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Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Weird space weather seems to have influenced human behavior on Earth 41,000 years ago – our unusual scientific collaboration explores how

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Raven Garvey, Associate Professor of Anthropology, University of Michigan

    Wandering magnetic fields would have had noticeable effects for humans. Maximilian Schanner (GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany)

    Our first meeting was a bit awkward. One of us is an archaeologist who studies how past peoples interacted with their environments. Two of us are geophysicists who investigate interactions between solar activity and Earth’s magnetic field.

    When we first got together, we wondered whether our unconventional project, linking space weather and human behavior, could actually bridge such a vast disciplinary divide. Now, two years on, we believe the payoffs – personal, professional and scientific – were well worth the initial discomfort.

    Our collaboration, which culminated in a recent paper in the journal Science Advances, began with a single question: What happened to life on Earth when the planet’s magnetic field nearly collapsed roughly 41,000 years ago?

    Weirdness when Earth’s magnetic shield falters

    This near-collapse is known as the Laschamps Excursion, a brief but extreme geomagnetic event named for the volcanic fields in France where it was first identified. At the time of the Laschamps Excursion, near the end of the Pleistocene epoch, Earth’s magnetic poles didn’t reverse as they do every few hundred thousand years. Instead, they wandered, erratically and rapidly, over thousands of miles. At the same time, the strength of the magnetic field dropped to less than 10% of its modern day intensity.

    So, instead of behaving like a stable bar magnet – a dipole – as it usually does, the Earth’s magnetic field fractured into multiple weak poles across the planet. As a result, the protective force field scientists call the magnetosphere became distorted and leaky.

    The magnetosphere normally deflects much of the solar wind and harmful ultraviolet radiation that would otherwise reach Earth’s surface.

    So, during the Laschamps Excursion when the magnetosphere broke down, our models suggest a number of near-Earth effects. While there is still work to be done to precisely characterize these effects, we do know they included auroras – normally seen only in skies near the poles as the Northern Lights or Southern Lights – wandering toward the equator, and significantly higher-than-present-day doses of harmful solar radiation.

    The skies 41,000 years ago may have been both spectacular and threatening. When we realized this, we two geophysicists wanted to know whether this could have affected people living at the time.

    The archaeologist’s answer was absolutely.

    Human responses to ancient space weather

    For people on the ground at that time, auroras may have been the most immediate and striking effect, perhaps inspiring awe, fear, ritual behavior or something else entirely. But the archaeological record is notoriously limited in its ability to capture these kinds of cognitive or emotional responses.

    Researchers are on firmer ground when it comes to the physiological impacts of increased UV radiation. With the weakened magnetic field, more harmful radiation would have reached Earth’s surface, elevating risk of sunburn, eye damage, birth defects, and other health issues.

    In response, people may have adopted practical measures: spending more time in caves, producing tailored clothing for better coverage, or applying mineral pigment “sunscreen” made of ochre to their skin. As we describe in our recent paper, the frequency of these behaviors indeed appears to have increased across parts of Europe, where effects of the Laschamps Excursion were pronounced and prolonged.

    Naturally occurring ochre can act as a protective sunscreen if applied to skin.
    Museo Egizio di Torino

    At this time, both Neanderthals and members of our species, Homo sapiens, were living in Europe, though their geographic distributions likely overlapped only in certain regions. The archaeological record suggests that different populations exhibited distinct approaches to environmental challenges, with some groups perhaps more reliant on shelter or material culture for protection.

    Importantly, we’re not suggesting that space weather alone caused an increase in these behaviors or, certainly, that the Laschamps caused Neanderthals to go extinct, which is one misinterpretation of our research. But it could have been a contributing factor – an invisible but powerful force that influenced innovation and adaptability.

    Cross-discipline collaboration

    Collaborating across such a disciplinary gap was, at first, daunting. But it turned out to be deeply rewarding.

    Archaeologists are used to reconstructing now-invisible phenomena like climate. We can’t measure past temperatures or precipitation directly, but they’ve left traces for us to interpret if we know where and how to look.

    An artistic rendering of how far into lower latitudes the aurora might have been visible during the Laschamps Excursion.
    Maximilian Schanner (GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany)

    But even archaeologists who’ve spent years studying the effects of climate on past behaviors and technologies may not have considered the effects of the geomagnetic field and space weather. These effects, too, are invisible, powerful and best understood through indirect evidence and modeling. Archaeologists can treat space weather as a vital component of Earth’s environmental history and future forecasting.

    Likewise, geophysicists, who typically work with large datasets, models and simulations, may not always engage with some of the stakes of space weather. Archaeology adds a human dimension to the science. It reminds us that the effects of space weather don’t stop at the ionosphere. They can ripple down into the lived experiences of people on the ground, influencing how they adapt, create and survive.

    The Laschamps Excursion wasn’t a fluke or a one-off. Similar disruptions of Earth’s magnetic field have happened before and will happen again. Understanding how ancient humans responded can provide insight into how future events might affect our world – and perhaps even help us prepare.

    Our unconventional collaboration has shown us how much we can learn, how our perspective changes, when we cross disciplinary boundaries. Space may be vast, but it connects us all. And sometimes, building a bridge between Earth and space starts with the smallest things, such as ochre, or a coat, or even sunscreen.

    Agnit Mukhopadhyay has received funding from NASA Science Mission Directorate and the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School.

    Raven Garvey and Sanja Panovska do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Weird space weather seems to have influenced human behavior on Earth 41,000 years ago – our unusual scientific collaboration explores how – https://theconversation.com/weird-space-weather-seems-to-have-influenced-human-behavior-on-earth-41-000-years-ago-our-unusual-scientific-collaboration-explores-how-257216

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Sculptor galaxy image provides brilliant details that will help astronomers study how stars form

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Rebecca McClain, Ph.D. Student in Astronomy, The Ohio State University

    This image of the Sculptor galaxy will give astronomers detailed information on a variety of stars, nebulae and galactic regions. European Southern Observatory

    If you happen to find yourself in the Southern Hemisphere with binoculars and a good view of the night sky on a dark and clear summer night, you might just be able to spot the Sculptor galaxy. And if your eyes were prisms that could separate light into the thousands of colors making it up, then congratulations: After hours of staring, you could have recreated the newest image of one of the nearest neighbors to our Milky Way galaxy.

    This is not just another stunningly gorgeous picture of a nearby galaxy. Because it reveals the type of light coming from each location in the galaxy, this image of the Sculptor galaxy is a treasure trove of information that astronomers around the world cannot wait to pick apart.

    As an astronomy Ph.D. student at Ohio State University, I (Rebecca) am one of the lucky people who gets to stare at this image for hours every day, alongside my adviser (Adam), discovering meaning behind the beauty everyone can appreciate.

    Creating the image

    The Sculptor galaxy lies 11 million light-years from the Milky Way. This may sound unfathomably far, but it actually makes Sculptor one of the closest galaxies to Earth.

    For this reason, Sculptor has been the primary target for many observations. In 2022, an international team of scientists observed Sculptor with the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer, MUSE, on the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile, and publicly released the data this June.

    Most astronomical observations obtain either an image of a single color of light – for example, red or blue – or a spectrum, which splits the light coming from the whole galaxy into many different colors.

    MUSE, conveniently, does both, producing a spectrum at every location it observes. One observation creates thousands of images in thousands of colors, each tracing the critical components that make up the galaxy: stars, dust and gas.

    It may look like only one picture, but this image of Sculptor is actually over 100 individual observations and 8 million individual spectra, painstakingly stitched together to reveal millions of stars all in one cohesive galaxy.

    Scientific significance

    The light associated with the stars in Sculptor is colored white, and gas made up of charged particles is colored red. The largest concentration of both is found in the spiral arms. At the very center of the galaxy is a nuclear starburst: a region of extreme star formation that is blowing material out of the galaxy.

    There is even information in the absence of light. Dust obscures light emitted from behind it, creating a shadow effect called dust lanes. Tracing these dust lanes reveals the cold, dense material that exists between stars. Scientists believe this dark material is the fuel that will form the next generation of stars.

    Complex gaseous nebulae (red) surround young and massive stars (white) in this zoom-in of a cluster of star-forming regions.
    European Southern Observatory/VLT/MUSE

    There is a lot to look at in this image, but the subject of my work and what I find most interesting is the gas illuminated in red. In these star-forming regions, young and massive stars excite the gas around them, which then glows with a specific color to reveal the chemical makeup and physical conditions of the gas.

    This image represents one of the first times that astronomers have obtained images of thousands of star-forming regions at this impressive level of detail. A component of our team’s research uses the data from MUSE to understand how these regions are structured and how they interact with the surrounding galaxy.

    By meticulously piecing all of this information together, astronomers can use this image to learn more about the formation and evolution of stars across the universe.

    Rebecca McClain receives funding from the National Science Foundation.

    Adam Leroy receives funding from NASA/Space Telescope Science Institute that supports research related to the survey of NGC 253 discussed in this article.

    – ref. Sculptor galaxy image provides brilliant details that will help astronomers study how stars form – https://theconversation.com/sculptor-galaxy-image-provides-brilliant-details-that-will-help-astronomers-study-how-stars-form-259754

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Rethinking the MBA: Character as the educational foundation for future business leaders

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Andrew J. Hoffman, Holcim (US) Professor of Sustainable Enterprise, Ross School of Business, School for Environment & Sustainability, University of Michigan

    Questions about the role of business education have led to introspection among business school leaders and researchers. Supatman/iStock via Getty Images

    Programs to help students discern their vocation or calling are gaining prominence in higher education.

    According to a 2019 Bates/Gallup poll, 80% of college graduates want a sense of purpose from their work. In addition, a 2023 survey found that 50% of Generation Z and millennial employees in the U.K. and U.S. have resigned from a job because the values of the company did not align with their own.

    These sentiments are also found in today’s business school students, as Gen Z is demanding that course content reflect the changes in society, from diversity and inclusion to sustainability and poverty. According to the Financial Times, “there may never have been a more demanding cohort.”

    And yet, business schools have been slower than other schools to respond, leading to calls ranging from transforming business education to demolishing it.

    What are business schools creating?

    Historically, studies have shown that business school applicants have scored higher than their peers on the “dark triad” traits of narcissism, psychopathy and Machiavellianism. These traits can manifest themselves in a tendency toward cunning, scheming and, at times, unscrupulous behavior.

    Over the course of their degree program, other studies have found that business school environments can amplify those preexisting tendencies while enhancing a concern for what others think of them.

    And these tendencies stick after graduation. One study examined 9,900 U.S. publicly listed firms and separated the sample by those run by managers who went to business school and those whose managers did not. While they found no discernible difference in sales or profits between the two samples, they found that labor wages were cut 6% over five years at companies run by managers who went to business school, while managers with no business degree shared profits with their workers. The study concludes that this is the result “of practices and values acquired in business education.”

    But there are signs that this may be changing.

    Questioning value

    Business leaders play a significant role in society, but they aren’t always trusted.
    miniseries/E+ via Getty Images

    Today, many are questioning the value of the MBA.

    Those who have decided it is worth the high cost either complain of its lack of rigor, relevance and critical thinking or use it merely for access to networks for salary enhancement, treating classroom learning as less important than attending recruiting events and social activities.

    Layered onto this uncertain state of affairs, generative artificial intelligence is fundamentally altering the education landscape, threatening future career prospects and short-circuiting the student’s education by doing their research and writing for them.

    This is concerning because of the outsized role that business leaders play in today’s society: allocating capital, developing and deploying new technologies and influencing political and social debates.

    At times, this role is a positive one, but not always. Distrust follows that uncertainty.

    Only 16% of Americans had a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in corporations, while 51% of Americans between 18 and 29 hold a dim view of capitalism.

    Facing this reality, business educators are beginning to reexamine how to nurture business leaders who view business not only as a means to making money but also as a vehicle in service to society.

    Proponents such as Harry Lewis, former dean of Harvard College; Derek Bok, former president of Harvard University; Harold Shapiro, former president of Princeton University; and Anthony Kronman, former dean of the Yale Law School, describe this effort as a return to the original focus of a college education.

    Not ethics, but character formation

    Character education could challenge business students to consider what type of leaders they aspire to be.
    MoMo Productions/Digital Vision via Getty Images

    Business schools have often included ethics courses in their curriculum, often with limited success. What some schools are experimenting with is character formation.

    As part of this experimentation is the development of a coherent moral culture that lies within the course curriculum but also within the cocurricular programming, cultural events, seminars and independent studies that shape students’ worldviews; the selection, socialization, training and reward systems for students, staff and faculty; and other aspects that shape students’ formation.

    Stanford’s Bill Damon, one of the leading scholars on helping students develop a sense of purpose in life, describes a revised role for faculty in this effort, one of creating the fertile conditions for students to find meaning and purpose on their own.

    I use this approach in my course on vocation discernment in business, shifting from a more traditional academic style to one that is more developmental.

    This is relational teaching that artificial intelligence cannot do. It involves bringing the whole person into the education process, inspiring hearts as much as engaging heads to form competent leaders who possess character, judgment and wisdom.

    It allows an examination of both the how and the why of business, challenging students to consider what kind of business leader they aspire to be and what kind of legacy they wish to establish.

    It would mark a return to the original focus of early business schools, which, as Rakesh Khurana, a professor of sociology at Harvard, calls out in his book “From Higher Aims to Hired Hands: The Social Transformation of American Business Schools and the Unfulfilled Promise of Management as a Profession,” was to train managers in the same vocational way we train doctors “to seek the higher aims of commerce in service to society.”

    Reshaping business education

    Most business school curricula are similar, but there are examples that break the mold.
    Oscar Wong/Moment via Getty Images

    The good news is that there are emerging exemplars that are seeking to create this kind of curriculum through centers such as Notre Dame University’s Institute for Social Concerns and Bates College’s Center for Purposeful Work and courses such as Stanford University’s Designing Your Life and the University of Michigan’s Management as a Calling.

    These are but a few examples of a growing movement. So, the building blocks are there to draw from. The student demand is waiting to be met. All that is needed is for more business schools to respond.

    Andrew J. Hoffman 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. Rethinking the MBA: Character as the educational foundation for future business leaders – https://theconversation.com/rethinking-the-mba-character-as-the-educational-foundation-for-future-business-leaders-259223

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: How universities can keep protests from turning violent: 3 lessons from the 2024 pro-Palestinian encampments

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Matthew J. Mayhew, Professor of Higher Education, The Ohio State University

    Pro-Palestinian supporters march outside Columbia University in September 2024. AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura

    In spring 2024, pro-Palestinian student encampments that began at Columbia and Harvard spread to university campuses throughout the U.S. as Israel invaded Gaza in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, surprise attack. At least 100 campuses had encampments for at least a few days during this period.

    While some campuses erupted in violence, others remained peaceful and didn’t experience the open conflict that led to congressional hearings, university presidents losing their jobs and repercussions that are continuing to be felt today.

    What made the difference?

    In spring 2024, Ohio State University’s College Impact Laboratory, where we all work, surveyed universities to learn more about whether their campuses experienced protests, what happened and how they handled them. Part of our goal was to understand how spiritual leaders played a role, if any, in managing the protests. We’ve been analyzing the data ever since. The results from those who responded point to several lessons universities could learn from to avoid violence in future protests.

    Campuses are a critical arena for activism

    Campus protests have long been a defining feature of social and political change in the U.S. From the civil rights movements of the 1950s and 1960s to the student-led climate strikes of recent years, higher education institutions have served as a critical space for activism.

    Often, these protests reflect broader societal tensions, and how universities respond has played a significant role in shaping their outcomes.

    Historically, protests have been most likely to escalate when students feel unheard. In contrast, institutions that adopt proactive strategies, such as facilitating conversations or including students in decision-making, often experience better outcomes.

    A George Washington University student carries a Palestinian flag at a student encampment protesting the Israel-Hamas war in May 2024.
    AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

    Snapshot of the pro-Palestinian protests

    As our survey data shows, the pro-Palestinian protests illustrate this dynamic.

    To gather data, the College Impact Laboratory sent questionnaires to administrators at the 329 universities that participate in our Interfaith Spiritual, Religious and Secular Campus Climate Index, also known as the INSPIRES Index, as well as hundreds of colleges and universities in our recruitment database.

    In all, 35 schools responded to our 23-question survey. Of those, we found that most protests were led by students, half lasted less than a week, and the vast majority were nonviolent. Fifteen did not have protests, while the rest did. While the number of institutions that participated in this survey is relatively small, it does give us key insights into what schools were thinking.

    Half of the campuses with protests reported law enforcement involvement – either campus police or city officers – with 20% experiencing physical altercations between protesters and police. Other disruptive actions such as academic interruptions, vandalism, physical violence and doxxing were reported with varying frequencies.

    Protests at campuses that participated in our survey peaked during April and May 2024, with 70% of them experiencing demonstrations in these months.

    Here are three takeaways from the survey, suggesting steps universities can take before and during future protests to avoid escalation:

    1. Involve students in guidelines for engagement – early

    At every surveyed institution that reported protests, students were at the forefront of organizing and leading these efforts.

    Yet, despite this clear student leadership, about one-third of institutions said they didn’t consult with students to establish guidelines for engagement. Those that did invited representatives from student organizations or student government officers into the policymaking process to determine what protocols would be followed to manage protests and keep them peaceful.

    On campuses where administrators didn’t engage with student leaders, tensions tended to escalate, and protests disrupted the institutions for weeks, often after police were called in or curfews were imposed.

    While many of the protests lasted only one to seven days, we found that institutions that opened lines of communication early between administration and student protest leaders were more likely to deescalate tensions quickly. In contrast, campuses where administrators did not engage early on saw protests lasting weeks or involving greater disruptions.

    Also, institutions that engaged early with student leaders were less likely to face stronger demands, such as calls for administrators to be fired, divestment from Israeli companies or calls to defund the campus police.

    Our survey results suggest it’s important for administrators to engage with students early to establish clear guidelines to make it less likely future protests spiral into violence.

    2. Communicate openly, often and before protests

    Discussion of difficult topics, such as the conflict between Israel and Palestinians, shouldn’t wait until protests break out to begin. We found that every school in our survey that proactively supported dialogue between Jews and Muslims – before the war broke out – didn’t see violence result from the protests.

    Dialogue isn’t just a strategy for preventing protests from spiraling out of control; it is fundamental to intergroup learning in higher education. These events create safe spaces for students − whether Arab, Jewish, Palestinian or members of different ethnic or religious groups − to engage with classmates with different points of view.

    But even once protests begin, dialogue can help. When institutions engaged in dialogue, during or as a result of a protest, the protests were less likely to involve violence. At half of the campuses that participated in our survey and experienced protests, protests were ended peacefully through dialogue.

    Brown, for example, modeled the power of institutional listening in its response to its April 2024 encampment. Rather than escalating tensions, university leaders engaged directly with student activists, resulting in a peaceful resolution and a commitment to bring the students’ divestment proposal to a formal vote in October. It ultimately failed to pass the board of directors.

    Demonstrators unfurl a banner on a lawn after an encampment protesting the Israel-Hamas war was taken down at Brown University on April 30, 2024, in Providence, R.I.
    AP Photo/David Goldman

    3. Involve relevant groups in decision-making

    Most administrators in our survey, as they considered how to engage with protesters, reached out to relevant student groups such as those that focus on Jewish and Muslim students to better understand their perspectives.

    However, only 28% consulted a religious or spiritual life office staff member on campus.

    Religious or spiritual life staff are present on both private and public campuses and may include university-employed multifaith chaplains, interfaith coordinators or directors of spiritual life. Unlike student-led religious groups, these professionals often serve as liaisons to the religious and nonreligious communities represented on campus.

    The focus of such roles on serving students from all worldviews positions them as key resources for deescalation through community outreach, support and two-way communication. Additionally, these professionals have valuable expertise in religious pluralism and community relationships. This experience helps them to advise administrators on policy and potential courses of action in times of tension.

    Consulting with university staff with a focus on religion or spiritual life makes particular sense given the nature of the protests and how religion is intertwined, but our data suggests they may be underutilized more broadly for their expertise in navigating tensions related to competing worldviews.

    Proactive engagement with these leaders not only helps campuses navigate an immediate crisis but demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and respect for different groups’ perspectives.

    Leading by example

    Put another way, our research suggests institutions can avoid the negative outcomes of protests by embodying the traits commonly associated with universities, such as showing mutual respect, fostering democratic debate and engaging in critical thinking even on divisive issues. Engaging from a mindset of goodwill with student leaders shows administrators value student voices and are willing to work collaboratively toward solutions.

    But when campuses ignore peaceful protests or refuse to engage with student leaders, they risk turning manageable situations into prolonged crises.

    At a time when divisions run deep, we believe campuses that lead by example by embracing dialogue and engaging student activists before, during and after protests take place are not only likely to see less violence, but are likely to help heal America’s great divides.

    Matthew J. Mayhew receives grant funding for various research projects from the National Science Foundation, the ECMC Foundation, the Templeton Religion Trust, the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, and Pew Charitable Trusts. Currently, Dr. Mayhew leads the College Impact Laboratory at The Ohio State University. He is the Principal Investigator for the INSPIRES Index project and is the current editor of the Digest of Recent Research.

    Renee L. Bowling works for the College Impact Lab at The Ohio State University that produces the INSPIRES Index and serves as Chair of NASPA’s Spirituality and Religion in Higher Education Knowledge Community.

    Hind Haddad 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. How universities can keep protests from turning violent: 3 lessons from the 2024 pro-Palestinian encampments – https://theconversation.com/how-universities-can-keep-protests-from-turning-violent-3-lessons-from-the-2024-pro-palestinian-encampments-252278

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: When big sports events like FIFA World Cup expand, their climate footprint expands too

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Brian P. McCullough, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Michigan

    Lionel Messi celebrates with fans after Argentina won the FIFA World Cup championship in 2022 in Qatar. Michael Regan-FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

    When the FIFA World Cup hits North America in June 2026, 48 teams and millions of soccer fans will be traveling to and from venues spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

    It’s a dramatic expansion – 16 more teams will be playing than in recent years, with a jump from 64 to 104 matches. The tournament is projected to bring in over US$10 billion in revenue. But the expansion will also mean a lot more travel and other activities that contribute to climate change.

    The environmental impacts of giant sporting events like the World Cup create a complex paradox for an industry grappling with its future in a warming world.

    A sustainability conundrum

    Sports are undeniably experiencing the effects of climate change. Rising global temperatures are putting athletes’ health at risk during summer heat waves and shortening winter sports seasons. Many of the 2026 World Cup venues often see heat waves in June and early July, when the tournament is scheduled.

    There is a divide over how sports should respond.

    Some athletes are speaking out for more sustainable choices and have called on lawmakers to take steps to limit climate-warming emissions. At the same time, the sport industry is growing and facing a constant push to increase revenue. The NCAA is also considering expanding its March Madness basketball tournaments from 68 teams currently to as many as 76.

    Park Yong-woo of team Al Ain from Abu Dhabi tries to cool off during a Club World Cup match on June 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C., which was in the midst of a heat wave. Some players have raised concerns about likely high temperatures during the 2026 World Cup, with matches scheduled June 11 to July 19.
    AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

    Estimates for the 2026 World Cup show what large tournament expansions can mean for the climate. A report from Scientists for Global Responsibility estimates that the expanded World Cup could generate over 9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, nearly double the average of the past four World Cups.

    This massive increase – and the increase that would come if the NCAA basketball tournaments also expand – would primarily be driven by air travel as fans and players fly among event cities that are thousands of miles apart.

    A lot of money is at stake, but so is the climate

    Sports are big business, and adding more matches to events like the World Cup and NCAA tournaments will likely lead to larger media rights contracts and greater gate receipts from more fans attending the events, boosting revenues. These are powerful financial incentives.

    In the NCAA’s case, there is another reason to consider a larger tournament: The House v. NCAA settlement opened the door for college athletic departments to share revenue with athletes, which will significantly increase costs for many college programs. More teams would mean more television revenue and, crucially, more revenue to be distributed to member NCAA institutions and their athletic conferences.

    When climate promises become greenwashing

    The inherent conflict between maximizing profit through growth and minimizing environmental footprint presents a dilemma for sports.

    Several sport organizations have promised to reduce their impact on the climate, including signing up for initiatives like the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework.

    However, as sports tournaments and exhibition games expand, it can become increasingly hard for sports organizations to meet their climate commitments. In some cases, groups making sustainability commitments have been accused of greenwashing, suggesting the goals are more about public relations than making genuine, measurable changes.

    For example, FIFA’s early claims that it would hold a “fully carbon-neutral” World Cup in Qatar in 2022 were challenged by a group of European countries that accused soccer’s world governing body of underestimating emissions. The Swiss Fairness Commission, which monitors fairness in advertising, considered the complaints and determined that FIFA’s claims could not be substantiated.

    Alessandro Bastoni, of Inter Milan and Italy’s national team, prepares to board a flight from Milan to Rome with his team.
    Mattia Ozbot-Inter/Inter via Getty Images

    Aviation is often the biggest driver of emissions. A study that colleagues and I conducted on the NCAA men’s basketball tournament found about 80% of its emissions were connected to travel. And that was after the NCAA began using the pod system, which is designed to keep teams closer to home for the first and second rounds.

    Finding practical solutions

    Some academics, observing the rising emissions trend, have called for radical solutions like the end of commercialized sports or drastically limiting who can attend sporting events, with a focus on fans from the region.

    These solutions are frankly not practical, in my view, nor do they align with other positive developments. The growing popularity of women’s sports shows the challenge in limiting sports events – more games expands participation but adds to the industry’s overall footprint.

    Further compounding the challenges of reducing environmental impact is the amount of fan travel, which is outside the direct control of the sports organization or event organizers.

    Many fans will follow their teams long distances, especially for mega-events like the World Cup or the NCAA tournament. During the men’s World Cup in Russia in 2018, more than 840,000 fans traveled from other countries. The top countries by number of fans, after Russia, were China, the U.S., Mexico and Argentina.

    There is an argument that distributed sporting events like March Madness or the World Cup can be better in some ways for local environments because they don’t overwhelm a single city. However, merely spreading the impact does not necessarily reduce it, particularly when considering the effects on climate change.

    How fans can cut their environmental footprint

    Sport organizations and event planners can take steps to be more sustainable and also encourage more sustainable choices among fans. Fans can reduce their environmental impact in a variety of ways. For example:

    • Avoid taking airplanes for shorter distances, such as between FIFA venues in Philadelphia, New York and Boston, and carpool or take Amtrak instead. Planes can be more efficient for long distances, but air travel is still a major contributing factor to emissions.

    • While in a host city, use mass transit or rent electric vehicles or bicycles for local travel.

    • Consider sustainable accommodations, such as short-term rentals that might have a smaller environmental footprint than a hotel. Or stay at a certified green hotel that makes an effort to be more efficient in its use of water and energy.

    • Engage in sustainable pregame and postgame activities, such as choosing local, sustainable food options, and minimize waste.

    • You can also pay to offset carbon emissions for attending different sporting events, much like concertgoers do when they attend musical festivals. While critics question offsets’ true environmental benefit, they do represent people’s growing awareness of their environmental footprint.

    Through all these options, it’s clear that sports face a significant challenge in addressing their environmental impacts and encouraging fans to be more sustainable, while simultaneously trying to meet ambitious business and environmental targets.

    In my view, a sustainable path forward will require strategic, yet genuine, commitment by the sports industry and its fans, and a willingness to prioritize long-term planetary health alongside economic gains – balancing the sport and sustainability.

    Brian P. McCullough 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. When big sports events like FIFA World Cup expand, their climate footprint expands too – https://theconversation.com/when-big-sports-events-like-fifa-world-cup-expand-their-climate-footprint-expands-too-259437

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: When big sports events like FIFA World Cup expand, their climate footprint expands too

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Brian P. McCullough, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Michigan

    Lionel Messi celebrates with fans after Argentina won the FIFA World Cup championship in 2022 in Qatar. Michael Regan-FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

    When the FIFA World Cup hits North America in June 2026, 48 teams and millions of soccer fans will be traveling to and from venues spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

    It’s a dramatic expansion – 16 more teams will be playing than in recent years, with a jump from 64 to 104 matches. The tournament is projected to bring in over US$10 billion in revenue. But the expansion will also mean a lot more travel and other activities that contribute to climate change.

    The environmental impacts of giant sporting events like the World Cup create a complex paradox for an industry grappling with its future in a warming world.

    A sustainability conundrum

    Sports are undeniably experiencing the effects of climate change. Rising global temperatures are putting athletes’ health at risk during summer heat waves and shortening winter sports seasons. Many of the 2026 World Cup venues often see heat waves in June and early July, when the tournament is scheduled.

    There is a divide over how sports should respond.

    Some athletes are speaking out for more sustainable choices and have called on lawmakers to take steps to limit climate-warming emissions. At the same time, the sport industry is growing and facing a constant push to increase revenue. The NCAA is also considering expanding its March Madness basketball tournaments from 68 teams currently to as many as 76.

    Park Yong-woo of team Al Ain from Abu Dhabi tries to cool off during a Club World Cup match on June 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C., which was in the midst of a heat wave. Some players have raised concerns about likely high temperatures during the 2026 World Cup, with matches scheduled June 11 to July 19.
    AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

    Estimates for the 2026 World Cup show what large tournament expansions can mean for the climate. A report from Scientists for Global Responsibility estimates that the expanded World Cup could generate over 9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, nearly double the average of the past four World Cups.

    This massive increase – and the increase that would come if the NCAA basketball tournaments also expand – would primarily be driven by air travel as fans and players fly among event cities that are thousands of miles apart.

    A lot of money is at stake, but so is the climate

    Sports are big business, and adding more matches to events like the World Cup and NCAA tournaments will likely lead to larger media rights contracts and greater gate receipts from more fans attending the events, boosting revenues. These are powerful financial incentives.

    In the NCAA’s case, there is another reason to consider a larger tournament: The House v. NCAA settlement opened the door for college athletic departments to share revenue with athletes, which will significantly increase costs for many college programs. More teams would mean more television revenue and, crucially, more revenue to be distributed to member NCAA institutions and their athletic conferences.

    When climate promises become greenwashing

    The inherent conflict between maximizing profit through growth and minimizing environmental footprint presents a dilemma for sports.

    Several sport organizations have promised to reduce their impact on the climate, including signing up for initiatives like the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework.

    However, as sports tournaments and exhibition games expand, it can become increasingly hard for sports organizations to meet their climate commitments. In some cases, groups making sustainability commitments have been accused of greenwashing, suggesting the goals are more about public relations than making genuine, measurable changes.

    For example, FIFA’s early claims that it would hold a “fully carbon-neutral” World Cup in Qatar in 2022 were challenged by a group of European countries that accused soccer’s world governing body of underestimating emissions. The Swiss Fairness Commission, which monitors fairness in advertising, considered the complaints and determined that FIFA’s claims could not be substantiated.

    Alessandro Bastoni, of Inter Milan and Italy’s national team, prepares to board a flight from Milan to Rome with his team.
    Mattia Ozbot-Inter/Inter via Getty Images

    Aviation is often the biggest driver of emissions. A study that colleagues and I conducted on the NCAA men’s basketball tournament found about 80% of its emissions were connected to travel. And that was after the NCAA began using the pod system, which is designed to keep teams closer to home for the first and second rounds.

    Finding practical solutions

    Some academics, observing the rising emissions trend, have called for radical solutions like the end of commercialized sports or drastically limiting who can attend sporting events, with a focus on fans from the region.

    These solutions are frankly not practical, in my view, nor do they align with other positive developments. The growing popularity of women’s sports shows the challenge in limiting sports events – more games expands participation but adds to the industry’s overall footprint.

    Further compounding the challenges of reducing environmental impact is the amount of fan travel, which is outside the direct control of the sports organization or event organizers.

    Many fans will follow their teams long distances, especially for mega-events like the World Cup or the NCAA tournament. During the men’s World Cup in Russia in 2018, more than 840,000 fans traveled from other countries. The top countries by number of fans, after Russia, were China, the U.S., Mexico and Argentina.

    There is an argument that distributed sporting events like March Madness or the World Cup can be better in some ways for local environments because they don’t overwhelm a single city. However, merely spreading the impact does not necessarily reduce it, particularly when considering the effects on climate change.

    How fans can cut their environmental footprint

    Sport organizations and event planners can take steps to be more sustainable and also encourage more sustainable choices among fans. Fans can reduce their environmental impact in a variety of ways. For example:

    • Avoid taking airplanes for shorter distances, such as between FIFA venues in Philadelphia, New York and Boston, and carpool or take Amtrak instead. Planes can be more efficient for long distances, but air travel is still a major contributing factor to emissions.

    • While in a host city, use mass transit or rent electric vehicles or bicycles for local travel.

    • Consider sustainable accommodations, such as short-term rentals that might have a smaller environmental footprint than a hotel. Or stay at a certified green hotel that makes an effort to be more efficient in its use of water and energy.

    • Engage in sustainable pregame and postgame activities, such as choosing local, sustainable food options, and minimize waste.

    • You can also pay to offset carbon emissions for attending different sporting events, much like concertgoers do when they attend musical festivals. While critics question offsets’ true environmental benefit, they do represent people’s growing awareness of their environmental footprint.

    Through all these options, it’s clear that sports face a significant challenge in addressing their environmental impacts and encouraging fans to be more sustainable, while simultaneously trying to meet ambitious business and environmental targets.

    In my view, a sustainable path forward will require strategic, yet genuine, commitment by the sports industry and its fans, and a willingness to prioritize long-term planetary health alongside economic gains – balancing the sport and sustainability.

    Brian P. McCullough 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. When big sports events like FIFA World Cup expand, their climate footprint expands too – https://theconversation.com/when-big-sports-events-like-fifa-world-cup-expand-their-climate-footprint-expands-too-259437

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Podcast: The unnatural nature of metamaterials

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Metamaterials are a special class of engineered materials, designed to have properties not found in nature. Glaucio Paulino, a professor at Princeton University, discusses his work on developing modular chiral origami metamaterials, engineering control approaches and the ways they might benefit society.

    [embedded content]

    Listen to NSF Discovery Files wherever you get your podcasts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Podcast: The unnatural nature of metamaterials

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Metamaterials are a special class of engineered materials, designed to have properties not found in nature. Glaucio Paulino, a professor at Princeton University, discusses his work on developing modular chiral origami metamaterials, engineering control approaches and the ways they might benefit society.

    [embedded content]

    Listen to NSF Discovery Files wherever you get your podcasts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/PERU – The Argentine Church’s missionary contribution in the Peruvian Amazon

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Lima (Agenzia Fides) – A delegation from the Argentine Bishops’ Conference, sent to Peru on behalf of the National Team of the Amazon Project, aims to support the proclamation of the Gospel, provide assistance in addressing material and spiritual challenges, and accompany the local missionary community. The delegation is composed of lay missionary Silvana Medina and priest Carlos Salomone, who collaborate with the permanent pastoral mission in the southern region of the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro river valleys in Peru, which is being carried out in the districts of Kimbiri, Manitea, Cielo Punko, Villa Kintiarina, and Villa Virgen, in continuity with the missionary work already begun in these areas.”Argentine Church, the Amazon is your mission” is the project that has supported the pastoral work of the parish of San Juan Bautista in the Kimbiri district, part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado, since 2022. The Apostolic Vicar of Puerto Maldonado, Bishop David Martínez de Aguirre Guinea, supports the initiative, which aims to renew the missionary spirit and strengthen the bond between the local Church and the teams sent.There are more than 150 settlements of various types in the area, from groups concentrated in urban centers to indigenous communities of the Asháninka and Machiguenga ethnic groups, who live a path of faith and fraternity in their daily lives. The missionaries aim to accompany the growth of the ecclesial spirit of a vibrant parish, animated by a strong sense of synodal co-responsibility and attentive to the needs of all. Currently, four Argentine missionaries live in the parish: a religious, a consecrated lay woman, and two lay missionaries. A married couple will join them in August. During her stay in Lima, Silvana Medina was also warmly welcomed by Father José Hipólito, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Peru, and his collaborators. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/PERU – The Argentine Church’s missionary contribution in the Peruvian Amazon

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Lima (Agenzia Fides) – A delegation from the Argentine Bishops’ Conference, sent to Peru on behalf of the National Team of the Amazon Project, aims to support the proclamation of the Gospel, provide assistance in addressing material and spiritual challenges, and accompany the local missionary community. The delegation is composed of lay missionary Silvana Medina and priest Carlos Salomone, who collaborate with the permanent pastoral mission in the southern region of the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro river valleys in Peru, which is being carried out in the districts of Kimbiri, Manitea, Cielo Punko, Villa Kintiarina, and Villa Virgen, in continuity with the missionary work already begun in these areas.”Argentine Church, the Amazon is your mission” is the project that has supported the pastoral work of the parish of San Juan Bautista in the Kimbiri district, part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado, since 2022. The Apostolic Vicar of Puerto Maldonado, Bishop David Martínez de Aguirre Guinea, supports the initiative, which aims to renew the missionary spirit and strengthen the bond between the local Church and the teams sent.There are more than 150 settlements of various types in the area, from groups concentrated in urban centers to indigenous communities of the Asháninka and Machiguenga ethnic groups, who live a path of faith and fraternity in their daily lives. The missionaries aim to accompany the growth of the ecclesial spirit of a vibrant parish, animated by a strong sense of synodal co-responsibility and attentive to the needs of all. Currently, four Argentine missionaries live in the parish: a religious, a consecrated lay woman, and two lay missionaries. A married couple will join them in August. During her stay in Lima, Silvana Medina was also warmly welcomed by Father José Hipólito, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Peru, and his collaborators. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/PERU – The Argentine Church’s missionary contribution in the Peruvian Amazon

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Lima (Agenzia Fides) – A delegation from the Argentine Bishops’ Conference, sent to Peru on behalf of the National Team of the Amazon Project, aims to support the proclamation of the Gospel, provide assistance in addressing material and spiritual challenges, and accompany the local missionary community. The delegation is composed of lay missionary Silvana Medina and priest Carlos Salomone, who collaborate with the permanent pastoral mission in the southern region of the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro river valleys in Peru, which is being carried out in the districts of Kimbiri, Manitea, Cielo Punko, Villa Kintiarina, and Villa Virgen, in continuity with the missionary work already begun in these areas.”Argentine Church, the Amazon is your mission” is the project that has supported the pastoral work of the parish of San Juan Bautista in the Kimbiri district, part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado, since 2022. The Apostolic Vicar of Puerto Maldonado, Bishop David Martínez de Aguirre Guinea, supports the initiative, which aims to renew the missionary spirit and strengthen the bond between the local Church and the teams sent.There are more than 150 settlements of various types in the area, from groups concentrated in urban centers to indigenous communities of the Asháninka and Machiguenga ethnic groups, who live a path of faith and fraternity in their daily lives. The missionaries aim to accompany the growth of the ecclesial spirit of a vibrant parish, animated by a strong sense of synodal co-responsibility and attentive to the needs of all. Currently, four Argentine missionaries live in the parish: a religious, a consecrated lay woman, and two lay missionaries. A married couple will join them in August. During her stay in Lima, Silvana Medina was also warmly welcomed by Father José Hipólito, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Peru, and his collaborators. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Edwin-Bélanger Bandstand is returning to its summer program this Thursday with Andréanne A. Malette and Tom Folly

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    The Plains will continue to be enlivened all summer long with free shows!


    Quebec City, Tuesday, July 15, 2025 –     After a short break during the Festival d’été de Québec, the Edwin-Bélanger Bandstand (EBB) will return to its summer program this Thursday! Every Thursday and Saturday for the rest of the summer until August 23, Quebec City’s residents and visitors are invited to come and experience free musical and cultural performances against the enchanting backdrop of the Plains of Abraham.


    This week: Tom Folly, Andréanne A. Malette, and Sabor 19 

    Thursday, 7 p.m., Saguenay native Tom Folly will kick off the night with songs from his last album Fromage en grains. With his sincere words and a dose of humour, he will perform pieces from many genres: reggae, rock, rap, folk, pop, and even disco. At 8 p.m., Andréanne A. Malette will present Les jardins dérangés, a heartfelt performance of her latest folk-pop melodies. Through a personal narrative, she will explore the themes of healing, the present moment, and solidarity. 

    Saturday, 7 p.m., the ambiance will switch to the lively beat of Sabor 19. This orchestra of ten musicians, a popular fixture in Montreal’s Latin scene, is promising a festive evening with the sound of salsa and cumbia. In keeping with its celebratory spirit, the group has just one aim: get everyone up and dancing! A little earlier in the day, families will have a chance to discover Marimba et le djembé du tonnerre. The kids in the audience will be entertained with songs, amused by marionettes, and taught how to play percussion instruments.


    Diverse and accessible 

    The EBB stage will come alive with free shows and a variety of styles: country, Latin, rock, pop, Québécois, jazz, folk, and an encounter between Western music and traditional Indigenous music. There’ll be something for everyone! On the lineup are artists who will surprise you with the depth of their performances, including Duo Phoenix, Guylaine Tanguay, Yvan Pedneault, Génération Crooner, LBA Band, Coco Country Band, New World Men, Mike DeWay, Kawandak, Gabrielle Destroismaisons, and Patrick Norman & Nathalie Lord. 

    The program also includes two unique cultural events. On Wednesday, July 23, there will be a public lecture about the American attack on Quebec City in 1775: Quebec 1775-1776 – Le dernier siège (in French only). On Friday, August 22, The Regimental Band of the Royal 22e Régiment will offer an exceptional musical performance on stage, thanks to its diverse range of instruments and its unique brass section.


    Family morning shows 

    The Plains of Abraham and the EBB are known for being accessible and welcoming to all tastes and to all kinds of people. There will be four family shows on Saturdays, July 19 and 26 and August 9 and 16, starting at 11 a.m. (in French only). The kids will enjoy seeing and hearing Marimba et le djembé du tonnerre, L’orgue du Gentil Géant, Arthur L’aventurier and Le stagiaire de Monsieur Ben.

    For more program details: www.plainsofabraham.ca


    Extended business hours of the Maison Smith Café at the central pavilion 

    The Maison Smith Café has been on the Plains of Abraham for over a year, during which its selection of beverages and food has further enhanced the EBB experience. An aperitif on the central pavilion terrace, a picnic on the Plains with a lunchbox or a satisfying coffee in your hand—everything will be available for a heartwarming summer! This Maison Smith Café branch will be open for extended business hours during the shows.


    About the National Battlefields Commission 

    The Battlefields Park is Canada’s leading national historic park and notably includes the Plains of Abraham and Des Braves Park. The National Battlefields Commission, an agency of the Canadian government, has striven since 1908 to preserve and develop this site that brings so many people together. All year long, it offers a variety of activities for those who wish to explore the park and its history. www.plainsofabraham.ca/

    -30-

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Trupanion Honored with Puget Sound Business Journal’s Excellence in Wellbeing Award

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SEATTLE, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trupanion (Nasdaq: TRUP), the leading provider of medical insurance for cats and dogs in North America, has been recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal as a recipient of its Excellence in Wellbeing Award.

    This prestigious award celebrates organizations that have made employee well-being a core business priority, embedding physical, mental, and emotional health into their leadership philosophy, benefits, and daily operations.

    “Our team members are the very heart of everything we do,” said Margi Tooth, CEO and President of Trupanion. “We understand that when our team feels healthy, supported, and truly engaged, we can bring our very best to pet parents and veterinarians. This award is a testament to our continued efforts to create a workplace where every team member feels genuinely valued and cared for, both professionally and personally.”

    The Puget Sound Business Journal, in partnership with founding partner Roundglass, launched this award program to highlight employers who are making significant investments in programs that support the holistic health of their employees. Honorees will be celebrated at an awards event on July 24, 2025.

    “At Trupanion, we use ongoing team member feedback to help guide our benefit decisions,” added Brenna McGibney, Chief Administration Officer at Trupanion. “This collaborative process allows us to provide essential support and offer resources that truly empower team members to lead balanced and fulfilled lives. We are honored to receive this award and will continue innovating and investing in the livelihood of every Trupanion team member.”

    Learn more about careers at Trupanion by visiting Careers in Pet Insurance | Join the Trupanion Team!

    About Trupanion

    Trupanion is a leader in medical insurance for cats and dogs throughout the United States, Canada and certain countries within Continental Europe with over 1,000,000 pets currently enrolled. For over two decades, Trupanion has given pet owners peace of mind so they can focus on their pet’s recovery, not financial stress. Trupanion is committed to providing pet parents with the highest value in pet medical insurance with unlimited payouts for the life of their pets. With its patented process, Trupanion is the only North American provider with the technology to pay veterinarians directly in seconds at the time of checkout. Trupanion is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “TRUP”. The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Seattle, WA. Trupanion policies are issued, in the United States, by its wholly-owned insurance entity American Pet Insurance Company and, in Canada, by Accelerant Insurance Company of Canada. Policies are sold and administered in Canada by Canada Pet Health Insurance Services, Inc. dba Trupanion 309-1277 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver, BC V7J 0A2 and in the United States by Trupanion Managers USA, Inc. (CA license No. 0G22803, NPN 9588590). Canada Pet Health Insurance Services, Inc. is a registered damage insurance agency and claims adjuster in Quebec #603927. For more information, please visit trupanion.com.

    Contacts:

    Corporate Communications
    Corporate.Communications@trupanion.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: New report: Generative AI use doubles while trust in social media plummets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CIRA’s 2025 Internet Trends Report reveals how trust, innovation and tariffs are reshaping Canada’s digital landscape  

    OTTAWA, Ontario, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Canadians navigate economic uncertainty and rapid technological change, they are changing how they spend time and money online. According to the 2025 Canadian Internet Trends Report released today, Canadians are embracing generative AI tools and expressing concern about misinformation, online safety and the trustworthiness of social media platforms.

    Formerly known as Canada’s Internet Factbook, the report is based on a national survey of 2,000 adult internet users. It offers a complex picture of Canadians’ online behaviour, from shifting shopping habits to evolving perceptions of social media.

    Key insights

    • Use of generative AI tools has more than doubled from 2024, with 1 in 3 Canadian have used having with them in the past year. Despite the spike, Canadians remain concerned about misinformation and deepfakes, with 74 per cent worried about AI-generated fake content.
    • Public trust in X continues to decline. It is now seen as the top platform for promoting polarizing content (31 per cent) and misinformation (33 per cent). The perception of safety on X has dropped by 20 percentage points since 2018. Despite buzz around alternatives like Bluesky, only five per cent of Canadians report using the app yet.
    • In a global economy, 64 per cent of Canadians prefer to shop online from Canadian retailers when given the choice, with over half (55 per cent) citing support for the local economy as their top reason. In the midst of a trade war with the US, the .CA domain remains a trusted signal of Canadian identity online.
    • One third of Canadians (34 per cent) encountered a deepfake in the past year; up from 20 per cent in 2024. Nearly 80 per cent believe deepfakes should be banned from social media and 59 per cent see them as a threat to democratic elections matching recent reports on election tampering.
    • One-in-five Canadians has been the victim of a cyberattack or data breach most often due to breaches at companies or services they use. While 61 per cent of respondents feel confident spotting scams, the findings underscore how important it is for all organizations—big or small—to step up their cybersecurity efforts.

    Executive quote

    “At CIRA, we’re seeing firsthand how global events and fast-moving technologies are transforming the way Canadians use the internet. From a growing preference for Canadian e-commerce amid geopolitical tensions, to concerns over AI, misinformation, and cyber threats, it’s clear that the internet is no longer just a tool—it’s a mirror of the complex world we live in.” — Byron Holland, President and CEO, CIRA

    Resources 

     About Canadian Internet Trends 

    The report was developed by CIRA through an online survey conducted by the Strategic Counsel. A total of 2,000 Canadian internet users (18+) were surveyed via an online panel in March. Every year CIRA produces Canadian Internet Trends through this research to better understand Canadians’ internet access and use. This year CIRA will post a four-part blog series of the most salient findings from its annual survey. The full research results showcasing the latest Canadian internet trends and online user habits can be found here. 

    About CIRA

    CIRA is the national not-for-profit best known for managing the .CA domain on behalf of all Canadians. As a leader in Canada’s internet ecosystem, CIRA offers a wide range of products, programs and services designed to make the internet a secure and accessible space for all. CIRA advocates for Canada on both national and international stages to support its goal of building a trusted internet for Canadians by helping shape the future of the internet.

    Media contact
    Delphine Avomo Evouna
    613.315.1458
    delphine.avomoevouna@cira.ca

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: New report: Generative AI use doubles while trust in social media plummets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CIRA’s 2025 Internet Trends Report reveals how trust, innovation and tariffs are reshaping Canada’s digital landscape  

    OTTAWA, Ontario, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Canadians navigate economic uncertainty and rapid technological change, they are changing how they spend time and money online. According to the 2025 Canadian Internet Trends Report released today, Canadians are embracing generative AI tools and expressing concern about misinformation, online safety and the trustworthiness of social media platforms.

    Formerly known as Canada’s Internet Factbook, the report is based on a national survey of 2,000 adult internet users. It offers a complex picture of Canadians’ online behaviour, from shifting shopping habits to evolving perceptions of social media.

    Key insights

    • Use of generative AI tools has more than doubled from 2024, with 1 in 3 Canadian have used having with them in the past year. Despite the spike, Canadians remain concerned about misinformation and deepfakes, with 74 per cent worried about AI-generated fake content.
    • Public trust in X continues to decline. It is now seen as the top platform for promoting polarizing content (31 per cent) and misinformation (33 per cent). The perception of safety on X has dropped by 20 percentage points since 2018. Despite buzz around alternatives like Bluesky, only five per cent of Canadians report using the app yet.
    • In a global economy, 64 per cent of Canadians prefer to shop online from Canadian retailers when given the choice, with over half (55 per cent) citing support for the local economy as their top reason. In the midst of a trade war with the US, the .CA domain remains a trusted signal of Canadian identity online.
    • One third of Canadians (34 per cent) encountered a deepfake in the past year; up from 20 per cent in 2024. Nearly 80 per cent believe deepfakes should be banned from social media and 59 per cent see them as a threat to democratic elections matching recent reports on election tampering.
    • One-in-five Canadians has been the victim of a cyberattack or data breach most often due to breaches at companies or services they use. While 61 per cent of respondents feel confident spotting scams, the findings underscore how important it is for all organizations—big or small—to step up their cybersecurity efforts.

    Executive quote

    “At CIRA, we’re seeing firsthand how global events and fast-moving technologies are transforming the way Canadians use the internet. From a growing preference for Canadian e-commerce amid geopolitical tensions, to concerns over AI, misinformation, and cyber threats, it’s clear that the internet is no longer just a tool—it’s a mirror of the complex world we live in.” — Byron Holland, President and CEO, CIRA

    Resources 

     About Canadian Internet Trends 

    The report was developed by CIRA through an online survey conducted by the Strategic Counsel. A total of 2,000 Canadian internet users (18+) were surveyed via an online panel in March. Every year CIRA produces Canadian Internet Trends through this research to better understand Canadians’ internet access and use. This year CIRA will post a four-part blog series of the most salient findings from its annual survey. The full research results showcasing the latest Canadian internet trends and online user habits can be found here. 

    About CIRA

    CIRA is the national not-for-profit best known for managing the .CA domain on behalf of all Canadians. As a leader in Canada’s internet ecosystem, CIRA offers a wide range of products, programs and services designed to make the internet a secure and accessible space for all. CIRA advocates for Canada on both national and international stages to support its goal of building a trusted internet for Canadians by helping shape the future of the internet.

    Media contact
    Delphine Avomo Evouna
    613.315.1458
    delphine.avomoevouna@cira.ca

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Dayforce Research: Taming Friction Key to Simplifying Workplace Complexity

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MINNEAPOLIS and TORONTO, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dayforce, Inc. (NYSE: DAY; TSX: DAY), a global human capital management (HCM) leader that makes work life better, today released a report, Fighting workforce friction to power productivity, that explores types of workplace friction – staffing, agility, change, and technology – and the consequences of them. Findings show widespread organizational challenges are hurting productivity and the bottom line by keeping people from doing the work they’re meant to do.

    With a majority (84%) of respondents saying they have faced organizational change in the past 12 months, this new research dives into how friction is experienced by workers, managers, and executives to help leaders drive simplicity at scale and ensure their people are doing work that drives results. Conducted by Hanover Research, the survey included 6,178 workers, managers, and executives from companies with at least 100 employees. The findings highlight opportunities to enhance speed and agility, while also improving the employee experience.

    “Technology disruption and a fluid operating environment are creating friction across organizations, leading to frustrated employees and wasted time and resources,” said Steve Holdridge, President and Chief Operating Officer, Dayforce, Inc. “Tackling this complexity crisis requires reducing friction caused by poor communication, mismatched technology, and aligning worker skills with defined roles. For leaders, this means creating clear goals, delivering proper skills training, and equipping their people with the tools they need to do the work they’re meant to do.”

    The report identified four types of friction organizations need to address:

    • Staffing friction: Almost two-thirds (65%) of workers said that when someone calls in sick at their organization, there is often no one to cover their work. Meanwhile, middle managers say that workforce scheduling (36%) and accurately forecasting labor needs (31%) are among their biggest workforce planning challenges. Employing workforce planning technology can help managers by improving staffing flexibility and ensuring that schedules comply with relevant regulations.
    • Agility friction: Respondents were clear that in today’s environment adapting and optimizing their workforce with speed is key to competitive advantage, but more than half (51%) said they could add more value to their organization in a different role. At the same time, only 43% said their organization has a structured process of upskilling or reskilling employees. Creating defined career paths and development opportunities can improve agility and retention.
    • Change friction: More than half (52%) of respondents say that organizational changes at their company negatively impact employee efficiency and only 44% say their organization is good or very good at communicating change. Prioritizing communication during change management planning can help employees navigate change and focus on important tasks.
    • Technology friction: More than two-thirds (69%) of respondents say their organization uses too many technology platforms, while nearly the same amount (66%) at least slightly agree that adopting new technologies at work often reduce efficiency instead of improving it. Reducing complexity with fewer platforms and modern technology can make adoption smoother and get people back to focusing on high-value tasks.

    Additional Information

    Survey Methodology

    Hanover Research conducted the organizational friction survey from Dayforce online from April 14 to May 1, 2025. The study included 6,178 respondents aged 18+ who work at companies with at least 100 employees across Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

    Our Organizational Friction Index was calculated based on respondents’ answers to nine questions about organizational changes, organizational complexity, and technological complexity. Each respondent was assigned an Organizational Friction Score, and the Index was created by designating those scores as low, medium, or high friction.

    About Dayforce

    Dayforce makes work life better. Everything we do as a global leader in HCM technology is focused on enabling thousands of customers and millions of employees around the world do the work they’re meant to do. With our single AI-powered people platform for HR, Pay, Time, Talent, and Analytics, organizations of all sizes and industries are benefiting from simplicity at scale with Dayforce to help unlock their full workforce potential, operate with confidence, and realize quantifiable value. To learn more, visit dayforce.com.

    Media Contact
    Nick de Pass
    nick.depass@dayforce.com
    (226) 972-5962

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Franklin Electric Schedules Its Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Release and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORT WAYNE, Ind., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: FELE) will release its second quarter 2025 earnings at 8:00 am ET on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. A conference call to review earnings and other developments in the business will commence at 9:00 am ET. The second quarter 2025 earnings call will be available via a live webcast. The webcast will be available in a listen only mode by going to:

    https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/eo2jvajq

    For those interested in participating in the question-and-answer portion of the call, please register for the call at the link below.

    https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI1fbffb8f4cf04503b3b3612e494f18a2

    All registrants will receive dial-in information and a PIN allowing them to access the live call. It is recommended that you join 10 minutes prior to the event start (although you may register and dial in at any time during the call).

    A replay of the conference call will be available from Tuesday, July 29, 2025, through 9:00 am ET on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, by visiting the listen-only webcast link above.

    About Franklin Electric
    Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and energy. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers around the world in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications. Franklin Electric is proud to be named in Newsweek’s lists of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024, Most Trustworthy Companies for 2024, Greenest Companies 2025, Best Places to Work in Indiana 2024, and America’s Climate Leaders 2024 by USA Today.

    “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company’s financial results, costs, expenses or expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company’s business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, effect of price increases,  raw material costs, technology factors, integration of acquisitions, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company’s accounting policies, future trends, epidemics and pandemics, and other risks which are detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    CONTACT:     Jennifer Wolfenbarger
    Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
    260.824.2900
         

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Franklin Electric Schedules Its Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Release and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORT WAYNE, Ind., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: FELE) will release its second quarter 2025 earnings at 8:00 am ET on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. A conference call to review earnings and other developments in the business will commence at 9:00 am ET. The second quarter 2025 earnings call will be available via a live webcast. The webcast will be available in a listen only mode by going to:

    https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/eo2jvajq

    For those interested in participating in the question-and-answer portion of the call, please register for the call at the link below.

    https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI1fbffb8f4cf04503b3b3612e494f18a2

    All registrants will receive dial-in information and a PIN allowing them to access the live call. It is recommended that you join 10 minutes prior to the event start (although you may register and dial in at any time during the call).

    A replay of the conference call will be available from Tuesday, July 29, 2025, through 9:00 am ET on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, by visiting the listen-only webcast link above.

    About Franklin Electric
    Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and energy. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers around the world in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications. Franklin Electric is proud to be named in Newsweek’s lists of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024, Most Trustworthy Companies for 2024, Greenest Companies 2025, Best Places to Work in Indiana 2024, and America’s Climate Leaders 2024 by USA Today.

    “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company’s financial results, costs, expenses or expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company’s business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, effect of price increases,  raw material costs, technology factors, integration of acquisitions, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company’s accounting policies, future trends, epidemics and pandemics, and other risks which are detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    CONTACT:     Jennifer Wolfenbarger
    Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
    260.824.2900
         

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Willis Lease Finance Corporation Announces Timing of Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COCONUT CREEK, Fla., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (the “Company”), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and global provider of aviation services, today announced it will release its financial results for the second quarter of 2025 before the market opens on August 5, 2025. The Company will host a conference call led by the executive management team that day at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

    To participate in the conference call, please use the following dial-in numbers:

    U.S. and Canada: +1 (800) 289-0459
    International: +1 (646) 828-8082
    Conference ID: 101023

    A digital replay will be available two hours after the completion of the conference call. To access the replay, please visit our website at www.wlfc.global under the Investor Relations section for details.

    About Willis Lease Finance Corporation

    Willis Lease Finance Corporation leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines, auxiliary power units and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair, and overhaul providers worldwide. These leasing activities are integrated with engine and aircraft trading, engine lease pools and asset management services through Willis Asset Management Limited, as well as various end-of-life solutions for engines and aviation materials provided through Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. Through Willis Engine Repair Center®, Jet Centre by Willis, and Willis Aviation Services Limited, the Company’s service offerings include Part 145 engine maintenance, aircraft line and base maintenance, aircraft disassembly, parking and storage, airport FBO and ground and cargo handling services. Willis Sustainable Fuels intends to develop, build and operate projects to help decarbonize aviation.

     CONTACT: Scott B. Flaherty
      Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
      sflaherty@willislease.com
      561.413.0112

    The MIL Network –

  • France says UN conference to work on post-war Gaza, Palestinian state recognition

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A rescheduled United Nations conference this month will discuss post-war plans for Gaza and preparations for the recognition of a Palestinian state by France and others, France’s foreign minister said on Tuesday.

    France and Saudi Arabia had planned to host the conference in New York from June 17-20, aiming to lay out the parameters of a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel’s security.

    “The aim is to sketch out post-war Gaza and prepare the recognition of a Palestinian state by France and countries that will engage in this approach,” Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in Brussels before a meeting of European Union foreign ministers.

    The conference was postponed under U.S. pressure and after the 12-day Israel-Iran air war began, during which regional airspace was closed, making it hard for representatives of some Arab states to attend. Diplomats said on Friday it had been rescheduled for July 28-29.

    French President Emmanuel Macron had been set to attend the conference and had suggested he could recognise a Palestinian state in Israeli-occupied territories at the conference, a move opposed by Israel.

    Macron is no longer expected to attend, reducing the likelihood of any major announcements being made.

    Diplomats say Macron has faced resistance from allies such as Britain and Canada over his push for the recognition of a Palestinian state.

    Israel has been fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip since the Palestinian militant group’s deadly attack on Israel in October 2023. A U.S.-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire is being discussed at talks in Doha.

    (Reuters)

  • France says UN conference to work on post-war Gaza, Palestinian state recognition

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A rescheduled United Nations conference this month will discuss post-war plans for Gaza and preparations for the recognition of a Palestinian state by France and others, France’s foreign minister said on Tuesday.

    France and Saudi Arabia had planned to host the conference in New York from June 17-20, aiming to lay out the parameters of a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel’s security.

    “The aim is to sketch out post-war Gaza and prepare the recognition of a Palestinian state by France and countries that will engage in this approach,” Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in Brussels before a meeting of European Union foreign ministers.

    The conference was postponed under U.S. pressure and after the 12-day Israel-Iran air war began, during which regional airspace was closed, making it hard for representatives of some Arab states to attend. Diplomats said on Friday it had been rescheduled for July 28-29.

    French President Emmanuel Macron had been set to attend the conference and had suggested he could recognise a Palestinian state in Israeli-occupied territories at the conference, a move opposed by Israel.

    Macron is no longer expected to attend, reducing the likelihood of any major announcements being made.

    Diplomats say Macron has faced resistance from allies such as Britain and Canada over his push for the recognition of a Palestinian state.

    Israel has been fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip since the Palestinian militant group’s deadly attack on Israel in October 2023. A U.S.-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire is being discussed at talks in Doha.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: How 1860s Mexico offered an alternative vision for a liberal international order

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Tom Long, Professor of International Relations, Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Warwick

    The Execution of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico, June 19, 1867 Edouard ManetWikimedia Commons

    In 1867, the world’s most powerful statesmen, including Austria’s Emperor Franz Josef, France’s Napoleon III and US secretary of state, William H. Seward, petitioned the Mexican government to spare the life of a condemned man.

    Mexico’s ragtag army and militias had just humbled France, then Europe’s preeminent land power. The costly six-year campaign drained the French treasury and eroded Napoleon III’s domestic support. Napoleon’s ambition to transform Mexico into a client empire under a Vienna-born, Habsburg archduke, crowned Maximilian I, ended in spectacular failure.

    After his defeat, Maximilian was brought before a Mexican military tribunal. European monarchs regarded the prisoner as their peer, but Mexican liberals convicted him as a piratical invader, usurper and traitor. Despite indignant appeals from European courts, President Benito Juárez refused to commute his sentence. The would-be emperor was executed by firing squad.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    The controversy went beyond one monarch’s fate. It crystallised a clash between opposed visions of global order — as Peru’s president Ramón Castilla said at the time, it was a “war of the crowns against liberty caps”.

    Today, world politics are in flux. The so-called liberal international order, nominally grounded in multilateralism, open markets, human rights and the rule of law, is facing its gravest crisis since the second world war. Former advocates such as the United States now openly flout international law and undermine the very norms they once championed. China remains ambivalent, while Russia unabashedly hastens the order’s unravelling.

    More broadly, the old post-second world war order appears out of step with the global south and with widespread anger over double standards exposed by the wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Iran.
    Amid today’s crises, a world order arranged for and by the great powers looks both insufficient and doomed to lack legitimacy. Reordering will require support from diverse actors, including states across the global south.

    1860s: a turbulent decade

    The 1860s were a turbulent, although often overlooked, moment of global reordering. Technological shifts – the telegraph, electricity, steamships and railways – appeared as disruptive then as AI does today. Combined with shifting power dynamics, these transformations accelerated imperial expansion. Yet the rules of the emerging order remained uncertain, even among the imperial powers themselves.

    In Europe, networks of dynastic rule still carried weight in international politics. Under growing pressure, the ancien régime sought to reinvent and reassert itself. The old empires often justified their expansion by promising to bring order and progress to supposedly backward peoples. But that “civilising mission” clashed with a worldview emerging from Spanish America – where countries had thrown off colonial rule to establish independent republics.

    As we wrote in a recent article in American Political Science Review, Spanish American diplomats articulated a republican vision of international order centred on the protection of weaker states from domination by great powers.

    Fending off Europe’s empires

    Divided by civil conflict, Mexico became an easy target for European empires. Mexico’s Liberal party had regained power but faced internal dissent and crippling foreign debt. Britain, France and Spain formed a coalition to invade and demand repayment. France, however, had more ambitious designs.

    Exploiting the distraction of the US civil war, Napoleon III dreamed of transforming Mexico into a Latin stronghold against Yankee expansion. Best of all, Napoleon thought the scheme would turn a profit. A stable Mexican empire could repay the costs of the intervention – with interest – by increasing production from the country’s famed silver mines. Meanwhile, France would gain a receptive market for its exports and a grateful geopolitical subordinate.

    Maximilian, a young Austrian prince of the house of Hapsburg, somewhat naively accepted the offer to rule a distant and unfamiliar land. He dreamed of regenerating Mexico through a liberal monarchy while reviving his family’s declining dynasty.

    Led by Juárez, Mexico’s liberals fiercely resisted Maximilian’s rule. While militarily Juárez was consistently on the defensive, he remained diplomatically proactive. The Juaristas encouraged US sympathies that proved decisive after the end of the civil war. They also enjoyed solidarity – though limited material support – from other Spanish American republics. Although the monarchies of Europe all recognised Maximilian as Mexican emperor, Juárez’s defiance became a rallying point for liberals and republicans in Europe.

    Hero to the liberals: a monument to Juárez in central Mexico City.
    Hajor~commonswiki, CC BY-ND

    Vision of a new order

    Beyond stoking sympathies, Juárez and his followers offered trenchant critiques of unequal international rules and practices cloaked in liberal guise.

    First, the “republican internationalism” of Mexico’s Juaristas stood in direct opposition to European liberals’ “civilising mission”. Latin American republicans rejected the notion that progress could be imposed on their countries from abroad – though some echoed civilising rhetoric toward their own non-white populations, who like in the US were subject to campaigns of violence and dispossession that stretched from northern Mexico to the Patagonia. Many Latin American liberals likewise remained silent about empire elsewhere.

    Second, the Juarista vision placed popular sovereignty, not dynastic ties, at the heart of legitimate statehood. These ideas drew on Mexico’s independence tradition and the principles enshrined in the 1857 constitution. European intervention, in this view, aimed to suppress popular rule in the Americas and extend the reaction against the failed revolutions of 1848, which had seriously threatened the old order when they raged across Europe.

    Third, popular sovereign states were equal under international law, regardless of power, wealth, or internal disorder. Sovereign equality also underpinned Latin America’s strong commitment to non-intervention. Liberal writer and diplomat Francisco Zarco, a close confidante of Juárez, condemned frequent European economic justifications for intervention as the work of “smugglers and profiteers who wrap themselves in the flags of powerful nations”.

    Finally, Mexican liberals called for an international system premised on republican fraternity, drawing on aspirations for cooperation that went back to liberator Simón Bolívar. The independence leader and committed republican convened a conference in 1826, hoping that a confederation of the newly independent Spanish American states would “be the shield of our new destiny”.

    Similar arguments for an international order that advances non-domination still resonate in the global south today. The Mexican experience also underscores that the architects of international order have never come exclusively from the global north – and those who shape its future will not either.

    Tom Long receives support from UK Arts and Humanities Research Council grant AH/V006622/1, Latin America and the peripheral origins of the 19th-century international order.

    Carsten-Andreas Schulz receives support from UK Arts and Humanities Research Council grant AH/V006622/1, Latin America and the peripheral origins of the 19th-century international order.

    – ref. How 1860s Mexico offered an alternative vision for a liberal international order – https://theconversation.com/how-1860s-mexico-offered-an-alternative-vision-for-a-liberal-international-order-260228

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Over 500,000 spectators visited Teatralny Boulevard in 1.5 months

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    More than 500 thousand spectators visited the International Open Festival “Theater Boulevard – 2025” during the first half of the project.

    “The festival started with a full house, and even now empty seats at the venues remain a rarity. In total, more than 500 thousand spectators visited it during the first half of the project, and about 1.6 thousand hours of the program have already been held on the five main stages. Thanks to the festival, the theater season in Moscow actually lasts the entire year, without a break for the summer holidays, and an equally rich program awaits guests ahead: performances by foreign artists and high-profile productions on the festival stages,” noted the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Culture

    Alexey Fursin.

    The festival includes classical dramatic productions, musical performances, circus shows, and experimental formats such as the theatre of taste and plastic theatre. There are also special programmes dedicated to memorable dates – Russia Day, A.S. Pushkin’s birthday, the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow, and Youth Day.

    This year, Theatre Boulevard is attended by groups from 40 regions of Russia, from the Kaliningrad Region to the Altai Territory, including the State Drama Theatre on Vasilievsky Island (St. Petersburg), the Perm Academic Theatre-Theatre (Perm), and the F. Volkov Drama Theatre (Yaroslavl).

    Andrey Merzlikin and Darya Moroz, Kristina Babushkina, Anton Shagin, Yulia Peresild, Konstantin Raikin, Igor Mirkurbanov, Alexandra Rebenok, Anna Chipovskaya performed their projects at the festival venues. The parade of stars will continue in the second half of the festival.

    Particular attention is paid to children’s and family events. Now they are held on the main stages of the festival. Thus, in July, the “Family Conversations” section was opened, where the stories of theatrical dynasties were presented in a unique format. Among the heroes are Konstantin and Polina Raikin, Yulia and Anna Peresild, Igor and Grigory Vernik.

    The second half of the festival will be more diverse. High-profile premieres, immersive productions and master classes by leading directors are planned, as well as performances by artists from Serbia, Uruguay, Argentina, Iran, China, Italy and other countries.

    The Theatre Boulevard Festival is organized by the capital’s Department of Culture as part of Sergei Sobyanin’s Summer in Moscow project. https://leto.mos.ru/ It will last a record 92 days. More than 600 performances will be shown at 14 venues across the city, and three thousand artists from Russia and other countries will perform. In addition to theatrical productions, each venue will host creative workshops, patriotic programs with favorite actors, and interactive zones, including for children.

    Project “Summer in Moscow”— the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports programs are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and this season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Senegal joins growing list of countries that have eliminated trachoma

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Senegal as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Senegal becomes the ninth country in WHO’s African Region to have achieved this feat.

    “I commend Senegal for freeing its population from this disease”, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This milestone is yet another sign of the remarkable progress being made against neglected tropical diseases globally, and offers hope to other countries still working to eliminate trachoma.”

    Trachoma has been known in Senegal since the early 1900s and was confirmed as a major cause of blindness through surveys in the 1980s and 1990s. Senegal joined the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma in 1998, conducted its first national survey in 2000, and completed full disease mapping by 2017 with support from the Global Trachoma Mapping Project and Tropical Data. Trachoma control was consistently integrated into national eye health programmed, first under the National Program for Blindness Prevention (PNLC) and later through the National Program for the Promotion of Eye Health (PNPSO) – maintaining its commitment to trachoma elimination.

    “Today we celebrate our victory against trachoma, 21 years after the one against dracunculiasis” said Dr Ibrahima Sy, Senegal’s Minister of Health and Social Action. “This new milestone reminds us that our overarching goal remains a Senegal free from neglected tropical diseases. We are fully committed to this, and we are making good progress, notably against human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and onchocerciasis”.

    Senegal implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy to eliminate trachoma with the support of partners, reaching 2.8 million people who needed them across 24 districts. These activities included provision of surgery to treat the late blinding stage of the disease, conducting antibiotic mass drug administration of azithromycin donated by Pfizer through the International Trachoma Initiative, carrying out public awareness campaigns to promote facial cleanliness, and improvement in access to water supply and sanitation.

    Trachoma is the second neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Senegal. In 2004, the country was certified free of dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease) transmission. Globally, Senegal joins 24 other countries that have been validated by WHO for having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. These are Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Ghana, India, Iraq, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam. These countries are part of a wider of group of 57 countries that have eliminated one or more neglected tropical diseases.

    WHO is supporting Senegal’s health authorities to closely monitor communities in which trachoma was previously endemic to ensure there is no resurgence of the disease.

    “Trachoma has cast a shadow over communities in Senegal for more than a century. This long-awaited validation is not only a milestone for public health but a powerful tribute to the tireless dedication of frontline health workers, communities, government leaders, and partners who never gave up,” said Dr Jean-Marie Vianny Yameogo, WHO Representative in Senegal. “Today, we close a chapter that began over a hundred years ago, united with pride, gratitude and resolve. WHO remains committed to supporting Senegal as the country continues to lead in sustaining this hard-earned achievement.”

    Disease prevalence

    Trachoma remains a public health problem in 32 countries, with an estimated 103 million people living in areas requiring interventions against the disease. Trachoma is found mainly in the poorest and most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, the Western Pacific and the Middle East. WHO’s African Region is disproportionately affected by trachoma, with 93 million people living in at-risk areas in April 2024, representing 90% of the global trachoma burden.

    Significant progress has been made in the fight against trachoma over the past few years and the number of people requiring antibiotic treatment for trachoma in the African Region fell by 96 million from 189 million in 2014 to 93 million as of April 2024, representing a 51% reduction.

    There are currently 20 countries (Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) in WHO’s African Region that are known to require intervention for trachoma elimination. A further 3 countries in the Region (Botswana, Guinea-Bissau and Namibia) claim to have achieved the prevalence targets for elimination.

    – on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom signs tribal-state gaming compact 7.14.25

    Source: US State of California 2

    Jul 14, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed a tribal-state gaming compact with the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria.

    A copy of the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria compact can be found here. 

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jul 14, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bills:AB 78 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Attorney’s fees: book accounts.AB 223 by Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco (D-Downey) – Jury selection: acknowledgment and…

    Jul 14, 2025

    News What you need to know: Clean energy reliably powered California to levels never seen before – 67% in 2023 – as renewable energy and clean resources continue to advance the state’s world-leading energy transition while fueling the nation’s largest clean energy…

    Jul 11, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today on the court’s decision in Vasquez Perdomo, et al. v. Noem to temporarily stop federal immigration agents from unlawful suspicionless stops in California:  Justice prevailed today…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom signs tribal-state gaming compact 7.14.25

    Source: US State of California 2

    Jul 14, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed a tribal-state gaming compact with the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria.

    A copy of the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria compact can be found here. 

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jul 14, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bills:AB 78 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Attorney’s fees: book accounts.AB 223 by Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco (D-Downey) – Jury selection: acknowledgment and…

    Jul 14, 2025

    News What you need to know: Clean energy reliably powered California to levels never seen before – 67% in 2023 – as renewable energy and clean resources continue to advance the state’s world-leading energy transition while fueling the nation’s largest clean energy…

    Jul 11, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today on the court’s decision in Vasquez Perdomo, et al. v. Noem to temporarily stop federal immigration agents from unlawful suspicionless stops in California:  Justice prevailed today…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS RELEASE: STATE RELEASES FORECAST FOR JOBS AND INDUSTRIES THROUGH 2032

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    NEWS RELEASE: STATE RELEASES FORECAST FOR JOBS AND INDUSTRIES THROUGH 2032

    Posted on Jul 14, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.

    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

    KA ʻOIHANA PONO LIMAHANA

    JADE T. BUTAY

    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

    STATE RELEASES FORECAST FOR JOBS AND INDUSTRIES THROUGH 2032

    Hawai‘i Projects 41,000 New Jobs by 2032, Led by Health Care and Food Services

     

    News Release 2025-07

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    July 14, 2025

     

    HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Research and Statistics Office has released its latest statewide employment projections for industries and occupations. The projections are based on 2022 employment data and forecast trends through 2032. Statewide projections are published in even-numbered years, while county-specific projections are issued in odd-numbered years.

    Key Highlights:

    Hawai‘i’s total employment is projected to grow by 6.1% over the next decade, increasing from 671,010 jobs in 2022 to 712,200 by 2032 — an addition of 41,190 jobs. Each year, the state is expected to see approximately 83,050 job openings. These openings will primarily result from workers changing jobs (55%) and exiting the labor force (40%), while just 5% will stem from actual job growth. This breakdown highlights the importance of workforce replacement and job mobility in the state’s labor market.

    Top Growing Industries:

    • Health care and social assistance is forecast to be the fastest-growing and largest contributor to job creation, accounting for nearly one-quarter of all new positions.
    • The sector is projected to grow by 12.7%, with particularly strong demand in social assistance services.
    • The food services and drinking places industry will follow closely, with an 11.9% growth rate, driven by Hawai‘i’s strong hospitality sector.
    • The accommodation industry is also forecast to increase by 10.2%, while creating 3,750 positions.
    • The self-employed sector, bolstered by the post-pandemic gig economy, is expected to reach 58,150 workers by 2032.

     

    In contrast, government and retail trade employment are projected to decline, influenced by federal policies and continuing shift toward e-commerce.

    The projections are a valuable tool for:

    • Students and jobseekers exploring career options
    • Education and training providers developing programs
    • Job placement specialists and career counselors guiding individuals toward employment
    • Program managers and policymakers shaping workforce strategies
    • Employers planning for growth or relocation

    Key highlights, comprehensive data tables and other Labor Market Information (LMI) tools — such as Best Job Opportunities to 2032 — can be accessed on the Employment Projections page of the Hawai‘i Workforce Infonet (HIWI): www.hiwi.org.

    Detailed narrative reports will be available by the end of July.

    This effort is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, through the Workforce and Labor Market Information Grants to States (WIGS) program, with a total award of $321,585 for Program Year 2024.

    # # #

    Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
    Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
    TDD/TTY Dial 711 then ask for 808-586-8842

    View DLIR news releases:

    http://labor.hawaii.gov/blog/category/news/

    Media Contact:

    Chavonnie Ramos

    Public Information Officer, State of Hawai‘i

    Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

    Phone: 808-586-9720

    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Tech4DRR: democratizing innovation to reduce disaster risk

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    At a time when the discourse on technology and disaster risk reduction seems dominated by costly and sophisticated solutions, the new Special Report on the Use of Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction (Tech4DRR), published by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), brings “low-tech” solutions to the forefront—highlighting them as effective, accessible, and, above all, life-saving tools.

    The report, developed in collaboration with the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE USA), and the Regional Scientific and Technical Advisory Group for the Americas and the Caribbean (RSTAG), also draws attention to a critical gap: developing countries are rarely involved in the design of the technologies they later end up purchasing and using.

    Rather than promoting an exclusively high-tech vision of innovation, the report advocates for useful, context-specific technologies co-developed with the people living in hazard-prone areas. From early warning systems rooted in Indigenous knowledge to community-based data collection tools, the experiences documented in this report demonstrate that simple solutions can saves lives too.

    Tech4DRR emphasizes that technology is not neutral. Tools developed using data, assumptions, and models from industrialized countries are not always applicable in Global South contexts. Constraints related to connectivity, budgets, and basic infrastructure demand customized approaches—not one-size-fits-all adaptations.

    The analysis also notes that countries in the Americas and the Caribbean face significant challenges in accessing robust technologies, many of which were designed in contexts that do not reflect their realities. Instead of shaping the development of technological tools, countries in the Global South often end up purchasing off-the-shelf solutions that fail to reflect their local needs or structural constraints.

    “Technology alone cannot solve the complex challenges of disaster risk reduction. We need inclusive approaches that combine innovation with capacity-building, community engagement, and demand-driven development,” the report states. This call includes the urgent need to democratize access to risk information and promote co-creation models that integrate diverse knowledge systems and respond to specific contexts.

    Nahuel Arenas, Chief of the UNDRR Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean, explains that the report is a call to rethink innovation through the lens of local relevance, equity, and purpose. “Technology has the potential to transform how countries address disaster risk—but that potential is only realized when it is accessible, context-specific, and useful to those who need it most. In Latin America and the Caribbean, we must close not only the technology gap but also the breach in participation in its development,” he said.

    “This report demonstrates how global collaboration and strong local partnerships are key to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable communities around the world,” says Shanna McClain, NASA Disasters Program Manager. “When we align Earth science and technology with real-world needs, we can better reduce disaster risk and ensure our tools truly serve those most affected.”

    Key topics covered in the report include:

    • Use cases of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the Americas and the Caribbean, with a critical analysis of their limitations.
    • The importance of designing technologies that account for local capacities, languages, and cultural diversity.
    • The growing role of social media and digital communication in disaster risk reduction and emergency response.
    • Successful examples of simple technologies used in community-based early warning systems.

    Tech4DRR will be launched on July 23 during a public virtual event, with simultaneous interpretation in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. The program includes the presentation of all five chapters of the report and a high-level panel featuring representatives from international agencies, the private sector, and development partners. The event aims to spark an urgent conversation about how to democratize technology for disaster risk reduction, empowering communities and ensuring that no voice is left out of the innovation process.

    This report comes during the final five years of implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, in a context where hazards are intensifying and impacts are becoming increasingly costly. As the report underscores, technology can and must be a tool to transform how we prevent and confront disaster risk—but only when it serves people and their realities. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Hut 8 Rebrands to Align External Positioning with Power-First, Platform-Driven Business Model

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hut 8 Corp. (Nasdaq | TSX: HUT) (“Hut 8” or the “Company”), an energy infrastructure platform integrating power, digital infrastructure, and compute at scale to fuel next-generation, energy-intensive use cases such as Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing, today announced a corporate rebrand that aligns the Company’s external positioning with its strategic focus on energy and digital infrastructure through an integrated platform model focused on disciplined capital allocation, operational rigor, and relentless performance optimization.

    “Our new brand enables us to more clearly express what has always set Hut 8 apart: a power-first, innovation-driven approach to developing, commercializing, and operating next-generation digital infrastructure,” said Asher Genoot, CEO of Hut 8. “Since our merger of equals, we have scaled with discipline across each layer of our platform, institutionalized the broader business, and executed with the rigor we believe is required to deliver outsized long-term value for our investors. Our new brand embeds our platform-driven strategy into our external positioning and sharpens how we articulate our business model, structural advantages, and approach to long-term value creation to the market.”

    The Company’s rebrand follows over a year of disciplined strategic, operational, and capital markets execution under new leadership, which has solidified Hut 8’s position as a power-first, innovation-driven developer of energy and digital infrastructure. Since the merger of Hut 8 Mining Corp. with U.S. Data Mining Group, Inc. (“US Bitcoin Corp”) in November 2023, the Company has:

    • Expanded its energy infrastructure platform to 1,020 megawatts (“MW”) under management across 15 sites as of March 31, 2025, which includes scaled behind-the-meter operations at King Mountain (280 MW) and Vega (205 MW)
    • Built a high-velocity, utility-scale power origination pipeline spanning ~10,800 MW of capacity as of March 31, 2025, a more than threefold increase from 3,000+ MW as of the end of Q2 2024, including ~2,600 MW under exclusivity, anchored by a power-native team led by former executives and team members from some of North America’s largest generation owners, utilities, energy investment firms, infrastructure developers, and trading desks
    • Advanced AI data center development opportunities comprising 430 MW of total capacity, including River Bend, a 592-acre campus in Louisiana where sitework is underway
    • Designed and commercialized a next-generation Tier I data center form factor for ASIC compute at Vega, which features a proprietary, rack-based, direct-to-chip liquid cooling system designed by Hut 8 to support ASIC deployments at densities of up to 180 kilowatts (“kW”) per rack, with initial customer discussions supporting the viability of this architecture for future iterations of liquid-cooled infrastructure to meet emerging HPC workloads and next-generation AI data center design
    • Restructured its Bitcoin mining business into a standalone entity through the launch of American Bitcoin Corp. (“American Bitcoin”), creating a dedicated Bitcoin accumulation vehicle that can scale independently without diverting capital from the Company’s core Power and Digital Infrastructure businesses
    • Scaled lower volatility, contracted businesses, executing an ASIC Colocation agreement with BITMAIN at Vega, ASIC Colocation and Managed Services agreements with American Bitcoin, and five-year capacity contracts with the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (“IESO”) for 310 MW of Power Generation assets
    • Executed innovative, dilution-sensitive financings, including: (i) an upsized Coinbase credit facility, increased from $65 million to $130 million, with a fixed interest rate of 9.0%, compared to a stated interest rate ranging from 10.5% to 11.5% between the quarter ended December 31, 2023 and the quarter ended March 31, 2025; (ii) a Bitcoin-backed call option structure used to fund the Company’s purchase of machines from BITMAIN; (iii) a covered call program that generated more than $20 million in net proceeds from premiums on Bitcoin held in reserve in fiscal year 2024; and (iv) an at-the-market (“ATM”) equity offering program through which $275.5 million in net proceeds has been raised at a weighted average price of $28.23 per share as of March 31, 2025
    • Deepened institutional alignment, supporting growth in institutional ownership from approximately 12% at the end of Q1 2024 to approximately 55% at year-end 2024, marked by milestones like a strategic investment from Coatue, the conversion of the Company’s Anchorage loan to equity, the onboarding of a Big 4 audit firm, and the hiring of seasoned veterans from the power and digital infrastructure sectors
    • Realigned its reporting structure to provide a clearer, more comprehensive view of how each layer of the Company’s platform—Power, Digital Infrastructure, and Compute—contributes to growth, profitability, and value creation in the context of the overall business

    The Hut 8 name remains unchanged, reflecting the Company’s continued alignment with the legacy of technical innovation that defines its namesake. Named for the building at Bletchley Park where Alan Turing led foundational work in computer science and artificial intelligence during World War II, the Company carries forward that legacy today at the intersection of energy and technology.

    The rebrand does not impact Hut 8’s existing relationships, agreements, and operations. The Company’s updated website is now live at hut8.com.

    About Hut 8 

    Hut 8 Corp. is an energy infrastructure platform integrating power, digital infrastructure, and compute at scale to fuel next-generation, energy-intensive use cases such as Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing. We take a power-first, innovation-driven approach to developing, commercializing, and operating the critical infrastructure that underpins the breakthrough technologies of today and tomorrow. Our platform spans 1,020 megawatts of energy capacity under management across 15 sites in the United States and Canada: five Bitcoin mining, hosting, and Managed Services sites in Alberta, New York, and Texas, five high performance computing data centers in British Columbia and Ontario, four power generation assets in Ontario, and one non-operational site in Alberta. For more information, visit www.hut8.com and follow us on X at @Hut8Corp.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward–Looking Information

    This press release includes “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and United States securities laws, respectively (collectively, “forward-looking information”). All information, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events, or developments that Hut 8 expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including statements relating to the Company’s strategic focus on energy and digital infrastructure through an integrated platform model focused on disciplined capital allocation, operational rigor, and relentless performance optimization, the viability of the Company’s proprietary system to support future iterations of liquid-cooled infrastructure to meet emerging HPC workloads and next-generation AI data center design, the ability of American Bitcoin to scale without diverting capital from the Company’s core Power and Digital Infrastructure businesses, and other such matters is forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “allow”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “predict”, “can”, “might”, “potential”, “predict”, “is designed to”, “likely,” or similar expressions.

    Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts, but instead represent management’s expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events based on certain material factors and assumptions at the time the statement was made. While considered reasonable by Hut 8 as of the date of this press release, such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, failure of critical systems; geopolitical, social, economic, and other events and circumstances; competition from current and future competitors; risks related to power requirements; cybersecurity threats and breaches; hazards and operational risks; changes in leasing arrangements; Internet-related disruptions; dependence on key personnel; having a limited operating history; attracting and retaining customers; entering into new offerings or lines of business; price fluctuations and rapidly changing technologies; construction of new data centers, data center expansions, or data center redevelopment; predicting facility requirements; strategic alliances or joint ventures; operating and expanding internationally; failing to grow hashrate; purchasing miners; relying on third-party mining pool service providers; uncertainty in the development and acceptance of the Bitcoin network; Bitcoin halving events; competition from other methods of investing in Bitcoin; concentration of Bitcoin holdings; hedging transactions; potential liquidity constraints; legal, regulatory, governmental, and technological uncertainties; physical risks related to climate change; involvement in legal proceedings; trading volatility; and other risks described from time to time in Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, see the Company’s recent and upcoming annual and quarterly reports and other continuous disclosure documents, which are available under the Company’s EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov and SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Hut 8 Corp. Investor Relations
    Sue Ennis
    ir@hut8.com

    Hut 8 Corp. Public Relations
    Gautier Lemyze-Young
    media@hut8.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Hut 8 Rebrands to Align External Positioning with Power-First, Platform-Driven Business Model

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hut 8 Corp. (Nasdaq | TSX: HUT) (“Hut 8” or the “Company”), an energy infrastructure platform integrating power, digital infrastructure, and compute at scale to fuel next-generation, energy-intensive use cases such as Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing, today announced a corporate rebrand that aligns the Company’s external positioning with its strategic focus on energy and digital infrastructure through an integrated platform model focused on disciplined capital allocation, operational rigor, and relentless performance optimization.

    “Our new brand enables us to more clearly express what has always set Hut 8 apart: a power-first, innovation-driven approach to developing, commercializing, and operating next-generation digital infrastructure,” said Asher Genoot, CEO of Hut 8. “Since our merger of equals, we have scaled with discipline across each layer of our platform, institutionalized the broader business, and executed with the rigor we believe is required to deliver outsized long-term value for our investors. Our new brand embeds our platform-driven strategy into our external positioning and sharpens how we articulate our business model, structural advantages, and approach to long-term value creation to the market.”

    The Company’s rebrand follows over a year of disciplined strategic, operational, and capital markets execution under new leadership, which has solidified Hut 8’s position as a power-first, innovation-driven developer of energy and digital infrastructure. Since the merger of Hut 8 Mining Corp. with U.S. Data Mining Group, Inc. (“US Bitcoin Corp”) in November 2023, the Company has:

    • Expanded its energy infrastructure platform to 1,020 megawatts (“MW”) under management across 15 sites as of March 31, 2025, which includes scaled behind-the-meter operations at King Mountain (280 MW) and Vega (205 MW)
    • Built a high-velocity, utility-scale power origination pipeline spanning ~10,800 MW of capacity as of March 31, 2025, a more than threefold increase from 3,000+ MW as of the end of Q2 2024, including ~2,600 MW under exclusivity, anchored by a power-native team led by former executives and team members from some of North America’s largest generation owners, utilities, energy investment firms, infrastructure developers, and trading desks
    • Advanced AI data center development opportunities comprising 430 MW of total capacity, including River Bend, a 592-acre campus in Louisiana where sitework is underway
    • Designed and commercialized a next-generation Tier I data center form factor for ASIC compute at Vega, which features a proprietary, rack-based, direct-to-chip liquid cooling system designed by Hut 8 to support ASIC deployments at densities of up to 180 kilowatts (“kW”) per rack, with initial customer discussions supporting the viability of this architecture for future iterations of liquid-cooled infrastructure to meet emerging HPC workloads and next-generation AI data center design
    • Restructured its Bitcoin mining business into a standalone entity through the launch of American Bitcoin Corp. (“American Bitcoin”), creating a dedicated Bitcoin accumulation vehicle that can scale independently without diverting capital from the Company’s core Power and Digital Infrastructure businesses
    • Scaled lower volatility, contracted businesses, executing an ASIC Colocation agreement with BITMAIN at Vega, ASIC Colocation and Managed Services agreements with American Bitcoin, and five-year capacity contracts with the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (“IESO”) for 310 MW of Power Generation assets
    • Executed innovative, dilution-sensitive financings, including: (i) an upsized Coinbase credit facility, increased from $65 million to $130 million, with a fixed interest rate of 9.0%, compared to a stated interest rate ranging from 10.5% to 11.5% between the quarter ended December 31, 2023 and the quarter ended March 31, 2025; (ii) a Bitcoin-backed call option structure used to fund the Company’s purchase of machines from BITMAIN; (iii) a covered call program that generated more than $20 million in net proceeds from premiums on Bitcoin held in reserve in fiscal year 2024; and (iv) an at-the-market (“ATM”) equity offering program through which $275.5 million in net proceeds has been raised at a weighted average price of $28.23 per share as of March 31, 2025
    • Deepened institutional alignment, supporting growth in institutional ownership from approximately 12% at the end of Q1 2024 to approximately 55% at year-end 2024, marked by milestones like a strategic investment from Coatue, the conversion of the Company’s Anchorage loan to equity, the onboarding of a Big 4 audit firm, and the hiring of seasoned veterans from the power and digital infrastructure sectors
    • Realigned its reporting structure to provide a clearer, more comprehensive view of how each layer of the Company’s platform—Power, Digital Infrastructure, and Compute—contributes to growth, profitability, and value creation in the context of the overall business

    The Hut 8 name remains unchanged, reflecting the Company’s continued alignment with the legacy of technical innovation that defines its namesake. Named for the building at Bletchley Park where Alan Turing led foundational work in computer science and artificial intelligence during World War II, the Company carries forward that legacy today at the intersection of energy and technology.

    The rebrand does not impact Hut 8’s existing relationships, agreements, and operations. The Company’s updated website is now live at hut8.com.

    About Hut 8 

    Hut 8 Corp. is an energy infrastructure platform integrating power, digital infrastructure, and compute at scale to fuel next-generation, energy-intensive use cases such as Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing. We take a power-first, innovation-driven approach to developing, commercializing, and operating the critical infrastructure that underpins the breakthrough technologies of today and tomorrow. Our platform spans 1,020 megawatts of energy capacity under management across 15 sites in the United States and Canada: five Bitcoin mining, hosting, and Managed Services sites in Alberta, New York, and Texas, five high performance computing data centers in British Columbia and Ontario, four power generation assets in Ontario, and one non-operational site in Alberta. For more information, visit www.hut8.com and follow us on X at @Hut8Corp.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward–Looking Information

    This press release includes “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and United States securities laws, respectively (collectively, “forward-looking information”). All information, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events, or developments that Hut 8 expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including statements relating to the Company’s strategic focus on energy and digital infrastructure through an integrated platform model focused on disciplined capital allocation, operational rigor, and relentless performance optimization, the viability of the Company’s proprietary system to support future iterations of liquid-cooled infrastructure to meet emerging HPC workloads and next-generation AI data center design, the ability of American Bitcoin to scale without diverting capital from the Company’s core Power and Digital Infrastructure businesses, and other such matters is forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “allow”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “predict”, “can”, “might”, “potential”, “predict”, “is designed to”, “likely,” or similar expressions.

    Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts, but instead represent management’s expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events based on certain material factors and assumptions at the time the statement was made. While considered reasonable by Hut 8 as of the date of this press release, such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, failure of critical systems; geopolitical, social, economic, and other events and circumstances; competition from current and future competitors; risks related to power requirements; cybersecurity threats and breaches; hazards and operational risks; changes in leasing arrangements; Internet-related disruptions; dependence on key personnel; having a limited operating history; attracting and retaining customers; entering into new offerings or lines of business; price fluctuations and rapidly changing technologies; construction of new data centers, data center expansions, or data center redevelopment; predicting facility requirements; strategic alliances or joint ventures; operating and expanding internationally; failing to grow hashrate; purchasing miners; relying on third-party mining pool service providers; uncertainty in the development and acceptance of the Bitcoin network; Bitcoin halving events; competition from other methods of investing in Bitcoin; concentration of Bitcoin holdings; hedging transactions; potential liquidity constraints; legal, regulatory, governmental, and technological uncertainties; physical risks related to climate change; involvement in legal proceedings; trading volatility; and other risks described from time to time in Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, see the Company’s recent and upcoming annual and quarterly reports and other continuous disclosure documents, which are available under the Company’s EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov and SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Hut 8 Corp. Investor Relations
    Sue Ennis
    ir@hut8.com

    Hut 8 Corp. Public Relations
    Gautier Lemyze-Young
    media@hut8.com

    The MIL Network –