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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear Energy Strengthens Intellectual Property Portfolio with Four New Patent Applications

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Protections Surrounding Key Enabling ALIP Technology Adds to NANO Nuclear’s Stable of Granted or Acquired Patents and Patent Applications

    New York, N.Y., Feb. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, today announced that it has filed four new separate utility patent applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) related to NANO Nuclear’s Annular Linear Induction Pump (ALIP) technology.

    The ALIP technology, a thermal management and distribution system which is based on electromagnetic (rather than mechanical) pumps, is a core technology in the development of advanced molten-salt and liquid-metal nuclear reactors. By utilizing a time-varying magnetic field, ALIPs enable the movement of conductive fluids without mechanical components, reducing wear and maintenance requirements while increasing efficiency.

    The ALIP technology, acquired by NANO Nuclear last year and part of its suite of energy systems, is considered a key-enabling technology for the development of advanced nuclear reactors, not only for NANO Nuclear’s microreactors in development but as a third-party commercial opportunity for other advanced nuclear reactor systems.

    In addition to enhancing energy conversion cycles, optimizing thermal management, and ensuring operational longevity in high-temperature applications across the energy, propulsion, and industrial sectors, applications of the ALIP technology extend beyond nuclear energy to space power and propulsion systems, industrial cooling systems, and defense applications, positioning NANO Nuclear at the forefront of emerging high-performance fluid control markets.

    A U.S. Department of Energy’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III project is ongoing to refine the ALIP technology, led by inventor and NANO Nuclear’s Head of Thermal Hydraulics and Space Program Dr. Carlos O. Maidana, with a view to separately commercialize the technology as a component for liquid metal and all molten salt-based nuclear reactors.

    Figure 1 – NANO Nuclear Energy’s Annular Linear Induction Pump (ALIP) technology cross-sectional visualization.

    “The development and eventual commercialization of the ALIP technology is essential for advancing next-generation nuclear reactor solutions,” said Carlos O. Maidana, Ph.D., Head of Thermal Hydraulics and Space Program of NANO Nuclear Energy. “Filing these utility patents highlights our commitment to leading the charge in next-generation technologies that are critical to the ongoing evolution of advanced energy systems. I’m pleased to have housed these inventions within NANO Nuclear and to lead the team to progress and refine this technology.”

    The newly filed patent applications include:

    1. Patent Application # 19/030,148, titled “Integrated platform and method for optimizing an electromagnetic pump,” relates to the development of software for the design of annular linear induction pumps.
    2. Patent Application # 19/030,130, titled “Electromagnetic pump system and method for moving conducting fluid,” relates to the design of the next generation of annular linear induction pumps.
    3. Patent Application # 19/030,098, titled “Electromagnetic pump and method for manufacturing the same,” relates to the advanced manufacturing of annular linear induction pumps.
    4. Patent Application # 19/030,068, titled “Cooling system for electromagnetic pump system,” relates to the design of a micro-channel cooling system, using advanced manufacturing methods, for annular linear induction pumps operating at very high temperature.

    These intellectual properties are expected to provide enhanced component life span and operation metrics in all advanced molten-salt and liquid-metal reactors, including NANO Nuclear’s KRONOS MMR™, LOKI MMR™, and ODIN portable microreactor, all of which are currently in development.

    “The filing of these additional utility patents further bolsters our intellectual property portfolio and helps to ensure the protection of our progress in developing this key enabling technology,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer and Head of Reactor Development of NANO Nuclear Energy. “We believe that the ALIP technology will be instrumental in the development and optimization of the next generation of advanced nuclear reactors, and I’m pleased with the progress Dr. Maidana has overseen through the SBIR Phase III program. We look forward to continuing our progress with ALIP with a view towards including in it our own microreactors in development as well as seeking to separately commercialize it as soon as possible.”

    About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

    NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across five business lines: (i) cutting edge portable and other microreactor technologies, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation, (iv) nuclear applications for space and (v) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.

    Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s reactor products in development include “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors. NANO Nuclear is also developing patented stationary KRONOS MMR™ Energy System and space focused, portable LOKI MMR™.

    Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.

    HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.

    NANO Nuclear Space Inc. (NNS), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is exploring the potential commercial applications of NANO Nuclear’s developing micronuclear reactor technology in space. NNS is focusing on applications such as the LOKI MMR™ system and other power systems for extraterrestrial projects and human sustaining environments, and potentially propulsion technology for long haul space missions. NNS’ initial focus will be on cis-lunar applications, referring to uses in the space region extending from Earth to the area surrounding the Moon’s surface.

    For more corporate information please visit: https://NanoNuclearEnergy.com/

    For further NANO Nuclear information, please contact:
    Email: IR@NANONuclearEnergy.com
    Business Tel: (212) 634-9206

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    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. In this press release, forward-looking statements include those related to (i) the anticipated benefits to NANO Nuclear of the patent applications described herein and (ii) the future prospects for the ALIP technology generally as part of NANO Nuclear’s reactors in development or via separate commercialization. These and other forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) or related state or non-U.S. nuclear fuel licensing submissions, (ii) risks related the development of new or advanced technology and the acquisition of complimentary technology or businesses, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays, integration issues, securing intellectual property protection, and the development of competitive technology, (iii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iv) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other technology in the timelines we anticipate, if ever, (v) risks related to the impact of U.S. and non-U.S. government regulation, policies and licensing requirements, including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including those associated with the recently enacted ADVANCE Act, and (vi) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the operating an early stage business a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 3D Systems’ Co-founder & Chief Technology Officer for Regenerative Medicine, Chuck Hull, Elected to the National Academy of Engineering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ROCK HILL, S.C., Feb. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD) announced Charles (Chuck) Hull, its co-founder and chief technology officer for regenerative medicine, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Election to the NAE is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions in at least one of the following categories: “engineering practice, research, or education,” “pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or development/implementation of innovative approaches to engineering education,” or “engineering leadership of one or more major endeavors.” NAE members are among the world’s most accomplished engineers from business, academia, and government. Mr. Hull is being honored for the invention of 3D printing and the subsequent development of the additive manufacturing industry. 

    “It is humbling to be elected to this academy of distinguished engineers,” said Mr. Hull. “I’m honored and excited to serve and work alongside such outstanding professionals to advance the positive impact engineering has on our world.”

    Mr. Hull pioneered the development of 3D printing while Vice President of Engineering at UVP, Inc. (now Analytik Jena), a manufacturer of ultraviolet light sources. His work on fusing UV resins into 3D structures for prototyping led to the creation of the first 3D-printed part, an eye wash cup, in 1983 using Stereolithography (SLA). He patented this technology and subsequently co-founded 3D Systems in 1986, launching the first commercial 3D printer, the SLA-1, and thus establishing the 3D printing industry.

    Mr. Hull’s groundbreaking invention has earned him numerous accolades. In October of 2023, he received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI) from President Joe Biden. Established in 1980, the NMTI is the United States’ highest honor for technological achievement, awarded by the President of the United States for outstanding contributions to America’s economic, environmental, and social well-being. Mr. Hull was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame (2014) and received the European Inventor Award (2014) for his transformative impact. His contributions have also been recognized with the Manufacturing Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award (2016), the ASME’s designation of the SLA-1 as a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, and The Economist’s 2013 Innovation Award. With 85 US patents and numerous international patents in ion optics and 3D printing, Mr. Hull’s legacy as an inventor is firmly established.

    “On behalf of the entire 3D Systems team, it is my pleasure to extend our deepest congratulations to Chuck for this honor,” said Dr. Jeffrey Graves, president & CEO, 3D Systems. “His pioneering work has revolutionized manufacturing and profoundly impacted healthcare delivery. Chuck’s invention of Stereolithography not only launched an entire industry but also sparked the proliferation of numerous applications for 3D printing technologies. Whether we look at aerospace, personalized healthcare solutions, AI infrastructure, or the automotive industry, 3D printing is playing a significant role in how these industries innovate. Thanks to Chuck’s groundbreaking initial innovation with SLA, we are transforming manufacturing and patient care for a better future.”

    Mr. Hull is among 128 new members and 22 international members in the NAE Class of 2025. Elected by their peers, the ballot for this class was set in December and the final vote took place in January. He and his class will be formally inducted during the NAE’s Annual Meeting on October 5, 2025.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from historical results or from any future results or projections expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In many cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “believes,” “belief,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “estimates,” “intends,” “anticipates” or “plans” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based upon management’s beliefs, assumptions, and current expectations and may include comments as to the company’s beliefs and expectations as to future events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the company. The factors described under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other factors, could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected or predicted in forward-looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as a guarantee of future performance or results, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at which such performance or results will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included are made only as of the date of the statement. 3D Systems undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements made by management or on its behalf, whether as a result of future developments, subsequent events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law.

    About 3D Systems
    More than 35 years ago, 3D Systems brought the innovation of 3D printing to the manufacturing industry. Today, as the leading additive manufacturing solutions partner, we bring innovation, performance, and reliability to every interaction – empowering our customers to create products and business models never before possible. Thanks to our unique offering of hardware, software, materials, and services, each application-specific solution is powered by the expertise of our application engineers who collaborate with customers to transform how they deliver their products and services. 3D Systems’ solutions address a variety of advanced applications in healthcare and industrial markets such as medical and dental, aerospace & defense, automotive, and durable goods. More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com.

    Investor Contact: investor.relations@3dsystems.com
    Media Contact: press@3dsystems.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d059ac89-1e4b-4118-b82f-04fa9bed475a

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace: A Call to Prayer and Fasting

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ACCRA, Ghana, February 17, 2025/APO Group/ —

    “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him” (Rom 15:13)

    To you, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, the faithful of all our Catholic Dioceses in Africa and its islands, and to all people of goodwill: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

    We, the members of the Standing Committee of SECAM, gathered in Accra, Ghana, from February 11-14, 2025, for our first annual ordinary meeting, address you today with hearts filled with both concern and grief because of the ongoing conflicts in our Continent, nonetheless with Christian hope.

    Current Situations of Concern

    We know that Africa’s rich mineral deposits, truly a potential source of prosperity, have instead continued to be a source of conflict. The desire to control and appropriate these resources motivates powerful nations and multinational corporations to fund armed factions in some African countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Mozambique, Sudan, etc, thereby perpetuating, violence, displacement and instability.

    We acknowledge the immense suffering that many of our brothers and sisters are enduring due to conflicts, violence, massacres and instability in various parts of our continent. To all who are bereaved and suffering, we say: “you are not forgotten”. The Church has not abandoned you. We stand with you, pray for you, and continue to call for justice, peace, and reconciliation. To those who persist in the scramble for the resources of Africa, we echo the words of the Holy Father Pope Francis, in his speech of January 2023 in Kinshasa, DRC: “Hands off the Democratic Republic of Congo! Hands off Africa! Stop choking Africa, it is not a mine to be stripped or a terrain to be plundered.”

    Our Inspiration and Hope through Synodality

    As we embrace this Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope, we are reminded that even in the darkest times, hope must never fade. The Jubilee invites us to renew our trust in God, to strengthen the bonds of communion, and to seek new paths of healing and unity. The message of Christ, the Prince of Peace, must resound loudly in Africa. We urge all people of goodwill—within the Church and beyond—to be instruments of peace, choosing dialogue over division, love over hatred, and hope over despair.

    If the Synod on Synodality ever had meaning, this is the time to demonstrate it. The call to walk together as a Church, listening to one another and acting in unity, must become a lived reality. The challenges before us compel us to greater collaboration among bishops, priests, religious, and the people of God everywhere. No one can stand alone; we are one body in Christ. As shepherds of the Church in Africa, we commit to strengthening the structures of communion and ensuring that the Church remains a voice of truth, justice, and hope in our society.

    Our Passionate Call to Prayer

    As followers of Christ, we are called to stand together in prayer for those in need and to seek God’s intervention for peace and healing. We urge all believers to dedicate time for prayer, asking the Lord to bring an end to the war, to comfort the afflicted, and to guide our leaders toward justice and reconciliation. To this end, we invite every diocese, parish, and religious community in Africa to unite in a triduum of prayer and fasting, each according to their local customs and facilities, from March 3rd to 5th, 2025.

    Let us lift up our voices to God in unity, trusting that He hears the cries of His people even as we all work fervently for peace. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) May the Lord grant peace to Eastern Congo and all other lands all regions suffering from conflict.

    We entrust our continent, Africa, to the maternal care of Our Lady of Africa and invoke God’s blessings upon all of you. May His peace reign in our hearts, in our homes, and in our nations. Amen.

    Given in Accra, Ghana,

    13th of February 2025

    The Standing Committee of SECAM

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Why is there so much gold in west Africa?

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Raymond Kazapoe, Senior lecturer, University for Development Studies

    Militaries that have taken power in Africa’s Sahel region – notably Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – have put pressure on western mining firms for a fairer distribution of revenue from the lucrative mining sector.

    Gold is one of the resources at the heart of these tensions. West Africa has been a renowned gold mining hub for centuries, dating back to the ancient Ghana empire, which earned its reputation as the “Land of Gold” because of its abundant reserves and thriving trade networks. The region remains a global leader in gold production. As of 2024, west Africa contributed approximately 10.8% of the world’s total gold output.

    But why is there so much gold in this region? The Conversation Africa asked geologist Raymond Kazapoe to explain.

    How is gold formed?

    The simple answer here is that we are not certain. However, scientists have some ideas.

    Gold, like all elements, formed through high energy reactions that occurred in various cosmic and space environments some 13 billion years ago, when the universe started to form.

    However, gold deposits – or the concentration of gold in large volumes within rock formations – are believed to occur through various processes, explained by two theories.

    The first theory – described by geologist Richard J. Goldfarb – argues that large amounts of gold were deposited in certain areas when continents were expanding and changing shape, around 3 billion years ago. This happened when smaller landmasses, or islands, collided and stuck to larger continents, a process called accretionary tectonics. During these collisions, mineral-rich fluids moved through the Earth’s crust, depositing gold in certain areas.

    A quartz vein rock specimen with visible gold. Mangiwau/Getty Images

    A newer, complementary theory by planetary scientist Andrew Tomkins explains the formation of some much younger gold deposits during the Phanerozoic period (approximately 650 million years ago). It suggests that as the Earth’s oceans became richer in oxygen during the Phanerozoic period, gold got trapped within another mineral known as pyrite (often called fool’s gold) as microscopic particles. Later, geological processes – like continental growth (accretion) and heat or pressure changes (metamorphism) released this gold – forming deposits that could be mined.

    Where in west Africa is gold found and what are its sources?

    Most gold production and reserves in west Africa are found within the west African craton. This is one of the world’s oldest geological formations, consisting of ancient, continental crust that has remained largely unchanged for billions of years.

    West African Craton. Wikipedia

    The craton underlies much of west Africa, spanning parts of Mali, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal and Mauritania. In fact, most west African countries that have significant gold deposits have close to 50% of their landmass on the craton. Notably, between 35% and 45% of Ghana, Mali and Côte d’Ivoire’s territory sits on it – which is why these areas receive so much attention from gold prospectors.

    Gold deposits were formed within west Africa’s craton rocks during a major tectonic event, known as the Eburnean Orogeny, 2.2 billion to 2.08 billion years ago. This event was accompanied by the temperature, pressure and tectonic conditions which promote gold mineralisation events. Most of the gold resources in the west African craton are found within ancient geological formations formed by volcanic and tectonic processes about 2.3 billion to 2.05 billion years ago. These are known as the Rhyacian Birimian granitoid-greenstone belts.

    These gold-bearing belts in Ghana and Mali are by far the most endowed when compared with other countries in the region. Ghana and Mali currently, cumulatively account for over 57% of the combined past production and resources of the entire west Africa sub-region.

    Gold bearing geological structures in Ghana. Gerhard Michael Free/Shutterstock

    Ghana is thought to be home to 1,000 metric tonnes of gold. The country produces 90 metric tonnes each year – or 7% of global production. Gold production in Mali reached around 67.7 tonnes in 2023. Mali has an estimated 800 tons of gold deposits.

    By comparison, the world’s two largest gold producers are China (which mined approximately 370 metric tonnes of gold in 2023) and Australia (which had an output of around 310 metric tonnes in 2023).

    What are some of the modern exploration tools used to find gold?

    Gold was traditionally found by panning in riverbeds, where miners swirled sediment in water to separate the heavy gold particles, or by digging shallow pits to extract gold-rich ores. Over time, methods have evolved to include geochemical exploration techniques, advanced geophysical surveys, and chemical extraction techniques, like cyanide leaching.

    Geological mapping techniques are always evolving, and at the moment, there is a lot of interest in combining remote sensing data with cutting-edge data analytics methods, like machine learning. By combining these two methods, geologists can get around some of the problems caused by traditional methods, like the reliance on subjective judgement to create reliable maps and the need to spend money prospecting in areas with low chances of success.

    In recent years, deep learning computer techniques have made significant progress. They examine various geological data-sets to reduce uncertainty and increase the chances of finding gold mineralisation through advanced artificial intelligence techniques. These methods have proved highly beneficial in identifying specific features and discovering new mineral deposits when applied to remote sensing data.

    Another method, which I’ve researched and which could serve as a complementary gold exploration tool, is the use of stable isotopes. Stable isotopes are elements – like carbon, hydrogen and oxygen – that do not decay over time. Some are responsible for helping to carry gold, in fluids, through rocks to form the deposits. As the gold-bearing fluids interact with the rocks, they transfer the stable isotopes to the rocks, thereby imbuing them with their unique signature. The thinking here is to identify the signature and then use it as a proxy for finding gold, since gold itself is hard to identify directly.

    Advancements in analytical techniques have reduced the cost, volume, and time involved. This makes it a viable alternative to geochemical approaches – the most widely used and relatively efficient method.

    – Why is there so much gold in west Africa?
    – https://theconversation.com/why-is-there-so-much-gold-in-west-africa-248599

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New funding to help create the next generation of aviators and boost the economy

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Latest round of Reach for the Sky programme awarded £810,000 to 16 organisations across the UK.

    • £810,000 of new government funding to help young people start a career in aviation by breaking down barriers to opportunity
    • with the air transport and aerospace sector contributing £20 billion to the UK economy, investment in the next generation of professionals will secure long-term economic growth and deliver on the government’s Plan for Change
    • Reach for the Sky scheme has now provided £2.3 million to 37 organisations, reaching 100,000 people across the country, from Cornwall to Carlisle

    The Aviation Minister has today (17 February 2025) launched the latest round of funding to encourage more young people into a career in aviation, helping to secure long term economic growth and ensuring the sector has the workforce needed for the future.

    Now in its third round, the government’s Reach for the Sky programme will see £810,000 awarded to 16 organisations across the UK, from Cornwall to Newcastle.

    The successful scheme, which totals £2.3 million, has now delivered funding to 37 outreach organisations and reached 100,000 people across the country.

    Supporting young people to pursue careers such as pilots, navigators and controllers also aligns with the government’s ambition to go further and faster to kickstart growth. As part of the drive to build up aviation capacity at Heathrow and across the sector – from increased travel options to more UK homegrown aviation jobs – expansion in the sector plays a crucial part in unlocking economic prosperity.

    Reach for the Sky aims to break down barriers to opportunity and form the next generation of aviators, particularly by supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have considered a career in the sector before.

    Funding will help organisations deliver events, interactive workshops, taster days, mentorship schemes and educational initiatives with schools, universities and career professionals.

    Aviation Minister, Mike Kane, said:

    As part of our Plan for Change, we are breaking down barriers to opportunity so that every young person has the chance to pursue their dreams.  

    Programmes like Reach for the Sky turn ambition into reality, helping to inspire young people and introducing them to the benefits of a career in the skies.  

    I look forward to seeing the achievements of the next generation of aviators.

    With Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showing that young people from disadvantaged households are more likely to feel they do not have as much of a chance in life, programmes like Reach for the Sky help break down barriers to opportunity and expand horizons for underserved, hard-to-reach groups.

    This year’s recipients of the DfT-funded scheme include SaxonAir, The King’s Trust and Employers and Educators, amongst others.

    SaxonAir, who have been successful in previous rounds, offer a range of scholarships, volunteering programmes and events for people of all backgrounds.

    One of their main initiatives is the INSPIRE programme, delivered in partnership with Business In The Community (BITC) at West Earlham Infant School. It aims to make the aviation industry inclusive for individuals of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

    The initiative is already making a tangible difference, with teachers at West Earlham Infant School in Norwich reporting a surge in enthusiasm for aviation among pupils following a recent visit.

    Hannah Colledge, HR and Wellbeing Coordinator at SaxonAir, said: 

    Our INSPIRE Outreach Programme is designed to spark a passion for aviation from as young as 5 years old offering tailored activities that align with different age groups and connect appropriately to the curriculum.

    With support from the Reach for the Sky funding, we can extend our reach, ensuring that young people from all backgrounds have the chance to experience aviation firsthand.

    By breaking down barriers and bringing aviation opportunities to underrepresented communities, we are reinforcing our commitment to a more diverse and inclusive aviation sector.

    Graham, the father of a student at Aylsham High School, Norwich, said:

    [My son] really enjoyed the INSPIRE event and loved the opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes in the aviation industry. His ambition is to be a pilot, but this event opened his eyes into other possibilities of work with and around aircraft. Thank you for providing him with this rare opportunity.

    Education and Employers Charity helps young people discover their future by bringing inspiration from the world of work into school. Reach for the Sky funding helps them connect aviation professionals with young people to deliver careers events and provide training across the UK.

    Speaking about one of these events, a pupil at Ealing Fields High School, Josh from London said:

    I’ve wanted to be a pilot for a long time and the opportunity to listen to a pilot tell his story and career path was really impactful. At the end I was lucky enough to speak to him 1:1 and this really helped me with my questions. Since meeting with him I’ve made the most of opportunities and even visited a flight simulator. The talk was so impactful.

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is responsible for delivering the Reach for the Sky programme on behalf of DfT.

    Sophie Jones, Head of Organisational Capability and STEM Sponsor at the CAA, said:

    The aerospace sector provides many jobs and opportunities for development, and with the innovation and growth currently taking place, it is all the more vital for young people to join the industry.

    The Reach for the Sky Challenge fund provides support for outreach programmes that inspire the next generation, from all backgrounds, to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace, ensuring that the UK continues to be at the forefront of innovation and development.

    As the UK’s aviation regulator, we are proud to inspire the next generation’s journey into this fantastic industry through our STEM programme, funded by the Department for Transport.

    Aviation, Europe and technology media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Amish voters for Trump? The Amish and the religion factor in Republican electoral politics

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Daniele Curci, PhD Candidate in International and American History, University of Florence

    On November 5, 2024, as millions of Americans headed to the polls, billionaire Elon Musk posted a video on his social media platform X depicting a caravan of Amish individuals travelling via horse and buggy to vote for Donald Trump. The following day, in response to a post expressing gratitude to the Amish for their contribution to Trump’s victory, Musk wrote: “The Amish may very well save America! Thank goodness for them. And let’s keep the government out of their lives.” Musk’s tweets underscore the growing prominence of religion in US politics and the Republican party’s efforts to integrate the Amish into its electorate.

    The Amish and their vote in US history

    The Amish are a Protestant religious community rooted in early European Anabaptist movements. They accept technological advancements selectively, adhering to a distinct way of life marked by simple living, plain dress and a focus on community, distinguishing between what strengthens their social bonds and what might compromise their spiritual path. The Amish are a tiny minority in the US: in 2022, there were approximately 373,620 individuals in a population of around 330 million–slightly more than one in 1,000 Americans. They are predominantly concentrated in the election swing states of Pennsylvania and Ohio, which partly explains Republicans’ interest in courting their support.

    Traditionally, the Amish mainly abstain from voting unless they feel compelled to protect their religious freedoms, preserve their way of life or address critical moral issues. Historically, such instances of electoral participation have occurred only three times.

    The first instance dates back to the 1896 presidential election, when the Republican nominee, William McKinley, campaigned on a platform centred on industrial corporate interests. These interests diverged significantly from those of the Amish, who aligned instead with Democrat William Bryan’s policies advocating for small farmers and the defense of rural America.

    Amish political engagement resurfaced during the 1960 presidential election, which featured Republican Richard Nixon vs Democrat John F. Kennedy. The Amish viewed Kennedy as an ally of the Catholic church, an institution they viewed as intolerant. Consequently, they supported Nixon, a Quaker, whom they saw as a defender of a Protestant America.

    The most recent instances of notable Amish participation occurred amid the presidential election campaigns of Republican George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004. This phenomenon, dubbed “Bush Fever,” saw unprecedented Amish voter turnout. In 2000, 1,342 out of 2,134 registered Amish voters in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania–which has one of the largest Amish communities in the US–cast ballots, achieving a turnout rate of 63%. By 2004, Amish voter registration had increased by 169%, with 21% of eligible adults being registered. This mobilization was spearheaded by Chet Beiler, the son of Amish parents who left the community when he was three. Leveraging his heritage and fluency in Pennsylvania German, a traditional language spoken in many Amish communities, Beiler developed a voter registration strategy targeting the Amish to support Bush’s re-election campaign.

    The religious factor in US politics

    To understand the Republican party’s interest in the Amish, one must examine the increasing centrality of religion in US politics. This phenomenon persists despite a growing number of Americans identifying as non-religious or less religious.

    In the US political context, religion extends beyond faith to encompass cultural identity and social cohesion. Scholars often describe this phenomenon as “Christianism,” a form of nationalism that is bound together by a belonging to Christianity and that emerges, as a form of reaction, within the culture wars. Consequently, a political platform emphasizing Christian principles and rural values has the potential to galvanize segments of the electorate. This dynamic is exemplified by Musk’s tweets about the Amish. Within some parts of the Republican electorate, the Amish are perceived as “guardians of lost values,” embodying a vision of an untainted rural America defined by traditional family structures and an agrarian work ethic. This narrative has been further amplified by Amish PAC, a political action committee established in Virginia in 2016 to rally support for Trump through religiously framed identity politics that advocate for traditional values and oppose abortion rights.

    The influence of religion within the Republican party is further underscored by the ascendancy of the Christian right, a political movement that emerged in the late 1970s. Though not a monolithic entity, it is composed of individuals–primarily evangelical Christians–seeking to shape US politics based on a conservative interpretation of biblical principles and societal values.

    Legislation and the Amish

    Some Republicans have advocated for legislation favourable to the Amish, such as former US representative Bob Gibbs, who won election in the Amish-dominated congressional district of Holmes County, Ohio. In December 2021, Gibbs introduced legislation to allow people with specific religious beliefs such as the Amish, who view photography as a form of idolatry, to be exempt from a requirement of possessing identification documents featuring their photographs “to purchase a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer.” In the same month, Gibbs also proposed another bill to benefit the Amish, which would have allowed them to opt out of social security and Medicare wage deductions if they were employed by non-Amish-owned companies.

    Earlier in 2021, the conservative-majority Supreme Court resolved a longstanding dispute between the Amish of Lenawee County, Michigan and local authorities, ruling in favour of the Amish. The issue at the heart of the case concerned wastewater management. Following their religious principles, the Amish typically avoid using modern inventions such as septic systems, and the Amish in Lenawee County used a management method considered noncompliant by health officials. This case followed similar ones involving other Amish communities in Ohio, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. Legal disputes such as these could be leading the Amish to form a more positive view of the Republican party and Trump, both for their advocacy of “less government” and for positioning themselves as defenders of religious freedom.

    The Amish and the 2024 presidential election

    According to the online news source Anabaptist World, media reports suggested that the 2024 presidential election saw a surge in voter registrations among the Amish in Pennsylvania, allegedly contributing to Trump’s victory in the state. The alleged surge was reportedly driven by a reaction to federal legal actions against an Amish farmer accused of selling raw dairy products across state lines, which resulted in cases of Escherichia (E.) coli.

    However, official data from Lancaster County–where the principal Amish settlement in Pennsylvania is located–challenge claims of a massive Amish turnout. The increase in Trump’s vote share in the state, from 48.84% in 2020 to 50.37% in 2024, primarily occurred in urban and suburban areas. For example, by the time the Associated Press declared that Trump had won Pennsylvania, his vote share in Philadelphia had improved by three percentage points. Key suburban counties such as Bucks, Monroe and Northampton, which former president Joe Biden won in 2020, had swung in his favour. And the Republican had also performed better in the Philadelphia-area suburbs of Delaware and Chester counties. These regions, with few Amish residents, experienced substantial shifts, while districts with larger Amish populations saw only modest gains for Trump.

    While the Amish did not become a significant component of Trump’s electoral coalition, voters in some Amish communities may have grown more sympathetic to his candidacy. More importantly, members of the religious group serve as a potent symbol of mobilization and propaganda for the Republican party amid the intensifying polarization of US politics.

    Daniele Curci ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possède pas de parts, ne reçoit pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’a déclaré aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.

    – ref. Amish voters for Trump? The Amish and the religion factor in Republican electoral politics – https://theconversation.com/amish-voters-for-trump-the-amish-and-the-religion-factor-in-republican-electoral-politics-247869

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why is there so much gold in west Africa?

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Raymond Kazapoe, Senior lecturer, University for Development Studies

    Militaries that have taken power in Africa’s Sahel region – notably Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – have put pressure on western mining firms for a fairer distribution of revenue from the lucrative mining sector.

    Gold is one of the resources at the heart of these tensions. West Africa has been a renowned gold mining hub for centuries, dating back to the ancient Ghana empire, which earned its reputation as the “Land of Gold” because of its abundant reserves and thriving trade networks. The region remains a global leader in gold production. As of 2024, west Africa contributed approximately 10.8% of the world’s total gold output.

    But why is there so much gold in this region? The Conversation Africa asked geologist Raymond Kazapoe to explain.

    How is gold formed?

    The simple answer here is that we are not certain. However, scientists have some ideas.

    Gold, like all elements, formed through high energy reactions that occurred in various cosmic and space environments some 13 billion years ago, when the universe started to form.

    However, gold deposits – or the concentration of gold in large volumes within rock formations – are believed to occur through various processes, explained by two theories.

    The first theory – described by geologist Richard J. Goldfarb – argues that large amounts of gold were deposited in certain areas when continents were expanding and changing shape, around 3 billion years ago. This happened when smaller landmasses, or islands, collided and stuck to larger continents, a process called accretionary tectonics. During these collisions, mineral-rich fluids moved through the Earth’s crust, depositing gold in certain areas.

    A newer, complementary theory by planetary scientist Andrew Tomkins explains the formation of some much younger gold deposits during the Phanerozoic period (approximately 650 million years ago). It suggests that as the Earth’s oceans became richer in oxygen during the Phanerozoic period, gold got trapped within another mineral known as pyrite (often called fool’s gold) as microscopic particles. Later, geological processes – like continental growth (accretion) and heat or pressure changes (metamorphism) released this gold – forming deposits that could be mined.

    Where in west Africa is gold found and what are its sources?

    Most gold production and reserves in west Africa are found within the west African craton. This is one of the world’s oldest geological formations, consisting of ancient, continental crust that has remained largely unchanged for billions of years.

    The craton underlies much of west Africa, spanning parts of Mali, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal and Mauritania. In fact, most west African countries that have significant gold deposits have close to 50% of their landmass on the craton. Notably, between 35% and 45% of Ghana, Mali and Côte d’Ivoire’s territory sits on it – which is why these areas receive so much attention from gold prospectors.

    Gold deposits were formed within west Africa’s craton rocks during a major tectonic event, known as the Eburnean Orogeny, 2.2 billion to 2.08 billion years ago. This event was accompanied by the temperature, pressure and tectonic conditions which promote gold mineralisation events. Most of the gold resources in the west African craton are found within ancient geological formations formed by volcanic and tectonic processes about 2.3 billion to 2.05 billion years ago. These are known as the Rhyacian Birimian granitoid-greenstone belts.

    These gold-bearing belts in Ghana and Mali are by far the most endowed when compared with other countries in the region. Ghana and Mali currently, cumulatively account for over 57% of the combined past production and resources of the entire west Africa sub-region.

    Ghana is thought to be home to 1,000 metric tonnes of gold. The country produces 90 metric tonnes each year – or 7% of global production. Gold production in Mali reached around 67.7 tonnes in 2023. Mali has an estimated 800 tons of gold deposits.

    By comparison, the world’s two largest gold producers are China (which mined approximately 370 metric tonnes of gold in 2023) and Australia (which had an output of around 310 metric tonnes in 2023).

    What are some of the modern exploration tools used to find gold?

    Gold was traditionally found by panning in riverbeds, where miners swirled sediment in water to separate the heavy gold particles, or by digging shallow pits to extract gold-rich ores. Over time, methods have evolved to include geochemical exploration techniques, advanced geophysical surveys, and chemical extraction techniques, like cyanide leaching.

    Geological mapping techniques are always evolving, and at the moment, there is a lot of interest in combining remote sensing data with cutting-edge data analytics methods, like machine learning. By combining these two methods, geologists can get around some of the problems caused by traditional methods, like the reliance on subjective judgement to create reliable maps and the need to spend money prospecting in areas with low chances of success.

    In recent years, deep learning computer techniques have made significant progress. They examine various geological data-sets to reduce uncertainty and increase the chances of finding gold mineralisation through advanced artificial intelligence techniques. These methods have proved highly beneficial in identifying specific features and discovering new mineral deposits when applied to remote sensing data.

    Another method, which I’ve researched and which could serve as a complementary gold exploration tool, is the use of stable isotopes. Stable isotopes are elements – like carbon, hydrogen and oxygen – that do not decay over time. Some are responsible for helping to carry gold, in fluids, through rocks to form the deposits. As the gold-bearing fluids interact with the rocks, they transfer the stable isotopes to the rocks, thereby imbuing them with their unique signature. The thinking here is to identify the signature and then use it as a proxy for finding gold, since gold itself is hard to identify directly.

    Advancements in analytical techniques have reduced the cost, volume, and time involved. This makes it a viable alternative to geochemical approaches – the most widely used and relatively efficient method.

    Raymond Kazapoe receives funding from the African Union and Pan African University to carry out some of the research referenced in this article

    – ref. Why is there so much gold in west Africa? – https://theconversation.com/why-is-there-so-much-gold-in-west-africa-248599

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How Thailand’s TV lesbian romances captured a global audience

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Eva Cheuk-Yin Li, Lecturer in Sociology (Media & Cultural Studies Team), Lancaster University

    While dramas about male same-sex romance (known as “boys’ love”, or BL) have been popular in Asia since 2010, “girls’ love” (GL) dramas are only now seeing a meteoric rise in popularity – and they are coming out of Thailand.

    On January 23 2025, Thailand became the first country in south-east Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. Although the country is often imagined as a “gay paradise”, Thai society remains largely conservative and homophobia is still commonplace. Against this social backdrop, the rise of LGBTQ+ storytelling is intriguing – perhaps revealing the emergence of more tolerant and progressive attitudes.

    In Thailand, these BL and GL dramas are known as series “Y”, an industry estimated to be worth 3 billion baht (approximately £72 million) in 2024. Thailand’s GL dramas now reshaping sapphic storytelling and bringing it to the mainstream.

    Besides the central romance plotline, GL stories often explore pertinent issues such as family expectations and societal pressure, coming-out struggles, and age and class differences. Adding depth to the narrative, these issues chime with young queer audiences seeking more realistic, relatable experiences.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    A hub for BL series since the mid-2010s, Thailand only produced its first full-length GL series in 2022. Despite investor doubts, the producer of a then-small production house financed a pioneering series called Gap, telling the story of an office romance between a royal-descendant CEO and a junior member of staff.

    Airing on domestic TV and later uncut on YouTube with multilingual subtitles, Gap amassed over 850 million views by January 2025, proving a global appetite for queer women-oriented stories. By February 2025, more than 20 GL series had aired, with at least 30 more in production.

    Trailer of Gap (2022), Thailand’s first full-length GL series.

    Series like Blank, 23.5, The Secret of Us, Affair, and The Loyal Pin illustrate the genre’s growing popularity, with uncut versions available on platforms like YouTube and Netflix, complete with subtitles in various languages such as English, Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, Portuguese and Turkish.

    Thailand’s GL dramas have adopted successful practices from their BL counterparts: adapting novels, scouting and training actors, incorporating product placement, hosting fan events and appearing on variety shows. One notable practice is the making of khu-jin (imagined couple), where celebrities perform same-sex intimate moments on stage or social media to serve fans’ fantasies.

    “Shipping” culture – the practice of imagining or supporting a romantic relationship between fictional or real individuals – is pivotal to GL’s success. The two Gap leads, Freen Sarocha and Becky Armstrong have created the “FreenBecky” ship, and each have more than four million Instagram followers. Actresses of other “ships” such as LingOrm, EngLot, and FayeYoko, command similarly devoted followings. Their fan meetings across Asia regularly draw tens of thousands, blending fiction and reality to create an immersive fan ecosystem.

    Celebrating Girls Love

    As we discussed in our recent research, Thai GL series also emphasises joy and resilience, unlike the tragic endings often seen in western LGBTQ+ narratives. US-produced content has been criticised for the “bury your gays trope”, where LGBTQ+ characters are frequently killed off in tragic or unnecessary ways.

    Another objection is “dead lesbian syndrome”, where lesbian and bisexual characters are even more likely to be killed on screen. Notorious examples include Killing Eve and The 100.

    In contrast, Thai GL stories celebrate love and acceptance, despite the challenges experienced by protagonists. Series like Gap, The Secret of Us, and Mate feature grand wedding finales with the blessing of parents and friends, portraying queer love overcoming obstacles and thriving.

    GL series also speak directly to the queer women’s community. Many actresses, such as Engfa Waraha in Show Me Love and Petrichor, and Faye Malisorn in Blank, are openly queer or vocal queer allies.

    Although many GL series have male directors, love scenes are respectful, focusing on sensuality and desire rather than being graphic and exploitative. This contrasts with films such as Blue is the Warmest Colour, in which love scenes were criticised as being exploitative, and where actresses have reported problematic practices during filming.

    Opportunities and challenges

    From their inception, Thai GL dramas have aired locally but have quickly been made available on streaming platforms with multilingual subtitles for a global audience. Social media platforms amplify their reach, with production houses curating trends and fostering interactive fan experiences.

    Recognising the potential for cultural export, the Thai government has partnered with BL and GL production companies to promote Thai culture and products. It is unusual for governments to embrace queer culture as a vehicle for soft power, which highlights the growing cultural and economic significance of these series. Though this development has sparked concerns over the intentions behind such support, it signals a future where queer narratives hold global, cultural and political relevance.

    Despite its success, GL entertainment faces challenges. Many series are still adaptations of novels, limiting thematic diversity. While themes like schoolyard dramas and sweet romances such as Love Senior, Unlock Your Love, and Us prevail, some series are pushing boundaries with themes like disability (Pluto), supernatural power (Reverse 4 You), and crime (Petrichor).

    GL romances provide a vital space for queer women’s stories, connecting audiences across borders through global visibility and fan culture. Most remarkably, this shift isn’t coming from Hollywood.

    As the genre evolves, it holds the potential to continue redefining representation and amplifying underrepresented voices. It’s not just reshaping how queer women’s stories are told and viewed globally, it’s proving to be commercially viable and culturally transformative.

    In the face of rising global reactionary politics and growing hatred against the LGBTQ+ community following Trump’s re-election, Thai GL series offers not only a safe escape and fantasy, but also a sense of solidarity through their worldwide fandom.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. How Thailand’s TV lesbian romances captured a global audience – https://theconversation.com/how-thailands-tv-lesbian-romances-captured-a-global-audience-248261

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What does the US public think about sending troops to foreign wars? Here’s what the evidence shows

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Dafydd Townley, Teaching Fellow in International Security, University of Portsmouth

    The US public’s commitment to sending its sons and daughters to war has declined in recent years. Polls suggest that US involvement in modern conflicts is more likely to be viewed as mistaken than in the early and middle parts of the 20th century. Today, around 47% of Americans consider the Iraq war a mistake, and 43% feel the same about the war in Afghanistan.

    Recent announcements by the US president, Donald Trump, about the possibility of using US forces as part of his Gaza strategy is unlikely to improve those figures.

    On February 4, Trump proposed that the US effectively take control of the Gaza Strip and rebuild the area into what he has called the riviera of the Middle East.

    When he was asked at a press conference whether he would be willing to use US troops to secure the region, Trump answered that “as far as Gaza is concerned, we’ll do what is necessary. If it’s necessary, we’ll do that. We’re going to take over that piece that we’re going to develop it”.

    Trump walked back on that initial claim of the use of military personnel just days later, stating that the US military force would be unnecessary. “The Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting,” adding that “No soldiers by the U.S. would be needed! Stability for the region would reign!” But others have suggested a US military presence would have to be involved.

    Putting US troops on the ground would fly in the face of current American public opinion. In a survey taken on February 12, only a quarter of those polled supported the prospect of US troops being sent to the region, and just over half (52%) of Republicans disapproved of the plan.

    Less than 25% of Americans supported the US taking ownership of the Gaza Strip, while 62% showed opposition to it. Less than half (46%) of Republican voters polled expressed support while only 10% of Democrats showed any kind of enthusiasm for the initiative, according to the poll.

    Of those polled, the majority said they opposed all of Trump’s plans to expand US-controlled territory, whether that was the Panama Canal, Greenland, Canada, or Gaza.

    The lack of support from the US public in deploying troops overseas has been constant since the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 – and the American public appears to be questioning US military involvement in world affairs more generally.

    In a poll taken by foreign policy thinktank Defense Priorities in February 2024, 56% of respondents were “very worried” or “somewhat worried” that the presence of US troops in Syria could escalate into a broader conflict in the region. Of those that opposed a US military presence in Syria, 66% felt that it was a waste of resources.

    And just last September, a Pew Research Center poll revealed that 75% of those polled were worried about the Israel-Hamas conflict expanding in the region and US troops becoming more directly involved.

    Recruitment ad for the US Marines.

    This lack of public support for US military involvement abroad, as well as the poor recent record of recruitment into the military, may be informing Trump’s negotiations in both Gaza, and over the Ukraine war.



    Read more:
    US kicks off debate on conscription as other Nato members introduce drafts

    While the US public shows high levels of respect for those who serve in the military, around 80% of American teenagers are not interested in military service, while 55% of adults and 67% of parents are not likely to recommend it as a career to teenagers.

    The US has tried numerous recent initiatives, including offering substantial bonuses to entice recruits to join up, but without much success. The army, navy and air force all failed to reach their target recruitment numbers in 2023.

    This week Trump opened early discussions with Vladimir Putin, and latterly Kyiv, over proposals for a Ukraine peace deal. In a meeting with European defense ministers in Brussels on February 12, the new US defense secretary Pete Hegseth ruled out the participation of US troops in any peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, although in an interview with the Wall Street Journal on February 13 vice-president JD Vance did not rule out using the military.

    Hegseth also said that the US was planning to pull back from its role in European security, sparking high levels of concern from many European leaders.

    Some Republican senators have not been particularly supportive of Trump’s Ukraine proposals, especially those that have backed Ukraine over the last three years.

    In an interview, Senate armed services chair, Roger Wicker, said that “there are good guys and bad guys in this war, and the Russians are the bad guys. They invaded, contrary to almost every international law, and they should be defeated. And Ukraine is entitled to the promises that the world made to it.” Republican Senator Mike Rounds joined Wicker in demanding that: “Russia be recognised for the aggressor that they are.”

    There’s a similar level of concern on Trump’s Gaza plan – even from Trump’s close allies in the party. Rand Paul, the libertarian senator for Kentucky, suggested this idea flew in the face of Trump’s foreign policy proposals espoused during the campaign.

    “I thought we voted for America First. We have no business contemplating yet another occupation to doom our treasure and spill our soldiers’ blood,” he wrote on X.

    It is unlikely that the majority of Republican voters would be supportive of Trump’s Gaza initiative (or sending troops to Ukraine). This is partly because of the demands that it would make on the federal government – but also because of the necessity of using armed forces to implement it.

    Trump’s recent controversial executive orders have barely damaged his early job approval ratings. But the deployment of armed forces to Gaza or Ukraine runs counter to a long-term significant decline in public support for US overseas military intervention and that might be a step too far for many voters.

    Dafydd Townley 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. What does the US public think about sending troops to foreign wars? Here’s what the evidence shows – https://theconversation.com/what-does-the-us-public-think-about-sending-troops-to-foreign-wars-heres-what-the-evidence-shows-249419

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Autistic women face barriers to safe and supportive maternity care – new research

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Aimee Grant, Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellow, Swansea University

    New research looks at the experiences of autistic women during pregnancy and childbirth. Zhuravlev Andrey/Shutterstock

    Childbirth is often described as one of life’s most profound experiences, but for many, it can be fraught with anxiety, pain and trauma.

    Autism is a lifelong neurotype, which affects around 3% of people. It is linked to differences in communication and sensory processing.

    Women have historically been underdiganosed with autism, diagnosed at an older age and misdiagnosed. This may explain why very little research has been conducted on the experiences of autistic women during pregnancy and childbirth – an oversight we have aimed to address in our new research.

    There are issues affecting maternity services across the nations of the UK. Last year, almost half of maternity services in England were rated as “needing improvement” or “inadequate” by England’s health service regulator, the Care Quality Commission. They also noted that communication with women – especially those from marginalised groups – could lead to fear, anxiety and having a negative birth experience.

    Following reviews of baby deaths in Scotland, inspections of maternity services are underway, with units given no prior notice. Likewise, following the death of a baby, an independent review of maternity services in Northern Ireland recommended widespread changes and additional funding to make services safe. While a review of maternity services in Wales reported that services are generally good and safe, issues have been identified in some health boards.

    In a medical context, “informed consent” means that a person understands what will happen during a test or treatment, and that they are aware that they can say “no” to having it. We know that in English maternity units, there are sometimes issues with women not being given the information needed for them to give informed consent.

    What we found

    Our research aimed to understand barriers to good maternity care for autistic people. We asked 193 autistic people from across the UK who had been pregnant to tell us what happened during their care in an online survey. It’s important to note that half of our participants weren’t aware they were autistic when they gave birth.

    Most participants told us they felt they had to “mask”, or act as though they weren’t autistic, to try to get better maternity care. Despite this, more than half said they felt they weren’t listened to by maternity staff. Almost half also said they felt staff misunderstood them and that they were unsupported.

    Worryingly, more than a third didn’t understand explanations from healthcare professions about their examinations and treatments. Nearly half said they weren’t given the choice to say no to having examinations, including vaginal examinations. This means that many of our participants weren’t able to give informed consent to the treatment they received.

    Another concerning issue was that some participants’ pain during childbirth was untreated. And ten people told us that they could tell they were on the verge of giving birth, but were not believed by maternity staff.

    Maternity services are not meeting the needs of autistic women.
    christinarosepix/Shutterstock

    When sharing their stories, most of our participants felt that staff didn’t understand autistic people, including how they communicate and experience pain. While autistic people feel pain at the same level as non-autistic people, they often show it differently, including having fewer outward signs of pain.

    Our participants also acknowledged there were issues in how maternity systems are designed, with staff appearing to have too much work to understand the needs of the individual pregnant person and change the care they give accordingly.

    Altogether we found that autistic people’s needs were not met during maternity care, with lack of consent, breached trust and safety issues common. Many of the issues we asked participants about are known to be linked to birth trauma. Our study provides initial support for a hypothesis that rates of birth trauma may be higher in autistic people.



    Read more:
    ‘Dehumanising policies’ leave autistic people struggling to access health, education and housing – new review

    Also, autistic women are at much greater risk of sexual assault compared to non-autistic peers, with one study reporting nine in ten had been victims. Research shows that sexual abuse survivors can be re-traumatised during birth.

    Participants told us that they did not have their questions about pregnancy and birth answered by maternity staff, and that this caused anxiety. So, we have worked with the autistic organisations Autistic Parents UK and Autistic UK alongside autistic maternity professionals and parents to create 114 short videos to answer their questions. They are available in English and Welsh, and are already being used by some NHS trusts.

    UK maternity services urgently need to become more autism-friendly. Things that may help include seeing the same midwife every time and having longer appointments, so that all questions can be answered.

    It’s also important for maternity staff to receive training in how to best support autistic people, which has been developed by autistic people. This is already available in England but not in the other UK nations. That should be introduced as a matter of urgency.

    Aimee Grant receives funding from the Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council and the Morgan Advanced Studies Institute. She is a non-executive director of Disability Wales.

    Kathryn Williams receives funding for her PhD from the Economic and Social Research Council. She is a Director of Autistic UK CIC.

    Catrin Griffiths 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. Autistic women face barriers to safe and supportive maternity care – new research – https://theconversation.com/autistic-women-face-barriers-to-safe-and-supportive-maternity-care-new-research-247017

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Heat pumps have a cosiness problem

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Aimee Ambrose, Professor of Energy Policy, Member of Fuel Poverty Evidence and Trustee of the Fuel Poverty Research Network, Sheffield Hallam University

    How we keep warm at home accounts for 17% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. The UK cannot reach net zero emissions, and end its contribution to climate change, without ending its reliance on natural gas as the dominant source of heating.

    As elsewhere in Europe, heat pumps (which use electricity to draw heat out of the air or ground and circulate it indoors) are regarded as the best way to reduce carbon emissions. But are people ready to ditch their gas boilers?

    My colleagues and I spent three years researching what people need, want and expect from their heating systems by asking 300 people in eight settlements across the UK, Finland, Sweden and Romania about their experiences of trying to keep warm at home. These memories ranged from as early as 1945 to the present day.

    Among the four countries we studied, the uptake of heat pumps is most sluggish in the UK and Romania. In Sweden, heat pumps are an established technology, used to heat homes outside of dense urban areas that tend to be served by heat networks, where a boiler is shared by multiple dwellings and heat pumped to each home through pipes.

    Successive oil crises accelerated the roll-out of electric heating in Sweden during the 1970s. Our participants credited widespread trust in the Swedish government at the time for the successful adoption of heat pumps.

    Relatively low trust in the government makes it more difficult to increase heat pump uptake in the UK, a problem shared by Romania, where, low trust in the government follows decades of communist rule during which energy could be cut off to maintain supply to industries.

    When coal was king and stoves were guilt-free

    We found that there were strong attachments to high-carbon fuels in many of the communities we studied – even where people were committed to a future with low-carbon energy.

    In former coalfields, such as Rotherham in south Yorkshire and Jiu Valley in south-west Romania, people spoke wistfully of the coal industry which provided jobs, housing and plentiful fuel for heating and cooking, except during industrial disputes. The coal fire was where most of our participants let their minds linger.

    The subsequent move to natural gas heating for most UK households, which started in the 1960s, failed to evoke the same enthusiasm. People did acknowledge the benefits of being able to heat the whole home evenly with gas central heating and remembered feeling glad to no longer have to clean out the grate, but this was a less remarkable era in home heating. Participants talked about it in less detail, for less time and with less enthusiasm.

    Many of our Finnish participants, despite having heat pumps or connection to a district heating network, wanted to continue burning wood at home. This treasured practice brought a sense of wellbeing. The intense pleasure of the fireside created a sense of homeliness and enabled cultural traditions such as cooking on a wood fire, plus the multi-sensory experience of a wood-fired sauna.

    Some participants worried about being considered an “environmental criminal” for driving a diesel car, but regarded burning wood as more socially acceptable. Outside of cities, plots of woodland are inherited in some families. Gathering firewood was a ritual many enjoyed and didn’t want to give up.

    Nice, but not sustainable.
    Skylines/Shutterstock

    More affluent participants in the UK also valued their wood burning stoves – a growing trend essentially borrowed from Scandinavian neighbours. Those we interviewed in Sweden also prized their wood burners but usually only in the homes or cabins where they holidayed.

    Thermal delight

    In 1979, US architect Lisa Heschong’s concept of “thermal delight” held that building designers were forgetting the importance of enabling pleasure through heat. Our research participants had not forgotten, however, and confirmed that we seek the most joyous route to warming our bodies.

    While the necessary speed of the net zero transition entails a clean sweep that substitutes fossil-fuelled heating for low-carbon, electric alternatives, our research shows that this may be unappealing to many households.

    The people we met wanted heating options to reflect different needs and preferences. Our participants valued central heating for bringing their houses to a consistent temperature, but this did not preclude a desire for the radiant heat of the log burner on some days. They also wanted the option of plugging in a portable, electric heater when they only needed to heat one room.

    They enjoyed the contrast between the intense warmth of the fireside and a cool bedroom and many regarded an even heat throughout the home as “uninviting” – something that met their needs but not their desires. The experience of different eras of home heating had taught them the value of flexibility and variety, which makes a “clean sweep” to electric heating unattractive.

    These findings do not mean that heat pumps are doomed. Indeed, heat pumps have a lot to offer in terms of reducing heating emissions. What we found does indicate a need for multiple ways to heat the home within scenarios for reaching net zero emissions.

    The transition from coal to gas heating is within living memory in the UK.
    AstroStar/Shutterstock

    Partly, this calls for innovation in home heating technology. There is really no place for burning solid fuels in a net zero future, but a concerted effort between heating researchers, designers and technologists could create a beautiful heat source that acts as a focal point, and offers something akin to the multi-sensory joy of the fireside.

    The findings also indicate the need to change how heating transitions are talked about by the government and energy companies. Away from an implacable duty to switch heating sources and the need for efficiency, and towards the joy and abundance of a heat source that (in the case of heat pumps) offers four times the heat output for the same energy input as a gas boiler.

    The best way to sell the low-carbon heating transition is locally, where the kinds of attachments and allegiances to heat that we have uncovered are best appreciated and understood. Local authorities are typically best placed to do that.

    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.

    Aimee Ambrose receives funding from The Collaboration for the Humanities and Social Sciences in Europe (CHANSE) and The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

    – ref. Heat pumps have a cosiness problem – https://theconversation.com/heat-pumps-have-a-cosiness-problem-249529

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Researchers Tracking Change in Precious Ecosystems

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Primary forests, or old-growth forests as they are sometimes called, are epicenters of rich biodiversity, are more resilient than younger forests, and store significantly more carbon than their younger counterparts, to name just a few of the vital roles of these essential and irreplaceable ecosystems. The preservation of primary forests is the focus of global conservation efforts.

    The UConn Global Environmental Remote Sensing (GERS) Lab has developed a new remote sensing method to continuously monitor primary forest loss and determine what factors are driving that loss. Their findings are published in Remote Sensing of Environment.

    Lead author and Department of Natural Resources and the Environment Ph.D. student Falu Hong says that they focused on these key habitats on the island of Hispaniola, which includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic, using satellite images from the years 1996-2022.

    “We used a satellite time series to track primary forest loss, and we focused on these two countries because they have experienced significant primary forest loss and because they are ignored in previous studies, especially Haiti, which is one of the hotspots of biodiversity loss,” says Hong. “We analyzed the forest loss over 27 years of land cover change, which has not been done in previous studies.”

    The researchers analyzed multiple dimensions of forest loss, including the primary forest inside and outside of protected areas and the drivers of forest loss. They applied a method called the COtinuous monitoring of Land Disturbance algorithm (COLD) and remote sensing data from Landsat to create a map of the primary forest loss.

    Ji Won Suh, a postdoctoral researcher in the GERS lab, says this study showcases the power of using Landsat time series data.

    “So few studies focus on primary forests because it is very difficult to map them using remote sensing signals. Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate a secondary forest or regenerated forest from a primary forest, but this study successfully classified those primary forests using a random forest machine learning model.”

    Suh says the accuracy of the map was verified by their collaborator and co-author S. Blair Hedges from Temple University, who is an expert on primary forests on Hispaniola Island.

    “Another unique part of this study is we created a primary forest map over time,” Suh says. “Usually other studies just focused on a one-time event. We can track the loss of primary forests over many years. Our study is a way where we can map the trajectory of loss as it happens and we can analyze why those losses happen.”

    They found the main drivers of primary forest loss in Haiti are fire, which caused around 65% of the observed losses, followed by logging which accounted for about 20% of the primary forest loss, and around 10% of the forest loss was attributed to hurricane damage.

    “We found that in 2016, Hurricane Matthew destroyed around 12% of the primary forest in Haiti, just in one year,” says Hong. “That’s a huge amount of loss. With our map we can visualize the primary forest change and analyze the drivers causing that change. We can also analyze forest fragmentation. Usually, primary forests are homogeneous, but activities like construction or logging result in the forest becoming more and more fragmented. We quantified the fragmentation level of the primary forest which could give good insight into biodiversity conservation and preservation.”

    They also found that primary forest fragmentation is more pronounced in Haiti, where patches of primary forest are smaller and less numerous. Primary forests in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic are located on steep terrain, indicating that primary forests located in flatter and more accessible areas are prone to development and forest destruction.

    This paper is the first step in a larger project, says Hong, where the next steps are to begin expanding the mapping across the Caribbean region to evaluate the impact of primary forest loss on biodiversity change.

    GERS Lab Director and Associate Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment Zhe Zhu says that as primary forests have the lion’s share of biodiversity, many of the species living there are also endangered, so the preservation of these irreplaceable ecosystems is paramount. Having a reliable method to map primary forests accurately will help in the effort,

    “One thing I want to emphasize about this work is that it is very difficult to identify between different forests like primary dry forests, primary wet forests, and secondary forests, for example. A primary forest may look very similar if the secondary forest is old enough. You can have very subtle human disturbances causing it to no longer be a primary forest. You need to know the driver and how severe the drivers are. You also need to know the resilience of the trees.”

    This work is supported by a $2 million NSF grant with the goal of linking remote sensing to track biodiversity through time.

    “We are treating remote sensing as a time machine to backward and forward to forecast future impacts on biodiversity. It is a very fun project that a lot of us in the GERS lab are working on,” says Zhu.

    Tracking the impacts on biodiversity and the drivers of change is important for conservation and policymaking, and studies like this can yield surprising results and insights into what needs to happen to preserve vital ecosystems like primary forests.

    This work was supported by a grant from the NSF Biodiversity on a Changing Planet (BoCP) program (2326013 and 2326014).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The PCA’s Annual Tied Tenant Survey 2025 reaches the halfway point

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    50% of 1200 tied tenants have now been interviewed as part of the The PCA’s Annual Tied Tenant Survey 2025.

    The PCA’s Annual Tied Tenant Survey 2025 has now reached the halfway point with 50% of the target of 1200 tied tenants already interviewed. The independent research company, Ipsos, has engaged with tied tenants from the six pub companies operating within the Pubs Code (Admiral, Greene King, Marston’s, Punch, Star and Stonegate).

    Fiona Dickie, Pubs Code Adjudicator, said “The survey allows us to understand the views and opinions of tied tenants on important topics, such as their relationship with their pub company and their understanding of their Pubs Code rights. Gathering these insights from tied tenants is important as it allows for comparisons between the pub companies and helps to inform the work we carry out in the coming year. I would like to encourage any tied tenant who has the opportunity to participate, to do so. If you get a call from Ipsos, please take part as your voice can make a real difference.”

    The survey is expected to remain open until approximately mid-March.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Too distracted to watch? Netflix has the perfect ‘second-screen’ show for you

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Daphne Rena Idiz, Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Arts, Culture and Media, University of Toronto

    Overly expository dialogue, repeating plot points and lots of voice-overs to narrate action help distracted viewers along. (Shutterstock)

    Netflix knows we’re on our phones while we watch TV. Recent articles discuss Netflix’s or streamers’ requests for creatives to produce content optimized for casual viewing, meaning intentionally scripted for distracted viewers.

    I’ve spent the last few years researching how Netflix shapes European screen production, a region where the streaming giant has invested billions in original content.

    I first encountered the concept of “second-screen shows” — created with distracted viewing in mind — in 2022.

    At the time, I was doing interviews with producers, showrunners, screenwriters and directors who had worked on European Netflix originals (due to confidentiality, they have been given pseudonyms here). Two of my interviewees described what they saw as very unusual feedback coming from Netflix executives: make a show that the audience can follow without looking at the screen.

    Recipe for a ‘second-screen show’

    So, how exactly do you make a second-screen show?

    One of my interviewees, Eleven, said that Netflix explicitly labels certain series “second-screen shows” and develops them as such. Another, Tokyo, shared their experience encountering similar directives:

    “[Netflix] basically said, ‘What you need to know about your audience here is that they will watch the show, perhaps on their mobile phone, or on a second or third screen while doing something else and talking to their friends, so you need to both show and tell, you need to say much more than you would normally say. […] You need your audience to understand what’s going on, even if they’re not looking at the screen.’”

    These series are designed around the viewing behaviours of their target audience, described by my interviewees as “younger” and “young adult” viewers.

    As Eleven explained, a Netflix executive would talk about how “in this show, we have to make sure that the points come through, even though kids are watching TikTok while they watch it.”

    Because Netflix knows a certain target audience will be “second-screening” these series, the streamer wants the show’s writing to facilitate this practice. Concretely, this means overly expository dialogue, repeating plot points and adding lots of voice-overs to narrate the action and help the distracted viewer follow along.

    Other sources cite examples where screenwriters were told to have characters announce what they’re doing and make the show less distracting from the viewer’s “primary screen” (their phone).

    Eleven joked about how if a character was sad, Netflix would ask to include a line of dialogue for the character saying, “I’m sad” with tears streaming down their face, while rain pours, and mournful violins play in the background.

    Here, the golden rule of screenwriting “show, don’t tell,” is cast aside for “show and tell” (and tell again). Joking aside, they reflected: “It saddens me, on behalf of great storytelling traditions.”

    The revival of casual viewing

    But are second-screen shows really the final nail in the coffin for prestige TV? The idea of casual or background viewing is not new.

    There is a long history of content targeting the distracted viewer.
    (Shutterstock)

    From soap operas to sitcoms to reality TV, there is a long history of content targeting the distracted viewer.

    Sometimes we’re just tired and need an easy watch. But these types of series are a far cry from the era of HBO-style Netflix, hyping itself as the home of quality TV, a place where showrunners could find unprecedented creative freedom.

    There is still a time and place for complex storytelling. But data suggests
    that over half of viewers in many national markets — including in India, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, the United States, Britain and Denmark — are periodically checking their phones while watching TV. And Netflix is creating shows that enable this ritual.

    ‘Cult’ of data

    Netflix’s strategy has always hinged on a granular understanding of its users. Netflix collects a huge amount of data on its subscribers and their viewing behaviors: what they’re watching, how, when, where and on what device. This information is used by teams of data scientists to not only improve Netflix’s personalization but also to help with decisions about what content to develop and how.

    Yet research suggests Netflix has really cultivated the “myth of big data,” flip-flopping over the years about how much data influences the creative process of Netflix productions.

    And while screen workers may resist what they sense about analytics as they participate in creative processes, ultimately, it is the executives greenlighting content who interpret data and choose how to use it.

    Geralt, another producer I interviewed, described how “whenever you talk to the algorithm people and the data people at Netflix, it feels like a cult. They talk about the algorithm like it’s a god, like ‘Well the algorithm tells us…’”

    One part of the content strategy

    With that said, it’s critical to take blanket statements about Netflix’s operations with a grain of salt.

    The behemoth operates in more than 190 countries, with offices in 30, housing different teams and producing content around the globe. It’s estimated that 589 new Netflix originals were added in 2024.

    Recent articles about “second screen” productions focused on the U.S. context, and my research did not seek to determine how many Netflix productions are made this way.

    Netflix’s goal these days, according to CEO Ted Sarandos, is to be “equal parts HBO and FX and AMC and Lifetime and Bravo and E! and Comedy Central.”

    Second-screen shows, it seems, are one part of this strategy.

    Outlook for storytellers

    It’s clear that viewing behaviours are driving changes in storytelling. But for screenwriters today, second-screen shows are only a symptom of bigger problems.

    Between a shrinking drama market and the competition for attention from platforms like YouTube and TikTok, streamers are investing a lot less in content than they used to. They’re also much more risk-averse with these investments.

    Even before now, producing for streamers brought its own set of challenges.

    Writer advocates with the 2023 TV writers strikes highlighted how streaming introduced new and exciting formats for TV writing, but also a new kind of precarity. And concerns continue to loom around how AI might impact creativity, career sustainability and IP rights.

    Last year, the Canadian Media Producers Association joined production organizations around the world in issuing a call for streaming regulation that underscores independence, IP rights and fair remuneration.



    Read more:
    Online Streaming Act: As we revisit Netflix support for Canadian content, it’s about more than money

    It’s no surprise the mantra across the media industries last year was “survive ‘til ’25.”

    As media creators become increasingly dependent on data-driven tech companies, they will continue producing content to the whims of executives following the holy algorithm.

    The next time you’re watching a Netflix show and feel the urge to scroll during another repetitive voice-over, the question is: Are some shows written like this because the audience is disengaged, or is the audience disengaged because shows are written like this?

    Daphne Rena Idiz 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. Too distracted to watch? Netflix has the perfect ‘second-screen’ show for you – https://theconversation.com/too-distracted-to-watch-netflix-has-the-perfect-second-screen-show-for-you-249012

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What Canada can learn from the European Union about dealing with chaos and crises

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Jörg Broschek, Professor and Laurier Research Chair, Political Science, Wilfrid Laurier University

    As United States President Donald Trump continues to threaten Canada’s economic and political sovereignty, some observers have floated the idea of Canada becoming a member of the European Union.

    Since there is no feasible pathway to EU membership in the short term, current efforts rightly focus on strengthening Canada’s existing trade relationships, most notably through the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

    But something else is often overlooked: Canada should also learn from the EU how to cope with the monumental challenges ahead. Europe is not only less vulnerable than Canada due to its geographic position and economic power, it’s also more resilient.

    Three goals

    Unlike “Team Canada,” “Europe United” has already crafted a multi-pronged policy framework to encounter the risks arising from a fundamentally changing geopolitical environment over the long term. The EU also has a more robust institutional framework for intergovernmental co-operation.

    Under the leadership of President Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission has launched a cascade of relatively coherent policies aimed at facilitating three broad goals: decarbonization, economic sovereignty and national security.

    Key pillars of this new policy framework are the European Green Deal of 2019, the European Industrial Strategy of 2020, the European Economic Security Strategy of 2023 and the 2024 European Defence Industrial Strategy.

    These policy initiatives have been continuously updated, fine-tuned and aligned with each other. They have created an umbrella that enables the EU and its member states to simultaneously promote the green transition, strengthen the internal market and domestic industries as well as reduce economic and security risks.

    The geopolitical and industrial changes in the EU resemble what used to exist in Canada as well: national policies — the conscious, nation-building initiatives of successive federal governments.

    But Canada has lost the ability to plan strategically for the long term and now responds to every crisis in a reactive, punctuated manner. In doing so, Canadian officials address symptoms without tackling root causes.

    EU architecture

    The institutional architecture of the EU also furnishes governments with more capacity to collaborate. In all federal systems, most policies are largely shared, which is why intergovernmental co-ordination is important to buttress and consolidate such innovations.



    Read more:
    Canada-U.S. history provides lessons on how Canada can deal with a hostile Donald Trump

    Notably, the Council of the European Union plays a key role for co-ordinating and negotiating policies, in addition to its function as the main decision-making body (together with the European Parliament).

    It is composed of ministers of the EU member states. Accordingly, it works in different configurations, depending on the portfolio. The head of governments themselves meet regularly through a separate institution, the European Council.

    In Canada, by contrast, federal intergovernmental institutions are fragile or don’t even exist, even though they’re comparatively strong on the municipal level.

    Municipalities co-ordinate through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), which was established in 1901. But it was not until 2004 that provinces and territories established the Council of the Federation. This body, however, has remained weak, with very little administrative support.

    What’s even more striking is that there is no formalized, institutionalized framework at all at the federal level. The First Ministers’ Conference meetings are held at the discretion of the prime minister. In their communique following a Council of the Federation meeting in November 2023, premiers complained that “the prime minister has not convened a full in-person First Ministers’ Meeting since December 2018 despite repeated requests from premiers.”

    Widespread tariffs against Canada may be on hold until March, but there is no way back. As Canadians experience their very own “Zeitenwende” — the end of an era — in the wake of Trump’s desire to absorb Canada into the U.S., the country’s leaders should draw two lessons from the EU.

    All-encompassing approach needed

    On the policy level, Canada does need a new “national policy,” as I have argued previously.

    More than 40 years ago, the Macdonald Commission paved the way for a major transformative shift in Canadian policy-making, including free trade with the U.S. But since the global financial crisis of 2007-2008, it has become increasingly clear that this model of socioeconomic development is outdated.

    Yet the model has never been replaced. Unlike the EU, Canadians have comforted themselves with patchwork policies instead of crafting a new, all-encompassing approach.

    The challenges the EU and Canada face are similar, but Canada needs to find its own response. Forging a new model will require mobilizing and aligning key sectors like trade, infrastructure and industrial policy in a coherent manner.

    On the institutional level, Canada must — finally — institutionalize Team Canada. It’s a positive development that First Ministers’ Conference meetings have resumed, but an ad hoc approach to intergovernmental collaboration is no longer sufficient.

    Team Canada may work under pressure when facing a short-term threat. Without a stronger institutional foundation, however, Canada won’t be able to consolidate a new national policy over the long term.

    The EU has accomplished a remarkable resurgence, despite all remaining difficulties. Rather than chasing the idea of joining the EU, Canada should use the European example as a road map for enhancing its policy and governance capacities.

    Jörg Broschek receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

    – ref. What Canada can learn from the European Union about dealing with chaos and crises – https://theconversation.com/what-canada-can-learn-from-the-european-union-about-dealing-with-chaos-and-crises-249462

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Canadian immigrants are overqualified and underemployed — reforms must address this

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Marshia Akbar, Director of the BMO Newcomer Workforce Integration Lab and Research Lead on Labour Migration at the CERC Migration and Integration Program at TMU, Toronto Metropolitan University

    Canada’s labour market struggles are not caused by the number of newcomers, but by systemic issues such as underemployment and skills-job mismatches. (Shutterstock)

    Recent immigration reforms in Canada have cut international student and temporary resident numbers, restricted work permits for them and their spouses and aim to reduce permanent resident admissions by 21 per cent in 2025, with further cuts ahead.

    Such changes are aimed to avoid competition with local unemployed Canadians at a time of rising unemployment. However, these changes may eventually intensify dysfunctions in the Canadian labour market.

    With an overall unemployment rate of 6.6 per cent and a youth unemployment rate of 13.6 per cent alongside a worsening housing crisis, these policies reflect growing pressures.

    However, blaming newcomers — particularly international students and their spouses — for job shortages overlooks deeper structural issues in the labour market. Canada’s labour market struggles are not caused by the number of newcomers, but by systemic issues such as underemployment and skills-job mismatches.

    Unemployment and underemployment

    While rising unemployment is affecting everyone, newcomers have been hit especially hard. In 2024, the unemployment rate for immigrants hit 11 per cent — more than double the 5.6 per cent rate for Canadian-born workers.

    Underemployment is also a persistent issue for immigrants. In 2021, only 44 per cent of immigrants who had arrived in Canada within the previous decade were employed in jobs matching their education level, compared to 64 per cent of Canadian-born workers aged 25 to 34.

    The over-education rate — the proportion of university graduates working in jobs for which they are over-qualified despite holding a bachelor’s degree or higher — was 26.7 per cent for immigrants, more than double the 10.9 per cent rate for Canadian-born workers in 2021.

    Immigrants, particularly those with foreign credentials, are significantly more likely to experience these job-education mismatches compared to Canadian-born workers.

    Approximately two thirds of recent immigrants held a degree from a foreign institution. The over-education rate for these immigrants was 24 per cent higher than that of younger Canadian-born workers.

    Under-employment experienced by many newcomers is largely driven by employers favouring Canadian experience — despite such preferences being illegal in Ontario — and relying on referral networks, which often disadvantage newcomers.

    Hiring managers frequently undervalue international credentials, even when assessed by organizations like World Education Services. Many employers struggle to assess foreign work experience. Some also perceive a lack of familiarity with Canadian workplace norms as a hiring risk.

    Ultimately, hiring managers tend to choose the less risky option, as a bad hire can reflect poorly on them. An exceptional hire, on the other hand, doesn’t necessarily bring them equivalent rewards.

    International experience is undervalued

    International graduates with Canadian degrees generally achieve better labour market outcomes than those educated entirely overseas, experiencing higher earnings and improved job matches.

    However, many still face significant barriers, primarily due to employers’ preference for specific Canadian experience and biases in assessing their skills.

    Although many international students (277,400 in 2018) gain Canadian work experience during their studies and develop soft skills — often in low-paying, customer-facing roles such as accommodation and food services, retail, hospitality or tourism — this experience is often dismissed as irrelevant to professional roles.

    This creates a paradox: employers require Canadian experience for entry-level positions in their field, yet without prior experience, graduates struggle to get hired in the first place.

    In addition, employers often lack clarity about international graduates’ visa statuses, work permit durations and future stays in Canada. Constantly changing policies exacerbate this confusion, deterring employers from hiring.

    A path forward

    Canada’s long-term competitiveness is hindered not by immigration, but by systemic labour market discrimination and inefficiencies that prevent skilled newcomers from fully contributing to the economy.

    Eliminating biases related to Canadian work experience and soft skills is key to ensuring newcomers can find fair work. The lack of recognition of foreign talent has a detrimental effect on the Canadian economy by under-utilizing valuable human capital.

    To build a more inclusive labour market, a credential recognition system should support employers in assessing transferable skills and experience to mitigate perceived hiring risks related to immigrants.

    For international students, enhanced career services at educational institutions are critical. Strengthening partnerships between universities, colleges and employers can expand internships, co-op placements and mentorship programs, providing students with relevant Canadian work experience before graduation.

    Such collaboration is also key to implementing employer education initiatives that address misconceptions about hiring international graduates and highlight their contributions to the workforce.

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) can also play a role in reducing hiring biases and improving job matching for new immigrants and international graduates. Our recent report, which gathered insight from civil society, the private sector and academia, highlights the following AI-driven solutions:

    • Tools like Toronto Metropolitan University’s AI resume builder, Mogul AI, and Knockri can help match skills to roles, neutralize hiring bias and promote equity.

    • Wage subsidies and AI tools can encourage equitable hiring, while AI-powered programs can help human resources recognize and reduce biases.

    • Tools like the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council Mentoring Partnership, can connect newcomers with mentors, track their skills and match them to employer needs.

    Harnessing AI-driven solutions, alongside policy reforms and stronger employer engagement, can help break down hiring barriers so Canada can fully benefit from the skills and expertise of its immigrant workforce.

    Marshia Akbar receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

    Anna Triandafyllidou receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), the Tri-Agency of Research Councils, Canada and Horizon Europe framework program of the European Commission.

    – ref. Canadian immigrants are overqualified and underemployed — reforms must address this – https://theconversation.com/canadian-immigrants-are-overqualified-and-underemployed-reforms-must-address-this-247974

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Namibia’s Shark Island: Europe’s push for green hydrogen risks compromising sites of colonial genocide

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Rosanna Carver, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Victoria

    An aerial view of Shark Island and the town of Lüderitz in Namibia. (Black Court Studios)

    In September 2025, Namibia will host the Global African Hydrogen Summit. The Namibian government has ambitions to turn the country into a leading producer of green hydrogen for export to markets in Europe and elsewhere. However, the lands and waters now regarded as being essential to Europe’s energy transition are tied to traumatic memories of colonial violence; especially the ocean, which is the final resting place for thousands of Namibians.

    As countries around the world transition to renewable energy, an inconspicuous peninsula in Namibia known as Shark Island is positioned to play a key role in the production of so-called “green” hydrogen, which is a proposed alternative to fossil fuels.

    However, the peninsula and its waters are at risk of being compromised by proposed port expansions to support the transportation of green hydrogen. Shark Island, near the town of Lüderitz, is now a campsite for tourists.

    But Shark Island is also called Death Island, and it was a concentration camp and a site of genocide during German colonial rule from 1884 to 1915. The concentration camp has since been destroyed, leaving little evidence of the violence that occurred there. However, recent international investigations highlight what many Namibians have known and worked on for generations.

    Germany’s colonization and genocide

    In 1884, German colonizer Adolf Lüderitz annexed Namibia, intending to finance colonial rule through minerals. Between 1904 and 1908, German colonial forces killed approximately 100,000 people (80 per cent of the Herero and half of the Nama population). The genocide also affected the ǂNukhoen and the ǂAonin communities.

    During the genocide, those who were not immediately killed were sent to concentration camps, where they were forced to perform manual labour, such as working on railways and harbours. This occurred across Namibia, including on the coast: in Swakopmund and Lüderitz alone, more than 1,550 Nama died.

    The research agency Forensic Architecture has digitally reconstructed the camps and identified evidence of burial places. On Shark Island, they demonstrate that the port expansion “poses further imminent risk to the site.”

    Attention has been given to the land-based component of green hydrogen projects including the multinational joint venture, Hyphen Energy. But the ocean, which Namibia’s development projects also interact with, is often overlooked as a space of memory, justice and relations. This is in part due to colonial and apartheid histories that erased or excluded people from the coasts and oceans.

    During colonial rule, German colonizers incarcerated Namibians offshore aboard ships. They also threw the bodies of those who had died in the concentration camp into the ocean. The local saying “the sea will take you” highlights how the ocean is involuntarily tied to memories of death and trauma.

    Namibians have not forgotten the violence that occurred on the land and at sea. Local groups are restoring grave sites and establishing memorials. The discussion of recognition, justice and equitable rights and access to the coast and ocean are important for Namibia’s communities and the decedents of those killed during the genocide.

    Waves of energy colonialism

    Green hydrogen has a central role in global decarbonization ambitions. Namibia is considered an “export production site” for Europe’s future hydrogen economy. This is due to its solar and wind potential, and access to the ocean.

    Hydrogen can only be produced in Namibia if the infrastructure exists to enable it. For example, hydrogen requires the industrial and transportation infrastructure to get it to international markets. To meet these demands, the Namibian Ports Authroity is proposing port expansions in the city of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, where expansion could have implications for Shark Island and its waters.

    Campaigners in Namibia are demanding the government and industry halt the expansion plans on Shark Island, and meaningfully engage with reconciliation. Among them is the Windhoek-based Black Court Studio, where Natache Iilonga, co-author of this article, is the creative director.

    These proposed developments signal the continued European dominance in Namibia’s blue and green economy projects. They enable energy colonialism, where the push for green energy continues colonial injustices. European countries and industry perpetuate ecological, social and cultural harm to satisfy their own climate change agendas.

    Projects and partnerships between Namibia and European countries like Germany are emblematic of (neo)colonial power relations. While these projects propose to foster co-operation, they also continue to dispossess communities from their lands and waters, and erase environmental and cultural relations.

    Through “development assistance,” the German government and non-governmental organizations continue to influence economic projects in Namibia, while avoiding discussion of meaningful reparations for colonial crimes.



    Read more:
    Germany’s genocide in Namibia: deal between the two governments falls short of delivering justice

    The land and ocean are not merely passive witnesses to colonial violence. Black Court Studio incorporates the ocean as a dynamic participant in the conversation about these violent histories, and justice and healing. Through community exercises and counter-mapping, the studio explores people’s socio-cultural relations with the ocean.

    Together, the studio’s interventions are beginning to resituate previously erased and forgotten connections with Shark Island. This work also highlights cultural and spiritual relations with the ocean that persist despite this dispossession.

    Namibia’s ocean and coasts are not empty spaces to be exploited for the benefit of Europe’s energy future. A deeper understanding of histories, and present day connections, provide lessons for meaningful reconciliation.

    Natache Iilonga is a practicing architect with Iilonga Architects Inc and the co-founder of Black Court Studios Namibia.

    Rosanna Carver 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. Namibia’s Shark Island: Europe’s push for green hydrogen risks compromising sites of colonial genocide – https://theconversation.com/namibias-shark-island-europes-push-for-green-hydrogen-risks-compromising-sites-of-colonial-genocide-239549

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Residents urged to help shape transformational multi-million-pound town centre plans

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Monday, 17th February 2025

    Residents are to be asked to have their say on multi-million-pound plans to transform three town centres.

    A total of £6 million in Government funding is being spent to carry out public realm improvements in Tunstall, Burslem and Stoke.

    The aim is to help attract extra footfall, boost business activity and tap into the heritage of each of the towns.

    In Tunstall, proposals include better connecting key areas of the town like the High Street, Tower Square, Butterfield Place and Alexandra Park shopping area and creating a high-quality public space for the town focussed on Tower Square and the Clock Tower.

    In Burslem, the proposed public realm work will focus on the Queen Street area, which is the location of several Listed Buildings including Burslem School of Art and the Wedgwood Institute. The scheme will improve the historic Conservation Area with natural stone paving and new tree planting to create an attractive environment, encouraging more people into the town centre.

    In Stoke, the money is to be centred on improving the public square on South Wolfe Street – adjacent to Stoke library – to create a vibrant community space for regular outdoor events, including street markets and live music events.

    Public consultations will take place over the next few weeks and will give people the chance to have their say on their priorities. Feedback will help shape the work, which will start later this year.

    The consultation events are:

    • Burslem – Burslem School of Art – Friday, 21 February (10am to 4pm) and Saturday, 22 February (10am to 2pm).
    • Tunstall – Tunstall Indoor Market – Friday, 7 March (10am to 4pm) and Saturday, 8 March (10am to 2pm).
    • Stoke – Stoke Indoor Market – Friday, 7 March (10am to 4pm) and Saturday, 8 March (10am to 2pm).

    The work will complement other Government-funded projects taking place in and around the towns, such as the £3.5 million former Tunstall Library building development; a £20 million transformation of the Spode site in Stoke; and multi-million-pound investment to preserve, protect and bring into use Burslem’s historic buildings – including The Wedgwood Institute and Burslem Indoor Market.

    Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for Transport, Infrastructure and Regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We really want as many people as possible to feedback on these exciting plans which will help to breathe new life into Burslem, Stoke and Tunstall town centres.

    “The regeneration proposals we have set out will improve the economic viability of the towns, help better link key parts of the towns and are being developed to complement the other exciting project work taking place.

    “So, it is vital to hear residents’ priorities for spending the money and to use these ideas to shape the final plan ready for work to start later this year.”

    More details on the proposals will be added here closer to the consultation events: www.stoke.gov.uk/publicrealm 

    People can also have their say by emailing: PublicRealm@stoke.gov.uk

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Start a new career in child and family social work

    Source: City of York

    The Step Up To Social Work programme at City of York Council is now open for recruitment, enabling aspiring social workers to apply for a place on the training course.

    The Step Up To Social Work programme at City of York Council opens for recruitment today [17 February] until 25 March.

    Step Up To Social Work is a 14-month, full-time training programme for talented graduates and career changers to become the next generation of child and family social workers supporting vulnerable children, young people and families. It is designed for people who want to become a social worker but do not have a degree in social work. Successful applicants train through a combination of academic study and hands on social work experience in a local authority.

    Applicants eligible for the programme, which includes financial support alongside training, will be individuals with experience of working with vulnerable children, young people, families or adults, and who can demonstrate emotional resilience and potential for success.

    Step Up To Social Work aims to attract applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and aims to have a workforce that represents the society that we serve.  

    City of York Council is looking for four recruits as part of the scheme.

    Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council said:

    Social work is a challenging and incredibly fulfilling profession, which really does change lives for the better.

    “People may not know exactly what being a social worker involves but we have lots of experienced professionals who can explain the role for those who want to learn more. I’d encourage anyone who’s wondered about social work to get in touch and find out how being a social worker can benefit children and families in York.  And for those who join us, we have fantastic, dedicated, and enthusiastic social work teams in who will support and guide you every step of the way.”

    Isabelle Trowler, Chief Social Worker for Children and Families, said: 

    It is excellent to see the quality of the hundreds of graduates who qualify as social workers through the Step Up programme, and I’m encouraged to see them start out on a long-term career in social work. Our profession is highly challenging, but highly rewarding, and Step Up is developing a highly skilled workforce ready to make a genuine positive impact on people’s lives.

    The Step Up programme is backed by the Department for Education to support 700 individuals to enter the social work profession in local authorities across England in 2026. This funding will support individuals with training costs and a bursary of £21,995 over the duration of the programme to support them whilst in training.

    This will be the ninth cohort of Step Up since 2010, the programme has successfully supported over 2,900 social workers to enter the profession across England.  

    More information about the programme and how to apply is available at https://susw.eu-careers.pocketrecruiter.com/
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Street marshals receive commendation after saving woman’s life

    Source: City of Leeds

    Trained security staff who provide support on Leeds’s streets have received a special commendation for their work after saving a woman’s life earlier this year.

    The street marshals are out in the city centre most Friday and Saturday nights offering support and assistance to anyone who needs it between 3pm and 3am.

    During a shift in January they responded to a call about a woman in need, and as they approached her they discovered she was not in a good state of mind and at risk. The marshals quickly intervened with care and compassion and supported her until the police and ambulance arrived.

    At a Night Safe Leeds partnership street briefing on Friday night (14 February), the street marshals received a commendation from the council for their outstanding contributions to public safety and for averting many potentially serious situations.

    The street marshals are an integral part of Night Safe Leeds, an initiative bringing together all the on-street support available to people who live, work and visit the city centre, and raising awareness of how to stay safe.

    As they patrol the streets in high vis orange jackets, the marshals provide reassurance to the public, look out for vulnerable people to offer help, and step in to diffuse situations before they escalate. 

    They are operationally contactable via the Business Against Crime in Leeds (BACIL) radio system, which links into the Safer Leeds LeedsWatch CCTV control room, West Yorkshire Police, British Transport Police, Street Support, the Women’s Night Safe Space, Youth Services, Angels of Freedom and other organisations who are offering support on the streets.

    Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, said: “We launched the Night Safe Leeds initiative to spread the word on the measures you can take to keep yourself safe when you’re out and about in the city centre. Any form of anti-social behaviour and crime is unacceptable, and we want people to feel safe and be safe whatever time of day or night they are out in Leeds.

    “This commendation is so well deserved by the street marshals, they are doing a vital job in supporting our residents and visitors. Nightlife is a big part of what makes Leeds the place that it is and if something doesn’t feel right, there is support around.”

    Simon Hodgson, Leeds City Council’s head of community safety, said: “The street marshals are a truly valued part of Night Safe Leeds. They’ve really shown how important their work is, not only during this incident but also in diffusing situations so people get home safely. Positive feedback from the hospitality and retail sector also indicates their value in supporting people’s safety.”

    The street marshals are employed by Controlled Space, a Yorkshire-based security service. They are fully SIA licensed and undertake rigorous training in de-escalation techniques, safeguarding, and vulnerability of people, including the safety of women and risks associated with drug and/or alcohol use.

    To read more about the Night Safe Leeds support available, visit https://leeds.gov.uk/nightsafe.

    ENDS

    The street marshals are funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The service is being delivered by Leeds City Council and BACIL in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, who administer UKSPF funds locally.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Eric Morecambe’s personal collection comes back to his home district to be displayed in Lancaster City Museums Previously unseen sketches and gags by comedy great Eric Morecambe, together with his personal ..

    Source: City of Lancaster

    Previously unseen sketches and gags by comedy great Eric Morecambe, together with his personal items have come back to his home district.

    At a recent, prestigious auction The Lancaster City Museums team was delighted to acquire items from the comedy legend’s personal collection – thanks to local donations.

    Eric Morecambe was a leading figure in British comedy, boasting a lengthy career. In a 2002 BBC poll, he was recognised as one of the top 40 Greatest Britons, surpassing notable figures like David Beckham and Henry VIII. He derived his stage name from his hometown, Morecambe.

    Forty years after his passing in 1984, a wide array of items from the family home he shared with his wife, Joan, were auctioned off, offering an intimate look into the public and private life of a man who, alongside his comedy partner Ernie Wise, entertained millions over the years.

    Lancaster City Museums faced stiff competition from high-profile bidders like Robbie Williams, who purchased Eric’s iconic glasses and pipe for £20,000.

    But, thanks to generous donations from local residents, who contribute to a fund for acquiring and maintaining items in the collection, the museum successfully bought a selection of papers from Eric’s private study. 

    The items include Eric’s school reports featuring some candid remarks from his mother on the back, Eric’s license to perform as a child entertainer which was issued by the Morecambe and Heysham Council, as well as previously unseen documents, all handwritten by Eric, which contained numerous gag and sketch ideas, including an opening sketch for the Morecambe and Wise Show.

    Councillor Nick Wilkinson, Lancaster City Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for theatres, museums and visitor information, said: “We are delighted to welcome Eric Morecambe’s treasured objects back to his home town, where they will take pride of place in our museum.

    “These items, deeply rooted in his legacy, offer a unique glimpse into the life of a comedy legend who brought joy to millions and we are proud to provide a space where visitors can connect with the man behind the laughter.”

    Eric’s license for being a child entertainer and one of his school reports are now on display at the Lancaster Maritime Museum and it is hoped that the remaining items will be exhibited in the future so that people can remind themselves just what a comedic legend this local hero was.

    Last updated: 17 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: US Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of US Synthetic Corporation in ITC Case

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Feb. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ChampionX Corporation (NASDAQ: CHX) (“ChampionX”) noted today that its US Synthetic Corp., a leading provider of polycrystalline diamond cutters for oil and gas drilling, has secured a significant legal victory as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) reversing a prior International Trade Commission (ITC) determination that had deemed the company’s patent claims ineligible under 35 U.S.C. § 101.

    The case, involving U.S. Patent No. 10508502, pertains to a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) used in rotary drill bits, which exhibits superior diamond to diamond bonding. The ITC had initially ruled that the patent’s claims were directed to an abstract idea, arguing that the disclosed magnetic properties were merely side effects of the manufacturing process rather than physical characteristics of the compound. However, the Federal Circuit disagreed, finding that the claims described a specific composition of matter and not an abstract idea, reinforcing that the magnetic properties provide meaningful insights into the PDC’s physical characteristics.

    “We are extremely pleased with the Federal Circuit’s decision, which reaffirms the validity of our patent and the importance of our innovation,” said Rob Galloway, President at US Synthetic. “This ruling not only protects our intellectual property but also underscores the significance of our technology in advancing drilling performance and efficiency.”

    About US Synthetic
    US Synthetic, which is the Drilling Technologies segment of ChampionX, offers innovative, top-quality polycrystalline diamond cutters (“PDC”), bearings, valves, and mining tools to help customers drill the world’s most demanding oil exploration and development projects, and for use in other industries. These highly specialized products are developed and produced based on more than 40 years of innovation and intellectual property development in material science applications.

    About ChampionX
    ChampionX is a global leader in chemistry solutions, artificial lift systems, and highly engineered equipment and technologies that help companies drill for and produce oil and gas safely, efficiently, and sustainably around the world. ChampionX’s expertise, innovative products, and digital technologies provide enhanced oil and gas production, transportation, and real-time emissions monitoring throughout the lifecycle of a well. To learn more about ChampionX, visit our website at www.championX.com.

    Investor Contact: Byron Pope, byron.pope@championx.com, 281-602-0094

    Media Contact: John Breed, john.breed@championx.com, 281-403-5751

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: RBI imposes monetary penalty on Pinnacle Capital Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Jharkhand

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBl) has, by an order dated February 11, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹2.00 lakh (Rupees Two Lakh only) on Pinnacle Capital Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Jharkhand (the company) for non-compliance with certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Credit Card and Debit Card – Issuance and Conduct Directions’ and ‘Digital Lending’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of Section 58G(1)(b) read with Section 58B(5)(aa) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.

    The onsite scrutiny of the company with regard to its digital lending operations was conducted by RBI. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the company advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions. After considering the company’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charges against the company was sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:

    The company had:

    1. issued credit line in the nature of credit card to certain borrowers, without prior approval from RBI; and

    2. disbursed loans to borrowers through a pass-through account of a third party.

    This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the company with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the company.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2182

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: GB Energy & Grangemouth show ‘You can’t trust Labour’

    Source: Scottish National Party

    ‘You can’t trust Labour’. It was an oft made comment during the latter year’s of Tony Blair’s premiership; particularly because of his role in dragging the UK into the Iraq war on the basis of a lie.

    But it took six years for that phrase to become common usage. With the current Westminster Labour government of Keir Starmer it’s only taken six months.

    And recently we saw an example which explains why trust in Keir Starmer’s Labour party has nosedived.

    Before the 2024 election Labour promised that Aberdeen would get 1,000 jobs from hosting the GB Energy headquarters; but now the appointed boss of GB Energy says it will only create 200 jobs in five years.

    The GB Energy boss who won’t even be working in Aberdeen but Manchester! So much for a ‘headquarters’ in Aberdeen.

    These revelations have been followed more recently by news that Grangemouth’s refinery is to close after 100 years.

    Again, another example of how Labour can’t be trusted.

    Before the election Labour, along with Keir Starmer and Anas Sarwar, promised to save the jobs:

    Now it’s scenes of Anas Sarwar repeatedly pleading that he’s powerless because it’s a private company…

    …a private company Labour will financially support when it comes to a football stadium in England and a refinery in Belgium!

    And it was Westminster who tied their own hands when it gave Grangemouth to the private sector:

    Is it any wonder that even Grangemouth’s own Labour MP sounds like he doesn’t trust Labour?

    Even a letter he wrote to Starmer was signed by only one other Scottish Labour MP. So much for Scottish Labour MPs standing up for Scotland.

    But those two examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Labour promises.

    Take the WASPI women pensioners; betrayed so often by the Tories and now by Labour. As leader of the opposition, Starmer promised to “do something about it”, saying he understood their anger at having “the goalposts moved”.

    In 2020 he railed against the two-child cap on child benefits. In the days running up to the election Scots were told to vote Labour to end child poverty.

    Yet just after the election he suspended seven Labour MPs for voting with the SNP to scrap the cap on child benefit and tackle child poverty.

    Then there’s the winter fuel payment for pensioners. In the run up to voting in July 2024 Starmerrailed against the Tories about how pensioners suffered under the Tories and promised them security.

    Safely in Downing Street his government announced a cut to pensioners’ winter fuel payments despite research by his own party that it could cause 4,000 deaths.

    And what about National Insurance?

    Labour’s manifesto specifically pledged that they would not raise national insurance. In her budget Rachel Reeves increased employer national insurance – a policy that will hit those employing lower paid workers the hardest, charities, GPs and care homes.

    You would think such a level of untrustworthy behaviour would be more than enough after seven months; but there’s more that specifically affects Scotland.

    In the July 2024 election Anas Sarwar expressly promised that Scottish Labour ‘would put Scotland at the heart of Starmer’s government‘; and ‘stand up to Keir Starmer and defend Scotland’s interests‘.

    Instead, as a group, Scottish Labour MPs have meekly voted for cutting the winter fuel payment, keeping the two-child benefit, and failing to support WASPI women.

    And there’s a range of issues where that group of MPs have been subdued when it comes to putting Scotland at the heart of Starmer’s government.

    In August 2024 Rachel Reeves pulled funding for an £800 million computer at Edinburgh University with a Labour source saying the project made “little strategic sense.”

    Yet by January Keir Starmer was announcing that his government had arranged £14 billion of investment in various AI projects.

    At the end of January Rachel Reeves announced her plans for growth in the UK … which amounted to a concentration of UK government assistance between the cities hosting the UK’s two elitist universities.

    The absence for similar assistance for Scotland was notable despite claiming it would deliver to “all corners of the UK“:

    Take CCS, or Carbon Capture & Storage; since the 2014 independence referendum the North East of Scotland has been repeatedly promised that Westminster would invest millions in it.

    Rachel Reeves eventually announced funding for Carbon Capture & Storage … in Teesside and Merseyside. No Scottish Labour MP or MSP has even mentioned this slap in the face to Scotland.

    Is it any wonder Scots believe Anas Sarwar doesn’t stand up to Keir Starmer. It’s no wonder Scottish Labour’s vote is at its lowest level in three years.

    And what is Anas Sarwar’s latest move as we approach a Scottish election year? To say he is open to ‘good ideas’ from Nigel Farage’s Reform party.

    A party that would like to abolish the Scottish Parliament and privatise the NHS. The party of Brexit which has increased the cost-of-living creating less money for public services.

    And Anas Sarwar’s latest gambit just raises more questions about trust in Labour. He’s now pledging to protect SNP policies like free tuition, free prescriptions and the Scottish Child Payment.

    After months of accusing the SNP government of ’18 years of failure’ he’s now saying it has been 18 years of “successes”.

    But why should anyone trust what many see as a panicked announcement by Anas Sarwar?

    On several occasions Labour’s Holyrood group of MSPs have voted against SNP government budgets which contained those policies. Even now they are not supporting the SNP budget containing those policies.

    A previous Scottish Labour leader notoriously called those policies a ‘something for nothing‘ culture which should end.

    Anas Sarwar’s health spokesperson, Jackie Baillie, is on record as saying prescription charges should “absolutely” be abolished.

    As for tuition fees it was only in February 2024 that Sarwar’s finance spokesperson, Michael Marra, said backdoor tuition fees, like endowments, would have to be considered.

    Shortly after Labour MSPs voted with the Tories in Holyrood against free tuition.

    And let’s not forget the behaviour of Anas Sarwar’s boss, Keir Starmer. In 2020 he promised Labour members in the party leadership election that he would “support the abolition of tuition fees”.

    Yet by September 2023 he claimed it would be ‘impossible‘ to abolish tuition fees … despite the fact that is the reality in Scotland.

    And let’s not forget which party first introduced tuition fees – whose policy they ultimately are.

    Just weeks before the 1997 election Tony Blair pledged: “Labour has no plans to introduce tuition fees for higher education.”

    A year after taking power, Blair went ahead and introduced tuition fees.

    It all just shows how the people of Scotland don’t and can’t trust any promise by Scottish Labour. Like a branch office they will always follow their bosses in Westminster.

    There’s only one party that Scots can trust to stand up and speak for Scotland. Speak out about Westminster ignoring your communities when it comes to investment. To vote for the benefit of Scotland’s pensioners, families and workers – the SNP.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: US embassy urged to correct JD Vance lies about buffer zones

    Source: Scottish Greens

    17 Feb 2025 Health

    Nobody should be harassed when accessing healthcare.

    More in Health

    Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay has written to the US Ambassador to the UK, Jane D Hartley, urging her to issue a statement correcting the record after Vice President JD Vance’s misinformation about safe access zones in Scotland.

    Ms Mackay introduced the bill that secured 200 metre wide safe access zones, or buffer zones, around abortion service providers to stop the intimidating anti-choice protests that were taking place across Scotland. Private prayer at home has never been impacted by this Act.

    In a speech last week, VP Vance claimed that people in Scotland were told that private prayer in their own homes would be against the law within a safe access zone and that people were encouraged to report anyone they thought guilty of “thought crime.” This has never been true.

    Ms Mackay said:

    “What JD Vance said about my Safe Access Zones Act was completely wrong. He either knows nothing about it and chose to speak about it anyway or he knew exactly what he was doing and was happy to lie about it.

    “Either way, he has misrepresented the bill and spread dangerous misinformation about the laws in Scotland, and that needs to be corrected.

    “I hope that the US embassy will correct the record both for Mr Vance and, more importantly, for the millions of people who will have seen his false and grossly misleading claims.”

    Ms Mackay added:

    “The politics that JD Vance and Donald Trump represent are everything I’m against. They have eroded and undermined reproductive rights and pursued a racist and far right agenda.

    “They have shown a total disregard for the truth, whether it is the conspiracy theories they have peddled about the 2020 election or the misleading claims that have been made about my Act. It is time for political leaders everywhere to stand up to them.”

    Text of Gillian Mackay’s letter to the US embassy.

    Dear Ambassador Hartley

    I am writing to you following Vice President JD Vance’s claims that people in Scotland were told that private prayer in their own homes would be against the law within a safe access zone and that people were encouraged to report anyone they thought guilty of “thought crime.” This is not true.

    It was my Act that established safe access zones in the first place, in order to stop the intimidation and harassment which was taking place outside abortion service providers across Scotland.

    The letter that VP Vance referenced does not mention private prayer and does not suggest it would be criminalised. Nobody in Scotland has been arrested for privately praying in their own home.

    This was something that was scrutinised a lot in the committee process and I would have expected the Vice President to familiarise himself with the background before speaking about it.

    As the US government’s representative in the UK, I urge you to correct the record and release a statement making clear that nobody is at risk of arrest for private prayer in their home and never has been, and clarifying that what VP Vance said does not represent the views of the US Embassy.

    Yours sincerely

    Gillian Mackay MSP

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: District initiatives followed up

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing today chaired the seventh meeting of the Task Force on District Governance to follow up on the implementation details and progress of four district initiatives endorsed by the Steering Committee on District Governance.

     

    On improving the waiting environment at public transport interchanges, the Transport Department, in collaboration with the Highways Department (HyD), the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD), and the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department, has selected a covered public transport interchange in each of the 18 districts for enhancement works.

     

    The enhancement works include upgrading the lighting, improving the ventilation system, and refurbishing the walls and ceilings to provide a more comfortable waiting environment for passengers. Such works have commenced this year with 11 for completion in 2025 and the remaining in 2026.

     

    As regards combatting air-conditioner water dripping, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will strengthen inspections and enforcement actions against about 30 air-conditioner dripping blackspots from May to September this summer.

     

    The FEHD will also launch a publicity and public education campaign to appeal to residents to address the issue of air conditioners dripping water as a means to avoid affecting environmental hygiene in public places and causing a nuisance to citizens.

     

    To improve Hong Kong’s cityscape, starting from this month, the FEHD has deployed mini street-washing vehicles equipped with pressure washer surface cleaners and high-pressure hot water cleaners at about 80 blackspots across the city on a regular basis to step up street scrubbing and remove stains or moss.

     

    Additionally, the Development Bureau, along with the Leisure & Cultural Services Department, the HyD, the ArchSD, the Civil Engineering & Development Department and the Housing Department, will enhance thematic planting in selected development projects and venues to beautify the cityscape.

     

    The task force also followed up on the performance of the 1823 Enhanced Complaint Handling Mechanism and received reports from relevant departments on their work progress regarding the eight key issues identified at the first three meetings of the steering committee.

     

    Mr Cheuk urged all departments to continue advancing these initiatives and enhancing district governance efficacy, so that the Government can deliver district services more effectively, leading to a more comfortable and better life for citizens.

     

    Moreover, Mr Cheuk thanked the departments for their efforts over the past two years in implementing the directives of the steering committee and the task force, which has brought significant achievements in combatting hygiene blackspots for the benefit of the public.

     

    He added that relevant departments should critically review the situation of all 738 hygiene blackspots and continue to actively follow up on those requiring improvement while identifying others that are suitable for removal from the blacklist.

     

    The hygiene blackspot website will be updated in the first quarter to reflect the actual situation.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Fatal accident at Bourneview footpath crossing, Kenley

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Investigation into a fatal accident involving a child at Bourneview footpath crossing, Kenley, London Borough of Croydon, 23 January 2025.

    Bourneview footpath crossing (courtesy of British Transport Police).

    At around 08:04 on 23 January 2025, a child was struck by a train and fatally injured while crossing the railway on Bourneview footpath crossing, situated between Whyteleafe and Kenley in the London Borough of Croydon.  The train involved was travelling at about 50 mph (80 km/h) at the time of the accident.

    Bourneview footpath crossing provides access for pedestrians between two residential areas of Kenley. The crossing has gates on either side of the railway and is provided with signage which instructs users how to cross.  

    Our investigation will determine the sequence of events that led to the accident and will include consideration of:

    • the factors which may have affected the decisions and actions of the child as they used the crossing
    • any previous incidents at Bourneview footpath crossing and how these may be relevant to this accident
    • the management of risk at this crossing and Network Rail’s wider strategy for assessing and mitigating risks at footpath crossings
    • any relevant underlying factors

    Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry or by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.

    We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation. This report will be available on our website.

    You can subscribe to automated emails notifying you when we publish our reports.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Magtec motor forwards with DTEP funding

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    DTEP funding is advancing innovation in defence through collaboration with higher-tier partners

    • Congratulations to Rotherham based engineering company Magtec
    • The Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) will collaborate with an experienced higher-tier partner in the defence sector
    • The Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP) boosts defence innovation while supporting the technology supply chain

    Rotherham based SME Magtec has been awarded funding through the latest rounds of the Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP). They will collaborate with a higher-tier supplier who will mentor them over the duration of a forthcoming defence project. They will receive a government grant worth 50 percent of the project value with the aim of developing innovative new solutions that meet UK defence challenges and increase capability in the UK defence supply chain.

    Magtec is a leading UK designer, manufacturer and integrator of electric and hybrid drive systems for customers in the defence, rail and commercial sectors. The company is a member of the British Army’s programme to develop technologies for battlefield electrification and holds an Armed Forces Covenant Bronze Award in the Employer Recognition Scheme. Founded in 1992, Magtec is privately owned and headquartered at a bespoke design and manufacturing facility in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

    The firm was recently visited by Secretary of State for Defence John Healey MP who described Magtec as “deeply impressive” and said that they have the “long established manufacturing skills and creative flair to improve the battlefield performance and the environmental performance of military vehicles.”

    The DTEP programme, which seeks to improve the competitiveness of the UK Defence supply chain, is sponsored by the MOD’s Directorate of Industrial Strategy and Exports (DISE) and delivered through the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), Innovate UK, and ADS.

    Congratulations to Magtec

    Magtec’s innovative Permanent Magnet Motors (PMM) will provide superior power to submarine systems with significantly reduced size and weight. This will in turn reduce maintenance costs substantially while increasing submarine availability and operational capacity. Magtec will be working with higher tier partner MacTaggart Scott on developing and producing the PMM.

    Andy Sloan, Engineering Director at Magtec said:

    “We are delighted to have won funding from the Defence and Security Accelerator and to be collaborating with MacTaggart Scott. Our team is developing permanent magnet motor technology for submarines, reducing weight, space, heat and noise and making the Silent Service even quieter. As a UK-based company, we are proud to be strengthening our sovereign capability.”

    The SDA Supplier Management Team said:

    “Magtec have previous defence development experience, therefore easing their learning and journey into becoming a potential defence supplier for the Submarine Enterprise. The product they offer will be bespoke, offering the many advantages as stated, and others besides.”

    DTEP’s funding for Magtec highlights the MOD’s commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening the UK defence supply chain through strategic SME partnerships.

    Learn more about DASA’s funding opportunities here.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Observing non-earthquake signals on the Yellowstone Seismic Network

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week’s contribution is from Jamie Farrell, associate research professor with the University of Utah Seismograph Stations and Chief Seismologist of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.

    It is well-known that the Yellowstone region, with an average of 1,500-2,500 earthquakes per year, is one of the most-seismically active areas in the western U.S.  The Yellowstone Seismic Network is designed to record the ground shaking from these earthquakes and send the data back to the University of Utah in real time for analysis.  There are a lot of other things that cause the ground to shake, however, and this shaking is recorded by seismic stations in and around Yellowstone.  Most of the time, it is easy to differentiate these signals from those of real earthquakes.

    So, what else besides earthquakes makes the ground shake in Yellowstone?

    Webicorders of Yellowstone Seismic Network stations YMR (West Entrance road) and YNM (Norris Geyser Basin Museum) showing traffic signals (left) and visitors walking (right) during daytime hours.  Both records span the entire 24-hour period of July 23, 2024, MDT. 

    Some of the most common causes of non-earthquake ground shaking are humans and the vehicles that they drive.  As a general guideline, seismic stations are located far away from roads to avoid these signals, but there are some that are close enough to record every car/truck/bus/RV that drives by.  A seismic station that is located near the Madison-West Entrance Road, designated YMR, is notorious for recording road noise. In addition, a seismic station that is located in the Norris Geyser Basin Museum (designated YNM) records the thousands of visitors that walk by it every day during the summer.  Signals that are related to human activity can be identified by their prevalence during the daytime hours and their absence during nighttime hours.

    Signals recorded at station YDD in Yellowstone National Park from the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai volcanic eruption. The seismometer at YDD recorded both the direct seismic phase (top left) as well as the atmospheric Lamb Wave that coupled to the ground as it propagated (top right).  The infrasound microphone at YDD recorded the atmospheric disturbance from the Lamb wave (bottom right) that arrived in Yellowstone ~9 hours after the eruption.  Seismic waves travel through the earth much faster than sound waves travel through the atmosphere, which explains the long delay in timing between when the two signals were recorded.

    Signals related to non-earthquake geologic events far from Yellowstone can sometimes be seen as well.  An example of this is the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai volcanic eruption in the south Pacific.  The volcano is located about 9,742 km (6,053 miles) from Yellowstone National Park, but the signals from that violent eruption are clearly seen on many stations in the Yellowstone Seismic Network.  In fact, that eruption produced two signals that are evident in the Yellowstone seismic record.  The first signal is the direct P-wave (seismic phase) that traveled through the earth from the eruption site to Yellowstone—the wave arrived ~27 minutes after the eruption occurred.  The eruption also produced very powerful atmospheric waves.  The most energetic of these atmospheric waves was something called a Lamb wave, which travelled through the atmosphere but along the Earth’s surface. The Lamb waves from the eruption traveled around the earth 4 times over 6 days.  The first of these arrived in Yellowstone ~9 hours after the eruption—moving at the speed of sound, which is much slower than the speed of earthquake waves through the ground—and is evident on both seismometers and infrasound microphones. This shows that as the Lamb wave propagated along the Earth’s surface, not only did it cause an atmospheric disturbance (as recorded by the infrasound microphone) but energy was also transferred into the Earth (as recorded by the seismometer).  In this sense, the wave was similar to a sonic boom or thunderclap.

    Other non-earthquake signals are sometimes recorded on seismometers around rivers due to ground shaking from large floods in Yellowstone, like those that occurred in June 2022.  Near Yellowstone Lake, seismometers record “icequakes” from cracking of the ice cover during winter, and when the lake is free of ice during summer months ground shaking can be caused by wave action on the lake during daytime hours.  In addition, seismometers record signals related to hydrothermal activity and even hydrothermal explosions.

    Even though these non-earthquake signals are not what the Yellowstone Seismic Network was originally designed to record, they still provide valuable insights into the Yellowstone volcanic and tectonic system.  Scientists are increasingly using these data to better understand the dynamic nature of geologic activity in the Yellowstone region.

    Signals from a suspected icequake that occurred on Yellowstone Lake recorded at Yellowstone Seismic Network stations YLA on Lake Butte (top) and YTP at The Promontory (bottom 3 plots). Plot shows about 2 minutes of data from January 24, 2022, starting at about 7:43:34 p.m. MST.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sols 4454-4457: Getting Ready to Fill the Long Weekend with Science

    Source: NASA

    Earth planning date: Friday, Feb. 14, 2025
    Curiosity is continuing to make progress along the strategic route, traversing laterally across the sulfate (salt) bearing unit toward the boxwork structures. The team celebrated the completion of another successful drive when we received the downlink this morning, and then we immediately got to work thinking about what’s next. There is a holiday in the United States on Monday, so instead of the typical three-sol weekend plan, we actually planned four sols, which will set us up to return to planning next Tuesday.
    The first sol of the plan focuses on remote sensing, and we’ll be taking several small Mastcam mosaics of features around the rover. One of my favorite targets the team picked is a delightfully pointy rock visible toward the left of the Navcam image shown above. The color images we’ll take with Mastcam will give us more information about the textures of this rock and potentially provide insight into the geologic forces that transformed it into this comical shape. The team chose what I think is a very appropriate name for this Martian pyramid-shaped target — “Pyramid Lake.” The terrestrial inspiration behind this name is a human-made reservoir (lake) near Los Angeles with a big (also human-made) pyramidal hill in it.
    On the second sol of the plan, we’ll use the instruments on Curiosity’s arm to collect data of rock targets at our feet, including “Strawberry Peak,” a bumpy piece of bedrock, “Lake Arrowhead,” a smooth piece of bedrock, and “Skyline Trail,” a dark float rock. ChemCam will also collect chemical data of Skyline Trail, “Big Tujunga” — which is similar to Strawberry Peak — and “Momyer.” We’ll also take the first part of a 360-degree color mosaic with Mastcam!
    In the third sol of the plan, we’ll complete the 360-degree mosaic and continue driving to the southwest along our strategic route. The fourth sol is pretty quiet, with some atmospheric observations and a ChemCam AEGIS. Atmospheric observations are additionally sprinkled throughout other sols of the plan. This time of year we are particularly interested in studying the clouds above Gale crater!
    I’m looking forward to the nice long weekend, and returning on Tuesday morning to see everything Curiosity accomplished.
    Written by Abigail Fraeman, Planetary Geologist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

    MIL OSI USA News –