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Category: United States of America

  • MIL-OSI Global: Our trans health study was terminated by the government – the effects of abrupt NIH grant cuts ripple across science and society

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jae A. Puckett, Associate Professor of Psychology, Michigan State University

    Funding cuts to trans health research are part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to medically and legally restrict trans rights. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

    Given the Trump administration’s systematic attempts to medically and legally disenfranchise trans people, and its abrupt termination of grants focused on LGBTQ+ health, we can’t say that the notice of termination we received regarding our federally funded research on transgender and nonbinary people’s health was unexpected.

    As researchers who study the experiences of trans and nonbinary people, we have collectively dedicated nearly 50 years of our scientific careers to developing ways to address the health disparities negatively affecting these communities. The National Institutes of Health had placed a call for projects on this topic, and we had successfully applied for their support for our four-year study on resilience in trans communities.

    However, our project on trans health became one of the hundreds of grants that have been terminated on ideological grounds. The termination notice stated that the grant no longer fit agency priorities and claimed that this work was not based on scientific research.

    Termination notice sent to the authors from the National Institutes of Health.
    Jae A. Puckett and Paz Galupo, CC BY-ND

    These grant terminations undermine decades of science on gender diversity by dismissing research findings and purging data. During Trump’s current term, the NIH’s Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office was dismantled, references to LGBTQ+ people were removed from health-related websites, and datasets were removed from public access.

    The effects of ending research on trans health ripple throughout the scientific community, the communities served by this work and the U.S. economy.

    Studying resilience

    Research focused on the mental health of trans and nonbinary people has grown substantially in recent years. Over time, this work has expanded beyond understanding the hardships these communities face to also study their resilience and positive life experiences.

    Resilience is often understood as an ability to bounce back from challenges. For trans and nonbinary people experiencing gender-based stigma and discrimination, resilience can take several forms. This might look like simply continuing to survive in a transphobic climate, or it might take the form of being a role model for other trans and nonbinary people.

    As a result of gender-based stigma and discrimination, trans and nonbinary people experience a range of health disparities, from elevated rates of psychological distress to heightened risk for chronic health conditions and poor physical health. In the face of these challenges and growing anti-trans legislation in the U.S., we believe that studying resilience in these communities can provide insights into how to offset the harms of these stresses.

    Studies show anti-trans legislation is harming the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth.

    With the support of the NIH, we began our work in earnest in 2022. The project was built on many years of research from our teams preceding the grant. From the beginning, we collaborated with trans and nonbinary community members to ensure our research would be attuned to the needs of the community.

    At the time our grant was terminated, we were nearing completion of Year 3 of our four-year project. We had collected data from over 600 trans and nonbinary participants across the U.S. and started to follow their progress over time. We had developed a new way to measure resilience among trans and nonbinary people and were about to publish a second measure specifically tailored to people of color.

    The termination of our grant and others like it harms our immediate research team, the communities we worked with and the field more broadly.

    Loss of scientific workforce

    For many researchers in trans health, the losses from these cuts go beyond employment.

    Our project had served as a training opportunity for the students and early career professionals involved in the study, providing them with the research experience and mentorship necessary to advance their careers. But with the termination of our funding, two full-time researchers and at least three students will lose their positions. The three lead scientists have lost parts of their salaries and dedicated research time.

    These NIH cuts will likely result in the loss of much of the next generation of trans researchers and the contributions they would have made to science and society. Our team and other labs in similar situations will be less likely to work with graduate students due to a lack of available funding to pay and support them. This changes the landscape for future scientists, as it means there will be fewer opportunities for individuals interested in these areas of research to enter graduate training programs.

    The Trump administration has directly penalized universities across the country for ‘ideological overreach.’
    Zhu Ziyu/VCG via Getty Images

    As universities struggle to address federal funding cuts, junior academics will be less likely to gain tenure, and faculty in grant-funded positions may lose their jobs. Universities may also become hesitant to hire people who work in these areas because their research has essentially been banned from federal funding options.

    Loss of community trust

    Trans and nonbinary people have often been studied under opportunistic and demeaning circumstances. This includes when researchers collect data for their own gains but return little to the communities they work with, or when they do research that perpetuates theories that pathologize those communities. As a result, many are often reluctant to participate in research.

    To overcome this reluctance, we grounded our study on community input. We involved an advisory board composed of local trans and nonbinary community members who helped to inform how we conducted our study and measured our findings.

    Our work on resilience has been inspired by feedback we received from previous research participants who said that “[trans people] matter even when not in pain.”

    Abruptly terminating projects like these can break down trust between researchers and the populations they study.

    Loss of scientific knowledge

    Research that focuses on the strengths of trans and nonbinary communities is in its infancy. The termination of our grant has led to the loss of the insights our study would have provided on ways to improve health among trans and nonbinary people and future work that would have built off our findings. Resilience is a process that takes time to unfold, and we had not finished the longitudinal data collection in our study – nor will we have the protected time to publish and share other findings from this work.

    Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Human Services released a May 2025 report stating that there is not enough evidence to support gender-affirming care for young people, contradicting decades of scientific research. Scientists, researchers and medical professional organizations have widely criticized the report as misrepresenting study findings, dismissing research showing benefits to gender-affirming care, and promoting misinformation rejected by major medical associations. Instead, the report recommends “exploratory therapy,” which experts have likened to discredited conversion therapy.

    Transgender and nonbinary people continue to exist, regardless of legislation.
    Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

    Despite claims that there is insufficient research on gender-affirming care and more data is needed on the health of trans and nonbinary people, the government has chosen to divest from actual scientific research about trans and nonbinary people’s lives.

    Loss of taxpayer dollars

    The termination of our grant means we are no longer able to achieve the aims of the project, which depended on the collection and analysis of data over time. This wastes the three years of NIH funding already spent on the project.

    Scientists and experts who participated in the review of our NIH grant proposal rated our project more highly than 96% of the projects we competed against. Even so, the government made the unscientific choice to override these decisions and terminate our work.

    Millions of taxpayer dollars have already been invested in these grants to improve the health of not only trans and nonbinary people, but also American society as a whole. With the termination of these grants, few will get to see the benefits of this investment.

    Jae A. Puckett has received funding from the National Institutes of Health.

    Paz Galupo has received funding from the National Institutes of Health.

    – ref. Our trans health study was terminated by the government – the effects of abrupt NIH grant cuts ripple across science and society – https://theconversation.com/our-trans-health-study-was-terminated-by-the-government-the-effects-of-abrupt-nih-grant-cuts-ripple-across-science-and-society-254021

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: California plan to ban most plants within 5 feet of homes for wildfire safety overlooks some important truths about flammability

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Max Moritz, Wildfire Specialist, University of California Cooperative Extension; Adjunct Professor at the Bren School, University of California at Santa Barbara, University of California, Santa Barbara

    Photos after the Los Angeles fires in January 2025 show many yards where vegetation didn’t burn while neighboring houses did. AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

    One of the most striking patterns in the aftermath of many urban fires is how much unburned green vegetation remains amid the wreckage of burned neighborhoods.

    In some cases, a row of shrubs may be all that separates a surviving house from one that burned just a few feet away.

    As scientists who study how vegetation ignites and burns, we recognize that well-maintained plants and trees can actually help protect homes from wind-blown embers and slow the spread of fire in some cases. So, we are concerned about new wildfire protection regulations being developed by the state of California that would prohibit almost all plants and other combustible material within 5 feet of homes, an area known as “Zone 0.”

    Photos before and after the 2025 Palisades Fire show thick green vegetation between two closely spaced homes. The arrow shows the direction of the fire’s spread.
    Max Moritz; CAL FIRE Damage Inspection photos, CC BY

    Wildfire safety guidelines have long encouraged homeowners to avoid having flammable materials next to their homes. But the state’s plan for an “ember-resistant zone,” being expedited under an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom, goes further by also prohibiting grass, shrubs and many trees in that area.

    If that prohibition remains in the final regulation, it’s likely to be met with public resistance. Getting these rules right also matters beyond California, because regulations that originate in California often ripple outward to other fire-prone regions.

    Lessons from the devastation

    Research into how vegetation can reduce fire risk is a relatively new area of study. However, the findings from plant flammability studies and examination of patterns of where vegetation and homes survive large urban fires highlight its importance.

    When surviving plants do appear scorched after these fires, it is often on the side of the plant facing a nearby structure that burned. That suggests that wind-blown embers ignited houses first: The houses were then the fuel as the fire spread through the neighborhood.

    We saw this repeatedly in the Los Angeles area after wildfires destroyed thousands of homes in January 2025. The pattern suggests a need to focus on the many factors that can influence home losses.

    Shrubs in Zone 0 of a home did not ignite during the Eaton Fire, despite the home burning.
    Max Moritz

    Several guides are available that explain steps homeowners can take to help protect houses, particularly from wind-blown embers, known as home hardening.

    For example, installing rain gutter covers to keep dead leaves from accumulating, avoiding flammable siding and ensuring that vents have screens to prevent embers from getting into the attic or crawl space can lower the risk of the home catching fire.

    However, guidance related to landscaping plants varies greatly and can even be incorrect.

    For example, some “fire-safe” plant lists contain species that are drought tolerant but not necessarily fire resistant. What matters more for keeping plants from becoming fuel for fires is how well they’re maintained and whether they’re properly watered.

    How a plant bursts into flames

    When living plant material is heated by a nearby energy source, such as a fire, the moisture inside it must be driven off before it can ignite. That evaporation cools the surrounding area and lowers the plant’s flammability.

    In many cases, high moisture can actually keep a plant from igniting. We’ve seen this in some of our experimental work and in other studies that test the flammability of ornamental landscaping.

    With enough heat, dried leaves and stems can break down and volatilize into gases. And, at that point, a nearby spark or flame can ignite these gases and set the plant on fire.

    Plant flammability testing shows how quickly twigs, grasses, plants and leaves will burn at different moisture levels. The images on the right are from an experiment at the University of California’s South Coast Research and Extension Center to test flammability of a living but overly dry plant.
    Max Moritz (left); Luca Carmignani (right)

    Even when the plant does burn, however, its moisture content can limit other aspects of flammability, such as how hot it burns.

    Up to the point that they actually burn, green, well-maintained plants can slow the spread of a fire by serving as “heat sinks,” absorbing energy and even blocking embers. This apparent protective role has been observed in both Australia and California studies of home losses.

    How often vegetation buffers homes from igniting during urban conflagrations is still unclear, but this capability has implications for regulations.

    California’s ‘Zone 0’ regulations

    The Zone 0 regulations California’s State Board of Forestry is developing are part of broader efforts to reduce fire risk around homes and communities. They would apply in regions considered at high risk of wildfires or defended by CAL FIRE, the state’s firefighting agency.

    Many of the latest Zone 0 recommendations, such as prohibiting mulch and attached fences made of materials that can burn, stem from large-scale tests conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. These features can be systematically analyzed.

    But vegetation is far harder to model. The state’s proposed Zone 0 regulations oversimplify complex conditions in real neighborhoods and go beyond what is currently known from scientific research regarding plant flammability.

    Green lawns, trees and shrubs were still visible after the Eaton Fire burned homes in Altadena, Calif., in January 2025.
    Mario Tama/Getty Images

    A mature, well-pruned shrub or tree with a high crown may pose little risk of burning and can even reduce exposure to fires by blocking wind and heat and intercepting embers. Aspen trees, for example, have been recommended to reduce fire risk near structures or other high-value assets.

    In contrast, dry, unmanaged plants under windows or near fences may ignite rapidly and make it more likely that the house itself will catch fire.

    As California and other states develop new wildfire regulations, they need to recognize the protective role that well-managed plants can play, along with many other benefits of urban vegetation.

    We believe the California proposal’s current emphasis on highly prescriptive vegetation removal, instead of on maintenance, is overly simplistic. Without complementary requirements for hardening the homes themselves, widespread clearing of landscaping immediately around homes could do little to reduce risk and have unintended consequences.

    Max Moritz has nothing to disclose.

    Luca Carmignani has nothing to disclose.

    – ref. California plan to ban most plants within 5 feet of homes for wildfire safety overlooks some important truths about flammability – https://theconversation.com/california-plan-to-ban-most-plants-within-5-feet-of-homes-for-wildfire-safety-overlooks-some-important-truths-about-flammability-257109

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 3 ways the government can silence opinions it disagrees with, without using censorship

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Gregory P. Magarian, Thomas and Karole Green Professor of Law, Washington University in St. Louis

    The government can make you silence yourself — out of fear. Deepak Sethi, iStock/Getty Images Plus

    When most people think of how governments stifle free speech, they think of censorship. That’s when a government directly blocks or suppresses speech. In the past, the federal government has censored speech in various ways. It has tried to block news outlets from publishing certain stories. It has punished political dissenters. It has banned sales of “obscene” books.

    Today, however, the federal government rarely tries to censor speech so crudely. It has less blatant but very effective ways to suppress dissent. The current actions of the Trump administration show how government can silence speakers without censoring them.

    My quarter century of research and writing about First Amendment rights has explored the varied tools that governments use to smother free expression. Among the present administration’s chosen tools are making institutions stop or change their advocacy to get government benefits; inducing self-censorship through intimidation; and molding the government’s own speech to promote official ideology.

    A page from the CDC’s website, where the Trump administration states that it rejects the ‘gender ideology’ presented on the page.
    CDC.gov

    Using benefits to coerce speech

    The Supreme Court has made clear that the First Amendment bars the government from conditioning benefits on the sacrifice of free speech.

    Government employers may not refuse to hire employees of the opposing political party, nor may they stop employees from speaking publicly about political issues. The government may not stop funding nonprofits because they refuse to endorse official policies, or because they make arguments the government opposes.

    The First Amendment, however, works only if someone asks a court to enforce it, or at least threatens to do so.

    The Trump administration has issued orders that withdraw security clearances, cancel government contracts and bar access to government buildings for law firms that have opposed the administration’s policies or have advocated diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. Some law firms have sued to block the orders. More firms, however, have made deals with the administration, agreeing to end DEI programs and to do free legal work for conservative causes.

    The administration similarly has withheld funding from universities that embrace DEI or that, by the administration’s account, have fomented or tolerated antisemitism. Harvard University has resisted that pressure. But Columbia University has capitulated to President Donald Trump’s demands that include cracking down on protests, giving university officials more control over controversial academic programs and hiring more conservative professors.

    The Supreme Court may ultimately declare the administration’s gambits unconstitutional, but it has already succeeded in leveraging government benefits to make major institutions change their speech.

    Intimidating speakers into silence

    First Amendment law also restricts government actions that deter or “chill” expression rather than squarely banning it.

    That means the government may not regulate speech through vague laws that leave lawful speakers uncertain whether the regulation reaches them. For example, the Supreme Court in 1971 struck down a Cincinnati, Ohio, ordinance that criminalized any public assembly the city deemed “annoying.”

    Likewise, the government may not make people disclose their identities as a requirement for acquiring controversial literature or for supporting unpopular causes. In the classic case, the Supreme Court during the civil rights era blocked Alabama from making the NAACP disclose its membership list.

    Chilling of speech is hard to detect, but the current public climate strongly suggests that the Trump administration has plunged the thermostat.

    College and university campuses, which rumbled in spring 2024 with protests against the Gaza war, have gone largely quiet. Large corporations that challenged the first Trump presidency have fallen into line behind the second. Big liberal donors have folded up their wallets.

    Some of that dampening likely reflects fatigue and resignation. Much of it, though, appears to reveal successful intimidation.

    The administration has proclaimed that it is deporting noncitizen students, using their lawful speech as justification. While those expulsions themselves are classic censorship, their hidden reach may stifle more speech than their immediate grasp. Noncitizens are legally attractive targets for government censorship because courts largely defer to the president on matters of national security and immigration.

    The Trump administration could not lawfully treat U.S. citizens as it is treating, lawfully or not, foreign nationals. But most citizens don’t know that. The vivid spectacle of punished dissenters seems likely to chill other dissenters.

    Whitewashing government speech

    The First Amendment only bars the government from controlling private speech. When the government speaks, it can say what it wants. That means people who speak for the government lack any First Amendment right to replace the government’s messages with their own.

    In theory, then, every new federal administration could sweepingly turn government institutions’ speech into narrow propaganda. That hasn’t happened before, perhaps because most governments realize they are just temporary custodians of an abiding republic.

    The Trump administration has broken this norm. The administration has ordered the purging of ideologically disfavored content from the Smithsonian museums, implemented book bans in military libraries and installed political supporters to run cultural institutions.

    None of those actions likely violates the First Amendment. All of them, however, have significant implications for free speech. In what may be the most quoted line in the First Amendment legal canon, Justice Robert Jackson declared in 1943 that government should never “prescribe what shall be orthodox … in matters of opinion.”

    A 21st-century federal government can dramatically skew public discourse by honing government speech with the flint of official ideology. Trump has assigned Vice President JD Vance, who sits on the Smithsonian’s board, the role of “seeking to remove improper ideology.” If Vance decides what the Smithsonian can and cannot say about slavery and Jim Crow, then the Smithsonian will teach people only what Vance wants them to learn about those subjects. That influential source of knowledge will push public discussion toward the government’s ideology.

    When government beneficiaries agree to say what the president wants, when the government intimidates speakers to silence themselves, and when the government sharpens its own speech into propaganda, no censorship happens.

    But in all those scenarios, the government is doing exactly what justifies fear of censorship and what First Amendment law exists to prevent: using official power to make speech less free.

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

    – ref. 3 ways the government can silence opinions it disagrees with, without using censorship – https://theconversation.com/3-ways-the-government-can-silence-opinions-it-disagrees-with-without-using-censorship-254249

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: New model helps to figure out which distant planets may host life

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Daniel Apai, Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences, University of Arizona

    Some ‘water worlds’ like Jupiter’s moon Europa could potentially be habitable for life. NASA/JPL-Caltech/SETI Institute

    The search for life beyond Earth is a key driver of modern astronomy and planetary science. The U.S. is building multiple major telescopes and planetary probes to advance this search. However, the signs of life – called biosignatures – that scientists may find will likely be difficult to interpret. Figuring out where exactly to look also remains challenging.

    I am an astrophysicist and astrobiologist with over 20 years of experience studying extrasolar planets – which are planets beyond our solar system.

    My colleagues and I have developed a new approach that will identify the most interesting planets or moons to search for life and help interpret potential biosignatures. We do this by modeling how different organisms may fare in different environments, informed by studies of limits of life on Earth.

    New telescopes to search for life

    Astronomers are developing plans and technology for increasingly powerful space telescopes. For instance, NASA is working on its proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory, which would take ultrasharp images that directly show the planets orbiting nearby stars.

    My colleagues and I are developing another concept, the Nautilus space telescope constellation, which is designed to study hundreds of potentially Earthlike planets as they pass in front of their host stars.

    Future telescopes, like the proposed Nautilus, could help search the skies for habitable planets.
    Katie Yung, Daniel Apai /University of Arizona and AllThingsSpace /SketchFab, CC BY-ND

    These and other future telescopes aim to provide more sensitive studies of more alien worlds. Their development prompts two important questions: “Where to look?” and “Are the environments where we think we see signs of life actually habitable?”

    The strongly disputed claims of potential signs of life in the exoplanet K2-18b, announced in April 2025, and previous similar claims in Venus, show how difficult it is to conclusively identify the presence of life from remote-sensing data.

    When is an alien world habitable?

    Oxford Languages defines “habitable” as “suitable or good enough to live in.” But how do scientists know what is “good enough to live in” for extraterrestrial organisms? Could alien microbes frolic in lakes of boiling acid or frigid liquid methane, or float in water droplets in Venus’ upper atmosphere?

    To keep it simple, NASA’s mantra has been “follow the water.” This makes sense – water is essential for all Earth life we know of. A planet with liquid water would also have a temperate environment. It wouldn’t be so cold that it slows down chemical reactions, nor would it be so hot that it destroys the complex molecules necessary for life.

    However, with astronomers’ rapidly growing capabilities for characterizing alien worlds, astrobiologists need an approach that is more quantitative and nuanced than the water or no-water classification.

    A community effort

    As part of the NASA-funded Alien Earths project that I lead, astrobiologist Rory Barnes and I worked on this problem with a group of experts – astrobiologists, planetary scientists, exoplanet experts, ecologists, biologists and chemists – drawn from the largest network of exoplanet and astrobiology researchers, NASA’s Nexus for Exoplanet System Science, or NExSS.

    Over a hundred colleagues provided us with ideas, and two questions came up often:

    First, how do we know what life needs, if we do not understand the full range of extraterrestrial life? Scientists know a lot about life on Earth, but most astrobiologists agree that more exotic types of life – perhaps based on different combinations of chemical elements and solvents – are possible. How do we determine what conditions those other types of life may require?

    Second, the approach has to work with incomplete data. Potential sites for life beyond Earth – “extrasolar habitats” – are very difficult to study directly, and often impossible to visit and sample.

    For example, the Martian subsurface remains mostly out of our reach. Places like Jupiter’s moon Europa’s and Saturn’s Moon Enceladus’ subsurface oceans and all extrasolar planets remain practically unreachable. Scientists study them indirectly, often only using remote observations. These measurements can’t tell you as much as actual samples would.

    Mars’ hot, dusty surface is hostile for life. But scientists haven’t been able to study whether some organisms could lurk beneath.
    NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems

    To make matters worse, measurements often have uncertainties. For example, we may be only 88% confident that water vapor is present in an exoplanet’s atmosphere. Our framework has to be able to work with small amounts of data and handle uncertainties. And, we need to accept that the answers will often not be black or white.

    A new approach to habitability

    The new approach, called the quantitative habitability framework, has two distinguishing features:

    First, we moved away from trying to answer the vague “habitable to life” question and narrowed it to a more specific and practically answerable question: Would the conditions in the habitat – as we know them – allow a specific (known or yet unknown) species or ecosystem to survive?

    Even on Earth, organisms require different conditions to survive – there are no camels in Antarctica. By talking about specific organisms, we made the question easier to answer.

    Second, the quantitative habitability framework does not insist on black-or-white answers. It compares computer models to calculate a probabilistic answer. Instead of assuming that liquid water is a key limiting factor, we compare our understanding of the conditions an organism requires (the “organism model”) with our understanding of the conditions present in the environment (the “habitat model”).

    Both have uncertainties. Our understanding of each can be incomplete. Yet, we can handle the uncertainties mathematically. By comparing the two models, we can determine the probability that an organism and a habitat are compatible.

    As a simplistic example, our habitat model for Antarctica may state that temperatures are often below freezing. And our organism model for a camel may state that it does not survive long in cold temperatures. Unsurprisingly, we would correctly predict a near-zero probability that Antarctica is a good habitat for camels.

    A hydrothermal vent deep in the Atlantic Ocean. These vents discharge incredibly hot plumes of water, but some host hearty microorganisms.
    P. Rona / OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP); NOAA

    We had a blast working on this project. To study the limits of life, we collected literature data on extreme organisms, from insects that live in the Himalayas at high altitudes and low temperatures to microorganisms that flourish in hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor and feed on chemical energy.

    We explored, via our models, whether they may survive in the Martian subsurface or in Europa’s oceans. We also investigated if marine bacteria that produce oxygen in Earth’s oceans could potentially survive on known extrasolar planets.

    Although comprehensive and detailed, this approach makes important simplifications. For example, it does not yet model how life may shape the planet, nor does it account for the full array of nutrients organisms may need. These simplifications are by design.

    In most of the environments we currently study, we know too little about the conditions to meaningfully attempt such models – except for some solar system bodies, such as Saturn’s Enceladus.

    The quantitative habitability framework allows my team to answer questions like whether astrobiologists might be interested in a subsurface location on Mars, given the available data, or whether astronomers should turn their telescopes to planet A or planet B while searching for life. Our framework is available as an open-source computer model, which astrobiologists can now readily use and further develop to help with current and future projects.

    If scientists do detect a potential signature of life, this approach can help assess if the environment where it is detected can actually support the type of life that leads to the signature detected.

    Our next steps will be to build a database of terrestrial organisms that live in extreme environments and represent the limits of life. To this data, we can also add models for hypothetical alien life. By integrating those into the quantitative habitability framework, we will be able to work out scenarios, interpret new data coming from other worlds and guide the search for signatures of life beyond Earth – in our solar system and beyond.

    Daniel Apai receives funding from NASA, Heising-Simons Foundation, Department of Defense, Space Telescope Science Institute, and the University of Arizona, and leads the NASA-funded Alien Earths astrobiology research team that developed the framework described here. He is affiliated with the Steward Observatory and Lunar and Planetary Laboratory of The University of Arizona.

    – ref. New model helps to figure out which distant planets may host life – https://theconversation.com/new-model-helps-to-figure-out-which-distant-planets-may-host-life-256427

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Debunking 5 myths about when your devices get wet

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Rachel Plotnick, Associate Professor of Cinema and Media Studies, Indiana University

    Consumer technologies get wet as a regular part of everyday life. Shuvro Mojumder/Unsplash , CC BY-SA

    Nearly everyone has encountered the unthinkable: Your smartphone landed in the toilet. Or you forgot to take off your smartwatch before jumping into the pool. Or maybe you meant to take those earbuds out of your pocket before running the laundry. What now?

    Internet forums are chock-full of advice to dry out that drenched device, but problematic myths about liquid protection and repair make it hard for consumers to separate fact from fiction.

    I’m a researcher who studies how technologies play a part in people’s everyday practices and experiences. My new book, “License to Spill: Where Dry Devices Meet Liquid Lives,” explores the wet-dry boundary in how people perceive and treat their electronic devices.

    Here are five common myths about getting devices wet:

    Myth 1: My device turned back on! It’s fine

    While it’s a relief to see your technology rise from the dead, what you can’t see are subtle processes occurring inside, like corrosion. The breakdown of your device’s metal parts due to moisture often happens over time, in a period that can take place days, weeks or months after the offending incident.

    That’s why even humidity from moist climates or your steamy shower can make a long-term impact, despite the fact that everything booted up right away after a splash or dunk.

    Myth 2: My ‘waterproof’ device can tolerate any kind of wetness

    The term “waterproof” is a controversial one – so controversial, in fact, that the Federal Trade Commission has strict rules about using the term in advertising, once even banning it from ad copy selling wristwatches.

    Given the vagueness of the term, it’s better to examine different water resistance standards, such as ingress protection, or IP, ratings and MIL-SPEC, or ISO in the case of watches, and to read the fine print about what those standards actually cover.

    Myth 3: My device has a great IP rating, so it’s been tested under real-world conditions

    Companies often advertise IP ratings as a way to entice consumers to purchase their products, but it’s important to know that these ratings are based on contact with fresh water. If you’re worried about Jacuzzi suds or that tipped-over can of beer, there’s no guarantee that a manufacturer has tested your device in these – often sticky – situations, and an IP rating won’t account for them.

    Myth 4: I’ve got some rice in the kitchen. I can fix this myself!

    It’s natural to panic and seek out the quickest household solution when a spill or dunk happens, and a cup of rice is still a commonly sought-out option.

    However, the rice hack doesn’t work very well, and rice particles can enter the device to cause even further damage. Aside from bringing your device to a professional repairer, you’re better off immediately powering down your product, removing its battery and plug if you can, and letting all the components dry over a day or two.

    Myth 5: Well, this device is broken, but I’ve got a warranty to replace it

    While you’re pulling your product from its watery grave, you might find relief in the fact that it came with a warranty. Not so fast.

    Most traditional consumer technology limited warranties don’t cover liquid damage. These days, you usually need to purchase an add-on warranty, often called Accidental Damage from Handling. Beware, though: Even those policies may limit how many wetness “incidents” or “events” you’re allowed per year.

    Air flow is the best way to dry a device that’s taken a dunk. Don’t expose your device directly to rice, cat litter or other particles.

    Keeping it realistic

    Water resistance features on devices like laptops, tablets, smartphones and smartwatches have recently improved, but the deck is still often stacked against consumers who must wade through the hype of advertising claims, mystifying classification systems and penalizing policies.

    That’s why it’s critical for manufacturers to think carefully and ethically about how their products are designed, marketed and serviced. In terms of design, water resistance is no longer a niche feature meant solely for industrial workers or outdoor adventurers. While it’s unrealistic to expect a device that’s designed to resist every hazard, it’s also unreasonable to ask consumers to tiptoe around the products that provide them with access to critical resources and social support.

    It’s important for manufacturers to avoid promising consumers the Moon. Samsung Australia, for instance, paid AU$14 million in penalties for exaggerating its phones’ protection for swimming. It’s certainly fun to watch commercials with Lil Wayne spray a smartphone with champagne or see him dunk it in a fish tank, but if manufacturers are advising against these practices, then they shouldn’t be romanticizing them.

    Sure, it’s probably common sense that your phone shouldn’t take a bath in champagne. Yet life is constantly happening around – and with – our devices, from the shower and the kitchen to the gym and the beach. This means that fairer policies around repair, like those promoted by the right-to-repair movement, and warranties should stop treating consumers like they’re “bad” users.

    After all, we’re each just one splash away from crying over spilled milk.

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

    – ref. Debunking 5 myths about when your devices get wet – https://theconversation.com/debunking-5-myths-about-when-your-devices-get-wet-257205

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Robots run out of energy long before they run out of work to do − feeding them could change that

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By James Pikul, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison

    Robots can run, but they can’t go the distance. AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

    Earlier this year, a robot completed a half-marathon in Beijing in just under 2 hours and 40 minutes. That’s slower than the human winner, who clocked in at just over an hour – but it’s still a remarkable feat. Many recreational runners would be proud of that time. The robot kept its pace for more than 13 miles (21 kilometers).

    But it didn’t do so on a single charge. Along the way, the robot had to stop and have its batteries swapped three times. That detail, while easy to overlook, speaks volumes about a deeper challenge in robotics: energy.

    Modern robots can move with incredible agility, mimicking animal locomotion and executing complex tasks with mechanical precision. In many ways, they rival biology in coordination and efficiency. But when it comes to endurance, robots still fall short. They don’t tire from exertion – they simply run out of power.

    As a robotics researcher focused on energy systems, I study this challenge closely. How can researchers give robots the staying power of living creatures – and why are we still so far from that goal? Though most robotics research into the energy problem has focused on better batteries, there is another possibility: Build robots that eat.

    Robots move well but run out of steam

    Modern robots are remarkably good at moving. Thanks to decades of research in biomechanics, motor control and actuation, machines such as Boston Dynamics’ Spot and Atlas can walk, run and climb with an agility that once seemed out of reach. In some cases, their motors are even more efficient than animal muscles.

    But endurance is another matter. Spot, for example, can operate for just 90 minutes on a full charge. After that, it needs nearly an hour to recharge. These runtimes are a far cry from the eight- to 12-hour shifts expected of human workers – or the multiday endurance of sled dogs.

    The issue isn’t how robots move – it’s how they store energy. Most mobile robots today use lithium-ion batteries, the same type found in smartphones and electric cars. These batteries are reliable and widely available, but their performance improves at a slow pace: Each year new lithium-ion batteries are about 7% better than the previous generation. At that rate, it would take a full decade to merely double a robot’s runtime.

    Robots such as Boston Dynamic’s Atlas are remarkably capable – for relatively short amounts of time.

    Animals store energy in fat, which is extraordinarily energy dense: nearly 9 kilowatt-hours per kilogram. That’s about 68 kWh total in a sled dog, similar to the energy in a fully charged Tesla Model 3. Lithium-ion batteries, by contrast, store just a fraction of that, about 0.25 kilowatt-hours per kilogram. Even with highly efficient motors, a robot like Spot would need a battery dozens of times more powerful than today’s to match the endurance of a sled dog.

    And recharging isn’t always an option. In disaster zones, remote fields or on long-duration missions, a wall outlet or a spare battery might be nowhere in sight.

    In some cases, robot designers can add more batteries. But more batteries mean more weight, which increases the energy required to move. In highly mobile robots, there’s a careful balance between payload, performance and endurance. For Spot, for example, the battery already makes up 16% of its weight.

    Some robots have used solar panels, and in theory these could extend runtime, especially for low-power tasks or in bright, sunny environments. But in practice, solar power delivers very little power relative to what mobile robots need to walk, run or fly at practical speeds. That’s why energy harvesting like solar panels remains a niche solution today, better suited for stationary or ultra-low-power robots.

    Why it matters

    These aren’t just technical limitations. They define what robots can do.

    A rescue robot with a 45-minute battery might not last long enough to complete a search. A farm robot that pauses to recharge every hour can’t harvest crops in time. Even in warehouses or hospitals, short runtimes add complexity and cost.

    If robots are to play meaningful roles in society assisting the elderly, exploring hazardous environments and working alongside humans, they need the endurance to stay active for hours, not minutes.

    New battery chemistries such as lithium-sulfur and metal-air offer a more promising path forward. These systems have much higher theoretical energy densities than today’s lithium-ion cells. Some approach levels seen in animal fat. When paired with actuators that efficiently convert electrical energy from the battery to mechanical work, they could enable robots to match or even exceed the endurance of animals with low body fat. But even these next-generation batteries have limitations. Many are difficult to recharge, degrade over time or face engineering hurdles in real-world systems.

    Fast charging can help reduce downtime. Some emerging batteries can recharge in minutes rather than hours. But there are trade-offs. Fast charging strains battery life, increases heat and often requires heavy, high-power charging infrastructure. Even with improvements, a fast-charging robot still needs to stop frequently. In environments without access to grid power, this doesn’t solve the core problem of limited onboard energy. That’s why researchers are exploring alternatives such as “refueling” robots with metal or chemical fuels – much like animals eat – to bypass the limits of electrical charging altogether.

    Robots could one day harvest energy from high-energy-density materials such as aluminum through synthetic digestive and vascular systems.
    Yichao Shi and James Pikul

    An alternative: Robotic metabolism

    In nature, animals don’t recharge, they eat. Food is converted into energy through digestion, circulation and respiration. Fat stores that energy, blood moves it and muscles use it. Future robots could follow a similar blueprint with synthetic metabolisms.

    Some researchers are building systems that let robots “digest” metal or chemical fuels and breathe oxygen. For example, synthetic, stomachlike chemical reactors could convert high-energy materials such as aluminum into electricity.

    This builds on the many advances in robot autonomy, where robots can sense objects in a room and navigate to pick them up, but here they would be picking up energy sources.

    Other researchers are developing fluid-based energy systems that circulate like blood. One early example, a robotic fish, tripled its energy density by using a multifunctional fluid instead of a standard lithium-ion battery. That single design shift delivered the equivalent of 16 years of battery improvements, not through new chemistry but through a more bioinspired approach. These systems could allow robots to operate for much longer stretches of time, drawing energy from materials that store far more energy than today’s batteries.

    In animals, the energy system does more than just provide energy. Blood helps regulate temperature, deliver hormones, fight infections and repair wounds. Synthetic metabolisms could do the same. Future robots might manage heat using circulating fluids or heal themselves using stored or digested materials. Instead of a central battery pack, energy could be stored throughout the body in limbs, joints and soft, tissuelike components.

    This approach could lead to machines that aren’t just longer-lasting but more adaptable, resilient and lifelike.

    The bottom line

    Today’s robots can leap and sprint like animals, but they can’t go the distance.

    Their bodies are fast, their minds are improving, but their energy systems haven’t caught up. If robots are going to work alongside humans in meaningful ways, we’ll need to give them more than intelligence and agility. We’ll need to give them endurance.

    James Pikul receives funding from the Office of Naval Research. He is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Metal Light Inc.

    – ref. Robots run out of energy long before they run out of work to do − feeding them could change that – https://theconversation.com/robots-run-out-of-energy-long-before-they-run-out-of-work-to-do-feeding-them-could-change-that-255940

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 5 tips for hurricane disaster planning with aging parents starting now, before the storms

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Lee Ann Rawlins Williams, Clinical Assistant Professor of Education, Health and Behavior Studies, University of North Dakota

    When I lived in Florida, I had a neighbor named Ms. Carmen. She was in her late 70s, fiercely independent and lived alone with her two dogs and one cat, which were her closest companions.

    Each hurricane season, she would anxiously ask if I would check on her when the winds began to pick up. She once told me: I’m more afraid of being forgotten than of the storm itself. Her fear wasn’t just about the weather; it was about facing it alone.

    When hurricanes hit, we often measure the damage in downed power lines, flooded roads and wind-torn homes. But some of the most serious consequences are harder to see, especially for older adults who may struggle with mobility, chronic health problems and cognitive decline.

    Emergency preparedness plans too often overlook the specific needs of elders in America’s aging population, many of whom live alone. For people like Ms. Carmen, resilience needs to start long before the storm.

    The number of older adults in the U.S. and the percentage of the population age 65 and older have been rising.
    US Census Bureau

    I study disaster preparations and response. To prepare for hurricane season, and any other disaster, I encourage families to work with their older adults now to create an emergency plan. Preparing can help ensure that older adults will be safe, able to contact relatives or others for help, and will have the medications, documents and supplies they need, as well as the peace of mind of knowing what steps to take.

    Recent hurricanes show the gaps

    In 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton put a spotlight on the risks to older adults.

    The storms forced thousands of people to evacuate, often to shelters with little more than food supplies and mattresses on the floor and ill-equipped for medical needs.

    Flooding isolated many rural homes, stranding older adults. Power was out for weeks in some areas. Emergency systems were overwhelmed.

    A tornado tore into a senior community in Port St. Lucie, Florida, during Milton, killing six people. Some long-term care facilities lost power and water during Helene.

    At the same time, some older adults chose to stay in homes in harm’s way for fear that they would be separated from their pets or that their homes would be vandalized.

    At least 700 people stayed in chairs or on air mattresses at River Ridge Middle/High School in New Port Richey, Fla., during Hurricane Milton.
    AP Photo/Mike Carlson

    These events are not just tragic, they are predictable. Many older adults cannot evacuate without assistance, and many evacuation centers aren’t prepared to handle their needs.

    How to prepare: 5 key steps

    Helping older adults prepare for emergencies should involve the entire family so everyone knows what to expect. The best plans are personal, practical and proactive, but they will contain some common elements.

    Here are five important steps:

    1. Prepare an emergency folder with important documents.

    Disasters can leave older adults without essential information and supplies that they need, such as prescription lists, financial records, medical devices and – importantly – contact information to reach family, friends and neighbors who could help them.

    Many older adults rely on preprogrammed phone numbers. If their phone is lost or the battery dies, they may not know how to reach friends or loved ones, so it’s useful to have a hard copy of phone numbers.

    Consider encouraging the use of medical ID bracelets or cards for those with memory loss.

    Critical documents like wills, home deeds, powers of attorney and insurance records are frequently kept in physical form and may be forgotten or lost in a sudden evacuation. Use waterproof storage that’s easy to carry, and share copies with trusted caregivers and family members in case those documents are lost.

    2. Have backup medications and equipment.

    Think about that person’s assistive devices and health needs. Having extra batteries on hand is important, as is remembering to bring chargers and personal mobility aids, such as walkers, canes, mobility scooters or wheelchairs. Do not forget that service animals support mobility, so having supplies of their food will be important during a hurricane or evacuation.

    Ask doctors to provide an emergency set of medications in case supplies run low in a disaster.

    If the person is staying in their home, prepare for at least 72 hours of self-sufficiency in case the power goes out. That means having enough bottled water, extra pet food and human food that doesn’t need refrigeration or cooking.

    3. Map evacuation routes and shelter options.

    Identify nearby shelters that will likely be able to support older adults’ mobility and cognitive challenges. If the person has pets, make a plan for them, too – many areas will have at least one pet-friendly shelter, but not all shelters will take pets.

    An older woman crosses a street flooded by torrential rain from Tropical Storm Hilary on Aug. 20, 2023, in Thousand Palms, Calif.
    AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

    Figure out how the person will get to a shelter, and have a backup plan in case their usual transportation isn’t an option. And decide where they will go and how they will get there if they can’t return home after a storm.

    If your loved one lives in a care facility, ask to see that facility’s hurricane plan.

    4. Create a multiperson check-in system.

    Don’t rely on just one caregiver or family member to check on older adults. Involve neighbors, faith communities or local services such as home-delivered meals, transportation assistance, support groups and senior centers. Redundancy is crucial when systems break down.

    5. Practice the plan.

    Go through evacuation steps in advance so everyone knows what to do. Executing the plan should be second nature, not a scramble during a disaster or crisis.

    Planning with, not just for, older adults

    Emergency planning isn’t something done for older adults – it’s something done with them.

    Elders bring not only vulnerability but also wisdom. Their preferences and autonomy will have to guide decisions for the plan to be successful in a crisis.

    That means listening to their needs, honoring their independence and making sure caregivers have realistic plans in place. It’s an important shift from just reacting to a storm to preparing with purpose.

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

    – ref. 5 tips for hurricane disaster planning with aging parents starting now, before the storms – https://theconversation.com/5-tips-for-hurricane-disaster-planning-with-aging-parents-starting-now-before-the-storms-254917

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: USINDOPACOM Commander Travels to Singapore, Speaks at Shangri-La Dialogue

    Source: United States Navy

    SINGAPORE — Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited Singapore from May 29 – June 1, 2025, where he met with senior military and government officials to engage with allies and partners, deepen relationships, and discuss global security challenges at the Shangri-La Dialogue. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Is AI sparking a cognitive revolution that will lead to mediocrity and conformity?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Wolfgang Messner, Clinical Professor of International Business, University of South Carolina

    The Industrial Revolution mechanized production. Today, there’s a similar risk with the automation of thought. kutaytanir/E+ via Getty Images

    Artificial Intelligence began as a quest to simulate the human brain.

    Is it now in the process of transforming the human brain’s role in daily life?

    The Industrial Revolution diminished the need for manual labor. As someone who researches the application of AI in international business, I can’t help but wonder whether it is spurring a cognitive revolution, obviating the need for certain cognitive processes as it reshapes how students, workers and artists write, design and decide.

    Graphic designers use AI to quickly create a slate of potential logos for their clients. Marketers test how AI-generated customer profiles will respond to ad campaigns. Software engineers deploy AI coding assistants. Students wield AI to draft essays in record time – and teachers use similar tools to provide feedback.

    The economic and cultural implications are profound.

    What happens to the writer who no longer struggles with the perfect phrase, or the designer who no longer sketches dozens of variations before finding the right one? Will they become increasingly dependent on these cognitive prosthetics, similar to how using GPS diminishes navigation skills? And how can human creativity and critical thinking be preserved in an age of algorithmic abundance?

    Echoes of the Industrial Revolution

    We’ve been here before.

    The Industrial Revolution replaced artisanal craftsmanship with mechanized production, enabling goods to be replicated and manufactured on a mass scale.

    Shoes, cars and crops could be produced efficiently and uniformly. But products also became more bland, predictable and stripped of individuality. Craftsmanship retreated to the margins, as a luxury or a form of resistance.

    Mass production strips goods of their individuality.
    Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Today, there’s a similar risk with the automation of thought. Generative AI tempts users to conflate speed with quality, productivity with originality.

    The danger is not that AI will fail us, but that people will accept the mediocrity of its outputs as the norm. When everything is fast, frictionless and “good enough,” there’s the risk of losing the depth, nuance and intellectual richness that define exceptional human work.

    The rise of algorithmic mediocrity

    Despite the name, AI doesn’t actually think.

    Tools such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini process massive volumes of human-created content, often scraped from the internet without context or permission. Their outputs are statistical predictions of what word or pixel is likely to follow based on patterns in data they’ve processed.

    They are, in essence, mirrors that reflect collective human creative output back to users – rearranged and recombined, but fundamentally derivative.

    And this, in many ways, is precisely why they work so well.

    Consider the countless emails people write, the slide decks strategy consultants prepare and the advertisements that suffuse social media feeds. Much of this content follows predictable patterns and established formulas. It has been there before, in one form or the other.

    Generative AI excels at producing competent-sounding content – lists, summaries, press releases, advertisements – that bears the signs of human creation without that spark of ingenuity. It thrives in contexts where the demand for originality is low and when “good enough” is, well, good enough.

    When AI sparks – and stifles – creativity

    Yet, even in a world of formulaic content, AI can be surprisingly helpful.

    In one set of experiments, researchers tasked people with completing various creative challenges. They found that those who used generative AI produced ideas that were, on average, more creative, outperforming participants who used web searches or no aids at all. In other words, AI can, in fact, elevate baseline creative performance.

    However, further analysis revealed a critical trade-off: Reliance on AI systems for brainstorming significantly reduced the diversity of ideas produced, which is a crucial element for creative breakthroughs. The systems tend to converge toward a predictable middle rather than exploring unconventional possibilities at the edges.

    I wasn’t surprised by these findings. My students and I have found that the outputs of generative AI systems are most closely aligned with the values and worldviews of wealthy, English-speaking nations. This inherent bias quite naturally constrains the diversity of ideas these systems can generate.

    More troubling still, brief interactions with AI systems can subtly reshape how people approach problems and imagine solutions.

    One set of experiments tasked participants with making medical diagnoses with the help of AI. However, the researchers designed the experiment so that AI would give some participants flawed suggestions. Even after those participants stopped using the AI tool, they tended to unconsciously adopt those biases and make errors in their own decisions.

    What begins as a convenient shortcut risks becoming a self-reinforcing loop of diminishing originality – not because these tools produce objectively poor content, but because they quietly narrow the bandwidth of human creativity itself.

    Navigating the cognitive revolution

    True creativity, innovation and research are not just probabilistic recombinations of past data. They require conceptual leaps, cross-disciplinary thinking and real-world experience. These are qualities AI cannot replicate. It cannot invent the future. It can only remix the past.

    What AI generates may satisfy a short-term need: a quick summary, a plausible design, a passable script. But it rarely transforms, and genuine originality risks being drowned in a sea of algorithmic sameness.

    The challenge, then, isn’t just technological. It’s cultural.

    How can the irreplaceable value of human creativity be preserved amid this flood of synthetic content?

    The historical parallel with industrialization offers both caution and hope. Mechanization displaced many workers but also gave rise to new forms of labor, education and prosperity. Similarly, while AI systems may automate some cognitive tasks, they may also open up new intellectual frontiers by simulating intellectual abilities. In doing so, they may take on creative responsibilities, such as inventing novel processes or developing criteria to evaluate their own outputs.

    This transformation is only at its early stages. Each new generation of AI models will produce outputs that once seemed like the purview of science fiction. The responsibility lies with professionals, educators and policymakers to shape this cognitive revolution with intention.

    Will it lead to intellectual flourishing or dependency? To a renaissance of human creativity or its gradual obsolescence?

    The answer, for now, is up in the air.

    Wolfgang Messner receives funding from Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) at the University of South Carolina.

    – ref. Is AI sparking a cognitive revolution that will lead to mediocrity and conformity? – https://theconversation.com/is-ai-sparking-a-cognitive-revolution-that-will-lead-to-mediocrity-and-conformity-256940

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister hails trade deal successes for Scotland

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Prime Minister hails trade deal successes for Scotland

    From the Highlands to the Borders, Scottish people are set to benefit from the UK’s landmark trade deals with India, US and EU announced in recent weeks.

    • Prime Minister visits historic distillery in Glasgow to discuss trade deal benefits for the Scotch Whisky industry 
    • Follows UK hat trick of trade deals with India, US and EU – improving people’s lives across the country 
    • Deals will help drive growth in Scotland and put more money in the pockets of the hardworking Scottish people

    From the Highlands to the Borders, Scottish people are set to benefit from the UK’s landmark trade deals with India, US and EU announced in recent weeks. 

    The Prime Minister discussed the huge growth opportunities and benefits for Scotland during a visit Clydeside Distillery in Glasgow today. 

    Visit comes after Prime Minister visited BAE Govan this morning to announce the Strategic Defence Review, which will see significant investment in Scotland . More than £2 billion a year is already spent by the Ministry of Defence with industry organisations of all sizes in Scotland, supporting over 25,000 skilled jobs in Scotland. 

    The world-renowned Scotch Whisky industry is set to boom globally – with the Scotch Whisky Association announcing they forecast £1 billion of extra exports in five years, plus 1,200 new jobs thanks to the tariff reductions as part of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement. 

    India is an important market for Scotland, with 457 Scottish businesses exporting a total of £610 million in goods there last year. 

    Under the India trade deal, tariffs have been cut on a range of iconic Scottish goods, from whisky tariffs halved from 150% to 75% and dropping to 40% after 10 years to salmon reduced from 33% to 0%. Iconic Scottish brands like Irn Bru and Scottish shortbread will also see reduced tariffs. 

    Scotland’s thriving life sciences and health tech hubs will be strengthened by IP commitments on areas such as trade secrets and copyright, helping companies export to India with confidence.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    Our trade deals with India, US and the EU will slash tariffs on key industries and open markets set to help drive growth in Scotland and put money in the pockets of the hardworking Scottish people, delivering on our Plan for Change. 

    Scotland is home to some of the most world-renowned products, which can now be enjoyed across the globe – all whilst saving Scottish businesses money.  

    That is why we have secured these deals, and why we will continue to go further and faster to improve the lives of everyone in the UK.

    Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said:

    Our trio of trade deals shows we are championing Scottish products and businesses on the global stage. From our world-renowned whisky distilleries to our cutting-edge green energy sector, Scotland has so much to offer international markets. But more importantly as part of our Plan for Change this means more money in people’s pockets.

    By securing better access to the European Union, United States and India, we’re creating real opportunities for Scottish businesses to grow, supporting jobs in communities from the Highlands to the Borders.

    Mark Kent, Chief Executive Officer of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: 

    As the UK’s largest food and drink export to 180 markets worldwide, Scotch Whisky producers welcome the work being done to reduce trade barriers around the world. The landmark UK-India free trade agreement will be transformational for the Scotch Whisky industry over the longer term and has the potential to increase exports to India by £1bn over the next 5 years and creating 1,200 jobs across the UK.

    It’s also constructive to see a potential reduction in the burden on exporters through the UK agreement with the EU. We continue to support the UK government’s efforts to address the issue of tariffs with the US and establish a pathway to return to the zero-for-zero tariff arrangement we have had with the US on spirits for more than 30 years.

    The new agreement with the European Union, the UK’s largest trading market, will directly address challenges faced by Scottish exporters since 2019. The Scottish salmon industry has estimated that between 2019 and 2023, Scottish Salmon export values experienced a net loss of around £75 million. The deal with the EU makes it significantly easier to sell Scottish goods to European markets.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Arax Investment Partners Acquires Schechter Investment Advisors, Broadening Midwestern Presence

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arax Investment Partners (“Arax”), a premier wealth and asset management platform company backed by RedBird Capital Partners (“RedBird”), today announced that it has acquired Schechter Investment Advisors (“SIA”), the RIA business of Schechter, a boutique wealth advisory and financial services firm based in Birmingham, Michigan, with $4 billion in assets under management (“AUM”) as of May 28, 2025. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

    This deal marks the latest expansion of Arax’s platform, which continues to deepen its presence in high growth markets across the United States through strategic partnerships with leading wealth management advisory teams. Expanding the firm’s footprint and ability to meet client needs in the Midwest, SIA will join Arax Advisory Partners, Arax’s coalition of independent firms focused on specialized services, investment advice and planning solutions for high-net-worth families, individuals and institutions. Schechter’s Advanced Design Life Insurance business will remain a separate, independent entity.

    Servicing affluent clients across the United States, Schechter’s veteran advisory team has been providing financial advice to ultra-high-net-worth families for over 80 years. Upon close, the SIA team will merge with Arax Advisory Partners, further strengthening the firm’s capabilities and supporting future growth across the platform. Existing clients will benefit from the expanded range of planning and investment solutions offered by the Arax platform, and advisors will receive the strategic business development opportunities and expertise necessary to grow their business and provide an enhanced overall client experience.

    “For almost a century, we have found success by reaching across the financial landscape to identify the strategies and opportunities that best serve our clients and their goals,” said Marc Schechter, CEO of Schechter. “By joining the Arax platform, we benefit from the additional expertise, infrastructure and resources, allowing us to focus even more on what matters most: our clients. We’re excited to take this next step while preserving the relationships and values that have defined us for generations.”

    “The Schechter team is known for thoughtful, multi-generational financial planning and sophisticated investment solutions – exactly the type of partner we are looking for as the Arax platform scales,” said Haig Ariyan, CEO of Arax. “Schechter Investment Advisors was a natural fit given our complementary values and aligned strategic visions, as well as Arax’s focus on building capabilities in the Midwest. We feel privileged to partner with a team that brings such a strong legacy and wealth of expertise to our platform.”

    About Schechter
    Schechter is a boutique, third-generation wealth advisory and financial services firm. For 80 years, the firm’s multi-disciplined team consisting of JDs, CPAs, LLMs, CLUs, PFSs, CAPs, MBAs, CFA® charterholders, CFP® practitioners and CIMA® consultants have been quietly advising wealthy families on financial matters including: Institutional quality investment advisory services, private capital and alternative investments, advanced life insurance planning, income and estate taxes, business succession and charitable planning.

    About Arax Advisory Partners
    Arax Advisory Partners is a privately owned, independent Registered Investment Advisor specializing in customized investment platforms and highly sophisticated wealth planning solutions for high-net-worth families and individuals, businesses, and foundations. Arax Advisory Partners’ unique integrated and comprehensive approach provides the highest possible level of client service to establish lasting partnerships with all their clients while combining comprehensive asset management with leading edge financial planning services. The firm is headquartered in Denver, CO with offices across the country.

    About Arax Investment Partners
    Arax Investment Partners is a rapidly growing boutique wealth management platform making strategic control investments in leading RIAs and elite advisor teams. Founded and led by CEO Haig Ariyan — a seasoned industry executive with a distinguished track record of building and scaling wealth management businesses — Arax empowers its partners to be entrepreneurial and focus on delivering exceptional client service. Firms benefit from a management team with deep M&A expertise, capital sourcing capabilities, and the backing of RedBird Capital Partners. For more information, visit www.araxpartners.com.

    About RedBird Capital Partners
    RedBird Capital Partners is a private investment firm that builds high-growth companies with strategic capital solutions to founders and entrepreneurs. The firm currently manages $12 billion in assets on behalf of a global group of blue chip institutional and family office investors. Founded in 2014 by Gerry Cardinale, RedBird integrates sophisticated private equity investing with a hands-on business building mandate that focuses on three core industry verticals – Financial Services, Sports and Media & Entertainment. Over his 30-year investment career, Cardinale has partnered with founders and entrepreneurs to build some of the most iconic growth companies in their respective industries. For more information, please go to www.redbirdcap.com.

    Media Contact:

    Dan Gagnier
    Gagnier Communications
    RedBird@gagnierfc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: How Economics Nearly Drove New England’s White-Tailed Deer to Extinction

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    With a desire to learn why people overuse natural resources, recent UConn Department of Anthropology graduate and affiliate research scientist Elic Weitzel ’24 Ph.D analyzes centuries-old deer bones to study unsustainable practices of the past to help lend insights into how we can avoid making the same mistakes and instead work toward a sustainable future.

    In research published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, Weitzel builds upon his previous historical ecological studies on deer in precolonial New England to detail how the population changed post colonization. Estimated at around 30 million in what is now known as precolonial North America, the white-tailed deer population was overhunted and experienced a steep decline to between 300,000 and 500,000 at the beginning of the 20th century.

    “Essentially, we know a lot about white-tailed deer from historical records and accounts, but much of that hasn’t been synthesized fully with the archeological data yet,” says Weitzel, who is now a Peter Buck Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. “With this paper, I started to bridge that gap, as a lot of my previous work focused on precolonial archeological sites, and in this paper, I’m looking at a 17th century site.”

    Animal bones excavated from the Morgan Site, a precolonial Wangunk tribal village located in what is now Rocky Hill, CT. Many of these bones are white-tailed deer. (Contributed photo)

    Weitzel analyzed white-tailed deer bones from two sites in the Connecticut River Valley. One site represented the precolonization time period, and the other represented the 17th century. He looked for evidence indicating the age of the animal and the animal’s body size, while also noting the abundance of bones of animals at different ages. More juveniles indicate higher hunting pressure, as hunters generally only take yearlings and fawns if they can’t get enough large adults.

    Weitzel found that white-tailed deer populations appeared to thrive prior to European colonization, when deer were large and abundant, with little to no evidence of hunting pressure from the Indigenous population. However, things soon changed.

    “Comparing the precolonial pattern to the mid-to-late 17th-century data set, the deer populations started to decline pretty early. A lot of the historical accounts focus on declines in the 19th century, but this paper, I think, finds some early evidence that it started very soon after Europeans showed up,” Weitzel says.

    A common explanation for animal population declines is overexploitation by a growing human population, which would have negatively impacted deer in the 18th and 19th centuries, but Weitzel says that doesn’t appear to be the case in the 17th century.

    “Native Americans were eating the meat, using the hides, using the antlers and the bones for tools and things, and they were certainly exchanging these deer and deer products to some extent,” says Weitzel. “But with the arrival of Europeans in the 17th century, you’re now integrating New England into the early mercantile capitalist economic system with new pressures, and deer as a natural resource are now being valued in a new way that’s designed for going after profit more than the utilitarian needs of people.”

    Weitzel says this case study yields interesting and vital lessons for understanding sustainable natural resource use.

    “The precolonial pattern, where white tailed deer populations were doing well prior to the arrival of Europeans, speaks to some level of sustainability in these Indigenous economic systems,” Weitzel says.

    One notable contrast between the systems, for example, is the vastly different definitions of what it meant to “own” the land. For Europeans, this meant that purchase gave full rights to use the resources however the owner wanted, even if it meant destroying that land, which is a very different definition from Indigenous understandings of ownership, says Weitzel.

    Another important insight from Weitzel’s work counters a popular and contentious argument for sustainability, that human populations put pressure on resources, therefore the best solution is to reduce the human population. Weitzel found human precolonization population levels were higher than in the 17th century, meaning that the hunting pressure on the deer population was not correlated with higher human populations.

    “All else being equal, fewer people will consume fewer resources, so there is an inherent sustainability with that, but I think it’s more complex. There’s a different system of ownership and resource management in Indigenous societies that I think is probably contributing to whatever degree of sustainability we’re seeing,” Weitzel says.

    Post-colonization, Native American populations declined precipitously, says Weitzel, due to disease and colonial violence. European settler populations were initially low and grew more rapidly in the 18th century, so the population argument falls flat because there was an overall human population low in the 17th century, when deer populations began to decline.

    It’s not just the existence of people on a landscape that inherently causes damage, says Weitzel, pointing out that humans have been an integral part of all sorts of ecosystems for 300,000 years in the case of our species, and longer in the case of our hominin ancestors.

    Elic Weitzel excavating at the Hollister Site – a 17th century English frontier homestead located in what is now South Glastonbury, CT – with volunteers from the Friends of the Office of State Archaeology (FOSA). (Photo by Scott Brady)

    “Our species has had a wide variety of impacts on these ecosystems, and a lot of them have been beneficial and healthy,” Weitzel says. “It’s entirely possible for us, as just another animal, to integrate into these ecosystems in ways that are not inherently damaging.”

    Weitzel argues it was the shift to valuing nature in light of economics, not some inherently destructive tendency of human nature, that was at play in causing the deer population to crash. The misanthropic tendency to think humans are inherently bad for the planet leads to advocating for reducing human populations, Weitzel explains, and this narrative is often pushed by think tanks and prominent environmental advocates.

    “We must pay attention to the fact that even if you have fewer people, if the fewer people are still engaging in these extractive and exploitative economic practices, you’re still going to get ecological harm. Therefore, it’s not something inherent to our species or associated directly with large populations. In my mind, it really does come down to the economics,” says Weitzel. “I think that if we really want to pursue sustainability, we need to start seriously considering alternative economic structures that allow the broader public to influence these economic systems more democratically.”

    Weitzel says an additional detail that explains deer overexploitation comes down to another aspect of society – fashion.

    “What’s happening in the 17th century is interesting, because I feel a lot of it is driven by trends in clothing and fashion. There’s historical evidence that people are wearing much more elaborate outfits, oftentimes made of deerskin leather. It’s interesting how social signaling and this kind of communication that we engage in through the clothes might have inspired this increased exploitation of the deer populations that I saw in the 17th century” he says. “It’s a fascinating example of something that seems innocuous, like fashion and clothing, potentially causing quite severe problems.”

    It points to the troubling trend that has led to the decline or extinction of species across the globe, says Weitzel, “Once you start commodifying animals and commodifying nature, problems happen.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Freehold Royalties Announces Appointment of Chief Financial Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Freehold Royalties Ltd. (Freehold or the Company) (TSX:FRU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Shaina Morihira as its Chief Financial Officer, effective June 4, 2025. Ms. Morihira will succeed David Hendry who, as previously announced, is retiring.

    Shaina brings more than 20 years of experience in the energy industry, with the past nine years spent at Enerplus Corporation. In her most recent role as Vice President, Finance, she led the treasury, corporate reporting, tax and risk management functions and worked closely with the senior leadership team to support the company’s strategic objectives. She is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Masters of Professional Accounting from the University of Saskatchewan and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary.

    “We are excited to welcome Shaina to the Freehold team. Her recent experience with cross-border portfolios, combined with her extensive financial expertise and leadership abilities, complement our initiatives to advance our business in both Canada and the United States,” said David Spyker, President and CEO of Freehold. “I would also like to thank David Hendry for his valuable contributions to the Company over the past six years. We wish him the very best in retirement.”

    Freehold is uniquely positioned as a leading North American energy royalty company with approximately 6.1 million gross acres in Canada and approximately 1.2 million gross drilling acres in the United States. Freehold’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada under the symbol FRU.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Robert Holzmann: Monetary policy and structural tectonic shifts

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests!

    Welcome to this year’s OeNB Annual Economics Conference in cooperation with SUERF.

    I would like to start by warmly welcoming everyone – whether you are joining us in person here at the OeNB or online. My sincere thanks go to our esteemed speakers, panelists and researchers for sharing their time and expertise. I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all those behind the scenes, whose hard work and dedication are making this event possible and enjoyable for us all.

    At last year’s conference, we explored the theme “The central bank of the future: opportunities and challenges.” And our discussions then laid important groundwork for the issues we are facing today. Over the past year, we have witnessed a series of substantial challenges, each with the potential to reshape the global economic landscape and, in turn, the very framework in which monetary policy must operate.

    It is in this context that we are approaching this year’s theme: “Monetary policy and structural tectonic shifts.” Much like how we feel and see tectonic shifts through earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, our world has recently experienced economic and geopolitical tremors – disruptions that have shaken long-held assumptions and institutions. In my opening remarks, I will briefly highlight three key developments that reflect these shifts, offering insights into their implications and addressing the critical questions they pose for the future of monetary policy.

    Some reflections on the past twelve months

    Let me start by looking back. Since our last conference, the inflation landscape has shifted significantly. Following a period of sharp price increases, we took decisive monetary policy action that helped to stabilize the situation. Encouragingly, these efforts were fruitful, and in June 2024, we began a process of gradually reducing key interest rates. With seven consecutive rate adjustments, we brought the deposit facility rate down to its current level of 2.25%.

    However, the inflation surge and subsequent developments have also revealed new layers of complexity in maintaining price stability. Today, central banks must navigate an environment that is more intricate than ever before. Traditional tools often behave in unpredictable ways when used in times of global disruptions. During the recent inflationary period, the factors at the forefront of our concerns included disrupted supply chains, volatile energy markets and the ongoing unwinding of unconventional monetary policy instruments.

    As we look ahead, I believe we must approach the current challenges in two distinct blocks. First, what emerging trends would have shaped the economic and financial landscape if the current tectonic shifts originating in the United States had not occurred? In this context, I will touch on artificial intelligence, financial innovation and new insights into the natural rate of interest or r-star. Second, now, a couple of months into the second term of the Trump presidency, we find ourselves facing new challenges in truly uncharted territory. Frequently shifting economic signals from the United States continue to inject an added layer of unpredictability, further complicating the already complex task of policymaking.

    Three big challenges shaping the future of money and policy

    Let me briefly point out three big challenges we were already dealing with before Donald Trump got reelected. First, I would like to draw your attention to an innovation in the cryptocurrency sphere that has gained growing relevance and with a potential systemic impact: stablecoins. Unlike highly volatile crypto assets such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, stablecoins are pegged to reference assets like the US dollar, offering greater price stability and edging closer to meeting the traditional functions of money. Dollar-pegged stablecoins such as Tether and USDC have grown substantially in both market capitalization and global reach. Yet, as highlighted by Fed Board Governor Christoph Waller, this rapid growth brings with it serious regulatory and monetary policy implications.1

    Second, also in the realm of technology, recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to fundamentally alter the way we live – and, by extension, the structure of the global economy. I suspect that most of today’s audience has already interacted with AI in some form, whether for highly productive purposes or perhaps for more casual experimentation. Yet, the broader implications of AI extend far beyond personal use. From reshaping entire industries to transforming the very nature of work, AI introduces both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges. One critical issue is that traditional economic indicators may fall short in capturing the true impact of AI-driven innovation, especially in knowledge-based sectors (see Baily, Brynjolfsson and Korinek, 2023).

    Third, and this is where many of the points I have raised are coming together, the natural rate of interest, or r-star, has returned to center stage, with recent estimates suggesting a modest upward shift. In a recent paper, we examined the key factors influencing r-star. While overall productivity remains a fundamental driver, demographic trends also play a crucial role. Here, the outlook remains largely unchanged: our societies continue to age, and uncertainty persists about the long-term economic impact of migration. Therefore, pension reforms, such as raising the retirement age, could generate meaningful, and potentially lasting, upward effects on r-star (Breitenfellner et al., 2024).

    Let me now briefly touch on the enormous global investment needed to fight climate change and how this connects to r-star. According to the International Energy Agency, annual investment in clean energy must reach USD 4.5 trillion by 2030 so that we stay on track for the 1.5-degree target.2 Closing this gap through targeted public and private investment is not just a moral imperative butcan also raise the global natural rate of interest. Productive, climate-aligned capital deepens investment demand and improves growth prospects, especially in regions with untapped potential. In this way, the green transition can contribute not only to achieving climate goals but also to ensuring macroeconomic sustainability.

    Finally, central banks are very aware of the changing world and thus regularly engage in thorough reviews of their strategies. The Federal Reserve’s current review, for instance, focuses on two main areas: an analysis of its policy approach, and its tools for communicating policy. Notably, the Federal Open Market Committee’s 2% long-run inflation target is not part of this review. The Bank of Canada has reviewed its extraordinary policy actions during the COVID-19 crisis (ranging from emergency rate cuts to quantitative easing and forward guidance) and found that they had been crucial in stabilizing financial markets, supporting economic recovery.3 Also, the Eurosystem is currently engaged in an intermediate strategy review, incorporating the lessons of recent years to refine and enhance our policy decisions. This ongoing process underscores our commitment to continuously improving decision-making in a rapidly evolving environment. While some of these reviews are still ongoing, I expect that many of the topics we are discussing today will be part of them.

    A new US administration and the dramatic shifts it has unleashed

    In my view, these were the pressing issues of our time even before US President Trump was reelected. And now, in his new term, we have already seen an unprecedented series of tectonic shifts, not only economically, but also in terms of global organization and institutional dynamics. To make sense of where we stand today, let me offer some structure, outlining four key challenges that have emerged since President Trump took office.

    First, current US foreign and trade policies have triggered a series of events that continue to reverberate across Europe and the global economy. Frequent shifts in trade policy have fueled economic uncertainty, undermining stability and resulting in tangible losses for all parties involved. Yet, there is currently no clear consensus in the academic literature on how monetary policy should best respond to such persistent and politically driven uncertainty.

    Second, the Trump administration has decided to withdraw from important supranational initiatives and bodies, like the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization. Even membership in the International Monetary Fund is currently under question. The US leaving the IMF would drastically reduce the international role of the USA and the US dollar even more. When a major global economy becomes an unreliable partner, it puts significant additional strain on already fragile global markets, making economic forecasts more complex and policy decisions even more challenging in an already uncertain environment.

    Third, given this heightened uncertainty, the international role of the euro can be expected to grow. Amid erratic tariff decisions and threats to the Federal Reserve, global investors have shifted away from US assets toward gold, which leads to a depreciation of the US dollar. While this shift presents an opportunity for the euro to emerge as a more reliable and stable reserve currency, it also raises new questions for monetary policy. The well-known Triffin dilemma reminds us that countries issuing global reserve currencies are faced with the structural tension that builds when they must run trade deficits to provide global liquidity, even at the expense of long-term economic stability at home. For central banks, this creates a complex balancing act.

    Fourth, a United States that appears less committed to Western security significantly weakens the military capabilities of NATO and leaves Europe more vulnerable to external threats. In response to these shifting dynamics, European countries have initiated a review of their common defense strategy and announced substantial increases in defense spending. As these fiscal impulses begin to unfold across the economy, the Eurosystem must remain highly vigilant, closely monitoring any inflationary pressures and responding with determination if needed.

    How can we rethink monetary policy in a period of tectonic shifts?

    Central banks must constantly adapt to a changing environment. That is why the Eurosystem has committed to regularly reviewing its strategy. Indeed, as I have mentioned before, we are currently undertaking an intermediate strategy review. This process draws on the lessons of recent years to refine and strengthen our approach to policymaking. It reflects our firm commitment to continuously improving how we assess, decide and act in a rapidly evolving environment.

    In today’s sessions, we will hear from keynote speakers Daniel Gros of Bocconi University and Huw Pill of the Bank of England, alongside a panel of distinguished experts. Their insights will help bring together academic perspectives and policy practice, enriching our collective understanding. Tomorrow, we will delve deeper into recent academic research and consider its implications for the future of monetary policy.

    With that, I wish all of us a stimulating, thought-provoking and productive conference. I am confident that our discussions will not only deepen our understanding of the challenges ahead but also spark fresh ideas. Let us approach today’s tectonic shifts not merely as threats, but as opportunities to shape a more resilient and forward-looking monetary policy.

    Thank you!

    Bibliography

    Baily, M., E. Brynjolfsson and A. Korinek. 2023. Machines of mind: The case for an AI-powered productivity boom. Brookings Institution. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/machines-of-mind-the-case-for-an-ai-powered-productivity-boom/ (accessed on May 13, 2025).

    Bloom, N. 2009. The impact of uncertainty shocks. In: Econometrica, 77 (3). 623–685.

    Bloom, N., M. Floetotto, N. Jaimovich, I. Saporta-Eksten and S. J. Terry. 2018. Really uncertain business cycles. In: Econometrica. 86 (3). 1031–1065.

    Breitenfellner, A., R. Holzmann, W. Pointner, A. Raggl, R. Sellner, M. Silgoner, A. Stelzer and A. Stiglbauer. 2024. How can a decline in R* be reversed? Productivity,  retirement age, and the green transition. OeNB Occasional Paper No. 9.

    Holston, K., T. Laubach and J. C. Williams. 2023. Measuring the Natural Rate of Interest after COVID-19 (No. 1063). Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • India manufacturing PMI stands at 57.6 in May: HSBC

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s manufacturing sector maintained strong momentum in May, with the HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) posting a reading of 57.6, according to data released Monday. While slightly below April’s 58.2, the index remained comfortably above the neutral 50 mark, indicating sustained growth.
     
    The PMI data, compiled by S&P Global, signalled another robust month for the sector.
     
    “India’s May manufacturing PMI signalled another month of robust growth in the sector,” said Pranjul Bhandari, Chief India Economist at HSBC. “The acceleration in employment growth to a new peak is certainly a positive development. Input cost inflation is picking up, but manufacturers seem to be mitigating pressure on margins by raising output prices.”
     
    The expansion was driven by strong domestic and overseas demand, along with effective marketing efforts that pushed export orders to one of their highest levels in the past three years. Firms reported increasing interest from key global markets, including Asia, Europe, West Asia, and the United States.
     
    A key highlight of May’s performance was record-high job creation since the PMI survey’s inception. Manufacturers focused on strengthening their permanent workforce, enabling smoother operations and better workload management.
     
    This trend offers a boost to India’s young workforce and underlines continued investment in the sector’s long-term prospects.
     
    Input costs rose moderately, with increases in items such as aluminium, cement, iron, leather, rubber, and sand, along with higher freight and labour charges. In response, manufacturers raised selling prices at a strong pace to safeguard profit margins.
     
    Despite inflationary pressures, business confidence remained high, supported by rising customer enquiries, successful advertising campaigns, and a favourable domestic environment. Manufacturers expressed optimism about growth prospects in the coming year.
     
    Adding to the positive outlook, India’s industrial production grew by 2.7 per cent in April 2025, according to the Ministry of Statistics. The manufacturing sector alone expanded by 3.4 per cent, with 16 out of 23 industry groups reporting positive output.
     
    –IANS

  • Russia and Ukraine to hold more peace talks after Kyiv hits nuclear-capable bombers

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russian and Ukrainian officials are due to sit down on Monday in Istanbul for their second round of direct peace talks since 2022 with no sign they are any closer to an agreement, one day after Kyiv struck some of Moscow’s nuclear-capable bombers.

    The two sides are expected to discuss their respective ideas for what a full ceasefire and a longer term path to peace should look like, amid stark disagreements and pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to walk away from talks.

    Vladimir Medinsky, the head of Moscow’s delegation, said that Russia had received Ukraine’s draft memorandum for a peace accord ahead of the talks. There was no word on whether Kyiv had received Russia’s draft. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will head the Ukrainian delegation.

    Their last round of talks in Istanbul on May 16 yielded the biggest prisoner swap of the war with each side freeing 1,000 prisoners, but no sign of peace – or even a ceasefire as both sides merely stated their opening negotiating positions.

    Kyiv regards Russia’s approach to date as an attempt to force it to capitulate – something it says it will never do – and Moscow, which advanced on the battlefield in May at its fastest rate in six months, says Ukraine should submit to peace on Russian terms or face losing more territory.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking in Lithuania on Monday, said ceasefire and humanitarian issues, such as returning more prisoners, from Russia would be a priority for Kyiv at the Istanbul talks.

    Kyiv has said Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin should hold direct talks when the time is right.

    Amid low expectations of a breakthrough, a Ukrainian source told Reuters ahead of Monday’s talks that Kyiv was ready to take real steps towards peace if Moscow showed flexibility and what they described as a readiness to “move forward, not just repeat the same previous ultimatums”.

    Ukrainian officials met with officials from Germany, Italy and Britain ahead of the talks to coordinate their positions.

    GRIM MOOD

    The mood in Russia before the talks was grim with influential war bloggers calling on Moscow to deliver a fearsome retaliatory blow against Kyiv after Ukraine on Sunday launched one of its most ambitious attacks of the war, targeting Russian nuclear-capable long-range bombers in Siberia and elsewhere.

    Ukraine’s air force said Russia had launched 472 drones at Ukraine, the highest nightly total of the war.

    Trump envoy Keith Kellogg has indicated that the U.S. will be involved in the talks and that representatives from Britain, France and Germany will be present too, though it was not clear at what level the United States would be represented.

    Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was due to chair the talks, which are expected to get underway at 1000 GMT.

    The idea of direct talks was first proposed by Putin after Ukraine and European powers demanded that he agree to a ceasefire which the Kremlin dismissed.

    Last June Putin set out his opening terms for an immediate end to the war: Ukraine must drop its NATO ambitions and withdraw all of its troops from the entirety of the territory of four Ukrainian regions claimed and mostly controlled by Russia.

    According to a proposed roadmap that will be presented by Ukrainian negotiators in Istanbul, a copy of which was seen by Reuters, Kyiv wants no restrictions on its military strength after any peace deal, no international recognition of Russian sovereignty over parts of Ukraine taken by Moscow’s forces, and wants reparations.

    The document stated that the current location of the front line will be the starting point for negotiations about territory.
    Russia currently controls just under one fifth of Ukraine, or about 113,100 square km, about the same size as the U.S. state of Ohio.

    Putin ordered tens of thousands of troops to invade Ukraine in February 2022 after eight years of fighting in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian troops. The United States says over 1.2 million people have been killed and injured in the war since 2022.

    Trump has called Putin “crazy” and berated Zelenskiy in public in the Oval Office, but the U.S. president has also said that he thinks peace is achievable and that if Putin delays then he could impose tough sanctions on Russia.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Beatty Statement on the Antisemitic Attack in Boulder, Colorado

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement in response to the recent antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado:

    “I share in the sorrow and distress this attack has caused for the victims and for every member of the Jewish community who continues to live under the shadow of rising antisemitism. This was not just an assault on those gathered in Boulder—it was an assault on faith and on our shared humanity.

    Antisemitism has no place in America or anywhere in the world. Not now. Not ever. We must confront it boldly and without hesitation.

    Our Jewish brothers and sisters should be able to gather in peace—on sacred holidays like Shavuot, and every day.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from Congresswoman Ilhan Omar on the 5 Year Anniversary of George Floyd’s Murder

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    MINNEAPOLIS – Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement on the five year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd.

    “Five years.
    For five years we have carried the weight of George Floyd’s murder.
    For five years we have called for a system that values Black life and ensures public safety.

    “I am proud of the progress we’ve made, from organizing in our streets to the changes in local policy. I am grateful for the courage of our community in Minneapolis, and for the continued efforts of advocates fighting for justice every day. Because of these advocates, the world was forced to confront the violence embedded in our policing systems.

    “But five years after George Floyd was murdered, there is still so much more work to do. Communities in Minneapolis and across this country continue to be over-policed and under-resourced. Too many families live with the fear that an encounter with law enforcement could turn deadly. And now, we face the horrifying possibility that Derek Chauvin could be pardoned. His pardon would be an insult to George’s memory and to the millions who took to the streets demanding change. Justice undone is still justice denied.

    “This anniversary is a reminder that we need lasting police reform. We need the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and we need investments in our communities, not more militarized policing. George Floyd should be alive today and we will keep fighting in his name until we build a system that guarantees dignity and safety for all.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Omar’s Statement on Voting NO on GOP Budget Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    WASHINGTON—Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement after voting “no” on the GOP budget bill.

    “The GOP budget bill is a win for billionaires at the expense of working people. This immoral bill is historic: it is the largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in U.S. history and includes the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP we have ever seen.

    “My Republican colleagues will tell you that they are just going after waste, fraud, and abuse. But let’s be clear: the only way to slash safety net spending is by making it harder for people to survive. Right now, families across my district are struggling to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. This budget will kick thousands of Minnesotans off their healthcare and nutrition assistance. Over 164,000 Minnesotans in my district are on Medicaid–now their healthcare coverage will be at risk. 90,000 Minnesotans in my district are on SNAP and their food benefits will be in jeopardy. That means more untreated illnesses, more hungry children, and more preventable deaths. These aren’t just line items in a budget; these are people’s lives.

    “This bill also includes plenty of other harmful giveaways. It contains new mining leases on our public lands, including the Boundary Waters Wilderness. It repeals and restricts nearly all of the clean energy tax credits afforded by the Inflation Reduction Act. It more than doubles the funding to ICE as it disappears innocent people. It also adds more money to line the pockets of military contractors. All of these harmful provisions run counter to the values of the Fifth District.

    “All of these devastating cuts pave the way to shower billionaires with tax cuts. Not only are these tax cuts egregious, they are permanent for the wealthy and temporary for working people. At a time of massive wealth and income inequality, it is unconscionable this bill will widen the gap by hurting the poorest 10% of Americans while benefiting the top 10%. This budget is a slap in the face to working people.

    “There is no doubt this budget is a greenlight for authoritarianism and for inequality to run rampant. History will remember those who chose to stand with the working people of this nation and who chose to serve the powerful. And for those reasons, I voted NO on the GOP budget bill.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Statement on DOJ Move to Dismiss Minneapolis Police Consent Decree

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    WASHINGTON – Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) issued the following statement on the Department of Justice’s decision to dismiss the Consent Decree.

    “Five years after George Floyd’s murder in our city, the Department of Justice is now walking away from the very reforms his death demanded. This decision by the Trump Administration is truly a disgrace and a betrayal of the people who took to the streets demanding change and to the families who have lost a loved one to police violence.

    “The consent decree was about honoring George Floyd’s life with real systemic change and addressing the unconstitutional policing that has harmed Black and Brown communities for decades at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department. For the Trump Administration to dismiss this decree during the anniversary week of George Floyd’s murder is cynical. It sends a chilling message that police violence can be swept under the rug and that federal oversight is expendable when political winds shift.

    “Despite this disappointing decision, I’m encouraged that Minneapolis city leaders have publicly stated their intent to implement the crucial reforms in the Consent Decree. Their commitment to reform is critical for the sake of police accountability but it does not absolve the federal government of its responsibility. Real change requires partnership and transparency at every level of government and the DOJ turning its back on this process undermines that trust we are working to rebuild.

    “I stand with our community, with the Floyd family, and with everyone fighting for a world where an innocent man’s life cannot be taken without consequence.” 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Democratic Members call on Appropriators to protect ILAB funding, American workers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    WASHINGTON – Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Ranking Member Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.), Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.), co-chair of the Child Labor Prevention Task Force and Congressman Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), co-chair of the Labor Caucus, led 68 of their colleagues in calling on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies to protect Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) funding in fiscal year 2026 funding bill.

    ILAB promotes a fair global playing field for workers in the United States and around the world by enforcing trade commitments, strengthening labor standards and combating international child labor, forced labor and human trafficking.

    “ILAB plays a critical role in helping U.S. workers compete in a global economy,” the members wrote. “No other U.S. government agency has the expertise and mandate to effectively carry out this mission. We urge you to provide no less than the FY25 enacted level for ILAB so the Bureau can continue its mission to improve the working conditions and rights of workers around the world.”

     In addition to Sánchez, Omar, Scholten and Horsford, the letter was signed by Ways and Means Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.) and Representatives Yassamin Ansari (D-Nev.), Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), Donald Beyer (D-Va.), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), André Carson (D-Ill.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), Suzi LeVine DelBene (D-Wash.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.), Chuy García (D-Ill), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), John Mannion (D-N.Y.), Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), LaMonica McIver (D-N.C.), Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.), Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), Eleanor Norton (D-D.C.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Johnny Olszewski (D-Md.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Bradley Schneider (D-Ill.), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), Thomas Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.).

     Full text of the letter is available is available HERE and follows:

     

    May 22, 2025

     

    The Honorable Robert Aderholt

    Chair

    Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,

    Education, and Related Agencies

    House Committee on Appropriations

    H-310, The Capitol

    Washington, DC 20515

     

    The Honorable Rosa DeLauro

    Ranking Member

    Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,

    Education, and Related Agencies

    House Committee on Appropriations

    1036 Longworth House Office Building

    Washington, DC 20515

     

    Dear Chairman Aderholt and Ranking Member DeLauro,

    As the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies develops its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bill, we write to ask for your support in funding the Department of Labor (DOL)’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB). We request no less than the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level for ILAB to ensure that it can continue to carry out its congressionally mandated mission. We also urge you to encourage ILAB to continue allocating balanced funding for programs that address labor rights and promote freedom of association, as well as exploitative child labor and forced labor internationally.

    As you know, ILAB’s mission is to promote a fair global playing field for workers in the United States and around the world by enforcing trade commitments, strengthening labor standards, and combating international child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. ILAB works to ensure that fully enforceable labor standards are at the core of our trade agreements and programs, and that trade partners’ laws and practices align with those commitments. The need to continue increasing these capacities across international supply chains and in workplaces around the world remains evident.

    The Government Accountability Office (GAO) in 2014 found that limited resources have prevented DOL from more proactively monitoring trade partner compliance under 14 U.S. free trade agreements with 20 countries and monitoring of trade preference programs with about 120 countries (GAO 15-160). As a result, GAO found that DOL “systematically monitor[s] and enforce[s] compliance with FTA labor provisions for only a few priority countries.” Moreover, GAO also found that ILAB lacks sufficient capacity to carry out the timely investigation of formal submissions regarding violations of trade agreements. The requested funding aims to continue to remedy the weaknesses identified by GAO and to address the historical imbalance in the allocation of ILAB programming activity.

    We also want to stress our support for ILAB’s work enforcing the USMCA. Through the novel Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (RRM), ILAB has taken labor enforcement actions and worked to ensure compliance of our USMCA partners, especially Mexico, with the commitments of the agreement. Further, ILAB’s labor attaché program is crucial in monitoring working conditions on the ground and ensuring trading partners uphold internationally recognized labor rights and comply with labor-related trade obligations. We hope ILAB will continue to spend at least $30 million annually of USMCA appropriated funds on worker organizing and union capacity building in Mexico. 

    USMCA’s implementing legislation included $180 million for ILAB over four years to support unprecedented reform of the labor justice system in Mexico, worker-focused capacity building, and other implementation efforts in addition to $30 million over eight years for ILAB to monitor compliance with USMCA labor obligations. Given this four-year annual appropriation expired in December 2023 and the increased workload for ILAB expected with the upcoming 2026 USMCA review, we stress the importance of robust funding for ILAB.

    We also reject attempts to cut ILAB’s program funding and reaffirm the critical role that ILAB plays in ensuring our trade relationships strengthen and uphold worker rights around the world. Gutting ILAB does not put America first. It undermines American workers, distorts markets in favor of unscrupulous businesses and regimes, strips our trade and customs officials of critical enforcement tools, and accelerates a global race to the bottom on workers’ rights. ILAB is one of the only U.S. government entities with the infrastructure, expertise, and on-the-ground partnerships necessary to effectively counter forced labor

    ILAB must continue to fulfill the various aspects of mission—enforcing our trade commitments, strengthening labor standards, and combating international child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. Accordingly, we request inclusion of the following language in the committee report that will accompany the FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill:

    Of amounts appropriated to the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), the Secretary is directed that the amount allocated in grants to promote labor rights and freedom of association, and to build the capacity of independent trade unions and countries to enforce labor rights and to promote a more level playing field for U.S. workers shall be at least equal to the amount allocated in grant funding for combatting child labor. ILAB is directed to continue its work on three key reports including DOL’s Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor; the List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor; and the List of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor.

    ILAB plays a critical role in helping U.S. workers compete in a global economy. No other U.S. government agency has the expertise and mandate to effectively carry out this mission. We urge you to provide no less than the FY25 enacted level for ILAB so the Bureau can continue its mission to improve the working conditions and rights of workers around the world.

    Thank you for your consideration.

    Sincerely,

     ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Joint Statement from IAM Union and TCU on U.S. Labor Department’s Decision to Effectively End Job Corps Program

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    WASHINGTON, May 31, 2025 – Brian Bryant, International President of the 600,000-member IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), and Artie Maratea, TCU/IAM National President, issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of Labor’s plan to effectively end the majority of Job Corps programs by June 30, 2025:  

    “4,500 current students were homeless before they found refuge, and a future, at Job Corps. This decision will not only send these kids back to the streets, but it will strip opportunity away from 35,000 of our nation’s most vulnerable youth, and destroy a pipeline that has led to tens of thousands of stable, middle-class jobs. 

    “TCU/IAM has run a small, but advanced Job Corps training program since 1971, placing more than 16,000 students in high-paying careers in the railroad, aviation and other industries – as well as the military. These students come exclusively from low-income or at-risk backgrounds, and Job Corps turns their lives around by providing them with the tools and support they need to build real, meaningful futures. 

    “Students in the Job Corps training program learn how to be the best candidates for entry-level jobs in various trades. And thanks to this partnership, these students also see the value unions bring to the transportation careers they seek.

    “We call on the Trump Administration reverse this decision before it’s too late, and preserve this life-changing program that has provided young people with the tools and support to build a future. Ending the Job Corps program is not just abandoning students; it is turning our backs on the future workforce of America.

    “We will engage with elected officials, community leaders, and other union leaders to help save this vital program for our nation’s youth.”

    Job Corps offers slots for over 50,000 young people each year obtain vocational training from the U.S. Department of Labor. Over 3 million students have been served since its inception in 1962.

    The Transportation Communications Union/IAM proudly represents 35,000 members across the U.S., primarily in the railroad industry. TCU merged with the IAM in 2012 and remains a powerful force for workers. 

    The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.

    goIAM.org | @IAM_Union

    The post Joint Statement from IAM Union and TCU on U.S. Labor Department’s Decision to Effectively End Job Corps Program appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Loans are a Meaningful Option for Arkansas Storm Survivors

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: SBA Loans are a Meaningful Option for Arkansas Storm Survivors

    SBA Loans are a Meaningful Option for Arkansas Storm Survivors

    LITTLE ROCK, Ark

    – Low-interest disaster loans from the U

    S

    Small Business Administration are available to Arkansas residents, businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations that are recovering from back-to-back severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that swept across the state March 14-15 and April 2-22

     Residents and businesses in Greene, Hot Spring, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, Sharp and Stone counties may now apply if they had damage in the March storms

    Similarly, residents and businesses affected by the April storms, tornadoes and flooding in Clark, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Desha, Fulton, Hot Spring, Jackson, Miller, Ouachita, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Sharp, St

    Francis and White counties may also apply

    FEMA partners with other agencies to help meet the needs of disaster survivors

    Disaster loans are the largest source of federal recovery funds for storm survivors

    They help private property owners pay for disaster losses not covered by insurance, local or state programs

    SBA loans also cover deductibles and increased cost of compliance after a disaster

    Survivors should not wait for an insurance settlement before submitting an SBA loan application

    Interest rates on disaster loans can be as low as 2

    75% for homeowners and renters, 3

    62% for private nonprofit organizations and 4% for businesses, with terms up to 30 years for physical damage to real estate, inventory, supplies, machinery and equipment

    Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition

    Survivors are not required to begin repaying the loan and the interest does not begin to accumulate for 12 months from the date the first disaster loan disbursement is awarded

    Homeowners may be eligible for a disaster loan of up to $500,000 for primary residence repairs or rebuilding

    SBA may also be able to help homeowners and renters with up to $100,000 to replace important personal property, including automobiles damaged or destroyed in the storms

    Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged property, destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets

    Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes

     Businesses of any size and private nonprofit organizations may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster

    Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact

    Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the applicant suffered any property damage

    In partnership with FEMA and the state, SBA representatives are available to provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants at sites throughout the affected areas

    SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers are open at the following locations:INDEPENDENCE COUNTYOffice of Emergency Management – EOC Building1800 Myers Street, Batesville, AR 72501Regular hours: 9 a

    m

    to 6 p

    m

    Monday – Friday; 9 a

    m

    to 1 p

    m

    Saturday SHARP COUNTYCity Hall – Cave City – Conference Room201 S

    Main Street, Cave City, AR 72521Entrance and parking at back of buildingRegular hours: 9 a

    m

    to 6 p

    m

    Monday – Friday; 9 a

    m

    to 1 p

    m

    Saturday SHARP COUNTYHardy Fire Station203 Church Street, Hardy, AR 72542Regular hours: 9 a

    m

    to 6 p

    m

    Monday – Friday; 9 a

    m

    to 1 p

    m

    SaturdayTo apply online or to download an application, go to SBA

    gov/disaster

    You may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba

    gov

    The deadline to apply for an SBA physical disaster loan for the March storms is Monday, July 7

    The last day for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofit organizations to apply for an SBA economic injury loan for the March storms is Monday, Feb

    9, 2026

    The deadline to apply for an SBA physical disaster loan for the April storms is Monday, July 21

    The last day to apply for an SBA economic injury loan for the April storms is Monday, Feb

    23, 2026

    For the latest information about Arkansas’ recovery, 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/
    thomas

    wise
    Sat, 05/31/2025 – 13:30

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Survivor Assistance Available at Several Locations

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Survivor Assistance Available at Several Locations

    Survivor Assistance Available at Several Locations

    LITTLE ROCK, Ark

    – The state of Arkansas, FEMA and the U

    S

    Small Business Administration have added four new sites that offer face-to-face help for residents affected by the March 14-15 and April 2-22 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding

    Hours are also extended at some sites

    Homeowners and renters in the impacted counties may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance for losses not covered by insurance

    Specialists are available to help you apply for FEMA assistance, review your existing application and submit documents needed to move your application forward

    The new locations and extended hours include:CRITTENDEN COUNTYRoberta Jackson Neighborhood Center1300 Polk Avenue, West Memphis, AR 72301Regular Hours: 8 a

    m

    to 6 p

    m

    May 30 and June 2 to June 4; closed Saturday and Sunday West Memphis City Hall205 South Redding, West Memphis, AR 72301Regular Hours: 8 a

    m

    to 6 p

    m

    May 31 only  Earle City Hall                                                                                       1005 2nd Street, Earle, AR 72331 Regular Hours: 8 a

    m

    to 6 p

    m

    June 2 to June 4 CRAIGHEAD COUNTYLake City – City Hall406 Court Street; Lake City, AR 72437 Regular Hours: 8 a

    m

    to 6 p

    m

    June 2 to June 4 DESHA COUNTYMcGhee Municipal Complex901 Holly Street, McGhee, AR 71654Regular Hours: 8 a

    m

    to 6 p

    m

    May 30 to May 31 and June 2 to June 4 SHARP COUNTYHardy Fire Station203 Church Street, Hardy, AR 72542Days: May 30 to May 31 and June 2 to June 7 Hours: 9 a

    m

    to 6 p

    m

    Monday to Friday; 9 a

    m

    to 1 p

    m

    Saturday; closed Sundays Additional locations are listed online at x

    com/FEMARegion6 and facebook

    com/FEMARegion6/

    Survivors in Greene, Hot Spring, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, Sharp and Stone counties may apply for federal assistance if they had damage in the March storms

    Similarly, those who were affected by the April storms, tornadoes and flooding in Clark, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Desha, Fulton, Hot Spring, Jackson, Miller, Ouachita, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Sharp, St

    Francis and White counties may also apply

    Survivors affected by both the March and April storms should file a separate claim for each

    Here are the ways to apply:Go to DisasterAssistance

    govDownload the FEMA App for mobile devicesCall the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a

    m

    and 10 p

    m

    CT

    Help is available in most languages

     If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, you can give FEMA your number for that service

    For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance, go to Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube

    The Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, nonprofit organizations and businesses of any size

    To apply online, visit https://lending

    sba

    gov or call 800- 659-2955

    For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services

    For the latest information about Arkansas’ recovery, 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/
    thomas

    wise
    Fri, 05/30/2025 – 21:31

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Destructive Glacial Outburst Flood in Peru

    Source: NASA

    As the glaciers on Vallunaraju, a mountain in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca, have thinned and receded in recent decades, new glacial lakes perched high on its icy slopes have emerged and existing lakes have grown larger. On April 28, 2025, rockfalls sent debris crashing into one new lake, unleashing a destructive flood and debris flow that reached the city of Huaraz. According to Peruvian officials, the torrent damaged or destroyed dozens of homes in the city’s outskirts and led to multiple deaths.
    The OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 8 captured this image (right) of the debris flow’s aftermath on May 7, 2025. The other image (left) shows the same area on May 12, 2024, as observed by the OLI-2 on Landsat 9. Southeast of the glacier, rocky debris and brown sediment blanket the Casca River valley, and one of the lakes near the glacier’s terminus appears to have drained. Signs of damage line the river valley for several kilometers and extend into the outskirts of Huaraz.

    Christopher Cluett, a senior engineer at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, was preparing to climb Vallunaraju when the debris flow occurred. Cluett reported hearing “consistent rockfall” all morning as his group approached the glacier. Then, at 3:30 a.m. local time, a slide as loud as a “freight train” reverberated through the valley. These photographs, taken by Cluett, show the cliff where the rockfall likely started (above) and flood debris along the Casca River (below).
    This type of disaster, known as a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), has long posed a risk in this area. In 1941, a similar flood arose from nearby Lake Palcacocha and killed an estimated 4,000 people in Huaraz, a third of the city’s population at the time.

    Satellites are helping researchers understand the risks GLOFs pose in this region. One team of researchers used data from Landsat and other sources to confirm that 32 GLOFs occurred in the Cordillera Blanca between 1948 and 2017. Another team’s analysis of Landsat observations identified a marked expansion in the size of the range’s glacial lakes, with the total lake area increasing by 3.7 square kilometers (1.4 square miles) between 1980 and 2020.
    NASA Earth Observatory images by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Photos courtesy of Christopher Cluett (WHOI). Story by Adam Voiland.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Garrard County

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Garrard County

    Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Garrard County

    FRANKFORT, Ky

    –A Disaster Recovery Center has opened in Garrard County to offer in-person support to Kentucky uninsured and underinsured survivors who experienced loss as the result of the April severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides

    The new Disaster Recovery Center in Garrard County is located at: Forks of Dix River Baptist Church, 5764 Lexington Road, Lancaster, KY 40444 Working hours are 9 a

    m

    to 7 p

    m

    Eastern Time, Monday through Saturday and 1 – 7 p

    m

    Eastern Time, Sunday

    Disaster Recovery Centers are one-stop shops where you can get information and advice on available assistance from state, federal and community organizations

     You can get help to apply for FEMA assistance, learn the status of your FEMA application, understand the letters you get from FEMA and get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance

    The U

    S

    Small Business Administration representatives and resources from the Commonwealth are also available at the Disaster Recovery Centers to assist you

    FEMA is encouraging Kentuckians affected by the April storms to apply for federal disaster assistance as soon as possible

    The deadline to apply is June 25

    You can visit any Disaster Recovery Center to get in-person assistance

    No appointment is needed

    To find all other center locations, including those in other states, go to fema

    gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362

     You don’t have to visit a center to apply for FEMA assistance

    There are other ways to apply: online at DisasterAssistance

    gov, use the FEMA App for mobile devices or call 800-621-3362

    If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service

    When you apply, you will need to provide:A current phone number where you can be contacted

    Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying

    Your Social Security Number

    A general list of damage and losses

    Banking information if you choose direct deposit

    If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

    For more information about Kentucky flooding recovery, visit www

    fema

    gov/disaster/4860 and www

    fema

    gov/disaster/4864

    Follow the FEMA Region 4 X account at x

    com/femaregion4

     
    martyce

    allenjr
    Fri, 05/30/2025 – 19:35

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom proclaims Mental Health Awareness Month

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 31, 2025

    Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring May 2025, as “Mental Health Awareness Month.”

    The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below:

    PROCLAMATION

    During Mental Health Awareness Month, we recognize the millions of Californians living with mental health conditions. We also recognize the invaluable role mental health care plays in every Californian’s life. Mental health care is health care and is critical to our overall well-being.  

    But mental health care has gone unaddressed and underprioritized for far too long. One in five U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year, and more than half do not receive care. After state hospitals shuttered in the 1960s with an unfulfilled promise of more community-based care, prisons and jails became the de facto mental hospitals. Suicide rates are on the rise, with Native people, men, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ community experiencing disproportionately high rates.

    California is revolutionizing mental health care, finally fulfilling the promise of the 1960s – with an over $6 billion Behavioral Health Bond to build 11,150 new treatment beds and housing units and 26,700 outpatient treatment slots for homeless people with serious mental illness, kids with depression, and everyone in between. We’ve transformed the Mental Health Services Act to support those with substance use disorders and behavioral health needs, including through nearly $1 billion annually proposed for housing supports and services. We created CARE Court, a nation-leading model to provide care and services to people with untreated, severe mental illnesses, like schizophrenia. We’ve modernized the conservatorship system to make it a more effective, last resort tool to ensure people get the help they need.

    But we’re also committed to preventative care and conversation before mental health conditions hit a crisis point. California’s Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health has increased access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment services for kids, parents, and communities. We have created resources and support systems for people from all walks of life.

    The next critical step is recognizing when these tools are needed and using them as appropriate. Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to check in with themselves and with their loved ones, to assess and talk about their mental health. I urge all Californians to learn about what help and support is available at mentalhealth.ca.gov.

    NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim May 2025 as “Mental Health Awareness Month.”

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 14th day of May 2025.

    GAVIN NEWSOM
    Governor of California

    ATTEST:
    SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D.
    Secretary of State

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    May 30, 2025

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Office of the Governor — News Release — Gov. Green Signs Bills to Advance Educational and Developmental Success for Keiki

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Office of the Governor — News Release — Gov. Green Signs Bills to Advance Educational and Developmental Success for Keiki

    Posted on May 30, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI 
    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI 
     
    JOSH GREEN, M.D. 
    GOVERNOR
    KE KIAʻĀINA 

     
    GOVERNOR GREEN SIGNS FIVE BILLS TO ADVANCE EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL SUCCESS FOR KEIKI

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    May 30, 2025

    HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green, M.D., today signed five bills strengthening access to educational opportunities and supporting student success both in the classroom and beyond.

    “This group of bills represents our state’s active commitment to finding real solutions and protecting the fundamental right every keiki has to quality education,” stated Governor Green. “Thanks to the critical work of educators and students alike, as well as countless community advocates, our state is poised to reduce childhood food insecurity and increase access to academic and extracurricular educational opportunities.”

    The newly enacted bills include the following:

    SB 1300: EXPANDING ACCESS TO FREE SCHOOL MEALS

    Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, Senate Bill 1300 expands access to free school meals for students who qualify for reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program. To further support ‘ohana classified as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), SB 1300 will expand again in the 2026-27 school year, providing free school meals to any public school student whose family income is below 300% of the federal poverty level. The bill appropriates more than $3.3 million to the Department of Education over the two school years to cover the cost of free meals.

    “Investing in our keiki is an investment in our future,” said Governor Green. “Food insecurity in our state is a serious issue, affecting one in three households. Signing Senate Bill 1300 will help ease the burden on our Hawai‘i ʻohana and improve the lives of keiki across the islands.”

    Senate Bill 1300 aims to improve educational outcomes by ensuring every child in Hawai‘i has access to the consistent nutrition they need to succeed in school. In addition to providing free school meals to eligible students, SB 1300 prohibits an academic institution from denying a student a school meal due to an inability to pay.

    “Senate Bill 1300 removes the financial barrier to accessing school meals, supporting students’ health and well-being, as well as their academic and developmental success said First Lady Jaime Kanani Green. “If students aren’t hungry, they can better focus on their studies, extracurricular activities and personal growth.”

    “Students should come to class hungry for knowledge, not hungry for food,” Governor Green concluded.

    Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani, Education Committee chair, was lead introducer of the bill. “Too many students face hunger in silence and it impacts their ability to learn. By expanding access to free school meals, this bill helps ensure all our keiki have the nourishment they need to succeed. I’m grateful to Governor Green for signing it into law and to all who worked to make it happen,” said Kidani (District 18, Mililani Town, Waipi‘o Gentry, Crestview, Waikele, portion of Waipahu, Village Park, Royal Kunia).

    “Ensuring that our keiki have access to nutritious school meals supports their well-being and success both in and beyond the classroom. At the same time, we are easing the burden on Hawai‘i’s working families, and this is a win for our community,” said House Committee on Education Chair, Justin H. Woodson (District 9, Kahului, Pu‘unēnē, portion of Wailuku.

    HB 862: ADDRESSING SCHOOL BUS SHORTAGES

    Due to a nationwide bus driver shortage, a number of school bus routes were suspended during the 2024–2025 academic school year. To reverse these suspensions and ensure transportation is not a barrier to education, Governor Green issued an emergency proclamation in August 2024, authorizing, among other provisions, the use of alternative vehicles to transport students to and from school. House Bill 862 codifies into statute this authorization and requires Department of Education staff to accompany students between drop-off and pick-up locations to ensure student safety. Using alternative vehicles such as small buses, motorcoaches and vans to transport students, will help maintain existing bus routes, supporting students’ continued access to a quality education.

    “Hawai‘i continues to face a school bus crisis, and we’ve heard from countless parents, families and educators about the urgent need to expand transportation options, while keeping safety front and center,” said House Committee on Education Vice Chair Trish La Chica (District 37, Portions of Mililani Town, Mililani Mauka, Koa Ridge, Waipi‘o Gentry). “This new law paves the way for our students to thrive, by expanding the department’s options to secure reliable transportation and ensuring that transportation barriers don’t stand in the way of our keiki and their opportunities to succeed.”

    HB 133: FUNDING FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC SURFING PROGRAMS

    Due to its deep cultural, social, and economic significance in Hawaiʻi, the Board of Education approved surfing for interscholastic competition in 2016. Since then, only one of the five local athletic leagues has sponsored a surfing program, leaving the majority of the state’s students without competitive surfing opportunities. House Bill 133 appropriates $685,870 for both fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2027 to support the establishment of interscholastic surfing programs. These programs will provide students the opportunity to gain competitive experience and further pursue the sport they love.

    “Hawai‘i is the birthplace of surfing, and that’s something we should take great pride in. By recognizing surfing as an interscholastic sport, we are expanding access in Hawai‘i schools — allowing students to build ocean safety skills, connect with our cultural heritage and participate in a sport that has produced champions from our own shores,” said Representative Sean Quinlan, (District 47, Waialua, Hale‘iwa, Kawailoa Beach, Waimea, Sunset Beach, Waiale‘e, Kawela Bay, Kahuku, Lā‘ie, Hau‘ula, Punalu‘u, Kahana), introducer of the bill.

    The complete list of bills signed includes the following. Click links to see full details of the bills enacted into law.

    HB110 HD1 SD2 RELATING TO LOCAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

    HB1170 HD1 SD1 CD1 RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RESIDENT TUITION FEE

    Photos from today’s bill signing, courtesy Office of the Governor, are available here.
    Video from the event can be viewed here.
    The slide deck presented at today’s bill signing can be found here.

    # # #


    Media Contacts:  
    Erika Engle
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i
    Office: 808-586-0120
    Email: [email protected] 

    Makana McClellan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi
    Cell: 808-265-0083
    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom proclaims Foster Care Month 2025

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 30, 2025

    Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring May 2025, as “Foster Care Month.”

    The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below:

    PROCLAMATION

    During Foster Care Month, we reaffirm to the more than 35,000 foster children and youth in California that we stand in unwavering support of them, and we show gratitude to the thousands of foster families across the state who offer stability and care during critical development stages.

    All children deserve a safe, loving, and permanent home. Foster youth face extraordinary challenges: separation from their biological families at a young age, frequent uprooting from placements, and exposure to adverse childhood experiences. As a result, foster youth are more likely to face difficulties in both the short and long term, with lower graduation rates and higher rates of homelessness as adults. All too often, children of color and LGBTQ youth – who are overrepresented in the system – bear the brunt of these difficulties.

    California is committed to doing right by all our young people, and we are working to ensure that the most vulnerable youth have all they need to not just survive but thrive. To keep families together and reduce foster care entries, the state has created programs to support and educate parents and families to keep their children safely and happily with them. However, if kids must enter the system, we prioritize home-based family care above group homes, recognizing the importance of a stable and loving support system. Consistency and care are critical to a healthy childhood, and foster families offer kids safe haven.

    Although half of all foster children are reconnected with their families, and about a quarter are adopted, some foster kids ultimately age out of the system. In 2023, California launched two pilot programs that provide guaranteed income to foster youth aging out in order to support basic needs and disrupt the cycle of poverty. All kids, regardless of circumstance, deserve the opportunity to pursue their dreams. To support foster youth, the state is creating pathways to careers through the Master Plan for Career Education and making financial supports more accessible for those attending college, including investing in the CalKIDS program to set up child savings accounts of up to $1,500 for every foster child. The Middle Class Scholarship has expanded to cover tuition and fees for UC and CSU students with experience in foster care. Community colleges, CSUs, and UCs all have established programs to help former foster youth successfully transition to college life and adulthood.

    Every foster child deserves to grow up happy, healthy, and loved. We are indebted to the many foster families across the state who have answered the call, as we also recognize the need for more loving families to open their homes and change kids’ lives for the better. It takes a village to raise a child, and California is proud to play its part in doing so.

    NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim May 2025 as “Foster Care Month.”

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 29th day of May 2025.

    GAVIN NEWSOM
    Governor of California

    ATTEST:
    SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D.
    Secretary of State

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    News What you need to know: The state recently welcomed 339 graduates from CAL FIRE, CDCR, and CHP to California’s already robust contingent of public safety officers. Sacramento, California – Strengthening the dedicated groups that protect the safety of Californians,…

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Over 300 firefighting and law enforcement graduates add to state’s public safety force

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 30, 2025

    What you need to know: The state recently welcomed 339 graduates from CAL FIRE, CDCR, and CHP to California’s already robust contingent of public safety officers.

    Sacramento, California – Strengthening the dedicated groups that protect the safety of Californians, today Governor Gavin Newsom congratulated multiple graduates with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), and the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

    These firefighters, correctional officers, and highway patrol officers join their colleagues in communities statewide to protect the state of California.

    Thank you for answering the call to serve our great state. As you go back to your communities, may you face any uncertainty with resolve, any challenges with integrity, and any hardships with determination.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Enhancing our firefighting fleet

    CAL FIRE celebrated 38 new Company Officer Academy graduates. These leaders will supervise and direct firefighters as CAL FIRE Company Officers.

    The Academy offers extensive training in emergency and daily personnel management, physical conditioning, wildland and structural incident command, fire investigation, and the operation of fire vehicles, encompassing driving, pumping, and specialized wildland gear.

    “Graduations are a time to come together with family, friends, and coworkers to celebrate the hard work our Company Officers have put in over the past six weeks. These women and men represent the next generation of leadership at CAL FIRE. I am very proud of their accomplishment and wish them the best as they return home to their new roles,” said CAL FIRE Chief/Director Joe Tyler.

    This cohort brings the total number of Company Officer Academy graduates in 2025 to 272, highlighting CAL FIRE’s continued investment in leadership development and operational readiness.

    In addition to this program, 42 students have successfully completed the Emergency Command Center Academy so far this year, further strengthening CAL FIRE’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies across California.

    This graduating class brings the total number of Company Officers employed by CAL FIRE to over 4,150.  

    Protecting our communities 

    Following an intensive 13-week program at the Basic Correctional Officer Academy 168 cadets graduated, embarking on their new careers as CDCR correctional officers. 

    “It takes a special kind of person to wear the badge, the sacrifices and dedication of our families cannot be overstated. Our future success is dependent upon your professionalism, respect, and commitment to excellence,” said CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber.

    Including these graduates, CDCR will have 601 graduates this year, marking a significant step forward in CDCR’s ongoing efforts and focus on recruitment, hiring, promotion, retention and culture through collaboration of diverse and qualified candidates. Following their graduation, officers serve in institutions throughout California.        

    With these graduates, there are a total of nearly 21,500 correctional officers at 31 adult institutions statewide.

    Patrolling our streets and highways 

    The CHP welcomed 133 new officers who completed 26 weeks of rigorous training at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento. The officers now report to one of the CHP’s 102 Area offices across California to begin their law enforcement careers.

    Academy cadets receive training in areas such as traffic enforcement, collision investigation, defensive tactics, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, community policing, legal responsibilities, communication, ethics, and cultural awareness to prepare them for serving California’s diverse population.

    “This graduation marks the beginning of a commitment to protecting and serving others. These officers have demonstrated their dedication to keeping California’s communities safe and upholding the CHP’s core values,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee.

    Nearly 300 cadets continue training at the West Sacramento facility, and another 160 are scheduled to begin instruction on June 9 as part of the department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen public safety statewide.

    So far, the CHP has sworn in 364 officers in 2025 with this graduating class. There are a total of nearly 7,000 CHP officers statewide protecting our roadways. 

    Join the state today

    California offers diverse job opportunities with comprehensive benefits for those dedicated to providing essential services to millions of Californians. To learn more, please visit the California Department of Human Resources. 

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