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Canada’s government unveiled a sweeping new suite of investments this week designed to cement the nation’s role as a global leader in the burgeoning critical minerals sector.

Speaking on Tuesday (March 3) at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention in Toronto, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson outlined more than C$3.6 billion in programs and funding commitments to help get Canadian minerals “from mine to market.’

The initiatives include up to C$165.2 million for 22 Canadian projects to accelerate planning, development and processing capacity, unlocking over C$434 million in critical minerals project capital across eight provinces.

This comes alongside the launch of the C$1.5 billion First and Last Mile Fund, aimed at building key infrastructure, from roads to electricity transmission, that will help mines move minerals to processing hubs and markets.

“The government is making smart investments so we can put our mineral wealth to work … and ensure all Canadians benefit,” Hodgson said, emphasizing that these efforts will support good-paying jobs, bolster economic and national security and strengthen rural and remote communities.

The funding announcements are fresh on the heels of the Fraser Institute’s Annual Survey of Mining Companies, which tracks the investment attractiveness of global mining jurisdictions.

In the 2025 report, Canadian provinces took the number two (Ontario) and three (Saskatchewan) spots, with Ontario jumping from its 15th place position on the list in 2024.

Ottawa’s vision shapes Canadian mining strategy

Hodgson’s federal investment remarks followed an address delivered on Sunday (March 1) by Claude Guay, parliamentary secretary to the minister, during PDAC’s opening ceremonies.

He underscored that Ottawa sees critical minerals as much more than commodities.

“Critical minerals are not just important, they’re foundational. They are the backbone of the clean energy transition and increasingly essential to our national security,’ Guay told the audience.

“In a time of geopolitical tension, accelerating climate ambition and growing competition for strategic resources, Canada is acting decisively,” he continued. “Not only in what we extract, but in how we build, process, refine, recycle and deliver value across the entire supply chain.”

Guay framed the current moment as a structural shift: “Canada and the world are entering a new era. An era where critical minerals have become a strategic asset — where energy security, economic competitiveness and industrial sovereignty are inseparable from how we develop and manage our natural resources.”

Canada, he argued, is uniquely positioned. It hosts roughly 170 advanced-stage mineral projects, more than half of which are expected to come online in the coming years, spanning rare earths, lithium, copper and graphite.

Combined with a stable governance framework and environmental standards, that resource base gives Canada a “privileged position at home and abroad.”

“Canada is not just rich in resources,” Guay said. “Canada is rich in trust and reliability.”

But Ottawa’s strategy goes beyond extraction. The federal government is pushing to build end-to-end value chains, turning raw materials into processed inputs and advanced products within Canada.

“Our approach is not simply about digging minerals out of the ground,” he said. “It’s about creating good jobs, strengthening rural and northern communities and supporting our industrial and national security needs.”

Critical minerals are now explicitly tied to defense, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, he added. “Their availability is a matter of sovereignty as much as prosperity.”

A key pillar of that strategy is Canada’s Major Projects Office (MPO), established to streamline approvals and coordinate federal decision making on large-scale developments.

Since its creation, Guay said, more than C$116 billion worth of nation-building projects have been referred to the office, including several aimed at advancing critical minerals supply chains.

“These projects will accelerate and anchor Canada’s copper, nickel and tungsten supply chains — minerals fundamental not only to clean technology, but also to defense systems, aerospace and telecommunications,” he said.

Guay stressed that while the MPO aims to provide greater certainty for investors, it will do so while upholding Indigenous rights and strong environmental standards.

The federal government’s 2026 budget further reinforces that direction. Guay noted that the spending plan, recently approved in parliament, introduced a new Critical Minerals Sovereign Fund, which is designed to mobilize private capital and provide anchor investments for strategic projects.

“The goal is simple,” he said. “Provide the certainty needed to get projects over the line.”

As mentioned, the First and Last Mile Fund is also now in action with the aim of closing infrastructure gaps that often stall mining developments, ensuring minerals can reach processors, manufacturers and export markets.

In addition, the government has expanded eligibility for the Critical Mineral Exploration Tax Credit to include 12 further minerals deemed essential for defense, semiconductor and energy technologies.

“Together, these measures serve one clear objective: building more at home than anyone, anywhere else,” Guay said.

Aside from that, he emphasized the importance of alliances.

Canada is working with partners under initiatives such as the Critical Minerals Production Alliance and within the G7 framework to strengthen supply chains and reduce overreliance on dominant producers.

“We are in a context where materials are too often controlled by a few actors, some better than others,” Guay said. “Canada stands ready to be a reliable partner.”

Domestic collaboration

At the center of the federal vision, he said, is reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

More than 500 Indigenous mining agreements are currently active across the country, formalizing long-term community benefits and social license arrangements.

Indigenous groups are increasingly participating as equity partners and co-managers in resource and infrastructure projects, supported by federal programs, including C$80 million through the Indigenous Natural Resources Partnerships Program, C$13.5 million under a critical minerals infrastructure grants stream and up to C$10 billion in loan guarantees through the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program.

“This is economic partnership and reconciliation in action,” Guay said.

Guay underscored the global implications of the conversations and deals that happen at PDAC.

“What happens in these rooms does not stay in these rooms,” he said. “These conversations will shape supply chains, energy systems and economic resilience on every continent.”

For Canada, the objective is clear.

“As a strong sovereign country that has chosen to transform its mineral wealth into a strategic national asset, Canada has what the world wants,” Guay said. “We stand ready to lead, ready to partner and ready for business.”

“We are not only preparing for this new global era,” he added. “We are shaping it.”

Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., will have at least one Democratic ‘yes’ vote in support of his nomination to become President Donald Trump’s next Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary. 

Trump announced Thursday afternoon that he tapped Mullin to replace outgoing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who will leave the agency March 31. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., immediately threw his support behind Mullin’s nomination, dubbing the Oklahoma lawmaker a ‘nice upgrade’ compared to Noem. 

Fetterman repeatedly called for Noem’s ouster and said Thursday he was pleased with Trump’s decision. 

‘We’re in a different party, but this is the choice. I want to work together for making our America more secure,’ he said. 

Fetterman also said that he strongly believes Mullin already has the votes to win confirmation. Senate Republicans are widely expected to back Mullin’s nomination, and the jovial Oklahoma lawmaker could win over some Democrats. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who has voted against some Trump nominees, said she has a ‘great deal of respect’ for Mullin and is ‘OK’ with his nomination.

Under Senate rules, cabinet nominations are set at a 51-vote threshold. 

However, many of Fetterman’s Democratic colleagues were either noncommittal about Mullin’s nomination or suggested they would not support him.

‘Whoever follows Kristi Noem is going to have to be totally and radically different in their approach to running this agency,’ Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said Thursday. ‘Changing the person at the top is no substitute for changing the practices and the power structure of a department that is out of control.’

Blumenthal added that Mullin would have to commit to Democrats’ various reforms seeking to rein in immigration enforcement in order to win his vote. 

Mullin has repeatedly criticized Democrats’ proposal to prohibit federal immigration officers from wearing masks and requiring judicial warrants during enforcement operations.

‘I like him personally,’ Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, a member of Senate Democratic leadership, said of Mullin before adding that it was too early to debate his nomination.

Sens. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., told Fox News Digital that they would not yet weigh in on Mullin’s nomination. Slotkin notably voted for Noem’s confirmation despite later souring on the secretary.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin takes questions after Trump taps him for DHS

Mullin appeared somewhat taken aback by the news of his nomination when talking with reporters outside the U.S. Capitol on Thursday afternoon.

‘No, the president and I still have to communicate, so we’ll talk about it moving forward,’ Mullin said. ‘The president and I have already talked … I’ll talk to you all [later].’

Fetterman has been the lone Democrat to advance a DHS spending measure amid a funding standoff over the agency’s appropriations that has no clear end in sight.

He poured cold water on the prospect of his Democratic colleagues reversing course to support funding DHS in response to Mullin’s nomination, telling reporters he expected ‘no change’ with the partial shutdown.

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The House of Representatives narrowly voted to allow President Donald Trump to continue Operation Epic Fury in Iran on Thursday.

A bipartisan resolution led by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., failed to pass after several Democrats joined most Republicans in sinking it. 

The legislation was aimed at blocking Trump from using the Armed Forces in the joint U.S.-Israeli operation in Iran, which would likely force the strikes to grind to a halt.

The Trump administration, as well as the majority of Republicans in Congress, have insisted that the president has acted within his authority so far and are hopeful he will continue to do so.

But Democrats, along with Massie and Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, are largely skeptical.

‘The Ayatollah was not a president. He was a religious leader from a region notorious for radical Islamists and the United States and Israel turned him into a martyr,’ Massie said during debate on the resolution. ‘If Congress wants war, then the speaker should hold a vote to declare it.’

Davidson said Wednesday, ‘The moral hazard posed by a government no longer constrained by our Constitution is a grave threat.’

Other Republican lawmakers said they were concerned that handicapping the operation now could do more harm than good.

‘I think the president is well within his legal authorities to conduct this operation,’ Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. ‘I think any effort to stymie that would actually jeopardize our national security and jeopardize our troops.’ 

Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., told Fox News Digital, ‘I’ll be voting no, against the War Powers Act, because once the president has taken that action, that first action, if we were to pull back, it would actually leave us more vulnerable and less safe by leaving all of their capabilities in place, but having started a conflict like this.’

U.S. officials have said their targets remain Iran’s military assets, senior leadership, and nuclear capabilities. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told reporters this week that the operation will have a finite timeline.

But Democrats are accusing Trump of plunging the U.S. into a seemingly endless conflict while running roughshod over Congress’ Article I authority.

‘Donald Trump has taken America to war without authorization, without explanation, without a strategy or an exit plan. Six brave service members have already given the ultimate sacrifice,’ House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., said on Wednesday.

The Thursday vote comes a day after the Senate shot down a resolution from Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., aimed at limiting Trump’s military actions in Iran following days of speculation about whether Republicans would cross the aisle — as they have done before — to reprimand the president.

Only Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voted in favor of the resolution among Republicans, while Sen. Jon Fetterman, D-Pa., was the lone Democrat to cross the aisle in support.

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House GOP leaders have asked embattled Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, to drop his bid for re-election.

‘The Ethics Committee has announced an investigation into Congressman Tony Gonzales’s conduct, and we urge them to act expeditiously. Congressman Gonzales has said he will fully cooperate with the investigation,’ the statement by Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and other top Republicans reads.

‘We have encouraged him to address these very serious allegations directly with his constituents and his colleagues. In the meantime, Leadership has asked Congressman Gonzales to withdraw from his race for re-election.’

Gonzales’ re-election bid has been plagued by scandal for weeks ever since allegations emerged that he had an affair with his late aide and sent her sexually explicit text messages.

The same aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, committed suicide by setting herself on fire outside her home late last year.

National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chairman Richard Hudson, R-N.C., leader of the House GOP campaign arm, told Fox News Digital, ‘I agree with the Speaker and the rest of leadership, Tony should withdraw from the runoff and allow the Ethics process to move forward while focusing on his family and serving his constituents for the remainder of his term.’

Gonzales suggested the affair did occur on the conservative ‘Joe Pags Show’ on Wednesday evening but gave no indication he would drop out.

‘I made a mistake and I had a lapse in judgment, and there was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions. Since then, I’ve reconciled with my wife Angel. I’ve asked God to forgive me, which he has, and my faith is as strong as ever,’ the Texas Republican said.

He previously fought back against any accusation of impropriety and accused Santos-Aviles’ husband of extortion.

‘During my six years in Congress, not a single formal complaint has been levied against my office. Now days away from an election, coordinated political attacks reign in. IT WON’T WORK. Halfway through early voting and the intensity resides w/ TG voters. I’d rather be us than them,’ he posted on X in late February.

The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into Gonzales on Wednesday, one day after he advanced to a runoff in his re-election bid.

Gonzales is facing Brandon Herrera, a social media influencer and firearms activist who previously challenged the incumbent lawmaker in 2024. Herrera lost to Gonzales by less than 2% in the previous election cycle.

This time, however, neither clinched an outright majority in the race and will now face off again in late May, if Gonzales does not drop out.

Fox News Digital reached out to Gonzales’ congressional office for comment.

Meanwhile, the growing scandal has prompted several of Gonzales’ fellow House Republicans to call for his resignation before the end of his term.

‘I would encourage him to consider resigning,’ Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., told reporters last week.

His fellow Texas lawmaker, Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, urged Gonzales not to run for re-election. ‘America deserves better. Tony should drop out of the race,’ he posted on X.

Gonzales previously told reporters he had no intention of resigning.

Fox News Digital reached out to Gonzales’ congressional office and campaign for comment.

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As U.S. and Israeli military pressure on Iran intensifies, and President Donald Trump signals support for Kurdish forces, Kurdish opposition groups along the country’s western frontier tell Fox News Digital they are watching closely for an opportunity to strike back against the Islamic Republic, which they have fought for decades.

Kako Aliyar, a member of the leadership committee of the Kurdish opposition party Komala, told Fox News Digital from an undisclosed location in Iraq that the Kurdish movements are ready to act if conditions allow. 

‘Kurds have been waiting for a moment to do something,’ Aliyar said. ‘We believe that those moments are not far from us.’

But Aliyar said Kurdish forces cannot yet move against the regime because Iran still retains the ability to launch missile and drone attacks, which opposition fighters would struggle to defend against.

Aliyar said Iranian forces continue to target Kurdish opposition bases across the border in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

Trump signaled support for Kurdish fighters launching an offensive against Iran, saying in a telephone interview with Reuters Thursday that he would back such a move. 

‘I think it’s wonderful that they want to do that — I’d be all for it,’ Trump said. 

Asked whether the United States would provide air cover for a Kurdish offensive, Trump declined to elaborate. 

‘I can’t tell you that,’ he said.

Aliyar said Kurdish groups remain under pressure from Iran and continue to face attacks on their bases across the border in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. 

‘Our camps, the Kurdish political parties, are still under attack by the Iranian regime, and we can’t go into detail,’ he said. 

Still, he indicated that if the opportunity arises, Kurdish fighters would attempt to return to Iranian territory. 

‘If we get an opportunity to go back to our own country, we will use it,’ he said.

Kurdish opposition signals unity

The comments come as Iranian Kurdish opposition groups attempt to present a united front against Iran.  

In February, several factions formed the Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan, bringing together parties including Komala, the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), PJAK and the Kurdistan Freedom Party.

Aliyar said the coalition is still organizing itself but carries an important political message.

‘Politically, it’s a huge message for the Kurdish people inside the country and the international community that Kurds are united,’ he said. ‘We are working together, and we are trying to reach our goals together.’

Kurdish groups have long fought the Iranian government. Armed clashes between Kurdish militants and Iranian forces date back to the years following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, when Kurdish factions sought autonomy and were violently suppressed by Tehran.

Today, many Kurdish opposition groups operate from neighboring Iraqi Kurdistan, where they maintain political offices and limited military forces.

Waiting for Iran’s military capabilities to weaken

Aliyar suggested Kurdish forces would only be able to move if Iran’s military capabilities are significantly degraded. 

‘I believe those missile and drone abilities have to be more weakened or totally removed because we are not able to defend ourselves against them,’ he said.

Iran’s ability to launch missiles and drones remains one of the regime’s strongest deterrents against internal or external challengers. 

‘They can still launch missiles and they can still kill people,’ Aliyar said.

If those capabilities were reduced, he believes Kurdish forces could attempt to exploit the moment. 

‘I think everyone has the capacity to do so because Kurdish political parties have huge legitimacy among the people,’ he said. ‘People support them, people support us.’

However, Aliyar cautioned that no one can predict how events will unfold. 

‘When a war starts, you are trying to find a way to use it in your best way, but you cannot predict what happens tomorrow,’ he said.

Kurdish resistance rooted in decades of struggle

Kurds in Iran represent one of the country’s largest ethnic minorities and have historically maintained organized opposition movements. 

Kurdish parties developed armed wings and political networks decades ago, giving them a level of organizational structure that many other Iranian opposition movements lack.

Jino Victoria Doabi, an international political analyst focused on Iran and Kurdistan, told Fox News Digital that ‘Kurds inside Iran have their own history and tradition of struggle and resistance with political parties and armed forces.’

Doabi said that Kurdish forces are unlikely to move without clear backing from Washington.

‘For that to happen, they need assurance from America, both politically but also security-wise,’ Doabi said.

‘Kurds have learned that they cannot just do it for the good cause anymore, because that’s going to cause civilians a lot of pain and destruction and killings.’

Discussions about the idea of Kurdish involvement may have been underway long before the recent escalation, according to Doabi. 

‘I don’t think this has happened overnight,’ she said. ‘I think this has been discussed for a long time.’

Regional complications

Despite the growing attention on Kurdish groups, Aliyar emphasized that Iraqi Kurdish authorities are not directly involved in any potential campaign. 

‘Iraqi Kurds are not part of it,’ he said. ‘I am not Iraqi, so I cannot comment on that.’

Analysts say Kurdish insurgents alone are unlikely to topple the Iranian regime. But if internal unrest spreads and Kurdish forces coordinate with broader opposition movements, Iran’s western frontier could become a serious pressure point for Iran. 

For Aliyar and other Kurdish leaders, however, the goal remains clear after decades of opposition to the Islamic Republic.

‘We have had this desire for 47 years,’ he said. ‘If we get an opportunity, we will use it.’

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Some Social Security number requests are not optional. Federal reporting systems rely on the SSN as a primary identifier.

Employment offers the clearest example. Employers collect your SSN to report wages and file taxes, including Form W-2 submissions. The Social Security Administration credits your earnings record with it. The IRS uses it to match payroll taxes with reported income. Federal agencies also require your SSN when you apply for certain benefits or meet tax obligations. If you refuse to provide your SSN in these situations, you can delay processing or lose access to services.

However, not every form carries that authority. Landlords, medical offices, schools, gyms and retailers often include an SSN field by default. In those cases, ask why they need it and whether another identifier will work. So how do you tell when your SSN is truly required and when you can push back?


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Examples of when you need to share your SSN

Certain U.S. laws and federal regulations require an SSN because it functions as the official taxpayer or benefits identifier.

The IRS requires individuals who qualify for an SSN to use it as their taxpayer identification number on Form 1040 and related filings. The IRS uses the number to match income statements, credits and refunds to the correct taxpayer record.

IRS regulations require employers to include each employee’s SSN on Form W-2. Employers submit the form to both the IRS and the SSA so agencies can record earnings and reconcile payroll taxes.

Applications for Social Security benefits require an SSN so the SSA can retrieve the applicant’s earnings history and calculate eligibility and payment amounts.

U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens applying for federal student aid must provide a valid SSN on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The number is verified against SSA records during processing.

Financial institutions must obtain a taxpayer identification number — usually an SSN for individuals — to report interest income to the IRS on Form 1099-INT.

In each of these cases, the requirement stems from tax administration statutes or federal benefits law. The SSN is used to link records across agencies and systems.

When you don’t need to share your SSN

Beyond tax filings, wage reporting and federal benefits, many SSN requests come from internal company policy rather than statute. Private businesses are generally allowed to ask for your SSN. In most everyday transactions, there is no federal law forcing you to provide it.

Landlords often request an SSN to run credit checks. Federal housing law does not mandate collecting a tenant’s SSN to lease property. Screening is conducted through consumer reporting agencies, and alternative verification methods may be available.

Healthcare providers routinely include an SSN field. Federal law does not require patients to disclose an SSN for treatment. Since 2018, Medicare cards have used randomized beneficiary identifiers instead of SSNs. These Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBI) don’t include your SSN.

Public schools may request a student’s SSN, but students cannot be denied enrollment for refusing to provide one. Institutions tend to assign their own identification numbers.

Power companies, mobile carriers and gyms sometimes request an SSN to evaluate credit risk or secure payment agreements. This is a risk management choice, not a statutory requirement.

In these cases, the request may feel routine. The legal footing is different from tax or benefits administration. You can ask what authority requires it and whether another form of identification will suffice.

What to ask before you hand over your SSN

If the request comes from a government agency, look for a Privacy Act disclosure statement. Federal law requires agencies to state whether providing your SSN is mandatory or voluntary, cite the legal authority for the request, and explain how it will be used. If the request comes from a private company, ask direct questions:

Is this required by federal or state law?

What will the SSN be used for?

Can you accept the last four digits instead?

Is there an alternative way to verify identity?

You can also ask how the number will be stored, whether it is encrypted and who has access to it. Collecting only what is necessary is a recognized security practice, but not every organization follows it.

What actually happens when your SSN is leaked

A leaked or stolen SSN can be used anywhere that number is treated as proof of identity.

In tax administration, the IRS processes returns based on the SSN attached to them. If a fraudulent return is filed first, the legitimate taxpayer’s electronic filing may be rejected because the number has already been used. Fixing it means paper filing and identity verification while the IRS reviews the case. The agency’s Identity Protection PIN program was introduced after years of SSN-based tax fraud.

Credit reporting works the same way. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act framework, credit bureaus use the SSN to build and match consumer files. If credit is issued using your SSN, that account can attach to your report until you dispute it. It stays there while bureaus and lenders investigate.

Federal benefit systems also depend on the number. The SSA warns that criminals use stolen SSNs to impersonate beneficiaries and create fraudulent online accounts. An SSN does not expire or reset. Once exposed, it can continue appearing in tax filings, credit applications, or benefit records until you flag it.

How identity monitoring services help you respond faster

Identity monitoring services attempt to detect suspicious activity tied to your personal information as early as possible. Many services track credit activity across all three major U.S. bureaus and alert you to new inquiries, accounts and report changes. Some also scan known data breach datasets for exposed identifiers, including Social Security numbers.

Certain plans include identity theft insurance to cover eligible recovery costs, along with fraud resolution support to guide you through disputes and paperwork if something goes wrong.

No service can prevent every type of identity theft. The real value is early warning, knowing when and where your SSN is being used so you can act quickly before damage spreads.

How to check if your personal information was exposed

If you are unsure whether your personal information has been compromised, take action. Start with a reputable breach scan to see whether your email or other identifiers appear in known leaks. Early detection gives you more control and helps you respond before fraud escalates.

See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Lawmakers created the Social Security number to track earnings and administer benefits, not to unlock every part of your life. Yet today, many companies treat it like a universal key. In some situations, you must provide your SSN. Taxes, employment and federal benefits depend on it. However, many everyday requests come from internal company policies, not federal law. That distinction matters. Before you share your number, pause and ask why the business needs it. Ask how they store it. Ask whether another form of identification will work. Small questions can prevent big problems. If someone has exposed your SSN, act quickly. Monitor your credit. Set up alerts. Report suspicious activity right away. Early action limits damage and protects your identity. Your Social Security number does not change. But you control when, where and how you share it.

Have you ever been asked for your Social Security number in a situation that didn’t feel necessary, and did you push back? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.


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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Senate Democrats again blocked Republicans’ attempt to reopen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as background negotiations appear to have fizzled out.

It came just minutes after Kristi Noem, the former South Dakota congresswoman and governor who led President Donald Trump’s DHS in his second term, was ousted from her position on Wednesday.

The agency has been shuttered for nearly three weeks, and Democrats’ latest rejection of a full-year funding bill likely ensures that the closure extends into a fourth week.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his caucus remained dug in on their position that unless the White House caters to their list of reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), they wouldn’t play ball.

‘It’s very easy for them to get all of this funded — simply agree to our common-sense proposals on ICE and Border Patrol,’ Schumer said before the vote. ‘These are proposals. What we’ve asked for is what every police force does in terms of our negotiations. Look, we’re still far apart, but we’re still negotiating and exchanging paper back and forth.’

The vote came moments after Trump announced he would nominate Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., to replace Noem as the new DHS chief, following reports that Trump was ‘furious’ with her performance in bicameral Judiciary Committee hearings this week.

Meanwhile, Trump’s Operation Epic Fury has taken center stage in the upper chamber, with a Democratic push to rein in his war authorities in the Middle East hitting a red wall of Republican resistance on Wednesday.

And as the strikes continue, it has spurred calls from Senate Republicans to fund the agency as concerns over retaliation on American soil increase.

‘Look, I’m not going to vote to fund Ice and let them detain, brutalize, shoot, or kill more American citizens just because Donald Trump started an unconstitutional war that no one asked for,’ Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said.

The House is expected to vote on a slightly modified version of the DHS funding bill later in the day, which is expected to pass in the lower chamber. Even if it does, given the current political standoff, it would likely go nowhere in the Senate. 

The last offer made public by either side came last Friday, when the White House sent congressional Democrats what officials called a ‘serious’ counter-proposal. While it appeared that progress was being made after a week of silence, Schumer and Democrats still weren’t satisfied.

A frustrated Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., noted that Democrats had ‘rebuffed’ Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., whom he anointed to run point for the GOP in negotiations, after repeated attempts to reach out to their counterparts.

He also charged that it appeared the decision to ignore Britt and Republicans was coming from Schumer.

‘I would say, beyond not engaging, they are just flat rejecting any chance to sit down and actually talk about it,’ Thune said. ‘And that seems to be coming from the top.’

‘I think they see this as politically advantageous to them, but this is a posture they’ve adopted which has become increasingly clear — it is just a flat-out unwillingness to try and solve this problem or fund the department,’ he continued. ‘At some point, something bad is going to happen.’

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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) released audio on Thursday of a civilian in Tehran describing what it’s like on the ground as Operation Epic Fury rocks Iran.

‘To us here, the war did not start four days ago. It started when we heard the initial news of a piling up of the forces in the region and preparations for war. Now, with the war going on, we hear constant explosions and there is no respite from this,’ the unidentified civilian said.

The civilian said that the frequency of explosions has made people so nervous that even everyday noises can cause panic attacks.

‘Any moment you can expect a loud noise. This has made us so nervous that any loud noise, including the noise of a car passing by, gives us a panic attack,’ the civilian said.

Even with the noise of the explosions, what the civilian, who said he was born and raised in Tehran, noticed was that the city has become a ghost town as people have either fled the war or limited movements in order to stay safe from aerial attacks.

‘As a person who was born and lived his whole life in this city, I have never seen the city so quiet,’ the civilian said. ‘Some of the people of my city have left, many others stayed in, trying to limit movements to avoid getting caught in the aerial attacks on the city that never seem to come to an end. You don’t see people around. My city was a very big city and busy. I’m not used to seeing my city so calm and quiet.’

The U.S. and Israel have carried out air and sea attacks on Iran since the operation began on Saturday. The operation has killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, according to The Associated Press. Additionally, six U.S. service members in Kuwait were killed in the hostilities.

The ICRC has expressed concerns about the situation in Iran, with the organization’s president saying on day one of Operation Epic Fury that it could lead to ‘devastating consequences for civilians.’

‘The military escalation in the Middle East is igniting a dangerous chain reaction across the region, with potentially devastating consequences for civilians,’ ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric said.

In a statement issued a few days later, Spoljaric warned that ‘the scale of major military operations flaring across the Middle East risks embroiling the region – and beyond – into another large-scale armed conflict that will overwhelm any humanitarian response.’

‘Without urgent steps to de-escalate the situation and respect the rules of war, further civilian lives will be lost,’ Spoljaric added. ‘Civilians are already suffering the consequences of war.’

According to the civilian, Iranians on the ground are worried about the future and wonder how the war will play out. Another fear among the people is the possibility of supplies running out.

‘The supplies are available in the shops that are open and work. But what if the situation gets worse or continues as it is now? Will the supplies being stocked be of any help, or they will be meaningless in the face of what can happen?’ the civilian wondered. ‘It is especially more worrying for people like me, who have to take care of people with medical complications that require special care. We are now under a lot of stress, worried to see what can come next.’ 

Fox News Digital reached out to ICRC for comment.

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Oil and gas prices extended their sharp climb this week as the escalating conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran disrupts shipping through one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.

Crude oil futures surged again on Thursday (March 5), with the US benchmark climbing roughly 3.5 percent to about US$77 per barrel—the highest level in more than a year. Brent crude rose nearly 3 percent to around US$83 per barrel.

The waterway, which separates Iran from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman, carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s daily oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Since the latest wave of hostilities began over the weekend, tanker traffic through the strait has largely stalled, with shipowners reluctant to transit the area amid continued missile attacks and drone strikes.

Energy prices have already surged roughly 15 percent since the conflict intensified. US gasoline prices are beginning to reflect the shock, rising nearly 9 percent in just one week. The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in the US climbed from US$2.98 before the attacks to about US$3.25, according to AAA.

Financial markets have responded cautiously. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell about 0.3 percent ahead of Thursday’s opening bell, while the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) and Nasdaq Nasdaq Composite (INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC) futures also edged lower.

If prices remain elevated, analysts warn the surge could complicate the US Federal Reserve’s efforts to tame inflation. Rising energy costs may reduce the likelihood of interest rate cuts this year, keeping borrowing costs higher for longer and potentially slowing economic growth.

‘If the strait were to close for an extended period of time, it would be among the greatest supply shocks in history, and the price of oil undoubtedly would escalate well over US$100,’ analysts from S&P Ratings said in a FocusEconomics update. ‘Given the importance of the strait and the substantial US military presence in the region, it’s highly doubtful the strait could be closed for an extended period of time.”

Continued attacks halt gulf trade

Meanwhile, supply disruptions are intensifying across the Middle East. Shipping data shows tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped dramatically, falling from about 40 vessels per day earlier this year to virtually none in recent days.

Hundreds of oil and gas carriers are now anchored outside the waterway waiting for the security situation to stabilize.

Attacks on commercial shipping have added to the uncertainty. A tanker anchored near Kuwait reported a large explosion on its port side earlier this week. The vessel reportedly suffered a cargo tank leak, although the crew was unharmed.

Other incidents have also been reported. At least nine vessels have come under attack since the conflict began, including tankers targeted by drones and explosive boats in Gulf waters.

Onshore energy infrastructure has also been affected. Several refineries in the region have cut operations or temporarily halted production, while Iraq reportedly reduced oil output by nearly 1.5 million barrels per day after storage capacity filled up when tankers were unable to load cargo.

Liquefied natural gas markets are also facing additional pressure after QatarEnergy halted production earlier this week and declared force majeure on exports. The state-owned firm is one of the world’s largest LNG suppliers, responsible for roughly 20 percent of global shipments.

European natural gas prices have surged in response, rising roughly 50 percent this week amid concerns that supply disruptions could tighten global markets heading into next winter’s storage season.

Despite the escalating crisis, global equity markets have shown signs of stabilizing. Asian stock markets rebounded Thursday after heavy losses earlier in the week, with South Korea’s KOSPI jumping nearly 10 percent and Japan’s Nikkei 225 (INDEXNIKKEI:NI225) gaining about 1.9 percent.

Governments are also scrambling to stabilize shipping lanes. US President Donald Trump said Washington would offer political risk insurance for tankers attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and indicated that U.S. naval forces could escort commercial vessels if necessary.

Insurance markets are also evaluating potential coverage frameworks for ships willing to transit the area, according to Lloyd’s of London.

“The implications for the global economy will depend largely on the duration and severity of the crisis. The real GDP of major advanced and emerging economies is far less dependent on oil than during past crises,’ Marc-Antoine Dumont, Senior Economist at Desjardins, and Randall Bartlett, Deputy Chief Economist, commented.

‘That said, Asia and China remain more exposed to the consequences of a prolonged disruption in Middle Eastern oil supply. On one hand, the US is now a net exporter of petroleum products, and a sustained increase in prices could even have positive spillovers for investment in the resource sector, which has struggled in recent years.”

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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Couloir Capital is pleased to announce that it has initiated research coverage on 55 North Mining Inc. (CSE: FFF,OTC:FFFNF) (or ‘Company’). Couloir Capital’s senior mining analyst, Ron Wortel, MBA, P.Eng., QP, crafted a report titled ‘Initiating Coverage of 55 North Mining as it moves project on production.’

Report excerpts: ‘The Last Hope Gold Project is a high-grade, Precambrian lode-gold system located within Manitoba’s prolific Lynn Lake Greenstone Belt, part of the Churchill Structural Province.’

‘Last Hope benefits from a strategic position within the historic Lynn Lake mining district, a region with established social license, supportive regulatory frameworks, and a deep legacy of gold and base-metal production. The project lies 25 km from Alamos Gold’s fully permitted Lynn Lake development, where construction of an 8,000 tpd mill and 250,000 oz/year operation is underway, with first production targeted for 2029. Management views Last Hope as a potential high-grade satellite feed or toll-milling opportunity that could enhance grade control and improve the IRR of the regional mill project, creating optionality for partnership, consolidation, or a corporate-level transaction.’

The report can be accessed through Couloir Capital’s portal: https://www.couloircapital.com/research-portal.

About Couloir Capital Ltd.

Couloir Capital Ltd. is an investment research firm with a team of experienced investment professionals providing institutional-quality research coverage for small-cap equities. Our research reports are distributed via Bloomberg, FactSet, Capital IQ, LSEG, Research Tree and other platforms, as well as via social media and extensive email distribution lists. To subscribe, visit: https://www.couloircapital.com/research-portal

For further information, please contact:

Rob Stitt, Managing Director, Couloir Capital Ltd.
Email: rstitt@couloircapital.com
www.couloircapital.com

DISCLAIMER:

Analyst Disclosure:

  1. The Company has retained Couloir Capital under a service agreement that includes analyst research coverage only.
  2. The principal of Couloir Capital maintains a financial interest in the securities or options of the Company through an affiliated fund entity.

Investors are encouraged to read the complete list of disclosures contained in the report.

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/286367

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