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Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Federal Probation Officer Sentenced for Child Exploitation Charges

    Source: US FBI

    Oxford, MS – A former federal probation officer was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for receiving child sexual abuse materials.

    Lonnie Everill pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography on January 14, 2025.

    According to court documents, Lonnie Everill, 46 years old, of Water Valley, Mississippi, was initially investigated after engaging in chats with another social media user regarding their sexual interest in children. When investigators reviewed the contents of the account attributable to Everill, they found images and videos of prepubescent minors engaged in sexual conduct. Over the course of four (4) months, Everill had sent and received a number of images and videos of child sexual abuse material, as well as selfies and images of local minors not engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

    During his time as a probation officer, Everill had structured his career to focus on the rehabilitation and supervision of sexual offenders. Everill was employed in Utah, California, South Carolina, and Mississippi. 

    U.S. District Judge Dan Jordan sentenced Everill to 120 months in federal prison. In handing down the prison term, the court held him accountable for over 1,400 images. Everill was further ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to the victims in the images he possessed and an additional assessment of $10,000. He will also have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet and will be ordered to register as a sex offender. The court noted that many of the images and videos he possessed were of very young children and toddlers being raped.

    “Everill’s betrayal of trust has been truly staggering,” stated U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “His criminal conduct affected victims, the community, and undermined the credibility of the great federal probation officers in this district. I truly appreciate the exceptional prosecution led by AUSA Parker King and FBI Supervisory Agent Ryan Berthay that uncovered his crimes and brought him to justice.”

    “The conduct of this former law enforcement officer was beyond shocking and a gross betrayal of public trust,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jackson Field Office Robert Eikhoff. “When someone in a position of authority commits such a revolting crime, the damage extends beyond the youthful victims; it shakes the very foundation of our communities’ trust. No matter their badge or title, the FBI will always aggressively pursue those that prey on our children.”

    This case was investigated by the FBI.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Parker S. King prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of the Project Safe Childhood nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Suburban Chicago Businessman Convicted for Role in Bank Fraud and PPP Fraud Schemes

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    A federal jury convicted an Illinois businessman yesterday for his role in schemes to fraudulently obtain over $55 million in commercial loans and lines of credit and for submitting fraudulent applications to obtain COVID-19 relief money guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Rahul Shah, 56, of Evanston, the owner and operator of several information technology companies in the Chicago area, fraudulently obtained funds from loans and lines of credit for which he was not eligible from federally insured financial institutions and later defaulted on at least one such line of credit and one such loan. Shah submitted to federally insured financial institutions falsified bank statements that fraudulently inflated deposits, falsified balance sheets that overstated revenues, and fabricated audited financial statements with forged signatures. Shah also engaged in monetary transactions with proceeds from the bank fraud.

    Shah also submitted to a federally insured bank an application for a $441,138 loan guaranteed by the SBA that significantly overstated the payroll expenses of a company he controlled. In support of the loan application, he submitted to the lender several fraudulent IRS documents, which falsely represented that the company made payments to multiple individuals who had not received such payments. He also used stolen identities to carry out the fraud, using the names and taxpayer identification numbers of individuals that he knew had not received payments from the company in the PPP loan applications.

    In addition, Shah signed and caused to be submitted to the lender what purported to be IRS Forms 941 representing his company’s quarterly payroll expenses for 2019. A comparison between the documents submitted to the lender and the company’s IRS and state tax filings revealed that Shah’s company reported significantly lower payroll expenses to the tax authorities.

    Shah was convicted of seven counts of bank fraud, five counts of making false statements to a financial institution, two counts of money laundering, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 13. Shah faces up to 30 years in prison on each count of bank fraud and false statements to a financial institution, up to 10 years in prison on each count of money laundering, and up to two years in prison for each aggravated identity theft count. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros for the Northern District of Illinois, Special Agent in Charge Douglas S. DePodesta of the FBI Chicago Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Brady Ipock of the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG) Chicago Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI Chicago Field Office and SBA OIG Chicago Field Office investigated the case.

    Assistant Chief Patrick Mott and Trial Attorney Lindsey Carson of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jasmina Vajzovic for the Northern District of Illinois are prosecuting the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the enactment of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 200 defendants in more than 130 criminal cases and has seized over $78 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-fraud/cares-act-fraud

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Sixth Street Completes Acquisition of Enstar

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HAMILTON, Bermuda, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enstar Group Limited (“Enstar”) (Nasdaq: ESGR) today announced the closing of its acquisition by investment vehicles managed by affiliates of Sixth Street, a leading global investment firm, for $338.00 in cash per ordinary share, representing a total equity value of $5.1 billion. Liberty Strategic Capital, J.C. Flowers & Co. LLC, and other institutional investors also participated in the transaction.

    “This is a major moment for Enstar as we begin our next chapter as a private company,” said Enstar’s Chief Executive Officer Dominic Silvester. “Together with Sixth Street, we will build on our position as a leading global (re)insurance group, delivering innovative solutions to our partners and maintaining our competitive advantage. I’d like to thank our employees, past and present, whose contributions have been instrumental to achieving this milestone.”

    “Enstar is a compelling company with a robust business model and an exceptional management team,” said Michael Muscolino, Co-Founder and Partner at Sixth Street. “We are thrilled to reach this milestone and look forward to partnering with Dominic and the rest of the Enstar team to help them execute on their existing strategy.”

    In connection with the closing of the transaction, Enstar notified The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (“NASDAQ”) that Enstar intends to voluntarily withdraw its depositary shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a 7.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Share, Series D, par value $1.00 per share, and its depositary shares, each representing a 7.00% Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Share, Series E, par value $1.00 per share (collectively, the “depositary shares”) from listing on NASDAQ and registration pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Enstar expects to file a Form 25 Notification of Delisting with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on or about July 14, 2025, relating to delisting and deregistering of the depositary shares. Enstar has not arranged, and does not intend to arrange, for listing and/or registration of the depositary shares on another national securities exchange or for quotation of the depositary shares in a quotation medium.

    The transaction was announced on July 29, 2024, and approved by Enstar shareholders at the Company’s Special General Meeting of Shareholders on November 6, 2024. With the completion of the acquisition, Enstar’s ordinary shares will no longer be listed publicly, and Enstar will continue operations as a privately held, standalone company. The Company will continue to operate under the Enstar name.

    Advisors

    Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as financial advisor to Enstar and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and Hogan Lovells US LLP acted as legal advisors. Ardea Partners LP, Barclays PLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as financial advisors to Sixth Street and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP acted as legal advisors.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This communication contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that include words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “seek,” “may,” “will” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements for purposes of the federal securities laws or otherwise. These statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Enstar and its management team. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those related to the satisfaction of any post-closing regulatory requirements.

    Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, in addition to those identified above, include: (i) the risk that an active trading market for the newly preferred shares that our holders of the depositary shares representing Enstar Preferred Shares received in the transaction does not exist and may not develop; (ii) those risks and uncertainties set forth under the headings “Forward Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in Enstar’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports filed by Enstar with the SEC from time to time, which are available via the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov; and (iii) those risks described in the definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “Proxy Statement”) filed with the SEC on October 11, 2024 and available from the sources indicated below.

    These risks, as well as other risks associated with the transaction, are more fully discussed in the Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on October 11, 2024, in connection with the transaction. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. Enstar undertakes no obligation to update any written or oral forward-looking statements or publicly announce any updates or revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein, or to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, circumstances or assumptions underlying such statements, except as required by law. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from what we may have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We caution that you should not place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. You should specifically consider the factors identified in this communication that could cause actual results to differ. Furthermore, new risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict those events or how they may affect Enstar.

    About Enstar

    Enstar is a global insurance group that offers innovative capital release solutions through its network of group companies in Bermuda, the United States, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Australia, and other international locations. A market leader in completing legacy acquisitions, Enstar has acquired more than 120 companies and portfolios since its formation in 2001. For further information about Enstar, see www.enstargroup.com.

    About Sixth Street

    Sixth Street is a global investment firm with over $115 billion in assets under management and committed capital. The firm uses its long-term flexible capital, data-enabled capabilities, and “One Team” culture to develop themes and offer solutions to companies across all stages of growth. Founded in 2009, Sixth Street has more than 650 team members including over 280 investment professionals around the world. For more information, visit www.sixthstreet.com, and follow Sixth Street on LinkedIn.

    Contact:

    For Enstar:
    For Investors: Matthew Kirk (investor.relations@enstargroup.com)
    For Media: Jenna Kerr (communications@enstargroup.com)

    For Sixth Street:
    media@sixthstreet.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LENZING PRE – Stabilization Notice

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    02/07/2025

    Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.

    Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft

    Pre-stabilisation Period Announcement

    BNP Paribas (contact: Stanford Hartman telephone: 0207 595 8222 hereby gives notice, as Stabilisation Coordinator, that the Stabilisation Manager(s) named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation EU/2016/1052 under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU/596/2014).

    The securities:1  
    Issuer:  Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft 
    Guarantor (if any): N/A
    Aggregate nominal amount: EUR TBC
    Description: 9% PERP NOTES
    Offer price: TBC
    Other offer terms:  
    Stabilisation:  
    Stabilisation Manager(s)  BNP PARIBAS, COMMERZBANK, ERSTE GROUP, JP MORGAN, RBI, UNICREDIT 
    Stabilisation period expected to start on: 3rd July 2025
    Stabilisation period expected to end no later than: 8th aug 2025
    Existence, maximum size and conditions of use of over‑allotment facility: The Stabilisation Manager(s) may over‑allot the securities to the extent permitted in accordance with applicable law.
    Stabilisation trading venue: OTC

    In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilisation Manager(s) may over‑allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur and any stabilisation action, if begun, may cease at any time. Any stabilisation action or over‑allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules.

    This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction.

    This announcement and the offer of the securities to which it relates are only addressed to and directed at persons outside the United Kingdom and persons in the United Kingdom who have professional experience in matters related to investments or who are high net worth persons within Article 12(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 and must not be acted on or relied on by other persons in the United Kingdom.

    In addition, if and to the extent that this announcement is communicated in, or the offer of the securities to which it relates is made in, the UK or any EEA Member State before the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities which has been approved by the competent authority in the UK or that Member State in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the “Prospectus  Regulation”) (or which has been approved by a competent authority in another Member State and notified to the competent authority in the UK or that Member State in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation), this announcement and the offer are only addressed to and directed at persons in the UK or that Member State who are qualified investors within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation (or who are other persons to whom the offer may lawfully be addressed) and must not be acted on or relied on by other persons in the UK or that Member State.

    This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. There will be no public offer of securities in the United States. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Philadelphia’s $2B affordable housing plan relies heavily on municipal bonds, which can come with hidden costs for taxpayers

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jade Craig, Assistant Professor of Law, University of Mississippi

    The Parker administration says it will issue $800 million in bonds over the next four years to fund affordable housing. Jeff Fusco/The Conversation, CC BY-NC-SA

    Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy initiative, which was included in the city budget passed June 12, 2025, is an ambitious effort to address the city’s affordable housing challenges.

    Parker has promised to create or preserve 30,000 affordable housing units throughout the city, at a cost of roughly US$2 billion.

    To help fund the plan, the Parker administration says it will issue $800 million in housing bonds over the next three years.

    In an April 2025 report on the housing plan, the Parker administration admits that, in light of declining federal investment in affordable housing, proceeds from municipal bonds issued by the local government “have taken on an outsized role” in Philadelphia’s housing programs.

    Often, only city treasurers and the finance committees of city councils pay attention to the details behind these municipal bonds.

    As a law professor who studies the social impact of municipal bonds, I believe it’s important that city residents understand how these bonds work as well.

    While municipal bonds are integral to the city’s effort to increase access to affordable and market-rate housing, they can include hidden costs and requirements that raise prices in ways that make city services unaffordable for lower-income residents.

    The Parker administration has vowed to create or preserve 30,000 affordable housing units in Philly through new construction, rehabilitation and expanded rental assistance.
    Jeff Fusco/The Conversation, CC BY-SA

    How municipal bonds work

    Most people are aware that companies sell shares on the stock market to raise capital. State and local governments do the same thing in the form of municipal bonds, which help them raise money to cover their expenses and to finance infrastructure projects.

    These bonds are a form of debt. Investors can purchase an interest in the bond and, in exchange, the local government promises to pay the money back with interest in a specified time period. The money from investors functions like a loan to the government.

    Municipal bonds are often used so that one generation of taxpayers is not having to bear the full cost of a project that will benefit multiple generations of residents. The cost of building a bridge, for example, which will be in use for decades, can be spread out over 30 years so that residents pay back the loan slowly over time rather than saddle residents with huge tax increases one year to cover the cost.

    However, the cost of borrowing pushes up the cost of projects by adding interest payments the same way a mortgage adds to the overall cost of buying a house. Overall, the market and state and local governments have historically viewed this cost as a worthy trade-off.

    Some municipal bonds have limits

    The Parker administration has several options when it comes to raising capital on the municipal market.

    The most common method is through general obligation bonds, which are backed by the city’s authority to impose and collect taxes. Bondholders rely on the city’s “full faith and credit” to assure them that if the city has difficulty paying back the debt, the city will raise taxes on residents to secure the payment.

    The city plans to use general obligation bonds to help fund its affordable housing plan, but there are limits on how much it can borrow this way. The state constitution limits Philadelphia’s ability to incur debt to a total of 13.5% of the value of its assessed taxable real estate, based on an average of this amount for the preceding 10 years.

    Philadelphia is more affordable than several other big U.S. cities, according to a 2020 report from the Pew Charitable Trusts, but it has a high poverty rate.
    Jeff Fusco/The Conversation, CC BY-SA

    Philly has another option

    The city, however, also has the authority to take on another form of debt: revenue bonds. Revenue bonds rely on specific sources of revenue instead of the government’s taxing power. Jurisdictions issue revenue bonds to fund particular projects or services – usually ones that generate income from fees paid by users.

    For example, a publicly owned water utility or electric company relies on water and sewage fees or electricity rates and charges to pay back their revenue bonds. Likewise, a transportation authority will rely on tolls to pay back revenue bonds issued to build a toll road, such as the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

    Under state law, revenue bonds are “non-debt debts.” They are not debts owed by the city, because the city has not promised to repay the debt through the use of its own taxing powers. Instead, the people who pay the fees to use the service are paying back the debt.

    Since states began to place stricter limits on debt in the wake of the Great Depression in the 1930s, cities across the U.S. have increasingly used revenue bonds to get around state debt limits and still fund valuable public services, including affordable housing projects.

    When another government entity – rather than the city – issues the bond, and the city pays them a service fee for doing so, it’s a form of what’s called conduit debt. That obligation to pay the service fee to the other government entity is the conduit debt that the city pays out of its general fund.

    In Philadelphia, conduit debt includes revenue bonds issued by the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development and Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority.

    From fiscal years 2012 to 2021, the city’s outstanding debt from general obligation bonds paid for out of its general fund was between $1.3 billion to $1.7 billion per year. However, the city’s conduit debt outstripped that number every year, ranging from $1.8 billion to nearly $2.3 billion. In more recent years, conduit debt has been less than the city’s debt from general obligation bonds.

    The city keeps conduit debt on its books – and is obligated to pay it back – even though it comes from bonds issued by the development authorities, because these debts loop back to the city. In the bonds issued by these agencies, the city actually becomes like a client of the agency. The city is typically obligated to pay the agency service fees as part of a contractual obligation that cannot be canceled.

    The revenue on which the development agencies’ bonds rely, the money from which bondholders expect to be paid back, does not come from fees that residents pay out of their own pocket – for example through ticket sales from a sports stadium built with revenue bonds. The money instead comes out of the city’s treasury.

    A loophole to affordable housing

    Essentially this is a loophole for the city to bypass debt limits set for Philadelphia in the state constitution. Sometimes creativity in government requires using loopholes to get the job done – to get to yes instead of a stalemate.

    Consider this analogy. Say your sister takes out a bank loan to buy a car for you because your credit limit is maxed out. She is relying on you to pay her back, and she uses your payment to pay the bank. But if you don’t pay her back, she’s not responsible by law for paying the bank herself. So, it’s your debt, but she is the conduit.

    If the city holds itself accountable, it can use conduit debt responsibly to make affordable housing construction a reality.

    The mayor’s office did not respond to my questions about whether they plan to use conduit debt issued by a development authority, whether that conduit debt would include service fees, and what funds would be used to pay those fees.

    In its quest to increase access to affordable housing, the Parker administration should, in my view, be mindful of limiting the service fees it agrees to pay – which have no legally prescribed limits – and also account for where it will find income to cover these costs. For example, will it come from the sale of city-owned land? Fees charged to developers? Or some other source?

    Otherwise, taxpayers may be left to foot a bill that is essentially unlimited.

    Read more of our stories about Philadelphia.

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

    – ref. Philadelphia’s $2B affordable housing plan relies heavily on municipal bonds, which can come with hidden costs for taxpayers – https://theconversation.com/philadelphias-2b-affordable-housing-plan-relies-heavily-on-municipal-bonds-which-can-come-with-hidden-costs-for-taxpayers-253522

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s first diesel ship fueled with environmentally friendly methanol

    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

    BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) — China’s first batch of green methanol made from municipal waste was loaded onto a conventional diesel ship at Yangpu Port in south China’s island province of Hainan on Wednesday, marking a milestone in the domestic green shipping industry.

    “Green” methanol is produced by China BlueChemical Ltd. /China BlueChem/, a company of China National Offshore Oil Corporation /CNOOC/. It is produced using biogas obtained from the fermentation of municipal kitchen waste, animal manure and other waste as a feedstock.

    Using 200 tons of green methanol as fuel can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 325 tons, which is equivalent to the carbon sequestration effect of planting more than 19,000 trees.

    This successful green methanol refuelling marks an important step in China’s shipping industry’s transition from traditional to green energy, said Wu Hongsheng, head of China BlueChem’s green methanol working group. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s Foreign Ministry: China Calls on US to Immediately Lift Sanctions on Cuba

    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

    BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) — China on Wednesday called on the United States to immediately lift sanctions on Cuba and remove it from the list of “state sponsors of terrorism.”

    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning made the statement at a regular press conference when she was asked to comment on US President Donald Trump’s signing on Monday of a memorandum on toughening US policy toward Cuba.

    Mao Ning noted that over the past 60-plus years, the United States has imposed a brutal blockade and illegal sanctions against Cuba, seriously violating Cuba’s right to existence and development, violating the basic norms governing international relations, and causing grave hardships to the Cuban people.

    China firmly supports Cuba in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and opposes the US unilateral sanctions under the guise of so-called freedom and democracy, Mao Ning said.

    The lifting of sanctions against Cuba and its removal from the list of “state sponsors of terrorism” is also a common call of the international community, she added. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dance ensembles from 8 foreign countries to participate in Xinjiang International Dance Festival

    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

    URUMQI, July 2 (Xinhua) — Famous dance troupes from eight countries including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Cambodia, the United States and Italy have been invited to participate in an international dance festival scheduled to be held from July 20 to Aug. 5 this year in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the regional Culture and Tourism Department said at a press conference Wednesday.

    During the upcoming Xinjiang International National Dance Festival, domestic and foreign performers will present 52 exciting performances to the public, covering various art forms such as dance drama, musical, ballet and modern dance, said Yu Jie, deputy director of the aforementioned department.

    The performances will be shown in seven regions of Xinjiang, with Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, serving as the main venue for the event.

    The Xinjiang International Folk Dance Festival, first held in 2008, will be held for the seventh time. Previous events have brought together a total of 138 dance and choreography troupes from more than 70 countries and regions, witnessing increasingly active exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, Yu Jie summed up. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Shaanxi Province to Host 2nd SCO TV Festival

    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

    BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) — The 2nd Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) TV Festival will be held in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, from July 15 to 17. As is known at the moment, more than 20 SCO member states, observer countries and dialogue partners will take part in it.

    According to the Shaanxi Daily newspaper, a joint declaration of the 2025 SCO television festival will be released during the event.

    Recently, a meeting was held in Shaanxi Province to prepare for this event, during which the plan for holding the 2nd SCO Television Festival was reviewed and approved.

    Sun Daguang, head of the propaganda department of the CPC Committee of Shaanxi Province, noted that holding this festival will create a favorable atmosphere for the upcoming SCO summit.

    The festival will be organized by the State Radio and Television Administration of the People’s Republic of China, the People’s Government of Shaanxi Province and the SCO Secretariat. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Iranian President Signs Law Suspending Cooperation with IAEA

    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

    TEHRAN, July 2 (Xinhua) — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has signed a law suspending the country’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday.

    According to Hadi Tahan Nazif, a spokesman for Iran’s Guardian Council, the law provides for the suspension of cooperation with the IAEA until the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of Iran’s nuclear facilities and nuclear scientists are fully guaranteed.

    M. Pezeshkian signed the corresponding law on Tuesday, which was then sent to the Atomic Energy Organization, the Iranian Foreign Ministry and the country’s Supreme National Security Council, the report said.

    On June 25, the Iranian parliament approved the bill, and on June 26, the Guardian Council approved it. According to a representative of the council, the law was adopted in connection with “the violation of Iran’s national sovereignty by the United States and Israel and their attacks on the country’s territorial integrity, as well as on peaceful nuclear facilities.” –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: /Economic Review/ Technological innovation drives growth and expansion of Chinese private enterprises

    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

    BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) — The service life of a standard photovoltaic cable is usually 15 years. However, in western China’s Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, such a cable lasted only eight years due to harsh weather conditions such as sudden temperature changes and intense ultraviolet radiation.

    The question of how to extend the service life of photovoltaic cables under such conditions was pressing. Ounaite Cable Group Co., Ltd., a private cable manufacturer in Qinghai Province, Northwest China, developed its own solutions in the form of soybean and rapeseed oils, which are considered useful in changing the properties of cables.

    The company decided to use a plasticizer derived from soybean and rapeseed oil in the production process of photovoltaic cables, which allowed them to be more flexible. It also used nanocoatings to increase the service life of the cable jackets.

    Thanks to years of innovative efforts, the company’s photovoltaic cables remain flexible at temperatures down to minus 40 degrees Celsius, and also withstand corrosion and intense ultraviolet radiation in high-altitude conditions.

    To date, Ounaite Cable has obtained more than 130 patents in this field, including 15 patents with independent property rights. With about 10% of the domestic market share in the photovoltaic power transmission and engineering systems sector, the company has also successfully entered the global market.

    “Strengthening independent innovation is the key to our transition from a follower to a leader,” said Yang Zhentao, chairman of Ounaite Cable, noting that the company’s annual output of photovoltaic cables currently reaches 120,000 km – enough to circle the Earth three times.

    The company continued to expand steadily in 2025, with orders up 45 percent year-on-year in the first five months, Yang Zhentao said, adding that the company aims to reach 20 billion yuan (about $2.8 billion) in production volume by next year, as construction on a new 100 million yuan investment project began in June.

    Ounaite Cable’s rise from a micro-firm to a national high-tech enterprise and a member of China’s “little giants” is not an isolated case. “Little giants” are the elite of small and medium-sized enterprises that specialize in a specific market niche, possess advanced technology, and demonstrate great potential.

    Hainan Huayan Collagen Technology Co., Ltd., another national high-tech enterprise located in Hainan Province, South China, has successfully developed a new product from fish collagen peptide, filling the gap in the global market of cyclic dipeptides derived from fish.

    According to Zhao Zifang, head of the company’s research and development center, this result was achieved after the research team spent more than two years conducting nearly 3,000 experiments.

    The company has put into operation two production lines, resulting in an annual output of 4,500 tons of fish collagen peptides, and these products are exported to more than 50 countries and regions.

    The rise of innovation-driven private companies is injecting new vitality into China’s economy.

    According to official data from the State Administration for Market Regulation, by the end of March 2025, the number of private enterprises in China exceeded 57 million, accounting for 92.3 percent of all enterprises nationwide.

    In the first quarter of this year, 1.979 million private firms were created, which is 7.1 percent more year-on-year and exceeds the average growth recorded over the past three years.

    This rapid expansion of the private sector has been made possible by the Chinese authorities’ increased efforts to support private companies in recent years.

    In the latest move to boost scientific research and industrial innovation, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NNSF) on Monday launched the Joint Fund for Innovation and Development of Private Enterprises, aimed at allowing private companies to formally participate in national basic research.

    Under the fund, private enterprises will identify critical research challenges based on their specific innovation needs, and the joint fund will sponsor leading researchers across the country to address those challenges.

    Analysts say the approach, designed to promote deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, is expected to boost innovation in the private sector and give new impetus to China’s innovation-driven development strategy. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2025 IAM Transportation Conference Shows Power of IAM Union, Global Solidarity

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen delivers a video wrap-up report on the recent transportation conference, highlighting its success and the significant participation of delegates. 

    He emphasizes that attendees were highly productive, establishing an aggressive but necessary agenda and clear future direction for the organization. 

    The conference also featured a diverse array of international labor leaders, including representatives from Israel, the Caribbean, Japan, and Canada, alongside prominent figures like Stephen Cotton of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), representing 16 million global workers.

    AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, representing 15 million U.S. workers, also spoke. Johnsen expresses his excitement for the future, noting the collective power of IAM Union solidarity from the clear direction established at the event.

    The post 2025 IAM Transportation Conference Shows Power of IAM Union, Global Solidarity appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Summer Heat Safety Advice From Your Union

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    Extreme temperatures put workers in danger. IAM Union wants to remind all workers that employers have an obligation to protect workers against illness and injury from high temperatures in the workplace, whether inside or outdoors.

    Employers must protect workers by reducing and eliminating hazards that expose workers to heat illness or injury.

    Know Your Rights!

    Under federal law, you are entitled to a safe workplace. In regard to extreme heat at work, you have the right to:

    • Speak up about hazards without fear of retaliation. For information about whistleblower protections, visit www.whistleblowers.gov.
    • Request an OSHA inspection and speak to OSHA inspectors.
    • Report an injury or illness, and review and get copies of your medical records from your employer.

    Tips for preventing heat illness

    Heat-related illnesses can be prevented.

    • Hydrate before, during and after work. Drink 1 cup of cool water every 20 minutes even if you aren’t thirsty. For longer jobs, drinks with electrolytes are best. Avoid energy drinks and alcohol.
    • Find shade or a cool area for rest breaks that allow your body to recover.
    • Dress for the heat. A hat and light-colored, loose-fitting (where allowed), breathable clothing are ideal.
    • If wearing a face covering, change it if it becomes wet or soiled. Check on others verbally often.
    • Not everyone tolerates heat the same way. Understand personal risk factors.
    • Understanding engineering controls, work practices, and PPE.

    For information on heat illness prevention, please go to OSHA’s website.

    IAM Director of Safety and Health Michael Oathout wants workers to know that they have protections and should report violations of their health and safety rights to OSHA.

    “Employers are obligated to provide safe work environments,” said Oathout. “We want to remind workers, especially those in high-risk industries, that working in extremely high temperatures can be deadly. We don’t want workers to be scared of taking care of themselves and protecting themselves.”

    Please stay safe and protect yourself if you are at risk from heat at work.

    The post Summer Heat Safety Advice From Your Union appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Solaris Prepares for Launch: Mobile Mining App and Dual-Consensus Blockchain Gain Traction

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Solaris (BTC-S), a next-generation hybrid blockchain project, has officially entered the final phase of its token presale, following over $6 million in contributions and 13,650+ users joining the movement. With only five weeks remaining, investors and crypto enthusiasts are preparing for what many are calling a major launch for 2025.

    The BTC-S token is currently priced at $10, set to increase to $11 in the next stage, with a final launch price of $20. Early backers stand to benefit from an estimated 150%–200% potential ROI.

    What Makes Bitcoin Solaris Different?

    Bitcoin Solaris combines two consensus models into one powerful chain. While most coins rely on a single consensus mechanism, BTC-S runs on both Proof-of-Work and Delegated Proof-of-Stake via its dual-layer blockchain. The result is unmatched speed and security working in tandem.

    BTC-S isn’t just fast on paper. Its testnet already hit:

    • 10,000+ transactions per second.
    • Finality in just 2 seconds.
    • Energy savings over 99 percent compared to traditional PoW.
    • Smart contract infrastructure for full DeFi deployment.
    • Cross-chain bridge integration to enable real asset transfer.

    This isn’t speculation. This is a chain already proving its performance.

    Built for the Mobile World

    Bitcoin Solaris is going all-in on mobile users. With the upcoming Solaris Nova app, users will be able to mine on their smartphones without draining battery or bandwidth. The adaptive mining algorithm adjusts based on the device, and early data shows serious momentum.

    • Mining is possible without GPU rigs.
    • Teams and leaderboards add a gamified community element.
    • Mining power is tokenized for marketplace trading.
    • Income tracking is available inside the app dashboard.

    Crypto Was Meant for Everyone BTC-S Finally Delivers That Promise

    It’s no surprise that thousands have already used the Solaris Mining Calculator to estimate daily income potential.

    Influencers Are Sounding the Alarm

    Crypto influencers are lighting up about Bitcoin Solaris, calling it a must-watch project in 2025. Several reviews are already out, each breaking down why BTC-S is causing serious waves.

    • Crypto Vlog highlighted the dual-consensus engine and how it bridges two generations of crypto.
    • Crypto League focused on the early user growth and momentum around mobile-first innovation.

    And this is just the beginning. Discussions across social channels and Telegram are growing rapidly, with over 13,650 unique users joining the presale movement so far.

    Presale Phase 10: Final Countdown Begins

    With less than 5 weeks left in the presale, BTC-S is becoming one of the most talked-about launches of the year. Here’s what you need to know:

    • Current Price: $10
    • Next Phase: $11
    • Launch Price: $20
    • Bonus: 6 percent
    • Potential ROI: 150 to 200 percent

    With over $6 million already raised, momentum is heating up. Users should know that wallets like Trust Wallet and Metamask are recommended for receiving tokens on launch day. They are not required for the presale but are ideal for post-launch delivery.

    Final Thoughts: Don’t Regret This One

    Bitcoin Solaris is doing what most projects only pretend to do. Faster, fairer, mobile-ready, and community-first. And this might be the second chance that rarely comes around.

    For more information on Bitcoin Solaris:
    Website: https://www.bitcoinsolaris.com/
     Telegram: https://t.me/Bitcoinsolaris
     X: https://x.com/BitcoinSolaris

    Media Contact:
    Xander Levine
    press@bitcoinsolaris.com
    Press Kit: Available upon request

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

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

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4e0381b2-5ed4-412c-8e92-46f3a10e935e

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    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bb5d9b93-6fab-4b33-8afa-f7bbe958cb2c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Enovix Corporation Announces Share Repurchase Program

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FREMONT, Calif., July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enovix Corporation (“Enovix”) (Nasdaq: ENVX), a global high-performance battery company, today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase program under which the company may repurchase up to $60 million of its outstanding common stock.

    The repurchase program is designed to provide Enovix with greater flexibility in managing its capital structure, including the ability to respond to market volatility and return value to shareholders. The company may repurchase shares from time to time in open-market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, or by other means, in accordance with applicable securities laws and subject to market conditions and other factors.

    “This repurchase program reflects our confidence in the company’s long-term fundamentals and the strength of our 100% silicon-anode battery technology,” said Ryan Benton, Chief Financial Officer of Enovix. “It also underscores our commitment to delivering long-term shareholder value.”

    The timing and amount of any repurchases will be determined at the company’s discretion and may be modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time. The repurchase program does not obligate Enovix to acquire any specific number of shares. The buyback authorization is effective beginning June 30, 2025, and any unused capacity will expire on December 31, 2026.

    About Enovix Corporation

    Enovix is a leader in advancing lithium-ion battery technology with its proprietary cell architecture designed to deliver higher energy density and improved safety. The Company’s breakthrough silicon-anode batteries are engineered to power a wide range of devices from wearable electronics and mobile communications to industrial and electric vehicle applications. Enovix’s technology enables longer battery life and faster charging, supporting the growing global demand for high-performance energy storage. Enovix holds a robust portfolio of issued and pending patents covering its core battery design, manufacturing process, and system integration innovations. For more information, visit https://www.enovix.com.

    Forward‐Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance and can be identified by words such as anticipate, believe, continue, could, estimate, expect, intend, may, might, plan, possible, potential, predict, should, would and similar expressions that convey uncertainty about future events or outcomes. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, references to long-term potential, the success of our silicon anode battery technology, manufacturing scale up timelines, and the ability to commercialize Enovix technology. Actual results and outcomes could differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties and other potential factors set forth in our filings with the SEC, including in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other documents that we have filed, or that we will file, with the SEC. For a full discussion of these risks, please refer to Enovix’s filings with the SEC, including its most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, available at https://ir.enovix.com and www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statements made by us in this press release speak only as of the date on which they are made and subsequent events may cause these expectations to change. We disclaim any obligations to update or alter these forward-looking statements in the future, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    Contacts:

    Investors
    Robert Lahey
    ir@enovix.com

    Media Contact:
    Bateman Agency for Enovix
    Kaelyn Attridge
    enovix@bateman.agency

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Drone as a Service (DaaS) Market is Booming Expected to Reach $179 Billion By 2030

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture will increasingly involve a sophisticated interplay of robots, drones, remote sensors, and computer imaging. A report from MarketsAndMarkets said: “The overall drones as a service market will reach $179.3 billion by 2030. Surveillance and monitoring will be the largest revenue opportunity through 2030 High potential industry verticals include construction, insurance, aerospace and real estate Surveillance and mapping remain largest opportunities with maintenance and inspection rapidly gaining ground as high ROI solutions and Developing countries are fastest growing for many solutions due largely to substantial cost avoidance for expensive professional services.” It continued: “The fundamental principle underpinning cloud computing is the decentralization of computational resources. It posits that the physical infrastructure required for processing data and running applications no longer necessitates a local presence within a customer’s own facilities. Furthermore, the precise geographical location of these computing resources becomes largely immaterial to the end-user. Imagine, if you will, computational power existing almost ubiquitously, like a utility that can be tapped into whenever and wherever the need arises. This abstract notion of computing residing “in the ether” highlights the on-demand and location-independent nature of the cloud.” Active Companies in the markets today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Deere & Company (NYSE: DE), EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH), AGCO Corporation (NYSE: AGCO), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS).

    MarketsAndMarkets added: “This shift in paradigm has yielded significant advantages. Firstly, it has dramatically improved the utilization of computing assets. Instead of individual organizations maintaining underutilized servers and infrastructure, cloud providers can aggregate demand from numerous customers, leading to far greater efficiency. The evolution of cloud computing has fostered the “as a service” delivery model. This framework provides computational capabilities – be it processing power, storage, or specialized software – as a service that can be accessed over a network, typically the internet. This “as a service” approach has proven to be an exceptionally adaptable and scalable method for organizations to introduce and expand their computational capabilities without the upfront investment and management overhead associated with traditional IT infrastructure. This transformative “as a service” paradigm is now profoundly impacting the field of robotics. It is paving the way for “automation as a service”, where robotic capabilities are offered as a readily available service rather than requiring the outright purchase and maintenance of physical robots. This shift unlocks new possibilities for businesses that may have previously found robotics cost-prohibitive or lacked the in-house expertise to deploy and manage them effectively.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Expands Drone as a Service (DaaS) to California with Offer to Acquire an Engineering and Surveying Firm, Tapping into Precision Agriculture and Viticulture Market – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), and enterprise SaaS, has signed an offer to acquire a California-based civil engineering and land surveying firm with a well established history of operations. This marks ZenaTech’s first proposed transaction in the US West Coast or Southwest region, creating a strategic entry point into California ─ a high-value market for drone-based precision agriculture due to a massive agriculture economy, crop diversity, labor and water challenges, and an openness to innovation.

    With a commercial, construction and sustainability solution customer base and a deep regional presence, the proposed acquisition positions ZenaTech to scale its Drone as a Service or DaaS survey operations. It also provides significant opportunity to expand into California’s wine and agriculture sectors using advanced drone capabilities including aerial imaging, precision spraying, irrigation analytics, and wildfire detection and monitoring in high-risk areas.

    “This proposed acquisition is more than just our first Southwest region location — it’s a strategic foothold into a high-value, high-growth state for precision agriculture,” said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., CEO of ZenaTech. “The firm is a natural fit to help execute our growth strategy for crop health monitoring and precision spraying to serve viticulture, large estates, and commercial farming operations across California.”

    With the global agricultural drone market projected to reach USD 10.3 billion by 2030, driven by rising demand for precision technologies in farming, California stands out as a key growth region as well as being home to nearly 90% of all US vineyard acreage. Considering California’s mounting climate and agricultural challenges, ZenaTech’s AI-powered autonomous drone solutions offer timely, scalable innovation that serves the needs of commercial enterprises, cooperatives, agriculture consultants, and public sector stakeholders.

    ZenaTech’s Drone as a Service (DaaS) business model offers both business and government customers reduced costs and convenience to utilize drones to streamline legacy processes and manual tasks such as inspections, surveying, maintenance, precision agriculture and inventory management ─ there is no need to purchase drone hardware and software, find a drone pilot, manage maintenance and operation, or acquire regulatory approvals. The model also offers scalability to use more often or less often based on business needs and utilizes ZenaDrone’s multifunction AI autonomous drones.

    The company has closed six acquisitions across the US to date as part of its DaaS business model and strategy and has announced it plans to complete approximately 20 more in the next 12 months. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    Other recent developments in the markets include:

    Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) recently announced it has purchased Sentera, a St. Paul, Minnesota-based agriculture startup that uses smart imagery technology to monitor crop health via drone cameras.

    The acquisition, announced May 23, allows the John Deere tractor maker to integrate Sentera’s technologies into its digital farm management system to help farmers make more data-backed decisions. Drones equipped with Sentera’s cameras can fly over fields at high speeds and take high-resolution images that are then processed to generate digital maps that locate harmful weeds and pests, assess crop health and identify any disease pressures, according to Deere.

    EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH), the world’s leading urban air mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company, recently announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Reignwood Aviation Group. Leveraging their respective strengths, the two parties will collaborate under China’s national strategy for developing the low-altitude economy, guided by the principles of technology empowerment, scenario-driven innovation, and global expansion. Together, they aim to set a global standard for integrating traditional general aviation with next-generation electric vertical take-off and landing (“eVTOL”) aircraft.

    According to the agreement, Reignwood Aviation Group plans to deploy eVTOLs at scale, prioritizing at its operational hubs in key cultural and tourism destinations. The partnership will begin with consumer-facing applications such as low-altitude tourism and related ground services. Over time, the cooperation will further expand to UAM field to build a three-dimensional urban transportation network. In the long term, the two parties aim to expand to more scenarios and low-altitude services including passenger transportation, aerial logistics, emergency response, etc.

    AGCO Corporation (NYSE: AGCO), a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, recently announced it has entered into a set of agreements with Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (“TAFE”). The agreements resolve all outstanding disputes and other matters related to the commercial relationship between AGCO and TAFE as well as TAFE’s shareholding in AGCO, ownership and use of the Massey Ferguson brand in India and certain other countries, and other key governance issues between the parties.

    The agreements will become effective upon the completion by AGCO and TAFE of certain governmental and other processes in India relating to the repurchase of the shares held by AGCO in TAFE.

    AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), a leading provider of advanced drone and aerial imaging solutions, recently announced the sale of two additional eBee X drones to South Korea, expanding the country’s installed base of AgEagle’s eBee drones to more than 100 units. This milestone strengthens AgEagle’s strategic partnership with South Korea and reinforces its position as a leader in the Asia-Pacific drone market.

    The eBee X, AgEagle’s flagship fixed-wing mapping drone, is engineered for high-precision geospatial data collection and is ideally suited for applications including surveying, mapping, and photogrammetry. This latest sale builds on a well-established fleet, further strengthening AgEagle’s reputation as a trusted provider of cutting-edge unmanned aerial systems.AgEagle CEO Bill Irby commented, “Achieving our 100th eBee drone sale in South Korea represents a key growth milestone. It reflects the growing global demand for our advanced aerial solutions and validates the strength of our platform across a range of industries and geographies. As adoption accelerates in international markets like South Korea, we remain focused on scaling operations, deepening customer relationships, and delivering high-performance drone systems that meet evolving mission needs. This progress directly supports our commitment to building sustainable value for all our stakeholders.”

    About FN Media Group:
    At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases

    Follow us on Facebook to receive the latest news updates: https://www.facebook.com/financialnewsmedia
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    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated fifty one hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

    Contact Information:
    Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com – +1(561)325-8757

    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: EBC Financial Group Celebrates Multiple Award Wins in 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EBC Financial Group (EBC) has been recognised by two leading industry award bodies in 2025, reinforcing its position as a trusted broker via the Best CFD Provider award by Online Money Awards and Most Trusted Broker and Best Trading Platform titles at the World Finance Forex Awards 2025.

    EBC’s wins at the World Finance Forex Awards mark the third consecutive year the Group has received honours from the awarding body—an indication of its sustained performance in both technology execution and client trust metrics. The 2025 dual awards build on EBC’s previous recognitions in 2023 and 2024, highlighting its consistent delivery of robust trading solutions across global markets.

    The acknowledgments span both product delivery and trust metrics, reflecting EBC’s operational focus on execution quality, platform innovation, and client protection within regulated trading environments.

    “These awards affirm the Group’s emphasis on building efficient, transparent, and regulated trading infrastructure,” said David Barrett, CEO of EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd. “Whether it’s through our ETF CFD suite expansion, platform enhancements, or client-first service model, we remain focused on building tools and experiences that help traders act with clarity, confidence, and control.”

    Driving Growth with Thematic and Tactical CFD Solutions
    EBC’s recent launch of over 100 U.S.-listed ETF CFDs has expanded its multi-asset product suite and positioned the Group at the forefront of thematic trading innovation. These instruments give clients real-time, leveraged access to ETFs across a broad spectrum of global narratives—including clean energy, U.S. tech, dividend-yielding assets, fixed income, and emerging markets.

    The offering features ETFs from leading issuers such as Vanguard, iShares (BlackRock), and State Street Global Advisors, with key advantages including zero fund management fees, leverage options and short-selling capabilities as well as real-time execution and low-cost access to NYSE and NASDAQ-listed assets.

    This expansion aligns with EBC’s strategic focus on delivering smarter exposure tools—enabling traders to respond quickly to macro shifts, hedge market views, or construct diversified portfolios with precision.

    Platform Innovation and Client Experience at the Core
    Beyond product growth, EBC continues to enhance its platforms with features such as smart liquidity routing, expanded multilingual support, and ultra-low latency execution. Proprietary tools like the Trading Black Box and Private Room help optimise price aggregation, protect trade integrity, and elevate the trading experience across retail and institutional segments.

    These upgrades contributed to EBC’s recognition as Best Trading Platform at the 2025 World Finance Forex Awards, while the Most Trusted Broker title acknowledged the Group’s long-term dedication to governance, client protection, and relationship-building in regulated markets.

    This article reflects the observations of EBC Financial Group and all its global entities. It is not financial or investment advice. Trading in commodities and foreign exchange (FX) involves a significant risk of loss, potentially exceeding your initial investment. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making any trading or investment decisions, as EBC Financial Group and its entities are not liable for any damages arising from reliance on this information.

    For more information about EBC Financial Group and its award-winning services, visit www.ebc.com.

    About EBC Financial Group   

    Founded in London, EBC Financial Group (EBC) is a global brand known for its expertise in financial brokerage and asset management. Through its regulated entities operating across major financial jurisdictions—including the UK, Australia, the Cayman Islands, Mauritius, and others—EBC enables retail, professional, and institutional investors to access global markets and trading opportunities, including currencies, commodities, CFDs and more.

    Trusted by investors in over 100 countries and honoured with global awards including multiple year recognition from World Finance, EBC is widely regarded as one of the world’s best brokers with titles including Best Trading Platform and Most Trusted Broker. With its strong regulatory standing and commitment to transparency, EBC has also been consistently ranked among the top brokers—trusted for its ability to deliver secure, innovative, and client-first trading solutions across competitive international markets.

    EBC’s subsidiaries are licensed and regulated within their respective jurisdictions. EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited is regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA); EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd, and EBC Asset Management Pty Ltd are regulated by Australia’s Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC); EBC Financial (MU) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission Mauritius (FSC).   

    At the core of EBC are a team of industry veterans with over 40 years of experience in major financial institutions. Having navigated key economic cycles from the Plaza Accord and 2015 Swiss franc crisis to the market upheavals of the COVID-19 pandemic. We foster a culture where integrity, respect, and client asset security are paramount, ensuring that every investor relationship is handled with the utmost seriousness it deserves.    

    EBC is a proud official foreign exchange partner of FC Barcelona and continues to drive impactful partnerships to empower communities – namely through the UN Foundation’s United to Beat Malaria initiative, Oxford University’s Department of Economics, and a diverse range of partners to champion initiatives in global health, economics, education, and sustainability.    
    https://www.ebc.com/

     Media Contact: 
    Savitha Ravindran
    Global Public Relations Manager
    savitha.ravindran@ebc.com

    Michelle Siow 
    Brand & Communications Director 
    michelle.siow@ebc.com  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LILPEPE Gains Recognition as Ethereum Chain’s Strongest Meme Coin of 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Little Pepe has officially entered the meme coin spotlight—raising over $3 million in its presale and gaining fast recognition as Ethereum’s strongest competitor to SHIB and PEPE. With a powerful mix of meme culture, fast and affordable blockchain tech, and strong early investor backing, $LILPEPE is now being seen as the next big thing in crypto’s meme economy.

    Little Pepe ($LILPEPE)

    Little Pepe stands out in a sea of meme tokens by combining viral appeal with actual blockchain utility. While many meme coins rely on hype alone, Little Pepe is powered by a lightning-fast, low-cost Ethereum-compatible Layer 2 protocol. This makes it faster, cheaper, and more scalable than typical tokens built on Ethereum Chain.

    The project is designed to tackle some of the biggest issues in crypto today—high gas fees, slow transactions, and poor scalability. With its EVM compatibility, Little Pepe supports seamless smart contract development while maintaining Ethereum-level security and performance.

    $LILPEPE: The Token That Powers It All

    At the heart of this growing ecosystem is $LILPEPE, an ERC-20 utility token that does much more than just represent a meme. It fuels the entire Little Pepe network—covering everything from staking and governance to transaction fees and DApp activity.

    Little Pepe’s developers have created an ecosystem where $LILPEPE is more than just a digital asset—it’s a core part of a broader blockchain world where memes meet real value. The token represents an opportunity to be part of the next wave of meme-based innovation—one that’s built to last.

    Massive Presale Momentum: Over $3M Raised

    Little Pepe presale is currently in Stage 4, with tokens priced at just $0.0013, the project has already raised over $3 million—a rare feat in today’s crowded meme coin space. This shows that both retail traders and crypto whales see serious potential in what $LILPEPE is building.

    With each presale stage, the token price increases, offering early investors the best entry opportunity. As community buzz continues to grow, and major crypto influencers take notice, many believe $LILPEPE could be the breakout meme coin of 2025. The only way to participate is through the official website: littlepepe.com.

    Moreover, Little Pepe is built to operate on a Layer 2 protocol that keeps transaction costs low and speeds high, all while staying fully compatible with Ethereum’s ecosystem. That means users get the best of both worlds: the security of Ethereum and the performance of Layer 2. This gives Little Pepe a major edge in areas like gaming, and micro-transactions, where speed and low costs are essential.

    $LILPEPE – Ethereum’s Strongest SHIB and PEPE Competitor

    Memes have always driven crypto adoption—from Dogecoin to SHIB, and more recently PEPE. But Little Pepe goes beyond being just a joke or trend. It represents a new generation of meme coins that are built on real tech, with real goals.

    The branding takes inspiration from the iconic “Pepe” meme, but gives it a new identity—a leader in a meme coin kingdom backed by infrastructure, not just internet humor. And the community around Little Pepe is growing fast, with Telegram, Twitter, and other social channels filled with excitement, updates, and investor confidence. This combination of strong community energy and actual blockchain functionality is what positions Little Pepe as a serious competitor to SHIB and PEPE.

    About Little Pepe

    Little Pepe is a next-gen Layer 2 blockchain designed to merge meme culture with high-speed, low-cost decentralized infrastructure. Built for scalability, security, and accessibility, Little Pepe supports EVM-compatible applications and is powered by means of the $LILPEPE token. The project’s mission is to create a meme coin environment wherein utility meets virality, empowering users through cutting-edge technology and lightning-fast transactions.

    For more information:
    Website: https://littlepepe.com/
    Telegram: https://t.me/littlepepetoken
    Twitter: https://x.com/littlepepetoken

    Contact Details:
    COO-James Stephen
    media@littlepepe.com

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

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/551bf919-c7c2-4795-8e42-db866f2f9b97

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LILPEPE Gains Recognition as Ethereum Chain’s Strongest Meme Coin of 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Little Pepe has officially entered the meme coin spotlight—raising over $3 million in its presale and gaining fast recognition as Ethereum’s strongest competitor to SHIB and PEPE. With a powerful mix of meme culture, fast and affordable blockchain tech, and strong early investor backing, $LILPEPE is now being seen as the next big thing in crypto’s meme economy.

    Little Pepe ($LILPEPE)

    Little Pepe stands out in a sea of meme tokens by combining viral appeal with actual blockchain utility. While many meme coins rely on hype alone, Little Pepe is powered by a lightning-fast, low-cost Ethereum-compatible Layer 2 protocol. This makes it faster, cheaper, and more scalable than typical tokens built on Ethereum Chain.

    The project is designed to tackle some of the biggest issues in crypto today—high gas fees, slow transactions, and poor scalability. With its EVM compatibility, Little Pepe supports seamless smart contract development while maintaining Ethereum-level security and performance.

    $LILPEPE: The Token That Powers It All

    At the heart of this growing ecosystem is $LILPEPE, an ERC-20 utility token that does much more than just represent a meme. It fuels the entire Little Pepe network—covering everything from staking and governance to transaction fees and DApp activity.

    Little Pepe’s developers have created an ecosystem where $LILPEPE is more than just a digital asset—it’s a core part of a broader blockchain world where memes meet real value. The token represents an opportunity to be part of the next wave of meme-based innovation—one that’s built to last.

    Massive Presale Momentum: Over $3M Raised

    Little Pepe presale is currently in Stage 4, with tokens priced at just $0.0013, the project has already raised over $3 million—a rare feat in today’s crowded meme coin space. This shows that both retail traders and crypto whales see serious potential in what $LILPEPE is building.

    With each presale stage, the token price increases, offering early investors the best entry opportunity. As community buzz continues to grow, and major crypto influencers take notice, many believe $LILPEPE could be the breakout meme coin of 2025. The only way to participate is through the official website: littlepepe.com.

    Moreover, Little Pepe is built to operate on a Layer 2 protocol that keeps transaction costs low and speeds high, all while staying fully compatible with Ethereum’s ecosystem. That means users get the best of both worlds: the security of Ethereum and the performance of Layer 2. This gives Little Pepe a major edge in areas like gaming, and micro-transactions, where speed and low costs are essential.

    $LILPEPE – Ethereum’s Strongest SHIB and PEPE Competitor

    Memes have always driven crypto adoption—from Dogecoin to SHIB, and more recently PEPE. But Little Pepe goes beyond being just a joke or trend. It represents a new generation of meme coins that are built on real tech, with real goals.

    The branding takes inspiration from the iconic “Pepe” meme, but gives it a new identity—a leader in a meme coin kingdom backed by infrastructure, not just internet humor. And the community around Little Pepe is growing fast, with Telegram, Twitter, and other social channels filled with excitement, updates, and investor confidence. This combination of strong community energy and actual blockchain functionality is what positions Little Pepe as a serious competitor to SHIB and PEPE.

    About Little Pepe

    Little Pepe is a next-gen Layer 2 blockchain designed to merge meme culture with high-speed, low-cost decentralized infrastructure. Built for scalability, security, and accessibility, Little Pepe supports EVM-compatible applications and is powered by means of the $LILPEPE token. The project’s mission is to create a meme coin environment wherein utility meets virality, empowering users through cutting-edge technology and lightning-fast transactions.

    For more information:
    Website: https://littlepepe.com/
    Telegram: https://t.me/littlepepetoken
    Twitter: https://x.com/littlepepetoken

    Contact Details:
    COO-James Stephen
    media@littlepepe.com

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

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/551bf919-c7c2-4795-8e42-db866f2f9b97

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Lawmakers’ increased skills have improved efforts to resolve conflicts in Eastern Equatoria


    Download logo

    Residents in Eastern Equatoria State are pleased with the recently established parliamentary caucuses, which they feel are contributing to an improved way of handling intercommunal violence by adopting adequate legislation and peacebuilding strategies.

    “We’ve been receiving lots of great feedback from local communities, who think that the work of their political representatives has become more effective,” commented Anthony Nwapa, Acting Head of the UN peacekeeping mission’s Field Office in Torit.

    For a long time, staff serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), together with experts on a variety of subject matters, including leadership skills, protocol issues, the constitution-making process and conflict mitigation, are working hard to support Eastern Equatoria’s legislature.

    “It is a gradual process, but it is definitely boosting our ability to fulfill our roles and responsibilities. Our collective commitment to good governance has also increased as a result of this ongoing capacity building,” said Charles Udwar Ukech, Speaker of the Eastern Equatoria State Transitional Legislative Assembly.

    According to Governor Louis Lobong Lojore, the biggest and most important part of the regular training sessions is what they can achieve in terms of creating and maintaining peace between the state’s different communities.

    “Managing conflicts amicably is key, and it is our responsibility to make that happen,” he affirmed as he addressed the almost 100 lawmakers and clerical staff attending the latest of the UNMISS-led workshops.

    It won’t, however, be the last such session.

    “The positive results so far encourage us. We will keep assisting the state legislature in any way we can,” pledged Mr. Nwapa, who is also a Civil Affairs Officer.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Communications Committee Invites Comments on Candidates Shortlisted for Interviews to Fill Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) Board Vacancies


    Download logo

    The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies is inviting members of the public to comment on the nine candidates shortlisted for interviews to fill two vacancies on the Board of the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA).

    The shortlisted candidates are Dr Lario Malungana-Mantsha, Ms Melanie Roy, Dr Natalie Skeepers, Ms Chantel Manuel, Dr Rofhiwa Mukhudwana, Ms Sithembile Nkosi, Ms Moipone Malefane, Ms Onkgopotse Phala, and Ms Sandika Daya.

    Their abridged profiles are published on the Parliament website using this link: https://tinyurl.com/3m8wsftf

    The process of filling the two vacancies on the Board of the MDDA is done in terms of section 4(1)(b) of the MDDA Act.

    Members of the public who wish to comment on the candidates have until the end of business on Tuesday, 8 July 2025.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Acting African Union Special Representative’s goodwill message on Burundi’s Independence Day


    Download logo

    On behalf of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), I congratulate the people and Government of Burundi on the occasion of the 63rd Independence Day.

    This day not only commemorates Burundi’s attainment of self-governance from colonial rule but also celebrates the progress and achievements made since 1962.

    Burundi continues to play a vital role in the promotion of peace and security in the region and the African continent. In particular, Burundian troops have displayed unwavering commitment in their contributions to the African Union’s peace process in Somalia.

    Their selfless support for Somalia’s stabilisation efforts has been instrumental in advancing our shared vision of a secure, stable, and progressive Somalia.

    AUSSOM affirms its deep appreciation for the enduring partnership between the African Union and Burundi, and for its key role in fostering regional peace and integration.

    Happy Independence Day… “Sangwa intahe yo kwikukira”.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Namibia Gears Up for Energy Transformation – Deputy Prime Minister (PM) to Speak at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025

    African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies welcomes Natangwe Paulus Ithete, Namibia’s newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industrialization, Mines and Energy, as a featured speaker at this year’s edition, taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. Minister Ithete’s confirmation comes at a defining moment for Namibia’s energy sector, as the country accelerates large-scale investments in hydrocarbons, renewables and industrial infrastructure.

    Appointed in March 2025 as part of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s new administration, Minister Ithete steps into his role amid a surge of high-impact activity across Namibia’s energy landscape. The country has captured international attention following a string of offshore oil discoveries by Shell, TotalEnergies and Galp, positioning Namibia as one of the world’s most promising new petroleum frontiers. Since Minister Ithete took office, momentum has only accelerated: TotalEnergies is expected to submit a development plan for its giant Venus discovery by July 2025, targeting a final investment decision next year for what could become Namibia’s first major offshore oil development. Galp confirmed a significant light oil find at its Mopane-3X well in February, while Rhino Resources struck oil at the Capricornus-1X well in April. Chevron is advancing plans to drill a new exploration well in the Walvis Basin, and Namibia is expanding licensing opportunities through its open-door system introduced last year. These developments are backed by government efforts to streamline fiscal terms, de-risk investment and solidify Namibia’s position as one of the most dynamic and closely watched frontiers in global oil and gas.

    In parallel, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to scaling up renewable energy and positioning Namibia as a green hydrogen hub for the region. The $10-billion Hyphen Hydrogen Energy project, which aims to produce green ammonia for export from the Tsau //Khaeb National Park, is progressing steadily, backed by international partners including the EU and Germany. Namibia’s renewables strategy has also attracted global developers to solar and wind projects across the country, contributing to regional energy security and industrial expansion.

    Minister Ithete has moved swiftly to align policy with these opportunities. In his first few months in office, he outlined the government’s intention to streamline regulatory processes, accelerate infrastructure development and strengthen fiscal and legal frameworks for investment. Speaking at the Namibia International Energy Conference in April, he emphasized the importance of building an enabling environment for energy companies, while ensuring that Namibians benefit meaningfully from the country’s natural resource wealth.

    These priorities are reinforced by Namibia’s broader industrialization agenda. In May, Minister Ithete introduced a NAD 637.5 million budget to support industrial growth and renewable energy expansion. The funding targets the development of value-added industries, energy infrastructure and technical capacity across key sectors, forming part of a longer-term strategy to move beyond resource extraction and into domestic processing and export-led industrialization.

    “Namibia’s transformation from a frontier market to a serious energy and industrial contender has been nothing short of remarkable,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “The appointment of Minister Natangwe Ithete reflects a strong political commitment to getting the fundamentals right – from regulatory clarity to infrastructure and local content. His leadership brings new energy to Namibia’s vision for growth, and we look forward to welcoming him at AEW 2025.”

    With a growing number of bilateral and commercial partnerships underway – including recent cooperation talks with China on energy and industrial development – Namibia is rapidly emerging as one of Africa’s most dynamic energy investment destinations. The country is pursuing a holistic approach that leverages its oil and gas potential, renewable resources and strategic geographic location to become a regional supply hub and industrial center.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

    About AEW: Invest in African Energies:
    AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) Statement on Helicopter Crash at Mogadishu Airport


    Download logo

    On Wednesday at around 7.30 a.m., an African Union helicopter operated by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) contingent crash-landed just before touching down at the Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu, while enroute from the Baledogle military airbase.

    Three of the eight passengers on board were immediately rescued and rushed to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) Level II hospital in Mogadishu for medical attention.

    Search and rescue operations are currently underway to retrieve the remaining crew and passengers.

    Meanwhile, aviation authorities have commenced investigations to establish the cause of the accident.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Libya: Youth stress the need for a clear and realistic roadmap in online consultation led by Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General – Political (DSRSG-P) Koury


    Download logo

    As part of its series of dedicated youth consultations, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General – Political, Stephanie Koury, held an online consultation on Sunday with fifty-seven young men and women from across the country to discuss their ideas on the next steps in the political process. 

    All participants were encouraged to complete the online poll [link] and share it with their friends and families to ensure all community voices are heard by the Mission while designing the roadmap. 

    A primary concern highlighted by participants was the volatile security situation and the need to prioritize stability to create an environment conducive to political progress. They further stressed the need for a clear and realistic roadmap with a mechanism for including those who are marginalized or have previously been excluded from the political process, and decision-making. 

    “Inclusion should not be symbolic, it should be built into every part of government,” said one participant, adding, “we cannot build a lasting peace while regions, tribes and communities are under-represented or excluded.” 

    Participants also flagged the importance of tackling the worsening economic situation, noting a degradation of services and the lack of transparency in managing public resources.  They further stressed the need to integrate a security dimension in the economic approach to provide youth with viable alternatives.  

    “We must integrate young people who have joined armed groups back into society and state institutions,” said one participant. “We have to provide them with better economic opportunities.” 

    In May, UNSMIL published the Executive Summary of the Advisory Committee’s Report which outlines four proposed options to move the political process forward: 

    1. Conducting presidential and legislative elections simultaneously; 

    2. Conducting parliamentary elections first, followed by the adoption of a permanent constitution; 

    3. Adopting a permanent constitution before elections; or 

    4. Establishing a political dialogue committee, based on the Libyan Political Agreement to finalize electoral laws, executive authority and permanent constitution.  

    The different options presented by the Advisory Committee were broadly appreciated by the participants, with participants conveying different preferences. Participants also highlighted that working on the constitution was crucial to the process – some said that should come first, others after a parliamentary election. While several expressed support for option 4, some  also raised concerns that any dialogue forum created through option 4 would become permanent. In this regard, they emphasized the need for guarantees to prevent repeating past mistakes and put the country on a path of real change. 

    Participants also criticized UNSMIL for not putting forward a roadmap at the UN Security Council briefing on 24 June, saying that they did not want to wait any longer.    

    DSRSG Koury explained that the SRSG will be presenting the roadmap to the Security Council in her briefing in August, stating that we are moving forward as soon as possible but that the Mission also wanted all Libyans to participate in developing the upcoming roadmap.  

    “It is important that sufficient consensus is built on a way forward and this includes through consultations like this, which we will be holding more of over the next month, to ensure that we reach as many people as possible. This process is about the Libyan people and for the Libyan people,” Koury said.   

    DSRSG Koury further explained that Libya is not under chapter 7 in relation to the political process, but only for arms embargo and assets freeze, and thus, our role is to support and facilitate a Libyan led political process that addresses the Libyan people’s needs and aspirations.  

    Further youth consultations will be taking place throughout July with more information available here.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: International Rescue Committee (IRC) Chad prepares for cholera outbreak as World Health Organisation (WHO) warns of regional spread


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    Alain Rusuku, Country Director, IRC Chad, said:

    “Following concerns expressed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) about the spread of the unprecedented Cholera epidemic in Sudan to neighbouring countries, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is launching prevention efforts, including raising awareness amongst vulnerable communities of how to prevent the spread of disease, to prepare for a possible cholera outbreak. With the rainy season approaching in Chad, health teams warn that the risk of an epidemic is increasing. We know how quickly flooding can overwhelm sanitation systems and create ideal conditions for the rapid spread of cholera. We’re working closely with communities to raise awareness and reduce risks before the disease reaches eastern Chad. This includes surveillance at the borders and awareness-raising in the camps, where the IRC is actively involved, alongside coordination with the Ministry of Health, local authorities, and partners to strengthen overall response preparedness.”

    In Sudan, which is now the largest displacement crisis in the world, the epidemic saw a dramatic resurgence at the end of May, with more than 82,000 cases and over 2,100 deaths reported across the country, with Khartoum, South Darfur and East Darfur showing increasing trends. 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Rescue Committee (IRC) .

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Ramkalawan Receives Norwegian Ambassador Holm for Farewell Visit


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    His Excellency Mr. Gunnar Andreas Holm, Ambassador of Norway to the Republic of Seychelles, paid a farewell courtesy call to President Wavel Ramkalawan on Tuesday afternoon, marking the conclusion of his distinguished three-year diplomatic tenure.

    During the meeting, President Ramkalawan expressed his profound appreciation for the robust bilateral relationship between Norway and Seychelles that has flourished under Ambassador Holm’s stewardship. The President commended His Excellency for his unwavering dedication and exemplary commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties between the two nations through the exploration of diverse avenues of cooperation.

    “We are deeply grateful for your exceptional service and effort to deepen our partnership with Norway,” President Ramkalawan remarked. “Your dedication has been instrumental in advancing our shared interests and mutual values.”

    The farewell meeting provided a valuable opportunity for both parties to reflect upon the key areas of cooperation that have characterized the Norway-Seychelles partnership during Ambassador Holm’s tenure. These collaborative initiatives have encompassed the blue economy, maritime security and sustainability, climate change mitigation, and environmental protection – sectors that remain at the forefront of joint efforts between the two nations, reflecting their unwavering commitment to sustainable development and ocean conservation.

    In a gesture of enduring friendship, His Excellency Holm extended a gracious invitation to President Ramkalawan to undertake an official visit to Norway, further reinforcing the strong diplomatic bonds between the two countries. President Ramkalawan concluded the meeting by extending his best wishes to Ambassador Holm for success in his future endeavours and expressing confidence that the solid foundation established during his tenure will continue to yield mutual benefits for both nations.

    The meeting was also attended by Mr. Chrystol Chetty, Honorary Consul for Norway, Ms. Wendy Isnard, Director General for Bilateral Affairs, and Mr. James Caprin, Desk Officer for Bilateral Affairs.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Committee Condemns Killing of Ekurhuleni Metro’s Forensic Audit Chief


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    The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has learned with shock about the brutal assassination of Mr Mpho Mafole, the City of Ekurhuleni’s group divisional head of corporate and forensic audits.

    According to media reports, the 47-year-old was gunned down on Monday while driving along the R23 in Esselen Park. Police reportedly discovered Mr Mafole’s body inside his vehicle, riddled with gunshot wounds.

    Mr Mafole, who was appointed to the position only three months ago, brought with him an impressive track record of public service, including 14 years in the Office of the Auditor-General of South Africa. He was tasked with uncovering financial irregularities and promoting transparency in the City of Ekurhuleni, one of the country’s largest municipalities.

    Committee Chairperson Dr Zweli Mkhize said the nature of Mr Mafole’s work underscored the often-dangerous responsibilities undertaken by those at the forefront of rooting out corruption in our public institutions. “The committee condemns this cowardly and violent act as this not only threatens the lives of dedicated public servants but also seeks to intimidate and hinder efforts to build clean and accountable governance, particularly in our municipalities where systemic failures persist,” said the Chairperson.

    Dr Mkhize said this tragedy is a stark reminder of the urgent need to strengthen the protection of whistleblowers and anti-corruption officials. “Reforms to safeguard those who speak out and act against corruption must urgently be expedited.” He said municipalities, and the rest of government, must uphold the highest standards of financial oversight and integrity.

    The Chairperson also noted that this tragedy comes as the committee prepares for the start of extensive oversight visits across provinces to demand accountability from municipalities following the latest dismal municipal audit outcomes. “The committee will continue to exercise its oversight mandate, working with all spheres of government to ensure that those who risk their lives in service of public accountability are protected and that the rot that enables criminality is eradicated,” he said.

    “The committee extends its heartfelt condolences to Mr Mafole’s family, colleagues, and loved ones during this difficult time. We urge law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Leaders Across Vermont Support Welch’s Bill to Reform FEMA 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    “I appreciate Senator Welch taking on the challenge to create an expedited, more efficient, and flexible emergency management system.” 
    “Nearly every municipal leader impacted by recent flooding in Vermont has told me that FEMA has been difficult to work with. I’m pleased to see Senator Welch proposing reforms to address these concerns.” 
    “What is needed, and what this bill would do, is build state and local capacity to prepare, mitigate, respond, and recover while making more efficient and effective use of federal resources.” 
    “We are grateful to Senator Welch for proposing a commonsense solution that would provide technical assistance, simplified procedures and support for long-term resiliency to municipalities that are in need.” 
    “Senator Welch’s Disaster AID Act provides a path toward more timely and effective recovery, especially for Vermont’s hardest-hit towns.” 
    “This legislation represents a fundamental shift in the way we administer hazard mitigation funding.” 
    WESTON, VT—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.)’s Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization (AID) Act has earned the support of community leaders across Vermont.  
    Senator Welch’s Disaster AID Act will cut red tape and empower state and local governments to access recovery assistance when it is needed. The bill will support hazard mitigation efforts, make the delivery of disaster aid more efficient and effective, provide technical assistance to small towns and communities impacted by natural disasters, and block the White House from withholding funding for disaster response. He will officially introduce the Disaster AID Act next week, coinciding with the anniversary of the 2023 and 2024 floods.  
    “FEMA does lifesaving and important work after a disaster, but we need to find a way to fix the agency so it works better to help communities recover in the weeks, months, and years after a disaster. Vermont saw it firsthand: there’s too much red tape, and the long-term recovery process is inefficient,” said Senator Welch. “The Disaster AID Act is inspired by the experiences of flood-impacted Vermont communities that had to wait too long—and jump through far too many hoops—to get the federal support needed to build back after a disaster. I am proud the Disaster AID Act has earned the support of community and disaster recovery leaders across our state, and thank them for helping shape this commonsense bill.” 
    Vermont Governor Phil Scott, and Kristin Atwood, Barton Town Clerk; Ted Brady, Executive Director of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns; Michele Braun, Executive Director of the Friends of the Winooski River; Chris Campany, Executive Director of the Windham Regional Commission, and Chair of the VAPDA Emergency Management Committee; Jon Copans, Executive Director, Montpelier Commission for Recovery and Resilience; Ben Doyle, Executive Director of the Preservation Trust of Vermont; Peter Gregory, Executive Director of the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC); Thom Lauzon, Mayor of Barre City; Kristen Leahy, Zoning and Floodplain Administrator and Resilience & Adaption Coordinator for Hardwick; Jim Linville, Selectboard Vice Chair and Recovery Director of Weston; Julie Moore, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources; Stephanie Smith, Vermont Hazard Mitigation Officer; Justin Smith, Municipal Administrator for the Town of Lyndon; and Beverley Wemple, Director of the University of Vermont’s Water Resources Institute.    
    “After facing devastating floods over the last two summers, Vermonters have seen firsthand, the value of federal support and assistance from FEMA workers. However, we’ve also experienced gaps between response and recovery, and we need to make changes that better support responders on the ground and those trying to rebuild. I appreciate Senator Welch taking on the challenge to create an expedited, more efficient, and flexible emergency management system,” said Governor Phil Scott.  
    “The Town of Barton, Vermont, has been hit two years in a row on the same date by disastrous flooding. The unknowns of funding around that have us delaying needed normal maintenance until FEMA funds are received to cover flooding repairs, and slowing down the repairs to make sure those funds flow in before the next project is underway. This unknown funding element has the Town worrying as we look to the future instead of confident FEMA will have our backs. Our ability to prepare for and mitigate the next storm is significantly impacted by our unwillingness to overextend ourselves in case FEMA funding does not come through. This puts us at greater risk of damage if another storm were to come before we have completed recovery from the prior two,” said Kristin Atwood, Barton Town Clerk.   
    “Vermont municipalities can’t prepare for or recover from a disaster without the federal government’s help. Nearly every municipal leader impacted by recent flooding in Vermont has told me that FEMA has been difficult to work with. I’m pleased to see Senator Welch proposing reforms to address these concerns. The ballooning federal bureaucracy, rotating FEMA staff, inconsistent funding, and requirement to take on debt have combined to make recovering from the flooding here in Vermont another disaster. The Disaster AID Act addresses these challenges by providing technical assistance to municipalities before a disaster hits, providing disaster aid immediately to reduce the debt towns need to take on, and cutting down on the red tape communities need to navigate to access federal assistance,” said Ted Brady, Executive Director of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.   
    “Having helped dozens of towns to recover from devastating floods, we know firsthand that FEMA’s procedures are a barrier to accessing critical funds. Friends of the Winooski River appreciates Senator Welch’s efforts to improve access to the resources our communities desperately need for flood recovery and future health and safety,” said Michele Braun, Executive Director of the Friends of the Winooski River.  
    “FEMA provides critical resources and structure for disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery, but it needs reform to make it work better for people and their communities. I don’t think there’s disagreement there, including among FEMA rank and file personnel. Congress needs to act. What is needed, and what this bill would do, is build state and local capacity to prepare, mitigate, respond, and recover while making more efficient and effective use of federal resources,” said Chris Campany, Executive Director of the Windham Regional Commission, and Chair of the Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies (VAPDA) Emergency Management Committee.  
    “While it is far from perfect, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has repeatedly proven to be a critical part of disaster response here in Central Vermont.  I commend Senator Peter Welch for his efforts to improve FEMA’s process and provide support to small municipalities as we struggle to navigate the bureaucracy to help our communities recover.  The Disaster Assistance and Decentralization Act takes important steps to reform and strengthen federal disaster response so that cities and towns across the country can recover more quickly and make critical investments in future resilience,” said Jon Copans, Executive Director, Montpelier Commission for Recovery and Resilience.  
    “One thing that became clear very quickly after the 2023 flood is that if you’ve seen one small town dealing with a disaster, you’ve seen one small town dealing with a disaster. The impacts on homes, businesses, and infrastructure, were all significant, but they were different depending on the community—and the capacity of municipalities to respond and support residents varied widely. While FEMA representatives were on the ground and well-intentioned, the truth is they were often more prepared to tell people what they couldn’t do because of regulations than to help them rebuild their lives. We need the federal government to meet people where they are—regardless of the size of the community or the scale of the disaster—and provide tailored technical assistance, financial support, and, most importantly, hope.” said Ben Doyle, Executive Director of the Preservation Trust of Vermont.  
    “We are very appreciative of Senator Welch’s proposal to reform FEMA and how it interacts with Vermonters. His proposal explicitly enables regional planning commissions to work as agents of municipalities when interacting with FEMA. We were pleased to offer this idea and even more pleased to help our communities,” said Peter Gregory, Executive Director of the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC).   
    “The City of Barre was hit hard by the 2023 and 2024 floods, and we are grateful to the many people who have and continue to help us rebuild better and stronger. While we’ve made significant progress, there’s much more work to be done. We are grateful to Senator Welch for proposing a commonsense solution that would provide technical assistance, simplified procedures and support for long-term resiliency to municipalities that are in need. We need to fix FEMA, not kill it,” said Thom Lauzon, Mayor of Barre City.   
    “Hardwick has faced devastating impacts from back-to-back floods in 2023 and 2024, with repeated damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure along the Lamoille River. One example is 41 Brush Street, a residential property now hanging precariously over the riverbank due to severe erosion. The home is slated for a FEMA-funded buyout, and additional stabilization is needed to protect surrounding properties. FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program is essential for communities like ours, not only for rebuilding but for implementing long-term solutions that reduce future risk. Without sustained and accessible funding, rural towns will be left in a cycle of damage and short-term fixes. Senator Welch’s Disaster AID Act provides a path toward more timely and effective recovery, especially for Vermont’s hardest-hit towns,” said Kristen Leahy, Zoning and Floodplain Administrator and Resilience & Adaption Coordinator for Hardwick.  
    “The support for small towns in Senator Welch’s Disaster AID Act is crucial in enabling towns in Vermont and nationwide to obtain the expert assistance they require in responding to disasters, as well as identifying, designing and funding mitigation projects. Five months after the July 2023 flood in Weston, we applied for and received an MTAP grant that allowed us to retain professional help to guide us through the grant maze and get a head start on modeling the flooding and designing mitigation projects. Our hope is that with passage of the Disaster AID Act, this sort of assistance will be available soon after the next (inevitable) disaster event so our town fathers and mothers aren’t wringing their hands trying to figure out what to do, how to do it and how to pay for it,” said Jim Linville, Selectboard Vice Chair and Recovery Director of Weston.  
    “Vermont has experienced multiple federally-declared disasters since 2023 which laid bare Vermont municipalities’ need for additional technical assistance,” said ANR Secretary Julie Moore. “The Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization Act would help fill this critical need. In particular, we are grateful to Sen. Welch for his continued efforts to simplify procedures for complex relocation projects for critical facilities, such as the wastewater treatment facilities in Johnson, Hardwick and Ludlow – all of which have experienced repeated flood damage.”  
    “The BRIC program greatly improved Vermont’s ability to do the planning and scoping work necessary in order to develop important flood reduction projects in our communities,” said Stephanie Smith, Vermont Hazard Mitigation Section Chief. “This legislation represents a fundamental shift in the way we administer hazard mitigation funding that would allow us to successfully and efficiently utilize federal resources to reduce future flood risk in Vermont.”  
    “Like many rural towns in Vermont, Lyndon is not blessed with a large staff to handle the volume of paperwork required to receive funding from FEMA when a disaster occurs.  Many towns in rural Vermont are not even fortunate enough to have a Municipal Administrator or Manager in place to handle the paper trail and are forced to rely solely on volunteers in their community. We understand and support the necessity of ensuring that funds are being properly spent and accounted for.  However, there is a strong need to create a system where communities have one point of contact throughout the entirety of a declared disaster. Small Vermont communities such as ours, do not have the resources or the personnel work hours to start and re-start the process of disaster re-imbursement from scratch because a FEMA PDMG has reached their 50-week time limit and must move on,” said Justin Smith, Municipal Administrator for the Town of Lyndon. “Taking away a single employee from their normal day to day responsibilities to devote to disaster recovery severely understaffs any rural community, and extending this length of time attempting to get a new PDMG or multiple PDMGs up to speed is time and money that rural communities don’t have the luxury of wasting.”  
    “The Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization (AID) Act will provide critical assistance to communities impacted by flooding and other disasters. The bill’s provisions will get assistance into the hands of those who need it more rapidly following disasters. In Vermont and communities across the country, investments in hazard mitigation projects enabled by the Act, like reconnecting rivers to floodplains that store and dissipate the energy of floodwaters, will make communities safer and ensure we are prepared for the future in a way that also supports healthy ecosystems,” said Beverley Wemple, Director of the University of Vermont’s Water Resources Institute. “Thank you, Senator Welch, for introducing this important piece of legislation that will support all Americans in meeting the challenges of future natural disasters.”  
    •••
    Over the course of consecutive summers in July 2023 and July 2024, Vermont experienced severe storms which caused catastrophic flooding, washouts, and mudslides. Homes, farms, businesses, and public infrastructure were destroyed, and communities were left reeling. In the immediate aftermath of the destruction, FEMA provided lifesaving on-the-ground assistance, working with local organizations and the state. In the long-term, however, FEMA’s response has not met the needs of communities.   
    Many of Vermont’s towns operate with limited resources and lack the administrative capacity needed to navigate the complex web of federal disaster assistance—especially in the aftermath of a brutal flood. FEMA has failed to provide necessary support and burdensome FEMA policies have slowed or blocked communities from accessing federal funds. Towns were not empowered to capitalize on their understanding of conditions on the ground. To make matters worse, under the Trump Administration, communities must now contend with uncertain federal funding streams, including for reimbursement of projects already approved and under way.  
    Senator Welch’s Disaster AID Act will cut red tape and ease cumbersome requirements that restrict state and local governments from tailoring solutions to local circumstances. The bill will also provide technical and financial resources for small towns and communities that lack administrative capacity, and restrain future administrations from arbitrarily turning off the funding spigot for communities in the midst of disaster recovery.  
    Learn more about the Disaster AID Act.  
    Read a section-by-section summary of the Disaster AID Act.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

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    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLcnzbAicfY

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