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Category: Agriculture

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Phillips 66 Provides Statement of Critical Facts

    Source: Phillips

    Provides Clarity on Important Topics where Elliott Has Sought to Mislead Investors
    Reiterates Strength of Company’s Transformative Strategy and the Valuable Skills of Phillips 66’s Board and Nominees in Contrast to Elliott’s Risky, Misleading Analysis and Conflicted Nominees
    Phillips 66 Urges Shareholders to Vote “FOR” ONLY Phillips 66’s Nominees on the WHITE Proxy Card

    HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX) today provided investors with important information to make fully informed voting decisions at the Phillips 66 Annual Meeting on May 21, 2025. This overview is intended to ensure investors understand the facts on these critical topics as they assess how to cast their upcoming vote.
    Reliable, Long-Term Value Creation
    Since Mark Lashier became President & CEO, Phillips 66 outperformed against relevant benchmarks,delivering total shareholder returns of 67%(compared to the S&P 500 Energy at 45%, and our Synthetic Proxy Peer Median1 at 42%).2
    In under 3 years, the Companyreturned over$14 billion to shareholdersthrough share repurchases and dividends. We grew our dividend at a 15% CAGR since the spinoff3in 2012, and our annual dividend paidincreased every year.
    While the Board recognizes the reliable returns we have provided for our shareholders,we are never satisfied and continuously review our portfolio with a sharp focus on long-term value creation.
    Investors and analysts recognize the long-term potential inherent in the execution of our transformational strategy, which is in its early innings:
    “PSX remains a Large Cap refining top pick. PSX’s management team is focused on delivering growth at attractive returns, and further diversification and improvements to refining uptime might combine to restore PSX’s premium positioning. We are Overweight rated.” (Wells Fargo (4/25/2025))4
    Effective Board Governance
    Elliott helped to select Bob Pease and he has proven to be a constructive challenger in the boardroom. As Bob has directly stated, he supports the Board because it is actively working to get to the right answer, not protecting any individual’s interests.
    The Phillips 66 Board has demonstrated an ability to consistently refresh the boardroom. To ensure fresh and independent viewpoints, we have added five new independent directors in the past four years and two new nominees stand for election at this year’s Annual Meeting.
    Our directors and nominees have unparallelled experience taking decisive and transformative action when it makes sense, and together they have overseen more than $300 B in breakup or major divestiture transactions.
    “[Mark Lashier] stressed that the board has taken a look at strategic options in the past and continues to do so regularly. As such, questions surrounding the makeup of the portfolio have been asked inside the boardroom. And answered. He also added there are plenty of folks in the boardroom who have been involved in spinoffs elsewhere and they’d be the kind of people who’d be raising their hand if they thought this one made sense. Lastly, he pointed out that “incredible dis-synergies” and “massive tax burdens” would come from midstream monetization. In today’s deck, PSX claims these costs could amount to $28/share.”(Gordon Haskett (4/28/2025))4
    Elliott’s Flawed Thesis to Separate Midstream and Sell CPChem
    The Board has absolutely evaluated a breakup of Midstream and sale of CPChem, and following meaningful consideration, came to the conclusion that neither action is in the best interest of long-term shareholders at this time.
    Simply put, Elliott’s analysis is based on speculative analysis and flawed assumptions:
    Elliott’s $50 billion Midstream analysis ignores or significantly underestimates tax leakage, dis-synergies, buying power of potential buyers, among other factors that would destroy value uplift in a sale and/or spin scenario.
    Elliott’s valuation of CPChem has appreciated by 50% to $15 billion since 2023, while Chemical peers have traded down 19%5during the same time frame.
    We have carefully evaluated and disclosed important details around Elliott’s flawed analysis in our recent investor presentation, which outlines the facts around the costs and risks of a CPChem sale or Midstream spin and the long-term value of the integrated business.

    We know the market recognizes Elliott’s analysis is based on speculative valuations and flawed assumptions:
    “Sale of companies may not work as: 1) buyers for these large assets are limited, 2) tax leakage could be high, 3) standalone Refining multiple may suffer (PSX is trading at a premium to MPC on standalone Refining).” (Citi (3/14/2025))4
    “We believe selling CPChem ahead of two large projects coming online and close to the bottom of the margin cycle may not be the right idea.” (Citi (2/13/2025)) 4
    Refining Performance
    Refining performance has been improving meaningfully, and we remain committed to continuously increasing margins in our Refining business.
    As a result of optimizing our integrated value chain and cost reduction efforts, our R&M EBITDA outperforms our core peer group by $2.80 per barrel6in the Central Corridor and is in-line globally.
    Between 2022 and 2024, Phillips 66 reduced refining adjusted controllable costs by $1.08 per barrel7, a 15% improvement and 44% above our original $0.75 per barrel target. These results surpassed both Marathon and Valero’s respective cost improvements over the same period.7
    By 2027, we aim to further reduce refining adjusted controllable costs from $5.90 to $5.50 per barrel.8We expect that every $0.50 per barrel of cost reduction will improve adjusted EBITDA by roughly $315 million.9
    We know the market sees the progress we are making:
    “[We] recently analyzed PSX refining EBITDA per barrel on a like-for-like basis with peers, adjusting for Marketing, Midstream, and turnaround accounting. We found that PSX performs in-line with peers based on our analysis … This is better than the consensus view that PSX refining earnings lags peers.” (TD Cowen (4/27/2025)) 4
    “Management highlighted the completion of its large turnaround program, which should support improved refining earnings through the remainder of the year. We note the company remains focused on improving operational execution and yields across its refining footprint though accretive capital investments.” (Goldman Sachs (5/1/2025)) 4
    The Risk of Elliott’s Nominees
    Elliott’s nominees, who have histories of value destruction, pose a risk to shareholders’ investments and have redundant experience relative to our more qualified nominees.
    Sigmund Cornelius and Brian Coffman both hold concerning and poorly disclosed ties to Elliott and Gregory Goff (CEO of Amber Energy, an Elliott portfolio company, who is pursuing an acquisition of CITGO, our direct competitor), creating serious questions about their ability to act in the best interests of all Phillips 66 shareholders.
    There are serious questions about Elliott’s expectation of director loyalty. Elliott’s attempt to replace Bob Pease while denying Phillips 66 access to interview and evaluate its nominees is a clear testament to the activist’s expectation of loyalty rather than true independence.
    Phillips 66 Has the Right Nominees
    John Lowe has over 30 years of experience in the energy sector and has created tangible value both in his executive and board positions at publicly traded energy companies.
    Bob Pease, who we appointed with support from Elliott, has extensive refining and commercial experience from his over 39-year career, and his leadership overseeing major corporate transformations has made him a highly effective Director.
    Nigel Hearne has substantial international upstream and downstream operating experience and will provide valuable refining operations and HS&E expertise.
    Howard Ungerleider holds over 30 years of chemicals leadership experience and oversaw the financial complexities of one of the largest and most complex mergers and spin-off transactions in recent history as CFO of DowDuPont.
    Your Vote Matters
    Phillips 66’s Board of Directors urges shareholders to use only the WHITE proxy card to vote:
    “FOR” all four of the candidates proposed by the Company and not Elliott’s four nominees;
    “FOR” management’s proposal to approve the declassification of the Board of Directors; and
    “AGAINST” Elliott’s proposal requiring annual director resignations, which implementing would violate Delaware law and put your Board at significant legal and reputational risk
    The Board strongly recommends that shareholders safeguard their investment in Phillips 66 by casting their vote as soon as possible, regardless of plans to attend the Annual Meeting virtually on May 21, 2025.
    Shareholders may receive materials from Elliott Management that say “gold proxy card” or “gold voting instructions” or similar. Phillips 66 recommends that shareholders DISCARD any Gold voting materials they may receive from Elliott. Shareholders may cancel out any vote made using a Gold proxy card by voting again TODAY using the Company’s WHITE proxy card. Only the latest-dated vote will count.
    About Phillips 66
    Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) is a leading integrated downstream energy provider that manufactures, transports and markets products that drive the global economy. The company’s portfolio includes Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, Marketing and Specialties, and Renewable Fuels businesses. Headquartered in Houston, Phillips 66 has employees around the globe who are committed to safely and reliably providing energy and improving lives while pursuing a lower-carbon future. For more information, visit phillips66.com or follow @Phillips66Co on LinkedIn.
    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws relating to Phillips 66’s operations, strategy and performance. Words such as “anticipated,” “committed,” “estimated,” “expected,” “planned,” “scheduled,” “targeted,” “believe,” “continue,” “intend,” “will,” “would,” “objective,” “goal,” “project,” “efforts,” “strategies” and similar expressions that convey the prospective nature of events or outcomes generally indicate forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on management’s expectations, estimates and projections as of the date they are made. These statements are not guarantees of future events or performance, and you should not unduly rely on them as they involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include: changes in governmental policies or laws that relate to our operations, including regulations that seek to limit or restrict refining, marketing and midstream operations or regulate profits, pricing, or taxation of our products or feedstocks, or other regulations that restrict feedstock imports or product exports; our ability to timely obtain or maintain permits necessary for projects; fluctuations in NGL, crude oil, refined petroleum, renewable fuels and natural gas prices, and refining, marketing and petrochemical margins; the effects of any widespread public health crisis and its negative impact on commercial activity and demand for refined petroleum or renewable fuels products; changes to worldwide government policies relating to renewable fuels and greenhouse gas emissions that adversely affect programs including the renewable fuel standards program, low carbon fuel standards and tax credits for renewable fuels; potential liability from pending or future litigation; liability for remedial actions, including removal and reclamation obligations under existing or future environmental regulations; unexpected changes in costs for constructing, modifying or operating our facilities; our ability to successfully complete, or any material delay in the completion of, any asset disposition, acquisition, shutdown or conversion that we have announced or may pursue, including receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals or permits related thereto; unexpected difficulties in manufacturing, refining or transporting our products; the level and success of drilling and production volumes around our midstream assets; risks and uncertainties with respect to the actions of actual or potential competitive suppliers and transporters of refined petroleum products, renewable fuels or specialty products; lack of, or disruptions in, adequate and reliable transportation for our products; failure to complete construction of capital projects on time or within budget; our ability to comply with governmental regulations or make capital expenditures to maintain compliance with laws; limited access to capital or significantly higher cost of capital related to illiquidity or uncertainty in the domestic or international financial markets, which may also impact our ability to repurchase shares and declare and pay dividends; potential disruption of our operations due to accidents, weather events, including as a result of climate change, acts of terrorism or cyberattacks; general domestic and international economic and political developments, including armed hostilities (such as the Russia-Ukraine war), expropriation of assets, and other diplomatic developments; international monetary conditions and exchange controls; changes in estimates or projections used to assess fair value of intangible assets, goodwill and property and equipment and/or strategic decisions with respect to our asset portfolio that cause impairment charges; investments required, or reduced demand for products, as a result of environmental rules and regulations; changes in tax, environmental and other laws and regulations (including alternative energy mandates); political and societal concerns about climate change that could result in changes to our business or increase expenditures, including litigation-related expenses; the operation, financing and distribution decisions of equity affiliates we do not control; and other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting Phillips 66’s businesses generally as set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Phillips 66 is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
    Additional Information
    On April 8, 2025, Phillips 66 filed a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “Proxy Statement”) and accompanying WHITE proxy card with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”) and its solicitation of proxies for Phillips 66’s director nominees and for other matters to be voted on. This communication is not a substitute for the Proxy Statement or any other document that Phillips 66 has filed or may file with the SEC in connection with any solicitation by Phillips 66. PHILLIPS 66 SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT (AND ANY AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ACCOMPANYING WHITE PROXY CARD AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT SOLICITATION MATERIALS FILED WITH THE SEC AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Shareholders may obtain copies of the Proxy Statement, any amendments or supplements to the Proxy Statement and other documents (including the WHITE proxy card) filed by Phillips 66 with the SEC without charge from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed by Phillips 66 with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge at Phillips 66’s investor relations website at https://investor.phillips66.com or upon written request sent to Phillips 66, 2331 CityWest Boulevard, Houston, TX 77042, Attention: Investor Relations.
    Certain Information Regarding Participants
    Phillips 66, its directors, its director nominees and certain of its executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in connection with the solicitation of proxies from Phillips 66 shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the 2025 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the names of such persons and their respective interests in Phillips 66, by securities holdings or otherwise, is available in the Proxy Statement, which was filed with the SEC on April 8, 2025, including in the sections captioned “Beneficial Ownership of Phillips 66 Securities” and “Appendix C: Supplemental Information Regarding Participants in the Solicitation.” To the extent that Phillips 66’s directors and executive officers who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation have acquired or disposed of securities holdings since the applicable “as of” date disclosed in the Proxy Statement, such transactions have been or will be reflected on Statements of Changes in Ownership of Securities on Form 4 or Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 3 filed with the SEC. These documents are or will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
    Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information
    Non-GAAP Measures—This news release includes non-GAAP financial measures, including, “adjusted EBITDA” and “refining adjusted controllable costs.” These are non-GAAP financial measures that are included to help facilitate comparisons of operating performance across periods and to help facilitate comparisons with other companies in our industry. Where applicable, these measures exclude items that do not reflect the core operating results of our businesses in the current period or other adjustments to reflect how management analyzes results. Reconciliations to, or further discussion of, the most comparable GAAP financial measures can be found within or at the end of the news release materials.
    This news release also includes forward-looking non-GAAP financial measure estimates such as, but not limited to “adjusted EBITDA” and “refining adjusted controllable costs” which, as used in certain places herein, are forward looking non-GAAP financial measures. These forward-looking estimates or targets depend on future levels of revenues and/or expenses, including amounts that could be attributable to non-controlling interests or related joint ventures, which are not reasonably estimable at this time. Accordingly, reconciliations of these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest GAAP financial measure cannot be provided without unreasonable effort. Below are definitions of these non-GAAP measures and identification of the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
    EBITDA is defined as estimated net income plus estimated net interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as estimated EBITDA plus the proportional share of selected equity affiliates’ estimated net interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization less the portion of estimated adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interests. Net income is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for the consolidated company and income before income taxes is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for operating segments. Refining adjusted controllable cost is the sum of operating and SG&A expenses for our Refining segment, plus our proportional share of operating and SG&A expenses of two refining equity affiliates that are reflected in equity earnings of affiliates. The per barrel amounts are based on total processed inputs, including our proportional share of processed inputs of an equity affiliate, for the respective period.
    References in this news release to shareholder distributions and returns to shareholders refer to the sum of dividends paid to Phillips 66 stockholders and proceeds used by Phillips 66 to repurchase shares of its common stock. References in this news release to “synergies” or “dis-synergies” are supported by management’s estimates and assumptions. These estimates are derived from the Company’s internal projections and other relevant data. However, because these synergies or dis-synergies are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), they cannot be directly reconciled to GAAP measures. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures provide valuable insight into optimization benefits but cautions that such synergies or dis-synergies may not be realized in full or at all.
    Basis of News release—Effective April 1, 2024, we changed the internal financial information reviewed by our chief executive officer to evaluate performance and allocate resources to our operating segments. This included changes in the composition of our operating segments, as well as measurement changes for certain activities between our operating segments. The primary effects of this realignment included establishment of a Renewable Fuels operating segment, which includes renewable fuels activities and assets historically reported in our Refining, Marketing and Specialties (M&S), and Midstream segments; change in method of allocating results for certain Gulf Coast distillate export activities from our M&S segment to our Refining segment; reclassification of certain crude oil and international clean products trading activities between our M&S segment and our Refining segment; and change in reporting of our investment in NOVONIX from our Midstream segment to Corporate and Other. Accordingly, prior period results have been recast for comparability.
    Calculated as the weighted average of Refining (CVI, DINO, DK, MPC, PBF, VLO), Midstream (OKE, TRGP, WMB), and Chemicals (DOW, LYB, WLK) Performance Proxy Peers’ TSR based on the weighting of consensus NTM EBITDA estimates for PSX’s segments.
    Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) calculated from June 30, 2022 to March 31, 2025.
    Dividend CAGR calculated from initial dividend of $0.20 per share in 3Q 2012 to $1.15 per share in 4Q 2024.
    Permission to use quotations was neither sought nor obtained.
    Calculated as median of % change in price performance of Chemicals peers (DOW, LYB, WLK) between Elliott’s 2023 letter and Elliott’s 2025 letter.
    Last three-year average (2022-2024). “Core Peers” calculated as average of MPC and VLO. “Other Peers” calculated as average of CVI, DINO, DK and PBF. R&M EBITDA calculated as regional net operating margin plus adjustments to reconcile with stated Adjusted Worldwide R&M Adjusted EBITDA. “R&M” includes PSX Refining + PSX Marketing & Specialties segments and is most comparable to MPC and VLO, which report their Refining and Marketing operations as a single segment. A combined Refining and Marketing & Specialties presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is shown for peer comparison only and is not reflective of how the Phillips 66 chief operating decision maker evaluates performance; rather, Refining and Marketing & Specialties are reviewed as two separate operating segments.
    Excludes adjusted turnaround expenses; non-GAAP financial measure. Reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measure can be found in slide 78 of the “Investor Presentation”here. PSX and peers exclude turnaround expense to be comparable; however, peer disclosure on other items e.g., corporate allocations and SG&A, varies and is not directly comparable to PSX methodology, which is inclusive of these items. For further details, refer to pages 16 and 17 of the “Investor Presentation” foundhere.
    Excluding adjusted turnaround expense, post-ceasing of operations at Los Angeles Refinery.
    Based on 2024 Adjusted Total Processed Inputs which include our proportional share of processed inputs of equity affiliates adjusted for projected impacts of cessation of operations of Los Angeles Refinery assuming throughput of 139 MBD at 2024 West Coast region utilization (94%) (~630 MMbbls).

    Source: Phillips 66

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Valadao Introduces Legislation to Expand Domestic Energy Production

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Reps. Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Mark Amodei (NV-02), and Dan Newhouse (WA-04) in introducing the Certainty for Our Energy Future Act. This legislation would provide some much-needed clarity surrounding renewable energy projects and ensure our nation’s resources do not enrich adversarial nations.

    “The Central Valley is leading the way in renewable energy production, and our communities deserve policies that provide stability and certainty for the future,” said Congressman Valadao. “The Certainty for Our Energy Future Act preserves the clean energy tax credits farmers and energy producers rely on, while phasing out long-term subsidies for technologies that can now stand on their own. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill to expand domestic energy production and keep the door open for new technologies to grow and compete.”

    “The Certainty for Our Energy Future Act is a critical step toward aligning our clean energy priorities with today’s economic and national security realities,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “By responsibly phasing out subsidies for technologies like wind and solar, and ensuring foreign adversaries like China and Russia can’t exploit American tax benefits, we are safeguarding both our energy independence and our taxpayers. Energy security is national security, and the bottom line is that in order to increase American energy dominance, we need to protect as much production and innovation as possible. I am proud to introduce this legislation and help secure America’s energy future!”

    “Certainty for the energy industry is essential to securing American energy dominance, driving innovation, and lowering costs for consumers,” said Congressman Garbarino. “The Certainty for Our Energy Future Act provides the predictability businesses need to invest with confidence while protecting taxpayers from foreign threats. I look forward to working with my colleagues to responsibly deliver on the President’s energy agenda and meet our nation’s growing energy demand with a stronger, more secure energy future.”

    “America’s path to energy independence must involve an all-of-the-above clean energy approach that puts American manufacturers at the center,” said Rep. Amodei. “By excluding foreign adversaries from tax benefits and prioritizing American innovation, we are one step closer to a more secure and self-reliant energy future.”

    “The United States has the opportunity to lead the world in clean energy production while lowering costs for consumers,” said Congressman Newhouse. “By phasing out tax incentives supporting wind and solar projects, Congress can provide long-term certainty to utilities and investors. This legislation provides critical protections to ensure federal investments are not being utilized by foreign adversaries, including Communist China. I thank Rep. Kiggans for her leadership as we work to ensure American clean energy is safe, reliable, and affordable as new forms of energy emerge.”

    “CRES is grateful for the leadership of Reps. Kiggans, Valadao, Newhouse and Amodei on introducing the Certainty for Our Energy Future Act,” said Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions. “Right sizing policies in parallel with offering business and investment certainty is both critical and commonsense.  As America seeks to beat China in the global AI race, legislation like this strengthens our nation’s competitive edge while also ensuring American energy remains abundant and affordable.”

    “ACP commends Reps. Kiggans, Garbarino, Valadao, Newhouse, and Amodei for introducing the Certainty for our Energy Future Act. The Act ensures that we protect business certainty for projects currently under planning and development and offers a very constructive starting point for discussions on the clean energy tax credits. With electricity demand projected to increase by up to 50% over the next 15 years, we need an all-of-the-above energy strategy. This legislation helps provide a roadmap to lawmakers as they continue to address this important issue,” said Frank Macchiarola, Chief Advocacy Officer, American Clean Power Association.

    “As electric companies work to meet growing customer demands for electricity and to strengthen our nation’s energy security, we must have policy certainty. We are grateful to Reps. Kiggans, Amodei, Garbarino, Newhouse, and Valadao for their ongoing leadership and for recognizing that clear timelines for tax credits and access to tools like transferability support investment in critical energy infrastructure, while helping to keep costs to customers as low as possible,” said Edison Electric Institute interim President and CEO Pat Vincent-Collawn. “We look forward to continuing to work with Reps. Kiggans, Amodei, Garbarino, Newhouse, Valadao, and other leaders in Congress as they deliberate on tax policy changes that could impact the costs customers pay for electricity.”

    The Certainty for Our Energy Future Act would:

    • Extend the 45Y and 48E tax credit for solar and wind projects with a phase out in 2030.
    • Ensure safe harbor rules apply for 10 years on public lands and 4 years everywhere else—codifying rules already in effect.
    • Restrict or disqualify companies created, organized, or owned by foreign entities of concern (FEOC) from claiming energy tax credits. FEOCs include China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

    Read the full bill here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Vanderwagon Man Pleads Guilty to Assault and Federal Firearms Charges Following Armed Confrontation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Vanderwagon man pleaded guilty to assault and federal firearms charges after firing shots and threatening a man with a rifle during a confrontation on the Navajo Nation.

    According to court records on May 1, 2023, Perris Jeremiah Arthur, 36, initiated a confrontation at John Doe’s residence in Vanderwagon. Arthur then went outside to retrieve a rifle from his ATV, fired two shots into the RV, and later pointed the weapon directly at John Doe, threatening him with the firearm. 

    At sentencing, Arthur faces a minimum of seven years and up to life in prison. Upon his release from prison, Arthur will be subject to up to five years of supervised release.

    U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russel, 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 FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Department of Investigation and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. supports projects that help communities prepare for climate emergencies

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The new Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program provides support to First Nations and local governments for projects that will enhance their ability to withstand and adapt to natural hazards and climate-caused disasters.

    Funding is available in two categories:

    • Structural projects
    • Foundational and non-structural projects

    Local governments and First Nations throughout British Columbia are receiving approximately $21 million for 46 projects as follows:

    Structural projects

    City of Pitt Meadows: Kennedy Drainage Pump Station upgrades
    This project will increase the resilience of the City of Pitt Meadows and help protect people, businesses, farmers and critical transportation networks from flooding.
    Amount: $3.65 million

    City of Merritt: Installation of the next phase of the City of Merritt flood-protection dikes
    Planning to begin construction of another section of dike to help protect the city from flooding. This dike section protects the Middlesboro area and the downtown core.
    Amount: $3,398,150

    Nazko First Nation: Natural infrastructure disaster risk-reduction project
    An urban forest will be created to offer relief during extreme heat and provide flood mitigation through increased soil stability.
    Amount: $1,102,560

    Regional District of Central Okanagan: Community hall HVAC installations
    This project strengthens critical community infrastructure against extreme temperatures and associated power outages, particularly supporting vulnerable populations during emergencies.
    Amount: $200,000

    Foundational and non-structural projects

    Aitchelitz First Nation: Cost benefit analysis for flood-risk and mitigation strategies
    Enhance the understanding of flood-risk and flood-mitigation strategies in the community, and support future projects to reduce flood risk.
    Amount: $147,845

    City of Burnaby: Burnaby Strategies and Actions for Earthquake Resilience (B-SAFER)
    B-SAFER focuses on developing seismic resiliency strategies, including recommendations for infrastructure improvements, upgrades and revision of bylaws and guidelines.
    Amount: $400,000

    City of Castlegar: Floodplain mapping and climate change hazard risk assessment
    This project will provide a better understanding of areas within the city that are at a higher risk of flooding. This will allow the city to co-ordinate and communicate with residents in times of higher flood risk.
    Amount: $399,920

    City of Chilliwack: Chilliwack Creek catchment flood-mitigation project
    The project will improve the city’s resilience to natural and climate-driven disasters through improved understanding of flood risks, vulnerabilities and available risk-reduction options.
    Amount: $110,000

    City of Courtenay: Anderton Dike remediation assessment, design and engagement
    The planning phase of the dike remediation project will determine how to best apply engineering and biology to naturalize the shore to mitigate the risk associated with erosion and flooding.
    Amount: $400,000

    City of Delta: Climate-adaptation and resilience strategy
    Delta will improve its understanding of risks, vulnerabilities and impacts to climate-related hazards through a review of climate-change projections and impacts, and a review of the city’s hazard, risk and vulnerability analysis (HRVA).
    Amount: $75,000

    City of Kamloops: Thompson River watershed climate-adaptation plan
    Drought risk in Kamloops is increasing annually, with a trend of water-level decline found in recent floodplain mapping. To complete planning for critical infrastructure, the study will include hydrologic and hydraulic analysis of the Thompson River watershed.
    Amount: $400,000

    City of Merritt: Hazard risk and vulnerability analysis (HRVA)
    An updated, modernized HRVA is essential to identify hazards of biggest concern and to allow communities to reduce risks through identifying future risk-reduction projects.
    Amount: $60,000

    City of Merritt: Sandbagging machine
    A sandbagging machine improves flooding resiliency by allowing the rapid sealing of manholes and catch basins. It reduces the labour required to produce sandbags in an emergency, freeing up personnel to conduct other response actions.
    Amount: $100,000

    City of Nanaimo: Sea-level rise management plan
    This project helps the city plan for and manage potential sea-level rise before severe impacts occur, and ensure new infrastructure is designed and located to be resilient to sea-level rise and coastal flooding impacts.
    Amount: $400,000

    City of Richmond: North Dike preliminary design project
    This project improves the city’s resilience to flood, addressing both current and future risks associated with sea-level rise and climate change.
    Amount: $400,000

    Cowichan Valley Regional District: Tsunami modelling and mapping – Regional partners: Municipality of North Cowichan, Town of Ladysmith
    Resiliency will be increased by improving the understanding of disaster risk from tsunami caused by earthquake and underwater landslide/sand slide.
    Amount: $400,000

    District of North Vancouver: Disaster risk-reduction action plan for the North Shore – Regional partners: City of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver
    This project is a collaboration between the three North Shore municipalities, the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Squamish Nation and critical infrastructure partners. The action plan will reduce risk and empower residents, organizations and communities to share the responsibility to reduce disaster risk and adapt to climate change.
    Amount: $997,000

    Dzawada’enuxw First Nation: Disaster risk assessment, and resilience and innovation planning-mitigation options assessment
    The disaster risk assessment will identify potential solutions to mitigate hazards and identify adaptation and risk-reduction options. The resilience and innovation assessment will increase the remote Nation’s resilience through a mitigation and planning analysis.
    Amount: $400,000

    Fraser Valley Regional District: Landslide hazard assessment at Boston Bar, and risk-management framework for catastrophic landslides
    This project includes a technical evaluation of the landslide hazard above the community, and an examination of existing risk-management policies. It will build resiliency through co-ordination and engagement with First Nations, infrastructure owners and the regional district.
    Amount: $345,434

    Lytton First Nation: Enhancing climate resilience through infrastructure planning
    This project is part of a five-year strategy to improve the Nation’s ability to plan, prioritize and implement infrastructure projects and programs to improve resilience in the face of growing impacts caused by climate change.
    Amount: $325,000

    Metro Vancouver (Regional District): Rice Lake dams – Seismic hazard and stability assessments
    The Rice Lake dams are classified as “very high consequence” under the BC Dam Safety Regulation, indicating the importance of understanding potential risks.
    Amount: $300,000

    District of Peachland: Hazard, risk and vulnerability analysis (HRVA) and climate-change risk assessment (CCRA)
    The project will assess hazard probabilities by comparing annual climate hazard occurrences with historical climate trends and thresholds for specific assets or systems.
    Amount: $70,000

    Regional District of Central Kootenay: Updated floodplain bylaws and associated mapping – Regional partner: Village of Salmo
    This project will improve resilience of the small rural communities by providing updated and detailed floodplain and hazard mapping and bylaws related to land adjacent to flood-prone and steep creek areas.
    Amount: $194,000

    Regional District of Central Okanagan: Comprehensive hazard risk and vulnerability assessment
    The project will improve resilience by enhancing co-ordination and engagement, informing mitigation strategies and existing infrastructure upgrades, promoting green infrastructure and guiding the development of new infrastructure.
    Amount: $125,000

    Regional District of Kootenay Boundary: Floodplain and alluvial fan mapping, Electoral Areas D and E
    This region experiences regular and destructive flooding. The two electoral areas were identified in previous risk assessments as requiring updated flood mapping that incorporates climate change forecasting.
    Amount: $400,000

    Saulteau First Nation: Water-related hazard management plan
    The project will improve resilience through increased and more accessible planning/mapping resources. This work aids the Nation in working with external partners toward regional resiliency.
    Amount: $245,987

    Skowkale First Nation: Disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation plan – Regional partners: Aitchelitz First Nation, Yakweakwioose First Nation
    This regional project increases resilience of the First Nations to natural and climate disasters through a deeper understanding of their specific risks and the development of community-centred solutions.
    Amount: $486,579

    Strathcona Regional District: Walters Island water system study
    The regional district will assess the system’s vulnerabilities and develop a more resilient design that reduces the risk of catastrophic water shortages.
    Amount: $70,000

    Village of Kaslo: Enhancing Kaslo’s resilience to flooding and geohazards
    A two-part project that helps ensure a sustainable future for Kaslo’s drinking-water sources, and planning for flood and erosion mitigation on the Kaslo River by identifying hazards and mitigating the effects of extreme weather events.
    Amount: $150,000

    Town of Princeton: Diking system ownership study and Similkameen dike upgrades pre-design report
    The pre-design project identifies dike sections to upgrade, alternatives for flood protection upgrades, and provide the foundational work for a future structural project.
    Amount: $400,000

    Town of Sidney: Disaster-safe water supply
    This project will help the town access alternate sources of potable water when primary infrastructure is damaged during an earthquake or cannot deliver expected volumes or quantities.
    Amount: $176,000

    Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation: Pesqatwa7 (Pavilion Lake) landslide hazard mitigation planning
    Continual monitoring of existing landslide hazards to better define their extents and magnitude. Community resilience will be increased by the development of preliminary mitigation measures and designs.
    Amount: $400,000

    Uchucklesaht Tribe Government: Shoreline protection analysis
    A shoreline protection analysis will examine nature-based and engineering approaches to shoreline protection that could result in new infrastructure that enhances resilience to coastal storms, flooding and tsunamis.
    Amount: $400,000

    Village of Cumberland: Perseverance watershed initiative
    This project provides hydrometric and soil data to improve understanding of water scarcity, drought and flood issues in the region.
    Amount: $75,000

    Village of Lumby: Duteau Creek flood-mitigation works preliminary design
    Continuation of the village’s flood-mitigation plan that will reduce the risk of flooding and increase resilience. A proposed new dike will provide structural flood mitigation to the project area.
    Amount: $400,000

    Village of Pemberton: Ayers Dike flood mitigation project
    This project will inform decision-making around structural and non-structural flood mitigation to increase resilience in the Pemberton Valley, ensuring flood mitigation strategies are cost-effective, data-driven and sustainable.
    Amount: $297,589

    Wei Wai Kum First Nation: IR #11 disaster resilience and development planning
    The project includes a flood-mitigation-and-erosion-control plan, including floodplain mapping, a seismic assessment and an environmental assessment, including consideration of future structural disaster risk-reduction projects.
    Amount: $400,000

    Witset First Nation: Comprehensive study for water supply resilience
    Detailed hydrologic modelling, flow, water-quality monitoring and infrastructure assessments will generate vital data on risks such as water shortages, reduced water quality and system failures.
    Amount: $399,226

    Xaxli’p First Nation: IR1 Landslide hazard assessment and preliminary mitigation design
    This study will provide the framework for future detailed mitigation design and continued monitoring as part of the next phase of the project, increasing the resiliency of this remote community.
    Amount: $400,000

    City of Vancouver: Reducing extreme heat risk in multi-family buildings
    This project forms the foundation for increasing city resilience through municipal actions, policies or programs to reduce the risk of extreme heat in homes across Vancouver.
    Amount: $215,000

    Kitselas Band Council: Assessment and design to mitigate sediment inputs from the Clore Slide
    The project will develop mitigation options and a detailed design to reduce the potential for landslide activity, which will reduce the risks to people and infrastructure.
    Amount: $170,000

    Leq’a:mel First Nation: Building resilience and strengthening relationships for disaster risk mitigation – Partnering proponent: Sumas First Nation
    The two First Nations will lead a project in developing partnerships with 15 Coast Salish Nations to create a regional resilience plan, promoting disaster risk reduction around drought and water scarcity, extreme temperatures, flood and geohazards.
    Amount: $200,000

    Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine: Climate action plan
    The climate action plan will provide a better understanding of the impacts of climate change and the risks it poses on the region, where vulnerabilities lie and what options are available to reduce these risks.
    Amount: $174,558

    Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) First Nation: Nature-based solutions assessment
    This work will identify potential structural and non-structural mitigation works to support the Nation to adapt to climate change and impacts from sea-level rise and shifting precipitation patterns.
    Amount: $233,832

    Town of Smithers: Integrated climate change and natural-assets management plan
    The plan will help the town understand the risks posed by climate change to natural assets, the value that they provide from an economic and ecological perspective, and the options available to mitigate that risk.
    Amount: $199,300

    Village of Cache Creek: Sewer protection options analysis and design
    An options analysis and detailed plan contribute to a better understanding of risks and vulnerabilities to floods, avalanches and landslides.
    Amount: $394,000

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Disaster Relief to Florida Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by April Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Florida to offset economic losses caused by caused by drought beginning April 15.  

    The disaster declaration covers the primary counties of Broward and Collier, and the adjacent counties of Hendry, Lee, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach.

    Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”  

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.62% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is Dec. 22, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Michigan Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Excessive Rain

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The  U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP)organizations of the June 10 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by excessive rain occurring June 22 through July 23, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Crawford, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Otsego and Wexford in Michigan.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than June 10, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Michigan Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Excessive Heat

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The  U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations of the June 10 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by excessive heat occurring June 23-Aug. 1, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Crawford, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Otsego and Wexford.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than June 10, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration  

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Assistance Still Available to Michigan Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by 2024 Frost and Freeze

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP)organizations in Michigan of the June 10 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the frost and freeze occurring Feb. 19-May 14, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the counties of Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Crawford, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Otsego and Wexford.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”  

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 10, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Urges Court to Immediately Halt Mass Firings Across Federal Government

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in submitting an amicus brief in American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, et al. v. Trump, in support of the request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to halt the Trump Administration’s illegal mass firings in agencies across the federal government. 

    “The illegal ransacking of federal agencies and the mass firing of federal workers that make these agencies run has sown tremendous chaos, instilled distrust among the American people, and caused deep harm to our country,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Beyond the on-the-ground impacts we are seeing, the continued uncertainty surrounding the fate of various federal agencies has a real and lasting impact on states that must devote substantial time and resources to prepare for agencies that may or may not cease to exist. I urge the court to order an immediate end to the Trump Administration’s firing rampage.”

    In the brief, the attorneys general argue that the Trump Administration is acting beyond its authority in dismantling agencies across the federal government — the Trump Administration does not have the power to incapacitate a department that Congress created, nor can it decline to spend funds that were appropriated by Congress for that department. 

    Massive federal layoffs substantially disrupt the ability of the states to protect and serve their residents and pose serious risks and harms to their citizens’ health, safety, and lives by impacting state programs ranging from emergency planning and response, infrastructure repair, environmental protection, public health, among many more.

    The brief includes multiple examples of federal statutes inviting or requiring federal and state collaboration to solve problems, including:

    • The United States Geological Survey’s work to identify, assess, and plan for potential landslide hazards; 
    • The tsunami hazard mitigation program created by the Environmental Protection Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA);
    • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) national suicide and mental health hotlines; 
    • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s deployment of a team to address crises such as food-borne pathogens’ threat to human health; and 
    • FEMA’s responsibility to develop operational plans and lead infrastructure workers who respond to disasters, establish programs for temporary housing during emergencies, and ensure that federal agencies work in coordination with state and local officials.  

    Attorney General Bonta has forcefully stood up to the Trump Administrations illegal efforts to dismember and impair the federal government though mass firing. 

    This week, Attorney General Bonta filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration challenging the unlawful mass firing of roughly 10,000 full-time HHS employees, the consolidation of 28 HHS divisions into 15 divisions, and the closing of half of HHS’s ten regional offices  — in addition to previously filed lawsuits challenging the illegal firing of probationary federal workers and U.S. Department of Education workers. 

    Attorney General Bonta has submitted two amicus briefs (here and here) in lawsuits challenging the Trump Administrations dismantling of the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau — actions that include issuing a suspension of work across the agency and terminating probationary employees — and rapidly and substantially increases the burden on state agencies to protect consumers. 

    Last month, Attorney General Bonta filed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit challenging operational changes to Social Security Administration policies. These changes, including staffing cuts, field office closures, and the illegal shuttering of departments, have hampered SSA’s ability to help older adults and persons with disabilities access the benefits and services they depend on. 

    In filing the brief, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District of Columbia. 

    A copy of the brief can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Expanding skills training at Olds College

    [. To help address the increased demand for apprentices and skilled journeypersons, Alberta’s government is investing $25 million through Budget 2025 for the expansion and renovation of the W.J. Elliott building at Olds College, as part of a $63 million total investment over three years beginning in 2024.

    Upon completion, this project will add more than 440 new seats for trades programming, as well as 100 seats for dual-credit trades programs, including Agricultural Equipment Technician, Heavy Equipment Technician, Welder and Landscape Horticulturist.

    “The expansion of the W.J. Elliott building at Olds College will strengthen apprenticeship training and provide new learning opportunities in Alberta. By investing in apprenticeship education, we’re creating more career opportunities for Albertans, strengthening our workforce and growing our economy while meeting labour market demand.”

    Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education

    This expansion will increase apprenticeship learning opportunities for students by enhancing student spaces, ensuring more Albertans are equipped with the skills and training needed to meet the workforce demands of tomorrow.

    “Helping students find their passion through dual credit programs is key to their future success. We are proud to support a strong dual-credit program here in Alberta, and we will continue to work with education partners to find new ways to grow this important program for the benefit of Alberta’s students.”

    Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education

    Since 1971, the W.J. Elliott building has served as a home to trades programming at Olds College. The renovations will include new collaborative student and staff spaces as well as adding lifting equipment, such as overhead cranes and vehicle lifts equipped with highway tractor alignment systems and wheel dynamometers, to improve trades programming. Construction is set to begin early this summer and is expected to be complete by spring 2027.

    “The enhanced W.J. Elliott building will allow us to deliver a best-in-class experience for students and partners. With expanded classrooms, advanced labs and state-of-the-art equipment, Olds College will continue to meet the growing demand for skilled trades training while elevating the student experience and deepening industry collaboration.”

    Debbie Thompson, president and CEO, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

    Alberta’s graduates are highly skilled and well-educated professionals; many go on to become leaders, innovators, business owners and educators in their industry. Targeted investment from Alberta’s government is expanding access for students and creating modern learning environments, supporting graduates in building their future.

    Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.

    Quick facts

    • Alberta has 59 designated trades, 47 of which have associated apprenticeship education programs regulated under the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act.  
    • In Budget 2024, Alberta’s government committed to investing $63 million over three years in the expansion and renovation of the W.J. Elliot building at Olds College.
      • Of the total funding, 13 million was allocated in 2024.

    Related information

    • Olds College
    • Tradesecrets – Home
    • W.J. Elliott (Trades) Building

    Related news

    • New campaign promotes Alberta’s skilled trades | Nouvelle campagne de promotion des métiers spécialisés de l’Alberta | alberta.ca (Sept. 26, 2024)

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Synaptics Announces Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2025 Investor Conference Participation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN JOSE, Calif., May 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Synaptics® Incorporated (Nasdaq: SYNA) today announced its participation in the following investor conferences in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2025:

    • Ken Rizvi, Interim CEO and Chief Financial Officer, will present at the J.P. Morgan 53rd Annual Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference on Tuesday, May 13, 2024, at 6:30 AM PT. To view the webcast or access a replay, please visit Webcast – 53rd Annual Global Technology, Media, and Communications Conference
    • Ken Rizvi, Interim CEO and Chief Financial Officer, will participate in TD Cowen’s 53rd Annual Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on Wednesday, May 28, 2025
    • Ken Rizvi, Interim CEO and Chief Financial Officer, will participate in Mizuho Technology Conference 2025 on Tuesday, June 10, 2025

    About Synaptics Incorporated:
    Synaptics (Nasdaq: SYNA) is leading the charge in AI at the Edge, bringing AI closer to end users and transforming how we engage with intelligent connected devices, whether at home, at work, or on the move. As a go-to partner for the world’s most forward-thinking product innovators, Synaptics powers the future with its cutting-edge Synaptics Astra™ AI-Native embedded compute, Veros™ wireless connectivity, and multimodal sensing solutions. We’re making the digital experience smarter, faster, more intuitive, secure, and seamless. From touch, display, and biometrics to AI-driven wireless connectivity, video, vision, audio, speech, and security processing, Synaptics is the force behind the next generation of technology enhancing how we live, work, and play. 

    Follow Synaptics on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook, or visit www.synaptics.com

    For further information, please contact:
    Munjal Shah
    Synaptics
    +1-408-518-7639
    munjal.shah@synaptics.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Palestinian literature: a rich literary heritage from a nation in exile

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Heather Laird, Senior Lecturer in the School of English and Digital Humanities, University College Cork

    Palestinian literature is unique. It stands apart for its ability to capture a nation’s identity in exile – shaped not by borders, but by memory, resistance and longing.

    The settings of modern Palestinian literature include Israel, the occupied territories, countries more broadly in the Middle East, and locations further afield. Four notable writers are particularly worth exploring: Emile Habibi, Ghassan Kanafani (now both dead) and more recent authors, Isabella Hammad and Anwar Hamed.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    Emile Habibi.
    Théodore Brauner / Wikipedia, CC BY

    Emile Habibi (1922-96) was one of about 150,000 Palestinian Arabs who remained in the territory that became Israel in 1948. He started writing in his mid-40s in response to a claim by an Israeli politician that Palestinians no longer existed in Israel, because if they did, they would have their own literature.

    In his novel, The Secret Life of Saeed: The Pessoptimist (1974), the central character flees to Lebanon in 1948, but soon afterwards is allowed to return home on the understanding that he will become an informant for Israeli intelligence. Despite his cooperation with the state of Israel, Saeed is beaten and imprisoned, finally learning from a fellow prisoner that his Palestinian identity is worthy of respect.

    Ghassan Kanafani (1936-72) was one of approximately 750,000 Palestinians who were expelled from or fled Mandatory Palestine in 1948. A political thinker, journalist and revolutionary, his writings documented the horrors of war and occupation, and include Men in the Sun (1962), a short novel that features three Palestinian men who have been living for ten years in refugee camps in Iraq and are now attempting a dangerous desert journey to Kuwait.

    Isabella Hammad (1992-) was born in London and raised by a British-Irish mother and a Palestinian father. Unlike Habibi and Kanafini, whose literary works were published initially in Arabic, Hammad writes in English. Her 2024 novel, Enter Ghost, imagines a production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the West Bank. Its central character is a London-based actress who grew up in Israel as a Palestinian Arab and becomes involved in the Hamlet production while visiting her sister in Israel.

    Though featuring disparate settings, Palestinian literature is linked by recurring motifs. Olive trees and keys, in particular, hold resonance in Palestinian culture. Many Palestinians kept the keys to their houses when they fled or were forced from Mandatory Palestine in 1948. These keys became symbols of loss of home and hope of return.

    Palestinian identification with olive trees is grounded in the economic importance of olives for generations of Palestinian farmers. In the context of exile, the olive tree is emblematic of a long-standing connection to the land, adding specificity to a more generalised yearning for home.

    In Kanafani’s Men in the Sun, the oldest Palestinian refugee reminisces about the olive trees he once owned, with his current lack of income leaving him no option but to set out on the hazardous journey to Kuwait where Palestinians are finding work as labourers in the oil fields.

    The haunting of the present by the past is another common concern of Palestinian literature. In Habibi’s The Pessoptimist, the protagonist is confronted by “ghost-like” figures who ask if he has met anyone from their razed villages while journeying to Israel. This prompts him to reflect on his encounter with a woman attempting to return home and on the military governor who subsequently re-banished her and then watched in surprise as she grew bigger rather than smaller while walking away.

    Another of Habibi’s literary works, a short story titled The Odds-and-Ends Woman (1968), mentions the “roving spirits” who, after an absence of 20 years, are making the journey from “the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Amman, even as far as Kuwait” to Israel in the hope of briefly seeing their former homes. In Hammad’s Enter Ghost, Palestinian characters discuss at length the relevance of Hamlet’s dead father to Shakespeare’s play.

    Many works of Palestinian literature employ a serious tone when providing insight into the harsh realities of life for post-1948 Palestinians. Kanafani’s Men in the Sun, for example, is notable for its gritty naturalistic descriptions.

    But Palestinian literature is more varied in tone and genre than might be expected. It also includes writings, such as Habibi’s The Pessoptimist, that employ humour to explore the circumstances of post-1948 Palestinians. And, more recently, Anwar Hamed (1957-) has applied a science-fiction sensibility to established motifs in Palestinian literature.

    Hamed’s short story, The Key (2019), is set in 2048 in an Israel protected by a high-tech “gravity wall” – an invisible barrier that is programmed to allow only those who have the “key” embedded in their microchips to enter and exit.

    The central character is an Israeli whose grandfather collected pictures of exiled Palestinians “clutching rusty keys to houses that no longer existed”. These photographs scared him “more than any arms deal being signed by neighbouring countries”, given the persistent “stubbornness” they revealed. The gravity wall has been designed for security purposes, but also to consign those rusty keys to the past.

    But while this wall seems impenetrable, the boundary between past and present is porous. The story’s central character lives a comfortable existence cushioned from “the chaos” beyond the wall. But then the ghostly sound of a key turning in the lock of his apartment door starts to wake him up at night.

    The first indication in the story that all Israelis are similarly affected is when the central character is informed that his doctor is inundated with requests for sleep medication. Unable to get an appointment, he decides to pay the doctor a visit outside of work hours.

    The story ends with the doctor blowing a hole in his own apartment door with his old service rifle, and possibly killing the central character in the process. The doctor’s irrational reasoning is that with no lock left for an intruder to insert a key, he can finally sleep.

    There are many reasons to read Palestinian literature. But chiefly, in innovative fictional ways, it gives voice to the challenging experience of belonging to a nation in exile.

    These writings are also a reminder that injustices, if left unaddressed, refuse to be consigned to the past.

    Heather Laird 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. Palestinian literature: a rich literary heritage from a nation in exile – https://theconversation.com/palestinian-literature-a-rich-literary-heritage-from-a-nation-in-exile-255322

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Gems supposedly buried with Buddha are to be sold at auction – it’s a symptom of Buddhism’s ongoing commercialisation

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lee Clarke, Lecturer in Philosophy, Nottingham Trent University

    Almost 2,000 years ago in modern-day Uttar Pradesh, India, someone deposited a cache of gems inside a reliquary (a container for holy relics), along with some bone fragments and ash. The gems were precious, but the bones and ash even more so, for according to an inscription on the reliquary, they belonged to Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha.

    The Piprahwa gems were placed along with the Buddha’s bodily relics (śarīra) as an offering inside a stūpa (A Buddhist funerary structure that contains relics and acts as a place of pilgrimage). Such an offering is not only supposed to generate “merit” (puṇya) and hopefully a good rebirth for the devotee, but is also an act of devotion and gratitude to the Buddha.

    In 1898, a British land owner, William Claxton Peppé, ordered the excavation of that same stūpa on his land in colonial India and discovered the reliquary. The bodily relics were sent to the Buddhist king of Thailand, many of the gems went to the former Imperial Museum in Calcutta and Peppé was permitted to keep the rest.

    This latter portion was due to be put up for auction at Sotheby’s Hong Kong this month, just days before the Buddhist holy day of Vesak – and it has generated controversy. Not only has the sale been described as perpetuating colonial violence, but the Indian government demanded that auction house Sotheby’s halt the sale or it would seek legal action. Sotheby’s has complied, for now.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    Peppé’s great-grandson, Chris Peppé, explained in an article for Sotheby’s: “From the time we received the Piprahwa gem relics, my cousins and I have sought to make them available for viewing by the public (ideally a Buddhist public) to see at no cost to the institution borrowing them.” This has resulted in the gems being displayed in museums around the world. The cousins also set up The Piprahwa Project website, which allows people to access all the research materials that they have gathered.

    Chris Peppé has said that he hopes that the sale will help people see to see the gems and connect with those that left them and the Buddha himself. His great-grandfather, he says, ordered the excavation to provide work for his tenant farmers.

    As a Buddhist and the grandson of an Anglo-Indian man myself, my past straddles this colonial divide more than most. Putting aside the ethical issues around excavating a sacred site in the first place, and the uncomfortable tie-in to other instances of colonial looting by the British in India, the truly extraordinary thing is that these gems were put up for sale at all.

    If they really were mixed together with the bodily relics of the Buddha, then these gems were in physical contact with them and intended to be paired with them for posterity. That means that, in a Buddhist context, there is no essential difference between the gems and the actual remains of the Buddha.

    The Sri Lankan historical chronicle The Mahāvaṃsa (written in the 5th or 6th-century AD) states that “if we behold the relics we behold the Conqueror”, aka Buddha. As art historians Conan Cheong and Ashley Thompson write in their recent journal paper on the topic: “At the very least, we can affirm that for many Buddhists, historically and today, these ‘gems’ are śarīra of the Buddha and as such are imbued with the Buddha’s living presence.”

    Buddha in the west

    Speaking to the Guardian after the auction was postponed Peppé said: “In light of the Indian government’s sudden interest in the gems, 25% of auction proceeds will be donated to the displaying of the main Kolkata collection of the Piprahwa gems for Buddhists and the larger public to enjoy. Another 25% will be donated to Buddhist institutions.” With regards to his and his two relatives’ right to sell the gems, he added: “Legally, the ownership is unchallenged.”

    As an expert in Buddhist philosophy, I believe that to put a price on something that possesses such a sacred status for millions of people worldwide is both disrespectful and morally objectionable.

    The sale is also not something I could ever imagine happening regarding objects linked with any other religious figure. If a piece of intact clothing, for example, was found to have been worn by Jesus, would this be put up for sale? Of course, it would be massively valuable, but any financial considerations would surely be outweighed by its religious importance for the world’s billions of Christians. Why should it be any different with Buddhist relics?

    Another phenomenon inadvertently revealed by the fact of the sale is the ongoing commercialisation of Buddhism in the west. To many westerners, the Buddha and Buddhism are increasingly viewed as commodities to be bought and sold.

    Cheaply made Buddha statues and Buddha-faced plant pots adorn the shelves of garden centres and are then used to decorate living rooms and gardens. Clothes, lamps, beach towels and even shoes embellished with images of the Buddha can be purchased easily. The Buddha is frequently regarded as an ornament or fashion item rather than a sacred figure in a manner that, again, is rarely done with any other religiously significant person.

    Buddhas are common garden decorations in the west – but it’s hard to imagine a Jesus-themed equivalent.
    Radek Havlicek/Shutterstock

    From all this, selling actual Buddhist relics is not a large step. As with the commodification of other religions in the west such as Hinduism and Islam, commercialisation always simultaneously involves decontextualisation. It is an example of what philosopher Sophia Rose Arjana in her book Buying Buddha, Selling Rumi (2020) terms “the religious marketplace”.

    As she writes: “Religions associated with the east – Hindu, Buddhism, Islam – are also commodified. Their symbols are marketed by entrepreneurs and corporations and then consumed by everyone from non-religious spiritualists to ambivalent mystical seekers.”

    Religious traditions, practices, images and artefacts must be stripped of their native contexts and sacred meaning. Through this auction, the Piprahwa gems are considered ancient jewels to be admired ascetically rather than religious relics.

    Given their importance to global history and our human story, the Buddha and Buddhism are worthy of a lot more respect than they are currently afforded. While Buddhism teaches that everything is impermanent, we are lucky enough to still possess treasures such as the Piprahwa gems, and we should value them – and learn from them – while we can.

    Lee Clarke 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. Gems supposedly buried with Buddha are to be sold at auction – it’s a symptom of Buddhism’s ongoing commercialisation – https://theconversation.com/gems-supposedly-buried-with-buddha-are-to-be-sold-at-auction-its-a-symptom-of-buddhisms-ongoing-commercialisation-256163

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wasserman Schultz Leads Democrats in Amicus Brief to Supreme Court Backing TPS for Venezuelans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

    “Amici, as members of Congress, are keenly aware of the critical role that separation of powers plays in our constitutional democracy as a means to safeguard against the concentration of power within a single government branch,” said the Members in the brief’s introduction and summary. “Separation of powers … obligates the Judiciary to not shy from its duty to prevent Executive Branch overreach that upsets the carefully calibrated role each co-equal branch plays in our constitutional democracy.”

    Washington, DC – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) led 48 Democratic Members of Congress in filing an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court in response to the Trump Administration’s attempt to override a district court ruling that blocked the Department of Homeland Security from vacating Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans. 

    The Trump Administration petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn a district court decision that preserved TPS protections for Venezuelans while a case on the merits unfolds. The brief argues that Congress has a clear interest in preserving TPS and that the Administration’s attempt to vacate their status is unlawful and breaches separation of powers.

    “Amici, as members of Congress, are keenly aware of the critical role that separation of powers plays in our constitutional democracy as a means to safeguard against the concentration of power within a single government branch,” said the Members in the brief’s introduction and summary. “Separation of powers … obligates the Judiciary to not shy from its duty to prevent Executive Branch overreach that upsets the carefully calibrated role each co-equal branch plays in our constitutional democracy.”

    The brief continues, “The Executive Branch advances an interpretation of the TPS statute that, in essence, rewrites the statute to claim a power that Congress did not delegate to the Executive Branch…[A]mici, drawing on their experience and expertise as members of Congress, explain how these offered interpretations are incorrect and further explain that the TPS statute does not allow for vacatur.”

    Wasserman Schultz was joined by House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-8), House Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Rep. Bennie Thompson (MS-2), House Rules Committee Ranking Member Rep. James McGovern (MA-2), House Committee on Small Business Ranking Member Rep. Nydia Velazquez (NY-7), House Committee on Agriculture Ranking Member Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-2), Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY-9), Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), New Democrat Coalition Chair Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), and House Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35).

    Additional signers include Reps. Jerry Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Danny Davis (IL-7), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), Betty McCollum (MN-4), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Steve Cohen (TN-9), Henry “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-4), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1), Dina Titus (NV-1), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Robin Kelly (IL-2), Donald Beyer (VA-8), Lou Correa (CA-46), Pramila Jayapal (WA-7), Darren Soto (FL-9), Steven Horsford (NV-4), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-7), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-4), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Troy Carter, Sr. (LA-2), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Andrea Salinas (OR-6), Gabe Amo (RI-1), Janelle Bynum (OR-5), Maxine Dexter (OR-3), Luz Rivas (CA-29).

    Wasserman Schultz, who co-chairs the Venezuela Democracy Caucus, also recently partnered with Reps. Darren Soto (FL-9) and María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) to sponsor bipartisan legislation to reverse Trump’s termination of TPS for Venezuelans and redesignate protections. 

    The full amicus brief can be found here.

    ####

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Oregon Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Summer Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Oregon of the June 9 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought beginning Aug. 13, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the Oregon counties of Baker, Grant, Harney and Malheur as well as the Idaho counties of Canyon, Owyhee, Payette and Washington, and in Nevada the county of Humboldt.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than June 9.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Oklahoma Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Oklahoma of the June 9 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought beginning Oct. 1, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the Oklahoma counties of Atoka, Bryan, Canadian, Carter, Cherokee, Choctaw, Comanche, Cotton, Craig, Creek, Delaware, Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Jefferson, Johnston, Kingfisher, Lincoln, Logan, Love, Marshall, Mayes, Noble, Nowata, Oklahoma, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Payne, Rogers, Stephens, Tulsa, Wagoner and Washington as well as the Kansas counties of Cherokee, Labette and Montgomery, and in Texas the counties of Clay, Fannin, Grayson, Lamar and Montague.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than June 9.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to North Dakota Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in North Dakota of the June 9 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought beginning Oct. 1, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the North Dakota counties of Adams, Billings, Bowman, Burke, Divide, Golden Valley, Grant, Hettinger, McKenzie, Mountrail, Sioux, Slope, Stark and Williams as well as the Montana counties of Fallon, Richland, Roosevelt and Sheridan, and the South Dakota counties of Corson, Harding and Perkins.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than June 9.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Idaho Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Summer Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Idaho of the June 9 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought beginning Aug. 13, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the Idaho counties of Bingham, Bonneville, Caribou, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison and Teton as well as the Wyoming counties of Lincoln and Teton.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than June 9.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: East Yorkshire Solar Farm development consent decision announced

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    East Yorkshire Solar Farm development consent decision announced

    The East Yorkshire Solar Farm application has today been granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

    The application will comprise of the construction, operation (including maintenance) and decommissioning of ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panel arrays which will generate electrical energy from the Sun. The Scheme includes underground cabling to connect to the national electricity transmission network at National Grid’s Drax Substation; underground cabling between the areas of solar PV panels; areas of landscaping and biodiversity enhancement; and other associated development. 

    The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by East Yorkshire Solar Farm Limited on 21 November 2023 and accepted for examination on 19 December 2023.  

    Following an examination during which the public, statutory consultees and interested parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 17 February 2025.   

    This is the 93rd energy application out of 156 applications examined to date and was again completed by the Planning Inspectorate within the statutory timescale laid down in the Planning Act 2008.   

    Local communities continue to be given the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them. Local people, the local authority and other interested parties were able to participate in this six-month examination.   

    The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State.  

    The decision, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation are publicly available on the project pages of the National Infrastructure Planning website.  

    Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning Inspectorate Press Office, on 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email:   Press.office@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Valadao Questions USDA Secretary Rollins About Trade, Disaster Assistance, Agricultural Labor, and More

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

    Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) questioned Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins during a House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies hearing.

    WASHINGTON – Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) questioned Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins during a House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies hearing. Congressman Valadao asked Secretary Rollins about international trade, disaster aid, and agricultural labor.

    Congressman Valadao also took the opportunity to highlight the General Services Administration’s attempted closure of USDA Farm Service Agency offices and asked about the status of regional conservation partnership programs.

    “It was great speaking with USDA Secretary Rollins today about several key priorities for the Central Valley’s agricultural sector,” said Congressman Valadao. “I questioned her about supporting our producers through targeting unfair trading practices by foreign nations and ensuring disaster assistance is delivered fairly and without delay. I also highlighted the urgent need for immigration reform to support the Valley’s agricultural labor force, and raised concerns about the status of previously allocated funds for Regional Conservation Partnership Programs that help dairy farmers adopt sustainable practices without compromising productivity. Finally, I stressed the importance of bolstering USDA county Farm Service Agency offices, and reaffirmed my commitment to working with both USDA and GSA to keep this critical agency accessible to Bakersfield and the entire region. I appreciate Secretary Rollins’ time and look forward to working closely with her to deliver real solutions for these critical issues.”

    Watch Congressman Valadao’s full line of questioning here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Windsor soldier of World War 1 buried with Full Military Honours

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    Windsor soldier of World War 1 buried with Full Military Honours

    The remains of Private (Pte) John Tame of 2nd Battalion The Royal Berkshire Regiment were laid to rest on 8 May in Belgium, nearly 108 years after his death.

    The coffin of Private Tame is carried into New Irish Farm Cemetery by serving soldiers of 2nd Battalion The Rifles (Crown Copyright)

    The burial service for Pte Tame was organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the War Detectives, and took place at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) New Irish Farm Cemetery. 

    The service was supported by serving soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Rifles and was attended by Keith Brooks, the great nephew of Pte Tame, who aided JCCC by providing the DNA sample used to identify him. 

    Keith Brooks said: 

    John and his brothers Alfred and William have been remembered by the family from just photographs and vague memories from those who have now long passed. Now, after finding John’s remains, he is more than just a distant photograph. This has made him more real along with his story for future generations.

    This has all been achieved because of the excellent work the MOD do with all the research and investigations, giving missing people who have served their country the funeral they all greatly deserve. 

    Pte Tame was identified after his remains were found during road works at Zonnebeke near Ypres in May 2018. Nearby artefacts included a cap badge and shoulder title of The Royal Berkshire Regiment. The body also appeared to have been previously wounded around his left shoulder, which led to DNA matching confirming his identification.

    Pte Tame was from Windsor, Berkshire, and the third-eldest of 7 children. His elder brothers Alfred and William George also enlisted and served with 2nd Battalion The Royal Berkshire Regiment which, though stationed in India at the outbreak of the World War 1, arrived on the Western Front on 5 November 1914. 

    John’s brothers Lance Corporal Alfred Tame and Corporal William George Tame were both killed on 9 May 1915 during the Battle of Aubers Ridge. They are still missing and are commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial. 

    On Friday 9 May, the 110th anniversary of their deaths, the family of Pte Tame and a party from 2nd Battalion The Rifles visited the Ploegsteert Memorial to remember his missing brothers. 

    Soldiers of 2nd Battalion The Rifles visited the Ploegsteert Memorial with Keith Brooks to remember Private Tame’s brothers, killed 110 years ago today (Crown Copyright)

    JCCC Caseworker, Rosie Barron said: 

    It has been an honour to work with The Rifles to give Pte Tame the full military funeral that he deserves and to have conducted the research which led to his identification. It has also been a privilege to meet Keith, and to have shared this experience with him and his family.  

    The grave will now be cared for in perpetuity by CWGC. Commemorations Casework Manager at the CWGC, David Royle, said:

    It is an honour to have been involved in the research that led to the formal identification of Private Tame and to have assisted his family with their choices for his Commission headstone. He is now at rest alongside his comrades in New Irish Farm Cemetery, where we will care for his grave in perpetuity.

    The service was conducted by the Reverend Stephen Cassells CF, Chaplain to 2nd Battalion The Rifles. Reverend Cassells said: 

    I count it a privilege to be involved in the proper burial of Pte Tame. It is right that his remains should be laid to rest with dignity and in a place where his service will be properly honoured. I pray that his family will find peace in knowing that their relative has been found and buried properly and that those connected with his army regiment would draw renewed commitment through his service for King and country.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Man given suspended jail term for illegal Lincolnshire waste site

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Man given suspended jail term for illegal Lincolnshire waste site

    The Environment Agency has successfully prosecuted a Lincolnshire man for running an illegal waste site at Thorpe Farm, Skendleby, in East Lindsey.

    A pile of waste which was on site.

    • Court imposes fines, costs and confiscation order on director and his company for nearly £100,000
    • Judge tells defendant he ran business in ‘arrogant and bullish’ manner
    • Environment Agency officer verbally abused during site inspection.

    At Lincoln Crown Court on Wednesday 7 May 2025, Matthew Berry, 46, of Ivy House Farm, Blyborough, near Gainsborough, received a suspended sentence of 36 weeks. This is on condition that he stays out of trouble and abides by a curfew between 9pm and 5am for a 3 month period. He was also ordered to pay £5,000 in costs and a surcharge of £154.

    Berry’s company, SBR Foxhills Limited, was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £29,626.35 and a £190 surcharge.

    The defendant and company also have a confiscation order imposed of £45,000, representing the recovery of the proceeds from the crime. Berry was warned that he faces up to 12 months in prison if that sum remains unpaid after 3 months.

    In sentencing Berry, Her Honour Judge Sjolin Knight told him that he had taken an “arrogant and bullish approach.” It was also “remarkable” that he claimed not to have established his environmental obligations.

    She noted that he had run his business in such a way that he, “violated strict environmental laws that are there to protect the environment for everyone.”

    The court was told that in the spring of 2021, Berry, the sole director of SBR Foxhills Limited, became interested in a site at Thorpe Farm.

    With a view to the company purchasing the site, he took over the control in April and began a clearance operation.  The site had no environmental permit or other authorisation to store or treat waste.

    There was a lot of waste already on the site.  He agreed to move baled waste that had been stacked in a building. He also agreed to remove waste vehicles to a breakers’ site and brought heavy plant to the site for that purpose.

    However, rather than clearing and improving the site, he dumped the baled waste on a concrete pad. This was porous, cracked, had no sealed drainage and had an unsealed manhole cover that led to a void.  He then abandoned the site leaving the baled waste exposed to the elements which inevitably caused it to degrade. 

    Environment Agency officers visited the site and Berry told them that he intended to clear the area. They gave him advice and attempted to work with him.  He agreed to provide the requisite waste transfer notes that would prove lawful removal.

    By November 2021, it was clear that the site had not been abandoned.  Officers continued to try to work with him but their attempts were rejected.

    On one occasion, Berry verbally berated a senior officer telling him that he hoped he got cancer and died.  Not content with his verbal abuse, he followed up his unpleasant words a few minutes later with a similarly offensive email. 

    Both Berry and his company entered not guilty pleas at a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court in June 2022.  However, shortly before their trial was due to start, in November 2023, they changed their pleas to guilty.  They were finally sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court on 7 May 2025.

    As part of its investigations, the Environment Agency used drones for routine inspections to safely capture evidence of the waste activities. This use of technology is an on-going feature of the agency’s work.

    Yvonne Daly, an environment manager for the Environment Agency in Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, said:

    Rogue contractors and operators in the waste sector should take note we will not tolerate illegal waste activities in Lincolnshire.

    We will take enforcement action to protect the environment, people and legitimate businesses.

    And we will not tolerate abuse or bad behaviour to our officers – everyone should be treated with respect.

    We would also like to thank the fantastic support from Lincolnshire Police and East Lindsey District Council throughout this case.

    Anyone with suspicions of waste crime can call our incident hotline, 0800 807060, or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555111.

    The Charges

    Charge 1: operating a non-exempt waste operation without a permit, contrary to Regulations 12 and 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

    Particulars of offence

    SBR Foxhills Limited, between the 8 April 2021 and 26 February 2022 operated without an environmental permit a regulated facility, namely a waste operation for the treatment and storage of waste at Thorpe Farm, Skendleby. 

    Charge 2: operating a non-exempt waste operation without a permit, contrary to Regulations 12 and 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

    Particulars of offence

    Matthew Berry, between the 8 April 2021 and 26 February 2022, by consent, connivance or neglect, allowed the company SBR Foxhills Limited to operate without an environmental permit a regulated facility, namely a waste operation for the treatment and storage of waste at Thorpe Farm, Skendleby.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to the debate on hormone-treated beef and chlorinated chicken

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on hormone-treated beef and chlorinated chicken, following the announcement of a UK-US trade deal.

    Beef

    Prof Chris Elliott, Chair of Food Safety, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), said:

    “There are a number of hormones, mainly anabolic steroids that are classified as growth promoters. They were banned in the EU back in the 1980’s on the grounds they were a food safety risk. This has been hotly disputed by the US and other countries that use the hormones in livestock production.

    “The bulk of the scientific evidence suggests they are safe if used correctly. However incorrect use (as can happen accidently or deliberately) could pose health issues.  

    “The big issue is that use of such hormones is not ‘natural’ – but again this is widely disputed as livestock have many things added to their diets to enhance growth rates.

    “Testing for the presence of the hormones can be done but it’s extremely difficult and requires very expensive equipment and the cost per test would runs into many hundreds of pounds. There has previously been evidence that meat claimed as ‘hormone free’ was in fact treated with anabolic steroids.”

     

    Chicken

    Prof Paul Wigley, Professor in Animal Microbial Ecosystems, University of Bristol, said:

    “The use of high-concentration chlorine washes applied in the USA and other countries is adopted as a relatively simple and low-cost method to reduce foodborne bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella from chicken carcasses. Its efficacy is questionable. Rates of human Salmonella infection in the USA are around double the European average and around five times greater than in the UK.

    “The UK approach is to control on the farm with the use of vaccines, good biosecurity and hygiene together with regular testing for Salmonella, accompanied by far greater levels of animal welfare that were set down by EU legislation and still adopted in the UK.  Salmonella is in effect eradicated in UK Lion Mark eggs and is uncommon in UK-produced poultry meat.

    “An analogy is going out for a walk as seeing a pile of dog muck. The UK/EU approach is to avoid getting it on your shoes. The American approach is wiping it off when you get home but we all know that some will remain trapped in the tread.

    “The ban on US produced chicken on public health grounds is justified when simply looking at the figures of public health impact. Human Salmonella infection often leads to hospitalisation and most recent figures indicate there were 33 deaths resulting from Salmonella in the UK in 2013. We cannot ban on welfare grounds but there is a clear public health reason to do so.”

     

    Beef and chicken

    Prof Guy Poppy, PVC Research and Innovation, University of Bristol, said:

    On chlorine-washed chicken:

    “The use of chlorine washes to ensure chickens are safe to eat is a difference between how the USA and the EU/UK regulate food.  The USA uses product-based approach while the EU and UK use a process-based one – i.e. consideration of the process we use to ensure safety rather than the end outcome. If done correctly the end product, chicken, is equally safe, but the system we currently use involves several steps in how chickens are produced throughout the rearing and preparation of the chicken for sale – as opposed to the USA system which uses chlorine to ‘disinfect’ the chicken prior to retail.  Both systems are used to reduce/eliminate the number of microorganisms in the chicken which can make us ill.

    “Many of the biosecurity processes used in the UK can also enhance welfare, such as practices to reduce the levels of pathogens in chickens – as opposed to being reliant on a system of using chlorine to reduce the pathogens after slaughter.”

     

    On hormone-treated beef:

    “There are significant disagreements between the EU and the US on the health issues of hormone treated beef. Whilst the EU claim that one of the regularly used hormones is carcinogenic,  the US and Canada claim to the WTO that the EU risk assessment is flawed. And several of the hormones used do not have any health claims against them. However, the rearing practice which is involved in accelerating growth can be seen as an animal welfare issue as weight gain and the feedlots and other practices to reduce feed requirements and accelerate growth result in much lower animal welfare than rearing systems not involving hormones or feedlots.

    “Both of these types of animal food production illustrate different rearing systems and methods to control risk. If done correctly and with checks in place, they both result in a safe product but there are differences in the animal welfare outcomes of the production systems used in the US compared to the UK/EU. The US style production systems can lead to reduced costs and increased profits and thus I can see why UK farmers are concerned about the effects this may have on the current UK meat system. It is clear that the current UK food system needs transforming to improve human and environmental health, but I am not sure this is a direction of travel which will help that.”

     

     

     

    Declared interests

    Paul Wigley: I have and continue to receive funding from UKRI around this area but no current or recent work with industry in these areas

    Chris Elliott: No interests to declare

    Guy Poppy: CSA at the FSA 2014-2020, Exec Chair at BBSRC 2023-2024

    For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: /China Spotlight/ Integrating Futuristic Robotics into Scenic Natural Landscapes Helps Renew China’s Tourism Experience

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, May 9 (Xinhua) — It’s so exciting to see how China’s tourism industry embraces technology! Robot-assisted walking tours and artificial intelligence (AI) tours are just the beginning. Such futuristic travel experiences are becoming more common across the country, and they are making the travel experience more exciting than ever!

    This year’s May Day holiday, which ran from May 1 to 5, was one of the busiest tourism periods of the year in China, with many tourist attractions using cutting-edge technology to offer visitors unique and unforgettable experiences, from virtual reality equipment providing digital tours to drones creating dramatic patterns in the sky or monitoring crowd density at scenic spots.

    At the Shichuan Ancient Pear Garden, an incredible pear blossom attraction located in the remote inland county of Gaolan, Gansu Province, northwest China, you will be amazed to see robots developed by Chinese startup Unitree Robotics guiding tourists around the garden’s iconic landmarks. These advanced robots demonstrate dynamic obstacle avoidance and terrain-crossing skills that are truly impressive.

    The tech company, based in the bustling eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, has taken the world by storm with its humanoid robots, which made a splash at the 2025 Spring Festival (Chinese Lunar New Year) gala, leaving everyone in awe.

    At the Gaolan Museum of Agriculture, robots can be seen interacting with traditional farming tools. It is a fascinating dialogue between ancient and modern times, showing visitors how China’s ancient agricultural civilization has evolved to embrace modern technology.

    “It was a wonderful surprise! I didn’t expect to befriend high technology in an ancient pear orchard,” said one visitor surnamed Zhang, who got a first-hand look at the cutting-edge technology by shaking hands with a robot.

    “His movements were incredibly flexible and he seemed to be listening to me carefully. It was like communicating with a real person,” he said.

    Under the “AI Plus Consumption” initiative outlined in the State Council’s recently released special action plan to promote consumption in the country, the use of AI applications has become ubiquitous in numerous scenarios both online and offline.

    The tourism industry, which is usually associated with scenic views and cultural heritage, is undergoing significant changes thanks to the integration of robotics and advanced technologies.

    A striking illustration of this integration is the recent introduction of exoskeleton robots, which have become particularly popular among mountain climbers and mountaineers. These devices saw a significant surge in demand during the aforementioned vacations on Mount Taishan, a famous scenic area in eastern China’s Shandong Province.

    Li Gang, a senior official with Taishan Cultural Tourism Group, which organizes trips to Mount Taishan, said that in the last few days of the May Day holiday, rentals of exoskeleton robots were particularly busy every day, with some visitors waiting for two hours.

    The use of wearable and lightweight intelligent devices such as exoskeleton robots can reduce the burden on humans as they recognize the user’s intentions and dynamically apply mechanical force to key body parts. Such devices have an instantaneous traction force of 200 kg and an eight-hour endurance.

    With Mount Tai’s scenic beauty and cultural heritage evident on the steepest sections of its hiking trails, exoskeleton robots have proven effective in alleviating the discomfort associated with intense physical activity, cutting the expected three-hour climb up the steep mountainside in half.

    As Li Gang noted, during the holiday period, all available exoskeleton robots were fully booked in advance, with a rental price of 80 yuan (about $11) for three hours of “work.” The devices were designed not only to assist with walking, but also to monitor a person’s physical condition in real time and have functions such as emergency calls and landmark information.

    It is no secret that similar robots have been installed at other mountain tourist attractions in provincial-level administrative units such as Hebei, Anhui, Shaanxi, Jiangxi and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

    Chinese travelers made an estimated 314 million domestic trips during the five-day holiday period, with a significant proportion expressing deep satisfaction with new experiences using AI or human-robot interactions.

    In Guangdong province alone, 42 events organized by tech companies or telecom operators showcasing new AI applications attracted more than 2.1 million people.

    The integration of robotics into the tourism industry extends beyond entertainment and support functions and is finding applications in the areas of safety and security.

    A four-wheeled robot named Xiaoyu is currently being tested for patrol and safety inspection in the Grand Canal Cultural and Tourism Zone in Beijing’s Tongzhou District.

    Xiaoyu was designed to provide tourists with timely safety alerts, and can detect smoke and locate fire sources using its built-in thermal imaging and heat-sensing camera. The technology used in the robot can assess the health of trees and detect signs of pests or disease. In the event of an emergency, tourists can press the SOS button on the robot’s shoulder to contact the facility’s staff.

    These innovations are having a profound impact on how Chinese people travel and experience the world around them, from enhancing experiences to improving safety and efficiency. The May Day holiday provided a glimpse into an exciting future where the boundaries between people and technology become blurred, opening up new opportunities for the travel industry.

    An article published recently on the China News Service website quoted Guo Qiang, a sales manager at a humanoid robot company in central China’s Hunan Province, as saying that the company had received more than 100 orders from tourist sites across the country for tasks such as performing Tai Chi, serving tea, or assisting with hiking.

    “The presence of robots in China’s scenic areas is growing rapidly and on a large scale. This phenomenon can serve as a catalyst for the upgrading of cultural tourism services,” Guo Qiang shared his opinion. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Gravity Reports First Quarter of 2025 Results and Business Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Seoul, South Korea, May 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GRAVITY Co., Ltd. (NasdaqGM: GRVY) (“Gravity” or “Company”), a developer and publisher of online and mobile games based in South Korea, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and business updates.

    FIRST QUARTER 2025 HIGHLIGHTS

    • Total revenues were KRW 137,464 million (US$ 93,231 thousand), representing a 6% increase from the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024 (“QoQ”) and a 14.8% increase from the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 (“YoY”).
    • Operating profit was KRW 24,730 million (US$ 16,772 thousand), representing a 55% increase QoQ and an 8% decrease YoY.
    • Profit before income tax expenses was KRW 28,450 million (US$ 19,295 thousand), representing a 12.1% increase QoQ and a 12.5% decrease YoY.
    • Net profit attributable to parent company was KRW 22,038 million (US$ 14,947 thousand), representing a 4.6% decrease QoQ and an 18% decrease YoY.

    REVIEW OF FIRST QUARTER 2025 FINANCIAL RESULTS

    Revenues

    Online game revenues for the first quarter of 2025 were KRW 18,806 million (US$ 12,755 thousand), representing a 5.1% decrease QoQ from KRW 19,822 million and a 4.1% increase YoY from KRW 18,065 million. The decrease QoQ was mainly attributable to decreased revenues from Ragnarok Online in Thailand. Such decrease was partially offset by increased revenue from Ragnarok Online in Japan. The increase YoY was largely due to increased revenues from Ragnarok Online in Thailand and China.

    Mobile game revenues were KRW 115,486 million (US$ 78,325 thousand) for the first quarter of 2025, representing a 9.4% increase QoQ from KRW 105,586 million and a 17.2% increase YoY from KRW 98,548 million. The increase QoQ attributed to initial revenues from Ragnarok M: Classic which was launched in Southeast Asia on February 14, 2025 and Ragnarok Idle Adventure Plus launched in Global except Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, China, Korea and Japan on February 20, 2025. Such increase was partially offset by decreased revenues from Ragnarok Origin in Southeast Asia and THE RAGNAROK in Southeast Asia. The increase YoY was due to initial revenue from Ragnarok M: Classic in Southeast Asia, THE RAGNAROK in Southeast Asia launched on October 31, 2024 and Ragnarok: Rebirth in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau launched on October 31, 2024. This increase was partially offset by decreased revenues from Ragnarok Origin in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau and North, Central and South America.

    Other revenues were KRW 3,172 million (US$ 2,151 thousand) for the first quarter of 2025, representing a 26.5% decrease QoQ from KRW 4,315 million and a 0.2% increase YoY from KRW 3,166 million.

    Cost of Revenue

    Cost of revenue was KRW 87,458 million (US$ 59,316 thousand) for the first quarter of 2025, representing a 8% increase QoQ from KRW 81,008 million and a 18.8% increase YoY from KRW 73,628 million. The increase QoQ was mainly due to increased commission paid for mobile game services related to Ragnarok M: Classic in Southeast Asia. The increase YoY was primarily due to increased commission paid for mobile game services related to Ragnarok M: Classic in Southeast Asia, THE RAGNAROK in Southeast Asia and Ragnarok: Rebirth in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

    Operating Expenses

    Operating expenses were KRW 25,276 million (US$ 17,143 thousand) for the first quarter of 2025, representing a 22.9% decrease QoQ from KRW 32,765 million and a 31.1% increase YoY from KRW 19,282 million. The decrease QoQ was mainly due to decreased advertising expenses for THE RAGNAROK in Southeast Asia and salaries. The increase YoY was mainly due to increased advertising expenses for Ragnarok Idle Adventure Plus in Global, Ragnarok V: Returns in Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines and Ragnarok Begins in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

    Profit Before Income Tax Expenses

    Profit before income tax expenses was KRW 28,450 million (US$ 19,295 thousand) for the first quarter of 2025 compared with profit before income tax expense of KRW 25,377 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 and profit before income tax expenses of KRW 32,498 million for the first quarter of 2024.

    Net Profit

    As a result of the foregoing factors, Gravity recorded a net profit attributable to parent company of KRW 22,038 million (US$ 14,947 thousand) for the first quarter of 2025 compared with net profit attributable to parent company of KRW 23,099 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 and a net profit attributable to parent company of KRW 26,866 million for the first quarter of 2024.

    Liquidity

    The balance of cash and cash equivalents and short-term financial instruments was KRW 577,163 million (US$ 391,446 thousand) as of March 31, 2025.

    Note: For convenience purposes only, the KRW amounts have been expressed in U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of KRW 1,474.44 to US$ 1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2025 as quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

    GRAVITY BUSINESS UPDATES

    Ragnarok Online IP-based Games

    • Ragnarok M: Classic, an MMORPG Mobile game

    Ragnarok M: Classic was officially launched in Southeast Asia on February 14, 2025 and Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau on April 16, 2025.

    • Ragnarok Idle Adventure Plus, a Vertical Idle MMORPG Mobile game

    Ragnarok Idle Adventure Plus was launched in Global except for Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, China, Korea and Japan on February 20, 2025 and is underway for its launch in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau in the second quarter of 2025 and Korea in the second half of 2025.

    • Ragnarok X: Next Generation, an MMORPG Mobile and PC game

    Ragnarok X: Next Generation was officially launched in North, Central and South America, Oceania, England, Portugal, Spain and Ireland on May 8, 2025 and will be launching in Europe (except England, Portugal, Spain and Ireland) in the second quarter of 2025.

    • THE RAGNAROK, an MMORPG game

    THE RAGNAROK (Chinese title: 巴風特之怒) will be launched on WeChat (H5) Mini Programs in China in the second quarter of 2025.

    • Ragnarok: Dawn (tentative English title), an Idle MMORPG game

    Ragnarok: Dawn (tentative English title) was officially launched on WeChat Mini Programs in China on February 20, 2025, and mobile app version will be launched in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau in the second half of 2025.

    • Ragnarok V: Returns, a 3D MMORPG Mobile and PC game

    Ragnarok V: Returns was officially launched in Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines on March 27, 2025.

    • Ragnarok: Back to Glory, a 3D MMORPG Mobile game

    Ragnarok: Back to Glory was officially launched in Korea and re-launched in Southeast Asia on April 17, 2025 and will be launched in China in the third quarter of 2025.

    • Ragnarok Crush, a Puzzle and Tower Defense Mobile game

    Ragnarok Crush will be launched in Global in July 2025.

    • Ragnarok Online America Latina, an MMORPG PC game

    Ragnarok Online America Latina is scheduled to be direct-serviced in Latin America on May 28, 2025.

    • Ragnarok Zero, an RPG PC game

    Ragnarok Zero is being prepared to be launched in Taiwan in July 2025.

    • Ragnarok Libre, a Time Effective MMORPG Telegram game

    Ragnarok Libre is underway for its launch in Global in the second quarter of 2025.

    Ragnarok Online IP-based Blockchain Game

    • Ragnarok Landverse, an MMORPG Blockchain and PC game

    Ragnarok Landverse will be launched in Latin America in the second half of 2025.
    Ragnarok Landverse Genesis, a global new server integrated with RONIN platform, ranked first in trading volume after its official release in Global on March 29, 2025.

    Other IP-based games

    • JLPGA Heroine Collection, a Sports Mobile game

    JLPGA was officially launched in Japan on March 25, 2025.

    • Shambles: Sons of Apocalypse, a Deck-building Roguelike Mobile game

    Shambles: Sons of Apocalypse, was officially launched in Global except for China, Vietnam and Taiwan on March 27, 2025

    • Twilight Monk, a 2.5D Action RPG Console game

    Twilight Monk, was officially launched in Global on March 27, 2025

    • Snow Brothers 2 Special, an Action and Platformer Console game

    Snow Brothers 2 Special, was officially launched in Global on April 10, 2025

    • Meow Star Acers 2, a Farm Simulation Mobile game

    Meow Star Acers 2, is scheduled to be launched in Global in the second half of 2025.

    • Dragonica Origin, an MO Action RPG PC game

    Dragonica Origin will be launched in Southeast Asia in June 2025.

    • Gunbound, an MMO Turned-based Artillery PC game

    Gunbound is underway for its launch in Southeast Asia and Latin America in the second quarter of 2025.

    Expansion of Ragnarok IP-business

    Ragnarok Golf Monsters is an indoor-screen golf brand based on the Ragnarok monster characters. Gravity Communications Co., Ltd. opened the first facility of Ragnarok Golf Monsters in Taipei, Taiwan on February 27, 2025.

    Our New Subsidiary

    Gravity established Gravity Game Unite Sdn. Bhd. (“Gravity Game Unite”), a subsidiary in Malaysia, on March 12, 2025. Gravity will expand various game services including Ragnarok Online IP based games throughout Gravity Game Unite in Malaysian regions.

    Investor Presentation

    Gravity issued an investor presentation. The presentation contains the Company’s recent business updates, results of the first quarter in 2025 and Gravity’s business plan. The presentation can be found on the Company’s website under the IR Archives section at https://www.gravity.co.kr/en/ir/updates. Korean and Japanese versions of the presentation are also provided on the website.

    About GRAVITY Co., Ltd. —————————————————
    Gravity is a developer and publisher of online and mobile games. Gravity’s principal product, Ragnarok Online, is a popular online game in many markets, including Japan and Taiwan, and is currently commercially offered in 91 regions. For more information about Gravity, please visit http://www.gravity.co.kr.

    Forward-Looking Statements:

    Certain statements in this press release may include, in addition to historical information, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe-harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe”, “project,” or “continue” or the negative thereof or other similar words, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Investors should consider the information contained in our submissions and filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 on Form 20-F, together with such other documents that we may submit to or file with the SEC from time to time, on Form 6-K. The forward-looking statements speak only as of this press release and we assume no duty to update them to reflect new, changing or unanticipated events or circumstances.

    Contact:

    Mr. Heung Gon Kim
    Chief Financial Officer
    Gravity Co., Ltd.
    Email: kheung@gravity.co.kr

    Ms. Jin Lee
    Ms. Yujin Oh
    IR Unit
    Gravity Co., Ltd.
    Email: ir@gravity.co.kr
    Telephone: +82-2-2132-7800

    GRAVITY Co., Ltd.
    Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

    (In millions of KRW and thousands of US$)

        As of
        31-Dec-24     31-Mar-25
        KRW     US$     KRW     US$
        (audited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)
    Assets                              
    Current assets:                              
    Cash and cash equivalents          228,898          155,244          201,367          136,572
    Short-term financial instruments          324,304         219,951           375,796           254,874
    Accounts receivable, net            81,152           55,039            74,469            50,507
    Other receivables, net              1,572             1,066              2,162              1,466
    Prepaid expenses               8,115             5,504              6,669              4,523
    Other current financial assets              6,602             4,478              6,033               4,092
    Other current assets              2,967              2,012               3,091               2,096
    Total current assets          653,610         443,294          669,587           454,130
    Property and equipment, net              9,957              6,753            10,576              7,173
    Intangible assets, net              7,057              4,786               6,414               4,350
    Deferred tax assets              5,617              3,810               6,294               4,269
    Other non-current financial assets                  1,767                1,198                   670                   454
    Other non-current assets              8,451             5,732             9,366              6,352
    Total assets          686,459         465,573          702,907          476,728
    Liabilities and Equity                              
    Current liabilities:                              
    Accounts payable            67,930           46,072            63,048            42,761
    Deferred revenue            26,761            18,150            24,015            16,288
    Withholdings              1,588              1,077              1,635               1,109
    Accrued expense              2,651             1,798              2,168              1,470
    Income tax payable              6,507             4,413              8,782              5,956
    Other current liabilities              3,212             2,178              3,390              2,299
    Total current liabilities              108,649              73,688            103,038              69,883
    Long-term account payables                 220                149                 220                 149
    Long-term deferred revenue              2,572             1,744              1,322                  897
    Other non-current liabilities              5,361              3,636              5,904               4,003
    Deferred tax liabilities              1,294               878              1,294                  878
    Total liabilities           118,096           80,095          111,778             75,810
    Share capital              3,474             2,356              3,474               2,356
    Capital surplus                26,979              18,298              26,979              18,298
    Other components of equity            23,801           16,143            24,507             16,621
    Retained earnings          513,418          348,212           535,456           363,159
    Equity attributable to owners of the Parent Company          567,672          385,009          590,416           400,434
    Non-controlling interest                 691                 469                  713                  484
    Total equity          568,363          385,478          591,129           400,918
    Total liabilities and equity          686,459         465,573          702,907           476,728

    * For convenience purposes only, the KRW amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars at the rate of KRW 1,474.44 to US$ 1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2025 as quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

    GRAVITY Co., Ltd.
    Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

    (In millions of KRW and thousands of US$ except for share and ADS data)

        Three months ended
        31-Dec-24     31-Mar-24     31-Mar-25
        (KRW)   (US$)     (KRW)   (US$)     (KRW)   (US$)
        (unaudited)   (unaudited)     (unaudited)   (unaudited)     (unaudited)   (unaudited)
    Revenues:                            
    Online games   19,822   13,444                    18,065   12,252                    18,806   12,755
    Mobile games   105,586   71,611                    98,548   66,838                   115,486   78,325
    Other revenue   4,315   2,927                      3,166   2,147                      3,172   2,151
    Total net revenue   129,723   87,982                   119,779   81,237                  137,464   93,231
    Cost of revenue   81,008   54,942                    73,628   49,936                    87,458   59,316
    Gross profit   48,715   33,040                    46,151   31,301                    50,006   33,915
    Operating expenses:                            
    Selling, general and administrative expenses   28,311   19,201                    15,747   10,680                    21,859   14,825
    Research and development   3,669   2,488                      3,601   2,442                      3,431   2,327
    Others, net                            785                       534                               (66)                      (45)                               (14)                         (9)
    Total operating expenses   32,765   22,223                    19,282   13,077                    25,276   17,143
    Operating profit   15,950   10,817                    26,869   18,224                    24,730   16,772
    Finance income(costs):                            
    Finance income                     9,801               6,647                      6,297   4,271                    10,717   7,269
    Finance costs                          (374)                     (254)                            (668)                    (453)                         (6,997)                 (4,746)
    Profit before income tax   25,377   17,210                    32,498   22,042                    28,450   19,295
    Income tax expense   2,274   1,542                      5,615   3,808                      6,372   4,322
    Profit for the year   23,103   15,668                    26,883   18,234                    22,078   14,973
    Profit attributable to:                            
    Non-controlling interest                                 4                           3                                 17                        12                                 40                         26
    Owners of Parent company   23,099   15,665                    26,866   18,222                    22,038   14,947
    Earning per share                            
    – Basic and diluted                      3,324                 2.25                      3,866   2.62                      3,171   2.15
    Weighted average number of shares outstanding                            
    – Basic and diluted               6,948,900        6,948,900               6,948,900   6,948,900               6,948,900   6,948,900
    Earning per ADS                            
    – Basic and diluted                      3,324                2.25                     3,866   2.62                    3,171   2.15

    * For convenience, the KRW amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars at the rate of KRW 1,474.44 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2025 as quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
    (1) Each ADS represents one common share.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labor likely to gain 5 senators, cementing the left’s Senate dominance

    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

    I previously wrote about the Senate the morning after the election. About half the Senate is elected at each House of Representatives election. Those up for election include six senators out of 12 for every state and all four territory senators. So 40 of the 76 senators were up for election.

    State senators elected at this election will start their six-year terms on July 1, while territory senators are tied to the term of the lower house.

    At a double dissolution election, all senators are up for election, and this truncates the terms of senators. With Labor and the Greens so dominant at this election, the Coalition may try a double dissolution if they win the next election.

    Senators are elected by proportional representation in their jurisdictions with preferences. At a half-Senate election, with six senators in each state up for election, a quota is one-seventh of the vote, or 14.3%. For the territories, a quota is one-third or 33.3%. Half a quota on primary votes (7.1% in a state) is usually enough to give a party a reasonable chance of election.

    It’s likely to take at least another three weeks to get final Senate results. All votes need to be data entered into a computer system, then a button is pressed to electronically distribute preferences. It’s only after this button press that we know final outcomes and margins.

    At the 2019 election (the last time these state senators were up for election), the Coaliition won 17 of the 36 state senators, Labor 11, the Greens six, One Nation one and Jacqui Lambie one. The right won by 18–17, with one for Lambie.

    Queensland’s senators split 4–2 to the right, Tasmania 3–2 to the left with one for Lambie and the other states were tied at 3–3.

    The four senators from the ACT and Northern Territory were last up for election in 2022. At that election, left-wing independent David Pocock and Labor won both ACT seats, while the NT went one Labor, one Country Liberal Party (CLP).

    At this election, it’s likely Labor will gain a senator in every mainland state at the expense of the Coalition, while the Greens, One Nation, Lambie and Pocock will hold their existing seats.

    The most likely outcome of this half-Senate election is 18 Labor out of 40 (up five), 13 Coalition (down five), six Greens (steady), and one each for One Nation, Lambie and Pocock (all steady). This would give the left a 25–14 win with one for Lambie.

    In 2022, the 36 state senators (not up for election in 2025) were 14 Coalition, 13 Labor, six Greens and one each for One Nation, the United Australia Party (UAP) and Tammy Tyrrell. During the last term Lidia Thorpe defected from the Greens, Fatima Payman from Labor and Tyrrell from the Jacqui Lambie Network.

    If Labor wins 18 seats at this half-Senate election, they will have 30 total senators out of 76, the Coalition 27, the Greens 11, One Nation two, and one each for Pocock, Lambie, the UAP, Thorpe, Payman and Tyrrell. Labor and the Greens alone would have 41 of the 76 senators, above the 39 needed for a majority.

    Counting Thorpe and Payman with the left, and the UAP with the right, the left would have an overall 44–30 majority with two others (Lambie and Tyrrell).

    National Senate votes and a state by state breakdown

    With 74% of enrolled voters counted nationally for the Senate, Labor has 35.5% of Senate votes (up 5.4% since 2022), the Coalition 29.9% (down 4.4%), the Greens 11.7% (down 0.9%), One Nation 5.6% (up 1.3%), Legalise Cannabis 3.4% and Trumpet of Patriots (ToP) 2.6%.

    The national House primary votes are currently 34.7% Labor, 32.2% Coalition, 11.8% Greens, 6.3% One Nation and 1.9% ToP. Usually major parties get a lower Senate vote than a House vote owing to more parties who run in the Senate. I believe Labor is benefiting in the Senate from the lack of a viable Teal option.

    In very late counting for both the House and Senate, the Greens usually gain at the Coalition’s expense as absent votes that are counted late are poor for the Coalition and good for the Greens. This would provide a further boost to Labor’s chances of gaining five senators.

    In New South Wales, with 79% of enrolled counted, Labor has 2.65 quotas, the Coalition 2.08, the Greens 0.78, One Nation 0.42, Legalise Cannabis 0.23 and ToP 0.16. Labor’s third candidate is 0.23 quotas ahead of One Nation and should win.

    In Victoria, with 71% of enrolled counted, Labor has 2.44 quotas, the Coalition 2.20, the Greens 0.88, One Nation 0.31, Legalise Cannabis 0.25, ToP 0.17, Family First 0.13 and Victorian Socialists 0.11. One Nation has the best chance to win outside Queensland, but Socialists’ preferences will flow strongly to Labor.

    In Queensland, with 71% of enrolled counted, Labor has 2.16 quotas, the Liberal National Party 2.15, the Greens 0.74, One Nation 0.49, Gerard Rennick 0.34, ToP 0.25 and Legalise Cannabis 0.24. Labor will win two, the LNP two, the Greens one and One Nation will probably win the final seat.

    In Western Australia, with 68% of enrolled counted, Labor has 2.57 quotas, the Liberals 1.83, the Greens 0.92, One Nation 0.40, Legalise Cannabis 0.28 and the Nationals 0.24. The Liberals will soak up right-wing preferences that would otherwise go to One Nation, so Labor should win the last seat.

    In South Australia, with 78% of enrolled counted, Labor has 2.70 quotas, the Liberals 1.94, the Greens 0.89, One Nation 0.37, ToP 0.20 and Legalise Cannabis 0.19. Labor’s third candidate has a 0.33 quota lead over One Nation.

    In Tasmania, with 84% of enrolled counted, Labor has 2.49 quotas, the Liberals 1.66, the Greens 1.14, Lambie 0.51, One Nation 0.36 and Legalise Cannabis 0.23. It’s likely Tasmania will be a status quo result: two Labor, two Liberals, one Green and one Lambie. If this occurs, Tasmania would be the only state without a loss for the Coalition.

    In the ACT, with 79% of enrolled counted, Pocock has easily retained with 1.19 quotas and Labor is certain to win the second seat with 0.95 quotas. The Liberals won just 17.2% or 0.52 quotas and the Greens 0.23 quotas.

    Turnout is relatively low in the NT. With 57% of enrolled counted, Labor has 1.03 quotas, the CLP 1.02, the Greens 0.33 and One Nation 0.24. Labor and the CLP will hold their two seats.

    Close seats in the House

    Since my last update on Wednesday, the ABC has called Melbourne, Menzies, Fremantle and Bendigo for Labor, taking Labor’s seat total to 91 of 150. The Coalition has won 40 seats, the Greens zero and all Others ten, with nine seats remaining undecided.

    In the undecided seats, Labor is the clear favourite in Bullwinkel and Calwell, and currently just behind in Bean and Longman but with a good chance of overturning those deficits. The Liberals are the favourites in Flinders, Monash and Bradfield, the Greens are favourites to hold one seat (Ryan) and Teal Monique Ryan should hold Kooyong.



    Read more:
    Explore the new House of Representatives

    The Conversation

    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. Labor likely to gain 5 senators, cementing the left’s Senate dominance – https://theconversation.com/labor-likely-to-gain-5-senators-cementing-the-lefts-senate-dominance-256207

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Egg packers prosecuted for switching ‘best before’ dates

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Egg packers prosecuted for switching ‘best before’ dates

    Egg packers prosecuted following APHA investigations

    Criminals re-packing of eggs with fake ‘best before’ dates have been stopped and prosecuted, following investigations carried out by the Animal and Plant Health Agency inspectors.

    The prosecutions, which took place between January and March 2025, involved multiple offences under the Egg Marketing Regulations. These included the unlawful re-packing of eggs with altered or extended ‘best before’ dates and breaches of required labelling standards and followed work by Animal and Plant Health Agency’s Egg Marketing Inspectors in conjunction with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Counter Fraud and Investigation Team.

    • On 31 March 2025, Phillip Hoyland of Summerley Top Farm, Derbyshire pleaded guilty to fraud charges. The charges arose following routine inspections carried out by APHA EMIs and a subsequent investigation by Defra’s Counter Fraud and Investigation Team. Mr Hoyland was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 24 months.

    • On 24 March 2025, Barradale Eggs Ltd of Ashford, Kent, was prosecuted at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court. The case followed an inspection by an APHA EMI, who identified that a batch of eggs had been re-packed and the original ‘best before’ date extended—contrary to egg marketing legislation. The company was found guilty of one offence and was ordered to pay a fine of £466 and costs of £85.

    • Field Farm Eggs, based in South Newbald, East Yorkshire, was prosecuted at Hull Magistrates’ Court on 24 February 2025, following inspections conducted by an APHA EMI in December 2023. The inspections revealed that a batch of class A eggs had been re-packed and the ‘best before’ date unlawfully extended.The defendant was found guilty of two offences and fined £1,000, with a victim surcharge of £400 and costs of £85.

    • Holyfield Farm Fresh Eggs Ltd, based in north London, pleaded guilty to three charges at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on Monday 20 January 2025 following inspections by an APHA EMI which found the original ‘best before’ date had been extended by four days. The court issued a fine of £2,000 (reduced from £3,000 due to an early guilty plea) and awarded £200 for prosecution costs.

    Aled Edwards, Head of England Field Delivery, Animal and Plant Health Agency said:  

    It’s essential that consumers can trust the eggs they purchase are fresh, safe to eat, and clearly and accurately labelled.

    These cases demonstrate our robust enforcement procedures; across the country we have 35 EMIs who work in our field delivery teams and have the important role of ensuring regulations in the egg industry are adhered to. I welcome these sentences from the courts and hope they will act as a deterrent to others.

    Every egg packaging centre, regardless of scale, must comply with all relevant legislation, including comprehensive environmental and animal welfare rules. 

    The cases are the latest example of robust collective action by APHA, Defra and the EMIs to prevent offences which breach the required labelling standards to maintain the highest food labelling standards in this country so that consumers have confidence in the food that they buy.

    Anyone who has serious concerns about the welfare of livestock is always urged to report issues immediately to the APHA so that urgent action can be taken by telephoning 03000 200 301 or emailing customeradvice@apha.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What’s the difference between probiotics and prebiotics? A dietitian explains

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia

    Simply Amazing/Shutterstock

    If you walk through your local pharmacy or supermarket you’re bound to come across probiotics and prebiotics.

    They’re added to certain foods. They come as supplements you can drink or take as a pill. They also occur naturally in everyday foods.

    You might have a vague idea that probiotics and prebiotics are healthy. Or perhaps you’ve heard they’re good for your “microbiome”.

    But what actually is your microbiome? And what’s the difference between probiotics and prebiotics anyway?

    First, some definitions

    The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, and the World Health Organization, define probiotics as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit”. These microorganisms are the bacteria and yeasts in food such as yoghurt, sauerkraut and kombucha, and in supplements.

    But prebiotics refer to the “food” probiotics need to survive and replicate.

    Prebiotics are better known as dietary fibre. They include specific types of fibres called inulin-type fructans, galacto-oligosaccahrides, resistant starch and pectin. Prebiotics occur naturally in plant foods, are added to foods (such as bread and breakfast cereals) and come as supplements.

    Dietary fibre remains undigested in your stomach and small intestine until it reaches the large intestine. There, microorganisms (probiotics) break down (or ferment) the fibre (prebiotics), converting it into metabolites or nutrients linked to better health.

    How are they related to your microbiome?

    Both probiotics and prebiotics are said to encourage a healthy microbiome. That’s a healthy community of different microorganisms that live in or on your body. This includes those in the mouth, gut, skin, respiratory system and the urogenital tract (which handles urine, and has reproductive functions).

    Everyone’s microbiome is different and varies throughout your life. For instance, changing your diet, physical activity, hygiene, taking antibiotics or having an infection all affect your microbiome.

    These factors can change the diversity of your microbiome, that is how many different types of microorganisms you have. These factors can also alter the ratio of healthy microorganisms to unhealthy ones.

    Everyone’s microbiome is different and this community of microorganisms varies throughout your life.
    Elif Bayraktar/Shutterstock

    When your microbiome is less diverse or when the number of unhealthy microorganisms outgrow the number of healthy ones, this is known as dysbiosis. This can lead to problems including diarrhoea or constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, bleeding gums, atopic dermatitis (eczema) or acne.

    Probiotics and prebiotics are marketed as ways to support a healthy, diverse microbiome, and help to reduce the chance of dysbiosis.

    As taking antibiotics can alter your microbiome, they’re also marketed as a way of improving its microbial diversity when taking antibiotics or afterwards.

    Do probiotics work?

    The microbiome plays a crucial role in our health. For instance, a healthy microbiome has been linked to reduced risk of cancers, cardiovascular (heart) diseases, allergy diseases and inflammatory bowel disease.

    But how about taking probiotic supplements to boost your microbiome?

    A review of clinical trials looked at probiotic supplements in healthy people. It found no increase in the diversity of their microbiome.

    Another review of clinical trials looked at the impact of probiotic supplements while people were taking antibiotics. The diversity of their microbiome did not improve.

    Another study not included in these two reviews found probiotics could make microbial diversity worse in the short term. It found probiotic supplements delayed restoring the microbiome after taking antibiotics.

    Trying probiotics around the time you take antibiotics doesn’t seem to help your microbiome.
    one photo/Shutterstock

    What about prebiotics?

    There have been few studies on the impact of healthy people just taking prebiotic supplements. However, there are studies of people taking prebiotics with probiotics on particular aspects of health.

    For instance, one large review looked at various neuropsychiatric outcomes, including dementia, Parkinson’s disease and mild cognitive impairment, when people took prebiotics and probiotics (together or separately). Another review looked at the effect of prebiotics, probiotics or synbiotics (supplements that contain both prebiotics and probiotics) on people with diabetes.

    But their findings are not conclusive. So we need more research to routinely recommend these supplements. They are also no replacement for standard medication and a healthy, balanced diet.

    So how do I keep my microbiome healthy?

    You’re better off getting your probiotics from everyday fermented foods, such as sauerkraut and kimchi.
    Tatjana Baibakova/Shutterstock

    Naturally occurring probiotics and prebiotics are in everyday foods.

    Probiotics are found in fermented foods such as cheese, sauerkraut, yoghurt, miso, tempeh and kimchi.

    Prebiotics are in the foods that contain fibre – all plant foods. It is important to have a variety of plant foods in your diet. This will ensure you get all the different types of fibre needed to keep your healthy bacteria alive, and to increase the diversity of your microbiome.

    Eating foods rather than consuming supplements also means you get the extra nutrients in the food.

    The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating recommends a diet rich in plant foods, and promotes eating fermented foods (in the form of cheese and yoghurt). This combination is ideal for maintaining a healthy microbiome.

    Evangeline Mantzioris is affiliated with Alliance for Research in Nutrition, Exercise and Activity (ARENA) at the University of South Australia. Evangeline Mantzioris has received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, and has been appointed to the National Health and Medical Research Council Dietary Guideline Expert Committee.

    – ref. What’s the difference between probiotics and prebiotics? A dietitian explains – https://theconversation.com/whats-the-difference-between-probiotics-and-prebiotics-a-dietitian-explains-248653

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Murray, Merkley, WA & Oregon Fire Officials Lay Out How Trump is Putting Wildfire Preparedness & Response at Risk

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    ***WATCH FULL PRESS CONFERENCE HERE; DOWNLOAD HERE***
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, hosted a virtual press call alongside Pacific Northwest wildfire officials to sound the alarm on how the Trump administration’s funding freezes and punishing cuts to the workforce at the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and other key agencies are seriously undermining wildfire preparedness and response in Washington state and Oregon and putting communities at risk.
    Forest Service employees work to maintain the health of our national forests and public lands and play an essential role in wildfire preparedness and response. About 75 percent of USFS staff are trained in wildland firefighting, and these workers have helped support firefighting efforts across Oregon and Washington state. But the Trump administration has now cut an estimated 7,400 employees at the Forest Service—including thousands of workers who were fired outright and thousands more who were pressured into taking the administration’s deferred resignation “offer.” In the Pacific Northwest, over 500 Forest Service employees have already been pushed out the door. Most of the Forest Service employees who have been terminated worked “boots-on-the-ground jobs.” It is also unclear how the blanket federal hiring freeze the Trump administration announced in January has affected USFS’ ability to hire seasonal wildland firefighters, as the administration is refusing to share critical information about staffing levels with Congress and the American people just weeks out from the beginning of fire season.  
    “When we invest in fire prevention, we are investing in saving lives, and really in saving entire communities.  And one of the most important investments we make is in the people who do this work. From hiring people who carry out important fire prevention work, to training people who can jump in to help fight fires when we need more hands. But all of that work is being thrown into jeopardy right now. Because, while Trump wants to claim that no firefighters have been laid off—as [is] so often the case, he just does not have a clue about what he is talking about. The reality is that Trump has decimated the U.S. Forest Service,” Senator Murray said. “Nearly every single Forest Service employee supports fire operations in some capacity. Trail maintenance crews ensure access to routes remain clear for firefighting personnel and equipment. Biologists conduct essential environmental assessments that inform prescribed burns and fuel reduction strategies. And other support staff like camp managers and administrative personnel receive firefighting training and are mobilized during peak fire season to bolster our frontline crews.  And remember, Trump has also said he wants to eliminate FEMA entirely… Trump is not just gutting the work to prevent fires—but the work to rebuild after disaster. Trump is taking a match to the frontline of defense for our forests, and our communities. So, we are here today to pull the fire alarm, and we’re going to set off some sirens.”
    “Wildfire season is almost here, but the Trump Administration has left us dangerously under-prepared,” Senator Merkley said. “I have been sounding the alarm about the need to seize every moment to prepare for and mitigate wildfires, from reducing hazardous fuels to hiring enough wildland firefighters to battle blazes on the frontlines. But instead of ramping up these efforts when we had the chance, Trump and Elon Musk stood in the way of funding projects that Oregon, Washington, and other Western states needed to protect our homes, businesses, and public lands. The Trump Administration is literally playing with fire, and it’s our communities that could get burned.”
    The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is predicting this will be an “above-average” year for wildfires, especially across Eastern Washington, and state officials have been sounding the alarm over a lack of federal resources and support. Federal agencies have jurisdiction over approximately 43 percent of public lands in Washington state. During last year’s fire season, 308,000 acres were burned by more than 1,400 fires across Washington. Officials are expecting above normal fire potential this fire season in Eastern Washington due short-term drought in the region which could worsen areawide as the 2025 summer progresses. 
    “Many don’t even understand how interconnected wildland fire response is in our nation. Across our state, and across all states, the folks on the ground are actually from Forest Service, DOI, state forestry agencies, and local fire service on the majority of fires that we see on the landscape. In fact, state and local fire service together account for almost 80 percent of the wildland fire response in this country. But with all the changes occurring, the biggest issue we’re currently facing is not always the funding but it’s the lack of communication. What we are having to do right now as we enter our summer fire season is prepare. Much like the Senator said, this is the time when we are making certain that we have the aviation we need, when we have the personnel we need, and that all of our systems check out and are ready to go when the alarm bell rings. Without knowing what our partners are doing or not having a clear understanding of what actions are being taken, we struggle with missing the third leg of the stool that we have. And so that, more than anything at the state level, has truly made it a challenge as we go into what looks to be a pretty significant wildland fire season,” said Washington State Forester George Geissler.
    “When we don’t have those interagency relationships and federal resources available, the burden transfers over to fire districts, to the State Department of Natural Resources, in combating fire that is threatening our jurisdictions, or it’s potentially coming into those interface areas around us that’s normally got higher levels of protection from the federal agencies. That lack of resources really creates us a scenario where that higher utilization pulls resources away from our local fire departments in order to work on those incidents, may commit them for longer periods of time, and there’s also the concern about understanding how those jurisdictions are impacted from a reimbursement standpoint. Most importantly that the current draft executive order that we have heard about from the administration and hasn’t addressed yet how the new firefighting systems at the federal level may look in the future,” said Leonard Johnson, Fire Chief at the McLane Black Fire Department in Washington state. “One of the things that’s been most interesting to us is that with the cuts they made to the workforce, both in the US Forest Service and the Department of the Interior, is that we’ve seen some of those impacts with positions that were reduced, or probationary employees that were removed, are going to start impacting our workforce in the incident management organizations. Those incident management organizations range from the local level, type three teams that serve in the regional areas, more locally in the counties, to the ones that also serve across the state geographical area, both across Washington and Oregon. We have not yet seen or been able to quantify, what the reduction in available personnel in those agencies, how that’s going to impact those teams.”
    “We remain concerned really about the impact on all the essential services that the Forest Service provides that were caused by these cuts in the Forest Service workforce, and we anticipate additional cuts in staffing, and this will significantly impede the ability of the Forest Service to deliver critical goods and services to the American people—including protecting communities from the effects of catastrophic wildfire. The staffing cuts that were imposed by the Department of Government Efficiency, from our standpoint, did not resemble an attempt to improve efficiencies because they did not really maintain essential service that’s focused on the needs of the American public. These indiscriminate reductions, along with the whole about 1000 or so staff that took deferred resignations, planned reductions in force in the future—they’re essentially hollowing out the agency and jeopardizing the future of America’s forest and ultimately, the American taxpayers that we serve,”said Steve Ellis, Chair of the National Association of Forest Service Retirees and former supervisor of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. “While some of these employees that were fired, hastily fired, have been brought back to work, please, don’t underestimate the uncertainty and damage to morale, and slowed work on wildland fire prevention and suppression and other things that the public relies on. The one thing that these workforce reductions did that I took notice of, was it overlooked the critical role of many thousands of Forest Service employees who assist in firefighting efforts but are not primarily firefighters. I was one of those for a good part of the 38 years of my career. The administration has fired many of the employees or encouraged or accepted their resignations—we understand as I’ve said, that others are targeting future RIF actions. Forest Service documentation indicates that through these various actions, the agency has lost over 1,600 red card wildland fire qualified personnel, and this doesn’t include the losses associated with probationary employees who did not return after their February 14th firing. According to the National Federation of Federal Employees, about 75 percent of terminated probationary employees, had red cards and were wildfire qualified.”
    “The incident management team shortages that we’re looking at for this coming fire season are very concerning. We’ve been told by our local forest service unit that of the 45 incident management teams that respond to the most serious incidents and relieve local resources of the burden of maintaining and managing the incidents…Nine out of those 45 incident management teams are no longer staffed going into this fire season, so that is a big concern. If those teams are committed to other fires, and then we have a serious fire that’s impacting our local landscape, and there are no more incident management teams to call on,” said Chris Chambers, Forestry Officer for Ashland Fire & Rescue. “That work can’t happen without the staffing available at the local district level, the forest level, and the region level, biologists, timber sale contract managers, everybody that has to be in place to make those projects successful. And as also was illustrated earlier, those are the same people who turn around during fire season and support the firefighting effort. It’s really a double whammy. In losing that staffing we aren’t able to implement the kinds of projects that are to protect communities and infrastructure ahead of fire season, and also losing the staff support for the firefighting effort when fire is on the ground during the summer. It’s particularly concerning, losing folks who are the most experienced staff that are taking the buyout, like we’re losing our local district rangers, people who have had the most experience on how to navigate the land management system, the environmental analysis that needs to be done to make these projects happen, those people are taking the early out. They’re leaving, and we are left with people who don’t have the kind of experience and knowledge to navigate the system to make these projects successful.”
    Senator Murray is working to secure critical investments in wildfire suppression and mitigation—and in our firefighters. Last year, as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she secured nearly $22 million in funding for wildfire risk reduction projects across Washington state as part of the USFS Wildfire Crisis Strategy. In the Interior and Environment appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2024, she worked to include essential investments in wildfire preparedness and suppression. And in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, secured $25 million in funding for wildfire mitigation projects across Washington state.
    Senator Murray has been a leading voice raising the alarm about how Trump and Elon’s mass firings across the federal workforce will undermine services all Americans rely on and hurt families, veterans, small businesses, farmers, and so many others in Washington state and across the country. Senator Murray has spoken out on the Senate floor repeatedly against this administration’s attacks on federal workers, held multiple press conferences with federal workers—including at U.S. Forest Service—who are being fired for no reason and through no fault of their own, released information about the mass firings, and repeatedly outlined her concerns with the administration’s so-called “Fork in the Road” offer to her constituents in Washington state.
    Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered at today’s press conference, are below and video is HERE:
    “Thank you to all of our panelists, and thank all of you for joining us to focus on something that is so important—wildfire prevention, preparedness, and response.
    “Wildfires are not new to the Pacific Northwest. They are not a surprise. They are a constant threat. Now, we may not know exactly when or where they will strike, but we do know they are coming. They happen every year.
    “Every year, we get a painful reminder about why we have to get ready—and stay ready. We get a reminder of the ways the prevention we do today, the preparation we do today, can help stop fires tomorrow.
    “When we invest in fire prevention—we are investing in saving lives, and really in saving entire communities.
    “And one of the most important investments we make is in the people who do this work. From hiring people who carry out important fire prevention work, to training people who can jump in to help fight fires when we need more hands. But all of that work is being thrown into jeopardy right now.
    “Because, while Trump wants to claim that no firefighters have been laid off—as [is] so often the case, he just does not have a clue about what he is talking about.
    “The reality is that Trump has decimated the U.S. Forest Service, firing more than 3,400 probationary employees, not to mention pressuring another 4,000 workers to take the so-called buyouts under threat of more workforce reductions in the future. More than 500 Forest Service employees in the Pacific Northwest have already been pushed out by this administration.
    “I have spoken with several Forest Service workers, from across Washington state who loved their job, who played an important role fighting fires, and who are gone now—thanks to Trump.
    “We hardly know the full scope of the damage because the administration won’t share the information, but I’ve heard of at least 35 people at Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, 46 at Okanogan Wenatchee, 21 at Colville, 15 at Gifford Pinchot, and more at the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Olympic National Forest, and Methow Valley!
    “And here’s the thing: nearly every single Forest Service employee supports fire operations in some capacity. Trail maintenance crews ensure access to routes remain clear for firefighting personnel and equipment. Biologists conduct essential environmental assessments that inform prescribed burns and fuel reduction strategies. And other support staff like camp managers, and administrative personnel, receive firefighting training and are mobilized during peak fire season to bolster our frontline crews.
    “In fact, around three-quarters of Forest Service workers are trained in wildland firefighting. They provide crucial surge capacity when crisis strikes.
    “And remember, Trump has also said he wants to eliminate FEMA entirely, and he has already denied one emergency declaration for Washington state, for recovery from the bomb-cyclone storm that struck our communities in November. Trump is not just gutting the work to prevent fires—but the work to rebuild after disaster. We have to get loud about this, and that is why I wanted to put this call together.
    “Trump is taking a match to the frontline of defense for our forests, and our communities. So we are here today to pull the fire alarm, and we’re going to set off some sirens. We are going to keep focused on this, and we’re going to keep pushing back. There is just too much at stake to do anything less.
    “And now I’d like to turn it over to Senator Merkley. He is my fellow Pacific Northwest colleague, and he is my partner on the Senate Appropriations Committee who helps lead the fight to protect federal investments in our wildfire preparedness and in our response efforts.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Provides Statement on UK Trade Deal

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Provides Statement on UK Trade Deal

    LINCOLN, NE — Governor Jim Pillen, a strong advocate for Nebraska agriculture and trade, released the following statement regarding President Donald J. Trump’s announcement of a new trade deal with the United Kingdom (U.K.). 

    “Trade matters to Nebraska because our farmers and ranchers produce the absolute best – and feed the world,” said Gov. Pillen. “America’s relationship with the U.K. is longstanding, and there is great potential for expanded trade between our countries. President Trump and his administration know that we need more trade with fewer barriers, and they are working around the clock to finalize trade deals with partners across the globe. That’s good news for Nebraska.”

    During the press conference, President Trump, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick highlighted the role American beef and ethanol will play in the deal.

    MIL OSI USA News –