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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Global: Canada’s economic vulnerabilites show why it must invest in the wealth of local communities

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Audrey Jamal, Assistant Dean, Strategic Partnerships and Societal Impact, University of Guelph

    Five years after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, Canada now faces a new challenge — unprecedented economic pressure from its closest trading partner, the United States.

    Canadians are once again being forced to confront the country’s economic vulnerabilities. While the pandemic underscored the economic importance of place and social connections, economic aggression from the U.S. highlights the need for greater local autonomy.

    Canada needs a new approach to economic development. Yet, as the government searches for solutions to bolster “Team Canada,” policymakers risk falling back on the same tired strategies: corporate bailouts, tax breaks for big business and top-down stimulus.

    This played out during the pandemic. Policies favoured large corporations, leaving small businesses and workers struggling, despite their critical role in economic resilience. This time, Canada needs to do things differently.

    A renewed approach to economic development

    For Canada to build a more resilient economy, it must strengthen its communities by securing local assets, democratizing the economy and ensuring wealth circulates within communities rather than being extracted by distant, corporate interests.

    A promising solution lies in community wealth building, a local-first approach to building the economy that emerged in the early 2000s. This approach offers a tonic to current economic policies that concentrate wealth into the hands of a small group of individuals, leaving communities vulnerable.

    By prioritizing more inclusive and democratic ownership, investment and decision-making, community wealth building empowers communities to take control of their economic future. The strategy moves away from the current extractive economy, which prioritizes the exploitation of land, resources and people, toward one that builds wealth from the ground up.

    5 pillars of community wealth building

    The Democracy Collaborative’s community wealth-building framework offers five pillars for building strong local economies. These include progressive procurement, locally rooted finance, inclusive and democratic enterprise, fair work and the just use of land.

    Many communities across Canada and globally are experimenting with one or more of these pillars. For example, social purpose organizations are experimenting with locally rooted financial instruments that flow profits back into their mission.

    In Canada, community bonds allow social purpose organizations to raise capital from their community members to finance projects that benefit communities, such as affordable and green housing and regenerative food systems, among many others.

    When locally rooted finance is combined with just use of land, and inclusive and democratic ownership, these initiatives can ensure wealth-generating assets — land, housing, infrastructure and businesses — stay in the communities so more people benefit from economic development.

    Strengthening local economies

    Canada has a history of inclusive and democratic enterprise, with many co-operatives and social enterprises owned by charities and non-profits. Now, Canadian businesses also have the option of transferring ownership to employee ownership trusts.

    The diversity of ownership options challenges the false choice often presented when local businesses face closure: either shut down or be “saved” by an extractive investor.

    Despite these positive developments, many community wealth building projects in Canada continue to exist as one-offs and sit on the margins of mainstream economic development policy. Local projects challenge the status quo and, as community-led projects, can struggle with governance and access to financing.

    The federal government, non-profits and businesses all have the opportunity to shape a more resilient economic future for Canada by putting local businesses and local ownership first. But to transform local economies, action is needed across all five community wealth building pillars.

    Through our research on community bonds, community wealth building in mid-sized cities and community ownership, we have suggestions for how Canadian governments and businesses can help communities understand what strategies work, and how they can adapt and scale them as needed.

    This work is everyone’s business

    Real progress in this area requires action from all levels of government, as well as from policymakers, businesses and community leaders.

    As experience from Scotland and the U.S. shows, ground-up initiatives must be met with government support in the form of innovative policies, action and investments.

    In practical terms, this means aligning government procurement policies and partnerships with local initiatives for new businesses, introducing legislation that supports inclusive and democratic ownership, and building wealth from local assets rather than importing it.

    Local governments should commit to embedding community wealth building into their economic development planning. This is not a stretch, as many already support local business and entrepreneurship. The key is expanding on these efforts.

    For instance, both large cities like Toronto and coalitions of smaller local governments are using their purchasing power to buy goods and services from suppliers that strengthen the local economy.

    At the federal level, policy innovations like community right-to-buy legislation and related supports could give workers and communities the time, financing and expertise to compete with extractive investors and retain wealth and assets.

    By investing in community wealth building, governments can help shift economic power, build Canada’s economic resilience and ensure communities have agency in shaping their economic futures.

    Audrey Jamal receives funding from the Government of Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

    Heather Hachigian receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and has received funding from the Vancouver Foundation to support research related to this article.

    – ref. Canada’s economic vulnerabilites show why it must invest in the wealth of local communities – https://theconversation.com/canadas-economic-vulnerabilites-show-why-it-must-invest-in-the-wealth-of-local-communities-250221

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The history of ‘common sense’ matters when caring for our common home

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Barbara Leckie, Professor, English and the Institute for the Comparative Study of Literature, Art, and Culture; Academic Director, Re.Climate: Centre for Climate Communication and Public Engagement, Carleton University

    In recent years, the idea of “common sense” has again catapulted to prominence in the conservative political landscape.

    From United States President Donald Trump’s call for a “revolution of common sense” and his references to himself as a “common-sense conservative” to Pierre Poilievre’s references to his party as “Common Sense Conservatives” the value of common sense has been widely trumpeted.

    As a professor in climate and environmental humanities, I’m interested in examining how this return to common sense tends to focus attention away from climate action.

    Common sense is the domain of the obvious, the self-evident and what goes without saying. “Hot things can burn you,” for example, is the maxim with which historian Sophia Rosenfeld opens her political history of common sense.

    The history of common sense

    Attaching common sense to conservative political positions in Canada is not new. The phrase revives Ontario Premier Mike Harris’s “Common Sense Revolution” in the 1990s.



    Read more:
    Mike Harris’s ‘common sense’ attack on Ontario schools is back — and so are teachers’ strikes

    But common sense also has a longer conservative legacy. In the U.S., as American historian Larry Glickman illustrates, the phrase was deployed in the 1930s to challenge the perceived turn to social aid associated with New Deal policies. Prior to Trump, it has been used by Ronald Reagan, Sarah Palin and so-called Tea Party Republicans.

    Common sense as a political strategy, however, was not always aligned with a free market economy. Rosenfeld traces its history from the Greeks and 17th-century and 18-century writers through to 20th-century thinkers like German-American philosopher Hannah Arendt.

    As Rosenfeld notes, common sense has long had two contrasting emphases: an inquiry position that questions prevailing norms and a conservative position that doubles down on prevailing norms.

    Democracy and common sense

    The inquiry position emerged, Rosenfeld illustrates, in the 18th century and its best-known version is a radical pamphlet, Common Sense, written by British American author and pamphleteer Thomas Paine in 1776.

    This pamphlet energized readers across all political spectrums to support the principles of equality, liberty and freedom of expression that we now associate with democracy at large.

    Thomas Paine’s pamphlet energized readers to support principles of equality, liberty and freedom of expression.
    (Wikipedia)

    The conservative position, by contrast, emerges when these same values threatened religious belief and the free market. In this version, expertise is discounted and the people’s everyday experience is privileged.

    Historically, this position has given rise to a populism that accordingly also discredits education, debate and other pillars of democratic practice. As Rosenfeld demonstrates, the history of common sense shows that common sense has been mobilized both to support democracy and to undermine it.

    Common sense encompasses the world of everyday things like temperature and know-how, and it describes a deeper world that defines how we understand each other and live together in that everyday world. Its ability to toggle between these two domains is part of what gives it its force.

    What ‘everyone knows’

    Most of the time, common sense operates quietly because it is assumed to be tacit knowledge — what everyone knows. In times of crisis, however, common sense comes out of the shadows.

    It is no surprise, then, to see common sense entering public discourse in Canada when the country is beset by multiple crises: the existential threat posed by climate change, economic inequality and racism, to name only a few. Common sense, in this context, emerges as a call to return to when things were “normal.” It is the comfort food of thinking.

    For many people, there is solace in turning to what is familiar and seemingly obvious. For many others, there is not.



    Read more:
    Canadians are losing faith in the economy — and it’s affecting their perception of inequality

    ‘Common sense’ of market and environment

    Poilievre defines himself as a “champion of a free market.”

    “Free enterprise” and the market economy was also, as Glickman argues, the platform that Republicans polished into common sense. And it is, arguably, the platform that produced the very issues that most endanger us now, from climate change to economic inequality.

    But, as Einstein noted: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” The common sense of the market economy, in other words, cannot solve the problems it created.

    Waking up to common sense

    The versatility of common sense as a populist political strategy is evident in Poilievre’s platform.

    For example, he wants voters to perceive him as radical by having attacked and apparently succeeded in undermining the idea of a carbon tax in both Conservative and Liberal platforms (the revolutionary side of common sense) while doubling down on what he calls woke politics (the conservative side of common sense).

    The concept of being woke, in turn, has been adopted as shorthand to criticize calls for climate action, a point reinforced in Poilievre’s recent conversation with psychologist and author Jordan Peterson when “he called people concerned about climate change ‘environmental loons that hate our energy.’”

    It’s always easier to stay with the old and familiar. But we are already in unfamiliar and unavoidable terrain.

    Our national parks are burning. Our air quality has been worse than any other country in the world. Flooding across the country is on the rise as is extreme heat.

    Caring economy needed

    Free-market common sense does not help us here. A neoliberal economy in which profits are more important than people and the planet does not help us here. What does, then?

    It’s not a leap to try to create the conditions for a caring rather than an extractive economy, as the collaborative work of scholars and activists Leanne Betasamosake Simpson and Robin Maynard suggests.

    Hot things can burn you. The hot things we confront now are not stove tops or flames, but global temperature increases. Leaders, it seems, tend to deploy “common sense” as an excuse to look away from the hot things that matter. Common sense, in its everyday meaning, would suggest that we look at them.

    Common sense works best rhetorically when it’s not questioned. The history of common sense suggests that now is the time to question it.

    Barbara Leckie receives funding from SSHRC.

    – ref. The history of ‘common sense’ matters when caring for our common home – https://theconversation.com/the-history-of-common-sense-matters-when-caring-for-our-common-home-251428

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, Crapo, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to Correct Biden-Harris Attack on Louisiana Commuters

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Mike Crapo (R-ID), and a group of Republican colleagues reintroduced the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act to repeal the aggressive Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tailpipe rule from President Biden and Vice President Harris amid their efforts to phase out gas-powered cars and trucks. The CARS Act protects Louisianans’ right to choose what cars they drive and works to prevent future regulations on affordable, reliable vehicles. “Making Louisiana families pay for EV tax breaks for rich peoples’ cars was one of the many bad things the Biden Administration did,” said Dr. Cassidy. “The CARS Act helps fix this damage!”“The rule-making process under the previous Administration pushed a radical green agenda that harmed consumer choice in the automobile industry,” said Senator Crapo. “Americans deserve to have access to affordable, reliable vehicles fueled by American-made energy products. However, the EPA’s tailpipe rule will hurt everyday Americans while simultaneously helping China. Consequences of rules and regulations such as these restrict consumer choice and raise costs for the average American family.”
    Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the EPA finalized a rule titled “Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Year 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles,” which sets stringent emissions standards for criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses for these vehicles and is a de facto EV mandate.  Under the rule, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles–which still represent the overwhelming majority of new car sales–can make up no more than 30 percent of new sales by 2032.  
    The average price of an electric vehicle (EV) is still significantly higher than the average price of a gas-powered vehicle, even with massive government subsidies for EVs paid for by American taxpayers.  EV mandates threaten to hurt everyday Americans and cost auto workers their jobs while simultaneously helping China, given that China continues to dominate the EV supply chain.  In recent years, demand for EVs made up less than ten percent of new car sales.
    The CARS Act would:
    Rescind the EPA tailpipe emissions rule;
    Prohibit the use of authority under the Clean Air Act to issue regulations that mandate the use of any specific technology or that limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine type.  This includes any regulation prescribed on or after January 1, 2021;
    Require the EPA to update any regulations since January 1, 2021, that result in the limited availability of new vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine within two years; and
    End the EPA’s radical agenda, which is driving up costs for people and handing the keys of America’s auto industry to China.
    Cassidy and Crapo were joined by U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rick Scott (R-Florida), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Jim Justice (R-West Virginia), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) in cosponsoring the bill.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Researcher Spotlight: Susan Habas’ Journey to Catalytic Innovation at NREL

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    From Sci-Fi Dreams to Scientific Discovery

    NREL’s Susan Habas stands in front of plasma catalysis equipment in her team’s lab. Photo by Frederick Baddour, NREL

    Susan Habas, now a senior scientist and distinguished member of research staff in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL’s) Catalytic Carbon Transformation and Scale-Up Center, had an unconventional start to her career in chemistry.

    Her research focuses on developing innovative catalysts for selective transformations of carbon sources into fuels and chemicals. She is a principal investigator in the Chemical Catalysis for Bioenergy Consortium, where she leads a multinational laboratory effort to advance new synthesis approaches and operando characterization capabilities for catalytic systems.

    “In high school, I thought I wanted to become a ‘biomedical genetic engineer.’ I had no idea what that meant (and I’m fairly sure it’s not a thing), but it was the ’90s, and there was so much compelling science out in the world—Michael Crichton’s ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘ER,’ ‘The Hot Zone’ by Richard Preston, and advances in DNA analysis in forensics, as just a few examples,” she recalled. “For someone interested in science, the career options were exciting but overwhelming.”

    A freshman seminar at Wheaton College, titled “Science in Society,” intensified her love for sci-fi books—cyberpunk via Neal Stephenson in particular—but did not get her closer to choosing a career path. Habas majored in biology, thinking she might go to medical school, but classes in molecular biology and a summer program at The Jackson Laboratory working with mouse models for genetic research led her toward biochemistry.

    Encouragement from her chemistry professors helped her land a summer program in lanthanide and actinide chemistry at Los Alamos National Laboratory, solidifying her growing interest in chemistry and the national laboratory research environment.

    Finding Focus in Advanced Energy

    Habas’ journey to advanced energy R&D was not linear. Before completing her Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, she spent a year and a half as a Fulbright Scholar at Massey University in New Zealand working on carbon nanotube-based materials.

    Returning to the United States, Habas explored photoactive nanocrystals at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    “At this point, I felt like I had finally found a reasonably focused career goal, at the intersection of materials chemistry and energy applications,” she shared.

    Curious about how fundamental discoveries transition to real-world applications, she found NREL to be a perfect fit for a postdoctoral position, where she could continue materials chemistry work while learning about photovoltaics and industry-scale challenges.

    Innovating With Catalysis and Plasma Science

    Today, Habas’ research focuses on developing tailored catalysts for a variety of chemical conversions targeted at fuels and chemicals production. One particularly exciting area is plasma catalysis, where applying an electrical potential to a gas can activate stable molecules like carbon dioxide and methane at low temperatures.

    “The excited species of the plasma can then react with one another to form higher-value products including long-chain hydrocarbon fuels and structured carbon materials,” Habas explained. “Another promising application is the use of plasmas at gas-liquid interfaces to precipitate and recover, ideally selectively, critical metals from dilute wastewater sources.”

    Habas also serves on the editorial board of EES Catalysis as an associate editor and is on the advisory board of Sustainable Energy & Fuels, contributing her expertise to help guide the future of catalytic research.

    “It has been an exciting (and challenging!) area of research to get involved in,” she added, “and it has been fantastic to work with and learn from incredibly talented early-career researchers with plasma expertise and to discover related programs and experts already at NREL.”

    The Joy of Lifelong Learning

    For Habas, the most rewarding aspect of her work is the constant evolution of science and her own learning journey.

    “The best part of my job, which is also emblematic of my career path, is learning about new science. And the best part about science is how it keeps advancing and how your career path can move with it,” she said. “I appreciate that NREL has enabled me to keep learning and branching into new areas of research and that there are great people here who are willing to help me learn and who share this enthusiasm.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to Over 20 Years in Federal Prison

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    A woman who worked with others to distribute a significant amount of methamphetamine was sentenced March 17, 2025, to more than 24 years in federal prison.

    Candace Sue Thein, age 42, from Dike, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 3, 2024 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of distribution of a controlled substance.  

    Evidence disclosed at sentencing showed that, from December 2023 through May 22, 2024, Thein worked with others to receive numerous packages of ice methamphetamine and marijuana from a source of supply in California.  In total, the group received over 50 pounds of methamphetamine from the source of supply in California, which the group then redistributed to individuals in Waterloo, Dike, Reinbeck, and Hudson, Iowa.  Law enforcement searched several of the residences of individuals receiving these packages, including Thein’s residence in Dike, on May 22, 2024.  In the early morning hours of June 15, 2024, Thein and two other individuals went to the residence of one of Thein’s drug customers, demanding money.  The two other individuals threatened to kill Thein’s drug customer, while Thein broke into the drug customer’s residence and stole his cellphone.   

    Thein was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Thein was sentenced to 292 months’ imprisonment, and she must also serve a three‑year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Thein is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison. 

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; United States Postal Service; the Tri‑County Drug Enforcement Task Force, consisting of the Waterloo Police Department, Cedar Falls Police Department, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Department, Evansdale Police Department, Waverly Police Department, Hudson Police Department, La Porte City Police Department, and the Bremer County Sheriff’s Department; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; the Mid‑Iowa Drug Trask Force; the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office; the Iowa State Patrol; and the Santa Ana, California Police Department.  

    Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

    The case file number is 24-CR-00052-CJW.

    Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: More than 1.8 thousand bridges and overpasses were put into operation under the national project “Safe High-Quality Roads”

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    March 20, 2025

    Bridge over the Shuya River on the Petrozavodsk – Suoyarvi highway, Republic of Karelia.

    Modern and high-quality artificial structures ensure unimpeded passage through water obstacles, railways and difficult terrain, minimizing the risk of emergency situations and reducing travel time. Over the six years of implementing the national project “Safe High-Quality Roads” in Russia, more than 1.8 thousand bridges and overpasses have been commissioned. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    “During the entire implementation of the national project “Safe High-Quality Roads”, we have carried out large-scale work to update and develop bridges and overpasses. Their reliability and durability play a key role in the safety and comfort of drivers and passengers. In total, 1,823 artificial structures with a total length of more than 138 thousand running meters have been updated in the regions. This is a whole range of works – from the construction of new crossings to the modernization and major repairs of existing facilities. Since this year, we have been continuing important work on some of the most complex elements of road construction within the framework of the new national project “Infrastructure for Life”, – said Marat Khusnullin.

    Large-scale work on the construction and renovation of artificial structures on the country’s roads brought tangible results in 2024. This trend will continue in the new year thanks to the new national project.

    “In 2024, significant progress was made in the construction, reconstruction and repair of artificial structures thanks to the national project “Safe High-Quality Roads”. We commissioned 680 bridge structures with a total length of 52 thousand linear meters. These figures are the result of the enormous work of hundreds of road workers across the country. Thanks to their coordinated work, the accessibility of territories and socially significant facilities for citizens is increased, and the economic potential of the regions is strengthened. Based on the successes of previous years, in 2025, under the national project “Infrastructure for Life”, we plan to commission more than 500 bridges and overpasses, which will be another step towards creating a modern and safe road network,” said Igor Kostyuchenko, Deputy Head of the Federal Road Agency.

    Thus, in 2024, the reconstruction of the bridge across the Shuya River on the Petrozavodsk-Suoyarvi highway, which connects the Prionezhsky, Pryazhinsky districts and the Suoyarvi district, was completed in the Republic of Karelia.

    Another significant facility reconstructed in 2024 under the national project was the Argamachensky Bridge across the Yelchik River in Yelets, Lipetsk Region. It connects Argamachenskaya and 9 Dekabrya Streets, and also links the city with a densely populated suburb, the Krasninskaya Highway, and the bypass road.

    In the Sovetsky district of Volgograd, construction of an overpass at the intersection of the Novy Rogachik – Volgograd highway and the Gornopolyansky – Kanalnaya railway section has been completed. The total length of the facility is 1.2 km. Thanks to the construction of the overpass junction in the village of Novy Rogachik, Volgograd residents are now provided with unimpeded access to the federal highway A-260 in conditions of intensive freight train traffic.

    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 –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko congratulated the Moscow Aviation Institute on its 95th anniversary

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    March 20, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko congratulated the Moscow Aviation Institute on its 95th anniversary.

    The Deputy Prime Minister noted the rich history of the university and its outstanding graduates. Among them are one of the founders of Russian cosmonautics Mikhail Reshetnev, helicopter designer Sergei Mikheev, physicist Sergei Kapitsa and many others.

    “The Moscow Aviation Institute makes an important contribution to the development of the research and development sphere and successfully works to achieve technological leadership – the national goal set by our President Vladimir Putin. The university is one of the universities participating in the Priority 2030 program of the Youth and Children national project, and an advanced engineering school has been created there. I am sure that MAI will have many more new achievements and victories in the future,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The Deputy Prime Minister also noted that, by decree of the head of state, the Moscow Aviation Institute is participating in a pilot project to improve the higher education system.

    “Today, almost 20 thousand students study at the university. More than 40% of them are in specialties related to such important areas as aviation and rocket and space technology. I wish them interesting studies, further professional development and work for the benefit of our entire country,” added Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    MAI students participate in the creation of breakthrough technologies. For example, they are involved in the design of unmanned aircraft systems and their components. Students participate in the development of manufacturing and certification technologies for composite structures, as well as methods for computational and experimental research, which make it possible to significantly reduce the time and cost of their testing.

    The advanced engineering school of the Moscow Aviation Institute is working on projects that are important for the industry. Thus, specialists from the Moscow Aviation Institute have developed a series of electric motors for small and medium-sized drones. In addition, an engine for heavy vehicles weighing up to 120 kg has already passed flight tests.

    In addition, within the framework of the Decade of Science and Technology announced by President Vladimir Putin, MAI employees are implementing media projects to popularize science and engineering activities and are developing a program of popular science tourism.

    In honor of the 95th anniversary of the university’s foundation, thematic events will be held. In March, there will be a gala evening and exhibition “MAI in Faces” on Rozhdestvensky Boulevard, and in May, a technology festival.

    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 –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CBO Releases Infographics About the Federal Budget in Fiscal Year 2024

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    Each year, CBO releases a set of four budget infographics that provide a detailed look at the past fiscal year as well as broader trends over the past few decades. Today, CBO published the latest infographics showing the federal budget results for fiscal year 2024.

    These infographics help people understand how much the government spends and takes in each year and what programs and revenue sources account for the largest portions of those budgetary flows.

    As highlighted in the first infographic, the government ran a budget deficit of $1.8 trillion in 2024, which is equal to 6.4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP)—much larger than the average of 3.8 percent over the past 50 years. The government’s net interest costs totaled $881 billion in 2024, about two and half times the amount in 2021.

    The first two infographics (which feature the budgetary overview and mandatory spending) show that Social Security and Medicare accounted for the majority of mandatory spending and more than one-third of federal spending in 2024; combined, those two programs eclipsed discretionary spending, which is presented in the third infographic. Outlays for nondefense programs accounted for more than half of the discretionary total. Revenues (shown in the fourth infographic) were slightly more, as a percentage of GDP, than they averaged over the past 20 years.

    You can view the infographics for 2024 below, including an interactive version of the one about the overall federal budget:

    Infographics for other years are also available.

    Dan Ready is an analyst in CBO’s Budget Analysis Division.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Visits Fayetteville Elementary School, Promotes Education Priorities in Budget Proposal

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein Visits Fayetteville Elementary School, Promotes Education Priorities in Budget Proposal

    Governor Stein Visits Fayetteville Elementary School, Promotes Education Priorities in Budget Proposal
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today, Governor Josh Stein visited Ferguson-Easley Elementary School in Fayetteville to speak with educators and administrators. He also highlighted his 2025-2027 budget proposal, which invests in North Carolina’s students, teachers, and public schools.  

    “North Carolina’s children are our most important investment, and our state’s budget must reflect our commitment to them,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Our teachers must be well-paid, our schools well-built, and our students’ well-being put first.”

    “We are honored to welcome Governor Josh Stein to Ferguson-Easley Elementary today, where he has the opportunity to see firsthand the incredible work happening in our classrooms,” said Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connely, Jr. “Across Cumberland County Schools, our dedicated educators are making a difference in the lives of students every day, and it is critical that we continue to invest in them. Equally important is our commitment to providing modern, safe, and innovative learning environments that support student success. We appreciate the Governor’s visit and his recognition of the vital role public education plays in shaping the future of our communities.”  

    “As an educational leader, I firmly believe that effective communication, problem-solving, and the use of technology are essential in preparing our students for success. I am passionate about supporting the whole child—helping them reach their maximum potential academically, socially, and emotionally,” said Ferguson-Easley Elementary School Principal Eric McLaurin. “My goal is to ensure that every student at Ferguson-Easley Elementary receives the highest quality education in a nurturing environment. I am also a strong believer in the home-school-community connection, and I strive to create meaningful partnerships that empower our children to reach their full potential and become global leaders in the 21st century. We are grateful to Governor Stein for visiting our school today and for recognizing the importance of investing in our students, educators, and the future of public education.”

    Yesterday, Governor Stein announced his 2025-2027 budget proposal. The budget attracts new teachers by raising starting teacher pay to the highest in the southeast and keeps excellent teachers by raising their pay, providing advanced teacher career pathways and investing in professional development. It also invests in student safety and well-being by hiring more school nurses and social workers, providing free breakfast in public schools, upgrading school security, and removing the distraction of cell phones from classrooms. Governor Stein is also proposing a $4 billion bond to modernize old and outdated school buildings.

    Click here to read Governor Stein’s full budget proposal.  

    Mar 20, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Brighton — Traffic stop leads to impaired driving and drug trafficking charges

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    A traffic stop by the Digby RCMP Detachment has resulted in impaired driving and drug trafficking charges.

    On March 14, at approximately 10:30 p.m., an RCMP officer observed a vehicle driving erratically on Hwy. 101 in Brighton and conducted a traffic stop. The driver showed signs of impairment, failed a roadside sobriety test and was arrested.

    At the Digby RCMP Detachment, a qualified Drug Recognition Expert completed an evaluation of the driver, which indicated drug impairment.

    Jacob Netherton, 38, of Mount Uniacke, was charged with Impaired Operation by Drug. He was released from custody to attend Digby Provincial Court on May 12.

    After Netherton’s arrest and a subsequent search of his vehicle, officers located and seized:

    • More than 90 grams of cocaine
    • Over 300 prescription pills, pre-packaged in baggies
    • Unstamped cigarettes
    • Cell phones

    As a result of the vehicle search, Netherton was arrested on March 19 and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking and Failure to Comply with a Court Order.

    Netherton is due back in court today.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Five Defendants Charged in Connection With Alien in Possession Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Baltimore, Maryland – Today, Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictments of five individuals on charges related to illegal aliens in possession of firearms and ammunition and firearms trafficking.

    Vielman Cabrera Arevalo, 20, of Guatemala; Erick Lozano Colindrez, 23, of Honduras; and Ludwin Fuentes Lopez, 22, of El Salvador, were indicted on Alien in Possession of a Firearm and/or Ammunition charges. Lester Araely Ramos Perez, 28, and Milton Leon-Morales, 27 — both from Guatemala — are charged with Firearms Trafficking and Aliens in Possession of a Firearm offenses.

    The indictments announced today are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes made the announcement with Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Baltimore; Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Baltimore Field Division (ATF); Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS); Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCoPD); and Chief Jason Lando, Frederick Police Department (FPD).

    According to the indictments, Ramos Perez, Leon-Morales, Arevalo, Lopez, and Colindrez are all illegal aliens unlawfully in the United States.  Ramos Perez and Leon-Morales are charged with conspiring with others to ship, transport, cause to be transported, and otherwise dispose of more than 35 firearms on January 22, 2025.  They are also charged with dealing firearms without a license, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possessing firearms as illegal aliens unlawfully in the United States.

    Law enforcement found Arevalo in possession of two rounds of CBC 9mm Luger ammunition on December 14, 2023.  Similarly, authorities found Lopez in possession of a black Polymer 80 firearm and ammunition on July 20, 2024.   On November 15, 2024, authorities found Colindrez in possession of a Johnson Arms & Cycle Works .32 caliber revolver and one black 9mm polymer pistol along with approximately 23 rounds of ammunition. As a result, each of these defendants is charged in separate indictments for Alien in Possession of a Firearm and/or Ammunition.

    Upon a conviction, Ramos Perez and Leon-Morales face up to 15 years in prison on firearms trafficking charges, five years on dealing firearms without a license, 15 years in prison on the alien in possession charges, and 20 years on drug conspiracy charges. If Arevalo, Colindrez, and/or Lopez are convicted, they face up to 15 years in prison.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended HSI Baltimore; the FBI; ATF; DPSCS; BCoPD; and FPD for their work in connection with these investigations.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Kenneth Clark, Chief, Violent and Organized Crime, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Beim, Kim Hagan, and Jamie O’Donohue, who are prosecuting the federal cases.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Controller Indicted for Embezzling Over $1 Million from Fresno Fruit Wholesaler

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    FRESNO, Calif. — On Feb. 27, 2025, a federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment against Sergio Zacarias Lopez, 57, a Mexican citizen residing in Fresno, charging him with bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and illegal re-entry of a removed alien, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced. The indictment was unsealed following his arrest today.

    According to court documents, between January 2016 and June 2023, Zacarias Lopez abused his position as the accounting supervisor and controller to defraud a family-run Fresno fruit wholesaler. Zacarias Lopez would write multiple company checks payable to “cash” and then deposit them into his own personal bank account through local ATMs. He signed the fraudulent checks using the signatures of other employees with signatory authority, including one of the founders of the company. Through this scheme, Zacarias Lopez embezzled more than $1 million before he was eventually detected by one of the banks and terminated by the company. To secure his accounting role in the first place, Zacarias Lopez stole a valid social security number and used that along with other falsified employment documents to conceal his lack of legal status. The indictment also states that Zacarias Lopez was previously removed from the United States in 2000 and has not been permitted to return to the United States.

    This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Calvin Lee is prosecuting the case.

    If convicted of bank fraud, Zacarias Lopez faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. If convicted of aggravated identity theft or illegal re-entry of a removed alien, he faces a penalty of two years in prison. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Baltic Horizon Fund plans to redeem early part of the bonds

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Baltic Horizon Fund is proceeding with the execution of its previously announced plan to reduce bond exposure and will redeem the fourth part of its bonds in the total nominal amount of EUR 3,000,001.20 on 10 April 2025. The redemption is planned to be carried out by way of decreasing the nominal value of the bonds and the new nominal value would be EUR 45,238.09 per bond. The amount payable to investors per one Bond is EUR 7,264.43, including redemption payment and accrued but unpaid interestThe total nominal amount of the bonds before the redemption is EUR 21,999,999 and after the redemption would be EUR 18,999,997.8. The list of bondholders will be fixed at the end of the working day of the Nasdaq CSD settlement system on 4 April 2025.

    For additional information, please contact:        

    Tarmo Karotam
    Baltic Horizon Fund manager
    E-mail tarmo.karotam@nh-cap.com
    www.baltichorizon.com

    Baltic Horizon Fund is a registered contractual public closed-end real estate fund managed by Alternative Investment Fund Manager license holder Northern Horizon Capital AS. Both the Fund and the Management Company are supervised by the Estonian Financial Supervision Authority.

    Distribution: Nasdaq, GlobeNewswire, www.baltichorizon.com

    To receive Nasdaq announcements and news from Baltic Horizon Fund about its projects, plans and more, register on www.baltichorizon.com. You can also follow Baltic Horizon Fund on www.baltichorizon.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and YouTube.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A brief guide to vitamin and mineral supplements – when too much of a good thing can become toxic

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Dipa Kamdar, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, Kingston University

    KucherAV/Shutterstock

    Around half of UK adults currently take a food supplement – but vitamins and minerals are usually only needed in small amounts and too much of a good thing can be bad for you.

    Here’s what you need to know about the benefits and risks of some of the most common vitamins and minerals.

    Vitamin A

    Vitamin A aids the immune system in fighting off infections, helps you see better in the dark and is needed for healthy skin. Most people can get enough vitamin A from eating dairy, oily fish and liver. Yellow and red vegetables such as carrots and peppers, contain beta-carotene, which breaks down into vitamin A in the body. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 700 micrograms and 600 micrograms for men and women respectively.

    Although your body will store excess vitamin A, some research shows having more than 1.5mg a day over many years may weaken bones. In older people, this can lead to fractures as they are more likely to get osteoporosis. In severe cases, people may experience irreversible liver damage.

    If you are pregnant, you should avoid vitamin A supplements completely – excess vitamin A can cause birth defects and miscarriage.

    Vitamin B6

    Also called pyridoxine, this vitamin is needed to make healthy red blood cells and help the body store energy from food. The RDA is 1.4mg and 1.2mg a day for men and women respectively. This can be obtained by eating, for example, fortified cereal, chicken and soya beans. More than 10mg a day is not recommended as the effects are unclear.

    But taking 200mg or more a day has been linked to peripheral neuropathy – when the nerves in the body’s extremities are damaged. This can start with tingling in the arms and legs and lead to loss of feeling. In some patients the effect will stop once the vitamin B6 is stopped. In other patients, nerve damage can be permanent.

    Folic acid

    Folic acid or folate is needed to make healthy red blood cells. Good sources of folic acid include green leafy vegetables, chickpeas and fortified cereals. The RDA is 200 micrograms daily.

    In patients who are pregnant, folic acid is recommended to prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida. Doctors may prescribe higher than recommended doses (5mg) in high risk patients.

    Consuming more than 1000 micrograms (1mg) of folic acid can mask symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, such as tiredness, tingling hands and feet, sore tongue and muscle weakness. These can indicate a vitamin B12 anaemia. By correcting the anaemia symptoms caused by a B12 deficiency, high folate levels can prevent the detection of an underlying B12 problem, which could lead to brain damage if left untreated.

    Vitamin D and calcium

    The amount of calcium in the body is controlled by vitamin D. Both nutrients help with healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D is also needed for the immune system, muscles and nerves. Some foods like fortified cereal contain vitamin D but it is mostly made in the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. The RDA for vitamin D is 10 micrograms. Those with a vitamin D deficiency may be prescribed higher doses.

    People with darker skin or who do not have much exposure to sunlight may benefit from taking a daily supplement. But too much vitamin D over many years can cause kidney failure and irregular heartbeats. It may even be bad for the bones.

    A Canadian study found that high doses could be linked to weakened bones. This is because high vitamin D intake causes too much calcium to build up in the body. The body starts to break down bones to lower the calcium.

    Iron

    Iron is an important nutrient needed to make red blood cells. Sources include red meat and beans. Iron deficiency is the world’s most common cause of anaemia; however, taking too much can be toxic. The RDA for iron varies depending on your sex and age but you shouldn’t take more than 17mg a day. Higher doses can be bought from a pharmacy or prescribed if there is a diagnosed deficiency.

    Taking more than 20mg of iron everyday can cause stomach problems such as vomiting, diarrhoea and pain. Prolonged use or higher doses can cause organ damage such as liver failure. This is because it builds up in the organs and interferes with normal cell function.

    Fish oil

    These supplements contain omega-3 fatty acids. Different fats are needed to support the cells in the body and also to keep the heart, lungs, blood vessels and immune system working properly. Some are essential for brain and eye development in babies. Fish oil has been linked to a lower chance of heart disease. However, studies have mixed results about how effective these really are.

    A recent study showed that healthy people taking fish oil supplements may have an increased risk of heart issues like stroke or atrial fibrillation. The benefits are mainly seen in people who already have heart disease. However, there are still benefits from eating food rich in omega-3s such as oily fish.

    The British Dietetic Association says it’s better to improve diet before considering supplements. Some groups, like infants, pregnant women and those with a diagnosed deficiency, need supplements. Different supplements have different amounts of vitamins and minerals so always read the label to make sure you’re taking the recommended dose – and avoid taking multiple supplements that could increase your intake of a particular vitamin or mineral beyond safe levels. Ask your doctor, pharmacist or dietitian to check if you need a supplement before taking anything.

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

    – ref. A brief guide to vitamin and mineral supplements – when too much of a good thing can become toxic – https://theconversation.com/a-brief-guide-to-vitamin-and-mineral-supplements-when-too-much-of-a-good-thing-can-become-toxic-251528

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Turkey: a favourable international climate is spurring Erdoğan’s crackdown on democracy

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Massimo D’Angelo, Research Associate in the Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs, Loughborough University

    The Turkish judiciary has finally succeeded in sidelining Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, at the fourth attempt. On the morning of March 19, the 53-year-old posted a video on social media announcing that police had arrived at his home to arrest him on charges of corruption, aiding a terrorist organisation and organised crime.

    “Hundreds of police are at my door”, he said in a voice message. “This immoral and tyrannical approach will undoubtedly be overturned by the will and resilience of our people”.

    Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has consistently excelled at positioning himself on the international stage, adeptly seizing opportunities left by others and turning them to his advantage. He has demonstrated this once again by orchestrating the arrest of İmamoğlu, his main political rival.

    With global events bolstering his leverage over the west, Erdoğan is well placed to act with impunity, knowing that his strategic importance will likely shield him from serious repercussions.

    The judiciary’s first attempt to remove İmamoğlu through legal means came in 2019, shortly after he won the Istanbul mayoral election by a narrow margin (around 13,000 votes). Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development party (AKP) contested the results, citing irregularities.

    Under intense pressure from the government, the Supreme Electoral Council annulled the vote and ordered a rerun. İmamoğlu not only retained, but significantly increased his lead. He secured victory over the AKP’s candidate, Binali Yıldırım, by more than 800,000 votes.

    Then, in 2022, İmamoğlu was sentenced to two years in prison for having called two public officials “fools” three years earlier. Ultimately, he was not arrested. But the sentence severely undermined his presidential ambitions, prompting him to forgo running for the presidency the following year.

    The third attempt occurred just days ago, when the government revoked the validity of İmamoğlu’s academic degree on bureaucratic grounds. Turkey’s political future looks to be entering a new and more precarious phase.

    İmamoğlu was born in Akçaabat, a district of Trabzon province on north-east Turkey’s Black Sea coast. He graduated in economics at Istanbul University and worked as a construction entrepreneur before entering politics.

    He is married with three children and, like Erdoğan, is passionate about football. In his youth, he was both a footballer and the managing director of his hometown’s football club, Trabzonspor.

    In 2024, İmamoğlu was reelected as mayor of Istanbul. Over the past six years, he has become a highly prominent political figure and, given the city’s size and his broad popularity, he has often been regarded as a natural candidate for the Turkish presidency.

    Many expected him to run as the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) candidate in the 2023 presidential election. But the party chose its leader, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, instead.

    This decision was partly driven by internal power struggles between the party’s old guard and newer leadership. However, the insult lawsuit against İmamoğlu alarmed many within the CHP, who feared that a potential arrest during the campaign would plunge the contest into chaos.

    Kılıçdaroğlu is less popular than İmamoğlu, and is from an older generation of opposition politicians who have repeatedly failed to challenge Erdoğan effectively. He ultimately lost to Erdoğan in the second round of voting.

    Despite state-led media campaigns to discredit İmamoğlu, his popularity has continued to rise. As a leading CHP figure, he was the frontrunner in the party’s primaries scheduled for March 23, ahead of the 2028 presidential elections. The arrest of İmamoğlu is widely seen as Erdoğan’s latest attempt to obstruct his candidacy.

    A pattern of political suppression

    Along with İmamoğlu, Turkish authorities have detained 87 people as part of an investigation into alleged terrorism and organised crime in Istanbul.

    Prosecutors accuse İmamoğlu of leading a criminal organisation, engaging in bribery, extortion and bid rigging. The inquiry also links him to financial misconduct and alleged ties with the Kurdistan Workers’ party (PKK), which the Turkish state categorises as a terrorist organisation.

    This is not the first time prominent political leaders in Turkey have been arrested on such charges. İmamoğlu’s case closely mirrors that of Selahattin Demirtaş, a Kurdish politician and former co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic party (HDP), who has been imprisoned since November 2016.

    Demirtaş, who was arrested during Erdoğan’s crackdown on political opposition after an attempted coup in 2016, was charged with “terrorist propaganda” and “undermining state unity”. In elections the previous year, his presidential campaign had gained widespread support, allowing the HDP to surpass Turkey’s 10% electoral threshold for entering parliament for the first time.

    Despite international calls for his release, including rulings from the European Court of Human Rights, Demirtaş remains incarcerated. In 2024, he was sentenced to a total of 42 years. Much like İmamoğlu today, his continued detention is widely regarded as politically motivated.

    In their influential work, How Democracies Die, Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt argue that the willingness to curtail civil liberties, such as controlling the media and suppressing dissent, is typical of populist leaders determined to tighten their grip on power.

    This latest crackdown is yet another episode in the continued erosion of democratic space in Turkey. However, Erdoğan currently operates in an unusually favourable global climate, with multiple strategic negotiations placing him centre stage.

    Although he has not hesitated to sideline rivals in the past, this environment has shifted further in his favour. The US president, Donald Trump, has rarely opposed such actions or condemned the suppression of political rights in other countries. On several occasions, Trump has even demonstrated his willingness to subject the US justice system and his opponents to his own will.

    The EU, distracted by internal conflicts and the Russian threat, also appears keen to keep Turkey onside. Turkey has Nato’s second-largest army and a Black Sea coastline, and is seeking to assume a key role in Europe’s security following Washington’s pivot away from the region. Across the Middle East, democracy often serves more as a bargaining chip than a genuine priority.

    Erdoğan has recently launched a “new Kurdish process”, aimed at reconciling with the PKK. This makes İmamoğlu’s arrest all the more surprising. The move may be intended to distance Kurdish voters from the CHP.

    Some citizens have attempted to protest the arrest despite a government ban on public gatherings. It remains to be seen how resilient the Turkish people will prove. Ultimately, Erdoğan’s success depends on the opposition’s ability to unite against him.

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

    – ref. Turkey: a favourable international climate is spurring Erdoğan’s crackdown on democracy – https://theconversation.com/turkey-a-favourable-international-climate-is-spurring-erdogans-crackdown-on-democracy-252694

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: England’s national curriculum is up for review – lessons from abroad show how it could work better for everyone

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Mark Boylan, Professor of Education, Sheffield Hallam University

    arrowsmith2/Shutterstock

    A review of the English school curriculum is currently underway. The review’s recently released interim report makes clear that the current education system is not working well for all young people – in particular those with special educational needs and from more deprived backgrounds.

    However, the report does not recommend radical change. It proposes sticking with the curriculum approach brought in through reforms over the last decade or so under the previous Conservative government, but that these need to be built on to have a more inclusive approach.

    In 2014, there were significant changes in the national curriculum and to GCSE exams. These changes were branded a “knowledge-rich” curriculum, which meant more content to learn and a greater emphasis on memorising and final exams.

    Defenders of the changes, such as former schools minister Nick Gibb, say that the success of this curriculum is shown by improvements in England’s performance in the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa). This is a global series of tests for 15-year-olds in maths, science and reading, taken in each country’s national language, that run usually every three years.

    In 2022, the most recent round of tests, England’s country rank was 14th for maths, 14th for science and 13th for reading out of 81 countries. This compares with 2009’s rankings of 28th for maths, 16th for science and 25th for reading.

    Understanding the stats

    The story is that Pisa tests dropped in the noughties due to a “skills-based curriculum” but have risen under a knowledge-rich curriculum. Pisa is important to this argument because the changes to national examinations in England mean GCSE exam results 20 years ago cannot be directly compared with GCSE results today. The curriculum review interim report notes that England’s results compare well internationally.

    However, this proof of the success of a knowledge-rich curriculum is not clear cut. To understand why, we need to look at the Pisa tests and how Pisa sampling works, the importance of not cherry-picking evidence, and what has really changed and not changed in the curriculum in England.

    Reading is one of the measures assessed by Pisa.
    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    To compare two people’s knowledge or how the knowledge of the same person changes over time, the same or equivalent tests need to be used. But the Pisa tests taken in 2022 are not the same as the ones taken previously. Each time Pisa tests are taken, some items from the last test are kept but other items are added. There are various ways that the OECD, who run Pisa, try to make sure that tests are equivalent, but changes do make a difference.

    What’s more, Pisa is not usually a test of everyone in a country. The government’s official research report on the 2022 Pisa results states that higher performing pupils were overrepresented and disadvantaged pupils underrepresented.

    Adjusting for the bias in the sample, the OECD estimated that the 2022 result might have been up to eight points lower. Still above the OECD national averages but very similar to 2009, and so hardly the resounding success claimed by some.

    All the evidence

    More generally, we need to be careful that evidence isn’t being cherry-picked – choosing the evidence that supports a case rather than all the evidence. Any success in Pisa 2022 for England appears to be due to success for those already doing well. The gap between advantaged and disadvantaged pupils in England is not closing. This backs up the headline goal of the curriculum review – to improve the curriculum so it works better for everyone.

    Regardless of pupil performance, the pupil survey done alongside the test contained some worrying findings. Pupils reported the second lowest levels of life satisfaction across OECD countries, and headteachers said that difficulties recruiting teachers are negatively affecting pupils.

    Pisa scores were not the main reason for changing the curriculum in 2014 in England. They were used to justify the changes. But the amount of change is overstated, and this also undermines the claims made for the success of the current curriculum and also the fear that any change would undermine England’s comparative success in tests like Pisa.

    It is a myth that the before the 2014 curriculum reforms, England had a skills-based national curriculum. With colleagues, I looked at skills in the curriculum in England in the past and now and found that generic life skills were hardly mentioned before the reforms. Looking at maths, the content of the curriculum hasn’t changed much at all.

    We also compared the current curriculum in England with other countries that do better than England in Pisa and are also seen as examples of knowledge-rich systems. These include Singapore, the world leader, and Estonia, who are top in Europe. What we found is that those countries’ Pisa success is based on a curriculum that works better for everyone.

    Part of that comes from including aspects of a skills-based approach. These curricula balance a focus on knowledge with inclusion of skills, particularly digital literacy. They pay attention to making sure school is a good basis for vocational education, working life and taking part in society, and not only for further academic study.

    Taking a closer look at Pisa outcomes and the differences between our curriculum and other countries’ backs up the central message of the curriculum review’s interim report. The English system works well for some but not well for everyone, and could do better as an education system. It also points to practical lessons from countries like Singapore and Estonia about how vocational education and skills can be valued without losing sight of the importance of knowledge.

    Mark Boylan currently receives funding for research from the Education Endowment Foundation and the Department for Education

    – ref. England’s national curriculum is up for review – lessons from abroad show how it could work better for everyone – https://theconversation.com/englands-national-curriculum-is-up-for-review-lessons-from-abroad-show-how-it-could-work-better-for-everyone-248509

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: My team discovered ‘dark oxygen’ on the seafloor – now we’re trying to understand how it was made

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Andrew Sweetman, Professor of Seafloor Ecology and Biogeochemistry, Scottish Association for Marine Science

    Love Employee/Shutterstock

    Children are always asking “Why?” As they experience things for the first time, it’s natural to want to find out more. But as children grow into adults, they often dismiss something new that challenges their experience and understanding.

    This is what happened to me when I discovered a source of oxygen production in the deep sea – but ignored it for nine years.

    In 2013, I was conducting experiments to measure seafloor carbon cycling in the Clarion-Clipperton zone of the Pacific Ocean in 2013. I deployed a lander system (a remote-operated platform used to carry scientific equipment) to a depth of 4,000 metres and it came back with bubbles inside it. This was highly unusual, so two years later, when we returned to the same site, I took some optodes (oxygen sensors) with me.

    These are designed to measure oxygen consumption, but instead they were showing me oxygen production, the exact opposite of what I was expecting. Instead of questioning why I was getting these results, I dismissed the reading as the result of a faulty sensor.

    We are all taught from very early on in our education that oxygen is only produced through photosynthesis and that requires light – something in short supply at thousands of metres below the sea surface. It took me until 2021, when I measured oxygen production with a second method, that I realised we’d found something exceptional: dark oxygen – oxygen that’s produced without sunlight.

    In the summer of 2024, my team and I published our findings in the journal Nature Geoscience.



    Read more:
    Deep sea rocks suggest oxygen can be made without photosynthesis, deepening the mystery of life

    The discovery of dark oxygen has shifted our understanding of the deep sea and potentially life on Earth. But we still don’t know for sure how this oxygen is produced, and to what extent, and whether it is ecologically significant to the deep-sea ecosystems where it happens.

    In our paper, we suggest that the source could be polymetallic nodules, rock-like formations composed of lots of different metals, including manganese, which can create differences in electrical potential when interacting with seawater. We proposed that these could produce a voltage sufficient to split the seawater into hydrogen and oxygen. A new Chinese study has just shown that oxygen can potentially be produced when these manganese nodules are forming.

    More ‘why’ questions

    This year, thanks to funding from The Nippon Foundation, we will probe some of these scientific questions. If we show that oxygen production is possible in the absence of photosynthesis, this discovery would change the way we look at the possibility of life on other planets too.

    Indeed, we are already in conversation with experts at Nasa who believe that dark oxygen could reshape our understanding of how life might be sustained on other ocean worlds like Enceladus and Europa, moons that have ice crusts that limit sunlight penetration to the ocean below.

    We’re also in the process of analysing the potential of dark oxygen in the central Pacific Ocean and developing purpose-built and autonomous landers, or rigs. This will be the UK’s first opportunity to sample below depths of 6,000m. These vehicles will carry specialist instrumentation to depths of 11,000 metres, where the pressure is more than one tonne per square centimetre (that’s equivalent to 100 elephants sitting on top of you).

    We will investigate whether hydrogen is released during the creation of dark oxygen, and whether it is used as an energy source for an unusually large community of microbes in parts of the deep ocean. We also want to find out more about how climate change might impact biological activity in the deep sea.

    This project is the first of its kind to directly explore these processes. My team will be able to study the deep seafloor into the hadal zone, an area which reaches 6,000 – 11,000 metres depth and makes up around 45% of the entire ocean. This habitat, full of deep ocean trenches, is still poorly understood.

    The discovery of dark oxygen clearly has potential implications for the deep-sea mining industry. Deep-sea mining would extract polymetallic nodules that contain metals such as manganese, nickel and cobalt, which are required to produce lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and mobile phones.

    We don’t yet know how an industry such as this would affect the seabed, but our research over the coming years should help to answer many of the questions posed and perhaps better inform where the seabed should be more protected from deep-sea mining. One thing is for sure: whatever we find, I’ll try and feed my childlike sense of enthusiasm and be sure to ask “Why?”

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Andrew Sweetman receives funding from The Nippon Foundation.

    – ref. My team discovered ‘dark oxygen’ on the seafloor – now we’re trying to understand how it was made – https://theconversation.com/my-team-discovered-dark-oxygen-on-the-seafloor-now-were-trying-to-understand-how-it-was-made-250445

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Visits Las Vegas Metro Police Department’s Wellness Bureau to Discuss Importance of Mental Health Support for Law Enforcement

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    LAS VEGAS, NV – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) visited the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s (LVMPD) new Wellness Bureau to discuss the importance of mental health support for Nevada’s law enforcement community. Senator Rosen toured the facility with its director, Dr. James Tenney, and heard directly about what the department is doing to support the needs of their police force. They also discussed how additional federal resources would be helpful to continue supporting Nevada’s law enforcement.
    “Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to keep us safe, and that can take a toll on their mental health,” said Senator Rosen. “I was glad to tour LVMPD’s Wellness Bureau today to see firsthand how they’re supporting their officers’ well-being, and hear about any additional federal resources the department may need. I’m working across party lines to support our first responders’ mental health, and I’ll keep fighting to deliver federal resources for Nevada’s law enforcement officers.”
    Senator Rosen has been working to support Nevada’s law enforcement community and ensure it has the resources needed to fight crime effectively and safely. Last year, she announced over $300,000 in federal funding for Nevada to help law enforcement fight drug trafficking. Senator Rosen also announced nearly one million dollars in federal funding for Nevada law enforcement to hire more officers, purchase essential equipment, and invest in officer mental health. A bipartisan bill she backed to fund family support and mental health services for law enforcement officers passed the Senate last year.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Gaza: ‘Bring them all home now’, freed hostage tells Security Council

    Source: United Nations 2

    Peace and Security

    A senior UN political affairs official called for Israel and Hamas to restore the shattered ceasefire in Gaza on Thursday and release all remaining hostages, while one of those freed told the Security Council of his 500-day ordeal in captivity.

    Briefing ambassadors, Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General at the Department of Political Affairs (DPPA), reiterated the UN’s unequivocal condemnation of the horrific attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on Israeli communities on 7 October 2023.

    More than 1,200 Israelis were brutally killed and over 250 taken hostage. At least 59 people – alive and deceased – remain in the custody of Hamas and other armed groups inside the enclave.

    “Nothing can justify the intentional killing, torture, sexual violence, and destruction – entire families murdered, burned in their homes, taken hostage,” Mr. Khiari said.

    “The events of that horrific day will not be forgotten.”

    Escalating conflict

    Mr. Khiari also reported on the worsening situation in Gaza following the collapse of the two-month ceasefire and hostages release deal – and    resumption of full-blown conflict.

    Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians, including women and children, he said, adding also that six UN staff members have been killed in the past three days.

    Calling for an urgent return to the ceasefire, Mr. Khiari warned that “with every passing day, we move further away from the objective of returning the remaining hostages safely to their homes.”  

    He recalled UN relief chief Tom Fletcher’s briefing to the Council earlier this week, “a renewed ceasefire is the best way of protecting civilians – in Gaza, in the occupied Palestinian territory and in Israel – releasing hostages and detainees and allowing aid and commercial supplies in.”

    UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

    Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, briefs the Security Council.

    A survivor’s testimony: I came back from hell

    The Security Council also heard from Eli Sharabi, an Israeli survivor who spent 491 days in Hamas captivity. Taken from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri on 7 October 2023, Mr. Sharabi was held underground, chained, starved and subjected to psychological and physical abuse.

    “I have come back from hell,” he told ambassadors.

    “For 491 days. I was kept mostly underground in Hamas terror tunnels…held captive in the darkness, isolated from the world by Hamas terrorists,” he continued.

    “For 491 days. I held on to hope, I imagined the life we would rebuild, I dreamt of seeing my family again,” he said.

    However, only when he returned home last month, he learned the truth that his wife and two daughters had been killed by Hamas on 7 October.

    ‘Telling their stories’

    Mr. Sharabi emphasised that he appeared before the Security Council today to tell the story of his brother, Yossi, who was also taken hostage and killed, and others still in Gaza.

    “My brother Yossi, murdered in Hamas captivity, his body still held hostage, still 50 metres underground. I swore to him that I would tell his story,” Mr. Sharabi said, “for every hostage still in Hamas’ hands, I am here to tell you the whole truth.”

    He described the events of 7 October when Hamas attacked Kibbutz Be’eri, how he and his wife, Lianne, tried to protect their daughters and how he was taken away.

    ‘Begging was our existence’

    Mr. Sharabi detailed the horrors of captivity, describing how hostages were deprived of food, medical care and basic hygiene.

    “We had to beg for food, beg to use the bathroom. Begging was our existence,” he said, adding, “Hamas [terrorists] ate like kings while [we] starved.”

    Mr. Sharabi was freed on 8 February, as part of the hostage release and ceasefire deal. Since his release, he has met both US President Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, narrating the plight of hostages and appealing for their release.

    “Now, I am here before you at the United Nations to say – bring them all home. No more excuses, no more delays. If you stand for humanity, prove it. Bring them all home.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Early Alert: Aspiration System Issue from Calyxo

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    This communication is part of the Communications Pilot to Enhance the Medical Device Recall Program. The FDA has become aware of a potentially high-risk device issue. The FDA will keep the public informed and update this web page as significant new information becomes available.
    Affected Product

    The FDA is aware that Calyxo has issued a letter to affected customers indicating CVAC Aspiration Systems have updated instructions for use: 

    CVAC Aspiration System 
    Calyxo REF Number CVC127020-1 and User Manual L00018 Rev C
    UDI-DI: 00860005357710

    What to Do

    On February 19, 2025, Calyxo sent all affected health care providers an Urgent Device Field Correction notice recommending the following actions:

    Notify and provide all urologists using the CVAC Aspiration System in your institution that additional instructions are available and are required.

    Do not continue to provide fluid inflow in the presence of unresolved slow or absent fluid outflow. Doing so can create an intrarenal pressure imbalance, which may result in serious injury or death. 
    If a patient has cloudy, opaque (turbid), or suspected thick (high-viscosity) fluid observed in the kidney’s collecting system, stop irrigation immediately using the three-way stopcock.
    If visibility within the collecting system is completely obscured by opaque fluid, do not use the CVAC Aspiration System in the procedure. 
    Diagnostic or therapeutic ureteroscopy is contraindicated in patients with untreated urinary tract infection. Patients with coagulation disorders, severe cardiopulmonary insufficiency, or uncontrolled diabetes should be managed appropriately.
    If drainage through the access sheath is desired, use a 13/15 Fr or larger Ureteral Access Sheath. The CVAC Aspiration System is compatible with 12/14 Fr Ureteral Access Sheaths and will provide limited outflow, which may over-pressure the kidney. 
    Confirm your equipment is set up properly for use with the CVAC Aspiration System to monitor fluid outflow when low outflow is suspected. If there is a suspected slowing or lack of fluid outflow from the CVAC Aspiration System, stop irrigation inflow using the three-way stopcock.
    If visibility is sufficient to proceed, follow the evacuation procedure to clear the fluid in the kidney.

    Check this web page for updates. The FDA is currently reviewing information about this potentially high-risk device issue and will keep the public informed as significant new information becomes available.

    Reason for Early Alert
    Calyxo has identified a new risk of injury during use of the CVAC Aspiration System when patients have thick (high viscosity) fluid in the kidney at the start of the procedure, which can cause reduced fluid outflow that can lead to excessive pressure in the kidney. If the increased pressure in the kidney is not addressed, serious injury or death may occur.
    Calyxo has reported 1 death associated with this issue.
    Device Use
    The CVAC System (CVAC Aspiration System and CVAC Image Processor) is used to establish a channel during endoscopic urological procedures for the treatment and removal of urinary stones.
    Contact Information
    Customers in the U.S. with adverse reactions, quality problems, or questions about this recall should contact Calyxo at qualitycontrol@calyxoinc.com or 833-214-3354.
    Unique Device Identifier (UDI)
    The unique device identifier (UDI) helps identify individual medical devices sold in the United States from distribution to use. The UDI allows for more accurate reporting, reviewing, and analyzing of adverse event reports so that devices can be identified more quickly, and as a result, problems potentially resolved more quickly.

    How do I report a problem?
    Health care professionals and consumers may report adverse reactions or quality problems they experienced using these devices to MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

    Content current as of:
    03/20/2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Update on Alert: Infusion Pump Issue from Baxter Healthcare Corporation

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    This communication is part of the Communications Pilot to Enhance the Medical Device Recall Program. This recall involves removing certain devices from where they are used or sold. The FDA has identified this recall as the most serious type. This device may cause serious injury or death if you continue to use it. The affected products and recommendations for what to do with the devices below have not changed.
    Affected Product

    Sigma Spectrum Infusion System        Spectrum IQ Infusion System
    The FDA is aware that Baxter Healthcare Corporation has issued a letter to affected customers recommending certain Spectrum infusion pumps be removed from where they are used or sold:

    Sigma Spectrum Infusion System V6 Platform

    Product Code: 35700BAX
    Unique Device Identifier (UDI): 00085412091570

    704198

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    Spectrum IQ Infusion System with Dose IQ Safety Software

    Product Code: 3570009
    Unique Device Identifier (UDI): 00085412610900

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    What to Do

    On February 5, 2025, Baxter Healthcare Corporation sent all affected customers a letter recommending the following actions:

    Immediately locate, isolate, and cease all use of Spectrum pumps with the affected serial numbers. The product code and serial number can be found on the bottom of the infusion pump.
    Contact Baxter at 800-843-7867 to arrange for the return of the affected pumps for inspection and reservicing as applicable.
    If you received a communication directly from Baxter share Baxter’s communication with departments within your institution who use the affected products.
    If you are a dealer, wholesaler, distributor/reseller, or original equipment manufacturer that distributed any affected product to other facilities, please conduct a user-level recall of the affected product that you distributed to customers and check the associated box on the customer portal.

    Reason for Alert
    Baxter Healthcare Corporation recalled the Spectrum infusion pumps due to the potential for missing motor mounting screws, which may have occurred during the servicing process.
    Baxter is requesting the return of the affected pumps for inspection and reservicing as applicable. Missing motor mounting screws may lead to insufficient or excessive therapy, interruption in therapy, or delay in therapy, which can result in serious adverse health consequences.
    Baxter has reported one serious injury related to this issue.
    Device Use
    These Baxter Spectrum infusion pumps are intended to be used for the controlled administration of fluids—including medicine, blood, and blood products—to patients.
    Contact Information
    Customers in the U.S. with questions should contact your Baxter sales representative or Baxter Global Technical Services at 800-843-7867 Monday through Friday, between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm Eastern Time.
    Additional FDA Resources

    Unique Device Identifier (UDI)
    The unique device identifier (UDI) helps identify individual medical devices sold in the United States from distribution to use. The UDI allows for more accurate reporting, reviewing, and analyzing of adverse event reports so that devices can be identified more quickly, and as a result, problems potentially resolved more quickly.

    How do I report a problem?
    Health care professionals and consumers may report adverse reactions or quality problems they experienced using these devices to MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. 

    Content current as of:
    03/20/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Colorado Ranks 7th in the Nation for Energy Efficiency

    Source: US State of Colorado

    Colorado’s smart energy policies and programs that cut costs and pollution rank #7 on the ACEEE 2025 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard

    STATEWIDE –  Colorado is 7th in the nation for energy efficiency according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) 2025 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, which cited Colorado’s policies and programs that advance smart energy use and save Coloradans money.

    “Colorado continues to raise the bar on advancing energy efficiency, expanding clean transportation, and strengthening sustainable building practices that save people and businesses money. As the nation’s leader in EV adoption, we’re focused on making smart investments to lower costs and build a cleaner future across Colorado,” said Gov. Polis.

    Colorado is also among the “most improved” states since the last scorecard in 2022, jumping six spots in the rankings as a result of Governor Polis’ leadership to promote clean vehicles, reduce energy use in buildings, and adopt strong appliance efficiency standards.

    “Our improvement in these rankings highlights Colorado’s national leadership in energy efficiency and clean energy,” said Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor. “We are committed to pursuing innovative strategies to achieve net-zero emissions in Colorado by 2050, while saving Coloradans money on energy costs, improving air quality, and creating new economic opportunities and good-paying jobs across the state.”

    Colorado is taking an innovative sector-based approach to reduce emissions across the economy. ACEEE notes Colorado’s significant progress in the transportation sector, which has included adopting clean vehicle and truck standards that make more zero-emission vehicles available to Coloradans. The report also mentions Colorado’s appliance efficiency standards, building performance standards for large buildings, and first-in-the-nation clean heat standards for regulated gas utilities as key improvements.

    In addition to the State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, the ACEEE also ranked Colorado third in its 2023 State Transportation Electrification Scorecard. Colorado currently leads the nation in EV sales, with EVs making up 31.5% of new car sales in the last quarter of 2024.

    ###
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to Over Twenty Years Federal Prison

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    A woman who worked with others to distribute a significant amount of methamphetamine was sentenced March 17, 2025, to more than 24 years in federal prison.

    Candace Sue Thein, age 42, from Dike, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 3, 2024 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of distribution of a controlled substance.  

    Evidence disclosed at sentencing showed that, from December 2023 through May 22, 2024, Thein worked with others to receive numerous packages of ice methamphetamine and marijuana from a source of supply in California.  In total, the group received over 50 pounds of methamphetamine from the source of supply in California, which the group then redistributed to individuals in Waterloo, Dike, Reinbeck, and Hudson, Iowa.  Law enforcement searched several of the residences of individuals receiving these packages, including Thein’s residence in Dike, on May 22, 2024.  In the early morning hours of June 15, 2024, Thein and two other individuals went to the residence of one of Thein’s drug customers, demanding money.  The two other individuals threatened to kill Thein’s drug customer, while Thein broke into the drug customer’s residence and stole his cellphone.   

    Thein was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Thein was sentenced to 292 months’ imprisonment, and she must also serve a three‑year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Thein is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison. 

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; United States Postal Service; the Tri‑County Drug Enforcement Task Force, consisting of the Waterloo Police Department, Cedar Falls Police Department, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Department, Evansdale Police Department, Waverly Police Department, Hudson Police Department, La Porte City Police Department, and the Bremer County Sheriff’s Department; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; the Mid‑Iowa Drug Trask Force; the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office; the Iowa State Patrol; and the Santa Ana, California Police Department.  

    Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

    The case file number is 24-CR-00052-CJW.

    Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Protecting the public from abusive AI-generated content across the EU

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Protecting the public from abusive AI-generated content across the EU

    As a long-standing technology partner to European governments, businesses, and citizens, Microsoft seeks to ensure that the continent benefits from digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), while continuing to respect the rights of EU citizens online.

    AI is no longer a distant prospect but a present reality, reshaping the business landscape, revolutionizing healthcare, and accelerating scientific discovery across the EU. Yet, as with any transformative technology, AI brings potentially significant challenges as well as immense opportunities. As a technology company providing AI services, we bear a responsibility to make sure that the solutions we deliver are deserving of public trust.

    The start of the new EU mandate offers an opportunity to reflect on how best to leverage new technologies for the benefit of people across the continent — driving innovation and competitiveness —as well as to take proportionate steps to protect people from potential abuses of the same technology. At Microsoft, we are looking forward to working with the new decision makers in the European institutions as they embark on the 2024-2029 mandate.

    Strong political leadership is all the more necessary as we stand at the beginning of a new age of technological innovation. As President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said, “Europe is leading the way in making AI safer and more trustworthy, and oin tackling the risks stemming from its misuse.”. In this pursuit, however, the EU should not lose sight of AI’s central role in driving the continent’s digital transformation and potential for economic growth. Indeed, the EU should therefore “focus on becoming a global leader in AI innovation,” as emphasized by President von der Leyen in her political guidelines. In her commitment to protecting democracy, President von der Leyen also expressed her intention to continue strengthening the EU’s approach to AI-produced content in the current mandate.

    Advancing innovation and safety will require a balanced, whole-of-society approach that recognizes the respective roles of government, civil society, and industry. The EU is already at the forefront of creating  robust legal and regulatory frameworks, making industry players accountable for the development of safe online products, including AI. Microsoft recognizes the legislative developments undertaken during the 2019-2024 mandate of the Commission and stands ready to engage in dialogue with EU stakeholders on implementing these in an effective and proportionate way. We also see a need for modernized criminal and other laws to help address the misuse of AI. The pace of innovation calls for a continued focus on these challenges as the AI revolution unfolds.

    Our annual safety research reveals the scale of the potential challenge. Certain societal groups are disproportionately at risk from deliberate misuse of this technology. We therefore see a need for practical steps to protect people — most notably children, women, and older adults — from the harms that arise from abusive AI-generated content.

    In this white paper, we outline steps that Microsoft is taking to address this harm, as well as policy recommendations to build on the existing efforts and rules that address these issues head-on.

    Central to our recommendations is the need to establish clear and proportionate rules that protect individuals while enabling Europe to continue innovating. In our paper, we advocate for the EU to integrate provenance tools, strengthen appropriate existing legal frameworks, and enhance measures that put victim-based decision making at the forefront.

    As a company, we know we need a strong safety architecture for our services, grounded in safety by design, and incorporating durable media provenance and watermarking. Equally, we must continue to safeguard our services from abusive content and conduct (whether synthetic or not), through robust collaboration across industry and with governments and civil society, supported by ongoing education and public awareness efforts. It is crucial that we build trust in AI across society for its benefits to be fully realized.

    In the context of the EU’s mature regulatory landscape, we center our recommendations on enhancing the response to the misuse of AI, through the lens of three key risk areas:

    1. Protecting children from online exploitation.

    2. Safeguarding women from non-consensual intimate imagery.

    3. Safeguarding older adults, especially against AI-enabled fraud.

    The challenges we face are significant, but so is the opportunity. By proactively addressing these issues, we can build a future where AI enhances human creativity, protects individual privacy, and strengthens the foundations of our democracy. 

    At Microsoft, we are committed to playing our part, but we recognize that we cannot do it alone. We welcome engagement and feedback from stakeholders across the EU’s digital ecosystem. It is essential that we get this right, and that means working together. 

    Microsoft stands for technology that is a positive force in society and people’s lives, in line with our mission to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more. The time for action is now. 

    Read our full report here: aka.ms/SyntheticMediaEUWhitepaper 

    Tags: cybersecurity, Digital Transformation, Responsible AI, security, synthetic media

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Mastering Microsoft 365 Copilot in education

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Mastering Microsoft 365 Copilot in education

    Microsoft 365 Copilot is your AI assistant that frees up time for what matters most.

    Imagine reclaiming a whole day of your work week. That’s exactly what educators at St Francis College experienced during their Microsoft 365 Copilot trial, with participants reporting an average time savings of 9.3 hours weekly.

    This time savings is especially significant in a profession where burnout is all too common. As St Francis College Principal John Marinucci observed, Copilot transforms education by expediting those administrative tasks that often overwhelm educators. The result? Teachers have more energy and time to focus on what brought them to education in the first place—helping students learn and grow.

    Read the St Francis College story

    Your AI assistant for education

    Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat is the AI chat experience you can use every day. It’s powered by broad knowledge from the web, built on the latest AI models, and designed to be safe and secure. Copilot Chat includes free, secure AI chat powered by GPT-4o, agents accessible right in the chat, and IT controls, including enterprise data protection and agent management. In addition, pay-as-you-go agents are available for Microsoft 365 education customers through Copilot Chat.

    Moving forward, educational institutions will have a mix of Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot. While Copilot Chat is an excellent starting point for integrating AI into your day-to-day workflow, Microsoft 365 Copilot offers all the features of Copilot Chat and additional capabilities to transform educational experiences. Integrated into the apps you use every day, Microsoft 365 Copilot combines the power of the latest AI models with your data—documents, presentations, emails, meetings, chats, and more—plus the web to deliver relevant responses with sources.

    Smart help across your apps

    Unlike other AI tools, Copilot works within your Microsoft 365 environment to provide contextually relevant assistance.

    • In Word, you can draft and refine documents—such as lesson plans and reports—in seconds that might otherwise take hours.
    • In PowerPoint, you can transform basic content into engaging visual presentations that are tailored to your needs.
    • In Excel, you can analyze data and identify patterns that inform instructional and policy decisions—without complex formula creation.
    • In Outlook, you can more easily manage communications by drafting clear messages and summarizing important information from lengthy email threads.
    • In Microsoft Teams, you can capture key points from meetings, organize action items, and help manage collaborative projects more efficiently.
    • Copilot Chat turns your organizational content into a rich database of information and insight, enabling you to collaborate with Copilot like a partner to perform tasks in a single interface.
    • Use agents to make Copilot your own. Easily build an agent right in Copilot Chat or SharePoint with agent builder and explore agents pre-built for you.
    Explore Microsoft 365 Copilot

    Copilot is your AI assistant that frees up time for what matters most and transforms education experiences, bringing opportunity to life through customization.

    Enhancing efficiency with Copilot

    Microsoft 365 Copilot helps you balance strategic vision with day-to-day operations. Copilot puts thousands of skills at your command and can reason over all your content and context to take on any task using natural language—freeing you to focus on what matters most.

    Data-driven decision making

    Educational leadership increasingly demands evidence-based approaches to resource allocation, program evaluation, and strategic planning. Copilot helps you analyze complex data sets, identify meaningful patterns, and communicate your findings effectively to various stakeholders.

    Try these prompts:

    • Analyze this attendance data spreadsheet and identify any concerning patterns or trends that might require intervention.
    • Summarize the key findings from our quarterly assessment data and suggest three to five focus areas based on the results.
    • Write a data-informed narrative for our school board presentation that explains our resource allocation decisions for next year.

    Streamlining admin tasks and communication

    Education leaders often manage extensive communications, creating and reviewing documentation, and coordinating across departments. By using Copilot to streamline these tasks, you can spend less time on paperwork and more time on the people-focused aspects of leadership.

    Read how USF streamlined workflows

    Try these prompts:

    • Create a template for our weekly staff communication that includes sections for celebrations, important dates, and professional development opportunities.
    • Help me organize this folder of policy documents by creating an executive summary of each document with key points highlighted.
    • Draft a grant proposal outline based on our school improvement goals and the requirements in this funding announcement.

    Preparing presentations

    School leaders need to process large amounts of data and present findings in clear, impactful ways to support decision-making. Copilot can transform how you analyze and communicate educational data, helping you create meaningful visualizations and distill complex information into actionable insights that drive improvement.

    Try these prompts:

    • Help me create a slide that clearly shows the relationship between our new reading program implementation and student achievement scores.
    • Build a presentation about our school’s new academic programs and initiatives for tonight’s Alumni Donor event.
    • Turn the insights I prepared in this Word document into an 8-10 slide presentation for the conference I’m attending next week.

    Classroom-ready prompts for Copilot Chat

    Copilot Chat helps you tackle time-consuming and repetitive tasks so you can focus on what matters most. View links to sources, generate images, summarize or analyze files, and more. Get started with Copilot Chat for free with this collection of prompts designed to help you save time by streamlining your daily tasks.

    Try Copilot Chat today

    Lesson planning and curriculum development

    Creating engaging, standards-aligned lesson plans often requires hours of preparation time. Copilot Chat can generate structured frameworks, differentiate existing content, and help align materials with curriculum standards—all while preserving your unique teaching approach and classroom needs.

    Try these prompts:

    • Create a 7th-grade science lesson plan on photosynthesis that includes a hands-on activity, digital resources, and assessment options aligned with NGSS standards.
    • Transform my lecture notes on algebraic equations into an interactive lesson with think-pair-share activities and real-world application problems.

    Assessments and rubrics

    Developing varied assessments that accurately measure understanding across different learning levels is challenging and time intensive. Copilot Chat helps you create diverse question types, design clear rubrics, and craft personalized feedback to support student success.

    Try these prompts:

    • Create a rubric for assessing a persuasive essay from 10th-grade students, with criteria for argument structure, evidence quality, and mechanics.
    • Draft three versions of constructive feedback for students who struggle with supporting their arguments with evidence in their history essays.

    Content personalization

    Educational research consistently shows that addressing different learning styles improves engagement and retention. Copilot Chat helps you transform existing materials to meet different learning needs.

    Try these prompts:

    • Convert this text explanation of the water cycle into a visual learning aid with minimal text for visual learners.
    • Adapt this worksheet on fractions to make it more accessible for students with dyslexia, including font and layout recommendations.

    Communication

    Clear, consistent communication with caregivers and colleagues is essential but often time-consuming. Copilot Chat helps you craft professional messages, summarize student progress, and prepare for conferences with organized, actionable information.

    Try these prompts:

    • Help me organize student data from this spreadsheet into a narrative format I can use during parent-teacher conferences, highlighting strengths and growth areas.
    • Create a template for weekly classroom updates that I can send to families, with sections for curriculum highlights, upcoming events, and celebration moments.

    Get started with Copilot

    When introducing Copilot to your institution, consider starting with a small pilot group of educators who can explore its capabilities and develop best practices before you move forward with wider implementation. This approach allows your organization to identify the most valuable use cases and identify training opportunities.

    To help you and your team build competency with AI and Copilot, check out these resources:

    Ready to explore how you can transform your workflows with a powerful AI assistant? Get started with Copilot today.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Thousands of satellites are due to burn up in the atmosphere every year – damaging the ozone layer and changing the climate

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Minkwan Kim, Associate Professor of Astronautics, University of Southampton

    The world’s first artificial satellite, the Soviet Union’s Sputnik 1, was launched in October 1957. Just three months later, it fell out of orbit. As Sputnik hit the upper atmosphere at incredible speed, the friction would have caused it to heat up and almost entirely burn off. Some small remnants of the satellite would have remained in the upper atmosphere, like smoke and ash after a fire: humankind’s first space debris.

    Seven decades on, scientists like us are only just beginning to piece together how this space debris might be damaging the ozone layer, the climate and even human health. We still don’t know how much of this debris the atmosphere can sustain before it causes significant environmental harm.

    Today, the number of objects in orbit has surged to over 28,000. More than 11,000 of these are active satellites, with most belonging to commercial “mega-constellations”: groups of satellites that work together to deliver internet access. Examples include Starlink, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Amazon’s Kuiper or China’s Guowang.

    Operators follow a 25-year rule: at this point, a satellite’s mission is deemed to have ended and it is lowered into the atmosphere where gravity and friction kicks in. While this helps clear space, it results in thousands of satellites burning up in the atmosphere each year.

    A new problem

    Until recently, the high-altitude destruction of satellites was not a concern. The amount of spacecraft debris was relatively small compared to debris from naturally occurring meteorites.

    But by 2030, the global satellite population is expected to exceed 60,000, and thousands of spacecraft will be re-entering the atmosphere and burning up each year. With each satellite weighing as much as a small car, it all adds up. We are conducting research on the problem, and our early estimates are that around 3,500 tonnes of aerosols will be added to the atmosphere each year by 2033.

    Aerosols are tiny particles suspended in the air. They can play an important role in Earth’s climate, either cooling or warming it depending on their type and colour. Light-coloured particles generally reflect incoming sunlight and cause cooling, while darker particles, usually containing soot, absorb sunlight and make the atmosphere warmer.

    Some of these aerosols are particularly worrying. In 2023, US scientists discovered particles containing various metals, including aluminium and lithium, in the stratosphere. These particles originated from spacecraft and debris such as the disposable rocket boosters attached to them. When spacecraft burn up during re-entry, they release chemicals such as metal oxides and nitrogen oxides.

    The full composition of these emissions remains unclear. But key pollutants found in satellite debris are known to affect the atmosphere’s thermal balance, potentially driving global climate change.

    Aluminium oxide, for instance, could actually help cool the Earth by reflecting away sunlight. In fact, some geoengineering scientists have proposed injecting tiny particles of it into the stratosphere to keep global warming in check.

    It’s way too early to say exactly how much cooling this will cause. And we don’t know how messing with Earth’s energy balance like this might trigger unintended consequences including extreme weather.

    But we do know how the process works. And we know the amount of aluminium oxides from satellite re-entries is now approaching levels produced by meteorites – and will soon far exceed it. At a bare minimum, this is something we must track closely.

    Reopening the ozone hole?

    Aluminium oxide and other pollutants also act as catalysts in the breakdown of the ozone layer, a section of the stratosphere that shields the Earth from the Sun’s radiation.

    Rare ‘polar stratospheric clouds’, like these in Norway, are linked to ozone depletion. Satellite debris can cause these clouds to form more often.
    Romija / shutterstock

    In the 1970s and 1980s, the ozone layer was devastated by a group of chemicals known as CFCs that were widely used in fridges, spray cans and cleaning products. The 1987 Montreal protocol phased out CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances, and led to significant progress in reversing the damage.

    According to the World Economic Forum, the economic benefits of protecting the ozone layer add up to around US$2.2 trillion (£1.7 trillion) in total. To take one example, a thinner ozone layer increases exposure to harmful ultra-violet (UV) radiation, leading to a higher incidence of skin cancer and cataracts.

    The re-entry of satellites and space debris therefore may not only affect the Earth’s atmosphere but also pose serious risks to global climate and public health. More critically, unlike ground-based pollutants, pollutants from old spacecraft can persist in the upper atmosphere for decades or centuries, remaining undetected until their effects on ozone concentrations become evident.

    New solutions required

    History provides us with valuable lessons, allowing us to learn from past mistakes. Despite the success of the Montreal protocol, the ozone layer is not expected to fully recover until 2066, meaning it will take an 80-year effort to restore what was harmed in just a few decades.

    Nasa astronaut Don Pettit captured SpaceX Starlink satellites swarming like ‘cosmic fireflies’ in this time-lapse.

    The disaster of 21st-century climate change was set in motion when humankind began burning fossil fuels on a global scale in the mid-19th century. We are still working to resolve this problem by reducing carbon emissions. We must not add further environmental damage through satellite debris accumulating at the edge of Earth’s atmosphere.

    There’s no simple solution, however. If we want the benefits of worldwide networks of satellites then we really do have to let them burn off in the atmosphere. It’s the only cost-effective disposal method at present.

    For now, the space industry’s contribution to ozone depletion and climate change is relatively small. But, as space activity continues to grow exponentially, we cannot afford to overlook the consequences of satellite debris.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Minkwan Kim receives funding from the UK Space Agency (UK Space Agency Contract No: UKSAG23A_00100), which is entitled as “Beyond the Burning: Researching and Implementing Policy Solutions for Sustainable Debris Ablation”

    Ian Williams receives funding from EPSRC and AHRC.

    – ref. Thousands of satellites are due to burn up in the atmosphere every year – damaging the ozone layer and changing the climate – https://theconversation.com/thousands-of-satellites-are-due-to-burn-up-in-the-atmosphere-every-year-damaging-the-ozone-layer-and-changing-the-climate-251845

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Can books be bad for you? Only if you’re a ‘bad reader’ like Don Quixote

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Karen Attar, Research Fellow in Institute of English Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London

    An illustration from an edition of Don Quixote where the eponymous protagonist goes mad from reading. Wikimedia, CC BY

    Books as a backdrop in a portrait or an interview lend gravitas. They stand for literacy, for education, for a way to open the mind, develop the imagination and get on in life. But not all books are considered to convey such benefits.

    Opinions about which books are worthy and which are not have dogged fiction. Which are frivolous nonsense, sure to pollute the mind, and which are worthy intellectual pursuits? Also, are there books which are just too dangerous to read?

    Is Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye sure to influence unwanted behaviour? Are there those who can read a book like Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince and not see it as real advice of how any immoral act is justified if they lead to power and glory?

    In short, are there bad books, or are there just bad readers?

    The theme of bad books versus bad readers runs through my recent publication Books, Reading and Libraries in Fiction, which I wrote with Institute of English Studies Reader Andrew Nash. It starts with Don Quixote (1605), which is considered the first modern novel in Europe and an enduring classic of world literature.

    By the beginning of the 17th century, medieval chivalric romances about knights riding around the countryside seeking adventures and saving damsels in distress were distinctly old-fashioned. Don Quixote did not realise that. He spent all his time reading such romances, neglecting all other duties, to the extent that he went mad.

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    Believing the stories implicitly, he set off in search of knightly adventures. Don Quixote is the quintessential bad reader who takes fiction literally and who focuses on the activity of fighting instead of the metaphorical value of striving for good against evil. It’s the uncritical way children may read, but not the way we expect adults to.

    It is because he was a man that Don Quixote had the purchasing power to surround himself with books (there were no public libraries in those days) and travel around. So, it has more often been women who have typically been portrayed as poor readers, over-identifying with the heroines of novels, reading books that are bad for them, or reading when they should be doing something else.

    The Female Quixote, a little-known novel by Charlotte Lennox (1752), draws consciously on Don Quixote as heroine Arabella expects life to reflect the French novels she has read. At the end a doctor must explain to her the difference between fiction and reality. The reader of The Female Quixote is expected to have a lot more sense and distance than the reader within the novel. They are supposed to learn from Arabella’s silliness.

    Jane Austen, who we know loved reading novels, has most to say about relegating fiction to its place. She does it famously in a gentle, high-spirited way through her heroine in Northanger Abbey (1817), Catherine Morland. This young woman gorges on sensational gothic romances and this fiction starts to seep into her perception of reality.

    On one particularly stormy gothic night in a strange country house, she finds a roll of paper in a drawer. “What is it?” she thinks. Her candle goes out and she tosses and turns until early morning, her imagination leading her to terrifying conclusions. In the cold light of morning, she discovers that the paper is only an old laundry bill.

    The worst case of “bad reading” in our book occurred in a 1855 novella Faust by Russian novelist Ivan Turgenev. The story deals with a young woman whose mother had banned the reading of fiction. The young male narrator introduces her to the first part of Goethe’s drama Faust. Overwhelmed by the emotions it arouses, unequipped to deal with them from any former contact with imaginative literature, the heroine falls ill and dies.

    Like her fictitious predecessors, she over-identifies with fiction. In her case she suffers because, had she read fiction when she was younger, she would have been more robust now. Typically in fiction of the past, fortunate women had wise men to guide them and their reading. Vera in Turgenev’s tale is rather unfortunate in her guide’s lack of discrimination.

    Does it mean that Faust, considered by many the pinnacle of German literature, is a “bad” book? No. Neither are gothic romances. We know from her letters that Jane Austen devoured novels, and that she liked Ann Radcliffe, one of the most prominent Gothic writers. Also, medieval chivalric romances can be inspiring.

    The challenge for characters in fiction, as for us, is to read with distance and discernment. It helps to start young, unlike Turgenev’s Vera. We must read to understand and follow worthy principles, rather than blindly imitating the behaviour of characters in novels. But most of all, we must read all sorts of fiction. And then we shall be reading thoughtfully, wisely and well.

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

    – ref. Can books be bad for you? Only if you’re a ‘bad reader’ like Don Quixote – https://theconversation.com/can-books-be-bad-for-you-only-if-youre-a-bad-reader-like-don-quixote-252428

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Glastonbury is as popular than ever, but complaints about the lineup reveal its generational challenge

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Adrian York, Senior Lecturer in Commercial Music Performance, University of Westminster

    Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock since 1970 you will be aware of the five-day Glastonbury festival held every June (apart from “fallow” years to rest the land and the organisers), near Pilton in Somerset. Glastonbury is as much a pillar of the English summer as tennis at Wimbledon or opera at Glyndebourne.

    It’s a white, middle-class rite of passage and an easy win for people wishing peer approval and the cultural capital that comes with the price of a ticket. It’s expensive and exclusive and the booking policy reflects its audience.

    This year’s headliners include indie pop-rock darlings The 1975, angry girl supreme Olivia Rodrigo, old-school superstar Neil Young with his band the Chrome Hearts, with family favourite Rod Stewart filling the Sunday teatime “legend” slot.

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    Other acts filling the 100-plus stages include Brat popster Charli XCX, English hip-hopper Loyle Carner, original bad boys The Prodigy (without original frontman Keith Flint, RIP) plus Raye, Doechii, Noah Kahan, Gracie Abrams, and old pros Alanis Morissette, En Vogue and Gary Numan.

    With tickets costing £378.50 for Glastonbury 2025, are the 210,000 attendees getting value for money?

    A Reddit thread titled “Glastonbury 2025 lineup, thoughts?”, gives a flavour of some commonly aired opinions. Disappointed customer praf973 “tried to get tickets but was unsuccessful. I’m not bitter, but the line up isn’t really looking that great.” Another commenter, Whilst-I-was-forced, declared: “Nothing to get excited about. It’s gone too commercial and sterile.”

    Ok_Handle_3530 gave a different perspective: “This line-up looks … great, people are too hard to please.” ShankSpencer opined, “There are no good line-ups any more. No one young listens to bands any more, so there are no headline acts.”

    The exceptionally popular festival sold out in 35 minutes this year even before the artists had been announced, raising the question: has Glastonbury become a victim of its own success?

    Last year there were issues with overcrowding at some of the smaller stages creating issues for fans wanting to see acts such as the Sugababes. Some sets were even being stopped early because of crowd surges.

    But what’s really behind these complaints about the lineup and are they justified? There’s been a changing of the guard as the veteran generation of performers from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s step back from performing because they have retired, are too ill or have died.

    There doesn’t seem to be enough credible stadium acts from the 1990s onwards to fill their shoes, leading to a lack of enthusiasm for the current offerings. The new generation of acts have an opportunity to impress, but many of them don’t have the volume of hits that legacy acts such as Elton John or Paul McCartney provide – nor the cross-generational appeal.

    There is also a growing sense that the cultural importance of the rock band is fading. Gen Z has far more in the way of distractions than previous generations with myriad forms of social media and digital entertainment. With so much competition for their attention, the tribal allegiances that bands used to command may feel dated and irrelevant to many younger people.

    On their single Guys, one of this year’s headliners, The 1975 trill: “The moment that we started a band was the best thing that ever happened.” Perhaps lead singer Matty Healy’s love affair with the mythology of rock’n’roll is no longer widely shared.

    Glastonbury has also been criticised for a lack of diversity. Clubbing magazine Mixmag made the point that in 2023, “the number of male acts playing this year’s Glastonbury Festival is nearly double that of female acts”.

    Similarly, the festival’s lineup and audience are predominantly white and fail to adequately reflect the British music industry. Though there have been a few black bands and artists headlining over the years, it wasn’t until 2019 that the first solo black British performer headlined on the Pyramid stage, with an unforgettable set from London rapper Stormzy in a black Union Jack stab vest designed by Banksy.

    For Glastonbury to move with the times, a more diverse booking policy is needed to widen the audience demographic and the festival’s appeal. Despite having enjoyed the event, mixed-heritage music journalist and academic Jenessa Williams noted: “I was still left with the feeling that certain punters saw black artists as a mockable novelty, a by-product to tolerate rather than truly a piece of the event’s heart and soul.”

    And then there’s the issue of cost. According to a 2024 report, two-thirds of UK adults feel that music festivals are becoming too expensive. Popular music artists have had to pivot towards live events for income generation because of the poor returns from streaming compared to selling albums.

    So are major tours and larger festivals such as Glastonbury sucking revenue out of the music economy? Research shows that while big high-profile event tours are making millions, at the other end of the spectrum grassroots venues – where new talent is incubated – are buckling under a lack of support and the prohibitive costs of running their operations.

    Glastonbury won’t be making an appearance in 2026, the next fallow year for rest and recovery. This will create an opportunity for organiser Emily Eavis to reflect on some of the more problematical issues the festival faces, from diversity in the audience and artists, to the sustainability of the talent pipeline.

    Maybe the last word should go to American rapper Azealia Banks commenting on this year’s festival lineup: “Glastonbury is kinda cooked.”

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

    – ref. Glastonbury is as popular than ever, but complaints about the lineup reveal its generational challenge – https://theconversation.com/glastonbury-is-as-popular-than-ever-but-complaints-about-the-lineup-reveal-its-generational-challenge-252588

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: STAR Systems International Granted Patent for Invisity Anti-Tamper Feature for Sticker Transponders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — STAR Systems International, a leader in automatic vehicle identification solutions, is proud to announce the approval of its latest patent for the cutting-edge Invisity security feature, specifically engineered to make sticker transponders more tamper resistant. Invisity’s patented design will cause a transponder’s antenna to break upon removal while simultaneously allowing for full color high-resolution printing on both sides of the transponder. Invisity ensures superior security while also providing aesthetically pleasing and visually distinctive transponder designs.

    As automatic vehicle identification technology continues to play an increasingly integral role in a variety of applications, the demand for reliable and secure systems is more pressing than ever. STAR Systems is continuously innovating and revolutionizing transponder security and integrity to offer the best-in-class solutions. Invisity prevents sticker transponders from being transferred from one vehicle to another and improves transponder authentication without compromising performance, ensuring seamless integration into existing systems.

    Invisity is one of multiple security features that STAR Systems offers. Security printing such as invisible UV print and holographic print are also available to enhance physical security. Furthermore, Gen2V2 offers optional embedded cryptographic authentication features which allow transponders and readers to authenticate each other. STAR Systems’ TITAN PRO and TARVOS PRO readers both support Gen2V2 and also support the new Gen2V3 features as well.

    “Our commitment to high-performance and innovation drives everything we do,” said Robert Karr, CEO of STAR Systems International. “Invisity features custom printed graphics on both sides, allowing visually appealing designs while maintaining optimal performance and security. The introduction of Invisity reflects our commitment to providing innovative solutions that address critical security challenges faced by industries worldwide.”

    For more information about Invisity and other security features that STAR Systems International offers, contact STAR Systems at salesinquiry@star-int.net.

    About STAR Systems International 
    Founded in 2013, STAR Systems International is a world leader in Automatic Vehicle Identification Technologies. STAR Systems focuses on providing best-in-class transponders, readers and professional consulting services for Smart City Initiatives, including Electronic Tolling (ETC), Congestion/Road Use Charging, Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR), Express/HOT Lane, Fleet Management, Parking and Secure Access Control applications.

    STAR Systems strives to ensure customer success by leveraging the Company’s technical expertise and implementation experience. For more information, please visit www.star-int.net. 

    Media Contact

    Zhihan Chen
    +(1) 469-838-2649
    zhihan.chen@star-int.net

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: PARADISE Looks To Revolutionize Gaming Through Upcoming Launch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HONG KONG, March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PARADISE is set to officially launch on April 2nd, 2025. It is the only Web3 game in the world to achieve such massive success in terms of player numbers. It will be available on Epic Games, Steam and its own launch program.

    In anticipation of the official release, a playtest will take place at the end of March, giving players an exclusive opportunity to try out the game before the Initial DEX Offering (IDO/Presale $PAR token) concludes, which runs through March 31.

    Popularity & Market Traction

    PARADISE has already captured the attention of the global gaming community, with over 700,000 players across various platforms. The game ranks as the TOP-1 free-to-play game on Steam and holds a spot in the TOP-40 on the Epic Games Store.

    It also has over 700,000 wishlists on Steam alone and 1 million views on the game’s official trailer. The game has additionally garnered over 100 million views from top influencers on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

    Web3 Integration & The $PAR Token

    PARADISE incorporates the $PAR token, which allows players to buy in-game items, real estate, fancy clothes, and more. This integration offers players the unique opportunity to experience both traditional and blockchain-based gameplay.

    Furthermore, players can switch between the standard version and the blockchain (XRPL) version whenever they wish to do so. Lastly, PARADISE has also formed key partnerships with industry leaders like xMagnetic and Epic Games, further highlighting the game’s credibility.

    IDO Countdown

    Currently, the IDO for the $PAR token is underway, with the IDO scheduled to conclude on March 31, 2025. In an effort to make the token more accessible to early supporters, PARADISE’s team has priced it at 0.0001 XRP. After the IDO, unsold tokens will be burned, and the token will be listed on Tier 2-3 exchanges initially, with plans for a listing on a Top-1 exchange in the future.

    For those interested in purchasing $PAR tokens before the IDO ends, a comprehensive guide is available. The $PAR token follows a deflationary tokenomics model, with a blackholed address ensuring no new tokens will be issued after the IDO.

    Lastly, PARADISE is carrying out an airdrop for IDO buyers, wherein additional $PAR can be earned by holding. Payments will be made in $PAR to XRP Wallets following the IDO’s conclusion. The Top 5 IDO buyers will also receive exclusive rewards.

    Massive Marketing Campaign

    PARADISE is conducting a robust marketing campaign with mentions from top international influencers and bloggers across multiple social media platforms. The idea behind these global partnerships is to ensure that PARADISE maintains its momentum, keeping players engaged while attracting even more attention as the launch date approaches.

    Moreover, in order to separate itself from its competition, PARADISE took the time to build its game first, gather a substantial audience, and prove its traction before turning to fundraising. This approach has resulted in a project that is already highly anticipated and has demonstrated real-world engagement, setting it apart from others that often launch tokens before building a product or community.

    About PARADISE

    PARADISE is an innovative, free-to-play game that blends AAA-quality gameplay with blockchain technology. The game offers players the chance to engage in exciting shootouts, car races, and complete daily missions, all while earning $PAR tokens to buy in-game assets and items.

    With a growing community of over 600,000 players and significant backing from industry leaders like Epic Games and xMagnetic, PARADISE looks to reshape the future of gaming.

    For more information and regular updates, visit PARADISE’s official website as well as its X (Twitter), YouTube, and Telegram channels.

    Contact Information:
    For media inquiries or to schedule an interview, please contact:
    Robert Lee
    CMO, PARADISE®
    Email: admin@paradisevs.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by PARADISE. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8194f7d1-7d13-4574-8b28-ddbcefb5fc51

    The MIL Network –