NewzIntel.com

Category: CTF

  • MIL-OSI USA: Photophoretic Propulsion Enabling Mesosphere Exploration

    Source: NASA

    Igor BargatinUniversity of Pennsylvania
    We propose to use the photophoretic levitation and propulsion mechanism to create no-moving-parts flying vehicles that can be used to explore Earth’s upper atmosphere. The photophoretic force arises when a solid is heated relative to the ambient gas through illumination, inducing momentum exchange between the solid and the gas. The force creates lift in structures that absorb light on the bottom yet stay cool on the top, and we engineered our plate mechanical metamaterials to maximize this lift force and payload. The levitation and payload capabilities of our plates typically peak at ambient pressures in the 0.1-1000 Pa range, ideal for applications in Earth’s mesosphere and Mars’s low gravity and thin atmosphere. For example, in the Earth’s mesosphere (i.e., at altitudes from ~50 to ~80 km), the air is too thin for conventional airplanes or balloons but too thick for satellites, such that measurements can be performed for only a few minutes at a time during the short flight of a research rocket. However, the range of ambient pressures in the mesosphere (1-100 Pa) is nearly optimal for our plates’ payload capabilities. Phase 2 of the proposal focuses on the scalable fabrication of Knudsen pump structures that will enable missions with kg-scale payloads in the mesosphere as well as trajectory control with 1 m/s velocity control in existing stratospheric balloon vehicles.
    2025 Selections

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mars Roundtrip Success Enabled by Integrated Cooling through Inductively Coupled LED Emission (MaRS ICICLE)

    Source: NASA

    Aaswath Pattabhi RamanUniversity of California, Los Angeles
    Exploration of Mars has captivated the public in recent decades with high-profile robotic missions and the images they have acquired seeding our collective imagination. NASA is actively planning for human exploration of Mars and laid out some of the key capabilities that must be developed to execute successful, cost-effective programs that would put human beings on the surface of another planet and bring them home safely. Efficient, flexible and productive round-trip missions will be key to further human exploration of Mars. New round-trip mission concepts however need substantially improved long-duration storage of cryogenic propellants in various space environments; relevant propellants include liquid Hydrogen (LH2) for high specific impulse Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) which can be deployed in strategic locations in advance of a mission. If enabled, such LH2 storage tanks could be used to refill a crewed Mars Transfer Vehicle (MTV) to send and bring astronauts home quickly, safely, and cost-effectively. A well-designed cryogenic propellant storage tank can reflect the vast majority of photons incident on the spacecraft, but not all. In thermal environments like Low Earth Orbit (LEO), there is residual heating due to light directly from the Sun, sunlight reflected off Earth, and blackbody thermal radiation from Earth. Over time, this leads to some of the propellant molecules absorbing the requisite latent heat of vaporization, entering the gas phase, and ultimately being released into space to prevent an unsustainable build-up of pressure in the tank. This slow “boil-off” process leads to significant losses of the cryogenic liquid into space, potentially leaving it with insufficient mass and greatly limiting Mars missions. We propose a breakthrough mission concept: an ultra-efficient round-trip Mars mission with zero boil off of propellants. This will be enabled by low-cost, efficient cryogenic liquid storage capable of storing LH2 and LOx with ZBO even in the severe and fluctuating thermal environment of LEO. To enable this capability, the propellant tanks in our mission will employs thin, lightweight, all-solid-state panels attached to the tank’s deep-space-facing surfaces that utilize a long-understood but as-yet-unrealized cooling technology known as Electro-Luminescent Cooling (ELC) to reject heat from cold solid surfaces as non-equilibrium thermal radiation with significantly more power density than Planck’s Law permits for equilibrium thermal radiation. Such a propellant tank would drastically lower the cost and complexity of propulsion systems for crewed Mars missions and other deep space exploration by allowing spacecraft to refill propellant tanks after reaching orbit rather than launching on the much larger rocket required to lift the spacecraft in a single-use stage. To achieve ZBO, a storage spacecraft must keep the storage tank’s temperature below the boiling point of the cryogen (e.g., < 90 K for LOx and < 20 K for liquid H2). Achieving this in LEO-like thermal environments requires both excellent reflectivity toward sunlight and thermal radiation from the Earth, Mars and other nearby bodies as well as a power-efficient cooling mechanism to remove what little heat inevitably does leak in, a pair of conditions ideally suited to the ELC cooling systems that will makes our full return-trip mission to Mars a success. 2025 Selections

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gravity Poppers: Hopping Probes for the Interior Mapping of Small Solar System Bodies

    Source: NASA

    Benjamin HockmanNASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    The goal of this effort is to develop a robust and affordable mission architecture that enables the gravimetric density reconstruction of small body interiors to unprecedented precision. Our architecture relies on the novel concept of “Gravity Poppers,” which are small, minimalistic probes that are deployed to the surface of a small body and periodically “pop” so as to perpetuate a random hopping motion around the body. By tracking a large swarm of poppers from orbit, a mother spacecraft can precisely estimate their trajectories and continuously refine a high-resolution map of the body’s gravity field, and thus, its internal mass distribution. Hopping probes are also equipped with minimalistic in-situ sensors to measure the surface temperature (when landed) and strength (when bouncing) in order to complement the gravity field and build a more accurate picture of the interior. The Phase I study focused on feasibility assessment of three core technologies that enable such a mission: (1) the mechanical design of hopping probes to be small, simple, robust, and “visible” to a distant spacecraft, (2) the tracking strategy for detecting and estimating the trajectories of a large number of ballistic probes, and (3) the algorithmic framework by which such measurements can be used to iteratively refine a gravity model of the body. The key finding was that the concept is feasible, and demonstrated to have the potential to resolve extremely accurate gravity models, allowing scientists to localize density anomalies such as “weighing” large boulders on the surface. This Phase II Proposal aims to further develop these three core technologies through continued mission trade studies and sensitivity analysis, case studies for simulated missions, and hardware prototypes demonstrating both hopping behavior and tracking performance.
    2025 Selections

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Register Today for the 2025 IAM Union Human Rights Conference – “Breaking Barriers”

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    The IAM Union is proud to announce the 2025 Human Rights Conference, taking place September 24 – 26, 2025, at the Hilton Atlanta (255 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303).

    This year’s theme, “Breaking Barriers,” reflects the IAM’s shared commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive union. The conference will bring together IAM human rights activists, women’s rights advocates, young workers, and community leaders from across North America. 

    The Hilton Atlanta is offering a special discounted rate of $189 per night (plus tax) for single or double occupancy. To receive the discounted rate, you must register for the conference first by visiting: cvent.me/1Ml0ya

    After registering, you’ll receive instructions to book your hotel room. Space is limited, so early registration is strongly encouraged to lock in your room and rate.

    Through workshops, panels, and networking sessions, IAM members will gain the tools to help break down systemic barriers and build a union that reflects the dignity, diversity, and strength of all its members.

    Click here for the official call letter and early registration details.

    For any questions, reach out to the IAM Human Rights Department at 301-967-4747 or email IAMHumanRights@iamaw.org.

    The post Register Today for the 2025 IAM Union Human Rights Conference – “Breaking Barriers” appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Inspecting Homes Affected by March and April Storms

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency 2

    FEMA Inspecting Homes Affected by March and April Storms

    LITTLE ROCK – After Arkansas residents apply for FEMA assistance, a home inspection may be necessary to verify damage from the March 14-15 or April 2-22 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.Homeowners and renters in Greene, Hot Spring, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, Sharp and Stone counties can apply for FEMA assistance for losses not covered by insurance for the March storms.Homeowners and renters in Clark, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Desha, Fulton, Hot Spring, Jackson, Miller, Ouachita, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Sharp, St. Francis and White counties can apply for the April storms.Within 10 days after applying, a FEMA inspector may contact applicants to schedule an appointment. The call or text to schedule an inspection will probably come from an out-of-state phone number.Information gathered during the inspection is one of several criteria used by FEMA to determine if applicants are approved for federal assistance. If survivors have already made repairs or replaced damaged items, although not required, it may be helpful to have pictures of the damage and receipts for repair or replacement. Applicants should also have their insurance policy available.The housing inspector will consider:The structural soundness of the home, both inside and outside.Whether the electrical, gas, heat, plumbing and sewer/septic systems are all in working order.Whether the home is safe to live in and can be entered and exited safely.All FEMA representatives carry photo identification. Inspectors will never ask for or accept money. Their service is free. A home inspection may take up to 45 minutes to complete. After the inspection, applicants should allow seven to 10 days for processing. For questions about the status of an application, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4865 or fema.gov/disaster/4873. Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x.com/FEMARegion6 and at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/. 
    joy.li
    Tue, 05/27/2025 – 13:52

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Guidance for SIEM and SOAR Implementation

    News In Brief – Source: US Computer Emergency Readiness Team

    Today, CISA, in collaboration with the Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD’s ACSC) and other international and U.S. partners, released new guidance for organizations seeking to procure Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platforms.

    This guidance includes the following three resources:

    • Implementing SIEM and SOAR Platforms – Executive Guidance outlines how executives can enhance their organization’s cybersecurity framework by implementing these technologies to improve visibility into network activities, enabling swift detection and response to cyber threats.
    • Implementing SIEM and SOAR Platforms – Practitioner Guidance focuses on how practitioners can quickly identify and respond to potential cybersecurity threats and leverage these technologies to streamline incident response processes by automating predefined actions based on detected anomalies.
    • Priority Logs for SIEM Ingestion – Practitioner Guidance offers insights for prioritizing log ingestion into a SIEM, ensuring that critical data sources are effectively collected and analyzed to enhance threat detection and incident response capabilities tailored for organizations.

    CISA encourages organizations to review this guidance and implement the recommended best practices to strengthen their cybersecurity. For access to the guidance documents, please visit CISA’s SIEM and SOAR Resource page.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE arrests convicted rapist after local jurisdiction fails to honor immigration detainer

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BALTIMORE — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested an illegally present, 20-year-old Honduran national convicted of second-degree rape in Maryland. Officers with ICE Baltimore arrested Alex Yonatan Flores-Arce, May 22 after the Howard County Detention Center failed to honor an ICE immigration detainer and released Flores back into the community on two separate occasions.

    “The decision by Howard County Detention Center to ignore our immigration detainer and release a removable individual with an egregious criminal history undermines public safety and put Maryland communities at risk,” said ICE Baltimore acting Field Office Director Nikita Baker. “This failure is not an isolated incident, but part of a concerning pattern we see all too often. ICE Baltimore remains committed to prioritizing public safety. Working together with local jurisdictions is the only way to keep our neighborhoods safe and uphold the rule of law.”

    On March 12, 2019, the U.S. Border Patrol encountered Flores near El Paso, Texas, and served him a notice to appear.

    The Howard County Police Department arrested and charged Flores with second-degree rape Oct.17, 2024. The Circuit Court for Howard County convicted Flores April 29 and sentenced him to 15 years of confinement and five years of supervised probation.

    ICE lodged an immigration detainer on Flores with Howard County Department of Corrections Jan. 13. On May 5, the department failed to honor the immigration detainer and released Flores from custody.

    The Howard County Police Department arrested and charged Flores with a violation of probation May 8.

    ICE Baltimore’s Fugitive Operations team arrested Flores at large as he walked out of the detention center. Flores has a final administrative removal order and will remain in ICE custody.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROBaltimore.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Appeal for information following fatal Castlecliff crash

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Please attribute to Sergeant Mark Taylor

    Whanganui Police are investigating a fatal crash in Castlecliff on Sunday, and are appealing to the public for any information.

    About 4.10pm on Sunday 25 May, a motorcycle crashed into a parked car on Seafront Road. Sadly, the 25-year-old male rider died a short time later.

    Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the crash or saw any motorcycles in the Castlecliff area from 2pm to 6pm on 25 May.

    Disappointingly, after the rider crashed and before emergency services arrived, a group of people on motorbikes took the crash victim’s bike. We need the public’s help and want to hear from anyone who can help us identify those individuals, or anyone who has descriptions, photos, or video of them.

    We are also asking people in the Castlecliffe area to check their road-facing CCTV, or dashcams, and contact us if they have any footage that may help us.

    If you know anything about the crash or where the motorcycle may have been taken, please get in touch.

    You can contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or by calling 105 and quoting file number 250525/2731.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: SOLUM Expands Production Capacity and Accelerates Retail Digitalization Across North America

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SEOUL, South Korea, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SOLUM, a global leader in electronic shelf labels (ESL) and digital retail solutions, is strengthening its global leadership by scaling production and securing key wins across major retail markets. As demand for smart retail technology continues to rise, SOLUM is emerging as a core enabler of retail digital transformation worldwide.

    In April 2025, SOLUM’s Vietnam manufacturing facility shipped a record 6.26 million ESL units, the highest monthly volume since the site’s inception. Production value reached KRW 59.6 billion, marking a 33% increase year-over-year. In May, the company expects shipments to exceed 7 million units, with production value approaching KRW 100 billion—a milestone that could mark the plant’s highest monthly performance to date.

    This output growth is the result of long-term investment in production automation. Since 2020, SOLUM has introduced multi-phase automation lines for ESL performance testing. Its flagship Newton 2.9-inch model is now fully automated, and semi-automated lines have been optimized to further increase output. Despite a 27% reduction in workforce compared to the 2022 average, per-person productivity has improved, supported by tighter quality control. As of 2024, defect rates dropped to 18 ppm, well below industry norms.

    _____________________

    North America: Demonstrating ESL Value in High-Volume Grocery Chains

    SOLUM has firmly established its North American presence by supplying ESLs to more than 1,000 stores operated by Canada’s largest retail group. The implementation has been particularly impactful in grocery environments where product turnover and price variability demand real-time responsiveness. SOLUM’s ESL system supports dynamic pricing, automated markdowns, and simultaneous display of member and promotional pricing across thousands of SKUs.

    “ESLs deliver their highest value in complex environments like grocery stores, where frequent price changes and high operational demands are the norm. Our partnership with Canada’s largest retailer represents a turning point in the region’s digital transformation. We’re aiming for a 70% market share in Canada’s ESL segment,” noted CW Ahn, CEO of SOLUM America.

    To support this growth, SOLUM has established a local sales entity in Canada and is expanding its technical and sales teams. The company recently signed a new contract with one of Canada’s Top 3 grocery groups, further enhancing its leadership in the region.

    The company’s North America lead stated, “We’re evolving from a hardware vendor into a solution partner. Beyond large enterprise clients, our long-term vision includes empowering small and mid-sized retailers to adopt ESL through a SaaS-based platform. Our organizational growth reflects this shift toward platform-driven retail technology.”

    _____________________

    Platform-Led Leadership in Smart Retail

    As global demand for digital retail solutions accelerates, SOLUM continues to lead through a powerful combination of manufacturing scale, premium quality, and technology integration.

    Its Newton ESL lineup supports full product customization, while upcoming solutions—including BLE-based trace tags and handheld terminals—will offer retailers greater operational control and visibility. These initiatives mark SOLUM’s evolution from a hardware supplier to a platform-based smart retail partner.

    “SOLUM isn’t just following global retail trends—we’re helping shape them,” said Steve Jun, Head of ESL Division, at SOLUM. “With proven success across North America and Europe, we’re committed to delivering intelligent, future-ready solutions that drive the next phase of retail innovation.”

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6e8f1b89-47c2-4284-a84f-b72a4a452faa

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Red Cat Partners with ESAero to Support Manufacturing for Teal’s Black Widow™

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT) (“Red Cat”), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, today announced a partnership with ESAero to provide critical AS9100 manufacturing capacity for the Black Widow sUAS and its subsystems. The AS9100 standard ensures a manufacturer has a quality management system in place to meet the stringent requirements of the aerospace industry.

    Teal Drones is a wholly owned subsidiary of Red Cat Holdings. The company’s Black Widow drone is a small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) designed for short-range reconnaissance (SRR) missions. The system, which was down selected for the U.S. Army’s SRR Program of Record contract, provides military operators with improved situational awareness, autonomous capabilities, and rugged performance in contested environments.

    “As we ramp up production of the Black Widow to fulfill our SRR contracts and meet growing demand from U.S. and international customers, securing high-quality, aerospace-certified manufacturing capacity is critical,” said Jeff Thompson, Red Cat CEO. “ESAero’s facilities, combined with their deep engineering expertise, make them an ideal partner for Red Cat. This collaboration supports our ability to scale manufacturing, focus on continuous improvement, and deliver mission-ready sUAS platforms to the warfighters that depend on them.”

    ESAero is committed to supporting Red Cat’s mission of delivering high-quality Made-in-America sUAS to its customers and the warfighter. With multiple AS9100-certified manufacturing facilities located in San Luis Obispo, CA, ESAero is well-positioned to enhance the production throughput of Teal’s technologies for key customers. ESAero’s vertically integrated facilities and robust supply chain are perfectly suited to bolster the production of components and subsystems for Black Widow in a schedule-driven manner.

    “We have had a great relationship with Red Cat over the past year and a half supporting various developments, including the Teal 2 and Black Widow,” said Andrew Gibson, President, CEO, and Co-Founder of ESAero. “During this time, we have made significant investments in our manufacturing capability for producing Group I – III UAS at scale, which we are thrilled to now provide to Red Cat and Teal. We believe this partnership will effectively and efficiently provide Teal the capacity they need to meet the production needs of their customers and the warfighter.”

    Red Cat and ESAero recognize the importance of strong partnerships within America’s industrial base to meet the critical production needs of the warfighter. By combining Teal’s core technology with ESAero’s proven ability to scale production of advanced systems, Black Widow will be well positioned to be deployed rapidly and reliably.

    About Red Cat Holdings, Inc.

    Red Cat (Nasdaq: RCAT) is a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations. Through two wholly owned subsidiaries, Teal Drones and FlightWave Aerospace, Red Cat has developed a leading-edge Family of Systems. This includes the flagship Black Widow™, a small unmanned ISR system that was awarded the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program of Record contract. The Family of Systems also includes TRICHON™, a fixed wing VTOL for extended endurance and range, and FANG™, the industry’s first line of NDAA compliant FPV drones optimized for military operations with precision strike capabilities. Learn more at www.redcat.red.

    About Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero)

    ESAero produces Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and advanced aerospace technologies for commercial and military applications. An established leader in the field, ESAero has been demonstrating for decades its core competencies in the design and manufacturing of innovative, reliable, and scalable aircraft systems including power and battery management systems. Based in San Luis Obispo, California, ESAero provides vertically integrated AS9100 certified services in R&D, engineering, design for manufacturing, rapid prototyping, testing, and serialized production expanding in the thousands. With over 130,000 sq.ft., ESAero has the capacity, capability, and facilities to scale and accelerate manufacturing to support its partners and customers.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on Red Cat Holdings, Inc.’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2023. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and Red Cat Holdings, Inc. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

    Contact:

    INVESTORS:

    E-mail: Investors@redcat.red

    NEWS MEDIA:

    Phone: (347) 880-2895
    Email: peter@indicatemedia.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Smith Celebrate The “Kids to Parks Day” Resolution Passing in the Senate

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    May 27, 2025
    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today celebrated passage of their bipartisan resolution in the Senate that encourages children to get outdoors and promote healthy outdoor recreation by designating May 17, 2025, National Kids to Parks Day. 
    Kids to Parks Day is a national day of outdoor play celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May. The day encourages kids and families to take advantage of their local parks and public lands to promote healthy outdoor exploration. 
    “Celebrating the great outdoors and public lands is who we are as Oregonians,” Wyden said. “National Kids to Parks Day honors the natural treasures we have in Oregon and states around the country, while encouraging future generations to experience and learn from outdoor spaces. I am proud to continue celebrating this tradition that connects our children with the adventures and memories that come with exploring Oregon’s great outdoors.”
    “Spending time outdoors and in nature offers countless benefits – from better health to greater imagination, creativity, and learning,” Hyde-Smith said. “Kids to Parks Day reminds us to take every opportunity to explore and enjoy the outdoors.  Mississippi is lucky to have so many beautiful parks and natural areas where kids can get outside and connect with nature.”
    “We know that kids need parks, and parks need kids. For 15 years, National Park Trust’s Kids to Parks Day has inspired families to get outside, connect with nature, and support the parks they love. In 2025, that mission is more important than ever,” said Grace Lee, Executive Director of National Park Trust. “Furthermore, having bipartisan support from the United States Senate sends an important message nationwide about the key impact our parks have on our health and wellness.”
    Kids to Parks Day was celebrated Saturday, May 17, 2025.
    The text of the resolution is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Uninformed comments on autism are resonant of dangerous ideas about eugenics

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Cornelia Schneider, Associate Professor of Education, Mount Saint Vincent University

    Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health and human services secretary in the United States, held a recent news conference and made uninformed comments on autism. His remarks created an uproar, especially among people with autism and other disabilities.

    The news conference was related to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about autism.

    Among other comments, Kennedy Jr. said:

    “Autism destroys families, and more importantly, it destroys our greatest resource, which is our children. These are children who should not be
    suffering like this … And these are kids who will never pay taxes. They’ll never hold a job. They’ll never play baseball. They’ll never write a poem. They’ll never go out on a date. Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted.”

    Earlier, during a cabinet meeting, he promised to find the cause of autism by September.



    Read more:
    If Trump puts RFK Jr in charge of health, get ready for a distorted reality, where global health suffers

    We are researchers whose combined focus covers the rights of people with disabilities in educational systems and the history of disability in medical discourse. One of us is a sibling (Cornelia) and the other a parent (Martha) to people with intellectual disabilities.

    These comments were deeply worrisome for us due to their resonance of dangerous ideas espoused during the eugenics movement.

    Origins of eugenics

    Eugenics is the belief that society can and should be “improved” through selective breeding. It is based on a pseudo-scientific ranking of humans in a racist and ableist hierachy that judges non-white and disabled people to be the least desirable.

    During the height of the movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, eugenics was promoted by scientists, physicians, politicians and clergy, authoritative voices who encouraged the “fittest” to reproduce while recommending that those people with “undesirable” physical or intellectual traits be removed from society. Part of achieving this goal meant people with disabilities were sterilized or institutionalized.

    Eugenics was applied in its most extreme form in Nazi Germany during the 1930s and ‘40s. Six million Jews, and millions more people, including an estimated 250,000 people with disabilities, were killed.

    A formal condemnation of Nazi actions in the form of the Nuremberg Trials fostered a popular backlash to these Nazi horrors after the Second World War, resulting in a global repudiation of eugenic ideas and a gradual phasing out of practices such as sterilization and institutionalization of people with disabilities.

    ‘Eugenic logic’ seen in many places

    However, Kennedy Jr.’s comments remind us that eugenic ideas are alive and well, including, but not exclusively, amid the radical right and tech-enabled ideas about a return to “strongman” values.

    Eugenics ideas exist in the form of what bioethicist and humanities scholar Rosemarie Garland-Thomson calls “eugenic logic.” This is the ongoing belief that erasing disability and people with disabilities is a desirable and common-sense objective.

    The power of eugenics logic surrounds us. It shapes immigration policy that penalizes disability. It means reproductive technologies and medical practices are used to eliminate certain conditions that cause disabilities.

    For example, recently, the Québec College of Physicians called for legislation to allow the euthanasia of severely disabled infants. This also affirms the views of popular but controversial philosopher Peter Singer, who argues that babies with disabilities lack qualities of personhood and therefore could be killed.

    Linking human value to ‘productivity’

    RFK Jr.’s eugenics ideas resonate strongly today. They square politically with neoliberalism to create a form of ableism that regards the individual citizen as “an able-bodied entrepreneurial entity.”

    Neoliberal ableism links human value to their capacity to work, to what disability studies scholars Dan Goodley and Rebecca Lawthom refer to the ability to “productively contribute … bounded and cut off from others, capable, malleable and compliant.”

    People with autism, and others who cannot serve society in this way, threaten the neoliberal order and capitalism. They are seen as a detriment to society.

    Autism organizations heavily criticized Kennedy Jr. for his portrayal of autistic people as incapable.

    However, some critics unwittingly reinforced his neoliberal and eugenic framing of human value. These critics rightly contradicted Kennedy Jr. by pointing out that many people with autism have capabilities that he denied them. However, focusing on those abilities gave support to the devaluation of people with autism — and others with disabilities — who do not possess them, and who cannot be independent or will never be “productive workers.”

    The social model of disability

    Uninformed comments about autism by people in official health leadership positions threatens to undo decades of work that led to remarkable gains for people with disabilities.

    The 1970s and ‘80s saw the development of what disability activists and scholars discuss as the social model of disability. This shifted the understanding of disability away from the “problem” of individuals’ physical/intellectual conditions. Disability is seen as a mismatch of the interactions between the impairment and the barriers it faces in the (social) environment.

    This important shift in how disability is understood rejected the notion that disability is a personal fault or flaw. For the first time, it paid attention to environmental, financial and attitudinal barriers. It allowed people with disabilities unprecedented access to education and other aspects of society.

    The progress made remains fragile.

    Important to push back

    All who value human diversity and the continued expansion of the rights of people with disabilities must push back against eugenics politics.

    Political parties and broader society must commit to full participation and belonging of all people with disabilities by continuing to remove physical, attitudinal and financial barriers.

    Accessibility legislation at the federal and provincial levels must be implemented and enforced. In Canada, this includes the re-establishment of a federal minister for disabilities, a post that previously existed as minister of diversity, inclusion and persons with disabilities) but is lacking under the new Liberal government and its smaller cabinet.

    It means we need to heed the voices of disability advocates who have launched a court challenge against a key provision of Medical Assistance in Dying legislation. A recent version of this legislation accepts disability without a terminal condition as a reason to end life. As advocates recently told the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, this implies that a disabled life is not worth living.



    Read more:
    A dangerous path: Why expanding access to medical assistance in dying keeps us up at night

    Lived experiences must inform decisions

    The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (signed by the U.S.; signed and ratified by Canada) lays out the key ideas that Kennedy Jr. appears to reject: “Disability results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers.”

    The lived experiences of the disability community must always be included in political decision-making.

    It’s our responsibility to uphold and protect the human rights of all persons with disabilities, including those who require more intensive support.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Uninformed comments on autism are resonant of dangerous ideas about eugenics – https://theconversation.com/uninformed-comments-on-autism-are-resonant-of-dangerous-ideas-about-eugenics-256762

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ezell, Carter Introduce the Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program to Support Small Communities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Ezell (Mississippi 4th District)

    Congressman Mike Ezell (R-MS4) and Congressman Troy Carter (D-LA2) introduced the Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program Act to increase technical assistance to organizations assisting small communities who are trying to increase business through The United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) Research and National Technical Assistance (RNTA) grant program.

    “The Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program is a smart investment in the people and organizations that power local economies,” Ezell said. “By strengthening the operational and technical abilities of business district organizations, we’re laying the foundation for job creation, local wealth building, and an improved quality of life in underserved areas of South Mississippi. Through targeted technical assistance and better access to the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s RNTA grant program, we’re making sure small communities have the tools they need to build stronger, more competitive business districts and achieve lasting economic growth.”

    “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. This bipartisan legislation will help grow capacity in our business districts and create more equitable economic opportunities in Louisiana. It would increase vital resources for many organizations in my district that conduct critical, on-the-ground work to uplift small, local businesses. I’m proud to co-lead this effort again this Congress with Rep. Ezell,”  Carter said.

    “We applaud the introduction of the Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program and are grateful for Rep. Carter’s co-sponsorship of this important legislation and his continued support to Main Street districts and organizations across New Orleans and Louisiana,” Dasjon S. Jordan, Executive Director, Broad Community Connections said.

    “By strengthening existing place-making efforts and serving as a catalyst for economic growth and development by creating a sense of place and pride for the community, the Downtown Hattiesburg Association is improving the quality of life in Hattiesburg. Added resources for capacity and technical assistance to expand our work will increase our impact. We are grateful for Rep. Ezell’s support to make that vision a reality,” Marlo Dorsey, Board Member, Mississippi Main Street Association and Hattiesburg Downtown Association said.

    “Sankofa Community Development Corporation is excited about the Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program to offer opportunities to strengthen economic development initiatives. We initiated the Lower Ninth Ward Main Street project in alliance with a network of organizations, community stakeholders, and local businesses. We look forward to seeing its positive impact on the growth of small businesses and revitalization of our historic commercial corridor,” Rashida Ferdinand, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sankofa Community Development Corporation said.

    “As an organization dedicated to promoting, enhancing, and supporting our community’s downtown district, Main Street Pascagoula is incredibly thankful for Representative Mike Ezell’s support of the Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program. We are confident that this Program will prove tremendously impactful for our community and other districts engaged in revitalization efforts, and we look forward to what the future holds,” Susannah Northrop, Director, Main Street Pascagoula said.

    “Picayune Main Street’s mission is to preserve the historic character and integrity of our community’s downtown commercial and residential district, as well as to enhance the culture and quality of life through active community involvement. While we have seen successes, the additional support enabled through the Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program would equip our organization to take this mission to new heights, facilitating small business growth, job creation, and enhanced quality of place for our community,” Reba Beebe, Director, Picayune Main Street, Inc. said.

    “The Mississippi Main Street Association is thankful for Representative Ezell’s leadership of this legislation. As Mississippi’s leading organization for preservation-based community and economic development, we are excited about the potential of this funding to strengthen our network of organizations committed to supporting our downtowns and small businesses,” Jim Miller, Executive Director, Mississippi Main Street Association said.

    ‘We applaud Representatives Ezell and Carter for introducing the Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program. This program will provide critical resources to locally based, non-profit organizations that support small business ownership and economic revitalization in urban neighborhoods and rural communities across the country,” Matthew Josephs, Senior Vice President for Policy, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) said.

    “We believe Main Streets are the backbone of the small business economy. Main Street America is pleased to support the Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program. We thank Representatives Ezell and Carter for recognizing the critical role that business district organizations, such as Main Street programs, play in creating thriving local economies,” Erin Barnes, President and CEO, Main Street America said.

    “The Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program represents a powerful opportunity to support local leaders in rural America who are working hard to build vibrant local economies. By enabling the U.S. Economic Development Administration to collaborate with trusted national nonprofits to direct federal resources, we would be taking an important step to drive sustainable economic growth, and revitalize places, like rural communities, that are often overlooked and underfunded,” Matt Dunne, Founder and Executive Director, Center on Rural Innovation said.

    “This legislation represents overdue investment in the community development organizations that help so many business districts adapt and thrive. By giving them access to the flexible capital and technical support they need, it strengthens these organizations’ ability to serve local entrepreneurs, revitalize neighborhood corridors, and meet the business needs of the communities they know best,” Frank Woodruff, Executive Director of Community Opportunity Alliance (formerly NACEDA) said.

    Background:

    Currently, grants under RNTA are not used for capacity-building assistance and pass-through funds to local entities. Additionally, there is no EDA resource dedicated to business district organizations or business districts that are already assisting these entities.

    The Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program Act is expected to benefit small businesses and underserved communities by providing them with the expertise necessary to apply for RNTA grants. These grants will enable communities to fund projects that boost local economies, foster innovation, and strengthen their overall business infrastructure.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Data Users Conference in Hyderabad highlights India’s investment and informal sector trends

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The National Statistics Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), held a Data Users Conference at the Indian School of Business (ISB) in Hyderabad on May 27. The conference focused on bridging the gap between data producers and users through discussions on the ASUSE 2023–24 and the Forward-Looking Private Sector CAPEX Investment Intentions Survey.

    More than 200 participants from academia, policy, industry, and international organizations joined the discussions. MoSPI Secretary Dr. Saurabh Garg highlighted innovations like the monthly PLFS release, the CAPEX survey, and a revamped data portal, reiterating the ministry’s ‘Data for Development’ vision.

    Chief Economic Advisor Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran emphasized the importance of granular data in policymaking and praised MoSPI’s integration of administrative datasets and AI tools. ISB Dean Prof. Madan M. Pillutla and NSS DG Ms. Geeta Singh Rathore underscored the significance of collaboration, capacity-building, and data accessibility.

    Technical sessions explored ASUSE’s new sampling design, the policy relevance of CAPEX data, and its value for MSMEs. A panel discussion highlighted capital formation trends, the role of households in GFCF, and the need for better access to microdata and stronger state-level systems.

    Key takeaways included expanding ASUSE profiling, aligning CAPEX data with Vision 2047 goals, tracking MUDRA’s impact, and integrating renewable energy investment intentions into future surveys.

    The conference reaffirmed the collective commitment to advancing data-driven governance in India.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Highland Council’s Waste Services team supports food bank donation

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Last week, representatives from The Highland Council’s Waste Services Team joined The Highland Food Bank Team in Inverness for the delivery of £500 worth of food and essential items which was kindly donated by Jett Distribution.

    Jett Distribution have been contracted by the Council to deliver wheeled bins as part of the Waste and Recycling Service Change programme and are wheeled bin distribution specialists within the UK and Germany.  Since April 2024, they have delivered approximately 115,000 new grey wheeled bins and 25,000 food waste caddies to households across the Highland region as part of the Waste Service Change roll out which has been funded by the Scottish Government’s Recycling Improvement Fund.

    Councillor Graham MacKenzie, Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, said, “I would like to thank Jett Distribution for the generous donation of much needed food and essential items to the Highland Foodbank. This is a superb example of where a contract awarded by The Highland Council has not only been delivered on time and within budget but has also provided additional community benefit for the region.”

    Jamie Humphries, Director of Jett Distribution, said: “As we near the end of a very successful roll-out of new bins for The Highland Council, we are proud to have donated £500 of food and essentials to the Trussell Trust foodbank in Inverness, as a way to say thank you to the communities across Highland. The Trussell Trust is a charity which is close to our hearts, and this is our way of supporting foodbanks which help local people in times of need.”

    Neill Prentice, Fundraising Manager (North Scotland) for Blythswood who manage the Highland Foodbanks, said: “We are so grateful to Jett Distribution for their generous donation of £500 worth of food to local families facing hardship.  Last year, Highland Foodbank provided emergency food to over 5,000 people – and support like this is what makes this possible.  Your kindness helps us feed families in crisis and on their behalf, we say thank you.”

    The final phase of the roll out of the service change will see the new waste and recycling services being delivered in Lochaber from September 2025.

    For further information on the recycling services in your area, please visit www.highland.gov.uk/recycle

    Neill Prentice (Blythswood), Luke Matheson (Foodbank Co-ordinator), Alison Boyle (Highland Council), Ellie Humphries (Jett Distribution), Jill Biss (Jett Distribution), Imogen Percy-Bell (Highland Council)

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Smoothing out the bumps on the Caledonia Way

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    People walking, wheeling and cycling on the Inverness section of the Caledonia Way will now have a smoother and more enjoyable journey, thanks to works carried out by The Highland Council and active travel charity Sustrans.

    The Caledonia Way, also known as National Cycle Network (NCN) 78, runs south from Inverness city centre down the Great Glen to Fort William, Oban and on to Campbeltown, a total distance of 234 miles through some of Scotland’s most dramatic and beautiful scenery.

    Recent work has rerouted NCN78 between Holm Roundabout and the city centre to separate it from traffic, making the route more welcoming, safer and enjoyable for locals and visitors alike. The previous route ran between Dores Roundabout and Inverness Castle, with people cycling sharing the carriageway with vehicles. From Dores roundabout, the new route follows the shared use path alongside the Southern Distributor Road across the Ness, connects to Ness Hydro on a newly-surfaced and lit ramp, and links from there along the very popular new Riverside Way provision to St Andrew’s Cathedral.

    Carole Patrick, Sustrans’ UK NCN Director, said: “This rerouting gives two miles of traffic-free provision on NCN78 for people walking, wheeling and cycling. We know that being separate from traffic hugely increases usage of these key routes for everyday journeys, and for leisure and tourism. We are delighted to fund the improvements on the ramp, made possible by Transport Scotland, and fully expect that this new route will help people to choose active ways of getting around Inverness.”

    City Leader, Councillor Ian Brown said: “The route is very popular with walkers and cyclists who are now benefitting from improvements to the lighting and the surface. This kind of comfortable, safe, attractive infrastructure makes it easier for people to choose to leave their car at home for some trips, supports cycle tourism which is a growth area for Highland, and also makes life easier for the many people who do not drive, particularly young people, the least well off, and those with a disability.”

    The improvements were carried out on time and on budget by local contractors Pat Munro. The ramp and the Riverside Way works were funded by the Scottish Government via Sustrans through their Network Development / Places for Everyone programmes.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Badenoch and Strathspey Committee Members agree to withdraw from the change of use application of the Square in Grantown on Spey

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    At a Special Meeting of the Badenoch & Strathspey Area Committee this morning it was agreed to revert to an invitation-to-pay donation scheme for short-term pitch lets at the Grantown on Spey Market Square.

    A mandatory payment scheme for short-term pitch lets was proposed to grow the Common Good Fund, giving people in Grantown access to funding for the local community. However, in recognition of the weight of the community reaction, Committee has agreed that the Council will withdraw the application to change the use of the Square.

    Committee Members expressed a desire for a position of compromise on the matter of the Square between the community and the Highland Council and want to find ways to support the community’s ambitions for the Square, harnessing their energy and enthusiasm and help them deliver on their ambitions for the area.

    Convener of Highland Council, Councillor Bill Lobban, said “After much consideration, we have decided that it is in the best interests of the local community and the Grantown on Spey Common Good Fund to withdraw from the ongoing change of use application process and revert to the previous voluntary donation scheme.

    “The intention behind changing the use of the Market Square was to generate additional income for the Grantown on Spey Common Good Fund, in the same way that other areas such as Nairn and Dornoch benefit from their Common Good land. We consulted with community groups, publicised the consultation locally and held local events in Grantown. However, the response to the consultation was extremely low and subsequently it has become clear that there is significant opposition despite the fact that the only people to have benefitted would have been residents of Grantown on Spey. We will continue to listen to and engage with people in Grantown to understand their position.”

    Chair of Badenoch and Strathspey Committee, Councillor Russell Jones, said: “In light of the current position, we believe it is of benefit to everyone involved to draw a conclusion to this matter.  We do not want hardworking local people to feel they have to raise money to oppose a plan that was intended to generate funding for them. Collaboration with Grantown on Spey Community Council is crucial for community projects to progress and I look forward to working together and finding ways to support the community’s ambitions for the Square.”

    The voluntary donation scheme at the Square will take effect immediately.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s busiest seaport teams up with three European hubs to collaborate on low-carbon shipping

    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

    HANGZHOU, May 27 (Xinhua) — China’s Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China’s Zhejiang Province, the world’s busiest by cargo throughput, on Tuesday announced three initiatives with three major European ports — Hamburg and Wilhelmshaven in Germany and Valencia in Spain — to build green shipping corridors and promote China-Europe cooperation on low-carbon ports.

    The international shipping industry, which accounts for around 80% of global trade, is currently facing urgent pressure to reduce emissions. Under the above initiatives to decarbonise international shipping, participating ports will engage with shipping companies, cargo owners, energy suppliers, think tanks and other stakeholders to promote zero-carbon technologies, clean fuels and smart management systems on specific shipping routes.

    Key collaborative actions under these initiatives include the construction and use of shore power infrastructure, optimisation of cargo distribution networks, implementation of renewable energy solutions and expansion of clean fuel bunkering capacity to create zero-carbon corridors from port origin to destination.

    Currently, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port serves more than 300 marine container lines, including more than 250 international routes, which connect over 600 ports in more than 200 countries and regions around the world.

    In recent years, increasing the scale of research, development and promotion of green low-carbon technologies has been a particular focus for Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, whose clean energy utilization rate now reaches about 74%.

    “We will work closely with seaports and shipping companies associated with the Belt and Road Initiative to promote the global green transformation of ports and shipping,” said Tao Chengbo, chairman of the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port Group, the port operator. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Defense Ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Russia Discuss Military Cooperation

    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

    BISHKEK, May 27 (Xinhua) — Kyrgyz Defense Minister Ruslan Mukambetov met with his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov in Bishkek, the press service of the Kyrgyz Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday.

    During the meeting, the ministers discussed issues of interaction and prospects for military cooperation between the two countries.

    It was also reported that the Program of Strategic Partnership between Kyrgyzstan and Russia in the Military Sphere for 2026-2030 was signed. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Premier Calls for Promoting China-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation

    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

    KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 (Xinhua) — China hopes to work with Vietnam to advance bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperation toward higher quality and deeper levels, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

    Li Qiang made the statement during a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Trinh on the sidelines of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-China-GCC (Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Persian Gulf) summit.

    The head of the Chinese government recalled that not long ago, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping made a successful state visit to Vietnam, during which the parties agreed to accelerate the construction of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future of strategic importance in accordance with six major goals.

    As Li Qiang emphasized, China is ready to work with Vietnam to implement the results of this visit, maintain high-level exchanges, deepen political mutual trust, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.

    Pointing out that instability and uncertainty are growing in the current international situation, Li Qiang said China will remain committed to openness and development and hopes to strengthen communication and cooperation with Vietnam, jointly uphold international fairness and justice, safeguard the world economic and trade order and the common interests of countries in the Global South.

    Pham Minh Trinh, for his part, noted that President Xi Jinping made a successful state visit to Vietnam in April this year. The Prime Minister expressed Vietnam’s intention to join hands with China to actively implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, strengthen high-level exchanges and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.

    The Vietnamese side expresses congratulations on the successful holding of the first ASEAN-China-GCC summit, Pham Minh Trinh said, expressing his country’s readiness to work with China to promote new practical achievements in trilateral cooperation.

    The current international situation is full of challenges, the head of the Vietnamese government stated. He stressed that Vietnam expects to strengthen communication and coordination with China to firmly protect its legitimate rights and interests. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKSAR Government responds to Hong Kong credit ratings affirmations by S&P and Moody’s

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    In response to reports by two rating agencies, namely S&P and Moody’s which affirmed Hong Kong’s credit ratings today (May 27), a Government spokesman made the following response:

    The Government noted that S&P has maintained Hong Kong’s “AA+” credit rating with a “stable” outlook, while Moody’s has affirmed Hong Kong’s “Aa3” credit rating, and upgraded the outlook from “negative” to “stable”.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DGCA visits Beijing (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    DGCA visits Beijing  
    Mr Liu called on the Administrator of the CAAC, Mr Song Zhiyong, and expressed his gratitude for the CAAC’s staunch support to the aviation industry of Hong Kong throughout the years. He also briefed Mr Song on the latest civil aviation developments in Hong Kong to further enhance co-operation. Mr Liu also met with Deputy Administrator of the CAAC Mr Han Jun and representatives from the relevant bureaux, to discuss how to establish closer ties in the areas including civil aviation development, aviation safety and technical co-operation.
     
    During the visit, the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) signed a Letter of Intent on Strengthening Technical Exchanges and Collaboration in Civil Aviation Safety Oversight, and a Cooperation Arrangement on Strengthening Civil Aviation Science and Technology with the CAAC and the China Academy of Civil Aviation Science and Technology (CAST) under the CAAC respectively.
     
    In addition, witnessed by Mr Liu and Mr Han, the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy and the Civil Aviation Flight University of China signed a framework agreement to foster co-operation in cadet pilot training. Both flying training organisations were granted with the CAD 509 approval.
     
    Mr Liu also met with the Director General of the ATMB of the CAAC, Mr Miao Xuan, to exchange views on further strengthening co-operation in air traffic management, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency of the aviation industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Mr Liu welcomed the participation of the ATMB in Airspace Asia Pacific 2025 to be held in Hong Kong this December, showcasing the innovative technologies used in Mainland air traffic management.  
     
    Mr Liu took the opportunity to visit the Third Civil Aviation Science and Education Innovation Achievement Exhibition and the CAST Aviation Safety Experimental Base to learn about the achievements in innovative technologies and development trends in the Mainland aviation industry.
     
    Accompanying Mr Liu to Beijing was the Assistant Director-General of Civil Aviation (Air Services and Safety Management), Mr Raymond Ng; the Assistant Director-General of Civil Aviation (Air Traffic Management), Mr Hui Man-ho; and the Assistant Director-General of Civil Aviation (Airport Standards), Mr Samuel Ng.
     
    Mr Liu will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (May 28).
    Issued at HKT 18:40

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Remarks at question and answer session of Working Group on Promoting Silver Economy press conference (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Remarks at question and answer session of Working Group on Promoting Silver Economy press conference Issued at HKT 20:40

    The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, held a press conference today (May 27) on measures to be implemented by the Working Group on Promoting Silver Economy together with the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan; the Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Ho Kai-ming; and the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong. Following are Mr Cheuk’s remarks at the question and answer session:

    Reporter: Some English questions. First, because you mentioned that the Government will encourage post-50s to rejoin the labour market, do you have a target of how many more people above 50 will be rejoining the workforce, and what kinds of jobs or industries should attract the most of these people? And the second question, given the current economic situation of Hong Kong, how do you expect these measures to contribute to the economy and the GDP? And when will you review your measures? Thank you.

    Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration: I take your questions briefly, and then I see if other colleagues may have anything to supplement. On the possible addition to the labour force, in 2024, the labour participation rate of Hong Kong people above the age of 60 is about 23.7 per cent, while the overall – if you take the whole Hong Kong workforce into account – the labour participation rate is 54.7 per cent. If you look at the figure in 2025 this year, the first quarter, the figure I gave you just now was relating to people above the age of 60, which could go up to as high as 70-something, 80-something. But if you zoom in on the age bracket of 60 to 69, the labour participation rate in the first quarter of 2025 is 38.8 per cent. If you look at the overall labour participation rate and the labour participation rate of this age bracket, it will give you a differential of about 16 per cent. Theoretically, that is the number that we can go for.

    Your second question is about how our measures would contribute to GDP growth. I mentioned this in the reply to an earlier question. I think instead of setting a KPI, which actually is not appropriate for this kind of programme, which involves implementation by many outside parties, and the result of which is rather beyond the control of the administration, I think it is more realistic or instructional to look at what we are talking about in terms of what the magnitude of the silver economy is. Worldwide, the practice to measure silver economy is to look at the consumption of the elderly. In 2024, the elderly spending of people aged 60 and above amounted to $342 billion, and in 10 years’ time, it is predicted to grow to $496 billion, that is the kind of magnitude of silver spending. If we can achieve a 5 per cent growth a year, say if we just take the first year as an illustration, that would amount to $17 billion, which is quite substantial.

    (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

    Ends/Tuesday, May 27, 2025
    Issued at HKT 20:40

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CSB and departments hold career talks in Mainland universities (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CSB and departments hold career talks in Mainland universities Issued at HKT 19:24

    The Civil Service Bureau (CSB), together with representatives from the Civil Aviation Department, the Home Affairs Department and the Digital Policy Office are visiting Guangzhou and Wuhan to conduct career talks at Sun Yat-sen University, Jinan University, Wuhan University and Huazhong University of Science and Technology for four consecutive days starting today (May 27), to provide Hong Kong students studying on the Mainland with information on various positions in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government.

    Speaking at the talk at Sun Yat-sen University today, the Director of General Grades of the CSB, Mr Hermes Chan, said that since 2023, the CSB of the HKSAR Government has been sending delegations to a number of universities and local offices of the HKSAR on the Mainland to introduce the diverse job opportunities offered by the HKSAR Government to Hong Kong students and Hong Kong people residing on the Mainland. In May last year, the CSB held career talks together with various departments for the first time at several universities in Guangdong and Fujian. The briefings are effective, as shown by the continuous increase in the number of applications for civil service positions from Hong Kong students graduating from Mainland universities. He encouraged Hong Kong students with aspirations to serve the community to equip themselves early to join the civil service.

    The career talks covered information related to Student Air Traffic Control Officer, Liaison Officer Grade, Analyst/Programmer Grade, Computer Operator Grade, Executive Officer Grade, and other general grades. Information booths, mock skills tests and mock interview sessions were also provided on-site to allow students to experience the recruitment process.

    For information on matters related to civil service recruitment, job vacancies and the latest examination arrangements, please visit the CSB website: www.csb.gov.hk/english/recruit/7.html.

    Ends/Tuesday, May 27, 2025
    Issued at HKT 19:24

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Farewell Remarks by CFTC Commissioner Christy Goldsmith Romero: The Future of Financial Services Regulation

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    Remarks as Prepared for Delivery 
    Thank you to Brookings for inviting me to give my farewell remarks as I depart from the Commission and retire from 23 years of federal service.  For the last time, I will give the disclaimer that my views are my own as a Commissioner and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission or my fellow Commissioners.
    I have been reflecting on my public service under four Presidents and today I am feeling nostalgic.  I have had such a good run.  I want to express my gratitude to so many.  First and foremost, I’m grateful to my wife and children.  I am grateful to President Biden and President Obama for believing and trusting in me with three Presidential nominations.  I’m grateful to those Senators in both parties who have actively supported me and unanimously confirmed me twice.  I am grateful to the leaders with which I have had the privilege to serve, including my fellow Commissioners.  I am also grateful to all my staff, the hundreds of people who have worked for me and put their trust in my leadership.
    Never could I have planned or envisioned such a meaningful and fulfilling career.  All I knew was that I was following my passion to make a difference in our financial system.  I have always wanted our financial system to serve everyone, not just powerful interests.  And along the way, I learned from each of the leaders I worked for—my SEC enforcement leaders, SEC Chairs Chris Cox and Mary Schapiro, and at Treasury, Neil Barofsky, the first Special Inspector General for TARP (or SIGTARP) before me.
    Never could I have imagined that my work would get the notice of President Obama who appointed me as the SIGTARP in 2012.  I can share that it was entirely daunting to be a 41-year-old career staffer sitting on the same Senate Banking confirmation panel with Jay Powell.  Of course, that meant that I did not get many questions.
    But don’t worry.  Senate Banking would make up for that this past summer when I got two plus hours of questions in my confirmation hearing for FDIC Chair.
    At SIGTARP, I was forged by fire, as were all of us who worked to strengthen the financial system in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.  Former FDIC Chair Sheila Bair supported me for FDIC Chair this summer drawing on the work that we did during the financial crisis.  Last year, I was at Treasury and ran into former Secretary Paulson who remembered me and said, “Those were the days.  Look at what we did for the economy.”
    SIGTARP is also where I honed my leadership of white-collar law enforcement.  We worked closely with DOJ to bring justice and accountability to just about every major Wall Street financial institution and 465 criminal defendants.  This includes 76 bankers who courts sentenced to prison for crisis-related crimes.
    I continue to feel tremendous affection and gratitude to all those who served at SIGTARP as I learned invaluable lessons about how to lead an organization. SIGTARP is where I found my voice and the courage to speak truth to power.  It was a necessity when testifying before Congress and meeting with Treasury Secretaries, the Federal Reserve Chair, the FDIC Chair, and Attorneys General.
    As SIGTARP was winding down, I was fortunate to be contacted by several Senators and President Biden’s White House about a possible next appointment.  Various financial regulators were discussed.
    I raised the possibility of the CFTC.  First, I had always enjoyed being a market regulator.  Second, I was interested in climate-related financial issues, and the Chairman had sponsored a climate report and was speaking a lot on climate issues.  Third, the CFTC was the only regulator of cryptocurrency trading, and I had been teaching cryptocurrency regulation at two law schools.  As a Commissioner, I was pleased to prioritize all three of these areas, broadening crypto out to technology, as I sponsored the Technology Advisory Committee.
    The accomplishment that I am most proud about in my tenure is that derivatives markets worked well, that they remained resilient, vibrant, and had integrity.  Since my testimony at my CFTC confirmation hearing in 2022, I have always said that ensuring that markets worked well would be my highest priority.  This was so critical because the markets the CFTC regulates tie directly to the economy. That tie is something that I have had the privilege to see firsthand.  What incredible experiences I have had to get out of Washington and go on agriculture tours and energy tours, to meet with people who are feeding and fueling our world. To truly understand the way markets work, you have to engage with those who rely on the markets and who need them the most.
    I’m also proud of the Technology Advisory Committee for its work on future of finance issues.  I’m grateful to the Committee members who we picked because they are well regarded experts in cryptocurrency, stablecoins, blockchain, AI, cyber, and Fintech, and who come from all different viewpoints.  We held public forums, and the Committee issued two landmark reports, the first on Decentralized Finance, and the second on Responsible AI in Financial Markets.
    As I contemplate the future of financial services regulation, my thoughts keep returning to an area that I speak a lot about—promoting market resilience.  Resilience is defined as the ability to bounce back quickly from setbacks.  U.S. markets and global markets have and will continue to experience periods of volatility and stress.
    I arrived at the Commission in early 2022, in a time of geopolitical uncertainty.  The economy was recovering from the pandemic, suffering supply chain disruption, and oil and gas markets were at record-high levels of volatility and prices after the start of Russia’s war with Ukraine.
    Fortunately, what I found was that the post-crisis reforms through the Dodd Frank Act, other regulations, and regulatory supervision, have built up resilience.  As a result, our markets have withstood significant stress and volatility, including last month.  Our economy has been better for it.
    As the current Administration pursues a deregulatory agenda in the name of growth, care should be taken not to remove the load-bearing resilience built into markets—resilience that has resulted in financial stability and protected our economy. Regulators should not have to sacrifice growth for financial stability.  These are not mutually exclusive goals.  Regulators should promote both.  Growth is important for markets.  Growth requires a regulatory environment where markets are financially stable and resilient during times of volatility, uncertainty, and stress.
    I am concerned about big swings between more regulation and deregulation with each change of party in the White House.  This leads to uncertainty in markets.  It would be better for our markets and financial system if regulators could follow a steady, consistent path.  That would create the foundation for a resilient, stable, and vibrant financial system and economy.
    It’s a really tough challenge—one that requires independent regulators engaging with each other on a bipartisan basis and engaging with many stakeholders who use and need U.S. markets.  I plan to continue to share my voice, and I will always be rooting for the CFTC.  After all, you can take the girl out of public service.  But you can’t take public service out of the girl.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Man Charged in Connection With CARES Act Loan Fraud

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    Click Here to View the Original U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Press Release

    The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Joseph Ronald Trenkle, 54, formerly of Cherry Hills Village, Colorado and currently of Dorado, Puerto Rico, has been charged in a criminal information with one count each of wire fraud and money laundering.

    According to the information, between April 30, 2020, and February 25, 2022, Trenkle applied for and received $1,850,000 in COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and $2,999,995 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds from an SBA-approved lender.  The information alleges that after first obtaining an EIDL loan in March 2020, Trenkle made two requests to increase the amount of his EIDL and made false representations as part of each of request.  The information further alleges that Trenkle submitted two fraudulent PPP loan applications, and also submitted fraudulent applications for PPP loan forgiveness for each PPP loan.

    The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted in March 2020 and was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans dealing with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The CARES Act created the PPP, a program administered by the SBA that provided loans to small businesses to retain workers, maintain payroll, and certain other expenses consistent with PPP rules.  Additionally, the CARES Act authorized the SBA to provide EIDLs to eligible small businesses experiencing substantial financial disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The defendant made his initial appearance on May 22, 2025, in Denver in front of Magistrate Judge Cyrus Y. Chung.

    The charges contained in the information are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Craig Fansler.

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form

    Case Number: 25-cr-00150-RMR

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Department of Aging to Announce New Resource to Support Pennsylvania’s Unpaid Caregivers

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    May 28, 2025 – Fort Washington, PA

    ADVISORY – Department of Aging to Announce New Resource to Support Pennsylvania’s Unpaid Caregivers

    Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich will join state and local leaders to launch the PA Carekit – a new resource that will help caregivers in the Commonwealth to address their unique situations, so they can continue caring for Pennsylvania’s older adults.

    The event will feature a presentation on the PA Carekit, and a panel discussion moderated by Secretary Kavulich on the state of caregiving and how this new resource could provide needed support to the 1.5 million unpaid caregivers who provide care for friends, neighbors and loved ones.
    The development of the PA Carekit is the result of Aging Our Way, PA – the 10-year strategic plan that will help transform service delivery to ensure all Pennsylvanians can live healthy, fulfilling lives as they age.

    WHO:
    Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich
    Senator Maria Collett
    Representative Maureen Madden
    Carrie Cleary, Office of Commonwealth Libraries
    Jennifer Haeussler-Barnhart, Executive Director, Montgomery County Area Agency on Aging
    Nathan Lampenfeld, Department of Aging William & Hannah Penn Fellow

    WHEN:
    Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 1:00 PM

    WHERE:
    Upper Dublin Library
    520 Virginia Drive
    Fort Washington, PA 19034

    MEDIA RSVP:
    Media interested in attending must RSVP with the name of photographer/reporter to agingcomms@pa.gov.

    MEDIA CONTACT: Jack Eilber

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government tables a Motion to bring down costs for Canadians

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    May 27, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada

    Today, His Majesty King Charles III delivered the Speech from the Throne – outlining the government’s bold and ambitious plan for the future. Key to that plan is bringing down costs so Canadians keep more of their paycheques to spend where it matters most.  

    To that end, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, today tabled a notice of Ways and Means Motion in Parliament with proposals to:

    • Deliver a middle class tax cut, providing tax relief for nearly 22 million Canadians and saving families up to $840.
    • Eliminate the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for first-time home buyers on new homes valued up to $1 million, saving them up to $50,000, and lower the GST for first-time home buyers on new homes valued between $1 million and $1.5 million.   
    • Remove the consumer carbon price from law, following its cancellation, effective April 1, 2025.

    With these measures, we are delivering change to cut taxes, bring down costs, and put money back in the pockets of Canadians. 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Treasury Board President tables in Parliament the 2025–26 Main Estimates for the Government of Canada

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    May 27, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

    Efficiency and effectiveness must guide everything government does. The Government of Canada is focused on maximizing investments that drive growth and deliver results.

    To that end, today, the Honourable Shafqat Ali, President of the Treasury Board, tabled in the House of Commons the Government of Canada’s Main Estimates for 2025–26. The Main Estimates outline priority investments in housing, the Canadian Armed Forces, Indigenous communities, dental care, border services, and Veterans’ benefits. Also included are transfer payments to provinces and territories, such as those for health care, and payments for individuals, including benefits for elderly Canadians and those with disabilities.

    Data about the government’s expenditures and performance targets are also available through GC Infobase, an online tool that presents the numbers in easy-to-understand visual stories.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Lane closures on Macdonald-Cartier Bridge

    Source: Government of Canada News

    For immediate release

    Gatineau, Quebec, May 27, 2025 – Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to inform users that there will be lane closures on the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge to accommodate maintenance work during the following periods:

    • Saturday, May 31, from 7 am to 7 pm
    • Sunday, June 1, from 7 am to 7 pm

    During these periods, at least 1 lane will remain open at all times to motorists in each direction, and access for cyclists and pedestrians will be maintained.

    The schedule may change depending on weather conditions.

    PSPC encourages users to exercise caution when travelling on the bridge and thanks them for their patience.

    MIL OSI Canada News –