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  • MIL-OSI: No Credit Check Loans Guaranteed Approval No credit Check- Radcred Launches New Features To Offer Instant Loans For US Borrowers In Need

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Glendale, California, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RadCred, a leading innovator in financial technology, has launched a new platform designed to provide no credit check loans with guaranteed approval for U.S. consumers with bad credit. Unlike traditional banks, which often deny loans based on FICO scores, RadCred’s platform evaluates borrowers based on their income and repayment ability, ensuring that even those with low credit scores can access the funds they need.

    With same day funding and no hard credit checks, RadCred provides fast financial relief for urgent needs like medical bills, car repairs, or rent payments. RadCred’s platform guarantees approval for bad credit personal loans for eligible applicants, offering loans up to $5,000, making it an ideal solution for those who might otherwise be rejected by traditional lenders. Whether you’re seeking quick loans for bad credit or an emergency loan for bad credit with guaranteed approval, RadCred ensures you can get the funds you need when you need them most.

    What are No Credit Check Loans?

    No credit check loans are a type of personal loan for bad credit where the lender does not perform a hard credit inquiry, which can negatively impact a borrower’s credit score. Instead, these no credit check loans focus on a borrower’s income and ability to repay. RadCred’s no credit check loans guaranteed approval provide immediate access to cash without the usual barriers imposed by traditional lenders.

    Unlike traditional loans, which rely heavily on a borrower’s credit history, RadCred’s no credit check loans allow individuals with bad credit to access fast funding. RadCred uses a soft credit check to evaluate applications, meaning your credit score remains unaffected by the loan application process. This makes RadCred’s no credit check payday loans and bad credit personal loans guaranteed approval $5,000 ideal for people with low credit scores looking for fast financial relief.

    How RadCred Solves the Problem

    Many individuals with bad credit face barriers when seeking financial help. Traditional banks often reject loan applications from borrowers with a low credit score, leaving them without options in times of need. RadCred’s no credit check loans address this gap by focusing on income verification rather than credit history, making it easier for individuals to obtain loans for bad credit even with a credit score below 600.

    RadCred’s process is simple, transparent, and fast. Borrowers can apply for no credit check payday loans from the comfort of their home and get same day payday loans. By evaluating applicants based on income, RadCred ensures more inclusive access to bad credit personal loans guaranteed approval $5,000, making it one of the most reliable lenders for bad credit borrowers.

    Key Features of RadCred’s No Credit Check Loans:

    • Guaranteed Approval: Guaranteed approval for eligible applicants based on income, not FICO score. Borrowers with bad credit have a high chance of approval.
    • No Hard Credit Check: RadCred uses a soft credit inquiry, ensuring your credit score is not impacted by the loan application.
    • Same-Day Funding: Funds are typically deposited directly into your bank account the same day, providing fast access to cash.
    • Flexible Loan Terms: RadCred offers flexible repayment plans, allowing borrowers to choose a term length that suits their financial situation.
    • Transparent Terms: RadCred discloses APR, fees, and repayment schedules upfront, ensuring no hidden charges.

    How to Get Guaranteed Approval for No Credit Check Loans

    Applying for no credit check loans with guaranteed approval is easy with RadCred’s streamlined online process:

    1. Apply Online: Complete a short application form with basic personal and financial information.
    2. Soft Credit Check: RadCred uses a soft credit check, so your credit score is not affected by the application.
    3. Receive Multiple Offers: RadCred’s system matches you with lenders based on your income and requested loan amount, giving you options to compare.
    4. Choose Your Offer: Select the loan offer that best fits your needs.
    5. Receive Funds: After approval, funds are typically transferred to your bank account within hours.

    Eligibility for No Credit Check Loans

    To apply for no credit check loans through RadCred, borrowers must meet the following criteria:

    • Must be at least 18 years old.
    • Must be a U.S. resident with a valid U.S. address.
    • Must have stable income (e.g., employment, benefits).
    • Must have an active bank account for loan disbursement.
    • No credit score requirement, though income and repayment ability are key factors.

    Why RadCred is the Ideal Choice for Bad Credit Borrowers

    RadCred stands out as a reliable solution for individuals seeking no credit check loans with guaranteed approval, especially those with bad credit. Here are some key advantages of choosing RadCred:

    • Same-Day Funding: RadCred offers fast access to funds, ensuring you get the money you need when emergencies arise.
    • No Hidden Fees: The platform provides transparent APRs and terms, ensuring borrowers won’t face unexpected charges or surprises.
    • Flexible Terms: You can select a loan amount and repayment plan that best fits your financial situation, offering more control over your loan.
    • Trustworthy Network: RadCred partners exclusively with licensed lenders who adhere to ethical lending practices, ensuring a safe borrowing experience.
    • Safe and Secure: With advanced encryption, RadCred protects your personal and financial data, giving you peace of mind throughout the process.

    RadCred’s no credit check loans provide a transparent, secure, and flexible way for bad credit borrowers to access urgent financial relief.

    RadCred Offers Various No Credit Check Loan Options for Borrowers with Bad Credit

    RadCred’s platform is designed to help individuals facing financial difficulties, especially those with bad credit, by providing a range of no credit check loan options. With a focus on income and repayment ability, RadCred ensures a quick and seamless loan process, making it a reliable choice for borrowers who may have been turned down by traditional banks.

    Types of No Credit Check Loans Provided by RadCred

    1. Payday Loans Online (Same Day):
      RadCred connects borrowers with lenders who offer payday loans online with same-day funding. These short-term loans are ideal for those who need urgent financial assistance before their next paycheck.
    2. Bad Credit Payday Loans:
      Tailored for individuals with poor credit scores, RadCred’s bad credit payday loans provide quick access to funds with guaranteed approval based on income verification, rather than credit history.
    3. Installment Loans No Credit Check:
      For larger expenses, RadCred offers installment loans with flexible repayment terms. These loans are ideal for those who need more time to repay their borrowed amount.
    4. Emergency Loans Without Credit Checks:
      RadCred provides emergency loans to cover unexpected expenses such as medical bills or urgent home repairs. The process is fast and efficient, ensuring that funds are available when needed most.
    5. 1-Hour Payday Loans:
      For immediate financial needs, RadCred offers 1-hour payday loans, providing quick funding for those in urgent need of cash.

    These loan types offer flexibility and quick access to cash, all while ensuring that borrowers do not face the traditional barriers imposed by credit score checks.

    How RadCred’s No Credit Check Loans Compare to Traditional Loans

    Traditional Loans:

    • Strict credit score requirements: Traditional lenders, such as banks and credit unions, heavily rely on credit scores to determine eligibility. Individuals with bad credit or a low credit score often face difficulty in securing loans. If your score is below 600, the chances of qualifying for a traditional loan are significantly reduced.
    • Longer approval processes: The approval process for traditional loans is often lengthy and involves numerous steps. Applicants typically need to submit extensive paperwork, including proof of income and assets. The long waiting time is a major disadvantage for those needing immediate access to funds for emergencies.
    • Higher risk of rejection for bad credit borrowers: Traditional loans are usually not accessible to individuals with bad credit. The rejection rate is high for bad credit borrowers because traditional lenders focus primarily on the applicant’s credit history. As a result, those with poor credit scores or limited credit history are often denied financial assistance.

    RadCred No Credit Check Loans:

    • Focus on income and repayment ability: Unlike traditional lenders, RadCred evaluates applicants based on their income and repayment ability, rather than credit scores. This provides an opportunity for borrowers with bad credit to qualify for loans.
    • Guaranteed approval for eligible applicants: RadCred offers guaranteed approval to borrowers who meet the basic eligibility criteria, ensuring that more individuals can secure funds.
    • Fast, same-day funding with no hard credit checks: RadCred’s platform offers same day funding and does not perform hard credit checks, which means applying will not impact your credit score. This makes it an ideal choice for those needing immediate funds for emergencies.

    In comparison to traditional loans, RadCred is a faster, more inclusive, and accessible lending solution, especially for individuals with bad credit.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q1: What is the maximum loan amount for no credit check loans?
    RadCred offers loans up to $5,000 for eligible applicants, depending on income and other factors. Some lenders in RadCred’s network may even offer amounts up to $10,000 based on your financial profile.

    Q2: How fast will I receive the money?
    Once approved, RadCred typically transfers funds to your bank account the same day. The exact timing can depend on your bank’s processing times.

    Q3: Will applying for a loan affect my credit score?
    No, RadCred uses a soft credit check, which will not impact your credit score. This ensures you can apply for loans with confidence, even with a low credit score.

    Q4: Are there any hidden fees?
    No, RadCred is committed to transparency. All fees, APR, and repayment terms are disclosed upfront, so you won’t face any unexpected charges.

    Final Thoughts on RadCred’s No Credit Check Loans

    RadCred’s no credit check loans offer a flexible, accessible solution for individuals who need bad credit loans. With guaranteed approval based on income and a no credit check approach, RadCred makes it easier for U.S. residents to access funds when they need them most. Whether you need emergency loans for bad credit or are simply looking for a way to manage unexpected expenses, RadCred offers a fast, secure, and reliable platform for financial relief.

    Disclaimer:

    RadCred’s loan offers are subject to meeting lender requirements and state-specific regulations. While RadCred provides high approval rates for bad credit applicants, no loan is truly guaranteed for everyone. Borrowers must meet basic eligibility criteria. RadCred uses a soft credit check, so your credit score won’t be affected by applying. Loan terms and amounts vary based on lender and borrower profile. Funds are typically deposited the same day, though exact timing may differ.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Votes No on Republicans’ Disastrous Tax Bill 

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance and Judiciary Committees, and Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, released the following statement after voting in strong opposition against Senate Republicans’ disastrous tax bill:   
    “We have an obligation to put the constituents and hardworking families we represent first. Instead of helping everyday people, Republicans’ tax bill capitulates to President Trump and harms communities large and small. This cruel bill will take us back decades by exacerbating income inequality, ripping away health care, and rolling back progress on climate change. It will also raise costs and weaken the economy. All of this pain has been caused to help pay for tax cuts for the very wealthy—a top priority of President Trump. I am grateful to the few Republicans—Senators Tillis, Paul, and Collins—who voted against this terrible bill,” said Senator Welch. “The irony is all these hardships will be faced by citizens in red and blue states—the pain is bipartisan. It’s outrageous that families will now face untold hardships because of the Trump Administration’s cuts. I voted no on this bill and will fight to reverse these policies in any way I can.”  
    Republicans’ reckless tax and spending bill will block access to health care for 17 million people, rip away vital food assistance for millions, cut clean energy incentives and add a tax to wind and solar energy, raise utility bills and grocery prices, and tank the economy—all to pay for tax cuts for the very wealthy.    
    Senator Welch filed amendments and changes to Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act to strengthen the economy, protect access to health care and nutrition programs, and provide more stability for families and rural communities, including provisions to: 
    Protect Access to Health Care and Support Rural Hospitals:  

    Welch proposed requiring the Finance Committee to rewrite the bill to prevent harm to rural health care and the fiscal wellbeing of rural hospitals;  

    Welch proposed requiring the Finance Committee to exempt managed care programs operated by state governments like Vermont from any changes proposed to state directed payments.  

    Welch proposed requiring the Finance Committee to strike any changes to provider taxes, including changes that would impact states like Vermont with Medicaid expansion;  

    Welch proposed requiring the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee to make it easier to verify eligibility for the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits and expand special enrollment periods under certain circumstances. 

    Defend Food Assistance Programs:  

    Welch proposed requiring the Agriculture Committee to strike any cost-shifts of administering SNAP to states, which would kick American families off the food assistance they need and strain state budgets;  

    Welch proposed an amendment to strike administrative cost-shifts for SNAP;  

    Welch proposed an amendment to adjust the Thrifty Food Plan for cities, counties, and regions where the price of food is 10% higher than the national average;  

    Welch proposed an amendment that places a floor on SNAP allotments to households instead of a ceiling;  

    Welch proposed an amendment preserving the standard utility deduction, which cuts administrative red tape and boosts benefits by providing a more accurate portrayal of a household’s available resources for food when determining SNAP eligibility; 

    Welch proposed requiring the Agriculture Committee to rewrite the bill to allow volunteer work to qualify under SNAP’s work requirements.   

    Protect Programs and Government Services:  

    Welch proposed requiring the Finance Committee to rewrite the bill to maintain the energy efficient home improvement tax credit at current levels through 2028;  

    Welch proposed an amendment to strike the repeal of several home energy efficiency tax credits, including credits for home energy, rooftop solar, energy efficient homes for homebuilders, and more;  

    Welch proposed striking language in the bill that would rescind funding for state-based contractor training grants, as required in Welch’s HOPE for HOMES Act, passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act;  

    Welch proposed striking language in the bill that would institute taxes on international remittances.  

    Welch proposed an amendment to dedicate funding for residential reentry centers, which are needed in Vermont;  

    Welch proposed an amendment to dedicate funding for the federal public defenders program, which is currently underfunded. 

    Senator Welch has been an outspoken opponent of the President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Republicans are advancing through reconciliation process without Democratic support. Late Sunday evening, Senator Welch took to the Senate floor to reveal how Republicans’ disastrous tax and spending bill will force millions of working Americans in Vermont, West Virginia, and across the country to lose their health coverage, rip away vital food assistance for more than 42 million Americans, cut clean energy incentives and add a tax to wind and solar energy, raise utility bills and grocery prices, and tank the economy—all to pay for tax cuts for the very wealthy.   
    Welch has slammed the bill for threatening access to health care and cutting food assistance, and has sounded the alarm about how this bill will add more than $4 trillion to the national debt and tank the economy.    

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Budd Votes for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act ToDeliver Historic Tax Cuts for North Carolina Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)
    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) released the following statement after voting in support of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, historic legislation that lowers taxes for families, makes America safer and more secure, and unleashes economic growth for the future:
    “I voted in favor of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act because the people of North Carolina deserve more of their hard-earned wages, a more secure border, a reinvigorated military, responsible spending reforms for government programs, and a thriving economy. My colleagues and I fought successfully to protect North Carolina’s tobacco growers to help them stay competitive with China. I am also grateful that this bill included my PELL Act, which will help Americans earn in-demand credentials for rewarding careers. I hope my colleagues in the House quickly get this bill on President Trump’s desk because Americans cannot afford the largest tax increase in our nation’s history,” said Sen. Budd. 
    Here’s How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Directly Benefits North Carolina:
    Provides Unprecedented Tax Relief for Families
    This legislation helps Americans keep more money in their pockets by extending key provisions of President Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Preventing the largest tax increase in American history will save the average North Carolinian $2,474 in 2026.
    Working families will receive significant savings with the increase and permanence of the child tax credit, expanded tax credits for paid leave, enhanced 529 savings accounts, and additional childcare access.
    This legislation lowers taxes for seniors relying on Social Security.
    Gives Workers the Tools They Need to Advance Their Careers
    Sen. Budd fought to have his PELL Act included in this legislation, a provision that expands Pell Grant eligibility for high-quality, short-term workforce programs. This would benefit individuals seeking to advance their careers without long-term debt while also providing American businesses with a broader, better-prepared talent pool ready to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.
    Protects North Carolina Agriculture
    Sen. Budd successfully defended tobacco’s eligibility to receive the “duty drawback,” allowing tobacco manufacturers to receive reimbursement for the tariffs they pay on materials used to produce tobacco products that they ship to international markets. This will protect North Carolina growers and prevent the tobacco market from being flooded with cheaper, lower-quality products from China and Brazil.
    This legislation provides serious tax relief for North Carolina farmers by raising the death tax exemption, ensuring family farms can be passed down to future generations, rather than being broken up and sold.
    Unlocks Economic Growth & American Manufacturing
    This legislation will create a renaissance in American manufacturing by delivering full expensing for companies that build new factories and invest in equipment and machinery. This will help create new, good-paying jobs.
    By enhancing the small business deduction and making it permanent, small businesses will be able to hire more workers.
    Increasing deductions for small businesses’ equipment and property will quickly help businesses grow.
    Reduces Government Spending to Preserve & Protect Government Programs
    This legislation contains the first structural reforms to address waste, fraud, and abuse in key government programs like SNAP and Medicaid in over three decades. Slowing the rate of exponential cost increases will result in significant deficit savings and will preserve and protect these programs for future generations.
    Invests in America’s National Defense
    Sen. Budd helped secure funding to boost manufacturing capacity for the next generation of the F-15, the F-15EX, which will sustain the training mission at Seymour Johnson far into the future. 
    This legislation also includes significant funding to enhance America’s air superiority by preventing the retirement of the F-15E aircraft flying out of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. 
    America’s troops deserve a pay raise. This legislation increases pay and allowances while making improvements to housing, healthcare, childcare, and education.
    This legislation makes generational investments in our military readiness that will protect the American homeland and deter our adversaries by boosting America’s missile defense by building the “Golden Dome.”
    Sen. Budd worked to secure investments to improve housing at Fort Bragg and Seymour Johnson and funds for restoration and modernization at Camp Lejeune.
    This legislation creates new production lines to scale innovative, cost-effective munitions, so we are no longer shooting $4M missiles at $50,000 drones.
    This legislation makes the largest ever investment in the Coast Guard’s history, which will purchase more than 40 new helicopters and six new C-130J aircraft, which will be serviced at the Aviation Technical Training Center in Elizabeth City. The legislation also funds 17 new icebreakers to protect American interests and 21 new cutters to combat drug runners and human traffickers.
    Keeps America’s Border Secure
    While President Trump’s policies have resulted in a dramatic drop-off of illegal immigration, this legislation also boosts America’s border security by surging funding for 3,000 new Border Patrol agents and 10,000 new ICE agents. The One Big Beautiful Bill also increases funding to finish President Trump’s border wall.
    Ushers in Next-Generation Technologies
    This legislation includes funding for the transformational air traffic control modernization project underway at the FAA. This will quickly update aging and failing technologies to keep Americans safe in the sky.
    This legislation makes a historic amount of spectrum available for commercial use, which will create new jobs and unleash the next generation of wireless technology. This will ensure America remains the premier destination for innovation and help unleash a new area of advanced manufacturing. This will also make the internet faster & more dependable across the country through commercial success stories like 5G, 6G, wi-fi, and private networks using CBRS.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Announces Coordinated, Nationwide Actions to Combat North Korean Remote Information Technology Workers’ Illicit Revenue Generation Schemes

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Law Enforcement Actions Across 16 States Result in Charges, Arrest, and Seizures of 29 Financial Accounts, 21 Fraudulent Websites, and Approximately 200 Computers

    The Justice Department announced today coordinated actions against the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea (DPRK) government’s schemes to fund its regime through remote information technology (IT) work for U.S. companies. These actions include two indictments, an arrest, searches of 29 known or suspected “laptop farms” across 16 states, and the seizure of 29 financial accounts used to launder illicit funds and 21 fraudulent websites.

    According to court documents, the schemes involve North Korean individuals fraudulently obtaining employment with U.S. companies as remote IT workers, using stolen and fake identities. The North Korean actors were assisted by individuals in the United States, China, United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan, and successfully obtained employment with more than 100 U.S. companies.

    As alleged in court documents, certain U.S.-based individuals enabled one of the schemes by creating front companies and fraudulent websites to promote the bona fides of the remote IT workers, and hosted laptop farms where the remote North Korean IT workers could remote access into U.S. victim company-provided laptop computers. Once employed, the North Korean IT workers received regular salary payments, and they gained access to, and in some cases stole, sensitive employer information such as export controlled U.S. military technology and virtual currency. In another scheme, North Korean IT workers used false or fraudulently obtained identities to gain employment with an Atlanta, Georgia-based blockchain research and development company and stole virtual currency worth approximately over $900,000.

    “These schemes target and steal from U.S. companies and are designed to evade sanctions and fund the North Korean regime’s illicit programs, including its weapons programs,” said Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg of the Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department, along with our law enforcement, private sector, and international partners, will persistently pursue and dismantle these cyber-enabled revenue generation networks.”

    “North Korean IT workers defraud American companies and steal the identities of private citizens, all in support of the North Korean regime,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of FBI’s Cyber Division. “That is why the FBI and our partners continue to work together to disrupt infrastructure, seize revenue, indict overseas IT workers, and arrest their enablers in the United States. Let the actions announced today serve as a warning: if you host laptop farms for the benefit of North Korean actors, law enforcement will be waiting for you.”

    “North Korea remains intent on funding its weapons programs by defrauding U.S. companies and exploiting American victims of identity theft, but the FBI is equally intent on disrupting this massive campaign and bringing its perpetrators to justice,” said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI Counterintelligence Division. “North Korean IT workers posing as U.S. citizens fraudulently obtained employment with American businesses so they could funnel hundreds of millions of dollars to North Korea’s authoritarian regime. The FBI will do everything in our power to defend the homeland and protect Americans from being victimized by the North Korean government, and we ask all U.S. companies that employ remote workers to remain vigilant to this sophisticated threat.”

    Zhenxing Wang, et al. Indictment, Seizure Warrants, and Arrest – District of Massachusetts

    Today, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and the National Security Division announced the arrest of U.S. national Zhenxing “Danny” Wang of New Jersey pursuant to a five-count indictment. The indictment describes a multi-year fraud scheme by Wang and his co-conspirators to obtain remote IT work with U.S. companies that generated more than $5 million in revenue. The indictment also charges Chinese nationals Jing Bin Huang (靖斌 黄), Baoyu Zhou (周宝玉), Tong Yuze (佟雨泽), Yongzhe Xu (徐勇哲 andيونجزهي أكسو), Ziyou Yuan (زيو) and Zhenbang Zhou (周震邦), and Taiwanese nationals Mengting Liu (劉 孟婷) and Enchia Liu (刘恩) for their roles in the scheme. 

    “The threat posed by DPRK operatives is both real and immediate. Thousands of North Korean cyber operatives have been trained and deployed by the regime to blend into the global digital workforce and systematically target U.S. companies,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley for the District of Massachusetts. “We will continue to work relentlessly to protect U.S. businesses and ensure they are not inadvertently fueling the DPRK’s unlawful and dangerous ambitions.”

    According to the indictment, from approximately 2021 until October 2024, the defendants and other co-conspirators compromised the identities of more than 80 U.S. persons to obtain remote jobs at more than 100 U.S. companies, including many Fortune 500 companies, and caused U.S. victim companies to incur legal fees, computer network remediation costs, and other damages and losses of at least $3 million. Overseas IT workers were assisted by Kejia Wang, Zhenxing Wang, and at least four other identified U.S. facilitators. Kejia Wang, for example, communicated with overseas co-conspirators and IT workers, and traveled to Shenyang and Dandong, China, including in 2023, to meet with them about the scheme. To deceive U.S. companies into believing the IT workers were located in the United States, Kejia Wang, Zhenxing Wang, and the other U.S. facilitators received and/or hosted laptops belonging to U.S. companies at their residences, and enabled overseas IT workers to access the laptops remotely by, among other things, connecting the laptops to hardware devices designed to allow for remote access (referred to as keyboard-video-mouse or “KVM” switches).

    Kejia Wang and Zhenxing Wang also created shell companies with corresponding websites and financial accounts, including Hopana Tech LLC, Tony WKJ LLC, and Independent Lab LLC, to make it appear as though the overseas IT workers were affiliated with legitimate U.S. businesses. Kejia Wang and Zhenxing Wang established these and other financial accounts to receive money from victimized U.S. companies, much of which was subsequently transferred to overseas co‑conspirators. In exchange for their services, Kejia Wang, Zhenxing Wang, and the four other U.S. facilitators received a total of at least $696,000 from the IT workers.

    IT workers employed under this scheme also gained access to sensitive employer data and source code, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) data from a California-based defense contractor that develops artificial intelligence-powered equipment and technologies. Specifically, between on or about Jan. 19, 2024, and on or about April 2, 2024, an overseas co-conspirator remotely accessed without authorization the company’s laptop and computer files  containing technical data and other information. The stolen data included information marked as being controlled under the ITAR.

    Simultaneously with today’s announcement, the FBI and Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) seized 17 web domains used in furtherance of the charged scheme and further seized 29 financial accounts, holding tens of thousands of dollars in funds, used to launder revenue for the North Korean regime through the remote IT work scheme.

    Previously, in October 2024, as part of this investigation, federal law enforcement executed searches at eight locations across three states that resulted in the recovery of more than 70 laptops and remote access devices, such as KVMs. Simultaneously with that action, the FBI seized four web domains associated with Kejia Wang’s and Zhenxing Wang’s shell companies used to facilitate North Korean IT work.

    The FBI Las Vegas Field Office, DCIS San Diego Resident Agency, and Homeland Security Investigations San Diego Field Office are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Casey for the District of Massachusetts and Trial Attorney Gregory J. Nicosia, Jr. of the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting the case, with significant assistance from Legal Assistants Daniel Boucher and Margaret Coppes. Valuable assistance was also provided by Mark A. Murphy of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, and Southern District of California.

    Kim Kwang Jin et al. Indictment – Northern District of Georgia

    Today, the Northern District of Georgia unsealed a five-count wire fraud and money laundering indictment charging four North Korean nationals, Kim Kwang Jin (김관진), Kang Tae Bok (강태복), Jong Pong Ju (정봉주) and Chang Nam Il (창남일), with a scheme to steal virtual currency from two companies, valued at over $900,000 at the time of the thefts, and to launder proceeds of those thefts. The defendants remain at large and wanted by the FBI.

    “The defendants used fake and stolen personal identities to conceal their North Korean nationality, pose as remote IT workers, and exploit their victims’ trust to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg for the Northern District of Georgia. “This indictment highlights the unique threat North Korea poses to companies that hire remote IT workers and underscores our resolve to prosecute any actor, in the United States or abroad, who steals from Georgia businesses.”

    According to the indictment, the defendants traveled to the United Arab Emirates on North Korean travel documents and worked as a co-located team. In approximately December 2020 and May 2021, respectively, Kim Kwang Jin (using victim P.S.’s stolen identity) and Jong Pong Ju (using the alias “Bryan Cho”) were hired by a blockchain research and development company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and a virtual token company based in Serbia. Both defendants concealed their North Korean identities from their employers by providing false identification documents containing a mix of stolen and fraudulent identity information. Neither company would have hired Kim Kwang Jin and Jong Pong Ju had they known that they were North Korean citizens. Later, on a recommendation from Jong Pong Ju, the Serbian company hired “Peter Xiao,” who in fact was Chang Nam Il.

    After gaining their employers’ trust, Kim Kwang Jin and Jong Pong Ju were assigned projects that provided them access to their employers’ virtual currency assets. In February 2022, Jong Pong Ju used that access to steal virtual currency worth approximately $175,000 at the time of the theft, sending it to a virtual currency address he controlled. In March 2022, Kim Kwang Jin stole virtual currency worth approximately $740,000 at the time of theft by modifying the source code of two of his employer’s smart contracts, then sending it to a virtual currency address he controlled.

    To launder the funds after the thefts, Kim Kwang Jin and Jong Pong Ju “mixed” the stolen funds using the virtual currency mixer Tornado Cash and then transferred the funds to virtual currency exchange accounts controlled by defendants Kang Tae Bok and Chang Nam Il but held in the name of aliases. These accounts were opened using fraudulent Malaysian identification documents.

    The FBI Atlanta Field Office is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samir Kaushal and Alex Sistla for the Northern District of Georgia and Trial Attorney Jacques Singer-Emery of the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting the case.

    21 Searches of Known or Suspected U.S.-based Laptop Farms – Multi-District

    Between June 10 and June 17, 2025, the FBI executed searches of 21 premises across 14 states hosting known and suspected laptop farms. These actions, coordinated by the FBI Denver Field Office, related to investigations of North Korean remote IT worker schemes being conducted by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices of the District of Colorado, Eastern District of Missouri, and Northern District of Texas. In total, the FBI seized approximately 137 laptops.

    Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Connecticut, the Eastern District of Michigan, the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the Middle District of Florida, the Northern District of Georgia, the Northern District of Illinois, the Northern District of Indiana, the District of Oregon, the Southern District of Florida, the Southern District of Ohio, the Western District of New York, and the Western District of Pennsylvania.

    ***

    The Department’s actions to combat these schemes are the latest in a series of law enforcement actions under a joint National Security Division and FBI Cyber and Counterintelligence Divisions effort, the DPRK RevGen: Domestic Enabler Initiative. This effort prioritizes targeting and disrupting the DPRK’s illicit revenue generation schemes and its U.S.-based enablers. The Department previously announced other actions pursuant to the initiative, including in January 2025 and prior, as well as the filing of a civil forfeiture complaint in early June 2025 for over $7.74 million tied to an illegal employment scheme.

    As the FBI has described in Public Service Announcements published in May 2024 and January 2025, North Korean remote IT workers posing as legitimate remote IT workers have committed data extortion and exfiltrated the proprietary and sensitive data from U.S. companies. DPRK IT worker schemes typically involve the use of stolen identities, alias emails, social media, online cross-border payment platforms, and online job site accounts, as well as false websites, proxy computers, and witting and unwitting third parties located in the U.S. and elsewhere.

    Other public advisories about the threats, red flag indicators, and potential mitigation measures for these schemes include a May 2022 advisory released by the FBI, Department of the Treasury, and Department of State; a July 2023 advisory from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and guidance issued in October 2023 by the United States and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). As described the May 2022 advisory, North Korean IT workers have been known individually to earn up to $300,000 annually, generating hundreds of millions of dollars collectively each year, on behalf of designated entities, such as the North Korean Ministry of Defense and others directly involved in the DPRK’s weapons programs.

    The U.S. Department of State has offered potential rewards for up to $5 million in support of international efforts to disrupt the DPRK’s illicit financial activities, including for cybercrimes, money laundering, and sanctions evasion.

    The details in the above-described court documents are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Announces Coordinated, Nationwide Actions to Combat North Korean Remote Information Technology Workers’ Illicit Revenue Generation Schemes

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Law Enforcement Actions Across 16 States Result in Charges, Arrest, and Seizures of 29 Financial Accounts, 21 Fraudulent Websites, and Approximately 200 Computers

    The Justice Department announced today coordinated actions against the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea (DPRK) government’s schemes to fund its regime through remote information technology (IT) work for U.S. companies. These actions include two indictments, an arrest, searches of 29 known or suspected “laptop farms” across 16 states, and the seizure of 29 financial accounts used to launder illicit funds and 21 fraudulent websites.

    According to court documents, the schemes involve North Korean individuals fraudulently obtaining employment with U.S. companies as remote IT workers, using stolen and fake identities. The North Korean actors were assisted by individuals in the United States, China, United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan, and successfully obtained employment with more than 100 U.S. companies.

    As alleged in court documents, certain U.S.-based individuals enabled one of the schemes by creating front companies and fraudulent websites to promote the bona fides of the remote IT workers, and hosted laptop farms where the remote North Korean IT workers could remote access into U.S. victim company-provided laptop computers. Once employed, the North Korean IT workers received regular salary payments, and they gained access to, and in some cases stole, sensitive employer information such as export controlled U.S. military technology and virtual currency. In another scheme, North Korean IT workers used false or fraudulently obtained identities to gain employment with an Atlanta, Georgia-based blockchain research and development company and stole virtual currency worth approximately over $900,000.

    “These schemes target and steal from U.S. companies and are designed to evade sanctions and fund the North Korean regime’s illicit programs, including its weapons programs,” said Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg of the Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department, along with our law enforcement, private sector, and international partners, will persistently pursue and dismantle these cyber-enabled revenue generation networks.”

    “North Korean IT workers defraud American companies and steal the identities of private citizens, all in support of the North Korean regime,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of FBI’s Cyber Division. “That is why the FBI and our partners continue to work together to disrupt infrastructure, seize revenue, indict overseas IT workers, and arrest their enablers in the United States. Let the actions announced today serve as a warning: if you host laptop farms for the benefit of North Korean actors, law enforcement will be waiting for you.”

    “North Korea remains intent on funding its weapons programs by defrauding U.S. companies and exploiting American victims of identity theft, but the FBI is equally intent on disrupting this massive campaign and bringing its perpetrators to justice,” said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI Counterintelligence Division. “North Korean IT workers posing as U.S. citizens fraudulently obtained employment with American businesses so they could funnel hundreds of millions of dollars to North Korea’s authoritarian regime. The FBI will do everything in our power to defend the homeland and protect Americans from being victimized by the North Korean government, and we ask all U.S. companies that employ remote workers to remain vigilant to this sophisticated threat.”

    Zhenxing Wang, et al. Indictment, Seizure Warrants, and Arrest – District of Massachusetts

    Today, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and the National Security Division announced the arrest of U.S. national Zhenxing “Danny” Wang of New Jersey pursuant to a five-count indictment. The indictment describes a multi-year fraud scheme by Wang and his co-conspirators to obtain remote IT work with U.S. companies that generated more than $5 million in revenue. The indictment also charges Chinese nationals Jing Bin Huang (靖斌 黄), Baoyu Zhou (周宝玉), Tong Yuze (佟雨泽), Yongzhe Xu (徐勇哲 andيونجزهي أكسو), Ziyou Yuan (زيو) and Zhenbang Zhou (周震邦), and Taiwanese nationals Mengting Liu (劉 孟婷) and Enchia Liu (刘恩) for their roles in the scheme. 

    “The threat posed by DPRK operatives is both real and immediate. Thousands of North Korean cyber operatives have been trained and deployed by the regime to blend into the global digital workforce and systematically target U.S. companies,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley for the District of Massachusetts. “We will continue to work relentlessly to protect U.S. businesses and ensure they are not inadvertently fueling the DPRK’s unlawful and dangerous ambitions.”

    According to the indictment, from approximately 2021 until October 2024, the defendants and other co-conspirators compromised the identities of more than 80 U.S. persons to obtain remote jobs at more than 100 U.S. companies, including many Fortune 500 companies, and caused U.S. victim companies to incur legal fees, computer network remediation costs, and other damages and losses of at least $3 million. Overseas IT workers were assisted by Kejia Wang, Zhenxing Wang, and at least four other identified U.S. facilitators. Kejia Wang, for example, communicated with overseas co-conspirators and IT workers, and traveled to Shenyang and Dandong, China, including in 2023, to meet with them about the scheme. To deceive U.S. companies into believing the IT workers were located in the United States, Kejia Wang, Zhenxing Wang, and the other U.S. facilitators received and/or hosted laptops belonging to U.S. companies at their residences, and enabled overseas IT workers to access the laptops remotely by, among other things, connecting the laptops to hardware devices designed to allow for remote access (referred to as keyboard-video-mouse or “KVM” switches).

    Kejia Wang and Zhenxing Wang also created shell companies with corresponding websites and financial accounts, including Hopana Tech LLC, Tony WKJ LLC, and Independent Lab LLC, to make it appear as though the overseas IT workers were affiliated with legitimate U.S. businesses. Kejia Wang and Zhenxing Wang established these and other financial accounts to receive money from victimized U.S. companies, much of which was subsequently transferred to overseas co‑conspirators. In exchange for their services, Kejia Wang, Zhenxing Wang, and the four other U.S. facilitators received a total of at least $696,000 from the IT workers.

    IT workers employed under this scheme also gained access to sensitive employer data and source code, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) data from a California-based defense contractor that develops artificial intelligence-powered equipment and technologies. Specifically, between on or about Jan. 19, 2024, and on or about April 2, 2024, an overseas co-conspirator remotely accessed without authorization the company’s laptop and computer files  containing technical data and other information. The stolen data included information marked as being controlled under the ITAR.

    Simultaneously with today’s announcement, the FBI and Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) seized 17 web domains used in furtherance of the charged scheme and further seized 29 financial accounts, holding tens of thousands of dollars in funds, used to launder revenue for the North Korean regime through the remote IT work scheme.

    Previously, in October 2024, as part of this investigation, federal law enforcement executed searches at eight locations across three states that resulted in the recovery of more than 70 laptops and remote access devices, such as KVMs. Simultaneously with that action, the FBI seized four web domains associated with Kejia Wang’s and Zhenxing Wang’s shell companies used to facilitate North Korean IT work.

    The FBI Las Vegas Field Office, DCIS San Diego Resident Agency, and Homeland Security Investigations San Diego Field Office are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Casey for the District of Massachusetts and Trial Attorney Gregory J. Nicosia, Jr. of the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting the case, with significant assistance from Legal Assistants Daniel Boucher and Margaret Coppes. Valuable assistance was also provided by Mark A. Murphy of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, and Southern District of California.

    Kim Kwang Jin et al. Indictment – Northern District of Georgia

    Today, the Northern District of Georgia unsealed a five-count wire fraud and money laundering indictment charging four North Korean nationals, Kim Kwang Jin (김관진), Kang Tae Bok (강태복), Jong Pong Ju (정봉주) and Chang Nam Il (창남일), with a scheme to steal virtual currency from two companies, valued at over $900,000 at the time of the thefts, and to launder proceeds of those thefts. The defendants remain at large and wanted by the FBI.

    “The defendants used fake and stolen personal identities to conceal their North Korean nationality, pose as remote IT workers, and exploit their victims’ trust to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg for the Northern District of Georgia. “This indictment highlights the unique threat North Korea poses to companies that hire remote IT workers and underscores our resolve to prosecute any actor, in the United States or abroad, who steals from Georgia businesses.”

    According to the indictment, the defendants traveled to the United Arab Emirates on North Korean travel documents and worked as a co-located team. In approximately December 2020 and May 2021, respectively, Kim Kwang Jin (using victim P.S.’s stolen identity) and Jong Pong Ju (using the alias “Bryan Cho”) were hired by a blockchain research and development company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and a virtual token company based in Serbia. Both defendants concealed their North Korean identities from their employers by providing false identification documents containing a mix of stolen and fraudulent identity information. Neither company would have hired Kim Kwang Jin and Jong Pong Ju had they known that they were North Korean citizens. Later, on a recommendation from Jong Pong Ju, the Serbian company hired “Peter Xiao,” who in fact was Chang Nam Il.

    After gaining their employers’ trust, Kim Kwang Jin and Jong Pong Ju were assigned projects that provided them access to their employers’ virtual currency assets. In February 2022, Jong Pong Ju used that access to steal virtual currency worth approximately $175,000 at the time of the theft, sending it to a virtual currency address he controlled. In March 2022, Kim Kwang Jin stole virtual currency worth approximately $740,000 at the time of theft by modifying the source code of two of his employer’s smart contracts, then sending it to a virtual currency address he controlled.

    To launder the funds after the thefts, Kim Kwang Jin and Jong Pong Ju “mixed” the stolen funds using the virtual currency mixer Tornado Cash and then transferred the funds to virtual currency exchange accounts controlled by defendants Kang Tae Bok and Chang Nam Il but held in the name of aliases. These accounts were opened using fraudulent Malaysian identification documents.

    The FBI Atlanta Field Office is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samir Kaushal and Alex Sistla for the Northern District of Georgia and Trial Attorney Jacques Singer-Emery of the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting the case.

    21 Searches of Known or Suspected U.S.-based Laptop Farms – Multi-District

    Between June 10 and June 17, 2025, the FBI executed searches of 21 premises across 14 states hosting known and suspected laptop farms. These actions, coordinated by the FBI Denver Field Office, related to investigations of North Korean remote IT worker schemes being conducted by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices of the District of Colorado, Eastern District of Missouri, and Northern District of Texas. In total, the FBI seized approximately 137 laptops.

    Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Connecticut, the Eastern District of Michigan, the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the Middle District of Florida, the Northern District of Georgia, the Northern District of Illinois, the Northern District of Indiana, the District of Oregon, the Southern District of Florida, the Southern District of Ohio, the Western District of New York, and the Western District of Pennsylvania.

    ***

    The Department’s actions to combat these schemes are the latest in a series of law enforcement actions under a joint National Security Division and FBI Cyber and Counterintelligence Divisions effort, the DPRK RevGen: Domestic Enabler Initiative. This effort prioritizes targeting and disrupting the DPRK’s illicit revenue generation schemes and its U.S.-based enablers. The Department previously announced other actions pursuant to the initiative, including in January 2025 and prior, as well as the filing of a civil forfeiture complaint in early June 2025 for over $7.74 million tied to an illegal employment scheme.

    As the FBI has described in Public Service Announcements published in May 2024 and January 2025, North Korean remote IT workers posing as legitimate remote IT workers have committed data extortion and exfiltrated the proprietary and sensitive data from U.S. companies. DPRK IT worker schemes typically involve the use of stolen identities, alias emails, social media, online cross-border payment platforms, and online job site accounts, as well as false websites, proxy computers, and witting and unwitting third parties located in the U.S. and elsewhere.

    Other public advisories about the threats, red flag indicators, and potential mitigation measures for these schemes include a May 2022 advisory released by the FBI, Department of the Treasury, and Department of State; a July 2023 advisory from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and guidance issued in October 2023 by the United States and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). As described the May 2022 advisory, North Korean IT workers have been known individually to earn up to $300,000 annually, generating hundreds of millions of dollars collectively each year, on behalf of designated entities, such as the North Korean Ministry of Defense and others directly involved in the DPRK’s weapons programs.

    The U.S. Department of State has offered potential rewards for up to $5 million in support of international efforts to disrupt the DPRK’s illicit financial activities, including for cybercrimes, money laundering, and sanctions evasion.

    The details in the above-described court documents are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: In the 2024-2025 marketing year, Ukraine reduced the export of grain and leguminous crops by 20.5 percent.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    Kyiv, July 1 (Xinhua) — In the 2024-2025 marketing year (MY, July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025), Ukraine exported 40.6 million tons of grain and leguminous crops, down 20.5 percent from the previous MY, according to data released Tuesday by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine.

    The department noted that in the specified period, a decline was recorded for all major grain export items. Thus, corn supplies abroad decreased by 25.5 percent to 22 million tons, wheat – by 15.1 percent to 15.7 million tons, barley – by 8 percent to 2.3 million tons.

    The Ministry of Agrarian Policy added that, according to the results of 2024-2025 MY, flour exports from Ukraine amounted to 71.1 thousand tons, decreasing by 27.6 percent.

    In 2023-2024 MY, Ukrainian farmers supplied 51.1 million tons of grain and leguminous crops to foreign markets. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Cold snap sweeps across Western and Northern Cape

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned that a series of cold fronts are expected to affect the Western Cape and Northern Cape from late Thursday into Sunday.

    The weather conditions will lead to very cold, windy, and wet conditions, with daytime temperatures plunging to 10°C and below, and windy at 30 km/h in places over the western and central interior of the Western Cape and the southern parts of the Namakwa District IN Northern Cape.

     “These conditions are likely to spread to the western escarpment of the Namawka as well as to the eastern interior of the Western Cape over the weekend. In addition, light snowfalls are possible over the mountain peaks of the Western Cape and southern parts of Namakwa.

    “The public and small stock farmers are advised to take the necessary precaution to ensure the safety and health of their animals during very cold, wet and windy days,” SAWS said on Tuesday.

    In addition, the western parts of the Western Cape will be hit by a series of cold fronts that will bring scattered to widespread showers and rain, from late Wednesday night into Sunday. 

    “The most significant cold front will reach the south-western Cape by Friday afternoon, when quick and heavy downpours are possible. 24-hour rainfall accumulations of 20-35 mm are likely over the south-western parts, reaching 50 mm over the mountainous region. 

    “Even though only 5-10 mm are possible on Saturday, another cold front making landfall early Sunday will mostly likely bring 10-20 mm over the south-western Cape. Therefore, rain-on-rain together with saturated soils will lead to minor impacts with a low likelihood of significant impacts to occur,” the weather service said.

    The weather service warned that the expected weather conditions will lead to flooding of roads, formal and informal settlements, which may lead to damage to property/infrastructure and danger to life due to fast flowing streams over low-lying bridges.

    Major disruption of traffic flow due to major roads being flooded and damaged could lead to increased travel time. Mudslides and rockfalls are also possible.

    Essential services such as water and electricity may also be affected. –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Correctional Services Minister vows to root out criminality in facilities

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Department of Correctional Services has conducted more than 460 raids in correctional facilities across the country over the past year in a crackdown against lawlessness within these facilities.

    This according to Minister Pieter Groenewald, who presented the department’s Budget Vote in Parliament, on Tuesday.

    “I can declare that in the past year, 466 raids have been conducted. I have also conducted numerous unannounced visits to numerous facilities. These unannounced visits and raids will increase in the coming year,” he said.

    More than 33 000 cell phones, 20 577 sharpened objects, some 122 407 items related to alcohol and other substances, 232.16kg of drugs and over R394 000 worth of money had been confiscated during these raids.

    Groenewald said officials have also been subjected to disciplinary action where necessary.

    “In the last year, 515 officials have received final written warnings; 181 were suspended without pay and 146 dismissed.

    “When it comes to discipline, I can only say that we can only address our problems if we recognise their true extent,” he said. 

    Protecting communities 

    The Minister said when he took office last year, there was a backlog of some 495 life imprisonment profiles. A further 584 life imprisonment profiles have landed on his desk since.

    “Of this total of 1 079 profiles considered, I approved 29 parole applications and granted three cases of day parole. Five individuals serving life sentences have been granted parole and are subject to deportation. 

    “Thirty-eight individuals’ parole has been revoked, two cancelled and one withdrawn. Unfortunately, I have also had to utilise the powers granted to me to refer three parole placements to the Correctional Supervision and Parole Review Board. 

    “The CSPRB is tasked with reviewing the original decisions made by parole boards and must confirm or replace it with its own decision. In all three cases, parole was withdrawn. We are in the process of reviewing the whole parole system,” he said.

    Groenewald explained that the department is tasked with ensuring that inmates, who may reoffend, are not allowed back into society.

    “The department has the important task to safeguard communities against convicted criminals whilst providing rehabilitation of offenders in order to ensure safe reintegration into society. When parole becomes a loophole for further terror and criminality, it is not merely a policy failure, it is a failure of justice. 

    “I am very strict on that and I want to put it on record again: it doesn’t matter whether an applicant went through all the courses and the rehabilitation programmes in our facilities but when I receive a psychological reports…and the risk of reoffending is medium to high, I will not approve any parole for that specific case,” he emphasised.

    Self-sufficiency

    The Minister said the department will have a budget of some R29 billion for the 2025/26 financial year, rising to just over R30 billion for 2026/27 and reaching some R31.9 billion for 2027/28.

    He highlighted that the department’s budget has undergone some cuts as a result of fiscal constraints.

    “The cuts in our budget translate to the provision of security being compromised, capital investment in skills cuts, the budget for nutritional services had to be cut, capital works projects will be on hold and the monitoring of parolees could be negatively impacted.

    “[We] face real and pressing financial and operational constraints. The capital budget shortfall of R222 million undermines our ability to conduct infrastructure upgrades and critical maintenance. The escalating cost of food, fuelled by inflation and the growing number of inmates, including a sharp increase in foreign nationals, adds another layer of financial strain,” he said.

    However, the department is doing its best to “explore alternative revenue streams so that we are not solely reliant on the fiscus”.

    “We have registered commendable progress in the construction of correctional centre-based bakeries and pharmacies. The number of operational bakeries has increased from nine to 11, with Standerton and Pietermaritzburg recently coming online.

    “In the past financial year, we have produced just over five million loaves of bread, which translates to estimated savings of R27 197 251.20. Farm production has also yielded R130 491 122.81 estimated savings in food provisioning.

    “This is but a step in the direction of becoming entirely self-sufficient. The amendments to the 12-day cycle meal plan are expected to generate estimated savings of over R200 million per annum. These figures reflect our commitment to responsible spending of the taxpayers’ hard-earned money,” Groenewald said.

    In his written remarks, the Minister acknowledged that although the department has taken a step in the right direction, more still needs to be done to create a corruption-free correctional service that contributes to South Africa’s safety.

    “Our mission is to [do] the best – doing more with less. More savings of taxpayers’ money, more raids, greater discipline, bigger efforts to uproot corruption, more implementation of creative solutions, a bigger, happier workforce and ultimately, greater public trust.

    “Together, we will continue to strengthen our department, affirm our constitutional commitments, and ensure that justice prevails in South Africa.

    “Let us reaffirm our commitment to a correctional system that serves the people, one rooted in integrity, accountability, and safety. Only then can we truly begin to restore hope, rebuild faith in the system, and move toward the safer South Africa we all deserve,” Groenewald said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Republicans Block Duckworth Effort to Protect Veterans and Other Americans from Going Hungry as a Result of Trump’s Big, Beautiful Betrayal

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    June 30, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today sought to protect Veterans and many other Americans from going hungry because of cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) included in Trump’s so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill” (BBB) that Senate Republicans are rushing to jam through tonight. Duckworth’s effort would have instructed the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee to change the BBB to ensure it would not reduce or terminate SNAP benefits for Veterans, homeless individuals, former foster youth 24 years of age or younger or for parents with children under 18 years of age, but her proposal was blocked by Senate Republicans on a vote of 49-51.

    “Back when I was in high school, my family struggled. We had no money and some days no food, teetering on the brink of homelessness, never sure what tomorrow would bring. I was only elected Senator… I was only able to become an Army pilot… I probably only was able to finish high school because of basic needs programs like SNAP.

    “Donald Trump and Senate Republicans are trying to snatch away these critical safety net programs like health care and SNAP from countless families—including Veterans, homeless people, former foster youth and many other Americans seemingly for no other reason than cruelty for cruelty’s sake—and to give a tax cut to Donald Trump and his billionaire buddies. I’m pissed off that they would look me in the eye on the Senate Floor and then block this critical proposal to help protect so many Americans from going hungry. It’s shameful.”

    In Fiscal Year 2023, an average of 42.2 million individuals—and about 1 in 5 children—in 22.3 million households participated in SNAP each month. Monthly benefits are already insufficient, and averaged only $211.65 per person and $400.15 per household.

    Under current SNAP rules, most adults aged 18 through 54 without children in their household can receive food benefits for just three months in a three-year period unless they show compliance with a 20-hour-per-week work requirement or prove they qualify for an exemption, such as having a disability—though Veterans, homeless individuals and former foster youth 24 years of age or younger have been exempt from those requirements.

    The Senate bill eliminates these exemptions, terminating SNAP benefits for nearly 300,000 people in these populations. In addition, the SNAP program has long exempted parents from work requirements, but the Senate bill eliminates these exemptions for parents with kids over the age of 13.

    Despite those exemptions continuing under even the House-passed BBB, Senate Republicans are seeking to remove them and limit SNAP benefits to these currently-protected populations. The Senate Republican bill would terminate SNAP benefits for at least 2.87 million people—including 1.2 million Veterans—and reduce benefits for tens of millions more.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: As Vote-A-Rama On Republican Budget Betrayal Hits 24 Hours, Luján Standing Strong for New Mexicans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

    WATCH: Luján Holds Senate Floor During Midnight Session 

    WATCH: Luján Introduces Amendment to Save SNAP

    Washington, D.C. – As the Senate vote-a-rama on the Republican Budget Betrayal hits 24 hours, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) has been on the Senate floor throughout the night fighting for New Mexicans.

    KEY MOMENTS:

    24 Hour Mark of the Vote-A-Rama: Good morning from the Senate steps. We’ve been voting on amendments for nearly 24 hours straight. Senate Republicans still haven’t called a final vote on their budget betrayal because they don’t have the votes. @SenateDems aren’t backing down. No matter how long this takes.

    Standing Up for New Mexicans in the Dark of Night: It’s almost midnight in Washington and we’re still voting on GOP budget amendments. Senate Republicans are flying completely blind — still scrambling to finalize a bill they’ve been rewriting all day (and for months) to meet President Trump’s demands. This process is messy, but this bill is going to be even messier.

    Standing Up Against the Republican Budget Betrayal With Senator Smith: We’re fighting back against this Republican budget betrayal because it’s downright terrible — and devastating for families in New Mexico, Minnesota, and across the country.

    Leading Charge to Save SNAP: Senator Luján delivered a speech on the Senate floor offering an amendment to the Republican budget bill to save the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – to protect food assistance for kids, seniors, and veterans. All but two Republicans voted to keep these devastating cuts in the bill.

    Highlighting Impacts of Republican Betrayal Bill on New Mexicans: Senator Luján took to the Senate floor to deliver a floor speech detailing how the Republican budget bill would devastate New Mexico’s families, farmers and ranchers, and children and seniors.

    LOCAL COVERAGE:

    Source NM: New Mexico Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Luján offered a motion to commit the bill back to committee in order to remove all changes related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. It was rejected following a 49-51 vote, though Alaska Republican Sens. Dan Sullivan and Murkowski voted in favor.

    KSFR: According to Lujan, the bill’s cuts to the Affordable Care Act would take health care away from 17 million Americans. New Mexico’s junior senator argued that the bill would also force rural hospitals and grocery stores to close…and said that it would add three trillion dollars to the national debt.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Nimanode Skyrockets past Crypto Presales, Eyes 30X Growth as it Edges Closer to Launch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEEDS, United Kingdom, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the XRP ecosystem gains momentum, Nimanode Token Presale is rapidly becoming one of the most talked-about innovative DeFi projects on XRP Blockchain, recently surpassing an impressive milestone of 20,000 XRP raised.

    Nimanode Presale ends in a few hours, and XRP Whales and Early investors are now scooping up $NMA at its cheapest price possible before it lists on XRP DEX on a 25% higher price just at the conclusion of the presale.

    Analysts have predicted $NMA could deliver high returns as we prepare for an alt season once it debuts on major decentralized exchanges (DEXs).

    Nimanode Presale

    Why Are Investors Going Full Port on Nimanode?

    Nimanode isn’t just another project, but bridging a gap in the rising demand for infrastructure that blends automation, AI, and blockchain. Reimagining the future of work by creating AI agents that do all our blockchain work.

    From the desk of the development team at Nimanode, the platform is specifically built to introduce AI Agents to the XRP Blockchain, bringing automation on Blockchain live through delivering an Agentic workforce handling various tasks autonomously. Its cutting-edge technology is set to deliver AI Agents with the various features but not limited to

    Zero-Code Agent Builder

    Autonomous Agents Execution

    Agent Marketplace

    XRPL Integration

    The $NMA token itself is meticulously designed to deliver substantial value and exclusive benefits, Deploying and upgrading agents, Sale of agents via the marketplace, Staking to earn protocol rewards and also participating in decentralized governance of the Nimanode Ecosystem

    Less Than 10 Hours Left, DEX Listing at 25% Higher Prices

    With only a few hours remaining until the presale window closes, the urgency to secure $NMA tokens has intensified.

    Demand for the NMA token has also surged as tokens are set to be listed at an upward 25% price from presale prices at top XRPL exchanges like Magnetic, so instant returns for early investors are expected.

    This creates an immediate profit opportunity, incentivizing investors to act now rather than wait and potentially miss out on significant short-term returns.

    $NMA

    How to Join the Nimanode Presale

    The clock is ticking on the Nimanode Presale Page

    Participation is very straightforward

    1. Buy XRP from reputable exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, or Bybit
    2. Send them to an XRP Compatible Wallet (Xaman recommended) to hold your purchased XRP.
    3. Go to Nimanode’s presale page, copy the deposit address, and send your XRP to it.
    4. Receive your tokens via airdrop 24 hours after the presale concludes.

    Don’t Miss Out – Secure Your Spot Now!

    With an amazing target of over 20,000 XRP raised, breaking milestone after milestone, time is running out for early backers to get involved in one of the most promising DeFi projects built on XRPL poised to be the DeFi breakout of the year.

    Nimanode isn’t just creating another DeFi app, Chatbot, or AI demo. It’s building a protocol layer where artificial intelligence doesn’t just support the blockchain, but lives on it.

    Join the presale now and position yourself at the forefront of XRP’s next big altcoin success story.

    Connect with Nimanode

    Website: https://nimanode.com

    Twitter/X: https://x.com/nimanodeai

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leeds gardener becomes Apprentice of the Year after sowing the seeds of new career

    Source: City of Leeds

    An apprentice gardener dedicated to changing the way people view gardens has won Apprentice of the Year at the North Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards in the public service category.

    After completing his apprenticeship with Leeds City Council’s parks and green spaces team, he is now working full time for the authority as craft gardener at locations like the historic Kirkstall Abbey.

    Thirty-four-year-old Chris Cole started his horticulture apprenticeship in 2023 after a desire to change career paths and become a professional gardener.

    Chris first discovered he enjoyed gardening when he took up the hobby during lockdown.

    Working for Leeds City Council throughout his apprenticeship, Chris got to work on gardens, cemeteries and parks, always striving to make a difference. At one of the city’s cemeteries he created new flowerbeds, providing a peaceful place for grieving families to visit.

    Alongside his work for the council Chris studied for the Level 2 Horticulture Operative at Askham Bryan College, which he passed with distinction.

    He said: “I am extremely proud of my achievement winning this award, through my apprenticeship I faced quite a number of challenges including the loss of loved ones, an accident with my thumb, planned surgery and the best one of all becoming a father to my daughter.

    “Horticulture has given me a new outlook in life which I can now call a career. I am so glad I decided to take the plunge and start an apprenticeship at 31 years old and achieving a distinction at the end of it I thought was the icing on the cake until winning this award.

    “In future I’d love to further gain more qualifications and continue to improve my skillset.  I am so proud to be one of the gardeners at Kirkstall Abbey and I implore anyone thinking of changing career at a later age to do it.”

    Adele Jagger from Askham Bryan College, who put Chris forward for the award, said: “The enthusiasm and passion that Chris shows towards horticulture and his learning is second to none. He works very hard and wants to make a real change with the work that he does. We’re incredibly proud of his achievement.”

    Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “Our parks and green spaces bring so much joy to the city, and it’s great to see Chris being awarded for the amazing work he has done. We’re pleased to be keeping him on as a craft gardener.”

    Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for resources, said: “Congratulations to Chris for his amazing achievement. Apprenticeships are a vital way for people to further develop their skills and talents, as well as supporting the local economy and help fill the skills shortages we face in some sectors. We are very proud of all our apprentices and the valuable contribution they make to our council and our city.”

    In July 2024, Leeds City Council earned a place on The Department for Education’s top 100 apprenticeship employers list, published annually to showcase the most outstanding apprenticeship employers from across the UK. Only one other council made the top 100.

    Apprentices earn while they learn, gaining practical skills on the job alongside fully funded study for an accredited qualification. Leeds City Council is a living wage employer, so apprentices of any age are paid at least the Living Wage Foundation minimum rate.

    Read more about apprenticeships with the council at https://jobs.leeds.gov.uk/apprenticeships-council.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Fourth-generation family funeral director recognised at business awards

    Source: City of Winchester


    Winchester City Council has awarded the Millennium Egg to Iain Steel, company director at local funeral director Richard Steel and Partners, at the 2025 Winchester Business Excellence Awards. 

    The Egg recognises individuals and organisations who have made an outstanding contribution to the economy of the district. It was presented to Iain by Winchester City Council Chief Executive Laura Taylor at the award ceremony on Thursday 20 June in Winchester Cathedral. 

    Richard Steel and Partners has been serving Winchester, Bishop’s Waltham, Alresford and Meon Valley for over 160 years, and is one of the region’s longest established family businesses: it is still under family ownership after four generations. The company directly employs over 30 staff and has also remained committed to sourcing services and supplies locally, doing their bit towards helping businesses within their community thrive. 

    Iain first joined the business as a teenager nearly 40 years ago, working alongside his father Richard. Since taking the reins as company director, Iain has led and developed the business, including the use of Chesil House as a prestigious riverside venue for funeral services and family gatherings. The company opened an Alresford office opened in 2021 to better serve families in the Arle and Candover valleys. 

    Iain is an avid supporter of the local community with direct involvement in a number of Winchester charities. As trustee of Winchester Hospice, he took on the challenge of trekking across the Sahara in November 2024, raising money for this local charity – and he also donated to the regeneration of St Maurice’s Covert. 

    This year, he has been instrumental in establishing the inaugural Legacy Action Week in Winchester and is already working on 2026, helping Winchester charities benefit from local bequests in wills.  

    Iain Steel, Company Director at Richard Steel and Partners, said: “Our family business has been serving Winchester and the wider Hampshire community for four generations since 1860.  

    “We are proud to be one of the longest established private businesses in the city to remain in the same family ownership, and recognition of our work within the local community means everything to everyone associated with our company, both current and former staff. Each generation has dedicated themselves to helping the city, both professionally and through charitable and community involvement”. 

    Laura Taylor, Chief Executive of Winchester City Council, said: “It is an honour to present our lifetime achievement award to Iain Steel of Richard Steel and partners, a fourth-generation family business that has been a mainstay of the Winchester district economy for over 160 years, serving our residents across the district, from Bishop’s Waltham to Alresford and between. 

    “Not only committed to providing compassionate and exceptional care in the business, using local suppliers where possible, Iain is well known for his commitment to the local community, with active involvement in a number of Winchester charities including St John’s Ambulance, Trinity Winchester and Winchester Hospice, as well as being Chair of Winchester Theatre Trust. 

    “Iain and his team are a valued addition to our district’s business community and the way in which they serve our residents – with compassion, professionalism and dedication to the community – make them a truly worthy recipient of this year’s award.” 

    The Millennium Egg, a crafted ornament, was originally donated to the council by Jeremy France of Jeremy France Jewellers. 

    The annual Winchester Business Excellence Awards are organised by the Hampshire Chronicle in association with Winchester Business Improvement District (BID) and Hampshire Chamber of Commerce. 

    Winchester City Council also sponsored the Sustainable Business Award which was presented on the night to Stem and Green Flower Farm by the Leader of the council, Councillor Martin Tod.  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Empowering Women, Enhancing Lives: The Digital Shift in Liberia’s Agriculture


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    “In the past, we used to keep our money in metal boxes. Now, with support from UN Women, the Central Bank of Liberia, and the Orange Foundation, we manage our money through Orange Money. This has made it easier for us to save, access credit, and grow our businesses,” shares Musu Nana, a Buy from Women Champion from Gbartala, Bong County.

    In 2022, UN Women Liberia, in partnership with the Orange Foundation, launched the ‘Digital Inclusion for Women’s Economic Empowerment (D4WEE)’ project. The initiative partnered with the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) to empower rural women farmers in Bong and Nimba Counties by linking them to the formal financial system and improving access to disaster risk reduction resources.

    Since its launch, significant progress has been made. Through collaboration with CBL, 15 women-led Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) have been integrated into the formal financial system, benefiting 400 rural women farmers who now have mobile phones and formal bank accounts at the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI). Plans are in progress to connect these accounts to their Orange Money mobile wallets, providing these women with the financial services they need to grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

    The project also introduced a social protection scheme, enabling VSLA members to save, borrow, and invest using digital platforms, which has promoted financial security among rural women. As a result, women now have greater control over their finances and can make informed decisions for their economic well-being.

    “We are pleased with this new way of handling our Village Savings and Loan Association group. Going digital with our savings and loans has made things simpler and safer for us. Now, we can keep an eye on our money and loans using our phones. It’s made everything clearer and smoother for us,” says Diana Davis, Community-based Facilitator at Liberia Rural Women Network Empowerment Incorporated.

    In early August 2024, UN Women Liberia, in partnership with CBL and Orange Foundation Liberia, conducted a four-day Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop in Monrovia for 22 women-led farming cooperatives and agribusiness owners from Bong, Nimba, and Lofa Counties.

    The training aimed to strengthen women’s capacities by providing digital literacy skills and access to employment opportunities. Participants were introduced to the Buy from Women platform and Orange Money services, helping them connect with broader markets and access financial resources.

    “By enabling these women to become community-based facilitators, we’re enhancing their income-generating activities through both traditional and digital innovations,” explained Ms. Aisha Kolubah, National Program Officer for Women Economic Empowerment at UN Women Liberia.

    The workshop covered digital marketing strategies, effective use of social media, and financial management using digital tools. Participants learned how to create engaging content, leverage platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp for business promotion, and streamline financial transactions through mobile banking.

    Ms. Alana Pradhan, UN Women Liberia’s Knowledge Management Specialist, served as a facilitator, providing insights on leveraging social media for business growth. “Regular and strategic use of social media not only allows you to engage with a broader audience but also empowers you to position your products and services competitively in the market,” Ms. Pradhan emphasized.

    The participants responded enthusiastically to the training, recognizing the potential for expanding their businesses and improving their livelihoods. The Liberia Rural Women Network for Employment expressed their excitement on social media:

    “We are excited to learn how digital marketing can transform our businesses. This training has opened new avenues for growth and development. We now see the potential to reach larger markets and strengthen our financial independence through digital tools.”

    The success of the TOT workshop and the broader initiative underscores the importance of digital and financial literacy in empowering rural women and fostering economic development. By equipping women with the necessary skills and tools, UN Women Liberia, alongside its partners, is paving the way for sustainable growth and gender equality in the agricultural sector.

    Caption: UN Women and partners conducted TOT workshop at the Central Bank in Monrovia for 22 women-led farming agribusiness owners.

    “This training has not only taught us how to use digital tools but has also connected us to bigger markets and financial services we never had access to before,” reflects Musu Nana. “We are now more confident and equipped to grow our businesses and support our families.”

    As these empowered women return to their communities, they carry with them the knowledge and skills to train others, creating a ripple effect of empowerment and economic advancement across Liberia’s rural regions. The continued collaboration between UN Women, CBL, and Orange Foundation hopes to further expand these opportunities, ensuring that more women can harness the power of digital technology to transform their lives and communities.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Students Combat Opioid Crisis in CT through Adopt a Health District Program

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    The Adopt a Health District (ADOPHD) Program provides students with internship experiences that directly support Connecticut communities fighting the opioid epidemic.

    “It empowers the students to feel like they count, that they can make a difference in the world,” says Peaches Udoma, ADOPHD program coordinator and adjunct professor of pharmacy practice.

    The program’s design began in 2021, when Nathaniel Rickles, project director and associate dean for admissions and student affairs in the School of Pharmacy, received a grant from the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

    Since the first year, when the program included just two interns, it has grown substantially. During the 2024-25 academic year, 10 students participated. Next year, the program will expand to include the Stamford Health District, the Housatonic Valley Health District, and a total of 14 interns.

    “The program is a great example of life-transformative education, as it bridges classroom learning with real-world application that can change the lives of those in our communities with the greatest needs for support and care,” says Rickles.

    Students participate in a variety of activities related to the opioid crisis, including receiving and providing training to use Narcan, a medicine that can rapidly reverse an overdose, providing information about recognizing fake pills and general information about opioids, and assisting in the safe disposal of medication.

    Two interns work in collaboration at each health district. Interns have worked in districts which include the towns of New London, Groton, East Hartford, West Hartford, Stratford, Bristol, Burlington, Cheshire, Prospect, and Wolcott.

    “The health districts get new ideas from people who are reading the research, who are on the cutting edge, who are excited and idealistic about changing the world,” Udoma says. “The benefits of the relationship are endless, on both sides.”

    While the program is administered through the School of Pharmacy, students have also come from the UConn MPH program, and more MPH students are applying this year. The majority of the interns, however, have come from the allied health sciences (AHS) program in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.

    “Our students are really trying to get experience in different areas of healthcare and health promotion, so this is a perfect opportunity for them to get out into the community and put their knowledge to use,” says Jill Skowrenski, AHS administrative lead for student placement and engagement. “It’s so vital for the students to experiment in different paths in healthcare. It’s a great mix, this program led by the School of Pharmacy connecting with allied health students.”

    Eva-LaRue Barber ‘25 (CAHNR) was one of the AHS students who participated in the program last year.

    Barber works as an EMT and firefighter in New Haven, and already had experience administering Narcan.

    “I was really curious about how larger prevention techniques could be employed by a community,” Barber says.

    Barber interned in the Chesprocott Health District, which includes Cheshire, Prospect, and Wolcott.

    There, she and the other intern assigned to the district analyzed data to identify what groups were experiencing overdoses and how that compared to the district’s demographics.

    Because the population in the Chesprocott district is older, the interns went to senior centers and provided information about pill sorting and how to prevent accidental overdoses.

    They also hosted Narcan trainings at a school and participated in Drug Takeback Day.

    Barber made a video for the program’s YouTube channel, based on the in-person trainings.

    “I thought that was a really accessible way for people who couldn’t make it in for the trainings, and also to share with their friends and families,” Barber says.

    Barber will be working as a researcher at the Yale School of Medicine’s Department of Dermatology in the fall, before eventually attending medical school. She will continue to work with ADOPHD as a student coordinator.

    “I’m really interested in communities and how you can educate communities, especially with targeted approaches for their specific challenges,” Barber says. “For me, that’s something that was really important – recognizing communities and creating things for them.”

    Baber says she appreciates how she was able to tailor the experience to fit her interests.

    “You can really customize it to fulfill your needs,” Barber says. “You get out of it what you put into it.”

    Throughout the year-long program, students also collaborate on different teams to organize the program’s marketing, data, resources, and social events.

    “It’s not just academics, it’s not just what you learn in the classroom that is crucial to your success out in the world, it’s also your ability to work with others effectively and consider other opinions,” Udoma says. “So that’s why we put so much focus on the team-based approach.”

    Udoma says she and Rickles hope the program can become a national model.

    “If we could get students as boots on the ground all over the country bringing their ideas, their passion, and their openness to learning, we could really make a difference in the opioid crisis,” Udoma says.

    This work relates to CAHNR’s Strategic Vision area focused on Enhancing Health and Well-Being Locally, Nationally, and Globally.

    Follow UConn CAHNR on social media

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government reaffirms commitment to support agricultural extension services

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has reaffirmed government’s unwavering commitment to agricultural extension services, highlighting their pivotal role in fostering inclusive rural development, ensuring food security, and facilitating vital knowledge transfer.

    Steenhuisen made the commitment at the centenary celebration of the establishment of formal agricultural extension services in the country.

    The Minister also officially opened the 58th annual conference of the South African Society for Agricultural Extension (SASAE) and Agricultural Extension Week, currently underway in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

    This historic centenary coincides with the inaugural South African Agricultural Extension Week and the 58 Conference of the South African Society for Agricultural Extension.

    The annual conference of SASAE aims to address critical issues in agricultural extension and development.

    This year’s conference is held under the theme: “Leveraging innovation and technology to enhance Extension and Advisory Services for sustainable agriculture, improved livelihoods and food security.”

    The week-long event includes field visits to eight diverse agricultural projects, ranging from rooftop urban farming at Morningside Mall, to hemp farming, egg production, and both crop and livestock farming, amongst others.

    During the conference, delegates will also engage with scientific presentations delivered by extension practitioners, professors, and doctoral researchers from top South African universities, to further enhance agricultural production and intensify the national fight against hunger and food insecurity.

    In his keynote address on Monday, Steenhuisen said the centenary marks not only a historic achievement since the establishment of formal extension services in South Africa in 1925, but also a “renewed commitment to ensuring that agricultural extension remains at the heart of inclusive rural development, food security, and knowledge transfer in our country.”.”

    “Agriculture is the bedrock of South Africa’s economy and society. It ensures food security, supports rural livelihoods, and drives employment. However, it is the work of our extension practitioners that truly unlocks the potential of our producers, particularly smallholders who depend on support, advice, and innovation,” Steenhuisen said.

    He also emphasised that extension practitioners provide practical, tailored advice that helps producers improve productivity, adopt sustainable practices, manage risks, and access markets.

    The Minister underscored the critical role extension practitioners play in providing practical, tailored advice that helps producers improve productivity, adopt sustainable practices, manage risks, and access markets.

    “Their role underpins the entire agricultural value chain, which contributes about 12% to the national gross domestic product (GDP). Notably, the agricultural sector grew by 15,8% in the first quarter of 2025 – a growth driven in no small part by the work done by extension practitioners.”

    Support for smallholders

    To enhance support for producers, particularly smallholders, Steenhuisen announced the rollout of the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) approach, implemented in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

    “This “market-oriented agriculture” model is already bearing fruit, with 18 extension officers trained in Japan last year and another 20 scheduled to depart this October. The department will also prioritise assistance to women, youth, and persons with disabilities in the agricultural sector as these groups often face the greatest barriers.

    “To support this, the department will employ 260 assistant agricultural practitioners this year, strengthening its capacity to deliver extension services. The department’s Farmer Field School (FFS) initiative, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), is also being expanded from its current base in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Northern Cape,” the Minister said.

    He further emphasised the need to make agriculture a career of choice for young people by showing them its breadth, “from agritech and agro-processing to entrepreneurship and policy.” – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • Sensex, Nifty end with slight gains as investors remain cautious

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian stock markets ended flat with a slight positive bias on Tuesday, as investors stayed cautious ahead of the US reciprocal tariff deadline on July 8.

    The focus remained on trade negotiations between India and the United States, with a potential trade deal expected this week.

    After touching an intraday high of 83,874.29, the Sensex finally closed at 83,697.29, gaining 90.83 points or 0.11 per cent.

    Similarly, the Nifty added 24.75 points, or 0.1 per cent, to settle at 25,541.8.

    Among the 30-share index, BEL emerged as the top gainer, closing 2.51 per cent higher. Other notable gainers included Asian Paints, Kotak Mahindra Bank, HDFC Bank, Infosys, Titan, and Bharti Airtel.

    On the flip side, Axis Bank, Trent, Eternal (formerly Zomato), Tech Mahindra, ICICI Bank, and TCS were among the top losers.

    The broader market showed mixed signals. The Nifty Midcap100 index ended flat, while the Nifty Smallcap100 slipped slightly, down 0.10 per cent.

    Among sectoral indices, Nifty PSU Bank, Metal, Oil & Gas, Consumer Durables, Healthcare, and Pharma closed in the green. However, sectors like Auto, IT, Energy, FMCG, Media, and Realty declined.

    The total market capitalisation of all listed companies on the NSE stood at Rs 5.36 trillion.

    On the volatility front, the India VIX — which measures market uncertainty — dropped 2.01 per cent to close at 12.5, indicating reduced fear among investors.

    Gold traded positive as continued dollar weakness supported prices. Comex Gold surged by $30 to $3,345, while MCX Gold rose by Rs 1,200 to settle around Rs 97,300.

    “The sentiment remains buoyant this week, driven by expectations around key US economic data, particularly the Non-Farm Payrolls, unemployment figures, and ADP non-farm employment change,” said Jateen Trivedi of LKP Securities.

    Additionally, the rupee traded positive, gaining 0.28 per cent to close at 85.51, supported by a weaker Dollar Index trading below 97.00 and sustained weakness in crude oil prices.

    “Rupee is expected to trade in a range of 85.20 to 85.80,” Trivedi added.

    -IANS

  • MIL-OSI Russia: /China Spotlight/ Young Generation Z Farmers in China Embrace Smart Farming

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    TAIYUAN, July 1 (Xinhua) — From AI-powered data analytics platforms to drones roaming the skies, young Generation Z farmers in China are actively adopting modern farming methods, redefining the very essence of being a farmer.

    Zoomers are generally defined as people born between 1995 and 2009 who grew up with access to the internet and digital technologies from an early age.

    Born and raised in a farming family in Yicheng County, north China’s Shanxi Province, 21-year-old Wang Huan still remembers the hardships of traditional farming in the pre-drone era of his childhood.

    “Back then, my family members had to carry tanks on their backs, manually spraying pesticides and fertilizers in the scorching summer sun. It seemed like there would be no end to the work,” he says.

    For Wang Huan, now an experienced drone pilot, the technology has revolutionized his life and work. He says a drone can spread two tons of fertilizer in just over a day, compared to four to five days it used to take farmers to do the same amount of work.

    In addition to drones, the young farmer also mastered other modern agricultural equipment: combines, seeders and balers.

    Stories like these are common across rural China. Ding Zehui, a native of Wanrong County in Shanxi Province, returned to his hometown after graduating from college last year to become a farmer.

    The 22-year-old joined a local cooperative that provides agricultural machinery rental services. He also convinced his family to buy an unmanned seed drill equipped with a Beidou navigation system, as it can operate around the clock, greatly improving the accuracy and efficiency of sowing.

    “Agricultural machinery is becoming more sophisticated, with air-conditioned cabins and more convenient controls. This has significantly improved working conditions,” the young man noted.

    As momentum for rural revitalization and agricultural modernization gathers pace in China, a new generation of tech-savvy young farmers like Wang Huan and Ding Zehui are aggressively adopting artificial intelligence, big data, advanced technology and smart machines to transform traditional farming methods once based on simple tools and backbreaking physical labor.

    Official data shows that the comprehensive mechanization rate of cultivation, planting and harvesting of agricultural crops in China has exceeded 75 percent. Moreover, as of 2024, more than 2.2 million units of agricultural machinery across the country have been equipped with the Beidou navigation system, helping them achieve world-leading levels of efficiency and precision in operation.

    The rise of smart farming is also giving farming a new, attractive image that is attracting young Chinese to the field. Unlike older generations, who often viewed farming as a humble, physically demanding job, today’s young Gen Z farmers bring a greater sense of pride and purpose to the job.

    “When you see a sea of wheat ready to be harvested at the end of a hard day’s work, no words can describe the sense of satisfaction you feel at that moment,” says Ding Zehui.

    Hashtags like “Zoomer tractor drivers” and “Zoomers transform their farm” regularly trend on Chinese social media, while creative videos like “drone farmer’s diary” and “AI pig farming vlog” go viral, racking up countless views. Last year, a video of young Chinese farmer Gao Yinghao arriving at his own wedding in a combine harvester caused a wave of admiration online.

    Wang Shumin, Wang Huan’s father and head of a local agricultural cooperative, said three of his son’s classmates, inspired by his example, joined the cooperative this year and quickly learned to operate various types of farm machinery.

    “They learn quickly, are genuinely passionate about farming and aren’t afraid of hard work,” he said. “Their results have exceeded my expectations.” -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Is Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend album cover satire or self-degradation? A psychology expert explores our reactions

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Katrina Muller-Townsend, Lecturer in Psychology, Edith Cowan University

    Island Records

    Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend album cover has fans divided.

    Carpenter poses on all fours, her glossy blond hair grasped by a male figure cropped from the frame. Her wide-eyed expression intensifies an ambiguous performance of subservience, tapping into a visual language tied to female objectification, from classic pin-up imagery to contemporary pop culture.

    The emotionally loaded image plays on her hyper-feminine, tongue-in-cheek pop star persona, forcing us to question where irony ends and objectification begins.

    Is it satire, or self-degradation?

    Up for debate

    At first glance, the cover seems like just another stylised, provocative pop image. It delivers what we’ve come to expect: a bold, ironic twist on the exaggerated Juno-style pose she reinvents on stage.

    To some fans, it’s clever satire: a pop star reclaiming and amplifying her image to mock industry norms. Satire uses exaggeration, irony, or humour to critique power structures – and Carpenter’s pose walks that tightrope.

    To others it crosses a line, reinforcing regressive attitudes about women’s sexuality and drawing criticism from domestic violence advocates.

    The debate reflects our unresolved discomfort about gender, power and control. There is a tension between Carpenter’s ironic persona and the submissive pose, creating uncertainty for the viewer.

    We can use psychology to better understand this dichotomy.

    The schema violation

    This mismatch between expectation and perception is a schema violation.

    A schema is a mental shortcut: a template built from experience and unspoken rules that helps us make sense of the world and predict what to expect. When something breaks that pattern, it’s called a schema violation.

    Carpenter’s brand is cheeky, self-aware irony – so when she adopts a pose steeped in submission and hyper-femininity as in this album image, it feels off.

    That can trigger cognitive dissonance: the mental tension we feel when two ideas (here, empowerment and obedience) don’t align.

    To resolve the conflict, some fans reinterpret the image as feminist sarcasm. Others reject it, fearing it panders to outdated, dangerous norms.

    Both reactions reflect our emotional and ideological investments in who Carpenter is or should be.

    Exploring confirmation bias

    Part of this conflicted reaction is driven by confirmation bias: our tendency to filter information to support what we already believe.

    Fans who see Carpenter as witty and empowered interpret the image as intentionally ironic. Others – more sceptical of the industry’s history of exploiting female sexuality – view it as a throwback to damaging norms.

    Either way, our interpretations often reflect more about ourselves than about Carpenter’s intent.

    When her image contradicts both her public persona and our social values, it creates a gap between what we think is right and what we want to be right. So, we try to explain it away, by either defending the image or criticising it.

    Satire and scandal

    Carpenter’s cover follows a long tradition of female artists whose work straddles satire and scandal, complicating public reception.

    Madonna’s Like a Prayer drew outrage for mixing religion with sexual imagery. Yet it positioned her as a provocateur – a woman resisting the lack of agency that so often defines sexualised media.

    Miley Cyrus’ Bangerz era shocked fans with a bold shift from Hannah Montana innocence to hypersexualised rebellion, challenging the narrow roles women in pop culture are confined to.

    Doja Cat’s shift from glam pop princess to glitch villainess unsettled audiences. Was it satire, rebellion, or just chaos?

    These women, like Carpenter, force us to confront our own discomfort with women who won’t stay in one lane.

    Performer and provocateur

    Audience reaction is also shaped by emotional investment in Carpenter’s persona. Through carefully curated social media, interviews and lyrics, fans build intimate narratives forming parasocial relationships – one-sided emotional bonds with celebrities.

    When an image contradicts that imagined persona, it can feel jarring, even like betrayal.

    Audiences often expect idols to be empowering but not polarising, sexy but safe, to challenge norms – but only in ways that affirm our own values.

    Carpenter’s image breaks that implicit contract, which creates discomfort for some viewers.

    Carpenter’s cover raises uncomfortable but necessary questions about how much freedom female artists have to be both critical and complicit. Can they play with society and play along, to be both performer and provocateur?

    This highlights the double bind many women face in media and popular culture. Female artists are expected to both subvert and satisfy; to entertain without offending; empower without alienating. The burden to be palatable and provocative is one male artists rarely face.

    It’s what we make of it

    Is Carpenter undermining herself or subverting the system? Perhaps both. Or perhaps the image isn’t the message: our reaction is.

    The image forces us to confront not only our perception of Sabrina Carpenter but also our cultural discomfort with women who defy neat categorisation. Satire demands interpretation, especially when it comes from women addressing sex or power.

    More than provocation, Carpenter’s cover mirrors our cultural struggle to accept women who defy simple labels of satire or submission. The image can reflect broader social ideals and tensions projected onto public figures.

    What we see says more about our assumptions than her intent. Understanding those reactions doesn’t kill the fun – it deepens it.

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

    – ref. Is Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend album cover satire or self-degradation? A psychology expert explores our reactions – https://theconversation.com/is-sabrina-carpenters-mans-best-friend-album-cover-satire-or-self-degradation-a-psychology-expert-explores-our-reactions-259043

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Ancient DNA reveals Maghreb communities preserved their culture and genes, even in a time of human migration

    Source: The Conversation – Africa (2) – By Giulio Lucarini, Senior Researcher, Institute of Heritage Science, National Research Council (CNR)

    Doukanet el Khoutifa, Tunisia, where some of the remains were found. Giulio Lucarini, CC BY-NC-ND

    The Neolithic period began in southwest Asia around 12,000 years ago. It marked a major shift in human history as societies transitioned from hunting and gathering to farming. This sparked migrations across Europe and dramatically reshaped the continent’s gene pool.

    For a long time, North Africa was seen as a passive participant in this transformation. The dominant narrative suggested that farming economies never fully took root there.

    Some studies proposed that North African communities actively resisted agriculture, except perhaps in the Nile Delta and the western Maghreb (modern-day Morocco). They continued to rely on land snails, wild plants, and hunting for survival. Only later, they also began herding domesticated sheep, goats, and cattle, introduced from southwest Asia.

    Genetic studies have only recently tested this reconstruction in North Africa. This has never been done in the eastern Maghreb (modern-day Tunisia and eastern Algeria) – until now.

    A burial at one of the study sites, SHM-1 (Hergla) in Tunisia.
    Simone Mulazzani, CC BY-NC-ND

    As an Africanist archaeologist, I specialise in the study of ancient societies across Mediterranean Africa and the Sahara. My focus is on how humans adapted to their environments and the rise of food production in these regions. I recently conducted research in the eastern Maghreb alongside an international team of archaeologists, geneticists, and physical anthropologists to trace ancient population movements.

    Our new study has just been published in Nature. We analysed the ancient genomes (complete DNA sequences) of nine individuals who lived in the eastern Maghreb between 15,000 and 6,000 years ago.

    This may seem like a small sample. But, in the field of ancient DNA research, even a few well-preserved genomes can provide significant insights. They serve as reference points for tracing genetic lineages and identifying ancestral connections.

    By adding genetic evidence to broader archaeological findings, we reconstructed patterns of population continuity, interaction and change over thousands of years.

    Our results were striking. It’s clear from these genomes that some influence from farmers did reach north Africa from across the Mediterranean. But much of the genetic makeup of the eastern Maghreb populations remained rooted in their ancient foraging heritage.

    This challenges the long-held narrative about migration into and out of north Africa before and during the Neolithic. It deepens our understanding of the past and highlights the incredible complexity of human movement and cultural exchange.

    As we continue to unravel the genetic legacy of our ancestors, studies like this remind us of the complexity of human history. They show that the history of agriculture in the Mediterranean was not merely one of population replacement. Rather, it was a tale of cultural exchange, adaptation and continuity.

    And researching these ancient human movements is more than just a matter of understanding history. It also provides insights into the patterns of migration and adaptation that can help us understand similar processes today.

    Extraction and analysis

    A map of the eastern Maghreb showing the study sites (1: Afalou Bou Rhummel; 2: Djebba; 3: Doukanet el Khoutifa; 4: SHM-1, Hergla)
    Giulio Lucarini, CC BY-NC-ND

    We worked with ancient genomes extracted from human skeletal remains housed in museum or heritage institution collections. They came from excavations at four sites Afalou Bou Rhummel, Djebba, Doukanet el Khoutifa and SHM-1 (Hergla), all in the eastern Maghreb.

    We chose the specimens because they were well-preserved, which is not always the case with ancient DNA.

    The analysis found that some of the sampled individuals possessed European farmer ancestry around 7,000 years ago. Europeans contributed some genes to the region – but no more than 20% per individual.

    Excavation of human remains at Doukanet el Khoutifa, Tunisia.
    Giulio Lucarini, CC BY-NC-ND

    This is a modest genetic influence compared to ancient western Maghreb populations where, at some sites, European farmer ancestry can reach as high as 80%.

    Our findings suggest that food-producing economies were introduced to the eastern Maghreb not by a large-scale replacement of the population (as seen in Europe) but more gradually. Change happened through sporadic migrations, mixing of cultures, and the spread of knowledge.

    Across sea and land

    One of the most intriguing discoveries was the genetic trace of European hunter-gatherers found in one individual from Djebba, Tunisia, dating to around 8,000 years ago. This suggests that early European and north African populations could interact via seafaring routes across the Strait of Sicily.

    Researchers have long known that cultural exchange took place across the Mediterranean. We see this from the spread of technologies such as the so-called pressure technique – a method of shaping stone tools by carefully applying force with a pointed implement rather than striking the stone directly.

    The discovery in Tunisia of obsidian (volcano glass) from Pantelleria, a small island in the Strait of Sicily, strengthens the link between the Mediterranean’s northern and southern shores.

    Prehistoric wooden artefacts are seldom preserved over time. This may explain the absence of boat remains from this period in North Africa. However, dugout canoes from similar periods found in central Italy (Bracciano Lake) suggest that seafaring skills were well established around the Mediterranean. While there is no direct evidence linking these specific canoes to connections between Europe and North Africa, they support the idea that navigation was within the technological capabilities of the time.

    Our study is the first time the connections suggested by this existing evidence have been substantiated genetically.



    Read more:
    Discovery of 5,000-year-old farming society in Morocco fills a major gap in history – north-west Africa was a central player in trade and culture

    Another exciting aspect of our study is the identification of early Levantine (modern southwest Asia)-related ancestry in the eastern Maghreb. This was detected in human remains dated to around 6,800 years ago. It’s a genetic signature that postdates the arrival of European farmer ancestry by several centuries. It likely reflects the movement of people associated with early pastoralism, who introduced domesticated animals, such as sheep and goats, to the region.

    Backing up archaeological evidence

    It is especially rewarding to see the genetic evidence aligning with the archaeological record. This underscores the value of multidisciplinary research in uncovering past human dynamics.

    What emerges overall is a region of strong genetic and cultural resilience, consistent with archaeological evidence.

    Giulio Lucarini receives funding for this study from the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) and ISMEO – International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies, Italy. He is affiliated with the National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Heritage Science (CNR-ISPC).

    This study resulted from a collaboration between the following institutions: Harvard University, USA; the Max Planck Institute, Germany; the National Research Council of Italy (CNR); the Institut National du Patrimoine (INP), Tunisia; the Centre National de Recherche Préhistorique, Anthropologique et Historique (CNRPAH), Algeria; the Institut de Paléontologie Humaine (IPH), France; the University of Vienna, Austria; Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; and ISMEO – International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies, Italy.

    – ref. Ancient DNA reveals Maghreb communities preserved their culture and genes, even in a time of human migration – https://theconversation.com/ancient-dna-reveals-maghreb-communities-preserved-their-culture-and-genes-even-in-a-time-of-human-migration-248338

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 90 promising projects selected for the Moscow Innovator competition

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Over five thousand participants registered to take part in the Moscow Innovator competition. Based on the results of an independent innovative-technological, scientific, legal and economic assessment, 90 most promising projects, the authors of which will present their solutions to industry experts on July 14.

    The Moscow Mayor’s Competition is aimed at those who offer real technologies of the future — from crop protection without chemicals to systems against voice deepfakes. Its participants are young inventors, startup teams, scientists, and students. Thanks to the competition, science-intensive projects can attract partners, investors, and help Muscovites.

    Competition nominations

    Participants of the “Moscow Innovator” competition compete in three nominations. These are “Project of the Future” – ideas at the prototype stage (prize – from 100 to 500 thousand rubles), “Reality Changers” – MVP and ready-made models (prize – from 150 thousand to one million rubles), “Innovation Leaders” – finished products with revenue and with a created legal entity (prize – from 200 thousand to 1.5 million rubles).

    Each nomination includes six areas: improvement and construction, industry, medicine and pharmaceuticals, transport and logistics, ecology and environmental protection, public projects. On July 14, the participants will present their developments at a demoday. Based on the results of the final defense, the expert committee will select 36 winners and prize winners, who will be awarded the Moscow Mayor’s Prize.

    Finalist projects

    Some finalists have made real technological breakthroughs. Among them is CropPhage, a biogel with bacteriophages that protects fruits from pathogenic bacteria without harming people. It extends the shelf life of fruits and vegetables for retailers, and also helps farmers prevent seed infections. The drug is still in development, but has already proven its effectiveness: phages act precisely and remain effective for more than seven days. This is an alternative to chemicals that can reduce food losses and their price.

    Another development is Kolobox, a mobile application that saves food from being thrown away. Cafes and bakeries place surprise boxes with sets of ready-made meals at a discount of up to 70 percent. Users take away tasty and cheap food without knowing in advance what is inside. This has become the service’s specialty. 700 establishments have already connected to it, and 7.5 tons of food have been saved in nine months.

    Among the developments is a smart app for apartment maintenance called Tools. Using a photo, you can get a forecast: where a pipe might leak or an outlet might break down soon. All this is recorded in a digital technical passport of the home. Thus, the AI service helps with accepting an apartment, renting it out, and arranging insurance.

    In addition, one of the finalist projects is BlockPrint, a 3D printing technology for houses. The panels, like Lego, are printed on a printer and assembled on site. This allows you to save energy, quickly and without harm to the environment to build a house. The solution is suitable for eco-villages, temporary housing and the development of new areas.

    The development of the Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov — an intelligent system for scanning urban air — is also in the final. Special sensors are installed on trams and electric buses, creating a map of Moscow’s air pollution in real time. This allows monitoring the environmental situation in the capital and responding to its deterioration in a targeted and prompt manner.

    Another solution that made it to the final was “Barn Owl” — an artificial intelligence that can distinguish a deepfake from a real voice. The technology has already been tested: it recognizes fakes in calls with an accuracy of up to 99 percent. The development is suitable for banks, telecom operators, and security services.

    The finalists’ developments also include monitoring of urban infrastructure based on a fiber-optic distributed sensor — high-tech sensors on already laid fiber-optic lines. They track leaks, dips, voids, vibrations and can prevent accidents. Suitable for metro, roads and tunnels.

    Paper sorbent for oil spill response — developed by the Russian State University of Oil and Gas named after I.M. Gubkin — is a budget tool for collecting oil spills. This solution can be used both in the city and at offshore fields. The sorbent is made from recycled paper, absorbs better than its analogues and does not harm the environment.

    The Moscow Innovator competition has been held since 2020, and over 16,000 people have taken part in it. 174 projects won prizes, sharing over 100 million rubles. The list of the 90 best projects can be found at the link.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/156039073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: A new ‘prac payment’ has just kicked in. But it ignores many uni students

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Lambert, Associate Professor Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Wollongong

    Fly View Productions/ Getting Images

    On Tuesday, some Australian university students got access to a new payment. The Commonwealth Prac Payment is available to eligible teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students.

    It will provide A$331.65 a week during compulsory professional placements, to help with living and study expenses. This could include travel, accommodation, uniforms and lost income from other employment.

    But while the payment is a much-needed step in the right direction, many students are still missing out.

    Who’s not covered?

    The prac payment was a recommendation from the federal government’s 2024 Universities Accord review. It is designed to help students complete essential professional placements, so they can graduate and enter the workforce.

    But numerous other health degrees with time-consuming work placements are excluded from the payment.

    This includes medicine, physiotherapy, dietetics, psychology, radiography and other allied health professions. Veterinary medicine students are also ineligible. Many of these professions are also experiencing serious workforce shortages.

    The payment is also only available to teaching, nursing and social work students who already qualify for Ausstudy (the income support payment for students and apprentices who are 25 and over).

    So this means the prac payment is means tested. It is also considered taxable income and paid at the rate of Austudy – which is not generous. The basic Austudy rate is below the national poverty line.

    The payment is also only available to Australian domestic students, even though many international heath students end up working in the Australian health system after graduating.

    Why is this an issue?

    Researchers, including ourselves, use the term “placement poverty” to describe the impact mandatory placements can have on students. It can be a major barrier to students completing their degrees.

    Students have repeatedly described widespread impacts of doing up to 1,000 hours of unpaid work to graduate – taking a toll on their income and mental health.

    Kelly Lambert’s 2024 research suggests health and teaching students can incur a further $12,500–15,000 to the cost of degrees during unpaid placements.

    Students have explained the placement hours mean they can’t work in their regular paid casual or part-time jobs – and may lose this work as a result.

    What does this mean for students?

    In the short term, if students are not supported to complete their placements, they may not have enough money for food or accommodation.

    Our research found 29% of teaching and allied health students regularly skip meals while on placement. Some students also described sleeping in cars or driving excessive distances due to limited or expensive accommodation options near their placements.

    If students are not supported in their placements, research suggests they can experience burnout and may not finish their degrees. Or they may not even begin them in the first place.

    This is particularly the case for students from regional or rural communities (who may have further to travel), students with parenting or caring responsibilities, and students from low economic and otherwise disadvantaged backgrounds.

    We also know its important to support students to do placements in rural, regional and remote areas – students who complete placements in these communities are more likely to return and work in those communities.

    What do we need to do instead?

    As a first measure, the government should expand eligibility criteria for the current payment to include other health disciplines and those who don’t currently meet the means testing threshold.

    Research tells us financial hardship is not confined to students who qualify for Austudy, it is experienced across the board.

    Students have also suggested interest-free short-term loans, subsidised parking (similar to hospital employees), and greater transparency about the costs associated with unpaid placements. International students have also said public transport subsidies would help them complete their placements.

    Other, more significant changes could include apprenticeship-type compensation models for healthcare students, where students get paid to study as part of their training. These schemes are already available in Scotland.

    Ultimately, we want to support more students to do health and teaching degrees to fill workforce gaps – not discourage them with high costs of studying.

    Kelly Lambert has received funding from the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success.

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

    – ref. A new ‘prac payment’ has just kicked in. But it ignores many uni students – https://theconversation.com/a-new-prac-payment-has-just-kicked-in-but-it-ignores-many-uni-students-260087

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: A new ‘prac payment’ has just kicked in. But it ignores many uni students

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Lambert, Associate Professor Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Wollongong

    Fly View Productions/ Getting Images

    On Tuesday, some Australian university students got access to a new payment. The Commonwealth Prac Payment is available to eligible teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students.

    It will provide A$331.65 a week during compulsory professional placements, to help with living and study expenses. This could include travel, accommodation, uniforms and lost income from other employment.

    But while the payment is a much-needed step in the right direction, many students are still missing out.

    Who’s not covered?

    The prac payment was a recommendation from the federal government’s 2024 Universities Accord review. It is designed to help students complete essential professional placements, so they can graduate and enter the workforce.

    But numerous other health degrees with time-consuming work placements are excluded from the payment.

    This includes medicine, physiotherapy, dietetics, psychology, radiography and other allied health professions. Veterinary medicine students are also ineligible. Many of these professions are also experiencing serious workforce shortages.

    The payment is also only available to teaching, nursing and social work students who already qualify for Ausstudy (the income support payment for students and apprentices who are 25 and over).

    So this means the prac payment is means tested. It is also considered taxable income and paid at the rate of Austudy – which is not generous. The basic Austudy rate is below the national poverty line.

    The payment is also only available to Australian domestic students, even though many international heath students end up working in the Australian health system after graduating.

    Why is this an issue?

    Researchers, including ourselves, use the term “placement poverty” to describe the impact mandatory placements can have on students. It can be a major barrier to students completing their degrees.

    Students have repeatedly described widespread impacts of doing up to 1,000 hours of unpaid work to graduate – taking a toll on their income and mental health.

    Kelly Lambert’s 2024 research suggests health and teaching students can incur a further $12,500–15,000 to the cost of degrees during unpaid placements.

    Students have explained the placement hours mean they can’t work in their regular paid casual or part-time jobs – and may lose this work as a result.

    What does this mean for students?

    In the short term, if students are not supported to complete their placements, they may not have enough money for food or accommodation.

    Our research found 29% of teaching and allied health students regularly skip meals while on placement. Some students also described sleeping in cars or driving excessive distances due to limited or expensive accommodation options near their placements.

    If students are not supported in their placements, research suggests they can experience burnout and may not finish their degrees. Or they may not even begin them in the first place.

    This is particularly the case for students from regional or rural communities (who may have further to travel), students with parenting or caring responsibilities, and students from low economic and otherwise disadvantaged backgrounds.

    We also know its important to support students to do placements in rural, regional and remote areas – students who complete placements in these communities are more likely to return and work in those communities.

    What do we need to do instead?

    As a first measure, the government should expand eligibility criteria for the current payment to include other health disciplines and those who don’t currently meet the means testing threshold.

    Research tells us financial hardship is not confined to students who qualify for Austudy, it is experienced across the board.

    Students have also suggested interest-free short-term loans, subsidised parking (similar to hospital employees), and greater transparency about the costs associated with unpaid placements. International students have also said public transport subsidies would help them complete their placements.

    Other, more significant changes could include apprenticeship-type compensation models for healthcare students, where students get paid to study as part of their training. These schemes are already available in Scotland.

    Ultimately, we want to support more students to do health and teaching degrees to fill workforce gaps – not discourage them with high costs of studying.

    Kelly Lambert has received funding from the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success.

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

    – ref. A new ‘prac payment’ has just kicked in. But it ignores many uni students – https://theconversation.com/a-new-prac-payment-has-just-kicked-in-but-it-ignores-many-uni-students-260087

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: Completion of the combination between Netcompany Banking Services and SDC and update on financial guidance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company announcement
    No. 16/2025

    1 July 2025

    Completion of the combination between Netcompany Banking Services and SDC and update on financial guidance

    Today, Netcompany Group A/S (“Netcompany”) has completed the previously announced agreement of 10 February 2025, namely a transaction between Netcompany, SDC A/S (“SDC”), and a majority of SDC’s shareholders whereby a newly formed company of Netcompany and SDC would merge into a combined company fully owned by Netcompany. The transaction values SDC at DKK 1 billion and includes a cash payment of DKK 1 billion from Netcompany to SDC’s shareholders.

    The transaction with SDC provides a strong foothold for Netcompany in the financial services industry, which is the highest spending vertical within IT services in Europe. In 2025, the total addressable market in DK, NO, and SE is estimated to be more than DKK 44 billion and the market is expected to grow more than 10% annually towards 2028, supporting Netcompany’s ambition of delivering continued sustainable organic growth.

    André Rogaczewski, CEO Netcompany states:
    “As we conclude the transaction with SDC, I am excited to welcome our new colleagues to Netcompany. This transaction positions Netcompany at the forefront of digital innovation in the banking sector. Together, we are embarking on a journey to redefine banking services, making them smarter, more efficient, and more customer-centric.
    We are excited about the opportunities this transaction presents within the financial services industry and expect this transaction to create innovative and best-in-class services in Denmark, Scandinavia, and the rest of Europe”  

    Klaus Skjødt, CEO Sparekassen Kronjylland states:  
    “We are excited about the future and eager to realise the full potential of this transaction and to take all the knowledge that SDC has spent over 60 years building to the next level.
    Our combined expertise and resources will empower us to deliver cutting-edge solutions and drive transformative change across the industry. I am confident that our partnership will enhance the banking experience for all stakeholders and set new standards for what both banks and their customers can expect in the future.”

    Transaction details

    • Netcompany has acquired 100% of the shares in SDC for a cash consideration of DKK 1 billion. Netcompany has made the acquisition through the newly formed company – Netcompany Banking Services A/S – which has merged with SDC resulting in a fully owned subsidiary of Netcompany in which the activities of SDC are embedded.
    • The cash consideration is funded by way of utilising current credit facilities. The transaction is fully debt financed within the existing covenants.
    • Due to integration costs, the transaction is expected to have a dilutive impact on EPS for the financial year 2025.
    • The transaction is expected to be EPS accretive (diluted) to Netcompany from the financial year 2026 compared to the financial year 2024. Furthermore, the transaction is expected to be double-digit percentage EPS accretive (diluted) by the financial year 2028 – also compared to the financial year 2024.
    • Following the completion of the transaction, Netcompany Banking Services A/S intends to renounce the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Financial Services Union for employees in Finance (in Danish: “Finansforbundet”) and Finance Denmark (in Danish: Finans Danmark), including associated protocols, local agreements, customs, etc. The reason for the intended renunciation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement is that Netcompany operates as a provider of IT services and not as a company within the financial sector.
    • To accelerate further collaboration and support integration, all employees in SDC, who are currently based in SDC’s headquarters in Ballerup, will move to Netcompany’s headquarters in Copenhagen as of the beginning of January 2026.  

    Financial guidance
    Financial guidance for 2025 for Netcompany on a stand-alone basis, as disclosed in the Annual Report 2024, is based on organic performance metrics and hence maintained. Organic revenue growth is expected between 5% and 10% and the adjusted EBITDA margin between 16% and 19%.

    In connection with the release of the Q2 Interim Report on 14 August 2025, Netcompany will disclose expected non-organic revenue and non-organic EBITDA for 2025 which accounts for the incorporation of SDC into Netcompany Banking Services for the full second half of 2025.

    In connection with the Q3 Interim Report on 30 October 2025, Netcompany will disclose expected annual synergies as well as transaction – and integration costs, including provision for restructuring costs associated with the realisation of future synergies. In addition, a full purchase price allocation will be included in the Q3 Interim Report.

    Netcompany expects to reinitiate its share buyback programmes in connection with the Q2 Interim Report on 14 August 2025. Leverage at the end of 2025 is expected to be around 1.5x.

    As a consequence of the completion of the transaction, Netcompany’s financial aspirations for 2026 and 2027 regarding margin and revenue targets will be revised to reflect the incorporation of SDC and for this reason, the previously communicated targets are no longer relevant. The ambition to buy back shares for a total of DKK 2bn in the period from 2024 until the end of 2026 persists. Revised long-term financial aspirations will be communicated in connection with a Capital Markets Day on 31 October 2025.

    Additional information
    For additional information, please contact:

    Netcompany Group A/S
    Media:
    Jacob Therkelsen, Head of PR and Public Affairs, +45 31 12 67 08

    Investors:
    Thomas Johansen, CFO, + 45 51 19 32 24
    Frederikke Linde, Head of IR, +45 60 62 60 87

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Completion of the combination between Netcompany Banking Services and SDC and update on financial guidance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company announcement
    No. 16/2025

    1 July 2025

    Completion of the combination between Netcompany Banking Services and SDC and update on financial guidance

    Today, Netcompany Group A/S (“Netcompany”) has completed the previously announced agreement of 10 February 2025, namely a transaction between Netcompany, SDC A/S (“SDC”), and a majority of SDC’s shareholders whereby a newly formed company of Netcompany and SDC would merge into a combined company fully owned by Netcompany. The transaction values SDC at DKK 1 billion and includes a cash payment of DKK 1 billion from Netcompany to SDC’s shareholders.

    The transaction with SDC provides a strong foothold for Netcompany in the financial services industry, which is the highest spending vertical within IT services in Europe. In 2025, the total addressable market in DK, NO, and SE is estimated to be more than DKK 44 billion and the market is expected to grow more than 10% annually towards 2028, supporting Netcompany’s ambition of delivering continued sustainable organic growth.

    André Rogaczewski, CEO Netcompany states:
    “As we conclude the transaction with SDC, I am excited to welcome our new colleagues to Netcompany. This transaction positions Netcompany at the forefront of digital innovation in the banking sector. Together, we are embarking on a journey to redefine banking services, making them smarter, more efficient, and more customer-centric.
    We are excited about the opportunities this transaction presents within the financial services industry and expect this transaction to create innovative and best-in-class services in Denmark, Scandinavia, and the rest of Europe”  

    Klaus Skjødt, CEO Sparekassen Kronjylland states:  
    “We are excited about the future and eager to realise the full potential of this transaction and to take all the knowledge that SDC has spent over 60 years building to the next level.
    Our combined expertise and resources will empower us to deliver cutting-edge solutions and drive transformative change across the industry. I am confident that our partnership will enhance the banking experience for all stakeholders and set new standards for what both banks and their customers can expect in the future.”

    Transaction details

    • Netcompany has acquired 100% of the shares in SDC for a cash consideration of DKK 1 billion. Netcompany has made the acquisition through the newly formed company – Netcompany Banking Services A/S – which has merged with SDC resulting in a fully owned subsidiary of Netcompany in which the activities of SDC are embedded.
    • The cash consideration is funded by way of utilising current credit facilities. The transaction is fully debt financed within the existing covenants.
    • Due to integration costs, the transaction is expected to have a dilutive impact on EPS for the financial year 2025.
    • The transaction is expected to be EPS accretive (diluted) to Netcompany from the financial year 2026 compared to the financial year 2024. Furthermore, the transaction is expected to be double-digit percentage EPS accretive (diluted) by the financial year 2028 – also compared to the financial year 2024.
    • Following the completion of the transaction, Netcompany Banking Services A/S intends to renounce the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Financial Services Union for employees in Finance (in Danish: “Finansforbundet”) and Finance Denmark (in Danish: Finans Danmark), including associated protocols, local agreements, customs, etc. The reason for the intended renunciation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement is that Netcompany operates as a provider of IT services and not as a company within the financial sector.
    • To accelerate further collaboration and support integration, all employees in SDC, who are currently based in SDC’s headquarters in Ballerup, will move to Netcompany’s headquarters in Copenhagen as of the beginning of January 2026.  

    Financial guidance
    Financial guidance for 2025 for Netcompany on a stand-alone basis, as disclosed in the Annual Report 2024, is based on organic performance metrics and hence maintained. Organic revenue growth is expected between 5% and 10% and the adjusted EBITDA margin between 16% and 19%.

    In connection with the release of the Q2 Interim Report on 14 August 2025, Netcompany will disclose expected non-organic revenue and non-organic EBITDA for 2025 which accounts for the incorporation of SDC into Netcompany Banking Services for the full second half of 2025.

    In connection with the Q3 Interim Report on 30 October 2025, Netcompany will disclose expected annual synergies as well as transaction – and integration costs, including provision for restructuring costs associated with the realisation of future synergies. In addition, a full purchase price allocation will be included in the Q3 Interim Report.

    Netcompany expects to reinitiate its share buyback programmes in connection with the Q2 Interim Report on 14 August 2025. Leverage at the end of 2025 is expected to be around 1.5x.

    As a consequence of the completion of the transaction, Netcompany’s financial aspirations for 2026 and 2027 regarding margin and revenue targets will be revised to reflect the incorporation of SDC and for this reason, the previously communicated targets are no longer relevant. The ambition to buy back shares for a total of DKK 2bn in the period from 2024 until the end of 2026 persists. Revised long-term financial aspirations will be communicated in connection with a Capital Markets Day on 31 October 2025.

    Additional information
    For additional information, please contact:

    Netcompany Group A/S
    Media:
    Jacob Therkelsen, Head of PR and Public Affairs, +45 31 12 67 08

    Investors:
    Thomas Johansen, CFO, + 45 51 19 32 24
    Frederikke Linde, Head of IR, +45 60 62 60 87

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 2 polls have Tasmania headed for another hung parliament, but disagree on which party is ahead

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

    Two Tasmanian state polls imply another hung parliament at the July 19 election under Tasmania’s proportional system. In one of these polls, Labor leads the Liberals, while in the other the Liberals lead.

    A Tasmanian snap state election will be held on July 19, just 16 months after the previous election in March 2024. This election is being held owing to a successful early June no-confidence vote in Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

    Tasmania uses the proportional Hare-Clark system to elect its lower house. There are five electorates corresponding to Tasmania’s five federal seats, and each electorate returns seven members, for a total of 35 lower house MPs.

    Under this system, a quota for election is one-eighth of the vote or 12.5%, but half of this (6.2%) is usually enough to give a reasonable chance of election. There’s no above the line section like for the federal Senate. Instead, people vote for candidates not parties, with at least seven preferences required for a formal vote.

    Robson rotation means that candidates for each party are randomised across ballot papers for that electorate, so that on some ballot papers a candidate will appear at the top of their party’s ticket and on others at the bottom.

    This means parties can’t control the ordering of their candidates. Independents can be listed in single-candidate columns.

    At the last election, the Liberals won 14 of the 35 seats, Labor ten, the Greens five, the Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN) three and independents three. Two of the three JLN MPs were later expelled from their party, but remained in parliament as independents.

    Candidate nominations were declared last Friday. There are 31 candidates in Bass, 38 in Braddon, 26 in Clark, 31 in Franklin and 35 in Lyons, for a total of 161 candidates, or 4.6 candidates per vacancy.

    The JLN isn’t running candidates, but the Nationals are running in Bass, Braddon and Lyons, and they include two former JLN MPs. Previous Tasmanian attempts by the Nationals have been failures, with their last effort in 2014 earning them just 0.8% of the statewide vote.

    YouGov and DemosAU polls

    A Tasmanian YouGov poll, conducted June 12–24 from a sample of 1,287, gave Labor 34% of the vote, the Liberals 31%, the Greens 13%, independents 18% and others 4%. Despite trailing on voting intentions, Rockliff led Labor’s Dean Winter by 43–36 as preferred premier.

    Respondents were asked to select the three most important items they wanted their candidate to agree with. Investing more in health was selected by 52%, building more public housing by 45% and reducing state debt by taxing those who can afford to pay by 41%.

    Opposing privatisation and asset sales was selected by 34%, while supporting privatisation was selected by 18%. Being anti-Macquarie AFL stadium was selected by 33%, while being pro-stadium was selected by 22%. When asked specifically about privatisation, voters were opposed by 47–36.

    Analyst Kevin Bonham reported a DemosAU poll, conducted June 19–26 from a sample of 4,289, gave the Liberals 34% of the vote, Labor 27.3%, the Greens 15.1% and independents 19.3%, leaving 4.7% presumably for others. This poll was originally reported in The Advocate, and was taken for an “unnamed peak body”.

    Bonham thinks it is likely that the independent vote in both these polls is overstated. These polls were both conducted before nominations were declared.

    If the DemosAU poll is correct, the Liberals would be likely to win more seats than Labor, while Labor would be likely to win more seats if the YouGov poll is right. But in both cases, the winning party would be well short of the 18 seats needed for a single-party majority.

    From 2010 to 2014, Labor governed in coalition with the Greens, and its heavy loss at the 2014 election was widely blamed on this coalition. Labor has tried to distance itself from the Greens since. In the last parliament, Labor may have been able to form government with the Greens’ assistance, but they refused to attempt to form one.

    If the YouGov poll is right, Labor may be able to form government with independents and not require the Greens. If the DemosAU poll is right, the result of this election is likely to be similar to the 2024 result, and Labor would need the Greens and some independents to form government.

    Federal Morgan poll: Labor far ahead

    A national Morgan poll, conducted June 23–29 from a sample of 1,522, gave federal Labor a 57.5–42.5 lead by headline respondent preferences, a 0.5-point gain for the Coalition since the June 2–22 Morgan poll.

    Primary votes were 36.5% Labor (down one), 30.5% Coalition (down 0.5), 12% Greens (steady), 8.5% One Nation (up 2.5) and 12.5% for all Others (down one). Using 2025 election preference flows, Labor’s lead was reduced to 56.5–43.5.

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

    – ref. 2 polls have Tasmania headed for another hung parliament, but disagree on which party is ahead – https://theconversation.com/2-polls-have-tasmania-headed-for-another-hung-parliament-but-disagree-on-which-party-is-ahead-260062

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • Amit Shah chairs ‘Manthan Baithak’ to mark International Year of Cooperatives 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, chaired a “Manthan Baithak” with Cooperation Ministers from all States and Union Territories in New Delhi on Monday. The meeting was organised to commemorate the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025 and was hosted by the Ministry of Cooperation.

    In his address, Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi established the Ministry of Cooperation to revive India’s long-standing tradition of cooperation while addressing present-day needs.

    Highlighting the transformative work done over the past decade, Shah said, “When the Modi government came to power in 2014, nearly 60 to 70 crore people lacked basic facilities and had lived for generations in scarcity. In ten years, the government has provided housing, toilets, drinking water, food grains, healthcare, gas cylinders, and other essential facilities to crores of people.”

    He added that those who had benefited now aspired to become entrepreneurs but lacked sufficient capital. “For them, cooperation is the only way to do meaningful work with their limited resources,” he said, stressing that cooperation is vital for employment generation in a country of 140 crore people.

    Shah emphasised the need to revitalise cooperation for the welfare of small farmers and rural communities, noting that the sector holds vast potential. “With sensitivity, we must bring cooperation back to life,” he said.

    He also shared that the Government of India has launched 60 initiatives to ensure that every citizen secures employment and lives with dignity. One key step, he said, is the creation of the National Cooperative Database to identify gaps and ensure that every village has at least one cooperative institution. “Our goal is that within five years, there should not be a single village in the country without a cooperative,” Shah said.

    He pointed out three main reasons for the weakening of the cooperative movement in the past: outdated laws, lack of expansion, and nepotism in recruitments. “The Modi government has amended the laws and conceived the idea of the Tribhuvan Sahkari University to train cooperative personnel,” he said. He urged every state to establish at least one cooperative training institution affiliated with the Tribhuvan Sahkari University to strengthen the training system.

    Shah said that a new National Cooperative Policy will be introduced soon, covering the period from 2025 to 2045, leading up to the centenary of India’s independence. He said, “Under this policy, each state will prepare its own cooperative policy according to local needs and conditions. Every state should announce its cooperative policy before January 31, 2026.”

    He also called for discipline, innovation and transparency in the sector through the Model National Cooperative Policy Act. Stressing the importance of timely implementation, he said the target of setting up two lakh Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) for the financial year 2025–26 must be achieved by February next year.

    “Now that cooperative banks come under the Banking Act, and the Reserve Bank of India has shown flexibility, remaining issues can only be resolved if we run these banks transparently and recruit staff based on merit,” he said, underlining the need for transparency in Credit Cooperative Societies and Urban Cooperative Banks.

    Promoting natural farming was another key area of focus. Shah urged all State Cooperation Ministers to work with their Agriculture counterparts to encourage natural farming, which, he said, would benefit both public health and the environment.

    He further said that ‘Cooperation Amongst Cooperatives’ has been a proven and successful model in Gujarat and should be replicated nationwide. “This initiative is crucial for building national capacity and strengthening cooperatives across India,” he added.

    The meeting also discussed progress on setting up two lakh Multi-Purpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (M-PACS) and the promotion of dairy and fisheries cooperatives to boost rural service delivery. The implementation of the world’s largest grain storage scheme in the cooperative sector was reviewed in detail.

     

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Awards – Five farmer advocates recognised for outstanding service

    Source: Federated Farmers

    Five grassroots champions for Kiwi farmers have been recognised for their massive contributions to agriculture, winning awards at the Federated Farmers national AGM last week.
    Each year, the organisation’s national awards celebrate farmers who have gone above and beyond for their fellow farmers, rural communities, and the wider agricultural sector.
    Outgoing Federated Farmers board member Richard McIntyre was presented with the award for Outstanding Contribution – a fitting conclusion to his three-year term as national dairy chair.
    “Richard has been an absolute titan of farmer advocacy and rural New Zealand is in a better place because of his work,” Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says.
    “He’s relentlessly stood up for our members when it counted, pushing hard for a banking inquiry, better immigration settings, and KiwiSaver changes for young farmers.
    “I don’t think there would have been a single week where we didn’t see him in the media, fighting hard to change the political landscape for farming families.
    “There’s no fight he hasn’t been willing to take on, his work rate has been phenomenal, and most importantly for our members, he’s delivered tangible results.”
    The Advocate of the Year award went to Southland Federated Farmers president Jason Herrick, who has been a standout communicator on behalf of farmers.
    “When it comes to emerging farming leaders, Jason Herrick is without a doubt one to watch. He’s got a huge contribution to make and a big future ahead of him,” Langford says.
    “Whether it’s calling out Fish & Game’s antics or pushing back on unworkable, costly new farming rules, Jason’s exemplified what Federated Farmers is all about – fighting for farmers.
    “I’ve been so impressed with not just his workload and ability to prosecute issues in the media, but also with his personal growth and development as a leader in his community.
    “He’s been tenacious and articulate, and he’s shown a thick skin. You can’t stick your neck out for farmers without copping some heat back, but he’s taken it all in his stride.”
    James (Jimmy) Emmett, who is contract milking on two farms just outside Geraldine, has been named Dairy Advocate of the Year.
    “Jimmy has been an incredibly valuable member of our dairy council – he brings strong ideas and opinions, but always contributes in a collaborative, respectful way,” Langford says.
    “He’s thoughtful and constructive in discussions about the challenges facing the dairy sector, offering practical solutions while genuinely listening to the perspectives of others.
    “At a local level, as South Canterbury Federated Farmers dairy chair, Jimmy has been such a great advocate for farmers at the grassroots.
    “He consistently goes out of his way to seek support and advice for those doing it tough and he puts in the work to make a real difference in their lives.”
    This year’s Meat & Wool Advocate of the Year is Matt Simpson, a third-generation sheep and beef farmer on a 4100ha high country station in South Canterbury.
    Langford says Matt, who is South Canterbury Federated Farmers meat & wool co-chair, is a passionate and effective leader in his community.
    “Matt’s been instrumental in the pest management space, especially on wallaby eradication, and has been a driving force in getting better coordination between farmers, landowners, recreational hunters and government.
    “He’s also had a massive amount to do in South Canterbury on the court case around Outstanding National Landscapes (ONLs) being placed over farms.
    “He and his wife Tory have put in a huge amount of time and effort on mediation, and the positive outcome of that will lay the groundwork for other provinces.
    “In all of it, Matt’s just an absolute champion in his community, where he’s deeply respected for being such a pillar among farming families.”
    The Arable Advocate of the Year award went to Southland Federated Farmers arable chair Sonia Dillon, who operates a mixed cropping and seed production business.
    Langford says Sonia has been extremely strong on local advocacy.
    “There are some issues in Southland that are quite specific for that area and she’s great at getting them airtime and discussion.
    “That’s particularly true when it comes to transportation and logistics, with Southland being at the bottom of the country.
    “She’s pointed out that if it costs $60 to get something from Christchurch to Southland, how come grain that comes from Canterbury can be cheaper than it’s priced in Southland? It’s a fair point. The price should be what it costs to buy, plus freight – that’s how it should work.”
    Sonia is also a great asset for the Federated Farmers Arable Council, Langford says.
    “She’s always happy to bring challenging issues to the forefront, so the council can look for solutions.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Arts – Ringatoi Māori Lead the Way in New Match Funding Campaign

    Source: E Tū Toi

    Bold, diverse and unapologetically Māori kaupapa are being backed through E Tū Toi 2025 – a powerful new match funding campaign supporting ringatoi Māori across Toi Māori, film, music, theatre, literature, dance and digital innovation. Delivered in partnership with Boosted – Aotearoa’s dedicated arts crowdfunding platform run by The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi – and Creative New Zealand Māori Strategy & Partnerships team, the initiative puts mana motuhake into action.

    “E Tū Toi is a way for wider Aotearoa to directly support ngā toi Māori and ringatoi to be visible everywhere, and highly valuable as part of the distinct identity of Aotearoa. Boosted demonstrates the power of community, and the importance of collaboration through crowdfunding,” says Justine Pepene-Hohaia, Senior Adviser, Māori Strategy & Partnerships – Kaiwhakamāhere Matua, Rautaki Māori me ngā Rangapu. “This kaupapa increases the visibility of ngā toi Māori, and ensures that through visibility and strengthening the waka, ngā toi Māori is highly valued as a taonga woven into the fabric of New Zealand’s cultural identity, and admired by global audiences.”

    Running from 1 July to 1 August 2025, each artist has one month to raise pūtea from their communities, Creative New Zealand Māori Strategy and Partnerships team matching every donation with $3,000 or $5,000 to help unlock each project’s full potential.

    “These artists are visionaries. They are reclaiming space, uplifting whānau, and building a future where Māori stories are central to who we are as a nation,” says Chelsea Winstanley, Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Co-Chair. “Their courage, creativity and commitment deserve to be seen, celebrated, and supported.”

    Spanning the motu and the spectrum of Māori creative expression, E Tū Toi empowers artists to fund their kaupapa on their own terms – backed by their people and amplified by matched funding.

    “I’m really excited to be part of this new E Tū Toi initiative, which is all about amplifying Māori voices. As a mokopuna of Tūwharetoa, support like this means a lot. It’s not just about the pūtea – which goes straight back into our communities – it’s about knowing our stories are being heard, valued, and backed,” says Moss Patterson, 2020 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate and E Tū Toi project owner. “As a past Laureate, I understand the transformative impact recognition can have.

    The E Tū Toi 2025 Projects include:

    • Te Ana o Hine: A Wahine-led Studio (Ngaroma Riley, $10,000 target) – Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. A wāhine-led carving studio in Pakuranga reclaiming space in whakairo and supporting Māori women artists.
    • The Nephilim (Awa Puna, $18,000 target) – Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. A daring queer horror film exploring identity and transformation through satire, faith and movement.
    • Welcome to the After Party (Faith Henare-Stewart, $6,000 target) – Waikato. A live band theatre experience about community, bullying, and resilience, premiering at the 2026 Fringe Festival.
    • Tama and Mahuika (Corey Le Vaillant, $6,000 target) – Waikato. A trilingual short film told in NZSL, Te Reo Māori and English exploring grief and reconnection.
    • Te Whatakai (Troy Ruhe, $6,000 target) – Otākou Otago. A docuseries exploring the connection between kai, whenua and mātauranga from a Te Ao Māori lens.
    • Taupō Hau Rau Short Film, (Moss Patterson, $6,000 target) – Waikato. A cinematic dance film honouring Ngāti Tūwharetoa kaumātua through ancestral storytelling and movement.
    • Whakapapa Quilt Wānanga (Ron Te Kawa, $10,000 target) – Manawatū-Whanganui. Textile art wānanga where wāhine Māori create heirloom quilts as vessels of healing and whakapapa.
    • Hau Kainga 2.0 (Fiona Collis, $6,000 target) – Tairāwhiti Gisborne. A large-scale woven installation honouring Te Tairāwhiti’s land, sea, and whakapapa through sculptural fibre pods.
    • Māori Toi Akoranga (Anthony-Quinn Cowley, $6,000 target) – Te Moana-a-Toi Bay of Plenty. A school-based programme nurturing tamariki through traditional toi Māori practices.

    • The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave (Oli Mathiesen, $6,000 target) – Te Ao International. A high-octane endurance dance work exploring queer identity and rave culture, set for Edinburgh Fringe 2025.
    • PŪNGAO – ENERGY (Tiaki Kerei, $7,000 target) – Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. A powerful dance theatre project by Whakamana Creatives that channels Te Ao Māori perspectives to inspire positive change.

    Why crowdfunding?
    Crowdfunding offers a vibrant alternative to traditional funding – building engaged communities and empowering Māori artists to lead their own funding journeys. With an 94% success rate on Boosted, it’s proven to work.

    What you can do:
    Donate. Share. Tautoko. Every dollar counts – and every contribution helps unlock matched funding and bring these stories to life.

    To donate or learn more, visit: https://www.thearts.co.nz/boosted/projects?query=&location=&discipline=&topic=e-tu-toi&range=&page=1&sortBy=
    Campaign period: 1 July – 1 August 2025
    Follow along: @boostedNZ on Instagram and Facebook

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • Union Home Minister Shah to attend key event in Delhi marking one year of New Criminal Laws

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to attend a significant event titled “Golden Year of Faith in Justice System”, commemorating the successful completion of one year since the implementation of India’s new criminal laws on Tuesday. 

    The event will be held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and will begin at 3:30 p.m. HM Shah, who is the Chief Guest, will address a gathering of legal experts, policymakers, law enforcement officials, and dignitaries from across the country. The event celebrates the transformative shift brought by the new criminal laws enacted in 2024.

    Earlier on Monday, the Union Home Minister chaired a ‘Manthan Baithak’ with cooperative ministers from all States and Union Territories. The meeting was part of the government’s initiatives to commemorate the International Year of Cooperatives 2025.

    Speaking at the Manthan Baithak, Shah underlined the importance of cooperation in India’s socio-economic framework. He said that while cooperatives can serve as an economic system for the entire world, for India, cooperation is a traditional philosophy of life. He added that cooperation, living, thinking, and working together, represent the essence of Indian society.

    He also acknowledged the nearly 125-year-old cooperative movement, describing it as a lifeline for the country’s poor, farmers, rural communities and especially women, who have benefited through various phases of development and reform.

    The Minister said that with sensitivity, cooperation must be revitalised for the welfare of millions of small farmers and rural people in the country because there are immense opportunities in the cooperative sector. (IANS)