NewzIntel.com

Category: Farming

  • MIL-OSI USA: Court Appointments Announced

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced 17 appointments to the New York State Court of Claims, 5 appointments to the Supreme Court and 2 appointments to Family Court.

    “Our judicial system works best when we have talented, qualified jurists on the bench,” Governor Hochul said. “These 24 individuals have the experience and knowledge to serve as members of the judiciary, and will play a critical role in the fair and impartial dispensation of justice across New York.”

    As Judges of the Court of Claims:

    Monica Wallace

    Monica Piga Wallace was first elected to the Assembly in 2016. Wallace worked her way through college and law school, earning her undergraduate degree with honors from SUNY Binghamton, and her J.D., cum laude, from SUNY Buffalo Law School. Before her election to the Assembly, Monica spent much of her legal career as a law clerk in federal court, where she helped ensure that justice was served and that laws were applied equally to all parties appearing before the court. Monica also served on the faculty at her alma mater, SUNY Buffalo Law School, teaching students how the law can be used as a vehicle for positive social change.

    Gregory McCaffrey

    Gregory McCaffrey served as the District Attorney of Livingston County, New York; a position he held from May 2012 until December 2024. McCaffrey oversaw a team of legal professionals prosecuting serious criminal cases including homicides, violent felonies, and child sex offenses. Prior to this role, he practiced at Jones and Skivington Law Firm, focusing on litigation, municipal law, and criminal defense, and served as Town Attorney for Conesus, New York.

    Earlier in his career, he was an Assistant District Attorney in Monroe County, where he handled a progression of increasingly complex felony cases. He holds a Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Nazareth College of Rochester. McCaffrey was born and raised in Livingston County where he resides with his family.

    John Bringewatt

    John Bringewatt currently serves as the Monroe County Attorney. In that role, he oversees a team of attorneys responsible for all of the County’s civil legal work. He previously maintained a wide-ranging litigation practice at Harter Secrest & Emery LLP. Early in his career, he served as a Law Clerk to Judge Susan L. Carney of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

    He holds a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and a B.A. in Political Science and Psychology from Colgate University.

    Abby Perer

    Abby Perer has served as in-house counsel for Syracuse University for nearly 10 years. In that role, she oversees all litigation and regulatory compliance matters. Before joining the University, Perer was a litigation associate for DLA Piper LLP, where she represented corporate and individual clients in commercial litigation, as well as civil and criminal investigations.

    Perer was once a Legal Intern for the Office of NYS Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman. She attended Brooklyn Law School for her JD, and Hamilton College for her BA. She is a resident of Fayetteville, New York.

    Noel Mendez

    A native New Yorker, Noel Mendez was born and raised in the Bronx. He attended Lehman College and graduated with a degree in theater. Before attending the University at Buffalo School of Law, Noel worked as a police officer in the NYPD. Since graduating from law school, Noel obtained a Master of Laws in securities regulation from Georgetown University Law Center and subsequently moved to the Capital Region, where he worked as a court attorney for the New York State Court of Appeals. He later became a law clerk to the Honorable Jenny Rivera.

    Noel has held a variety of legal positions in the Capital Region since then. Most notably, he worked as a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York and briefly as a prosecutor at the Albany County District Attorney’s Office. Most recently, Noel served as counsel to New York State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey.

    Noel lives in Albany County with his wife, Marlene and daughter, Annabelle.

    Natacha Carbajal-Evangelista

    Natacha Carbajal-Evangelista serves as the General Counsel for the NYS Department of State. In this role, Natacha oversees the Office of General Counsel, which provides legal advice and support to the New York Secretary of State and the diverse programs, divisions, boards, and commissions housed within the Department.

    Previously, Natacha served as Assistant Secretary for Labor & Workforce for New York State, leading the Statewide implementation of groundbreaking initiatives, including New York’s Paid Family Leave. Natacha also served as Senior Deputy Counsel and the Executive Deputy Superintendent for Operations at the NYS Department of Financial Services and Deputy Director at the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board.

    Prior to joining State government, Natacha was a senior associate at BakerHostetler, serving as counsel to the SIPA Trustee for the liquidation of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC (BLMIS). Natacha served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Hon. Elizabeth S. Stong of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, E.D.N.Y. and the Hon. Arthur J. Gonzalez, former Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, S.D.N.Y.

    Natacha is a graduate of Fordham Law School and Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

    Mary Lynn Nicolas-Brewster

    Mary Lynn Nicolas-Brewster is the Executive Director of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, a permanent statewide commission dedicated to promoting racial and ethnic fairness in the court system. The Williams Commission, chaired by Hon. Shirley Troutman, Associate Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals, and Hon. Troy K. Webber, Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department, strives to make the court system more responsive to the concerns of people of color and works to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession and the court system. The Commission’s namesake, Ambassador Franklin H. Williams, a distinguished attorney and civil rights leader, was a visionary and trailblazer who devoted his life to the pursuit of equal justice. The Commission stands as a testament to his life and legacy as the Commission pursues its mission to ensure justice and equity for all in the courts.

    Prior to this position, Nicolas-Brewster, a former Village Judge with the Village of Spring Valley, served as Court Attorney-Referee for the New York State Supreme Court, Ninth Judicial District, and as a Hearing Officer for the Office of Court Administration. Nicolas-Brewster also held multiple positions at the Office of the Westchester County Attorney, including Associate County Attorney, Senior Assistant County Attorney, and Assistant County Attorney. She has also served as Assistant Solicitor General for the New York State Attorney General’s Office, Senior Appellate Court Attorney for the New York State Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department, and Pro Se Law Clerk with the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She has also been a member of the adjunct faculty at SUNY-Rockland Community College in the Legal Studies Department.

    Ms. Nicolas-Brewster obtained a J.D. from the New York University School of Law in 1992 and a B.A. in Literature and Rhetoric at Binghamton University, SUNY, in 1989.

    Erin Guven

    Erin Guven brings over 20 years of experience as an attorney dedicated to public interest to her new role as Court of Claims judge. In her most recent role as Westchester Family Court Support Magistrate, she conducted child support, spousal support and paternity hearings in a high-volume court. Erin has also held many other vital positions during her tenure including Court Attorney-Referee in the Supreme Court, 9th JD, Pro Bono Director & Staff Attorney at Legal Services of the Hudson Valley and Small Claims Assessment Review Hearing Officers. She is an active member of her legal and local communities and holds and undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and a JD from Brooklyn Law School.

    Menachem Mirocznik

    Menachem “Mendy” Mirocznik has served as a Court Attorney to the Hon. Orlando Marrazzo, Jr. in various Civil Courts since 2009. Since 2020, he has supported Justice Marrazzo in presiding over Richmond County’s Supreme Court, Civil Term. He conducts legal research and analysis, reviews cases, and drafts decisions. Between 2001 and 2008, he supported various Housing Court Judges for New York City’s Civil Court. He began his career in 1997 as a Legal Intern for Main Street Legal Services, representing indigent clients in cases regarding public assistance benefits and benefit termination.

    Mirocznik is a graduate of Touro College, from which he obtained a Political Science B.A. He received his J.D. from CUNY School of Law and was the President of the Jewish Law Students Association. He has been an active member of Community Board 2 since 2010, a board member of the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island since 2014, and President of the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island since 2012.

    Jay Kim

    Jay Kim is currently the Principal Law Clerk to the Hon. Dena E. Douglas, a New York State Supreme Court Justice in Kings County, Criminal Term. He started his career in public service in 2008 as an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Tort Division of the New York City Law Department. He subsequently served as a Principal Law Clerk to the Hon. Theodore T. Jones (Dec.) and the Hon. Jenny Rivera, Associate Judges of the New York State Court of Appeals, from 2010 to 2013. After his Court of Appeals clerkship, he served as a Senior Counsel in the Labor & Employment Division of the New York City Law Department from 2013 to 2015 and as an attorney within the Office of Legal Services of the New York City Department of Education from 2015 to 2018. Kim obtained his J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law and his B.A. in Sociology from New York University.  He is a member of the Asian American Bar Association of New York and the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York.

    Denis Reo

    Denis Reo began his career in the Unified Court System in 2004, working as a Secretary to the Honorable Carol Edmead. He then went to work for the Honorable George J. Silver in January 2005 and served as Judge Silver’s Court Attorney, Senior Court Attorney, Principal Court Attorney and Principal Law Clerk from 2005 through 2017. During this time, he was assigned to Civil Court, Kings County; Family Court, Bronx County; and Supreme Court, Civil Term, New York County. In July 2017 Judge Silver was appointed Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for New York City Courts and Denis was named a Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge. He was promoted to Chief of Staff to the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge in January 2019. In August 2019 he was appointed Chief Clerk of the Supreme Court, Civil Term, New York County where he assisted the Administrative Judge overseeing daily court operations as well as managing 350 non-judicial personnel within the court. Since December 2024 he has served as Chief of Staff to Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Adam Silvera, assisting Judge Silvera in overseeing the trial courts within New York City.

    Denis is a graduate of Sacred Heart University and St. John’s University School of Law. He resides in Farmingdale, NY with his wife and two children.

    Ilene Fern

    Ilene P. Fern is the Principal Law Clerk to the Honorable Lee A. Mayersohn of the 11th Judicial District of the New York State Supreme Court, a position she has held since 2021. Prior to that, Fern was the Principal Law Clerk to the Honorable Martin J. Schulman of the 11th Judicial District of the New York State Supreme Court from 1995-2020. From 1992 to 1994, Fern was the Senior Court Attorney to the Honorable Robert J. McDonald of the 11th Judicial District in the New York City Criminal Court. From 1989 to 1991, Fern was the Court Attorney to the Honorable Arnold N. Price in the New York City Civil Court. Fern was the President of the Queens County Women’s Bar Association from 1998-1999. She is currently a member of the Executive Board of the Brandeis Association. Fern obtained a J.D., from Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center at Touro University in 1985, where she was a Senior Editor of the Law Review, and a B.A., from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 1981.

    Darlene Goldberg

    Darlene Goldberg is a Principal Law Clerk for Hon. Caryn R. Fink with the NYS Unified Court System. Alongside Judge Fink, Goldberg researches and analyzes legal issues, advises on court proceedings and sentencing matters, drafts opinions, conducts discovery and pre-trial conferences, and leases with the Office of Court Administration. She previously operated her own criminal defense law firm for 13 years, specializing in major felonies through Nassau County’s indigent defense panel. She covered criminal cases ranging from misdemeanors to violent felonies and led counsel in both jury ad non-jury trials. She was also a Trial Attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County. She managed criminal cases from inception through disposition.

    Goldberg volunteered with the Moreland Shelter and Birthday Wishes of Long Island, which she coordinated tutoring services for the homeless children residing at the shelter as well as temporary to permanent housing transitioning. Goldberg is a graduate of Fordham University’s School of Law and Boston University for her undergraduate degree. She resides in Melville with her family. Her husband is also a lawyer.

    Gordon Cuffy

    Gordon Cuffy was appointed by Governor Hochul in June 2025 to serve as an Acting Supreme Court Justice. Cuffy previously served as a Court of Claims Judge in Onondaga County Court, where he presided over felony criminal cases. He was appointed to the bench in 2017 by Governor Andrew Cuomo, becoming the first African-American judge to oversee felony matters in Onondaga County. Prior to his appointment, he served as Onondaga County Attorney under County Executive Joanie Mahoney and also worked as a prosecutor and as General Counsel to New York State Thruway Authority. He previously ran for County Court Judge in 2012.

    James Ferreira

    James H. Ferreria was appointed to the Court of Claims by Governor George E. Pataki on June 16, 2006 and confirmed by the Senate on June 21, 2006. Judge Ferreira was reappointed to the Court of Claims for a full nine year term by Governor Eliot Spitzer on April 30, 2007 and confirmed again by the Senate on June 19, 2007. One June 10, 2016 Judge Ferreira was reappointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Senate confirmed Judge Ferreira to an additional nine year term on June 15, 2016. Judge Ferreira was additionally designated as an Acting Justice of the Supreme Court in 2014 in the Third Judicial District. Judge Ferreira presides over civil actions pending in the Court of Claims, Albany County Supreme Court and Schoharie County Supreme Court.

    Judge Ferreira graduated from Cornell University in 1984, Syracuse University College of Law in 1989, cum laude, and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University in 1989.

    In 1989, Judge Ferreira began his legal career as a law clerk at the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department. He then went on to work at the law firm of Harris Beach LLP as an associate in 1991. In 1995, he joined the New York State Attorney General’s office as a Deputy Bureau Chief in the Environmental Protection Bureau. He then worked between 1999 and 2006 at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in various capacities, including as Assistant Commissioner in the Office of Hearing and Meditation Services and as Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel.

    Rhonda Tomlinson

    Judge Rhonda Ziomaida Tomlinson, a Brooklyn native raised by her Panamanian mother, was appointed to the New York State Court of Claims in June 2021. She earned her B.S. from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and her J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law. Prior to her appointment, she served as Chief Administrative Law Judge for the NYS Board of Parole, overseeing statewide adjudications and participating in the Harlem Reentry Court.

    Her legal career includes roles as a principal court attorney, administrative law judge, Legal Aid defense attorney, and private practitioner in criminal and family law. She has been active in bar association committees and initiatives related to parole, sex trafficking, and the effects of incarceration on families. Judge Tomlinson has also taught legal and multicultural studies at CUNY School of Law, John Jay College, and St. John’s University. She is an engaged member of St. Gregory the Great R.C. Church, serving as a scout leader, lector, and school board member.

    Cheryl Joseph

    Judge Cheryl Joseph serves as Supervising Judge of the Matrimonial Parts in the Suffolk County Supreme Court and has been a Judge of the New York State Court of Claims since 2015. Appointed as an Acting Supreme Court Justice, she previously served for nine years as a Support Magistrate in Bronx and Suffolk County Family Courts.

    Judge Joseph earned her J.D. from NYU School of Law and her B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy from NYU, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She has also taught family law and civil litigation as an adjunct professor at Touro Law Center, where she was named Adjunct Professor of the Year twice.

    As Interim Supreme Court Justices:

    J. David Sampson

    Judge John David Sampson was appointed to the New York State Court of Claims in 2015 by Governor Andrew Cuomo and serves as a Court of Claims Judge and as an Acting Supreme Court Justice. He previously served as Executive Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (2011–2015) and as Deputy Attorney General for Regional Affairs in the New York Attorney General’s Office (2008–2010). Earlier in his career, he spent over 25 years in private practice, including as a partner at Underberg Kessler LLP.

    Judge Sampson earned his J.D. from Albany Law School (1982) and his B.A. in Economics from Canisius University (1977). He is based in the Buffalo/Niagara area.

    Denise Hartman

    Hon. Denise Hartman was first appointed to the Court of Claims in 2015, and has served as an Acting Supreme Court Justice in Albany County for the last 10 years. She handles a full civil docket, including proceedings against governmental agencies, personal injury and contract actions, matrimonial cases, commercial litigation, and more. She also presides over the statewide Litigation Coordinating Panel.

    Prior to her judicial appointment, she was an Assistant Solicitor General in the New York State Attorney General’s Office from 1985 to 2015. There she briefed and argued many, many appeals in the New York State Appellate Divisions, Court of Appeals, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and U.S. Supreme Court. She was formerly a Confidential Law Clerk at the Appellate Division, 4th Department, and was once a Law Assistant at Langan, Grossman, Kinney & Dwyer, PC.

    She obtained a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University, and her JD from Syracuse University School of Law.

    Walter Rivera

    Judge Walter Rivera was appointed to the New York State Court of Claims by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2017 and served one term as an Acting Supreme Court Justice in the 9th Judicial District. A native of Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan, he is a graduate of Columbia College (1976) and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School (1979).

    He began his legal career as a law clerk at the New York State Court of Appeals and later served as an Assistant Attorney General before entering private practice. Rivera was elected Town Justice in Greenburgh, NY, serving from 2011 until his Court of Claims appointment. He was an adjunct professor at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University for six years, past president of the Latino Judges Association, and a co-founder of the Hudson Valley Hispanic Bar Association.

    Michael Kitsis

    Michael Kitsis is an Acting Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, serving since 2021. He has also served as a Judge in the Criminal Court of the City of New York since 2016. Prior to his judicial appointments, he spent over three decades as an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office from 1983 to 2016.

    He holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.

    Jonathan Svetkey

    Jonathan Svetkey is currently an Acting Supreme Court Justice sitting in Manhattan, Criminal Term. His first appointment was to the New York City Civil Court in 2019 and a year later he was re-appointed to serve as a New York City Criminal Court Judge. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Svetkey was the Court Attorney for the Honorable Joanne B. Watters from 2017 to 2019. Before that he spent twenty years in private practice as a criminal defense attorney with the law firm of Watters & Svetkey, LLP. He also served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office Appeals Bureau from 1990 to 1995. His first job out of law school was with the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. Judge Svetkey received his undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester and graduated from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America in 1984.

    As Interim Family Court Judges:

    Tonia Ettinger

    Tonia M. Ettinger was appointed by Governor Hochul in June 2025 to serve as a Family Court Attorney for Monroe County. Ettinger most recently served as the Principal Court Attorney for Honorable Fatimat O. Reid in the 7 th Judicial District (Monroe County Family Court), a position she has held since 2019. A dedicated and experienced family law attorney, Ettinger has spent her career advocating for children and families throughout Monroe County. She served for nearly a decade as an Attorney for the Child at the Legal Aid Society of Rochester, representing children in Monroe County Family Court (2009-2018).

    A graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Law (magna cum laude) and SUNY Geneseo (cum laude), Ettinger has been recognized as one of the Top Women in Law by the Daily Record. Ettinger is equally dedicated to embracing and uplifting the Rochester community, actively participating in events under the 7th Judicial District’s “Embracing Our Community” initiative. With 21 years of legal experience—16 years dedicated exclusively to Monroe County Family Court—she has demonstrated a deep and consistent commitment to justice, particularly for vulnerable youth and families navigating the family court system.

    Jessica Wilcox

    Jessica R. Wilcox serves as a Principal Law Clerk for the Honorable James H. Ferreira of the New York State Court of Claims, and previously served under Honorable Glen T. Bruening of the New York State Court of Claims from 2011-2022. Before that, she was the Principal Law Clerk for the Honorable John C. Egan Jr. of the Appellate Division of the Third Department for the New York State Supreme Court from 2007 to 2011. Wilcox was a Senior Associate at Barclay Damon f/k/a Bouck, Holloway, Kiernan, and Casey from 2000 to 2007 and an Associate Attorney at Rowley Forrest, O’Donnell & Beaumont from 1999 to 2000. From 1998 to 1999, Wilcox was an Associate at Brennan, Rehfuss, and Ligouri P.C.

    Wilcox obtained a J.D. from Albany Law School in 1997 and a B.A., cum laude, in Philosophy and German from Wells College in 1993.  She was found HQ by the Statewide Judicial Department Screening Committee on March 28, 2022.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Calls for Clearer Crypto Regulations Following Discussion with the Honorable Brian Quintenz

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) spoke with President Trump’s nominee to be Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Brian Quintenz. They discussed how both the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the CFTC share enforcement responsibilities but lack clear jurisdictional boundaries, which has created confusion for innovators and entrepreneurs. While the SEC determines which products fall under its purview, the CFTC has mainly focused on fraud cases involving crypto. Senator Tuberville and Mr. Quintenz agreed that Congress must provide clearer regulatory guidance to foster compliant innovation and protect investors in the digital asset space.

    Read Sen. Tuberville’s remarks below or watch on YouTube or Rumble.

    TUBERVILLE: “Mr. Quintez, thank you for being here today.”

    QUINTENZ: “Thank you, Senator.”

    TUBERVILLE: “It’s good to see you and your family. Thank you for your willingness to serve. You know, for the last four years, the Biden administration led an attack on cryptocurrencies and digital assets. It was obvious to all of us—I think you know that better than anybody. One of the ways they did this was by attacking leaders in the digital asset industry, like yourself. I’m glad to see that today we live in a new world with the most pro-crypto President and administration that we have seen. I’m eager to see you lead the CFTC as we enter the Golden Age of American innovation and prosperity, and I look forward to supporting your nomination.

    When you came by my office prior to this hearing, we discussed how you were debanked because of your leadership and stance on digital assets. For years, my Democrat colleagues said that this was not happening. Obviously, it was. You were even sent a letter informing you that you were being debanked. 

    Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask for unanimous consent that the letter dated July 7, 2023, from UBS to Mr. Quintenz be entered into the record. Thank you. Mr. Quintenz, would you like to discuss this letter and the broader Biden administration attack on crypto?”

    QUINTENZ: “Thank you very much, Senator. I was very disappointed to receive that. First of all, I’d like to say that the relationship manager and financial advisor mentioned in that letter is a trusted family friend, and I don’t hold this against him at all. I think the only reason why this would happen is because of pressure from the regulators to debank a disfavored industry. You know, these were accounts that were set up for my children to receive $100 worth of stock from their grandparents for Christmas, so I don’t want to also overemphasize the pain that this caused me. But I think it is endemic of what happened during the last administration that I do not think represented American values. And I know from personal experience that there were investments that our firm was trying to make into small teams. And our firm couldn’t even send them a check because they couldn’t open a bank account because they were in the crypto industry. I believe legal businesses deserve access to legal services, and I’m glad that is starting to change.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. That was a pretty tough time, and I understand what you were going through. We’re all curious about the growth of prediction markets. Can you talk about the benefits of the markets and how various businesses and industries can use them for risk management when they otherwise may not have access to appropriate hedging tools?”

    QUINTENZ: “Thank you, Senator. When I was at the Commission, I read the law, and the law was clear: the Commodity Exchange Act recognizes that an event posing financial, commercial, or economic consequences is a commodity. I think the reason The Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000—which was passed into law by President Clinton—did that was because it recognized that events posed risks to individuals, small businesses, and large firms in the same way that exposure to physical commodity prices does. These risks have been hedged in various capacities for a long time, but traditionally it’s been through large Wall Street firms using very complicated products where there isn’t much transparency about how they operate or a clear market trading mechanism to create clarity around that. With the way this innovation is evolving, there are going to be many new methods for individuals to hedge risks they otherwise couldn’t. The innovation can be targeted to a specific event, so they don’t have to rely on some other generic form of hedging that may not correlate to that risk.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Can you discuss the regulatory and enforcement clarity between the SEC and the CFTC as it relates to crypto, and what further congressional actions need to be taken?”

    QUINTENZ: “Thank you, Senator. From my experience at the CFTC and afterward, the agencies either share jurisdiction over the crypto spot markets or enforce markets through enforcement actions. However, it has really been the SEC’s decision to determine which products or securities they carve out and take into their own jurisdiction. Unfortunately, I believe there has been a lack of clarity offered to the marketplace, innovators, and entrepreneurs about how they could build something that complies with the law or how to build something within the SEC’s jurisdiction that follows the rules. Both agencies have experience in crypto enforcement, but for the CFTC, it has mostly confined itself to fraud cases—standard Ponzi schemes, which aren’t necessarily about people using cryptocurrency but rather about using cryptocurrency as a tool for investments and then stealing people’s money. So, to the extent that new clarity can be added to enable innovators and entrepreneurs to build compliantly, I think that is a critical issue for Congress to consider.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you.”

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: RECOMMENDATION FOR A DECISION to raise no objections to the Commission delegated regulation of 21 May 2025 amending Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/370 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the time period to submit requests for amendments of CAP Strategic Plans – B10-0276/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
    Member responsible: Veronika Vrecionová 

    B10‑0276/2025

    Draft European Parliament decision to raise no objections to the Commission delegated regulation of 21 May 2025 amending Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/370 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the time period to submit requests for amendments of CAP Strategic Plans

    (C(2025)03151 – 2025/2728(DEA))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to the Commission delegated regulation (C(2025)03151),

    – having regard to the Commission’s letter of 21 May 2025 asking Parliament to declare that it will raise no objections to the delegated regulation,

    – having regard to the letter from the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development to the Chair of the Conference of Committee Chairs of 3 June 2025,

    – having regard to Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council[1], and in particular Article 122, point (a), thereof,

    – having regard to Rule 114(6) of its Rules of Procedure,

    – having regard to the recommendation for a decision of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development,

    A. whereas, in the current context of ongoing instability in the agricultural sector across the Union several Member States are already encountering difficulties in deciding in the early months of 2025 on the need to review their transfer decisions taken in 2022 pursuant to Article 17(5), Article 88(7) and Article 103 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, and it is therefore considered necessary to provide Member States with additional time to plan those transfers;

    B. whereas the time limit laid down in Article 3(4) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/370[2] expires on 31 May 2025; whereas it is therefore of utmost importance to establish a new time limit of 31 August 2025 for the submission of requests for amendment as soon as possible, in order to allow for appropriate planning and consideration by Member States;

    C. whereas Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/370 should therefore be amended accordingly;

    1. Declares that it has no objections to the delegated regulation;

    2. Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Council and the Commission.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Use of slurry solids as bedding in dairy stalls – E-002168/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002168/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Lena Düpont (PPE)

    A fundamental objective of our EU agriculture is to become more sustainable and also more efficient. Our farmers work innovatively and in line with the latest standards. One of these methods is slurry separation. By separating slurry, nutrients can be deployed even more precisely and efficiently, while the solids can also be used in a variety of sustainable ways. One possible use of solids is as bedding in dairy stalls. However, Regulations (EC) No 1069/2009 and (EU) No 142/2011 do not, as of yet, explicitly provide for the use of slurry or slurry products, such as slurry solids, as bedding in dairy stalls.

    • 1.Do the above-mentioned regulations provide for the possibility of applying for a derogation for the use of slurry and slurry products such as slurry solids as bedding in dairy stalls?
    • 2.Is the Commission aware of Member States where slurry and slurry products, such as slurry solids, are used as bedding in dairy stalls?
    • 3.Does the Commission intend to amend the above-mentioned regulations in order to allow, in principle and explicitly, the use of slurry and slurry products, such as slurry solids, as bedding in dairy stalls?

    Submitted: 29.5.2025

    Last updated: 10 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Support for farmers affected by low temperatures in March 2025 – E-001579/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Under the common market Organisation Regulation[1] the Commission may adopt exceptional measures financed by the agricultural reserve and may provide emergency support to farmers negatively affected by extreme adverse weather events and natural disasters as it recently did for producers in Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia and Hungary[2].

    This exceptional measure followed a request for support from the five Member States and was designed following an assessment of the situation and of its exceptional nature by the Commission services, based inter alia on the available information and data on actual damages and losses per sector provided by the relevant Member States.

    The Commission has not received information from Romania on damages due to frost events that occurred in March 2025.

    • [1] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/1308/oj.
    • [2] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2025/441/oj.
    Last updated: 10 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Differences between Member States in the treatment of sheep and goat plague – E-001186/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Control measures at EU level for sheep and goat plague, (also known as Peste des petits ruminants — (PPR)), as well as for sheep pox and goat pox (SGP), among many diseases, are laid down in Regulation (EU) 2016/429[1] and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687[2]. Certain measures differ between these diseases.

    Upon occurrence of a disease in an area previously free from it, Regulation (EU) 2016/429 provides for the possibility to adopt temporary national measures, also restricting trade.

    Additional EU emergency measures specific to the disease and the affected Member State have also been adopted[3]. After their adoption, such emergency measures are harmonised in the EU and make the above national measures unnecessary, and restricting trade unjustified. The Commission is closely following this process to ensure proper implementation of EU legislation.

    Those specific EU measures, in response to outbreaks of diseases like PPR and SGP in each Member State, are fine-tuned and tailormade, taking into account various factors.

    The Commission is constantly evaluating them, in cooperation with Member States, to be risk-based, proportionate, and best adapted to the particulars of each epidemiological event, at the time ensuring full compliance with the EU legal framework, while safeguarding both animal health and the internal market .

    To support and ensure a coordinated implementation, the Commission works with Member States via the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed, enables real-time disease reporting through the Animal Disease Information System, performs Commission audits, and deploys Veterinary Emergency Teams[4] where necessary.

    • [1] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/429/oj.
    • [2] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2020/687/oj.
    • [3] Infection with Peste des petits ruminants virus https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/animal-diseases/diseases-and-control-measures/infection-peste-des-petits-ruminants-virus_en; Sheep pox and goat pox https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/animal-diseases/diseases-and-control-measures/sheep-pox-and-goat-pox_en.
    • [4] https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/animal-diseases/veterinary-emer gency-team_en.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Spread of sheep pox from the Evros region mainland to Samothrace and lack of preventive measures – E-000428/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Sheep pox and goat pox (SGP ) control measures at EU level are laid down in Regulation (EU) 2016/429[1] and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687[2]. Additional measures for SGP in Greece are laid down in Implementing Decision 2024/2207[3].

    EU measures in response to SGP outbreaks include the killing and disposal of all sheeps and goats in the affected establishments, as well as the establishment of rectricted zones around them, with movement restrictions for animals and products therof.

    The size, the duration and the specific measures of each restricted zone are adapted so that they are proportionate to each epidemiological situation.

    Since the confirmation of SGP in its territory, restricted zones have been established on the island of Samothrace, where exit and entry of sheep and goats are prohibited, to prevent the further spread of the disease to or from the island, to the rest of Greece or to other Member States or third countries.

    The Commission is continuously monitoring the implementation of EU rules through audits and evaluating the control measures, ensuring they are risk-based and proportionate, in cooperation with Member States.

    • [1] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/429/oj.
    • [2] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2020/687/oj.
    • [3] http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2024/2207/oj.
    Last updated: 10 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Universities – Bones to pick: New Aussie animal database comes to life with modern 3D tech – Flinders

    Source: Flinders University

    For the first time, the remarkable features of Australia’s unique wildlife – from platypus, bilby, kangaroo and emu to mammals gone extinct – are available for all to see, via their bones and skeletons in a new free online collection.

    Using 3D imaging technology, Flinders University and partners have launched the ‘Ozboneviz’ virtual database,  which goes ‘inside’ the anatomy of dozens of Australia’s most famous animals for the public, schools, researchers, artists, nature-lovers and others to access.

    Described in a new article published in the journal BioScience, the new collection of more than 1600 specimens has been collated and uploaded on to the high-tech MorphoSource repository, by Flinders University Associate Professor Vera Weisbecker’s ‘Bones and Biodiversity Lab’ and colleagues around Australia.

    “We are all fascinated by bones and this new database is a way to go behind the glass cases at the museum, see specimens up close and understand their special features,” says Associate Professor Weisbecker, who hopes Ozboneviz will fuel better scientific and public appreciation of Australia’s amazing mammals around the world.

    “Australia leads the world in mammal extinctions, but we are losing far more than a few fluffy rat-like critters. Our mammals have evolved in isolation for nearly 40 million years – there is simply nothing like them anywhere else.

    “Victorian-era scientists deemed Australian wildlife ‘primitive’, but now we can marvel at the elongated leg bones that make the kangaroo the largest hopping animal ever, or the bizarre shovel-like arms of the marsupial mole, and chances are that you will change your mind!

    “3D models of skeletons are a charismatic way to engage adults and children alike with Australia’s precious fauna, making it a key asset in science communication and school education.”

    Now Australia’s largest open-access library of 3D biodiversity data, the project was funded by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (CABAH), with support from the Australian Museum, SA and NT museums, the Australian National Wildlife Collection, and several universities.

    “Our core team spent three years travelling to four Australian museums and three universities. We mostly used surface scanners to digitise ten key bones of 189 iconic Australasian species: the skull, shoulder blade, pelvis and limb bones,” explains CABAH and Flinders archaeologist Dr Erin Mein.

    Jacob van Zoelen, PhD candidate at Flinders University and digitisation manager, says: “We used a structured light scanner to image the outside of most bones. But for particularly rare species, like the presumed-extinct ngudlukanta or desert rat-kangaroo, we opted for computed tomography, because it also images the internal structure of the bones at resolutions of 10-50 micrometers.”

    The resulting 3D files are deposited on the MorphoSource platform, which is important for scientists because it has the same rigorous cataloguing as any physical museum. But the files are open access, with anyone able to download them for non-commercial use.

    To facilitate public access, Dr Mein also built a Sketchfab site with more than 500 of the most precious and informative bones, with examples including the skull of an extinct marsupial tiger, or thylacine, the pig-footed bandicoot, desert-rat kangaroo and rare marsupial mole.  

    “This means the public can compare the cranium of a fox to a thylacine and dingo, for example, and compare the size and shape of limb bones of common marsupials,” adds Dr Mein. “There are also plenty of annotations to help non-specialist users learn about vertebrate anatomy and compare anatomical attributes between species.”

    As well as the focus on large native mammals such as kangaroos, possums, and bandicoots, the database includes some non-native mammals that people tend to come across, like goats and sheep, as well as a selection of large birds, lizards and frogs.

    The MorphoSource collection includes a number of specimens with interesting features or stories, including:

    • The skeleton of Billie, the Port River dolphin well known to Adelaide residents.
    • An Attenborough’s long-beaked Echidna (Zaglossus attenboroughi)- previously considered extinct but was reobserved in the wild around the time the specimen was scanned
    • The extinct pig-footed bandicoot (Chaeropus ecaudatus), the only marsupial with something like hooves.
    • CT scan of two whole marsupial moles (genus Notoryctes), which is Australia’s “weirdest skeleton,” according to Associate Professor Weisbecker.

    Associate Professor Weisbecker says there is no Australian precedent for open-access databases of this kind.

    “Hopefully this will lead the way to an even wider use of digitisation to make Australia’s unique local biodiversity accessible to the global public.”

    The article, ‘Ozboneviz: An Australian precedent in FAIR 3D imagery and extended biodiversity collections’ (2025) by Vera Weisbecker (Flinders University), Diana Fusco (Flinders), Sandy Ingleby (Australian Museum), Ariana BJ Lambrides (James Cook University), Tiina Manne (University of Queensland), Keith Maguire (South Australian Museum), Sue O’Connor (ANU), Thomas J Peachey (Australian Museum), Sofia C Samper Carro (ANU), David Stemmer (SA Museum), Jorgo Ristevski (Griffith University and Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology), Jacob D van Zoelen (Flinders), Pietro Viacava (CSIRO), Adam M Yates (Museum and Art Gallery of the NT) and Erin Mein (Flinders) has been published in Bioscience (Oxford University Press) DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaf064

    First published: 10 June https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaf064

    Acknowledgements: Ozboneviz was funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (grant CE170100015). VW was, in addition, supported by an ARC Future Fellowship (FT180100634). We gratefully acknowledge the support of Duke University’s MorphoSource team,  MAGNT experts and Flinders University Medical Device Research Institute imaging, and imagery and segmentation experts.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Stillwater to Relocate

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the relocation of its Stillwater Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) from the City of Stillwater Community Center to the Meridian Technology Center beginning Thursday, June 12 at 8:00 a.m.

    SBA opened the DLOC to provide personalized assistance to Stillwater residents, small businesses and private nonprofit organizations affected by wildfires and straight-line winds occurring March 14-21.

    “When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers perform an important role by assisting small businesses and their communities,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the U.S. Small Business Administration. “At these centers, our SBA specialists help business owners and residents apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to support their recovery.”

    Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov. The City of Stillwater Community Center DLOC will permanently close Wednesday, June 11 at close of business. The Meridian Technology Center DLOC will open Thursday, June 12 with the location and hours of operation as indicated below.

    PAYNE COUNTY

    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    Meridian Technology Center
    Rooms 127 and 129
    1414 South Sangre Rd.
    Stillwater, OK  74074

    Mondays – Fridays, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    Opens Thursday, June 12 at 8:00 a.m.

    The following DLOC locations are also open and continue to serve survivors:

    CREEK COUNTY

    LINCOLN COUNTY

    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    First Baptist Church of Mannford
    105 Greenwood Ave.
    Mannford, OK  74044

    Mondays – Tuesdays, 
    9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

    Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    Thursdays – Fridays, 
    9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    Carney High School
    203 Carney St.
    Carney, OK  74832

    Mondays – Fridays, 
    9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

     

     

     

    LOGAN COUNTY

    PAWNEE COUNTY

    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    Logan County Courthouse Annex
    (Across the street north of the 
    courthouse in the old 
    Girl Scout room)
    312 E. Harrison Ave.
    Guthrie, OK  73044

    Mondays – Fridays, 
    9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    First Baptist Church Cleveland
    201 W. Crestview Rd.
    Cleveland, OK  74020|

    Mondays – Fridays, 
    8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.62% for nonprofits, and 2.75% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

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

    The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is July 22, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 23, 2026.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lummis Congratulates EPA Deputy Administrator on Senate Confirmation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

    June 10, 2025

    Washington, D.C.— Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) issued the following statement after the Senate confirmed David Fotouhi as deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    “Congratulations to David Fotouhi on becoming deputy administrator of the EPA,” said Lummis. “David is a champion for commonsense environmental regulations and rolling back Green New Scam policies that burdened Wyoming and the west. I look forward to partnering with him to deliver real results for the Cowboy State.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Durbin Lead Illinois Colleagues in Condemning Trump’s Termination of Digital Equity Program, Blocking Illinoisans’ Access to Reliable Internet

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    June 09, 2025
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) led 12 of their Illinois delegation members in criticizing the Trump Administration’s cancellation of the Digital Equity Act Competitive Grants Program. In a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the Members urged the Trump Administration to reinstate the program that was terminated last month. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) was in the process of implementing a Digital Equity Capacity Grant under this program, which would have provided more than $23.7 million to Illinois organizations across the state to equip households and residents with the skills, resources and tools needed to use high-speed internet and fully participate in Illinois’s economy.
    “This is not a, ‘woke handout based on race.’ This is help for households with the highest need based on historic and ongoing barriers to getting online, such as living in a rural area,” the Members wrote. “This not only includes racial and ethnic minorities, but also, Veterans, people with disabilities, rural residents and older adults (ages 60 years or older). Nearly 80% of Illinois residents belong to at least one of the categories of individuals the law is designed to assist,”
    “Without these funds, programs that help job seekers create a resume to apply for jobs, help farmers use data to optimize crop and livestock production, help seniors pay their bills online and speak with their healthcare providers and help entrepreneurs to develop a website would be slashed.”
    Along with Duckworth and Durbin, the letter is co-signed by U.S. Representatives Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) and Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17).
    The full text of the letter is available on Senator Duckworth’s website and below.
    Dear Secretary Lutnick,
    We strongly object to May 9, 2025, termination of Digital Equity Act (DEA) funding and request that the U.S. Department of Commerce reinstate this funding immediately.
    Under the Constitution, Congress makes spending decisions.
    Congress recognized that broadband access and digital literacy are increasingly critical for employment, education, healthcare and participation in the broader economy. Accordingly, in a bipartisan manner, Congress provided $2.75 billion for the states to help ensure that all households have the technology, skills and capacity to access and benefit from the digital economy. Illinois has been awarded $23.7 million through the Digital Equity Capacity Grant, and organizations working throughout our State have also been awarded grant funds for multi-state Digital Equity Competitive Grant projects.
    This is not a, “woke handout based on race[.]” This is help for households with the highest need based on historic and ongoing barriers to getting online, such as living in a rural area. This not only includes racial and ethnic minorities, but also, Veterans, people with disabilities, rural residents and older adults (ages 60 years or older). Nearly 80% of Illinois residents belong to at least one of the categories of individuals the law is designed to assist.
    Without these funds, programs that help job seekers create a resume to apply for jobs, help farmers use data to optimize crop and livestock production, help seniors pay their bills online and speak with their healthcare providers and help entrepreneurs to develop a website would be slashed.
    Additionally, investments in digital skill building and device access generates a significant return on investment for Americans and U.S. businesses. According to a report from the National Skills Coalition, people who qualify for jobs that require at least one digital skill earn, on average, 23% more than those working in jobs that require none. This represents an increase of $8,000 per year for an individual worker. The impact on wages is even higher for jobs that require more digital skills. Businesses that can hire job seekers with more skills up front must therefore invest less in upskilling them.
    We urge you to reverse course and reinstate this critical funding.
    Sincerely,
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Cassidy Call for End to Biden-Era FEMA Policy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
    WASHINGTON – Today,U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in sending a letter to David Richardson, Acting Administrator of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), calling for an end of the Biden-era policy, Risk Rating 2.0, which caused flood insurance premiums to skyrocket.
    “Since the Biden Administration’s rollout of Risk Rating 2.0, premiums under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) increased in every state. By FEMA’s own estimates, 77 percent of all NFIP policies now pay more than under the old system,” said the Senators.
    “The lack of transparency surrounding Risk Rating 2.0 is beyond troubling. FEMA has never allowed for meaningful public comment nor has it published the underlying data or assumptions used to justify the steep premium increases and refuses to disclose its actuarial model. Without transparency, communities cannot plan mitigation projects, lenders cannot accurately underwrite mortgages, and citizens cannot appeal punitive rate increases. Worse still, rising costs encourage policy lapses—shifting risk back to taxpayers when disasters strike,” continued the Senators.
    Sens. Tuberville and Cassidy were joined by Sens. Katie Britt (R-AL), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Cornyn (R-TX), Jim Justice (R-WV), John Kennedy (R-LA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) in sending the letter. 
    Read full text of the letter below or here. 
    “Dear Acting Administrator Richardson,
    We write to draw your urgent attention to the increasingly untenable flood insurance premiums paid by American homeowners as a result of the Biden era policy, Risk Rating 2.0, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). We respectfully ask for your leadership to halt further premium increases under Risk Rating 2.0 and implement much needed transparency from FEMA.
    On January 20, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order (EO) 13990, directing every federal agency to target and modify Trump era regulations under the auspice of combating climate change. A few months later, Biden signed EO 14030, requiring agencies to integrate up-to-date flood risk considerations into federal actions. Collectively, both of these EOs laid the groundwork for FEMA’s implementation of a new rating system known as Risk Rating 2.0, which was enacted on October 1, 2021.  
    Since the Biden Administration’s rollout of Risk Rating 2.0, premiums under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) increased in every state. By FEMA’s own estimates, 77 percent of all NFIP policies now pay more than under the old system. According to a 2023 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, premiums on primary residences under Risk Rating 2.0 are subject to a maximum 18 percent increase each year until such premiums reflect “the full risk loss of the insured property,” as determined by FEMA.
    Families in the following Republican states are especially hard-hit.
    Louisiana:
    It is estimated that 80 percent of Louisiana NFIP policyholders experienced monthly premium increases in 2025 as a result of Risk Rating 2.0.
    In 2023 alone, the average flood insurance premium in our state jumped by 234 percent, forcing more than 52,000 Louisianans—many of them seniors on fixed incomes—out of the program.
    Coastal parishes, which depend on flood insurance to secure mortgages and rebuild after storms, are now facing premiums that exceed 2 percent of median household income—a threshold that federal guidance deems “cost prohibitive.”
    West Virginia:
    It is estimated that 83% of West Virginia NFIP policyholders experienced monthly premium increases in 2025 as a result of Risk Rating 2.0.
    As of August 2023 (the latest available FEMA data), Risk Rating 2.0 would increase annual NFIP premiums for homeowners in West Virginia by ~176%.
    Over the last 12 months, ~600 West Virginians have left the NFIP as a result of premium increases.
    Texas:
    It is estimated that 86% of Texas NFIP policyholders experienced monthly premium increases in 2025 as a result of Risk Rating 2.0.
    As of August 2023 (the latest available FEMA data), Risk Rating 2.0 would increase annual NFIP premiums for homeowners in Texas by ~53%.
    Over the last 12 months, ~26,300 Texans have left the NFIP as a result of premium increases.
    Alabama:
    It is estimated that 79% of Alabama NFIP policyholders experienced monthly premium increases in 2025 as a result of Risk Rating 2.0.
    As of August 2023 (the latest available FEMA data), Risk Rating 2.0 would increase annual NFIP premiums for homeowners in Alabama by ~106%.
    Over the last 12 months, ~1,200 Alabamians have left the NFIP as a result of premium increases.
    Mississippi:
    It is estimated that 84% of Mississippi NFIP policyholders experienced monthly premium increases in 2025 as a result of Risk Rating 2.0.
    As of August 2023 (the latest available FEMA data), Risk Rating 2.0 would increase annual NFIP premiums for homeowners in Mississippi by ~103%.
    Over the last 12 months, ~2,200 Mississippians have left the NFIP as a result of premium increases.
    Rural and low-income homeowners, along with high-risk coastal areas, are being priced out at far higher rates than urban or wealthier communities. In ten states, full risk NFIP premiums today exceed 2 percent of median household income.  This undermines home values, depresses property tax revenues, and ultimately inflates federal disaster assistance costs when uninsured homeowners cannot rebuild.
    The lack of transparency surrounding Risk Rating 2.0 is beyond troubling. FEMA has never allowed for meaningful public comment nor has it published the underlying data or assumptions used to justify the steep premium increases and refuses to disclose its actuarial model. Without transparency, communities cannot plan mitigation projects, lenders cannot accurately underwrite mortgages, and citizens cannot appeal punitive rate increases. Worse still, rising costs encourage policy lapses—shifting risk back to taxpayers when disasters strike.
    The President has long championed policies that reduce federal overreach and protect everyday Americans from burdensome costs. To limit the damage caused by this harmful Biden era policy, we urge you to:
    Direct FEMA to terminate the Risk Rating 2.0 pricing methodology. 
    Require FEMA to publish all actuarial inputs and outputs of future flood insurance premium increases exceeding the 5% statutory minimum so stakeholders can verify fairness and accuracy.
    Restore targeted affordability measures for coastal, low income, and historically underinsured communities—ensuring NFIP remains accessible to those who need it most.
    Time is of the essence. Each month that Risk Rating 2.0 continues unchecked, more families are forced to abandon their insurance coverage, neighborhoods face economic strain, and entire communities risk collapse after the next disaster. We respectfully urge you to act now—before further harm is done—to protect vulnerable Americans, preserve homeownership, and ensure the NFIP fulfills its mission as Congress intended.
    Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
    Sincerely,”
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Speaks with U.S. Navy Secretary and U.S. Marine Corps Commandant

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
    WASHINGTON – Today,U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) participated in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to receive an update on U.S. Naval operations. During the hearing, Senator Tuberville spoke with Secretary of the Navy John Phelan about the implementation of AI in shipbuilding. Additionally, he spoke with General Eric Smith, Commandant of the Marine Corps, about the mistreatment of an Alabama constituent.
    Read Sen. Tuberville’s remarks below or on YouTube or Rumble.
    ON IMPLEMENTING AI IN SHIPBUILDING
    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just a quick statement, Secretary Phelan. Everything we read obviously is China’s using AI on almost everything that they do. They can build a bridge in three months that takes us three years. I’m sure ship building is part of that. And your travels, hopefully, we’re getting into that. I don’t know how far and how impressed you have been with that. Any thoughts?”
    PHELAN: “So, Senator, thanks for that. We’re slowly adapting and getting there. I think that there is more that we need to do, and we’re focused in the public shipyards trying to get that done. You know, I saw at Fincantieri (Marine Group), actually, they have these 3D goggles where you can actually look at where they’re welding and how it matches up, versus the blueprint to make sure that they’re not off because the precision of this manufacturing is incredibly intense. I mean, these are very complicated things. So, we’re getting there, and I think implementing AI even just basically digital twinning of projects there are a number of things we have to do to get in and done that I think will speed up construction, make design faster. We spend way too much time in requirements and design. This needs to move much, much quicker. So, streamlining that, I think, will be helpful as well.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Just what I read, it looks like we’re just falling farther and farther behind, you know, the Chinese, and we can’t deal with that too much.”
    ON MISHANDLING INVESTIGATION OF ALABAMA MARINE
    TUBERVILLE: “General Smith, I’d like just to make a statement here and discuss [with] you about a constituent matter. Normally, this would be handled in the emails and conversations between our staffs. And after more than seven months of headquarters of the Marine Corps being evasive and unresponsive to my questions, here we are. A little over two years ago, we had an F-35 crash in Charleston, South Carolina. The pilot, an Alabama constituent who entered service from my state, had been selected for a very important command and was in the process of converting from another aircraft and staying current for his new job.”
    “This mishap got a lot of attention because the pilot ejected, the aircraft continuing to fly for an extended period of time before it eventually hit the ground. Of course, there was no way for the pilot to know that this would happen. If he had, he would have remained in the aircraft. What the pilot knew at the time was that the weather was bad. He had no visual reference with the ground and his primary and secondary instruments had completely failed. Disoriented by the cascading failures and [being] low to the ground he ejected.”
    […]
    “It is important to emphasize that all information on this mishap and the investigation had been available to headquarters of the Marine Corps for more than eight months by this point, and it was also available when this family was moved across the country. During the video call relieving him, this marine was told by the deputy commandant for aviation that ‘you’ve done nothing wrong, you’re doing a great job.’ But the commandant had decided ‘you could not stay in command.’ I wonder what the reasons were for this erratic and hasty decision. The officer who conducted the command investigation inappropriately offered his opinion.”
    […]
    “General Smith, I’d like you to get answers to these questions I’ve been asking since October. I’d prefer it to happen through normal means instead of a hearing. But I am chairman of the subcommittee on personnel, and we can arrange that. But to Tre and Jess Del Pizzo and their family, thank you for your many years of service and sacrifice to this great nation. I think you deserve much better here. There is no excuse to treat a Marine and his family this way. So, I look forward to hearing from you, General Smith. Thank you.”
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev: The harvesting campaign has started in Russia – the grain harvest will amount to at least 135 million tons

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    “Almost 20 million hectares of winter crops were sown for the current year’s harvest, 93% of which remained in normal condition. This figure is higher than last year. Russian farmers began spring field work in 2025 a week earlier than the average long-term dates. By now, spring sowing has already been carried out on an area of more than 52 million hectares. In accordance with the approved forecast structure, the area under grain, oilseeds, and sugar beet should be increased this year. I would like to emphasize separately that the area under vegetables and potatoes will increase, which should have a positive impact on providing the domestic market with these products,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

    The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the systemic measures taken by the Government have created a basis for high-quality preparation for seasonal field work. Thanks to this, they are completed without interruptions.

    “The necessary measures to support farmers are maintained. A significant amount of federal funds are allocated for this. Including subsidies for the purchase of seeds, fertilizers and fuel. A set of tools is provided for the development of domestic selection and stimulation of the use of Russian seeds in production. Thanks to this, we have already made significant progress in terms of self-sufficiency in this category,” added Dmitry Patrushev.

    Preferential lending remains available. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the dynamics of short-term loan issuance is ahead of last year. In addition, the Government has additionally allocated more than 4 billion rubles to Rosagroleasing this year, which will allow increasing the supply of equipment to farmers. Non-financial support measures aimed at ensuring the availability of fertilizers and fuels and lubricants are also maintained.

    “The harvesting campaign is beginning in the Russian Federation. Farmers in the Republic of Crimea are gradually starting to harvest grain. I ask the regional leadership to make sure that people on the ground are provided with everything necessary for the regular harvesting. Based on the current situation, we can count on decent harvests of the main crops. According to available estimates, the grain harvest will be at least 135 million tons. This is more than a year earlier,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

    If the weather is favorable, work will soon begin in other regions of the Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts. First of all, this is the Republic of Dagestan, Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories. In addition, the Astrakhan Region, the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic and Krasnodar Territory are starting to harvest potatoes and vegetables. The passage of this period is directly related to ensuring food security of the country.

    Following the meeting, the Ministry of Agriculture was instructed to continue the practice of holding headquarters meetings and off-site meetings, as well as to monitor the dynamics of the delivery of state support funds to farmers.

    Dmitry Patrushev emphasized the importance of observing fire safety measures and monitoring the phytosanitary condition of crops.

    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.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Primary Sector-Government partnership to boost rural health and resilience

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government is stepping up support for rural New Zealand with a $4 million Rural Wellbeing Fund to expand investment in community-based initiatives, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced today at Fieldays.
    “The establishment of this fund is a result of advocacy by Federated Farmers Chair, Wayne Langford, who has been a long-time champion of rural wellbeing and mental health,” Mr McClay says. 
    The contestable fund to drive rural health and community resilience will prioritise initiatives that have strong local backing and secure co-funding from industry or regional partners. It will support new and existing initiatives like Surfing for Farmers, Farmstrong, NZ Young Farmers, FirstMate and many more.
    A five-member panel with representation from the primary sector will be established to assess project applications. Projects must demonstrate strong local delivery, provide clear benefits to rural people, and ability to attract co-investment from industry and sector partners.
    “We’re backing the people on the ground who are already doing great work—this fund is about scaling up, reaching further, and removing barriers for rural communities to lead their own wellbeing efforts,” Mr McClay says.
    This fund brings the Government’s total investment in rural resilience and mental health to more than $11 million over the next four years.
    “This package is about ensuring the farmers and growers who generate our export income, create jobs, and sustain our regions have the support they need to thrive,” Mr McClay says.
    “When rural New Zealand is well, New Zealand does well,” Mr McClay says.
    In addition to the Rural Wellbeing Fund, the Government has confirmed:

    $6 million over four years for Rural Support Trusts across the country;
    An extra $1 million in 2025 for frontline rural mental wellbeing services;
    $400,000 in grants for A&P shows that foster rural connection and pride; and
    $250,000 to support the expanded outreach work of Rural Women New Zealand in 2025/26.

    Expressions of interests for project funding are now open. For more information, visit www.mpi.govt.nz.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Applauds FBI for Stopping Potential Billion-Dollar “Agroterrorism” Event Against Kansas’ Wheat Crops

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
    Washington –U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) today issued a statement applauding the FBI’s recent arrest of two Chinese nationals, with alleged Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ties, who were caught smuggling the fungus Fusarium Graminearum into the United States. This fungus can cause ‘head blight’, which devastates wheat, barley, maize, and rice crops, and has caused billions of dollars in economic losses globally. When ingested, the toxins can cause liver damage, vomiting, and reproductive defects in both humans and livestock.
    “I want to thank FBI Director Kash Patel for saving Kansas’ economy and America’s food supply from potential ruin. Kansas, the largest wheat producer in America, faces the constant threat of wheat scab, a devastating disease that could wipe out a major portion of both Kansas’ and the United States’ economy,” said Senator Marshall. “I have long maintained that food security is national security, and the FBI’s arrest of two individuals with alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party only reinforces the critical need to protect American agriculture from foreign influence, interference, and ownership.”
    Background:
    Senator Marshall previously introduced the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act, which would help prevent improper foreign interference and disruption to the U.S. agriculture industry.
    Senator Marshall has also continuously spoken out against the lies around COVID-19, both from China and the Biden-Harris Administration.  
    In 2024, Senator Marshall joined fellow Kansas U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (R-Kansas-01) in demanding that he stand up against a proposal before the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Council that would alter governance and leadership arrangements at the FAO, strengthen China’s position in the organization, and weaken American agricultural leadership on the world stage.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Trade critical to ocean sustainability — DG Okonjo-Iweala at UN Ocean Conference

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Trade critical to ocean sustainability — DG Okonjo-Iweala at UN Ocean Conference

    DG Okonjo-Iweala highlighted that trade and the WTO can play a key role in harnessing the opportunities from the blue economy and in protecting the oceans’ resources. Underscoring the blue economy’s estimated annual value of over USD 2.6 trillion, she stressed: “The ocean is vital for our food, livelihoods and the health of our planet. More than 3 billion people either directly or indirectly rely on the oceans for their livelihoods.” She also emphasized the importance of the oceans in helping many WTO members meet their development objectives, including coastal and small island developing states (SIDS).
    Noting that marine and coastal ecosystems are threatened by climate change, biodiversity loss and marine pollution, including plastics pollution, she said that conserving and sustainably managing ocean resources is absolutely critical. “Business as usual is not an option” she said, stressing that a coherent approach that connects trade, finance and investment can help unlock inclusive, sustainable growth from the ocean economy.
    DG Okonjo-Iweala said the WTO can support decarbonization efforts by reducing trade barriers and facilitating the cross-border diffusion of environmentally friendly goods, services and technology for maritime shipping and for harnessing renewable energy from the oceans. The WTO also provides a forum for members to share experiences on the trade impact of environmental measures, she noted.
    Highlighting the important role the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) plays in reinforcing international co-operation for the good of the world’s oceans and those who depend on its resources, DG Okonjo-Iweala stressed the importance of eliminating harmful fisheries subsidies to preserve ocean resources. WTO members have taken a first important step by adopting the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies in June 2022, she said, noting that only 10 more ratifications are needed for its entry into force – so far 101 members have already ratified.
    DG Okonjo-Iweala was speaking at the opening high-level panel dedicated to conserving, sustainably managing and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems, including deep-sea ecosystems. Her address can be viewed here.
    DG Okonjo-Iweala also joined a high-level occasion hosted by France’s President Emmanuel Macron for heads of state and other dignitaries to celebrate World Ocean Day on 8 June.
    On 13 June, the WTO Secretariat will organize a side-event titled “Sustainable fisheries: The role of trade from oceans to plate”, co-organized with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and UNOC co-hosts France and Costa Rica. The event will be opened by WTO Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard, Costa Rica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Arnold André Tinoco, and France’s Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Agnès Pannier-Runacher. The discussion will feature experts from international organizations, the private sector, civil society and academia.
    DDG Angela Ellard will deliver a keynote address on 13 June at a session entitled “The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and its Benefits: Perspectives from Science, Economics and Small-Scale Fishers” hosted by the Stop Funding Overfishing Coalition.
    The WTO Secretariat will also participate at panels and side-events during the UN Ocean Conference, and at special events such as the Blue Economy and Finance Forum.
    The WTO Fish Fund opened a Call for Proposals on 6 June, inviting developing and least-developed country (LDC) members that have ratified the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to submit requests for project grants aimed at helping them implement the Agreement. More information can be found here.
    Information on UNOC is available here.

    Share

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur Urges Northwest Ohio Small Businesses and Nonprofits to Apply for SBA Drought Relief Loans Deadline

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) is urging small businesses and private nonprofit organizations across Northwest Ohio to act swiftly as the July 7 deadline approaches to apply for US Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) related to last fall’s drought conditions across Northwest Ohio, and the Buckeye State.

    Businesses in Erie, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wood counties have until July 7, 2025, to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to help offset economic losses caused by the prolonged drought conditions that began on September 10, 2024.

    “These loans have proven a lifeline for small businesses and nonprofits in our region feeling the financial aftershocks of last year’s protracted drought,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “Northwest Ohio’s resilience depends on making sure local enterprises and community institutions have the resources they need to weather economic hardship. I strongly encourage all eligible organizations to apply for this federal farm assistance before the deadline passes.”

    The SBA’s EIDL program provides working capital to help businesses meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. Loan funds can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills. Importantly, businesses do not need to have sustained physical damage to be eligible for this support.
    While agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers are generally not eligible, small aquaculture businesses may qualify for assistance. Visit the SBA website for full details and application materials.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Nimanode Launches $NMA Token Presale to Power AI Agent Ecosystem on XRP Ledger

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEEDS, United Kingdom, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nimanode, a pioneering no-code AI agent platform built on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), has officially launched its $NMA token presale, offering early participants the opportunity to engage with a next-generation on-chain automation ecosystem. The presale has already filled over 12% of its softcap, reflecting growing interest in AI-powered blockchain infrastructure.

    With anticipation of a major breakout post-launch, early participants are moving quickly to secure $NMA tokens at presale pricing.

    Join $NMA Presale

    Presale Demand Up as Investors Target $NMA for 10X Growth

    With a total of 90 million $NMA representing 45% of $NMA allocated for the presale, this marks a unique and promising chance to claim early access into one of XRP Ledger’s most innovative projects, spearheading the AI ecosystem on the blockchain.

    As the market is currently clouded by volatility and corrections, Nimanode’s presale is emerging as a rare bright spot. Sparking strong FOMO across the XRP community and beyond as investors position themselves early in what many believe could be the next 100X breakout on XRPL.

    Market Analysts already predict strong upside upon exchange listing of $NMA as demand for agent-based infrastructure gains traction.

    This is a chance to invest in $NMA before its Listing at 25% higher than Presale value, however whales position for more as they eye a 10X surge on Launch.

    Join $NMA Presale

    New Kind of On-Chain Intelligence

    Nimanode agents aren’t just simple bots.These agents think, analyze, and execute on-chain tasks ranging from:

    Smart Contract Generation: AI that turns plain-English prompts into executable XRPL Hook contracts.

    DeFi Yield Optimization: Self-directed agents that shift capital between pools to maximize APY.

    Risk Monitoring: Agents that scan wallets and contracts to flag malicious activity in real-time.

    Web3 Customer Support: Deployable support agents that run 24/7 across DAO forums, dApps, and more.

    RWA Compliance: Regulatory agents that keep tokenized assets aligned with local frameworks.
    And all of it can be created from a zero-code interface, allowing creators, DAOs, or institutions to launch an entire automated ecosystem in minutes.

    How to Join The Nimanode Presale

    Joining in the NimaNode Presale is quite straightforward for seasoned investors and newbies alike.

    Purchase XRP: Acquire XRP from reputable exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, or Bybit.

    Setup an XRP-Compatible Wallet: Send your XRP to an XRP compatible Wallet (e.g. Xaman).

    Participate in the Presale: Visit the NimaNode Presale Page (https://nimanode.com/presale), send your XRP to the provided presale address, and secure your $NMA tokens.

    There is a Limited Time Period of 30 Days for the Presale and it’s pricing is going at 1 XRP = 450 $NMA

    The last cycle gave us DeFi protocols and NFTs. This cycle is shaping up to be about autonomous infrastructure and Nimanode is at the heart of it.

    Don’t Miss Out – Secure your $NMA Tokens

    Connect with Nimanode

    Website: https://nimanode.com

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

    Telegram: https://t.me/nimanodeAI

    Documentation: https://docs.nimanode.com

    Contact:
    Nick Lambert
    contact@nimanode.com

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

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8a7a5bf9-217b-4a2e-a549-9e4ba44e7dfa

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand Veterinary Association Award Evening

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Good evening,
    It’s a real privilege to be here with you tonight, among people who play such a vital role in the wellbeing of our animals, our communities, and our economy.

    Veterinarians are essential to New Zealand. Upholding our global reputation for world-leading animal welfare standards, something we are known for and proud of.
    Let’s not forget, we are a country with one of the highest rates of companion animal ownership in the world, and large parts of our economy rely on production animals.

    Our food and fibre sector is the backbone of this country, making up 10% of our GDP and supporting around 360,000 jobs. In the year to April 2025, dairy exports brought in $26.8 billion, and meat exports $9.7 billion. None of this would be possible without the work of our veterinarians.

    You are essential to the success of our animal-based industries. You’re not just treating animals; you’re enabling our trade, our economy, and our reputation.

    You make market access possible, protect the health and welfare status of our animals, and serve as trusted advisors on farms—the first line of defence in our surveillance programmes. Those of you working at MPI ensure our compliance with international standards, manage disease control and quarantine, and give markets confidence in our systems.

    Take our biosecurity system, one of the best in the world. This system, which helps us detect threats like Mycoplasma bovis early, relies on your vigilance, expertise, and commitment. Without vets, we don’t maintain those crucial disease-free statuses, and without those, we don’t trade. It’s that simple.

    Looking ahead, climate change and sustainability are rising priorities, not just here but for our trading partners too. Veterinarians, with your deep understanding of the interconnectedness of animals, humans, and the environment, are uniquely placed to be a part of this conversation, and I believe your insights are key.

    As a government, we absolutely recognise your value. That’s why, back in 2009, we established the Veterinary Bonding Scheme. Since then, it has helped 483 graduate vets into rural practice, where they are most needed. Each year, over 30 new graduates join the scheme, and in 2024, we saw the highest intake yet: 35.

    We’re continuing to listen to the profession to hear what you need. Just this April, I announced a change to the regulations allowing trained non-veterinarians, under a vet’s authorisation, to perform subgingival dental procedures on cats and dogs.

    As a farmer, I know how stretched vets are, and I also know how skilled our veterinary nurses are. This change gives them the legal protection to put those skills to use, meaning better dental care for our pets, allowing vets to focus on more complex cases, and overall, providing better service for pet owners.
    I want to sincerely thank the New Zealand Veterinary Association, particularly the Companion Animal Veterinarians Branch, for your work with MPI to develop this regulation. Your advocacy and collaboration, alongside other industry voices, have made a real difference.
    Thank you for everything you do to keep our animals well, safeguard our biosecurity, and protect our food safety systems.
    And finally, a massive congratulations to the eight award winners we’re celebrating tonight. Your excellence lifts the whole profession. And as I know a few of you I am looking forward to congratulating you in person.
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: AFCD investigates Mainland fisherman deckhands and local coxswain suspected of using snake cages for fishing (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         A joint operation was conducted by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) together with the Hong Kong Police Force and Zhuhai Municipal Marine Comprehensive Law Enforcement Team in the southern waters of Hong Kong yesterday (June 9).

         During the operation, the AFCD personnel intercepted a local fishing vessel suspected of engaging in fishing using snake cages (a type of cage trap banned in Hong Kong waters) in waters off Cheung Chau at around 9.30pm for investigation. Some fishing gear (including snake cages and winches) on board was seized by the AFCD.

         The AFCD is investigating a local coxswain and six Mainland fisherman deckhands on board suspected of engaging in fishing using snake cages, in violation of the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171).

         Only a vessel registered under the Ordinance can be used for fishing in Hong Kong waters and only the fishing methods listed on its Certificate of Registration of Local Fishing Vessel can be employed for fishing by the vessel. The conditions of the Certificate of Registration of Local Fishing Vessel regarding cage traps also stipulate that any collapsible cage traps should not be connected in any way to another; or should not exceed five metres in any of its extended dimensions. Hence, it is unlawful to fish using snake cages. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and six months’ imprisonment upon conviction.

         A spokesman for the AFCD stressed, “The Government is committed to combatting illegal fishing activities in Hong Kong waters. The AFCD will continue to step up patrols and take stringent enforcement action.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven Advances Ranching, Grasslands Priorities with USDA Under Secretary Nominee

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
    06.06.25
    Senator Urges Nominee to Ensure USFS Works with North Dakota Ranchers on Grazing Access, Wildfire Management & Pest Control
    WASHINGTON – At a hearing of the Senate Agriculture Committee this week, Senator John Hoeven advanced key priorities for North Dakota ranchers with Michael Boren, the nominee to serve as the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment. In this role, Boren will oversee the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), which includes the national grasslands in North Dakota. Accordingly, Hoeven urged Boren to work with him on:
    Ensuring access to USFS lands for multiple use, including grazing and energy production.
    Hoeven stressed to Boren that section line rights-of-way are critical for enabling ranchers to access their cattle in the Little Missouri National Grasslands.

    Coordinating with local ranchers and rural fire departments on wildfire management, including protecting against impacts from controlled burns on federal lands.
    Better management of pests on USFS lands, such as prairie dogs and noxious weeds.
    Hoeven and Boren discussed the need for adequate buffers on federal lands to help prevent damage to private and state-held lands.
    Hoeven previously worked with USFS Deputy Chief Chris French on efforts to address noxious weeds on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands and urged Boren to maintain these efforts.

    “North Dakota is home to the largest national grasslands in the country, with the USFS managing more than a million acres of land in our state. That creates real challenges that require the federal government to work cooperatively with our local stakeholders, including our ag and energy producers,” said Hoeven. “In both the committee hearing and my meeting with Michael Boren, we drove home the importance of ensuring access to the grasslands for our grazers. Fair grazing agreements are essential, as is access through section lines to ensure ranchers can actually get to their cattle. At the same time, we’ve seen poor land management on federal acreage impacting private and state lands through the spread of noxious weeds, uncontrolled prairie dog colonies and wildfires. I appreciate Mr. Boren’s commitment to work with us on these critical issues.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Goldman, Bonamici Introduce Legislation to Safeguard Summer EBT Benefits for Children

    Source: US Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)

    MEALS Act Would Reimburse Stolen Summer EBT Benefits 

    At Least $40 Million in Food Assistance Benefits Have Been Stolen from New Yorkers in Recent Years, 20% of Nationwide Claims 

     

     New York Currently Forbidden from Refunding Stolen Summer EBT Benefits Using Federal Funds 

     

    Nearly 2 Million New York Children Depend on Summer EBT Benefits for Nutritious Meals During Summer Months 

     

    Read the MEALS Act Here 

    Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) introduced the Mitigating Electronic Access Losses for Students (MEALS Act), which would ensure working families who rely on Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits to make ends meet can be reimbursed if their benefits are stolen via EBT card skimming and fraud.  

    “It is unconscionable that any child should go hungry in the wealthiest nation on earth,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. ”As lawmakers, we have a moral and legislative duty to ensure that every child has access to nutritious food year-round, especially during the summer months, when free or reduced-price school meals are unavailable. The Summer EBT program is a proven tool for combating food insecurity, yet far too often, these essential benefits are stolen through no fault of the families who rely on them. This is unacceptable. We must create a clear and efficient process to replace skimmed Summer EBT benefits quickly and in their entirety so that no child suffers due to theft or bureaucratic failure.” 

    Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici said, “Students should not have to go hungry if their families fall prey to scammers who install illegal skimming devices at the places where they buy groceries. The MEALS Act is commonsense legislation that will prevent the theft of S-EBT benefits and restore those that are stolen. This legislation will help keep hungry kids fed when school is out during the summer.” 

    The Summer EBT program provides eligible families with funds to purchase groceries when school is out of session. For many children, summer can be a particularly challenging time because they lose access to school meals, which are often a critical source of daily nutrition. Through Summer EBT, eligible families can receive $120 per child, which can be used at participating grocery stores to buy nutritious food, helping bridge the gap during these months. Over 2 million children are eligible for Summer EBT benefits in New York State. These benefits are often stolen via skimming, cloning, or similar fraud.  

    Congressman Goldman previously urged USDA to investigate the Summer EBT theft in NY-10, highlighting seventeen instances of Summer EBT theft in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park community alone, totaling over $1600 worth of stolen benefits. He also requested the federal reimbursement for victims of Summer EBT fraud, however, USDA ultimately issued guidance prohibiting states from replacing stolen Summer EBT benefits using federal funds. 

    Last summer, Rep. Goldman joined Governor Hochul in announcing the rollout of the Summer EBT program in New York and continues to champion food assistance relief for New Yorkers. As Congressman Goldman pushes to reauthorize federal reimbursement of SNAP refunds, this bill would provide critical relief for families during the hungry summer months. 

    Specifically, the MEALS Act would: 

    1. Require the Secretary of Agriculture to 

      1. Issue guidance to State agencies and covered Indian Tribal organizations (ITOs) in detecting and preventing theft of summer EBT benefits, and issue a rule for participating State agencies and ITOs to take appropriate security measures and implement procedures for the replacement of summer EBT benefits; 

      2. Coordinate with the Office of Family Assistance at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to determine how summer EBT benefits are being stolen and establish measures to prevent summer EBT benefits from being stolen and establish standard reporting methods; 

      3. Submit a report to Congress that includes the prevalence of summer EBT theft and measures establishes by the Secretary and AG; 

      4. Replace stolen summer EBT benefits, and State agencies and covered ITOs to submit claims for replacement benefits that include a signed statement by the affected household, data reports on benefit theft, and planned use of benefit theft prevention measures; 

    2. Require GAO to submit a report to Congress that examines the risks related to summer EBT benefit payment system security and policy recommendations to improving the summer EBT payment system. 

    Protecting food assistance benefits, including SNAP, from skimming and theft has been a focal point of Congressman Goldman’s time in office. 

    In March, Congressman Goldman hosted a press conference to demand a comprehensive change to state and federal law to address the urgent issue of stolen EBT benefits.
    In the Fall of 2024, Congressman Goldman led an effort to extend critical protections to victims of food stamp theft that are set to expire at the end of September without further action. The lawmakers sent a letter to Congressional leadership urging them to include a provision in a forthcoming stop-gap funding bill that would allow victims to continue to be reimbursed from federal funds. 
    In Summer of 2023, Congressman Goldman introduced the ‘SNAP Theft Protection Act,’ which aimed to update SNAP to allow states to use existing SNAP funding to refund stolen benefits to victims of SNAP-related scams.  

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Union Applauds House Freshmen for Supporting Fair Trade Policies

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    IAM Union International President Brian Bryant recently expressed his appreciation to a coalition of House Freshmen for signing a letter supporting fair trade practices, including a renegotiation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the reauthorization of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program.

    “On behalf of the 600,000 active and retired members of this very diverse union, I want to thank these House Freshmen who understand the importance of fair trade policy,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “U.S. trade policy has led many news headlines in recent months, and this letter underscores the importance of renegotiating the USMCA to protect domestic manufacturing in areas like aerospace, reauthorizing the U.S. Labor Department’s TAA program, and enacting strategic tariffs that punish bad actors and protect U.S. jobs.”

    Rep. Josh Riley (NY-19) and Rep. Lateefah Simon (CA-12) led 18 of their colleagues in a letter to President Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer calling for a trade policy that strengthens America’s middle class, rebuilds the U.S. industrial base, and safeguards family farms and small businesses.

    “For too long, bad trade deals have been written in Wall Street boardrooms and rubber-stamped in political backrooms—while towns from Endicott to Ellenville got sold out,” said Rep. Josh Riley. “I came to Congress to give blue-collar towns a real voice in trade talks. I’ll work with anyone from any party who wants to rethink trade in a way that supports American farmers, builds American factories for American workers, and strengthens national security.”

    “I’m proud to represent the Port of Oakland, the largest refrigerated cargo export port in the United States,” said Rep. Lateefah Simon. “Tariffs are not inherently bad, but President Trump’s chaotic, self-imposed tariff war has been a disaster for the U.S. economy. That’s why I am leading my freshman colleagues to call on the president to fix U.S. trade policy to support workers, small businesses, and the environment.”

    The members outlined four key areas of proposed collaboration:

    1. Improving the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):

    • Include stronger labor and environmental standards.
    • Close China’s USMCA backdoor into U.S. markets.
    • Fix digital trade provisions.

    2. Investing in American Manufacturing:

    3. Reauthorizing Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA):

    • Support and improve TAA for communities impacted by past trade policies.

    4. Pairing Strategic Tariffs with Pro-Worker Laws:

    • Implement tariffs with anti-price gouging and pro-labor reforms.

    Read the full text of the letter here. 

    The IAM continues advocating for trade agreements prioritizing U.S. labor standards, environmental protections, and domestic production.

    The post IAM Union Applauds House Freshmen for Supporting Fair Trade Policies appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

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

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

     ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in North Carolina of the July 7 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by drought and extreme heat occurring on May 7- Aug. 8, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the North Carolina counties of Camden, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, Perquimans as well as Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach in Virginia.

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

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

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

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

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

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 7, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

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

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Ohio of the July 7 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by drought occurring on Sept. 10, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the Ohio counties of Erie, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca and Wood.

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

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

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

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

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

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 7, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dr. Cato T. Laurencin Represents U.S. at U.S.-Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Symposium

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    More than 100 scientists, engineers, and medical professionals from 16 African countries and the United States discussed advances across a broad range of multi-disciplinary topics, including Biotechnology, New Solutions for Decarbonization, Advances in Space Research, Smart and Connected Cities, and Precision Agriculture. UConn’s Dr. Cato T. Laurencin has served as a distinguished member of the Oversight Committee for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine since its inception.

    Sponsored by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the U.S.-Africa program brings together outstanding young scientists, engineers, and medical professionals from the U.S. and the member countries of the African Union to discuss exciting advances and opportunities in their fields. The goal of the meetings is to enhance the scientific exchange and dialogue among young researchers in African countries and the U.S., including the African science diaspora, and through this interaction, facilitate research collaboration within and beyond the region.

    Laurencin, an internationally recognized scientist, engineer, and surgeon, is actively involved in Africa through his work with the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and other African scientific organizations. He has been a fellow of the AAS since 2012. Laurencin also participated in the first U.S.-Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering, and Medicine symposium, contributing to discussions on research collaboration and scientific exchange between African countries. He also spoke at the 2024 Galien Forum in Dakar, Senegal, on the role of women in STEM in addressing environmental crises in Africa.

    Laurencin is a fellow of the Senegalese Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a fellow of the Benin National Academy of Science and Arts. He received the 2019 UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences at the African Union Heads of State Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Laurencin received the 2019 UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences, becoming the first American to earn this prestigious award. The ceremony took place during the Africa Union Heads of States Summit located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

    At UConn Laurencin is the University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UConn School of Medicine, professor of Chemical Engineering, professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He is the chief executive officer of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, a cross-university institute created and named for him at the University of Connecticut. A shoulder and knee surgeon, he is a pioneer of the field of Regenerative Engineering. In receiving the Spingarn Medal, the NAACP named him the world’s foremost engineer-physician-scientist. He is the first surgeon elected to the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Inventors.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • India leads global push for Ocean Conservation at UNOC3, unveils Deep-Sea Mission and plastic clean-up initiatives

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India made a compelling case for urgent global action to protect ocean health at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, with Union Minister of Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiling ambitious strides in deep-sea exploration, marine plastic clean-up, and sustainable fisheries. Representing India at the conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, Dr. Singh called for a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty, swift ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, and introduced the ‘SAHAV’ digital ocean data portal, reinforcing India’s leadership in global marine governance.

    Speaking under the conference theme “Accelerating Action and Mobilizing All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean,” Dr. Singh emphasized India’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. He outlined India’s multi-pronged strategy to combat ocean degradation through science, innovation, and inclusive partnerships. A centerpiece of India’s efforts is the Deep Ocean Mission’s ‘Samudrayaan’ project, set to deploy the nation’s first manned submersible by 2026 to explore ocean depths up to 6,000 meters, marking a significant leap in scientific capability.

    Dr. Singh highlighted India’s progress in tackling marine pollution through the ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar’ campaign, which has cleaned over 1,000 km of coastline and removed more than 50,000 tonnes of plastic waste since 2022. A draft marine litter policy is in place, and India is actively supporting negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty to establish a legally binding international framework. Additionally, India has expanded its Marine Protected Areas to cover 6.6% of its Exclusive Economic Zone, contributing to global biodiversity goals.

    The minister showcased India’s Blue Economy initiatives, driven by the Sagarmala Programme and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Over 600 port-led infrastructure projects worth $80 billion have been operationalized, while $2.5 billion in investments have modernized the fisheries sector, resulting in a 10% rise in fish production and the creation of over 1,000 fish farmer producer organizations since 2022. India has also restored over 10,000 hectares of mangroves and implemented shoreline management plans using nature-based solutions, integrating ocean-based climate actions into its Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.

    India’s leadership in global ocean governance was further demonstrated through its co-leadership in ‘Blue Talks’ with France and Costa Rica and its participation in high-level events, such as the India-Norway side session on Marine Spatial Planning. The launch of the ‘SAHAV’ portal at UNOC3 enhances India’s commitment to transparent, science-based ocean management.

    Urging the adoption of a robust ‘Nice Ocean Action Plan,’ Dr. Singh called for global investment in innovation, ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, and finalization of the plastics treaty. “The ocean is our shared heritage and responsibility,” he declared, affirming India’s readiness to collaborate with governments, private sectors, civil society, and indigenous communities for a sustainable ocean future. India’s proactive stance at UNOC3 signals its transformation from a coastal nation to a global leader in shaping ocean policy.

  • MIL-OSI: LambdaTest Unveils AI-Native Test Case Generator to Revolutionize Software Quality Assurance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Francisco, CA, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LambdaTest, a unified agentic AI and cloud engineering platform, has launched its AI Test Case Generator, a groundbreaking tool designed to streamline the test case creation process for quality assurance (QA) teams. With this new feature, teams can quickly convert a wide range of input formats, including text, PDFs, audio, video, images, Jira tickets, and more, into structured, contextual software test cases. This innovation significantly reduces the time and effort required to manually create test cases, while also improving test coverage and quality.

    The AI Test Case Generator works by analyzing the provided input, whether it’s a requirement document, a Jira issue, an image, or even audio and video files. It automatically generates detailed test cases that encompass essential components, including titles, descriptions, preconditions, priorities, tags, test steps, and expected outcomes. The AI-native system organises related test cases into logical scenarios, making it easier for teams to manage and navigate large sets of requirements. Once generated, the test cases can be customized and edited to better align with specific testing needs and strategies.

    LambdaTest’s new feature also integrates seamlessly with the company’s AI-Native Test Manager platform. Once the test cases are generated and refined, they can be saved directly to the Test Case Repository, enabling easy access and sharing among team members. This efficient process allows for faster test planning, execution, and collaboration across teams.

    “The AI Test Case Generator is a game changer for QA teams”, says Asad Khan, CEO and Co-Founder at LambdaTest.“By automating the test case creation process, we not only save valuable time but also ensure more comprehensive test coverage. This innovation is a step forward in empowering teams to focus on more strategic aspects of Quality Assurance.”

    To learn more about Test Case Generator, please visit https://www.lambdatest.com/support/docs/generate-test-cases-with-ai/

    About LambdaTest

    LambdaTest is an AI-native, omnichannel software quality platform that empowers businesses to accelerate time to market through intelligent, cloud-based test authoring, orchestration, and execution. With over 15,000 customers and 2.3 million+ users across 130+ countries, LambdaTest is the trusted choice for modern software testing.

    • Browser & App Testing Cloud: Enables manual and automated testing of web and mobile apps across 10,000+ browsers, real devices, and OS environments, ensuring cross-platform consistency.
    • HyperExecute: An AI-native test execution and orchestration cloud that runs tests up to 70% faster than traditional grids, offering smart test distribution, automatic retries, real-time logs, and seamless CI/CD integration.
    • KaneAI: The world’s first GenAI-native testing agent, leveraging LLMs for effortless test creation, intelligent automation, and self-evolving test execution. It integrates directly with Jira, Slack, GitHub, and other DevOps tools.

    For more information, please visit https://lambdatest.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Chicken Road Game Online In India – Download, Play & Win Real Money

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Gurugram, Haryana, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Chicken Road is a fun arcade-style casino game made by InOut Games in 2024. In this exciting adventure, you help a brave little chicken walk across dangerous paths to grab a golden egg. But be careful there are hidden dangers along the way! 

    >>> Play Chicken Road Game Online >>>

    With a high return-to-player (RTP) rate of 98% and bets starting at just INR 90, Chicken Road is perfect for both new and experienced players.

    This page will tell you everything you need to know about the Chicken Road game online, along with smart tips to help you win more. Ready to play? Let’s go!

    >>> Play Chicken Road Game Online >>>

    What Is Chicken Road?

    Chicken Road is a simple yet thrilling game where you guide a chicken across a line of manholes. Some manholes are safe, while others hide dangerous fires. If the chicken steps on a safe manhole, your prize gets bigger. But if it hits a fire trap, the game ends and you lose your bet.

    >>> Play Chicken Road Game Online >>>

    You get to decide when to stop and cash out your winnings. That’s what makes the game fun—you’re in control! The farther your chicken walks, the higher your reward. But the risk also grows with each step.

    How to Play Chicken Road Game In India

    In India, the game is easy to learn and quick to play. Here’s how it works:

    1. Click the green “Go” button to start.
    2. Your chicken walks forward. If the first step is safe, you earn a multiplier.
    3. Each safe step earns you more money.
    4. If your chicken lands on a fire trap, you lose your bet, and the game ends.
    5. You can press the yellow “Cash Out” button at any time to take your winnings.

    You can keep going to try for bigger rewards, but remember, one wrong step and it’s game over.

    Why Chicken Road Game Is So Popular In India

    1. Easy Controls

    The game screen is easy to understand. You don’t need to read long rules or guides to start playing. Everything is simple and clear.

    2. Choose Your Difficulty

    You can pick from four levels depending on how risky you want to play:

    • Easy: 24 steps. Best for beginners who want small, steady wins.
    • Medium: 22 steps. A balanced level with good rewards and some risk.
    • Hard: 20 steps. For more experienced players who want higher multipliers.
    • Hardcore: 15 steps. Very risky but comes with the biggest prizes.

    You can change the level anytime between rounds.

    3. High RTP and Risk Options

    Chicken Road has an overall RTP of 98%, which means it’s designed to be fair to players. But your chance of winning on each step depends on the difficulty:

    • In Easy mode, each step has about a 96% chance of success.
    • In Hardcore mode, the risk is much higher. The RTP here can drop to 60%, but the rewards are also much bigger.

    Choose the level that fits your playing style.

    4. Bet Your Way

    Chicken Road works for all kinds of players. You may wager anything from INR 90 to INR 19,000 in a single round of play. It’s your choice to play with safety in mind or take more risky moves. A few players, in the beginning, make low bets and then increase their wagers as they get used to playing. Others wait for a winning streak before raising their bet.

    The Cash Out Feature

    One of the best parts of Chicken Road is the Cash Out option. At any point in the game, you can click this button and take home your winnings. You don’t have to finish the full path. This gives you control over how much risk you want to take.

    Try the Chicken Road Game Demo

    If you are new to Chicken Road, don’t worry. You can try the demo version of the game first. It works just like the real version but uses fake money. This is a great way to learn without taking any risks.

    Why Try the Demo?

    • No money needed
    • Learn the game rules
    • See how betting works
    • Practice using the Cash Out feature
    • Get familiar with the game layout

    The demo includes all the same features as the full game, so you get the full experience before betting real money.

    How to Sign Up to Play Chicken Road Game

    To play Chicken Road Game for real money, you need to register at an online casino that offers the game. Here’s how to do it:

    1. Choose a trusted online casino.
    2. Visit their website and click the “Register” button.
    3. Fill in your details, like your name, email, phone number, and address.
    4. Enter the verification code sent to your phone or email.
    5. Once you’re done, your account will be ready. You can now deposit money and start playing.

    Can I Play Chicken Road on My Phone?

    Yes! Let’s see how to get started:

    1. Pick a casino that offers the Chicken Road game.
    2. Go to their website on your phone.
    3. Find the Apps section and choose your device type.
    4. Download and install the casino app.
    5. Log in and start playing Chicken Road anytime, anywhere.

    How to Start Betting on Chicken Road

    Want to place your first real-money bet? Here’s a simple guide:

    1. Log in to your casino account (or create one if you haven’t yet).
    2. Click the “Deposit” button and add funds to your account.
    3. Open the Chicken Road game from the casino menu.
    4. Enter the amount you want to bet.
    5. Click the “Start” button to begin the game.
    6. Watch your chicken walk the path. Decide when to Cash Out based on your winnings.

    Your final prize depends on how far the chicken goes and the multiplier at the time you cash out.

    Best Strategies for Chicken Road

    You place a bet, help the chicken move forward, and decide when to cash out. But if you want to win more often, you need a plan.

    Many players use smart strategies to improve their chances. Below, you will find the most popular ones that can help you stay in the game longer and possibly earn bigger rewards.

    1. Safe Multiplier Strategy

    If you like playing it safe, this strategy is for you. It’s simple—cash out early, usually when the multiplier hits between 1.5x and 3x. Your wins won’t be huge, but you will win more often. Over time, these small wins can really add up, and you will lose less.

    2. Martingale Strategy

    This one is for players who don’t mind taking a little more risk. If you lose a round, you double your next bet. The idea is that when you finally win, you will cover all your past losses and still make a profit. But be careful—this strategy needs a good-sized balance and a bit of patience.

    3. Balanced Risk Strategy

    With this method, you adjust your bet size based on the difficulty level you choose. If you are playing on a harder level, place lower bets because the risk is higher. On easier levels, you can bet more since the chances of winning are better. This keeps your gameplay steady and balanced.

    4. The Lagom Approach – Balanced Play Style

    Inspired by the Swedish word “lagom,” which means “not too much, not too little,” this betting style helps you stay in control.

    Here’s how the Lagom Strategy works:

    • Start with a ₹500 bet.
    • If you win, lower your next bet to ₹300. This locks in some profit.
    • If you lose, raise your next bet slightly to ₹700 to try and recover.
    • Keep your bets in a safe range so you don’t risk too much.

    This approach keeps the game exciting but helps avoid the stress of big losses. It’s a great choice for players who want to stay consistent and in control.

    Download the Chicken Road Game App (APK)

    Want to play Chicken Road on your phone? It’s easy. It’s made to be quick, easy to use, and free from lag on every smartphone and tablet.

    Since the APK file is only 26.2 MB, your device will download it fast, and you won’t experience any further slowdown. You can enjoy Vampire Diaries: Struggle for Blood on your mobile browser, but its app has better controls and speed.

    How to Download the APK

    • Go to the official website or a trusted casino partner.
    • Tap on the download link for the Chicken Road APK.
    • Open the file and install it on your Android phone.
    • Once installed, just log in or sign up, and you’re ready to play.

    The game runs smoothly on Android and works great even on older phones. For iPhone users, many casinos also offer mobile apps that include Chicken Road.

    Chicken Road RTP and Winning Chances

    InOut Games is open about how Chicken Road works. The game is based on Provably Fair technology, meaning the results are created using a secure random system that players can trust.

    The RTP (Return to Player) for Chicken Road is 98%, which means most of the money bet by players is returned in winnings over time. Only a small 2% margin is used to support game development.

    Let’s break it down simply:

    • If you go for a 1.68x multiplier, your chance of winning is about 58%.
    • Going for a 2.80x multiplier gives you about a 35% chance.
    • A big win like 9.08x has around a 10% chance.
    • Going for something huge like 34.67x gives you a 2.8% chance.
    • The x1000 jackpot? Your chance is close to 0.1%—super rare, but possible.

    These numbers show that InOut Games keeps things fair, with only a small difference between the theoretical and actual win rates. Also, keep in mind that each round is random. Just because you won or lost before doesn’t affect what happens next.

    Is Chicken Road Real or Fake?

    Chicken Road is 100% real and fair. It’s created by a trusted company called InOut Games, and the game uses Provably Fair technology. This means that the game results are made using a secure system called cryptography. You can even check the fairness of every round.

    If you play Chicken Road at a licensed online casino, you’re in good hands. These casinos follow international gaming rules, so your gameplay is safe and your money is protected.

    Who Made Chicken Road?

    InOut Games is the company behind Chicken Road. They are known for making cool, easy-to-play mini-games that keep players coming back. Their games have:

    • High return-to-player (RTP) percentages
    • Simple and fun mechanics
    • Great design for both mobile and desktop

    Chicken Road is one of their most loved games. It’s fun, fast, and lets you use real strategies to win.

    Conclusion

    Chicken Road is a fast-paced, exciting game where your choices matter. Whether you’re someone who likes safe bets or wants to go all in for big wins, the game gives you options.

    You can play it your way:

    • Try safe steps and cash out early
    • Use smart betting strategies to stay ahead
    • Switch between easy and hard levels depending on your mood

    And with a high RTP and fun gameplay, you are always just one step away from a big win.

    Ready to take your chicken on a winning run? Start playing Chicken Road today and enjoy the thrill of every step!

    FAQs

    1. Can I play Chicken Road for free?

    Yes, many online casinos offer a demo version. You can play it without spending real money and learn how the game works.

    2. Where can I play Chicken Road?

    You can find Chicken Road on trusted online casinos that offer games from InOut Games.

    3. How does the game work?

    You place a bet and help the chicken move forward. Each step earns you more money, but you must choose the right time to cash out—before stepping into a trap.

    4. Are there any bonuses for Chicken Road?

    Yes. Many casinos offer free bets, deposit bonuses, cashback, and special promos for new and regular players.

    5. Is Chicken Road legal in India?

    Yes, as long as you’re playing on a licensed and legal online casino, Chicken Road is safe and legal in India.

    Media Details

    • Company Name – Chicken Road
    • Address – 673, JMD Building, Gurugram, Haryana
    • Company Website: https://chicken-roadd.com/
    • Email: sumit@chicken-roadd.com
    • Phone: +91-2049157035
    • Contact Person Name: Sumit

    Disclaimer
    This information is for general and entertainment purposes only—not legal, financial, or gambling advice. Always verify details and follow your local laws. Gambling carries risks; wager responsibly and only what you can afford to lose, and seek help if you feel out of control. Some links may be affiliate links at no extra cost to you, and wild may be unavailable or restricted in certain regions.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –