Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Spring sowing in Heilongjiang cultivation areas in full swing
Category: Farming
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MIL-OSI China: Spring sowing in Heilongjiang cultivation areas in full swing
A drone photo taken on May 8, 2025 shows an agricultural machine conducting soil treatment in a field of a farming company under Beidahuang Group in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. At present, the spring sowing in Heilongjiang cultivation areas are in full swing. All agricultural production units of Beidahuang Group, one of China’s leading agricultural conglomerates, are seizing the farming season and busy with the sowing operations in both paddy rice fields and dry fields. [Photo/Xinhua] A drone photo taken on May 8, 2025 shows farmers transplanting seedlings in a paddy rice field of a farming company under Beidahuang Group in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua] A drone photo taken on May 8, 2025 shows a self-driving transplanter powered by the Beidou navigation system operating in a paddy rice field of a farm of Beidahuang Group in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua] An aerial drone photo taken on May 8, 2025 shows an agricultural machine conducting corn sowing operation in a dry field of a farming company under Beidahuang Group in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua] A worker of the Beidahuang Group performs post-sowing operations on a tractor in a soybean field of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, May 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] Farmers operate high-speed transplanters powered by the Beidou satellite navigation system in a paddy rice field of a farm of Beidahuang Group in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, May 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] This drone photo taken on May 8, 2025 shows agricultural machinery ready to sow soybeans in a dry field of a farming company under the Beidahuang Group, in Shuangyashan City, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua] A drone photo taken on May 7, 2025 shows farmers transplanting seedlings in a paddy rice field of a farming company under the Beidahuang Group’s branch in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua] This drone photo taken on May 8, 2025 shows vast blocks of farmland of a farming company under the Beidahuang Group, in Shuangyashan City, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua] This photo taken on May 8, 2025 shows a soybean seed sowed in a dry field of a farming company under the Beidahuang Group, in Shuangyashan City, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua] Workers load soybean seeds and fertilizers at sunset in a field of a farming company under Beidahuang Group in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, May 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] -
MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, Kennedy Introduce Legislation Supporting Louisiana Crawfish Farmers
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and John Kennedy (R-LA) introduced the CRAWDAD Act to support Louisiana crawfish producers through severe weather challenges by making them eligible for Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP) funding on a permanent basis, ensuring that they have access to the emergency support they need without bureaucratic delays. The bill would also classify a drought as a weather event that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture could declare as an emergency.
“When you think Louisiana, you think crawfish. Crawfish farmers work hard to provide Louisiana and the world with the tastiest crawdads possible. Let’s support them as they do so, rain or shine,” said Dr. Cassidy.
“Come rain, shine, sleet or snow, Louisiana’s mudbug farmers always work hard to deliver quality food to crawfish lovers. My CRAWDAD Act would make sure crawfish producers have access to the emergency support they need when droughts and other severe weather strike,” said Senator Kennedy.
The CRAWDAD Act is supported by the Louisiana Farm Bureau.
Background
(ELAP) provides producers of livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish access to federal financial assistance when they face adverse weather, disease, or loss conditions. In 2021, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture temporarily expanded ELAP to include crawfish producers when the industry suffered losses. -
MIL-OSI Europe: Minutes – Thursday, 8 May 2025 – Strasbourg – Final edition
Source: European Parliament
PV-10-2025-05-08
EN
EN
iPlPv_Sit
Minutes Thursday, 8 May 2025 – Strasbourg IN THE CHAIR: Christel SCHALDEMOSE
Vice-President1. Opening of the sitting The sitting opened at 09:00.
2. Composition of political groups Volker Schnurrbusch was no longer sitting as a non-attached Member and had joined the ESN Group as of 8 May 2025.
3. Composition of committees and delegations The ESN Group had notified the President of the following decision changing the composition of the committees and delegations:
– TRAN Committee: Volker Schnurrbusch to replace Siegbert Frank Droese
The decision took effect as of that day.
4. 80 years after the end of World War II – freedom, democracy and security as the heritage of Europe (debate) Statements by Parliament: 80 years after the end of World War II – freedom, democracy and security as the heritage of Europe (2025/2694(RSP))
The following spoke: Sebastião Bugalho, on behalf of the PPE Group, Marc Angel, on behalf of the S&D Group, Kinga Gál, on behalf of the PfE Group, Patryk Jaki, on behalf of the ECR Group, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, on behalf of the Renew Group, Thomas Waitz, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Konstantinos Arvanitis, on behalf of The Left Group, René Aust, on behalf of the ESN Group, Sandra Kalniete, Javi López, Hermann Tertsch, Adrian-George Axinia, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, who also answered blue-card questions from Arkadiusz Mularczyk and Petr Bystron, Nela Riehl, Marina Mesure, Stanislav Stoyanov, Ruth Firmenich, Łukasz Kohut, Evelyn Regner, António Tânger Corrêa, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Michał Kobosko, Benedetta Scuderi, Danilo Della Valle, Zsuzsanna Borvendég, Ondřej Dostál, Wouter Beke, Francisco Assis, who also answered a blue-card question from Sebastião Bugalho, Anders Vistisen, Rihards Kols, Charles Goerens and Arkadiusz Mularczyk to put a blue-card question to Charles Goerens.
IN THE CHAIR: Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS
Vice-PresidentThe following spoke: Charles Goerens, who answered a blue-card question from Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Jaume Asens Llodrà, João Oliveira, Ivan David, Danuše Nerudová, Cecilia Strada, Alexandre Varaut, Stephen Nikola Bartulica, Dan Barna, Anna Strolenberg, Rudi Kennes, Paulius Saudargas, René Repasi, who also answered blue-card questions from Bogdan Rzońca and Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Marieke Ehlers, Aurelijus Veryga, Anna-Maja Henriksson, Sunčana Glavak, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Sebastian Tynkkynen, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Petras Gražulis, Martin Hojsík, Evin Incir, who also answered a blue-card question from Bogdan Rzońca, Adam Bielan, who also answered a blue-card question from Petras Gražulis, Engin Eroglu, Nils Ušakovs, Christophe Grudler, Nikos Papandreou, Thomas Pellerin-Carlin and Matjaž Nemec.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Viktória Ferenc, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Siegbert Frank Droese, Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos and Lukas Sieper.
The debate closed.
5. Old challenges and new commercial practices in the internal market (debate) Question for oral answer O-000012/2025 by Anna Cavazzini, on behalf of the IMCO Committee to the Commission: B10-0005/2025 (2025/2542(RSP))
Anna Cavazzini moved the question.
Stéphane Séjourné (Executive Vice-President of the Commission) answered the question.
The following spoke: Andreas Schwab, on behalf of the PPE Group, Laura Ballarín Cereza, on behalf of the S&D Group, Klara Dostalova, on behalf of the PfE Group, Stefano Cavedagna, on behalf of the ECR Group, Svenja Hahn, on behalf of the Renew Group, Alice Kuhnke, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Hanna Gedin, on behalf of The Left Group, Pablo Arias Echeverría, Alex Agius Saliba, Ernő Schaller-Baross, Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz, Biljana Borzan, Elisabeth Dieringer, who also answered a blue-card question from Lukas Sieper, Tomislav Sokol, Pierre Jouvet, Zala Tomašič, Dimitris Tsiodras and Regina Doherty.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Bogdan Rzońca, João Oliveira and Lukas Sieper.
The following spoke: Stéphane Séjourné.
Motions for resolutions tabled under Rule 142(5) to wind up the debate: minutes of 8.5.2025, item I.
The debate closed.
Vote: 8 May 2025.
(The sitting was suspended at 11:51.)
IN THE CHAIR: Javi LÓPEZ
Vice-President6. Resumption of the sitting The sitting resumed at 12:04.
⁂
The following spoke: René Aust, concerning an incident on Parliament’s premises in Brussels on 30 April 2025 (the President provided some clarifications).
7. Voting time For detailed results of the votes, see also ‘Results of votes’ and ‘Results of roll-call votes’.
7.1. Arrest and risk of execution of Tundu Lissu, Chair of Chadema, the main opposition party in Tanzania (vote) Motions for resolutions RC-B10-0260/2025 (minutes of 8.5.2025, item I), B10-0260/2025, B10-0261/2025, B10-0262/2025, B10-0263/2025, B10-0264/2025 and B10-0265/2025 (minutes of 7.5.2025, item I) (2025/2690(RSP))
(Majority of the votes cast)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0095)
(Motion for a resolution B10-0262/2025 fell.)
(‘Results of votes’, item 1)
7.4. Ninth report on economic and social cohesion (vote) Report on the ninth report on economic and social cohesion [2024/2107(INI)] – Committee on Regional Development. Rapporteur: Jacek Protas (A10-0066/2025)
(Majority of the votes cast)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
Adopted by single vote (P10_TA(2025)0098)
(‘Results of votes’, item 4)
7.5. CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles for 2025 to 2027 ***I (vote) Amending Regulation (EU) 2019/631 to include an additional flexibility as regards the calculation of manufacturers’ compliance with CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles for the calendar years 2025 to 2027 – (COM(2025)0136 – C10-0062/2025 – 2025/0070(COD)) – Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety
(Majority of the votes cast)
COMMISSION PROPOSAL and AMENDMENTS
Approved (P10_TA(2025)0099)
Parliament’s first reading thus closed.
(‘Results of votes’, item 5)
7.6. The protection status of the wolf (Canis lupus) ***I (vote) Amending Council Directive 92/43/EEC as regards the protection status of the wolf (Canis lupus) – (COM(2025)0106 – C10-0044/2025 – 2025/0058(COD)) – Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety
(Majority of the votes cast)
PROPOSAL TO REJECT THE COMMISSION PROPOSAL
Rejected
COMMISSION PROPOSALApproved (P10_TA(2025)0100)
Parliament’s first reading thus closed.
(‘Results of votes’, item 6)
7.7. The role of gas storage for securing gas supplies ahead of the winter season ***I (vote) Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 as regards the role of gas storage for securing gas supplies ahead of the winter season [COM(2025)0099 – C10-0041/2025 – 2025/0051(COD)] – Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. Rapporteur: Borys Budka (A10-0079/2025)
The debate had taken place on 7 May 2025 (minutes of 7.5.2025, item 16).
(Majority of the votes cast)
COMMISSION PROPOSAL and AMENDMENTS
Approved (P10_TA(2025)0101)
REQUEST FOR REFERRAL BACK TO COMMITTEE
Approved
The following had spoken:
Borys Budka (rapporteur), after the vote on the Commission proposal, to request that the matter be referred back to the committee responsible, for institutional negotiations, under Rule 60(4). Parliament agreed to the request.
(‘Results of votes’, item 7)
7.8. Screening of foreign investments in the Union ***I (vote) Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the screening of foreign investments in the Union and repealing Regulation (EU) 2019/452 of the European Parliament and of the Council [COM(2024)0023 – C9-0011/2024 – 2024/0017(COD)] – Committee on International Trade. Rapporteur: Raphaël Glucksmann (A10-0061/2025)
(Majority of the votes cast)
COMMISSION PROPOSAL and AMENDMENTS
Approved (P10_TA(2025)0102)
REQUEST FOR REFERRAL BACK TO COMMITTEE
Approved
The following had spoken:
Raphaël Glucksmann (rapporteur), after the vote on the Commission proposal, to request that the matter be referred back to the committee responsible, for institutional negotiations, under Rule 60(4). Parliament agreed to the request.
(‘Results of votes’, item 8)
7.9. Suspending certain parts of Regulation (EU) 2015/478 as regards imports of Ukrainian products into the European Union ***I (vote) Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council suspending certain parts of Regulation (EU) 2015/478 as regards imports of Ukrainian products into the European Union [COM(2025)0107 – C10-0042/2025 – 2025/0056(COD)] – Committee on International Trade. Rapporteur: Karin Karlsbro (A10-0059/2025)
(Majority of the votes cast)
REQUEST TO POSTPONE THE VOTE (ESN Group) (Rule 206(4))
Rejected
COMMISSION PROPOSAL and AMENDMENTS
Approved (P10_TA(2025)0103)
Parliament’s first reading thus closed.
The following had spoken:
– Hans Neuhoff, on behalf of the ESN Group, to request that the vote be postponed pursuant to Rule 206(4), and Bernd Lange, against the request.
– Karin Karlsbro (rapporteur), before the vote, to make a statement under Rule 165(4).
– Costas Kadis (Member of the Commission), before the vote, to make a statement.
(‘Results of votes’, item 9)
7.10. Competition policy – annual report 2024 (vote) Report on competition policy – annual report 2024 [2024/2079(INI)] – Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Rapporteur: Lara Wolters (A10-0071/2025)
The debate had taken place on 7 May 2025 (minutes of 7.5.2025, item 12).
(Majority of the votes cast)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0104)
The following had spoken:
Majdouline Sbai, to move an oral amendment to Amendment 1. Parliament agreed to put the oral amendment to the vote.(‘Results of votes’, item 10)
7.11. Banking Union – annual report 2024 (vote) Report on Banking Union – annual report 2024 [2024/2055(INI)] – Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Rapporteur: Ralf Seekatz (A10-0044/2025)
The debate had taken place on 7 May 2025 (minutes of 7.5.2025, item 17).
(Majority of the votes cast)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0105)
(‘Results of votes’, item 11)
7.12. Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): genetically modified soybean MON 87705 × MON 87708 × MON 89788 (vote) Motion for a resolution, tabled by the ENVI Committee, pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3), on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87705 × MON 87708 × MON 89788 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D105678/01 – 2025/2647(RSP)) (B10-0244/2025) – Members responsible: Anja Hazekamp, Martin Häusling, Biljana Borzan, Sirpa Pietikäinen.
(Majority of the votes cast)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0106)
(‘Results of votes’, item 12)
IN THE CHAIR: Ewa KOPACZ
Vice-President8. Resumption of the sitting The sitting resumed at 15:00.
9. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting The minutes of the previous sitting were approved.
10. EU action on treating and preventing diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular neurological diseases and measles (debate) Commission statement: EU action on treating and preventing diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular neurological diseases and measles(2025/2696(RSP))
Costas Kadis (Member of the Commission) made the statement.
The following spoke: Tomislav Sokol, on behalf of the PPE Group, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, on behalf of the S&D Group, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, on behalf of the PfE Group, Aurelijus Veryga, on behalf of the ECR Group, Vlad Vasile-Voiculescu, on behalf of the Renew Group, Tilly Metz, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Milan Mazurek, on behalf of the ESN Group, Seán Kelly, Christophe Clergeau, Manuela Ripa and Laurent Castillo.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: András Tivadar Kulja, Lukas Sieper and Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă.
The following spoke: Costas Kadis.
The following spoke: Lukas Sieper, concerning the intervention by Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă.
The debate closed.
11. Explanations of vote 11.1. Ninth report on economic and social cohesion (A10-0066/2025 – Jacek Protas ) (oral explanations of vote) Seán Kelly, Lukas Sieper
11.2. The role of gas storage for securing gas supplies ahead of the winter season (A10-0079/2025 – Borys Budka ) (oral explanations of vote) Seán Kelly, Lukas Sieper
11.3. Competition policy – annual report 2024 (A10-0071/2025 – Lara Wolters) (oral explanations of vote) Seán Kelly
11.4. Old challenges and new commercial practices in the internal market (B10-0246/2025) (oral explanations of vote) Lukas Sieper
11.5. Written explanations of vote Explanations of vote submitted in writing under Rule 201 appear on the Members’ pages on Parliament’s website.
12. Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted In accordance with Rule 208(3), the minutes of the sitting would be put to the House for approval at the start of the next sitting.
With Parliament’s agreement, the texts adopted during the part-session would be forwarded to their respective addressees without delay.
13. Dates of the next part-session The next part-session would be held on 21 May 2025 and 22 May 2025.
14. Closure of the sitting The sitting closed at 15:50.
15. Adjournment of the session The session of the European Parliament was adjourned.
Alessandro Chiocchetti
Roberta Metsola
Secretary-General
President
LIST OF DOCUMENTS SERVING AS A BASIS FOR THE DEBATES AND DECISIONS OF PARLIAMENT I. Motions for resolutions tabled Arrest and risk of execution of Tundu Lissu, Chair of Chadema, the main opposition party in Tanzania
Joint motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 150(5) and Rule 136(4):
on the arrest and risk of execution of Tundu Lissu, Chair of Chadema, the main opposition party in Tanzania (2025/2690(RSP)) (RC-B10-0260/2025)
(replacing motions for resolutions B10-0260/2025, B10-0261/2025, B10-0263/2025, B10-0264/2025 and B10-0265/2025)
Sebastião Bugalho, Reinhold Lopatka, Michael Gahler, David McAllister, Željana Zovko, Michał Szczerba, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Ana Miguel Pedro, Davor Ivo Stier, Tomas Tobé, Liudas Mažylis, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Mirosława Nykiel, Wouter Beke, Luděk Niedermayer, Vangelis Meimarakis, Milan Zver, Tomáš Zdechovský, Danuše Nerudová, Miriam Lexmann, Jan Farský, Loránt Vincze, Jessica Polfjärd, Andrey Kovatchev, Inese Vaidere
on behalf of the PPE Group
Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Marit Maij
on behalf of the S&D Group
Adam Bielan, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Assita Kanko, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Alberico Gambino
on behalf of the ECR Group
Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Engin Eroglu, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Moritz Körner, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Urmas Paet, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Michal Wiezik, Lucia Yar
on behalf of the Renew Group
Catarina Vieira
on behalf of the Verts/ALE GroupReturn of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred and deported by Russia
Joint motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 150(5) and Rule 136(4):
on the return of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred and deported by Russia (2025/2691(RSP)) (RC-B10-0249/2025)
(replacing motions for resolutions B10-0249/2025, B10-0250/2025, B10-0252/2025, B10-0255/2025 and B10-0258/2025)
Sebastião Bugalho, Jessika Van Leeuwen, Michael Gahler, David McAllister, Sandra Kalniete, Željana Zovko, Andrzej Halicki, Michał Szczerba, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Ana Miguel Pedro, Dariusz Joński, Davor Ivo Stier, Tomas Tobé, Reinhold Lopatka, Liudas Mažylis, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Mirosława Nykiel, Wouter Beke, Luděk Niedermayer, Vangelis Meimarakis, Milan Zver, Tomáš Zdechovský, Danuše Nerudová, Miriam Lexmann, Ondřej Kolář, Jan Farský, Loránt Vincze, Jessica Polfjärd, Andrey Kovatchev, Ewa Kopacz, Matej Tonin, Inese Vaidere
on behalf of the PPE Group
Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Thijs Reuten, Evin Incir, Pina Picierno
on behalf of the S&D Group
Adam Bielan, Rihards Kols, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Aurelijus Veryga, Reinis Pozņaks, Alexandr Vondra, Maciej Wąsik, Veronika Vrecionová, Ondřej Krutílek, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Michał Dworczyk, Assita Kanko, Jaak Madison, Mariusz Kamiński, Roberts Zīle, Charlie Weimers, Beatrice Timgren, Dick Erixon, Sebastian Tynkkynen
on behalf of the ECR Group
Petras Auštrevičius, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Abir Al-Sahlani, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Helmut Brandstätter, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Engin Eroglu, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Michał Kobosko, Moritz Körner, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Urmas Paet, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Eugen Tomac, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar, Dainius Žalimas
on behalf of the Renew Group
Villy Søvndal
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
Hanna Gedin, Jonas Sjöstedt, Merja KyllönenViolations of religious freedom in Tibet
Joint motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 150(5) and Rule 136(4):
on violations of religious freedom in Tibet (2025/2692(RSP)) (RC-B10-0248/2025)
(replacing motions for resolutions B10-0248/2025, B10-0251/2025, B10-0254/2025, B10-0256/2025 and B10-0259/2025)
Sebastião Bugalho, Danuše Nerudová, Michael Gahler, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Ana Miguel Pedro, Davor Ivo Stier, Tomas Tobé, Reinhold Lopatka, Liudas Mažylis, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Mirosława Nykiel, Wouter Beke, Luděk Niedermayer, Vangelis Meimarakis, Milan Zver, Tomáš Zdechovský, Miriam Lexmann, Ondřej Kolář, Jan Farský, Loránt Vincze, Jessica Polfjärd, Andrey Kovatchev, Inese Vaidere
on behalf of the PPE Group
Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Hannes Heide
on behalf of the S&D Group
Adam Bielan, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Assita Kanko, Maciej Wąsik, Veronika Vrecionová, Ondřej Krutílek, Alexandr Vondra, Mariusz Kamiński, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Michał Dworczyk, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Carlo Fidanza
on behalf of the ECR Group
Engin Eroglu, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Dan Barna, Helmut Brandstätter, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Moritz Körner, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Ľubica Karvašová, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar, Dainius Žalimas
on behalf of the Renew Group
Ville Niinistö
on behalf of the Verts/ALE GroupOld challenges and new commercial practices in the internal market
Motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 142( 5) to wind up the debate:
on the old challenges and new commercial practices in the internal market (2025/2542(RSP)) (B10-0246/2025)
Anna Cavazzini
on behalf of the IMCO CommitteeII. Decisions to draw up own-initiative reports Decisions to draw up own-initiative reports (Rule 55)
(Following the Conference of Presidents’ decision of 30 April 2025)
AFET Committee
– EU-US political relations (2025/2084(INI))
(opinion: INTA)– EU political strategy on Latin America (2025/2083(INI))
(opinion: DEVE)– Relations between the EU and Saudi Arabia (2025/2082(INI))
AGRI Committee
– EU agri-food promotion policy (2025/2089(INI))
DEVE Committee
– Humanitarian aid in a time of polycrisis – reaffirming our principles for a more effective and ambitious response to humanitarian crises (2025/2085(INI))
(opinion: FEMM)ENVI, AGRI committees
– Ensuring faster registration and uptake of biological control agents (2025/2086(INI))
SANT Committee
– Public health aspects of biotechnology and life sciences (2025/2087(INI))
SEDE Committee
– Drones and new systems of warfare – the EU‘s need to adapt to be fit for today‘s security challenges (2025/2088(INI))
SEDE, TRAN committees
– Military mobility (2025/2090(INI))
(Following the Conference of Presidents’ decision of 3 April 2025)
CULT Committee
– Impact of social media and the online environment on young people (2025/2081(INI))
(opinion: IMCO, LIBE, FEMM)Decisions to draw up own-initiative reports (Rules 47 and 55)
(Following the Conference of Presidents’ decision of 3 April 2025)
EMPL Committee
– Digitalisation, artificial intelligence and algorithmic management in the workplace – shaping the future of work (2025/2080(INL))
(opinion: LIBE)JURI Committee
– The 28th Regime: a new legal framework for innovative companies (2025/2079(INL))
III. Petitions Petitions Nos 0377-25 to 0527-25 had been entered in the register on 6 May 2025 and had been forwarded to the committee responsible, in accordance with Rule 232(9) and (10).
The President had, on 6 May 2025, forwarded to the committee responsible, in accordance with Rule 232(15), petitions addressed to Parliament by natural or legal persons who were not citizens of the European Union and who did not reside, or have their registered office, in a Member State.
IV. Documents received The following documents had been received from Members:
– Maria Zacharia. Motion for a resolution on the crime at Tempi and waiving the immunity of ministers and government officials (B10-0200/2025)
referred to committee responsible: LIBE
opinion: TRAN– Jean-Paul Garraud. Motion for a resolution on protecting the sovereignty of the Member States in democratic decision-making (B10-0238/2025)
referred to committee responsible: LIBE– Christine Anderson, Marieke Ehlers and Virginie Joron. Motion for a resolution on the criteria and methods for establishing intent behind the dissemination of misleading information (B10-0239/2025)
referred to committee responsible: LIBE– Pernando Barrena Arza, Marc Botenga, Lynn Boylan, Per Clausen, Danilo Della Valle, Kathleen Funchion, Estrella Galán, Hanna Gedin, Giorgos Georgiou, Kateřina Konečná, Vicent Marzà Ibáñez, Ana Miranda Paz, João Oliveira, Mounir Satouri, Jonas Sjöstedt and Maria Zacharia. Motion for a resolution on the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement (B10-0240/2025)
referred to committee responsible: AFET– Anja Arndt, René Aust, Zsuzsanna Borvendég, Irmhild Boßdorf, Markus Buchheit, Petr Bystron, Elisabeth Dieringer, Siegbert Frank Droese, Tomasz Froelich, Roman Haider, Marc Jongen, Alexander Jungbluth, Mary Khan, Rada Laykova, Milan Mazurek, Hans Neuhoff, Alexander Sell, Petra Steger, António Tânger Corrêa, Milan Uhrík and Petar Volgin. Motion for a resolution on a joint and strong response to the Federal Republic of Germany’s departure from financial stability (B10-0241/2025)
referred to committee responsible: ECON– Mathilde Androuët, Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain, Anne-Sophie Frigout, Catherine Griset, Fabrice Leggeri, Julien Leonardelli, Thierry Mariani, Aleksandar Nikolic, Pascale Piera, Julie Rechagneux, André Rougé, Pierre-Romain Thionnet and Alexandre Varaut. Motion for a resolution on protecting multilingualism in the EU (B10-0242/2025)
referred to committee responsible: CULT– Pina Picierno, Massimiliano Salini and Antonella Sberna. Motion for a resolution on the establishment of a European Day in Remembrance of the Victims of Accidents at Work and for the Protection and Dignity of Workers: ‘8 August – European Day in Remembrance of the Victims of Accidents at Work and for the Protection and Dignity of Workers’ (B10-0245/2025)
referred to committee responsible: EMPLATTENDANCE REGISTER Present:
Abadía Jover Maravillas, Adamowicz Magdalena, Aftias Georgios, Agirregoitia Martínez Oihane, Agius Peter, Agius Saliba Alex, Alexandraki Galato, Allione Grégory, Al-Sahlani Abir, Anadiotis Nikolaos, Anderson Christine, Andersson Li, Andresen Rasmus, Andrews Barry, Andriukaitis Vytenis Povilas, Androuët Mathilde, Angel Marc, Antoci Giuseppe, Arias Echeverría Pablo, Arimont Pascal, Arłukowicz Bartosz, Arnaoutoglou Sakis, Arndt Anja, Arvanitis Konstantinos, Asens Llodrà Jaume, Assis Francisco, Attard Daniel, Aubry Manon, Auštrevičius Petras, Axinia Adrian-George, Azmani Malik, Bajada Thomas, Baljeu Jeannette, Ballarín Cereza Laura, Bardella Jordan, Barna Dan, Barrena Arza Pernando, Bartulica Stephen Nikola, Bartůšek Nikola, Bay Nicolas, Bay Christophe, Beke Wouter, Beleris Fredis, Bellamy François-Xavier, Benea Dragoş, Benifei Brando, Benjumea Benjumea Isabel, Berendsen Tom, Berger Stefan, Berlato Sergio, Bernhuber Alexander, Biedroń Robert, Bielan Adam, Bischoff Gabriele, Blinkevičiūtė Vilija, Blom Rachel, Bloss Michael, Bocheński Tobiasz, Boeselager Damian, Bogdan Ioan-Rareş, Bonaccini Stefano, Borchia Paolo, Borrás Pabón Mireia, Borvendég Zsuzsanna, Borzan Biljana, Bosanac Gordan, Boßdorf Irmhild, Bosse Stine, Botenga Marc, Boyer Gilles, Boylan Lynn, Brasier-Clain Marie-Luce, Bricmont Saskia, Brudziński Joachim Stanisław, Bryłka Anna, Buchheit Markus, Buczek Tomasz, Buda Daniel, Buda Waldemar, Budka Borys, Bugalho Sebastião, Buła Andrzej, Bullmann Udo, Burkhardt Delara, Buxadé Villalba Jorge, Bystron Petr, Bžoch Jaroslav, Camara Mélissa, Canfin Pascal, Carberry Nina, Cârciu Gheorghe, Carême Damien, Casa David, Caspary Daniel, Cassart Benoit, Castillo Laurent, del Castillo Vera Pilar, Cavazzini Anna, Cavedagna Stefano, Cepeda José, Ceulemans Estelle, Chahim Mohammed, Chaibi Leila, Chastel Olivier, Chinnici Caterina, Christensen Asger, Cifrová Ostrihoňová Veronika, Ciriani Alessandro, Clausen Per, Clergeau Christophe, Corrado Annalisa, Costanzo Vivien, Cotrim De Figueiredo João, Cowen Barry, Cremer Tobias, Crespo Díaz Carmen, Cristea Andi, Crosetto Giovanni, Cunha Paulo, Dahl Henrik, Danielsson Johan, Dávid Dóra, David Ivan, Decaro Antonio, de la Hoz Quintano Raúl, Della Valle Danilo, Deloge Valérie, De Masi Fabio, De Meo Salvatore, Devaux Valérie, Dibrani Adnan, Diepeveen Ton, Dieringer Elisabeth, Dîncu Vasile, Di Rupo Elio, Disdier Mélanie, Doherty Regina, Doleschal Christian, Dömötör Csaba, Do Nascimento Cabral Paulo, Dorfmann Herbert, Dostalova Klara, Dostál Ondřej, Droese Siegbert Frank, Dworczyk Michał, Ecke Matthias, Ehler Christian, Ehlers Marieke, Eriksson Sofie, Erixon Dick, Eroglu Engin, Everding Sebastian, Falcă Gheorghe, Falcone Marco, Farantouris Nikolas, Farský Jan, Ferber Markus, Ferenc Viktória, Fernández Jonás, Fidanza Carlo, Fiocchi Pietro, Firea Gabriela, Firmenich Ruth, Fita Claire, Fourlas Loucas, Fourreau Emma, Fragkos Emmanouil, Freund Daniel, Frigout Anne-Sophie, Fritzon Heléne, Froelich Tomasz, Fuglsang Niels, Funchion Kathleen, Furet Angéline, Furore Mario, Gahler Michael, Gál Kinga, Galán Estrella, Gambino Alberico, García Hermida-Van Der Walle Raquel, Garraud Jean-Paul, Gasiuk-Pihowicz Kamila, Geadi Geadis, Gedin Hanna, Geese Alexandra, Geier Jens, Geisel Thomas, Gemma Chiara, Georgiou Giorgos, Gerbrandy Gerben-Jan, Germain Jean-Marc, Gerzsenyi Gabriella, Geuking Niels, Gieseke Jens, Giménez Larraz Borja, Girauta Vidal Juan Carlos, Glavak Sunčana, Glück Andreas, Glucksmann Raphaël, Goerens Charles, Gomart Christophe, Gomes Isilda, Gómez López Sandra, Gonçalves Bruno, Gonçalves Sérgio, González Casares Nicolás, González Pons Esteban, Gori Giorgio, Gosiewska Małgorzata, Gotink Dirk, Gozi Sandro, Gražulis Petras, Griset Catherine, Gronkiewicz-Waltz Hanna, Groothuis Bart, Grossmann Elisabeth, Grudler Christophe, Guarda Cristina, Győri Enikő, Gyürk András, Hadjipantela Michalis, Hahn Svenja, Haider Roman, Halicki Andrzej, Hansen Niels Flemming, Hauser Gerald, Häusling Martin, Hava Mircea-Gheorghe, Heide Hannes, Heinäluoma Eero, Henriksson Anna-Maja, Herbst Niclas, Herranz García Esther, Hetman Krzysztof, Hohlmeier Monika, Hojsík Martin, Holmgren Pär, Homs Ginel Alicia, Humberto Sérgio, Incir Evin, Inselvini Paolo, Iovanovici Şoşoacă Diana, Jamet France, Jarubas Adam, Jerković Romana, Jongen Marc, Joński Dariusz, Joron Virginie, Jouvet Pierre, Joveva Irena, Junco García Nora, Jungbluth Alexander, Kabilov Taner, Kalfon François, Kaljurand Marina, Kalniete Sandra, Kamiński Mariusz, Karlsbro Karin, Kartheiser Fernand, Katainen Elsi, Kefalogiannis Emmanouil, Kelleher Billy, Keller Fabienne, Kelly Seán, Kennes Rudi, Knafo Sarah, Knotek Ondřej, Kobosko Michał, Köhler Stefan, Kohut Łukasz, Kokalari Arba, Kolář Ondřej, Kollár Kinga, Kols Rihards, Konečná Kateřina, Kopacz Ewa, Körner Moritz, Kountoura Elena, Kovařík Ondřej, Kovatchev Andrey, Krištopans Vilis, Kruis Sebastian, Krutílek Ondřej, Kubín Tomáš, Kuhnke Alice, Kulja András Tivadar, Kulmuni Katri, Kyuchyuk Ilhan, Lakos Eszter, Lange Bernd, Langensiepen Katrin, László András, Latinopoulou Afroditi, Laureti Camilla, Laykova Rada, Lazarov Ilia, Leggeri Fabrice, Lenaers Jeroen, Lewandowski Janusz, Lexmann Miriam, Liese Peter, Lins Norbert, Løkkegaard Morten, Lopatka Reinhold, López Javi, López Aguilar Juan Fernando, Lövin Isabella, Lucano Mimmo, Luena César, Łukacijewska Elżbieta Katarzyna, Lupo Giuseppe, Maestre Cristina, Magoni Lara, Magyar Péter, Maij Marit, Maląg Marlena, Manda Claudiu, Mandl Lukas, Maniatis Yannis, Mantovani Mario, Maran Pierfrancesco, Marczułajtis-Walczak Jagna, Maréchal Marion, Mariani Thierry, Marino Ignazio Roberto, Marquardt Erik, Martín Frías Jorge, Mavrides Costas, Maydell Eva, Mayer Georg, Mazurek Milan, Mažylis Liudas, McNamara Michael, Mebarek Nora, Mehnert Alexandra, Meimarakis Vangelis, Mendes Ana Catarina, Mendia Idoia, Mesure Marina, Metsola Roberta, Metz Tilly, Mikser Sven, Millán Mon Francisco José, Minchev Nikola, Miranda Paz Ana, Montero Irene, Montserrat Dolors, Morace Carolina, Morano Nadine, Moratti Letizia, Moreira de Sá Tiago, Moreno Sánchez Javier, Moretti Alessandra, Motreanu Dan-Ştefan, Mularczyk Arkadiusz, Mullooly Ciaran, Mureşan Siegfried, Muşoiu Ştefan, Nagyová Jana, Navarrete Rojas Fernando, Negrescu Victor, Nemec Matjaž, Nerudová Danuše, Nesci Denis, Neuhoff Hans, Neumann Hannah, Nevado del Campo Elena, Niebler Angelika, Niedermayer Luděk, Niinistö Ville, Nikolaou-Alavanos Lefteris, Nikolic Aleksandar, Ní Mhurchú Cynthia, Noichl Maria, Nordqvist Rasmus, Novakov Andrey, Nykiel Mirosława, Ódor Ľudovít, Oetjen Jan-Christoph, Ohisalo Maria, Oliveira João, Olivier Philippe, Omarjee Younous, Ó Ríordáin Aodhán, Orlando Leoluca, Ozdoba Jacek, Paet Urmas, Pajín Leire, Palmisano Valentina, Panayiotou Fidias, Papadakis Kostas, Papandreou Nikos, Pappas Nikos, Pascual de la Parte Nicolás, Patriciello Aldo, Paulus Jutta, Pellerin-Carlin Thomas, Penkova Tsvetelina, Pennelle Gilles, Peter-Hansen Kira Marie, Petrov Hristo, Picaro Michele, Picierno Pina, Picula Tonino, Piera Pascale, Pietikäinen Sirpa, Pimpie Pierre, Piperea Gheorghe, de la Pisa Carrión Margarita, Pokorná Jermanová Jaroslava, Polato Daniele, Polfjärd Jessica, Popescu Virgil-Daniel, Pozņaks Reinis, Prebilič Vladimir, Princi Giusi, Protas Jacek, Pürner Friedrich, Rackete Carola, Radtke Dennis, Ratas Jüri, Razza Ruggero, Rechagneux Julie, Regner Evelyn, Repasi René, Repp Sabrina, Ressler Karlo, Reuten Thijs, Riba i Giner Diana, Ricci Matteo, Riehl Nela, Ripa Manuela, Rodrigues André, Rougé André, Ruissen Bert-Jan, Ruotolo Sandro, Rzońca Bogdan, Saeidi Arash, Salini Massimiliano, Salis Ilaria, Sánchez Amor Nacho, Sanchez Julien, Sancho Murillo Elena, Saramo Jussi, Sardone Silvia, Satouri Mounir, Saudargas Paulius, Sbai Majdouline, Sberna Antonella, Schaldemose Christel, Schaller-Baross Ernő, Schenk Oliver, Scheuring-Wielgus Joanna, Schieder Andreas, Schilling Lena, Schneider Christine, Schnurrbusch Volker, Schwab Andreas, Scuderi Benedetta, Seekatz Ralf, Sell Alexander, Serrano Sierra Rosa, Sidl Günther, Sienkiewicz Bartłomiej, Sieper Lukas, Singer Christine, Sinkevičius Virginijus, Sjöstedt Jonas, Śmiszek Krzysztof, Smith Anthony, Smit Sander, Sokol Tomislav, Solier Diego, Solís Pérez Susana, Sommen Liesbet, Sonneborn Martin, Sorel Malika, Sousa Silva Hélder, Søvndal Villy, Squarta Marco, Staķis Mārtiņš, Stancanelli Raffaele, Steger Petra, Stier Davor Ivo, Storm Kristoffer, Stöteler Sebastiaan, Stoyanov Stanislav, Strack-Zimmermann Marie-Agnes, Strada Cecilia, Streit Joachim, Strik Tineke, Strolenberg Anna, Sturdza Şerban Dimitrie, Stürgkh Anna, Sypniewski Marcin, Szczerba Michał, Szydło Beata, Tamburrano Dario, Tânger Corrêa António, Tarquinio Marco, Târziu Claudiu-Richard, Tavares Carla, Tegethoff Kai, Teodorescu Georgiana, Teodorescu Måwe Alice, Terheş Cristian, Ter Laak Ingeborg, Terras Riho, Tertsch Hermann, Thionnet Pierre-Romain, Timgren Beatrice, Tinagli Irene, Tobback Bruno, Tobé Tomas, Tolassy Rody, Tomašič Zala, Tomaszewski Waldemar, Tomc Romana, Tonin Matej, Toom Jana, Topo Raffaele, Torselli Francesco, Tosi Flavio, Toussaint Marie, Tovaglieri Isabella, Tridico Pasquale, Trochu Laurence, Tsiodras Dimitris, Tudose Mihai, Turek Filip, Tynkkynen Sebastian, Ušakovs Nils, Vaidere Inese, Valchev Ivaylo, Vălean Adina, Valet Matthieu, Van Brempt Kathleen, Van Brug Anouk, van den Berg Brigitte, Vandendriessche Tom, Van Dijck Kris, Van Lanschot Reinier, Van Leeuwen Jessika, Vannacci Roberto, Van Sparrentak Kim, Varaut Alexandre, Vasconcelos Ana, Vasile-Voiculescu Vlad, Vautmans Hilde, Vedrenne Marie-Pierre, Ventola Francesco, Veryga Aurelijus, Vicsek Annamária, Vieira Catarina, Vigenin Kristian, Vilimsky Harald, Vincze Loránt, Vistisen Anders, Vivaldini Mariateresa, Volgin Petar, von der Schulenburg Michael, Vondra Alexandr, Vrecionová Veronika, Vázquez Lázara Adrián, Waitz Thomas, Walsh Maria, Walsmann Marion, Warborn Jörgen, Warnke Jan-Peter, Wąsik Maciej, Wawrykiewicz Michał, Wcisło Marta, Wechsler Andrea, Weimers Charlie, Werbrouck Séverine, Wiesner Emma, Wiezik Michal, Winkler Iuliu, Winzig Angelika, Wiseler-Lima Isabel, Wiśniewska Jadwiga, Wölken Tiemo, Wolters Lara, Yar Lucia, Yon-Courtin Stéphanie, Zacharia Maria, Zalewska Anna, Zan Alessandro, Zarzalejos Javier, Zdechovský Tomáš, Zdrojewski Bogdan Andrzej, Zijlstra Auke, Zingaretti Nicola, Złotowski Kosma
Excused:
Verheyen Sabine
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MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Struggling farmers and livestock breeders – E-001030/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
1. The Commission is fully aware of the challenges faced by many farmers, including in Greece. To address these challenges, the Vision for Agriculture and Food presented on 19 February 2025[1] contains an ambitious roadmap towards an agri-food system that is attractive, competitive, future-oriented, sustainable and fair for current and future generations, including trade and simplification. In particular, the work on the livestock and the simplification package, will look at improving the competitiveness and resilience of the livestock sector.
2. The current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) supports interventions that help farmers implement actions to prevent crisis situations and build on medium and long-term resilience. The CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 (CSP)[2] for Greece includes tools to support farmers to mitigate short-term impacts, such as direct payments, sectoral and rural development interventions aiming to stabilise farmers’ incomes. In addition, the CSP envisages also support for investments to restore agricultural potential following natural disasters, adverse climatic or catastrophic events.
Regarding the requests for input subsidies and State guaranteed prices, the Commission is and remains in favour of market orientation. In this context, the Vision states that farmers must get a better revenue from the market and that for this they need to benefit from a fair and equitable food chain. To this end, the Commission already on 10 December 2024[3] adopted a proposal to rebalance the positions in the chain and it will consider further initiatives.
Other suggestions in relation to taxes, or pensions are largely in the remit of the national authorities or control bodies.
- [1] https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/vision-agriculture-food_en#:~:text=Shaping%20the%20future%20of%20farming%20and%20the%20agri-food,entire%20value%20chain%20within%20the%20EU%20and%20globally
- [2] https://www.agrotikianaptixi.gr/category/sskap-2023-2027/sskap-egkrisi-tropopoiiseis/
- [3] COM(2024) 576 and 577 final.
Last updated: 8 May 2025 -
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The human rights factor in the country benchmarking methodology annex of the EU Deforestation-free Products Regulation – E-000753/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
1. The annex to the Strategic Framework for International Cooperation Engagement[1] presents the general principles of the benchmarking methodology. It relies on quantitative criteria based on scientific evidence and internationally recognised latest available data, primarily from the Global Forest Resources Assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
The benchmarking methodology allows to have a specific approach to the countries which are at the lower or higher end of the standard risk category, and that these countries will be a priority for the Commission to engage with. A qualitative methodology will support the dialogues that will be conducted with these countries, based on EU Deforestation Regulation ( EUDR)[2] Article 29 (4) criteria such as existence and implementation of laws protecting human rights, the rights of indigenous peoples, local communities and other customary tenure rights holders.
2. In the framework of this exercise, the EUDR Article 29 (4) also states that information submitted by non-governmental organisations and third parties, including indigenous peoples, local communities and civil society organisations may be take into account and therefore be part of such assessment.
- [1] https://green-business.ec.europa.eu/document/download/98053bb7-bb73-4157-bf35-a9ffa35e2ee2_en?filename=Annex%20to%20Communication%20Strategic%20Framework%20for%20International%20Cooperation%20EUDR.pdf
- [2] Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation and repealing Regulation (EU) No 995/2010, OJ L 150, 9.6.2023, p. 206-247.
Last updated: 8 May 2025 -
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: New smart cage can smoothen cattle transport in India
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 08 MAY 2025 5:32PM by PIB Delhi
A modular, flexible cattle cage developed by researchers that can be adjusted to fit different vehicles, complete with a ramp that doubles as a door can help ease transport of cattle in villages, particularly take farm animals to the cattle market.
In the heart of India’s rural landscapes, where cattle are vital companions to farmers, the journey from one town to another can often be perilous—not just for people, but for the animals.
Traditionally, cattle are transported in open or ill-fitted goods carrier trucks with no proper loading mechanisms. This exposes them to high stress, injuries, and even fatal accidents. These outdated practices also create logistical headaches for farmers and transporters, all while violating basic animal welfare norms.
An innovation by Prof. Sandip S. Patil from Guru Gobind Singh College of Engineering and Research Centre in Nashik, Maharashtra has the potential to change that scenario.
Through a project funded by DST-SEED (Science for Equity, Empowerment, and Development), his team has developed a cage that can make cattle transport safer, easier, and cheaper.
Fig 1: Prof. Sandip S. Patil & his team from Guru Gobind Singh College of Engineering and Research Centre in Nashik, Maharashtra
This is not just a cage, but a science-driven mobility solution designed with telescopic mechanisms, foldable ramps, and reinforced metal frames, engineered to reduce injuries, lower stress, and dramatically improve loading and unloading for cattle.
It is armed with telescopic sliding, that can match the size of the vehicle, a roller-assisted movement that allows for easy cage adjustment, foldable ramp cum door that provides a seamless way to load cattle and doubles up as a safety gate, a cross-link mesh design that adds durability while improving airflow. The design was tested with field surveys, farmer feedback, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to ensure proper ventilation.
The cage can reduce animal injuries and stress during transit and has simplified handling, especially for small-scale farmers. It is cost-effective and scalable, ideal for rural and semi-urban regions, compliant with animal welfare laws, potentially reducing legal issues for transporters and adaptable to double-storied configurations, making it suitable for larger vehicles and heavier loads.
Fig 2: Modular Cage with adjustable ramp for ease of loading and unloading as per the specified guidelines obtained from the user
This system can also be used in dairies, Gaushalas, veterinary operations and for safe and efficient short-distance livestock movement and can help communities by cutting losses, saving labour, and promoting humane transport practices.
The design has been recognized with patents and academic publications, including two Indian patents in 2024 for modular and double-storey versions.
Trial of the transport cage carried out in Ambad Village, Nashik. Plans are underway to scale the project through CSR funding and wider implementation efforts.
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MIL-OSI Australia: Arcadia Fire Brigade celebrates 90 years of service
Source:
Arcadia Fire Brigade recently celebrated its 90th year of service to the community at the community centre/fire station complex in Arcadia.
Brigade Captain Ray McManus welcomed 80 guests, including past residents and former brigade members, who joined with current members, their families and community supporters to share memories and celebrate the occasion.
Arcadia is a rural community about halfway between Shepparton and Murchison.
Brigade member of 10 years, John Gribben, presented a history of the brigade since its inception in 1935, when it was known as Arcadia Rural Fire Brigade. John expanded his narrative to tell some of the stories of the disastrous Longwood bushfire of 1965.
Fortunately, this fire which started just south of the Arcadia area did not impact immediate farmland. The brigade’s major vehicle at this time was a farmer’s truck with a 1,500-litre tank and power pump on the back. Other equipment consisted of knapsacks and fire beaters.
The brigade was presented with its first tanker, an Austin Small Town unit, in 1977. This truck was upgraded with a later model Austin in 1983. In 1985, CFA replaced the Austin with a new Hino 3.2 tanker that served the brigade until 1998 when it was replaced with the latest model 2.5 Hino tanker. This is still the main firefighting unit for Arcadia Fire Brigade.
Commander Rohan Taylor from CFA District 22, congratulated the brigade and its members for service to the local and wider community over this lengthy period.
Rohan then presented long service awards which included eight medals of Life Membership to CFA.
“I felt privileged to be a part of this celebration and present brigade members with service awards including CFA Life Membership medals. These awards totalled more than 470 years of combined service, including John Kennedy’s 70-year CFA Life Membership.
“The day was well organised, and it was fantastic to see not only past and present brigade members there, but also so many community members joining in the celebrations.”
Submitted by Julie Wright -
MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Spotlights Outstanding Iowa Small Businesses
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
WASHINGTON – During National Small Business Week, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is highlighting some of the Iowa entrepreneurs that she has visited.
Ernst recognizes local businesses as her “Small Business of the Week” in all 99 counties to honor their impact on communities and the families who run them.
“It is an honor to travel River to River and meet with the incredible folks running Iowa’s favorite local spots,” said Ernst. “These shops mean so much more than the livelihoods they support and the jobs they create, they embody the American spirit and shape the culture of our great state. This week, and every week, I am proud to support small businesses in Iowa and be their champion in Washington!”
“Being selected as Senator Ernst’s Business of the Week is an incredible honor for our family and our team,” said Theresa Hildreth, CFO of Martin Hildreth Company, Inc. “As a three-generation business operating for more than 70 years, we take great pride in serving our rural community. This recognition highlights the essential role small businesses play in sustaining local economies and enriching the lives of our neighbors and friends. At Martin Hildreth Company, we’re proud to meet our region’s essential underground utility needs and contribute to the infrastructure that keeps our communities running.”
“The Brown Family and The Browns Century Theater, extend our heartfelt gratitude for Senator Ernst’s dedication and advocacy for small businesses,” said Michaela Brown, owner of The Browns Century Theater. “Her support empowers local entrepreneurs, strengthens our community, and helps brings dreams to life! We are honored to be among the Small Business of the Week recipients!”
“Thank you, Senator Ernst for fighting for small business that are the backbone of America’s small and large cities alike,” said Mike Goetz, owner of Family Foods. “Get ready for the Golden Age of America.”
Here are some of the entrepreneurs across Iowa that Ernst has recognized:
Tillies Quilts
Tillies Quilts in Webster County provides a gathering place and welcoming atmosphere for folks of all ages and skill levels to practice the time-honored tradition of quilting.
Wells Hometown Drug
Mylo Wells and the entire team at Wells Hometown Drug give back to their community and ensure folks across Davis County receive the pharmacy services they need.
Martin Hildreth Company
For 70 years, the Martin Hildreth Company has provided essential excavation services in Calhoun County and worked hard to give back to their community and our nation’s veterans.
Dutchland Foods
For over 32 years and four generations, the Van Wyhe family has supplied gourmet baked goods to customers around the country while honoring their small-town beginnings in Lyon County.
Tristate Curls
Tristate Curls in Osceola County blows their clients away with specialized care for curly and wavy hair that is a cut above the rest.
Geater Machining
Over 61 years, three generations, and a great deal of hard work, the Geater family has built Geater Machining and Manufacturing into a remarkable small business with a global reach.
Penn Drug
Penn Drug combines the nostalgia of Iowa traditions with a dedication to providing essential rural health care services to create a renowned southwest Iowa business.
Family Foods
For 59 years and three generations, the Goetz family and the entire team at Family Foods has provided Cedar County with fresh groceries and a convenient shopping experience.
Hawkeye Molding
With over 45 years of history, Hawkeye Molding of Story County is a leader in plastic injection product manufacturing that many industries, from agriculture to furniture manufacturing, rely on.
Barn Wired
In just a few years, Barn Wired evolved from a small home decor business to a multifunctional community hub where customers can shop, enjoy lunch, or find a good cup of coffee.
Browns Century Theatre
It’s clear a passion for the performing arts runs in the Brown family, and they’ve channeled their love for music into a successful small business that entertains Plymouth County.
Black Sheep Coffee Baa
They’ve never been sheepish about the coffee and food they serve, and now, Black Sheep Coffee Baa has become a community hub that provides catering services and rental space for the Greene community. -
MIL-OSI USA: Crapo, Merkley Lead Bipartisan Effort to Expand Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) teamed up to introduce the bipartisan Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) Program Reauthorization Act of 2025. This legislation would reauthorize and expand the CFLR program, which helps fund collaborative and community-based forest management. The CFLR program has a proven track record of improving forest health, reducing wildfire risk and supporting rural communities.
“Shared, active forest management plays a vital role in reducing the risk of wildfires and fire suppression,” said Crapo. “Ensuring long-term reauthorization of the CFLRP will promote Idaho’s forest health, encourage the responsible stewardship of our public lands and foster resilient, rural economies. Reauthorizing the CFLRP results in stronger relationships on the ground, more effective projects and a decreased risk of conflict and litigation.”
“When people come together to develop collaborative plans to manage our forests, we can thin overgrown forests, strengthen our timber stands, support diverse ecosystems, increase fire resilience and boost workforce development,” said Merkley, Ranking Member of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. “This is a proven, bipartisan model that delivers healthier forests and stronger communities instead of litigation and conflict. Investing more in collaborative solutions will make a real difference in rural communities across Oregon and beyond.”
In addition to Crapo and Merkley, this legislation is supported by U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Steve Daines (R-Montana) and Michael Bennet (D-Colorado).
“Cooperation is vital to effectively managing our forests and reducing wildfire risk across the West,” said Risch. “Reauthorization of the CFLRP ensures the longevity of collaboratives that make our forests healthier and Idaho’s communities safer.”
“Forest collaboratives are a proven tool to reduce wildfire risk as well as to head off needless litigation, with the end result in Oregon and elsewhere being jobs and more resilient woodlands,” said Wyden. “The proof of this productive forest formula can be seen in the fact that this legislation has earned bipartisan support in the Senate along with backing from conservationists and lumber companies alike.”
“Collaborative forest projects help create jobs throughout Colorado while restoring wildlife habitat and managing fuel for wildfires. In Colorado, they bring together people across local government, industry and conservation advocacy to make our forests more resilient and help our communities adapt to a changing climate,” said Bennet. “As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, I’ll work to expand this valuable program for Colorado in the upcoming Farm Bill.”
“In Montana, we’re tired of breathing in smoke. I’m glad to work with my colleagues on this bipartisan measure to streamline commonsense forest management programs and increase collaboration between state and federal partners, so that we can keep our communities safe from catastrophic wildfires,” said Daines.
The CFLR program brings stakeholders from all walks of life together to create solutions aimed at reducing wildfire risk across the West. Requirements of this program ensure that various local stakeholders collaborate, resulting in stronger relationships on the ground, better, more effective projects, and a decreased risk of conflict and litigation. Then-Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Merkley pushed to double funding for the program in the Fiscal Year 2022 Interior spending bill, which funds the U.S. Forest Service. This funded all five collaboratives in Oregon, including the new Rogue River CFLR. The program was last reauthorized by Senators Crapo and Merkley in the 2018 Farm Bill.
CFLR was first authorized in 2009, and in the first ten years of the program, CFLR projects treated and restored 5.7 million acres of forestland, and have helped improve 1,000 miles of trails and maintain 25,000 miles of roads. The lawmakers’ bipartisan bill would extend the program for another ten years, increase the size and scope of the Collaborative to reduce wildfire risk and make other program improvements.
U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse (D-Colorado), Andrea Salinas (D-Oregon) and Kim Schrier (D-Washington) are expected to introduce companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The full text of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program Reauthorization Act can be found by clicking here.
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MIL-OSI USA: Chairwoman McClain’s Statement on Historic U.S.-U.K. Trade Deal
Source: US House of Representatives Republicans
The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –
Chairwoman McClain’s Statement on Historic U.S.-U.K. Trade Deal
Washington, May 8, 2025
WASHINGTON—House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) released the following statement after the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (U.K.) announced a historic trade deal that will benefit American workers, farmers, producers, and manufacturers.
“Breaking down trade barriers and expanding market access ensures that Michigan’s agricultural products can globally compete and thrive. This is a major win for American businesses and reaffirms our partnership with our longest-standing ally. I applaud President Trump for continuing to deliver new opportunities for growth and prosperity for Michiganders and all Americans. This deal shows countries WILL come to the negotiating table,” Chairwoman McClain said.
The trade deal will significantly expand U.S. market access in the U.K., creating a $5 billion opportunity for new exports for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers. This includes more than $700 million in ethanol exports and $250 million in other agricultural products, like beef.
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MIL-OSI USA: What They Are Saying: Support for Fischer’s Precision Ag Package
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer
Today, organizations and industry groups released statements and endorsed U.S. Senator Deb Fischer’s (R-Neb.) Precision Ag Package. Earlier this week, Fischer, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced three pieces of legislation aimed at enabling America’s producers to harness the full potential of precision agriculture.
“Nebraska Farm Bureau is proud to support Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer’s work to ensure rural America has necessary broadband coverage and is able to utilize the latest in precision agriculture technology to help ensure the success of Nebraska’s farm and ranch families. Passage of all three of these important pieces of legislation will help equip farmers and ranchers with the tools and infrastructure needed for a more productive, sustainable, and connected agricultural future,” said Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation President Mark McHargue.
“These bipartisan bills deliver practical tools that empower farmers’ adoption of precision technologies, increase productivity, improve on-farm connectivity and conserve resources more effectively. We applaud Senators Fischer, Klobuchar, Warnock and Luján for advancing policies that strengthen agriculture through innovation and stewardship,” said Irrigation Association CEO Natasha Rankin.
“We thank Senator Fischer and the sponsors of these important bills that will encourage the use of innovative precision agriculture technologies, including efficient irrigation and the ways it fits into smart farming practices. This legislation will help growers meet global food challenges while simultaneously supporting USDA conservation goals,” said Lindsay Corporation President Randy Wood.Full List of Endorsements of Fischer’s
Precision Ag Package: American Equipment Manufacturers, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, Ethos Connected, Irrigation Association, John Deere, National Corn Growers Association, and Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation.
Additional Support for Fischer’s
PRECISE and PAL Acts:
“America’s farmers and ranchers increasingly rely on advancements in technology to grow more with less. Equipment manufacturers applaud Senators Deb Fischer and Amy Klobuchar for championing the PRECISE Act and Senator Fischer and Senator Raphel Warnock for leading thePAL Act, which will help producers embrace precision agriculture technologies – allowing them to reduce costs, operate more efficiently, and better compete on a global scale. These two bipartisan bills will help ensure that America’s farmers and ranchers have access to the innovative technologies to help them feed the world while also protecting it,” said Association of Equipment Manufacturers Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations Kip Eideberg.
“PAL and PRECISE prioritize American agriculture leadership. Farmers, ranchers and private industry dedicated to driving American agriculture innovation require sound and responsible policy that not only invests in technological advancements, stewardship of our natural resources and continued agriculture leadership but also prioritizes national security. These bills do just that. Ethos Connected applauds Senator Fischer for her steadfast commitment to agriculture and the security of our great nation,” said Ethos Connected CEO Julie Bushell.
Full List of Endorsements of Fischer’s
PRECISE and PAL Acts: American Equipment Manufacturers, American Soybean Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, Ethos Connected, Irrigation Association, John Deere, National Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, and The Nature Conservancy.
Additional Support for Fischer’s
LAST ACRE Act:
“Innovation is at the heart of everything farmers and ranchers do, but without access to reliable broadband, that innovation is often stifled. Farm Bureau is grateful to Senators Fischer and Luján for their leadership and dedication to advancing connectivity on farms, ranches, and in rural communities. Precision agriculture tools are key to ensuring our nation’s food security and in turn, national security, and the LAST ACRE Act will allow all farmers and ranchers to utilize the latest technologies,” said American Farm Bureau Federation Vice President of Public Policy Sam Kieffer.“Equipment manufacturers applaud Senators Fischer and Luján for their longstanding support for keeping rural communities connected and competitive. Today’s farmers and ranchers rely on broadband internet access to power precision agriculture technologies, which allow them to operate more efficiently. The LAST ACRE Act will help our nation’s agriculture community harness this critical technology through affordable and reliable access to high-speed broadband,” said Association of Equipment Manufacturers Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations Kip Eideberg.
“LAST ACRE plays a critical role in securing and growing America’s rural communities and ensuring America’s continued leadership in agriculture. This bill will connect the acre; where farmers and ranchers need to make real-time decisions, drive operational efficiencies and improve their quality of life. For too long, we have overlooked the need to adequately connect America’s greatest strength: farmers, ranchers, and the communities they support. We are grateful for Senator Fischer’s steadfast leadership, continued dedication, and deliberate action for agriculture,” said Ethos Connected CEO Julie Bushell.
“Competitive Carriers Association applauds Senators Fischer and Luján for reintroducing the ‘LAST ACRE Act of 2025.’ This bill can help expand access to the precision agriculture applications that are increasingly relied upon across America’s rural farmlands, ranches, and forests – technologies that depend on robust mobile and wireless connectivity. Wireless networks play a critical role in rural America, and policies like those in the LAST ACRE Act can help meet demand and spur innovation and opportunities to meet the agriculture community’s diverse needs. I thank Senators Fischer and Luján for their unwavering commitment to fully connecting rural communities,” said Competitive Carriers Association President and CEO Tim Donovan.
“The LAST ACRE Act is a vital step toward bridging the digital divide in rural America by extending high-speed broadband access beyond homes and businesses to the very fields where farmers and ranchers work, enabling the full adoption of precision agriculture technologies. We welcome this important bipartisan legislation that ensures the U.S. Department of Agriculture has the strategy and resources to deliver connectivity to every acre, boosting productivity, sustainability, and economic opportunity across rural communities,” said NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association.Full List of Endorsements of Fischer’s
LAST ACRE Act: Association of Equipment Manufacturers, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, Competitive Carriers Association, Ethos Connected, Irrigation Association, John Deere, Lindsay Corporation, NATE–The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Milk Producers Federation, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, NexTech, and the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association. -
MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Honors Puck Esposito of Auburn as “May Veteran of the Month”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) released a video honoring U.S. Navy Captain Paul “Puck” Esposito as the May “Veteran of the Month.”
Excerpts from Sen. Tuberville’s remarks can be found below, and complete remarks can be found here.“In Alabama, we take a lot of pride in honoring and supporting the heroes who have served in our nation’s military. But it takes people who are dedicated to this mission 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
No one embodies this cause better than Captain Paul “Puck” Esposito of Auburn, Alabama. The son of a World War II and Korean War veteran, Puck followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Navy in 1986. Puck spent 30 years in active duty as a Navy Aviator. From flying Grey helicopters, serving on an exchange tour with the Canadian Air Force, to spending eight years at sea—you name it, Puck did it. He was sent on nine long deployments and served in every theater the Navy has a presence in.
[…]
His role at the Vets Resource Center has been an essential part of filling the gaps for Auburn student-veterans and military-affiliated students. Though the Center is largely focused on providing academic resources for its participants, Puck has taken a deeper approach. In addition to educational support, Puck and his team have worked to combat critical issues such as veteran suicide, food insecurity, and homelessness.
Under the last decade of Puck’s leadership, Auburn’s Vets Resource Center has expanded from supporting 600 students to 2,100 currently. They put on events like Project Iron Ruck and help Auburn recognize and honor veterans at many of the University’s athletic events. We’re proud to now call Puck one of our own, and are grateful for all he does to support our veterans.”
Senator Tuberville recognizes a different Alabama veteran each month for their service and contribution to their community. Constituents can nominate an Alabama veteran and submit their information to Senator Tuberville’s office for consideration by emailing press_office@tuberville.senate.gov.
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: Tuberville, Cornyn Introduce Bill to Crack Down on Illegal Immigrants Who Murder Innocent Americans
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator John Cornyn and several of their colleagues to introduce the Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act, which would codify President Trump’s Executive Order subjecting illegal immigrants who kill American citizens to the death penalty. Earlier today, Sen. Tuberville joined Sen. Cornyn, Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) for a press conference about the bill.“Over the past four years, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris welcomed more than 10 million illegal immigrants into this country with open arms,” said Sen. Tuberville. “As a direct result, innocent Americans like Laken Riley and Rachel Morin have lost their lives. It’s simple: if you’re in this country illegally and you murder an American citizen, you should face the death penalty. President Trump has essentially stopped the crisis at our southern border. Republicans in Congress must do our part to ensure no more American blood is shed at the hands of criminals who shouldn’t be here in the first place.”
“Violent predators who enter our country illegally and brutally murder American citizens should be subject to the death penalty as a consequence of their heinous actions,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By enshrining President Trump’s Executive Order into law, this legislation would protect the American people, make our country safe again, and ensure no future President can singlehandedly undo this consequence for taking innocent lives.”
Joining Senators Tuberville and Cornyn in cosponsoring the bill are Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Jim Justice (R-WV), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).
Watch the full press conference here or Sen. Tuberville’s remarks here.
BACKGROUND:
Under the Biden administration’s reckless open-border policy and failure to enforce the law, millions of illegal immigrants flooded into the United States, creating the worst immigration crisis in history. After entering the U.S., many illegal immigrants subsequently committed crimes, including violent felonies and murder. For example:
August 5, 2023 – An illegal immigrant from El Salvador attacked, raped, and murdered 37-year old Rachel Morin, a mother of five, in Bel Air, Maryland. The perpetrator had previously attacked a 9-year old girl and her mother in Los Angeles.
December 4, 2023 – An illegal immigrant from Mexico stabbed 16-year old Lizbeth Medina to death and left her body in a bath tub in Edna, Texas.
February 22, 2024 – An illegal immigrant from Venezuela murdered 22-year old Laken Riley as she went for a run in Athens, Georgia.
March 22, 2024 – An illegal immigrant from Mexico shot and killed 25-year old Ruby Garcia while in her car, then left her body on the side of a highway in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
June 17, 2024 – Two illegal immigrants from Venezuela kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and strangled 12-year old Jocelyn Nungaray to death in Houston, Texas.
January 26, 2025 – Two illegal immigrants, one from Ecuador and the other from Venezuela, bound, gagged, and beat 63-year old George Levin to death in Chicago, Illinois.
March 12, 2025 – An illegal immigrant from Honduras choked 52-year old Camillia Williams, a mother of five and grandmother, to death, then dumped her body in the woods in Marietta, Georgia.
As President Trump highlighted, since America’s founding, capital punishment has been an essential tool for deterring and punishing murder. When illegal immigrants come into the United States and murder law-abiding American citizens, they should face the death penalty. The Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act would ensure that this deterrent is applied to predators illegally crossing our border and committing violent crimes here.
The Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act would:
Amend the Criminal Code to create a new aggravating factor for illegal immigrants who murder U.S. citizens
Help direct juries to administer the death penalty when an illegal immigrant murders a U.S. citizen
Fully implement and permanently codify President Trump’s Jan. 20, 2025 Executive Order, “Restoring the Death Penalty and Protecting Public Safety,” specifically Section 3(b)(i) of the Executive Order, which states that the “Attorney General shall, where consistent with applicable law, pursue Federal jurisdiction and seek the death penalty regardless of other factors for every federal capital crime involving … [a] capital crime committed by an alien illegally present in this country.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees. -
MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Speaks with Trump Defense Nominees on Supporting Small Businesses and Service Academy Oversight
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) spoke with Sean O’Keefe, President Trump’s nominee to be Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, and Michael Obadal, President Trump’s nominee to be Under Secretary of the Army during their Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) nomination hearing. During the hearing, they spoke about how the Army can integrate and support small defense businesses and different ways to improve the United States’ military service academies.
Read Sen. Tuberville’s remarks below or on YouTube or Rumble.ON RCCTO AT REDSTONE ARSENAL:
TUBERVILLE: “Thank you for your service, first of all. […] One of our new defense contractors, obviously, has taken a novel approach to supporting the warfighter. You know, newer companies like this have become successful, partly because newer defense contract and authorities and organizations such as the RCCTO, which is headquartered in Redstone Arsenal in my state of Alabama, you know, we’re making progress.
So, how can the Army continue to improve our acquisition systems based on the lessons learned from the RCCTO?”
OBADAL: “Senator, thank you for the question as this is a critical part of Army transformation. And I believe that the RCCTO really showed us that we can rapidly understand the problem, innovate solutions with industry, and then field them rapidly in a number of different ways. My experience in commercial industry, and specifically in the defense technology industry, gave me a wide exposure to a number of different companies dealing with the acquisition corps. And having been on both sides of the table and having overseen acquisitions in my government service, I came to the conclusion that the Army needs to be a better customer. And we need to do that through streamlining our requirements through predictability of requirements and not changing them and moving the goalpost on the defense industry.
With that said, we always have to have agile requirements, which requires modularity, both software and hardware. So, if confirmed, when I look at the entire acquisition corps, I believe the people—we have fantastic people—in our acquisition corps who have given us the world’s strongest Army. It is our processes that we have to fix. So, if confirmed Senator, I would work diligently on that.”
ON SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES IN DEFENSE:
TUBERVILLE: “Yeah. Thank you. As Senator Ernst said earlier, last week, the Army announced the ATI initiative [is] headed in a different direction in some areas. I understand that being an old football coach—you can’t keep doing the same thing over and over, you gotta change along with your adversary, and obviously we need to do that. You know, part of this change last week, canceling multiple programs, you know, one of these contracts, the Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System, was won by a small family business in Alabama, my home state, named Griffin Aerospace. On Friday, they were notified that the thousands of man hours and millions of dollars that they had spent and invested in good faith were basically wasted. It’s hard to understand that from their perspective. I’d like to suggest to you that the Army restore faith with this type of businesses because we need these smaller businesses. That is not Lockheed [Martin], this is not Boeing—who could really absorb this. This is gonna devastate this country. And at the end of the day, they need more than an, ‘oops.’ You know, we wanna change here. Do you agree with that?”
OBADAL: “Senator, I wholeheartedly agree that the Army needs to take care of small business[es] as best it can. And I believe there are a number of different ways that we can do that because small business[es], in my experience, is where most of the innovation comes from. And obviously large companies, like you mentioned, build us exquisite weapon systems and we need them, but we have to make sure that we’re cultivating a robust small and medium sized business ecosystem.”
TUBERVILLE: “Yeah. Thank you. And, you know, in my state, in Huntsville, we have probably 600-800 small defense contractors. We can’t lose them. You know, they get bought out obviously regularly, but we need to make sure that, you know, for future innovation, they’re as important as anybody. So, thank you for that.
ON MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMY OVERSIGHT:
TUBERVILLE: “Mr. O’Keefe, in my role as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Personnel, we held our first hearing, as you well know, with our [superintendents] of our [service] academies in 30 years. [The] first one in 30 years. […] One of the things we illuminated during that hearing is that permanent military professors at the academies require Senate confirmation—which is very understandable—while civilian-tenured faculty are not [Senate confirmed], making them as far as I can tell, the only lifetime government employee [that] is not subject to advice and consent. How do you feel about that?”
O’KEEFE: “Senator, it’s an interesting dynamic when the permanent professors were set up decades ago, the majority of the faculty was all military at the service academies. I suppose the concern anytime you’re discussing whether to make more civilian positions Senate confirmed is perhaps extended vacancies. I do think that there’s some room to evaluate the administrative faculty authority. You know, they have a slightly nuanced statutory scheme that applies to civilian faculty. They didn’t always have tenure for instance. So, I think that is something that should be evaluated, which I think could improve the […] effectiveness of the workforce, of the faculty mix there. Without perhaps causing some of the vacancies that I think might result with Senate confirmation. But I do think that’s an area to take a look at. I know the Secretary has mentioned that that’s something he wants to take a look at as well.”
TUBERVILLE: “Thank you, and when confirmed, I have some suggestions [for what superintendents can] do about transforming, you know, our military academies to make them better. We don’t wanna do something just to do it, but we need to make them better and grow with the times. And so, [I] look forward to visiting with you on that and working with you.”
O’KEEFE: “Absolutely, Senator.”
TUBERVILLE: “Thank you.”
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: GREAT DEAL FOR AMERICA: President Trump’s “Breakthrough” Trade Deal
US Senate News:
Source: The White House
In February, President Donald J. Trump promised “a great trade agreement” with the United Kingdom — and today he delivered with a “breakthrough” trade deal that expands market access, curbs non-tariff barriers, and levels the playing field for American exporters.
Promises made, promises kept — and he’s just getting started.
It’s the first such deal under President Trump’s transformational plan to liberate Americans from globalist trade policies that make foreign countries rich while Americans get robbed. It’s all part of President Trump’s vision of economic prosperity: fair trade, historic tax cuts, deregulation, and a manufacturing revival that will cement America’s new Golden Age for decades to come.
Here’s what they’re saying:
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Buck Wehrbein: “With this trade deal, President Trump has delivered a tremendous win for American family farmers and ranchers. For years, American cattle producers have seen the United Kingdom as an ideal partner for trade. Between our countries’ shared history, culture, and their desire for high-quality American beef, securing a trade agreement is a natural step forward. Thank you President Trump for fighting for American cattle producers.”
Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper: “We sincerely thank President Trump and his trade negotiators for ensuring that American-made ethanol is an important part of the trade agreement announced today with the United Kingdom. While we are still awaiting the specific details of the agreement, we are excited about the prospects of expanded market access that will help boost our farm economy, while also delivering lower-cost, cleaner fuel to UK drivers.”
International Dairy Foods Association President and CEO Michael Dykes, D.V.M.: “On behalf of America’s dairy processors and producers, IDFA applauds President Trump’s announcement today that the United States and the United Kingdom have reached the terms for a significant trade deal between our two markets that promises to expand access for U.S. agricultural goods, reduce tariffs, and remove barriers to trade … For too long, the UK has limited America’s food and agricultural exports to the world’s sixth largest economy and now President Trump’s deal promises to level the playing field. IDFA looks forward to studying the details of this agreement as they emerge, especially specifics on relief and new market access opportunities for U.S. dairy products. The United States offers the world’s most wholesome, high-quality and affordable dairy products and IDFA is excited to work with our member companies to bring these delicious products to more consumers in the United Kingdom.”
Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor: “In terms of trade with the UK, the American ethanol industry had its best year ever last year of exports valued at over $535 million. This trade agreement puts us on track to set another record, all to the benefit of American farmers, biofuel producers, and UK consumers. We look forward to learning more, and finding new ways to help the UK achieve its economic and environmental goals through the increased use of American biofuels. We commend the President and his team for making this deal and creating new opportunities for American ethanol and rural America.”
Job Creators Network CEO Alfredo Ortiz: “Trump’s trade deal with the United Kingdom is a big victory for small businesses, American consumers, and the Trump administration itself. By reducing tariffs and trade barriers, American small businesses will be able to expand their markets and more easily sell to the relatively wealthy UK, whose population is 70 million. American consumers — including small businesses — will also get cheaper access to British goods. President Trump’s tough tariff stance is starting to pay dividends in the form of fairer and freer trade deals that put America first. The many more deals to come will greatly improve the small business economy, financial markets, and American prosperity.”
Consumer Brands Association President and CEO Melissa Hockstad: “Consumer Brands commends the Trump administration’s successful completion of a comprehensive trade deal with the United Kingdom. As President Trump and his team pursues the America First Trade Policy agenda, the consumer packaged goods industry — America’s largest domestic manufacturing sector by employment — supports the creation of new opportunities for U.S. businesses and efforts to address unfair trade barriers around the world. As the administration continues to pursue deals with other countries, we encourage U.S. trade representatives to examine the needs of different manufacturing sectors and prioritize maintaining access to unavailable natural resources. Ensuring continued trade flows of those key ingredients, which are not available from U.S. sources, is critical to achieving the president’s economic vision, fighting grocery inflation and protecting the 22.3 million American jobs supported by food, beverage, household and personal care manufacturers.”
HSBC USA President & CEO Lisa McGeough: “Today’s landmark US – UK trade agreement marks a significant step in strengthening transatlantic economic ties and expanding opportunities for businesses and investors. As a British-headquartered bank with a strong US footprint, we’re uniquely positioned to help American companies and investors seize new growth opportunities domestically, in the UK, and beyond. In the US, we stand ready to leverage our position as the world’s leading trade bank to facilitate cross-border commerce, support job creation, and drive investment. We commend the administration on the first of what we hope will be many forward-looking trade agreements.”
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “Farm Bureau appreciates the work between the administration and the United Kingdom to secure a new trade agreement. We have long advocated for new trade deals, and this is an important first step in expanding markets in the four countries … We’re encouraged by progress to create market opportunities for farmers.”
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen: “Trade matters to Nebraska because our farmers and ranchers produce the absolute best – and feed the world. America’s relationship with the U.K. is longstanding, and there is great potential for expanded trade between our countries. President Trump and his administration know that we need more trade with fewer barriers, and they are working around the clock to finalize trade deals with partners across the globe. That’s good news for Nebraska.”
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig: “A new trade deal with a key ally like the United Kingdom is great news and so I am very encouraged by President Trump’s announcement today. I am particularly pleased to hear the President tout expanded market access for ethanol, beef, and, as he put it, ‘virtually all the products produced by our great farmers’ … Today’s trade announcement demonstrates that there is real progress being made toward opening additional markets for Iowa products across the globe. I hope this deal is the first of many that will be announced with other trading partners in the coming weeks and months.”
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso: “It’s good to have the dealmaker-in-chief back in the White House. President Trump’s historic trade deal with the U.K. will mean more jobs and increased investment right here in America. More promises kept.”
Sen. Jim Banks: “Art of the Deal!”
Sen. John Boozman: “I just spoke on the phone with USTR Ambassador Greer to discuss the good news. He’s doing a great job, and I look forward to working with him and @SecRollins to ensure agriculture market access remains a priority as the details continue to be worked out.”
Sen. John Cornyn: “@POTUS Donald Trump will unveil his first post-Liberation Day trade deal this morning — a “major” agreement with the United Kingdom on rolling back tariffs.”
Sen. Joni Ernst: “President Trump continues to deliver and is opening new markets for Iowa farmers!”
Sen. Bill Hagerty: “No surprise that our Dealmaker-in-Chief President Donald Trump is rapidly delivering on his promise to ensure our trading partners are operating in good faith and that America is being treated fairly. The deal the President struck with the UK is proof that countries are responding to tariffs and want to enter into trade agreements with the United States that benefit both parties. I look forward to many more announcements in the near future.”
Sen. Roger Marshall: “Promises made. Promises kept. We are opening up new markets for our world class Kansas beef! Big win.”
Sen. Jerry Moran: “The UK offers a strategic market for American aviation & agricultural products. I introduced legislation earlier this year to lay the groundwork for a strong bilateral trade relationship, & President Trump’s announcement of a new trade agreement with the UK is a positive step forward.”
Sen. Bernie Moreno: “An absolutely historic pro America deal by the most pro America President of my lifetime. We will no longer be ripped off and will no longer tolerate trade imbalances that have destroyed the opportunities for working Americans.”
Sen. Eric Schmitt: “After years of getting ripped off, America is finally playing to win. More exports, more products made here, and record-breaking investment thanks to President Trump’s trade deals.”
Sen. Rick Scott: “Great news! Thank you, President Trump, for working with our allies while putting America first and protecting American jobs!”
Sen. Tim Sheehy: “The Art of the Deal. President Trump just delivered a huge win for hardworking Americans. Let’s keep them coming!”
Sen. Thom Tillis: “A big win secured by @POTUS with the United Kingdom, our greatest ally and one of our largest trade partners. This is a significant step toward establishing fair and mutually beneficial trade relationships with our global partners.”
Sen. Tommy Tuberville: “Today’s trade deal with the UK is the first of many to come. Like I always say: Never bet against @realDonaldTrump. THE ART OF THE DEAL”
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer: “The master negotiator succeeds again. @POTUS promised to bring our trading partners to the table and secure deals that put AMERICA FIRST—and that’s exactly what he did. More to come!”
House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain: “Promises Made, Promises KEPT! @POTUS brought countries to the negotiation table and has already DELIVERED a historic trade deal.”
House Republican Leadership Chair Elise Stefanik: “President @realDonaldTrump delivers AGAIN. Thanks to his bold leadership and tough tariffs, the UK is the first to come to the table—with a new trade deal that puts American workers and businesses FIRST. This is what economic strength and real leadership looks like. Fair trade. Better deals. America wins.”
Rep. Mark Alford: “Fact check: President Trump’s tariff strategy works. Boosting American manufacturing and fighting for our farmers. ANOTHER WIN FOR AMERICA.”
Rep. Rick Allen: “Another VICTORY! @POTUS is bringing our trading partners to the table and securing billions in new market access for American workers, businesses, and producers. Today’s trade deal with the U.K. will be the first of many. Economic strength is national strength!”
Rep. Don Bacon: “I congratulate @POTUS on striking a trade deal with the U.K. While we wait for the finer details of the agreement, including more than $700 million in ethanol exports and $250 million in other AG products like beef, every Nebraskan will surely feel it.”
Rep. Aaron Bean: “President Trump announced the first historic trade deal with the UK—something the legacy media said was ‘impossible.’ Today’s deal will make our economy stronger, put American workers first, and unleash the full potential of American industry.”
Rep. Vern Buchanan: “President Trump has once again delivered for the American people with a historic trade agreement that puts our workers and businesses first. This new deal with the United Kingdom dramatically expands access for American exports—especially agriculture—and levels the playing field for our manufacturers.”
Rep. Tim Burchett: “.@realDonaldTrump is fulfilling his promise to protect American workers and businesses. The UK trade deal slashes tariffs against the U.S. and is Making America Prosperous Again.”
Rep. Buddy Carter: “This new trade deal with the United Kingdom is just the start to the Golden Age of America. President Trump is keeping his promise, bringing fair trade to America by using the art of the deal!”
Rep. Andrew Clyde: “ART OF THE DEAL in action!”
Rep. Mike Collins: “President Trump’s tariff strategy works. Today’s trade deal with the U.K. will make our economy stronger and put American workers first. The only people upset are the Democrats and liberal media who wanted him to fail.”
Rep. Warren Davidson: “A glaring example of why we need to trust President Trump’s tariff strategy—it’s working. Stay the course.”
Rep. Pat Fallon: “Another day, another deal!”
Rep. Michelle Fischbach: “More promises made and kept by @POTUS. He said he would hold our trade partners accountable and put America first, and he’s delivering. This is just the beginning!”
Rep. Julie Fedorchak: “@POTUS is delivering exactly what our producers need. North Dakota grows and raises some of the best products in the world, and now we have greater access to one of the world’s largest markets. This is just the first of many trade victories to come under President Trump!”
Rep. Chuck Fleischmann: “@POTUS is ending decades of unfair trade deals that have ripped off the American People and is moving at lightning speed to negotiate and deliver America First trade deals. The US-UK trade deal announced today is historic and is only just the beginning!”
Rep. Mike Flood: “Over the last four years, President Biden did nothing on trade. Within a matter of months, President Trump’s dealmaking experience resulted in a trade deal with the United Kingdom, one of our country’s oldest allies.”
Rep. Virginia Foxx: “The Art of The Deal.”
Rep. Lance Gooden: “In four years, Joe Biden signed ZERO major trade deals. In just over 100 days, President Trump negotiated and signed a major trade deal with the United Kingdom. America is leading once again.”
Rep. Mark Green: “Once again, the Negotiator-in-Chief is closing deals to safeguard American manufacturers and grow our trade bigger and better than ever. On Victory in Europe Day, there isn’t a better anniversary to solidify our partnership with the United Kingdom.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: “Another incredible trade deal just secured by President Trump! The Golden Age of America is here!!”
Rep. Diana Harshbarger: “This is a HUGE WIN! Because of @POTUS’s leadership, America is securing historic economic deals—and this is just the beginning!”
Rep. Ashley Hinson: “Huge win—and many more to come! @POTUS is fighting to right the wrongs of the past, return to fair trade, and build a more abundant America. Thank you for prioritizing new market opportunities for Iowa’s farmers and biofuels producers.”
Rep. Richard Hudson: “This is what decisive leadership looks like. Thank you, @POTUS!”
Rep. Wesley Hunt: “Economic Security IS National Security — and PRESIDENT TRUMP is doing it again! This HISTORIC DEAL delivers:A stronger industrial baseTougher export controlsProtection of U.S. techBoosted steel productionThis is the Art of the Deal — the world is taking notes!”
Rep. Jim Jordan: “President Trump’s trade deal with the UK is the first of many to come. There’s no better negotiator. There’s no one better to fix Joe Biden’s broken economy.”
Rep. Young Kim: “I’m glad to see the Trump administration work with our ally Britain to promote fair trade and expand market opportunity for U.S. agricultural producers.”
Rep. David Kustoff: “Today, @POTUS unveiled a historic U.S.-UK trade deal. $5B in new market access, $6B in tariff revenue, and a stronger alliance! @realdonaldtrump keeps delivering on his promises! This is America First!”
Rep. Barry Loudermilk: “America has spent far too long on the losing end of global trade. President Trump pledged to put America’s interests first, and he is doing so beginning with this trade deal with one of our oldest allies. #promiseskept.”
Rep. Tom McClintock: “The freer the trade, the greater the benefits for all countries involved. The UK agreement takes us in the right direction. Let’s keep going toward a new golden age of global free trade and the peace and prosperity it produces.”
Rep. Dan Meuser: “This is a strong step forward. Fairer trade, lower energy costs, and pro-growth tax policies will keep driving investment here at home. I also laid out how we can responsibly reduce spending while extending key provisions of President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which delivered significant benefits for families and small businesses.”
Rep. Mary Miller: “THE ART OF THE DEAL!”
Rep. Riley Moore: “Absolute genius to announce this deal on V-E Day!”
Rep. Troy Nehls: President Trump is the Dealmaker in Chief. He has reached a historic trade deal with the United Kingdom. President Trump and his entire administration are working hard to protect American industries, protect American workers, and grow our economy. AMERICA FIRST!”
Rep. Ralph Norman: “MASSIVE win for our farmers who will have the opportunity for a wider range in markets!! Art of the deal.”
Rep. Andy Ogles: “President Trump delivers again!! This deal will bring billions home and make America stronger, richer, and more respected. A huge win for the American people.”
Rep. Gary Palmer: A win for our nation secured by President Trump! This is what it looks like to have leadership in the White House.”
Rep. August Pfluger: “President Trump just secured a huge trade deal—one I believe will be the first of many. This massive win for all Americans brings us one step closer to restoring fair trade policies.”
Rep. Adrian Smith: “I’m pleased the Trump administration has struck an initial trade deal with one of our nation’s greatest trade partners and longest-standing allies. This is a significant step toward eliminating barriers to American products in foreign markets and friendshoring supply chains. I commend President Trump and his administration for conducting negotiations swiftly to the mutual benefit of our producers, job creators, and consumers. This agreement builds upon the groundwork laid in the President’s first term, and I am pleased the administration has indicated it continues to pursue dynamic dialogue with the United Kingdom to address additional concerns.”
Rep. Marlin Stutzman: “As @POTUS says, the first of many, this is a great day for America! A combination of Trump’s trade deals and the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill will make our country strong for generations to come.”
Rep. Claudia Tenney: “.@POTUS is continuing to put America FIRST, working to strengthen our economy & national security by achieving historic trade deals. This is a huge win for American manufacturers & farmers, & there is only more winning to come!”
Rep. Beth Van Duyne: “The first of many historic trade deals!! Better market access for US products!”
Rep. Daniel Webster: Once again, @POTUS delivers for the American people by securing a historic trade deal with our key ally, the United Kingdom. This agreement lowers trade barriers, opening $5 billion of increased market access for American exports, especially for American farmers. Thank you President Trump for putting America’s farmers, businesses, and workers first!”
Rep. Tony Wied: “The Art of the Deal.”
Rep. Rudy Yakym: “President Trump is bringing countries to the table and securing fair trade deals. The first of many!”
Rep. Ryan Zinke: “Great news for Montana! The UK is our 6th largest trade partner and this will help that grow!”
House Committee on Agriculture: “This announcement is a big win for American agriculture! @POTUS is unlocking billions in new market access for U.S. exports like beef, ethanol, and more—boosting our GREAT farmers and rural economies!”
Republican Study Committee: “Another day, another historic deal secured by President Trump! This is a MASSIVE victory for American workers. PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT!” -
MIL-OSI USA: Brownley, Pingree Reintroduce Legislation to Make Composting a Federally Approved and Funded Practice
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) introduced the Cultivating Organic Matter through the Promotion Of Sustainable Techniques (COMPOST) Act, legislation that recognizes the environmental benefits of composting and establishes composting as a conservation practice for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs.
“While several states already have programs that recognize the many benefits of composting, there is no federal policy to encourage or provide sufficient resources to move a national composting effort forward,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. “With food production and subsequent food waste contributing immensely to greenhouse gas emissions, many states without clear composting guidelines or practices have fallen behind in the collective effort to meet our 2050 net-zero emission goals.”
“We must continue to take bold action in the fight to lessen the impacts of climate change and protect our resources and our environment for future generations,” continued Brownley. “My bill seeks to do just that by incentivizing farmers to implement more sustainable farming practices like composting. Expanding access to composting practices is of immense value to farmers who rely on soil health and the climate resiliency of their land, both of which are strengthened through composting. And, by diverting food and organic waste from going to the landfill and being incinerated, the expansion of composting practices helps support our local environment, local jobs, and local, healthy food production, making this legislation a true win-win for our communities.”
“Wasted food doesn’t just fill up landfills—it fuels the climate crisis. As co-founder of the bipartisan Congressional Food Recovery Caucus, I’m proud to support Congresswoman Brownley’s legislation to expand composting through conservation programs at the Department of Agriculture,” said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. “This is a commonsense step toward a more sustainable food system.”
Background
Composting is one of the most environmentally friendly means of disposing of food waste and other organic waste. Not only does composting emit a smaller quantity of greenhouse gases compared to alternative disposal methods, it also yields a valuable soil additive that enhances soil health, which in turn makes the soil a better absorber of carbon, while also making the land more resilient to climate change-fueled disasters like wildfires and floods. Additionally, while there is growing interest by individuals and businesses across the country to compost food scraps and compostable packaging, there is not enough composting infrastructure in the U.S. to meet this demand.
Unfortunately, under current law, this important conservation practice is not eligible for federal funding or assistance. In fact, composting is not an approved conservation practice (like cover crops or no-tilling systems) for USDA conservation programs, including under the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) or the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
This bill would add composting as a conservation practice for USDA conservation programs. Both the act of producing compost from organic waste and using compost on a farm would qualify as a conservation practice.
Read the full text of the bill here.
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Issues: 119th Congress, Environment
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MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Pressley Rallies at 24-Hour Vigil to Defend Medicaid, Protect Vulnerable Communities
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)
With Republicans threatening massive cuts to Medicaid in their reconciliation bill, Pressley is standing with seniors, folks with disabilities, children, and everyone whose lives depend on it
“Medicaid is not some line item on a spreadsheet. Medicaid is healthcare. Medicaid is a lifeline. No one should be in the business of taking away health care from people.”
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) rallied with caregivers, advocates, and fellow lawmakers at a 24-hour vigil to protect Medicaid from Republicans’ cruel budget cuts that would devastate communities across this country. Congresswoman Pressley made clear that Medicaid isn’t just a line item in the Republican budget, but a lifeline for millions of families who call this country home.
“Half of the children in America are covered by Medicaid. It allows people with complex chronic conditions to afford the medications they need to stay alive. And 10% of Medicaid enrollees are over the age of 60. It allows our elders and our neighbors with disabilities to receive care in their homes and to stay in their communities. This Republican reconciliation bill guts the programs that hold our communities together – Medicaid, but also SNAP, Head Start, and the VA – programs that give people a fighting chance,” Congresswoman Pressley declared. “Again, the cruelty is the point. Calling Medicaid a lifeline is not exaggeration, it is a fact.”
With Republicans proposing disastrous cuts to essential, life-saving programs including Medicaid, SNAP, Head Start, and the VA, Congresswoman Pressley has been speaking out and leveraging every tool to defend vulnerable communities that stand to be harmed by Republican’s reckless budget.
In the House Financial Services Committee’s markup of Republicans’ reconciliation bill, Rep. Pressley shared the a powerful story of a family from a Republican district at risk from the proposed Medicaid cuts. In the House Oversight Committee’s markup of the bill, she challenged Republicans to oppose devasting cuts to food assistance – only to be met with silence.
A full transcript of her remarks at today’s Medicaid vigil is available below and video is available here.
Transcript: Pressley, Lawmakers, Advocates Rally in 24-Hour Vigil to Defend Medicaid, Protect Vulnerable Communities
U.S. Capitol Building
May 8, 2025They kept thanking me for being here – I said, “Are you kidding me?” This is my family right here – my movement family. There’s no place I’d rather be – and I had to be.
I wanted to thank you all for being here. I’m so grateful for you justice-seekers, you freedom-fighters – you could’ve chosen to be anywhere else, but you chose to be here.
Not because of your jobs, your titles – I’m not here because I’m your Congresswoman, I’m here because I’m your sister in struggle and solidarity. I’m here because I’m a human being who gives a damn about other human beings.
Because we are one human family – and our destinies are truly tied.
I am so inspired by all of you. I have long believed that every great movement requires three things: imagination, strategy, and stamina.
Can you all give yourselves permission to radically dream that every person who needs care, can get it?
You are employing the strategy of peaceful protest and civil disobedience, which has been proven throughout history to be the way that we resist tyranny, that we resist oppression, that we advance progress.
And many of you have been here for 24 hours – so you are certainly demonstrating your stamina.
So imagination – I am just audacious enough to believe that we can protect Medicaid.
That we can have care, not cuts.
I’m just audacious enough to dream and to imagine that everyone deserves care.
We are joined together by a moral purpose and a moral moment: to defend Medicaid and the people we love from a Republican budget that is cruel by design.
The cruelty is the point.
A budget that would rip $880 billion from Medicaid – not to save money, but to bankroll tax cuts for Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s billionaire friends. Billionaires who don’t need another dime. People who will never face the agony of choosing between medicine and rent, groceries and insulin.
Medicaid is not some line item on a spreadsheet.
Medicaid is health care. Medicaid is a lifeline. No one should be in the business of taking away health care from people.
This is not about Democrats versus Republicans. This is about right and wrong, good and evil – it is as simple that.
Denying people healthcare – that’s wrong. That’s evil.
Republicans are firing food inspectors in the Department of Agriculture. They are dismantling public health agencies like the CDC and NIH. They are bringing back measles.
All this as a part of the so-called DOGE initiative.
How frightening that these clueless DOGE bros are determining the future of our country.
Suddenly, our greatest wealth as a nation is the health of our people.
I’m all for a government that is more efficient – but this ain’t it.
There is nothing efficient about making people sicker.
There is nothing efficient about making people hungrier.
There is nothing efficient about making people poorer.
There is nothing efficient about making people more vulnerable.
There is nothing efficient about buying more toy rockets for Elon Musk while working parents can’t afford baby formula or blood pressure medication.
The shame and the sham of it all.
Cutting Medicaid would hurt folks from every walk of life and at every stage of their life.
Medicaid covers 2 out of 5 births in this country. Slashing Medicaid will only accelerate the maternal health crisis and widen the racial disparities that already harm Black women in my district – the MA 7th – and across the country.
Donald Trump is a dictator, y’all. And the reason why Republicans is because they want a citizenry that is ignorant and uninformed.
They want a citizenry that is indifferent to the suffering of their neighbors.
They want a citizenry that is inactive.
The only way to beat a dictator is with defiance.
And that’s what you’re doing here today.
So I thank you – I thank you on behalf of the children of this country.
Half of the children in America are covered by Medicaid. It allows people with complex chronic conditions to afford the medications they need to stay alive.
And 10% of Medicaid enrollees are over the age of 60. It allows our elders and our neighbors with disabilities to receive care in their homes and to stay in their communities.
This Republican reconciliation bill guts the programs that hold our communities together – Medicaid, but also SNAP, Head Start, and the VA – programs that give people a fighting chance.
Again, the cruelty is the point.
Calling Medicaid a lifeline is not exaggeration, it is a fact.
Policy is not abstract. It is not neutral.
Policy and budgets determine who lives.
Policy and budgets determine who dies.
Policy and budgets determine who survives, who thrives.
This is policy violence.
This is a fight for dignity. It is a fight for justice. And we will do everything we can to stop this cruel budget from becoming law.
Again, we are appealing to people of conscience.
It only takes four Republicans to do the right thing, y’all.
Four to stand with the people that they serve, instead of being a cult of cowards, complicit in the wholesale harm of our people.
It just takes four Republicans of conscience to do the right thing, to stand up for the people they serve.
Four to show a shred of humanity. Four to protect Medicaid.
Let’s make sure they hear us. Today, tomorrow, and every day until they do.
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MIL-OSI: FLINT Announces First Quarter 2025 Financial Results
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Reports Adjusted EBITDAS of $5.1 million, representing a 61% improvement from prior year
CALGARY, Alberta, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FLINT Corp. (“FLINT” or the “Company”) (TSX: FLNT) today announced its results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. All amounts are in Canadian dollars and expressed in millions of dollars unless otherwise noted.
“EBITDAS” and “Adjusted EBITDAS” are not standard measures under IFRS. Please refer to the Advisory regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this press release for a description of these items and limitations of their use.
“Our commitment to quality execution and scaling the business has been demonstrated this quarter, as we were able to improve our operating results compared to prior year, despite the decrease in revenues. In addition, our liquidity is at an all-time high, which is a result of our improved finance performance and the significant advances made in our cash management cycle,” said Barry Card, Chief Executive Officer.
“Activity levels in the first quarter were down slightly compared to the same period last year with revenues approximately 6% lower. Despite that, gross profit margin was $14.4 million and Adjusted EBITDAS was $5.1 million, up 11% and 61%, respectively, from the first quarter of 2024. We expect activity levels to increase in the second quarter as we execute our spring turnaround program. For the remainder of 2025, we expect activity levels to be fairly consistent with 2024, although there is increased uncertainly as to the timing of some contracts due to the current economic and geopolitical environment,” added Mr. Card.
FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
- Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were $137.9 million, representing a decrease of $9.0 million or 6.1% from the same period in 2024.
- Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $14.4 million, representing an increase of $1.4 million or 10.7% from the same period in 2024. Gross profit margin for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was 10.4%, compared to 8.9% for the same period in 2024.
- Adjusted EBITDAS for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $5.1 million, representing an increase of $1.9 million or 60.5% from the same period in 2024. Adjusted EBITDAS margin was 3.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to 2.2% for the same period in 2024.
- SG&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were $9.4 million, representing a decrease of $0.7 million or 6.9% from the same period in 2024. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were 6.8%, consistent with 6.8% for the same period in 2024.
- Liquidity, including cash and available credit facilities, was $89.1 million at March 31, 2025, as compared to $77.0 million at March 31, 2024.
- Loss from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $3.3 million, representing an improvement of $1.5 million or 30.4% form the same period in 2024.
- New contract awards and renewals totaled approximately $78.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and $7.4 million for the month of April. Approximately 74% of the work is expected to be completed in 2025.
FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS
($ thousands, except per share amounts) Three months ended March 31, 2025 2024 % Change Revenue ($) 137,881 146,863 (6.1 ) Gross Profit ($) 14,401 13,010 10.7 Gross Profit Margin (%) 10.4 8.9 1.5 Adjusted EBITDAS (1) 5,118 3,188 60.5 Adjusted EBITDAS Margin (%) 3.7 2.2 1.5 SG&A ($) 9,361 10,056 (6.9 ) SG&A Margin (%) 6.8 6.8 — Net loss from continuing operations ($) (3,332 ) (4,786 ) 30.4 Net loss ($) (3,341 ) (5,012 ) 33.3 Basic and Diluted: Net loss per share from continuing operations ($) (0.03 ) (0.05 ) 40.0 Net loss per share ($) (0.03 ) (0.05 ) 40.0 (1) EBITDAS and Adjusted EBITDAS are not standard measures under IFRS and they are defined in the section “Advisory regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures”
Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $137,881 compared to $146,863 for the same period in 2024, representing a decrease of 6.1%. The decrease in revenue was primarily due to the timing of maintenance and construction work as compared to the same period in 2024.
Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $14,401 compared to $13,010 for the same period in 2024, representing an increase of 10.7%. Gross profit margin for three months ended March 31, 2025 was 10.4%, compared to 8.9% for the same period in 2024. The increase in gross profit, both on an absolute basis and as a percentage of revenue, was primarily due to the mix of work compared to the same period of 2024.
SG&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were $9,361, in comparison to $10,056 for the same period in 2024, representing a decrease of 6.9%. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were 6.8%, consistent with 6.8% for the same period in 2024. Spending in 2024 was elevated due to the focus on continuous improvement initiatives designed to scale the business more efficiently in future periods.
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, Adjusted EBITDAS was $5,118 compared to $3,188 for the same period in 2024. As a percentage of revenue, Adjusted EBITDAS was 3.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to 2.2% for the same period in 2024.
Loss from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $3,332 in comparison to a loss of $4,786 for the same period in 2024. The loss variance was driven primarily by the increase in gross profit margin.
CORPORATE UPDATES
On March 25, 2025, the Company released its third Sustainability Report as part of its ongoing commitment to environmental, social and governance matters. A copy of the 2024 Sustainability Report is accessible on the Company’s website at www.flintcorp.com.
The annual and special meeting of holders of common shares will be held at the Bow Valley Square Conference Centre (Hamilton Room), +30 Level, 205 – 5th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 9:00a.m. (Calgary time).
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
FLINT has an asset-based revolving credit facility (the “ABL Facility”) providing for maximum borrowings up to $50.0 million with a Canadian chartered bank. The amount available under the ABL Facility will vary from time to time based on the borrowing base determined with reference to the accounts receivable of FLINT and certain of its subsidiaries. The maturity date of the ABL Facility is April 14, 2027.
The Company anticipates that its liquidity (cash on hand and available credit facilities) and cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet its short-term contractual obligations and to maintain compliance with its financial covenants. To maintain compliance with its financial covenants through March 31, 2026, the Company can request approval from the holder of the Senior Secured Debentures to pay interest on the Senior Secured Debentures in kind.
As at March 31, 2025, the issued and outstanding share capital included 110,001,239 Common Shares, 127,732 Series 1 Preferred Shares, and 40,100 Series 2 Preferred Shares.
The Series 1 Preferred Shares (having an aggregate value of $127.732 million) are convertible at the option of the holder into Common Shares at a price of $0.35/share and the Series 2 Preferred Shares (having an aggregate value of $40.100 million) are convertible into Common Shares at a price of $0.10/share.
The Series 1 and Series 2 Preferred Shares have a 10% fixed cumulative preferential cash dividend payable when the Company has sufficient monies to be able to do so, including under the provisions of applicable law and contracts affecting the Company. The Board of Directors of the Company does not intend to declare or pay any cash dividends until the Company’s balance sheet and liquidity position supports the payment. As at March 31, 2025, the accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series 1 and Series 2 shares totaled $114.4 million. Any accrued and unpaid dividends are convertible in certain circumstances at the option of the holder into additional Series 1 and Series 2 Preferred Shares.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Our unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the operating and financial results can be accessed on our website at www.flintcorp.com and will be available shortly through SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
About FLINT Corp.
With a legacy of excellence and experience stretching back more than 100 years, FLINT provides solutions for the Energy and Industrial markets including: Oil & Gas (upstream, midstream and downstream), Petrochemical, Mining, Power, Agriculture, Forestry, Infrastructure and Water Treatment. With offices strategically located across Canada and a dedicated workforce, we provide maintenance, construction, wear technology and environmental services that help our customers bring their resources to our world. For more information about FLINT, please visit www.flintcorp.com or contact:
Barry Card Jennifer Stubbs Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer FLINT Corp. FLINT Corp. (587) 318-0997 investorrelations@flintcorp.com Advisory regarding Forward-Looking Information
Certain information included in this press release may constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. This press release contains forward-looking information relating to: our business plans, strategies and objectives; the expectation for activity levels to increase in the second quarter and that for the remainder of 2025, we expect activity levels to be fairly consistent with 2024, although there is increased uncertainly as to the timing of some projects due to the current economic and geopolitical environment; contract renewals and project awards, including the estimated value thereof and the timing of completing the associated work; the company’s approach to dividends and the sufficiency of our liquidity and cash flow from operations to meet our short-term contractual obligations and maintain compliance with our financial covenants through March 31, 2026.
Forward-looking information involves significant risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the events and results discussed in the forward-looking information including, but not limited to, compliance with debt covenants, access to credit facilities and other sources of capital for working capital requirements and capital expenditure needs, availability of labour, dependence on key personnel, economic conditions, commodity prices, interest rates, regulatory change, weather and risks related to the integration of acquired businesses. These factors should not be considered exhaustive. Risks and uncertainties about FLINT’s business are more fully discussed in FLINT’s disclosure materials, including its annual information form and management’s discussion and analysis of the operating and financial results, filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. In formulating the forward-looking information, management has assumed that business and economic conditions affecting FLINT will continue substantially in the ordinary course, including, without limitation, with respect to general levels of economic activity, regulations, taxes and interest rates. Although the forward-looking information is based on what management of FLINT consider to be reasonable assumptions based on information currently available to it, there can be no assurance that actual events or results will be consistent with this forward-looking information, and management’s assumptions may prove to be incorrect.
This forward-looking information is made as of the date of this press release, and FLINT does not assume any obligation to update or revise it to reflect new events or circumstances except as required by law. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is provided for the purpose of providing information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.
Advisory regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The terms ‘‘EBITDAS’’ and “Adjusted EBITDAS” (collectively, the ‘‘Non-GAAP financial measures’’) are financial measures used in this press release that are not standard measures under IFRS. FLINT’s method of calculating the Non-GAAP Financial Measures may differ from the methods used by other issuers. Therefore, the Non-GAAP Financial Measures, as presented, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.
EBITDAS refers to income (loss) from continuing operations in accordance with IFRS, before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, income tax expense (recovery) and long-term incentive plan expenses. EBITDAS is used by management and the directors of FLINT as well as many investors to determine the ability of an issuer to generate cash from operations. Management believes that in addition to income (loss) from continuing operations and cash provided by operating activities, EBITDAS is a useful supplemental measure from which to determine FLINT’s ability to generate cash available for debt service, working capital, capital expenditures and income taxes. FLINT has provided a reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations to EBITDAS below.
Adjusted EBITDAS refers to EBITDAS excluding restructuring expense, gain on sale of property, plant and equipment, other income and one-time incurred expenses. FLINT has used Adjusted EBITDAS as the basis for the analysis of its past operating financial performance. Adjusted EBITDAS is a measure that management believes (i) is a useful supplemental measure from which to determine FLINT’s ability to generate cash available for debt service, working capital, capital expenditures, and income taxes, and (ii) facilitates the comparability of the results of historical periods and the analysis of its operating financial performance which may be useful to investors. FLINT has provided a reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDAS below.
Investors are cautioned that the Non-GAAP Financial Measures are not alternatives to measures under IFRS and should not, on their own, be construed as an indicator of performance or cash flows, a measure of liquidity or as a measure of actual return on the shares. These Non-GAAP Financial Measures should only be used with reference to FLINT’s consolidated interim and annual financial statements, which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or on FLINT’s website at www.flintcorp.com.
(In thousands of Canadian dollars) Three months ended March 31, 2025 2024 Loss from continuing operations (3,332 ) (4,786 ) Add: Amortization of intangible assets 65 68 Depreciation expense 2,765 2,617 Long-term incentive plan expense 1,000 600 Interest expense 4,529 4,582 EBITDAS 5,027 3,081 Add (deduct): Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment (314 ) (169 ) Restructuring expenses 554 395 Other income (156 ) (315 ) One-time incurred expenses 7 196 Adjusted EBITDAS 5,118 3,188 -
MIL-OSI: Ready Capital Corporation Reports First Quarter 2025 Results
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
– GAAP EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS OF $0.47 –
– DISTRIBUTABLE LOSS PER COMMON SHARE OF $(0.09) –
– DISTRIBUTABLE EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE BEFORE REALIZED LOSSES OF $0.00 –NEW YORK, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ready Capital Corporation (“Ready Capital” or the “Company”) (NYSE: RC), a multi-strategy real estate finance company that originates, acquires, finances, and services lower-to-middle-market (“LMM”) investor and owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.
“Market volatility, tariff implementations, declining consumer confidence and increased recession expectations provide headwinds for our business”, said Thomas Capasse, Ready Capital’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Despite this challenging macroeconomic environment, the Company continues to take decisive actions to reset the balance sheet and restore profitability.”
First Quarter Highlights
- LMM commercial real estate originations of $79 million
- Small Business Lending (“SBL”) loan originations of $387 million, including $343 million of Small Business Administration 7(a) loans
- Declared and paid dividend of $0.125 per share in cash
- Book value of $10.61 per share of common stock as of March 31, 2025
- Completed the acquisition of United Development Funding IV, a real estate investment trust providing capital solutions to residential real estate developers and regional homebuilders
- Acquired approximately 3.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $5.02 per share as part of stock repurchase program
- Closed a private placement of $220 million in aggregate principal amount of its 9.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2028
Subsequent Events
On April 16, 2025, ReadyCap Holdings issued an additional $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 9.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2028. The Company used the net proceeds from the issuance of such notes to repay its indebtedness.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information
In addition to the results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, this press release includes distributable earnings, formerly referred to as core earnings, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure. The Company defines distributable earnings as net income adjusted for unrealized gains and losses related to certain mortgage backed securities (“MBS”) not retained by us as part of our loan origination business, realized gains and losses on sales of certain MBS, unrealized gains and losses related to residential mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) from discontinued operations, unrealized changes in our current expected credit loss reserve, unrealized gains or losses on de-designated cash flow hedges, unrealized gains or losses on foreign exchange hedges, unrealized gains or losses on certain unconsolidated joint ventures, non-cash compensation expense related to our stock-based incentive plan, and one-time non-recurring gains or losses, such as gains or losses on discontinued operations, bargain purchase gains, or merger related expenses.
The Company believes that this non-U.S. GAAP financial information, in addition to the related U.S. GAAP measures, provides investors greater transparency into the information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making, including the determination of dividends. However, because distributable earnings is an incomplete measure of the Company’s financial performance and involves differences from net income computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP, it should be considered along with, but not as an alternative to, the Company’s net income computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP as a measure of the Company’s financial performance. In addition, because not all companies use identical calculations, the Company’s presentation of distributable earnings may not be comparable to other similarly-titled measures of other companies.
In calculating distributable earnings, Net Income (in accordance with U.S. GAAP) is adjusted to exclude unrealized gains and losses on MBS acquired by the Company in the secondary market but is not adjusted to exclude unrealized gains and losses on MBS retained by Ready Capital as part of its loan origination businesses, where the Company transfers originated loans into an MBS securitization and the Company retains an interest in the securitization. In calculating distributable earnings, the Company does not adjust Net Income (in accordance with U.S. GAAP) to take into account unrealized gains and losses on MBS retained by us as part of the loan origination businesses because the unrealized gains and losses that are generated in the loan origination and securitization process are considered to be a fundamental part of this business and an indicator of the ongoing performance and credit quality of the Company’s historical loan originations. In calculating distributable earnings, Net Income (in accordance with U.S. GAAP) is adjusted to exclude realized gains and losses on certain MBS securities considered to be non-distributable. Certain MBS positions are considered to be non-distributable due to a variety of reasons which may include collateral type, duration, and size.
In addition, in calculating distributable earnings, Net Income (in accordance with U.S. GAAP) is adjusted to exclude unrealized gains or losses on residential MSRs, held at fair value from discontinued operations. Servicing rights relating to the Company’s small business commercial business are accounted for under ASC 860, Transfer and Servicing. In calculating distributable earnings, the Company does not exclude realized gains or losses on commercial MSRs, as servicing income is a fundamental part of Ready Capital’s business and is an indicator of the ongoing performance.
To qualify as a REIT, the Company must distribute to its stockholders each calendar year at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (including certain items of non-cash income), determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain. There are certain items, including net income generated from the creation of MSRs, that are included in distributable earnings but are not included in the calculation of the current year’s taxable income. These differences may result in certain items that are recognized in the current period’s calculation of distributable earnings not being included in taxable income, and thus not subject to the REIT dividend distribution requirement until future years.
The table below reconciles Net Income computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP to Distributable Earnings.
(in thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 Net Income $ 81,965 Reconciling items: Unrealized loss on MSR – discontinued operations 8,952 Unrealized loss on joint ventures 5,639 Decrease in CECL reserve (112,127 ) Increase in valuation allowance 99,718 Non-recurring REO impairment 2,346 Non-cash compensation 1,785 Merger transaction costs and other non-recurring expenses 2,993 Bargain purchase gain (102,471 ) Realized losses on sale of investments 20,084 Total reconciling items $ (73,081 ) Income tax adjustments (4,744 ) Distributable earnings before realized losses $ 4,140 Realized losses on sale of investments, net of tax (15,524 ) Distributable loss $ (11,384 ) Less: Distributable earnings attributable to non-controlling interests 1,985 Less: Income attributable to participating shares 2,228 Distributable loss attributable to common stockholders $ (15,597 ) Distributable earnings before realized losses on investments, net of tax per common share – basic and diluted $ 0.00 Distributable loss per common share – basic and diluted $ (0.09 ) U.S. GAAP return on equity is based on U.S. GAAP net income, while distributable return on equity is based on distributable earnings, which adjusts U.S. GAAP net income for the items Din the distributable earnings reconciliation above.
Webcast and Earnings Conference Call
Management will host a webcast and conference call on Friday, May 9, 2025 at 8:30am ET to provide a general business update and discuss the financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. During the conference call, the Company may discuss and answer questions concerning business and financial developments and trends that have occurred after quarter-end. The Company’s responses to questions, as well as other matters discussed during the conference call, may contain or constitute information that has not been disclosed previously.
The Company encourages use of the webcast due to potential extended wait times to access the conference call via dial-in. The webcast of the conference call will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.readycapital.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software.
To Participate in the Telephone Conference Call:
Dial in at least five minutes prior to start time.
Domestic: 1-877-407-0792
International: 1-201-689-8263Conference Call Playback:
Domestic: 1-844-512-2921
International: 1-412-317-6671
Replay Pin #: 13750797The playback can be accessed through May 23, 2025.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements; the Company can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include, but are not limited to, applicable regulatory changes; general volatility of the capital markets; changes in the Company’s investment objectives and business strategy; the availability of financing on acceptable terms or at all; the availability, terms and deployment of capital; the availability of suitable investment opportunities; changes in the interest rates or the general economy; increased rates of default and/or decreased recovery rates on investments; changes in interest rates, interest rate spreads, the yield curve or prepayment rates; changes in prepayments of Company’s assets; the degree and nature of competition, including competition for the Company’s target assets; and other factors, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, and other reports filed by the Company with the SEC, copies of which are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.
About Ready Capital Corporation
Ready Capital Corporation (NYSE: RC) is a multi-strategy real estate finance company that originates, acquires, finances and services lower-to-middle-market investor and owner occupied commercial real estate loans. The Company specializes in loans backed by commercial real estate, including agency multifamily, investor, construction, and bridge as well as U.S. Small Business Administration loans under its Section 7(a) program and government guaranteed loans focused on the United States Department of Agriculture. Headquartered in New York, New York, the Company employs approximately 500 professionals nationwide.
Contact
Investor Relations
Ready Capital Corporation
212-257-4666
InvestorRelations@readycapital.comAdditional information can be found on the Company’s website at www.readycapital.com.
READY CAPITAL CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(in thousands) March 31, 2025 December 31, 2024 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 205,917 $ 143,803 Restricted cash 39,603 30,560 Loans, net (including $2,018 and $3,533 held at fair value) 4,354,017 3,378,149 Loans, held for sale (including $81,789 and $128,531 held at fair value and net of valuation allowance of $158,068 and $97,620) 528,726 241,626 Mortgage-backed securities 31,415 31,006 Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures (including $6,371 and $6,577 held at fair value) 170,920 161,561 Derivative instruments 6,907 7,963 Servicing rights 129,814 128,440 Real estate owned, held for sale 199,910 193,437 Other assets 399,702 362,486 Assets of consolidated VIEs 3,723,738 5,175,295 Assets held for sale 185,782 287,595 Total Assets $ 9,976,451 $ 10,141,921 Liabilities Secured borrowings 2,713,415 2,035,176 Securitized debt obligations of consolidated VIEs, net 2,574,139 3,580,513 Senior secured notes, net 671,510 437,847 Corporate debt, net 817,156 895,265 Guaranteed loan financing 668,847 691,118 Contingent consideration 15,982 573 Derivative instruments 575 352 Dividends payable 23,929 43,168 Loan participations sold 98,128 95,578 Due to third parties 1,071 1,442 Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities 185,533 188,051 Liabilities held for sale 156,614 228,735 Total Liabilities $ 7,926,899 $ 8,197,818 Preferred stock Series C, liquidation preference $25.00 per share 8,361 8,361 Commitments & contingencies Stockholders’ Equity Preferred stock Series E, liquidation preference $25.00 per share 111,378 111,378 Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 172,507,227 and 162,792,372 shares issued and outstanding, respectively 17 17 Additional paid-in capital 2,302,101 2,250,291 Retained earnings (deficit) (450,276 ) (505,089 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (21,673 ) (18,552 ) Total Ready Capital Corporation equity 1,941,547 1,838,045 Non-controlling interests 99,644 97,697 Total Stockholders’ Equity $ 2,041,191 $ 1,935,742 Total Liabilities, Redeemable Preferred Stock, and Stockholders’ Equity $ 9,976,451 $ 10,141,921 READY CAPITAL CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONSThree Months Ended March 31, (in thousands, except share data) 2025 2024 Interest income $ 154,967 $ 232,354 Interest expense (140,466 ) (183,805 ) Net interest income before recovery of loan losses $ 14,501 $ 48,549 Recovery of loan losses 109,568 26,544 Net interest income after recovery of loan losses $ 124,069 $ 75,093 Non-interest income Net realized gain (loss) on financial instruments and real estate owned 10,669 18,868 Net unrealized gain (loss) on financial instruments (1,750 ) 4,632 Valuation allowance, loans held for sale (99,718 ) (146,180 ) Servicing income, net of amortization and impairment of $5,294 and $3,697 6,456 3,758 Gain on bargain purchase 102,471 — Income (loss) on unconsolidated joint ventures (3,982 ) 468 Other income 11,590 15,826 Total non-interest income (expense) $ 25,736 $ (102,628 ) Non-interest expense Employee compensation and benefits (21,254 ) (18,414 ) Allocated employee compensation and benefits from related party (3,276 ) (2,500 ) Professional fees (5,488 ) (7,065 ) Management fees – related party (5,577 ) (6,648 ) Loan servicing expense (15,844 ) (12,794 ) Transaction related expenses (2,694 ) (650 ) Impairment on real estate (2,346 ) (16,972 ) Other operating expenses (16,123 ) (13,215 ) Total non-interest expense $ (72,602 ) $ (78,258 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before benefit (provision) for income taxes 77,203 (105,793 ) Income tax benefit 5,207 30,211 Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 82,410 $ (75,582 ) Discontinued operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations before benefit for income taxes (594 ) 1,887 Income tax benefit (provision) 149 (472 ) Net income (loss) from discontinued operations $ (445 ) $ 1,415 Net income (loss) $ 81,965 $ (74,167 ) Less: Dividends on preferred stock 1,999 1,999 Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest 2,460 117 Net income (loss) attributable to Ready Capital Corporation $ 77,506 $ (76,283 ) Earnings per common share from continuing operations – basic $ 0.47 $ (0.45 ) Earnings per common share from discontinued operations – basic $ 0.00 $ 0.01 Total earnings per common share – basic $ 0.47 $ (0.44 ) Earnings per common share from continuing operations – diluted $ 0.46 $ (0.45 ) Earnings per common share from discontinued operations – diluted $ 0.00 $ 0.01 Total earnings per common share – diluted $ 0.46 $ (0.44 ) Weighted-average shares outstanding Basic 165,166,276 172,032,866 Diluted 167,723,519 173,104,415 Dividends declared per share of common stock $ 0.125 $ 0.30 READY CAPITAL CORPORATION
UNAUDITED SEGMENT REPORTINGThree Months Ended March 31, 2025 (in thousands) LMM
Commercial
Real EstateSmall Business
LendingCorporate-Other Consolidated Interest income $ 124,973 $ 29,994 $ — $ 154,967 Interest expense (120,354 ) (20,112 ) — (140,466 ) Net interest income before recovery of (provision for) loan losses $ 4,619 $ 9,882 $ — $ 14,501 Recovery of (provision for) loan losses 117,941 (8,373 ) — 109,568 Net interest income after recovery of (provision for) loan losses $ 122,560 $ 1,509 $ — $ 124,069 Non-interest income Net realized gain (loss) on financial instruments and real estate owned (14,600 ) 25,269 — 10,669 Net unrealized gain (loss) on financial instruments (604 ) (1,146 ) — (1,750 ) Valuation allowance, loans held for sale (99,718 ) — — (99,718 ) Servicing income, net 1,415 5,041 — 6,456 Gain on bargain purchase — — 102,471 102,471 Income (loss) on unconsolidated joint ventures (4,005 ) 23 — (3,982 ) Other income 3,037 7,262 1,291 11,590 Total non-interest income (loss) $ (114,475 ) $ 36,449 $ 103,762 $ 25,736 Non-interest expense Employee compensation and benefits (5,871 ) (15,304 ) (79 ) (21,254 ) Allocated employee compensation and benefits from related party (328 ) — (2,948 ) (3,276 ) Professional fees (818 ) (2,905 ) (1,765 ) (5,488 ) Management fees – related party — — (5,577 ) (5,577 ) Loan servicing expense (15,064 ) (780 ) — (15,844 ) Transaction related expenses — — (2,694 ) (2,694 ) Impairment on real estate (2,346 ) — — (2,346 ) Other operating expenses (3,336 ) (11,071 ) (1,716 ) (16,123 ) Total non-interest expense $ (27,763 ) $ (30,060 ) $ (14,779 ) $ (72,602 ) Income (loss) before provision for income taxes $ (19,678 ) $ 7,898 $ 88,983 $ 77,203 Total assets $ 7,897,270 $ 1,510,635 $ 382,764 $ 9,790,669 -
MIL-OSI USA: Magaziner Defends NOAA, Rhode Island Fishermen During House Natural Resources Committee Markup Debate
Source: US Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02)
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner (RI-02) led in Democrats’ defense of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) during the Natural Resources Committee markup of the House Republicans’ sweeping reconciliation tax bill, which proposes deep cuts to programs that Rhode Island’s fishermen and coastal communities depend on, in order to pay for tax cuts for the rich.
The proposal includes deep cuts to NOAA, which plays a critical role in protecting national security by supplying data for military decision making, collects information on fish stocks that the livelihoods of Rhode Island fishermen depend on, and provides weather data used by meteorologists, farmers, and countless other Americans.
House Republicans are attempting to pass a package of tax cuts expected to predominantly benefit the wealthy and big corporations, through a process called reconciliation that requires offsetting cuts to federal programs. Democratic members of the Natural Resources Committee submitted amendments to the legislation, with Magaziner proposing amendments to reverse all proposed cuts to NOAA in the bill, and to ensure that all NOAA services and operations that support military readiness are preserved – both of which were blocked by the Republican majority.
“The House Natural Resources Committee should work together on a bipartisan basis to create good-paying clean energy jobs, support Rhode Island’s fishermen and growing coastal economy, and invest in national parks – a source of pride for our nation,” said Magaziner. “Instead, Republicans in the majority are pushing a partisan bill that guts critical programs like NOAA—not to help working people, but to hand out more tax breaks to billionaires and provide giveaways to Big Oil. The people of Rhode Island deserve better.”
Magaziner also spoke out against proposed Republican funding cuts targeting national parks and environmental protection, as well as the proposed return of noncompetitive leasing in federal oil and gas lease sales.
You can view or download Rep. Magaziner’s opening remarks from this week’s committee markup here.
BACKGROUND
In Rhode Island, NOAA supports a fishing and aquaculture industry that supports thousands of jobs, provides lifesaving weather forecasting, and funds research that strengthens the state’s coastal economy and conservation of ocean resources.
Despite its critical mission, NOAA has become a primary target of the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s DOGE. Since January, NOAA has faced an unprecedented wave of political interference: censorship of climate research, purging of expert staff, the shutdown of oversight committees, and forced layoffs. Just last week, the Trump Administration sent an agency-wide email announcing that it has eliminated 1,000 NOAA employees with over 27,000 years of collective experience.
Last month, Magaziner led House Natural Resources Committee Democrats in a congressional forum on the devastating impact of cuts to NOAA, highlighting how mass layoffs and facility closures at the agency hurt Rhode Island’s coastal economy and national security interests.
The forum brought together voices from the fishing industry, environmental advocacy, and public service at the nation’s capital—including Sarah Schumann, a Rhode Island commercial fisher and Director of the Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign—to testify on the impact of Trump Administration cuts to NOAA.
Previously, Magaziner hosted a roundtable in Providence to hear from Rhode Island fishing, aquaculture, environmental, and conservation leaders about their concerns surrounding a weakened NOAA.
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MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Alert: Reed Warns Trump’s Efforts to Dismantle NOAA Threatens Economy, People, & Environment
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – As hurricane season approaches, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) is leading Senate colleagues in sounding the alarm about President Trump’s attacks on the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) and urging bipartisan action to protect the critical agency from privatization.
Every day, NOAA employees collect, analyze, and freely disseminate vast amounts of data through its National Weather Service – vital information all Americans count on. American commerce – particularly the transportation sector – relies heavily on federal weather forecasts, flooding predictions, hurricane and storm alerts, air temperature readings, nautical charts, and other scientific data. The research, services, and forecasts provided by these federal agencies is essential for everything from accurately predicting the next severe weather front to supporting farmers and fishermen to scientifically assessing the long-term costs of extreme weather events linked to climate change.
In a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Senator Reed led U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ed Markey (D-MA) in pointing to a new public letter released this week by five former Weather Service directors. The Senators say it offers an early warning on how the Trump Administration’s cuts to staff and programs could lead to “needless loss of life.”
“On May 2, five former NWS Directors – who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations – wrote a letter expressing alarm that the NWS is operating at a dangerous staffing deficit, with more than 10% of its workforce lost in recent months due to the Trump Administration’s reckless buyouts and mass firings,” the Senators wrote. “These massive staffing cuts, combined with the Trump Administration’s proposal to slash funding for the NWS’s parent agency – the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – by 25%, led these Directors to conclude that their “worst nightmare is that weather forecast offices will be so understaffed that there will be needless loss of life.””
In his preliminary budget request, President Trump called for a $1.5 billion cut to NOAA programs, including a $209 million cut for NOAA’s weather satellites which help to ensure accurate weather forecasting is available to Americans.
In their letter, the five Senators called on Secretary Lutnick to “reverse course on the Trump Administration’s staffing and funding cuts, which will prevent the National Weather Service (NWS) from being fully prepared and operational.”
According to NWS, its employees collect over six billion weather observations every day, monitor local conditions through a host of field offices across the nation, issue daily forecasts, and circulate warnings before dangerous weather events. NWS provides the public with forecasts and alerts free of charge. Private companies like AccuWeather, Google, and Apple also rely on NOAA’s observational data and satellites, buoys, and weather sensors to power their own weather products.
The Senators say that President Trump’s proposed cuts, paired with the administration’s efforts to significantly downsize NOAA and NWS, is already upending the agency’s ability to promptly alert and prepare Americans for imminent and dangerous severe weather events.
“Forecasters at Colorado State University have predicted an “above-average” 2025 hurricane season, with an estimated nine hurricanes, four of which are expected to reach Category 3 status or stronger,” the Senators continued. “Understaffed forecast offices mean longer wait times for critical alerts, slower radar maintenance, and a reduction in the high level of accuracy the public has come to rely upon. Any degradation in service risks loss of life, economic disruption, and long-term damage to public trust in our nation’s ability to prepare for and respond to extreme weather.”
Earlier this year, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) either fired or pushed out more than 10 percent of NOAA’s workforce, including top meteorologists and researchers who are charged with providing the public with accurate, life-saving weather reports and data. The Administration is reportedly working on further diminishing NOAA’s workforce by another 10 percent.
According to data obtained by the Associated Press, nearly half of all NWS forecast offices are now critically understaffed. Due to these shortages, NWS meteorologists are reportedly being forced to forego important surveys of storm damage that help inform and improve future forecasts and warnings.
While researchers, scientists, and experts point to a connection between climate change and worsening extreme storms, the Trump Administration is reportedly planning to propose eliminating NOAA’s research office and cutting NOAA research funding by 74 percent. It is anticipated that cuts to NOAA climate programs and activities will also have impacts on the collection of key weather data.
In March, Senator Reed called attention to the Trump Administration’s staffing cuts at NOAA and NWS and warned about negative impacts for Rhode Islanders. And last fall, Senator Reed sounded the alarm about Project 2025’s extremist plan to dismantle NOAA, which it labelled “one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry.” Reed warned plans to gut the National Weather Service and emergency management would be a major disaster.
Full text of the letter follows:
May 8, 2025
The Honorable Howard Lutnick, Secretary
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, D.C. 20230
Dear Secretary Lutnick:
As we approach the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins on June 1, we write to demand you reverse course on the Trump Administration’s staffing and funding cuts, which will prevent the National Weather Service (NWS) from being fully prepared and operational.
The NWS and its employees play a critical role in protecting lives, property, and our national economy. From issuing tornado and hurricane warnings to providing essential weather information for aviation, shipping, agriculture, and emergency response, the NWS is integral to Americans’ daily lives. Its employees include highly trained meteorologists, technicians, and support staff who work hard to deliver life-saving data all across the United States.
On May 2, five former NWS Directors – who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations – wrote a letter expressing alarm that the NWS is operating at a dangerous staffing deficit, with more than 10% of its workforce lost in recent months due to the Trump Administration’s reckless buyouts and mass firings. These massive staffing cuts, combined with the Trump Administration’s proposal to slash funding for the NWS’s parent agency – the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – by 25%, led these Directors to conclude that their “worst nightmare is that weather forecast offices will be so understaffed that there will be needless loss of life.”
Forecasters at Colorado State University have predicted an “above-average” 2025 hurricane season, with an estimated nine hurricanes, four of which are expected to reach Category 3 status or stronger. Understaffed forecast offices mean longer wait times for critical alerts, slower radar maintenance, and a reduction in the high level of accuracy the public has come to rely upon. Any degradation in service risks loss of life, economic disruption, and long-term damage to public trust in our nation’s ability to prepare for and respond to extreme weather.
We urge you to provide a detailed plan on how you will ensure that this critical agency has the staffing and resources it needs to ensure Americans are safe heading into this hurricane season. We look forward to your prompt response to this important matter.
Sincerely,
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MIL-OSI USA: May 8th, 2025 Heinrich Presses Agriculture Secretary on DOGE’s Targeting of Silver City Dispatch Center, USDA Canceling Contracts that Help Local Farmers, Schools, & Kids
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, pressed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins on proposed cuts in President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Preliminary Budget Request, which slashes critical investments that benefit New Mexico families to fund massive tax handouts for billionaires like Elon Musk.
Specifically, Heinrich questioned Secretary Rollins on DOGE targeting the Silver City Dispatch Center as the Iron Fire burns, USDA canceling contracts that help local farmers sell fresh produce to food banks and schools, and the status of programs that feed starving children around the world with American-grown food through the Food for Peace program.
VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) questions USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins on President Trump’s proposed budget cuts, which slash critical investments that benefit New Mexico families to fund massive tax handouts for billionaires like Elon Musk, May 6, 2025.
On DOGE Targeting the Silver City Dispatch Center:
Heinrich began his questioning, “Secretary, the Iron Fire is currently burning in the Gila National Forest, and you and I have talked about the Silver City Dispatch Center, which is in charge of coordinating the response between air assets and front-line firefighters in the Southwest. It is still among the dispatch centers that DOGE is seeking to close. And in our conversations, you assured me that you would seek to keep this dispatch center open, that you would designate it mission critical. Talk to me about what you are doing to make good on that promise.”
Rollins responded, “Yeah, we have been in conversation with GSA on that, Senator, and certainly, as we have many hands working across the Trump Administration to deliver on our promise for a more effective and efficient government. We agree that this is important, and especially as wildfire season is heating up, ensuring that we are operationally ready at every turn in your state and in other states that are highly affected by that, so we remain focused on that, and if you hear something different, please call me.”
On Trump’s USDA Canceling Contracts that Help Local Farmers Sell Fresh Produce to Schools and Feed Students:
Heinrich began by highlighting that the local food purchasing assistance and local food for school programs are,“two of the best examples of using American-grown produce to produce healthier outcomes in our students. To me, that is making America healthy again. You’ve canceled both of those contracts, even though those contracts were signed and farmers had bought supplies for planting based on those contracts.
Heinrich continued by asking, “What would you say to both the producers and the schools who made financial decisions based on those commitments?”
Rollins responded, “The first thing I’ll say is, could you send me specific information on that? Because that would be really helpful. We’ve talked a lot in broad strokes, but if I can see the details in New Mexico, you still have a million and a half dollars of the last tranche left out of 6 million.”
Heinrich pressed Rollins, “The people I’m hearing from are literally the schools and the producers who were impacted, the growers.”
Rollins responded, “Yeah, I would love to get more details on that and what that looks like again, as a COVID-era program. The other side of this, and I want to make sure you’ve got plenty of time to ask your other questions. But the other side of this, as far as the local nutritious farms, et cetera. I mean, I think that’s a massive push. I think it’s important we remain prioritized on that. But again, the $400 million a day we spend at USDA on nutrition, just on nutrition, I believe sincerely, that we’ll be able to check a lot of those boxes without continuing a program that was supposed to end at the end of COVID and that, in fact, most states still have a lot of money left in the bank. They haven’t been able to spend it.”
On Trump Threatening the Food for Peace Program:
Heinrich asked: “My colleague from Kansas mentioned Food for Peace and McGovern-Dole. These programs have provided life-saving American-grown food to people around the world. I have literally met with mothers and children who relied on American food aid for their survival. So I appreciate that you’ve had initial discussions with Secretary Rubio about these programs, but what I saw two weeks ago with several of my Republican colleagues on the ground at a refugee camp were kids who were on fractional rations who didn’t have enough calories per day to thrive. So what are we doing to fill the gap between the historic commitment of those programs and whatever that, you know, replaces them in the meantime, when the impact is kids who are not getting enough to eat?”
Rollins responded: “And you’re talking specifically on the International Programs, yes, that, that’s, that’s a great conversation. We continue to talk about it. The President has been very clear that we have to ensure that our kids here in America that are hungry, that we’re serving, obviously, they are the priority. It doesn’t mean that we don’t care about or want to move out American farmers’ produce, and we should in commodities across the world, but really focusing here in America first, but secondly, understanding how effective these programs are, which I talked a little bit about with the back and forth with Senator Baldwin. I think it may have been Senator Murray, but how important and effective those are, where we’re spending the money, how it’s being spent, and what that looks like.”
Heinrich pushed Rollins, “You’ll get a lot of support from this Committee to, to go after overhead, excess overhead, I think we have to check too many boxes, and there are a lot of entities that have gotten good at running those contracts because they can check those boxes. But what we saw on the ground was kids who had malaria and other diseases because they simply didn’t have enough food to eat, because commitments we made were not being made good on.”
Rollins responded: “Well, I would love more details on that that would help me understand and in fact, where it was y’all went, and then my commitment to you is to study that, and in my, you know, my heart is with what you’re saying. But again, we are putting American first, understanding how we’re feeding our children. And we haven’t had a MAHA discussion yet, but if we do, we can talk a little bit more about that is important. But also understanding that, again, the mission and the intention of these programs are always good. It is how we are effectuating them and putting them into play and really looking at that closely.”
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MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp Signs Legislation Delivering Hurricane Helene Relief and Supporting Georgia Agriculture and Forestry
Source: US State of Georgia
ATLANTA – Governor Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo, constitutional officers, and members of the Georgia General Assembly, signed three pieces of legislation that provides support for Georgia’s agriculture and forestry industry and delivers promised relief to farmers and timber producers impacted by Hurricane Helene.
“Our farmers and foresters are tough people,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Their commitment to moving forward after all they’ve faced is an inspiration to us all. There is still more work to be done, but I’m proud to sign these bills and deliver on our promises to the men and women who are the backbone of our state. I’m also grateful for the dedicated efforts of all of our partners in the General Assembly whose steadfast leadership and determination helped make today possible.”
HB 223, a priority of Governor Brian Kemp, championed by Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns, Commissioner Tyler Harper, Representative Chuck Efstration, and Committee Chairmen Shaw Blackmon, Chuck Hufstetler, Matt Hatchett, Blake Tillery, sponsored by Representative James Burchett, carried in the Senate by Senator Russ Goodman, exempts federal crop loss payments and disaster payments from state income tax, establishes a reforestation tax credit to help timber producers recover from the storm and encourage them to replant their crop, allows local governments to temporarily suspend their collection of harvest tax on timber producers to assist them in cleanup efforts, and provides a temporary addition to the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) for building materials to repair and rebuild poultry houses, livestock facilities, greenhouses, and other agricultural structures.
In addition to HB 223 Governor Kemp signed the following pieces of legislation:
SB 201, sponsored by Senator Larry Walker and carried in the House by Representative Leesa Hagan, provides increased protection for consumers when entering into contracts with contractors following natural disasters.
HB 143, sponsored by Representative Robert Dickey, carried in the Senate by Senator Sam Watson, and championed by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, shifts the burden of agricultural water metering equipment installation and maintenance from farmers back to the state.
Governor Kemp extends his appreciation to all of those whose diligent work and efforts led to him being able to sign these bills today.
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MIL-OSI USA: Celebrating NY FFA’s 100th Anniversary
Source: US State of New York
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New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “There’s a long list of things that make The Great New York State Fair the best in the nation, but its continued focus on agriculture is what truly sets it apart, and its deep partnership with FFA has been a huge part of that. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this powerful program’s centennial than by breaking ground on a new building that will help introduce a whole new generation of young people to the value of our industry and inspire them to pursue meaningful careers in agriculture. I want to thank our Governor, our partners across the state, and of course our very own NY FFA who share this vision and make it a priority – because of their work, I know the future of agriculture is bright.”
New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “Agriculture is a major driver of New York’s economy, providing a source of fresh food and income to people across our state. OGS is proud to partner with the State Department of Agriculture and Markets in the construction of a 4,000-square-foot building at the Great New York State Fairgrounds. This new facility will further demonstrate Governor Hochul, Commissioner Ball, and our support for New York State’s farmers and FFA’s efforts to prepare its members for careers in all sectors of the agricultural industry. As FFA marks 100 years of its annual convention here, there’s no better opportunity for us to break ground on this new space.”
New York State FFA Director Juleah Tolosky said, “For 100 years, New York FFA has empowered students to lead, serve, and grow in agriculture and beyond. This new building at the Fairgrounds is more than a structure — it’s a symbol of what happens when we invest in young people and believe in their potential. We’re grateful to Governor Hochul and Commissioner Ball and our partners across the state for supporting a vision that honors our past while building a stronger future for agricultural education.”
Dean of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Benjamin Houlton said, “The FFA is one of the most important organizations of America’s agricultural leadership—past, present and future. The historic celebration of the organization’s success reflects the commitment of many generations of farmers, agribusiness innovators and natural resources professionals to serve the foundation of society with the food they produce. At CALS, we are so grateful for our state partners’ unyielding support and proud to see a growing number of FFA students join us in shaping the future of agriculture—whether through a CALS or SUNY college degree, technical training or direct-to-career paths. There has never been a more exciting time for agriculture, and this generation of agriculture innovators will ensure that the country is in a strong position for continued prosperity.”
New York State Fair Director Julie LaFave said, “The Great New York State Fair is a tradition rooted in agriculture, and our work with the New York State FFA has been the driving force behind keeping this tradition alive. Here at the Fair, these incredible students showcase their projects, participate in competitions, and teach tens of thousands of Fairgoers what New York agriculture is all about. We’re thrilled to help this remarkable organization celebrate its 100th anniversary by investing in a new building right here at the Fair that will help spotlight their work and introduce more young people to the importance of this industry. I congratulate FFA on their centennial, and thank Governor Hochul, a 4-H kid who knows firsthand the value of ag education, for her support of this critical investment.”
Supporting agricultural education is essential to developing a generation of leaders who understand where our food comes from and value the hard work of our farmers.
Governor Kathy Hochul
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “There’s a long list of things that make The Great New York State Fair the best in the nation, but its continued focus on agriculture is what truly sets it apart, and its deep partnership with FFA has been a huge part of that. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this powerful program’s centennial than by breaking ground on a new building that will help introduce a whole new generation of young people to the value of our industry and inspire them to pursue meaningful careers in agriculture. I want to thank our Governor, our partners across the state, and of course our very own NY FFA who share this vision and make it a priority – because of their work, I know the future of agriculture is bright.”
New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “Agriculture is a major driver of New York’s economy, providing a source of fresh food and income to people across our state. OGS is proud to partner with the State Department of Agriculture and Markets in the construction of a 4,000-square-foot building at the Great New York State Fairgrounds. This new facility will further demonstrate Governor Hochul, Commissioner Ball, and our support for New York State’s farmers and FFA’s efforts to prepare its members for careers in all sectors of the agricultural industry. As FFA marks 100 years of its annual convention here, there’s no better opportunity for us to break ground on this new space.”
New York State FFA Director Juleah Tolosky said, “For 100 years, New York FFA has empowered students to lead, serve, and grow in agriculture and beyond. This new building at the Fairgrounds is more than a structure — it’s a symbol of what happens when we invest in young people and believe in their potential. We’re grateful to Governor Hochul and Commissioner Ball and our partners across the state for supporting a vision that honors our past while building a stronger future for agricultural education.”
Dean of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Benjamin Houlton said, “The FFA is one of the most important organizations of America’s agricultural leadership—past, present and future. The historic celebration of the organization’s success reflects the commitment of many generations of farmers, agribusiness innovators and natural resources professionals to serve the foundation of society with the food they produce. At CALS, we are so grateful for our state partners’ unyielding support and proud to see a growing number of FFA students join us in shaping the future of agriculture—whether through a CALS or SUNY college degree, technical training or direct-to-career paths. There has never been a more exciting time for agriculture, and this generation of agriculture innovators will ensure that the country is in a strong position for continued prosperity.”
New York State Fair Director Julie LaFave said, “The Great New York State Fair is a tradition rooted in agriculture, and our work with the New York State FFA has been the driving force behind keeping this tradition alive. Here at the Fair, these incredible students showcase their projects, participate in competitions, and teach tens of thousands of Fairgoers what New York agriculture is all about. We’re thrilled to help this remarkable organization celebrate its 100th anniversary by investing in a new building right here at the Fair that will help spotlight their work and introduce more young people to the importance of this industry. I congratulate FFA on their centennial, and thank Governor Hochul, a 4-H kid who knows firsthand the value of ag education, for her support of this critical investment.”
Agricultural Education in New York State
New York State continues to prioritize investments in agricultural education to support workforce development and ensure that agriculture remains a viable industry in New York State. In 2024, Governor Hochul increased support for the FFA by $250,000 for a total of $1.25 million and dedicated $500,000 to support the New York Agriculture in the Classroom program and $500,000 for the New York Association of Agricultural Educators to increase the number of certified agricultural educators in the state. In addition, $250,000 was included in support of Urban Agricultural Education and $50,000 for the MANRRS program.Additionally in 2024, the Governor convened the first ever youth agriculture leadership conference. Following the conference, the Governor announced the establishment of a Blue-Ribbon Panel to Advance Agriculture Education, which will bring together food and agriculture industry stakeholders, educational institutions, and educators to chart a course for strengthening agriculture education and supporting the multi-faceted needs of the workforce.
The State’s efforts are paying off, with the number of agricultural teachers growing to 424 in 2025. Alongside this growth in teachers, the number of FFA charters and members has also increased. With 224 chapters established in 52 of New York’s 62 counties, there are now over 13,000 FFA members in New York State, an increase from 9,300 in 2022. In 2016, the State Agriculture Commissioner challenged the FFA to increase its number of charters across the State by 100; the FFA reached that goal in time for its 100th anniversary this year, an exciting benchmark as it celebrates its centennial and looks forward to the next hundred years.
In addition, there are currently five MANRRS collegiate chapters statewide, up from just two in 2022, and one junior chapter at John Bowne High School in New York City. Today, there is also a 4-H program in all 62 counties in New York State, providing educational opportunities to young people interested in agriculture in every corner of the State. Together, these programs help meet the growing demand for agricultural education across New York.
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State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “New York is the fastest-growing FFA state in the country, and for 100 years, this incredible program has been the bedrock of outstanding student leadership in our state, helping students find their strengths, find ways to serve their communities, and become leaders in every sector of the agriculture industry and beyond it. Congratulations to New York FFA on its centennial—the future of New York looks exceptionally bright with such dedicated young leaders at the forefront.”
State Senator Rachel May said, “The longevity of New York’s FFA program underscores its significance to agriculture in our state. For 100 years, this program has been educating the next generation of farmers, ensuring that our vital agricultural sector remains strong. The history of the New York State Fair is closely linked to the FFA program, so it’s only appropriate that it has a dedicated building on the fairgrounds, showcasing its significance to our state. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for recognizing the importance of the FFA program with this new facility and support for New York State agriculture.”
Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, “FFA is one of the premier youth leadership development organizations in our country. Members have gone on to successful careers as farmers, chemists, government officials, business leaders, teachers, and more. The hands-on experience this organization provides is invaluable, and with the new FFA Building at the State Fairgrounds, they will have the opportunity to showcase their work in an impressive new facility. Congratulations to the FFA on their centennial.”
Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “I would like to congratulate the New York FFA for this historic milestone, marking a century of inspiring the agricultural leaders of tomorrow. As a stronghold for Northeastern agriculture, New York thrives thanks to organizations like FFA that help students realize their potential in the agricultural classroom and beyond. I look forward to the construction of the new FFA building, as well as the growth of their now 224 chapters across the state.”
Assemblymember Bill Magnarelli said, “The New York State Fair and New York State FFA have a long and storied history going back 100 years together. I applaud the work that organizations like New York State FFA and 4-H do in providing quality agricultural education to future generations to continue New York State’s long tradition of farming.”
About New York State FFA
Administered by Cornell University, the New York State FFA Association is a youth organization that helps middle and high school students become leaders in a variety of career fields, including agriculture. NY FFA develops premier leadership, personal growth and career success through activities and opportunities nationwide. Learn more about NY FFA at www.nysffa.org.About the New York State Fair
Founded in 1841, The Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment, and is a key piece of the State’s CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is the oldest fair in the United States and is consistently recognized as being among the top five state fairs in the nation.The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. Audiences are encouraged to learn more about The Great New York State Fair online, browse photos on Flickr, and follow the fun on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.
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MIL-OSI: Varonis to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
MIAMI, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Varonis Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRNS), the leader in data security, announced its participation at the following upcoming conferences:
- The J.P. Morgan 53rd Annual Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference, May 13 – 15, in Boston. The presentation is scheduled for May 15 at 8:40 a.m. ET.
- The TD Cowen 53rd Annual Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, May 28 – 29, in New York. The presentation is scheduled for May 28 at 1:15 p.m. ET.
- The William Blair 45th Annual Growth Stock Conference, June 3 – 5, in Chicago. The presentation is scheduled for June 4 at 12:40 p.m. CT.
The audio presentations will be webcast live and available by visiting the “Investor Relations” section of Varonis’ website at ir.varonis.com. The webcasts will be archived on the website for a limited time following the conferences.
Additional Resources
About Varonis
Varonis (Nasdaq: VRNS) is the leader in data security, fighting a different battle than conventional cybersecurity companies. Our cloud-native Data Security Platform continuously discovers and classifies critical data, removes exposures, and detects advanced threats with AI-powered automation.
Thousands of organizations worldwide trust Varonis to defend their data wherever it lives — across SaaS, IaaS, and hybrid cloud environments. Customers use Varonis to automate a wide range of security outcomes, including data security posture management (DSPM), data classification, data access governance (DAG), data detection and response (DDR), data loss prevention (DLP), AI security, and insider risk management.
Varonis protects data first, not last. Learn more at www.varonis.com.
Investor Relations Contact:
Tim Perz
Varonis Systems, Inc.
646-640-2112
investors@varonis.comNews Media Contact:
Rachel Hunt
Varonis Systems, Inc.
877-292-8767 (ext. 1598)
pr@varonis.com -
MIL-OSI: Globalink Investment Inc. Announces Extension of the Deadline to Complete a Business Combination to June 9, 2025
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
New York, NY, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Globalink Investment Inc. (OTC Pink: GLLI, GLLIW, GLLIR, GLLIU) (“Globalink” or the “Company”), a special purpose acquisition company, announced today that on May 5, 2025, it caused to be deposited $60,000 (the “Extension Payment”) into its trust account (the “Trust Account”) with Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company (“Continental”) to extend the deadline to complete its initial business combination from May 9, 2025 to June 9, 2025. The extension is the twenty-third extension since the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering on December 9, 2021, and the sixth of up to six extensions permitted under the Company’s governing documents currently in effect.
About Globalink Investment Inc.
Globalink is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Although there is no restriction or limitation on what industry or geographic region, Globalink intends to pursue targets in North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Asia (excluding China, Hong Kong and Macau) in the medical technology and green energy industry.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbor created thereby. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “outlook,” “guidance” or the negative of those terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause future events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, many of which are outside of the Company’s control. These factors include, but are not limited to, a variety of risk factors affecting the Company’s business and prospects, see the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on March 25, 2025 and the prospectus filed with the SEC on December 6, 2021 and subsequent reports filed with the SEC, as amended from time to time. Any forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Globalink Contact:
Say Leong Lim
Globalink Investment Inc.
Telephone: +6012 405 0015
Email: limsayleong@hotmail.com -
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Simpson Joins Bipartisan Group of Members to Reintroduce Bill Addressing Agriculture Workforce Crisis
Source: US State of Idaho
WASHINGTON—This week, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson joined Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), and Adam Gray (D-CA) in reintroducing the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. This legislation would make meaningful reforms to the H-2A visa program and establish a strong, legal immigration workforce for agricultural producers.
“The workforce crisis is the most important issue facing agriculture in our country,” said Rep. Simpson. “Supporting American agriculture means providing a stable, reliable, and legal workforce, and this legislative solution addresses one of the most pressing concerns our farmers and ranchers face. Now that we finally have an administration taking the border crisis seriously, Congress must address this issue and enact necessary reforms. It is well past time we solve this problem. I look forward to working with my colleagues and getting this critical legislation across the finish line to President Trump’s desk for his signature.”
As a representative of one of the most productive dairy districts in the nation, Rep. Simpson has been a strong advocate for getting this bill across the finish line. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act passed the House of Representatives in the 116th and 117th Congresses, with strong bipartisan support.
The full text of the bill is available here. -
MIL-OSI USA: Luján Statement on Republican Resolution to Strip Internet Access from Millions of Students and Educators
US Senate News:
Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
Luján Joined Press Conference Ahead of Senate Republicans’ Vote, Highlighted Impact on New Mexico StudentsWashington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee, issued the following statement on Senate Republicans’ vote to strip internet access from millions of students and educators:
“Across the country, the E-Rate program has helped connect countless students to the internet they need to succeed in today’s world – especially in the most rural parts of America. Under the FCC’s Wi-Fi hotspots rule, schools and libraries across America can provide Wi-Fi hotspots to students and educators to use at home.
“Senate Republicans just passed a partisan resolution that would rob New Mexico students and educators of the very tools they need to succeed. When we should be increasing connectivity, my Republican colleagues are working to limit it. If this resolution is signed into law, New Mexico schools and libraries that have applied for Wi-Fi spots through the E-Rate program will be rejected.”
Earlier today, Senator Luján joined U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and advocates at a press conference on Republican attempts to gut low-income, rural, and Tribal students’ access to Wi-Fi internet hotspots. Following the press conference, Senate Republicans voted to pass a Congressional Review Act resolution that overturns a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule allowing schools and libraries to use their E-Rate funds to loan Wi-Fi hotspots to students and educators.
In New Mexico, 40% of students lack access to high-speed broadband. Nationwide, studies have estimated between 9 million to 15 million U.S. students lack adequate internet access at home. Since 2020, the FCC’s E-Rate program has committed over $174 million in support to New Mexico schools and libraries.
Schools and libraries in New Mexico that have applied for Wi-Fi hotspots through the E-Rate program include:
· David F. Cargo El Valle De Anton Chico Library
· Farmington Municipal School District 5
· Grants Public Library
· Lake Valley Navajo School
· Ojo Encino Day School
· Taos Day School
· Taos Municipal School District
As Ranking Member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, Senator Luján is a strong champion for 100% broadband connectivity. In the 118th Congress, Senator Luján introduced the bipartisan Tribal Connect Act to make it easier for Tribes to secure high-speed internet access at Tribal Essential Community-Serving Institutions through the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF) Schools and Libraries Program, or E-Rate program. In the 117th Congress, Senator Luján introduced legislation to help close the homework gap by equipping school buses with Wi-Fi technology and improving financing options for broadband deployment. -
MIL-OSI USA: Alamance Battleground to Host ‘Fight for the Backcountry,’ the Battle of Alamance Reenactment May 17
Source: US State of North Carolina
Headline: Alamance Battleground to Host ‘Fight for the Backcountry,’ the Battle of Alamance Reenactment May 17
Alamance Battleground to Host ‘Fight for the Backcountry,’ the Battle of Alamance Reenactment May 17
jejohnson6BURLINGTONAlamance Battleground State Historic Site will host a reenactment of the 1771 Battle of Alamance on Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
The event marks the 254th anniversary of the battle, the violent conclusion of the Regulator Movement in North Carolina. In addition to the battle reenactment, the program will feature artillery demonstrations, an 18th-century hospital, and living history interpreters portraying colonial life. The battle reenactment begins at 11 a.m. and a special guided tour of the battlefield will be offered at 3 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children, seniors, and military.
In the 1760s, North Carolina farmers calling themselves the Regulators — named for their desire to “regulate” public officials — acted against a corrupt colonial government. After years of working to address their concerns peacefully by holding meetings, filing lawsuits, and writing petitions, which were largely ignored, the movement took a violent turn in 1770. The Regulators attacked corrupt local officials in Hillsborough, N.C., forcing a response by colonial Gov. William Tryon.
Gov. Tryon led a militia of 1,000 men to face off against 2,000 Regulators in the Battle of Alamance on May 16, 1771. Although the Regulators outnumbered Tryon’s forces, the Regulator uprising was crushed. After his victory, Tryon moved through the North Carolina backcountry, forcing the Regulators and their sympathizers to sign loyalty oaths.
After the American Revolution, the memory of this battle shifted from fighting between factions in North Carolina into a fight between Patriots and British troops. Because of this revision, the battle became erroneously known as the “first battle of the American Revolution.” In fact, during the Revolution, many Regulators remained loyal to the crown while some men who fought with Tryon sided with the Patriots in the war for American independence.
About Alamance Battleground
Alamance Battleground State Historic Site preserves and interprets the legacy of the Battle of Alamance. On May 16, 1771, an armed group of 2,000 farmers, known as the Regulators, confronted the royal militia of colonial Governor William Tryon. The Regulators stood for moderate reforms and accountable government, and they were massacred. The site is located at 5803 NC 62 S, Burlington, N.C. For more information, visit https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/alamance-battleground or call 336-227-4785.About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.May 8, 2025 -
MIL-OSI USA: Protecting Protected Land from Pesticides
Source: US Geological Survey
Nestled within the interior wetlands, grasslands, and riparian habitats of California’s northern Sacramento Valley, the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) embodies the core mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System: protecting wildlife, native vegetation, and the habitats they depend on for the benefit of present and future generations. Established in 1937, the refuge spans approximately 10,819 acres, providing essential habitat for migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway, the western migration path for millions of birds each year.
Unlike national parks, which balance public enjoyment with natural and cultural preservation, national wildlife refuges are managed with a primary focus on protecting wildlife, habitat, and ecological function. While recreational activities such as wildlife viewing, photography, hiking, and hunting are encouraged at Sacramento NWR, each is carefully managed to ensure they do not impede the refuge’s conservation objectives. Management practices include regulating water levels, planting native vegetation, controlling invasive species, and collaborating with local farmers to maintain optimal habitat conditions for wildlife.
Sacramento NWR serves as the headquarters for the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which encompasses five national wildlife refuges: Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, Sutter, and Sacramento River, as well as three wildlife management areas: Willow Creek-Lurline, Butte Sink, and Steve Thompson North Central Valley. Collectively, the complex protects a diverse array of habitats across multiple counties, offering migratory birds and other wildlife the necessary resources to thrive.
The refuge complex supports a rich diversity of species, including migratory waterfowl like snow geese, which travel thousands of miles from breeding grounds in Canada, Alaska, and Russia to winter in the Sacramento Valley. Other notable species include tule elk, vernal pool fairy shrimp, giant garter snakes, and various native plant communities.
Recognizing that ecological boundaries extend beyond refuge borders, Sacramento NWR engages in ongoing monitoring and research to address external environmental challenges, such as agricultural runoff and pesticide drift. These efforts inform adaptive management strategies aimed at mitigating impacts and enhancing habitat quality within the refuge.
Each winter, visitors can witness the spectacular sight of thousands of snow geese taking flight at sunrise, a testament to the refuge’s vital role in wildlife conservation. In spring, fields of goldfields wildflowers brighten the landscape, offering a different kind of spectacle. The auto tour route, observation decks, and educational programs provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to connect with nature and learn about the importance of preserving these critical habitats.