Israeli settler. The scene unfolded in front of an Israeli soldier, Mr. Adra told the committee.

    “Israel systematically fails to prevent or punish settler attacks, with a reported policy of police non-enforcement in relation to settler violence, leaving Palestinians bereft of any hope of obtaining justice and accountability,” said Mr. Turpin.

    Livelihoods lost

    The OHCHR official added that settler violence “combined with arbitrary movement restrictions devastates Palestinian livelihoods,” highlighting also the use of unnecessary and disproportionate force against Palestinians, movement restrictions, and mass displacement.

    “Israel’s illegal presence in the OPT must end, as confirmed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ)” said Mr. Turpin, referring to the July 2024 Advisory opinion from the ICJ.

    “Almost every day there are settler attacks against Masafer Yatta,” added Basel Adra, co-director of No Other Land. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Province takes action to improve wildfire resiliency, enhance forest stewardship

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The Province is taking action to adapt B.C.’s forests to ensure long-term sustainability and good-paying jobs by enlisting BC Timber Sales (BCTS) to play a larger role in reducing wildfire risk and enhancing forest and community resilience through its operations.

    This work is increasingly urgent given the threat of sector-specific tariff threats coming from the United States.

    “The U.S. President is threatening our softwood lumber industry even more than the Americans already have with their unfair duties on our products,” said Premier David Eby. “Tariffs and duties drive up the cost of housing in the states and will cost jobs on both sides of the border. We stand with forestry workers, and this is just one of many actions we are taking to support the forestry industry as we get through this.”

    BCTS manages forest harvesting on more than 20% of B.C.’s public land. In January 2025, the Ministry of Forests initiated a review of BCTS, undertaken by an expert task force, to create pathways for a stronger, more resilient forestry sector. A progress update was announced at the Council of Forest Industries convention on Friday, April 4, 2025.

    “We have all witnessed the impacts of wildfire on B.C.’s communities, and we are uniting all parts of my ministry to tackle this challenge head on,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “Feedback from the review has made it clear: BCTS is more than just a market-pricing system. It has the expertise and the tools to play a bigger role in active forest management and addressing climate change, and British Columbians want to see that happen.”

    BCTS will work shoulder to shoulder with all divisions within the Ministry of Forests, including the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), local communities, First Nations and industry partners to:

    • reduce fuel loads in high-risk areas;
    • remove health-damaged trees to improve recreational site safety and ecosystem resilience;
    • expand the use of commercial thinning to maintain forest health while supplying fibre to the market;
    • rehabilitate rangelands to restore productive landscapes; and
    • strengthen its partnership with BCWS to expand the use of prescribed fire as a key forest-management tool.

    As this work progresses, the Province will determine how an expanded role for BCTS fits into a broader strategy to protect communities from wildfire and support healthy, resilient forests that meet the needs of people in British Columbia.

    During the Council of Forest Industries conference in Prince George, the Premier and minister of forests outlined government’s goal to have forest and wildfire salvage permits turned around in 25 days instead of 40. To address the cost of transporting B.C.’s wood products to market, the Premier also announced the approval of the nine-axle lumber truck and trailer combination for use on some logging routes in B.C.

    Government is also committed to improving infrastructure projects in the province to get more B.C. goods, such as lumber, to international markets. As the Province continues to build the schools, hospitals and facilities people need, there is a renewed commitment to explore every opportunity to build with B.C. wood.

    Learn More:

    To learn more about the review of BC Timber Sales, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/bc-timber-sales/economic-prosperity/bcts-review

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: April 04, 2025 Reps. Mullin & Fong Introduce Bipartisan Earthquake Resilience Act  Washington, DC – As April marks Earthquake Preparedness Month and on the heels of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15) and Rep. Vince Fong (CA-20) introduced bipartisan legislation that aims to improve America’s resilience during future… Read More

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

    Washington, DC – As April marks Earthquake Preparedness Month and on the heels of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15) and Rep. Vince Fong (CA-20) introduced bipartisan legislation that aims to improve America’s resilience during future earthquakes.  

    According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), nearly 75 percent of the U.S. could experience a damaging earthquake in the next century, and almost half of the population – 150 million people – reside in areas that are at risk.  

    On average, earthquakes cost the U.S. billions of dollars a year in building damages and associated losses. Earthquakes threaten not only lives and buildings, but also critical services such as power, water, communications, and transportation. These services, also referred to as “lifelines,” must be restored as quickly as possible following a natural disaster to enable other parts of a recovery effort.  

    The Earthquake Resilience Act (H.R.2568.) would direct federal agencies to conduct America’s first national risk assessment of earthquake resiliency to better understand how communities can prepare. It would also require the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program to develop standards for lifeline infrastructure so these critical systems can be quickly restored during an earthquake or other disasters.  

    “As we recognize Earthquake Preparedness Month, it’s clear that the risks of natural disasters extend far beyond California,” said Rep. Kevin Mullin. “Our growing reliance on lifeline systems—those vital services that allow us to live, work, and communicate—make it even more urgent. We need a national risk assessment and consistent infrastructure standards to ensure communities across the country are ready. With natural disasters becoming more frequent, it’s critical to start building resilience today for a safer future.” 

    “The 2019 Ridgecrest earthquakes deeply impacted a vital community within my district. This disaster proved that emergencies can strike at any moment, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen the coordination between our federal government and local agencies. I look forward to addressing gaps in earthquake preparedness to ensure we protect our communities and save lives,” said Rep. Vince Fong. 

    Seismic safety experts are championing the bill as a critical way to help communities across the country improve vital lifeline infrastructure. 

    “The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) applauds Rep. Mullin and Rep. Fong for their leadership in reintroducing the bipartisan Earthquake Resilience Act, which improves and accelerates recovery of communities and businesses after an earthquake,” said George K. Guszcza, President and CEO of NIBS. “Through the work of the Building Seismic Safety Council, NIBS has studied, developed, and maintained national seismic design standards for 45 years. Our communities – and their lifelines – must be ready.” 

    As lifelong Californians who have experienced earthquakes first-hand, Reps. Mullin and Fong are pleased to co-lead this bill in the 119th Congress.  

    Visit the Earthquake Resilience Act web page to learn more.  

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Alan Wilson to lead prosecution of illegal immigrant charged with hit-and-run of USC studentRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that his office will prosecute Rosali Fernandez Cruz, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador charged in the hit-and-run that led to the death of 21-year-old University of South Carolina student Nathanial “Nate” Baker, a native of Virginia.

    “This is a tragic situation, and our hearts go out to the family of Nate Baker, who had a bright future ahead of him,” said Attorney General Wilson. “His family sent him from Virginia to South Carolina to attend his parents’ alma mater and pursue his education. The individual charged in this case is an illegal immigrant ordered to be deported over seven years ago.”  

    Baker, a junior business major and active leader in the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, was riding his motorcycle Tuesday when he collided with the suspect at the intersection of Blossom and Assembly Streets. Cruz, driving a pickup truck, fled the scene and was arrested shortly after by the Columbia Police Department. He now faces multiple charges, including: 

    • Hit and run resulting in death
    • Failure to render aid
    • Failure to yield the right of way
    • Driving without a license

    Authorities have confirmed Cruz is in the country illegally and has had an order for removal since 2018. Attorney General Wilson’s office is coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to ensure there are no loopholes or escapes from justice. 

    “Illegal immigration is one of the top priorities for the state of South Carolina,” said Attorney General Wilson. “As the state’s top prosecutor, I will always make it a priority to enforce the law. Our office will prosecute this case directly. Law and order, border security, and the safety of South Carolina and the nation’s families are of utmost importance to me and my office. The people of this state expect action, and this office will ensure the rule of law is respected and enforced.”  

    After Cruz’s arrest, an active Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer was placed on him. This should result in his deportation back to El Salvador once the criminal process is completed.  

    You can find the letter sent to Solicitor Byron Gipson here. 

    Attorney General Wilson stresses all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty under the law.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Files Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration’s Attempt to Dismantle Several Federal Agencies, Protecting California’s Libraries and Museums

    Source: US State of California

    California’s 12th lawsuit against the Trump Administration seeks to protect federal workers and the essential services they provide to support American families, businesses, workers, and our cultural heritage 

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Bonta today joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s unlawful Executive Order No. 14238 (Closure Order) directing several Congressionally-established agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Minority Business Development Agency, and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, to eliminate every component and function not required by statute and reduce their statutorily required functions and associated staff to the minimum required by law. The President also ordered the Office of Management and Budget to deny these agencies authorization to spend federal funds already allocated by Congress for any functions beyond the minimum required by statute. The March 14, 2025 Closure Order is the Trump Administration’s latest attempt to unlawfully dismantle agencies that Americans rely on. This time, he is targeting agencies that provide services and funding supporting public libraries and museums, workers, and minority-owned businesses nationwide. The agencies subject to the Closure Order collectively provide billions of dollars in funding to States to support libraries, museums, and disadvantaged businesses, provide services that States rely on to peaceably resolve labor disputes, and more. In the lawsuit, the attorneys general argue that the Closure Order and its implementation are unlawful and cannot stand.

    “The Trump Administration is once again violating the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law by attempting to unilaterally shut down agencies the President doesn’t like, including agencies that give the public access to facts, knowledge, and cultural heritage for free or at low cost,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Dismantling these agencies would have a devastating impact on the public and on states across the nation — they provide important services for Americans and collectively provide billions of dollars to States to support libraries and museums, innovation and entrepreneurship for disadvantaged businesses, and help resolve labor disputes. The Order also threatens the livelihoods of federal workers employed at these agencies, once again flying in the face of the President’s promise to ease the financial burden felt by American families. The Trump Administration’s actions to strip these agencies down to their studs is blatantly illegal. As the President continues to flout his duty to the American people and the rule of law, I will continue to stand with my fellow attorneys general to uphold the Constitution and protect the crucial services that Californians rely on.”

    Following the Closure Order, the President directed agencies to report within one week whether they had achieved “full compliance” with the order, despite the fact that “full compliance” means near-total incapacitation of these agencies. As of April 4, the functions of at least three of these agencies have been completely incapacitated. For example, the Minority Business Development Agency has placed all but five of its more than 40 personnel on administrative leave and instructed them to wind down the agency’s remaining work. The Minority Business Development Agency supports more than 70 public-private business centers throughout the nation that provide business consultation, including centers that are specifically geared toward manufacturing businesses and businesses in rural areas. Three of these centers are located in California: in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Jose. In 2023 alone, the agency served more than 2,000 entrepreneurs who, in turn, created nearly 19,000 jobs. The President’s unlawful actions have also incapacitated the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, an agency that drives economic growth and innovation by mediating labor disputes in industries that affect commerce and negotiating collective bargaining agreements. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service has slashed its staff from roughly 200 to fewer than 15 individuals and ordered its staff to stop mediating labor disputes for public center entities, handling grievances arising out of collective bargaining agreements, or conducting public training or education efforts—essentially abandoning many of the core functions of this nearly 80-year-old agency.

    The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has also been materially harmed by the President’s Closure Order. IMLS supports libraries, museums, and related institutions through grant funding, research, and policy development, with the aim of advancing innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. IMLS’ largest funding program —and the largest source of federal funding for library services — is its Grants to States Program. In 2024, IMLS invested $180 million in libraries nationwide under its Grants to States Program. The administration’s action will threaten hundreds of library staff across the country that provide essential services to their communities. As of April 1, IMLS placed 85% of its staff on administrative leave, dramatically curtailed its administration of hundreds of grants and grant applications, and terminated statutorily mandated grant awards to several States. 

    The gutting of IMLS will cause destructive harm to California’s libraries and museums and the communities they serve. For example, California libraries employ approximately 17,000 employees who staff the State’s 1,127 libraries and serve 23 million California library card holders. The California State Library budget for this year included $15.7 million in IMLS funding allocated for staffing and continued operations. Over the last 40 years, IMLS funds have paid for multiple statewide library programs, including support for tutors helping adults and children read, write, and learn English; summer reading and activity programs; and services that help feed low-income children when school is out. IMLS funds also pay for continuing education for librarians and library workers, a 300,000-title eBook library accessible to all Californians, and digital efforts to protect California’s cultural heritage and local history. If the Closure Order stands, all functions and staff positions paid for with IMLS funding will cease to exist. The loss of these services would particularly harm lower-income families, seniors, and veterans who rely on libraries to help them navigate an increasingly digital world. The Trump Administration’s actions also threaten grants that support California’s incredible museums from the San Diego Zoo to the Exploratorium in San Francisco to Los Angeles’ Autry Museum of the American West. 

    In today’s lawsuit, Attorney General Bonta and a multistate coalition demonstrate that President Trump’s directive to shut down these agencies, and the steps taken to implement that directive, are unlawful and must be reversed. The coalition establishes that the Trump Administration cannot undo the many acts of Congress that authorize these agencies, dictate their responsibilities, and appropriate funds for the agencies to administer. The Trump Administration’s attempt to do so through the Closure Order violates the Executive Branch’s obligation to take care that the law is faithfully executed. Further, as the complaint details, the Closure Order and its implementation by the agencies violate both the Appropriations Clause and Separation of Powers Clause of the U.S. Constitution and broadly exceed the narrow discretion the Executive possesses under the Impoundment Control Act.

    Attorney General Bonta joined the lawsuit alongside the attorneys general of New York, Rhode Island, Hawaii, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. 

    A copy of the lawsuit is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Secretary of State Denny Hoskins Highlights Investor Protection Tools During America Saves Week

    Source: US State of Missouri

     

     

    Secretary of State Denny Hoskins Highlights Investor Protection Tools During America Saves Week

    • Complementary editorial penned by the Secretary attached for use.

     

    JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — As part of America Saves Week (April 8–12, 2025), Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, CPA, and the Securities Division are reminding Missourians of the importance of intentional financial planning — and the tools available to help protect their savings and investments.

     

    While the Secretary of State’s Office does not directly regulate traditional savings accounts, the week presents a valuable opportunity to raise awareness about the intersection of personal saving and investing — particularly when it comes to retirement planning and protecting vulnerable investors.

     

    “Financial intention is about more than saving money — it’s about protecting it,” said Secretary Hoskins. “Whether you’re planning for retirement, managing an inheritance, or investing for the first time, you need to do so with care, intention, and the right partners.”

     

    The Office of the Missouri Secretary of State encourages Missourians to:

     

    • Add a Trusted Contact to brokerage accounts. In conjunction with the Missouri’s Senior Savings Protection Act, state and federal law, empowers financial professionals to delay disbursements and alert a designated Trusted Contact if they suspect exploitation. “Adding a Trusted Contact is one of the simplest and most effective steps investors can take to protect themselves or their loved ones from fraud and financial abuse,” said Securities Commissioner Michael O’Donnell.
    • Be cautious when rolling over a 401(k). If you’re considering moving retirement savings from a 401(k) to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), it’s critical to vet the broker or investment adviser you’re planning to work with. You can research a professional’s background at https://brokercheck.finra.org, or call the Securities Division’s Investor Protection Hotline at (800) 721-7996 for help.
    • Understand that consistent, intentional saving is key. Align your financial goals and risk tolerance, and don’t fall for “get rich quick” schemes that promise guaranteed returns.

     

    “Saving and investing can be powerful tools for building a more secure future — but only when done wisely,” said O’Donnell. “During America Saves Week, we’re reminding all Missourians that it’s not just about how much you save, but how you protect and grow those savings over time.”

     

    For more investor education tools and to report concerns, visit http://www.sos.mo.gov/securities.

     

    To explore savings tips and resources during America Saves Week, visit https://americasavesweek.org.

     

    About Secretary of State Denny Hoskins

    Denny Hoskins, CPA, was elected Missouri’s 41st Secretary of State in November 2024. With a strong background in business and public service, he is committed to improving government efficiency, transparency, and supporting Missouri families.

     

    For more information, please contact: Rachael Dunn, Director of Communications, via email at [email protected].

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: BitMart at 7: CEO Sheldon Xia on Forbes, and the Future of Global Crypto Innovation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Mahe, Seychelles, April 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mahe, Seychelles, April 04, 2025 – In a recent exclusive interview with Forbes, BitMart Founder and CEO Sheldon Xia opened up about the company’s seven-year journey, its bold roadmap for the decade ahead, and how BitMart plans to remain a defining force in the global crypto industry.

    From Startup to Global Platform: A 7-Year Milestone

    Seven years ago, BitMart started as a bold idea. Today, it stands as a global platform with over 10 million users, $3 trillion in annual trading volume, and a growing footprint across more than 200 countries and regions.

    Reflecting on that journey, Sheldon said:“Seven years in crypto is indeed a long time, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built. Since 2017, BitMart has grown from a bold idea into a top-tier platform serving over 10 million users globally.”

    The company’s growth has been anchored in one core value: putting users first. BitMart offers more than 1,700 trading pairs, an ecosystem spanning Spot, Futures, Earn, Staking, and Launchpad, and an experience tailored to both beginners and professional traders.

    A Global Vision, Driven by Innovation

    Looking ahead, BitMart isn’t just refining its offerings—it’s scaling with purpose. According to Sheldon, the company’s long-term goal is clear: “BitMart aims to be the gateway to Web3, bridging today’s crypto economy with tomorrow’s decentralized future.”

    That vision includes accelerating growth in key regions. BitMart is expanding rapidly in established markets like the European Union, while targeting MENA and LATAM as high-potential markets where crypto adoption is on the rise.

    On the product side, Sheldon said that BitMart is investing in performance and intelligence. Its newly released 3rd Generation Trading System reduces order processing time from 20 milliseconds to just 2 milliseconds and can handle up to 80,000 orders per second —setting a new industry standard for speed and stability.

    And 2025 will be a pivotal year for BitMart’s AI rollout. The company is preparing to launch more features, including smart analytics, automated trading bots, and personalized interfaces—tools designed to make crypto smarter and more accessible for everyone. Both the Launchpad and Earn products will also be upgraded to feature more innovative projects and higher-yield opportunities for users.

    Security and Trust in a Volatile Landscape

    As the industry faces rising security threats, BitMart continues to prioritize stability and user protection. Its multi-layer security architecture includes a hybrid hot and cold wallet system, multi-signature protocols, and advanced defense layers like WAF, XDR, and CWPP.

    “Security isn’t an afterthought at BitMart,” Sheldon emphasized. “It’s the foundation of everything we do.”

    BitMart also conducts regular audits, partners with leading security firms, and offers institutional-grade custody, 2FA, and anti-phishing protections for users.

    While market volatility may continue, BitMart is built for these cycles. As Sheldon puts it, crypto’s resilience always shines through—and BitMart will keep leading the way, turning uncertainty into opportunity for users around the world.

    Read the full Forbes interview with Sheldon here

    About BitMart
    BitMart is the premier global digital asset trading platform. With millions of users worldwide and ranked among the top crypto exchanges on CoinGecko, it currently offers 1,700+ trading pairs with competitive trading fees. Constantly evolving and growing, BitMart is interested in crypto’s potential to drive innovation and promote financial inclusion. To learn more about BitMart, visit their Website, follow their X (Twitter), or join their Telegram for updates, news, and promotions. Download BitMart App to trade anytime, anywhere.

    Disclaimer:
    Use of BitMart services is entirely at your own risk. All crypto investments, including earnings, are highly speculative in nature and involve substantial risk of loss. Past, hypothetical, or simulated performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

    The value of digital currencies can go up or down and there can be a substantial risk in buying, selling, holding, or trading digital currencies. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital currencies is suitable for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. BitMart does not provide any investment, legal, or tax advice.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On Senate Floor, Klobuchar Opposes Congressional Republicans’ Budget to Give Tax Cuts for the Wealthy and Raise Costs for Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)
    WATCH KLOBUCHAR’S FULL REMARKS HERE
    WASHINGTON—On the Senate Floor, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) spoke in opposition to the Congressional Republican budget resolution, which provides tax cuts for the wealthy while raising costs on everyday Americans.
    “This budget would give massive tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy, and pay for it by raising costs, taking away health care, threatening the economic security of tens of millions of Americans,” said Klobuchar. “We could strengthen Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Instead of giving a $300,000 tax cut to someone in the top 0.1%, we could invest in child care, affordable housing, education, and affordable energy. And at the same time, we could put some aside to bring down the debt.” 
    “That’s how we support working families. That’s how we make sure our seniors retire with dignity. So we are standing up all day today to expose this budget for what it really is. It is benefits for the wealthy and the big guys at the expense of everyone else.”
    Download Klobuchar’s full remarks HERE. 
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Human Rights Council Concludes Fifty-Eighth Regular Session after Adopting 32 Resolutions

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    Extends 16 Country Specific and Thematic Mandates and Establishes an Intergovernmental Working Group to Draft a Legally Binding Instrument on the Human Rights of Older Persons

     

    Invites General Assembly to Consider Establishing a Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes Committed by All Parties in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel since 2014

     

    The Human Rights Council today concluded its fifty-eighth regular session after adopting 32 resolutions.  In these texts, among other things, the Council voted to extend 16 country specific and thematic mandates, and to establish an open-ended intergovernmental working group to draft an international legally binding instrument on the human rights of older persons.

    In a resolution on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice, the Council invited the General Assembly to consider establishing an ongoing international, impartial and independent mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed by all parties in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel since 2014.  The Council also adopted resolutions on human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan, the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan. 

    The Council extended 13 country mandates during the session.  It decided to extend, for a period of one year, the mandate of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan under agenda item two.  It also extended, for a period of one year, the mandates of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus and the Group of Independent Experts on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus; the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar; the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran; the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine; and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic under agenda item four.

    Under agenda item 10, the Council extended for a period of one year the mandates of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali; and the independent human rights expert appointed by the High Commissioner and tasked with undertaking the monitoring of the human rights situation in Haiti.  It also extended, for a period of two years, the mandate of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua; and the capacity of the Office of the High Commissioner, including its field-based structure in Seoul, to allow the implementation of relevant recommendations made by the group of independent experts on accountability for human rights violations in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in its report, under agenda item four.

    The Council decided to extend, for a period of three years, the mandates of the

    Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.

    The Council requested its Advisory Committee to prepare, in close cooperation with the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures, an in-depth study review on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measure on the right to health of individuals in vulnerable situations.  It also requested its Advisory Committee to draft a set of recommended guidelines for applying the existing human rights framework to the conception, design, development, testing, use and deployment of neurotechnologies.

    Further resolutions adopted concerned cultural rights and the protection of cultural heritage; the negative impact of the non-repatriation of funds of illicit origin to the countries of origin on the enjoyment of human rights; human rights, democracy and the rule of law; the question of the realisation in all countries of economic, social and cultural rights; the promotion of the enjoyment of the cultural rights of everyone and respect for cultural diversity; the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights; women, diplomacy and human rights; the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment: ocean and human rights; the impact of anti-personnel mines on the full enjoyment of all human rights; human rights defenders and new and emerging technologies; combatting intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatisation of, and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against, persons based on religion or belief; and technical assistance and capacity-building for South Sudan.

    The Council appointed three members of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Member from Central and Eastern Europe, the Russian Federation, Central Asia and Transcaucasia, Antonina Gorbunova (Russian Federation); Member from Central and South America, and the Caribbean, Anexa Brendalee Alfred Cunningham (Nicaragua); and member from the Pacific, Valmaine Toki (New Zealand).

    The Council also adopted ad referendum the draft report of the fifth-eighth session.

    Jürg Lauber, President of the Human Rights Council, said the Council had reviewed and adopted the results of the Universal Periodic Review of 14 countries; adopted 32 resolutions; and appointed three mandate holders of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  He expressed sincere gratitude to the Bureau of the Council, the Secretariat, and the Member States, for their support and cooperation during the session.

    The fifty-ninth regular session of the Human Rights Council is scheduled to be held from 16 June to 11 July 2025.

    Action on Resolutions

    Action on Resolutions Under Agenda Item Two on the Annual Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.6) on Advancing human rights in South Sudan, adopted by a vote of 24 in favour, 6 against and 17 abstentions, the Council decides to extend the mandate of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, composed of three members, for a further period of one year; requests the Commission to present a comprehensive report on the situation of human rights in South Sudan to the Council at its sixty-first session, to be followed by an enhanced interactive dialogue, and that the report and an easy-to-read version of it be made available on the website of the Office of the High Commissioner in an accessible format and also requests the Commission to present its latest report, in combination with an oral update on its work, to the General Assembly at its eightieth session, followed by an interactive dialogue. 

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.30/Rev.1) on the Human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice, adopted by a vote of 27 in favour, 4 against and 16 abstentions (as orally revised), the Council reiterates its request to the Commission of Inquiry to report on both the direct and the indirect transfer or sale of arms, munitions, parts, components and dual-use items to Israel, the occupying Power, and requests, instead, that the report be submitted to the Council at its sixty-first session; invites the General Assembly to consider establishing an ongoing international, impartial and independent mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed by all parties in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel since 2014, to closely cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry to collect, consolidate, preserve and analyse evidence of violations of international law and violations and abuses of human rights, and to prepare case files in order to facilitate and expedite fair and independent criminal proceedings, in accordance with international legal standards, in national, regional and international courts or tribunals that have or may in the future have jurisdiction over these crimes, in accordance with international law; and requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to report on the implementation of the present resolution to the Human Rights Council at its sixty-first session, to be followed by an interactive dialogue.

    Action on Resolutions Under Agenda Item Three on the Promotion and Protection of All Human Rights, Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, including the Right to Development.

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.1) on the Negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, adopted by a vote of 28 in favour, 16 against and 3 abstentions, the Council requests the Advisory Committee of the Council to prepare, in close cooperation with the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures, an in-depth study review on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measure on the right to health of individuals in vulnerable situations, and to present its comprehensive report and findings to the Council at its sixty-fourth session; requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to organise a biennial panel discussion, to be held at the sixtieth session of the Council, on the impact of unilateral coercive measures and overcompliance on the right to food and food security, and requests the Special Rapporteur to act as rapporteur of the panel discussion and to prepare a report thereon, and to submit and present the report to the Council at its sixty-first session. 

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.4/Rev.1) on Cultural rights and the protection of cultural heritage, adopted without a vote, the Council requests the High Commissioner to convene, before the sixty-fourth session of the Council, a one-day workshop to review and promote the tools for the dissemination of good practices and possible methods of, as well as challenges encountered in, implementing an approach to digital heritage that promotes universal respect for cultural rights by all, and to make the workshop accessible to persons with disabilities; also requests the High Commissioner to submit a report thereon to the Council at its sixty-sixth session; and decides to remain seized of the matter.

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.5) on Freedom of religion or belief, adopted without a vote, the Council decides to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief for a further period of three years; requests the Special Rapporteur to report annually to the Council and to the General Assembly in accordance with their respective programmes of work; and decides to remain seized of this question under the same agenda item and to continue its consideration of measures to implement the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.9) on Neurotechnology and human rights, adopted without a vote, the Council requests its Advisory Committee to draft a set of recommended guidelines for applying the existing human rights framework to the conception, design, development, testing, use and deployment of neurotechnologies and to present it to the Council at its sixty-fourth session.

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.16) on the Negative impact of the non-repatriation of funds of illicit origin to the countries of origin on the enjoyment of human rights, and the importance of improving international cooperation, adopted by a vote of 29 in favour, 15 against and 3 abstentions, the Council requests the High Commissioner for Human Rights to organise, prior to the sixty-second session of the Council, a one-day intersessional expert meeting, fully accessible to persons with disabilities, on strengthening international cooperation and shared responsibilities in facilitating the repatriation of illicit funds to advance human rights; requests the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to organise, before the sixty-third session of the Council, a regional expert meeting in Africa on ways to support governments’ efforts in repatriating funds of illicit origin; and also requests the Office of the High Commissioner to prepare a substantive report on enhancing international cooperation and national efforts to facilitate the repatriation of illicit funds and ensure the effective use of repatriated funds for sustainable development and realisation of economic, social and cultural rights, and to present the report to the Council at its sixty-fourth session.

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.17/Rev.1) on Human rights, democracy and the rule of law, adopted without a vote, the Council decides that the theme of the sixth session of the Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, to be held in 2026, will be “Education for civic participation: empowering future generations, fostering knowledge and critical thinking”; and decides that participation in the sixth session of the Forum will be in accordance with the modalities set out by the Council in its resolutions 28/14, 34/41, 40/9, 46/4 and 52/22.

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.7) on the Question of the realisation in all countries of economic, social and cultural rights, adopted without a vote, the Council decides to convene, at its sixty-first session, a panel discussion, accessible to persons with disabilities and open to the participation of States and other relevant stakeholders, on promising practices and measures to mobilise public resources to finance sustainable development in a manner consistent with States’ economic, social and cultural rights obligations; and requests the Secretary-General to prepare and submit to the Council, at its sixty-fourth session, a report, in formats accessible to persons with disabilities, on the question of the realisation in all countries of economic, social and cultural rights under agenda item 3.

    Before the resolution was adopted, the Council rejected amendment L.33 by a vote of 9 in favour, 24 against and 13 abstentions.

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.12) on the Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, adopted without a vote, the Council decides to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food for a period of three years; requests the Special Rapporteur to provide advice and guidance to States and all relevant stakeholders on shaping food systems governance in line with international human rights law; and requests the Special Rapporteur to report annually on the implementation of the mandate to the Council and the General Assembly in accordance with their programmes of work. 

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.13) on the Promotion of the enjoyment of the cultural rights of everyone and respect for cultural diversity, adopted without a vote, the Council requests the Special Rapporteur to continue to work with relevant stakeholders towards the comprehensive promotion and protection of cultural rights, and to report regularly to the Council and the General Assembly, in accordance with their respective programmes of work. 

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.14) on the Effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights, adopted by a vote of 29 in favour, 12 against and 6 abstentions, the Council requests the High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide global analytical and policy strategies in the context of reforms of the international financial architecture; and requests the Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights, to continue to report regularly to the Council and the General Assembly in accordance with their programmes of work.

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.24/Rev.1) on the Open-ended intergovernmental working group for the elaboration of a legally binding instrument on the promotion and protection of the human rights of older persons, adopted without a vote, the Council decides to establish an open-ended intergovernmental working group with the mandate of elaborating and submitting to the Council a draft international legally binding instrument on the human rights of older persons with the objective of promoting, protecting and ensuring the full enjoyment of human rights by older persons; also decides that the open-ended intergovernmental working group will meet for two five-day sessions each year in Geneva in a hybrid format, should the General Assembly agree to reintroduce such a format, and that it will be webcast, and that the organisational session should be held before the end of 2025 and no later than the start of the sixty-first session of the Human Rights Council, for three working days; and requests the open-ended intergovernmental working group to submit a report on progress made to the Council for its consideration at its sixty-third session and to make the report available in an easy-to-read accessible format.

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.29) on the Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, adopted without a vote, the Council decides to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism for a period of three years, with the same terms as provided for by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 49/10.

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.15) on Women, diplomacy and human rights, adopted without a vote, the Council decides to commemorate the International Day of Women in Diplomacy during one panel at the annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women, to be held during the fifty-ninth, the sixty-second and the sixty-fifth sessions of the Council, including with discussions on the elimination of discrimination and structural barriers that hinder women’s participation and representation in decision-making; and invites all States, organizations of the United Nations system and civil society to participate in this celebration.

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.26/Rev.1) on the Human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment: ocean and human rights, adopted without a vote, the Council calls upon States to adopt and implement strong laws ensuring, among other things, the rights to participation, to access to information and to justice, including to an effective remedy, in environmental matters; and calls upon all States to conserve, protect and restore healthy ecosystems and biodiversity and to ensure their sustainable management and use by applying a human rights-based approach that emphasizes participation, inclusion, transparency and accountability in the management of natural resources.

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.21) on the Impact of anti-personnel mines on the full enjoyment of all human rights, adopted without a vote, the Council calls upon all States and other relevant stakeholders to cooperate effectively to address the impact of anti-personnel mines on the protection and promotion of all human rights; and requests the High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a report, in consultation with States and other relevant stakeholders, on the impact of antipersonnel mines on the enjoyment of all human rights, with particular emphasis on economic, social and cultural rights, and to present the report to the Council at its sixty-second session, followed by an interactive dialogue.

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.27/Rev.1) on Human rights defenders and new and emerging technologies: protecting human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders, in the digital age, adopted without a vote (as orally revised), the Council requests the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to convene three regional workshops, including through hybrid modalities, to assess risks created by digital technologies to human rights defenders and best practices to respond to these concerns in different geographical areas, bearing in mind current and emerging business models and gender, geographic and other digital divides and sensitivities, with participation from civil society, human rights defenders and the private sector; and also requests the Office of the High Commissioner to prepare a report containing a summary of those consultations, which could include recommendations for due diligence and improved responses to risks created by digital technologies to human rights defenders, including those exposed to discrimination and those working in situations of armed conflict, and to present it to the Council at its sixty-third session.

    Before the resolution was adopted, the Council rejected amendment L.35 by a vote of 4 in favour, 26 against and 15 abstentions; L.36 by a vote of 10 in favour, 23 against and 14 abstentions; and L.37 by a vote of 7 in favour, 24 against and 15 abstentions.

    Action on Resolutions Under Agenda Item Four on Human Rights Situations that Require the Council’s Attention 

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.2) on the Situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, adopted without a vote, the Council decides to renew, for a period of two years, the capacity of the Office of the High Commissioner, including its field-based structure in Seoul, to allow the implementation of relevant recommendations made by the group of independent experts on accountability for human rights violations in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in its report; requests the High Commissioner to provide an oral update on the progress made in this regard to the Council at its sixty-first session and to submit a full report on the implementation of the recommendations to the Council at its sixty-fourth session; decides to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in accordance with Council resolution 37/28, for a period of one year; and requests the Office of the High Commissioner to continue to organise a series of consultations and outreach activities with victims, affected communities and other relevant stakeholders. 

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.3) on the Promotion and protection of human rights in Nicaragua, adopted by a vote of 29 in favour, 4 against and 14 abstentions, the Council decides to renew, for a period of two years, the mandate of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua as established in its resolution 49/3; requests the Group to submit a comprehensive report to the Council at its sixty-first and sixty-fourth sessions, during an interactive dialogue, and to present an oral update to the Council at its sixtieth and sixty-third sessions; also requests the Group to present its most recent report, in combination with an oral update on its work, to the General Assembly at its eightieth and eighty-first sessions, followed by an interactive dialogue; and requests the High Commissioner to strengthen monitoring and engagement, including by preparing reports that are comprehensive, gender-responsive and take into account race and ethnic origin on the situation of human rights in Nicaragua, and to present them to the Council at its sixtieth and sixty-third sessions, to be followed by an interactive dialogue, and to present an oral update to the Council at its fifty-ninth and sixty-second sessions.

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.10) on the Situation of human rights in Belarus, adopted by a vote of 25 in favour, 5 against and 17 abstentions, adopted without a vote (as orally revised), the Council decides to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus for a further period of one year, effective from the end of its fifty-ninth session, and requests the Special Rapporteur to continue to monitor developments and to make recommendations on ways to strengthen respect for and protection and fulfilment of human rights in Belarus, and to submit a report on the situation of human rights in Belarus to the Council at its sixty-second session and to the General Assembly at its eighty-first session, including in an easy-to-read version and in an accessible format; also decides to extend the mandate of the Group of Independent Experts on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus for a further period of one year; and requests the Group of Independent Experts to give an oral update to the Council at its sixtieth session and to present a comprehensive report at its sixty-first session, including in an easy-to-read version and in an accessible format, both to be followed by an interactive dialogue. 

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.11/Rev.1) on the Situation of human rights in Myanmar, adopted without a vote (as orally revised), the Council calls for the timely designation of a resident coordinator of United Nations local agencies in Myanmar on a permanent basis; decides to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar for a further period of one year; requests the Special Rapporteur to present, during an enhanced interactive dialogue, an oral update to the Council at its fifty-ninth session and to submit a report to the Third Committee of the General Assembly at its eightieth session and to the Council at its sixty-first session, and also requests the Special Rapporteur to continue to monitor the situation of human rights in Myanmar; requests the High Commissioner to submit to the Council, at its sixty-second session, a comprehensive report on the overall situation of human rights in Myanmar; and reiterates the need to establish a country office of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Myanmar and to issue a standing invitation to all special procedures of the Council. 

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.20/Rev.1) on the Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, adopted by a vote of 24 in favour, 8 against and 15 abstentions, the Council decides to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran for a further period of one year in order to continue to monitor the ongoing situation of human rights, and requests the Special Rapporteur to submit a report to the Council at its sixty-first session and to the General Assembly at its eightieth session; also decides that the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran should continue for one year to thoroughly and independently monitor and investigate allegations of recent and ongoing serious human rights violations in the Islamic Republic of Iran; and requests the Fact-Finding Mission to present a report to the Council at its sixty-first session during a joint interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur, and to present an oral update, to be followed by an interactive dialogue, on the implementation of the mandate to the General Assembly at its eightieth session. 

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.22) on the Situation of human rights in Ukraine stemming from the Russian aggression, adopted by a vote of 25 in favour, 4 against and 18 abstentions, the Council decides to extend the mandate of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, defined by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 49/1, for a further period of one year, complementing, consolidating and building upon the work of the human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, in close coordination with the human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; and requests the Commission of Inquiry to give an oral update to the Human Rights Council at its sixtieth session, to be followed by an interactive dialogue, to submit a comprehensive report to the Council at its sixty-first session, to be followed by an interactive dialogue, and to submit a report to the General Assembly at its eightieth session, also to be followed by an interactive dialogue.

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.25) on the Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, adopted without a vote (as orally revised), the Council decides to extend the mandate of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic for a period of one year; requests the Office of the High Commissioner to strengthen the resources of the Commission of Inquiry in order for it to completely fulfil its mandate within the Syrian Arab Republic, in particular with regard to security and logistical support and victim protection expertise, welcomes the broad access granted by the interim authorities to the Commission, and encourages the interim authorities to grant the Commission necessary access throughout the Syrian Arab Republic and to cooperate closely with the Commission; requests the Commission of Inquiry to present an oral update to the Human Rights Council at both its fifty-ninth and sixtieth sessions, to be followed by an updated report during an interactive dialogue at the sixty-first session of the Council; and reaffirms its decision to transmit the report and oral updates of the Commission of Inquiry to relevant bodies of the United Nations. 

    Action on Resolutions Under Agenda Item Seven on the Human Rights Situation in Palestine and Other Occupied Arab Territories

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.19) on Human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan, adopted by a vote of 27 in favour, 6 against and 14 abstentions, the Council demands that Israel stop its repressive measures against the Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan and release immediately the Syrian detainees in Israeli prisons; requests the Secretary-General to disseminate the present resolution as widely as possible and to report on this matter to the Council at its sixty-first session; and decides to continue its consideration of the human rights violations in the occupied Syrian Golan at its sixty-first session.

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.31) on the Right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, adopted by a vote of 43 in favour, 2 against and 2 abstentions, the Council calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to end immediately its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, which constitutes a wrongful act of continuing character entailing its international responsibility, and to reverse and redress any impediments to the political independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Palestine, in accordance with the legal findings and determinations of the International Court of Justice in its advisory opinion of 19 July 2024, and reaffirms its support for the solution of two States, Palestine and Israel; and urges all States to adopt measures to promote the realisation of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, and to render assistance to the United Nations regarding the implementation of this right. 

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.32/Rev.1) on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan, adopted by a vote of 34 in favour, 3 against and 10 abstentions (as orally revised), the Council reiterates its request to the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, as mandated by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 55/32 of 5 April 2024, to prepare a report on the identities of settlers, as well as settler groups and their members, that have engaged in or continue to engage in acts of violence, intimidation, harassment or terror against Palestinian civilians and the actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, and by third States to ensure accountability for violations or abuses of international law in this regard, and requests, instead, that the report be submitted to the Council at its sixty-first session; and requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to report on the implementation of the provisions of the present resolution to the Human Rights Council at its sixty-first session. 

    Action on Resolutions Under Agenda Item Nine on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Forms of Intolerance: Follow-up to and Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.18) on Combatting intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatisation of, and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against, persons based on religion or belief, adopted without a vote, the Council requests the High Commissioner to prepare and submit to the Council at its sixty-first session a comprehensive follow-up report with elaborated conclusions based upon information provided by States on the efforts and measures taken for the implementation of the present resolution.

    Action on Resolutions Under Agenda Item 10 on Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

    n a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.8) on Technical assistance and capacity-building for Mali in the field of human rights, adopted without a vote, the Council decides to extend the mandate of Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali for a period of one year in order to permit the mandate holder to continue to evaluate the situation of human rights in Mali; and requests the Independent Expert to submit a report to the Council at its sixty-first session; decides to hold a dialogue at its sixty-first session, in the presence of the Independent Expert and representatives of the Government of Mali, to assess the changes in the situation of human rights in the country.

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.23) on Technical assistance and capacity-building for South Sudan, adopted without a vote, the Council requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in cooperation and collaboration with the Government of South Sudan and relevant mechanisms of the African Union, to enhance the technical assistance provided to the Government of South Sudan to continue to assist it in addressing human rights challenges in the post-conflict transition; also requests the Office of the High Commissioner to present a comprehensive report to the Council at its sixty-second session, to be followed by an interactive dialogue, with the participation of representatives of the African Union; and further requests the Office of the High Commissioner to submit the above-mentioned report and recommendations to the Human Rights Council, then to share them with the African Union and all relevant organs of the United Nations, including the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. 

    In a resolution (A/HRC/58/L.28) on Technical assistance and capacity-building to improve the situation of human rights in Haiti, in connection with a request from the authorities of Haiti for coordinated and targeted international action, adopted without a vote, the Council decides to extend, for a renewable period of one year, the mandate of the independent human rights expert appointed by the High Commissioner and tasked with undertaking, with the assistance of the Office of the High Commissioner and in collaboration with the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, the monitoring of the human rights situation in Haiti, ensuring, in particular, the inclusion of a gender perspective in all of his work; requests the independent expert to devote greater attention to the situation of children, women and girls and to trafficking in persons, to monitor the impact of illicit arms trafficking on the human rights situation in Haiti and to formulate recommendations to consolidate national, regional and international responses on this issue; also requests the independent expert to provide advice and technical assistance to the Government of Haiti, national human rights institutions and civil society organizations, including women’s rights organizations, to assist in their efforts to ensure respect for and the promotion and protection of human rights; and requests the High Commissioner to provide to the Council, within the framework of an interactive dialogue with the participation of the independent human rights expert, an oral update on the situation of human rights in Haiti at its sixtieth session and a report on the subject at its sixty-first session.

    Other Matters

    The Council appointed three members of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Member from Central and Eastern Europe, the Russian Federation, Central Asia and Transcaucasia, Antonina Gorbunova (Russian Federation); Member from Central and South America, and the Caribbean, Anexa Brendalee Alfred Cunningham (Nicaragua); and member from the Pacific, Valmaine Toki (New Zealand).

    The Council also adopted its draft report ad referendum for the fifty-eighth session.

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    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    HRC25.005E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoyer Joins Labor Caucus, House Democrats in Defending Federal Workers’ Collective Bargaining Rights

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD-05) joined Labor Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Steven Horsford (NV-04) and Debbie Dingell (MI-06), alongside Vice-Chairs Reps. Glenn Ivey (MD-04) and Stephen Lynch (MA-08), and every single House Democrat to call on President Trump to rescind his executive order stripping collective bargaing rights from over 1 million federal employees. The lawmakers highlighted the illegality of the order and called on the President to restore the collective bargaining rights that federal employees are statutorily entitled to.

    “Collective bargaining is the strongest tool that workers have available to create a fair workplace,” wrote the lawmakers. “This action strips away those hard-earned rights – which have been upheld by presidents from both parties for decades – from federal workers who keep our country running, including nurses who care for veterans, inspectors who keep our food safe to eat, teachers who educate our children, and so many more.”

    “Furthermore, this EO not only undermines the principles of fair labor practices but also threatens the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal government, jeopardizing the delivery of critical services to the American people,” continued the lawmakers. “The freedom to join a union and collectively bargain is central to achieving the American dream for millions of American workers. This action is the single most anti-worker and anti-union presidential action since Ronald Reagan fired striking air traffic controllers in 1981, and it must be reversed immediately.” 

    “We urge you to immediately rescind this harmful, unlawful EO and to reaffirm the rights of federal workers to unionize and collectively bargain. The American people deserve a federal workforce that is protected, respected, and empowered to carry out its duties effectively,” concluded the lawmakers.

    While Congress granted the President narrow authorities to exclude some agencies from collective bargaining, those exclusions can only be made if that agency has a primary function in intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work, and only if the statute cannot be applied “in a manner consistent with national security requirements and considerations.”  However, this Administration has made clear that the EO’s exclusions are not based on national security concerns, but instead as retaliation for labor unions defending their members’ rights and making it easier to fire federal employees.

    A full copy of the letter can be found here. The letter was signed by every single House Democrat. 

    MIL OSI USA News –