NewzIntel.com

Category: France

  • MIL-Evening Report: How ‘muscular Christianity’ strove to bring men back to religion – and what it can teach us today

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gavin Brown, Lecturer in Religious Education, Australian Catholic University

    Wikimedia Commons

    Most people recognise organisations such as the YMCA and the Boy Scouts, or events such as the Modern Olympic Games, summer camps and wilderness retreats.

    Few, though, have ever heard of the movement from which they took their principal inspiration: muscular Christianity.

    The term sounds odd indeed, conjuring up images of Jesus with an impressively chiselled physique or, for devotees of the eighties, Vangelis’ memorable soundtrack to Chariots of Fire.
    However, the term arose because it once carried Christian hopes of a solution to a longstanding problem: men.

    That is, in the 19th century especially, Christian churches became particularly alarmed more and more men were leaving religion to women – from attendance at worship to running parish organisations or establishing charitable endeavours.

    Worse still was the fear Christianity itself had become soft and even effeminate through the Victorian age.

    Christians, especially the Protestants who started the movement, needed to present Christianity in ways attractive to men. But how?

    A literary beginning

    In 1857, the Englishman Thomas Hughes published the novel Tom Brown’s School Days, followed later by Tom Brown at Oxford in 1859.

    In the first book, Tom attends the prestigious Rugby School, before making his way to Oxford in the sequel. This character would epitomise a “muscular Christian”, as Hughes put it. In the sequel, Hughes wrote:

    The least of the muscular Christians has hold of the old chivalrous and Christian belief, that a man’s body is given him to be trained and brought into subjection, and then used for the protection of the weak, the advancement of all righteous causes, and the subduing of the earth which God has given to the children of men.

    Author Thomas Hughes largely based Tom Brown’s School Days on his own years at Rugby School.
    Wikimedia Commons

    Men precisely as men could use their bodies to Christianise the world. A movement with twin aims was born: first, encourage men to embrace their physicality and second, through such disciplining of their bodies, to glorify God.

    Rise and fall

    From England, the movement spread through the Anglosphere, including Australia.

    And it has some impressive credentials. Pierre de Coubertin’s inspiration for reviving the Olympic Games was, in part, inspired by reading Tom Brown’s School Days.

    In the United States, the YMCA – the Young Men’s Christian Association – in New York added a gymnasium in 1869, which soon became a permanent fixture at the “Y.” The physical director at Boston’s Y coined the term “body building”. James Naismith would later invent basketball in 1891 while working at a Y.

    The YMCA on Melbourne’s St. Kilda Road during WWI.
    Aussie~mobs/flickr

    Many Protestant churches drew upon muscular Christianity to bring men back into the fold. They masculinised church services through hymns which celebrated manliness and virtue, encouraged ministers to embody more masculine traits, brought men into the company of other men through brotherhoods and promoted vigorous missionary activity.

    Even Jesus received a makeover – arguably the most popular being Warner Sallman’s 1940 portrait painting Head of Christ.

    Sallman’s original motivation for such depictions came from the dean of a Chicago Bible College in 1914:

    I hope you can give us your conception of Christ. And I hope it’s a manly one. Most of our pictures today are too effeminate.

    There is evidence, too, of Catholics muscling in. Take, for example, Notre Dame’s football team’s successes in the 1920s and 30s in the US, or the Italian cyclist Gino Bartali, winner of the Tour de France in 1938 and 1948 and, according to the Catholic press, the ideal Catholic sportsman.

    Most historians will mark the decline of the movement after the first world war, though its influence continues to be felt to this day.

    A continuing legacy?

    So, apart from indulging in historical curiosity, what does it offer us?

    Muscular Christianity highlights both the dangers and continuing challenges raised when navigating the complex relationship between religion, culture and gender.

    It pursued a worthy goal, but tended to play a zero-sum gender game: gains for men in the churches often came at the expense of women. Such emphasis on masculinity easily slipped into gender bias, where a “church full of men” was deemed more valuable than churches full of women.

    The effort to bolster masculinity also traded in narrow gender stereotypes, though as the historian Clifford Putney reminds us, there was some flow-on effect for women and their organisational engagement in sport and physical activity.

    Some evangelical Christians have recently re-engaged its ethos.

    And perhaps muscular Christianity still has something valuable to say. At the very least, scratch beneath the surface of modern Western culture and you will often find Christianity or values which originated from it.

    Muscular Christianity can also remind us to reconnect with our bodies. We now live in a world which, as Australian author Michael Frost argues, has become increasingly “excarnate” – that is, less bodily.

    Muscular Christianity recognised bodies matter and matter spiritually. It encouraged people not to treat health and physical activity as ends in their own right or as a servant of the ego but, rather, a means to an end: wholeness, good character, the cultivation of virtue and the selfless desire to help others.

    An 1867 wood engraving of the Lady Muscular Christians.
    Wikimedia Commons

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

    – ref. How ‘muscular Christianity’ strove to bring men back to religion – and what it can teach us today – https://theconversation.com/how-muscular-christianity-strove-to-bring-men-back-to-religion-and-what-it-can-teach-us-today-249485

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s new scientific marvel: A world-class extreme conditions lab

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

    The Synergetic Extreme Condition User Facility (SECUF), a Chinese “super lab,” has passed a national acceptance review, marking its readiness for advanced materials’ scientific research. The SECUF combines extreme conditions such as ultra-low temperatures, ultra-high pressure, strong magnetic fields and ultra-fast optical fields into one facility.

    Open to the global scientific community, the SECUF has hosted experiments from 13 universities and research institutions across 10 countries, including Denmark, Germany, France and Japan, leading to new scientific adventures.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: European countries vow retaliation against Trump’s tariff threat

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Transatlantic trade tensions have escalated following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 25 percent tariff on European imports, with European countries warning that Europe will react “firmly and immediately” against unjustified barriers.

    The tariff plan announced by Trump on Wednesday covers various European imports, including cars and other goods. Speaking at a White House cabinet meeting, he claimed that the EU has “taken advantage of” the United States by blocking American cars and agricultural products.

    Flags of the European Union fly outside the Berlaymont Building, the European Commission headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

    In response, European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said on Thursday at a press briefing that American businesses have reaped significant profits from investments in Europe.

    “By creating a large and integrated single market, the European Union (EU) has facilitated trade, reduced costs for EU exporters and harmonized standards and regulations across all our member states. As a result, U.S. investments in Europe are highly profitable,” he stressed.

    Regarding the tariffs, the European Commission said on Wednesday that the EU would react “firmly and immediately” against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade, including when tariffs are used to challenge legal and non-discriminatory policies.

    Speaking in Washington on Thursday, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola underscored that Europe and the United States have shared values and warned against isolation. She reaffirmed that the EU is ready to respond “firmly and immediately against unjust barriers to free and fair trade.”

    France and Spain shared the EU stance on retaliation, calling for unity to defend Europe’s interests.

    According to French media Le Figaro, French Economy Minister Eric Lombard, who is now participating in the G20 finance minister meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, said that the EU must protect its interests by doing the same as what the United States did.

    “We need to have a firm and proportionate reaction,” French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu told France Info in an interview on Thursday. “The EU must react in the firmest possible way, in the most immediate way and I insist in the most proportionate way, because that’s how it works,” he said.

    The EU will defend itself “against those who attack it with absolutely unjustified tariffs that threaten our economic sovereignty,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said at an event in the Basque Region of northern Spain. He stressed that the EU was “prepared” and the member states will “adopt measures proportionate” in response to the tariffs.

    He emphasized EU’s commitment to open trade and cooperation, in contrast to Trump’s promotion of “isolation.” “We will not abandon that route, because we will keep on looking for collaboration between countries, commercial openness and a multilateral system that is more important than ever,” Sanchez said.

    In addition, he rejected Trump’s statement made on Wednesday that the EU was “formed to screw the United States,” arguing that many of the rich in America are, in fact, “thanks to Europe.”

    On social media platform X, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk echoed Sanchez’s stance. He posted: “The EU was not formed to screw anyone. Quite the opposite. It was formed to maintain peace, to build respect among our nations, to create free and fair trade, and to strengthen our transatlantic friendship.”

    Adolfo Urso, Italian Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, expressed concern over escalating trade tensions with the United States, noting that Italy, with its export-driven economy, is “obviously worried.” Speaking to the media in Paris on Thursday, he stressed the need to avoid a trade war, emphasizing that the West should remain united rather than divided.

    However, Italian industrial leaders have called for a stronger response, blaming Trump’s policy for hindering Europe’s economic development. Emanuele Orsini, president of the Italian industry association Confindustria, warned that Trump’s tariffs disrupt trade dynamics and threaten European businesses and jobs.

    “The real goal of the U.S. is the deindustrialization of our continent,” he said in a statement. “Europe must change the gear: time is up. The measures announced today in Brussels are insufficient,” he added, calling it a “dark hour” for Europe. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Rips Trump for Firing More Veterans Than Any Other President, Uplifts Impacted Veterans’ Personal Stories During National VoteVets Town Hall

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    February 27, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today at an emergency national town hall hosted by VoteVets, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) who still receives her own health care services through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)—called out Donald Trump and Elon Musk for inflicting needless pain and chaos on our nation’s Veterans. During the town hall, Veterans who have been fired by Elon Musk’s DOGE bravely came forward—for the first time—to share how Trump’s cuts and layoffs have uprooted their lives. Duckworth pledged to continue advocating for our nation’s heroes and pushing back against the Trump Administration’s harmful policies and employee purges that are leaving Veterans jobless and jeopardizing their access to critical VA care and benefits. Full video of Duckworth’s remarks and Veterans’ testimonies during the town hall can be found on YouTube.

    “Donald Trump is firing more Veterans than any other President in recent history and jeopardizing access to the care and benefits our heroes have earned through their service,” said Duckworth. “How dare a five-time draft dodging coward turn his back on the men and women who, unlike him, actually were brave enough to serve our nation in uniform. Let’s call Trump and Musk’s DOGE cuts what they are: They’re a middle finger to our Veterans, and they’re a slap in the face to the sacrifices they’ve made. Trump and unelected billionaire Elon Musk may not know the first thing about sacrifice and service, but our Veterans sure as hell do. We will not be quiet, and I will never stop working to honor the commitment we’ve made to our nation’s heroes.”

    During the town hall, Veterans courageously came forward to share their stories and detail the real damage Trump and Musk have had on their lives:

    Dustin Conklin—a Veteran from Caseyville, Illinois—said in part: “I’m a Veteran of the United States Navy. This fall, I took a job with the Natural Resources Conservation Service for the USDA. The USDA moved me out here to Illinois. I left where I was secure, I left my support network… On February 13th in the middle of the night, I open up my email and I get a blank email with an attachment saying I was fired… I’m going to lose my health insurance that covers me and my daughter. My health insurance is important because I have regular therapy appointments and access to medication that I’m about to lose… And through this whole time, I see on the internet Elon Musk playing with chainsaws and the President posting things laughing about making people cry. It’s been defeating.”

    Frances Greenley—a Veteran from Lake Stevens, Washington—said in part: “During my time in the Coast Guard, I was a Naval Engineering Officer which meant I ran all of the maintenance contracts on the ships. It was very important for the people managing the contracts to make sure there was no waste, fraud and abuse. When I got out of my service, I went to work for the federal acquisition service—we are on the front lines of fighting waste, fraud and abuse… Like Dustin, my supervisors didn’t know I was terminated, I forwarded them my termination letter… I was fired by a political appointee in a form letter… If [Trump and Elon] want to increase the transparency and best use of the dollar, you would increase personnel who are project management specialists and contracting officers–but they terminated me instead.”

    Kyle Lewis—a Veteran from Columbia, Maryland—said in part: “I joined the Navy back in the 1990s. I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in January 2020. I was given 6 weeks to live, my doctor said if you don’t start this experimental and aggressive treatment now, you’re not going to be here much longer. I was fortunate to get into a clinical trial at Johns Hopkins, which was funded by the NIH—I say was funded because it’s not anymore. The cuts that DOGE has made to cancer research as well as other lifesaving medical research has put my cancer research at risk, as well as millions of Americans including Veterans and children who are in far worse situations than I am… I just find this absolutely disgusting as an American. This is not how we take care of our family, our friends and our communities.”

    In the wake of Trump and Musk’s mass federal layoffs, Duckworth has repeatedly expressed her outrage that many Veterans suddenly found themselves jobless. After the first VA purge laid off workers with the Veterans Crisis Line—including several Veterans—Duckworth successfully pushed the Trump Administration to reinstate these devoted public servants that work to support our Veterans in their darkest moments.

    Additionally, Duckworth joined U.S. Senator and SVAC Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and a group of 34 Democratic Senators calling on VA Secretary Collins to immediately reinstate the more than 1,000 VA employees terminated earlier this month who serve Veterans and their families nationwide.

    Duckworth’s full remarks as prepared for the town hall can be read below:

    Hello everyone, thank you for being here today.

    I actually invited President Musk—I mean Elon Musk—to join us as well. But I’m not shocked that he didn’t have the courage necessary to show up—after all, he and Trump never actually show up for the Veterans they claim to care about.

    They never actually have our backs.

    But the good news is that my Democratic colleagues do, including Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and Baltimore County Councilmember Pat Young, who are both here with me this afternoon.

    Look, on the campaign trail, Trump promised to look out for Veterans and servicemembers. Obviously, this was a lie.

    Obviously, a man who claims to “know more” than our generals who have served honorably for decades… A man who calls our fallen servicemembers “suckers and losers”… A man who cried “bone spurs” when his nation needed him the most…

    Obviously someone as ignorant as this wouldn’t mind executing the most craven political move imaginable: Using our heroes as political pawns to get elected, then abandoning them once he takes office.

    To give a quick summary of the past few weeks:

    Trump and Musk have slashed roughly 2,400 VA jobs…A decision that won’t make things more efficient, like they claimed, but will actually lead to longer wait times, more backlog and more chaos for Veterans.

    They’ve also launched a wider purge of federal workers—firing, in total, an estimated 6,000 Veterans, including the folks behind the Veterans Crisis Line.

    The only reason they are doing this is to try to find enough loose change behind the couch cushions so that they can give even bigger tax breaks to the rich guys they pal around with on the golf course.

    Let me say that another way: They care more about making sure Mar-a-Lago billionaires can buy yet another private jet than ensuring our Veterans have access to the benefits and care they have earned.

    So let’s call this what it is: It’s a middle finger to our heroes. It’s a slap in the face to the sacrifices they’ve made. It’s BS, frankly. And every one of us who has served should feel insulted.

    Donald Trump has fired more Veterans than any other President in recent history.

    How dare a five-time draft dodging coward turn his back on the men and women who, unlike him, actually were brave enough to serve our nation in uniform?

    How dare he call himself king, and act like servicemembers are his subjects—as if they are not the reason America is already great?

    How dare he and Elon Musk sit in their ivory towers and use their power to stomp on those feeling powerless?

    Listen, I heard Secretary Collins’ lie last week that not one Veterans Crisis Line worker was fired in this purge.

    But the thing is, I’ve also heard directly from Veterans nationwide who’ve proven that this is untrue—who’ve reached out and personally shared with me their actual letters of termination.

    I fought to get these folks reinstated, and I’m grateful that after such a loud outcry, we were able to get them their jobs back.

    But there are so many others still left out in the cold, unsure how they’ll be able to put food on the table for their families next week…

    Veterans who’ve been abandoned by the VA Secretary who is supposed to have their backs.

    Secretary Collins has either been lied to about these firings or is knowingly, repeatedly lying to the American people.

    If it’s the former, then all he has to do is check his casework inbox. If it’s the latter… then, well, shame on you, Secretary. Shame. On. You.

    Think about it: The Crisis Line is where Veterans turn when they are considering suicide or self-harm.

    The public servants working there are doing some of the toughest work imaginable to support our heroes in their absolute darkest hour.

    These are the people Trump and Musk are happy to throw by the wayside. That should tell you everything you need to know about how this Administration actually feels about our Veterans. That should tell you how patriotic they really are. Trump may like to wrap himself in the flag with one hand, but with the other, he’s signing off on the orders that sell out our heroes to line his own pockets.

    There are countless tragic examples of how DOGE’s purge has already caused havoc. To name just a few: A health care appointments have been cancelled due to staffing shortages…The number of beds and operating rooms at VA facilities have been cut down… And suicide prevention training sessions have been postponed or canceled. These jobs should’ve never been threatened in the first place. 

    And for Secretary Collins to say that no damage was done here is a straight-up betrayal of the people he is supposed to be serving.

    It’s an insult to Americans like Chelsea Milburn… A Navy reservist who, after being fired from her job in the Department of Education, said, quote: “I feel like I have served my country admirably, and now it has betrayed me.”

    It’s an insult to folks like Francis Greenley, who you’ll hear from shortly: Francis is a Coast Guard Veteran whose decades-long job was quite literally putting out fires on military ships as well as fighting waste and fraud in the military budget.

    I guess Musk didn’t see the irony behind firing someone that—unlike DOGE—was actually making our government more efficient.

    And it’s an insult to people like Jacob Adam Bushno…A disabled Veteran and a constituent of mine who joined the Army his junior year, right after 9/11.

    Jacob served two tours in Iraq. Then, when he came home, despite suffering from PTSD, he dedicated his life to continuing his service, this time for the federal government—working as a wildland firefighter and forest technician among other jobs.

    Jacob was part of this month’s purge. As he told my team this week: “I’ve always served this country. In some way, shape or form, I’ve always served. I’ve either tried to protect our country from terrorism or bad guys or Mother Nature.

    “So this has been a gut-shot—a pretty bad one—and it’s taken its toll on me. If [Trump and Musk] actually cared about Veterans, they wouldn’t be treating any of us like this… They aren’t making our country better. They’re making it worse.”

    Jacob is right.

    So let me just close with this: Everyone on this call today knows how much our Veterans have done for our nation.

    Trump and Musk may not know the first thing about sacrifice and service. But our Veterans sure as hell do.

    So please know that I will never stop fighting for our heroes, no matter who’s in the White House.

    But I’m counting on each of you to be my partners in this work.

    After all, we’ve already seen proof that our collective pressure campaign is working: Trump’s VA was ready to cut hundreds of contracts that would’ve even further hurt Veterans health services from providing cancer care to assessing toxic exposure.

    But they were forced to backtrack—because we spoke out. Because we made noise. So we can’t stop there.

    Look, I get how in this moment, it’d be easy to feel defeated… to want to tune out rather than turn on the news. 

    But now more than ever, we can’t let ourselves become disengaged. We have to channel our outrage into action. Because there’s too much at stake to get discouraged.

    There will always be people in hallowed halls who try to use their power to only look out for themselves. But here’s what I know: the power of the people is always greater than the people in power.

    And if we want tomorrow to be better than yesterday, we have to come together…We have to recognize that our voices DO matter… Then we have to use those voices to speak out… even if—especially when—anyone tries to silence us.

    You have my word that I am with you. That I am listening to you. That I am one of you. And that I will never abandon you.

    It’s an absolute honor to call myself part of this team… and to have you all as my partners on the front lines of this fight.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Special Public Avalanche Warning in place for BC and western Alberta backcountry

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    From Avalanche Canada: https://avalanche.ca/news/20250227-spaw
    French version: https://avalanche.ca/fr/news/20250227-spaw

    Avalanche Canada, in partnership with Parks Canada, Alberta Parks, and the Province of British Columbia, has issued a Special Public Avalanche Warning for recreational backcountry users across most forecast regions in BC and Alberta. This special warning is in effect immediately and remains in place through Monday, March 3.

    A cohesive slab of snow 30 to 100 centimetres thick sits over a variety of prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack that formed during dry periods in January and February. This has created a reactive avalanche problem leading to serious incidents and close calls. While natural avalanche activity has slowed, human-triggered avalanches remain likely.

    “We’ve been tracking these weak layers closely over this past month,” says Avalanche Canada Avalanche Forecaster Zoe Ryan. “Now that the snow on top of them has consolidated, it’s a recipe for dangerous avalanches. These highly problematic layers remain primed for human triggering.”

    “We know backcountry users are eager to enjoy the snow,” adds Ryan, “but this is a tricky avalanche problem. The snowpack is going to take time to strengthen. Good travel habits and selecting conservative terrain will be critical because getting caught in one of these avalanches could be deadly.”

    To reduce risk, Avalanche Canada recommends:

    • Sticking to lower-angle slopes (less than 30 degrees)
    • Choosing terrain that minimizes the consequences of an avalanche
    • Traveling one at a time when exposed to avalanche terrain
    • Avoiding sun-exposed slopes during warm and/or sunny conditions

    “Avalanche conditions across B.C. are especially dangerous, and I strongly urge people to stay alert and be extra careful,” says Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “The weather is starting to warm, and that will bring more people to the mountains. Avalanches can have devastating consequences and, tragically, have claimed the lives of two people in B.C. this year. I urge everyone to check the avalanche forecast before heading out, make cautious decisions, and consider delaying their trip to the mountains until conditions are safer.”

    Backcountry users should always check the avalanche forecast at https://avalanche.ca. Everyone in a backcountry group must carry essential rescue gear — an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel — and have the training to know how to use it. 

    For a map of the SPAW regions, click: https://asset.cloudinary.com/avalanche-ca/e51a348a2e1e74f71b8e525a4da47a3f

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: UNC Members Honor Legacy of Chipyong-ri at 74th Victory Ceremony

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    The annual ceremony in Chipyong-ni, South Korea, paid tribute to the French Battalion and the U.S. Army’s 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. Their victory in February 1951 is credited with halting the Chinese offensive and turning the tide of the war.

    “It is a chilling reminder of the courage, discipline, effort, and will to win in the hardest of conditions that have to be inculcated in each of us to ensure victory and freedom,” said U.S. Army Col. Chris Choi, Future Operations Division Chief for the UNC, who represented the command at the ceremony.

    The ceremony drew representatives from several UNC member nations, including French Army Col. Olivier LeClercq, Director of Policy and Plans; New Zealand Warrant Officer Class One Grant Collins, Senior Enlisted Advisor; Netherlands Army Maj. Ekrem Karadeniz, Strategic Communication Staff Officer; and Australian Navy Lt. Cmdr. Brendan Trembath, Public Affairs Officer.

    Distinguished guests included the French ambassador to South Korea, the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division commander, the South Korean 11th Maneuver Division commander, and surviving veterans of the Korean War.

    The battle, also known as Jipyeong-ri, was a decisive victory for U.S. and French units of the 23rd Infantry Regiment against units of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army. French Army Lt. Gen. Ralph Monclar famously volunteered to step down in rank to Lieutenant Colonel to fight in the war, demonstrating unwavering resolve in the face of adversity.

    The annual commemoration serves as a powerful reminder of the shared sacrifice and enduring partnership between South Korea and the UNC in ensuring peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump mineral deal with Ukraine offers hope but little in the way of security

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jonathan Este, Senior International Affairs Editor, Associate Editor

    If you want to get an idea of how Donald Trump’s mind works (and this can change from day to day, as we know), it’s worth taking a look at his TruthSocial website. As I write, beneath a video pinned to the top of his feed featuring an AI-generated vision of “Trump Gaza” (complete with casinos, shopping malls and a giant golden statue of the man himself), can be found a clue to the frenetic presidential activity of the past month.

    In a post threatening legal action against any writer or publisher whose “Fake books” offends, Trump refers to himself as “a President who is being given credit for having the Best Opening Month of any President in history”. Apparently George Washington is second on that list – and, given that Potus #1 took 33 days to sign the first bill passed under the new US constitution, you could say Potus #47 has left him trailing in his wake.

    Of course #47 appears to face fewer constitutional constraints than his illustrious predecessor.

    Sadly, though, Trump will be unable to include in this list the deal he has reportedly just struck with Volodymyr Zelensky which swaps a share in Ukraine’s mineral wealth for an as yet unspecified security guarantee.

    Precise details of this deal aren’t confirmed. But we’re told that the original US$500 billion (£394 billion) demand has been dropped in return for a share in an investment fund into which Ukraine will contribute 50% of the revenue from its mineral resources. “What better could you have for Ukraine than to be in an economic partnership with the United States?” commented US national security adviser, Mike Waltz.

    Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.

    But for the sake of social media, a deal’s a deal and can be trumpeted as such. Zelensky is heading to Washington to sign the agreement and we shall find out in due course whether or not this will assure Ukraine’s future security. There is still the actual peace deal with Russia to work out, after all.

    Another landmark foreign policy deal brokered by the Trump White House was with the Taliban in 2020 and concerned the future of Afghanistan. And, as Philip A. Berry writes, Zelensky can take little comfort in that.

    Berry, a research fellow at King’s College London, who has extensive experience of working with anti-narcotics agencies in Afghanistan, points to similarities in the way Trump managed negotiations with the Taliban and his deal-making with Ukraine and discussions so far with Russia. The Afghan government was largely cut out of the negotiations, as Trump has threatened to do to Ukraine with regards a peace deal. And like the current situation, Trump’s regular public utterances seriously undermined the talks. Berry concludes:

    Trump’s Taliban deal excluded the US’s ally, conceded too much to an adversary, and was partly motivated by the perception of wasting American dollars in a far-off land. Unfortunately, these hallmarks are all too evident in the president’s stance on Ukraine. Zelensky can only hope that things work out better this time around.



    Read more:
    How Trump the ‘master deal-maker’ failed when it came to negotiating with the Taliban in Afghanistan

    Trust will be absolutely vital if the US and Ukraine are to conclude this agreement and, more critically, if they are to reach terms with Russia that will guarantee the “just peace deal” that Zelensky craves, writes David J. Wilcox of the University of Birmingham. Wilcox points to the relationship of trust built by Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan in the 1980s which paved a way for a series of nuclear weapons reduction treaties between the Soviet Union and the US.

    It has just been announced that preparations are being made for “expert-level” talks between the US and Russia, but, as Wilcox points out, “any negotiations to end the war will rest ultimately on those two states and their leaders”. And at present, nothing has been publicly said about whether Putin and Zelensky have even agreed to meet.



    Read more:
    Ukraine war: why negotiations depend on trust

    Meanwhile, what do we know about Ukraine’s mineral wealth and what sort of return Trump can expect for the US? Dafydd Townley, an expert in international security at the University of Portsmouth, stresses that Trump’s recent decision to impose punitive tariffs against Beijing has closed off China as a source of key minerals on which the US has been reliant up until now.

    It’s a clue, writes Townley, as to why the US president seemed very keen on bringing his deal-making facilities to bear on Greenland, which also has large deposits of desirable minerals.

    Interestingly, as Townley points out, Russia has taken control of about 20% of Ukraine’s mineral deposits under the territory it now controls (which America would be open to exploiting according to an offer made by Vladimir Putin’s aides at the recent talks in Saudi Arabia).

    It’s also worth noting that Ukraine’s extraction sector has suffered over the past decade from chronic under-investment, thanks to the ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. As a result it could be some years before the US gets what it needs from the deal it has reportedly struck with Kyiv.



    Read more:
    Why Trump really wants Ukraine’s minerals — China has put theirs off limits

    Three long years

    Amid all the shuttle diplomacy and wheeler-dealing taking place around them, at the start of the week the embattled Ukrainian population marked the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. They were joined by more than a dozen foreign leaders who gathered in Kyiv to express their continuing support.

    As the conflict moves into its fourth year, Stefan Wolff, an international security expert at the University of Birmingham, takes a look at the broader geopolitical implications of the conflict in the era of Trump.

    He sees worrying parallels with the Munich conference of 1938 which sealed Czechoslovakia’s fate. Not, as you might expect, in terms of Trump’s apparent appeasement of Putin – but because, like Munich, talks on the fate of a sovereign nation are being held without that nation being present. Wolff writes:

    There is every indication that Putin is unlikely to stop in or with Ukraine. And it is worth remembering that the second world war started 11 months after Neville Chamberlain thought he had secured “peace in our time”.

    This, of course, is the prospect that has both terrified and stiffened the resolve of Ukraine’s western allies. But Wolff also points to limitations in this analogy, in that he doesn’t believe that Trump is acting out of fear that he is in a weaker position than Putin, as did Neville Chamberlain and the French prime minister Édouard Daladier.

    It’s rather that Trump sees himself as part of a triumvirate of world leaders, along with Putin and China’s president, Xi Jinping, who have the opportunity to carve out spheres of influence and establish a new world order based on the exercise of raw power.



    Read more:
    Ukraine war: Trump is not trying to appease Putin – he has a vision of a new US-China-Russia order

    Richard Youngs, meanwhile, sees the dawning of what he calls a “no world order”. Youngs, an international relations expert at the University of Warwick, sees an era of flux, where the stability of the past 80 years is disintegrating without anything stable or concrete to replace it.

    Several European leaders, including Keir Starmer who is today visiting Trump in Washington, are due to meet this Sunday ahead of a bigger defence summit in Brussels next week, to continue discussions about how to respond to the changing Ukraine situation. Reports suggest a European defence bank or fund that would include the UK may be on the cards.

    Youngs certainly believes that European powers will need to consider practical measures in order to bind themselves into more cohesive relationship and ensure their continuing autonomy. One of those will be in boosting their defence capabilities – something that is now gathering pace in the face of US pressure.

    But more radical thinking will be needed, writes Youngs, who has coined the term “geoliberalism” as a way of visualising the sort of thinking about the values and certainties that can bind Europe together in the face of global turbulence.



    Read more:
    No world order: Europe needs more radical thinking for the Trump era

    Alex Titov, meanwhile, believes that for all the talk of “deals” to end the violence, both sides have their reasons for wanting to continue, given that their stated positions remain diametrically opposed and irreconcilable.

    Russia’s battlefield progress, while steady, is slow and there’s no real prospect of it forcing a capitulation from Kyiv in the next 12 months. But – particularly with the radically different US position under Donald Trump, neither is there any chance of Russia being forced off the territory it has captured. Ominously, Titov concludes, this could mean that “the bloodiest battles of the war are yet to come”.



    Read more:
    Ukraine war three years on: the bloodiest battles may be still to come

    A new way of governing

    After a whirlwind first month, Trump held his first cabinet meeting this week, with a special appearance from his right-hand man Elon Musk, who reportedly got to speak more than anyone else. Musk, of course, has been responsible for much of the maelstrom of activity that has caused so much disquiet and is providing a lot of work for lawyers who are pushing back against many of the new adminstration’s measures on the grounds they are unconstitutional.

    Musk, Trump and his vice-president J.D. Vance have, in turn, pushed back against judges who have issued injunctions to either halt or delay some of their measures. Musk, in a fit of pique this week when three judges halted three of the administration’s policies, complained bitterly “What is the point of having democratic elections if unelected activist ‘judges’ can override the clear will of the people? Well, that’s no democracy at all!”

    Stephen Lovell, professor of modern history at King’s College London, has been looking at the way that Trump and his team are attempting to bend the US constitution to their will, comparing their approach to that of Vladimir Putin. Putin, as we know, never saw a constitutional loophole he didn’t want to wriggle through or otherwise obliterate.



    Read more:
    Trump, Putin and the authoritarian take on constitutionalism

    World Affairs Briefing from The Conversation UK is available as a weekly email newsletter. Click here to get updates directly in your inbox.

    – ref. Trump mineral deal with Ukraine offers hope but little in the way of security – https://theconversation.com/trump-mineral-deal-with-ukraine-offers-hope-but-little-in-the-way-of-security-250962

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Federal government invests in shoreline adaptation and restoration for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    From Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada:
    English: https://www.canada.ca/en/housing-infrastructure-communities/news/2025/02/federal-government-invests-in-shoreline-adaptation-and-restoration-for-the-tsleil-waututh-nation.html  
    French: https://www.canada.ca/fr/logement-infrastructures-collectivites/nouvelles/2025/02/le-gouvernement-federal-investit-dans-ladaptation-et-la-restauration-des-berges-de-la-nation-des-tsleil-waututh.html

    Erosion and flood protection improvements will help preserve the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) shores after a joint investment of more than $10.1 million from the federal government and the Nation.

    This project includes beach replenishment, which will involve concept planning and engineering, site preparation, marine riparian shoreline planting, and the installation of intertidal adaptation features.

    These improvements will protect the shoreline while promoting biodiversity, restoring habitat health, strengthening structural capacity, and improving ecological systems. This project will also increase the Nation’s resilience to climate change, natural disasters, and extreme weather events for years to come.

    Quotes:

    “Thank you to the Tsleil-Waututh Nation for their dedication, innovation, and hard work in restoring and protecting the shoreline from flooding and rising sea levels. Our government is working alongside Indigenous partners to tackle extreme weather, adapt to climate change, and build stronger, more resilient communities. Traditional Indigenous knowledge and experience from those living on this land since time immemorial is critical in fighting climate change and protecting our shared future. That’s why federal programs like this empower local leaders to drive the changes that work best in their communities.”

    – The Honourable Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens’ Services and Member of Parliament for Burnaby North – Seymour

    “These improvements to the Tsleil-Waututh Nation lands will protect the shoreline and marine habitat now and for future generations. The impacts of climate change make it essential that we act now to address potential hazards to make our communities stronger, preserve our natural ecosystems and keep people safe.”

    – The Honourable Kelly Greene, B.C. Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness

    “səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) is grateful for Green Adaptation, Resilience and Disaster Mitigation funding to support our reserve shoreline adaptation and resilience project. This funding will enable us to complete Tsleil-Waututh Nation Reserve shoreline protection, beach nourishment, and restoration works to address longstanding concerns with coastal erosion and flooding, and to strengthen community resilience to climate change. This project is also expected to enhance marine ecological health and biodiversity, protect səlilwətaɬ community lands and cultural sites, and improve community access to the shoreline for stewardship practices and intergenerational knowledge sharing.”

    – Chief Jen Thomas, səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)

    Quick Facts:

    • The federal government is investing $7,599,914 through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) is contributing $2,533,305 with support from the Government of British Columbia.
    • This stream helps build greener communities by contributing to climate change preparedness, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting renewable technologies.
    • Including today’s announcement, over 150 infrastructure projects under the Green Infrastructure Stream have been announced in British Columbia, with a total federal contribution of more than $610 million and a total provincial contribution of more than $429 million.
    • Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
    • Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling all requirements related to consultation with Indigenous groups and environmental assessment obligations.

    Associated Links:

    Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
    https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

    Green Infrastructure Stream:
    https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

    Housing and Infrastructure Project Map:
    https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

    Strengthened Climate Plan:
    https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html

    For more information (media only), please contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Selects Participating Scientists to Join Lucy Asteroid Mission

    Source: NASA

    NASA has selected eight participating scientists to join its Lucy mission to the Jupiter Trojan asteroids. These asteroids are remnants of our early solar system trapped on stable orbits associated with – but not close to – the planet Jupiter. 

    NASA’s Lucy in the L4 Trojans Participating Scientist Program supports scientists to carry out new investigations that address outstanding questions related to the Jupiter Trojan asteroids as part of the Lucy mission. Launched in 2021, the Lucy spacecraft is currently on its way to the L4 Trojan swarm, which leads Jupiter in its orbit around the Sun. This is the first selection of Lucy participating scientists, who will become mission science team members for the four major asteroid encounters that the Lucy spacecraft will have in the L4 swarm in 2027 and 2028, and who will remain on the team for subsequent scientific analysis until 2030. The newly selected participating scientists are:

    Harrison Agrusa, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur in Nice, France
    Benjamin Byron, University of Central Florida in Orlando
    Emily Costello, University of Hawaii, Honolulu
    Masatoshi Hirabayashi, Georgia Tech Research Corporation [TSS1] in Atlanta
    Fiona Nichols-Fleming, Smithsonian Institution in Washington
    Norbert Schorghofer, Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona
    Jennifer Scully, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California
    Anne Verbiscer, University of Virginia, Charlottesville

    Lucy’s principal investigator, Hal Levison, is based out of the Boulder, Colorado, branch of Southwest Research Institute, headquartered in San Antonio. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, provides overall mission management, systems engineering, and safety and mission assurance. Lockheed Martin Space in Littleton, Colorado, built and operates the spacecraft. Lucy is the 13th mission in NASA’s Discovery Program. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, manages the Discovery Program for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. For more information on NASA’s Lucy mission, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/lucy

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Overhauling the multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034: can the Commission guarantee that common agricultural policy funding won’t be cut to finance other priorities? – E-000692/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000692/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Mathilde Androuët (PfE)

    An overhaul of the multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034 was announced several months ago, and a copy has already been published[1]. Given the costly priorities set out in the document, which will eat up a lot of the budget, questions arise as to the introduction of new revenue and the uncertainty surrounding financing via new own resources. No clear political and legal agreement has yet been reached to make up for the fact that there has been no increase in Member States’ national contributions.

    The Commission is considering new taxes, such as the extension of the EU’s Emissions Trading System, the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and the establishment of a minimum tax on multinationals. Even if an agreement is reached, however, these would not be enough to cover the shortfall.

    With no new revenue, the EU will have no choice but to cut existing budgets, and this could undermine a key sector like agriculture. The common agricultural policy (CAP) is vital for France and its farming industry, which is already reeling, in particular owing to the proliferation of free trade agreements.

    With NextGenerationEU[2] debt – estimated at between EUR 25 billion and EUR 30 billion per year as of 2028 – likely to result in budget cuts, can the Commission guarantee that CAP funding will not be cut to finance other priorities?

    Submitted: 13.2.2025

    • [1] https://www.contexte.com/actualite/pouvoirs/budget-post-2027-la-commission-pose-les-premieres-pierres-dun-chantier-titanesque_218085.html
    • [2] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/recovery-plan-europe_en
    Last updated: 27 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The use of Paragon Solutions spyware against journalists – E-000617/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000617/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Sandro Ruotolo (S&D), Camilla Laureti (S&D), Marco Tarquinio (S&D), Brando Benifei (S&D), Annalisa Corrado (S&D), Elisabetta Gualmini (S&D), Alessandra Moretti (S&D), Cecilia Strada (S&D), Alessandro Zan (S&D), Birgit Sippel (S&D), Estelle Ceulemans (S&D), Hannes Heide (S&D), Alex Agius Saliba (S&D), Krzysztof Śmiszek (S&D), Mimmo Lucano (The Left), Gaetano Pedulla’ (The Left), Emma Rafowicz (S&D), Pasquale Tridico (The Left), Matjaž Nemec (S&D), Chloé Ridel (S&D), Benedetta Scuderi (Verts/ALE), Cristina Guarda (Verts/ALE), Ignazio Roberto Marino (Verts/ALE), Valentina Palmisano (The Left)

    The online newspaper ‘Fanpage.it’, known for conducting investigations on leaders and militants of Italy’s ruling majority party, reported that the electronic device of its director, Francesco Cancellato, had been bugged by spyware developed by the company Paragon Solutions.

    WhatsApp announced that 90 journalists and members of civil society worldwide had been spied on by this software to collect sensitive data and intercept private communications.

    While the Italian Government has publicly denied any secret service involvement in this matter, Paragon Solutions may have just ‘terminated its client relationship with Italy’ following the revelations about spying on those journalists, according to The Guardian[1].

    • 1.If it is confirmed that the Italian Government is a client of Paragon Solutions and is responsible for this action, would it constitute a violation of Directives 2002/58/EC, (EU) 2019/1937 and 2013/40/EU and Regulation (EU) 2016/679?
    • 2.Is the Commission aware of the use of Paragon spyware against journalists and activists in the EU?
    • 3.What measures does the Commission intend to take to protect press freedom and journalists from such attacks, and will the Commission launch an investigation to discover the extent of the violation and who the perpetrators are and to take measures against them?

    Submitted: 11.2.2025

    • [1] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/06/owner-of-spyware-used-in-alleged-whatsapp-breach-ends-contract-with-italy.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Fight against arms trafficking, especially of assault rifles – E-000710/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000710/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Nadine Morano (PPE)

    On 5 February 2025, several masked men armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles opened fire in the Brussels metro, without hindrance.

    These long guns come from Eastern European countries, mainly the Balkans, and are regularly used in drug trafficking, gang-related activity, prison escapes, organised crime and terrorism on European soil. Their use by delinquents and criminals is becoming more and more normal.

    In France, Serbian assault rifles bought in Slovakia were notably used in both the Bataclan and Hypercacher attacks in 2015.

    In light of this:

    What specific actions will the Commission take to combat the trafficking of fire arms from the Balkans?

    Submitted: 17.2.2025

    Last updated: 27 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales partners with Cubic to launch next-generation eSIM solutions for connected vehicles

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales partners with Cubic to launch next-generation eSIM solutions for connected vehicles

    • Cubic, a leading global provider of software-defined vehicle (SDV) solutions integrates Thales’s eSIM technology to address the rising need for smart and efficient connectivity that matches the latest GSMA standards.
    • Thales, a worldwide eSIM management platform leader, has driven reliable successful deployments in high-volume device markets, making it ideally suited to support Cubic.

    MEUDON, France, Feb 27th, 2025 – Thales, a global leader in advanced technologies, and Cubic, a leading global provider of software-defined vehicle (SDV) solutions, have announced a collaboration to drive innovation and simplify connectivity management. Leveraging Thales’s eSIM management platform, Cubic will enhance its eSIM solution capabilities to align with the latest GSMA standards, ensuring seamless global connectivity across industries such as automotive, transportation, and agriculture.

    With the adoption of the GSMA SGP.32* standard for IoT, the stakes for the sector are significant. This standard outlines several important technical and business requirements for eSIM management in the IoT, including enhanced security, interoperability across devices and network operators, and scalability for high-volume deployments. This new framework is critical for enabling the large-scale deployment of eSIM technology across a variety of devices, addressing the need for smart and seamless connectivity management.

    This partnership introduces Thales’s eSIM management platform – compliant with the GSMA SGP.32 standard – to Cubic’s existing multi-network and global connectivity management ecosystem. This innovation enables the continued mass deployment of eSIMs across Cubic’s vast footprint of over 200 countries, while simplifying connectivity management across multiple devices by automating subscription activation and updates remotely. This dramatically reduces the need for manual intervention, physical SIM swaps or device recalls.

    Cubic’s customers, including Volkswagen AG, Cariad, General Motors, SEAT, IVECO and CNH could benefit from enhanced solutions such as this, to help ensure managing vehicle connectivity becomes effortless. Vehicles equipped with Cubic’s solution which now integrates Thales’s platform can automatically connect to local networks when crossing borders, eliminating the need for complex development or additional costs. This ensures a seamless global experience for automotive manufacturers and their customers as cars can be pre-configured with connectivity profiles at the factory level and activated dynamically as they are deployed in the field.

    “Thales has been a trusted partner of Cubic since 2017″, said Nick Power, CTO at Cubic. “For OEMs, adopting GSMA M2M eSIM has been anything but simple. Technical complexity, vendor lock-in, and managing multi-MNO connectivity at a global scale have all slowed adoption. Transitioning to a leaner, more efficient GSMA eSIM IoT architecture will be essential. This collaboration highlights our commitment to standardisation, interoperability and innovation ensuring Cubic customers can enjoy a more flexible, cost efficient and a future-proof approach to global connectivity.”

    “With this upgrade, Cubic aims to remain at the forefront of IoT connectivity by addressing evolving market demands. The integration of Thales’s “On-Demand Subscription Manager” platform will enable Cubic to maximize end-to-end connectivity management for OEMs, ensuring devices are seamlessly connected from factory to field,” said Eva Rudin, VP Mobile Connectivity Solutions at Thales. “This collaboration highlights our commitment to standardization, interoperability, and innovation for IoT.”

    * GSMA SGP. 32 contains the technical specifications for the remote eSIM management of Internet of things (IoT) devices and other types of mobile device deployments.

    About Thales

    Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies specialized in three business domains: Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital.

    It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive.

    The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, cloud technologies and 6G.

    Thales has close to 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2023, the Group generated sales of €18.4 billion.

    About Cubic Telecom

    Cubic Telecom delivers advanced software-defined vehicle solutions in over 200 countries and regions around the world. Working with the world’s leading automotive, transportation and agriculture OEMs, we connect 23 million cars and vehicles globally and enable 1 billion mobile internet data transmissions daily. To compete globally, OEMs must manage the complexities of connecting with different technologies while complying with regulatory mandates in different countries. Cubic Telecom cuts through this complexity through providing a single, global solution that enables any vehicle shipped anywhere in the world to have fully compliant built-in connectivity regardless of local market requirements.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales signs major contract with Stephanix for remote management of medical equipment

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales signs major contract with Stephanix for remote management of medical equipment

    Thales, a world leader in cybersecurity for critical environments, has secured a contract with Stephanix, a leader in medical imaging in France, to develop and implement its TrustFleet digital platform on Stephanix’s remotely controlled radiology tables. With ransomware attacks in the medical sector increasing by over 27% in 2023*, cybersecurity has become a key concern for healthcare professionals.

    TrustFleet, developed by Thales, remotely manages medical devices such as mobile radiology units, fluoroscopy tables, and mammography equipment. It enables the optimisation of predictive maintenance operations and remote troubleshooting of these devices, in both hospitals and private institutions.

    Fully cybersecured and hosted in the Cloud, TrustFleet provides immediate access to protected data for quick and effective intervention. This reduces the downtime of medical equipment (updates, reboots, technical issues) while also lowering associated operational costs. This first collaboration with Stephanix will speed up and improve patient care, and represents a significant advancement in the medical sector.

    « This collaboration with Stephanix to deploy TrustFleet in the healthcare sector will ensure the continuous availability of radiology tables and provide optimal protection for health data. The partnership will improve patient care and make healthcare workers’ jobs easier, » said Kaïs Mnif, Vice President, Radiology Business Segment at Thales.

    « This collaboration with Thales allows us to offer our customers enhanced protection for their radiology equipment, combining innovation and reliability, while maintaining the efficiency and responsiveness of our after-sales service. Thanks to TrustFleet, healthcare professionals will have a secure, high-performance solution for managing their radiology equipment, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted daily use. I commend the expertise and know-how of the teams at Thales and Stephanix that have contributed to the success of this project, a 100% French collaboration, » added Florian Haddad, CEO of Stephanix.

    * Thales reveals an increase in ransomware attacks, with non-compliance cases exposing companies to vulnerabilities | Thales Group

    Find out more about Thales’s expertise in the medical imaging field

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Viridien Announces its Q4 & Full Year 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Paris (France), February 27th, 2025, 17h45 CET

    2024: A YEAR OF OVERACHIEVEMENTS

    2025: ON TRACK TO DELIVER c.$100 MILLION NET CASH FLOW

      Q4 FY1
    Revenue2 $339M $ 1,117M (-1%)
    Adjusted EBITDA3 $157M $455M (+14%)
    Net Cash-Flow $27M $56M (+73%)

    Sophie Zurquiyah, Chief Executive Officer of Viridien, said:

    “In 2024, we met our revenue and exceeded our profitability and cash generation targets driven by strong commercial successes at Geoscience, a dynamic performance at Earth Data in both our key basins and prospective regions and the continued focus on operational efficiency at Sensing & Monitoring.

    In 2025, Viridien will continue strengthening its technology leadership in its core markets while further developing its New Businesses. We anticipate continued improvements thanks to Geoscience’s record high backlog, Earth Data’s solid pipeline of projects and the termination of contractual fees for vessel commitments, and Sensing & Monitoring’s progress towards their restructuring plan.

    In this context, we confirm with confidence our target of c.$100 million of net cash generation and balance sheet deleveraging.”

    2024 Highlights2

    • Group2
      • IFRS figures: Revenue, EBITDA and Net Income of respectively $1,211 million, $516 million, $51 million. $427 million, $216 million, $29 million in Q4.
      • Overall stable group revenue at $1,117 million.
      • Strong growth at Digital, Data & Environment (DDE) with $787 million revenue (+17%). Consistent momentum for Geoscience (GEO) driven by our preferred advanced technology and numerous commercial successes at Earth Data (EDA).
        • Sensing & Monitoring (SMO) revenue was $330 million, with no mega crews during the year.
        • 33% revenue growth for New Businesses, exceeding our 30% target.
      • Group adjusted EBITDA3 of $455 million. DDE Adjusted EBITDA of $458 million, up 25% driven by the strong performance of both GEO and EDA. SMO adjusted EBITDA of $35 million (vs $56 million) already reflecting the positive impact of the restructuring effort.
      • Net Cash flow of $56 million, including $(75) million contractual fees from vessel commitments, exceeding our initial Net Cash flow target of “reaching a similar level as 2023” (ie. $32 million).
      • Key milestones of our financial roadmap delivered during the year: improved credit rating in Q2, revolving credit facility extended in Q3 and implementation and increase of the bond buyback program in Q3 and Q4.
      • Net debt at $921 million ($974 million in December 2023) and liquidity at $392 million (including $90 million undrawn RCF).  
    • Digital, Data and Energy Transition (DDE)
      • Revenue at $787 million was up 17% with strong growth at GEO (+20%) and EDA (+14%). Q4 revenue, $238 million (+19%).
      • Adjusted EBITDA at $458 million was up 25%. Profitability impacted by $(54) million in penalty fees from vessel commitments vs $(44) million in 2023. Q4 EBITDA $150 million (+28%).         $(12) million penalty vs $(13) million in Q4 2023.
        • Geoscience:
          • Revenue at $404 million (+20%). $107 million in Q4 (+10%).
          • GEO performance continues to be driven by technology differentiation. Order intakes, +89% in 2024, +155% in Q4, benefited from best-in-class imaging technology which the industry requires to solve subsurface challenges, increased activity in the Middle East and the renewal of long-term contracts for Dedicated HPC Processing Centers (DPCs).
    • New Businesses in GEO confirm the positive market dynamics in Carbon Sequestration with several projects in Norway, US Gulf and in Asia Pacific, as well as in Minerals & Mining with the award of programs in Australia and Oman. Alliance signed with Baker Hughes to offer high-quality and fully integrated Carbon Capture and Sequestration solutions to clients.
    • Earth Data:
      • Revenue at $383 million (+14%). $131 million in Q4 (+27%).
      • Prefunding revenue grew to $205 million (+6%). 81% of Capex. After-Sales grew to $178 million (+25%) in a flat market.
      • $252 million Capex, including the large Laconia Ocean Bottom Nodes (OBN) project in the US Gulf, the North Viking Graben streamer survey in Norway, and numerous global reprocessing projects.
      • New Businesses in EDA completed the mining project in Southeast Arizona and delivered several Carbon Sequestration projects in the North Sea, US Gulf and Asia.
    • Sensing and Monitoring (SMO)
      • Revenue at $330 million was down 27%, following delivery of “mega crew” systems in 2023.        $100 million in Q4 (-16%).
      • Adjusted EBITDA at $35 million was down 37%. $18 million in Q4 (+104%).
      • Q4 EBITDA performance shows that the restructuring plan is on track to achieve expected cost reductions and operational flexibility.
      • New Businesses in SMO represented 17% of revenue and experienced strong momentum with deliveries for the geothermal market and infrastructure monitoring.
    • Market trends
      • E&P Capex environment expected to be stable year-on-year in 2025, as the longer-term energy industry upcycle extends.
      • Evolving Industry Trends:
        • Offshore exploration gaining momentum in key regions like the US Gulf, Brazil, Norway as well as frontiers areas such as the Equatorial Margin and the East Mediterranean Sea.
        • Middle East growth expected with investments in advanced imaging and digital solutions.
        • Demand expected to be strong for High-end geophysical technologies, such as OBN and Full Waveform Inversion (FWI), that mitigate risks and optimize field development.
      • New Businesses:
        • Continued market growth potential in CSS with new imaging contracts and project pipeline driven by most Oil & Gas operators investing to reduce carbon emissions and address societal pressures.
        • Increased interest from the Minerals & Mining sector for subsurface characterization.
        • Infrastructure Monitoring market consistently increasing by double digits annually across various sectors.
        • Digital solutions / HPC markets expanding rapidly fueled mainly by the explosion of AI applications.
    • New reporting KPI for EDA
      • Starting in Q1 2025, we will change the reporting KPIs for EDA:
        • To align with market practice, Revenue split between Prefunding and After-sales will no longer be reported.
    • Cash EBITDA (i.e. EBITDA – Capex) will be reported to provide more clarity on our financial performance. ($97 million and $75 million in 2023 and 2024 respectively, excluding penalty fees from vessel commitments).
    • Full year 2025 financial outlook
      • In 2025, based on a stable E&P Capex environment, performance is expected to be driven by:
        • Geoscience: growth backed by industry leading technology and strong backlog.
    • Earth Data: stronger Cash EBITDA KPI, with end of vessel commitment penalty fees.
      • Sensing & Monitoring: further savings expected from the restructuring plan.
      • New Businesses: growth and first year positive contribution to the group’s profitability.
    • Financial objective: net cash flow of c.$100m.
    • Viridien will continue to focus on cash flow generation and deleveraging. Thanks to 2024 financial performance and the favorable debt market, our bond refinancing could be realized in 2025, before our previous Q1 2026 indication.
    • Full Year 2024 Conference call
      • The press release and the presentation will be available on our website www.viridiengroup.com at 5:45 pm (CET).
      • An English language analysts conference call is scheduled today at 6.00 pm (CET).
      • Participants should register for the call here to receive a dial-in number and code, or participate via the live webcast from here.
      • A replay of the conference call will be made available the day after for a period of 12 months in audio format on the Company’s website.

    The Board of Directors met on February 27, 2025 and approved the consolidated financial statements ending December 31, 2024. The Statutory Auditors are in the process of issuing a report with an unqualified opinion.

    About Viridien:

    Viridien (www.viridiengroup.com) is an advanced technology, digital and Earth data company that pushes the boundaries of science for a more prosperous and sustainable future. With our ingenuity, drive and deep curiosity we discover new insights, innovations, and solutions that efficiently and responsibly resolve complex natural resource, digital, energy transition and infrastructure challenges. Viridien employs around 3,400 people worldwide and is listed as VIRI on the Euronext Paris SA (ISIN ISIN: FR001400PVN6).

    Contact:

     VP Corporate Finance

    Jean-Baptiste Roussille
    jean-baptiste.roussille@viridiengroup.com

    Q4 & FY 2024- Financial Results

    Key Segment P&L figures
    (In million $)    		 2023
    Q4    		 2024
    Q4    		 Var.
    %    		 2023
    FY    		 2024
    FY    		 Var.
    %    		  
     
    Exchange rate euro/dollar 1,07 1,09 2% 1,08 1,09 1%  
    Segment revenue 320 339 6% 1 125 1 117 (1%)  
    DDE 201 238 19% 672 787 17%  
    Geoscience 98 107 10% 335 404 20%  
    Earth Data 103 131 27% 337 383 14%  
    Prefunding 62 49 (20%) 194 205 6%  
    After-Sales & other 41 82 99% 143 178 25%  
    SMO 119 100 (16%) 453 330 (27%)  
    Land 42 55 32% 176 157 (10%)  
    Marine 66 29 (56%) 230 117 (49%)  
    Beyond the core 11 16 45% 48 56 17%  
    Segment EBITDA 122 128 5% 400 422 5%  
    Adjusted * Segment EBITDA 121 157 30% 400 455 14%  
    DDE 117 150 28% 367 458 25%  
    SMO 9 18 – 56 35 (37%)  
    Corporate and other (5) (11) – (24) (38) (59%)  
    Segment operating income 15 33 – 138 113 (18%)  
    Adjusted* Segment Opinc 14 89 – 138 173 25%  
    DDE 21 89 – 140 206 47%  
    SMO (1) 11   24 4 (83%)  
    Corporate and other (6) (11) – (26) (38) (44%)  
    *Adjusted for non-recurring charges and gains.              
    Other KPI
    (In million $)    		 2023
    Q4    		 2024
    Q4    		 Var.
    %    		 2023
    FY    		 2024
    FY    		 Var.
    %    		  
     
    Geoscience Backlog 184 351 90% 184 351 90%  
    Total Capex (42) (81) (92)% (232) (285) (23)%  
    Industrial capex (8) (4) 51% (44) (17) 61%  
    R&D capex (4) (5) (5)% (17) (16) 7%  
    Earth Data (Cash) (29) (72) – (171) (252) (47)%  
    Earth Data Cash predunding rate 210% 68%   113% 81%    
    EDA Library net book value* 458 456 (0)% 458 456 (0)%  
    Liquidity 422 392   422 392    
    o.w. undrawn RCF 95 90   95 90    
    Gross debt* (1 301) (1 223)   (1 301) (1 223)    
    o.w. accrued interests (20) (18)   (19) (18)    
    o.w. lease liabilities (103) (125)   (103) (125)    
    Net debt* 974 921   974 921    
    Net debt*/Segment adjusted EBITDA        x2.4 x2.0    
    *Post IFRS15/16              
    Consolidated IFRS Income Statements
    (In million $)    		 2023
    Q4    		 2024
    Q4    		 Var.
    %    		 2023
    FY    		 2024
    FY    		 Var.
    %    		  
     
    Exchange rate euro/dollar 1,07 1,09   1,08 1,09    
    Revenue 265 427 61% 1 076 1 211 13%  
    EBITDA 68 216 – 351 516 47%  
    Operating Income (11) 49 – 119 143 21%  
    Equity from Investment (3) (1) 47% (2) (0) 77%  
    Net cost of financial debt (20) (24) (20%) (95) (97) (2%)  
       Other financial income (loss) (2) 5 – (4) 4 –  
       Income taxes 11 1 (94%) (14) (13) 3%  
    Net Income / Loss from continuing operations (25) 29 – 4 36 –  
    from discontinued operations 10 0 (100%) 12 15 20%  
    Net income / (loss) (15) 29 – 16 51 –  
    Shareholder’s net income / (loss) (15) 29 – 13 50 –  
    Basic Earnings per share in $ 0,00 0,00   1,81 6,97    
    Diluted Earnings per share in € 0 0,00   1,80 6,93    
    Cash Flow items
    (In million $)    		 2023
    Q4    		 2024
    Q4    		 Var.
    %    		 2023
    FY    		 2024
    FY    		 Var.
    %    		  
     
    Segment EBITDA 122 128 5% 400 422 5%  
    Income Tax Paid 9 (2) – 6 (12) –  
    Change in Working Capital & Provisions 21 30 42% 3 48 –  
    Other Cash Items 1 (0) – 1 (1) –  
    Cash provided by Operating Activity 153 155 1% 410 457 11%  
    Earth Data Capex (29) (72) – (171) (252) (47%)  
    Industrial Capex & Dev. Costs (13) (9) 32% (61) (33) 46%  
    Acquisitions and Proceeds of Assets 5 6 24% 3 7 –  
    Cash from Investing Activity (37) (75) – (229) (278) -22%  
    Paid Cost of Debt (44) (43) 2% (91) (86) 6%  
    Lease Repayement (19) (12) 36% (57) (56) 2%  
    Asset Financing 1 (0) – 22 (1) –  
    Cash from Financing Activity (63) (56) 11% (126) (142) -13%  
    Discontinued Operations Acquisitions (6) 3 – (23) 19 –  
    Net Cash Flow 48 27 -43% 32 56 73%  
    Financing cash flow (2) (49)   (6) (69)    
    Forex and other 7 (12)   3 (11)    
    Net increase/(decrease) in cash 52 (34)   29 (25)    

     CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – December 31st, 2024

    6.1 2023-2024 Viridien consolidated financial statements

    6.1.1 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

    In millions of US$ Notes December 31
    (1)        2024 2023
    Operating revenues 18, 19 1,211.3 1,075.5
    Other income from ordinary activities   0.1 0.3
    Total income from ordinary activities   1,211.4 1,075.8
    Cost of operations   (871.2) (817.4)
    Gross profit   340.2 258.4
    Research and development expenses – net 20 (17.8) (26.1)
    Marketing and selling expenses   (37.1) (36.1)
    General and administrative expenses   (82.9) (75.8)
    Other revenues (expenses) – net 21 (58.9) (1.4)
    Operating income 19 143.5 119.0
    Cost of financial debt – gross   (109.4) (103.3)
    Income from cash and cash equivalents   12.3 8.0
    Cost of financial debt – net 22 (97.2) (95.3)
    Other financial income (loss) 23 3.7 (3.8)
    Income (loss) before income taxes and share of income (loss) from companies accounted for under the equity method   50.1 19.9
    Income taxes 24 (13.4) (14.0)
    Net income (loss) before share of net income (loss) from companies accounted for under the equity method   36.6 5.9
    Net income (loss) from companies accounted for under the equity method 8 (0.5) (2.0)
    Net income (loss) from continuing operations   36.1 3.9
    Net income (loss) from discontinued operations 5 14.7 12.3
    Consolidated net income (loss)   50.8 16.2
    Attributable to:      
    Owners of Viridien S.A   49.8 12.9
    Non-controlling interests   1.0 3.3
    Weighted average number of shares outstanding (a) 29 7,150,958 7,131,286
    Weighted average number of shares outstanding adjusted for dilutive potential ordinary shares (a) 29 7,184,713 7,171,894
    Net income (loss) per share (in US$)      
    (1)        – Base (a)   6.97 1.81
    (2)        – Diluted (a)   6.93 1.80
    Net income (loss) from continuing operations per share (in US$)      
    (3)        – Base (a) $ 4.91 0.08
    (4)        – Diluted (a) $ 4.89 0.08
    Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per share (in US$)      
    (5)        – Base (a) $ 2.06 1.72
    (6)        – Diluted (a) $ 2.05 1.72

    (a) As a result of the July 31, 2024 reverse share split, the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per shares for 2023 has been adjusted retrospectively. Number of ordinary shares outstanding has been adjusted to reflect the proportionate change in the number of shares.

    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

    Consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss)

    In millions of US$ December 31
    (2)        2024 (a) 2023 (a)
    Net income (loss) from consolidated statement of operations 50.8 16.2
    Other comprehensive income to be reclassified in profit (loss) in subsequent period:    
    Net gain (loss) on cash flow hedges 0.4 2.0
    Variation in translation adjustments (23.0) 14.2
    Net other comprehensive income to be reclassified in profit (loss) in subsequent period (1) (22.7) 16.2
    Other comprehensive income not to be classified in profit (loss) in subsequent period:    
    Net gain (loss) on actuarial changes on pension plan 3.6 (4.6)
    Net other comprehensive income not to be reclassified in profit (loss) in subsequent period (2) 3.6 (4.6)
    Total other comprehensive income (loss) for the period, net of taxes (1)+(2) (19.1) 11.6
    Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period 31.8 27.8
    Attributable to:    
    Owners of Viridien S.A 31.3 25.1
    Non-controlling interests 0.5 2.7
    (a) Including other comprehensive income related to discontinued operations which is not material.

    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

    6.1.2 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

    In millions of US$ Notes (3)        Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023
    ASSETS      
    Cash and cash equivalents 28 301.7 327.0
    Trade accounts and notes receivable, net 3, 18 339.9 310.9
    Inventories and work-in-progress, net 4 163.3 212.9
    Income tax assets 24 22.9 30.8
    Other current assets, net 4 74.0 92.1
    Assets held for sale, net 5 24.5 –
    Total current assets   926.2 973.7
    Deferred tax assets 24 43.6 29.9
    Other non-current assets, net 16 8.9 6.8
    Investments and other financial assets, net 7 25.7 22.7
    Investments in companies accounted for under the equity method 8 1.1 2.2
    Property plant & equipment, net 9 220.6 206.1
    Intangible assets, net 10 535.4 579.7
    Goodwill, net 11 1,082.8 1,095.5
    Total non-current assets   1,918.1 1,942.9
    TOTAL ASSETS   2,844.3 2,916.6
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY      
    Financial debt – current portion 13 56.9 58.0
    Trade accounts and notes payable 3 120.9 86.4
    Accrued payroll costs   84.5 89.1
    Income taxes payable 24 20.4 12.5
    Advance billings to customers   19.2 24.0
    Provisions – current portion 16 19.7 8.7
    Other current financial liabilities 14 0.5 21.3
    Other current liabilities 12 182.5 250.3
    Liabilities associated with non-current assets held for sale 5 2.4 –
    Total current liabilities   507.0 550.3
    Deferred tax liabilities 24 18.4 24.3
    Provisions – non-current portion 16 28.8 30.1
    Financial debt – non-current portion 13 1,165.6 1,242.8
    Other non-current financial liabilities 14 – 0.5
    Other non-current liabilities 12 1.7 4.3
    Total non-current liabilities   1,214.5 1,302.0
    Common stock (a) 15 8.7 8.7
    Additional paid-in capital   118.7 118.7
    Retained earnings   1,036.5 980.4
    Other Reserves   55.2 27.3
    Treasury shares   (20.1) (20.1)
    Cumulative income and expense recognized directly in equity   (1.1) (1.4)
    Cumulative translation adjustments   (113.3) (90.8)
    Equity attributable to owners of Viridien S.A.   1,084.7 1,022.8
    Non-controlling interests   38.1 41.5
    Total Equity   1,122.8 1,064.3
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   2,844.3 2,916.6
    (a) Common stock: 11,215,501 shares authorized and 7,165,465 shares with a nominal value of €1.00 outstanding at December 31, 2024.

    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

    6.1.3 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

    In millions of US$ Notes December 31
    (4)        2024 2023
    OPERATING ACTIVITIES      
    Consolidated net income (loss) 1, 19 50.8 16.2
    Less: Net income (loss) from discontinued operations 5 (14.7) (12.3)
    Net income (loss) from continuing operations   36.1 3.9
    Depreciation, amortization and impairment 1, 19, 28 124.7 91.5
    Impairment and amortization of Earth Data surveys 1, 10, 28 261.4 153.1
    Amortization and depreciation of Earth Data surveys, capitalized 10 (16.6) (15.4)
    Variance on provisions   14.3 (2.6)
    Share-based compensation expenses   3.4 2.8
    Net (gain) loss on disposal of fixed and financial assets   (3.7) (1.7)
    Share of (income) loss in companies recognized under equity method   0.5 2.0
    Other non-cash items   (0.3) 5.2
    Net cash flow including net cost of financial debt and income tax   419.8 238.8
    Less: Cost of financial debt   97.2 95.3
    Less: Income tax expense (gain)   13.4 14.0
    Net cash flow excluding net cost of financial debt and income tax   530.4 348.1
    Income tax paid – Net (a)   (12.4) 5.5
    Net cash flow before changes in working capital   518.0 353.6
    Changes in working capital   (61.2) 54.7
    – Change in trade accounts and notes receivable   (128.4) 51.8
    – Change in inventories and work-in-progress   28.1 49.2
    – Change in other current assets   10.5 (9.9)
    – Change in trade accounts and notes payable   26.8 (5.4)
    – Change in other current liabilities   1.8 (31.0)
    Net cash flow from operating activities   456.7 408.3
    INVESTING ACTIVITIES      
    Total capital expenditures (tangible and intangible assets) net of variation of fixed assets suppliers and excluding Earth Data surveys) 9 (32.9) (60.9)
    Investments in Earth Data surveys 10 (252.1) (171.1)
    Proceeds from disposals of tangible and intangible assets 28 6.8 0.4
    Proceeds from divestment of activities and sale of financial assets 28 – 6.2
    Dividends received from investments in companies under the equity method   0.5 –
    Acquisition of investments, net of cash & cash equivalents acquired 28 – (1.9)
    Variation in other non-current financial assets 28 (8.2) (5.2)
    Net cash-flow used in investing activities   (286.0) (232.5)
    FINANCING ACTIVITIES      
    Repayment of long-term debt 13, 28 (59.4) (1.8)
    Total issuance of long-term debt 13, 28 0.1 23.9
    Lease repayments 13, 28 (55.7) (57.0)
    Financial expenses paid 13, 28 (85.6) (90.7)
    Net proceeds from capital increase:      
    – from shareholders:   – 0.1
    – from non-controlling interests of integrated companies   – –
    Dividends paid and share capital reimbursements:   – –
    – Equity attributable to owners of Viridien S.A.   – –
    – to non-controlling interests of integrated companies   (3.8) (0.9)
    Net cash-flow from (used in) financing activities   (204.4) (126.4)
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   (11.0) 2.6
    Net cash flows incurred by discontinued operations 5 19.3 (23.0)
    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   (25.3) 29.0
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   327.0 298.0
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   301.7 327.0
    (a) Includes a cash inflow of US$6 million in 2024 and US$32 million in 2023 for the research tax credit in France.

    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

    6.1.4 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

    In millions of US$, except for share data Number of shares issued (a) Share capital Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Other reserves Treasury shares Income and expense recognized directly in equity Cumu-lative translation adjust-ment Viridien S.A. – Equity attributable to owners of Viridien S.A. Non-controlling interests Total equity
    Balance at January 1, 2023 7,123,573 8.7 118.6 967.9 50.0 (20.1) (3.4) (102.4) 1,019.3 39.5 1,058.8
    Net gain (loss) on actuarial changes on pension plan (1)       (4.6)         (4.6)   (4.6)
    Net gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (2)             2.0   2.0   2.0
    Net gain (loss) on translation adjustments (3)               14.8 14.8 (0.6) 14.2
    Other comprehensive income (1)+(2)+(3)   – – (4.6) – – 2.0 14.8 12.2 (0.6) 11.6
    Net income (loss) (4)       12.9         12.9 3.3 16.2
    Comprehensive income (1)+(2)+(3)+(4)   – – 8.3 – – 2.0 14.8 25.1 2.7 27.8
    Exercise of warrants 238   0.1           0.1   0.1
    Dividends                 – (1.0) (1.0)
    Cost of share based payment 12,951     2.6         2.6   2.6
    Transfer to retained earnings of the parent company                 –   –
    Variation in translation adjustments generated by the parent company         (22.7)       (22.7)   (22.7)
    Changes in consolidation scope and other       1.6       (3.2) (1.6) 0.3 (1.3)
    Balance at December 31, 2023 7,136,763 8.7 118.7 980.4 27.3 (20.1) (1.4) (90.8) 1,022.8 41.5 1,064.3

    (a) Pro forma following Reverse Share Split (see note 2 – Significant events, acquisitions and divestitures).

    In millions of US$, except for share data Number of shares issued (b) Share capital Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Other reserves Treasury shares Income and expense recognized directly in equity Cumu-lative translation adjust-ment Viridien S.A. – Equity attributable to owners of Viridien S.A. Non-controlling interests Total equity
    Balance at January 1, 2024 7,136,763 8.7 118.7 980.4 27.3 (20.1) (1.4) (90.8) 1,022.8 41.5 1,064.3
    Net gain (loss) on actuarial changes on pension plan (1)       3.6         3.6   3.6
    Net gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (2)             0.4   0.4   0.4
    Net gain (loss) on translation adjustments (3)               (22.5) (22.5) (0.6) (23.0)
    Other comprehensive income (1)+(2)+(3)   – – 3.6 – – 0.4 (22.5) (18.5) (0.6) (19.1)
    Net income (loss) (4)       49.8         49.8 1.0 50.8
    Comprehensive income (1)+(2)+(3)+(4)   – – 53.4 – – 0.4 (22.5) 31.3 0.5 31.8
    Exercise of warrants                      
    Dividends                 – (3.8) (3.8)
    Cost of share based payment 24,703     2.7         2.7   2.7
    Transfer to retained earnings of the parent company                 –   –
    Variation in translation adjustments generated by the parent company         28.0       28.0   28.0
    Changes in consolidation scope and other                      
    Balance at December 31, 2024 7,161,465 8.7 118.7 1,036.5 55.2 (20.1) (1.1) (113.3) 1,084.7 38.1 1,122.8

    (b) Reverse Share Split: Pursuant to a delegation from the Combined General Meeting of shareholders of May 15, 2024, and a sub-delegation from the Board of Directors held on the same day, a reversed share split has been implemented, on July 31, 2024, on the basis of 1 new share of €1.00 nominal value for 100 old shares of €0.01 nominal value.

    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

    1All variations refer to the same period last year
    2Unless otherwise stated, all figures and comments are referring to “Segment” (i.e. pre-IFRS 15), as defined in the 2023 and 2024 Universal Registration Documents’ glossaries, under section 8.7
    3Adjusted for non-recurring items

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/DR CONGO – There are three versions of today’s attack in Bukavu

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Thursday, 27 February 2025

    Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – “We know that there are several dead, but we do not know how many,” confirm church sources in Bukavu to Fides. There, today, February 27, an explosion occurred during a rally organized by the “new authorities” installed by the M23, the rebel movement that took over the capital of the Congolese province of South Kivu on February 16.”Who did this? There are three versions so far. The first, reported by a local, speaks of a suicide bomber who wanted to blow himself up along with the convoy of M23 leaders, but the bomb exploded late while the convoy was passing by, killing innocent people,” the source said.The second version reports that the meeting organized by Corneille Nangaa, coordinator of the AFC (Alliance of the Congo River, the political wing of the M23), ended tragically when a violent confrontation between an M23 soldier and some civilians escalated.The incident occurred after a tense exchange of blows and fierce criticism between supporters of Corneille Nanga and a group of young resistance fighters who had denounced speeches by the AFC coordinator that they considered to be deceitful. As tensions escalated, an M23 soldier who was present at the meeting threw a grenade into the crowd, causing general panic.The explosion left several people dead and injured others, some seriously.Finally, there is the version reported by Radio France International (RFI), according to which two explosions occurred two minutes after the end of Corneille Nangaa’s rally. Perhaps the bombs were placed near the loudspeakers. And of course, the M23 accuses Kinshasa of being behind the attack. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 27/2/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Mizar Expands On-Chain Trading with AI and Automation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — After success in centralized exchange (CEX) trading, Mizar, the automated trading platform backed by Nexo, KuCoin, and other notable traders, is expanding its focus to decentralized exchanges (DEX), bringing advanced trading tools on-chain.

    Since launching its DEX trading products in 2024, Mizar has seen strong results, particularly on Base and BNB Chain, where traders in the Mizar Alpha Program report millions in net profits within months. With Solana integration on the horizon, the community is anticipating even more opportunities.

    Mizar aims to replicate the seamless, feature-rich experience of CEX trading on DEXs. “Our goal is to enhance the on-chain trading experience—delivering the same ease and efficiency as Binance, but on decentralized platforms like Raydium” said Francesco Ciuci, CEO of Mizar.

    The platform already offers an intuitive, high-performance trading terminal that simplifies meme-coin and token trading. Users can trade directly from the Mizar app or via the Mizar Telegram bot, which features a fast, user-friendly mini-app interface.

    Beyond execution, Mizar is looking to revolutionize on-chain trading through AI and automation. “There’s so much untapped data on-chain that the potential for AI and automation is enormous. In a few years, I believe most on-chain crypto trading will be managed by bots and AI agents” said Ciuci. “We envision Mizar as an AI-powered platform that can either handle everything for users or recommend optimal strategies using advanced AI models.”

    This vision is already evident in Mizar’s current offerings. The platform provides free AI-powered analytics, helping traders discover new tokens, identify smart wallets, and spot potential scam tokens. Its advanced trading bots take automation further, allowing users to capitalize on market volatility, copy-trade others wallets, and execute trades directly from Telegram chats.

    With cutting-edge technology, AI-driven tools, and a strong community, Mizar is positioning itself as a key player in on-chain trading. As the platform continues to expand and refine its offerings, traders can expect a constantly evolving suite of smart tools designed to optimize success in the decentralized market.

    About Mizar

    Mizar is a next-generation trading platform that empowers users with advanced automation tools and AI, for seamless trading across both CEX and DEX markets. With a commitment to innovation and user success, Mizar is redefining the landscape of crypto trading for the modern investor.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ae946eca-f6e8-4aed-bbdd-31ea59201250

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Central Bank of Bahrain receives French Business Delegation

    Source: Central Bank of Bahrain

    Published on 27 February 2025

    Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain – 27 February 2025 – The Central Bank of Bahrain (“CBB”) received a high-level business delegation from France as part of a two-day visit organised by French Business Confederation “MEDEF International”, the first network for entrepreneurs in France.

    HE Khalid Humaidan, CBB Governor, welcomed the delegation and praised the confederation’s role in supporting economic and investment relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the French Republic. HE Humaidan also discussed CBB’s priorities for the coming period and opportunities for cooperation in the financial services sector, being one of the priority sectors in the Kingdom.

    The delegation, which was headed by Mr. Frédéric Sanchez Chairman of MEDEF International, discussed the confederation’s objectives and roles in addition to discussed topics of common interest.

    Share this

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: ASUS Expands 2025 Zenbook Lineup in Canada with the New Zenbook DUO and Zenbook 14

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ASUS today announced that the new Zenbook DUO (UX8406CA) and Zenbook 14 (UX3405CA), are now available in Canada. These new additions join the recently launched Zenbook A14, the lightest 14-inch Copilot+ PC on the market, further expanding ASUS’s lineup of AI-powered Zenbook laptops.

    The ASUS Zenbook DUO is now available at the ASUS Store, Best Buy, Amazon, and Canada Computers, with Costco joining later this year. The ASUS Zenbook 14 is available at the ASUS Store, Amazon and Shi, with Canada Computers, Costco, and Staples set to carry it later this year.

    Designed for power, portability, and next-level AI capabilities, the latest Zenbook models feature extended battery life, premium designs, and a customizable Copilot key, delivering an effortless blend of speed, creativity, and productivity. With cutting-edge AI tools at their core, these laptops streamline tasks, enhance security, and supercharge performance for work and play.

    Next-Gen AI Power with Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) Processors

    At the heart of these two new 2025 ASUS Zenbook laptops are the new Intel® Core™ Ultra processor (Series 2), featuring integrated AI acceleration, next-gen Intel Arc™ graphics, and an upgraded core architecture. Built for the AI era, this powerhouse processor boosts gaming, content creation, and multitasking to new heights, delivering exceptional speed and efficiency in a slim and stylish package.

    ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8406​CA)

    The revolutionary dual-screen Zenbook DUO (2025) features twin 14-inch 16:10 OLED HDR NanoEdge touchscreens with up to 3K 120Hz resolution, seamlessly blending AI-powered performance with versatile multi-mode functionality — Dual Screen, Desktop, Laptop, and Screen Sharing — and superb mobility. Measuring just 14.6mm (0.57″) at its thinnest and weighing only 1.35 kg (2.98 lbs)1, it’s powered by up to the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285H with integrated NPU, unlocking enhanced AI capabilities. It also features a large-capacity 75Wh battery and includes a comprehensive array of I/O ports. The easy-to-use Zenbook DUO maximizes productivity, with zero fuss.

    ASUS Zenbook 14 (UX3405​CA)

    Zenbook 14 (UX3405CA) takes sophistication to a whole new level, with an environmentally-conscious thin-and-light design. It amplifies AI efficiency with its Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285H and Intel Arc graphics, and offers an immersive experience with its vivid 14-inch 16:10 ASUS Lumina OLED touchscreen and powerful super-linear speakers.

    Later this year, an AMD-powered variant, the Zenbook 14 (UM3406KA), will join the lineup, featuring the new AI-enabled AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor with a 50 TOPS NPU for accelerated AI performance.

    AVAILABILITY & PRICING

    The Zenbook DUO and Zenbook 14 are now available in Canada. The Zenbook DUO is available at the ASUS Store, Best Buy, Amazon, and Canada Computers, with Costco joining later this year. The Zenbook 14 is available at the ASUS Store, Amazon and Shi, with Canada Computers, Costco, and Staples set to carry it later this year. The Zenbook 14 (UM3406KA) will also be available later this year.

    For detailed specifications, availability, pricing, and where to buy links, please see below.

    Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.

    SPECIFICATIONS2

    ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8406CA) 

    Model  UX8406CA-BS91T-CB UX8406CA-DS91T-CA UX8406CA-CS71-CB
    Marketing Name  ASUS Zenbook DUO (2025)
    Operating System  Windows 11 Home 
    Color  Inkwell Gray
    Weight  1.65 kg (3.64 lbs)

    Weight without keyboard: 1.35 kg (2.98 lbs)

    Weight of keyboard: 0.30 kg (0.66 lbs)
    Dimensions  31.35 x 21.79 x 1.46 ~ 1.99 cm (12.34″ x 8.58″ x 0.57″ ~ 0.78″)
    Keyboard Dimensions 31.28 x 20.90 x 0.51 ~ 0.53 cm (12.31″ x 8.23″ x 0.20″ ~ 0.21″)
    Display  Dual 14” touchscreens, 2880×1800, OLED, 16:10, 120 Hz, 0.2ms, 500 nits peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3, VESA Certified Display HDR True Black 500, Pantone validated Dual 14” touchscreens, 1920×1200, OLED, 16:10, 120 Hz, 0.2ms, 500 nits peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3, VESA Certified Display HDR True Black 500, Pantone validated Dual 14” touchscreens, 1920×1200, OLED, 16:10, 120 Hz, 0.2ms, 500 nits peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3, VESA Certified Display HDR True Black 500, Pantone validated
    Processor  Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285H

    2.9 GHz (24MB Cache, up to 5.4 GHz, 16 cores, 16 Threads); Intel AI Boost NPU up to 13TOPS

    		 Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 255H

    2.0 GHz (24MB Cache, up to 5.1 GHz, 16 cores, 16 Threads); Intel AI Boost NPU up to 13
    Graphics  Intel Arc Graphics
    Memory  32GB LPDDR5X (on board)  16GB LPDDR5X (on board) 
    Storage  1 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD (1 x M.2 2280 slot) 
    Keyboard Bilingual French English Bilingual French
    Webcam  1080p FHD IR Camera 
    Wi-Fi  Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4
    IO Ports  1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
    2 x Thunderbolt 4 (PD, DP)
    1 x HDMI 2.1 (TMDS) 
    1 x 3.5 Audio Combo Jack 
    Battery  75Whr 
    AC Adapter  Type-C, 65W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 3.25A, 65W, Input: 100-240V AC 50/60GHz universal 
    Availability ASUS Store

    Best Buy

    		 ASUS Store

    Best Buy

    Amazon

    Canada Computers

    		 Costco (available later this year)
    MSRP  C$2,699 C$2,499 C$2,399

    ASUS Zenbook 14 (UX3405CA) 

    Model  UX3405CA-CS91T-CB UX3405CA-RS71T-CA UX3405CA-SS71T-CB UX3405CA-DS51T-CA
    Marketing Name  ASUS Zenbook 14
    Operating System  Windows 11 Home 
    Color  Ponder Blue
    Weight  1.28 kg (2.82 lbs)
    Dimensions  31.24 x 22.01 x 1.49 ~ 1.49 cm (12.30″ x 8.67″ x 0.59″ ~ 0.59″)
    Display  14” touchscreen, WUXGA, 1920×1200, OLED, 16:10, 60 Hz, 0.2ms, 500 nits peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3, VESA Certified Display HDR True Black 500
    Processor  Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285H

    2.9 GHz (24MB Cache, up to 5.4 GHz, 16 cores, 16 Threads); Intel AI Boost NPU up to 13TOPS

    		 Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 255H

    2.0 GHz (24MB Cache, up to 5.1 GHz, 16 cores, 16 Threads); Intel AI Boost NPU up to 13

    		 Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor 225H

    1.7 GHz (18MB Cache, up to 4.9 GHz, 14 cores, 16 Threads); Intel AI Boost NPU up to 13TOPS
    Graphics  Intel Arc Graphics
    Memory  16GB LPDDR5X (on board) 32GB LPDDR5X (on board) 16GB LPDDR5X (on board) 16GB LPDDR5X (on board)
    Storage  1 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD (1 x M.2 2280 slot)  512 GB PCIe 4.0 SSD (1 x M.2 2280 slot) 
    Keyboard Bilingual French English Bilingual French English
    Webcam  1080p FHD IR Camera 
    Wi-Fi  Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4
    IO Ports  1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
    2 x Thunderbolt 4 (PD, DP)
    1 x HDMI 2.1 (TMDS) 
    1 x 3.5 Audio Combo Jack 
    Battery  75Whr 
    AC Adapter  Type-C, 65W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 3.25A, 65W, Input: 100-240V AC 50/60GHz universal 
    Availability Costco (available later this year) Canada Computers (available later this year) Staples (available later this year) ASUS Store

    Amazon

    Shi
    MSRP  C$1,899 C$1,899 C$1,699 C$1,499

    NOTES TO EDITORS

    Product pages:

    Where to buy links:

    ASUS Zenbook Page: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/site/zenbook/

    ASUS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asus/posts/

    ASUS Pressroom: http://press.asus.com

    ASUS Canada Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asuscanada/

    ASUS Canada Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asus_ca

    ASUS Canada YouTube: https://ca.asus.click/youtube

    ASUS Global X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/asus

    About ASUS

    ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components, and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, the company is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies. Consistently ranked as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, ASUS is also committed to sustaining an incredible future. The goal is to create a net zero enterprise that helps drive the shift towards a circular economy, with a responsible supply chain creating shared value for every one of us.

    1 Without keyboard
    2 Price and specifications and subject to change without notice. For the latest information please visit https://www.asus.com/ca-en/

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/64840812-c385-471d-8435-9e9dc833ca33

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A new study reveals the structure of violent winds 1,300 light years away

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Vivien Parmentier, Professeur junior spécialiste des atmosphères d’exoplanètes au laboratoire LAGRANGE, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Université Côte d’Azur

    The largest telescopes in the world are used to look at the atmospheres of planets orbiting other stars and located at astronomical distances. Y. Beletsky(LCO)/ESO, CC BY

    The planet WASP-121b is extreme. It’s a gas giant almost twice as big as Jupiter orbiting extremely close to its star–50 times closer than the Earth does around the Sun. WASP-121b is so close to its star that tidal forces have locked its rotation in a “resonance”: the planet always shows the same face to its star, like the Moon to the Earth. Therefore, one side of WASP-121b constantly bakes in light whereas the other is in perpetual night. This difference causes huge variations in temperature across the planet. It can be more than 3,000°C on one side and drop 1,500°C on the other.

    This huge temperature contrast is the source of violent winds, blowing several kilometres per second, which try to redistribute the energy from day to night. Until now, we had to guess the strength and direction of the winds with indirect measurements, such as measurements of the planet’s temperature. In recent years, with the arrival of new instruments on giant telescopes, we’ve been able to directly measure the wind speed of certain exoplanets, including WASP-121b.

    In our study published in the journal Nature that was conducted by my colleague, Julia Seidel, we not only looked at wind speed on an exoplanet, but also at how these winds vary with altitude. We were able to measure for the first time that winds in the deepest layers of the atmosphere are very different from those at higher altitudes. Put it this way: on Earth, winds blowing a few dozen kilometres per hour already make it hard to ride a bike; on WASP-121b, pedalling would be impossible, because the winds are a hundred times faster.

    Our measurements reveal the behaviour of a pivotal zone of the atmosphere that forms the link between the deep atmosphere–usually surveyed by telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope–and the outer zones where the atmosphere escapes into space, blown by the wind coming from its star.

    How did we measure the atmosphere of a planet millions of billions of kilometres away?

    To make our measurements, we used one of the most precise spectrographs on Earth, mounted on the largest telescope available to us: ESPRESSO at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT), located in the Atacama desert in Chile. To collect as much light as possible, we combined the light from the VLT’s four 8-metre diameter telescopes. Thanks to this combination, which is still being tested, we collected as much light as would a 16-metre diameter telescope–which would be larger than any optical telescope on Earth.

    The ultra-precise ESPRESSO spectrograph then enabled us to separate the light from the planet into 1.3 million wavelengths. This allows us to observe as many colours in the visible spectrum. This precision is necessary to detect different types of atoms in the planet’s atmosphere. This time, we studied how three different types of atoms–absorb light from the star: hydrogen, sodium and iron (all in a gaseous state, given the very high temperatures).

    By measuring the position of these spectral lines very precisely, we were able to directly measure the speed of these atoms. The Doppler effect tells us that an atom coming toward us will absorb more blue light, while an atom moving away from us will absorb more red light. By measuring the absorption wavelength of each of these atoms, we have as many different measurements of the wind speed on this planet.

    We found that the lines of the different atoms tell different stories. Iron moves at 5 kilometres per second from the substellar point (the region of the planet closest to its host star) to the anti-stellar point (the most distant) in a very symmetrical way. Sodium, on the other hand, splits in two: some of the atoms move like iron, while the others move at the equator directly from east to west four times faster, at the staggering speed of 20 kilometres per second. Finally, hydrogen seems to move with the east-west current of sodium but, also, vertically, no doubt allowing it to escape from the planet.

    To reconcile all this, we calculated that these three different atoms are, in fact, in different parts of the atmosphere. While iron atoms lie at the deeper layers, where symmetrical circulation is expected, sodium and hydrogen let us probe much higher layers, where the planet’s atmosphere is blown by the wind coming from its host star. This stellar wind, combined with the rotation of the planet, probably carries the material asymmetrically, with a preferential direction given by the rotation of the planet.

    There are violent winds in the atmosphere of WASP-121b. The three types of atoms travel at different speeds, helping to reconstruct the structure of the atmosphere, even though the planet is millions of billions of kilometres away from Earth.
    ESO/M. Kornmesser, CC BY

    Why study the atmospheres of exoplanets?

    WASP-121b is one of those giant gaseous planets with temperatures of over 1,000°C that are known as “hot Jupiters”. The first observation of these planets by Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz (which later earned them a Nobel Prize in Physics) came as a surprise in 1995, particularly because planetary formation models predicted that these giant planets could not form so close to their star. Mayor and Queloz’s observation made us realise that planets do not necessarily form where they are currently located. Instead, they can migrate, i.e., move around in their youth.

    How far from their star do “hot Jupiters” form? Over what distances do these objects migrate in their infancy? Why did the Jupiter in our solar system not migrate toward the Sun? (We’re lucky it didn’t, because it would have sent Earth into our star at the same time.)

    Some answers to these questions may lie in the atmosphere of exoplanets, which exhibit traces of the conditions of their formation. However, variations in temperature or chemical composition within each atmosphere can radically skew the abundance measurements that we are trying to take with large telescopes such as the James Webb. In order to exploit our measurements, we first need to grasp how complex these atmospheres are.

    To do this, we need to understand the fundamental mechanisms that govern the atmosphere of these planets. In the solar system, winds can be measured directly by, for example, looking at how fast clouds move. On exoplanets, we cannot see any details directly.

    In particular, “hot Jupiters” orbit so close to their stars that we cannot separate them spatially and take photos of the exoplanets. Instead, from among the thousands of known exoplanets, we select those that have the good taste to periodically pass between their star and us. During this “transit”, light from the star is filtered by the planet’s atmosphere, which allows us to measure the signs of absorption by different atoms or molecules. In general, the data we obtain are not good enough to separate the light that passes on one side of the planet from the other, and we end up with an average of what the atmosphere has absorbed. As conditions along the atmospheric limb (i.e., the slice of atmosphere surrounding a planet as observed from space) can vary drastically, interpreting the final average is often a headache.

    This time, by using a telescope that, in effect, is larger than any other optical telescope on Earth, and combining it with an extremely precise spectrograph, we were able to separate the signal absorbed by the eastern side of the planet’s limb from the signal absorbed by the western side. This allowed us to measure the spatial variation of the winds in the planet.

    The future of atmospheric study of exoplanets

    Europe is currently building the next generation of telescopes, led by the ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope, which is scheduled for 2030. The ELT will have a mirror 30 metres in diameter, twice the size of the telescope we obtained by combining the light from the four 8-metre telescopes of the VLT.

    This giant telescope will gather even more precise details about the atmospheres of exoplanets. In particular, it will measure the winds in exoplanets both smaller and colder than “hot Jupiters”.

    But what we are all really waiting for is the ELT’s ability to measure the presence of molecules in the atmosphere of rocky planets orbiting in the habitable zone of their star, where water may be present in a liquid state.

    The EXOWINDS project is supported by the French National Research Agency (ANR), which funds project-based research in France. Its mission is to support and promote the development of fundamental and applied research in all disciplines, and to strengthen the dialogue between science and society. For more information, visit the ANR website.

    Vivien Parmentier received funding from the French National Research Agency (exowinds, ANR-23-CE31-0001-01).

    Julia Victoria Seidel is an ESO (European Southern Observatory) Research Fellow.

    – ref. A new study reveals the structure of violent winds 1,300 light years away – https://theconversation.com/a-new-study-reveals-the-structure-of-violent-winds-1-300-light-years-away-250187

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Mati Diop is a new star of African cinema – what her award-winning movies are about

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By David Murphy, Professor of French and Postcolonial Studies, University of Strathclyde

    Mati Diop has cinema in her blood. The 42-year-old Senegalese-French actress launched her feature film directing career in spectacular fashion with Atlantics, which took the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019 and won a string of awards.

    Her documentary Dahomey has made similar waves and was longlisted for the 2025 Oscars. We asked Senegalese film scholar David Murphy to tell us more.

    Who is Mati Diop?

    Mati Diop is a hugely talented and innovative film director. She is also an accomplished actor who has starred in a number of French films, in particular Claire Denis’s 35 Shots of Rum.

    She was born in Paris in 1982 and was raised in France, but frequently visited Senegal during her childhood, as she comes from a Senegalese cultural dynasty.

    Her father is Wasis Diop, an inventive and experimental musician who fuses Senegalese folk music with western pop and jazz. Her uncle was the maverick Senegalese filmmaker, Djibril Diop Mambéty. He directed classics like Touki Bouki and Hyenas. For good measure, her mother, Christine Brossard, is involved in the French art world and is a photographer.

    Although she had previously made short films, Diop gained global attention in 2019 when she won a prestigious award at the Cannes Film Festival for her first feature-length fiction film, Atlantics.

    Her documentary Dahomey won the top award at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival. Over the past few years, Diop has become established as one of the most creative artistic voices making films about contemporary Africa.

    What’s Dahomey about?

    Dahomey is a documentary about a contentious issue, the repatriation of looted African art works from western museums.

    The objects – 26 royal treasures – were taken from the pre-colonial kingdom of Dahomey (in today’s Benin). President Emmanuel Macron of France has voiced his support for the return of such objects and a slow, piecemeal process of repatriation has now begun.

    On the surface, the story of Dahomey might not seem to be particularly dramatic. Taking objects from a museum in Paris and sending them to a museum in Benin might be politically important and symbolic. But how do you make a creative, insightful and entertaining film about it that also appeals to a wide audience? Well, essentially, Diop weaves a tale that seeks to explore what it means for Africans that this heritage is being returned. To do that, she gives voice to Africans, whether heritage professionals, students or the general public.

    In her most daring creative gesture, she also gives voice to one of the objects being returned, a magnificent, life-sized wooden statue of King Ghézo (who ruled Dahomey in the 1800s), depicted as half-man, half-bird. Many of the items that are displayed in European museums as beautiful but inanimate objects in fact played a highly significant spiritual role in precolonial societies. Essentially, they formed a bridge between the living and the spirit world, and Diop is interested in exploring what it might mean to these spirits to return to an Africa that has been transformed in their absence.

    So, Dahomey is not your average documentary. There’s no narrative voiceover that explains the context of the journey home for these objects. Apart from a few on-screen captions explaining the big picture, viewers must piece together the story and decipher its meaning by themselves.

    In the first half of the film, we see the curators from Benin and French workmen moving through the Quai Branly Museum in Paris. They assess the condition of the fragile objects as they make an inventory of them and box them safely for the trip. At first, theirs are the only voices we hear.



    Read more:
    The award-winning African documentary project that goes inside the lives of migrants

    But then we begin to hear the deep, electronically distorted voice of the statue of King Ghézo who awakens from a long slumber. In this voiceover (written by the Haitian author Makenzy Orcel), Ghézo reflects on the sense of dislocation and confusion at being taken from Africa, his journey over the sea to be exhibited in a museum in Paris, his memories of the continent he left behind.

    Once the objects arrive in Benin, the film follows a reverse process. The camera dwells on the African workmen overseeing their installation, interspersed with the voice of the statue trying to make sense of the Africa to which he has returned.

    The longest section of the film gives voice to local university students debating what it means to return this heritage. While some view the process as vital, others see it as a distraction from the major issues facing the continent. The film does not seek to nudge the viewer to take sides. What is important is that different African voices are heard so that Africans can reach their own informed decisions.

    What’s Atlantics about?

    Atlantics is a film about the migration crisis that sees many young Senegalese men (and some women) set off from the coast on dangerous journeys in small fishing boats to try and reach the economic promised land of Europe (in this instance, the Canary Islands). But the film is also a love story about a young couple, Ada and Souleiman.

    With a group of young men, many cheated of their wages by a corrupt local businessman, Souleiman embarks on the dangerous journey. The bereft girlfriends and sisters wait for news of their boyfriends and brothers and ultimately take revenge on the businessman. I can’t tell you precisely how this is done without spoiling the plot but let’s just say that the film is a striking mix of social drama and supernatural thriller.

    Why is her contribution to film important?

    Above all else, Mati Diop is a great storyteller. Atlantics and Dahomey are films that take important current affairs as their starting point, and they weave passionate, complex and strange stories around them.

    They’re strange not because Diop is trying to be artistically eccentric, but because life is fundamentally strange and defies easy explanation. This is an artistic standpoint that her uncle would have understood.



    Read more:
    Souleymane Cissé has died. He was one of Africa’s boldest and most pioneering film-makers

    Like his work, Diop’s fiction films contain long sections dwelling obsessively on the detail of “real” life while her documentaries contain many fictional elements. In fact, her short 2013 documentary A Thousand Suns is a wonderful homage to the beautiful strangeness of Mambety’s work. In a remarkable blend of fact and fiction, she traces the story of the actors who played the young couple in his avant-garde masterpiece, Touki Bouki.

    In the work of both uncle and niece, the real and the fictional, the strange and the mundane are mixed together to make a mysterious and strikingly original body of work that defies categorisation.

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

    – ref. Mati Diop is a new star of African cinema – what her award-winning movies are about – https://theconversation.com/mati-diop-is-a-new-star-of-african-cinema-what-her-award-winning-movies-are-about-250417

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mati Diop is a new star of African cinema – what her award-winning movies are about

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By David Murphy, Professor of French and Postcolonial Studies, University of Strathclyde

    Mati Diop has cinema in her blood. The 42-year-old Senegalese-French actress launched her feature film directing career in spectacular fashion with Atlantics, which took the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019 and won a string of awards.

    Her documentary Dahomey has made similar waves and was longlisted for the 2025 Oscars. We asked Senegalese film scholar David Murphy to tell us more.

    Who is Mati Diop?

    Mati Diop is a hugely talented and innovative film director. She is also an accomplished actor who has starred in a number of French films, in particular Claire Denis’s 35 Shots of Rum.

    She was born in Paris in 1982 and was raised in France, but frequently visited Senegal during her childhood, as she comes from a Senegalese cultural dynasty.

    Her father is Wasis Diop, an inventive and experimental musician who fuses Senegalese folk music with western pop and jazz. Her uncle was the maverick Senegalese filmmaker, Djibril Diop Mambéty. He directed classics like Touki Bouki and Hyenas. For good measure, her mother, Christine Brossard, is involved in the French art world and is a photographer.

    Diop poses with her Golden Bear for Best Film for Dahomey on the red carpet at the Berlinale International Film Festival. Maja Hitij/Getty Images

    Although she had previously made short films, Diop gained global attention in 2019 when she won a prestigious award at the Cannes Film Festival for her first feature-length fiction film, Atlantics.

    Her documentary Dahomey won the top award at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival. Over the past few years, Diop has become established as one of the most creative artistic voices making films about contemporary Africa.

    What’s Dahomey about?

    Dahomey is a documentary about a contentious issue, the repatriation of looted African art works from western museums.

    The objects – 26 royal treasures – were taken from the pre-colonial kingdom of Dahomey (in today’s Benin). President Emmanuel Macron of France has voiced his support for the return of such objects and a slow, piecemeal process of repatriation has now begun.

    On the surface, the story of Dahomey might not seem to be particularly dramatic. Taking objects from a museum in Paris and sending them to a museum in Benin might be politically important and symbolic. But how do you make a creative, insightful and entertaining film about it that also appeals to a wide audience? Well, essentially, Diop weaves a tale that seeks to explore what it means for Africans that this heritage is being returned. To do that, she gives voice to Africans, whether heritage professionals, students or the general public.

    In her most daring creative gesture, she also gives voice to one of the objects being returned, a magnificent, life-sized wooden statue of King Ghézo (who ruled Dahomey in the 1800s), depicted as half-man, half-bird. Many of the items that are displayed in European museums as beautiful but inanimate objects in fact played a highly significant spiritual role in precolonial societies. Essentially, they formed a bridge between the living and the spirit world, and Diop is interested in exploring what it might mean to these spirits to return to an Africa that has been transformed in their absence.

    So, Dahomey is not your average documentary. There’s no narrative voiceover that explains the context of the journey home for these objects. Apart from a few on-screen captions explaining the big picture, viewers must piece together the story and decipher its meaning by themselves.

    In the first half of the film, we see the curators from Benin and French workmen moving through the Quai Branly Museum in Paris. They assess the condition of the fragile objects as they make an inventory of them and box them safely for the trip. At first, theirs are the only voices we hear.

    Read more: The award-winning African documentary project that goes inside the lives of migrants

    But then we begin to hear the deep, electronically distorted voice of the statue of King Ghézo who awakens from a long slumber. In this voiceover (written by the Haitian author Makenzy Orcel), Ghézo reflects on the sense of dislocation and confusion at being taken from Africa, his journey over the sea to be exhibited in a museum in Paris, his memories of the continent he left behind.

    Once the objects arrive in Benin, the film follows a reverse process. The camera dwells on the African workmen overseeing their installation, interspersed with the voice of the statue trying to make sense of the Africa to which he has returned.

    The longest section of the film gives voice to local university students debating what it means to return this heritage. While some view the process as vital, others see it as a distraction from the major issues facing the continent. The film does not seek to nudge the viewer to take sides. What is important is that different African voices are heard so that Africans can reach their own informed decisions.

    What’s Atlantics about?

    Atlantics is a film about the migration crisis that sees many young Senegalese men (and some women) set off from the coast on dangerous journeys in small fishing boats to try and reach the economic promised land of Europe (in this instance, the Canary Islands). But the film is also a love story about a young couple, Ada and Souleiman.

    With a group of young men, many cheated of their wages by a corrupt local businessman, Souleiman embarks on the dangerous journey. The bereft girlfriends and sisters wait for news of their boyfriends and brothers and ultimately take revenge on the businessman. I can’t tell you precisely how this is done without spoiling the plot but let’s just say that the film is a striking mix of social drama and supernatural thriller.

    Why is her contribution to film important?

    Above all else, Mati Diop is a great storyteller. Atlantics and Dahomey are films that take important current affairs as their starting point, and they weave passionate, complex and strange stories around them.

    They’re strange not because Diop is trying to be artistically eccentric, but because life is fundamentally strange and defies easy explanation. This is an artistic standpoint that her uncle would have understood.

    Read more: Souleymane Cissé has died. He was one of Africa’s boldest and most pioneering film-makers

    Like his work, Diop’s fiction films contain long sections dwelling obsessively on the detail of “real” life while her documentaries contain many fictional elements. In fact, her short 2013 documentary A Thousand Suns is a wonderful homage to the beautiful strangeness of Mambety’s work. In a remarkable blend of fact and fiction, she traces the story of the actors who played the young couple in his avant-garde masterpiece, Touki Bouki.

    In the work of both uncle and niece, the real and the fictional, the strange and the mundane are mixed together to make a mysterious and strikingly original body of work that defies categorisation.

    – Mati Diop is a new star of African cinema – what her award-winning movies are about
    – https://theconversation.com/mati-diop-is-a-new-star-of-african-cinema-what-her-award-winning-movies-are-about-250417

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Is a united European voice possible in the age of Trump, Putin and far-right politics? Germany’s new leader intends to find out

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, Associate Professor of Critical Cultural & International Studies, Colorado State University

    Could Friedrich Merz be the man to speak for Europe? Sean Gallup/Getty Images

    “Who do I call if I want to speak to Europe?”

    The question was famously attributed to former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and refers to the historical inability of the political entity of Europe to coordinate on a united front in the global arena.

    And despite decades of integration under the European Union, who speaks for Europe – or what the bloc desires to be – is perhaps less clear now than at any point in recent years. Internal cleavages over immigration, right-wing nationalism, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Donald Trump’s return to the White House all challenge the notion of what Europe is and should stand for.

    Friedrich Merz, the expected next chancellor of Germany, offered one continental vision shortly after his conservative party triumphed in the country’s national elections. “My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA,” he said.

    Merz’s apparent desire for a stronger German role could portend a balance shift back to Germany’s preeminent place in the EU, a position it has pulled back from in recent years. But it remains an open question as to what extent Europe can be unified given the continent’s political landmines – or even what kind of Europe it would be.

    Filling Merkel’s shoes

    A German leader has, in living memory, succeeded in providing something approaching a singular European voice that the White House could deal with. Europe was long synonymous with Angela Merkel, Germany’s long-lasting – and only female – chancellor, who was known by affectionate nicknames like “Mutti Merkel,” or “Mommy Merkel,” and, during Trump’s first time in office, was even referred to by some as the de facto leader of the free world.

    Her legacy – Merkel served from 2005 to 2021 – was defined in part by strong commitments to clean energy, welcoming hundreds of thousands of refugees during the 2015 European migrant crisis and championing German leadership of the European Union. In the process, she became something of “Europe’s engine.”

    Merkel collaborated especially well with France’s Emmanuel Macron, a passionate fellow Europeanist, communicating a vision of a united Europe and its core values to the rest of the world. Dubbed “Merkron” by commentators, the pair were seen as the EU’s power couple.

    President Emmanuel Macron of France and German Chancellor Angela Merkel presented a formidable European double act.
    Emmanuele Contini/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Meanwhile, former U.S. President Barack Obama often described Merkel as his closest ally, praising her humanitarian vision of refugee politics and even decorating her with the Medal of Freedom, the highest honor that the U.S. can award to a foreign national.

    Merkel was visionary, too, especially regarding the former superpowers of the Cold War and their controversial leaders. A child of East Germany, she never trusted Russia’s Vladimir Putin. She also experienced great difficulties collaborating with Trump during his first presidency. Somewhat anticipating Merz’s recent comments, Merkel in 2017 warned that neither Germany nor the EU could rely on the U.S. the way they used to, urging her fellow Europeans to take their fate and their interests in their own hands.

    A déjà vu of ‘the German question’

    But in some ways Merkel was more popular abroad than at home.

    The so-called “German question” – or the inability of the Germans to unify as a nation in its leadership and “Leitkultur,” or “guiding culture” – has been tormenting the country since the 19th century and gained renewed relevance during the years of German reunification following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

    Years on from the so-called “Miracle of Merkel,” Germany’s increasing internal political divisions – especially pronounced between the country’s West and East – mirror the broader divisions facing the EU at large, including over who should claim the mantle of political leadership and around what vision.

    To regain the gravitas within Europe it had under Merkel, Germany now would need a similar kind of strong and visionary program that resonates with the continent. The country’s political, economic and social challenges in 2025 demand clear national leadership, something that in my opinion neither the unemotional and uncharismatic outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz nor the opposition right-wing leader and soon-to-be successor Merz has demonstrated in public over the past couple of years.

    Although Merkel and Merz represent the same political party, the CDU, their visions for Germany and the EU are strikingly different. A wealthy former business lawyer, Merz’s signature book, “Dare More Capitalism,” is a blueprint for a policy agenda that prioritizes reduction of government intervention, less bureaucracy, lower taxes and pro-market reforms. Merz also wants to strengthen German borders with restrictionist immigration politics, a reflection of how the country has moved far to the right on the issue amid the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), with whom Merz has at times flirted.

    Yet in Merz’s relatively different agenda, he similarly advocates for both Europe and NATO, and wishes to refashion Germany into the powerhouse it was in the Merkel years and make it again the envy of Europe.

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel confers with President Donald Trump in 2018.
    Ian Langsdon/AFP via Getty Images

    A changing conception of Europe?

    Given the current “America First” attitude of the Trump administration and the rise of far-right populism across the EU and the world, it is thought-provoking – some would say alarming – that Trump declared the results of an election that saw strong gains for the far right – propelling it into second place – as a “great day for Germany.”

    Whether it is great for Europe depends on what vision of the continent one has in mind. Merz, although more right wing than Merkel, nonetheless has advocated for a strong Europe, led by Germany, that could promote a Europe independent of U.S. influence, appearing to follow in the steps of former French President Charles de Gaulle, who sought to cleave Europe from American dominance.

    During his recent speech at the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Vice President JD Vance warned of a European “threat from within,” disparaging continental governments for their retreat from “fundamental values, values shared with the United States of America,” while defending far-right populism and policies on the continent. Elon Musk subsequently posted on his social platform X: “Make Europe Great Again! MEGA, MEGA, MEGA!”

    Despite the bewilderment and dismay expressed by the European leaders at such statements, today’s tormented and divided Europe can hardly claim it is a problem-free environment, nor that many of the continent’s leaders don’t likewise support such politics.

    The rise of populism and nationalism across Europe poses a huge problem for what could unceremoniously be described as “Old Europe,” especially now, when it is seemingly drifting apart from its former ally and protector, the United States.

    With Russian influence and authoritarian politics growing in Central Europe – especially in Hungary and Slovakia – and ultra-nationalist and far-right ideas likewise strong in Austria, Germany, France and elsewhere, today’s Europe is hardly a unified political, economic and cultural totality.

    In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing political chameleonism, combined with her defense and praise of both Musk and Trump, is also a problem for those searching for a Europe unified more toward the political center.

    Don’t keep me hanging, s’ils vous plaît!

    Less than a year ago, France’s Macron, the still-passionate Europeanist, marked a somber note in suggesting: “We must be clear on the fact that our Europe, today, is mortal. … It can die, and that depends entirely on our choices.”

    ‘Would Henry Kissinger bother to even pick up the phone today?’
    Jack Robinson/Condé Nast via Getty Images

    Among other things, what Macron’s warning points to is the unresolved question of what the European bloc desires to be. So long as the answer to that question remains unclear, Kissinger’s question could be rephrased to, “Is there even a Europe to call?”

    And, given the Trump administration’s emerging hostility to a host of EU policies, including on the war in Ukraine, foreign aid, regulation and trade, there is a further worrying interpretation for EU leaders, even if there were “a Europe to call”: Would Washington bother picking up the phone?

    Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager 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. Is a united European voice possible in the age of Trump, Putin and far-right politics? Germany’s new leader intends to find out – https://theconversation.com/is-a-united-european-voice-possible-in-the-age-of-trump-putin-and-far-right-politics-germanys-new-leader-intends-to-find-out-249241

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: IP Fabric Automates Firewall Policy Management Across On-Prem and Cloud Environments

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IP Fabric, the Automated Network Assurance Platform, today announced the launch of Firewall Policy Management in collaboration with Network to Code. IP Fabric integrates with Network to Code’s open source Enterprise Network Source of Truth and Automation Platform, Nautobot, to automate firewall rule creation, validation and deployment. The solution delivers vendor-neutral visibility, which is essential for enterprises managing multiple firewalls across on-premises and multi-cloud environments.

    Many modern enterprises struggle with an inefficient and error-prone firewall rule request process. Application product owners frequently lack networking and vendor-specific expertise, creating time-consuming back-and-forth and forcing network engineers to manually verify network paths, correct request details and configure rules. This fragmented workflow leads to inefficiencies in firewall policy management and critical compliance gaps.

    IP Fabric delivers an automated, integrated solution for security and visibility across multi-vendor environments by automatically discovering and contextualizing the entire network infrastructure. The platform applies more than 160 intent-based security and compliance checks to identify risks and inefficiencies. And Path Lookup determines which firewalls network traffic traverses, ensuring policies are correctly applied and up to date.

    “With Skybox ceasing operations, there’s a gap for independent solutions that can automate cross-vendor firewall management,” said Pavel Bykov, CEO and co-founder of IP Fabric. “By combining our capabilities with Nautobot’s policy automation and remediation, we deliver a complete solution for enterprises managing multiple firewall policies across diverse environments.”

    Integrated with Nautobot’s Application Dictionary and Firewall Modules App

    By integrating with Nautobot’s Application Dictionary, IP Fabric leverages its vendor-agnostic firewall rule abstraction capability, allowing users to define high-level application connectivity requirements (e.g., “Connect App A to App B”) without needing to configure vendor-specific settings. Additionally, the integration with Nautobot’s Firewall Models App offers a structured data schema for modeling Layer 4 firewall policies and extended access control lists (ACLs), ensuring consistency and efficiency in firewall rule management.

    “Two things are happening in tandem: Enterprises are deploying more firewalls across increasingly diverse environments, while cyber threats are growing more sophisticated,” said Jason Edelman, CTO and founder of Network to Code. “Traditional firewall management approaches simply can’t keep up — firewalls now have more to defend and are facing more advanced adversaries. A comprehensive and automated approach to firewall policy management is essential to ensuring enterprises stay secure, compliant and resilient against evolving threats.”

    Key Benefits of IP Fabric and Network to Code’s Firewall Policy Management

    • Firewall Rule Automation: Define high-level application connectivity requirements using a vendor-neutral abstraction to ensure standardized, consistent policies across multi-vendor environments.
    • Seamless Policy Management: Provide a vendor-agnostic framework for modeling firewall policies, simplifying the management of firewall rules across diverse environments.
    • Intelligent Network Path Analysis: Perform path lookups and firewall traversal analysis to determine which firewalls are impacted by policy changes, ensuring accurate rule enforcement.
    • Automated Change Management and Deployment: Generate change requests, push approved firewall configurations and validate implementation through post-deployment security checks.
    • Policy Lifecycle Automation: Eliminate manual inefficiencies, reduce errors, and ensure continuous monitoring and enforcement of security policies across the network.
    • Synchronize Data Between Systems: Bi-directional synchronization automatically pulls data from IP Fabric, Tufin and more into Nautobot, and pushes data from Nautobot to them.

    For more information about IP Fabric Firewall Policy Management, visit the IP Fabric blog.

    About IP Fabric
    IP Fabric is the industry’s leading Automated Network Assurance Platform, offering a continuously validated view of cloud, network and security infrastructure to improve stability, security and spend. Within minutes, the platform creates a unified view of devices, state, configurations and interdependencies, normalizing multi-vendor data and revealing operational truth through automated compliance checks.

    By uncovering risks and providing actionable insights, IP Fabric enables enterprises to accelerate IT and business transformation while reducing costs. Trusted by industry leaders like Red Hat, Major League Baseball and Air France, IP Fabric delivers the foundation for a secure and modern network.

    Learn more at www.ipfabric.io and follow the company on LinkedIn.

    About Network to Code
    Network to Code is the foremost expert in network automation and has deployed more network automation projects than any other company in the world. Our network automation solutions help organizations transform the way their networks are deployed, managed and consumed. Through managed and professional services, NTC deploys data-driven network automation based on NetDevOps principles to improve reliability, efficiency and security while reducing costs. NTC is the creator of Nautobot, the leading open source Network Source of Truth and Automation platform.

    Learn more at www.networktocode.com.

    Media Contact
    Liesse Jayalath
    ipfabric@lookleftmarketing.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Brutalism – the architectural style that dared to summon a new world from the ashes of World War II

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Michael Allen, Visiting Assistant Professor of History, West Virginia University

    Boston City Hall, which was completed in 1968, is considered a classic example of Brutalist architecture. Yunghi Kim/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

    Some viewers of “The Brutalist” are probably getting their first taste of Brutalism, the architectural style that gives the film its name.

    The film, which has been nominated for 10 Academy Awards, centers on the efforts of fictional protagonist László Tóth to realize a mammoth, bunkerlike, concrete structure that will house a community center in Pennsylvania.

    A survivor of the Holocaust, Tóth insists on the building’s overwhelming scale, starkly unadorned concrete surfaces and labyrinthine interior in order to create an architectural version of the designer’s own shattered, traumatized inner world. The near-maniacal drive to finish the work becomes an intensely personal project of overcoming his trauma.

    Yet “The Brutalist” doesn’t relay much about Brutalist architecture beyond its reflexive relationship to Tóth. Drawings and photographs of real-life Brutalist buildings appear in several scenes as glimpses into Tóth’s originality and style. But the structures come across as the progeny of one architect’s ego, while the philosophy behind Brutalism remains unexplained.

    The actual story of Brutalism is so much more.

    What you see is what you get

    In my research, I’ve explored how architecture can embody values such as the common good and the human struggle for well-being. Specifically, my work explores how architecture after World War II presented a vision of a new world, one that could overcome decades of violence, exploitation and oppression.

    Brutalism, which flourished from the 1950s until around 1980, is one style that has taught me a lot.

    Brutalist buildings emphasize form using assemblies of monumental geometric shapes. While some critics find Brutalism’s heavy look and utilitarian use of materials like concrete, brick and glass harsh – even ugly – there is a beautiful intent behind them.

    Historian and critic Reyner Banham articulated Brutalism’s core ideas in a 1955 review of Peter and Alison Smith’s Hunstanton School, which was completed in 1954 in Norfolk, United Kingdom.

    Banham latched onto the French term “beton brut” – “bare concrete” – to christen the emergent style. The architects at the forefront of what Banham termed “New Brutalism” were actually thwarting the overly theorized, self-referential modernism of the times. Their buildings, he explained, exhibited three simple traits: an easily visible interior plan, direct expression of structure, and building materials that were valued for their own traits.

    In “The Brutalist,” Tóth’s insistence on plain concrete, as well as Cararra marble for the community center’s altar, captures the core of the philosophy. The materials used for Brutalist structures are not chosen as mere cladding, but as components that are essential to the building’s design. Their presence is an endorsement of their utility and beauty.

    Some Brutalist buildings, such as the Hunstanton School, are made of brick instead of concrete. Others use stone. The goal is honest expression, not in-your-face experimentation.

    Monuments to the masses

    Beyond the devotion to the materials, plan and form of buildings, Brutalism often signified a devotion to social change.

    Brutalism sought to upend preexisting social hierarchies and divisions. Its staggering forms made monuments out of ordinary places frequented by ordinary people: homes, schools, libraries.

    In the U.S., public colleges and universities erected Brutalist structures to celebrate the expansion of higher education to the masses, thanks to the GI Bill. In a project led by Walter Netsch, the University of Illinois-Chicago wove together its buildings with concrete walkways leading to a central, outdoor amphitheater. Harry Weese’s Forest Park Community College in St. Louis consisted of long, monumental brick blocks that made the junior college appear as a temple.

    Chicago-born architect Walter Netsch made an outdoor amphitheater the beating heart of the University of Illinois-Chicago’s campus.
    ArchEyes

    Well-known, if not always well-loved, public buildings such as Boston City Hall, which was built in 1968, expressed faith in modern democracy, giving the majestic government buildings of the past a new look to signify a modern egalitarianism.

    Other projects emphasized the triumphs of the Civil Rights Movement. The Neigh Dormitory at Mary Holmes College in West Point, Mississippi, was completed in 1970 by the firm of Black architect J. Max Bond Jr. Architectural historian Brian Goldstein described it as “modernism as liberation.”

    Despite Brutalism’s social optimism, it is not without detractors. In 2014, Northwestern University demolished Bertrand Goldberg’s Prentice Women’s Hospital in Chicago despite pleas from preservationists. According to the university, the concrete construction made the building impossible to adapt for new laboratory space.

    In Goshen, New York, county officials long viewed Paul Rudolph’s Orange County Government Center as an ugly and unpleasant seat of government, and almost succeeded in having it demolished. The building has since been remodeled to cloak the Brutalist design.

    New buildings for a new world

    In the U.K., cities faced damages from Nazi bombing during World War II as well as long-deferred upgrades to public housing. Brutalism was a key part of postwar housing recovery and expansion efforts.

    Perhaps the most iconic Brutalist structure in the U.K. is Erno Goldfinger’s 31-story Trellick Tower, a frequent setting for film and music videos.

    That same year, Alison and Peter Smithson unveiled their massive apartment complex, Robin Hood Gardens, in London. With its hulking concrete forms and “streets in the sky” – wide, outdoor decks on each story that were meant to mimic street life and facilitate contact with neighbors – the project demonstrated that working-class people could not only have modern apartments, but also live in new ways. London’s massive, middle-class Barbican Estate, completed in 1982, created a small city within the city, replete with plazas, a waterway and iconic concrete and brick buildings.

    London’s Robin Hood Gardens was famously built with ‘streets in the sky.’
    Matthew Lloyd/PA Images via Getty Images

    Other European Brutalist works directly confront the horrors of World War II.

    The Swiss-French architect and artist known as Le Corbusier built the Convent at Sainte Marie de La Tourette in France in the 1950s with concrete shapes resembling cannons and machine-gun barrels in its walls.

    In Paris, Georges-Henri Pingusson’s Memorial to the Martyrs of Deportation, built in 1962, commemorates the lives of 200,000 victims of the Holocaust through an assemblage of stark, monolithic concrete forms.

    While the Soviet Union’s 1950s and 1960s prefabricated concrete panel housing estates built under Premier Nikita Khruschev embody the Brutalist devotion to cost efficiency and social problem-solving, projects in the former Yugoslavia show how Brutalism could symbolize the rebirth of a people. Housing projects and commercial blocks in New Belgrade forged a new architecture for a new nation – and, in a sense, a new nationality.

    And on the site of the Jasenovac concentration camp in Croatia, run by a Nazi puppet regime, architect Bogdan Bogdanović crafted perhaps the most optimistic acknowledgment of the will to overcome the 20th century’s darkest hours.

    Where slave labor once made bricks, and thousands lost their lives, the designer crafted a massive concrete monument, completed in 1969. The stark form suggests a flower emerging from tortured soil but set upon thriving anyway.

    To me, monuments like Bogdanović’s show how Brutalism is the perfect style to convey the earnest hope that a new world is possible.

    Bogdan Bogdanović’s memorial honors the people killed at the Jasenovac concentration camp in Croatia.
    Stringer/AFP via Getty Images

    Michael Allen is an Advisor to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

    – ref. Brutalism – the architectural style that dared to summon a new world from the ashes of World War II – https://theconversation.com/brutalism-the-architectural-style-that-dared-to-summon-a-new-world-from-the-ashes-of-world-war-ii-248957

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: More Americans of all political stripes support government benefits for low-income people − and Black Lives Matter could be a big reason why

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Karyn Vilbig, PhD Student in Sociology, New York University

    A protester leads a Black Lives Matter rally in San Francisco on June 3, 2020. Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

    For all the apparent division over Black Lives Matter, the movement may have had a widespread and positive impact on Americans’ support for policies that help the poor.

    Since the Black Lives Matter movement launched in 2013, several studies using a range of datasets have all found that Americans’ views of Black people have become significantly more positive. As a sociologist who researches the safety net, I wondered how this might translate to support for policies that support low-income Americans.

    That’s because perceptions of Black people have long been one of the best predictors of whether someone favors government aid for low-income people.

    If this has held true, more positive views of Black Americans should translate into more support for social welfare programs. Indeed, since 2012, the share of Americans who support higher spending on these programs has grown by 12%.

    It still wasn’t clear, though, whether that boost in support was due to some other factor – say, the dramatic economic fallout associated with the COVID-19 pandemic or the success of the government stimulus programs that followed – as opposed to shifts in racial attitudes.

    So I decided to explore the extent to which these changes in attitudes about government benefits can be attributed to recent shifts in racial attitudes. I found that nearly all of the increase in support for these safety net programs since 2012 can be explained by changes related to Americans’ racial attitudes.

    Who receives these benefits?

    When Americans think about welfare beneficiaries, they usually picture Black people.

    It’s true that Black Americans are overrepresented among those who receive government assistance. For example, Black people make up just 14% of the U.S. population but 30% of those enrolled in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

    That being said, the majority of recipients of government aid are white.

    For decades, however, TV shows, movies and the news media have portrayed Black people as impoverished recipients of government benefits. This has caused many Americans to incorrectly presume that these programs support mostly Black people.

    Because so many Americans have traditionally held negative views toward Black people, the mental association between Black people and poverty has undermined support for government programs – and has perhaps even prevented the United States from developing the kind of robust social safety net that is found in many other affluent countries.

    The ‘welfare queen’ myth advanced by President Ronald Reagan has been hard to dislodge in the American imagination.

    Feelings toward Black people have shifted

    Since 2012, however, Americans’ racial attitudes have dramatically changed.

    In 2012, for example, 49% of Americans responding to the General Social Survey, a long-standing national survey that measures societal change, said Black-white differences in income, housing and jobs were due to a lack of willpower on the part of Black people. By 2022, the most recent year available, this number had fallen to 29%.

    There’s been a debate about the exact cause of these dramatic changes. But many researchers credit the Black Lives Matter movement.

    Black Lives Matter began in 2013 in response to the acquittal of the man who murdered Trayvon Martin, an unarmed Black teenager. It gained further momentum in 2014 with the police killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. In 2020, following the police murder of George Floyd, it became the largest movement in U.S. history by number of protesters.

    Past research has linked specific waves of Black Lives Matter protests to increased attention on racial inequality and decreases in racial prejudice.

    Breaking down the data

    Meanwhile, support for government benefits for low-income people has also grown in recent years.

    To figure out whether increased support for Black people was tied into more support for government aid for the poor, I analyzed two national datasets by running a type of statistical analysis called “decomposition.”

    A decomposition analysis takes the difference between two groups and breaks it into different parts to explain what’s behind that difference. For example, decomposition analysis has been used to explain the pay gap between men and women. These analyses often find that part of the gender pay gap can be explained by differences in the average number of hours men and women work and by differences in the payoff to a college degree experienced by men and women, among other things. Instead of comparing men and women, I compare Americans in 2012 versus Americans in 2020.

    In my analysis, I found that improved attitudes toward Black people between 2012 and 2020, more than any other measure, explained increased support for welfare programs during that same period.

    A second factor also helps to explain the increased support for the safety net: Americans are exhibiting greater alignment between their racial and social policy attitudes.

    In the past, many Americans expressed support for racial equality in principle but opposed the policies that might actually achieve it. I found something new. In 2020, most Americans didn’t just say that they want racial equality in the abstract. They also expressed support for the programs they believed will bring it about.

    Supporters of the Civil Rights Movement demonstrate against racial segregation outside a Woolworth’s store in New York City in 1960.
    Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

    GOP voters have changed, too

    These progressive attitude shifts can even be found among Republican – albeit to a lesser extent. Republican politicians once appealed to voters by disparaging welfare recipients and Black people. In light of these attitude shifts, that approach no longer appears to be a recipe for political success in America.

    Instead, Republicans have made opposition to immigration central to their campaigns. Immigration is an issue where Republicans perform well with voters, and this strategy has paid off at the voting booth.

    But governing requires attention to more than just the issues that poll well.

    Particularly when it comes to decisions about the safety net, Republicans find themselves in an awkward position. As recent budget debates in the House have made clear, the goal of dramatically cutting government spending conflicts with promises to protect the social programs Republican voters increasingly support.

    The safety net may very well become a major liability for the Republican Party. To the extent that the GOP continues to back spending cuts for programs that help millions of low-income people, it will be out of step with many of its voters. But if it follows the lead of right-wing parties in Europe and supports the safety net, it will be at odds with many of its donors.

    Karyn Vilbig received funding for this work from the American Sociological Association’s Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (ASA DDRIG).

    – ref. More Americans of all political stripes support government benefits for low-income people − and Black Lives Matter could be a big reason why – https://theconversation.com/more-americans-of-all-political-stripes-support-government-benefits-for-low-income-people-and-black-lives-matter-could-be-a-big-reason-why-247764

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Infinidat’s James “JT” Lewis Recognized As a 2025 CRN® Channel Leader for EMEA and APAC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WALTHAM, Mass., Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Infinidat, a leading provider of enterprise storage solutions, today announced that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named James “JT” Lewis, Infinidat’s Director of Channel Sales for EMEA and APJ, and Regional Sales Director for DACH and France, a 2025 CRN® Channel Leader for EMEA and APAC. This is the second consecutive year that JT Lewis is recognized by CRN as a regional Channel Leader.

    This CRN Channel Leaders list recognizes IT vendor and distribution executives who lead channel strategies for their organizations and drive innovations across channel initiatives in EMEA and APAC. The annual list honors channel leaders who are dedicated to building and evolving strategies that drive success for their channel partners and customers. As a highly respected Infinidat channel sales leader, Lewis strategically sets the channel agenda across the regions.

    “At Infinidat, we empower our channel partners to find and capitalize on new sales opportunities in the enterprise market. A focus on pursuing new customer accounts, embracing the use cases where we excel, and leveraging Infinidat’s award-winning differentiation is key to the growth of our partners’ businesses,” said JT Lewis, who provides channel sales leadership for both EMEA and APJ. “Not only is Infinidat’s Partner Program comprehensive, compelling and competitive, but we hold ourselves to the highest standard to provide unmatched white glove support to our partners. We make it easy to do business with Infinidat, and I predict our partners will increase their revenues in 2025 when they share this focus with us as a trusted partner.”

    Lewis is responsible for all of Infinidat’s sales activities through the channel, leading the way for further strategic growth in both EMEA and APJ. His role was expanded in July 2024 with a promotion because of his success in the channel. In his role as Channel Director, EMEA and APJ, he has been instrumental in successfully growing Infinidat’s business in these regions and increasing channel engagement, building a strong ecosystem of dedicated channel partners. Lewis drove new enhancements to the company’s Partner Program for EMEA and APJ in 2024 to augment the experience that channel partners have with Infinidat. Enhancements included new tiering levels for partners, an enhanced deal registration process, new backend rebates, and redesigned criteria for MDF.

    Lewis, who joined Infinidat in 2022 to head up channel sales for the company in EMEA and APJ, has extensive channel expertise and experience. Prior to Infinidat, he worked for Data Interchange as head of channel sales and was the strategy and growth officer for Altdata Technology Solutions, focusing on the cybersecurity market. He spent 15 years at EMC and RSA, based in London and Frankfurt, where he built up comprehensive experience in the recruitment, enablement, and leadership of channel partners and distributors.

    “The leaders we honor this year reimagine what’s possible in the channel and consistently deliver best-in-class programs that drive results for solution providers across EMEA,” said Victoria Pavlova, Editor, CRN UK, at The Channel Company. “Their ability to forge meaningful partnerships and craft dynamic strategies is transformative for providers and the channel. It’s a privilege to recognize their groundbreaking contributions and celebrate their role in shaping the future of the channel.”

    Recognized for the positive difference that he has made for channel partners since joining Infinidat, Lewis was one of CRN’s Regional Channel Chiefs last year when CRN UK launched their inaugural Regional Channel Chiefs list, which covers EMEA and APAC channel leaders. The 2025 accolade for Lewis expands recognition of him in APAC as well.

    CRN’s 2025 Channel Leaders list is available at CRN UK.

    About The Channel Company
    The Channel Company (TCC) is the global leader in channel growth for the world’s top technology brands. We accelerate success across strategic channels for tech vendors, solution providers, and end users with premier media brands, integrated marketing and event services, strategic consulting, and exclusive market and audience insights. TCC is a portfolio company of investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, a New York City-based private equity firm. For more information, visit thechannelco.com.

    About Infinidat
    Infinidat provides enterprises and service providers with a platform-native primary and secondary storage architecture that delivers comprehensive data services based on InfiniVerse®. This unique platform delivers outstanding IT operating benefits, support for modern workloads across on-premises and hybrid multi-cloud environments. Infinidat’s cyber resilient-by-design infrastructure, consumption-based performance, 100% availability, and cyber security guaranteed SLAs align with enterprise IT and business priorities. Infinidat’s award-winning platform-native data services and acclaimed white glove service are continuously recommended by customers, as recognized by Gartner® Peer Insights reviews. For more information, visit www.infinidat.com.

    Connect with Infinidat
    About Infinidat
    Read our blog
    Follow us on X
    Join us on LinkedIn
    Visit us on Facebook
    See us on YouTube
    Be our partner

    Media Contact
    Infinidat
    Sapna Capoor
    Director of Global Communications
    scapoor@infinidat.com I Mobile: +44 (0) 7789684159

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: CIRA’s Net Good Grants champion community-led initiatives to strengthen Canada’s internet

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OTTAWA, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The time has never been better to help build a resilient internet in Canada, something that CIRA has been championing for years and has taken on a whole new level of urgency. A strong internet empowers Canada’s economy and provides opportunity for people across the country to build digital skills, start new businesses and advocate for their communities. This year, CIRA is launching the 12th edition of its Net Good Grants program offering over $1,000,000 in grant funding to boost community-led responses to Canada’s digital divide and strengthen our economy.

    CIRA’s Net Good Grants provide financial support to organizations looking to research and develop solutions that get communities online safely, affordably and resiliently. CIRA empowers community-led initiatives to take the lead on addressing access and affordability challenges head on, with a focus on ensuring rural, Northern and Indigenous communities are heard and served. Communities and projects like these have benefitted from CIRA funding:

    • Fort Smith Metis Council in Northwest Territories now have connectivity that offers emergency communications, safety, data mapping and enhanced recreational activities in the campsite area well outside the Fort Smith townsite, used year-round by youth camps, elders and tourists
    • Malahat Nation in British Columbia is now running their own sovereign fibre internet service to community buildings and households that plugs into the single main line coming from the external ISP
    • The first-ever Canadian Youth Internet Governance Forum, a platform for young Canadians, convened to discuss and advocate around internet policy, access to connectivity and youth leadership

    CIRA Net Good Grants 

    For its 12th edition, CIRA’s Net Good Grants will award each project up to $100,000 with a total investment of over $1,000,000. This investment is a key part of Net Good by CIRA’s commitment to build a more sustainable online future for Canadians everywhere. The funding will power essential projects in three core areas: 

    • Infrastructure: connectivity research, network planning and solutions to improve internet access, speed and affordability. 
    • Policy engagement: events, research and policy ecosystem work that broadens public awareness in domestic internet policy and governance. 
    • Online safety: research, educational frameworks, tools, consultations and training programs that increase Canadians’ safety against cybersecurity threats. 

    Applications will be accepted from every province and territory with a focus on projects that benefit rural, Northern or Indigenous communities or K-12 and post-secondary students. CIRA especially encourages applications for eligible projects in the Prairies, Quebec, the North and the Maritimes to help ensure funding reaches traditionally underserved communities. 

    Executive quote 

    “Many Canadians, particularly those in rural and remote areas, do not have adequate access to high-quality internet. That drives CIRA to partner with organizations that are determined to strengthen local communities by delivering internet programs tailored to their residents through our Net Good Grants program. This year, we are keen to invite applications for community-led solutions that address digital challenges in rural, Northern and Indigenous communities across Canada.” 

    — Charles Noir, Vice-president of Community Investment, Policy & Advocacy 

     Who is eligible to apply? 

    • Organizations recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency as registered charities; 
    • Not-for-profit organizations; 
    • Indigenous communities; and 
    • Academics and researchers affiliated with a Canadian university or college. 

    Last year, CIRA awarded a total of $1.25 million in grant funding to 15 community-led internet initiatives that improve the lives of Canadians online. For the 2025 edition, a distinguished cross-Canada panel will review, select funding applications and notify all applicants of the grant decisions by July. Organizations are encouraged to submit their application before the deadline on April 9, at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT. A webinar in English on March 4 at 1 p.m. ET and in French on March 5 at 1 p.m. ET will be hosted for all interested applicants.

    Additional information 

    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. 

    About Net Good by CIRA and CIRA Grants  

    Net Good by CIRA supports communities, projects and policies that make the internet better for all Canadians. CIRA proudly funds Net Good by CIRA from the revenue CIRA generates through .CA domains and cybersecurity services. CIRA Grants is one of CIRA’s most valuable contributions to Net Good, with nearly $12 million invested in hundreds of community-led internet projects across Canada that address infrastructure, online safety and policy engagement needs. 

    Media contact 
    Delphine Avomo Evouna 
    CIRA 
    delphine.avomoevouna@cira.ca  
    613-315-1458 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Large Fire Footprint on Faraway Amsterdam Island

    Source: NASA

    On the afternoon of January 15, 2025, a wildfire broke out on the northern end of Amsterdam Island. The island occupies a remote spot in the southern Indian Ocean between Australia, Antarctica, and Africa. Part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands and a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is home to large marine mammal and bird populations, rare plant life, and a research station important for monitoring Earth’s atmosphere.
    By February 9, when the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 9 acquired these images, the fire had burned a considerable portion of the 54-square-kilometer (21-square-mile) island. The image on the right is shown in false color to help distinguish between burned (brown) and healthy vegetation (green). The image on the left shows the same scene in natural color.
    Burned areas form a thick ring around most of the island’s perimeter. Based on mapping by the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, the fire’s footprint spanned nearly 30 square kilometers—more than half of the island. The cause of the fire was unknown as of early February.
    The fire started a few kilometers away from the Martin-de-Viviès research facility amid dry, windy conditions that helped it spread, according to a French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF) news release. At daybreak the next morning, the 31 people stationed at Martin-de-Viviès evacuated safely to a nearby lobster fishing vessel. They were transferred to a TAAF ship a couple days later.

    News reports have noted concern for the island’s distinct vegetation and abundant wildlife, although the fire’s effects on the ecosystem have yet to be assessed. Amsterdam Island is one of the few places in the world where the endangered Phylica arborea shrub grows. The speck of land also supports the world’s largest Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross population, the only Amsterdam albatross population, and colonies of elephant and fur seals.
    Scientific research operations on Amsterdam are notable for including long-term monitoring of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. These observations are made atop a cliff near the Martin-de-Viviès research station. Some of the power, water, and communications infrastructure at Martin-de-Viviès was damaged in the fire, according to a TAAF news release on January 29.

    The island produced interesting atmospheric phenomena of its own as the fire burned. The VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) on the Suomi NPP satellite captured this image of cloud bands and smoke downwind of the landmass on January 28.
    “What you see at Amsterdam Island is a perfect example of a mountain wave effect,” said Galina Wind, atmospheric scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. This phenomenon occurs when winds blow through a stable atmosphere and encounter a barrier—in this case, Amsterdam Island jutting up 881 meters (2,890 feet) from the sea. The disturbance sets off vertical ripples in the air, where clouds form at the cooler wave crests and not in the warmer troughs.
    A faint plume of wildfire smoke also trails to the lee side of the island, entrained with the eddies, Wind noted. If the smoke were brighter, she said, it might be visible forming a similar wave pattern.
    “Because the air is otherwise very stable with very little convection,” Wind said, “this pattern is being transported wholesale by the general circulation far away from the island.” Mountain-wave clouds extended over 300 kilometers (200 miles) on this day—even beyond the scope of the image above.
    NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey, VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE, GIBS/Worldview, and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership, and MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Photo of yellow-nosed albatross on Amsterdam Island by Antoine Lamielle. Story by Lindsey Doermann.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Transgender athletes competing in women’s sports – E-000679/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000679/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Marco Squarta (ECR), Nicola Procaccini (ECR), Francesco Ventola (ECR), Stefano Cavedagna (ECR), Elena Donazzan (ECR), Carlo Ciccioli (ECR), Alberico Gambino (ECR), Sergio Berlato (ECR), Michele Picaro (ECR), Chiara Gemma (ECR), Paolo Inselvini (ECR), Alessandro Ciriani (ECR), Denis Nesci (ECR), Mario Mantovani (ECR), Daniele Polato (ECR)

    In the United States, President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order entitled ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports’.

    It prohibits transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports at school and university, arguing that it threatens sporting integrity.

    Following this decision, the US university sports governing body, the National Colloquiate Athletic Association (NCAA), revised its policy, stressing that the change will provide clear, consistent and uniform eligibility standards.

    In the EU, Article 165 TFEU recognises the social and educational function of sport and encourages cooperation and support for physical activity. However, European sports federations’ autonomy when it comes to managing competitions leads to the use of different selective criteria, creating inconsistencies and potential imbalances.

    In light of the above:

    • 1.Does the Commission think that the differences in the criteria adopted by European sports federations could affect the level playing field in women’s competitions?
    • 2.Drawing inspiration from the US measures, does it think it would be worth looking into the impact of transgender athletes competing in women’s sports and launching a European initiative to determine possible physiological advantages and ensure the fairness and protection of women’s sports?

    Submitted: 13.2.2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –