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Category: Farming

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Acute food insecurity and malnutrition rose for sixth consecutive year in world’s most fragile regions

    Source: World Food Programme

    In 2024, over 295 million people across 53 countries and territories faced acute hunger—an increase of almost 14 million people compared to 2023— while the number of people facing catastrophic levels of hunger reached a record high

    Geneva/New York/Rome/Washington – Acute food insecurity and child malnutrition rose for the sixth consecutive year in 2024, pushing millions of people to the brink, in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions, according to the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC), released today. 

    The report shows conflict, economic shocks, climate extremes, and forced displacement continued to drive food insecurity and malnutrition around the world, with catastrophic impacts on many already fragile regions.

    In 2024, more than 295 million people across 53 countries and territories experienced acute levels of hunger– an increase of 13.7 million from 2023. Of great concern is the worsening prevalence of acute food insecurity, which now stands at 22.6 percent of the population assessed. This marks the fifth consecutive year in which this figure has remained above 20 percent. 

    The number of people facing catastrophic hunger (IPC/CH Phase 5) more than doubled over the same period to reach 1.9 million – the highest on record since the GRFC began tracking in 2016. 

    Malnutrition, particularly among children, reached extremely high levels, including in the Gaza Strip, Mali, Sudan, and Yemen. Nearly 38 million children under five were acutely malnourished across 26 nutrition crises.

    The report also highlights a sharp increase in hunger driven by forced displacement, with nearly 95 million forcibly displaced people—including internally displaced persons (IDPs), asylum seekers and refugees—living in countries facing food crises such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Colombia, Sudan, and Syria, out of a global total of 128 million forcibly displaced people.

    “This Global Report on Food Crises is another unflinching indictment of a world dangerously off course,”said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. “Long-standing crises are now being compounded by another, more recent one: the dramatic reduction in lifesaving humanitarian funding to respond to these needs. This is more than a failure of systems – it is a failure of humanity. Hunger in the 21st century is indefensible. We cannot respond to empty stomachs with empty hands and turned backs.”   

    Key drivers of acute food insecurity and malnutrition: 

    • Conflict remained the top driver of acute food insecurity, affecting around 140 million people in 20 countries and territories. Famine has been confirmed in Sudan, while other hotspots with people experiencing Catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity include the Gaza Strip, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali.
    • Economic shocks including inflation and currency devaluation, drove hunger in 15 countries affecting 59.4 million people – still nearly double pre-COVID 19 levels despite a modest decline from 2023. Some of the largest and most protracted food crises were primarily driven by economic shocks, including in Afghanistan, South Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, and Yemen.
    • Weather extremes particularly El Niño-induced droughts and floods, pushed 18 countries into food crises affecting over 96 million people, with significant impacts in Southern Africa, Southern Asia and the Horn of Africa.

    According to the GRFC outlook, hunger shocks will likely persist into 2025, as the Global Network anticipates the most significant reduction in humanitarian funding for food and nutrition crises in the report’s history. 

    Call for bold reset to break cycle of food crises  

    Acute food insecurity and malnutrition have increased to record levels, yet global funding is experiencing its fastest decline in years, and political momentum is weakening. 

    Breaking the cycle of rising hunger and malnutrition requires a bold reset – one that prioritizes evidence-driven and impact-focused action. This means pooling resources, scaling what works, and putting the needs and voices of affected communities at the heart of every response.

    Beyond emergency aid, the Global Network Against Food Crises recommends investing in local food systems and integrated nutrition services to address long-term vulnerabilities and build resilience to shocks – especially in crisis-prone regions where 70 percent of rural households rely on agriculture for sustenance and livelihood.

    # # #

    Leadership quotes: 

    Hadja Lahbib, EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management:

    “This year’s Global Report on Food Crises paints yet another stark and unacceptable picture of rising hunger. This is not merely a call to action — it is a moral imperative. At a time when funding cuts are straining the humanitarian system, we reaffirm our commitment to fight global hunger. We will not abandon the most vulnerable, especially in fragile and conflict-affected countries. We will continue to champion and defend International Humanitarian Law. Today’s challenges are greater than ever — but so is our solidarity. Now is the time to act with unity and resolve, and to prove that even in the hardest times, humanity can and will rise to the challenge.”

    QU Dongyu, Director-General, FAO: “As we launch the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, we are cognizant that acute food insecurity is not just a crisis – it is a constant reality for millions of people, most of whom live in rural areas. The path forward is clear: investment in emergency agriculture is critical, not just as a response, but as the most cost-effective solution to deliver significant long-lasting impact.”

    Alvaro Lario, President, IFAD: “The report makes clear that humanitarian responses must go hand-in hand with investments in rural development and resilience building to create long-term stability that lasts beyond emergency interventions. Rural communities – especially smallholder farmers – are central to food security, resilience, and growth. This is even more true in fragile settings.”

    Raouf Mazou, Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, UNHCR: “People who have been displaced show remarkable strength, but resilience alone can’t end hunger. As food insecurity worsens and humanitarian crises become more prolonged, we need to shift from emergency aid to sustainable responses. That means creating real opportunities—access to land, livelihoods, markets and services—so people can feed themselves and their families, not just today, but well into the future.”

    Catherine Russell, Executive Director, UNICEF:  “In a world of plenty, there is no excuse for children to go hungry or die of malnutrition. Hunger gnaws at the stomach of a child. It gnaws, too, at their dignity, their sense of safety, and their future. How can we continue to stand by when there is more than enough food to feed every hungry child in the world? How can we ignore what is happening in front of our eyes?  Millions of children’s lives hang in the balance as funding is slashed to critical nutrition services.”

    Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director for Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank: “The global hunger crisis threatens not just lives, but the stability and potential of entire societies. What is needed now is collective action so we can build a future free of hunger.” 

    Cindy McCain, Executive Director, WFP: “Like every other humanitarian organization, WFP is facing deep budget shortfalls which have forced drastic cuts to our food assistance programs. Millions of hungry people have lost, or will soon lose, the critical lifeline we provide. We have tried and tested solutions to hunger and food insecurity. But we need the support of our donors and partners to implement them.”

    Note to Editor

    Download the GFRC here  

    Broadcast quality B-Roll here 

    The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) is published  annually by the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC) with analysis from the Food Security Information Network (FSIN).

    About the GNAFC

    The Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC) is an international alliance of the United Nations, the European Union, governmental and non-governmental agencies working together to address food crises. a unique platform of key operational agencies, international financial institutions, member states and organisations jointly seeking to reduce and end hunger with evidence-based actions proven to deliver impact. 

    For more information please contact: 

    European Union  

    Eva Hrncirova 

    Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations 

    eva.hrncirova@ec.europa.eu

    FAO 

    Irina Utkina 

    News and Media 

    irina.utkina@fao.org

     

    IFAD

    Caroline Chaumont

    c.chaumont@ifad.org 

    UNHCR

    William Spindler 

    Senior Communications Officer 

    spindler@unhcr.org 

     

    UNICEF

    Nadia Samie-Jacobs

    Communication Specialist (Media) 

    nsamie@unicef.org

    Tel: +1 845 760 2615

     

    World Bank

    Nicolas Douillet

    Communications Lead, Food & Agriculture 

    ndouillet@worldbankgroup.org 

    Tel: +1 202 378 7468 

    WFP

    Machrine Birungi

    Media Relations Specialist 

    machrine.birungi@wfp.org

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Championing the cream of the crop at Balmoral Show

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    The Ballylisk’s of Armagh stand was very busy this year

    A Food Heartland envoy, including the Lord Mayor, Councillor Sarah Duffy, Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Kyle Savage, Alderman Paul Greenfield (Chair of Economic Development and Regeneration Committee) and Chief Executive Roger Wilson OBE, visited Balmoral Show yesterday – Thursday 15th May – to show support for breeders and agri-businesses from across the borough.

    The Food Heartland Agri Champions were also present, taking the opportunity to meet with producers, engage with visitors, and network with key industry players. Their presence underscored the borough’s dedication to innovation and sustainability within the agri-food sector.

    Throughout the event, Food Heartland representatives connected with important stakeholders including the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), the Rural Support Network, and Food NI, reinforcing strong collaborative ties that continue to strengthen the region’s agricultural economy.

    The Balmoral Show remains a vital platform for showcasing the talent, quality, and resilience of the local agri-food industry, and Food Heartland was delighted to be part of it.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Acute food insecurity and malnutrition rise for sixth consecutive year in world’s most fragile regions

    Source: World Food Programme

    In 2024, over 295 million people across 53 countries and territories faced acute hunger—an increase of almost 14 million people compared to 2023— while the number of people facing catastrophic levels of hunger reached a record high

    Geneva/New York/Rome/Washington – Acute food insecurity and child malnutrition rose for the sixth consecutive year in 2024, pushing millions of people to the brink, in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions, according to the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC), released today. 

    The report shows conflict, economic shocks, climate extremes, and forced displacement continued to drive food insecurity and malnutrition around the world, with catastrophic impacts on many already fragile regions.

    In 2024, more than 295 million people across 53 countries and territories experienced acute levels of hunger– an increase of 13.7 million from 2023. Of great concern is the worsening prevalence of acute food insecurity, which now stands at 22.6 percent of the population assessed. This marks the fifth consecutive year in which this figure has remained above 20 percent. 

    The number of people facing catastrophic hunger (IPC/CH Phase 5) more than doubled over the same period to reach 1.9 million – the highest on record since the GRFC began tracking in 2016. 

    Malnutrition, particularly among children, reached extremely high levels, including in the Gaza Strip, Mali, Sudan, and Yemen. Nearly 38 million children under five were acutely malnourished across 26 nutrition crises.

    The report also highlights a sharp increase in hunger driven by forced displacement, with nearly 95 million forcibly displaced people—including internally displaced persons (IDPs), asylum seekers and refugees—living in countries facing food crises such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Colombia, Sudan, and Syria, out of a global total of 128 million forcibly displaced people.

    “This Global Report on Food Crises is another unflinching indictment of a world dangerously off course,”said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. “Long-standing crises are now being compounded by another, more recent one: the dramatic reduction in lifesaving humanitarian funding to respond to these needs. This is more than a failure of systems – it is a failure of humanity. Hunger in the 21st century is indefensible. We cannot respond to empty stomachs with empty hands and turned backs.”   

    Key drivers of acute food insecurity and malnutrition: 

    • Conflict remained the top driver of acute food insecurity, affecting around 140 million people in 20 countries and territories. Famine has been confirmed in Sudan, while other hotspots with people experiencing Catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity include the Gaza Strip, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali.
    • Economic shocks including inflation and currency devaluation, drove hunger in 15 countries affecting 59.4 million people – still nearly double pre-COVID 19 levels despite a modest decline from 2023. Some of the largest and most protracted food crises were primarily driven by economic shocks, including in Afghanistan, South Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, and Yemen.
    • Weather extremes particularly El Niño-induced droughts and floods, pushed 18 countries into food crises affecting over 96 million people, with significant impacts in Southern Africa, Southern Asia and the Horn of Africa.

    According to the GRFC outlook, hunger shocks will likely persist into 2025, as the Global Network anticipates the most significant reduction in humanitarian funding for food and nutrition crises in the report’s history. 

    Call for bold reset to break cycle of food crises  

    Acute food insecurity and malnutrition have increased to record levels, yet global funding is experiencing its fastest decline in years, and political momentum is weakening. 

    Breaking the cycle of rising hunger and malnutrition requires a bold reset – one that prioritizes evidence-driven and impact-focused action. This means pooling resources, scaling what works, and putting the needs and voices of affected communities at the heart of every response.

    Beyond emergency aid, the Global Network Against Food Crises recommends investing in local food systems and integrated nutrition services to address long-term vulnerabilities and build resilience to shocks – especially in crisis-prone regions where 70 percent of rural households rely on agriculture for sustenance and livelihood.

    # # #

    Leadership quotes: 

    Hadja Lahbib, EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management:

    “This year’s Global Report on Food Crises paints yet another stark and unacceptable picture of rising hunger. This is not merely a call to action — it is a moral imperative. At a time when funding cuts are straining the humanitarian system, we reaffirm our commitment to fight global hunger. We will not abandon the most vulnerable, especially in fragile and conflict-affected countries. We will continue to champion and defend International Humanitarian Law. Today’s challenges are greater than ever — but so is our solidarity. Now is the time to act with unity and resolve, and to prove that even in the hardest times, humanity can and will rise to the challenge.”

    QU Dongyu, Director-General, FAO: “As we launch the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, we are cognizant that acute food insecurity is not just a crisis – it is a constant reality for millions of people, most of whom live in rural areas. The path forward is clear: investment in emergency agriculture is critical, not just as a response, but as the most cost-effective solution to deliver significant long-lasting impact.”

    Alvaro Lario, President, IFAD: “The report makes clear that humanitarian responses must go hand-in hand with investments in rural development and resilience building to create long-term stability that lasts beyond emergency interventions. Rural communities – especially smallholder farmers – are central to food security, resilience, and growth. This is even more true in fragile settings.”

    Raouf Mazou, Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, UNHCR: “People who have been displaced show remarkable strength, but resilience alone can’t end hunger. As food insecurity worsens and humanitarian crises become more prolonged, we need to shift from emergency aid to sustainable responses. That means creating real opportunities—access to land, livelihoods, markets and services—so people can feed themselves and their families, not just today, but well into the future.”

    Catherine Russell, Executive Director, UNICEF:  “In a world of plenty, there is no excuse for children to go hungry or die of malnutrition. Hunger gnaws at the stomach of a child. It gnaws, too, at their dignity, their sense of safety, and their future. How can we continue to stand by when there is more than enough food to feed every hungry child in the world? How can we ignore what is happening in front of our eyes?  Millions of children’s lives hang in the balance as funding is slashed to critical nutrition services.”

    Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director for Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank: “The global hunger crisis threatens not just lives, but the stability and potential of entire societies. What is needed now is collective action so we can build a future free of hunger.” 

    Cindy McCain, Executive Director, WFP: “Like every other humanitarian organization, WFP is facing deep budget shortfalls which have forced drastic cuts to our food assistance programs. Millions of hungry people have lost, or will soon lose, the critical lifeline we provide. We have tried and tested solutions to hunger and food insecurity. But we need the support of our donors and partners to implement them.”

    Note to Editor

    Download the GFRC here  

    Broadcast quality B-Roll here 

    The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) is published  annually by the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC) with analysis from the Food Security Information Network (FSIN).

    About the GNAFC

    The Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC) is an international alliance of the United Nations, the European Union, governmental and non-governmental agencies working together to address food crises. a unique platform of key operational agencies, international financial institutions, member states and organisations jointly seeking to reduce and end hunger with evidence-based actions proven to deliver impact. 

    For more information please contact: 

    European Union  

    Eva Hrncirova 

    Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations 

    eva.hrncirova@ec.europa.eu

    FAO 

    Irina Utkina 

    News and Media 

    irina.utkina@fao.org

     

    IFAD

    Caroline Chaumont

    c.chaumont@ifad.org 

    UNHCR

    William Spindler 

    Senior Communications Officer 

    spindler@unhcr.org 

     

    UNICEF

    Nadia Samie-Jacobs

    Communication Specialist (Media) 

    nsamie@unicef.org

    Tel: +1 845 760 2615

     

    World Bank

    Nicolas Douillet

    Communications Lead, Food & Agriculture 

    ndouillet@worldbankgroup.org 

    Tel: +1 202 378 7468 

    WFP

    Machrine Birungi

    Media Relations Specialist 

    machrine.birungi@wfp.org

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: ​Corn industry boosts rural revival in Ordos

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    In recent years, relying on local unique resources, through the implementation of integrated corn processing demonstration project, Mengxi Town, Otog Qi District, Ordos City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has built a corn industry chain and stimulated new impetus for rural revitalization.

    Yuelu Co., Ltd. is a food company engaged in deep processing of organic grains, including development, production, sales and service. The company sells corn as raw material, corn oil, corn wine, corn noodles, organic feed, etc.

    The integrated maize processing demonstration project effectively solved the problems of maize sales and employment of local farmers and herders, while increasing their income.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Artificial Intelligence – a Partner or a Replacement for Humans?

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The All-Russian scientific-practical and educational-methodical conference with international participation “Fundamental and applied research in the field of management, economics and trade” was held at the Polytechnic University.

    The plenary session of the conference was devoted to the discussion of cross-industry solutions using artificial intelligence in various sectors of the economy. The session was opened and the discussion was moderated by the chairperson of the conference program committee, director of the scientific and educational center for information technology and business analysis “Gazprom Neft”, professor of the Higher Engineering and Economics School of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade of SPbPU Irina Rudskaya.

    Welcoming the participants of the conference, which opened in the White Hall of SPbPU, Vice-Rector for Research Yuri Fomin recalled that the university has chosen three relevant areas in its development strategy until 2030, including the development of artificial intelligence technologies.

    It is gratifying that our university is increasingly having discussion platforms on this topic. This is important for working out the decisions being made, finding answers to the questions that AI poses to us, said Yuri Vladimirovich.

    In turn, Vladimir Shchepinin, Director of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade of SPbPU, noted that within the framework of the conference, the institute is holding a plenary session in the format of a panel discussion for the first time, as well as a competition of scientific works of students and postgraduates, according to the results of which the winners will receive scholarships from the institute’s fund, formed together with industrial partners.

    For two hours, the panelists kept the audience’s interest alive. The tone and theme were set by Yuri Fomin, who oversees the AI development direction at SPbPU.

    For us, cross-industry is everything related to engineering, not a specific segment. This is our competitive advantage. Today, we earn about two hundred million rubles a year on such developments using AI, and by 2030, we plan to reach one and a half billion rubles, concentrating on performing applied tasks for our partners, – said Yuri Fomin and spoke about some of the projects being implemented today.

    The Vice-Rector for Research also identified the main barriers that prevent more effective use of AI in the real sector of the economy. The first barrier is the lack of clear formalization of the business process, and for the implementation of AL technologies there must be a clear sequence of actions. The second barrier is insufficient digitalization: correct data is obtained from correctly digitized business processes. Incorrect data leads to making incorrect decisions.

    All speakers, starting with the Vice President, Director of the North-West Macroregional Branch of PJSC Rostelecom Alexander Loginov, spoke about overcoming such barriers and other tasks. He noted that the data really should be reliable, and that infrastructure and personnel are also needed to use AI. Alexander Evgenievich cited the results of one foreign study, according to which more than 60% of employees hide from management that they use AI, and 66% blindly trust all the information received. All participants in the discussion agreed that the solutions and answers offered by neural networks should be verified. This is especially important in such a field as medicine, although the largest number of datasets have been collected here and most of the data is carefully verified. As Petr Shegai, Deputy Director General for Science at the National Medical Research Center of Radiology of the Russian Ministry of Health, explained, Russian AL technologies for medicine, based on data collected in the country, today make it possible to prescribe treatment and help to partly equalize the opportunities of experienced and novice doctors, although, of course, any final decision on the appointment is made by a person.

    Svetlana Merkushina, Executive Director of the Sber Education Industry Center, spoke about the main trends related to data analysis, the advantages of using AI, including reducing the risk of human factor and accelerating all processes. Any AI is data plus algorithms that increase productivity. But what needs to be done to make AI truly generative? According to Maxim Patrushev, Deputy Head of the Kurchatov Complex of NBICS-nature-like technologies at the Kurchatov Institute National Research Center, there is no answer to this question yet, but methods for increasing productivity using AI are being actively created, big data is being analyzed for decision-making, and options for solutions in working with genes are being calculated. For example, scientists at the NRC are working on the Controlled Evolution software.

    Continuing the topic of possible solutions, Director of the Federal Scientific Center for Vegetable Growing, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexey Soldatenko emphasized the possibilities of using AI to solve the problem of food security, increase agricultural yields and reduce labor costs. AI is actively used in breeding, development of animal nutrition, and “smart” video surveillance of animal behavior. Among the problems identified in the implementation of new technologies, Alexey Vasilyevich named an insufficiently developed regulatory framework, and also noted that technologies will change so rapidly that they will have to be mastered constantly.

    The importance of continuous training was also highlighted by the rector of the Gazprom Neft Corporate University, Ilya Dementyev, who noted that each employee of their company undergoes additional training three times a year. Summing up the discussion, Ilya Aleksandrovich identified another problem – a lack of understanding of the essence of artificial intelligence.

    We need to think about whether we have reached a point of singularity, when the technologies being created are used by people who do not understand what they are using. Therefore, we need to stimulate not only the development of technologies, but also the development of education in the field of artificial intelligence. And it is important that there is a demand from within – from the teachers themselves, who must understand how to use AI in teaching, and from students, who must understand what competencies they will need, the speaker noted.

    The panel discussion ended with a conversation with the audience. The speakers answered questions about how they see the labor market changing, what skills employers need, what language models are best to use, and what ethical issues remain unresolved. There was no clear answer to the last question, “What is artificial intelligence?” And while there is no understanding of what is in the “black box,” according to experts, it is worth asking more about how to use it rather than what AI is.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Taisugar Gas Stations Break Records with Over 100 Million Points Donated for Charity, NT$1.2 Million in Supplies Donated to Support Disadvantaged Groups.

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    To continue its commitment to social welfare and support for vulnerable communities, Taiwan Sugar Corporation (Taisugar) held its “Fuel Up with Love: Donate Points for Charity” campaign again this year, following the overwhelming response to last year’s initiative. Launched on March 1, the campaign received enthusiastic support from kind-hearted citizens, accumulating over 119.62 million loyalty points in just 1.5 months, setting a new record. Taisugar has converted the donated points into approximately NT$1.2 million worth of supplies, all of which have been donated to charitable causes. A presentation ceremony was held today (May 8) at Taisugar Chongde Gas Station in Tainan City, where Taisugar Vice President Chien-Chan Tseng presided over the donation ceremony. The event transformed the goodwill of every fuel-up and every point donated into tangible assistance, benefiting 11 charitable organizations and spreading warmth and hope to those in need.

    Vice President Tseng noted that since the debut of the donation campaign in November 2024, the initiative has received widespread acclaim. To keep the spirit of giving alive and inspire more public participation, Taisugar brought the campaign back this year with even greater success. This time, the campaign attracted over 250,000 participants, achieving a historic milestone of over 100 million points donated, demonstrating the compassion and generosity of Taiwanese society. In addition, Taisugar gas stations boosted the campaign by matching an extra 10 points for every liter of fuel purchased, amplifying the collective goodwill and encouraging more people to engage in small acts of kindness that make a significant impact for disadvantaged communities.

    The accumulated points have been redeemed for supplies, which have been donated to 11 organizations, including Huashan Social Welfare Foundation, Genesis Social Welfare Foundation, Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, Eden Social Welfare Foundation, NT Angel Foundation, Little Lamb Foundation, Erlin Happy Christian Home, Tobias Social Welfare Foundation, Garden of Hope Foundation, Good Shepherd Social Welfare Foundation, and the Taipei Sports Association for the Physically Disabled. During the campaign, customers who fueled 25 liters or more and donated their points also received a Taisugar Glucosamine Plus as a token of appreciation.

    This initiative allowed the public to effortlessly contribute to charitable causes through their everyday fuel purchases, seamlessly integrating giving into daily life and empowering citizens to make a difference. Taisugar affirmed its commitment to further strengthening its charity platform, launching more meaningful, community-driven initiatives, and joining hands with the public to foster a cycle of kindness that brings continuous hope and positive change to society.

    TSC News Contact Person:
    Lin Hsin-Chih
    Petroleum Business Devision, TSC
    Contact Number: 886-6-632-8703 #802 / 886-939-919-530
    Email:a62462@taisugar.com.tw

    Tai Chih-Mou
    Petroleum Business Devision, TSC
    Contact Number: 886-6-632-8703 #101 / 886-988-721-867
    Email:a63425@taisugar.com.tw

    Petroleum Business Devision Customer Services Phone: 886-6-632-8703 #786 or 788

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two men arrested, charged with operating large-scale marijuana grow operation in Wayne County, NY

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Ferrydoon M. Ardehali, 55, of Staten Island, NY, and Colby Riggle, 37, of California, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with manufacturing and possessing with intent to distribute 1,000 or more marijuana plants. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna Duncan, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in January 2025, the DEA began investigating a large-scale illegal marijuana cultivation operation, under the direction of Ardehali and Riggle, on Daansen Road in Walworth, NY. The investigation revealed that the defendants were selling and distributing marijuana to multiple businesses that are New York State-authorized cannabis grow facilities, including in North Tonawanda and Clarence, NY, under the business name Integrity Farms & Greenhouses, Inc. a records check with the New York State Office of Cannabis Management discovered that neither Integrity Farms & Greenhouses, Inc., nor any other business associated with the operation has been issued a New York State license to grow cannabis or hemp.

    On May 14, 2025, investigators executed a search warrant at the Daansen Road property. The complaint states that it was immediately apparent that marijuana was being grown on a large scale, processed, and packaged within the facility. Investigators seized approximately 29,406 growing marijuana plants, and approximately 3,700 lbs. of processed marijuana.

    The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino, New York Field Division, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Robert Milby, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, under the direction of Acting Field Office Director Steven Kurzdorfer, U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Buffalo Station Patrol Agent-in- Charge Martin Coombs, Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation New York, under the direction of Harry Chavis, the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Eric Butler, the Cuba Police Department, under the direction of Chief Dustin Burch, the Olean Police Department, under the direction of Chief Ron Richardson, and the Salamanca Police Department, under the direction of Chief Jamie Deck.

    The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.   

    # # # # 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Richemont posts robust performance for the year ended 31 March 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AD HOC ANNOUNCEMENT PURSUANT TO ART. 53 LR
    16 MAY 2025

    Please find below the Highlights and Chairman’s commentary from Richemont FY25 Annual Results Announcement.

    RICHEMONT POSTS ROBUST PERFORMANCE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

    Group highlights

    • Group sales at € 21.4 billion; Q4 sales up 8% (+7% constant) with Jewellery Maisons up at double digits
    • Operating profit at € 4.5 billion including € 72 million of non-recurring costs 
    • Sustained focus on nurturing Maisons’ growth, investing in distribution, manufacturing assets and craftsmanship  
    • Renewed executive leadership, with appointment of Group CEO and expansion of Senior Executive Committee expertise to include Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier CEOs, as well as dedicated Group Chief People Officer
    • Completion of key strategic steps, with the addition of Italian jewellery Maison Vhernier and the finalisation of the sale of YNAP to Mytheresa in April 2025; Richemont now holds a 33% stake in newly created LuxExperience  

    Financial highlights

    • Full year sales up 4% at actual and constant exchange rates, led by high single-digit increase at Jewellery Maisons 
    • Double-digit growth across all regions, except for Asia Pacific, further rebalancing the Group’s regional mix
    • Operating profit down by 7%, or by 4% at constant exchange rates, resulting in a 20.9% operating margin
      • Strong performance at Jewellery Maisons, with sales up 8% at actual and constant exchange rates; operating margin at 31.9%
      • Sales at Specialist Watchmakers lower by 13% at actual and constant exchange rates, leading to a 5.3% operating margin
      • ‘Other’ business area’s sales up 7% at actual and constant exchange rates, operating margin at -3.7%; Fashion & Accessories Maisons margin impacted by inventory provisioning
    • € 3.8 billion profit for the year from continuing operations; € 1.0 billion loss from discontinued operations mainly due to the non-cash write-down of YNAP (improved against € 1.3 billion communicated in H1)
    • Robust net cash position of € 8.3 billion, supported by € 4.4 billion cash flow generated from operating activities
    • Proposed increase in dividend to CHF 3.00 per 1 ‘A’ share / 10 ‘B’ shares

    Key financial data (audited)

      2025 2024 change
    Sales € 21 399 m € 20 616 m +4%
    Gross profit € 14 319 m € 14 036 m +2%
    Gross margin 66.9% 68.1% -120 bps
    Operating profit € 4 467 m € 4 794 m -7%
    Operating margin 20.9% 23.3% -240 bps
    Profit for the year from continuing operations € 3 762 m € 3 818 m -1%
    Loss for the year from discontinued operations € (1 012) m € (1 463) m  
    Profit for the year € 2 750 m € 2 355 m  
    Earnings per ‘A’ share/10 ‘B’ shares, diluted basis € 4.671 € 4.077   
    Cash flow generated from operating activities € 4 443 m € 4 696 m -€ 253 m
    Net cash position € 8 257 m € 7 450 m  

    Chairman’s commentary

    Overview of results
    Richemont delivered a robust performance for the financial year ended 31 March 2025. In a persistently uncertain macroeconomic and geopolitical environment, we maintained our focus on nurturing Maisons’ current and future growth, investing in our distribution network, manufacturing assets and quality craftsmanship. Group sales increased by 4% at actual and constant exchange rates to € 21.4 billion, led by high single-digit growth at the Jewellery Maisons over the year. Operating profit came in at € 4.5 billion, down by 7% at actual rates, or by 4% at constant exchange rates.

    After a resilient first half, sales performance accelerated in the second part of the year, with a 10% rise in the third quarter followed by +8% in the fourth quarter at actual exchange rates. Over the year, most regions grew at double digits at both actual and constant exchange rates, more than offsetting the decline in Asia Pacific, led by China, illustrating the value of our balanced regional footprint. Notable growth rates included Europe at +10%, the Americas at +16%, Japan at +25% and Middle East & Africa at +15% at actual exchange rates. Direct to client sales rose further driven by both retail and online, overall representing 76% of Group sales.

    Our Jewellery Maisons – Buccellati, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Vhernier since October – saw their sales reach € 15.3 billion, growing by 8% at actual and constant exchange rates. This sales increase, combined with disciplined operating costs and targeted price increases, helped mitigate the impact of higher raw materials costs, notably gold, on our profitability. Our Jewellery Maisons delivered a € 4.9 billion operating result, up 4% versus the prior year, corresponding to a solid margin at close to 32%.

    As discussed in our first half report in November, the global watch market experienced a slowdown affecting volumes. This was led by demand weakness in China, with greater resilience of high-end price segments. While the watch market remained subdued in the second half, some improvement was visible outside of China. In this challenging context, our Specialist Watchmakers reported a 13% decline in sales at actual and constant exchange rates over the year, impacted by their high exposure to Asia Pacific, particularly to China, while the other regions showed resilience. The rate of decline was softer in the second half of the year, with notable growth in the Americas. While the Maisons demonstrated discipline on operating expenses, the overall decline in sales had a significant impact on production and fixed operating costs absorption. In addition, with our headquarters and most of our production located in Switzerland, the strengthening Swiss franc weighed on our operating result. Consequently, the Specialist Watchmakers’ operating result was down to € 175 million for the year, corresponding to a 5.3% margin.

    Sales at our ‘Other’ business area reached € 2.8 billion, an increase of 7% at actual and constant exchange rates, underpinned by faster growth in the second half. All regions other than Asia Pacific grew, with notable double-digit performances in the Americas, Europe and Middle East & Africa. Alaïa recorded another year of strong growth, and Peter Millar maintained its solid momentum. Overall, ready-to-wear sales rose by double-digits across the Maisons, with notably an encouraging performance from Chloé. Operating result was a € 102 million loss for the year, resulting in a margin of -3.7%. Within this, Fashion & Accessories Maisons posted a -2% operating margin when excluding targeted inventory provisioning.

    At Group level, operating profit came in at € 4.5 billion, including € 72 million of non-recurring charges. Operating margin was 20.9%.

    Profit for the year from continuing operations reached € 3.8 billion, down by 1%. The overall profit for the year amounted to € 2.8 billion, up 17%, after taking into account a € 1.0 billion loss for the year from discontinued operations, primarily reflecting the write-down of the carrying value of YOOX NET-A-PORTER (‘YNAP’) assets in the context of the sale to Mytheresa.

    The Group maintained a robust balance sheet, with a net cash position of € 8.3 billion at year end, up € 807 million versus the prior year. It excludes YNAP’s net cash position of € 0.2 billion presented as assets and liabilities of disposal group held for sale.

    Strengthening of our operations and portfolio of Maisons
    We are delighted to have welcomed Italian jewellery Maison Vhernier as part of Richemont’s Jewellery portfolio during the year. Vhernier is renowned for the distinctive modern aesthetic of its creations, and we are now working on the Maison’s integration and development to ensure that its full potential can be realised over time, as we have effectively been doing with our Italian high-end shoe Maison Gianvito Rossi which celebrated its first anniversary as part of our Fashion & Accessories (‘F&A’) portfolio with a very encouraging performance.

    It is also a pleasure to report that G/FORE, previously under Peter Millar’s umbrella since its acquisition in 2018, was added to Richemont’s F&A portfolio as a distinct Maison in February 2025. This marks a significant milestone for the Maison, whose products are sold in top golf shops, resorts, department stores and dedicated retail boutiques, reflecting its remarkable success to date.

    On 1 June 2024, Nicolas Bos, formerly Chief Executive Officer (‘CEO’) of Van Cleef & Arpels, was appointed CEO of Richemont and joined the Senior Executive Committee (‘SEC’), with direct oversight of all the Maisons, functions and regions. On 14 February 2025, the SEC was further strengthened with the appointments of Marie-Aude Stocker as Chief People Officer, alongside Catherine Rénier (CEO, Van Cleef & Arpels) and Louis Ferla (CEO, Cartier). Marie-Aude’s extensive background in luxury HR will be important to address our strategic resource management needs, while Catherine and Louis bring invaluable operational insights from their respective leadership roles.

    Following his appointment as CEO of Specialist Watchmaker Maison Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jérôme Lambert stepped down from the SEC and the Board of Directors, whilst Boet Brinkgreve, CEO of Laboratoire de Haute Parfumerie et Beauté, stepped down from the SEC when leaving the Group at the end of April 2025.

    YOOX NET-A-PORTER (‘YNAP’) 

    The closing of the transaction for the sale of 100% of YNAP to leading luxury multi-brand digital group Mytheresa occurred just outside of our FY25 reporting period, on 23 April 2025, following fulfilment of customary conditions, including regulatory approvals.

    At transaction closing, Richemont sold YNAP to Mytheresa with a cash position of € 555 million and no financial debt in exchange for shares issued by Mytheresa representing 33% of the fully diluted share capital of the newly combined group which has been listed under the new trade name LuxExperience from 1 May 2025. As per the terms of the agreement, Richemont provided a € 100 million revolving credit facility to finance YNAP’s corporate needs.

    We look forward to LuxExperience’s future success, as the closing of the transaction paves the way for both the Mytheresa and YNAP teams, their brand partners and clients alike to fully benefit from the enhanced value propositions and expanded global reach offered by the combined businesses.

    Dividend

    Based upon the performance of the year and net cash position of € 8.3 billion at the end of March 2025, the Board proposes to pay an ordinary dividend of 3.00 Swiss francs per 1 ‘A’ share (and CHF 0.30 per ‘B’ share), a 9% increase in the ordinary dividend over the prior year, subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) on 10 September 2025.

    Annual General Meeting and Board changes

    The 2024 AGM in September saw Nicolas Bos, CEO of Richemont, elected as Executive Director of the Board, and Gary Saage as Non-executive Director, assuming the role of Chairman of the Audit Committee from Josua (Dillie) Malherbe.

    Shareholders also re-elected Wendy Luhabe as the ‘A’ shareholders’ representative and all Board members who stood for re-election for a further one-year term. Bram Schot succeeded Dillie as Non-executive Deputy Chairman of the Board and following the departure of Maria Ramos and Clay Brendish on 31 March, succeeded Clay as Chairman of the Compensation Committee.

    Once again, I would like to express my gratitude to Dillie for his contributions as Non-executive Deputy Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee and for accepting to remain on the Audit and Strategic Security Committees, and to Maria and Clay for their invaluable contributions in their respective roles over the years.

    As indicated in the 2022 Annual Report, recognising shareholder expectations, we decided at the time to initiate a comprehensive tender process for our external audit function under the supervision of the Audit Committee. Having carefully considered the results of the tender, on 29 November 2024 we announced that the Audit Committee had recommended to the Board to propose to shareholders that KPMG be appointed as the new auditors of the Company for the financial year ending 31 March 2026 at the next AGM in September 2025.

    Concluding remarks

    Fiscal Year 2025 was a year of progress underscoring the Group’s strategic focus amidst a complex, fast-evolving global landscape. Whilst our Specialist Watchmakers’ performance mostly reflected weakness in their largest region, the Group’s performance was robust overall, driven by remarkable growth at our Jewellery Maisons and retail, and improved momentum at our ‘Other’ activities.

    We continued to invest in future growth by further strengthening our distribution network, enhancing our manufacturing capacity, and contributing to the nurturing and preservation of unique artisan skills. We also delivered on several strategic fronts, successfully completing the acquisition of Vhernier, and enabling Gianvito Rossi to further expand its brand globally, after having joined the Group last year. We are also pleased to have found a good home for YNAP, whose strengths Mytheresa will harness to create a new global leader in digital luxury.

    With a renewed leadership team and governance structure, the completion of seamless management transitions across several Maisons, and our teams of talented professionals committed to creativity and innovation, we are well-positioned to guide Richemont through its next phase of development.

    As I have said before, ongoing global uncertainties will continue to require strong agility and discipline. Richemont has solid foundations for sustained value creation over time, built upon our leading Maisons’ unique heritage and innovative craftsmanship, coupled with an increasingly balanced and tailored regional presence that allows us to better connect with and enchant clients. Our long-term perspective, underpinned by a healthy balance sheet, constitutes a proven formula that has delivered seven-fold sales growth over the past 25 years, and remains central to our strategy.

    Our achievements this year would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our teams and the invaluable collaboration of our partners. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to each of them for their significant contributions to Richemont’s success. I also wish to take this opportunity to thank our valued clients for their enduring trust and appreciation for the distinctive character and timeless appeal of our Maisons’ creations.

    Johann Rupert
    Chairman

    Compagnie Financière Richemont SA

    About Richemont 

    At Richemont, we craft the future. Our unique portfolio includes prestigious Maisons distinguished by their craftsmanship and creativity. Richemont’s ambition is to nurture its Maisons and businesses and enable them to grow and prosper in a responsible, sustainable manner over the long term.

    Richemont operates in three business areas: Jewellery Maisons with Buccellati, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Vhernier; Specialist Watchmakers with A. Lange & Söhne, Baume & Mercier, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubuis and Vacheron Constantin; and Other, primarily Fashion & Accessories Maisons with Alaïa, Chloé, Delvaux, dunhill, G/FORE, Gianvito Rossi, Montblanc, Peter Millar, Purdey, Serapian as well as Watchfinder & Co. Find out more at https://www.richemont.com/.

    Disclaimer

    This document contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Richemont’s forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s business and performance, the economy and other future conditions and forecasts of future events, circumstances and results. Our retail stores are heavily dependent on the ability and desire of consumers to travel and shop and a decline in consumer traffic could have a negative effect on our comparable store sales and/or average sales per square foot and store profitability resulting in impairment charges, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Reduced travel resulting from economic conditions, retail store closure orders of civil authorities, travel restrictions, travel concerns and other circumstances, including disease epidemics and other health-related concerns, could have a material adverse effect on us, particularly if such events impact our customers’ desire to travel to our retail stores. International conflicts or wars, including resulting sanctions and restrictions on importation and exportation of finished products and/or raw materials, whether self-imposed or imposed by international countries, non-state entities or others, may also impact these forward-looking statements. If international tariffs are imposed or increased, materials and goods that Richemont imports may face higher prices, which could lead to reduced margins or increased prices that could cause decreased consumer demand. As with any projection or forecast, forward-looking statements are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the Group’s control. Richemont does not undertake to update, nor does it have any obligation to provide updates of, or to revise, any forward-looking statements.

    © Richemont 2025

    This announcement does not contain full details and should not be used as a basis for any investment decision in relation to the Company’s shares. Please find the full announcement available in PDF below: 

    Richemont FY25 Annual Results PDF EN | Richemont FY25 Annual Results PDF FR (abridged)

    The MIL Network –

  • Ronaldo tops Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes for third year in a row

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    ristiano Ronaldo topped Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes for the third consecutive year and the fifth time in his career.

    Following his move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, Ronaldo’s estimated total earnings are around $275 million.

    The Portuguese forward increased his income by $15 million through off-field endorsements as well as lucrative sponsorship deals backed by his large social media followers: 939 million in total as of May.

    Meanwhile, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who in March became the first NBA player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers, jumped to second place in the rankings with $156 million.

    Boxer Tyson Fury claimed third place with $146 million. Despite losing his world heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in December, Fury’s income has been boosted by partnerships promoting Maltese tourism and his Netflix reality show.

    Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, reached fourth with $137 million, thanks to record-breaking signing bonuses and a lucrative contract extension.

    Meanwhile, Argentine Lionel Messi dropped to fifth place with $135 million — the same as last year — having moved to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, as well as continuing to receive high-profile endorsements from Adidas and Apple.

    Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, nearing the end of his illustrious career, came sixth with $133.8 million.

    MLB New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto came in at a remarkable seventh place, earning $114 million. The 26-year-old Dominican signed a $765 million, 15-year contract, the largest in baseball history.

    French striker Karim Benzema, who plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad, is eighth with earnings of $104 million.

    Japanese Shohei Ohtani is in ninth place with $102.5 million, having deferred most of his earnings from his mega-contract with MLB team Los Angeles Dodgers. His earnings were boosted significantly by their World Series victory last year.

    NBA Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant rounds off the top 10 with $101.4 million.

    –Reuters

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Indonesia plans to export rice, provide humanitarian aid due to sufficient stocks

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    JAKARTA, May 16 (Xinhua) — The Indonesian government on Thursday announced a plan to export rice and also send it as humanitarian aid to needy countries as it has enough stocks to meet domestic demand.

    Indonesian Vice Agriculture Minister Sudariono said the government had discussed the possibility of exporting 2,000 tonnes of rice per month to Malaysia. However, an agreement has not yet been signed.

    The government is also exploring the possibility of using surplus rice to provide humanitarian aid, including to Palestine. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese-built Croatia’s largest solar power project breaks ground

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

    Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic (2nd R, Front) and Chinese Ambassador to Croatia Qi Qianjin (2nd L, Front) visit the construction site of the Korlat solar project in Korlat, Croatia, on May 15, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The groundbreaking ceremony for Croatia’s largest photovoltaic power project, to be constructed by Chinese companies, was held Thursday in Korlat. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic expressed hope that the Korlat solar project would further deepen cooperation and enhance ties between the two countries.

    The project, located in Korlat, a small settlement within the city of Benkovac in Zadar County, will be constructed by a Chinese consortium, consisting of China’s Norinco International Cooperation Ltd. (Norinco International) and the Shandong Electric Power Engineering Consulting Institute.

    In his speech at the ceremony, Plenkovic also highlighted the successful collaboration on the Chinese-built Senj Wind Farm and expressed his pleasure in renewing cooperation with Chinese partner companies.

    For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Croatia Qi Qianjin said that the Korlat project would significantly boost regional economic development, create jobs, improve livelihoods, and support Croatia’s energy transition and green development.

    He expressed his hope that Norinco International would earnestly fulfill its responsibilities as the contractor, operate in compliance with regulations, and deliver another high-quality project that satisfies all parties.

    In October last year, the consortium won the tender to build the Korlat solar power project, with an installed capacity of 99 megawatts.

    Upon completion, it is expected to generate 165 million kilowatt-hours of green electricity annually, meeting the electricity needs of approximately 50,000 households, while also reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 150,000 tons per year. The project is scheduled to be connected to the grid in April 2026.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Hears from Hunger Relief Organizations Across WA State About Challenges and Fears Amid Trump Cuts to USDA, Republicans Advancing Legislation to Cut SNAP By a Staggering $300 Billion

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    ICYMI: Murray, Hayes, Levin Introduce Bill to Expand Summer EBT Program to School Breaks, Ensure Kids Don’t Go Hungry When School is Closed During the Year
    ICYMI: Senator Murray, WA Food Banks, and Farmers Lay Out How Trump’s Cuts to Local Food Programs Will Hurt Families and Communities
    ***WATCH HERE***
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a virtual event with hunger relief organizations across Washington state to hear about the challenges they are facing amid recent steep cuts by the Trump administration to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs that provide funding for food banks and schools to purchase locally-produced food and looming draconian Republican cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps over 42 million people across the country purchase fresh produce and other groceries. Republicans’ reconciliation legislation—which only requires a simple majority to pass in both the House and Senate—would cut SNAP by a staggering $300 billion, according to legislative text that was advanced by the House Agriculture Committee this week. Participating in the virtual event today were representatives from Food Lifeline, Washington Food Coalition, Second Harvest, Northwest Harvest, Harvest Against Hunger, Feeding the Northwest, EastWest Food Rescue, and the Anti-Hunger & Nutrition Coalition.
    President Trump and Republicans’ cuts to USDA and SNAP come as Washington state has been experiencing a notable rise in food insecurity in recent years. Data from the Washington State Department of Agriculture indicates that food bank visits rose from 10.9 million in 2023 to 13.3 million in 2024, with one in four Washingtonians utilizing food banks in 2024, up from one in five the previous year. Children are particularly affected by food insecurity in Washington state, with nearly 50 percent of students—approximately 538,000 children—qualifying for free or reduced-price school lunches.
    “If we needed any more proof Trump is still trying to take food off the shelves at food banks, and off families’ dinner tables, all you need to do is look at the bill Republicans are marking up right now, which includes the biggest SNAP cut in history—$230 billion over the next decade. We should not be cutting off food assistance so Trump can cut his fellow billionaires a massive check,” Senator Murray said on the call today. “These cuts won’t make things more efficient, they won’t solve any problems. They just take food away from people who need it most. Investing in nutrition assistance? Investing in SNAP? That’s an investment in people.”
    “My family relied on food stamps briefly when I was a kid—our country had our back, and all seven of us kids grew up to give back to our communities in different ways,” Murray continued. “As you all know, Washington state has one of the strongest, most inclusive SNAP programs in the country. So you can bet I am going to continue to be one of its strongest champions in Congress. I am not going to stand by while Republicans push families off this program and slash it to ribbons, and I am not going to be quiet as they take food from our kids.”
    In March, the Trump administration inexplicably ripped away more than $660 million in funding for the Local Food for Schools Program (LFS)—which schools and child care facilities in Washington state use to purchase berries, meat, seafood, and more from local farmers and producers—as well as $500 million from the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) and $500 million from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which helps food banks buy nutritious food from local farms for the communities they serve. According to an updated estimate based on data provided by USDA, Washington state is set to lose nearly $12 million in federal funding it was set to receive from these programs this year alone—a $2.9 million cut to LFS, $3.9 million cut to LFPA, and $4.7 million cut to TEFAP—and the Trump administration’s cuts have left schools and food banks scrambling to fill the gap. Last month, Senator Murray held a virtual press conference with local food banks in Washington state raising the alarm over the Trump administration’s senseless cuts to these programs.
    “Food Lifeline is deeply concerned about the proposed cuts to SNAP. Already, Washington’s hunger relief community is overwhelmed with demand. Demand that exceeds what we experienced during the pandemic. Unlike then, the Trump Administration, newly controlled Congress, and USDA, aren’t coming to help. SNAP, the first line of defense against hunger, it must be strengthened, not diminished,” said Aaron Czyzewski, Director of Advocacy & Public Policy at Food Lifeline.
    “The Washington Food Coalition supports our state’s network of food banks and pantries, which are facing unprecedented demand as food insecurity is on the rise. SNAP is the first and best defense against hunger, but the proposed House cuts would do lasting damage to families and communities and overwhelm our food banks,” said Trish Twomey, Executive Director of the Washington Food Coalition.
    “At EastWest Food Rescue, we see every day how layered and fragile our food system truly is, from farmers facing uncertainty to families struggling with hunger. We are deeply grateful to Senator Murray for taking the time to prioritize this complex issue and for recognizing that real solutions require collaboration across sectors. Her leadership brings hope to those working at every level of the food chain,” Monika Whitfield, Executive Director of EastWest Food Rescue.
    “The proposed federal cuts to SNAP and food bank funding would have devastating consequences for Washington families already struggling to put food on the table. At a time when food insecurity remains at alarming levels across our state, our elected representation needs to strengthen our hunger relief systems, not dismantle them. We’re grateful for Senator Murray’s steadfast leadership and commitment to protecting these vital programs that serve as a lifeline for so many in our communities. Today’s summit highlights the critical importance of federal support in our collective fight against hunger, and we stand ready to work alongside Senator Murray and our partners to ensure no Washingtonian has to wonder where their next meal will come from,” said Jamielyn Wheeler, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at Northwest Harvest.
    Having relied on food stamps for a brief time during her childhood, Senator Murray knows firsthand the difference a helping hand can make in the lives of children, and as Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray is working around the clock to protect vital nutrition assistance and child nutrition programs. Senator Murray was the leading Congressional champion in the more than decade-long fight to reduce child summer hunger by providing families whose children are eligible for free and reduced-price school meals with an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card to buy groceries over the summer—a policy knows as “Summer EBT.” During the academic year, more than 30 million kids from low-income families rely on free or reduced-priced meals they receive at school—but when school lets out for the summer, those kids lose access to regular meals and frequently go hungry. Senator Murray first introduced legislation to establish a permanent Summer EBT program in 2014, helped to secure and extend the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program that provided summer grocery benefits to families during the COVID-19 public health emergency in 2020, 2021, and 2022, and ultimately helped negotiate and pass a permanent Summer EBT program—based on her original Stop Child Summer Hunger Act—as part of the omnibus government funding bill that was signed into law in December 2022. The Summer EBT program officially launched in 2024, with 37 states participating, including Washington state. Nearly 600,000 children in Washington state received Summer EBT—also known as SUN Bucks—last summer.
    Just last week, Senator Murray introduced bicameral legislation to expand the Summer EBT program to include periods when schools are closed or operating remotely for five or more consecutive weekdays—including winter break, spring break, and other prolonged school closures—and provide funding for new implementation grants to help states implement the Summer EBT program more effectively.
    Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered, are available below and HERE:
    “It’s so good to see you all. I know this is not an easy moment—not for Washington state families, and not for all of you. You all are on the frontlines serving people in our communities, keeping them fed when times are tough. And that has been especially crucial in recent years.
    “A quarter of people in Washington state used a food bank last year and visits have jumped to 13 million a year. But despite the crucial role you play serving our communities you all have unfortunately had a front row seat to a lot of pointless, lawless chaos President Trump has caused.
    “I know this has turned your work upside down; grants being frozen, cancelled, and unfrozen; tariffs being throttled and reversed; and the threat of painful cuts in just about every proposal Republicans put forward. I have visited food banks, and heard from families and from some of you, about how this has already been incredibly harmful. I am listening—and more than that I am fighting for you. My goal is to lift your stories up, put a spotlight on these problems, and get these disastrous policies reversed.
    “We have seen a few times now that when we push back hard, when we speak up loud, when we name and shame the harms that Trump is causing we can get them to back down, and reverse course—at least while the pressure stays on. Some grants have gotten moving again. Some cuts and firings are being reversed. Tariffs are being walked back a little, though Trump is still committed to an expensive trade war. 
    “But the fight is not over. Not by a long shot, because for every small retreat, we have seen Trump launch another devastating attack on our social safety net. If we needed any more proof Trump is still trying to take food off the shelves at food banks and off families’ dinner tables all you need to do is look at the bill Republicans are marking up right now, which includes the biggest SNAP cut in history—$230 billion over the next decade. We should not be cutting off food assistance so Trump can cut his fellow billionaires a massive check.
    “These cuts won’t make things more efficient. They won’t solve any problems. They just take food away from people who need it most. Investing in nutrition assistance? Investing in SNAP? That’s an investment in people. My family relied on food stamps briefly when I was a kid. Our country had our back, and all seven of us kids grew up to give back to our communities in different ways.
    “This shouldn’t even need saying, but if Republicans won’t listen to common sense and common decency, then we are going to get a megaphone and shout it from the roof tops: ‘Hands off SNAP!’
    “As you all know, Washington state has one of the strongest, most inclusive SNAP programs in the country. So you can bet I am going to continue to be one of its strongest champions in Congress. I am not going to stand by while Republicans push families off this program and slash it to ribbons. I am not going to be quiet as they take food from our kids’ mouths. I am standing up. I am getting loud. And I am making your voices heard.
    “We are going to fight for SNAP and for our families.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: To boost the nation’s health, the government’s proposed food strategy must put people over profits

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachael Walshe, Post-doctoral Researcher, University of Canberra

    crbellette/sShutterstock

    On election night, a triumphant Anthony Albanese took to the stage brandishing a Medicare card as a symbol of the nation’s commitment to public healthcare.

    As the re-elected government gets to work on its promised national food security strategy “Feeding Australia”, it has a unique opportunity to build a strategic agenda as bold and transformative as Medicare.

    That agenda is investment in food as a public good – a recognition that a healthy food system is as important to the nation’s health and wellbeing as access to hospitals, bulk-billing doctors and subsidised medicines.

    Feeding Australia

    The new Labor government, with its large majority, has a once-in-a-generation chance to deliver meaningful change in our food system.

    It went into the election promising a new food security strategy, which Agriculture Minister Julie Collins says will improve supply chain resilience and and minimise price volatility at the checkout:

    Australia has an impressive record in agriculture, feeding millions of people both here and abroad, but we can’t afford to be complacent. The Albanese Labor government will protect and strengthen Australia’s food security for the benefit of our farmers and all Australians, as well as the trading partners that rely on our produce. When our food and supply chains are secure, it reduces financial strain on households, helping all Australians.

    Labor has tried this before. In 2013, the Gillard government’s short-lived National Food Plan was critcised for prioritising corporate interests over public health and sustainability.

    Repeating past mistakes will again risk putting corporate hunger first. The Feeding Australia strategy must prioritise the health of people, planet, and care for Country.

    Food for thought

    The food security strategy must address multiple, converging crises:

    • growing food poverty
    • worsening diet-related health
    • biosecurity threats
    • accelerating climate change
    • declining farmer viability
    • supermarket duopoly.

    Australia produces enough food to feed more than twice its population. Yet it struggles to feed its own people well.

    Foodbank Australia estimates one third of Australians now experience some form of food insecurity. A combination of market failures and policy inaction leaves us vulnerable to supply chain disruption and even greater food inequity.

    Biosecurity is also a challenge. The recent outbreak of bird flu means eggs – a basic pantry item – now cost 16.1% more than 2020.

    But it’s not only consumers who are suffering. One-third of vegetable growers are considering leaving agriculture in the next year, due to high costs and what growers’ group AUSVEG has called the “relentless squeeze” on margins.

    A business-as-usual approach will only reinforce the current state of Australia’s supermarket sector, which is among the most concentrated and profitable in the world. Accusations of price gouging and misleading pricing raise concerns for consumers, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis.

    As extreme climate events and biosecurity threats increase in frequency and intensity, the duopoly’s centralised supply chains have occasionally failed. After this year’s floods in Far North Queensland, supermarket shelves were empty once again.

    Empty shelves were a weekly occurance in Far North Queensland after the floods stopped rail and road transport.
    Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

    Yet, independent grocers with shorter supply chains remained stocked – as they did during the Queensland floods in 2011.

    The food strategy must do more than offer a band-aid solution to fix an ailing food system.

    Community networks

    Local food networks have an important role to play in this process.

    They are collectives of people and organisations that are committed to creating food and farming systems that put health, equity, and sustainability first. They gather collective wisdom, mobilise public procurement to support local producers, and secure more democratic, health-oriented, and sustainable food system policies.

    Food networks are flourishing in North America, which has more than 300 active councils as of 2023. The Australian sector is not as mature, but is growing.

    Groups including the South Australian Urban Food Network, Tasmanian Food Security Council, Southern Harvest (NSW/ACT), and Farm 2 Fork Collective (Queensland), demonstrate growing capacity for citizen involvement in food policy and decision making. These networks encourage local initiatives such as community gardens, food hubs, and localised institutional procurement.

    New research points to how community-led food cooperatives can also help improve food security and healthier diets.

    These, and other examples, show the power of community in strengthening food system resilience and security. But they can’t do it alone. Communities need government support and investment.

    Future food

    The question of who feeds Australia – and how we are fed – matters to us all.

    The National Food Security Strategy is an opportunity to forge a more healthy food future. It can lay the foundations for a food and farming system that feeds us well for generations to come.

    Achieving this bold agenda will take an inclusive, participatory process that foregrounds First Nations’ voices and the lived experience of those at the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis.

    Rachael Walshe works for Sustain: The Australian Food Network

    Kelly Donati is a co-founder and volunteer board director of Sustain: The Australian Food Network.

    Molly Fairweather works for Sustain: The Australian Food Network. She is also a member of Healthy Food Systems Australia (HFSA).

    Nick Rose is the co-founder and Executive Director of Sustain: the Australian Food Network. He is also a Senior Lecturer in the Bachelor of Food Studies at William Angliss Institute.

    Nick Rose was a Partner Investigator on an ARC project, Strengthening Food Governance at the Local Level (2019-2022).

    Sustain currently receives funding from a range of public sector organisations and philanthropic foundations with a shared mission for food system change, including VicHealth and Lord Mayor’s Charitable Organisation.

    – ref. To boost the nation’s health, the government’s proposed food strategy must put people over profits – https://theconversation.com/to-boost-the-nations-health-the-governments-proposed-food-strategy-must-put-people-over-profits-256679

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Niger’s Bridges to Resilience: Building a Stronger Future

    Source: African Development Bank Group

    Under the glow of solar streetlights, Aichatou Alkassoum marvels at the Djibo Bakary Bridge in Farié, Niger. “At night, it’s like a modern Niamey street,” she says, her voice bright with pride. A leader in Delewa’s School Management Committee, she calls it “the Bridge of Renewal.”

    Previously, crossing the Niger River here meant hours waiting for a shaky ferry under a blazing sun. Since January 2021, this 640-meter bridge, part of the African Development Bank’s Trans-Saharan Road Project-TSRP, has cut travel time, linking Kourthèye and Gothèye with three km of paved roads and 180 solar lamps. Funded with $23 million from the Bank’s $125 million TSRP commitment, it’s a lifeline for trade across an enormous 9,022 km of land connecting the three countries of Niger to Algeria and Nigeria.

    The African Development Bank’s $1.2 billion project in Niger fuels this change. In Maradi, Hachimou Abou Moussam a farmerm once planned to move to Niamey to flee a constant struggle. Then the Water Mobilization Project for Food Security – PMERSA-MTZ  ($13 million since 2011) gave him two wells, pumps, and irrigation pipes. “I grow niébé year-round now,” he says. Across Maradi, Tahoua, and Zinder, PMERSA-MTZ built 47 dams, 74 wells, and 273 km of rural tracks, irrigating 18,000 hectares. Crop yields jumped 94 percent, and Hachimou’s income rose by $680 yearly, rooting him home.

    In Diffa, Arzika Assoumane, director of Kalmaharo Vocational School, credits the Vocational and Technical Education Support Project– PADEFPT, ($47 million since 2010). “We went from 300 students to over 1,000,” he beams. With 474 classrooms built nationwide, 21,000 students trained, and girls’ enrolment up from 2.2 percent to 8.4 percent by 2020, PADEFPT bridges skills to jobs. “The African Development Bank changed our lives,” Arzika says.

    Imagine the transformative power of light. The Niger Rural, Peri-Urban, and Urban Electrification Project ($68 million since 2017) project, did not only expand the Gorou Banda power plant to 100 MW, a 25% increase in available capacity, but also forging connections to 68,400 families, exceeding the ambitious targets by 150%. Now, with the Desert to Power-Project for the Development of Solar Power Plants and Improvement of Access to Electricity ($131 million, since in 2022), Niger is taking a leap towards sustainable energy, adding 30 MW of renewable capacity and bringing the life-changing power of electricity to 800,000 people.

    The Kandadji Ecosystems Program– PA-KRESMIN ($126 million since 2019) irrigates fields and powers 630,000 people. Together, these efforts, backed by $740 million disbursed, turn Niger’s land and people into strength. As Chief Amadou Boubacar notes, TSRP’s 16 classrooms and wells in Farié echo this: “Our market and health centre boost incomes.”

    The Trans-Saharan Fiber Optic Project – TSB in Niger (43 million EUR since 2016) is laying over 1,000 km of high-speed fiber optic network linking Niger with Algeria, Nigeria, Tchad, Benin, and Burkina Faso. In Agadez, where high-speed connectivity was once a luxury, young entrepreneurs will be able to run online businesses from their smartphones.

    It seems an age ago now when the internet was too slow to send a photo. Soon, farmers, small businesses, and artists from Arlit will take orders from Niamey, or even better, Algiers or Lagos. The project is transforming access to education, government services, and markets for thousands in previously disconnected regions. Beyond a cable, it is a pathway to opportunity, inclusion, and innovation in one of Africa’s growing economies.

    Yet, with a $402 billion continental gap, more is needed. Aichatou dreams of wider bridges, literally and figuratively. The African Development Bank’s smart cash builds resilience, one bridge, one harvest, one optic fiber, and one classroom at a time.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Mann Votes to Strengthen Farm Safety Net, Reform SNAP

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Tracey Mann (Kansas, 1)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) voted to advance the House Agriculture Committee’s budget reconciliation proposal that cuts $295 billion in wasteful and fraudulent spending and makes long-overdue investments for the nation’s farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers. Rep. Mann released the following statement after the markup.

    “America’s farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers have been clear—they are struggling, and are in need of some degree of certainty,” said Rep. Mann. “After some Congressional Democrats held a Farm Bill hostage last Congress, House Agriculture Committee Republicans delivered to address some of the agriculture community’s most pressing needs. We made much-needed investments into rural America that protect the livelihoods of our farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers, and our nation’s food supply.

    “Our proposal also strengthens the safety net for America’s most vulnerable communities by uprooting fraudulent spending and making commonsense changes that ensure the SNAP program can serve those it was intended to. The proposal gets able-bodied adults back on the ladder of opportunity, giving them a fair shot at the American dream, all while ensuring that the program is a bridge to a better life instead of a permanent destination. With seven million open jobs across the country, it’s time to get America back to work.

    “I’m grateful we were able to move this proposal forward, and I look forward to seeing how our work lifts Americans out of poverty and provides certainty to America’s agriculture community.”

    The House Agriculture Committee’s budget reconciliation proposal: 

    • Invests $60 billion in strengthening the farm safety net by expanding crop insurance and updating reference prices
    • Bolsters trade promotion to correct the agricultural trade deficit left by the Biden Administration
    • Provides funds to address the deferred maintenance backlog at land-grants like Kansas State University
    • Invests in livestock biosecurity to fend off growing threats like New World Screwworm
    • Closes loopholes in the law that allow states to waive enforcement of work requirements
    • Enacts accountability measures to encourage states to administer the SNAP program efficiently and effectively
    • Ensures that work capable adults without children too young for school are working or volunteering in order to receive benefits

    Ahead of the House Agriculture Committee markup, Rep. Mann applauded the committee’s portion of the bill and its investments to strengthen the farm economy. In May 2024, Rep. Mann voted to advance the Farm, Food, and National Security out of committee. Rep. Mann has continuously expressed his frustration with Congressional Democrats’ efforts to hold the agricultural community hostage to political games instead of passing a Farm Bill.

    The House Agriculture Committee’s budget reconciliation proposal will now go to the House Budget Committee for further consideration.

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Barry Moore introduces legislation to protect Alabama producers from feral hogs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Barry Moore

    Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Barry Moore (AL-01) introduced the Feral Swine Eradication Act, the bicameral Feral Swine Eradication Act. This legislation extends the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP). Feral swine are consistently detrimental to farmer’s, rancher’s and forester’s operations, raking in $1.5 billion in damages every year. The FSCP has seen a great deal of success in reducing these damages through trapping, removing and monitoring and assessing the lands on which feral swine frequently reside. Texas Senator John Cornyn introduced the Senate reauthorization legislation of this program.

    “Feral swine have caused millions of dollars in damage on agricultural operations across Alabama and can undo years of hard work on Alabama’s farms, ranches and forests toward feeding our country,” said Moore. “I am standing with Alabama farmers to take action against this threat by authorizing an eradication pilot program with proven results, with changes to make it even more effective.”

    “All across Texas, farmers are struggling to save their fields from invasive species that are destroying their crops and threatening other livestock on their land. This in turn has meant our constiuents have had to pay hirer food prices at the grocery stores.  I am grateful to be working with my fellow Texan, Congresswoman De La Cruz on this important issue and look forward to seeing this get across the finish line.” said Crockett. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Slam Trump Administration’s Attacks on Senior Nutrition Programs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    May 15, 2025
    “The cuts will exacerbate hunger, poor health, and social isolation”
    Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both D-Ore, said today they have joined fellow Senate leaders to call on Republicans to reconsider disastrous cuts and attacks on programs and agencies that support seniors with food assistance among other necessities.
    “We are writing today to express our serious concerns regarding efforts by the Trump administration and the potential of cuts proposed in your budget resolution to debilitate our nation’s beloved nutrition programs for seniors, taking hot meals, sustenance, and social interaction away from our seniors to fund tax cuts for billionaires,” the lawmakers wrote to Senate Republicans. “These attacks are multifaceted and will deeply hurt all aspects of senior nutrition services, from funding to program delivery. The cuts will exacerbate hunger, poor health, and social isolation, and our nation’s seniors will be gravely harmed by these decisions.”
    If implemented, the Republicans’ proposed cuts will take hot meals, nutritious food, and social interaction away from millions of older adults nationwide, jeopardizing their health and quality of life.
    Specifically, the senators urged Republicans to reconsider the following actions:
    Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is the largest food assistance program in the country; 
    The dismantling of the Administration for Community Living, which administers the Older Americans Act’s nutrition programs; 
    The elimination of the Social Services Block Grant, which provides critical funding for senior nutrition programs;
    Cuts to Medicaid, which funds meal-delivery programs through Section 1115 waivers for home-bound older adults and people with disabilities; and
    Attacks on the Social Security Administration, which ensures accurate and timely payment of Social Security benefits so older adults and people with disabilities can put food on the table.
    The letter was led by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. Along with Wyden and Merkley, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. The senators wrote in their capacities as ranking members of the Senate Committees on Aging; Finance; Budget; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; and as Senate Democratic Leader, respectively.
    The full text of the letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Salinas, Guthrie, Hoyle, Merkley, Daines Champion Bipartisan Bill to Train Next Generation of Wildland Firefighters

    Source: US Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06)

    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Val Hoyle (D-OR) – along with U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Steve Daines (R-MT) – reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act. This legislation directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to offer specialized training, specifically wildland firefighter training, to Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center students. This would create a pipeline for young people to enter into careers fighting fires and caring for public lands.

    “Wildfires are getting bigger, more dangerous, and more destructive every year due to climate change. That also means the need for more skilled wildland firefighters is greater than ever before,” said Rep. Salinas. “The bipartisan Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act would break down barriers and give the U.S. Forest Service more tools to grow its firefighting workforce. It’s a commonsense bill that will keep our communities safe from deadly blazes, and at the same time, create more job opportunities for Oregonians.” 

    “Wildland firefighters, in Kentucky and across the country, play an essential role in improving forestry management practices, preventing wildfires, and battling them when they occur to minimize damage to life and property,” said Rep. Guthrie. “I am proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing the Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act to expand training for wildland fire, forestry, and rangeland management at Civilian Conservation Centers. These educational programs, such as the one at Great Onyx Job Corps, are essential to maintaining and improving the health of American forests.” 

    “As wildfires grow more frequent and more intense, the Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act would help us meet the moment by preparing young people for careers in forest management and wildfire prevention,” said Rep. Hoyle. “With a center located in Yachats, Oregon, this bill strengthens local opportunities while protecting our communities and public lands. It’s about safety, sustainability, and building a skilled, resilient workforce.”

    “As climate chaos makes our wildfire seasons longer and hotter, it’s essential that we have enough wildland firefighters and trained support staff available to take on these dangerous blazes and protect our communities,” said Sen. Merkley. “The Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers’ training efforts have built a pipeline for talented young people to develop skills that can grow into careers. By investing in these programs, we can reduce wildfire risks, strengthen our public lands workforce, and offer valuable job training that supports the next generation of conservation and fire professionals in Oregon and across the United States.”

    “Montana and many states across the west face devastating wildfire seasons year after year. This legislation will invest in our Montana Job Corps Centers so that more students have access to the top-notch training and resources they need to enter the workforce as our next wildland firefighters. I’m proud to work with a bipartisan group of my colleagues to keep our communities safe from catastrophic wildfires and invest in the next generation,” said Sen. Daines.

    The Job Corps is the nation’s largest job training and education program for students from 16 to 24 years of age. The U.S. Forest Service operates 24 Civilian Conservation Centers (CCCs) nationwide under this program—including three in Oregon and two in Montana—which are proving vital in the fight to protect national forests and grasslands from wildfires. In 2023, Job Corps students did work equating to an estimated $13.5 million when they constructed and maintained buildings, built trails, enhanced wildlife habitat, restored watersheds, and treated more than 30,000 acres for hazardous fuels reduction nationwide. During the 2024 fire season, CCC youth across the country completed 205,882 hours of work on wildland firefighting efforts and prescribed burns to reduce hazardous fuels and the risk of catastrophic wildfire, and 11,410 hours on other fire management support functions, including providing meals through mobile kitchens. 

    The Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act would further strengthen this critical program by setting a goal for both the USDA and the DOI to hire 300 students a year and providing direct hire authority specific to CCC graduates to expedite that process. It would also create a pilot program to use students at CCCs to address the lack of workforce housing for wildland firefighters.

    This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Angus King (I-ME), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The National Job Corps Association, National Federation of Federal Employees, Wildland Firefighter Foundation, and Western Fire Chiefs Association have endorsed the bill.

    To read the full text of this legislation, click here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Crop Report For The Period May 6 to May 12, 2025

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on May 15, 2025

    Limited precipitation over the past week has allowed producers to make substantial seeding progress. Seeding is currently 49 per cent complete across the province, up 31 per cent from last week. This is significantly ahead of the five-year average of 32 per cent and the 10-year average of 34 per cent.

    All regions were able to make considerable seeding gains this week. Currently, the southwest region continues to lead in seeding progress with 76 per cent complete. The northwest region sits at 49 per cent complete. The southeast, west-central and northeast regions are all reporting 43 per cent complete seeding. The east-central region is reporting 33 per cent complete. 

    Pulse crops continue to lead in seeding progress with 78 per cent of field peas seeded, 71 per cent of lentils and 65 per cent of chickpeas. Triticale is the highest in reported seeding completion of the cereals at 73 per cent, followed by durum at 65 per cent, spring wheat at 53 per cent, barley at 45 per cent, oats at 28 per cent and canary seed at 23 per cent. Of the oilseed crops, mustard is leading in seeding completion at 66 per cent, followed by canola at 29 per cent and flax at 28 per cent. Perennial forage is reported at 25 per cent seeded. Soybeans are the furthest behind in seeding completion at 14 per cent. 

    Overall, rainfall was fairly limited throughout the province over the past week. The highest reported rainfall fell in the Marengo area at 14 millimetres (mm) followed by the Wadena area at 13 mm. Many other areas reported trace to limited rainfall for the week. 

    Warm, dry and windy conditions continue to deplete topsoil moisture across the province. Producers are hopeful for moisture soon to help support crop development and improve hay and pasture conditions.Currently, topsoil moisture for cropland is rated at one per cent surplus, 61 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hayland is rated at 51 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture conditions are reported at 42 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and eight per cent very short.

    Livestock producers in areas of the province are hopeful for moisture to support water supplies moving into the season. Fifty-four per cent of producers currently estimate there are no shortages of on-farm surface water supplies for livestock occurring or anticipated, with 32 per cent estimating that shortages may occur in one to two months depending on future moisture conditions. Twelve per cent of producers are currently indicating that moderate shortages are occurring with two per cent reporting severe shortages occurring. Currently, 84 per cent of producers are not concerned with water quality for their livestock at this time.    

    Producers are busy seeding while watching their early seeded crops begin to emerge. Many are applying pre-seed herbicide products for weed control as the weather allows, along with harrowing, land rolling and rock picking. Livestock producers are checking fences and starting to move cattle out to pasture. They have noted that, although pastures are starting to green up, growth is slow due to the drier conditions. As seeding rapidly progresses across the province, drivers are encouraged to watch for farm machinery moving along highways and roads during this busy season and producers are reminded to take precautions while transporting equipment. 

    A complete, printable version of the Crop Report is available online – Download Crop Report.

    Follow the 2025 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Joins 51 Republicans in Calling for Dismantlement of Iran’s Nuclear Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and 50 Republican colleagues in sending a letter to President Trump regarding the administration’s ongoing negotiations with Iran. The letter calls on the Trump administration to secure a deal that results in the full dismantlement of the Iranian nuclear program, including permanently ending the regime’s capacity to enrich uranium.
    Sen. Tuberville has spoken numerous times in support of President Trump’s policy approach toward Iran.
    “We write to express our strong support for your efforts to secure a deal with Iran that dismantles its nuclear program, and to reinforce the explicit warnings that you and officials in your administration have issued that the regime must permanently give up any capacity for enrichment,” wrote the Senators.
    “We cannot afford another agreement that enables Iran to play for time, as the JCPOA did. The Iranian regime should know that the administration has Congressional backing to ensure their ability to enrich uranium is permanently eliminated. As always we stand ready to provide you and your administration whatever resources you need to advance American national security interests,” the Senators continued.
    Joining Sens. Tuberville and Ricketts are Sens. Jim Banks (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Curtis (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jon Husted (R-OH), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jim Justice (R-WV), John Kennedy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Thune (R-SD), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Todd Young (R-IN) in signing the letter.
    Read the full letter below or here. 
    “Dear Mr. Trump:
    We write to express our strong support for your efforts to secure a deal with Iran that dismantles its nuclear program, and to reinforce the explicit warnings that you and officials in your administration have issued that the regime must permanently give up any capacity for enrichment.
    During your first term you withdrew the United States from the deeply broken Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and imposed maximum pressure on the regime. As you said then, a fatal flaw of the deal was that it ‘allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and, over time, reach the brink of a nuclear breakout.’  The JCPOA allowed Iran to sell oil, provided waivers allowing third countries to help Iran build out its nuclear program, and included the termination of United Nations sanctions on the regime. Despite critics claiming your withdrawal from the deal would allow Iran to advance its nuclear ambitions, the Iranian regime remained deterred from making substantial nuclear progress throughout your term because of your maximum pressure campaign.
    Tragically, the Biden administration systematically undid that pressure, functionally re-implementing the nuclear deal. They immediately rescinded your decision to reimpose U.N. sanctions, allowed Iran to sell oil at JCPOA-levels, and even re-issued waivers allowing Iran to build out its nuclear program. As you predicted, those policies indeed allowed Iran to reach the brink of nuclear breakout, which is where they are today. The Biden administration made those concessions without any reciprocal concessions from Iran, and Iran even ceased providing international inspectors access to significant parts of its nuclear program in the early days of the Biden administration.
    The scope and breadth of Iran’s nuclear buildout have made it impossible to verify any new deal that allows Iran to continue enriching uranium. In its most recent report, published on February 26, the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that because of Iran’s activities over the last four years, ‘the Agency has lost continuity of knowledge in relation to the production and current inventory of centrifuges, rotors and bellows, heavy water and UOC, which it will not be possible to restore.’
    You and your administration have therefore correctly drawn a redline against any deal that allows Iran to retain any enrichment capability. Your National Security Presidential Memorandum on Iran stated that “Iran’s nuclear program, including its enrichment- and reprocessing-related capabilities and nuclear-capable missiles, poses an existential danger to the United States and the entire civilized world,” and you recently said that only ‘full dismantlement’ of those capabilities would be acceptable. Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff has made it clear in that context of negotiation that for any final arrangement to work, “Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program.” 
    We cannot afford another agreement that enables Iran to play for time, as the JCPOA did. The Iranian regime should know that the administration has Congressional backing to ensure their ability to enrich uranium is permanently eliminated. 
    As always we stand ready to provide you and your administration whatever resources you need to advance American national security interests.
    Sincerely,”
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from Governor Josh Stein on Proposed Cuts to SNAP

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Statement from Governor Josh Stein on Proposed Cuts to SNAP

    Statement from Governor Josh Stein on Proposed Cuts to SNAP
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today Governor Josh Stein released the following statement on proposed federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): 

    “SNAP helps 1.4 million North Carolinians put food on the table. Congress’s proposed cuts are unprecedented and would make North Carolina pay up to $700 million to continue current benefits, all so that the wealthiest Americans can receive even bigger tax cuts. If Congress goes forward with these plans, our state will be forced into perilous budget decisions – should North Carolinians lose access to food, or should we get rid of other essential services? I urge our members of Congress to reject this budget proposal so that North Carolina families don’t go hungry.” 

    Currently, the federal government covers 100% of food benefits for SNAP participants. Now, Congress has proposed shifting food benefit costs to states for the first time in the program’s history. North Carolina footing $700 million in SNAP benefits for the first time would be the equivalent of 8,900 K-12 public school teacher positions.

    Four in five families participating in SNAP in NC have either a child, a senior, or an adult with a disability in the household. Each dollar in support for paying for groceries through SNAP frees up household resources for other essential needs like rent, utilities, or child care.

    SNAP contributes nearly $2.8 billion to North Carolina’s economy, and has a multiplier effect, with every $1 invested in SNAP benefits generating between $1.50 and $1.80 for local economies. SNAP cuts would mean people have less to spend at NC’s more than 9,200 SNAP retailers, which would hurt farmers, the larger food distribution pipeline, and local economies overall, especially in rural areas and small towns.    

    SNAP is playing a vital role in supporting western North Carolinians impacted by Hurricane Helene. The 25 western NC counties most impacted by Helene still have higher enrollment in SNAP in April 2025 than they did in September 2024 before the storm hit. Notably, immediately after the storm, SNAP received169,000 applications – the highest number of applications since Hurricane Florence in 2018.

    Last week, Governor Stein sent a letter to Congress laying out the implications for North Carolina if SNAP cuts move forward. Click here to read his letter. 

    Click here to learn more about the impact of proposed SNAP cuts on North Carolina.

    Click here to view county enrollment data for the SNAP program. 

    May 15, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Veeco Announces Upcoming Investor Events

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PLAINVIEW, N.Y., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Veeco Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ: VECO) today announced management is scheduled to participate in the following investor events:

    TD Cowen’s 53rd Annual Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the InterContinental New York Barclay in New York, New York. Veeco management will be available to meet one-on-one with investors during the conference.

    Northland Growth Conference on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Veeco management will be available to meet virtually one-on-one with investors during the conference.

    About Veeco
    Veeco (NASDAQ: VECO) is an innovative manufacturer of semiconductor process equipment. Our laser annealing, ion beam, single wafer etch & clean, lithography, and metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) technologies play an integral role in the fabrication and packaging of advanced semiconductor devices. With equipment designed to optimize performance, yield and cost of ownership, Veeco holds leading technology positions in the markets we serve. To learn more about Veeco’s systems and service offerings, visit www.veeco.com.

    To the extent that this news release discusses expectations or otherwise makes statements about the future, such statements are forward-looking and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include the risks discussed in the Business Description and Management’s Discussion and Analysis sections of Veeco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and press releases. Veeco does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

    Veeco Contacts:                                
    Investors: Anthony Pappone | (516) 500-8798 | apappone@veeco.com
    Media: Javier Banos | (516) 673-7328 | jbanos@veeco.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kentucky Homeowners With Privately-Owned Road and Bridge Damage May Be Eligible for FEMA Assistance

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency 2

    strong>FRANKFORT, Ky. – If you had a privately-owned road or bridge damaged or destroyed by the April severe storms, FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may provide financial assistance for replacement or repairs.
    FEMA Assistance
    FEMA may provide funds to repair privately-owned access roads and bridges that were damaged by the storms. To qualify, you must be the owner, and the home must serve as your primary residence.
    A FEMA inspection is needed to determine if repairs are necessary for a vehicle to access the property. In addition, you must meet the following conditions:

    A FEMA inspection determines repairs are necessary to provide drivable access to the primary residence.
    The applicant is responsible, or shares responsibility with other homeowners, for maintaining the privately-owned access route to their primary residence.
    The privately-owned access route is the only access to the applicant’s primary residence, and repair or replacement is necessary for the safety of occupants, allowing access for emergency vehicles or equipment.

    When multiple households share a privately-owned access route, assistance is shared among applicants, requiring additional coordination and documentation between FEMA and each applicant. Applicants may be eligible for funds to repair a private road or bridge damaged in the disaster, even if their primary residence did not sustain damage.
    U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans
    The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), FEMA’s federal partner in disaster recovery, may also be able to help. Homeowners who share private access roads and bridges with other homeowners may be eligible for SBA disaster loans.
    Agricultural property is not eligible, but a private access road to the farmer’s residence, the residence itself and personal contents may be eligible under disaster home loan criteria. 
    Please contact your Kentucky Farm Service Agency (USDA Service Center Locator). 
    For more information, call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
    For more information about Kentucky flooding recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4860 and www.fema.gov/disaster/4864. Follow the FEMA Region 4 X account at x.com/femaregion4.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – MEPs back new tariffs on Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods

    Source: European Parliament

    The International Trade Committee has approved a 50% increase in tariffs on certain Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods to further reduce EU dependency.

    MEPs in the International Trade Committee have backed a Commission proposal to increase EU tariffs by 50% on those agricultural products from Russia and Belarus that are still excluded from other customs duties. The aim is to reduce EU dependency on the two countries still further. Products to be hit by the new tariffs include sugars, vinegar, flour and animal feed.

    The approved text also provides period. The latter duties would rise to €430 per tonne by 2028. Income from Russian and Belarusian fertilisers is seen as contributing directly to the war against Ukraine.

    The proposed measures will significantly reduce imports into the EU of the goods concerned originating in or exported directly or indirectly from Russia and Belarus. This should result in further diversification of EU fertiliser production, a sector that is currently suffering from the low prices of imported goods.

    The legislation also tasks the Commission with monitoring and acting to mitigate price increases that could damage the internal market and the EU agriculture sector.

    The draft regulation was adopted by 29 votes in favour, 6 against and 2 abstentions.

    Quote

    The standing rapporteur for Russia Inese Vaidere (EPP, LV) said: “This regulation to gradually increase customs duties for products from Russia and Belarus will help to prevent Russia from using the EU market to finance its war machine. It is not acceptable that three years after Russia launched its full-scale war, the EU is still buying critical products in large volumes; in fact, these imports have significantly increased.

    The proposal will also boost EU fertiliser production, which has taken a hit from cheap Russian imports, while giving farmers time to adjust.”

    Next steps

    The proposal will now be put to a vote in Parliament’s next plenary session, which will take place in Brussels, on Thursday 22 May.

    Background

    Imports into the EU of urea and nitrogen-based fertilisers from Russia, already high in 2023, increased significantly in 2024. According to the Commission, imports of the fertilisers covered by this regulation reflect a situation of economic dependence on Russia. If left unchecked, the situation could harm EU food security and, especially in the case of fertilisers, make the EU vulnerable to possible coercive measures by Russia.

    To tackle these issues, on 28 January 2025, the Commission presented its proposal to impose tariffs on fertilisers and certain agricultural products originating in Russia and Belarus.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Mullin, Oklahoma Delegation Sit-Down Interview: “Oklahoma Punches Above Its Weight in Congress”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    ICYMI: Mullin, Oklahoma Delegation Sit-Down Interview: “Oklahoma Punches Above Its Weight in Congress”

    “We find ourselves with a really good opportunity to make some big differences for the country right now. I think we can all say this, we feel privileged to be here right now.”
    Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, Oklahoma’s News 9 released a 40-minute roundtable interview featuring U.S. Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), James Lankford (R-OK), and U.S. Representatives Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Frank Lucas (R-OK), Tom Cole (R-OK), Kevin Hern (R-OK), and Josh Brecheen (R-OK) for a special congressional delegation sit-down discussion with long-time Washington Bureau Chief, Alex Cameron.
    During the wide-ranging conversation, the members gave an inside look as to how Oklahoma’s seven-member Republican delegation is working with the Trump administration and leveraging their committee assignments to deliver big wins for the Sooner State. Highlights below.

    Sen. Mullin and the Oklahoma congressional delegation’s interview can be found here.
    On how the Oklahoma delegation punches above their weight:
    “I have no title, and I think James [Sen. Lankford] said it right, you see a problem and you go fix it. For me, I’m a Junior Senator. I don’t have seniority over here. So, what I have to do is, if youwant to get something accomplished, you have to build a coalition to do that. What’s interesting about our delegation is we all punch way above our weight. We all have separate issues, we trust each other, we allow that individual to take the leading position on that. 
    “I don’t care if it’s from Tom [Rep. Cole] on approps [House Committee on Appropriations] or Frank [Rep. Lucas] on ag [House Committee on Agriculture] issues, James being with financial services [Senate Committee on Financial Services] or budget [Senate Committee on the Budget] or you have Stephanie [Rep. Bice] and we have the ability to work together now on armed services [Senate Committee on Armed Services and House Committee on Armed Services] and on approps too, and you have Kevin [Rep. Hern] and you have Josh [Rep. Brecheen] who are all leading in different aspects in the House. What we have to do is build a coalition. What I learned when I went to the Senate real quick is that both chambers worry about the other chamber and most of the time when I’m arguing with my wife, it’s a misunderstanding.”
    On how the senator’s role benefits the Sooner State:
    “The role that I play between the White House, between the Senate, and between the House is breaking down that miscommunication and just bringing the facts to the table.
    “Instead of worrying about what someone’s going to do, build a coalition to figure out how we can accomplish what our common goal is and deliver for the American people. That’s simply having a conversation and putting the right people on the telephone, putting the right people in the room, and having a clear vision on what we’re trying to accomplish.
    “Fortunately, because I served so long in the House and I have those relationships and have been able to maintain those relationships, and have been able to build relationships in the Senate, and obviously have an outstanding relationship with the president, who I call a friend, we find ourselves with a really good opportunity to make some big differences for the country right now. I think we can all say this, we feel privileged to be here right now.”
    On his support for President Trump’s tariff strategy:
    “I have a saying; you’re never going to change anything you’re willing to tolerate. We’ve tolerated it [Unfair trade deals] so long. We’ve known it was wrong. We’ve known we’ve had to do something and finally we’re doing it. It is uncomfortable, but at what point was we going to fix it? At what point was it coming to head where it was going to force us to fix it? There is countries who’ve gotten extremely wealthy by taking trillions of dollars outside of the United States’ economy just turn it back around and sell it to us…
    “A scalpel doesn’t work, nor can you simply take tariffs one country at a time…
    “People have been taking advantage of us way too long, and President Trump is finally fixing it. It’s uncomfortable, but we had to right the ship at some point. This is the time to do it.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How Denmark’s oysters are transforming foodies into citizen scientists

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Dominique Townsend, Visiting Researcher, School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton

    Lea Meilandt Mathisen, CC BY-NC-ND

    This year 80 people put on their waders, grabbed buckets and quadrats (square metal frames), and splashed through the clear shallow waters. Once they reached one of the many sampling locations, marked by miniature floats, they threw their quadrats into the shallow water, ready to collect all the sea life that landed inside their quadrats.

    No one had any idea what they might find living on the seabed until they reached into the water. Nearby, kids peered down at the seabed using underwater scopes, grandparents chuckled as they returned for a second forage.

    This citizen science project combines coastal ecology and gastronomy. Our groups returned to the sorting stations to identify, count, weigh and measure each bucket of creatures and algae. A typical bucket might contain four living Pacific oysters, nine dead, a brush-clawed shore crab, four folded sea squirts and a handful of snails.

    Then, we sat down together to eat a gourmet oyster dinner, prepared by Denmark’s top chefs. Organised by a shellfish gastrotourism association called Danmarks Skaldyrshovedstad, this oyster hunt (Østerjagten 2025) is a new annual festival held at the Salling Sund Bridge in the Danish Limfjorden, a 110-mile strait of water in northern Denmark.

    Citizen scientists gather flora and fauna samples from the seafloor.
    Lea Meilandt Mathisen, CC BY-NC-ND

    The invasive Pacific oysters people had collected from the seabed then went on to be shucked and cooked. They were served au gratin, with wild flavour combinations, ranging from blueberry and blue cheese to shavings of prosciutto with strawberries and lime.

    Most people told us they came along because of the quirkiness of this event, and the promise of gourmet food. Less than one in five people stated their interest in marine research as their reason for joining. Nobody attended the event just for the science.

    As a coastal change researcher, this result was exciting – we were reaching an audience that might not normally engage. Even after participating, many people didn’t feel like citizen scientists. But when asked what they had learnt, most recalled facts about coastal ecology, as well as new ways to cook oysters.

    A delicious plate of Pacific oysters served au gratin.
    Lea Meilandt Mathisen, CC BY-NC-ND



    Read more:
    How citizen science is shaping international conservation

    Eating aliens

    Back to the basket sample contents. Pacific oyster, brush-clawed shore crab, folded sea squirts: none are native to the Limfjorden or Danish waters. So many people were shocked to find out that their baskets were full of invasive species – these “alien species” are non-native and can compete with the resident species for both food and space.

    Despite an increase in the number of empty Pacific oysters shells we found this year compared to last (indicating more oyster deaths), temperatures are rising in this estuary system. This means that conditions are becoming more suitable for the Pacific oysters and the other invasive creatures, many of which originate in warmer waters.

    Individual Pacific oysters were measured by hand.
    Lea Meilandt Mathisen, CC BY-NC-ND

    All oysters provide ecosystem services; improving water quality, forming new habitats and protecting coastlines from erosion by reducing wave energy. As Pacific oysters are bigger, rougher, tougher and much faster growing than native European oysters, they can have a greater impact on the environment.

    This, however, is not necessarily a good thing. As Pacific oysters take over European oyster and blue mussel beds, birds which once fed on these species are left without vital food sources. The thick shells mean they have no predators once they reach a certain size. Beach goers can also be affected as the razor-sharp shells occupy previously sandy bathing areas.

    Farming of the Pacific oyster has been banned in Denmark since 1998, yet despite this measure, Pacific oyster beds are now widespread and prevalent across Denmark’s estuaries. A single oyster can release between 50 and 200 million eggs during a spawning event each year meaning it is impossible to control them.

    A young citizen scientist holds a small shore crab.
    Lea Meilandt Mathisen, CC BY-NC-ND

    While children were discovering the joy of sea squirts, other marine scientists and I could have tougher conversations with adults about climate change. We explained that warming temperatures are clearly visible in the here-and-now of local monitoring data.

    The Limfjorden is made up of a series of fjords and islands in northern Denmark which link the North Sea to the Kattergat (the sea between Denmark and Sweden). This area is characterised by undisturbed coastlines and rolling hills, as well as some famous geological sites. It is a popular holiday destination for those that enjoy being in nature, some Danish hyggelig (comfort) and seafood.

    But the Limfjorden is subject to numerous pressures: eutrophication (when extra nutrients in the water cause toxic algal blooms), changing climate, fishing, dumping of dredged materials and the arrival of invasive species. Its resilience to these may serve as an ecological bell weather for the rest of the world’s coasts.

    Our event highlights how we’ll have to deal with environmental issues together. One feedback form still sits on my desk, the participant wrote in Danish: “Forskning er alle mands projekt og at det har effekt.” This translates to “research is everyone’s project and it has an effect”.

    This edible approach offers a new way of communicating complex issues such as biodiversity and the introduction of alien species. Oyster hunt-style events such as this offer an excellent opportunity for scientists like us to provide some food for thought.

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

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

    Camille Saurel receives funding from the European Union, Danish Government and research councils.

    Pedro Seabra Freitas receives funding from the European Union, Danish Government and Research Councils, Aage V. Jensen Naturfond.

    Dominique Townsend 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. How Denmark’s oysters are transforming foodies into citizen scientists – https://theconversation.com/how-denmarks-oysters-are-transforming-foodies-into-citizen-scientists-255828

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Feenstra Secures Tax Relief and Agricultural Investments in President Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, as the only member of Congress serving on both the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Agriculture Committee, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) voted to advance the tax and agricultural portions of President Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” out of each committee.

    “This week, as a member of both the Ways and Means Committee and the Agriculture Committee, I voted to advance the tax cuts and agricultural investments of President Trump’s ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill.’ This legislation lowers taxes for our families, farmers, workers, and businesses while supporting investments in domestic manufacturing, business growth, Iowa agriculture, and U.S. energy production,” said Rep. Feenstra. “I’m also glad that provisions that I led are included like death tax relief, paid family and medical leave for employees of small businesses, affordable crop insurance policies for young and beginning farmers, investments in foreign animal disease prevention, and expansion of our export markets. Working with President Trump, we are delivering on our promise to the American people to cut taxes, grow our economy, secure our border, and unleash American energy production.”

    Feenstra-led and -sponsored provisions include:

    • An increase in the exemption on the death tax,
    • Support for small businesses to offer paid family and medical leave to their employees,
    • Flexibility for community banks to offer agricultural business loans at more affordable rates for farmers and rural businesses,
    • Investments in homegrown Iowa biofuels,
    • Tax provisions to help American businesses compete on a level playing field with foreign businesses,
    • Higher standard deduction for families and workers,
    • New $4,000 bonus deduction for seniors,
    • Increased child tax credit for families,
    • Permanent 23% deduction for qualified business income for small businesses,
    • Lower crop insurance costs for young, beginning, and veteran farmers,
    • Doubled funding for the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program,
    • Support for foreign animal disease prevention, mitigation, and response,
    • Prevention of administrative errors when distributing SNAP payments, ensuring nutrition assistance is fighting food insecurity, and,
    • Investments in watershed infrastructure and flood prevention.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: American National Insurance Company Ranked Among America’s Most Trustworthy Companies by Newsweek

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American National Insurance Company has been named one of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies 2025 on the prestigious insurance industry list published by Newsweek in collaboration with market research firm Statista. This marks the fourth year in a row that American National has been recognized as one of the most trustworthy companies.

    “At American National, trust is the foundation of everything we do,” said Tim Walsh, president and chief executive officer. “Our commitment has always been to be a source of certainty for our clients.”

    Newsweek’s Most Trustworthy Companies 2025 rankings evaluated 700 companies across 23 industries, using 100,000 independent assessments from consumers, employees, and investors. The selection process also incorporated online sentiment analysis, recognizing companies that consistently demonstrate ethical practices and strong leadership.

    American National is dedicated to its mission of delivering financial security and peace of mind through innovative insurance solutions, excellent customer service, and a longstanding tradition of trust.

    For more information about American National Insurance Company and its commitment to policyholders, visit www.AmericanNational.com. Click here to view Newsweek’s full rankings of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies 2025.

    ABOUT AMERICAN NATIONAL

    Founded in 1905 and based in Galveston, Texas, American National Insurance Company (American National) is dedicated to being a source of certainty for millions of Americans through a comprehensive range of wealth protection, retirement, and insurance products and services. American National combines our expertise and resources to cater to the diverse needs of our clients, guiding them towards financial security and peace of mind. For more information, visit our website at AmericanNational.com.

    Annuities, life insurance and other products and services are written through multiple companies. Property and casualty insurance is written through American National Property And Casualty Company, Springfield, Missouri, and affiliates. In New York, business is written through Farm Family Casualty Insurance Company, United Farm Family Insurance Company, and American National Life Insurance Company of New York, Glenmont, New York. Not all products and services are available in all states. Not all companies are licensed in all states. Each company has financial responsibility only for the products and services it issues.

    Contact: Scott Campbell
    SVP, Corporate Communications
    Scott.Campbell@AmericanNational.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand, Schumer, Wyden, Sanders, Merkley, Klobuchar Slam Trump Administration’s Attacks On Senior Nutrition Programs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
    In 2022, Nearly 7 Million Older Americans—Including 13.7 Percent Of Older Americans in New York—Experienced Food Insecurity
    Now, Republicans Are Trying To Cut Critical Programs That Help Seniors Put Food On The Table, Including Medicaid, Social Services Block Grant, and SNAP
    Lawmakers: “The cuts will exacerbate hunger, poor health, and social isolation”
    U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN),and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) wrote a letter to their Republican colleagues asking them to reconsider their proposed cuts and attacks on programs and agencies that support senior nutrition programs. The senators wrote in their capacities as ranking members of the Senate Committees on Aging; Finance; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Budget; Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; and as Senate Democratic Leader, respectively. If implemented, the Republican’s proposed cuts to the programs will take hot meals, nutritious food, and social interaction away from millions of older adults nationwide, jeopardizing their health and quality of life.
    “We are writing today to express our serious concerns regarding efforts by the Trump administration and the potential of cuts proposed in your budget resolution to debilitate our nation’s beloved nutrition programs for seniors, taking hot meals, sustenance, and social interaction away from our seniors to fund tax cuts for billionaires,” wrote the lawmakers. “These attacks are multifaceted and will deeply hurt all aspects of senior nutrition services, from funding to program delivery. The cuts will exacerbate hunger, poor health, and social isolation, and our nation’s seniors will be gravely harmed by these decisions.”
    Specifically, the Senators asked Republicans to reconsider the following actions:
    Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is the largest food assistance program in the country;
    The dismantling of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), which administers the Older Americans Act’s nutrition programs; 
    The elimination of the Social Services Block Grant, which provides critical funding for senior nutrition programs;
    Cuts to Medicaid, which funds meal-delivery programs through Section 1115 waivers for home-bound older adults and people with disabilities; and
    Attacks on the Social Security Administration, which ensures accurate and timely payment of Social Security benefits so that older adults and people with disabilities can put food on the table.
    The full text of the Senators’ letter is available here or below:
    Dear Republican Colleagues: 
    We are writing today to express our serious concerns regarding efforts by the Trump Administration and the potential of cuts proposed in your budget resolution to debilitate our nation’s beloved nutrition programs for seniors, taking hot meals, sustenance, and social interaction away from our seniors to fund tax cuts for billionaires. These attacks are multifaceted and will deeply hurt all aspects of senior nutrition services, from funding to program delivery. The cuts will exacerbate hunger, poor health, and social isolation, and our nation’s seniors will be gravely harmed by these decisions. 
    In 2022, nearly 7 million older Americans experienced food insecurity, with numbers projected to reach up to 9 million by 2050. Hunger is particularly salient for older adults living in rural areas and in the South. Food insecure seniors are 74 percent more likely to be diabetic, nearly 3 times more likely to suffer from depression, 71 percent more likely to have congestive heart failure, and 64 percent more likely to have a heart attack. Without access to nutritious food, seniors are more likely to live in poor health—this is not the life we want or envision for our older Americans. 
    Senior nutrition programs, such as Meals on Wheels, include meal delivery services and congregate nutrition programs (e.g., those provided at senior centers). For home-bound seniors, meal delivery services are a lifeline; for some, the meals delivered will be the only meal they have to eat all day. Beyond nutrition, meal delivery services provide life-sustaining social interaction and safety checks for older adults; many seniors report going for weeks without seeing another person if not for their home-delivered meals volunteers. Similarly, congregate meals provide the nutrition and social connection needed for seniors to live and thrive in their communities. Senior nutrition programs save taxpayer dollars by reducing more costly health care expenditures such as avoidable trips to the emergency room, and hospital admissions and readmissions. Furthermore, senior nutrition programs can delay or eliminate the need for placement in a long-term care facility. These programs use taxpayer dollars efficiently; the cost of just one day in a hospital or ten days in a nursing home is nearly equivalent to a full year of Meals on Wheels. Cutting senior nutrition programs will increase unnecessary health care expenditures among older adults. 
    In addition, funding from the Social Services Block Grant, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, and Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) enable seniors to put food on the table and access nutrition support. Enacting policies and funding cuts that force seniors to go hungry is cruel. We ask that you to stand with older Americans and reconsider any efforts to scale back support and back off attacks on the SSA and Administration of Community Living (ACL) programs. 
    We are specifically concerned about the impact of the following actions and proposed cuts:
    The dismantling of the Administration for Community Living threatens the delivery of senior nutrition programs. The Older Americans Act (OAA) is a fundamental source of support for senior nutrition. In 2019, over 223 million meals were provided to older adults through OAA’s Nutrition Programs. ACL is responsible for the delivery of most OAA programs. The Department of Health and Human Services recently proposed a “reorganization” of ACL. However, there has been no clarity or transparency in the proposed reorganization. Transferring ACL programs to the Administration for Children and Families, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services—also reeling from devastating staffing reductions— disrupts implementation of the home-delivered and congregate meals programs. Disruption in program administration and delivery means that the 2.4 million seniors who rely on these meal programs for critical nutrition are at risk of going hungry and of further health complications. We ask that you work with us to ensure the integrity and wholeness of any and all OAA programs that are being transferred out of ACL. 
    Eliminating the Social Services Block Grant and cutting Medicaid take food away from seniors. In addition to OAA funding, the Social Services Block Grant also provides critical support for senior nutrition programs. For example, cuts to the Social Services Block Grant will force the Meals on Wheels program in Abilene, Texas to cut more than half of its services, taking away hot meals and sustenance away from hundreds of Texans who are older adults or people with disabilities. Medicaid can also fill the gap of unmet food needs and reduce the likelihood of nutrition-related health conditions through meal-delivery programs provided through Section 1115 waivers for home-bound older adults and people with disabilities. We ask that you reconsider any potential attacks to the Social Services Block Grant, Medicaid funding and changes to waiver programs that address health- related social issues, and other vital sources of social services funding that help seniors live full and healthy lives. 
    Attacks on Social Security threaten seniors’ food security. The so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” or DOGE’s attack on the SSA has debilitated its ability to provide quality customer service and threatens timely and accurate benefit payments for seniors and people with disabilities. Forty percent of older Americans rely on Social Security as their only source of retirement income—money to make sure they have food on the table. Without their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, over half of disabled adult beneficiaries would live below the federal poverty line. Through office closures and slashing of staff, SSA will not be able to provide critical customer services to Social Security beneficiaries. If DOGE continues to toy around with the integrity of the SSA’s payment system, a total collapse may result—seniors will not receive their Social Security checks, and they will go hungry. We ask that you rein in DOGE’s attacks on the SSA and work with us to strengthen the Social Security programs so all Americans can access their earned benefits. 
    Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The SNAP Program is the centerpiece of our public anti-hunger infrastructure and is, by far, the biggest food assistance program promoting the food security of Americans. Food insecure seniors consume less energy and have lower intake of key nutrients, and SNAP participation is linked to fewer nursing home and hospital admissions for seniors. SNAP cuts of $230 billion or more, as contemplated by the budget resolution, would fall heavily on senior citizens, who would almost certainly be subject to benefit or eligibility cuts, forcing elderly individuals to make painful choices between purchasing food, medicine, or other daily necessities. We urge you to reconsider any potential cuts to SNAP.
    Republican colleagues, we ask for your commitment to preserving and supporting these programs to ensure that our nation’s seniors have the nutrition and sustenance they need to live healthy, nourished lives in the community.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurates Veterinary College building in Nagaland

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Thursday inaugurated the newly constructed Administrative-cum-Academic Block of the College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), located at Jalukie in Nagaland.
     
    Addressing the gathering at the inaugural function, the Union Minister lauded the progress made in the agriculture and livestock sectors in Nagaland. He acknowledged the region’s unique agri-products and potential, and announced a financial assistance of ₹338.83 crore for the overall growth and development of the agriculture sector in the state.
     
    Chouhan urged the Nagaland government to formulate a comprehensive action plan for agriculture and rural development. He assured the state of the Centre’s full cooperation and support in this endeavour.
     
    To strengthen grassroots agricultural development, the Minister suggested the formation of a core scientific team in each district. This team would include scientists, officials from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), university professionals, and farmers. He said the team should engage directly with farmers in villages at least twice a month to understand their challenges, which would facilitate evidence-based policy making and appropriate technological interventions.
     
    Highlighting the scope for natural farming in Nagaland, the Union Minister said the Central Government is committed to supporting such sustainable practices. He also appreciated the initiatives of the College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry and invited its students to Delhi to share their innovative ideas with him.
     
    Chouhan assured full cooperation and financial assistance for entrepreneurship and start-up development among students, and expressed his desire to visit Nagaland again for further interaction with farmers and students.
     
    Nagaland Governor La. Ganesan, who presided over the function, commended the role played by Central Agricultural University, Imphal and its constituent college in advancing animal healthcare and agricultural development in the region. He stressed the importance of scientific methods and collaboration among stakeholders to realise the vision of a developed India by 2047.
     
    Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, T. R. Zeliang, also spoke at the event, underlining the need for technical interventions and research-driven farming to achieve agricultural and economic progress in the state.
     
    The event witnessed participation from 639 farmers and 84 officials from both the State and Central Governments.