NewzIntel.com

Category: Agriculture

  • MIL-OSI USA: Protecting the Finger Lakes Watersheds

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that $42 million will be disbursed to the Eastern Finger Lakes Coalition to begin implementation of priority projects that will help mitigate Harmful Algal Blooms in the Finger Lakes Watershed area. The Coalition will implement on- and off-farm projects that align with federal and State-approved clean water plans and other pollution prevention plans in an effort to further drive down nutrient and sediment runoff in the Eastern Finger Lakes watersheds. The investment is a part of the Governor’s 2024 State of the State commitment to develop on-the-ground actions necessary to address the controllable causes of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and significantly reduce their prevalence while supporting projects that help prevent nutrient and sediment runoff into lakes and improve climate resiliency.

    “Protecting New York’s water supply is a top priority for New York State,” Governor Hochul said. “We are moving this funding quickly to accelerate watershed protection and restoration measures that will reduce nutrient inputs to the Finger Lakes, improve water quality, and help reduce the frequency of HABs, while building resilience to support New York’s agricultural industry. Clean water is critical to sustaining the health of our communities, protecting our environment, and supporting local economies in the Finger Lakes.”

    In August 2024, New York State announced that $42 million, supported by the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 and other capital resources, was being directed to the Eastern Finger Lakes Coalition to further water quality protections and investments to improve water quality and reduce HABs in the Finger Lakes watershed area. HABs are caused by many factors and impact public health, recreation, and the local economy. The Coalition covers 11 Soil and Water Conservation Districts and seven of New York’s Finger Lakes – Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca, Cayuga, Owasco, Skaneateles, and Otisco, and their watersheds.

    This dedicated funding, scheduled to the Coalition imminently, is supporting innovative agricultural and resilience projects both on and off farms. This critical investment will not only safeguard the health of the Finger Lakes but also support local farmers by providing additional resources to implement best management practices, such as erosion and sediment controls, nutrient management, and stormwater management that will contribute to cleaner water and soil health throughout the region.

    This direct support of the Coalition is a part of the Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) and Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) partnership, alongside the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, and the 11 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) in the Eastern Finger Lakes, to accelerate watershed protection and restoration measures to improve water quality and mitigate HABs.

    Projects will focus on:

    • Implementing the Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program projects  to help farmers reduce water pollution from agricultural activities;
    • Enhancing flood resiliency by stabilizing and protecting vulnerable streams, reducing sediment erosion, and upgrading culverts and implementing water control practices in steep road ditches to minimize sedimentation and runoff; and
    • Supporting nutrient reduction strategies outlined in watershed-based plans.

    Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Governor Hochul’s sustained investments to reduce the frequency of HABs is evident in the ongoing support for the Eastern Finger Lakes Coalition, as well as record infrastructure funding and sustainable farming assistance that helps continue improving the quality of waterbodies statewide. DEC looks forward to collaborating with the Coalition and our many partners on the State and local level to ensure the long-term protection of the lakes and rivers that provide countless environmental, health, and economic contributions to the region’s vibrant communities.”  

    State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “We are proud of the work we are doing to drive down instances of HABs; however, we know that more must be done to address this issue in our watersheds, including in the Finger Lakes. As such, we are developing comprehensive action plans that will not only build on our current work to prevent water pollution, improve nutrient management, and reduce erosion, but will also guide our future goals for a sustainable environment and cleaner waterbodies. This funding will allow our Soil and Water Conservation Districts to work with both our farms and with local government to complete management projects that will have a critical impact on the reduction of sediments and nutrients entering the waterways and protect the water quality for the region now and for the future.”

    State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “This latest funding demonstrates Governor Hochul’s commitment to addressing water quality improvements and Harmful Algal Blooms in the Finger Lakes Watershed area. The State Health Department will continue our work with local water suppliers and our state partners on infrastructure upgrades and technical assistance to help protect drinking water for years to come.”

    Cayuga SWCD Executive Director Doug Kierst said, “Through the continued support of NYS, Soil and Water Conservation Districts of the Eastern Finger Lakes Coalition will continue to get common sense conservation practices on the ground, where they are desperately needed. This dedicated funding will allow local SWCDs to focus on the implementation of an abundance of Best Management Practices that we have identified across the Finger Lakes Region. These important projects, when completed, will facilitate the protection of water quality through the reduction of nutrients and sediments to local waterbodies, support NYS clean water goals and maintain agricultural sustainability.”

    New York State SWCC Chair Matthew Brower said, “The NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee is proud to be a part of the partnership working to improve the water quality of the Finger Lakes. The farming community, the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and local governments have been working on these issues for many years and it is great that they will be able to continue this work with the funding provided by New York State. The Agricultural Environmental Program (AEM) has been an excellent program to help farmers identify needs on the farm and get the best management practices implemented to address water quality issues.”

    HABs Mitigation Efforts

    This investment builds on $1.2 million announced by the Governor in July 2024 for the Eastern Finger Lakes Coalition to build professional capacity to address HABs. It also included increased technical support for farmers to implement more cover crops, improve culverts to reduce runoff, enhance soil health, and reduce water quality impairments in the region.

    In just over the last five years, AGM has dedicated nearly $125 million— through its Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control, Climate Resilient Farming, and Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) programs— to on-farm projects that protect soil and water quality, conserve natural resources, fight climate change, and reduce the conditions that cause HABs, such as nutrient runoff and soil erosion, and greenhouse gas emissions.

    Through various funding streams allocated in the Budget, the Department supports the SWCDs, who work on behalf of New York’s farms to implement better nutrient and sediment control practices. The Department also supports SWCDs in their work with the State’s municipalities to increase stormwater absorption and improve water retention. These are accomplished through best management practices, such as nutrient management through manure storage, vegetative buffers along streams, conservation cover crops, water management, and more.

    Since 2020, specific to the Finger Lakes Watershed area, $66 million has been awarded over the last five years to implement best management practices on 370 farms within this region of the state. The projects awarded in the Finger Lakes alone have reduced 32,800 pounds of total phosphorus, 746,000 pounds of total nitrogen, and 43 million pounds of sediment per year. This work has also reduced New York State’s agricultural greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 43,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent every year and have also made a measurable impact towards keeping HABs out of the State’s waterways.

    Since 2017, DEC worked with stakeholders in the Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca, Owasco, and Skaneateles lake watersheds to develop clean water plans to protect and improve water quality. In addition, DEC has completed Total Maximum Daily Load analysis in Conesus, Honeoye, and Cayuga lakes. In 2018, DEC convened four regional summits to examine the causes of HABs and develop sustainable solutions to reduce impacts. DEC worked with State and local partners to develop and implement  HABs Action Plans for 13 high- priority waterbodies, including several in the Eastern Finger Lakes.

    To date, New York State awarded more than $530 million in grants for projects statewide designed to reduce the frequency of algal blooms by targeting phosphorus and nitrogen pollution, factors that trigger HAB occurrences. DEC also created the New York Harmful Algal Bloom System (NYHABS) webpage, which features an interactive map that provides active HAB locations. Members of the public should report suspected HABs so DEC experts can review and identify for accuracy. Because it is hard to tell a HAB from a non-harmful algal bloom, it is best to avoid swimming, boating, otherwise recreating in, or drinking water with a suspected bloom. DEC encourages people to “Know it, Avoid it, Report it!” all year round, especially during the summer. The summer months are the peak time for HABs – warmer weather, calmer conditions, and more sunlight will often contribute to the blooms.

    Also, since 2014, DEC awarded more than $55.7 million to 96 projects for water quality improvement planning and implementation within the Eastern Finger Lakes watershed through the Water Quality Improvement Project program and the Non-agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 Mapping Grant. Projects funded prepare planning reports or directly improve water quality or habitat, promote flood risk reduction, restoration, and enhanced flood and climate resiliency, or protect a drinking water source. Awards within the Eastern Finger Lakes watershed included land acquisition for source water protection, streambank and road ditch stabilization, wastewater disinfection, sanitary sewer overflow improvements, sediment and erosion control, wetland restoration, riparian buffers, salt storage, and aquatic habitat restoration.

    At least $75 million in grants is currently available through DEC’s Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program to support new projects that can help reduce HABs and other actions that directly improve water quality or habitat, promote flood risk reduction, restoration, and enhanced flood and climate resiliency, or protect a drinking water source.

    Other recent funding to help protect water quality includes more than $90 million in grants and low-interest financing to the City of Auburn announced by Governor Hochul and the State Environmental Facilities Corporation. This will support planning, design, and construction of wastewater treatment improvements. To help promote buffers that prevent runoff and other water quality impairments, DEC established the 287-acre Cayuga Shores Wildlife Management Area along Cayuga Lake and awarded $1.2 million to the Finger Lakes Land Trust for land acquisitions to protect Owasco Lake water quality.

    New York’s Commitment to Water Quality

    New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure. With an additional $500 million for clean water infrastructure in the 2025-2026 enacted State Budget announced by Governor Hochul, New York will have invested a total of $6 billion in water infrastructure since 2017. In addition, the $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act is helping State agencies, local governments, and partners access funding to protect water quality, help communities adapt to climate change, improve resiliency, and create green jobs. Bond Act funding will support new and expanded projects across the state to safeguard drinking water sources, reduce pollution, and protect communities and natural resources from climate change.

    The Governor also expanded EFC’s Community Assistance Teams to help all communities access assistance, particularly small, rural, and disadvantaged communities so they may leverage this funding and address their clean water infrastructure needs. Any community that needs help with funding its water infrastructure is encouraged to contact EFC.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sunderland gears up for active fun with family events at Ford and Downhill Football Hubs this May Half-Term

    Source: City of Sunderland

    Residents across Sunderland are being invited to join a packed schedule of family fun at the Ford and Downhill Football Hubs this May half term. This is part of the city’s commitment to promoting active lifestyles for all ages and abilities.

    On Wednesday 28 May, head over to Ford Football Hub and drop in for a day packed with fun activities that are perfect for all ages and abilities. From exciting family games to gentle movement sessions, there’s something for everyone.

    Try your hand at basketball with Lambton Raptors, enjoy some friendly non-contact rugby with Vigor Rugby, or jump into classic group games with ParkPlay – a big hit with kids and grown-ups alike. There’s even Walking Football for those who prefer a gentler pace, and light, music-filled sessions like Clubbercise that are all about having fun.

    Families can also hop on the Melissa Bus – an interactive mobile space where you can explore health and wellbeing in a hands-on, engaging way.
    Kids will love the smoothie bike, where they can pedal their way to a fruity treat, while parents can browse stalls from NHS Oral Health, Everyone Active, and other local groups offering friendly tips and advice.

    The fun continues on Friday 30 May at Downhill Football Hub, where the day features even more inclusive activities. Fancy a stretch and a moment of calm? Join the Stretch & Relax session – great for loosening up and taking a breather together. The Family Fit 4 Fun session, run by the Active Sunderland Healthy Lifestyle Team, is all about playful movement and bonding as a family – no experience needed!

    Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member of Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: “These events are all about bringing families together to enjoy activity together – moments of movement, fun, and connection. Whether you’re playing games, trying something new, or just soaking up the atmosphere, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”

    To find out more details about Active Sunderland family fun days, visit www.mysunderland.co.uk/familyfun

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: De La Cruz Statement on Committee Passage of Agriculture Reconciliation Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Monica De La Cruz (TX-15)

    De La Cruz Statement on Committee Passage of Agriculture Reconciliation Bill

    Washington, May 14, 2025

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) released the statement below following the committee passage of the Agriculture Budget Reconciliation Bill.

    “Today, the House Agriculture Committee passed our portion of the one, big beautiful bill that invests in American farmers, strengthens the farm safety net, and delivers for all Americans. The legislation will implement positive reforms to SNAP to ensure benefits are sustained for those who truly need them. I will continue working to eliminate waste and abuse while protecting programs that are vital to South Texans.” – Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government Taskforce meets on Merseyside to bolster nation’s flood resilience

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government Taskforce meets on Merseyside to bolster nation’s flood resilience

    Flood response capabilities on display at Merseyside fire base

    The third meeting of the Government’s national Floods Resilience Taskforce convened in Aintree today

    Bolstering the nation’s resilience to flooding, including in Merseyside, was top of the agenda as the Government’s national Floods Resilience Taskforce convened in Aintree today (Wednesday 21 May).  

    The meeting was chaired by Floods Minister Emma Hardy and hosted by Mersey Fire and Rescue Service at their National Resilience Centre of Excellence, one of the UK’s most advanced emergency service training facilities, used to co-ordinate national responses to large scale incidents and provide firefighters with the necessary training and skills to respond to events such as severe flooding.  

    The Government inherited the nation’s flood defences in their worst condition on record. To ensure the country is protected from the devastating impacts of flooding, more than 1,000 flood defences will be built or repaired through the Plan for Change as part of a record £2.65 billion two-year investment. 

    Today’s Taskforce meeting brought together partners including Defra, Cabinet Office, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Environment Agency, the Met Office, Local Resilience Forums, Mayoral Offices, emergency responders, the National Farmers Union, and environmental interest groups. 

    Floods Minister Emma Hardy said:

    The role of any government is to protect its citizens. Having inherited flood defences in disrepair, we are bringing together valued partners through our Floods Resilience Taskforce here in Aintree as we look to speed up and co-ordinate flood preparation and resilience. 

    Through our Plan for Change, we’re investing a record £2.65 billion to repair and build more than 1,000 flood defences across the country, protecting tens of thousands of homes and businesses including on Merseyside.

    The group discussed plans to modernise the UK’s system for flood warnings further, stressing the need for users to understand better how it works for effective decision-making, planning and response. The development of a common warnings framework across the UK will enhance the service and support actions to reduce risks to people, property and livelihoods.  

    The Taskforce also confirmed plans to improve the way the government identifies individuals vulnerable to flooding. This includes using the risk vulnerability tool, unveiled last month by the Cabinet Office, which will enable thousands of officials to see how vulnerable particular areas are to risks by mapping real time crisis data such as live weather warnings, alongside demographic statistics. 

    The meeting touched upon the flood recovery framework, which through local authorities in England provides government support in the aftermath of flooding in exceptional circumstances. There was also discussion of the Bellwin scheme, which is used to reimburse local authorities in England for the costs of the actions they take in the immediate aftermath of an emergency or disaster that endangers life or property. It was agreed that further work is required to improve public understanding of flood resilience. 

    Caroline Douglass, Executive Director for Flood and Coastal Risk Management at the Environment Agency, said:

    Protecting communities in England from the devastating impact of flooding is one of our top priorities as climate change brings more extreme weather. 

    By participating in the Floods Resilience Taskforce, we’re ensuring we share information and co-ordinate our approach to bolster protection for thousands of homes and businesses from the dangers of flooding, preventing billions of pounds worth of damages.

    Minister Oppong-Asare, Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office, said:

    The Flood Resilience Taskforce sits at the heart of our work to protect communities from extreme weather and flooding.  

    Today’s meeting highlighted how digital tools can strengthen our flood response to identify and support those who are most vulnerable to the impacts of flooding.  

    Through the taskforce, we’re continuing to work closely with key partners to keep people, homes, and businesses safe.

    Met Office Services Director Simon Brown said: 

    Our observations show that the UK is getting wetter, we are seeing more days with over 50mm rainfall in autumn months. A warmer, moister atmosphere increases the capacity for deluges of rain, which can result in serious flooding. A recent study looking at the storms through autumn and winter in 2023/24 found climate change increased the amount of rainfall from these storms, making them about 20% more intense. 

    A number of recent Met Office attribution studies have shown that some recent heavy rainfall events in the UK associated with flooding can be linked to human-caused climate change. Since 1998 the UK has seen six of the 10 wettest years on record. Events such as the wettest February on record in 2020, are expected to become more frequent by 2100 due to climate change.

    The Government’s record investment in flood defences includes around £2.5 million in funding for Merseyside across 2024/25 and 2025/26, including £1 million for a flood alleviation scheme to protect communities near the Pool watercourse at Churchtown in Southport.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Next generation farming

    Source: Scottish Government

    Support for young people into agricultural careers.

    More than £2 million will be available to support young people entering farming through a pre-apprenticeship programme and training fund.

    Speaking at a joint NFU Scotland and Scottish Government summit on new entrants, Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie launched a newly procured Land Based Pre-apprenticeship Programme with £1.8 million committed over three years. 

    Mr Fairlie also confirmed the relaunch and procurement of the Next Generation Practical Training Fund.  The fund is open from now until March 2027 with at least £300,000 a year to help young people access skills training in a flexible, individual way. 

    Mr Fairlie said:

    “I know from my own experience the hard work and dedication that it takes to enter the industry as a new entrant farmer and the challenges young people can face. These two funds will help more people get practical training to launch their agriculture careers.

    “The pre-apprenticeship programme has been expanded to take on close to 400 people and to date we have had more than 60 applications for the training fund. This is a really promising start and is a positive step towards improving safety on-farm and training up the depleted post-Brexit labour force.”

     

    Duncan Macalister, Vice President, NFU Scotland, said:

    “We welcome this vital investment in practical training and pre-apprenticeship opportunities. These programmes are not just about developing skills, they are about securing the future of Scottish agriculture.

    “We urgently need action on land access and capital support to complement this step forward, so that young people can see a clear, supported path into the sector.”

    Lantra Scotland Director Dr Liz Barron-Majerik said:

    “Lantra works to enhance Scotland’s natural environment and support the rural economy, by increasing the number and diversity of employees in Scotland’s land-based and aquaculture sector and driving their skills development. The training fund and the pre-apprenticeship programme are both of great benefit to new entrants to agriculture as they start on their career path, and so I’m delighted that we’re going to be managing them on behalf of, and in partnership with, FONE and the Scottish Government.

    “We look forward to working with our training provider partners on the delivery of the training funds, and the Scottish Machinery Rings, SRUC and Borders College on the pre-apprenticeship. We would also like to encourage others who are interested in becoming involved to please get in touch via scotland@lantra.co.uk.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Shiprock Man Charged with Assault in Shooting

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon following a shooting incident outside a restaurant.

    According to court documents, Navajo Nation Police responded to a 911 call reporting that an individual was shot in the hand in front of the Little Caesars Restaurant in Shiprock. Officers located the suspect, identified as Terrold Tyler, 35, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, near the scene carrying a black backpack that contained a homemade firearm and five live shotgun shells. Tyler was detained without incident.

    Investigators determined that Tyler and the victim were involved in an argument behind the restaurant prior to the shooting. Tyler allegedly produced the homemade shotgun and shot the victim in the left hand. Paramedics responded to the scene, but the victim declined medical treatment.  A social media video depicting Tyler with the firearm was also recovered as evidence.

    Tyler is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted of the current charges, Tyler faces up to 10 years in prison.

    U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today.

    The Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Mondragon is prosecuting the case.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ramaphosa, Trump meeting all set for early evening, SA time

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    President Cyril Ramaphosa’s engagement with United States President Donald Trump is expected to get underway at 5:30pm South African time – starting with a welcome of the visiting President at the Oval Office. 

    The Oval Office is the official workspace used exclusively by the President of the U.S. in Washington, D.C.

    The two leaders aim to rebuild and strengthen their relations amid ongoing tensions, including the recent resettlement of white Afrikaners in America.

    According to The Presidency of SA,  President Trump is set to welcome South Africa’s Head of State at 5:30pm. This will be followed by President Ramaphosa signing the visitors’ book at 5:35pm.

    At 5:45pm, the two leaders will participate in a working lunch, leading to their bilateral meeting scheduled for 6:45pm, which will include an opportunity for media interaction.

    President Ramaphosa is expected to depart from the White House at 6:30pm.

    Ahead of the meeting this afternoon, the President attended the 2025 Budget Speech virtually.

    The South African delegation to Washington D.C. consists of several Cabinet Ministers, notable business figures, and prominent South Africans.

    Included in the delegation are Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel, and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen.

    President Ramaphosa has leveraged President Trump’s passion for golf by inviting South African pro golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen to join the trip.

    In addition, the President will be accompanied by Johann Rupert, the Founder of Richemont and Chairman of Remgro.

    The delegation also includes Vice President of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) Adrian Gore and President of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Zingiswa Losi. 

    They are currently in Washington, D.C. to offer strategic support to President Ramaphosa and the South African delegation.

    Meanwhile, President Trump will be flanked by several key officials during his event. 

    These include Vice President JD Vance, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Special Government Employee Elon Musk, and Dr Massad Boulos, who serves as a Senior Advisor for Africa as well as on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs.

    SAnews reported this morning that discussions will focus on revitalising bilateral relations, rethinking economic cooperation, and exploring new trade and investment opportunities that align with South Africa’s development goals. 

    President Ramaphosa arrived in the United States on Monday, landing at Andrews Air Force Base to a warm reception.  

    A red carpet was laid out, and ceremonial guards held the South African and United States flags as he was escorted to his motorcade, signaling the start of his visit with the honours fitting for a Head of State.

    Upon his arrival at the hotel, he was greeted by the South African delegation and members of the media.

    Since then, he has been engaging with his Ministers, including Mcebisi Jonas, the Special Envoy to the United States and the official representative of the President and the South African government.

    Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the President appeared cheerful and optimistic. 

    He expressed that he was “ready and hopeful” for productive discussions at the Oval Office.

    For the latest coverage on President Ramaphosa’s visit to the United States, follow SAgovnews on X, formerly known as Twitter. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Chair and members of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee appointed

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    New Chair and members of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee appointed

    Dr David Cooper named as new Chair; Professor Tom Meagher reappointed and Professor Julia Jones confirmed as new member

    Dr David Cooper has been appointed as the Chair of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). The appointment was made in conjunction with the devolved governments and is for a three-year term from 1 June 2025 to 31 May 2028.

    Professor Tom Meagher has been reappointed as an independent member of the Committee. Tom’s term will run for four years until 3 April 2029. 

    Furthermore, Professor Julia Jones has been appointed as an independent member of the Committee. Julia’s term will run for three years until 31 May 2028.

    The new appointments have been made on merit and in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    As the UK’s statutory advisor on nature, the JNCC provides scientific evidence and advice to the devolved governments of the UK, the UK government, and the UK’s Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, to help policymakers turn science into action for nature.

    Biographical details

    Dr David Cooper

    • David Cooper is Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Martin School and Honorary Researcher of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery at the University of Oxford.
    • David has more than 30 years’ experience in international science and policy, including at the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. As CBD Deputy Executive Secretary and Acting Executive Secretary, he was instrumental in facilitating the development and adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and related agreements.
    • David has contributed to the work of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services among other scientific reports and assessments.
    • He has chaired a number of bodies including the Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management, the Biodiversity Indicators Partnership, and the Inter-agency liaison group on Invasive Alien Species.

    Professor Tom Meagher

    • Tom Meagher has been a member of the JNCC since April 2021. He is Professor of Plant Biology at the University of St Andrews and served as Director of the St Andrews Global Challenges Forum. He was previously a member of the Defra Science Advisory Council and the Natural Environment Research Council.
    • Tom leads an international and interdisciplinary initiative developing novel remote sensing technology to aid the assessment and conservation of plant biodiversity. He has also worked with the British Council, the British Embassy Lima, and government agencies in Peru to promote the establishment of a national botanic garden and plant biodiversity initiative.
    • He has been an active contributor to the Scottish Government’s environmental and conservation science strategy, following his former role as a Trustee of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

    Julia Jones

    • Julia Jones is Professor in Conservation Science at Bangor University and currently holds the Prince Bernhard Chair of International Nature Conservation at Utrecht University.
    • She is a trustee of WWF-UK and is a member of the British Ecological Society and the Society for Conservation Biology. She serves on the advisory board of the Sounds Right initiative, a collaboration between the Museum for the United Nations and the music industry to allow nature to collect royalties from her sounds.
    • She has previously served as the Director of the Low Carbon Energy and Environment Research Network Wales, and on the Welsh committee of the RSPB.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Funding to Improve Animal Shelters

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced over $10.4 million has been awarded to 30 animal care organizations across the state through the seventh round of the New York State Companion Animal Capital Fund, the first state program in the nation to fund capital projects for animal shelters. The funding will support construction, renovation, and expansion projects that will enhance animal care and health and help ensure adoptions for New York’s dogs and cats. This builds on Governor Hochul’s commitment to securing safe housing and care for sheltered dogs and cats as they await adoption.

    “Any pet owner can tell you that companion animals like dogs and cats are more than just furry friends – they’re family,” Governor Hochul said. “Animal shelters and humane societies play an enormous role in keeping companion animals safe and well cared for while they await their new families and forever home. This funding is making a real difference, helping to better equip these vital facilities with the tools they need to improve the quality of care for animals.”

    Since the 2017 launch of the Companion Animal Capital Fund program, which is administered by the Department of Agriculture and Markets, the State has dedicated over $38 million to the program. In total, 130 projects have been awarded across New York so far. This round of funding builds on previous rounds of this program that is helping to offset the costs associated with capital projects run by New York State animal shelters, such as renovating dog kennels, improving medical facilities, or building more efficient shelters to reduce overall operational costs. Projects funded this year include updated living spaces for dogs and cats, improved HVAC and heating systems, expansions to facilities to improve medical care, as well as additional infrastructure updates.

    Competitive grants were awarded to shelters based on a need assessment, detailed project description, and reasonableness of cost. The following organizations are receiving an award in this round of the program:

    • City of Oswego – $500,000.00 to replace the kennels, update the HVAC system, seal floors and non-porous areas, create an exclusive outdoor “relief” area, and install new sinks.
    • Columbia Greene Humane Society – $500,000.00 for a new HVAC system and to expand the clinic to include isolation, treatment room, X-ray and lab, exam rooms and euthanasia space.
    • Humane Society of Rome – $500,000.00 to install new dog enclosures, two isolation rooms and new cat enclosures.
    • Jefferson County – $500,000.00 to renovate kennels, upgrade the HVAC system, repair the drainage system, and install resin flooring, concrete walls and sound proofing.
    • Massena Humane Society – $500,000 for enhanced record keeping equipment, upgrades to the kennels, drainage and HVAC system, radiant floor heat, soundproofing and a new intake area.
    • Middletown Humane – $500,000 for updates and repairs to interior and exterior, upgrading heating/cooling, updated lighting and electrical systems, replacing roof, insulation and painting, alarm system and perimeter fencing.
    • Oswego Co. Humane – $500,000.00 for increased cat housing, epoxy flooring, isolation rooms and maternity ward, increased dog housing, a new HVAC and new water piping.
    • Patricia LeDew Foundation – $500,000.00 to install a new X-ray room with new equipment, expand the surgical area, create a new dental site and design an adoption area specific to senior animals.
    • Paws Crossed Animal Rescue – $500,000.00 for a new HVAC system, new doors, epoxy flooring and painting in 3 kennels.
    • Saratoga County – $500,000 for a new heating and cooling system.
    • Town of Bangor – $500,000.00 to improve record keeping equipment, upgrade cat cages, upgrade drainage and HVAC and soundproofing.
    • Town of Cheektowaga – $500,000 for upgraded kennels, an upgraded HVAC system, a dedicated isolation area and soundproofing.
    • Town of Henrietta – $500,000.00 to construct a new municipal shelter.
    • Town of Olean – $500,000.00 for a new facility.
    • Ulster Co. SPCA – $500,000.00 to redesign the kennel, replace the floor, repair floors and walls, and renovate the kitchen, grooming room and exam room.

    A complete list of the awarded organizations and a brief description of the funded projects is available here.

    Governor Hochul’s Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget proposed continued funding for this critical program and the final adopted Budget includes $10 million in funding for the next round.

    New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Animal shelters and humane societies are so much more than a port in the storm – they are a true lifeline to the animals who will one day become beloved members of New York families. From providing essential medical care to daily enrichment activities, the hardworking staff at humane societies, shelters, and SPCAs throughout the state work tirelessly to provide the best care for dogs and cats while they wait to be adopted. Through seven rounds of funding, we have seen the direct impact these projects have had on these essential facilities, and I’m proud to see the good work continue.”

    New York State Animal Protection Federation Executive Director Libby Post said, “The Companion Animal Capital Fund has been a total game changer for shelters and rescues. This latest round of grants reflects how important the Companion Animal Care Standards Act for Shelters and Rescues is and what organizations are doing to make sure they meet these standards when they kick in on December 15th of this year. This round of grants brings the total investment to just shy of $50 million. Without the leadership of Governor Hochul, Senate and Assembly Agriculture Committee chairs Michelle Hinchey and Donna Lupardo, and our champions in each house, Assemblymember Deborah Glick and State Senator Joseph Addabbo, none of this would have happened. The Department of Agriculture and Markets understands how important this grant program is and the Federation thanks Commissioner Richard Ball for his on-going support.”

    State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “Our local animal shelters and humane societies give animals the care and compassion they deserve while they wait to be adopted by their forever families. The Companion Animal Capital Fund is a vital source of support for these organizations, most of which rely on donations, to improve and modernize their facilities. Securing funding for this program is always a priority, and I’m thrilled that three of our own, Columbia-Greene Humane Society, Dutchess SPCA and Ulster SPCA, have all been awarded grants in the latest funding round.”

    Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, “Since 2017, the Companion Animal Capital fund has helped 128 shelters make much-needed improvements to their facilities. I’m very glad that we are able to support an additional 30 shelters in this latest round of funding. We cannot thank them enough for the important work they do, caring for animals as they wait for their forever homes. I’d like to thank the Governor and my colleagues for continuing to support this important effort. I have seen first-hand how well these funds have been used and how needed these resources are.”

    The Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Division of Animal Industry promotes sustainable animal production agriculture and the safety of the animal origin food supply. These goals are accomplished through regulatory and cooperative educational efforts with various agencies, both public and private. The Division has staff in Albany and veterinarians located across the state. In addition to many other responsibilities, the Division regulates dog licensing, sets standards for humane care of seized dogs and the inspection of municipal shelters, administers the contract for the New York State Animal Population Control Program and the Pet Dealer Inspection Program, and provides training and assistance to local enforcement officers in animal welfare cases.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Altus Group Releases Q1 2025 U.S. Investment & Transactions Quarterly Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Comprehensive overview of national transaction activity by volume, price, size, and sector

    U.S. commercial real estate transactions remained muted in Q1 2025        

    NEW YORK, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Altus Group Limited (“Altus Group”) (TSX: AIF), a leading provider of commercial real estate (“CRE”) intelligence, today released its CRE Investment & Transactions Quarterly Report, covering U.S. transaction activity for Q1 2025.

    In Q1 2025, the U.S. commercial real estate market recorded $69.3 billion in dollar value transacted*, compared to $89.2 billion in Q4 2024 and $85.5 billion in Q1 2024. The number of properties transacted was also down, though above the pandemic-era lows for all property types. On an aggregated national basis, transaction activity in Q1 2025 remained muted across the following key metrics:

    Key metric Sequential change over Q4 2024 Year-over-year change over Q1 2024
    Count of properties transacted -11.6% -8.0%
    Dollars transacted -22.3% -19.0%

    “Despite a generally subdued market, Q1 transaction activity showed areas of strength with prices edging higher and multifamily and office drawing more capital than a year earlier,” said Cole Perry, Associate Director of Research at Altus Group. “Twelve of the fifteen property subsectors posted quarter-over-quarter increases in price per square foot, led by consumer-facing categories such as big box retail, limited-service hotels and full-service hotels.”

    Altus Group’s transaction data analysis stands out from other industry reports by covering a broader range of transaction activity and segmenting the data at a very granular level. This quarterly report offers a comprehensive overview of national commercial sale transactions across major property sectors, focusing on transaction volume, pricing, and pacing, with further insights by property subtype and at the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) level. While other reports tend to focus on large transactions, this report takes a more holistic view of the market capturing single-asset transactions exceeding $100,000 in sale value.      

    To access the full Q1 2025 U.S. Investment & Transactions Quarterly Report, please click here.

    *Note: Property and transaction-level data are sourced from Altus Group’s Reonomy product, with data pulled on April 15, 2025 and transactions recorded through March 31, 2025 (the close of Q1 2025). Not all transactions for Q1 2025 were available as of April 15, 2025, so estimates were made to reflect national transaction activity. For information about the data contained in the report and methodology, please see the full report.

    About Altus Group

    Altus connects data, analytics, applications, and expertise to deliver the intelligence necessary to drive optimal CRE performance.  The industry’s top leaders rely on our market-leading solutions and expertise to power performance and mitigate risk. Our global team of ~ 2,000 experts are making a lasting impact on an industry undergoing unprecedented change – helping shape the cities where we live, work, and build thriving communities. For more information about Altus (TSX: AIF) please visit www.altusgroup.com. 

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

    Elizabeth Lambe
    Director, Global Communications, Altus Group
    (416) 641-9787
    elizabeth.lambe@altusgroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The psychology of climate traps and how to avoid them

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lucrezia Nava, Assistant Professor, Climate Psychology, Carbon Dioxide Removals, Business School, University of Exeter

    Victor Guerrero Diez/Shutterstock

    Each year, the world loses around 5 million hectares of forest, with 95% of this deforestation occurring in tropical regions. South America is a major hotspot, with Brazil in particular facing severe forest loss — much of it driven by cattle ranching, which accounts for more than 70% of all Amazon deforestation.

    Many of these clearings are carried out by farmers, particularly smallholders, who are trying to cope with intensifying drought and other effects of climate change. This leads to a paradox: the people most exposed to climate threats are often pushed by survival pressures to make choices that further degrade the environment.

    Imagine standing in a field of dry, cracked soil, watching the crops you planted with hope fail to grow. It hasn’t rained in months. You know that planting trees could help protect your land and water sources in the long run. But you need food next week.

    So instead, you clear some forest to sell timber and raise a few cows — a choice that might get you through the season, even if it further reduces soil moisture and water retention on your own farm.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    As one farmer told me: “The problem is: does the agricultural producer die now, or does he die later? Now, he dies of hunger. Later, he dies of thirst. He prefers to die later of thirst.”

    This is what my team of environmental researchers calls a “climate trap”: a vicious cycle where short-term survival decisions deepen long-term climate vulnerability. Our recent study investigates this phenomenon among smallholder cocoa producers in the south of the Brazilian state of Bahia.

    We tracked more than 3,000 farms over four years and conducted dozens of interviews with farmers. One of our most striking findings was that those most affected by droughts were less likely to employ adaptive strategies such as reforestation, and more likely to make environmentally harmful choices such as clearing forest for pasture.

    This contrasts sharply with research from high-income countries, where more exposure to climate risks typically encourages protective action. Why the difference?

    The answer, according to our research, lies in emotion. Many farmers spoke of fear and hopelessness. One told us: “We plant, replant and it dies. Plant, replant, it dies. There’s no rain! Everything we took care of, everything we watered, everything we did with love. It’s no use!”

    These emotions influence decisions. When fear and hopelessness set in, people naturally narrow their focus to the short term — what can I control today?

    Climate shocks such as drought trigger emotional distress, which can lead to environmentally harmful choices that increase vulnerability.
    Scott Book/Shutterstock

    The future becomes too uncertain, too frightening to plan for. As one farmer explained: “Today, I work more in the short term. I’m worried about today’s drought, okay? I’m not starting to think about next year’s drought or in two years’ time.”

    Even when farmers understand that long-term strategies like reforestation would help, those solutions can feel unattainable under emotional and economic stress.

    We call this a maladaptive feedback loop: climate shocks trigger emotional distress, which limits long-term thinking, leading to environmentally harmful choices that further increase vulnerability to future shocks. And the cycle repeats.

    Learning from the loop

    Climate traps are real and probably more widespread than many people realise. Similar dynamics have been reported in parts of Africa, Asia and across the developing world. These are the communities facing the brunt of climate change with the fewest resources to respond.

    To spot climate traps, businesses and governments need to recognise when short-term incentives are driving long-term harm. If a decision solves an immediate problem but increases climate risk over time, it may be part of a trap.

    They need to watch out for indicators such as repeated deforestation after droughts, or a shift from sustainable crops to quick-fix options such as cattle pasture. In areas heavily affected by climate change, these responses often signal a deeper cycle of short-term survival and long-term vulnerability.

    Also, listen out for resignation. Phrases like “there’s no point” and “we just survive however we can” or “there’s nothing we can do except pray for a change” may signal emotional fatigue — which points to a loss of agency and diminished belief in the usefulness of long-term action.

    When people no longer believe their efforts can make a difference, even the best technical solutions are likely to be ignored.

    Climate adaptation is about more than just providing technical solutions. In our study, producers were well aware of the pros and cons of their practices. The real barriers were emotional.

    We believe interventions need to address fear and hopelessness directly — through the use of safety nets, financial buffers and community-led support systems, as well as narratives that rebuild a sense of control and agency. Reducing hopelessness requires not just money but presence. Trusted advisors, peer learning networks and visible examples of successful adaptation can all help.

    Avoiding climate traps isn’t easy. But for climate adaptation to succeed — especially where it’s needed most — we have to stop treating emotions as a side issue. They’re central. The solutions we offer must speak to both the mind and the heart.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Lucrezia Nava does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The psychology of climate traps and how to avoid them – https://theconversation.com/the-psychology-of-climate-traps-and-how-to-avoid-them-255832

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 19th-century Catholic teachings, 21st-century tech: How concerns about AI guided Pope Leo’s choice of name

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Nathan Schneider, Assistant Professor of Media Studies, University of Colorado Boulder

    An 1878 photograph of Pope Leo XIII and members of his court, taken by Jules David. Wikimedia Commons

    When Robert Francis Prevost chose the papal name Leo XIV, it could have meant many things. There were 13 Leos before him: The first, Leo the Great, was a fifth-century theologian who helped heal the doctrinal divisions among early Christians; Leo X, a member of the powerful Medici family, helped provoke the Protestant Reformation with his lavish lifestyle and sale of indulgences.

    Two days after his election, the new pope affirmed the most likely inference: that his name was a tribute to the most recent Leo, Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903. Less obvious, however, was what inspired his choice: the rise of artificial intelligence.

    As the new pope told the College of Cardinals on May 10, 2025, he was inspired by his namesake’s teachings about economic justice during another time of radical technological change. Leo XIII applied Catholic tradition to the Industrial Revolution in a historic encyclical called Rerum Novarum, which became the founding document of modern Catholic economics.

    “In our own day,” Leo XIV said, “the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.”

    I am a scholar of economic thought around technology and religion, and so the invocation of the previous Leo had immediate resonance for me. What lessons is the current pope drawing from his predecessor? What would Leo XIII say about AI?

    19th-century teachings

    Some might imagine that the answer is some kind of outright rejection. The Catholic Church has a sometimes earned reputation for denouncing the modern world in favor of its centuries-old traditions.

    One aspect of the reign of Leo XIII, who became pope in 1878, was an attack on modern individualism, which he denounced as “Americanism.” But his relationship with modernity was far from simply rejecting it. Leo XIII was the first pope captured on film, for instance, and he blessed the camera that recorded him.

    Leo XIII was the first pope to appear on film.

    In Rerum Novarum, which appeared in 1891, Leo responded to the roiling struggles between Gilded Age capitalists and the industrial workers they systematically exploited. The “teeming masses of the laboring poor” received “a yoke little better than that of slavery itself,” he wrote.

    The 19th-century pope refused to endorse either the capitalists’ wait-and-see promise of progress or the communists’ longing for a dictatorship of the proletariat. Instead, he offered a vision that became the cornerstone of modern Catholic social teaching.

    Leo XIII’s prescription for the Industrial Revolution of his time was to embrace private property, like the capitalists, but to spread it out far more widely among workers. Rerum Novarum contends it is “just and right that the results of labor should belong to those who have bestowed their labor.” If workers become owners, he explained, they can have a part in stewarding the gifts of God.

    Leo XIII’s writings have formed the foundation of modern Catholic social thought.
    L’Illustrazione Italiana via Wikimedia Commons

    The pope further called for public policy that would spread wealth and power in the industrial economy through widespread ownership: “The law, therefore, should favor ownership, and its policy should be to induce as many as possible of the people to become owners.”

    This was a radical position then, as it is now. Following Leo XIII’s call, many Catholics searched for ways to share ownership of industry more widely. This movement gave birth to cooperative businesses around the world, from the North American credit union system to the Mondragon Corporation in the Basque region of Spain, an industrial behemoth owned and governed by its workers.

    But for most of the world, Leo’s plea was forgotten in the capitalist-versus-communist Cold War.

    21st-century tech

    Today, we inhabit yet another Gilded Age. Wealth inequality in the United States has reached similar levels as in Leo XIII’s time, once again thanks to technological disruptions that funnel the benefits to a small elite. AI threatens to put the platform economy on steroids, upending work with the bots that only a few companies can afford to build.

    Policy debates about AI tend to be limited to what the big tech CEOs should or shouldn’t do. The Biden administration was poised to enshrine a few powerful companies as the arbiters of AI, handing them and the government power to determine what is and isn’t ethical. Now, the Trump administration is pulling out all the stops to compete with China. “The AI future is not going to be won by hand-wringing about safety,” Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, told a major AI summit soon after taking office. “It will be won by building.”

    Channeling Leo XIII to confront the AI revolution, however, means looking past prevailing ideas, as he did in his time. His teachings suggest that the people who create and use AI should be the ones who actively own and govern it.

    This could take many forms. For instance, already there are workers organizing to shape how AI is deployed in their workplaces. In other contexts, cooperative businesses such as Land O’Lakes have worked with farmer-owners to use the data that farm machines produce to improve their practices. People do not have to be merely passive users of AI tools; when they have well-organized democratic power through unions and co-ops, they can make the technology more accountable to them.

    AI companies themselves can spread ownership and governance more widely. Fears about the dangers that powerful AI could pose if it gets out of hand have already prompted some founders to adopt unusual corporate structures. Anthropic, the company behind the AI assistant Claude, is a public-benefit corporation, which means that it can prioritize long-term social benefit above shareholder profits. OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, is owned by a nonprofit – an arrangement that has resisted efforts to turn it into a more conventional kind of company.

    Dario Amodei, CEO and co-founder of Anthropic, middle, speaks on a panel at an event about AI safety in 2024.
    AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

    But these structures still assume that AI’s future should be in the hands of an aristocracy of business and technical elites. Leo XIII, on the other hand, argued that everyone who participates in an enterprise should have a stake in it.

    For AI, that could include not only company employees but also the users who train the models, the communities that share their water and power with data centers, the workers who mine the raw materials for high-performance chips, and the creators who contribute to the systems’ knowledge.

    Early research has suggested that ordinary people are very concerned about turning power over to machines that they do not yet understand. They see consequences of AI in their lives that engineers in Silicon Valley are less likely to consider, from racial discrimination to workplace surveillance. Also, as a wonderful story by the science fiction writer Cadwell Turnbull suggests, people will likely use and trust AI more if they know it is truly accountable to them.

    In January 2025, the Vatican released a document calling for a “renewed appreciation of all that is human” in the age of AI. It warned against what Pope Francis called the “technocratic paradigm”: the mindset that gives up humans’ role as stewards of God’s creation and hands power over to systems, whether they are stock markets or computer programs.

    By taking the name Leo, I believe the new pope is suggesting something similar. The important question is not whether new technologies are good or bad. What matters far more is whether we can learn to share the responsibility of stewardship – whether we can all be partners in what this new industrial revolution is making possible.

    Nathan Schneider identifies as a Roman Catholic.

    – ref. 19th-century Catholic teachings, 21st-century tech: How concerns about AI guided Pope Leo’s choice of name – https://theconversation.com/19th-century-catholic-teachings-21st-century-tech-how-concerns-about-ai-guided-pope-leos-choice-of-name-256645

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: XRP News: Ripple Whales monitor as Nimanode set to Kick-off $NMA token Presale

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEEDS, United Kingdom, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The highly anticipated $NMA token presale for Nimanode is officially scheduled to commence on May 22nd, 2025 at 3 PM UTC.

    Excitement grows in the XRPL ecosystem as the first-of-its-kind No-Code AI Agent builder platform announces the date for their presale. As it is anticipated to be the most impactful in XRP history. Get Early Access

    Whales on the XRPL Ecosystem are positioned and interested in becoming the front-runners as XRPL, a blockchain in desperate need for real innovation, witnesses its first tilt towards Blockchain Infrastructure.

    Nimanode introduces a convergence of On-Chain execution and Off-chain intelligence to create AI agents that can execute smart contracts, automate DeFi strategies, integrate APIs, monitor NFTs, manage tasks across chains, and evolve over time — all without writing a single line of code.

    Why Nimanode is Stealing the Spotlight?

    Nimanode is creating the future of work through AI Agents, offering a no-code gateway to advanced agent-driven ecosystems, making it a game-changer for both developers and non-technical users.

    This AI-powered platform is built on the XRP Ledger for high speed, low cost, and unmatched scalability. With its zero-code agent builder and decentralized agent marketplace, Nimanode is unlocking real-world utility for creators, developers, and businesses alike.

    Whether you’re launching a dApp, managing RWA, automating your smart contracts, or building Institutional workflows, Nimanode is the only toolkit you’ll need.

    Join Telegram Community

    An Ecosystem Powered By $NMA

    At the heart of Nimanode ecosystem lies $NMA, the utility and governance token that powers agent deployment, upgrades, voting etc, designed with a deflationary mechanism in mind to promote scarcity and long term value. Offering various utilities such as

    Agent Builder: NMA will serve as fuel for the creation and deployment of AI agents on the platform.
    Agent Marketplace: Holders of NMA will be able to access discounts and purchase agents on Nimanode’s Agent marketplace.
    Governance Participation: Holders are offered a position in the DAO to participate in Governance and vote on proposals.
    Staking & Reward: Staking $NMA will serve as a means of passive income to holders. Revenue generated on the platform will also be shared to holders.

    Visit Presale Page

    Rising Momentum Indicates Massive Potential

    The Nimanode community is rapidly gaining momentum, with early supporters, XRP whales, developers, and AI enthusiasts rallying around its bold vision of an autonomous agent-driven Web3.

    Whales are already positioned and ready to partake in the Presale which could deliver exceptional returns as a 25% return on DEX Listing is already planned for $NMA.

    Do not Miss Out!

    $NMA token launch is more than just a token sale, it’s a leap toward ownership of intelligent, automated blockchain infrastructure.

    With a limited 30-day window beginning on March 22nd, early birds are getting an edge and advantage in what could be the most impactful Presale towards innovation on the XRP ecosystem.

    Website: https://nimanode.com

    Twitter/X: https://x.com/nimanodeai

    Telegram: https://t.me/nimanodeAI

    Documentation: https://docs.nimanode.com

    Contact:
    Nick Lambert
    contact@nimanode.com

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Nimanode. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b41e8484-b81f-4a4a-b19f-803976fcfcfa

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Soloma Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary at the Moskino cinema park

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The multi-genre festival “Soloma” will be held in the capital for the 10th time on June 7 and 8. This time it will be held on the central square of the Moskino cinema park. The event can be attended with entrance tickets to the cinema park. Musicians will perform from 14:00 to 22:00 every day of the festival.

    On June 7, the program will be opened by students of the Moscow State Conservatory named after P.I. Tchaikovsky. They will perform songs and compositions from famous Soviet and world films. In addition, guests will see performances by performers Sasha de Buryak, Flora and Minaeva, musician Anton Lavrentyev, the group Ubel and participants of the multi-genre musical project “Tima is looking for light”.

    On the second day of the festival, guests will meet the performer Alena Samartseva, the groups Dreams Shadow, Shoo and “Elli na makovom pole”, as well as the participants of the musical project “Shaly”. At the end, the singer and songwriter Tosya Chaikina will perform.

    In addition, on June 7 and 8, guests of the Moskino cinema park will be treated to lessons from professional makeup artists, an inflatable trampoline for children, as well as ping-pong and mini-golf games. A food court with a variety of takeaway snacks will open on the central square.

    The Soloma festival has been opening new names to the general public for 10 years and giving young musicians the opportunity to present their work to a wider audience. In different years, such up-and-coming artists as Untone Chernov, Zavazalsky, Sasha Garahanov, as well as the groups Obe Dve, Neeeet, Ty Chko, Komnata Kultury and many others have performed at the venues.

    The festival is held with the support of the capital Department of Culture within the framework of the program “Summer in Moscow”. The event contributes to the implementation of the goals and objectives of the national project “Family” in Moscow.

    The play “Victory! The Banner over the Reichstag!” was seen by about seven thousand spectatorsSobyanin: Moskino Cinema Park has become one of the most popular filming locations

    The Moskino Cinema Park is part of the Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin’s project “Moscow – City of Cinema” and an object of the Moscow cinema cluster, which is being developed by the capital Department of Culture. The first stage of creation has already been completed here: 24 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities have been built. Among them are the sets “Center of Moscow”, “Moscow of the 1940s”, “Vitebsk Station”, “Yurovo Airport”, “Cathedral Square of Moscow”, “Deaf Village”, “County Town”, “Cowboy Town”, “St. Petersburg Bar” and other sites.

    The Moscow Film Cluster is an infrastructure facility, services and facilities for filmmakers, which are being developed by the Moscow Government within the framework of the Moscow — City of Cinema project. Its structure includes the Moskino film park, the Gorky Film Studio (sites on Sergei Eisenstein Street and Valdaisky Proyezd), the Moskino film factory, the Moskino cinema chain, the film commission and the Moskino film platform.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154142073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Nutrients Action Programme Proposals Will Devastate Family Farms Without Delivering Real Environmental Gains

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV vice chairman Causeway Councillor Allister Kyle:

    “TUV is deeply concerned by the Department’s direction of travel following its review of the 2019–2022 Nutrients Action Programme and its proposals for the next phase (2026–2029). These include severe new restrictions on slurry spreading, the mandatory use of low emission equipment, significant curbs on fertiliser usage, and sweeping new enforcement powers — all with limited or no regard to the impact not only to small and medium-sized farms but to those who produce most for our food security, in which we heavily rely on.

    “At a time when our farmers are already burdened by rising costs, falling margins, and an avalanche of red tape, this new NAP threatens to push many over the edge. What the Department is proposing isn’t environmental stewardship — it’s regulatory overreach dressed up as green virtue.”

    “Among the most damaging measures are:
    •     A mandatory 3-metre buffer strip on arable land, reducing productive acreage;
    •     A reduction in permitted slurry volumes during key spreading months, putting real pressure on slurry storage;
    •     A blanket requirement for Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment (LESSE) by 2030 — an enormous cost burden;
    •     Further phosphorus restrictions that will hit intensively stocked farms hardest, forcing either mass destocking or large land acquisitions;
    •     Severe new record-keeping and inspection powers, including online movement tracking and fixed monetary penalties.

    “In totality, these changes risk turning farmers into data-entry clerks while offering no guarantee of meaningful environmental improvement.

    “The Department’s own brief admits that no further action is required to address rural needs — a staggering admission given the deep rural impact of these proposals. The programme has also been screened out of a full Equality Impact Assessment — despite clear indications it will disproportionately affect smaller farms with limited capital to adapt.

    “TUV notes with concern that these measures align more with the ideological ambitions of eco-lobbyists than with practical land management. While farmers accept their role in safeguarding the environment, that must be based on trust, partnership, and practicality — not punishment and prescription.

    “TUV believes in responsible farming, but we believe it must be realistic, proportionate, and based on partnership. There are better alternatives:
    •     Targeted support for voluntary adoption of LESSE equipment;
    •     Education and incentives rather than overregulation;
    •     Common-sense exemptions for smaller farms;
    •     Focus on catchment-specific, evidence-led interventions, not sweeping one-size-fits-all restrictions.

    “TUV calls on the Department to go back to the drawing board. As things stand, the current draft of the next Nutrients Action Programme represents not a path to environmental improvement, but a roadmap to agricultural decline.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board appointed

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    New Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board appointed

    Emily Norton will start the role from 1 June

    Emily Norton has been appointed as the new Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

    Emily, who has 25 years of experience in the food and farming sector, will take on the role for three years from 1 June 2025. She will succeed Nicholas Saphir, who is stepping down as Chair after more than five years in the role. AHDB is a statutory levy board funded by around 100,000 farmers and other businesses in the food supply chain. Established in 2008 and classified as a Non-Departmental Public Body, AHDB supports production of Beef, Lamb and Pork in England, Dairy in Great Britain and Cereals & Oilseeds in the UK.

    Appointments to the AHDB board are made by Defra Ministers, with the approval of Ministers in the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Governments.

    Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said:

    “Emily Norton’s leadership and extensive experience in a diverse range of sectors will bring fresh perspective and strategic insight to the AHDB. I look forward to working closely with her as we continue to champion our world-class farmers and food producers – driving rural economic growth and strengthening food security.

    “I would also like to express my gratitude to Nicholas Saphir for his dedication, drive and expertise throughout his tenure.”

    Outgoing AHDB Chair Nicholas Saphir said:

    “I have served as AHDB chair for the last five years during which time it has been an honour and a pleasure to have worked with some amazingly dedicated and knowledgeable Board members and staff. 

    “Together we have delivered a significant change in the way in which AHDB serves our levy payers. I leave AHDB, the Board and team, well positioned to play their part in providing ‘the key that unlocks the future of British agriculture’. 

    “I’m delighted that Emily Norton will be stepping into the role as Chair of AHDB. Emily brings a wealth of experience through her background in running a family farming business as well as her work as a highly respected strategic and policy advisor.”

    Emily Norton, new Chair of the AHDB, said:

    “I am proud to take on the role of Chair at such a pivotal time for British agriculture.

    “My professional focus has always been on strengthening the resilience, sustainability, and prosperity of the UK’s food and farming sectors. I look forward to working with stakeholders across the industry to deliver on that mission as part of AHDB.”

    Biographical details

    • Emily Norton is a partner in an 80 ha arable farm in Norfolk and is owner and founder of Farm Foresight Ltd, a strategic advisory service for the rural sector.

    • She has previously held several executive roles including Head of Rural Research at Savills UK, and was Chair of the Oxford Farming Conference in 2023.

    • Emily has extensive board-level experience, with positions at the Soil Association Exchange, the Environmental Markets Board and the Duchy of Lancaster.

    • She is a member of the national policy committee of the Country Land and Business Association, a trustee at the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and a member of the Farming Leadership Group of the Food, Farming & Countryside Commission.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Stuntmen’s meetings and a motorcycle show will take place this weekend at the Moskino cinema park

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Guests of the Moskino Cinema Park will have an exciting weekend on May 24 and 25. The program includes meetings with professionals from the Stuntmen’s Guild of Russia, Armenia, Georgia and Belarus, staged stunts from famous films and much more.

    Scenes from the movie

    On May 24, stunt masters will perform an extreme motorcycle show on the central square with ramps, riding on one wheel and acrobatic elements. At 18:00, viewers will see one of the scariest scenes in cinema – burning, which will be safe for participants and spectators. From 12:00 to 18:00, young guests will have lessons on riding children’s motorcycles, as well as themed photo sessions.

    At the “Berlin Streets” venue, from 12:30, viewers will see scenes of military chases and shootouts. In “Cowboy Town”, viewers will be shown a bank takeover with horse chases and falls from a window and roof. In addition, everyone will witness a cowboy duel in the traditions of the Wild West. In the “Pitersky Bar”, a gangster fight in the style of the 90s will unfold under the spotlight and the work of a film crew. Visitors will be shown an excerpt based on the film “Brother 2”, which will include furniture smashing, broken dishes and other bright moments.

    At the Moscow of the 1940s site, you can watch how scenes with car chases, rooftop shooting and falls are created. In addition, guests will be offered to ride in retro cars, trying on hats and gloves from that era.

    Buy a ticket you can on the website.

    Meetings with stuntmen

    On May 24 from 13:00 to 14:00, the Gonzaga Theater will host a conference with the participation of professional stuntmen. The audience will meet the vice-president of the Russian Stuntmen’s Guild Varvara Nikitina, stuntmen Nino Daisadze from Georgia and Arman Berikyan from Armenia, as well as stunt coordinator at the Belarusfilm studio Alexander Sitnik. The artists will talk about the specifics of the profession and answer questions from the audience.

    On May 25 at 13:00, a meeting with stuntmen Evgeny Bogorodsky and Vladimir Karpovich will begin. Evgeny Bogorodsky is a laureate of the professional awards “Alter Ego”, “For Contribution to the Profession” and “Golden Fang” – for his work with animals in cinema. He took part in the filming of the films “Taras Bulba”, “The Legend of Kolovrat” and others.

    Vladimir Karpovich has over 300 films to his credit, including “Brother 2”, “9th Company”, “Brest Fortress” and “Inhabited Island”. Filmmakers will talk about their profession and share stories from their lives.

    On May 24 and 25 from 17:00 to 19:00 there will be meetings with the President of the Russian Stuntmen’s Guild Alexander Inshakov. He will talk about working with famous directors and participating in the films “Brigada”, “A Man from Boulevard des Capucines”, “Assa”.

    On Saturday and Sunday from 15:00 to 16:30, the fencing duo “Breter” will perform at the Gonzaga Theatre. The specialists will show maneuvers on stage and take part in staged battles.

    On May 25 at 19:00 on the same site, the director of the film park Kirill Kosenko and stuntman Alexander Inshakov will sum up the results of the festival and solemnly award the best stunt directors and performers.

    Movie screenings for the whole family

    On May 24 and 25, the Moskino Kinopark cinema will show sci-fi and family films. The adventure cartoon Hansel and Gretel: Mission Sleeping Beauty will tell the story of super agent Gretel and her clever brother, who will have to solve many mysteries and defeat enemies. The family comedy Paddington 3 will once again remind us of the bear cub and the Brown family, who this time go to Peru. You can also watch the film Nightingale vs. Muromets, where the main character ends up in the modern world, as well as the war drama Not Listed Based on the story of the same name by Boris Vasiliev, the sci-fi action film Kraken about the battle of sailors with a terrible inhabitant of the ocean depths, and other films.

    Tickets are available for purchase on the film park website.

    The event contributes to the implementation of the goals and objectives of the national project “Family” in the city of Moscow.

    The Moskino cinema park is part of Sergei Sobyanin’s “Moscow – City of Cinema” project and an object of the Moscow cinema cluster, which is being developed by the capital Department of Culture. The first stage of creation has already been completed here: 24 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities have been built. Among them are the sets “Center of Moscow”, “Moscow of the 1940s”, “Vitebsk Station”, “Yurovo Airport”, “Cathedral Square of Moscow”, “Deaf Village”, “County Town”, “Cowboy Town”, “St. Petersburg Bar” and other sites.

    The Moscow Film Cluster is an infrastructure facility, services and facilities for filmmakers, which are being developed by the Moscow Government within the framework of the Moscow — City of Cinema project. Its structure includes the Moskino film park, the Gorky Film Studio (sites on Sergei Eisenstein Street and Valdaisky Proyezd), the Moskino film factory, the Moskino cinema chain, the film commission and the Moskino film platform.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

     

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154122073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: San Diego Man Charged with Smuggling Exotic Live Birds

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Ricardo Alonzo of San Diego appeared in federal court today to face charges that he smuggled 17 exotic birds into the United States from Mexico under the seat of his car.

    According to a complaint, Alonzo was the driver and registered owner of a vehicle that was intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Officers found four bags containing 10 Burrowing Parakeets, five Yellow-Crowned Amazon Parrots, and two Red-Lored Amazon Parrots underneath the rear seat. The two Red-Lored Amazon Parrot chicks did not survive; the surviving birds were transferred to a quarantine facility managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

    “Trafficking exotic birds isn’t just illegal — it’s cruel and dangerous,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “These actions put the lives of helpless animals at risk and expose the public and other animals to serious diseases.”

    “This charge underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable wildlife and holding traffickers accountable for their crimes,” said Shawn Gibson, special agent in charge of HSI San Diego. “We are grateful to our dedicated law enforcement partners whose collaboration was instrumental in bringing this individual to justice.”

    According to the U.S.  Fish and Wildlife Service, Amazon parrots are native to Mexico, the West Indies, and northern South America, while Burrowing Parakeets are local to Chile and Argentina.  All 30-some species of Amazon parrots, as well as the Burrowing Parakeets, are listed on either Appendix I or Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (“CITES”).

    The successful smuggling of undeclared Amazon parrots and Burrowing Parakeets into the U.S. means no quarantine period or process. This would be dangerous to the United States as birds can carry and spread Avian influenza (bird flu), psittacosis, and histoplasmosis. Bird flu is highly contagious and can cause flu like symptoms, respiratory illness, pneumonia and death in humans and other birds including birds in United States poultry farms. Quarantining animals entering the United States is intended to safeguard against this potential disease transmission.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Parker Gardner-Erickson.

    DEFENDANT                                                             Case Number 25mj2712-VET                                 

    Ricardo Alonzo                                               Age: 26                                   San Diego, CA

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Importation Contrary to Law – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 545

    Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine

    INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

    Homeland Security Investigations

    *The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China struggles with persistent heat wave

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    TAIYUAN, May 21 (Xinhua) — A warm front sweeping across northern China has prompted local authorities to sound a high-temperature alert and take measures to secure water supplies and guard against diseases and pests.

    The National Meteorological Center (NMC) issued a yellow alert for high temperatures on Wednesday, warning that temperatures could rise above 40 degrees Celsius in parts of Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan and Hubei provinces. China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red being the highest, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

    This is a critical period for most winter wheat in Shanxi Province, which is at its peak of maturity. During this period, hot, dry winds can disrupt this process and affect the yield of this crop.

    Yuncheng City, one of the province’s major winter wheat producing regions, has taken a series of measures to combat drought and ensure a stable summer grain harvest. Technicians are using UAVs equipped with devices to monitor field conditions, leaf and soil moisture levels, to ensure efficient irrigation.

    Efforts to protect the wheat crop have also been stepped up in Hebei Province. Emergency teams, including students and teachers from China Agricultural University and local agricultural officials, are helping farmers use light-duty spot irrigation techniques to effectively water their crops.

    Shaanxi Province has prepared emergency water supply plans tailored to the current drought and water conditions to ensure safe drinking water for residents. Local authorities are also closely monitoring reservoir levels and optimizing distribution plans.

    The period of high temperatures is expected to be prolonged, intense and widespread, with the current heatwave expected to continue until Thursday, said NMC chief forecaster Chen Tao. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: St. Petersburg International Legal Forum: Vladimir Stroev spoke about training personnel for the modern economy

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On May 20, 2025, the rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev took part in the session “Strategic planning and management of science: normative dimension”, which was held as part of the XIII St. Petersburg International Legal Forum.

    Also participating in the discussion were First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation Petr Serkov, State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Maxim Uvaidov, representatives of scientific and higher educational institutions. The meeting was moderated by Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration for Scientific and Educational Policy Elena Nechaeva.

    The first issue of the meeting was an assessment of the prospects for eliminating barriers to the implementation of research and development results. The rector of the State University of Management noted that for research to be effective, it is important to involve industrial partners in the formation of the scientific agenda and R&D plan in the interests of specific customers, as well as the digitalization of research processes and the introduction of digital platforms for automated reporting.

    Speaking about the practice of conducting research in universities, Vladimir Stroyev spoke about the innovations being implemented at the State University of Management in the scientific sphere and the educational process, which are aimed at solving the problem of achieving technological sovereignty of the country and training personnel for specific industrial partners.

    “Over the past few years, there have been significant changes within the country, including in science and education, as well as in the attitude of business towards interaction with educational organizations. If earlier entrepreneurs preferred to order scientific developments abroad or from private companies, and to select employees directly on the labor market, today they have a different approach. Every week we have one or two meetings with representatives of different levels of business regarding personnel training, scientific and applied developments, which are often associated with the need to repair foreign equipment, develop analogs of parts and other reverse engineering tasks, which our specialists are engaged in,” the rector of the State University of Management noted.

    Vladimir Vitalyevich also emphasized the importance of interaction between universities, which could be facilitated by digital platforms for collaboration. As an example, the rector cited the Design Bureau of the State University of Management, which, thanks to network interaction with design bureaus of other universities, fulfills orders for large corporations.

    Vladimir Stroev named project-based learning, which is successfully implemented at the State University of Management, as another opportunity to unite employers and universities to train the necessary specialists.

    “For three years now, 100% of our students have been participating in project activities, starting from their first year. That is, they are divided into groups and spend 1 day a week developing a project provided by a partner company, under the supervision of a representative of this organization. This is both professional practice and practicing soft skills. Moreover, these projects are posted on a special platform, where they are also purchased. As a result, students not only receive practical skills and a portfolio, but also have a completed project and their first income,” the rector shared.

    In conclusion of his speech, Vladimir Stroyev recalled that the State University of Management was an engineering and economics university until the 1990s and for most of its history trained engineering personnel, something it is returning to today.

    Elena Nechaeva noted that she is ready to come to the State University of Management in the near future “for a more detailed discussion of the practice of university science, because the personnel aspects of the development of science and technology are the foundation of foundations.”

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Counts in Bradfield and Calwell become clearer, while Jacqui Lambie faces a possible problem in the Tasmanian Senate

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

    Counting in several extremely close seats continues, but some results have become clearer. In Liberal-held Bradfield, Teal candidate Nicolette Boele has taken the lead, while the Calwell distribution of preferences indicates an independent is on track to pass the Liberals and benefit from their preferences against Labor. Meanwhile, Jacqui Lambie may have a problem in the Tasmanian Senate contest.

    Labor has won 93 of the 150 House of Representatives seats, the Coalition 43, all Others 12 and two remain undecided (Bradfield and Calwell). After Tuesday’s split between the Liberals and Nationals, the ABC has the Liberals on 28 seats and the Nationals on 15, with the Liberals to form the official opposition.

    The Australian Electoral Commission has 18 Liberals, nine Nationals and 16 seats won by Queensland’s Liberal National Party. LNP members can caucus with either the Liberals or Nationals, so they are splitting 10–6 to the Liberals.

    I will continue to use Coalition in my coverage of this election, as the Liberal and National parties contested the election as the Coalition. It would be difficult to split the LNP vote into its Liberal and National components.

    In the close seats, Boele leads the Liberals by 43 votes in Bradfield. She had trailed by 43 votes before the final votes were counted on Monday. The Poll Bludger said the last 181 formal postals counted favoured Boele by 125–56, giving her 69% of that batch.

    Of the just over 14,000 total formal postal votes counted in Bradfield, the Liberals have won by 56.4–43.6. But late postals are often much better for the left than early ones.

    What’s happening now in Bradfield is a full distribution of preferences, in which candidates are excluded from the bottom up on primary votes. If the margin after this distribution is complete is under 100 votes, there will be an automatic recount.

    In Goldstein, Teal incumbent Zoe Daniel’s late surge has fallen short, as she trails Liberal Tim Wilson by 135 votes with everything counted, in from a 292-vote deficit last Thursday.

    As with Bradfield, there will now be a full distribution of preferences in Goldstein. If the margin after this distribution is under 100 votes, there will be a recount. Daniel could also request a recount, but even if there is a recount, Wilson is very likely to win.

    In Labor-held Calwell, which has 13 candidates, final primary votes were 30.5% Labor, 15.7% Liberals, 11.9% for independent Carly Moore, 10.7% for independent Joseph Youhana, 8.3% for the Greens and 6.9% for independent Samim Moslih.

    The danger for Labor is that either Moore or Youhana overtake the Liberals on the distribution of preferences, then beat Labor at the final count on Liberal preferences. The AEC has a page that is updated with each exclusion in the preference distribution.

    After six exclusions, the totals are 32.8% Labor, 17.1% Liberals, 14.7% Moore, 12.1% Youhana, 9.9% Greens, 7.9% Moslih and 5.6% One Nation (to be excluded next). Analyst Kevin Bonham says Moore needs 7.5% more than the Liberals to make the final two, and 67% of overall preferences to beat Labor. For Youhana, these figures are 13.4% and 69%.

    Lambie may have a problem in the Tasmanian Senate contest

    I have previously covered the Senate count. There have only been minor changes to the primary votes since that May 9 article. The Poll Bludger has modelled the state Senate contests using 2022 election preference flows.

    According to this model, Labor will win the last seat in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, but only narrowly in WA. In Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie and the Liberals would edge out Labor. As I wrote previously, this result would give Labor 30 of the 76 total senators, the Coalition 27, the Greens 11, One Nation two and others six.

    For a state a quota is one-seventh of the vote or 14.3%. In Tasmania Labor has 2.48 quotas, the Liberals 1.65, the Greens 1.13, Jacqui Lambie 0.51, One Nation 0.35 and Legalise Cannabis 0.24. One Nation will be the last exclusion, and whichever of Labor, the Liberals or Lambie is last after One Nation’s preferences are distributed loses.

    There’s evidence that One Nation’s preferences have become better for the Coalition at this election than in 2022. In Capricornia, which had a One Nation primary vote of 15.5%, the LNP share of overall preferences increased nine points since 2022 to 62%.

    Lambie wants the salmon farming industry to stop farming in Macquarie Harbour and says they should move offshore. This stance could cost her preferences from One Nation and other right-aligned parties.

    I expect One Nation and other right-wing preferences in Tasmania to go strongly enough to the Liberals to give the Liberals one of the last two undecided seats, with the final seat between Labor and Lambie.

    Labor is pro-salmon farming, so perhaps Lambie could benefit from Greens and Animal Justice preferences (the Greens have a small surplus over one quota and Animal Justice has 0.09 quotas).

    Tasmanian poll and upper house elections

    A Tasmanian state EMRS poll, conducted May 13–17 from a sample of 1,000, gave Labor 31% of the vote (up one since February), the Liberals 29% (down five), the Greens 14% (up one), the Jacqui Lambie Network 6% (down two), independents 17% (up five) and others 4% (up one).

    Tasmania uses a proportional system for its lower house elections, so a two-party estimate is not applicable. Incumbent Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s net favourability was down four points to +6, while Labor leader Dean Winter’s was down one to +5. Rockliff led Winter by 44–32 as preferred premier (44–34 previously).

    Every May two or three of Tasmania’s 15 upper house seats are up for election for six-year terms. The Poll Bludger said Tuesday that current upper house standings are four Liberals, three Labor, one Green and seven independents. On Saturday there will be elections in Liberal-held Montgomery, Labor-held Pembroke and independent-held Nelson.

    European elections wrap

    I covered Sunday’s European elections in Romania, Portugal and Poland for The Poll Bludger. In Romania the centrist defeated the far-right candidate by 53.6–46.4, but the left had a dismal result in Portugal. I also covered recounts in the April 28 Canadian election and polls ahead of the June 3 South Korean presidential election.

    Adrian Beaumont does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Counts in Bradfield and Calwell become clearer, while Jacqui Lambie faces a possible problem in the Tasmanian Senate – https://theconversation.com/counts-in-bradfield-and-calwell-become-clearer-while-jacqui-lambie-faces-a-possible-problem-in-the-tasmanian-senate-257122

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • PLI scheme for food processing sector creates 2.5 lakh jobs, benefits nine lakh farmers

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Centre’s production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the food processing sector has succeeded in attracting investments to the tune of Rs 7,000 crore and creating over 2.5 lakh jobs so far, according to a senior official of the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).

    “Till date, the ministry has funded almost 1,600 projects leading to the creation of 41 lakh tonnes of food processing capacity and benefiting almost nine lakh farmers,” said Ranjit Singh, joint secretary, MoFPI, in his address at FICCI’s ‘Foodworld India’ event here.

    He pointed out that food processing plays a pivotal role in agricultural diversification, value addition, reduction in post-harvest losses, and creation of surpluses for exports.

    Singh said, “The immense untapped potential of the Indian farm sector highlights the important role that domestic manufacturing can play when adequately supported by enabling government policies. With targeted interventions, this sector can contribute to India becoming self-reliant and a global food basket.”

    He highlighted the food processing sector’s role in enhancing the value of agricultural produce as well as driving favourable demand for Indian products in global markets. “Therefore, to realise its potential, we must continue to upgrade processing, packaging, storage and distribution, so that we’re able to meet both domestic and international standards,” he added.

    Singh further stated that the MoFPI is implementing initiatives, such as Kisan Sampada Yojana, an umbrella scheme to build cold chains, agro-processing clusters, food testing bodies, and support R&D in the sector. The ministry is also running the PM’s formalisation of micro food processing enterprises (PMFME) scheme to promote infrastructure development, innovation and entrepreneurship in the food processing sector across the country.

    He said that these schemes have also helped transform many small companies into medium ones. The PMFME scheme has supported close to two lakh micro enterprises through credit-linked subsidies and infrastructure creation in the last five years. (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin: 7.2 million people took part in the Active Citizen project

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The Active Citizen project has turned 11 years old. Sergei Sobyanin announced this in his blog.

    In 2014, Moscow became a pioneer of digital democracy by creating a project “Active Citizen”. A unique platform gave Muscovites the opportunity to directly influence the development of the best city on Earth.

    “Today, 11 years later, Active Citizen has 7.2 million participants, that is, practically every second resident of Moscow. This is a large-scale community of active citizens who rightfully become full-fledged co-authors of many city projects and transformations. Every month we implement 30-40 decisions supported by Muscovites,” wrote Sergei Sobyanin.

    The project participants make decisions in a variety of areas. Thanks to the voting conducted since 2014, more than two thousand courtyards, streets, parks and embankments have acquired a modern look. New standards for the activities of clinics, libraries and My Documents government service centers have been developed and implemented. More than a million trees and shrubs have been planted on Moscow streets and avenues.

    The capital’s festivals have become more interesting and eventful. Moscow has branded tea and ice cream. More than 130 city objects, including streets, squares and metro stations, have received names. And the baby panda and other pets of the Moscow Zoo, Moskvarium and the City Farm at VDNKh now bear names given to them by city residents.

    Having appeared as a platform for voting, the Active Citizen project has gradually turned into a multifunctional platform where residents can offer their own ideas for improving Moscow, participate in city projects, complete online quests, and learn about various events and news from the life of the capital.

    For active participation in the project, points of the city loyalty program “Million Prizes” are awarded, which residents use to purchase tickets to museums, excursions and exhibitions, souvenirs with project logos or to top up the “Troika” card. If desired, the earned points can be sent to charitable foundations and public organizations (one point is equal to one ruble). Last year alone, donations from participants in city electronic projects amounted to more than 71 million points/rubles.

    In 2025, the online platform “Active Citizen for Children” was launched, created specifically for young Muscovites aged at least six and under 14 years. Now, not only adults can decide what the capital will be like, but also children. The platform invites children to an exciting world of quizzes, games, comics and video stories that introduce children to Moscow and tell about the capital’s initiatives and achievements.

    “Active Citizen” is an excellent example of how, with the right approach, digital technologies can become an effective tool for interaction between the government and society, where the opinion of each person matters, and active participation in the life of the city brings real benefits to everyone,” added Sergei Sobyanin.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12762050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Introduces Legislation to Help Cattlemen Defend Livestock from Vultures

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Eric Schmitt (R-MO) to reintroduce the Black Vulture Relief Act to allow farmers and producers to protect their newborn livestock from black vultures without burdensome government interference. The legislation would remove the current requirement that farmers and cattlemen first obtain a sub-permit before shooting vultures.  Vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA)—meaning permission from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is needed to remove them, despite growing population numbers. Currently, Alabama cattlemen who receive sub-permits can only shoot up to three black vultures until the state’s total 500 bird limit is reached—even though attacks routinely come from more than 20 vultures at a time. It’s estimated that cattlemen lose an average of $2,000 per calf lost.
    “Alabama’s cattlemen work hard to feed our communities and shouldn’t have to jump through a bunch of hoops just to protect their herds,” said Senator Tuberville. “Adjusting these sub-permit requirements that are based on outdated data is just one more commonsense way we can support our cattlemen and help them keep more of their hard-earned dollars. I’ll continue using the feedback from Alabama’s agriculture community to guide my work here in D.C.”
    BACKGROUND:
    Over the past several decades, black vultures’ expanding population has led to an additional burdensome and costly strain on livestock producers due to increased livestock depredation by these birds. Black vultures are most prevalent in the Southeast and Midwest but have been spotted as far north as New York and Michigan and as far west as Arizona. Black vultures, often in flocks of more than 20 , brutally attack and eat newborn calves, lambs, goat kids, and piglets. These attacks are gruesome, lasting an average of 3.5 hours as the vultures eat the animal alive. They will also attack/injure female adults during or after birth when they are more vulnerable. In 2015, vultures caused 24,600 calf deaths, accounting for 10% of all calf deaths due to predators.
    Vultures were the third leading cause of calf deaths due to predators, only behind coyotes and unknown predators. This number has undoubtedly increased in recent years as black vulture populations have increased. According to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Breeding Bird Survey, the black vulture population has increased by approximately 468% since 1990. In 2016, the North American Bird Conservation Initiative rated black vultures as a species of lowest conservation concern, indicating “a widespread, relatively secure species.” Despite the bird’s robust population, the black vulture is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA) making it illegal to take one without obtaining a depredation permit. For black vultures, FWS issues master permits to states who then issue sub-permits to ranchers.
    Sub-permittees are limited to 3-10 black vulture takes annually, depending on the state. This take limit is the main roadblock that farmers and ranchers face to protect their livestock. From 2015-2019, requests to FWS for depredation permits for take of black vultures increased by 26%. Black vulture cattle depredation has been confirmed in 18 states and is expected to grow due to the bird’s expanding population range from the southeastern and midwestern regions toward the north.
    MORE:
    Tuberville, Cotton Take Action to Allow Farmers to Protect Catfish from Predatory Birds
    Tuberville, Cruz Introduce Legislation to Protect American Fishermen from Cartels
    Tuberville, Crapo Introduce Legislation to Level Playing Field for Alabama Sporting Equipment Businesses
    Tuberville, Cornyn Introduce Bill to Help Farmers Impacted by Feral Swine
    Tuberville Introduces Legislation to Support Domestic Beekeepers and Honey Producers
    Tuberville Introduces Bill To Put American Farmers and Producers First
    Tuberville, Daines Fight for Outdoorsmen Across the Country
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: How a farmer – participant of the fair in Mitino helps SVO fighters

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Participants of Moscow fairs continue to help fighters of the special military operation (SVO). Among those who are not indifferent is farmer Anatoly, who brings honey and other bee products from his nomadic family apiary to the fair in Mitino.

    Even as a child, from the age of 10, he always helped his elders in the family business. Anatoly is a representative of the fourth generation of beekeepers in the family from the Semenovka farm in the Rostov region. When a special military operation began and his fellow villagers went to the front line, he had only one question: how to support them. The man believes that you just need to help others, and there is no need to talk about it.

    “We regularly donate our honey and, together with other villagers, chip in money when needed. They use it to buy construction materials for trenches and household items that the soldiers need. My father’s friends take care of organizational issues, and our family simply tries to always respond when help is needed,” the farmer shared.

    The capital’s fairs feature products from more than 40 regions of Russia. Each supplier guarantees the quality and freshness of the goods, and specialists Veterinary Committee of the City of Moscow check the products before sending them to the shelves.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154096073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace slams Federated Farmers over ‘selfish’ behaviour on climate

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace says that Federated Farmers’ intent to ‘go to battle’ over methane targets is yet another example of the agri-business lobby group’s selfish approach to life on our collective home.
    Federated Farmers, Beef + Lamb and Dairy NZ have been pushing for methane targets aligned with ‘no additional warming’ – an approach that has been harshly criticised by climate scientists, the Climate Commission and the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
    Greenpeace spokesperson Amanda Larsson says “The New Zealand dairy industry is the country’s worst climate polluter. The oversized dairy herd is cooking the climate with superheating methane emissions, yet agri-industry lobby groups refuse to play their part in tackling the climate crisis, instead leaving it to the rest of us to clean up their mess.
    “Yet again, Federated Farmers are attempting to convince us that they are the exception to the rule. But this new concept they’re promoting – no additional warming – is not based on science. They’ve simply come up with a way to count emissions differently so that they can justify doing less.”
    Methane emissions are responsible for a third of global heating to date, and the agricultural industry is the single biggest source. Those emissions are rising faster than at any other time in history.
    “The consequence of the livestock industry selfishly absconding their climate responsibility is that everyone else has to pick up the slack. Or, alternatively, that we all suffer the consequences of more floods, storms, fires and droughts. All of which affect frontline farming communities first,” says Larsson.
    Greenpeace says the key flaw in no additional warming is that it ignores the historic pollution caused by intensive livestock farming.
    “It’s a bit like expecting your mortgage to magically be written off. The catch is that your debt still exists, it’s just that someone else will have to pay for it. Ignoring the historic methane emissions from agriculture won’t make that pollution – or its warming impact – go away.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 05.20.2025 Sen. Cruz’s ‘No Tax on Tips’ Legislation Passes Senate

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued a statement following the passing of his No Tax on Tips Act in the U.S. Senate with a vote of 100-0. This bipartisan legislation will exempt tips from being subject to taxation under the federal income tax.
    Sen. Cruz said, “President Trump made a promise to the American people that he would eliminate taxes on tips. In Congress, I formed a bipartisan, bicameral coalition to get that done, and in the Senate introduced the No Tax on Tips Act. Today, I went with Senator Rosen to the floor to secure Senate passage of the bill. This legislation will have a lasting impact on millions of Americans by protecting the hard-earned dollars of blue-collar workers, the very people who are living paycheck-to-paycheck. I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this important bill and send it to the President’s desk to be signed into law.”
    BACKGROUND
    The bill exempts “cash tips”—cash, credit and debit card charges, and checks—from federal income tax by allowing taxpayers to claim a 100% deduction at filing for tipped wages. The updated text includes guardrails to ensure only traditionally tipped employees will benefit from No Tax on Tips.
    Read the bill text here.
    Sen. Cruz has consistently prioritized tax cuts and job access:
    Sen. Cruz helped enact historic tax reform in 2017, which gave a tax cut to virtually every taxpayer in America. It reduced taxes on small businesses, farmers, ranchers, and job producers, which has helped bring jobs to Texas.
    He has fought to make permanent the 2017 historic tax cuts for individuals.
    Sen. Cruz also helped pass the USMCA trade agreement, which was signed by President Trump, a decisive victory for Texas farmers, ranchers, businesses, and manufacturers.
    For his efforts to support Texas businesses large and small, Sen. Cruz received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious “Spirit of Enterprise” award.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What’s the difference between skim milk and light milk?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Margaret Murray, Senior Lecturer, Nutrition, Swinburne University of Technology

    bodnar.photo/Shutterstock

    If you’re browsing the supermarket fridge for reduced-fat milk, it’s easy to be confused by the many different types.

    You can find options labelled skim, skimmed, skinny, no fat, extra light, lite, light, low fat, reduced fat, semi skim and HiLo (high calcium, low fat).

    So what’s the difference between two of these common milks – skim milk and light milk? How are they made? And which one’s healthier?

    What do they contain?

    Skim milk

    In Australia and New Zealand, skim milk is defined as milk that contains no more than 1.5% milk fat and has at least 3% protein. On the nutrition information panel this looks like less than 1.5 grams of fat and at least 3g protein per 100 millilitres of milk.

    But the fat content of skim milk can be as low as 0.1% or 0.1g per 100mL.

    Light milk

    Light milk is sometimes spelled “lite” but they’re essentially the same thing.

    While light milk is not specifically defined in Australia and New Zealand, the term “light” is defined for food generally. If we apply the rules to milk, we can say light milk must contain no more than 2.4% fat (2.4g fat per 100mL).

    In other words, light milk contains more fat than skim milk.

    You can find the fat content by reading the “total fat per 100mL” on the label’s nutrition information panel.

    How about other nutrients?

    The main nutritional difference between skim milk and light milk, apart from the fat content, is the energy content.

    Skim milk provides about 150 kilojoules of energy per 100mL whereas light milk provides about 220kJ per 100mL.

    Any milk sold as cow’s milk must contain at least 3% protein (3g protein per 100mL of milk). That includes skim or light milk. So there’s typically not much difference there.

    Likewise, the calcium content doesn’t differ much between skim milk and light milk. It is typically about 114 milligrams to 120mg per 100mL.

    You can check these and other details on the label’s nutrition information panel.

    How are they made?

    Skim milk and light milk are not made by watering down full-cream milk.

    Instead, full-cream milk is spun at high speeds in a device called a centrifuge. This causes the fat to separate and be removed, leaving behind milk containing less fat.

    Here’s how fat is removed to produce skim and light milk.

    Who should be drinking what?

    Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend we drink mostly reduced-fat milk – that is, milk containing no more than 2.4g fat per 100mL. Skim milk and light milk are both included in that category.

    The exception is for children under two years old, who are recommended full-cream milk to meet their growing needs.

    The reason our current guidelines recommend reduced-fat milk is that, since the 1970s, reduced-fat milk has been thought to help with reducing body weight and reducing the risk of heart disease. That’s because of its lower content of saturated fat and energy (kilojoules/calories) than full cream milk.

    However, more recent evidence has shown drinking full-cream milk is not associated with weight gain or health risks. In fact, eating or drinking dairy products of any type may help reduce the risk of obesity and other metabolic disorders (such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes), especially in children and adolescents.

    The science in this area continues to evolve. So the debate around whether there are health benefits to choosing reduced-fat milk over full cream milk is ongoing.

    Whether or not there any individual health benefits from choosing skim milk or light milk over full cream will vary depending on your current health status and broader dietary habits.

    For personalised health and dietary advice, speak to a health professional.

    Margaret Murray does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. What’s the difference between skim milk and light milk? – https://theconversation.com/whats-the-difference-between-skim-milk-and-light-milk-255608

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Marshall and Warner Reintroduce Bill to Improve Seniors’ Access to Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) and U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-Virginia) today reintroduced the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act – bipartisan, zero-cost legislation to improve access to care for seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. The bill focuses on streamlining the often cumbersome and time-consuming prior authorization process, ultimately allowing healthcare providers to spend more time on patient care rather than administrative burdens.
    This legislation would help physicians better serve and improve care for the 32.8 million Americans – including the over 196,000 Kansans – enrolled in an MA plan.
    “Prior authorization is the number one administrative burden facing physicians today across all specialties,” Senator Marshall said. “As a physician, I understand the frustration this arbitrary process is causing health care practices across the country and the headaches it creates for our nurses. With the bipartisan, bicameral Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, we will streamline prior authorization and help improve patient outcomes and access to quality care.”
    “Our seniors deserve high-quality care delivered in a timely fashion. I am proud to introduce this legislation that takes commonsense steps to modernize the prior authorization process, cutting through red tape, streamlining approvals, and making sure our health care providers are focused on what really matters — supporting their patients,” Senator Warner said.
    Joining Senators Marshall and Warner are U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-New Hampshire), John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana),  Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), Alex Padilla (D-California), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Andy Kim (D-New Jersey), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Patty Murray (D-Washington), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada), Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) and Chris Coons (D-Delaware).
    “Too often, seniors face unnecessarily complicated and burdensome prior authorization processes that can become a barrier to receiving care,” Senator Hassan said. “This bipartisan legislation is a commonsense way to support seniors on Medicare Advantage in accessing care, and to help health care providers focus on their patients instead of paperwork.”
    “Prior authorization places more importance on process than patients. As a doctor, I want that to change. Let’s make sure seniors are receiving timely care,” Senator Cassidy said. 
    “Too often, seniors have to wait to receive vital care because of administrative burdens like prior authorization. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, which will streamline prior authorization and reduce unnecessary health care delays,” Senator Capito said.
    “Seniors across the Cowboy State rely on Medicare, but too often, bureaucratic red tape gets in the way of timely care,” Senator Lummis said. “I am proud to join my colleagues across the aisle to streamline the prior authorization process and put patients over paperwork.”
    “Excessive administrative burdens within the Medicare Advantage program means too many seniors receive delayed benefits, while our health care providers are overwhelmed by paperwork. The current system isn’t working well for anyone, and it’s time we take meaningful action to fix it. This commonsense legislation is a necessary step in the right direction,” Senator Hyde-Smith said.
    “Health care providers handling mountains of paperwork takes up valuable time and can unnecessarily delay older folks’ access to the crucial care they need,” Senator Kaine said. “I’m proud to champion this bipartisan legislation to modernize and streamline health care processes to ensure that Americans covered by Medicare Advantage can more swiftly access care and empower health care providers to direct more of their time to their patients.”
    “Quality, expedited medical care should always be within reach for seniors, and our providers deserve a system that helps them focus on delivering it,” Senator Boozman said. “I’m pleased to join this bipartisan effort to end the inefficient process that delays Medicare Advantage beneficiaries’ evaluations and treatments while removing an unnecessary, bureaucratic burden on clinicians.”
    “Doctors and health care providers are too often bogged down by unnecessary burdens, which can lead to delayed care and negative outcomes for patients,”Senator Cornyn said. “By streamlining the prior authorization process under Medicare Advantage, this legislation would cut red tape, improve enrollee experiences, and ensure seniors receive the timely care they deserve.”
    “Improving the prior authorization process will help seniors have quicker access to the health care they need and remove administrative hurdles for physicians,” Senator Moran said. “This legislation would make commonsense changes to better support thousands of seniors in Kansas and remove the red tape that is costing doctors and patients valuable time.”
    “Senior citizens have spent their entire lives contributing to our communities, and they deserve every resource to support their health and well-being,” Senator Gillibrand said. “The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act will help cut through unnecessary red tape and ensure timely medical care is accessible to older Americans. Seniors should have reliable access to specialist care, mental health support, preventative services, and the treatments they need to live with dignity. I am proud to support this important legislation, and I pledge to continue fighting to expand access to quality, affordable, and timely health care for our seniors.” 
    “Seniors with Medicare Advantage plans should not have to endure unnecessary delays when seeking medical treatment, and sometimes even life-saving care,” Senator Hirono said. “This legislation will help to reduce these arbitrary waiting periods, streamlining prior authorization processes to ensure that health care providers can treat and care for their patients in an efficient manner.”
    “North Carolina seniors shouldn’t face unnecessary delays when trying to access the care they need through Medicare Advantage,” Senator Tillis said. “I’m proud to support this bipartisan, commonsense legislation that streamlines the prior authorization process, cuts red tape for providers, and ensures patients get timely access to treatment.”
    U.S. Representatives John Joyce, M.D. (R-Pennsylvania-13), Mike Kelly (R-Pennsylvania-16), Suzan DelBene (D-Washington-01), and Ami Bera, M.D. (D-California-06) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
    This legislation is supported by the Better Medicare Alliance, Humana, and 138 other health care organizations.
    “Prior authorization helps keep health care costs low and ensures seniors are getting the most appropriate care. But the process should be easier. The changes put forth in this legislation are long overdue and will help ensure seniors can get the care they need without delay,” Mary Beth Donahue, President and CEO of Better Medicare Alliance, said. “We are proud to support this bill and thank Senators Marshall and Warner, and Representatives Kelly, DelBene, Bera, and Joyce for their leadership. We look forward to continued work on this issue with Congress and the Administration.”
    “Humana’s job is to ensure our members have access to high quality, affordable healthcare.  We support efforts in the House and Senate to move the Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act forward quickly,” Jim Rechtin, Humana CEO, said. “It is a common-sense approach to making healthcare easier by modernizing the prior authorization process.”
    Background:

    Prior authorization is a tool used by health plans to reduce unnecessary care by requiring health care providers to get pre-approval for medical services. However, the current system often results in multiple faxes or phone calls by clinicians, which takes precious time away from delivering care.
    Prior authorization continues to be the number-one administrative burden identified by health care providers, and nearly three out of four Medicare Advantage enrollees are subject to unnecessary delays due to the practice.
    The bill would codify and enhance elements of the Advancing Interoperability and Improving Prior Authorization Processes (e-PA) rule that was finalized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on January 17, 2024.
    Last Congress, the bill was supported by a super majority of members in the Senate (60) and a majority in the House (232), and was unanimously passed by the House in 2022.
    In 2018, the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) raised concerns after an audit revealed that Medicare Advantage plans ultimately approved 75% of requests that were originally denied.
    In 2022, the HHS Office of Inspector General released a report finding that MA plans incorrectly denied beneficiaries’ access to services even though they met Medicare coverage rules.

    The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act would:

    Establish an electronic prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage plans, including a standardization for transactions and clinical attachments.
    Increase transparency around Medicare Advantage prior authorization requirements and their use.
    Clarify HHS’ authority to establish timeframes for e-prior authorization requests, including expedited determinations, real-time decisions for routinely approved items and services, and other prior authorization requests.
    Expand beneficiary protections to improve enrollee experiences and outcomes.
    Require HHS and other agencies to report to Congress on program integrity efforts and other ways to further improve the e-prior authorization process.
    Result in a zero cost to American taxpayers.

    The full text of the legislation can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock Encourages Atlanta Business, Civic Leaders to Continue Putting Service Over Self in Remarks to Rotary Club of Atlanta

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Senator Reverend Warnock Encourages Atlanta Business, Civic Leaders to Continue Putting Service Over Self in Remarks to Rotary Club of Atlanta

    Senator Reverend Warnock encouraged over 100 Georgia business and civic leaders to continue living out their motto of “service above self” in this moment of political and economic uncertainty
    The Georgia Rotarians held a luncheon at the Loudermilk Center in Atlanta, Georgia, including leaders and representatives from various non-profit and small business leaders across the Atlanta region
    Established in 1913, the Rotary Club of Atlanta has grown to be one of the most influential business and civic clubs in the world
    ICYMI from Saporta Report: U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock: ‘Uncertainty is never a friend of business’
    Watch Senator Reverend Warnock’s remarks to the Rotary Club of Atlanta HERE
    Atlanta, GA – In remarks to the Rotary Club of Atlanta yesterday, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA)encouraged over 100 Georgia business and civic leaders to continue living out their motto of “service above self” in this moment of political and economic uncertainty. 
    “As an alum of Head Start, as an alum of Upward Bound, another federal program called Trio that put a kid in housing projects on a college campus every summer so that I could know that I belonged there, as someone who’s been a beneficiary of Pell grants and low-interest student loans. I’m fighting for that kid on Cape Street, and every variation of that kid in rural communities all across our state. And so in this moral moment, I hope that we will recommit ourselves to standing in the best of the Rotarian spirit of service over self. It’s the reason why I’m deeply concerned about much of what is happening right now. I am worried about our country,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. 
    The Georgia Rotarians held a luncheon at the Loudermilk Center in Atlanta, Georgia, including leaders and representatives from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Metro Chamber, YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Ideas United, and various non-profit and small business leaders representing industries across the Atlanta region. 
    Above: Senator Reverend Warnock greeting constituents and local business and civic leaders
    After greeting constituents, the Senator was recognized by the Club’s Board Chair John Yates with a personalized poem he authored highlighting Senator Warnock’s commitment to service for all Georgians. The Senator was introduced by Program Chair and CEO of Ideas United David Roemer ahead of his keynote remarks, where the Senator discussed the detrimental effects of policy unpredictability on businesses and his concerns about tariffs impacts on Georgia small businesses and consumers. Senator Warnock encouraged business leaders to advocate for common-sense leadership and to be unafraid in using their voices to call out the danger and damage Washington politicians pose to Georgia workers and families. 
    “Like many of you, I’m very concerned about these tariffs. I haven’t met anybody yet who’s excited about it. I talked to business leaders. They are worried. I was down in my hometown of Savannah, Georgia a couple of weeks ago meeting with leaders at the port. […] And while there I was talking to leaders and farmers and small businesses, and they feel the uncertainty. One gentleman involved with beekeeping and honey paid more than $25,000 in tariffs on his last import. He’s a small business owner. He doesn’t get to just move something around and be okay for the next quarter. He could lose his business. He does not know what he is going to do. He does not want to pass that cost on to the consumer, but understandably, he does not want to eat those costs himself. We’re hearing stories like that across Metro Atlanta, where business owners and leaders are left scratching their heads because the math ain’t mathing,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. 
    “They cannot plan in this uncertain, unpredictable environment. […] And so this is such an important moment for business leaders to stand up, to raise your voices, to use your influence in the ways that you can. Now, I’m not naive. I know that when you’re running a business, you want to stay as far from politics as you can. I don’t blame you. But there comes a moment when that which is so fundamental to opportunity and possibility is at stake that we have to raise our voices. We have to use our influence in the same way to stand up and fight for tax cuts, stand up and fight for immigration policy that makes good business sense,” Senator Reverend Warnock continued. 
    Above: Senator Reverend Warnock gives remarks to the Rotary Club of Atlanta
    Additionally, Senator Warnock reflected on his new report that uplifts the success of the clean energy tax credits he helped put into law and propelled Georgia to the forefront of our nation’s clean energy economy, but which are now under threat as Washington Republicans seek to scale back these clean energy jobs and investments. 
    “According to my report, in Georgia, nearly all the new [clean energy] investments and the new jobs are in counties outside of Metro Atlanta. Nationwide analyzes show that the vast majority of projects announced following the passage of these clean energy tax credits. Over three and four projects have gone to House districts currently held by Republicans. But this is especially true in Georgia. […] This is good news for Georgia, and to undermine it does not make good sense, it’s hard to defend that. The data is clear, and so my colleagues have a decision to make about who they will fight for and what they believe in. Who will they support? But this I do know: uncertainty is never a friend of business, right? It’s hard to know where they invest. You’re not certain about what’s going to happen along the supply chain, it’s hard to know that you should continue to lean in and invest in a clean energy future in Georgia if the Congress can simply undo two years later what it decided to do two years ago, right at the moment that we’re beginning to make progress,”said Senator Reverend Warnock. 
    Above: Senator Reverend Warnock participates in a fireside chat with Program Chair and Ideas United CEO David Roemer
    Following his remarks, the Senator participated in a fireside chat conversation with David Roemer and fielded questions from members of the Rotary Club of Atlanta. Senator Warnock closed by reiterating his service to all Georgians is rooted in his mission to see America win by making sure every child has a chance, and the next kid growing up in public housing or relying on low-interest loans for an education knows that anything is possible in America. 
    “It’s our job to tell our children that in America anything is possible,” Senator Reverend Warnock said in closing. 

    MIL OSI USA News –