Category: Farming

MIL-OSI: A subsidiary of Aktsiaselts Infortar signed a shareholders’ agreement for acquiring a shareholding in OÜ Estonia Farmid

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

On 2. May 2025 OÜ EG Biofond (registry code: 11504910) signed an investment agreement and a shareholder ‘agreement for acquiring a 96,6%% shareholding in OÜ Estonia Farmid (registry code: 10627556). A 3.4% shareholding is held by Estonia Farmid OÜ’s subsidiary, Osaühing Estonia (registry code: 10038386).
According to the agreements, getting an approval from the Competition Authority and additional operations are preconditions for completion of the transaction. Following the transaction, the shareholders of Estonia Farmid OÜ are OÜ EG Biofond with a 96.6% shareholding and Osaühing Estonia with a 3.4% shareholding.
Estonia Farmid OÜ holds shareholdings in three agricultural companies: Estonia OÜ, Kabala Agro OÜ, and Sõrandu Farm OÜ, collectively employing nearly 150 people. The agricultural group manages a total of 9,400 hectares of arable land in Türi and Järva municipalities, of which over 6,000 hectares are owned by the company. The group’s dairy farms are located in Central Estonia – Oisu, Taikse, and Kabala – with a total of 2,640 dairy cows. The average milk production per cow at the Estonia dairy farm is among the highest in Estonia, reaching 13,300 kilograms annually. In addition to milk production, the company grows 27,000 tons of grains and rapeseed per year. Estonia Farmid OÜ also owns a 40% stake in the Oisu biomethane plant, which helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with milk production.
“Estonia’s greatest natural resources are food, timber, and minerals – these are the pillars of both our current and future economy. Estonia has fertile farmland, and our milk production is among the best in the region. The dairy industry is definitely one of the sectors where we can compete internationally,” said Ain Hanschmidt, Chairman of the Management Board of Infortar.
“The economy is set on three pillars – agriculture, industry, and services. In recent years, Infortar has expanded its presence across all three sectors to achieve its ambitions and manage risk. More than that, we have grown to become a market leader in each,” Hanschmidt added.
“Estonia Farmid, one of Estonia’s strongest agricultural companies, is doing well, but further development requires investments and risk-taking on a scale that the current owners no longer consider reasonable. We’re now at a point where the next steps for Estonia Farmid OÜ should be taken by a new, ambitious owner,” said Jaanus Marrandi, Management Board Member of Estonia Farmid OÜ.
“Estonia Farmid is being acquired by one of Estonia’s most prominent and financially strong groups – known for its solid reputation and international reach. As a listed company, Infortar provides us with the confidence that the work done so far, as well as future development and stability, will be ensured,” Marrandi emphasized.
The transaction is not treated as a transaction beyond everyday economic activities or a transaction of a significant importance, nor as a transaction with related persons, within the meaning of the “Requirements for Issuers” part of the NASDAQ Tallinn Stock Exchange rules. The transaction does not have a significant impact on Aktsiaselts Infortar’s activities. The members of the Supervisory Board and the Management Board of Aktsiaselts Infortar are not personally interested in the transaction in any other way.

Infortar operates in seven countries, the company’s main fields of activity are maritime transport, energy and real estate. Infortar owns a 68.47% stake in Tallink Grupp, a 100% stake in Elenger Grupp and a versatile and modern real estate portfolio of approx. 141,000 m2. In addition to the three main areas of activity, Infortar also operates in construction and mineral resources, agriculture, printing, and other areas. A total of 110 companies belong to the Infortar group: 101 subsidiaries, 4 affiliated companies and 5 subsidiaries of affiliated companies. Excluding affiliates, Infortar employs 6,228 people.

Additional information:
Kadri Laanvee
Investor Relations Manager
Phone: +372 5156662
e-mail: kadri.laanvee@infortar.ee
www.infortar.ee/en/investor

The MIL Network –

May 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: LINCOLN HWY/MITCHELLVILLE RD HIGHWAY, COWELL (Grass Fire)

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

COWELL

Issued on
05 May 2025 14:14

Cowell Grass Fire

Issued for COWELL near Lincoln Highway and Mitchellville Road intersection, 3km North of Cowell in the Eastern Eyre Peninsula of South Australia.

CFS firefighters on 3 trucks have contained the fire, which was burning adjacent the roadside on Lincoln Highway. Firefighters will remain on scene into this afternoon to ensure the fireground remains safe.

Roads are currently open around this incident however this may change at short notice. Continue to monitor road closures at: traffic.sa.gov.au

Emergency services may be working on and around roads in the area, and motorists are advised to stay away. If you need to travel on roads in the area, please take care and drive to the local conditions.

Smoke may impact roads in the area, and visibility may be reduced. To ensure your safety and that of firefighters and other emergency personnel who are working in the area, please do not enter the area unless necessary.

Message ID 0008585

MIL OSI News –

May 5, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZ-EU trade deal delivers export growth

Source: New Zealand Government

The early entry into force of the New Zealand–European Union Trade Agreement (FTA) is paying off, with Kiwi goods exports to the EU surging by 28 per cent during the first year.

“In the last 12 months our goods exports to the EU surged from $3.8 billion to over $4.8 billion,” Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay says.

“This is good news for all New Zealanders, especially our sheep farmers, kiwifruit growers and machinery exporters. Sheep meat was up 29 per cent adding an additional $216 million, kiwifruit has increased by 69 per cent contributing a further $316 million, and machinery was up an impressive 104 per cent providing $173 million more compared to the previous year.

“Strengthening ties with trading partners is crucial to growing the New Zealand economy and driving up incomes for Kiwis. Better market access, lower costs, and fewer trade barriers with the EU are key to delivering the Government’s ambitious goal of doubling the value of New Zealand’s exports in 10 years.”

The NZ-EU FTA removed 91 per cent of duties on New Zealand exports immediately, climbing to 97 per cent after seven years. Wine, seafood, and a range of other products are also benefiting from significant tariff reductions.

“Our growing network of trade agreements means exporters now have more choices about where to sell their world-class products,” Mr McClay says.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: “Farm of the Future”: Possibilities of Genetic Engineering in Agriculture

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

As part of the 63rd International Scientific Student Conference, which was held at NSU in the second half of April, candidate of biological sciences, head of the laboratory of developmental genetics of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICG SB RAS), associate professor of the Department of Cytology and Genetics Faculty of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University Nariman Battulin gave a popular science lecture, “Farm of the Future: How Genetic Technologies Change Animals.” The scientist told conference participants in an accessible form about how geneticists can influence the genome of farm animals.

How to read a genome?

A geneticist reads genetic texts (genomes) the same way we all read books or posts on the Internet. There are only 4 letters in DNA – A, T, G, C, but one line of the human genome contains 3 billion letters. These texts describe all the characteristics and features of living organisms, right down to eye color and perception of cold. Geneticists study these texts with great interest and try to decipher them.

— The control section of DNA switches on and off certain genes in the right organ at the right time and at the right stage of development. If we learn to understand the “genetic texts”, we will be able to control the properties of organisms. Replacing just one letter can lead to dramatic changes. For example, “turning” brown eyes into blue. Naturally, this excites the imagination of scientists, because it opens up huge opportunities for them. Knowing the DNA “texts”, it is possible to solve many problems in various fields. The simplest is forensics: if the perpetrator left his DNA at the crime scene, it can be read and certain properties of his body and even some details of his appearance can be restored. A more difficult task is genetic modification. If we learn to modify DNA, we will be able to artificially set the properties of the organism we need. To do this, we need to solve a big interesting problem — learn to find those sections of DNA that are responsible for the formation of a certain feature, — explained Nariman Battulin.

The scientist said that geneticists learn which letters in the DNA “text” are responsible for certain properties of the body using genome-wide association studies (GWAS), which helps scientists identify genes associated with a certain disease (or other trait). This method studies the entire DNA set (genome) of a large group of people, identifying small variations called single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs. It is based on a statistical procedure that determines the significance of the difference of a particular SNP between groups of people with and without a trait. In this way, it is possible to identify areas of the genome responsible for eye color or hair structure, cognitive abilities and mental characteristics. Up to the genes responsible for a person’s sense of musical rhythm or sense of humor, as well as the grades they receive in class or the level of income they will be able to achieve. Thanks to such studies, geneticists, if a person detects any pathology or body trait, can determine in which area of the genome the gene “breakdown” occurred.

More muscles!

In animal husbandry, similar studies are aimed at identifying genes responsible for economically valuable traits in animals, such as muscle mass in cattle, pigs and sheep, or egg production in birds. Geneticists have learned to identify regions of the genome that enable cows to produce record milk yields, which has revolutionized agriculture, because since this approach was first used to identify the best milk or meat producing animals, there has been a significant increase in agricultural productivity. This approach is no more than 10 years old, but the results achieved during this time allow us to look to the future with optimism and confidently predict further growth in productivity in the livestock industry.

There is another approach: geneticists look for genome sections responsible for any pathological features of an organism by studying the genomes of animals with deformities. “Breakdowns” of genes can lead to the strangest changes in the phenotype of organisms. These changes are an excellent source of information for searching for DNA sections responsible for their development.

Nariman Battulin mentioned the Belgian Blue cow breed as an example. Its characteristic feature is hypertrophied, sculpted muscles. It seems that this is how a product of genetic engineering should look, but no. The reason for this was not the experiments of geneticists, but a random mutation in one gene, which increased muscle growth. It happened quite a long time ago, but was fixed by breeders by selecting individuals with increased muscle mass as an economically valuable trait. Then it turned out that the initial mutation occurred as a result of a “breakdown” of just one gene – myostatin, which prevents the formation of an excessive number of muscle cells. If this gene is knocked out, nothing prevents muscle growth and their volume increases twice as much as normal. And scientists quickly learned to use this.

There is another effective way to interfere with the genome of living organisms. Since they are all distant relatives and have a common ancestor, they also have common genes. If a “broken” myostatin gene is found in cows, this may indicate that a similar gene is present in other animals, and most likely, in their organisms it is responsible for the same trait or property.

There is only one example in the scientific literature of a “breakdown” in a gene that prevents excessive muscle growth in humans—the same one that affects Belgian Blue cows. This is a boy born with a knockout of the myostatin gene. The baby had twice as much muscle tissue as his peers.

— It would seem that here it is, an alternative to grueling workouts in gyms: it is enough to block myostatin, and relief muscles are provided from birth and without any effort. But this medal has a reverse side. All muscles increase twofold, and even those whose increase directly affects the quality of life and health. For example, the tongue, which is also a muscle.

The complexity of such modifications is that each gene affects many traits at once. On the one hand, myostatin knockout increases muscle growth, on the other hand, it creates problems with nutrition due to the tongue being twice as large, and on the third hand, such massive animals with such a large muscle volume cannot be born naturally. For example, the same breed of cows, the Belgian Blue. Almost always, calves of this breed are born by cesarean section. Therefore, before creating such animals using genetic technologies, one should think: will it be economically justified and is it worth settling them on the farm of the future? Yes, they will give much more meat, but how many veterinarians will be needed if the production of meat from such cows is put on stream? After all, the birth of each calf will be accompanied by a surgical operation, – said Nariman Battulin.

As a result, it turns out that the economic effect of one mutation is not really that impressive due to the additional costs of changing the technology of keeping animals with a knocked-out gene. Genetic engineers should always think through such situations. “Improving” one trait can lead to problems with another. And finding a balance so that the desired genetic variants are productive and economically effective is very difficult. In addition, as practice shows, there are very few of them.

“Genetic scissors”

— From the point of view of fundamental biology, if we want to learn how genes work, we need to study this mechanism in animals in which the mutation occurred by chance. But to better understand this mechanism, we need to reproduce it ourselves, transferring this genetic variant to another organism, and see what happens. Geneticists have several tools for this task. The most popular is the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing tool. It is based on an element of the bacterial defense system that biologists have adapted to make changes to the DNA of plants, animals and humans. It consists of using short RNA that directs CRISPR/Cas9 to the desired site in the genome. After attaching to the target DNA, CRISPR/Cas9 cuts two DNA strands, allowing scientists to either deactivate the gene or insert a new DNA segment in place of the cut. Just one break is enough to “break” the gene and make changes to the DNA. In essence, this genomic editing tool is a biological molecule that can find the right place in the genome to “hit”. This is very important because the human genome, like the genome of a cow and other mammals, consists of 3 billion nucleotides, and finding the right one is not so easy. Genomic editing tools allow us to do this, – explained Nariman Battulin.

With these tools, the most popular genetic variants can be transferred from one animal species to another. For example, the genome of the same Belgian Blue cows contains a knockout of the myostatin gene, while cows of other breeds do not. It is possible to introduce this genetic change by crossing, but it will take too much time. But with the help of genomic editing tools, it is quite possible to introduce the desired genetic variant directly into the DNA of meat breeds. And such calves have already been obtained.

One of the scientific articles on this topic, “Efficient introduction of mutations into the piglet genome using CRISPR/Cas9,” which was published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports, says that the authors obtained 8 piglets with a knockout of the myostatin gene. And indeed, their muscles were twice as big as those of normal piglets. However, all the modified animals died within a week. But why did genome editing, which is successfully carried out on cows, fail on pigs?

— The thing is that each gene affects not just one function, but several at once. For example, the genomes of Belgian Blue cows contain other genetic variants that compensate for the negative impact of myostatin knockout on the body, while pigs do not have such variants. Therefore, it is important for geneticists to remember that the results of transferring one genetic variant to another genetic background can be unpredictable and undesirable, which is what happened in the case of piglets, in whose genome the myostatin gene was knocked out. But sometimes the results are positive. Lambs successfully tolerated the knockout of the myostatin gene — their muscle mass increased, but, unlike piglets, they were viable. This gene was successfully blocked in fish. In Japan, sea bream was subjected to this manipulation, after which the muscle mass of this species increased by 17%. Experiments on “building up” muscles in these fish continue, attempts are being made to bring genetically improved sea bream to market. But genetically modified salmon has already entered the American market. True, it took the enterprise implementing such a bold project 30 years of work and 100 million dollars in investments. If a regular salmon at the age of 18 months reaches 33 cm in length and weighs 1.3 kg, then its transgenic relative is twice as long and reaches a weight of 3 kg, – said Nariman Battulin.

By the way, the farm of the future will have a place for aquaculture, which is currently becoming an important element of agriculture. Most of the fish that comes to our table are not caught in the wild, but grown in fish farms.

Beneficial mutations

With the help of genetic engineering, scientists can make various useful changes to the genome of animals. For example, depriving cattle of horns, which will avoid many problems, namely, injury to other animals or farm workers.

— There are genetic variants of natural mutations obtained in hornless cows. By identifying the genes responsible for such a beneficial mutation, it is possible to artificially edit the genome of cows of other breeds, and calves will be born that fully correspond to their breed with only one exception — they will not grow horns. At the same time, other features and advantages of the breed remain unchanged. Such calves have already been obtained. Normally, animals of their breed are characterized by long horns, but genetically modified cows of this breed do not have them, — Nariman Battulin specified.

By means of genome editing, it is possible to “adapt” cows to climate change. For example, to global warming. There are genetic variants that allow increasing their temperature adaptation, i.e. resistance to heat stress. For example, if you introduce a corresponding mutation into the genome of Angus cows, “breaking” just one gene, the skin of the genetically modified animal becomes slightly thinner, and the wool becomes thinner, which reduces body temperature by 0.3-0.5 degrees under heat stress. Therefore, despite the fact that the absolute figures are small, from the point of view of the biological system, this is a very significant change.

Cold-resistant animals can be created in a similar way. In this task, geneticists are looking for inspiration in the Yakut breeds of cattle, which can withstand even the harshest frosts. They can winter in open areas, so there is no need to build warm barns. And the reason for such resistance to the cold lies, of course, in their genome. Scientists have identified the very genetic variant that affects the cold resistance of Yakut breeds of cattle. This same genetic variant is found in deep-diving animals, as well as in mammals that can hibernate or significantly change their own body temperature.

— Before actually reproducing these genetic variants in other breeds, it is very important to try to understand the mechanism by which these processes are realized. Therefore, at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, we created modified mice in which we reproduced the genetic variant of Yakut cows. Now we are trying to understand how these mice feel in low temperatures. We are observing changes in the heart rate of mouse embryos depending on the decrease in the ambient temperature. And there is hope that very soon we will understand how this mechanism works and will be able to create cold-resistant mice. But it is desirable that they do not exist on the farm of the future, — the scientist said.

According to Nariman Battulin, the most impressive thing that could be on a farm of the future is pigs that will become organ donors for humans. Unfortunately, humanity does not have the ability to provide donor organs to everyone in need. Genetically modified animals, whose organs can be transplanted to humans, could become an alternative to regular donors. By many parameters, the only species that can be used for these purposes is the pig. In recent years, significant progress has been made in this area. There are known cases of successful xenotransplantation of a kidney from a transgenic pig to a human in the world. However, after this, the few patients lived very short lives. The record holder was a man who underwent surgery in the United States in January of this year. He has been living with such a kidney for four months now.

— The most complex genetic changes that were made on animals were made on pigs for the purpose of subsequent xenotransplantation. In this case, it is necessary to introduce dozens of modifications into the genome, to “break” the genes that produce proteins that our immune system perceives as foreign. In addition, it is necessary to combine the immune systems and blood coagulation systems of humans and pigs. And many such modifications need to be made — the more, the more successful the xenotransplantation procedure will be. Geneticists from all over the world, including scientists from the Novosibirsk Akademgorodok, are working on solving this problem, — the lecturer noted.

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 5, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Link personal pursuit with the country — Xi’s message to Chinese youth

Source: China State Council Information Office

China celebrates its annual Youth Day on Sunday, honoring the legacy of the patriotic May Fourth Movement of 1919 that shaped modern Chinese history.

Around this time, President Xi Jinping usually sends greetings to young people and champions the inseparable bond between youth empowerment and national progress.

Still fresh in the public’s mind is Xi’s visit to an AI incubator in Shanghai on Tuesday. During the inspection of the AI industry in the eastern metropolis, Xi spent some time engaging with young entrepreneurs participating in an innovators’ salon.

“AI is a nascent industry, and it’s also an industry that belongs to young people,” Xi said, encouraging the younger generation to demonstrate their talent and capabilities at a time when “China is advancing the great cause of building a strong nation and realizing national rejuvenation on all fronts.”

Xi urged the young people to cherish a deep love for the country, set their sights on serving the nation, and strengthen their capabilities. The youth should “closely link their personal endeavors with the country’s future,” he said.

Xi has on multiple occasions stressed the necessity for young people to have unwavering dedication to the nation and the people, a conviction forged from his early experiences.

In the late 1960s, as part of a national movement, millions of urban youth went to rural areas to work and live alongside farmers, aiming to foster resilience through hard labor. Among them was 15-year-old Xi, who arrived in a remote village in Shaanxi Province.

Taking on farming, hauling coal, and building dams, Xi’s resilience, thirst for knowledge, and reputation as a “learned problem-solver” won the trust of villagers, who elected him as their Party branch secretary.

As a young man toiling on the barren Loess Plateau of northern Shaanxi, Xi’s aspiration at that time was to ensure that all fellow villagers could have enough to eat. It was there that Xi forged a conviction to dedicate his life to the country and the people.

Now, as China’s top leader, Xi frequently urges the younger generation to devote themselves to national development.

Ahead of the Youth Day 2023, Xi penned a reply letter to students from China Agricultural University. For over a decade, the university has been operating the “science and technology backyards” program, sending postgraduate students specializing in agriculture to rural areas to assist in solving practical problems.

In his letter, Xi expressed the hope for the students to closely integrate textbook knowledge with practices in rural areas, and devote their youth and strength to speeding up rural and agricultural modernization and the construction of a modern socialist country.

In an article published on Thursday in Qiushi Journal, the flagship magazine of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Xi again underscored the importance of strengthening the ideals and convictions of the younger generation.

Young people should serve as pioneers and vital forces in areas such as scientific and technological innovation, rural revitalization, green development, social services, and national defense, the article noted.

In his latest Youth Day greetings, Xi commended a group of volunteer teachers working in a remote border school in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

In the reply letter to the volunteer teachers, Xi noted that more young people have chosen to serve as volunteers in the country’s western regions and rural areas over the years, demonstrating their spirit of dedication and sense of responsibility.

“Contribute to the country’s modernization drive by serving where the nation and the people need you most,” he urged.

MIL OSI China News –

May 5, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Arkansas Farmers Face Lingering Floodwaters

Source: NASA

After a slow-moving weather system swamped the Midwest U.S. in early April 2025, many rivers’ water levels soared to near-historic levels. Arkansas was particularly hard hit, with floodwaters spilling across rural landscapes in the Arkansas Delta, a region where commodity crops such as rice, corn, soybeans, and wheat are widely grown. Many farmers still faced high water levels more than a month after the flooding began.
“This is one of the largest, most dramatic, and long-lasting agricultural floods we’ve seen in Arkansas in decades,” said Jason Davis, a remote sensing expert with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, noting that the April 2025 flood exceeded the severity of floods in the state in 2018, 2019, and 2023.
The OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 9 captured this false-color image (right) showing flooding along the borders of Craighead and Jackson counties in northeastern Arkansas on April 13. For comparison, the other image shows the same area on April 17, 2023, when water levels were much lower. The images combine shortwave infrared, near infrared, and red light (bands 6-5-4) to make it easier to distinguish water (blue) from land (brown) and vegetation (green).
The Cache River crested on April 7, but floodwaters lingered as water from upstream worked its way through the watershed, breaching a key levee and pooling in areas that drain poorly. Joe Christian, a rice and soybean farmer who farms along the Cache, chronicled the state of his farm as floodwaters overwhelmed it.

Posts on X showed an aerial photo of his flooded storage shed, young plants that were submerged for days (above), and muddy rows that he simply describes as “toast.”
In the Landsat imagery, notice how the river widens a few kilometers upstream of Grubbs. “That’s the line where ‘channelizing’ and ‘dredging’ of the river stopped in the 1970s,” Christian said in an interview with NASA Earth Observatory. “North of Grubbs, we get floods almost every year now.”
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station also captured several photos (available here) showing the scope of flooding in Arkansas. The photo below shows flooding along the White River in Jackson County near the towns of Newport and Bradford on April 15.
Many Arkansas farmers got an early start on planting this spring, thinking it would lead to bumper harvests in the fall, explained Jarrod Hardke, a rice agronomist for the extension service. Instead, many farmers will likely muddle through a season that brings lower than usual yields, he said.

Rice is more flood-tolerant than corn or soybeans, “but there’s a limit to that tolerance,” Hardke said. The chance of rice surviving “can drop dramatically” after being submerged for 10 days. If floodwaters cover the ground before young rice plants emerge from the soil, they can die even sooner, he added.
Hardke and Davis are part of a University of Arkansas team that estimated that the deluge inundated about 30 percent of the 839,000 acres that farmers had planted, amounting to losses of $79 million. Some wheat will be a total loss, while corn, soybeans, and rice will have to be replanted, the team reported.
Losses of rice were notably high despite its water tolerance. That’s in part because farmers often plant rice in fields with the poorest drainage. “Many fields have been flooded for more than 25 days now,” Hardke said. “Seeds that haven’t emerged are just rotting in the soil.”
Though losses would have been even higher later in the season, replanting costs will be significant. The extension service team estimated $11 million for corn, $10 million for soybeans, and $21 million for rice. Replanting costs include new seeds, herbicides, diesel fuel, and fertilizer. The aerial image below, taken by a farmer from the area, shows flooded fields and roads along the Cache.

“I don’t think most people realize how much time, money, and energy goes into every acre of crop that gets planted,” Davis said. “It’s expensive—a complete nightmare,” said Christian, noting that the flood killed about three-quarters of his soybeans.
Davis is using satellite observations to validate and supplement the extension team’s crop damage estimates, which are typically based on farmer surveys. The survey response rate can be low in some counties, but the growing availability of timely satellite observations makes it easier to assess the scope of flooding events quickly.
Davis typically uses imagery from several satellites to analyze an event like this—“anything and everything I can get,” he said, often leaning on data from Planet, NASA, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the European Space Agency. He uses the raw imagery to produce maps of flooded areas, which he then combines with data about crop type to calculate damage estimates.
“Then we share what we’re finding with the governor’s office, state and federal ag officials, and others involved in disaster response,” he said. “The goal is to deliver actionable information to people making decisions as quickly as possible.”

The aerial photograph above, taken by a local farmer, shows where a helicopter was used to place white sandbags in a levee breach. As the flood situation evolves, the Division of Agriculture extension team will continue to use satellite imagery and ground observations to update damage estimates for farmers and policymakers.

NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Flooded plant photo courtesy of Joe Christian. Astronaut photograph provided by NASA’s Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit. Aerial photographs courtesy of David Hodges and provided by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Story by Adam Voiland.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Livestock numbers fall over the last 10 years while area planted in fruit increases – Stats NZ media and information release: Agricultural production statistics: Year to June 2024 (final)
Source: Statistics New Zealand

Livestock numbers fall over the last 10 years while area planted in fruit increases – 5 May 2025 – The total number of sheep was 23.6 million at June 2024, a fall of 6.2 million (21 percent) compared with 10 years ago, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

The total number of dairy cattle also fell by 861,000 (13 percent) over this period to 5.8 million.

“Bucking the trend of falling livestock, however, is beef cattle. There were 3.7 million beef cattle in 2024, similar to the total in 2014,” agricultural statistics spokesperson Tehseen Islam said.

Deer had the highest percentage fall of all livestock types, down 26 percent in the 10-year period. Numbers are down by 250,000 since 2014, bringing the total to 709,000 deer.

Files:

Livestock numbers fall over the last 10 years while area planted in fruit increases

Agricultural production statistics: Year to June 2024 (final)
MIL OSI –
May 5, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Livestock numbers fall over the last 10 years while area planted in fruit increases – Stats NZ media and information release: Agricultural production statistics: Year to June 2024 (final)

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Livestock numbers fall over the last 10 years while area planted in fruit increases – 5 May 2025 – The total number of sheep was 23.6 million at June 2024, a fall of 6.2 million (21 percent) compared with 10 years ago, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

The total number of dairy cattle also fell by 861,000 (13 percent) over this period to 5.8 million.

“Bucking the trend of falling livestock, however, is beef cattle. There were 3.7 million beef cattle in 2024, similar to the total in 2014,” agricultural statistics spokesperson Tehseen Islam said.

Deer had the highest percentage fall of all livestock types, down 26 percent in the 10-year period. Numbers are down by 250,000 since 2014, bringing the total to 709,000 deer.

Files:

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Text of the Vice-President’s address at the inauguration ceremony of BRONCOCON 2025 in New Delhi (Exceprts)

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 04 MAY 2025 5:16PM by PIB Delhi

Good evening, all of you.

Distinguished audience, this conference, BRONCOCON 2025, has come not a day too soon because it addresses issues that are writing on the wall. Issues of huge contemporaneous relevance. It gives me immense pleasure. I take it as an absolute honour to inaugurate the 27th Annual Conference of the Indian Association for Bronchology. The Institute is known for its hallmark excellence in respiratory medicine and innovation.

I’m sure the deliberations will be extremely fruitful. There will be ideation, exchange of ideas and interaction amongst people who are dealing with this menace to humanity that is ballooning by the day. BRONCOCON, according to me, is bound to be a crucible of ideas, redefining the future of pulmonary care in India and beyond, and this is gaining urgency, this is gaining paramountcy, this is gaining absolute attention.

With over hundreds of brilliant minds dedicated to respiratory care, I’m reminded that each breath, that fundamental act of living that defines that we are living, is what your profession protects. You are protecting our lives. Your theme, very well thought out. Beyond the scope, evolving frontiers in pulmonary procedures. This demonstrates remarkable foresight because the issues are known to one and all.

Everyone is concerned and we live in a city where this dominates our mindset for months together. We know the evil consequences of this issue not being addressed. It is cancerous for society. Much beyond COVID, if we analyse the loss for our children, for our elderly citizens and for our youth, apart from those far before me.

The future of pulmonary care lies at the intersections of medicine, technology, environmental science, public policy and community engagement. All are vital to address this problem. Gone are the days when either education or solutions could be by stand-alone institutions. There has to be concerted effort. There has to be convergence of all stakeholders. They have to be on the same page to find resolution of a problem which is diagnosed by everyone in a city like Delhi and beyond. Pulmonologists and bronchologists have been silent sentinels of public health, moving to the frontline during, and who knows better than me, as Governor of the State of West Bengal. COVID-19, what a challenge it was.

I salute your tireless efforts across clinics, ICUs, labs, classrooms and policy-making arenas. When the challenge was so huge, humanity in a non-discriminatory fashion came to face this menace, home to one-sixth of humanity in the land of Atharva Ved, showed the way. We could easily find light at the end of a tunnel and also show light to about hundred other countries that are ever beholden to us. Indian pulmonology has transformed through growing clinical expertise, public awareness and technological adoption.

India, distinguished audience is a land which is witnessing at the moment accessibility to technology, adaptability to technology and technology delivering for the people at large, but in this field also much has to be negotiated. As I just indicated a while ago, our ancient texts, particularly Atharva Ved and envisions, health as a perfect balance of body, mind and spirit. It recognises breath as ‘pran’. If it goes, ‘pran’ doesn’t exist in us.

The vital life force connecting individual wellness with environmental harmony. The importance of health can be visualised. A talented person, a person with passion, mission, ability for execution, for public causes, can be severely handicapped on account of health not being in order.

So such a well-meaning person whose commitment is not in doubt, passion is on the right path, mission is for people at large, execution ability is recognised, he himself becomes a person in need and therefore health is all-important. Our traditional wisdom teaches that respiratory health is inseparable from nature’s equilibrium, reckless exploitation of nature. We are its trustees and we have become its owners and we are exploiting not for optimal need but for our greed.

A time for all of us to think. Our physical prowess, our financial power cannot determine how we use these resources which are meant not only for individual serving having means but have to be utilised equitably for one and all. It is time for us to go back to our wisdom and knowledge that is our treasure recognised by the globe. We have to see indigenous practices of seasonal living. Our elderly people always say to use vegetables which are being grown around the same time. Use fruits which are there around the same time.

Forest conservation and dietary wisdom align remarkably with modern preventive medicine. We therefore have to go back to our roots. No time is better than this because the might of Bharat is being realised, reckoned and recognised by the global powers, by the global fraternity. And it is in this context I remind the distinguished audience the time-tested science of ‘Yoga and Pranayama’. These offer profound solutions but imagine the Indian Prime Minister takes this vision to the global community, makes an appeal to the United Nations. The shortest time the largest number of nations converge to support it and we are now celebrating International Yoga Day.

The population on the planet is uniformly benefiting thereby. Then we have techniques like Anulom Vilom, Bhastrika, Kapalbhati and when I see these being demonstrated on television. I find many people instantly want to take to these, but I will appeal particularly to our youth, impressionable minds to learn it once for all. If you learn the technique once your approach will be stable, sustained, not tentative. These afford not solutions but are recipes for longevity. They enhance immunity, they generate us stress-free, our vitality goes up, the quotient of happiness is enhanced. This will obviously lead to higher productivity.

Modern research has validated that our ancient practices are scientific. Our ancient practices are extremely potent. They afford precautionary, preventive solutions. The integration of traditional wisdom into modern scientific research is the need of the time and I am sure those dealing with contemporary medicine research will address this issue. The surge in interventional pulmonology enables targeted life enhancing interventions. Deploying these at district level health care centres could accelerate our national tuberculosis elimination programme. If metros are fully equipped that is not a solution. We have to reach out up to district level, both in terms of availability and affordability. While lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer mortality, early detection technologies not only offer hope but confidence that the problem can be addressed.

We must expand from the practice of medicine to the reach of medicine ensuring, as I said earlier, affordability and accessibility. Fortunately the government by affirmative policies has done much in this direction but it is the health and mindset of people of a nation that define the nation and health defines the mindset. If we believe and want everyone to believe that our mindset must be nationalistic, we must always keep nation first. No interest whatsoever personal, partisan or fiscal can have overriding impact or national interest but then that requires the first aspect.

Consider the lived realities and now I seek your attention. Look at the plight of children who are close to industrial areas. Look at those tender souls. The elderly exposed to biomass smoke. The farmer faces parali or crop burning issues. The factory worker inhales chemicals, dust. Invisible citizens whose lives are shaped by the air we breathe.

I still recall a person in another country handling the health department in another country saying a sick child is an assurance to the doctors for their work and pharmaceutical companies for survival. We don’t want that scenario. It will be too much for us to go for air purifiers. Selective solutions in democracy do not reflect well on democracy. Solutions have to be for one and all because equality is the hallmark of democracy and we have equality when iniquitous situations are contained in a systemic manner.

As indicated in one report just a year ago in February 2024, respiratory diseases continue India’s largest disease category and account for one-sixth of our population. Just imagine what a staggering figure it is. Asthma arises among children. COPD robs adults of productivity. Tuberculosis persists and tuberculosis is a situation that affects the entire family. Fortunately now the treatment is there. There was a time when there was no treatment. So what is more fundamental is diagnosis. Early diagnosis your treatments emanate easily. The psychological toll, just imagine someone suffering from TB, someone suffering from cancer, the psychological toll not on the only patient but on the family’s huge.

Fortunately now there is hand-holding for the physical part of it but then also much needs to be done. Then there is stigmatisation. Rather than hand-holding we keep to distance ourselves out of ignorance. Environmental factors include and who doesn’t know it, air pollution.

Just reflect today. Air pollution index in this city, you’ll be amazed. When you look at the desirable index and we’re getting away from it. But what is concerning is we are not serious about it. Like climate change, existential challenges, we don’t have another planet to live, but everyone thinks it is anybody else’s job. The job is of one and all. We are cliff hanging. We need to be awake. Then apart from air pollution, vehicular emissions. We don’t pool our resources. We would like to show our wealth by having as many cars as we can have. We have to find a systemic solution. Thankfully our public transport system is being strengthened. We are falling back on alternative automobile culture, but let’s do it while there is time.

Human behaviour, what we use, our level of nutrition and suddenly a new term has emerged in last few decades. Lifestyle disease is something which is correctionable at the level of an individual, at the level of the family, at the level of the society. The problems are compounded because they get in a stream making life of individuals difficult. But I am not in despair. I am full of hope, optimism and confidence. That when there is convergence of mind like yours, the mind that will ideate, the mind that will engage in research.

Let me caution you, research has to be authentic, research must be connected with ground results. Research is not meant for oneself or self, research is not to be for the self. Research is not assimilation. Research has to be real research that not only the nation but countries beyond us can take benefit of it.

Fortunately in our country there is a revolution of green energy, redotting our rural landscape massively but we need to do more on this. We need accelerated phasing out of old vehicles. People have to understand that an old vehicle has to be discarded for reasons that concern our health. Merely because an old vehicle is functional on the road, does not reflect on its road worthiness, that has to be done.

I said public transportation. We must take pride in using public transportation. Our ego should not come in between. In many countries this is done and here also the safest, fastest, surest way to reach an airport is through a metro. But that is something we need to make a habit of.

Look at our urban lungs – water bodies, forests and tree cover. In our Vedic culture we reward them, we worship them. Now we are using it for our own gain. We are destroying our respiratory system that nature has given to us. People go for indoor plants, air purifiers out of necessity. Not recognising that this is indicative of a deep malice that is permeating in the society. Your miniscule solution is temporary for you. You have to find a systemic solution. Systemic solution is one that improves the world.

I deeply appreciate the medical community in our country. Your role transcends healing, encompassing innovation, advocacy, education and inspiration. When we faced pandemic, this was demonstrated. People came with their own ideas and they were safe from Covid.

I therefore appeal to all of you that we must bridge medicine with data science, environmental studies, engineering and artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence or let us put it in a broad term, disruptive technologies, these have entered our home, our way of life, our workplace, our research centres.

Disruptive technologies are much beyond the impact of industrial revolutions but the challenges have to be converted into opportunities. According to me, distinguished audience, it is a myth that this technology, when employed, will cut into human resource employability – No. You have to tame the technology, you have to use it for our advantage, and I’m sure you’ll work it out. You are working for a robust environment for us all. Your deliberations are bound to be absolutely wholesome for all of us.

Let us resolve on this day to build a future where every citizen breathes easily, breathes clean air, lives longer, and dreams bigger. Health is the first factor that deprives happiness. May your deliberations be fruitful and transformative.

‘सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः’ is something we have got from our scriptures to be practised.

I am grateful for the Vice-President here, who is also chairman of BRONCOCON 2025, Dr. Vivek Nangia, also Dr. R.P. Meena, the president, and the secretary, Dr. Amita Nene, for affording me this opportunity to interact with brilliant minds, minds that have passion without personal interest, a mission that is not selective, and execution that is uniform, that is helping one and all — ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.’

Thank you.

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JK/RC/SM

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: APEDA mulls Export Growth Strategy for Agri and Processed Foods, calls stakeholders for a Chintan Shivir
Source: Government of India

APEDA mulls Export Growth Strategy for Agri and Processed Foods, calls stakeholders for a Chintan Shivir

Govt committed to reducing logistical barriers and enhancing market access for Indian agri and processed food products: Shri Sunil Barthwal, Secretary Department of Commerce

Posted On: 04 MAY 2025 1:20PM by PIB Delhi

Government is committed to reducing logistical barriers and enhancing market access for Indian agri and processed food products. This was stated by Shri Sunil Barthwal, Secretary Department of Commerce, in his address at a high-level Chintan Shivir organized by Agricultural & Processed Food Products Authority(APEDA) in New Delhi.

Shri Barthwal pointed out that “Academia and Research institutions must be a part of multisectoral consultations so that Research and Development can be a major focus for innovation and sustainability in agri exports.” He emphasised that, agricultural production and productivity both are the need of the hour. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to further deliberate on the ideas and strategies discussed during the sessions.

The consultative dialogue brought together senior officials from the Union Government, Central Ministries, representatives from State Governments, policy experts, industry leaders from Agri trade and Processed Foods sector to deliberate on strategies for enhancing the export of Agricultural And Processed Food Products from India.

The inaugural session of the Chintan Shivir was co- chaired by Shri Sunil Barthwal, Secretary of Department of Commerce, and Shri Subrata Gupta, Secretary of Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). The session was also graced by the Special Secretary, Department of Commerce Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Smt. Varsha Joshi, and other senior officers of the Union and State governments, policymakers and industry leaders.

In his opening remarks, Secretary of Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Shri Subrata Gupta highlighted the importance of infrastructure development and value addition to ensure sustainable export growth. He emphasised that there is a need to develop infrastructure, Sanitary and Phytosanitary standards at par with international norms, tariff plans and more synergy between Union Government, State Government, various departments and Industry stakeholders. He identified key potential products and sectors for processed foods exports like Alcoholic Beverages, Nutraceuticals and Value-Added Products.

The Special Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Shri Rajesh Agrawal, emphasized the critical role of synergistic efforts among Union government, State Government, industry stakeholders and farming communities in realizing India’s agri-export potential. He emphasised on the need to have a more synergetic approach amongst various stakeholders to take new agriculture, processed food and Value Added Products to new geographies.

This Chintan Shivir is a first, one of its kind collaborative dialogue facilitated by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and APEDA with over 70 stakeholders from the Union Government, State Governments, Industry Leaders and Line Ministries at Vanijya Bhawan. 14 States from across the country namely Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal participated in the inaugural session. Industry Leaders of Agri and Processed Food sectors were represented by LT Foods, KRBL, Amul, Organic India, ITC, Meatzza, Suguna Foods, Kaybee, TPCI, Organic India, Allanasons, Fair exports, HMA exports, amongst others participated in the dialogue.

The Shivir was divided into five parallel technical breakout sessions focusing on specific Agri-Trade Commodities and Processed Food sector, as under:
- Basmati and Non-Basmati Rice: engaged states such as Punjab, Haryana and Telangana as well as industry giants like LT Foods and KRBL. The discussion addressed export barriers, financial and policy support and branding strategies for Indian rice.
- Animal Products: brought together key exporters and state representatives to identify value chain improvements and international compliance strategies.
- Horticulture with participation from states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh as well as companies such as Kaybee, explored ways to enhance quality, improve logistics, and strengthen industry-academia linkages.
- Processed Foods: involved stakeholders like Britannia and Haldiram’s focusing on value addition, regulatory streamlining and branding of Indian products globally.
- Organic Products: discussed opportunities in expanding India’s footprint in global organic markets with contributions from Organic India, AMUL, ITC, and regulatory bodies like FSSAI.
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Abhishek Dayal/Abhijit Narayanan

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
May 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan Announces Two Genome-Edited Rice Varieties Developed in India
Source: Government of India

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan Announces Two Genome-Edited Rice Varieties Developed in India
India Becomes the First Country in the World to Develop Genome-Edited Rice Varieties

The new genome varieties hold the potential for revolutionary changes in higher production, climate adaptability, and water conservation

Posted On: 04 MAY 2025 5:58PM by PIB Delhi

Key Highlights:
- “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has achieved a historic milestone in scientific research,” said Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
- “Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, agricultural research has been given a new direction,” added Shri Chouhan.
- “This is a golden opportunity for the agriculture sector,” stated Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
- “These new varieties will play a leading role in heralding the second Green Revolution,” emphasized Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan today announced the development of two genome-edited rice varieties, in India, at Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, NASC Complex, New Delhi. This marks a new beginning in the field of scientific research and innovation. A large number of scientists and farmers attended the event.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India’s vision for a developed nation is being realized, and farmers are moving towards prosperity. Today’s achievement will be written in golden letters. During the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Prime Minister Modi had called upon farmers to adopt modern techniques to overcome agricultural challenges. Inspired by his words, ICAR scientists have made exceptional achievements in the field of agriculture with the creation of these new varieties.”

He further said that the development of these new crops will not only enhance production but will also yield positive results in environmental terms. It will save irrigation water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby lowering environmental pressure. This is a classic example of getting both benefits – increased production and environmental conservation.

Shri Chouhan emphasized that in the coming times, there is a need for ensuring food security, increasing nutritious production, and providing food for both India and the world, while making India the food basket of the world. He stated, “We are proud that our efforts have led to the export of 48,000 crore worth of Basmati rice annually.”

The Minister also urged the need to take further steps to increase production of soybean, arhar, tur, lentils, urad, oilseeds, and pulses.

Shri Chouhan also introduced the “Minus 5 and Plus 10” formula, explaining that it involves reducing the area of rice cultivation by 5 million hectares while increasing rice production by 10 million tons in the same area. This would free up space for the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds.

He urged the farmers, especially the young farmers, to adopt advanced farming techniques. Shri Chouhan said, “We need to take agricultural research to the farmers. When agricultural scientists and farmers come together, miracles will happen.”

Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, virtually congratulated the scientists.

Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, DA&FW, MoEF&CC, highlighted that the new varieties announced by ICAR today could be a game-changer for Indian agriculture:

Dr. M.L Jat, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR), emphasized the importance of demand-driven research, highlighting the need to gather feedback from farmers about their specific requirements. This approach will ensure that research outcomes are tailored to meet the needs of farmers and effectively reach them with the right solutions.

On this occasion, the Minister honored the scientists who contributed to the research of the two varieties. Dr. Vishwanathan C, Dr. Gopal Krishnan S, Dr. Santosh Kumar, Dr. Shivani Nagar, Dr. Archana Vats, Dr. Soham Ray, Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh and Dr. Pranjal Yadav, were honored for their work on Pusa DST Rice 1. Dr. Satyendra Kumar Mangruthia, Dr. R.M. Sundaram, Dr. R. Abdul Fiyaz, Dr. C.N. Neerja, and Dr. S.V. Sai Prasad were honored for their contribution to the development of of DRR Rice 100 (Kamla).

Dr. Devendra Kumar Yadava, Deputy Director General, (Crop Science) ICAR, Dr. R.M. Sundaram, Director, ICAR-Indian Rice Research Institute, Hyderabad, Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, Former Director, ICAR, and Dr. C.H. Srinivas Rao, Director, ICAR-IARI also addressed the event.

Background:

ICAR has developed India’s first genome-edited rice varieties – DRR Rice 100 (Kamla) and Pusa DST Rice 1. These varieties have the potential to bring about revolutionary changes in terms of higher production, climate adaptability, and water conservation.

These new varieties were developed using genome-editing technology based on CRISPR-Cas, which makes precise changes in the organism’s genetic material without adding foreign DNA. Genome editing of SDN 1 and SDN 2 types of genes has been approved under India’s biosafety regulations for general crops.

In 2018, ICAR initiated genome-editing research to improve two major rice varieties – Samba Mahsuri and MTU 1010 – under the National Agricultural Science Fund. The outcome of this research is the two advanced varieties that offer the following benefits:
- A 19% increase in yield.
- A 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
- A saving of 7,500 million cubic meters of irrigation water.
- Improved tolerance to drought, salinity, and climate stresses.
The DRR Rice 100 (Kamala) variety was developed by ICAR-IIRR, Hyderabad, based on Samba Mahsuri (BPT 5204). Its objective is to increase the number of grains per panicle and it matures 20 days earlier (~130 days). Due to its shorter duration, it helps save water and fertilizers and reduces methane gas emissions. Its stalk is strong and does not fall. The rice quality is similar to the original variety, Samba Mahsuri.

The second variety, Pusa DST Rice 1, was developed by ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, based on MTU 1010. This variety can increase yields by 9.66% to 30.4% in saline and alkaline soils, with the potential for up to 20% increase in production.

These varieties have been developed for states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala (Zone VII), Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh (Zone V), Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal (Zone III).

The development of these varieties is a significant step toward India’s goal of becoming a developed nation and promoting sustainable agriculture. In the 2023-24 budget, the Government of India allocated ₹500 crores for genome editing in agricultural crops. ICAR has already initiated genome-editing research for several crops, including oilseeds and pulses.

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PSF/SRK/A

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
May 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “Rise of India’s Indigenous Sports to the Global Stage” — A Call to Celebrate and Globalize India’s Sporting Heritage, at WAVES 2025

Source: Government of India

“Rise of India’s Indigenous Sports to the Global Stage” — A Call to Celebrate and Globalize India’s Sporting Heritage, at WAVES 2025

Indigenous games are not just physical contests, but an integral part of our communities, traditions and identity: Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi

Khelo India initiative is a transformative force in nurturing grassroots talent and shaping the future of Indian sports: Raksha Nikhil Khadse

Posted On: 04 MAY 2025 2:50PM by PIB Mumbai

Mumbai | 4 May 2025

In a spirited and insightful panel discussion held yesterday at WAVES, Mumbai, the spotlight was turned on the rich heritage of Indigenous Sports and their growing journey from Indian heartlands to global arenas. The session, titled “Indigenous Sports: From India to the Global Stage”, witnessed the convergence of influential policymakers, celebrated athletes, sports entrepreneurs, and thought leaders united in a shared vision: to catapult India’s native games to international recognition and success.

Delivering the keynote address, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha, passionately highlighted the deep cultural roots of indigenous sports in India. “These games are not just physical contests; they are an integral part of our communities, our traditions, and our identity,” he said, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for his visionary leadership towards making India a global sports powerhouse. Shri Majhi further highlighted that Odisha, home to vibrant tribal communities has preserved these ancient games and is emerging as a sports hub. “We are committed to nurturing rural talents and ensuring every gifted athlete finds a platform to shine”, he stated.

Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the WAVES platform for fostering a meaningful dialogue around this significant movement. “India has already emerged as a global ambassador of Yoga. Now, we are proudly showcasing our traditional games like Kho-Kho and Kabaddi on the international stage. The Khelo India initiative is proving to be a transformative force in nurturing grassroots talent and shaping the future of Indian sports,” she remarked. She further emphasized that sports not only promote physical well-being but also strengthen relationships and foster unity—reflecting the very essence of India’s rich cultural heritage.

Anupam Goswami, League Commissioner, Pro Kabaddi League, emphasized India’s vast potential as a sports market. “We must harness this opportunity by promoting indigenous sports, which hold immense emotional and cultural value”, he added.

Fazel Atrachali, iconic PKL athlete from Iran, shared how Kabaddi has transformed lives. “Thanks to PKL, Kabaddi has become a professional sport, giving players fame and financial security”, flagged an elated Fazel.

Nic Coward, Regulatory Chairperson, English Cricket Board, stressed the importance of globalization and modern distribution channels. “To popularize traditional sports worldwide, we must embrace digital platforms, including e-sports”, he flagged.

Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho-Kho Federation, revealed that Kho-Kho is now played in 55 countries, with a target to reach over 90 nations by year’s end. “Our indigenous games are unique—requiring more strategy, stamina, and spirit. They hold immense global appeal. But they need government backing, branding, and diplomatic support”, he asserted.

Yannick Colaco, Founder of Fancode, pointed to technology as a game-changer. “Access and engagement are key. With the right tech, we can create deeper fan connections and take Indian sports global”, he added.

The session was moderated by Mantra Mugdh, who masterfully navigated the discussion, weaving together diverse insights and forward-looking strategies.

PIB TEAM WAVES 2025 | Rajith | Lekshmipriya | Swadhin | CShekhar |175

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 5, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Harris Applauds Trump Administration for Halting Foreign Owned Offshore Wind Project

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Harris, M.D., Chairman of House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration, released the following statement after the Trump Administration halted the construction of a massive offshore wind project off the coast of New York and ordered a review of all existing permits.

Background: On Wednesday, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum directed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to order foreign energy developer Equinor to cease all construction activities on its Empire Wind project. In a memorandum released by the Washington Free Beacon, Secretary Burgum confirmed the Biden administration green-lit permits for the project and ultimately approved it without conducting proper analysis.

Statement From Congressman Harris:

“I applaud the Trump Administration for exposing the Biden administration’s faulty permitting process and ordering a halt to the offshore wind construction activities of Empire Wind. Offshore wind poses a significant risk to our environment, national security operations, and marine life and its development should be halted. In the last few months in office, the Biden Administration rushed the approval process for permits in Maryland and I look forward to the swift end of all offshore wind construction projects in my district.”

For media inquiries, please contact Anna Adamian at Anna.A@mail.house.gov

MIL OSI USA News –

May 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Asian Development Blog: Seed Money: How Asia’s Small Farmers Are Quietly Reshaping Big Food

Source: Asia Development Bank

Across Asia, small farmers are building stronger, more stable futures through innovative partnerships with agribusinesses, supported by policy shifts and financial tools. These models increase yields, raise incomes, and reinforce food security by aligning rural livelihoods with supply chain sustainability.

MIL OSI Economics –

May 4, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Election flops – a night to forget for minor parties on the left and the right

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maxine Newlands, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Policy Futures, University of Queensland, Adjunct Principal Research Fellow, Cairns Institute, James Cook University

Minor parties were all the rage at the last election when, along with independent candidates, they secured almost a third of votes.

But they have failed to build on that success at this election. The biggest and best funded of the minor parties – the Greens, One Nation and Trumpet of Patriots – have all had disappointing results.

Few green shoots

The Greens are the largest party outside of the traditional two-party system. But they failed to launch on Saturday night.

In 2022, the Greens secured 12.2% of the primary support which returned a record four members to the lower house. This time around, their nationwide vote is up – but only marginally and not where it matters.

The party has lost big in Queensland, with Stephen Bates in Brisbane and Max Chandler-Mather in Griffith relinquishing their seats to Labor. Elizabeth Watson-Brown could hold on in the neighbouring seat of Ryan, though preference flows will be critical.

Peter Dutton might not be the only party leader to lose his seat, with Adam Bandt on a knife’s edge in Melbourne, which he has held for 15 years. Again, it will come down to the spread of preferences.

The Greens had high hopes for two other Melbourne-based seats. They remain a chance in Wills, but got nowhere near it in Macnamara.

And it is unlikely to snatch the New South Wales seat of Richmond from Labor despite running a close second on primary vote.

Balance of power

The Greens have performed much better in the Senate, where they will once again be the largest cross bench party with a predicted 11 seats.

While the ALP will clearly dominate the lower house in the 48th parliament, the Senate is looking to be more of a two-way spilt between Labor and the Coalition.

The Albanese government will likely require only the support of the Greens to pass legislation. This is a much better scenario for Labor than the previous parliament when it needed to stitch together all the Greens and four independents to navigate the Senate.

Once again, the Greens will effectively hold the balance of power. However, Labor will have other crossbench options, such as independents David Pocock, Lidia Thorpe and Fatima Payman if the Greens obstruct bills that are also opposed by the Coalition.

Minor party fizzers

Despite their disappointing result in the lower house, the Greens easily outperformed the right-wing minor parties, most of which flopped.

None more so than Clive Palmer’s newly registered Trumpet of Patriots, which fielded candidates in most lower house seats and in the Senate. It scored 1.8% of the vote, the highest positive swing of all the minor parties.

But it misfired everywhere, despite Palmer’s reported $A50-60 million advertising spend. While Senate votes are still being counted, Trumpet of Patriots is lagging behind both One Nation and the Legalise Cannabis Party.

Pauline Hanson’s One Nation recorded just over 6% of first preference votes, up only slightly on its 2022 result and nowhere near enough to win any lower house seats. However, there are enough disaffected voters in Queensland to return Malcolm Roberts to the Senate. Hanson won’t be up for reelection until 2028.

Hanson’s daughter Lee Hanson is an outside chance of securing a Senate spot for One Nation in Tasmania. Her main rivals are Jacqui Lambie and Legalise Cannabis, which is also in the mix to win the final Senate seat in Victoria.

Gerard Rennick’s People First party also failed to make an impression. So too, Fatima Payman’s Australia’s Voice.

What next for the minor parties?

Minor parties play an important role in the Australian political landscape, and have long been players in federal parliament.

The previous two elections have seen shifts away from the two-party system, with one in four voters preferring minor parties or independent candidates in 2019, and one in three in 2022.

On the numbers counted so far in this election, voters have favoured either the traditional major parties or the array of independent candidates.

The trend towards minor parties has been halted, at least for now.

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

– ref. Election flops – a night to forget for minor parties on the left and the right – https://theconversation.com/election-flops-a-night-to-forget-for-minor-parties-on-the-left-and-the-right-255623

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

May 4, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Independents will not help form government – but they will be vital in holding it to account

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Visitor, School of History, Australian National University

When the newspapers delivered their standard election-eve editorials, there were few surprises. Former Fairfax papers and smaller outlets offered qualified support for Labor, while the News Corp papers unashamedly championed the Coalition. In Adelaide, The Advertiser ran a curious line recommending a majority government of whatever persuasion, “lest our futures be in the hands of the mad Greens, self-serving teals or the independent rabble.”

How must those editors feel this morning? On the one hand, they got the majority government they wished for, and then some. The 2025 election will be mythologised in Labor circles for decades to come.

On the other hand, the “independent rabble” defied the expectations of some, and the best efforts of others, holding their seats and making gains in Sydney and Canberra, and potentially Melbourne and Perth as well. New crossbenchers will certainly be welcomed into the 48th parliament. And with the Coalition reeling from an historic defeat, they may all play a critical role in policy the debates to come.

Weathering the storm

The election campaign put all of the incumbent independent MPs through their paces. Coalition candidates and some of their outspoken media allies applied enormous personal pressure, with accusations of weakness on the issue of antisemitism and piercing questions from conservative news outlets about the transparency of some independent MPs’ donations.

Vast sums of money were also involved. In the Perth-side seat of Curtin, for example, independent MP Kate Chaney’s supporters and the Liberal Party allegedly spent $1 million each on their respective campaigns.

In the end, incumbent independents benefited from the historic pattern in federal politics: that a good independent is a tough proposition to beat. At election time, successful independent MPs benefit from the advantages of incumbency, the ability to point to specific policy or project victories arising from greater political competition for the seat, and the flexibility to adapt more quickly to changing voter attitudes, unencumbered by any party machinery.

Zali Steggall in Warringah and Helen Haines in Indi enjoyed their third successive wins, Rebekah Sharkie in Mayo a fourth general election win (she won a competitive byelection in 2018), Andrew Wilkie in Hobart a sixth victory on the trot, and north Queensland’s Bob Katter yet another term after 50 years of parliamentary service.

At the time of writing, all of the independents who won their seats in 2022 appear to have been returned. (The exception was Kylie Tink, whose electorate was abolished last year.) The closest count is in Goldstein, where incumbent Zoe Daniel narrowly leads her Liberal predecessor Tim Wilson. Other incumbents, such as Sophie Scamps in Mackellar, Allegra Spender in Wentworth, Monique Ryan in Kooyong and Kate Chaney in Curtin, have enjoyed distinctive swings toward them. In the formerly safe Labor seat of Fowler, where the party hoped to win, independent MP Dai Le enjoyed a handsome primary vote swing of around 6% in her favour.

Changing hands

The picture has been more mixed for the rest of the crossbench and other minor parties. The Greens seem set to lose two of their Brisbane seats, but a close race in the formerly safe Labor seat of Wills in Victoria may yet provide a win. Another record spendathon from Clive Palmer will see the Trumpet of Patriots win zero seats. One Nation may keep Queensland senator Malcolm Roberts in his place, but there do not appear to be any other gains for Pauline Hanson’s team.

Coalition defectors fared poorly, too. Monash MP, independent and former Liberal Russell Broadbent, appears to have secured just 10% of the primary vote, placing him behind both major parties and the community independent candidate.

In the Perth seat of Moore, Liberal defector Ian Goodenough has fallen behind Labor, Liberal and the Greens, with preferences flowing mainly to Labor candidate Tom French. Right-wing LNP defector Gerard Rennick appears unlikely to win his contest for a Queensland senate seat. In the regional NSW seat of Calare, ex-National MP Andrew Gee appears the only one able to buck the trend, coming second on primary votes and benefiting from a stronger flow of preferences than his National Party opponent.

New crossbench faces?

A series of close contests may yet result in extra independent members of parliament. Despite a bitter campaign, community independent Nicolette Boele appears likely to win in the north Sydney seat of Bradfield. In the Victorian seat of Flinders, independent Ben Smith has enjoyed a 5.4% swing toward him, and away from Liberal MP Zoe McKenzie, though preferences have not yet been published in that seat. In Fremantle, where the Australian Electoral Commission is yet to report any preference flows, independent candidate Kate Hulett may still be in with a shot to beat Labor’s Josh Wilson. The competitive result follows an impressive campaign from Hulett at the state election earlier this year.

After five weeks of vicious debates about the public service and Canberra, voters in the ACT sent clear messages to both major parties. Voices for Bean candidate Jessie Price appears to have taken one of the three ACT electorates from Labor, and independent Senator David Pocock enjoyed an easy victory. Labor received less than a third of the primary vote in that Senate race, and barely one in seven ACT residents voted Liberal.

Not burning down the house

Despite that qualification, Labor’s victory is historic by several measures. It is one of only four occasions over the past 30 years where its primary vote actually grew at a federal election. It looks to have won a lower house majority comparable with that of the Howard government’s final term, and maybe even with the Coalition’s 2013 victory (when it won 90 seats, more than double the figure it is likely to have won this time). The two-party preferred vote shows Albanese securing the kind of victory that made John Curtin a Labor hero in 1943.

So what role does that leave for independents in the 48th parliament?

Returning crossbenchers will regard their impressive primary votes as confirmation their voters want them to keep doing politics differently. The Liberal and National parties, on the other hand, will be consumed for much of the parliamentary term with introspection and institutional reckoning. Given how unhelpful their studied unity over the past term ultimately proved, it may be there’s more infighting within the Coalition during the next parliament.

Does it matter that the crossbenchers will not hold the balance of power in the lower house? Not necessarily. In the event of a serious policy misstep from the Albanese government during this term, the crossbenchers may prove to be the more influential voices of opposition in the lower house.

Sometimes a solo voice speaks with powerful volume. In 2001 the rural independent for Calare, Peter Andren, proved to be a singularly powerful voice against the Howard government’s draconian offshore detention program for asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat. Andren defied the national trends (and the local opinion polls) and was returned with an increased primary vote, and again in 2004. When he died, some said his opposition to the Howard government showed “more guts and decency” than “all the other Coalition and ALP candidates combined”.

Several of the current independents have earned themselves a national profile and are trusted advocates on issues such as public integrity and accountability, climate and energy policy and even foreign and security affairs. There will certainly be few MPs left on the opposition benches who can speak with compelling authority on some of these issues. In the face of an emboldened Labor government, their opposition to contentious legislation may sometimes have outsized influence.

In pragmatic political terms, it is arguably in the Labor Party’s interests to negotiate, and to be seen to negotiate, with the crossbench. The independents in formerly safe Liberal seats are some of the biggest obstacles in any future Liberal pathway back into office.

Newly-elected Labor MPs may also depend on preferences from community independent candidates next time they go to the polls. The Menzies government owed part of its longevity in the late 1950s and 1960s to its ability to win the preferences of the Democratic Labor Party, an anti-communist breakaway party from Labor.

Independents are nothing like the DLP, and many run open tickets instead of strictly recommending preferences on their how to vote cards. But in some seats, including the leader of the opposition’s seat of Dickson, independent and Greens voters’ preferences will have proven crucial for Labor’s success.

‘Every day is minority government in the Senate’

The other crucial reason independents still have a role to play is the Senate. Pocock recently remarked that “every day is minority government in the Senate”. Albanese’s victory, no matter how impressive, does not extend to a majority in the red chamber.

The last time a party won a majority in the Senate was in 2004. Before that, it was 1977. No matter how large a lower-house majority, negotiation and compromise are simply unavoidable for laws to get passed in the federal parliament.

The Greens will continue to exercise their crucial balance of power role in the Senate. So too will Pocock and, assuming she is re-elected as the sixth senator for Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie. During the 47th parliament, Pocock and Lambie often proved decisive in shaping, amending and sometimes postponing legislation they felt needed improvement.

Both will bring a range of priorities to the 48th parliament. They may also collaborate more routinely with lower house crossbench colleagues to make those critical votes in the senate count for everything that they are worth. That would be a good thing. After all, both chambers really do matter in our parliamentary system.

Joshua Black is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The Australia Institute.

– ref. Independents will not help form government – but they will be vital in holding it to account – https://theconversation.com/independents-will-not-help-form-government-but-they-will-be-vital-in-holding-it-to-account-255517

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

May 4, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Ray & Mascari Inc. Recalls 4 Count Vine Ripe Tomatoes Because of Possible Health Risk

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

Summary

Company Announcement Date:
May 02, 2025
FDA Publish Date:
May 03, 2025
Product Type:
Food & BeveragesProduceFoodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement:

Recall Reason Description
Potential Foodborne Illness – Salmonella

Company Name:
Ray & Mascari Inc
Brand Name:

Brand Name(s)
Ray & Mascari Inc.

Product Description:

Product Description
Tomatoes

Company Announcement
Ray & Mascari Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana, is recalling 4 Count Vine Ripe Tomatoes packaged in clam shell containers [20 oz. (1 lb. 4 oz) 567g] with UPC# 7 96553 20062 1, and a master case label with Lot# RM250424 15250B or Lot# RM250427 15250B because of the potential for them to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.
The recalled tomatoes were sold by Gordon Food Service Stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Ray & Mascari Inc. was notiﬁed by Hanshaw & Capling Farms of Immokalee, Florida that they were recalling the lot of tomatoes Ray & Mascari Inc. received and repacked into 4 Count Vine Ripe Tomatoes. Hanshaw & Capling Farms initiated the recall due to the possible presence of Salmonella in their facility. Customers who received the recalled lots have been notiﬁed and provided information to further contact their customers and distribution centers with recall instructions.
This product is sold in plastic clamshells containing 4 tomatoes. The 4- count plastic clam shells have a VINE RIPE TOMATOES label containing a Packed by Ray & Mascari Inc., Indianapolis, IN 46204. The master case would be a cardboard produce box with a lid, containing 12 4 count containers. The master case label would have Lot# RM250424 15250B or Lot# RM250427 15250B.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
Consumers who have purchased these 4 Count Vine Ripe Tomatoes should discard the product and do not consume. Consumers with questions or reports of any illness may contact Ray & Mascari Inc. at 1-317-637-0234, Monday- Saturday, 6am-5pm EST.

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Ray & Mascari Inc.
1-317-637-0234

Product Photos

Content current as of:
05/03/2025

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MIL OSI USA News –

May 4, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Labor makes Senate gains, and left-wing parties will hold a Senate majority

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

On Saturday, Labor won a thumping victory in the House of Representatives, and this has carried over to the Senate results.

Only 35% of enrolled voters have been counted in the Senate so far, compared with 71% in the House. It’s likely that the current Senate count is biased to Labor, so Labor is likely to drop back in some states as more votes are counted.

There are 76 senators, who have six-year terms, with about half up for election at every House election. Each state has 12 senators, with six up for election, and the territories have two senators each, who are all up for election.

Senators are elected by proportional representation with preferences. A quota in a state is one-seventh of the vote, or 14.3%. In the territories, it’s one-third or 33.3%. I had a Senate preview on April 16.

Comments on each state are below. I disagree with the ABC’s view that Labor is “likely” to win a third New South Wales seat. Putting this seat into the doubtful column reduces Labor to an overall 27 senators with the Greens on 11, so the two main left-wing parties would hold a minimum 38 of the 76 seats in the new Senate.

This would represent a two-seat gain for Labor (one in Queensland, one in South Australia). Labor has reasonable chances to gain further Senate seats.

If Labor and the Greens combined hold the minimum 38 seats after the election, Labor will only need one more vote to pass legislation supported by the Greens but opposed by right-wing parties. Independent David Pocock, former Green Lidia Thorpe and former Labor senator Fatima Payman will be good options.

In NSW, Labor has 2.6 quotas, the Coalition 1.9, the Greens 0.9 and One Nation 0.4. Labor would win three seats on current primaries, but the Senate swing to them is much greater than in the House, so they will drop back.

In Victoria, Labor has 2.4 quotas, the Coalition 1.9, the Greens 1.0, One Nation 0.3 and Legalise Cannabis 0.3. Labor is likely to drop back, with the final seat likely a three-way contest between Labor, One Nation and Legalise Cannabis.

In Queensland, Labor has 2.1 quotas, the Liberal National Party 1.8, the Greens 0.9, One Nation 0.5 and former LNP senator Gerard Rennick 0.35. One Nation is the favourite to win the sixth seat.

In Western Australia, Labor has 2.4 quotas, the Liberals 1.7, the Greens 1.1, One Nation 0.4, Legalise Cannabis 0.3 and the Nationals 0.3. Labor would be the favourite to win the sixth seat on current counting, as the Liberals would absorb right-wing preferences that would otherwise help One Nation.

In SA, Labor has 2.6 quotas, the Liberals 1.8, the Greens 1.0 and One Nation 0.4. Labor won the House vote in SA by 58.4–41.6, so the Senate result looks plausible. Labor and the Greens are likely to win four of SA’s six Senate seats.

In Tasmania, Labor has 2.4 quotas, the Liberals 1.5, the Greens 1.2, Jacqui Lambie 0.5, One Nation 0.4 and Legalise Cannabis 0.3. It’s difficult to determine which parties are the favourites to win the last two seats.

In the ACT (two senators), Pocock has been easily re-elected with 1.3 quotas, and Labor will win the second seat. In the Northern Territory, Labor and the Country Liberals will win one seat each.

Doubtful House seats, and the Greens’ and teals’ performance

There are many seats where the electoral commission selected the incorrect final two candidates on election night and now needs to redo this count. Labor could lose Bean, Fremantle or Calwell to independents. Labor could also lose Bullwinkel or Bendigo to the Coalition.

The Greens have lost Brisbane and Griffith to Labor. They lost Brisbane after falling to third behind Labor and the LNP and Griffith because the LNP fell to third and their preferences will help Labor. Labor is narrowly ahead against the Greens in Wills.

In Greens leader Adam Bandt’s Melbourne, there was a substantial primary vote swing to Labor and against Bandt, and the electoral commission needs to redo the preference count between Bandt and Labor.

Teal independents in Kooyong, Goldstein and Curtin are likely to retain their seats, but they didn’t gain substantial swings that usually occur when an independent elected at the last election recontests. It’s possible they’ve become too associated with the left in their seats. Fortunately for them, the left won a thumping victory at this election.

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

– ref. Labor makes Senate gains, and left-wing parties will hold a Senate majority – https://theconversation.com/labor-makes-senate-gains-and-left-wing-parties-will-hold-a-senate-majority-255848

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

May 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah reviews the progress of National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and Indian Seed Cooperative Society Limited (BBSSL)

Source: Government of India

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah reviews the progress of National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and Indian Seed Cooperative Society Limited (BBSSL)

Formed in 2023 under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, these institutions are working as umbrella organizations with a “Whole of Government” approach

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation directs NCEL to explore new opportunities for export of sugar, aromatic rice of Tripura, organic cotton, and coarse grains from cooperative sugar mills

Shri Amit Shah suggests partnership with big companies for export of fresh vegetables to Gulf countries and special potato varieties

NCEL should work on the ambitious target of exporting three specific products worth ₹ 2 lakh crore which have never been exported before

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah says NCOL should work with the target of turnover of more than ₹ 300 crore in the financial year 2025-26

BBSSL plays a vital role in strengthening India’s seed ecosystem – Shri Amit Shah

Home Minister also stressed upon the need to work on sugarcane varieties with high sugar content and low water requirement

BBSSL Centre set up at Kalol, Gujarat will develop high yielding, short maturity and low water requirement varieties of crops like pigeon pea, black gram, maize

Setting up of tissue culture facility is imperative to ensure availability of plants of high genetic potential for top 10 banana producing states

Posted On: 03 MAY 2025 9:53PM by PIB Delhi

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chaired a high-level review meeting in New Delhi to review the progress of National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Ltd (BBSSL). The meeting was attended by Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, senior officials of the Ministry, and Shri Anupam Kaushik, Shri Vipul Mittal and Shri Chetan Joshi (Managing Directors of NCEL, NCOL and BBSSL respectively).

Addressing the meeting, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, these three national cooperative institutions were created by the Ministry of Cooperation with the approval of the Union Cabinet in 2023, with the aim to act as umbrella organizations for cooperative exports, organic production and promotion of quality seeds. He said that these are being operated under the ‘Whole of the Government’ approach in collaboration with the concerned Ministries/Departments/Agencies.

To realize the vision of “Prosperity through Cooperation” of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, many initiatives and historic schemes have been started under the guidance of the Ministry of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, which is promoting the cooperative sector at a fast pace.

NCEL (National Cooperative Exports Limited):

Shri Amit Shah directed NCEL to explore new opportunities for export of sugar from cooperative sugar mills, aromatic rice of Tripura, organic cotton, and coarse grains. Shri Amit Shah also suggested possibilities of partnership with big companies for export of fresh vegetables to Gulf countries and special potato varieties.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation set an ambitious target of ₹2 lakh crore exports by NCEL of three new and specific products which are not currently being exported from India. Along with this, Shri Shah directed to route all exports of cooperative institutions through NCEL so that about ₹20,000-30,000 crore turnover and net profit after taxes and operating costs can go back to the cooperatives.

Shri Amit Shah also suggested setting up of NCEL offices in Africa and Myanmar for pulses import and developing a dedicated website to enable cooperative members to understand the global demand and share their supply capacity.

NCEL was set up under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act and has made remarkable progress in its first year. In FY 2024-25, it gave membership to more than 10,000 cooperative institutions and achieved a turnover of ₹4,283 crore, with a net profit of ₹122 crore.

NCEL has expanded its exports to 28 countries, with key products being: basmati and non-basmati rice, marine products (especially shrimp), coarse cereals, wheat, fruits and vegetables, animal products, spices and plantation products. It has also signed strategic agreements (MoUs) with 61 importers from Senegal, Indonesia and Nepal.

NCOL (National Cooperative Organics Limited):

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that the organic products procured by NCOL are also being supplied to big brands like Amul, Bigbasket, thereby providing more volume and cost advantage to the ‘Bharat Organics’ brand. Shri Amit Shah said that soon its products will be available in Reliance stores across India.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, 22 products under the ‘Bharat Organics’ brand are currently available in Delhi-NCR and there are plans to launch it in major metros. The products include cereals, pulses, spices and sweets products.

Shri Amit Shah appreciated the efforts of NCOL and set a target of turnover of more than ₹300 crore in the financial year 2025-26. He has also directed to form groups of certified organic farmers at the state level and integrate them at a higher level.

In the zero year of commercial operation in the financial year 2025-26 itself, NCOL has given membership to more than 7000 cooperatives in various categories and transacted a quantity of more than 1200 metric tonnes, which was procured from more than 2000 farmers. Its turnover so far has been ₹ 10.26 crores.

The uniqueness of the brand lies in its ‘Authenticity & Sustainability’ approach, every product batch is being tested for pesticide residues as per ‘Organic India’ standards and the report is being shared with the consumers in the form of a QR code and this customer oriented initiative is being implemented for the first time in the industry.

BBSSL (Indian Seeds Co-operative Society Limited):

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah underlined the important role of BBSSL in strengthening the seed ecosystem of India and said that it is imperative to establish tissue culture facility to ensure availability of plants of high genetic potential for top 10 banana producing states. He said that the recently established state-of-the-art BBSSL Centre at Kalol in Gujarat will work towards development of high yielding, low maturity and low water requirement varieties of crops like tur, urad, maize. He also emphasized the need to work on sugarcane variety with high sugar content and low water requirement. Shri Amit Shah has urged BBSSL to develop seeds of Lachka fodder crops for sale through NDDB and Amul network. Shri Amit Shah also emphasized on promoting seed production for processing varieties like potato especially for French fries under the Seed Production Programme for Processing Varieties. To ensure timely availability of breeder seeds, the Union Minister of Cooperation directed the Ministry of Cooperation to coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure timely supply of required breeder seeds.

The Minister appreciated the efforts of BBSSL and reiterated the Government’s commitment to empower agricultural cooperatives through innovation, quality inputs and institutional support.

———

RK/VV/RR/PR/PS

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Read this release in: Hindi

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Report for Framework on Repairability Index (RI) in Mobile and Electronic Sector submitted
Source: Government of India

Report for Framework on Repairability Index (RI) in Mobile and Electronic Sector submitted

Committee’s recommendations in alignment with best global practices facilitating industry with innovation and ease of doing business

Repairability Index enabling framework applies to
Smartphones and Tablets

Posted On: 03 MAY 2025 11:03AM by PIB Delhi

The Committee constituted for the Framework on Repairability Index (RI) in Mobile and Electronic Sector has submitted its Report to Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India.

The committee’s recommendations have been framed in alignment with the best global practices without causing any impediment to the industry with regard to innovation and ease of doing business. The Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are required to self-declare the Repairability Index based on a standards scoring criteria provided in the framework with no additional compliance burden.

Further, the committee recommended that the Repairability Index should be displayed at the point of sale/purchase, E-commerce platforms and in form of QR code on packaged products to enable consumer to make informed choices.

Repairability Index aims to create an ecosystem , where consumers choose options that align with the ethos of ‘mindful utilization’ of their products over ‘wasteful consumption’. By empowering consumers with ease and hassle-free repair options, the Department of Consumer Affairs is reaffirming its commitment to a self-reliant, sustainable, and consumer-friendly economy.

Pertinently, an analysis of grievances received at National Consumer Helpline (NCH) indicates that large number of consumers witness issues while seeking repair for their mobile phone and tablets. There has been significant rise in complaints in Mobiles and Tablets product category from 19,057 in 2022-2023 followed by 21,020 in 2023-2024 and further to 22,864 in 2024-2025, which also highlighted a pressing need to improve repair accessibility and ensure greater transparency of repair and post-sale service-related information to consumers.

In September 2024, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Shri Bharat Khera, Additional Secretary for developing the framework of the Repairability Index (RI).

The committee included
- Stakeholders from the industry with companies like Apple., Samsung, Google, Vivo, HMD Mobiles., Dell, HP.
- Prominent Industry associations like ICEA and MAIT,
- Representatives from consumer organisations like EPIC,
- Members of academia and senior officials of DoCA, Meity, MSME
- Scientific organisations such as NTH and BIS
The committee was mandated to recommend a robust framework for Repairability Index (RI) in Mobile and Electronics Sector. Based on the deliberations, the committee has identified smartphones and tablets as a product category for notification in the initial phase of Repairability Index in Mobile and Electronics Sector.

The committee identified priority parts which are most prone to frequent failures and have high functional relevance as below:
- Battery,
- Display assembly,
- Back cover assembly,
- Front-facing camera assembly,
- Rear-facing camera assembly,
- Charging port,
- Mechanical buttons,
- Main microphone(s),
- Speaker,
- Hinge assembly or mechanical display folding mechanism,
- External audio connector(s).
Several meetings of the Committee were conducted to deliberate and discuss for identifying parameters for Repairability Index. Repairability is assessed on six core parameters, namely
1. Disassembly Depth,
2. Repair Information,
3. availability of Spare Parts within a reasonable timeline,
4. Software Updates,
5. Tools and
6. Fasteners (types and availability).
Scoring criteria was evolved for each of these parameters and weightages were decided. After aggregation of weightages for priority parts, a RI on a five-point numeric scale is arrived at.

The Committee actively engaged with a wide array of relevant stakeholders, including manufacturers, industry associations, consumer advocacy groups, and representatives of government. These consultations were vital for gathering diverse perspectives and ensuring the proposed framework is practical, effective, and addresses the needs and challenges faced by the consumers in India to utilize their product as long as they want.

As India continues its rapid technological advancement and more and more consumers have access to a variety of consumer products, the need for robust after sales support and equitable repair practices is becoming increasingly crucial. For countless consumers, both in rural and urban areas, access to affordable repair options is fundamental.

In view of this growing demand for a robust repair ecosystem, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) had launched the Right to Repair Portal India in 2022, to facilitate relevant repair associated information between the companies and consumers in 4 (four) sectors namely, Automobile, Mobile and Electronics, Consumer Durables and Farming Equipment.

Over the last two years, consistent efforts have been made by the Department to use this portal for dissemination of repair related information. More than 65 companies across above four sectors have on boarded the portal and offer relevant repair related information to consumers.

Over the past few years, the rapid growth of the smartphone and tablet market in India has significantly transformed the digital landscape, with smartphones and tablets becoming integral to daily life for millions of people. A National Workshop was conducted in August 2024 wherein it was unanimously agreed that a Repairability Index framework in Mobile and Electronics sector will help consumers assess the ease of repairability of smartphones and tablets and enable them to make an informed choice amongst products available in market based on their repairability.

****

Abhishek Dayal/Nihi Sharma

(Release ID: 2126409) Visitor Counter : 103

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
May 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: List of Outcomes: State Visit of President of Angola to India

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 03 MAY 2025 5:30PM by PIB Delhi

1. MoUs/Agreements:
i. MoU between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Angola on cooperation in the field of Ayurveda and other Traditional Systems of Medicine
ii. MoU between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Angola on Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture
iii. Cooperation Programme between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Angola in the Domain of Culture for the period 2025 -29
2. Angola signed the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement and became the 123rd member of the ISA.
3. The Government of India has approved the Angolan request of LOC of US$ 200 Million for defence procurement.

***

MJPS/SR/SKS

(Release ID: 2126496) Visitor Counter : 45

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 4, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Capito Congratulates Reisenweber for USDA Rural Development Appointment

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) congratulated John Reisenweber on being appointed to serve as a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for West Virginia.
“I am thrilled to see John—a dedicated West Virginian and someone I have had the privilege of working with directly—take on this important leadership role at USDA Rural Development. John’s commitment to West Virginia and deep understanding of the needs of our rural communities make him exceptionally well-suited for the job. I look forward to partnering together to support economic growth, infrastructure development, and opportunity across our state in this very important role,” Senator Capito said.
Prior to joining USDA, Reisenweber served in various roles in the public and private sector including the Jefferson County Development Authority. Reisenweber also served as District Representative for then-Congresswoman Capito for more than five years. Reisenweber holds a master’s degree from Oregon State University and a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 4, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: King leads nation in tribute to the greatest generation
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

King leads nation in tribute to the greatest generation

His Majesty The King will join Second World War veterans in London tomorrow for a military procession and fly past to mark VE Day 80
Hollywood actor Timothy Spall will read Churchill speech

Iconic buildings across the country will light up from Tuesday evening in tribute

National two-minute silence will be held at 12 noon on Thursday

Four days of national commemorations to the Second World War generation kick off in London tomorrow with a recital of iconic Winston Churchill speeches by Hollywood actor Timothy Spall.

Timothy Spall will start the events by reading extracts from Churchill’s iconic VE Day victory speech in 1945. Normandy veteran Alan Kennett, 100, will formally start the procession after being handed the Commonwealth War Graves’ Torch For Peace by Air Cadet Warrant Officer Emmy Jones.

The procession, featuring more than 1,300 members of the Armed Forces and youth groups will march down Whitehall, through Admiralty Arch and up the Mall towards Buckingham Palace where Their Majesties The King and Queen, as well as Members of The Royal Family, the Prime Minister and a number of Second World War veterans will be on a specially built platform on the Queen Victoria Memorial.

A fly past, which Members of the Royal Family will watch from the Balcony at Buckingham Palace, will conclude Monday’s events. From 9pm on Tuesday evening, hundreds of buildings across the country will be lit up to mark VE 80. Buildings include Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, Canary Wharf’s 1 Canada Square, the Shard, Lowther Castle, Rochester Cathedral, Manchester Printworks, Cardiff Castle, Senedd, Perth Bridge, City Chambers and Belfast City Hall.

On Thursday, a service at Westminster Abbey will begin with a national two-minute silence, which is expected to be replicated across the nation.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

This 80th anniversary is a moment of national unity. A time to celebrate that hard won peace, honour the memory of those who lost their lives, and remember the sacrifices made by so many to secure our freedom. Their legacy lives on today in how we stand together in defence of the values they fought for and which bind us together as a nation. This week, we come together to salute their service.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

80 years ago millions of people celebrated the end of the Second World War in Europe. This week, we will recreate this moment across towns and cities, in our homes, in pubs and on our streets.

We must do all we can to ensure that the stories and memories of this period in our history are not forgotten. We must not forget the hardships, the heroics and the millions who lost their lives.

We are here because of the sacrifices they made and the horrors they endured. This week, I urge the nation to come together and send a powerful message: we will remember them.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Across the four days, official events and services will be taking place across the UK to mark 80 years of the end of the Second World War in Europe including events in the Devolved Nations, including:

Monday 5 May:

To ensure the commemorations act as a point of remembrance of the millions who lost their lives in the conflict as well as a celebration of peace, the commemorations will begin in Whitehall. The Cenotaph, the nation’s focal point of remembrance, will be dressed in Union Flags for the duration of the four day commemorations, echoing the 1920 unveiling of the monument to the fallen. From Monday 5 May, it will provide a focal point for the commemorations and a place to pay silent tribute to all those who died, both at home and abroad, during the Second World War.

The VE Day 80 commemorations will continue with a street party on HMS Belfast. HMS Belfast fired some of the opening shots on D Day in 1944 and protected Arctic convoys during the Second World War and is the most significant surviving Second World War warship.

Street parties, barbecues and community get togethers, supported by ideas and inspiration from The Together Coalition and The Big Lunch, will be held by communities across the country, echoing the celebrations 80 years ago as the population welcomed the end of the war.

Tuesday 6 May:

An installation of ceramic poppies will return to the Tower of London to mark the anniversary. Nearly 30,000 of the original poppies from the 2014 display at the Tower, which commemorated the centenary of the First World War, will be displayed in a new installation within the walls of the fortress. This poppies installation will resemble a ‘wound’ at the heart of the Tower, which was itself bombed during the Blitz and still bears some of those scars today. It will mark and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many during the Second World War.

Scotland Salutes VE80 concert will take place at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall.

Wednesday 7 May:

On the evening of 7 May 1945, a newsflash announced that the following day would be Victory in Europe Day. To commemorate this important moment in the nation’s history, the Parliament Choir will host a Victory in Europe Day Anniversary Concert in the famous Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster.

At a special VE Day event at IWM North, jointly produced by IWM and the National Theatre, some of the letters that the public submit will become part of a performance along with high profile public figures sharing letters from the IWM collection and excerpts from ‘The Next Morning’.

A National Service of Remembrance will be held at Llandaff Cathedral.

Thursday 8 May:

A service will take place at Westminster Abbey that will be both an act of shared remembrance and a celebration of the end of the war. It will be a moment to give thanks and to honour a generation that showed extraordinary courage and resilience.

The events will conclude with a concert at the historic Horseguards Parade to finish the VE Day 80 commemorations in a celebratory tone, echoing how the nation reacted to the news 80 years before. With more than 10,000 members of the public in attendance, the concert will feature stars of stage and screen including John Newman and Dames Joan Collins, Mary Berry, and Sheila Hancock as well as military musicians and tell the story of victory and the legacy of the Second World War in Europe.

Services of remembrance and community celebrations will take place across Northern Ireland throughout the week. The Government has launched Tip Top Towns, a programme to encourage communities across the country – whether towns, villages or cities – to get together with their communities ahead of 5 May when the nation will come together for street parties to celebrate VE Day. Members of the public are encouraged to get in the VE Day spirit by making their own decorations, planting flowers, encouraging children to draw pictures for their windows or hosting arts and craft sessions.

Full list of buildings being lit up:

London:

Houses of Parliament, London

Elizabeth Tower, London

Buckingham Palace, London

10 Downing Street, London

Battersea Power Station, London

Tower 42 (Natwest Building), London

Millenium Bridge, London

The Shard, London

Tower of London, London

St Paul’s Cathedral, London

London Eye, London

Canary Wharf 1 Canada Square, London

National Theatre, London

British Film Institute, London

The Cenotaph, London

HMS Belfast, London

IWM London, London

BFI IMAX, London

BFI Southbank, London

London Bridge, London

Cannon Street Railway Bridge, London

Southwark Bridge, London

Waterloo Bridge, London

Golden Jubilee Footbridges, London

Westminster Bridge, London

Lambeth Bridge, London

Blackfriars Bridge, London

102 Petty France, London

The National Archives, London

120 Fenchurch Street, London

Twickenham/Aviva Stadium, London

North West England:

IWM North, Salford

Liverpool’s Royal Liver Building, Liverpool

Manchester Printworks, Manchester

The Royal Exchange, Manchester

Lowther Castle, Cumbria

Blackpool seafront & tower, Blackpool

Rivington Pike, Chorley

Chorley Town hall, Chorley

North East England:

Durham Cathedral, Durham

Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Newcastle

Glasshouse International Centre, Newcastle

Municipal Buildings, Middlesborough

Town Hall, Middlesborough

Town Hall Clock Tower, Middlesborough

Central Library, Middlesborough

Bottle of Notes, Middlesborough

St Hilda’s Bell structure, Middlesborough

Zetland Car Park, Middlesborough

The Issac Wilson pub, Middlesborough

Dorman Museum, Middlesborough

South East England:

The Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth

Rochester Cathedral, Rochester

Brighton Royal Pavillion, Brighton

South West England:

Runnymede Air Force Memorial, Surrey

County Hall, Dorset

Aerospace Bristol, Bristol

The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare

East England:

St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Suffolk

West Midlands:

Birmingham Central Library, Birmingham

Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire

Kings Heath (trees), Birmingham

National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire

East Midlands:

Derwent Dam, Peak District

Scotland:

The Kelpies, Falkirk

The Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk

Perth Bridge, Perth

Hamilton House, Lanarkshire

City Chambers, Edinburgh

St Paul’s Church, Perth

Northern Ireland:

Belfast City Hall, Belfast

Titanic Museum, Belfast

Enniskillen Castle, Enniskillen

Strule Arts Centre, Omagh

Parliament Buildings

Wales:

Welsh Government Building in Cathays Park, Cardiff

Welsh Parliament ( Senedd Cymru) in Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Castle, Cardiff

Castell Coch, Cardiff

Caernarfon Castle, Caernarfon

Channel Islands:

Castle Cornet, Guernsey

Fort Grey, Guernsey

Beau Sejour Leisure, Guernsey

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Published 3 May 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
May 4, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Ricketts Discusses Strengthening Nebraska’s Water Infrastructure at Environment and Public Works Committee

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, discussed improvements to Nebraska’s water infrastructure, including irrigation, during a committee hearing. Witnesses included Tom Goulette, City Administrator and Utility Superintendent for the City of West Point, NE. Ricketts said the following to Goulette:

“[Nebraska is one of] the largest irrigation states in the country. I was just in Scottsbluff last week, where the Gering-Fort Laramie Canal collapsed while I was Governor. We worked to get some temporary repairs in place there. It’s owned by the Bureau of Reclamation, but through a program, they built the canal there 100 years ago, and when it collapsed, it cut off about 55,000 acres of Nebraska farmland from getting irrigation water.

“That obviously, is just huge for a state like Nebraska, where agriculture is our biggest industry in the state,” Ricketts continued. “We’re going to be looking for opportunities to have the federal government partner with us to get the permanent repairs on that done, because right now it’s operating at about 80% capacity.”

Click here to watch the hearing.

TRANSCRIPT:

Senator Ricketts: “Great. Thank you very much, appreciate it.

“Well, welcome to all of our witnesses today.

“I appreciate taking the time and Tom, great to have you here to be able to represent Nebraska.

“Tom brings just a wealth of information to this committee.

“If there is a job involving water in the state of Nebraska, over the last 40 years, Tom has done that job.

“He has been, obviously, currently in West Point and great community there in Cuming County.

“But just your depth of expertise is amazing.

“I’m actually going to read all some of the stuff because it’s pretty impressive.

“Served as Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Drinking Water, Chairman of the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, Chairman of the League of Nebraska Utilities of Nebraska Utility Section, and President of Nebraska Rural Water.

“Just to name a few.

“You’re currently the Chairman of the Nebraska League of Municipalities, Small Cities Legislative Committee say hi to Lynn for me.”

Tom Goulette: “I will do that.”

Senator Ricketts: “And if you’re not busy enough, you’re very you’re engaged very civic engagements, where you’ve served as a Utility Superintendent for the City West Point since 1993 and added City Administrator to your business card in 2001 and you still got both those titles today, right?”

Tom Goulette: “Yes, yeah.”

Senator Ricketts: “So it just shows again, small towns people wear a lot of hats.

“And before the committee today, your post is the Nebraska Rural Water Association.

“You’ve been on the board there since 2005 and currently serving on the executive committee.

“So, thank you again, Tom for being here.

“Really, really appreciate your experience that you bring to this committee.”

Tom Goulette: “Thank you, sir.”

Senator Ricketts: “So, welcome.

“And what I’d like to talk a little bit about is many small and rural communities face significant challenges in accessing and managing the federal infrastructure dollars due to limited staffing and technical expertise.

“We saw this in other areas as well, like the Department of Transportation, and so forth.

“When we met in February, the Nebraska Rural Water Association Chair shared some of these barriers, what type of resources or policy changes could Congress consider making to federal programs to make them more efficient for small and rural communities?”

Tom Goulette: “You know, a lot of it comes down to the simplifying the application requirements for those small communities.

“Typically, they know best of what their needs are going to be when it comes to upgrading your systems or changing the equipment and that type of thing, along with the assistance from, you know, the Nebraska Rural Water Association or Circuit Riders are there lending assistance in quantifying that.

“And then once they get to that point, once they can get to some type of formulation of what that community needs, that’s when an application needs to go in, and then that should allow for some additional engineering.

“Then at that stage, once that project is identified, and the community can have some buy in, for lack of a better term.

“The other thing is that reducing those match requirements, a lot of small rural communities, they stretch every dollar they have.

“So, when, when they’re looking at this, and they’re looking at the match requirements to comply with that, it becomes difficult.

“Then they’ve got to balance out where the priorities lie within the financial capabilities of that community. So consequently, some of those projects get on, put on the shelf, then at that point.”

Senator Ricketts: “Yeah, and it’s not so true for West Point, because West Point is really doing well.

“But what we see is it fair to say, in a lot of our rural communities, we see that as the younger people move away and you’re left with declining population of older folks at bases, that just adds to the complication of being able to get these water projects done?”

Tom Goulette: “It does.

“And along with that, is our aging workforce.

“You know, we see a lot of operators aging out those, those are one and two main operations.

“So, you know, once that that legacy leaves that community that they’re difficult to replace.

“So that makes the challenge even more difficult to make to help sustain that community.”

Senator Ricketts: “Is there, again, is there something we could do in Congress to be able to help with some of those workforce challenges?”

Tom Goulette: “One of the things is the apprenticeship program that Senator Capito put in place a few years ago, and we need to get that moving in Nebraska.

“We need to get that funding moving in Nebraska.

“We need to get an apprenticeship program and start that process to engage those communities and show them options and bring trained operators to the facilities.

Senator Ricketts: “Can you just give us a briefly, just how some of these federal funding programs have made otherwise cost prohibitive projects in small towns and rural communities possible?”

Tom Goulette: “Yeah, I mean, basically, when you’re looking at the projects themselves, and you’re looking at the market based on interest rates and that type of thing, and the longevity, it makes it more economically feasible for those small communities, there’s the grant basis that they also can qualify for, which also helps them.”

Senator Ricketts: “Can you give me an example of specific project off the top of your head?”

Tom Goulette: “You know that the easiest example right now is the city of West Point.

“You know, we did the water project here a few years ago where we had a $2.7 million water treatment plant.

“Of that $2.7 million, 553,000 of that was loan forgiveness, and then in addition to that, was the one and a half percent interest rate, plus the administrative fee for the state.”

“So it makes it very economically feasible to get those programs in place rather than going out to the open market.”

Senator Ricketts: “All right, great.

“Well, oh, we lost our chair, so I guess I’m in charge of the Republican side now.

“I’m going to take a moment just to talk a little bit as well about an important project not specifically related to the drinking water, but access to water in general, in our state is obviously important.

“We’re the largest irrigation state in the country, and I was just in Scottsbluff last week, and theGering-Fort Laramie Canalcollapsed while I was Governor, and we worked to get some temporary repairs in place there.

“It’s owned by the Bureau of Reclamation, but through a program, they built the canal there 100 years ago, and when it collapsed, it cut off about 55,000 acres of Nebraska farmland from getting irrigation water.

“And that obviously, is just huge for a state like Nebraska, where irrigation, or irrigation is big, but also agriculture is our biggest industry in the state.

“And so, we’re going to be looking for opportunities to be able to have the federal government partner, to be able to get the permanent repairs on that done, because right now it’s operating, like, about 80% capacity.

“And I was just talking to folks about, again, just getting to this idea of, like, how expensive it is for these projects, and how with the drinking water and making it possible in West Point, but the cost that would be for those farmers to be able to pay the extra fees to be able to get those total repairs done would be really, really challenging.

“So that’s another project in our example how the federal government can help partner with states and local communities to be able to get these water projects done.”

MIL OSI USA News –

May 4, 2025

MIL-OSI: Best Online Casinos Canada: Expert Picks 7Bit as the Top Casino for Canadian Players

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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Disadvantage	Description
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The MIL Network –

May 3, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Senator Gillibrand Statement On President Trump’s Preliminary Budget Request

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on President Trump’s fiscal year 2026 preliminary budget request, which proposes slashing critical investments in programs related to education, health, affordable housing, scientific research, environmental protection, and much more. The Trump administration says this proposal will cut domestic funding by $163 billion (-23%); however, the real cut may exceed $200 billion.
“President Trump’s budget is playing games with American lives. By attempting to defund the programs that help communities stay safe, families pay their bills and keep a roof over their heads, and doctors treat their patients, this administration is abandoning the people who have built our country. Make no mistake — this budget proposal will not ‘make America great again’ — it will set us back decades and make life harder for working families.
By slashing funding for basic needs like health programs, medical research, and nutrition aid, this proposal will make America sicker. By cutting billions of dollars for the Department of Education, removing investments to prevent violent crime, and divesting from agencies that protect our environment, it will make our country a worse place to live. And by eliminating affordable housing and energy assistance programs, divesting from small businesses, and gutting the funds that help economically distressed communities, it will make it harder for American families to survive.
This administration has made it clear: they’re willing to cut at least $163 billion in vital investments that benefit everyday Americans just to deliver trillions in tax breaks to billionaires and corporations. That’s not just misguided policy; it’s an insult to every hardworking, tax-paying American.
I am committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to firmly reject this dangerous proposal. We cannot stand idly by while the Trump administration eviscerates the programs that keep our country safe, healthy, and prosperous.”
Among other things, President Trump’s preliminary FY2026 budget request:
EDUCATION: Guts funding for the Department of Education by $12 billion (-15%). Eliminates and cuts dozens of elementary and secondary education programs (the vast majority of which are not specified), underscoring that President Trump’s vision for returning education to the states means state and local taxpayers will pay more to support students and educators at their local schools as a result of major cuts in federal funding. Eliminates several higher education programs, including TRIO, GEAR UP, Federal Work Study, Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS), and more, which help Americans pursue a postsecondary education and further their careers.
HOUSING: Eviscerates the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with a 43.6% cut.
Slashes HUD rental assistance programs by 42.8% while foisting responsibility over those programs onto state and local governments. Over 10 million Americans rely on HUD rental assistance, the vast majority of whom are seniors, people with disabilities, and children. This will rip the roofs off Americans’ heads and put even more families at risk of homelessness.
Eliminates or cuts federal programs most targeted to build more affordable housing and address this country’s housing supply shortage, including in Tribal country.
Eliminates the Community Development Block Grant that cities and towns across the country use to improve the quality of life for their citizens every day.
HEALTH: Slashes funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by $33 billion (-26%).
Cuts funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $18 billion or more than 40%—decimating funding for lifesaving medical treatments and cures.
Decimates funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by cutting $3.6 billion—hollowing out the agency’s ability to save lives and protect Americans from health threats.
Guts funding for substance use prevention and treatment and mental health services by $1 billion (roughly –15%) and eliminates the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration—the agency with expertise in tackling the substance use and mental health crises.
Slashes funding for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by $674 million. CMS helps ensure over 100 million Americans have access to affordable, high-quality health insurance by overseeing Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Affordable Care Act marketplaces.
The limited budget materials do not detail President Trump’s proposed funding level for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is essential for protecting the safety of our food and drugs.
TITLE X: Eliminates the Title X program, which helps nearly 3 million patients get preventative care, birth control, cancer screenings, and more in every state.
LIHEAP: Eliminates the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps 6 million American households heat and cool their homes.
PRE-K: Eliminates all funding for Preschool Development Grants, which help states strengthen their early childhood education system and get parents the child care and pre-K they need. The limited budget materials released today don’t mention Head Start or the Child Care and Development Block Grant, but leaked budget documents show Trump wants to eliminate Head Start.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR: Slashes funding for DOL by $4.6 billion (-35%). Proposes to “Make America Skilled Again” by cutting workforce training programs that help Americans develop skills and secure good-paying jobs, by roughly a third. Eliminates Job Corps and the Senior Community Service Employment Program.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: Slashes the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) budget by at least $3.7 billion (-10%).
Guts funding for grants to help keep communities safe by over $1 billion (-26%).
Cuts funding for FBI salaries and expenses by $545 million (-5%), endangering our Americans’ safety.
Cuts funding for Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) salaries and expenses by $212 million (-7%), weakening the agency’s capacity to crack down on drug trafficking. Also proposes shuttering major DEA offices in countries around the world, noting that those countries “are equipped to counter drug trafficking on their own.”
Cuts funding for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) salaries and expenses by $468 million (-29%) as part of the administration’s ongoing attempt to dismantle the agency in charge of enforcing our country’s gun laws.
TRIBES: Slashes $911 million (-24%) for core Tribal programs that uphold the federal government’s legally-obligated and court-ordered trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal nations. This cut would decimate core Tribal programs including road maintenance, housing, and programs for children and families. The proposal would nearly eliminate funding for construction of Tribal schools, which are already too often dilapidated, and it cuts Tribal law enforcement funding by 20%.
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH: More than halves funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) with a $5.2 billion (-57%) cut. Cuts funding for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science by $1.148 billion (-14%). These proposed cuts would decimate America’s edge in essential scientific research that will drive future economic growth.
EPA: Cuts funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by more than half by abandoning state and Tribal programs that build and maintain drinking water and sewer systems, starving states of longstanding federal funding provided to pay for states’ work enforcing federal laws, and decimating funding for cleaning up toxic Superfund sites. The request would also effectively eliminate research funding used to better understand the impacts on human health from polluted air and water and from toxic chemicals.
NATIONAL PARKS: Cuts $900 million (- 30%) from National Park Service operations, abandoning national parks that the administration says should suddenly be transferred to the states, while providing no funding for states to manage massive new obligations that such a dramatic move would entail. This would incentivize states to sell off public lands to the highest bidder, threatening valued open space and areas of natural and historical value to local communities.
AGRICULTURE: Guts funding for agricultural research, which is critical to ensuring American agriculture is competitive with the rest of the world and provides key resources to help farmers and ranchers prepare and adapt in an uncertain environment. Zeroes out foreign food aid that supports American farmers and is a lifeline for people living in extreme poverty across the world.
RURAL AMERICA: Slashes investments in core Rural Development programs by $721 million, including investments in safe drinking water, affordable housing, and resources to bolster the rural economy.
NUTRITION: Eliminates the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which provides food assistance to low-income individuals 60 years of age and older to supplement diets and addressing potential nutrient deficiencies. The preliminary budget request does not mention any of the other 16 Nutrition Programs, including WIC, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and the National School Lunch Program.
VETERANS: Without more details, it is unclear whether the President is proposing to shift tens of billions of dollars in funding for veterans’ care to mandatory funding (which Republicans have long vociferously opposed) or to decimate funding for non-medical care.
FOREST SERVICE: Cuts $1.386 billion (-22%) from the Forest Service, gutting grant funding for state and tribal wildfire risk reduction, volunteer fire departments, and much more. The proposal would cut at least 2,000 National Forest System staff positions, which will severely harm the Administration’s stated goals of improving forest management and increasing domestic timber production.
ARMY CORPS: Cuts funding for the Army Corps of Engineers by $2 billion (-23%), slashing funding used to maintain our nation’s ports and harbors.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE: Cuts funding for the Department of Commerce by $1.9 billion (-18%). Outright eliminates the Economic Development Administration (EDA), which helps economically distressed communities across America get ahead.
NOAA: Guts funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by $1.5 billion, which would eliminate all manner of programs that create good jobs, help local economies, and support ocean research, health, and coastal resilience. Proposes a reckless $209 million cut for NOAA’s weather satellites, which play a critical role in ensuring Americans have accurate weather forecasting and will result in a gap in observations when the current satellites retire early in the next decade.
ENERGY: Slashes funding for the Department of Energy overall by $4.7 billion (-9.4%). Guts funding for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs by $2.572 billion (-74%) and proposes to rescind $15.25 billion from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law energy programs, which will raise energy costs for American consumers by halting vital innovation and energy projects.
SMALL BUSINESSES: Slashes funding for SBA’s Entrepreneurial Development Programs by $167 million, proposing the elimination of nearly all programs, including programs that support veterans as they work to start and grow a small business.
FEMA GRANTS: Cuts funding for FEMA non-disaster grants that help communities prepare for disasters, support efforts to prevent violence and terrorism, prepare emergency responders, and more.
STATE DEPARTMENT & FOREIGN ASSISTANCE: Guts funding for the State Department and America’s international security, economic, and humanitarian assistance programs by $31.2 billion (-48%).
The United States already spends less than 0.2% of our GDP on diplomacy and foreign assistance, which is less than a third of the percent we spent under President Reagan’s peace through strength approach, and Trump is proposing to halve these critical investments.
Cuts funding for lifesaving and other humanitarian assistance by $4.7 billion (-54%), which will lead to preventable deaths and suffering across the globe, and threaten Americans’ safety and well-being by undercutting our efforts to stop disease outbreaks and prevent conflict. A cut of this magnitude will also lead to more migration of people fleeing poverty, conflict, and natural disasters.
Cuts funding for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement account by $1.3 billion (-91%) which helps prevent human trafficking, stop drug trafficking, and much more, with direct implications for American communities.
Slashes economic growth and development funding across multiple agencies and accounts by $6 billion (67%) and proposes the final dissolution of USAID.
Guts funding for global health initiatives by $6.2 billion (-62%).
Reneges on our treaty dues for the United Nations (UN), U.N. Peacekeeping operations, and a majority of other international organizations.
COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT: Eliminates all funding ($770 million) for community-based anti-poverty programs that help low income individuals and families access services to alleviate the causes of poverty.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS: Eliminates $291 million in funding for all current CDFI financial assistance awards, which help leverage private capital to support the development of child care centers, housing, health care facilities, and small businesses. Since 2010, CDFIs have financed over 1.3 million businesses and 557,000 affordable homes.
AMERICORPS: Eliminates AmeriCorps, which enables over 200,000 Americans to help serve communities across the country, including by responding to natural disasters, supporting veterans, fighting the opioid epidemic, helping older Americans age with dignity, and working in our schools, educating and supporting students.
CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING: Eliminates funding for CPB, ending support for more than 1,500 local public television and radio stations.
INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES: Eliminates funding for IMLS and the support provided to libraries and museums throughout the United States.
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION: Cuts funding for the Bureau by $600 million (-34%), gutting investments in key restoration projects.
CULTURAL GRANTS FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES: Completely eliminates the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, which provide funding for every state and every congressional district for cultural economic development and the creative economy.
NASA: Cuts NASA funding by $6 billion (-24%), the largest single-year cut to NASA in U.S. history, which would mark an incredible retreat for American leadership and ambition in space. Terminates the Artemis Campaign to establish a human presence on the Moon after the Artemis III mission. Slashes funding for the Science Mission Directorate by $3.43 billion (-47%), which would cancel numerous current and planned missions to better understand our universe, solar system, and Earth.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Eliminates funding to 27 states by zeroing out funding for 6 of 7 regional commissions, which provide grants in economically distressed communities for disaster mitigation, opioid crisis support programming, workforce training, and much more.
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE: Likely cuts IRS enforcement by nearly $2.5 billion (-89%). This significant reduction will help billionaire tax cheats game the system while working families continue to pay their fair share.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: What is the biggest gaffe, blooper or blunder that a recent president has made? It may depend on what your definition of ‘is’ is

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Chris Lamb, Professor of Journalism, Indiana University

Lots of presidents have said things they regret. Or most of them have. Carol Yepes/Getty Images

President Donald Trump was asked during a press conference on April 30, 2025, about the possible impact of his tariff policies and trade war with China.

Trump answered that American children should prepare to make sacrifices at Christmas.

“Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls, you know,” he said, “and maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more than they would normally.”

The New York Times reported that Trump appeared to be telling kids they would have to manage with fewer toys this year for the sake of his economic agenda.

Jane Mayer, a reporter with The New Yorker, called it “Trump’s Marie Antoinette moment.”

This was not the first − or last − time Trump said something that left many Americans with mouths open and heads shaking.

Hours after his Marie Antoinette moment, Trump, whose first 100 days back in office have been characterized as chaotic and damaging to democracy, was asked during a phone interview at a town-hall broadcast on NewsNation what the biggest mistake he’d made thus far in his second presidency.

“I don’t really believe I’ve made any mistakes,” Trump replied.

The audience, representing a cross section of Americans, burst out laughing.

Trump’s gaffes aren’t just part of his presidency; gaffes are part of the storied tradition of the American presidency. Some of those comments have clung to presidents and even affected history.

Here are examples from each president over the past 50 years or so of statements that at least some of them were embarrassed by or came to regret. Each was made when the president was serving in the White House. The quotes are organized chronologically.

Donald Trump auditions for Grinch-who-stole-Christmas role.

Richard Nixon is a law-abiding guy

On Nov. 17, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, in the midst of the Watergate scandal that would end his presidency, defended himself against charges of corruption.

“People have got to know whether or not their president is a crook,” Nixon said. “Well, I’m not a crook. I’ve earned everything I’ve got.”

Instead of quelling the scandal, as Nixon hoped, his words produced the opposite reaction. He resigned from the presidency nine months later in August 1974.

Gerald Ford forgets the Cold War

Gerald Ford, Nixon’s vice president who became president after Nixon’s resignation, subsequently ran for election in 1976.

During one of his televised debates against Democratic nominee Jimmy Carter, Ford inexplicably claimed the Soviet Union did not control Eastern Europe.

“There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe,” Ford said, “and there never will be under a Ford administration.”

To which the moderator, New York Times editor May Frankel, said, “I’m sorry, what?”

Ford’s remark was so outrageously incorrect that it may have contributed to his defeat in the tight presidential election.

Gerald Ford says it’s really a Warm, not Cold, War.

Jimmy Carter gets advice from his teen

Carter defeated Ford and was elected in 1976. He ran for reelection against Republican nominee Ronald Reagan in 1980. During one of their debates, Carter said he sought the advice of his 13-year-old daughter, Amy, on what was the most important issue facing America.

“She said she thought it was nuclear weaponry,” Carter said, “and the control of nuclear arms.”

Carter tried to show that arms control was a subject that had great resonance to even 13-year-olds. Instead, it left viewers puzzled why he had inserted his daughter into the debate. A wire service story at the time summarized the response by saying that reporters covering the debate winced and others groaned.

Jimmy Carter has a smart 13-year-old daughter.

Ronald Reagan attacks Russia

Reagan, a former television and movie actor who defeated Carter in the 1980 presidential election, was known as “the Great Communicator” for his eloquence.

A well-known anti-Communist, Reagan was not always careful about what he said.

Before a speech on Aug. 11, 1984, Reagan joked during a sound check, “I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.”

The joke on the open mic, which was not broadcast live but leaked later, resulted in a Soviet red alert − and temporarily moved the U.S. and Soviet Union toward war.

George H.W. Bush eats word salad

Reagan’s successor, his vice president, George H.W. Bush, by comparison was no great communicator. His words came out of his mouth and appeared to go in separate ways.

“I have opinions of my own, strong opinions,” Bush said, “but I don’t always agree with them.”

Bill Clinton is or isn’t, maybe

Democrat Bill Clinton defeated George H.W. Bush in the 1992 presidential election.

Clinton’s presidency was dogged with accusations of unethical behavior and extramarital affairs. Clinton, in testimony before a grand jury investigating his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, was asked whether he was lying when he told aides that “there’s nothing going on” between him and Lewinsky.

“It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is,” Clinton responded. “If the − if he − if ‘is’ means is and never has been, that is not − that is one thing.”

Slate magazine said that this response may have been the “defining moment” of his presidency and, in doing so, captured his contribution to semantics. As Time magazine pointed out,
“Until then, America hadn’t been sure there was more than one definition of ‘is.’”

George W. Bush’s shame

George W. Bush, the son of George H.W. Bush, succeeded Clinton in the White House. Americans learned that Bush had more in common with his father than just the same last name.

“There’s an old saying in Tennessee − I know it’s in Texas,” Bush said, “probably in Tennessee, that says, fool me once, shame on − shame on you. Fool me − you can’t get fooled again.”

Barack Obama strikes out

Barack Obama, like Reagan, was known for his sense of humor. And like Reagan, Obama learned that not everything was a joking matter.

While appearing on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno in 2009, Obama said he had improved his bowling by practicing at the White House bowling alley. He told Leno he had bowled a pedestrian score of 129, provoking a sarcastic response from Leno.

Obama then made the following joke: “It’s like the Special Olympics or something.”

Obama quickly apologized to the Special Olympics, the athletic competition for people with intellectual disabilities.

Obama made a bad joke about the Special Olympics during an interview with Jay Leno; he quickly apologized for it.
Mandel Ngan / AFP/Getty Images

Joe Biden’s bad day

Trump was first elected president in 2016 but was defeated by Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Trump and Biden faced each other again in 2024.

During a television debate on June 27, 2024, CNN anchor Jake Tapper asked Biden why voters should trust him to solve the immigration crisis. Biden said he changed a law that allowed Trump and his administration to separate immigrant families and put children in cages.

Biden’s train of thought then jumped the tracks.

“And I’m going to continue to move until we get the total ban on the − the total initiative relative to what we’re going to do with more Border Patrol and more asylum officers,” Biden said.

“I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence,” Trump said, “and I don’t think he did, either.”

The same could be said for much of what Biden said during the debate.

Biden withdrew from the presidential race three weeks after his poor debate performance.

Chris Lamb does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. What is the biggest gaffe, blooper or blunder that a recent president has made? It may depend on what your definition of ‘is’ is – https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-biggest-gaffe-blooper-or-blunder-that-a-recent-president-has-made-it-may-depend-on-what-your-definition-of-is-is-255755

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: What are the biggest gaffes, bloopers and blunders that recent presidents have made? It may depend on what your definition of ‘is’ is

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Chris Lamb, Professor of Journalism, Indiana University

Lots of presidents have said things they regret. Or most of them have. Carol Yepes/Getty Images

President Donald Trump was asked during a press conference on April 30, 2025, about the possible impact of his tariff policies and trade war with China.

Trump answered that American children should prepare to make sacrifices at Christmas.

“Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls, you know,” he said, “and maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more than they would normally.”

The New York Times reported that Trump appeared to be telling kids they would have to manage with fewer toys this year for the sake of his economic agenda.

Jane Mayer, a reporter with The New Yorker, called it “Trump’s Marie Antoinette moment.”

This was not the first − or last − time Trump said something that left many Americans with mouths open and heads shaking.

Hours after his Marie Antoinette moment, Trump, whose first 100 days back in office have been characterized as chaotic and damaging to democracy, was asked during a phone interview at a town-hall broadcast on NewsNation what the biggest mistake he’d made thus far in his second presidency.

“I don’t really believe I’ve made any mistakes,” Trump replied.

The audience, representing a cross section of Americans, burst out laughing.

Trump’s gaffes aren’t just part of his presidency; gaffes are part of the storied tradition of the American presidency. Some of those comments have clung to presidents and even affected history.

Here are examples from each president over the past 50 years or so of statements that at least some of them were embarrassed by or came to regret. Each was made when the president was serving in the White House. The quotes are organized chronologically.

Donald Trump auditions for Grinch-who-stole-Christmas role.

Richard Nixon is a law-abiding guy

On Nov. 17, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, in the midst of the Watergate scandal that would end his presidency, defended himself against charges of corruption.

“People have got to know whether or not their president is a crook,” Nixon said. “Well, I’m not a crook. I’ve earned everything I’ve got.”

Instead of quelling the scandal, as Nixon hoped, his words produced the opposite reaction. He resigned from the presidency nine months later in August 1974.

Gerald Ford forgets the Cold War

Gerald Ford, Nixon’s vice president who became president after Nixon’s resignation, subsequently ran for election in 1976.

During one of his televised debates against Democratic nominee Jimmy Carter, Ford inexplicably claimed the Soviet Union did not control Eastern Europe.

“There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe,” Ford said, “and there never will be under a Ford administration.”

To which the moderator, New York Times editor May Frankel, said, “I’m sorry, what?”

Ford’s remark was so outrageously incorrect that it may have contributed to his defeat in the tight presidential election.

Gerald Ford says it’s really a Warm, not Cold, War.

Jimmy Carter gets advice from his teen

Carter defeated Ford and was elected in 1976. He ran for reelection against Republican nominee Ronald Reagan in 1980. During one of their debates, Carter said he sought the advice of his 13-year-old daughter, Amy, on what was the most important issue facing America.

“She said she thought it was nuclear weaponry,” Carter said, “and the control of nuclear arms.”

Carter tried to show that arms control was a subject that had great resonance to even 13-year-olds. Instead, it left viewers puzzled why he had inserted his daughter into the debate. A wire service story at the time summarized the response by saying that reporters covering the debate winced and others groaned.

Jimmy Carter has a smart 13-year-old daughter.

Ronald Reagan attacks Russia

Reagan, a former television and movie actor who defeated Carter in the 1980 presidential election, was known as “the Great Communicator” for his eloquence.

A well-known anti-Communist, Reagan was not always careful about what he said.

Before a speech on Aug. 11, 1984, Reagan joked during a sound check, “I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.”

The joke on the open mic, which was not broadcast live but leaked later, resulted in a Soviet red alert − and temporarily moved the U.S. and Soviet Union toward war.

George H.W. Bush eats word salad

Reagan’s successor, his vice president, George H.W. Bush, by comparison was no great communicator. His words came out of his mouth and appeared to go in separate ways.

“I have opinions of my own, strong opinions,” Bush said, “but I don’t always agree with them.”

Bill Clinton is or isn’t, maybe

Democrat Bill Clinton defeated George H.W. Bush in the 1992 presidential election.

Clinton’s presidency was dogged with accusations of unethical behavior and extramarital affairs. Clinton, in testimony before a grand jury investigating his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, was asked whether he was lying when he told aides that “there’s nothing going on” between him and Lewinsky.

“It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is,” Clinton responded. “If the − if he − if ‘is’ means is and never has been, that is not − that is one thing.”

Slate magazine said that this response may have been the “defining moment” of his presidency and, in doing so, captured his contribution to semantics. As Time magazine pointed out,
“Until then, America hadn’t been sure there was more than one definition of ‘is.’”

George W. Bush’s shame

George W. Bush, the son of George H.W. Bush, succeeded Clinton in the White House. Americans learned that Bush had more in common with his father than just the same last name.

“There’s an old saying in Tennessee − I know it’s in Texas,” Bush said, “probably in Tennessee, that says, fool me once, shame on − shame on you. Fool me − you can’t get fooled again.”

Barack Obama strikes out

Barack Obama, like Reagan, was known for his sense of humor. And like Reagan, Obama learned that not everything was a joking matter.

While appearing on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno in 2009, Obama said he had improved his bowling by practicing at the White House bowling alley. He told Leno he had bowled a pedestrian score of 129, provoking a sarcastic response from Leno.

Obama then made the following joke: “It’s like the Special Olympics or something.”

Obama quickly apologized to the Special Olympics, the athletic competition for people with intellectual disabilities.

Obama made a bad joke about the Special Olympics during an interview with Jay Leno; he quickly apologized for it.
Mandel Ngan / AFP/Getty Images

Joe Biden’s bad day

Trump was first elected president in 2016 but was defeated by Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Trump and Biden faced each other again in 2024.

During a television debate on June 27, 2024, CNN anchor Jake Tapper asked Biden why voters should trust him to solve the immigration crisis. Biden said he changed a law that allowed Trump and his administration to separate immigrant families and put children in cages.

Biden’s train of thought then jumped the tracks.

“And I’m going to continue to move until we get the total ban on the − the total initiative relative to what we’re going to do with more Border Patrol and more asylum officers,” Biden said.

“I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence,” Trump said, “and I don’t think he did, either.”

The same could be said for much of what Biden said during the debate.

Biden withdrew from the presidential race three weeks after his poor debate performance.

Chris Lamb does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. What are the biggest gaffes, bloopers and blunders that recent presidents have made? It may depend on what your definition of ‘is’ is – https://theconversation.com/what-are-the-biggest-gaffes-bloopers-and-blunders-that-recent-presidents-have-made-it-may-depend-on-what-your-definition-of-is-is-255755

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 3, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: ‘Super antibodies’ for snake toxins: how a dangerous DIY experiment helped scientists make a new antivenom

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christina N. Zdenek, Associate Researcher, The University of Queensland

Scientists in the United States have created a new snake antivenom using the blood of a man who deliberately built up immunity to snakebites by injecting himself with many different kinds of venom more than 800 times over 18 years.

The researchers showed “super antibodies” from the man’s blood prevented toxic damage from neurotoxins found in the venoms of 19 different snake species, including mambas and cobras.

The new study may represent a welcome advance in antivenom production. Most current techniques are more than a century old and involve injecting venom into horses and other animals, then harvesting antibodies from their blood.

Even so, new treatments are only part of the challenge of addressing the huge global problem of snakebites, which kill and maim hundreds of thousands of people around the world each year.

How was this new antivenom made?

Tim Friede describes himself as an “autodidact herpetologist and venom expert”. He deliberately immunised himself with increasing doses of a number of snake venoms over an 18-year period, in a risky practice known as “mithridatism” that we don’t recommend. Some issues include: Friede nearly died several times, and immunity can drop in weeks.

Scientists took a small sample of Friede’s blood and isolated the antibodies his immune system had developed to counteract the venoms. Next, they determined which of the antibodies were broadly effective against two important types of neurotoxins found in the venoms of elapid snakes, a family of species including cobras, mambas, and taipans.

The next step was to sequence the DNA from Friede’s b-cells (a type of immune cell) that produced those two antibodies, then insert the genes responsible into a kind of virus called a bacteriophage. Then, using the modified bacteriophage and human cells as mini factories, the researchers produced lots of the antibodies to use in their work.

How is antivenom usually made?

Antivenom is currently the only specific treatment available for snakebites. It is usually produced by first collecting venom (which is dangerous), then “hyper-immunising” a domesticated animal (such as a horse) by routinely injecting it with small but increasing doses of that venom.

Christina Zdenek and Chris Hay extracting venom from a coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus).
Russell Shakespeare

The horse’s blood is extracted and its antibodies purified. The antibodies can then be injected into a snakebite victim, where they stick to toxins. This prevents the toxins from binding to targets in the body, and it also flags them for elimination by the immune system.

Traditional antivenoms have their problems. They can cause a severe allergic response known as an anaphylactic reaction (up to 50% of the time, in some countries). They may also have limited effectiveness due to differences in venom composition in snakes from different regions, or at different stages of the snake’s life.

Broad-spectrum or “polyvalent” antivenoms are made by injecting horses with mixtures of venom from different species or different populations of snakes. However, the elevated antibody content per dose can increase the risk of adverse reactions.

Another challenge with mixed antivenoms is that some toxins that produce a strong immune response can suppress the production of antibodies against other equally dangerous toxins.

Why has it taken so long to improve antivenom production?

Antivenom production is not presently a very profitable business. The expenses are huge, there is limited economy of scale, the effectiveness of antivenoms can be geographically specific, and the products have a short shelf-life and may have strict refrigeration requirements.

Snakebite is also a disease of poverty. The people most affected are those least able to afford treatment.

In Australia, the government has been supporting onshore antivenom production since 2020.

Christina Zdenek retrieves snake venoms from a freezer for antivenom tests in the lab.
Russell Shakespeare

How else can we treat snakebite?

In the past decade, more precise, ethical, and potentially cost-effective methods of producing snakebite therapeutics have emerged. These include monoclonal antibodies produced in the lab, as well as more conventional drugs.

For example, varespladib is one drug that has progressed to phase II clinical trials. It works extremely well against a major component found in many snake venoms worldwide.

Hybrid products containing “designer antibodies” and inhibitors like varespladib may be the future of snakebite treatment.

The new “universal elapid antivenom” is in many ways an improvement on traditional antivenoms. However, there are still several deadly toxins present in elapid snake venoms it does not address, such as the coagulotoxin (blood-attacking) prothrombinase found in the venom of eastern brown snakes and taipans.

Why do we need antivenom?

Many people around the world live with the daily threat of being bitten by a venomous snake. Farmers, graziers, children walking barefoot to school, and many rural and remote workers in tropical and subtropical region, are at risk.

The World Health Organisation deems snakebite a neglected tropical disease. It kills one person roughly every four minutes. As many as 2.7 million people are bitten annually, resulting in up to 138,000 deaths and around 400,000 people permanently maimed.

An eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis) passes through a suburban backyard in eastern Australia.
Chris Hay

Will this new medicine reduce snakebite deaths?

When it comes to reducing the number of people who die from snakebite, novel snakebite treatments are undoubtedly important. However, developing new drugs is the relatively easy part of the problem.

A drug is only as good as your capacity to deliver it when and where it’s needed. For snakebites, time is short and locations may be remote.

Several antivenoms available in Australia.
Christina N. Zdenek

Far more attention and resources need to be devoted to all aspects of health infrastructure in the tropics, including the availability and distribution of life-saving medicines.

Prevention is also critical. Reducing the number of snakebites will reduce the burden on health infrastructure by saving lives and limbs.

To achieve this, we need far more resources devoted to research on snake behaviour, snake ecology, human–snake interactions, and public education about snakes. Snakebite is the result of an ecological encounter between two organisms, and we know disappointingly little about the circumstances in which it occurs.

Christina N. Zdenek co-owns and works for the Australian Reptile Academy, a Queensland-based company that provides venomous-snake identification and handling courses for industry and the public.

Timothy N.W. Jackson is co-head of the Australian Venom Research Unit, which has previously received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, Department of Health, and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

– ref. ‘Super antibodies’ for snake toxins: how a dangerous DIY experiment helped scientists make a new antivenom – https://theconversation.com/super-antibodies-for-snake-toxins-how-a-dangerous-diy-experiment-helped-scientists-make-a-new-antivenom-255611

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Dan Goldman’s Statement on the Reported Detention of Union Organizers in Western New York

Source: US Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)

“I am deeply disturbed about reports out of Western New York today that federal immigration agents stopped a bus carrying farm workers to target and detain union organizers.

“According to the reports, the agents carried a list of names of United Farm Workers union organizers who were then removed and detained while the bus and its remaining passengers were allowed to proceed to the worksite.

“The prospect that the federal government is using its immigration authority to target, silence and intimidate labor leaders is a chilling abuse of power, reminiscent of a dark time decades ago when the FBI used fear, surveillance, and xenophobia in an attempt to crush the labor movement and smear Cesar Chavez.

“I call on the Trump administration to immediately inform Congress and the American people of the lawful basis for detaining these workers. If there is none, they must be released immediately.”

###

MIL OSI USA News –

May 3, 2025

Category: Farming

Cowell Grass Fire

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Few green shoots

Balance of power

Minor party fizzers

What next for the minor parties?

Weathering the storm

Changing hands

New crossbench faces?

Not burning down the house

‘Every day is minority government in the Senate’

Doubtful House seats, and the Greens’ and teals’ performance

Report for Framework on Repairability Index (RI) in Mobile and Electronic Sector submittedCommittee’s recommendations in alignment with best global practices facilitating industry with innovation and ease of doing business

King leads nation in tribute to the greatest generation

ENDS

Notes to editors

Full list of buildings being lit up:

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South West England:

East England:

West Midlands:

East Midlands:

Scotland:

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Wales:

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Gerald Ford forgets the Cold War

Jimmy Carter gets advice from his teen

Ronald Reagan attacks Russia

George H.W. Bush eats word salad

Bill Clinton is or isn’t, maybe

George W. Bush’s shame

Barack Obama strikes out

Joe Biden’s bad day

Richard Nixon is a law-abiding guy

Gerald Ford forgets the Cold War

Jimmy Carter gets advice from his teen

Ronald Reagan attacks Russia

George H.W. Bush eats word salad

Bill Clinton is or isn’t, maybe

George W. Bush’s shame

Barack Obama strikes out

Joe Biden’s bad day

How was this new antivenom made?

How is antivenom usually made?

Why has it taken so long to improve antivenom production?

How else can we treat snakebite?

Why do we need antivenom?

Will this new medicine reduce snakebite deaths?

APEDA mulls Export Growth Strategy for Agri and Processed Foods, calls stakeholders for a Chintan Shivir

Govt committed to reducing logistical barriers and enhancing market access for Indian agri and processed food products: Shri Sunil Barthwal, Secretary Department of Commerce

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan Announces Two Genome-Edited Rice Varieties Developed in India
India Becomes the First Country in the World to Develop Genome-Edited Rice Varieties

“Rise of India’s Indigenous Sports to the Global Stage” — A Call to Celebrate and Globalize India’s Sporting Heritage, at WAVES 2025

Indigenous games are not just physical contests, but an integral part of our communities, traditions and identity: Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi

Report for Framework on Repairability Index (RI) in Mobile and Electronic Sector submitted

Committee’s recommendations in alignment with best global practices facilitating industry with innovation and ease of doing business