New Alternative to Panama Canal

International Shippers will soon have a new alternative to the Panama Canal.

A Freight-Rail Line across Southern Mexico, currently Ramping-Up Operations. Containers traveling from the Pacific to the Atlantic or the other way, will be Offloaded for the Two to Three Day Rail Crossing.

The CIIT Railrood will have only 5% of the Capacity or the Canal, but it will Offer another Route at times when the Canal Congestion Mounts, as is becoming Common.

Eastbound Canal Shipments usually take Two to Six Days in Noemal Conditions.

During Severe Droughts, when Water Levels Fall, the Backups in each direction can reach Weeks.

This makes the Mexican Rail Option especially Useful.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Crypto’s Quiet Takeover of Finance

Mastercard Embraces Crypto: Mastercard has launched a Crypto Partner Program that brings together more than 85 Companies from the Digital Asset and Payments Sectors to Connect Blockchain Technology with its Global Payments Infrastructure. Participants include Firms such as: Binance, Circle, Gemini, PayPal, Paxos, and Ripple.

The Initiative aims to bring together: Banks, Blockchain Developers, Exchanges, and Fintech Firms, to Explore how Blockchain Systems can work with Traditional Payment Networks used by Merchants, Banks, and Consumers.

The Program focuses on Practical Use Cases where Digital Assets are already Gaining Attention, including Cross-Border Transfers, Business to Business Payments, and Global Payouts. Mastercard’s Goal is to Combine Blockchain Tools such as Programmable Payments, and Tokenized Assets with the established Payment Rails that already Support Global Commerce.

The Effort Reflects a Broader Shift in the Financial Industry as Digital Assets move closer to Traditional Financial Infrastructure.

Mastercard’s Network connects Banks, Merchants, and Consumers in more than 200 Countries and Territories, and the Company believes Blockchain Payments will only Scale Widely, if they can Integrate with that type of Global System.

The Program builds on earlier Crypto Initiatives from Mastercard, including Crypto linked Payment Cards, Investments in Blockchain Startups through its Start Path Accelerator, and Services that Help Banks Manage Crypto Compliance and Risk. Similar efforts are underway across the Industry.

For example, Visa has Tested Stablecoin Settlement with Blockchain Partners as Payment Networks and Financial Institutions continue Exploring ways to Integrate Digital Assets into Everyday Commerce.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Putin on Edge Over Military Coup Fears

Russian President Vladimir Putin is Reportedly on High Alert, amid growing Concerns of a Potential Military Coup, following the Arrest of Former First Deputy Defence Minister Ruslan Tsalikov. The Move has sent Fears through Moscow, where Mobile Internet in the City Center has been Disrupted for more than a week without Explanation, Fueling Sspeculation about Unrest within the Kremlin.

Tsalikov’s Arrest last week Marked the Latest Development, in a Prolonged Corruption Investigation tied to the 2014 Construction of Russia’s National Defence Control Centre. Investigators Allege that Tsalikov and His Family amassed Wealth totaling over 4 billion Rubles, prompting Authorities to take Decisive Action.

The Arrest appears to have Struck at the Heart of Russia’s Ministry of Defence, Exposing Tensions that may Extend to the Highest Levels of the Security Establishment. Tsalikov’s Detention, a Close Ally of Former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, has Intensified Scrutiny of Shoigu Himself. Shoigu, who was Dismissed in 2024 amid Allegations of Corruption and Mismanagement of the Ongoing War in Ukraine, has long Maintained a Close Relationship with Putin.

Moscow Residents and Businesses have Reported Significant Disruptions to Mobile and Iinternet Services. Local Network Operators, including VimpelCom and T2, Insist that the Outages are Not Due to Technical Failures on their Part, Suggesting instead that the Government Imposed Restrictions.

The Blackout has Affected several Key Areas, including Locations Housing the Presidential Administration, the Security Council, and FSB Operational Units. Authorities have Offered No Public Explanation for the Extended Outage.

Similar Shutdowns were Witnessed during the Wagner Group Rebellion in 2023, a Period that Highlighted the Potential Fragility of Russia’s Internal Security, when Factions within the Military or Intelligence Community Challenge Central Authority.

Reports indicate that Tsalikov was Not Transferred to the High-Security Lefortovo Prison, as might have been Expected, and was instead placed under House Arrest. This has Led to Speculation that Russian Authorities may be Navigating Delicate Internal Power Dynamics, possibly attempting to Avoid Provoking further Instability.

Adding to the Unease, Putin has Not Visited any Military Command Posts in 2026, a Departure from His Usual Routine, which included Frequent Oversight Visits. This may Reflect both Growing Internal Aanxieties and the President’s Frustration with the Stalled War Effort in Ukraine.

Putin’s Cautious Behavior, combined with the Unprecedented communications Blackout, indicates Deep Concern about Potential Threats from Within rather than from External Military Action.

While Unconfirmed Reports of a Coup remain Speculative, the Combination of High-Profile Arrests, Internet Restrictions, and Unusual Presidential Inactivity, has Created an Atmosphere of Uncertainty in Moscow.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

New Drone Maker Partly Owned by Trump Sons Hopes to Win Pentagon Contracts

Among Dozens of Companies Competing for Pentagon Contracts to supply Attack Drones, One Now Stands Out. Powerus is Flush with Cash and Ballooning in Size as it Buys up Rivals.

The Trump (R) Family has drawn Criticism for Expanding its Real Estate Business into Foreign Countries that are trying to curry Favor with the Trump and for making Billions-of-Dollars off Cryptocurrency Ventures Benefiting from His Policies. Grabbing Less Attention are New Oownership Stakes in Federal Contractors providing everything from Rocket Parts and Rare Eearth Magnets to AI Chips and Computer Hardware.

“It’s corruption," said Kathleen Clark, a Government Ethics Expert at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. “Government decision makers will feel pressure to use contract awards to enrich the president’s family."

The Latest Trump Venture is Hoping to Win some of the $1.1 billion set aside by the Pentagon to build up a U.S. Manufacturing Base for Armed Drones now that the Trump Administration put a Ban on Importing them from China. Powerus says there is No Problem with it Bidding for Government Money that could make Trump's Sons Richer.

“There’s no conflict there. Whatever they’re doing, is what they’re doing,” said Co-Founder Brett Velicovich, Referring to the Trump brothers. “Our focus at the company has nothing to do with politics.” Asked to Comment about Potential Conflicts, the Trump Organization sent a Statement from Eric Trump: “I am incredibly proud to invest in companies I believe in. Drones are clearly the wave of the future.”

Founded by U.S. Army Special Operations Veterans about a year ago, Powerus makes Drones mostly for Commercial Uses, from Spreading Fertilizer to Putting Out Forest Fires. But it is Bulking up Fast to Supply the Defense Department with Armed Drones like the Ones being Used by Ukraine and Russia and, more recently Iran, as it Rains Havoc on Gulf States Allied with the U.S.

The company bought three rivals in the past six months and plans to buy more. It just raised $60 million from investors to fund the buying spree and hopes to tap additional financing by doing a “reverse merger” in which a private company gets a public listing by buying one already on the stock market, usually a business with little or no operations.

The Public Company in this Case is Aureus Greenway Holdings, a Florida Firm partly owned by Eric (R) and Don Jr (R), that Holds a few Golf Courses. and is Listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. Of the Two Oldest Brothers, Don Jr., is the One most Involved in Federal Contracting Firms through a Venture Capital Fund called 1789 Capital.

Shortly after Trump’s Re-Election, 1789 Capital made Don Jr. a Partner and then went on a Buying Spree of its Own, Investing in 25 Companies in One year. It had made only Six Purchases in the Two Years prior, according to Data provided by Research Firm Pitchbook. Most of its Targets appear to be Seeking Federal Contracts or Taxpayer Funds or have already Won them

Don Jr. and His Brother have also Started their own Investment Firm to Buy Stakes in U.S. Companies Designed to Help their Father revive America’s Manufacturing Base. After The Associated Press asked Trump’s Chief Business Lawyer about Language in a Regulatory Filing Stating the Firm would Target Companies seeking Federal Grants, He Filed a New Document with that Language Removed.

Don Jr. appears Well-Equipped to Help Powerus. He has Spoken-Out about the Need for Armed Drones, Appears Knowledgeable about the Technology and Publicly Endorsed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R) when He was coming under Fire during His Confirmation Hearings. FAsked why Powerus Picked a Trump Company to Merge with. instead of the Hundreds of Others on Nasdaq with Little or No Operations, Co-founder Velocovich said He was Not a Finance Specialist and Didn't Know.

“Our focus is 100% on getting the right technology in the hands of the warfighter,” He said, “regardless of who the investors are.”










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Social Security Probe of Misuse of Data by DOGE Employees

The Social Security Administration's (SSA) Internal Watchdog is Iinvestigating a Whistleblower Complaint into what it describes as a Former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Worker's potential Misuse of Data obtained from the SSA.

According to a Document, the SSA’s Inspector General Informed the Leadership of Four Congressional Committees that it was Launching the Probe after Receiving an Anonymous Complaint.

TA Former DOGE Software Engineer had Allegedly told Several Co-Workers that He Possessed Two Tightly Restricted Databases of U.S. Citizens’ Information and had at least One Data-Set on a Thumb Drive that He would Share with His New Employer.

The SSA said the Allegations have been Refuted by the Agency, the Former Employee, and the Vompany.

Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR), said in a Statement that the Allegations, if True, would Represent “one of the largest known data breaches in American history" and called for a “full public accounting.”

The SSA maintains Records on hundreds of Millions of People, including Health Diagnoses, Income, Banking Information, Familial Relationships and Personal Biographic Data.

The Agency has faced Lawsuits over Alleged Mishandling of Government Data and DOGE's Access to Sensitive Personal Information.

Last August, Whistleblower Charles Borges, who Worked as the Chief Data Officer at the SSA filed a Disclosure to the Special Counsel's Office, stating that more than 300 Million Americans’ Social Security Data was Put-at-Risk after DOGE Officials Uploaded Sensitive Information to a Cloud Account Not Subject to Oversight.

In January, the Trump (R) Administration Admitted in Court that DOGE Workers had Unauthorized Access to Sensitive SSA Data, Shared SSA Data using an Unapproved Third-Party Service, and Engaged in Activities Outside the Scope of SSA’s Mission, including Signing a “Voter Data Agreement” with a Political Advocacy Group. That Litigation is Ongoing.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

NY AG Joins States Suing Trump Over College Data

New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) and 16 other State Attorneys General Sued the Trump (R) Administration 3/11/2026, Asking the Court to Block a Federal Mandate about College Data Collection. Officials from the Coalition of States Filed Suit in Federal Court, because the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) wants Seven Years of Student Admissions Data by 3/18/2026.

In 1/2025, Trump Signed Executive Orders Banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs Across the Federal Government. In 8/2025, Another Trump Missive Accused Colleges of Hiding Illegal Admissions Policies behind Diversity Statements.

To that Eend, Education Secretary Linda McMahon (R) Ordered DOE to Collect Data on the Race and Sex of All Applicants and Admitted and Enrolled Students. The Mandate requires Schools to Report Student Test Scores, Grade Point Averages, First-Generation Sstatus, and Financial Aid Details for Each Group to DOE, Broken Down by “Race-and-Sex Pair.”

“We will not allow institutions to blight the dreams of students by presuming that their skin color matters more than their hard work and accomplishments,” McMahon said in 8/2025. In 12/2025, the Federal Government Updated its Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, which Collects Annual Statistical Data from Colleges, Universities, and Vocational Programs, with a Survey.

The White House said that Insufficient Data and Diversity Statements raised Concerns about Illegal Racial Discrimination, and that the Surveys would Identify Schools that Pass on Qualified Students because of Diversity Quotas. Trump said in 8/2025 that the Survey is Necessary to Monitor how well Colleges that would consider Race in Admissions Align with the Supreme Court’s 2023 Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard Decision.

James and the other States Argued that the Feds Rolled-Out the Survey in a Rushed Attempt to Target DEI. According to the Lawsuit, Requiring New Data represents a Burden on Institutions Across the Country. Smaller Academic Programs or Graduate Schools don’t Centrally Track such Data, the Coalition said, and they Lack the Resources to Comply.

The Plaintiffs said Workers won’t have enough Time to Gather Years of Complex Information using New, Untested Reporting Systems. They also Warned that the Super Specific Demographic Categories could End-Uup Doxxing Individual Students Accidentally.

“Colleges and universities should not be forced to turn over massive amounts of sensitive student data to satisfy another witch hunt,” James said in a Press Release Announcing the Lawsuit. “We are going to court to stop this unlawful mandate and protect institutions and students across the country.”

Still, the Complaint has almost No New York-Specific Arguments. In Her Press Release, James Specifically Highlighted the State University of New York and the City University of New York, as Examples of Institutions that were Unfairly Targeted.

DOE Defended the Timeline in October, Blaming the Accelerated Schedule on Trump’s Presidential Memorandum. If Schools don’t Submit the Data, DOE said it would Fine them as much as $71,545 per Violation or even Void Student Aid.

According to the Lawsuit, Skipping Standard Testing and Public Review Periods Violates the Administrative Procedure and Paperwork Reduction Acts. The Attorneys General asked the Court to Declare the Mandate Unlawful and Stop the Feds from Penalizing Noncompliant Schools.

New York Tax Returns Feature New Child Credits and Inflation Refund Requirements. The other States in the Coalition of Plaintiffs are: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

NY Opposes Reopening Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant

New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) Opposes the Trump (R) Administration's Campaign to Rrestart a Nuclear Power Pplant just North of New York City, Her Office told Reuters this week, days after the U.S. Energy Secretary Visited the Plant to Urge its Re-Opening.

U.S. Power demand is Rising for the First Time in Decades, on the Boom in Artificial intelligence (AI) Data Centers and a Rush to Electrify Everything from Industry and Buildings to Transportation. To Help meet the Demand Trump has set a Goal for the U.S. to Quadruple Nuclear Power Capacity by 2050.

“The governor has emphatically stated she will not support the reopening of Indian Point and is instead pushing for a significant expansion of round-the-clock, emission-free advanced nuclear power in upstate New York communities that want it," said Ken Lovett, Senior Communications Adviser on Energy and Environment for Hochul.

Without Support from Hochul, Indian Point would likely Not be Able to Restart. On 3/7/2026, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright (R) held a Press Event at Indian Point to Promote Nuclear Power and Renewed Operations at the Plant. Holtec, the Site's Owner, has been Decommissioning the Power Plant following its Closure in 2021. Opposition to Indian Point, a Potential Target for Attacks, Increased after the September 11th, 2001 Attacks.

Holtec including Shutting Plants Down, Now wants to get into the Reactor-Operating Business. It is in the Process of Attempting to Restart a Shut Michigan nuclear Power Plant. Under Contracts with Microsoft and Google, Power Companies Constellation and NextEra are also trying to Resume Operations at the former Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant in Pennsylvania, and a Plant in Iowa.

“The Trump Administration believes energy policy should focus on the American people — not politics — by expanding reliable American energy, creating more American jobs, and lowering electricity prices for every American family and business across the country,” Wright said in a Statement.

While Holtec CEO Kris Singh, who was Present at last Week's Event, Applauded the Idea of Restarting the Plant, the Company told Reuters that the Effort would Require Buy-In from Multiple Political and Government Agencies.

"Should the political will and financial means be available that the state wants to see a repower, we would be willing to work towards that goal. Otherwise, we will continue on our path to safely decommission IPEC," a Company Spokesman said.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chair Ho Nieh told Reporters on Tuesday at a Conference: "If a restart decision is made by the owners to restart the unit, they will come to the NRC and we will talk with them about what it would take to restart the Indian Point plant."

Hochul has Called for 5 Gigawatts of New Nuclear Capacity to be Built in New York. She has so far Directed the New York Power Authority to Ddevelop and Build a Gigawatt of New Capacity in Upstate New York, farther from New York City than Indian Point.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker