NewzIntel.com

    • Checkout Page
    • Contact Us
    • Default Redirect Page
    • Frontpage
    • Home-2
    • Home-3
    • Lost Password
    • Member Login
    • Member LogOut
    • Member TOS Page
    • My Account
    • NewzIntel Alert Control-Panel
    • NewzIntel Latest Reports
    • Post Views Counter
    • Privacy Policy
    • Public Individual Page
    • Register
    • Subscription Plan
    • Thank You Page

Category: Science

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s vice premier stresses high-quality development of manufacturing industry

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

    WUHAN, July 2 — Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing has called for efforts to empower the manufacturing sector with science and technology, accelerate industrial innovation, and continue to promote the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry.

    Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in central China’s Hubei Province from Tuesday to Wednesday.

    He urged efforts to advance new industrialization and promote the high-end, intelligent, and green development of the manufacturing industry.

    The deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation should be vigorously promoted, and the in-depth integration of the digital economy with the real economy should be further advanced, he said.

    Efforts are needed to focus on smart manufacturing and accelerate the cultivation of vertical models in various industries, so as to transform artificial intelligence into new quality productive forces through its wide application in the manufacturing sector, Zhang said.

    Recently, some regions in China have been hit by heavy rain. The vice premier stressed that top priority should always be given to ensuring people’s lives and safety and minimizing casualties.

    MIL OSI China News –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Former SWAT Leader and National Educator Joins WrapTactics™ to Launch Digital Pre-Escalation Training

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wrap Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: WRAP) (“Wrap” or, the “Company”), a global leader in pre-escalation and non-lethal public safety solutions, today announces the appointment of Todd Larson, EdD., MSL, FABC, as Strategic Advisor of the Company. Dr. Larson will guide the development of WrapTactics™, Wrap’s advanced learning management system focused on elevating police training through integrated mindset conditioning, emotional regulation and tactical problem-solving.

    Dr. Larson brings over 30 years of experience in law enforcement, public safety innovation and education. His decorated 22-year tenure with the Scottsdale Police Department included leadership roles in Special Investigations, Violent Crimes, and more than a decade with the SWAT team as operator, sniper and team leader. Complementing his field experience, Dr. Larson has taught at the University of Phoenix, Northern Arizona University, and delivered leadership, ethics and emotional intelligence training nationwide to thousands of officers.

    “Dr. Larson’s commitment to innovation, leadership and his extensive law enforcement experience makes him an invaluable addition to our core advisory team,” said Scot Cohen, Chief Executive Officer of Wrap. “His expertise is expected to ensure our learning system is grounded in reality, guided by science and focused on safer outcomes for all.”

    As Wrap builds a scalable and practical training platform in public safety, Dr. Larson will lead efforts to embed scenario-based modules rooted in real-world encounters, emphasizing three critical components of effective policing:

    • Mindset framing to foster clarity under pressure within the pre-escalation period;
    • Emotion regulation to de-escalate before force becomes necessary; and
    • Tactical precision to resolve situations safely and effectively.

    “I am honored to support Wrap’s mission to improve officer readiness through innovation,” said Dr. Larson. “WrapTactics™ isn’t just about tools—it’s about transforming the way officers think, respond and lead in every interaction.”

    Larson holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and a master’s degree in leadership with an emphasis in Crisis Management and Disaster Preparedness from Grand Canyon University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in education from Northern Arizona University. He also works as a consultant with a large Arizona based healthcare system focused on Innovation and Network Operations, is a published author and a nationally known speaker.

    To learn more about WrapTactics™ and Dr. Larson’s role in redefining modern police training, visit [www.wrap.com].

    About Wrap Technologies, Inc.

    Wrap Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: WRAP) a global leader in innovative public safety technologies and non-lethal tools, delivering cutting-edge technology with exceptional people to address the complex, modern day challenges facing public safety organizations.

    Wrap’s BolaWrap® 150 solution leads the world in pre-escalation and beyond, providing law enforcement with a safer choice for nearly every phase of a critical incident.

    This innovative, patented device deploys a multi-sensory, cognitive disruption that leverages sight, sound and sensation to expand the pre-escalation period and give officers the advantage and critical time to manage non-compliant subjects before resorting to higher-force options. The BolaWrap® 150 is a not pain-based- compliance. It does not shoot, strike, shock, or incapacitate—instead, it helps officers strategically operate pre-escalation on the force continuum, reducing the risk of injury to both officers and subjects. Used by over 1,000 agencies across the U.S. and in 60 countries, BolaWrap® is backed by training certified by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST), reinforcing Wrap’s commitment to public safety through cutting-edge technology and expert training.

    Wrap Reality® VR is a fully immersive training simulator to enhance decision-making under pressure.

    As a comprehensive public safety training platform, it provides first responders with realistic, interactive scenarios that reflect the evolving challenges of modern law enforcement. By offering a growing library of real-world situations, Wrap Reality® equips officers with the skills and confidence to navigate high stakes encounters effectively, leading to safer outcomes for both responders and the communities they serve.

    WrapVision is an all-new body-worn camera and evidence management system built for efficiency.

    Designed for efficiency, security, and transparency to meet the rigorous demands of modern law enforcement, WrapVision captures, stores and helps manage digital evidence, with operational security, regulatory compliance and superior video picture quality and field of view.

    The WrapVision camera, powered by IONODES boasts cloud integration and adheres to Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliance requirements and GSA schedule contracts requirements. Crucially, unlike many competitor devices manufactured overseas in foreign, non-compliant, and possibly hostile regions, WrapVision is built in North America, promoting unparalleled data integrity and reducing critical concerns over unauthorized access or foreign surveillance risks.

    Trademark Information

    Trademark Information Wrap, the Wrap logo, BolaWrap®, Wrap Reality® and Wrap Training Academy are trademarks of Wrap Technologies, Inc., some of which are registered in the U.S. and abroad. All other trade names used herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective holders.

    Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements – Safe Harbor Statement

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “should”, “believe”, “target”, “project”, “goals”, “estimate”, “potential”, “predict”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “intend”, and variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Moreover, forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the Company’s control. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to: the Company’s expectations related to the appointment of the new Chief Financial Officer, the expected benefits of the acquisition of W1 Global, LLC, the Company’s ability to maintain compliance with the Nasdaq Capital Market’s listing standards; the Company’s ability to successfully implement training programs for the use of its products; the Company’s ability to manufacture and produce products for its customers; the Company’s ability to develop sales for its products; the market acceptance of existing and future products; the availability of funding to continue to finance operations; the complexity, expense and time associated with sales to law enforcement and government entities; the lengthy evaluation and sales cycle for the Company’s product solutions; product defects; litigation risks from alleged product-related injuries; risks of government regulations; the business impact of health crises or outbreaks of disease, such as epidemics or pandemics; the impact resulting from geopolitical conflicts and any resulting sanctions; the ability to obtain export licenses for counties outside of the United States; the ability to obtain patents and defend intellectual property against competitors; the impact of competitive products and solutions; and the Company’s ability to maintain and enhance its brand, as well as other risk factors mentioned in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations.

    Investor Relations Contact:
    (800) 583-2652
    ir@wrap.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6444767d-f765-42a5-873b-4d2990983561

    The MIL Network –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: /Economic Review/ Technological innovation drives growth and expansion of Chinese private enterprises

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) — The service life of a standard photovoltaic cable is usually 15 years. However, in western China’s Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, such a cable lasted only eight years due to harsh weather conditions such as sudden temperature changes and intense ultraviolet radiation.

    The question of how to extend the service life of photovoltaic cables under such conditions was pressing. Ounaite Cable Group Co., Ltd., a private cable manufacturer in Qinghai Province, Northwest China, developed its own solutions in the form of soybean and rapeseed oils, which are considered useful in changing the properties of cables.

    The company decided to use a plasticizer derived from soybean and rapeseed oil in the production process of photovoltaic cables, which allowed them to be more flexible. It also used nanocoatings to increase the service life of the cable jackets.

    Thanks to years of innovative efforts, the company’s photovoltaic cables remain flexible at temperatures down to minus 40 degrees Celsius, and also withstand corrosion and intense ultraviolet radiation in high-altitude conditions.

    To date, Ounaite Cable has obtained more than 130 patents in this field, including 15 patents with independent property rights. With about 10% of the domestic market share in the photovoltaic power transmission and engineering systems sector, the company has also successfully entered the global market.

    “Strengthening independent innovation is the key to our transition from a follower to a leader,” said Yang Zhentao, chairman of Ounaite Cable, noting that the company’s annual output of photovoltaic cables currently reaches 120,000 km – enough to circle the Earth three times.

    The company continued to expand steadily in 2025, with orders up 45 percent year-on-year in the first five months, Yang Zhentao said, adding that the company aims to reach 20 billion yuan (about $2.8 billion) in production volume by next year, as construction on a new 100 million yuan investment project began in June.

    Ounaite Cable’s rise from a micro-firm to a national high-tech enterprise and a member of China’s “little giants” is not an isolated case. “Little giants” are the elite of small and medium-sized enterprises that specialize in a specific market niche, possess advanced technology, and demonstrate great potential.

    Hainan Huayan Collagen Technology Co., Ltd., another national high-tech enterprise located in Hainan Province, South China, has successfully developed a new product from fish collagen peptide, filling the gap in the global market of cyclic dipeptides derived from fish.

    According to Zhao Zifang, head of the company’s research and development center, this result was achieved after the research team spent more than two years conducting nearly 3,000 experiments.

    The company has put into operation two production lines, resulting in an annual output of 4,500 tons of fish collagen peptides, and these products are exported to more than 50 countries and regions.

    The rise of innovation-driven private companies is injecting new vitality into China’s economy.

    According to official data from the State Administration for Market Regulation, by the end of March 2025, the number of private enterprises in China exceeded 57 million, accounting for 92.3 percent of all enterprises nationwide.

    In the first quarter of this year, 1.979 million private firms were created, which is 7.1 percent more year-on-year and exceeds the average growth recorded over the past three years.

    This rapid expansion of the private sector has been made possible by the Chinese authorities’ increased efforts to support private companies in recent years.

    In the latest move to boost scientific research and industrial innovation, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NNSF) on Monday launched the Joint Fund for Innovation and Development of Private Enterprises, aimed at allowing private companies to formally participate in national basic research.

    Under the fund, private enterprises will identify critical research challenges based on their specific innovation needs, and the joint fund will sponsor leading researchers across the country to address those challenges.

    Analysts say the approach, designed to promote deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, is expected to boost innovation in the private sector and give new impetus to China’s innovation-driven development strategy. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students of SPbGASU entered the top thousand participants of the competition “Your move, class monitor!”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

    The All-Russian student project “Your Move” (an initiative of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia) is holding a competition “Your Move, Headman!” The competition brought together more than 12,000 participants from all over the country.

    The participants of the competition completed a series of competition tasks. First, they had to prepare an essay about what it means to be a headman. Then the contestants took an online test on their knowledge of the “Your Move” project and youth policy in Russia, mastered the “School of Headmen” course, and held “Opportunities for Youth in Russia” meetings in their groups. The final test was the creation of a portfolio, which had to reflect the achievements and activity of the entire group – in studies, social projects, volunteer activities, as well as participation in the “Your Move” initiative and in grant competitions of Rosmolodezh.

    Five representatives of SPbGASU made it into the top thousand, selected from 12 thousand participants. They are Daria Alekseeva (second year of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, group 1-SUZSs-2), Ekaterina Kashitsyna (fourth year of the Faculty of Automobile and Road Engineering, group 1-NTTSs-4), Anna Snetkova (second year of the Faculty of Economics and Management, group 1-EBs-2), Victoria Marusey (second year of the Faculty of Engineering Ecology and Urban Management, group 1-Sb(VV)-2) and Olga Gavrichenkova (third year of the Faculty of Engineering Ecology and Urban Management, group 1-Sb(IS)-3).

    The “Your Move, Headman!” competition is held in two streams throughout the year. Based on the results of each module, a thousand winners will be determined. Each of them will receive a scholarship, which will be paid for six months. The best 100 headmen will take part in the final events of the project.

    The second module of the “Your Move, Headman!” competition will start in September. At the same time, the “Otkryvayu” (Discovering) competition will begin for those who will begin their studies in the first year. It will help first-year students to make a name for themselves at the beginning of their student journey, immerse themselves in the student community and its opportunities, and also get acquainted with the ecosystem of Russian youth policy. Based on its results, 200 winners will be determined, who will receive a prize from the project.

    Students of SPbGASU take an active part in the project “Your Move”. On June 30, the festival of youth projects of leaders and associations of St. Petersburg “Prometheus” was held, organized by the regional team of the project. From our university, the participants of the program were the project “Drawing”, aimed at developing and supporting interests in the field of descriptive geometry (headed by Edgar Barsegyan) and the project “The concept of an exploitable roof or a well-thought-out courtyard territory on the example of SPbGASU” (headed by Elena Sedunova). The teams held presentations of their initiatives, which were attended by experts of the project “Your Move”, and received recommendations for their further development.

    Don’t miss the opportunity to take part in the events of “Your Move”! Register at project website.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Nearly Three-Quarters of World Heritage Sites Are at High Risk from Water-Related Hazards

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre

    A new analysis by UNESCO and World Resources Institute (WRI) reveals that 73% of World Heritage sites are highly exposed to water-related hazards, such as drought, water stress, or riverine and coastal flooding. Strengthening water stewardship is essential to protect these sites and the communities and ecosystems they sustain.

    A Precious Resource Under Growing Threat

    Water-related hazards—including floods, droughts, and storms—have accounted for over 90% of the world’s major disasters since 1970, resulting in more than 2 million deaths and economic losses exceeding USD 3.6 trillion, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). World Heritage sites have not been exempted from these hazards and face increasing threats to their natural and cultural values. These sites stand as powerful reminders of humanity’s enduring relationship with water. From awe-inspiring landscapes shaped over millennia to cultural landmarks forged through human ingenuity—such as ancient irrigation systems, historic canals, and modern engineering achievements—they reflect the cooperation with nature that has enabled societies to flourish across generations. Yet, while water is fundamental to their significance, it can also pose serious risks when its balance is disrupted, threatening the integrity of these irreplaceable places.

    A new analysis by UNESCO and World Resources Institute (WRI) highlights the scale of these threats: 73% of World Heritage sites are highly exposed to at least one water-related hazard—such as drought, water stress, or riverine and coastal flooding—and 21% face multiple overlapping risks. Around the world, World Heritage sites are increasingly caught between the extremes of too much and too little water, with climate change, urbanization, river regulation, and upstream water withdrawals intensifying these pressures, especially in regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, parts of South Asia, and northern China.

    “The Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas gives us critical data to track how water risks are evolving around the world. These insights are more urgent than ever, helping governments, site managers, and communities take targeted action — before floods, droughts, or water shortages cause irreversible damage to treasured places that serve as lifelines for both people and ecosystems,”

    Approximately 600 World Heritage sites are highly exposed to water scarcity conditions — reflected in water stress or drought— making it the most widespread water-related risk, threatening nearly half of all properties. The vast majority (around 90%) of these exposed sites are cultural properties . While natural sites face a comparatively lower level of exposure, they are increasingly experiencing conditions that place growing stress on ecosystems and biodiversity. Sites such as the Ahwar of Southern Iraq and Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls (Zambia / Zimbabwe) have endured severe multi-year droughts since 2020. Drought also heightens the risk of wildfires, compounding the damage: in the Pantanal Conservation Area (Brazil) and Noel Kempff Mercado National Park (Bolivia), prolonged dry conditions have fueled intense fires with severe impacts on flora, fauna, and local communities.

    Drought at Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls (Zambia / Zimbabwe) in 2019 / Source: Copernicus Browser

    Severe flood risk, both riverine and coastal, affects approximately 400 World Heritage sites. Floods have already impacted both natural and cultural World Heritage properties, highlighting the urgent need for strengthened resilience. In 2020, Rwenzori Mountains National Park (Uganda) experienced significant climate-related flooding that that disrupted river systems, posing challenges for both local communities and wildlife. In 2022, major flooding led to the temporary closure of Yellowstone National Park (United States of America), with over $20 million required for infrastructure repairs before the park could reopen. More recently, in 2024, severe flooding in Kaziranga National Park (India) resulted in the loss of more than 200 animals, including 10 endangered rhinos, while Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) has been affected by Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) linked to accelerating glacial retreat.

    © ICIMOD

    Cultural sites have also experienced serious impacts from flooding. The catastrophic floods that left nearly one-third of Pakistan submerged in 2022 caused significant damage to the Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro. Other ancient sites such as the Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Afghanistan), Angkor (Cambodia) and Petra (Jordan), have also been affected by flooding, with damage to their integrity. In parts of Africa, communities in Timbuktu (Mali) and the Historic Centre of Agadez (Niger) are facing the compounded challenges of severe drought followed by intense flooding — a clear illustration of increasing climate variability.

    Flood at Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro (Pakistan) in 2022 / Source: Copernicus Browser

    Around 50 World Heritage sites are highly exposed to coastal flooding. Some cultural sites are already experiencing the impacts, with growing risks to their integrity. The Complex of Hué Monuments (Viet Nam) has endured repeated flooding in recent years, accelerating deterioration. The Forts and Castles along the coast of Ghana, face increasing danger from shoreline erosion and rising seas, putting at risk these important remains of fortified trading posts that formed part of early global trade history. While coastal flooding has not yet caused major reported damage at natural World Heritage sites, the risk is rising. Sites such as the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China and Banc d’Arguin National Park (Mauritania) are highly vulnerable, as sea level rise could transform or submerge critical coastal habitats essential for migratory species.

    “This analysis underscores the urgent need to address water-related risks to World Heritage sites, which are being intensified by climate change. Strengthening resilience through innovation, traditional knowledge, and cooperation is essential to safeguarding these irreplaceable places for future generations.”

    Towards Solutions: Protecting Heritage Through Water Stewardship

    Despite these challenges, examples of effective action demonstrate that solutions are possible—particularly when supported by international cooperation, innovation, and traditional knowledge. UNESCO actively supports States Parties in addressing water-related threats through a combination of emergency mechanisms, technical guidance, and long-term cooperation. Emergency support is provided through instruments such as the World Heritage Fund’s International Assistance, the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) and the Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF), while expert missions under the World Heritage Convention’s Reactive Monitoring process help guide response efforts. UNESCO also provides capacity building and technical support to strengthen local responses, contributing to long-term resilience, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable water management at World Heritage sites through programmes such as the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP).

    Integrated water resource management (IWRM) — which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources — is increasingly being incorporated into conservation strategies for World Heritage properties. At Petra (Jordan) and the Old City of Sana’a (Yemen), for example, IWRM principles are guiding flood risk reduction strategies such as early warning systems, which help safeguard monuments from increasingly severe flash floods. Similarly, in the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China, a government ban on land reclamation, followed by wetland restoration efforts, has led to a fivefold increase in bird populations in some areas, providing renewed habitat for migratory species.

    © UNESCO / Community Engagement through Risk Prevention in Petra

    Heritage-sensitive climate adaptation is also key. The Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru) illustrates how site managers are applying innovative water management measures — including drainage improvements and protective earthworks — to reduce the impact of increasingly intense rainfall and flooding on fragile adobe structures. At the Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Afghanistan), UNESCO has supported emergency measures to stabilize the structure following flood events that endangered its integrity, along with technical assistance for improved flood management in the surrounding valley.

    © UNESCO / The Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam, a UNESCO project to safeguard the iconic site

    Transboundary cooperation plays a vital role where shared water systems support World Heritage values. The Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM), through collaboration between Angola, Namibia, and Botswana, coordinates efforts to protect the seasonal flooding that sustains the Okavango Delta’s biodiversity and local livelihoods. Similarly, at Iguaçu National Park, on the border between Brazil and Argentina, park managers work with upstream stakeholders to maintain sustainable water flows that protect the falls’ ecosystem while supporting vital hydroelectric production at the Itaipu Dam. To address the consequences of melting glaciers and increased occurrences of Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) due to climate change impacts, UNESCO is engaging with communities in the Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) to identify potential adaptation pathways using the Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA).

    Traditional knowledge, community stewardship, and partnerships between local communities, national authorities, and international organizations are central to many successful initiatives. In the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, the revitalization of ancient irrigation systems and forest restoration supports both cultural heritage and resilience to drought and erosion. In the Ahwar of Southern Iraq, joint efforts have facilitated the restoration of marshlands, enhancing water governance and helping buffer against drought and salinity.

    Modern technology further complements these approaches. Tools such as GIS mapping, remote sensing, and water quality monitoring provide real-time data to inform decision-making and enable site managers and authorities to respond effectively to emerging threats. To support this, UNESCO’s World Heritage Online Map Platform (WHOMP), serves as an important resource for monitoring water-related risks and informing site-level planning.

    These efforts and solutions are among the many actions contributing to the protection of World Heritage sites and the strengthening of their resilience for generations to come. World Heritage sites are not static relics of the past, but dynamic systems shaped by human ingenuity, natural forces, and the enduring relationship between people and water. Strengthening their protection calls for an integrated approach that combines time-honoured practices with scientific innovation, draws on both traditional knowledge and modern science, and fosters inclusive governance and transboundary cooperation. Advancing water stewardship that supports both cultural and natural heritage is essential to safeguarding their Outstanding Universal Value and ensuring their continued contribution to sustainable development and the well-being of communities worldwide.

    UNESCO gratefully acknowledges the support of the Government of Flanders (Belgium) for the World Heritage Online Map Platform (WHOMP), which made this analysis possible.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNESCO Launches Groundbreaking Report on Climate Change Impacts in Mediterranean World Heritage Cities

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre

    UNESCO World Heritage Centre has launched a groundbreaking new report Climate Change in Mediterranean World Heritage Cities during a high-level online event attended by over 140 participants from international organisations, national authorities, academia, and civil society. The report addresses the intersection of three important concerns around impacts of climate change on cultural heritage, the Mediterranean region as a global climate hotspot, and cities as a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions as well as of climate action. It marks a milestone in UNESCO’s efforts to bridge the knowledge gap between climate science and heritage-based adaptation planning. Combining qualitative analysis of reports from cities and settlements and Earth observation data, the study provides both Earth system models and regional climate models to identify the hazards already experienced and projections for future climate risks that the World Heritage properties should prepare for. This publication aims to raise global awareness of the gravity and urgency of the climate crisis, as well as recognise cultural heritage as a valuable resource for climate action.

    The launch event was opened by Mr Ernesto Ottone R., UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture who provided a broad introduction to ongoing engagements of UNESCO with regard to climate change and culture. Ms Yana Gevorgyan, Director of the GEO Secretariat emphasized the potential of Earth Intelligence and GEO’s global platforms to guide local responses to climate risks, referencing the Urban Heritage Climate Observatory (UHCO) and the Global Heat Resilience Service. While reiterating the importance of the report H.E. Ms Christina Kokkinakis, Ambassador of the European Union to UNESCO highlighted the urgency of climate change in Europe and the European Union’s priorities for achieving climate neutrality, while reflecting that “Mediterranean cities have survived for centuries—we don’t just lose a momentum, but our collective future. It is not about what we inherit, but what we choose for the future.”

    Presented by its lead co-authors, Ms Jyoti Hosagrahar, Deputy Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, and Mr Evangelos Gerasopoulos, Director of the Greek GEO Office, the new publication is the first comprehensive, data-driven assessment of climate change risks to World Heritage cities in the Mediterranean region. Drawing on Earth observations, local climate projections, and qualitative reports from site managers, the study assesses 114 cities inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The results are alarming: nearly two-thirds of these cities already experience at least one climate-related hazard, such as extreme heat, flooding, droughts, or storms; and nearly a fifth of the Mediterranean World Heritage Cities report already facing 3 or more climate hazards.

    Under the worst-case scenario for 2100, coastal World Heritage cities in the region will additionally face sea-level rise, and the majority will be exposed to multiple, compounding climate hazards.

    Despite the challenges posed by climate change, World Heritage Cities are immense repositories of traditional knowledge accumulated over millennia. The report highlights key heritage-informed policies and actions, including urban planning responses to enhance resilience. Urban climate mitigation and adaptation strategies could also include adapting traditional building techniques and planning solutions to optimise climate conditions in historic cities and settlements. Case studies featured in the publication illustrate how such measures are already making a difference. Looking ahead, the report considers that a wide range of actions are required, from international policies to national and local strategies. Regular monitoring is key, as is the integration of cultural heritage into climate action plans and policies at all governmental levels. Better planning allows cities to harness resilience, adaptation and mitigation offered by their cultural heritage.

    Comments by experts during the launch event reinforced the report’s urgency and relevance. Sir Jim Skea, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), stressed the importance of scaling up climate knowledge for local action, and commended the report’s multidisciplinary approach reminding participants that the impacts of climate change are not uni-dimensional, as well as the necessity of engaging with more diverse forms of knowledge, including indigenous and local one – as demonstrated in the publication. Professor Christos S. Zerefos, Secretary General of the Academy of Athens, noted that “The culture we inherit should be preserved—not by ignoring the discomforts our monuments endure, as they can’t speak.” Ms Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, Vice-Chair of IPCC Working Group III and Chair of the Scientific Steering Committee for the upcoming IPCC Special Report on Cities and Climate Change, recognised the report as an important and timely contribution aligned with global scientific efforts. All the experts noted that the value of the lessons learned from the 114 World Heritage Cities in the Mediterranean region extended far beyond the entire world.

    Mr Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the World Heritage Centre, closed the event reiterating the importance of this report for UNESCO and the World Heritage Centre, emphasising that the report is “more than a diagnosis – it is a roadmap for protecting cultural heritage in the face of climate change”, especially as we prepare for the start of the 2025 World Heritage Committee session. He called for expanded partnerships and long-term monitoring, and stated: “As the climate crisis accelerates, so must our collaborations. This is an opportunity to ensure more resilient, just, and sustainable cities where our shared heritage is safeguarded for generations to come.”

    The full publication is now available on the UNESCO platform. It aims to serve as a knowledge resource and decision-making tool for States Parties, site managers, urban planners, and heritage professionals working across the region and beyond.

    Read the publication

    Here

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: NowVertical’s Integration Strategy Accelerates Account Expansion and Cross-Market Growth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NowVertical Group Inc. (TSXV: NOW) (“NowVertical” or the “Company”), a leading data and AI solutions provider, today provided an update on the execution of its “One Brand, One Business” integration strategy, highlighting continued margin expansion and deeper enterprise penetration across North America and Latin America.

    Over the past twelve months, one of our NA&EMEA Strategic Accounts – a Fortune 500 technology business and one of eight US $1 million-plus 2024 engagements for NowVertical – has transitioned from siloed local analytics and reporting to a cross-region reporting programme delivered by NowVertical. By coordinating experts across several time zones under one operating framework, the NowVertical broadened its engagement across EMEA and APAC providing end-to-end campaign planning and quarterly executive business reviews. This capability expansion, engagement enhancement and global delivery approach has been unlocked through the ‘One Brand, One Business’ Strategy, which is integrating delivery operations across the group. The success of this integrated approach is cementing NowVertical as a key data and AI partner for the client whilst also improving margins.

    A parallel engagement with a global life-sciences leader and a NowVertical strategic account in Latin America underscores the scalability of the model. A multi-country delivery team is driving a data-modernisation programme, consolidating legacy data estates onto Google Cloud, enabling real-time analytics and rolling out an enhanced platform in new markets for the client. The result is faster commercial insight for the client and a repeatable playbook for NowVertical, already fuelling follow-on work in Mexico and Colombia.

    “These programmes show exactly why we moved to a unified operating structure,” said Sandeep Mendiratta, CEO of NowVertical. “By operating as one integrated business, we’re not only unlocking higher-margin work and accelerating account growth, but also delivering phenomenal value to our clients. We’re helping them move faster, make better decisions, and ultimately generate more revenue from their data. This model is creating durable, recurring revenue streams for NowVertical and measurable business impact for our clients.”

    The Company sees the growing contribution from cross-border, capability-integrated engagements to support its path to a US $50 million run-rate revenue and US $10 million EBITDA target while reinforcing its position as a trusted, full-stack data and AI partner to enterprise clients worldwide.

    About NowVertical Group Inc.

    NowVertical is a global data and analytics company which helps clients transform data into tangible business value with AI, fast. Offering a comprehensive suite of solutions and services, the Company enables clients to quickly harness the full potential of their data, driving measurable outcomes and accelerating potential return on investment. Enterprises optimize decision-making, improve operational efficiency, and unlock long-term value from their data using the Company’s AI-Infused first party and third-party technologies. NowVertical is growing organically and through strategic acquisitions.

    For further details about NowVertical, please visit www.nowvertical.com. 

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    For further information, please contact:

    Andre Garber, CDO
    IR@nowvertical.com

    Investor Relations: Bristol Capital Ltd.
    Stefan Eftychiou
    stefan@bristolir.com
    +1(905)326-1888 x60

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (together “forward-looking statements”), including, with respect to the availability of funds under the Facilities, the ability of NowVertical to utilize funds under the Facilities, the effect of the Facilities on NowVertical’s operations contemplated in this press release on NowVertical’s business, finances and operations. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, and contingencies, certain of which are unknown. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “may”, “should”, “will”, “could”, “intend”, “estimate”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe” or “continue”, or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by inherent risks and uncertainties, including: adverse market conditions; risks inherent in the data analytics and artificial intelligence sectors in general; regulatory and legislative changes; that future results may vary from historical results; inability to service the Company’s debt; any inability to realize the expected benefits and synergies of acquisitions or dispositions; that market competition may affect the business, results and financial condition of the Company and other risk factors identified in documents filed by the Company under its profile at www.sedarplus.com, including the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024. Further, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    The MIL Network –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to wildfires in Scotland, including in the Highlands and Moray

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    July 2, 2025

    Scientists comment on wildfires in Scotland. 

    Prof Rory Hadden, Chair of Fire Science, University of Edinburgh, said:

    “It is widely expected that the number of wildfires will increase in Scotland (and the UK) as we see more periods of extreme weather driven by climate change.  The recent fine weather means that vegetation has dried out and becomes susceptible to ignition sources.  Even a small heat source such as a BBQ or campfire can initiate a wildfire either by direct flame contact with vegetation, or by igniting a smouldering fire in dry vegetation and soils which will later transition to a flaming fire.

    “Once vegetation is ignited, a fire will grow extremely rapidly especially if there is wind and/or dense vegetation.  This is especially true given the recent weather conditions in Scotland and means that typically it will be challenging to fight without proper resources.  Also a smouldering fire in soils may only transition to flaming some hours after it is ignited (and there may be no obvious signs that smouldering has been ignited).  Once ignited a fire will spread rapidly through vegetation, moving fastest in the direction of the wind and up slopes.  Poor access, difficult terrain and extensive vegetation coverage means that the fire can spread over large areas relatively quickly.

    “The impacts of these fires are of course significant.  There is a huge cost to the fire and rescue services in fighting and managing these fires – drawing resources from a wide area.  There is the destruction of natural capital – the countryside provides important ecosystem services that we all rely on and these are impacted negatively by wildfires.  Loss of vegetation impacts on wildlife.  The smoke is harmful and can impact on people large distances away, exacerbating respiratory conditions.  If the fire burns into peat soils then the loss of carbon to the atmosphere will be significant and may drive future climate change.  There is also possibility of loss of property as fires move towards settlements (farms, villages, towns).

    “While there is ongoing research on this topic, there is lots we do not know around the changes in risk to people, property and environment posed by wildfires in Scotland and the UK.  The fire and rescue services are adapting but there is currently no national fire danger assessment tool or clear coordination at Government level in Scotland.  We need to work on finding measures to manage fire risk in Scotland and the UK, including fuel load management (e.g. prescribed burning, mechanical means) as well as communications with stakeholders and the public to advise of periods of higher fire danger.  This is critical because as well as climate change, we are in a period of significant changes in land use (including rewilding) across Scotland and the UK.

    “It is important to note that the leading cause of wildfires is people.  We all need to do our part when visiting the countryside to ensure we do not bring ignition sources – pack a picnic instead of a BBQ, and only have campfires in designated areas.”

    Declared interests

    Prof Rory Hadden: “Funding declaration:

    US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service;

    US Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology;

    Funding on unrelated projects from Defence and Security Accelerator;

    UKRI EPSRC.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership: Joint Statement

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership: Joint Statement

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs H.E Musalia Mudavadi met in London on 2 July 2025 and reflected on the new Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership

    Speaking as they met at London’s Guildhall in the margins of the Africa Debate, Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP and Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs H.E Musalia Mudavadi said:

    As Commonwealth nations, the Republic of Kenya and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland enjoy a deep and vibrant relationship, rooted in our shared history, shared values and set apart by the exceptional talents of our people.

    The new Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership 2025-2030 will provide a comprehensive framework to progress our shared objectives, strengthening the bilateral relationship and delivering growth for both our countries.

    The Partnership will focus on areas of shared interest and strength, including green growth, climate and nature, science and technology, and security and stability. We will be laser-focussed on delivery – creating jobs, enhancing links between our academics, innovators and scientists, and protecting the environment, nature and our people.

    Kenya is a gateway to the East African market with over 300 million people with combined GDP of over USD 400 billion (Kshs.52 billion). UK-Kenya trade is valued at £1.8 billion (Kshs.218 billion). UK companies are among the largest employers in Kenya. This new partnership will deliver £1 billion (Kshs.177 billion) for the UK economy in export finance, engineering jobs and defence manufacturing jobs in Northampton and County Durham.

    The Partnership will see Lloyd’s of London enter the Nairobi insurance market as a gateway to the East Africa Market valued up to £0.5 billion (Kshs.88billion).

    Over the next five years, Kenya and the UK will deliver on high value investment deals of mutual benefit to both economies.

    This includes Nairobi Railway City, a flagship project, which exemplifies what is possible when ambition meets partnership. Railway City is worth up to £150 million (Kshs.26billion) with the potential for 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in Kenya. Procurement for construction of the first phase of the project has now launched with opportunities ranging from commercial real estate and hospitality to tech innovation and student housing.

    Both countries have agreed to explore a new Digital Trading Agreement and to aim to double trade by 2030 in areas like financial services, digital and technology, and defence and security.

    The Kenya and UK governments will further their global leadership on climate and nature through the Partnership, mobilising at least £200 million (Kshs.35billion) for Kenyan climate adaptation, keeping the 1.5 C temperature goal in reach and unlocking green energy transitions and nature-based solutions.

    Under science and technology, the Strategic Partnership will harness the potential of science, research, innovation and technology partnerships, including on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies, to drive inclusive growth, job creation and sustainable development.

    Finally, this new strategic partnership will strengthen our joint response to regional terrorism, illicit finance, cyber attacks and organised crime, keeping our people safe.

    Through the UK-Kenya Security Compact, which we signed today, both countries will prioritise efforts to reduce irregular migration, and support regional stability. The renewed Compact is designed to address both traditional and emerging security threats. Priorities include tackling risks from digital spaces and new technologies, reducing irregular migration, and countering illicit finance. The partnership will continue to build on its strong foundation, ensuring that previous achievements are sustained and that new challenges are met with a coordinated, forward-looking approach.

    This high ambition Strategic Partnership will enable us to go far, together, for a more prosperous and secure future for both our great nations.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Share this page

    The following links open in a new tab

    • Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)
    • Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Around 250 million years ago, Earth was near-lifeless and locked in a hothouse state. Now scientists know why

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Merdith, DECRA Fellow, School of Earth Sciences, University of Adelaide

    Some 252 million years ago, almost all life on Earth disappeared.

    Known as the Permian–Triassic mass extinction – or the Great Dying – this was the most catastrophic of the five mass extinction events recognised in the past 539 million years of our planet’s history.

    Up to 94% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrate families were wiped out. Tropical forests – which served, as they do today, as important carbon sinks that helped regulate the planet’s temperature – also experienced massive declines.

    Scientists have long agreed this event was triggered by a sudden surge in greenhouse gases which resulted in an intense and rapid warming of Earth. But what has remained a mystery is why these extremely hot conditions persisted for millions of years.

    Our new paper, published today in Nature Communications, provides an answer. The decline of tropical forests locked Earth in a hothouse state, confirming scientists’ suspicion that when our planet’s climate crosses certain “tipping points”, truly catastrophic ecological collapse can follow.

    A massive eruption

    The trigger for the Permian–Triassic mass extinction event was the eruption of massive amounts of molten rock in modern day Siberia, named the Siberian Traps. This molten rock erupted in a sedimentary basin, rich in organic matter.

    The molten rock was hot enough to melt the surrounding rocks and release massive amounts of carbon dioxide into Earth’s atmosphere over a period as short as 50,000 years but possibly as long as 500,000 years. This rapid increase in carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere and the resulting temperature increase is thought to be the primary kill mechanism for much of life at the time.

    On land it is thought surface temperatures increased by as much as 6°C to 10°C – too rapid for many life forms to evolve and adapt. In other similar eruptions, the climate system usually returns to its previous state within 100,000 to a million years.

    But these “super greenhouse” conditions, which resulted in equatorial average surface temperatures upwards of 34°C (roughly 8°C warmer than the current equatorial average temperature) persisted for roughly five million years. In our study we sought to answer why.

    The forests die out

    We looked at the fossil record of a wide range of land plant biomes, such as arid, tropical, subtropical, temperate and scrub. We analysed how the biomes changed from just before the mass extinction event, until about eight million years after.

    We hypothesised that Earth warmed too rapidly, leading to the dying out of low- to mid-latitude vegetation, especially the rainforests. As a result the efficiency of the organic carbon cycle was greatly reduced immediately after the volcanic eruptions.

    Plants, because they are unable to simply get up and move, were very strongly affected by the changing conditions.

    Before the event, many peat bogs and tropical and subtropical forests existed around the equator and soaked up carbon

    However, when we reconstructed plant fossils from fieldwork, records and databases around the event we saw that these biomes were completely wiped out from the tropical continents. This led to a multimillion year “coal gap” in the geological record.

    These forests were replaced by tiny lycopods, only two to 20 centimetres in height.

    Enclaves of larger plants remained towards the poles, in coastal and in slightly mountainous regions where the temperature was slightly cooler. After about five million years they had mostly recolonised Earth. However these types of plants were also less efficient at fixing carbon in the organic carbon cycle.

    This is analogous in some ways to considering the impact of replacing all rainforests at present day with the mallee-scrub and spinifex flora that we might expect to see in the Australian outback.

    Post-extinction lycopod fossils.
    Zhen Xu

    Finally, the forests return

    Using evidence from the present day, we estimated the rate at which plants take atmospheric carbon dioxide and store it as organic matter of each different biome (or its “net primary productivity”) that was suggested in the fossil record.

    We then used a recently developed carbon cycle model called SCION to test our hypothesis numerically. When we analysed our model results we found that the initial increase in temperature from the Siberian Traps was preserved for five to six million years after the event because of the reduction in net primary productivity.

    It was only as plants re-established themselves and the organic carbon cycle restarted that Earth slowly started to ease out of the super greenhouse conditions.

    Maintaining a climate equilibrium

    It’s always difficult to draw analogies between past climate change in the geological record and what we’re experiencing today. That’s because the extent of past changes is usually measured over tens to hundreds of thousands of years while at present day we are experiencing change over decades to centuries.

    A key implication of our work, however, is that life on Earth, while resilient, is unable to respond to massive changes on short time scales without drastic rewirings of the biotic landscape.

    In the case of the Permian–Triassic mass extinction, plants were unable to respond on as rapid a time scale as 1,000 to 10,000 years. This resulted in a large extinction event.

    Overall, our results underline how important tropical and subtropical plant biomes and environments are to maintaining a climate equilibrium. In turn, they show how the loss of these biomes can contribute to additional climate warming – and serve as a devastating climate tipping point.

    Zhen Xu was the lead author of the study, which was part of her PhD work.

    Andrew Merdith receives funding from the Australian Research Council as part of the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award.

    Benjamin J. W. Mills receives funding from UK Research and Innovation.

    Zhen Xu receives funding from UK Research and Innovation and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

    – ref. Around 250 million years ago, Earth was near-lifeless and locked in a hothouse state. Now scientists know why – https://theconversation.com/around-250-million-years-ago-earth-was-near-lifeless-and-locked-in-a-hothouse-state-now-scientists-know-why-260203

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Championing the role of science

    Source: Scottish Government

    New Chief Scientific Adviser appointed.

    Professor Calum Semple OBE has been appointed the Scottish Government’s next Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA).

    He will take up the position on 5 August 2025 on an initial three-year term.

    Professor Semple is a Consultant in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and became Professor of Outbreak Medicine and Child Health at the University of Liverpool in 2018.

    He has held key advisory roles during public health emergencies, serving as a UK Government adviser during the 2009 Swine Flu pandemic, on the World Health Organisation Scientific Advisory Committee during the Ebola Emergency and as a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies during the Covid pandemic.

    The role of CSA includes:

    • providing Scottish Government Ministers independent scientific advice on issues of strategic importance
    • championing Scotland’s world-leading science and research base and the role of science in the economy and society
    • inspiring the next generation of scientists and encourage diversity in the STEM (science, technology engineering and mathematics) workforce.

    Business Minister Richard Lochhead said:

    “Science is the bedrock of our society and economy and at the heart of government decision making. From health to the economy to the environment and everything in between, it is a fundamental part of our everyday lives.

    “I am delighted to welcome Professor Semple to the role of Chief Scientific Adviser and look forward to his valuable insight and advice as the Scottish Government continues to work with our world leading science sector to highlight Scotland’s strengths as a science nation and ensure it is front and centre of everything we do.”

    Professor Semple said:

    “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work for the people and government of Scotland, providing evidence and scientific advice to support our policymakers. I particularly look forward to collaborating with Scotland’s vibrant communities of scientists and engineers in our schools, universities and industries, who inspire and drive the innovation essential for future economic growth. I will ensure that science and evidence remain at the heart of how we shape a fairer, greener, and more prosperous Scotland.

    “I would like to thank my wife, friends, and colleagues at the University of Liverpool and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital who support my career and enabled this important appointment. Their encouragement and collaboration have been vital to my journey.”

    Background

    Professor Semple was raised in Glasgow and Edinburgh. He qualified in medicine from the University of Oxford after completing a PhD in Clinical Virology at University College London and a Bachelor’s Tripos in Cell Pathology, Immunology, and Virology at Middlesex Hospital Medical School.

    His clinical academic training in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine began in 2002 when he was awarded a Department of Health National Clinical Scientist Fellowship at the University of Liverpool and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

    He was appointed Consultant in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in 2006 and was promoted to Professor of Outbreak Medicine and Child Health at the University of Liverpool in 2018.

    He will retain these positions, albeit with reduced activity, during his appointment to the Scottish Government.

    Professor Semple has been studying severe viral outbreaks since 1989 and co-founded the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC) in 2012. He has led research on HIV/AIDS, Bronchiolitis, Influenza, Ebola, Mpox, COVID-19, and Hepatitis, with a focus on disease characterisation and clinical countermeasures. His work has been supported by the Wellcome Trust, UK NIHR, and UKRI MRC. For his leadership of medical research activities in Sierra Leone between 2014 and 2016, he and his team were awarded the Queen’s Ebola Medal for Service in West Africa. In 2019, he received a Commonwealth Award for his ongoing work with Ebola Survivors.

    Professor Semple has held key advisory roles during public health emergencies, including serving as a UK Government advisor during the 2009 Swine Flu pandemic, on the WHO Scientific Advisory Committee for the Ebola Emergency – STAC-EE (2014–2017), the New Emerging Respiratory Viral Threats Advisory Group – NERVTAG (2014–2023), and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies – SAGE for COVID-19 (2020–2022).

    He was appointed OBE in 2020 for his contributions to the COVID-19 response and was elected a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health by distinction in 2022. His leadership is marked by integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and clear communication.

    He enjoys spending time with his family, dogs, beekeeping, playing the pipes, and fly fishing.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £5.6million project launched to explore how man-made structures affect our seas University researchers will work alongside a range of institutions from across the UK and in Norway on the £5.6 million initiative, which will be led by Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML). The ValMAS (Value of Marine Artificial Structures) project is a major new research effort to understand the full impact of man-made…

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    University researchers will work alongside a range of institutions from across the UK and in Norway on the £5.6 million initiative, which will be led by Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML).
    The ValMAS (Value of Marine Artificial Structures) project is a major new research effort to understand the full impact of man-made structures in the ocean, ranging from offshore oil, gas and wind energy infrastructure to shipwrecks. These are collectively known as marine artificial structures (MAS).
    The project, which will focus on the North Sea with wider applicability across the UK and beyond, aims to create tools and evidence that will help decision-makers manage these structures in ways that support clean energy, protect nature, and benefit society.
    MAS have potentially significant footprints at all stages of their lifecycle through demonstration, construction, operation, and finally decommissioning. As marine space is increasingly squeezed, this large-scale development will inevitably lead to environmental, social and economic trade-offs.
    While these structures can provide habitat, support blue carbon capture, or enhance biodiversity, they can also pose risks that are not yet fully understood.
    Professor Nicola Beaumont, project lead from PML, said: “Thousands of artificial structures have been installed in the marine environment, and many more are on the horizon as part of the UK’s transition to a clean energy future.
    “ValMAS will give policymakers and industry the tools they need to make informed decisions that align with both net zero targets and nature recovery goals.”
    The research is co-funded by Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the industry-sponsored INSITE Programme.
    Professor Astley Hastings CEng, from the School of Biological Sciences, will lead work in Aberdeen alongside marine eco-toxicologist Dr Rebecca von Hellfeld, and Dr Kate Gormley, an interdisciplinary researcher specialising in coastal and marine environmental management, working to fill the experimental knowledge gaps on marine contaminants mobilisation and marine growth on structures. Professor Anne-Michelle Slater, from the University’s School of Law, will work on the policy and legislation relating to the environment surrounding marine structures.
    Professor Hastings said: “ValMAS will map marine artificial structures to develop a natural capital framework that reflects their ecological, economic, and social value, identify research gaps and foster collaboration, and model future climate scenarios to assess impacts on biodiversity, fisheries, and carbon storage. The project will also examine public perceptions and economic trade-offs to support a fair energy transition and create advanced decision support tools for use by policymakers, regulators, and industry.
    “While evidence, tools and models around natural capital and MAS exist, access to and uptake of these resources remains limited. There is a pressing need to translate this knowledge into strategic, value-based decision-making that is practical, user-driven, and ready for real-world application.”
    Other project partners include the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Cardiff University, Natural England – the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England, SUERC – Centre For The Isotope Sciences, University of Glasgow, the University of Strathclyde, EFTEC, Ecologos, NIRAS, Marine Energy Wales, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, The Shellfish Association of Great Britain, and the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations. It also brings together another 20+ partners from academia, government, NGOs and industry, including major energy operators.
    Tracy Shimmield, Director of Research and Skill at the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) said: “NERC is delighted to announce the launch of ‘The Value of Marine Artificial Structures (ValMAS)’ programme, which seeks to inform nature positive policy solutions for the management of all life stages of Marine Artificial Structures (MAS). The ValMAS project, which is cofounded with industry, builds on the work achieved by the INSITE programme. It will deliver evidence of the interplay between the ecological, economic and social values of MAS, to build a better understanding of their environmental value across sectors in the North Sea. Evidence generated will inform decision making on the best outcomes for the environment when it comes to decommissioning.”
    Professor Beaumont added: “This is not just about infrastructure, it’s about people, nature, and building a future where sustainable energy systems work in harmony with marine life.”
    The project will begin in August 2025 and run for four years.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Curiosity Blog, Sols 4586-4587: Straight Drive, Strategic Science

    Source: NASA

    Written by Scott VanBommel, Planetary Scientist at Washington University in St. Louis
    Earth planning date: Monday, June 30, 2025
    Our weekend drive placed Curiosity exactly where we had hoped: on lighter-toned, resistant bedrock we have been eyeing for close study. Curiosity’s workspace tosol did not contain any targets suitable for DRT. After a detailed discussion by the team, weighing science not only in tosol’s plan but the holiday-shifted sols ahead, the decision was made to perform contact science at the current workspace and then drive in the second sol of the plan.
    Normally, drives in the second sol of a two-sol plan are uncommon, as we require information on the ground to assess in advance of the next sol’s planning. At present however, the current “Mars time” is quite favorable, enabling Curiosity’s team to operate within “nominal sols” and receive the necessary data in time for Wednesday’s one-sol plan. DAN kicked off the first sol of the plan with a passive measurement, complemented by another in the afternoon and two more on the second sol. Arm activities focused on placing MAHLI and APXS on “La Paz” and “Playa Agua de Luna,” two lighter-toned, laminated rocks.
    The rest of the first sol was rounded out with ChemCam LIBS analyses on “La Joya” followed by further LIBS analyses on “La Vega” on the second sol, once Curiosity’s arm was out of the way of the laser. ChemCam and Mastcam additionally imaged “Mishe Mokwa” prior to the nearly straight drive of about 20 meters (about 66 feet). Environmental monitoring activities, imaging of the CheMin inlet cover, and a SAM EBT activity rounded out Curiosity’s efforts on the second sol.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Curiosity Blog, Sols 4586-4587: Straight Drive, Strategic Science

    Source: NASA

    Written by Scott VanBommel, Planetary Scientist at Washington University in St. Louis
    Earth planning date: Monday, June 30, 2025
    Our weekend drive placed Curiosity exactly where we had hoped: on lighter-toned, resistant bedrock we have been eyeing for close study. Curiosity’s workspace tosol did not contain any targets suitable for DRT. After a detailed discussion by the team, weighing science not only in tosol’s plan but the holiday-shifted sols ahead, the decision was made to perform contact science at the current workspace and then drive in the second sol of the plan.
    Normally, drives in the second sol of a two-sol plan are uncommon, as we require information on the ground to assess in advance of the next sol’s planning. At present however, the current “Mars time” is quite favorable, enabling Curiosity’s team to operate within “nominal sols” and receive the necessary data in time for Wednesday’s one-sol plan. DAN kicked off the first sol of the plan with a passive measurement, complemented by another in the afternoon and two more on the second sol. Arm activities focused on placing MAHLI and APXS on “La Paz” and “Playa Agua de Luna,” two lighter-toned, laminated rocks.
    The rest of the first sol was rounded out with ChemCam LIBS analyses on “La Joya” followed by further LIBS analyses on “La Vega” on the second sol, once Curiosity’s arm was out of the way of the laser. ChemCam and Mastcam additionally imaged “Mishe Mokwa” prior to the nearly straight drive of about 20 meters (about 66 feet). Environmental monitoring activities, imaging of the CheMin inlet cover, and a SAM EBT activity rounded out Curiosity’s efforts on the second sol.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Curiosity Blog, Sols 4586-4587: Straight Drive, Strategic Science

    Source: NASA

    Written by Scott VanBommel, Planetary Scientist at Washington University in St. Louis
    Earth planning date: Monday, June 30, 2025
    Our weekend drive placed Curiosity exactly where we had hoped: on lighter-toned, resistant bedrock we have been eyeing for close study. Curiosity’s workspace tosol did not contain any targets suitable for DRT. After a detailed discussion by the team, weighing science not only in tosol’s plan but the holiday-shifted sols ahead, the decision was made to perform contact science at the current workspace and then drive in the second sol of the plan.
    Normally, drives in the second sol of a two-sol plan are uncommon, as we require information on the ground to assess in advance of the next sol’s planning. At present however, the current “Mars time” is quite favorable, enabling Curiosity’s team to operate within “nominal sols” and receive the necessary data in time for Wednesday’s one-sol plan. DAN kicked off the first sol of the plan with a passive measurement, complemented by another in the afternoon and two more on the second sol. Arm activities focused on placing MAHLI and APXS on “La Paz” and “Playa Agua de Luna,” two lighter-toned, laminated rocks.
    The rest of the first sol was rounded out with ChemCam LIBS analyses on “La Joya” followed by further LIBS analyses on “La Vega” on the second sol, once Curiosity’s arm was out of the way of the laser. ChemCam and Mastcam additionally imaged “Mishe Mokwa” prior to the nearly straight drive of about 20 meters (about 66 feet). Environmental monitoring activities, imaging of the CheMin inlet cover, and a SAM EBT activity rounded out Curiosity’s efforts on the second sol.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: An Update From the 2025 Mars 2020 Science Team Meeting

    Source: NASA

    A behind-the-scenes look at the annual Mars 2020 Science Team Meeting

    Written by Katie Stack Morgan, Mars 2020 Acting Project Scientist 

    The Mars 2020 Science Team gathered for a week in June to discuss recent science results, synthesize earlier mission observations, and discuss future plans for continued exploration of Jezero’s crater rim. It was also an opportunity to celebrate what makes this mission so special: one of the most capable and sophisticated science missions ever sent to Mars, an experienced and expert Science Team, and the rover’s many science accomplishments this past year.  
    We kicked off the meeting, which was hosted by our colleagues on the RIMFAX team at the University of Oslo, with a focus on our most recent discoveries on the Jezero crater rim. A highlight was the team’s in-depth discussion of spherules observed at Witch Hazel Hill, features which likely provide us the best chance of determining the origin of the crater rim rock sequence.   
    On the second day, we heard status updates from each of the science instrument teams. We then transitioned to a session devoted to “traverse-scale” syntheses. After 4.5 years of Perseverance on Mars and more than 37 kilometers of driving (more than 23 miles), we’re now able to analyze and integrate science datasets across the entire surface mission, looking for trends through space and time within the Jezero rock record. Our team also held a poster session, which was a great opportunity for in-person and informal scientific discussion.  
    The team’s modern atmospheric and environmental investigations were front and center on Day 3. We then rewound the clock, hearing new and updated analyses of data acquired during Perseverance’s earlier campaigns in Jezero’s Margin unit, crater floor, and western fan. The last day of the meeting was focused entirely on future plans for the Perseverance rover, including a discussion of our exploration and sampling strategy during the Crater Rim Campaign. We also looked further afield, considering where the rover might explore over the next few years.  
    Following the meeting, the Science Team took a one-day field trip to visit Gardnos crater, a heavily eroded impact crater with excellent examples of impact melt breccia and post-impact sediment fill. The team’s visit to Gardnos offered a unique opportunity to see and study impact-generated rock units like those expected on the Jezero crater rim and to discuss the challenges we have recognizing similar units with the rover on Mars. Recapping our Perseverance team meetings has been one of my favorite yearly traditions (see summaries from our 2022, 2023, and 2024 meetings) and I look forward to reporting back a year from now. As the Perseverance team tackles challenges in the year to come, we can seek inspiration from one of Norway’s greatest polar explorers, Fridtjof Nansen, who said while delivering his Nobel lecture, “The difficult is that which can be done at once; the impossible is that which takes a little longer.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: An Update From the 2025 Mars 2020 Science Team Meeting

    Source: NASA

    A behind-the-scenes look at the annual Mars 2020 Science Team Meeting

    Written by Katie Stack Morgan, Mars 2020 Acting Project Scientist 

    The Mars 2020 Science Team gathered for a week in June to discuss recent science results, synthesize earlier mission observations, and discuss future plans for continued exploration of Jezero’s crater rim. It was also an opportunity to celebrate what makes this mission so special: one of the most capable and sophisticated science missions ever sent to Mars, an experienced and expert Science Team, and the rover’s many science accomplishments this past year.  
    We kicked off the meeting, which was hosted by our colleagues on the RIMFAX team at the University of Oslo, with a focus on our most recent discoveries on the Jezero crater rim. A highlight was the team’s in-depth discussion of spherules observed at Witch Hazel Hill, features which likely provide us the best chance of determining the origin of the crater rim rock sequence.   
    On the second day, we heard status updates from each of the science instrument teams. We then transitioned to a session devoted to “traverse-scale” syntheses. After 4.5 years of Perseverance on Mars and more than 37 kilometers of driving (more than 23 miles), we’re now able to analyze and integrate science datasets across the entire surface mission, looking for trends through space and time within the Jezero rock record. Our team also held a poster session, which was a great opportunity for in-person and informal scientific discussion.  
    The team’s modern atmospheric and environmental investigations were front and center on Day 3. We then rewound the clock, hearing new and updated analyses of data acquired during Perseverance’s earlier campaigns in Jezero’s Margin unit, crater floor, and western fan. The last day of the meeting was focused entirely on future plans for the Perseverance rover, including a discussion of our exploration and sampling strategy during the Crater Rim Campaign. We also looked further afield, considering where the rover might explore over the next few years.  
    Following the meeting, the Science Team took a one-day field trip to visit Gardnos crater, a heavily eroded impact crater with excellent examples of impact melt breccia and post-impact sediment fill. The team’s visit to Gardnos offered a unique opportunity to see and study impact-generated rock units like those expected on the Jezero crater rim and to discuss the challenges we have recognizing similar units with the rover on Mars. Recapping our Perseverance team meetings has been one of my favorite yearly traditions (see summaries from our 2022, 2023, and 2024 meetings) and I look forward to reporting back a year from now. As the Perseverance team tackles challenges in the year to come, we can seek inspiration from one of Norway’s greatest polar explorers, Fridtjof Nansen, who said while delivering his Nobel lecture, “The difficult is that which can be done at once; the impossible is that which takes a little longer.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: An Update From the 2025 Mars 2020 Science Team Meeting

    Source: NASA

    A behind-the-scenes look at the annual Mars 2020 Science Team Meeting

    Written by Katie Stack Morgan, Mars 2020 Acting Project Scientist 

    The Mars 2020 Science Team gathered for a week in June to discuss recent science results, synthesize earlier mission observations, and discuss future plans for continued exploration of Jezero’s crater rim. It was also an opportunity to celebrate what makes this mission so special: one of the most capable and sophisticated science missions ever sent to Mars, an experienced and expert Science Team, and the rover’s many science accomplishments this past year.  
    We kicked off the meeting, which was hosted by our colleagues on the RIMFAX team at the University of Oslo, with a focus on our most recent discoveries on the Jezero crater rim. A highlight was the team’s in-depth discussion of spherules observed at Witch Hazel Hill, features which likely provide us the best chance of determining the origin of the crater rim rock sequence.   
    On the second day, we heard status updates from each of the science instrument teams. We then transitioned to a session devoted to “traverse-scale” syntheses. After 4.5 years of Perseverance on Mars and more than 37 kilometers of driving (more than 23 miles), we’re now able to analyze and integrate science datasets across the entire surface mission, looking for trends through space and time within the Jezero rock record. Our team also held a poster session, which was a great opportunity for in-person and informal scientific discussion.  
    The team’s modern atmospheric and environmental investigations were front and center on Day 3. We then rewound the clock, hearing new and updated analyses of data acquired during Perseverance’s earlier campaigns in Jezero’s Margin unit, crater floor, and western fan. The last day of the meeting was focused entirely on future plans for the Perseverance rover, including a discussion of our exploration and sampling strategy during the Crater Rim Campaign. We also looked further afield, considering where the rover might explore over the next few years.  
    Following the meeting, the Science Team took a one-day field trip to visit Gardnos crater, a heavily eroded impact crater with excellent examples of impact melt breccia and post-impact sediment fill. The team’s visit to Gardnos offered a unique opportunity to see and study impact-generated rock units like those expected on the Jezero crater rim and to discuss the challenges we have recognizing similar units with the rover on Mars. Recapping our Perseverance team meetings has been one of my favorite yearly traditions (see summaries from our 2022, 2023, and 2024 meetings) and I look forward to reporting back a year from now. As the Perseverance team tackles challenges in the year to come, we can seek inspiration from one of Norway’s greatest polar explorers, Fridtjof Nansen, who said while delivering his Nobel lecture, “The difficult is that which can be done at once; the impossible is that which takes a little longer.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Missions Help Explain, Predict Severity of Solar Storms

    Source: NASA

    An unexpectedly strong solar storm rocked our planet on April 23, 2023, sparking auroras as far south as southern Texas in the U.S. and taking the world by surprise. 
    Two days earlier, the Sun blasted a coronal mass ejection (CME) — a cloud of energetic particles, magnetic fields, and solar material — toward Earth. Space scientists took notice, expecting it could cause disruptions to Earth’s magnetic field, known as a geomagnetic storm. But the CME wasn’t especially fast or massive, and it was preceded by a relatively weak solar flare, suggesting the storm would be minor. But it became severe.
    Using NASA heliophysics missions, new studies of this storm and others are helping scientists learn why some CMEs have more intense effects — and better predict the impacts of future solar eruptions on our lives.

    Why Was This Storm So Intense?
    A paper published in the Astrophysical Journal on March 31 suggests the CME’s orientation relative to Earth likely caused the April 2023 storm to become surprisingly strong.
    The researchers gathered observations from five heliophysics spacecraft across the inner solar system to study the CME in detail as it emerged from the Sun and traveled to Earth.
    They noticed a large coronal hole near the CME’s birthplace. Coronal holes are areas where the solar wind — a stream of particles flowing from the Sun — floods outward at higher than normal speeds.
    “The fast solar wind coming from this coronal hole acted like an air current, nudging the CME away from its original straight-line path and pushing it closer to Earth’s orbital plane,” said the paper’s lead author, Evangelos Paouris of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. “In addition to this deflection, the CME also rotated slightly.”
    Paouris says this turned the CME’s magnetic fields opposite to Earth’s magnetic field and held them there — allowing more of the Sun’s energy to pour into Earth’s environment and intensifying the storm.

    Cool Thermosphere
    Meanwhile, NASA’s GOLD (Global-scale Observations of Limb and Disk) mission revealed another unexpected consequence of the April 2023 storm at Earth.
    Before, during, and after the storm, GOLD studied the temperature in the middle thermosphere, a part of Earth’s upper atmosphere about 85 to 120 miles overhead. During the storm, temperatures increased throughout GOLD’s wide field of view over the Americas. But surprisingly, after the storm, temperatures dropped about 90 to 198 degrees Fahrenheit lower than they were before the storm (from about 980 to 1,070 degrees Fahrenheit before the storm to 870 to 980 degrees Fahrenheit afterward).
    “Our measurement is the first to show widespread cooling in the middle thermosphere after a strong storm,” said Xuguang Cai of the University of Colorado, Boulder, lead author of a paper about GOLD’s observations published in the journal JGR Space Physics on April 15, 2025.
    The thermosphere’s temperature is important, because it affects how much drag Earth-orbiting satellites and space debris experience.
    “When the thermosphere cools, it contracts and becomes less dense at satellite altitudes, reducing drag,” Cai said. “This can cause satellites and space debris to stay in orbit longer than expected, increasing the risk of collisions. Understanding how geomagnetic storms and solar activity affect Earth’s upper atmosphere helps protect technologies we all rely on — like GPS, satellites, and radio communications.”
    Predicting When Storms Strike
    To predict when a CME will trigger a geomagnetic storm, or be “geoeffective,” some scientists are combining observations with machine learning. A paper published last November in the journal Solar Physics describes one such approach called GeoCME.
    Machine learning is a type of artificial intelligence in which a computer algorithm learns from data to identify patterns, then uses those patterns to make decisions or predictions.
    Scientists trained GeoCME by giving it images from the NASA/ESA (European Space Agency) SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) spacecraft of different CMEs that reached Earth along with SOHO images of the Sun before, during, and after each CME. They then told the model whether each CME produced a geomagnetic storm.
    Then, when it was given images from three different science instruments on SOHO, the model’s predictions were highly accurate. Out of 21 geoeffective CMEs, the model correctly predicted all 21 of them; of 7 non-geoeffective ones, it correctly predicted 5 of them.
    “The algorithm shows promise,” said heliophysicist Jack Ireland of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, who was not involved in the study. “Understanding if a CME will be geoeffective or not can help us protect infrastructure in space and technological systems on Earth. This paper shows machine learning approaches to predicting geoeffective CMEs are feasible.”

    Earlier Warnings
    During a severe geomagnetic storm in May 2024 — the strongest to rattle Earth in over 20 years — NASA’s STEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) measured the magnetic field structure of CMEs as they passed by.
    When a CME headed for Earth hits a spacecraft first, that spacecraft can often measure the CME and its magnetic field directly, helping scientists determine how strong the geomagnetic storm will be at Earth. Typically, the first spacecraft to get hit are one million miles from Earth toward the Sun at a place called Lagrange Point 1 (L1), giving us only 10 to 60 minutes advanced warning.
    By chance, during the May 2024 storm, when several CMEs erupted from the Sun and merged on their way to Earth, NASA’s STEREO-A spacecraft happened to be between us and the Sun, about 4 million miles closer to the Sun than L1.
    A paper published March 17, 2025, in the journal Space Weather reports that if STEREO-A had served as a CME sentinel, it could have provided an accurate prediction of the resulting storm’s strength 2 hours and 34 minutes earlier than a spacecraft could at L1.
    According to the paper’s lead author, Eva Weiler of the Austrian Space Weather Office in Graz, “No other Earth-directed superstorm has ever been observed by a spacecraft positioned closer to the Sun than L1.”

    By Vanessa ThomasNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Missions Help Explain, Predict Severity of Solar Storms

    Source: NASA

    An unexpectedly strong solar storm rocked our planet on April 23, 2023, sparking auroras as far south as southern Texas in the U.S. and taking the world by surprise. 
    Two days earlier, the Sun blasted a coronal mass ejection (CME) — a cloud of energetic particles, magnetic fields, and solar material — toward Earth. Space scientists took notice, expecting it could cause disruptions to Earth’s magnetic field, known as a geomagnetic storm. But the CME wasn’t especially fast or massive, and it was preceded by a relatively weak solar flare, suggesting the storm would be minor. But it became severe.
    Using NASA heliophysics missions, new studies of this storm and others are helping scientists learn why some CMEs have more intense effects — and better predict the impacts of future solar eruptions on our lives.

    Why Was This Storm So Intense?
    A paper published in the Astrophysical Journal on March 31 suggests the CME’s orientation relative to Earth likely caused the April 2023 storm to become surprisingly strong.
    The researchers gathered observations from five heliophysics spacecraft across the inner solar system to study the CME in detail as it emerged from the Sun and traveled to Earth.
    They noticed a large coronal hole near the CME’s birthplace. Coronal holes are areas where the solar wind — a stream of particles flowing from the Sun — floods outward at higher than normal speeds.
    “The fast solar wind coming from this coronal hole acted like an air current, nudging the CME away from its original straight-line path and pushing it closer to Earth’s orbital plane,” said the paper’s lead author, Evangelos Paouris of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. “In addition to this deflection, the CME also rotated slightly.”
    Paouris says this turned the CME’s magnetic fields opposite to Earth’s magnetic field and held them there — allowing more of the Sun’s energy to pour into Earth’s environment and intensifying the storm.

    Cool Thermosphere
    Meanwhile, NASA’s GOLD (Global-scale Observations of Limb and Disk) mission revealed another unexpected consequence of the April 2023 storm at Earth.
    Before, during, and after the storm, GOLD studied the temperature in the middle thermosphere, a part of Earth’s upper atmosphere about 85 to 120 miles overhead. During the storm, temperatures increased throughout GOLD’s wide field of view over the Americas. But surprisingly, after the storm, temperatures dropped about 90 to 198 degrees Fahrenheit lower than they were before the storm (from about 980 to 1,070 degrees Fahrenheit before the storm to 870 to 980 degrees Fahrenheit afterward).
    “Our measurement is the first to show widespread cooling in the middle thermosphere after a strong storm,” said Xuguang Cai of the University of Colorado, Boulder, lead author of a paper about GOLD’s observations published in the journal JGR Space Physics on April 15, 2025.
    The thermosphere’s temperature is important, because it affects how much drag Earth-orbiting satellites and space debris experience.
    “When the thermosphere cools, it contracts and becomes less dense at satellite altitudes, reducing drag,” Cai said. “This can cause satellites and space debris to stay in orbit longer than expected, increasing the risk of collisions. Understanding how geomagnetic storms and solar activity affect Earth’s upper atmosphere helps protect technologies we all rely on — like GPS, satellites, and radio communications.”
    Predicting When Storms Strike
    To predict when a CME will trigger a geomagnetic storm, or be “geoeffective,” some scientists are combining observations with machine learning. A paper published last November in the journal Solar Physics describes one such approach called GeoCME.
    Machine learning is a type of artificial intelligence in which a computer algorithm learns from data to identify patterns, then uses those patterns to make decisions or predictions.
    Scientists trained GeoCME by giving it images from the NASA/ESA (European Space Agency) SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) spacecraft of different CMEs that reached Earth along with SOHO images of the Sun before, during, and after each CME. They then told the model whether each CME produced a geomagnetic storm.
    Then, when it was given images from three different science instruments on SOHO, the model’s predictions were highly accurate. Out of 21 geoeffective CMEs, the model correctly predicted all 21 of them; of 7 non-geoeffective ones, it correctly predicted 5 of them.
    “The algorithm shows promise,” said heliophysicist Jack Ireland of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, who was not involved in the study. “Understanding if a CME will be geoeffective or not can help us protect infrastructure in space and technological systems on Earth. This paper shows machine learning approaches to predicting geoeffective CMEs are feasible.”

    Earlier Warnings
    During a severe geomagnetic storm in May 2024 — the strongest to rattle Earth in over 20 years — NASA’s STEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) measured the magnetic field structure of CMEs as they passed by.
    When a CME headed for Earth hits a spacecraft first, that spacecraft can often measure the CME and its magnetic field directly, helping scientists determine how strong the geomagnetic storm will be at Earth. Typically, the first spacecraft to get hit are one million miles from Earth toward the Sun at a place called Lagrange Point 1 (L1), giving us only 10 to 60 minutes advanced warning.
    By chance, during the May 2024 storm, when several CMEs erupted from the Sun and merged on their way to Earth, NASA’s STEREO-A spacecraft happened to be between us and the Sun, about 4 million miles closer to the Sun than L1.
    A paper published March 17, 2025, in the journal Space Weather reports that if STEREO-A had served as a CME sentinel, it could have provided an accurate prediction of the resulting storm’s strength 2 hours and 34 minutes earlier than a spacecraft could at L1.
    According to the paper’s lead author, Eva Weiler of the Austrian Space Weather Office in Graz, “No other Earth-directed superstorm has ever been observed by a spacecraft positioned closer to the Sun than L1.”

    By Vanessa ThomasNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s Spanish-language Podcast Debuts Third Season

    Source: NASA

    Lee esta nota en español aquí.
    NASA released the first episode Tuesday of its third season of Universo curioso de la NASA, the agency’s only Spanish-language podcast.
    Episodes focus on some of NASA’s top missions and research topics for 2025, bringing the wonder of exploration, space technology, and scientific discoveries to Spanish-speaking audiences around the world. 
    “NASA Science is literally everywhere, transcending geography and language to provide real time benefits to everyday lives across the globe using our scientific innovations, data, and discoveries from the unique vantage point of space,” said Dr. Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “The Universo curioso de la NASA podcast shares NASA’s discoveries with Spanish-speaking communities across the globe, inspiring future explorers to join our journey as we return to the Moon and venture onward to Mars for the benefit of all humanity.”
    New episodes will post every month through the end of the year. The first episode, centered on the science objectives of NASA’s Artemis II mission to the Moon, is available at:
    https://go.nasa.gov/4l9lmbN
    Universo curioso is hosted by Noelia González, communications specialist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. This season introduces co-host Andrés Almeida, technical writer and host of NASA’s Small Steps, Giant Leaps podcast at NASA’s Headquarters. Throughout the season, listeners will celebrate the legacy of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, learn about an upcoming mission to the Sun, and explore dark energy and how the future Roman Space Telescope will study it, among other topics.
    Universo curioso de la NASA is a joint initiative of the agency’s Spanish-language communications and audio programs. The new season, as well as previous episodes, are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud and NASA’s website.
    Listen to the podcast and download related art materials at:
    https://ciencia.nasa.gov/universocurioso

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: APEC Opens Scientist Exchange Program in Korea Sejong, Republic of Korea | 02 July 2025 APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation APEC has kicked off a new exchange program to boost cross-border research, with Korea hosting the first cohort of scientists in Seoul this year.

    Source: APEC – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

    APEC has kicked off a new exchange program to boost cross-border research, with Korea hosting the first cohort of scientists in Seoul this year. The Scientist Invitation Program to Korea 2025 marks the first program under the APEC Scientist Exchange Initiative, a new regional effort to enhance scientific mobility and long-term collaboration.

    This is the first time APEC has launched a dedicated mobility track for scientists, signaling a significant step toward institutionalizing scientific exchange as part of the region’s broader agenda for inclusive innovation and sustainable growth.

    Funded and implemented this year by the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea, the program supports researchers from APEC member economies through structured training and joint research opportunities. It also offers streamlined visa application processes and fast-track entry and exit at Korean ports of entry.

    The launch comes at a time when economies are navigating post-pandemic recovery, an accelerating digital transformation and rising demand for interdisciplinary scientific talent. By investing in mobility and peer exchange, the program responds to calls for deeper regional cooperation in science and technology.

    “Capacity building and exchange programmes empower scientists to share knowledge, foster innovation and create solutions that transcend borders, driving global progress through shared mission collaborations via human-to-human exchanges,” said Hazami Habib, Vice Chair of the APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI).

    “This could lead to not only enhanced connectivity but also significant impacts across the APEC region. The Scientist Invitation Program to Korea 2025 is a commendable initiative which stimulates further interest in collaborative research within the region,” Habib added.

    “Korea has emphasized the importance of innovation driven by cultivating science and technology talent,” said Sunghoon Hwang, Director General for International Cooperation at Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT. “We hope that the Scientist Invitation Program will enable scientists from Korea and participating APEC members to build research networks and create scientific collaboration opportunities across the region, particularly with Korea.”

    The program offers two distinct pathways for participation. The first is a 10-day capacity-building track that includes mentoring, expert lectures and policy discussions to support future collaboration. The second is a 90-day research placement, where participants conduct joint research at leading Korean institutions. Eligible applicants must hold a PhD or a master’s degree with at least three years of relevant professional experience.

    The first session, focused on physics, ran from 26 May to 6 June in Seoul. It brought together 21 researchers and professors from Malaysia, Peru and Thailand, who engaged in lab visits, including the Center for Quantum Nanoscience at Ewha Womans University, and took part in cultural experiences that strengthened professional and personal ties.

    “This program will help me to have an international collaboration. I feel good, and this is a good opportunity for me,” said Dr Nuttawadee Intachai, a lecturer at Chiang Mai University in Thailand who participated in the session.

    The second session, focused on chemistry and involving scientists from Indonesia and the Philippines, concluded on 27 June. Upcoming sessions in earth sciences and life sciences, along with the first round of 90-day research placements, are set to begin in July.

    With up to 100 scientists expected to participate this year, the Scientist Invitation Program is laying the groundwork for a more connected, collaborative, and innovation-driven APEC region.

    The broader initiative also includes plans for an APEC Scientist Travel Card, modeled after the APEC Business Travel Card. Once developed, the card would streamline mobility for scientists attending conferences, seminars, or joint projects by facilitating visa-free or expedited entry. More information is available on the official program website.

    For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

    MIL OSI Economics –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 3D panoramas of Vorobyovy Gory have been published in the mobile application “Discover Moscow”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The mobile application “Discover Moscow” has appeared 3D panoramas of Vorobyovy Gory. Users will see how this area changed over several historical eras, learn what the Vorobyovsky Palace of the Russian tsars of the 18th century looked like, where the restaurant of the enterprising peasant Stepan Krynkin, popular in the city at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, was located, and how the main building of the Moscow State University (MSU) named after M.V. Lomonosov was erected in the mid-20th century. All this will help to imagine the various stages of the territory’s development.

    “The 3D panoramas of Vorobyovy Gory allow you to imagine how this favorite vacation spot for Muscovites and visitors to the capital looked in different eras. For example, one of the panoramas recreates the construction process of the main building of Moscow State University – users can literally witness a historical moment. To enhance the immersion effect, specialists have worked out in detail not only architectural objects, but also elements of nature: birds in flight, grass swaying in the wind. You can see all this both on site and from home, but the most vivid impressions await those who go to the observation deck of Vorobyovy Gory – breathtaking views open up here and you can feel the connection of times,” the press service said.

    Department of Information Technology of the City of Moscow.

    An information stele has been installed on the observation deck of Vorobyovy Gory, which will help you to see the 3D panorama right there. To see it, you need to scan the QR code and download the “Discover Moscow” application. After installing the application, you need to scan the QR code again, click the “View 3D panorama” button and select the period of time you are interested in. Then you can look around through your smartphone camera — historical views will come to life right on the screen.

    The panorama and key historical moments can be studied remotely – at any time and from anywhere in the country. To do this, in the “Discover Moscow” application, find the “Vorobyovy Gory: observation deck” object card, click the “View 3D panorama” button, select the era and explore the area through the screen of your device.

    Sparrow Hills: from the Middle Ages to the present day

    The picturesque Vorobyovy Gory with its panoramic views of Moscow has attracted Russian rulers for centuries. The village of Vorobyevo was mentioned in the 15th century, and in the 16th century, Prince Vasily III built a wooden palace here. Ivan the Terrible took refuge within its walls during the uprising of 1547, and later Boris Godunov and Mikhail Romanov used the residence. In 1684, Princess Sophia ordered a new palace to be built in the Moscow Baroque style.

    It was here that young Peter I became interested in artillery, which largely determined his future interests. After the capital was moved to St. Petersburg, the palace gradually fell into disrepair, and after a fire in 1812, it finally disappeared. Its foundation was discovered in 1901 during the installation of a water pipe. Today, only archival documents and old engravings remind us of the building. But you can see it in the first 3D panorama – just click the button “Vorobyevsky Palace. 18th century”.

    The second 3D panorama will introduce you to a virtual image of another Vorobyovy Gory structure — the Krynkin restaurant of the 19th–20th centuries. It was opened in 1891 by Stepan Krynkin, a native of the village of Vorobyevo. By 1904, the establishment had become a real entertainment center: gypsy choirs were heard here, illusionists performed, reindeer sleigh rides were offered in the winter, roller coasters were offered in the summer, and fireworks were displayed on New Year’s Eve. Krynkin thought through every detail: a narrow-gauge railway with a small locomotive known as the “cuckoo” was even laid for guests, and a boat service was organized. During the revolution, a reading room was built instead of the restaurant, but the building soon burned down, leaving behind only memories and quotes in classical literature.

    The third 3D panorama in the Discover Moscow app visualizes the construction of the legendary Stalinist skyscraper — the main building of Lomonosov Moscow State University. Construction began in 1947. The project was developed by leading architects, including Boris Iofan and Lev Rudnev, and the sculptural design was entrusted to Vera Mukhina’s studio. Construction proceeded at a record pace: by 1949, the frame had already reached 10 floors. Chief engineer Nikolai Nikitin created a unique 15-meter-deep floating foundation and special columns that prevented the building from subsiding in unstable soils. From its construction in 1953 until 1990, the building remained the tallest in Europe. Learn more about the history of the university and the key figures associated with its creation, development, and transformation. Thematic quiz, dedicated to the 270th anniversary of the legendary university. The new stele on Vorobyovy Gory is also part of a special project prepared by the portal “Learn Moscow” and Lomonosov Moscow State University and dedicated to the university’s anniversary.

    Today, Vorobyovy Gory is a unique historical area and a nature reserve in the very center of the capital, as well as one of the four territories of Gorky Park. More than 150 species of animals and birds, as well as about 400 species of plants, including those listed in the Red Book of Moscow, are found here. There are two ecological trails on the territory, each over one and a half kilometers long. This is one of the most picturesque places in the center of the capital, which is perfect for sports and leisurely walks in the forest.

    “Moscow Parks” is a large-scale city initiative aimed at creating comfortable, modern and multifunctional places for recreation. It unites over 50 park areas where you can learn more about culture, play sports, take a walk with the whole family and find solitude in nature. Thanks to the project, unique landscapes and ecosystems are preserved, and bike paths, workout and sports grounds, art objects, children’s playgrounds and summer cafes appear.

    “Get to Know Moscow” — a joint project of the departments of information technology, culture, cultural heritage, education and science. The interactive guide contains, for example, photographs and descriptions of more than 3.5 thousand buildings, monuments, historical sites, over 290 walking routes and information about more than 330 historical figures. Users also have access to mobile application “Get to know Moscow.”

    The creation, development and operation of the e-government infrastructure, including the provision of mass socially significant services, as well as other services in electronic form, correspond to the objectives of the national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State” and the regional project of the city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration”.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/156158073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 1 July 2025 Sakhalin Region to appear at EEF Far East Street as Asia-Pacific energy and logistics hub Sakhalin Region will again participate in the Far East Street exhibition, scheduled to take place on 3–9 September as part of the 2025 Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. The exhibition is being organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Office of the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District. The country’s only island region will present major investment and social projects, share its unique history and culture, and touch on the development of unmanned aviation.

    Source: Eastern Economic Forum

    1 July 2025

    Sakhalin Region to appear at EEF Far East Street as Asia-Pacific energy and logistics hub

    Sakhalin Region will again participate in the Far East Street exhibition, scheduled to take place on 3–9 September as part of the 2025 Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. The exhibition is being organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Office of the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District. The country’s only island region will present major investment and social projects, share its unique history and culture, and touch on the development of unmanned aviation.

    “Sakhalin Region is one of the Far East’s investment leaders. It ranks fourth on the National Investment Climate Rating and first out of the constituent entities of the Far Eastern Federal District. The manufacturing, coal, and construction industries are all growing. Awaiting entrepreneurs are TAD and free port benefits and preferential treatment in the Kurils. Science and technology are booming in the region. The President has ordered that an international campus be created. An engineering school and electrical engineering laboratory are currently in operation, the first phase of the Oil and Gas Industrial Park has been launched, and a scientific and production centre for the development of unmanned systems established, all contributing to new production facilities, new talent, and train for a new generation of specialists. The local master plan is reinventing Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. There’s no denying there is much to showcase and be proud of in the region,” Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev said.

    The Sakhalin Region’s main pavilion on Far East Street, located next to the investor pavilion in the shape of a scallop shell, will take the form of waves and be decorated with installations related to logistics: a hydrogen train, a UAV, an aircraft, and the port of Korsakov.

    “The EEF has long played an important role in Sakhalin Region’s economic development. We have signed more than 60 agreements here in the past five years, good for some 5,700 jobs, and launched important projects in energy, transport, and education, modernizing the power grid, developing hydrogen energy, spreading gas throughout the region, modernizing port infrastructure, building medical clinics, and developing science as part of the construction of the SakhalinTech campus. It is important to us that Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands become more comfortable and that people want to visit and live here, a goal we will continue to pursue in the future,” Governor of the Sakhalin Region Valery Limarenko said.

    Inside the pavilion, there will be an installation dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, with the exhibition ‘Roads to Victory’ telling the story of the Battle of Sakhalin and the Landing on Shumshu and a film about the expedition to the island and videos reconstructing battles in the Kholmsky and Smirnykhovsky.

    “The President of the Russian Federation has tasked us with creating a memorial complex on Shumshu, one the islands of the Kuril chain, dedicated to the Kuril landing operation, which essentially marked the end of World War II and the defeat of the Kwantung Army. Our soldiers defeated superior forces, demonstrated outstanding heroism, parachuted into the water fully equipped, and attacked tanks and firing points located on high ground. It is one of the most significant pages in our history,” Trutnev said.

    The Tourism zone will feature new historical tours like ‘The Battle of Shumshu’ and ‘The Liberation of Southern Sakhalin’, winter and summer holidays, culinary tours, and the ‘Far East – Land of Adventure’ project.

    The Sakhalin – Russian Showcase zone will feature important projects like the agglomeration master plan and regional development in medicine, science and education, logistics, culture, and the urban environment.

    Another zone has been dedicated to the results of the Sakhalin Region Development Corporation’s work over the last decade and will use multimedia technologies, among others, to report on initiatives by the Mersi Agro Sakhalin livestock complex, the Horizon residential complex, the Uyun territory development project, the agro-park, and the oil service park.

    The UAV and USV zone will showcase the island’s efforts to lead the development of unmanned systems in Russia, with a separate exhibition promoting Sakhalin’s achievements in the field.

    There are plans to host three international forums in Sakhalin Region in 2025: ‘Wings of Sakhalin’, ‘Energy of Sakhalin’, and ‘Islands of Sustainable Development: Climate’ at the new Pushisty Drone Port. The Sakhalin Expo exhibition will be dedicated to the development of congress and exhibition activities in the region.

    The main pavilion will be located next to the ‘Made in Sakhalin’ stand, which will showcase regional clothing, jewellery, souvenir, food, and health brands as well as achievements in the film industry and computer graphics. The pavilion will incorporate works by Sakhalin photographers and musicians into its design and feature a variety of murals, including an image of the Aniva lighthouse, the unofficial symbol of the region.

    The art installation ‘Happy Motherhood’ will symbolize family values in honour of 2025 as the Year of Happy Motherhood on the islands and the focus of the regional government’s social policy on demographic issues and the conditions necessary for women to be mothers without having to sacrifice their careers or their families.

    This year’s cultural programme from the Sakhalin Region will seek to promote local authors and musicians, with songs by Sakhalin composer and poet Georgy Zobov to be performed by artists from the Stage Academy and accompanied by the Aritmia dance studio and Dreambox band. Guests can look forward to performances by the duo Vishnya, who will present a combination of electronic music, songs, and ethnic music, the Larisa Dolina Academy of Pop Music ensemble, which will perform cover versions of well-known Russian hits, and stilt walkers from the 2233 theatre studio.

    A regional delegation will present a series of unique performances entitled ‘Sea Meditation’. Over the course of three days, Sakhalin artist Konstantin Kolupaev will employ his own unique technique to create paintings dedicated to the beauty and power of nature on a huge canvas as viewers observe the master at work.

    The Sakhalin Region sports programme will feature an interactive VR platform, where visitors can try their hand at downhill skiing, ski jumping, or parachuting, and the Beat the Champion chess platform.

    The Eastern Economic Forum will be held on the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok from 3–6 September, during which time the Far East Street exhibition will be open to Forum participants, before opening to the general public on 7, 8, and 9 September. The Eastern Economic Forum is being organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

    Read more

    MIL OSI Economics –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Young CCP members become torchbearers of the country’s future

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) — Despite a busy schedule of exams and end-of-semester papers, Lin Jiajun finds time every day to read articles in Qiushi, a leading journal of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, to study the latest policies and guidelines for rural development in the country.

    The 22-year-old student majoring in urban and rural planning at Nanjing University of Technology in east China’s Jiangsu Province applied to join the Communist Party of China two years ago and plans to work in a field related to rural revitalization strategy after graduation.

    While doing fieldwork in Chinese villages earlier this year, Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province in southern China, native Lin Jiajun was deeply moved by what he saw.

    Like many young Chinese, he is inspired and proud of the Party’s work in rural areas: between 2013 and 2020, China lifted nearly 99 million rural people out of poverty, contributing more than 70 percent to global poverty reduction during that period.

    To consolidate the achievements in the fight against poverty, the party is now implementing a rural revitalization strategy in rural areas.

    “The CCP was the driving force behind this transformation. I remember reading in high school about how young party members, many of them college graduates, would go to villages to support local communities,” Lin Jiajun said.

    “There is still so much work to be done in the villages and I want to be part of that process,” he added.

    Like Lin Jiajun, a growing number of young Chinese are applying to join the party, inspired by its ideals and the country’s development prospects.

    Newly released data showed that more than 1.78 million people under the age of 35 joined the CPC, which celebrated its 104th anniversary on Tuesday, in 2024, accounting for 83.7 percent of the party’s net membership growth for the year.

    By the end of 2024, the number of young Party members in this age group exceeded 23 million, accounting for more than one-fifth of the total CPC membership.

    As a dynamic force, these members play a key role in the CPC’s modernization efforts. Since scientific and technological innovation is the centerpiece of China’s modernization, the Party aims to build a strong country in science and technology by 2035.

    In this process, the Communist Party emphasizes the role of young professionals, entrusting them with responsible tasks within the framework of major national initiatives.

    In 2020, during preparations for the launch of China’s Long March-5 carrier rocket at the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in southern China’s Hainan Province, 24-year-old Zhou Chengyu, the first female subsystem commander at the site, calmly directed operations.

    Zhou Chengyu’s rise through the ranks was rapid. In two years, she participated in five major launches, each in a different role, before being named commander.

    The young woman lived up to the trust placed in her. During one mission, she had to climb more than 180 nearly vertical steel steps to reach an 8-square-meter test chamber filled with cables and pipes.

    She made four such climbs a day for 60 days. In recognition of her dedication and results, her position was later designated as a “vanguard party member post.”

    “I have chosen the right path. As a representative of the younger generation of Chinese, our aspirations must go hand in hand with the goals of the country,” the young commander said.

    Official data show that the average age of key scientists behind China’s BeiDou satellite navigation system, quantum research and FAST radio telescope project is around 30.

    Indeed, a new generation of CPC members is coming to the forefront, responding to the demands of the times and realizing their potential.

    Deng Wenhao, a Communist Party member and doctoral student at Taiyuan University of Technology in north China’s Shanxi Province, remembers the day in 2024 when he gave a presentation at the United Nations headquarters in New York on his team’s technology aimed at solving climate change and food security.

    “It was incredibly exciting to turn the knowledge I had gained into something meaningful. There is no greater reward for a researcher,” he said.

    Born in 1991 in Datong, a traditional coal-producing city in Shanxi Province, Deng Wenhao grew up seeing how coal and coal-fired power plants affected people’s lives. Because his grandparents were farmers, he also saw vast stretches of barren, salt-marsh land covered in what he remembers as a “crust of salt.”

    When his supervisor suggested exploring more natural methods of capturing carbon emissions, Deng Wenhao immediately thought of these saline soils. “I thought, why not capture carbon emissions and use them to reclaim alkaline soils?” he said.

    His department found the idea unconventional, but the proposal received support. Li Ping, secretary of the CPC committee of the School of Safety Engineering and Emergency Management at Taiyuan University of Technology, said the topic met the needs of the local economy.

    “We encourage our researchers to innovate and solve practical problems. We do not limit them in their choice of research direction,” Li Ping added.

    “The CCP is constantly innovating and adapting to the spirit of the times. It is full of energy and vitality, and that is why it attracts so many young people,” Deng Wenhao said. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Conference Holds Multistakeholder Round Table on Upholding Multilateral Trading System, Harnessing Potential of Science, Technology and Innovation

    Source: United Nations 4

    The Conference holds its fourth multi-stakeholder round table this morning on “Upholding the multilateral trading system, and harnessing the potential of science, technology and innovation”.

    Co-Chaired by Nadia Fettah, Minister for Economy and Finance of Morocco, and Melita Gabrič, Deputy Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Minister for Development of Slovenia, it will feature a special address by Pedro Sánchez, President of Spain. 

    Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), will moderate the discussion.

    Panelists will include:  Shane Reti, Minister for Science and Innovation, Minister for Pacific Peoples, Minister for Statistics and Universities of New Zealand; Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabè Abroad of Burkina Faso; Philip Gough, Secretary of Economic and Financial Affairs of Brazil; and Enrique Javier Ochoa Martinez, Under Secretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico.

    Representatives of the Customs Cooperation Council and a civil society organization will be the discussants.

    …

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO appoints new Chief Scientist

    Source: NATO

    On 1 July 2025, Mr Steen Søndergaard assumes his term as NATO Chief Scientist. He was appointed to the position by the North Atlantic Council earlier this year, upon recommendation by the NATO Science & Technology Board (STB), for a three-year term.

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Sanjay Malhotra: Convocation address – Indian Institute of Technology

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Chairman of the Board of Governors, Director of the Institute, Prof and Padma Shree Manindra Agrawal, winner of numerous awards, who was my senior here and who I hold in very high esteem, faculty members, staff, proud parents, family and friends of the graduating students, distinguished guests, and my dear graduating students, alumni, ladies and gentlemen.

    Today marks the culmination of an exciting chapter for the graduating students, where you have not only learnt new things – academic and extra-curricular – but have also had an enjoyable and memorable experience. I extend a very warm congratulations to all the graduating students. Please give yourselves a huge round of applause.

    To the parents and guardians, this moment belongs as much to you as it does to your children and wards. Your innumerable sacrifices, continuous support, unconditional love and unwavering encouragement have laid the foundation upon which these young achievers now stand. I know this is an emotional and proud moment for you. I have myself experienced these emotions when my sons graduated – one from IIT Bombay and the other from IIT Guwahati. My warmest congratulations to you as your ward steps into a new chapter in life.

    Dear graduates, it is a special day for you as you enter a new and exciting phase of life. It is an equally special day for me and doubly so. First, this institute has had a transformational impact on me, my life and my thoughts. I remember with nostalgia my years at IIT. I still vividly remember my first day at IIT when my mother came to drop me with another batchmate. I recollect my days at Hall III and then Hall I, the healthy rivalry between Hall II and Hall III, phatta cricket, bulla, the various celebrations at Red Rose Restaurant on the campus and Chung Fa restaurant in the city, movies at L7, DEC 10 of which we were so proud, the iconic library, Culfest and the many friends that I made and treasure till date. The steel trunk which carried my belongings to IIT and which my loving wife has preserved till date is still with me. I still have my Wilson tennis racket, with which I religiously played every evening at the clay courts on campus. IITK has a special place in my heart. This convocation ceremony is even more special as I did not attend our convocation ceremony; in fact, we did not have a proper convocation ceremony, perhaps the only batch not to have it. So, it’s an honour to be back here after thirty-six long years in a new and privileged role and be a part of the convocation ceremony today. Thank you, IIT, for this honour.

    Times have changed a lot since I graduated. But there are certainly lessons which endure time. As a fellow-alumnus, roll number 85213, who has experienced life after campus, I will speak about four learnings from my journey.

    Learning for Life

    Many of you would have got your dream jobs. Others, who plan to pursue further studies, would get them soon. With a degree from a prestigious institute and a good job in hand, please don’t think that you have arrived. The moment you think you have arrived, you will stagnate. The moment you believe you know everything, you will stop growing.

    This is just the beginning, only the first step. The degree has only laid a solid foundation and will take you thus far. You will need to build from here. You will need to learn when you change sectors, move across organisations within a sector, take up different roles within an organization and even within the same role in an organisation. Technology is advancing at a lightning speed. What you learnt yesterday would be outdated tomorrow as new ideas and tools emerge daily.

    I can assure you that the institute has prepared you well for your life ahead. It has not only imparted you with knowledge which will be of immense use but, more importantly, equipped you with the most important tool – the tool of self-learning.

    Like other IAS officers, I worked in diverse fields like urban management, land resources, industries, power, health, taxation, banking, finance, etc. Many of them were general management but many were highly technical and specialized, which had a steep learning curve. The IITK emphasis on basic sciences and core engineering subjects, its importance to the fundamentals of a subject, its priority to deriving the formulae rather than merely memorizing and applying them, its attention to problem-solving from first principles, and various other methods of problem solving have held me in good stead. IIT gave me the necessary tools for self-learning. I am sure it has given you too the same tools.

    So, continue your quest for knowledge. Remember that learning is for life. The moment one is not learning, it is a signal that one is not growing; one is not advancing. It is knowledge which will keep you ahead of others. Its importance cannot be over-emphasized. I urge you all, as Stephen Covey said, to continuously sharpen your saw and cut the grass under your feet.

    Question the status quo

    My second learning pertains to the period between 2003 and 2006, when I was working in the United Nations. I was managing a project to improve productivity in the hand tools clusters in India. We hired a Total Quality Management expert for some of our interventions. He had long and diverse experience across organisations.

    He challenged the forging units there to reduce the time taken in changing a die from about eight hours to less than an hour. All of them including the most advanced, productive and efficient forging units vehemently denied the possibility of reducing the time. When he failed after many days of trying to convince them to improve, he suggested some changes including installation of a video camera. This was tried in a unit. These small changes reduced the time to five hours. When asked, the supervisor, apart from other things, explained that the work started on time, as scheduled; no one was late; no one took an unscheduled tea break; all required equipment were pre-arranged and kept ready for use; there was no wastage of time. The small changes and videography did the trick as everyone was being watched. What followed was a series of improvements or what are called kaizens, not only in the exchange of dies, but also various other processes – forging, grinding, electroplating, packaging, etc, as every process was questioned. We ended up reducing costs by about 10%.

    I learnt to question the status quo. I learnt that there is always scope for improvement. This helped me improve efficiency in various organisations and departments that I worked in. It helped in reducing processing time of files. I reduced turnaround times for applications. It helped me make changes in laws, rules and procedures for the benefit of citizens and government alike, as I questioned the status quo.

    As Albert Einstein famously said, “The important thing is not to stop questioning.” When you question the status quo and ask questions, you open the door to new ideas and fresh perspectives. It is fuel for innovation; it drives you to explore, experiment, and create something better. So, no matter where you are in life or your career, never stop questioning the status quo and improving.

    Pursue virtuous Karma

    The third learning pertains to my tenure as Secretary, Department of Personnel in the Government of Rajasthan in 2007-08. Promotions from the state civil service to the IAS were plagued with disputes and court cases. For almost about 20 years, no one was promoted to the IAS. My predecessors did not take up this issue as they thought it would be an exercise in futility as some aggrieved officer will approach the doors of the judiciary. When I was given responsibility for this department, I took up the gauntlet. I studied all the disputes and judicial pronouncements meticulously; decided on claims of seniority and promotion, without fear or favour; finalized and published the seniority lists; and after spending months on this mammoth exercise, sent the proposals to UPSC for promotion. Just when we were about to convene the meeting for promotion, one officer again approached the court and got a stay. Months of my hard work was brought to nought. Even though many officers commended me for the hard work and getting the matter so close to finalization, I was disappointed.

    I had to leave for Princeton for my masters within a few days and could not pursue the case in the courts. After I returned, I was put in a different department. In a few years, the court lifted the stay. I was asked if I would be interested in giving finishing touches to the work I had initiated. Once bitten, twice shy, I did not take up the challenge this time. The work was completed by another officer. In recognition of his efforts, he was conferred with the state award for civil service.

    I realized I did not follow my karma as I feared failure. I realized I needed to follow my karma boldly and decisively without bothering about the results.

    Without going in to details of my journey thereafter, today, as I look back, I can confidently say that it is karma that largely determines outcomes and results. It is the path that one chooses that broadly determines the destination. Today, I appreciate how true Steve Jobs was when he said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.” Right now, you may not fully grasp how your karma – each late-night lab session, each frustrating bug, and each decision that you take – will impact your journey. You may not appreciate, how delayed gratification, the hallmark of all great leaders, will deliver bigger success over the longer term for the instant rewards foregone. But trust me, over time, the dots will connect and it will be in large measure due to your karma.

    Trust

    My last learning is from the student days in IIT, when we were always short of money and under debt. Food at the mess was as good as it can be. We relied heavily on the hostel canteen. A samosa at that time costed 35 paise and a bottle of Thums Up 2 rupees and 25 paise. The canteen was managed by a person called Lala. Lala was loved by everyone. He would serve us till late in night and very generously gave us credit. Even outside hostel, we got credit from the juice vendor, the shops in Shopping Centre, etc. This may not be surprising. Lala knew us, recognizing us as hostelers. Other vendors too recognized us as students from the campus. What was surprising though was that we got credit even from some shopkeepers in Kanpur, who did not know us at all. Why did these shopkeepers give credit to us? It is because of their trust in the IIT students.

    It is because people do business with people they trust. Trust is the foundation on which any relationship is built, whether it is marriage, friendship, or at workplace – between the CEO and the employees, or between a company and its consumers.

    It is trust in a person that makes him a leader; it is trust which makes people follow a leader. Integrity and ethics are paramount to develop trust. It is not easy to gain trust. To earn trust, a leader must have the courage to take difficult decisions. He must act in the interest of the employees and other stakeholders. He must be willing to accept responsibility. He must lead by example. He must possess the humility to learn from his mistakes. He must be just, transparent and respectful. Trust takes time to build. But it is easy to lose trust. To be a successful person, a successful leader, graduating students, try to gain trust and having gained it, preserve trust.

    Your time to shine

    To conclude, dear graduating students, as you leave this campus today, have confidence in yourself. Dream big, but more importantly, act on those dreams. Make IIT Kanpur proud. Make your parents proud. Make India proud. But most importantly, make yourselves proud – proud by living lives of character, ethics and humility; lives filled with purpose, service and impact. As you step into tomorrow, carry with you the spirit of this institution, carry with you the love of your families, and carry with you the dreams of a billion Indians who believe in your potential.

    Your journey of transformation began here at IIT Kanpur. Now, transform the world as leaders who are trustworthy; who continue learning for life; who question the status quo and who pursue virtuous karma.

    May God bless you with all the very best in your journey ahead.

    Thank you.

    Jai Hind.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Sanjay Malhotra: Convocation address – Indian Institute of Technology

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Chairman of the Board of Governors, Director of the Institute, Prof and Padma Shree Manindra Agrawal, winner of numerous awards, who was my senior here and who I hold in very high esteem, faculty members, staff, proud parents, family and friends of the graduating students, distinguished guests, and my dear graduating students, alumni, ladies and gentlemen.

    Today marks the culmination of an exciting chapter for the graduating students, where you have not only learnt new things – academic and extra-curricular – but have also had an enjoyable and memorable experience. I extend a very warm congratulations to all the graduating students. Please give yourselves a huge round of applause.

    To the parents and guardians, this moment belongs as much to you as it does to your children and wards. Your innumerable sacrifices, continuous support, unconditional love and unwavering encouragement have laid the foundation upon which these young achievers now stand. I know this is an emotional and proud moment for you. I have myself experienced these emotions when my sons graduated – one from IIT Bombay and the other from IIT Guwahati. My warmest congratulations to you as your ward steps into a new chapter in life.

    Dear graduates, it is a special day for you as you enter a new and exciting phase of life. It is an equally special day for me and doubly so. First, this institute has had a transformational impact on me, my life and my thoughts. I remember with nostalgia my years at IIT. I still vividly remember my first day at IIT when my mother came to drop me with another batchmate. I recollect my days at Hall III and then Hall I, the healthy rivalry between Hall II and Hall III, phatta cricket, bulla, the various celebrations at Red Rose Restaurant on the campus and Chung Fa restaurant in the city, movies at L7, DEC 10 of which we were so proud, the iconic library, Culfest and the many friends that I made and treasure till date. The steel trunk which carried my belongings to IIT and which my loving wife has preserved till date is still with me. I still have my Wilson tennis racket, with which I religiously played every evening at the clay courts on campus. IITK has a special place in my heart. This convocation ceremony is even more special as I did not attend our convocation ceremony; in fact, we did not have a proper convocation ceremony, perhaps the only batch not to have it. So, it’s an honour to be back here after thirty-six long years in a new and privileged role and be a part of the convocation ceremony today. Thank you, IIT, for this honour.

    Times have changed a lot since I graduated. But there are certainly lessons which endure time. As a fellow-alumnus, roll number 85213, who has experienced life after campus, I will speak about four learnings from my journey.

    Learning for Life

    Many of you would have got your dream jobs. Others, who plan to pursue further studies, would get them soon. With a degree from a prestigious institute and a good job in hand, please don’t think that you have arrived. The moment you think you have arrived, you will stagnate. The moment you believe you know everything, you will stop growing.

    This is just the beginning, only the first step. The degree has only laid a solid foundation and will take you thus far. You will need to build from here. You will need to learn when you change sectors, move across organisations within a sector, take up different roles within an organization and even within the same role in an organisation. Technology is advancing at a lightning speed. What you learnt yesterday would be outdated tomorrow as new ideas and tools emerge daily.

    I can assure you that the institute has prepared you well for your life ahead. It has not only imparted you with knowledge which will be of immense use but, more importantly, equipped you with the most important tool – the tool of self-learning.

    Like other IAS officers, I worked in diverse fields like urban management, land resources, industries, power, health, taxation, banking, finance, etc. Many of them were general management but many were highly technical and specialized, which had a steep learning curve. The IITK emphasis on basic sciences and core engineering subjects, its importance to the fundamentals of a subject, its priority to deriving the formulae rather than merely memorizing and applying them, its attention to problem-solving from first principles, and various other methods of problem solving have held me in good stead. IIT gave me the necessary tools for self-learning. I am sure it has given you too the same tools.

    So, continue your quest for knowledge. Remember that learning is for life. The moment one is not learning, it is a signal that one is not growing; one is not advancing. It is knowledge which will keep you ahead of others. Its importance cannot be over-emphasized. I urge you all, as Stephen Covey said, to continuously sharpen your saw and cut the grass under your feet.

    Question the status quo

    My second learning pertains to the period between 2003 and 2006, when I was working in the United Nations. I was managing a project to improve productivity in the hand tools clusters in India. We hired a Total Quality Management expert for some of our interventions. He had long and diverse experience across organisations.

    He challenged the forging units there to reduce the time taken in changing a die from about eight hours to less than an hour. All of them including the most advanced, productive and efficient forging units vehemently denied the possibility of reducing the time. When he failed after many days of trying to convince them to improve, he suggested some changes including installation of a video camera. This was tried in a unit. These small changes reduced the time to five hours. When asked, the supervisor, apart from other things, explained that the work started on time, as scheduled; no one was late; no one took an unscheduled tea break; all required equipment were pre-arranged and kept ready for use; there was no wastage of time. The small changes and videography did the trick as everyone was being watched. What followed was a series of improvements or what are called kaizens, not only in the exchange of dies, but also various other processes – forging, grinding, electroplating, packaging, etc, as every process was questioned. We ended up reducing costs by about 10%.

    I learnt to question the status quo. I learnt that there is always scope for improvement. This helped me improve efficiency in various organisations and departments that I worked in. It helped in reducing processing time of files. I reduced turnaround times for applications. It helped me make changes in laws, rules and procedures for the benefit of citizens and government alike, as I questioned the status quo.

    As Albert Einstein famously said, “The important thing is not to stop questioning.” When you question the status quo and ask questions, you open the door to new ideas and fresh perspectives. It is fuel for innovation; it drives you to explore, experiment, and create something better. So, no matter where you are in life or your career, never stop questioning the status quo and improving.

    Pursue virtuous Karma

    The third learning pertains to my tenure as Secretary, Department of Personnel in the Government of Rajasthan in 2007-08. Promotions from the state civil service to the IAS were plagued with disputes and court cases. For almost about 20 years, no one was promoted to the IAS. My predecessors did not take up this issue as they thought it would be an exercise in futility as some aggrieved officer will approach the doors of the judiciary. When I was given responsibility for this department, I took up the gauntlet. I studied all the disputes and judicial pronouncements meticulously; decided on claims of seniority and promotion, without fear or favour; finalized and published the seniority lists; and after spending months on this mammoth exercise, sent the proposals to UPSC for promotion. Just when we were about to convene the meeting for promotion, one officer again approached the court and got a stay. Months of my hard work was brought to nought. Even though many officers commended me for the hard work and getting the matter so close to finalization, I was disappointed.

    I had to leave for Princeton for my masters within a few days and could not pursue the case in the courts. After I returned, I was put in a different department. In a few years, the court lifted the stay. I was asked if I would be interested in giving finishing touches to the work I had initiated. Once bitten, twice shy, I did not take up the challenge this time. The work was completed by another officer. In recognition of his efforts, he was conferred with the state award for civil service.

    I realized I did not follow my karma as I feared failure. I realized I needed to follow my karma boldly and decisively without bothering about the results.

    Without going in to details of my journey thereafter, today, as I look back, I can confidently say that it is karma that largely determines outcomes and results. It is the path that one chooses that broadly determines the destination. Today, I appreciate how true Steve Jobs was when he said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.” Right now, you may not fully grasp how your karma – each late-night lab session, each frustrating bug, and each decision that you take – will impact your journey. You may not appreciate, how delayed gratification, the hallmark of all great leaders, will deliver bigger success over the longer term for the instant rewards foregone. But trust me, over time, the dots will connect and it will be in large measure due to your karma.

    Trust

    My last learning is from the student days in IIT, when we were always short of money and under debt. Food at the mess was as good as it can be. We relied heavily on the hostel canteen. A samosa at that time costed 35 paise and a bottle of Thums Up 2 rupees and 25 paise. The canteen was managed by a person called Lala. Lala was loved by everyone. He would serve us till late in night and very generously gave us credit. Even outside hostel, we got credit from the juice vendor, the shops in Shopping Centre, etc. This may not be surprising. Lala knew us, recognizing us as hostelers. Other vendors too recognized us as students from the campus. What was surprising though was that we got credit even from some shopkeepers in Kanpur, who did not know us at all. Why did these shopkeepers give credit to us? It is because of their trust in the IIT students.

    It is because people do business with people they trust. Trust is the foundation on which any relationship is built, whether it is marriage, friendship, or at workplace – between the CEO and the employees, or between a company and its consumers.

    It is trust in a person that makes him a leader; it is trust which makes people follow a leader. Integrity and ethics are paramount to develop trust. It is not easy to gain trust. To earn trust, a leader must have the courage to take difficult decisions. He must act in the interest of the employees and other stakeholders. He must be willing to accept responsibility. He must lead by example. He must possess the humility to learn from his mistakes. He must be just, transparent and respectful. Trust takes time to build. But it is easy to lose trust. To be a successful person, a successful leader, graduating students, try to gain trust and having gained it, preserve trust.

    Your time to shine

    To conclude, dear graduating students, as you leave this campus today, have confidence in yourself. Dream big, but more importantly, act on those dreams. Make IIT Kanpur proud. Make your parents proud. Make India proud. But most importantly, make yourselves proud – proud by living lives of character, ethics and humility; lives filled with purpose, service and impact. As you step into tomorrow, carry with you the spirit of this institution, carry with you the love of your families, and carry with you the dreams of a billion Indians who believe in your potential.

    Your journey of transformation began here at IIT Kanpur. Now, transform the world as leaders who are trustworthy; who continue learning for life; who question the status quo and who pursue virtuous karma.

    May God bless you with all the very best in your journey ahead.

    Thank you.

    Jai Hind.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    July 2, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Gabriel Makhlouf: Remarks – 100th anniversary of George Bernard Shaw winning the Nobel Prize for Literature

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Good morning everyone. Thank you to the Museum of Literature Ireland for hosting this event. Let me also extend a warm welcome to the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Emma Blain and to all our distinguished guests.

    We are here today to the launch our coin to commemorate the 100th anniversary of George Bernard Shaw winning the Nobel Prize for Literature. We issue commemorative coins on behalf of the Minister for Finance. Their aim is to recognise figures, or events, of national importance and we are here today to celebrate one of Ireland’s greatest literary geniuses, George Bernard Shaw. Shaw is one of Ireland’s four Nobel Literature winners and, in fact, until 2016, was the only person to have won both a Nobel Prize for Literature and an Academy Award (in 1939). Bob Dylan joined him in that club in 2016. 

    This coin is a tangible tribute to one of the brilliant minds of the 20th century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1925 “for his work which is marked by both idealism and humanity, its stimulating satire often being infused with a singular poetic beauty”. Fintan O’Toole described him as the “most globally influential Irish person in history”, noting praise from Jawaharlal Nehru, Albert Einstein and Winston Churchill.  

    Shaw was more than a literary figure. Thomas Mann, a fellow Nobel Laureate four years after Shaw, wrote in his obituary tribute that “when we add the floodtide of essays, commentary, and amplifying criticism, embodying an all-embracing encyclopedic knowledge that draws equally on the natural sciences, theology, religious and general history, and especially on the social-economic sphere, always artistically leavened, full of esthetic charm, and unfailingly entertaining – when we add all this, we find ourselves face to face with a lifework of astonishing scope, apparently the fruit of continued inspiration, unceasing merriness, and of an indefatigable will to work.” 

    Shaw was also an orator who “with his lyrical Irish accent [-] could turn the classical rhetorical tradition into something apparently intimate and conversatonal, without losing its rhythms and vigour” (O’Toole). He was a man of formidable intellect and sharp wit and his works continue to resonate with audiences and scholars around the globe. As Mann also wrote, Shaw “tirelessly wielded the shining sword of his word and wit” against stupidity and “did his best in redressing the fateful imbalance between truth and reality, in lifting mankind to a higher rung of maturity.” As O’Toole says, “the most important aspect of his influence is not what Shaw taught people to think but how he taught them to think.”

    In an era of alternative truths and disinformation bubbles, perhaps his work has become more relevant than ever. 

    Conclusion

    Before I conclude, I’d like to thank some of the people who’ve helped to organise this event. Specifically, I want to pay tribute to the Central Bank’s Currency Centre team for the immense work they do each year on the collector coin series and I’d like to acknowledge the ongoing work of the Numismatic Advisory Panel who support the Bank’s programme.

    George Bernard Shaw left a significant legacy of theatrical, fictional, polemical, critical and philosophical writing. He wrote that “an Irishman’s heart is nothing but his imagination” and his appreciation and understanding of Ireland had a profound influence on his career. We take great pride in the issuing of commemorative coins and we are delighted in issuing this coin today. Shaw would probably have found the notion of his face on a coin rather strange – and he would have complained that we were commemorating him at all, as he did when awarded the Nobel Prize – but I hope he would also appreciate the enduring recognition it represents. 

    MIL OSI Economics –

    July 2, 2025
←Previous Page
1 … 77 78 79 80 81 … 542
Next Page→
NewzIntel.com

NewzIntel.com

MIL Open Source Intelligence

  • Blog
  • About
  • FAQs
  • Authors
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Patterns
  • Themes

Twenty Twenty-Five

Designed with WordPress