NewzIntel.com

Category: Fisheries

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by CS at Student of the Year Awards 2024/25 Presentation Ceremony (English only) (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the Student of the Year Awards 2024/25 Presentation Ceremony today (July 12):
     
    Catherine (Chief Executive Officer of the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Ms Catherine So), Dr Lake Wang (Executive Director, People and Organisational Development of the Hong Kong Jockey Club), Tammy (Editor-in-Chief of the South China Morning Post, Ms Tammy Tam), Advisory Board members, ladies and gentlemen,
     
    Good morning. And what a great morning this is for Hong Kong. Today, we celebrate our secondary schools and the exceptional professionalism and dedication of principals, teachers and support staff. We also thank parents for their endless support. And, most importantly, we honour the students among us today – the winners and finalists of this 44th annual Student of the Year Awards.
     
    This year, over 840 students from 177 schools were nominated. And that, I’m delighted to say, is a new record high for the Awards.
     
    Rewarding excellence is no easy task, yet Hong Kong is fortunate to have so many deserving students.
     
    The judging panel had the tough task of bringing all those impressive nominations down to 40 finalists for the Awards’ 10 student categories, including the Grand Prize.
     
    The Government is firmly committed to youth development.  
     
    The Youth Development Blueprint for Hong Kong, released in late 2022, outlines our guiding principles for promoting long-term youth development. Its original 160-plus measures have been expanded, since then, to about 250, in an ongoing effort to ensure that the Blueprint evolves to meet the changing needs of our youth.
     
    Our vision is to raise a new generation of youth instilled with a global perspective, a positive mindset and a deep love for our city and our country.
     
    That demands a community-wide effort, including valued partnerships with organisations like the SCMP and the Jockey Club, working closely with educational institutions and families, to create an enabling environment for the youth of Hong Kong.
     
    This year’s theme, “Building Tomorrow: Growth Through Action”, reflects that shared vision.
     
    My congratulations to each and every one of this year’s awardees and finalists. Remember, this city, together with your proud parents, your school, teachers and mentors, and so many others who have helped you along the way, believe in you and look forward to your future with great expectations.
     
    I am grateful to the South China Morning Post and the Hong Kong Jockey Club for organising this prestigious event year after year and, in doing so, putting a brilliant spotlight on education, our youth and Hong Kong.  
     
    My thanks, too, to the Awards’ judges, nearly 40 in all, for their invaluable time and expertise, and their compelling commitment to excellence.
     
    Ladies and gentlemen, I know you will all enjoy this memorable day in the life.
     
    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – New generation of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements under the Ocean Pact – E-002737/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002737/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez (Renew)

    On 11 June 2025, the Commission presented the Ocean Pact. The adopted text is a targeted and coordinated overview of EU ocean policy. According to the Commission’s communication, the pact will ‘propose a new generation of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) aligning with the EU’s wider regional strategies and priorities, most notably for Africa and the Indo-Pacific, to contribute to a coherent EU approach for sustainable fisheries and ocean governance’. As part of this approach, a study of existing agreements will be conducted that is expected to take approximately one year.

    In light of the above:

    • 1.Is the Commission considering moving forward with new SFPAs with third countries?
    • 2.Will the study delay the pursuit of new SFPAs?
    • 3.Could the Commission specify what other implications the proposed ‘new generation of agreements’ will have?

    Submitted: 4.7.2025

    Last updated: 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Oxford has the third lowest high street vacancy rate – new data

    Source: City of Oxford

    Oxford city centre has the third lowest vacancy rate of the UK’s major high streets, new data has revealed. 

    The Centre for Cities report, Checking out: The varying performance of high streets across the country, compares the retail performance of UK’s 63 largest cities and towns. 

    It draws on millions of anonymised card transactions and new estimates of local retail vacancy rates. 

    The report found that Oxford city centre had an estimated high street vacancy rate of 9% – just behind Cambridge (8.5%) and London (7.4%). 

    By comparison, the worst performing cities and towns were Newport (19%), Bradford (18%) and Blackpool (17.6%). 

    The Centre for Cities report was released last week. 

    Oxford city centre 

    Oxford had the third best-performing high street while still having a relatively high number of shops for the population. 

    Oxford has 1.7 shops per 1,000 people in the catchment area – more than Cambridge (1.6) and more than double London (0.8).  

    The number of shops in Oxford is the same as Bradford, where the vacancy rate is 18%. 

    Oxford also stood out in the data as having a relatively small catchment area – compared to London or Liverpool – while still having a low vacancy rate.  

    Centre for Cities said this was likely to be the result of the size of Oxford’s visitor economy. 

    Centre for Cities report 

    The report found that the three key reasons for high vacancy rates were: 

    • Low local spending power
    • Too much retail space
    • Retail spending leakage to bigger cities 

    It said that successful city centres had “risen to the challenge of out-of-town shopping and online retail by pivoting from retail towards food”. 

    Centre for Cities made a series of recommendations, including that the Government allocates more funding to remake city centres with more office space, improved public realm and fewer shops, and that cities increase the size of the catchment by building more homes in inner-city locations. 

    For more information, visit the Centre for Cities website. 

    Oxford City Council 

    Oxford City Council has taken a proactive approach to city centre management, guided by the City Centre Action Plan adopted in 2022. The plan focuses on strengthening the city centre’s resilience by diversifying how spaces are used and supporting a vibrant, sustainable mix of retail, social, and cultural activity.  

    This includes pedestrian-friendly improvements to Market Street and St Michael’s Street, and nearly £8 million of investment to future-proof the Covered Market and support independent businesses.  

    To reinvigorate the look of vacant units, the Council has also worked with landlords, agents and community groups to activate shopfronts. This not only keeps the streets looking good, but it also helps to promote the work of local organisations. 

    Reaction 

    “Oxford is fortunate to have a strong local economy and a beautiful city centre that people from all over the world want to visit. 

    “But Oxford City Council also made deliberate choices that have helped boost the city centre. We chose to put Oxford’s largest shopping centre in Oxford city centre, rather than on the edge of the city, and our housing company, OX Place, is building new homes at high density to help increase the number of people who live in the city centre, as well as encouraging the building of hotels to encourage visitors to our city to stay overnight and spend more money in our local economy. We have also worked hard as a landlord and with other landlords to support independent businesses, such as through our wonderful Covered Market. 

    “We continue to see investment in our City Centre, from the rebuilding of the Clarendon Centre to the redevelopment by All Souls College of the shops at the top of the High Street by the Covered Market entrances. The City Centre constantly changes to reflect national trends away from retail and toward hospitality and experience, but we are also keen to preserve traditional retail and independents alongside. 

    “We cannot rest on our laurels, but I am really pleased to see Oxford recognised as one of the best performing city centres in the UK.” 

    Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Work set to start on Bilston Market redevelopment

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    City of Wolverhampton Council is investing more than £5 million in major improvements to the market that will deliver “the absolute best market in the West Midlands” with more modern, more accessible, and more vibrant spaces for traders and the local community.

    Works are set to officially begin on Wednesday 23 July and will feature better access for pedestrians from the bus and Metro station, a new canopy, new toilets, stall improvements and improved public spaces. It is set to be completed by June 2026.

    Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said that despite the discovery of difficult ground conditions at the market site, the council was “100% committed” to delivering the full scheme as agreed with traders.

    He said: “Delivering a first class, improved and modern market – the absolute best market in the West Midlands – with better access is an absolute priority for us – and I’m pleased to see work begin so we can deliver for our traders and the people of Bilston.

    “Unfortunately, surveys revealed far more challenging ground conditions at the site than we had anticipated, so we have had to re-engineer parts of the project. This has driven up the cost of the scheme – but I can assure traders we will not compromise on our ambition and will deliver the full scheme exactly as agreed with them.”

    Council bosses have identified additional contingency funds of up to £2.5 million to address the re-engineered scheme and other factors.

    The Council also said it will freeze rent costs of the indoor and outdoor market traders and is investing £15,000 in activities and events in and around the indoor market to help drive footfall.

    Councillor Simkins added: “We promised traders they’d be the first to know once we got the timeline of the works, and I met with them face to face first this morning to talk through the plans and let them know how we’re supporting them while the works take place.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Chinese city of Fuyuan, bordering Russia, where the songs “Jasmine” and “Valenki” met

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    HARBIN, July 14 (Xinhua) — The familiar sounds of folk songs echoed in Fuyuan, a city in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province that borders Russia, as a party between China and Russia was held earlier this month. Five Russian singers in red national costumes touched the hearts of those in attendance with their heartfelt rendition of the Chinese song “Jasmine” in its original language, amidst applause from spectators from both countries.

    Natalia Efimycheva, the Russian artist who performed the song “Jasmine,” said that they love Chinese culture, this time they not only sang traditional Chinese folk songs, but also brought a Russian song “Valenki.” Many of their Chinese friends also expressed their love for Russian culture to her.

    This event became another link promoting Chinese-Russian cultural exchanges and cross-civilizational learning among representatives of the two countries. Shortly before this, in early July, Fuyuan City hosted the Second Meeting of the Ussuli River and Lakes Tourism Association, during which exciting cross-border tourism routes were presented.

    Fuyuan City, known as the “East Pole of China”, is separated from Russia by the Ussuri and Heilongjiang (Amur) Rivers on the east and north sides respectively.

    Every year, from May to October, the rivers come alive with the Fuyuan-Khabarovsk river service. Cargo ships cut through the waters, and Chinese and Russian tourists wave to each other on cruise ships.

    Fuyuan is currently seeking new horizons in cross-border cooperation with the Russian Far East, strengthening ties and deepening cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, infrastructure, ecology and cultural tourism.

    Walking along the main shopping streets of Fuyuan, you will see bilingual signs everywhere, in Chinese and Russian. Even taxi drivers here can communicate in simple Russian.

    In recent years, Fuyuan has been actively promoting the “China-Russia cross-border tourism route”, inviting travelers to discover the unique traditions and exotic customs of the region.

    Gubat Gumalatovich Gubatov, Deputy Chairman of the Khabarovsk Regional Branch of the Association “Opora Rossii” noted that Fuyuan is a beautiful city, it is located not far from Khabarovsk, but its landscapes are so unique that they will undoubtedly attract many Russians.

    The exoticism of Russia also attracts Chinese tourists. “In the morning I met the first ray of sunshine at Dongji Square /East Pole/, and after lunch I will try real Russian cuisine in Khabarovsk!” shared his impressions a Chinese tourist with the surname Li from Hainan Province /South China/. “This is a very special experience!”

    With customs clearance procedures continuing to be simplified, this cross-border tourist route is becoming popular, with more than 300 tourists passing through Fuyuan every day during peak season.

    Fuyuan City authorities proudly present unique tourist routes, demonstrating achievements in preserving the fishing culture of the Hezhe ethnic group and in the ecological protection of Heixiazi Island (Big Ussuri Island).

    In addition, other cities and counties of the association, such as Mishan, Hulin and Raohe, presented their rich tourism and cultural resources along the Usuli River. Guests from Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Korsakov, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk and other Russian cities also introduced the meeting participants to local cultural and tourism resources that can help strengthen exchanges and develop cooperation in the field of Sino-Russian cross-border tourism.

    Acting Minister of Tourism of Khabarovsk Krai Elena Vladimirovna Tsymbal said that Khabarovsk and Fuyuan have broad prospects for cooperation in the fields of cultural tourism, economy and trade, etc. In the future, she hopes to strengthen cooperation with Fuyuan in many aspects, such as study tours, medical tours, scientific and technical tours, industrial tours and agricultural tours.

    Trade relations between the two border cities are growing stronger day by day. In 2024, the total volume of imported and exported goods through the Fuyuan cargo port was more than 80,000 tons. In the pavilions of the Fuyuan border mutual trade zone, more than 20,000 types of Russian goods are neatly displayed on the shelves. Chocolate, candy, honey cake, etc. are popular with consumers. According to Xie Jinglong, a staff member, since the center opened in 2015, a total of 37,000 tons of imported goods have been transported, and the trade turnover has amounted to nearly 688 million yuan.

    “In the future, travel between Fuyuan and Khabarovsk will be more convenient, trade will be more dynamic, and cultural exchanges will be more profound,” said He Dahai, secretary of the Fuyuan Party Committee. He said that with the continuous improvement of infrastructure, Fuyuan and Khabarovsk are rapidly becoming leading cities in Sino-Russian cooperation. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mainland Cantonese-style chicken pot restaurant to go global via Hong Kong (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (July 14) welcomed the opening of Guangzhou Fung Yuen Cantonese-style chicken pot brand’s first restaurant in Hong Kong. The company has also chosen Hong Kong as its regional headquarters to expand into the Greater China and Asian markets, serving as a bridge between the Mainland and overseas markets to co-ordinate resource allocation and take the Fung Yuen brand to the international market.

    Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Mr Arnold Lau said, “We welcome Fung Yuen’s establishment in Hong Kong. It not only provides more dining options for local consumers but also helps the brand expand into international markets by leveraging Hong Kong’s international platform and using Hong Kong as a bridge between the Mainland and overseas markets.”

    The Chairman of Hong Kong Fung Yuen Yezhen Catering Management Co Ltd, Mr Xie Tian, said, “As the world’s freest economy and an international financial centre, Hong Kong has a highly open market, commercial rules that align with international standards, and a strategic location in the heart of the Asia-Pacific region. The city has become an ideal springboard for many Mainland brands to promote Chinese cuisine to the world. Based in Guangzhou for many years, Fung Yuen has chosen Hong Kong as its regional headquarters to leverage the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative to streamline its cross-border supply chains, as well as to promote the standardised exportation of Cantonese soup culture via Hong Kong’s international influence.”

    He added, “Fung Yuen in Hong Kong is positioned as a chicken pot restaurant offering premium ingredients and a comfortable dining experience. We have private rooms to cater to different customer needs. Our signature chicken dishes, including Fung Yuen chicken hot pot, crispy chicken hot pot, and coconut chicken hot pot, are nutritious and refreshing. Apart from chicken, we also offer a variety of options such as beef, seafood, and mushrooms, as well as several Cantonese-style desserts for customers’ selection. We will continue to gather feedback from local customers and combine it with international dining trends to develop innovative dishes.”

    Founded in 2013, Fung Yuen has more than 20 branches in Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Chengdu, Shanghai and Xiamen. Mr Xie stated that the company chose Mong Kok as its first store in Hong Kong, a popular tourist hotspot that also gathers fashion and cultural trends. In the future, the company plans to use Hong Kong as a testbed to explore new dining models and attract diverse local and cross-border consumers to experience Fung Yuen’s culinary culture.

    To download event photos, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720327484809.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Why Texas Hill Country, where a devastating flood killed more than 130 people, is one of the deadliest places in the US for flash flooding

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Hatim Sharif, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio

    A Kerrville, Texas, resident watches the flooded Guadalupe River on July 4, 2025. Eric Vryn/Getty Images

    Texas Hill Country is known for its landscapes, where shallow rivers wind among hills and through rugged valleys. That geography also makes it one of the deadliest places in the U.S. for flash flooding.

    In the early hours of July 4, 2025, a flash flood swept through an area of Hill Country dotted with summer camps and small towns about 70 miles northwest of San Antonio. More than 130 people died in the flooding. The majority of them were in Kerr County, including more than two dozen girls and counselors at one summer camp, Camp Mystic. Dozens more people were still unaccounted for a week later.

    The flooding began with a heavy downpour, with more than 10 inches of rain in some areas, that sent water sheeting off the hillsides and into creeks. The creeks poured into the Guadalupe River.

    A river gauge at Hunt, Texas, near Camp Mystic, showed how quickly the river flooded: Around 3 a.m. on July 4, the Guadalupe River was rising about 1 foot every 5 minutes at the gauge, National Weather Service data shows. By 4:30 a.m., it had risen more than 20 feet. As the water moved downstream, it reached Kerrville, where the river rose even faster.

    Flood expert Hatim Sharif, a hydrologist and civil engineer at the University of Texas at San Antonio, explains what makes this part of the country, known as Flash Flood Alley, so dangerous.

    What makes Hill Country so prone to flooding?

    Texas as a whole leads the nation in flood deaths, and by a wide margin. A colleague and I analyzed data from 1959 to 2019 and found 1,069 people had died in flooding in Texas over those six decades. The next highest total was in Louisiana, with 693.

    Many of those flood deaths have been in Hill County. It’s part of an area known as Flash Flood Alley, a crescent of land that curves from near Dallas down to San Antonio and then westward.

    The hills are steep, and the water moves quickly when it floods. This is a semi-arid area with soils that don’t soak up much water, so the water sheets off quickly and the shallow creeks can rise fast.

    When those creeks converge on a river, they can create a surge of water that wipes out homes and washes away cars and, unfortunately, anyone in its path.

    Hill Country has seen some devastating flash floods. In 1987, heavy rain in western Kerr County quickly flooded the Guadalupe River, triggering a flash flood similar to the one in 2025. Ten teenagers being evacuated from a camp died in the rushing water.

    San Antonio, at the eastern edge of Hill Country, was hit with a flash flood on June 12, 2025, that killed 13 people whose cars were swept away by high water from a fast-flooding creek near an interstate ramp in the early morning.

    Why does the region get such strong downpours?

    One reason Hill Country gets powerful downpours is the Balcones Escarpment.

    The escarpment is a line of cliffs and steep hills created by a geologic fault. When warm air from the Gulf rushes up the escarpment, it condenses and can dump a lot of moisture. That water flows down the hills quickly, from many different directions, filling streams and rivers below.

    As temperature rise, the warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, increasing the downpour and flood risk.

    A tour of the Guadalupe River and its flood risk.

    The same effect can contribute to flash flooding in San Antonio, where the large amount of paved land and lack of updated drainage to control runoff adds to the risk.

    What can be done to improve flash flood safety?

    First, it’s important for people to understand why flash flooding happens and just how fast the water can rise and flow. In many arid areas, dry or shallow creeks can quickly fill up with fast-moving water and become deadly. So people should be aware of the risks and pay attention to the weather.

    Improving flood forecasting, with more detailed models of the physics and water velocity at different locations, can also help.

    Probabilistic forecasting, for example, can provide a range of rainfall scenarios, enabling authorities to prepare for worst-case scenarios. A scientific framework linking rainfall forecasts to the local impacts, such as streamflow, flood depth and water velocity, could also help decision-makers implement timely evacuations or road closures.

    Education is particularly essential for drivers. One to two feet of moving water can wash away a car. People may think their trucks and SUVs can go through anything, but fast-moving water can flip a truck and carry it away.

    Officials can also do more to barricade roads when the flood risk is high to prevent people from driving into harm’s way. We found that 58% of the flood deaths in Texas over the past six decades involved vehicles. The storm on June 12 in San Antonio was an example. It was early morning, and drivers had poor visibility. The cars were hit by fast-rising floodwater from an adjacent creek.

    This article, originally published July 5, 2025, has been updated with the death toll rising.

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

    – ref. Why Texas Hill Country, where a devastating flood killed more than 130 people, is one of the deadliest places in the US for flash flooding – https://theconversation.com/why-texas-hill-country-where-a-devastating-flood-killed-more-than-130-people-is-one-of-the-deadliest-places-in-the-us-for-flash-flooding-260555

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Songshan Lake: A microcosm of China’s innovation ecosystem

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

    A staff member operates robot to climb stairs at a robot base in Dongguan, south China’s Guangdong Province, June 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Songshan Lake, nestled in south China’s Guangdong Province, buzzes with youthful energy as tomorrow’s tech leaders weave through roads once scented by lychees.

    Just two decades ago, this thriving innovation hub was a quiet orchard. Today, it blossoms with ideas instead of fruit.

    Covering 103 square kilometers, this high-tech zone hosts over 17,000 market entities. Among them are seven national-level manufacturing champion enterprises and 770 national high-tech enterprises, each playing a part in the rise of new-generation industries technology — from connected vehicles and robotics to intelligent equipment manufacturing, biomedicine and the frontiers of new materials and energy.

    Fueling this rapid enterprise growth is Songshan Lake’s innovation ecosystem. It houses six universities and 18 provincial-level new R&D institutions. It is also home to several key scientific facilities, including China Spallation Neutron Source and the under-construction Advanced Attosecond Laser Infrastructure.

    The journey of ePropulsion, a company co-founded by Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) graduate Pan Zongliang and his three classmates, exemplifies this ecosystem.

    In 2012, spotting significant potential in marine new energy, they formed a startup team dedicated to marine electric propulsion R&D. By 2014, they had developed a prototype for their first electric outboard motor. However, turning that breakthrough into a market-ready product was not easy sailing — industrialization turned out to be a formidable voyage.

    Luckily, HKUST professor Li Zexiang founded the XbotPark robotics base within Songshan Lake also in 2014, and Li recommended and helped ePropulsion’s five-member team relocate their company to Songshan Lake.

    “As a marine new energy company, we needed a water area for product testing,” explained Pan, ePropulsion’s co-founder and COO. The Songshan Lake administrative committee provided the team a crucial asset: a dedicated water testing dock. “It was tremendous support,” Pan recalled.

    Beyond policy backing, Songshan Lake’s strategic location allows XbotPark companies to leverage the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s supply chain advantages.

    “Teams here often say, ‘If you can imagine it, you can build it’,” said director of the XbotPark robotics base. “Good ideas can typically find suppliers for implementation within half an hour.”

    Today, ePropulsion operates a manufacturing plant in Dongguan City, where Songshan Lake is located, with its products — ranging from 500W to 1000kW electric outboards, pod drives, inboard systems, and matching battery and control systems — sold globally.

    “Our main market is Europe and the United States, and our small and medium-sized electric outboards ranked first globally in shipments last year,” Pan noted. “Domestic market share is also rising with China’s expanding new energy vessel sector.”

    Their green propulsion systems now power boats in events like the SailGP and America’s Cup, as well as scenic waters across China, including Wuhan’s East Lake, Hangzhou’s West Lake, and Guilin’s Li River.

    According to XbotPark, it has incubated over 80 robotics and smart hardware startups, of which six are unicorns, boasting an over 80 percent survival rate. Its top companies have a cumulative valuation of 10 billion U.S. dollars.

    An intelligent underwater robot is tested at a provincial institute of intelligent robotics in Dongguan, south China’s Guangdong Province, June 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Nearby at the Guangdong Intelligent Robotics Institute (GIRI), another industrial park at Songshan Lake, a bright yellow robot maneuvers in a testing pool, surfacing and diving with fish-like agility. This intelligent underwater inspection robot, developed by BlueDiveBot, performs comprehensive, blind-spot-free surveys.

    “Underwater robots can handle equipment maintenance, debris removal, water quality monitoring, and emergency response, overcoming human limitations and safety risks,” explained Hu Gangyi, general manager of BlueDiveBot.

    Incubated by the GIRI and founded in 2023, BlueDiveBot has established a collaborative innovation platform integrating industry, academia, research, and application for advanced underwater equipment. It has mastered a series of cutting-edge technologies in unmanned underwater intelligent systems, some being domestic firsts.

    “The well-developed industrial chain in Dongguan and surrounding areas accelerates our R&D commercialization,” Hu said. “We rapidly achieved production capacity and significant market sales growth.”

    Since its establishment in August 2015, GIRI has focused its R&D and commercialization efforts on core robotics components like high-power lasers, sensors, and machine vision, alongside core products including industrial robots, high-end intelligent equipment, unmanned autonomous systems, and industrial big data.

    GIRI vice president Zhou Xiaoxiao likens prototype technology to “an unripe green apple,” which needs refinement to turn into “a mature red apple” that can then serve a whole chain of products, such as apple jam and apple juice.

    Further empowering innovation, the Songshan Lake high-tech zone partnered with Huawei Cloud to build a developer village in April 2022. It addresses enterprise digitalization needs through deep integration and collaborative innovation among different developer organizations, fostering digital innovation and industrial upgrading. Currently, 29 companies have settled there.

    “The Songshan Lake high-tech zone has deployed frontier basic research,” concluded Wang Qianqian, deputy director of the Songshan Lake Science, Technology and Innovation Bureau. “Based on fundamental research results, we are forging a complete innovation chain from pioneering research to commercialization and industrial development.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: SUNDAY SHOWS: Trump Administration is Putting Americans First

    Source: US Whitehouse

    This morning, officials joined the Sunday shows to discuss the historic steps the Trump Administration is taking to ensure the safety and security of the American people — including the government-wide response to the devastating Texas flooding, unprecedented action to secure the homeland, and protecting our national security through supply chain resiliency.

    Here’s what you missed:

    Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem

    • “Within just an hour or two after the flooding, we had resources from the Department of Homeland Security there helping those individuals in Texas … This is the fastest, I believe, in years, maybe decades, that FEMA has been deployed to help individuals in this type of a situation.” Watch
    • “This is what I think is really unfortunate is that we have a situation where so many individuals are playing politics with what happened to Texas.” Watch
    • “This week, we’ve got murderers off the street, rapists, child pedophiles. If you look at that marijuana grow facility that we recently just did an operation on, over 319 individuals were brought into custody — and 14 unaccompanied children.” Watch

    Border Czar Tom Homan

    • “If you’re in the country legally, you shouldn’t fear ICE — but what you should fear is the criminal aliens walking the communities in sanctuary cities.” Watch
    • “You didn’t see [Democrats] complaining about, under the Biden Administration, people being held in a Border Patrol parking lot surrounded by a fence in the sweltering heat. Not a word. You didn’t a word about half a million children being trafficked into the country and them not being able to locate 300,000 … They ignored four years of open borders, historic migrant death, historic Americans dying from fentanyl, historic numbers of women and children being sex trafficked, historic number of people on the terrorist watchlist coming across the border. Silence.” Watch

    National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett

    • “Tariff revenue over the next ten years — which will help reduce the deficit and secure our entitlement programs — it’s $3 trillion, and consumers haven’t seen that.” Watch
    • “We’re trying to put America First … This is about America getting itself ready for the Golden Age by getting our house in order, by getting our tariff and trade policy and tax policy exactly where it needs to be for a Golden Age.” Watch
    • “If there is a time of war, we need to have the metals that we need to produce American weapons, and copper is a key component in many American weapons. As we look forward to the threats that America faces, the President decided that we have plenty of copper in the U.S., but not enough copper production — and that’s why he has taken this strong step.” Watch

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Author David Robie tells of outrage over sinking of the Rainbow Warrior 40 years ago

    RNZ News Nights

    Tomorrow marks 40 years since the bombing and sinking of the Rainbow Warrior — a moment that changed the course of New Zealand’s history and reshaped how we saw ourselves on the world stage.

    Two French agents planted two explosives on the ship, then just before midnight, explosions ripped through the hull killing photographer, Fernando Pereira and sinking the 47m ex-fishing trawler.

    The attack sparked outrage across the country and the world, straining diplomatic ties between New Zealand and France and cementing the country’s anti-nuclear stance.

    Few people are more closely linked to the ship than author and journalist Dr David Robie, who spent eleven weeks on board during its final voyage through the Pacific, and wrote the book, Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior, which is being published tomorrow. He joins Emile Donovan.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Author David Robie tells of outrage over sinking of the Rainbow Warrior 40 years ago

    RNZ News Nights

    Tomorrow marks 40 years since the bombing and sinking of the Rainbow Warrior — a moment that changed the course of New Zealand’s history and reshaped how we saw ourselves on the world stage.

    Two French agents planted two explosives on the ship, then just before midnight, explosions ripped through the hull killing photographer, Fernando Pereira and sinking the 47m ex-fishing trawler.

    The attack sparked outrage across the country and the world, straining diplomatic ties between New Zealand and France and cementing the country’s anti-nuclear stance.

    Few people are more closely linked to the ship than author and journalist Dr David Robie, who spent eleven weeks on board during its final voyage through the Pacific, and wrote the book, Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior, which is being published tomorrow. He joins Emile Donovan.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: World’s highest cycling race showcases China’s eco-civilization

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

    The 2025 Tour of Magnificent Qinghai is not only a road cycling spectacle, but a crucial platform for China’s Qinghai Province to showcase its plateau ecological protection, cultural tourism integration, and rural revitalization efforts.

    From the canola flower fields of Menyuan to the snow-capped mountains and grasslands of Qilian, from the intangible cultural heritage of the Tu ethnic group in Huzhu to the magnificent scenes of nomadic horse teams cheering on the riders, the event paints a vibrant new picture of the plateau where ecology and culture are intertwined.

    HIGH ALTITUDE, CHALLENGING RACES, SPECTACULAR SCENERY

    With the sound of the starting gun, the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai opened on July 6 in the ancient plateau city of Xining, capital of Qinghai Province.

    An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 18, 2024 shows a view of the Erlangjian scenic area at Qinghai Lake in northwest China’s Qinghai Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Formerly known as the Tour of Qinghai Lake, the event was rebranded in 2025 as the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai. First held in 2002, the high-altitude race is recognized as one of Asia’s premier road cycling events, known for its punishing terrain and average elevation of 3,000 meters.

    The 2025 edition features eight stages totaling 1,400 kilometers and has attracted 154 professional riders from 11 countries and regions. The event, with a maximum altitude of 3,869m, concludes in Haiyan County on July 13.

    Over 24 years of development, the event has steadily advanced from a 2.5-category race to one of Asia’s top road cycling events, and now ranks as a UCI ProSeries race.

    Luo Dongchuan, Governor of Qinghai Province, said in his opening speech that the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai, with its unique charm of high altitude, challenging courses, and spectacular scenery, has become one of the most challenging and visually appealing road cycling events in the world.

    Cyclists compete during the Stage 5 of the 1st Tour of Qinghai Lake, July 31, 2002. [Photo/Xinhua]

    “It has become a benchmark event leading the development of cycling in China, a splendid window showcasing a beautiful China and the construction of a strong sporting nation,” Luo added.

    Luo further noted, “It demonstrates the open, inclusive, and pioneering spirit of the people of all ethnic groups on the Qinghai Plateau.”

    In a message to the opening ceremony, David Lappartient, President of the International Cycling Union (UCI), stated that the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai has been an important part of the UCI racing history since 2002.

    “Formerly part of the UCI Asia Tour, it is now a UCI ProSeries event and continues to attract top-quality teams and athletes to race through the province of Qinghai, known for its beautiful Qinghai Lake,” Lappartient added.

    “All those who embark on the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai are aware that the road will be tough, but beautiful and rewarding,” he noted.

    Li Zisen of Qinghai Tianyoude celebrates victory after the Stage 8 of the 20th Tour of Qinghai Lake, July 18, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

    From his hometown in Yunnan Province to Qinghai, from one plateau to an even higher one, Li Zisen arrived at the Duoba National Plateau Training Base in Qinghai in 2013 to begin a new journey.

    Li, now 27, cannot remember how many times he has ridden the training route of Duoba Base – Riyue Mountain – Xihai Town – Qinghai Lake. In several editions of the Tour of Qinghai Lake, he claimed the Blue Jersey for best Asian rider, and is currently competing in this year’s Tour of Magnificent Qinghai.

    With excellent physical condition and rigorous training, Li has gradually gained recognition at both domestic and international cycling events. “Each honor has given me more confidence,” Li said before this year’s event.

    PASSION AND ECOLOGY IN HARMONY

    Qinghai Province is home to numerous lakes and diverse wildlife in the headwaters of the Three Rivers – the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang – making it the “Water Tower of China.” The region is dedicated to building an international ecological civilization highland.

    An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 23, 2024 shows Mount Gangshika in Menyuan Hui Autonomous County, northwest China’s Qinghai Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The Tour of Magnificent Qinghai is a “green calling card” showcasing Qinghai’s ecological civilization construction. This year’s race passes through the Twelve Turns of Huzhu, the picturesque Zhuoer Mountain, and the vast Jin Yintan (Golden and Silver Beach), showcasing Qinghai’s harmonious coexistence between mankind and nature.

    “The Tour of Magnificent Qinghai has witnessed Qinghai’s determination to protect the headwaters, but more importantly, through ‘green’ sports, the organizing committee is sending a strong signal to the outside world about protecting the Sanjiangyuan (Three Rivers Source), Qinghai Lake, and even the ecological environment along the route,” said Wang Xia, Director of the Qinghai Provincial Sports Bureau.

    The Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture’s Menyuan and Qilian Counties, where this year’s race passes through, are important parts of the Qilian Mountains National Park.

    Seeing the majestic Gangshika Snow Mountain and the canola flower fields along the route, Swiss rider Simon Pellaud said, “These flower fields remind me of my hometown. Qinghai is a romantic place.”

    This photo taken on July 21, 2022 shows a view of the Mount Geladandong in the source region of the Yangtze River in northwest China’s Qinghai Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Since 2017, the national park has seen a 15 percent improvement in vegetation and ecological quality, with 60 percent of degraded grassland effectively restored. Water conservation capacity and hydrological runoff have also improved significantly, while vegetation has increased its carbon dioxide absorption by 19 percent and oxygen release by 20 percent.

    From late May to early August, Qinghai Lake’s naked carp enter their spawning season. Tens of thousands of these fish swim upstream into the freshwater rivers feeding the lake, creating a striking natural spectacle known as “half river clear water, half river fish.”

    As the most classic stage of the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai, Qinghai Lake, China’s largest inland saltwater lake, is writing a new chapter in its development as a national wetland park, emphasizing the integrated protection of mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes and grasslands.

    Today, the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai has become a driving force for promoting high-quality development in Qinghai, which is emerging as a world-class salt lake industry hub, a national clean energy industry highland, an international eco-tourism destination, a green and organic agricultural and livestock product export base, and a demonstration zone for coordinated development of computing power and electricity.

    An aerial drone photo taken on April 23, 2024 shows a photovoltaic project in Delingha, northwest China’s Qinghai province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Salt lake resources support the dual strategies of food security and new energy transition. Qinghai’s installed capacity and power generation from renewable energy sources rank among the highest nationwide.

    PLATEAU CULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT

    Qinghai is a homeland of multi-ethnic groups living in harmony. The Han, Tibetan, Hui, Mongolian, Tu and Salar ethnic groups are as closely united as pomegranate seeds. The Tour of Magnificent Qinghai has become a “friendship bridge,” fostering cultural exchanges and showcasing rural revitalization on the plateau.

    20-year-old Guo Kuanzhang from Lusha’er Town, Huangzhong District, Xining City, has been learning stilt-walking from his father since childhood. Before the start of the second stage in Duoba Base on July 7, Guo and his companions performed “aerial dances” on 2.5-meter stilts for the cyclists and spectators.

    In the Hehuang Valley, the traditional Shehuo folk performance occurs every Spring Festival, with stilt walking a major highlight. Lusha’er stilt walking is listed as an intangible cultural heritage of Qinghai Province.

    “Practicing stilts has given me a new understanding of courage and strength, and I also wish the cyclists the best of luck,” said Guo.

    Folk artists perform during a Shehuo parade in Xining, northwest China’s Qinghai Province, Feb. 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Along the way, the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai has witnessed various regions developing characteristic industries.

    The name of Dongge’er in Shinaihai Town, Gonghe County, means white conch in Tibetan. The fish-watching platform resembles a white conch lying quietly in the curved bay where tens of thousands of naked carp revel.

    The Dongge’er Fish Watching Platform is the collective economy of six villages in Shinaihai Town. In July 2023, the villages established a cultural tourism company which built a 450-square-meter tent food city opposite the fish watching platform, creating dozens of shops selling characteristic agricultural and livestock products such as yak jerky, yogurt and wolfberries. The vast majority of local herders have now become shopkeepers to serve the booming trade.

    Haiyan County’s Xihai Town, the final stage of this year’s race, is situated in the heart of Jin Yintan Grassland. Local official Xie Xiaoling said that the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai has significantly promoted the growth of the local cycling industry, with 16 cycling clubs and over 12,000 bicycles now present in the area.

    A female Tibetan antelope is seen at the Drolkar Lake area in Hoh Xil, northwest China’s Qinghai Province, June 18, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Reflecting on the region’s cultural history, Chinese composer Wang Luobin created the timeless song “In That Distant Place” on the Jin Yintan Grassland in 1940, spreading Western Chinese folk music around the world.

    Today, with the steady advancement of ecological protection and sustainable development, Qinghai is no longer a remote region but a shining example of a modern, eco-friendly plateau. The “green” cycling race continues to paint a vivid new picture of Qinghai’s development and harmony with nature.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: D. Trump announced the introduction of 30 percent tariffs on goods from the EU and Mexico from August 1

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    NEW YORK, July 12 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday morning that a 30 percent tariff will be imposed on goods from the European Union and Mexico starting August 1.

    The new duties were announced in letters addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The messages were published on Trump’s Truth Social page.

    D. Trump criticized Mexico for “failing to stop drug cartels” from smuggling drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States and accused the country of not cooperating enough with Washington to curb illegal immigration.

    As for the European Union, the US President criticised it for its tariff and non-tariff barriers, accusing them of creating “long-term, large and persistent trade deficits”.

    “Our relations, unfortunately, are far from reciprocal,” the president wrote in his letter.

    Trump used much of the same language in his letter as he did in messages sent earlier this week to other leaders, warning them against retaliation, urging them to move companies to the United States and hinting at the possibility of adjusting tariffs if they cooperate.

    Over the past week, the US president has sent more than 20 similar letters to other US trading partners, including Canada, the Republic of Korea, Japan and Brazil, imposing uniform tariff rates on goods from these countries, ranging from 20 to 50 percent. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Pushes CMS to Crack Down on Obamacare Fraud

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is renewing calls for accountability after receiving information that builds on independent reports of widespread Obamacare fraud. In 2024, taxpayers reportedly footed the bill for approximately $20 billion in improper Obamacare subsidies.  This number could exceed $27 billion in 2025. Based on information provided to Grassley’s office, insurance agents are also using targeted internet advertisements to fraudulently enroll consumers with false income verification extension requests. 
    Last year, Grassley pushed for answers from top leaders in the Biden administration regarding their efforts to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the ACA marketplace. The Biden administration failed to respond to Grassley’s request. 
    “The Biden administration’s failure to adequately oversee these subsidies has had expensive consequences … The Wall Street Journal reported that in 2024 five million consumers may have inappropriately received health insurance coverage through subsidized Affordable Care Act (ACA) federal marketplace plans based on falsified income information, which may have cost the taxpayer an estimated $20 billion,” Grassley wrote. 
    Background:
    In 2021, the Biden administration increased premium tax credits (PTCs) for higher-income earners and reduced cost sharing through 2025. As a result, individuals whose income is within 100 and 150 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) are eligible for fully subsidized health insurance plans. This policy change has compromised program integrity, particularly in states that have not expanded Medicaid. 
    According to CMS and other reporting, fraudulent enrollments occurred because insurance agents and brokers exploited vulnerabilities in the ACA’s design. 
    In his letter, Grassley cites the Trump Department of Justice’s (DOJ) February 19th indictment of Cory Lloyd and Steven Strong for engaging in a $161 million ACA enrollment fraud scheme.  
    Grassley applauds the Trump administration’s program integrity measures through the marketplace integrity and affordability rule. The One Big Beautiful Bill also established some additional premium tax credit program integrity measures.
    Text of the letter can be found HERE or below. 
    July 7, 2025
    VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION
    The Honorable Mehmet OzAdministratorCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services 
    On June 20, 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that in 2024 five million consumers may have inappropriately received health insurance coverage through subsidized Affordable Care Act (ACA) federal marketplace plans based on falsified income information, which may have cost the taxpayer an estimated $20 billion.[1]  According to CMS, as well as other reporting, these fraudulent enrollments occurred because insurance agents and brokers exploited vulnerabilities in the program’s design.[2]  On July 8, 2024, I wrote to CMS with concerns regarding fraudulent enrollments and requested information on how the Biden administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CMS had taken steps to combat fraud, waste, and abuse related to these enrollments and associated subsidies.[3]  Unfortunately, the previous administration failed to provide a response. 
    The Biden administration’s failure to adequately oversee these subsidies has had expensive consequences.  For instance, on February 19, 2025, the Trump Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted Cory Lloyd and Steven Strong for engaging in a $161 million ACA enrollment fraud scheme.[4]  According to the DOJ, “Lloyd and Strong targeted vulnerable, low-income individuals experiencing homelessness, unemployment, and mental health and substance abuse disorders, and, through ‘street marketers’ working on their behalf, sometimes offered bribes to induce those individuals to enroll in subsidized ACA plans.”[5]  Further, the two individuals used “misleading sales scripts and other deceptive sales techniques to convince consumers to state that they would attempt to earn the minimum income necessary to qualify for a subsidized ACA plan, even when the consumer initially projected having no income.”[6]
    Based on information provided to my office, I’ve been made aware of a similar type of fraud scheme used within the ACA marketplace.[7]  This scheme involved targeted internet advertisements for free health insurance.  These advertisements were used to entice consumers to fill out a webform with personal information which was then used by insurance agents to sign consumers up for healthcare in targeted zip codes.  Those zip codes were in states that use the federally-facilitated marketplace (FFM), rather than state-based exchanges, and where preferred insurance companies had $0 premium plans.[8]  Using information from the webforms, agents used HealthSherpa, one of the ten federally-approved private sector ACA federal marketplace enrollment websites, to sign consumers up.  During open enrollment periods, agents entered hundreds of applications per day and if the consumer noted on the webform that their income wasn’t between 100-150% of the federal poverty level (FPL), agents would fraudulently swap it out for a number to obtain maximum ACA federal marketplace plan premium subsidies and special enrollment period (SEP) eligibility.  To keep fraudulent enrollments on the books for as long as possible, agents allegedly submitted false income verification extension requests and prepopulated income explanation forms rather than submitting actual proof of income.
    So that Congress may conduct independent oversight of the ACA federal marketplace program, please provide the following information no later than July 21, 2025:
    Explain in detail the steps CMS has taken to detect, combat and deter the fraud scheme described above.
    What is CMS’s estimate of:
    the number of fraudulent enrollments in subsidized ACA federal marketplace plans occurring from 2019-2025; 
    the number of months fraudulently enrolled customers spent in subsidized ACA federal marketplace plans; and 
    the cost of these fraudulent enrollments.  Provide this information at the insurance agent, insurance agency, and health insurance company level.
    What efforts has CMS taken in coordination with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to recoup excess advanced premium tax credit payments?  How much money has been recovered annually from 2019 to 2025?
    What steps does CMS take after it terminates an agent’s ACA federal marketplace registration?  Who does CMS communicate termination information to and does CMS provide those entities with any guidance in relation to managing the termination?  Provide all records.
    Do insurance agencies face any consequences from CMS when their affiliated agents are terminated for improper activities or when they have disproportionately high rates of potentially fraudulent ACA federal marketplace plan enrollments?  If yes, describe the consequences and any associated investigative processes.
    How many agents did CMS terminate for improper enrollment behaviors from 2019 to 2025?  How many of those terminations has CMS rescinded?  List the data by year and state.  
    Thank you for your prompt review and response.  If you have any questions, please contact Tucker Akin with Committee staff at (202) 224-5225.
    Sincerely,
    Charles E. Grassley
    Chairman
    Committee on the Judiciary
    -30-

    [1] Brian Blase, The $20 Billion ObamaCare Subsidy Fraud, WSJ (June 19, 2024), https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-20-billion-obamacare-subsidy-fraud-abd89b0d; Brian Blase and Drew Gonshorowski, The Great Obamacare Enrollment Fraud, Paragon Health Inst. (June 2024), https://paragoninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-Great-Obamacare-Enrollment-Fraud_FOR_RELEASE_V2.pdf.
    [2] Id.; 2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Proposed Rule (CMS-9884-P), Cntrs. for Medicare & Medicaid Srvcs. (Mar. 10, 2025), at 4 & 86, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/MarketplacePIRule2025.pdf, (183,553 complaints were related to enrollments without consent and 90,863 were related to switches without consent); Julie Appleby, ACA Plans Are Being Switched Without Enrollees’ OK, KFF Health News (Apr. 2, 2024), https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/aca-obamacare-plans-switched-without-enrollee-permission-investigation/; Julie Appleby, Rising Complaints of Unauthorized Obamacare Plan-Switching and Sign-Ups Trigger Concern, KFF Health News (Apr. 8, 2024),  https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/aca-unauthorized-obamacare-plan-switching-concern/; Julie Appleby, After Public Push, CMS Curbs Health Insurance Agents’ Access to Consumer SSNs, KFF Health News (Apr. 9, 2024), https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/aca-marketplace-ssn-social-security-numbers-agents/; Julie Appleby, When Rogue Brokers Switch People’s ACA Policies, Tax Surprises Can Follow, KFF Health News (April 15, 2024), https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/aca-obamacare-plans-unauthorized-enrollment-tax-problems/.
    [3] Letter from Senator Charles E. Grassley to Secretary Xavier Becerra, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Servs., and Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Cntrs. for Medicare & Medicaid Servs. (July 8, 2024), https://www.grassley.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/grassley_to_hhs_and_cms_-_aca.pdf. 
    [4] Press Release, Department of Justice, President of Insurance Brokerage Firm and CEO of Marketing Company Charged in $161M Affordable Care Act Enrollment Fraud Scheme (Feb. 19, 2025), https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/president-insurance-brokerage-firm-and-ceo-marketing-company-charged-161m-affordable-care.
    [5] Id.
    [6] Id.
    [7] Documents on file with Committee Staff.
    [8] Notes and Documents on file with Committee Staff.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Eritrea: Training on Organic Fertilizer Preparation

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    The Ministry of Agriculture branch in the Southern Red Sea Region has provided training on the preparation of solid and liquid organic fertilizers to exemplary farmers in the port city of Assab.

    The training was attended by exemplary farmers from the sub-zones of Assab and South Dankalia, as well as members of the agriculture office branch.

    The training covered the preparation of composted fertilizer from household waste and leaves, fertilizer from fish remains, and the proper use of organic pesticides.

    Mr. Mohammed Abdurahman, Head of the Agriculture Office in the region, said that the objective of the training was to enhance farmers’ understanding and encourage the application of organic fertilizers and pesticides in their daily agricultural activities.

    The participants noted that the training would significantly contribute to improving their agricultural productivity and called for similar future programs.

    – on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • Widespread rainfall predicted across India till July 17; Delhi-NCR faces waterlogging and traffic

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast intermittent rainfall across large parts of the country till July 17, with heavy to very heavy showers expected in several regions, including the National Capital Region (NCR).

    In Delhi and surrounding areas, continuous rainfall has led to waterlogging and traffic disruptions, affecting daily life in parts of Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram. Several roads, underpasses, and residential colonies remain inundated, leading to long traffic jams and vehicle breakdowns.

    While no formal weather alert has been issued for Delhi-NCR so far, the IMD has warned of persistent rain and thunderstorms throughout the week. The region is likely to experience fluctuating weather conditions, with spells of sunshine contributing to high humidity and discomfort. Temperatures are expected to range between 23°C and 36°C, with humidity levels staying between 60 and 95 percent.

    Nationwide, the IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Central and Northwest India, especially over East Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and both eastern and western parts of Uttar Pradesh through July 17.

    Eastern and central Indian states such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal are also likely to receive isolated heavy showers during this period. In western India, isolated heavy rainfall is expected on July 13 in parts of Konkan and Goa, Gujarat, Central Maharashtra, and the Saurashtra region.

    The weather department also expects light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, to continue in Northeast India over the next seven days.

    In the South, states like Coastal Karnataka, Kerala, South Interior Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are likely to experience isolated heavy showers over the coming days.

    Due to rough sea conditions, fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal until July 16.

    (With agencies inputs)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kustoff, Blackburn Introduce Legislation to Crack Down on Crime

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN) introduced the Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act in the House of Representatives. This legislation will reinstate an important tool for prosecutors to seek enhanced penalties against violent, repeat offenders. 

    Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. 

    “Career criminals are a danger to our citizens and our communities,” said Congressman Kustoff. “The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act will reinstate a critical tool that allows prosecutors to seek tougher penalties for violent career criminals. I appreciate Senator Marsha Blackburn and Senator Tom Cotton for their work on this important bill.” 

    “Violent, repeat offenders have no business being back on our streets,” said Senator Blackburn. “We’ve seen the heartbreaking consequences of rewarding repeat offenders with the freedom to victimize more law-abiding Americans. The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act would empower prosecutors to keep dangerous felons behind bars and prevent future tragedies.”

    “Violent, repeat criminals should be behind bars, not roaming the streets threatening law-abiding citizens,” said Senator Cotton. “The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act will give back federal prosecutors the tool they need to lock up hardened, repeat offenders.”
     

    The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act is endorsed by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, and the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition.

    “I am grateful for Congressman Kustoff and Senator Blackburn’s leadership on this important legislation that ensures serious federal time for dangerous criminals. Career criminals with guns put our communities at risk. This legislation restores prosecutors’ ability to seek appropriate enhanced penalties for dangerous repeat offenders while ensuring the law meets constitutional standards. This common-sense approach will keep violent criminals off our streets,” said Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti.

    “This bill empowers law enforcement and the justice system to better protect the public—especially at a time when some of our nation’s cities are still struggling to bring down violent crime rates. The Fraternal Order of Police firmly stands behind this effort to bring clarity, consistency, and safety back to our neighborhoods,” said Patrick Yoes, the Fraternal Order of Police National President.

    “Congress passed the Armed Career Criminal Act in 1984 to protect our nation’s communities from the most dangerous violent criminals. Unfortunately, this important law was essentially voided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015 due to part of the definition of “violent felony” being unconstitutionally vague, taking away an important tool that law enforcement used to get the worst career criminals off our streets. The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act will fix and restore the Act, giving law enforcement and prosecutors back a significant resource in the fight against violent crime. We thank Senator Blackburn for her leadership and support,” said Bill Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organizations.

    “The National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC) strongly supports the Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act, led by Senator Blackburn and Congressman Kustoff, because it gives law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they need to keep communities safe. Violent, repeat offenders continue to drive much of the serious crime in our neighborhoods, and this legislation ensures they can be effectively identified and prosecuted. By clearly defining serious felonies, the bill strengthens our ability to focus federal resources where they’re most needed. We appreciate Senator Blackburn and Congressman Kustoff’s leadership on this important public safety measure,” said Eric Brown, President of the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition.

    Background:
    In 1984, the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA) was included in the Comprehensive Crime Control Act with the intent to guard Americans from the most dangerous career offenders by defining the parameters under which offenders are classified. However, in the 2015 case Johnson v. United States, the Supreme Court ruled the residual clause unconstitutional, thus providing a loophole for repeat offenders to end up back on the streets.

    Today, under the current ACCA, individuals with three prior “serious drug felonies” or “violent felonies” who are found in possession of a firearm are subject to a 15-year mandatory minimum penalty. 

    The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act of 2025 would:

    • Establish a new, clear definition of a “serious violent felony”
    • Empower prosecutors to hold habitual violent offenders accountable when they’re caught with a firearm
    • The Armed Career Criminal Act would still apply only in a case where a felon who possesses a firearm –in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) –has previously been convicted three times of serious felonies, which must have been committed on different occasions.
       

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MATSUI, SEEC LANDS, WATERS, AND NATURE TASK FORCE BLASTS DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR MOVE TO UNDERMINE PUBLIC LAND MANAGEMENT

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

    Washington, D.C. – The Co-Chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Lands, Waters, and Nature Task Force Reps. Doris Matsui (CA), Don Beyer (VA), and Maxine Dexter (OR) sent a letter to the Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Doug Burgum in response to DOI’s Regulatory Reform Request for Information (RFI) published on May 20, which aims to undermine public land management on behalf of polluting industries.

    “In carrying out its duties, the Department is guided by multiple statutes and a well-developed suite of regulations promulgated over many decades. While we can appreciate the goal of establishing a more efficient regulatory program at DOI and agree wholeheartedly with the importance of effective stewardship of our public lands and resources, it appears the true intent of the RFI is the ‘deconstruction of the overbearing and burdensome administrative state.’ This goal is contrary to existing law, Congressional intent, and the continued exercise of the DOI’s many responsibilities,” the Task Force wrote.

    “Existing regulations protect human health and the environment from harmful practices and polluting from bad actors. Eliminating them means that companies could fail to clean up oil spills in waterways that are sources of drinking water, neglect to install equipment that prevents air pollution, and destroy the scenic landscapes where we hike, fish, and play. Our children deserve to inherit a safe and habitable planet where they can breathe clean air and drink clean water.”

    Read the full letter here.

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION TASK FORCE CHAIR THOMPSON LEADS AMENDMENT TO STRIKE TAX BREAK FOR SILENCERS, SHORT-BARRELED SHOTGUNS AND RIFLES

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

    Washington – Today, Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chair Mike Thompson (CA-04) introduced an amendment with 70 co-sponsors to stop Congressional Republicans’ proposal to spend $1.7 billion to make it easier for people to buy silencers, short-barreled shotguns, and short-barreled rifles. Read the amendment here. 

    “Congressional Republicans are bowing to the whim of the gun lobby by proposing we eliminate the $200 tax on silencers and easily concealable short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns,” said Thompson. “We’ve regulated silencers and these guns for over 90 years for a reason. This tax was put in place in 1934 as part of a comprehensive effort to address their illegal use by criminal gangs. 

    “Congressional Republicans’ proposal to spend $1.7 billion to flood our communities with these firearms and make it easier for mass shooters and criminals to access these weapons makes our communities less safe. I urge my Republican colleagues to help us take up this amendment and strike down this ill-advised handout to the gun lobby.” 

    “Slashing taxes on silencers, short-barreled shotguns and rifles, and similar devices is a $1.7 billion gift to boost gun industry sales that will endanger law enforcement and our communities,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “We urge every lawmaker in the House to put public safety ahead of gun industry profits and oppose this disaster of a bill.”

    “The House must take up and pass this important amendment. For 100 years, Republicans and Democrats agreed on commonsense safeguards to keep silencers and short-barreled firearms from falling into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, President Trump and today’s extreme Republicans put gun lobby CEO donors ahead of Americans’ safety and are fighting to make it easier for dangerous people to get these weapons. The gun lobby freely admits this is the first step in their plan to remove all safeguards keeping gun silencers away from criminals. Passing this provision would endanger law enforcement and the communities they risk their lives to protect—and Republicans know it,” said Emma Brown, GIFFORDS Executive Director. 

    “We know what these weapons do. We’ve lived through the lockdowns, the sirens, the funerals. We’ve seen the aftermath up close. The House has a choice: pass this amendment, or keep rewarding violence with taxpayer dollars. Anyone who votes against it should have to explain that choice to the families left behind after their children are murdered,” said Jackie Corin, Executive Director, March For Our Lives. 

    “After the assassination of a public servant in Minnesota and a heinous sniper attack on first responders in Idaho, it is outrageous that Trump’s allies in the Senate have passed a bill that puts countless lives at risk to line the pockets of gun industry executives. Making firearm silencers and other uniquely lethal weapons more accessible will increase violence and enable would-be mass shooters and assassins. Brady vigorously supports Representative Thompson’s amendment to reverse this dangerous provision and safeguard the American public,” said Kris Brown, Brady President. 

    “Stripping silencers from the National Firearms Act is not reform—it’s a reckless gift to the gun lobby that will endanger law enforcement, embolden mass shooters, and silence victims before anyone can respond. Silencers are not tools of self-defense—they are tools of assassination. Representative Thompson’s amendment to reverse this dangerous provision from the Republican funding bill is critical. The House must act immediately to keep silencers out of the hands of criminals and domestic terrorists. We cannot allow Donald Trump and his allies to dismantle 90 years of bipartisan safeguards just to appease gun manufacturers and extremist donors. Lives are on the line—and Congress must choose the people over the gun lobby,” said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Africa – ATIDI Guarantee Backs Lending Consortium Led by BPR Bank Rwanda plc for Rwanda’s New International Airport, Boosting Regional Trade and Integration

    Source: Media Fast

    ·       ATIDI has approved a USD $84 million counter-guarantee to support issuance of bonds and guarantees for the construction of Rwanda’s New International Airport in Bugesera District.
    ·       BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, acting as Mandated Lead Arranger and Facility Agent, leads a consortium of lenders enabling the transaction.
    ·       The Project is a vital infrastructure that will accelerate Rwanda’s Vision 2050, its national strategy to become an upper-middle-income country by 2035 and a high-income economy by 2050.
    ·       This transaction is aligned with ATIDI’s strategic focus on empowering its member states to deliver impactful, transformative investments that spur growth, sustainability and regional integration.

    Kigali, 11th July 2025 – ATIDI has approved a USD84 million counter-guarantee to support three local Rwandan banks and one regional bank in issuing bonds and guarantees totaling over USD322 million. These guarantees have been extended to a joint venture of three contractors undertaking the construction of the New Bugesera International Airport, a transformative project poised to elevate Rwanda as a strategic hub for trade and logistics in Africa.

    The project, jointly developed by the Governments of Rwanda and Qatar, is a vital infrastructure that will accelerate Rwanda’s Vision 2050, its national strategy to become an upper-middle-income country by 2035 and a high-income economy by 2050. The airport is also aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, facilitating the free movement of goods, services and people across the continent.

    The airport, which is valued over USD2 billion, is scheduled for completion by mid-2028. ATIDI’s cover supports the three local banks including BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, Bank of Kigali (BK), and the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), benefitted directly from ATIDI’s risk mitigation, enabling them to issue guarantees beyond their Single Obligor Limits (SOL). The de-risking provided by ATIDI offers banks capital relief while ensuring smoother execution of infrastructure projects.

    The lending consortium led by BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, acting as Mandated Lead Arranger and Facility Agent on behalf of the contractors, also includes KCB Bank Kenya, a regional lender, which participated in the syndicate without recourse to ATIDI’s guarantee.

    Quote from Manuel Moses, Chief Executive Officer, ATIDI

    “ATIDI is proud to partner in Rwanda’s transformation and continental ambitions through this catalytic project, a central piece of the country’s development strategy. The new airport is not just about infrastructure, it’s about unlocking regional value chains and ensuring Africa trades more with itself. Our support demonstrates the value addition of ATIDI’s de-risking solutions in scaling up lending capacity and unlocking financing by banks to Rwanda’s development priorities”

    Quote from BPR (Mandated Lead Arranger)

    Patience Mutesi, Managing Director of BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, remarked “We are honored to lead this transformational financing effort. As Mandated Lead Arranger, BPR Bank Rwanda Plc is proud to play a pivotal role in unlocking capital for a project that will reshape Rwanda’s connectivity and competitiveness. This collaboration with ATIDI and our partner banks reflects our firm commitment to financing national development priorities and enabling long-term value through strategic infrastructure.”

    This transaction is aligned with ATIDI’s strategic focus on empowering its member states to deliver impactful, transformative investments that spur growth, sustainability and regional integration. Rwanda, a founding member of ATIDI, has been a consistent partner in leveraging risk mitigation to unlock capital and de-risk essential sectors.

    Currently, ATIDI has issued policies worth over USD1.45 billion in transaction value and holds a gross exposure of over USD611.9 million in Rwanda. These transactions span multiple sectors vital to the country’s development, including agriculture, forestry; fishing; construction; energy and gas; financial activities; information and communication; manufacturing; other services activities; public administration; trade and transportation; transporting and storage; as well as wholesale and retail trade.

    This broad sectoral engagement demonstrates ATIDI’s critical and transversal role in de-risking investments and catalyzing trade, infrastructure and socio-economic development across Africa.

    About ATIDI

    ATIDI was founded in 2001 by African States to cover trade and investment risks of companies doing business in Africa. ATIDI predominantly provides Political Risk, Credit Insurance and, Surety Insurance. Since inception, ATIDI has supported USD88 billion worth of investments and cross border trade into Africa. For more than a decade, ATIDI has consistently maintained a Financial Strength and Counterparty Credit rating of ‘A/Stable’ from Standard & Poor’s. In 2019, Moody’s assigned ATIDI an A3/Positive rating, which was subsequently upgraded to A2/Stable in 2024 and reaffirmed in 2025, reflecting the organization’s robust financial position and strong risk management practices. In recognition of its growing impact, ATIDI was named the Development Finance Institution (DFI) of the Year at the 2025 African Banker Awards.

    www.atidi.africa

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES: “OUR COMMITMENT IS TO MAKE SURE WE FIGHT FOR EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN ACROSS THE COUNTRY”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference at CrescentCare, a federally qualified health center in Louisiana, with Rep. Troy Carter (LA-02) and Steering and Policy Committee Co-Chairs Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA-44) to highlight how Donald Trump’s budget devastates the healthcare of the American people and outline how House Democrats will hold House Republicans accountable for voting to pass their One Big Ugly Law.

    LEADER JEFFRIES: Good morning. It’s an honor and a privilege to be here in the great state of Louisiana, in this all-American city. Certainly thankful for the leadership of Congressman Troy Carter, for his partnership and his friendship, standing up, fighting hard each and every day on behalf of the people that he is privileged to represent here in Louisiana’s Second Congressional District. Let me thank Alice and the people at CrescentCare for the work that you do on behalf of the people in this community and all across the city and the state to ensure that they have access to high-quality care that is both compassionate and comprehensive. And our commitment is to make sure that we fight for every single person in this state, every single American across the country, to ensure that they can get the high-quality, affordable healthcare that people in this country, the wealthiest country in the history of the world, deserve.

    We believe that access to high-quality and affordable healthcare shouldn’t simply be a privilege available to the wealthy and the well-off. It’s a right. It should be available to every single person in the state of Louisiana, and every single person in this great country. Unfortunately, the One Big Ugly Bill that has been jammed down the throats of the American people represents the largest assault on Medicaid and healthcare in American history. The One Big Ugly Bill will have devastating consequences for the people of Louisiana who rely upon Medicaid to get their health service, to address their medical needs, to be able to live with dignity and respect in a nursing home setting, to have hospitals that are available to them and not closed, particularly in parts of rural Louisiana, and to be able to get the type of compassionate primary care that exists at community-based health clinics like this one. But this struggle is not over. We’re just at the beginning. We’re going to fight hard to make sure that the devastating Medicaid cuts that are now part of this One Big Ugly Law that has been signed can be pushed back—not for Democrats, Independents and Republicans, but for all Americans. That is our struggle. That is our commitment. That is the fight that we are waging on behalf of the people of Louisiana and on behalf of the people of this great country.

    The Louisiana state legislature, in an overwhelming and bipartisan way, passed a resolution, making clear that cuts to Medicaid will be devastating for the people of Louisiana, whether you’re in an urban part of the state, suburban part of the state, a small-town part of the state, a rural part of the state, it will be devastating, these cuts to Medicaid, to the people of Louisiana. The assault on healthcare is unacceptable, unconscionable and un-American. And I’m thankful for the leadership of Congressman Troy Carter in standing up for the people of this great state and helping to work with people from all across the political spectrum to do what is necessary to push back against the cuts that have now been enacted to educate the people of Louisiana and throughout the nation as to how damaging this One Big Ugly Bill will be to their quality of life. But most importantly, to assure everyone that our commitment is to continue to show up and stand up and speak up for your healthcare, for your quality of life, for an America where when you work hard and play by the rules, you can live a good life, have a good-paying job, good healthcare, good housing, good education for your children and, of course, a good retirement. That is our commitment to you, and we will not stop fighting until we can end this national nightmare and bring about an America that is the best version of herself.

    Full press conference can be watched here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES: “OUR COMMITMENT IS TO MAKE SURE WE FIGHT FOR EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN ACROSS THE COUNTRY”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference at CrescentCare, a federally qualified health center in Louisiana, with Rep. Troy Carter (LA-02) and Steering and Policy Committee Co-Chairs Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA-44) to highlight how Donald Trump’s budget devastates the healthcare of the American people and outline how House Democrats will hold House Republicans accountable for voting to pass their One Big Ugly Law.

    LEADER JEFFRIES: Good morning. It’s an honor and a privilege to be here in the great state of Louisiana, in this all-American city. Certainly thankful for the leadership of Congressman Troy Carter, for his partnership and his friendship, standing up, fighting hard each and every day on behalf of the people that he is privileged to represent here in Louisiana’s Second Congressional District. Let me thank Alice and the people at CrescentCare for the work that you do on behalf of the people in this community and all across the city and the state to ensure that they have access to high-quality care that is both compassionate and comprehensive. And our commitment is to make sure that we fight for every single person in this state, every single American across the country, to ensure that they can get the high-quality, affordable healthcare that people in this country, the wealthiest country in the history of the world, deserve.

    We believe that access to high-quality and affordable healthcare shouldn’t simply be a privilege available to the wealthy and the well-off. It’s a right. It should be available to every single person in the state of Louisiana, and every single person in this great country. Unfortunately, the One Big Ugly Bill that has been jammed down the throats of the American people represents the largest assault on Medicaid and healthcare in American history. The One Big Ugly Bill will have devastating consequences for the people of Louisiana who rely upon Medicaid to get their health service, to address their medical needs, to be able to live with dignity and respect in a nursing home setting, to have hospitals that are available to them and not closed, particularly in parts of rural Louisiana, and to be able to get the type of compassionate primary care that exists at community-based health clinics like this one. But this struggle is not over. We’re just at the beginning. We’re going to fight hard to make sure that the devastating Medicaid cuts that are now part of this One Big Ugly Law that has been signed can be pushed back—not for Democrats, Independents and Republicans, but for all Americans. That is our struggle. That is our commitment. That is the fight that we are waging on behalf of the people of Louisiana and on behalf of the people of this great country.

    The Louisiana state legislature, in an overwhelming and bipartisan way, passed a resolution, making clear that cuts to Medicaid will be devastating for the people of Louisiana, whether you’re in an urban part of the state, suburban part of the state, a small-town part of the state, a rural part of the state, it will be devastating, these cuts to Medicaid, to the people of Louisiana. The assault on healthcare is unacceptable, unconscionable and un-American. And I’m thankful for the leadership of Congressman Troy Carter in standing up for the people of this great state and helping to work with people from all across the political spectrum to do what is necessary to push back against the cuts that have now been enacted to educate the people of Louisiana and throughout the nation as to how damaging this One Big Ugly Bill will be to their quality of life. But most importantly, to assure everyone that our commitment is to continue to show up and stand up and speak up for your healthcare, for your quality of life, for an America where when you work hard and play by the rules, you can live a good life, have a good-paying job, good healthcare, good housing, good education for your children and, of course, a good retirement. That is our commitment to you, and we will not stop fighting until we can end this national nightmare and bring about an America that is the best version of herself.

    Full press conference can be watched here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES: “OUR COMMITMENT IS TO MAKE SURE WE FIGHT FOR EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN ACROSS THE COUNTRY”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference at CrescentCare, a federally qualified health center in Louisiana, with Rep. Troy Carter (LA-02) and Steering and Policy Committee Co-Chairs Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA-44) to highlight how Donald Trump’s budget devastates the healthcare of the American people and outline how House Democrats will hold House Republicans accountable for voting to pass their One Big Ugly Law.

    LEADER JEFFRIES: Good morning. It’s an honor and a privilege to be here in the great state of Louisiana, in this all-American city. Certainly thankful for the leadership of Congressman Troy Carter, for his partnership and his friendship, standing up, fighting hard each and every day on behalf of the people that he is privileged to represent here in Louisiana’s Second Congressional District. Let me thank Alice and the people at CrescentCare for the work that you do on behalf of the people in this community and all across the city and the state to ensure that they have access to high-quality care that is both compassionate and comprehensive. And our commitment is to make sure that we fight for every single person in this state, every single American across the country, to ensure that they can get the high-quality, affordable healthcare that people in this country, the wealthiest country in the history of the world, deserve.

    We believe that access to high-quality and affordable healthcare shouldn’t simply be a privilege available to the wealthy and the well-off. It’s a right. It should be available to every single person in the state of Louisiana, and every single person in this great country. Unfortunately, the One Big Ugly Bill that has been jammed down the throats of the American people represents the largest assault on Medicaid and healthcare in American history. The One Big Ugly Bill will have devastating consequences for the people of Louisiana who rely upon Medicaid to get their health service, to address their medical needs, to be able to live with dignity and respect in a nursing home setting, to have hospitals that are available to them and not closed, particularly in parts of rural Louisiana, and to be able to get the type of compassionate primary care that exists at community-based health clinics like this one. But this struggle is not over. We’re just at the beginning. We’re going to fight hard to make sure that the devastating Medicaid cuts that are now part of this One Big Ugly Law that has been signed can be pushed back—not for Democrats, Independents and Republicans, but for all Americans. That is our struggle. That is our commitment. That is the fight that we are waging on behalf of the people of Louisiana and on behalf of the people of this great country.

    The Louisiana state legislature, in an overwhelming and bipartisan way, passed a resolution, making clear that cuts to Medicaid will be devastating for the people of Louisiana, whether you’re in an urban part of the state, suburban part of the state, a small-town part of the state, a rural part of the state, it will be devastating, these cuts to Medicaid, to the people of Louisiana. The assault on healthcare is unacceptable, unconscionable and un-American. And I’m thankful for the leadership of Congressman Troy Carter in standing up for the people of this great state and helping to work with people from all across the political spectrum to do what is necessary to push back against the cuts that have now been enacted to educate the people of Louisiana and throughout the nation as to how damaging this One Big Ugly Bill will be to their quality of life. But most importantly, to assure everyone that our commitment is to continue to show up and stand up and speak up for your healthcare, for your quality of life, for an America where when you work hard and play by the rules, you can live a good life, have a good-paying job, good healthcare, good housing, good education for your children and, of course, a good retirement. That is our commitment to you, and we will not stop fighting until we can end this national nightmare and bring about an America that is the best version of herself.

    Full press conference can be watched here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Vasquez Demands Action on Delayed Army Funding to Modernize Housing at White Sands Missile Range

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) sent a letter to Army Secretary Driscoll and Army Installation Management Command urging the Department to disperse $7 million dollars to make much needed improvements to housing infrastructure for our active duty military members that live and work at White Sands Missile Range. The funding was expected last summer but remains undelivered, despite assurance that these funds would be dispersed soon from General Mingus at a House Armed Services Committee hearing in May.

    “Service members at White Sands train tirelessly, work hard, and selflessly serve their country while living in outdated housing that is decades past its prime,” said Vasquez. “The Department of Defense must make sure our service members have a much better standard of living if we are to reach our peak readiness potential. Further delays to modernize on-base housing – funding that has long been promised – continues to hurt morale and shortchanges our military’s most important asset: its soldiers.

    White Sands Missile Range is the premier site for weapons development and testing. Many of its housing units were built shortly after the end of World War II and require urgent and extensive improvements. Many rural bases, like White Sands Missile Range, are often overlooked and face more red tape for infrastructure improvements compared to larger bases located in urban areas.

    This letter calls on the U.S. Army to take action and immediately disperse these funds to begin upgrades to the housing on base to ensure service members and their families have safe, comfortable living arrangements. Additionally, it requests that the U.S. Army provides Vasquez with a brief on the status of these funds no later than August 1, 2025.

    Rep. Vasquez is committed to honoring the heroes that protect our nation by securing federal resources that enhance both the operational strength of New Mexico’s military installations and the quality of life for service members and their families.

    You can find the full text of the letter below:

    Dear Secretary Driscoll and Lieutenant General Jones,

     I write to you urging the Army’s Installation Management Command (IMCOM) to immediately disperse delayed funds to improve the quality of on-base housing at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR). WSMR and Fort Bliss were scheduled to receive approximately $7 million in the summer of 2024 for housing modernization, but that funding never materialized. On May 6th, 2025 General Mingus testified in the House Armed Services Committee that WSMR would “see movement on [the funding] shortly” – it has been nine weeks since General Mingus’ testimony and WSMR has still not received their funding. 

    WSMR is the Department of Defense’s (DOD) premier research, development, test, and evaluation (RDTE) site. DOD is reliant on WSMR to develop and test new weapons systems that prepare us for the challenges of tomorrow, but the success of this testing ecosystem falls on the shoulders of the service members who live and work on base. Despite working and living in aging and run-down infrastructure decades past its intended service life, the personnel at WSMR continue to do a world-class job in service to our nation. 

    It’s no secret that DOD has a housing quality issue, and unfortunately rural installations like WSMR are often the most delayed and overlooked. With many of the buildings at WSMR constructed in the years following World War II, much of the legacy housing on-base is outdated and needs significant upgrades. When service members and their families don’t have a safe or comfortable place to rest their heads at night, they can’t accomplish their mission – and that jeopardizes our readiness and national security. 

    Given DOD’s significant reliance on WSMR for their RDTE, I am concerned about the delay in disbursement of funds from IMCOM to upgrade legacy housing and the impact that is having on our readiness. Following the assurance from General Mingus that we can expect that funding shortly, I request the Army take actions to make this funding immediately available to WSMR and to provide me with a briefing on the status of this funding no later than August 1st, 2025. 

    Thank you again for your service and for your attention to this important matter.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Hoyle Joins Oregon Delegation to Urge Release of Critical Fishery Disaster Funding

    Source: US Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04)

    July 11, 2025

    Lawmakers press the Trump Administration to act quickly to unlock $7 million intended to help Oregon’s ocean commercial fishermen recover from significant economic losses from declining salmon populations

    For Immediate Release: July 11, 2025 

    EUGENE, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04), alongside U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05) pressed the Trump Administration to release the $7,050,722 that was allocated to Oregon for the catastrophic regional fishery disaster that was declared for the Oregon Chinook salmon commercial ocean fisheries in the state for 2018, 2019, and 2020.

    The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) resubmitted their spending plan for funds allocated by the U.S. Department of Commerce in October 2024, but their final revised application has gone without a response from the Trump Administration for the last several months, delaying much needed funding for Oregon’s fishermen.

    The Oregon lawmakers are urging Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to promptly review and act upon the PSMFC’s application without further delay to help the state’s ocean commercial fishermen and coastal economies recover from the significant toll of declining salmon populations.

    “Oregon salmon and salmon fisheries are an invaluable cultural, economic, and ecological resource in our state. Salmon are highly valued by Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest for cultural, subsistence, and economic benefits,” wrote the lawmakers.

    The impact salmon loss has on Oregon’s economy cannot be understated, as the state’s commercial fishing industry generates more than $640 million in economic activity each year, equivalent to 9,200 jobs.

    The lawmakers pressed this fact to Director Vought: “Additionally, the commercial salmon industry is a significant economic driver for rural communities on the Oregon Coast, generating millions of dollars in economic output. Sadly, our salmon fisheries have faced significant obstacles over the last decade which have resulted in significant fishery declines.”

    As the Oregon delegation continues to hear from concerned constituents in Oregon’s coastal communities and fisheries, they are requesting Director Vought provide responses to the following questions by August 1, 2025:

    1. Does the Office of Management and Budget require additional information to process the application submitted by the PSMFC?

    2. Will the Office of Management and Budget commit to promptly reviewing the application resubmitted by PSMFC in a timely manner and to apportion and obligate funding to the designated amount of $7,050,722 for the declared disaster?

    “We look forward to a timely disbursal of these critical funds to assist Oregon’s commercial salmon industry and await your response,” the lawmakers closed.

    Full text of the Oregon delegation’s letter can be found HERE.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warnock Pushes Trump Admin For Answers on FEMA Cuts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia
    Senator Reverend Warnock first pressed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem for answers on major cuts to FEMA over a month ago. Secretary Noem has yet to respond to critical questions, even in the midst of hurricane season.
    Senator Reverend Warnock: “Know that I will not sit idly by while Georgia lives and livelihoods are endangered. This is about our safety, and we deserve answers.”
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) is escalating his fight to get answers from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on FEMA’s ability to respond to hurricanes in Georgia this storm season. Senator Warnock renewed his call for answers on social media after Noem failed to respond to his inquiry at the beginning of hurricane season in June. 
    Senator Warnock first pressed Secretary Noem for answers after leaked internal assessments revealed that FEMA is unprepared for the current storm season that began on June 1. The Senator’s calls also follow Secretary Noem’s recent statement in which she doubled down on the administration’s plan to eliminate the agency all together.
    Senator Warnock asked Secretary Noem to commit to ensuring that FEMA’s Region IV office in Atlanta, which oversees disaster response for all of Georgia and much of the southeast, remains fully staffed and resourced for the 2025 hurricane season. 
    “We have seen the devastation and the impact of hurricanes and big storms in Georgia, time and time again,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “We need to know if the administration is taking this seriously. We do know based on internal reports that much of the agency has been hollowed out. The evidence suggests that we do not have the personnel to respond at the beginning of hurricane season” 
    This is Senator Warnock’s latest effort to ensure that FEMA has the resources needed to protect Georgians from natural disasters and assist with recovery. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Senator Warnock led a bipartisan, bicameral effort to secure billions of dollars in federal funding for disaster recovery efforts in Georgia. The Senator also introduced bipartisan legislation to extend the tax deadline for Georgians impacted by Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters. Senator Warnock also joined a bipartisan effort to demand that the Trump Administration reinstate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which supports local disaster mitigation projects including a $30 million award to Savannah for flood reduction measures that was canceled earlier this year. 
    Full text of the letter can be found HERE and below:
    Dear Secretary Noem,
    As the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season begins this week, and following Acting Administrator Richardson’s stunning and disturbing reported admission that he was unaware the United States has a hurricane season, I write with deep concern about the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the potentially devastating consequences for Georgia communities.
    Nearly a year ago, in September 2024, Georgia and the entire southeast were bombarded by Hurricane Helene – a multi-state major disaster and the deadliest storm to strike the mainland United States in 20 years. At its peak, Hurricane Helene left more than 1 million Georgians without power, demanded 300 boil water advisories across the state, damaged over 200,000 homes, and left thousands of families displaced.
    Fortunately, thanks to an early presence in Georgia and a “great” working relationship with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and state leadership, FEMA was prepared to quickly mobilize assistance teams, deliver meals and water to the hardest-hit areas, and coordinate response and recovery efforts with state, local, and nonprofit leaders. Most importantly, FEMA remained in Georgia long after the national cameras left, helping Georgians along their road to recovery and hosting resource fairs for impacted communities on everything from applications for individual assistance to small business loans to housing needs. To date, FEMA has provided over $360 million to survivors and more than $400 million to local governments and communities in Georgia. Though not perfect, this effort required a level of coordination across state lines, rapid mobilization of personnel and supplies, and deep experience that only the federal government and FEMA can provide.
    According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will likely be “above normal” and feature up to ten hurricanes, including five major storms that will threaten Georgia and much of the southeast. However, instead of working with state and local governments, nonprofits, and federal partners to prepare for the 2025 hurricane season, the Trump administration and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have haphazardly and irresponsibly worked to dismantle the nation’s lead disaster response agency without any workable alternative or sense of direction.
    These reckless actions include:
    Proposing a $646 million budget cut to FEMA in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, along with the cancellation of billions in disaster relief and mitigation grants that help states prepare for future disasters;
    Gutting FEMA’s workforce by nearly 30 percent, including more than 1,800 voluntary buyouts, 200 terminations, a hiring freeze, the departure of 16 senior officials, as well as the abject firing of FEMA’s administrator who warned against eliminating the agency;
    Pursuing ill-conceived, shortsighted, and abrupt changes to longstanding FEMA policy, including quadrupling the damage threshold for Georgia communities to receive federal assistance from roughly $21 million to more than $84 million;
    Canceling hurricane readiness trainings for state and local emergency managers in Georgia and across the country; and,
    Eliminating the disaster resiliency-focused Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, including a $30 million award to reduce flooding in Savannah, Georgia.
    I am always open to considering thoughtful, transparent reforms developed in close partnership with Congress, states, and local officials, but these unilateral actions are gambling with the lives and livelihoods of millions of Georgians. As DHS’s own internal agency review states, “FEMA is not ready” for the upcoming hurricane season – a frightening assessment that I fear will soon have severe consequences in Georgia and southeastern coastal states.
    To that end, I request answers to the following questions by June 26, 2025, so that Georgians may better understand how your actions will affect their safety during the 2025 hurricane season:
    How would a budget cut of $646 million, as proposed in your FY26 budget request, help FEMA better prepare for and respond to future disasters in Georgia?
    What analyses did DHS conduct to ensure that these budget cuts will not diminish the safety of Americans during hurricane season?

    Please provide any policy justification or budget analysis supporting the cancellation of hurricane readiness trainings for state and local officials, including how such cancellations better prepare local communities for hurricane season.[1] In the absence of such trainings, how does DHS intend to ensure that local officials are prepared for hurricane season?
    Of the FEMA employees who were terminated or accepted voluntary buyouts, how many performed a hurricane preparedness, logistic, or safety function, including those who collaborated with state and local governments before, during, and after a disaster?
    What analyses, if any, has DHS conducted to assess the impact of implemented and proposed workforce reductions on FEMA’s ability to perform its emergency management functions? Please provide copies of any written communications, analyses, and other documentation concerning how workforce reductions will limit FEMA’s ability to carry out its core functions.
    How many counties in Georgia that received federal assistance in the aftermath of previous disasters would have been denied that assistance if FEMA’s proposal to quadruple the damage threshold had been implemented prior to those disasters? Please provide a list of affected disasters and Georgia counties, including how much federal disaster assistance would have been lost by each county under FEMA’s new proposed threshold.
    What public process or consultation, if any, did FEMA conduct before proposing an increase to the per capita impact indicator threshold?
    Please provide a cost-benefit analysis supporting the cancellation of the BRIC program and awarded projects like Savannah, Georgia’s flood reduction measures, including how such cancellations make communities like Savannah more resilient and safer in the event of a severe storm.
    What contingency plans are in place if FEMA staff and resources are overwhelmed during the 2025 hurricane season?
    Are there plans to further adjust or reduce staffing at FEMA’s Region IV office in Atlanta, Georgia, which oversees disaster response for all of Georgia and much of the southeast?
    Will you commit to ensuring this office remains fully staffed and resourced for the duration of the 2025 hurricane season?

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RIDOH and DEM Recommend Avoiding Contact with Select Roger Williams Park Ponds

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are advising people to avoid contact with Roger William Park Ponds (Edgewood Lake, Cunliff Lake, and Elm Lake) in Providence due to a confirmed cyanobacteria bloom. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are naturally present in bodies of water, but under certain environmental conditions will form harmful algae blooms (HABs). All recreation, including swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking, is high risk to health and recommended to be avoided at these locations. HABs can produce toxins which can be harmful to humans and animals. Toxins and/or high cell counts have been detected by the RIDOH State Health Laboratory from water samples collected by DEM at these locations. This advisory recommendation remains in effect until further notice.

    Use caution in all areas of Roger William Park Ponds as cyanobacteria HABs can move locations in ponds and lakes. People should not drink untreated water or eat fish from affected waterbodies. Pet owners should not allow pets to drink or swim in this water.

    Skin contact with water containing toxin-producing cyanobacteria can cause irritation of the skin, nose, eyes, and throat. Symptoms from ingestion of water can include stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Less common symptoms can include dizziness, headache, fever, liver damage, and nervous system damage. Young children and pets are at higher risk for health effects associated with cyanobacteria HABs because they are more likely to swallow water when they are in or around bodies of water. People who have had contact with these ponds and experience those symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.

    If you or your pet come into contact with a cyanobacteria HAB: — Rinse your skin with clean water right away. — Shower and wash your cloths when you get home. — If your pet was exposed, wash it with clean water immediately and don’t let it lick algae from its fur. — Call a vet if your pet shows signs of illness like tiredness, no eating, vomiting, diarrhea or other symptoms within a day. — If you feel sick after contact, call a healthcare provider.

    Affected waters might look bright to dark green, with thick algae floating on the surface. It may resemble green paint, pea soup, or green cottage cheese. If you see water like this, people and pets should avoid contact with the water. To report suspected cyanobacteria blooms, contact DEM’s Office of Water Resources at 401-222-4700 Press 6 or DEM.OWRCyano@dem.ri.gov and if possible, send a photograph of the reported algae bloom.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Democratic Republic of the Congo formally accepts WTO Agreements on Fisheries Subsidies, Trade Facilitation

    Source: World Trade Organization

    DG Okonjo-Iweala said: “I am very grateful to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for joining so many other WTO members in taking this step to protect the global commons. We are now just seven ratifications away from the entry into force of this landmark Agreement to curb harmful fisheries subsidies and better preserve our oceans!” 

    Minister Kahongya said: “By ratifying the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reaffirms its commitment to the principles of multilateralism and to ensuring sustainable management of the world’s marine resources. The ratification reflects our country’s determination to contribute actively to preserving the environment, combating overfishing and promoting international trade based on equity, sustainability and solidarity. We also hope that the implementation of this crucial international legal instrument will allow the Democratic Republic of the Congo to participate more actively in world trade.”

    The Director-General also received from the Democratic Republic of Congo its acceptance of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).  Concluded in 2013, the TFA contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods which will enhance regional trade integration and connectivity.

    Formal acceptances from two-thirds of WTO members are required for the Agreement to enter into force — representing 111 members. The list of the 104 WTO members which have deposited their instruments of acceptance with the WTO is available here.

    At the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) held in Geneva in June 2022, ministers adopted by consensus the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, setting new, binding, multilateral rules to curb harmful fisheries subsidies. The Agreement prohibits subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, for fishing overfished stocks, and for fishing on the unregulated high seas.

    Ministers also recognized the needs of developing economies and least-developed countries by establishing a fund to provide technical assistance and capacity-building to help governments that have formally accepted the Agreement to implement the new obligations.

    The Fish Fund launched a Call for Proposals on 6 June, inviting developing economies and LDCs that have ratified the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to submit requests for project grants aimed at helping them implement the Agreement. The WTO Fish Fund portal can be found here.

    WTO members also agreed at MC12 to continue negotiating on remaining fisheries subsidies issues. The objective is to find consensus on additional provisions to further strengthen the disciplines on fisheries subsidies.

    Information for members on how to accept the Protocol of Amendment is available here.

    Share

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Career Built on Helping Others: Cory Chovanec’s Journey in Weatherization

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    NREL Researcher Uses His Field Experience To Help Increase Energy Affordability for Americans Through the Weatherization Assistance Program

    Cory Chovanec leans on a ladder outside a house he is weatherizing. This photo was taken early in Chovanec’s career, between 1998 and 2008. Photo from Cory Chovanec, NREL

    At 17 years old, NREL researcher Cory Chovanec was traveling door to door in his hometown of Berlin, Wisconsin. His mission: to sell enough vacuum cleaners to qualify for an all-expenses-paid trip to Lake Tahoe. At around $1,000 dollars a pop and in a town of just over 5,000 people, it was no easy feat.

    Yet he managed to sell them all—sending both him and his sister on a free vacation.

    “I think if you can sell Kirby vacuums at that price in the ’90s, you can do just about anything,” Chovanec said.

    After following a career path in the weatherization and home performance industry from entry level to a position at a national laboratory, Chovanec found that he really could do just about anything—from crawling through cold, uninsulated subspaces and hot attics to inspecting hundreds of homes with advanced diagnostic equipment.

    Now serving as weatherization team lead at NREL, Chovanec has worked in many different roles supporting the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The program aims to reduce energy costs for low-income households by increasing home energy efficiency. Weatherization saves money for families and enhances health, home comfort, and safety.

    In his nearly four years at NREL, Chovanec has contributed to and led technical assistance, research, and resource development to support WAP, leveraging his extensive experience to ensure these activities benefit field staff and aid in their work improving energy affordability across the country.

    Bit by the Weatherization Bug

    Chovanec did not even know what weatherization was until after high school, when he started working for a local temporary employment agency. One day, they placed him at a community action agency, where he filled in as a weatherization technician.

    Cory Chovanec holds up the damaged door of a manufactured home and the new one he replaced it with. This photo was taken early in Chovanec’s career, between 1998 and 2008. Photo from Cory Chovanec, NREL

    “I didn’t see this as a career. I thought these people were crazy, crawling around attics and everything,” Chovanec said.

    Chovanec was in a Wisconsin farmhouse in the middle of winter when he began to feel the impact of the work “click” for him. It was his first time insulating an attic on his own, and the space was almost unbearably hot because of the lack of insulation. This meant that a large amount of heat was escaping out from the living space, ultimately costing the kind, elderly owners more money to warm their home. As he carried out his work, blowing 13 to 14 inches of insulation over the attic floor, he noticed the attic change from hot to cold. With less heat escaping into the attic, the owners would need less energy to warm their home—greatly reducing their energy bills. 

    Chovanec was hooked. “It was then I could actually feel that this work really does make a difference,” he said.

    Workers in the industry describe this feeling as “getting bit by the weatherization bug.” The work is physically taxing, but Chovanec feels the reward goes far beyond a paycheck. Weatherization technicians and energy auditors are regularly exposed to the extreme heat and cold, exploring all the unseen and potentially hazardous places in a home. Yet Chovanec believed strongly in the WAP mission, saving money on energy bills, and helping people be comfortable and safe in their homes.

    Without prior knowledge of building science or weatherization work, Chovanec learned on the job. Absorbing skills and knowledge through every task and mentorship experience, he accepted a full-time role and climbed the career ladder at the community action agency, eventually accepting a position at a weatherization training center.

    Weatherization training centers provide structured hands-on training opportunities to workers in the weatherization and home performance industry. Chovanec’s main roles at the center were to provide building science training and perform quality control inspections for the state. These inspections help ensure the appropriateness and quality of the work completed on the home by installers and technicians. Chovanec estimates he visited all 72 counties of Wisconsin at least once to perform inspections during his 10-plus years at the center.

    “One of the best things was going back to do a post-weatherization inspection and hearing nothing but good things,” Chovanec said. “Their bills are going down, their house is more comfortable, they physically feel better—it’s just a dose of good news.”

    For Chovanec, home energy auditing is a passion, not just a job. An energy audit consists of a thorough examination to identify potential comfort or safety problems and energy-saving opportunities. He works on his field skills in his free time, taking the four-hour energy auditor recertification field exam every three years. He has now passed the exam five times and enjoys providing home assessments for his friends and family.

    While an energy audit might provide homeowners with the most comprehensive look at ways to cut energy costs in their home, Chovanec emphasized that there are simple steps people can take to minimize energy use and lower bills. Even just ensuring that lights are off in empty rooms and the thermostat is adjusted when you are out of the house can make a difference.

    “When you were a kid and your parents told you to turn the light off when you’re not in the room: That is real, and it helps,” Chovanec said. “We all have control over small things like that, and if we want to save some money on a utility bill, we can achieve that without extensive training.”

    Translating Field Experience Into Valuable Workforce Resources

    In keeping with his unique ability to simplify complex concepts, Chovanec’s favorite projects examine the most technical aspects of weatherization work to streamline them or make them easier to understand.

    One of these projects includes the development of two interactive 3D houses, providing virtual examples of a single-family and manufactured home. These learning tools allow users to explore relevant retrofit strategies and common weatherization measures for different areas of the home, all with a few clicks of their mouse. Chovanec used his field experience to accurately represent the spaces.

    “When thinking about developing resources for the weatherization network, you have to think about how it will look in the hands of the people actually doing the work,” Chovanec said.

    Cory Chovanec explains how to inspect a crawlspace to fellow NREL employees Juliana Williams and Alexa Carrera. Photo by Janna Babad, NREL

    Chovanec also assists volunteer expert committees with updating job task analyses for energy auditor and quality control inspector certification schemes, the role that introduced him to NREL when he volunteered to serve on the update committee as a subject matter expert. These resources are updated roughly every five years with weatherization industry feedback.

    “We are really working to improve the foundational components of credentials through each update cycle, and this is clear with each iteration,” Chovanec said. “The program is always evolving in a way that puts an emphasis on high-quality work that saves people money.”

    Over the years, Chovanec has seen WAP grow in a variety of ways, providing more robust, formalized education and incorporating new technologies as they emerge, like infrared imaging, which helps identify air leaks and thermal anomalies in homes. As research continues, Chovanec knows that there will always be something new to improve homes and lives, and he is excited that NREL can play a key part in those discoveries and enhancements.

    When reflecting on his career journey—from his first WAP agency to NREL—Chovanec said it is important to reach out and take hold of opportunities as they come.

    “The stepping stones are there, you just have to follow the path: volunteer for those committees, go to extra trainings, try to make the most of it,” Chovanec said. “No matter what my role was, I just felt really fortunate to work in WAP and have been mentored by so many incredible and brilliant people, some of whom were around when the program first began in 1976. It is a privilege to continue to support this program.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Career Built on Helping Others: Cory Chovanec’s Journey in Weatherization

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    NREL Researcher Uses His Field Experience To Help Increase Energy Affordability for Americans Through the Weatherization Assistance Program

    Cory Chovanec leans on a ladder outside a house he is weatherizing. This photo was taken early in Chovanec’s career, between 1998 and 2008. Photo from Cory Chovanec, NREL

    At 17 years old, NREL researcher Cory Chovanec was traveling door to door in his hometown of Berlin, Wisconsin. His mission: to sell enough vacuum cleaners to qualify for an all-expenses-paid trip to Lake Tahoe. At around $1,000 dollars a pop and in a town of just over 5,000 people, it was no easy feat.

    Yet he managed to sell them all—sending both him and his sister on a free vacation.

    “I think if you can sell Kirby vacuums at that price in the ’90s, you can do just about anything,” Chovanec said.

    After following a career path in the weatherization and home performance industry from entry level to a position at a national laboratory, Chovanec found that he really could do just about anything—from crawling through cold, uninsulated subspaces and hot attics to inspecting hundreds of homes with advanced diagnostic equipment.

    Now serving as weatherization team lead at NREL, Chovanec has worked in many different roles supporting the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The program aims to reduce energy costs for low-income households by increasing home energy efficiency. Weatherization saves money for families and enhances health, home comfort, and safety.

    In his nearly four years at NREL, Chovanec has contributed to and led technical assistance, research, and resource development to support WAP, leveraging his extensive experience to ensure these activities benefit field staff and aid in their work improving energy affordability across the country.

    Bit by the Weatherization Bug

    Chovanec did not even know what weatherization was until after high school, when he started working for a local temporary employment agency. One day, they placed him at a community action agency, where he filled in as a weatherization technician.

    Cory Chovanec holds up the damaged door of a manufactured home and the new one he replaced it with. This photo was taken early in Chovanec’s career, between 1998 and 2008. Photo from Cory Chovanec, NREL

    “I didn’t see this as a career. I thought these people were crazy, crawling around attics and everything,” Chovanec said.

    Chovanec was in a Wisconsin farmhouse in the middle of winter when he began to feel the impact of the work “click” for him. It was his first time insulating an attic on his own, and the space was almost unbearably hot because of the lack of insulation. This meant that a large amount of heat was escaping out from the living space, ultimately costing the kind, elderly owners more money to warm their home. As he carried out his work, blowing 13 to 14 inches of insulation over the attic floor, he noticed the attic change from hot to cold. With less heat escaping into the attic, the owners would need less energy to warm their home—greatly reducing their energy bills. 

    Chovanec was hooked. “It was then I could actually feel that this work really does make a difference,” he said.

    Workers in the industry describe this feeling as “getting bit by the weatherization bug.” The work is physically taxing, but Chovanec feels the reward goes far beyond a paycheck. Weatherization technicians and energy auditors are regularly exposed to the extreme heat and cold, exploring all the unseen and potentially hazardous places in a home. Yet Chovanec believed strongly in the WAP mission, saving money on energy bills, and helping people be comfortable and safe in their homes.

    Without prior knowledge of building science or weatherization work, Chovanec learned on the job. Absorbing skills and knowledge through every task and mentorship experience, he accepted a full-time role and climbed the career ladder at the community action agency, eventually accepting a position at a weatherization training center.

    Weatherization training centers provide structured hands-on training opportunities to workers in the weatherization and home performance industry. Chovanec’s main roles at the center were to provide building science training and perform quality control inspections for the state. These inspections help ensure the appropriateness and quality of the work completed on the home by installers and technicians. Chovanec estimates he visited all 72 counties of Wisconsin at least once to perform inspections during his 10-plus years at the center.

    “One of the best things was going back to do a post-weatherization inspection and hearing nothing but good things,” Chovanec said. “Their bills are going down, their house is more comfortable, they physically feel better—it’s just a dose of good news.”

    For Chovanec, home energy auditing is a passion, not just a job. An energy audit consists of a thorough examination to identify potential comfort or safety problems and energy-saving opportunities. He works on his field skills in his free time, taking the four-hour energy auditor recertification field exam every three years. He has now passed the exam five times and enjoys providing home assessments for his friends and family.

    While an energy audit might provide homeowners with the most comprehensive look at ways to cut energy costs in their home, Chovanec emphasized that there are simple steps people can take to minimize energy use and lower bills. Even just ensuring that lights are off in empty rooms and the thermostat is adjusted when you are out of the house can make a difference.

    “When you were a kid and your parents told you to turn the light off when you’re not in the room: That is real, and it helps,” Chovanec said. “We all have control over small things like that, and if we want to save some money on a utility bill, we can achieve that without extensive training.”

    Translating Field Experience Into Valuable Workforce Resources

    In keeping with his unique ability to simplify complex concepts, Chovanec’s favorite projects examine the most technical aspects of weatherization work to streamline them or make them easier to understand.

    One of these projects includes the development of two interactive 3D houses, providing virtual examples of a single-family and manufactured home. These learning tools allow users to explore relevant retrofit strategies and common weatherization measures for different areas of the home, all with a few clicks of their mouse. Chovanec used his field experience to accurately represent the spaces.

    “When thinking about developing resources for the weatherization network, you have to think about how it will look in the hands of the people actually doing the work,” Chovanec said.

    Cory Chovanec explains how to inspect a crawlspace to fellow NREL employees Juliana Williams and Alexa Carrera. Photo by Janna Babad, NREL

    Chovanec also assists volunteer expert committees with updating job task analyses for energy auditor and quality control inspector certification schemes, the role that introduced him to NREL when he volunteered to serve on the update committee as a subject matter expert. These resources are updated roughly every five years with weatherization industry feedback.

    “We are really working to improve the foundational components of credentials through each update cycle, and this is clear with each iteration,” Chovanec said. “The program is always evolving in a way that puts an emphasis on high-quality work that saves people money.”

    Over the years, Chovanec has seen WAP grow in a variety of ways, providing more robust, formalized education and incorporating new technologies as they emerge, like infrared imaging, which helps identify air leaks and thermal anomalies in homes. As research continues, Chovanec knows that there will always be something new to improve homes and lives, and he is excited that NREL can play a key part in those discoveries and enhancements.

    When reflecting on his career journey—from his first WAP agency to NREL—Chovanec said it is important to reach out and take hold of opportunities as they come.

    “The stepping stones are there, you just have to follow the path: volunteer for those committees, go to extra trainings, try to make the most of it,” Chovanec said. “No matter what my role was, I just felt really fortunate to work in WAP and have been mentored by so many incredible and brilliant people, some of whom were around when the program first began in 1976. It is a privilege to continue to support this program.”

    MIL OSI USA News –