NewzIntel.com

Category: Commerce

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 5,000 jobs secured as construction starts on Port Talbot green steel project

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    5,000 jobs secured as construction starts on Port Talbot green steel project

    5,000 steel jobs have been secured following the start of construction on Tata Steel’s Port Talbot electric arc furnace project today.

    • Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens join Tata Group Chairman to break ground on construction of electric arc furnace that will secure thousands of jobs.
    • Latest good news shows how UK’s modern Industrial Strategy is backing Welsh industry, following landmark energy support package slashing energy costs for Tata Steel and other UK steel firms.
    • Industry Minister Sarah Jones to chair meeting of Steel Council together with industry leaders at 7Steel this morning to work towards finalising UK’s Steel Strategy.

    5,000 jobs have been secured following the start of construction on Tata Steel’s electric arc furnace (EAF) at Port Talbot steelworks today (14 July).

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will join Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, Wales Secretary Jo Stevens and other government and company representatives to break ground on the project and start construction later today.

    The construction milestone, made possible by a £500 million UK Government grant provided as part of the improved deal for Port Talbot’s transition which the Government agreed after only 10 weeks in office, is a major win for Welsh steelmaking in the run-up to the launch of government’s Steel Strategy this year.

    This morning, Industry Minister Sarah Jones will chair a meeting of the Steel Council at 7Steel in Cardiff to work towards finalising the upcoming Steel Strategy – backed by up to £2.5 billion of investment – and reflect on a series of recent wins for the industry with senior leaders from across the sector, including British Steel and UK Steel.

    This includes slashing energy costs for steel producers via new measures announced in the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, strengthening the UK’s steel safeguard measures to protect the industry from spikes of foreign steel imports and bolstering the UK’s procurement rules to ensure UK-made steel is considered wherever possible for use on public construction projects.

    The Government is also backing the steel sector by working closely with the US to secure the removal of 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminium, while the UK remains the only country in the world not to pay a 50 percent tariff rate.

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    This is our Industrial Strategy in action and is great news for Welsh steelmaking backing this crucial Welsh industry, which will give certainty to local communities and thousands of local jobs for years to come.

    This government is committed to a bright future for our steel industry, which is why we provided £500 million of funding to make this project possible. Our modern Industrial Strategy has set out how we’ll back the sector even further, including by slashing energy costs for firms like Tata Steel to level the playing field, as part of our Plan for Change.

    The start of construction on Tata Steel’s EAF marks a significant step forward in Port Talbot’s transition to greener steel production, and is expected to reduce the site’s carbon emissions by around 90 percent.

    The success of the project – and Tata Group’s continued investment in British industry – is testament to the UK’s strong and valued relationship with India, following the trade deal the Government agreed with India in May which will add billions to the UK economy going forward.

    During the groundbreaking event to mark the start of construction, the Business Secretary will tour the site of the new EAF, meet with senior management at Tata Steel and take part in a demonstration with a virtual reality headset to see how the new EAF will look when operational.

    Tata Group Chairman Mr Chandrasekaran said:

    This is a proud day for Tata Group, Tata Steel and for the UK. Today’s groundbreaking marks not just the beginning of a new Electric Arc Furnace, but a new era for sustainable manufacturing in Britain. At Port Talbot, we are building the foundations of a cleaner, greener future, supporting jobs, driving innovation, and demonstrating our commitment to responsible industry leadership.

    This project is also part of Tata Group’s wider investment in the UK, across steel, automotive, and technology among others, which reflects our deep and enduring partnership with this country.

    Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

    The UK Government acted decisively to ensure that steelmaking in Port Talbot will continue for generations to come, backing Tata Steel with £500 million to secure its future in the town, along with £80 million to support workers and the wider community. Our Steel Strategy will also deliver up to £2.5 billion of investment to rebuild the UK industry, maintain jobs and drive growth.

    The construction of Tata’ s new furnace realises the promise we made to the community, while the development of floating offshore wind, plans for a Celtic Freeport and millions more for local regeneration all mean that Port Talbot has a bright future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Equipment manufacturers driving trade growth

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

    A drone photo shows the shipbuilding site of the subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp Ltd in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on March 20. [Photo/Xinhua]

    In early July, a shipyard along the Yangtze River in Jiangyin, East China’s Jiangsu province, was humming with the sounds of welding and hammering.

    In one berth, work on an oil tanker was nearing completion, while a hospital ship was undergoing a major retrofit. A little distance away, dry docks were operating at full throttle.

    CSSC Chengxi Shipyard Co, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp, saw its export value surge by more than 28 percent year-on-year in the first five months. With orders lined up through 2028 and a growing appetite for high-tech vessels, this shipyard is powering full steam ahead.

    “We are steering toward transformation,” said Yang Haibo, the shipyard’s assistant president. “Take the 41,800-ton self-unloading vessel we built last year; its value hit $96 million, triple that of a conventional bulk carrier. We just secured an overseas order to build a 44,000-ton self-discharger in May.”

    As global demand shifts, Yang said Chinese shipyards are embracing greener and smarter solutions to remain competitive, including ramping up investment in next-generation shipbuilding technologies.

    Much like China’s new energy vehicle, industrial robot and energy storage sectors, the shipbuilding industry exemplifies how domestic manufacturers are adopting innovation and green development to rise above the challenges posed by unilateralism and geoeconomic fragmentation.

    In the process, they are playing a vital role in supporting the country’s foreign trade and industrial upgrade.

    As a high value-added sector, the equipment manufacturing industry has become a key driver of China’s export restructuring.

    The country’s exports of equipment manufacturing products amounted to 6.22 trillion yuan ($853.3 billion) between January and May, up 9.2 percent year-on-year, accounting for 58.3 percent of the country’s total exports, data from the General Administration of Customs showed.

    Meanwhile, China’s exports of electric vehicles grew by 19 percent year-on-year, construction machinery by 10.7 percent, ships by 18.9 percent and industrial robots by an impressive 55.4 percent.

    Equipment manufacturing accounted for 73 percent of China’s export growth in the first five months, with the contribution rising to 76.9 percent in May alone, providing strong support for the steady growth of foreign trade, said Lyu Daliang, director-general of the administration’s department of statistics and analysis.

    The ongoing upgrade of China’s equipment manufacturing industry is not only fueling the growth of domestic manufacturers, but also delivering energy-efficient, high-tech and competitively priced products to its trading partners, said Chen Jianwei, a researcher at the University of International Business and Economics’ Academy of China Open Economy Studies in Beijing.

    This progress is accelerating the digital and green advancement of developed economies, while also supporting industrialization and urbanization in many developing and emerging markets, contributing to more balanced global development and long-term sustainability, said Chen.

    Among the key drivers of this momentum, industrial robots have rapidly become a standout export category. These multijoint robotic arms and other advanced robotic systems are widely used in sectors such as automotives, electronics, chemicals and consumer goods.

    As China’s production capabilities in this field continue to advance, a growing number of industrial robots are being exported to markets such as Thailand, Germany, the United States and the United Arab Emirates — underscoring the global appeal of the nation’s smart manufacturing solutions.

    At AgileX Robotics, a robotic arm manufacturer in Dongguan, Guangdong province, workers were busy packing robotic arms in late June. This batch of products, designed for data collection, plays a key role in the development and training of humanoid robots, and has gained strong traction in overseas markets.

    “We really can’t ship fast enough and demand is overwhelming. Our exports this year are expected to rise by 70 to 80 percent compared with 2024,” said Chen Peng, the company’s marketing director.

    Chen said that orders from overseas research institutions, particularly in the artificial intelligence field, are growing the fastest. These clients often require rapid delivery due to time-sensitive needs.

    This growth is not merely the success of a single robot manufacturer. Rather, it reflects a broader trend in Dongguan.

    The city’s exports of industrial robots, including industrial robotic arms, handling and welding robots, and robots with other functions, exceeded 190 million yuan during the January-May period, representing a year-on-year increase of 116.4 percent, data from Huangpu Customs showed.

    From an industrial chain perspective, China’s industrial robot sector has seen significant advancements over the past decade, especially in core components such as reducers, servo motors, controllers and control units, said Lei Lei, deputy secretary-general of the robotics branch of the Beijing-based China Machinery Industry Federation.

    Lei said Chinese industrial robot manufacturers are evolving their export models as they expand globally. This shift is already playing out among many companies in the sector.

    Xu Hongchun, vice-president of Suzhou JiBOT Technology Co, a Suzhou, Jiangsu province-based manufacturer of collaborative robotic arms and mobile robot platforms, said the company has already shifted toward providing customized end-to-end solutions for overseas factories and warehouses.

    “Our material handling robots are primarily used in the new energy and electronic semiconductor sectors,” said Xu. “Currently, more than 70 percent of our exports in this category include solution-based packages.”

    The Chinese company achieves this by integrating data from various robots into a centralized control system. A smart dispatching platform enables real-time coordination, allowing multiple robots to operate efficiently across different zones and meet the specific needs of its foreign clients.

    While industrial robots and intelligent automation are shifting manufacturing and logistics, traditional heavy industries are also embracing innovation and seizing more market opportunities across the world.

    In sectors such as mining and construction, Chinese companies are combining durable engineering with localization strategies to meet the needs of emerging markets.

    Sany Heavy Equipment Co, a mining and construction machinery manufacturer based in Shenyang, Liaoning province, has been actively expanding its presence in the African market. Its wide-body dump trucks, electric-powered dumpers and engineering excavators are widely used in countries including South Africa, Ghana, Angola and Zambia.

    “Africa is rich in mineral resources and has significant demand for mining machinery. Our mining equipment is built to withstand harsh operating conditions and is well-suited for the complex terrains found in mining areas,” said Sun Bo, head of the company’s sales unit.

    Sun said that Sany Heavy Equipment Co’s mining dump trucks have significantly improved operational efficiency and earned high praise from clients in countries such as Eritrea and Mozambique in recent years.

    The company’s exports amounted to 1.44 billion yuan in the first half, while its exports to Africa surged 230 percent year-on-year to 330 million yuan, the latest data from Shenyang Customs showed.

    Experts said the continued rise of China’s equipment manufacturing exports reflects both industrial progress and the country’s deeper integration into global supply chains.

    Zhao Ping, head of the academy of the Beijing-based China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said that China is no longer just a source of affordable goods. It is increasingly a provider of complex, high-value equipment that meets the needs of developed and emerging markets alike.

    Zhao said that the combination of strong research and development capabilities, digitalized manufacturing processes and mature supply chains has enabled Chinese manufacturers to evolve from volume-driven to value-driven exports.

    “This transformation not only enhances China’s competitiveness, but also contributes to global industrial development and technological diffusion,” said Ji Xuehong, a professor at the School of Economics and Management at Beijing-based North China University of Technology.

    In the face of a complex and volatile external environment, China will steadfastly expand its high-standard opening-up and address the uncertainty of drastic changes in the external environment with the certainty of its own high-quality development, said Xiao Lu, deputy director-general of the department of foreign trade at the Ministry of Commerce.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Effective advocacy in privacy

    Source: Privacy Commissioner

    This guidance is intended for advocates who aren’t lawyers but who are representing people in their privacy concerns.

    Access to personal information

    Tailoring your access request will make it more likely you’ll get relevant information without delay.

    Access requests can take time for an agency to deal with, so we recommend making a request for specific documents if that is what your client wants. This should be the quickest way to get a response at no charge. If you can’t do that, then we suggest you ask for the information within scope of what you want (limit this to within a period of time or make it about an issue). You cannot impose your own timeframe on an agency. The agency is required to respond to you in 20 working days and make a decision, but that does not mean they will always be able to provide the information at the same time.

    We encourage you to be pragmatic and focus on solutions. If you ask for a long meandering or highly specific list that can be a problem. Koso v MBIE (opens to PDF, 133KB) is a good example of this. 

    Either be specific, “I want the emails between these people between these dates” or broad, “all personal information held about X between these dates.”  

    If you ask for “everything held” where there is going to be a search through a lot of information that isn’t personal to the requester, but has their name on it (for example an employee/employer request for all emails) that might mean any personal information is not readily retrievable and the request could be refused. The case note ‘Academic denied request for 12,000 work emails‘ is a good example of this.

    If you need the information urgently, explain to the agency why are making your request urgent, so that the agency can take this into account (as outlined in Koso v MBIE (opens to PDF, 133KB)).

    If you need the information for another process (for example the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) or court proceedings) then use that process. The Privacy Commissioner’s processes can’t align with other agencies’ timeframes and you could be entitled to different (potentially broader) information, and different assessments will apply (see ERA power to order docs/info under s160). 

    You can only request information about your client. Policy documents, information about a redundancy etc. might be information you could or should be given access to as an employee, but it is not information you are entitled to request under IPP6, unless it contains personal information.

    If you don’t get a response, follow up with the agency. We have a small number of investigators and if you can potentially solve the issue for the person you’re representing by sending an email, we would expect you to do so in the first instance. This will also help us assess your complaint if you have made efforts to follow up and have still had no response.

    Information missing

    We don’t know what’s missing or should be held by an agency. We have limited investigative resources to ask an agency ‘are you sure that’s everything’ so if you haven’t got all the information your client is expecting to receive, then we need to see some evidence we can base an investigation on. For example, is there a reference in an email to a discussion/meeting/attachment that you’ve not received, or are you aware of further correspondence for some other reason?

    Other privacy complaints

    Tell the agency what you want to resolve your privacy concern. If you have emailed the agency saying “respond by X date or I will file a complaint with OPC” doesn’t mean we can investigate your complaint. Explain to that agency what it can do to resolve the concerns you have raised. An investigation by our Office is not a “resolution” that the agency can provide to you. 

    Read more about our approach to settling privacy complaints.

    We understand that privacy might only be a small part of a broader dispute. Please be ready to explain your privacy complaint in a simple and brief way. 

    Professionalism/courtesy

    Resolving complaints can be hard work for everyone involved, and it is important that everyone remains civil towards each other. OPC has developed a Service Charter setting out the way we will work with people, and what we expect in terms of behaviour.  

    We understand that you want to provide advocacy for your client, but ours is not an adversarial process. We see people get better results when they come to us with reasonable and realistic expectations. Remember that your behaviour could affect your client’s ability to engage with the agency, and access our process.

    If your correspondence with us or the agency is rude, abusive, or threatening, we may not be able to accept your complaint.  

    Contacting us

    We cannot communicate with you on behalf of someone else without a signed authority form (opens to PDF, 116KB).

    When you get in contact with us, it’s more important to show us the important documents than it is to explain all of the background. We need to see some evidence of what you’re raising concerns about. This could include a copy of the information request, your complaint to the agency, any response received from it, and evidence that you’ve followed up or explained the outstanding concerns to the agency. If you include all of the relevant information from the outset, you will get a response more quickly. 

    We recommend identifying the key questions or issues and then explaining your position on each one. You should list the key facts that support your answer in a way that specific and clear. 

    We recommend that you don’t use AI to make your complaint. Read our information about using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to work with us. 

    There are a number of reasons that we may decide not to investigate a complaint. For example it happened more than 12 months ago, or there haven’t been reasonable efforts to resolve the complaint with the agency first. We also have a discretion not to investigate if it is not necessary in the circumstances. Read more about why we might not investigate. 

    Thank you to Robin Arthur of the ERA for the inspiration to create this document. Robin’s good work is also relevant and can be read on their website (opens to PDF, 124KB). 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Appointments to the Broadcasting Standards Authority

    Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage

    Karyn Fenton-Ellis has been appointed to the Board of the Broadcasting Standards Authority and current member John Gillespie has been reappointed.
    The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) is an independent Crown entity that receives and determines complaints from people dissatisfied with the outcome of complaints made to broadcasters about the standards on television and radio. The BSA also encourages the development and observance by broadcasters of codes of broadcasting practice appropriate to the type of broadcasting undertaken by them.
    “These appointments ensure a well-balanced board with an appropriate mix of skills and experience. The appointments are made by the Governor-General on the advice of the Minister for Media and Communications, Hon Paul Goldsmith,” says Secretary for Culture and Heritage, Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae.
    “Karyn Fenton-Ellis, of Waikato, has had a 26-year broadcasting career, with a particular focus on the racing industry. She received the NZTR Media Award in 2012 and was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2014 for services to the community, the arts, and to racing. Ms Fenton-Ellis has been appointed as the public interest member on the Board.
    “Ms Fenton-Ellis provides strengths in strategic awareness and a high-level understanding of key stakeholder communications. She has a good understanding of Crown governance and has good knowledge of the sector and the role of the BSA.
    “John Gillespie of Auckland is a communications professional with 30 years of sector experience and a considerable career in executive leadership. He was the Head of News and Current Affairs at TVNZ from 2013 to 2020. Mr Gillespie holds the ‘broadcasting industry’ position on the board.
    “We would like to acknowledge and thank departing board member Pulotu Tupe Solomon-Tanoa’i for her contribution to the BSA. Tupe has been on the board since December 2021”, Leauanae says
    The appointment for Ms Fenton-Ellis is until 31 May 2028 and Mr Gillespie’s appointment is until 31 May 2029.
    Bios
    Karyn Fenton-Ellis
    Karyn Fenton-Ellis of Waikato is a licensed syndicator with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. She was one of the inaugural presenters for both TAB Trackside Television and TAB Trackside Radio.
    Ms Fenton-Ellis hosted the Retro, Weigh-In and First Call programmes, as well as being a studio presenter in a broadcasting career stretching 26 years. She co-hosted the Karaka Premier Sale television coverage for 10 years and was MC for the Horse of the Year Awards on many occasions. She was presented with the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) Media Award in 2012 and was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2014 for services to the community, the Arts, and to racing.
    Ms Fenton-Ellis is a former World Chairman and President of Junior Chamber of Commerce International, former member of the Arts Council, trustee of the New Zealand Arts Foundation, and board member of the Christchurch Arts Festival. She won the World Public Speaking Contest in 1989 and was also the recipient of a rare Trinity College of London Exhibition Award.
    John Gillespie
    John Gillespie of Auckland is a communications professional with 30 years sector experience and a considerable career in executive leadership. He was the Head of News and Current Affairs at TVNZ from 2013 to 2020 and also held roles as the Executive Producer of Fair Go and Head of News for Canterbury Television. Mr Gillespie has extensive knowledge of the broadcasting sector with a particular focus on news and current affairs. He has knowledge of the BSA and media law, and is committed to listening, learning and leading with courage, tenacity and a deep sense of values.
    Mr Gillespie holds the ‘broadcasting industry’ position on the board.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Music is at the forefront of AI disruption, but NZ artists still have few protections

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dave Carter, Associate Professor, School of Music and Screen Arts, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

    Getty Images

    Was the recent Velvet Sundown phenomenon a great music and media hoax, a sign of things to come, or just another example of what’s already happening ?

    In case you missed it, the breakout act was streamed hundreds of thousands of times before claims emerged the band and their music were products of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI).

    Despite the “band” insisting they were real, an “associate” later admitted it was indeed an “art hoax” marketing stunt. Much of the subsequent commentary was concerned with fairness – particularly that a “fake” band was succeeding at the expense of “real” artists.

    But Velvet Sundown is only the most recent example in a long history of computer generated and assisted music creation – going back to the 1950s when a chemistry professor named Lejaren Hiller debuted a musical composition written by a computer.

    By the 1980s, David Cope’s Experiments in Musical Intelligence created music so close to the style of Chopin and Bach it fooled classically trained musicians.

    Artist and composer Holly Herndon was highlighting a need for the ethical use and licensing of voice models and deepfakes several years before Grimes invited others to use AI-generated versions of her voice to make new music, and “Deepfake Drake” alarmed the major record labels.

    At the same time, music companies, including Warner, Capitol and rapper-producer Timbaland, have since inked record contracts for AI-generated work.

    GenAI-powered tools, such as those offered by Izotope, LANDR and Apple, have become commonplace in mixing and mastering since the late 2000s. Machine learning technology also underpins streaming recommendations.

    Creativity and copyright

    Despite this relatively long history of technology’s impact on music, it still tends to be framed as a future challenge. The New Zealand government’s Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, released this month, suggests we’re at a “pivotal moment” as the AI-powered future approaches.

    In June, a draft insight briefing from Manata Taonga/Ministry for Culture & Heritage explored “how digital technologies may transform the ways New Zealanders create, share and protect stories in 2040 and beyond”.

    It joins other recent publications by the Australasian Performing Rights Association and New Zealand’s Artificial Intelligence Researchers Association, which grapple with the future impacts of AI technologies.

    One of the main issues is the use of copyright material to train AI systems. Last year, two AI startups, including the one used by Velvet Sundown, were sued by Sony, Universal and Warner for using unlicensed recordings as part of their training data.

    It’s possible the models have been trained on recordings by local musicians without their permission, too. But without any requirement for tech firms to disclose their training data it can’t be confirmed.

    Even if we did know, the copyright implications for works created by AI in Aotearoa New Zealand aren’t clear. And it’s not possible for musicians to opt out in any meaningful way.

    This goes against the data governance model designed by Te Mana Raraunga/Māori Sovereignty Network. Māori writer members of music rights administrator APRA AMCOS have also raised concerns about potential cultural appropriation and misuse due to GenAI.

    Recent research suggesting GenAI work displaces human output in creative industries is particularly worrying for local musicians who already struggle for visibility. But it’s not an isolated phenomenon.

    In Australia, GenAI has reportedly been used to impersonate successful, emerging and dead artists. And French streaming service Deezer claims up to 20,000 tracks created by GenAI were being uploaded to its service daily.

    Regulation in the real world

    There has been increased scrutiny of streaming fraud, including a world-first criminal case brought last year against a musician who used bots to generate millions of streams for tracks created with GenAI.

    But on social media, musicians now compete for attention with a flood of “AI slop”, with no real prospect of platforms doing anything about it.

    More troublingly, New Zealand law has been described as “woefully inadequate” at combating deepfakes and non-consensual intimate imagery that can damage artists’ brands and livelihoods.

    The government’s AI strategy prioritises adoption, innovation and a light-touch approach over these creative and cultural implications. But there is growing consensus internationally that regulatory intervention is warranted.

    The European Union has enacted legislation requiring AI services to be transparent about what they have trained their models on, an important first step towards an AI licensing regime for recorded and musical works.

    An Australian senate committee has recommended whole-of-economy AI guardrails, including transparency requirements in line with the EU. Denmark has gone even further, with plans to give every citizen copyright of their own facial features, voice and body, including specific protections for performing artists.

    It’s nearly ten years since the music business was described as the “canary in a coalmine” for other industries and a bellwether of broader cultural and economic shifts. How we address the current challenges presented by AI in music will have far-reaching implications.

    Dave Carter is a writer member of APRA AMCOS. He has received funding and contributed to projects funded by Manatū Taongao Ministry for Culture and Heritage, NZ on Air and APRA AMCOS.

    Jesse Austin-Stewart has completed commissioned research for NZ On Air and participated in focus groups for Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage. He has received competitive funding from Creative New Zealand, NZ On Air, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture & Hertiage, and the NZ Music Commission. He is a writer member of APRA AMCOS and a member of the Composer’s Association of New Zealand and Recorded Music NZ

    Oli Wilson has previously completed research in partnership with or commissioned by APRA AMCOS, Toi Mai Workforce Development Council, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture & Heritage and the NZ Music Commission. He has also received funding, or contributed to projects that have benefited from funding from NZ on Air, the NZ Music Commission and Recorded Music New Zealand. He has provided services to The Chills, owns shares in TripTunz Limited, and is a writer member of APRA AMCOS.

    – ref. Music is at the forefront of AI disruption, but NZ artists still have few protections – https://theconversation.com/music-is-at-the-forefront-of-ai-disruption-but-nz-artists-still-have-few-protections-260299

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LLK Trading Inc. Recalls “Needle Mushrooms” Because of Possible Health Risk

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    July 11, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    July 13, 2025
    Product Type:
    Food & Beverages
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Potential Foodborne Illness – Listeria monocytogenes

    Company Name:
    LLK TRADING INC.
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    LLK TRADING INC.

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Needle mushroom

    Company Announcement
    LLK TRADING INC. of Linden, NJ, is recalling its 200g packages of “Needle Mushrooms” because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. The recalled “Needle Mushrooms” were distributed to Bally Produce Corp. located at 4900 Maspeth Ave, Maspeth, NY 11378, and was sold to DATANG SUPERMARKET INC.
    The product comes in a 200 gram, clear plastic packaging on the top and blue (non-transparent) on the bottom.
    No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
    The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the FDA revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the package they sampled. 
    Vending of the product has been suspended while FDA and the company continues their investigation as to the source of the contamination.
    Consumers who have purchased the 200 gram packages of “Needle Mushrooms” are urged not to consume the products and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company Monday to Friday 9:30am to 3:00pm (EST) at (908)-290-3061.

    Company Contact Information

    Consumers:
    LLK Trading Inc.
    (908)-290-3061

    Media:
    Ashley LIU
    (908)-209-3061

    Product Photos

    Content current as of:
    07/13/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LLK Trading Inc. Recalls “Needle Mushrooms” Because of Possible Health Risk

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    July 11, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    July 13, 2025
    Product Type:
    Food & Beverages
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Potential Foodborne Illness – Listeria monocytogenes

    Company Name:
    LLK TRADING INC.
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    LLK TRADING INC.

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Needle mushroom

    Company Announcement
    LLK TRADING INC. of Linden, NJ, is recalling its 200g packages of “Needle Mushrooms” because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. The recalled “Needle Mushrooms” were distributed to Bally Produce Corp. located at 4900 Maspeth Ave, Maspeth, NY 11378, and was sold to DATANG SUPERMARKET INC.
    The product comes in a 200 gram, clear plastic packaging on the top and blue (non-transparent) on the bottom.
    No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
    The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the FDA revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the package they sampled. 
    Vending of the product has been suspended while FDA and the company continues their investigation as to the source of the contamination.
    Consumers who have purchased the 200 gram packages of “Needle Mushrooms” are urged not to consume the products and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company Monday to Friday 9:30am to 3:00pm (EST) at (908)-290-3061.

    Company Contact Information

    Consumers:
    LLK Trading Inc.
    (908)-290-3061

    Media:
    Ashley LIU
    (908)-209-3061

    Product Photos

    Content current as of:
    07/13/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Deputy President undertakes strategic working visit to China

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Deputy President undertakes strategic working visit to China

    Deputy President Paul Mashatile is expected to embark on a Working Visit to the People’s Republic of China from tomorrow (Monday).

    He will be accompanied by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Thandi Moraka; Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams; Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau; Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen.

    While there, the Deputy President will participate in the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE).

    “In its third year, CISCE is the world’s first national-level expo dedicated to global supply chains. It is hosted under the auspices of the Chinese Central Government and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade [CCPIT].

    “This high-level participation by the Deputy President and the South African Delegation is a pivotal opportunity to advance the South Africa–China All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era. It also reinforces South Africa’s position as a gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa for trade, investment, and industrial cooperation,” the Presidency said in a statement.

    South Africa has been accorded Guest Country status for the expo under the theme “South Africa: Your Pathway to Supply Chain Resilience”.

    The visit will focus on:

    • Promoting strategic sectors such as renewable energy, logistics, pharmaceuticals, mineral beneficiation, and the digital economy;
    • Showcasing a robust pipeline of investable projects to attract targeted Chinese investment, particularly into Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and critical infrastructure;
    • Enhancing bilateral collaboration on clean technologies, digital skills development, and industrial standards; and
    • Advancing South Africa’s objectives for supply chain resilience, accelerated industrialisation, and deeper integration within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.

    “In addition, the visit will include a dedicated bilateral programme aligned with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and the Ten-Year Strategic Programme of Cooperation (2020–2029) between South Africa and China, with a particular emphasis on Chapter Two on Mutual Beneficial Economic Cooperation and Trade.

    “The visit is also part of the evolving strategic trajectory of the South Africa-China relationship and reaffirms both countries’ commitment to deepening mutual cooperation in support of inclusive economic growth and sustainable development,” the Presidency’s statement read. – SAnews.gov.za

    NeoB

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Backing British Industry: Government launches £2.5bn DRIVE35 programme to power UK auto investment and jobs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Backing British Industry: Government launches £2.5bn DRIVE35 programme to power UK auto investment and jobs

    UK auto firms will benefit from a £2.5 billion commitment over the next decade that will support thousands of jobs and help ensure the UK remains at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle development.

    • UK auto sector boosted by £2.5 billion under DRIVE35, as government launches new and improved funding competitions, supporting projects which help the transition to zero-emission vehicle manufacturing.
    • Package forms part of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, which takes bold ambition to significantly increase business investment in the advanced manufacturing sector by 2035.
    • Government also announces over £300 million of investment for specific auto projects, supporting the UK’s thousands of high-value manufacturing jobs and delivering on the Plan for Change.

    UK auto firms will benefit from a £2.5 billion commitment over the next decade that will support thousands of jobs and help ensure the UK remains at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle development.

    Government is today announcing the launch of DRIVE35, comprising new and improved funding competitions that will support UK businesses. The programme will fund a wide spectrum of projects which help the transition to zero-emission vehicle manufacturing – targeting established high-volume manufacturing and multi-billion-pound gigafactories, all the way to start-ups, prototypes and cutting-edge automotive innovation.  

    The new programme was announced in the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, part of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy. It will commit £2 billion in funding to 2030 alongside an additional £500m for research and development to 2035, signalling a ten-year commitment to UK automotive innovation.

    The cash will provide certainty to the sector, give innovators the confidence to invest in the UK and will support the latest in research and development, unlocking capital investment in zero emission vehicles, batteries and their supply chains. 

    The automotive sector contributed £21.4 billion in GVA to the economy in 2024 and currently employs 132,000 people across all parts of the UK – including many highly-skilled, highly-paid roles, and apprenticeships. The transition to zero emissions is the biggest opportunity of the 21st century to attract investment, harness British innovation, and deliver growth for generations to come.

    The UK was also the largest EV market in Europe in 2024 and the third in the world with over 382,000 EVs sold – up a fifth on the previous year. There are now more than 82,000 public chargepoints in the UK – with one added every half an hour – ensuring that motorists are always a short drive from a socket.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    We’re helping British carmakers get to the front of the pack by working hand in hand with investors to build a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK as we deliver our Plan for Change.

    We’re taking action to back the industry for the future with the biggest set of announcements for the sector in the last decade. This includes securing a landmark trade deal with the US to bring down tariffs for British car manufacturers, measures in our modern Industrial Strategy to lower electricity prices and updating the ZEV mandate, supporting UK manufacturers to safeguard jobs, and secure the future of the sector.

    Economic growth is our number one priority, and by funding our world leading auto sector we are creating the right conditions for increased investment, bringing growth, jobs, and opportunities to every part of the UK.

    The funding announced today forms part of government’s bold ambition to significantly increase business investment in the advanced manufacturing sector by 2035, giving British firms an edge in the frontier industries of the future and driving growth across the UK.  

    DRIVE35 will build on previous successes with the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) and the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) R&D competitions, which between them leveraged over £6 billion of investment from the private sector, creating thousands of jobs across the UK economy.

    The Department for Business and Trade today also announces over £300 million for specific UK automotive manufacturing firms and projects. This includes over £100 million of capital investment for UK automotive manufacturing via the ATF, approximately £140 million in combined Government and industry R&D investment, and £18 million from the new £150m Connected & Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder programme.

    With Government support, Bolton is set to benefit from over £100 million in investment from Astemo Ltd., which will be vital to the production of electric vehicle (EV) components in the UK. This investment will produce new generations of electric inverters, supporting over 220 direct high-value jobs in the region and hundreds more in the wider UK supply chain.

    The West Midlands will also welcome a recent £15 million investment from Dana to produce parts that are crucial for EV manufacturing. Dana’s investment will ensure skilled jobs in the region, supporting over 100 direct jobs over the long term.    

    Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said:

    The creation of this dedicated automotive programme is further evidence of the sector’s importance to economic growth. Delivered as part of the Industrial Strategy, DRIVE35 has the potential to unlock investment and innovation in the UK, supporting jobs and creating wealth across the country. The importance of a long term, cross-government strategy with specific measures for automotive cannot be understated given the challenges facing the sector amid geopolitical uncertainty and fierce global competition. DRIVE35, and the wider measures identified in the Industrial Strategy, must now be implemented at pace to ensure the UK is amongst the leaders in next generation automotive technologies.

    Ian Constance, CEO, Advanced Propulsion Centre UK and Zenzic said:

    This new investment underlines the commitment from Government to secure advanced manufacturing in the UK. I am pleased that the APC, Zenzic, and its delivery partners are here to facilitate a new wave of funding in the automotive industry, supporting innovation, driving scale-up, and enabling transformation.

    Today, we have announced projects receiving four types of grants that boost the UK’s leadership in automotive manufacturing. They will enable the rapid development of demonstrators featuring cutting-edge technology, accelerate ambitious SMEs, and support vital collaborative R&D innovation. This will encourage further investment in the UK’s growing zero-emission supply chain, safeguarding skilled jobs, building on the country’s reputation as a world-leader for technology.

    Thanks to the wide range of eligible technologies under the new competitions, DRIVE35 funding will benefit UK auto businesses of all sizes and maturities, from small-scale innovators to large-scale established global companies. Through targeted investment for successful project applicants, the programme will create tens of thousands of new jobs, stimulate billions in economic growth and investment, and cut millions of tonnes CO2 emissions.

    The programme will provide a more impactful offering for investors across three streamlined pillars: Transformation, Scale Up and Innovation. Tomorrow the government will open the following competitions across the DRIVE35 programme:

    • Automotive Transformation Fund: A new and improved capital funding offer under DRIVE35’s keystone Transformation pillar, supporting large-scale capital investments in the UK, and now with a widened technology scope.
    • Scale Up Feasibility Studies: R&D funding to support businesses with strategic thinking on opportunities to scale, creating a pipeline of exciting decision-ready auto projects for UK investment.
    • Innovation competitions: Through DRIVE35’s Collaborate and Demonstrate streams, we will build on over a decade of success to support both early-stage and late-stage R&D projects involving innovative technologies and processes.

    DRIVE35 will continue the successes of the UK’s world-leading achievements in R&D. As an example, this government has recently committed a combined £70 million of R&D grant funding for over 50 innovative automotive projects. The programme will be delivered by DBT in partnership with APC UK and Innovate UK.

    Combined with industry funding, this totals £140 million in new investment for UK R&D. These projects will support technologies including batteries, energy storage, lightweighting and power electronics. Successful applicants include Mercedes and JLR.  

    Notes to editors:

    The winners of the R&D competitions are as follows:  

    Mobilise: An SME accelerator programme for zero-emission vehicle-related technology, as well as innovations in connected and automated mobility (CAM), and automotive software.

    • Allye Energy – London
    • Antobot – South East, Chelmsford
    • Cellmine – Scotland, Livingstone
    • Drisq – West Midlands, Malvern
    • Electrify Everything Now – West Midlands, Worcester
    • Evie Autonomous – West Midlands, Stoke-On-Trent
    • High Temperature Material Systems (HTMS) – South West, Bristol
    • Infiniti Recycling – South East, Cambridge
    • Kuasasemi – Wales, Cardiff
    • Lightning Tree Advanced Materials – London
    • Minimalx – London
    • Muon Tech – West Midlands, Leamington Spa
    • Otaski Energy Solutions – North East, Gateshead
    • Saif Autonomy – South East, Cambridgeshire
    • Senergy Innovations – Northern Ireland, Carryduff
    • Super6 – London
    • Talos Consulting Services – South East, Banbury

    Collaborate: Grants fund projects where companies, and academic institutions, form a consortium to take a product or process to commercial readiness. Please note, these are the lead partners only – there are several partners in each consortium.

    • Ionic Technologies International – Northern Ireland, Belfast
    • Mint Biomining – West Midlands, Coventry
    • Mercedes Amg High Performance Powertrains – East Midlands, Northamptonshire
    • Jaguar Land Rover – West Midlands, Coventry
    • Phinia Delphi UK – South West, Gloucestershire

    Demonstrate: Grants are for companies that are earlier in their product or process development or need a short, sharp sprint to get where they want to be. Please note that these are the lead partners.

    • Cummins UK – Yorkshire And The Humber, Huddersfield
    • Oxlid – East Midlands, Nottingham
    • Thermulon – London
    • Expert Tooling & Automation – West Midlands, Coventry
    • Cool Van Ltd – North West – Barnoldswick
    • Jaguar Land Rover – West Midlands, Warwick
    • Batri – Wales, Bridgend
    • Magnetic Systems Technology – Yorkshire and the Humber, Rotherham
    • Leyland Trucks – North East, Leyland
    • Project Four Design – West Midlands, Warwick
    • Fluorok – South East, Oxford
    • Hydrostar UK – South West, Exeter
    • Lorillion – West Midlands, Coventry
    • Talos Consulting Services – South East, Banbury
    • Ford Motor Company – South East, Essex
    • Advanced Electric Machines – North East, Washington
    • Maeving – West Midlands, Coventry
    • Fering Technologies – London
    • Green Lithium Refining – North East, Teesside
    • Mercedes Amg High Performance Powertrains – East Midlands, Northamptonshire
    • Watt Electric Vehicle Company – South West, Worcester
    • Electrified Automation – South West, Bridgwater
    • Ulemco – North West, Liverpool
    • Clean Air Power Gt – East Midlands, Melton Mowbray
    • Donut Lab Development UK – South West, Chippenham
    • Electric Aviation Group – South West, Bristol
    • Project Four Design – West Midlands, Warwick
    • Altilium Metals – South West, Plymouth
    • Inetic – Southampton
    • Morris Commercial – West Midlands, Evesham
    • Ilika Technologies – South East, Hampshire
    • Mcmurtry Automotive – South West, Wotton-Under-Edge
    • Yasa – South East, Oxford
    • Phoenix Carbon – East Of England, Stowmarket

    Updates to this page

    Published 13 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • EU says it still wants US trade deal, will defend interests

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The European Union said on Saturday it was ready to retaliate to defend its interests if the United States pressed ahead with imposing a 30% tariff on European goods from August 1.

    U.S. President Donald Trump latest salvo surprised the bloc, the United States’ largest trading partner, which had hoped to avoid an escalating trade war after intense negotiations and increasingly warm words from the White House.

    Ursula von der Leyen, head of the EU executive which handles trade policy for the 27 member states, said the bloc was ready to keep working towards an agreement before August 1,but was willing to stand firm.

    “We will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required,” she said of possible retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods entering Europe.

    EU ambassadors will discuss next steps on Sunday, before trade ministers meet in Brussels on Monday for an extraordinary meeting. They will need to decide whether to impose tariffs on 21 billion euros of U.S. imports in retaliation against separate U.S. tariffs against steel and aluminium, or extend a suspension which lasts until the end of Monday.

    The EU has so far held back from retaliating against the U.S., although it has readied two packages that could hit a combined 93 billion euros of U.S. goods

    European capitals swiftly backed von der Leyen’s position.

    German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche called for a “pragmatic outcome to the negotiations”.

    Trump’s proposed tariffs”would hit European exporting companies hard. At the same time, they would also have a strong impact on the economy and consumers on the other side of the Atlantic,” she said.

    French President Emmanuel Macron said on X that the European Commission needed more than ever to “assert the Union’s determination to defend European interests resolutely”.

    Retaliation might need to include so-called anti-coercion instruments if Trump did not back down, Macron said.

    The tool, drawn up during Trump’s first term and used against China, allows the EU to go beyond traditional tariffs on goods and impose restrictions on trade in services, if it deems that a country is using tariffs to force a change in policy.

    Spain’s Economy Ministry backed further negotiations but added that Spain and others in the EU were ready to take “proportionate countermeasures if necessary”.

    Trump has periodically railed against the European Union, saying in February it was “formed to screw the United States”.

    His biggest grievance is the U.S. merchandise trade deficit with the EU, which in 2024 amounted to $235 billion, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The EU has repeatedly pointed to a U.S. surplus in services, arguing it in part redresses the balance.

    RETALIATION

    Combining goods, services and investment, the EU and the United States are each other’s largest trading partners by far. The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU said in March the trade dispute could jeopardise $9.5 trillion of business in the world’s most important commercial relationship.

    Bernd Lange, head of the European Parliament’s trade committee said he was now convinced the first stage of countermeasures should come into force on Monday, followed quickly by the second package.

    Trump has said he would mirror any retaliatory moves.

    Still, Trump has repeatedly announced sweeping tariffs in recent months, only to row back or suspend them before his own self-imposed deadlines. The expectation that he will again relent has led to increasingly muted responses on financial markets, which have recovered since plunging after his initial “Liberation Day” announcement of big global tariffs in April.

    Three EU officials who spoke on condition on anonymity said they saw Trump’s latest threats as a negotiating ploy.

    Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro at ING, said Trump’s move suggested that months of negotiations remained deadlocked and that the situation was inching towards a make-or-break moment for the transatlantic trade relationship.

    “The EU will now have to decide whether to budge or to play hardball,” he said. “This will bring market volatility and even more uncertainty.”

    Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank, noted that the brunt of the U.S. tariffs, if implemented, would be felt by U.S. consumers.

    However, there would also be clear repercussions for the euro area economy, already struggling with weak growth.

    The European Central Bank had used a 10% tariff on EU exports to the United States as the baseline in its latest economic projections, which put output growth in the euro area at 0.9% this year, 1.1% in 2026 and 1.3% in 2027.

    It said a 20% U.S. tariff would curb growth by 1 percentage point over the same period and also pull down inflation to 1.8% in 2027, from 2.0% in the baseline scenario. It did not even offer an estimate for the possibility of a 30% tariff.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 12th, 2025 Heinrich, Luján Meet with New Mexicans Affected by Severe Flooding in Ruidoso

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    PHOTOS & VIDEO

    RUIDOSO, N.M.– U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) met with New Mexicans affected by severe flash flooding in Ruidoso, received an update on the disaster and future recovery efforts, and delivered supplies to flood victims.

    “What we saw today was devastation – to businesses, properties, and families whose lives changed overnight. But we also saw enormous community strength. It will take time, resources, and work to rebuild, and this community is ready. Talking with the local leaders and impacted residents, it’s clear that we can all support their work, and we must,” said Heinrich. “I am grateful to all those, on the ground and from afar, who are working to support Ruidoso in this critical time. My thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones in this tragedy. And I will keep urging President Trump to approve a full Major Disaster Declaration to unlock all the federal support needed to rebuild.”

    “Seeing the devastation from the flooding in Ruidoso firsthand is heartbreaking and tragic,” said Luján. “My prayers are with the families who lost loved ones, and with those who were injured or forced from their homes. I’m deeply grateful to the first responders whose quick action saved lives, and to the local leaders whose tireless work is guiding the community through this crisis. With more rain projected this weekend, I encourage residents to stay vigilant. The road to recovery is just getting underway, but the approval of an emergency declaration is a critical first step. I’ll keep working with our Congressional Delegation to push for a Major Disaster Declaration and to deliver the federal support that Ruidoso families need to rebuild.”

    Earlier this week, Heinrich, Luján, and the rest of the N.M. Congressional Delegation welcomed the President’s granting of an emergency declaration for Chaves, Lincoln, Otero, and Valencia Counties, while renewing their call for President Trump to grant a Major Disaster Declaration in the wake of severe flooding that took the lives of three people and damaged homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.

    The emergency declaration opens up access to specific FEMA funds for immediate disaster response, including support for search and rescue and incident management efforts. An emergency declaration does not preclude a subsequent Major Disaster Declaration. Therefore, the N.M. Delegation will continue to push President Trump to approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

    Through a Major Disaster Declaration request, the State of New Mexico has requested Public Assistance, Category A through G, including Direct Federal Assistance for Lincoln County, Chaves County, Otero County, and Valencia County, as well as Individual Assistance, including Housing Assistance, Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance, Disaster Case Management, Transitional Sheltering Assistance, Serious Needs Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Legal Services, Disaster Unemployment, and Displacement Assistance for Lincoln County and Valencia County. The State also requested Hazard Mitigation statewide, as facilitated by New Mexico’s Natural Disaster Hazard Mitigation Plan.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Pushes CMS to Crack Down on Obamacare Fraud

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is renewing calls for accountability after receiving information that builds on independent reports of widespread Obamacare fraud. In 2024, taxpayers reportedly footed the bill for approximately $20 billion in improper Obamacare subsidies.  This number could exceed $27 billion in 2025. Based on information provided to Grassley’s office, insurance agents are also using targeted internet advertisements to fraudulently enroll consumers with false income verification extension requests. 
    Last year, Grassley pushed for answers from top leaders in the Biden administration regarding their efforts to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the ACA marketplace. The Biden administration failed to respond to Grassley’s request. 
    “The Biden administration’s failure to adequately oversee these subsidies has had expensive consequences … The Wall Street Journal reported that in 2024 five million consumers may have inappropriately received health insurance coverage through subsidized Affordable Care Act (ACA) federal marketplace plans based on falsified income information, which may have cost the taxpayer an estimated $20 billion,” Grassley wrote. 
    Background:
    In 2021, the Biden administration increased premium tax credits (PTCs) for higher-income earners and reduced cost sharing through 2025. As a result, individuals whose income is within 100 and 150 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) are eligible for fully subsidized health insurance plans. This policy change has compromised program integrity, particularly in states that have not expanded Medicaid. 
    According to CMS and other reporting, fraudulent enrollments occurred because insurance agents and brokers exploited vulnerabilities in the ACA’s design. 
    In his letter, Grassley cites the Trump Department of Justice’s (DOJ) February 19th indictment of Cory Lloyd and Steven Strong for engaging in a $161 million ACA enrollment fraud scheme.  
    Grassley applauds the Trump administration’s program integrity measures through the marketplace integrity and affordability rule. The One Big Beautiful Bill also established some additional premium tax credit program integrity measures.
    Text of the letter can be found HERE or below. 
    July 7, 2025
    VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION
    The Honorable Mehmet OzAdministratorCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services 
    On June 20, 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that in 2024 five million consumers may have inappropriately received health insurance coverage through subsidized Affordable Care Act (ACA) federal marketplace plans based on falsified income information, which may have cost the taxpayer an estimated $20 billion.[1]  According to CMS, as well as other reporting, these fraudulent enrollments occurred because insurance agents and brokers exploited vulnerabilities in the program’s design.[2]  On July 8, 2024, I wrote to CMS with concerns regarding fraudulent enrollments and requested information on how the Biden administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CMS had taken steps to combat fraud, waste, and abuse related to these enrollments and associated subsidies.[3]  Unfortunately, the previous administration failed to provide a response. 
    The Biden administration’s failure to adequately oversee these subsidies has had expensive consequences.  For instance, on February 19, 2025, the Trump Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted Cory Lloyd and Steven Strong for engaging in a $161 million ACA enrollment fraud scheme.[4]  According to the DOJ, “Lloyd and Strong targeted vulnerable, low-income individuals experiencing homelessness, unemployment, and mental health and substance abuse disorders, and, through ‘street marketers’ working on their behalf, sometimes offered bribes to induce those individuals to enroll in subsidized ACA plans.”[5]  Further, the two individuals used “misleading sales scripts and other deceptive sales techniques to convince consumers to state that they would attempt to earn the minimum income necessary to qualify for a subsidized ACA plan, even when the consumer initially projected having no income.”[6]
    Based on information provided to my office, I’ve been made aware of a similar type of fraud scheme used within the ACA marketplace.[7]  This scheme involved targeted internet advertisements for free health insurance.  These advertisements were used to entice consumers to fill out a webform with personal information which was then used by insurance agents to sign consumers up for healthcare in targeted zip codes.  Those zip codes were in states that use the federally-facilitated marketplace (FFM), rather than state-based exchanges, and where preferred insurance companies had $0 premium plans.[8]  Using information from the webforms, agents used HealthSherpa, one of the ten federally-approved private sector ACA federal marketplace enrollment websites, to sign consumers up.  During open enrollment periods, agents entered hundreds of applications per day and if the consumer noted on the webform that their income wasn’t between 100-150% of the federal poverty level (FPL), agents would fraudulently swap it out for a number to obtain maximum ACA federal marketplace plan premium subsidies and special enrollment period (SEP) eligibility.  To keep fraudulent enrollments on the books for as long as possible, agents allegedly submitted false income verification extension requests and prepopulated income explanation forms rather than submitting actual proof of income.
    So that Congress may conduct independent oversight of the ACA federal marketplace program, please provide the following information no later than July 21, 2025:
    Explain in detail the steps CMS has taken to detect, combat and deter the fraud scheme described above.
    What is CMS’s estimate of:
    the number of fraudulent enrollments in subsidized ACA federal marketplace plans occurring from 2019-2025; 
    the number of months fraudulently enrolled customers spent in subsidized ACA federal marketplace plans; and 
    the cost of these fraudulent enrollments.  Provide this information at the insurance agent, insurance agency, and health insurance company level.
    What efforts has CMS taken in coordination with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to recoup excess advanced premium tax credit payments?  How much money has been recovered annually from 2019 to 2025?
    What steps does CMS take after it terminates an agent’s ACA federal marketplace registration?  Who does CMS communicate termination information to and does CMS provide those entities with any guidance in relation to managing the termination?  Provide all records.
    Do insurance agencies face any consequences from CMS when their affiliated agents are terminated for improper activities or when they have disproportionately high rates of potentially fraudulent ACA federal marketplace plan enrollments?  If yes, describe the consequences and any associated investigative processes.
    How many agents did CMS terminate for improper enrollment behaviors from 2019 to 2025?  How many of those terminations has CMS rescinded?  List the data by year and state.  
    Thank you for your prompt review and response.  If you have any questions, please contact Tucker Akin with Committee staff at (202) 224-5225.
    Sincerely,
    Charles E. Grassley
    Chairman
    Committee on the Judiciary
    -30-

    [1] Brian Blase, The $20 Billion ObamaCare Subsidy Fraud, WSJ (June 19, 2024), https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-20-billion-obamacare-subsidy-fraud-abd89b0d; Brian Blase and Drew Gonshorowski, The Great Obamacare Enrollment Fraud, Paragon Health Inst. (June 2024), https://paragoninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-Great-Obamacare-Enrollment-Fraud_FOR_RELEASE_V2.pdf.
    [2] Id.; 2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Proposed Rule (CMS-9884-P), Cntrs. for Medicare & Medicaid Srvcs. (Mar. 10, 2025), at 4 & 86, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/MarketplacePIRule2025.pdf, (183,553 complaints were related to enrollments without consent and 90,863 were related to switches without consent); Julie Appleby, ACA Plans Are Being Switched Without Enrollees’ OK, KFF Health News (Apr. 2, 2024), https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/aca-obamacare-plans-switched-without-enrollee-permission-investigation/; Julie Appleby, Rising Complaints of Unauthorized Obamacare Plan-Switching and Sign-Ups Trigger Concern, KFF Health News (Apr. 8, 2024),  https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/aca-unauthorized-obamacare-plan-switching-concern/; Julie Appleby, After Public Push, CMS Curbs Health Insurance Agents’ Access to Consumer SSNs, KFF Health News (Apr. 9, 2024), https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/aca-marketplace-ssn-social-security-numbers-agents/; Julie Appleby, When Rogue Brokers Switch People’s ACA Policies, Tax Surprises Can Follow, KFF Health News (April 15, 2024), https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/aca-obamacare-plans-unauthorized-enrollment-tax-problems/.
    [3] Letter from Senator Charles E. Grassley to Secretary Xavier Becerra, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Servs., and Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Cntrs. for Medicare & Medicaid Servs. (July 8, 2024), https://www.grassley.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/grassley_to_hhs_and_cms_-_aca.pdf. 
    [4] Press Release, Department of Justice, President of Insurance Brokerage Firm and CEO of Marketing Company Charged in $161M Affordable Care Act Enrollment Fraud Scheme (Feb. 19, 2025), https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/president-insurance-brokerage-firm-and-ceo-marketing-company-charged-161m-affordable-care.
    [5] Id.
    [6] Id.
    [7] Documents on file with Committee Staff.
    [8] Notes and Documents on file with Committee Staff.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: What They Are Saying: Wind and Solar Advocates Laud Grassley Efforts to Advance Iowa’s Clean Energy Future

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    WASHINGTON – Clean energy advocates are applauding Sen. Chuck Grassley’s (R-Iowa) leadership to support the wind and solar energy industries in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
    Grassley successfully got the wind energy industry off the ground by instituting America’s first-ever federal wind energy tax credit in 1993, earning him recognition as the “father” of wind energy production.
    In the One Big Beautiful Bill, Grassley fought hard to improve the transition period for planned wind and solar projects by providing a 12-month runway after the bill’s enactment for projects to begin construction, allowing them to qualify for years-worth of tax credits by meeting this one requirement within a calendar year. This will supercharge near-term growth for the industry and protect workable standards for projects.
    Grassley secured another significant victory for the wind and solar industries by striking a punitive new tax on wind and solar from the final version of the bill. Renewable energy is critical to Iowa, which generates 60 percent of its energy from wind power alone.  
    Here’s what they’re saying:
    Alliant Energy:
    “Senator Grassley’s leadership in advancing the legislation reflects a strong, principled commitment to securing America’s energy future by securing a financially viable phase out for the clean energy tax credits over the next few years. The provisions secured by Senator Grassley demonstrates his commitment to supporting customer affordability and [are] critical in preventing electric rate increases. His leadership also provides energy companies with electric generation resource planning certainty – a critical requirement to meet the growing energy demands of Iowa, and the nation.
    “As the law moves toward its implementation’s phase, we look forward to working with Senator Grassley and the Administration on the customer benefits of this law. His focus on practical, pro-growth energy solutions honors the intent of President Trump’s executive actions—prioritizing energy independence, reliability, and affordability for American families and businesses. We applaud Senator Grassley for championing policies that strengthen our energy infrastructure while supporting job creation and long-term investment in the heartland and across the country.”
    MidAmerican Energy:
    “Improvements made to the final budget reconciliation bill will give MidAmerican a pathway to execute on clean energy projects in our development pipeline for the benefit of our customers – and those improvements simply would not have happened without the leadership of Senator Grassley working in strong partnership with Senator Ernst. Planning certainty is critical for a business like ours, and their collective efforts will help us maintain safe, reliable and affordable service in Iowa and across our entire service area.”
    American Clean Power:
    “Senator Grassley has once again shown leadership protecting jobs and ensuring a cost-effective, reliable, and diverse power mix for Iowa. His leadership remains more important than ever to ensure that the administration implements the legislation fairly, and in a manner consistent with congressional intent.”
    The Business Council for Sustainable Energy:
    “The Business Council for Sustainable Energy thanks Senator Chuck Grassley for his leadership and support of the energy tax credits under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Thanks to his actions, the law adopts a more workable transition for many energy tax credits, enabling businesses to plan, invest and create jobs.”
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: BexBack Launches 100% Deposit Bonus and $50 Welcome Offer to Attract Crypto Futures Traders Amid Bitcoin Surge

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, July 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In response to surging demand for leveraged crypto trading, BexBack Exchange has announced a limited-time promotional campaign featuring a 100% deposit bonus match and a $50 welcome bonus for new users. This initiative comes as Bitcoin continues to trade above $110,000, sparking renewed interest in high-leverage futures among investors aiming to capitalize on market volatility. With up to 100x leverage now available on BTC and over 50 other digital assets, BexBack is positioning itself as a leading destination for crypto derivatives traders seeking capital efficiency and flexible onboarding.

    Advantages of 100x Leverage Crypto Futures

    1. Amplified Profits: Control large positions with a small amount of capital, capturing more profits from market fluctuations.
    2. Low Capital Requirement: Participate in high-value trades with minimal investment, lowering the entry barrier.
    3. Increased Market Opportunities: Profit quickly from price fluctuations, especially in volatile markets.
    4. High Capital Efficiency: Leverage enables better use of your capital, expanding your investment potential.
    5. Profit from Both Up and Down Markets: Adapt to any market conditions, with opportunities to profit whether the market goes up or down.

    What Is 100x Leverage and How Does It Work?

    Simply put, 100x leverage allows you to open larger trading positions with less capital. For example:

    Suppose the Bitcoin price is $100,000 that day, and you open a long contract with 1 BTC. After using 100x leverage, the transaction amount is equivalent to 100 BTC.

    One day later, if the price rises to $105,000, your profit will be (105,000 – 100,000) * 100 BTC / 100,000 = 5 BTC, a yield of up to 500%.

    With BexBack’s deposit bonus

    BexBack offers a 100% deposit bonus. If the initial investment is 2 BTC, the profit will increase to 10 BTC, and the return on investment will double to 1000%.

    Note: Although leveraged trading can magnify profits, you also need to be wary of liquidation risks.

    How Does the 100% Deposit Bonus Work?
    The deposit bonus from BexBack cannot be directly withdrawn but can be used to open larger positions and increase potential profits. Additionally, during significant market fluctuations, the bonus can serve as extra margin, effectively reducing the risk of liquidation.

    About BexBack?

    BexBack is a leading cryptocurrency derivatives platform offering up to 100x leverage on futures contracts for BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, XRP, and over 50 other digital assets. Headquartered in Singapore, the platform also operates offices in Hong Kong, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Argentina. Like many top-tier exchanges, BexBack holds a U.S. MSB (Money Services Business) license and is trusted by more than 500,000 traders worldwide. The platform accepts users from the United States, Canada, and Europe, with zero deposit fees and 24/7 multilingual customer support, delivering a secure, efficient, and user-friendly trading experience.

    Why recommend BexBack?

    No KYC Required: Start trading immediately without complex identity verification.

    100% Deposit Bonus: Double your funds, double your profits.

    High-Leverage Trading: Offers up to 100x leverage, maximizing investors’ capital efficiency.

    Demo Account: Comes with 10 BTC in virtual funds, ideal for beginners to practice risk-free trading.

    Comprehensive Trading Options: Feature-rich trading available via Web and mobile applications.

    Convenient Operation: No slippage, no spread, and fast, precise trade execution.

    Global User Support: Enjoy 24/7 customer service, no matter where you are.

    Lucrative Affiliate Rewards: Earn up to 50% commission, perfect for promoters.

    Take Action Now—Don’t Miss Another Opportunity!

    If you missed the previous crypto bull run, this could be your chance. With BexBack’s 100x leverage and 100% deposit bonus and $50 bonus for new users, you can be a winner in the new bull run.

    Sign Up Now on BexBack — Break the 100x Leverage and KYC Barriers, Get Double Deposit Bonus and $50 Welcome Bonus Instantly

    Website: www.bexback.com

    Contact: business@bexback.com

    Contact:
    Amanda
    business@bexback.com

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

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

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: CEO of Iranian Engineering Company Arrested for Allegedly Shipping Sophisticated Electronics to Iran in Violation of U.S. Sanctions

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – An Iranian national and United States lawful permanent resident has been arrested on a four-count federal indictment charging him with unlawfully exporting electronics used in railway signaling and telecommunications systems from the United States to Iran, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR).

    Bahram Mohammad Ostovari, 66, a resident of Tehran, Iran, and Santa Monica, was arrested Thursday afternoon upon his arrival at Los Angeles International Airport.

    Ostovari is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and three counts of violating the IEEPA.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charges at his arraignment today in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. A federal magistrate judge ordered him released on $1.3 million bond and scheduled a September 2 trial date.

    According to the indictment unsealed today, Ostovari is the founder and CEO of a Tehran-based engineering company – identified in the indictment as “Company A” – that supplied signaling and communications systems to Iran and its government, including on projects for the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways. From at least May 2018 to July 2025, Ostovari and his co-conspirators obtained and shipped sophisticated computer processors, railway signaling equipment, and other electronics and electronic components to Company A in Iran. Many of these items were controlled under federal regulations, and their export to Iran without a license was prohibited.

    To perpetrate his illegal export scheme, Ostovari used two front companies he controlled in the UAE – MH-SYS FZCO and Match Systech FZE – as conduits. Ostovari directed co-conspirators at these front companies to acquire the electronics and electronic components for Company A. Ostovari and his co-conspirators intentionally concealed from electronics suppliers in the United States and elsewhere that the goods were destined for Iran, falsely stating that MH-SYS and Match Systech in the UAE were the end users when in fact the true end user was Company A in Iran. Ostovari then directed his co-conspirators to arrange to ship the goods from the UAE to Company A in Iran.

    After he became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in May 2020, Ostovari continued to export, sell, and supply electronics and electrical components to Company A in Iran.

    Ostovari knew of the U.S. sanctions against Iran, mentioning them in emails to co-conspirators and directing one co-conspirator to provide false information to a federal export control officer regarding the end use of U.S.-origin goods they had shipped to Company A in Iran.

    The IEEPA and the ITSR impose controls and restrictions on transactions involving Iran based on the threats posed by Iran to the national security of the United States including, among others, its pursuit of nuclear weapons and sponsorship of terrorism. The IEEPA and ITSR, among other things, prohibit the export, re-export, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States or by a United States person, wherever located, of any goods, technology, or services to Iran or the Government of Iran without first obtaining authorization from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

    At no time did Ostovari, his companies, or his co-conspirators apply for or obtain authorization from OFAC to export, sell or supply goods and technologies from the United States to Iran.

    An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

    If convicted, Ostovari would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each count.

    Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security Office of Export Enforcement, and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorneys David C. Lachman and Colin S. Scott of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section are prosecuting this case. Trial Attorney Kathryn DeMarco of the Justice Department National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section provided valuable assistance.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: CEO of Iranian Engineering Company Arrested for Allegedly Shipping Sophisticated Electronics to Iran in Violation of U.S. Sanctions

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – An Iranian national and United States lawful permanent resident has been arrested on a four-count federal indictment charging him with unlawfully exporting electronics used in railway signaling and telecommunications systems from the United States to Iran, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR).

    Bahram Mohammad Ostovari, 66, a resident of Tehran, Iran, and Santa Monica, was arrested Thursday afternoon upon his arrival at Los Angeles International Airport.

    Ostovari is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and three counts of violating the IEEPA.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charges at his arraignment today in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. A federal magistrate judge ordered him released on $1.3 million bond and scheduled a September 2 trial date.

    According to the indictment unsealed today, Ostovari is the founder and CEO of a Tehran-based engineering company – identified in the indictment as “Company A” – that supplied signaling and communications systems to Iran and its government, including on projects for the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways. From at least May 2018 to July 2025, Ostovari and his co-conspirators obtained and shipped sophisticated computer processors, railway signaling equipment, and other electronics and electronic components to Company A in Iran. Many of these items were controlled under federal regulations, and their export to Iran without a license was prohibited.

    To perpetrate his illegal export scheme, Ostovari used two front companies he controlled in the UAE – MH-SYS FZCO and Match Systech FZE – as conduits. Ostovari directed co-conspirators at these front companies to acquire the electronics and electronic components for Company A. Ostovari and his co-conspirators intentionally concealed from electronics suppliers in the United States and elsewhere that the goods were destined for Iran, falsely stating that MH-SYS and Match Systech in the UAE were the end users when in fact the true end user was Company A in Iran. Ostovari then directed his co-conspirators to arrange to ship the goods from the UAE to Company A in Iran.

    After he became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in May 2020, Ostovari continued to export, sell, and supply electronics and electrical components to Company A in Iran.

    Ostovari knew of the U.S. sanctions against Iran, mentioning them in emails to co-conspirators and directing one co-conspirator to provide false information to a federal export control officer regarding the end use of U.S.-origin goods they had shipped to Company A in Iran.

    The IEEPA and the ITSR impose controls and restrictions on transactions involving Iran based on the threats posed by Iran to the national security of the United States including, among others, its pursuit of nuclear weapons and sponsorship of terrorism. The IEEPA and ITSR, among other things, prohibit the export, re-export, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States or by a United States person, wherever located, of any goods, technology, or services to Iran or the Government of Iran without first obtaining authorization from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

    At no time did Ostovari, his companies, or his co-conspirators apply for or obtain authorization from OFAC to export, sell or supply goods and technologies from the United States to Iran.

    An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

    If convicted, Ostovari would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each count.

    Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security Office of Export Enforcement, and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorneys David C. Lachman and Colin S. Scott of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section are prosecuting this case. Trial Attorney Kathryn DeMarco of the Justice Department National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section provided valuable assistance.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: /China Focus/ Global Dialogue Among Civilizations Builds Bridges Through Cultural Exchanges

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) — More than 600 participants from around the world attended the ministerial meeting of the Global Dialogue of Civilizations held in Beijing on Thursday and Friday.

    Under the theme “Preserving the diversity of human civilizations for world peace and development,” participants in the parallel sub-forums on Friday noted the importance of mutual learning among civilizations.

    They stressed that harnessing the wisdom of different cultures can serve as a powerful catalyst for shared prosperity, as well as the promotion of cultural heritage and innovation.

    Roger T. Ames, a professor at Peking University and the University of Hawaii, noted that dialogue among civilizations offers an alternative to nation-state-oriented geopolitics.

    “Instead of simply being tolerant of other cultures, we must activate our differences to benefit each other,” he said.

    Simon Lichtenberg, founder and chairman of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, stressed that mutual understanding and respect are fundamental to global development. “International exchanges and development require that everyone understands and respects each other,” he said.

    Such views were echoed during the participants’ visits to various cities in China earlier this week. Singh Vikash Kumar, a Hindi language specialist at Beijing Foreign Studies University, expressed admiration for the Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the northwest Chinese city of Dunhuang.

    “This is one of the most important and vibrant stories in the history of Buddhist art. To see it so completely and exquisitely preserved in China is very moving,” he said.

    Moments like these highlight not only the enduring legacy of past civilizations, but also the importance of cultural heritage and innovation in today’s interconnected world – a topic that many experts continued to explore during discussions at the event.

    Dunhuang Academy Director Su Bomin said protecting cultural heritage is important to preserving and transmitting culture. He called for more efforts to deepen research and introduce new technologies.

    “Cultural heritage is how we pay homage to that heritage,” said former Malaysian Senate President Wong Foon Meng, adding that the most powerful innovations often come from deep exploration of cultural heritage, reimagined in a way that resonates with new generations. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Williams Leads Letter to AG Bondi Regarding Concerns with ICEBlock App

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Roger Williams (25th District of Texas)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25), alongside Congressman Pat Fallon (TX-4), led a letter to United States Attorney General Pam Bondi expressing significant concern about the ICEBlock app, which was designed to alert users of impending U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The use of this app constitutes a large-scale obstruction of justice and poses a serious threat to public safety and the safety of the ICE officers carrying out these operations.

    “As President Trump works to secure our borders and restore law and order, assaults against ICE Agents have reached alarming and unprecedented levels as demonstrated by the recent attack on the McAllen Border Patrol Station on Monday, July 7th,” said Congressman Williams. “Bad actors are now using tools like the ICEBlock App to undermine the integrity of our justice system and encourage people to interfere with and evade lawful operations that are designed to remove dangerous criminals from our streets. These actions jeopardize public safety and put our federal officers at serious risk. I am proud to lead this effort alongside my colleagues to fight for the safety of our federal law enforcement officers and uphold our immigration laws.”

    “I am deeply concerned with the ICEBlock app, which deliberately undermines the heroic efforts of ICE agents working to deport dangerous criminal aliens flooding our nation due to the previous administration’s reckless open-border policies,” said Rep. Pat Fallon. “The 690 percent surge in assaults on federal and ICE agents in just the first half of 2025 is a direct consequence of emboldened criminals, and this app only escalates the threat by broadcasting agents’ locations, inviting violence. ICE agents, operating under clear legal authority, are risking their lives to remove murderers, sex offenders, human traffickers, and potential terrorists from our streets. We cannot allow a smartphone app to jeopardize their safety or hinder their mission to restore public safety. It is crucial that the DOJ launch an immediate investigation into ICEBlock to assess its role in endangering our officers and take swift action to protect those who protect us.”

    Background:

    • Read the full letter here.
    • First covered by Fox.
    • Co-lead: Pat Fallon (TX-4)
    • Co-Signers: Randy Weber (TX-14), Tom Tiffany (WI-7), Mark Alford (MO-4), Michael A. Rulli (OH-6), Ryan Mackenzie (PA-7), Brad Finstad (MI-1), Eli Crane (AZ-2), John Rose (TN-6), and Addison McDowell (NC-6)
    • Supporting Orgs: Immigration Accountability Project and NumbersUSA

    ###

    Congressman Roger Williams is the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee and member of the House Financial Services Committee. He proudly represents the 25th Congressional District of Texas.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Williams Announces Senior Staff Promotions

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Roger Williams (25th District of Texas)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, announced the promotion of Lauren Holmes to Chief of Staff and Katie Crane to Deputy Chief of Staff in his Washington, D.C. office.

    Lauren Holmes currently serves as Staff Director for the House Committee on Small Business and will now take on a dual role, leading Congressman Williams’ personal office. She previously served as the Deputy Staff Director for the Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump, as General Counsel for the House Committee on Small Business, and as Counsel for the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

    Katie Crane has been a key member of Congressman Williams’ team since 2018, most recently serving as Legislative Director. She holds a Master’s degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, where she specialized in Irregular Warfare. With nearly a decade of experience on Capitol Hill, Crane brings expertise in legislative strategy, public policy, and team management.

    “Lauren and Katie are strong, proven leaders whose professionalism and experience make them uniquely qualified to lead our team,” said Congressman Williams. “Their steady judgment, strong work ethic, and deep commitment to the values of Texas’ 25th District will be instrumental as we take on the challenges ahead. I am confident in their ability to guide our office and continue our efforts to serve the American people and advance our shared mission to Make America Great Again.”

    ###

    Congressman Roger Williams is the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee and a member of the House Financial Services Committee. He proudly represents the 25th Congressional District of Texas.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo and Bipartisan Senators Introduce Bill to Empower States and Communities to Reduce Homelessness

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) and Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island) introduced the Reducing Homelessness Through Program Reform Act, legislation to cut red tape and create local solutions for addressing homelessness.

    “With rising rates of homelessness sweeping across America, nonprofit organizations on the front lines deserve maximum support as they stretch limited donations and funding to provide shelter, food, skills training, addiction recovery and hope to our friends and neighbors who need it most,” said Crapo.  “This bipartisan legislation is urgently needed to strengthen the Housing Choice Voucher Program, remove burdensome regulations and better coordinate between diverse agencies serving unhoused individuals.”

    As of January 2024, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reported approximately 771,480 people experiencing homelessness during the annual point-in-time count.  The 2024 count represented an all-time high, which was an 18 percent increase from 2023.  The 2025 point-in-time count results have not been released by HUD. 

    Specifically, the Reducing Homelessness Through Program Reform Act:

    Eases the bureaucratic burdens for Continuum of Care organizations by moving the time intensive annual application process for funding to every other year.

    • Empowers local communities by cutting federal red tape and allowing homeless service providers to respond more quickly and effectively to local needs.
    • Removes unnecessary federal barriers that prevent individuals from accessing housing and support services in a timely manner.
    • Makes commonsense reforms to the Housing Choice Voucher Program by streamlining unit inspections, income verification and allowable uses of funds–reducing waste and inefficiency.
    • Studies the hiring, retention and compensation of staff at all levels of homeless service organizations.
    • Authorizes specific and targeted funding to upgrade the outdated software used for applications and grant management of the CoC Program. 
    • Improves coordination between local healthcare systems, law enforcement, veterans’ programs and job training services to deliver integrated support and reduce repeat homelessness or justice system involvement.
    • Supports better use of data–including advanced tools like artificial intelligence–to making sure resources are going where they are needed most.
    • Establishes more feedback mechanisms for service providers and people with lived experience of homelessness to advise HUD on the effectiveness of federal homelessness policies and programs.
    • Continues the work of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and increases congressional oversight of the council.

     
    “Despite record levels of federal funding, homelessness continues to rise.  It’s clear that a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t working,” said Rounds.  “The challenges we face in South Dakota are not the same as those in California or New York.  This legislation takes a conservative approach by shifting power back to the states and communities closest to the problem.  This commonsense bill cuts red tape and enables local leaders to deliver faster, more effective and more appropriate solutions for the people they serve.”

    “Without a safe, affordable place to live nothing else in your life works–not your job, health, family or education,” said Smith.  “This bipartisan bill makes commonsense reforms to federal homelessness programs: cutting red tape for homeless service providers, streamlining and improving federal housing vouchers, reducing administrative burden and modernizing out-of-date software systems.  It will reduce homelessness while using taxpayer dollars more efficiently.  We know that the best ideas come from those closest to the issues, and that’s why our legislation gives local leaders in Minnesota and across the country the tools and flexibility they need to address homelessness no matter the ZIP code.”

    “At a time when more Americans are facing homelessness and there are fewer federal resources available, we must do everything we can to make programs more effective and assist people by connecting them to housing, local health systems and behavioral health programs that can offer the ongoing, community-based support they need,” said Reed.

    This legislation is endorsed the Bipartisan Policy Center; National Low Income Housing Coalition; the Council of State Community Development Agencies, whose members include the Idaho Department of Commerce and the Idaho Housing and Finance Association; the National Alliance to End Homelessness; Catholic Charities USA and the Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment.

    “Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) Action is proud to endorse the Reducing Homelessness Through Program Reform Act and applauds Senators Mike Rounds, Tina Smith, Mike Crapo and Jack Reed for their bipartisan leadership.  The bill’s focus on cutting red tape, streamlining the Housing Choice Voucher program and improving data coordination aligns closely with the proposals put forth by BPC in its American Housing Act,” says Michele Stockwell, president of Bipartisan Policy Center Action.  “These practical reforms will help communities more effectively address homelessness and connect people with housing and services.”

    “Streamlining systems isn’t just good governance–it’s what’s needed to meet the urgent housing needs of people across the country,” said National Low Income Housing Coalition President and CEO Renee Willis.  “The bipartisan Reducing Homelessness Through Program Reform Act enacts common-sense reforms to improve coordination between government agencies and the private sector, ensuring programs more effectively serve people with the most urgent housing needs.” 

    Read the full text of the bill here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scalise: Republicans Address Biden’s Four Years of Failures

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

    JEFFERSON, La.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) appeared on Fox Business Network’s Mornings with Maria to discuss how Republicans are getting the country back on track after years of decline under Joe Biden with the One Big Beautiful Bill. Leader Scalise highlighted how hardworking Americans will now have access to no tax on overtime, no tax on tips, strengthened social safety net programs, lower energy costs, and a stronger border. Additionally, Leader Scalise highlighted the work the House Oversight Committee is doing to expose the Biden Administration’s coverup of President Biden’s cognitive decline.

    Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full interview. 
    On the once-in-a-generation impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill:“Quite historic, Maria. It’s going to be great for American families who have been struggling. I mean, look, for four years, people struggled under Joe Biden, high inflation, high interest rates, high costs at the grocery store. All that is going to be turning around. You’re going to see, number one, more jobs, millions of more jobs will be created, trillions of more investment, people investing in America again because of this bill, stabilizing the tax code. Nobody gets a tax increase. I’d love, Maria, for every Democrat who’s out bashing this bill, ask them this basic question: Will you pay the higher tax rate that you voted for for all Americans? Because every Democrat voted ‘no,’ which means they voted for a higher tax rate for everybody in America. Will they pay that higher tax rate? Or are they going to take the benefits of this bill? There’s a lot of hypocrisy out there because this bill delivers a lot of great things for a lot of people. No tax on tips. One of the great hallmarks President Trump said that he would do on the campaign trail. Everybody who’s a tip worker is going to get it.“I’ll tell you something, Maria, I’ve been talking about with constituents just in the last few days back home that they didn’t even know about this bill. So not only do we say no tax on overtime, but let’s say you’re a cop, let’s say you’re a nurse, and you work overtime hours. This bill is retroactive to January to when Donald Trump took office. So all the taxes you paid on your overtime this year, you’re going to get that money back when you file your return. That’s going to be more money in your pockets. These are blue-collar workers.These aren’t the millionaires and the billionaires that the Democrats have been lying about this bill. This is blue-collar workers that get the benefits of this bill, plus more energy production, more border security. We revamp and modernize America’s whole air traffic control system. We’ve seen all these horrible reports. Laguardia being shut down for days, every air flight in America being canceled because we’re running off of floppy disks, for goodness’ sake. We fixed that in this bill. Sean Duffy, the great job he’s been doing over at transportation, they will now have the resources to modernize America’s air traffic control system. Every Democrat voted against that, Maria.”On combating Democrat lies over strengthened Medicaid for deserving Americans:“Well, we’re going to tell the truth while they’re out lying. We’ve always said, ‘If you keep lying about us, we’re going to keep telling the truth about you.’ They’ve been saying, ‘Everybody’s going to die. Every hospital is going to close.’ Well, a year from now, Maria, we’re actually going to be able to see results. It’s all the hyperbole that you saw them saying on the House floor. They were all lies. Disabled people will get better Medicaid under this bill because all of the fully able-bodied, the 35-year-old guy sitting at home playing video games in his mom’s basement, he’s going to have to go work because we put work requirements in place. And so he will not be crowding out disabled people in Medicaid. It’s a crowded program. It’s not the best form of health care right now. And so we’re going to make that program work better for the people that are truly disabled and needy, not for somebody who’s turning down work. And by the way, when he gets a job, he’s going to get health care with his job that’s better than Medicaid. So these are all components of the bill that they’ve been lying about. The truth is going to be something that the American people like because these are all things that President Trump campaigned on, and so did we.”On the Biden Administration’s coverups:“First, this is not somebody who has been stumbling over words, Maria. Everybody in America has watched his cognitive decline for years. Some in the far-left media act like that this was some new revelation at the debate where President Trump destroyed Joe Biden in the debate. It had been going on before that, and everybody knew about it, but the left was covering up, including the media in the left. And so let’s not play that game. “However, we’re really concerned about things like the use of the autopen. The autopen wasn’t just used to sign some congratulatory note for somebody who turned 100. They were signing pardons with the autopen, other really important documents. And then now there are people testifying saying, ‘Joe Biden probably didn’t even know it was being used.’ Well, if so, who was? Why was somebody using President Biden’s signature without President Biden’s own knowledge? We’re digging into things like that. His doctor raises a lot of questions when you’re asked, ‘Were you ever pushed into lying about Joe Biden?’ And you plead the fifth. It raises a lot of serious questions, Maria, and we’re going to keep digging to get answers.”On the disarray in the Democrat Party:“Yeah, Maria, people want to know the truth. The American people deserve to know the truth. And we have some people who are talking. There were some people in the Biden White House who are talking to Chairman [James] Comer’s committee. You were spot on in 2021. I have a number of my colleagues, we were all talking about this back then because you could see it. It wasn’t just something that we were trying to throw at the wall. It was something everybody that saw Joe Biden could see. They scripted him. They limited his schedule severely. They kept a really close bubble around him so people couldn’t talk to him. He didn’t do press conferences. Donald Trump does press conferences, everyday free-wheeling. But look, I have Republicans that went on Jake Tapper’s show to say he had a cognitive decline, and Jake Tapper read them the riot act, called him all kinds of crazy names. Now he’s got a book saying, ‘gee-whiz, we just realized it.’ No, he didn’t. He knew it back then, and he was playing pitbull for the far-left to attack any Republican who said there was a decline. The American people have figured this out.“The Democrat Party is still in denial. So, as you saw the clip from [Rep. Jasmine] Crockett, they’re trying to still cover up for it. They’re still in denial about why they lost the election. Their party is being run by Socialists. Go look in New York City. That’s who they are. That’s who their party is. And that’s not where the American people are. We’re fighting for blue-collar, hard-working families, and they’re still yelling lies about millionaires and billionaires and people dying in the streets, and they wonder why they keep losing elections.”On ICE agents making America safe again:“Well, first of all, it’s criminal. You are seeing President Trump and the Justice Department going aggressively after anybody who’s attacking ICE agents, whether they’re slashing tires or whether they’re ambushing and trying to murder them in shootouts. They’re going to do hard jail time. It’s a federal crime to attack and assault a federal officer. And so it’s being fueled by the left, though. Make no doubt about it, Maria. When you see Democrat politicians at the highest levels still out there publicly bashing ICE agents, the Democrat Party, who tried to defund police, is now trying to defund ICE. They want chaos. They don’t want rule of law. We are fighting for rule of law, and ICE agents are doing a wonderful job. These are heroes. These are people getting the pedophiles off of our streets, hardened criminals, gang leaders from foreign countries that Joe Biden let in. They’re the ones that are getting them out of our country to keep our community safe. And the Democrat Party wants to go after them. Shame on them, Maria.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Davids Unveils Comprehensive Tax Reform Framework to Lower Costs, Expand Economic Opportunity, Promote Fiscal Responsibility

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

    Rejecting the GOP Tax Scam, Rep. Davids is charting a new path forward

    Today, Representative Sharice Davids joined the New Democrat Coalition in unveiling a new Tax Framework aimed at advancing commonsense reforms that deliver better outcomes for Kansas’ hardworking families, support small businesses, and strengthen our long-term economy.

    The Framework stands in clear contrast to President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ extreme tax plan, which slashes health care and nutrition support for working families to pay for tax breaks for billionaires — adding $3.3 trillion to the national debt.

    “We should be focused on finding commonsense solutions that lower costs for hardworking families — not on extreme proposals that only benefit billionaires and the wealthiest corporations,” said Davids. “This new framework puts Kansas families and small businesses first by lowering costs, supporting job creation, and ensuring we grow the economy without adding to the national debt.”

    The Framework lays out a policy roadmap capable of amassing support on both sides of the aisle, including more than 20 pragmatic solutions that fall into one of three principles: lowering costs for middle class families and hardworking Americans; expanding economic opportunity and growing American jobs and businesses; and promoting fiscal responsibility and long-term economic security. 

    Framework Goals (read more here):

    1. Lower Costs for Working Families:
      • Support American Families and Children
        • Ex: Extend the expanded, refundable Child Tax Credit
      • Reward Work and Support Economic Mobility
        • Ex: Simplify and expand access to work-related tax benefits, including commuting and caregiving expenses
      • Make Higher Education and Training More Affordable
        • Ex: Update the tax code to recognize modern training and credentialing programs to support lifelong learning and upskilling
    2. Sustained Economic Growth and Grow American Jobs and Businesses:
      • Strengthen Innovation and Investment
        • Ex: Support tax incentives for domestic research and development and manufacturing
      • Support Small Business and Entrepreneurs
        • Ex: Modernize and simplify small business tax provisions to reduce compliance burdens and help startups and small businesses scale and compete
      • Promote Long-Term, Broad-Based Growth
        • Ex: Ensure international tax rules encourage U.S. investment and onshoring, keep IP in the U.S., and American companies are globally competitive
    3. Fiscal Responsibility and Long-Term Economic Security:
      • Lower annual deficits
        • Ex: Reject irresponsible tax policies that primarily benefit the wealthiest individuals at the expense of working families and the deficit
      • Stabilize and then reduce debt-to-GDP ratio
        • Ex: The more the U.S. spends on interest on the debt, the less it can spend on children, Social Security, Medicare, and defense

    This week, President Trump and Congressional Republicans are pushing a budget plan that gives tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy and large corporations while raising costs and cutting services for everyone else. Davids previously voted against a version of this bill because it would:

    • Gut Medicaid and force rural hospitals to close;
    • Increase grocery prices and put smaller grocery stores at risk of closing;
    • Cut clean energy tax credits that are saving Kansans money on energy bills and supporting domestic manufacturing;
    • Add $3-5 trillion to the national deficit through 2034;
    • Raise taxes on hardworking families to fund tax giveaways for billionaires.

    The New Democrat Coalition is a group of more than 100 forward-thinking, solutions-focused House Democrats committed to growing the economy, strengthening communities, and protecting our democracy. Representing more than half the Democratic Caucus, they work across the aisle to deliver real results on issues like health care, housing, and national security.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA:  Amo Led Discussion with Rhode Island Manufacturers Struggling because of Trump’s Erratic Trade Policy

    Source: US Congressman Gabe Amo (Rhode Island 1st District)

    85% of Rhode Island manufacturers say Trump’s tariffs are hurting their businesses in a new survey.

    PAWTUCKET, RI –  Monday, June 30th, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) led a roundtable discussion with six small, local manufacturers from across Rhode Island’s First Congressional District about the impacts of Trump’s chaotic tariff policy. Business leaders from LNA Laser Technology (Pawtucket, RI), Katrinkles (Providence, RI), Beehive Handmade (Warren, RI), Ward’s Manufacturing (Warren, RI), and S.K. Grimes (Woonsocket, RI) voiced fears that Trump’s sweeping, chaotic tariffs would irreparably harm their companies. The leaders shared they were less likely to hire Rhode Island workers or invest in research and development due to these policies.

    “Rhode Island manufacturers, workers and consumers are paying the price for Trump’s tariff chaos,” said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI). “Thank you to the small businesses from across the First Congressional District who shared their stories at last week’s roundtable in Pawtucket. They made crystal clear Trump’s all-encompassing, volatile tariffs are having disastrous consequences on their companies – they can’t hire, invest, or plan for the future. Small businesses and their employees need clear, consistent policy to thrive. Republicans talk a big game about reshoring American manufacturing, but their extreme policies are undermining American job creators. I took these stories back to Washington to keep fighting for a commonsense trade policy that empowers Rhode Island workers and businesses.” 

    “It was an honor to meet with Congressman Amo at last week’s roundtable event, and to experience firsthand how hard he is working on behalf of Rhode Island’s manufacturers,” said Katy Westcott, owner of Katrinkles in Warren, RI. “At Katrinkles, we’re seeing customers now purchasing elsewhere to avoid extra fees, or avoiding ordering from the United States altogether. It was heartening to discuss the impact of tariffs on the industry at large, as well as effective strategies for response, with so many insightful fellow manufacturers.”

    “LNA Laser Technology supplies high quality lasers and systems for part identification and traceability to manufacturing industries across the country,” said Dan Gold, President and CEO of LNA Laser Technology in Pawtucket, RI. “Many components of our systems are sourced from abroad because they are not available domestically. The new tariff policies are driving the costs up significantly of critical components that ultimately gets passed on to the manufacturing end users. This not only impacts our ability to be competitive, it also punishes the US companies who are trying to invest in technology to improve and grow. My goal in talking with Congressman Amo was to share these real consequences and impacts so that he can hopefully work with his colleagues in Congress towards common sense exceptions in tariff policy that will promote investment in domestic manufacturing. If the goal is to help bring back manufacturing industries and jobs to the US, the current administration sweeping tariff policy is having the complete opposite effect.”

    “I’m grateful to Congressman Amo for taking the time to gather us, listen to our concerns, and genuinely engage on the challenges we face,” said Adam Dau, President of S.K. Grimes in Woonsocket, RI. “What struck me during the roundtable was that, despite the wide range of products, materials, and clientele we served, every business at the table was feeling the weight of a tariff system that is inconsistently applied—or in some cases, applied without clear rationale. That uncertainty makes it incredibly difficult to plan for the future or invest in growth. The current system stands in the way of continuing to strengthen Rhode Island’s already strong manufacturing base, and we’re encouraged by the Congressman’s efforts to change that.”

    “The tariffs are hurting American manufacturers at every level of the supply chain. Our material costs are increasing while our manufacturing customers are buying less,” said Kelly Ward, President of Ward’s Manufacturing in Warren, RI. “Businesses cannot make decisions when policies change every day and without warning. Many manufacturers are pausing projects until the federal government comes up with a definitive plan. The uncertainty is hurting the U.S. economy. My metal fabrication company, Ward’s Manufacturing LLC, has experienced a cost increase of up to 4x as a result of the tariffs. We have only two choices – either my company pays the tariff or the consumer pays the tariff. Either way, it’s Americans who pay.”

    “Rhode Island’s small manufacturing ecosystem is strong and vibrant,” said Matt Watson, Center Director of Polaris MEP, Rhode Island’s Manufacturing Extension Program. “We’re grateful to Congressman Amo for highlighting the real impacts these companies are facing and for exploring potential solutions to help ease future headwinds.”
     

    Background

    As Vice Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Amo, worked to force a voteto end the ‘so-called’ national emergency Trump is using to justify tariffs. If passed it would end reciprocal tariffs.

    In May 2025, Amo led 30 colleagues, alongside Congressman Greg Casar (D-TX) and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), in calling on the Acting Inspector General of the State Department to review potential corruptionin trade negotiations with countries facing tariffs benefiting Elon Musk and Starlink.

    In April 2025, Amo signed an amicus brief in Oregon v. Trump supporting the argument that the Trump Administration abused emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to unlawfully impose reckless, across-the-board tariffs.

    He also joined Congressman Steve Horsford (D-NV) in April 2025 to express alarm that Trump may be using trade policy to enrich insiders with advanced knowledge of pending trade actions or inactions.

    Amo signed a letter led by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), and Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (D-CA) in a April 2025 addressed to Secretary Lutnick, Secretary Bessent, and USTR Ambassador Greer expressing concern about the Trump Administration’s tariffs opening the door to corruption.

    In February 2025, Amo joined Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) in urging Trump to reconsider the proposed 25% tariffson imported building materials from Canada and Mexico. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amo and Lofgren Demand Commerce Secretary Lutnick Appear Before Committee to Answer for NWS Staff Shortages

    Source: US Congressman Gabe Amo (Rhode Island 1st District)

    The demand for testimony comes as search and rescue efforts continue in Central Texas after horrifying flooding devastated the area. 

    Washington, DC –  Yesterday, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI), Ranking Member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Environment Subcommittee and Science, Space, and Technology Ranking Member, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) sent a letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Lutnick demanding he testify before the Committee to explain his plan to address staff shortages at the National Weather Service (NWS). The letter comes after the devastating flooding in Central Texas that has since called into question whether the Trump Administration’s mass firing and intimidation of federal employees may have impaired the ability of the NWS to carry out its mission.

    “We write to you to demand your testimony before the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology regarding staff shortages at the National Weather Service (NWS) and your plan to address them,” said the Members in the letter. “The NWS is a critical public safety agency. In addition to its role as the source of everyday weather data for the country, the NWS is charged with forecasting extreme weather events and communicating those forecasts promptly to the public in order to save lives and livelihoods. Americans rely on the NWS every single day to keep us safe. But the NWS is only as strong as its people. And under your leadership, the Department of Commerce (DOC) has overseen an indiscriminate wave of firings, deferred resignations, and early retirements that has thrown the NWS into crisis. The dangers arising from that crisis have been laid bare in the wake of the horrifying, tragic flooding that struck parts of Central Texas on July 4th. While it is too soon to draw definitive conclusions about what happened, it is already clear that this is precisely the type of situation in which the existence of a short-staffed, depleted NWS heightens the risk of tragedy. There will be more such extreme weather events – there always are. You must appear before the Committee immediately and explain to us how you intend to restore the NWS to full strength as quickly as possible so that the agency will be fully prepared to carry out its lifesaving mission when the next disaster strikes.”

    “It will take time to fully understand whether any part of this past weekend’s tragedy in Texas could have been avoided,” the Members continued. “We cannot rush to judgment based on the limited information available to us now. But it is apparent to us, Secretary Lutnick, that your actions to drastically slash staffing at the National Weather Service have increased the broader risks to Americans of extreme weather events by impairing the ability of the NWS to do its job. Simply put, you cut too deep. You refused to listen to the warnings from experts, from Congress, and from the NWS itself. And the flooding in Central Texas illustrates, in the most terrible fashion, the disastrous risks you invite by taking the lifesaving role of the NWS for granted.”

    Access the letter here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Members Amo and Stanton Slam Trump’s Staffing Cuts to FEMA and NWS After Tragic Texas Flooding

    Source: US Congressman Gabe Amo (Rhode Island 1st District)

    With 120+ dead and 150+ missing, tragic Texas flooding highlights extreme danger of Trump’s staffing cuts to FEMA and the National Weather Service

    Providence, RI –  Yesterday, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee Subcommittee on Environment and Congressman Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Ranking Member of the Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure hosted a virtual press conference to highlight the potentially deadly consequences of President Trump’s staffing cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Weather Service (NWS).

    “My thoughts are with the families and survivors of the flash floods in Texas. Despite a lack of support from the Trump administration, National Weather Service staff kept local officials and the public informed throughout the deadly flooding. ” said Ranking Member of the Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on the Environment, Gabe Amo (D-RI). “I’ve kept raising the alarm about the costs of cuts to our nation’s weather workforce and our ability to research and respond to climate-fueled weather disasters. Refusing to study extreme weather and purging our scientific workforce isn’t going to stop disasters and help families, it’s just going to undermine our ability to be prepared and save lives.”

    “My heart breaks for the families in Texas who have been devastated by these horrific floods,” said Congressman Greg Stanton (D-AZ). “Extreme weather is only becoming more frequent and more severe, from wildfires to extreme heat in Arizona to flash floods in Texas, the federal government must be fully staffed, fully funded and fully prepared to respond to these disasters. Texans and all Americans deserve a FEMA that is strong, capable and ready on day one, not one deliberately undermined by its own leadership. As we continue to pray for all of those affected, House Democrats will continue to relentlessly demand transparency and accountability for and on behalf of the American people, especially those experiencing unimaginable tragedy.”

    Watch the full press conference here. 

    Background

    On July 4, after heavy rain in the Texas Hill Country, the Guadalupe and other rivers breached their banks causing catastrophic flooding leaving more than 120 dead. 

    Ranking Member Amo and Ranking Member Stanton alongside Science, Space, and Technology Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA) sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) seeking answers on federal activity in preparation for and in response to the tragic floods. 

    Amo, Ranking Member Lofgren, and Science, Space, and Technology Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Emilia Sykes (D-OH) also sent a letter calling on Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to testify before the Committee about the staffing shortages at the National Weather Service and their potential impact on the Texas flash floods. 

    Amo also joined Homeland Security Subcommittee onEmergency Management And Technology Ranking Member Timothy Kennedy (D-NY) in calling for answers from Acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson and Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for NOAA Laura Grimm about the status of FEMA and the National Weather Service’s preparedness for and response to the disastrous flooding in Texas. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MATSUI STATEMENT ON THE SUPREME COURT DECISION UPHOLDING THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in FCC v. Consumers’ Research. In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund. 

    “Reliable, high-speed broadband access is no longer a luxury—it’s a fundamental pillar of modern life. The Universal Service Fund has been a savior for millions of Americans, expanding broadband access for our schools, libraries, rural hospitals, and underserved communities across the nation,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Today, the Supreme Court rightfully upheld the constitutionality of this critical program.”

    “Universal service has been the bedrock of U.S. telecommunications policy for decades. It remains as relevant as ever, with artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies supercharging our reliance on connectivity to spur innovation and improve people’s lives,” Matsui continued. “I am committed to ensuring the Universal Service Fund remains resilient for years to come, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on the bipartisan USF Working Group to ensure this program is sustainable and meeting Americans’ evolving connectivity needs.”

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI— Hagerty joins Varney & Co. on Fox Business to Discuss Iran Threat, Crypto Regulation Reform

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty

    NASHVILLE, TN—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, joined Varney & Co. on Fox Business to discuss the national security implications of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, as well as his legislative push to create a clear regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and digital assets.

    *Click the photo above or here to watch*

    Partial Transcript

    Hagerty on the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program: “One thing to keep in mind is the intent of the Iranian regime. If you go back to the agreement President [Barack] Obama signed, they promised under the JCPOA not to continue their enrichment program. The Israelis uncovered the fact that they violated that agreement, and they’ve continued to do it. Why in the world would they build deep underground facilities if they weren’t trying to hide something? They’ve clearly had the intent to weaponize nuclear material. They’ve been enriching it. We’ve known that. This absolute obliteration, which has been widely documented, has taken out these facilities. Is it possible that some material could still remain? Yes, that is a possibility. That’s what the Israeli intelligence is reporting right now. But it’s obvious this regime has intent, and certainly if they have the intent, they’d like to have the ability to weaponize it. What’s happened is that the weaponization capability has been completely destroyed. It takes months, if not years, to rebuild even parts of these facilities. At minimum, what has happened is we’ve bought multi-year protection from what the Iranians could do.”

    Hagerty on concerns about Iran using nuclear material in a terrorist attack: “In a hypothetical sense, there is the potential to create something like a dirty bomb. That’s not close to the type of weaponization they were geared toward, but again, the Iranian regime has been put on notice. President [Donald] Trump was very deliberate and very clear: They violated his timeline, they violated his red line, and they suffered the consequences. The most important thing to keep Iran in check is the resolve of America and Israel. We demonstrated that clearly the time has come now for Iran to come to the table and for us to put this completely to an end.”

    Hagerty on his cryptocurrency legislation and the need for regulatory clarity: “The problem is longstanding. Over the last four years of the Biden administration, they utilized a tool called Regulation by Enforcement. Rather than creating a legal framework for cryptocurrencies, for the technology, for the stable coin bill, the Genius Act that I just got passed out of the Senate and should come out of the House of Representatives next week, the [Securities and Exchange Commission], the [Commodity Futures Trading Commission], and all the regulatory bodies kept this industry guessing. The bad outcome of that is that if you guess wrong, you will be incarcerated. You’ll wind up being persecuted, and you’ll wind up having enforcement action launched against you that could be very expensive. The net result of that is that we pushed innovation overseas, pushing it offshore because developers did not know what the liability might be here. No one knew how to register or properly adhere to the laws because the laws weren’t made clear. Our aim right now is to make a clear regulatory framework available here in the United States so developers can thrive here and so innovation can happen here. That’s exactly what I want to see with my stablecoin legislation, The Genius Act, that will take our payment system into the 21st century. It will have an enormous economic impact on America and create greater demand for U.S. Treasury securities, because every stablecoin has to be backed up 1-1, dollar for dollar, by the U.S. Security.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Underwood Secures More Than $1.6 Million in Federal Funding for Affordable Housing, Environmental Cleanup, and Research

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

    WASHINGTON — This week, Representative Lauren Underwood announced a new round of federal funding she has secured for affordable housing, environmental cleanup, and research in the 14th District.

    As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Underwood has made securing federal resources for northern Illinois a top priority. The following funds will support programs in the 14th District with federal resources:

    The Neighbor Project, Aurora, Illinois – $57,000

    The Neighbor Project will receive $57,000 in federal funding from NeighborWorks America through the NeighborWorks Flexible Impact Grant program.

    This grant will support efforts to lower housing costs, expand housing supply, spark economic opportunity, revitalize neighborhoods, and strengthen communities across Illinois’s 14th Congressional District. NeighborWorks America, a public nonprofit established by Congress in 1978, provides financial and technical support to nearly 250 local and regional partner organizations nationwide.

    Rep. Underwood helped secure this funding through her work on the Appropriations Committee.

    City of Ottawa, Ottawa, Illinois – $1,243,270

    The City of Ottawa will receive $1,243,270 in federal funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields Cleanup Grant Program.

    The grant will fund the cleanup of the former Beer Depot site at 429 W. Lafayette Street, which was previously used for oil and coal distribution from 1891 until the 1970s. The site, vacant since the 1970s and contaminated with semi-volatile organic compounds, metals, and pesticides, will be remediated to support community revitalization and economic redevelopment.

    Rep. Underwood helped secure this funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and her work on the Appropriations Committee.

    A Cubed Design LLC, Aurora, Illinois – $305,000

    A Cubed Design LLC has been awarded federal funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant to develop an affordable, durable, and user-repairable refreshable braille display.

    This project aims to address the high cost and limited accessibility of current refreshable braille technology, which hinders braille literacy and digital access for blind and low-vision individuals. The innovation has strong commercial potential in a rapidly growing market and is expected to benefit thousands of users within three years of launch, expanding access to education, employment, and digital tools for the blind and low-vision community.

    Rep. Underwood helped secure this funding through her work on the Appropriations Committee.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Neguse Leads Coalition of Lawmakers Opposing Proposed Cuts to NOAA

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

    In letters to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik and Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers, lawmakers urge the rejection of proposed funding cuts and facility closures at NOAA. 

    Washington, DC— Following the release of the White House’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal, Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-02) led a coalition of 23 lawmakers urging both the Department of Commerce and their colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee to reject devastating proposed cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by the Trump administration. The budget proposal would decimate funding for NOAA’s critical programs, including the Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), and terminate several Weather Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes, including several in Colorado’s Second Congressional District.   

    In their letter, the lawmakers condemned the proposed budget cuts to NOAA and underscored the importance of the agency and its Cooperative Institutes. Colorado is home to several of NOAA’s Climate Laboratories, including the Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL), the Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL), and the Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML), all located in Boulder, CO. 

    Colorado is also the only state in the nation home to two Cooperative Institutes, the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University and the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder, which are academic and non-profit research centers that have provided invaluable support to NOAA’s mission and work in drought, wildfire, and space weather since 1967. The lawmakers denounced the proposed cuts in their letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Subcommittee Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Meng, as well as any plans to terminate funding for these institutions, making clear the damage to our nation would be irreversible, and emphasizing the important work that is ongoing at both CIRES and CIRA.  

    “CIs are home to experienced researchers and long-standing data collection programs with major impacts on human societies. If these sweeping cuts are made, the damage will be irreversible. Even short-term interruptions in their research could threaten the safety and economies of the communities that CIs serve across the nation. These cuts would primarily leave tornado and weather research and ocean observation to be reprogrammed to other offices, effectively moving weather research and development under the National Weather Service, while getting rid of most of the people and infrastructure that do this critical work.” 

    They continued: “The value NOAA and its programs, like OAR, provide to our communities cannot be overstated. OAR operates research laboratories across the country providing the foundation for understanding and predicting changes in Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and inland waters. This work improves weather and climate forecasts, provides early warnings for natural disasters, and enhances our understanding of Earth’s systems. The work our scientists and civil servants do at NOAA is essential to U.S. national security and economic prosperity, as well as the personal safety and daily lives of Americans. Any attempt to gut these essential programs would have devastating effects on Americans.” 

     

    Read their full letter HERE and below: 

    July 8, 2025

    The Honorable Howard Lutnick 

    Secretary

    U.S. Department of Commerce 

    1401 Constitution Ave. NW 

    Washington, DC 20230

     

    The Honorable Laura Grimm

    Acting Administrator

    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    1401 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20230
     

    Dear Secretary Lutnick and Acting Administrator Grimm,

    We write to implore you to reject the proposed funding cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as laid out in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Fiscal Year 2026 budget request. NOAA’s programs provide essential services to all Americans, and gutting its programs and research would be gravely irresponsible.

    In NOAA’s FY26 Congressional Justification document, the agency lays out plans to effectively eliminate NOAA’s Operations, Research, and Facilities for FY26. This includes a decrease in 216 employees and complete termination of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Climate Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes. 

    This document also proposes closing down several NOAA facilities across the United States that are in our respective districts. This includes the Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) in Miami, FL; the Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) in College Park, MD, Idaho Falls, ID, and Oak Ridge, TN, Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL) in Boulder, CO; the Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) in Boulder, CO; the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) in Princeton, NJ; , as well as a nation-wide network of soil moisture sensors; the Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) in Boulder, CO, Utqiaġvik, AK; Mauna Loa, HI; Hilo, HI; Big Island, HI; American Samoa, and the South Pole; and the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) in Seattle. Shutting down these facilities would be devastating for our communities.

    These cuts would also affect Cooperative Institutes (CIs), which are academic and non-profit research institutions that support NOAA’s goals, containing 80 universities and institutions across 33 states. CIs are home to experienced researchers and long-standing data collection programs with major impacts on human societies. If these sweeping cuts are made, the damage will be irreversible. Even short-term interruptions in their research could threaten the safety and economies of the communities that CIs serve across the nation.

    These cuts would primarily leave tornado and weather research and ocean observation to be reprogrammed to other offices, effectively moving weather research and development under the National Weather Service, while getting rid of most of the people and infrastructure that do this critical work. You cannot simply shuffle a handful of programs across NOAA offices while terminating an entire line office responsible for providing the research base for the agency and expect continued success; to maintain American excellence in this work requires continuity of OAR’s core functions as well as its skilled workforce, including at the labs and CIs.

    The value NOAA and its programs, like OAR, provide to our communities cannot be overstated. OAR operates research laboratories across the country providing the foundation for understanding and predicting changes in Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and inland waters. This work improves weather and climate forecasts, provides early warnings for natural disasters, and enhances our understanding of Earth’s systems. The work our scientists and civil servants do at NOAA is essential to U.S. national security and economic prosperity, as well as the personal safety and daily lives of Americans. Any attempt to gut these essential programs would have devastating effects on Americans. As such, we urge you to reject these proposed funding cuts and facility closures at NOAA.

    Sincerely,

     

    Read their full letter HERE and below: 

    July 8, 2025

     

    The Honorable Hal Rogers 

    Chairman

    Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

    Committee on Appropriations

    H-310 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515

     

    The Honorable Grace Meng

    Ranking Member

    Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science,

    and Related Agencies

    Committee on Appropriations

    H-310 The Capitol, Washington, DC 20515

     

    Dear Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Meng,

    As you continue crafting the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, we write to implore you to reject the proposed funding cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as laid out in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Fiscal Year 2026 budget request. NOAA’s programs provide essential services to all Americans, and gutting its programs and research would be gravely irresponsible.

    In NOAA’s FY26 Congressional Justification document, the agency lays out plans to effectively eliminate NOAA’s Operations, Research, and Facilities for FY26. This includes a decrease in 216 employees and complete termination of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Climate Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes. 

    This document also proposes closing down several NOAA facilities across the United States that are in our respective districts. This includes the Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL) in Boulder, CO; the Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) in Boulder, CO; the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) in Princeton, NJ; Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) in Miami, FL; the Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) in College Park, MD, Idaho Falls, ID, and Oak Ridge, TN, as well as a nation-wide network of soil moisture sensors; the Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) in Boulder, CO, Utqiaġvik, AK; Mauna Loa, HI; Hilo, HI; Big Island, HI; American Samoa, and the South Pole; and the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) in Seattle. Shutting down these facilities would be devastating for our communities.

    These cuts would also affect Cooperative Institutes (CIs), which are academic and non-profit research institutions that support NOAA’s goals, containing 80 universities and institutions across 33 states. CIs are home to experienced researchers and long-standing data collection programs with major impacts on human societies. If these sweeping cuts are made, the damage will be irreversible. Even short-term interruptions in their research could threaten the safety and economies of the communities that CIs serve across the nation.

    These cuts would primarily leave tornado and weather research and ocean observation to be reprogrammed to other offices, effectively moving weather research and development under the National Weather Service, while getting rid of most of the people and infrastructure that do this critical work. You cannot simply shuffle a handful of programs across NOAA offices while terminating an entire line office responsible for providing the research base for the agency and expect continued success; to maintain American excellence in this work requires continuity of OAR’s core functions as well as its skilled workforce, including at the labs and CIs.

    The value NOAA and its programs, like OAR, provide to our communities cannot be overstated. OAR operates research laboratories across the country providing the foundation for understanding and predicting changes in Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and inland waters. This work improves weather and climate forecasts, provides early warnings for natural disasters, and enhances our understanding of Earth’s systems. The work our scientists and civil servants do at NOAA is essential to U.S. national security and economic prosperity, as well as the personal safety and daily lives of Americans. Any attempt to gut these essential programs would have devastating effects on Americans. As such, we urge you to reject these proposed funding cuts and facility closures at NOAA, and to instead fully fund NOAA in the FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

    Sincerely,

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Craig Urges Administration to Follow Through on Promise to Deliver High-Speed Internet to Rural Communities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig joined Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Adam Gray (D-CA) in urging the Administration to follow through on its promise to deliver high-speed internet to rural communities through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. 

    In a letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, the lawmakers expressed concerns about the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) recent guidance that could set back broadband deployment in rural areas.

    “We remain committed to ensuring the BEAD Program delivers on its promise to strengthen the U.S. economy and connect rural Americans with the opportunities enabled by high-speed internet,” the Members wrote. “However, recent guidance from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) raises concerns that the program could be slowed just as states are gaining momentum.” 

    “This program was intended to strengthen underserved areas by providing the highest-performance and most scalable networks, so they can compete in the modern economy,” the Members continued. “In many of our districts, higher deployment costs are a reality. A one-size-fits all model puts rural communities at a disadvantage.

    The Members concluded, “We urge NTIA to preserve the program’s original intent while streamlining deployment efforts to avoid further disruptions.”

    As a co-chair of the Congressional Rural Broadband Caucus, Rep. Craig has led the effort to connect Minnesota’s rural communities to high-speed internet. 

    Last Congress, Rep. Craig led a group of Members in urging Speaker Johnson to take action to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provided 23 million American households – and over 244,000 Minnesota households – with access to affordable high-speed internet. She later introduced the Secure and Affordable Broadband Extension Act to increase funding for federal broadband accessibility programs like the ACP, which expired in June of 2024.

    Last year, she secured a $1 million federal investment to improve internet access in Le Sueur County, Minnesota.

    You can read the full text of the letter here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –