NewzIntel.com

Category: Farming

  • MIL-OSI USA: Following Push From Luján and Ag Committee Democrats, Trump Administration Releases $1.3 Billion for Specialty Crop Producers

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research, issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released $1.3 billion in assistance for specialty crop producers that was previously withheld:
    “Our specialty crop producers provide high-quality, nutritious produce that feeds our nation and the world. Yet the Trump administration and Elon Musk recklessly suspended critical assistance that our producers rely on. This halt in funding was a direct blow to our agricultural industry and should never have happened.
    “I called on the Trump administration to ensure our farmers, ranchers, and producers receive the support they need — and now, the administration has heeded that call. New Mexico’s specialty crop producers work tirelessly to put food on tables and support our signature crops, from pecans to chile. I’m relieved they will now regain access to the resources they need and deserve. Specialty crop producers are the backbone of U.S. agriculture, and I will continue defending them from attacks by this administration.”
    Background on Senator Luján’s efforts to ensure assistance for New Mexico specialty crop producers, farmers, and ranchers:
    Senator Luján and Agriculture Committee Democrats sent a letter to then-USDA Acting Secretary Gary Washington asking for clarity and to raise concerns regarding the impact of recent Executive Orders and Presidential Memo on the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 
    “Farmers, ranchers, schools, and state governments have contacted my office in search of clarity on programs, websites, offices, and activities impacted by these orders. Conflicting information from the administration has added to the uncertainty, costing those who depend on the Department time and money,” said Senator Luján and Agriculture Committee Democrats. “The farmers, rural families, and businesses that depend on the Department need certainty to plan ahead for this growing season.”
    Senator Luján and Agriculture Committee Democrats urged USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to ensure the timely delivery of economic and disaster assistance to farmers, ranchers, and producers.
    “Farmers of fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops have also experienced difficult economic conditions and high input prices. Specialty crop producers have already applied for and received initial payment under the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC), and USDA should make the planned additional payments before we get into the growing season,” said Senator Luján and Agriculture Committee Democrats.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Donald Trump has cast a long shadow over the Australian election. Will it prove decisive?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Shortis, Adjunct Senior Fellow, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University

    Donald Trump is everywhere, inescapable. His return to power in the United States was always going to have some impact on the Australian federal election. The question was how disruptive he would be.

    The answer is very – but not in the ways we might have thought.

    As soon as Trump was elected president, the political debate in Australia focused on whether Prime Minister Anthony Albanese or Opposition Leader Peter Dutton would be best suited to managing him – and keeping the US-Australia security alliance intact.

    Initially, at least, this conversation was predictable.

    The Coalition looked set to continue an ideological alignment with Trumpism that had flourished under the prime ministership of Scott Morrison. Dutton prosecuted the argument that given his party’s experience with the first Trump administration, it would be better placed than Labor to handle the second.

    Albanese, meanwhile, appeared caught off guard by Trump’s victory and timid in his response.

    But as has become all too clear, the second Trump administration is radically different from the first. That has rattled the right of Australian politics and worked to Labor’s advantage.

    A turning point at the White House

    In January, the Coalition announced that NT Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price had been appointed shadow minister for government efficiency – a direct importation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) being led by Elon Musk in the US.

    In a barely disguised imitation of the Trump administration’s attacks on “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) measures, members of the Coalition, including Price, singled out Welcome to Country ceremonies as evidence of the kind of “wasteful” spending it would cut.

    When the Coalition seemed to be riding high in the polls, Dutton, too, nodded at “wokeism” and singled out young white men feeling “disenfranchised”.

    Soon after, however, this began to change. The first few weeks of Trump’s second term were marked by a cascade of executive actions targeting trans people, climate action and immigration. Trump and his new appointees began the process of radically reshaping the United States and its role in the world.

    In February, polling by the independent think tank The Australia Institute found Australians saw Trump as a bigger threat to world peace than Russian President Vladimir Putin or Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

    And then Volodymyr Zelensky went to the White House.

    The Ukrainian president was humiliated in an Oval Office meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, laying bare how the administration was willing to treat the leader of an ally devastated by a war it hadn’t started.

    Trump’s territorial threats towards Canada and Greenland, in addition to his dismissive statements about European allies, shattered the long-held assumptions about the US as a force for stability in the world.

    MAGA ideology isn’t ‘pick and choose’

    After this incident, Dutton was careful to distance himself from Trump’s abandonment of Ukraine. He even went so far as to say that leadership might require “standing up to your friends and to those traditional allies because our views have diverged”.

    Similarly, influential Coalition powerbroker Peta Credlin wrote in The Australian:

    it’s hard to see America made great again if the Trump administration’s message to the world is that the strong do what they will and the weak suffer what they must.

    Therein lies the bind for the Coalition – an ideological alignment with “Make America Great Again” cannot be fully reconciled with a nationalism that puts Australian interests first.

    MAGA ideology is all-or-nothing, not pick-and-choose.

    During the election campaign, the Coalition attempted to walk the path of “pick-and-choose”. And Labor quite successfully used this against them. Assertions the opposition leader was nothing but a “Temu Trump”, or “DOGE-y Dutton”, stuck because they had at least a ring of truth to them.

    The opposition’s pledge to dramatically reduce the size of the public service, for example, was clearly linked to Musk’s efforts at DOGE to take a chainsaw to the public service in the US. This idea has been deeply unpopular with Australian voters, and the Coalition has faced innumerable questions about it.

    For all the talk of “shared values” and how essential the US alliance is to Australian security, this campaign shows that Australia is not like America.

    Most Australians concerned about Trump’s impact

    When Trump’s tariffs arrived on “Liberation Day” in early April, both leaders claimed they were best placed to negotiate.

    Albanese insisted Australia had got one of the best results in the world, while Dutton asserted, without evidence, that he would be able to negotiate a better one.

    More broadly, the Trump tariffs have contributed to a growing sense of unease in the electorate.

    A recent YouGov poll found that 66% of Australians no longer believe the US can be relied on for defence and security. According to Paul Smith, the director of YouGov, this is a “fundamental change of worldview”.

    In the same poll, 71% of Australians also said they were either concerned or very concerned Trump’s policies would make Australia worse off.

    While neither party has signalled it would make a fundamental shift in Australia’s alliance with the US if elected, that doesn’t mean changes aren’t possible.

    Independents and minor parties may well play a significant role in the formation of the next government. Some, like Zoe Daniel and Jacqui Lambie, are increasingly vocal about the risks the Trump administration poses to Australia.

    A limit to Trumpism’s appeal

    As election day approaches, many of the assumptions driving conventional Australian political thinking are under pressure.

    Labor’s recovery in the polls, and the Liberals’ election win in Canada, suggest assumptions about the dangers of incumbency might have been misplaced. The dissatisfaction with incumbent governments last year may have had more to do with unresponsive political parties and systems.

    There’s evidence emerging, instead, that in more responsive democracies with robust institutions like Australia and Canada, Trumpism does not have great appeal.

    The idea that “kindness is not a weakness” may yet prove to be a winning political strategy.

    Emma Shortis is Director of International and Security Affairs at The Australia Institute, an independent think tank.

    – ref. Donald Trump has cast a long shadow over the Australian election. Will it prove decisive? – https://theconversation.com/donald-trump-has-cast-a-long-shadow-over-the-australian-election-will-it-prove-decisive-255422

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Informal workers in Ghana’s chop bars get no benefit from foreign aid: donors are getting it wrong

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Matteo Rizzo, Senior Lecturer in Development Studies, SOAS, University of London

    Informal street food caterers, popularly known as chop bars, are a key feature of Ghanaian city life. They offer the urban poor the cheapest food.

    A 2016 survey by the Food and Agriculture Organization estimated there were about 3,300 chop bars in the capital, Accra, employing almost 4,300 workers. This figure is likely to be much higher now due to rapid urban growth in the last decade. Ghana’s urban population increased from 50.9% in 2010 to 56.7% in 2021. By the same year the Greater Accra region was home to 91.7% of the urban population in the country.

    Street food caterers in Accra face a number of problems, including insecurity of land tenure, inadequate knowledge of food hygiene, harassment from local authorities, cut-throat competition, and low returns from work.

    Foreign donors have over the years stepped in to attempt to address these problems. A flagship of this assistance has been a programme funded by Danish trade unions and the Danish Federation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. Under its aegis, Ghana’s Trades Union Congress was able to support workers in chop bars.

    Drawing on our expertise on trade unions in Ghana and on the informal economy, we assessed the effectiveness and strategic relevance of this aid.

    The aid focused on entrepreneurial skills and micro-credit. This overlooks some of the real problems in the sector. It leaves wage workers in a precarious position and does nothing to boost demand for what the sector supplies. We argue that to be more effective, foreign aid should address these gaps.

    Entrepreneurial pipe dreams

    Increased donor attention to workers in the informal economy and trade unions could be seen as a positive trend. After all, this is where the majority of workers in African cities are to be found. Ghana’s official statistical service places the size of the country’s informal sector between 70% and 80% of the working populace in its reports from 2024.

    However, close examination of the type of support given, and its results, yields a more sobering picture.

    Aid focused firstly on capacity building and entrepreneurship. This aimed at boosting skills such as financial literacy and capacity to care for customers. The programme’s own evaluation highlights the increased confidence that chop bar operators gained through this training. Important as this might be, increased confidence can do very little to overcome structural challenges, like intense competition in an oversupplied sector and the insecurity of land tenure.

    A second area of support was the provision of micro-credit via the Trades Union Congress (Ghana). One could argue that it boosted the creditworthiness of informal economy operators. But there is evidence, including our study, that credit can often result in a spiral of debt and “poverty finance”.

    Donors chose to focus on small-scale entrepreneurs as the only economic actors in the informal economy. This reflects an ideological, and market fundamentalist, understanding of the informal economy as inhabited only by small enterprises and self-employed workers, and the challenge as one of making the market work better for the poor.

    The blind spots of donors’ support to the informal economy

    This approach by donors neglects informal and highly precarious wage workers within the chop bar sector. Our research shows that the chop bar industry is stratified in terms of class. Within it, alongside genuine self-employed workers, there are people who own relatively small-scale capital (cooking assets and in some cases the land and buildings in which the bars are based) and who employ informal wage workers.

    The informal workforce is by and large made up of migrant female workers with relatively low education and skill. They work without contracts, for very long hours and very low wages, and face the risk of sudden dismissal and harassment from employers. Such poor working conditions stem from the lack of contracts, and of the rights that come with them. This is the weakest category of workers in the industry – yet they have no place in donors’ and trade unions’ activities to support workers.

    The main limitation of donors’ aid to the chop bar sector is that it focuses exclusively on supply-side interventions. It is based on the idea that improving skills and access to finance will result in increased demand for the services of small-scale entrepreneurs. Many aid programmes on employment make this mistake and suffer from so called “employment dementia” .

    This type of aid doesn’t ask where the stimulus to increase demand for street food will come from, or what the structural roots of urban employment challenges are. It doesn’t consider why African cities have large informal economies and poor-quality jobs.

    Aid priorities

    Donors should re-think their aid priorities, and put informal wage workers at their centre. This would entail moving away from the current focus on micro-solutions for job creation, and instead supporting policies to promote structural change, to tighten labour markets and increase the demand for good-quality jobs within them.

    This article was co-authored with Dr Prince Asafu-Adjaye, an associate of Labour Research Service.

    – Informal workers in Ghana’s chop bars get no benefit from foreign aid: donors are getting it wrong
    – https://theconversation.com/informal-workers-in-ghanas-chop-bars-get-no-benefit-from-foreign-aid-donors-are-getting-it-wrong-253633

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Irrigation Development Program Intake Closing

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on April 30, 2025

    The Ministry of Agriculture will be closing application intake under the Irrigation Development Program as of April 30, 2025. Applications may still be submitted under the program from April 30 to May 30, but those projects must be completed, with claims submitted, by December 31, 2025.

    The program supports infrastructure development to increase irrigation capacity by creating a secure water supply to land parcels suitable for irrigation. Introduced in April 2023, the successful program has seen high uptake from producers and is now fully subscribed. From the program’s launch on April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2025, 202 applications were received, and over 41,000 acres of irrigated acres were developed.

    “The strong demand for this program demonstrates the interest in increasing production and crop diversity through irrigation,” Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison said. “This government is committed to supporting irrigation through a variety of programs and projects. Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan sets the goal of reaching 85,000 irrigated acres by 2030, which is already 95 per cent achieved and expected to be surpassed in 2025.” 

    The Ministry of Agriculture is committed to funding all projects pre-approved through to May 30, 2025, and completed by the claim deadline. The claim deadlines for those projects pre-approved before April 30 are indicated in the Ministry’s letter of pre-approval to each applicant. 

    The Irrigation Development Program is one of many ways in which the Government of Saskatchewan provides support for irrigation expansion in the province. Irrigation allows more diverse crops to be grown and increases the number of livestock that can be supported. It is also important for strengthening rural economies and stabilizing crop production with a consistent source of moisture. 

    For more information, please visit saskatchewan.ca.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Sues National Cleaning and Sanitation Company for “No Poach” Agreements

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a lawsuit against Packers Sanitation Services, Inc. LTD., now doing business as Fortrex (PSSI), a national cleaning and sanitation company, for allegedly engaging in unlawful “no poach” agreements that restrict competition and harm workers’ rights. Filed in the San Diego Superior Court, the California Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges that PSSI’s use of illegal agreements – where businesses agree not to solicit or hire each other’s employees – violated California law, specifically the Unfair Competition Law. Through this lawsuit, the DOJ is seeking civil penalties, permanent injunctive relief that bars PSSI from using no-poach agreements, and restitution for employees that were harmed due to PSSI’s alleged unlawful conduct.

    “When companies like PSSI use unlawful business practices to limit employee opportunities, they deny workers the freedom to compete for better wages, benefits, and career advancement,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Workers deserve a labor market free from illegal restraints. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to support workers’ rights by holding accountable any business that undermines a fair labor market.”  

    PSSI is a national cleaning and sanitation company that contracts with dozens of meatpacking and food processing facilities in California and hundreds across the country. Nationally, PSSI employs over 17,000 workers across approximately 500 worksites. PSSI has had cleaning contracts with over 20 meatpacking and food processing companies in California, including well-known names such as Foster Farms, Harris Ranch, and Pilgrim’s Pride. 

    Central to the company’s alleged unlawful conduct is its use of prohibited no-poach provisions. This business practice, often hidden from employees, can have serious implications including artificially lowering employee compensation, reducing incentives for companies to improve working conditions, and limiting employee career growth. The DOJ’s investigation revealed that PSSI had implemented a no poach provision in 22 out of its 24 operative contracts in California, which impacted the rights of approximately 6,000 employees who worked pursuant to those contracts. Workers who are aware that they are subject to an unreasonable or overly restrictive noncompete agreement should report it immediately to the Attorney General’s office at oag.ca.gov/report.

    Attorney General Bonta is committed to defending workers’ rights, workplace safety, and California’s fair and competitive labor market. Through the Worker Rights and Fair Labor Section, the Civil Rights Enforcement Section, and the Antitrust Law Section, Attorney General Bonta enforces California’s laws to protect the welfare of California workers and legitimate businesses operating in California. This year, Attorney General Bonta filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for conducting an illegal mass firing of federal probationary employees. In 2024, Attorney General Bonta took action by defending wages and overtime owed in the West Coast Drywall Lawsuit. In 2023, Attorney General Bonta took action to protect workers, launching an historic investigation into gender discrimination in the National Football League, joined 17 attorneys general in supporting the Federal Trade Commission’s proposed rule limiting noncompete agreements, fought for the rights of transportation workers, and immigrant children. In November 2022, Attorney General Bonta joined 21 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief opposing McDonald’s attempt to evade liability for past alleged efforts to stifle competition and undercut wages through the use of “no-poach” agreements. In October 2022, Attorney General Bonta filed an amicus brief in an effort to protect Californians from discrimination in the employment hiring process. 

    A copy of the lawsuit can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Major boost for emerging N West poultry farmer

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Wednesday, April 30, 2025

    To strengthen rural economies, fight poverty, and ensure food security in the province, the MEC for North West Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha, officially presented a modern poultry facility to an emerging farmer.

    The 5 000-layer poultry structure was handed over to Sibongile Gumede of Bongi G Farm, located in Lindequesdrift, as part of the fourth phase of the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme at the JB Marks Municipality.

    According to the provincial government, the facility will enable Bongi G Farm to scale up egg production significantly, contributing to local food supply chains and creating employment opportunities within the province. 

    Bongi G is an enterprise dedicated to producing naturally grown, free-range poultry and eggs. 

    The farm’s eggs undergo regular grading by the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) to ensure quality.

    Sambatha emphasised empowering small-scale farmers with the infrastructure and resources necessary for sustainable growth.

    “The handover is not just about providing a farm, it’s about creating growth opportunities, ensuring food security, and nurturing the essence of entrepreneurship within farmers,” the MEC added. 

    He further encouraged Bongi G to utilise the resources they are available responsibly and continue working towards sustainable agricultural practices that will benefit future generations.

    Speaking about receiving the state-of-the-art poultry structure, Gumede said: “I am beyond grateful to the department for this opportunity. I am now able to sustain myself, create jobs, and, through the progress I have made, I have even managed to build a 3 000-layer structure on my own.“

    The department said the handover of the farm marks a momentous breakthrough in the province’s ongoing efforts to promote agricultural development, empowering local farmers and strengthening the agricultural sector, whilst ensuring that local farmers have the tools and support they need to thrive. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Sullivan Introduce Bipartisan Keep Finfish Free Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced the Keep Finfish Free Act, bipartisan legislation to prohibit federal agencies from issuing any permit or taking any other action to authorize or facilitate commercial finfish aquaculture operations in federal waters, known as the exclusive economic zone, from 3 to 200 nautical miles off U.S. shores, unless Congress passes future legislation explicitly authorizing such permits.
    Commercial finfish aquaculture, often with Atlantic salmon, utilizes infrastructure consisting of massive cages and intensive feeding systems. Commercial offshore cages typically contain hundreds of thousands of fish. Aquaculture nets are porous and can allow for waste and pathogens—viruses, bacteria, and parasites—to pass from farmed fish inside the cages to wild fish and shellfish outside the cages.
    “Industrial finfish aquaculture operations are like underwater factory farms, polluting our oceans and spreading potentially deadly diseases and parasites to wild fish,” said Senator Booker. “These operations use millions of pounds of wild fish to feed the caged fish at an unsustainable rate of consumption that depletes marine resources in traditional fishing areas. As we make decisions that will impact the future of our oceans, we should not go down the unsustainable road of allowing commercial finfish aquaculture in our federal waters. Instead we should chart a different path built around the health of wild fish stocks and ocean ecosystems.”
    “Alaskans are deeply invested in protecting the health of our marine ecosystem, and maintaining sustainability of our world-class fisheries,” said Senator Sullivan. “That is why I’m introducing legislation with Senator Booker to ban risky fish farming operations in federal waters that could jeopardize the health of our fish species and undermine Alaska’s coastal fishing communities. I hope my colleagues will join us in passing this important legislation to keep American finfish healthy and free!”
    “Thank you, Senator Booker, for introducing the Keep Finfish Free Act. The last thing our ocean needs is industrialization, especially off New Jersey and New York coasts,” said Cindy Zipf, executive director of Clean Ocean Action, based in Long Branch, NJ. “Offshore finfish farms would harm and contaminate our wild and free ocean with pollution including from pharmaceuticals, chemical feed, and concentrated fecal matter. It will also promote diseases and genetic mutations which will threaten native species. In short, nothing but yuck. We need strong laws to ensure our ocean is clean and healthy for all to enjoy today and for future generations.”
    “What affects fishers affects farmers, too; we co-exist within the same food systems. Factory farming on land has displaced small producers, harmed rural communities, and depleted natural resources,” said Cali Alexander, board member and policy chair with the Northeast Organic Farming Association of NJ (NOFA-NJ), and former state seafood administrator with the NJ Department of Health. “Now, industrial-scale fish farming threatens to do the same. So we at NOFA-NJ are grateful to Senator Booker for co-sponsoring the Keep Finfish Free Act, a vital push toward keeping food production truly sustainable and in the hands of those who put food on our plates.”
    “Reintroduction of the Keep Finfish Free Act is a welcome display of support that Senator Sullivan and Senator Booker have for the fisher people who provide natural and healthy food to the world,” said Melanie Brown, Native Alaskan fisherwoman and outreach director at SalmonState. “Thank you, Senators, for leading the charge on keeping net pens out of the waters of our wild-caught fisheries.”
    To read the full text of the bill, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah thanks Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the Cabinet decision to fix the FRP of sugarcane at ₹355 per quintal for year 2025-26 and approve 4-lane Greenfield National Highway from Mawlyngkhung in Meghalaya to Panchgram in Assam

    Source: Government of India

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah thanks Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the Cabinet decision to fix the FRP of sugarcane at ₹355 per quintal for year 2025-26 and approve 4-lane Greenfield National Highway from Mawlyngkhung in Meghalaya to Panchgram in Assam

    This decision of the Modi Government will benefit about 5 crore sugarcane farmers and their families as well as about 5 lakh workers employed in sugar mills

    Committed to the prosperity of sugarcane farmers and increasing their income, this decision by Modiji will make the lives of farmers even better and easier

    Home Minister says, development of the Northeast has always been a top priority of the Modi government

    This decision will open a new fast lane of development for the Ashtalakshmi of Bharat by making transportation safer and seamless

    Posted On: 30 APR 2025 8:21PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the Cabinet decision to fix the FRP of sugarcane at ₹355 per quintal for year 2025-26 and approve 4-lane Greenfield National Highway from Mawlyngkhung in Meghalaya to Panchgram in Assam.

    On a post on X platform, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that Modi Government’s gift to sugarcane farmers, this decision will benefit about 5 crore sugarcane farmers and their families as well as about 5 lakh workers employed in sugar mills

    Shri Amit Shah said that committed to the prosperity of sugarcane farmers and increasing their income, this decision by Modiji will make the lives of farmers even better and easier.

    In another post, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that development of the Northeast has always been a top priority of the Modi government. He congratulated our sisters and brothers of the Northeast on the approval of the 4-lane Greenfield National Highway from Mawlyngkhung in Meghalaya to Panchgram in Assam. Shri Shah said that this decision will open a new fast lane of development for the Ashtalakshmi of Bharat by making transportation safer and seamless. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for this game-changing decision.

    *****

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    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER CALLS ON EPA TO CUT RED TAPE AND STOP DELAYING CONTRACT FOR CANANDAIGUA TO PROTECT DRINKING WATER FOR 40,000 IN ONTARIO & WAYNE COUNTIES

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

    Schumer Secured $1.75M In Fed Funding For Canandaigua to Upgrade Drinking Water System To Remove Toxic Chemicals Linked To Liver And Kidney Damage And Cancer

    Despite Canandaigua Having All Its Paperwork In Order For Months, EPA Has Delayed Signing Final Agreement And If They Do Not Sign Off In Next 30 Days Construction Will Not Be Able To Begin As Planned

    Schumer: EPA Must Cut Red Tape To Protect Thousands Of Families And Seniors Across Rochester-Finger Lakes

    U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to cut through the red tape and stop delays to help the City of Canandaigua install crucial equipment to remove disinfection by-product (DBP) chemicals – which have been linked to health issues including liver and kidney damage and cancer – from the water supply. Schumer explained that last year he secured $1.75 million in federal funding for Canandaigua, but the EPA has been dragging its feet on signing off on the final agreement, which the city needs in the next 30 days so construction can start this fall as planned.

    “Every family and resident from Canandaigua to Walworth deserves access to clean and safe drinking water. I was proud to secure $1.75 million so Canandaigua can upgrade its drinking water system and eliminate harmful chemicals that have been linked to liver and kidney damage and cancer, but if the EPA doesn’t stop its delays the project can’t move forward. We need the EPA needs to cut the red tape and sign off on the final agreement so construction can start this fall as planned, not to do so risks both public health and good jobs,” said Senator Schumer. “Every day the EPA drags its feet it is jeopardizing the health and safety of over 40,000 New Yorkers across Ontario and Wayne Counties. I will always fight to keep New York’s drinking water clean and our communities safe and healthy.”

    Disinfection by-products (DBP) have recently been found in excess of the maximum contaminant level established by the EPA in the water of systems that have purchased the city’s water. Schumer secured $1.75 million in federal funding in the fiscal year 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to enable the City of Canandaigua to install a new aeration system into its three water storage tanks that will eliminate the DPA chemicals. This system will specifically integrate aerators and mixers into the city’s water storage tanks to eliminate the harmful DBPs from the drinking water supply. These DBPs are formed when disinfectants, like chlorine, react with naturally occurring substances in the water which have known toxicity and carcinogenic impacts that have been linked to liver and kidney damage and cancer.

    Canandaigua City Manager John Goodwin said, “We appreciate Senator Schumer’s support to secure and obligate this federal funding that will ensure that the City will continue to be able to provide high quality and safe drinking water to not just city residents, but to residents in towns across Ontario and Wayne County.”

    The city needs the EPA to sign off on the final agreement so it has the funding it needs to go out to bid in the next 30 days and construction can start this fall as planned. Schumer in a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin explained this funding is key to improving water quality for approximately 40,000 New Yorkers in Canandaigua and surrounding communities across Ontario and Wayne Counties.

    Schumer’s letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin can be found HERE or below:

    Dear Administrator Zeldin:

    I write to express my deep concern regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) unacceptable delay in finalizing the grant agreement necessary to release critical funding for the City of Canandaigua’s drinking water treatment system upgrade. This funding is essential to safeguard the health and safety of over 40,000 residents across Ontario and Wayne Counties, from Canandaigua itself to neighboring towns like Bristol, Hopewell, Farmington and Manchester and communities served by the Wayne County Water Authority like Macedon, Walworth, and Palmyra.

    I was proud to secure a bi-partisan $1.75 million Congressionally Directed Spending investment in fiscal year 2024 to enable Canandaigua’s installation of crucial equipment to remove hazardous disinfection byproducts from the public water supply – chemicals which are known to cause serious health issues, including liver and kidney damage, as well as cancer. This project, developed through collaboration between city officials and state regulators, directly responds to urgent mandates to improve water quality and protect public health.

    Now, despite the clear congressional intent and urgent public health need, the City of Canandaigua is facing severe uncertainty. The City must go out to bid within the next 30 days in order to begin design and construction this fall and stay on track to deliver safe, clean drinking water to its residents. Yet, EPA’s persistent delays in approving the final agreements threaten to derail this delicate timeline, jeopardizing both the health of thousands of New Yorkers and the public’s trust in federal responsiveness.

    The EPA’s delay in obligating this funding is unacceptable and is placing entire communities at risk. Every day that passes without final approval raises the risks to public health, increases potential project costs, and undermines the ability of responsible municipalities to deliver safe and essential drinking water services to local residents, farms, businesses, and organizations.

    Therefore, I urge EPA to immediately approve the final grant agreement and release the $1.75 million funding to allow the City of Canandaigua to move forward without delay. The lives, health, and well-being of tens of thousands of Upstate New Yorkers depend on swift and decisive action.

    I stand ready to work with you to resolve any outstanding issues, but make no mistake: delay is not an option. The residents of Ontario and Wayne Counties deserve safe drinking water, and they deserve it without obstruction.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: TRANSCRIPT: LEADER JEFFRIES REMARKS ON PRESIDENT TRUMP’S FIRST 100 DAYS

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered the following speech on what a disaster for the American people that Donald Trump’s first 100 days have been and how costs, chaos and corruption are all up, thanks to the President and his Rubber Stamp Republicans.

    Good morning. Good morning. Thank you. Thank you, everyone. Good morning. Good morning. Thank you. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning.

    Right at the top, let me make one thing clear: The Trump administration has been a disaster. 100 days in, Donald Trump and Elon Musk have failed to make your life more affordable. They failed to make you safer. They failed to make us more respected around the world. But their biggest failure is this: they have failed to appreciate the strength of the American people.

    During the dawn of the Republic, it was once observed that when people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty.

    Donald Trump and Republicans thought they could shock and awe us into submission. They thought we would be too complacent to stand up for liberty and justice for all. They thought we would walk away from the principle of equal protection under the law. They thought wrong. They thought wrong. They thought wrong.

    Trump’s unconstitutional assault on the American way of life is unprecedented, but the so-called dictator on day one is learning an important lesson. Americans don’t bend the knee to bullies. In the face of tyranny, we join together. In the face of tyranny, we rise up together. In the face of tyranny, we get into some good trouble together. And we’re just getting started.

    100 days in, Donald Trump has the lowest approval rating of any president in modern American history. 100 days in, voters have elected Democrats in Republican-held districts all across the country, including in Iowa and Pennsylvania. 100 days in, Elon Musk spent $25 million to buy a state supreme court seat in Wisconsin, and lost by double digits. 100 days in, more than 200 different lawsuits have been filed against the unconstitutional and unlawful executive orders of Donald Trump, and the American people are winning in court. 100 days in, principled opposition to Republican extremism is taking shape from sea to shining sea. The American people are rising up and making it clear that the Trump administration has a lot to fear.

    When my oldest son JJ was 9 years old, he played travel baseball with a group of his friends. Many of you know that travel sports can be taxing on the schedule. It’s a labor of love for our children. During the season, it seems like almost every weekend for several months, you’re on the road. And so, this one particular Memorial Day weekend, JJ had a baseball tournament in a little town off the beaten path somewhere in the Northeast. 

    Travel sports can take you to some interesting places. I decided to make it a road trip and bring my youngest son, Joshua, with us. He was just 6 years old at the time. And so I said to him, he’s gonna come on this trip, and it’ll be like a vacation. What did I say that for, y’all? 

    When I mentioned vacation, he had visions of Atlantis. So we pulled up to the motel where we were staying, and the situation was a bit shaky. My 6 year old looked at the motel, looked at me, looked at the motel and looked at me and said: “Dad, is this where we’re staying?” I said, “Yes, Joshua, why do you ask?” He responded, “Oh my God, Dad, this is a debacle.” 6 years old. I looked at him and asked, “What does the word debacle mean?” He responded quickly. He said: “I don’t know Dad, it’s something bad.”

    This is the moment we are in right now in the United States of America, with Donald Trump and the Republicans in charge. 

    Crashing the economy is something bad. Destroying Medicaid as we know it is something bad. Taking a chainsaw to Social Security is something bad. Raising costs on hardworking American taxpayers is something bad. Firing federal workers, including thousands of veterans who served this country, is something bad. Canceling medical research for children with cancer is something bad. Destroying the retirement accounts of everyday Americans is something bad. Trying to whitewash the most painful parts of our history is something bad. Targeting law-abiding immigrant families is something bad. Undermining the rule of law is something bad. 

    The first 100 days of the Trump administration have been a debacle. Enough. Enough. America is better than this. 

    When the new Congress began in January, Democrats were prepared to get to work in a bipartisan way. The Trump administration chose a different path. Far-right Republicans are tearing America apart, targeting our democratic way of life and tarnishing our reputation as the land of the free. It is wrong, and we will continue to push back aggressively. Donald Trump and the Republicans in Congress have given us 100 days of chaos, 100 days of cruelty and 100 days of corrupt behavior. That is not constructive leadership, it’s a recipe for disaster. 

    The American people deserve common sense leadership, the American people deserve compassionate leadership, the American people deserve courageous leadership that changes things for the better. Our message to the American people is simple: We hear you. We see you. We feel you. Democrats are determined to make life better for you.

    Donald Trump and his sycophants spent yesterday bragging about the speed with which they’ve moved during these first 100 days. They’re right.  Never has a president failed so spectacularly, so often, so quickly as Donald Trump. The White House referred to its strategy for the first 100 days as “shock and awe.” Well, they’re half right. It is shocking how rapidly this administration collapsed into chaos, cruelty and corruption. It is shocking how quickly MAGA Republicans turned their backs on working class Americans. It is shocking how spineless Republicans have been in the United States Congress. And it is shocking and tragic and infuriating how much damage Donald Trump and the Republican party’s policies have already done.

    Here’s the thing. They expected us to step back. But the American people are here to fight back. On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised to end inflation. He promised to lower costs on day one.  When he was asking for your vote, Donald Trump told you he would make life more affordable for everyday Americans. Now that he’s in office, it’s a different story.

    In March, President Trump was asked if he was worried that car prices would go up because of his tariffs. His reply? “I couldn’t care less.” The cost of living in the United States is too high. America is too expensive. And Donald Trump couldn’t care less. He couldn’t care less that housing costs are too high. He couldn’t care less that grocery costs are too high. He couldn’t care less that childcare costs are too high. He couldn’t care less that health insurance costs are too high. He couldn’t care less that utility costs are too high. Donald Trump couldn’t care less. Prices everywhere are too high, and Donald Trump couldn’t care less. 

    100 days in, Donald Trump is making life harder for you and your family. And every day his costly tariffs stay in place, life in America gets more expensive. American families will pay thousands of dollars more per year. Small businesses are shutting down. Corporations are not hiring. Businesses are unable to invest because of the uncertainty that has been created.  Inflation is on the rise, life is getting more expensive and the reckless economic policies of Donald Trump and House Republicans are driving us toward a recession.

    Republicans in Congress could put a stop to this insanity at any time. Since they won’t, next November, we will. Yes, we will. Yes, we will. Which brings me to Elon Musk. I knew he would get that reaction. 

    We all agree that government should be more efficient. But like most things in life, there’s the American way and then there’s the cruel way. 100 days in, it’s clear that DOGE is not the American way. Cancelling medical research for children with cancer is cruel. Denying relief for communities reeling from natural disasters is cruel. Firing thousands of our veterans, like Joseph Quintinella of Virginia, who served this country in the Marines, is cruel. 

    But their cruelty doesn’t stop there. Republicans actually believe that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. And they want to take a chainsaw to it. During the first 100 days of the Trump administration, Social Security has faced an unprecedented attack. Social Security offices have been closed, wait times have dramatically increased and people are being denied access to benefits that they have earned. Republicans continue to insist that Social Security is an entitlement program. They think they are entitled to destroy it. 

    When I was 15 years old, I got my working papers and secured my first job. I was a messenger dropping off packages from office building to office building in Midtown Manhattan. My salary was $3.35 per hour. That was the minimum wage back in the day. And I thought that I had made it big, particularly upon learning that as a high school student who worked part time, I wouldn’t have to pay any income tax. So I couldn’t wait to get my first check. 

    On a piece of paper, I multiplied $3.35 by the number of hours I expected to work during my first pay period. I figured out the total, and in my mind, that money was already spent. I couldn’t wait to go to Albee Square Mall in downtown Brooklyn and get some new sneakers so I could dress like Run DMC. But then the check came, and some money was missing. 

    I had two questions, y’all: Who is FICA, and why is he taking my money? 

    Here’s what I learned. All of us pay the FICA tax in connection with Social Security and Medicare. We pay the FICA tax on our first job. We pay the FICA tax on our last job. We pay the FICA tax on every single job we have throughout our lifetime. 

    Social Security and Medicare are not entitlement programs. They are earned benefits. Earned benefits. You work hard for those benefits, pay into those benefits and deserve those benefits. They are earned benefits. 

    Democrats will make sure that Donald Trump and House Republicans keep their hands off your Social Security and your Medicare. Hands off today. Hands off tomorrow. Hands off this week. Hands off next week. Hands off this month. Hands off next month. Hands off this year. Hands off next year. Hands off Social Security and Medicare Forever. Forever. Forever.

    Now, if this administration actually had some common sense, it would look at the damage that it’s done, the rejection from the people, the historic unpopularity of this president, and they would change course. But Donald Trump is doubling down. And instead of being a check and balance on this president’s abuse of power, Republicans in Congress are nothing more than a rubber stamp for his extreme agenda.

    Recently, I met a woman named Mary Beth. She lives in Canton, North Carolina, a town of 4,400 people that is still rebuilding from Hurricane Helene. She has custody of her four grandchildren, ages 10, 12, 15 and 16. Their parents can no longer care for them due to addiction, domestic violence and homelessness. The moment you talk to Mary Beth, you know that caring for those grandkids is everything. 

    And she’s doing it on a fixed income, working part time making $8 an hour at a coin laundry— and is no longer employed—to supplement the disability support that she had received. Mary Beth has had to skip refilling her prescriptions to make sure her grandkids don’t have to skip any meals. 

    Medicaid is the only reason her grandchildren are able to see a doctor, including the youngest, who is dealing with ADHD and autism. Mary Beth works hard, loves her family and is a patriotic American. And Mary Beth is here with us today. 

    But her family, just like millions of others throughout America, is now at risk of losing their healthcare. Why? Republicans are trying to slash Medicaid by up to $880 billion, the largest healthcare cut in American history.  

    And why are Republicans trying to rip healthcare away from working people, from Americans with disabilities, from children, from grandmothers like Mary Beth? So that they can give their billionaire donors like Elon Musk another tax cut. These healthcare cuts will hurt families, hurt women, hurt children, hurt veterans, hurt seniors and hurt disabled Americans. Hospitals will close, nursing homes will shut down and people will die. 

    Here’s the thing, in the United States of America—this is the wealthiest country in the history of the world—healthcare is not a privilege, healthcare is a right for every single American. For every single American. 

    If we were in the majority right now, none of this would be happening. But even in the minority, we are going to do everything we can to protect the healthcare of the American people.

    And we’ll keep reminding our Republican colleagues—especially the ones who vote like extremists but then go home and pretend to be moderates when it’s time to run for re-election— that the people are watching. It’s time for Republicans in Congress to stop being a rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s extreme agenda.

    You don’t work for Donald Trump. You don’t work for Elon Musk. You don’t work for the far-right extremists. You work for the American people.

    As Democrats, we will fight as hard as we can, fight as hard as we can, over the next two years to stop bad things from happening. We will protect our system of free and fair elections.

    And then work hard to convince the American people to entrust us with the majority next November. At that point, we will be able to do much, much more for you.

    We will build an affordable economy that works for everyday Americans. We will confront the climate crisis with the fierce urgency of now. We will block any budget that goes after your Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. And we will hold the Trump administration accountable for its corrupt abuse of power.

    Over these next 100 days, House Democrats are going to lay out a blueprint for a better America. And you will see a vision for this country’s future that isn’t about Donald Trump. It’s all about you. All about you. How can we make your life better? How can we put more money in your pocket? How can we lower your costs? How can we help you give your kids the future they deserve? These are the questions we are thinking about each and every day.

    Now, the American Dream isn’t about getting something for nothing. You have to work for it. But if you work hard and play by the rules, here’s what you should be able to have: A good-paying job. An affordable home. High-quality healthcare. Education for your children. And the ability to retire with grace and with dignity. That’s the American Dream. That’s the American Dream. That’s the American Dream. And when we’re back in charge, that’s what we will fight hard to deliver for you. 

    In January—late January—I had the opportunity to visit the Altadena community in Los Angeles County that was devastated by the wildfires. I met someone named Jackie Jacobs, an amazing 88-year-old woman who was raised in the Jim Crow South before moving to California. Her home was tragically burned to the ground.  She and her husband, David, who have been married for more than 50 years, barely managed to escape the raging wildfires. All they had was the clothing on their backs. They lost everything else. Photos gone. Possessions gone. Property gone. But the first thing Mrs. Jacobs said to us while touring the devastation was that she gave all glory, all praise and all honor to Almighty God—just as the Scripture teaches us. She believed that things would work out. Several of us teared up. Mrs. Jacobs lost everything, but she never lost her faith. She never lost her faith.

    Republicans have shown that their recipe for governing is chaos, cruelty and corruption. These first 100 days have not been easy. Everything we care about is under assault. The economy is under assault. Healthcare is under assault. Social Security is under assault. Veterans are under assault. Farmers are under assault. The right to organize is under assault. Public schools are under assault. The American way of life is under assault. Democracy itself is under assault. Everything we care about is under assault. 

    But just like Mrs. Jacobs, we must never lose faith. We must never lose faith. Faith in our community. Faith in our country. Faith in a brighter future. Faith in Almighty God. 

    America is a resilient nation. We are a resilient people. We have a resilient Constitution. We will never give up.  We will never give in. We will always show up. We will always speak up. We will always stand up. We will continue our march toward a more perfect union. We will not rest until we end this national nightmare and deliver an America with liberty and justice for all.

    God bless you. God bless our troops. May God continue to bless the United States of America.

    Full speech can be viewed here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: China has identified how to fight back against Trump’s tariffs, and is not ready to back down

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Chee Meng Tan, Assistant Professor of Business Economics, University of Nottingham

    US ports are now starting to see scheduled shipments from China decline as the result of Donald Trump’s 145% tariffs on Chinese goods. The port of Los Angeles, the biggest port for Chinese goods in the US, is predicting scheduled shipments in early May to be about a third lower than the same time last year.

    Declining numbers of ships arriving stocked with Chinese imports are likely to affect US supermarket shelves soon, and after warnings from US supermarket bosses, Trump responded by saying trade talks between the US and China were under way in the past few days. But Chinese president Xi Jinping quickly denied talks were happening, suggesting he has no intention of backing away from a fight with the US.

    As one of the most powerful leaders in the history of the People’s Republic of China, Xi has fashioned himself as a nationalistic icon. So if China perceives Trump’s tariffs as a bully tactic designed to undermine it, backing down from a confrontation with the US would seriously undermine Xi’s strongman image and rhetoric.

    This is something that Trump probably hadn’t considered. At a rally marking his 100 days in office, the US president was still suggesting that China would just back down and “eat the tariffs”.

    While tariffs appear to be the primary weapon in the trade war, China might have more tactics to hit back at Trump and the US economy. The question is what might they be?

    A few weeks ago it seemed like Washington might punish China’s lack of willingness to negotiate with more tariffs, but now it’s clear that Trump is willing to make a deal and is trying to get China to come to the table. Trump is now implying that US tariffs on China could come down substantially. And US treasury secretary Scott Bessent has called the trade war with China “unsustainable”.

    Leveraging agriculture and energy

    China has reduced its reliance on US farm imports since the trade war began in Trump’s first presidency. This is bad news for Washington as agriculture is one few sectors in the US that actually has a large trade surplus with China. The 125% retaliatory tariffs will harm the sector’s profitability.

    But China’s retaliatory tariffs aren’t the only issue American farmers have to contend with. As the trade war escalates, China has been using bureaucratic hurdles to restrict US agricultural products from entering China and as a potential negotiation tool. For instance, China has delayed the renewals of export license renewals of US pig farmers, and refused to renew licenses of poultry farmers for “health and safety” reasons.

    What’s the impact of tariffs?

    Beijing’s actions might be designed to particularly hit the economy in core Trump supporting states. A major part of Trump and the Republican party’s base lies in “red states”, such as Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas, all have significant farming communities. Focusing on agricultural issues is a tactic that Beijing realises will hit home with Trump voters.

    Out of the 444 US counties designated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as farming-dependent, 77.7% voted for Trump during the 2024 US presidential election. So, any hardship faced by the agriculture sector due to Trump’s own actions is likely to lose him support from a major political base. And with mid-term elections in 2026, Trump has to tread carefully when antagonising Beijing.

    Another support base that Beijing might seek to undermine is those involved in the fossil fuel sector. In the past, the US has been a top supplier of natural gas to China.

    China has not imported natural gas from the US since early February 2025, and has sought its natural gas from Australia, Indonesia, and Brunei. As the trade war continues, it is unlikely that the US would be able to sell its natural gas to China anytime soon, and this will have an impact on the energy industry – one of Trump’s major political support bases.

    Restricting minerals

    Another huge problem that the US faces stems from China’s restriction of the export of critical minerals. They include seven rare earth minerals namely samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium. While these are used in the clean energy and automobile sectors, the biggest concern would come from the US defence complex.

    These critical minerals are used in manufacturing fighter jets, submarines, missiles, and radar systems. China has an effective monopoly on the extraction and processing of rare earths, while the US lacks such capabilities. This means that China’s export restrictions are likely to affect America’s defence industry, while Beijing rapidly expands its ammunition and military technology.

    The White House probably anticipated export restrictions of critical minerals from China. After all, Beijing had banned the export of critical minerals to Japan in 2010 over a fishing trawler dispute, and stopped exporting “dual-use” metals that can be used to produce civilian and military technology, such as gallium, germanium and tungsten.

    What’s next?

    For the last few years, China has been trying to overcome an ailing economy that was primarily fuelled by a real-estate crisis. Trump probably expected China to buckle under pressure and come crawling to the negotiation table. After all, the Chinese Communist Party needs to fix its economy fast. The establishment has long relied on delivering economic prosperity to legitimise its rule over China.

    Right now the tit-for-tat battle continues. By April 11, US tariffs on China peaked at 145%, while China’s retaliatory tariffs on US goods reached an unprecedented 125%.

    Although it is clearly fighting back, China could go even further by selling off US treasuries and increasing US interest rates and thus borrowing cost. But unlike Trump, Xi often plays the long game. After all, Trump’s term as president will be over in less than four years, while Chinese president Xi has no term limits. All the latter has to do is exercise patience, and a friendlier US president might come around.

    Chee Meng Tan 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. China has identified how to fight back against Trump’s tariffs, and is not ready to back down – https://theconversation.com/china-has-identified-how-to-fight-back-against-trumps-tariffs-and-is-not-ready-to-back-down-255325

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: My weekly column: 100 days of promises kept under President Trump

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

    April 30th marked 100 days of promises kept under President Trump. Like he pledged on the campaign trail, he has mobilized every tool at his disposal to make America strong again and reverse the failed policies pushed by the Biden administration. From border security and energy dominance to government efficiency and economic investment, President Trump has delivered real results for the American people and has worked around the clock to put our families, farmers, workers, and small businesses first.

    The clearest example of President Trump’s decisive leadership is his complete and total lockdown of our southern border. Illegal border crossings have plummeted by 95% and illegal immigrant “gotaways” have fallen by 99%. Drug traffickers, criminals, sex traffickers, and violent MS-13 and Tren de Aragua gang members have been quickly removed from our country. After Biden halted construction of the border wall, President Trump immediately restarted this vital national security initiative and reiterated his unwavering support for our border patrol agents who were treated so poorly under the Biden administration. President Trump was absolutely right when he remarked during his joint address to Congress on March 4th that “it turned out that all we really needed was a new President” to secure our border.

    Strengthening his work to close the border, President Trump honored families who have lost loved ones to illegal immigrant crime by signing the Laken Riley Act – the first piece of legislation to become law this year. The Laken Riley Act also included Sarah’s Law, in honor of 21-year-old Iowan Sarah Root, who was senselessly killed by a drunk driving illegal immigrant in 2016. Instead of answering for his crimes, this criminal posted bail, was released from jail, and fled our country never to be seen again. Sarah’s Law – now the law of the land thanks to President Trump – ensures that illegal immigrants who murder or seriously injure American citizens are detained without bail and held accountable for their actions. Fortunately, the illegal immigrant who killed Sarah Root was recently arrested in Honduras and the Trump administration worked quickly with Honduran authorities to extradite this criminal back to the United States to face justice. This is the action that the American people wanted to see, and President Trump is delivering.

    Upon his return to the White House, President Trump also announced that he would do everything in his power to restore American energy dominance – and that he did. He created the National Energy Dominance Council to determine every avenue available to increase energy production, lower gas prices, and make the United States the world’s energy powerhouse. He rescinded countless Biden executive orders that promoted the Green New Deal over affordable gas and electricity prices and cut needless red tape that prevented American energy producers from reaching their full production capacity. He overturned the Biden administration’s ban on liquefied natural gas exports, signed a resolution – that I voted for – to completely repeal Biden’s costly tax on natural gas production, and stopped the Biden administration’s ridiculous electric-vehicle mandates on American families. Under President Trump’s watch, we will use the energy resources abundantly available in our own country and reduce our dependence on our foreign adversaries for our energy needs.

    Government efficiency is another bright spot of President Trump’s America First agenda. The Biden administration exploded our national debt with trillions of dollars of wasteful spending that fueled inflation and made life more expensive for Americans. As promised, the Trump administration uncovered example after example of waste, fraud, and abuse in our federal government. DEI positions in federal agencies have been cut, spending on liberal initiatives has been slashed, and welfare for illegal immigrants has been suspended. Eliminating this type of waste ensures that programs like Medicare and Social Security – intended for American citizens only – can remain solvent now and well into the future. With President Trump in the White House, taxpayer dollars are being treated with the care that they deserve.

    Additionally, because of President Trump’s mission to hold our trading partners accountable to our laws and protect our farmers, workers, manufacturers, and businesses from unfair and unlawful trade practices, business investment is accelerating in our country. More than $5 trillion in new investments in America have been announced, which will create over 451,000 new jobs in American communities. This impressive figure does not even include pledges that other countries have made to bring manufacturing and jobs to the United States, spurring additional economic growth. To complement these investments, my Republican colleagues and I are working hard to extend President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to deliver tax relief for our families, farmers, workers, and businesses. While Democrats want Americans to see the highest tax hike in U.S. history, President Trump and Republicans are committed to lowering taxes and unleashing U.S. economic prosperity. The American workforce and American industry will no longer be taken advantage of by foreign nations, and American citizens will rightfully keep more of their hard-earned money.

    This is not an exhaustive list of the amazing achievements that President Trump has delivered in just 100 days, but it does prove that he is working harder than ever to serve the American people. I know that President Trump will take this same aggressive and results-oriented approach to his next four years in office.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Pingree Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Effort to Expand and Strengthen Local Meat Processing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

    Today, U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Jim Baird (R-Ind.), along with U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.), reintroduced legislation to support small meat and poultry processors throughout the U.S. The bipartisan, bicameral Strengthening Local Processing Act would make it easier for local livestock and poultry producers to process meat locally, by expanding access to federal resources and providing critical support for training and technical assistance to small processors.

    “Access to USDA processing facilities remains a significant challenge for livestock producers in Maine and across the country. Their livelihoods depend on having somewhere to take their animals, but under the current system, their options are severely limited. Chefs, retailers, and consumers want to buy locally raised meat, and they’re frustrated by how difficult it is to get,” said Congresswoman Pingree, a longtime farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee. “Our bipartisan Strengthening Local Processing Act will increase processing, enhance opportunities for local producers, and help small slaughterhouses and butchers grow their businesses—delivering the quality, locally raised meat and poultry consumers expect at the store.”

    Under federal law, farmers and ranchers are required to send their animals to one of a limited number of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or state-inspected slaughterhouses—often hundreds of miles away—in order to sell individual cuts of locally raised meats. As a result, many smaller meat and poultry processing plants are booked out for months, and small farms are unable meet new demand due to a lack of processing capacity. 

    The Strengthening Local Processing Act will increase the federal cost share for both state facility inspections (from 50 to 65%), as well as the Cooperative Interstate Shipment (from 60 to 80%), thus encouraging more states to operate state inspection programs and participate in CIS. There are currently 29 states that operate a state inspection program, and 10 states that participate in CIS. 

    The legislation would create a competitive grant program for small and very small establishments, state inspected facilities, custom exempt facilities, or new small-scale slaughter facilities to help increase processing capacity and grow resiliency. It would also create two new grant programs for meat processing workforce training—one for colleges, universities, nonprofits, worker training centers, and others to establish or expand meat processing training program and one for small and very small establishments or nongovernmental organizations to offset the cost of training new meat processors.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Lamont Highlights Proactive Steps Connecticut Is Taking To Address ‘The Link’ Between Child Abuse and Animal Cruelty

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    (NEWINGTON, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today joined other state officials and animal welfare advocates for a news conference at the headquarters of the Connecticut Humane Society in Newington to commemorate Child Abuse Awareness Month and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month and highlight the proactive work being done among Connecticut state agencies to cross report accounts of animal cruelty for assessment and possible investigation to determine the safety of children in households where these reports have occurred.

    Numerous studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between instances of animal abuse, child maltreatment, and other forms of interpersonal violence, including domestic violence and elder abuse. Professionals refer to this correlation as “The Link.”

    Over the last several years, staff from Connecticut state agencies, including the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (DOAG), have been strengthening their partnerships to respond to “The Link” by cross reporting these instances to each other. Upon receiving reports of reasonable suspicion of animal cruelty from state, regional, and municipal animal control officers, DOAG staff are mandated to forward that information to staff from DCF, who then review whether any children in those homes could be impacted.

    “It’s clear that in homes where animal cruelty has occurred, child abuse or other forms of domestic violence may be present,” Governor Lamont said. “By cross reporting this information between state agencies, our staff can proactively investigate whether other forms of violence are occurring in a home and take measures to protect any children, adults, or animals who may be impacted.”

    “Our continued collaboration with DCF and other state and local partners is essential to increasing education and outreach around the link between child abuse and animal cruelty,” Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt said. “Through training and education, animal control officers are key partners in recognizing and responding to signs of cruelty and sharing that information appropriately to protect the safety and wellbeing of both children and animals.”

    “Our animals, like our children, are vulnerable to abuse and neglect in every community and deserve our full protection,” Connecticut Children and Families Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly said. “That’s why we’re increasing staff support, improving data collection, and strengthening our cross-reporting partnership with the Department of Agriculture to address The Link between animal abuse and other forms of child abuse and neglect. This includes mandatory training for frontline staff to identify signs of abuse during home visits. We’re grateful to Governor Lamont, the Department of Agriculture, and our advocacy partners for their support in protecting our most vulnerable.”

    Connecticut has seen demonstrated increases in animal cruelty reports over the past several years, due in part to increased education and outreach efforts by both DCF and DOAG. For example, DCF has made cross reporting a part of the agency’s mandated reporter training. More recently, across its 14 offices, DCF has also more than doubled the number of cross-reporting liaisons who are responsible for helping to triage cases between DCF social workers and animal control officers and provide monthly training and educational support to teams of staff.

    In 2024, DOAG sent DCF 90 reports, while in that same year DCF sent a total of 107 reports to DOAG. Last year, “The Link” was apparent in 16 reports that met the standard for an abuse/neglect investigation based on the initial information provided in the written report. Of those 90 reports, 13 were made on families that were already involved with and receiving supports from DCF.

    The partnership between DOAG and the DCF Child Abuse and Neglect Careline continues to be strengthened to ensure reports are received immediately, allowing DCF to proceed as necessary and DOAG to close the loop with local animal control officers.

    “The Connecticut Humane Society has and will always stand as a voice for the voiceless,” James Bias, executive director of the Connecticut Humane Society, said. “We recognize that acts of animal cruelty are rarely isolated and are too often linked to cases of child abuse. It is so important that every report is taken seriously, and every investigation is pursued with urgency. Accountability is essential to ending the cycles of both animal cruelty and child abuse. These are the most vulnerable of our community, and they deserve more.”

    A review of research studies shows that:

    • Animals were harmed in 88% of homes where a child was physically abused.
    • 75% of female survivors of domestic violence report their pets were threatened or intentionally harmed by their partner.
    • Children exposed to domestic violence are three times more likely to be cruel to animals.
    • 45% of caseworkers working with the elderly encountered animal abuse or neglect co-occurring with elder abuse.

    “There is a well-documented link between animal cruelty and child abuse, with studies consistently showing that violence toward animals often occurs with domestic violence, including abuse of children,” Robin “Zilla” Cannamela, president and co-founder of Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates, said. “As Desmond’s Army often sees in court, abusers may harm or threaten pets as a mean of controlling victims making it more difficult for them to seek help or leave unsafe situations. Recognizing this critical connection, Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates has expanded its mission to support not only animals but also help the people who love them. As part of this effort, our organization now offers to pay up to $300 for the first month of boarding cost for pets of domestic violence victims entering a licensed safe facility. This compassionate initiative helps remove a significant barrier for survivors, giving them the freedom to escape abuse without the fear of abandoning their pets. This initiative also teaches children that pets are important family members deserving protection from harm.”

    Anyone can make a report of animal cruelty by contacting their local animal control department in the town where those concerns have been noted or by contacting DOAG’s Animal Control Office at 860-713-2506 or AGR.AnimalControl@ct.gov. Those making a report can remain anonymous.

    A reasonable suspicion of child maltreatment can be made to DCF’s Child Abuse and Neglect Careline by dialing 1-800-842-2288. The hotline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Callers can remain anonymous.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Owner of Chicago-Area Convenience Stores Convicted of Defrauding Low-Income Food Program for Women and Children

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHICAGO — A federal jury has convicted the owner of several Chicago-area convenience stores of scheming to defraud a low-income food program for women and children.

    HASSAN ABDELLATIF, also known as “Eric,” 36, of Chicago, was convicted of all five counts against him, including two counts of wire fraud, one count of fraudulently obtaining government benefits, and two counts of willfully failing to file corporate tax returns. The jury returned its verdicts on Monday after a week-long trial in federal court in Chicago.  U.S. District Judge Jorge L. Alonso set sentencing for Aug. 26, 2025.

    Evidence at trial revealed that Abdellatif, who owned or operated El Milagro Mini Market, Supermercado El Grande, Star Mini Market, In & Out Grocery, and Harding Grocery, schemed with eight other store owners or workers to fraudulently redeem checks from the Women, Infants, and Children (“WIC”) program, a federally funded initiative designed to provide a nutritious diet to moderate and low-income infants, children up to five years of age, and pregnant, breastfeeding, and post-partum women. Over a period of several years, Abdellatif and the others knowingly allowed customers to provide their WIC checks as payment for ineligible items at the stores, often at inflated prices. Abdellatif and a co-defendant redeemed more than $6.5 million in WIC checks at two of the stores alone, before law enforcement searched those premises and shut down the fraud scheme.

    The evidence established that ten stores involved in the scheme redeemed more than $19 million in WIC checks over an eight-year period.  All eight of Abdellatif’s co-defendants pleaded guilty prior to his trial.

    The convictions were announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, Shantel R. Robinson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Midwest Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in Chicago.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kartik Raman, Rick Young, and Matthew Moyer.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Dulce Woman Charged with Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Child Abuse

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Dulce woman has been charged with aggravated sexual abuse and abandonment of a child after an FBI investigation revealed allegations that she repeatedly sexually and physically abused minors over several years.

    According to court documents, the investigation began on April 4, 2025, when the Jicarilla Apache Police Department alerted the FBI that a minor disclosed to their father that Lory Muniz-a police officer with the Jicarilla Apache Nation-had sexually assaulted them repeatedly from the age of 7 to 11. Further investigation revealed that Muniz had previously been charged with child abuse in 2023 in Jicarilla Apache Tribal Court and had not been permitted to see the minors since that incident. She returned to duty as a police officer on March 31, 2025.

    On April 14, 2025, a second victim reported during a forensic interview that they suffered physical abuse from Muniz from ages 5 to 16, including a severe incident at age 5 that resulted in a broken arm. A witness corroborated the accounts of abuse against both victims and described additional incidents of physical and sexual abuse.

    Munizis charged with aggravated sexual abuse and abandonment of a child and will remain in third party custody pending trial, which has not been set. If convicted of the current charges, Munizfaces up to life in prison.

    U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Jicarilla Apache Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliot Neal is prosecuting the case.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch on Trump’s 100 Days of Chaos: “100 days of giving a lot of rope and a lot of license to the Executive is 100 days too many. But it’s not too late for us in Congress to stand up…” 

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined Democrats in holding the Senate floor last night to slam the first 100 days of Trump’s second term. In his remarks, Senator Welch highlighted the myriad ways this White House has caused chaos, including Elon Musk’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” or DOGE, Trump’s attacks on institutions like USAID and the Administration’s push to freeze colleges’ funding for research and development to cure diseases, and Trump’s tariffs and trade war. He also shared stories from Vermont businesses affected by the tariffs. 
    “It’s 100 days. It is time to assess. And whatever you may say about President Trump and the stated goals, there’s an obligation to act functionally to achieve those goals. Stating you want an outcome is a long way from implementing a plan and executing a plan to achieve it. And there is no plan,” said Senator Welch. “There is absolutely no plan.” 
    “It is time for this Congress to make an assessment of our obligation to the citizens we represent. When is enough, enough? When has the Executive gone too far? When is it that all of us should heed the pleas of the businesses, the enterprises in each of our states about this chaotic and very destructive tariff policy? When is it we will say ‘no more’ to an Executive pushing his weight around with private law firms, private employers, with our universities, and telling them unless they do it his way, they’ll pay an enormous price in lost governmental funding or access to things that they need?” Senator Welch concluded. “In my view, 100 days of giving a lot of rope and a lot of license to the Executive is 100 days too many. But it’s not too late for us in Congress to stand up for the separation of powers, the balance of powers, and the prerogatives of the United States Senate and the United States Congress.” 
    Watch his full remarks:  

    Key quotes from Senator Welch: 
    “Let’s talk first about DOGE. DOGE is about supposedly getting rid of waste, fraud, and abuse. There’s not a single member of this Congress who is in favor of waste, fraud, and abuse. But if you are going to do that, you look at a Department. What’s its goal?  How is it achieving it? Where is it coming up short? You do an assessment, and you do a plan. What DOGE did was essentially get the personnel list and then send out e-mails to every fifth or sixth person saying you’re fired because you did a lousy job. It is not at all on the level.  
    “And, as a result, the real goal becomes revealed. It’s not to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse. It’s to eliminate USAID. It’s to eliminate the Department of Education. It’s to eliminate the Social Security response team. That’s what’s going on. And the challenge for us—and this is bipartisan — is whether we as an independent branch of government want to look at what’s before our very eyes and address it or simply ignore it.” 
    ••• 
    “The tariffs…are going to be seen by historians as the absolute worst economic blunder in the last 100 years. Whether you’re a farmer in Vermont or in Utah or in the Dakotas, these tariffs are hammering you. Most of our farmers in the northern part of the country import fertilizer, import, in many cases, grain to feed our animals, from Canada. This tariff is going to hammer farmers who are already contending with what farmers every year have to contend with—very tight margins, the will of the weather. This is having real impact on them.  
    “In Vermont, we had roundtables to hear ‘how are these tariffs going to affect you?’ Number one, ‘what tariffs?’ ‘What are they today?’ Supposedly they were 25% yesterday, then they’re suspended, then they’re back on. They apply to this part, but not that part. There’s no possibility of anybody making a plan in order to run their business.  
    “By the way, these are folks who came in and are affected by the tariffs. They are not Republicans or Democrats or Independents. They are really folks just trying to make a living….What they’re talking about is the real-world impact of these crackpot tariffs that are on again, off again.  
    “Small business owner Jason Levinthal, founder of J skis said, ‘This is essentially a tax on the consumers.’ Something the administration won’t acknowledge itself.  
    “The president of Mad River Distillers, Mimi Buttenheim said, ‘Tariffs affect our manufacturing arm by raising the price of raw materials.’  
    “Jen Kimmich, co-founder of the Alchemist Brewery: ‘We don’t know how they are going to affect us. We just know they’re going to affect us.’  
    “John Lacy, CEO of Burton Snowboards, ne of the global enterprises founded in Vermont by Jake Burton and Donna carpenter: ‘How can you navigate the playbook when you don’t know what the rules of the road are?’ It’s a fair question. And it’s a question that President Trump feels he has no obligation to answer. This goes on and on.” 
    ••• 
    “Then there’s the next step—the overreach of power. The absolutely lawless abuse of Executive authority. What business is it of Donald Trump what are hiring practices are of an individual private corporation or firm? It is the business to enforce the law. But it’s not his business to be able to tell a law firm he’ll take contracts away. It’s not his business to be able to tell a law firm that [because they] had somebody who represented the government in a case against Trump or some Trump ally that they’re going to punish you…This is a complete overreach and extension by the president. Essentially to impose his own will, not enforce the law but to enforce his will as he arbitrarily wishes.  
    “What sense does it make that because of his vendetta about higher education, that instead of addressing those concerns and having discussions, he literally takes away billions of dollars of research that has gone not just to Harvard, our oldest institution, but the University of Alabama, the University of North Carolina. People, to our benefit, have dedicated their lives to scientific research. The United States government has provided support for research and development, and we’ve had cures for terrible diseases. But if they don’t do what Donald Trump says, he’ll take away grants…destroying research, destroying development.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Province moving forward on short-term rental rules

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Municipalities with fewer than 10,000 people, regional districts and resort municipalities are exempt from the principal-residence requirement but may request to opt in by March 31 of each year to take effect Nov. 1 of the same year.

    The three communities that have requested to opt in in 2025 are the Town of Creston, Salt Spring Island and Electoral Area B of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (Revelstoke/Golden).

    Certain local governments can annually request by a resolution submitted to the minister of housing and municipal affairs to opt out of the principal-residence requirement if the community has a rental vacancy rate of 3% or more for two consecutive years. In addition, communities that have previously opted in can request to opt out without the vacancy-rate requirement.

    There are three communities that have made the decision to opt out of the principal-residence requirement, meaning that the principal-residence rules will not apply on Nov. 1, 2025. The communities are the District of Tofino, Electoral Area E of the Cowichan Valley Regional District (Cowichan Station/Sahtlam/Glenora) and Electoral Area G of the Cowichan Valley Regional District (Saltair/Thetis + Penelakut Islands). 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Self-Service Portals Emerge as a Competitive Imperative in B2B Aftersales, New Study Finds

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BERLIN and NEW YORK, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Spryker, the leading composable commerce platform for global enterprises, today announces findings from a new study released in partnership with Statista+. The findings reveal that as digital-first expectations reshape the B2B landscape, there is a growing urgency for enterprises to offer Self-Service Portals (SSPs) as a core part of the aftersales experience. The study, which surveys 100 U.S.-based B2B buyers across Automotive, MedTech, Agriculture, and Industrial Manufacturing sectors, highlights a widening “SSP Opportunity Gap”—the space between buyer demand for self-service capabilities and the limited availability offered by suppliers.

    Key findings include:

    • SSPs are the second most preferred B2B aftersales channel, yet rank only fourth in actual usage.
    • 95% of buyers believe SSPs improve purchasing efficiency, with two-thirds saving 30 to 60 minutes per transaction.
    • Only 32% of non-SSP users are satisfied with their aftersales experience, compared to 86% of SSP users.
    • 88% of buyers say SSP availability influences their choice to continue purchasing from a supplier.

    “There is a real opportunity here for enterprises looking to get ahead. As B2B buyers increasingly expect seamless, digital-first experiences, SSPs move from ‘nice-to-have’ to ‘must-have,’” says Boris Lokschin, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Spryker. “The study finds that 79% of buyers believe SSPs will play an important role in B2B purchasing and aftersales. That’s not just demand, it’s a clear signal that the market is shifting.”

    According to Gartner, 75% of organizations will complete their highest-revenue deals via digital channels by 2028. As organizations are pushed to increase efficiency while delivering seamless customer experiences, the urgency for digital transformation accelerates. Paired with the need to do more with less, scalable and efficient service models become essential.

    “Buyers want control and speed without sacrificing trust or performance,” says Elena Leonova, Chief Product Officer at Spryker. “With 51% of buyers facing technical issues or downtime while using SSPs, the importance of choosing a robust, enterprise-grade solution designed for stability, security, and scalability is paramount.”

    Spryker’s Self-Service Portal is designed to unify fragmented customer interactions into a single, user-friendly platform. It offers features like 24/7 account dashboards, asset and claims management, and account-specific pricing. As a one-stop shop, it supports a seamless aftersales experience, increasing efficiency, improving customer satisfaction, and driving profitable growth.

    The study dives deeper into buyer expectations across industries, the most critical SSP features, and what sets digital leaders apart in today’s B2B market. Read the full study findings here.

    Methodology
    The study, conducted by Statista+ on behalf of Spryker in March 2025, included 100 U.S.-based B2B buyers from four key industries: Automotive, MedTech, Agriculture, and Industrial Manufacturing.Data was collected through 10-minute Computer-Aided Telephone Interviews (CATI), including screen-sharing, to ensure clarity and accuracy. Participants were selected to provide a balance across industries. All respondents are involved in B2B purchasing processes and engage in aftersales transactions. The sample includes SSP users and non-users, providing a balanced view of current practices, pain points, and future expectations. Fieldwork was conducted between March 17–21, 2025.

    About Spryker
    Spryker is the leading global composable commerce platform for enterprises with complex use cases to enable growth, innovation, and differentiation. Designed specifically for sophisticated transactional businesses, Spryker’s easy-to-use, headless, API-first model enables businesses to adapt, scale, and quickly go to market while facilitating faster time-to-value throughout their digital transformation journey. As a global platform leader for B2B and B2C Enterprise Marketplaces, IoT Commerce, and Unified Commerce, Spryker has empowered 150+ global enterprise customers worldwide and is trusted by brands such as ALDI, Siemens, ZF Friedrichshafen, and Ricoh. Spryker is a privately held technology company headquartered in Berlin and New York backed by world class investors such as TCV, One Peak, Project A, Cherry Ventures, and Maverick Capital. Learn more at spryker.com and follow Spryker on LinkedIn and X.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: XRP News: Amid Proshares XRP Spot ETF Approval News, XenDex Fills Soft Cap as $XDX Price Surges Ahead of Major Exchange Listings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SYDNEY, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The XDX presale phase is reaching its climax. XenDex has officially filled its soft cap, and investors are now scrambling to secure the final remaining tokens before they’re gone for good.

    As the XRP ecosystem celebrates major milestones; from Brazil’s approval of the first XRP Spot ETF, to the SEC lawsuit withdrawal, and ProShares’ XRP Futures and Spot ETF greenlight — XenDex is perfectly positioned as the go-to decentralized exchange (DEX) solution built on Ripple’s native blockchain.

    Buy $XDX Now & Earn Rewards

    With $XDX token prices now increasing and exchange listings imminent, this is the final chance to buy before wider exposure, higher prices, and a full sellout.

    Top Exchange Listings Confirmed: Global Adoption Incoming

    Once the presale concludes, $XDX will be listed on top-tier centralized exchanges, setting the stage for mass adoption and significant liquidity.

    Confirmed exchange listings include:

    • Binance
    • Gate.io
    • BitMart
    • MEXC
    • FirstLedger
    • MagneticX

    Buy XDX Before Listing On Exchange

    These listings are expected to catapult $XDX into the spotlight, and early buyers are racing to front-run the rush.

    Buy $XDX Now Before It’s Gone: https://xendex.net/presale

    What Makes XenDex Unique, And Why You Should Join The Race

    More than just another DEX, XenDex is XRPL’s first all-in-one DeFi hub, solving long-standing gaps with powerful features, including:

    • AI-Powered Copy Trading – Mirror professional traders to minimize loss and maximize profit on our DEX
    • Non-Custodial Lending & Borrowing – Borrow and lend XRP and $XDX to earn rewards on XenDex Exchange
    • Cross-Chain Trading – Seamlessly swap XRP across networks like Solana and BNB on XenDex
    • Staking & Yield Farming – Earn rewards by providing liquidity to our XenDex liquidity pool
    • DAO Governance – Vote on XenDex’s future upgrades, listings, protocol improvements, etc.

    Purchase XDX At Lowest Presale Price

    Thousands have already joined the growing XenDex community across Telegram and Twitter, buying and locking in their tokens before the presale ends and the next price increase takes effect.

    “We’ve hit our soft cap, secured major listings, and entered the final presale phase,” said a XenDex spokesperson. “From here on, the price increases and soon, availability will vanish altogether.”

    With the clock ticking, and tokens disappearing by the minute, this is your final opportunity to be part of one of XRPL’s most explosive DeFi launches.

    Join Official XenDex Communities

    Website: https://xendex.net
    Presale: https://xendex.net/presale
    Telegram: https://t.me/xendexcommunity
    Twitter/X: https://x.com/xendex_xrp
    Docs: https://xdxdocs.gitbook.io

    Contact:
    Frank Richards
    Frank@xendex.net

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

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b519307c-222b-4da1-a8cc-e176438a056b

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Kansas Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by August Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Kansas of the May 30 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought occurring Aug. 6, 2024.

    The declaration covers the Kansas counties of Decatur, Gove, Logan, Rawlins, Sheridan, Sherman and Thomas.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than May 30.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Hawaii Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by August Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Hawaii of the May 30 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought occurring Aug. 6, 2024.

    The declaration covers the Hawaii counties of Hawaii, Honolulu, Kalawao, Kauai and Maui.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than May 30.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to North Dakota Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by August Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in North Dakota of the May 30 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought beginning Aug. 6, 2024.

    The declaration covers the North Dakota counties of Adams, Bowman and Slope as well as Fallon County in Montana and Harding County in South Dakota.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than May 30.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Colorado Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by August Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Colorado of the May 30 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought occurring Aug. 6, 2024.

    The declaration covers the Colorado counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Denver and Jefferson.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than May 30.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Evfarmer, an innovative agricultural finance company, announced its entry into the Sierra Leone market to expand its online business and support the country’s economic transformation and growth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Evfarmer, a global leader in innovative agricultural finance, today announced its official entry into the Sierra Leonean market, marking a significant milestone in its mission to support agricultural development and economic transformation in emerging markets. Building on this momentum, Evfarmer plans to further expand its online and offline operations within Sierra Leone, with the ultimate goal of gradually covering the entire African market. The company’s presence is expected to inject new vitality into Sierra Leone’s agricultural economy and support the transformation of local agricultural enterprises.

    As part of its strategic expansion, Evfarmer will leverage its advanced fintech platform to connect local agricultural producers with a global community of agricultural supporters and investors. This initiative will provide Sierra Leonean farmers with much-needed financial support, cutting-edge technology, and sustainable farming solutions, helping to strengthen the country’s agricultural sector and drive broader economic growth.

    Agriculture remains the cornerstone of Sierra Leone’s economy, providing employment for nearly two-thirds of the population and making a significant contribution to the country’s GDP. In recent years, the government has prioritized agricultural revitalization, investing heavily in rural development, modernization, and food security initiatives. Evfarmer’s market entry is a direct response to the government’s call for greater private sector participation in accelerating these efforts.

    “We are honored to bring our innovative financial solutions to Sierra Leone at such a critical time,” said Jessica, Manager at Evfarmer. “Our goal is to empower local farmers by providing early-stage financing that overcomes traditional banking barriers, enhancing productivity, and unlocking new economic opportunities.”

    Through its digital platform, Evfarmer enables individuals worldwide—whether corporate employees, entrepreneurs, or full-time parents—to participate in large-scale agricultural projects, earning stable returns while supporting global food production. This unique model allows agricultural supporters to invest in farm projects across multiple countries via the Internet. With Sierra Leone now part of its network, Evfarmer is fostering a mutually beneficial, resilient, and fast-growing ecosystem.

    Evfarmer’s entry into Sierra Leone underscores its commitment to promoting financial inclusion, agricultural innovation, and sustainable economic development across emerging economies globally.

    About Evfarmer
    Headquartered in London, Evfarmer Capital Limited is a multinational agricultural finance company dedicated to bridging the gap between global investors and the agricultural sector. Through sustainable, technology-driven financing solutions, Evfarmer helps farmers worldwide boost productivity, access global markets, and build stronger rural economies.

    For more information about Evfarmer’s expansion into Sierra Leone and its innovative agricultural finance solutions, visit www.evfarmer.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a50e309c-b9d8-4903-98ce-b910b68ccc0b

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lummis Statement on Federal Government Dropping Criminal Charges Against Maude Family

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

    April 30, 2025

    Washington, D.C. — Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) released the following statement after the federal government dropped criminal charges against Charles and Heath Maude, South Dakota-based ranchers who were involved in a land dispute with the Biden administration.

    “The political prosecutions during the Biden administration weren’t just focused on destroying President Trump – they also went after hardworking ranchers trying to run a small family operation,” said Lummis. “As a rancher, and someone with common sense, I’m grateful that Secretary Rollins, Secretary Bondi, and President Trump have ended the injustice that was perpetrated against the Maude family, a family with strong Wyoming roots. Government resources should be directed toward prosecuting actual criminals rather than generational farmers and ranchers.”

    Background: 

    Charles and Heather Maude were indicted separately nearly a year ago by the Biden administration on charges of theft of federal property stemming from a fence line dispute about a fence built before either were born.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Informal workers in Ghana’s chop bars get no benefit from foreign aid: donors are getting it wrong

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Matteo Rizzo, Senior Lecturer in Development Studies, SOAS, University of London

    Informal street food caterers, popularly known as chop bars, are a key feature of Ghanaian city life. They offer the urban poor the cheapest food.

    A 2016 survey by the Food and Agriculture Organization estimated there were about 3,300 chop bars in the capital, Accra, employing almost 4,300 workers. This figure is likely to be much higher now due to rapid urban growth in the last decade. Ghana’s urban population increased from 50.9% in 2010 to 56.7% in 2021. By the same year the Greater Accra region was home to 91.7% of the urban population in the country.

    Street food caterers in Accra face a number of problems, including insecurity of land tenure, inadequate knowledge of food hygiene, harassment from local authorities, cut-throat competition, and low returns from work.

    Foreign donors have over the years stepped in to attempt to address these problems. A flagship of this assistance has been a programme funded by Danish trade unions and the Danish Federation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. Under its aegis, Ghana’s Trades Union Congress was able to support workers in chop bars.

    Drawing on our expertise on trade unions in Ghana and on the informal economy, we assessed the effectiveness and strategic relevance of this aid.

    The aid focused on entrepreneurial skills and micro-credit. This overlooks some of the real problems in the sector. It leaves wage workers in a precarious position and does nothing to boost demand for what the sector supplies. We argue that to be more effective, foreign aid should address these gaps.

    Entrepreneurial pipe dreams

    Increased donor attention to workers in the informal economy and trade unions could be seen as a positive trend. After all, this is where the majority of workers in African cities are to be found. Ghana’s official statistical service places the size of the country’s informal sector between 70% and 80% of the working populace in its reports from 2024.

    However, close examination of the type of support given, and its results, yields a more sobering picture.

    Aid focused firstly on capacity building and entrepreneurship. This aimed at boosting skills such as financial literacy and capacity to care for customers. The programme’s own evaluation highlights the increased confidence that chop bar operators gained through this training. Important as this might be, increased confidence can do very little to overcome structural challenges, like intense competition in an oversupplied sector and the insecurity of land tenure.

    A second area of support was the provision of micro-credit via the Trades Union Congress (Ghana). One could argue that it boosted the creditworthiness of informal economy operators. But there is evidence, including our study, that credit can often result in a spiral of debt and “poverty finance”.

    Donors chose to focus on small-scale entrepreneurs as the only economic actors in the informal economy. This reflects an ideological, and market fundamentalist, understanding of the informal economy as inhabited only by small enterprises and self-employed workers, and the challenge as one of making the market work better for the poor.

    The blind spots of donors’ support to the informal economy

    This approach by donors neglects informal and highly precarious wage workers within the chop bar sector. Our research shows that the chop bar industry is stratified in terms of class. Within it, alongside genuine self-employed workers, there are people who own relatively small-scale capital (cooking assets and in some cases the land and buildings in which the bars are based) and who employ informal wage workers.

    The informal workforce is by and large made up of migrant female workers with relatively low education and skill. They work without contracts, for very long hours and very low wages, and face the risk of sudden dismissal and harassment from employers. Such poor working conditions stem from the lack of contracts, and of the rights that come with them. This is the weakest category of workers in the industry – yet they have no place in donors’ and trade unions’ activities to support workers.

    The main limitation of donors’ aid to the chop bar sector is that it focuses exclusively on supply-side interventions. It is based on the idea that improving skills and access to finance will result in increased demand for the services of small-scale entrepreneurs. Many aid programmes on employment make this mistake and suffer from so called “employment dementia” .

    This type of aid doesn’t ask where the stimulus to increase demand for street food will come from, or what the structural roots of urban employment challenges are. It doesn’t consider why African cities have large informal economies and poor-quality jobs.

    Aid priorities

    Donors should re-think their aid priorities, and put informal wage workers at their centre. This would entail moving away from the current focus on micro-solutions for job creation, and instead supporting policies to promote structural change, to tighten labour markets and increase the demand for good-quality jobs within them.

    This article was co-authored with Dr Prince Asafu-Adjaye, an associate of Labour Research Service.

    Matteo Rizzo 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. Informal workers in Ghana’s chop bars get no benefit from foreign aid: donors are getting it wrong – https://theconversation.com/informal-workers-in-ghanas-chop-bars-get-no-benefit-from-foreign-aid-donors-are-getting-it-wrong-253633

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Mann Applauds President Trump’s First 100 Days in Office

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) applauded President Trump’s first 100 days of his second term. During his remarks, Rep. Mann highlighted the Trump Administration’s milestone accomplishments including a 95% drop in border apprehensions, the signing of commonsense legislation including the Laken Riley Act and the Protection of Women and Girl’s in Sports Act, $5 trillion in new investments in the United States, and President Trump’s work with Congress to extend the 2017 tax cuts.

    “The only way to describe the first 100 days of President Trump’s historic second term is promises made, promises kept,” said Rep. Mann. He concluded in part, “100 days of winning and I look forward to many, many more.”

    You can listen to Rep. Mann’s remarks here.

    Below are Rep. Mann’s remarks as prepared:

    On November 5, 2024, 77 million Americans gave Washington, D.C. a mandate to restore common sense, secure our border, make America safe again, get our fiscal house in order, grow our economy, and get our country back on track. President Trump and our Republican majorities in the House and Senate have been laser focused on delivering on that mandate since the start of President Trump’s second term.

    For four years, President Biden and many Congressional Democrats blamed the crisis at our border on President Trump. They argued that the record-level inflation across the country was President Trump’s fault and not their Build Back Broke plan and so-called “Inflation Reduction Act.”

    Yet in just 100 days, the same leader my colleagues on the other side obsessed over and blamed for these Biden setbacks has fixed those same problems and gotten our country back on track. The only way to describe the first 100 days of President Trump’s historic second term is promises made, promises kept.

    President Trump promised to secure the border. While left-leaning news outlets tried to fearmonger and portray the enforcement of our nation’s border laws as an attempt to stop any immigrant from entering the United States, America knew this narrative couldn’t have been further from the truth. 100 days in, our nation’s border is more secure it has been in our nation’s history. 

    In March of this year, apprehensions along the southern border had dropped 95% from the average daily encounters under President Biden. After a year and a half of chaos when President Biden rescinded Title 42, the Los Angeles Times reported that crossings at the California-Mexico border had nearly come to a halt under President Trump. Along our northern border, Customs and Border patrol agents apprehended 54 migrants this past March, down 95% from March 2024.

    House Republicans and President Trump did what many Democrats were afraid to do—actually enforce the law and pass laws like the Laken Riley Act that make it clear there is no place for violent criminals illegally in the United States of America. While President Trump and his administration have worked tirelessly to remove these criminals from our country, it’s been a completely different story on the left. Some of my Democrat colleagues spent the Easter recess begging for an alleged MS-13 member to return to the United States. Meanwhile those same Democrats were silent when the Biden Administration abandoned Americans in Afghanistan after their botched withdrawal. The contrasts in priorities for Democrats and Republicans could not be more clear.

    It turns out the only thing we needed for the past four years was a President who doesn’t run from common sense and isn’t afraid to enforce the law. Promises made, promises kept.

    President Trump promised to revive the American dream and usher in the golden age of America. Over the last 100 days he and his administration announced more than $5 trillion dollars in new foreign and domestic investments, including in my home state of Kansas. Just last week, Fiserv announced they would make a $175 million investment in Kansas that will create good-paying job opportunities for individuals in the eastern part of our state. 

    The consumer price index continues to show that inflation is cooling, and prices are falling. Because of the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and President Trump, wholesale egg prices have fallen, and we anticipate that retail prices will soon follow suit. Americans are feeling far less pain at the pump because we have leadership in our nation’s capital that prioritizes an all of the above energy strategy instead of Green New Deal policies that pick winners and losers. President Trump has repealed Biden-era rules that tried to implement an electric vehicle mandate because he knows it won’t work in places like the Big First District, and it only drives up costs for consumers. Promises made, promises kept.

    President Trump made a promise to restore common sense and get our country back on track. I’m grateful we finally have a president who is not afraid to state the obvious. There are two genders, and biological men should not play in women’s sports. One of the first bills President Trump signed during his second term was the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. President Trump has uprooted wasteful, fraudulent and abusive spending and gone line by line through our federal budget to make sure taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely. While the Democrat Leader spent all day Sunday advocating for American families to have the largest tax hike in history, President Trump has spent the last 100 days working tirelessly with Congressional Republicans to extend his 2017 tax cuts. Promises made, promises kept.

    I am so grateful to have real leadership back at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue that fights for America’s families and a brighter future for our country. Thank you, President Trump, for your leadership and for all you’ve done to ensure our best days are ahead of us. 100 days of winning and I look forward to many, many more.

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: De La Cruz Hosts Press Conference on Securing Texas Water

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Monica De La Cruz (TX-15)

    On President Trump’s 100th day in office, Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) held a press conference with local officials, including Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, and South Texas agriculture leaders, including Dale Murden. De La Cruz praised the Trump Administration’s announcement to ensure the Mexican Government makes water deliveries and shared her continued work to ensure Mexico delivers water to South Texas. 

    Following the press conference, De La Cruz shared videos thanking President Trump, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their work on this critical issue.

    De La Cruz holds press conference to celebrate major steps toward securing the water Texas agriculture is owed by the Mexican Government with Texas farmers (from Left to Right Tommy Jendrusch of Jendrusch Farms, Mike Davis of Tex Mex Sales, Russon Holbrook of South Tex Organics, Sam Ruiz of Mid Valley Agriculture, Tommy Hanka of Tommy Hanka Farms, Dennis Holbrook of South Tex Organics, Jud Flowers of Lone Star Citrus Growers, Bret Erickson of Little Bear Produce, Dante Galeazzi of Texas International Produce Association).

    De La Cruz’s remarks as prepared are below.
     

    “This announcement is a victory for our community, our farmers, and our families. 

    I am deeply grateful to our local business leaders, our city officials, and to President Trump and his administration for working with me on such a vital issue for South Texas families. 
     

    For more than 80 years, long before I arrived in Congress, this community faced a crisis of water.
     

    That’s why one of the first resolutions I passed in the House strongly supported diplomatic pressure to ensure the Mexican government fulfills its water obligations every single year. 
     

    And before President Trump even took office, I sent a letter, with many members of the Texas delegation, urging him to hold the Mexican government accountable. 
     

    When I met with the President in the Oval Office in February, he was shocked to hear what South Texas families have endured for decades and he assured me that he would act swiftly. 
     

    Last month, I proudly stood with Secretary Rollins to announce $280 million in critical relief, funding I helped secure through the American Relief Act, that will be deployed directly to Texas farmers. 
     

    After years of being told nothing could be done, we are standing strong and delivering for our community. 
     

    And today, I am proud to announce: the Mexican government has agreed to deliver up to 420,000 acre-feet of water between now and October. 
     

    This is a major step forward, but it’s not just about agriculture. 
     

    This fight affects every South Texas family because every one of us needs water. 

    Texas is one of America’s largest agricultural producers. If we lose Texas fruit and vegetable crops, the consequences would be devastating – not just for South Texas, but for families across the entire country. I will never let that happen. I will continue fighting every day to protect our farmers, our families, and our future. 
     

    It is the honor of my life to serve as the Valley’s voice in Congress. This is where I was born. It’s where I grew up. And it’s where we are raising our families. 
     

    My team and I will always listen to you, and we will always fight hard to solve our problems. This is just the beginning. 
     

    The best is yet to come. God bless!”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Drug Shows Promise for Treating Bronchiectasis

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Results of a large, global clinical trial spanning five continents with over 1,700 patients with bronchiectasis, published this April in the New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrated benefits of an investigational, once-a-day pill called brenso­catib as a therapy for the chronic lung condition.

    The clinical trial findings are important, as there are currently no FDA-approved medications for bronchiectasis, a chronic condition with persistent lung airway inflammation and infection. Bronchiectasis can often stem from various injuries to the airways causing the ‘bronchial’ tubes leading to the lungs to become permanently enlarged, and more prone to infection and chronic inflammation.

    Symptoms of bronchiectasis include chronic cough with sputum (mucous) production, shortness of breath and fatigue. Acute exacerbations of the debilitating condition experienced by patients are characterized by worsening of the cough and sputum production, often with fever, shortness of breath or chest pain and further impair patient quality of life.  Severe exacerbations may result in hospitalization and permanent loss of lung function.

    Bronchiectasis impacts up to 500,000 Americans, but there is often misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis as the condition can present similarly to other pulmonary conditions such as COPD or asthma.

    Senior NEJM study author Dr. Mark Metersky is chief of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine and Director of the Center for Bronchiectasis Care at UConn Health (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)

    Senior study author Dr. Mark Metersky of UConn School of Medicine served on the Steering Committee for the global, multi-center, randomized clinical trial and was principal investigator for UConn School of Medicine’s clinical trial site. Metersky specializes in bronchiectasis care and is the longtime director of UConn’s dedicated Center for Bronchiectasis Care at UConn Health in Farmington, Connecticut.

    Most bronchiectasis patients experience loss of lung function over time due to the irreversible damage caused by the progressive disease. But in this large, international, randomized ASPEN trial which included 1,721 patients, the new DPP-1 inhibitor medication targeting inflammation in either a 10 mg or 25 mg pill dose versus placebo over a 52-week period was shown to significantly lower the annualized rate of exacerbations in patients taking either drug dose while also slowing their loss of lung function.  Also, the authors report that in each brensocatib group nearly half (48.5%) of patients remained exacerbation-free one year later at week 52.

    “Patients with bronchiectasis have impaired quality of life,” shared Metersky who personally cares for well over 100 patients with the condition at UConn Health. “The study results suggests that brensocatib will help many patients living with bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis patients’ quality of life was measured throughout the study and improved in patients who received the drug.”

    “Pulmonary exacerbations of bronchiectasis can last days or weeks and preventing them is important,” stresses Metersky. “However, this drug resulted in improved quality of life even when patients were not suffering from an exacerbation, providing hope for so many patients suffering with daily symptoms.”

    Metersky concludes, “This is a very promising new treatment and likely will be the first-ever FDA-approved treatment for bronchiectasis.”

    Insmed, Inc. is the drug’s manufacturer and sponsored the clinical trial.

    MIL OSI USA News –