Category: Farming

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: MONSOON FORECAST AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 6:43PM by PIB Delhi

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has adopted a new strategy for issuing monthly and seasonal operational forecasts for the southwest monsoon rainfall over the country based on both the statistical forecasting system and the newly developed Multi-Model Ensemble (MME) based forecasting system. The MME approach uses the coupled global climate models (CGCMs) from different global climate prediction and research centers, including IMD’s Monsoon Mission Climate Forecasting System (MMCFS) model. The MMCFS and MME forecasts are updated every month. This was to satisfy the demands from different users and Government authorities for the forecasts of the spatial distribution of monthly and seasonal rainfall along with the regionally averaged rainfall forecasts for better regional planning of activities.

    Since introducing the Statistical Ensemble Forecasting System (SEFS) in 2007 and implementing the MME approach in 2021 for seasonal forecasting, IMD operational forecast for the monsoon rainfall has shown noticeable improvement. For example, the average absolute forecast error in the forecasting of all India’s seasonal rainfall has reduced by about 21% during the recent 18 years (2007-2024) compared to the same number of  previous years (1989-2006), which indicates a highly successful forecast in recent years compared to previous years. The anomaly correlation between the observed and forecast ISMR during 2007-2023 was 0.55 compared to -0.21 during 1989-2006. It may be noted that IMD was able to correctly forecast the twin deficient monsoon years of 2014-2015, as well as the below-normal rainfall in 2023 and above-normal rainfall in 2024. These clearly indicate improvement made in the operational forecast system in the recent 18 years period compared to the earlier 18 years period. For 2025, the MME approach will continue to be used as this method introduced in 2021 has shown good skill in forecasting both the area-averaged rainfall at various geographical regions and spatial distribution of rainfall across the country at monthly as well as seasonal scales.

    To strengthen weather and climate services for the agriculture sector, the MoES has launched the Mission Mausam, which is envisaged to be a multi-faceted and transformative initiative to boost India’s weather and climate-related science, research, and services. The Mission is launched to make Bharat a weather-ready and climate-smart nation with the aim that no weather will go undetected and early warning for all. It will help monsoon-dependent agricultural regions, citizens, and last-mile users to tackle extreme weather events and the impacts of climate change in a better way.

    Further, the Mission’s focus includes improving the observations by augmenting various observational networks throughout the country to provide highly accurate and timely weather and climate information across temporal and spatial scales, capacity building, and awareness generation. Apart from physics-based numerical models, the Ministry is developing new methods based on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies for weather, climate, and ocean forecasting systems. And the formulation of collaborative research projects with academic institutions to share knowledge and develop innovative solutions for weather forecasting and climate modeling capabilities. Local user communities such as farmers/agricultural authorities, aviation authorities, power generation & distribution agencies, industries, health agencies, etc., are constantly involved/engaged, and periodic familiarization is imparted through user meet/stakeholder meet awareness programs, etc. The feedback is taken from the communities for the improvement of all-weather & climate services. Extensive use of local languages in forecast dissemination and regularly organizing workshops and awareness programs for community outreach is being undertaken.

    By strengthening the observational network will also help to observe the changes in long-term weather patterns compared to past years to assess the changes in the climate and take measures towards climate resilience.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been using satellite technology extensively for weather monitoring and forecasting. This started with the use of photographs from Television Infrared Observation Satellites (TIROS-1) launched by the United States of America (USA) in April 1960. These photographs provided new information on cloud systems, including spiral formations associated with large storms, immediately proving their value to operational meteorologists. Over the years, IMD has embraced new developments in satellites and their applications, boosted through global coordination and support, such as geostationary satellites in 1974 and polar-orbiting satellites. With the advent of Indian National Satellites (INSAT) developed by the Space Research Organisation (ISRO) satellites in 1982, IMD has augmented satellite applications utilizing image and data products in collaboration with the ISRO. Currently, IMD is utilizing available international satellites, including European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) and INSAT-3DR/3DS, as well as polar-orbiting satellites, including Oceansat-3 and Metop-B/C. The utilization of satellite data and products has improved nowcasting and severe weather along with timely detection of large-scale systems like monsoon circulation, cyclones, western disturbances, thunderstorms, etc. Above 90% of the data in the numerical models run by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is satellite-based. The assimilation of satellite data in the models has improved the accuracy in short to medium range forecasting by about 20% to 30%. Algorithms/tools developed by IMD/ISRO and other international institutes, such as EUMETSAT, like nowcast tools, RAPID, Dvorak technique, etc., have improved decision-making and forecasting. These data and products are proven to be useful for disaster preparedness. However, there are still gaps in detecting small-scale weather events, such as cloudbursts, thunderstorms, localized heavy rainfall, squalls, hail storms, etc., due to a lack of high-resolution data, products, and satellite-based tools. Considering this, IMD and ISRO are working together for the development of the INSAT-4 series with better sensors and resolution.

    This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.   

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C.R. Paatil launches Web based Reservoir Storage Monitoring System (RSMS) Portal

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C.R. Paatil launches Web based Reservoir Storage Monitoring System (RSMS) Portal

    https://rsms.cwc.gov.in/frameWork/web/public-dashboard

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 5:45PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C.R. Patil launched Web based Reservoir Storage Monitoring System (RSMS) Portal today at New Delhi. Central Water Commission monitors Live Storage Capacity of 161 important reservoirs of country an issues weekly bulletin on every Thursday. The total live storage capacity of these reservoirs at FRL is 182.375 BCM which is about 70.74% of the total live storage capacity estimated to have been created in the country. This Bulletin is sent to PMO, Niti Aayog, MoJS, MOP, MOA&FW, IMD, Disaster Management Authorities and all concerned states as well as uploaded on CWC web site. The storage position is updated every Thursday and Advisories are issued to concerned State Governments in case of (likely) critical situation of storage.

    The present system involves manual generation of various Graphs, Charts and Tables etc. for inclusion in the bulletin. However, in the new portal all required data analysis and generating maps, tables, graphs etc. including issuing the final bulletin shall be done automatically by clicking the button(s) once the data is entered in the portal. Also, through this portal, general public can get information about the storage status of any particular reservoir or any state or country as a whole. If required, any person can also download the bulletin from the portal. Today i.e. 3.4.2025, first bulletin of Financial Year 2025-26 has been issued with the launch of Web based Reservoir Storage Monitoring System (RSMS) Portal by Union Minister of Jal Shakti.

    Live storage status of reservoirs is a very important input for the decision makers in order to priorities the requirements of water in terms of its domestic, agriculture, power, navigation and recreations uses. It indicates the level of water security in the country. It also helps respective authorities to plan various agricultural activities across the country.

    Water is a critical resource that underpins not only our daily lives but also the economic and social well-being of our communities. Agriculture is a primary source of income and livelihood for a substantial portion of India’s population, particularly in rural areas. Reservoirs are crucial for irrigation as they store water during wet periods, enabling its regulated release for agricultural use during drier seasons, ensuring a reliable water supply for crops and mitigating the impacts of water scarcity. They also provide a safeguard during the dry season and help us mitigate the impacts of extreme weather patterns, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.

     

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    Dhanya Sanal K

    Director

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: UPDATES ON THE SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE OF ISRO

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 5:11PM by PIB Delhi

    The genesis of the Centre dates back to 1966, with establishment of the Experimental Satellite Communication Earth Station (ESCES), by late Dr. Vikram A Sarabhai in Ahmedabad. In 1972, the different units of ISRO in Ahmedabad pursuing research in applications of space technology were merged to form Space Applications Centre (SAC). A unique experiment called the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) was conducted by SAC/ISRO during 1975-76. Hailed as ‘the largest techno-social experiment in the world’, SITE demonstrated the potential of satellite technology as an effective mass communication media, aimed at socio-economic development of rural India.

    Space Applications Centre (SAC), is a major and unique multi–disciplinary research and development Centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). SAC today stands high in each of its endeavour with its strong space research & development capabilities and continues to deliver world-class technologies and applications for various national, strategic, societal and technology demonstration missions of ISRO. These applications are in diverse areas and primarily meet the communication, navigation and remote sensing needs of the country. Located at Ahmedabad, SAC is spread across three campuses having multi-disciplinary activities apart from Delhi Earth Station (DES), which is located in New Delhi.

    SAC has state-of-the-art electronic and mechanical fabrication facilities, highly sophisticated payload integration, climatic & environmental test facilities, systems reliability area, image processing and analysis facilities and project management support group.

    SAC is the lead centre in the development of key payload technologies for Earth Observation, Communication, Navigation and Space Exploration. Further, the Centre also develops various applications that cater to various user ministries in the field of Agriculture, Meteorology, Fisheries, Oceanography, Environment, Forest, Railways, Urban development etc.

    The notable technologies that were developed by the Space Applications Centre for spacecraft payloads including S-Band SAR for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, C-Band and X-Band Microwave Radars for RISAT series, Lander/Rover Cameras, Ka Radar Altimeters, Hazard Detection and Avoidance  Sensors for Lunar Landing for Chandrayaan-3, demonstration of spectrum sensing, ADS-B, GNSS-R reflectometry, Pseudolite systems for RLV, High resolution Electro-optical payloads, Ka-band payload for high throughput satellites (50 Gbps), spread-spectrum modems for Gaganyaan crew communication system, Indian Atomic clock-Indian Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (IRAFS) for NavIC and Travelling Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTA) for Communication satellites. Currently, a large number of payloads are under various stages of realization at SAC including, GSAT-7R, HRSAT Series, Resourcesat-3 series, Oceansat-3A, G20- Satellite, Indian Mauritius Joint Satellite (IMJS), GSAT-N3, IDRSS-2, payloads for Quantum Communication.

    Various downstream applications developed and demonstrated for users include National Drought Portal for Krishi-Decision Support System (DSS), application development for Yield Estimation System based on Technology (YES-Tech) program under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Geospatial Energy map portal of India, Sea Ice Advisories for polar expedition routes for National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), System for national scale Crop Yield Estimation, Very short range weather forecast, Value added Agro-Met products for Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS), Hybrid weather prediction system for customized station specific weather forecast (transferred to Bihar Mausam Sewa Kendra (BMSK) for operational use), Satellite and in situ based data assimilative technique for ocean wave forecasting (transferred to Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Hyderabad), High Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) methodology for using Doppler Weather Radars (DWR) data (transferred to India Meteorological Department (IMD), New Delhi), Satellite-based ocean drift model for search and rescue (transferred this application to National Operational Data Processing and analysis Centre (NODPAC)/ Indian Navy, Kochi), Monitoring of fishing boats with keel lengths <24m which is now being rolled-out nationally, Locomotive-mounted satcom terminals for tracking of trains for safety-of-life & train information, real-time aircraft tracking for aviation safety & fleet management, authentication geo-fixes for Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) – Aadhar enrolment operatives, Indus river-level monitoring system, high-accuracy NavIC receivers for e-tolling applications for National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

    SAC objectives are realized and met with a well-planned strategy for a sustained capacity building through skilled human resources, establishment of state-of-the-art facilities, industry and academia participation and international cooperation under a well-defined policy support of ISRO. SAC has been proactively enhancing and upgrading the skills and competencies of internal human resource through standard as well as tailored training and development programs. SAC has systematic capacity enhancement plans at individual level to meet the organizational objectives, which also includes non-training interventions such as conferences, seminars, workshops at national as well as international levels. Higher education in premier academic institutions is also a part of the capacity enhancement strategy.

    SAC has built a strong partnership with over 300 small, medium and large scale industries and commercial organizations specialized in various fields including RF, Digital, Optical, Microwave, Mechanical, Electrical, Antenna, Scientific software, specialized materials etc. are presently associated with SAC. SAC has a well-established academia partnership programs for research in the areas associated with space technology, space science and exploration including RESPOND, STC etc.

    SAC has state-of-the-art highly sophisticated payload integration laboratories, electronic & Mechanical fabrication facilities, environmental test facility, image processing, and analysis facilities.

    SAC has outlined a detailed technology roadmap, as a part of space vision 2047. It is envisioning a new paradigm of space borne observations for Earth system and Planetary studies with special emphasis on developing advanced Radars, LIDAR, Hyperspectral and Terahertz technologies with high quality analysis-ready data products and also advanced techniques for geophysical parameters retrieval and customised web-based solutions to meet various User requirements in the domain of Agriculture, Forestry, Coastal Zone Management, Meteorology, Fisheries, Urban Planning, Oceanography etc.

    SAC has defined roadmap for development of Quantum technologies including Space Based Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing and Quantum computing.

    SAC has evolved roadmap for competitive & advanced Satellite Navigation (SATNAV) services and achieve larger penetration of NavIC applications across strategic, civilian and scientific domains; secure and self-reliant Satellite Communication (SATCOM) systems and applications; NavCom systems and applications for various Users all of which will be enabled by indigenous technology, products & services and propelled by Indian Industries/NGEs.

    SAC has defined roadmap for state-of-the art capability and self-reliance in design and development of crew centric systems for Human Space Programme and ensure crew safety through specific human-rated R&QA practices.

    This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.   

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Seaweed: A Nutritional Powerhouse From The Ocean

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 5:31PM by PIB Delhi

    Summary

    • Seaweed is a nutrient-rich marine plant, packed with vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
    • It contains 54 trace elements and essential nutrients that help fight diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis, heart problems and high blood pressure.
    • Seaweed is a sea plant that grows in the ocean and seas.
    • Seaweed cultivation requires no land, freshwater, fertilizers or pesticides, making it sustainable.
    • The $5.6 billion seaweed industry is booming, with India’s production increasing steadily.
    • Under one of its components, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) aims to boost seaweed production to 1.12 million tonnes in five years.

    Introduction

    India, blessed with a 7,500 km-long coastline, stands at the edge of the ocean’s vast potential. The seashores hold untapped treasures beneath the waves, offering rich resources beyond traditional fisheries. Among these, seaweed farming is emerging as a booming livelihood option, unlocking new opportunities for coastal communities.

    Seaweed is a type of marine plant that grows in oceans and seas. It is used in many products like food, cosmetics, fertilizers and even in medicine. It grows in shallow waters and doesn’t require land or freshwater, making it an eco-friendly crop. It’s becoming popular worldwide as a healthy food because it’s easy to grow and needs little care. Seaweed is rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It helps fight diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis, heart problems and high blood pressure. It also boosts immunity and keeps the body healthy.

    Unlocking the Potential of Seaweed

    Seaweed isn’t just for eating—it’s also used in industries for making thickening and gelling agents:

    • Alginate (US$ 213 million): Extracted from brown seaweeds (harvested from the wild). It’s used as a thickener in foods, cosmetics, and even medical products.
    • Agar (US$ 132 million): Comes from red seaweeds. It’s been cultivated since the 1960s and is used in desserts, jams, and laboratory cultures.


    Carrageenan (US$ 240 million): Extracted from certain red seaweeds like Irish Moss. It’s used in dairy products, ice creams, and toothpaste.

    Seaweed has been used as food since the 4th century in Japan and the 6th century in China. Today, Japan, China and South Korea are the biggest consumers of seaweed. The global seaweed industry—including food, industrial products and extracts—is valued at around US$ 5.6 billion. According to a World Bank report, 10 emerging seaweed markets could grow by up to US$ 11.8 billion by 2030.

    Promoting Seaweed Farming in India

    Seaweed has the potential to address the challenge of nutritional deficiency in India. Out of around 844 seaweed species, about 60 are commercially valuable. The government, along with the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), is working to boost this sector through policies, infrastructure support, and collaborations with states and research institutes.

    In June 2020, the Government of India launched the PMMSY (Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana) with an investment of ₹20,050 crore to boost the fisheries sector. Seaweed farming is a key focus under this scheme. The government has allocated a total budget of Rs. 640 crore for seaweed cultivation in India from 2020 to 2025. This significant investment is aimed at boosting the seaweed industry and promoting sustainability. Out of this total, Rs. 194.09 crore is being used for key projects, including the establishment of a Multipurpose Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu and the development of a Seaweed Brood Bank in Daman and Diu. So far, 46,095 rafts and 65,330 monocline tubenets have been approved for seaweed farming. Under the PMMSY scheme, India aims to boost seaweed farming, increasing production to 1.12 million tonnes in the next 5 years.

    Key Benefits of Seaweed Production

    Seaweed production offers a range of environmental and economic benefits. It supports sustainable livelihoods and helps boost the economy.

    1. Biostimulants in Farming: Seaweed is one of the eight types of biostimulants, which help increase crop yields, improve soil health and make plants stronger. The Government of India regulates the quality of seaweed used as biostimulants under the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985.

    A biostimulant is a natural substance or microorganism that helps plants grow stronger. It improves the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients and makes them more resistant to stress, like drought or diseases. Unlike fertilizers or pesticides, biostimulants don’t provide nutrients directly but enhance the plant’s natural processes for better growth and health.

    1. Support for Organic Farming: Since 2015-16, the government has encouraged organic farming through schemes like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the Northeast (MOVCDNER), promoting seaweed-based organic fertilizers for farmers.
    2. Ecological Importance: Seaweed farming is eco-friendly as it helps fight climate change by absorbing CO₂ from the air. Seaweed also improves ocean health by cleaning the water and providing homes for marine life.
    3. Economic Benefits: Seaweed farming offers a new way to earn money besides fishing. For example, farming Kappaphycus alvarezii can earn farmers up to ₹13,28,000 per hectare per year. Seaweed products like biofuels and fertilizers are in high demand globally, helping India earn foreign currency.

    Key Seaweed Developments in India

    Success Stories

    Empowering Women Through Seaweed Farming

    Jeya Lakshmi, Jeya, Thangam, and Kaleeswari from Mandapam, Tamil Nadu, were homemakers from poor families struggling to make ends meet. After attending a seaweed farming training under the PMMSY scheme, they decided to start their own business. With an investment of ₹27,000 and financial support from Tamil Nadu State Apex Fisheries Co-operative Federation Limited (TAFCOFED), they began seaweed cultivation. Despite challenges like cyclones, nutrient issues, and marketing hurdles, they managed to produce 36,000 tonnes of wet seaweed. This not only made them financially independent but also created jobs for other women in their community, inspiring many to pursue seaweed farming.

    Boosting Seaweed Production with Tissue Culture

    The CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR-CSMCRI) introduced a tissue culture technique to mass-produce Kappaphycus alvarezii (elkhorn sea moss) in Tamil Nadu. This seaweed is valuable for producing carrageenan, used in food, pharma, and cosmetics. Through this project, tissue-cultured seedlings were distributed to farmers in Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai, and Tuticorin districts. Farmers produced 30 tonnes of seaweed in just two cycles, with a 20-30% higher growth rate and better-quality carrageenan. This breakthrough is set to boost commercial seaweed farming in India.

    Conclusion

    Seaweed farming can improve the lives of India’s coastal communities by creating jobs and increasing incomes. It’s a sustainable alternative to traditional fishing, especially for women and youth. While challenges like climate risks and market access exist, government schemes like PMMSY and the Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu are helping the industry grow. With more support and innovation, seaweed farming can boost India’s economy and build a greener future for coastal areas.

    References

    Kindly find the pdf file 

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    Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria/ Kamna Lakaria

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  • MIL-Evening Report: This election, what are Labor and the Coalition offering on the energy transition, climate adaptation and emissions?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Johanna Nalau, Senior Lecturer, Climate Adaptation, Griffith University

    Composite image, Xiangli Li, Shirley Jayne Photography and geckoz/Shutterstock

    Australia’s 2022 federal election was seen as the climate election. But this time round, climate policy has so far taken a back seat as the major parties focus on cost-of-living issues.

    Despite this, climate change remains an ever-present threat. Last year was the world’s hottest on record and extreme weather is lashing Queensland. But there are hints of progress. Australia’s emissions have begun to fall and the main power grid is now 40% renewable.

    So before Australians head to the polls on May 3, it’s worth closely examining the climate policies of the two major parties. What are they offering on cutting emissions, preparing for climate-boosted disasters and future-proofing our energy systems? And where are the gaps?

    Energy transition – Tony Wood, Grattan Institute

    Cost-of-living pressures, escalating damage from climate change and global policy uncertainty mean no election issue is more important than transforming Australia’s economy to achieve net zero. But our energy supply must be reliable and affordable. What should the next government prioritise?

    There is great pressure to deliver power bill relief. But the next government’s priority should be reducing how much a household spends on energy, rather than trying to bring down the price of electricity. Far better to give financial support for battery storage and better home insulation, to slash how much power consumers need to buy from the grid.

    The Liberal-led Senate inquiry has just found supporting home electrification will also help with cost of living pressures.

    The electricity rebates on offer from Labor and the temporary cut to fuel excise from the Coalition aren’t enough.

    Federal and state governments must maintain their support and investment in the new transmission lines necessary to support new renewable generation and storage.

    Labor needs to do more to meet its 2030 target of reaching 82% renewables in the main grid. Currently, the figure is around 40%. The Coalition’s plan to slow down renewables, keep coal going longer and burn more gas while pushing for a nuclear future carries alarmingly high risks on reliability, cost and environmental grounds.

    Gas shortfalls are looming for Australia’s southeast in the next few winters and the price of gas remains stubbornly high. Labor does not yet have a workable solution to either issue, while the Coalition has an idea – more and therefore cheaper gas – but no clarity on how its plan to keep more gas for domestic use would work in practice.

    So far, we have been offered superficially appealing ideas. The field is wide open for a leader to deliver a compelling vision and credible plan for Australia’s net-zero future.

    Climate adaptation – Johanna Nalau, Griffith University

    You would think adapting to climate change would be high on the election agenda. Southeast Queensland just weathered its first cyclone in 50 years, estimated to have caused A$1.2 billion in damage, while outback Queensland is enduring the worst flooding in 50 years.

    But so far, there’s little to see on adaptation.

    Both major parties have committed to building a weather radar in western Queensland, following local outcry. While welcome, it’s a knee-jerk response rather than good forward planning.

    By 2060, damage from climate change will cost Australia $73 billion a year under a low emissions scenario, according to a Deloitte report. The next federal government should invest more in disaster preparation rather than throwing money at recovery. It’s cheaper, for one thing – longer term, there are significant savings by investing in more resilient infrastructure before damage occurs.

    Being prepared requires having enough public servants in disaster management to do the work. The Coalition has promised to cut 41,000 jobs from the federal public service, and has not yet said where the cuts would be made.

    While in office, Labor has been developing a National Adaptation Plan to shape preparations and a National Climate Risk Assessment to gather evidence of the main climate risks for Australia and ways to adapt.

    Regardless of who takes power, these will be useful roadmaps to manage extreme weather, damage to agriculture and intensified droughts, floods and fires. Making sure climate-exposed groups such as farmers get necessary assistance to weather worse disasters, and manage new risks and challenges stemming from climate change, is not a partisan issue. Such plans will help direct investment towards adaptation methods that work at scale.

    New National Science Priorities are helpful too, especially the focus on new technologies able to sustainably meet Australia’s food and water needs in a changing climate.

    Intensifying climate change brings more threats to our food systems and farmers.
    Shirley Jayne Photography

    Emission reduction – Madeline Taylor, Macquarie University

    Emission reduction has so far been a footnote for the major parties. In terms of the wider energy transition, both parties are expected to announce policies to encourage household battery uptake and there’s a bipartisan focus on speeding up energy planning approvals.

    But there is a clear divide in where the major parties’ policies will lead Australia on its net-zero journey.

    Labor’s policies largely continue its approach in government, including bringing more clean power and storage into the grid within the Capacity Investment Scheme and building new transmission lines under the Rewiring Australia Plan.

    These policies are leading to lower emissions from the power sector. Last year, total emissions fell by 0.6%. Labor’s Future Made in Australia policies give incentives to produce critical minerals, green steel, and green manufacturing. Such policies should help Australia gain market share in the trade of low-carbon products.

    From January 1 this year, Labor’s new laws require some large companies to disclose emissions from operations. This is positive, giving investors essential data to make decisions. From their second reporting period, companies will have to disclose Scope 3 emissions as well – those from their supply chains. The laws will cover some companies where measuring emissions upstream is incredibly tricky, including agriculture. Coalition senators issued a dissenting report pointing this out. The Coalition has now vowed to scrap these rules.

    The Coalition has not committed to Labor’s target of cutting emissions 43% by 2030. Their flagship plan to go nuclear will likely mean pushing out emissions reduction goals given the likely 2040s completion timeframe for large-scale nuclear generation, unless small modular reactors become viable.

    On gas, there’s virtually bipartisan support. The Coalition promise to reserve more gas for domestic use is a response to looming shortfalls on the east coast. Labor has also approved more coal and gas projects largely for export, though Australian coal and gas burned overseas aren’t counted domestically.

    Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has promised to include gas in Labor’s renewable-oriented Capacity Investment Scheme and has floated relaxing the Safeguard Mechanism on heavy emitters. The Coalition has vowed to cancel plans for three offshore wind projects and are very critical of green hydrogen funding.

    Both parties will likely introduce emission reduction measures, but a Coalition government would be less stringent. Scrapping corporate emissions reporting entirely would be a misstep, because accurate measurement of emissions are essential for attracting green investment and reducing climate risks.

    Johanna Nalau has received funding from Australian Research Council for climate adaptation research, is a Lead Author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Co-chair of the Science Committee of the World Adaptation Science Program (United Nations Environment Programme) and is a technical expert with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

    Madeline Taylor has received funding from the Australian Research Council, ACOLA, and several industry and government partners for energy transition research. She is a board member of REAlliance, Fellow of the Climate Council, and Honorary Associate of the Sydney Environment Institute.

    Tony Wood may own shares in companies in relevant industries through his superannuation fund

    ref. This election, what are Labor and the Coalition offering on the energy transition, climate adaptation and emissions? – https://theconversation.com/this-election-what-are-labor-and-the-coalition-offering-on-the-energy-transition-climate-adaptation-and-emissions-253430

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  • MIL-OSI USA: What they’re saying: California’s 25 key deliverables for 2025 to protect communities from wildfire

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 3, 2025

    What you need to know: The Governor’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force released a list of 25 key deliverables to build on the state’s ongoing efforts to protect Californians from increasing threats posed by catastrophic wildfire and a changing climate.

    SACRAMENTO – Last month, the Governor’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force released a list of 25 key deliverables to build on the state’s ongoing efforts to protect Californians from increasing threats posed by catastrophic wildfire and a changing climate. 

    Following that release, leaders from across the state came together for a convening of the Task Force to share insights from the recent Los Angeles firestorms and discuss how priorities set in the 2025 deliverables will accelerate collective progress to increasing our resilience to wildfire.

    A full list of the 2025 key deliverables is available here.

    Here is a snapshot of what leaders are saying across the state:

    Lenya Quinn-Davidson, Fire Network Director, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources: “The Governor and the Task Force hit the nail on the head with their 2025 priorities. Efforts like home hardening; prescribed fire training; and strategic, landscape-scale fire planning are necessary next steps for our future with fire in California, and time is of the essence. We’ve spent years building this shared vision—let’s make it a reality!”

    Matt Dias, President, Calforests: “These Task Force priorities, coupled with the recent Governor’s Proclamation of Emergency supporting prevention activities, are the necessary actions to protect lives, communities and forests in an era of increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires across California.”

    Scott Stephens, Professor of Fire Science, UC Berkeley: “Fire ignited by Indigenous people and lightning have been part of California ecosystems for thousands of years. The Governor’s Executive Orders and 2025 Deliverables will expedite the reintroduction of fire at meaningful scales and I fully support them.” 

    Jacy Hyde, Executive Director, California Fire Safe Council: “The California Fire Safe Council (CFSC) has served as a trusted partner to support and mobilize community-led wildfire mitigation and preparedness in California’s highest risk communities. CFSC enthusiastically supports the Task Force’s efforts to build landscape resilience and empower communities to life safely with wildfire.”

    Dan Porter, California Forest Strategy Lead, The Nature Conservancy: “The Nature Conservancy applauds the accomplishments of the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force. Through bold action the state can reduce the number, severity, and impact of wildfires with regionally appropriate interventions. We look forward to working with the Task Force on the implementation of its 2025 Deliverables.”

    Steve Frisch, Executive Director, Sierra Business Council: “The Governor is taking bold and direct action to reduce the risk of wildfire and its impact on California communities. This is particularly important in the Sierra Nevada, where wildfire resilience work not only protects communities but creates economic opportunities as we innovate to implement forest management, increase biomass utilization to reduce the cost of forest treatment, and develop new wood products.”

    Don Hankins, Co-lead, Indigenous Stewardship Network: “While we still have a long way to go, the action plan has laid a framework to catalyze meaningful change for the state. One key way it has done so is related to engagement and support for tribal entities. I definitely see many more opportunities to fortify this initial work and uplift communities these plans have laid a foundation for.” 

    Leaf Hillman and James Gore, Co-Chairs of the North Coast Regional Partnership (NCRP): “As the Co-chairs of NCRP, representing North Coast Tribes, counties and other regional partners, we have been impressed with the depth, breadth, and effectiveness of actions being moved forward by the Task Force and its partners – ranging from investments in data and planning tools, community health and safety, cultural and beneficial fire, workforce and capacity, landscape scale resilience programs, streamlining of regulatory programs, wood products utilization, and science based frameworks for measuring progress. These actions are all resulting in positive on-the-ground outcomes in our region, increasing the pace and scale of projects and initiatives that result in wildfire, climate, and community resilience.”

    Robert Macaulay, Madera County Supervisor and CA State Association of Counties (CSAC) representative on Task Force’s Executive Committee: “These deliverables are the product of hundreds of our best and brightest experts in forest health. While there is still a seemingly endless amount of work to be done, I am encouraged by these efforts and am committed to working with the State and Federal Government to bring them into fruition.”

    Marissa Christiansen, Executive Director, Climate and Wildfire Institute: “Lasting wildfire resilience cannot happen in silos. The Task Force has been instrumental in advancing a more integrated approach, ensuring critical information flows seamlessly across sectors. The Climate & Wildfire Institute is proud to support open data and collaboration across boundaries by linking research, policy, and practice to equip decision-makers with smarter, proactive solutions.”

    Zach Knight, CEO, Blue Forests: “To meet the scale of California’s wildfire crisis, we need to collaborate across sectors in ways we haven’t before. Public-private partnerships must be leveraged to bridge funding gaps, implement landscape-scale restoration, and build out forest utilization infrastructure. We are excited to continue to support the efforts of the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force in unlocking innovative solutions that will accelerate the pace of forest restoration in California, protecting communities and strengthening our economy.”

    Mark Brown, Executive Officer, Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority: “The California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force has taken a thoughtful, science-based approach in developing the 2025 Action Plan, providing a clear and effective path to improving the wildfire resilience of our state’s forests, wildlands, and communities. At the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority, we have embraced this Action Plan as our foundation and guiding principles as we work with our communities to become fire adapted. We are grateful for the Task Force’s leadership in increasing the pace and scale of wildfire mitigation efforts across California, and we look forward to collaborating on building a Science-Based Framework for Measuring Progress to ensure long-term resilience.” 

    Michael O’Connell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Irvine Ranch Conservancy: “California is a remarkably diverse state and every region has different needs for fire management. The Task Force clearly recognizes this diversity, and their 2025 Priorities reflect the needs of every region. In coastal Southern California we deeply appreciate the Task Force’s leadership on the unconventional challenges we face in managing wildfire.”

    Sophia Lemmo, CA Association of Resource Conservation Districts: “Through stronger collaboration, flexible block grants tailored to regional needs, streamlined regulations, and dedicated support for Emergency Forest Restoration Teams, the Task Force has strengthened RCDs’ capacity to advance forest resilience and recovery efforts. I’m confident that the 2025 priorities will further enhance RCDs’ ability to engage more landowners and expand their impact on forest stewardship.”

    Jonathan Kusel, Executive Director, The Sierra Institute: “The report by the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task force highlights the important coordination of groups, activities and projects across the State that collectively are reducing risk of catastrophic wildfire and protecting communities. The Task Force’s work identifies what is being done and in so doing helps groups, agencies and others more effectively target resources to where they’re most critically needed. This is essential work.”

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    News What you need to know: Since March 2024, Governor Newsom’s joint Bay Area operation efforts have yielded 3,217 stolen vehicles recovered, 1,823 suspects arrested, and 170 illicit firearms seized. Sacramento, California – Continuing to provide collaborative public…

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bill:SB 26 by Senator Thomas Umberg (D-Santa Ana) – Civil actions: restitution for or replacement of a new motor vehicle. A signing message can be found here.For full text of the…

    News What you need to know: Soil is starting to be placed over the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Southern California – an important milestone as the world’s largest wildlife crossing comes to fruition. LOS ANGELES – The world’s largest wildlife crossing is…

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – AGRI vote on the future of agriculture, debates on wine legislation, food security – Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

    Source: European Parliament

    Future EU agriculture © Image used under license from Adobe Stock

    The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development will vote on the non-legislative draft report on the future of agriculture and the post-2027 common agricultural policy, on 8 April. AGRI members will also discuss the global challenges related to food security, sustainable agriculture and natural resource management with Maurizio Martina, Deputy Director-General of the FAO. The AGRI Committee will then debate on the EU wine legislation with the Commission.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Need to follow up on proposals from reports published in 2024 – E-002936/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The priorities of the new Commission are described in the Political Guidelines[1] and the Mission Letters. On 29 January 2025, the Commission presented the Competitiveness Compass[2], which is informed by the report by Mario Draghi and lays out the roadmap for the next years to increase Europe’s competitiveness.

    The Competitiveness Compass identifies flagship actions and initiatives such as the Clean Industrial Deal that will further implement the priorities set out in the Compass.

    The Commission has further published a communication on a European Savings and Investments Union[3], as recommended in the report by Enrico Letta.

    In the first 100 days of the mandate, the Commission presented a Vision for Agriculture and Food[4] by drawing on the recommendations of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture and Food[5]. Moreover, the Commission bases all its policy initiatives on solid evidence to which these reports contribute.

    Any policy initiatives will take account of the findings in the Draghi and other reports and will be based on instruments — legislative or otherwise — that allow meeting the pursued policy objectives in the most effective way.

    Speed, coherence and simplification will be priorities of the Commission. The Commission will screen the EU acquis to identify measures to simplify EU laws, without undermining the policy objectives, thus stress-testing the stock of EU laws.

    Improved competitiveness and small and medium-sized enterprises checks will be implemented in the working methods, in all impact assessments.

    The Commission will engage with stakeholders through a new consultation approach called reality checks, and each Commissioner will hold at least two implementation dialogues per year.

    • [1]  https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683-f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf
    • [2]  A Competitiveness Compass for the EU, COM(2025) 30 final.
    • [3]  Savings and Investments Union — A Strategy to Foster Citizens’ Wealth and Economic Competitiveness of the EU, COM(2025) 124 final.
    • [4]  https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/vision-agriculture-food_en#:~:text=The%20Vision%20calls%20for%20devising,healthy%2C%20quality%20food%20to%20citizens
    • [5]  https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/common-agricultural-policy/cap-overview/main-initiatives-strategic-dialogue-future-eu-agriculture_en

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Pushes for Year-Round E15

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    WASHINGTON – As the summer driving season quickly approaches, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, joined her colleagues to request the Trump administration issue year-round, nationwide E15 waivers to provide certainty for Iowa producers, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and give consumers choices at the pump. 
    Earlier this week, Ernst highlighted Iowa biofuels as a key solution to achieving energy independence when she joined Secretary Rollins in Iowa for an announcement on the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). 
    “To meet our nation’s energy needs and decrease the cost of fuel, we must deploy an all-of-the-above energy strategy, which includes leveraging domestic biofuels.  As affirmed by the actions you took to first allow year-round E15 in 2019, and those approved for the summers afterward, the sale of higher blends of biofuels like E15 through the summer months supports the domestic fuel supply, reduces consumer costs, and promotes American biofuels and agriculture feedstocks,” wrote the senators. 
    “Utilizing American ethanol year-round is a direct solution to reinforcing our energy supply and reducing consumer costs, and the issuance of a nationwide waiver for the 2025 summer driving season is a clear path toward these shared goals,” the senators concluded.
    Read the full letter here. 
    Background:
    Throughout her time in Congress, Ernst has been a strong advocate for homegrown, Iowa biofuels. Since 2015, she has supported legislation to permanently allow the nationwide sale of year-round E15. She looks forward to partnering with the Trump administration to make it a reality.
    In March 2024, Ernst and the entire Iowa delegation urged President Biden to immediately issue an emergency waiver, which would make E15 available across the country and utilize the strength of American agriculture to provide energy independence. In April 2024, Ernst and a bipartisan group of senators once again called on President Biden to permit the summertime sale of E15 fuel and finally secured year-round, nationwide E15 sales for the entire 2024 driving season.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Joins Sen. Cory Booker to Introduce Bill Protecting Farmers from USDA Funding Freezes

    Source: US Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) joined Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) in introducing the Honor Farmer Contracts Act of 2025, legislation aimed at ensuring the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) fulfills its commitments to farmers by releasing frozen funds and preventing the agency from canceling legally binding contracts. Farmers must be able to rely on USDA funding to plan their planting season and prevent them from having to shut down their operations.

    “Under Elon Musk’s DOGE, the USDA has failed to honor its agreements, leaving farmers and rural communities in financial limbo,” said Vasquez. “This bill will hold the agency accountable, ensuring our farmers receive the support they were promised to continue feeding our communities and driving our rural economies.”

    The Honor Farmer Contracts Act of 2025 requires the USDA to immediately unfreeze funding for all signed, existing agreements and contracts, ensuring the rapid payment of any past due amounts. Additionally, the legislation prohibits canceling signed contracts with farmers and agricultural organizations unless there is a failure to comply with the agreed-upon terms. 

    Under the new Administration, the USDA has paused reimbursements for previously contracted projects across multiple programs and terminated some agreements based on their inclusion of diversity and equity language, disproportionately harming small farmers and historically underserved communities. Several projects in New Mexico are still awaiting confirmation on whether the USDA will unfreeze their funding—many of which have already been actively collaborating with local producers. This includes the Community Food Project grant for Frontier Food Hub in Silver City and the Quivira Coalition’s Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities funding. Additionally, the cancellation of the Local Food Purchase Agreement program has left food banks and the farmers who supply them without a critical funding source.

    “New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers work hard every day to provide for our communities, and they deserve to be treated with fairness and respect,” Vasquez continued. “We are sending a clear message: the federal government must honor its commitments and stop playing politics with farmers’ livelihoods.”

    “Farmers across the country have been in limbo ever since the USDA froze previously signed agreements and contracts, with many facing catastrophic consequences if these freezes continue,” said Senator Booker. “USDA’s refusal to pay what is owed to farmers and the organizations that support them is theft, plain and simple. It’s a critical time of year for farmers and ranchers. They should be doing what they love – feeding our communities, not worrying about unpaid contracts. This legislation will fix that by forcing USDA and the Trump Administration to hold up their end of the deal.”

    “The USDA should not have free rein to leave America’s farmers—the people who feed our country—out to dry. Honoring contractual obligations and disbursing funding that was approved by Congress isn’t about red states or blue states. It’s about right and wrong. It’s about the American people being able to trust their government to follow through on their promises and commitments,” said Rep. Pingree. “The Honor Farmer Contracts Act will ensure our farmers get the support and resources they were promised—and, in many cases, are counting on to keep their operations going.”

    “Whether through deliberate sabotage or sheer incompetence, Donald Trump’s USDA has already created crisis after crisis for American farmers,” said Rep. Jim McGovern. “This is especially true for our small and medium-sized farmers, who stepped up during the pandemic to feed the country and are now facing a USDA that is abandoning its commitments and purging expert professional staff. USDA programs are investments that the American people make in the farmers who sustain our communities. They are not Trump’s playthings. I’m proud to partner with Representatives Vasquez, Pingree, Riley, and Senator Booker to defend against Trump’s attack on independent farmers and local food systems.”

    “Our farms are already struggling to make ends meet under crippling tariff threats, a labor shortage, and an economy that props up Big Ag while small producers get screwed,” said Rep. Josh Riley. “And now, to add insult to injury, this Administration is breaking its promises to them. Enough is enough. It’s time for the USDA to unfreeze these funds and pay what they owe our farmers.”

    The bill has gained support from key members of the House Agriculture Committee and is now moving forward in both chambers as lawmakers push for swift action. Representatives Pingree, McGovern, Riley, Leger Fernandez, Tokuda, McClain Delaney, and Budzinski joined Representative Vasquez in introducing this bill.

    To see the list of organizations endorsing the Honor Farmer Contacts Act, click here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Support Grows for President Trump’s America First Reciprocal Trade Plan

    Source: The White House

    One day after President Donald J. Trump announced a new chapter in American prosperity, support continues to roll in for his bold vision to reverse the decades of globalization that has decimated our industrial base.

    The support is bipartisan, with Democrat Rep. Jared Golden lauding President Trump’s plan: “I’m pleased the president is building his tariff agenda on the foundation of a universal 10 percent tariff like the one I proposed in the BUILT USA Act. This ring fence around the American economy is a good start to erasing our unsustainable trade deficits. I’m eager to work with the president to fix the broken ‘free trade’ system that made multinational corporations rich but ruined manufacturing communities across the country.”

    Here’s what else they’re saying:

    Coalition for a Prosperous America Chairman Zach Mottl: “A permanent, universal baseline tariff resets the global trade environment and finally addresses the destructive legacy of decades of misguided free-trade policies. President Trump’s decision to implement a baseline tariff is a game-changing shift that prioritizes American manufacturing, protects working-class jobs, and safeguards our economic security from adversaries like China. This is exactly the type of bold action America needs to restore its industrial leadership. Today’s action will deliver lasting benefits to the U.S. economy and working-class Americans, cementing President Trump’s legacy as one that ushered in a new Golden Age of American industrialization and prosperity.”

    National Cattlemen’s Beef Association SVP of Government Affairs Ethan Lane: “For too long, America’s family farmers and ranchers have been mistreated by certain trading partners around the world. President Trump is taking action to address numerous trade barriers that prevent consumers overseas from enjoying high-quality, wholesome American beef. NCBA will continue engaging with the White House to ensure fair treatment for America’s cattle producers around the world and optimize opportunities for exports abroad.”

    Steel Manufacturers Association President Philip K. Bell: “President Trump is a champion of the domestic steel industry, and his America First Trade Policy is designed to fight the unfair trade that has harmed American workers and weakened manufacturing in the United States. The recently reinvigorated 232 steel tariffs have already started creating American jobs and bolstering the domestic steel industry. President Trump is working to turn America into a manufacturing powerhouse and the steel tariffs are driving that movement. President Trump’s initial 232 steel tariffs and the historic tax cuts led to investments of nearly $20 billion by steel manufacturers in the United States. Since the revised tariffs took effect, Hyundai Steel announced a $5.8 billion steel mill in Louisiana, demonstrating that the tariffs are working to bring more steel investments and production to the United States. The domestic steel market is stronger when other nations are forced to compete on a level playing field. On a level playing field, American workers can outcompete anyone. We look forward to continuing working with President Trump and his administration to ensure a level playing field for Americans and a robust domestic steel industry that strengthens our national, economic and energy security.”

    Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul: “Today’s trade action prioritizes domestic manufacturers and America’s workers. These hardworking men and women have seen unfair trade cut the ground from beneath their feet for decades. They deserve a fighting chance. Our workers can out-compete anyone in the world, but they need a level playing field to do it. This trade reset is a necessary step in the right direction.”

    National Electrical Contractors Association CEO David Long: “President Trump has consistently prioritized policies that put the electrical industry as a priority, and we recognize his commitment to strengthening our nation’s economy. As these new tariffs take effect, we look forward to working with the Administration to ensure that electrical contractors and the entire electrical industry can continue powering America efficiently while navigating potential cost and supply chain challenges.”

    American Compass Chief Economist Oren Cass: “The new policies announced by President Trump today confirm the end of the disastrous WTO era and lay the groundwork for a new set of arrangements in the international economy that prioritize the national interest and the flourishing of the nation’s working families.”

    National Council of Textile Organizations CEO Kim Glas: “We strongly commend President Trump and his administration on their tariff reciprocity plan to finally begin rebalancing America’s trade positioning in markets at home and abroad. We want to thank President Trump on behalf of the U.S. textile industry and the 471,000 workers we employ.”

    Southern Shrimp Alliance Executive Director John Williams: “We’ve watched as multigenerational family businesses tie up their boats, unable to compete with foreign producers who play by a completely different set of rules. We are grateful for the Trump Administration’s actions today, which will preserve American jobs, food security, and our commitment to ethical production.”

    American Iron and Steel Institute President Kevin Dempsey: “AISI thanks President Trump for standing up for American workers by restoring fairness in international trade and addressing non-reciprocal trade relationships. American steel producers are all too familiar with the detrimental effects of unfair foreign trade practices on domestic industries and their workers. Driven by subsidies and other foreign government trade-distorting practices, global overcapacity in the steel industry reached 573 million metric tons in 2024 and has spurred high levels of exports of steel from countries like China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Indonesia that continue to produce steel in volumes that significantly exceed their domestic demand. These exports directly and indirectly injure steel producers in the U.S. and government action to address this unloading of steel overproduction on world markets is overdue.”

    Americans for Limited Government Executive Director Robert Romano: “Thank you, President Trump, for putting America first and finally once and for all levying the same tariffs on trade partners that they have levied mercilessly on the United States for decades. This was not an easy decision to make, but one that is long overdue with a record $1.2 trillion trade in goods deficit in 2024 after the failed rule of former President Joe Biden. … Under President Trump’s leadership, America will be the industrial and technology leader of the world, with commitments for hundreds of billions of investments in the United States. For countries that want to avoid the tariffs, it’s simple: Build in America. … Thank you again, President Trump, for your leadership in restoring reciprocity in trade and for having the courage that all of our other leaders have lacked.”

    American Petroleum Institute: “We welcome President Trump’s decision to exclude oil and natural gas from new tariffs, underscoring the complexity of integrated global energy markets and the importance of America’s role as a net energy exporter. We will continue working with the Trump administration on trade policies that support American energy dominance.”

    National Association of Home Builders Chairman Buddy Hughes: “NAHB is pleased President Trump recognized the importance of critical construction inputs for housing and chose to continue current exemptions for Canadian and Mexican products, with a specific exemption for lumber from any new tariffs at this time. NAHB will continue to work with the administration to find ways to increase domestic lumber production, reduce regulatory burdens, and create an environment that allows builders to increase our nation’s housing supply.”

    International Dairy Foods Association SVP of Trade and Workforce Policy Becky Rasdall Vargas: “The U.S. dairy industry exports more than $8 billion of high-quality dairy products every year to approximately 145 countries around the world. To meet growing global demand, dairy businesses have invested $8 billion in new processing capacity here in the United States—creating jobs, strengthening rural economies, and positioning America as the world’s leading dairy supplier. This growth depends on strong trade relationships and access to essential ingredients, finished goods, packaging, and equipment to provide Americans with safe, affordable, and nutritious dairy foods and beverages. IDFA supports the Trump Administration’s efforts to hold trading partners accountable and expand market access for U.S. dairy.”

    Bienvenido Empresarios: “As an organization committed to empowering Hispanic Americans and strengthening our nation’s future, Bienvenido supports policies that build a more resilient American economy, safeguard our communities, and reassert U.S. leadership on the global stage. President Trump’s emphasis on using economic leverage — including tariffs — reflects a broader strategy to counter China, confront the deadly fentanyl crisis, and bring critical industries back home. Now is a time for tough, decisive action when national security and American livelihoods are at stake. Our hope is that these measures lead to stronger enforcement, fairer trade, and long-term prosperity for all Americans.”

    America First Policy Institute: “Tariffs worked then—and they’ll work again. Under President Trump, tariffs brought back jobs, lowered inflation, and strengthened national security. It’s not just economic policy—it’s America First in action.”

    Author Batya Ungar-Sargon: “[President Trump] is saying we’re going to invest heavily in our middle class. We are no longer going to be a country in which our economy is an upward funnel of wealth from the hardest-working Americans into the pockets of the international global elites.”

    Fox Business Network’s Charles Payne: “President Trump ran on tariffs. What we just saw was a president who did what he said he was going to do … This system is unsustainable … Is our patriotism tied to Wall Street? Or should it be tied to our own personal ability to achieve the American Dream?”

    Republic Financial Chairman Nate Morris: “As someone who was raised by a proud autoworker – thank you President Trump for putting AMERICAN workers first again!”

    Commentator Geraldo Rivera: “The family did visit Japan… we did not see a single American car on the road in Tokyo — not a Caddy, not a Buick, not a Ford, not a Chevy… I have an innate sense that there’s something unfair going on… if they are screwing us, we got to tax them.”

    Commentator Bill O’Reilly: “We’ve been getting hosed since World War II by the trade imbalance … You can do what Biden and Obama did, which is just ignore it completely … The numbers are staggering, and the best part of Trump’s speech today was that he said that if you go to Japan or South Korea or China or Germany, you’re not going to see any American cars because they won’t let them in … Trump is right.”

    CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp: “America cannot afford to be taken advantage of any longer.  Even our friends and strategic allies have for too long assumed that the United States could absorb unfair treatment, including high tariffs on American goods.  We applaud the steps taken by President Trump today to defend American manufacturers not because we like higher taxes, but because we know that trade is only free when both sides follow similar rules.  What President Trump understands is that America needs to get back on track by improving our domestic competitiveness by cutting taxes and regulations AND we need to take on the globalists who believe Americans should not always have to take it in the chops.  Real respect begins with economic reciprocity.”

    Speaker Mike Johnson: “President Trump is sending a clear message with Liberation Day: America will not be exploited by unfair trade practices anymore. These tariffs restore fair and reciprocal trade and level the playing field for American workers and innovators. The President understands that FREE trade ONLY works when it’s FAIR!”

    Gov. Jeff Landry: “Pro Jobs. Pro Business. Pro America.”

    Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso: “President Trump is acting boldly to put America first. America needs fair and free trade. We can’t allow other countries to keep abusing our workers and job creators. It’s time we had a level playing field. I applaud President Trump’s 100% commitment to Made in America.”

    Sen. Jim Banks: “The decision by President Trump today to impose reciprocal tariffs will be so good for Indiana. … Those are the manufacturing jobs that President Trump is bringing back from overseas.”

    Sen. Bill Cassidy: “The president’s trade agenda can pave the way for stronger trade deals, fairer rules, and real results. I am excited to work with President Trump to make it happen. Louisiana’s workers and families deserve nothing less.”

    Sen. John Kennedy: “America is rich. We buy a lot of stuff. President Trump is saying that if you foreign businesses want to sell in America, then move your business here and hire American workers.”

    Sen. Roger Marshall: “President Donald Trump is fighting for long-term solutions to put America’s farmers and ranchers first.”

    Sen. Ashley Moody: “It’s liberation day in America! Today, @POTUS sent a message to the world that the era of America being taken advantage of is over.”

    Sen. Bernie Moreno: “President Trump is finally reversing their failed policies and fighting back for American workers.”

    Sen. Markwayne Mullin: “President Trump is going to charge foreign countries roughly half of what they *already* charge us to do business. Literally who can argue with this?”

    Sen. Pete Ricketts: “President Trump is delivering on his campaign promises to level the playing field and stand up for the American people. Reciprocal tariffs will ensure equal treatment for American businesses. @POTUS is working to reshore jobs lost overseas and secure our supply chains. He is working to open new markets for our nation’s agriculture products. He is demonstrating to foreign adversaries like China that we will no longer be taken advantage of.”

    Sen. Rick Scott: “The days of the U.S. being taken advantage of by other countries are OVER! Pres. Trump is making it clear that he will ALWAYS put American jobs, manufacturing and our economy first. As Americans, let’s stand with him and support one another by buying products MADE IN AMERICA.”

    Sen. Eric Schmitt: “President Trump is bringing America back. We won’t be ripped off by other countries anymore. We’re bringing back manufacturing, unleashing energy production, and paving the way for prosperity.”

    Sen. Tim Sheehy: “They tariff us at up to 50% of our exported ag products and then dump mass produced ag products into our market severely hurting our farmers and ranchers. It’s about time we have a level playing field for businesses.”

    Sen. Tommy Tuberville: “For too long, other countries have ripped us off with bad trade deals – resulting in American jobs and manufacturing moving overseas. But change is coming. The Golden Age of America’s economy is here. Happy Liberation Day.”

    House Majority Leader Steve Scalise: “The United States and American workers will no longer be ripped off by other countries with unfair trade practices. Thank you President Trump for putting America’s workers and innovators first with reciprocal tariffs that level the playing field and make trade FAIR.”

    House Majority Whip Tom Emmer: “For too long, foreign countries have taken advantage of us at the expense of American workers. President @realDonaldTrump says NO MORE.”

    House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain: “Tariffs work! @POTUS has proven tariffs are an effective tool in achieving economic and strategic objectives. The President’s long-term strategy will pay off.”

    Rep. Elise Stefanik: “I strongly support President Trump’s America First economic policies to strengthen American manufacturing and create millions of American jobs. For too long, Americans have suffered under unfair trade practices putting America Last. We will not allow other countries to take advantage of us and we must put America and the American worker first.”

    Rep. Jason Smith: “America shouldn’t reward countries that discriminate against American workers and manufacturers. On Liberation Day, President Trump is correcting this and demanding fair treatment for American producers.”

    Rep. Mark Alford: “The days of the United States being taken advantage of are OVER. Republicans are putting American workers FIRST.”

    Rep. Rick Allen: “@POTUS is undoing decades of unfair trade practices and putting American workers, businesses, and manufacturers FIRST. These reciprocal tariffs are simply leveling the playing field and will help ensure the U.S. is no longer on the losing end of global trade.”

    Rep. Jodey Arrington: “For too long, our leaders have allowed other nations to rip us off through numerous unfair trade practices resulting in suppressed wages, lost opportunities, and unrealized economic growth. Just as he did in his first term, President Trump is fighting to ensure an even playing field for our manufacturers, farmers, and workers so we can unleash American prosperity and Make America Great Again.”

    Rep. Brian Babin: “Trump’s tariffs aren’t starting a trade war—they’re ending one. For decades, other countries ripped off American workers with unfair tariffs and barriers. Now, we’re finally fighting back.”

    Rep. Andy Biggs: “Past administrations have allowed the United States to be ripped off by allies and adversaries alike. President Trump said “NO MORE!” The Art of the Deal.”

    Rep. Vern Buchanan: “For too long, unfair trade practices devastated America’s manufacturing base and stole millions of blue-collar jobs. It’s time to level the playing field and bring those jobs back. @POTUS is fighting for American workers.”

    Rep. Eli Crane: “America First policies are what the American people voted for.”

    Rep. Michael Cloud: “America-First means putting the American people first. We will no longer be taken advantage of as a nation and people.”

    Rep. Andrew Clyde: “For far too long, the U.S. has been ripped off by countries across the globe with unfair trade practices. Now, we’re finally leveling the playing field. THANK YOU, President Trump, for putting American workers and manufacturing FIRST.”

    Rep. Mike Collins: “This is fair. Whether it’s our military or economy, other countries have taken advantage of the U.S. for far too long. That time is over.”

    Rep. Byron Donalds: “For decades, a lot of these countries have built their economies on the back of the American economy … These nations have become, not just developing nations, they are now strong economies. And so, we have to have fair trade if we’re going to have free trade.”

    Rep. Chuck Edwards: “Many countries are taking advantage of the United States by imposing tariffs against us while we don’t have reciprocal tariffs against them. @POTUS has used tariffs to produce successful trade deals for us in his first term, and I support his plan to use them again to create a more level playing field and secure fairer trade deals for America. The quicker other countries agree to fairer trade deals, the quicker the tariffs can end.”

    Rep. Gabe Evans: “This admin puts America first from strengthening our economy & national security to prioritizing hard working Americans. Farmers in #CO08 have been disadvantaged in foreign trade deals & will benefit from reciprocal tariffs that promote FAIR & free trade.”

    Rep. Scott Franklin: “For years the US handcuffed itself and played nice while other countries imposed massive tariffs and took advantage of us. We’re done putting America last. @POTUS is leveling the playing field, ending trade imbalances and prioritizing American workers and manufacturing again!”

    Rep. Mike Flood: “Biden did nothing for four years on trade. Five years after Brexit, America doesn’t have a free trade deal with the UK. President @realDonaldTrump is rightsizing our trade relationships.”

    Rep. Russell Fry: “HAPPY LIBERATION DAY. Thanks to @POTUS, America is DONE being taken advantage of. A new era has begun.”

    Rep. Lance Gooden: “For decades, Washington allowed Texans to be ripped off by foreign countries. Those days are now over. @POTUS is committed to making America wealthy again!”

    Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: “If you want to do business in America, you need to play by our rules. For too long, American businesses, big and small, have been ripped off by bad trade deals and unfair competition. President Trump is putting a stop to it. He’s standing up for our workers, our companies, and our consumers.”

    Rep. Abe Hamadeh: “The America First Republican party is the party of the working class, the forgotten men and women. On this Liberation Day, we further our commitment to them, that we will reshore our manufacturing, restore fair trade, and rebuild the greatest economy in the world.”

    Rep. Pat Harrigan: “If you want access to the most powerful economy in the world, treat us fairly. If not, don’t expect a free ride. That’s real leadership and @POTUS is delivering it!”

    Rep. Andy Harris: “President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs will put the American worker first and bring fairness back to international trade. America is being respected again.”

    Rep. Diana Harshbarger: “President Trump is bringing back the American Dream. Our taxpayers have been ripped off by foreign countries for far too long, but those days are over. President Trump is right to impose these reciprocal tariffs.”

    Rep. Clay Higgins: “.@POTUS’ trade agenda puts American industry and America first. I support the President’s action to protect our domestic producers.”

    Rep. Wesley Hunt: “Today, President Trump empowered the American middle class.  His policies on tariffs will bring automotive manufacturing back to America.”

    Rep. Morgan Luttrell: “President Trump is putting America First on trade—standing up to foreign adversaries, protecting American workers, and rebuilding our manufacturing base. The days of unfair trade deals and economic surrender are OVER.”

    Rep. Nicole Malliotakis: “Since President Trump has been elected, we’ve attracted $5 trillion in private investment, foreign & domestic companies have announced Made in USA manufacturing, countries have reduced tariffs or changed foreign policies. President Trump is sticking up for American workers & farmers, repatriating our supply chain and protecting our national security.”

    Rep. Addison McDowell: “My district was hit hard over the years by unfair trade deals. Finally, we have a President who wants to put the American worker FIRST.”

    Rep. Dan Meuser: “We have been treated unfairly. Free trade has become synonymous with unfair trade, and @POTUS is recognizing that… We needed a reckoning; we needed a correction. President Trump is bringing it.”

    Rep. Mary Miller: “America will no longer be taken advantage of! This is how you put America First.”

    Rep. John Moolenaar: “For far too long, the Chinese Communist Party has exploited America’s generosity, stolen our intellectual property, and undermined our workers. President Trump’s recent tariffs and the Restoring Trade Fairness Act, which I introduced earlier this year to revoke China’s permanent normal trade relations status, will finally put an end to this abuse—holding China accountable and protecting American jobs. For decades, we’ve accepted one-sided trade deals that hurt our industries while benefiting our adversaries. Trade deficits reflect that imbalance, but they also reveal something deeper: the strength of the American consumer. It’s time we stopped allowing that strength to be used against us and started putting American workers first.”

    Rep. Riley Moore: “For decades, foreign countries have enjoyed free access to the greatest consumer marketplace on the face of the planet, all while still charging our domestic producers hefty duties or imposing significant barriers to access their markets. Today that ends. President Trump is the only president in my lifetime to acknowledge how unfair trade has gutted the heartland and shipped countless jobs overseas. By finally reciprocating in-kind, we’ll force foreign competitors to the negotiating table, lower trade barriers, and ultimately create real free and fair trade across the board. I’m confident this move will boost our domestic manufacturing industry and fuel demand for American products across the globe.”

    Rep. Tim Moore: “President Trump is leveling the playing field for American workers and bringing back MADE IN AMERICA!”

    Rep. Troy Nehls: “President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs make it clear that our country will not be ripped off anymore. We are bringing back American manufacturing and putting America First.”

    Rep. Ralph Norman: “Happy LIBERATION Day … ✅Protect the American worker ✅Strengthen manufacturing ✅Reduce unfair trade practices … Our economy will be competitive again!!”

    Rep. Andy Ogles: “He’s resetting the negotiating table. He’s resetting the deck here to say, ‘You know what? For too long, you’ve taken advantage of our free market and you’ve literally leached jobs away from the American people … Let’s have a serious conversation and let’s do something that’s fair and mutually beneficial for both sides.’”

    Rep. Guy Reschenthaler: “I fully support President Trump’s critical efforts to right this generational wrong, bring manufacturing jobs home, and rejuvenate American working families. Made in America is back.”

    Rep. John Rutherford: “Tariffs help bring American jobs back home, incentivize buying American, AND put pressure on Canada and Mexico to stop the flow of fentanyl and illegal immigrants from their countries into ours. Even the Biden Admin kept or increased tariffs that President Trump imposed during his first presidency. Under Trump, inflation stayed around 2% and our GDP grew to 3%. Smart tariffs are a long-term investment in the American economy that are worth the short-term cost.”

    Rep. Adrian Smith: “Reducing trade barriers is necessary to ensuring American farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, small businesses, and innovators can sell their products in other markets. President Trump has made it clear other countries can avoid tariffs by reducing or eliminating their existing barriers to U.S. products. Engagement on trade is vital to our economy and opportunity for U.S. workers. In his first term, President Trump proved robust engagement can be productive as he moved the ball down the field on several agreements with our top trade partners. To achieve economic stability, we must continue to fight to give our producers the chance to compete in a global marketplace.”

    Rep. Greg Steube: “What many fail to realize: Trump’s reciprocal tariffs are a long-overdue response to years of unfair trade policies against America. For decades, America has been ripped off by other countries who have repeatedly slapped tariffs on our goods, blocked our products, and flooded our markets with theirs. The numbers don’t lie–the rest of the world has profited at the expense of American workers and businesses. President Trump is finally putting America First by taking bold, necessary actions that past leaders wouldn’t take.”

    Rep. Marlin Stutzman: “If Australia doesn’t want our beef – WE DON’T WANT THEIRS! Thank you @POTUS for opening the door of fair treatment for America’s Cattlemen‼️”

    Rep. Tom Tiffany: “Gone are the days of America being taken advantage of by foreign countries. The American worker comes FIRST.”

    Rep. William Timmons: “President Trump’s tariffs are a necessary move to protect American workers and rebuild our economy. We are finally breaking free from decades of unfair trade deals that gutted our industries. These tariffs will bring jobs back to our districts, strengthen manufacturing, and ensure our children inherit a country that is not just a consumer, but a producer. Thank you, @POTUS.”

    Rep. Beth Van Duyne: “For far too long, the United States has been taken advantage of by our foreign trade partners. The American people re-elected President Trump to bring back truly fair trade with other countries. Reciprocal tariffs are a first step to have a level playing field for American products and to start bringing back manufacturing to our country!”

    Rep. Daniel Webster: “President @realDonaldTrump is delivering on his mandate to restore America’s economic strength. For too long, unfair trade deals have hollowed out our factories and shipped American jobs overseas. By standing up to bad actors like China and Venezuela and enforcing fair trade, President Trump is defending American industries and putting American workers first.”

    Rep. Tony Wied: “President Trump has made it clear with these reciprocal tariffs that we will no longer allow other countries to take advantage of us. His goal is simple: to bring jobs and manufacturing back to our country and open up foreign markets to American products. If companies want to avoid these tariffs, they will do business in the United States. I applaud the President for taking a stand against years of unfair trade practices and making sure we put American workers and consumers first. It’s time our foreign trading partners finally live up to their end of the bargain.”

    Rep. Roger Williams: “For too long, America Last policies have put the U.S. auto industry at a disadvantage. As a car dealer and small business owner, I support @POTUS’ Executive Order to increase competition, boost revenue, and bring back American jobs.”

    Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson: “I applaud President Trump’s actions today to reset global trade relations through the President’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariff plan. America is not only in a trade war, we’ve been in a trade war for years now. This trade war has resulted in historic trade deficits that continue to hurt our farmers. … I believe President Trump’s actions today will set the stage for the renegotiation of better trade deals that will benefit American farmers and all our domestic industries going forward and will also serve to spur more local production.”

    U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer: “Today, President Trump is taking urgent action to protect the national security and economy of the United States. The current lack of trade reciprocity, demonstrated by our chronic trade deficit, has weakened our economic and national security. After only 72 days in office, President Trump has prioritized swift action to bring reciprocity to our trade relations and reduce the trade deficit by leveling the playing field for American workers and manufacturers, reshoring American jobs, expanding our domestic manufacturing base, and ensuring our defense-industrial base is not dependent on foreign adversaries—all leading to stronger economic and national security.”

    Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick: “Today, the world starts taking us seriously. Our workforce will finally be treated fairly.”

    Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent: “President Trump signed the Declaration of Economic Independence for the American people. For decades, the trade status quo has allowed countries to leverage tariffs and unfair trade practices to get ahead at the expense of hardworking Americans. The President’s historic actions will level the playing field for American workers and usher in a new age of economic strength.”

    Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins: “FARMERS COME FIRST — @POTUS is leveling the playing field, ensuring American farmers and ranchers can compete globally again!”

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “Thank you, @POTUS! ‘Made in America’ is not just a tagline — it’s an economic and national security priority.”

    Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem: “For too long, America has been targeted by unfair trade practices that made our supply chain dependent on foreign adversaries, eroded our industrial base, and hurt American workers. This has gravely impacted our national security. President Trump’s strong action will help make America safe again. @DHS, primarily through @CBP, is ready to collect these new tariffs and put an end to unfair trade practices. Thank you President @realDonaldTrump for putting America FIRST.”

    Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer: “Promises made, promises kept”

    Secretary of Energy Chris Wright: “President Trump is a businessman; he’s a negotiator. The result of that has been and will continue to be improvements for the American people. We are in the midst of a negotiation, and he is fighting every day to make the cost-of-living conditions better for Americans.”

    Secretary of Education Linda McMahon: “At the White House this afternoon, we celebrated Liberation Day — setting our economy on the path of future prosperity for our children. Business owners, workers, and taxpayers have been waiting for strong economic leadership.

    @POTUS’ actions today prove we are done being taken advantage of in international trade.”

    Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum: “President Trump’s Liberation Day reciprocity plan is commonsense. If you tariff us, we’ll tariff you. This will strengthen our economy and make America wealthy again!”

    Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy: “Today is the day we will liberate ourselves from unfair trade practices and outdated ways of thinking. Tariffs are an important tool in the President’s toolbox to stop foreign countries from ripping us off, protect America’s workers, and restore U.S. manufacturing. I stand with @POTUS as he finally levels the playing field. Happy Liberation Day!”

    Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner: “For four years, Americans couldn’t afford groceries, let alone a house. This Liberation Day, @POTUS is bringing manufacturing and jobs back. President Trump is making the American Dream achievable again!”

    Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin: “Massive announcement by @POTUS today restoring U.S. dominance, cementing his America First vision, and Powering the Great American Comeback.”

    Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler: “Small businesses will no longer be crushed by foreign governments and unfair trade deals. Instead, we will put American industry, workers, and strength FIRST. Thank you @POTUS for bringing back Made in America!”

    National Security Advisor Mike Waltz: “Economic security is national security. Thank you President Trump for putting America first.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Conserving the White Oak Tree: Critical for timber and distilling industries

    Source: US Government research organizations

    New genomic data aids in protecting the species from disease while advancing conservation efforts

    A group of researchers from the University of Kentucky, The University of Tennessee and Indiana University, including those supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation, have collaborated with scientists from the U.S. Forest Service and others to produce the first complete genome for the white oak (Quercus alba), a tree that provides large amounts of timber and is the primary species used in barrels for aging spirits.

    Credit: Matthew Barton, University of Kentucky

    The white oak at Makers Mark Star Hill Farm that provided the sample for recent NSF-funded work to develop a haploid genome for the species, which can be used in conserving this economically important tree.

    Data to complete the genome came from a range of academic sources, the Forest Service, state forest services and industry. By combining those data into an unbiased annotation of the white oak’s genes, the researchers have created a resource to understand genetic diversity and population differentiation within the species, assess disease resistance and the evolution of genes that enhance it, and compare with other oak genomes to determine evolutionary relationships between species and how the genomes have evolved.

    “Plants, including trees, help meet society’s needs for food, fuel, fiber and, in this case, other key economic services. Having genomic data like this helps us address important biological questions, including those related to the economic and societal use of the species,” said Diane Jofuku Okamuro, a program officer in the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences.

    The research was led by Meg Staton, associate professor at The University of Tennessee, and Drew Larson, NSF postdoctoral fellow at Indiana University, and coordinated by Seth DeBolt, University of Kentucky, and Dana Nelson, U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station.

    The work, which was also supported by Makers Mark, Independent Stave Company and Suntory Global Spirits, was published in New Phytologist.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Global: Consecutive El Niños are happening more often and the result is more devastating – new research

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Zhengyao Lu, Researcher in Physical Geography, Lund University

    El Niño, a climate troublemaker, has long been one of the largest drivers of variability in the global climate. Every few years, the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean seesaws between warm (El Niño) and cold (La Niña) phases. This reshuffles rainfall patterns, unleashing floods, droughts and storms thousands of miles from the Pacific origin.

    The 1997-98 and 2015-16 El Niño events, for instance, brought catastrophic flooding to the eastern Pacific while plunging Africa, Australia and southeast Asia into severe droughts.

    These disruptions don’t just alter weather, but devastate crops, collapse fisheries, bleach coral reefs, fuel wildfires, and threaten human health. The 1997-98 El Niño alone caused an estimated US$5.7 trillion (£4.4 trillion) in global income losses.

    Now, something more alarming is unfolding: both El Niño and La Niña are lingering longer than ever before, which is amplifying their destructive potential.

    Traditionally, El Niño events lasted about a year, alternating with La Niña in an irregular cycle every two to seven years.

    And normally when an El Niño or La Niña event ends, the disturbance to global weather patterns gradually subsides. But when these anomalies persist or re-emerge, the damage compounds and complicates recovery efforts. For instance, a single-year El Niño-driven drought can challenge agricultural systems, but consecutive years of drought could overwhelm them.

    In recent decades, these climate patterns have been persisting longer and recurring more often. A striking example is the 2020-2023 La Niña, a rare “triple-dip” event that lasted for three years. Rather than returning to neutral conditions, these anomalies are prolonging devastation and making recovery increasingly difficult.

    In a recent study, my colleagues and I revealed that multi-year Enso (El Niño-southern oscillation, or both warm El Niño and cold La Niña) events have been steadily increasing over the past 7,000 years, and are now more frequent than ever. This is due to a fundamental shift in Earth’s climate system.

    Clear proof of this shift comes from ancient corals in the central Pacific. These fossilised time capsules preserve a climate record stretching back thousands of years. By analysing oxygen isotopes in their skeletons, scientists can reconstruct past ocean temperatures and Enso activity.

    What we’ve found is remarkable: in the early Holocene (7,000 years ago), single-year Enso events were the norm. But over time, multi-year events have become five times more common.

    To confirm this, we turned to sophisticated computer simulations that replicate Earth’s climate system. The latest advancements in these global climate models allow us to simulate Enso dynamics stretching back hundreds of millions of years, across vastly different climate conditions and continental arrangements.

    In our study, we used a group of models contributed by international research teams to track Enso evolution over millennia, incorporating factors such as ocean circulation, atmospheric conditions, vegetation changes and solar radiation. The results align with coral records: Enso events have grown more prolonged over time.

    Look at the graphs below. On the left are black circles which represent fossilised coral slice records (bigger circles contain data for longer periods). The increasing trend (blue dashed line) shows the ratio of multi-year Enso events to single-year events increasing over the past 7,000 years (a ratio of 0.5 means one multi-year Enso event for every two single-year events). On the right, climate model simulations also show this ratio increasing.

    The increasing trend (blue dashed lines) of mult-year ENSO occurrence over the last 7,000 years. Ancient coral reconstructions on the left, climate model simulations on the right.
    Lu et al. (2025)/Nature

    The role of Earth’s orbit and humans

    This trend of Enso events lasting longer started gradually in the Holocene and is linked to changes in the Pacific Ocean’s thermocline, which is the boundary between warm surface waters and cooler deep waters. Over millennia, the tropical Pacific’s thermocline has become shallower and more stratified, enabling more efficient interaction between the atmosphere and ocean that allow El Niño and La Niña events to persist for longer.

    The primary driver of this stratification has been the slow change in Earth’s orbit, which alters the distribution of solar energy our planet receives. These orbital variations have subtly influenced upper ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific, nudging Enso towards longer phases. This slow process has unfolded naturally, but now there’s a new and powerful force accelerating it: human-driven climate change.

    Greenhouse gas emissions, predominantly from burning fossil fuels, are turbocharging this trend. The extra heat trapped in the atmosphere and ocean is making conditions even more favourable for persistent Enso events, and possibly more intense. What was once a slow, natural evolution is now accelerating at an alarming rate. Unlike past climate shifts, this one is happening in our lifetimes, with consequences we can already see.

    The implications are staggering. If Enso events keep lasting longer, we can expect more frequent and prolonged droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, floods and back-to-back intense hurricane seasons driven by multi-year Enso. Agriculture, fisheries, water supplies and disaster response systems will face increasing strain. Coastal cities, already struggling with rising seas, could face even more destructive storm surges fuelled by extended El Niño conditions.

    This is less a scientific puzzle than a growing crisis. While we can’t change Earth’s orbit, we can cut carbon emissions, strengthen climate resilience efforts and prepare for more persistent extreme weather. The science is clear: El Niño and La Niña are sticking around longer, and their consequences will be felt across the globe. The time to act is now, before the next multi-year Enso shockwave hits.


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

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.


    Zhengyao Lu receives funding from the Swedish Research Council, FORMAS and the Crafoord Foundation.

    ref. Consecutive El Niños are happening more often and the result is more devastating – new research – https://theconversation.com/consecutive-el-ninos-are-happening-more-often-and-the-result-is-more-devastating-new-research-251504

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch, Rounds Introduce Legislation to Prevent Rural Hospital Closures

    US Senate News:

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

    Legislation would codify a USDA pilot program that provides technical assistance to hospitals
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced legislation to help rural hospitals that are at risk of being closed. The Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program Act would codify an existing pilot program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides technical assistance to rural hospitals to prevent closures, improve their financial and operational performance and strengthen essential healthcare services in rural communities.
    “The health and wellbeing of Vermont’s rural hospitals impacts the health and wellbeing of every Vermonter. Our rural hospitals need help to keep their doors open for our patients,” said Welch. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Rounds on this bipartisan bill, which will strengthen hospitals across the United States and help improve care and services.”  
    “Rural hospitals are a lifeline for the communities they serve, and far too many are struggling to keep their doors open,” said Senator Rounds. “Providing technical assistance to rural hospitals at risk for closure gives providers and administrators a fresh set of eyes on their operations and allows for new ideas to help stabilize their operations. The Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program Act would codify this pilot program and help rural hospitals continue to provide the critical care that South Dakotans need.”
    Through an agreement with USDA, the National Rural Health Association provides several types of technical assistance to include expert guidance on optimizing billing processes, addressing reimbursement delays, improving collections and maximizing available reimbursement opportunities. Any rural hospital is eligible under this program, with preference given to hospitals in persistent poverty communities of less than 20,000. Participating hospitals are provided with a contractor specializing in rural health care delivery, who then reports back on goals and next steps to get the hospitals to financial and operational stability. To date, 17 hospitals have participated in the pilot version of the program, which has been highly effective in assisting rural hospitals.
    “The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) applauds Senator Rounds for his introduction of the Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance Program Act to expand and codify the existing USDA pilot program,” said Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association. “This legislation will help prevent hospital closures, improve financial and operations performance for facilities, and strengthen essential healthcare services in rural communities. NRHA looks forward to working with Congress to keep hospital doors open and continue providing care for the 60 million residents living in rural America.”
    Since 2005, 186 rural hospitals have closed nationwide, and over 400 rural hospitals are currently vulnerable to closure. Many rural hospitals face significant infrastructure needs, including updates on aging facilities, implementation of electronic health records and expansion of facilities to meet the changing needs of their service area.
    Read the full text of the bill

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: KOICA and WFP partner to strengthen communities and tackle hunger in Guinea

    Source: World Food Programme

    CONAKRY, Guinea – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a US$4 million contribution from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to develop a rice value chain, enabling communities to access nutritious food, become self-sufficient and resilient to weather-related shocks in Guinea.

    KOICA’s funds will strengthen livelihoods of smallholder farmers through agricultural support, access to markets, and creation of community assets for food production and social cohesion. The funds will also support locally sourced school meals, provide nutritional support to malnourished children and pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, while strengthening the capacity of national actors in the rice value chain. 

    “This partnership with KOICA is a game-changer for communities in Guinea” said Hyoung-Joon Lim, WFP Country Director for Guinea. “More children are enrolling in schools to get nutritious school meals, vulnerable communities have improved access to nutrition services, and households are building sustainable livelihoods through increased rice production and income-generating activities.”

    With a population of 14 million, the Republic of Guinea faces significant challenges despite its abundant agricultural potential and mineral wealth. Nearly one in three households – 35.8 per cent of the population – faces moderate food insecurity, while about 4.8 million people (34 percent) have limited access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. Although agriculture is a major source of income for rural communities, the country remains heavily dependent on food imports.

    Since 2023, KOICA funds have enabled WFP to scale up the Zero Hunger Village (ZHV) project, an integrated initiative that aims to make local communities self-sufficient in Guinea. In each Zero Hunger Village, WFP supports school feeding, nutrition, capacity building, and market access using an innovative and sustainable approach that fosters community self-reliance even after WFP’s exit. One of the key successes of the project is the introduction of the high-yielding, and short-cycle rice variety “Tong-il G”, with high yield and adaptability to the local climate compared to local rice varieties. 

    “We are very pleased to see that the use of Korean Tong-il G rice seeds is contributing to increased agricultural productivity, improved children’s nutrition through school meal programmes, and enhanced educational outcomes, ultimately supporting Zero Hunger. We will continue to collaborate with WFP to achieve the project’s goal of establishing more than 500 Zero Hunger villages”, said Deputy Representative of KOICA Senegal, Yoojin Hwang, following a recent field visit in three Zero Hunger Villages sites (Farabana, Bananko, Gbodou) in Kankan region to witness the activities included in the comprehensive Zero Hunger Initiative.

    #                #            #
     

    About WFP
    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media 
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI Global: Industrial chicken farms are trashing Britain’s rivers – and planning reforms could make things worse

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Rosalind Malcolm, Professor of Environmental Law, Director of Environmental Regulatory Research Group (ERRG), University of Surrey

    Once voted the UK’s favourite river, the River Wye flows from the Welsh mountains to the Severn estuary – 150 miles through an officially recognised “national landscape”. But this idyllic picture is changing, as the river is gradually choked by waste from industrial chicken farming.

    The Wye is perhaps the most extreme example, but the nearby River Severn, the UK’s longest river, is also at risk, along with rivers in places such as Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Yorkshire.

    In the land that feeds into these rivers, millions of chickens are being reared in intensive units to supply supermarkets with cheap meat and eggs. But all those chickens produce vast amounts of manure which can end up in the rivers.

    This floods the river with excess nutrients causing algal blooms to flourish. The algae blocks out sunlight and consumes oxygen, which kills other creatures in the water. For instance the number of Atlantic salmon passing through the River Wye each year has plummeted from 50,000 in the 1960s to less than 3,000.

    The problems caused by chicken farming have led to legal action against US food company Cargill and its subsidiary Avara Foods (both firms deny the allegations). Meanwhile food outlets including Nando’s have denied sourcing their products from polluting farms.

    Described as a “dying river” in a Channel 4 News report, in 2023 the Wye’s conservation status was downgraded by Natural England to “unfavourable – declining”.

    Measures to deal with excess nutrients have led to so-called nutrient neutrality policies. These prevent new developments that would cause a net increase in nutrients. But the knock-on effect is that development (including housebuilding) may be blocked.

    Much of the River Wye flows through the English county of Herefordshire. There, the council, exasperated by the failure of these plans to reverse the decline, took the unusual step of controlling the pollution through planning laws.

    Its Minerals and Waste Local Plan declared that any new chicken farms must demonstrate that the manure would be properly managed and the project would overall be nutrient neutral. That would form part of an environmental impact assessment during the planning process.

    This was unusual because agricultural activities are not usually subject to planning control and what you do on your farm is generally regulated by non-planning statutory regimes. So, the step taken by Herefordshire Council was unusual and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) challenged it in court.

    What was also new, was the categorisation of manure as “waste”.

    Is manure ‘waste’?

    Agriculture mainly gets a pass on waste controls. Faecal matter (including chicken manure) is not treated as waste in law as long as it does not harm the environment or endanger human health, even though it is not the farmers’ primary product. A farmer breeds chickens for meat and eggs but chickens also produce manure. But that manure can still be useful as a fertiliser, for energy or as compost. So far so good. The problem comes when that by-product is not managed carefully and it ends up polluting rivers.

    So should it be defined as waste – and therefore subject to strict controls – or treated as a valuable byproduct and managed as a commodity just like the eggs?

    The answer is: it depends. Case law indicates that the test for whether the manure would be waste is whether it can harm the environment.

    In the High Court case, the NFU argued that agricultural activities should not be subject to planning controls and that manure should not be treated as “waste”. In effect its argument was that the economic endeavours of farmers should outweigh the additional environmental protections introduced by the council.

    The judge did not agree with the NFU. She said that chicken manure could indeed be waste and the council could control it through the planning regime.

    Symbolic slurry

    This is a symbolic battle between those tricky pillars of sustainable development: economy, society and environment.

    In any planning case, the elements need to be balanced and one will dominate over the others. Housing for people? Industrial development for economic growth? Industrial farming for (cheap) food? Protecting the river and its ecosystem from pollution? Every decision made represents a trade-off.

    As the courts move to prioritise protecting the environment, the UK government is favouring economic growth. Its Planning and Infrastructure Bill plans to replace individual environmental impact assessments with broad based “environmental delivery plans” produced by a government body (not the developer) but funded by developers.

    These delivery plans will set out conservation measures addressing environmental impacts of development. They might focus on protected species or habitats or on issues like nutrient neutrality.

    But there is no shortage of plans already in the government armoury. Environmental Improvement Plans were set up by a previous government. Among these, the Wyescapes landscape recovery project is aimed at developing “sustainable, future-proof business models working with nature along the floodplain”. The River Wye nutrient management plan aims to halt nutrient pollution. The River Wye action plan aims to stop the decline of the river system by making the catchment a pilot for transforming how manure is managed.

    However, as the judge in the NFU v Herefordshire Council case said, all the evidence demonstrates that these plans have so far failed to stop the decline. This left the council to implement drastic and immediate action.

    The NFU is considering an appeal. But the council’s win at the high court may be in vain when government proposals outlaw the requirement for individual environmental impact assessments.

    It remains to be seen how effective the new government ideas on protecting the environment will be. For now, it appears that anything that blocks development is not a government priority.


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

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    Rosalind Malcolm 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. Industrial chicken farms are trashing Britain’s rivers – and planning reforms could make things worse – https://theconversation.com/industrial-chicken-farms-are-trashing-britains-rivers-and-planning-reforms-could-make-things-worse-253463

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Sorensen Responds to President Trump’s Tariffs Announcement

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s across-the-board tariffs that will significantly raise prices on families in Illinois’ 17th district. 

    “Tariffs are taxes that will make it more expensive for families across Central and Northwestern Illinois to afford their groceries or buy a new home,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen. “The tariffs announced today by the President are going to cost my neighbors an additional $5,200 annually, while also punishing farmers who sell their crops around the world. Let me be clear: my number one priority is lowering costs for neighbors and these tariffs are taxes on working families.” 

    You can hear more from Congressman Sorensen by watching the video HERE

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Environment Agency grants permit for Whitestone landfill site

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Environment Agency grants permit for Whitestone landfill site

    The environmental permit sets out strict conditions on operation of the proposed inert landfill site at Lower Hare Farm

    An environmental permit sets the conditions which GRS Stone Supplies Ltd must adhere to when operating the inert landfill site.

    Following extensive public consultation, the Environment Agency has granted an environmental permit to the operators of a proposed landfill site at Lower Hare Farm in Whitestone, Exeter today.

    In reaching the decision, after considering all feedback from the local community and interested groups, the agency agreed that GRS Stone Supplies Ltd had met all of the necessary criteria required for the environmental permit to be issued.

    Chris James for the Environment Agency said:

    We have carefully considered all of the submissions and feedback we received during our public consultations, and we thank everyone who took the time to contact us with their views.

    This permit will ensure that robust levels of environmental protection are applied. Our permitting decision process is objective and based on the applicant demonstrating they will meet the legal requirements outlined in the permit.

    Where an application meets the requirements of the Environmental Permitting Regulations (2016) the agency must issue a permit.

    An environmental permit sets the conditions which GRS Stone Supplies Ltd must adhere to when operating the inert landfill site.  It covers the management and operation of the site and the control and monitoring of emissions.    

    When the Environment Agency considers a permit application, it reviews the design of the proposed site, how it will be operated, the emissions it will generate (to air, water and land) and whether it will meet the required standards. Partner organisations, including the UK Health Security Agency, are also consulted as part of the process.  

    Issues such as suitability of the location, operating hours and traffic management are matters for the planning authority, not the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency can only consider issues covered by the environmental permit and can only refuse a permit application based on technical information.   

    The final permit, decision document and our review of other documents received during consultations, can be viewed on our public register. You can request these by calling our Customer Contact Centre on 03706 506 506 or emailing DCISEnquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI USA: Heinrich, Luján Join Senate Democrats in Demanding Trump Rescind Illegal Executive Order Threatening Federal Employee Collective Bargaining Agreements

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
    Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in urging President Donald Trump to rescind his March 27 executive order to end collective bargaining agreements between public employee unions and dozens of federal agencies and bureaus. In their letter, the Democratic Senators blasted the move as a “gross overreach” of presidential authority, asserting that the executive order is a clear attempt to gut the federal merit-based civil service and implement a system of political cronyism. They stressed that the order poses a grave threat to the ability of over 1 million federal workers to carry out their missions and deliver important services for the American people – and thus should be rescinded immediately.
    “We write today in outrage over your recent executive order entitled Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs, a gross overreach of the authority granted in the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA). This order is an insult to the hardworking public servants who go to work on behalf of the American people,” the Senators began.
    “The executive order effectively classifies two thirds of the federal workforce as having national security missions, a blatant misuse of a limited authority intended to provide operational flexibility to address legitimate security needs,” they continued. “There is no evidence that the long-standing collective bargaining agreements at these agencies have jeopardized our nation’s security in any way; to the contrary, the protection collective bargaining has provided for employees allows them to conduct their work on behalf of the American people—including blowing the whistle on fraud or abuse—without political interference.”
    “This Administration clearly does not have even a basic understanding of the legally binding nature of federal collective bargaining agreements and is actively trying to bend the law to undermine protections for federal civil servants. We urge you to immediately rescind this illegal executive order so that our dedicated public servants can continue to work on behalf of the American public without fear for their job or political retribution,” the Senators concluded.
    The Senators’ letter is endorsed by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), and Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
    Led by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Senators Heinrich and Luján were joined on this letter by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
    A copy of the letter is available here and below.
    Dear President Trump: 
    We write today in outrage over your recent executive order entitled Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs, a gross overreach of the authority granted in the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA). 
    This order is an insult to the hardworking public servants who go to work on behalf of the American people. They care for our veterans, deliver disaster assistance, prevent wildfires, help farmers improve crop yields, manage health benefits for 9/11 first responders, research treatments and cures for diseases, keep air travel safe, process tax returns, staff our national parks and much, much more. Nearly one third of these dedicated civil servants are veterans seeking to continue their service to our country out of uniform.  
    The executive order effectively classifies two thirds of the federal workforce as having national security missions, a blatant misuse of a limited authority intended to provide operational flexibility to address legitimate security needs. The national security exemption has existed for nearly 50 years and has been used only sparingly by Republican and Democratic Administrations—including during your first term—to exclude federal offices with an unquestionable core function in intelligence, counterintelligence, or national security. There is no evidence that the long-standing collective bargaining agreements at these agencies have jeopardized our nation’s security in any way; to the contrary, the protection collective bargaining has provided for employees allows them to conduct their work on behalf of the American people—including blowing the whistle on fraud or abuse—without political interference. 
    Federal employees’ collective bargaining agreements are critical to ensuring they continue to serve the American people with the peace of mind that comes with being protected from unfair labor practices. Unlike in the private sector, federal employee unions in most cases cannot negotiate pay or benefits, which are set by Congress, and they are legally prohibited from striking. The federal collective bargaining agreements do, however, protect federal employees from illegal firings, retaliation, and discrimination. They also promote resources for whistleblowers and veterans. These federal union contracts give employees in the civil service protections from retaliation so they can serve the American people fairly and effectively without partisan political interference.  
    This executive order, which ruthlessly strips collective bargaining agreements for over one million federal workers, is the most recent attack your Administration has levied against our merit-based civil service in the effort to cut the workforce and replace them with political cronies. While the CSRA does give the president the authority to limit collective bargaining agreements due to national security concerns, the executive order’s direction to terminate mass swaths of federal employee collective bargaining agreements is clearly intended to broadly dismantle the CSRA, which is specifically designed to grant federal employees the right to collective bargaining as a means to resolve workplace issues while maintaining the smooth functioning of government operations.  
    When the Secretary of Labor testified in February in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Members of Congress asked her both in-person and through questions for the record whether she and the Administration would commit to honoring all legally binding collective bargaining agreements signed by federal agencies and labor unions, and whether federal employees have the right to organize and collectively bargain without fear of retaliation. The Secretary answered, “if confirmed, I will follow the law and work with the experts at the Department to understand the collective bargaining process at the Department and the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreements in place.” This Administration clearly does not have even a basic understanding of the legally binding nature of federal collective bargaining agreements and is actively trying to bend the law to undermine protections for federal civil servants.  
    We urge you to immediately rescind this illegal executive order so that our dedicated public servants can continue to work on behalf of the American public without fear for their job or political retribution.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: McGovern, Brown, Hayes Introduce Bill Blocking GOP Plan To Cut SNAP Benefits For Tax Cuts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA)

    ** VIDEO: Press Conference Announcing The Hunger Free Future Act **

     

    WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Tuesday, Representatives James P. McGovern (D-MA), Shontel Brown (D-OH), and Jahana Hayes (D-CT) introduced The Hunger Free Future Act to protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from backdoor benefit cuts. 

    The legislation has 56 cosponsors in the House. 

    The Hunger Free Future Act requires that any updates to the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) do not result in an increase in hunger among low-income families. The USDA uses the Thrifty Food Plan to determine benefit size. SNAP maximum allotments (benefit amounts) are updated each year based on the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan in June, taking effect on Oct. 1. The Thrifty Food Plan is the cost of groceries needed to provide a healthy, budget-conscious diet for a family of four. 

    The House Republican budget resolution, which passed in February, calls for $230 billion in cuts to SNAP. According to reporting by Politico, Congressional Republicans are primarily targeting changes to the Thrifty Food Plan to execute these cuts. 

    “SNAP helps make sure children, seniors, veterans, and Americans with disabilities have enough food to stay healthy. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are going after these very modest benefits –about $2 per meal – to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. It’s a special kind of cruel to take food out of the mouths of hungry people to fund yet another tax break for the richest people in this country,” said Congressman James P. McGovern, Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and a senior Member of the Committee on Agriculture. “Our bill is simple: it will protect modest SNAP benefits and make sure future updates don’t make hunger worse.”  

    “Donald Trump and Elon Musk: take your hands off SNAP. This bill sends a loud and clear message: we won’t let Republicans gut food assistance to fund tax handouts to billionaires,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown, Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture. “I’m proud to introduce the Hunger Free Future Act with two relentless anti-hunger champions, Congressman McGovern and Congresswoman Hayes, backed by over 50 of our colleagues. Our bill would block Republican efforts to fund tax cuts for the wealthy by making backdoor cuts to SNAP benefits through so-called reforms to the Thrifty Food Plan. Slashing SNAP to help the ultra-wealthy buy another yacht isn’t just wrong—it’s heartless, gutless, and shameless. We will fight this every step of the way.”

    “Forty-seven million food insecure Americans are too many. Yet at every chance House Republicans continue to push for crush feeding programs,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture. “SNAP is our most effective anti-hunger tool ensuring children, families, and seniors get the nutritious food they need to live healthy lives. Efforts to shrink the program will devastate our most vulnerable communities. I am pleased to join Rep. Brown and Rep. McGovern in introducing the Hunger-Free Future Act to block any changes that would compromise SNAP or exacerbate food insecurity in our country.”

    “At a time when some Congressional leaders are threatening to cut federal nutrition programs, we are pleased to see Reps. Brown, Hayes, and McGovern take a stand for the more than 42 million Americans relying on SNAP to keep food on the table. The Hunger-Free Future Act keeps future benefit adjustments for the Thrifty Food Plan, the basis for determining a household’s monthly SNAP allotment, ensuring that children, older adults, people with disabilities, veterans and those living in rural areas, can continue to afford the food they need for an adequate diet,” said Crystal FitzSimons, interim president of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). “We want a country where children thrive, families have what they need, and our economy works for everyone, and that vision requires protecting and strengthening SNAP. We urge Congress to reject proposals that would weaken SNAP and instead focus on strengthening this nutrition lifeline.” 

    Bill text available here.

    In addition to bill sponsor Brown and co-leads McGovern and Hayes, the following members are cosponsors of the Hunger Free Future Act: Rep. Adams (NC-12), Rep. Ansari (AZ-03), Rep. Beatty (OH-03), Rep. Bell (MO-01), Rep. Bishop (GA-02), Rep. Carson (IN-07) Rep. Carter (LA-02), Rep. Chu (CA-28), Rep. Cohen (TN-09), Rep. Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Rep. Davis (IL-07), Rep. McClain Delaney (MD-06), Rep. DelBene (WA-01), Rep. Dingell (MI-06), Rep. Fields (LA-06), Rep. Figures (AL-02), Rep. Goldman (NY-10), Rep. Gottheimer (NJ-05), Rep. Jacobs (CA-51), Rep. Jackson (IL-01), Rep. Johnson (GA-04), Rep. Johnson (TX-32), Rep. Kelly (IL-02), Rep. Khanna (CA-17), Rep. Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Rep. Landsman (OH-01), Rep. Latimer (NY-16), Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Rep. McIver (NJ-10), Rep. Meng (NY-06), Rep. Moore (WI-04), Rep. Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Rep. Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Rep. Pingree (MA-01), Rep. Pressley (MA-07), Rep. Ramirez (IL-03), Rep. Riley (NY-19), Rep. Rivas (CA-29) Rep. Salinas (OR-06), Rep. Scanlon (PA-05), Rep. Smith (WA-09), Rep. Sorenson (Il-17), Rep. Soto (FL-09), Rep. Stevens (MI-03), Rep. Stickland (WA-10), Rep. Sykes (OH-13), Rep. Thanedar (MI-13), Rep. Thompson (MS-02), Rep. Tlaib (MI-12), Rep. Tonko (NY-20), Rep. Titus (NV-01), Rep. Tokuda (HI-02), Rep. Vargas (CA-52), Rep. Velazquez (NY-07)

    Additional Background

    1. In 2021, the Biden Administration updated the Thrifty Food Plan, providing the first real increase in SNAP purchasing power in decades. For more information on possible Republican cuts to the Thrifty Food Plan, click here.
    2. According to the USDA, 21% of households in Congresswoman Brown’s district, OH-11 (75,000 households total) rely on SNAP benefits, including 31% of Black households. The percentage of households in OH-11 that depend on SNAP is the highest for a congressional district in Ohio. 
    3. Congresswoman Brown has made fighting for SNAP recipients a priority. Brown invited the President of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank as her guest to President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress. She also recently took part in the SNAP Challenge, attempting to purchase a week’s worth of groceries on a budget of $42, reflecting that the average daily benefit for SNAP is just six dollars. 
    4. On March 17, Brown and McGovern joined all Agriculture Committee Democrats in a letter led by Ranking Member Hayes to Committee Chairman Thompson urging bipartisan negotiations on the farm bill and opposing harmful cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

     

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: EarthOptics Launches Scalable $4/Acre Total Farm Platform, Marking Its First Significant Step Post-Merger with Pattern Ag

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MINNEAPOLIS, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EarthOptics announced its new subscription-based Total Farm program for the 2025 crop year. This is the company’s first collaborative release following last year’s merger of EarthOptics and Pattern Ag, two ag technology firms each founded in 2018. The Total Farm program combines the EarthOptics GroundOwl™ sensor suite, soil biological test results (DNA), a farmer’s yield data, and satellite imagery to produce full-field soil fertility and crop planning recommendations that farmers can use to increase yield profitability and lower input costs.

    Agronomic advisors and farmers who sign up for the Total Farm program receive a comprehensive data service, including a high-resolution nutrient map that shows automated variable-rate soil fertility prescriptions and soil biological risk assessments. The new platform keeps farmers informed about key in-season and long-term agronomic decisions across their entire farm, with the goal of improving their efficiency, productivity, and input optimization. A Total Farm subscription includes soil testing and analysis, crop protection recommendations, fertility prescriptions, and use of a first-of-its-kind crop planning tool, all at a flat rate of $4 per acre.

    “Total Farm makes the highest-resolution agronomic data accessible and actionable to farmers at the whole-farm level,” said Dr. Lars Dyrud, EarthOptics CEO. “We integrate soil biology, soil fertility, and yield-based data into a single workflow that farmers and their trusted advisors can use to make informed decisions and eliminate much of the guesswork that goes into crop planning.”

    Once farmers are enrolled in the Total Farm program, EarthOptics seamlessly handles everything for the customer from start to finish, including soil testing, laboratory analysis, and results reporting. The entire process is managed and carefully documented within the EarthOptics chain of custody, ensuring testing integrity along with fast, reliable results.

    Farmers and their trusted advisors can export Total Farm recommendations in multiple file formats, including shapefiles, for use with farm machinery or prescription software. For example, Total Farm is compatible with and integrates with most popular ag data platforms, including Climate FieldView, MyJohnDeere, CNH, and Raven.

    With more than 4.6 million acres being measured, EarthOptics continues expanding its reach through its vast dealer network of participating agronomists, seed dealers, ag retailers, and professional crop consultants.

    “EarthOptics and PatternAg merged to join complementary technologies and data systems,” said Dyrud. “Our first collaboration is a platform that supports a new level of accurate agronomic decision-making while contributing to improved soil health and more targeted use of fertilizer and crop inputs. Total Farm is the beginning of many great new product offerings on the horizon that we are working to create and launch in coming months and years.”

    Interested farmers can enroll in the Total Farm program and schedule soil sampling either before planting or after the harvest. Enrollment operates on a first-come, first-serve basis, with early signups prioritized for soil sampling, testing, and planning in the upcoming 2026 crop year. For more details, visit earthoptics.com.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Drone Surveying Market One of The Fastest Growing Segments of the Drone Industry as Revenue Opportunity Climbs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The US Drone Surveying Market has been the Global Market Leader in recent years and is expected to continue for years to come. The US has been the market leader in the drone industry since the start of the drone revolution. Across industries, companies have employed drones for their day-to-day operations. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, mining, real estate, and agriculture are some of the prominent end-use industries for the drone surveying market. According to an industry report, the US drone surveying market is expected to witness double-digit market growth in the forecast period and is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 2540.0 million by the end of 2033. The construction and mining industry is expected to be the market leader in the demand for drone surveying services. Increased spending from governments and rising demand for residential and commercial spaces would add a significantly high pace to the overall drone surveying demand in the US. The report said; “Why Land Survey Commands Largest Market Share? The drone land survey as a service is a common one among all industries. The demand for land surveys arises from sectors such as construction, mining, energy, real estate, public administration, and agriculture among others. That is why land survey services contribute most to the drone survey company’s revenue. The drone land survey holds around 53% of the total market share in the drone survey industry. With the help of drone land surveys, companies/institutions get their desired datasets which ultimately help them in making informed decisions. For example, a land survey for infrastructure development can help companies and planning and development by providing required 3D maps or images. It is expected that the land survey market to remain the top revenue contributor for drone survey service providers.”   Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR), Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: PLTR), EHang (NASDAQ: EH), Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT).

    Fact.MR continued: “Construction Industry to Contribute Most to the Drone Surveying Service Demand. The spending on infrastructural development has been all-time high across the major economies of the world. The market players are taking the help of drone service providers in different stages of planning and development. Drone surveying companies provide services for the use of town planning, land record digitalization, urban city development, and other development-related services. With the help of drones, companies are able to cover increased areas (acres of land/area) within no time, and with precise and accurate data. These collected images and data can be easily converted into meaningful output, which can be useful in the planning and development of urban towns. Drone surveying has been very useful for the construction industry by providing important insights with minimal cost and improved efficiency.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Closes Second Southeast Region Acquisition, Wallace Surveying Corporation, Set to Become the Third Acquisition to Power Its National Drone as a Service (DaaS) Business – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces that it has closed the acquisition of Wallace Surveying Corporation (“Wallace”) of West Palm Beach, Florida, a well-established land survey company with thirty years of experience. Wallace provides construction and land development surveys delivering accurate and reliable data that supports project planning and design for developers, contractors, engineers, and architect customers.

    This is ZenaTech’s second acquisition in the Southeast region as part of a larger national roll-up strategy to disrupt the land survey industry by accelerating the use of drones for speed and accuracy benefits. The acquisition also further powers the Company’s national Drone as a Service, or DaaS, business as the third US acquisition set to provide access to the ZenaDrone 1000 and the IQ series. These multifunction drones are set to provide a variety of services including power line inspections, precision agriculture, law enforcement, and search and rescue for natural disasters such as hurricanes.

    “Wallace Surveying Corporation is well respected in the South Florida business community with longstanding existing customer relationships. Its team brings considerable expertise toward our goal of innovating land surveys at scale leveraging advanced drone data collection, data management, mapping and digital deliverables. This acquisition is another step towards our vision to create a national DaaS business, bringing AI drone efficiencies and precision to a variety of legacy verticals and manual tasks,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

    ZenaTech’s Drones as a Service or DaaS model is similar to Software as a Service (SaaS), but instead of providing software solutions over the Internet, the company will offer ZenaDrone solutions and services on a subscription or pay-per-use basis. Customers can conveniently access drones for eliminating manual or time-consuming tasks achieving more precision, such as for surveying, inspections, security and law enforcement, or farming precision agriculture applications, without having to buy, operate, or maintain the drones themselves.

    The DaaS business model offers customers such as government agencies, real estate developers, construction firms, farmers or energy companies reduced upfront costs as there is no need to purchase expensive drones, as well as convenience, as there is no need to manage maintenance and operation. The model also offers scalability to use more often or less often based on business needs and enables access to advanced drone technology sensors or attachments like spraying, without the need for specialized training.

    Accurate land surveys are essential for the planning, designing, and executing of roads, bridges, and building projects for cities, commercial, and residential projects, and are required for legal purposes. Remotely piloted drones with an array of sensors and cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and GPS systems for capturing high-resolution pictures and data are revolutionizing the land survey industry gathering aerial data across expansive terrains in a matter of hours instead of weeks or months using more traditional photogrammetry methods. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/.

    In Additional ZENA News: ZenaTech’s (NASDAQ:ZENA) 2024 Financial Results Shows Revenue and Assets Increase.

    2024 Financial Results:

    • As of December 31, 2024, and consistent with its recent 6K filing, ZenaTech’s 2024 full-year revenue increased by 7% to $1.96 million as compared to $1.82 million for the full year of 2023 (all figures in $Cdn. dollars)
    • Comprehensive loss for the period was ($4.04 million) versus ($.251 million) last year due to increased one-time costs of listing on Nasdaq Capital Market from lawyers, accountants, auditors, financial advisor (investment banker) and other going public expenses
    • Assets have increased over 110% to $34.6 million at year-end 2024, up from $16.4 million at year-end 2023. This is due to the company’s acquisition of three patents, and a total of four software companies. In addition, the company has signed multiple Letters of Intent (LOIs) as part of an acquisition strategy that will tremendously increase future revenue
    • Liabilities continue to be low, having increased $3.7 million to $12.8 million at year-end 2024 from $9.1 million at year-end 2023
    • The Company’s ratio of debt to total capitalization is 31%, which is well within the accepted standard of less than 50%
    • ZenaTech’s existing cash and funds available through lines of credit will be sufficient to finance the next 12 months of the company’s operations. We anticipate that cash generated internally, and lines of credit will be sufficient to fund our drone development and acquisitions
    • Additional information is available from ZenaTech’s 6K filing on the SEC EDGAR website. The company will be filing its 20F by the due date, which is April 30, 2024, for Private Foreign Issuers. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.zenatech.com/newsroom/.

    Other recent developments in the drone/aviation industries include:

    Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR) and Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: PLTR) recently announced a partnership today to build the AI foundation for the future of next-gen aviation technologies. For decades, the aviation industry has made only incremental improvements, constrained by legacy technology and a dominant duopoly in commercial aviation. With the rapid acceleration of AI, as well as breakthroughs in distributed electric propulsion, the industry is now poised for change.

    The two plan to leverage Palantir Foundry and AIP to accelerate the scaling of Archer’s aircraft manufacturing capabilities at its facilities in Georgia and Silicon Valley, with the intent to advance the development of software solutions to drive innovation across the entire value chain.

    This would include the development of next-gen software utilizing AI to improve a range of aviation systems, including air traffic control, movement control and route planning, with the goal of improving efficiency, safety and affordability across the industry.

    Archer and Palantir will formalize this partnership later today during a signing ceremony between Palantir co-founder and CEO, Alex Karp, and Archer founder and CEO, Adam Goldstein, at Palantir’s AIPCon.

    EHang (NASDAQ: EH), the world’s leading Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technology platform company, recently announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Guangdong EHang General Aviation Co., Ltd. (“EHang General Aviation”), and its joint venture company in Hefei, Hefei HeYi Aviation Co., Ltd. (“HeYi Aviation”), have been granted the first batch of Air Operator Certificates (“OC”) for civil human-carrying pilotless aerial vehicles by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (“CAAC”).

    This milestone officially marks the launch of China’s human-carrying flight era in the low-altitude economy, allowing citizens and consumers to purchase flight tickets for low-altitude tourism, urban sightseeing, and diverse commercial human-carrying flight services at related operation sites in Guangzhou and Hefei. In the future, operators will also gradually expand into more other scenarios such as urban commuting based on operational conditions legally and compliantly. The issuance of the first batch of OCs sets a new benchmark for the low-altitude economy and urban air mobility and further unleashing a more powerful vitality of the new-quality productive forces.

    Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, recently reported its financial results for the 2024 Transition Period (as of December 31, 2024 and the eight months then ended) and provides a corporate update.

    “Red Cat’s partnerships and global expansion strategy is already yielding strong results. Over the past few months, we’ve introduced the Black Widow and Edge 130 drones to key international markets, including the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and soon Latin America,” said Jeff Thompson, Red Cat CEO. “This momentum underscores growing global interest in our Family of Systems. The ongoing development of Black Widow for the U.S. Army’s SRR Program of Record, bolstered by AI partners like Palantir and Palladyne, we’re not only meeting immediate defense needs—we’re ensuring our warfighters and allies are well equipped for rapidly-evolving battlefield.”

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    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks.  All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated fifty one hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Verity Announces Agreement with Minnesota Soybean Processors to Track and Verify Sustainable Agriculture Attributes

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ENGLEWOOD, Colo., April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Verity Holdings, LLC (“Verity”), is pleased to announce we have partnered with Minnesota Soybean Processors (“MnSP”) to implement Verity’s proprietary track and trace software. This collaboration aims to unlock additional value for MnSP through export premiums while streamlining compliance reporting and auditability.

    “This partnership with MnSP is a great example of how Verity’s technology empowers producers to capture and communicate the value of sustainable agriculture,” said Kimberly Bowron, President of Verity. “By leveraging our advanced data verification and supply chain transparency solutions, MnSP can document key attributes with confidence, ensuring that sustainably grown soybeans translate into real value for farmers, processors, and international buyers alike.”

    This partnership reinforces Verity and MnSP’s commitment to expanding opportunities in international markets for sustainably certified products, such as those derived from regeneratively grown soybeans. Both companies share the view that this is the first of many opportunities to create value by ensuring complete traceability from farm to finished products.

    Since 2003, MnSP has operated a soy crush plant that processes 100,000-plus bushels per day; a refinery for producing feedstock for edible oil and biofuels out of crude soybean oil; and a 41 million gallon per year biodiesel-production plant that has operated for 20 years, located in Brewster, Minnesota.

    About Verity
    Verity Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gevo, Inc (NASDAQ: GEVO), is pioneering the ability to track, verify, and quantify carbon intensity across the entire carbon cycle. Through its proprietary digital MRV (Measure, Report, Verify) platform, which is powered by distributed ledger technology, Verity offers comprehensive carbon project development and accounting services. These services are designed to enhance the environmental value across entire business systems, maximizing the value of carbon and sustainability efforts at each stage. Verity is at the forefront of creating the ability to track, verify, and empirically value carbon intensity across the full carbon lifecycle.

    About Gevo
    Gevo, Inc. is a next-generation diversified energy company committed to fueling America’s future with cost-effective, drop-in fuels that contribute to energy security, abate carbon, and strengthen rural communities to drive economic growth. Gevo’s innovative technology can be used to make a variety of renewable products, including SAF, motor fuels, chemicals, and other materials that provide U.S.-made solutions. By investing in the backbone of rural America, Gevo’s business model includes developing, financing, and operating production facilities that create jobs and revitalize communities. Gevo owns and operates one of the largest dairy-based renewable natural gas (“RNG”) facilities in the United States, turning by-products into clean, reliable energy. We also operate an ethanol plant with an adjacent carbon capture and sequestration (“CCS”) facility, further solidifying America’s leadership in energy innovation. Additionally, Gevo owns the world’s first production facility for specialty alcohol-to-jet (“ATJ”) fuels and chemicals. Gevo’s market-driven “pay for performance” approach regarding carbon and other sustainability attributes, helps ensure value is delivered to our local economy. Through its Verity subsidiary, Gevo provides transparency, accountability, and efficiency in tracking, measuring and verifying various attributes throughout the supply chain. By strengthening rural economies, Gevo is working to secure a self-sufficient future and to make sure value is brought to the market.

    For more information, see www.gevo.com.

    About Minnesota Soy Processors
    Minnesota Soy Process is striving to become the largest independent soybean crush facility in the country and to grow into a diverse, vertically integrated leader in soybean processing, logistics and commodity management. MnSP wants to provide superior value to its customers, security for its employees, and returns to its shareholders. For more information, please visit mnsoy.com.

    Forward Looking Statement
    Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to a variety of matters, including, without limitation, Verity’s technology and platform, the commercial benefits of using the Verity platform, and the attributes of Verity’s platform, the value of sustainability premiums and other statements that are not purely statements of historical fact. These forward-looking statements are made based on the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Gevo and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Gevo undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Gevo believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Gevo in general, see the risk disclosures in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Gevo for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by Gevo.

    Media Contact
    Heather Manuel
    VP, Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships
    PR@gevo.com

    IR Contact
    Eric Frey
    Vice President of Finance & Strategy
    IR@Gevo.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Derby Market Hall unveils latest set of traders – including butcher and bakery

    Source: City of Derby

    Derby City Council is excited to announce the third wave of traders set to move into the revitalised Derby Market Hall.

    Following a £35.1m restoration of the historic Grade II-listed building, the Market Hall will reopen its doors to the public on Saturday 24 May, marking a new era for Derby’s independent shopping, dining, and entertainment scene. 

    A curated mix of traditional and contemporary traders will be in place when the Market Hall reopens its doors, creating a vibrant hub in the heart of the city and blending the Market Hall’s rich history with a modern experience. 

    The newest announcement of traders offers fresh produce from a traditional butcher and a craft bakery, plus an exciting variety of retailers and another occupant of our make and trade stalls, which offer local makers and creators new spaces to reach new audiences, inspire others, and grow their businesses in the heart of the city centre.

    Fresh produce: 

    • Anthony Andrews Butchers will be bringing a traditional trade to Derby Market Hall. A small family-run business in Duffield since 2011, the team sources all their meat as locally as possible, working alongside local farmers. Their popular award-winning sausages – made to a secret recipe! – alongside pork pies, steak pies and much more are all handmade. You’ll be able to pick up prime cuts of quality meat and poultry, including dry cured steak and bacon, black pudding and free-range chicken. The business extends its eco-friendly ethos to its packaging, which has a focus on sustainability.
    • Olivia’s Coffee and Bakery will be bringing freshly-baked breads, pastries, and treats while brewing amazing coffee. From humble beginnings in 2018 as a small craft bakery in Loughborough, the thriving business is now trading from four locations. All their food is handmade, freshly baked every morning and seasonal, while the coffee is crafted with care using amazing Colombian coffee beans roasted by the amazing Monsoon Estates roasters. As well as their delicious bread and pastries, Olivia’s will offer sandwiches, which will be available for pre-order for those needing a quick bite, and celebration cakes to order. Look out for their range of vegan and gluten-free products too!

    Local retailers:

    • Dawkins Pet Supplies is a Derbyshire-based, family-owned business dedicated to providing the best natural treats, raw foods, toys, and accessories for customers’ beloved pets, including vegan treats. They promise to offer only the highest quality products that the team would feel comfortable giving to their own furry companions. With a commitment to customer satisfaction and pet well-being, customers can trust that their pets are receiving the care and attention they deserve.
    • Bringing the beauty and healing power of crystals to Derby Market Hall, Derbyshire-based SpiritCrystals offers a selection of ethically-sourced crystals, minerals, fossils, and spiritual gifts. Combining education and experience to help customers discover the deeper meanings behind each stone, SpiritCrystals aim to create meaningful gifts that people appreciate. More than 6,000 customers have already taken their crystal quiz, which helps people discover the right crystal for them. Products include jewellery, exclusive crystal candles, pet rocks, and giftable crystal cards.
    • Ayup Bikes is a non-profit, volunteer run project dedicated to proving a top-class service to the Derby’s cycling community and saving bikes from the scrap heap! Founded by a group of Derby cyclists, the co-operative sells fully-refurbished bikes that people can trust, while their excellent, industry-qualified mechanics offer low-cost, high-quality servicing and repairs to get cycles working as good as new. Ayup partners with local charities, businesses, and schools, offering maintenance classes and repairs for the community.

    Make and trade:

    • Sportwear specialist Layer is on a mission to create durable, performance-driven training gear that stands up to the demands of the most intense workouts while maintaining a minimal environmental footprint. Owner and founder Dan Bacon has spent many years working at the top level of sport in the UK; working with the biggest sportswear brands in the world along the way. Layer also operates Layer Run Club in Long Eaton and plans to open a second club in Derby this summer.

    Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, said:

    It was important to us to offer a variety of local, independent and traditional traders in the Market Hall, as well as the best of the region’s eating, drinking, and entertainment. There really will be something for everyone.

    I’m getting more excited with every week that goes by and I can’t wait to welcome everyone on Saturday 24 May.

    Located at the heart of the city centre, linking Derbion and St Peter’s Quarter with the Cathedral Quarter and Becketwell, the redeveloped Market Hall will play a key role in widening the diversity of the city centre and is expected to generate £3.64m for the local economy every year. 

    More traders will be announced in the coming weeks.

    Follow Derby Market Hall on Facebook and Instagram or visit the website to find out more.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Roper Technologies schedules first quarter 2025 financial results conference call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SARASOTA, Fla., April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Roper Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROP) announced that its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, ended March 31, 2025, will be released before the market opens on Monday, April 28, 2025. A conference call to discuss these results has been scheduled for 8:00 AM ET on Monday, April 28, 2025. The call can be accessed via webcast or by dialing +1 800-836-8184 (US/Canada) or +1 646-357-8785, using conference call ID 07867. Webcast information and conference call materials will be made available in the Investors section of Roper’s website prior to the start of the call.

    About Roper Technologies

    Roper Technologies is a constituent of the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Fortune 1000. Roper has a proven, long-term track record of compounding cash flow and shareholder value. The Company operates market leading businesses that design and develop vertical software and technology enabled products for a variety of defensible niche markets. Roper utilizes a disciplined, analytical, and process-driven approach to redeploy its excess capital toward high-quality acquisitions. Additional information about Roper is available on the Company’s website at www.ropertech.com.

    Contact information:
    Investor Relations
    941-556-2601
    investor-relations@ropertech.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Drone Surveying Industry Witnessing Continuous Technological Advancements Generating Rising Revenue Opportunity

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The drone surveying market is witnessing increased demand for its services across different industries. The survey done by drones has multiple benefits in comparison to the traditional way of surveys such as lower cost, reduced time, and improved end results. According to Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider, the global drone surveying market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.3% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2033. The report said; “The drone covers a larger area within less amount of time and money for a survey if compared with the traditional or conventional way of surveys. Since the data is captured and generated with actual imagery, it also brings better transparency in the end result. All these benefits have resulted in increased demand from governments and real estate development companies for drone surveying services. The drone surveying service providers are entering into partnerships with companies and the government to carry out surveys on their behalf for the planning and development of urban areas and townships. The image and data collected from the drone surveys are more accurate and can be converted into meaningful output as per the requirements. This helps governments and infrastructure development companies in different stages of planning in township development, urban planning, and land surveys. The continuous advancement of technology in the drone market has led to increased demand for their products and services. The services or task performed by a drone has significantly improved in the last few years which has ultimately resulted in improved demand.” Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), Unusual Machines, Inc. (NYSE American: UMAC), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV).

    Fact.MR concluded; “The industries catered to by drones have also increased significantly. Earlier most of the demand for drones was from agriculture and public administration, now it has increased to infrastructure development, mining, energy, education, and transportation among others. Now a mining company can easily calculate/measure the area covered for the mining, or the stockpile volume with the help of drone surveys. It is expected that in the coming years, the drone surveying industry will witness continuous technological advancement, resulting in the expansion of service offerings.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Closes Second Southeast Region Acquisition, Wallace Surveying Corporation, Set to Become the Third Acquisition to Power Its National Drone as a Service (DaaS) Business – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces that it has closed the acquisition of Wallace Surveying Corporation (“Wallace”) of West Palm Beach, Florida, a well-established land survey company with thirty years of experience. Wallace provides construction and land development surveys delivering accurate and reliable data that supports project planning and design for developers, contractors, engineers, and architect customers.

    This is ZenaTech’s second acquisition in the Southeast region as part of a larger national roll-up strategy to disrupt the land survey industry by accelerating the use of drones for speed and accuracy benefits. The acquisition also further powers the Company’s national Drone as a Service, or DaaS, business as the third US acquisition set to provide access to the ZenaDrone 1000 and the IQ series. These multifunction drones are set to provide a variety of services including power line inspections, precision agriculture, law enforcement, and search and rescue for natural disasters such as hurricanes.

    “Wallace Surveying Corporation is well respected in the South Florida business community with longstanding existing customer relationships. Its team brings considerable expertise toward our goal of innovating land surveys at scale leveraging advanced drone data collection, data management, mapping and digital deliverables. This acquisition is another step towards our vision to create a national DaaS business, bringing AI drone efficiencies and precision to a variety of legacy verticals and manual tasks,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

    ZenaTech’s Drones as a Service or DaaS model is similar to Software as a Service (SaaS), but instead of providing software solutions over the Internet, the company will offer ZenaDrone solutions and services on a subscription or pay-per-use basis. Customers can conveniently access drones for eliminating manual or time-consuming tasks achieving more precision, such as for surveying, inspections, security and law enforcement, or farming precision agriculture applications, without having to buy, operate, or maintain the drones themselves.

    The DaaS business model offers customers such as government agencies, real estate developers, construction firms, farmers or energy companies reduced upfront costs as there is no need to purchase expensive drones, as well as convenience, as there is no need to manage maintenance and operation. The model also offers scalability to use more often or less often based on business needs and enables access to advanced drone technology sensors or attachments like spraying, without the need for specialized training.

    Accurate land surveys are essential for the planning, designing, and executing of roads, bridges, and building projects for cities, commercial, and residential projects, and are required for legal purposes. Remotely piloted drones with an array of sensors and cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and GPS systems for capturing high-resolution pictures and data are revolutionizing the land survey industry gathering aerial data across expansive terrains in a matter of hours instead of weeks or months using more traditional photogrammetry methods. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    In Additional ZENA News: ZenaTech’s (NASDAQ:ZENA) 2024 Financial Results Shows Revenue and Assets Increase.

    2024 Financial Results:

    • As of December 31, 2024, and consistent with its recent 6K filing, ZenaTech’s 2024 full-year revenue increased by 7% to $1.96 million as compared to $1.82 million for the full year of 2023 (all figures in $Cdn. dollars)
    • Comprehensive loss for the period was ($4.04 million) versus ($.251 million) last year due to increased one-time costs of listing on Nasdaq Capital Market from lawyers. accountants, auditors, financial advisor (investment banker) and other going public expenses
    • Assets have increased over 110% to $34.6 million at year-end 2024, up from $16.4 million at year-end 2023. This is due to the company’s acquisition of three patents, and a total of four software companies. In addition, the company has signed multiple Letters of Intent (LOIs) as part of an acquisition strategy that will tremendously increase future revenue
    • Liabilities continue to be low, having increased $3.7 million to $12.8 million at year-end 2024 from $9.1 million at year-end 2023
    • The Company’s ratio of debt to total capitalization is 31%, which is well within the accepted standard of less than 50%
    • ZenaTech’s existing cash and funds available through lines of credit will be sufficient to finance the next 12 months of the company’s operations. We anticipate that cash generated internally, and lines of credit will be sufficient to fund our drone development and acquisitions
    • Additional information is available from ZenaTech’s 6K filing on the SEC EDGAR website . The company will be filing its 20F by the due date, which is April 30, 2024, for Private Foreign Issuers. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.zenatech.com/newsroom/

    Other recent developments in the drone industry include:

    Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS), a leading provider of private industrial wireless networks and commercial drone and automated data solutions, recently announced that it has secured a $3.2 million purchase order from a governmental entity in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The new order supports the continued buildout of urban autonomous drone infrastructure in the UAE and expands the existing Optimus drone network, which is operated by the local government as part of its broader Safe and Smart City initiatives.

    “We are witnessing the network effect of the Optimus drone network in UAE,” said Eric Brock, Chairman and CEO of Ondas Holdings. “The effectiveness of the Optimus System and its ability to reduce response times of emergency units have been proven during our operations there, and this order further validates the system’s value. We are proud to support the UAE’s leadership in Drone as First Responder (DFR) technology, which is also developing in the US. We believe that our Optimus system is the most mature and robust platform in the market and certified for such critical security operations. We look forward to replicating this success in other cities around the world.”

    AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), a leading provider of best-in-class unmanned aerial systems (UAS), sensors and software solutions for customers worldwide in the commercial and government verticals, recently provided a corporate update and announces its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024.

    AgEagle CEO Bill Irby commented, “2024 was a defining year for AgEagle. We secured three of the largest orders in our history while implementing significant strategic cost reductions that have strengthened our foundation for long-term sustainable growth. We assembled an exceptional leadership team with deep expertise in scaling technology companies, optimizing operations, and executing aggressive sales strategies. Combined with a leaner expense structure, record demand, and a growing product portfolio, we believe we are well positioned to expand our customer base, secure new partnerships, and leverage our innovative drone technologies to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the burgeoning global UAS market.

    AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) recently announced that its stockholders have approved the issuance of AV common stock in connection with the Company’s pending acquisition of BlueHalo LLC (“BlueHalo”) at a Special Meeting of Stockholders held earlier today.

    “Stockholder approval marks an important milestone as we move forward with the acquisition of BlueHalo and accelerate our transformation into the leading next-generation defense technology company,” said Wahid Nawabi, AV chairman, president, and chief executive officer. “Together, AV and BlueHalo will drive agile innovation and deliver integrated, all-domain solutions designed to redefine the future of defense and address the most important priorities and needs of our nation and allies around the globe. We thank stockholders for their continued support and look forward to closing this transaction and unlocking new opportunities for growth and value creation.”

    Unusual Machines, Inc. (NYSE American: UMAC), a drone and drone components manufacturer, recently announced it filed its Form 10-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and provided the following letter to its shareholders from CEO Allan Evans.

    Dear Shareholders, This shareholder letter follows the completion of our fiscal year 2024. This is our first year being public. It has been an excellent fourth quarter and an incredible year. We continue to see great interest in the company and receive questions from shareholders. We would like to take this opportunity to provide context and deeper insights into our operations and what these represent for Unusual Machines’ future.

    Unusual Machines revenue for the fourth quarter revenue was over $2.0 million which represents a sequentially quarter over quarter increase of approximately 31%. This is our best revenue quarter of all time (again) and was done while improving gross margins slightly to 28%. With the launch of our Blue Framework products, approximately 15% of our Q4 revenue was from enterprise sales. Our total revenue of $5.65M for FY2024 exceeded our target of $5M for 2024 by 13%. This growth was achieved without customer concentration as no single customer represented more than 5% of our total revenue for 2024.

    About FN Media Group:
    At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases

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    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated fifty one hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

    Contact Information:
    Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com – +1(561)325-8757

    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Global: COVID modelling reveals new insights into ancient social distancing – podcast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

    lindasky76/Shutterstock

    Five years since COVID emerged, not only has the pandemic affected the way we live and work, it’s also influencing the way researchers are thinking about the past.

    In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, archaeologist Alex Bentley explains how the pandemic has sparked new research into how disease may have affected ancient civilisations, and the clues this offers about a change in the way humans designed their villages and cities 8,000 years ago.

    As an anthropologist and archaeologist at the University of Tennessee, Alex Bentley usually spend his time studying neolithic farming villages. But in the early days of the pandemic, he decided to team up with an epidemiologist on a research project to model the feedback loops between social behaviour, such as wearing a mask or not and the spread of disease. He says:

     In doing that project, we learned so much about the spread of disease and its interaction with different behaviours. It was a perfect setup for looking at the same kind of question in the distant past when diseases were evolving for the first time in dense settlements.

    Bentley was particularly interested in whether it could shed light on a conundrum: a curious pattern from the archaeological record that showed that early European farmers lived in large dense villages, then dispersed for centuries, then later formed cities again, which they also abandoned.

    All this was happening in the neolithic period, between around 9000BC and 3000BC, a time when humans shifted from a nomadic hunterer-gatherer lifestyle to settling in small tribes in one place, cultivating the land and domesticating animals.

    Bentley decided to apply the same model of how disease and patterns of behaviour spread during COVID, to map out how a contagious disease could have spread in an mega settlement called Nebelivka in modern-day Ukraine. This settlement was designed in an oval layout and divided into neighbourhoods, or clusters. Bentley and his colleagues suggest this layout, whether the inhabitants knew it or not, could have helped prevent the spread of disease.

    Listen to the full episode of The Conversation Weekly to hear the interview with Alex Bentley.


    This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Katie Flood and hosted by Gemma Ware. Sound design was by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

    Newsclips in this episode from ABC News.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.

    R. Alexander Bentley 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. COVID modelling reveals new insights into ancient social distancing – podcast – https://theconversation.com/covid-modelling-reveals-new-insights-into-ancient-social-distancing-podcast-253649

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Coventry pupil helps E.ON Next drive to net zero

    Source: City of Coventry

    An Aldermoor Farm Primary School pupil has had their design brought to life as the wrap for E.ON Next’s newest electric vans.

    The vans will transport E.ON Next engineers to homes around Coventry and the surrounding area, installing smart meters and other sustainable energy solutions.

    The initiative is part of E.ON’s pioneering 15-year partnership with Coventry City Council, helping to make the city more sustainable.

    Y6 pupil at Aldermoor Farm Primary School, Fredrica, had her design chosen as part of a series of workshops previously run by E.ON across Coventry, aimed at educating and inspiring pupils about sustainability, renewable energy and the initiatives happening in their city to promote new types of energy, cleaner air and green jobs and skills.

    The eye-catching design, which features a bold message to ‘save energy’ will adorn two E.ON Next vans tasked with transporting E.ON Next engineers as they work to deliver net zero by installing a variety of sustainable energy solutions.

    Fredrica said: “I was really excited to hear that my design had been chosen. I thought of a quick and easy way to get the message across. Lots of adverts have too many words so I wanted to choose something that would have an immediate impact. Saving energy should be everyone’ s life goal. We can all contribute by doing simple things like turning off the lights and not wasting electricity.”

    The vans were proudly presented to Fredrica and her fellow classmates by Phil Gilbert, Director of Net Zero Delivery at E.ON Next and Councillor Jim O’Boyle Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council at an unveiling ceremony at Aldermoor Farm Primary School.

    Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, said: “It’s brilliant that Fredrica’s amazing design will be seen all over the city. It’s bold and clear and that’s exactly the right approach for such an important issue – the drive to net zero. Young people understand this as well as anyone and this competition really caught the imagination of local school pupils making it hard to select a winner. Our Strategic Energy Partnership is all about transforming the city’s approach to carbon reduction and through initiatives like this, the next generation of homeowners, drivers and energy users are learning about it early which is great.”

    Phil Gilbert, Director of Net Zero Delivery at E.ON Next, said: “The only way we’ll deliver our new energy world is if everyone feels energised and enthusiastic about a more sustainable future. And this initiative, as part of our Strategic Energy Partnership with Coventry Council, does exactly that. We’re so proud of the fantastic effort the pupils at Aldermoor Farm have put into this initiative, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the winning design. These electric vans will now join our fleet and support our engineers installing smart meters and other sustainable energy solutions like solar panels, heat pumps and EV chargers across the region.”

    Lucy Wright, Headteacher at Aldermoor Farm Primary School, said: “When I was told that a child at this school won the competition, I felt immense pride. Fredrica has truly embodied our value of ‘aspirational’ and I’m certain her example can inspire all children to have the highest of expectations for themselves. The vans look incredible with Fredrica’s design and seeing her name on the vans was the best of all. To have a student’s name on something so publicly positive is an almost indescribable feeling. Well done, Fredrica!”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Good Earth Oils Canola Oil Now Available on JD.com

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COOTAMUNDRA, Australia, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Australian Oilseeds Holdings Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: COOT) today announced Good Earth Oils (GEO) premium quality canola oil has successfully entered the JD.com supply chain and is now available for purchase on JD.com’s self-operated platform.

    “This milestone marks another significant advancement for GEO’s presence in the Chinese market,” said Gary Seaton, Chief Executive Officer. “By joining JD.com’s self-operated platform, GEO enhances its visibility and credibility among Chinese consumers, offering them access to healthy, natural, and high-quality Australian canola oil. With a focus on quality, transparency, and sustainability, GEO is poised to become a trusted name in households across China.”

    The successful integration into JD.com was made possible through the dedicated efforts of Shanghai Maiwei Trading Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Maiwei Trading Co., Ltd. Their strategic coordination and unwavering commitment ensured that GEO canola oil met the rigorous standards required by JD’s platform.

    In addition to JD.com, GEO’s online presence is expanding through sales channels on other leading e-commerce platforms in China such as Tmall Supermarket and Douyin (TikTok China). Maiwei is also actively developing large-scale offline private domain sales networks to further strengthen GEO’s market reach and brand recognition. This collaboration underscores the shared vision between Good Earth Oils and its partners in China to bring the best of Australian agriculture to the world, paving the way for further expansion across e-commerce and retail channels in China.

    About Australian Oilseeds Investments Pty Ltd. Australian Oilseeds Investments Pty Ltd. is an Australian proprietary company that, directly and indirectly through its subsidiaries, is focused on the manufacture and sale of sustainable oilseeds (e.g., seeds grown primarily for the production of edible oils) and is committed to working with all suppliers in the food supply chain to eliminate chemicals from the production and manufacturing systems to supply quality products to customers globally. The Company engages in the business of processing, manufacture and sale of non-GMO oilseeds and organic and non-organic food-grade oils, for the rapidly growing oilseeds market, through sourcing materials from suppliers focused on reducing the use of chemicals in consumables in order to supply healthier food ingredients, vegetable oils, proteins and other products to customers globally. Over the past 20 years, the Company’s cold pressing oil plant has grown to become the largest in Australia, pressing strictly GMO-free conventional and organic oilseeds.

    Contact
    Australian Oilseeds Holdings Limited
    126-142 Cowcumbla Street
    Cootamundra New South Wales 2590
    Attn: Amarjeet Singh, CFO
    Email: amarjeet.s@energreennutrition.com.au

    Investor Relations Contact
    Reed Anderson
    (646) 277-1260
    reed.anderson@icrinc.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Meals4Moms: UConn, CT Small Business Develop Program to Support Gestational Diabetes Management

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    An interdisciplinary team of UConn and UConn Health researchers have teamed up with a Hartford-based small business, My Local Chefs, to develop a program to help pregnant persons diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (also known as GDM) navigate their diagnosis and make choices to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

    This program, Meals4Moms, provides people diagnosed with GDM free meals aligned with the American Diabetes Association recommendations for GDM management, personalized exercise support, and access to evidence-based information and resources via a website.

    Dr. Andrea Shields, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the UConn School of Medicine at UConn Health, is spearheading the project team. Other members include Molly Waring, associate professor of allied health sciences in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR); Vanessa Sena, CEO of My Local Chefs; Ock Chun, professor of nutritional sciences in CAHNR; Linda Pescatello, professor of kinesiology in CAHNR; and Helen Wu, associate professor of psychiatry in the UConn School of Medicine.

    Gestational diabetes impacts 2 to 10% of U.S. pregnancies, and about 50% of patients with GDM will develop Type 2 diabetes in their lifetime. Having diabetes during pregnancy can impact both the long-term health of both mom and baby. Moms may experience higher rates of blood pressure. The baby may require special care after birth and could be at risk of developing obesity.

    The Meals4Moms program offers a unique opportunity to not only help pregnant individuals with GDM make changes needed to manage their health during pregnancy, but also to prevent diabetes over the long-term and promote maternal and child health. Specifically, the program offers weekly meal delivery and specific recipes to help with managing GDM, educational videos and podcasts, and personalized fitness plans to encourage more physical activity during pregnancy.

    UConn’s Office of the Vice President for Research’s Clinical Research and Innovation Seed Program (CRISP) funded the program. CRISP supports faculty in clinical roles to launch significant research projects.

    “Patients with gestational diabetes face significant challenges in adjusting their diet. Meals4Moms offers a practical solution to help them make necessary changes swiftly and maintain optimal blood glucose control. The funding from OVPR was crucial to bringing together a cross-campus collaboration of clinical, translational, and basic science research experts to put together this important lifestyle intervention,” says Shields.

    The research team recently published results of the first phase of this research in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. In this study, the team interviewed nine pregnant adults with GDM to solicit their feedback about the Meals4Moms program.

    Participants were shown a mock-up of the Meals4Moms website, sample recipes, cooking demonstrations, exercise video, and free online yoga videos that the research team vetted. Participants were then asked about aspects of the Meals4Moms program they liked and opportunities for improvement.

    Overall, participants were enthusiastic about the Meals4Moms program. They were excited about being able to order meals for themselves and their families and felt that meal delivery would reduce the stress knowing what foods are “GDM-approved.”

    Participants also liked the idea of personalized support for exercise and access to recipes and exercise videos vetted by GDM experts. They emphasized the importance of offering meals and recipes in a variety of cuisines and that meet patients’ and families’ dietary patterns and food allergies.

    “It was really helpful to talk to women with GDM and hear from them how the Meals4Mom program would fit into their lives,” says Waring, who conducted the interviews along with graduate and undergraduate students on her research team.

    Study findings informed the project’s second phase, which consisted of a pilot randomized trial to test the feasibility of adding the Meals4Moms program to usual prenatal care for pregnant individuals with GDM.

    My Local Chefs also offers cooking demonstration videos and recipes online that are reviewed by pregnancy and nutrition experts.

    Data from these two studies will inform a clinical trial to test whether the Meals4Moms program along with usual prenatal care is more effective than usual care alone for helping pregnant individuals manage their GDM.

    The project’s goal is to support a healthier diet and lifestyle for study participants and their families. Additionally, the project seeks to evaluate whether the Meals4Moms program fits into the pregnant person’s life and improves diet and exercise over the long-term.

    The Meals4Moms program will also strengthen community engagement and improve Connecticut residents’ health by leveraging local stakeholders such as local chefs and farmers.

    “Collaborating with UConn and UConn Health has strengthened our ability to integrate evidence-based nutrition into patient care. Their research expertise has been invaluable in advancing our medically tailored meal programs,” says Sena, CEO of My Local Chefs. “We aim to expand our reach to support more expectant mothers and improve maternal health outcomes through personalized, medically tailored meals.”

    This approach has the potential to be applied to other communities within and beyond Connecticut.

    MIL OSI USA News