NewzIntel.com

Category: Farming

  • MIL-OSI: Gevo Provides Business Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ENGLEWOOD, Colo., March 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) (“Gevo”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”), a leading developer of cost-effective, renewable hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals with reduced greenhouse gas emissions, today reiterated the substantial potential Adjusted EBITDA1 growth we are targeting in 2025, and provided a business update. Gevo also announced that it ended the fourth quarter with cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $259.0 million2.

    Business Update – Path to Positive Run-Rate Adjusted EBITDA1

    • Gevo North Dakota: Carbon Capture and Sequestration (“CCS”) and Low-Carbon Ethanol Assets generated $150 million in revenue in its last fiscal year3and we expect it to immediately contribute $30 million to $60 million of Adjusted EBITDA1annually to Gevo’s carbon business. This facility in North Dakota, which was recently acquired from Red Trail Energy, LLC, is one of two low-carbon ethanol plants with operational CCS that exist today. The site has an operating, fully permitted Class VI CCS well, which captures over 160,000 tons of biogenic carbon dioxide annually; generates multiple times that amount in total carbon abatement; produces approximately 67 million gallons of low-carbon ethanol, including 2 million gallons of corn fiber ethanol with an ultra-low carbon intensity; and more than 230,000 tons of low-carbon animal feed and vegetable oil. As a result, this facility has one of the lowest carbon intensity scores in the industry, at 19 gCO2e/MJ (from British Columbia) or an estimated 21 gCO2e/MJ (under the Argonne-R&D-GREET model). We note that the ethanol 45Z tax credit, which takes effect in 2025 and expires in 2027 (unless renewed by legislation), provides a statutory $0.02 per gallon per carbon intensity point below approximately 50 gCO2e/MJ. In addition, we are developing an additional alcohol-to-jet (“ATJ”) project at this location for further future growth, leveraging our existing ATJ designs associated with the ATJ-60 project in South Dakota. The high quality carbon abatement credits generated at this plant are expected to further catalyze the development of the emerging market for carbon abatement products.
    • Renewable Natural Gas (“RNG”): We have achieved excellent operational results that are expected to improve further in 2025 and generate meaningful Adjusted EBITDA1. RNG produced in 2024 was 367,000 MMBtu, which was a 17% increase over the prior year, because of a successful gas upgrade capacity expansion. 2025 production is expected to further increase to over 400,000 MMBtu as a result of compressor and reliability upgrades. Our RNG facility has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to generate biogas 45Z tax credits. Based on the expected carbon intensity (“CI”) score for California LCFS of (339) gCO2e/MJ, a negative number, and depending on LCFS prices, monetization of the biogas 45Z tax credit, D3 RIN prices, and price of fossil based natural gas, we expect Adjusted EBITDA1 of $9 – 18 million in 2025.
    • Alcohol-to-Jet 603(“ATJ-60”) Project: The ATJ-60 project in Lake Preston, South Dakota continues to proceed towards financial close in 2025. In 2024, we received a conditional commitment for a loan guarantee with disbursements totaling $1.462 billion (excluding capitalized interest during construction) from the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) Loan Programs Office (“LPO”) for our ATJ-60 project. With capitalized interest during construction, the DOE loan facility has a borrowing capacity of $1.63 billion. We are actively engaged with the DOE on the closing process for the conditional commitment. Our ATJ-60 project is expected to leverage American agriculture to produce both cost-effective fuels and food, which are integral for energy and food security of the United States. We believe our ATJ-60 project integrates seamlessly with existing energy infrastructure and catalyzes the development of the rural economy. The project is expected to generate 100 jobs at the facility, as well as 700 indirect positions in support, plus 1,000 high-paying trades jobs for the three years of construction5. This project is expected to have regional economic impact greater than $110 million per year. We are currently engaged with the DOE LPO on due diligence, definitive documentation, completing the environmental review process, and satisfaction of all conditions precedent that are required for financial close. We expect to incur $40 million of additional spend on ATJ-60 from January 1, 2025, until financial close. Our cumulative ATJ-60 development spending is expected to be partially reimbursed at project financial close. We may invest some or all of the reimbursed funds back into ATJ-60 as equity.
    • Verity: We are continuing to grow our Verity business, delivering our tracking and tracing solution to the market, expanding the customer base, and achieving revenue. Verity is a software-as-a-service (“SaaS”) business that achieved its goal of first customer revenue in 2024 and our grower program has grown to more than 200,000 acres, which is more than double the acreage in the program since the second quarter of 2024, with 100% farmer retention. Verity is a digital measure, report and verify (“MRV”) software platform for end-to-end traceability of the regenerative attributes of agricultural and low-carbon fuel products. This enables producers and customers to measure and track those attributes and create value in the marketplace, where demand for regenerative agriculture and fuels is increasing but visibility is lacking. Verity currently has agreements with seven agriculture processing plant customers, including five ethanol plants and two soybean processing facilities, to assist in tracking environmental attributes of corn, ethanol, animal feed, corn oil, soybean oil and renewable diesel. We believe Verity can provide substantial value to growers and processors of a wide variety of agricultural products globally, in markets valued at billions of dollars.
    • Ethanol to Olefins (“ETO”): We continue to advance our breakthrough, patented ETO technology. Our patented ETO process is designed to lower capital and operating costs of drop-in, bio-based hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals from ethanol, and adds to Gevo’s global portfolio of more than 300 patents, as well as proprietary processes and know-how concerning processes to convert carbohydrates to hydrocarbons. In October 2024, we signed a development agreement and licensed our ETO technology to Axens with the goal of accelerating the commercialization of our ETO technology for fuels. The alliance between Axens and Gevo was further broadened for ATJ commercialization in December 2024 under a new collaboration agreement. The goal of the alliance is to leverage the most advantaged technologies, which includes Axens Jetanol™ technology combined with Gevo’s plant designs, engineering, know-how, carbon tracking and complete business system. The alliance brings each partner’s complementary value propositions, real-world experience, substantially de-risked technologies, plant integrations, and pre-engineered systems to the ATJ space. We also extended a joint development agreement with LG Chem to accelerate the commercialization of bio-based chemicals using ETO. The global market for drop-in, low-carbon chemicals and materials is estimated to be $400 – 500 billion per year.

    Management Comment

    “Our strategic acquisition of Gevo North Dakota is transformative for our company,” commented Dr. Patrick Gruber, Gevo’s Chief Executive Officer. “The CCS and low-carbon ethanol provides us with an immediate pathway to monetize carbon abatement through the ethanol 45Z tax credit and by selling carbon abatement in the growing market and the available pore space provides additional opportunities for CCS expansion.”

    “In addition, our RNG business is poised for significant growth as we secure a permanent CARB LCFS carbon intensity score and monetize the biogas 45Z tax credit. Taken together, we see a path to achieving a potential run-rate positive Adjusted EBITDA in 2025, even before considering our ATJ-60 project. This is based on the hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon abatement per year that we are currently generating from this diversified, low-carbon asset base,” Dr. Gruber continued.

    Dr. Gruber added: “We are pleased that our DOE conditional commitment is progressing towards financial close. We are pleased to see that biofuels, ethanol, and aviation fuels are listed in President Trump’s Executive order “Declaring a National Energy Emergency”. Our ATJ-60 project, targeted for Lake Preston, South Dakota, is expected to create 100 direct jobs, and more than an estimated 700 indirect jobs. The project is expected to employ more than 1,000 construction workers for the three years needed to build the plant. It would draw corn from more than 230 farmers, and we would expect to pay farmers a premium for their regenerative agricultural practices.”

    “We never lose sight that we expect that Gevo’s proprietary, integrated ATJ process can deliver sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”) with production cost similar to jet fuel made from crude oil,” Dr. Gruber said. “But our process can do this while also eliminating the carbon emission footprint across the whole life cycle of the fuel. It’s about addressing a growing market need, where customers will pay for carbon abatement, in addition to the jet fuel.”

    For more information on our business and plans, please refer to our updated corporate presentation, in the investor section of our website: www.gevo.com

    About Gevo

    Gevo 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 synthetic aviation fuel (“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.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including statements related to the expected operation of Gevo North Dakota, the expected effect of the acquisition on Adjusted EBITDA, the expected annual Adjusted EBITDA from Gevo North Dakota, and the future prospects as a combined company, the expected CI score for our RNG project, the expected annual Adjusted EBITDA from the RNG project, the financing of the ATJ-60 Project, including the DOE conditional commitment, the expected economic impact of the ATJ-60 Project, the expected further spend on ATJ-60, the expected growth and economics of Verity, the technical advances of the ETO technology, the capabilities of Axens technologies, and the market for ETO technologies. These statements relate to analyses and other information, which are based on forecasts of future results or events and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. We claim the protection of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for all forward-looking statements in this release.

    These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target” and similar terms and phrases or future or conditional verbs such as “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” and “would.” However, these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and other expectations reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve those plans, intentions or expectations. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that we expected.

    Important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from our expectations, or cautionary statements, include among others, the risk that anticipated benefits, including synergies, from the acquisition of Gevo North Dakota may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; changes in legislation or government regulations affecting the future operations of the acquired assets and Gevo’s other project; and other risk factors or uncertainties identified from time to time in Gevo’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements identified above and in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 as well as other cautionary statements that are made from time to time in our other SEC filings and public communications. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this release in the context of these risks and uncertainties.

    We caution you that the important factors referenced above may not reflect all of the factors that could cause actual results or events to differ from our expectations. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will realize the results or developments we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect us or our operations in the way we expect. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

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

    Investor Contact
    Eric Frey, PhD
    Vice President of Corporate Development
    IR@Gevo.com

    1   Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure calculated by adding back depreciation and amortization, allocated intercompany expenses for shared service functions, and non-cash stock-based compensation to GAAP loss from operations, plus monetizable tax credits (if any) such as 45Q and 45Z.

    2   Includes $69.6 million of restricted cash.

    3   As reported in the SEC filings of the previous owner, Red Trail Energy, LLC, prior to Gevo’s acquisition of substantially all of its ethanol and CCS assets. Based on Fiscal Year ending September 30 under the previous owner.

    4   Formerly known as our NZ-1 Project.

    5   Based on a report by Charles River Associates, available on Gevo’s website.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Three sentenced over illegal waste activity in Northamptonshire

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Three sentenced over illegal waste activity in Northamptonshire

    Three defendants have been fined for their involvement in illegal waste activity in Northamptonshire, following an investigation by the Environment Agency.

    Waste piled high at the Green Infrastructure site

    The defendants were sentenced on 27th February at Northampton Magistrates’ Court for waste offences at Mill Farm near Kettering. They were ordered to pay fines, victim surcharges and prosecution costs of more than £75,000.

    From 2019 to 2021, Environment Agency officers investigated the site in Great Cransley which David Goodjohn, 64 of Grange Road, Geddington, and his company, Green Infrastructure Ltd, operated without an environmental permit. They have been ordered to pay almost £32,000.

    34,000 tonnes of waste was stored at the site with large quantities of mixed waste piled over 10 metres high, becoming an eyesore for the local community. Despite repeated visits, the Environment Agency’s guidance was ignored for over two years.

    The third defendant, Storefield Aggregates, failed to comply with the waste duty of care by sending more than 24,000 tonnes of waste to the site between 2019 and 2021. It was ordered to pay more than £43,000.

    The Environment Agency sent warning letters to two further companies which also deposited waste at the site.

    Yvonne Daly, Environment Agency Manager, said:

    We work to stop illegal waste activities and support legitimate business whilst protecting communities and nature from harm. We take illegal waste activity very seriously and will not hesitate to disrupt activity and prosecute those responsible.

    Anyone who suspects illegal waste activity should report it to the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 807060, or anonymously through CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Secretary speech on driving economic growth in Scotland

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Scottish Secretary speech on driving economic growth in Scotland

    Speech at the University of Edinburgh setting out how Scotland has the potential to be the engine room of UK growth [political content removed]

    WELCOME

    Thank you for having me today

    And can I begin by thanking Chris Deerin and Reform Scotland

    for helping us bring such a great audience together for the event.

    I look forward to speaking with Chris later and taking some questions.

    And thanks to both Chris Murray, MP and Christina Boswell, Vice Principal here at University of Edinburgh, for their kind introductions.

    And for welcoming us to the Informatics Forum at Edinburgh University,

    home to AI excellence since 1963!

    1963 – the same year that Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, delivered his “white heat of technology” speech.

    And that speech could be delivered today given the pace of technological change and the huge opportunities with AI. Of course, this university, with the passion and expertise of Christina and her colleagues are driving this agenda.

    This university will be at the heart of the government’s AI strategy.

    The implications for industry, our economy, government, services and society are unlimited and we must grab this with both hands.

    I’ve just visited the robotics lab downstairs and it’s mindblowing.

    Harold Wilson, of course, warned his audience that if the country was to prosper a “new Britain” would need to be forged in the “white heat” of this “scientific revolution”.

    History is indeed repeating itself. 

    The AI revolution is happening as we enter a golden age of opportunity.

    And Scotland should and will be at the heart of it. Thank you for all you do Christina.

    I came to this university as a fresh faced 16 year old,

    straight from 5th year at Wester Hailes Education Centre

    as the first in my family to go to university.

    The Lothians Equal Access Program for Schools was my entry point to this university,

    and the gateway to a different life.

    The support of dedicated, inspiring and role model teachers at WHEC,

    alongside the chance to study here are the reasons I’m able to make this speech today.

    The power of education to tear down societal barriers should never be underestimated.

    We hear a lot about attainment gaps and Scotland’s failure to close them. 

    And I promise that is no statistical abstraction or political point to score.

    It is about the life chances of every child in Scotland,

    and until it is seriously addressed then, make no mistake,

    it translates directly into the waste of human talent and denial of opportunity that currently holds Scotland back.

    Whether it is an apprenticeship, re-skilling, a degree, a postgraduate qualification,

    or simply giving a wee boy from Wester Hailes a chance,

    education and training are the biggest and best investments we can make in our economy and our society. 

    At a conference a few weeks ago I outlined my own journey from growing up in a council estate,

    to sitting down at the Cabinet table in Keir Starmer’s government.

    That’s a journey that took many twists and turns, from the Codfather Chippy to the Edinburgh Festival.

    I had a long career in business and as an entrepreneur before getting into politics.

    I actually almost didn’t get into university because I was so bad at the drums.

    I was set to fail Higher Music with aplomb!

    My music teacher pulled me aside and persuaded me that if I wanted any chance of getting into uni, 

    I had to sing instead! 

    And no… it wasn’t the Hearts song

    So after all of that, when I finally sat at that Cabinet table

    and looked around at the faces that made up the most working class Cabinet in history,

    I thought of my parents.

    I haven’t often talked about this, but my father passed away when I was nine.

    My mother raised two boys on her own, working multiple jobs to get by:

    Woolworths as a cleaner; the Busy Bee Bar as a cook; a bookies as a cashier.

    She worked these jobs because she wanted to give her boys the best possible opportunities in life.

    Sitting down at that Cabinet table for the first time I made a promise that every decision I make in government will be in service to working people.

    A government of service.

    I learned a lesson from those years to take into my job now.

    My mum wasn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves to get things done.

    Neither am I – and neither is this government.

    And we have had no choice.

    But I am proud of how our Plan for Change has already started to work:

    The biggest upgrade in workers rights in a generation

    an industrial strategy to make sure we can take advantage of the jobs of the future:

    GB Energy, publicly owned, headquartered here in Scotland

    Glasgow City Region chosen as one of the priority investment areas for the National Wealth Fund

    £1.4 billion in local growth spending across Scotland

    Harland and Wolff saved thanks to a deal brokered by the UK Government, with sites in Arnish and Methill in Scotland protected 

    And of course, the announcement from our Prime Minister that we will allocate £200 million from the National Wealth Fund,

    to drive investment in a viable industrial future for Grangemouth.

    Delivered after the Prime Minister asked me and the Scotland Office to lead a cross-government taskforce to make it happen.

    Grangemouth was the first issue on which I was briefed on as Secretary of State.

    In just eight months, we have put together a plan for the future.

    That £200 million is a signal that this government does not see Grangemouth as a political problem to be solved,

    but a huge opportunity for industrial renewal.

    And on top of all that, we have delivered the largest budget settlement for the Scottish Government in the history of devolution.

    An end to austerity – we promised it in the manifesto and the budget delivered it.

    That’s how we fix the foundations, deliver our Plan for Change and begin to turn things around for Scotland.

    Turning things around will take time, but I know a thing or two about the hard graft it takes to do that.

    My journey from Wester Hailes to Westminster included time working as a small business owner and entrepreneur.

    I was broadcasting on the internet years before YouTube.

    I was doing live televised karaoke before Pop Idol was even a glint in Simon Cowell’s eye.

    I was doing festival events and concerts,

    I refurbished and re-opened a derelict hotel in West Linton,

    opened a bar in Newington,

    and sports bistro in Edinburgh city centre.

    It’s amazing what you learn in a tough industry like hospitality.

    Being a small business owner means you have to turn your hand to everything,

    from pulling pints, to cleaning toilets.

    Though thankfully not always at the same time!

    I know the ups and downs of running my own business.

    More than once, I had to put the staff wages on a personal credit card,

    because no matter how hard it got, the team came first,

    they needed to pay their bills.

    That’s why, by the way, I am so proud of this government’s make work pay agenda.

    Boosting the minimum wage, 

    banning exploitative zero hour contracts, 

    ending fire and rehire, 

    day one rights for workers.  

    As a former business owner let me be clear:

    page one, line one of your business plan should be how you will pay your staff properly.

    More security and better pay for working people will help drive growth.

    It’s good for workers and it’s good for business.

    It drove growth in that West Linton Hotel.

    By working together we turned things around.

    That once derelict hotel is still thriving.

    There are derelict hotel stories in every community and every sector right across Scotland.

    I think of that when I consider how this government has reset the relationship with the Scottish Government.

    And we are starting to see fruits of that productive relationship  – such as bringing the Commonwealth Games to Glasgow.

    And in the range of areas where the Scottish Government has accepted the UK government  legislating in devolved areas,

    to deliver change, faster.

    On tobacco, renters rights, public railways, children’s protection and more.

    Too many people are keen to suggest this reset is “over” at the first sign of political disagreement. 

    It doesn’t work like that. 

    These are different governments,

    Led by different political parties with different priorities and policies.

    But just because we don’t agree on everything,

    doesn’t mean we can’t agree on anything.

    I am certain that the single most important outcome which Scotland’s two governments should seek,

    is economic growth.

    Growth with a purpose.

    to raise living standards, improve public services,

    and tackle the unacceptable levels of poverty that continue to scar our communities.

    Scotland can be the engine room of UK growth.

    We have so much potential.

    Potential that for too long has gone untapped,

    World class universities,

    advanced manufacturing,

    food and drink,

    life sciences,

    Financial and professional services. 

    And the government will leave no stone unturned to unleash that potential.

    Tearing up red tape,

    harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence to boost productivity,

    and delivering a proper industrial strategy, developed in partnership with businesses and trade unions.

    But delivering economic growth for Scotland is not something either of Scotland’s governments can do alone.

    It requires partnership and co-operation.

    Because the alternative costs us dearly.

    If Scottish growth had simply matched the sluggish UK growth in the last decade our economy would be nearly £10 billion larger.

    That is why we need a decade of national renewal.

    I know the will is there across Scotland’s cities, towns and villages.

    I know the will is there in Scotland’s businesses and trade unions.

    I know the will is there in Scotland’s third sector and charities.

    People up and down the country are full of enthusiasm and ideas for how to make their communities flourish.

    I was intrigued to read last week the leader of Glasgow City Council call for a ‘devolution deal’ for the city region.

    Not just money but powers too.

    This was echoed in a recent meeting with the Edinburgh region growth deal partners,

    who are calling for more powers over skills and transport.

    Devolution of powers to local communities.

    Just look at the impact an empowered Mayor has made to Greater Manchester.

    From 2014 to 2022 the Greater Manchester economy grew by almost 50%.

    If the Glasgow City Region had achieved that same level of growth,

    it would be £7.7 billion larger today.

    That’s an awful lot of jobs and opportunities lost.

    And we can see the real world impact on the high streets of Scotland’s towns and cities.

    As an entrepreneur, it’s painful to see boarded up shops and shuttered restaurants which once represented someone’s dreams and a community’s promise.

    That’s something both governments should be coming together to sort out, by empowering local communities with place based growth. 

    That place based growth is central to our Plan for change. 

    Money and power needs to be pushed out to communities,

    To give them all a fair kick of the ball,

    and create their own jobs and investment.

    And the single biggest opportunity to create good jobs is ensuring that Scotland wins the race to clean energy.

    With GB energy located in Aberdeen, and billions of pounds of investment on the table we need to grasp those opportunities.

    Re-skilling and retraining our workforce will be key to delivering a just transition,

    ensuring the job opportunities of the future are accessible to all.

    And when I think about the future, I think of my daughters.

    Zola, aged four years, and Lois just five weeks old. 

    The jobs and careers they will enjoy have likely yet to even be invented.

    (although Zola does want to be a police officer)

    Businesses and unions constantly tell me they worry about the skills landscape in Scotland.

    The Fraser of Allander Institute found a quarter of employers report vacancies,

    with 31% of these being classified as skill-shortage vacancies, up 10 per cent from 2020.

    We won’t grab these clean energy jobs for Scotland unless we equip our young people,

    and our existing workforce with the skills to do them.

    Now we gather today, at the end of Scottish Apprenticeship Week.

    Apprenticeships and further education should be at the heart of how we take advantage of the race to clean power.

    There are 8,000 fewer college places today than there were just last year.

    Those places are at their lowest level in nine years.

    Just last week we saw that the attainment gap in Scottish schools between the richest and the poorest kids has widened again.

    Everyone deserves the opportunity and dignity that comes with good work. 

    Yet Scotland’s rate of economic inactivity is above the rest of the UK. 

    That’s people out of work, and not looking for work for various reasons. 

    If we simply matched the UK average, we would get over 40,000 people back to work and generate millions more for our economy and communities.

    The UK Government’s £240 million Get Britain Working Plan will overhaul Jobcentres so they focus on skills and careers.

    We need to see the Scottish Government engage with that plan and help us make it work.

    One of the reasons why Scotland’s inactivity rate is higher,

    is because more people in Scotland are out of work due to ill health.

    Many of those people want to work, but can’t.

    And far, far too many of them are stuck on an NHS Scotland waiting list.

    As it stands, NHS waiting times are one of the biggest blocks to growing our economy.

    Almost 300,000 Scots are out of work and not looking for work because they are either temporary or  long term sick..

    Over 700,000 Scots are on an NHS waiting list for treatment.

    Cut NHS waiting lists and you will grow our economy.

    A record settlement from the UK Government for public services in Scotland should deliver that. 

    I know that some of the decisions the UK Government took to fund that record settlement have been difficult and won’t please everyone…

    but we live in a world where 100,000 Scots have been stuck on an NHS waiting list for more than a year,

    28,000 Scots in the past 18 months have been forced to go private for health care.

    That is an unacceptable situation and we make no apology delivering the funding our NHS needs.

    Scotland has a proud industrial past,

    and we can have a bright industrial future, which delivers jobs and wealth for families for generations to come,

    but only if we get the race to clean power right.

    For too long Scottish workers missed out on the work.

    Now I worry a new generation will miss out on the skills.

    As my wonderful Scotland Office ministerial colleague and friend, Kirsty McNeill, often says:

    “We feel it in our bones.”

    It is why we believe in delivering the kind of economic growth that delivers jobs and opportunities for working class people and communities. 

    And one area where those jobs and opportunities could be created, is nuclear power.

    The Scottish Government has a long-standing opposition to nuclear power.

    That is their prerogative, but doing so means investment, jobs and opportunities for Scottish communities will continue to head south.

    Both Hunterston in North Ayrshire and Torness in East Lothian are prime spots for development.

    They have made fantastic contributions to the Scottish economy in the past and they can do so again in the future.

    For Hunterston, that could be 800 new jobs with £50-60 million in direct local wages. 

    For Torness, up to 1,000 jobs with £100m in direct wages.

    Together it would mean tens of millions of pounds being paid in business rates. 

    My message to the Scottish Government today is simple:

    stop blocking this investment, allow those jobs to be created, and let that revenue flow into Scotland.

    And crucially – please work in partnership with the UK Government to deliver it.

    Nuclear power stations aren’t built overnight.

    But they are an investment in our future.

    And another long term investment, for which our country is crying out, is aviation infrastructure.

    Or to put it simply – runways.

    I’ll be clear – I support a third runway at Heathrow. 

    It is a huge opportunity for Scotland’s economy and a massive opportunity for our Brand Scotland agenda,

    to sell Scotland to the world.

    Most passengers leave Scotland on a plane, not knowing that beneath their seat are crates of Scottish salmon and whisky. 

    Connectivity to get our world leading goods overseas is critical as an enabler to growth.

    But incredibly, Scottish exports as a percentage of GDP lag behind the rest of the UK. 

    The Scottish Government’s export target is to increase the value of Scotland’s international exports to 25% of GDP by 2029. 

    But that would still leave us behind the rest of the UK,

    and missed opportunities to improve connectivity to our own airports is partly why.

    It was the current First Minister himself who cancelled the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, over 16 years ago in 2009. 

    That was a missed opportunity for growth,

    given Glasgow Airport already adds over £1.4 billion to the Scottish economy and supports 30,000 jobs.

    It is incredible that in 2025 you can get a direct train from Glasgow Central to Manchester Airport, over 200 miles away.

    but not to Glasgow Airport, just a few miles from the centre of Scotland’s largest city.

    We need UK and Scottish government cooperation, to ensure that all Scotland’s airports, 

    including the publicly owned Prestwick Airport,

    makes the most of Heathrow expansion, and have a proper strategy to drive economic growth.

    The UK industrial strategy identifies eight growth driving sectors, and Scotland can benefit from all of them:

    advanced manufacturing, clean energy industries

    creative industries, digital and technologies

    financial services, life sciences

    professional and business services

    and most relevant this week – defence.

    The decision to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP is an act of generational leadership from our Prime Minister.

    as we chart a new course in an uncertain world and do what is necessary to defend our country and our continent.

    National security is the first duty of any government,

    but that increase in spending also represents a massive industrial opportunity for Scotland.

    More than £2 billion was spent by the Ministry of Defence in Scotland last year,

    the industry in Scotland employs more than 30,000 people, including 1,500 apprentices.

    The role must be to defend our nation,

    to stand in solidarity with our European partners,

    and to help Scottish industry lead the way in defence technology and manufacturing.

    On this issue, at this crucial time, we need cooperation between Scotland’s two governments,

    and I am determined that it should happen,

    in our national interest.

    So on these issues: skills, nuclear, aviation,

    infrastructure, defence, and employability,

    I will reconvene the Scottish Business Growth group

    co-chaired by me and the Deputy First Minister. 

    We will bring together voices from across Scottish business, industry,

    trades unions and civic society,

    to find a way through these challenges.

    It will be Scotland’s Growth Commission.

    Last year heralded a new era for the Scotland Office.

    An era of delivery.

    An era that will grasp the new golden age of opportunities for Scotland.

    The vast majority of Scots want their two governments to work together to increase living standards and improve public services. 

    Under my leadership, that is what this Scotland Office is determined to do.

    Since the election last July, I have completely reformed and restructured the department,

    so it can deliver the government’s missions for Scots.

    This new direction for the Scotland Office will have four strategic priorities:

    economic growth

    green energy

    Brand Scotland

    and tackling poverty.

    This new Scotland Office is the UK Government’s delivery arm for Scotland

    and Scotland’s window to Whitehall.

    We will deliver economic growth. 

    But growth with a purpose: 

    to reduce and one day eradicate the poverty which scars our communities. 

    Taking advantage of our enormous green energy potential and our world class brand to get there.

    So as we enter a third era of the Scotland Office post devolution, 

    I am reminded of the words of a Scottish Secretary from long before the devolution era, the great Tom Johnston, who wrote:

    “…if only we could lift great social crusades like better housing and health from the arena of partisan strife,

    what magnificent achievements might yet be ours.

    “In unity lies strength: in concurrence, the possibility of great achievement in better housing, 

    better health,

    better education, better use of leisure,

    greater security in income, and employment.”

    That is a lesson that the Scottish public have been demanding both their governments learn. 

    And that lesson is the path to deliver better living standards and ensure that

    plenty more boys and girls

    from communities like Wester Hailes,

    and from all over Scotland, 

    have the opportunities in life that can lead them to the Cabinet table.

    That is my motivation.

    That is my ambition for Scotland. 

    Thank you for your time this morning.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The US has pardoned insurrectionists twice before – and both times, years of violent racism followed

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Joseph Patrick Kelly, Professor of Literature and Director of Irish and Irish American Studies, College of Charleston

    A man convicted for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection shows off his pardon from President Donald Trump. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

    Donald Trump is the third U.S. president to pardon a large group of insurrectionists. His clemency toward those convicted of crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection – including seditious conspiracy and assaults on police officers – was different in key ways from the two previous efforts, by Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Ulysses S. Grant in 1873.

    But they share the apparent hope that their pardons would herald periods of national harmony. As historians of the period after the Civil War, we know that for Johnson and Grant, that’s not what happened.

    A reversion to discrimination

    When Johnson became president in 1865 after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, he faced a combative Congress. Though Johnson had opposed the secession of the Southern states before the Civil War began, he agreed with former Confederate leaders that formerly enslaved people did not deserve equality with white people.

    Further, as a Southerner, he wanted to maintain the social conventions and economic structure of the South by replacing enslavement with economic bondage. This economic bondage, called sharecropping, was a system by which tenant farmers rented land from large landowners. Tenants rarely cleared enough to pay their costs and fell into debt. In effect, Johnson sought to restore the nation to how it was before the Civil War, though without legalized slavery – and sought every avenue available to thwart the plans of the Radical Republicans who controlled both houses of Congress to create full racial equality.

    Johnson signed an amnesty that gave a blanket pardon to all former Confederate soldiers. However, he required formerly high-ranking Confederate officials to individually seek pardons for their involvement in the rebellion. These officials faced permanent disfranchisement and could not hold federal office if they did not seek a pardon.

    President Andrew Johnson pardons rebels at the White House.
    Stanley Fox, Harper’s Weekly, 1865.

    When Congress was in recess, Johnson vetoed two bills that had been passed: one to help find homes for formerly enslaved people who could no longer live on the property of their enslavers, and the other to define U.S. citizenship and ensure equal protection of the laws for Black people as well as white people.

    Johnson also told Southern states not to ratify the 14th Amendment, whose purpose was to enshrine both citizenship and equal protection in the Constitution.

    When Congress came back in session, it continued its effort of Reconstruction of the former Confederate states – reforming their racist laws and policies to comport with the liberty and equality the Union was committed to – by overriding Johnson’s vetoes and requiring former Confederate states to ratify the 14th Amendment as a condition of readmission to the Union. But Congress could not override the pardons the president had granted.

    This continued political warfare resulted in Johnson being impeached – but not convicted or removed from office. But the back-and-forth also stalled Reconstruction and efforts toward racial equality, ultimately dooming the effort.

    In 1986, the Ku Klux Klan marched through the streets of Pulaski, Tenn., to protest the national celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.
    AP Photo/Mark Humphrey

    The rise of the KKK

    Nathan Bedford Forrest was not covered by Johnson’s general amnesty. As a former Confederate general, he had to apply for a personal presidential pardon, which Johnson granted on July 17, 1868. Two months later, Forrest represented Tennessee at the Democratic Party’s national convention in New York City.

    He also took command of the Ku Klux Klan, the unofficial militant wing of the Democratic Party. Forrest initiated the title “Grand Wizard,” a bizarre title derived from his Civil War nickname, “Wizard of the Saddle.” He became a leader of former Confederates who resisted Reconstruction through violence and terror.

    After his pardon, Forrest perfected a rhetorical technique for his extremism. His biographer Court Carney described it as a multistep process, starting with, “Say something exaggerated and inflammatory that plays well with supporters.” Then, deny saying it “to maintain a semblance of professional decorum.” Then, blur the threats with “crowd pleasing humor.” It proved an effective way of threatening violence while being able to deny responsibility for any violence that occurred.

    Nathan Bedford Forrest, center, in a Confederate uniform, joins a caricature of an Irish immigrant, left, and Democratic Party chairman August Belmont in trampling the rights of a Black Union veteran, depicted lying on the ground.
    Thomas Nast, Harper’s Weekly, 1868.

    Under Forrest’s leadership, membership in the violent, racist Ku Klux Klan spread almost everywhere in the South. Records are sketchy, so it’s impossible to say how many people were lynched, but the Equal Justice Initiative has documented 2,000 lynchings of Black Americans during Reconstruction. Black women and girls were often raped by klansmen or members of its successor militias.

    It’s also not possible to say how many pardoned ex-Confederates participated in the lynchings. But the violence was so widespread that just about everyone, North and South, thought the political violence was a resumption of the Civil War.

    In the Piedmont of the Carolinas, klan violence amounted to a shadow government of white nationalists. Grant ordered the U.S. Army to apprehend the klansmen, and a newly minted Department of Justice prosecuted the insurrectionists for violating civil rights guaranteed by the 14th and 15th amendments. After several trials that proved to be what the federal judiciary’s official history calls “dramatic spectacles,” federal judges handed down conviction after conviction.

    The federal government’s decisive action allowed for a relatively free presidential election in 1872. Black voters helped Grant win in eight Southern states, contributing to his landslide victory.

    But after his reelection, Grant appointed a new attorney general, who dropped the pending klan cases. Grant also pardoned klansmen who had already been convicted of crimes.

    Grant hoped his gesture would encourage Southerners to accept the nation’s new birth of freedom.

    It didn’t. The pardons told former Confederates that they were winning.

    John Christopher Winsmith, an ex-Confederate who embraced racial equality and whose father had been killed by the KKK, wrote to Grant in 1873, “A few trials and convictions in the U.S. Courts, and then the pardoning of the criminals” had emboldened what he called “the hideous monster – Ku Kluxism.”

    A group of Red Shirts pose at a polling place in North Carolina on Election Day, Nov. 8, 1898.
    State Archives of North Carolina via Wikimedia Commons

    And a new gang arose, too: the Red Shirts, who began to murder Black people openly, not even in secret as the klan did. Two of the Red Shirts were later elected to the U.S. Senate.

    Paramilitary groups established anti-democratic one-party rule in every former Confederate state, imposing discriminatory laws known as Jim Crow, which were enforced by lynchings and other forms of racial violence.

    The federal government took no substantive action against this for a century, until the 20th century’s Civil Rights Movement sparked change. And it wasn’t until 2022 that Congress passed an anti-lynching bill.

    I was for several years a volunteer with the Charleston County (SC) Democratic Party.

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

    – ref. The US has pardoned insurrectionists twice before – and both times, years of violent racism followed – https://theconversation.com/the-us-has-pardoned-insurrectionists-twice-before-and-both-times-years-of-violent-racism-followed-249412

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mini Spartans excited to promote recycling message in St Patrick’s Day parade debut

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Mini Spartans excited to promote recycling message in St Patrick’s Day parade debut

    7 March 2025

    City of Derry Spartans’ legion of underage runners are set to highlight the circular recycling message of reusing, recycling and repairing items when they take part in this year’s St Patrick’s Day Spring Carnival parade through the city centre.
    The youngsters will be wearing costumes made from old running t shirts from the Strabane Lifford and Waterside Half Marathons when they join hundreds of performers and tens of thousands of spectators at the spectacle on March 17th.

    The Flowers, Fur and Feathers themed parade, co-ordinated by the North West Carnival Initiative, will leave Bishop Street Carpark at 3pm.

    The Spartans, an institution of Derry sport who celebrated their 50th anniversary last year, have always had junior runners in their ranks and formally set-up a primary school age section, the Mini Spartans, 15 years ago.

    There are over 100 underage runners registered with the club and many of them will take part in their first appearance in the parade which is part of packed programme of events in and around the city centre to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. 

    “We are delighted to get the opportunity to take part in the parade and the youngsters can’t wait for it,” said Karen Farry from the City of Derry Spartans.
    “It’s a great chance for us to showcase our club at such a large scale event and highlight that we cater for runners of all levels and ages.
    “The mini Spartans have had great success as a team this season and they are excited to be able to celebrate this and St Patrick’s Day on March 17th.”
    “We want to thank the North West Carnival Initiative and the Council for the opportunity to get involved.”
    Last year’s Waterside Half Marathon and Strabane Lifford Half Marathon attracted a combined field of over 3,000 participants who secured the coveted commemorative t shirts and medals by taking part.
    The shirts are designed to be hard wearing and to dry easily so runners can reuse them on multiple occasions.
    Event organisers Derry City and Strabane District Council had a small surplus of shirts after the event from runners who were unable to take part and the North West Carnival Initiative’s talented dress making team have used them to create costumes that will be unveiled by the Spartans on March 17th.
    “The Waterside Half Marathon and Strabane Lifford Half Marathons are events that all our underage runners would aspire to race in when they are older so we are delighted to be wearing the upcycled T shirts,” Karen added.
    “Our club members love the T shirts from athletics events in the city and no matter what event or training session you attend there’s nearly always someone wearing a t shirt from the Half Marathons in Derry and Strabane.
    “Hopefully it will help highlight to runners that the t shirts aren’t just for race day and encourage people to recycle or reuse any event t shirts they have lying around the house that aren’t being used.”

    The 2025 St Patrick’s Day parade route will begin at Bishop Street and passes through The Diamond, Shipquay Street, Whitaker Street, Foyle Embankment, Harbour Square Roundabout and down the Strand Road to Strand Road carpark.

    The parade will feature hundreds of flamboyant performers from local dance groups, sports clubs and community organisations and will be the centrepiece of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s comprehensive programme of music, dance, food and folklore for its 2025 Spring Carnival celebrations.

    The full programme for the 2025 Spring Carnival celebrations for Derry and Strabane can be accessed now at derrystrabane.com/springcarnival.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Text of the Vice-President’s address at the inaugural ‘Murli Deora Memorial Dialogues’ (Excerpts)

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 06 MAR 2025 10:30PM by PIB Delhi

    We had such a feast, both of governance and leadership. Shinde Ji, you have stolen the thunder. I am wonderstruck whether I can add anything. I may only repackage it. I recall every moment I spent with Shinde Ji, but more when me and my wife, went to his residence and had the good fortune to perform puja.

    His address is remarkably relevant, full of depth, assessment of contemporary scenario and challenges. He speaks of spinal experience he has gained from worker to leader and a leader is always a leader. It doesn’t matter in a cricket team you play at which number.

    I am absolutely elated that a leader has such a sacrificial attitude. My congratulations to you.

    We have amongst us, Shrimati Hema Deora Ji. I was greatly touched because she is privy to the hand holding which I received as a young parliamentarian from Shri Murli Deora Ji. I was elected to Parliament in 1989 and that was a big change. Congress had lost power and I was a Union Minister. He was a congressman. He took me to then Bombay, now Mumbai, and he helped me and introduced me to people who matter in industry and in the Marwadi community. When she revealed this briefly I had vivid recollection of those days. A man of sterling qualities, Murli Deora Ji. Ma’am your presence matters to us. I’m sure you will have the good occasion to see your son perform in Rajya Sabha. Eknath Shinde Ji has sent a jewel to Rajya Sabha. He marks his addresses with due diligence, thorough study, calm and composed. I’m sure you’ll be in Chairman’s Gallery to applaud him someday.

    We have amongst us distinguished Members of Parliament. Though the audience is absolutely very imminent and each one of you matters to me hugely but I don’t believe in taking risks. Therefore I must recognise presence of Members of Parliament. One on the dais, Shri Milind Deora Ji. A stalwart of politics in the State and the Nation, Shri Ashok Chauhan Ji. Shri G.K. Vasan Ji, whose father had handheld me in a similar manner as Murli Deora Ji. Young, energetic, youthful, but in third term, Shrikant Shinde Ji. I hope I don’t miss any parliamentarian otherwise, I may suffer at their hands

    Shri Raghavendra Singh, President Kotak Mahindra Bank is energy capsule has great administrative capacities, but what I gather from him, having known him, for the third generation, is full of positivity. I must recognize presence of some who are present here, Shri Ashok Hinduja Ji is here, We have Shri Uday Kotak Ji.

    I’ll come to Amrita Ji a little later because she is much beyond the spouse of the Chief Minister for me. His Holiness Syedna Sahab Ji.

    Shri Gauranga Das, Shri Gaur Gopal Das, they both are from ISCON. People in Industry, Shri Pranav Adani, Shri Neeraj Bajaj, Mr. Jalas Dhani, and let me tell you, everyone who is present here, I am greatly indebted, but never miss a journalist if he is your friend. You may suffer at his hands forever. I am referring to none other than Sanjay Pugalia, whom I have known for more than four decades. We had such a wonderful cricket match and India is in the finals so why not remember Surya Kumar Yadav? He’s known as Mr. 360 degrees

    Now, Amrita ji. Amrita ji, you have created a problem for me because of a condition I set for Devendra Fadnavis, that I will receive him at Upa-Rashtrapati Niwas as only if he is accompanied by Amrita ji. Every time he makes excuse, please ensure. I would love to receive both of you at Upa-Rashtrapati Niwas, where I have had the great occasion to receive Shinde Ji.

    Now, ladies and gentlemen, I come to the inaugural lecture.

    It is an absolute honour and privilege to deliver the Murli Deora Memorial Lecture Dialogue, dedicated to one of the finest public figures in politics, who nurtured friendships all his life. He bridged the differences and was loved by all. In his life, he missed one thing. He had no adversaries that was his stature. Murali bhai, as fondly reminisced by his peers, exemplified public spirit and dedication.

    He was a statesman in the mould of a politician, a rare blend of foresight and pragmatism. From being the youngest mayor of Bombay, now Mumbai, to serving seven terms in Parliament, he showed deep commitment to democratic values and public service. His belief in dialogue, debate, discussion, deliberation, consensual approach, cooperative approach, coordination, are being missed now.

    Murli Deora will always be remembered for his proactive efforts to save the country from the hazards of smoking. He approached the highest Court of the land, sought affirmative intervention to secure a ban on smoking at public places. Life of Murli Deora Ji was a testament to the idea of leadership, that this idea is not a pedestal but a pilgrimage, a journey of service to the last, the least and the lonely.

    I commend, ladies and gentlemen, Milind Deora, a senior parliamentarian, former Union Minister, and his friends for organising this annual feature as a befitting tribute to Murli Ji. The theme “Leadership and Governance” is indeed thought provoking as also of great contemporaneous relevance.

    Bharat, home to one sixth of humanity, is the oldest, largest and most vibrant and functional democracy. Bharat is the only Nation in the world that has constitutionally structured democratic institutions from village to National level.

    First, I focus on the source of Governance in Democracy. Our Constitution’s Preamble indicates ‘We The People’ as the foundational source and premise of Governance. Preamble of the Constitution also reveals purpose of governance being Justice, Equality, Fraternity for all.  We must appreciate the contours of ‘We The People’  the ultimate repository of sovereignty. A sovereignty that we cannot afford to dilute or to be taken away.

    We the people through electoral platforms constitute Parliament, Legislatures, panchayats, municipalities and elect the President and the Vice- President. The sanctity of this repository of sovereignty is essential for democratic governance. Imagine what will befall us if we are deprived of our sovereignty. The integrity of ‘We the People’ in the present times is being stressed and challenged and the challenge is surfacing in multiple ways. Leadership faces a daunting task to preserve and sustain this.

    Let me advert to some worrying trends. There are many, I am referring only to some. The Nation houses millions of illegal migrants causing a demographic upheaval. Millions of illegal migrants are in this country making a huge demand on our health services, education services. They are depriving our people of employment opportunities. Such elements have alarmingly secured electoral relevance in some areas and their securing electoral relevance is shaping the essence of our democracy. Emerging dangers can be evaluated through historical reference where Nations were swept off their ethnic identity by similar demographic invasions.

    As a matter of fact there are countries where demographic invasion resulted in complete eclipse of ethnicity where ethnicity was in complete majority.

    Ladies and gentlemen, this malaise, far more severe than COVID, is aggravatingly intersected with conversions through allurements, with vulnerable sections trying to be trapped, the marginalised, the tribal, the weaker become easy prey to these temptations and allurements.

    Faith is your own, faith is dictated by conscience. The Indian constitution gives freedom of faith but if this faith is held hostage by temptations, it is according to me, defacing freedom of faith. The concerning objective behind these pernicious designs is to detrimentally vary and ultimately eclipse ‘We the people’s’ identity and secure for themselves a majoritarianism position. I’m sure no one will disagree. This danger has to be thwarted.

    This is too serious an onslaught to be either countenanced or overlooked. Just reflect for a moment the change that has taken place in our demography in the last two decades. Look at some of the areas where impregnable fortresses emerged.

    The theme “Leadership and Governance” is indeed thought provoking as also of great contemporaneous relevance.

    Bharat, home to one sixth of humanity, is the oldest, largest and most vibrant and functional democracy. Bharat is the only nation in the world that has constitutionally structured democratic institutions from village to national level.

    First, I focus on the source of Governance in Democracy. Our Constitution’s Preamble indicates ‘We The People’ as the foundational source and premise of Governance. The Preamble of the Constitution also reveals purpose of governance being Justice, Equality, Fraternity for all.  We must appreciate the contours of ‘We The People’ – the ultimate repository of sovereignty.

    A sovereignty that we cannot afford to dilute or to be taken away.

    The power of ‘We the people’ cannot suffer any sacrilege or dilution. Leadership must engage in overdrive, generating National consensus to preserve the sanctity of ‘We the people’ and work in togetherness, in tandem, to neutralise all misadventures against it.

    ‘We The People’ faces onslaughts from within and without. Forces inimical to Bharat have converged to systemically weaken nationalistic spirit. Constitutional institutions face orchestrated public ridicule as part of political strategy. Even the Presidency isn’t spared. Tarnishing institutions, especially on foreign land, is against our culture, is against our national interest.

    Every citizen has the power of social media. I beseech everyone in the interest of this country to be alive to these trends and make contributions. Anti-national narratives gain evil-inspired momentum. Misinformation aimed at destabilising the nation is rising.

    We had the painful occasion to see it during COVID. The pandemic that shook the world, then a nation of over 1.3 billion faced it by innovative mechanisms initiated by the Prime Minister and it was successfully handled. The entire global fraternity, as I call it, in Bharat, while tackling pandemic at home, lent assistance to hundreds of other countries. But some amongst us did not spare any effort to run us down. Such category of people who are recipe for chaos need to be exposed. Leadership must navigate this challenge through citizens’ mindset response.

    Friends, Bharat is a global beacon of inclusivity and thrives with unity in diversity. This calls for all to prioritise nation first. Commitment to nationalism marks freedom and democracy.

    No interest, partisan, economic, or personal, can justifiably be the ground to compromise national interest.

    Ladies and gentlemen, Issues of constitutional clarity, whether Constitution is categorical, our founding fathers have given us the path. On issues like language, common civil code, seats of divisions are being sown. The response of the government emanates from constitutional

    prescriptions.

    We have to work in overdrive to see that these issues that are premised on our Constitution are not politicised to the detriment of the Nation.

    Leadership must seek national consensus and public awareness to sensitize people of the dangers that are inherent in such approaches. India’s civilizational ethos offer a rich repository of leadership principles that predate modern governance theories by millennia.

    Our Vedic knowledge offers insight for leadership. Leadership in public life requires vision, character, and commitment to nationalism. We have seen what wonders visionary leadership can do in the last 10 years. The nation has navigated from a disturbed scenario of gloom to one of hope and possibility.

    We must always remember, ladies and gentlemen, we are the land of Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayan, Mahabharat, Srimad Bhagavad Gita and the wisdom therein guides us all throughout.

    The Bhagvad Gita provides timeless leadership lessons through Lord Krishna’s counsel to Arjuna.

    “यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः।

    स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते॥”

    “Whatever a great man does, others follow. Whatever standard he sets by his exemplary acts, the world pursues.”

    This verse underscores the profound responsibility of leaders, because they are naturally taken as torchbearers, role models whose actions shape the course of the society.

    But a challenge that is coming to society from these people is very dangerous. An informed mind, having held credible positions, trades on the ignorance of people to monetise politically. And that happened on many occasions in the last ten years. People in authority, who presided over our financial institutions for long, had no qualms in indicating to the world that India can never register economic rise beyond 5%. And we had one and a half times of that, that very year. On such matters, ladies and gentlemen, our memory should not be short.

    Kautilya’s Arthashastra, perhaps the world’s earliest comprehensive treatise on statecraft and governance, offers sophisticated insights on leadership.

    I quote “The king shall consider as good not what pleases himself but what pleases his subject.”

    This ancient wisdom resonates with modern governance principles, where true leadership transcends self-interest to embrace collective welfare. We all have seen this development. We need to continue it.

    Let us reflect on what is there in our civilisational essence and ethos. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, Sarvajan Hitaaya, Sarvajan Sukhaaya.

    These are the twin pillars of governance from our scriptures, and look at how it translated for the entire world to know. During India’s presidency of G20, one earth, one family, one future, this was universally accoladed and accepted.

    Friends, democracy flourishes with expression and dialogue. Abhivyakti or samvad are its jewels. One is incomplete without the other. Expression complements dialogue and the other way round. If you believe in the right of expression without taking note of the dialogue, then you miss the point. In the process you indicate, I alone am right, to the exclusion of every other thought. And that is why we have emanated from our scriptures, Anantavada. This is essential. Inalienable facet of good governance, judgemental response to different viewpoints, differing viewpoints, a point that is different than yours, reflects absolutism. And absolutism has no place in democracy. Democracy requires consensual approach.  The other point of view must be considered. And there should be an effort for convergence to an agreed viewpoint.

    Constituent Assembly debates exemplify this approach. For little less than three years, in 18 sessions, Constituent Assembly deliberated very contentious issues, very divisive issues that took recourse to dialogue, debate, discussion, and deliberation.

    There never was an occasion for disruption or disturbance but when we find such a big change taking place. Disruption is being weaponized as a political strategy to make Parliament or legislatures dysfunctional. This does not augur well for the health of democracy and in some situations, it will pronounce death knell of democracy. If these temples of democracy do not perform constitutional ordainment, then people in the country are bound to be concerned and worried.

    I, as Chairman of the Council of States, express my deep anguish. And I appeal to people at large, academia, intellectuals, those in business, trade, commerce and industry, those in media, public servants, to create a mindset to put pressure on Parliamentarians and representatives. You perform because there can be no vacuum in democracy. If the legitimate platform of debate is dysfunctional. People will take to the streets. They have to voice their concerns in one way or the other.

    Ladies and gentlemen, coming to another challenge. Last 10 years, the nation has witnessed exponential economic upsurge, phenomenal infrastructural growth, deep digitization, technological penetration, unknown before. Global institutions are accommodating Bharat as a favorite destination of investment and opportunity. The rural landscape has been revolutionized with every house having toilet, electric connection, pipe water is on the way, gas connection, road connectivity, health and education centers. And people therefore have gravitated to politics of development as indicated by Eknath Shinde Ji. In that scenario, this phenomenal success story during the last 10 years brings with it a great challenge. On one hand, no nation in the world has this kind of growth as Bharat has had in the last 10 years.

    India at the moment on account of this growth is the most aspirational nation in the world. Imagine a country of 1.4 billion with that kind of demographic dividend getting into aspirational mode. The leadership has to perform at rocket speed. Because there can be restiveness, restlessness. And therefore I call upon every person, do not look at the government alone. Your opportunity basket is flattening every day, blossoming. When you look at surface of the sea, or deep sea, or ground surface, or deep ground, or sky, or space.

    India’s performance has increased your participation. Blue economy or space economy, you can take to that area.

    Good governance requires that we prevent problems, we preempt problems. It is not merely solving a problem. We must have a full diagnosis. Why should a problem be there at all? Real-time delivery is quintessential.

    There was a time not long ago when power corridors were infested with lies and agents, corrupt elements, who extra-legally leveraged decision-making. Patronage was the password for a contract or a job. But on account of introduction of technology, expedition service delivery, transparent and accountable mechanism. These power corridors now are fully sanitised. The world is looking to India for generating transparency, accountability, quick service delivery, people-centric policies in their countries

    Ladies and gentlemen, I see one concern, and that concern is across the political spectrum. There is emergence of a new strategy, and the strategy is of appeasement or being placatory.

    Now, election is important in Democracy but not the end of it. Our scriptures have indicated means are as important as the end.

    And the governments, we are in a state where financial position is very strong. The financial capital of the country, a global center for business and trade, but some governments that took recourse to this appeasement and placatory mechanisms are finding it very difficult to sustain in power, but one consequence is very categorical and those in economics know it.

    We have stalwarts of economics sitting here and that is if there is excessive spending on electoral promises, then the state’s ability to invest in infrastructure is correspondingly reduced. This is detrimental to the growth scenario.

    And therefore, I would call upon leadership of all political parties in the interest of democratic values to generate a consensus that engages into such kind of electoral promises that can be performed only at the cost of CAPEX expenditure of the state.

    I should not be misunderstood, ladies and gentlemen, because while the Indian Constitution has given us right of equality, it does provide in Article 14, 15 and 16 an acceptable category of affirmative governance, affirmative action, the reservation for SC, ST, for those who are in the economically weaker section. That is sanctified.

    There are exceptional situations for rural India, for the farmer, where affirmative steps are required to be taken. But this is very distinct from the other aspects I was talking about. This is not placatory or appeasing. It is justifiable economic policy. And therefore, it is good leadership that can take a call, where to draw the line in the fiscal sense in the matter of political foresight and leadership spine.

    There is another aspect on which we need to focus. National debate is required so that we take note of the shift from Democracy to Emocracy. Emotion-driven policies, emotion-driven debates, discourses threaten good governance. Historically, populism is bad economics. And once a leader gets attached to populism it is difficult to get out of the crisis. And therefore, the central factor has to be the good of the people, the largest good of the people, and the lasting good of the people. Empower people to empower themselves rather than empower them momentarily, because that affects their productivity.

    Our institutions are very critical. Our institutions must continue to be relevant. Political leadership must address declining relevance of institutions due to disruption and divisive politics. We have an example before us, as I said earlier. We have the legacy of our Constitution being negotiated through dialogue without acrimony. Today’s leaders should consult this spirit.

    Parliament is much beyond ideological discourse. Its democracy is a temple where discussions should focus on progress and people’s welfare. Sliding parliamentary institutions into irrelevance is a challenge to democracy and our existence. It is worrisome when disruption and disturbance are weaponised, as I said. A dysfunctional Parliament, particularly in Bharat, that is the world’s oldest, largest, and most vibrant democracy, is injustice to the people. Our people deserve much better from our parliamentarians.

    From this sacred place, I urge parliamentarians and legislators to soul-search. Democracy cannot function when expression and dialogue are compromised, while citizens must hold representatives accountable. For eternal vigilance remains freedom’s price. Institutional perimeters must be maintained. Judicial overreach into executive governance disrupts democratic values. I do not mean to reflect more on it, but I affirm governance is the sole prerogative of the executive and this is premised because executive is accountable to the people, to the legislature, every five years or before, the executive has to go to the people to get their approval. And every action taken by the executive is amenable to legislature intervention but if this executive function is performed by any other institution, including judicial, it will be difficult to look for accountability and, furthermore the wherewithal, the information, the database, that help arrive at a decision cannot be available at other institutions other than the executive.

    Leadership is purpose driven and not position of power. It has been said in Upanishad. The Ishavasya Upanishad ईशवस्य उपनिषद counsels: “तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथाः” (Ten Tyakten bhunjitha)– “Enjoy through renunciation.”

    Our leaders will have to embrace this philosophy. Selfless service in governance by blending India’s timeless wisdom with today’s needs create Tagore’s vision. Rabindranath Tagore has said, I tread where mind is without fear and head is held high.

    “सत्यमेव जयते नानृतम्”, which emanates from Mundaka Upanishad, it says, truth alone must survive and nothing else. The Rig Veda, moving together in harmony principle, must be our North Star.

    ****

    JK/RC/SM

    (Release ID: 2108969) Visitor Counter : 146

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Text of the Vice-President’s address at ‘Murli Deora Memorial Dialogue’ (Excerpts)

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 06 MAR 2025 10:30PM by PIB Delhi

    We had such a feast, both of governance and leadership. Shinde Ji, you have stolen the thunder. I am wonderstruck whether I can add anything. I may only repackage it. I recall every moment I spent with Shinde Ji, but more when me and my wife, went to his residence and had the good fortune to perform puja.

    His address is remarkably relevant, full of depth, assessment of contemporary scenario and challenges. He speaks of spinal experience he has gained from worker to leader and a leader is always a leader. It doesn’t matter in a cricket team you play at which number.

    I am absolutely elated that a leader has such a sacrificial attitude. My congratulations to you.

    We have amongst us, Shrimati Hema Deora Ji. I was greatly touched because she is privy to the hand holding which I received as a young parliamentarian from Shri Murli Deora Ji. I was elected to Parliament in 1989 and that was a big change. Congress had lost power and I was a Union Minister. He was a congressman. He took me to then Bombay, now Mumbai, and he helped me and introduced me to people who matter in industry and in the Marwadi community. When she revealed this briefly I had vivid recollection of those days. A man of sterling qualities, Murli Deora Ji. Ma’am your presence matters to us. I’m sure you will have the good occasion to see your son perform in Rajya Sabha. Eknath Shinde Ji has sent a jewel to Rajya Sabha. He marks his addresses with due diligence, thorough study, calm and composed. I’m sure you’ll be in Chairman’s Gallery to applaud him someday.

    We have amongst us distinguished Members of Parliament. Though the audience is absolutely very imminent and each one of you matters to me hugely but I don’t believe in taking risks. Therefore I must recognise presence of Members of Parliament. One on the dais, Shri Milind Deora Ji. A stalwart of politics in the State and the Nation, Shri Ashok Chauhan Ji. Shri G.K. Vasan Ji, whose father had handheld me in a similar manner as Murli Deora Ji. Young, energetic, youthful, but in third term, Shrikant Shinde Ji. I hope I don’t miss any parliamentarian otherwise, I may suffer at their hands

    Shri Raghavendra Singh, President Kotak Mahindra Bank is energy capsule has great administrative capacities, but what I gather from him, having known him, for the third generation, is full of positivity. I must recognize presence of some who are present here, Shri Ashok Hinduja Ji is here, We have Shri Uday Kotak Ji.

    I’ll come to Amrita Ji a little later because she is much beyond the spouse of the Chief Minister for me. His Holiness Syedna Sahab Ji.

    Shri Gauranga Das, Shri Gaur Gopal Das, they both are from ISCON. People in Industry, Shri Pranav Adani, Shri Neeraj Bajaj, Mr. Jalas Dhani, and let me tell you, everyone who is present here, I am greatly indebted, but never miss a journalist if he is your friend. You may suffer at his hands forever. I am referring to none other than Sanjay Pugalia, whom I have known for more than four decades. We had such a wonderful cricket match and India is in the finals so why not remember Surya Kumar Yadav? He’s known as Mr. 360 degrees

    Now, Amrita ji. Amrita ji, you have created a problem for me because of a condition I set for Devendra Fadnavis, that I will receive him at Upa-Rashtrapati Niwas as only if he is accompanied by Amrita ji. Every time he makes excuse, please ensure. I would love to receive both of you at Upa-Rashtrapati Niwas, where I have had the great occasion to receive Shinde Ji.

    Now, ladies and gentlemen, I come to the inaugural lecture.

    It is an absolute honour and privilege to deliver the Murli Deora Memorial Lecture Dialogue, dedicated to one of the finest public figures in politics, who nurtured friendships all his life. He bridged the differences and was loved by all. In his life, he missed one thing. He had no adversaries that was his stature. Murali bhai, as fondly reminisced by his peers, exemplified public spirit and dedication.

    He was a statesman in the mould of a politician, a rare blend of foresight and pragmatism. From being the youngest mayor of Bombay, now Mumbai, to serving seven terms in Parliament, he showed deep commitment to democratic values and public service. His belief in dialogue, debate, discussion, deliberation, consensual approach, cooperative approach, coordination, are being missed now.

    Murli Deora will always be remembered for his proactive efforts to save the country from the hazards of smoking. He approached the highest Court of the land, sought affirmative intervention to secure a ban on smoking at public places. Life of Murli Deora Ji was a testament to the idea of leadership, that this idea is not a pedestal but a pilgrimage, a journey of service to the last, the least and the lonely.

    I commend, ladies and gentlemen, Milind Deora, a senior parliamentarian, former Union Minister, and his friends for organising this annual feature as a befitting tribute to Murli Ji. The theme “Leadership and Governance” is indeed thought provoking as also of great contemporaneous relevance.

    Bharat, home to one sixth of humanity, is the oldest, largest and most vibrant and functional democracy. Bharat is the only Nation in the world that has constitutionally structured democratic institutions from village to National level.

    First, I focus on the source of Governance in Democracy. Our Constitution’s Preamble indicates ‘We The People’ as the foundational source and premise of Governance. Preamble of the Constitution also reveals purpose of governance being Justice, Equality, Fraternity for all.  We must appreciate the contours of ‘We The People’  the ultimate repository of sovereignty. A sovereignty that we cannot afford to dilute or to be taken away.

    We the people through electoral platforms constitute Parliament, Legislatures, panchayats, municipalities and elect the President and the Vice- President. The sanctity of this repository of sovereignty is essential for democratic governance. Imagine what will befall us if we are deprived of our sovereignty. The integrity of ‘We the People’ in the present times is being stressed and challenged and the challenge is surfacing in multiple ways. Leadership faces a daunting task to preserve and sustain this.

    Let me advert to some worrying trends. There are many, I am referring only to some. The Nation houses millions of illegal migrants causing a demographic upheaval. Millions of illegal migrants are in this country making a huge demand on our health services, education services. They are depriving our people of employment opportunities. Such elements have alarmingly secured electoral relevance in some areas and their securing electoral relevance is shaping the essence of our democracy. Emerging dangers can be evaluated through historical reference where Nations were swept off their ethnic identity by similar demographic invasions.

    As a matter of fact there are countries where demographic invasion resulted in complete eclipse of ethnicity where ethnicity was in complete majority.

    Ladies and gentlemen, this malaise, far more severe than COVID, is aggravatingly intersected with conversions through allurements, with vulnerable sections trying to be trapped, the marginalised, the tribal, the weaker become easy prey to these temptations and allurements.

    Faith is your own, faith is dictated by conscience. The Indian constitution gives freedom of faith but if this faith is held hostage by temptations, it is according to me, defacing freedom of faith. The concerning objective behind these pernicious designs is to detrimentally vary and ultimately eclipse ‘We the people’s’ identity and secure for themselves a majoritarianism position. I’m sure no one will disagree. This danger has to be thwarted.

    This is too serious an onslaught to be either countenanced or overlooked. Just reflect for a moment the change that has taken place in our demography in the last two decades. Look at some of the areas where impregnable fortresses emerged.

    The theme “Leadership and Governance” is indeed thought provoking as also of great contemporaneous relevance.

    Bharat, home to one sixth of humanity, is the oldest, largest and most vibrant and functional democracy. Bharat is the only nation in the world that has constitutionally structured democratic institutions from village to national level.

    First, I focus on the source of Governance in Democracy. Our Constitution’s Preamble indicates ‘We The People’ as the foundational source and premise of Governance. The Preamble of the Constitution also reveals purpose of governance being Justice, Equality, Fraternity for all.  We must appreciate the contours of ‘We The People’ – the ultimate repository of sovereignty.

    A sovereignty that we cannot afford to dilute or to be taken away.

    The power of ‘We the people’ cannot suffer any sacrilege or dilution. Leadership must engage in overdrive, generating National consensus to preserve the sanctity of ‘We the people’ and work in togetherness, in tandem, to neutralise all misadventures against it.

    ‘We The People’ faces onslaughts from within and without. Forces inimical to Bharat have converged to systemically weaken nationalistic spirit. Constitutional institutions face orchestrated public ridicule as part of political strategy. Even the Presidency isn’t spared. Tarnishing institutions, especially on foreign land, is against our culture, is against our national interest.

    Every citizen has the power of social media. I beseech everyone in the interest of this country to be alive to these trends and make contributions. Anti-national narratives gain evil-inspired momentum. Misinformation aimed at destabilising the nation is rising.

    We had the painful occasion to see it during COVID. The pandemic that shook the world, then a nation of over 1.3 billion faced it by innovative mechanisms initiated by the Prime Minister and it was successfully handled. The entire global fraternity, as I call it, in Bharat, while tackling pandemic at home, lent assistance to hundreds of other countries. But some amongst us did not spare any effort to run us down. Such category of people who are recipe for chaos need to be exposed. Leadership must navigate this challenge through citizens’ mindset response.

    Friends, Bharat is a global beacon of inclusivity and thrives with unity in diversity. This calls for all to prioritise nation first. Commitment to nationalism marks freedom and democracy.

    No interest, partisan, economic, or personal, can justifiably be the ground to compromise national interest.

    Ladies and gentlemen, Issues of constitutional clarity, whether Constitution is categorical, our founding fathers have given us the path. On issues like language, common civil code, seats of divisions are being sown. The response of the government emanates from constitutional

    prescriptions.

    We have to work in overdrive to see that these issues that are premised on our Constitution are not politicised to the detriment of the Nation.

    Leadership must seek national consensus and public awareness to sensitize people of the dangers that are inherent in such approaches. India’s civilizational ethos offer a rich repository of leadership principles that predate modern governance theories by millennia.

    Our Vedic knowledge offers insight for leadership. Leadership in public life requires vision, character, and commitment to nationalism. We have seen what wonders visionary leadership can do in the last 10 years. The nation has navigated from a disturbed scenario of gloom to one of hope and possibility.

    We must always remember, ladies and gentlemen, we are the land of Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayan, Mahabharat, Srimad Bhagavad Gita and the wisdom therein guides us all throughout.

    The Bhagvad Gita provides timeless leadership lessons through Lord Krishna’s counsel to Arjuna.

    “यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः।

    स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते॥”

    “Whatever a great man does, others follow. Whatever standard he sets by his exemplary acts, the world pursues.”

    This verse underscores the profound responsibility of leaders, because they are naturally taken as torchbearers, role models whose actions shape the course of the society.

    But a challenge that is coming to society from these people is very dangerous. An informed mind, having held credible positions, trades on the ignorance of people to monetise politically. And that happened on many occasions in the last ten years. People in authority, who presided over our financial institutions for long, had no qualms in indicating to the world that India can never register economic rise beyond 5%. And we had one and a half times of that, that very year. On such matters, ladies and gentlemen, our memory should not be short.

    Kautilya’s Arthashastra, perhaps the world’s earliest comprehensive treatise on statecraft and governance, offers sophisticated insights on leadership.

    I quote “The king shall consider as good not what pleases himself but what pleases his subject.”

    This ancient wisdom resonates with modern governance principles, where true leadership transcends self-interest to embrace collective welfare. We all have seen this development. We need to continue it.

    Let us reflect on what is there in our civilisational essence and ethos. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, Sarvajan Hitaaya, Sarvajan Sukhaaya.

    These are the twin pillars of governance from our scriptures, and look at how it translated for the entire world to know. During India’s presidency of G20, one earth, one family, one future, this was universally accoladed and accepted.

    Friends, democracy flourishes with expression and dialogue. Abhivyakti or samvad are its jewels. One is incomplete without the other. Expression complements dialogue and the other way round. If you believe in the right of expression without taking note of the dialogue, then you miss the point. In the process you indicate, I alone am right, to the exclusion of every other thought. And that is why we have emanated from our scriptures, Anantavada. This is essential. Inalienable facet of good governance, judgemental response to different viewpoints, differing viewpoints, a point that is different than yours, reflects absolutism. And absolutism has no place in democracy. Democracy requires consensual approach.  The other point of view must be considered. And there should be an effort for convergence to an agreed viewpoint.

    Constituent Assembly debates exemplify this approach. For little less than three years, in 18 sessions, Constituent Assembly deliberated very contentious issues, very divisive issues that took recourse to dialogue, debate, discussion, and deliberation.

    There never was an occasion for disruption or disturbance but when we find such a big change taking place. Disruption is being weaponized as a political strategy to make Parliament or legislatures dysfunctional. This does not augur well for the health of democracy and in some situations, it will pronounce death knell of democracy. If these temples of democracy do not perform constitutional ordainment, then people in the country are bound to be concerned and worried.

    I, as Chairman of the Council of States, express my deep anguish. And I appeal to people at large, academia, intellectuals, those in business, trade, commerce and industry, those in media, public servants, to create a mindset to put pressure on Parliamentarians and representatives. You perform because there can be no vacuum in democracy. If the legitimate platform of debate is dysfunctional. People will take to the streets. They have to voice their concerns in one way or the other.

    Ladies and gentlemen, coming to another challenge. Last 10 years, the nation has witnessed exponential economic upsurge, phenomenal infrastructural growth, deep digitization, technological penetration, unknown before. Global institutions are accommodating Bharat as a favorite destination of investment and opportunity. The rural landscape has been revolutionized with every house having toilet, electric connection, pipe water is on the way, gas connection, road connectivity, health and education centers. And people therefore have gravitated to politics of development as indicated by Eknath Shinde Ji. In that scenario, this phenomenal success story during the last 10 years brings with it a great challenge. On one hand, no nation in the world has this kind of growth as Bharat has had in the last 10 years.

    India at the moment on account of this growth is the most aspirational nation in the world. Imagine a country of 1.4 billion with that kind of demographic dividend getting into aspirational mode. The leadership has to perform at rocket speed. Because there can be restiveness, restlessness. And therefore I call upon every person, do not look at the government alone. Your opportunity basket is flattening every day, blossoming. When you look at surface of the sea, or deep sea, or ground surface, or deep ground, or sky, or space.

    India’s performance has increased your participation. Blue economy or space economy, you can take to that area.

    Good governance requires that we prevent problems, we preempt problems. It is not merely solving a problem. We must have a full diagnosis. Why should a problem be there at all? Real-time delivery is quintessential.

    There was a time not long ago when power corridors were infested with lies and agents, corrupt elements, who extra-legally leveraged decision-making. Patronage was the password for a contract or a job. But on account of introduction of technology, expedition service delivery, transparent and accountable mechanism. These power corridors now are fully sanitised. The world is looking to India for generating transparency, accountability, quick service delivery, people-centric policies in their countries

    Ladies and gentlemen, I see one concern, and that concern is across the political spectrum. There is emergence of a new strategy, and the strategy is of appeasement or being placatory.

    Now, election is important in Democracy but not the end of it. Our scriptures have indicated means are as important as the end.

    And the governments, we are in a state where financial position is very strong. The financial capital of the country, a global center for business and trade, but some governments that took recourse to this appeasement and placatory mechanisms are finding it very difficult to sustain in power, but one consequence is very categorical and those in economics know it.

    We have stalwarts of economics sitting here and that is if there is excessive spending on electoral promises, then the state’s ability to invest in infrastructure is correspondingly reduced. This is detrimental to the growth scenario.

    And therefore, I would call upon leadership of all political parties in the interest of democratic values to generate a consensus that engages into such kind of electoral promises that can be performed only at the cost of CAPEX expenditure of the state.

    I should not be misunderstood, ladies and gentlemen, because while the Indian Constitution has given us right of equality, it does provide in Article 14, 15 and 16 an acceptable category of affirmative governance, affirmative action, the reservation for SC, ST, for those who are in the economically weaker section. That is sanctified.

    There are exceptional situations for rural India, for the farmer, where affirmative steps are required to be taken. But this is very distinct from the other aspects I was talking about. This is not placatory or appeasing. It is justifiable economic policy. And therefore, it is good leadership that can take a call, where to draw the line in the fiscal sense in the matter of political foresight and leadership spine.

    There is another aspect on which we need to focus. National debate is required so that we take note of the shift from Democracy to Emocracy. Emotion-driven policies, emotion-driven debates, discourses threaten good governance. Historically, populism is bad economics. And once a leader gets attached to populism it is difficult to get out of the crisis. And therefore, the central factor has to be the good of the people, the largest good of the people, and the lasting good of the people. Empower people to empower themselves rather than empower them momentarily, because that affects their productivity.

    Our institutions are very critical. Our institutions must continue to be relevant. Political leadership must address declining relevance of institutions due to disruption and divisive politics. We have an example before us, as I said earlier. We have the legacy of our Constitution being negotiated through dialogue without acrimony. Today’s leaders should consult this spirit.

    Parliament is much beyond ideological discourse. Its democracy is a temple where discussions should focus on progress and people’s welfare. Sliding parliamentary institutions into irrelevance is a challenge to democracy and our existence. It is worrisome when disruption and disturbance are weaponised, as I said. A dysfunctional Parliament, particularly in Bharat, that is the world’s oldest, largest, and most vibrant democracy, is injustice to the people. Our people deserve much better from our parliamentarians.

    From this sacred place, I urge parliamentarians and legislators to soul-search. Democracy cannot function when expression and dialogue are compromised, while citizens must hold representatives accountable. For eternal vigilance remains freedom’s price. Institutional perimeters must be maintained. Judicial overreach into executive governance disrupts democratic values. I do not mean to reflect more on it, but I affirm governance is the sole prerogative of the executive and this is premised because executive is accountable to the people, to the legislature, every five years or before, the executive has to go to the people to get their approval. And every action taken by the executive is amenable to legislature intervention but if this executive function is performed by any other institution, including judicial, it will be difficult to look for accountability and, furthermore the wherewithal, the information, the database, that help arrive at a decision cannot be available at other institutions other than the executive.

    Leadership is purpose driven and not position of power. It has been said in Upanishad. The Ishavasya Upanishad ईशवस्य उपनिषद counsels: “तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथाः” (Ten Tyakten bhunjitha)– “Enjoy through renunciation.”

    Our leaders will have to embrace this philosophy. Selfless service in governance by blending India’s timeless wisdom with today’s needs create Tagore’s vision. Rabindranath Tagore has said, I tread where mind is without fear and head is held high.

    “सत्यमेव जयते नानृतम्”, which emanates from Mundaka Upanishad, it says, truth alone must survive and nothing else. The Rig Veda, moving together in harmony principle, must be our North Star.

    ****

    JK/RC/SM

    (Release ID: 2108969) Visitor Counter : 27

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Sues Trump Administration over Mass Firings of Federal Workers

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 19 other attorneys general today filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for illegally firing thousands of probationary federal workers, including hundreds in New York. The administration is required to provide advance notice of mass layoffs to employees and states so that states can mobilize resources needed to process unemployment claims and care for unemployed workers. However, as Attorney General James and the coalition argue in their lawsuit, the administration has directed federal agencies to conduct immediate mass terminations of probationary employees without following the law. The resulting unlawful layoffs have upended workers’ lives, disrupted essential services, and forced states to scramble to provide resources for recently fired workers.

    “Whether it’s providing health care to our veterans, keeping our communities safe, or ensuring our children get a quality education, federal employees provide essential services every day,” said Attorney General James. “The Trump administration’s illegal mass firings of federal workers are a slap in the face to those who have spent their careers serving our country. Thousands of workers across New York and the nation are now struggling to pay rent, put food on the table, and care for their loved ones. Today, I am joining my fellow attorneys general in defending the rights of workers who serve our communities and stopping the chaos and confusion this unjust policy is causing.” 

    In New York, these illegal layoffs have impacted workers throughout the state. In the last week of February, 372 federal workers had filed for unemployment in New York. More than 1,000 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees nationwide were fired in February, including workers at VA medical centers in New York. Workers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who were fired included seven staffers assigned to New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In Buffalo and Syracuse, more than 100 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees have been fired, leaving New Yorkers without a critical resource for assistance with their tax returns at the height of tax season. The regional office of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in Buffalo also saw major staffing cuts, jeopardizing the rights of workers across Western New York.

    The probationary employees that the Trump administration has targeted are workers who have either been newly hired or have recently been promoted or changed offices. They are generally subject to a probationary period of one or two years.

    In their lawsuit, Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the Trump administration has violated the law by implementing mass layoffs, or Reductions in Force (RIF), without providing states and employees proper advance notice. Federal agencies are required by law to provide at least 60 days of prior written notice before they release any federal civil service employee under a RIF. These notices help states assemble job training programs, staff to process unemployment claims, and other resources to minimize the harm to affected workers and their communities.

    With this lawsuit, Attorney General James and the coalition are seeking a court order to stop further mass layoffs without notice and the reinstatement of all illegally fired federal workers who have been laid off since January 20, 2025.

    “Federal employees are the backbone of our nation’s operations, and their work is absolutely vital to the safety and well-being of every American,” said Congressman Dan Goldman. “The illegal mass firing of probationary employees is an unjust and reckless attack on the very workers who ensure our government functions. The federal workforce deserves our deepest respect, and the targeted layoffs of probationary employees will have a cascading effect, leading to a catastrophic loss of institutional knowledge that will be felt for generations. I applaud New York Attorney General James and the 16 other attorneys general for their bold and decisive action in filing this lawsuit to protect our dedicated federal workers, and, by extension, the integrity of our government.”

    “President Trump and Elon Musk have attacked our dedicated federal workforce, who process benefits for seniors and veterans, protect our natural resources, keep our skies safe, and so much more,” said Congressman Tim Kennedy. “No one is above the law, and today’s lawsuit will help ensure the President is held accountable for disrupting the lives of our civil servants and the hardworking families they serve in Western New York and across the country. I stand by Attorney General James as we come together to combat the Trump Administration’s reckless mass firings.”

    “Workers have rights in the United States, and it’s against the law – and against the interests of the American people who depend on critical services like Social Security – to indiscriminately fire dedicated public workers, including here in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley,” said Congressman John W. Mannion. “Trump and Musk’s efforts to illegally erase a century of hard-fought workplace protections must be stopped. On behalf of every worker in NY-22 – and every senior, veteran, farmer, and constituent who deserves a functioning and responsive government – I wholeheartedly support this legal action by Attorney General James and her counterparts.  We’ll see you in court, Mr. President.”

    “Instead of taking real action to lower costs or keep our communities safe, the Trump administration is gutting the workforce of those who provide care to our veterans, retirement for our seniors, and healthcare to our communities,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “It’s shameful. I’m proud to support Attorney General James in her efforts to fight back and hold the President accountable.”

    “The Trump-Musk administration’s reckless and unlawful mass firings have been nothing short of a catastrophe—not just for the dedicated federal workers whose livelihoods have been upended, but for the millions of New Yorkers who rely on the essential services they provide,” said Congressman Jerrold Nadler. “If left unchallenged, these firings will undermine the very programs that working families, seniors, and people with disabilities in New York depend on every day. I am grateful that New York Attorney General James has taken swift action to challenge these illegal firings, and I am proud to stand with her and my fellow Congressional Democrats to send a clear message to our federal workers in New York: We stand with you, and we will not stop fighting until these outrageous and harmful actions are fully reversed.”

    Joining Attorney General James in filing today’s lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Show support for young musicians in competition finals

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    Enjoy a little night music as pupils from city schools compete in the finals of the Aberdeen Young Musician of the Year 2025 competition at the Cowdray Hall later this month (24 and 25 March 2025).

    The annual contest is held in partnership with the Scottish Young Musicians competition, which is open to all young musicians who go to school in Scotland, whatever standard or age.

    For the third year running, Aberdeen City Council’s Music Service has organised the local competition, which has two categories:

    • Junior – open to pupils in Year Three at Secondary School and below.
    • Senior – open to pupils in Year Four to Year Six at Secondary School.

    More than 120 Aberdeen pupils auditioned for the first round of the competition in January 2025. The judges, who were Music Service staff, selected 12 Junior pupils and 12 Senior pupils to go forward to the finals. 

    Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “Congratulations to all the young musicians who have made it through to the finals of Aberdeen Young Musician of the Year 2025.  The Cowdray Hall is a wonderful venue with its superb acoustics.

    “I would encourage everyone to show their support to our up-and-coming young musicians and enjoy a wonderful evening of music and song.”

    Alan Kerr, Chair, of the Scottish Young Musicians competition, said: “We are delighted that Aberdeen continues to generate such extraordinary talent and have no doubt that the Aberdeen final will be thrilling.

    “The winner will go on to showcase their skills at the Scottish Young Musicians Solo Young Musician of the Year fourth national final on the 25th May at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.”

    Aberdeen Young Musician 2025 – Junior Final

    • 7pm until approx. 9.30pm on Monday 24 March, Cowdray Hall, Schoolhill, Aberdeen, AB10 1JQ.

    Aberdeen Young Musician 2025 – Senior Final

    • 7pm until approx. 9.30pm on Tuesday 25 March, Cowdray Hall, Schoolhill, Aberdeen, AB10 1JQ.

    Entry to the finals is FREE and unticketed.

    The finalists will perform to a panel of external judges, Jenna Main, regional development executive, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music; Craig McDermott, head teacher, Northfield Academy; and Clara-Jane Maunder, emerging composer and violinist from Aberdeen.

    The judges will also select a ‘regional’ finalist who will represent Aberdeen at the Scottish Young Musicians competition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on Sunday 25 May.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Secretaries Wright and Burgum Join American Energy Workers in Applauding President Trump’s Leadership & Historic Investment in American Energy Infrastructure

    Source: US Department of Energy

    PLAQUEMINES PARRISH, LOUISIANA—U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, both leaders of the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC), today joined more than a thousand American energy workers at Venture Global’s Plaquemine LNG Export facility to highlight the impacts of President Trump’s energy agenda. The secretaries joined Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Venture Global CEO Mike Sabel in delivering remarks before touring the facility and speaking to the press.

    Thanks to President Trump’s commitment to restoring American energy dominance and day one reversal of the Biden-Harris LNG export permit ban, Sabel announced today that Venture Global would be making an additional $18 billion expansion to the Plaquemine LNG Export facility – making the facility the largest in the United States.

    Less than 50 days into the Trump administration, American energy companies are producing more energy here in the U.S. – lowering prices, providing good-paying jobs, strengthening local communities, and bolstering America’s national security.

    In case you missed it, remarks from Secretary Wright and Burgum are below:

    Secretary Wright:

    America is back.

    You, all of you here today, are bringing America back, making us greater and making us stronger. I could not be more humbled and proud to stand among you today. God bless what you do today and what you do every day.

    I want to also thank President Trump. He worked tirelessly, even putting his own life at risk to go back to Washington to become our president again, to bring commonsense back to Washington, DC. It all left the city. He brought back common sense with a simple agenda unleash American energy, unleash American business, and unleash the American spirit.

    And I see it here today with all of you. He’s from the East Coast. He’s a real estate developer. But instinctually he gets energy. He knows that energy is not one sector of the economy. It’s the sector of the economy that enables everything else, everything else.

    I want to thank the governor of Louisiana. Giant projects like this, they’re not getting built in California, where I lived many years. They’re not getting built in a lot of places. This takes leadership and boldness. This governor of Louisiana has allowed a flourishing in the Louisiana Gulf Coast and across the state. Louisiana today exports more LNG than every state in the United States. This is number one.

    That that that bar is going to be raised even higher because in the next several years, Louisiana will become a larger exporter of liquefied natural gas than any nation on Earth. You could be your own country and be number one.

    Venture global, as we heard from Mike Sable, the great, bold founding CEO, has taken huge risk. They raised money from all across America, from American like us, to build this business and make a bet. Make a bet on American energy production.

    The United States 15 years ago was the largest importer of natural gas in the world. And with bold entrepreneurs and leadership like President Trump, our governor in Louisiana, and Venture Global, today, the United States is the largest net exporter of natural gas in the world and growing strong, growing strong.

    What’s the fastest growing source of energy on the planet by far is natural gas. I looked at this over the last 15 years. Nothing else is close. Oil is second, by the way. The fastest growing sense source of energy in the planet is natural gas. The largest producer of natural gas on the planet is the United States.

    And so hence we’re growing our exports because of your work, because of your efforts, we’re going to increase the prosperity of America, increase the strength of America, increase the opportunities for Americans and for the citizens of the world.

    Where does this gas go? What’s this gas going to do? It’s going to make fertilizer so farmers can grow more food and feed everyone. It’s by far the largest source of electricity in the United States. Natural gas is. It’s to make petrochemicals. All the clothes were wearing the toys. Our cars are our computers. Our phones. Those are all made of natural gas.

    All the uses of natural gas, you can say. In short, they make our lives possible. They allow us to have a modern world and live these wonderful lives we live.

    But that doesn’t fall from heaven. That doesn’t just fall on earth. It has to be made, produced and delivered. And that only happens with hard working people like you. You are changing the world. You are changing people’s lives.

    I’ll end there. I just am humbled to be among you. I’m proud to be among you. I cannot overstate how important what you’re doing is and how aligned it is with the agenda of President Donald Trump. This guy wants America to be great. He wants America to be strong. He wants to lower our cost and expand opportunities for Americans.

    A strong, energized, empowered America is not just good for Americans. It’s good for the world. God bless you. God bless America and God bless President Trump.

    Secretary Burgum:

    What a gorgeous day we have here today. And today is a day of gratitude. And it’s a day of celebration.

    You’ve heard from the great speakers up here, my friend, Governor Jeff Landry. We’ve got two amazing entrepreneurs, Mike and Bob and the amazing Chris Wright. But we’re celebrating today American innovation, American entrepreneurship, and American workers. I stand here before you humbled because I can’t think of anything more patriotic.

    There’s no place I’d rather be than here looking at all of you standing here among this, this creation that you’ve built. And it started with two guys that said, hey, maybe we can do something that’s never been done before. Maybe we can invent a new way to think about how we want to process natural gas. Maybe we can figure out that the U.S., instead of being a net importer, is going to be a net exporter.

    And it was a couple of guys just sitting around a table that came up with the idea of Venture Global. Then you hear, it’s like when only in America, now is going to be one of the most important and influential energy companies in the world. That happens in our country only when we get the government out of the way.

    It happens when we cut red tape. One of our pathways to energy dominance is just unleashing the incredible resources that we have in this country. Getting the red tape, getting the federal government off the back of the worker, off the back of companies, and so that everybody can do the amazing work and build projects like this.

    And so, we’re celebrating that today. But I also said today is a day of gratitude. And I want to bring a message from President Trump to all of you, because President Trump fights for all of you every day. This guy I know everybody here, you work hard, you put in a long day, you go home, you get up and you do it the next day. He respects that. And you know what? He does that too.

    This guy didn’t take a day off for the last 90 days before the election. Then the next day he got up and he didn’t. He didn’t take a day off. He just started jamming all the way through to January 20th. And then since January 20th, he’s gotten more done than any president in the history of the United States ever has in their first month and a half.

    And somebody asked me, what’s it like working for the president? And I said, well said, you guys, you watch football. And they said, yeah, I watch football. I said, well, think about this. Think about the best football team ever assembled. The President Trump is the team owner and he’s the manager, and he’s the head coach, and he’s playing quarterback and he’s running a no huddle offense. And everybody that’s working for him has got to scramble back to the line for the next play, because we’re just going that fast every single day. And the change that he’s driving, the red tape that he’s cutting, it’s absolutely incredible. And one of the things that we’re here today, the announcement today is happening.

    The prior administration had a full-on attack against U.S. energy. They literally were stopping the permitting, killing jobs, killing capital formation, the money to come together to build something like this. And you know what that did that hurt every American and it helped our adversaries. President Trump is fighting for you every day. And he’s fighting because he believes in the we have U.S. energy dominance. It does two things. It builds American prosperity, and it brings peace abroad.

    We’re in two proxy wars right now. And both of our adversaries in those wars, Russia and Iran, Iran funding 24 terrorist groups. They’re funding those wars against us with energy production. With a facility like this where we can sell LNG around the world, we’re literally going to stop war.

    So, when you guys go to work every day, tell yourselves you’re just not doing a job building the most amazing, most technological plant in the planet. The biggest construction project in North America. You’re also building world peace. And the other thing you’re also doing is you’re building prosperity here at home for everybody that’s here.

    And it all starts with one thing, and that’s American energy. And you’re going to say it with me because with energy dominance part of our job is to cut red tape. And the other is we got to get more things flowing through those pipes heading towards Louisiana. And how are we going to do that?

    You know, how we are going to do it is three words. What are we going to do. We’re going to drill, baby drill one more time. What are we going to do. We’re going to drill, baby drill. And when we do that, we’re also going to mine baby, mine. We’re going to get critical minerals going. So, we’re stop buying critical minerals from China. We’re going to map baby, map, and we get the US Geological Survey going back and actually discovering all the resources we have on America’s balance sheet.

    People talk about America’s debt, $36 trillion in debt. Our assets could be 3 to 5 times more than that. But we don’t even know that because we’ve stopped looking for all the resource assets in this country. And we’re going to become an energy powerhouse. And with that, we’re going to bring inflation down for you and your families. And here at home, prosperity in America and world peace abroad.

    That’s what you’re working on every day. How exciting is it to be here with all of you? And again, a message of gratitude for President Trump to you. Nothing more patriotic than American worker that’s working to build energy dominance for this country. Your impact? It carries far and wide. It touches people all over the world. And it certainly helps your kids and your grandkids, and it helps our country reduce our debt, do everything that we’re doing.

    So, a big thank you from President Trump and a big thank you to the innovators and entrepreneurs that built this place and came up with the idea. And none of it happens without all of you. But let’s go. And what’s at the end? I want to say, I will say one thing when you’re doing when we’re doing this today, what are we doing together?

    We’re making America great again. One more time. What are we doing? Making America great again. Thank you. Way to go, venture global. Thank you all.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Asia’s largest flower market booms ahead of Intl Women’s Day

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    In the run-up to International Women’s Day on March 8, floral scents and anticipation have filled the air at Dounan Flower Market, Asia’s largest and the world’s second-largest fresh-cut flower trading market.

    Recently, the market’s vibrant flowers have attracted tourists to Dounan, which is located in the city of Kunming, the capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province.

    Meanwhile, numerous auctioneers can be seen monitoring the screens in an auction center of the market, preparing to press the purchase button at any moment. Once that step is completed, the auctioned flowers embark on journeys far and wide.

    As International Women’s Day approaches, staff at the market’s Kunming International Flora Auction Trading Center are working to ensure that flowers are delivered to domestic and international consumers in optimal condition.

    Zhu Qi, head of planning at the center, said that the flower supply for International Women’s Day has significantly increased compared to last year. From March 1 to 5, the average daily supply was 5.86 million stems, up 34 percent from the previous week and 15 percent from last year.

    “Since March, the price index for fresh-cut flowers has continued to rise, with sales of various types showing consistent growth,” Zhu said.

    Zhu noted that the diversity of popular flower varieties for International Women’s Day is expanding, providing consumers with more options. “In terms of color, light shades such as purple, pink and white are particularly favored, and less common flowers like pea flowers are also popular among young people,” Zhu said.

    Talha Elahi, a Pakistani intern at Kunming Huaeb Technology Co., Ltd., has been busy sending product and logistics information to customers in various countries on an e-commerce platform. The platform connects flower farmers and traders, integrating the supply chain resources of Yunnan’s flower industry, including planting, trading and logistics resources.

    Wang Dong, who works with the company, said that the platform has seen a surge in orders prior to International Women’s Day — up 50 percent from the same period last year.

    In addition to booming online trade, the offline flower business has also been flourishing at the market. Young shoppers stroll through the aisles, wearing flower garlands and holding bouquets purchased on-site.

    Among these shoppers is Ms. Zhou, a tourist from east China’s Zhejiang Province. She received a hand-woven flower garland from an elderly vendor while shopping and taking photos.

    “I came to the market before leaving Kunming to buy flowers for myself and bring some of Kunming’s romance back home,” she said.

    Flower cultivation in Dounan dates back to 1983. In the 1990s, local residents began commercial cultivation and trading. And in 1999, China’s first professional flower trading market was established there.

    The market has since expanded its flower industrial chain, solidifying its position as a major flower trading hub.

    Statistics showed that the Dounan Flower Market’s flower transaction volume increased 5 percent to nearly 14.18 billion stems last year. With a transaction value of 11.57 billion yuan (about 1.61 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, the market has led the country in both flower transaction volume and value for 25 consecutive years.

    Dounan’s blossoming flower industry highlights China’s prominence in the global flower market. With about 1.5 million hectares dedicated to flower cultivation and more than 5 million people involved in the industry, China has become the world’s largest flower producer and an important flower trader and consumer.

    “Flowers were once seen as gifts, but now they are a part of everyday life, and the young consumer base is expanding,” Zhu said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Continues His Support for Federal Workers: Trump Administration’s Termination of Probationary Employees is Simply Unlawful

    Source: US State of California Department of Justice

    Files Lawsuit Against Federal Government to Stop Mass Firing of Probationary Employees 

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today filed a lawsuit challenging numerous federal agencies for conducting an illegal mass firing of federal probationary employees. In today’s lawsuit, 20 attorneys general argue that the Trump Administration’s Office of Personnel Management’s directive to agencies to terminate probationary employees en masse to reduce the size of the federal workforce exceeds any statutory authority granted by Congress. The lawsuit seeks to immediately halt further firings and reinstate unlawfully terminated federal employees while litigation proceeds.

    “The Trump Administration’s sweeping mass firing of probationary federal employees is simply unlawful,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Not only is the administration breaking the law, while they claim these actions are necessary to ‘curb waste and inefficiency,’ the reality is that abrupt and indiscriminate terminations will lead to increased operation disruptions, higher rehiring costs, and long-term financial burdens on taxpayers. This reckless directive has inflicted chaos and harmed federal workers who are key contributors to our economy and provide critical services that affect the everyday lives of Californians, from offering support for veterans and farmers, to protection of our cherished national parks and lands. I won’t stand idly by as the President attempts yet another unlawful power grab. I am proud to file this lawsuit with my fellow attorneys general across the nation to reinstate unlawfully terminated federal employees and halt further firings.”

    Nationally, there are more than 5.1 million federal workers. Nearly all federal employees serve a one-or two-year probationary period, and more than 200,000 are on probationary status across the federal government. In California, numerous federal employees serve in critical roles across key agencies including the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service, among others.

    The abrupt, pretextual termination of federal employees is not only unlawful but also disrupts essential government services and has far reaching economic effects. Specifically, in California, federal employees heavily contribute to our economy by paying state income taxes and generating substantial local revenue. This unlawful reduction in workforce has already caused a 149% increase in state unemployment benefit claims by federal workers and will inevitably impact small businesses through decreased consumer spending and decline in demand. This callous decision not only fuels broader economic uncertainty but directly contradicts yet another of the President’s empty promises to “immediately bring prices down, starting on day one” of his presidency. 

    In the complaint, the attorneys general allege that the Trump Administration’s failure to comply with Reduction in Force (RIF) procedures was arbitrary and capricious, not in accordance with law, and in violation of the federal Administrative Procedures Act. These critical protections ensure that workers and impacted communities receive advance notice of mass layoffs to blunt the disruptions they cause for the affected personnel and their communities and also ensure that personnel such as military veterans are given preference in retaining their jobs.

    When a RIF results in a layoff of 50 or more employees, the agency must generally give at least 60 days’ advance notice to state governments, so they can provide vital “rapid response” information, resources, and services to affected workers. The federal agencies named in the lawsuit failed to provide any advance notice to California, causing significant expense and burden on the state as it scrambles to respond to the sudden mass layoffs of its residents. In the month of February 2025, there was a 149% uptick in unemployment insurance claims filed by individuals recently terminated from federal service. 

    The attorneys general are seeking declaratory relief, a temporary restraining order to pause further mass firings, and preliminary and permanent injunctive relief that would reinstate unlawfully terminated federal employees and enjoin further terminations that do not follow required legal procedures.

    Attorney General Bonta is joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai‛i, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia in filing this lawsuit. 

    A copy of the complaint can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 66-2025: Services Restored: Friday 07 March 2025 – DAFF messaging

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    07 March 2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    All clients submitting the below declarations:

    • Full Import Declaration (FID)
    • Long Form Self Assessed Clearance (LFSAC)
    • Short Form Self Assessed Clearance (SFSAC)
    • Cargo Report Self Assessed Clearance (CRSAC)
    • Cargo Report Personal Effects (PE)

    All clients of the Export / Next Export Documentation (EXDOC/NEXDOC) systems.

    Information

    Restored time:

    …

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 65-2025: Regulatory Services Recovery Preparedness following Tropical Cyclone Alfred

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    7 March 2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    All internal and external stakeholders who may require Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry regulatory services across southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.

    What has changed?

    As Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues towards the coast, communities across south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales are already experiencing severe weather, including heavy rainfall and strong winds.

    The…

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Statement on Executive Action to Lower Proposed Tariffs on Canadian Potash

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and a lifelong family farmer, released the following statement following President Trump’s executive action on the proposed duty on Canadian potash. Potash is a key ingredient in fertilizer. Tariffs on Canadian imports are now expected to begin April 2.

    “President Trump is using tariffs as a negotiating tool to halt the deadly flow of fentanyl. I agree this is a deadly crisis, and it’s why I’m currently leading the HALT Fentanyl Act’s passage through Congress.

    “For four years, farmers suffered under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ reckless policies that drove up input costs, especially for fertilizer. I appreciate President Trump showing understanding for farmers by lowering the proposed tariffs on Canadian potash.

    “Alongside President Trump, I’ll continue working to ensure farmers aren’t left behind like they were during the Biden-Harris administration.”

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation Introduces Legislation To Protect State’s Native Species

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), along with U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i), introduced legislation to protect more than 10,000 plant and animal species native to the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawai‘i Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act would fund conservation and recovery projects addressing invasive species, the ecological consequences of climate change, native species’ habitats, and population recovery. Schatz met with The Nature Conservancy, Hawai‘i today to discuss the bill and other priorities.

    “Native species foster a healthy ecosystem, with cleaner air, purer water, and a more resilient environment,” said Senator Schatz. “By funding new conservation measures and recovery projects, including for Native Hawaiian organizations and local non-profits, our bill will help save our native species for years to come.”

    The 10,000 species native to Hawai‘i represent the highest degree of endemism in the world, but hundreds of these species are listed as endangered. The state’s unique biodiversity is in the midst of an extinction crisis, with more than half of native birds and more than 100 unique plant species already extinct.

    The Hawai‘i Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act would:

    • Provide funding through cooperative agreements and grants to the State of Hawai‘i, local governments, Native Hawaiian organizations, non-profit organizations, businesses, and institutions of higher education to protect native species;
    • Support coordinated, evidence-based conservation and recovery projects addressing invasive species, the ecological consequences of climate change, native species’ habitats, and population recovery, as well as data collection and public outreach and education measures;
    • Require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to coordinate with other federal and state agencies to develop annual funding priorities and criteria for ranking project proposals;
    • Require a 25 percent non-federal match for most projects;
    • Encourage applications for high impact, small dollar value projects, projects carried out by Native Hawaiian organizations, and projects promoting youth workforce readiness by waiving the non-federal match requirement for such projects; and
    • Authorize $30 million annually, subject to appropriations, to protect native species for ten years.

    “Unique to our islands, Hawai‘i’s native species are critical to maintaining the health, balance, and biodiversity of our ecosystem,” said Senator Hirono. “Through initiatives such as funding conservation and recovery projects that address topics including invasive species, scientific research, and data collection, this legislation will help to preserve Hawai‘i’s ecosystems and safeguard the environment for future generations.”

    “In Hawai‘i, invasives have caused significant ecological damage, threatening the survival of our unique plant and animal species,” said Representative Case. “Protecting Hawai‘i’s unique biodiversity is not just an environmental necessity, but a cultural imperative that embraces our Native Hawaiian heritage. Unfortunately, these native species often lack the defenses to compete with or resist the pressures of invasive plants and animals, which can rapidly alter ecosystems and displace local species and requires intervention to prevent and reverse.”

    “From ?ohi?a to kiwikiu, Hawai?i is home to some of the most stunning native biodiversity in the world, and we need to work collaboratively to protect and preserve our unique and fragile ecosystem,” said Representative Tokuda. “I am proud to support the Hawai‘i Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act to provide much-needed support for coordinated conservation projects across our state, protect our cultural assets, and ensure our native species can thrive for generations to come.”

    The bill is endorsed by The Nature Conservancy, Hawai‘i Conservation Council, Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, National Tropical Botanical Garden, American Bird Conservancy, and National Wildlife Federation.

    “Our community in Hawai‘i continues to rise to the challenge protecting our most vulnerable species. I want to thank Senator Schatz, Congressman Case and the rest of our Hawai‘i delegation for enabling the vision of our local communities to become a reality,” said Ulalia Woodside Lee, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy Hawai‘i and Palmyra. “If enacted, this bill would add much needed support to ensure we can protect our treasured biodiversity and help build capacity in our local communities to malama ‘aina.”

    Senator Schatz met with representatives from TNC Hawai‘i and Palmyra to discuss the bill.

    “This groundbreaking legislation, would ensure protections against invasive species and ensures the viability of Hawai‘i’s endemic species and ecosystems that supports them from extinction. These species are found nowhere else on our planet. If implemented, this legislation will be a win for Hawai‘i, the U.S., and the world in being at the helm of protecting endangered species from becoming extinct. This will also set a course of action to help reverse the current situation of Hawai‘i being the extinction species capitol of the world by eradicating invasive species, foster and the restore biodiversity and help to stabilize our climate. Additionally, this measure will help to protect food sources and the community from harmful invasive pests, as well as, increase employment opportunities. There is no time to lose; we urge Congress to swiftly pass the Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act,” said Jonee Peters, Executive Director for the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i.

    “Hawai‘i is home to some of the most unique and threatened plants and animals found anywhere in the world. The Hawai‘i Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act would be a significant step toward addressing the many challenges of protecting and recovering these irreplaceable natural and cultural resources. Many of Hawai‘i’s exceptional native species are quite literally on the brink of extinction; we urge Congress to pass this Act as soon as possible,” said Debbie Anderson, President of the Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge.

    “The National Tropical Botanical Garden strongly supports the proposed Hawai‘i Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act of 2025 because it aligns perfectly with NTBG’s mission to preserve and protect native plant species, restore ecosystems, and advance scientific research and education. By providing funding for community involvement and youth workforce training, the act would help ensure that future generations of conservationists and scientists are equipped to protect Hawai‘i’s fragile ecosystems. Supporting the Hawai‘i Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act of 2025 is not just beneficial for NTBG — it is essential for the future of Hawai‘i’s native ecosystems,” said Tami Rollins, Interim CEO of the National Tropical Botanical Garden.

    “Birds such as the ‘I’iwi represent Hawai‘i’s extraordinary biodiversity. However, ‘I’iwi and countless other species are facing unprecedented challenges from threats like avian malaria. Thanks to Sen. Schatz for introducing the Hawai‘i Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act, which would address threats to native species by supporting community-led projects, ensuring native Hawaiian ecosystems are present for our keiki,” said Chris Farmer, Hawai‘i Program Director at American Bird Conservancy.

    The full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Climate – Federated Farmers welcome support for drought-hit regions

    Source: Federated Farmers

    With western parts of four regions being burned to a crisp, Federated Farmers provincial presidents are pleased the Government is being proactive in declaring medium-scale adverse events.
    Northland president Colin Hannah says the declaration is recognition of the growing seriousness for farmers of well-below-normal rainfall.
    The medium-scale adverse event declaration also applies to Waikato, Horizons and Marlborough-Tasman, and follows the same status being called in Taranaki on 27 February.
    “From the North Cape right down the west coast of Northland, there’s a major issue,” Hannah says.
    “In Wellsford, springs and wells are drying up, putting huge pressure on stock water availability.”
    Federated Farmers Waikato president Keith Holmes says the weather pattern is very unusual, and distressing for those farmers hit hardest.
    “West of the Waikato River it’s drought conditions. Areas like Tuakau, Piopio and Mahoenui aren’t getting any rain.
    “East of the river it’s getting quite serious too.
    “Springs and wells providing stock water have dried up, and farmers are moving to once-a-day milking and sending stock to the works early.”
    Holmes says sheep and beef farmers relying on income from grazing dairy cattle from eastern parts of the region are running out of feed, and some are having to send them back early in skinny condition.
    “That’s a big hit on their incomes, and on the dairy farmers trying to capitalise on the strong milk prices.
    “Maize crops may look good, but with insufficient water, they’re putting on minimal cob and come harvest time they’ll have very little feed value.
    “Dairy farmers relying on maize for supplementary feed are going to come unstuck quickly.”
    Holmes says he’s grateful to Ministers Todd McClay and Mark Patterson for calling it early.
    The $100,000 for rural support groups in the four provinces will help, and the adverse event classification also unlocks tax relief for farmers and growers and enables the Ministry of Social Development to consider Rural Assistance Payments.
    “For any farmers a bit slow to react to the threat, this will also help bring it front of mind and galvanise them into action,” Holmes says.
    “If March stays dry, it doesn’t set up farmers well for winter in the five affected provinces.”  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Klobuchar Lead Charge Urging USDA to Reinstate Hispanic-Serving Institution Fellowship Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Klobuchar Lead Charge Urging USDA to Reinstate Hispanic-Serving Institution Fellowship Program

    Senators to USDA: “The Department’s decision to suspend EKDLG Fellowship Program threatens the U.S. agricultural workforce pipeline and the opportunities this program provides educators and students nationwide”

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), chair of the Senate Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Caucus, and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, led 11 Democratic Senators in calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to immediately reinstate its HSI E. Kika De La Garza (EKDLG) Fellowship Program. The program, suspended by the Trump Administration, supports the nation’s agricultural workforce while uplifting professionals and students of all backgrounds at HSIs, including non-Latino students.

    USDA established the nonpartisan EKDLG Fellowship Program in 1998, designing the program to strengthen educational partnerships between faculty, staff, and administrators from HSIs and USDA. These partnerships support professional development, workforce development, and exposure opportunities for HSIs nationwide, offering critical insight and understanding of the federal government.

    “USDA’s partnership with HSIs and Hispanic Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs) plays a vital role in establishing a collaborative relationship and creating a nationwide network of educators working with USDA to help grow the next generation of the American agricultural workforce,” wrote the Senators.

    “The Department’s decision to suspend EKDLG Fellowship Program threatens the U.S. agricultural workforce pipeline and the opportunities this program provides educators and students nationwide,” continued the Senators. “We urge you to immediately reinstate the E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program, similar to Department’s reinstatement of the 1890 National Scholars Program, and to collaborate with Congress to ensure its long-term stability.”

    Programs like the USDA EKDLG Fellowship Program are built to help students reach their full potential and reinforce America’s agricultural workforce pipeline. The 2024 EKDLG Program included eight fellowships in Texas, six in Arizona, five in California, four in New York, two in Illinois, one in New Mexico, one in Colorado, one in New Jersey, one in Florida, one in Connecticut, and one in Washington.

    Hispanic-Serving Institutions are not-for-profit institutions of higher learning with 25 percent or higher total undergraduate Hispanic or Latino full-time students. There are 600 HSIs in the United States that enroll over 5.2 million Hispanic students, two-thirds of all Hispanic undergraduates, and 32.2 percent of total Pell Grant recipients — empowering and improving communities. California is home to 172 HSIs and 45 Emerging HSIs.

    In addition to Senators Padilla and Klobuchar, the letter is also signed by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    The letter is endorsed by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and UnidosUS.

    As chair of the Senate HSI Caucus, Senator Padilla has been a strong advocate for expanding educational opportunities for Latino students. Last year, Padilla passed a bipartisan resolution to designate National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week. In 2023, Padilla introduced the bicameral, bipartisan Hispanic Educational Resources and Empowerment (HERE) Act, which aims to provide Hispanic and Latino students with the necessary tools and resources to lessen the higher education achievement gap.

    Previously, Padilla and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) passed a bipartisan resolution expressing support to close the gap in STEM jobs among Latino students and young professionals entering the workforce. Padilla also unveiled a bipartisan resolution in 2022 recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Hispanic National Internship Program (HNIP), a seminal program of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities known for promoting Latino excellence and creating greater career development opportunities for Latino and Hispanic students across the country.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear Secretary Rollins,

    We write to express our significant concerns about the suspension of the USDA Hispanic-Serving (HSI) E. Kika De La Garza (EKDLG) Fellowship Program and to ask that you immediately reinstate it.

    The EKDLG Fellowship Program was established in 1998 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the program has had consistent support from every presidential administration since its establishment. The program strengthens educational partnerships between faculty, staff, and administrators from HSIs and USDA.

    The EKDLG Fellowship Program is non-partisan and supports increasing the professional development, workforce development, and exposure opportunities for faculty, staff, and students nationwide. USDA’s partnership with HSIs and Hispanic Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs) plays a vital role in establishing a collaborative relationship and creating a nationwide network of educators working with USDA to help grow the next generation of the American agricultural workforce. These fellowships are open to faculty, staff, and administrators of all backgrounds that are employed at HSIs or Hispanic-Serving School Districts and students of all backgrounds are eligible to participate.

    HSIs are economic engines and shape our nation’s agricultural workforce. In 2022, HSIs enrolled 5.2 million students, including 66% of all Hispanic undergraduate students and over 31% of all college students in non-profit postsecondary institutions in the country. Programs like the EKDLG Fellowship Program equip educators with the tools to help students reach their full potential and support the nation’s agricultural workforce pipeline. For example, the list of 2024 EKDLG participants shows the program’s nationwide impact:

    1. University of Houston, Sugar Land, Texas

    2. New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico

    3. The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

    4. Arizona Western College, Yuma, Arizona

    5. Coastal Bend College, Beeville, Texas

    6. Adams State University, Alamosa, Colorado

    7. California State University, Chico, Chico, California

    8. Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey

    9. Texas A&M University, Kingsville, Texas

    10. Mesa Community College, Mesa, Arizona

    11. Hartnell College, Salinas, California

    12. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas

    13. City Colleges of Chicago, Harold Washington College, Chicago, Illinois

    14. Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

    15. Maricopa Community Colleges, Tempe, Arizona

    16. University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut

    17. Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, Illinois

    18. Northern Arizona University, Yuma, Arizona

    19. University of California, Santa Barbara, California

    20. Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, California

    21. University of Texas, San Antonio, Texas

    22. CUNY New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn, New York

    23. CUNY Hunter College, New York, New York

    24. Florida International University, Miami, Florida

    25. California State University, Fresno, California

    26. Arizona State University, Mesa, Arizona

    27. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas

    28. The University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, Texas

    29. Mt. Adams School District #209, White Swan, Washington

    30. The Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, New York, New York

    31. John Bowne High School, Flushing, New York

    The Department’s decision to suspend EKDLG Fellowship Program threatens the U.S. agricultural workforce pipeline and the opportunities this program provides educators and students nationwide.

    We urge you to immediately reinstate the E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program, similar to Department’s reinstatement of the 1890 National Scholars Program, and to collaborate with Congress to ensure its long-term stability.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 63-2025: Unplanned Outage: Friday 07 March 2025 – DAFF messaging

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    07 March 2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    All clients submitting the below declarations:

    • Full Import Declaration (FID)
    • Long Form Self Assessed Clearance (LFSAC)
    • Short Form Self Assessed Clearance (SFSAC)
    • Cargo Report Self Assessed Clearance (CRSAC)
    • Cargo Report Personal Effects (PE)

    All clients required to use the Export / Next Export Documentation (EXDOC/NEXDOC) systems during this unplanned outage.

    Information…

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 64-2025: List of treatment providers: treatment provider suspended – Ser.Chim. Fumigazioni S.R.L. (AEI: IT4027SB)

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    7 March 2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including vessel masters, freight forwarders, offshore treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal agents and master consolidators.

    What has changed?

    Following identification of critical non-compliance, we have suspended Ser.Chim. Fumigazioni S.R.L. (AEI: IT4027SB) from AusTreat.

    The treatment provider has been listed…

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Auckland overnight motorway closures 8 – 14 March 2025

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    |

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises of the following closures for motorway improvements. Work delayed by bad weather will be completed at the next available date, prior to Friday, 14 March 2025.

    Please note this Traffic Bulletin is updated every Friday.

    Daily updated closure information(external link) 

    Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am. Traffic management may be in place before the advertised closure times for the mainline.

    NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

    • Onewa Road southbound on-ramp, 9-13 March
    • Stafford Road northbound off-ramp, 9 & 11-13 March
    • Shelly Beach Road southbound off-ramp, 10 March
    • Curran Street northbound on-ramp, 9 & 11-13 March

    CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)

    • None planned

    SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

    • Tecoma Street southbound off-ramp, (approx. 8:00am 8 March to 5:00am 10 March 24/7)
    • Southbound lanes between East Tamaki Road off-ramp and Redoubt Road on-ramp, 13 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
      • East Tamaki Road southbound on-ramp, 13 March
      • SH1 southbound to SH20 northbound link, 13 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
    • Southbound lanes between Redoubt Road off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 11-12 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
      • SH1 southbound to SH20 northbound link, 11-12 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
      • Redoubt Road southbound on-ramp, 11-12 March
      • Takanini southbound on-ramp, 11-12 March
    • Northbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 9-13 March
      • Drury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 9-13 March
    • Drury/SH22 southbound off-ramp, 9 & 13 March
    • Drury/SH22 southbound on-ramp, 10-13 March
    • Southbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Bombay on-ramp, 10 March
      • Drury/SH22 southbound on-ramp, 10 March
    • Southbound lanes between Nikau Road off-ramp and Nikau Road on-ramp, 9 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
    • Northbound lanes between Ridge Road off-ramp and Nikau Road on-ramp, 9 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
      • Razorback Road southbound off-ramp, 9 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
      • SH1 southbound to SH2 eastbound link, 9 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
    • Northbound lanes between Pokeno off-ramp and Pokeno on-ramp, 9 March
    • Southbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 10-13 March
    • Northbound lanes between Hampton Downs off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 10-13 March
    • Dragway Road northbound off-ramp, 10-13 March

    NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)

    • Southbound lanes between Waimauku roundabout and Trigg Road, 9-13 March (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)
    • Northbound lanes between Trigg Road and Waimauku roundabout, 9-13 March (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)

    UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)

    • Eastbound lanes between Tauhinu Road off-ramp and Albany Highway on-ramp, 9-10 & 12-13 March
      • Greenhithe Road eastbound on-ramp, 9-10 & 12-13 March

    SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)

    • Northbound lanes between Maioro Street off-ramp and SH16 links (Waterview northbound tunnel closed), 10 March
      • SH20 northbound to SH16 westbound link, 10 March
      • SH20 northbound to SH16 eastbound link, 10 March
      • Maioro Street northbound on-ramp, 10 March
    • Southbound lanes between Lambie Drive off-ramp and SH1 links, 11-12 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
      • Lambie Drive southbound on-ramp, 11-12 March
      • SH20 southbound to SH1 northbound link, 11-12 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
    • SH20 southbound to SH1 southbound link, 11-12 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)

    GEORGE BOLT MEMORIAL DRIVE (SH20A)

    • Kirkbride Road southbound off-ramp, 9-13 March

    PUHINUI ROAD (SH20B)

    • None planned

    STATE HIGHWAY 22 (SH22)

    • None planned

    STATE HIGHWAY 2 (SH2)

    • SH2 westbound to SH1 southbound, 9 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)

    Tags

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Leads Bipartisan Legislation to Ban Foreign Adversaries from Buying American Farmland

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) reintroduced the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act, bipartisan legislation to ban individuals and entities controlled by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from purchasing agricultural land and businesses located near U.S. military installations or sensitive sites. The PASS Act is cosponsored by Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).
    “Nevada is home to many sensitive sites that are critical to our national security,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “It is common sense that we should not allow our foreign adversaries to buy agricultural land next to these locations. This bipartisan bill will keep Nevadans safe and protect American national security.”
    “Our near-peer adversaries such as China are looking for any possible opportunity to surveil our nation’s capabilities and resources,” said Senator Rounds. “One example occurred in 2021 when the Fufeng Group purchased 300 acres of land in North Dakota, located near the Grand Forks Air Force Base. We can’t risk this happening again. The PASS Act would prevent entities of foreign adversaries from purchasing agricultural land and businesses near our military bases and sensitive sites. I am hopeful that with President Trump’s recent National Security Presidential Memorandum on this issue, we can finally get it across the finish line.”
    Specifically, the PASS Act would:
    Ban purchases of agricultural land near military installations and sensitive sites by individuals/entities controlled by North Korea, China, Russia and Iran.
    Make the Secretary of Agriculture a voting member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) for transactions involving the purchase of agricultural land, biotechnology, and any other transaction related to the agriculture industry in the United States.
    Give the U.S. Department of Agriculture the ability to refer cases to CFIUS for review if there is reason to believe an agriculture land transaction may raise a national security concern.
    The full text of the bill can be found here.
    Senator Cortez Masto has consistently advocated for strengthening American national security and standing up to our foreign adversaries. She recently introduced legislation to promote innovative businesses in direct competition with Communist China. Earlier this year, she introduced the HONOR Act to prevent businesses from claiming a foreign tax credit or deduction against taxes paid to fund the Russian government’s war machine. Cortez Masto has also led legislation to strengthen American partnership with Pacific Island nations to counter growing Chinese influence in the region.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Cries ‘Fowl’ Over Big Corporate Egg Producers Padding Profits & Stock Buybacks at the Expense of Consumers & Taxpayers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    WASHINGTON, DC – The top five egg producing companies in the U.S. own almost half of all egg-laying commercial hens. 
    While consumers and small businesses are feeling the pain from high egg prices at restaurants and supermarkets, the largest egg conglomerates are doing remarkably well.  One egg company which produces one in every five eggs eaten in the U.S. has seen profits soar to record heights and is issuing exponentially higher shareholder dividends than it did before the outbreak and egg price increases.
    U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) says something smells rotten and wants the Trump Administration to ensure the biggest corporate egg producers in the highly concentrated egg industry aren’t unfairly padding their profits, contributing to inflated prices, and then turning around and feathering their C suites with stock buybacks that are subsidized by U.S. taxpayers and windfall profits. 
    Reed, who has led efforts to crack down on egg price gouging since 2023, is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) “to ensure that taxpayer funding intended to fight the avian flu outbreak is used responsibly to eradicate the disease and lower the cost of eggs, and does not go to publicly traded companies that are conducting stock buybacks.” 
    Senator Reed sent a letter today to the head of the USDA expressing deep concern about the impact that the avian flu outbreak is having on the price of eggs and American consumers.  Reed noted USDA has exacerbated this problem by recently laying off key workers on the frontlines of combating avian: “Since President Trump took office, the price of a dozen eggs has nearly doubled, and the Administration fired several employees working to combat avian flu.  While the Administration has since announced a new effort to rehire those employees and invest in solutions, it must do better to coordinate an effective response that actually results in lower prices for Americans.”
    The avian flu outbreak has proven to be incredibly profitable for Cal-Maine Foods Inc., the nation’s largest egg producer and distributor.  Due to the fact that Cal-Maine Foods Inc. is a publicly-traded egg producer, it must report basic financial data.  Last month, Cal-Maine reported price hikes have been good for business: generating over $350 million in gross quarterly profits, a fourfold increase from a year prior.  With the excess profits, Cal-Maine executives announced a $500 million stock buyback program, which enriches corporate executives and wealthy investors while consumers continue paying record prices.
    Stock buybacks are a controversial financial maneuver by large corporations that remove shares from the market and enable a company to increase its share price and earnings per share and offset dilution when executives exercise stock options or when insiders want to sell their shares. Until 1982, buybacks were uncommon and generally considered a form of market manipulation. But during the Reagan Administration, when the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted rule 10b-18 that year, it gave large companies a “safe harbor” to buy back stock.
    Despite its tremendous profits, and the fact that Cal-Maine has 75 percent more hens than the next largest company, Cal-Maine received $44 million in USDA indemnity payments to compensate for bird deaths due to the avian flu outbreak.
    Reed’s letter states that USDA“should ensure the funding it does make available for the avian flu response is used effectively to help producers who need it most – not highly-profitable companies.  A company that has earmarked hundreds of millions of dollars of cash on-hand and expected earnings for stock buybacks also has the resources to recover from losses and implement biosecurity measures without taxpayer assistance.” 
    While USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins outlined a plan to invest $1 billion in curbing avian flu, that figure represents about half of what the Biden Administration was spending to tackle the problem.  And coupled with the USDA layoffs, the Trump Administration’s inadequate attention to the problem is exacerbating the situation.
    “Donald Trump said he’d bring down egg prices on day one.  Since he took office, the price of a dozen eggs has nearly doubled.  I guess the “yolk” is on every consumer and business who are now paying a higher price,” said Senator Reed.  “Trump finds time to bully America’s allies and trading partners, but he chickens out when it comes to antitrust enforcement and special interests.  He won’t take five minutes to call the top egg producers together to ensure consumers are getting a fair deal and egg prices aren’t manipulated to artificially high levels.”
    Full text of the letter follows:
    March 6, 2025
    The Honorable Brooke Rollins, Secretary
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
    Washington, DC 20250
    Dear Secretary Rollins:
    I write to urge you to ensure that taxpayer funding intended to fight the avian flu outbreak is used responsibly to eradicate the disease and lower the cost of eggs, and does not go to publicly traded companies that are conducting stock buybacks. 
    As I wrote to you before your confirmation, I am deeply concerned about the impact that the avian flu outbreak is having on the price of eggs and American consumers.  I am also concerned about the effects of possible price gouging by large egg producers, which I expressed in a previous letter to the Biden Administration.  Since President Trump took office, the price of a dozen eggs has nearly doubled, and the Administration fired several employees working to combat avian flu.  While the Administration has since announced a new effort to rehire those employees and invest in solutions, it must do better to coordinate an effective response that actually results in lower prices for Americans.
    A key piece of this effort includes ensuring taxpayer dollars are invested wisely and effectively.  In your first two weeks on the job, you visited a Cal-Maine Foods facility in Bogata, Texas to view the company’s implementation of biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of avian flu.  You may know that Cal-Maine Foods is the largest U.S. egg producer and recently announced in a SEC filing that it is spending up to $500 million to buy back shares for the benefit of the founder’s family.  Cal-Maine last month also reported over $350 million in gross quarterly profits, a fourfold increase from a year prior.  Despite its tremendous profits, last year the company received $44 million in USDA indemnity payments to compensate for bird deaths due to the avian flu outbreak.
    As the Trump Administration limits federal resources, including for USDA, it should ensure the funding it does make available for the avian flu response is used effectively to help producers who need it most – not highly-profitable companies.  A company that has earmarked hundreds of millions of dollars of cash on-hand and expected earnings for stock buybacks also has the resources to recover from losses and implement biosecurity measures without taxpayer assistance. 
    I appreciate your attention to this important issue, and look forward to your prompt reply.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Markey Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Secure Fair Pay for Truckers Working Overtime

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Markey Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Secure Fair Pay for Truckers Working Overtime

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), along with U.S. Representatives Mark Takano (D-Calif.-39) and Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.-02), introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to ensure that truckers are compensated fairly for the hours that they are on the clock, including overtime. The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act would repeal the motor carrier provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which excludes many truckers from overtime protections enjoyed by other workers.

    In response to an Executive Order by former President Biden, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a Freight and Logistics Supply Chain Assessment in February 2022, which highlights high turnover rates and compensation issues in the trucking industry. Among its recommendations, the Department called on Congress to repeal the motor carrier provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to allow truckers to earn fair overtime pay.

    “America’s truck drivers are on the frontlines of our economy, enduring long hours away from home, and all too often, unpaid wait times at congested ports and warehouses. Unfortunately, truck drivers have been excluded from overtime pay protections for decades,” said Senator Padilla. “If truckers are forced to wait while on the job, they should be paid. This is not just a matter of fairness; it’s a matter of public safety. Experienced truckers are safer truckers, and better compensation and overtime pay will help more of them stay in the profession.”

    “Truck drivers are the engines of our economy, making sure that our supply chain keeps moving at full speed, and yet they are denied the fundamental worker protection of overtime. The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act would reverse this injustice and ensure that truck drivers are paid their due,” said Senator Markey.

    “Truckers are vital for our supply chain, manufacturing, and the American way of life,” said Representative Takano. “It is unfair that they are singled out as somehow unworthy of overtime pay. This legislation will help right that wrong and make sure they are fairly compensated for the hours they work. I am proud to partner with Congressman Van Drew and Senator Padilla to build up workers and guarantee more money in their paychecks.”

    “Truck drivers keep our supply chain moving, often working long, exhausting hours to make sure goods get where they need to go,” said Representative Van Drew. “But right now, they are not guaranteed overtime pay like most other workers. It is just not right. The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act is a simple fix—it ensures that truckers are fairly compensated for the extra hours they put in. These men and women do critical work, and it’s time we make sure their pay reflects that.”

    “The exclusion of truck drivers from federal overtime protections must come to an end,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “The Teamsters Union is proud to support the Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act, which will right the decades long wrong that serves only to harm drivers to the benefit of their employers.”

    “America’s truckers are the backbone of our economy, keeping goods moving and ensuring our supply chain stays strong,” said Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association President Todd Spencer. “Yet, despite their essential role, trucking remains one of the few professions in America denied guaranteed overtime pay. It’s long past time the hard work of the men and women behind the wheel are fairly compensated. By discounting a trucker’s time, ‘big trucking’ has driven wages downward, treating truckers as disposable rather than the skilled professionals they are. We appreciate Representative Van Drew, Representative Takano, and Senator Padilla for championing the bipartisan GOT Truckers Act, which will right this wrong by securing overtime pay. This legislation is an investment in truckers, road safety, and the strength of America’s supply chain.”

    In addition to Senators Padilla and Markey, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act is supported by Teamsters and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

    Senator Padilla is a longtime advocate for improving workplace safety standards and helping workers secure fair wages. In the aftermath of the Southern California fires, Padilla introduced the bipartisan Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act to protect wildland firefighter pay and provide long-term workforce stability. Additionally, he introduced the Wildland Firefighter Fair Pay Act to permanently raise the caps on overtime premium pay for federal wildland firefighters. Previously, Padilla introduced the Fairness for Farm Workers Act, legislation to update the nation’s labor laws to ensure farm workers receive fairer wages and compensation. In 2023, Padilla announced the Asunción Valdivia Heat, Illness, Injury and Fatality Prevention Act to protect the safety and health of workers who are exposed to dangerous heat conditions in the workplace. Padilla is also a proud cosponsor of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act of 2025.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Advances Bipartisan Bill to Permanently Classify Illicit Fentanyl Knockoffs as Schedule I Drugs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    03.06.25
    Senate Advances Bipartisan Bill to Permanently Classify Illicit Fentanyl Knockoffs as Schedule I Drugs
    Legislation would also enable research into fentanyl-related substances
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United States Senate voted 82-12 to advance the bipartisan Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, voted in favor of the bill.
    “The HALT Fentanyl Act maintains strong penalties for trafficking fentanyl, while allowing for important scientific research and medical applications to continue,” said Sen. Cantwell. “We still have more work to do on other bills to address the fentanyl scourge, from providing more treatment options, to additional resources for first responders, to more tools for law enforcement to stop traffickers and dealers.”
    The bill now awaits final passage by the Senate.
    The legislation would:
    Permanently schedule illicit fentanyl-related substances:
    Amends the Controlled Substances Act to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I.
    Ends the game of whack-a-mole Congress has played since 2018; Congress has repeatedly extended the first Trump administration’s temporary Schedule I classification of fentanyl-related substances.
    Locks in permanent classification of fentanyl-related substances before its temporary Schedule I status expires on March 31, 2025.
    Protect patients’ access to legitimate, FDA-approved fentanyl:
    Preserves the Schedule II status and FDA-approved use of fentanyl for legitimate medical purposes:
    Nine major medical associations affirmed the HALT Fentanyl Act’s distinction between illicit, fentanyl-related substances and FDA-approved fentanyl, citing the bill’s ability to, “effectively combat the illicit fentanyl epidemic while preserving access to legitimate, physician-directed pain management.”
    Support law enforcement and codify existing penalties:
    Maintains existing criminal penalties for fentanyl trafficking to ensure illicit manufacturers and traffickers can be fully prosecuted and victims and their families receive justice.
    Penalties under the HALT Fentanyl Act are identical to what current law dictates under the temporary scheduling of fentanyl-related substances.
    Utilizes the same class-scheduling rubric enacted seven years ago. This rubric has only ever been used to target lethal fentanyl-related substances and arrest defendants convicted of illicit drug trafficking and manufacturing.
    Advance scientific and medical research:
    Streamlines the registration process for Schedule I researchers, allowing more scientists to study fentanyl-related substances.
    Includes provisions to permit a single registration for related research sites, allowing researchers with ongoing studies to examine newly added fentanyl-related substances and authorize registered researchers to manufacture small quantities of fentanyl-related substances without a separate registration.
    In 2023 and 2024, Sen. Cantwell traveled across the State of Washington to 10 communities — Tacoma, Everett, Tri-Cities, Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver, Port Angeles, Walla Walla, Yakima, and Longview – hearing from people on the front lines of the fentanyl crisis, including first responders, law enforcement, health care providers, and people with firsthand experience of fentanyl addiction.  She also participated in the National Tribal Opioid Summit, a gathering of approximately 900 tribal leaders, health care workers, and first responders from across the country hosted by the Tulalip Tribes following the first-ever statewide summit hosted by the Lummi Nation.  Sen. Cantwell has since used what she heard in those roundtables and related events to craft and champion specific legislative solutions, including:
    The Stop Smuggling Illicit Synthetic Drugs on U.S. Transportation Networks Act, which would crack down on the trafficking of illicit synthetic drugs, like fentanyl, using the U.S. transportation network;
    The Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act, which would expand the use of tools that record fatal and nonfatal overdoses in near-real time and help first responders deploy resources faster;
    The FEND Off Fentanyl Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden, which will help U.S. government agencies disrupt opioid supply chains by imposing sanctions on traffickers and fighting money laundering;
    The Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act, which would require that all pill presses be engraved with a serial number and impose penalties for the removal or alteration of the number.;
    The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, which would list xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance while protecting the drug’s legal use by veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers, enable the Drug Enforcement Administration to track xylazine’s manufacturing to ensure it is not diverted to the illicit market;
    The TRANQ Research Act of 2023, signed into law by President Biden, which will spur more research into xylazine (also called “tranq”) and other novel synthetic drugs by directing the National Institute of Standards and Technology to tackle these issues; and
    The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act, which would bolster Tribal law enforcement agencies by helping them hire and retain tribal law enforcement officers by raising their retirement, pension, death, and injury benefits to be on part with those of federal law enforcement officers.
    In addition, Sen. Cantwell voted for a series of federal funding bills allocating $1.69 billion to combat fentanyl and other illicit drugs coming into the United States, including an additional $385.2 million to increase security at U.S. ports of entry, with the goal of catching more illegal drugs like fentanyl before they make it across the border.  Critical funding will go toward Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology at land and sea ports of entries. NII technologies—like large-scale X-ray and Gamma ray imaging systems, as well as a variety of portable and handheld technologies—allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection to help detect and prevent contraband from being smuggled into the country without disrupting flow at the border.
    A full timeline of Sen. Cantwell’s actions to combat the fentanyl crisis is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government releases new strategy and work plan to deal with New Zealand’s waste

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Environment Minister Penny Simmonds today launched the Government’s strategy to reduce waste and improve how it’s managed in New Zealand.  
    The strategy sets out the Government’s approach to reducing the environmental and economic harm caused by waste, Ms Simmonds says. 
    “The Government is committed to working with the sector, business, iwi/Māori, local government and communities to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, increase reuse and recycling, and ensure we have the right tools in place to better manage our country’s waste,” Ms Simmonds says.  
    Ms Simmonds says the Government has also confirmed its waste work programme to help achieve the strategy’s goals. 
    “One of our main priorities is to make sure New Zealand has waste legislation that gives us more options and flexibility to reduce and manage waste effectively and efficiently.
    “As well as modernising our legislation, we’ll also make sure we’re investing the waste disposal levy to have the greatest impact. 
    “Reducing waste emissions is another big goal, as well as making sure New Zealand has well-managed resource recovery and disposal facilities, and limiting the environmental harm caused by contaminated sites, including historic contamination. 
    “Following the launch of New Zealand’s first regulated product stewardship scheme, Tyrewise, we’ll continue work to bring in new industry-led schemes, enabling supply chains to take responsibility for the full life cycle of their products. Farm plastics and agrichemicals are our next focus, with support from key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.”
    Ms Simmonds says changes to existing waste policies will support the strategy while minimising impacts on the cost of living. 
    “We’re reducing costs to ratepayers by leaving it up to councils to decide what kerbside waste collections they bring in and when. We’ll continue to support councils to introduce kerbside collections through the Waste Minimisation Fund.
    “We’ve also removed the 2025 deadline for phasing out all PVC and polystyrene food and drink packaging, and will work with industry to make sure any further regulations are workable and provide enough time to switch to alternative packaging.”
    Ms Simmonds says everyone has a role to play in reducing waste and waste emissions.

    Find out more information:

    Waste and resource efficiency strategy | Ministry for the Environment
    Government waste work programme | Ministry for the Environment

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Moran Introduce Bill to Expand Capital for Rural Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) in reintroducing the Access to Credit for our Rural Economy (ACRE) Act. This legislation would benefit American families, farmers, and rural communities nationwide by providing greater flexibility to more financial institutions to offer affordable lines of credit to rural and agricultural borrowers. 
    Senator Tuberville cosponsored this legislation in the 118th Congress.
    “As Alabama’s voice on the Senate Ag Committee, I will always advocate for Alabama’s farmers and rural communities here in Washington,” said Senator Tuberville. “Our farmers are struggling with cash flow and desperately need expanded access to credit to continue their farm operations. I’m proud to join my colleagues in cosponsoring this bill that would bolster our agricultural economy and stimulate rural housing for all Alabamians.”
    “Persistent inflation and high interest rates are putting a strain on farmers and rural homeowners in Kansas and across the country,” said Senator Moran. “Rural Americans should have the flexibility to access the capital needed to expand their family farms and achieve the dream of homeownership. This legislation will help to boost rural housing and support the agricultural economy that plays a vital role in small towns across America.”
    Senators Tuberville and Moran were joined by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) in cosponsoring the legislation.
    American Bankers Association and Independent Community Bankers of America endorsed the legislation.
    Read full text of the legislation here. 
    BACKGROUND:
    The ACRE Act would:
    Amend the Internal Revenue Code to exclude interest received on certain loans secured by rural or agricultural real property from gross income
    Allow farm real estate borrowers and rural homeowners access to lower interest rates by expanding the same tax-exempt status on certain earned interest that applies to other lenders
    Apply to agricultural real estate and single-family home mortgage loans in rural communities with fewer than 2,500 residents and for mortgages less than $750,000
    Expand access to affordable agricultural and home loans to over 4,000 rural communities nationwide and save family farmers and producers well over $400 million in annual interest expenses
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Drought declaration extended across three North Island and top of the South regions

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay today classified drought conditions in the Northland, Waikato, Horizons, and Marlborough-Tasman regions as a medium-scale adverse event, recognising the worsening conditions faced by many farmers across the country. 

    Mr McClay and Rural Communities Minister Mark Paterson said that the Government was acting quickly to give farmers certainty and release pressure building across farms in these areas. 

    “Below average rainfall continues to make it difficult for farmers as soil moisture levels dry out and stock feed and water become tight in same areas” Mr McClay says.

    “Northland, Waikato, King Country, Manawatu, Tararua, Marlborough, Tasman, Nelson and parts of Taupo and Rotorua are all experiencing extended hot, dry conditions. This has reduced pasture growth rates and farmers are having to feed-out earlier to fill the gap.”

    Mr McClay says the Government is making a total of $100,000 available to rural support groups and organisations that work with farmers on the ground across affected regions.

    Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson is encouraging farmers and growers to seek support if they need it.

    “I encourage farmers and growers to talk to their neighbours, mates, networks, and industry representatives if they need advice or support,” Mr Patterson says.

    Mr McClay has also instructed The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to continue monitoring the conditions across all regions as temperatures begin to drop and growth slows.

    The classifications unlock further support for farmers and growers, including tax relief, and it enables the Ministry of Social Development to consider Rural Assistance Payments Minister Paterson says.

    Farmers can contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254 or MPI’s On Farm Support team on 0800 707 133 for support. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Marshall Delivers Opening Statement as Chairman of Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology Subcommittee

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
    Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), Chairman of the Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology Subcommittee, today delivered opening remarks for the hearing regarding the Fix Our Forests Act.
    This legislation is especially important in the wake of several catastrophic fires in Southern California and the Hawaiian island of Maui. Senator Marshall also highlighted the importance of grassland management and the need to address wildfires in Kansas. The Fix Our Forests Act will provide common-sense deregulation that streamlines fire prevention – both reactively and proactively.
    Agriculture Committee Hearings to examine options to reduce catastrophic wildfire, including H.R.471, to expedite under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and improve forest management activities on National Forest System lands, on public lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, and on Tribal lands to return resilience to overgrown, fire-prone forested lands, in Washington, DC on March 6, 2025. (Official U.S. Senate photo by Renee Bouchard)
    Click here or on the image above to watch the opening statement, or read Senator Marshall’s full remarks below:
    “Good morning and welcome everybody.
    “It is my privilege to call this hearing to order. I would like to thank our witnesses for taking time out of your busy schedules to come share your expertise and perspectives on the Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 471), which the House passed – for the second time – by an overwhelming vote of 279-141 in January 2025. Just a month or so ago.
    “We know wildfires are indifferent to federal, state, tribal, and private property jurisdictions, and we have all seen the destruction catastrophic wildfire can cause on our rural and urban communities. 
    “Just this week we are witnessing fires threatening lives and property in the Carolinas, and unfortunately, recent history is replete with incidents illustrating the devastating impacts fires have on our communities from the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California to the 2023 Lahaina fires in Maui, Hawaii, to the 2025 Southern California fires as well.
    “In order to treat an issue, first we must identify the symptoms, diagnose the root cause of the problem, and implement scientifically sound treatments. The loss of human life and property from these fires is an acute and painful symptom of a system that is not working. The causes come from misguided policies one could argue goes all the way back to the Forest Service’s 1930’s so-called “10 AM Policy,” which required all fires to be extinguished by 10 AM the day after they were discovered. 
    “These causes have been compounded by the federal government’s inability or unwillingness to treat the right acres at the right time at the right scale over numerous administrations. Treating this problem comes in the form of an all-of-the-above approach to modernizing the federal technological toolbox for assessing and identifying wildfire risk, facilitating early response and suppression, and updating the public-private partnership model for federal, state, tribal, county, and private landowners to address fire risk rather than jurisdictional or political subdivision boundaries.
    “Every fire is unique – my dad was chief of a fire department for years before becoming Chief of Police, and indeed, he would tell me that every fire was very unique. But the most catastrophic fires all have similarities. Proper management of our nation’s forest lands can help prevent a small spark from turning into a raging fire with devastating consequences.
    “My own state of Kansas is not immune to wildfire. In 2021, strong winds and dry air combined to create ideal conditions for wildfires in the grasslands of Western and Central Kansas in the Four Counties Fire. That fire was clocked at over 180 miles per hour on the wind turbines as it sailed through those prairies.
    “Not all management methods for the grasslands of Kansas mirror what the science tells us should be conducted on forested acres, but the important role of proper management on our landscapes rings true for both.
    “The Fix our Forests Act (FOFA) is a rare bipartisan opportunity for Congress to provide the United States Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, states, tribes, counties, and private partners with a modernized and streamlined toolbox to fight fire. 
    Regardless of our respective views on the appropriate use of federal lands and resources, we all need to help mitigate the frequency and intensity of catastrophic wildfires while ensuring the scientifically sound and sustainable stewardship of our federal lands.
    “The Fix our Forest Act provides agencies with critically needed and appropriately calibrated increases in the acreage limitations for Categorial Exclusions available to forest managers and increases which agency analysis has shown will help provide the flexibility to better address forest management.
    “To be clear, Categorical Exclusions are not a free pass for an agency to go in and clear-cut forests as some are lead to believe. They are one way for federal agencies to comply with NEPA based upon extensive uses of prior Environmental Assessments that show no significant effect and are still subject to scoping before moving forward.
    “FOFA instructs the federal government to identify at the fireshed scale, the top 20 percent of firesheds that are at risk of fire exposure over the next five years in order to better focus limited resources. FOFA permanently fixes, in statute, the disastrous Ninth Circuit’s “Cottonwood” decision, which the Obama administration petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn, has led to delays in management projects through unnecessary and duplicative scoping in an attempt to avoid frivolous litigation. 
    “FOFA also adopts litigation reforms used by past Republican and Democratic administrations in statute to limit litigation delays to essential projects, and FOFA strengthens Good Neighbor Authority, a critical and overwhelmingly successful program that has allowed local and state partners the ability to supplement the work the Forest Service is not able to do on their lands.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Marshall and Moran Introduce Legislation to Lower Interest Rates for Farmers and Rural Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
    Washington – U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) and Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) today introduced the Access to Credit for our Rural Economy (ACRE) Act. This legislation allows community banks to administer agricultural real estate loans by granting them tax exempt status on earned interest. The ACRE Act would benefit American families, farmers, and rural communities nationwide by making loans more accessible and affordable to rural and agricultural borrowers.
    Joining Senators Marshall and Moran are Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama). 
    “The ACRE Act will help community banks address one of the most significant challenges for rural communities — high interest rates,” said Senator Marshall. “High rates raise the cost of doing business for family farms, make it harder for small businesses to grow, and leave home ownership unattainable for many. The ACRE Act is common sense legislation to reverse these trends.” 
    “Persistent inflation and high interest rates are putting a strain on farmers and rural homeowners in Kansas and across the country,” said Senator Moran. “Rural Americans should have the flexibility to access the capital needed to expand their family farms and achieve the dream of homeownership. This legislation will help to boost rural housing and support the agricultural economy that plays a vital role in small towns across America.”“Rural communities across America are facing a serious affordable housing crisis. It has simply gotten way too hard to find reasonably priced homes in our small towns,” said Senator King. “The ACRE Act is a commonsense way to make home and farm ownership possible for more families by providing better access to low interest loans.”“Owning a home or family farm is a cornerstone of the America dream, and I’m proud to co-lead the ACRE Act to make loans more affordable for rural communities,” said Senator Gallego. “The American dream should be within reach for all Arizonans, including those living in rural parts of our state.” 
    “Farmers and ranchers need large swaths of land to grow crops and raise livestock to feed and fuel the world,” said Senator Cramer. “The ACRE act is a simple, straightforward solution to promote competition among lenders by lowering interest rates for farmland purchases.”
    Specifically, the ACRE Act would:
    Amend the Internal Revenue Code to exclude interest received on certain loans secured by rural or agricultural real property from gross income.
    Allow farm real estate borrowers and rural homeowners access to lower interest rates by expanding the same tax-exempt status on certain earned interest that applies to other lenders.
    Apply to agricultural real estate and single-family home mortgage loans in rural communities with fewer than 2,500 residents and for mortgages less than $750,000.
    Expand access to affordable agricultural and home loans to over 4,000 rural communities nationwide and save family farmers and producers well over $400 million in annual interest expenses.
    “ABA applauds today’s bipartisan, bicameral introduction of the Access to Credit for our Rural Economy Act of 2025, and we thank the bill’s lead sponsors Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Angus King (I-ME), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Representatives Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04), Don Davis (D-NC-01) and Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01) for their leadership on this issue,” said Rob Nichols, President and CEO of the American Bankers Association (ABA). “The ACRE Act will deliver much-needed financial support to farmers and ranchers working through a difficult economic cycle by lowering the cost of credit without creating new government payments or programs. It would also drive down the cost of homeownership and increase access to credit in more than 17,000 rural communities across the country. We urge all members of Congress to support this critically important legislation.”“This important legislation will help community bank lenders revive and sustain rural economies struggling to overcome the impact of higher interest rates,” said Rebeca Romero Rainey, President and CEO, Independent Community Bankers of America. “ICBA and the nation’s community banks thank Congressman Feenstra (R-IA) and Davis (D-NC) for providing a reasonable solution that benefits rural Americans, especially young, beginning, and small farmers and ranchers, who will make up the next generation of producers.” 
    To read the full bill text, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –