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Category: Energy

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Baumgartner Say SCORE Act is Big Loser for College Sports

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    07.15.25
    Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Baumgartner Say SCORE Act is Big Loser for College Sports
    Cantwell: “If you thought the dissolution of the Pac-12 was a heist, the SCORE Act is the National Championship of all heists. This legislation is a power grab by the two biggest conferences that will leave athletes, coaches, and small and mid-sized institutions behind.”
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, that oversees college sports, and Representative Michael Baumgartner (R, WA-05) called on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade to delay its July 15 markup of the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act, citing significant changes needed to strengthen the bill and meet its goal of improving the future of college athletics—for ALL colleges and ALL athletes.
    “If you thought the dissolution of the Pac-12 was a heist, the SCORE Act is the National Championship of all heists,” said Sen. Cantwell. “This legislation is a power grab by the two biggest conferences that will leave athletes, coaches, and small and mid-sized institutions behind.” 
    “In its current form, the SCORE Act fails to protect what makes college sports special,” said Congressman Baumgartner. “It puts student-athletes at risk by empowering the wealthiest programs to poach talent and control the system. This bill accelerates the erosion of competitive balance, tradition, and opportunity—especially for smaller schools. I want to make sure that college athletics at WSU, Gonzaga, and EWU continue to have a strong future. If we truly care about student-athletes, we should be strengthening the institutions and values that support them, not stacking the deck against them.”
    In a letter to subcommittee Chairman Gus Bilirakis and Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky, Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Baumgartner wrote: “The bill appears to be a product of the richest conferences to cement into place the current power structure in college athletics that would leave only the wealthiest schools able to compete at the highest levels of college athletics. The SCORE Act will only cause more chaos and damage to the college athletics system. We urge you to pull this flawed bill from the mark up until the defects are fixed.”
    Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Baumgartner called out big flaws with the bill’s framework and identified six areas that need to be improved:  
    consider policies to increase revenue for small and mid-sized schools and for women’s and Olympic sports;
    give college athletes a voice in how policies are made and implemented, including those related to conference realignment;
    address the inequities and limitations of the House v. NCAA settlement regarding women’s athletics;
    address the budgetary concerns of small and mid-sized schools;
    ensure health and safety protections; and,
    establish a commission on the future of college athletics.
    “College sports are important to student athletes, schools, alumni, fans, and communities across the United States,” their letter concluded. “Congress needs to get this right and not miss an opportunity to fix the college sports landscape for generations to come. We urge everyone to think long-term and big picture about the future of college athletics that we want to achieve.”
    The text of the letter is below and can be found HERE.
    Dear Chairman Bilirakis and Ranking Member Schakowsky,
    We have significant concerns about H.R. 4312, the “Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements” (SCORE) Act, slated to be marked up by the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade. The bill appears to be a product of the richest conferences to cement into place the current power structure in college athletics that would leave only the wealthiest schools able to compete at the highest levels of college athletics. The SCORE Act will only cause more chaos and damage to the college athletics system. We urge you to pull this flawed bill from the mark up until the defects are fixed.
    First, the bill entrenches the NCAA’s authority at a time when the NCAA’s governance structure is becoming increasingly dominated by wealthier conferences. The SCORE Act hands the NCAA unfettered ability to set rules that would make the rich schools richer, like representation on NCAA championship selection committees—and the tournament revenue that comes with it.
    Second, while we are pleased that college athletes can earn a share of the revenue they generate for their schools, the SCORE Act’s formula for determining the size of revenue shared with players will make it difficult for small and mid-sized schools to compete with wealthy schools. The non-policy-based formula in the bill is at least 22 percent of the average sports revenue of the 70 highest-revenue schools—an amount currently estimated to be $20.5 million. Very few schools will be able to pay out this full amount and the situation will be exacerbated over time as the limits increase each year as average revenue increases. These schools will not be able to keep up with wealthy schools who plan to pay their athletes the full $20.5 million each year or more. This will accelerate the loss of talent from these smaller schools, turning them into mere “feeder” schools for the largest programs.
    Third, the SCORE Act ignores important national policies regarding college sports. It ignores the explosive growth of women’s sports and how revenue sharing under the House v. NCAA settlement may jeopardize these gains and lead to far less money flowing to women’s sports. It ignores the importance of college athletics to the Olympic pipeline. The SCORE Act will inevitably lead to the loss of men’s and women’s Olympic sports as schools are implicitly forced to devote ever more resources to the college football arms race. The SCORE Act also fails to address how conference realignment has changed the map of college sports and the absurdity of sending college athletes coast-to-coast on a weekly basis while foreclosing any opportunity for athletes to have a voice at the table to advocate for themselves as these changes continue to play out.
    The SCORE Act is a missed opportunity to deliver creative solutions that will ensure a sustainable future for college athletics beyond the wealthiest programs. Rather than rush the SCORE Act through as is, we should press pause to fix the issues facing schools of all sizes and opportunity for all athletes. The Act should: (1) consider policies to increase revenue for small and mid-sized schools and for women’s and Olympic sports; (2) give college athletes a voice in how policies are made and implemented, including those related to conference realignment; (3) address the inequities and limitations of the House v. NCAA settlement regarding women’s athletics; (4) address the budgetary concerns of small and mid-sized schools; (5) ensure health and safety protections; and (6) establish a commission on the future of college athletics.
    College sports are important to student athletes, schools, alumni, fans, and communities across the United States. Congress needs to get this right and not miss an opportunity to fix the college sports landscape for generations to come. We urge everyone to think long-term and big picture about the future of college athletics that we want to achieve.
    We look forward to working with you on these important issues.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Kazakhstan exported 39.6 million tons of oil in the first half of the year

    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

    ALMATY, July 15 (Xinhua) — Kazakhstan produced 49.9 million tons of oil and exported 39.6 million tons in the first half of 2025, the Kazinform news agency reported on Tuesday, citing Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov.

    “The volume of oil production for the reporting period amounted to 49.9 million tons, which is 111.6 percent compared to the same period last year. By the end of the year, production of 96.2 million tons of oil is expected,” noted E. Akkenzhenov.

    According to him, in the first six months Kazakhstan exported 39.6 million tons of oil, which is 11.9 percent more year-on-year.

    By the end of the year, Kazakhstan plans to export 70.5 million tons of oil. –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 Submissions: Taurine could power your energy drink – and maybe cancer cells too. Here’s what you need to know

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gulshanara (Rumy) Begum, Senior Lecturer in Nutrition & Exercise Science, University of Westminster

    shutterstock New Africa/Shutterstock

    Energy drinks are big business. Marketed as quick fixes for fatigue and performance dips, energy drinks are especially popular among young people, athletes, sports enthusiasts, and so-called “weekend warriors” – people who pack their workouts into the weekend instead of exercising regularly. Gamers are now a major target too.

    But as the market grows, so do concerns about what’s actually in these drinks – and what these ingredients might be doing to our bodies.

    Many energy drinks contain some combination of three familiar stimulants: caffeine, found naturally in coffee, tea and cacao; guarana, an Amazonian plant rich in caffeine; and taurine, a naturally occurring amino acid found in scallops, mussels, turkey and chicken.

    Taurine, in particular, has drawn both hype and hope. It is credited with performance-enhancing properties and potential health benefits. But new research is raising important questions about how it behaves in the body – and when it might do more harm than good.

    In May 2025, a study published in Nature sparked headlines and unease in equal measure. It found that taurine may fuel the progression of leukaemia, a group of blood cancers that begin in the bone marrow.

    The study showed that while healthy bone marrow cells naturally produce taurine, leukaemia cells cannot. But they can absorb taurine from their surroundings and use it as a fuel source to grow and multiply. Research on mice and in human leukaemia cell samples demonstrated that taurine in the tumour microenvironment – the area around a tumour that includes blood vessels, immune cells and structural support – accelerated the progression of leukaemia.

    Crucially, when researchers blocked taurine uptake by leukaemia cells (using genetic techniques), cancer progression slowed significantly. The authors suggest taurine supplements could potentially worsen outcomes in people with leukaemia and propose that developing targeted ways to block taurine uptake by cancer cells might offer a new treatment strategy.

    Taurine: friend or foe?

    Taurine is one of the most abundant free amino acids in the human body, found in especially high concentrations in the heart, muscles and brain. In healthy people, it’s mainly obtained through diet, but the body can also synthesise taurine from the amino acids methionine and cysteine, provided it has enough vitamin B6, which is found in foods such as salmon, tuna, chicken, bananas and milk.

    Most people consuming a typical western diet take in 40mg–400mg of taurine a day from food alone. This figure refers only to taurine that is directly ingested, not including the additional amount the body can synthesise internally, which may vary depending on age, diet and health.

    Scallops contain high levels of taurine.
    barmalini/Shutterstock

    Taurine is listed on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) generally recognised as safe (GRAS) database, and according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), it’s safe to consume up to six grams per day. By comparison, a serving of Red Bull or Monster contains around one gram – comfortably below that threshold.

    Despite recent concerns about a possible link to blood cancer progression, taurine isn’t inherently harmful. In fact, some people may benefit from supplementation, especially those receiving long-term parenteral nutrition, where nutrients are delivered directly into the bloodstream because the gut isn’t working properly. People with chronic liver, kidney or heart failure may also have trouble producing or holding on to enough taurine, making supplementation helpful in specific clinical settings.

    Ironically, some research suggests taurine may actually help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy in leukaemia patients – even as emerging studies raise concerns that it could also fuel the disease. This contradiction underscores how much context matters: the effects of taurine depend not just on dosage and delivery, but also on the patient’s underlying condition. What helps in one context, could harm in another.

    But here’s the catch: taking taurine as a supplement for particular health reasons is very different from consuming large quantities through energy drinks, which often combine taurine with high levels of caffeine and sugar. This combination can put strain on the heart, interfere with sleep and increase the risk of side effects, particularly for people with underlying health conditions or those taking other stimulants.

    The latest research raises important questions about whether taurine-heavy products could be harmful in some cases, especially for people with, or at risk of, blood cancers.

    So, should you worry?

    According to the current evidence, if you’re a healthy adult who occasionally sips an energy drink, there’s little cause for alarm. But moderation is key. Consuming multiple high-taurine drinks daily or taking taurine supplements (without prior professional consultation), on top of a taurine-rich diet might not be wise, especially if future research confirms links between taurine and cancer progression.

    Until more is known, the safest approach would be to enjoy your energy boosts by consuming a nutritious diet rather than consuming energy drinks. If you have any underlying health conditions – or a family history of cancer – it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional before diving into taurine supplementation or consumption of energy drinks.

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

    – ref. Taurine could power your energy drink – and maybe cancer cells too. Here’s what you need to know – https://theconversation.com/taurine-could-power-your-energy-drink-and-maybe-cancer-cells-too-heres-what-you-need-to-know-256957

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Leads Legislation to Provide Rural Communities with Funding for Emergency Recovery Technical Assistance After Disasters Hit 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, and U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), reintroduced the Rural Recovery Act, legislation that will create a new program at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) to provide RD state offices with automatic funding for emergency recovery technical assistance after disasters take place in their jurisdiction. The Rural Recovery Act was inspired and shaped by the need to bolster capacity of towns and cities across Vermont recovering from historic floods in 2023 and 2024. 
    “Vermont is still reeling from brutal back-to-back floods that tore through our state in July of 2023 and 2024. Just last week, towns were hit with flash flooding for the third year—it’s a painful reminder that these disasters are becoming more frequent, and we need to be ready for them. A critical part of the recovery process is ensuring every town has the resources necessary to access emergency relief funds when disasters strike. But many rural communities often don’t have the capacity to apply for disaster relief when they’re still trying to dig out their driveways and make sure their neighbors are safe after a major flood,” said Senator Welch. “The Rural Recovery Act will deliver vital assistance and improve the post-disaster recovery process for rural communities impacted by extreme weather across the country.” 
    “Climate change is making extreme weather more frequent, severe and damaging. Vermonters know this all too well following years of devastating flooding. What they also know is that the recovery process is difficult and slow, and that working with the various federal agencies involved is complicated and time-consuming. Many of our small towns simply don’t have the time or staff resources to manage the endless paperwork and apply for the resources available to help in recovery. The Rural Recovery Act will help ensure communities can access the disaster relief they need to recover and rebuild,” said Senator Sanders. 
    “New Hampshire has been hit hard by a number of severe storms in recent years that caused flooding and other serious damage to residences and businesses across the state, including in rural areas,” said Senator Shaheen. “The technical expertise needed to apply for emergency assistance is often a huge barrier for smaller, rural communities. Our legislation would allow USDA Rural Development to provide assistance, which will help more Granite Staters access recovery funds when they’re needed most.” 
    The Rural Recovery Act would provide automatic funding to USDA RD state offices in disaster impacted states, following a disaster declaration by the president. States can use funding to administer disaster recovery technical assistance to towns. The technical assistance funding—generally available up to three years after a disaster occurs—could be used by state RD offices to hire internal employees or contractors to provide technical assistance to towns for their recovery efforts. The program is modeled after a pilot program spearheaded by USDA RD and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) which provides towns with technical assistance for disaster recovery. 
    Technical assistance providers could also assist with any federal agency funding applications for disaster-damaged infrastructure, including U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Economic Development Administration (EDA), USDA, or state agency funding applications to address disaster damage.  
    Learn more about the Rural Recovery Act of 2025. 
    Read and download the full text of the bill. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • India achieves 50% Renewable Energy capacity target ahead of 2030 deadline: Pralhad Joshi

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, on Tuesday said that India has achieved its target of meeting 50 per cent of total installed energy capacity through renewable sources well ahead of the 2030 deadline.

    Speaking to mediapersons during his visit to IIT Bombay, Joshi said, “We have achieved 50 per cent of total installed energy capacity through renewable energy. We were supposed to achieve this by 2030 but have done it ahead of schedule.”

    The Minister credited the achievement to the vision and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that India is emerging as a global leader in the renewable energy sector.

    “In renewable energy, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India is leading the world,” Joshi said.

    Appreciating IIT Bombay’s contribution in the field of energy research and innovation, the Minister said the government is providing significant funding to address challenges related to productivity and grid stability.

    “The Indian government under PM Modi is giving substantial funds for research. How to increase productivity along with grid stability is a key concern and we are working on it,” he added.

    Highlighting the purpose of his visit, Joshi said, “I came to IIT Bombay because it has done very good work. I congratulate the entire team and I am happy that the funds have been well utilised for research and development.”

    Recalling the Prime Minister’s promise, Joshi said the commitment to reach 50 per cent renewable capacity by 2030 has been fulfilled ahead of time.

    The Minister was speaking at the IVCA Renewable Energy Summit 2025, organised by the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association in Mumbai, where he delivered the keynote address as the Chief Guest.

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI: ALL4 Mining Launches Groundbreaking Free Mobile App to Drive Global Passive Crypto Income

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ALL4 Mining, the leading global company in the world of cloud-based cryptocurrency mining, has revealed the formal launch of its all-new revolutionary free mobile app. This is redefining the way people mine digital assets worldwide, entering the game of mining through a simple, sustainable, and extremely profitable solution that the user can configure in minutes. 

    With this new mobile application, users can mine top cryptocurrencies, with zero hardware costs and zero technical knowledge. In essence, anyone can start generating daily passive income directly from their mobile phone – in a safe, fully automated experience.

    AI-Powered Efficiency with 100% Green Energy

    At the heart of ALL4 Mining’s mobile solution is an advanced AI engine that intelligently manages mining schedules. This technology offers as much as ten times improved efficiency while lowering operational costs. All mining activities are powered entirely on renewable energy, meaning a tiny environmental impact, and allowing investors to balance their profits with sustainable practices. 

     Users enjoy continuous, hands-off mining activities. Once the app is activated, gains are made automatically and continuously, allowing new and experienced investors a hands-off means of building crypto portfolios.

    Diverse, Investor-Friendly Mining Contracts

    ALL4 Mining continues to set the benchmark with flexible plans tailored for every investment profile. Here’s a closer look at current offerings:

    BTC basic computing power: investment amount: $100, contract period: 2 days, daily income of $4.0, expiration income: $100 + $8

    LTC [classic computing power contract]: investment amount: $600, contract period: 6 days, daily income of $7.2, expiration income: $600 + $43.2

    BTC [classic computing power contract]: investment amount: $3,000, contract period: 20 days, daily income of $42, expiration income: $3,000 + $840

    DOGE [classic computing power contract]: investment amount: $5,000, contract period: 31 days, daily income of $74, expiration income: $5,000 + $2,294

    BTC [advanced computing power contract]: investment amount: $10,000, contract period: 40 days, daily income of $170, expiration income: $10,000 + $680

    BTC [advanced computing power contract]: investment amount: 50,000 USD, contract period: 48 days, daily income: USD 930, maturity income: USD 50,000 + USD 44,640

    BTC [Super Computing Power Contract]: Investment amount: USD 150,000, contract period: 45 days, daily income: USD 3,000, maturity income: USD 150,000 + USD 135,000

    (The platform has launched a variety of stable income contracts, which can be viewed on the official website all4mining.com.)

    Quick Onboarding and Seamless Passive Income

    ALL4 Mining makes getting started remarkably simple. Here’s how it works:
    ·Download the App: Available for iOS and Android at ALL4 Mining.
    ·Register in Seconds: Sign up with an email — no lengthy forms required.
    ·Begin Mining Instantly: Activate mining with a tap; the app connects to powerful global computing resources.
    ·Enjoy Daily Payouts: Earnings settle every day and can be withdrawn instantly to your personal wallet.
    ·Boost Earnings: Share your referral code to unlock bonus power and extra cash incentives.
    Advanced Features for Today’s Crypto Enthusiasts
    ALL4 Mining’s platform stands out with top-tier benefits designed for user peace of mind and profitability:
    · $15 Welcome Bonus: New users receive a $15 credit and start earning $0.6 daily immediately.
    ·Complete Remote Control: Monitor and manage mining operations anytime, anywhere.
    ·Uncompromised Security: Industry-leading safeguards from McAfee® and Cloudflare® protect every transaction.
    ·24/7 Global Mining: Continuous mining backed by multilingual customer support teams.
    ·Rich Contract Variety: From short-term trials to premium long-term plans, there’s something to suit every investor.

    Positioned for the Next Crypto Surge

    Market analysts are predicting Bitcoin could go beyond $180,000, indicating substantial prospects in digital asset mining. With over 9 million users globally, ALL4 Mining leads the way in this transition by providing an innovative, transparent, and intelligent system so users can take advantage of new trends.

    Get Started with ALL4 Mining Today

    ALL4 Mining is leading the shift toward simple, secure, and sustainable crypto income. Whether you’re a first-time investor or an experienced trader seeking automated growth, their free mobile platform offers the tools to build real wealth — without complexity or upfront hardware costs.

    Discover more about mining contracts or start earning passive crypto income now by visiting https://all4mining.com/.
    For press and partnership inquiries, contact: info@all4mining.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Speaker Johnson: Every Citizen, In Every Zip Code, In Every Pocket of America Will Benefit from the One Big Beautiful Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

    WASHINGTON — This morning, at the weekly House Republican Leadership press conference, Speaker Johnson addressed the anniversary of President Trump’s assassination attempt and highlighted how his constituents plan to utilize the thousands of dollars in savings from the One Big Beautiful Bill.

    Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here

    On the anniversary of President Trump’s assassination attempt:

    One year ago, Sunday, on that field in Butler, Pennsylvania, an assassin nearly took the life of President Trump. And we can’t talk about it too much because it was a turning point in American history. It could have gone the wrong way. I mean, if that assassin’s bullet missed just an inch to the right, or if President Trump would’ve turned his head just a millisecond later, he would’ve died on that stage and this country would’ve come apart at the seams. But now, because of all this recent success and the President’s success, it’s easy to forget that just 12 months ago, President Trump was the most vilified politician, arguably in the history of the country.

    Democrats spent years persecuting him on all fronts. They impeached him twice. Social media platforms removed his ability to communicate with his supporters. Armed FBI agents raided his home. Democrat judges and prosecutors bent the law to arrest him. And multiple assassins tried to kill him, but God miraculously spared the president’s life. I think it’s undeniable. And he did it for an obvious purpose. His presidency and his life are the fruits of divine providence. And he points that out, obviously now all the time. And he’s right to do so. President Trump has lived since with the acknowledgement every day since, he has acknowledged that each new day isn’t guaranteed to us. It isn’t to any of us, and that’s why we’re not wasting any time. It’s why he remains so strong and resilient. It’s why we have such a sense of urgency. President Trump took a bullet to his head. He got up shortly thereafter. He pleaded with the crowd to fight, and then he went on to win a historic election less than four months later. America’s changed because he survived that day.

    On the first 6 months of unified Republican government:

    Think about everything we’ve accomplished just the last few weeks. Gas prices hit a four-year low. The last four jobs reports exceeded expectations. The stock market is reaching record highs. We have the lowest monthly border encounters in the history of the United States. Our NATO partners committed to spending 5%, not 2% of their GDP on national defense. We brokered multiple peace agreements and struck many more trade deals, more to come. We significantly damaged Iran’s nuclear program. And on July 4th, we did sign the One Big Beautiful Bill, the president signed it into law. It’s the most consequential transformational legislation ever considered in our lifetimes. And we got it done because the Republican Party delivered on the promises we made to the American people, and the president did as well

    On the Republican agenda after One Big Beautiful Bill being signed into law:

    Every citizen in every zip code in every pocket of America will benefit from the One Big Beautiful Bill. You’ll hear story after story in the weeks ahead. Last week, my office sent a survey to our constituents. I serve Louisiana’s fourth congressional district. And we sent around a survey to Louisiana families, knowing that they’re going to save thousands of dollars now because of the vote that we took on July 3rd. We asked them, how would you use the extra money? And here’s some of the responses: James said he’s going to use the savings to open a Roth IRA for his family. Janice is an 80-year-old widow, she said she’s going to use the savings for much needed repairs to her home. Whitney is in a retirement home; she’s going to utilize the savings to help pay rent. Pamela is grateful for the increased standard deduction and will likely add these savings to a rainy-day fund for future expenses. Another constituent named James said he doesn’t even want the relief. He said he’d like to send it back to us to “use for more plane tickets for people heading back south of the border wall.”  That’s a real response. So many of my constituents said they would use their savings on things like basic needs and bills and debt, payment and transportation and home repairs, and helping family members and adding to their emergency funds or taking a well-deserved vacation. You know what, as Jimmy [Patronis] said earlier, it’s their money. It’s not the government’s money and we’re delighted to give it back to them. That’s the beauty of the One Big Beautiful Bill. And you can spend it however you please.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Media Alert: Low-level flights to image geology over parts of southern Colorado

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Media Alert: Low-level flights to image geology over parts of southern Colorado

    USGS low-level helicopter surveys to map critical minerals in Southern Colorado starting Summer 2025

    RESTON, VA. — The U.S. Geology Survey will conduct low-level helicopter flights over parts of southern Colorado to map critical minerals using airborne geophysical technology, beginning in mid-July. The airborne survey will be conducted through Fall 2025, weather and wildfire restrictions permitting, covering parts of Park, Chaffee, Teller, Fremont, Custer, Pueblo, and Huerfano Counties.  

    Flights may resume in Spring 2026 if needed.

    The Colorado flights are part of a national effort to map the mineral resources needed to drive the U.S. economy and protect national security, searching below ground and in tailings from old mines.  As directed by the Energy Act of 2020, the USGS has identified 50 critical minerals essential to the U.S. economy and national security, with a supply chain vulnerable to disruption. 

    Instruments on the helicopter will measure variations in the Earth’s magnetic field and natural, low-level radiation created by different rock types beneath vegetation and up to several miles below the surface. This information will help researchers develop geologic maps in three dimensions. In addition to critical minerals, applications include evaluating natural resources such as water, preparing for natural hazards such as earthquakes and radon, and characterizing legacy mining areas.

    The aircraft will fly along pre-planned fight paths relatively low to the ground at about 300 feet (100 meters) above the surface in some areas. Experienced pilots who are specially trained and approved for low-level flying will operate the aircraft. All flights will occur during daylight hours and are coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure accordance with U.S. law. The ground clearance will be increased to 1,000 feet (300+ meters) over populated areas. The flights will be based out of Fremont County airport near Cañon City, and will fly over the towns of Gardner, Rye, Colorado City, Beulah Valley, Rockvale, Coal Creek, Williamsburg, Florence, Penrose, Brookside, Lincoln Park, Cañon City, Park Center, Goldfield, Victor, Cripple Creek, Midland, Guffey, Cotopaxi, Coaldale, and Howard.  Surveying over wilderness areas in the survey block are subject to access permissions with the relevant agencies.

    The aircraft will be equipped with an elongated “boom” that extends in front of the main cabin that houses sensors. These scientific instruments are completely passive with no emissions that pose a risk to humans, animals, or plant life. No photography or video data will be collected. The data collected will be made freely available to the public on ScienceBase once complete. The aircraft will be flown by experienced pilots who are specially trained and approved for low-level flying. These pilots work with the FAA to ensure flights are safe and in accordance with U.S. law. The surveys will be conducted during daylight hours only. 

     The flights could shift to other parts of the survey area as necessitated by adverse flying conditions. 

    The USGS has contracted with NV5, Edcon-PRJ, and Precision GeoSurveys to collect data.

    The survey fits into a broader effort by the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, the Colorado Geological Survey, and other partners,  to modernize our understanding of the Nation’s fundamental geologic framework and knowledge of mineral resources. Funding by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has facilitated coverage of such a large area.  This effort is known as the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, and it includes airborne geophysical surveys like this one, geochemical reconnaissance surveys, topographic mapping using LiDAR technology, hyperspectral surveys, and geologic mapping projects. 

    The helicopter survey will take place within the polygon on the map, including the town of Cañon City, in south-central Colorado.  Surveying over wilderness areas in the survey block are subject to access permissions with the relevant agencies.

    Photo of the contractor’s helicopter with a “boom” containing sensors that measure the magnetic field. (Photo courtesy of Precision GeoSurveys)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Researcher Spotlight: Violeta Sanchez i Nogue’s Journey to Bioprocess Development at NREL

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    On a Christmas morning in the early 1990s, in a small town north of Barcelona, a young Violeta Sanchez i Nogue’s interest in chemistry was born. She unwrapped a junior chemistry lab kit that would ignite a love of science and lead to a successful career as a senior researcher at NREL.

    Violeta Sanchez i Nogue, now a senior researcher, started her career at NREL as a postdoctoral researcher. Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL

    “With the kit, you could run lots of different assays inside glass tubes with different chemical compounds,” Sanchez i Nogue said. “It even had an alcohol burner! In retrospect probably not the safest game, but you can imagine lots of color changes and fume generation when reactions were taking place. I had lots of fun playing with this game with my sister, and I was just fascinated by it.”

    With visions of someday working in a chemistry lab, Sanchez i Nogue took an opportunity to expand her horizons by joining an engineering boot camp during the summer before high school graduation.

    “I really enjoyed it, as it gave me exposure to university-level research,” she said. “We spent a couple of weeks taking environmental samples in the Pyrenees and analyzing them in a lab the university had installed at the mountain hostel. Most of the researchers were from the chemical engineering department, so I had the chance to learn about the types of research they were doing.”

    Combining Scientific Passions

    Needless to say, she was hooked. She decided to combine her two interests and pursue a degree in chemical engineering at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. During her undergraduate studies, she completed an internship at Lund University in Sweden, where she later returned to earn a Ph.D. in engineering. It was here that she became familiar with NREL’s leading work on lignocellulosics and bioethanol—the focus of her thesis.

    Sanchez i Nogue worked for a startup company developing yeast strains and processes for second-generation ethanol and other biotech applications. In the summer of 2015, she joined NREL as a postdoctoral researcher working on a project to produce renewable carbon fibers.

    “It just felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when a colleague from grad school sent me the job posting,” Sanchez i Nogue said. “It was a relatively big project with universities, other national labs, and industrial partners. This first project was ambitious, and the fermentations I was running were really fast, but it was an amazing experience to be able to work with a highly multidisciplinary team. After a few months of being at NREL, I had the opportunity to join another project, which I am still part of.”

    Working With Microorganisms

    “While one might think the challenges an organism faces when we put them in bioreactors are really different compared to their native environment, you can actually leverage lots of natural strengths and weaknesses from learning about their origins,” Sanchez i Nogue said.

    Violeta Sanchez i Nogue works with digesters in NREL’s Field Test Laboratory Building. Photo from Violeta Sanchez i Nogue, NREL

    Most of her projects have parallel efforts across the laboratory in metabolic engineering, separations, catalysis, and analysis.

    “Working on multidisciplinary projects with people who all have unique sets of expertise and backgrounds can be challenging at times,” Sanchez i Nogue said. “But it always feels like a pivotal moment when synergies occur because people work together.”

    “I love the fact that I learn something new every single day,” she said. “I have what I consider one of the greatest privileges in a job: I work with dedicated, hard-working, and kind people, and this is a pleasure not everyone has.”

    Seeking New Challenges

    While the development of core capabilities happens on a laboratory scale, Sanchez i Nogue also works at the pilot scale in NREL’s Integrated Biorefinery Research Facility and externally with different industrial and university project partners.

    Given her proclivity for collaboration, Sanchez i Nogue is not one to shy away from a new challenge. In 2023, she worked to onboard new operations in NREL’s Field Test Laboratory Building to be able to use different types of organic waste (including food waste, manure, and wastewater). Today, she is doing similar work on setting up an aerobic gas fermentation system in NREL’s new Research and Innovation Laboratory that will allow the use of hydrogen, oxygen, and flue gases.

    “Deploying new capabilities in the lab is often challenging,” Sanchez i Nogue said. “Who do we bring to the table to help moving things forward? How does it fit into the current lab operations? Which changes will be needed to implement it safely? It is a lot of work behind the scenes.”

    Sanchez i Nogue’s behind-the-scenes work has a history of paying off.

    “Over these last years, I have been fortunate to work with people who took our challenges as theirs, and that has allowed for instrumental changes to the system,” she said. “I am happy to contribute to expanding NREL’s bioeconomy and sustainable transportation research capabilities!”

    Living Beyond the Lab

    Outside of work, Sanchez i Nogue enjoys cooking, baking, reading, gardening, and raising her 2-year-old daughter, which includes answering endless whys about people and nature’s curiosities.

    “We recently had a nice opportunity to see a couple of robins nesting in our front yard, so we talked about how and why they were constructing the nest, laying the eggs, incubating them, feeding them, teaching them to fly, and more,” she said. “She is also fascinated by butterflies and has just started to distinguish ants from spiders.”

    Her daughter’s expanding love of learning about the world around her mirrors that of her own, nurtured by the fateful junior chemistry lab kit from many Christmases ago.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Deluzio, Reschenthaler, and Joyce Introduce Legislation to Relocate Department of Energy Office to the Keystone State

    Source: US Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), and John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), introduced bipartisan legislation to relocate the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In June, Pennsylvania Senators Dave McCormick and John Fetterman introduced the Senate companion legislation (S. 2044). 

    The Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management is responsible for the development of unconventional oil and gas resources, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve. Pennsylvania is the nation’s second leading producer of natural gas, and this legislation will ensure that the DOE officials responsible for regulating the energy industry are closer to the industry leaders and workers they work with every day.  

    “Western Pennsylvania has helped power this country for centuries,” said Rep. Chris Deluzio. “This region can and should remain at the heart of powering America and growing our economy. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to relocate the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management to Western PA. As we power America, we need to stay focused on lowering energy costs, creating solid jobs, growing our energy independence and resilience, and using innovative technologies to protect our air and water.”  

    “Southwestern Pennsylvania is helping our nation unleash energy dominance,” said Rep. Guy Reschenthaler. “The coal, oil, and natural gas industries employ hundreds of thousands in Pennsylvania alone, including over 130,000 union jobs in the natural gas industry. The fossil fuel workforce of southwestern Pennsylvania should be leading and developing our nation’s energy policies, not out of touch bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. I am proud to partner with my Pennsylvania colleagues to introduce this important bill.”

    “Pennsylvania has a rich history in energy production and innovation, fueling our nation and our allies for decades,” said Rep. John Joyce, M.D. “By introducing this bipartisan legislation to move the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management to Pittsburgh, we can ensure that the Department of Energy’s employees are invested in the communities their work directly impacts.” 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: More heat pump rebates on the way; now open for renters, condo owners

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    More British Columbians will benefit from a heat pump this summer with the B.C. government’s launch of a new program to reduce energy use, lower energy bills and improve comfort for income-qualified apartment renters and condo owners.

    The Better Homes Energy Savings Program Condo and Apartment Rebate will provide rebates up to $5,000 to support the purchase and installation of high-performance electric heat pumps in individual suites in multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs).

    “Nearly a third of homes in B.C. are in multi-unit residential buildings,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “We’ve had great success supporting the switch to heat pumps in single-family homes and in entire multi-unit residential buildings. All British Columbians who need a heat pump should have access to one, to feel comfortable in their homes year-round, experience better energy efficiency, and save money. So, we’re expanding our support to focus on helping apartment renters and condominium owners.”

    The first phase of the program, available starting Tuesday, July 15, 2025, applies to suites in condo and apartment buildings that are six storeys and under, and are currently heated by electricity, such as electric baseboards. The program will be expanded in fall 2025 to include condos and apartments heated by fossil fuel (e.g., a gas-fired boiler).

    “We are encouraged by the expansion of the heat pump rebate program to renters and condo owners living in lower-rise MURBs,” said Shauna Sylvester, director, Urban Climate Leadership. “It’s been difficult for people living in these buildings to get relief from the extreme heat. This program is a step in the right direction in creating healthy, safe and resilient homes for more British Columbians.”

    To get a heat pump, income-qualified apartment renters and condo owners must include signed permission forms from their respective landlords and strata corporations in their applications. Applicants then receive an eligibility code that is used by a registered contractor to secure the rebates.

    “This program will support families and seniors in apartments and townhomes across B.C. managing affordability concerns, and ensure they have the opportunity to convert to heat pumps to provide a safe and healthy controlled climate for their homes,” said Tony Gioventu, executive director, Condominium Home Owners Association of B.C. “Owners, tenants, and residents of strata properties are reminded to work with their strata councils to confirm they are complying with the local bylaws.”

    In addition to this program, BC Hydro is offering non-income-qualified rebates to customers in individual suites in condo and apartment buildings of up to $2,500 on high-performance heat pumps and $1,000 for heat pump water heaters in electrically heated buildings. These energy-efficient upgrades help reduce utility costs and support a cleaner, more sustainable future.

    Quick Facts:

    • The Better Homes Energy Savings Program, launched in June 2024, is funded through the Province and leverages contributions from BC Hydro and the federal government to support greater access to home energy retrofits for households with low or moderate incomes, including renters.
    • In April 2025, the Province announced $50 million in each of the next two fiscal years to deliver as many as 8,300 new heat pump rebates to British Columbians.
    • This phase one of the new program is expected to result in approximately 500 heat pumps installed for applicants, however, that number could be higher.
    • To date, the B.C. government’s Better Homes Energy Savings Program has provided funding for 27,832 heat pumps.

    Learn More:

    For more information, or to apply for the Better Homes Energy Savings Program Condo and Apartment Rebate, visit: https://www.betterhomesbc.ca/rebates/condo-and-apartment-rebates

    For BC Hydro rebates, visit: www.bchydro.com/apartmentrebates

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Poland – the hottest offshore market in Europe! The future of energy at the largest event in Central and Eastern Europe – Offshore Wind Poland 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WARSAW, Poland, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Poland is entering the operational phase of offshore development – the first turbines are already standing in the Baltic Sea, and by 2026, electricity from offshore sources will begin to power Polish homes. This is a turning point – Poland is rapidly becoming one of the most promising markets in Europe in terms of investment, partnerships and innovation. Now is the best time to invest and build a position in Poland – this will be the main theme of the Offshore Wind Poland 2025 Conference organized by Polish Wind Energy Association.

    “The investment campaign in the maritime sector is unrivalled among other investments currently underway in Poland. It will generate capital expenditure of PLN 300 billion by 2040. This is the largest energy transition project in Polish history, demonstrating Poland’s ambition and courage in its pursuit of modernity. Ambitious investment plans and growing industrial potential give our country a real chance to become one of the leaders of the European energy transition. The upcoming event is the best time to prepare for this change and strengthen your position in the strategic market of the future,” says Janusz Gajowiecki, President of the Polish Wind Energy Association.

    On 18-19 November 2025, politicians, experts, scientists and the biggest players in the wind and renewable energy sectors will meet in Warsaw. For years, the event has been a strategic platform for dialogue on Poland’s responsibility for EU security, energy solidarity and active participation in shaping European policy.

    The focus will be on topics related to the current status of the first and second phase projects, preparations for upcoming auctions, and the development of a national industrial strategy and local supply chains. There will also be discussions on the importance of offshore wind in the context of strengthening the energy security and independence of Poland and Europe.

    The planned workshops will place particular emphasis on practical aspects. This is also an opportunity to establish cooperation with key market players. Information:
    http://www.konferencjaowp.pl/

    PWEA is the largest Polish organisation promoting wind energy in Poland. It brings together over 200 companies – the largest energy giants in the wind energy market: investors, developers, turbine manufacturers and the supply chain.

    Source: PWEA

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cb3d2fde-0d9c-46bb-8b8d-4b8e54b00d90

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: Rep. Barragán Follows Up on Exchange with HHS Secretary Kennedy on Alzheimer’s Research During Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    15 July 2025

    Contact: Jin Choi

    Rep. Barragán Follows Up on Exchange with HHS Secretary Kennedy on Alzheimer’s Research During Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44), a member of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health, sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy following up on comments and commitments the Secretary made related to Alzheimer’s disease research at the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing on “The Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Health and Human Services Budget” on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

    The National Institute of Health (NIH) funds 35 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) across the country. Since the start of the Trump Administration and DOGE’s attacks on critical research, 13 ADRCs have experienced funding reductions of $65 million in 2025. Currently, another 14 ADRCs are up for renewal in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.

    The letter clarifies the facts about the status of federally-funded Alzheimer’s research after Secretary Kennedy suggested that what the Congresswoman shared about these cuts was untrue.

    “It’s extremely disappointing that our nation’s top health official was unaware of devastating cuts to research that prevents access to clinical trials and other critical services for people living with devastating Alzheimer’s and their caregivers,” said Rep. Barragán. “I urge Secretary Kennedy to honor his words and ensure full funding of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers up for renewal in 2026. These Centers are funded with bipartisanship support in Congress. This should be a non-partisan priority. Families battling Alzheimer’s can’t afford funding delays, conspiracy theories, or ideological budgets. They need answers, treatments, and hope now.”

    The letter also urges a commitment in writing following an exchange during the hearing when Congresswoman Barragán asked Secretary Kennedy to commit to fully funding the 14 ADRCs up for renewal in FY26, and the Secretary responded that is something he was willing to work together on.

    About Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers

    Established in 1984 as NIH Centers of Excellence, the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCS) are conducting research and translating scientific advances into improved diagnosis and care for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. ADRCs have supported access to over 325 clinical trial opportunities between 2017 and 2022, provided evaluations and diagnoses for nearly 30,000 individuals living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment since 2005, and offered a range of supportive and informational resources, including referrals to clinical trials, for ADRC research participants living with dementia and their caregivers as well as for professional providers. Although each Center has its own area of research emphasis, the ADRCs work together as a network to enhance research, sharing new research ideas, approaches, diseases, and samples.

    The full text of the letter can be found here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Chalk River Laboratories Becomes First GLP-Certified Laboratory in Canada to Offer Pre-Clinical Radiopharmaceutical Studies

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHALK RIVER, Ontario, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, is pleased to announce that the Chalk River Laboratories has become the first Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) certified laboratory in Canada that is capable of performing radioactive work and pre-clinical radiopharmaceutical contract research. The enhanced certification follows a Standards Council of Canada (SCC) audit that granted CNL full GLP recognition, a designation that adheres to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) protocols, and standards required by national and international regulators, including Health Canada and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States.

    GLP recognition demonstrates that CNL meets internationally recognized standards for laboratory studies, ensuring the reliability, reproducibility, and integrity of the data generated, and is critical for laboratories conducting radiopharmaceutical testing and evaluation. CNL can now perform GLP compliant studies within its Biological Research Facility (BRF) and its Analytical Chemistry laboratories, through capabilities the are unique in Canada to perform radiopharmaceutical testing and evaluation. This presents a wide range of new and exciting commercial and partnership opportunities to Canada’s national nuclear laboratory.

    “Securing GLP recognition for the Chalk River Laboratories is a significant milestone that comes at a time when the global radiopharmaceutical industry is experiencing exceptional growth and Canada is playing an industry defining role,” commented Dr. Marie-Claude Gregoire, Head of CNL’s Isotopes, Radiobiology and Environment Directorate. “Given our capabilities to safely access and manage a wide range of radioactive materials, it also distinguishes CNL from other contract research organizations in Canada, positioning the Chalk River Laboratories campus as a ‘one-stop shop’ to conduct innovative pre-clinical radiopharmaceuticals studies. Overall, we believe this designation fulfills an unmet need in the Canadian and global radiopharmaceutical market and will further expand what has been a growing source of revenue for CNL.”

    Administered by the SCC, GLP recognition ensures a high degree of quality assurance and data integrity for laboratory contract research and enables full traceability and curation of information. In recent years, CNL has expanded its preclinical and radiopharmaceutical capabilities and launched collaborative programs to advance knowledge and pursue new commercial opportunities. This includes GLP analytical and toxicology studies, formulation optimization, biodistribution studies, in-vitro assays and other pre-clinical studies conducted on behalf of pharmaceutical companies, government bodies, and regulatory agencies. GLP studies is a phase of preclinical research conducted prior to clinical trials in humans, and typically yields information about a drug’s safety and toxicity in animal models.

    The GLP studies and preclinical research is largely carried out at CNL’s BRF, which is a 1,600 m2 state-of-the-art facility designed to support animal and animal tissue-based studies, featuring capabilities that support radiation, radionuclide and carcinogen-based testing and experimentation that are unique in Canada. The BRF houses environmentally controlled, specific pathogen-free laboratories dedicated to biological research, which includes cell and molecular biology, histology and tissue processing, hematology, tissue culture and animal procedures. This facility houses over 20,000 mice at full capacity. With full GLP recognition now in place, the facility will increasingly serve as a national facility dedicated to advancing innovative, next-generation radiopharmaceuticals, medical isotopes and cancer treatments towards clinical testing and real-world use.

    “Recent advances in radioligand therapy are enabling better outcomes for cancer patients. This is driving a rebirth of the radiopharmaceutical industry and spurring unprecedented growth, with current forecasts estimating that this market would grow from a $9.3 Billion market in 2023 to a $42 Billion market by 2033,” commented George Baidoo, CNL’s Technical Director, Health in Business Development. “The message that we want to send to the radiopharmaceutical industry today is that CNL can work with radioactive materials within GLP certified laboratories, a very unique capability that addresses an unmet need in the industry. By leveraging the assets of Canada’s national nuclear laboratory, CNL can provide needed preclinical radiopharmaceutical R&D services, coupled with GLP capabilities, to help advance and accelerate new therapies from bench to bedside.”

    CNL’s Biological Research Facility and Analytical Chemistry services are part of a broader series of laboratories and programs that CNL maintains in health studies and dosimetry services, including animal studies, isotope production and processing, targeted radionuclide therapies, and waste management solutions. For more information on CNL’s research in health sciences, including its Biological Research Facility, please visit www.cnl.ca/health.

    About CNL

    As Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology laboratory and working under the direction of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), CNL is a world leader in the development of innovative nuclear science and technology products and services. Guided by an ambitious corporate strategy known as Vision 2030, CNL fulfills three strategic priorities of national importance – restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians.

    By leveraging the assets owned by AECL, CNL also serves as the nexus between government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector, and the academic community. CNL works in collaboration with these sectors to advance innovative Canadian products and services towards real-world use, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions.

    To learn more about CNL, please visit www.cnl.ca.

    CNL Contact:
    Philip Kompass
    Director, Corporate Communications
    1-866-886-2325
    media@cnl.ca

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/45b7fbd5-d415-449c-85b9-c0dcb4006b03

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: Rep. Barragán Follows Up on Exchange with HHS Secretary Kennedy on Alzheimer’s Research During Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    15 July 2025

    Contact: Jin Choi

    Rep. Barragán Follows Up on Exchange with HHS Secretary Kennedy on Alzheimer’s Research During Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44), a member of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health, sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy following up on comments and commitments the Secretary made related to Alzheimer’s disease research at the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing on “The Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Health and Human Services Budget” on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

    The National Institute of Health (NIH) funds 35 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) across the country. Since the start of the Trump Administration and DOGE’s attacks on critical research, 13 ADRCs have experienced funding reductions of $65 million in 2025. Currently, another 14 ADRCs are up for renewal in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.

    The letter clarifies the facts about the status of federally-funded Alzheimer’s research after Secretary Kennedy suggested that what the Congresswoman shared about these cuts was untrue.

    “It’s extremely disappointing that our nation’s top health official was unaware of devastating cuts to research that prevents access to clinical trials and other critical services for people living with devastating Alzheimer’s and their caregivers,” said Rep. Barragán. “I urge Secretary Kennedy to honor his words and ensure full funding of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers up for renewal in 2026. These Centers are funded with bipartisanship support in Congress. This should be a non-partisan priority. Families battling Alzheimer’s can’t afford funding delays, conspiracy theories, or ideological budgets. They need answers, treatments, and hope now.”

    The letter also urges a commitment in writing following an exchange during the hearing when Congresswoman Barragán asked Secretary Kennedy to commit to fully funding the 14 ADRCs up for renewal in FY26, and the Secretary responded that is something he was willing to work together on.

    About Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers

    Established in 1984 as NIH Centers of Excellence, the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCS) are conducting research and translating scientific advances into improved diagnosis and care for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. ADRCs have supported access to over 325 clinical trial opportunities between 2017 and 2022, provided evaluations and diagnoses for nearly 30,000 individuals living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment since 2005, and offered a range of supportive and informational resources, including referrals to clinical trials, for ADRC research participants living with dementia and their caregivers as well as for professional providers. Although each Center has its own area of research emphasis, the ADRCs work together as a network to enhance research, sharing new research ideas, approaches, diseases, and samples.

    The full text of the letter can be found here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: Rep. Barragán Follows Up on Exchange with HHS Secretary Kennedy on Alzheimer’s Research During Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    15 July 2025

    Contact: Jin Choi

    Rep. Barragán Follows Up on Exchange with HHS Secretary Kennedy on Alzheimer’s Research During Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44), a member of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health, sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy following up on comments and commitments the Secretary made related to Alzheimer’s disease research at the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing on “The Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Health and Human Services Budget” on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

    The National Institute of Health (NIH) funds 35 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) across the country. Since the start of the Trump Administration and DOGE’s attacks on critical research, 13 ADRCs have experienced funding reductions of $65 million in 2025. Currently, another 14 ADRCs are up for renewal in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.

    The letter clarifies the facts about the status of federally-funded Alzheimer’s research after Secretary Kennedy suggested that what the Congresswoman shared about these cuts was untrue.

    “It’s extremely disappointing that our nation’s top health official was unaware of devastating cuts to research that prevents access to clinical trials and other critical services for people living with devastating Alzheimer’s and their caregivers,” said Rep. Barragán. “I urge Secretary Kennedy to honor his words and ensure full funding of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers up for renewal in 2026. These Centers are funded with bipartisanship support in Congress. This should be a non-partisan priority. Families battling Alzheimer’s can’t afford funding delays, conspiracy theories, or ideological budgets. They need answers, treatments, and hope now.”

    The letter also urges a commitment in writing following an exchange during the hearing when Congresswoman Barragán asked Secretary Kennedy to commit to fully funding the 14 ADRCs up for renewal in FY26, and the Secretary responded that is something he was willing to work together on.

    About Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers

    Established in 1984 as NIH Centers of Excellence, the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCS) are conducting research and translating scientific advances into improved diagnosis and care for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. ADRCs have supported access to over 325 clinical trial opportunities between 2017 and 2022, provided evaluations and diagnoses for nearly 30,000 individuals living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment since 2005, and offered a range of supportive and informational resources, including referrals to clinical trials, for ADRC research participants living with dementia and their caregivers as well as for professional providers. Although each Center has its own area of research emphasis, the ADRCs work together as a network to enhance research, sharing new research ideas, approaches, diseases, and samples.

    The full text of the letter can be found here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Health Subcommittee Chairman Griffith Visits SWVA Rural Health Care Providers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

    ICYMI: Health Subcommittee Chairman Griffith Visits SWVA Rural Health Care Providers

    In his first public actions since being named Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA) visited multiple rural health care providers in Virginia’s Ninth District. For information on each visit, please see below:

    Wednesday visit to Lee County Community Hospital with Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger.

    Wednesday visit to Clinch Valley Medical Center.

    Wednesday visit to LewisGale Hospital Montgomery.

    Thursday visit to Connect Health + Wellness.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor launches new £12m Green Roots Fund to boost capital’s green and blue spaces

    Source: Mayor of London

    • Mayor launches new fund at the start of London Climate Action Week – the largest city-wide climate event in Europe
    • London will stage more than 700 events across the week to accelerate global climate action, showcasing how London is a global climate leader
    • More than 45,000 people to come to London to take part in events
    • Sadiq urges community groups, boroughs and stakeholders to apply for up to £500,000 – to green neighbourhoods, rewild communities and clean local rivers

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is starting London Climate Action Week with the launch of a new Green Roots Fund, which will invest more than £12 million to make neighbourhoods across the capital greener, healthier and more climate resilient.

    The new fund, which sees Sadiq deliver on his 2024 Election Manifesto pledge, will support the creation and improvement of London’s green and blue spaces, such as parks, community gardens, wetlands and rivers. This includes projects that will restore habitats for nature to thrive and could reintroduce lost species.

    Research shows that those from Black, Asian or minority ethnic communities are more than twice as likely to live in an area deprived of green space [1], while more than one in five households in London have no access to a garden. [2] The new fund will tackle this social injustice, empowering communities with the opportunity to increase their access to green and blue spaces.

    The new £12 million fund will award grants ranging from £10,000 to £500,000 over the next three years to community groups, boroughs and stakeholders to pay for trees, wildflower meadows, parklets and waterway improvements.

    The launch comes at the start of London Climate Action Week, which is taking place this week (21-29 June) and is the largest city-wide climate event in Europe.

    Now in its seventh year, London Climate Action Week hosts more than 700 in-person and virtual events (double the number of events from last year) and attracts more than 45,000 people to the capital. It mobilises London’s unparalleled array of organisations committed to accelerating global climate action, showcasing how London is a global climate leader.

    Sadiq has led the way and after he launched the world’s first 24-hour Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and expanded it to cover the whole capital in 2023, ULEZ is now the largest clean air zone in the world. It covers every borough of London, helping the capital’s almost ten million residents breathe cleaner air. It has been crucial to protect the health of Londoners, support children’s lung growth, and reduce the risk of people developing asthma, lung cancer and a host of other health issues related to air pollution. [3]

    City Hall is involved in a number of events for London Climate Action Week. This includes: 

    1. A seeds giveaway, today (23 June) to encourage Londoners to create habitats and food sources to benefit nature. A total of 12,000 seed packets will be handed out by volunteers at 12 stations in areas that have less access to green space.*
    2. A week of discussions at Goals House which will feature the Mayor and explore topics including sustainable cities, design and creativity and the impact of businesses on biodiversity and the loss of nature.
    3. A Climate Innovation Forum in Central London that will see the Mayor discuss pioneering green initiatives with international leaders across government and business.
    4. The inaugural London Climate Action Week Youth Summit at ZSL, which will bring together over 150 young changemakers to explore how young Londoners can take climate and nature action in the city

    Since he took office in 2016, the Mayor has transformed London’s natural spaces, improving and creating over 900 hectares of green space – equivalent to more than 2,000 football pitches. He has restored 3.7km of river, creating habitat for wildlife to flourish.

    Through his Grow Back Greener Fund, the Mayor has already awarded over £4 million to 135 community-led projects, supporting Londoners to create and improve over 30 hectares of green space (1,140 tennis courts) and plant over 25,000 trees. [4]

    Since taking office in 2016, Sadiq’s initiatives have led to the planting of over 600,000 trees across London (including two new woodlands), totalling 85 hectares of tree-filled green spaces for everyone to enjoy. [5]

    In addition, the Mayor has invested over £2.5 million since 2021 through his Rewild London Fund, into projects that have supported the restoration and rewilding of London’s most valuable places for nature. [6]

    Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted to launch my new Green Roots Fund to deliver spaces across our capital that are greener, healthier and more climate resilient.

    “I want to encourage all community groups to get involved in helping to transform our neighbourhoods and ensure that all Londoners can benefit from nature.

    “I am thrilled to be announcing this new investment during London Climate Action Week as our capital delivers the largest city-wide climate event in Europe.

    “The benefits of nature should be for everyone and I am committed to making this a reality for all Londoners, as we continue to build a greener and fairer London for everyone.”

    Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban, said: “London Climate Action Week provides a platform to showcase our capital as a global climate leader.  

    “It is fantastic Sadiq is delivering on his Manifesto pledge this week to launch London’s Green Roots Fund and kickstart a series of over 700 events across our capital over the coming days.

    “I urge Londoners to get involved in the many in person and virtual events across the coming days as the Mayor and I work to deliver more natural spaces in our city that are accessible to all.”

    London Climate Action Week Founder and Chair Nick Mabey said: “London Climate Action Week 2025 is more than double the size of last year and attracting even greater international participation.

    “This shows the depth of London’s climate solutions sector whether in finance, clean tech or fashion and the enthusiasm of Londoners to be part of climate action.

    “This energy across the whole of society shows how divorced the current elite political discussion on net zero is from economic and grassroots reality.”

    Friends of Mostyn Garden Project / Muslim Women of Merton Co-ordinator Neaz Ahmed said: “The Mayor’s Grow Back Greener Fund enabled us to tackle social injustice and empower communities with the opportunity to increase their access to green and blue spaces.

    “We worked with volunteer women from the local community to make a piece of derelict land useable and a focus for the community,  including the Tranquil Corner where we meet in peace and tranquillity. It has now attracted further funds to clear up and establish seating and paths.”

    London Wildlife Trust Director of Nature Recovery, Sam Davenport, said: “We’re in the midst of an ecological emergency, and now more than ever, nature needs all of us.

    “As proud partners of the Mayor’s Rewild London Fund, we’ve seen the inspiring results that come from empowering London’s communities to act for wildlife.

    “This renewed commitment to nature recovery from the Mayor is a welcome next step toward a greener, wilder, and more resilient London.”

    National Park City Foundation and London National Park City Chair Navdeep Deol said: “With the support of the Mayor’s team we have been able to deliver vital and timely microgrants to a number of our National Park City Ranger projects, so that they can focus on their important work to make London greener, wilder and healthier and support communities across the capital.

    “The programme strengthens capacity and resilience within the voluntary sector in a way that is both equitable and scalable without the complexity of traditional funding models. The Green Roots Fund creates new opportunities to kick-start and grow new community led and grassroots action right across London.” 

    Wildlife Gardeners of Haggerston Chair, Gideon Corby, said: “Receiving the Mayor of London’s Grow Back Greener and Rewild London funding allowed us to do so much work on Hackney Marshes and along the Old Lea River.

    “We have worked hard to increase the chances for wildlife to thrive; removing problematic plants and reintroducing reedbeds, returning the natural complexity of flow to the river and building refugia to allow wood mice, field vole and shrew populations.

    “GLA funding gave us local people the chance, and privilege, to do work we are immensely proud of and we’d do it all again!”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 15 July 2025 Departmental update WHO prequalifies the first triple diagnostic test for HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis, a milestone toward global disease elimination goals

    Source: World Health Organisation

    On 10 July 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified the first bundled set of three in vitro rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) capable of simultaneously detecting HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and syphilis – three major infections that pose serious risks to maternal and child health.

    The prequalification listing of the Determine™ Antenatal Care Panel is expected to facilitate timely and expanded access to testing in communities where pregnant women often face significant barriers to early diagnosis and essential maternal health care. This advancement also supports the global initiative to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, HBV and syphilis as a public health problem – a critical effort known as triple elimination.

    HIV, HBV and syphilis are not only leading causes of preventable illness and death but also carry a high risk of vertical (mother-to-child) transmission during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. Early diagnosis during pregnancy is therefore crucial. Timely testing allows pregnant women to access appropriate treatment, prophylaxis and supportive care, significantly reducing the risk of complications and transmission to the infant. WHO recommends that all pregnant women be tested at least once for these three pathogens – and as early as possible – during pregnancy.

    “Ensuring rapid access to quality-assured diagnostic tests is essential to protecting the health of vulnerable populations, including pregnant women,” said Dr Rogério Gaspar, Director of WHO’s Department of Prequalification and Regulation of Medicines and Health Products. “This milestone reflects our continued commitment to accelerating the availability of safe, effective and quality health innovations where they are needed most.”

    To date, WHO has prequalified three dual HIV/syphilis RDTs and continues to monitor a growing pipeline of multiplex diagnostic tools. Assessing these innovations remains a strategic priority, as they offer the potential to further strengthen integrated testing efforts. The newly listed product can build on the successful scale-up of dual HIV/syphilis RDTs and existing WHO guidance to support broader access to integrated antenatal screening.

    As health systems face growing resource constraints, integrated approaches such as multiplex testing are increasingly vital. They have the potential to simplify service delivery, reduce costs and improve testing coverage, especially in low-resource and high-burden settings.

    WHO is currently developing global guidance on multiplex testing to support countries in effectively deploying this panel, and other emerging multiplex diagnostics. The guidance will offer evidence-based recommendations on when, where, and how to use multiplex tests to maximize impact, and answer questions on the viability of further multiplex self-testing.

    “Rapid multiplex tests like this mark a new era for diagnostics as they have potential to transform service delivery and population health. By aligning product prequalification with programmatic guidance, WHO is helping countries implement innovations smarter and faster through working across departments. With our multiplex testing guidelines coming soon, we can turn innovation into impact,” said Dr Meg Doherty, WHO Director of the Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes.

    Designed for use by trained health-care providers at the point of care, the Determine™ Antenatal Care Panel is currently intended specifically for pregnant women aged 12 years and older. It enables simultaneous testing for HIV-1/2 antibodies and HIV-1 p24 antigen (Determine™ HIV Early Detect), hepatitis B surface antigen (Determine™ HBsAg 2), and syphilis antibodies to Treponema pallidum (Determine™ Syphilis TP). Each test is qualitative, visually read, and uses capillary whole blood from a finger-prick – providing a practical, efficient tool to aid in the diagnosis of HIV, HBV, and syphilis during pregnancy.

    This listing reflects the strong, ongoing collaboration between WHO’s Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes and the Department of Prequalification and Regulation of Medicines and Health Products. Together, they are working to accelerate access to high-impact tools and ensure they reach the people who need them most.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Passes Latta, Kelly’s Bill to Help Famers’ Connectivity in the Field

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

    Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly’s (IL-2) bipartisan Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act, to help farmers more easily incorporate technology into their operations. The legislation now awaits consideration in the U.S. Senate.  

    “Reliable broadband is essential for farmers in Ohio and the country. I’m grateful to my House colleagues for passing this bill, which will help farmers deploy fast, dependable internet and technologies that boost productivity, increase yields, and reduce operating costs. Today’s vote brings us one step closer to delivering the advanced connectivity our farmers need in the fields and beyond,” Latta said.   

    “In a state where farmers are the backbone of the food supply chain and in a district with over 4,500 farms, I’m proud to provide our farmers with the best wireless technologies. Many farmers provide nutritious foods to our communities, which is needed now more than ever, and this bill will help maximize their yield and profitability. As the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act passed the House with bipartisan support, I urge my Senate colleagues to do the same,” Kelly said. 

    Congressman Bob Latta spoke on the House floor today in support of the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act, watch here.    

    Background:  

    The Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to review its current satellite rules to determine if rule changes can be made to promote precision agriculture. This bill continues to build upon Latta’s Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act, included in the Farm Bill and signed into law in 2018. Last Congress, Congressman Latta served as the Chair of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: CleanChoice Energy Welcomes Christopher Smith as New Chief Financial Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CleanChoice Energy (“CleanChoice”), the first 100% green company in the U.S. to provide ‘farm-to-table’ renewable energy by owning clean and reliable generation assets and supplying only clean energy to consumers, has named Christopher Smith as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

    This news comes amidst a year of exciting transition for CleanChoice. Over the past 12 months, CleanChoice has interconnected its first solar project in Pennsylvania and announced three additional solar projects located in the northeast United States, while also continuing to grow its retail business. Smith will be a driving force in helping CleanChoice achieve its growth objectives as the company continues its evolution into both a supplier and generator of clean energy.

    “Chris brings deep capital-markets expertise and a track record of building top-flight finance teams at scale in energy businesses,” said Tom Matzzie, Founder & CEO of CleanChoice. “His appointment underscores our readiness to navigate evolving markets and to structure financing that earns investor trust—supporting CleanChoice’s commitment to responsible, resilient, sustainable growth.”

    “As CleanChoice Energy enters a new phase of growth, Chris brings the expertise and insight to help us traverse a changing industry,” Matzzie continued. “The United States is at a turning point. It faces both a critical need for not only more, but also cost effective and sustainable energy – seemingly everywhere and all at once – while customers demand not only a real choice but also a trusted partner in managing their energy future.”

    Smith has experience in building high performing finance teams and high quality businesses and will complement an already strong bench. Over the past two decades, Smith has held senior roles across top tier public and private organizations with a focus on growth and navigating complex challenges. Smith played a pivotal role in successfully growing Hannon Armstrong, and he served in key leadership roles at organizations such as Constellation Energy Commodities Group and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, among others. His background includes SEC reporting, investor relations, and significant capital markets expertise.

    “CleanChoice completely aligns with my passion to help companies grow in smart, sustainable ways,” noted Smith. “It’s all about the customer. CleanChoice is well positioned to expand upon its already considerable growth realized over the last decade not in spite of current challenges, but thanks to them. The new frontier of energy is here—we have the tools and technology to help customers lower costs, address sustainability goals, and improve reliability, and I’m eager to demonstrate to current and future customers, stakeholders and investors that clean energy is smart energy.”

    Finally, Matzzie added, “I’m thankful to John Burke for his support and leadership over the last nine years as Chief Financial Officer and I look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role as Chief Commercial Officer, in which he will architect and manage our growing wholesale and risk management platform.”

    For more information about CleanChoice Energy, visit www.cleanchoiceenergy.com.

    ABOUT CLEANCHOICE ENERGY
    CleanChoice Energy is one of the leading 100% renewable energy suppliers in the U.S. providing ‘farm-to-table’ clean energy providing consumers with alternative ways to access clean energy. CleanChoice has redefined cleantech, making it easy for people to live cleaner lives with pollution-free, renewable energy for their homes and businesses. Founded in 2012, CleanChoice has become one of the fastest-growing businesses in America, as ranked on the Inc 5000 and Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500™. CleanChoice Energy is majority-owned by Funds managed by True Green Capital Management LLC. For more information or to become a clean energy customer, visit CleanChoiceEnergy.com.

    Media Contact:

    Debbie Ehrman
    FINN Partners
    CleanChoiceEnergy@finnpartners.com

    Kate Colarulli
    Chief Strategy Officer
    Mobile: +1 202 380 8936
    kate.colarulli@cleanchoice.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0abfacd9-ec3b-41c6-a137-aa0a28169644

    The MIL Network –

  • NHAI releases second sustainability report, showcases green milestones

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has released its second consecutive Sustainability Report for the financial year 2023–24, reaffirming its strong commitment towards environmental sustainability and responsible infrastructure development.

    The report, launched by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, highlights NHAI’s integrated framework for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices and its alignment with India’s global commitments under the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative and the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for a sustainable future.

    Despite a 20% rise in National Highway construction in FY 2023–24, NHAI has successfully reduced its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Intensity from 1.0 MTCO2e/km to 0.8 MTCO2e/km, indicating a clear decoupling of construction growth from emissions.

    Promoting a circular economy remains central to NHAI’s efforts. In the reporting year, more than 631 lakh metric tonnes of recycled and reused materials — including fly ash, plastic waste, and reclaimed asphalt — were utilized in highway construction.

    Afforestation and plantation have also received a major push. Over 56 lakh saplings were planted in FY 2023–24 and 67.47 lakh saplings have already been planted in 2024–25, taking the total tree plantation count to over 4.69 crore since the rollout of the Green Highways Policy, 2015. This large-scale plantation has helped create substantial carbon sinks and enhanced the environmental balance along India’s highways.

    The report also documents NHAI’s conservation initiatives under the Amrit Sarovar Mission, with 467 water bodies rejuvenated across the country. These efforts have revitalised local water resources and supplied nearly 2.4 crore cubic metres of soil for road construction, yielding estimated savings of around ₹16,690 crore.

    Water use intensity in water-stressed regions has dropped by 74% compared to previous levels. Additionally, the authority has implemented best practices to mitigate the impact of highways on wildlife and minimise man-animal conflicts.

    On the social front, NHAI has reinforced inclusive and safe work practices. All direct employees and contract workers are now covered under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Management Framework. The organisation also recorded zero instances of workplace discrimination, underlining its commitment to diversity and equity.

    Technology has played a crucial role in these achievements. The AI-driven Data Lake 3.0 platform has streamlined project management and helped resolve 155 conciliation claims, resulting in an estimated saving of about ₹25,680 crore. The widespread adoption of FASTag, with a penetration rate of 98.5%, has further reduced congestion at toll plazas, cutting vehicular emissions and the overall carbon footprint.

  • NHAI releases second sustainability report, showcases green milestones

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has released its second consecutive Sustainability Report for the financial year 2023–24, reaffirming its strong commitment towards environmental sustainability and responsible infrastructure development.

    The report, launched by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, highlights NHAI’s integrated framework for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices and its alignment with India’s global commitments under the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative and the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for a sustainable future.

    Despite a 20% rise in National Highway construction in FY 2023–24, NHAI has successfully reduced its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Intensity from 1.0 MTCO2e/km to 0.8 MTCO2e/km, indicating a clear decoupling of construction growth from emissions.

    Promoting a circular economy remains central to NHAI’s efforts. In the reporting year, more than 631 lakh metric tonnes of recycled and reused materials — including fly ash, plastic waste, and reclaimed asphalt — were utilized in highway construction.

    Afforestation and plantation have also received a major push. Over 56 lakh saplings were planted in FY 2023–24 and 67.47 lakh saplings have already been planted in 2024–25, taking the total tree plantation count to over 4.69 crore since the rollout of the Green Highways Policy, 2015. This large-scale plantation has helped create substantial carbon sinks and enhanced the environmental balance along India’s highways.

    The report also documents NHAI’s conservation initiatives under the Amrit Sarovar Mission, with 467 water bodies rejuvenated across the country. These efforts have revitalised local water resources and supplied nearly 2.4 crore cubic metres of soil for road construction, yielding estimated savings of around ₹16,690 crore.

    Water use intensity in water-stressed regions has dropped by 74% compared to previous levels. Additionally, the authority has implemented best practices to mitigate the impact of highways on wildlife and minimise man-animal conflicts.

    On the social front, NHAI has reinforced inclusive and safe work practices. All direct employees and contract workers are now covered under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Management Framework. The organisation also recorded zero instances of workplace discrimination, underlining its commitment to diversity and equity.

    Technology has played a crucial role in these achievements. The AI-driven Data Lake 3.0 platform has streamlined project management and helped resolve 155 conciliation claims, resulting in an estimated saving of about ₹25,680 crore. The widespread adoption of FASTag, with a penetration rate of 98.5%, has further reduced congestion at toll plazas, cutting vehicular emissions and the overall carbon footprint.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor of London issues high pollution alert

    Source: Mayor of London

    City Hall has triggered a ‘high’ air pollution alert in London tomorrow (Saturday 21 June) as sunny and hot weather with temperatures above 30C are forecast, which is expected to create ‘High’ ozone levels as the strong and prolonged heat and sunshine reacts with any present pollution.

    Imperial College London forecasters advised City Hall to issue the alert, with air flow from mainland Europe expected to bring in additional pollutants from urban and industrial sources.

    City Hall issues alerts to Londoners, schools and local boroughs when moderate, high or very high air pollution is forecast. High air pollution alerts are also displayed at public locations across London, including all bus stop countdown signs, as well as on the Underground.

    The Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban said: “London’s toxic air is responsible for around 4,000 premature deaths in the capital each year, which is why the Mayor has done everything in his power to tackle it, including launching the world’s largest clean air zone.

    “We are urging Londoners to look after themselves in this pollution alert during the hot weather, stop their engines idling, and refrain from burning wood or garden waste – all of which contribute to high levels of pollution. This is particularly important in order to protect those who are most vulnerable as we continue working to build a safer and greener London for all.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Strickland Tackles Extreme Heat and Modernizes Transit Corridors 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) and Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced the Cool Corridors Act of 2025. The bipartisan legislation focuses on mitigating extreme heat in urban areas by investing in tree canopies and shade infrastructure along transit corridors, sidewalks, bus stops, school zones, and underserved neighborhoods. 

    “As temperatures climb and heatwaves become more severe, we must ensure our communities are equipped to stay cool, safe, and livable,” said Strickland. “My bill promotes smart investments to improve public health, improve our infrastructure, make our communities more walkable and resilient.” 

    “In the Lower Hudson Valley, extreme heat causes serious damage to our roads, sidewalks, and public spaces, impacting families’ daily routines and expenses during the hottest months of the year. This bill will cool down our streets and transit corridors, helping protect our infrastructure and create safer, more comfortable neighborhoods for everyone. By investing in public works projects now, we will save taxpayers’ money in the long run and improve the quality of life for our communities,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), Co-Chair of the Extreme Heat Caucus. 

    “At Trust for Public Land, we know that access to nature isn’t a luxury — it’s a lifeline. That’s why we support this effort to reauthorize the Healthy Streets Program,” said Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser, President and CEO of Trust for Public Land. “Through our work with communities across the country, we’ve witnessed the transformative power of trees, and how planting them in urban and rural neighborhoods alike results in added shade along with cleaner air, improved health outcomes, more local jobs, and documented protection from extreme temperatures and climate events.” 

    “Extreme heat is now the deadliest weather-related hazard in the U.S., and it’s only getting worse. Trees are one of our most effective defenses—especially in the places where people are most exposed, like sidewalks, transit corridors, and bus stops. The Cool Corridors Act delivers smart, science-based investments in shade where people need it most. It’s a practical, proven way to protect public health and create safer, more connected neighborhoods. Led by Representatives Strickland and Rep. Lawler, this is bipartisan leadership turning down the temperature on extreme heat. We thank them for the coolest legislation of the summer and for championing life-saving, locally driven solutions that communities urgently need,” said Joel Pannell, Vice President of Urban Policy, American Forests. 

    The Cool Corridors Act aims to improve public health outcomes by addressing urban heat islands, reducing air and noise pollution, and decreasing stormwater runoff. Additionally, it promotes local workforce development through urban forestry job training, preserves existing roadside vegetation, and strengthens long-term maintenance and climate resilience strategies.  

    The bill also calls for interagency coordination across the Departments of Transportation, Energy, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency. It ensures accountability through community engagement and robust data reporting on environmental and public health outcomes. 

    House Co-Sponsors include: Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12), Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01), Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-07), Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Rep. Steven Cohen (TN-09), Rep. Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Rep. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Rep. Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Josh Harder (CA-09). 

    You can read the full legislation here. 

    Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is Whip of the New Democrat Coalition, Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus, and is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • No labels on samosa or jalebi: Health ministry issues clarification on healthy eating advisory

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Union Health Ministry has clarified that its recent advisory urging workplaces to display Oil and Sugar Boards is aimed at promoting healthier eating habits and greater public awareness about hidden fats and excess sugar in foods. The Ministry has dismissed recent media reports claiming that it has mandated Warning Labels on food items like samosa, jalebi and laddoo, calling such reports misleading and incorrect.

    The advisory recommends that workplaces such as office lobbies, canteens, cafeterias and meeting rooms install boards that highlight the health risks associated with excessive consumption of oil and sugar. According to the Ministry, these boards act as behavioural nudges to encourage individuals to make healthier dietary choices in daily life, especially as the country sees a sharp rise in obesity and related lifestyle diseases.

    Officials have underlined that the advisory is not about targeting specific Indian snacks or street food. Instead, it aims to promote general awareness about hidden fats and sugars across all food categories. The Ministry has further clarified that it has not directed vendors or manufacturers to carry warning labels on food products.

    As part of the broader message, the advisory also encourages workplaces to promote healthier meal options such as fruits, vegetables and low-fat foods. It suggests practical steps to incorporate physical activity into daily routines — including use of stairs, short exercise breaks during work hours and creating walking routes within office campuses.

    The initiative is part of the Union Health Ministry’s flagship programme — the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). Experts highlight that excessive consumption of oil and sugar significantly contributes to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other non-communicable diseases across the country.

  • No labels on samosa or jalebi: Health ministry issues clarification on healthy eating advisory

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Union Health Ministry has clarified that its recent advisory urging workplaces to display Oil and Sugar Boards is aimed at promoting healthier eating habits and greater public awareness about hidden fats and excess sugar in foods. The Ministry has dismissed recent media reports claiming that it has mandated Warning Labels on food items like samosa, jalebi and laddoo, calling such reports misleading and incorrect.

    The advisory recommends that workplaces such as office lobbies, canteens, cafeterias and meeting rooms install boards that highlight the health risks associated with excessive consumption of oil and sugar. According to the Ministry, these boards act as behavioural nudges to encourage individuals to make healthier dietary choices in daily life, especially as the country sees a sharp rise in obesity and related lifestyle diseases.

    Officials have underlined that the advisory is not about targeting specific Indian snacks or street food. Instead, it aims to promote general awareness about hidden fats and sugars across all food categories. The Ministry has further clarified that it has not directed vendors or manufacturers to carry warning labels on food products.

    As part of the broader message, the advisory also encourages workplaces to promote healthier meal options such as fruits, vegetables and low-fat foods. It suggests practical steps to incorporate physical activity into daily routines — including use of stairs, short exercise breaks during work hours and creating walking routes within office campuses.

    The initiative is part of the Union Health Ministry’s flagship programme — the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). Experts highlight that excessive consumption of oil and sugar significantly contributes to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other non-communicable diseases across the country.

  • No labels on samosa or jalebi: Health ministry issues clarification on healthy eating advisory

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Union Health Ministry has clarified that its recent advisory urging workplaces to display Oil and Sugar Boards is aimed at promoting healthier eating habits and greater public awareness about hidden fats and excess sugar in foods. The Ministry has dismissed recent media reports claiming that it has mandated Warning Labels on food items like samosa, jalebi and laddoo, calling such reports misleading and incorrect.

    The advisory recommends that workplaces such as office lobbies, canteens, cafeterias and meeting rooms install boards that highlight the health risks associated with excessive consumption of oil and sugar. According to the Ministry, these boards act as behavioural nudges to encourage individuals to make healthier dietary choices in daily life, especially as the country sees a sharp rise in obesity and related lifestyle diseases.

    Officials have underlined that the advisory is not about targeting specific Indian snacks or street food. Instead, it aims to promote general awareness about hidden fats and sugars across all food categories. The Ministry has further clarified that it has not directed vendors or manufacturers to carry warning labels on food products.

    As part of the broader message, the advisory also encourages workplaces to promote healthier meal options such as fruits, vegetables and low-fat foods. It suggests practical steps to incorporate physical activity into daily routines — including use of stairs, short exercise breaks during work hours and creating walking routes within office campuses.

    The initiative is part of the Union Health Ministry’s flagship programme — the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). Experts highlight that excessive consumption of oil and sugar significantly contributes to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other non-communicable diseases across the country.

  • MIL-OSI: The “Big and Beautiful Act” reshapes the cryptocurrency landscape. Why will joining SAVVY MINING become the ultimate winner?

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Recently, the “Big and Beautiful Act” proposed by the United States has sparked heated discussions in the global financial market. The bill is regarded as an important measure for macroeconomic stimulus and fiscal restructuring, and is expected to affect the status of the US dollar, global capital flows and investor risk preferences. Among them, the potential impact on the cryptocurrency market is particularly eye-catching.

    On the one hand, if the bill exacerbates market concerns about the US dollar, it may further consolidate Bitcoin’s market position as “digital gold” and drive more funds into crypto assets. In addition, the economic stimulus policies released by the bill are also expected to enhance the attractiveness of overall risk assets and stimulate the strengthening of mainstream currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.

    However, although the traditional currency holding strategy may bring asset appreciation, it cannot provide a continuous and stable cash flow. Faced with inflation risks and drastic market fluctuations, more and more investors realize that simply “hoarding coins” is not enough to guarantee long-term returns and capital security.

    Against this background, the cloud mining platform SAVVY MINING stands out and becomes the preferred solution for many cryptocurrency investors to achieve stable passive income.

    Why choose SAVVY MINING?
    Daily stable income, easy passive income
    SAVVY MINING brings daily settlement and continuous mining income to users through remote leasing of professional mining machines, so that funds can “move” and continue to create stable income for investors.

    Zero technical threshold, zero maintenance pressure
    No need to buy mining machines, no need to deal with complicated maintenance and electricity bills. Users can easily start earning cryptocurrencies with one-click registration, making passive income simple and efficient.

    Legal and compliant, safe and reliable
    SAVVY MINING insists on transparent operation and complies with British regulatory standards. The safe operation in the past 8 years has brought a safe, long-term and stable profit experience to 8.5 million users worldwide.

    Low threshold participation, flexible value-added strategy
    Whether it is a retail investor who is trying for the first time or a senior investor who wants to increase passive income, you can flexibly choose the computing power package according to your needs and easily open a diversified crypto income path.

    In the future, cloud mining is a stable engine for crypto wealth accumulation
    The “Great Beautiful Act” is reshaping the global capital landscape. Faced with rising inflationary pressure and currency depreciation risks, simply holding coins can no longer meet people’s expectations for sustained and stable returns. Cloud mining has gradually become the core choice for crypto asset allocation with its daily cash flow, low volatility and long-term profitability.

    In the new round of global wealth track, SAVVY MINING will help investors seize opportunities, create their own stable passive income, and become the ultimate winner.

    [Join SAVVY MINING now to start mining, start a journey of stable crypto income, and let wealth grow every day! ]

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Smackover Lithium Reports Highest Lithium Brine Grade in SWA Project Area as FEED Studies Nearing Completion

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEWISVILLE, Ark., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Smackover Lithium, a Joint Venture (“JV”) between Standard Lithium Ltd. (“Standard Lithium” or the “Company”) (TSXV: SLI) (NYSE.A: SLI) and Equinor, is pleased to announce that it has completed sampling from its newest exploration well, the Lester well, in the South West Arkansas (SWA) Project area, and has recorded the highest lithium concentration reported to date from the SWA Project area; 616 mg/L lithium in brine.

    The Lester well was completed in the second quarter of this year and concludes all sub-surface exploration activities for Phase 1 of the SWA Project. The location of the Lester well in relation to the SWA Phase 1 Project is shown in Figure 1 below, and an aerial photograph of the Lester well and associated pad is shown in Figure 2.

    Sampling of brines from the upper Smackover Formation was completed by the Company, and subsequent analysis of the brine by an independent third-party certified laboratory demonstrated significantly higher than expected lithium concentrations in the Lester brine, marking the highest lithium grade reported for the SWA Project. The summarized lithium brine analyses are provided in Table 1 below which highlights the average lithium concentration from three brine samples was 582 mg/L.

    Dr. Andy Robinson, President and COO of Standard Lithium stated, “The Smackover Lithium team has now completed all the fieldwork and testing required for Phase 1 of the SWA Project. We completed this final well in a part of the project area where we expected the lithium concentration to be approximately 500 mg/L, so we’re encouraged with these latest sampling results that show the highest lithium concentrations in the whole SWA Project area (maximum 616 mg/L), demonstrating a marked improvement from levels in the existing world-class lithium brine resource.

    With all of the fieldwork complete, the joint Smackover Lithium team is working to complete the FEED study, with a Definitive Feasibility Study expected later in the third quarter of this year. The completion of these studies will represent a significant milestone as the team rapidly advances Phase 1 of the SWA Project through off-take negotiations and project finance towards a Final Investment Decision targeted by year-end 2025.”

    Figure 1: SWA Project, Phase 1 Reynolds Unit and Location of Lester Well

    Table 1: Lester Well Lithium Brine Analyses in SWA Phase 1 Project Area

    Sample Name [1] Lithium
    mg/L
     
    Lester 2 #1 559
    Lester 2 #2 571
    Lester 2 #5 616
    Average Concentration [2] 582
       

    Notes:  Analyses conducted at WETLAB (Western Environmental Testing Laboratory) – 475 E Greg St, Suite 119, Sparks NV 89431.
    [1] Sample names are as reported by the independent third party laboratory. Samples #3 and #4 were a blank sample and a synthetic spike sample, used for laboratory data verification and QA/QC purposes. They are omitted here for clarity.
    [2] A simple average concentration is provided from the Lester well for illustrative purposes of the general lithium brine quality in the Lester well. Porosity-weighted averages will be used in future resource quality estimates.

    Figure 2: Aerial Photo of Lester Well in SWA Phase 1 Project

    Notes:  Photograph is taken looking approximately northeast across the Lester well-pad.

    Qualified Person

    Steve Ross, P.Geol., a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the relevant scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release. Mr. Ross is a consultant to the Company.

    About Smackover Lithium

    Smackover Lithium is a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor. Formed in May 2024, Smackover Lithium is developing two Direct Lithium Extraction (“DLE”) Project Companies in southwest Arkansas and east Texas. Standard Lithium owns a 55% interest and Equinor holds the remaining 45% interest in the two Project Companies, with Standard Lithium maintaining operatorship.

    About Standard Lithium Ltd.

    Standard Lithium is a leading near-commercial lithium development company focused on the sustainable development of a portfolio of large, high-grade lithium-brine properties in the United States. The Company prioritizes projects characterized by high-grade resources, robust infrastructure, skilled labor, and streamlined permitting. Standard Lithium aims to achieve sustainable, commercial-scale lithium production via the application of a scalable and fully integrated Direct Lithium Extraction and purification process. The Company’s flagship projects are located in the Smackover Formation, a world-class lithium brine asset, focused in Arkansas and Texas. In partnership with global energy leader Equinor ASA, Standard Lithium is advancing the South West Arkansas project, a greenfield project located in southern Arkansas, and actively exploring promising lithium brine prospects in East Texas.

    Standard Lithium trades on both the TSXV and the NYSE American under the symbol “SLI”. Please visit the Company’s website at www.standardlithium.com.

    About Equinor

    Equinor is an international energy company committed to long-term value creation in a low-carbon future. Equinor’s portfolio of projects encompasses oil and gas, renewables and low-carbon solutions, with an ambition of becoming a net-zero energy company by 2050. Headquartered in Norway, Equinor is the leading operator on the Norwegian continental shelf and has offices in more than 20 countries worldwide. Equinor’s partnership with Standard Lithium to mature DLE projects builds on its broad US energy portfolio of oil and gas, offshore wind, low carbon solutions and battery storage projects.

    For more information on Equinor in the US, please visit: Equinor in the US – Equinor

    Investor Inquiries

    Dan Rosen
    Standard Lithium Ltd.
    +1 604 409 8154
    investors@standardlithium.com

    Media Inquiries

    media@standardlithium.com

    Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    This news release may contain certain “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “target”, “plan”, “forecast”, “may”, “schedule” and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to intended development timelines, the timeline for completion of a Definitive Feasibility Study for the SWA Project, future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, fluctuations in the market for lithium and its derivatives, changes in exploration costs and government regulation in Canada and the United States, and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

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