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Category: Farming

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Josh Brecheen Reintroduces The DRIVE Act To Protect Ranchers, Farmers, and Truckers from Government Overreach

    Source: US Congressman Josh Brecheen (2nd District)

    Washington, D.C. – Congressman Josh Brecheen reintroduced the Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-Wheelers (DRIVE) Act. This legislation would prohibit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from mandating speed limiters on vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) above 26,000 pounds. The speed limiter rule, originally proposed by the Obama Administration and revived under President Biden, would harm both the agricultural and trucking industries by impacting commercial transport. This rule would impact semi-trucks, grain haulers, large bulk feed trucks, large flatbed trucks, dump trucks, furniture trucks, and other vehicles with a GVWR exceeding 26,000 pounds if they cross state lines.

    Washington, D.C. – Congressman Josh Brecheen reintroduced the Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-Wheelers (DRIVE) Act. This legislation would prohibit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from mandating speed limiters on vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) above 26,000 pounds. The speed limiter rule, originally proposed by the Obama Administration and revived under President Biden, would harm both the agricultural and trucking industries by impacting commercial transport. This rule would impact semi-trucks, grain haulers, large bulk feed trucks, large flatbed trucks, dump trucks, furniture trucks, and other vehicles with a GVWR exceeding 26,000 pounds if they cross state lines.

    “Under the Biden Administration, we saw blatant federal overreach that would have required speed limiters set as low as 60 mph for heavy-duty vehicles. I have spent years hauling heavy equipment and materials in a semi. I know from experience that road safety is best maintained by keeping with the flow of traffic as determined by state law—not by a one-size-fits-all mandate from Washington bureaucrats. The DRIVE Act ensures future administrations cannot revive this dangerous rule,” said Congressman Josh Brecheen.

    “OOIDA and our 150,000 members in small business trucking across America thank Representative Brecheen for his leadership in working to keep our roadways safe for truckers and for all road users by fighting to prevent a speed limiter mandate,” said OOIDA President Todd Spencer.

    Read the full bill text here.

    Cosponsors: Representatives Mike Bost (R-IL), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Andy Ogles (R-TN), Harriet Hagerman (R-WY), Eric Burlison (R-MO), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Zachary Nunn (R-IA), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Ryan Zinke (R-MT), Rich McCormick (R-GA), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Byron Donalds (R-FL), Brian Babin (R-TX), Michael Cloud (R-TX), David Valadao (R-CA), Pete Sessions (R-TX), and Nathaniel Moran (R-TX).

    Group Support: Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, Associated Equipment Distributors, Mid-West Truckers Association, National Association of Small Trucking Companies, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, North American Punjabi Trucking Association, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc and United States Cattlemen’s Association.

    Press Inquiries: darren.dershem@mail.house.gov

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 18, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Backs Homegrown Biofuels, Prioritizes Certainty for Producers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, helped introduce the Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act to provide Iowa farmers and biofuel producers with certainty and protect taxpayer dollars from supporting fuel produced with foreign crops.
    The legislation would update the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit to make the U.S. less reliant on foreign feedstocks, open new markets for farmers, and increase renewable fuel production across the Midwest by ensuring 45Z only applies to homegrown biofuels made only from domestically sourced grain—such as corn and soybeans—and other feedstocks. Additionally, after the Biden administration refused to publish 45Z guidance on time, this bill would provide producers with long-term certainty and give the Trump administration opportunities to make necessary changes and better serve American farmers.
    “Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve led the charge to build certainty and clarity into biofuel policies and put Iowa farmers at the forefront of delivering better, more affordable options at the gas pump,” said Senator Ernst. “The Farmer First Fuel Incentives Actdoes just that by giving producers the long-term certainty they need to go all-in on increasing production of domestic biofuels. It’s critical that we fully leverage homegrown, American biofuels and ensure not a cent of taxpayer dollars fund fuel produced with foreign crops.”
    The full bill can be found here.
    Background:
    In January 2025, Ernst blasted the Biden administration for late, incomplete guidance on 45Z that continues to leave Iowa farmers and biofuel producers with little to no certainty. This delayed guidance came nearly six months after Ernst provided Biden-era officials with a clear timeline and direction for how to create guidelines for the 45Z credit that they ignored.
    More broadly, Ernst has been a leading advocate for homegrown, Iowa biofuels, securing access to E15 for the summer driving months, while continuing the call for permanent, nationwide availability that would give those in the biofuel industry the certainty they deserve. She also pushed the Biden administration to increase RVO levels for homegrown Iowa biofuels and was instrumental in creating and maintaining the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program as part of her commitment to invest in renewable fuel infrastructure, rural job opportunities, and hardworking farmers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 18, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ryde Library set to re-open children’s section following renovations 17 April 2025 Ryde Library set to re-open children’s section following renovations

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    Ryde Library will unveil its newly renovated children’s section this weekend.

    The Isle of Wight Library service secured a £150,000 grant from Arts Council England’s Libraries Improvement Fund in 2023, which was shared with Cowes Library to improve facilities and accessibility at both locations.

    Renovations at Ryde Library began at the end of February, and included the installation of a new accessible toilet for library user groups and a complete refurbishment of the children’s library.

    The Friends of Ryde Library generously funded new furniture and shelving, which have now been delivered and installed.

    Library supervisor, Jo Dodd, said: “We are so pleased with the new facilities and can’t wait for children and families to start enjoying the newly decorated children’s space, which looks absolutely fantastic with fresh, vibrant colours and funky new furniture.”

    The revamped children’s library will welcome its first visitors on Saturday (April 19).

    Ryde Library offers a variety of activities for children and families, including the weekly Rhyme Time for babies and toddlers every Monday at 10.30am.

    Additionally, the library is launching a new family session, ‘Stay and Play,’ starting Wednesday, May 14 at 10.30am, where pre-school children can enjoy music, stories, and playtime with their families.

    Meanwhile, Cowes Library is undergoing its own renovations and is currently closed to the public.

    Library staff are providing a ‘pop-up’ library service from The Beckford Centre in Cowes, opposite the library site.

    Opening times for this service are available on the library’s website. The main library at Cowes is expected to re-open in mid-May.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 18, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: 30 Year Prison Sentence for Convicted Killer

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Farmington man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in the brutal killing of a man on the Navajo Nation in 2020.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    According to court documents, between February 6, 2020, and February 14, 2020, Tyran Begay, 40, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, helped confine and torture John Doe alongside Camille Damon and Ronald Belone by binding and beating the victim, and leaving his body exposed to frigid weather in a remote area near Smith Lake, New Mexico.

    Upon his release from prison, Begay will be subject to five years of supervised release.

    Damon and Belone remain in custody pending trial, which has yet been scheduled.

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

    The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Probasco and Meg P. Tomlinson are prosecuting the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 18, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sheep Springs Couple Faces Federal Charges for Assault and Reckless Child Endangerment

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A couple from Sheep Springs is facing federal charges related to an alleged assault and subsequent medical neglect of a minor.

    According to court records, on September 9, 2024, Raeshawn Doctor, 24, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, allegedly assaulted Jane Doe, a minor, causing serious bodily injury. Additionally, between September 9, 2024, and January 31, 2025, Doctor and Harley Nelson, 45, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, are accused of knowingly and recklessly endangering Jane Doe’s life and health through medical neglect.

    Doctor and Nelson will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been set. If convicted, Doctor faces up to 10 years in prison and Nelson faces up to three years in prison.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin 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 Navajo Nation Department of Investigation and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Marshall is prosecuting the case. 

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

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 18, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Babbidge Library Exhibit Offers Powerful Images of War, and Hope, Created by Ukrainian Children

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    In the drawing, two little children hold hands, the taller figure with shoulder-length hair.

    The shorter figure has hair cropped short, and holds a teddy bear in their other hand, one of the toy’s eyes missing and portrayed as an X.

    Between the two is an umbrella, seemingly their only protection from what’s falling from the sky above them – a cluster of ominous black bombs.

    ‘With faith in victory,’ an original drawing by Anastasiia B., a 14-year-old from Ukraine, from the ‘Children Draw War, Not Flowers’ exhibit, on display at the Babbidge Library until August 1, 2025. (Contributed image)

    The umbrella is striped – yellow, blue, yellow – in the colors of the flag of the artist’s home country: Ukraine.

    It’s a simple drawing, but poignant, and made ever more so by the fact that the artist who created the work, entitled “With faith in victory,” was only 14 years old when they drew it in September 2022, seven months after Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine.

    This drawing, and many others like it – created by Ukrainian children during the ongoing Russo-Ukraine War – are on display at the UConn Library’s Homer Babbidge Library as part of the “Children Draw War, Not Flowers” exhibit, which opened on April 8.

    In the fall of 2022, the Cherkasy Regional Universal Scientific Library, funded by the School of Information at San Jose State University in California, held a drawing competition in 40 public regional libraries in communities where over 220,000 displaced Ukrainians resided.

    Children from the ages of 6 to 18 created more than 450 drawings documenting their experiences of war, trauma, and hope. Those drawings are now part of “Children Draw War, Not Flowers,” which has traveled to a number of institutions but will reside at UConn Storrs until later this summer.

    Its stop at UConn was made possible by a collaboration with Ulia Gosart from San Jose State University, an assistant professor, scholar, writer, and human rights activist who received her bachelor’s degree from Kiev University of Arts in Ukraine and her master’s in library and information science from Southern Connecticut State University, according to Jean Cardinale ’04 MS, head of communication and marketing for the UConn Library.

    “Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Gosart has been supporting Ukrainian libraries by raising awareness and fundraising through programming, including curating this traveling exhibit,” says Cardinale. “She supports her community engaged in war through the power of libraries, and the UConn Library was honored to be asked to take part in her important work.”

    The “Children Draw War, Not Flowers” exhibit includes 70 drawings depicting weapons, loss, soldiers, and destroyed buildings and artifacts. But the drawings also show symbols of hope and pride. The blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag are abundant. Angels hover over Ukrainian soldiers. Sunflowers and storks, images of national solidarity, hang over depictions of war.

    The exhibit’s goal, explains Cardinale, is to help visitors gain greater understanding of the realities Ukrainian people – and especially Ukrainian children – face in the midst of war.

    “Thankfully, living through war is something most of us have not had to experience, and we are geographically so far away that it’s easy to disassociate from what is happening,” Cardinale says. “When you see these pieces where children have drawn themselves amid bombings, fires, and saying goodbye to their homes and their families, you see the trauma that effects children of war.”

    The exhibit at the Babbidge Library also includes drawings from the Mia Farrow Collection, donated to the UConn Library’s Archives & Special Collections in 2009, that were made by refugee children escaping war and ethnic cleansing at the Djabal Refugee Camp in Eastern Chad in 2002.

    “Our Archives & Special Collections has many collections that focus on documenting human rights violations and struggles for social justice in the United States and internationally,” says Cardinale. “Their guiding principles are to enable us to understand the past to inspire our future. Displaying these two collections of drawings together shows parallels in how children have used art to express their feelings during war.”

    For children who may not yet know who to talk with about their feelings, art encourages them to explore their emotions and perceptions through their creativity, Cardinale notes. The images these children have created during two different conflicts, occurring decades apart, show the similarities of their struggles in a powerful and visual way.

    ‘Ukraine will win!’ an original drawing by Yana Kh., an 8-year-old from Ukraine, from the ‘Children Draw War, Not Flowers’ exhibit, on display at the Babbidge Library until August 1, 2025. (Contributed image)

    The exhibit also serves as a reminder that Ukrainian and Ukrainian American students at UConn continue to feel the ongoing impact of the war that may not always be clearly visible to the community at large.

    “We have had the opportunity to connect with the Ukrainian Students Association here at UConn, and at the exhibit’s opening reception, they brought their personal experiences of family members directly affected by the war,” she says. “So, it also serves as a reminder that our students may be experiencing many different challenges that we don’t see and deserve some grace during this stressful time of the semester.”

    “Children Draw War, Not Flowers” will be on display at the Gallery on the Plaza at the Homer Babbidge Library in Storrs through August 1, 2025.

    To view drawings from the “Children Draw War, Not Flowers” collection online, please visit Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Online at gallery.sucho.org/collections.

    For more information about this and other exhibits at the UConn Library, as well as collections maintained by the library’s Archives & Special Collections, visit lib.uconn.edu.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 18, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Amplifies Sustainability Message with Spring Fling

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Earth Day and sustainability initiatives at UConn Storrs were celebrated by students during the Earth Day Spring Fling and Zero Waste Barbecue on Wednesday, April 16.

    Vendors and clubs set up shop along Fairfield Way to sell sustainable goods and involve members of the UConn community with green initiatives around campus.

    “It’s a good way of getting people excited about sustainability,” said Ross Elliott ’26 (CLAS). “People are naturally drawn to free food and music and fun stuff, but at the same time, it actually gets them thinking about what this is all about.”

    UConn students participate in goat yoga on the Founders Green during Earth Day Spring Fling on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (Sydney Herdle/UConn Photo)

    One of the featured events was a Party Peddler Bike Tour, where an Office of Sustainability intern shared facts about buildings around campus and how the architecture at UConn incorporates sustainability to help UConn in its strategic plan.

    “Herbst Hall, for example, is a LEED-certified building. Every single new UConn building is LEED-certified,” said Amogh Chaubey ’25 (ENG), an intern at the Office of Sustainability. “That means leadership and environmental design.”

    There is a bioretention basin beneath the building that helps with stormwater management, Chaubey told passengers. “A lot of the things you don’t really think about, like how come Fairfield Way doesn’t get flooded when it rains, are built into the architecture of our buildings.”

    “The bike ride was my favorite part of today,” says Elliott. “It was a great way to learn more about how UConn has committed to sustainability. Everyone was talking, laughing, pedaling and pushing as hard as they can; it was silly, but it was really fun.”

    UConn students ride on a party bike on Mansfield Way during Earth Day Spring Fling on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (Sydney Herdle/UConn Photo)

    Elsewhere, the Spring Valley Student Farm gave out free marigolds in recycled newspaper pots; UConn Horticulture Club sold plants; the library had a display of sustainability books; and local vendors sold soaps, dog treats, pins, and more.

    The annual class tree-planting ceremony took place as well. Members of the first-year student community planted a tree for the class of 2028. This year’s tree was planted near the Hawley Armory, facing Fairfield Way.

    Another event that students participated in was goat yoga on Founders Lawn. “The goats are so friendly, they’ll jump on your back,” said Chaubey. “It gets filled up right away. Getting a seat for that is like getting a Taylor Swift concert ticket, it’s hard.”

    The goal of the event is to provoke more conversations about sustainability at a high level, said Chaubey. “Right now, we’re working with Dining to bring the zero-waste barbecue and cupcakes to the celebration. Building that partnership could, down the road, help us work with them to bring zero-waste to our dining halls,” Chaubey says. “Our big goal here is to make sustainability centralized.”

    The zero-waste barbecue was the main attraction of the celebrations. Students had a chance to enjoy locally sourced foods, many of which were vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free. The food waste is run through food cyclers that the Office of Sustainability runs.

    The view from the party pedal bike during the Spring Fling (George Velky / UConn Photo)

    “It’s almost like a dishwasher,” said Chaubey. “It cycles overnight and gives you this composable dust.”

    Students can purchase these composters personally or for their residence halls, Chaubey added. “Our pilot program put them in a bunch of off-campus apartments, and the idea is that students can deal with waste super easily wherever you want.”

    And stretch: goat yoga on the Founders Green during Earth Day Spring Fling on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (Sydney Herdle/UConn Photo)

    One way Chaubey encourages students to get involved is by filling out a sustainability literacy survey. This gives the Office of Sustainability a gauge of how students are contributing to sustainability in Storrs and what it can do to improve environmental literacy and green programs around campus.

    “I learned about zero-waste vegan food and how that can lead to a more sustainable society,” said Elliott. “I’m not a vegetarian, but I’ve always been interested in how we could shift towards a vegetarian society. It was cool to see how many people were enjoying the vegetarian and vegan barbecue. It surprised me.”

    The student response to the festivities was overwhelmingly positive. “It’s windy, it’s cold, but look around, it’s packed,” said Chaubey. “Student engagement is a huge part of our mission, and sustainability can be a ton of fun.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 18, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Western Financial Group Champions Earth Day with Community Cleanup Initiatives

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HIGH RIVER, Alberta, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Western Communities Foundation, the non-profit arm of Western Financial Group, is proud to participate in multi-location community clean-up and tree planting initiatives celebrating Earth Day (April 22). Thanks to an unwavering commitment to sustainability and care for our staff, customers, and the communities in which we live and work, Canada’s Insurance Broker works to create safe places across the country.

    As Western’s CEO Grant Ostir recently announced, our bold 2025 strategy and growth plans require company-wide dedication to providing a sense of security and care for our customers and local communities.

    “Ambitious goals and growth only happen when we’re taking care of each other, our customers and our environments in which we live, play and work,” said Nancy Green-Bolton, Western Communities Foundation Board Chair and Western Financial Group Chief Operating Officer. “As a proudly Canadian company, these Earth Day activities reflect our dedication to creating safe places and thriving communities across the country.”

    Our local teams will participate in various cleanup activities across the regions we serve, including British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.

    Cleanup Event Details – PHOTO OPP:

    British Columbia

    • Oak Bay (Victoria), BC
      • Event: Earth Day Power Hour Community Clean-Up
      • Date & Time: April 22, 12pm-1pm
      • Location: Oak Bay Brach, 2067 Cadboro Bay Rd
    • Kelowna, BC
      • Event: City of Kelowna Adopt a Stream Clean-up
      • Date & Time: April 22, 9am-11:30am and 2:30-5pm
      • Location: Kelowna Harvey Branch, 2025 Harvey Ave
    • Cranbrook, BC
      • Event: Wildsight Co-Community Clean-Up
      • Date & Time: April 26, 10am-1pm
      • Location: Western Financial Place, 1777 2 St N

    Alberta

    • Okotoks, AB
      • Event: Town of Okotoks Community Clean-Up and Tree Planting
      • Date & Time: May 10, 9am-12pm
      • Location: Sheep River Shelter (Lions Campground), 99 Woodhaven Dr
    • Spruce Grove, AB
      • Event: Spruce Up Spruce Grove Community Clean-Up and Tree Planting
      • Date & Time: May 24, 1-4pm
      • Location: 455 King Street, adjacent to the Community Gardens

    Ontario

    • King City, ON
      • Event: King City Community Tree Planting
      • Date & Time: May 10, 1am-3pm
      • Location: Dean Plummer Park, Nobleton

    “Sustainability and social impact play a big role in our everyday operations at Western,” said Michelle Mak, Director, Western Communities Foundation. “We actively support a variety of inclusive and environmental initiatives throughout the year that positively impact local communities, and we encourage team members, regardless of role or location, to get involved. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate care and kindness in action.”

    For more information about our Earth Day initiatives and Western Communities Foundation, visit westerngives.ca. To learn more about Western Financial Group and our commitment to social impact and sustainability, visit westernfinancialgroup.ca.

    Western Financial Group Communities Foundation

    Founded in 2001, the Western Financial Group Communities Foundation serves to give back to the communities where Western employees live and work and play, and foster employee pride and engagement. The Foundation’s core donation programs include Community Infrastructure Grants, the Western Inspirational Awards for graduating high school students, and The Western Community Care Program where our teams actively raise funds for local causes. Since its inception, the Western Communities Foundation has granted more than $9 million to support local communities.

    About Western Financial Group Inc.

    Headquartered in High River, Alberta, Western Financial Group is a diversified insurance services company that has provided over one million Canadians with protection for over 100 years. Western, a proudly Canadian company, is committed to community service, customer service, innovation, growth, and people while providing personal and business insurance through our engaged team of over 2,000 people in over 200 communities, affiliates, and various connected channels.

    Since the very beginning, supporting our local communities has guided everything we do—it’s who we are. In 2001, the Western Financial Group Communities Foundation (our non-profit charity) was created as a way for our team members to give back and positively impact the people and pride in the places where we live, work, and play. To date, we have granted over $9 million back into our communities.

    Western Financial Group is a subsidiary of Trimont Financial Ltd., a subsidiary of The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company. Visit https://westernfinancialgroup.ca for more.

    For more information, contact Nichola Petts, PR Manager, Nichola.petts@westernfg.ca

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2c860a30-3681-4c06-b64f-6bc459ec68f5

    The MIL Network –

    April 18, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK backs businesses to trade carbon credits and unlock finance

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK backs businesses to trade carbon credits and unlock finance

    British businesses and organisations better supported to trade carbon credits as part of new work to establish the UK as the global hub for green finance.

    • Britain is back in the business of climate leadership, leading a new growth market and cementing UK as the green finance capital of the world
    • voluntary carbon and nature markets to unlock new revenue streams for UK businesses delivering on Plan for Change
    • UK work will boost opportunities for businesses at home and abroad to unlock private finance for the climate crisis

    British businesses and organisations will be better supported to trade carbon credits as part of new work to establish the UK as the global hub for green finance – driving growth and investment while tackling the climate crisis through the Plan for Change.

    Today the government has launched plans to strengthen voluntary carbon and nature markets which can help leverage the finance needed to address the scale of the climate emergency whilst diversifying revenue streams for British businesses.

    These markets support the trading of carbon credits, where a business can reduce their emissions by investing in environmentally friendly projects such as deploying electric vehicles, reducing deforestation, removing carbon dioxide through carbon dioxide or planting trees.

    Currently these markets are not realising their full potential, with a lack of clarity among businesses and organisations on how they can be used, and some poor practice impacting their effectiveness in delivering meaningful climate action and economic growth. There have been widespread calls from businesses and organisations for greater clarity in how to use these markets as part of their plans to reach net zero.

    In response, the UK is establishing a global framework to build trust and confidence in carbon and nature credit trading, with a set of principles to guide and support businesses on how to use carbon credits that provide environmental benefits. This includes making clear what a good credit is, ensuring they are delivering environmental benefits and encouraging businesses to fully disclose what they are being used for in annual sustainability reporting.

    These markets are estimated to be worth up to $250 billion by 2050 for carbon markets, and $69 billion for nature markets, under the right conditions. By increasing confidence in these markets, British businesses – including farmers and land managers –  will be well positioned to seize the economic rewards by creating new revenue streams and investment opportunities. 

    These plans will further strengthen the UK as the green finance capital of the world – leading the way in a new growth market, unlocking private finance for climate change and backing businesses on the clean energy transition.  

    Positive climate action can lead to significant growth opportunities for UK businesses with the UK seeing £43.7 billion of private investment into UK’s clean energy industries since July. Recent figures from the CBI shows that the net zero economy grew 3 times faster than the economy as a whole last year, with employment in the sector up by over 10%.

    Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy said:

    Building up trust in carbon and nature markets is crucial to their success in driving meaningful climate action and real, lasting change for the environment. 

    The UK is determined to spearhead global efforts to raise integrity in these markets so they can channel the finance needed to tackle the climate crisis and speed up the global clean energy transition.

    These principles will cement the UK as the global hub for green finance and carbon markets. This is an opportunity to deliver on the climate crisis and drive investment and growth in the UK as part of our Plan for Change.

    Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:

    Nature underpins everything. Voluntary carbon and nature markets will be an important tool to crowd in private finance to protect our precious peatlands, important habitats and rare species.

    It is why increasing trust in these markets will ensure that they benefit both people and our planet, ensuring money flows towards genuine environmental improvement projects and creates new sources of finance for farmers and land managers in the UK.

    Carbon credits are tradable units that represent the reduction or removal of greenhouse gases emissions from the atmosphere. One credit typically represents one metric tonne of CO2 or its equivalent. Companies or individuals purchase these credits from project developers who have generated them through activities like reforestation, cleaner energy, or other emission reduction projects. By buying the credits, they are financing projects that would not otherwise happen, in addition to steps that they are taking to reduce their own emissions.

    Mark Kenber, Executive Director, Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) said:

    Businesses need clarity and confidence to invest in voluntary carbon and nature markets that help meet global climate goals. This consultation from the UK government plays a vital role in delivering this.  

    VCMI welcomes the proposal to recognise our Claims Code as international best practice, as well as the global leadership shown by the UK’s proposal to incentivise greater action by companies to address their unabated Scope 3 emissions through the inclusion of our forthcoming Scope 3 Action Code of Practice. The Code of Practice will enable companies to go further, faster and with integrity on climate action.

    The proposals in the consultation align with the UK government’s new approach to ensure regulation supports growth. The consultation explores the recommendation in the recently published Corry Review to launch a Nature Market Accelerator to bring coherence to nature markets and accelerate investment. 

    The consultation will be live for 12 weeks, seeking responses from industry organisations and the public:

    Voluntary carbon and nature markets: raising integrity

    Onel Masardule, Co-Chair, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Engagement Forum, Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) said:

    For the voluntary carbon market to succeed, it must respect the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and make us true partners – rather than just stakeholders – in the market. ICVCM’s The Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) define what high integrity carbon credits should look like: ensuring that new carbon projects have robust social and environmental safeguards, operate with the free, prior and informed consent and are transparent about how they share benefits. I welcome the UK government’s proposal to endorse the use of CCP-labelled credits and encourage other governments to do the same. This will provide clarity on what high integrity means to enable the market to scale to accelerate climate action and deliver positive environmental and social outcomes at the local level.

    Notes to editors

    The 6 integrity principles being consulted on are: 

    • suppliers should ensure credits meet recognised high integrity criteria that ensure credits deliver environmental benefits  
    • buyers should measure and disclose the planned use of credits as part of sustainability reporting 
    • users should consider how credits feed into wider transition plans that align with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement 
    • claims involving the use of credits should accurately communicate an organisation or product’s overall environmental impact, including by using appropriate and accurate terminology 
    • market participants should cooperate with others to support the growth of high integrity markets
    • credits should only be used in addition to ambitious climate action within value chains

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    Updates to this page

    Published 17 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 18, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union MoS for Health & Family Welfare Shri Prataprao Jadhav inaugurates FSSAI’s National Stakeholder Consultation on Sustainable Packaging

    Source: Government of India

    Union MoS for Health & Family Welfare Shri Prataprao Jadhav inaugurates FSSAI’s National Stakeholder Consultation on Sustainable Packaging

    Significance of eco-friendly packaging solutions highlighted

    India has the Potential to lead the world towards sustainability: Shri Jadhav

    “What we need today is a shift towards alternatives that are sustainable, recyclable, and biodegradable”

    Over 1500 stakeholders representing food businesses, packaging industries, recycling associations, regulatory bodies, environmental organizations, consumer groups, farmer groups, government departments participated in the consultation to deliberate on the future of sustainable food packaging in India

    Posted On: 17 APR 2025 10:38AM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav, inaugurated a National Stakeholder Consultation on “Sustainable Packaging for Food Business: Emerging Global Trends and Regulatory Framework” organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) at Mumbai on 16th April 2025.

     

    In his address, Shri Jadhav highlighted the growing importance of sustainable packaging of food items. He announced that the guidelines for the use of rPET in packaging have been prepared by FSSAI after extensive consultations with all stakeholders and in line with the best global practices. He also mentioned that a logo has been developed for easy identification and to benefit consumers of food products.

     

    Addressing the gathering, Shri Jadhav stated that “shifting towards sustainable methods of packaging is the need of the hour.” He stressed that the usage of plastic is a growing concern globally, as it stays undecomposed in the environment for years having detrimental consequences. “What we need today is a shift towards alternatives that are sustainable, recyclable, and biodegradable”, he further stated.

    Hailing India’s age-old traditional methods, Shri Jadhav also emphasized the need to connect the ancient ecological practices to modern techniques to ensure sustainability stating that “India has the potential to lead the world in this direction.”

    He also appreciated the efforts of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and FSSAI for providing an important platform in the form of National Stakeholders Consultation to deliberate upon crucial issues that affect the health and wellbeing of the country.

    The Minister of State also held an informal open consultation session with stakeholders, providing them an opportunity to share their challenges and discuss future avenues for improvement and growth. The consultation brought together over 1500 stakeholders representing food businesses, packaging industries, recycling associations, regulatory bodies, environmental organizations, consumer groups, farmer groups, government departments to deliberate on the future of sustainable food packaging in India.

     

    The consultation was part of an ongoing series of national-level stakeholder discussions aimed at holding critical deliberations on critical issues that requires multi-stakeholder engagement.  Under the aegis of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, FSSAI has launched this pivotal initiative to convene such National Stakeholder Consultations to foster greater inclusivity, transparency, and evidence-based policymaking in the formulation of food safety regulations. By actively engaging with industry, academia, consumer groups, farmer groups and regulatory bodies, FSSAI seeks to incorporate sector-specific perspectives and ground-level insights into its regulatory framework, ensuring that policies are both practical and aligned with public health priorities.

    The consultation featured a Technical Session wherein Chairperson of FSSAI’s Scientific Panel on Packaging presented on the detailed scientific basis, risk assessment principles, transparent consultative approach employed by FSSAI while framing robust scientific standards.

    Representatives from BIS talked about the Global and Indian standards on food packaging and the overview of the existing IS standards for packaging materials. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shared about the role that CPCB plays in driving sustainable practices through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) under Plastic Waste Management Rules. Representatives from Industry presented innovative approaches being adopted to develop eco-friendly, lightweight, and recyclable packaging solutions tailored for food and beverage products, importance of plastic waste recovery and recycling to support circular economy and Consumer concerns and expectations towards sustainable food packaging.

     

    The session concluded with a technical debrief by Dr. Alka Rao, Advisor (Science & Standards and Regulations), wherein she emphasized the importance of stakeholder collaboration in advancing sustainable packaging solutions that align with food safety standards and support India’s broader environmental goals.

     

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    MV

    HFW/MoS inaugurates FSSAI’s National Stakeholder Consultation on Sustainable Packaging   /17April 2025/1

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: Pandemic Agreement, Sudan & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon briefing by Stephanie Tremblay, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    – Deputy Secretary-General
    – Security Council
    – Pandemic Agreement
    – Sudan
    – Occupied Palestinian Territory
    – Democratic Republic of the Congo
    – Iraq
    – Global Economy
    – Briefings tomorrow
    – Financial Contribution

    **Deputy Secretary-General
    The Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed is in Hanoi, Viet Nam today, to participate in the Partnership for Growth Summit and to chair the annual retreat of UN Resident Coordinators from Asia and the Pacific.
    In her remarks at the opening session of the Summit, Ms. Mohammed underlined the need to strengthen partnerships and to scale up investments in climate solutions as a key entry point to advance countries’ Sustainable Development Goals transitions.
    Ms. Mohammed also met with the Minister of Agriculture and Environment Mr. Đỗ Đức Duy. They discussed Viet Nam’s transition to a low-carbon energy system and progress on its food system pathways.
    On the margins of the Summit, she also met with Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia.
    And at the Green One UN House in Hanoi, Ms. Mohammed met the UN Country Team to discuss how to further strengthen the UN’s impact in Viet Nam and to sustain momentum on the SDGs. She also met with youth.

    ** Security Council
    This morning, the Security Council members met for a briefing on South Sudan. The Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Nicholas Haysom, told the Council members that the Revitalized Peace Agreement remains the only viable framework to break the cycle of violence in South Sudan.
    He added that UNMISS is engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts to broker a peaceful solution to the current crisis alongside many stakeholders, including the African Union and the Security Council itself.
    For her part, the Director of Operations and Advocacy at OCHA, Edem Wosornu, focused on the rapidly escalating violence and its impact on men, women and children. She added that this year, 9.3 million South Sudanese – that’s three-quarters of the population – require some form of humanitarian assistance, adding that children make up half of this total.
    For South Sudan, this year’s Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan requires $1.7 billion to support close to 5.4 million people. Their full remarks were shared with you.
    The Security Council will reconvene at 3:00 pm this afternoon for a session on the Great Lakes region. The Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region, Huang Xia, as well as UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, are scheduled to brief. We will share their remarks as soon as we get them.

    **Pandemic Agreement
    And we wanted to welcome the consensus on a draft pandemic agreement reached in Geneva after more than three years of intensive negotiations. Member States of the World Health Organization took a major step forward in efforts to make the world safer from pandemics, by forging the draft agreement for consideration at the upcoming World Health Assembly in May. The proposal aims to strengthen global collaboration on prevention, preparedness and response to future pandemic threats.

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=16%20April%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27HxZBjcrDY

    MIL OSI Video –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: BlackRock® Canada Announces April Cash Distributions for the iShares® ETFs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), today announced the April 2025 cash distributions for the iShares ETFs listed on the TSX or Cboe Canada which pay on a monthly basis. Unitholders of record of the applicable iShares ETF on April 25, 2025 will receive cash distributions payable in respect of that iShares ETF on April 30, 2025.

    Details regarding the “per unit” distribution amounts are as follows:

    Fund Name Fund
    Ticker    		 Cash
    Distribution
    Per Unit
    iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF CBH $0.049
    iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF CBO $0.051
    iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF CDZ $0.128
    iShares Equal Weight Banc & Lifeco ETF CEW $0.066
    iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF CLF $0.032
    iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF CLG $0.037
    iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index ETF CPD $0.058
    iShares US Dividend Growers Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) CUD $0.102
    iShares Convertible Bond Index ETF CVD $0.071
    iShares Global Monthly Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) CYH $0.078
    iShares Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETF FIE $0.040
    iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF XAGG $0.105
    iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF(1) XAGG.U $0.076
    iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XAGH $0.096
    iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF XBB $0.079
    iShares Core Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF XCB $0.069
    iShares ESG Advanced Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF XCBG $0.119
    iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF XCBU $0.122
    iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF(1) XCBU.U $0.088
    iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF XDG $0.074
    iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF(1) XDG.U $0.044
    iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XDGH $0.057
    iShares Core MSCI Canadian Quality Dividend Index ETF XDIV $0.115
    iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF XDU $0.064
    iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF(1) XDU.U $0.046
    iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XDUH $0.055
    iShares Canadian Select Dividend Index ETF XDV $0.108
    iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XEB $0.059
    iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF XEI $0.136
    iShares Core Canadian 15+ Year Federal Bond Index ETF XFLB $0.112
    iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF XFLI $0.192
    iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF(1) XFLI.U $0.138
    iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF (CAD-Hedged) XFLX $0.179
    iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financials Index ETF XFN $0.169
    iShares Floating Rate Index ETF XFR $0.052
    iShares Core Canadian Government Bond Index ETF XGB $0.050
    iShares Global Government Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XGGB $0.042
    iShares Canadian HYBrid Corporate Bond Index ETF XHB $0.074
    iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XHD $0.077
    iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF XHU $0.074
    iShares U.S. High Yield Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XHY $0.084
    iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XIG $0.075
    iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XIGS $0.106
    iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF XLB $0.062
    iShares S&P/TSX North American Preferred Stock Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XPF $0.065
    iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF XQB $0.053
    iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index ETF XRE $0.062
    iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF XSAB $0.048
    iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF XSB $0.072
    iShares Conservative Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETF XSC $0.056
    iShares Conservative Strategic Fixed Income ETF XSE $0.052
    iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate Bond Index ETF XSH $0.060
    iShares ESG Advanced 1-5 Year Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF XSHG $0.120
    iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF XSHU $0.137
    iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF(1) XSHU.U $0.099
    iShares Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETF XSI $0.061
    iShares ESG Aware Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF XSTB $0.048
    iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XSTH $0.271
    iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF XSTP $0.299
    iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF(1) XSTP.U $0.215
    iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XTLH $0.113
    iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF XTLT $0.131
    iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF(1) XTLT.U $0.102
    iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETF XTR $0.040
    iShares S&P/TSX Capped Utilities Index ETF XUT $0.110


    (1    ) Distribution per unit amounts are in U.S. dollars for XAGG.U, XCBU.U, XDG.U, XDU.U, XFLI.U, XSHU.U, XSTP.U, XTLT.U

    Estimated April Cash Distributions for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF

    The April cash distributions per unit for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF are estimated to be as follows:

    Fund Name Fund Ticker Estimated
    Cash
    Distribution
    Per Unit
    iShares Premium Money Market ETF CMR $0.121

    BlackRock Canada expects to issue a press release on or about April 24, 2025, which will provide the final amounts for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF.

    Further information on the iShares Funds can be found at http://www.blackrock.com/ca.

    About BlackRock

    BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate | Twitter: @BlackRockCA

    About iShares ETFs

    iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1500+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$4.3 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

    iShares® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.

    Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”). Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). TSX is a registered trademark of TSX Inc. (“TSX”). All of the foregoing trademarks have been licensed to S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and sublicensed for certain purposes to BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), which in turn has sub-licensed these marks to its affiliate, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), on behalf of the applicable fund(s). The index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, and has been licensed for use by BFA and by extension, BlackRock Canada and the applicable fund(s). The funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, any of their respective affiliates (collectively known as “S&P Dow Jones Indices”) or TSX, or any of their respective affiliates. Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices nor TSX make any representations regarding the advisability of investing in such funds.

    MSCI is a trademark of MSCI, Inc. (“MSCI”). The ETF is permitted to use the MSCI mark pursuant to a license agreement between MSCI and BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., relating to, among other things, the license granted to BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. to use the Index. BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. has sublicensed the use of this trademark to BlackRock. The ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI and MSCI makes no representation, condition or warranty regarding the advisability of investing in the ETF.

    Contact for Media:
    Sydney Punchard
    Email: Sydney.Punchard@blackrock.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fonterra – Update on the Consumer divestment

    Source: Fonterra

    Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has today provided an update in relation to the divestment process for its global Consumer business and integrated businesses Fonterra Oceania and Sri Lanka.  

    Fonterra is actively undertaking a dual-track process, pursuing both a trade sale and initial public offering (IPO) as potential divestment options.

    As part of preparing for a potential IPO, the Co-op has today named Anne Templeman-Jones as Chair-elect of the Audit and Risk Committee for the Mainland Group Board.

    Fonterra Chair Peter McBride says Anne’s extensive experience in both executive and Board roles across a range of sectors will be valuable to the Mainland Group Board.  

    “Anne’s career spans the banking and financial services, consumer goods and energy sectors. She has spent 25 years as a banking executive in global roles, and her governance roles include nine years with the CBA Group, including six as Chair of the Group Audit Committee, two years as Chair of Blackmores Group, and seven years on the Board of Worley Limited, including five years as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee,” says Mr McBride.  

    This appointment follows the Co-op’s announcement in March that Elizabeth (Liz) Coutts ONZM has been appointed as Chair-elect for the Mainland Group Board.  

    Fonterra also continues to progress the trade sale process, including engaging with potential purchasers of the Consumer and associated business.  

    The Co-op advises that it is now at the stage where some potential purchasers may pre-emptively seek regulatory approvals, which is a standard step ahead of any deal being agreed.

    About Fonterra  

    Fonterra is a co-operative owned and supplied by thousands of farming families across Aotearoa New Zealand. Through the spirit of co-operation and a can-do attitude, Fonterra’s farmers and employees share the goodness of our milk through innovative consumer, foodservice and ingredients brands. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re committed to leaving things in a better way than we found them. We are passionate about supporting our communities by Doing Good Together. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A drama about Vladimir Mayakovsky will be filmed at the Moskino cinema park

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    IN cinema park “Moskino” decorations will appear that replicate the architecture of Moscow at the beginning of the 20th century. They will be needed for filming a drama about the life of Vladimir Mayakovsky.

    A team of specialists headed by the chief artist of the cinema park, Sergei Fevralev, worked on the creation of the scenery for Moscow during the times of constructivism. He has dozens of sites to his credit, including those beloved by filmmakers and visitors to the cinema park, Moscow of the 1940s, Center of Moscow, Cowboy Town, Deaf Village, and others.

    The author’s main task was to embody the ambitions of the artists of the 1910s–1930s — the founders of constructivism. Massive, clear and unusual forms of buildings became a vivid embodiment of the political and creative ideas of that time. For the realism of filming, real rails will be installed on the location, along which a tram from the early 20th century will run.

    “The impetus for the emergence of constructivism was the rapid scientific and technological progress in the second half of the 19th century. The agrarian and rural world was replaced by industrial cities. People moved there en masse from villages, gender relations and family structure changed, the role of religious traditions faded, and faith in the power of technology grew stronger. Large-scale changes in society gave birth to a whole generation of radical artists and then architects who became the founders of constructivism. Our task was to embody these changes in the external appearance of the buildings of the new natural site and convey the dramaturgy through the scenery,” said Sergei Fevralev.

    Filming of the biographical series about Vladimir Mayakovsky will begin in the summer of 2025. The plot will tell about the difficult relationship between the poet and the mysterious woman, whom he loved all his life. The production will be handled by the film company that created the film “One Hundred Years Ago”, the series “Fisher” and “Prestige”. The director of the project will be Ovez Narliev.

    The Moskino cinema park is part of Sergei Sobyanin’s “Moscow – City of Cinema” project and an object of the Moscow cinema cluster, which is being developed by the capital Department of Culture. 24 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities have already been set up here, including the sets “Center of Moscow”, “Moscow in the 1940s”, “Vitebsk Station”, “Yurovo Airport”, “Cathedral Square of Moscow”, “Deaf Village”, “County Town”, “Cowboy Town”, “St. Petersburg Bar” and other sites.

    The Moscow Film Cluster is an infrastructure facility, services and facilities for filmmakers, which are being developed by the Moscow Government as part of the Moscow — City of Cinema project. Its structure includes the Moskino Film Park, the Maxim Gorky Film Studio (sites on Sergei Eisenstein Street and Valdaisky Proyezd), the Moskino Film Commission, as well as a film factory, a network of cinemas and the Moskino film platform.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152630073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: BTCC Exchange Powers Bitcoin Donations at Red Eagle Foundation’s Legends Golf Day Charity Event

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VILNIUS, Lithuania, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BTCC, one of the world’s longest-serving cryptocurrency exchanges, announces an exciting development for the upcoming Red Eagle Foundation’s Legends Golf Day, where Bitcoin donations will be accepted for the first time in the foundation’s history. This crypto fundraising event will take place at The Shire London on April 24, 2025, creating a new avenue for cryptocurrency holders to support children in need across the UK.

    The prestigious event will feature Tottenham Hotspur legend and former England manager Glenn Hoddle and other sports icons, including professional golfer Lucy Robson and Manchester United legend Teddy Sheringham. Participants will enjoy a fantastic day of golf competition, entertainment with comedian Jed Stone, a live auction, and an exclusive Q&A session with Glenn Hoddle hosted by sports television pundit Scott Minto.

    Attendees will be able to make Bitcoin donations via a QR code displayed throughout the event. All proceeds will directly benefit disabled, disadvantaged, and terminally ill children across the UK through the Red Eagle Foundation’s charity programs.

    “As leaders in crypto, it’s our responsibility to unlock new ways for communities to give. Bitcoin donations are just the beginning,” said Aaryn Ling, Head of Branding at BTCC Exchange. “We believe in using Bitcoin not just as a financial tool, but as a force for good. That’s why we’re powering Bitcoin donations to charities worldwide.”

    BTCC, established in 2011, is one of the world’s most established crypto exchanges, known for its security, reliability, and user-focused digital asset services. Beyond its business operations, the exchange actively participates in charitable initiatives to bring positive impacts to communities and society.

    The Legends Golf Day builds on the success of previous collaborations between BTCC and the Red Eagle Foundation, including events featuring football legends Frank Lampard and Matt Le Tissier. The addition of Bitcoin donations aims to modernize fundraising approaches and engage the cryptocurrency community in supporting worthy causes.

    About BTCC Exchange

    Founded in 2011, BTCC is a leading cryptocurrency exchange committed to making crypto trading reliable and accessible. With a decade-long track record, BTCC offers a secure platform for crypto trading with its community-driven campaigns.

    Official website: https://www.btcc.com/en-US

    X: https://x.com/BTCCexchange

    Media Contact: press@btcc.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e55e89d5-e6bb-4781-b622-db351e37b425

    The MIL Network –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 128-2025: Proposed changes to testing requirements for tomato and capsicum seed for sowing

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    17 April 2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    This notice is relevant to importers of tomato and capsicum seed for sowing from all countries, as well as their custom brokers.

    What is changing?

    The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry have commenced a review of Australia’s policies for testing tomato and capsicum seed, initially focusing on Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) and Tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV).

    In the first phase of this…

    MIL OSI News –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why can’t I keep still after intense exercise?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ken Nosaka, Professor of Exercise and Sports Science, Edith Cowan University

    Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock

    Do you ever feel like you can’t stop moving after you’ve pushed yourself exercising? Maybe you find yourself walking around in circles when you come off the pitch, or squatting and standing and squatting again when you finish a run.

    Sometimes the body knows what’s best for us, even if we’re not aware of the science.

    Moving around after intense exercise actually helps the body recover faster. Here’s how it works – plus a tip for if you feel exactly the opposite (and just want to lie down).

    What is ‘intense’ exercise?

    There are different ways to measure exercise intensity. One is simply how hard it feels to you, known as the “rating of perceived exertion”.

    This takes into account how fast you’re breathing, how much you’re sweating and how tired your muscles are. It also considers heart rate.

    The average resting heart rate when you’re not exerting yourself is around 60–80 beats per minute, although this can vary between people.

    The maximum healthy heart rate is based on subtracting your age from 220. So, if you’re 20 years old, that’s 200 beats per minute when you’re exercising as hard as you can.

    This decreases as you age. If you’re 50 years old, your maximum heart rate would be around 170 beats per minute.

    An increased heart rate helps pump blood faster to deliver fuel and oxygen to the muscles that are working hard. Once you stop exercising your body will begin its recovery, to return to resting levels.

    Let’s look at how continuing to move after intense exercise helps do this.

    Removing waste from the muscles

    Whenever the body converts fuel into energy it also produces leftover substances, known as metabolic byproducts. This includes lactate (sometimes called lactic acid).

    During intense exercise we need to burn more fuel (oxygen and glucose) and this can make the body produce lactate much more quickly than it can clear it. When lactate accumulates in the muscles it may delay their recovery.

    We can reuse lactate to provide energy to the heart and brain and modulate the immune system. But to do this, lactate must be cleared from the muscles into the bloodstream.

    After intense exercise, continuing to move your body – but less intensely – can help do this. This kind of active recovery has been shown to be more efficient than passive recovery (meaning you don’t move).

    Intense exercise can mean your muscles produce more metabolic byproducts.
    Tom Wang/Shutterstock

    Returning blood to the heart

    Intense exercise also makes our heart pump more blood into the body. The volume pumped to the muscles increases dramatically, while blood flow to other tissues – especially the abdominal organs such as the kidneys – is reduced.

    Moving after intense exercise can help redistribute the blood flow and speed up recovery of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. This will also clear metabolic byproducts faster.

    After a long run, for example, there will be much more blood in your leg muscles. If you stand still for a long time, you may feel dizzy or faint, thanks to lowered blood pressure and less blood flow to the brain.

    Moving your legs, whether through stretching or walking, will help pump blood back to the heart.

    In fact around 90% of the blood returning from the legs via veins relies on the foot, calf and thigh muscles moving and pumping. The calf muscle plays the largest role (about 65%). Moving your heels up and down after exercising can help activate this motion.

    What if you don’t feel like moving?

    Maybe after exercise you just want to sit down in a heap. Should you?

    If you’re too tired to do light movement such as stretching or walking, you may still benefit from elevating your legs.

    You can lie down – research has shown blood from the veins returns more easily to the heart after exercise when you’re lying down, compared to sitting up, even if you’re still. Elevating your legs has an added benefit, as it reverses the effect of gravity and helps circulation.

    Ken Nosaka 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. Why can’t I keep still after intense exercise? – https://theconversation.com/why-cant-i-keep-still-after-intense-exercise-247555

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: How MES helps students learn about the history and culture of the capital

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The textbook “My Moscow, I’m proud of you!” “Moscow Electronic School”(MESh) was used almost 125 thousand times. Cartoons, audio books, a dictionary, projects and interactive tasks are available to first-graders, their parents and teachers. They introduce the historical and cultural heritage of Moscow, its present and future.

    “Introducing children to the history and culture of their home city is an important part of the educational process. For this purpose, the educational project “My Moscow, I am proud of you!” was launched in 2023. Thanks to it, children can study the architecture, monuments, museums and other iconic objects of the capital in a playful way,” the press service of the capital said.

    Department of Education and Science.

    The chapters of the manual can be either read or listened to in audio format. An educational cartoon is available for each topic. In the “Tasks” section, children can consolidate their acquired knowledge by solving game tests with automatic verification, and in the “Dictionary” section, they can learn the meanings of new words and view a collection of illustrations.

    In the “Projects” section, you can learn how to create models using various techniques. Using step-by-step instructions, children cut out, glue and paint parts, assemble structures, and then combine them into a large three-dimensional model of the Kremlin, modern Moscow, or others. Printed patterns, cardboard, colored paper, yarn, colored pencils, markers, glue, and other materials are used for work.

    For the “Flowers of Victory” competition, which took place last year, the children created models of Moscow in different historical periods – from the times of Yuri Dolgoruky to the present day. The capital’s first-graders presented more than 300 projects. Based on the results of the selection, an exhibition was organized in the Victory Museum, where the authors of the best works were awarded.

    “Thanks to the educational manual “My Moscow, I am proud of you!” the children are beginning to take an interest in the history of the city. It is great that everything is so visual. The children see what is being discussed, are surprised and ask questions,” said Svetlana Lysaya, a primary school teacher at School No. 338 named after Hero of the Soviet Union A.F. Avdeev.

    The textbook “My Moscow, I’m proud of you!” is available in the MES library. You can find out how to use it in the instructions.

    “Moscow Electronic School” — a joint project of the capital’s Departments of Education And information technology. It was created in 2016. The unified digital educational platform is available to Moscow teachers, students and their parents. Among the main services of “MESh” are a library of educational materials, an electronic diary and journal, “Moskvenok”, “Student Portfolio” and “Olympiads”.

    Providing Moscow schoolchildren with modern digital services increases the efficiency of the educational process, helps young Muscovites plan their time wisely and is in line with the objectives of the “All the Best for Children” national project “Youth and Children”.

    MES now offers computer science assignments with automatic checkingEasy knowledge: schoolchildren have access to more than 40 digital textbooks in “MESh”

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152701073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Wyden Call for Criminal Investigation into Evidence of Fraud by Promoters Affiliated with IRS Nominee Billy Long

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Former Congressman Billy Long, Trump Nominee for IRS Commissioner, Partnered with Promoters of Fraudulent “Tribal Tax Credits,” Other Tax Scams
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) called for a criminal investigation into promoters involved in a tax evasion scheme selling investors fraudulent “tribal tax credits,” including firms that had close financial ties with former Congressman Billy Long, the Trump nominee for IRS Commissioner. 
    “As you are aware, the IRS recently confirmed to Senate Finance Committee investigators that these ‘tribal tax credits’ do not exist and that promoters of these credits could face civil and criminal penalties,” the Senators wrote. “It appears that White River Energy Corporation, like other promoters involved in this scheme, used the identity and image of Native American tribes without their knowledge to dupe investors into spending millions to purchase fake tax credits. Given IRS Commissioner nominee Billy Long’s direct financial ties to White River and other entities implicated in this scheme, we are concerned that if confirmed Long could undermine enforcement actions related to this fraudulent scheme.”
    In response to an inquiry by Democratic Finance Committee staff seeking to better understand the legal mechanisms under which White River and other promoters were able to buy and sell these tribal tax credits, the IRS said the following: 
    “We can confirm that these tax credits do not exist. Taxpayers who claim credits that don’t exist are subject to penalties and possible examination. Furthermore, promoters of these credits may be subject to civil or criminal penalties. The IRS reminds all taxpayers to be aware of tax scams and encourages taxpayers consult with a reputable tax advisor.”
    “Promoters engaged in fraudulent ‘tribal tax credits’ schemes must face criminal consequences,” the Senators continue. “The IRS must promptly investigate this matter to send the message that no one is above the law, regardless of whether they have powerful friends in high places.”
    Read the full letter here.
    Senator Cortez Masto has pushed multiple Departments under the Trump Administration for detailed, public information regarding the impacts of President Trump and Elon Musk’s chaotic actions on Nevada – including at the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, and General Services Administration. The Senator has also been a vocal opponent of many of Trump’s dangerous nominations to lead federal agencies.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s ratification of Agreement on Port State Measures significant step in fighting illegal fishing

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

    China’s ratification of Agreement on Port State Measures significant step in fighting illegal fishing

    BEIJING, April 16 — China’s ratification of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Agreement on Port State Measures marks a significant step forward in the country’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal fishing and protect marine fishery resources, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Wednesday.

    “Joining the agreement means China will assume greater international responsibilities in fisheries management,” Liu Xinzhong, an official with the ministry, told a press conference.

    The ratification of the agreement, the first binding international agreement to specifically target illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, takes effect on Wednesday.

    Liu noted that joining the agreement enables China to deepen its involvement in global fisheries governance, strengthen efforts to combat illegal fishing, protect marine fishery resources, and elevate port management standards.

    This move will help advance the modernization of the fisheries industry, and boost high-level opening-up, Liu added.

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Hossack Wetland restoration for treasured Kakī

    Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

    Just 169 of these wild adult birds remained and they could only be found in New Zealand. Kakī are regarded by Māori as a taonga species – a living treasure.

    However, invasive weeds and pest willow spreading through the wetland has been threatening the environment.

    Farm owners, Diane and Martin Cochrane, and their nephew Simon Bloomberg had always intended on restoring the wetland to its former glory but put it off as it was an expensive undertaking.

    With $10,000 of Action Plan funding allocated by the Lower Waitaki South Coastal Water Zone Committee, they were able to begin work earlier this year.

    Kakī started visiting the farm five years ago. Photo provided by Jess Cochrane

    Getting rid of invasive species

    The first stage of the project was preparing the boundry which involved getting rid of all the invasive tree species, such as willows, that spread easily. Then, it was a matter of spraying the sides and refencing to allow for future expansion of the wetland. In Spring, they will start planting native vegetation.

    After planting, predator trapping will also be an important stage of the project. Growing native vegetation would attract more birds and insects which will lead to more predators trying to kill those birds.

    Martin Cochrane said the biggest challenge would be the maintenance involved in growing the native plants as they could be quite vulnerable for those first three to five years.

    “It will be a family project, anything we can do to improve the environment, and to make it a better home for wading birds is worth it,” Martin Cochrane said.

    However, improving the biodiversity for birdlife is just one benefit to restoring the wetland.

    Improving water quality and biodiversity

    Diane’s family, the Elliots, had farmed the property since the 1899 Waikākahi farm ballot and bought the neighbouring Hossack Wetland in the early 2000s.

    Martin Cochrane said there had been a lot of wetland loss, particularly in Canterbury, and they were pleased it hadn’t been developed into farmland.

    “The fact that this wetland is still here, providing a natural filter for water going into the Waihao River, is definitely worth protecting,” Martin Cochrane said.

    Restoring the wetland meant improving habitat for native fauna, slowing water down during a flood and forming part of a biodiversity corridor along the Waihao River.

    The family also hoped the project would encourage other landowners to show interest in how they could contribute to improving water quality and biodiversity.

    They planned to protect the wetland with a QEII covenant to ensure its survival for future generations. Incorporating public access to the wetland would also be part of the restoration project.

    Vital role of wetlands

    Acting as a natural ‘filter’ for water, wetlands play an important role in water quality, absorbing nutrients and trapping sediment that would otherwise make its way into our freshwater.

    By slowing the water flow from land and releasing it slowly in dry periods, they also play a vital role during periods of high or low rainfall.

    While historically many of the country’s natural wetlands have been drained, some have simply been concealed by weeds, unable to realise their environmental potential.

    Funding for projects

    This project is supported through the Lower Waitaki South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee’s Action Plan budget allocation for 2024.

    Each of the region’s water zone committees has an action plan which outlines how they will work with the community to help improve the environment and meet Canterbury Water Management Strategy objectives.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: We’ve moved to 1 Bowen St!

    Source: Leadership Development Centre

    On Thursday 17 April, as part of Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission we moved to 1 Bowen St.

    Emails have been sent to leaders enrolled in our programmes who will continue their learning in the newly renovated learning spaces.

    With collaboration at the heart of the design at Te Iho |  Bowen House, remember to check the address next time you visit LDC!  

    Pictured left: Entrance via Lambton Quay
    Pictured right: Reception area of Te Iho 

    BACK to homepage

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to Louisiana Businesses, Nonprofits and Residents Affected by March Storms

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to Louisiana businesses, nonprofits and residents who sustained physical damages and economic losses from severe storms and flooding which occurred March 29–April 2. The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request received from Gov. Jeff Landry on April 15.

    The disaster declaration covers the Louisiana parishes of Acadia, Evangeline, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, St. Landry and Vermilion.

    Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

    Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.

    “When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers play a vital role in helping small businesses and their communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “At these centers, SBA specialists assist business owners and residents with disaster loan applications and provide information on the full range of recovery programs available.”

    SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofit (PNP)organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

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

    Beginning Thursday, April 17, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) in Acadia Parish to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application.

    At the DLOC, individuals can connect directly with SBA specialists to apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to rebuild and move forward in their recovery journey. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov.

    The DLOC’s hours of operations are listed below.

    ACADIA PARISH
    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    City of Rayne – The Green Room
    318 Gossen Memorial Dr.
    Rayne, LA  70578

    Opens at 12 p.m. Thursday, April 17

    Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.75% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to 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.

    The deadline to return physical damage applications is June 16. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Jan. 16, 2026.

    ###

    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 –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study of nitrogen fertilised grassland and pollen allergies

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    April 16, 2025

    A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health looks at the impact of nitrogen fertiliser on pollen allergies.

    Dr Roy Neilson, Soil Ecologist, The James Hutton Institute, said:

    “Daelemans et al. take a novel approach of pollen assessment in considering the impact of nitrogen fertiliser application on pollen burden. Using a paired design at 25 grassland sites within a region of Belgium, and based on two sampling periods during May, the authors report that nitrogen-enriched grasslands had a 6·2-fold increase in pollen compared with their unfertilised paired grassland.

    “The results of the study arguably support the importance of species-specific grass pollen monitoring given that a subset of grass species may have disproportionate influence on respiratory health responses during peak grass pollen concentrations1. However, it is unclear how nitrogen driven increase in pollen will contribute to the predicted increase in pollen season severity by up to 60% due to a changing climate2.

    “Peaks in abundance of pollen occur at different times during the summer across the UK3 thus, it is unclear whether sampling in a single month as the study of Daelemans et al. would have the same outcome across the entire pollen season. Moreover, unlike tree pollen, a recent study reported that grass (Poaceae) pollen seasons are neither becoming more severe nor longer in the UK4.

    “Adoption of Regenerative Agricultural principles5 such as reducing synthetic inputs (e.g., inorganic nitrogen-based fertiliser) has potential to contribute to the mitigation of the outcomes reported by Daelemans et al.”

    References:

    1 Rowney, et al. (2021). Environmental DNA analysis reveals links between abundance and composition of airborne grass pollen and respiratory health. Current Biology, 31, 1-9.

    2 Kurganskiy, et al. (2021). Predicting the severity of the grass pollen season and the effect of climate change in Northwest Europe. Science Advances, 7, eabd7658.

    3 Brennan, et al. (2019). Grass allergy season defined by spatio-temporal shifts in airborne pollen biodiversity. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 3, 750-754.

    4 Adams-Groom, B., Selby, K., Derrett, S., Frisk, C.A., Pashley, C.H., Satchwell, J., King, D., McKenzie, G., and Neilson, R. (2022). Pollen season trends as markers of climate change impact: Betula, Quercus and Poaceae. Science of the Total Environment, 831, 154882.

    5 British Ecological Society (2025). Regenerative Agriculture in the UK: An Ecological Perspective. London, UK.

    Dr Roberto Picetti, Assistant Professor, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) said:

    “This study highlights the impact of nitrogen pollution on allergies, which is an under-recognised pathway affecting human health.

    “These findings are relevant to the UK, where nitrogen pollution remains a concern both in agricultural areas and in cities, and is already linked to other environmental and health problems, including respiratory illness, biodiversity loss, and air and water quality degradation.

    “It builds on well-established research which continues to find a link between high levels of nitrogen and changes in plant communities and pollen abundance, and to increased immune responses in individuals who are allergic to grass pollen.

    “This is a high-quality study that adds valuable evidence to an important and emerging area of public health. The conclusions are well grounded in the data, do not overstate the implications, and make a compelling case for further research and policy attention. Although observational studies are not able to account for every possible variable, this research uses a range of scientific approaches, such as ecology, molecular analysis and immunological testing, to strengthen its conclusions.

    “This study is a valuable step towards understanding and addressing the growing problem of pollen allergies and supports the case for more comprehensive environmental policies that consider both the health and ecological impacts of nitrogen pollution.

    “By reducing nitrogen pollution, we could help protect biodiversity and lessen the severity of pollen allergies.”

    (from our friends at SMC Spain) Dr José Gómez Rial, Head of the Immunology Department at the Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Servicio Gallego de Salud (SERGAS) (Spain), said:

    “The study shows that nitrogen-enriched meadows produce up to six times more pollen than their unfertilised equivalents, and that this pollen has a greater capacity to activate immune cells in allergy sufferers, with a 5.1-fold increase in sensitivity in basophil activation tests and a 1.3-fold increase in specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Although the exact mechanism is not detailed in the article, it is plausible that excess nitrogen modifies the biochemical composition of pollen, increasing the quantity or proportion of allergenic proteins synthesised by the plant, which would enhance its capacity to activate the immune system.

    “These findings have important implications for both ecology and health. On the one hand, they reveal that nitrogen pollution not only affects plant biodiversity but can also directly aggravate highly prevalent allergic diseases such as rhinitis or seasonal asthma. On the other hand, they emphasise the need to integrate public health into environmental policies: reducing nitrogen emissions and limiting the use of fertilisers would not only contribute to preserving ecosystems but could also reduce the burden of disease associated with respiratory allergies. The concept of One Health applies not only to human and animal health, but also to plant health and the environment”.

    (from our friends at SMC Spain) Prof África González-Fernández, Researcher at CINBIO, Professor of Immunology at the University of Vigo (Spain), said:

    “The experiment is well-reasoned, but they analyse few cases (25 people in rich areas and 25 in areas not enriched with fertilisers). It has not been done in other areas, and the in vitro trials were carried out with 20 subjects. There is a lack of healthy controls.

    “There are studies from years ago on the increase in allergy and nitrogen fertilisers, as well as on NO2 levels and allergy. There is a lot of literature on the subject. Other studies have been carried out measuring IgE levels and they have included a basophil release test, which is currently used routinely in immunology laboratories in hospitals. They conclude that allergic patients recognise more proteins in the pollen of fertilised plants (enriched in nitrogen) than in those that are not fertilised, with more production of specific IgE and more release of mediators by basophils when exposed to fertilised pollen.

    “The same authors wrote a review in 2023: Impact of environmental nitrogen pollution on pollen allergy: A scoping review. In Table 4 they describe the mechanisms by which NO2 would affect pollen and the allergic response.

    “I see several limitations:

    1. The low number of allergic patients.
    2. They do not include control cases.
    3. At high pollen concentrations, there are no in vitro differences in the basophil release study. They do not correlate these data with the actual pollen count that could be in the environment.
    4. They have only taken into account serum levels of IgE antibodies against pollen, basophil release and immunoblot studies [a technique for the identification of proteins]. They have not studied cellular responses (T lymphocytes, NK cells) which they do carry out in other studies. As an example of immunological studies, a study was also carried out in Madrid years ago on the ability of pollen to activate lymphocytes and NK cells, and it has been seen (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1398-9995.2007.01438.x) that pollen-allergic asthmatic patients, when they live in more polluted areas, present more and more severe symptoms.
    5. There is already previous data on pollen: Cuinica et al. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24361564/), Zhao et al. (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pce.12601), Chassard et al.(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25463703/) ”

    ‘The impact of ecosystem nitrogen enrichment on pollen allergy: a cross-sectional paired comparison study’ by Robin Daelemans et al. was published in The Lancet Planetary Health at 23:30 UK time on Wednesday 16th April 2025. 

    Declared interests

    Dr Roberto Picetti: No conflicts of interest to declare.

    For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Mexico Man Pleads Guilty To Selling Firearms Without A Federal Firearms License

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LAS VEGAS – A Santa Fe, New Mexico, resident pleaded guilty today to repeatedly purchasing a large quantity of firearms, then reselling those firearms to buyers in the United States and Mexico for profit.

    According to court documents and admissions made in court, from December 2020 through January 17, 2023, Celso Daniel Ruiz purchased at least 145 of the same or similar-type firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada. Shortly after purchasing many of the firearms, he crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. Eighteen firearms purchased by Ruiz were subsequently registered by individuals through various parts of Mexico. Furthermore, Ruiz knew that many of the firearms he purchased would be transferred outside of the United States. He did not have a license as a firearms dealer to sell or export firearms.

    Ruiz pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license.

    United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware II scheduled sentencing for August 20, 2025. At sentencing, Ruiz faces the maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and three years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Cicolani for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.

    This case was investigated by the ATF. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig is prosecuting the case.

    Anyone with information about the unlawful purchase of firearms can call ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously at www.reportit.com/.

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    MIL Security OSI –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Announces FEMA to Participate in Joint Damage Assessments for Damage to Roads, Bridges and Public Infrastructure in 25 Counties

    Source: US State of Missouri

    APRIL 16, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) of public infrastructure in 25 counties following the deadly severe storms and flooding that began March 30 and that continues to affect much of the state.

    “Our state and local public works crews have been doing an incredible job reopening roads and making initial repairs to bridges, low water crossings and other infrastructure, but it is clear that the extent of the damage across the state will require federal disaster assistance,” Governor Kehoe said. “Our State Emergency Management Agency, local and FEMA teams began assessing damage to homes and private property yesterday and will be working through the week. Next week, we will begin joint PDAs to document and tally the damage to public infrastructure and validate what we believe is a clear need for federal Public Assistance.”

    Joint PDAs are being requested for the following counties Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Cooper, Douglas, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, Maries, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Texas, Vernon, Wayne, and Webster counties. Additional counties may be added as damage information is received from local officials.

    Joint PDA teams are made up of representatives from FEMA, SEMA, and local emergency management officials. Beginning Tuesday, April 22, six teams will verify documented damage to determine if Public Assistance can be requested through FEMA. Public Assistance allows local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies to seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement of damaged roads, bridges and other public infrastructure.

    These PDAs will be in addition to those that began yesterday for Individual Assistance, which allows eligible residents to seek federal assistance for temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles and other qualifying expenses.

    To assist Missouri farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, Governor Kehoe sent a letter last week to United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins requesting the assistance of the Missouri Farm Service Agency in conducting agricultural damage assessments.

    Earlier this week, Governor Kehoe also signed Executive Order 25-22, extending Executive Orders 25-19, 25-20, and 25-21 until May 14, 2025,  allowing resources of the State of Missouri to continue assisting affected communities.

    SEMA is coordinating with local officials, other state agencies, and volunteer and faith-based partners as clean-up and recovery efforts continue across the state. If you have damage, contact your insurance company and file a claim as soon as possible.

    Individuals interested in helping those in need are encouraged to direct donations to trusted disaster relief organizations such as those found at National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. Financial contributions are the fastest and most flexible method of donating as it allows these organizations to quickly address urgent or emerging needs. If you wish to donate supplies, first check to see what items have been identified as high need and where.

    Missourians with unmet needs are encouraged to contact United Way by dialing 2-1-1 or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, including general clean-up information, housing assistance, and mental health services, visit recovery.mo.gov.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (FMCB) Reports Increase in First Quarter 2025 Earnings Over Prior Year

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights

    • Net income of $23.0 million, or basic earnings per share of $32.88 and diluted earnings per share of $32.86; diluted earnings per share up 9.9% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 and up 7.6% compared to the first quarter of 2024;
    • Basic earnings per share of $123.34 over the trailing twelve months versus $116.37 over the same trailing period a year ago and $105.65 for the same period two years ago;
    • Tangible book value per share increased 13.49% to $843.33 compared to $743.08 as of March 31, 2024;
    • Achieved return on average assets of 1.70% and return on average equity of 15.65%;
    • Net interest income of $53.1 million up $0.95 million compared to in the fourth quarter of 2024; net interest margin (tax equivalent basis) of 4.20%, up from 4.09% in the fourth quarter of 2024;
    • Strong liquidity position continues with $607.3 million in cash, $1.3 billion in investment securities of which $495.4 million are available-for-sale and a borrowing capacity of $2.1 billion as of March 31, 2025;
    • Continue to grow our solid capital position with a total risk-based capital ratio of 15.23%, common equity tier 1 ratio of 13.75%, tier 1 leverage ratio of 11.32% and a tangible common equity ratio of 10.40%;
    • Credit quality remains strong with a total allowance for credit losses of 2.17%; net charge-offs for the quarter of $160,000 and non-accrual loans or leases at quarter-end of $193,000.

    LODI, Calif., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (OTCQX: FMCB) (the “Company” or “FMCB”), the parent company of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California (the “Bank” or “F&M Bank”), reported net income of $23.0 million, or $32.86 per diluted common share for the first quarter of 2025 compared with $22.7 million, or $30.56 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2024 and $21.8 million, or $29.89 per diluted common share for the fourth quarter of 2024. Annualized return on average assets was 1.70% and return on average equity was 15.65% for the first quarter of 2025 compared with 1.71% and 16.33% for the first quarter of 2024 and 1.62% and 15.30% for the fourth quarter of 2024. The expense efficiency ratio for first quarter was 43.86% down from 44.94% for the first quarter of 2024 and 46.57% for the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Net income over the trailing twelve months was $88.7 million compared with $87.5 million for the same trailing period a year earlier. Diluted earnings per share over the trailing twelve months totaled $123.32, up 5.97% compared with $116.37 for the same trailing period a year ago and $105.65 for the same period two years ago. Basic earnings per share over the trailing twelve months totaled $123.34, up 5.99% compared with $116.37 for the same trailing period a year ago and $105.65 for the same period two years ago.

    CEO Commentary

    Kent Steinwert, Farmers & Merchants Bancorp’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are very pleased with the Company’s financial performance in the first quarter of 2025 highlighted by net income of $23.0 million and a return on average assets of 1.70% and return on average equity of 15.65%. After seven consecutive years of record-setting annual earnings, we begin 2025 with another high-performing first quarter. We achieved these impressive results while continuing to maintain a strong liquidity position and balance sheet at quarter end with $607.3 million in cash, $1.3 billion in investment securities of which $495.4 million are available-for-sale and access to $2.1 billion in borrowing capacity. Capital levels continue to strengthen and are significantly above the regulatory thresholds for “well-capitalized” banks. Core deposits increased $28.8 million in the first quarter from December 31, 2024 as we continued our focus on growing deposits with both our longstanding established client relationships while developing new client relationships. Gross loans and leases were $3.6 billion at the end of the first quarter, down 2.56% from December 31, 2024 due in part to some seasonality in agricultural lending and due to our continued conservative approach in underwriting given the inverted yield curve which continues to not price in duration risk for loans and leases beyond three years. Credit quality remains solid and we continue to work closely with our borrowers as they work through the current economic cycle, particularly in a few agricultural products adversely impacted by negative conditions in the export market. However, the recent tariffs coupled with the weakened US dollar may improve export market opportunities for these products and may provide financial relief to affected customers. Our Company remains in excellent financial condition and is well positioned to navigate the challenges ahead as we have for the past 109 years.”

    Earnings

    Net interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 was $53.1 million compared with $51.7 million in the same quarter in 2024 and $52.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. The Company’s net interest margin increased to 4.20% in the first quarter of 2025 compared with 4.09% in the fourth quarter of 2024 as the combination of a decrease in deposit costs and pricing discipline on loans and leases, which has helped maintain loan and lease yields, has collectively resulted in an increase in the net interest margin. Tangible book value per share increased to $843.33 at March 31, 2025, up 13.49% compared with $743.08 a year ago.

    Balance Sheet

    Total assets at quarter-end were $5.7 billion up from $5.4 billion as of December 31, 2024. Total cash and cash equivalents were $607.3 million, an increase of $394.7 million from December 31, 2024. Total loans and leases outstanding were $3.6 billion, a decrease of $94.7 million or 2.57% from December 31, 2024 and a decrease of $110.9 million or 2.99% from March 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2025 our total investment securities portfolio was $1.3 billion, an increase of $21.3 million from December 31, 2024 and an increase of $208.4 million from March 31, 2024. The portfolio is comprised of $495.4 million in available-for-sale securities and $759.8 million in held-to-maturity securities. Total deposits increased $278.8 million, or 5.93% to $5.0 billion at March 31, 2025 compared to December 31, 2024 due primarily to brokered deposits of $250.0 million. Excluding brokered deposits, total deposits increased by $28.8 million or 0.61% compared to December 31, 2024 due to an increase in savings and money market accounts. Our loan to deposit ratio was 72.23% as of March 31, 2025 down from 78.53% as of December 31, 2024 due to an increase in total deposits and a modest decrease in total loans and leases.

    Credit Quality

    The Company’s credit quality remained solid with only $193,000 in non-accrual loans and leases as of March 31, 2025 and a negligible delinquency ratio of 0.01% of total loans and leases. Net charge-offs were $160,000 in the first quarter of 2025 compared to $533,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024. Net charge-offs over the trailing twelve months were $895,000 or 0.02% of average total loans and leases. The total allowance for credit losses on loans and leases and unfunded commitments was $78.1 million as of March 31, 2025 compared to $78.0 million as of December 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses on loans and leases increased by $0.1 million to $75.4 million, or 2.10% as of March 31, 2025 compared with $75.3 million or 2.04% as of December 31, 2024. A provision of $300,000 was recorded during the first quarter of 2025 compared to no provision during the first and fourth quarters of 2024.

    Capital

    The Company’s and Bank’s regulatory capital ratios continued to strengthen during the first quarter of 2025. At March 31, 2025, the Company’s preliminary total risk-based capital ratio was 15.23%, the common equity tier 1 capital ratio was 13.75% and the tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 11.32% an increase from 14.52%, 13.04% and 10.95% as of December 31, 2024, respectively. At March 31, 2025, all F&M Bank capital ratios exceeded the regulatory requirements to be classified as “well-capitalized”. At March 31, 2025, the tangible common equity ratio was 10.40%, up from 9.68% as of March 31, 2024.

    About Farmers & Merchants Bancorp

    Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, trades on the OTCQX under the symbol FMCB, and is the parent company of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California, also known as F&M Bank. Founded in 1916, F&M Bank is a locally owned and operated community bank, which proudly serves California through 33 convenient locations. F&M Bank is financially strong, with $5.7 billion in assets, and is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s safest banks by national bank rating firms. The Bank has maintained a 5-Star rating from BauerFinancial for 35 consecutive years, longer than any other commercial bank in the State of California.

    Farmers & Merchants Bancorp has paid dividends for 89 consecutive years and has increased dividends for 59 consecutive years. As a result, Farmers & Merchants Bancorp is a member of a select group of only 51 publicly traded companies referred to as “Dividend Kings,” and is ranked 14th in that group based on consecutive years of dividend increases. A “Dividend King” is a stock with 50 or more consecutive years of dividend increase.

    In August 2024, Farmers & Merchants Bancorp was named by Bank Director’s Magazine as the #2 best performing bank in the nation across all asset categories in their annual “Ranking Banking” study of the top performing banks for 2023. Last year the Bank was named by Bank Director’s Magazine as the #1 best performing bank in the nation across all asset categories in their annual “Ranking Banking” study of the top performing banks for 2022.

    In April 2024, F&M Bank was ranked 6th on Forbes Magazine’s list of “America’s Best Banks” in 2023. Forbes’ annual “America’s Best Banks” list looks at ten metrics measuring growth, credit quality, profitability, and capital for the 2023 calendar year, as well as stock performance in the 12 months through March 18, 2024.

    In December 2023, F&M Bank was ranked 4th on S&P Global Market Intelligence’s “Top 50 List of Best-Performing Community Banks” in the US with assets between $3.0 billion and $10.0 billion for 2023. S&P Global Market Intelligence ranks financial institutions based on several key factors including financial returns, growth, and balance sheet risk profile.

    In October 2021, F&M Bank was named the “Best Community Bank in California” by Newsweek magazine. Newsweek’s ranking recognizes those financial institutions that best serve their customers’ needs in each state. This recognition speaks to the superior customer service the F&M Bank team members provide to its clients.

    F&M Bank is the 16th largest bank lender to agriculture in the United States. F&M Bank operates in the mid-Central Valley of California, including Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Stanislaus, and Merced counties and the east region of the San Francisco Bay Area, including Napa, Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

    F&M Bank was inducted into the National Agriculture Science Center’s “Ag Hall of Fame” at the end of 2021 for providing resources, financial advice, guidance, and support to the agribusiness communities as well as to students in the next generation of agribusiness workforce. F&M Bank is dedicated to helping California remain the premier agricultural region in the world and will continue to work with the next generation of farmers, ranchers, and processors. F&M Bank remains committed to servicing the needs of agribusiness in California as has been the case since its founding over 109 years ago.

    F&M Bank offers a full complement of loan, deposit, equipment leasing and treasury management products to businesses, as well as a full suite of consumer banking products. The FDIC awarded F&M Bank the highest possible rating of “Outstanding” in their last Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) evaluation.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current expectations regarding the Company’s financial performance. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could” or “may.” Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding loan and deposit production levels of net interest margin, the ability to control costs and expenses, the competitive environment, financial and regulatory policies of the United States government, general economic conditions, inflation, recessions, tariffs, economic uncertainty in the United States, and changes in interest rates. Forward-looking statements in this earnings release include matters that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others: the effects of and changes in monetary and fiscal policies, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board and their effects on inflation risk; political and economic uncertainty, including any decline in global, domestic or local economic conditions or the stability of credit and financial markets; and other relevant risks detailed in the Company’s Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs, and various other securities law filings made periodically by the Company, copies of which are available from the Company’s website. All such factors are difficult to predict and are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict. There also may be additional risks that the Company does not presently know, or that the Company currently believes to be immaterial, that could also cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those contained in these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances after the date of this press release or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

    For more information about Farmers & Merchants Bancorp and F&M Bank, visit fmbonline.com.

    Investor Relations Contact
    Farmers & Merchants Bancorp
    Bart R. Olson
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

    Phone: 209-367-2485
    bolson@fmbonline.com

                     
    FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS                
            Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)       March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   March 31, 2024
    Earnings and Profitability:                
    Interest income       $ 67,138     $ 66,870     $ 66,641  
    Interest expense         13,997       14,681       14,928  
    Net interest income         53,141       52,189       51,713  
    Provision for credit losses         300       –       –  
    Noninterest income         5,021       4,578       5,075  
    Noninterest expense         25,509       26,434       25,521  
    Income before taxes         32,353       30,333       31,267  
    Income tax expense         9,344       8,487       8,544  
    Net income       $ 23,009     $ 21,846     $ 22,723  
                     
    Basic earnings per share       $ 32.88     $ 29.89     $ 30.56  
    Diluted earnings per share       $ 32.86     $ 29.89     $ 30.56  
    Return on average assets         1.70%       1.62%       1.71%  
    Return on average equity         15.65%       15.30%       16.33%  
                     
    Loan yield         6.07%       6.08%       6.09%  
    Cost of average total deposits         1.17%       1.23%       1.27%  
    Net interest margin – tax equivalent         4.20%       4.09%       4.14%  
    Effective tax rate         28.88%       27.98%       27.33%  
    Efficiency ratio         43.86%       46.57%       44.94%  
    Book value per share       $ 861.55     $ 818.91     $ 760.96  
    Tangible book value per share       $ 843.33     $ 800.52     $ 743.08  
                     
    Balance Sheet:                
    Total assets       $ 5,680,024     $ 5,370,196     $ 5,714,573  
    Cash and cash equivalents         607,254       212,563       738,397  
    of which held at Fed         515,758       141,505       672,601  
    Total investment securities         1,255,204       1,233,857       1,046,827  
    of which available-for-sale         495,433       464,414       239,856  
    of which held-to-maturity         759,771       769,443       806,971  
    Gross loans and leases         3,595,511       3,690,221       3,706,437  
    Allowance for credit losses – loans and leases         75,423       75,283       75,018  
    Total deposits         4,977,968       4,699,139       4,959,589  
    Borrowings         –       –       100,000  
    Subordinated debentures         10,310       10,310       10,310  
    Total shareholders’ equity       $ 602,306     $ 573,072     $ 565,217  
                     
    Loan-to-deposit ratio         72.23%       78.53%       74.73%  
    Percentage of checking deposits to total deposits         45.76%       51.08%       49.39%  
                     
    Capital ratios (Bancorp) (1)                
    Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets         13.75%       13.04%       12.73%  
    Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets         13.97%       13.26%       12.95%  
    Risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets         15.23%       14.52%       14.21%  
    Tier 1 leverage capital ratio         11.32%       10.95%       10.83%  
    Tangible common equity ratio (2)         10.40%       10.46%       9.68%  
                     
    (1) Capital information is preliminary for March 31, 2025                
    (2) Non-GAAP measurement                
                     
    Non-GAAP measurement reconciliation:                
    (Dollars in thousands)       March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   March 31, 2024
                     
    Shareholders’ equity       $ 602,306     $ 573,072     $ 565,217  
    Less: Intangible assets         12,740       12,870       13,282  
    Tangible common equity       $ 589,566     $ 560,202     $ 551,935  
                     
    Total assets       $ 5,680,024     $ 5,370,196     $ 5,714,573  
    Less: Intangible assets         12,740       12,870       13,282  
    Tangible assets       $ 5,667,284     $ 5,357,326     $ 5,701,291  
                     
    Tangible common equity ratio (1)         10.40%       10.46%       9.68%  
                     
    (1) Tangible common equity divided by tangible assets                
                     

    The MIL Network –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Newsweek Op-Ed: Trump Tariffs Gave America Leverage for Better Trade Deals

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    AUBURN – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) penned an op-ed in Newsweek about how President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs are already delivering results for Alabama manufacturers, businesses, workers, and producers.
    Read excerpts from the piece below or read the full piece here.
    “It’s been two weeks since President Donald Trump announced tariffs on more than 180 countries and territories that have been ripping us off for decades. A full-blown meltdown followed that day. But those of us who have been following President Trump for a long time knew better than to panic. The president is a master negotiator—and if there’s one thing he understands, it’s how to create leverage.
    That leverage is clearly working, as more than 75 countries have come crawling to the United States begging to negotiate better trade deals in exchange for the president lowering tariffs. Only Democrats and their friends in the media would find a reason to be upset about that. Sadly, I’m convinced that many Democrats and woke media would rather see America fail than watch us succeed with President Trump. It’s clear that the president is using tariffs as a bargaining chip to level the playing field with our trade partners. Trump is a skilled dealmaker, and his strategy is already delivering results for the American people.
    President Trump understands that America boasts the strongest economy in the world—and other countries would fall apart without trade deals with the United States. But President Trump also, like me, believes that America has been taken advantage of by unfair trade deals for decades.
    The truth is, the international trade system has been stacked against the United States for years. Since 1976, $20 trillion of American wealth has been transferred into foreign hands. That’s more than 60 percent of the U.S. GDP in 2024. Can you believe that? This country is getting robbed in broad daylight.
    Countries like Vietnam and India are prime examples of ‘trade partners’ who have been ripping us off. In Alabama, we have seen some of the effects firsthand. For years, Vietnamese and Indian exporters have been adulterating honey with cane, rice, and corn sweeteners before dumping it on the U.S. domestic market. Additionally, Vietnam has been dumping billions of dollars’ worth of catfish from sewage-polluted water into U.S. markets, while India is doing the same with shrimp—flooding the markets and driving down prices for our high-quality domestic products. Alabama’s honey, catfish, and shrimp producers have had a hard time competing as a result.
    With simply the threat of President Trump imposing various tariff rates, Vietnam and India are crawling to the negotiating table. The end result will hopefully give Alabama producers a fair shot to compete. Vietnam and India aren’t the only countries caving to President Trump, however. More than 75 have announced their intention to negotiate with the U.S., leading President Trump to announce a 90-day pause on most tariffs, with a 10 percent blanket duty on almost all U.S. imports. The president’s plan is unfolding just as he expected.
    China is a different beast. When President Trump levied heavy tariffs on China, he made it clear that if Beijing retaliated, the tariffs will escalate. Predictably, China didn’t back down—it imposed steep retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. But if China thinks it can intimidate President Trump, it should think again. China has a choice here—it can either renegotiate a fair trade deal, or it can pay the piper. My money is on President Trump to win in the end.”
    MORE:
    Tuberville Celebrates President Trump’s “Liberation Day” on Senate Floor
    ICYMI: Tuberville Joins Kudlow to Discuss How President Trump’s Tariffs Strategy is Working for Alabama
    Yellowhammer News: Tuberville says tariffs will help Alabama’s catfish farmers
    ICYMI: Tuberville in Yellowhammer: President Trump’s tariffs are Making America Great Again
    Tuberville Praises President Trump for Making Tariffs Great Again
    Newsmax: Sen. Tuberville: Cut Spending, Boost Manufacturing to Cut Debt
    Tuberville Speaks on Importance of Boosting U.S. Economy to Help Struggling Seniors
    1819 News: ‘A big relief’: Tuberville claims victory, says Alabama’s catfish industry safe from Biden administration proposal
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: James River Announces Appointment of Senior Vice President, Investments and Investor Relations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PEMBROKE, Bermuda, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (“James River” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: JRVR) today announced that Bob Zimardo has been appointed Senior Vice President, Investments and Investor Relations, effective April 16, 2025. He will report directly to Sarah Doran, Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

    As Senior Vice President, Investments and Investor Relations, Mr. Zimardo will be responsible for investments and investor relations activity. He brings over 20 years of experience spanning asset management, investor relations, and corporate operations across both private and public global markets. Most recently he was with International Farming, a multi-billion dollar farmland investment platform, where he served as Partner, Investor Relations and Operations. Prior to International Farming, Mr. Zimardo was the Director of Client Services at Halcyon Capital Management (now Bardin Hill Investment Partners), managing relationships across a diverse set of private market investment offerings.

    Ms. Doran commented, “We are excited that Bob has joined the James River finance team, and I personally look forward to working with him in his new role. He brings significant experience in investor relations and alternative investments and will be a key partner for all of us in working with our external stakeholders. I am confident that he will be very successful in his new role.”

    About James River Group Holdings, Ltd.

    James River Group Holdings, Ltd. is a Bermuda-based insurance holding company that owns and operates a group of specialty insurance companies. The Company operates in two specialty property-casualty insurance segments: Excess and Surplus Lines and Specialty Admitted Insurance. Each of the Company’s regulated insurance subsidiaries are rated “A-” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. Visit James River Group Holdings, Ltd. on the web at www.jrvrgroup.com.

    Zachary Shytle
    Senior Analyst, Investor Relations and Investments
    (980) 249-6848
    InvestorRelations@james-river-group.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: With the end of Flybuys NZ, what happens to the personal data of nearly 3 million Kiwis?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa M. Katerina Asher, Doctoral Candidate, Business School, University of Sydney

    JuSun/Getty Images

    After almost three decades in New Zealand, loyalty programme Flybuys announced it would be closing in 2024. The company behind the scheme, Loyalty New Zealand, has since entered liquidation, leaving the future of one of Flybuys’ key assets uncertain.

    That asset is a customer database containing sensitive personal information about millions of New Zealanders. So what happens to it matters.

    Founded in 1996, some 2.9 million New Zealanders representing 74% of the nation’s households eventually signed up to Flybuys. Members collected points at affiliated retailers which they could then redeem through the Flybuys website.

    But over the past decade, partners such as Air New Zealand, Mitre 10 and New World pulled out of the scheme to either join other loyalty programmes or start their own.

    In May last year, Loyalty New Zealand announced it was closing Flybuys New Zealand and liquidators were called in to manage the company’s end. Flybuys Australia continues to operate, jointly owned by Coles Group and Wesfarmers (which owns retailers K-mart and Bunnings).

    According to the first liquidator’s report from early April, Loyalty New Zealand is solvent. This means it is not bankrupt and can pay all debts in full.

    Once creditors are paid, the remaining funds will go to shareholders – Z Energy, BNZ, IAG and Foodstuffs Ventures (NZ), a joint subsidiary of Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs South Island.

    However, the report is silent on Flybuys’ customer database. That data likely includes years of shopping histories, behavioural profiles and potentially sensitive demographic or inferred financial information.

    When the end of Flybuys was announced, Loyalty New Zealand assured customers and retailers it would manage private data according to the New Zealand Privacy Act. But with the liquidation of the company, it is unclear what will now happen to this information.

    While no one has publicly said the information will be sold, there is no assurance it will be deleted either. And the database is arguably Loyalty New Zealand’s most valuable, albeit intangible, asset. Unless liquidators explicitly commit to deletion, the data could potentially be transferred or sold.

    Loyalty schemes such as Flybuys can gather a great deal of information on those who sign-up. That information can become a valuable – and potentially tradable – asset.
    Zamrznuti tonovi/Shutterstock

    Data ownership, privacy and sovereignty

    The risks are far from theoretical. In March this year, DNA ancestry company 23andMe filed for bankruptcy. The genetic data held by the company was put up for sale as an asset, exposing users and their relatives to substantial privacy risks.

    While privacy laws vary by country, the 23andMe case showed how personal data can make customers vulnerable. Flybuys’ data may not be genetic, but it is similarly rich, detailed and easily re-identifiable when combined with other datasets.

    If sold or reused without proper controls or oversight, it might potentially expose former members to discriminatory insurance profiling, targeted scams, manipulative political advertising and algorithmic credit scoring.

    In extreme cases, such data can be used to infer sensitive customer characteristics such as financial stress or health-related behaviours. This could lead to political profiling or surveillance captialism – the collection and commodification of personal data.

    New Zealand’s Privacy Act 2020 is designed to protect personal information. If data is reused for purposes beyond its original intent, or transferred without proper consent, it may breach the law. But the act does not clearly prohibit the sale of data during a liquidation. Nor is it clear on how the rules could be enforced.

    Australia’s Privacy Act 1988 offers even less protection. It allows companies to send personal data overseas if they take “reasonable steps” to ensure recipients follow similar privacy rules. This means Australian Flybuys’ data could be sent to countries such as the United States.

    That is especially worrying given the power of US tech giants, which routinely collect, profile and monetise data with little oversight. In the wrong hands, Flybuys’ trove of shopping habits, preferences and behavioural patterns could be repurposed to build invasive consumer profiles without people’s knowledge or control.

    Setting a global standard

    If Flybuys New Zealand’s data is treated as an asset during the liquidation process, could set a precedent and shape future regulatory standards internationally.

    We have seen this before. In November 2022, Deliveroo Australia entered voluntary administration, raising concerns about how it would handle its extensive customer data. Users were told they had six months to download their own information, but there was no clarity on whether the data would then be deleted, retained or sold.

    This lack of transparency revealed a gap in Australia’s data protection laws during liquidation. While the ultimate fate of the data remains publicly unknown, experts have suggested it was transferred to Deliveroo’s UK-based parent company.

    While Australia’s 1988 Privacy Act requires organisations to handle personal information responsibly, it does not clearly regulate the sale or transfer of data during insolvencies or liquidations. There is a legal grey area which leaves customers and consumers vulnerable, as their data could be treated as a tradable asset without their consent.

    The need for ethical stewardship

    Customer data accumulation is the product of a relationship built on trust that should end when the company and relationship does. Ethical stewardship demands deletion, not redistribution.

    This aligns with global norms such as the “right to be forgotten” under the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation.

    When a company winds down, users should be clearly informed of their options: to retrieve their data, delete it or consent to its transfer. That decision should rest with the member or customer, not be made behind closed doors for potential financial gain.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. With the end of Flybuys NZ, what happens to the personal data of nearly 3 million Kiwis? – https://theconversation.com/with-the-end-of-flybuys-nz-what-happens-to-the-personal-data-of-nearly-3-million-kiwis-254568

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 17, 2025
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