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  • MIL-OSI: Kentucky First Federal Bancorp Reports Earnings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HAZARD, Ky. and FRANKFORT, Ky. and DANVILLE, Ky. and LANCASTER, Ky., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kentucky First Federal Bancorp (Nasdaq: KFFB), the holding company (the “Company”) for First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Hazard and First Federal Savings Bank of Kentucky, Frankfort, Kentucky, announced net income of $13,000 or $0.00 diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to a net loss of $361,000 or $(0.05) diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $374,000 or 103.6%. A net loss of $2,000 or $(0.00) diluted earnings per share was announced for the six months ended December 31, 2024 compared to a net loss of $536,000 or $(0.07) diluted earnings per share for the six months ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $534,000 or 99.6%.

    The increase in net earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 was primarily attributable to higher net interest income. Net interest income increased $381,000 or 23.0% to $2.0 million due primarily to interest income increasing more than interest expense increased period to period. Interest income increased $857,000 or 21.8% to $4.8 million, while interest expense increased $476,000 or 21.0% to $2.7 million for the recently-ended quarter. While the rising interest rate environment has slowed and market rates have even decreased, the repricing level of our assets has begun to outpace the increase in expenses paid on liabilities.

    The average rate earned on interest-earning assets increased 80 basis points to 5.28% and was the primary reason for the increase in interest income, although average interest-earning assets also increased $11.5 million or 3.3% to $362.3 million for the recently-ended quarterly period. The average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities increased 44 basis points to 3.53% and was the primary reason for the increase in interest expense, although average interest-bearing liabilities also increased $17.3 million or 5.9%.

    Non-interest income increased $125,000 or 271.7% and totaled $171,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2024, almost entirely due to net gains on sales of loans increasing $74,000 compared to December 31, 2023. This was due to the increase in demand for fixed -rate secondary market loans.

    Non-interest expense also increased $54,000 period to period primarily due to other non-interest expense increasing $123,000, with the majority of this due to increased professional fees. This increase was partially offset by employee compensation and benefits decreasing $62,000 or 4.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023.

    At December 31, 2024, assets totaled $374.2 million, a decrease of $760,000 or 0.2%, from $375.0 million at June 30, 2024, due primarily to the decrease in loans, net, of $2.8 million or 0.8%, as well as a decrease in investment securities of $1.0 million or 10.6% primarily because of principal repayments and prepayments. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $21.0 million, an increase of $2.7 million or 14.7% compared to June 30, 2024. Total liabilities decreased $818,000 or 0.3% to $326.2 million at December 31, 2024, as consistent with our efforts to reduce our reliance on higher cost funding sources, FHLB advances decreased $7.2 million or 10.4% to $61.8 million. Partially offsetting the decrease in FHLB advances was an increase in total deposits of $6.9 million or 2.7% at December 31, 2024. Savings account deposits increased $1.6 million or 3.4%, and certificates of deposit increased $10.3 million or 5.9%.

    At December 31, 2024, the Company reported its book value per share as $5.94. Shareholders’ equity increased $58,000 or 0.1% to $48.1 million at December 31, 2024 compared to June 30, 2024. The increase in shareholders’ equity was primarily associated with accumulated other comprehensive loss decreasing $60,000 at December 31, 2024 compared to June 30, 2024 as the unrealized losses on our investment portfolio decrease.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain statements that are forward-looking, as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995 or the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “intend” and “potential,” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “should,” “could,” or “may.” Forward-looking statements include statements of our goals, intentions and expectations; statements regarding our ability to fully and timely address the deficiencies that resulted in the Agreement that First Federal Savings Bank of Kentucky has entered into with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”); First Federal Savings Bank of Kentucky’s ability to satisfy the Individual Minimum Capital Requirements imposed by the OCC; statements regarding our business plans, prospects, growth and operating strategies; statements regarding the quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits. Kentucky First Federal Bancorp’s actual results, performance or achievements may materially differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause or contribute to such material differences include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions; prices for real estate in the Company’s market areas; the interest rate environment and the impact of the interest rate environment on our business, financial condition and results of operations; our ability to successfully execute our strategy to increase earnings, increase core deposits, reduce reliance on higher cost funding sources and shift more of our loan portfolio towards higher-earning loans; our ability to pay future dividends and if so at what level; our ability to receive any required regulatory approval or non-objection for the payment of dividends from First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Hazard and First Federal Savings Bank of Kentucky to the Company or from the Company to shareholders; the ability of First Federal MHC to receive approval of its members to waive the payment of any Company dividends to First Federal MHC; competitive conditions in the financial services industry; changes in the level of inflation; changes in the demand for loans, deposits and other financial services that we provide; the possibility that future credit losses may be higher than currently expected; competitive pressures among financial services companies; the ability to attract, develop and retain qualified employees; our ability to maintain the security of our data processing and information technology systems; the outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of matters before regulatory agencies; changes in law, governmental policies and regulations, rapidly changing technology affecting financial services, and the other matters mentioned in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2024. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, the Company does not undertake the responsibility, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release publicly the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

    About Kentucky First Federal Bancorp

    Kentucky First Federal Bancorp is the parent company of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Hazard, which operates one banking office in Hazard, Kentucky, and First Federal Savings Bank of Kentucky, which operates three banking offices in Frankfort, Kentucky, two banking offices in Danville, Kentucky and one banking office in Lancaster, Kentucky. Kentucky First Federal Bancorp shares are traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol KFFB. At December 31, 2024, the Company had approximately 8,086,715 shares outstanding of which approximately 58.5% was held by First Federal MHC.

    SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS                    
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets                      
    (In thousands, except share data)               December 31,     June 30,
                    2024
    (Unaudited)    		     2024
    ASSETS              
    Cash and cash equivalents             $ 20,976     $ 18,287  
    Investment Securities               8,818       9,861  
    Loans available-for sale               116       110  
    Loans, net               330,234       333,025  
    Real estate acquired through foreclosure               10       10  
    Other Assets               14,054       13,675  
    Total Assets             $ 374,208     $ 374,968  
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                  
    Deposits             $ 263,055     $ 256,139  
    FHLB Advances               61,792       68,988  
    Other Liabilities               1,306       1,844  
    Total liabilities               326,153       326,971  
    Shareholders’ Equity               48,055       47,997  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity             $ 374,208     $ 374,968  
    Book value per share             $ 5.94     $ 5.94  
    Tangible book value per share             $ 5.94     $ 5.94  
                           
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)                  
    (In thousands, except share data)                      
                           
      Six months ended December 31,   Three months ended December 31,
        2024
    (Unaudited)    		     2023       2024
    (Unaudited)    		     2023  
    Interest Income $ 9,403     $ 7,661     $ 4,784     $ 3,927  
    Interest Expense   5,496       4,333       2,746       2,270  
    Net Interest Income   3,907       3,328       2,038       1,657  
    Provision for Credit Losses   15       15       –       9  
    Non-interest Income   308       121       171       46  
    Non-interest Expense   4,215       4,132       2,203       2,149  
    Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes   (15 )     (698 )     6       (455 )
    Income Taxes   (13 )     (162 )     (7 )     (94 )
    Net Income (Loss) $ (2 )   $ (536 )   $ 13     $ (361 )
    Earnings per share:                      
    Basic and Diluted $ (0.00 )   $ (0.07 )   $ 0.00     $ (0.05 )
    Weighted average outstanding shares:                      
    Basic and Diluted   8,098,715       8,098,715       8,098,715       8,098,715  
    Contact:  Don Jennings, President, or Tyler Eades, Vice President
    (502) 223-1638
    216 West Main Street
    P.O. Box 535
    Frankfort, KY 40602

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) Regains Compliance with NASDAQ Listing Standards as of February 10, 2025. (UPDATED)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nashville, Tennessee, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) (“American Rebel” or the “Company”), creator of American Rebel Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) and a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded safes, personal security and self-defense products and apparel (americanrebel.com), is pleased to announce that it has regained compliance with the periodic filing requirement under NASDAQ’s listing rules.

    “Maintaining our NASDAQ listing is of utmost importance to our Company and our stockholders. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our internal and external accounting teams for their tireless efforts in ensuring our ability to file our FY2024 3rdQuarter financials that allowed American Rebel to regain compliance with NASDAQ’s listing rules.” Andy Ross, CEO of American Rebel, further commented, “The dedication and hard work of Darin Fielding, CFO of our wholly owned subsidiary, Champion Safe Co., who emerged as our regulatory lead due to his previous auditor experience was instrumental in the coordination between our independent auditors, GBQ and Eventus Advisory Group’s seasoned team of public company accounting professionals.”

    Timeline of NASDAQ Compliance Efforts

    November 14, 2024 – FY2024 3rd Quarter 10Q due

    November 22, 2024 – Company notification by NASDAQ that it no longer met the perioding listing requirement due to the inability to file the FY2024 3rd Quarter 10Q

    January 21, 2025 – Deadline for American Rebel Holdings, Inc. to submit a plan to NASDAQ to regain compliance with the listing requirements

    February 7, 2025 – American Rebel Holdings, Inc. files Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2024.

    Revenue for the three (3) months ended September 30, 2024 of $2,337,786.00

    Revenue for the nine (9) months ended September 30, 2024 of $9,637,016.00

    February 10, 2025 – American Rebel Holdings, Inc. is notified by NASDAQ Staff that with the February 7, 2025 filing of the 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2024, that the Company is deemed compliant with the NASDAQ Listing Rules.

    In the coming weeks, the Company is planning on providing a brief stockholder update from its CEO, Andy Ross, detailing the progress made in our business units throughout last year. This update will highlight the rapid growth and success American Rebel has experienced in our American Rebel Beverage business unit responsible for American Rebel Light Beer and the positive impacts of the reorganization and streamlining of our product offerings and processes at Champion Safe Co. (www.championsafe.com).

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Light Beer. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit www.americanrebel.com and www.americanrebelbeer.com. For investor information, visit www.americanrebel.com/investor-relations.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc.
    info@americanrebel.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

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

    Company Contact:
    Corey Lambrecht, COO
    Corey.lambrecht@americanrebel.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 11.02.2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nokia Corporation
    Stock Exchange Release
    11 February 2025 at 22:30 EET

    Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 11.02.2025

    Espoo, Finland – On 11 February 2025 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows:

    Trading venue (MIC Code) Number of shares Weighted average price / share, EUR*
    XHEL 1,390,880 4.69
    CEUX – –
    BATE – –
    AQEU – –
    TQEX – –
    Total 1,390,880 4.69

    * Rounded to two decimals

    On 22 November 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to offset the dilutive effect of new Nokia shares issued to the shareholders of Infinera Corporation and certain Infinera Corporation share-based incentives. The repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia’s Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 25 November 2024 and end by 31 December 2025 and target to repurchase 150 million shares for a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 900 million.

    Total cost of transactions executed on 11 February 2025 was EUR 6,518,637. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 245,094,754 treasury shares.

    Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement.

    On behalf of Nokia Corporation

    BofA Securities Europe SA

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Inquiries:

    Nokia Communications
    Phone: +358 10 448 4900
    Email: press.services@nokia.com
    Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications

    Nokia Investor Relations
    Phone: +358 931 580 507
    Email: investor.relations@nokia.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Barrasso: Wyoming Should Be in Charge of Grizzly Bear Management, Not Washington

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso

    Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks on grizzly bear management.
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), called for restoring Wyoming’s authority to manage its own grizzly bear population during his remarks today on the Senate floor. Barrasso highlighted legislation he recently cosponsored to remove grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem from the Endangered Species List and shift management of the bear to the states.
    Sen. Barrasso’s remarks:
    “Under the Constitution, most decisions affecting our lives are meant to be made at the local or the state level. But for decades, unelected, unaccountable, heavy-handed federal bureaucrats have taken away decisions from the states. They’ve centralized power and ignored the local experts. We need to put the power back into the hands of the people and the states. That’s where it belongs. That’s what our founding fathers envisioned.
    “And the perfect example of this is the status of grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park.
    “The Yellowstone population of grizzly bears has been fully recovered – put on the endangered species list years and years ago – but has been fully recovered for more than 20 years. In Wyoming, we’ve invested more than $50 million in this effort to make sure that the grizzly bears did fully and safely recover. Both Democrat administrations and Republican administrations have moved to take an action to take the grizzly bear off of the Endangered Species List.
    “Wyoming has a strong proven track record of science-based management of the bears.
    “Today, grizzly bears in Yellowstone are thriving. They’re thriving so much that they’re now doing great damage to our livestock and to our wildlife. In 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said that there was ‘substantial scientific or commercial information to warrant local control.’ Not the heavy hand of Washington, but local control. Yet the grizzly bear remains under Washington’s control, and that is despite the best data and our state’s success.
    “This issue isn’t science, it’s politics. There are partisan liberal judges who refuse to listen to scientific evidence. The evidence shows that the grizzlies are fully recovered. The previous administration didn’t want to give up control. That’s kind of how the Biden administration did it. So on its way out the door, the final weeks, it threw sand in the gears of change. The Biden administration rejected at the midnight hour, Wyoming’s good faith efforts and management plans – they did it just before leaving office.
    “The decision was wrong. It was wrong for the grizzly bear population, and it was wrong for the people of Wyoming.
    “It’s time for Wyoming – not Washington – to be in charge of managing the grizzly bears.
    “In Congress, Senator Cynthia Lummis and Congresswoman Harriet Hageman and I introduced legislation to delist the grizzly bears. Our legislation would restore state management. It would put power back into the hands of the people who understand the situation the best.
    “We’re also working with the Trump administration to take immediate action. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is a supporter of delisting the grizzly bears. He agrees that local communities and states should be in control of these decisions. As he said in his confirmation hearing, there’s a belief that when they come off of federal protection, they’re unprotected. No, he said, they’re managed – as are all of the other species in the state – by the locals who’ve got the closest data. Secretary Burgum is right, and I’m glad that we finally have an administration that is ready to work with the people of Wyoming.
    “I’m going to continue to work closely with the Secretary of Interior on a path forward that allows the people of Wyoming to make decisions for Wyoming.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Barrasso: Tusli Gabbard Will Handle Classified Information Properly and Lawfully

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor ahead of voting to confirm Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald J. Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence.
    Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.
    Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:
    “The Senate will soon vote on the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be the Director of National Intelligence.
    “Congresswoman Gabbard has the right background, the right experience, and the right perspective to keep America safe and secure.
    “Congresswoman Gabbard has served in uniform or more than 20 years. She deployed to the Middle East several times. She serves in the military today and was recently promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
    “As a member of Congress for eight years, Congresswoman Gabbard served on the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees.
    “Her experience handling highly classified information is extensive.
    “As Director of National Intelligence, she will handle classified information properly and lawfully.
    “Congresswoman Gabbard is more than qualified to serve as our Director of National Intelligence.
    “I’ve heard a lot of debate about Congresswoman Gabbard. Not one Senator has disputed a simple fact: She took a hard line on Russia and Iran.
    “In 2013, Congresswoman Gabbard co-sponsored the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act.
    “Congresswoman Gabbard wanted severe sanctions on Iran. Then-President Obama wanted to appease Iran.
    “Congresswoman Gabbard opposed the Iran Deal. She viewed it as a threat to both America and Israel.
    “She was right.
    “In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea. President Obama rejected sending tank-busting missiles to Ukraine. He instead sent them blankets. The sanctions he imposed on Russia were weak.
    “Congresswoman Gabbard argued for U.S. military assistance to Ukraine. She also called for painful sanctions against Russia.
    “She never sought war with Russia. Yet she never kid herself about Russia’s aggressive ambitions.
    “She worked to stop wars, even though she served and was ready to fight in them. She knows what it means when we talk about peace through strength.
    “The Democrat attacks on her patriotism and loyalty are disturbing. There is no evidence to support them.
    “The attacks on Congresswoman Gabbard are another case of Democrats equating political disagreement with disloyalty.
    “If Washington wants Americans to trust our intelligence agencies again, we need to take an axe to the weaponization of those very agencies.
    “Congresswoman Gabbard will keep politics out of intelligence gathering. She wants to return ODNI to its original size, scope, and mission.
    “As she wrote in Newsweek, ‘I promise to provide unbiased, timely, and accurate intelligence for those making decisions to protect the people of our country.’ This is exactly what we need.
    “Tulsi Gabbard is the right choice to be the Director of National Intelligence. I look forward to confirming her.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch on Trump’s Chaotic and Cruel Second Term: “The law matters. Respect for your opponents matters. And focusing on the everyday needs of everyday people is what matters most.”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) took to the Senate floor to speak on President Trump’s exaggerated claims of winning the 2024 election by a ‘landside,’ and called on the Trump Administration to focus not on political retribution and his agenda of ‘overreach and failure,’ but on the issues that matter to everyday Americans.  
    “As long as President Trump and his allies pretend that he has this massive mandate to literally disrupt and throw out the traditions and norms and guardrails of democracy, that is something I and so many of my colleagues will resist. We can’t do that. The law matters. Respect for your opponents matters. And focusing on the everyday needs of everyday people is what matters most. It’s what is the goal all of us should be looking to accomplish,” said Sen. Welch.
    Watch Senator Welch’s speech below: 
    Read the Senator’s remarks as delivered here. 
    Senator Welch’s Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the 119th Congress include:  
    Senate Committee on Finance  
    Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry 
    Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit  
    Senate Committee on the Judiciary 
    Ranking Member, Subcommittee on the Constitution  
    Senate Committee on Rules & Administration 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 02.11.2025 Sen. Cruz, Rep. Jackson Reintroduce Tax Relief Bill for Panhandle Wildfires Victims

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas-13) reintroduced the Wildfire Victim Tax Relief and Recovery Act. The bill would provide tax relief for victims who suffered significant losses in the Panhandle last year when wildfires burned 1.2 million acres, destroyed homes, and killed thousands of cattle.
    Upon reintroduction, Sen. Cruz said, “Last year, historic wildfires destroyed the Panhandle, taking the homes and livelihoods of thousands of Texans. This bill will deliver much needed tax relief to support these communities in their ongoing recovery efforts. I urge my colleagues to pass this bill without delay.”
    Rep. Jackson said, “The historic wildfires that tore through the Texas Panhandle last year have left a lasting mark on all the ranchers, families, and communities involved. I’m honored to reintroduce this critical legislation and am committed to making sure those hit hardest by this catastrophic disaster can use the assistance they’ve received to rebuild their farms, ranches, and livelihoods, not pay the federal government.”
    Read the bill text here.
    BACKGROUND
    The Wildfire Victim Tax Relief and Recovery Act:

    Exempts government relief payments and settlement payments from Xcel Energy from income taxes.
    Provides tax relief to producers who were forced to sell livestock due to the Panhandle fires.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Finance – ASB drops mortgage rates further

    Source: ASB

    ASB has today announced decreases on some of its most popular mortgage terms, with market-leading rates across the major banks on 6-month, 1-year and 18-month terms from today. The 6-month term drops 10 basis points to 5.89%, the 1-year rate drops to 5.49% while the 18-month term falls 15 basis points to 5.19%.

    ASB’s Executive General Manager Adam Boyd says today’s rate changes will be welcome news for home loan customers and those looking to refix or buy.

    “We’ve lowered rates across several terms three times in the past month, giving our customers and prospective buyers a range of options – whether they’re after short-term relief or longer-term certainty. We already know how popular the short-term rates are, and we’ve seen growing interest in the 18-month term this year. Competition is fierce when it comes to interest rates, and we’re pleased to be offering lower mortgage rates for New Zealanders”, says Boyd.

    In line with falling wholesale rates, ASB has also reduced some of its term deposit rates.  “We know that an easing interest rate environment can mean different things for homeowners and for savers. We’ve got a range of options available to support our customers and we encourage them to reach out to us for tailored guidance and advice.”

    All rate adjustments are effective immediately for new and current customers.

     

      Fixed home lending term

    Previous rate

    New rate

    Rate decrease

    6-month

    5.99%

    5.89%

    – 10 bps

    1-year

    5.54%

    5.49%

    – 5 bps

    18-month

    5.34%

    5.19%

    – 15 bps

     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tenants’ privacy rights in the spotlight

    Source: Office of the Privacy Commissioner

    The hunt to land a flat over summer shouldn’t come at the expense of people’s privacy rights, warns Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster.
    “There’s often a lot of pressure on people, especially students, to find a flat quickly, which risks privacy shortcuts being taken and that can put both tenants and landlords at risk.
    Tenants should be aware they have privacy rights when applying for a flat and that landlords have obligations under the Privacy Act, Mr Webster says.
    “Tenants are often desperate to find a flat, so they might disclose a whole lot of personal information that isn’t legally required. Essentially, they’re giving others power over their own details and that isn’t a great strategy.”
    The desire to get a tenant quickly could also lead some landlords to take privacy shortcuts, which puts people at risk.
    “The majority of landlords care about their tenants’ privacy, but there can be a lot of factors to weigh up when considering applications and it can be tempting to over collect personal information and to get details that aren’t legally allowed. It can also mean they can end up with a large amount of information with no way to manage or store it safely.
    “Landlords need to know what information they can legally collect, and when. They also need to make sure personal information collected during the rental application process is kept secure and is not disclosed without authorisation.”
    “Personal information has value and is protected under the Privacy Act at all stages of the rental process. It’s important shortcuts aren’t taken to fill a flat and that only the necessary personal information is supplied and only when its needed.”
    Personal characteristics, including relationship status, age, gender identity and employment status are protected under the Human Rights Act. Things like spending habits, experience of family violence, employment history and social media URLS are protected under other Acts.
    To help educate landlords and tenants OPC had updated its guidance for the rental sector to help make sure that privacy is respected throughout the application process.
    Information for both landlords and tenants is available at privacy.org.nz.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Energy Sector – Energy Competition Task Force identifies new ways to empower electricity consumers

    Source: Electricity Authority

    The Energy Competition Task Force (the Task Force) has identified new ways to give consumers more control over their energy costs and to harness the power of rooftop solar and batteries. The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko (the Authority) is now seeking feedback on three proposed changes to regulation to promote competition, reliable power supply, and efficient operation of the electricity market for the long-term benefit of all New Zealanders.
    Two of the three proposed changes are about rewarding consumers for supplying electricity to the network at peak times, typically through their own solar and battery systems. The other would make ‘time-of-use’ power plans (plans that reward off-peak electricity use) available to most New Zealanders.
    Electricity Authority Chair and Task Force member Anna Kominik says there are real benefits if consumers are empowered to more actively participate in the electricity market, including increased energy resilience and reduced power costs over time.
    “New Zealand’s electricity market currently relies on a few big generators to supply electricity at select locations and transmit it to households and businesses across the country. But as uptake of solar and battery systems continues to increase, more consumers will be able to contribute to our electricity system. And as smart electronics and vehicles become more ubiquitous, consumers will also be able to more actively manage their own energy use and costs.
    “We’re proposing three changes to help support this consumer empowerment and decentralisation of our energy system. Over time, this will increase community resilience and lower power costs for everyone,” she said.
    The proposals would require:
    • Consumer-supply rebates from distributors: lines companies to provide a rebate when consumers supply energy into congested parts of the network (Task Force Initiative 2A)
    • Time-varying retail pricing for consumption: large electricity retailers to offer at least one time-of-use pricing plan to all their customers (Task Force Initiative 2B)
    • Time-varying retail pricing for supply: large electricity retailers to offer at least one time-varying rate for when they buy electricity from consumers (Task Force Initiative 2C).
    Making ‘time-of-use’ power plans more widely available for Kiwis
    Commerce Commission Chair and Task Force member, Dr John Small, said the Initiative 2B proposal would significantly increase availability of ‘time-of-use’ pricing plans. These plans reward consumers for using power during off-peak hours, meaning they can take advantage of cheaper off-peak power, instead of paying a single flat rate.
    “While time-of-use pricing plans aren’t new, many consumers don’t have access to one through their current retailer. As these plans provide a simple, effective tool for consumers to manage their energy use and costs, we’d like to see all major retailers offer them, so more consumers have this choice.”
    Dr Small said the plans have the additional benefit of reducing overall electricity costs for consumers across the country.
    “People on these plans are incentivised to shift their use away from peak periods when electricity is most expensive. The more consumers shift their use at these times – for example by running EV chargers later at night when electricity demand is generally lower – the less high-cost electricity needs to be generated, and this lowers costs for everyone,” he said.
    Rewarding consumers for supplying electricity to the network at peak times
    Kominik explains that the initiative 2A and 2C proposals would reward consumers who can supply electricity when demand on the network is peaking, typically through their own solar and battery systems.
    “We’d like to see people fairly rewarded for supplying power when it’s needed, and incentivise efficient uptake of flexible, small-scale electricity generation systems such as rooftop solar and batteries. Energy from rooftop solar supplied at peak times can ease pressure on the electricity network, reducing demand and keeping the lines costs we all pay for through our power bills to a minimum.
    “By incentivising households and businesses to invest in their own generation, we can help meet New Zealand’s electricity needs when demand is high and improve community resilience,” she said.
    The Task Force invites feedback on these proposals through the eight-week consultation period, which closes at 5pm on Wednesday 9th April, with two further weeks for cross-submissions.
    As part of this consultation package, the Electricity Authority is releasing an issues paper that explores whether the existing pricing rules for distributed generation are fit for purpose. The issues and potential solutions explored in this paper support the proposals in the Task Force initiative 2A consultation paper. Visit this Authority webpage for more information on the issues paper.
    The Energy Competition Task Force was established by the Commerce Commission Te Komihana Tauhokohoko and Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko in August 2024 to investigate ways to improve the performance of the electricity market.
    The Task Force is considering eight initiatives that will encourage more and faster investment in new electricity generation, boost competition, enable homes, businesses and industrials to better manage their own electricity use and costs, and put downward pressure on prices.
    The attached diagram illustrates the various charges between distributors, retailers and consumers and where proposals for initiatives 2A and 2C would be incorporated. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Environment – Climate and public health the winners as big waste incineration proposal fails – Greenpeace

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace welcomes news that a land-use agreement in Glenavy has lapsed and will not be renewed, which means a proposed $350 million waste to energy incinerator cannot be built there by the company SRRL.
    It would have been the first polluting waste to energy incinerator built of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand.
    “This is great news for the climate and for the health of the local community, which has strongly opposed the building of a waste to energy incinerator in Glenavy in the Waimate district. Aotearoa New Zealand’s energy future is in renewable clean energy such as wind and solar, not burning waste with fossil fuels,” says Greenpeace spokesperson Juressa Lee.
    Greenpeace Aotearoa has opposed the proposal since it became public in September 2021 and subsequently wrote to the Minister for the Environment to call-in the proposal under the RMA. With a change of government in 2023, the Luxon government decided to include the proposal in its list of projects that could apply for consent under its new Fast-track Approvals legislation, under which community concerns, public health and environmental considerations would be set aside in favour of the company’s own questionable claims for economic benefits.
    The local community in the Waimate district, including local iwi, Te Rūnanga o Waihao, Why Waste Waimate, Waimate Doctors and national environmental groups, including Zero Waste Network Aotearoa, 350 Aotearoa and others, have all campaigned to stop the proposed waste incinerator. Greenpeace pays tribute to all of them and shares in their delight at the news.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TRAI releases report on Independent Drive Tests (IDT) conducted in five citiesviz. Mysuru City (Karnataka LSA), Dharamshala City (Himachal Pradesh LSA), Chennai City (Tamil Nadu LSA), Chandigarh City (Punjab LSA) and Kolkata City (Kolkata LSA) during Nov- 2024.

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 6:15PM by PIB Delhi

    TRAI, through its empanelled agency, conducted Independent Drive Tests (IDT)in five cities viz. Mysuru City (Karnataka LSA),Dharamshala City (Himachal Pradesh LSA), Chennai City (Tamil Nadu LSA), Chandigarh City (Punjab LSA) and Kolkata City (Kolkata LSA). Drive tests were conducted to assess the quality of service provided by Cellular Mobile Telephone Service providers for voice and data services in November-2024.

    In IDT, the performance of M/s Bharti Airtel Ltd., M/s BSNL/MTNL, M/s Reliance JioInfocomm Ltd. and M/s Vodafone Idea Ltd., providing services in a Licensed Service Area (LSA) through various technologies (like 2G/ 3G/ 4G/ 5G) for voice and data, has been measured by conducting drive test. The observations presented in drive test reports represent the performance of the service providers on the area/ route under test on the day/ time of conducting the drive test.

    The following Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Voice as well as Data service were assessed for the networks of allTelecom service providers operating in the region.

    1. Voice services:
    1. Call setup success rate
    2. Drop call rate (DCR)
    3. Speech Quality using MOS (mean opinion score)
    4. Downlink &Uplink packet (voice) drop rate
    5. Call Silence Rate
    6. Coverage (%)- Signal strength
    1. Data Service:
    1. Data Throughput (Downlink and uplink both)
    2. Packet drop rate (Downlink & Uplink)
    3. Video streaming delay
    4. Latency
    5. Jitter

    The details of drive tests conducted in the four cities are given below:-

    S.No.

    City/Routes Covered

    Licensed Service Area

    Period of Drive Test

    Distance Covered

    Performancesummary

    (attached at)

    1

    		 Mysuru City & Mysuru toMalavalli Highway Karnataka 19th Nov. 2024 to 22nd Nov. 2024 City :263.5 Kms

    Walk Test: 10 Kms

    Highway :215 Kms

    		 Annexure A

    2

    		 Dharamshala City Himachal Pradesh 19th Nov. 2024 to 20thNov. 2024 City :148 Kms Annexure B

    3

    		 Chennai City Tamil Nadu 19th Nov. 2024 to 22nd Nov. 2024 City :352.5 Kms Annexure C

    4

    		 Chandigarh City Punjab 10th Nov. 2024 to 15thNov. 2024 City :599.5 Kms

    Walk Test: 2.6 Kms

    		 Annexure D

    5

    		 Kolkata City Kolkata 5thNov. 2024 to 9thNov. 2024 City :264 Kms

    Walk Test: 1.34 Kms

    		 Annexure E

    The detailed reports are available at TRAI website www.trai.gov.in. For anyclarification/information, Shri Tejpal Singh, Advisor (QoS-I) TRAI may be contacted on email: adv-qos1@trai.gov.inor at Tel. No. +91-11-20907759.

    Click here to download PDF

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Minecraft: a gamechanger for children’s learning

    Source: University of South Australia

    12 February 2025

    Minecraft has more than 141 million active players.

    It’s the globally popular video game that’s captured the attention of more than 141 million active players, but Minecraft can also play a significant role in shaping children’s development, social interactions, and cognitive learning, say researchers at the University of South Australia.

    Published in the new book Children’s online learning and interaction, the study found that when children engage in collaborative Minecraft play, they foster teamwork, communication, and social skills as players exchange ideas and problem-solve in real-time.

    As Minecraft Education Edition becomes more prevalent in school curricula worldwide, understanding how children interact within these digital spaces is critical for parents and educators.

    Author and UniSA researcher Dr Vincenza (Enza) Tudini, says Minecraft can be a powerful tool for learning, creativity and social development.

    “From what we see of children’s interactions on Minecraft, it’s far more than just a digital pastime; it’s a virtual playground where children can develop problem-solving skills, collaboration, and language abilities,” Dr Tudini says.

    “We also know that Minecraft is a pro-social game with players demonstrating greetings and positive play evaluations as they interact with each other. As they play or watch videos, they’re growing their language skills, and increasing their digital literacy.

    “Team and problem-solving skills are also prominent in Minecraft. Unlike traditional video games that tend to focus on competition and scoring points, Minecraft is an open-ended experience that encourages children to build, explore, and interact, with players often working together to achieve common goals.

    “We also see many instances where knowledgeable players are actively guiding less experienced players through challenges. Such scaffolded-learning supports creative thinking, motivation and growth, and because it’s peer-delivered, it builds team-skills and confidence.”

    Despite Minecraft offering rich learning opportunities, it also comes with challenges – especially in open online environments.

    “All online spaces have safety risks. While Minecraft promotes positive social interactions, public servers can expose children to online risks such as bullying or interactions with unknown players,” Dr Tudini says.

    “Ensuring children’s safety and maximising the game’s educational potential requires active involvement from both parents and educators. We need to teach children about safe gaming practices, encourage play with known friends, and monitor content to ensure a safe gaming experience.

    “By adopting safe gaming practices and integrating Minecraft into learning environments, we can help children harness its benefits while navigating the digital world responsibly.”

    Recommendations for Parents

    • Encourage collaborative play with known friends or siblings to enhance social skills and teamwork.
    • Opt for family-friendly or private servers to reduce risks associated with public multiplayer gameplay.
    • Monitor YouTube and online content to ensure channels are appropriate.
    • Teach online safety, set boundaries about sharing personal information, and encourage respectful online communication.
    • Ensure a healthy balance between screen time with other offline activities

    Recommendations for Schools:

    • Minecraft Education Edition offers structured lessons like coding, mathematics, and environmental science. Teachers can use the game to engage students in creative learning.
    • Promote digital citizenship by teaching online etiquette, cyber safety, and responsible gaming.
    • Encourage constructive collaboration that require teamwork and problem-solving.

    ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    Contact for interview:  Dr Vincenza (Enza) Tudini E: Enza.Tudini@unisa.edu.au
    Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 479 182 489 E: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au

    Other articles you may be interested in

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister meets President of the Republic of Estonia

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 6:19PM by PIB Delhi

    ​Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met today with H.E. Mr. Alar Karis, President of the Republic of Estonia on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit in Paris. This was the first meeting between the two leaders.

    Prime Minister and President Karis underlined that warm and friendly relations between India and Estonia are based on their shared commitment to democracy, rule of law and the values of freedom and pluralism. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the growing bilateral cooperation in various fields, including trade and investment, IT and digital, culture, tourism and people-to-people ties. They discussed the ongoing bilateral cooperation in the field of cyber security. Prime Minister invited the Estonian government and companies to explore the opportunities offered by the India growth story and take advantage of programmes such as Digital India.

    The two leaders noted the importance of the India-Estonia partnership also in the context of the India-EU strategic partnership. They welcomed the initiation of ministerial exchanges in the India-Nordic-Baltic format. The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, and cooperation at the United Nations.

    The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the growing cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Estonia. In this regard, PM appreciated the popularity of Yoga in Estonia.

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MALDIVES REQUESTS INDIA’S SUPPORT FOR DIGITIZATION OF PARLIAMENTARY RESOURCES, LOK SABHA SPEAKER ASSURES EVERY POSSIBLE HELP TO MALDIVES LEGISLATURE

    Source: Government of India (2)

    MALDIVES REQUESTS INDIA’S SUPPORT FOR DIGITIZATION OF PARLIAMENTARY RESOURCES, LOK SABHA SPEAKER ASSURES EVERY POSSIBLE HELP TO MALDIVES LEGISLATURE

    MALDIVES SPEAKER APPRECITES USE OF TECHNOLOGY, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION WITH AI AND MULTILINGUAL INTERPRETATION SERVICES IN PARLIAMENT OF INDIA

    MALDIVES IS AN IMPORTANT PILLAR OF OUR ‘NEIGHBOURHOOD FIRST’ POLICY AND VISION OF ‘SAGAR’: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    PEOPLE TO PEOPLE RELATIONS BETWEEN INDIA AND MALDIVES ARE BEDROCK OF BILATERAL TIES: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION FROM MALDIVES CALLS ON LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 6:15PM by PIB Delhi

    Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla today reaffirmed India’s deep-rooted ties with the Maldives, describing the island nation as not just a friendly neighbor but also a key pillar of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and vision ‘SAGAR’. Shri Birla made these remarks during bilateral talks with the visiting Maldivian delegation, led by H.E. Mr. Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Speaker of the People’s Majlis of Maldives, at Parliament House.

    During the discussions, Shri Birla highlighted the advances made by Parliament of India in its digital transformation with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance legislative efficiency. He informed the delegation that the Parliament of India now provides simultaneous interpretation services in 15 regional languages, which will soon be expanded to 22 languages.

    Speaker of the People’s Majlis of Maldives appreciated the usage of technology, digitalization work and use of AI by Parliament of India and requested Shri Birla to extend technological support to help Maldives Majlis to digitise its parliamentary resources. Shri Birla assured him that every possible help would be extended from Parliament of India to People’s Majlis of Maldives in this regard.

    Extending a warm welcome, Shri Birla emphasized the historical and cultural ties between the two nations, highlighting the renewed momentum in their relations following President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to India last year. He hoped that the visit of the Maldivian Parliamentary delegation would further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

    Discussing capacity-building initiatives, the Speaker underscored the role of PRIDE (Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies) in providing training on parliamentary procedures. He expressed confidence that the Maldivian Parliament and Secretariat would benefit from PRIDE’s expertise. Shri Birla hoped that this visit would open new avenues for collaboration between the legislative institutions of India and the Maldives.

    The Lok Sabha Speaker informed the delegation that India is currently celebrating 75 years of its Constitution, which serves as the foundation of the country’s vibrant parliamentary democracy and source of inspiration in the nation’s journey. Elaborating on India’s Parliamentary Committee System, Shri Birla described committees as “Mini-Parliaments”, where key budgetary and policy matters undergo in-depth scrutiny. He underscored that these committees function in a non-partisan manner, enabling detailed deliberations that are often constrained in the larger House due to time limitations. He informed the Delegation that various committees are currently examining the budget tabled in Parliament, ensuring robust financial oversight.

    H.E. Mr. Abdul Raheem Abdulla thanked Shri Birla for the warm welcome and commended the Indian Parliament’s digital advancements, particularly its use of AI. He also visited the Parliament Library and appreciated the facilities there and hoped that the similar facilities would be made available in the Parliament Library of the Maldives.

    The meeting was also attended by Members of Parliament – Shri N.K. Premachandran, Shri Ashish Dubey, Shri Francis George, Shri Alok Kumar Suman, Shri Shafi Perambil  and Shri Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary General, Lok Sabha, among others.

    Earlier, the Parliamentary Delegation led by H.E. Mr. Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Speaker of the People’s Majlis of Maldives watched the proceedings of Lok Sabha. Shri Birla welcomed the Delegation in the House.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PRESIDENT OF INDIA INAUGURATES INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INNOVATION IN UNANI MEDICINE FOR INTEGRATIVE HEALTH SOLUTIONS – A WAY FORWARD

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 6:08PM by PIB Delhi

    The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated an International conference on innovation in Unani Medicine for Integrative Health Solutions – A Way Forward in New Delhi today (February 11, 2025) on Unani Day.

    Speaking on the occasion, the President said that it is an occasion to remember Hakim Ajmal Khan, in whose honour, this day has been celebrated as Unani Day since 2016. She stated that Hakim Ajmal Khan spread the Unani system of medicine in India. He presented many examples of innovation. Due to his efforts, the Unani system of medicine was widely adopted in India.

    The President said that today, India is leading the world in terms of education, research, healthcare, and the production of medicines in the Unani system. She was happy to note that researchers and practitioners associated with the Unani system are adopting useful aspects of modern methods and technology. She expressed confidence that this conference will discuss contemporary topics like Evidence-based Recent Research Trends in Unani Medicine and Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning for Ayush/Traditional Medicine: Prospects and Challenges.

     The President said our country has adopted a holistic approach towards health. Efforts are being made to empower various medical systems by giving them due respect. According to the National Health Policy 2017, special emphasis is being laid on bringing AYUSH medical systems, including Unani, into the mainstream. She noted that under the guidance of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine, studies and research are going on in many Unani medical educational institutions. MD and PhD programs have also been started in Unani Medical Colleges. She expressed confidence that the new generations in Unani medical science will strengthen the ancient heritage of knowledge and experience.

    Please click here to see the President’s Speech – 

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Funds Allocation to Department of Agricultural Research and Education

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 6:01PM by PIB Delhi

    The details of funds allocated for the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) during the financial years 2014-2023 including BE, RE and Actual Spending are as below:

    (Rs. in crore)

    Year

    Budget Estimates (BE)

    Revised Estimates (RE)

    Actual Expenditure

    2014-15

    6144.39

    4884.00

    4840.03

    2015-16

    6320.00

    5586.00

    5572.90

    2016-17

    6620.00

    6238.00

    5995.21

    2017-18

    6800.00

    6992.00

    6989.92

    2018-19

    7800.00

    7952.73

    7943.59

    2019-20

    8078.76

    7846.17

    7844.98

    2020-21

    8362.58

    7762.38

    7685.52

    2021-22

    8513.62

    8513.62

    8439.94

    2022-23

    8513.62

    8658.89

    8578.17

    2023-24

    9504.00

    9876.60

    9804.39

     

    There has been a progressive increase in the budget outlay in successive years. However, there was a minor reduction in RE during 2019-20 & 2020-21 due to pandemic COVID-19.

    During the past decade, the Department has strived to deliver through optimum utilization of available resources and making maximum use of the marginal increase through prioritization of research activities. It has been able to meet the challenges towards carrying out its Research & Development and operational activities in the area of Agriculture and allied sectors and achieving its desired outcome by realigning its processes.

    Further, DARE being a scientific department works in collaboration with the mainline ministries viz Agriculture, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Science & Technology etc. on number of research projects as Research Partner to achieve its desired goals and outcome in a collaborative manner.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shri Bhagirath Choudhary in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Mantri invites investors to go long on investment in India; Assures them of stable policy environment in India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Raksha Mantri invites investors to go long on investment in India; Assures them of stable policy environment in India

    Consensus at all levels of Government on leading role of the private sector: Shri Rajnath Singh at Global Investors’ Meet in Bengaluru

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 5:55PM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has asked global investors to go long in their Indian investment plans. Speaking at the inaugural function of the Global Investors’ Meet organised by the Government of Karnataka in Bengaluru today, Raksha Mantri said that investors will benefit from India’s formidable strengths like political stability, huge marketing potential it offers and an ecosystem based on rule of law, free from uncertainty and disorder. He noted that India’s immense investment potential has witnessed sustained success, lasting impact and enduring growth. 

    Shri Rajnath Singh stressed that India’s constitutional values are deeply rooted in its rich history of acceptance of different ideas and are illustrated in the close coordination between Union and state governments. He said the Government has actively worked to address the challenges, including red tapism, that investors previously faced. He added that the cumbersome process of obtaining multiple clearances has been replaced by a single-window system, ensuring a faster and hassle-free experience by the investors. 

    Assuring of a strong market demand for the investors to tap into India’s potential, Raksha Mantri said India is already one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. He emphasised that several recent economic decisions are expected to further strengthen the demand environment. He added that, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government has introduced a massive income tax cut, in this year’s budget announcement. This significant tax relief will substantially increase the disposable income of the public, leading to stronger business growth for the investor firms, he mentioned. 

    Shri Rajnath Singh recalled his interaction with entrepreneurs who expressed concern that they might invest in a promising sector today, only to face unexpected policy changes later, which could disrupt their plans and profits. Assuaging such doubts, he said that across all levels of governance in India there is a broad consensus that sustainable economic development must be driven by a market-led economy, with a leading role of the private sector. He further elaborated that this shared commitment provides a stable and predictable policy environment, ensuring that businesses can invest, with confidence of policy continuity. “Today, investors do not face red tapism in India. Instead, we roll out the red carpet for them. This kind of cross-political party consensus on promoting investment plays a crucial role in reducing uncertainty for our investors,” he added.  

    Calling for investment in Karnataka, Raksha Mantri asserted that in the era of Cooperative Federalism, central and state governments are working closely together to shape the country’s economy. Citing Bengaluru as a pioneering hub for various industries like IT and software, he said that the city is now a rising centre for Artificial Intelligence (AI) too. Asserting that this is the moment and the perfect time to invest in India, Raksha Mantri noted the unprecedented opportunities before investors. 

    Shri Rajnath Singh lauded the contributions of the investors who have been instrumental in shaping the nation’s economic progress. He added that a lot more needs to be done, towards the national objective of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047, and expressed confidence that, together, the goal will be achieved. 

    Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri Siddaramaiah, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri DK Shivakumar, Ministers of the state government and industry representatives were also present at the event.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Empowerment of Women

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 5:47PM by PIB Delhi

    Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) accords priority for gender empowerment through its policies and programmes. The Gender Programme is integrated within Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana -National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) interventions. DAY-NRLM recognizes addressing gender inequality as a pre-requisite to social and economic empowerment. The Programme builds capacity of State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) to integrate Gender in its operations and create an architecture of support at the community level for women’s collectives to identify and take action on gender discriminatory practices. Series of training and perspective-building inputs are made available on these platforms and are provided to Social Action Committees (SAC) under Village organization (VO), and cluster level federation (CLF) by the trained pool of Gender Cadres. These bodies primarily function on the premise of uplifting women’s condition and position in society by identifying, acknowledging, and addressing issues of discrimination. The program also conducts several large-scale advocacy outreach through the National Gender Campaign (Nayi Chetna). DAY NRLM is empowering women SHGs to access credit from Banks from Banks. Credit accessed by women Self Help Groups during the last five years is as under:

    1. 2019-20 Rs. 70,977 crores
    2. 2020-21 Rs. 84,717 crores
    3. 2021-22 Rs. 1,20,477 crores
    4. 2022-23 Rs. 1,57,370 crores
    5. 2023-24 Rs. 2,07,820 crores

    Further, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, being implemented by MoRD requires that priority shall be given to women in such a way that at least one-third of the beneficiaries shall be women who have registered and requested for work. Mahatma Gandhi NREGS is a gender-neutral scheme that promotes participation of women by providing wage parity with men, provision of separate schedule of rates of wages for women, facilities for crèche, work-side sheds for children and child care services. In convergence with the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), women mates have also been introduced, which again facilitates the participation of women. The rate of participation of women (percentage of women person-days out of a total in percentage) under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS from 2019-20 to 2023-24 is given below: –

    Financial Year

    2019-20

    2020-21

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

    Women participation rate (%)

    54.78

    53.19

    54.82

    57.47

    58.9

    (As per NREGASoft)

    MoRD is implementing a women-specific Scheme i.e. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). The central pension under the IGNWPS is Rs. 300/- per month per beneficiary. State Governments have been advised to contribute at least an equal amount from their resources. The applicant must be a widow in the age group of 40-79 years. The applicant should belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) household according to the criteria prescribed by the Central Government. On reaching the age of 80 years, the beneficiaries get enhanced assistance of Rs.500/- per month. At present widow beneficiaries are getting pension between Rs. 300/- to Rs. 2800/- depending on the State pension amount which varies from State to State. At present, the ceiling under the scheme for all States and UTs is pegged at 67.36 lakh.

    MoRD is also implementing two welfare programmes in skill development for rural poor youth under NRLM as follows: –

    1. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) which is a placement-linked skill development program for rural poor youth in the age group of 15-35 years. It empowers the rural poor youth with employable skills and facilitates their participation in regular labour markets, thus providing them with jobs having regular monthly wages at or above the minimum wages. Under DDU-GKY, coverage of 33% of women is mandatory. The details of the total candidates and women candidates trained and placed for the last 5 years under DDU-GKY is provided below:

     

    FY

    Total

    Women

    Trained

    Placed

    Trained

    Placed

    2019-20

    247177

    150214

    126691

    66440

    2020-21

    38289

    49563

    19685

    22640

    2021-22

    97006

    45612

    58443

    26040

    2022-23

    231491

    158078

    133519

    92065

    2023-24

    199524

    157456

    122250

    94684

    2024-25 till

    Dec., 24

    69086

    53810

    43228

    33646

     

    1. Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETI) scheme is applicable to all the categories including women. Any unemployed youth in the age group of 18-45 years, irrespective of Caste, Creed, Religion, Gender and Economic Status, having aptitude to take up self-employment or wage employment and having some basic knowledge in the related field can undergo training under RSETI. The details of the total candidates and women candidates trained and settled for the last 5 years under RSETIs is provided below:

    FY

    Total

    Women

    Trained

    Settled

    Trained

    Settled

    2019-20

    384025

    281645

    274135

    202010

    2020-21

    255141

    185234

    206794

    138538

    2021-22

    314114

    256429

    257107

    212400

    2022-23

    409802

    325880

    331898

    272977

    2023-24

    451419

    350272

    360318

    290392

    2024-25
    (till 31-12-2024)

    471968

    299356

    382796

    249717

     

    The other schemes of MoRD accord priority to genders in general. The guidelines under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin provides that allotment of house shall be made jointly in the name of husband and wife, except in the case of widow/unmarried/separated person. The State may also choose to allot the house solely in the name of woman. Under Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY), the scheme guidelines have enough provisions for giving representation to women during planning and implementation. four members watershed development team (WDT) set up by the project implementation agency for planning and implementation of the watershed projects should have at least 1 women member. Similarly, the 11 members Watershed Committee constituted by the Gram Sabha for executing project development activities at village level should have at least two women representatives. Further the self-help groups constituted under WDC-PMKSY have maximum women members.

    So far as land ownership is concerned, SVAMITVA Scheme of Ministry of Panchayati Raj, which significantly contributes to the economic empowerment of rural women. By providing legally recognized property ownership in village Abadi areas, the scheme ensures that women, including those from marginalized communities, have secured land tenure. Further, as informed by Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Article 243D of the Constitution of India provides for not less than one-third reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), out of total number of seats to be filled by direct election and out of total number of offices of chairpersons of Panchayats. However, 21 States and 2 UTs, have gone even further and have made provisions of 50% reservation for women in PRIs in their respective Panchayati Raj Acts. As per the information available with the Ministry, 21 States namely, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, West Bengal and 2 Union Territories namely “Lakshadweep” and “Dadra & Nagar haveli and Daman & Diu”, have made provision for 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions in their respective State Panchayati Raj Acts. In respect of remaining States and Union Territories, Constitutional provision as prescribed in Article 243D (i.e. not less than one-third reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions) applies.

    Government has been encouraging increased involvement of women in the functioning of Panchayats through active participation in the Gram Sabha meetings for preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans and various schemes being implemented by the Panchayats. This Ministry has also issued advisories to the States to facilitate holding of separate Ward Sabha and Mahila Sabha meetings prior to Gram Sabha meetings, enhancing the presence and participation of women in Gram Sabha and Panchayat meetings, allocation of Panchayat funds for women centric activities, combating the evil of women trafficking, female foeticide, child marriage etc.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Photo & Video Chronology — February 11, 2025 — Episode 9 of Kīlauea summit eruption begins

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Photo & Video Chronology — February 11, 2025 — Episode 9 of Kīlauea summit eruption begins

    Episode 9 of the Halema’uma’u eruption at the summit of Kīlauea began at 10:16 am HST today, February 11. Lava is fountaining within north vent, feeding lava flows onto the crater floor within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Each fountaining episode of this eruption has lasted from a few hours to over a week. 

    Each fountaining episode of this eruption has lasted from a few hours to over a week. Current hazards include volcanic gas emissions and windblown volcanic glass (Pele’s Hair) that may impact Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and nearby communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Amrit Sarovar Scheme

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 5:45PM by PIB Delhi

    Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched in April 2022 to construct or rejuvenate 75 Amrit Sarovars (ponds) in each district, totaling 50,000 across the country. This initiative has made significant progress in addressing the critical issue of water scarcity. As on January 2025, over 68,000 Sarovars have been completed, enhancing surface and groundwater availability across various regions. These Sarovars have not only addressed immediate water needs but also established sustainable water sources, symbolizing Government’s commitment to long-term environmental sustainability and community well-being.

    Phase II of Mission Amrit Sarovar is envisaged to continue with a renewed focus on ensuring water availability, with community participation (Jan Bhagidaari) at its core, and aims to strengthen climate resilience, foster ecological balance, and deliver lasting benefits for future generations.

    Mission Amrit Sarovar works are being taken up by the States and Districts with convergence from various ongoing schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS), 15th Finance Commission Grants, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichayi Yojna sub-schemes such as the Watershed Development Component, Har Khetko Pani, besides States’ own schemes. Public contributions like crowdfunding and Corporate Social Responsibility are also allowed for the work.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Building Blocks for Enhanced Mission Execution

    Source: NASA

    BBEME Course Description:
    An interactive learning series designed to highlight critical interactions and various engagements across all GSFC locations, Facilities, and Institutes that lead to mission success. Themes include: strategic goals, current developments, mission success critical topics
    Instructional Strategy:
    •Facilitated panel discussions
    •Leadership engagements
    •One-on-one interactions
    •Facilitated case studies
    BBEME Workshops have been previously offered at GISS, Katherine Johnson IV&V, and Goddard’s Earth Science Division. The workshop targets groups of around 30 participants for a 1-2 day session.
    If your group is interested in hosting a workshop, contact alysha.bayens@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Funds for Construction of Houses under PMAY-G

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 5:46PM by PIB Delhi

    The Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) aims at providing pucca houses for all persons having kutcha houses up to 2 rooms or less and whose names are included in properly verified Permanent Waiting List (PWL) & Awaas+ list. The beneficiaries have been identified based on the housing deprivation parameters and exclusion criteria prescribed under Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC)- 2011. On application of exclusion criteria, a priority list called the Permanent Wait List (PWL) is prepared for the States/UTs. The PWL is further subjected to verification by Gram Sabhas and completion of an Appellate Process thereafter. This process of exclusion is also applied to beneficiaries registered by the States/UTs in Awaas+.

    The Union Cabinet has approved the implementation of the scheme for 5 more years during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29 to provide assistance for the construction of 2 crore additional rural houses. Approval has also been provided for updating the Awaas+ List for identifying eligible rural households using modified exclusion criteria under the scheme. In line with the approval of the Union Cabinet, a survey is being conducted for the identification of additional eligible rural households under the scheme. The survey is being conducted through Awaas+ 2024 Mobile App which has already been launched on 17.09.2024 with modified exclusion criteria.

    (b) & (c):         Under PMAY-G, the unit assistance of Rs. 1.20 lakh in plain areas and Rs. 1.30 lakh in North Eastern States, Hilly States (including UTs of J&K and Ladakh) is provided. In addition to the unit assistance, the beneficiaries are facilitated with 90/95-man days of unskilled labour wages through mandatory convergence with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). Support of Rs. 12,000 for construction of toilet is also provided through Swacch Bharat Mission – Gramin (SBM-G), MGNREGS or any other dedicated source of funding.

    The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of PMAY-G till March, 2029 as per the existing unit assistance for construction of 2 crore more houses.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s Curiosity Rover Captures Colorful Clouds Drifting Over Mars

    Source: NASA

    While the Martian clouds may look like the kind seen in Earth’s skies, they include frozen carbon dioxide, or dry ice.
    Red-and-green-tinted clouds drift through the Martian sky in a new set of images captured by NASA’s Curiosity rover using its Mastcam — its main set of “eyes.” Taken over 16 minutes on Jan. 17 (the 4,426th Martian day, or sol, of Curiosity’s mission), the images show the latest observations of what are called noctilucent (Latin for “night shining”), or twilight clouds, tinged with color by scattering light from the setting Sun.
    Sometimes these clouds even create a rainbow of colors, producing iridescent, or “mother-of-pearl” clouds. Too faint to be seen in daylight, they’re only visible when the clouds are especially high and evening has fallen.
    Martian clouds are made of either water ice or, at higher altitudes and lower temperatures, carbon dioxide ice. (Mars’ atmosphere is more than 95% carbon dioxide.) The latter are the only kind of clouds observed at Mars producing iridescence, and they can be seen near the top of the new images at an altitude of around 37 to 50 miles (60 to 80 kilometers). They’re also visible as white plumes falling through the atmosphere, traveling as low as 31 miles (50 kilometers) above the surface before evaporating because of rising temperatures. Appearing briefly at the bottom of the images are water-ice clouds traveling in the opposite direction roughly 31 miles (50 kilometers) above the rover.
    Dawn of Twilight Clouds
    Twilight clouds were first seen on Mars by NASA’s Pathfinder mission in 1997; Curiosity didn’t spot them until 2019, when it acquired its first-ever images of iridescence in the clouds. This is the fourth Mars year the rover has observed the phenomenon, which occurs during early fall in the southern hemisphere.
    Mark Lemmon, an atmospheric scientist with the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado, led a paper summarizing Curiosity’s first two seasons of twilight cloud observations, which published late last year in Geophysical Research Letters. “I’ll always remember the first time I saw those iridescent clouds and was sure at first it was some color artifact,” he said. “Now it’s become so predictable that we can plan our shots in advance; the clouds show up at exactly the same time of year.”
    Each sighting is an opportunity to learn more about the particle size and growth rate in Martian clouds. That, in turn, provides more information about the planet’s atmosphere.
    Cloud Mystery
    One big mystery is why twilight clouds made of carbon dioxide ice haven’t been spotted in other locations on Mars. Curiosity, which landed in 2012, is on Mount Sharp in Gale Crater, just south of the Martian equator. Pathfinder landed in Ares Vallis, north of the equator. NASA’s Perseverance rover, located in the northern hemisphere’s Jezero Crater, hasn’t seen any carbon dioxide ice twilight clouds since its 2021 landing. Lemmon and others suspect that certain regions of Mars may be predisposed to forming them.
    A possible source of the clouds could be gravity waves, he said, which can cool the atmosphere: “Carbon dioxide was not expected to be condensing into ice here, so something is cooling it to the point that it could happen. But Martian gravity waves are not fully understood and we’re not entirely sure what is causing twilight clouds to form in one place but not another.”
    Mastcam’s Partial View
    The new twilight clouds appear framed in a partially open circle. That’s because they were taken using one of Mastcam’s two color cameras: the left 34 mm focal length Mastcam, which has a filter wheel that is stuck between positions. Curiosity’s team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California remains able to use both this camera and the higher-resolution right 100 mm focal length camera for color imaging.
    The rover recently wrapped an investigation of a place called Gediz Vallis channel and is on its way to a new location that includes boxwork — fractures formed by groundwater that look like giant spiderwebs when viewed from space.
    More recently, Curiosity visited an impact crater nicknamed “Rustic Canyon,” capturing it in images and studying the composition of rocks around it. The crater, 67 feet (20 meters) in diameter, is shallow and has lost much of its rim to erosion, indicating that it likely formed many millions of years ago. One reason Curiosity’s science team studies craters is because the cratering process can unearth long-buried materials that may have better preserved organic molecules than rocks exposed to radiation at the surface. These molecules provide a window into the ancient Martian environment and how it could have supported microbial life billions of years ago, if any ever formed on the Red Planet.
    More About Curiosity
    Curiosity was built by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is managed by Caltech in Pasadena, California. JPL leads the mission on behalf of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Malin Space Science Systems in San Diego built and operates Mastcam.
    For more about Curiosity, visit:
    science.nasa.gov/mission/msl-curiosity
    News Media Contacts
    Andrew GoodJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.818-393-2433andrew.c.good@jpl.nasa.gov
    Karen Fox / Molly WasserNASA Headquarters, Washington202-358-1600karen.c.fox@nasa.gov / molly.l.wasser@nasa.gov
    2025-017

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Allocation of Houses under PMAY-G

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 5:44PM by PIB Delhi

    In order to achieve the target of “Housing for All” in rural areas, the Ministry of Rural Development is implementing Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) with effect from 1st April, 2016 to construct 2.95 crore houses by providing assistance to eligible rural households with basic amenities. The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for “Implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29” for construction of additional 2 crore rural houses.

    The identification of beneficiaries under PMAY-G is based on the housing deprivation parameters and exclusion criteria prescribed under Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC)-2011 and due verification by the respective Gram Sabhas and completion of an Appellate Process. These parameters/criteria was applied on SECC 2011 database to identify eligibility of beneficiaries under PMAY-G.

    There was a need to meet the new demand that arose during the intervening period and to meet gaps due to reduction in number of eligible beneficiary in SECC 2011 based Permanent Wait List (PWL). The Government conducted Awaas+ 2018 survey during January 2018 to March 2019 to identify those beneficiaries which claimed to have been left out under the SECC 2011 survey and thus prepared an additional list of potentially eligible beneficiaries. During Awaas+ survey, a total of 3.90 crore potentially eligible households were registered by the States/UTs and after remanding/verification by Gram Sabhas, a total of 2.79 crore were found potentially eligible by the States/UTs.

    Of the overall mandate of 4.95 crore households, 2.105 crore beneficiary households have been allocated from SECC 2011 survey database and 1.688 crore households have been allocated from Awaas+ survey database after following due verification process by Gram Sabhas and Appellate Process thereafter.

    The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for implementation of the scheme for 5 more years during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29 to provide assistance for the construction of 2 crore additional rural houses. Approval has also been provided for updating the Awaas+ List for identifying eligible rural households using modified exclusion criteria under the scheme. In line with the approval of the Union Cabinet, a survey is being conducted for the identification of additional eligible rural households under the scheme. The survey is being conducted as per the modified exclusion criteria through Awaas+ 2024 Mobile App, which has already been launched on 17.09.2024.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Driving the Future: NASA Highlights Artemis at Houston AutoBoative Show 

    Source: NASA

    You would not expect to see NASA at a car show—but that’s exactly where Johnson Space Center employees were from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, 2025, driving the future of space exploration forward. 
    At the Houston AutoBoative Show, a fusion of the auto and boat show, NASA rolled out its Artemis exhibit at NRG Center for the first time, introducing motor enthusiasts to the technologies NASA and commercial partners will use to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before. 

    The Artemis exhibit stood alongside some of the world’s most advanced cars and boats, offering visitors an up-close look at lunar terrain vehicle mockups from Astrolab, Intuitive Machines, and Lunar Outpost. Later this year, NASA will select the rover that will fly to the Moon as humanity prepares for the next giant leap. 
    In addition to the rovers, the exhibit featured a mockup of JAXA’s (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) pressurized rover, designed as a mobile habitat for astronauts, and Axiom Space’s lunar spacesuit, developed for Artemis III astronauts. 
    These capabilities will allow astronauts to explore, conduct science research, and live and work on the lunar surface.  

    Johnson Director Vanessa Wyche visited the Artemis exhibit to highlight the importance of these technologies in advancing lunar exploration. Every lesson learned on the Moon will help scientists and engineers develop the strategies, technologies, and experience needed to send astronauts to Mars.  
    “By bringing the excitement of lunar exploration to the AutoBoative Show, NASA aims to inspire the next generation of explorers to dream bigger, push farther, and help shape humanity’s future in space,” Wyche said.  
    NASA’s Artemis campaign is setting the stage for long-term human exploration, working with commercial and international partners to establish a sustained presence on the Moon before progressing to Mars. 
    To make this vision a reality, NASA is developing rockets, spacecraft, landing systems, spacesuits, rovers, habitats, and more.  

    Some of the key elements on display at the show included:

    The Orion spacecraft – Designed to take astronauts farther into deep space. Orion will launch atop NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, carrying the crew to the Moon on Artemis missions and safely returning them to Earth.

    Lunar terrain vehicles – Developed to transport astronauts across the rugged lunar surface or be remotely operated. NASA recently put these rover mockups to the test at Johnson, where astronauts and engineers, wearing spacesuits, ran through critical maneuvers, tasks, and emergency drills—including a simulated crew rescue.

    Next-gen spacesuits and tools – Through Johnson’s Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program, astronauts’ gear and equipment are designed to ensure safety and efficiency while working on the Moon’s surface.

    Guests had the chance to step into the role of an astronaut with interactive experiences like: 

    Driving a lunar rover simulator – Testing their skills at the wheel of a virtual Moon rover. 

    Practicing a simulated Orion docking – Experiencing the precision needed to connect to Gateway in lunar orbit. 

    Exploring Artemis II and III mission roadmaps – Learning about NASA’s upcoming missions and goals. 

    Attendees also discovered how American companies are delivering science and technology to the Moon through NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. 

    “Everyone can relate to exploration, so it was great to teach people the importance lunar rovers will have on astronauts’ abilities to explore more of the lunar surface while conducting science,” said Victoria Ugalde, communications strategist for the Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program, who coordinated the lunar rovers’ appearance at the show. 
    Check out the rovers contracted to develop lunar terrain vehicle capabilities below.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Self-Help Groups

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 5:43PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), inter-alia, is implementing Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana –National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in which Self Help Groups (SHGs) are involved. These Schemes are implemented through State Governments/UT Administrations. In addition, SHGs are being involved by other Departments/Ministries and State Government Departments dealing with rural development from time to time.

    DAY-NRLM is being implemented across the country in a mission mode since 2011 with the aim to bring at least one-woman member from each rural poor household, as per the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data and process of Participatory Identification of Poor (PIP), into the fold of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and to support them to take up economic activities. As on 31st January, 2025 about 10.05 crore Women households have been mobilized into 90.90 lakh Self Help Groups (SHGs). The State/UT wise details of the number of households mobilized into SHGs since 2011 under the Mission is attached at Annexure.

    Under MGNREGA, SHG members are involved in the planning of works through participation in Gram Sabha projects, play the role of Social Auditors and are also engaged as worksite supervisors (mates). In addition, the Programme progressively engages Federations of Women Self-help Groups as Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) at the Gram Panchayat / Block / District level.

    (b): Under DAY-NRLM, various sub-schemes like Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP), Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), National Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP), Deendayal Upadhyay Gramin Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETI) are being implemented for enhancing the income on sustainable basis of the rural poor. The mission seeks to achieve its objective through investing in four core components viz., (i) social mobilization and promotion of sustainable community institutions of the rural poor (Self Help Groups-SHGs, Village Organisations-VOs, Cluster Level Federations-CLFs); (ii) financial inclusion, (iii) sustainable livelihoods; and (iv) convergence and entitlements. Accordingly, within the ambit of the mission and with the converging schemes of the other Ministries, SHG members are being facilitated for promotion of sustainable livelihoods, so that they may reach an aspirational goal of having minimum of one lakh rupee as annual income. For facilitating this initiative, a mobile application has been rolled out for surveying the income and activities of the SHG households.

    The Ministry in collaboration with Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has created “SARAS Collection” as a Store Front in GeM for marketing of SHG products. Also, Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) have been entered on 2nd November, 2021 and 12th May, 2022 between Ministry and Flipkart Internet Pvt. Ltd. and Amazon respectively to allow the Self-Help Groups (SHGs) producers including the artisans, weavers and craftsmen to access national markets through the Flipkart Samarth programme and Amazon Saheli initiative. An MoU has also been signed by the Ministry with Patanjali on 2nd November, 2022 for collaboration in various fields including online marketing of SHGs products.

    An e-Commerce platform (www.esaras.in) has also been launched by the Ministry for online marketing of SHG products. An MoU has been signed between MoRD and Fashnear Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (Meesho) on February 16, 2023 and Jio Mart (Reliance Retail Ltd) on 8th Dec,2023 for onboarding and marketing of SHGs products.

    Further, some States have also developed their own e-Commerce platform to support marketing of products of SHGs.

    State/UT wise details of the number of households mobilized & SHGs Formed as on 31st January, 2025

    Sl No

    State

    SHGs formed

    Households Mobilized

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    855600

    9075289

    2

    Assam

    361516

    4111020

    3

    Bihar

    1097100

    12713428

    4

    Chhattisgarh

    276375

    3068427

    5

    Gujarat

    279758

    2783006

    6

    Jharkhand

    291601

    3589607

    7

    Karnataka

    360684

    4207374

    8

    Kerala

    271209

    4002478

    9

    Madhya Pradesh

    487291

    5829972

    10

    Maharashtra

    640719

    6525549

    11

    Odisha

    551141

    5775035

    12

    Rajasthan

    321875

    3804161

    13

    Tamil Nadu

    336764

    4023939

    14

    Telangana

    442979

    4820573

    15

    Uttar Pradesh

    842101

    9509884

    16

    West Bengal

    1192980

    12251533

    17

    Haryana

    60301

    629094

    18

    Himachal Pradesh

    45295

    378542

    19

    Jammu & Kashmir

    91445

    797805

    20

    Punjab

    52118

    543246

    21

    Uttarakhand

    65840

    497777

    22

    Arunachal Pradesh

    11730

    91964

    23

    Manipur

    11538

    117457

    24

    Meghalaya

    45312

    444264

    25

    Mizoram

    10291

    85934

    26

    Nagaland

    15419

    135261

    27

    Sikkim

    5915

    56675

    28

    Tripura

    51841

    494675

    29

    Andaman & Nicobar Islands

    1294

    13194

    30

    Goa

    3891

    50735

    31

    Ladakh

    1745

    12230

    32

    Lakshadweep

    348

    4363

    33

    Puducherry

    4744

    59714

    34

    Daman DIU and NH

    1645

    16674

     

    Total

    9090405

    100520879

     

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Connecticut Students to Hear from NASA Astronauts Aboard Space Station

    Source: NASA

    Students from Rocky Hill, Connecticut, will have the chance to connect with NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Don Pettit as they answer prerecorded science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related questions from aboard the International Space Station.
    Watch the 20-minute space-to-Earth call at 11:40 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Feb. 18, on NASA+ and learn how to watch NASA content on various platforms, including social media.
    The event for kindergarten through 12th grade students will be hosted at Rocky Hill Library in Rocky Hill, near Hartford, Connecticut. The goal is to engage area students by introducing them to the wide variety of STEM career opportunities available in space exploration and related fields.
    Media interested in covering the event must contact by 5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14, to Gina Marie Davies at: gdavies@rockyhillct.gov or 860-258-2530.
    For more than 24 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked aboard the space station, testing technologies, performing science, and developing skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Astronauts aboard the orbiting laboratory communicate with NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through SCaN’s (Space Communications and Navigation) Near Space Network.
    Important research and technology investigations taking place aboard the space station benefit people on Earth and lay the groundwork for other agency missions. As part of NASA’s Artemis campaign, the agency will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future human exploration of Mars; inspiring Artemis Generation explorers and ensuring the United States continues to lead in space exploration and discovery.
    See videos and lesson plans highlighting space station research at:
    https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation
    -end-
    Abbey DonaldsonHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1600Abbey.a.donaldson@nasa.gov
    Sandra Jones Johnson Space Center, Houston281-483-5111sandra.p.jones@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Benefits of Organic Farming

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 5:31PM by PIB Delhi

    It is agreed to the view that biological substitutes for chemical fertilizers and pesticides can improve health of soil, human and planet, besides benefiting farmers.

    In order to promote use of bio-fertilizers, the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) has developed improved and efficient strains of bio-fertilizers specific to different crops and soil types under the Network project on ‘Soil Biodiversity-Bio-fertilizers’. Under this project ICAR has developed improved and efficient strains of bio-fertilizer specific to different crops and soil types, Liquid Bio-fertilizer technology with higher shelf life, bio-fertilizer consortia formulation with two or more bio-fertilizer strains, microbial enriched bio-compost and Zinc & Potassium Solubilizing Bio-fertilizers. The ICAR also imparts training to educate farmers on use of bio-fertilizers.

    To promote use of organic fertilizers in the country, Government is promoting organic farming through the schemes of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in all the States/UTs (except North Eastern States). For North Eastern States, Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) scheme is being implemented. Both the schemes stress on end-to-end support to farmers engaged in organic farming i.e. from production to processing, certification & marketing and post-harvest management training and capacity building. Under PKVY, assistance of Rs. 31,500 per ha for a period of three years is provided for promotion of organic farming. Out of this, assistance of Rs. 15,000 per ha for a period of three years is provided to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer for on- farm /off –farm organic inputs. Under MOVCDNER, assistance of Rs. 46,500/ha for 3 years is provided for creation of Farmers Producer Organization, support to farmers for organic inputs etc. Out of this, assistance @ Rs. 32500/ ha for 3 years is provided to farmers for off -farm /on –farm organic inputs under the scheme including Rs. 15,000 as Direct Benefit Transfer to the farmers. The year-wise fund released including assistance for procurement of off-farm and on-farm organic inputs during the period of last three years is as under:

    Rs. in Crore.

    Year

    PKVY

    MOVCDNER

    2021-22

    88.58

    133.29

    2022-23

    188.78

    144.42

    2023-24

    206.39

    230.67

    In order to ensure the avaibility of good quality of bio-fertilizers, organic fertilizers and Bio- stimulants, the Government of India regulates its quality under the Fertilizer Control Order (1985).

    Government is implementing Market Development Assistance (MDA) @ Rs. 1500/Metric Tonne to promote organic fertilizers, viz., Fermented Organic Manure/ Liquid Fermented Organic Manure/Phosphate Rich Organic Manure produced at plants under Galvanizing Organic Bio Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) scheme of Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

    To incentivize the farmers to reduce the overall consumption of fertilizers for improving soil health and fertility and sustainable productivity, “PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM-PRANAM)” incentivizes States and Union Territories to promote alternative fertilizers and balanced use of chemical fertilizers. Under this programme, 50% of subsidy savings will be passed on as a grant to the state that reduces chemical fertilizers.

    National Center of Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF) and its Regional Center of Organic and Natural Farming (RCONF) located at Ghaziabad, Nagpur, Bangalore, Imphal and Bhubaneswar organise various trainings and online awareness campaign on organic and natural farming. ICAR also imparts trainings, front-line demonstrations, awareness programs etc. to educate farmers on organic farming, through network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    *****

     

    MG/KSR/1362

    (Release ID: 2101847) Visitor Counter : 33

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NESC Key In-Progress Technical Activities

    Source: NASA

    The portfolio of current NESC technical activities reaches across mission directorates and programs encompassing design, test, and flight phases.

    ISS PrK Independent Assessment The NESC is assessing the ongoing leak in the ISS Russian segment, PrK, the segment’s remaining life, and how to manage the risk of potential failure. 

    Orion Crew Module Heatshield Avcoat Char Investigation The NESC provided thermal experts to the Artemis I Char Loss Team investigation of heatshield performance on the Artemis I return. The NESC is working with the team to ensure the observed material loss is understood so that decisions may be made regarding use for upcoming Artemis missions. 

    CFT Flight Anomaly Support  NESC discipline experts provided real-time support to CCP to aid in determining the CFT flight anomaly causes and risks associated with a crewed return. The NESC performed propulsion system testing for predicted mission profiles at WSTF.  

    Total Ionizing Dose Tolerance of Power Electronics on Europa Clipper The NESC provided power electronics and avionics expertise to JPL’s Europa Clipper tiger team to help evaluate the radiation tolerance of key spacecraft electronics, assisting in a risk-based launch decision. 

    Psyche Cold-Gas Thruster Technical Advisory Team Support In support of a successful launch, NESC augmented the Psyche team’s investigation into increased understanding of the spacecraft’s cold-gas thrusters and aided the project’s risk-informed decisions regarding mitigations and readiness for launch. 

    X-59 Fuel Tank Assessment The NESC is assisting in the evaluation of risks associated with the installation and operation of strain gages in the fuel storage system on X-59 hardware. The work includes analysis, modeling, and the development of mitigation strategies. 

    MIL OSI USA News –