Latest news with #MSP
Business Insider
3 hours ago
- Business Insider
An Air Force command halted its use of Sig Sauer's M18 handgun following an airman's death
The Air Force command that oversees America's arsenal of long-range nuclear-capable bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles has decided to stop providing troops with Sig Sauer M18 pistols following a recent fatality. In a statement shared with Business Insider, AFGSC spokesperson Charles "Moose" Hoffman confirmed the pause, adding that the decision was made after the death of a Security Forces airman at the base on Sunday morning. Air Force Security Forces personnel are a military form of law enforcement and often work in base protection. "Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety and security of our personnel, the pause will remain in place pending the completion of comprehensive investigations by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the AFGSC Safety office," Hoffman wrote, adding that airmen will now carry their rifles only for the time being. "While the investigations are underway, AFGSC is collaborating with the Air Force Security Forces Center and Headquarters Air Force Security Forces to conduct a thorough review of the M18 and develop appropriate corrective measures," the statement said. Hoffman said that "Security Forces Combat Arms Airmen at all AFGSC bases will conduct 100% inspections of the M18 handguns to identify any immediate safety concerns." The Air Force did not specify whether a negligent discharge with the pistol caused the airman's death, saying only that the incident is under investigation and that "the discharge has not been categorized yet." Sig Sauer did not respond to BI's request for comment on the recent Air Force decision. The M18 and M17 are military-specific variants of the P320 platform, which is also sold on the civilian market. The airman's death and AFGSC's decision to halt the use of the M18 come amid a history of reported safety issues associated with the P320-series weapons and their firing system. The handgun has been the subject of complaints and lawsuits in recent years. Michigan State Police, for instance, reported problems with the pistol in 2024 after one was fired while still holstered by a police officer, according to the military news outlet The War Zone. An FBI report detailing the incident said that in July 2024, the police officer's "department issued Sig Sauer M182 fired uncommanded," while holstered. "According to the MSP motor officer's statement and the statements of others present, at no time was the trigger pressed intentionally or inadvertently," the report stated, explaining that "the MSP motor officer had objects in his hands at the time." It said he was holding his keys. TWZ reported that incidents involving 'uncommanded' discharges have been associated with the P320 and its variants before. A recent lawsuit against the manufacturer was filed by a widow who alleged that her husband died last year after his P320 fired uncommanded. A 2023 joint investigation by The Washington Post and The Trace uncovered 100 similar incidents and found 80 people who said they were wounded by their gun's uncommanded discharge. Other government and law enforcement agencies have sought to ban the weapon, but legal proceedings against Sig Sauer are poised to become more challenging for plaintiffs. The New Hampshire-based firearms company has successfully sought increased legal protections from the state's lawmakers amid the lawsuits filed in response to safety concerns, according to New Hampshire Public Radio.
Mint
5 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
India steps up global push for rare earth security amid China curbs
With China enforcing stringent controls on rare earth magnet exports, India has intensified its global outreach to safeguard the critical mineral supply chains, the government told Parliament on Wednesday. The government has initiated bilateral talks with Brazil and the Dominican Republic, and has also deepened engagement with multilateral platforms to build cooperation around rare earth elements and critical mineral security, Jitendra Singh, minister of state (independent charge) for science and technology, and the department of atomic energy, said. Apart from other portfolios, Singh also holds charge of the ministry of earth sciences. The union ministry of mines is engaged in these inter-governmental talks to sign memorandums of understanding, while the ministry of external affairs has tapped into relevant stakeholders to alleviate challenges arising from China's stranglehold over rare earth magnets, the minister's statement said. Rare earth magnets, essential to sectors like defence, electronics, clean mobility and renewable energy, have become a focal point of global strategic competition, with China holding a dominant position in their processing and trade. India has exported 18 tonnes of rare earth minerals over the last decade, the minister's written reply to Parliament said. It said India has approximately 7.23 million tonnes of rare earth oxides, which are processed to make magnets used in key strategic sectors such as defence, electronics, renewable energy, and clean mobility. "Additionally, Geological Survey of India (GSI) has augmented 482.6 Mt resources of REE (rare earth elements) ore at various cut-off grades in 34 exploration projects," the government said. It said the mines ministry has initiated talks with mineral-rich nations such as Australia, Argentina, Zambia, Peru, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Cote D'Ivoire as well as international organizations, such as the International Energy Agency (IEA). The ministry is also engaging with platforms such as the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). India's engagement with multilateral platforms is largely dependent on the US. The MSP is a US-led alliance of 14 countries, including India, and was set up in 2022 to secure critical mineral supply chains by reducing dependence on any one particular country. The IPEF is a similar US-led alliance of 14 countries, focusing on collaborative policies on trade, supply chains, clean energy, and decarbonisation. The iCET is a bilateral agreement between India and the US for collaboration in technology, including artificial intelligence and semiconductors. "Critical minerals such as lithium, graphite, cobalt, titanium, rare earth elements, etc., are demand intensive due to their strategic uses in various sectors, viz., electric vehicles, renewable energy and defence," the government said. "In case of any further development in rare earth mineral exports to Japan, efforts shall be undertaken to mitigate the disruptions," the government statement said. India had suspended its rare earth mineral export to Japan after China halted export of magnets made of the same material, according to a Reuters report on 15 June, citing unnamed sources. Mint had reported on 7 July that Indian importers rushed to purchase permanent magnets, including rare earth magnets, at a premium from China, ahead of the export control order issued on 4 April.
Malay Mail
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Pahang Sports Council urges public caution over fake Sukma apparel sold on social media
KUANTAN, July 23 — The Pahang Sports Council (MSP) has denied involvement in any sales activity, particularly concerning official Malaysia Games (SUKMA) apparel. In a statement, MSP clarified that it has never appointed any individual or company to sell official SUKMA Pahang apparel via any social media platform, including Facebook. 'We have detected several Facebook posts claiming to sell SUKMA apparel in the name of the Pahang Sports Council,' the statement said. MSP also advised the public to remain cautious and not be deceived by dubious offers, and to report any relevant information to MSP via its official phone number or email to avoid being scammed. 'All matters related to official SUKMA apparel will only be announced through MSP's official channels, including its website and verified social media accounts,' the council said. — Bernama
Barnama
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Barnama
MSP Denies Involvement In Sale Of SUKMA Apparel Via Social Media
KUANTAN, July 23 (Bernama) -- The Pahang Sports Council (MSP) has denied involvement in any sales activity, particularly concerning official Malaysia Games (SUKMA) apparel. In a statement, MSP clarified that it has never appointed any individual or company to sell official SUKMA Pahang apparel via any social media platform, including Facebook. 'We have detected several Facebook posts claiming to sell SUKMA apparel in the name of the Pahang Sports Council,' the statement said.
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Punjab's paddy trap: Despite years of diversification push, state set for another season of water-guzzling crop
Despite years of policy push, expert recommendations, and farmer outreach on the need for crop diversification, Punjab remains firmly caught in the grip of paddy cultivation. As of July 21, the state has completed paddy sowing on 30.95 lakh hectares, nearly matching last year's highest-ever figure of 32.44 lakh hectares, a clear indication that a meaningful change in cropping patterns remains elusive. According to data from the Punjab Agriculture Department, of the total paddy area sown so far, 25.20 lakh hectares is under non-Basmati paddy, the water-intensive variety largely grown for government procurement, while 5.78 lakh hectares is under Basmati, which is mainly exported and doesn't come under Minimum Support Price (MSP). Sowing is still ongoing and is expected to inch closer to or equal to last year's figures. The grim reality underscores a recurring concern: while diversification has remained a buzzword in policy circles and press conferences, on the ground, farmers continue to rely on paddy as their primary Kharif crop due to assured procurement by the government and a lack of equally profitable alternatives, such as Kharif maize, cotton, and Basmati. In stark contrast, maize cultivation — often promoted as a key alternative in kharif season due to its relatively low water requirement — has only managed to cover 87,374 hectares in the entire state so far. District-wise, Hoshiarpur leads with 36,000 hectares, followed by Ropar (21,050 hectares), SBS Nagar (8,255 hectares), Pathankot (6,880 hectares), SAS Nagar (4,385 hectares) and Jalandhar (4,350 hectares). Agriculture experts say this skewed sowing pattern continues to jeopardise Punjab's already depleted groundwater reserves. 'Year after year, we talk of diversification, but paddy remains the default crop. Without strong incentives, robust marketing systems for alternative crops like maize or pulses, and a major shift in procurement policy, we will keep circling back to the same crisis,' said an agriculture official who wished not to be named. Farmers, meanwhile, cite economic compulsions. 'Paddy offers assured returns through MSP procurement, while maize markets are unpredictable. There is no safety net if we experiment and fail. Moreover, the yield of Kharif maize is much lower than that of paddy — maize yields range from 22 to 25 quintals per acre, whereas paddy yields range from 28 to 36 quintals per acre, depending on the variety,' said a farmer from Jalandhar. 'The government-announced MSP for maize is Rs 2,400 per quintal, slightly higher than paddy's Rs 2,389 per quintal but paddy's yield is much higher. However, maize is not procured by the government, and private players offer rates far below the MSP. So, only those farmers whose land is unsuitable for paddy, or those who have contracts with ethanol-producing companies, opt for Kharif maize,' added the farmer. As sowing draws to a close, Punjab once again finds itself trapped in a pattern that threatens both its environment and the long-term sustainability of agriculture. Unless bold, structural changes are implemented, the discussion around diversification may remain just that — mere talk, said an expert from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. He pointed out that even PAU experts appear more focused on developing high-yielding paddy and wheat varieties, rather than promoting the research of the seeds of alternative crops at the same pace.
