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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI: Instant Financial Recognized as a Technology Association of Georgia Top 10 Most Innovative Company

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ALPHARETTA, Ga., April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Instant Financial, the fintech company modernizing payments and earned wage access (EWA) for hourly workers and their employers, today announced it has been recognized as one of the Technology Association of Georgia’s (TAG) Top 10 Most Innovative Companies of 2025. This prestigious recognition celebrates Georgia-based technology companies demonstrating exceptional innovation, significant impact, and substantial contributions to the local tech community. This is Instant Financial’s second time being honored as a TAG Most Innovative Company and the first time it made the Top 10 list.

    “We’re honored to be recognized by TAG for our innovation,” said CEO Tal Clark. “This award is a testament to the dedication of our team, who tirelessly work to empower hourly workers with financial freedom and flexibility, while improving employee retention.”

    Founded in 2015, Instant Financial provides earned wage access, digital tips, and instant payments via banks, mobile wallets, or paycards—giving frontline workers greater control over how and when they receive their wages. Instant’s solutions have enabled hourly employees in restaurants, retail, and hospitality to access more than $7.5 billion in earnings at no or low cost, as well as more than $4.5 billion in digital tips. Customers like GPS Hospitality, Church’s Chicken, Bloomin’ Brands, and Randstad USA rely on Instant for their modern payroll solutions, which help them better recruit and retain their frontline workforce.

    “We’re incredibly grateful to our customers who have entrusted Instant to support their workforce,” added Clark. “Their collaboration fuels our growth and helps us create products that meet the needs of hourly employees.”

    Based on feedback from its customers, Instant has continued to innovate to incorporate more financial access into its product, recently launching its Financial Wellness program, offering frontline workers tools for saving, credit building and health and well-being resources. Additionally, last fall the company introduced Instant Direct, enabling employees to choose between transferring funds directly to their bank accounts, a digital wallet, or using the Instant Card based upon their individual preferences and needs.

    TAG’s Top 10 Innovative Companies are selected based on innovation, market impact, and their role in enhancing Georgia’s thriving technology ecosystem. Instant will join fellow awardees in showcasing their innovations at TAG’s annual Georgia Technology Summit on April 16th at the Woodruff Arts Center.

    Instant Financial is headquartered in Alpharetta and is hiring. For more information about Instant, its culture, or to explore open roles, visit instant.co.

    About Instant
    Instant Financial is a fintech company modernizing payments and earned wage access for hourly workers and their employers. We provide earned wage access, digital tips, and instant payments via banks, mobile wallets, or paycards, along with financial wellness services—giving frontline workers control over how and when they get paid. As the first company to offer earned wage access through a paycard, Instant has helped workers in restaurants, retail, hospitality, and beyond access over $7.5 billion in earnings at no or low cost. With 86% of employees wanting same-day pay, our award-winning solutions turn every workday into payday, helping employers improve recruitment and retention. Learn more at instant.co.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Authority staff donate Easter Eggs to Island charity

    Source: Isle of Man

    Dozens of local children are set to enjoy an Easter treat thanks to the latest fundraising efforts by members of staff from the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority.

    A total of 79 chocolate Easter eggs are being donated to the children and families cared for by Island charity Wish Upon A Dream, which is the Authority’s Charity of the Year for 2025.

    As so many eggs were collected, there will be enough to bring some Easter cheer to any youngsters who are on the Children’s Ward at Noble’s Hospital over the holiday period.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: America Is Back — But Inflation Is Not

    Source: The White House

    Today’s new Consumer Price Index reveals inflation fell to 2.4% in March, smashing expectations for the second straight month — and the first drop in consumer prices in several years.

    CNN’s coverage noted: “This was actually a DROP of .1% — that’s the first time we’ve seen that since COVID. Year-over-year, the annual inflation rate was at 2.4%. This was also better than expected and a six-month low, moving in the right direction.”

    Under President Trump, America is back — but inflation is not.

    President Trump is making good on his promise to deliver lower costs for Americans, with prices for everyday goods seeing across-the-board declines.

    • Prescription drug prices saw the largest monthly decline on record.
    • Prices for airfare, used vehicles, and car insurance all decreased.
    • Energy prices fell 2.4% in March, driven by plummeting gas prices across the country.

    As President Trump pursues the largest tax cuts in history, an unprecedented deregulatory agenda, and a manufacturing boom, the American economy is poised to prosper like never before.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Press Briefing – April 10, 2025 – 2:00 PM

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Spokesperson Tammy Bruce leads the Department Press Briefing, at the Department of State, on April 10, 2025.

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    X: https://x.com/StateDept
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    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
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    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoZ9AuT397g

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Care team sharing session held

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Home Affairs Department today held a sharing session for District Services & Community Care Teams members to share their experiences in serving the public.

    Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing and Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak officiated at the sharing session.

    Speaking at the event, Mr Chan pointed out that as announced in the 2024 Policy Address, the Government will regularise the establishment of care teams and increase their funding by 50% in the next term of service to strengthen support for them.

    He said the Government hopes that care teams will continue to consolidate community resources to provide more in-depth and extensive caring services and enhance people’s sense of achievement and satisfaction.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Miss Mak noted that with the next funding agreement, care teams will be able to further promote their services and continue to work closely with partnering organisations to pool more community resources.

    During the sharing session, care teams members shared some of their stories, reflecting the people-oriented service spirit, including the fire incident at New Lucky House, where care teams quickly assisted in evacuating residents and continued to visit each household for several days to provide emotional support and emergency supplies.

    When the water supply in Tung Chung and the electricity supply in Wong Tai Sin were affected in extensive areas, care teams provided support to residents overnight.

    As of end-January 2025, care teams have visited a total of about 390,000 elderly households and other households in need and provided about 43,000 times of basic home or other support services, as well as organising about 23,000 district activities.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Adolescence’ on Netflix: Evidence-based ways parents can support boys around masculinity norms

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Deinera Exner-Cortens, Associate Professor of Psychology and Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (Childhood Health Promotion), University of Calgary

    Teenage boys may retreat into a wall of silence as they detect gendered norms. Parents’ persistence to talk with them about their experiences, beliefs and emotions matters. (Netflix)

    This story contains spoilers about Netflix’s ‘Adolescence.’

    Since its release in mid-March 2025, Adolescence has been streamed almost 100 million times worldwide. The show tells the story of a 13-year-old boy who murders a female classmate after being radicalized by the manosphere.

    There has been mass public discussion about the series, including among parents. As stated by one commenter on the subreddit r/Parenting: “I have a fairly standard 15-year-old boy … After watching this on Netflix, I’ve got terrible anxiety about it all … ”

    As a developmental psychologist with a focus on adolescent boys, I believe this discourse is important, but the intense discussion can make it seem like these are new issues. Yet, psychologists and feminist scholars have been studying masculinities since at least the 1960s, including among adolescent boys.

    We have also learned how to create supportive spaces for boys through research on gender-transformative interventions. These interventions address issues like poor mental health, substance use and use of violence by focusing on how strict adherence to patriarchal masculine norms (such as emotional restriction, homophobia and aggression) can harm boys’ health and the health of those around them.

    Here, I offer three key takeaways parents and caregivers can learn from this research, and additional resources to explore.

    1. Curiosity is key.

    Many gender-transformative programs use ideas of transformational learning, where the experiences, beliefs and perspectives of boys are used to support critical reflection and change. Put simply, this means when boys say they like “that Andrew Tate shite” (Episode 2), adults respond with curiosity and not condemnation (for example, saying something like: “Why does that idea feel true to you?”).



    Read more:
    ‘Adolescence’ on Netflix: A painful wake-up call about unregulated internet use for teens

    Curiosity, however, does not equal agreement. By demonstrating that we are authentically engaged with what our teen is sharing, we can also (gently) push them to consider how these ideas might harm themselves or others (for instance: “How do you think that idea might make the girls around you feel?”). It is also OK to express disagreement when ideas cross a line, but explain why (for instance: “I am not OK with you calling girls bitches. Do you know where that word comes from?”).

    Another thing we have learned is that this style of engagement — while effective — is not a one-and-done. Effective gender-transformative intervention strategies take time to work, and these conversations need to be consistent and ongoing, ideally starting well before adolescence (though it is never too late to start).

    Adolescents may also not be the first to engage, so it’s important to regularly and intentionally create space for them to share their ideas and experiences. If you get a wall of silence, try again another time. One idea is to look for natural opportunities for moments of conversation, like on the way to an extracurricular activity, or when eating a meal together (like the lead detective does with his son in the second episode). Also look for activities you can do alongside your child, and where they can teach you something (for example, playing a video game together).

    This is hard work, and so finding support among like-minded parents (whether in-person or online) can be helpful.

    2. Masculinity is not ‘toxic’.

    Many pieces on Adolescence refer to “toxic masculinity.” However, this is a phrase to avoid, because for boys, this suggets there is something inherently flawed with a core aspect of their identity, making manosphere messages that celebrate misogynistic forms of masculinity all the more enticing. Instead, we can talk with boys about how they feel they are expected to act as a boy in their world, and the ways they might find some of these expectations restricting.

    For example, many boys want to share their emotions, and indeed do so until adolescence. But, as families, schools, peers and society start to place stricter expectations on the norm of boys suppressing their emotions, boys may retreat from this sharing.

    Yet, boys who are able to resist this norm — with the support of their families, peers and schools — do much better psychologically and socially.

    Parents and caregivers can support this resistance by actively asking boys about their emotions (and sharing our own), and giving boys words to label what they are feeling.

    For example, in Adolescence, Jamie’s dad does show emotional vulnerability several times, but never in front of Jamie. Instead, Jamie recounts a memory of his dad having a “proper rager” and the type of language we hear Eddie use when yelling at boys who tagged his van (“I’ll slap that f-king smile off your face … Listen to me, you little twat”) is mirrored by Jamie when he yells at the psychologist (“I don’t f-king wanna sit down! … Look at me now!”). In sum, what we say, do and share is key for boys’ positive development.

    3. Boys are individuals.

    As one boy in our research shared: “To be a guy is to be human, it’s OK to be sad or upset or nervous and stuff. It’s also good to be happy so it’s OK to show how you feel and that.” Yet, that essential opportunity to be human is often curtailed for boys by the gendered expectations and pressures they feel.

    In Adolescence, we learn Jamie once loved to draw, but at some point he stopped. Comparatively, another detective, who is a woman, discusses how she was helped to survive a tough school environment when a teacher supported her drawing. Jamie’s dad talks about how he encouraged Jamie to be “sporty,” while, by contrast, Jamie relays he is not good at sports, and knew his dad was ashamed of this. The messages Jamie received told him that he needed to be a certain way, and when he failed to live up to those expectations, he turned to online manosphere spaces for acceptance.

    Similarly, in our research with former incels, we learned that participants found the community when they were looking for online help for their struggles meeting masculinity norms. So, if boys are struggling, parents can help them find supportive spaces that promote messages about the many ways to be a guy in the world, and that match their needs and interests.

    Resources for parents and caregivers

    • Gender-transformative interventions in the U.S. and Canada with evidence of effectiveness include Coaching Boys Into Men, Manhood 2.0 and WiseGuyz

    • Books: Masculinity Workbook for Teens; Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys

    • Podcast: On Boys

    • Canadian non-profit Next Gen Men, dedicated to changing how the world sees, acts and thinks about masculinity.

    • Common Sense Media has great guides and information, though for some content, a paid subscription is required.

    Deinera Exner-Cortens receives funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada. She has also been the lead evaluator for the WiseGuyz program since 2016.

    – ref. ‘Adolescence’ on Netflix: Evidence-based ways parents can support boys around masculinity norms – https://theconversation.com/adolescence-on-netflix-evidence-based-ways-parents-can-support-boys-around-masculinity-norms-253724

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Foreign interference threats in Canada’s federal election are both old and new

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Chris Tenove, Assistant director, Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions, University of British Columbia

    Fears of foreign interference loom over the Canadian election. The federal inquiry on foreign interference revealed that entities aligned with India and China interfered in recent elections, albeit without major impact on the results, and concluded that disinformation campaigns pose the greatest threat to Canada’s long-term democratic health.

    Now, with a Canada-bashing American president adding to those foreign interference risks, Canada’s election integrity seems to be in an unprecedented state of fragility.

    However, foreign interference has a longstanding history in Canadian elections. Understanding what is and is not new about current efforts may help to turn down the heat and focus more on how Canadians can make their own decisions this election.



    Read more:
    Thanks to social media platforms, election interference is more insidious and pervasive than ever

    Covert techniques

    For starters, what is foreign interference?

    The commission, following established practice, defined it as an action whereby “states pursue their global interests using covert, corrupt, illegal or coercive techniques.” That means public comments on our election by foreign politicians is not interference, as Canadian government officials have made clear.

    While we largely agree with the commission’s definition, we argue that the interfering entity isn’t necessarily a state. Foreign corporations, crime syndicates and terrorist networks can also interfere in our elections.

    Elon Musk is a tricky case. He is a Canadian citizen, but his current role with the United States government may mean that he can be considered a “foreign entity” according to Canada’s election law, as legal scholar Eve Gaumond has pointed out.

    U.S. interference isn’t new

    History reveals a long menu of options for foreign interference, ranging from bribery to espionage and polling assistance.

    In the 1872 election campaign, Sir Hugh Allan, a Montréal shipping and railroad magnate, successfully used more than $350,000 of mostly U.S. funds to pressure John A. Macdonald and other Conservative party members to award Allan and his allies the contract to build the Canadian Pacific Railway. This was bribery to advance corporate aims.

    After these machinations became public in 1873, Macdonald eventually resigned over what became known as the Pacific Scandal, and Allan lost the Canadian Pacific Railway contract. Today his actions would be a violation of campaign finance laws, which prohibit foreign funding of electioneering. But until the late 19th century, such donations weren’t uncommon.

    Foreign policy has shaped Canadian elections before, even if the last Canadian election that focused almost primarily on tariffs with the U.S. was in 1911. But concerns about relations with other countries are different from foreign interference.

    To date, the most significant foreign interference came in Canada’s 1962 and 1963 elections. Again, Americans were behind it. The John F. Kennedy administration was frustrated by positions taken by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.

    The Conservative government continued to trade with Cuba despite American sanctions, had made a deal to sell grain to the People’s Republic of China, and — most importantly — had not agreed to a U.S. proposal to station air defence missiles with nuclear warheads on Canadian soil.

    Rather than bribery, the U.S. provided Lester B. Pearson’s Liberal Party with assistance from pollster Lou Harris. Harris was a key figure both in Kennedy’s 1960 election win and in the nascent use of computer-assisted analysis of opinion polls to target specific demographic groups.

    The Kennedy administration went further in 1963 and issued a press release in the midst of the election, calling Diefenbaker a liar and disputing his positions on air defence. Neither of these actions was illegal at the time, though the secret provision of in-kind assistance to the 1962 Liberal campaign would now run afoul of the prohibition on foreign support for electioneering.

    Soviet, American interference

    The Soviets too were interested in Canadian politics, with some Canadians allegedly recruited as spies, according to Igor Gouzenko, a cipher clerk based at the Soviet embassy in Ottawa who defected to Canada in 1945.

    The revelations even led to the arrest of one member of Parliament, Fred Rose.

    In fact, American and Russian interference in general elections around the world was common in the 20th century. Political scientist Dov Levin has estimated that from 1946 to 2000, the U.S. and Soviet Union (Russia after 1991) intervened in 11.3 per cent of all global national elections.

    New digital techniques

    All these techniques can be pursued today, but there are at least three new forms of interference.

    First, foreign interference can include threats made against party leaders or other candidates. As in the past, these can come through clandestine networks or hired thugs. But today, an insult or false accusation from Trump, Musk or others with huge, hostile followings can expose politicians and others to a blizzard of online threats and abuse.

    Second, foreign interference can occur by providing money for electioneering. Rather than a single bundled sum offered to John A. Macdonald, funds are more likely to come through online donations, possibly including crypto-currency transfers that are difficult to monitor.

    For instance, in Romania’s 2024 election, the far-right, Russia-supporting candidate Calin Georgescu was accused of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal campaign support. In late March, a crypto-currency businessman was arrested and accused of using TikTok’s “gifts” feature to provide US$879,000 to induce 265 people to vote for Georgescu.

    Such acts would be illegal in Canada. More ambiguous is whether social media platforms use their algorithms to amplify some views and diminish others.

    There is no doubt that X, Facebook and TikTok platforms have the capability to do this. While government officials said such actions would be investigated, it is less clear whether they could be detected or what the government would do in response.

    Finally, foreign interference can occur by trying to influence Canadians’ voting choices by threatening illegal or coercive actions or promoting misinformation.

    Trump has already violated trade agreements with Canada and threatened future illegal activities, even going as far as to threaten annexation. Any comments that link these threats to voting outcomes — for example, if Trump said something like “if Canadians choose Carney, they will see tariffs like they have never seen before” — would constitute interference.



    Read more:
    Forget booing the anthem, Canada must employ strategic communications to fight Trump’s lies

    What can be done?

    There are systems in place to detect foreign interference.

    Canadian intelligence agencies and law enforcement are monitoring for foreign interference, and a panel of five senior bureaucrats makes non-partisan decisions about whether to alert the public.

    Global Affairs Canada’s Rapid Response Mechanism is monitoring the online information environment for foreign interference. Elections Canada is also monitoring for violations of election law.

    Members of the public can help. Anyone can share cases of manipulated images and other misleading information related to the election with the Digital Threats Tipline, created by the Canadian Digital Media Research Network. (Our Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions at the University of British Columbia is a member of this McGill University-based network.)

    These monitoring efforts will help us keep an eye on social media platforms. The companies have agreed to act on interference in the election, but experts are skeptical of their commitment.

    If platforms are pipelines of election interference, they should be more tightly regulated. For instance, the European Union’s Digital Services Act has enabled investigations and potential accountability measures in response to interference in Romania’s election.

    The most important thing Canadians can do is vote in this election based on their own well-informed priorities, worries and aspirations.

    While remaining alert to foreign interference, Canadians can perhaps take some comfort in the resilience of our democratic institutions in the face of a long history of attempts to undermine elections.

    Chris Tenove receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to research global policies to address online interference in elections.

    Heidi J. S. Tworek receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Canada Research Chair programe. She is a senior fellow with the Centre for International Governance Innovation and testified before the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in October 2024.

    – ref. Foreign interference threats in Canada’s federal election are both old and new – https://theconversation.com/foreign-interference-threats-in-canadas-federal-election-are-both-old-and-new-253600

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Tax Day highlights the costs of single living – but demographics are forcing financial change

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Peter McGraw, Professor of Marketing and Psychology, University of Colorado Boulder

    Tax Day is right around the corner – an annual reminder that without the option to file jointly, singles pay more per dollar earned than married people. Tax advantages are just one of over 1,000 legal and economic benefits married couples enjoy, a disparity worsened by marketplace and employer practices.

    Despite its disadvantages, single living is on the rise. While the average age of first marriage was just 21 in 1960, today it has risen to 29. Half the adults in the U.S. are unmarried, and half of them aren’t seeking a relationship. As many as a third of Zoomers may never tie the knot.

    But this shift is more than cultural – it’s redefining the rules of personal finance. Freed from the constraints of shared decision-making, single people are earning, spending and investing on their own terms.

    And as a behavioral economist who studies single living, I think this could mean big things for the future of money. As more people opt out of marriage, I expect that governments, businesses and financial systems will adapt – just as they did in response to women’s economic independence.

    The price of singlehood

    As a lifelong bachelor, I have a cheeky response when filing my taxes: “That’s the price of freedom.”

    For many singles, the price is too steep. More than half of singles over 30 feel financially insecure, one survey found, and their economic reality backs it up. For example, singles spend about US$5,500 more annually than their married peers – which adds up to more than $200,000 over a 40-year career.

    Some of the challenge is mathematical. Married couples split major expenses like housing, transportation and travel, and rely on dual incomes as a buffer against job loss or disability.

    Policy amplifies the financial burdens. One-person households are the most common type in the U.S., yet developers still prioritize building large single-family houses – driving up apartment and condo costs. Retirement presents another stark contrast. Singles can’t claim spousal or survivor Social Security benefits and solely fund their retirement.

    Employers design benefits around families – offering spousal coverage, dependent tax breaks and family leave. Single employees tend to shoulder more responsibilities yet receive 3.6 fewer paid days off per year than their married peers.

    In the marketplace – from travel to tech and insurance – businesses often price goods and services with couples and families in mind. Solo travelers often pay single supplements on cruises and tours. Streaming, phone and retail memberships offer “family plans” with no option for solo users subscribing as part of a group. Even auto insurance penalizes solo drivers – two-door cars cost 16% more to insure.

    The costs add up – but the news for singles isn’t all bad.

    Peter McGraw discusses living single in a financial system built for two.

    The financial upside of going solo

    I study how singles build financial security through the hallmarks of single living: autonomy and adaptability.

    An obvious financial factor is the cost of children. While some singles are parents, they’re far less likely than married couples to shoulder the expense of raising a child – an outlay of more than $300,000 per child before college.

    A key advantage: Singles have complete financial control. They choose how to earn, save and spend. There’s less risk of absorbing a partner’s credit card or student loan debt, covering for reckless spending, or facing the financial fallout of divorce.

    Career flexibility is another key advantage. Singles can more easily relocate for higher-paying jobs or lower-cost locales – freedom that enables powerful financial arbitrage. Many digital nomads, most of them single, choose countries with lower costs and better quality of life.

    Singles also have greater control over when and how they retire. Unlike couples, who must coordinate timing and strategies, singles have more freedom to retire early, ride out a down market, or ease into semiretirement.

    Building a financial system for everyone

    As a business school professor, I’ve seen how slow business and government can be to respond to demographic shifts. The tax system won’t change overnight – governments have long used the tax code to promote marriage – but other policies and practices will evolve. I believe the rise of singles – and the power of their votes and dollars – will make the status quo unsustainable.

    Scandinavia and parts of Asia are setting precedents. In Sweden, solo adults are recognized as a “family of one,” with access to housing support, parental leave and pension benefits – no marriage required. Smart companies will also adapt to recruit and retain singles, who make up a large portion of the labor force. I expect to see an expansion of single-inclusive offerings like caregiving leave, flexible work arrangements and individual-friendly health plans.

    Singles also build lifelong support systems outside marriage. Sweden again offers a glimpse of what might be: A landmark court case recently granted life insurance benefits to a platonic partner, proving that legal protections don’t have to hinge on romance.

    Housing remains another legacy system built for couples. While most new developments still prioritize single-family homes, markets like Japan and
    Hong Kong have embraced lower-cost micro-apartments with shared community spaces – an appealing model for solo dwellers. Some U.S. cities are beginning to experiment with similar designs, signaling a shift toward more inclusive urban housing.

    China’s celebration of solo living, Singles’ Day – held every year on 11/11 – is now the world’s largest e-commerce holiday, generating more sales than Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined. The company that created it, Alibaba, promotes deals on single-serve appliances, one-way flights and self-care bundles.

    Western companies are catching on: Travel brands are waiving singles supplements, restaurants are welcoming solo diners with dedicated seating, and telecom companies are rolling out “friends and family” plans that don’t require a romantic partner.

    Finally, I believe wealth management will respond to the rise of singles. While I’ve found that most financial advice still assumes that people will eventually marry, solo earners need different strategies, such as bigger emergency funds, flexible housing options and proactive estate planning. Expect a wave of financial products designed for solo living, from retirement tools to mortgages built for one.

    As singles become the majority in many countries, governments, businesses and financial institutions will adapt by necessity.

    The bottom line

    As an advocate for singles, I am an optimist. Yes, singles pay more on Tax Day – among other challenges. But they also have one undeniable advantage: financial freedom. Singles can do more than survive in a system built for two – they can thrive.

    Americans are not going back to the 1960s. As solo living becomes the norm, financial systems will evolve. Governments will face pressure to modernize policy, businesses will launch products and services for one-person households, and financial professionals will adapt to better serve solo earners.

    The institutions that recognize this shift first will shape the future – for everyone.

    I have a book (“Solo: Building a Remarkable Life of Your Own”) and a podcast (“Solo – The Single Person’s Guide to a Remarkable Life”) that are relevant to this article.

    – ref. Tax Day highlights the costs of single living – but demographics are forcing financial change – https://theconversation.com/tax-day-highlights-the-costs-of-single-living-but-demographics-are-forcing-financial-change-254035

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Black Americans are more likely than other racial groups to express their faith in the workplace

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Elaine Howard Ecklund, Professor of Sociology, Rice University

    Many Black Americans want to bring their faith to work but face discrimination. Keeproll/E+ via Getty Images

    Nearly 40% of Black workers feel comfortable talking about their faith with people at work, the highest of any U.S. racial group, our two recent studies found. But they also risk facing religious discrimination.

    For the past 15 years, we have been studying religion in workplaces. Recently we conducted two studies, including two online surveys involving 15,000 workers and in-depth interviews with nearly 300. Our respondents included Christian, Jewish, Muslim and nonreligious individuals.

    The majority of Black Americans – nearly 8 in 10 – identify as Christians. And we found that Black workers from all faiths are more likely than other racial groups to use their traditions to find meaning and purpose in their work and to feel “called” to their work.

    Although not all Black Americans are religious or want their faith to intersect with their work, we found that many Black Americans very much want to bring their religious beliefs to work. This goes beyond just talking about them at work, such as their holiday celebrations or the importance of their church in their lives. In addition, Black Americans are more likely than other racial groups to display or wear religious symbols, such as jewelry or head coverings.

    Why it matters?

    Scholars have often focused on racial discrimination in workplaces. However, the potential overlap between racial and religious marginalization has not been studied as much.

    Some Black Christians told us that when they mention faith at work, they fear they will be discriminated against because of their race and because of their faith – what we call “double marginalization.”

    For example, we interviewed a Black Christian woman who worked as an assistant professor of English. She told us she was reluctant to describe the challenges she faced in academia as religious discrimination but said the humanities “tend to not always be welcoming toward religious people and Christians specifically.” She recalled several instances when she was treated differently due to her faith.

    Black people can feel negatively judged on account of their faith.
    Andrey Popov/iStock Getty Images Plus

    Black Christians we interviewed said that co-workers stereotyped them as narrow-minded or sanctimonious in ways that felt marginalizing. For example, some said the term “holy” – which might seem positive in certain kinds of contexts – can be applied in pejorative ways to Black Christians. A man we interviewed who attends a majority Black congregation said he talks about his faith openly in the workplace and often feels negatively judged.

    Members of minority religions may feel even more at risk. The largest group of Muslims in the U.S. are Black Americans. Black Muslim female workers, for example, feel three times marginalized – feeling at risk for gender, racial and religious discrimination – our study found.

    Their faith sometimes makes Black Americans less likely to address inequality in their workplaces. We found they sometimes draw on religious values like forgiveness and their belief that “God is in control” to justify remaining quiet about religious and racial discrimination.

    What’s next

    This contrasts with our previous work, where we argued that religion can be used to address inequalities at work. We need more research that examines the inextricable link between religion and race in workplaces. Workplace leaders who care about lessening inequality need to understand that racial and religious identities are often deeply intertwined.

    The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.

    Elaine Howard Ecklund receives funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc., the Templeton Religion Trust, and the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation.

    Christopher P. Scheitle receives funding from the National Science Foundation and the John Templeton Foundation.

    Denise Daniels receives funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc.

    – ref. Black Americans are more likely than other racial groups to express their faith in the workplace – https://theconversation.com/black-americans-are-more-likely-than-other-racial-groups-to-express-their-faith-in-the-workplace-253203

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bilirakis Works to Close the Digital Divide by Prioritizing Broadband Investment in Flood Plains

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)

    Washington, DC:  Today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis re-introduced the Coastal Broadband Deployment Act, which would accelerate the deployment of broadband projects entirely within a floodplain. Broadband connectivity is a  vital tool for economic development, education, improved access to healthcare options, and for emergency communication.  While there has been a great deal of federal funding authorized in recent years to help improve internet connectivity throughout the nation, the sad truth is that those dollars have been bogged down in red tape and that far too many homes are without this critical infrastructure.  

    Florida was ravaged by recent back-to-back hurricanes and Floridians had a critical need to receive emergency information both prior to those natural disasters and in the aftermath of the storms.  Those who were without connectivity were at a significant disadvantage in receiving timely updates and filing for critical assistance.  It was abundantly clear that Congress should remove red tape and prioritize the investment of a resilient system of infrastructure buildouts in these most vulnerable areas.  

     “Several parts of my district lie within flood zones,” said Congressman Bilirakis.  “I want to be sure that all of my constituents have access to 21st Century Technologies, enabling them to harness the potential power that these capabilities offer. Being left behind is not an option.” 

    This legislation is an important step forward in closing the digital divide for the estimated 21 million Americans who cannot access broadband technologies.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bilirakis, Moran, and Mullin Sponsor Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Seniors’ Access to Hearing Services

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)

    Washington – This week, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15) and Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-1) re-filed the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act to expand seniors’ access to audiology and hearing services.  This important piece of legislation fixes a long-standing access barrier that punishes both seniors and audiologists and increases the choices Medicare patients have when treating their hearing needs.  Under current Medicare rules, seniors are unable to access the full range of services that independent audiologists provide under their existing scope of practice, despite these services already being covered under existing law. The Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act will end this inequity by allowing independent audiologists to directly bill Medicare for services that are already covered under the law and within their existing scope of practice.  The bill also makes technical changes to remove the pre-treatment order requirement, which does not exist with any other federal or commercial payer, and further clarifies that audiologists can provide these services at Rural Health Centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers.

     “Medicare reimbursement policies should be patient-centered and maximize patient choice whenever possible,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “Updating these policies to allow licensed audiologists to fully participate in Medicare will bring greater parity and provide seniors with improved access to hearing health and balance care.”

     “As someone who is hard of hearing and who relies on hearing aids, I know firsthand how important it is to receive quality hearing care. Currently, many Medicare recipients face serious barriers that prevent them from accessing the full range of audiology services they deserve. We need to reduce red tape for both patients and audiologists, which is why I’m proud to lead the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act with Reps. Bilirakis and Moran,” said Congressman Mullin. 

     “Our legislation expands access to audiology and hearing services for seniors by removing barriers to care and reforming policies to allow trained and licensed audiologists full participation in Medicare,” said Congressman Moran. “We must ensure that patients have the freedom to choose the provider that best fits their needs. This bill is an important step to improve access to critical hearing services for seniors.”

     “ADA applauds Representatives Bilirakis and Mullin for championing the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act to remove red tape so that seniors and individuals with disabilities have streamlined access to crucial hearing and balance healthcare services,” said Amyn Amlani, Ph.D., President of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA). “Classifying audiologists as Medicare practitioners will allow patients to receive timely, evidence-based care that improves communication, reduces fall risks, and enhances overall quality of life.”

     “The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association thanks Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Kevin Mullin for reintroducing this important legislation, which will give seniors more timely and robust access to hearing and balance care provided by audiologists,” said ASHA 2025 President Bernadette Mayfield-Clarke, Ph.D., CCC-SLP. “ASHA looks forward to continued collaboration with these leaders and our allied partners to enact this bill as soon as possible. Doing so will help remove unnecessary bureaucratic barriers that prevent seniors from accessing critical hearing and balance care and prevent the Medicare program from utilizing the audiology workforce to the fullest extent of its training and expertise.”

     “The American Academy of Audiology is extremely grateful for our three champions in the House of Representatives, Representatives Gus Bilirakis, Kevin Mullin and Nathaniel Moran for their immense dedication to audiologist by re-introducing the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act. This legislation is critical to raising the audiologist profession as whole to become practitioners, provide necessary direct access and allow for important telehealth access for those in rural areas,”said the Academy’s President Patricia Gaffney, AuD, MPH. “The leadership of these three dedicated Members of Congress inspire those who work day in and day out to improve hearing health every day that their profession matters and is worth protecting. For patients, the passage of this legislation-effective legislation will give them timely access to the services critical to accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Strengthening Transparency: OSCE workshop on Removing Administrative Barriers Contributing to Corruption

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: Strengthening Transparency: OSCE workshop on Removing Administrative Barriers Contributing to Corruption

    Anti-corruption expert Dr. Raimundas Kalesnykas, Director of the Institute of Professional Development of Law Enforcement Academy Marat Abdrakhmanov, and Senior Economic and Environmental Officer at the OSCE Programme Office in Astana Nuraddin Murshudlu at the opening of the workshop “Removing Administrative Barriers Contributing to Corruption” held on 8–9 April 2025 in Kosshy. (OSCE/Assylbek Assylkhanov) Photo details

    On 8–9 April 2025, the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, in collaboration with the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, organized a training workshop “Removing Administrative Barriers Contributing to Corruption” for law enforcement agencies. The training event focused on removing administrative barriers that contribute to corruption and enhancing institutional transparency.
    The workshop convened 21 participants, including 9 women and 12 men, from the Anti-Corruption Agency, the Financial Monitoring Agency, and the Prosecutor General’s Office of Kazakhstan. It provided a platform for open discussion and knowledge sharing, emphasizing international best practices, case studies, and tools to develop national anti-corruption strategies.
    Dr. Raimundas Kalesnykas, an international expert and head of the Lithuanian National Anti-Corruption Association, led the two-day training event, which covered topics such as corruption risk identification, regulatory reforms, optimization of administrative procedures, and digitalization of public services. Participants actively engaged in group works aimed at developing corruption prevention programmes tailored to the national context.
    The sessions explored how systemic transparency and accountability mechanisms, together with strong institutional leadership, are essential for eliminating opportunities for corruption in public administration. The organizers placed special attention on the use of global indices and data-driven tools to assess the effectiveness of anti-corruption policies.
    Group exercises resulted in the presentation of practical recommendations on how to reduce corruption risks by removing administrative obstacles in licensing, procurement, and public service delivery.
    Ms. Arailym Rashitova, Senior Officer, Department for Co-ordination of Analytical and Methodological Support, Prevention Service of the Anti-Corruption Agency, emphasized the value of the event: “This training offered an opportunity to deepen our understanding of how administrative practices can inadvertently enable corruption. By learning from international experience and tailoring solutions to Kazakhstan’s context, we are better equipped to pursue sustainable institutional reforms”.
    The event reaffirmed the OSCE Programme Office in Astana’s commitment to strengthening Kazakhstan’s capacity in good governance and the rule of law by fostering professional development and strategic dialogue that contribute to a more robust and transparent public administration landscape.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Indianapolis Man Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    FORT WAYNE – Yesterday, Jorge Luis Jaramillo, 20 years old, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly Brady after pleading guilty to one count of distributing methamphetamine, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

    Jaramillo was sentenced to 60 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release.

    According to documents in the case, in May 2023, Jaramillo knowingly distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  At the time of the drug delivery, Jaramillo was 18 years old, and he transported almost two kilograms of methamphetamine from Indianapolis for distribution in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Indiana State Police; the Fort Wayne Police Department; the Allen County Sheriff’s Department; and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.

    This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    This case was also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Rouge Bouillon closure update10 April 2025 The structural engineer has now signed off all steel strapping works and confirmed the stability of the structure. As a result, demolition of the outbuildings and boundary walls can now proceed and is… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    10 April 2025

    The structural engineer has now signed off all steel strapping works and confirmed the stability of the structure.

    As a result, demolition of the outbuildings and boundary walls can now proceed and is expected to take place imminently.

    Once the debris has been safely removed, the Geological survey work is scheduled to begin next week. 

    Further updates will be provided as the work progresses and the work still remains on schedule. 

    We have now collated all relevant information including a upcoming schedule of works here:​ Gov.je.

    Public Impact 

    We recognise the disruption the closure continues to cause for commuters and local businesses. 

    The road will only reopen once the buildings are stabilised and all risks of structural collapse have been mitigated. 

    Routes and safety assurance 

    We urge both pedestrians and drivers to follow the designated public diversions and avoid cutting through private land, particularly College Gardens. 

    These measures are in place to ensure the safety of all road users and residents. 

    Rouge Bouillon continues to remain closed between Clarendon Road and Palmyra Road as investigations continue into the stability of an adjacent building wall, affected by a burst water main. 

    We have considered other options to manage the traffic around the closure however, the decision to retain the current traffic arrangement is based on the following factors: 

    • reversing Clarendon Road poses additional safety risks for residents and pedestrians 
    • allowing right-turn access onto Clarendon Road from Val Plaisant could cause severe traffic congestion, particularly near the Gyratory 
    • reversing Midvale Road, while potentially useful, would necessitate signal junction changes, creating confusion, complications, and further safety concerns. 

    We advise the traveling public to continue to avoid the area and use alternative routes to access town where possible. 

    Background and plan 

    The situation is highly complex with several adjacent walls and buildings that are severely cracked and have been subject to significant movement following a burst watermain. The property and external walls were rendered unsafe with voids created under the structures. Multiple parties are involved, including Infrastructure and Environment, Jersey Water, structural engineers, building surveyors, loss adjustors, and insurance companies. 

    The team of professionals, working on behalf of the property owners and their insurance companies, has devised a plan to stabilise the property and then demolish the external walls.

    • Step 1: a Contractor working on behalf of the owner of 28 Clarendon Road will install steel strapping around the building 
    • Step 2: the structural engineers, assisted by geotechnical engineers will investigate soil conditions under the foundations 
    • Step 3: the external structures and boundary walls will be demolished 
    • Step 4: re-open Rouge Bouillon once it has been determined that it is safe to do so. 

    The project remains under constant review to ensure the best and safest outcome. 

    Next steps 

    A further update on the situation will be provided in seven days.

    ​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hopkins Man Who Discharged a Firearm in the Columbia City Limits Sentenced to Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tyrone Grailford, 41, of Hopkins, has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on Dec. 12, 2021, the City of Columbia Police Department officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert at a residence on Fairfield Road. When officers arrived Grailford was standing near the open passenger side door of a vehicle and told officers the gunshot came from another location. Officers detained Grailford and found a spent shell casing on the ground near where he was standing. Officers also found a firearm sitting on the passenger’s seat of the vehicle.

    Witnesses confirmed the gunshot came from the yard of the Fairfield Road residence and one witness who heard the gunshot saw Grailford standing near the passenger’s side of the vehicle immediately after. Officers placed Grailford under arrest and found a box of 9mm ammunition in his pocket.

    Grailford has prior convictions for burglary, assault and battery with intent to kill, threatening the life of a public official, and domestic violence second degree, all of which prohibit him from possessing a firearm under federal law.

    United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Grailford to 77 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system

    This case was made possible by investigative leads generated from the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall is prosecuting the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Fill-in-the-blank training primes AI to interpret health data from smartwatches and fitness trackers

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Eloy Geenjaar, Ph.D. Student in Electrical Engineering & Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

    AI promises to help wearable devices like smart watches better monitor your health. adamkaz/E+ via Getty Images

    The human body constantly generates a variety of signals that can be measured from outside the body with wearable devices. These bio-signals – ranging from heart rate to sleep state and blood oxygen levels – can indicate whether someone is having mood swings or can be used to diagnose a variety of body or brain disorders.

    It can be relatively cheap to gather a lot of bio-signal data. Researchers can organize a study and ask participants to use a wearable device akin to a smartwatch for a few days. However, to teach a machine learning algorithm to find a relationship between a specific bio-signal and a health disorder, you first need to teach the algorithm to recognize that disorder. That’s where computer engineers like myself come in.

    Many commercial smartwatches, such as ones by Apple, AliveCor, Google and Samsung, currently support atrial fibrillation detection. Atrial fibrillation is a common type of irregular heart rhythm, and leaving it untreated can lead to a stroke. One way to automatically detect atrial fibrillation is to train a machine learning algorithm to recognize what atrial fibrillation looks like in the data.

    This machine learning approach requires large bio-signal datasets in which instances of atrial fibrillation are labeled. The algorithm can use the labeled instances to learn to recognize a relationship between the bio-signal and atrial fibrillation.

    The labeling process can be quite expensive because it requires experts, such as cardiologists, to go through millions of data points and label each instance of atrial fibrillation. The same problem extends to many other bio-signals and disorders.

    To resolve this issue, researchers have been developing new ways to train machine learning algorithms with fewer labels. By first training a machine learning model to fill in the blanks of large-scale unlabeled bio-signal data, the machine learning model is primed to learn the relationship between a bio-signal and a disorder with fewer labels. This is called pretraining. Pretraining even helps a machine learning model learn a relationship between a bio-signal and a disorder when it is pretrained on a completely unrelated bio-signal.

    Bio-signals are found all over the body and provide information about different bodily functions. Each of these is a bio-signal that measures a specific physiological signal in a noninvasive way.
    Eloy Geenjaar

    Challenges of working with bio-signals

    Finding relationships between bio-signals and disorders can be difficult because of noise , or irrelevant data, differences between people’s bio-signals, and because the relationship between a bio-signal and disorder may not be clear.

    First, bio-signals contain a lot of noise. For example, when you’re wearing a smartwatch while running, the watch will move around. This causes the sensor for the bio-signal to record at different locations during the run. Since the locations vary across the run, swings in the bio-signal value may now be due to variations in the recording location instead of due to physiological processes.

    Second, everyone’s bio-signals are unique. The location of veins, for example, often differ between people. This means that even if smartwatches are worn at exactly the same place on everyone’s wrists, the bio-signal related to those veins is recorded differently from one person to the next. The same underlying signal, such as someone’s heart rate, will lead to different bio-signal values.

    The underlying signal itself can also be unique for people or groups of people. The resting heart rate of an average person is around 60-80 beats per minute, but athletes can have resting heart rates as low as 30-40 beats per minute.

    Lastly, the relationship between a bio-signal and a disorder is often complex. This means that the disorder is not immediately obvious from looking at the bio-signal.

    Machine learning algorithms allow researchers to learn from data and account for the complexity, noise and variability of people. By using large bio-signal datasets, machine learning algorithms are able to find clear relationships that apply to everyone.

    Learning to fill in the blanks

    Researchers can use unlabeled bio-signal data as a warmup for the machine learning algorithm. This warmup, or pre-training, primes the machine learning algorithm to find a relationship between the bio-signal and a disorder. This is a bit like walking around a park to get the lay of the land before working out a route to go running.

    There are many ways to pretrain a machine learning algorithm. In my research with Dolby Laboratories researcher Lie Lu and previous research, the machine learning algorithm is taught to fill in the blanks.

    To do this, we take a bio-signal and artificially create gaps of a certain length – for example, one second. We then teach the machine learning algorithm to fill in the missing piece of bio-signal. This is possible because the machine learning algorithm sees what the bio-signal looks like before and after the gap.

    If the heart rate of a person is around 60 beats per minute before the gap, there will likely be a heartbeat in the one-second gap. In this case, we’re training the machine learning algorithm to predict when that heartbeat will occur.

    Once we have trained the machine learning algorithm to do this, it will have found a relationship between someone’s heart rate and when the next beat should occur. We can now train the machine learning algorithm with this relationship between a normal heart rate and bio-signal already learned. This makes it easier for the algorithm to learn the relationship between heart rate and atrial fibrillation. Since atrial fibrillation is characterized by fast and irregular heartbeats, and the algorithm is now good at predicting when a heartbeat will happen, it can quickly learn to detect these irregularities.

    Machine learning pre-training on filling in the blanks of a heart bio-signal.
    Eloy Geenjaar

    The idea of filling in the blanks can be generalized to other bio-signals as well. Previous research has shown, and our work reconfirmed, that pretraining a model on one bio-signal without any labels allows it to learn clinically useful relationships from other bio-signals with few labels. This shortcut means that researchers can pretrain on bio-signals that are easy to gather and use the machine learning model on ones that are hard to gather and label.

    Faster disorder detection development

    By improving pretraining, researchers can make machine learning algorithms better and more efficient at detecting diseases and disorders. Pretraining improvements reduce cost and time spent by experts labeling.

    A recent example of machine learning algorithms used for early detection is Google’s Loss of Pulse smartwatch feature. The emerging field of bio-signal pretraining can help enable faster development of similar features using a wider range of bio-signals and for a wider range of disorders.

    With increasing types of bio-signals and more data, researchers may be able to discover relationships that dramatically improve early detection of disease and disorders. The earlier many diseases and disorders are found, the better a treatment plan works for patients.

    Eloy Geenjaar receives funding from the National Institute of Health and the National Science Foundation, and performed bio-signal research during an internship at Dolby Laboratories.

    – ref. Fill-in-the-blank training primes AI to interpret health data from smartwatches and fitness trackers – https://theconversation.com/fill-in-the-blank-training-primes-ai-to-interpret-health-data-from-smartwatches-and-fitness-trackers-251890

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Race isn’t a ‘biological reality,’ contrary to recent political claims − here’s how scientific consensus on race developed in the 20th century

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By John P. Jackson, Jr., Professor of History and Philosophy of Science, Michigan State University

    ‘The Dying Tecumseh,’ a marble sculpture at the Smithsonian, depicts the Shawnee leader in a heroic light. Frederick Pettrich, Smithsonian American Art Museum, CC BY

    In the recent flurry of executive orders from President Donald Trump, one warned of “a distorted narrative” about race “driven by ideology rather than truth.” It singled out a current exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum titled “The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture” as an example. The exhibit displays over two centuries of sculptures that show how art has produced and reproduced racial attitudes and ideologies.

    The executive order condemns the exhibition because it “promotes the view that race is not a biological reality but a social construct, stating ‘Race is a human invention.’”

    The executive order apparently objects to sentiments such as this: “Although a person’s genetics influences their phenotypic characteristics, and self-identified race might be influenced by physical appearance, race itself is a social construct.” But those words are not from the Smithsonian; they are from the American Society of Human Genetics.

    Scientists reject the idea that race is biologically real. The claim that race is a “biological reality” cuts against modern scientific knowledge.

    I’m a historian who specializes in the scientific study of race. The executive order places “social construct” in opposition to “biological reality.” The history of both concepts reveals how modern science landed at the idea that race was invented by people, not nature.

    Race exists, but what is it?

    At the turn of the 20th century, scientists believed humans could be divided into distinct races based on physical features. According to this idea, a scientist could identify physical differences in groups of people, and if those differences were passed on to succeeding generations, the scientist had correctly identified a racial “type.”

    The results of this “typological” method were chaotic. A frustrated Charles Darwin in 1871 listed 13 scientists who identified anywhere between two and 63 races, a confusion that persisted for the next six decades. There were almost as many racial classifications as racial classifiers because no two scientists could seem to agree on what physical characteristics were best to measure, or how to measure them.

    One intractable problem with racial classifications was that the differences in human physical traits were tiny, so scientists struggled to use them to differentiate between groups. The pioneering African American scholar W.E.B. Du Bois noted in 1906, “It is impossible to draw a color line between black and other races … in all physical characteristics the Negro race cannot be set off by itself.”

    But scientists tried. In an 1899 anthropological study, William Ripley classified people using head shape, hair type, pigmentation and stature. In 1926, Harvard anthropologist Earnest Hooton, the leading racial typologist in the world, listed 24 anatomical traits, such as “the presence or absence of a postglenoid tubercle and a pharyngeal fossa or tubercle” and “the degree of bowing of the radius and ulna” while admitting “this list is not, of course, exhaustive.”

    All this confusion was the opposite of how science should operate: As the tools improved and as measurements became more precise, the object of study − race − became more and more muddled.

    Malvina Hoffman’s sculptures illustrate a map titled Races of the World and Where They Live.
    Malvina Hoffman/Field Museum of Natural History

    When sculptor Malvina Hoffman’s “Races of Mankind” exhibit opened at Chicago’s Field Museum in 1933, it characterized race as a biological reality, despite its elusive definition. World-renowned anthropologist Sir Arthur Keith wrote the introduction to the exhibition’s catalog.

    Keith dismissed science as the surest method to distinguish race; one knows a person’s race because “a single glance, picks out the racial features more certainly than could a band of trained anthropologists.” Keith’s view perfectly captured the view that race must be real, for he saw it all around him, even though science could never establish that reality.

    In the scientific study of race, however, things were about to change.

    Turning to culture to explain difference

    By 1933, the rise of Nazism had added urgency to the scientific study of race. As anthropologist Sherwood Washburn wrote in 1944, “If we are to discuss racial matters with the Nazis, we had better be right.”

    In the late 1930s and early 1940s, two new scientific ideas came to fruition. First, scientists began looking to culture rather than biology as the driver of differences among groups of people. Second, the rise of population genetics challenged the biological reality of race.

    In 1943, anthropologists Ruth Benedict and Gene Weltfish wrote a short work also titled The Races of Mankind. Writing for a popular audience, they argued that people are far more alike than different, and our differences owe to culture and learning, not biology. An animated cartoon short later gave these ideas wider circulation.

    ‘The Brotherhood of Man’ was based on Benedict and Weltfish’s pamphlet and pointed out that differences between people come from their environments.

    Benedict and Weltfish argued that while people did, indeed, differ physically, those differences were meaningless in that all races could learn and all were capable. “Progress in civilization is not the monopoly of one race or subrace,” they wrote. “Negroes made iron tools and wove fine cloth for their clothing when fair-skinned Europeans wore skins and knew nothing of iron.” The cultural explanation for different human lifestyles was more robust than confused appeals to an elusive biological race.

    The turn to culture was consistent with a deep change in biological knowledge.

    Genetic research was taking off in the 1940s, as in this lab at Iowa State College in Ames, Iowa.
    Jack Delano, U.S. Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information, CC BY

    A tool to understand evolution

    Theodosius Dobzhansky was a preeminent biologist of the 20th century. He and other biologists were interested in evolutionary changes. Races, which supposedly didn’t change over time, were therefore useless for understanding how organisms evolved.

    A new tool, what scientists called a “genetic population,” was much more valuable. The geneticist, Dobzhansky held, identified a population based on the genes it shared in order to study change in organisms. Over time natural selection would shape how the population evolved. But if that population didn’t shed light on natural selection, the geneticist must abandon it and work with a new population based on a different set of shared genes. The important point is that, whatever population the geneticist chose, it was changing over time. No population was a fixed and stable entity, as human races were supposed to be.

    Sherwood Washburn, who happened to be Dobzhansky’s close friend, brought those ideas into anthropology. He recognized that the point of genetics was not classifying people into fixed groups. The point was to understand the process of human evolution. This change reversed everything taught by Hooton, his old teacher.

    Writing in 1951, Washburn argued, “There is no way to justify the division of a … population into a series of racial types” because doing so would be pointless. Presuming any group to be unchanging stood in the way of understanding evolutionary changes. A genetic population was not “real”; it was an invention of the scientist using it as a lens to understand organic change.

    Classifying for a purpose, not as a ‘true’ assessment of tall or short.
    Buena Vista Images/Stone via Getty Images

    A good way to understand this profound difference relates to roller coasters.

    Anyone who’s been to an amusement park has seen signs that precisely define who is tall enough to ride a given roller coaster. But no one would say they define a “real” category of “tall” or “short” people, as another roller coaster might have a different height requirement. The signs define who is tall enough only for riding this particular roller coaster, and that’s all. It’s a tool for keeping people safe, not a category defining who is “really” tall.

    Similarly, geneticists use genetic populations as “an important tool for inferring the evolutionary history of modern humans” or because they have “fundamental implications for understanding the genetic basis of diseases.”

    Anyone trying to pound a nail with a screwdriver soon realizes that tools are good for tasks they were designed for and useless for anything else. Genetic populations are tools for specific biological uses, not for classifying people into “real” groups by race.

    Whoever wanted to classify people, Washburn argued, must give the “important reasons for subdividing our whole species.”

    The Smithsonian’s exhibit shows how racialized sculpture was “both a tool of oppression and domination and one of liberation and empowerment.” Science agrees with its claim that race is a human invention and not a biological reality.

    The Conversation U.S. receives funding from the Smithsonian Institution.

    John P. Jackson, Jr. 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. Race isn’t a ‘biological reality,’ contrary to recent political claims − here’s how scientific consensus on race developed in the 20th century – https://theconversation.com/race-isnt-a-biological-reality-contrary-to-recent-political-claims-heres-how-scientific-consensus-on-race-developed-in-the-20th-century-253504

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s nomination for NASA leader boasts business and commercial spaceflight experience during a period of uncertainty for the agency

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Wendy Whitman Cobb, Professor of Strategy and Security Studies, Air University

    Jared Isaacman, the nominee for next NASA administrator, has traveled to orbit on two commercial space missions. AP Photo/John Raoux

    Jared Isaacman, billionaire, CEO and nominee to become the next NASA administrator, faced questions on April 9, 2025, from members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during his confirmation hearing for the position.

    Should the Senate confirm him, Isaacman will be the first billionaire – but not the first astronaut – to head NASA. Perhaps even more significant, he will be the first NASA administrator with significant ties to the commercial space industry.

    As a space policy expert, I know that NASA leadership matters. The head of the agency can significantly shape the missions it pursues, the science it undertakes and, ultimately, the outcome of America’s space exploration.

    Jared Isaacman speaks at a news conference in 2024, before his Polaris Dawn mission.
    AP Photo/John Raoux, File

    An unconventional background

    At 16 years old, Isaacman dropped out of high school to start a payment processing company in his basement. The endeavor succeeded and eventually became known as Shift4.

    Though he found early success in business, Isaacman also had a love for aviation. In 2009, he set a record for flying around the Earth in a light jet, beating the previous record by more than 20 hours.

    While remaining CEO of Shift4, Isaacman founded another company, Draken International. The company eventually assembled the world’s largest fleet of privately owned fighter jets. It now helps to train U.S. Air Force pilots.

    In 2019, Isaacman sold his stake in Draken International. In 2020, he took Shift4 public, making him a billionaire.

    Isaacman continued to branch out into aerospace, working with SpaceX beginning in 2021. He purchased a crewed flight on the Falcon 9 rocket, a mission that eventually was called Inspiration4. The mission, which he led, represented the first private astronaut flight for SpaceX. It sent four civilians with no previous formal space experience into orbit.

    Following the success of Inspiration4, Isaacman worked with SpaceX to develop the Polaris Program, a series of three missions to help build SpaceX’s human spaceflight capabilities. In fall 2024, the first of these missions, Polaris Dawn, launched.

    Polaris Dawn added more accomplishments to Isaacman’s resume. Isaacman, along with his crewmate Sarah Gillis, completed the first private spacewalk. Polaris Dawn’s SpaceX Dragon capsule traveled more than 850 miles (1,367 kilometers) from Earth, the farthest distance humans had been since the Apollo missions.

    The Polaris Dawn mission launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in September 2024.
    AP Photo/John Raoux

    The next adventure: NASA

    In December 2024, the incoming Trump administration announced its intention to nominate Isaacman for the post of NASA administrator.

    As NASA administrator, Isaacman would oversee all NASA activities at a critical moment in its history. The Artemis program, which has been in progress since 2017, has several missions planned for the next few years.

    This includes 2026’s Artemis II mission, which will send four astronauts to orbit the Moon. Then, in 2027, Artemis III will aim to land on it.

    If the mission proceeds as planned, the Artemis II crew will fly in an Orion crew capsule, pictured behind them, around the Moon in 2026.
    Kim Shiflett/NASA via AP, File

    But, if Isaacman is confirmed, his tenure would come at a time when there are significant questions about the Artemis program, as well as the extent to which NASA should use commercial space companies like SpaceX. The agency is also potentially facing funding cuts.

    Some in the space industry have proposed scrapping the Artemis program altogether in favor of preparing to go to Mars. Among this group is the founder of SpaceX, Elon Musk.

    Others have suggested canceling NASA’s Space Launch System, the massive rocket that is being used for Artemis. Instead, they argue that NASA could use commercial systems, like SpaceX’s Starship or Blue Origin’s New Glenn.

    Isaacman has also dealt with accusations that he is too close to the commercial space industry, and SpaceX in particular, to lead NASA. This has become a larger concern given Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration and its cost-cutting efforts. Some critics are worried that Musk would have an even greater say in NASA if Isaacman is confirmed.

    Since his nomination, Isaacman has stopped working with SpaceX on the Polaris Program. He has also made several supportive comments toward other commercial companies.

    But the success of any of NASA’s plans depends on having the money and resources necessary to carry them out.

    While NASA has been spared major cuts up to this point, it, like many other government agencies, is planning for budget cuts and mass firings. These potential cuts are similar to what other agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services have recently made.

    During his confirmation hearing, Isaacman committed to keeping the Artemis program, as well as the Space Launch System, in the short term. He also insisted that NASA could both return to the Moon and prepare for Mars at the same time.

    Although Isaacman stated that he believed NASA had the resources to do both at the same time, the agency is still in a time of budget uncertainty, so that may not be possible.

    About his relationship with Musk, Isaacman stated that he had not talked to Musk since his nomination in November, and his relationship with SpaceX would not influence his decisions.

    Additionally, he committed to carrying out space science missions, specifically to “launch more telescopes, more probes, more rovers.”

    But since NASA is preparing for significant cuts to its science budget, there is some speculation that the agency may need to end some science programs, like the Hubble space telescope, altogether.

    Isaacman’s future

    Isaacman has received support from the larger space community. Nearly 30 astronauts signed a letter in support of his nomination. Former NASA administrators, as well as major industry groups, have signaled their desire for Isaacman’s confirmation.

    He also received the support of Senator Ted Cruz, the committee chair.

    Barring any major development, Isaacman will likely be confirmed as NASA administrator by the Senate in the coming weeks. The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation could approve his nomination once it returns from a two-week break at the end of April. A full vote from the Senate would follow.

    If the Senate does confirm him, Isaacman will have several major issues to confront at NASA, all in a very uncertain political environment.

    Wendy N. Whitman Cobb is affiliated with the US School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. Her views are her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Defense or any of its components.

    – ref. Trump’s nomination for NASA leader boasts business and commercial spaceflight experience during a period of uncertainty for the agency – https://theconversation.com/trumps-nomination-for-nasa-leader-boasts-business-and-commercial-spaceflight-experience-during-a-period-of-uncertainty-for-the-agency-254274

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI China: China issues yellow alert for strong winds, blue alert for sandstorms

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

    BEIJING, April 10 — China’s meteorological authority on Thursday issued a yellow alert for strong winds and a blue alert for sandstorms, warning of significant weather disruptions across the country.

    From Friday to Sunday, an approaching cold front is expected to bring rare sustained strong winds to northern regions, severe hailstorms to southern areas, and sandstorms to northwest China and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in the country’s north, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) said.

    In response, the country has activated an emergency response to address these meteorological hazards.

    Temperatures in central and eastern China are forecast to drop by 6 to 10 degrees Celsius from Friday to Saturday, while southern regions will likely experience moderate to heavy rainfall.

    Residents are advised to pay close attention to forecasts and warning information issued by local meteorological departments, avoid unnecessary travel during periods of strong winds or strong convective weather, and exercise heightened caution regarding traffic safety in extreme weather conditions.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Retail reward added to green scheme

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    To enhance the attractiveness of the GREEN$ Electronic Participation Incentive Scheme (GREEN$ ePIS) and encourage the public to participate in recycling, the Environmental Protection Department announced today that people can now convert GREEN$ Points to MoneyBack e-points.

     

    The department explained that it introduced, via the GREEN$ ePIS scheme, a new electronic redemption option in February last year, allowing participants to convert their GREEN$ Points for a wider variety of electronic rewards.

     

    Recently, the program has been further expanded to include the conversion of Green$ Points into e-points on the retail reward platform MoneyBack.

     

    Noting that the gift redemption of GREEN$ ePIS is keeping pace with the times and transitioning into a digital form, the department said that people can now convert GREEN$ Points to MoneyBack e-points with the GREEN$ mobile app, allowing them to redeem gifts freely at more than 500 supermarkets and retail stores in the city.

     

    This is in addition to rewards such as MTR tickets and local eco-tours, it added.

     

    To support the full rollout of the GREEN$ ePIS’s new point redemption function, AS Watson Group, which operates MoneyBack, will launch an extra 1 million MoneyBack time-limited e-points rewards and exclusive GREEN$ ePIS green offers at the end of April.

     

    This is for the redemption of food, personal care products and electrical appliances vouchers, encouraging public participation in recycling and the use of the GREEN$ Points conversion feature.

     

    Meanwhile, GREEN@TUEN MUN has been relocated from Tuen Yee Street to the new location on Lung Chak Road, where it commenced operation on March 19 to support the MTR Tuen Mun South Extension project.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: “Wait, It Is Not About Wigs?” – The Story of Faso Dan Fani Court Robes in Burkina Faso

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    Today’s post is a guest post by a foreign law specialist at the Law Library of Congress, Louis Gilbert. 

    The Real Story Behind Faso Dan Fani Robes

    When I first heard about Burkina Faso reforming its courtroom attire, all I could find were headlines and social media posts claiming the country had banned British-style wigs. The idea was everywhere, fueling debates and drawing comparisons to similar reforms in other parts of Africa. Intrigued, I decided to dig deeper only to realize something surprising: Burkina Faso’s courts never used wigs in the first place.

    The real story, however, was just as fascinating. While the rumors were not entirely accurate, there was truth at their core. It was not about British-style wigs being banned, but rather about replacing French-inspired black satin robes with something far more meaningful for the people in Burkina Faso: courtroom attire made from Faso Dan Fani, a traditional Burkinabe fabric steeped in cultural heritage.

    The New Look for Justice

    On October 23, 2024, Burkina Faso’s Council of Ministers approved a report specifying that courtroom attire for magistrates in the Courts of Appeal and other jurisdictions would now be made from Faso Dan Fani. This report was an implementation of a decree from the previous year, which broadly promoted the use of Faso Dan Fani in various professions, including the judiciary. The new robes keep the classic black gown and toque but add golden embroidery on the sleeves, collar, and the outline of the toque. They also feature Burkina Faso’s flag and a sword-piercing-scales emblem of justice. This is more than a fashion update. It is a reflection of national pride and a practical choice that supports the local cotton industry. Faso Dan Fani robes are a bargain at 150,000 CFA (around U.S. $240), compared to imported gowns that could cost up to 3 million CFA (about U.S. $4,760).

    Vue de pagnes tissés faso dan fani dans une boutique à Ouagadoguogu. Souleymane Yalgweogo. 2019. Used under Creative Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pagnes_tiss%C3%A9s_faso_dan_fani.jpg.

    Faso Dan Fani: Weaving History Into the Future

    So why Faso Dan Fani? This is not just any fabric — it is a cornerstone of Burkinabe identity. Its name translates to “woven loincloth of the homeland,” and it has been a symbol of pride, resilience, and craftsmanship for decades. The vibrant patterns and intricate designs tell stories of tradition and history, all woven by hand on traditional looms. The fabric’s rise as a national emblem dates back to the 1980s under Captain Thomas Sankara, the revolutionary leader who championed anti-colonialism and economic independence. For Sankara, wearing Faso Dan Fani was more than a style choice; it was an act of defiance against imperialism and a commitment to supporting local industries.

    The Grand Debut

    The new robes officially took center stage on November 18, 2024, during a formal ceremony. Minister of Justice Rodrigue Bayala declared, “[t]his ceremony officially marks the end of the wearing of court suits inherited from the colonial era and the beginning of Faso Dan Fani court suits.” Prime Minister Dr. Apollinaire Kyelem de Tambela emphasized the symbolic weight of the change: “[t]his suit carries a powerful message. It reminds us that justice is rendered in the name of the people of Burkina Faso and that judges must perform their duties with fairness and integrity.” For Abasse Nombré, President of the High Court of Ouagadougou, the new attire represents more than professionalism. “It symbolizes our belonging to the nation and invites us to cultivate the values of integrity, patriotism, and justice,” he said.

    Beyond the Courtroom

    This is not the first time Faso Dan Fani has been used to reimagine traditional uniforms. In September 2024, school uniforms were redesigned to incorporate the fabric, further strengthening the local economy and reinforcing national identity. These changes align with President Ibrahim Traoré’s vision of sovereignty, economic self-reliance, and cultural pride. Since taking office in 2022, Traoré’s administration has pushed to distance Burkina Faso from its colonial past, whether by promoting local products, expelling French troops, or rethinking national symbols.

    A Continental Shift

    Burkina Faso’s move is part of a broader trend across Africa to revisit colonial legacies. From Kenya’s debates over courtroom wigs to changes in education systems, there is a growing movement to embrace cultural heritage and redefine national identities. These reforms are about more than just symbolism—they are about fostering pride and charting a future rooted in independence.

    What This Change Means

    According to the government, replacing colonial-era robes with Faso Dan Fani is not simply a fashion statement. It is about reclaiming identity, supporting local craftsmanship, and moving forward with pride in one’s heritage. So, while the wigs may not have been part of Burkina Faso’s story, the robes certainly are.

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. crude oil exports reached a new record in 2024

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    April 10, 2025

    U.S. crude oil exports in 2024 surpassed the previous record set in 2023, exceeding an annual average of 4.1 million barrels per day (b/d). Despite this new record, crude oil export year-over-year growth slowed to 1% in 2024, compared with 14% in 2023 and 21% in 2022.

    Crude oil production in the U.S. Lower 48 (L48) states, which does not include Alaska or offshore production, reached a record in November 2024, allowing for a greater supply of crude oil to export. Increased production efficiency counteracted a decrease in the number of active oil rigs, resulting in L48 production increasing 3% last year. Unlike in the L48 states, production in Alaska and offshore in the Gulf of America decreased last year because of natural declines in both areas and because of disruptions to crude oil production resulting from above-average hurricane activity in 2024 in the Gulf.

    Europe and the Asia and Oceania region remained the top regional destinations for U.S. crude oil exports. U.S. crude oil exports to Europe have grown significantly in recent years, particularly after Europe banned seaborne crude oil imports from Russia in late 2022. The volume of U.S. crude oil exports to Europe also increased following S&P Global’s 2023 decision to include West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil in European crude oil benchmark Dated Brent.

    For a second consecutive year, the Netherlands, home to a large crude oil storage and trading hub in Rotterdam, received more U.S. crude oil exports than any other country in 2024, averaging 825,000 b/d (32% growth from 2023). Overall, crude oil exports to Europe increased by 6% to 1.93 million b/d in 2024, with decreases in exports to Spain, France, and Italy outweighed by increases to Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands.

    Despite China receiving the second-most U.S. crude oil in 2023, exports to China dropped by 53% in 2024 to 217,000 b/d. A net decline in transportation fuel demand in China, which led to a decrease in overall Chinese demand for imported crude oil, and increased crude oil imports from Malaysia and Russia decreased Chinese demand for U.S. crude oil. U.S. exports to Asia overall decreased by 131,000 b/d to 1.58 million b/d as increased exports to South Korea, Singapore, and India were offset by the decrease in exports to China.

    U.S. crude oil exports to India increased 32% in 2024, bouncing back from relative lows in 2023. In 2023, India increased imports of relatively cheap crude oil from Russia, following sanctions that limited the price Russia could charge for crude oil exported using the shipping and insurance services of sanctioning countries. India’s oil consumption growth overtook China’s in 2024, increasing Indian demand for imported crude oil. However, despite this rising demand, Indian imports of crude oil from Russia fell in 2024 as the price discount on oil from Russia narrowed. With the decrease in Russian imports, U.S. crude oil helped fill in the gap, resulting in a nearly 55,000-b/d increase in U.S. crude oil exports to India in 2024.

    Principal contributor: Anne Miranda

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Images provide taste of what’s to come inside new City Learning Quarter college campus

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The city centre state of the art facility is currently under construction by contractor McLaughlin & Harvey and forms part of phase 2 of Wolverhampton Council’s transformational masterplan to boost skills and employment.

    Situated around the Old Hall Street and St George’s Parade area, incorporating a site on the corner of Garrick Street and Bilston Street where the former Faces nightclub building once stood, the development is also utilising the existing Metro One building – it will open to City of Wolverhampton College students in the autumn.

    Alongside improvements to the neighbouring Adult Education Wolverhampton and Central Library facilities, the £61 million scheme – supported by Government funding – will establish new educational provision that will enhance skills and employment outcomes for residents across the city and wider region.

    It will offer A Levels in a range of subjects and vocational qualifications in art, design and photography, business and management, catering and hospitality, computing and digital, creative media, games design and e-sports, hair and beauty, health and social care, music technology, performing arts, and science.

    Construction on phase one of the City Learning Quarter masterplan – a new £8.1 million Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre at the college’s Wellington Road campus – has been completed and opened to students in September 2024.

    Councillor Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “The City Learning Quarter has been a long held ambition of the council and fantastic progress is being made by the contractors in the construction of this skills and education hub that will open later this year, unlocking future opportunities for all in the city.

    “The development is already a prominent feature in the city centre and when completed will act as a focal point, increasing footfall to support neighbouring businesses.

    “It’s excellent connectivity to rail, bus, tram and cycle routes also means this inspirational facility will be easily accessible to everyone in Wolverhampton and beyond.”

    Peter Merry, Deputy Principal and Chief Executive at the College, said: “After many years of discussions and planning it is really exciting for us to be able to unveil the images of the building and for current and potential students and apprentices, staff, employers and local people to see what the interior will be like and the fantastic training facilities that will be provided on the site.”

    The exciting City Learning Quarter proposals were initially supported by investment from the council with a further £49 million coming through UK Government funding, plus additional government grants and contributions from the college and council.

    It will pave the way for City of Wolverhampton College to move from its 1960s Paget Road site, which has been identified as land to build much needed housing.

    The college forecasts that over a 10 year period approximately 45,000 people will benefit from learning at the City Learning Quarter and around 7,500 apprenticeships will be started.

    Its central location and close proximity to the new £150 million transport interchange will make it easily accessible. It will also boast environmental benefits in line with council’s climate emergency agenda.

    See how the City Learning Quarter college campus is shaping up inside by watching the video below.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 10 April 2025 Statement Statement of the forty-first meeting of the Polio IHR Emergency Committee

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The 41st meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) on the international spread of poliovirus was convened by the WHO Director-General on 06 March 2024 with committee members and advisers meeting via video conference with affected countries, supported by the WHO Secretariat.  The Emergency Committee reviewed the data on wild poliovirus (WPV1) and circulating vaccine derived polioviruses (cVDPV) in the context of the global target of interruption and certification of WPV1 eradication by 2027 and interruption and certification of cVDPV2 elimination by 2029. Technical updates were received about the situation in the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), Djibouti, Ethiopia, Germany, Pakistan, Poland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

    Wild poliovirus

    Since the last Emergency Committee meeting, 36 new WPV1 cases were reported, three from Afghanistan and 33 from Pakistan bringing the total to 99 WPV1 cases in 2024 and three in 2025. This represents more than four-fold increase in Afghanistan and more than 12-fold increase in Pakistan in the number of WPV1 cases from 2023 to 2024.  A total of 741 WPV1 positive environmental samples were reported in 2024, 113 from Afghanistan and 628 from Pakistan. In 2025, 80 WPV1-positive environmental samples have been reported, 9 from Afghanistan and 71 from Pakistan.

    The upward trend in WPV1 cases and environmental detections has persisted in both endemic countries throughout 2024. In Pakistan, this increase has been evident since mid-2023, initially in environmental samples and later in paralytic polio cases, primarily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh, and Balochistan. In Afghanistan, the rise in WPV1 detections, both in environmental samples and cases during 2024 has been predominantly in the South Region. The Committee noted the geographic spread of WPV1 to new provinces and districts in both endemic countries in 2024 and observed that WPV1 transmission has re-established in historical reservoirs, including Kandahar (Afghanistan), Peshawar, Karachi, and Quetta Block (Pakistan). Currently, the most intense WPV1 transmission is occurring in the southern cross-border epidemiological corridor, encompassing Quetta Block (Pakistan) and the South Region (Afghanistan). The Committee also noted the ongoing WPV1 transmission in the epidemiologically critical South KP and Central Pakistan blocks of Pakistan.

    Review of the molecular epidemiology indicates that there has been progressive elimination of the genetic cluster ‘YB3C’ in 2022 and 2023, with its last detection in November 2023 in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. However, there has been persistent transmission of YB3A genetic cluster since May 2022, resulting in its split into two: YB3A4A and YB3A4B. During the first half of 2024, the cluster YB3A4A was mainly circulating in the northern and southern cross-border corridors. During the second half of 2024 there was distinct expansion of both these genetic clusters seen in Pakistan, more pronounced for YB3A4A. In Afghanistan, the predominantly circulating genetic cluster in YB3A4A.

    Both Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to implement an intensive and mostly synchronized campaign schedule focusing on improved vaccination coverage in the endemic zones and effective and timely response to WPV1 detections elsewhere in each country. Afghanistan implemented five sub-national vaccination rounds during the second half of 2024, targeting infected and high-risk provinces, while Pakistan implemented two nationwide and a large scale sub-national vaccination round from September through December 2024. After encouraging progress towards implementing house-to-house campaigns in all of Afghanistan during the first half of 2024, Afghanistan programme has not been able to implement house-to-house campaigns during most of the second half of 2024. All vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan since October 2024 have been implemented using alternate modalities (mostly site-to-site). The committee was concerned that site-to-site campaigns are usually not able to reach all the children, especially those of younger age and girls, which may lead to a further upsurge of WPV1 with geographical spread in Afghanistan and beyond. Afghanistan programme is taking measures to maximize the reach of site-to-site campaigns through adequate operational and social mobilization measures. The Committee noted overall high reported coverage of the vaccination campaigns in Pakistan; however, variations were observed about the quality at the sub-provincial and sub-district levels, relating to operational implementation challenges and increasing insecurity, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. Nearly 200,000 and 50,000 missed children were reported from the South KP and Quetta Block (Balochistan) in Pakistan at the end of October and December 2024 campaigns.

    In addition to seasonal movement patterns within and between the two endemic countries, the continued return of undocumented migrants from Pakistan to Afghanistan compounds the challenges faced. The scale of the displacement increases the risk of cross-border poliovirus spread as well as spread within both the countries.  This risk is being managed and mitigated in both countries through vaccination at border crossing points and the updating of micro-plans in the districts of origin and return. The programme continues to closely coordinate with IOM and UNHCR. The Committee noted ongoing coordination between the programmes of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the national and sub-national levels.

    In summary, the available data indicate that globally transmission of WPV1 is geographically limited to the two WPV1 endemic countries; however, there has been geographical spread and intensifying transmission within the two endemic countries in 2024.

    Circulating vaccine derived poliovirus (cVDPV)

    In 2024, there have been 280 cVDPV cases, of which 265 are cVDPV2, 11 cVDPV1 and four are cVDPV3. Additionally, 257 environmental samples were positive for cVDPV, 254 positive cVDPV2 and three cVDPV3. Of the 265 cVDPV2 cases in 2024, 94 (36%) have occurred in Nigeria. Of the 11 cVDPV1 cases in 2024, 10 were reported from DR Congo and one from Mozambique. All the four cVDPV3 cases in 2024 were reported from Guinea.

     A total of 528 cases have been confirmed with cVDPV in all of 2023, of which 395 are cVDPV2 and 134 are cVDPV1 (one case co-infected with cVDPV1 and cVDPV2). Of the 528 cVDPV cases reported in 2023, 226 (43%) have occurred in the DR Congo.

    Since the last meeting of the Emergency Committee, new cVDPV2 detections were reported from Finland, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and new cVDPV3 detections from Guinea.

    In 2024, the total number of circulating cVDPV2 emergence groups detected to date is 26, compared to 27 in 2023, 22 in 2022, 29 in 2021, 36 in 2020, and 44 in 2019. Of the 26 emergence groups circulating in 2024, eleven are newly detected in 2024, 10 derived from the novel OPV2 vaccine. There have now been 25 nOPV2 derived cVDPV2 emergences since 2021. The committee noted that the nOPV2 vaccine continues to demonstrate significantly higher genetic stability and substantially lower likelihood of reversion to neurovirulence relative to Sabin OPV2.

    A total of 11 cVDPV1 cases have been reported in 2024, 10 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and one in Mozambique. This compares to 134 cVDPV1 cases in all of 2023 (106 in Democratic Republic of the Congo, 24 in Madagascar, four in Mozambique), representing a 92% reduction in the global cVDPV1 paralytic burden from 2023. However, one new emergence has been reported from the Tshopo province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (RDC-TSH-3). This is the first cVDPV1 emergence reported since September 2022. The committed noted encouraging progress in Madagascar towards interrupting local cVDPV1 transmission, with no detections for more than 16 months.

    In 2024, two countries reported cVDPV3 outbreaks: French Guiana (French territory in South America) and Guinea. Both cVDPV3 outbreaks in 2024 were due to new emergences, leading to three positive environmental samples in French Guiana (May to August 2024) and four cVDPV3 cases in Guinea (July to November 2024). The committee noted that these cVDPV3 outbreaks were reported after a significant interval, with the last cVDPV3 outbreak reported in March 2022.

    In 2024, DR Congo and Mozambique reported co-circulation of cVDPV1 and cVDPV2, while Guinea detected co-circulation of cVDPV2 and cVDPV3.

    The Committee noted that the risk of cVDPV outbreaks is largely driven by a combination of inaccessibility, insecurity, high concentrations of zero-dose and under-immunized children, and ongoing population displacement.

    Conclusion

    The Committee unanimously agreed that the risk of international spread of poliovirus continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and recommended extending the Temporary Recommendations for a further three months. In reaching this conclusion, the Committee considered the following factors:

    Ongoing risk of WPV1 international spread:  

    Based on the following factors, there remains the risk of international spread of WPV1:

    • Intensifying WPV1 transmission with geographical spread into formerly endemic areas and core reservoirs of Afghanistan (South) and Pakistan (Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta Block) as well as other epidemiologically critical areas like Central Pakistan, and parts of Punjab province in Pakistan that were without any WPV1 detection for prolonged periods of time.
    • That WPV1 transmission has been re-established in the south region of Afghanistan and Karachi, and Quetta Block of Pakistan.
    • This intensifying WPV1 transmission in both endemic countries during the low transmission season indicates sizeable cohort of unimmunized and under-immunized children.
    • Lack of house-to-house vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan represents a major risk of further WPV1 spread and intensification of its transmission.
    • Certain geographies and population pockets in the epidemiologically critical areas of Pakistan continue to have inconsistent campaign quality and substantial number of unimmunized and under-immunized children due to insecurity, operational gaps, and vaccine hesitancy.
    • Ongoing population movement between the two endemic countries, including the returnees from Pakistan to Afghanistan, leading to cross-border WPV1 transmission.
    • Ongoing population movement from the two endemic countries to other countries, neighbouring and distant.

    Ongoing risk of cVDPV international spread:

    Based on the following factors, the risk of international spread of cVDPV appears to remain high:

    Risk categories

    The Committee provided the Director-General with the following advice aimed at reducing the risk of international spread of WPV1 and cVDPVs, based on the risk stratification as follows:

    1. States infected with WPV1, cVDPV1 or cVDPV3.
    2. States infected with cVDPV2, with or without evidence of local transmission.
    3. States previously infected by WPV1 or cVDPV within the last 24 months.

    Criteria to assess States as no longer infected by WPV1 or cVDPV:

    • Poliovirus Case: 12 months after the onset date of the most recent case PLUS one month to account for case detection, investigation, laboratory testing and reporting period OR when all reported AFP cases with onset within 12 months of last case have been tested for polio and excluded for WPV1 or cVDPV, and environmental or other samples collected within 12 months of the last case have also tested negative, whichever is the longer.
    • Environmental or other isolation of WPV1 or cVDPV (no poliovirus case): 12 months after collection of the most recent positive environmental or other sample (such as from a healthy child) PLUS one month to account for the laboratory testing and reporting period.
    • These criteria may be varied for the endemic countries, where more rigorous assessment is needed in reference to surveillance gaps.

    Once a country meets these criteria as no longer infected, the country will remain on a ‘watch list’ for a further 12 months for a period of heightened monitoring.  After this period, the country will no longer be subject to Temporary Recommendations. 

    TEMPORARY RECOMMENDATIONS

    States infected with WPV1, cVDPV1 or cVDPV3 with potential risk of international spread

    (as of data available at WHO HQ on 20 February 2025)

    WPV1                                                                                                                                         

    Afghanistan                            most recent detection 27 Jan 2025

    Pakistan                                  most recent detection 30 Jan 2025

    cVDPV1

    Mozambique                           most recent detection 17 May 2024

    DR Congo                               most recent detection 19 Sep 2024

    cVDPV3

    French Guiana (France)       most recent detection 06 Aug 2024

    Guinea                                  most recent detection 21 Nov 2024

    These countries should:

    • Officially declare, if not already done, at the level of head of state or government, that the interruption of poliovirus transmission is a national public health emergency and implement all required measures to support polio eradication; where such declaration has already been made, this emergency status should be maintained as long as the response is required.
    • Ensure that all residents and long­term visitors (> four weeks) of all ages, receive a dose of bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (bOPV) or inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) between four weeks and 12 months prior to international travel.
    • Ensure that those undertaking urgent travel (within four weeks), who have not received a dose of bOPV or IPV in the previous four weeks to 12 months, receive a dose of polio vaccine at least by the time of departure as this will still provide benefit, particularly for frequent travelers.
    • Ensure that such travelers are provided with an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis in the form specified in Annex 6 of the IHR to record their polio vaccination and serve as proof of vaccination.
    • Restrict at the point of departure the international travel of any resident lacking documentation of appropriate polio vaccination. These recommendations apply to international travelers from all points of departure, irrespective of the means of conveyance (road, air and / or sea).
    • Further enhance cross­border efforts by significantly improving coordination at the national, regional, and local levels to substantially increase vaccination coverage of travelers crossing the border and of high risk cross­border populations. Improved coordination of cross­border efforts should include closer supervision and monitoring of the quality of vaccination at border transit points, as well as tracking of the proportion of travelers that are identified as unvaccinated after they have crossed the border.
    • Further intensify efforts to increase routine immunization coverage, including sharing coverage data, as high routine immunization coverage is an essential element of the polio eradication strategy, particularly as the world moves closer to eradication. Countries which have not yet introduced IPV2 into their schedules should urgently implement this. Once available, countries should also consider introducing the hexavalent vaccine, now approved by Gavi.
    • Maintain these measures until the following criteria have been met: (i) at least six months have passed without new infections and (ii) there is documentation of full application of high-quality eradication activities in all infected and high-risk areas; in the absence of such documentation these measures should be maintained until the state meets the above assessment criteria for being no longer infected.
    • Provide to the Director-General a regular report on the implementation of the Temporary Recommendations on international travel.

    States infected with cVDPV2, with or without evidence of local transmission:

    (as of data available at WHO HQ on 20 February 2025)

    1. Algeria                                                        most recent detection 13 Jan 2025
    2. Angola                                                        most recent detection 24 Aug 2024
    3. Benin                                                          most recent detection 19 Nov 2024
    4. Cameroon                                                  most recent detection 04 Nov 2024
    5. Chad                                                           most recent detection 30 Aug 2024
    6. Côte d’Ivoire                                               most recent detection 27 Nov 2024
    7. Democratic Republic of the Congo             most recent detection 22 Nov 2024
    8. Djibouti                                                         most recent detection 20 Oct 2024
    9. Egypt                                                           most recent detection 01 Aug 2024
    10. Equatorial Guinea                                        most recent detection 26 Mar 2024
    11. Ethiopia                                                        most recent detection 04 Dec 2024
    12. Finland                                                          most recent detection 19 Nov 2024
    13. Gambia                                                         most recent detection 15 Feb 2024
    14. Germany                                                       most recent detection 17 Dec 2024
    15. Ghana                                                           most recent detection 20 Aug 2024
    16. Guinea                                                           most recent detection 12 Jun 2024
    17. Indonesia                                                       most recent detection 27 Jun 2024
    18. Kenya                                                              most recent detection 31 Jul 2024
    19. Liberia                                                            most recent detection 08 Jun 2024
    20. Mali                                                                most recent detection 02 Jan 2024
    21. Mozambique                                                  most recent detection 05 Mar 2024
    22. Niger                                                              most recent detection 17 Dec 2024
    23. Nigeria                                                           most recent detection 01 Nov 2024
    24. occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)                most recent detection 09 Jan 2025
    25. Poland                                                           most recent detection 03 Dec 2024
    26. Senegal                                                          most recent detection 21 Oct 2024
    27. Sierra Leone                                                  most recent detection 28 May 2024
    28. Somalia                                                          most recent detection 05 Jun 2024
    29. South Sudan                                                  most recent detection 03 Dec 2024
    30. Spain                                                              most recent detection 16 Sep 2024
    31. Sudan                                                              most recent detection 24 Jan 2024
    32. The United Kingdom of Great Britain

      and Northern Ireland                                     most recent detection 11 Dec 2024

    33. Uganda                                                         most recent detection 07 May 2024
    34. Yemen                                                           most recent detection 16 Sep 2024
    35. Zimbabwe                                                      most recent detection 25 Jun 2024

    States that have had an importation of cVDPV2 but without evidence of local transmission should:

    • Officially declare, if not already done, at the level of head of state or government, that the prevention or interruption of poliovirus transmission is a national public health emergency.
    • Undertake urgent and intensive investigations and risk assessment to determine if there has been local transmission of the imported cVDPV2, requiring an immunization response.
    • Noting the existence of a separate mechanism for responding to type 2 poliovirus infections, Members States should request vaccines from the global novel OPV2 stockpile.
    • Further intensify efforts to increase routine immunization coverage, as high routine immunization coverage is an essential element of the polio eradication strategy, particularly as the world moves closer to eradication. Countries which have not yet introduced IPV2 into their schedules should urgently implement this. Once available, countries should also consider introducing the hexavalent vaccine, now approved by Gavi.
    • Intensify surveillance for polioviruses and strengthen regional cooperation and cross-border coordination to ensure the timely detection of poliovirus.

    States with local transmission of cVDPV2, with risk of international spread, in addition to the above measures, should:

    •  Encourage residents and long­term visitors (> four weeks) to receive a dose of IPV four weeks to 12 months prior to international travel.
    • Ensure that travelers who receive such vaccination have access to an appropriate document to record their polio vaccination status.
    • Intensify regional cooperation and cross­border coordination to enhance surveillance for prompt detection of poliovirus, and vaccinate refugees, travelers and cross­border populations.

    For both sub-categories:

    • Maintain these measures until the following criteria have been met: (i) at least six months have passed without the detection of circulation of VDPV2 in the country from any source, and (ii) there is documentation of full application of high quality eradication activities in all infected and high risk areas; in the absence of such documentation these measures should be maintained until the state meets the criteria of a ‘state no longer infected’.
    • At the end of 12 months without evidence of transmission, provide a report to the Director-General on measures taken to implement the Temporary Recommendations.

    States no longer polio infected, but previously infected by WPV1 or cVDPV within the last 24 months (as of data available at WHO HQ on 20 February 2024)

    WPV1

                 country                                      last virus                   date                                                                       

    cVDPV

                 country                                      last virus                   date                                                                       

    1. Botswana                                          cVDPV2            25 Jul 2023
    2. Burkina Faso                                    cVDPV2            12 Dec 2023                
    3. Burundi                                             cVDPV2            15 Jun 2023
    4. Central African Republic                   cVDPV2            07 Oct 2023
    5. Republic of Congo                            cVDPV2            07 Dec 2023
    6. Israel                                                 cVDPV2            13 Feb 2023
    7. Madagascar                                      cVDPV1            16 Sep 2023
    8. Mauritania                                         cVDPV2            13 Dec 2023
    9. United Republic of Tanzania             cVDPV2             20 Nov 2023
    10. Zambia                                              cVDPV2             06 Jun 2023 

    These countries should:

    • Urgently strengthen routine immunization to boost population immunity.
    • Enhance surveillance quality, including considering introducing or expanding supplementary methods such as environmental surveillance, to reduce the risk of undetected WPV1 and cVDPV transmission, particularly among high-risk and vulnerable populations.
    • Intensify efforts to ensure vaccination of mobile and cross­border populations, Internally Displaced Persons, refugees, and other vulnerable groups.
    • Enhance regional cooperation and cross border coordination to ensure prompt detection of WPV1 and cVDPV, and vaccination of high-risk population groups.
    • Maintain these measures with documentation of full application of high-quality surveillance and vaccination activities.

    Additional considerations

    The Committee noted that the Global Polio Eradication Initiative needs to reconsider its priorities and reprogram its operations in response to the current fiscal constraints. The current financial shortfall poses a significant risk to eradication efforts. The Committee acknowledges and appreciates the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s recent confirmation of its $500 million commitment to global polio eradication. The committee urged donor countries and organizations to enhance their financial support, emphasizing that failure is not an option. The Committee also called on national governments to prioritize polio eradication in their domestic funding allocations to ensure sustained progress toward eradication.

    The Committee expressed deep concern over the escalating and expanding WPV1 transmission in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The persistence of WPV1 transmission despite ongoing vaccination campaigns highlights gaps in immunization quality. The Committee also noted that the current levels of WPV1 transmission during the low season could further intensify during the high transmission season if uniform, high-quality campaigns, particularly in core reservoir areas, are not ensured.

    The Committee remains concerned about the continued inability to conduct house-to-house vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan. This challenge places infants and young children, particularly girls, at a heightened risk of missing polio vaccination. The Committee appreciates the efforts to improve women’s participation in site-to-site polio vaccination as well as for border vaccination and encourages to expand these efforts to high-risk South Region of Afghanistan.

    The Committee acknowledged the strong political commitment to polio eradication in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Committee emphasized that this commitment must translate into concrete operational actions to strengthen community engagement and implement high-quality vaccination campaigns. These efforts are essential to interrupt the ongoing intense WPV1 transmission and mitigate the risk of national and international spread. In Afghanistan. The Committee specifically recommended the resumption of house-to-house vaccination campaigns and the recruitment of additional female vaccinators to enhance community acceptance and improve coverage.

    The Committee is encouraged by the improving cVDPV1 situation in the African Region, particularly in Madagascar, which has not reported any cases for over 16 months. The Committee emphasized the need to sustain high-quality vaccination efforts, particularly in the DR Congo and Mozambique, the only two countries that have reported cVDPV1 cases in 2024.

    The Committee noted the ongoing transmission of cVDPV2 in the African Region, particularly in northern Nigeria. While there has been an overall decline in cVDPV2 cases in 2024, the Committee expressed concern over the increase in cases reported by Angola, Ethiopia, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Yemen compared to 2023. The Committee also noted the concerning cVDPV2 epidemiological situation in Chad and Algeria and recommended the implementation of high-quality vaccination campaigns to boost population immunity. The Committee noted the challenges in implementing high-quality immunization responses in critical areas of the African Region and northern Yemen. Additionally, the Committee expressed concerns over surveillance gaps in northern Yemen, which may further hinder early detection and response efforts.

    The Committee noted the detection of cVDPV3 in Guinea and French Guiana in 2024, after more than two years with no reported detections globally and emphasized the need for a high-quality surveillance and immunization response to contain these outbreaks.

    The Committee noted that several cVDPV-affected countries continue to face conflict and insecurity, which disrupts both routine immunization and polio vaccination campaigns. The Committee also noted that ongoing health emergencies and disease outbreaks in several countries further complicate the timely and effective implementation of polio vaccination campaigns. Given the diverse challenges across countries and sub-national areas, the Committee emphasized the need for context-specific, tailored interventions to ensure high-quality campaigns and ultimately stop cVDPV outbreaks. The Committee also underscored the importance of synchronized sub-regional approaches and strong cross-border coordination to address challenges related to permeable borders and shared operational constraints across affected countries.

    The Committee noted some good practices in several countries, particularly in cross-border collaboration and surveillance. The Committee encourages countries to document and share these best practices and suggests that GPEI facilitates this process.

    The Committee noted the ongoing cross-border spread of cVDPV2 in the African and Eastern Mediterranean Regions, as well as the recent detection of cVDPV2 in five countries of the European Region. This reinforces that polio remains a global risk until it is fully eradicated. The Committee acknowledged the ongoing response efforts of Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in strengthening surveillance and addressing sub-national immunity gaps. The Committee also appreciated the inter-country coordination in the European Region, facilitated by the WHO European Regional Office, in response to the cVDPV2 detections in the region. The Committee recommended continued surveillance strengthening across the European Region, along with regular risk assessments to ensure timely identification and mitigation of emerging polio risks.

    The Committee highlighted the importance of maintaining sensitive surveillance in polio-infected and high-risk countries and recommended that GPEI provide all possible support under the Global Polio Surveillance Action Plan. The Committee also underscored the importance of high-income countries maintaining high-quality surveillance for polioviruses, given the ongoing risk of importation, as recently demonstrated by cVDPV detections in the European Region. Robust surveillance remains essential for early detection and timely response to importations and newly emerging outbreaks.

    The Committee noted that novel OPV2 continues to demonstrate greater genetic stability compared to Sabin OPV2. However, the risk of new cVDPV2 emergences increases when the interval between outbreak response campaigns exceeds four weeks or when vaccination quality is suboptimal, underscoring the need for timely and high-quality immunization efforts.

    The Committee noted that the amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) through resolution WHA77.17 (2024), were notified to States Parties on 19 September 2024 and that they would come into effect on 19 September 2025 for 192 States Parties.  Regarding any potential effects of these amendments on the Committee, the Secretariat informed the Committee that it would be premature to assess any such effects at this time but would brief the Committee ahead of their entry into force in September 2025, should the Committee continue to be convened under the IHR at this time.

    Based on the current situation regarding WPV1 and cVDPVs, and the reports provided by affected countries, the Director-General accepted the Committee’s assessment, and on 09 April 2025 determined that the poliovirus situation continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) with respect to WPV1 and cVDPV.  The Director-General endorsed the Committee’s recommendations for countries meeting the definition for ‘States infected with WPV1, cVDPV1 or cVDPV3 with potential risk for international spread’, ‘States infected with cVDPV2 with potential risk for international spread’ and for ‘States previously infected by WPV1 or cVDPV within the last 24 months’ and extended the Temporary Recommendations under the IHR to reduce the risk of the international spread of poliovirus, effective, 09 April 2025.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Students Get Firsthand Look at Court Careers

    Source: United States Courts

    Nearly 50 high school students in Washington, D.C. were the latest to experience the program in late March. The judges, and attorney volunteers from across the country who are active in the Federal Bar Association Foundation, were in D.C. for a Federal Bar Association meeting. Local leaders of the Urban Debate League also participated, so that they can work together to replicate the program at more federal courts across the country. 

    “The program engages students in challenging and relevant discussions about rights and the law, encouraging them to employ in front of judges the critical thinking and public speaking skills they learn in debate,” said McAlister Clabaugh, a program associate at the Urban Debate League’s D.C. chapter. “The informal conversations and networking afterward provide unique opportunities for students to engage with legal professionals and judges, building contacts and humanizing the legal system.” 

    As part of the career exposure element of the event, James Brown, Jr., an IT specialist at the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, explained how the federal Judiciary relies on more than just judges and attorneys in its mission of ensuring equal justice under law. IT experts, courtroom deputies, interpreters, and probation and pretrial officers are some of the many career opportunities that serve vital functions in the judicial branch.

    “It’s rewarding to use my IT management expertise to support the courts every day in their mission of justice,” Brown said.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Opening of Expo 2025 Osaka

    Source: Government of the Netherlands

    News item | 10-04-2025 | 14:37

    On 13 April 2025 the World Expo kicks off in Osaka, Japan. The Netherlands is participating with a pavilion based on a circular design concept and on the theme of ‘Common Ground’. The pavilion underlines the importance of international cooperation on major challenges such as the energy transition and maintaining a liveable planet. For six months, an extensive programme will support Dutch companies, knowledge institutions and other organisations in connecting with Japan, fostering new partnerships and strengthening existing ones.

    Enlarge image

    Image: ©Zhu Yumeng

    Taking part in Expo 2025 brings opportunities to deepen bilateral relations with Japan. As a reliable partner in East Asia, and the world’s fourth largest economy, Japan is important to the Netherlands. This year marks 425 years of ties between our two countries. These longstanding relations form the basis for strong cooperation in areas such as security, economic resilience, trade, agriculture, food security, defence, cyber protection and innovation.

    Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Reinette Klever: ‘Expo 2025 is a unique opportunity for Dutch companies and knowledge institutions to present their expertise to a large international audience. As a powerhouse of innovation, the business community plays a vital role in addressing global challenges, such as those related to food security and health.’

    Potential growth sectors

    Over the course of six months, an extensive programme of more than 100 events will give Dutch companies and institutions the opportunity to present themselves and meet Japanese companies. Various theme weeks will focus on potential growth sectors such as food, health, energy and tech, and there will be an ongoing cultural programme with work by Dutch artists and ensembles. Six economic missions will visit from the Netherlands. On the 22nd of April Prime Minister Schoof will officially open the Netherlands pavilion during his visit to Japan.

    Common Ground

    The Netherlands’ participation is inspired by its unique relationship with water. Our country’s location, partly below sea level, taught us centuries ago to work with each other. Now, as we face new challenges in 2025, cooperation is once again of great importance, this time on an international level. The Netherlands therefore invites Japan and other countries to join it on common ground and work together on solutions.

    Pavilion based on circular design concept

    The Netherlands pavilion was designed and built by Dutch-Japanese consortium A New Dawn (AND BV), consisting of architecture firm RAU, engineering consultancy DGMR, experience design studio Tellart and Japanese construction company Asanuma. The design consists of a rectangular building with a luminous sphere in the centre, symbolizing a ‘man-made sun’: a clean and endless energy source. On the outside are slats shaped like ocean waves. Together these are exactly 425 metres long, in honour of the 425-year trade relationship with Japan. The pavilion is also an excellent example of circular construction. Records have been kept of exactly what materials have been used, so that nothing goes to waste. After Expo the pavilion will be dismantled and the materials reused.

    Interactive visitor experience

    When visitors arrive at the pavilion, they are given a small luminous sphere. This reacts to installations at various points in the building, taking them on a journey through the history of the Netherlands and Japan and our battle against water. In the highlight of the show, visitors step into the large sphere in the centre of the pavilion to see an AI film in a 360-degree dome. Before they exit, visitors can share their own ideas and dreams for the future through an interactive artwork.

    Dutch innovations

    The pavilion revolves around ten impressive Dutch innovations, all harnessing the power of nature. In their own way, each contributes to changing how we generate energy, travel and grow food. Among the innovations being showcased are cultivating fish from cells (Upstream Foods), harnessing ocean waves to generate electricity (Weco) and using self-steering boats for fast and clean transport (Roboat).

    Expo 2025 Osaka runs from 13 April to 13 October 2025. Around 160 countries and organisations are participating. The exhibition organisers are expecting more than 28 million visitors.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/SUDAN – General al-Burhan launches full-scale diplomatic offensive

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Thursday, 10 April 2025 war  

    Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) – As the war in Sudan continues, the diplomatic activism of the government headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), is intensifying. This April 10, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is holding a session to hear the appeal filed by Sudan against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The case revolves around alleged violations of the Genocide Convention, particularly with regard to the Masalit ethnic group in West Darfur.According to al-Burhan’s government, the Emirates are complicit in the crimes committed against civilians by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan “Hemeti” Dagalo, by providing them with logistical and financial support.As part of international efforts to halt the conflict that erupted on April 15, 2023, the United Kingdom will host a diplomatic conference in London on April 15. This conference will be attended by some twenty countries and international organizations—including France, Germany, Kenya, and the UAE, but not the two parties in conflict. This exclusion has been harshly criticized by Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Yusuf, who sent a letter of protest to his British counterpart, David Lamy, calling it an “obstacle to peace efforts.” He also questions the participation of countries such as Chad and Kenya, which he called “actors involved in the conflict.”Despite the tensions, General al-Burhan met on April 9 in Port Sudan with the British Special Envoy for Sudan, Richard Crowder, who assured him that the conference’s objective is to promote peace and alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people, without “imposing external solutions.”This was not the only significant diplomatic meeting for the Sudanese leader in recent days. Al-Burhan also received the heads of the intelligence services of Egypt and Mali. At the same time, Minister Ali Yusuf participated in a ministerial meeting of the Khartoum Process in Cairo on April 9, where he reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the fight against illegal immigration. Launched in 2014, the Khartoum Process promotes international cooperation against human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and has expanded its scope to include initiatives for legal migration, development, and regional peace.Finally, according to Sudanese press sources, Lieutenant General Sadiq Ismail, al-Burhan’s special envoy, made a secret visit to Israel last week. The objective was reportedly to improve al-Burhan’s image with the new US administration and to coordinate actions with Israeli officials in the face of the growing tensions between the UAE, al-Burhan, and the SAF. The envoy reportedly stressed that the recent resumption of relations with Iran responds to the urgent need for military support, given Sudan’s international isolation.(L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 10/4/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Sky Quarry Enters LOI with Southwind RAS, LLC to Evaluate Strategic Recycling Collaboration

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WOODS CROSS, Utah, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sky Quarry Inc. (NASDAQ: SKYQ) (“Sky Quarry” or “the Company”), an integrated energy solutions company committed to revolutionizing the waste asphalt shingle recycling industry, today announced that it has entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Southwind RAS, LLC, a long-standing leader in the industry, to explore a strategic collaboration aimed at advancing asphalt shingle recycling in Illinois. The initiative will support Sky Quarry’s national expansion strategy and further its waste-to-energy mission.

    Under the terms of the LOI, Sky Quarry and Southwind RAS will jointly evaluate the technical and logistical feasibility of implementing Sky Quarry’s proprietary recycling technologies at Southwind’s nine established facilities in the greater Chicago area. The collaboration will focus on operational modeling, site assessments, and financial structures, with the goal of developing a scalable, modular approach to shingle recycling that creates mutual value and environmental impact.

    Expanding Sky Quarry’s Waste-to-Energy Footprint

    “We’re excited to explore this relationship with Southwind RAS, a company that shares our deep commitment to sustainability and innovation,” said David Sealock, CEO of Sky Quarry. “This LOI marks a key step forward in Sky Quarry’s national expansion strategy, to intercept waste at the source and convert it into valuable, sustainable materials. By assessing opportunities for regional deployment of our proprietary recycling technology and leveraging Southwind’s infrastructure, experience, and local market presence, we aim to build a scalable model that creates shared value. By scaling locally and executing nationally, Sky Quarry is creating a blueprint for the future of waste-to-energy and materials recovery.”

    With the goal of producing high-value byproducts for local and regional markets, the proposed collaboration at Southwind’s facilities is expected to generate materials such as asphalt-coated limestone, sand, granules, glass fibers, bitumen, and ground asphalt shingles, resources that can be repurposed for use in roofing, road repair, sealants, and structural reinforcement applications.

    Sky Quarry estimates that approximately 1.2 million tons of asphalt shingle waste are generated annually in the region, material that, if fully recycled, could yield the equivalent of 1.5 million barrels of oil. This underscores both the environmental urgency and the economic opportunity behind Sky Quarry’s recycling technology and the proposed collaboration.

    About Southwind RAS, LLC

    Founded in 2009 and based in Illinois, Southwind RAS, LLC is a recognized leader in the recycling of residential tear-off asphalt shingles. With nine established locations across the greater Chicago area, Southwind RAS provides essential infrastructure for sustainable waste management in one of the country’s largest urban markets. The company’s mission is to conserve landfill space, reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry, and replace virgin materials with reclaimed resources. Southwind RAS works directly with roofing contractors, haulers, recycling centers, and asphalt producers to integrate recycled asphalt shingles into hot mix asphalt, advancing green initiatives and promoting circular solutions for the roofing industry.

    About Sky Quarry Inc.

    Sky Quarry Inc. (NASDAQ:SKYQ) and its subsidiaries are, collectively, an oil production, refining, and a development-stage environmental remediation company formed to deploy technologies to facilitate the recycling of waste asphalt shingles and remediation of oil-saturated sands and soils. Our waste-to-energy mission is to repurpose and upcycle millions of tons of asphalt shingle waste, diverting them from landfills. By doing so, we can contribute to improved waste management, promote resource efficiency, conserve natural resources, and reduce environmental impact. For more information, please visit skyquarry.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may include ”forward-looking statements.” All statements pertaining to our future financial and/or operating results, future events, or future developments may constitute forward-looking statements. The statements may be identified by words such as “expect,” “look forward to,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “will,” “project,” or words of similar meaning. Such statements are based on the current expectations and certain assumptions of our management, of which many are beyond our control. These are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and factors, including but not limited to those described in our disclosures. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying expectations not occur or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results, performance, or our achievements may (negatively or positively) vary materially from those described explicitly or implicitly in the relevant forward-looking statement. We neither intend, nor assume any obligation, to update or revise these forward-looking statements in light of developments which differ from those anticipated. You are urged to carefully review and consider any cautionary statements and the Company’s other disclosures, including the statements made under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2025. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are contained.

    Investor Relations
    Jennifer Standley
    Director of Investor Relations
    Ir@skyquarry.com

    Company Website
    www.skyquarry.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Versatility Of Commercial Drones Performing Growing Number of Tasks is Driving Rapidly Increasing Adoption Rate

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Commercial Drones are remotely piloted, optionally piloted, or fully autonomous aerial vehicles that play a significant role in the commercial sectors. They are commonly termed drones and are mostly known for their wide usage in various functions, such as Surveying & Mapping, Inspection & Monitoring among others. These vehicles are also used for mapping, surveying, and determining the weather conditions of a specific area. Drones are being increasingly adopted in industries such as agriculture for crop monitoring, in construction for site inspection, in energy for inspecting power lines among others. The versatility of drones to perform various tasks efficiently is driving their adoption. A report from MarketsAndMarkets said that the Commercial Drone market is projected to grow from USD 5.32 billion in 2024 to USD 9.34 Billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 11.2% from 2024 to 2030. The report said: “As drone technology advances, regulatory bodies globally are proactively shaping clearer and more supportive regulations to facilitate drone operations. This strategic initiative aims to lower operational barriers and enhance safety, thereby accelerating the adoption of drones across various sectors. Enhanced regulatory frameworks are anticipated to unlock significant business opportunities and drive innovation in drone applications.” Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO), Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH).

    The report continued: “Drones are particularly important for inspecting difficult-to-reach locations at certain altitudes or in contaminated surroundings. The use of drones has modernized the telecommunication tower scrutiny as they can be used to carry out supervision of these towers cost-effectively and in less time. Drones can also be employed for aerial evaluation of buildings and other infrastructures, such as pipelines, electric grids, offshore plants, and solar plates. They can use thermal imaging cameras to detect hotspots on solar plates; spots where energy is not spreading evenly. This can enhance the productivity of solar power plants by the instant identification of potentially problematic areas. For instance, the Lockheed Martin Procerus Technologies Indago quadrotor can be used for inspections near energy generation plants. Drones can be used to deliver medical supplies in difficult terrains. Drones are considered the future of the last-mile delivery for consumer supplies since they will reduce cost per delivery, along with delivery time. As the wages of delivery persons persist to rise, autonomous delivery or human-less services will become gradually advantageous, especially in developed countries. The major players in the Commercial Drone market have adopted various growth strategies such as contracts, joint ventures, partnerships & agreements, acquisitions, and new product launches to further expand their presence in the Commercial Drone market.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Closes Miller Land Surveying Corporation, a Third Southeast Acquisition and a Fourth Nationally for the Drone as Service (DaaS) Rollout – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces the closing of its acquisition of Miller Land Surveying Corporation (“Miller”) of Lake Worth, Florida, a land survey and mapping company with a 40 year history and deep portfolio of business customers in the Palm Beach County area of South Florida.

    This is ZenaTech’s third acquisition in the Southeast region as part of a larger national roll-up strategy to disrupt the land survey industry by accelerating the use of drones for their speed and accuracy benefits. The acquisition also furthers the Company’s national Drone as a Service, or DaaS, business rollout as the fourth US acquisition.

    “Miller Land Surveying brings a wealth of experience and customer relationships as a second-generation company known across Palm Beach County for quality land surveys and mapping. Their pioneering team is well suited to helping us bring drone innovation to premium residential and business land surveys. This acquisition is another step towards our vision to create a national DaaS business, bringing AI drone efficiencies and precision to a variety of legacy business verticals and manual tasks,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

    ZenaTech’s DaaS business will incorporate the ZenaDrone 1000 and the IQ series of multifunction autonomous drones to provide a variety of service solutions from land surveys to power line inspections or power washing, made accessible and cost effective through an Uber-like business model on a regular subscription or pay-per-use basis. Customers can conveniently access drones for eliminating manual or time-consuming tasks achieving superior results, such as for surveying, inspections, security and law enforcement, or precision farming applications, without having to buy, operate, or maintain the drones themselves.

    The DaaS business model offers customers such as government agencies, real estate developers, construction firms, farmers or energy companies reduced upfront costs as there is no need to purchase expensive drones, as well as convenience, as there is no need to manage maintenance and operation. The model also offers scalability to use more often or less often based on business needs and enables access to advanced drone technology sensors or attachments like spraying, without the need for specialized training.

    Accurate land surveys are essential for the planning, designing, and executing of roads, bridges, and building projects for cities, commercial, and residential projects, and are required for legal purposes. Remotely piloted drones with an array of sensors and cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and GPS systems for capturing high-resolution pictures and data are revolutionizing the land survey industry gathering aerial data across expansive terrains in a matter of hours instead of weeks or months using more traditional photogrammetry methods. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    In Additional ZENA News: ZenaTech’s (NASDAQ:ZENA) Expands Domestic Manufacturing for US Commercial Customers and US Defense Without Needing to Increase Prices – ZenaTech, Inc. (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, today provides an update on its US-based ZenaDrone subsidiary’s expansion plans for “Made in America” manufacturing in light of the recent expanded tariffs announced by the current US Administration. ZenaTech maintains its commitment to domestic manufacturing for US defense drone solutions, including strategic local investments and military-compliant supply chains. ZenaDrone will now move some of its commercial drone production for US commercial customers to Arizona, meaning no need to increase prices for customers to offset tariff costs.

    ZenaDrone’s headquarters is in Phoenix, Arizona, which includes sales, administration, research and development, and aerial testing operations. The company plans to expand its manufacturing capabilities over the next two months to produce drones for US commercial customers in addition to planned production for the US military. This expansion will include up to 2,000 additional square feet of production space. This will be the second global manufacturing facility; the company currently has development and production facilities for the ZenaDrone 1000 and IQ series of drones at its 10,000-square-foot facility in Sharjah, UAE.

    In response to the evolving trade landscape, ZenaTech also expects that the expansion of its Phoenix-based manufacturing facility will bring over 150 new jobs to the region by the end of 2026.

    “While tariffs can be challenging, they also reveal which companies are truly agile. ZenaTech has always been long-term in our thinking; engaging in smart resource management and supply chains and prepared to navigate global shifts,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D. “With increased US bans on Chinese drones and components and local incentives for domestic production, we are well-positioned to expand our manufacturing in Arizona, also creating more high-quality American jobs,” added Mr. Passley. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.zenatech.com/newsroom/

    Other recent developments in the drone industry include:

    Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO), an industry-leading developer of drone solutions and systems, recently released that they have been selected as the primary UAS provider by Balko Technologies, an industry-leading company specializing in the design and manufacture of high-performance LiDAR payloads and post-processing software.

    This announcement follows the integration and testing of Balko LiDAR products on the Draganfly Commander 3XL and Apex UAS, providing Balko customers with a suite of modular LiDAR and Drone platforms supporting a wide variety of performance requirements, budgets, and operating scenarios.

    Under this agreement, Balko becomes an official distributor of Draganfly’s products throughout North America, expanding access to cutting-edge drone technology for industrial, energy, and environmental monitoring applications. Since signing the agreement, multiple customers have issued purchase orders for the Draganfly Commander 3XL to be paired with Balko’s innovative modular Connectiv LiDAR sensor with one delivery completed in Q1.

    Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, recently announced the appointment of Shawn Webb as President of FlightWave Aerospace Systems Corporation (“FlightWave”), a Red Cat company, effective immediately.

    Webb brings more than 25 years of experience leading operational strategy and engineering across commercial and military aerospace sectors. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Operations at AeroVironment Inc., where he led the largest capacity and revenue expansion in the history of the company’s Loitering Munition Systems Business Segment.

    Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd. (“Liberty” or the “Company”) recently announced that The Honorable Mary Beth Long, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs and Independent Director of AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) has joined our new Strategic Advisory Board. This new Board will help focus and guide Liberty Defense in scaling its groundbreaking technology globally and executing its growth strategy as a leader in security and detection applications.

    Mary Beth Long served as US Assistant Secretary of Defense under Secretary Robert Gates, making her the first woman confirmed to a four-star military equivalent position in U.S. history, and also served as the Chair of NATO’s Nuclear and Missile Defense High-Level Group. Before that, she served as a career clandestine CIA officer, and she has been deeply involved in aviation and related security matters for nearly two decades.

    EHang (NASDAQ: EH) recently announced that recent tariff developments between China and the United States are not expected to have any material impact on the Company’s operations.

    Recent U.S. tariff adjustments on certain Chinese goods have triggered global market volatility, and EHang has experienced short-term share price fluctuations driven by market sentiment. In response, the Company hereby clarifies the following: Recent tariff measures announced by both governments are not expected to have any material impact on EHang’s operations. The Company does not currently export its autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs) or related products to the U.S. market, nor does it rely on U.S.-origin components in its manufacturing processes. We do not use U.S.-restricted semiconductors, aerospace components, or other controlled technologies. Our supply chain remains secure and independent, ensuring no operational disruption due to trade policy changes.

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: OSS to Present at the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 April 23, 2025 to April 24, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ESCONDIDO, Calif., April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — One Stop Systems, Inc. (OSS or the Company) (Nasdaq: OSS), a leader in rugged Enterprise Class compute for artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and sensor processing at the edge, today announced that it will be presenting at the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 in partnership with MicroCapClub on April 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM PT.

    To access the live presentation, please use the following information:

    Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 in partnership with MicroCapClub
    Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
    Time: 3:30 – 4:00 PM PT
    Webcast: https://event.summitcast.com/view/YNz6mnmEsXyrdRxb78w2nX/guest_book?session_id=3oUaBZRsjbv3k9PyooFjFH

    If you would like to book 1×1 investor meetings with OSS, and to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 in partnership with MicroCapClub, please make sure you are registered here: REGISTER

    1×1 meetings will be scheduled and conducted in person at the conference venue: Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV

    The Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 in partnership with MicroCapClub website is available here: HOME PAGE

    If you can’t make the live presentation, all company presentations “webcasts” will be available directly on the conference event platform on this link under the tab “Agenda”: AGENDA

    About One Stop Systems
    One Stop Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: OSS) is a leader in AI enabled solutions for the demanding ‘edge’. OSS designs and manufactures Enterprise Class compute and storage products that enable rugged AI, sensor fusion and autonomous capabilities without compromise. These hardware and software platforms bring the latest data center performance to harsh and challenging applications, whether they are on land, sea or in the air.

    OSS products include ruggedized servers, compute accelerators, flash storage arrays, and storage acceleration software. These specialized compact products are used across multiple industries and applications, including autonomous trucking and farming, as well as aircraft, drones, ships and vehicles within the defense industry.

    OSS solutions address the entire AI workflow, from high-speed data acquisition to deep learning, training and large-scale inference, and have delivered many industry firsts for industrial OEM and government customers.

    As the fastest growing segment of the multi-billion-dollar edge computing market, AI enabled solutions require-and OSS delivers-the highest level of performance in the most challenging environments without compromise.

    OSS products are available directly or through global distributors. For more information, go to www.onestopsystems.com. You can also follow OSS on X, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

    About Planet MicroCap
    Planet MicroCap is a global multimedia financial news, publishing and events company for the MicroCap investing community. Planet MicroCap has cultivated an active and engaged audience of folks that are interested in learning about and staying ahead of the curve in the MicroCap space.

    If you would like to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 in partnership with MicroCapClub, please register here: REGISTER

    Forward-Looking Statements
    OSS cautions you that statements in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the Company’s current beliefs and expectations. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by OSS or its partners that any of our plans or expectations will be achieved, including but not limited to the potential and/or the results participating in the Planet MicroCap Conference, any results relating to one-on-one meetings with management, and the expansion of the Company’s offerings and/or relationship with commercial customers and/or investors. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risk and uncertainties inherent in our business, including risks described in our prior press releases and in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including under the heading “Risk Factors” in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent filings with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

    Media Contacts:
    Robert Kalebaugh
    One Stop Systems, Inc.
    Tel (858) 518-6154
    Email contact

    Investor Relations:
    Andrew Berger
    Managing Director
    SM Berger & Company, Inc.
    Tel (216) 464-6400
    Email contact

    The MIL Network –