Category: Horticulture

  • MIL-OSI USA: Big Y Foods Recalls Made-To-Order Subs, Wraps and Paninis Sold in Massachusetts and Connecticut Because of Possible Health Risk

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    May 22, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    May 22, 2025
    Product Type:
    Food & BeveragesFoodborne Illness
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Salmonella

    Company Name:
    Big Y Foods
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    Big Y Foods

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Made-to-order subs, wraps and paninis

    Company Announcement
    Big Y Foods of Springfield, MA is voluntarily recalling some Made-To-Order Subs, Wraps and Paninis sold between 5/20 and 5/21 in some Massachusetts and Connecticut retail stores (listed below), because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
    This recall includes any Made-To-Order Small Sub, Large Sub, 30” Super Sub, Wrap or Panini purchased on 5/20 or 5/21 sold in the following Big Y Stores:

    Address

    City 

    State

    Zip

    1090 St. James Avenue

    Springfield

    MA

    01104

    79 Stonington Rd.

    Mystic

    CT

    06355

    136 North King Street Rt. 5

    Northampton

    MA

    01060

    10 College Highway Rt. 10

    Southampton

    MA

    01073

    802 Williams Street

    Longmeadow

    MA

    01106

    441 N Main St.

    E. Longmeadow

    MA

    01028

    772 North Main St.

    West Hartford

    CT

    06117

    148 West St.

    Ware

    MA

    01082

    200 West St.

    Pittsfield

    MA

    01201

    45 Veterans Memorial Drive

    North Adams

    MA

    01247

    224 Salem Turnpike

    Norwich

    CT

    06360

    141B Storrs Road

    Mansfield

    CT

    06250

    1040 Elm Street

    Rocky Hill

    CT

    06067

    234 Tolland Turnpike

    Manchester

    CT

    06040

    175 University Drive

    Amherst

    MA

    01002

    65 Palomba Drive

    Enfield

    CT

    06082

    1 Kent Road

    New Milford

    CT

    06776

    22 Spencer Plan Rd.

    Old Saybrook

    CT

    06475

    995 Poquonnock Road

    Groton

    CT

    06340

    237 Mohawk Trail, Route 2

    Greenfield

    MA

    01301

    300 Cooley Street

    Springfield

    MA

    01128

    135 West Rd.

    Elington

    CT

    06029

    355 Hawley Lane

    Stratford

    CT

    06614

    2035 Boston Rd.

    Wilbraham

    MA

    01095

    405 Bridgeport Ave.

    Shelton

    CT

    06484

    1313 Hopmeadow St.

    Slimsbury

    CT

    06070

    7 East Hampton Rd. Route 66

    Marlborough

    CT

    06447

    23 Killingworth Turnpike

    Clinton

    CT

    06413

    150 Boston Post Rd.

    Milford

    CT

    06460

    434 Walpole St.

    Norwood

    MA

    02062

    Big Y Foods was notified by Smartcuts that the sliced cucumber distributed to Big Y Foods was impacted by the ongoing Bedner Growers Inc. Cucumber Outbreak investigation. The Smartcuts sliced cucumber is provided as an ingredient option for customers to order when ordering a sub, wrap, or panini at the sandwich service line within the retail Kitchen Department. Big Y Foods ceased operation in all stores listed above, discarded product within the sub, wrap, and panini service line, then thoroughly cleaned and sanitized the service line.
    All Made-To-Order subs, wraps and paninis were produced within the Kitchen Department upon customer request. The subs, wraps and paninis impacted by the cucumber recall were provided for sale to consumers May 20, 2025, and May 21, 2025. These subs, wraps and paninis were not prepackaged for customer self-service.
    No illnesses have been reported to date.
    Consumers who have purchased Made-To-Order subs, wraps and paninis are urged to return the product or show a receipt to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Big Y Foods at wecare@bigy.com, call Big Y Foods at 1-800-828-2688 select Option #7, Monday through Friday from 7am – 4pm, or contact the Smartcuts company at 1-860-525-3237 Monday through Friday from 8am – 5pm.
    Link to FDA Outbreak Advisory

    Company Contact Information

    Consumers:
    Big Y Foods, Smartcuts
    1-800-828-2688 select Option #7, 1-860-525-3237
    wecare@bigy.com

    Media:
    Aimee Diliberto, Big Y Foods
    1-800-828-2688

    Content current as of:
    05/22/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Topic(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Gang Leaders Among 16 Indicted for Drug Trafficking, Firearm Offenses

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    CHARLESTON, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Charleston returned two multi-count indictments (United States v. Gailliard et al. and United States v. Bailey et al.) charging a total of 16 individuals for their roles in trafficking cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl as well as the use of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

    The indictments stem from a lengthy investigation led by the Lowcountry Violent Crime Task Force to address significant drug trafficking in our local communities and the violence associated with such activities.  The individuals charged in these indictments operated primarily out of the North Charleston and West Ashley areas and several are associated with the Gangster Disciple and Fruit Town Piru street gangs.  During the course of this investigation, law enforcement has seized approximately 60 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of methamphetamine, 24 pounds of marijuana, 600 grams of fentanyl, 500 grams of heroin and thousands of narcotics pills, as well as 12 firearms.

    “These indictments send a clear message that we will not tolerate the proliferation of dangerous drugs and the violence they breed in our communities. The significant quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, along with numerous firearms, underscore the scale and severity of the alleged criminal activity,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “Our local, state, and federal partners demonstrated their commitment to aggressively dismantling drug trafficking networks, particularly those fueling violent street gangs.”

    “These indictments and arrests should provide the community with a sense of reassurance of the FBI’s commitment to work with our state and local partners to make our communities safer,” said Reid Davis, acting special agent in charge of the FBI Columbia field office. “Every resident deserves to live in a safe environment, free from the threats of drugs and violence. The FBI is committed to justice, and we will continue to stand firm in protecting our communities by upholding the rule of law.”

    In the Gailliard et al indictment, the following charges have been filed in United States District Court, according to court documents:

    • Shawntez Gaillard, 32, of North Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, as well as two counts of distribution of cocaine and one count of distribution of 50 gram or more of methamphetamine.
    • Bernard Garland Gregory, 36, of North Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine.
    • Harold Alvin Champaigne, 49, of North Charleston was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, as well as one count of distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine.
    • Dominic Jaquan Mack, 44, of North Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.
    • Sharon T. Carter, 53, of Summerville, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, as well as one count of possessing with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.
    • Mary Nelly Ayala, 48, of Summerville, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.
    • Scott Clayton Hollins, 55, of North Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine, as well as one count of possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and quantities of cocaine and fentanyl, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
    • Quentin Rambert, 34, of North Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.
    • Levi Cohen, IV, 30, of Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
    • Jabari Cortez Lee, 28, of North Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute a quantity of cocaine.
    • Marchevis Jefferson, 33, of Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute a quantity of cocaine.

    In the Bailey et al indictment, the following charges have been filed in United States District Court, according to court documents:

    • Jarell Montsho Bailey, 31, of Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, as well as eight counts of distribution of cocaine, four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, three counts of distribution of fentanyl, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
    • DaQuan Hakeem Lee, 33, of Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute a quantity of cocaine.
    • Cleo Williams, Jr, 36, of Summerville, was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, as well as one count of distribution of cocaine.
    • Meri Elizabeth Sottile, 42, of Charleston, is charged with conspiring to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine, as well as one count of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
    • Amanda Danielle Forth, 34, of Charleston, is charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, as well as possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF

    The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia field office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Secret Service, City of Charleston Police Department, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, State Law Enforcement Division, North Charleston Police Department, Summerville Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Charleston Aviation Authority and Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Lietzow, Nick Bianchi, and Katie Orville are prosecuting the case. 

    All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Growing a productive & resilient rural sector

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    The Government is sharpening its focus and support for New Zealand’s world-leading food and fibre producers through Budget 2025 – backing the growth and resilience of our largest and most Important sector.
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says Budget 2025 confirms $4.95 billion in continuing baseline funding over the next four years for MPI to support farmers, growers, fishers, and foresters to lift on-farm productivity and profitability, strengthen rural communities, and drive higher returns at the farm and forest gate.
    “This year alone, the food and fibre sector is forecast to contribute $56.9 billion to the economy, that’s why we’re focused on unlocking new global opportunities –from the UK and EU, to the Gulf, and India– while cutting red tape so producers can get on with the job.”
    To further strengthen the sector’s resilience, Budget 2025 includes a new focus on driving growth and rural wellbeing through a series of targeted grassroots investments:

    $246 million over four years in a new Primary Sector Growth Fund (PSGF) to help lift food and fibre sector productivity, profitability, and resilience;
    $2 million over four years in a contestable rural wellbeing fund;
    $1m extra over four years for Rural Support Trusts and other organisations to support farmers and growers;
    $400,000 over four years in direct grants for New Zealand’s A&P shows;
    Ongoing support for catchment groups of $36 million over the next four years, through the Ministry for Primary Industries;
    $250,000 for the 2025/26 financial year for Rural Women New Zealand to boost its on-the-ground support for rural communities.

    “These initiatives back the people behind the sector who make our rural economy tick.”
    The new Investment Boost tax incentive will also improve cashflow and make on-farm and forest investments more affordable, allowing for Farmers and Growers to immediately deduct 20 per cent of the cost of new machinery or farm equipment, on top of existing depreciation rates.
    Budget 2025 also continues our commitment to $400 million over four years with an additional $23 million carried over to accelerate the development and rollout of new tools and technologies to reduce emissions without closing down farms or sending jobs and production overseas – a key part of ensuring the sector is globally competitive into the future.
    “When our rural communities do well, the whole country benefits. Budget 2025 is about ensuring our farmers and growers have the tools and support they need to succeed – not just for today, but for the long-term prosperity of New Zealand,” the Government’s team of Agriculture ministers, Todd McClay, Andrew Hoggard, Mark Patterson and Nicola Grigg say. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Who Attempted to Carjack a Deputy U.S. Marshal Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

               WASHINGTON – Kentrell Flowers, 19, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for the attempted gunpoint carjacking of an unmarked vehicle occupied by a Deputy U.S. Marshal. 

               The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, Acting U.S. Marshal Ron Carter of the District Court for the District of Columbia, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

               Flowers pleaded guilty on Feb. 20, 2025, before District Court Judge Richard J. Leon to using, carrying, possessing, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. In addition to the 120-month prison term, Judge Leon ordered Flowers to serve five years of supervised release. 

               According to court documents, on July 5, 2024, at 1:17 a.m., two deputy U.S. Marshals were working a protective detail on the 2100 block of 11th Street, NW. The deputies were parked in separate unmarked vehicles when a silver minivan pulled up alongside one of them. A man, later identified as Flowers, got out of the van, approached the driver’s side-door, and pointed a pistol directly at the deputy marshal.

               The deputy marshal pulled out his own department-issued firearm. The deputy fired four shots through the side window, striking Flowers in the mouth. The second deputy marshal at the scene also fired on Flowers. 

               Flowers fell to the ground. The deputy marshals provided first aid, while the silver minivan driven by the unknown accomplice fled the scene. A second unknown suspect ran away on foot. Flowers was treated at a local hospital.

               Law enforcement recovered Flowers’.40 caliber Smith & Wesson which was loaded with eight rounds of ammunition. 

               This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared English and Emory V. Cole.

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    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Arizona Man Receives 22-Year Prison Sentence for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of Child

    Source: US FBI

    ALBUQUERQUE – An Arizona man was sentenced to 22 years in prison for the prolonged sexual abuse of a minor over nearly a decade in the Navajo Nation.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    According to court documents, between May 16, 2009, and May 15, 2012, Cedric Martinez, 31, engaged in unlawful sexual contact with a minor victim, who was under the age of 12, at a residence in Upper Fruitland, New Mexico, within the Navajo Nation.

    Upon his release from prison, Martinez will be subject to fifteen years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

    U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Brittany DuChaussee and Meg Tomlinson are prosecuting the case. 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Best Seed Banks: Seed Supreme Gets Top Recognition for High Quality Cannabis Seeds

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Diego, California, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a major shake-up of the global cannabis cultivation landscape, A top cannabis seed bank has officially claimed the number one spot among seed banks. The announcement comes amid growing demand for high-performance genetics and reliable seed sourcing, as cultivators – from home growers to commercial operators – face increasingly competitive markets and higher consumer expectations.

    Seed Supreme’s rise to the top has been turning heads across the cannabis industry, with many experts citing the brand’s impressive consistency, wide-ranging catalog of top-shelf strains, and phenomenal breeding and sourcing practices as key reasons behind its success.

    Industry analysts also highlight the seed bank’s commitment to customer satisfaction and stealth shipping – critical factors in today’s highly regulated and, in some regions, still gray-market cannabis economy.

    This recognition is part of an annual roundup evaluating dozens of seed banks across multiple criteria, including germination rate reliability, genetics stability, strain variety, pricing, and overall customer experience. With standout performances across nearly every category, this seed bank edged out strong competition from long-standing players in the market to earn its crown.

    As the cannabis cultivation boom continues through 2025, growers are placing a premium on trustworthy seed providers that offer both innovation and stability. In this in-depth report, we break down what sets Seed Supreme apart as the go-to cannabis seed company for premium cannabis seeds..

    >>Get the best offers on cannabis seeds at Seed Supreme

    The Largest and Best Seed Bank

    One of the top reasons why this seed bank was honored with the title of best seed bank was their 100% germination guarantee and their unparalleled catalog of hundreds of cannabis strains from their team and top breeders in the country.

    For cannabis growers looking for high-THC strains, medicinal CBD-rich varieties, or reliable auto-flowering options, you are bound to find something suitable here. This seed bank offers exclusive perks like free shipping on qualifying orders and bonus seeds with every purchase. 

    To give readers a closer look at what makes this online seed bank standout, we’ve compiled a curated list of their best-selling strains. What follows is just a small glimpse into the high-quality cannabis seeds that define their catalog – and why they’ve become a trusted name among cannabis growers.

    The Most Sought-After Cannabis Seeds

    Following the brand’s recognition as the best seed bank, attention has turned to the standout strains and seed types that have earned the brand its loyal global following. With a library of the strongest strains, growers of all experience levels turn to this brand not just for quantity, but for quality and specialization.

    • Autoflowering Seeds: Autoflowering cannabis seeds continue to attract growers for their ease of use and convenience. These seeds are genetically programmed to enter the flowering phase automatically, eliminating the need for growers to manually adjust light cycles – perfect for beginners or those operating in variable light conditions. 

    With compact growth and resilient root systems, strains like White Widow Autoflower and Amnesia Haze Autoflower deliver impressive results in a short timeframe. Ideal for year-round growing, autoflowers are a must-have for cultivators seeking speed and simplicity.

    • Feminized Seeds:  For growers aiming to maximize bud production, feminized cannabis seeds remain a top-tier choice. These seeds are genetically engineered to produce only female plants, ensuring that every plant in the garden will flower and produce cannabinoid-rich buds. 

    The benefit? No need to identify and remove male plants, which simplifies the growing process and minimizes the risk of accidental pollination. Whether you’re cultivating indoors or out, feminized seeds offer consistency, potency, and reliability.

    • High THC Seeds: They stock a curated selection of high-THCstrains, with standout options like Acapulco Gold, Gorilla Glue, and Girl Scout Cookies consistently ranking among their most requested. These strains not only deliver exceptional cannabinoid content but are also known for their robust terpene profiles, enhancing both flavor and effect.
    • Exotic Seeds: For those seeking something unique, the exotic seed variety at Seed Supreme is top-notch.  You can find rare flavors, vibrant terpene profiles, and superior quality among these options. 
    • Fast Flowering Seeds: Fast-flowering seeds are a go-to choice for growers who want to make the most of a shorter growing window. These seeds are bred for efficiency and have a quicker transition from germination to harvest without compromising the quality of the yield.
    • CBD Seeds: This cannabis seed bank offers a diverse range of CBD-rich seeds for those focusing on therapeutic benefits. These seeds contain genetics that are specifically designed to produce plants with balanced genetics, ensuring high CBD content with minimal THC. 

    Why SeedSupreme Keeps Growing

    For those who are curious as to how this seed bank topped the list for the best online seed dispensary, here is what we considered.

    Shipping and Payment Options

    Secure and discreet shipping is a must when it comes to products of such a sensitive nature. All packages in the U.S. are carefully shipped across the country in unmarked packaging and take as little as two days to reach their destination. 

    Orders over $90 get free shipping, and you can track your delivery every step of the way. There are also several secure payment options, such as credit card, debit card, bank transfers, and even phone ordering.

    Guarantees & Benefits Offered

    A reliable germination guarantee is a good indication of a company’s belief in the quality of its product. This is evident with their 120-day germination guarantee. If seeds don’t germinate, customers can request a replacement by providing proof and following the paper towel germination method.

    There are also other perks to look forward to, including free bonus seeds with orders over $50, frequent BOGO deals, and a 5% discount for first-time buyers.

    Grow Kits

    The best seed sellers offer more than just seeds. They also provide helpful tools and resources for growers. They  also provide guides, filters, and growing tips to assist any growing journey. These features are useful for all types of growers, from beginners to experienced cultivators.

    Marijuana Seeds Variety

    Their diverse range of cannabis strains includes feminized cannabis seeds, autoflower seeds, rare genetics, and regular seeds, all of exceptional quality. Whether you are in search of Sativa seeds, Indica seeds, or hybrid seeds, there are countless options to choose from, with new strains and exotic seeds added regularly.

    Brand Reputation

    It’s always important to consider what consumers think of a company or brand. We scoured the web to see what people thought of this brand and found over 5000 positive verified customer reviews. The majority of these highlighted its exceptional quality, discreet shipping, and the abundant success of their customers’ harvest.

    Pricing

    Despite offering cannabis seeds of the highest quality, Seed Supreme still manages to keep its prices at a competitive range. With their frequent offers, discounts, and bulk purchase options, they make high-quality cannabis seeds accessible to all growers.

    Breeders

    Having this historic collection of breeders is nothing to scoff at. What makes this even more impressive is the caliber of these breeders. 

    These top breeders have created and bred some of the most popular and best strains. These genetically pure options cater to a variety of needs, including recreational use, medical purposes, or producing high yields.

    >>Get the best offers on high quality cannabis seeds

    Pros and Cons

    This marijuana seed bank stands out among the competition. During our evaluation, we discovered the following important points.

    Pros

    • Unparalleled Variety: This online seed bank stocks different types of weed seeds from the cannabis breeders with high quality marijuana seeds. Their inventory is packed with high-CBD, high-THC, and autoflowering strains, this ensures they cater to every growers needs.
    • Exclusive Perks: Customers enjoy free bonus cannabis seeds on orders over $50 and regular promotional deals.
    • Guaranteed Quality: A 120-day germination guarantee ensures growers can cultivate with confidence.
    • Discreet and Reliable Shipping: Orders are packed securely with unmarked packaging for privacy and take as little as two days to arrive.

    Cons

    • Customer Support Hours: Live chat support is only available during U.S. business hours, which may not suit international customers.

    Top Awarded Weed Strains

    1. Northern Lights Feminized – Awarded the Best Strain for Beginners

    One of the top-selling cannabis seeds from this seed bank is the Northern Lights Cannabis strain. This strain is a perfect blend of exceptional genetics, resulting in plants that are resilient and adaptable to a wide variety of growing conditions. 

    This makes it an appealing option to new growers who want to start their cannabis cultivation journey. Reports indicate it’s an easy-to-grow strain that also offers decent levels of THC and a unique aromatic flavor profile.

    The average THC level is moderate at around 20%, which is ideal for new THC users. With this Indica-dominant strain, growers can expect deep relaxation and euphoria. Its potent effects also provide significant pain relief and calming of the mind and body. 

    This strain is great for users who need relief from managing mild muscle or joint pain, and it works well to alleviate stress and tension.

    This strain is characterised by strong earthy and piney notes balanced with a combination of sweet and spicy undertones. Northern Lights are every grower’s dream, and are surprisingly easy to grow both indoors and outdoors. 

    They adapt well to difficult conditions and possess a strong natural resistance to pests and mold. Under ideal conditions, growers can expect about 500 grams per square meter indoors and 650 grams per plant when grown outdoors.

    Another major reason for the popularity of this strain is its fast flowering time. Cannabis growers can expect to see blossoms in between 8 and 10 weeks.

    >>Get the Best Offer for Autoflower Cannabis Seeds

    2. White Widow Feminized – Awarded the Best High THC Strain

    CBD White Widow seeds are a celebrated option among medicinal marijuana users, especially those with a low THC tolerance. With a CBD to THC ratio of 10:1 and THC concentration of about 1%, this variety offers little to no psychoactive effects.

    This strain is a true all-rounder, and it can offer long-lasting relief from stress and anxiety, as well as nausea and painful conditions such as arthritis, muscle cramps, and fibromyalgia.

    White Widow offers users an earthy and woody flavor profile, with subtle hints of pine and herbs that are pleasant on the palate.

    This cannabis variety is another beginner-friendly option. These plants do well both indoors and outdoors. They come with an inherent resilience to common problems like insects, disease, and mold, and have a strong ability to adapt to difficult growing conditions.

    When grown indoors, White Widow plants can yield up to 500 grams per square meter, while outdoor growers can collect around 600 grams of smokable buds per plant.  White Widow plants have an average flowering time of around eight weeks, which is faster than most strains.

    >>Get the Best Offer for High THC Seeds

    3. Blue Dream Feminized – Awarded the Best Strain for Indoor Growing

    Blue Dream is the perfect strain for indoor growers for a number of reasons. These Sativa-dominant seeds need minimal control and maintenance when grown indoors. The only thing growers really need to worry about is pruning, as they can grow quite tall.

    With a moderately high THC concentration of around 15% to 20%, Blue Dream offers cerebral stimulation coupled with full-body and mind relaxation.  These effects are not instantly overwhelming, and they are the ideal option for users who need anxiety and stress relief, while still remaining alert and productive.

    The strong and delicious berry notes of Blue Dream are unmistakable, and they are balanced with pleasant hints of earthiness, hash, and citrusy vibes for a unique and satisfying taste. These flavors are smooth and linger on the palate.

    Blue Dream is not difficult to grow. However, it is not overly resistant to common pests and mold, which is why it is better suited to indoor growth where conditions can be carefully controlled. 

    If you decide to grow indoors, make sure you leave enough space between plants as they can grow quite tall. Indoor yields go up to 600 grams per square meter, while growing outdoors can get you over 1,000 grams per plant when growing in optimal conditions. 

    The average flowering period for these famed cannabis strains on the market is usually between eight and ten weeks, which is reasonable for such a potent hybrid Sativa strain. 

    >>Get the Best Offer for Indoor Growing Cannabis Seeds

    4. Godfather OG Feminized – Awarded the Best Strain for Outdoor Growing

    If you are shopping for cannabis seeds that grow best in outdoor conditions, then you must try out their five-seed pack option for Godfather OG seeds. These outdoor seeds are guaranteed to produce plants with insanely potent effects and rich, nuanced flavors.

    Godfather OG has much higher than average THC levels, with levels reaching up to 28%. With such high concentrations, this Indica-dominant strain promises deeply soothing and sedative ‘happy’ effects that are great at combating pain, insomnia, and stress.

    This cannabis variety offers a delicious combination of pine, earthy, and faint citrus notes. It is an excellent option for people who enjoy a strong, flavorful cannabis experience because of its smooth smoke and lingering taste.

    For outdoor growers, these marijuana seeds are a dream; they produce crops that are resilient and adaptable to a wide variety of environmental conditions, with dense and heavy trichome-rich buds. 

    They thrive in sunny conditions with warm summers and a Mediterranean-like climate. When grown in nutrient-rich soil and ideal temperatures, these plants can even exceed a height of 180 cm.

    Indoors, you can expect 500–600 grams per square meter, while outdoor growers can look forward to more than 600g/plant. Another major reason that growers are drawn to this strain is its relatively short flowering time, which ranges between just 8 and 10 weeks. When grown outdoors, you can expect your plants to start flowering in late summer.

    >>Get the Best Offer on Feminized Seeds

    5. Green Crack – Awarded the Best Strain for Hydroponic Growers

    The Green Crack strain is an excellent choice for hydroponic cultivation since it produces greater yields and has a shorter flowering time when grown in a hydroponic system as opposed to a typical soil setup. 

    Green Crack cannabis seeds produce plants with moderate THC levels of around 17%, depending on the breeder. This means that it is not the most potent Sativa strain around. However, it does offer useful effects for cannabis users who do not wish to be overwhelmed by THC.

    The main benefit is a quick and long-lasting boost of energy, which is especially useful to those dealing with fatigue. It also delivers strong cerebral highs and is great when you need to pick me up or for creative tasks.

    The flavor profile of this variety does not disappoint, with a fruity mango flavor, complemented by hints of herbal and citrus notes.

    Green Crack flourishes in growing areas with ample light and moderate humidity levels. They require constant monitoring to prevent issues with mold. This is why they tend to thrive in a hydroponic system, since it reduces the risk of soil-borne pests and diseases. 

    The delivery of a precise and controlled dose of nutrients, exact pH levels, and careful oxygenation can boost yields to above 600 grams per square meter.

    The strain’s average flowering time is between seven and nine weeks, which is relatively short compared to similar strains. This is what makes Green Crack a popular option among growers aiming for a quick turnaround.

    >>Get the Best Offer on Cannabis Seeds

    What Is a Cannabis Seed Bank?

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    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods Announces Recall Due to Possible Health Risk

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    May 21, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    May 22, 2025
    Product Type:
    Food & BeveragesFoodborne Illness
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Salmonella

    Company Name:
    Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, LL
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    Ukrop’s

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Marinated cucumber Salad

    Company Announcement
    Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, LLC, Richmond, VA announced today that it is recalling three of its products in reaction to the Bedner Growers’ recall of cucumbers due to its potential to be contaminated with salmonella.
    Recall Dates:
    Recall Information Regarding Product:

    Item

    Net Weight 

    Package Sell-By Date

    Marinated Cucumber Salad

    16 ounces

    5/11/25 through 5/26/25

    Marinated Cucumber Salad

    36 ounces

    5/11/25 through 5/26/25

    Marinated Cucumber Salad Bulk

    5 lbs.

    5/11/25 through 5/26/25

    No other products produced by Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods are impacted.
    Recalled Products Available at the following Retailers:

    Food Lion Stores in Virginia, North Carolina
    Harris Teeter, Williamsburg, VA
    Kroger Stores in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky
    Libbie Market, Richmond, VA
    Ukrop’s Market Hall, Richmond, VA

    ➢ All retail locations have been notified and are removing the product from the shelves.➢ Consumers who purchased the product should return it to the retailer where purchased for a full refund.➢ For more information: Consumers with questions should contact Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods at 804-340-3050, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
    About Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods (UHF) began in February 2010 upon the sale of Ukrop’s Super Markets’ 27 retail locations and Joe’s Market. Retaining its kitchen and bakery manufacturing facilities and a distribution center, Bobby Ukrop and his son-in-law, Chris Kantner, launched the business by providing prepared foods and baked goods to its former stores (that were acquired by Martin’s which has since been sold). Its foods are delivered to hundreds of supermarkets and retail locations six days a week in the MidAtlantic region and beyond. Its retail customers now include: Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Libbie Market, Publix, The Fresh Market, The Market at 25th Street, and Wegmans. In addition, UHF operates Catering by Ukrop’s and Ukrop’s Market Hall, a retail store offering the “best of” its products. The company employs nearly 400 teammates and gives 10% of its pre-tax profits back to the community as it works to nourish lives by sharing its passion for food and families. www.ukropshomestylefoods.com
    2001 Maywill Street, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23230 ukropshomestylefoods.com 804-340-3000
    Link to FDA Outbreak Advisory

    Company Contact Information

    Consumers:
    Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods
    804-340-3050

    Product Photos

    Content current as of:
    05/22/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Topic(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Modification of customs duties applicable to imports of certain goods originating in or exported from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus – P10_TA(2025)0109 – Thursday, 22 May 2025 – Brussels

    Source: European Parliament

    THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

    Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207(2) thereof,

    Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

    After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

    Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure(1),

    Whereas:

    (1)  The Union’s imports of urea and nitrogen-based fertilisers from the Russian Federation in 2023 were significant, at 3,6 million tonnes, and increased considerably in 2024 by comparison with 2023. The level of the Union’s imports from the Russian Federation of the agricultural goods covered by this Regulation (the ‘agricultural goods concerned’) is relatively low for most of those goods, but could increase significantly if the current trading conditions persist.

    (2)  The Union’s imports of the fertilisers covered by this Regulation (the ‘fertilisers concerned’) currently reflect a situation of economic dependence on the Russian Federation. Moreover, the imports of the agricultural goods concerned could create a similar and additional economic dependence on the Russian Federation, which should in the present circumstances be prevented and reduced in order to protect the Union’s market and to safeguard the Union’s food security.

    (3)  The Union’s erga omnes common customs duties are the most-favoured-nation tariffs currently applied to imports of the agricultural goods concerned and fertilisers concerned (the ‘goods concerned’). Those tariffs vary greatly at present. Depending on the goods concerned, some tariffs are either set at zero or set very low, while other tariffs are so high that no trade takes place.

    (4)  Continued imports of the goods concerned from the Russian Federation under the current conditions could make the Union vulnerable to coercive actions by the Russian Federation. In particular, a potential increase in imports of the goods concerned from the Russian Federation could disrupt the Union’s market and negatively impact the Union’s producers. It is therefore necessary to take appropriate tariff measures in order to address the Union’s current and potential economic dependence on imports of the goods concerned from the Russian Federation. That should be done by ending the current situation where the goods concerned enter the Union’s market on terms that are as favourable as those applied to goods of other origins that receive most-favoured-nation treatment.

    (5)  At present, imports of the fertilisers concerned from the Russian Federation are already increasing and could increase further and quickly if additional Russian production is re-oriented towards the Union. Such potential increased imports from the Russian Federation would disrupt the Union’s market for the fertilisers concerned and harm the Union’s producers of nitrogen fertilisers, who are already facing difficulties in competing with imports from the Russian Federation because gas prices in the Union remain high. The long-term survival of the Union’s nitrogen fertiliser industry is of crucial importance for the Union’s food security because the Union’s agricultural sector needs the fertilisers concerned in order to produce food. Addressing the growing dependence on imports of the fertilisers concerned from the Russian Federation and preserving the viability of an autonomous Union nitrogen fertiliser industry is therefore vital to ensuring and maintaining the Union’s food security. In order to prevent future dependence on imports of agricultural goods from the Russian Federation, it is also necessary to adjust the tariff levels for the agricultural goods concerned.

    (6)  Tariff measures should also be taken in respect of the Republic of Belarus in order to prevent potential imports to the Union from the Russian Federation being diverted through the Republic of Belarus, given the Republic of Belarus’s close political and economic ties with the Russian Federation. Such diversion of potential imports could happen if the Union’s tariffs on imports of the goods concerned from the Republic of Belarus were to remain unchanged. Imports of the goods concerned that originate in or are exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus to the Union should therefore be subject to higher customs duties than imports from other third countries.

    (7)  Imports from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus should not benefit from any lower tariffs under the Union’s tariff rate quotas on the basis of most-favoured-nation treatment. The reduced rates set out in the Union’s tariff rate quotas for the goods listed in the Annexes to this Regulation should therefore not apply to goods originating in or exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus to the Union.

    (8)  The envisaged increase in customs duties is not expected to affect global food security negatively because the increase in tariffs applies only to imports into the Union and does not affect the goods concerned if they are only transiting through the Union’s territory to third countries of final destination. On the contrary, the envisaged increase in Union import duties could increase the exports of the goods concerned to third countries and increase the availability of supplies in those third countries.

    (9)  At the same time, fertilisers play a significant role for food security as well as for the financial stability of farmers in the Union. It is therefore necessary to ensure predictable and sufficient access to fertilisers, at affordable price levels for farmers in the Union, which should in turn contribute to the stabilisation of agricultural markets. During a transitional period, the proposed measure would stimulate stepping-up production in the Union and allow for the reinforcement of alternative sources of supply from other international partners, minimising the risk that fertiliser prices for farmers in the Union increase substantially. To that end, the Commission should closely monitor the evolution of fertiliser prices on the Union’s market. If fertiliser prices increase substantially, the Commission should assess the situation and take all appropriate actions to remedy such price increase.

    (10)  The envisaged increase in customs duties is consistent with the Union’s external action in other areas, as set out in Article 21(3) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). The state of relations between the Union and the Russian Federation has greatly deteriorated in recent years and particularly since 2022. That deterioration of relations is due to the Russian Federation’s blatant disregard for international law and, in particular, its unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. Since July 2014, the Union has progressively imposed restrictive measures on trade with the Russian Federation in response to the Russian Federation’s actions against Ukraine.

    (11)  The Russian Federation is a member of the World Trade Organization (‘WTO’). However, the Union is currently allowed, by virtue of the exceptions that apply under the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (‘WTO Agreement’), and in particular Article XXI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (security exceptions), to disregard the obligation to accord to goods imported from the Russian Federation most-favoured-nation treatment, and it is not prevented from imposing import duties higher than those contained in the Union’s schedule of tariff commitments on trade in goods, if the Union considers such measures to be necessary in order to protect the Union’s essential security interests.

    (12)  Relations between the Union and the Republic of Belarus have also deteriorated in recent years due to the Republic of Belarus’s disregard for international law, fundamental freedoms and human rights, as well as its support for the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Since October 2020, the Union has progressively imposed restrictive measures on trade with the Republic of Belarus.

    (13)  The Republic of Belarus is not a member of the WTO. The Union is therefore not obliged, by virtue of the WTO Agreement, to accord to goods from the Republic of Belarus most-favoured-nation treatment and other treatment in line with that Agreement. In addition, existing trade agreements between the Union and the Republic of Belarus allow actions justified on the basis of applicable exception clauses, in particular security exceptions.

    (14)  In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation as regards the laying down of arrangements for the monitoring of import volumes, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council(2).

    (15)  In accordance with the principle of proportionality, it is necessary and appropriate to lay down rules increasing tariffs on the goods concerned with immediate effect, firstly in order to achieve the basic objective of ensuring that the goods concerned that originate in or are exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus do not disturb the Union’s market for the goods concerned and, secondly, in order to implement the Common Commercial Policy and to reduce the Union’s imports of the goods concerned from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus in response to concerns that such imports could negatively affect the Union’s internal market and impair the Union’s food security. This Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary to achieve the objectives pursued in accordance with Article 5(4) TEU.

    (16)  In order to prevent further economic dependence of the Union on imports of the goods concerned from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, this Regulation should enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union,

    HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

    Article 1

    1.  Goods classified under the Combined Nomenclature (CN) codes listed in Annex I that are imported into the Union and that originate in or are exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus shall be subject to an additional 50 % ad valorem customs duty that is to apply on top of the applicable Common Customs Tariff rate. Such goods originating in or exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus shall not be eligible for lower import duties for limited quantities (tariff rate quotas) where those duties apply pursuant to the Union’s obligations under the WTO Agreement or where tariff rate quotas are opened by the Union on another basis.

    2.  Goods classified under the CN codes listed in Annex II that are imported into the Union and that originate in or are exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus shall be subject to a customs duty as follows:

    (a)  with regard to the goods falling under CN code 3102:

    (i)  6,5 % ad valorem + 40 EUR/tonne from 1 July 2025 until 30 June 2026;

    (ii)  6,5 % ad valorem + 60 EUR/tonne from 1 July 2026 until 30 June 2027;

    (iii)  6,5 % ad valorem + 80 EUR/tonne from 1 July 2027 until 30 June 2028;

    (iv)  6,5 % ad valorem + 315 EUR/tonne from 1 July 2028;

    (b)  with regard to the goods falling under CN codes 3105 20, 3105 30, 3105 40, 3105 51, 3105 59 and 3105 90:

    (i)  6,5 % ad valorem + 45 EUR/tonne from 1 July 2025 until 30 June 2026;

    (ii)  6,5 % ad valorem + 70 EUR/tonne from 1 July 2026 until 30 June 2027;

    (iii)  6,5 % ad valorem + 95 EUR/tonne from 1 July 2027 until 30 June 2028;

    (iv)  6,5 % ad valorem + 430 EUR/tonne from 1 July 2028.

    3.  Notwithstanding paragraph 2, if cumulative import volumes of goods listed in point (a) or point (b) of that paragraph reach the following thresholds, the Commission shall, within 21 days, impose a duty at the level set out in point (a)(iv) or point (b)(iv), respectively, of that paragraph, for the remaining imports of those goods in the given period:

    (a)  2,7 million tonnes from 1 July 2025 until 30 June 2026;

    (b)  1,8 million tonnes from 1 July 2026 until 30 June 2027;

    (c)  0,9 million tonnes from 1 July 2027 until 30 June 2028.

    4.  The Commission may adopt implementing acts laying down the arrangements for monitoring the import volumes set out in paragraph 3 of this Article. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 3(2).

    Article 2

    1.  The Commission shall monitor prices applicable in the Union of the goods listed in Annex II for a period of four years from … [the date of entry into force of this Regulation].

    2.  In the event that the price levels of the goods listed in Annex II substantially exceed the 2024 price levels during the period referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission shall assess the situation and take all appropriate actions to remedy such price increase. Such actions may include, where appropriate, a proposal for the temporary suspension of tariffs for those goods imported from and originating in countries other than the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus.

    Article 3

    1.  The Commission shall be assisted by the Customs Code Committee established by Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council(3). That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

    2.  Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.

    Article 4

    This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

    In respect of the goods listed in Annex I, this Regulation shall apply from … [four weeks from the date of entry into force of this Regulation].

    This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

    Done at …,

    For the European Parliament For the Council

    The President The President

    ANNEX I

    List of goods referred to in Article 1(1)

    CN code

    Description

    01

    Live animals

    02

    Meat and edible meat offal

    04

    Dairy produce; birds’ eggs; natural honey; edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included

    05

    Products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included

    06

    Live trees and other plants; bulbs, roots and the like; cut flowers and ornamental foliage

    Ex 07

    Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers, except:

    0713 10 peas (Pisum sativum)

    0713 20 chickpeas (garbanzos)

    08

    Edible fruits and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

    09

    Coffee, tea, maté and spices

    1004

    Oats

    1006

    Rice

    1008 60

    Triticale

    Ex 11

    Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten, except CN code 1106 10 00

    1209

    Seeds, fruits and spores, of a kind used for sowing

    1210

    Hop cones, fresh or dried, whether or not ground, powdered or in the form of pellets; lupulin

    1211

    Plants and parts of plants (including seeds and fruits), of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not cut, crushed or powdered

    1212

    Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet and sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones and kernels and other vegetable products (including unroasted chicory roots of the variety Cichorium intybus sativum), of a kind used primarily for human consumption, not elsewhere specified or included

    1213

    Cereal straw and husks, unprepared, whether or not chopped, ground, pressed or in the form of pellets

    1214

    Swedes, mangolds, fodder roots, hay, lucerne (alfalfa), clover, sainfoin, forage kale, lupines, vetches and similar forage products, whether or not in the form of pellets

    13

    Lac; gums, resins and other vegetable saps and extracts

    1401

    Vegetable materials of a kind used primarily for plaiting (e.g. bamboos, rattans, reeds, rushes, osier, raffia, cleaned, bleached or dyed cereal straw, and lime bark)

    1404 20

    Cotton linters

    1501

    Pig fat (including lard) and poultry fat, other than that falling under headings 0209 or 1503

    1502

    Fats of bovine animals, sheep or goats, other than those falling under heading 1503

    1503

    Lard stearin, lard oil, oleostearin, oleo-oil and tallow oil, not emulsified or mixed or otherwise prepared

    1505

    Wool grease and fatty substances derived therefrom (including lanolin)

    1506

    Other animal fats and oils and their fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified

    1509

    Olive oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified

    1510

    Other oils and their fractions, obtained solely from olives, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified, including blends of these oils or fractions with oils or fractions falling under heading 1509

    1511

    Palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified

    1513

    Coconut (copra), palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions thereof, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified

    1515 30

    Castor oil and its fractions

    1515 50

    Sesame oil and its fractions

    1515 60

    Microbial fats and oils and their fractions

    1515 90 11

    Tung oil; jojoba and oiticica oils; myrtle and japan wax; their fractions

    1515 90 21

    Crude tobacco-seed oil and its fractions, for technical or industrial uses other than the manufacture of foodstuffs for human consumption

    1515 90 29

    Crude tobacco-seed oil and its fractions, excluding for technical or industrial uses other than the manufacture of foodstuffs for human consumption

    1515 90 31

    Tobacco-seed oil and its fractions other than crude, for technical or industrial uses other than the manufacture of foodstuffs for human consumption

    1515 90 39

    Tobacco-seed oil and its fractions other than crude, excluding for technical or industrial uses other than the manufacture of foodstuffs for human consumption

    1516 10

    Animal fats and oils and their fractions

    1516 20 10

    Hydrogenated castor oil, so-called ‘opal-wax’

    1516 30

    Microbials fats and oils and their fractions

    1517

    Margarine, edible mixtures or preparations of animal, vegetable or microbial fats or oils or of fractions of different fats or oils of Chapter 15, other than edible fats or oils or their fractions falling under heading 1516

    1518 00 10

    Linoxyn

    1520

    Glycerol, crude; glycerol waters and glycerol lyes

    1521

    Vegetable waxes (other than triglycerides), beeswax, other insect waxes and spermaceti, whether or not refined or coloured

    1522

    Degras; residues resulting from the treatment of fatty substances or animal or vegetable waxes

    1601

    Sausages and similar products of meat, meat offal, blood or insects; food preparations based on these products

    1602

    Other prepared or preserved meat, meat offal, blood or insects

    17

    Sugars and sugar confectionery

    18

    Cocoa and cocoa preparations

    19

    Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; pastrycooks’ products

    20

    Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants

    21

    Miscellaneous edible preparations

    22

    Beverages, spirits and vinegar

    2301 10

    Flours, meals and pellets, of meat or offal, unfit for human consumption; greaves

    2302 10

    Bran, sharps and other residues of maize (corn), whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from sifting, milling or other working

    2302 40 02

    Bran, sharps and other residues of rice, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from sifting, milling or other working, with starch content not exceeding 35 %

    2302 40 08

    Bran, sharps and other residues of rice, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from sifting, milling or other working, other than with starch content not exceeding 35 %

    2302 50

    Bran, sharps and other residues of leguminous plants, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from sifting, milling or other working

    2306 90 11

    Oilcake and other solid residues, whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of olive oil, containing 3 % or less by weight of olive oil

    2306 90 19

    Oilcake and other solid residues, whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of olive oil, containing more than 3 % by weight of olive oil

    2307

    Wine lees; argol

    2308 00 11

    Grape marc, whether or not in the form of pellets, of a kind used in animal feeding, not elsewhere specified or included, having a total alcoholic strength by mass not exceeding 4,3 % mas and a dry matter content not less than 40 % by weight

    2308 00 19

    Grape marc, whether or not in the form of pellets, of a kind used in animal feeding, not elsewhere specified or included, other than having a total alcoholic strength by mass not exceeding 4,3 % mas and a dry matter content not less than 40 % by weight

    2308 00 40

    Acorns and horse-chestnuts; pomace or marc of fruit, other than grapes, whether or not in the form of pellets, of a kind used for animal feeding, not elsewhere specified or included

    2309 10

    Dog or cat food, put up for retail sale

    2309 90 10

    Fish or marine mammal solubles, of a kind used in animal feeding

    2309 90 33

    Preparations, including premixes, of a kind used in animal feeding, containing glucose, glucose syrup, maltodextrine or maltodextrine syrup of subheadings 1702 30 50, 1702 30 90, 1702 40 90, 1702 90 50 and 2106 90 55 but containing no starch or containing 10 % or less by weight of starch and containing not less than 10 % but less than 50 % by weight of milk products

    2309 90 35

    Preparations, including premixes, of a kind used in animal feeding, containing glucose, glucose syrup, maltodextrine or maltodextrine syrup of subheadings 1702 30 50, 1702 30 90, 1702 40 90, 1702 90 50 and 2106 90 55 but containing no starch or containing 10 % or less by weight of starch and containing not less than 50 % but less than 75 % by weight of milk products

    2309 90 39

    Preparations, including premixes, of a kind used in animal feeding, containing glucose, glucose syrup, maltodextrine or maltodextrine syrup of subheadings 1702 30 50, 1702 30 90, 1702 40 90, 1702 90 50 and 2106 90 55 but containing no starch or containing 10 % or less by weight of starch and containing not less than 75 % by weight of milk products

    2309 90 43

    Preparations, including premixes, of a kind used in animal feeding, containing glucose, glucose syrup, maltodextrine or maltodextrine syrup of subheadings 1702 30 50, 1702 30 90, 1702 40 90, 1702 90 50 and 2106 90 55 and containing more than 10 % but not more than 30 % by weight of starch and containing not less than 10 % but less than 50 % by weight of milk products

    2309 90 49

    Preparations, including premixes, of a kind used in animal feeding, containing glucose, glucose syrup, maltodextrine or maltodextrine syrup of subheadings 1702 30 50, 1702 30 90, 1702 40 90, 1702 90 50 and 2106 90 55 and containing more than 10 % but not more than 30 % by weight of starch and containing not less than 50 % by weight of milk products

    2309 90 53

    Preparations, including premixes, of a kind used in animal feeding, containing glucose, glucose syrup, maltodextrine or maltodextrine syrup of subheadings 1702 30 50, 1702 30 90, 1702 40 90, 1702 90 50 and 2106 90 55 and containing more than 30 % by weight of starch and containing not less than 10 % but less than 50 % by weight of milk products

    2309 90 59

    Preparations, including premixes, of a kind used in animal feeding, containing glucose, glucose syrup, maltodextrine or maltodextrine syrup of subheadings 1702 30 50, 1702 30 90, 1702 40 90, 1702 90 50 and 2106 90 55 and containing more than 30 % by weight of starch and containing not less than 50 % by weight of milk products

    2309 90 70

    Preparations, including premixes, of a kind used in animal feeding, containing no starch, glucose, glucose syrup, maltodextrine or maltodextrine syrup but containing milk products

    24

    Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes; products, whether or not containing nicotine, intended for inhalation without combustion; other nicotine containing products intended for the intake of nicotine into the human body

    2905 43

    Mannitol

    2905 44

    D-glucitol (sorbitol)

    3301

    Essential oils (terpeneless or not), including concretes and absolutes; resinoids; extracted oleoresins; concentrates of essential oils in fats, in fixed oils, in waxes or the like, obtained by enfleurage or maceration; terpenic by-products of the deterpenation of essential oils; aqueous distillates and aqueous solutions of essential oils

    3501

    Casein, caseinates and other casein derivatives; casein glues

    3502

    Albumins (including concentrates of two or more whey proteins, containing by weight more than 80 % whey proteins, calculated on the dry matter), albuminates and other albumin derivatives

    3503

    Gelatin (including gelatin in rectangular (including square) sheets, whether or not surface-worked or coloured, and gelatin derivatives; isinglass; other glues of animal origin, excluding casein glues of heading 3501

    3504

    Peptones and their derivatives; other protein substances and their derivatives, not elsewhere specified or included; hide powder, whether or not chromed

    3505

    Dextrins and other modified starches (e.g. pregelatinised or esterified starches); glues based on starches, dextrins or other modified starches

    3809 10

    Finishing agents, dye carriers to accelerate the dyeing or fixing of dyestuffs and other products and preparations (e.g. dressings and mordants), of a kind used in the textile, paper, leather or like industries, not elsewhere specified or included, with a basis of amylaceous substances

    3824 60

    Sorbitol other than that of subheading 2905 44

    4101

    Raw hides and skins of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals (fresh, or salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further prepared), whether or not dehaired or split

    4102

    Raw skins of sheep or lambs (fresh, or salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further prepared), whether or not with wool on or split, other than those excluded by note 1(c) to Chapter 41

    4103

    Other raw hides and skins (fresh, or salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further prepared), whether or not dehaired or split, other than those excluded by note 1(b) or note 1(c) to Chapter 41

    4301

    Raw fur skins (including heads, tails, paws and other pieces or cuttings, suitable for furriers’ use), other than raw hides and skins of heading 4101, 4102 or 4103

    5001

    Silkworm cocoons suitable for reeling

    5002

    Raw silk (not thrown)

    5003

    Silk waste (including cocoons unsuitable for reeling, yarn waste and garneted stock)

    5101

    Wool, not carded or combed

    5102

    Fine or coarse animal hair, not carded or combed

    5103

    Waste of wool or of fine or coarse animal hair, including yarn waste but excluding garneted stock

    5201

    Cotton, not carded or combed

    5202

    Cotton waste (including yarn waste and garneted stock)

    5203

    Cotton, carded or combed

    5301

    Flax, raw or processed but not spun; flax tow and waste (including yarn waste and garneted stock)

    5302

    True hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), raw or processed, but not spun; tow and waste of true hemp (including yarn waste and garneted stock)

    ANNEX II

    List of goods referred to in Article 1(2)

    CN code

    Description

    3102

    Mineral or chemical fertilisers, nitrogenous

    Ex 3105

    Mineral or chemical fertilisers containing two or three of the fertilising elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium; other fertilisers; goods of Chapter 31 in tablets or similar forms or in packages of a gross weight not exceeding 10 kg, except:

    3105 10 00 – Goods of Chapter 31 in tablets or similar forms or in packages of a gross weight not exceeding 10 kg

    3105 60 00 – Mineral or chemical fertilisers containing the two fertilising elements phosphorus and potassium

    (1) Position of the European Parliament of 22 May 2025.
    (2) Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/182/oj).
    (3) Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/952/oj).

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Global: Helen Chadwick: Life Pleasures – a rich and witty retrospective that smells like chocolate

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Kerry Harker, PhD Candidate, Feminism and the Visual Arts , University of Leeds

    A bubbling Jacuzzi-sized fountain of molten chocolate greets visitors at the entrance to Life Pleasures, a major retrospective of British artist Helen Chadwick at the Hepworth gallery in Wakefield. The piece, named Cacao, was made in 1994, two years before the artist’s sudden death of a heart attack aged just 42.

    The installation encourages visitors to engage their senses of smell and sound as well as sight. These faculties are critical in approaching Chadwick’s sensorially and materially rich body of work. The sounds of the work’s electric motor and tantalising smell of its gurgling chocolate are everywhere throughout the show.

    The exhibition is the largest survey of Chadwick’s work yet, and her first since A Retrospective at the Barbican in London in 2004.

    Chadwick’s student work, Knitted Lillet Blood Cycle (1975) – a collection of ten life-sized, delicately knitted tampons depicted at various stages of crimson saturation – is the earliest work in the show.

    Between this and Cacao – two moments in the arc of her life and artistic practice – lie a multitude of rich, often witty and still fresh innovations with materials and forms in two and three dimensions.

    Collectively, they form an evolving self-portrait whether explicitly depicting the artist’s own body or representing it by other means. Carcass (1986) is a case in point.

    Helen Chadwick talks about Carcass.

    A tower of glass and Perspex, it mimics the vertical posture of an upright human body for which it is a proxy. Filled with organic matter – waste from the gallery cafe downstairs – it will continue to decay and be topped up over the course of the exhibition, performing the cyclical process of the human digestive system.

    Chadwick’s greatest hits

    Some of the pieces in the show will be familiar to those who know the artist’s work. This includes a series of photographs documenting Chadwick’s 1977 performance work In the Kitchen, for which she produced soft, wearable sculptures of domestic white goods including a washing machine and cooker.

    Piss Flowers (1991-92) are also on show, in which the artist and her husband David Notarius urinated into snow that was densely packed into a large flower-shaped cookie cutter. The resulting hollows were cast in bronze before being coated in white lacquer.

    Inverted, they appear as surreal oversized flowers, performing an unexpected gender reversal due to the deeper – and therefore taller once inverted – effect produced by the female urinary pattern which is recast as a suggestively phallic stamen.

    Other works similarly question gender norms and stereotypes.

    Self-portrait (1991) is a wall-mounted and back-lit transparent photograph. It depicts the artist’s hands gently cradling a human brain against a backdrop of ruched velvet. It is impossible to assign gender to this organ, denuded of the external bodily signifiers from which any socially inscribed concept of identity might normally be read.

    The sculptural installations The Oval Court (1984-86) and Ego Geometria Sum (1983) also explore the construction of narratives about the self.

    Both works have been reconstructed for Life Pleasures. The latter has been reassembled from individual works held in several public and private collections and the Arts Council Collection.

    In both of these installations, as with many others on show here, the artist experimented with photographic processes – a touchstone throughout her career. She was pushing the boundaries of the medium materially through processes such as photocopying, and conceptually by exploring its three-dimensional properties. That’s demonstrated through the series of wall-mounted sculptures that combine slick photographic images with various timbers, glass, aluminium and light.

    Chadwick’s enduring relevance

    In part, Life Pleasures restages many of the works included in Effluvia, Chadwick’s 1994 exhibition at London’s Serpentine Gallery.

    I was lucky enough to experience that exhibition just as my fine art studies at the University of Leeds were coming to an end. By 1994 Chadwick could be described in the exhibition’s catalogue as “one of Britain’s most prominent and provocative contemporary artists”.

    Her work as an artist and educator has been as influential for subsequent generations of female practitioners, in particular, as it was for me as a young art student then.

    Life Pleasures again reveals Chadwick as a sculptor of exactitude and thrilling inventiveness. Her unique work combines glossy, seductive precision with a delicate, tactile mastery of materials. Even as it explores the inescapable realities of the human body: its vulnerability, impurity and mutability.

    Seen in tandem with the fascinating Helen Chadwick: Artist, Researcher, Archivist now on show at the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds, Life Pleasures provides a very welcome opportunity to reassess Chadwick’s legacy and the enduring relevance of her work in the context of contemporary debates on sex and gender. Her often-cited status as an explicitly feminist artist, however, remains largely unexplored in deeper terms here.

    Helen Chadwick: Life Pleasures is at the Hepworth, Wakefield until October 27.

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

    ref. Helen Chadwick: Life Pleasures – a rich and witty retrospective that smells like chocolate – https://theconversation.com/helen-chadwick-life-pleasures-a-rich-and-witty-retrospective-that-smells-like-chocolate-257155

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI USA: PennRose Farms Issues Recall of Whole Cucumbers Because Of Possible Health Risk

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    May 21, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    May 22, 2025
    Product Type:
    Food & BeveragesFoodborne Illness
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Salmonella

    Company Name:
    PennRose Farms, LLC
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    PennRose Farms

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Whole cucumbers

    Company Announcement
    Wellington, FL (May 21, 2025)—PennRose Farms, LLC is recalling 5-pound mesh bags of whole cucumbers because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.
    Our firm was notified by our supplier, Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., that these cucumbers are being recalled by Bedner Growers, Inc. and have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
    PennRose Farms repacked some of these cucumbers in 5-pound mesh bags (1,152 cases or 9,216 individual units) showing Restaurant Depot and PennRose Farms logos. The bags can be identified using the UPC code 841214101714, packaged between May 2-May 5, with lot numbers (48-122, 48-123, 48-124, 48-125). These products were shipped to Restaurant Depot distribution centers located in NJ, GA, FL, IL, and OH.
    No other PennRose Farms packaged products are impacted by this recall. It has advised the distribution centers it works with of the recall and directed them to alert customers that received the products.
    Consumers that have Restaurant Depot and PennRose Farms cucumbers covered by this recall are urged not to consume them and to discard them immediately. Restaurants, retailers, and distributors that have the recalled cucumbers should destroy them. If the product has been served to consumers, they should be notified of the potential health concern. Anyone with the recalled product in their possession should not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute them. Consumers who have purchased the recalled products may obtain additional information by contacting PennRose Farms at 800 804 7254 (8 am to 5 pm EST). Consumers with health concerns should consult directly with their health care providers.
    PennRose Farms is conducting this recall in coordination with the FDA.
    Link to FDA Outbreak Advisory.

    Company Contact Information

    Consumers:
    PennRose Farms
    800-804-7254

    Product Photos

    Content current as of:
    05/22/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Topic(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News

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    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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    Disclaimer & Affiliate Disclosure

    The information in this article is for informational and promotional purposes only and is not legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive for accuracy, no warranties are made regarding completeness or timeliness. Readers should verify information independently. The publisher, affiliates, and contributors are not liable for errors, omissions, or losses from using this content.

    This article may contain affiliate links. Clicking these links and making a deposit may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. These relationships do not affect our editorial integrity, and all evaluations are based on independent research.

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    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Winter gardening tips from the pros at Auckland Botanic Gardens

    Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

    Spring might get all the glory in the gardening world, but seeing the Auckland Botanic Gardens in winter is a testament to the beauty that can be achieved in your backyard any time of the year. This treasure of Tāmaki Makaurau is bursting with colour and birdsong even in the coldest months, and during this time, the gardening team is as busy as ever.

    Landscape gardener and horticulturist Jeffrey Jones is one of the collection curators at Auckland Botanic Gardens. His Monday mornings start by giving his areas – the Perennial Garden and the visitor centre surrounds – a tidy up with a leaf blower as he assesses the tasks ahead for the week. In winter, that might mean cutting back, lifting or dividing plants to promote new life, or adding mulch to protect plants from weeds and provide the soil with nutrients.

    Jeffrey shares some pro tips for making your garden look its best in winter, spring and summer, and some advice on attracting native birds to your backyard.

    Think at least a season ahead

    To keep your garden looking its best throughout the year, you need to start early. If you’re dreaming of daffodils and bulbs bursting through the ground in spring, it’s best to plant them in late April or early May.

    “To create our colourful displays here at the Botanic Gardens, we are always thinking ahead,” says Jeffrey. “If you really want spring action with flowers like freesias, daffodils and gladioli, you really need to be planting late autumn up to mid-May.”

    But it’s not only spring that is blooming gorgeous in Auckland. Lots of flowers blossom during winter, such as cyclamen, snowflakes, and Narcissus ‘Erlicheer’ – but again, it takes planning.

    “We start planning for our winter colour displays in January by ordering seeds and plants,” says Jeffrey. “We know our winter plants do best if they’ve been in the ground for a little while and if they’ve had a bit of growth before the first frost, so we planted out our winter displays – thousands of Icelandic poppies, alyssum and primula – back in April.”

    Some spring blooms such as tulips and peonies aren’t well suited to Auckland’s mild climate. To avoid disappointment in your own garden, pick the brains of the experts and select the best picks of the bunch.

    Auckland Botanic Gardens has many free brochures available to help you choose plants that grow well in Auckland’s conditions all year round.

    Auckland Botanic Gardens Collections Curator Jeffrey Jones says there are lots of ways to achieve a colourful garden year-round.

    Plant trees during winter

    Jeffrey says winter is the perfect time to plant trees. In the colder months, trees can focus on establishing strong root systems without growing leaves, flowers or fruit. Plant fruit trees in free-draining areas and work compost into the soil to ensure the tree has lots of nutrition.

    Stake trees when planting to avoid damaging the roots when the plant is established.

    Fruitful gardening in Auckland

    “What separates the Auckland Botanic Gardens from the region’s other beautiful parks is we’re also here to research and trial what grows best in Auckland,” says Jeffrey. “We produce brochures with tips for the best plants for Auckland’s subtropical climate and these are a result of many years of research. We put a range of plants into our trial garden so our experts can pick their top eight plants for this region.”

    Fruit trees that grow well in Auckland include feijoas (plant two trees for cross-pollination and a bumper crop), tamarillos and citrus such as mandarins, limes and Meyer lemons.

    European plums such as Prunus domestica ‘Luisa’ and Japanese plums like Prunus domestica ‘Hawera’ are well suited to Auckland’s humid climate.

    For a beautiful fruiting tree that will provide shape and structure to your backyard, try Japanese persimmon Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’, a tree with spectacular foliage that turns red and orange in autumn.

    Add native plants to the mix

    Many gorgeous native shrubs and trees can also be planted in winter to create colour, shape and form in your garden – as well as being food sources for native bird species. A stroll through the Native Plant ID Trail at the Auckland Botanic Gardens will inspire. Purple and pink hebes are a haven for insects, the favourite snack of pīwakawaka (fantails) and tauhou (silvereyes).

    Explore the beautiful colours of native flora on the Native Plant ID Trail at the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

    Flowering plants like kōwhai bloom from July until November and are a favourite of nectar-lovers tūī and kererū (New Zealand pigeon). Kōwhai can reach heights of 10m, so if you’re short on space, consider a dwarf variety such as Sophora microphylla ‘Dragon’s Gold’.

    For shape and interest, don’t overlook mānuka (tea tree), which is excellent for hedges and coastal areas and a favourite with both nectar-loving and insect-eating birds.

    “You can’t go past mānuka,” says Jeffrey. “They are smaller, growing with flowers at different times of the year. With native birds, you need to think about seasonality – planting food sources for them at all times of the year.”

    Other native plants to try are makomako (wineberry), houhere (lacebark), harakeke (flax) and dwarf varieties of pūriri.

    Plant some rare beauties

    To really do your bit for conservation, plant rare or threatened native species. Jeffrey suggests the pale flowering kūmarahou Pomaderris hamiltonii.

    Pomaderris hamiltonii is the cousin of the common kūmarahou, but it’s threatened and is only found in the upper North Island” says Jeffrey. “It has beautiful cream flowers and is an Auckland treasure we want to protect.”

    Another regional treasure to plant is Clianthus puniceus, an Auckland variety of kākā beak. This threatened shrub, named after its beak-shaped flowers, puts on a display of colour from August to November that nectar-eating birds love.

    “The common kākā beak Clianthus maximus gets all the glory, but Clianthus puniceus, is an Auckland variety that needs our help and still puts on a lovely show.”

    Clianthus puniceus is an Auckland variety of kākā beak that is threatened. The plant has beautiful foliage and striking flowers that tūīs love.

    Visit the gardens for inspiration

    Not sure where to start in your own garden? A wander through the grounds of the Auckland Botanic Gardens will provide loads of inspiration. The gardens are gorgeous in all seasons – in winter, the Camellia Garden will bloom with pink and white flowers, and the Magnolia Garden will be in its full glory.

    Other spectacular areas in winter include the Rock Garden (there’s even an area that can be hired for weddings), and the aloe section – including the spectacular tree aloes – will be flowering in the cooler months.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bedner Growers, Inc. Recalls Cucumbers

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is advising consumers that Bedner Growers, Inc., voluntarily recalled cucumbers sold at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market between April 29, 2025, and May 14, 2025, and businesses should not sell or serve the recalled cucumbers. These products are associated with a multi-state salmonella outbreak. Currently, there are no Rhode Island cases associated with this recall.

    PRODUCT Cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc., and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., to retailers, distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors from April 29, 2025, to May 19, 2025. Cucumbers distributed before this timeframe should be past shelf life and should no longer be available on the market.

    Cucumbers may have been sold individually or in smaller packages, with or without a label that may not bear the same brand, product name, or best by date. For distributors, restaurants, and retailers who have purchased these cucumbers, the products were labeled as either being “supers,” “selects,” or “plains”.

    On May 19, 2025, Bedner Growers, Inc., recalled cucumbers sold directly to consumers at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market and to its wholesale distributor. More information can be found in the recall notice.

    SYMPTOMS OF SALMONELLA INFECTION Illness usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours after eating food that is contaminated with Salmonella, and the symptoms usually last four to seven days. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Children younger than five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections.

    STORES AFFECTED Some potentially contaminated cucumbers were available at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market in three Florida locations including Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach between April 29, 2025, and May 14, 2025. The recalled cucumbers were also sold to its wholesale distributor. FDA is aware that contaminated product is available at both restaurant and retail locations. FDA is working to determine where potentially contaminated product was distributed.

    RECOMMENDATIONS –Consumers: If you cannot tell if your cucumber was grown by Bedner Growers, throw it away. When eating out over the next week, ask if cucumbers were from Bedner Growers or Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. –Consumers, restaurants, and retailers who purchased or received potentially contaminated products, including wholesale products, should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that it touched. Follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. –Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of a Salmonella infection after eating potentially contaminated cucumbers. –Restaurants, retailers, and distributors that purchased potentially contaminated recalled cucumbers between April 29, 2025, and May 19, 2025, should notify their customers of the potential health concern. –Retailers that have or had potentially contaminated product should clean and sanitize any areas that could have come into contact with potentially contaminated products. If potentially contaminated cucumbers were sold in bulk bins or displays, retailers should discard the contents of the bins and use extra care to clean and sanitize the bins before refilling. –Retailers that are unsure if they received this product may need to contact their supplier. If you are unable to determine whether or not potentially contaminated product was received, you should discard the contents of the bins and use extra care to clean and sanitize the bins before refilling.

    More information regarding this outbreak can be found here: https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-cucumbers-may-2025

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: RBI Bulletin – May 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Today, the Reserve Bank released the May 2025 issue of its monthly Bulletin. The Bulletin includes two speeches, four articles and current statistics.

    The four articles are: I. State of the Economy; II. Economic Activity and Banknotes: New Approaches; III. Digital Footprints: Decoding India’s Inbound Tourism through Internet Searches; and IV. Impact of Weather Anomalies on Vegetable Prices in India.

    I. State of the Economy

    Persistent trade frictions, heightened policy uncertainty, and weak consumer sentiment continue to create headwinds for global growth. Amidst these challenges, the Indian economy exhibited resilience. Various high frequency indicators of industrial and services sectors sustained their momentum in April. A bumper rabi harvest and higher acreage for summer crops, coupled with favourable southwest monsoon forecasts for 2025, augur well for the agriculture sector. Headline CPI inflation fell for the sixth consecutive month to its lowest since July 2019, primarily driven by the sustained easing in food prices. Domestic financial market sentiments, which remained on edge in April, witnessed a turnaround since the third week of May.

    II. Economic Activity and Banknotes: New Approaches

    by Gautham Udupa, Pradip Bhuyan, Dileep Kumar Verma and Nirupama Kulkarni

    This article investigates the impact of economic activity on banknotes in circulation, with a particular focus on the role of the formal sector. Leveraging high-frequency monthly nightlights data as a proxy for total economic activity and tax collection data as a measure of formal economic activity, the analysis isolates the effect of formalisation on Notes in Circulation (NiC), controlling for aggregate economic output.

    Highlights:

    • The growth rate in NiC (in value terms) during 2014 – 2024 was significantly lower as compared to that in the previous two decades.

    • The growth in NiC was noticeably higher than that in GDP during 1994 – 2004; the gap, however, has significantly reduced in the next two decades.

    • There exists positive relationship between nightlights and taxes and also between nightlights and GDP.

    • The article finds strong evidence that formal economic activity reduces the use of banknotes.

    III. Digital Footprints: Decoding India’s Inbound Tourism through Internet Searches

    By Lokesh and A R Jayaraman

    This article explores Destination Insights with Google (DIG), a non-traditional high-frequency data source, to track inbound tourism in India. DIG monitors global tourism trends through travel-related searches. The study examines the linkage between foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) and Google searches made for travel to India from the rest of the world.

    Highlights:

    • There is a strong association between FTA and travel-related search volume index.

    • The index captures directional changes in FTA reasonably well.

    • The index Granger causes FTA implying its ability to serve as a leading indicator to predict FTA.

    IV. Impact of Weather Anomalies on Vegetable Prices in India

    By Nishant Singh and Love Kumar Shandilya

    Vegetable prices exhibit high volatility and play a major role in driving India’s food and headline inflation. The volatility in vegetable prices is often exacerbated by supply-side disturbances, predominantly driven by weather shocks warranting regular monitoring of evolving weather conditions. This study investigates how weather anomalies, particularly in rainfall and temperature, affect vegetable prices in India.

    Highlights:

    • After controlling for seasonality in vegetables prices as well as movements in market arrivals and reservoir levels, empirical estimates suggest that weather anomalies add to price pressures in vegetables with temperature anomalies having a more immediate impact.

    • Moreover, the impact of temperature anomalies has increased in recent periods, highlighting the need for faster adoption of temperature-resistant crop varieties to support the objective of price stability.

    The views expressed in the Bulletin articles are of the authors and do not represent the views of the Reserve Bank of India.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2025-2026/384

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Flies, crossbows and comics: novel counter terrorism innovation

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Case study

    Flies, crossbows and comics: novel counter terrorism innovation

    Nine projects, ranging from whether flies can detect explosives to how comics can reduce radicalism and how much of a risk crossbows are, were showcased.

    More than 100 people attended the third University Innovation Concept event exploring ways in which cutting-edge research, often in unexpected areas, can help fight terrorism. 

    Nine fascinating and thought-provoking projects, ranging from whether flies can detect explosives (yes!) to how comics can reduce radicalism, and how much of a terrorism risk crossbows are, were on display at a showcase at the Open University in Milton Keynes, in which the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) was a proud partner. 

    Researchers and delegates were welcomed by Inspector Liam Cahill, Innovation Domain Lead at the Counter Terrorism Research Lab (CTRL), and Open University professors Arosha K Bandara and Eleanor Crabb. Annette Southgate, Head of ACE, then took to the stage to stress the importance of work and innovative collaboration such as this to “getting ahead of some of the people that are trying to cause us harm”. 

    Iain Harrison, Director of Digital, Data, Analysis & Technology at Counter Terrorism Policing, explained the rigorous process, supported by ACE, that began with 62 proposals from 28 different universities, which were then reviewed and whittled down to the nine stimulating ideas on display at the showcase event. 

    Bringing academia and Counter Terrorism Policing together 

    The projects that had been explored over 12 weeks of intensive research were showcased across three themes: 

    THEME ONE: Radicalisation and Interventions 

    First to present were a team from Anglia Ruskin University, on the topic of Exploring the Impact of Critical World Events on Extremist Misinformation Network (2020-24). This involved analysing 240 posts from four major platforms to understand how extremist groups exploit global crises on popular social media platforms, using hashtags and multiple forms of misinformation to amplify uncertainty and try and recruit new audiences. It also looked to pinpoint potential novel ways to intervene in this process. 

    Next up were a team from Cranfield University, analysing how social media content algorithms respond to user interactions within specific topics, to answer the question of Can Social Media Algorithms Radicalise? This pilot was designed to quantify if user behaviours such as watching or liking videos influenced a popular platform’s algorithm, and to what extent. The conclusion was that the algorithm could be influenced to provide more content around a particular theme, but it is not yet clear how long this influence lasts. 

    The final presentation in this first session was from the University of Liverpool, exploring the topic of Graphic Novels to Enable Discussion and Promote Critical Thinking. This project involved creating a 46-page book containing four graphic novels on the topic of radicalisation, supported by front-line intervention practitioners, for use in educational strategies to encourage critical thinking. Comics were chosen because they are already popular worldwide, accessible and engaging as a format, and cheap to produce. 

    THEME TWO: Current Threats, Biosensors and Human Networks 

    After a break, another team from Cranfield University, that had been drawing big crowds in the breakout sessions for the four crossbows on display at their stand, spoke on their research into Crossbows: A Real and Current Threat. Against a background of increasing use of crossbows, which can legally be bought by anyone over the age of 18, in targeted incidents, this set out to examine the hit probability and wounding potential of four different systems, their reload times, and how these compared to current policing response times. The conclusions, from a variety of tests including depth of penetration and discharge rate, concluded that crossbows need to be considered a real and present threat for a marauding terrorist attack, because all of those tested have potential to cause significant injury, especially to unprotected organs. 

    Next up was another project that had the audience buzzing – research from a team at The Open University on Fruit Fly Biosensors: Leveraging Olfactory Responses for Detection of Explosives and Toxic Chemicals. This explored if fruit flies, which have exceptional sensitivity, could be used as biosensors to detect toxins, drug precursors and explosives. The answer was potentially yes – experiments with TNT found that exposure to the explosive led to a gradual but clear increase in fly attraction, indicating that fruit flies can detect it. Preliminary lab data also suggests starving the flies may enhance TNT detection speed. 

    The final project in this session was an explanation of a Dynamic Target Indicator Tool (D-TinT) developed by a team at the University of Exeter. This uses techniques from movement pattern analytics and social network analysis to identify the best indicators of links between nodes in a human network based on movement patterns over time. This enables a statistical and spatial mathematical model to be developed. The Tool also identifies what might be flagged as a vulnerable target – either person or place – which could allow counter terrorism stakeholders to test the impact of possible risk-reduction procedures. 

    THEME THREE: Emerging Technologies 

    The final session of a highly enjoyable day started with a team from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen talking the audience through their research on Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Identify and Prevent Terrorism in Prisons: Legislative Gaps and Technological Solutions. This analysed AI’s role in situational awareness and radicalisation prevention, explored how it could support existing counterterrorism efforts, evaluated legal and ethical readiness for AI to be deployed in this way, and proposed technical and legal reforms to enable the responsible use of AI technologies in prison settings. The conclusion of the research was that AI offers significant potential to enhance security and counter-radicalisation efforts in UK prisons. 

    Next, a scoping study of Augmented Reality and Terrorism was presented by Dr Richard Jones of Edinburgh Law School, part of the University of Edinburgh. Billing augmented reality as a “technology in search of a purpose”, his research explored both potential law enforcement applications, such as head-up real-time navigation and facial recognition of persons of interest, as well as how terrorists could use the same technology, for example to create video footage for propaganda purposes. It also looked at how this technology could evolve in the public domain. The research concluded that feasibility factors include device cost and availability as well as the level of required technological expertise, which is likely to fall, in addition to utility and whether it solves a problem. 

    The final presentation of the day was by a team from the University of Southampton on Exploiting Vulnerabilities in Autonomous Vehicle Systems for Terrorist Activity – Threats to UK Critical National Infrastructure. This focused on identifying vulnerabilities in autonomous vehicle systems amid increasing reliance on connected and automated vehicles, analysing how terrorists could exploit these to disrupt or control them. This could include by hijacking the vehicle controls or causing collisions via manipulating road signs. The conclusion was that proactive risk mitigation is paramount. 

    Following the event, Inspector Cahill said: “The University Innovation Concept (UIC) was conceived with the intention of bringing Counter Terrorism Policing and academia closer together to ensure operational decisions made by experienced and knowledgeable personnel are backed by science and academic rigour. 

    “The one-day showcase was also a fantastic opportunity for attendees to network, learn about ongoing research and potentially take learning back to their operational roles, and feedback has been extremely positive.”  

    Reflecting on the event, Professor Southgate said: “ACE is proud to support policing colleagues find new and creative ways of solving frontline mission problems through partnership with researchers from across a diversity of backgrounds and institutions.

    “Accessing diversity of thought, approach and experience helps us step back and consider more impactful and enduring ways of tackling existing and sometimes long-standing problems. 

    “We are keen to help identify and shine a light on brilliant academic work that can already help solve today’s mission problems; highlighting the difference this makes, help build relationships and continue encouraging our talented academic community to support frontline policing work.”

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board appointed

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    New Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board appointed

    Emily Norton will start the role from 1 June

    Emily Norton has been appointed as the new Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

    Emily, who has 25 years of experience in the food and farming sector, will take on the role for three years from 1 June 2025. She will succeed Nicholas Saphir, who is stepping down as Chair after more than five years in the role. AHDB is a statutory levy board funded by around 100,000 farmers and other businesses in the food supply chain. Established in 2008 and classified as a Non-Departmental Public Body, AHDB supports production of Beef, Lamb and Pork in England, Dairy in Great Britain and Cereals & Oilseeds in the UK.

    Appointments to the AHDB board are made by Defra Ministers, with the approval of Ministers in the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Governments.

    Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said:

    “Emily Norton’s leadership and extensive experience in a diverse range of sectors will bring fresh perspective and strategic insight to the AHDB. I look forward to working closely with her as we continue to champion our world-class farmers and food producers – driving rural economic growth and strengthening food security.

    “I would also like to express my gratitude to Nicholas Saphir for his dedication, drive and expertise throughout his tenure.”

    Outgoing AHDB Chair Nicholas Saphir said:

    “I have served as AHDB chair for the last five years during which time it has been an honour and a pleasure to have worked with some amazingly dedicated and knowledgeable Board members and staff. 

    “Together we have delivered a significant change in the way in which AHDB serves our levy payers. I leave AHDB, the Board and team, well positioned to play their part in providing ‘the key that unlocks the future of British agriculture’. 

    “I’m delighted that Emily Norton will be stepping into the role as Chair of AHDB. Emily brings a wealth of experience through her background in running a family farming business as well as her work as a highly respected strategic and policy advisor.”

    Emily Norton, new Chair of the AHDB, said:

    “I am proud to take on the role of Chair at such a pivotal time for British agriculture.

    “My professional focus has always been on strengthening the resilience, sustainability, and prosperity of the UK’s food and farming sectors. I look forward to working with stakeholders across the industry to deliver on that mission as part of AHDB.”

    Biographical details

    • Emily Norton is a partner in an 80 ha arable farm in Norfolk and is owner and founder of Farm Foresight Ltd, a strategic advisory service for the rural sector.
    • She has previously held several executive roles including Head of Rural Research at Savills UK, and was Chair of the Oxford Farming Conference in 2023.

    • Emily has extensive board-level experience, with positions at the Soil Association Exchange, the Environmental Markets Board and the Duchy of Lancaster.

    • She is a member of the national policy committee of the Country Land and Business Association, a trustee at the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and a member of the Farming Leadership Group of the Food, Farming & Countryside Commission.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Concerts, trainings and performances: how the large-scale project “Summer in Moscow” will take place

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    A large-scale urban project will begin on June 1 “Summer in Moscow”, which will last three months. It will once again unite all the bright charity, cultural and sports events of the next season, which will take place in all districts of the capital. Most of them will be held outdoors.

    From tastings to dancing and plein air

    The festival “Gardens and Flowers” runs until September 7. City sites will be transformed into blooming gardens, and rare plants will be seen on the capital’s streets. Muscovites and tourists will be immersed in the atmosphere of summer, will be able to take bright photo sessions and walk along picturesque routes.

    One of the main gastronomic events of the year will be the festival “Moscow is on the wave. Fish week”, which will take place from May 30 to June 8. There will be fish corners on Shkolnaya Street, and open-air shopping chalets will offer various types of fresh, dried and chilled fish and seafood. Chefs will prepare unusual and classic dishes especially for guests at the festival venues.

    As part of the historical festival “Times and Epochs” From June 11 to 15, visitors will see historical periods from Antiquity to the Great Patriotic War. Children and adults will learn to hold swords in their hands or sit at a loom, and professional reenactors will help them with this.

    The Tastes of Russia festival will take place from July 4 to 13. On the streets of the capital, you can try the cuisine of the peoples of Russia and get acquainted with dishes that have become the calling card of different cities – from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok. Tastings and culinary experiments will give you new recipes and help you choose combinations of products for your home table.

    The Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve will host vintage market — an exhibition and sale of items from the Soviet and pre-revolutionary eras. Guests will enjoy a varied program with the participation of collectors and historians. Muscovites and tourists will be able to get acquainted with the photography craft of the film camera era, hear the sound of gramophone records from the 1920s, dance a square dance and polka to the sounds of a gramophone, remember Viktor Tsoi and the rock era of the 1980s, learn the history of the Olympic bear and purchase figurines of the mascot of the 1980 Olympics, as well as admire antique items and add badges, postcards, dishes and other things with history to their collections.

    From June 1 to September 7, there will be a summer clubThis is a sports and creative art space that will house beauty trucks, fashion pop-ups, greenhouses, a lecture hall, a climbing wall and many play areas.

    On the same dates, a festival will be held on Chistoprudny Boulevard “Street. Dancing” — a bright event for experienced dancers and those who want to learn breakdance, hip-hop, funk, shuffle and Latin. Within its framework, professional dancers will conduct master classes, organize flash mobs and battles.

    On the same days, a plein air painting will take place on Strastnoy Boulevard “Street. Art”. Art master classes, exhibitions of art objects, painting lessons in an art studio and performances by artists are organized here. Everyone is invited to participate. In addition, the participants of the competition “Moscow life in the summer” will paint unusual art objects: arches, balls and floor lamps – applications are being accepted until the end of May.

    Sergei Sobyanin: Large-scale project “Summer in Moscow” will begin on June 1

    Festival “Moscow Estates” will allow Muscovites and guests of the capital to immerse themselves in past eras in an original interactive format. The previous summer season was a record-breaking one: the event took place on the territory of 40 estates, which were visited by more than 700 thousand people. The festival was also held in winter.

    The capital will also host the Ice Moscow Tea festival, which will bring together more than 500 gastronomic establishments. Throughout the summer, they will offer visitors ice Moscow tea. The drink is prepared according to original recipes. As part of the project “Moscow Tea Party” Restaurants, cafes and hotels will continue to serve special tea sets in a signature service and with signature treats. Tea “Moscow” can be found in popular retail chains, souvenir shops and other places in the capital.

    For participants Russpass gamesusing augmented reality technologies, will offer 100 new sites where you need to look for cartoons as part of the Summer in Moscow project. For each meeting with them, virtual points are given in the form of experience. Using them, you can buy tickets to museums and other places in the capital with a discount of up to 99 percent as part of the Russpass bonus program. The game is available in the Russpass mobile application.

    An augmented reality game has been launched for guests of the Winter in Moscow venues

    Circus, theater and patriotic quests

    From June 1 to August 31, the capital will host an international open festival “Teatralny Boulevard – 2025”. Moscow will be transformed into a single large theater stage, where Muscovites and guests of the capital will be able to immerse themselves in the world of theater, try themselves in the role of an actor, decorator and director, as well as take part in a production or visit a creative workshop, learn more about the history of the theater and take a photo with their favorite artist. And of course, guests will see the best productions of Russia and foreign participants.

    Over the course of three months, more than 600 productions will be presented at 14 venues in the capital, including the amphitheater on Pokrovsky Boulevard and the amphitheater in the Polytech Museum Park. More than three thousand artists from all over the world will take part in them.

    June 1st Museum-Reserve “Kolomenskoye” a large-scale celebration of International Children’s Day will take place. Previously, it was held for many years on Tsvetnoy Boulevard, but this year the beloved event will take place at a new site that will be able to accommodate even more guests.

    Every year, the main theme of the festival is a dedication to beloved children’s poets, artists, writers, legendary films and cartoon characters. In previous years, festivals were dedicated to the legacy of Sergei Mikhalkov, Nikolai Nosov and Korney Chukovsky. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the film “The Adventures of Buratino”, which millions of children in our country have watched and continue to watch. Therefore, the festival will be held in honor of the cult character of Alexei Tolstoy.

    World Festival of Circus Arts “Idol 2025”will be held in Moscow for the ninth time. Its venue will be the arena of the Great Moscow Circus on Vernadsky Avenue, the largest circus in Europe. Guests will be able to attend performances for a whole month. The main events are scheduled from July 17 to 20, and then, until August 17, viewers will be able to enjoy the gala show of the winners.

    Since 2013, the festival has established itself as one of the most significant events in the world of circus arts. It has brought together more than 1,700 artists from 50 countries, including participants and spectators from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, Austria, the USA, Mongolia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Cuba and many other countries. The main awards – “Golden Idol”, “Silver Idol” and “Bronze Idol” are awarded by a professional jury for the most spectacular, unusual, flawlessly performed number. The prizes “Golden Manege”, “Silver Manege” and “Bronze Manege” are presented by representatives of the media. The audience sympathy prizes “Golden Audience Hall”, “Silver Audience Hall” and “Bronze Audience Hall” are awarded based on the results of audience voting.

    The Summer in Moscow project will also feature a tent circus. The structures will be located in several picturesque corners of the city. Guests will be able to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of real magic and fun. Some of the best Russian artists will present their productions and numbers. Spectators will see a show with aerial gymnasts on canvases, acrobats on a swing trapeze, clown duets, equilibrists, and jugglers. There will also be numbers with animals.

    Victory Park will be transformed into an open-air museum. In the year of the 80th anniversary of Victory, a large-scale patriotic project has been prepared for visitors. They will be offered walking and bus tours with professional guides, as well as tours in retro cars. In total, four walking routes run through the park, on which 25 monuments of Poklonnaya Gora are located.

    For young visitors, interactive quests along tangled military roads and secret partisan paths will be organized. All comers will be able to receive a stylized Red Army book, in which they can collect star stamps for completing tasks. The most active participants will receive memorable souvenirs and prizes.

    On the territory of Victory Park you can play skittles, chess and laser tag, as well as assemble a soldier’s kit bag, write a letter to the front and much more.

    Moscow Children’s Arts Festival “Sky”will be held for the third time in the capital from May 31 to June 1 in the Muzeon Arts Park. It will unite various types of art (theater, circus, music, dance), as well as science, literature and architecture. Guests will enjoy premieres, children’s operas and tours of leading regional theaters, an architectural workshop, master classes of musicians and choreographers, literary and scientific programs. Theaters and creative groups from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, Voronezh, Krasnoyarsk, Tobolsk, Almetyevsk and Kaliningrad will present their performances and numbers. About 90 different productions will be held at 12 venues. Guests will be able to see them from 11:00 to 20:00, admission to all events is free. Last year, the festival was visited by more than 180 thousand people.

    In early July, the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve will celebrate Day of Family, Love and Fidelity. This summer, the festival will be held in a multi-genre festival format for the 11th time. Last year, it was visited by 57 thousand people, for whom more than 250 artists from famous Moscow theaters and groups performed. The venue hosted lectures, over 200 master classes and other events.

    An extensive educational program has been prepared for guests of Zaryadye Park. It will begin on International Children’s Day, June 1. Each participant will be able to try themselves in the role of a physicist, chemist, biologist or engineer. Guests will also be treated to a large quest created jointly with scientists from the Lomonosov Moscow State University.

    On June 21 and 22, the Zaryadye Park will host the Theatre Weekend festival. This year, the program is dedicated to the 165th anniversary of Anton Chekhov’s birth and the 80th anniversary of the Victory. Spectators will see performances by leading Moscow theaters: the A.P. Chekhov Moscow Art Theater, the Russian Academic Youth Theater, the Moscow Sovremennik Theater, the Central Academic Theater of the Russian Army, the Praktika Theater, and others. The festival’s motto this year will be “Make way for the young!” Therefore, groups from the Moscow Art Theater School, the Moscow State Institute of Culture, the Russian Institute of Theater Arts – GITIS, as well as special guests – actors from the Donetsk Republican Academic Youth Theater will perform on stage.

    From classical music to photo exhibitions

    On June 28 and 29, the Zaryadye Park will host the New Classics festival. This year, the program is dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the birth of the avant-garde pianist and composer Alexander Mosolov. Spectators will hear his composition “Factory. Music of Machines” for the first time. Part of the work was lost, and composer Nikolai Popov and director Yuri Kvyatkovsky will supplement it, creating a large festival form. “Moscow. Music of Machines” will connect two musical eras – the avant-garde Moscow of the early 20th century and today’s Moscow. The main theme of the festival will be a dialogue between man and technology, and Zaryadye Park will once again become a space where modern classics meet the future, and traditions intertwine with innovations.

    From June 1 to September 7, film screenings will be held in the atmospheric space of the park under a glass crust as part of the “Cinema Summer in Zaryadye” festival. Viewers will see masterpieces of Russian cinema created by Vladimir Menshov, Tatyana Lioznova, Karen Shakhnazarov, Grigory Alexandrov, Mikhail Kalatozov, Alla Surikova and others. The films of these directors have already become classics. They are still watched with interest by viewers of different ages.

    Guests will be treated to 30 films, ranging from romantic comedies set against the backdrop of summer landscapes to poignant war dramas, exciting space adventures and profound social studies.

    As part of the Summer in Moscow project, two photo exhibitions will be held on Tsvetnoy Boulevard. They are dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the birth of People’s Artist of the USSR Yuri Solomin and the 110th anniversary of the birth of People’s Artist of the USSR Vladimir Zeldin.

    The exhibition in memory of Yuri Solomin will be prepared by the Moscow Directorate of Mass Events under the supervision of the State Academic Maly Theatre and his granddaughter Alexandra Solomina.

    The exhibition dedicated to Vladimir Zeldin will be organized by the Moscow Directorate of Mass Events together with the Central Academic Theater of the Russian Army. Muscovites and guests of the city will be able to get acquainted with the creative legacy of the legendary actors and see photographs from their family archives.

    Events in honor of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War

    On June 21 and 22, Moscow will host two significant events dedicated to preserving the memory of the Great Patriotic War: “Memory Line” on the Krymskaya Embankment of the Muzeon Arts Park and “Memory Watch. Eternal Flame” in the Alexander Garden. Every year, Muscovites and guests of the capital come to support them with their entire families.

    For 11 years, on June 21, the day before the start of the Great Patriotic War, the Crimean embankment of the Muzeon Art Park is illuminated by the light of 1,418 candles. Each candle is a symbol of one of the days of the war. The burning “memory line” runs from June 22, 1941 to May 9, 1945.

    The first candle in the campaign is symbolically lit from a piece of the Eternal Flame on Poklonnaya Hill. Anyone can join the event and light a candle, thereby reminding themselves and their loved ones of the importance of preserving the memory of the terrible years of the war. Every year, the line lights up in a matter of hours and continues to burn throughout June 22.

    During the event “Memory Watch. Eternal Flame” all those wishing to can remember the events of June 1941 and honor the memory of those who died for their Motherland by laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Every year young men and women from youth associations, public organizations and patriotic clubs, as well as Muscovites and guests of the capital, join in. At 04:00 a documentary recording of Yuri Levitan’s message about the beginning of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 will be played. After that, there will be a minute of silence and the laying of flowers.

    On April 26, the Victory Park project began on the territory of the Victory Park. The Main Patriotic Park, implemented by the Victory Museum with the support of the Moscow Government. Until October, on weekends, visitors will be able to take the quest “Forward to Victory!” for free, which is held at more than 80 interactive sites, and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the 1940s.

    From carnival processions to jazz concerts

    From August 28 to 31, the Gorky Festival will be held in Gorky Park. The theme of this year’s event is “Gorky Chekhov”. The theatrical program will be held at the Moscow Youth Theater, the main events, as always, will be presented in Gorky Park and Neskuchny Garden.

    Guests can expect theatrical performances, exhibitions and installations, a theatrical laboratory, a music program and a circus show. Last year, the festival covered 18 venues, which were visited by more than 330 thousand spectators.

    In June, the capital will host the IV Moscow Jazz Festival, one of the largest jazz festivals in the world and the largest jazz festival in Russia. On June 9 and 15, the opening and closing ceremonies will be held in the P.I. Tchaikovsky Concert Hall. From June 10 to 14, festival events will be held in the Hermitage Garden, Zaryadye Park, Muzeon Arts Park, VDNKh, and the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve. Guests will enjoy over 400 hours of live music performed by over 1,000 musicians.

    The III Moscow Summer Music Festival “Zaryadye” will be held from June 2 to July 6. World-class stars and invited artists will present concerts, special and children’s projects on the stage of the Zaryadye Hall. The closing of the festival will take place in the open air in the park’s amphitheater.

    Sports and entertainment in parks

    With the arrival of the long-awaited summer, more than 55 million guests are expected in over 50 capital parks, for whom a multi-format festival program has been prepared.

    Muscovites and tourists can expect large-scale events, including the park festival “Gardens and Vegetable Gardens”, City Day and many others.

    The parks will host over 10,000 local events. Sports enthusiasts will be able to attend daily morning exercises, outdoor training, and much more. Participation in the classes will help improve health, improve physical fitness, and develop teamwork skills.

    The cultural program includes parties in summer cinemas, immersive performances and dances. Professional artists and creative groups will present their numbers and theatrical performances. Every weekend, park visitors will be treated to music, dance flash mobs and open-air karaoke, and the Park Symphony festival will combine musical rhythms of different genres.

    Residents and guests of the capital will be able to attend gastronomic events: open master classes by famous chefs and lectures on culinary trends. Special places will be equipped for picnics.

    Summer Program for Youth: Development and Creative Growth

    Young Muscovites will enjoy an extensive entertainment and educational program. From June 9 to July 19, the Moskino Cinema Park will host the first creative camp, “Youth of Moscow.” Participants will be able to demonstrate their skills in choreography, vocals, humor, and other creative areas. The shifts will be dedicated to different areas of art: KVN, vocals and music, cinema, producing, original genre, and event organization. The “KVN School” shift is aimed at developing skills in humor and teamwork, while the “Original Genre School” will help aspiring circus performers, cheerleaders, gymnasts, and acrobats improve their skills in the performing arts, and learn how to work with props in interactive productions. As part of the “Dance School,” children will develop their abilities and try themselves in various choreography styles, learn to express emotions in dance, and create their own unique productions. In the “School of Vocals and Music” young Muscovites will be able to improve their vocals, work on their voices with professionals and unite into youth musical groups. The shift “School of Cinema, Producers and Event Organizers” will be aimed at developing organizational skills, producing and acting skills.

    The final race will be held in the format of the Art Quarter festival, where an open large-scale gala concert will take place, uniting all directions. It will be prepared by young people from different shifts of the camp.

    From June 28 to August 4, the patriotic camp “Youth of Moscow. Capital. Summer” will operate for the fourth time. The site will be the territory of the recreation center “Red Carnation”. Participants will have six thematic shifts.

    The “Achieve” shift will bring together athletes, “Manage” — representatives of student government, “Improve” — young professionals, and the “Help” shift will bring together Moscow volunteers. Young Muscovites will be able not only to develop their skills in various fields, but also to find friends, realize their creative potential, and gain new emotional experience. Songs with a guitar and meetings around a large fire will become a tradition of the camp. Meetings and master classes with participants of a special military operation are planned. All shifts will also teach how to provide first aid, resist fire, and ensure safety for yourself and your loved ones in emergency situations.

    City residents aged 18 to 35 can apply for participation. Registration is open on the portal “Youth of Moscow”.

    In honor of Youth Day, the capital will host a large number of events — from master classes and intellectual games to creative concerts and events. The flagship event will be held in Khodynka Pole Park on June 28 and 29. This year, the festival concept provides for the synergy of key areas for the comprehensive development of the city’s youth. Eight key zones dedicated to various topics will be prepared for guests: patriotism, career guidance, creativity, personal development, friendship, sports, volunteering and trends. Visitors will enjoy educational lectures, trainings and master classes, a job fair, competitions in various sports and much more.

    Traditionally, on Youth Day, the KVN League Summer Cup “Youth of Moscow” and the “Space Basketball” tournament will be held, in which youth teams will take part. Young performers who want to make a name for themselves throughout the city will be able to perform on an open stage.

    From May 25 to September 7, the Youth Point festival will be held on Bolotnaya Square. The site will host hubs — interactive modern spaces dedicated to art, sports, development, and future competencies. The festival program will include large open discos, master classes in sketching, water painting, sports activities, and much more.

    Charity initiatives

    On July 5 and 6, the Bauman Garden will host the charity festival “City of the Caring”, dedicated to the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity. The entertainment program will include activities for the whole family. Guests will enjoy creative master classes, a charity quest, a no-lose lottery and photo zones for summer photos. A play area will be set up for children. At the “Fluffy Friend” site, guests will be able to meet animals from shelters and choose pets for themselves. A charity fair will also open, where goods from Moscow non-profit organizations (NPOs) will be presented. All proceeds from sales will be directed to helping their wards.

    Visitors will be able to get to know the city’s social projects better and take part in them.

    Checkers, table tennis and fitrock

    From May 29 to September 7, Moscow will host a festival of urban sports. Throughout the summer, sports training and entertainment events aimed at popularizing an active lifestyle among residents of the capital will be held in the capital’s parks. The most active participants will receive prizes.

    The project “Summer. Beach. Moscow Sport” will be held from May 31 to August 31. It is organized for those who spend the summer in Moscow. Zumba, stretching, functional training, beach volleyball, yoga and fiery fitrock training will be held in beach recreation areas on weekends. In addition, there will be an opportunity to play tetherball, frisbee and beach tennis.

    From May 31 to September 7, training sessions for the new season of the Sports Weekend project will take place, thanks to which city residents can do sports for free under the guidance of professional trainers on Saturdays and Sundays at more than 50 unique venues in the city, as well as online.

    From June 1 to September 7, the “Chess Square” space will be available near the Metropol Hotel. On weekdays, anyone can take chess sets and play easy games. On weekends, there will be family, open and children’s tournaments, as well as master classes by famous grandmasters.

    From June 1 to September 30, a new season of free training will be held as part of the My Sports District project. Participation in them will be interesting for city residents who love sports and want to do them regularly. Classes are held all year round and change depending on the season.

    On July 5, large-scale sports events “Moscow Sports Day” and “Moscow Sports Night” will take place. Guests will enjoy more than 20 themed sports grounds, master classes, tournaments and a concert with popular artists at “Moscow Sports Day”, as well as more than 15 zones with sports activities and autograph sessions with famous athletes at “Moscow Sports Night”.

    “Green Market” and art pavilions

    From May 25 to September 7, art pavilions of the Made in Moscow project will operate in tourist areas of the capital. Here you can buy more than 70 thousand products from local manufacturers – from clothes and cosmetics to children’s toys and food products.

    The flagship venue will be the Green Market on Bolotnaya Square, where a rollerdrome with a summer cinema will be available for the first time. Guests will be treated to a rollerdrome show, discos and events organized with the participation of the capital’s Committee on Public Relations and Youth Policy, which became a partner of the flagship venue for the first time this summer season.

    Reservation of venues

    The mos.ru portal is resuming its work on the city space booking service “Everyone on the street!”. From May 20, you can submit applications for holding events.

    Representatives of small and medium-sized businesses, individual entrepreneurs, self-employed individuals and individuals can book a site free of charge.

    More than 100 venues will be available for booking, including chalets for master classes, stages, gazebos, sports and dance floors, located in every district of the city.

    Results of the booking service last year

    Last year, the city hosted the festival “Summer in Moscow. Everyone out on the street!” for the first time – a new format of interaction between the city, business and Muscovites within the framework of the event program. Its key feature was that the agenda of summer recreation in the capital was created by Muscovites themselves. About 25 thousand events (every fourth) were organized by residents, businesses or NGOs. About 1.1 thousand entrepreneurs organized about 8.5 thousand events and presented their projects to a wide audience.

    Special project “Time of Opportunities”

    For the capital’s entrepreneurs, a special project called “Time of Opportunities” is starting, previously called “Come on in!” This is an excellent opportunity to vividly tell about your business, making it memorable for a wide audience. Shops, restaurants and cafes, service enterprises, fitness centers and sports studios, educational centers and creative studios can take part in the project.

    Participants will receive a summer business box, which includes a set of free services from market leaders for business promotion, the opportunity to post information about their events on the mos.ru poster, in the Yandex Maps and 2GIS applications, as well as media support in the media: on television, in online publications, print media and Telegram channels.

    The Russpass website will organize a collection of feedback from visitors. Entrepreneurs who have collected the largest number of positive reviews will receive a package for promoting their business, “The Most Active”.

    To become part of the project, you need to prepare a unique special offer. These can be thematic master classes, seminars, shows, performances and much more. You also need to fill out a participant’s questionnaire.

    Results of the special project for the last season

    As part of the special project “Come on in!”, more than 700 organizations from various fields made over 900 offers to city residents and tourists. These were discounts and bonuses, free master classes, gastronomic tastings, tickets to performances and sports classes. More than six thousand people took advantage of them.

    Art pavilions of the Made in Moscow project

    On April 15, a selection began among the capital’s entrepreneurs who will present their products in the art pavilions of the Made in Moscow project market, which is part of the city’s summer program Summer in Moscow.

    The selection will be held for participants of the Made in Moscow project – these are self-employed people, individual entrepreneurs, representatives of small, medium and large businesses that produce children’s goods, clothing and footwear, accessories, household and animal goods and much more in the capital.

    To do this, you need to register in the project on the website business.madeinmoscow.rf, having previously familiarized yourself with the conditions (availability of a capital tax identification number, as well as a full or partial production cycle on the territory of Moscow).

    A large-scale market of local goods will cover the main tourist sites, including Bolotnaya Square. More than 700 Moscow brands will be able to get space on the shelves for selling goods. Entrepreneurs will not only present their products, but will also hold thematic lectures and master classes, organize prize draws and tastings.

    Participation in the summer market “Made in Moscow” is a free measure of support provided to businesses by the capital Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development.

    This allows local brands to increase their recognition among city residents, as well as sales of goods that they produce in the city. Thus, last year from August 1 to September 9, as part of the forum-festival “Territory of the Future. Moscow 2030” on Bolotnaya Square, the market of the future “Made in Moscow” was open. It was visited by more than 150 thousand people, and the revenue of the market participants reached 50 million rubles.

    It is also worth noting the successful experience of the Made in Moscow magic market as part of the city’s winter program “Winter in Moscow”. It was held from December 20 to February 28 at seven popular sites – from Arbat to Kuznetsky Most. It was visited by more than 570 thousand people. Moscow entrepreneurs sold over 50 thousand goods.

    The market became one of the key measures of city support, which was used by more than 500 Moscow brands. A rich entertainment program was organized for guests, including more than 3.5 thousand thematic events, including master classes and fashion shows.

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

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154057073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: What flowering plants can be found in the capital at the end of spring

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The end of spring is a unique time when nature pleases with bright colors and unique aromas. Specialists of the capital Department of Nature Management and Environmental Protection talked about the plants that bloom during this period.

    There is usually a strategically thought-out mechanism behind the external beauty. According to experts, the color, shape, smell and size of the plant’s flower are designed to attract the attention of pollinating insects.

    Flowers have nectaries – glandular organs that secrete nectar. However, the plant is ready to “treat” not every insect with it, but only the one that, thanks to its morphological structure, can reach the secret glands, taking pollen with it for another flower. Thus, flies and small bees pollinate early coltsfoot. Bumblebees are mass pollinators of the first forest flowers, such as creeping bugleweed and ground ivy.

    Beetles pollinate large rosehip and elderberry flowers well. But honey bees are very selective about the amount of sugar in the nectar, so in spring their main food source is flowering willows, various types of maples and caragana arborescens.

    The next productive honey harvest awaits bees on raspberry flowers. Its fruit is a complex drupe, and in order for the berry itself to be juicy, tasty and beautiful, pollination of all the ovaries, which serve to capture pollen, is necessary. For this reason, a large number of bees are required. Raspberries secrete quite a lot of nectar, bees fly to them even after sunset, so as a result, the hive becomes several kilograms heavier. The beginning of raspberry blossoming with a barely perceptible honey aroma is an indicator of the end of spring and the onset of summer.

    The capital’s Department of Nature Management and Environmental Protection reminds that all plants are important for the Moscow ecosystem, so experts urge city residents to admire the greenery and not harm it.

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

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154090073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Mullin Introduces Black Vulture Relief Act to Protect the Livelihoods of Farmers and Ranchers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    RELEASE: Mullin Introduces Black Vulture Relief Act to Protect the Livelihoods of Farmers and Ranchers

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), along with SenatorsTommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Eric Schmitt (R-MO), introduced the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 which would allow farmers and ranchers the ability to protect their livestock when threatened by predatory animals without big government interference.

    The Black Vultures Relief Act of 2025 removes the requirement for a depredation permit, allowing farmers and ranchers to take black vultures anytime the birds threaten their livestock. This bill also preserves the requirement for annual take reporting to the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), allowing FWS to continue monitoring black vulture population numbers, in addition to prohibiting the use of poison as a method of take.

    Senators Cotton (R-AR), Wicker (R-MS), Britt (R-AL), Scott (R-FL), Lummis (R-WY), Hagerty (R-TN), Budd (R-NC), Barrasso (R-WY), Ricketts (R-NE), Cruz (R-TX), Lankford (R-OK), Hyde-Smith (MS), and Graham (SC) joined Mullin, Tuberville, and Schmitt in cosponsoring this legislation.

    “Oklahoma ranchers deserve the right to protect their livestock from threatening predators,” said Senator Mullin. “Attacks from black vultures are all too common and our ranchers are suffering the consequences. As a rancher myself, I know firsthand the implications of the rapidly growing black vulture population and the negative effect this has on livestock production. Removing the requirement for a depredation permit will allow Oklahomans the ability to do what is necessary to protect their livestock and reduce economic hardship. It’s vital to the livelihood of ranchers across the country that we get this fixed.”

    “America’s cattlemen work hard to feed our communities and shouldn’t have to jump through a bunch of hoops just to protect their herds,” said Senator Tuberville. “Adjusting these sub-permit requirements that are based on outdated data is just one more commonsense way we can support our cattlemen and help them keep more of their hard-earned dollars. I’ll continue using the feedback from Alabama’s agriculture community to guide my work here in D.C.”

    “Black vultures are a deadly species that have caused hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage to ranchers and producers across Missouri. These birds are native to Missouri and have seen their population grow by more than 450 percent since 1990. We must keep this dangerous bird population under control and allow ranchers and producers across our great state the ability to do what they do best—provide the best beef and ag products in the world,” said Senator Eric Schmitt.

    Full text of the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 can be found here.

    The Black Vulture Relief Act is endorsed by the following stakeholders: National Supporting Groups: National Cattleman’s Beef Association (NCBA), American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), US Cattlemen’s Association (USCA), Oklahoma Department of Wildlife & Conservation, Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association (TSGRA), Wyoming Stock Growers (WSG), 14 Cattlemen’s Associations (AL, CO, IA, IN, KS, MN, MS, ND, OH, OK, OR, MO, TN, VA) and 7 State Farm Bureau Federations (FL, MS, OK, PA, TN, TX, WY)

    “The challenges faced by America’s farmers and ranchers are numerous, from unstable commodity prices to drought and unpredictable weather. The safety threat to livestock posed by predatory birds like black vultures is yet another risk our members face, day in and day out, and we’re appreciative of Senator Mullin’s leadership to help our members mitigate that risk”, said Sam Kieffer, American Farm Bureau Federation VP of Public Policy. “Protecting their livestock is of the utmost importance to farmers and ranchers, and this legislation will better equip them to do just that.”

    “Currently, black vulture populations in the south and Midwest are skyrocketing and it is a success story of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Now is the time to recognize that success and allow cattle producers to effectively manage this abundant predator species through commonsense measures like the Black Vulture Relief Act. Family cattle operations are facing financial strain from the abundance of black vultures on their operations and the propensity of these predators to target newborn calves that cannot defend themselves,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Executive Director of Natural Resources and PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover. “NCBA and PLC thank Senator Mullin for taking action to fix this problem and providing producers the management tools they need to protect their livelihoods.”

    “ASI encourages support for this legislation as vultures are a growing predator of lambs in America, and farmers and ranchers have few options today to address these losses. Predator losses of sheep and the associated management costs are the second-largest expense of many sheep operations in America,” said Steve Clements, American Sheep Industry Association Board Member and South Dakota sheep producer.

    “The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association is extremely grateful to Senator Mullin for introducing this bill to help cattle raisers protect their cattle. Black Vultures are a predator to cattle, especially new mother cows and their baby calves,” said Michael Kelsey, Executive Vice President of Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. “Senator Mullin, being a cattle raiser, knows the challenges that high populations of black vultures have presented to cattle raisers. This is great common-sense legislation that works well in ranch country.”

    “We appreciate Senator Mullin’s efforts to help cattle producers more effectively protect their herds and, ultimately, their livelihoods,” said Tennessee Farm Bureau President, Eric Mayberry. “This legislation takes a crucial step in alleviating the burden farmers face with growing black vulture populations and depredation of livestock across Tennessee.”

    “Black vultures are predators and pose a tremendous threat to cattle producers. Their attacks, often killing calves and vulnerable animals, cause financial devastation for family farms,” said Elizabeth Harsh, Executive Director of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association. “The current system prevents producers from effectively protecting their cattle herd, at the same time as the black vulture population explodes and does not warrant continued federal protection. OCA appreciates Senator Mullin for his common-sense approach with this very important legislation.”

    Background:

    • Over the past several decades, black vultures’ expanding population has led to an additional burdensome and costly strain on livestock producers due to increased livestock depredation by these birds. 
    • Black vultures, often in flocks of 20+, brutally attack and eat newborn calves, lambs, goat kids, and piglets for an average of 3.5 gruesome hours while they are most vulnerable.   
    • In 2015, vultures were the third leading cause of calf deaths due to predators, only behind coyotes and unknown predators, causing 24,600 or 10% of all calf deaths due to predators. 
    • According to the US Geological Survey’s Breeding Bird Survey, the black vulture population has increased by approximately 468% to more than 190 million birds since 1990. 
    • Despite the bird’s robust population, the black vulture is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA) making it illegal, with an up to $15,000 fine, to take one without obtaining a depredation permit.
    • For black vultures, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issues master permits to states who then issue sub-permits, limited to 3-10 depending on the state, to ranchers. 
    • Current state participants are OK, MD, PA, VA, KY, TN, AR, MS, MO, OH, IN, IL, TX, and AL.
    • From 2015-2019, requests to FWS for depredation permits for take of black vultures increased by 26%.
    • From 2020-2025, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services, black vulture attacks on cattle increased by almost 25%.
    • In January 2025, the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act was signed into law that included a provision Senator Mullin secured codifying the original Black Vulture Relief pilot program. 
    • House Companion: H.R. 2426 introduced by Reps. John Rose (R-TN) and Darren Soto (D-FL).

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bedner Growers, Inc. Recalls Cucumbers Because of Possible Health Risk

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    May 19, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    May 20, 2025
    Product Type:
    Food & BeveragesFoodborne Illness
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Salmonella

    Company Name:
    Bender Grower’s, Inc.
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    No Brand Name

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Cucumbers

    Company Announcement
    Bedner Growers, Inc. of Boynton Beach, Florida is voluntarily recalling cucumbers sold at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market between April 29, 2025, and May 14, 2025 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
    The recalled cucumbers were sold directly to consumers at the three Bedner’s Farm Fresh Markets locations in Florida (Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach). Because the recalled cucumbers do not bear any stickers or other labeling, customers should discard and not consume any cucumbers that were purchased at these locations between April 29, 2025, and May 14, 2025.
    The recalled cucumbers also were sold to a wholesale distributor, which has been directed to further contact its customers with recall instructions.
    The cucumbers are being recalled because they have been linked by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to a Salmonella outbreak that has resulted in 26 illnesses in AL, CA, CO, FL, IL, KS, KY, MI, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, and VA.
    This recall does not include any cucumbers currently available for sale at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Markets after May 14, 2025, nor does it include any other agricultural products. All cucumbers currently available for sale at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Markets were not grown by Bedner Growers, Inc., as the company is no longer producing, packing, or selling any cucumbers because the growing season has concluded.
    Consumers who have purchased the recalled products may obtain additional information by contacting Bedner Growers, Inc. at 866-222-9180, M-F 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EDT.
    Bedner Growers, Inc. is conducting this recall in coordination with the FDA.

    Company Contact Information

    Consumers:
    Bedner Growers, Inc
    866-222-9180

    Content current as of:
    05/20/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Topic(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: PASSED: Fischer, Bennet Resolution Promoting Mental Health in Ag Industry and Workforce

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer
    The Senate unanimously approved U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Michael Bennet’s (D-Colo.), bipartisan resolution designating May 29th as ‘Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day.’“Daily uncertainties and extreme stress lead to higher levels of anxiety and depression among Nebraska’s agricultural producers and workforce. Our resolution recognizes these unique challenges and supports the farmers, ranchers, and workers who perform the essential work of producing high-quality food, fuel, and fiber,” said Fischer.“From severe drought to increased costs, unprecedented challenges are taking a toll on the mental health of Colorado’s farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers. I’m grateful to stand with Senator Fischer and my Senate colleagues to raise awareness about our country’s mental health crisis and work together to expand access to care for communities across the country,” said Bennet.In addition to Fischer and Bennet, the resolution is cosponsored by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.). The full text of the resolution can be found here.
    Click 
    here to learn about national resources available for those in need of assistance.Click here to learn about Nebraska resources available for those in need of assistance.
    National Stakeholder Support: 
    Agricultural Retailers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, Farm Credit Services of America, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, National Pork Producers Council, and National Rural Health Association.Click here to view statements of support from national stakeholders.
    Nebraska Stakeholder Support:

    Nebraska Agri-Business Association, Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Cooperative Council, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska Farmers Union, Nebraska Pork Producers Association, Nebraska Rural Health Association, Nebraska Soybean Association, and Nebraska Wheat Board. 
    Click here to view statements of support from Nebraska stakeholders.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Vigilance urged as potato industry faces Colorado beetle threat

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Vigilance urged as potato industry faces Colorado beetle threat

    Animal and Plant Health Agency calls for Colorado beetle vigilance from home gardeners, allotmenteers and farmers who grow potatoes

    Home gardeners, allotmenteers and farmers have been urged today (Monday 19 May) to be vigilant for the presence of Colorado beetle, a major threat to potato crops, following recent sightings.

    The Colorado beetle has the potential to have a significant economic impact on the potato industry without action being taken. Adult beetles and larvae feed on the foliage of potatoes and several other plants, including tomatoes, aubergines and peppers, and can completely strip them of their leaves if they are left uncontrolled.

    Colorado beetle larvae were confirmed in a potato field in Kent following laboratory diagnosis of samples in 2023. There were outbreaks in the 1930s, 1950s and 1970s but the pest was swiftly eradicated due to inspections and public vigilance.

    The beetles have been known to be imported into the UK as ‘hitchhikers’ on plants, such as leafy vegetables, salad leaves, fresh herbs, grain and frozen vegetables, and APHA is urging people to keep an eye out when handling these items.

    Professor Nicola Spence, Defra’s Chief Plant Health Officer, said:

    “The Colorado beetle poses a significant threat to plants and the wider potato industry.

    “The public have an important role to play in helping us take swift and effective action to protect UK biosecurity. The public are urged to be vigilant and report suspected sightings to the Animal and Plant Health Agency with a photo and location details.”

    APHA Interim Chief Executive Dr Jenny Stewart said:

    “Public vigilance was key to eradicating the beetle in the 1970s, and we really need home gardeners, allotmenteers and farmers to step up again, and identify and report suspected sightings to protect potato crops.

    “Our surveillance capabilities protect UK borders from a wide range of plant pests and diseases, including the Colorado beetle, but we cannot do this without the help of the public.”

    How to spot a Colorado beetle:

    • The beetle’s body is yellow or cream with 10 black stripes and it has an orange head with irregular black spots.
    • It is usually between 6 to 11mm in length and 3mm in width. Its larvae are a pinkish red or orange colour, with black spots along each side and a black head and are up to 15mm in length. 
    • They are distinctive in appearance, however, there are several beetles that are frequently mistaken for them.

    APHA is exhibiting at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show to raise awareness of the impact this pest can have on UK food security and the potato industry

    Visitors to APHA’s Chelsea Flower Show exhibit can engage with interactive graphics and a multimedia experience highlighting how the beetle attacks plants and how to identify signs of the pest.
    The exhibit (location GPA004) will also showcase how to report suspected findings to APHA in an effort to protect the British potato industry.

    Additional information:

    • If you find a Colorado beetle in England and Wales, please do not let it go – capture it in a secure container and report any suspected sightings to APHA as soon as possible by telephoning 0300 1000 313 or by emailing the planthealth.info@apha.gov.uk mailbox. All sightings should include a photograph and location details.
    • For Scotland, contact the Scottish Government’s Horticulture and Marketing Unit: Agricultural crops contact the local RPID officer: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/AOcontacts/contacts For non-agricultural crops, email: hort.marketing@gov.scot 
    • For Northern Ireland, contact the DAERA Plant Health Inspection Branch: Tel: 0300 200 7847 Email: planthealth@daera-ni.gov.uk Web:  [https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/topics/plant-and-tree-health] 
    • The Colorado beetle does not represent a risk to human health.
    • The Colorado potato beetle plant pest factsheet provides more information about the beetle’s life cycle and provides information on how to differentiate it from some of our native beetle species.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Flower exports from China’s Yunnan province to Russia and Central Asian countries are growing

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    KUNMING, May 17 (Xinhua) — Russian businesswoman Ekaterina Savelyeva recently signed a contract to supply 240,000 carnations to Russia at the Deruyer flower base in Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province.

    “Yunnan flowers are popular in the Russian market due to their excellent quality and rich variety of varieties,” said E. Savelyeva. During her nearly month-long stay in Yunnan Province, she systematically familiarized herself with more than 100 varieties of flowers, which laid the foundation for long-term cooperation in the future.

    Yunnan Province, a major flower supplier in southwest China, is experiencing a boom in flower exports. In the first four months of this year, the province’s total export value of fresh-cut flowers reached 360 million yuan (about $50.04 million), up 51.4 percent year on year, according to Kunming Customs data.

    Among them, Dounan Flower Market, located in Chenggong District, Kunming, is the largest fresh-cut flower market in Asia and the second largest in the world. Flowers from this bustling market are shipped to more than 50 countries and regions around the world, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Australia, Singapore, etc.

    Since 2024, Russia and Kazakhstan’s demand for China’s fresh cut flowers has continued to grow. Zhou Tianyi, a representative of the aforementioned base, said that in addition to the Russian market, 60,000 fresh cut flowers are currently sent to Kazakhstan every week, and demand in the Central Asian market is also increasing significantly.

    In order to facilitate the export of flowers from Yunnan Province, Kunming Customs has been continuously optimizing its services, improving the efficiency of customs clearance and reducing customs costs for enterprises. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bipartisan House Members Reintroduce the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2025

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), Mike Simpson (R-ID-02), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), David Valadao (R-CA-22), and Adam Gray (D-CA-13) reintroduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, H.R. 3227, which creates a workforce solution for America’s agriculture industry, one of the most critical sectors of the national economy.

    The bill, which passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support in the 116th and 117th Congresses, and introduced in the 118th Congress, updates the H-2A agricultural guest worker program and is a compromise solution that provides needed stability for farms and farmworkers. 

    “The men and women who work America’s farms feed the nation. However, in the past few years, we’ve seen labor shortages contribute to high food prices,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren. “As economic chaos and confusion continues, it is essential we provide stability to this critical workforce. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act would do so, which will protect the future of our farms and our food supply. It is well-past time we get this bipartisan legislation twice passed by the House of Representatives to the President’s desk.”

    “The workforce crisis has come to a boiling point for farmers across the country. Reintroducing the Farm Workforce Modernization Act sends a clear message to farmers that we are working hard to find solutions that ease the burdens brought on by the current state of the H-2A program. This legislation is necessary to lay the groundwork for continued negotiations, and I am committed to working closely with my colleagues to enact long-term, durable reforms to our agriculture guest worker programs. This issue has been, and remains, my top priority and unified Republican government is an opportunity to deliver for our farmers and ranchers,” said Rep. Dan Newhouse.

    Background

    The bill was negotiated over eight months in 2019 with input from farmers, agricultural stakeholders, labor organizations, and farmworker advocates. In December 2019, it became the first agriculture labor reform legislation to pass the House of Representatives since 1986. Since its passage, a bipartisan coalition of Members has continually been working to move the bill through the legislative process. 

    Why? Because farmers and ranchers across the United States are in desperate need of a high-quality, reliable workforce, farmworkers need a stable future, and the current H-2A guestworker program needs meaningful, bipartisan reform.

    The bill:

    • Reforms the H-2A program to provide more flexibility for employers, while ensuring critical protections for workers.
    • Establishes a program for agricultural workers in the United States to choose to earn legal status through continued agricultural employment and contribution to the U.S. agricultural economy.
    • Focuses on modifications to make the program more responsive and user-friendly for employers and provides access to the program for industries with year-round labor needs.

    Support

    “Across America, farm workers are still going to work everyday to put food on our tables,” said UFW President Teresa Romero. “Yet even as they feed our nation, too many farm workers are living in fear and uncertainty. The farm workers who feed America have earned the right to call America home. This bipartisan, common sense legislation will create an opportunity for these workers to step out of the shadows and become full members of the society they feed.” 

    With the reintroduction of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, we thank Representatives Lofgren and Newhouse for their continued leadership on this important issue. During this legislative process, we implore Congress to provide much-needed updates to this bill to provide both immediate relief and long-lasting solutions for American agriculture. As always, we stand ready to engage with our elected officials on both sides of the aisle and in both houses of congress to develop legislation that can be signed into law,” said Western Growers’ CEO Dave Puglia

    “The workforce crisis is the most important issue facing agriculture in our country,” said Rep. Mike Simpson. “Supporting American agriculture means providing a stable, reliable, and legal workforce, and this legislative solution addresses one of the most pressing concerns our farmers and ranchers face. Now that we finally have an administration taking the border crisis seriously, Congress must address this issue and enact necessary reforms. It is well past time we solve this problem. I look forward to working with my colleagues and getting this critical legislation across the finish line to President Trump’s desk for his signature.”

    “American agriculture depends on a reliable workforce and nowhere is that more true than in California’s San Joaquin Valley, where farmworkers are the backbone of our economy. This legislation is a common-sense, bipartisan solution that provides stability for our farmers and dignity for the workers who feed America. If President Trump is serious about fixing our broken immigration system, he should work with us to get this bill across the finish line,” said Rep. Jim Costa. 

    “Central Valley farmers are the backbone of our nation’s agricultural industry, but they continue to face serious challenges finding and retaining a reliable workforce,” said Rep. David Valadao. “The current H-2A program doesn’t meet the labor needs of many producers, but the Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a positive step to addressing our agriculture workforce needs and securing our food supply chain. Food security is national security, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find long-term solutions that support our farmers and strengthen our food supply chain.”

    “Farm workers and the larger agricultural community are the backbone of the Central Valley’s economy,” said Rep. Adam Gray. “Labor shortages on our farms could lead to higher food prices across the country and the Valley cannot afford to be shorthanded. This commonsense bipartisan bill would stabilize our vital workforce and make sure Valley farmers can continue to feed families across the country.”

    Documents

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: South Asian Food Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in “Bengal King Family Pack Vegetable Singara”

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    May 16, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    May 16, 2025
    Product Type:
    Food & BeveragesAllergens
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Undeclared Allergen – Peanut

    Company Name:
    South Asian Foods Inc.
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    Bengal King

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Family Pack Vegetable Singara

    Company Announcement
    South Asian Food Inc. of Maspeth, NY, is recalling its 1875g packages of Bengal King Family Pack Vegetable Singara because they may contain undeclared peanuts. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
    The recalled Bengal King Family Pack Vegetable Singara was distributed nationwide in retail stores and through mail orders.
    The product comes in a white paper, labeled with – Bengal King Family Pack Vegetable Singara”- 1875g in black, green and blue lettering on the front, Lot # 007, UPC Number # 1824448372340 and expiration date of 06/10/2026 printed on back of the package.
    No allergic reactions or illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue.
    The recall was initiated after it was discovered that a peanut-containing ingredient was included in the product without being declared on the label. A subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by unintentional human error in the packaging processes.
    Production of the product has been suspended while the company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) work to ensure that the issue has been fully corrected.
    Consumers who have purchased 1875g packages of Bengal King Family Pack Vegetable Singara are urged not to consume them and to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
    Consumers with questions may contact South Asian Food Inc. at 718-894-2507 between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

    Company Contact Information

    Consumers:
    South Asian Food Inc., Mohammed Khan
    718-894-2507

    Content current as of:
    05/16/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Topic(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Artificial Intelligence – a Partner or a Replacement for Humans?

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The All-Russian scientific-practical and educational-methodical conference with international participation “Fundamental and applied research in the field of management, economics and trade” was held at the Polytechnic University.

    The plenary session of the conference was devoted to the discussion of cross-industry solutions using artificial intelligence in various sectors of the economy. The session was opened and the discussion was moderated by the chairperson of the conference program committee, director of the scientific and educational center for information technology and business analysis “Gazprom Neft”, professor of the Higher Engineering and Economics School of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade of SPbPU Irina Rudskaya.

    Welcoming the participants of the conference, which opened in the White Hall of SPbPU, Vice-Rector for Research Yuri Fomin recalled that the university has chosen three relevant areas in its development strategy until 2030, including the development of artificial intelligence technologies.

    It is gratifying that our university is increasingly having discussion platforms on this topic. This is important for working out the decisions being made, finding answers to the questions that AI poses to us, said Yuri Vladimirovich.

    In turn, Vladimir Shchepinin, Director of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade of SPbPU, noted that within the framework of the conference, the institute is holding a plenary session in the format of a panel discussion for the first time, as well as a competition of scientific works of students and postgraduates, according to the results of which the winners will receive scholarships from the institute’s fund, formed together with industrial partners.

    For two hours, the panelists kept the audience’s interest alive. The tone and theme were set by Yuri Fomin, who oversees the AI development direction at SPbPU.

    For us, cross-industry is everything related to engineering, not a specific segment. This is our competitive advantage. Today, we earn about two hundred million rubles a year on such developments using AI, and by 2030, we plan to reach one and a half billion rubles, concentrating on performing applied tasks for our partners, – said Yuri Fomin and spoke about some of the projects being implemented today.

    The Vice-Rector for Research also identified the main barriers that prevent more effective use of AI in the real sector of the economy. The first barrier is the lack of clear formalization of the business process, and for the implementation of AL technologies there must be a clear sequence of actions. The second barrier is insufficient digitalization: correct data is obtained from correctly digitized business processes. Incorrect data leads to making incorrect decisions.

    All speakers, starting with the Vice President, Director of the North-West Macroregional Branch of PJSC Rostelecom Alexander Loginov, spoke about overcoming such barriers and other tasks. He noted that the data really should be reliable, and that infrastructure and personnel are also needed to use AI. Alexander Evgenievich cited the results of one foreign study, according to which more than 60% of employees hide from management that they use AI, and 66% blindly trust all the information received. All participants in the discussion agreed that the solutions and answers offered by neural networks should be verified. This is especially important in such a field as medicine, although the largest number of datasets have been collected here and most of the data is carefully verified. As Petr Shegai, Deputy Director General for Science at the National Medical Research Center of Radiology of the Russian Ministry of Health, explained, Russian AL technologies for medicine, based on data collected in the country, today make it possible to prescribe treatment and help to partly equalize the opportunities of experienced and novice doctors, although, of course, any final decision on the appointment is made by a person.

    Svetlana Merkushina, Executive Director of the Sber Education Industry Center, spoke about the main trends related to data analysis, the advantages of using AI, including reducing the risk of human factor and accelerating all processes. Any AI is data plus algorithms that increase productivity. But what needs to be done to make AI truly generative? According to Maxim Patrushev, Deputy Head of the Kurchatov Complex of NBICS-nature-like technologies at the Kurchatov Institute National Research Center, there is no answer to this question yet, but methods for increasing productivity using AI are being actively created, big data is being analyzed for decision-making, and options for solutions in working with genes are being calculated. For example, scientists at the NRC are working on the Controlled Evolution software.

    Continuing the topic of possible solutions, Director of the Federal Scientific Center for Vegetable Growing, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexey Soldatenko emphasized the possibilities of using AI to solve the problem of food security, increase agricultural yields and reduce labor costs. AI is actively used in breeding, development of animal nutrition, and “smart” video surveillance of animal behavior. Among the problems identified in the implementation of new technologies, Alexey Vasilyevich named an insufficiently developed regulatory framework, and also noted that technologies will change so rapidly that they will have to be mastered constantly.

    The importance of continuous training was also highlighted by the rector of the Gazprom Neft Corporate University, Ilya Dementyev, who noted that each employee of their company undergoes additional training three times a year. Summing up the discussion, Ilya Aleksandrovich identified another problem – a lack of understanding of the essence of artificial intelligence.

    We need to think about whether we have reached a point of singularity, when the technologies being created are used by people who do not understand what they are using. Therefore, we need to stimulate not only the development of technologies, but also the development of education in the field of artificial intelligence. And it is important that there is a demand from within – from the teachers themselves, who must understand how to use AI in teaching, and from students, who must understand what competencies they will need, the speaker noted.

    The panel discussion ended with a conversation with the audience. The speakers answered questions about how they see the labor market changing, what skills employers need, what language models are best to use, and what ethical issues remain unresolved. There was no clear answer to the last question, “What is artificial intelligence?” And while there is no understanding of what is in the “black box,” according to experts, it is worth asking more about how to use it rather than what AI is.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Director General in Ecuador to Support Nuclear Power Plans, the Galapagos and More

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Alongside energy, the Director General and Foreign Minister Sommerfeld also discussed how IAEA initiatives to promote the benefits of nuclear science are supporting Ecuador’s progress in many key development areas.  

    High on the agenda was cancer care, where IAEA flagship initiative Rays of Hope is increasing  access to radiotherapy in the country. During his trip, Mr Grossi visited Carlos Andrade Marin Hospital where he was pleased to see “how IAEA efforts and local investment in cancer care — including access to radiotherapy — are making a life-changing difference.” 

    Nuclear science is also a powerful tool to boost food security and strengthen food export potential, and the IAEA’s Atoms4Food is helping Ecuador and other countries battle invasive insect pests like Mediterranean Fruit Fly, make banana crops more resilient to disease and map water resources to ensure a sustainable supply. 

    NUTEC Plastics, the IAEA initiative to use nuclear science to monitor and reduce marine plastic pollution, is also of relevance to the coastal country. During his trip, the Director General exchanged on the importance of tackling plastic pollution in valuable ecosystems, such as Antarctica where he recently launched microplastics research, and the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador where the IAEA has helped establish one of the world’s leading laboratories in microplastics. He also met with a range of local partners already working with the IAEA on the archipelago to preserve biodiversity and work for a healthier ocean. 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Labrador Announces 12 Arrests in Statewide Crackdown on Child Exploitation

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Home Newsroom AG Labrador Announces 12 Arrests in Statewide Crackdown on Child Exploitation

    BOISE — Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced the completion of Operation Unhinged, a statewide initiative led by the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force in April 2025. The operation resulted in 12 arrests for internet crimes against children, doubling the 6 arrests made last April. Additional arrests may follow pending forensic reviews of seized devices.
    Operation Unhinged involved the execution of 17 residential search warrants. Three cases were accepted for federal prosecution and the rest will be prosecuted in state court.
    “Because of the structural changes we’ve made within the Attorney General’s Office—along with the dedication of our investigators and strong partnerships with law enforcement across the state—the ICAC Task Force is achieving results like never before,” stated Attorney General Labrador. “We are identifying more offenders, rescuing more victims, and sending a clear message: anyone who targets children in Idaho online will be found, and our office will use every tool available to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
    The following individuals were arrested during Operation Unhinged: 

    Joseph Bingham, 25, Ada County 
    Alexander Buttle, 30, Ada County
    William Strength, 43, Bannock County 
    Zachary Gilbert, 39, Bannock County 
    Connor Robinson, 28, Bonneville County
    Luke Hughes, 38, Bonneville County
    Alfred Brown, 61, Canyon County  
    Hector Martinez- Cabrerra, 34, Jerome County
    Adam Tyler,34, Kootenai County
    Shandon Singer, 33, Kootenai County  
    Dustin Angele, 21, Kootenai County 
    Jake Baptista, 25, Madison County

    “We’re seeing incredible results with the number of arrests we are making across the state,” stated Nicholas Edwards, Chief Investigator in the Attorney General’s Office. “We are going to keep arresting those who commit these crimes, but we also need to focus on outreach, training, and education to protect Idaho’s children.”
    Operation Unhinged resulted in a spike in public presentations and education. The Task Force conducted 53 community outreach events with approximately 1,390 attendees. The Task Force also had an opportunity to showcase its newest weapon in the fight against online sexual exploitation: Badger the ESD K9.
    “It’s a privilege to serve as the first K9 officer in the Attorney General’s Office, and Badger has already proven himself an incredible asset to the Task Force,” stated Investigator Lauren Lane. “Badger is a triple threat: he helps us find electronic devices on search warrants, the public—especially kids—love seeing him at our presentations, and he supports the mental wellness of our officers and other staff who have to view terrible images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.”
    Badger attended 7 public presentations and helped investigators find electronic storage devices on 8 search warrants during April’s Operation Unhinged. 
    The Task Force also trained 106 law enforcement professionals in April and will continue to direct substantial resources to training law enforcement throughout the state.
    Operation Unhinged was Idaho’s contribution to the national Operation Safe Online Summer, a joint effort of all 61 ICAC Task Forces throughout the country to arrest those engaged in the online sexual exploitation of children.
    The operation was supported by a coalition of agencies, including the Idaho State Police, Boise Police Department, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Idaho Falls Police Department, Meridian Police Department, Post Falls Police Department, Pocatello Police Department, Nampa Police Department, Chubbuck Police Department, Rexburg Police Department, Bonners Ferry Police Department, Moscow Police Department, Fruitland Police Department, Spirit Lake Police Department, Homedale Police Department, Twin Falls Police Department, Sun Valley Police Department, Jerome Police Department, Wilder Police Department, Middleton Police Department, Rupert Police Department, Heyburn Police Department, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office, Benewah County Sheriff’s Office, Cassia County Sheriff’s Office, Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office, Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office, Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office, Idaho Probation and Parole, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
    The Idaho ICAC Task Force urges the public to report suspected online exploitation to local law enforcement, the ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 or www.cybertipline.com. For more information or to access resources, visit ICACIdaho.org.
    To learn more about ESD K9 Badger or to request a demonstration, visit the Idaho ICAC Task Force’s website: https://www.icacidaho.org/esd-k9-badger/. 
    About the Idaho ICAC Task Force: The Idaho ICAC Task Force, led by the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, is a coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies dedicated to investigating and prosecuting internet crimes against children while promoting community education to prevent exploitation.
    The charges listed above are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: BlackRock® Canada Announces May Cash Distributions for the iShares® ETFs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), today announced the May 2025 cash distributions for the iShares ETFs listed on the TSX or Cboe Canada which pay on a monthly basis, as well as iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF (XIU) and iShares Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETF (XRB). Unitholders of record of the applicable iShares ETF, with exception of XRB, on May 22, 2025 will receive cash distributions payable in respect of that iShares ETF on May 30, 2025. Unitholders of record of XRB on June 2, 2025 will receive cash distributions on June 5, 2025.

    Details regarding the “per unit” distribution amounts are as follows:

    Fund Name Fund Ticker Cash Distribution Per Unit
    iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF CBH $0.049
    iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF CBO $0.051
    iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF CDZ $0.128
    iShares Equal Weight Banc & Lifeco ETF CEW $0.066
    iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF CLF $0.032
    iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF CLG $0.037
    iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index ETF CPD $0.058
    iShares US Dividend Growers Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) CUD $0.102
    iShares Convertible Bond Index ETF CVD $0.072
    iShares Global Monthly Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) CYH $0.078
    iShares Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETF FIE $0.040
    iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF XAGG $0.105
    iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF(1) XAGG.U $0.076
    iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XAGH $0.096
    iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF XBB $0.079
    iShares Core Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF XCB $0.069
    iShares ESG Advanced Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF XCBG $0.120
    iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF XCBU $0.122
    iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF(1) XCBU.U $0.088
    iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF XDG $0.074
    iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF(1) XDG.U $0.044
    iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XDGH $0.057
    iShares Core MSCI Canadian Quality Dividend Index ETF XDIV $0.115
    iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF XDU $0.064
    iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF(1) XDU.U $0.046
    iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XDUH $0.055
    iShares Canadian Select Dividend Index ETF XDV $0.108
    iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XEB $0.059
    iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF XEI $0.136
    iShares Core Canadian 15+ Year Federal Bond Index ETF XFLB $0.112
    iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF XFLI $0.189
    iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF(1) XFLI.U $0.136
    iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF (CAD-Hedged) XFLX $0.183
    iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financials Index ETF XFN $0.169
    iShares Floating Rate Index ETF XFR $0.051
    iShares Core Canadian Government Bond Index ETF XGB $0.050
    iShares Global Government Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XGGB $0.041
    iShares Canadian HYBrid Corporate Bond Index ETF XHB $0.075
    iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XHD $0.077
    iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF XHU $0.074
    iShares U.S. High Yield Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XHY $0.085
    iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XIG $0.075
    iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XIGS $0.106
    iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF XIU $0.272
    iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF XLB $0.062
    iShares S&P/TSX North American Preferred Stock Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XPF $0.065
    iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF XQB $0.053
    iShares Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETF XRB $0.273
    iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index ETF XRE $0.062
    iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF XSAB $0.048
    iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF XSB $0.072
    iShares Conservative Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETF XSC $0.056
    iShares Conservative Strategic Fixed Income ETF XSE $0.052
    iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate Bond Index ETF XSH $0.061
    iShares ESG Advanced 1-5 Year Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF XSHG $0.120
    iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF XSHU $0.137
    iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF(1) XSHU.U $0.099
    iShares Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETF XSI $0.062
    iShares ESG Aware Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF XSTB $0.048
    iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XSTH $0.175
    iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF XSTP $0.211
    iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF(1) XSTP.U $0.152
    iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XTLH $0.113
    iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF XTLT $0.131
    iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF(1) XTLT.U $0.102
    iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETF XTR $0.040
    iShares S&P/TSX Capped Utilities Index ETF XUT $0.110

    (1) Distribution per unit amounts are in U.S. dollars for XAGG.U, XCBU.U, XDG.U, XDU.U, XFLI.U, XSHU.U, XSTP.U, XTLT.U

    Estimated May Cash Distributions for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF

    The May cash distributions per unit for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF are estimated to be as follows:

    Fund Name Fund Ticker Estimated Cash Distribution Per Unit
    iShares Premium Money Market ETF CMR $0.101

    BlackRock Canada expects to issue a press release on or about May 21, 2025, which will provide the final amounts for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF.

    May Reinvested Distributions for the iShares Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETF

    Fund Name

    Fund Ticker Reinvested Distribution Per Unit
    iShares Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETF XRB $0.31014

    The distributions are for the reinvested distributions, which are typically reinvested in additional units of the respective funds, and do not include ongoing semi-annual cash distribution amounts. The additional units will be immediately consolidated with the previously outstanding units such that the number of outstanding units following the distribution will equal the number of units outstanding prior to the distribution.

    Further information on the iShares Funds can be found at http://www.blackrock.com/ca.

    About BlackRock
    BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate | Twitter: @BlackRockCA

    About iShares ETFs
    iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1500+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$4.3 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

    iShares® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.

    Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”). Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). TSX is a registered trademark of TSX Inc. (“TSX”). All of the foregoing trademarks have been licensed to S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and sublicensed for certain purposes to BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), which in turn has sub-licensed these marks to its affiliate, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), on behalf of the applicable fund(s). The index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, and has been licensed for use by BFA and by extension, BlackRock Canada and the applicable fund(s). The funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, any of their respective affiliates (collectively known as “S&P Dow Jones Indices”) or TSX, or any of their respective affiliates. Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices nor TSX make any representations regarding the advisability of investing in such funds.

    MSCI is a trademark of MSCI, Inc. (“MSCI”). The ETF is permitted to use the MSCI mark pursuant to a license agreement between MSCI and BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., relating to, among other things, the license granted to BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. to use the Index. BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. has sublicensed the use of this trademark to BlackRock. The ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI and MSCI makes no representation, condition or warranty regarding the advisability of investing in the ETF. 

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Senate AG Committee Hearing, Durbin Speaks About Deadly Cost Of Dust Storms, Advocates For Programs To Incentive Farmers To Plant Cover Crops

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    May 13, 2025
    At the top of the hearing, Durbin introduced witness Mrs. Megan Dwyer, Illinoisan and Director of Conservation and Nutrient Stewardship at the Illinois Corn Growers Association
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, introduced Mrs. Megan Dwyer, an Illinoisan and the Director of Conservation and Nutrient Stewardship at the Illinois Corn Growers Association, at today’s Senate Agriculture Committee hearing.  The hearing, entitled “Perspectives from the Field, Part 4: Conservation,” focused on farm conservation programs to promote soil health, water quality, air quality, and wildlife habitats. 
    “This hearing on conservation has brought some wonderful talent and resources to the Committee room this afternoon.  One of them is my special guest, Mrs. Megan Dwyer, of Coal Valley, Illinois.  A fourth-generation farmer, Megan, along with her husband Todd, run crop and livestock operations with their families in both Coal Valley and Geneseo, [Illinois],” Durbin said as he introduced Mrs. Dwyer.  “Megan also serves as Director of Conservation and Nutrient Stewardship for the Illinois Corn Growers, and her expertise in conservation makes her an especially valuable witness today.”
    “She will be sharing her expertise with the Committee – just like she has shared her knowledge with my staff, members of the Illinois delegation, farm groups, and many other on farm conservation practices,” Durbin said.
    Video of Durbin’s remarks is available here.
    Audio of Durbin’s remarks is available here.
    Footage of Durbin’s remarks is available here for TV Stations.
    Following the introduction of Mrs. Dwyer, Durbin asked questions of the Committee’s witnesses.  He began by recalling a deadly 72 car pile-up in Central Illinois in 2023, which was caused by a dust storm, and noted that conservation funds are critical to supporting farmers in planting cover crops that mitigate these dust storms.  He then asked Mrs. Dwyer why Illinois, despite its position as a top agricultural state, receives a disproportionately low level of conservation funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
    “Two years ago, my wife was visiting family and called me and told me that something was happening on I-55, which is just south of Springfield.  She said, ‘I’ve been diverted… Must have been an accident.’  It sure was.  In May 2023, on I-55, south of Springfield, there was a 72 vehicle pile-up that took the lives of eight people.  The reason? A dust storm.  The University of Illinois recently completed a study that concluded the lack of ground cover and dry conditions were contributing to that,” Durbin said.
    “Mrs. Dwyer… you indicated that Illinois ranks very low in conservation dollars sent by USDA.  We need more.  Can you explain why we [receive] so few [conservation funds]?” Durbin asked.
    Mrs. Dwyer agreed that Illinois should receive more conservation funds from USDA, but she advocated for more holistic support for farmers, including assistance in completing complex paperwork to request conservation funds as farmers are continually denied funding from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
    “Are we dealing with the commitment being there to move forward, but a lack of resources [for farmers]?” Durbin followed up.
    Mrs. Dwyer affirmed Durbin’s line of thinking, and she spoke about the difficult decision for farmers to convert usable land to be used for conservation programs like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).  Mrs. Dwyer explained that USDA must consider new and innovative programs to incentivize farmers to plant cover crops on their land.
    Video of Durbin’s remarks is available here.
    Audio of Durbin’s remarks is available here.
    Footage of Durbin’s remarks is available here for TV Stations.
    Durbin has advocated for Illinois to receive USDA conservation funding that is proportionate to Illinois’ ranking as a top agricultural state.  Last August, Durbin led members of the Illinois delegation in writing to USDA, urging the agency to allocate additional conservation funds to Illinois. In her opening statement, Mrs. Dwyer shared that Illinois received an additional $15 million in EQUIP funds last year due to outreach by Durbin and others members of the Illinois delegation to USDA.
    Durbin has also written about the importance of providing farmers with conservation funding, which allows farmers to plant cover crops to mitigate dangerous, and sometimes deadly, dust storms in Central Illinois.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News