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Category: Universities

  • MIL-OSI USA: Findings from the Field: A Research Symposium for Student Scientists

    Source: NASA

    Within the scientific community, peer review has become the process norm for which an author’s research or ideas undergo careful examination by other experts in their field. It encourages each scientist to meet the high standards that they themselves, as writers and reviewers, have aided in setting. It has become essential to the academic writing practice.
    Historically, the peer review process has been limited to higher education and scholars more established in their academic careers. It has been required by only the more reputable publications, which can mean that lesser-known journals that don’t require this rigorous peer review process contain lower quality or less reliable information.
    In an effort to give scientists of all ages the opportunity to participate in and contribute to the advancement of human knowledge in a meaningful and reliable way, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) began publishing Findings from the Field, a journal of student ecological and environmental science, launched in 2017. Students conduct authentic scientific inquiry, subject their research to the peer review process, and submit their revised work for editorial board review before publication—the same process a NASA scientist must go through! This hands-on, real-world experience in scientific communication sharpens these young scientists’ skills and immerses them in the collaborative nature of research—an essential foundation for the next generation of scientists.
    After 7 years and 7 published volumes, Findings from the Field was ready to expand, and the Findings Student Research Symposium was launched. The Symposium was a success from the start, with 65 student scientists joining the event the first year and attendance climbing to 95 for year two. On March 10, 2025, GMRI (the anchor institution for the NASA Science Activation program’s Learning Ecosystems Northeast (LENE) project) welcomed nearly 100 young scientists, ranging from grades 5-12. These students, representing eight schools across Maine and New Hampshire, came together to share their research and engage in an evolving, intergenerational scientific community—one that fosters curiosity, collaboration, and scientific discovery.
    Students presented their research through posters and live presentations, covering topics ranging from invasive green crab species, to the changing landscapes of Ash and Hemlock trees, and more. By connecting students with professional researchers, fostering peer discussions, and providing a platform for publishing legitimate scientific work, the Findings Symposium is a launch pad for the future of the scientific community.
    One important element of the Symposium is the opportunity for young scientists to dialogue with professional scientists. Students engaged with researchers from Markus Frederich’s lab at the University of New England, volunteers from local organizations like Unum and Avangrid, and expert staff from GMRI.
    Student Madalyn Bartlett from Sacoppee Valley Middle School shared, “It makes me feel really proud, because I get to talk to professional scientists that have a lot of experience in this, and it make me feel like I am contributing to something bigger than my school and my community.”
    These interactions emphasize that science isn’t confined to white coats and labs—it’s about curiosity, observation, and shared knowledge. The keynote speaker, Kat Gardner-Vandy from a former NASA Science Activation project team, Native Earth | Native Sky, reinforced this message, inspiring students to see themselves as vital contributors to science and our collective knowledge about the world.
    The Learning Ecosystems Northeast project is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AB94A and is part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. Learn more about Learning Ecosystems Northeast: https://www.learningecosystemsnortheast.org/

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Style Guidelines for ‘The Earth Observer’ Newsletter 

    Source: NASA

    Introduction

    The Earth Observer Editorial Process

    Types of Articles in The Earth ObserverGeneral article format— Announcement article— Feature article— Hybrid article— In Memoriam article— Kudos article— Summary article

    Guidelines for Preparing Articles for The Earth Observer— Writing for the web— Catchy headline— Naming files— Use visuals to draw the reader in— Search engine optimization—— Headline and subheads—— Links—— Alternate text for graphics— Submitting An Outline— Submitting Your Draft

    Specific Style Guidelines— Acronyms— Affiliations— Capitalize Earth, Moon, Sun— Chemical formulas— Compound words— Cross-references— Dates, months, and seasons— Directions and regions— Footnotes— Formal titles— Hyperlinks, the how and the why—— How to insert a hyperlink— Hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes—oh my!!— Italics and quotes— Items in a series— Numbers— Ordinal numbers— References— References to teams— State abbreviations— Typographical emphasis

    Guidelines for Graphics, Photos, Visualizations, Animations— Inserting figures, photos, animations, and visualizations— Caption, credit, and tags— Graphic/photo requirements

    Final Thoughts

    Introduction
    This document contains guidelines to assist you as you prepare articles for The Earth Observer (EO) newsletter. Our Editorial Team appreciates your cooperation in keeping these guidelines in mind as you prepare articles for submission. Our team reviews every article, but following the style guidelines will expedite the editorial process.
    Please be aware that this style guide is a living document and as such continues to evolve. If it has been a while since you have submitted an article for The Earth Observer, please be sure you are using the latest version of the Style Guide. The date of the most recent update is printed in the footer of the document to make it easier to maintain the most current version of the document.
    Editing is sometimes more art than science, and while the Editorial Team will endeavor to follow the rules that follow in most cases, there may be specific cases where the Executive Editor may decide to deviate from these guidelines.
    The Earth Observer Editorial Process 
    The EO has a robust editorial team to assist with the editorial process to maintain the quality and style of the publication.
    The EO editorial staff includes:

    The editorial process is iterative. The author will typically go through two rounds of edits with the EO Editorial Team. The text is then put into a preview layout on a staging server for the author’s final review before the story is published on the EO website.
    Types of Articles in The Earth Observer
    The Earth Observer provides authors an opportunity to tell their compelling stories of Earth Science. As such it does not impose strict word count limits, but the EO has established certain general guidelines that provide a framework to follow for several types of articles.
    General article format
    Please write articles in MS Word and save as a .doc file.
    The article should begin with an introduction that provides the essentials – who, what, where, when, and why – to provide the reader with an overview of the topic to be discussed. For articles about meetings include the number of people who attended (e.g., in-person and virtual) and the objective of the meeting.
    The introduction paragraph is followed by a transition paragraph that takes the reader into the main content of the article. The article should wrap up with a conclusion.
    The suggested page length for each type of article includes inserted visual elements. In addition to the Word file, please also send separate higher resolution files for graphics, photos, animations, or visualizations. More specific requirements are available in the Guidelines for Graphics, Photos, Visualizations, Animations.
    Announcement article
    Announcement articles promote a variety of topics. Historically this type of article includes releases of new or updated Earth Science data products, information on new tools for processing and viewing data, previews of outreach activities for the Science Support Office (e.g., AGU, Earth Day), and details on upcoming science meetings or workshops (i.e., beyond the information conveyed on the NASA science calendar).
    The article is structured like a Feature article, but it is shorter, no more than two pages, including graphics and captions – see Guidelines for Graphics, Photos, Visualizations, Animations.

    For Example: NASA Invites You to Create Landsat-Inspired Arts and Crafts, The Earth Observer, Mar–Apr 2021, 33:4, 13–14. Other examples are available on the archived issues of The Earth Observer.

    If you have an idea for an Announcement article, please email the EO Editorial Team who will work with you on a draft. The EO Editorial Team emails are available in the section – The Earth Observer Editorial Process
    Feature article
    Feature articles cover a wide range of Earth science topics, including satellite mission launches and historic milestones, field campaign updates, data processing tool tutorials, and summaries of NASA Science Support Office outreach events. Typically, these articles span ~8–14 pages (3000–4000 words). There are cases where longer or shorter articles are acceptable.
    A photo essay format for some topics, such as outreach event summaries, offer an option to convey a significant portion of the information using a collection of photos and descriptive captions.

    For Example: Looking Back on Looking Up: The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

    If you have an idea for an Feature article, please email the EO Editorial Team who will work with you on a draft. The EO Editorial Team emails are available in the section – The Earth Observer Editorial Process
    Hybrid article
    Hybrid articles combine elements of a Feature and a Summary article. Often, these articles start with a few pages of descriptive text about the subject, followed by a summary of a particular meeting. Owing to their hybrid nature, these articles tend to run a bit longer than the standard Summary article. These articles typically range between 8–12 pages (3000–5000 words.)
    If you have an idea for a Hybrid article, please email the EO Editorial Team who will work with you on a draft. The EO Editorial Team emails are available in the section – The Earth Observer Editorial Process
    In Memoriam article
    In Memoriam articles recognize individuals who have played prominent roles in NASA Earth Science. These articles tend to include biographical information about the deceased individual, a brief mention of their education, and a summary of their major career achievements – with emphasis on achievements related to NASA. A typical In Memoriam article layout includes one or more photos, including one of the person being memorialized.

    For Example: In Memoriam: Mary Cleave [1947–2023] The In Memoriam link provides recent examples of In Memoriam articles published in The Earth Observer. Other articles are available by searching the publication’s archived issues.

    This type of article is structured like a Feature article with the exception that the subject is referred to by their first name. In Memoriam drafts should be no more than two pages in Word – including graphics and captions – see Guidelines for Graphics, Photos, Visualizations, Animations.
    If you know someone to eulogize in The Earth Observer for their contributions to NASA Earth Science, please email the EO Editorial Team who will work with you on a draft. The EO Editorial Team emails are available in the section – The Earth Observer Editorial Process
    Kudos article
    Kudos articles acknowledges individuals or groups either within or connected to (funded by) NASA who receive significant NASA-wide awards.
    A Kudo article follows a structure similar to a Feature article. It should be a maximum of one page in Word – including a photo of person(s) or group being honored – see Guidelines for Graphics, Photos, Visualizations, Animations.

    For Example: MOPITT Canadian Principal Investigator Receives Two Awards, The Earth Observer, Mar–Apr 2021, 33:2, 28 [bottom]. Other examples are available by searching through archived issues of The Earth Observer.

    If you know an individual or a group of people worthy of recognition for their NASA-related achievement, please email the EO Editorial Team who will work with you on a draft submission. The EO Editorial Team emails are available in the section – The Earth Observer Editorial Process
    Summary article
    Summary articles provide an overview of recent scientific meetings and/or workshops. Ideally, a Summary article should be no more than 6 pages (~2500 words).
    Provide the flavor of the event rather than describe it in detail. Summarize the overall nature and sense of sessions. The Editorial Team has found that a mix of narrative descriptions of key (usually programmatic) presentations (e.g., plenary sessions) and summaries with less detail for the remaining (e.g., technical) presentations is optimum.
    Now that The Earth Observer is published online, it is the view of the Editorial Team format summary articles using a “minutes-style” report of the meeting. While space no longer precludes publishing such an article as it did in the past, the format does not translate well to the online communication medium. Unless a reader is really interested in the specific topic(s) discussed in the article, it is likely that they will not scroll through to the end – no matter how nice the layout looks.
    If you have an idea for a Summary article, please email the EO Editorial Team who will work with you on a draft. The EO Editorial Team emails are available in the section – The Earth Observer Editorial Process
    Guidelines for Preparing Articles for The Earth Observer
    EOis a hybrid publication, landing somewhere between a science journal and popular science magazine. Therefore, the focus should be on phenomena rather than data. The article provides an opportunity to publicize your mission, research to ~1653 subscribers (as of August 2024) around the world. Please review the content in this guideline before writing your article and reach out to the Editorial Team if you have any questions.
    Writing for the web
    The EO audience ranges from scientists to the general public. When writing an article, use plain language and active voice. When in doubt, write the article so that it would be understandable to a friend or relative not in the field.

    For Example:
    Passive voice: The rate of evaporation is controlled by the size of an opening.
    Active voice: The size of an opening controls the rate of evaporation.

    Avoid using jargon and technical language. When it is necessary to use technical language, please use ITALICS to offset the word in the text. Follow the italicized word with a brief definition or explanation.

    For Example: Inference – formally derived uncertainty for area estimates of biomass, height, or other metrics – can take different forms, each of which includes specific assumptions. In this breakout session, participants considered the strengths and limitations of different inference types (e.g., intensity of computation or the ability to use different models).

    Writing content for a website differs from print. The human eye is more inclined to read shorter paragraphs separated by breaks. It is ideal to keep sentences and paragraphs short.
    Use one space after a period. The two spaces after a period is an artifact of conventional type writers.
    Avoid editorializing in the article. For example, do not characterize a spacewalk as “daring” or “dangerous.” Describe the events factually. If things are described well, readers easily can decide for themselves whether they are daring or dangerous. Never, under any circumstances, insert any personal, political, ideological, or religious opinions or beliefs into NASA news media products.
    Catchy headline
    Write a headline that is short, searchable, and shareable. Try to keep the headline to 60 characters (including spaces). Longer headlines may be invisible to search engines.
    Unlike journal articles, The Earth Observer only includes individuals who made a significant contributions to the EO article. A typical article should only lists one or two authors. In some occasions, an article may have up to four authors. The authors should be formatted as follows:
    First Last, Organization, author email
    If there are more you wish to give credit, consider doing so in an Acknowledgment section, as discussed in the next paragraph.
    Naming files
    For consistency moving documents through the editorial process, please name the file by the file type, the topic, and the author’s last name.

    For Example: announcement_topic_author
     feature_topic_author
     hybrid_topic_author
     memoriam_topic_author
     kudos_topic_author
     summary_topic_author

    Use visuals to draw the reader in
    The Earth Observer is now published online. Visual elements are critical to all EO stories and are a required element to submissions. The Editorial Team would prefer having too many graphics (i.e., photos, figures, animations, and visualizations) than too few. It is helpful to insert this content into the Word file as well as include the graphics as separate files at the time of the initial submission of the draft for editorial review. See the Guidelines for Graphics, Photos, Visualizations, Animations section for more information.
    Search engine optimization
    Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a broad set of techniques to capitalize how search engines, such as Google, scrub content on the internet. By optimizing how articles are written, it is possible to influence where content shows up in an organic, online search. The different approaches can fill an entire book. This style guide provides a few pointers to help tweak articles to optimize how the content appears in online searches.
    Headline and subheads
    A headline should be clear and compelling to reveal what the content is about as well as entice the searcher to click for more. A SEO headline is a ranking factor in search engine results. A headline can be crafted to rank higher in search results, which increases an article’s visibility and generate more clicks. This can be done by using SEO search terms — those terms that a person would type into a search box — in the headline. Shorter headlines (i.e., 60 characters including spaces) are often more effective during searches.
    Subheads provide a way to organize an article and separates the content into digestible sections. Like headlines, subheads can be optimized for SEO searches. Subheads may include key takeaways from the specific section. Keep subheads clear and concise.
    Links
    Earth Observer articles are now being posted online. Footnotes are no longer a functional option, which is a significant change for authors who have published articles in our print issues in the past. It is helpful to hyperlink words or short phrases in the article that directs the reader to additional content from the meeting, such as presentations, poster sessions, talks by attendees, programs/satellites, journal articles, etc. Relevant links should also be added to captions. See the Hyperlinks section for guidance on how to insert and format a hyperlink in the article.
    Internal links tie content in the article to other pages within an organization, such as NASA, to boost site authority. External links direct a reader to sites outside the organization. This approach also drives up site authority in SEO searches. By connecting relevant pages, it will improve article navigation and ensure users can locate relevant information.
    Alternate text for graphics
    Alternate text, or alt text, is the small description added to visual elements on the back end of a website. Search engines use the alt text to identify relevant content. Alt text also improves accessibility for all users. Tools that read webpages aloud can read alt text to help explain what visual elements contain for the visually impaired.
    Alt text should be concise, accurate, and use keywords. Keywords are highly relevant words or phrases associated with the picture and the content of the article.

    For Example: Figure 1. Forty SWOT Early Adopter (EA) teams span the globe with a wide range of operational and applied science project topics.
    Figure credit: NASA
    Key word tag: A global map showing the locations of early adopter organizations.

    Submitting An Outline
    An outline is not requiredprior to submitting the first draft of an article, but an outline may be beneficial for lengthy articles (i.e., features, hybrids). Outlines are particularly helpful for first-time authors or when an author is seeking guidance about the appropriateness of content for The Earth Observer. It is hard for the team to comment without seeing something in writing. More generally, submitting an outline presents an opportunity for the editorial team to provide input on the article during the writing process – as opposed to waiting until the first draft is submitted.
    Submitting Your Draft
    Do not submit a draft for review unless it is complete (i.e., contains all visual elements, captions, credits, and content). Unless you clearly indicate otherwise, the Editorial Team will assume your submission is ready for them to review. Version control problems result when text is updated after reviews have started.
    The initial draft submitted for editorial review should include graphics. including captions and credits. The editorial process is delayed when graphics, credits, and captions are added iteratively once the process has begun.
    Specific Style Guidelines
    Over more than 35 years as a NASA publication, The Earth Observer has developed its own unique style. Please review these specific guidelines detailed below, and let the Editorial Team know if you have any questions. In addition, The Earth Observer also adheres to the NASA Stylebook and Communications Manual, 9th edition (June 2020), which is closely aligned with the AP Stylebook.
    Acronyms
    Science is rife with acronyms. On first usage, always spell out the acronym and follow with the acronym in parenthesis. From that point on in the article, use the acronym. To ensure photos, figures, visualizations, and animations are understandable if removed from the larger text, please spell out acronyms in captions.
    Well-known acronyms (e.g., NASA, U.S., etc.) do not need to be spelled out. Separate the acronym for United States (e.g., U.S.) and United Kingdom (e.g., U.K.) with periods.

    For Example: Level-1 (L1), Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI), International Space Station (ISS), Precision Orbit Determination (POD), etc.

    Only capitalize proper nouns as defined by the dictionary or AP style. The Earth Observer style does capitalize the first letter of a specific product that will be turned into an acronym.

    For Example: Do not capitalize the first letter of each word in “solid rocket booster (SBR),” even though the subsequent use of the acronym SRB will appear in the article.

    A compound acronym arises when parentheses occur inside of parentheses. In this situation, use [BRACKETS] for the outer set of parentheses and (PARENTHESES) for those inside.

    For Example: Thomas Neumann [GSFC—Deputy Director of GSFC’s Earth Sciences Division (ESD)] welcomed meeting participants on behalf of the ESD.

    Affiliations
    Use a possessive for an organization when it is part of NASA. Do not use a possessive when using the agency as an adjective.

    For Example: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC); subsequent references would just use “GSFC.”

    For Example: SWOT data products available through PO.DAAC provides centralized, searchable access that is available using an in-cloud commercial web service through the NASA EarthData portal.

    Write out an organization that is not part of NASA.

    For Example: Gustavo Oliveira [Clark University] presented details on the project “Irrigation as Climate-Change Adaptation in the Cerrado Biome of Brazil.”

    When multiple “levels” of affiliation are listed, start with the “top-level” affiliation as a possessive followed by lower level. If the affiliations are mentioned again later in the article, only the acronym for the lowest level needs to be repeated.

    For Example: For NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO), subsequent references to this entity would be “GMAO.”

    For Example: For University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC), subsequent references to this entity would be “ESSIC.”

    When a person is affiliated with two (or more) distinct entities, separate the two entities by slashes.

    For Example: Project Scientist Felix Landerer (NASA/JPL), followed by detailed assessments of the G-FO mission and operations status from the core SDS centers and flight operations teams.

    When a NASA Center and contractor are listed, please list the NASA Center followed by contractor and separate the two entities by a slash.

    For Example: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)/Global Science & Technology, Inc. (GST).

    Capitalize Earth, Moon, Sun
    NASA capitalizes the first letter in Earth, Moon, and Sun.In addition, do not use the modified ‘the’ before Earth.

    For Example: This strategy acknowledges the urgency of global changes, such as accelerating environmental shifts, understanding Earth’s interconnected systems, and developing scalable information.

    Chemical formulas
    Chemical formulas should be treated like acronyms. Spell out a chemical formula upon first use in an article followed by the chemical formula in parenthesis. Use appropriate subscripts and superscripts in the chemical formula. From that point onward, use the chemical formula in the article.

    For Example: The data show that global and East Asian emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) have decreased since 2010, contrasting India and Southeast Asia’s rising trends. In Southeast Asia, NOx and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions increased from 1990–2018, while black carbon (BC) emissions peaked in 2007.

    Compound words
    Make one word out of all compound words (e.g., multipurpose, multiangle).
    Exception: Hyphenate cases where the same vowel repeats (e.g., bio-optical, multi-imager).
    Cross-references
    It is common to reference a previous EO article to provide context and background for the current story. The Editorial Staff recommends authors cross-reference prior EOarticle. The title of the article, volume, issue, and page range in parenthesis. The information should be italicized, except for “The Earth Observer,” which should be plain text.
    The name of the cross-referenced article should be hyperlinked to that article. You can find past Earth Observer newsletters on the archive page.

    For Example: ESIP was created in response to a National Research Council (NRC) review of the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS). (To learn more about EOSDIS, see Earth Science Data Operations: Acquiring, Distributing, and Delivering NASA Data for the Benefit of Society, in the March–April 2017 issue of The Earth Observer [Volume 29, Issue 2, pp. 4–18].) As NASA’s first Earth Observing System (EOS) missions were launching or preparing to launch, the NRC called on NASA to develop a new, distributed structure that would be operated and managed by the Earth science community and would include observation and research, application, and education data.

    Dates, months, and seasons
    When referencing a date, spell out the month, followed by the day (if included) and year. This style differs from AP. A comma always follows a year if the date is written in-line of the sentence.

    For Example: January 27, 2022; January 2022
    For Example: PACE launched on February 8, 2024, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

    Capitalize a season followed by a year, but not when just referring to a season.

    For Example: Spring 2022; summer

    Spell out time zones, such as Eastern Daylight Time, and thereafter replace with the acronym (i.e., EDT).

    For Example: In Cleveland, the eclipse began at 1:59 PM. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), with totality spanning 3:13–3:17 PM.

    Directions and regions
    EO articles follow AP style for directions (e.g., north, south, east, west, northeast, southwest, norther, western, southern, eastern). The directions should be lowercase when indicating a compass direction and when it is used to describe sections of states or cities.

    For Example: The cold front is moving east.

    The direction should be capitalized for a proper name or large regions. 

    For Example: NASA’s South/Southeast Asia Research Initiative (SARI) is a regional initiative under the LCLUC program that addresses the critical needs of the South/Southeast Asia region.
    For Example: West Virginia or North Dakota

    Footnotes
    The Earth Observer has transitioned to an online publication. Footnotes will no longer be used in articles. Instead of footnotes, the publication will use hyperlinks to direct readers to additional content. Refer to the section on Hyperlinks for more information on how to include a hyperlink in an article. A good mantra to follow – if you are unsure if a reference is needed, leave it out.
    Formal titles
    Formal titles, such as Ms. or Dr., are used in articles that are more personal, such as Kudos, In Memoriam, and The Editor’s Corner. For all other articles, the professional title is not used. When you introduce a person in the story, present the name in BOLD followed by their agency and position in ITALICS, offset by brackets.

    For Example: First Last [Agency—Job Title] began by providing an update on the status of the new launch date for the. . . .

    After the individual is introduced in the article, EO style follows a particular style for using the name again. If the individual’s name is included in the same paragraph where the person was introduced, only use the last name [UNBOLD]. If the individual is mentioned later in the article, several paragraphs removed from introduction, use the full name [FIRST LAST, UNBOLD].
    Hyperlinks, the how and the why
    Prior to moving online, The Earth Observer used footnotes to reference information in an article. The online publication will now use hyperlinks to refer the reader to additional content on a topic. As a general rule, hyperlink content regarding missions, instruments, field campaigns, models, papers, and other programs named in the article. It is not necessary to link to each individual institution mentioned when individuals are identified in summaries.
    How to insert a hyperlink
    The first step in this process is to identify the anchor text to highlight in the sentence. The anchor text includes a word or phrase that points the reader to additional content.

    For Example: Anchor text: Volume 35 Issue 6 of The Earth Observer

    Find the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the webpage. The URL is an address that specifies the location of a resource on the internet.

    For Example: URL: https://eospso.gsfc.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/eo_pdfs/EO%20Nov-Dec%202023-Digital%20508.pdf

    Note: When inserting a link to a prior published article from The Earth Observer’s archive, be certain to capture the URL for the first page of the referenced article, as opposed to the issue’s first page.
    To insert a hyperlink, copy the URL from the website where the additional content can be found. Select the word or phrase to use as anchor text. Do not include an acronym as part of the anchor text for a hyperlink. Select the hyperlink command under the Insert dropdown menu. Paste the URL into the link box. Be sure the ‘Web Page or File’ tab is selected (not the Email tab). The hyperlinked text will appear blue and underlined.

    For Example: It is possible to find this information in Volume 35 Issue 6 of The Earth Observer.
    For Example: The Hyperwall presentation highlighted recent discoveries from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) mission.

    Hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes—oh my!!
    Hyphen: – A hyphen is used to separate compound adjectives or words.

    For Example: The satellite reached a near-Earth orbit.

    En Dash: – An en dash spans the length of a typed lowercase ‘n.’ This special character is used to separate numbers.

    For Example: The meeting was held March 5–8 in Denver, CO. [Note there is no space between the numbers in this example.]

    The Earth Observer style follows the NASA style guide that uses an en dash to insert a pause in the sentence. The en dash is set apart by a space on either side. In this instance, the en dash is used instead of an em dash.

    For Example: The passport identified six hidden images – all six posters from the Science Explorers Poster Series– strategically placed within the exhibit’s perimeter.

    You can insert an en dash in Word on a Mac by typing the “Option” and “hyphen/dash” keys simultaneously.
    You can also insert an en dash in Word using the Insert tab and select Advanced Symbols. A box will open with a variety of characters. Select “Garamond” from the Font pulldown menu (Garamond is the newsletter’s preferred font), then select the – symbol (or “en dash”) from the array of options displayed. You will then see a confirmation of your selection appear below the symbol options (i.e., “Insert [Garamond] character 150 (Unicode character 2013).” Please note: the character number (150 in the case of Garamond) could be different. For example, an en dash in Palatino font is character 208.

    Em Dash: — An em dash spans the length of a typed lowercase ‘m.’ This special character is used when separating the organization and the job title when introducing a person in the article. In other styles, the em dash is used as a pause in a sentence. Following NASA style guidelines, the pause is provided by the en dash.

    For Example: Thomas Neumann [GSFC—Deputy Director of GSFC’s Earth Sciences Division (ESD)] welcomed meeting participants on behalf of the ESD.

    You can insert an em dash in Word by going to the Insert tab and selecting Advanced Symbols. A box will open with a variety of characters. Select character 151. For more detailed guidance, please refer to the section above regarding how to insert an en dash.

    Italics and quotes
    Place Latin phrases in ITALICS (e.g., in situ, a priori, ad hoc, ex officio) on every appearance in the article. Do not italicize abbreviated Latin phrases (e.g., i.e., a.k.a., et al.). Use the Latin phrase i.e., instead of ‘such as’ and e.g., instead of ‘that is to say.’

    For Example: The Afternoon Satellite Constellation, a.k.a., the“A-Train,” can see Earth in a whole new dimension.
    For Example: Guy Schumann [Water in Sight]explained this Swedish start-up company uses SWOT data to validate in situ gauge data in Malawi.

    Place technical language in the text in ITALICS followed by a definition. Only use the italics on the first usage of the word.

    For Example:There were several large polynyas – areas of open ice where sea ice would be expected – detected.

    Items in a series
    The Earth Observerdeviates from AP style in the use of commas in a list or series. Use the Oxford comma in a series of items.

    For Example: The sensor measures at three different wavelengths corresponding to blue, green, red, and infrared light.

    In more complex series where one of the items is a series of items within a series, it is permissible to use semi-colons to separate the series (see below).

    For Example: The blue, green, and red channels; the two-infrared channels; and ultraviolet channel were all impacted.

    Numbers
    In the article, spell out zero to nine. Use numerals for any number greater than or equal to 10. If a sentence contains several numbers, excluding a year, that are both greater than and less than 10, use the numerals for all numbers.

    For Example: Improving the data calibrations of the acceler­ometer measurements – which are noise contaminated on one of the two G-FO spacecraft – remains a core focus of the project SDS team.
    For Example: The NASA Hyperwall served as the backdrop for 57 Hyperwall Storiesat the meeting, including 8 presentations delivered by the 2023 winnersof the AGU Michael Freilich Student Visualization Competition.
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    Photo credits: Irina Petropavlovskikh [CIRES Global Monitoring Laboratory]
    Figure 1.Annual mean anomalies of ozone (%) in the upper stratosphere [top three panels] near 42 km (26 mi) altitude or 2-hPa pressure, and for the lower stratosphere, [bottom three panels] near 22 km (14 mi) or 50 hPa for three zonal bands: 35°N–60°N [top graph in each grouping] , 20°S–20°N [middle graph in each grouping], and 35°S–60°S [bottom graph in each grouping]. Anomalies are with respect to the 1998–2008 baseline. Colored lines correspond to different long-term satellite records. The black line is the merged ground-based dataset. The gray-shaded area shows the range of chemistry–climate model simulations from CCMI-1 refC2 (SPARC/IO3C/GAW 2019).
    Figure credit: from the BAMS State of the Climate in 2023

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    The Earth Observer: Editorial GuidelinesLast Updated: 01/30/25 

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  • MIL-OSI Economics: DDG Hill stresses trade’s role in innovation at IP and Innovation Researchers of Asia event

    Source: WTO

    Headline: DDG Hill stresses trade’s role in innovation at IP and Innovation Researchers of Asia event

    DDG Hill reflected on the symbolic timing of the negotiations of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), which coincided with the release into the public domain of the World Wide Web, developed at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva. She noted how these two developments reshaped the global economy, embedding intellectual property into trade policy just as digital technology began redefining how knowledge is created and shared.
    DDG Hill also emphasized how a balanced IP framework can support innovation ecosystems and attract investment. “Well-conceived and balanced IP regimes enable global collaboration, particularly in regions that have embraced technology as a strategic driver of growth,” she noted.
    Now in its 7th year, the annual IPIRA conference serves as an important platform for supporting emerging IP scholarship and research. This year’s edition saw the presentations of over 200 papers from scholars from 150 institutions focusing on a wide range of themes related to IP and innovation. Hasan Kleib, Deputy Director General at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) also addressed participants in the conference. The event brought together over 300 legal scholars and intellectual property (IP) researchers from across Asia and beyond.
    Participants praised IPIRA’s role in shaping the regional intellectual property landscape. “IPIRA has significantly helped us refine our research and elevate the overall quality of our scholarship,” said Associate Professor Althaf Marsoof of the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
    Dr. Henny Marlyna, Assistant Professor at Universitas Indonesia, echoed this sentiment: “IPIRA has encouraged me to view intellectual property not just as a legal field, but as a powerful tool for shaping innovation policy and fostering economic and social development.”

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Colleagues Question HHS Secretary RFK Jr. on Decision to Fire Workers Tasked with Protecting Coal Miner Health and Safety

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), joined by U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pushing back on his decision to gut the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), firing nearly 900 employees. Recent reporting has indicated that these firings include all employees tasked with protecting the health and safety of coal miners.

    “According to reports, HHS is laying off approximately 873 employees, or two-thirds, of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),” the senators wrote. “According to a notification provided to AFGE Local 1969, whose federal employee members are being impacted, all employees working on mining safety and health in NIOSH’s Spokane, WA and Pittsburgh, PA, offices are being let go. ,  The NIOSH Pittsburgh Mining Research Division focuses on coal miner safety, and the Spokane Mining Research Division specializes in hard rock mining, and are the two main research hubs for NIOSH’s Mining Research Program. Additionally, reports indicate more than 185 NIOSH employees are being laid off from its Morgantown, WV, office, who also work to protect miner health, among other occupational safety and health activities.”

    The senators also highlighted the immediate impacts of this move, explaining that mining communities are already being left without key health services.

    They continued, “We also have heard from those who work directly with our miner constituents in these communities that the Enhanced Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program is also being decimated. This program provides direct screening services via a mobile medical unit to miners at no cost. NIOSH also supports clinic sites where screening is done, so miners can understand if they are developing black lung or another condition and be as healthy as possible for themselves and their families.”

    In their letter, the senators demanded answers from Secretary Kennedy, questioning how these crucial services will continue with a significantly reduced workforce. The senators requested a written response to the following:

    1.  How many HHS employees who work in offices that work on mining health and safety have been fired, put on administrative leave, accepted the deferred resignation program offer, or accepted the VERA/VSIP offer since January 20, 2025? Provide a complete breakdown by agency and position. For each category of employee at each agency, provide information on GS level and veteran status, and clearly state the justification for termination. Include employees who have since been reinstated or placed on administrative leave, noting that change in status. Please provide the latest data available.
    2. How many HHS employees remain who work on mining health and safety? Please provide a complete breakdown by agency and position.
    3. How many additional employees who work in offices that work on mining health and safety do you intend to fire following the announcement made on March 27, 2025?
    4. Provide all analyses conducted prior to the reorganization and firings of HHS employees who work in offices that focus on mining safety and health to determine the immediate and long-term impact these firings will have on programs and activities that those employees are tasked with administering. In particular, provide all analyses relating to 1) ensuring statutory obligations will be met, and 2) the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program.

    A copy of letter is available here and text is below.

    Dear Secretary Kennedy:

    We write today with alarming concern about reports that nearly the entire workforce that works to improve the health of miners was laid off and the office that oversees this work was eliminated. We urge you to reverse course immediately and ensure the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) continues its important work in our states to protect and serve our constituents.

    According to reports, HHS is laying off approximately 873 employees, or two-thirds, of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  According to a notification provided to AFGE Local 1969, whose federal employee members are being impacted, all employees working on mining safety and health in NIOSH’s Spokane, WA and Pittsburgh, PA, offices are being let go. ,  The NIOSH Pittsburgh Mining Research Division focuses on coal miner safety, and the Spokane Mining Research Division specializes in hard rock mining, and are the two main research hubs for NIOSH’s Mining Research Program. Additionally, reports indicate more than 185 NIOSH employees are being laid off from its Morgantown, WV, office, who also work to protect miner health, among other occupational safety and health activities. 

    We also have heard from those who work directly with our miner constituents in these communities that the Enhanced Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program is also being decimated. This program provides direct screening services via a mobile medical unit to miners at no cost. NIOSH also supports clinic sites where screening is done, so miners can understand if they are developing black lung or another condition and be as healthy as possible for themselves and their families.

    Never has there been a more critical time to do this work. A 2023 study conducted jointly by researchers at NIOSH and at the University of Illinois Chicago found that coal miners in central Appalachia—Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky—were eight times more likely to die from respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and black lung than American men who are not miners.  Our constituents are getting more severe disease at younger ages in recent decades, and we might never had known that without the expertise of NIOSH’s work on coal miner health.

    We require more than a fact sheet indicating these duties will be reorganized into an Administration for a Healthy America given the extensive cuts to personnel. In order for us to better understand how the same amount of work can be done with hundreds fewer individuals, please provide responses to the following questions by April 9, 2025:

    1. How many HHS employees who work in offices that work on mining health and safety have been fired, put on administrative leave, accepted the deferred resignation program offer, or accepted the VERA/VSIP offer since January 20, 2025? Provide a complete breakdown by agency and position. For each category of employee at each agency, provide information on GS level and veteran status, and clearly state the justification for termination. Include employees who have since been reinstated or placed on administrative leave, noting that change in status. Please provide the latest data available.
    2. How many HHS employees remain who work on mining health and safety? Please provide a complete breakdown by agency and position.
    3. How many additional employees who work in offices that work on mining health and safety do you intend to fire following the announcement made on March 27, 2025?
    4. Provide all analyses conducted prior to the reorganization and firings of HHS employees who work in offices that focus on mining safety and health to determine the immediate and long-term impact these firings will have on programs and activities that those employees are tasked with administering. In particular, provide all analyses relating to 1) ensuring statutory obligations will be met, and 2) the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program.

    Art Miller, an expert in mine air quality who has been working for NIOSH since 1996 and for its predecessor before this, was part of the Spokane-area firings. He noted that no one else does this kind of research and that “every worker in this country deserves to go home safe.”  We agree, and urge you to reverse these cuts before it’s too late.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MSDE partners with World Economic Forum to launch India Skills Accelerator

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 7:56PM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant move towards accelerating India’s skilling goal, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF), deliberated on the “India Skills Accelerator” initiative during a high-level roundtable at Kaushal Bhawan in New Delhi.

    The India Skills Accelerator will function as a national public-private collaboration platform designed to enable cross-sectoral efforts in unlocking innovative ideas and driving systemic progress on complex challenges that demand a multi-stakeholder approach. At its core, the Accelerator aims to catalyze change across three critical levels: i) by improving awareness and shifting mindsets around future skills needs, ii) increasing collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders, and iii) committing to upgrade institutional structures and policy frameworks to support a more adaptive and responsive skilling ecosystem.

    As India navigates rapid technological and economic change, skill gaps – cited by 65% of organisations as a major barrier – threaten to slow progress. The Accelerator aims to close these gaps through inclusive upskilling and reskilling, mobilizing investment in lifelong learning, and fostering government-industry collaboration. By enabling agile career transitions, promoting scalable training, and aligning education with industry need – especially in high-growth sectors like AI, robotics, and energy – the initiative will empower India’s youth and drive future-ready workforce development.

    The initiative’s governance structure includes key stakeholders from public and private sectors, led and co-chaired by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education and co-chaired by Dr Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education and Development of North-Eastern Region. It will also have two private co-chairs – Ms Shobana Kamineni, Executive Chairperson of Apollo HealthCo; and Shri Sanjiv Bajaj, Chairman and Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv.

    In his opening remarks, Shri Jayant Chaudhary underscored the need for collective ambition and structural reform in skilling to meet the aspirations of a young, dynamic nation. He emphasized that India’s demographic potential can only be realized if skilling systems remain agile, inclusive, and closely aligned with global opportunities and national priorities. “India today stands at the confluence of three powerful forces – demographic advantage, digital transformation, and a deep developmental commitment. With the world’s largest youth population and a vibrant skilling ecosystem, we are uniquely positioned to become the Skill Capital of the World,” Shri Chaudhary added. He noted that the Accelerator is not just a platform for dialogue, but a catalyst for systemic transformation, anchored in shared accountability, innovation, and targeted solutions. “This is a chance to engage in candid assessments and meaningful dialogue – anchored in data and focused on results,” said the Minister.

    Shri Jayant Chaudhary further highlighted the importance of sectoral focus, mapping our current standing through surveys and evidence, and prioritizing emerging areas such as GCCs, advanced manufacturing, and the formalization of the informal workforce.

    Co-chair Dr. Sukanta Majumdar articulated India’s strategic opportunity to position itself as the global epicenter of next-generation talent. He underscored the need to embed competitiveness in India’s skills architecture—particularly in fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud computing—so that India is not only skilling for its domestic economy but for the world. The Accelerator, he added, will play a critical role in translating this global ambition into measurable outcomes. “Through the National Education Policy, we have initiated transformative changes—promoting flexibility, vocational pathways, and digital skilling. Our federal model of implementation, involving both Centre and States, can serve as a valuable learning for global platforms like the WEF as well,” he said.

    Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director, World Economic Forum (WEF), said, “In the face of rapid technological and labour market changes, India’s launch of the Skills Accelerator reflects a strong commitment to equipping its workforce with the skills needed for the future. By strengthening alignment across the skills ecosystem, this initiative will help close critical skills gaps, support the growth of India’s digital and innovation-driven economy, and enable more people to thrive in a rapidly evolving world of work. We are pleased to support this important step and look forward to the impact it will deliver at scale.”

    During the roundtable, the experts underscored the significance of a comprehensive analysis of India’s skilling ecosystem and identifying a set of 10 to 12 high-impact priorities with clear and measurable outcomes. They also emphasized establish dedicated working groups to guide implementation and ensure progress is tracked through WEF’s Global Learning Network – enabling peer learning and global benchmarking. Equally emphasized was the importance of thematic working groups, drawing on the expertise of diverse stakeholders, to translate strategy into coordinated action. The participants also deliberated on aligning the newly launched initiative with insights from the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2025 report.   

    The session saw active participation from senior leadership of the World Economic Forum, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), Directorate General of Training (DGT), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), as well as key representatives from the Ministry of Education, University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

    Beena Yadav/Divyanshu Kumar

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates ₹67.7 Cr Projects in IMU Campuses; Lays Foundation for Girls’ Hostel at Kochi

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates ₹67.7 Cr Projects in IMU Campuses; Lays Foundation for Girls’ Hostel at Kochi

    “India Aims for 5 Lakh Seafarers by 2030, laying the anchor for India’s Pursuance to be Top Global Maritime Nation”: Sarbananda Sonowal

    “Nari Shakti and Yuva Shakti to Propel India Towards Viksit Bharat:” Sarbananda Sonowal

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 8:39PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Shri Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated 26 projects worth ₹67.77 crore across six Indian Maritime University (IMU) campuses nationwide, marking a significant push toward strengthening maritime education and empowering women in the sector. The ceremony also included the foundation stone laying for a Girls’ Hostel-cum=Library building at IMU’s Kochi campus.

    Calling the event a “very special occasion,” the Union Minister said it reflected the Government’s collective commitment to transform maritime education. “The maritime sector is the backbone of global trade and economic growth. Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, India is making rapid strides to emerge as a global maritime powerhouse. These 17 projects mark a significant step in our mission to strengthen India’s maritime education landscape. With modern infrastructure and advanced facilities, we are enabling students to excel and meet global maritime standards,” Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said.

    Shri Sonowal inaugurated 17 key infrastructure projects across IMU campuses in Chennai, Kolkata, Navi Mumbai, Mumbai Port, and Visakhapatnam, including advanced simulators, solar power plants, improved sports facilities, and hostel upgrades—aimed at enriching academic and campus life. The ₹13.11 crore Girls’ Hostel at IMU Kochi will enhance residential facilities for female students, reinforcing Government’s commitment to gender inclusion in maritime education.

    Shri Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted flagship initiatives like the Maritime India Vision 2030, the Sagarmala Programme, and the ‘Maritime Amritkaal Vision 2047’, describing them as central to modernising ports and developing sustainable infrastructure. He pointed out that between 2014-15 and 2023-24, India’s major ports doubled their cargo-handling capacity.

    Highlighting India’s Maritime sector’s growth, the Union Minister said, “Nine Indian ports are now ranked among the top 100 globally”.  He also emphasised the rise in maritime employment, stating that the number of Indian seafarers increased by 170% in the past decade — from 1.17 lakh in 2014 to over 3.17 lakh in 2024. “Our target is to reach five lakh active seafarers by 2030, and we are firmly on that path,” Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said.

    The Union Minister further hailed the progress made in women’s participation in maritime careers, noting a 700% increase in women seafarers—from 1,699 in 2014 to 13,756 in 2024. “This foundation stone for the Girls’ Hostel at IMU Kochi is a step forward in promoting gender equity in the maritime sector.  ‘Nari Shakti’ and ‘Yuva Shakti’ are the backbone of our nation as well as for our aspiration to become a global maritime major. Their active role as nation builders will propel our country to become ‘Viksit Bharat’,” Shri Sonowal said, adding that the IMU actively supports women students through scholarships offered by corporate houses and government agencies.

    The Indian Maritime University (IMU) also received praise from the Minister for expanding its footprint and contributions to workforce development. “With a current enrolment of 7,156 students and over 21,000 alumni since its inception in 2008, IMU has seen an 80% rise in admissions over the past decade. With our rich talent pool, our endeavour to become a global maritime nation is going to be a reality soon. This is very inspiring towards realisation of Atmanirbhar Bharat — the vision of PM Narendra Modi ji,” the Union Minister said.

    Among the newly inaugurated projects are flood mitigation structures, RFID-enabled libraries, solar power installations, and simulators at multiple campuses. These upgrades aim to provide students with a holistic, environmentally sustainable, and technologically advanced learning environment. “The future of global shipping lies in automation, Artificial Intelligence, and green technologies. IMU must incorporate these innovations into its curriculum to prepare our youth for a rapidly evolving industry,” suggested Shri Sonowal, during the event at IMU. He further urged IMU to integrate emerging domains such as shipbuilding, ship recycling, inland water transport, and advanced sailing technologies like hydrofoils into its training programmes. “We want a dedicated, professional human resource base to drive India’s maritime ecosystem forward. IMU must lead this transformation,” he added.

    The Union Minister also commended the faculty and staff of IMU for their unwavering commitment. “Your efforts are invaluable in shaping the future of India’s maritime sector and ensuring we remain at the forefront of global maritime education,” the Union Minister said. In a message to students, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “You are the future of India’s maritime vision. The knowledge and skills you gain here will not only shape your careers but also contribute to the growth and prosperity of the nation. With the guidance and experience of our educators, combined with the passion and dedication of our youth, India, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, is on course to become a leading global maritime power by 2030,” said Sarbananda Sonowal.

    Expressing hope that the newly inaugurated infrastructure would catalyse further excellence in training, research, and industry collaboration, the Union Minister concluded, saying, “this is just the beginning, may this milestone lead to many more achievements for India’s maritime sector”.

    The ceremony was graced by the presence of several dignitaries, including Hibi Eden, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Ernakulam, and Dr. Malini V. Shankar, Vice Chancellor of the Indian Maritime University (IMU). The event concluded with an engaging interactive session that brought together experts, faculty, and policymakers to explore the future of maritime education, innovations in seafarer training, and the development of sustainable infrastructure across IMU campuses.

    ***

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Today India Opens New Frontiers in Himalayan Climate Research, Says Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Today India Opens New Frontiers in Himalayan Climate Research, Says Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Jammu & Kashmir spearheads India’s global initiative in climate research in Himalayas, says the Minister

    India’s First-ever “High-Altitude Climate Research Station” Inaugurated in J&K by Union Minister, Launches Indo-Swiss Project ICE-CRUNCH

    Jammu & Kashmir Joins Global Climate Leadership with Cutting-Edge Himalayan Research Centre

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 6:36PM by PIB Delhi

    Today India opens a gateway into climate forecast and research in the Himalayas, said Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh while inaugurating the first-ever “Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Research Centre”  in the higher hill reaches of Nathatop, near here today.

    This is a move that marks a significant milestone in India’s global leadership in climate science, said the Minister, adding that Jammu & Kashmir spearheads India’s global initiative in climate study and research in the Himalayas.

     The state-of-the-art facility, situated at one of the highest altitudes in the region, is expected to serve as a crucial gateway for cutting-edge climate research in the north-western Himalayas.

    Coinciding with the inauguration, Dr. Jitendra Singh also flagged off the Indo-Swiss Joint Research Project “ICE-CRUNCH(Ice nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei properties in the North-Western Himalayas)” – a collaborative study between Indian scientists and researchers from ETH Zürich, Switzerland, aimed at exploring the properties of ice nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei in the region.

    “This is not just a scientific milestone—it is a historic moment,” Dr. Jitendra Singh said, adding, “With the setting up of this station, we are opening up a new gateway into climate research and studies in the Himalayas. And India will be pioneering it.”

    The minister underscored that the choice of Jammu and Kashmir for this facility was a conscious one, leveraging its high-altitude advantage for more accurate atmospheric and climate measurements. “The implication is that J&K also joins India’s global headways in addressing the climate concerns,” he said.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh reflected on how, India is now regarded seriously on the global stage in matters of climate action and research. “Today, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have become a leader,” he asserted, citing India’s commitment to net-zero targets and the increasing credibility of its climate strategies worldwide.

    The Nathatop centre is a product of multi-tier collaboration—between the Government of India (through the Ministry of Science & Technology), the Government of Jammu and Kashmir (which provided the land), the Central University of Jammu (whose scientists will participate in research), and the Swiss National Science Foundation (which is providing international expertise).

    Calling it a “synergised model” of governance and global partnership, Dr. Jitendra Singh said this collaboration mirrors India’s broader approach to climate resilience through coordinated efforts. He cited dedicated Himalayan missions such as the Aroma Mission and the Floriculture Mission, which are unlocking the region’s potential and adding value to India’s economy.

    “Preserving the Himalayas is not a regional concern but a global imperative,” Dr. Jitendra Singh said, emphasizing that the region’s vast unexplored resources could play a pivotal role in India’s future economic growth.

    He also highlighted major strides taken by the government in meteorological infrastructure, including the installation of three weather radars in Jammu and Kashmir, the setting up of a seismological observatory in Udhampur, and a massive 185% hike in budgetary allocation for climate and atmospheric research under Mission Mausam.

    The newly Inaugurated Centre, a joint initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the J&K Forest Department, and the Central University of Jammu, is located at an altitude of 2,250 meters above sea level. The site was strategically chosen for its clean air and minimal pollution, providing a rare opportunity to study atmospheric processes in free tropospheric conditions — a key requirement for understanding cloud formation, weather patterns, and aerosol interactions.

    The Centre’s first set of measurements will be conducted under ICE-CRUNCH, bringing together Indian and Swiss scientists to study ice-nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei. These studies are crucial in understanding the role of aerosols in cloud microphysics and their broader implications on climate systems and precipitation in the Himalayan region.

    According to experts, the Centre will serve as a long-term research hub affiliated with the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) Programme. In partnership with the Indian Meteorological Department, the aim is to conduct continuous atmospheric monitoring and eventually integrate data into global climate models.

    Beyond scientific research, the Centre is expected to contribute to capacity building, training of young scientists, and development of climate modelling capabilities in India. It will also serve as a knowledge hub, offering training schools for students and professionals in atmospheric sciences.

    As the curtains rose on this high-altitude research centre and the Indo-Swiss partnership took shape, it became clear that the Himalayas are no longer just the ‘water towers’ of Asia—they are fast becoming the nerve centre of global climate inquiry, with India leading the charge from the frontlines of Jammu and Kashmir.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NEW INDIA IS “LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES” WITH RAPID REFORMS: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    Source: Government of India

    NEW INDIA IS “LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES” WITH RAPID REFORMS: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    INDIAN STUDENTS ABROAD ARE AMBASSADORS OF INDIAN VALUES AND CULTURE: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    INITIATIVES LIKE AYUSHMAN BHARAT HAVE CREATED ABUNDANT OPPORTUNITIES IN HEALTHCARE SECTOR ACROSS INDIA: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    INDIA CARES DEEPLY ABOUT WELFARE OF INDIANS LIVING IN EVERY CORNER OF WORLD: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    LOK SABHA SPEAKER INTERACTS WITH INDIAN STUDENTS AT SAMARKAND MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 6:17PM by PIB Delhi

    Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla today stressed that New India has emerged as the “Land of Opportunities” with rapid reforms in every field. National initiatives like Ayushman Bharat have created abundant opportunities in the healthcare sector across India, he added. Addressing the Indian students at Samarkand Medical University, he said, “As Ayushman Bharat is expanding to include both government and private hospitals, there are ample opportunities for FMG doctors to gain valuable experience and contribute to the nation’s healthcare system.” The rapid growth in medical research and education in India has created numerous opportunities for the students to work in academic and research institutions, he noted.

    Shri Birla lauded the Indian students studying abroad as ambassadors of Indian values and culture. Despite staying thousands of miles away, these students continue to be deeply rooted in Indian values and spread them in their host countries, he observed. As cultural and educational representatives of India, they also serve as key figures in strengthening the friendship and cooperation between India and Uzbekistan, he said. Shri Birla is on a four day visit to Uzbekistan leading the Indian Parliamentary Delegation (IPD) for the 150th Assembly of Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU).

    Shri Birla conveyed to the students that the Government of India cares deeply for the welfare of Indians living in every corner of the world. He mentioned that India is dedicated to assisting and supporting overseas Indian students. Through initiatives like the ‘Help’ portal and the active involvement of Indian embassies abroad, the government ensures that Indian students face no obstacles in their education, safety, and career prospects. He noted with pride that, “Indian doctors have a global identity, and you should continue this tradition.” He added that India has always produced exceptional doctors, and these students will enhance healthcare systems worldwide with their knowledge and skills. He added that their global experience will pave the way for greater success in their medical careers and will make important contribution in deciding the future of global healthcare system.

    Shri Birla urged the students to not only enhance their knowledge and skills but also embrace values such as dedication and compassion in their lives.

    LOVE AND AFFECTION OF INDIAN DIASPORA IN UZBEKISTAN TOWARDS INDIA IS INSPIRATIONAL: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    During his visit to Uzbekistan, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla interacted with members of Indian Diaspora on Monday. Observing that the love and affection of the Indian Diaspora in Uzbekistan towards India is inspirational, Shri Birla noted that the efforts of the Indian community help strengthen India’s global identity.

    Speaking about India’s growing economic might, Shri Birla highlighted that India today is the fastest-growing economy in the world, and its global reputation and innovation have created countless new opportunities. He added that the Indian Diaspora can contribute to this growth through investment and innovation. Shri Birla also encouraged the Diaspora to take full advantage of these opportunities as part of India’s drive for ‘Viksit Bharat.’

    Shri Birla emphasized that the relationship between India and Uzbekistan goes beyond official visits and documents, and is also based on the people to people ties, cultural exchanges, and mutual respect between the people of both countries. He added that the role of the Indian Diaspora has been vital in strengthening the historical ties between India and Uzbekistan as they have contributed to the development of both the countries through their hard work and dedication. Shri Birla noted that language, cuisine, traditions, and cultural exchanges serve as the foundation of these strong ties. He added that the growing partnership between India and Uzbekistan in the fields of science, health, education, trade and technology is proving to be vital for the progress of both countries.

    LOK SABHA SPEAKER MEETS CHAIRMAN OF THE PARLIAMENT OF GEORGIA

    On the sidelines of the 150th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union at Tashkent, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla met H.E. Shalva Papuashvili, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia. On this occasion, Shri Birla shared his thoughts on strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and expanding cooperation in trade, tourism, and innovation. He also lauded Georgia’s support for India at multilateral fora and also to the Indian community there. Mentioning that India and Georgia share a deep cultural bond which opens immense avenues for future, Shri Birla called for enhancing youth exchange programmes, digital collaboration & people-to-people ties.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Social welfare sector actively participates in symposium to raise awareness of safeguarding national security (with photos/video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The symposium on safeguarding national security for the social welfare sector of Hong Kong, jointly organised by the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) and the Social Welfare Department (SWD) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Connecting Hearts, was held today (April 8) to further enhance the sector’s awareness of safeguarding national security.

         Officiated by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, the symposium attracted over 8 000 participants from the social welfare sector of Hong Kong, who took part both online and offline. The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Director-General of the Social Work Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr Liu Songlin; and Vice-Chairman of the Connecting Hearts and head of the Connecting Hearts Academy, Professor Annie Tam, also attended the symposium.

         Addressing the symposium, Mr Chan said that the HKSAR Government has achieved fruitful results in safeguarding national security and promoting patriotic education over the past year or so, including the completion of the legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law that ensures the smooth implementation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance as well as the amendments to the Social Workers Registration Ordinance which foster a better environment for social welfare professionals to leverage their expertise.

         Mr Chan said that the social welfare sector is charged with the important and long-term responsibilities in serving the community and caring for members of the public. It is also their mission and duty to safeguard national security. He urged the social welfare sector to continue collaborating with the HKSAR Government to sustain efforts in safeguarding national security, thereby ensuring the healthy development of welfare services in Hong Kong and enhanced safeguards for public well-being.

         A sharing session was held at the symposium where Mr Sun was joined by six representatives from different fields of the social welfare sector, including professors from education institutions, management of social welfare organisations and professional social workers, to explore how the sector can fulfil the responsibility of safeguarding national security and promote patriotic education. Mr Sun said that the LWB and the SWD have been working closely with social welfare organisations in the previous year to promote national security education within the sector through organising symposiums, seminars and visits with a view to enhancing the sector’s understanding of national affairs. A dedicated fund of $500 million was rolled out last year, in which $100 million was allocated to non-governmental organisations operating subvented welfare services to arrange Mainland exchange tours and national studies programmes for their staff members. Among these tours and programmes, the “Thousands of Hong Kong Social Workers Exploring the Motherland” exchange tours organised by the Connecting Hearts have achieved remarkable results. Visits to Chaozhou, Shaoguan, Guangzhou and Foshan have attracted about 1 400 participants in total.

         Member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Ms Starry Lee, and the Director of the National Security and Legal Education Research Centre of the Education University of Hong Kong, Professor Gu Minkang, also shared their valuable insights on patriotic education as well as national security and the law at the symposium respectively, which enabled participants to have deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the relevant topics.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Oregon Department of Human Services launches Brain Injury Program

    Source: US State of Oregon

    he Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) launched a new Oregon Brain Injury Program. The program is designed to help individuals with brain injuries navigate and access the services and supports available to them. Services are free and available to anyone in Oregon affected by a brain injury, including family members or others seeking information.

    Free help is available through a toll-free phone line that accepts calls Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Services provided include:

    • One-on-one, free and confidential support.
    • Personalized referrals to resources specific to brain injury recovery and management.
    • Comprehensive resource information to help navigate available services and options.

    Brain injuries are occurring at more frequent rates in Oregon, according to data published on the Oregon Traumatic Brain Injury Safety Dashboard. In 2023 alone, there were 38,718 brain injuries that required hospital or emergency department intervention and 1,177 fatal brain injuries in Oregon.

    “Oregon’s Brain Injury Program is a step forward in ensuring people in Oregon are supported at every level of need and through every stage of life,” said Nakeshia Knight-Coyle, Director of the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities. “This program will improve access to services for people with brain injuries and take the burden off families who are trying to find support.”

    The Brain Injury Program serves people with brain injuries through four key areas:

    • Advocacy: Helping people advocate for their needs and access essential supports.
    • Options Counseling: Offering guidance on understanding and comparing available services and programs.
    • Resource Navigation: Connecting individuals to the right resources, whether medical, therapeutic or social.
    • Service Coordination: Facilitating connections between different service providers to ensure coordinated care and support.

    Services are tailored to the needs of each person, ensuring they receive the help that best fits their situation.

    The program also reduces barriers that exist as people seek help. Assistance and supports to people with brain injuries are not centralized under one government agency or program. Case managers or social workers who serve as guides for the people they serve are in short supply. The Brain Injury Program helps address these issues by helping people access services across agencies and programs.

    “Without a resource like the Brain Injury Program help line, many individuals struggle to access services and resources that are available to them. Our goal with the program was to address the gaps,” said Jane-ellen Weidanz, Deputy Director of Policy for the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities.

    Oregon’s Brain Injury Program was developed as a result of Senate Bill 420 (2023). Oregon’s Brain Injury Advocate Coordinator at the Center on Brain Injury Research and Training (CBIRT) at the University of Oregon was among many advocates and organizations behind development and adoption of Senate Bill 420. “This new program would not exist without the incredible dedication and hard work of hundreds of Oregonians throughout the state who fought tirelessly to make this program a reality. Oregon’s Brain Injury Program represents their commitment to making a better future for all of Oregon’s brain injury survivors, their families, loved ones, and caregivers,” said David Kracke, Oregon’s Brain Injury Advocate Coordinator at CBIRT.

    The bill also calls for creation of a Brain Injury Program Advisory Committee, which will advise on the development of programs and activities to address the needs of individuals with brain injuries across the state. The Advisory Committee will be made up of 12 people who have knowledge and experience in brain injuries and who represent all of the geographic areas of Oregon. At least one-third of the members must have experienced a brain injury. Recruitment for the Advisory Committee is open now. Individuals can apply by submitting an application.

    More information:

    • Brain Injury Program phone number: 1-833-685-0848 (toll-free). Interpreting services are available at no cost for people who need help in a language other than English. The Brain Injury Program accepts TTY calls by dialing 711.
    • Hours of operation: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Learn more on the Brain Injury Program webpage

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Maxwell Frost Statement on Trump Admin. Kidnapping UF Student

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Maxwell Frost Florida (10th District)

    April 07, 2025

    UF Student Detained By ICE, Being Held at Krome Detention Facility Has Not Been Heard from Since April 1st

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) slammed Donald Trump and his Administration’s cruelty as a University of Florida student has become the latest victim in ICE’s kidnapping spree. 

    Felipe Zapata Velasquez is a 27 year old, third-year international student attending the University of Florida on an F-1 visa. On March 28th, he was stopped by Gainesville Police for a traffic violation and was arrested and later detained by ICE. Zapata Velasquez’s family has not heard from him since April 1st after he was taken to the Krome Detention Center in Miami-Dade.

    In a statement, Rep. Frost says:

    “Donald Trump and ICE are running a government-funded kidnapping program. Showing up in unmarked vans, with plain clothes officers, they are kidnapping people off the streets and jailing them inside of detention centers without due process and with little cause.

    “Felipe Zapata Velasquez is just the latest victim of Trump’s disgusting campaign against immigrants. What should have been a routine traffic stop, resulted in a nightmare as Felipe is now forced to live in the hell on Earth that is the Krome Detention Center while he awaits deportation orders.

    “Donald Trump ran on the promise of deporting violent criminals and gang members. Instead we’ve seen him kidnap and detain American citizens, legal visa holders like Felipe, and anyone who has spoken out against this Administration. 

    “Donald Trump wants us to believe that deporting every single immigrant in this country will solve our problems and make us safer. But there’s only one criminal responsible for the harm happening to the American people every day, and that’s Donald Trump.

    “As a Member of the Oversight Committee, I vow to use every tool at my disposal to hold this Administration accountable.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: UBC’s new biomedical engineering building will advance health, biotech

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    From the University of British Columbia:
    https://news.ubc.ca/2025/04/ubc-opens-gordon-b-shrum-biomedical-engineering-building/

    On April 8, 2025, the University of British Columbia officially opened the doors to the Gordon B. Shrum Building, the new home for the School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME). As Canada’s first purpose-built facility for biomedical engineering, the new building brings together researchers, students, and industry partners under one roof to advance biomedical research, education, and innovation.

    The five-storey, 158,000-square-foot facility includes specialized labs, collaborative research spaces, and teaching facilities to support biomedical engineering and life-sciences innovation. Researchers will use the space to develop new medical devices, artificial intelligence-driven diagnostics, and lifesaving treatments. Meanwhile, students will gain hands-on training experience to prepare them for careers in B.C.’s rapidly growing life sciences sector.

    The $139.4-million project was funded through $25 million from the Government of B.C., $114.4 million from UBC, and more than $30 million in philanthropic support for SBME from donors, including the Gordon B. Shrum Charitable Fund, the Conconi Family Foundation, United Therapeutics Corporation, Dr. Jim McEwen, and Paul and Nicole Geyer.

    The building is named in honour of the philanthropic legacy of Gordon B. Shrum, who graduated from UBC in 1958. Shrum, who passed away in 2018, supported novel approaches to addressing community needs. He left nearly all of his estate to charity, leading to gifts with transformational impact on health care, the environment, education, and social justice.

    “We are grateful to the Government of British Columbia and our generous donors for helping make this building a reality,” said Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, UBC’s president and vice-chancellor. “B.C.’s life sciences sector has emerged as a global leader, and the Gordon B. Shrum Building will play a central role in supporting critical research and the next generation of biomedical engineers who will fuel the sector’s continued growth and bring innovative health solutions to Canadians.”

    Anne Kang, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, said: “This is much more than a building. This is an important milestone in medical innovation and reflects our government’s commitment to improving health care in our province. I am excited for students and the future workers of our medical technology sector to use these state-of-the-art spaces to develop and design the groundbreaking treatment therapies and life-changing medical devices that will improve health outcomes for all British Columbians.”

    Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure, said: “This world-class facility will play a crucial role in shaping the future of biomedical engineering. We’re making record investments like these that drive innovation, support industry and create important jobs right here in British Columbia.”

    Designed by Canadian architecture firm Patkau Architects, the building provides a dedicated home for SBME, replacing its previously scattered locations across UBC’s Vancouver campus.

    “The School of Biomedical Engineering has been transforming health care through cutting-edge research, education, and partnerships since it was established in 2017,” said SBME Director Dr. Peter Zandstra. “This state-of-the-art facility allows us to take our work to the next level—creating an environment where our faculty and partners can collaborate seamlessly and create transformative new health technologies.”

    Complementing forward-looking architecture and collision spaces, the building’s visual centerpiece is a four-storey mural by biomedical artist Jen Ma.  The artwork represents the multiscale nature of SBME’s research, illustrating how biology, medicine, and engineering intersect—from molecular to cellular to systems levels—to advance human health.

    The new facility includes:

    • biomechanics labs that have robots and machinery for crash-testing research to study how head, spine, and hip injuries happen. This research, led by Dr. Peter Cripton, will help develop new ways to prevent serious trauma from falls, sports, and vehicle accidents;
    • the Conconi Family Biodevice Foundry, a first-of-its-kind in Western Canada, made possible by a donation from the Conconi Family Foundation, which provides tools for designing and testing medical devices. Here, Dr. Govind Kaigala and his team are developing lab-on-a-chip devices, miniature medical tools that allow researchers and doctors to detect and diagnose diseases faster;
    • state-of-the-art digital labs where researchers are using the power of artificial intelligence to improve diagnostic accuracy to enhance treatment outcomes. Here, Dr. Ali Bashashati is advancing AI in medical imaging to improve cancer diagnoses, helping doctors detect diseases earlier and with a greater degree of accuracy;
    • wet labs with specialized equipment and advanced microscopes provided by industry partnerships, where researchers like Dr. Nika Shakiba are working in stem-cell engineering to better understand diseases like cancer and diabetes, potentially leading to new cell-based therapies for these conditions;
    • the Jim McEwen Zone for Innovators, Creators, and Entrepreneurs — supported by UBC double alum Dr. Jim McEwen — a space equipped with 3D printers, prototyping tools, and electronic testing equipment, where students and researchers can prototype and develop new medical technologies.

    Philanthropic support is also enabling SBME to recruit research expertise through the Sir Magdi Yacoub Professorship in Tissue Regeneration, made possible by a donation from the United Therapeutics Corporation. This position will drive collaborative research, education, and training in cell differentiation and tissue regeneration, with the goal of making transplantable organs and organ alternatives accessible to everyone who needs them.

    With the opening of the Gordon B. Shrum Building, UBC is growing its impact in B.C.’s life sciences sector — making room for up to 10 new UBC spin-off ventures each year through SBME Innovates at the Biomedical Research Centre. SBME has already secured $10.2 million in partnership funding and helped launch several biomedical start-ups, including ScopeSys and SeraGene.

    “By fusing the fields of medicine, biology and engineering, SBME is bringing new perspectives and a solutions-focused mindset to some of society’s greatest medical challenges,” said Dr. Dermot Kelleher, Vice-President of Health and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. “This new facility will elevate B.C.’s biotech sector to new heights, shaping the talent, research, intellectual property and partnerships needed to translate discoveries into lifesaving medicines.”

    Dr. James Olson, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science, said: “This building is more than just a space for education and research — it’s an engine for innovation that will drive life-altering solutions. By providing cutting-edge facilities and fostering deep industry partnerships, we are empowering our SBME community to bring new health technologies from concept to reality, creating a healthier and more equitable future for all.”

    For Sogand Golshahian, a fourth-year biomedical engineering student specializing in cellular bioengineering and bioinformatics, the new facility represents new opportunities to bridge classroom learning with hands-on experience in biomedical innovation.

    Through SBME’s co-op and research opportunities, Golshahian has been able to apply her skills to real-world projects, from machine learning applications in neuroscience to designing a muscle spasm detection system for intensive care patients in Tanzania.

    “Biomedical engineering offers a unique blend of creativity, innovation, and impact in health care,” she said. “This new facility will provide students with even more opportunities to work at the forefront of medical technology and collaborate with researchers and industry partners to solve global health challenges.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Winston Peters at 80: the populist’s populist clocks up 50 years of political comebacks

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grant Duncan, Teaching Fellow in Politics and International Relations, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    Getty Images

    Winston Peters turns a venerable 80 on April 11, but he showed no sign of retiring as New Zealand’s archetypal populist during his recent state of the nation speech. He especially enjoyed the hecklers, gleefully telling them one by one to get out.

    As ever, his detractors became extras in the Winston Peters show – something of a trademark in his long political career. As well as a milestone birthday, 2025 will mark 50 years since Peters’ first election campaign in 1975.

    In that first attempt, he ran unsuccessfully as the National Party candidate for the Northern Māori seat. In 1978, he won in Hunua, but only after a judicial recount. Already we can see a pattern: a dogged determination to come back and a lawyer’s litigious streak.

    His political instincts were formed in that era between 1975 and 1984 under prime minister Robert Muldoon, National’s original, pugnacious populist. It implanted pride in his nation, economic protectionism, and a belief in old-fashioned “common sense” politics.

    Those characteristics could also be his undoing. In 1991, Peters was sacked from Jim Bolger’s National cabinet for publicly criticising cabinet colleagues. He was later kicked out of the National caucus entirely and then vacated his seat.

    As his party website explains in retrospect, he’d questioned “the neoliberal policy agenda” and paid the price. He formed NZ First in 1993 and won back the seat of Tauranga. Ever since, the party known mockingly as “Winston First” has been inextricably identified with its (thus far) one and only leader.

    Winston Peters thanks supporters after winning the Tauranga seat for NZ First in 1993.
    Getty Images

    Coalitions of the willing

    Any mention of Winston Peters’ name gets a reaction, be it love, loathing or wry admiration. For the political scientist, though, his career is remarkable for its many ups and downs, and for sheer longevity.

    In New Zealand’s first proportional representation election in 1996, NZ First, still only three years old, won all of the (then five) Māori electorates. With 13.4% of the party vote (its best result ever), NZ First gained 17 seats, handing Peters a kingmaker role in the government formation negotiations.

    The upshot was a National-NZ First coalition, which broke up acrimoniously in 1998 after a disagreement about a proposal to sell Wellington Airport brought existing tensions between the parties to a head.

    At the 1999 election, NZ First lost the five Māori seats and its party vote plummeted to 4.3%. It got back into parliament only thanks to Peters holding Tauranga by a fingernail: a mere 63 vote majority.

    Dumped by Māori voters, he turned his attention to New Zealand’s growing retirement generations and climbed on board the anti-immigration bandwagon. In 2003, Peters launched an attack on “Third World immigrants” that rattled the National Party’s cage so hard it felt compelled to launch its own populist campaign.

    Then National leader Don Brash’s infamous speech at Orewa in 2004 centred around an alleged “dangerous drift towards racial separatism”. The country became polarised around Māori aspirations and the Treaty of Waitangi, not dissimilar to the effect today of the Treaty Principles Bill.

    Being a populist, Peters is sometimes mischaracterised as far right. But the more significant aspect of his career has been his centrist aptitude for collaborating with either National or Labour, depending on the political wind.

    Between 2005 and 2008, Peters supported Helen Clark’s Labour-led government, enjoying the plum job of foreign minister. But in 2008, National’s John Key categorically refused to work with Peters in government, and NZ First fell to 4.1% at the election.

    With no local electorate win this time, Peters was banished to the political wilderness. Many thought (or hoped) this would spell the end of his career. But he was back in 2011, aiming to be in opposition against Key’s National government. He succeeded in this – and confounded his critics – with a party vote of 6.6%.

    Winston Peters and Labour’s Jacinda Ardern sign the coalition agreement in 2017.
    Getty Images

    COVID and comebacks

    The strategy of seeing out the Key (and successor Bill English) years on the cross benches worked well, with the 2014 election delivering a party-vote boost to 8.7%.

    Peters’ next big break came after the 2017 election when he once again played kingmaker. Although National won the most seats, Peters chose a coalition with Jacinda Ardern’s Labour, with support from the Greens.

    But NZ First’s voter-base had been evenly split over supporting a National-led or Labour-led government. Inevitably, the party would be punished for choosing to go with either major party. And indeed, its share dropped from 7.2% in 2017 to 2.6% in the 2020 election – its worst result ever.

    Once again, Peters was cast out into the wilderness, to the undoubted delight of his many detractors. It was over, surely? As the 2023 election approached, there was considerable doubt about Peters making yet another comeback.

    His party was polling better than in 2011, however, and in the end romped home with 6.1% of the vote. Peters used his bargaining power to become foreign minister and deputy prime minister in the current National-led coalition.

    Some may have wondered how the wily old fox found his way back into the coop. But we can trace at least some of the reason back to a stroll Peters took through the COVID protest camp in parliament grounds in February 2022.

    He said he was there to listen, whereas the Ardern government’s refusal to talk with protestors was “just going to make things much worse”. To make his day, parliament’s speaker Trevor Mallard had Peters trespassed from parliament, which only boosted his maverick reputation – and helped pave the way back to power.

    Not his first rodeo

    Peters courted an anti-vax, anti-globalist constituency, promising to “defend freedom” by ending vaccine mandates and holding “a credible fully independent inquiry into New Zealand’s COVID-19 response”.

    Both things were going to happen anyway. But Peters won votes that might otherwise have gone to fringe protest parties, none of which got more than 1.2%.

    Like a Pied Piper in a double-breasted pinstripe suit, he led the disgruntled all the way to the ballot box. One campaign video featured him in cow-cocky gear, mounting a horse and boasting “this is not our first rodeo”. Among the current generation of politicians, only he could have pulled that off.

    Peters possesses a canny political instinct that combines opportunism with attention-grabbing rhetoric. He can drum up enough enthusiasm from target audiences to get his party over (or back over) the 5% MMP threshold.

    His recent declaration of a “war on woke” shows he’s doing it again. He zeros in on a political pain-point to energise a support base and simultaneously enrage opponents. The latter – along with “the mainstream media” – are used as props as he campaigns from one provincial community hall to the next.

    At 80, Peters is as well adapted to posting on Elon Musk’s X as he is to old-school hustings politics. And he’s showing no sign of calling it a day as he prepares to hand over the office of deputy prime minister to ACT’s David Seymour later this year.

    As the 2026 election draws nearer, one thing will be certain – you can’t rule him out. Don’t be surprised if one day we see an AI-generated Winston Peters telling us this is neither his first nor his last rodeo.

    Grant Duncan 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. Winston Peters at 80: the populist’s populist clocks up 50 years of political comebacks – https://theconversation.com/winston-peters-at-80-the-populists-populist-clocks-up-50-years-of-political-comebacks-253322

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study looking at food additives and type 2 diabetes incidence

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A study published in PLOS Medicine looks at food additives type 2 diabetes incidence. 

    Dr Nerys Astbury, Associate Professor of Diet & Obesity, Nuffield Department of Primary Health Care Sciences, University of Oxford, said:

    “This prospective study conducted in France explores the association between the amount of common mixtures of food additives and the risk of future development of type 2 diabetes.

    “The study reports that there was no association between the consumption of three of the mixtures studies and type 2 diabetes.  There were positive associations between the consumption of two of the mixtures investigated including a mixture including emulsifiers/gelling agents including modified starches, pectin, guar gum, carrageenan and xantham gum which the authors show were linked with the consumption of dairy desserts and fats and sauces; as well as a mixture including artificial sweeteners and acidity regulators which were linked with consumption of low-energy/diet soft drink consumption.

    “Previous studies have reported associations between some of these individual food additives and risk of type 2 diabetes, but additives are commonly included in foods in mixtures where they may have interactive effects.  Indeed the authors showed in their exploratory analysis that there were both synergistic and antagonist interactions between several food additives.

    “One limitation of this study is that the mixtures of additives investigated include a range of different additives with different functional properties, with some additives included in more than one mixture group, meaning it is not possible to ascertain whether the effects observed can be attributed to groups of additives with similar functional properties.

    “The authors controlled for typical type 2 diabetes risk factors including age, sex, body mass index, physical activity level, smoking status, educational level and profession.  But it is possible that other factors that were not controlled for may have influenced the relationship.

    “Some of the findings may subject to reverse causality, where the outcome (in this case type 2 diabetes diagnosis) precedes, and therefore influences the presumed cause (in this case the consumption of the food additive mixtures).  For example, if a person knew they were at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, because they either had a family history of the condition, or that a doctor conducted tests to show they had pre-diabetes, they may decide to make lifestyle choices to reduce their risk of developing the condition.  One thing they might decide to do is replace sugar sweetened beverages for low-energy or diet versions.

    “It is important to note that by design this study can only demonstrate association, it cannot say whether the consumption of these additives (or the foods that contain then) caused or contributed to the development of type 2 diabetes.  To determine causality large scale complex clinical trials are required.

    “The growing interest in the effects of consuming ultra-processed foods, which contain additives to enhance taste, flavour, texture and improve shelf life of food products, means this study is important and timely and adds to the growing body of evidence of association between increased consumption of common food additives and adverse health outcomes.  Further research is needed to ascertain a causal link and establish the mechanisms.”

    Prof Nita Forouhi, Professor of Population Health and Nutrition, and Programme Leader of the Nutritional Epidemiology programme, MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, said:

    “The researchers in France once again tapped into the only existing research study that has the relevant data to investigate links between different types of food additives and risk of chronic diseases.  They have extended their previous findings on the links of individual additive emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners with risk of type 2 diabetes to now identifying food additive mixtures that are frequently consumed together, reporting that the associations were not strongly driven by a unique additive alone and suggesting that interactions between types of food additives may play a role.

    “The authors identified 269 food additives consumed by over 100,000 study participants, quantifying additive intakes from repeated 24h recalls over a long time using multiple sources and they hence provide probably the most comprehensive additives database to-date.  Using 75 of these additives that were consumed by at least 5%of the study participants, they statistically derived five food additive mixture groups, of which two were associated modestly with the development of type 2 diabetes.  It is important to note that these associations are present at population level intake doses of additives in their usual diets.  However, it is unknown if additives consumed by a smaller proportion of the study population but in higher doses would have been related with the risk of type 2 diabetes.  A sensitivity analysis testing this would have been informative.

    “This research helps to an extent with understanding mechanisms through which ultra-processed foods (UPFs), that typically contain mixtures of additives, may be related with disease risk.  This is an important research gap to fill because a lack of evidence on mechanisms by which UPFs may be related with health harms, over and above the links already established for foods high in (saturated) fat, sugar and salt, is part of the reason for withholding a specific government policy on UPF reduction in the UK.

    “It is important to distinguish between additive mixtures by their food sources as we know from other research that not all UPFs are the same, with some being potentially harmful and others not.  Moreover, their analysis has not accounted for the proportion of UPF in the diet.  Also, the five food additive mixture groups the researchers identified were related with a limited set of food groups, largely cakes, biscuits, savoury snacks, broth, dairy desserts, fats and sauces and sugar sweetened or artificially sweetened drinks.  Thus, it is unclear if additives from other food groups not identified in this study population may be relevant in other populations.

    “Several of the current analyses were appropriate, such as adjusting for a comprehensive range of factors (including accounting for saturated fat, salt and added sugar), doing sensitivity analyses, checking the stability of food additive mixture intakes over time, and testing whether the additive mixtures found associated with type 2 diabetes contributed to mediating the associations between the food groups most associated with these mixtures and incidence of type 2 diabetes.  But, there were also important limitations the authors did not or could not address.

    “Exposure to food additives could not be validated against blood or urine biomarkers due to a lack of specific biomarkers.  Many tests for interaction were performed but it is unclear if there was adequate statistical power.  The data variables used in analysis, such as dietary intakes or health behaviours like physical activity or smoking and alcohol intake, are likely to vary over time but only baseline data, not time-varying data were used.  The authors showed several participant characteristics in the cohort at the study baseline but did not show these characteristics by total food additive or food additive mixture types, which is relevant to understanding the appropriateness of their analytical strategy.  This research included mostly women (80% of participants), so the findings in men remain under-studied.  The authors acknowledge that they could not collect data on ethnicity so the generalisability of findings to different population sub-groups is unclear but there seems no strong reason to expect that findings would vary in different ethnic groups.  Nonetheless, future studies in diverse populations should apply the current study methods to test the reported findings.  The authors appropriately acknowledged the limitations of observational research, but such research remains an important part of the evidence base.

    “More investment in research is needed to replicate the findings of this currently sole resource of the NutriNet-Sante’ study that has generated relevant data for the study of food additives.  In the meantime, we should take these current findings seriously and build further upon them to help understand the mechanistic links between UPF-related additive mixtures and human health.”

    Prof Tom Sanders, Professor emeritus of Nutrition and Dietetics, King’s College London, said:

    “This new report from a French prospective study (NutriNet-Santé) is an analysis of food additive intake based on estimates of dietary intake based on recall, and subsequent risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  79% of the participants were female and the average age was 42.  After 7.7 years of follow up, they found 2 out of 5 mixtures of additives were associated with very small increases in risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  The first mixture was associated with an 8% increase in risk – this consisted mainly of food additives used to thicken foods and drinks (guar gum, carrageenan xanthan gum), polyphosphates (that help retain water), curcumin (a naturally occurring yellow food colour used mainly in margarine) and potassium sorbate (a preservative).  The second mixture was associated with a 13% increase in risk, this consisted of a diverse mixture of additives but included several that are used in soft drinks – citric acid, sodium citrates, phosphoric acid, sulphite ammonia caramel (used in cola drinks), acesulfame-K, aspartame, sucralose, arabic gum, malic acid, carnauba wax (a glazing agent), paprika extract, anthocyanins (purple natural colours), guar gum, and pectin.

    Limitations

    “This was an observational study and not a controlled trial and can only suggest associations.  A major limitation of this study is that the incidence of type 2 diabetes was low over the follow up period.  Over the follow-period only 1% of the 108,643 participants developed type 2 diabetes.  This may well be because the average body mass index (23 kg/m2) was close to the ideal level (22.5).  A potential strength claimed is that multiple estimates of dietary intake were made over the follow-up period (on average 5 occasions).  However, these estimates were based on what the participants remembered eating the previous day.  A daily recall only provides data for one day and is not a good measure of usual dietary intake which needs a longer period of recording (preferable taking into seasonal variations in account).  Dietary recalls also lack the granularity in terms of detail regarding portion size and brand which are important for estimating the intake of food additives.

    “Dietary recalls are subject to reporting bias (over-reporting fruit and vegetable intake and under-reporting food and drink that regarded being less healthy, e.g. alcohol and confectionery).  The reported dietary intake of sugar is extremely high (198g, equivalent about 50 cubes of sugar per day).  This raises questions regarding the reliability of intake data.

    “The statistical analyses involved creating mixtures of food additives by a form of statistical analysis by computer not by a prior hypothesis.  Associations of mixtures of food additives are likely to be reflective of overall dietary patterns or components (e.g. fizzy drinks).  While this type of exploratory statistical analyses can be used to create new hypotheses, the results should never be used as evidence of causality.

    “There seems to be no scientific basis for relating the components of these mixtures of food additives to risk of type 2 diabetes.  For example, citric acid probably accounts for the bulk of food additives consumed.  The body makes enormous amounts in the citric acid cycle (the Krebs cycle) to generate metabolic energy.  It is also present in quite high amounts in fruit and vegetables.  Gums are used as thickeners in some foods like yogurt.  There is no reason to suspect that gums would have an adverse effect on risk of diabetes especially as studies have shown that gums slow glucose absorption and can improve blood glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes.  The association of artificial sweetener intake with risk of diabetes is well known but not thought to be causal, as recently discussed by SACN (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sacn-statement-on-the-who-guideline-on-non-sugar-sweeteners/sacn-statement-on-the-who-guideline-on-non-sugar-sweeteners-summary).

    Conclusion

    “My concern is that a “toxic cocktail of food additives” narrative may detract from sensible dietary advice to maintain a healthy weight.”

    Dr George Savva, Senior Research Scientist, Quadram Institute, said:

    “This study adds to the evidence that people who consume more food additives associated with sugary and sweetened drinks have a higher risk of diabetes, after controlling for overall calories, sugar intake, saturated fats and other aspects of diet.  A smaller association was seen for a second group associated with dairy desserts, broths, fats and sauces.  Other major groups of additives, including those associated with cakes and biscuits, showed no association with incident diabetes.

    “The study was large with a very detailed dietary assessment, but is limited by being non-randomised and being conducted in a volunteer cohort.  The authors did try to control for demographic and lifestyle factors like exercise and smoking but this is difficult to do well.  So, although the control for other aspects of diet was good, it is possible that other factors led to higher risk of diabetes in this group.  Showing no association between diabetes and additives linked to cakes, biscuits and snacks may suggest that residual confounding isn’t a huge problem in this study (because if other aspects of diet and lifestyle were really causing this association we might also expect to see a positive association between diabetes and the group of additives associated with cakes and biscuits).

    “Considering mixtures of additives is interesting because they are rarely consumed in isolation; as the study shows many difficult additives are often used together.  The evidence was strong that consuming additives associated with sugary and sweetened drinks was particularly associated with getting diabetes later in life, but there was little evidence for any particular additive or combination of additives being the main driver of that risk.

    “It is difficult to study the impact of food additives using randomised controlled trials, because they are highly prevalent in our diets and the effects are likely to take many years to manifest.  So it is important to attempt to study their effects in studies like this, and to combine with evidence from other kinds of studies to understand whether and how additives might harm metabolic health.”

    Prof Alan Boobis, Emeritus Professor of Toxicology, Imperial College London, said:

    “My takeaway from this is that it is an observational study and as acknowledged by the authors, association does not necessarily mean causation.  The findings are important in generating hypotheses, but further investigation would be necessary to inform advice to consumers.  It is unclear whether the mixtures themselves or key components are involved, or whether, despite adjustments for other components of the diet, the mixtures are indicative of some other characteristics of the subjects.”

    Prof Oliver Jones, Professor of Chemistry, RMIT University, said:

    “I can see this paper leading to more scary headlines about food additives, but although the work is based on a large dataset, we need to be careful about what conclusions are drawn from it.

    “As the authors themselves clearly state, the study does not prove that food additives cause diabetes.  All that is reported are slight associations between certain mixtures of some additives and the likelihood of type 2 diabetes, and there are some large caveats to this.

    “Firstly, an association between two factors does not mean one caused the other; it just means there appears to be an association between them.

    “Secondly, the authors didn’t measure food additive intake directly.  They relied on self-reporting of food intake from study participants and then estimated the additive intake from this.  This is a reasonable approach, but self-reported data is often inaccurate.  This means great care must be taken in interpreting the results.

    “It is also not clear from the main paper how the authors classified someone as having diabetes.  Diagnosis does not seem to have been done by a medical professional but rather estimated by self-reported health data and medication use from a linked database.  This is far from conclusive.

    “So, whilst this is an interesting theoretical study, people should not worry.  In the end, all that can really be said is that, based on self-reported data and estimations of possible food additive consumption and health conditions, there is a possible, small association between two specific mixtures of additives and the likelihood of type 2 diabetes, and the error bars are pretty big on even this conclusion.”

    Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor of Applied Statistics, Open University, said:

    “This is a complicated study in terms of the statistical and computational methods it uses.  I think its results are pretty hard to interpret.  The meaning of the word ‘mixtures’ in the findings is, I’d say, so different from the everyday meaning of the word as to be potentially pretty confusing.  The researchers, rightly, warn that their study cannot establish whether consuming particular mixtures of food additives causes the associations with type 2 diabetes that they observed.  The associations that they observed are, as the press release indicates, not very strong anyway.  Also, there are questions, that might well be important, that just can’t be answered from this research.

    “I take away two things from this study.  First, there are some more indications that it may be important to consider potential associations between food additives and health by looking at several additives at once, rather than investigating them separately.  Second, looking for such associations isn’t easy, and to do it convincingly would require other types of research than those used in this study.

    “I’ll try to clarify what the researchers meant by a ‘food additive mixture’.  You might expect that to mean that a participant in the study consumes a certain amount of a given set of additives, maybe two or three of them, and researchers would look at how their health is associated with consumption of this specific mixture.

    “But what’s meant in this research is something wider and more complicated.  The researchers collected data on how much each of the nearly 110,000 participants consumed of well over 200 different food additives.  They then used a statistical method (called nonnegative matrix factorization) to summarize all this data into a score, for each participant, on five different scales that they called ‘mixtures’.  And they then measured the statistical association between each of these five scores and the participants’ chance of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes over time.  They found associations between two of the scores and the risk of type 2 diabetes – the other three scores were not found to be associated with diabetes.

    “The associations with diabetes risk were not particularly strong for either of these scores, though it’s difficult to explain in simple terms exactly how large they were, because of the difficulty of explaining what the actual scores are measuring.

    “What makes this hard to link to an everyday idea of a ‘mixture’ is that each of the scores depends on the amounts of consumption of, potentially, a large number of different additives.  Of the two ‘mixture’ scores that were found to be associated with diabetes risk, one mainly depends on the consumption of eight different additives, and the other on 14 additives, and in fact other additives than these 8 and 14 do come into the calculation as well.

    “Also, two participants could get similar scores for one of these ‘mixtures’ by actually consuming different patterns of additives.  So one participant could get a moderately high score on the first of these ‘mixtures’ by consuming food and drink containing a lot of modified starches but little or none of the other additives, while another participant could get the same score by consuming quite a lot of food containing other additives that contribute to this mixture, but very little or no modified starch.  Others could also get the same score by a different pattern of consumption of additives that contribute to this ‘mixture’, possibly not overlapping much with the consumptions of the other two participants I’ve mentioned.  In technical terms, this is an acceptable use of the term ‘mixture’, but it’s probably not what a non-scientist would think of.

    “The researchers do emphasise that this study cannot establish causality.  That is, although they found associations, that is, correlations, between the scores for two of their additive ‘mixtures’ and the risk of type 2 diabetes, they can’t say that it is the additive consumption that caused the differences in diabetes risk.

    “That’s for several reasons. Mainly, it’s because the study is observational.  The participants weren’t made to consume different patterns of additives by the researchers – they just ate what they would have eaten anyway, and the researchers recorded that as best they could (and there are always potential limitations on the accuracy of such recordings).  So the observed associations could really be caused by some other factors that happen to be associated with food additive consumption, and also independently associated with diabetes risk.  There’s just no way of telling what causes what, with any level of certainty, in this kind of study.

    “In some circumstances, if a lot of different observational studies are all pointing in the same direction, one might be a little more confident about what’s causing what.  But this is effectively the first study looking at data in this way on a major scale.  As the researchers themselves say, in order to get good evidence on whether particular groups of food additives, when consumed alongside one another, do actually cause ill health, one would need to carry out studies of different kinds – so-called mechanistic studies, to learn more about what might actually be happening inside the body.  This study might help a little in pointing to what further studies might be most useful, but it’s an observational study that did not itself measure anything going on inside the participants’ bodies or cells.  I’m not a nutritional scientist so am not in a position to comment on how these mechanistic studies would best be done.

    “The researchers did make statistical adjustments for several possibly factors that might have accounted for what they observed, and might be getting in the way of interpretations of cause and effect.  But you can never adjust for everything potentially relevant, and data on some factors will simply not be available.

    “In this study there’s an obvious question of whether the differences in diabetes risk could be due to the additives in people’s food and drink, or due to the non-additive parts of the food and drink that they consumed, or indeed due to other things entirely.  After all, consuming a food additive generally involves consuming the food or drink that it’s been added to, and so will go along with consuming fats, sugars, proteins, fibre, and whatever else is in that food or drink.

    “The researchers did investigate some aspects of this question, and did find limited evidence that the associations with diabetes risk depend on additives as well as other aspects of what’s in the food and drink, though I don’t feel that they really sorted this out very far.  Anyway it would be very difficult to take account of all the possible food and drink components that are not classed as additives, as well as those that are, in a single statistical set of statistical analyses.

    “Interestingly, among all the detailed results, the study found a limited amount of evidence that points to why it may be important to look at additives together rather than separately. In some cases, it appeared that consuming two additives, linked to diabetes risk, had a stronger association with the diabetes risk than you’d expect from looking at the additives separately; in other cases, it went the other way, with a lower risk from the combination of additives than you might expect from looking at them separately.”

    Comments from our colleagues at the Australian SMC:

    Professor Ian Rae is an expert on chemicals in the environment at the School of Chemistry at the University of Melbourne. He was also an advisor to the United Nations Environment Programme on chemicals in the environment and is former President of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute

    “Type 2 diabetes arises when various parts of the body becoming resistant to the normal action of insulin, which is to pack sugar away in cells.

    The result is elevated blood sugar levels that can cause damage to the eyes and to organs like the liver. The chance of developing type 2 diabetes increases with age, and it is associated with increased body weight, obesity and lack of physical activity, all of which track with age, too.

    Exposure to chemical substances is not believed to be a cause of type 2 diabetes. The French researchers whose work is reported in this paper were testing not a single substance but instead they surveyed the effects of mixtures of additives that are commonly included in processed food, such as starch, pectin, vegetable gums, and citric acid which is also naturally present in some foods).

    They identified two mixtures – of 8 and 15 constituents, respectively – that did correlate with slight effects. Only one of the mixtures included the kind of ‘chemical suspects’ that one expects to find in such studies, the two synthetic sweeteners, aspartame and sucralose. The associations between the mixtures and the condition were very weak, and similar mixtures that included many of the same constituents showed no association. Of course, association does not equal causation.

    Testing a single substance for toxicity or the ability to damage our bodies in other ways is difficult enough. Only in a very few cases have pairs of substances or small groups of substances that are chemically closely related ever been tested. The results have been ambiguous, to say the least. Testing mixtures of 8 or 15 substances is just not good science. The authors themselves suggest that ‘the potential synergies and antagonisms may be of interest in future mechanistic investigations’ but that’s really just an admission that their own approach was overly optimistic in its search for a definite cause of type 2 diabetes.

    Although it has involved a lot of work – not just by the 23 authors of this paper, but by the 100,000 people who were surveyed – the results are weak. I wondered why this was ever published.”

    Ian has not declared any conflicts of interest.

    Dr Alan Barclay is an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney

    “This French prospective cohort study identified small associations between certain mixtures of food additives and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

    The mixtures of additives were identified using computer algorithms. Study participants were predominantly female (79.2%), relatively young (average age 41 years), well-educated, and within the healthy weight range (average BMI 23.6 kg/m2). Ethnic background was not reported (ethical reasons cited).

    Australia’s food supply is different from France’s, and it is not known how common the additive mixtures identified would be consumed in this country, and by whom.

    In Australia, type 2 diabetes occurs most commonly after the age of 45 years, in overweight or obese (BMI > 25 kg/m2) people (more frequently men than women), from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and incidence (new cases) has been decreasing over the past decade.

    The observed associations are both less than 20%, so residual confounding is likely a significant problem within this study.

    While novel, the generalisability of this French observational study to people at risk of type 2 diabetes living in Australia is unknown.

    Our food supply is regulated by Food Standards Australia New Zealand and the types and amounts of additives permitted to be added to foods and drinks is carefully assessed and reviewed on a regular basis.”

    Potential conflict of interest: I consult to the National Retail Association.

    Emeritus Professor Jennie Brand-Miller AM is from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney, and Director of both the Sydney University Glycemic Index Research Service and Glycemic Index Foundation

    “I find these results surprising because both mixtures contain substances that occur naturally in food and are recognised forms of dietary fibre (xanthan gums, guar gums and carrageenan). This means they provide fuel for our large bowel microbiome. Guar gum is a highly viscous fibre known to slow down the rate of digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, more so than any other fibre. Citric acid is found in citrus fruits, and also slows down digestion and reduces glycaemia.

    Both mechanisms would therefore be expected to REDUCE the risk of type 2 diabetes, not increase it. I suspect these findings are simply chance findings because the researchers looked at so many food additives.

    At present, there is a bias towards finding fault with food additives and processed foods. In Australia, all food additives other than flavours are highly regulated with substantial data to back up their safety in the amounts used in food.”

    Jennie’s conflict of interest declaration: I have no direct conflicts of interest. I receive royalties from popular books about nutrition, diabetes and health. I oversee a glycemic index testing company at the USYD. I consult to the China National Research Institute of Food and Fermentation Industries, the Novo Foundation and Zoe Global.

    Dr Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz is an epidemiologist and Senior Research Fellow from the University of Wollongong

    “The authors here looked at whether diabetes risks were impacted by different mixtures of food additives. They found a very small increased risk of diabetes associated with two mixtures of additives, and no increase for the other three mixtures that they tested – these mixtures included a wide range of additives such as aspartame, guar gum, curcumin, and more.

    The study is reasonably strong, but suffers from weaknesses in the underlying cohort. These results are entirely based on self-report, which is to say that the only information that the authors had on how many food additives people ate was how much they said they were eating. This form of self-report is notoriously unreliable and impossible to correct for in large epidemiological studies of this nature.

    It’s also unclear what meaning these results have. The biggest risk increase in the study was seen for Mixture 5, which contained 14 different food additives including citric acid and paprika extract. But due to the complex methodology the authors used to create these mixtures, it’s not clear how you could implement these findings in your daily life. The closest the authors come is saying that it might be a good idea to reduce your soft drink intake, but we didn’t really need this study to know that. It’s an interesting piece of research, but it’s hard to see how the results could be used outside of a strictly research setting.”

    Gideon has not declared any conflicts of interest.

    Dr Evangeline Mantzioris is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian and the Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of South Australia

    “This study has looked at the impact of commonly used additives in ultra-processed foods in our food system and their association with Type 2 diabetes. This study was conducted on a large group of over 108,000 adults in France over a 7 ½ year time period. Dietary data was collected from dietary records every 6 months, and from this the intake of additives was calculated.

    The researchers found that there were two groups of food additives that were linked with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. In the statistical analyses the researchers took into account the participants’ weight, sociodemographic factors, lifestyle practice and their diet.

    The first group of food additives included modified starches, pectin, guar gum, carrageenan, polyphosphates, potassium sorbates, curcumin, and xanthan gum. The other group included citric acid, sodium citrates, phosphoric acid, sulphite ammonia caramel, acesulfame-K, aspartame, sucralose, arabic gum, malic acid, carnauba wax, paprika extract, anthocyanins, guar gum, and pectin.

    However, it must be remembered that this is an observational study and not an experimental study, and hence a cause-and-effect relationship cannot be drawn from it. Additionally, the intake of food additives in the diet of the participants could not be verified by any blood or urine tests.

    There is a growing evidence base of the impact of UPF [ultra-processed foods] on both physical, cognitive and mental health. As well as containing low levels of nutrients, high levels of saturated and trans fats, sugar and salt, UPF also contain food additives to improve taste and shelf life of foods. This study adds to this evidence base of the health risks associated with a high intake of UPFs.”

    Evangeline has not declared any conflicts of interest.

    ‘Food additive mixtures and type 2 diabetes incidence: Results from the NutriNet-Santé prospective cohort’ by Marie Payen de la Garanderie et al. was published in PLOS Medicine at 19:00 UK time on Tuesday 8 April 2025. 

    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004570

    Declared interests

    Dr Nerys Astbury: “No conflicts.”

    Prof Nita Forouhi: “None.”

    Prof Tom Sanders: “I have been retired for 10 years but during my career at King’s College London, I formerly acted as consultant for companies that made artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes.

    I am a member of the Programme Advisory Committee of the Malaysia Palm Oil Board which involves the review of research projects proposed by the Malaysia government.

    I also used to be a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Global Dairy Platform up until 2015.

    I did do some consultancy work on GRAS affirmation of high oleic palm oil for Archer Daniel Midland more than ten years ago.

    My research group received oils and fats free of charge from Unilever and Archer Daniel Midland for our Food Standards Agency Research.

    Tom was a member of the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee that recommended that trans fatty acids be removed from the human food chain.

    Member of the Science Committee British Nutrition Foundation.  Honorary Nutritional Director HEART UK.

    Before my retirement from King’s College London in 2014, I acted as a consultant to many companies and organisations involved in the manufacture of what are now designated ultraprocessed foods.

    I used to be a consultant to the Breakfast Cereals Advisory Board of the Food and Drink Federation.

    I used to be a consultant for aspartame more than a decade ago.

    When I was doing research at King’ College London, the following applied: Tom does not hold any grants or have any consultancies with companies involved in the production or marketing of sugar-sweetened drinks.  In reference to previous funding to Tom’s institution: £4.5 million was donated to King’s College London by Tate & Lyle in 2006; this funding finished in 2011. This money was given to the College and was in recognition of the discovery of the artificial sweetener sucralose by Prof Hough at the Queen Elizabeth College (QEC), which merged with King’s College London. The Tate & Lyle grant paid for the Clinical Research Centre at St Thomas’ that is run by the Guy’s & St Thomas’ Trust, it was not used to fund research on sugar. Tate & Lyle sold their sugar interests to American Sugar so the brand Tate & Lyle still exists but it is no longer linked to the company Tate & Lyle PLC, which gave the money to King’s College London in 2006.”

    Dr George Savva: “I have no conflict of interest.”

    Prof Alan Boobis: “My interests are: until recently, chair of the UK Committee on Toxicity (COT); member of the joint Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN)/COT working group on plant-based drinks; member of the External Advisory Committee, Michigan State University MSU Center for Research on Ingredient Safety (CRIS); member of the Board of Directors of ILSI (International Life Sciences Institute) Europe.”

    Prof Oliver Jones: “I am a Professor of Chemistry at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.  I don’t have any conflicts of interest to declare.  However, many years ago, I worked on a project funded by the UK Food Standards Agency on the toxicity of pesticide mixtures.”

    Prof Kevin McConway: “Previously a Trustee of the SMC and a member of its Advisory Committee.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 8 April 2025 Departmental update WHO unveils global repository for National Essential Medicines Lists (nEMLs)

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the National Essential Medicines Lists (nEMLs) repository, a centralized digital platform compiling 150 national essential medicines lists from six global regions. This comprehensive resource enhances access to critical health-care data, supporting policymakers, health-care professionals and researchers.

    Developed through extensive research, online searches and collaboration, the repository offers an up-to-date and robust collection of essential medicines lists spanning from 2005 to 2024. It reflects evolving health-care priorities, balancing medical necessity, affordability and accessibility.

    Beyond a static database, the nEMLs repository serves as a collaborative tool inviting contributions from Member States, WHO regional offices and researchers to ensure completeness and relevance. It serves as a foundation for evidence-based decision-making, medicine procurement, and health-care policy harmonization.

    The launch of the National Essential Medicines Lists repository marks a significant step forward in global health-care collaboration,” said Deus Mubangizi, WHO’s Director of the Health Products Policy and Standards Department. “By providing a centralized and accessible platform, we are equipping policymakers, health-care professionals and researchers with the critical data needed to make informed decisions and foster equitable access to essential medicines worldwide.

    The development of this database was supported by Dr Nav Persaud, from the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto and St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Canada.

    By the numbers: The repository includes 47 national lists from the WHO African Region, 18 from the Eastern Mediterranean, 31 from Europe, 22 from the Americas Region, 11 from Southeast Asia, and 21 from the Western Pacific Region.

    Each list reflects a nation’s unique health-care needs, priorities, and challenges. 

    By consolidating these essential medicines lists, WHO strengthens global health systems and promotes shared knowledge for improved health-care access worldwide.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Return’ of the dire wolf is an impressive feat of genetic engineering, not a reversal of extinction

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Timothy Hearn, Senior Lecturer in Bioinformatics, Anglia Ruskin University

    Colossal

    Dallas-based biotech company Colossal has announced the birth of three pups bearing the DNA signatures of dire wolves, an iconic predator last seen roaming North America over 10,000 years ago.

    With their names Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi, these pups are playing to the cultural imagination, blending ancient mythology with fantasy fiction. Romulus and Remus nod to the legendary founders of Rome, raised by a wolf, while Khaleesi evokes the dire wolves of Game of Thrones.

    It’s a resurrection story made for the headlines, but beneath the dramatic narrative lies a more nuanced – and more scientifically grounded – story. The birth of these pups is not the return of an extinct species. Instead, it’s a demonstration of how far we’ve come in the toolkit of synthetic biology (a field that involves redesigning systems found in nature), and a reminder of how far we still are from truly reversing extinction.

    Colossal’s work follows in the footsteps of its other high-profile project: the effort to “resurrect” the woolly mammoth. As discussed in a previous Conversation article, that project began with mice carrying mammoth gene traits – early evidence that gene editing could one day produce cold-resistant elephants with mammoth-like characteristics. The dire wolf project is a similar exercise in technological potential, not biological resurrection.

    So what exactly happened in the lab? Scientists at Colossal extracted ancient DNA from fossilised dire wolf remains, including a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old ear bone. From these samples, they sequenced the genome (the full complement of DNA in cells) and compared it with that of the modern gray wolf.

    They identified approximately 20 genetic differences that were key to the extinct animal’s appearance. These differences represent tiny tweaks in the genetic code known as single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs.

    ‘Dire wolf’ cubs Romulus and Remus soon after their birth.
    Copyright: Colossal

    These specific SNPs were then edited into the genome of a gray wolf using CRISPR-Cas9, a powerful gene-editing tool that allows for precision edits at the DNA level. The resulting modified cells were used to create embryos, which were implanted into surrogate domestic dogs. The pups that were born exhibit some traits thought to be characteristic of dire wolves: broader shoulders, larger bodies and pale coats.

    However, this raises a critical question: how different is this animal, really?

    To understand the limitations of this approach, consider our closest relatives in the animal kingdom: chimpanzees. Humans and chimpanzees share about 98.8% of their DNA, yet the behavioural, cognitive and physiological differences are clearly profound. While 98.8% sounds very similar, this translates to roughly 35–40 million differences in DNA base pairs.

    Now consider that the evolutionary split between dire wolves and gray wolves took place more than 300,000 years ago – and the two populations will have been diverging genetically for much longer before that. This means there are likely to be many more genetic differences between dire wolves and gray wolves. Editing 20 SNPs – out of billions of base pairs – is a minuscule change in evolutionary terms.

    The result? These animals may look a little like dire wolves, but they are not dire wolves. They are gray wolves with a few cosmetic tweaks. In this light, the project represents a remarkable demonstration of genetic engineering, rather than a literal revival of an extinct species.

    That said, this is still an extraordinary achievement. Extracting usable DNA from ancient remains, accurately sequencing it, identifying meaningful genetic variants and successfully editing them, then raising animals based on that information are all milestones worth celebrating.

    Positive applications – and risks

    The techniques honed in this project could find applications in conservation, especially for endangered species suffering from inbreeding and genetic bottlenecks.

    This work also expands the boundaries of what synthetic biology can do. The ability to dial specific traits in or out of a genome is valuable not just for scientific curiosity, but potentially for public health, agriculture and ecological restoration. But with these new tools come new responsibilities.

    US biotech company Colossal has previously gene-edited mice to have traits from woolly mammoths.
    Copyright: Colossal

    What role will these pseudo-dire wolves play in the wild? Would they behave like the long-extinct predators they mimic, or simply resemble them in form not function? Ecosystems are delicately balanced networks of interaction – adding a creature that is similar but not identical to a former apex predator could have unpredictable consequences.

    The young wolves are reportedly living in a 2,000-acre nature reserve at a secret location. So, while the reserve is surrounded by a 10ft fence, the wolves have plenty of room to roam and could encounter other wildlife.

    Some researchers argue that instead of chasing lost species, we should focus on protecting the biodiversity we still have. Resources poured into de-extinction could arguably be better spent preserving habitats, restoring degraded ecosystems, and preventing modern extinctions.

    Colossal’s dire wolf project is not a resurrection – it is an imitation. But that doesn’t mean it lacks value. It offers a glimpse into the possibilities of genetic science, and raises essential questions about what we mean when we say we are “bringing back” extinct species.

    But in the end, it’s not about whether we can bring back the dead. It’s about what we do with the power to remake the living.

    Timothy Hearn 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. ‘Return’ of the dire wolf is an impressive feat of genetic engineering, not a reversal of extinction – https://theconversation.com/return-of-the-dire-wolf-is-an-impressive-feat-of-genetic-engineering-not-a-reversal-of-extinction-254098

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: From popping painkillers to shortage of sleep, seven common habits that could be harming your kidneys

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

    New Africa/Shutterstock

    In the UK, more than 10% of the population is estimated to have some stage of chronic kidney disease and more than 600,000 people develop some form of acute kidney injury – when the kidneys suddenly stop working properly but can recover – each year.

    The kidneys play a vital role in maintaining overall health by filtering waste, excess fluids and electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, from the blood. They also help regulate blood pressure, red blood cell production and calcium balance in the body. When the kidneys are damaged, their ability to filter waste and maintain balance is compromised, leading to a buildup of toxins, fluid retention and an imbalance in electrolytes. This can cause a range of health problems, from high blood pressure to heart disease and weakened bones. Kidney damage can progress to chronic kidney disease and kidney failure over time.

    Kidney damage, then, can affect almost part of your body – but there are simple lifestyle changes you can make today to avoid harming your kidneys tomorrow.

    Here are seven potentially kidney-harming habits to avoid:

    Using painkillers

    Common over-the-counter anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin can damage the kidney tubules – tiny tubes in the kidneys that return filtered nutrients and fluids back to the blood. The remaining fluid and waste in the renal tubules become urine – and inflammation and reduced blood flow through the kidneys. This is more likely to occur in older people or those with other medical conditions.

    People who already have chronic kidney disease should avoid these painkillers unless they’ve been prescribed by a doctor who can monitor kidney function. To lower the risk of side-effects, use painkillers for the shortest time needed at the recommended dose on the packaging.

    Not drinking enough water

    Water is needed for the kidneys to remove waste. People who don’t drink enough water may be risking kidney damage, especially in hot weather. Concentrated urine from dehydration has higher levels of minerals and other waste products – this increases the risk of kidney stones and urine infections, which may damage the kidneys.



    Read more:
    Don’t like drinking plain water? 10 healthy ideas for staying hydrated this summer

    Some people with health conditions such as liver disease or heart failure may be on restricted fluids. But for the general population, between 1.5 to 2 litres of water (about six to eight cups) daily is recommended.

    Drinking too much alcohol

    The kidneys regulate the water in the body. Alcohol can dehydrate the body, which therefore changes how the kidneys work. Too much alcohol can also raise blood pressure, which damages the kidneys. Most people know that alcohol can contribute to liver disease, but this in turn can harm the kidneys as it means they have to work harder.

    The NHS advises men and women to not drink more than 14 alcohol units per week (ideally spread throughout the week with some alcohol-free days). This equates to one standard glass of wine (two units) or a pint of low-strength beer (two units) per day.

    Smoking

    Most people know that smoking can contribute to cancers and heart disease. But smoking can directly harm the kidneys through multiple mechanisms. Cigarette smoke contains toxic chemicals such as cadmium which may harm the kidneys. Smoking promotes oxidative stress (when harmful molecules called free radicals damage cells in the body) and can narrow the blood vessels and damage the blood vessel lining which can lead to kidney injury.

    Smoking also increases the risk of other conditions that can damage the kidneys, including diabetes and high blood pressure. There is no safe level of smoking, so it’s best to quit with support from a healthcare professional.

    Being overweight

    A healthy body mass index (BMI) is between 18.5 and 24.9. Anything over this is classed as overweight or obese. However, this isn’t the only measure of being overweight – and is sometimes inaccurate. The waist circumference is a good measure of fat around the middle (central obesity) which is shown to increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes – two common causes of kidney disease. Obesity might harm kidneys directly by disrupting fat tissue chemicals.

    Having a healthier diet in conjunction with exercise can help shed the pounds, helping keep your kidneys healthy. Some research has found that physical activity lowers the risk of kidney disease – aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five days a week but build it up slowly.

    Making less healthy food choices

    Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are manufactured foods that contain ingredients such as fats, sugars, salts, and additives including artificial colours, flavourings and preservatives to make them taste better and increase their shelf life.



    Read more:
    Ultra-processed foods: largest ever review shows many ill effects on health – how to understand the evidence

    Examples of UPFs include meats such as sausages, carbonated soft drinks and packaged breads. These foods are linked to various health issues, such as obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Recently it has also been linked to kidney disease. An American study tracked 14,000 adults for 24 years. Those who ate a lot of ultra-processed foods had a 24% higher risk of kidney disease. Nearly 5,000 of them developed chronic kidney disease.

    Diets high in salt (sodium) can also be problematic, especially in people who already have kidney disease. The kidneys filter excess water from the blood, needing a balance of sodium and potassium. A high salt diet disrupts this balance, reducing kidney function and causing higher blood pressure, which strains the kidneys and can lead to kidney disease.



    Read more:
    Salty foods are making people sick − in part by poisoning their microbiomes

    Stick to a maximum of six grams – or one teaspoon – of salt per day.

    Poor sleep

    There is some evidence that links sleep quality and duration with kidney disease. A study has shown that poor sleep increases the risk of chronic kidney disease. Research differs slightly but having less than six hours or more than ten hours of sleep daily may harm your kidneys. Optimal sleep tends to be between seven to nine hours per night for most people.

    Factors such as age and family history are beyond your control but many habits can be changed to help manage kidney health.

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

    – ref. From popping painkillers to shortage of sleep, seven common habits that could be harming your kidneys – https://theconversation.com/from-popping-painkillers-to-shortage-of-sleep-seven-common-habits-that-could-be-harming-your-kidneys-253918

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “It’s critical how we teach this technology, how it impacts young people.”

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    Photo: MIA “Russia Today”

    On April 8, the MIA “Russia Today” held a round table on the topic “Threats of Artificial Intelligence for Education and the Social Sphere”, in which the rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, member of the Council under the President of the Russian Federation for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights (HRC) Nikita Anisimov took part. He spoke about the HSE’s experience in regulating the use of AI technologies in the educational process.

    Opening the round table, Advisor to the President of Russia, Chairman of the Human Rights Council Valery Fadeev stated that modern youth actively uses neural networks. He cited data from a recent survey by the Association of Organizers of Student Olympiads, according to which 85% of students use neural networks, including 43% for writing abstracts, essays, term papers and theses. Students also consider AI to be the most important technology for Russia.

    However, Valery Fadeyev himself has a different view of what is happening. “I believe that we are on the threshold of an ideological disaster, and Russian society is still underestimating this danger,” he said. The reason is that, when answering questions related to politics, for example, neural networks produce a Western narrative – ideological texts, turning into an ideological weapon.

    The Russian presidential adviser used the analogy of a student library in the 1980s, which contained only Marxist literature, rather than the best works in the humanities from around the world. “Our texts and the texts of our friends make up a minimal part of the total array of materials and texts used by the neural network,” he concluded.

    In turn, Nikita Anisimov noted that behind each AI there is a developer – a person who can afford to invest billions in the development of a specific technology. Such people have great business opportunities and pursue certain interests.

    He recalled that the HSE University had adopted a Declaration of Ethical Principles for the Creation and Use of Artificial Intelligence Systems on its own initiative. One of these principles is transparency: if a student uses AI in their work, they are required to indicate what kind of technology it is and what conclusions were made. If deception is detected (there is a tool called “Catch a Bot” for this), the student may be expelled.

    Nikita Anisimov emphasized that the university trains specialists in the field of AI and those who will definitely use it. In his opinion, methodological understanding of the use of AI in education is critically important and this is understood not only in Russia: for example, in China, at the state level, they consider it necessary to modernize educational methods and textbooks taking into account the emergence of AI as a technology.

    The rector developed Valery Fadeev’s thesis that the content of a neural network is determined by the one who trained it.

    “If the technology was developed in the USA, taught on a line of school textbooks published in the USA, then, naturally, it promotes certain views. But what if we load it with textbooks published in the 90s in the Russian Federation, will it be better? Therefore, it is critically important how we teach this technology, how it affects young people, adults. It is important who taught and what they taught. Artificial intelligence is only a technology, and any problem has a last name, first name and patronymic. They must be named, invited, discussed with them, introduced regulations, as we did at our university. And you know, it works. The guys are happy to tell where they used artificial intelligence, and where they wrote the work themselves,” concluded Nikita Anisimov.

    The discussion was also attended by HRC member and IT entrepreneur Igor Ashmanov and IT entrepreneur Natalya Kasperskaya.

    Igor Ashmanov emphasized the danger that AI poses to schoolchildren. At school, many questions require a clear answer, but a neural network cannot do this and answers differently each time, moreover, its answers are incorrect. At the same time, Russia is still lagging behind its competitors and cannot create the “right AI”. “Our digital giants take enemy engines and repackage them,” the expert explains.

    Natalya Kaspersky mentioned the risks that children’s use of gadgets in general entails. These include a negative impact on health, as well as inability to communicate, underdeveloped imagination, clip thinking, short memory, etc. In her opinion, AI cannot be trusted to choose an educational trajectory; only a person can do this.

    At the end of the round table, its participants answered questions from journalists. In particular, Nikita Anisimov was asked how much interest in HSE programs dedicated to AI has grown in recent years.

    According to the rector, everyone should master AI technologies in their professional activities, so students of all fields and specialties at HSE take the Data Culture course. And students of educational programs dedicated to AI receive significant salaries, combining work with studies already in the second or third year. There is a huge competition for these programs, their graduates have an excellent reputation.

    Nikita Anisimov concluded that AI technologies can help, for example, to win on the battlefield and increase labor productivity many times over, and this is extremely important for the country. At the same time, in the social sphere, AI should not be allowed to make decisions about people and influence their destinies.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Creating Jobs and Saving People Money: Polis Administration Announces New Recycling Facility in Mesa County

    Source: US State of Colorado

    GRAND JUNCTION – Today, Governor Polis, the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) and the Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP) announced that Bruin Waste Management will expand in Grand Junction, Colorado, with support from the state’s Rural Jump-Start Program. Bruin Waste Management will launch a new, independent division focused on advancing recycling and materials sortation to better serve Western Colorado’s waste management and sustainability needs. 

    “Colorado is proud to support businesses like Bruin Waste that are leaders in recycling and provide reliable services to Coloradans on the Western Slope. Investing in our local businesses is an investment in our communities, and by creating sustainable pathways through the Rural Jumpstart initiative, we are helping businesses grow, create new jobs, and contribute to Colorado’s economy,” said Governor Jared Polis. I

    n Grand Junction, Bruin Waste’s new division will provide services previously available to the region only in Utah, reducing transportation costs for western Colorado communities. The new facility is expected to create up to 30 new primary jobs, offering wages near the county’s average, currently at $56,524. This facility will introduce state-of-the-art sortation technology, including AI-driven systems, to improve recycling efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and shorten regional supply chain costs. Plans for the facility also include an on-site community viewing room to educate students, residents, and stakeholders about modern recycling practices and environmental responsibility. 

    “We are thrilled to partner with the City of Grand Junction to bring this critical infrastructure to the Western Slope. The lack of recycling infrastructure in the region has really constrained the recycling rates over the last few years and is preventing communities from meeting their sustainability goals. The support we are getting from the Rural Jump-Start program will support this mission, and we are grateful for the partnership of OEDIT and GJEP,” stated Jeff Kendall, President and CEO of Bruin Waste. 

    The new division will be headquartered in Grand Junction on a 10.5-acre parcel located at 365 32 Road, part of a city-led initiative to develop a modern materials recovery facility (MRF) on the former Haliburton property. The Grand Junction City Council approved a $5.6 million land purchase to support the facility, which is expected to cost between $18 and $19 million and serve as critical infrastructure for the region’s growing recycling needs. 

    “We’re proud to partner with Bruin Waste and expand recycling efforts across the Western Slope. Grand Junction’s commitment to sustainability and resilience directly reflects the work of City Council and staff as one of our strategic priorities, developed from the direction provided by our community’s comprehensive plan,” said Grand Junction Mayor Abram Herman. “The Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) will expand access to recycling services not only for Grand Junction residents but surrounding communities as well, with Grand Junction as a central hub and innovative leader in this area. By expanding recycling services, we divert more waste from landfills, save taxpayer money, reduce environmental impacts, and create lasting change for our community.” 

    Bruin Waste Management’s new division will be managed separately from its existing waste services and is designed to operate independently, qualifying it for the Rural Jump-Start Program. Through the program, the new division will be eligible for significant financial incentives and tax relief, including exemption from state and local income taxes for up to eight years. The company will be eligible to receive up to $20,000 in grant funding to offset startup costs. Through the program, the company will also collaborate with Colorado Mesa University to access its talent pipeline for internships, recent graduates, and alumni. 

    “We are thrilled to see the Rural Jump-Start Program support Bruin Waste Management as it launches a new division in Western Colorado. By providing a much-needed service, the company will improve recycling and waste management while providing as many as 30 new jobs and career advancement opportunities for students at Colorado Mesa University. That is a win for Grand Junction and for Colorado,” said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director. 

    Bruin Waste worked closely with the Grand Junction Economic Partnership throughout the expansion, receiving assistance with key connections to state and local leadership and facilitating the application for the Rural Jump-Start Program. 

    “Bruin Waste’s expansion and new recycling facility aligns with our community’s goals for economic diversification and sustainability,” said Curtis Englehart, Executive Director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership. “It is great to see Bruin Waste partner with the City of Grand Junction and take the lead on building out regional recycling infrastructure, growing its presence here in Grand Junction. We are thrilled to support this project through the Rural Jump-Start Program and look forward to the long-term benefits it will bring to our community.” 

    About the Grand Junction Economic Partnership 

    The Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP) works to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the Grand Junction area by supporting high-impact capital investment and job creation. GJEP is a single stop for businesses looking to relocate or expand in the cities of Grand Junction and Fruita, the Town of Palisade, and surrounding communities in Mesa County. Operating as a 501(c)3, GJEP offers free services that help businesses navigate incentives and opportunity zones and connect with realtors and developers, the workforce, local leadership, and more. Visit www.gjep.org for more information. 

    About the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade 

    The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all to thrive in Colorado’s economy. Under the leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with economic development partners across the state, we foster a thriving business environment through funding and financial programs, training, consulting and informational resources across industries and regions. We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding Colorado businesses and providing programs that support entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth. Our goal is to protect what makes our state a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit and retire—and make it accessible to everyone. Learn more about OEDIT. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The Great Gatsby at 100: this great American novel is a universal meditation on time and change

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By William Blazek, Professor Emeritus of American Literature and Modern Culture, Liverpool Hope University

    One hundred years after its publication, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s third novel, The Great Gatsby – the story of nouveau riche Jay Gatsby’s obsessive quest to win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan – is best remembered for its depiction of America’s Jazz Age excess, especially through Gatsby’s wildly extravagant parties.

    Readers might also focus on moral questions raised about America’s class and racial divisions, the fundamental inequalities that hinder social progress, and the faulty-but-compelling promise of what a decade later was labelled “the American dream”. These are compelling themes within Fitzgerald’s tightly constructed and brilliantly expressed novel.

    Yet for all of its emphasis on national concerns, the book also contains subject matter of more universal value.

    A passage in the fifth chapter describes an incident during the reunion of Gatsby with the now-married Daisy at the cottage of Nick Carraway, the novel’s first-person narrator.

    Amid awkward uncertainty about achieving his goal of repeating the past by winning Daisy back after five years apart, Gatsby leans his head backward and topples over “a defunct mantelpiece clock”, which he then just manages to catch before it would have smashed on the floor. This incident emphasises an important theme of the novel – a meditation on time and change.

    _This article is part of Rethinking the Classics. The stories in this series offer insightful new ways to think about and interpret classic books and artworks. This is the canon – with a twist.

    On one level, the novel presents contrasts between an older, elite moneyed class and emerging groups that have embraced opportunities for success in the entertainment industries of film and theatre. A further social layer is those who have taken underground routes to riches through bootlegging alcohol or manipulating the bond market.

    The socioeconomic and cultural transformations in the US after the first world war are amplified through references to modern technology. In particular, the telephone most often serves to disrupt conversations rather than promote improved communication. There are also Gatsby’s new automobiles, hydroplane, dazzling electric lighting displays and “a machine in the kitchen which could extract the juice of 200 oranges in half an hour”.

    In contrast, Daisy’s husband, Tom, has turned a car garage on his Long Island estate into a stable for his riding horses. In turning the value of horses from work to leisure, he seems to reverse the flow of history.

    Nick, though, is attracted to the dynamic potential for cultural change. He crosses into New York City over the Queensboro Bridge, a recently completed steel cantilever construction – the longest in the US at the time:

    Anything can happen now that we’ve slid over this bridge, I thought; anything at all.

    The “defunct mantelpiece clock” and its near demise could also represent Fitzgerald’s rejection of a literary inheritance. The author avoids the relative certainty of 19th-century realism’s character development and linear narrative chronology. Instead, he emphasises modernism’s fragmentation and ambiguity.

    The trailer for the 2012 adaptation of The Great Gatsby.

    Time shifts and nature’s power

    In the novel, Gatsby’s backstory is slowly and uncertainly revealed. Vital information about his youth is delayed until the final chapter. Born James Gatz on a poor North Dakota farm, the mysterious Jay Gatsby emerges through Nick’s memory.

    Nick recounts conversations with Gatsby, hears rumours, speaks with others and reads newspaper reports about him. He also imagines a great deal, delivering scattered details and making conjectures in jumbled time. “He told me all this much later, but I’ve put it down here” is one example.

    F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1921.
    Wiki Commons

    Some simple dialogue between Gatsby and Nick hints at the seemingly random, but actually carefully designed, narrative sequencing. Gatsby invites Nick to come along for a morning flight in his newly purchased hydroplane. “What time?” Nick asks, and the reply is: “Anytime that suits you best.”

    The Great Gatsby’s fractured sense of time challenges literary convention. It also reflects a world in flux after the first world war, and the moral as well as economic adjustments of the roaring twenties. But another crucial and often undervalued aspect of the novel deserves further attention: the power of nature.

    Natural imagery infuses the text, as the Sun and Moon, rain and wind, the stars and seasons counterbalance disorderly human time. A sense of cosmic, eternal time contends with the vanities of daily life and inevitable mortality.

    Nick connects Gatsby’s inevitable death with nature’s cyclical movements:

    He must have looked up at an unfamiliar sky through frightening leaves and shivered as he found what a grotesque thing a rose is and how raw the sunlight was upon the scarcely created grass. A new world, material without being real.

    Besides being an example of Fitzgerald’s radiant prose, this passage is both a comment on the delusions of American ambition, and an assertion of nature’s timeless presence and enduring authority.

    Beyond the canon

    As part of the Rethinking the Classics series, we’re asking our experts to recommend a book or artwork that tackles similar themes to the canonical work in question, but isn’t (yet) considered a classic itself. Here is William Blazek’s suggestion:

    Abraham Cahan (circa 1913).
    Wiki Commons

    The Rise of David Levinsky by Abraham Cahan (1917) chronicles the Jewish title character, starting with his early life in imperial Russia, where he devotes himself to religious study.

    After emigrating to the US he abandons his spiritual calling and becomes a success in the garment industry. Yet despite his wealth, he is essentially unhappy and lonely.

    Cahan, a Lithuanian-born Jewish American socialist, modelled his story on another rags-to-riches tale, The Rise of Silas Lapham by William Dean Howells (1885), which also contrasts American materialism with moral goodness.

    William Blazek is professor emeritus at Liverpool Hope University and vice president of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Society. In 2025 the F. Scott Fitzgerald Society will hold its 17th biannual international conference from 22-28 June in New York City: A Fitzgerald Centennial: The Great Gatsby, New York, and New Perspectives. Visit https://fscottfitzgeraldsociety.org/

    – ref. The Great Gatsby at 100: this great American novel is a universal meditation on time and change – https://theconversation.com/the-great-gatsby-at-100-this-great-american-novel-is-a-universal-meditation-on-time-and-change-242967

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: China plans to build the world’s largest dam – but what does this mean for India and Bangladesh downstream?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Mehebub Sahana, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow, Geography, University of Manchester

    The proposed dam will span the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, the world’s deepest. Biao Liu / shutterstock

    China recently approved the construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam, across the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet. When fully up and running, it will be the world’s largest power plant – by some distance.

    Yet many are worried the dam will displace local people and cause huge environmental disruption. This is particularly the case in the downstream nations of India and Bangladesh, where that same river is known as the Brahmaputra.

    The proposed dam highlights some of the geopolitical issues raised by rivers that cross international borders. Who owns the river itself, and who has the right to use its water? Do countries have obligations not to pollute shared rivers, or to keep their shipping lanes open? And when a drop of rain falls on a mountain, do farmers in a different country thousands of miles downstream have a claim to use it? Ultimately, we still don’t know enough about these questions of river rights and ownership to settle disputes easily.

    The Yarlung Tsangpo begins on the Tibetan Plateau, in a region sometimes referred to as the world’s third pole as its glaciers contain the largest stores of ice outside of the Arctic and Antarctica. A series of huge rivers tumble down from the plateau and spread across south and south-east Asia. Well over a billion people depend on them, from Pakistan to Vietnam.

    Yet the region is already under immense stress as global warming melts glaciers and changes rainfall patterns. Reduced water flow in the dry season, coupled with sudden releases of water during monsoons, could intensify both water scarcity and flooding, endangering millions in India and Bangladesh.

    The construction of large dams in the Himalayas has historically disrupted river flows, displaced people, destroyed fragile ecosystems and increased risks of floods. The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Dam will likely be no exception.

    The dam will sit along the tectonic boundary where the Indian and Eurasian plates converge to form the Himalayas. This makes the region particularly vulnerable to earthquakes, landslides, and sudden floods when natural dams burst.

    Downstream, the Brahmaputra is one of south Asia’s mightiest rivers and has been integral to human civilisation for thousands of years. It’s one of the world’s most sediment-rich rivers, which helps form a huge and fertile delta.

    Yet a dam of this scale would trap massive amounts of sediment upstream, disrupting its flow downstream. This could make farming less productive, threatening food security in one of the world’s most densely populated regions.

    The Sundarbans mangrove forest, a Unesco World Heritage Site that stretches across most of coastal Bangladesh and a portion of India, is particularly vulnerable. Any disruption to the balance of sediment could accelerate coastal erosion and make the already low lying area more vulnerable to sea-level rise.

    The Brahmaputra eventually flows into a region of fertile fields and mangrove forests.
    Sk Hasan Ali / shutterstock

    Unfortunately, despite the transboundary nature of the Brahmaputra, there is no comprehensive treaty governing it. This lack of formal agreements complicates efforts to ensure China, India and Bangladesh share the water equitably and work together to prepare for disasters.

    These sorts of agreements are perfectly possible: 14 countries plus the European Union are parties to a convention on protecting the Danube, for instance. But the Brahmaputra is not alone. Many transboundary rivers in the global south face similar neglect and inadequate research.

    Researching rivers

    In our recent study, colleagues and I analysed 4,713 case studies across 286 transboundary river basins. We wanted to assess how much academic research there was on each, what themes it focused on, and how that varied depending on the type of river. We found that, while large rivers in the global north receive considerable academic attention, many equally important rivers in the global south remain overlooked.

    What research there is in the global south is predominantly led by institutions from the global north. This dynamic influences research themes and locations, often sidelining the most pressing local issues. We found that research in the global north tends to focus on technical aspects of river management and governance, whereas studies in the global south primarily examine conflicts and resource competition.

    In Asia, research is concentrated on large, geopolitically significant basins like the Mekong and Indus. Smaller rivers where water crises are most acute are often neglected. Something similar is happening in Africa, where studies focus on climate change and water-sharing disputes, yet a lack of infrastructure limits broader research efforts.

    Small and medium-sized river basins, critical to millions of people in the global south, are among the most neglected in research. This oversight has serious real-world consequences. We still don’t know enough about water scarcity, pollution, and climate change impacts in these regions, which makes it harder to develop effective governance and threatens the livelihoods of everyone who depends on these rivers.

    A more inclusive approach to research will ensure the sustainable management of transboundary rivers, safeguarding these vital resources for future generations.

    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.

    This article is based on research funded by the Leverhulme Trust.

    – ref. China plans to build the world’s largest dam – but what does this mean for India and Bangladesh downstream? – https://theconversation.com/china-plans-to-build-the-worlds-largest-dam-but-what-does-this-mean-for-india-and-bangladesh-downstream-250109

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Far-right activist Laura Loomer cements her influence after White House firings

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Andrew Gawthorpe, Lecturer in History and International Studies, Leiden University

    The US president, Donald Trump, met with far-right activist Laura Loomer in the Oval Office last week. Loomer is a figure so extreme that she is shunned by many, even in Trump’s “make America great again” (Maga) movement.

    Hours after their meeting, Trump fired a string of national security officials, including General Timothy D. Haugh, the head of the National Security Agency and US Cyber Command, apparently at Loomer’s request. Trump has said Loomer was not involved in the firings, but also praised her judgment.

    Even for a president who has always listened to – and, indeed, echoed – fringe voices, the incident stood out. It served as a reminder that Trump is less constrained than ever before, and that his White House is responsive to his personal whims rather than any deliberative policy-making process.

    Gone are the days of Trump’s first administration, when aides would at least try to block the most extreme conspiracy theorists from having access to the president. Now, apparently, even a four-star general (the highest officer rank) like Haugh serves only at the pleasure of figures such as Loomer.

    So, who exactly is Loomer? She is, first and foremost, a media influencer – someone who made her name in far-right circles by spreading hate and conspiracy theories.

    She calls herself a “proud Islamophobe” and “pro-white nationalism”. She has endorsed claims that the 9/11 terrorist attacks were an “inside job”, alleged that the “deep state” manipulates the weather to influence elections, and spread conspiracy theories implying that the FBI let school shootings happen in election years to help the Democrats push gun control.

    Loomer’s claims, and her open racism, have sometimes proven too much even for other prominent Maga figures, who prefer to be slightly more subtle in their messaging.

    When Loomer said in 2024 that if Kamala Harris won the election, the White House “will smell like curry” and speeches will be “facilitated via a call centre,” she drew push-back from the now vice-president, J.D. Vance, and far-right congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.

    But Trump seems to have appreciated Loomer’s commentary all the same. The president has repeatedly praised her in public and backed her unsuccessful run as a Republican candidate for a US House of Representatives seat in Florida in 2020.

    Like many other Maga media figures, Loomer has realised that her antics give her direct exposure to a television-obsessed president, and that this exposure can be transformed into access and, ultimately, political power.

    Loomer, who is only 31, is entirely a product of the Trump era. As an adult, practically the only conservatism she has known is the conservatism of Maga – openly prejudiced, vindictive, and more a stew of grievance and hatred than a coherent political platform.

    Insofar as Loomer advocates for particular policies, they are a crude channeling of these impulses. She has campaigned for a ten-year immigration moratorium and has called for the death penalty for Democrats who oppose Trump.

    On a podcast in June 2024 about whether Democrats should be prosecuted and jailed if Trump wins the election over alleged “unscrupulous behaviour,” Loomer said: “Not just jailed, they should get the death penalty. You know, we actually used to have the punishment for treason in this country.”

    But the chief way in which Loomer personifies modern American conservatism is her single-minded loyalty to the president. Loyalty to Trump, and fury at the disloyalty of others, is the central component of her identity.

    Deep loyalty

    This loyalty seems to be both a deeply felt emotion and also a shrewd way of recommending herself to the president. And, more than anything else, it was what landed her in the Oval Office last week.

    Loomer’s apparent recommendation that Trump fire a slew of national security officials had its roots in this obsession with loyalty. Many people serving in national security positions in the Trump administration are not card-carrying members of the Maga movement.

    This reflects the fact that such positions require deep expertise developed over long apolitical careers in the civil service or military. As the product of a movement that disdains expertise and rationality, few Maga die-hards have the requisite knowledge to do these jobs.

    For Loomer, such figures pose a threat. It ought to be emphasised that this is not because people like General Haugh have ever shown open disloyalty to Trump. It is merely that they are not, like Loomer, his fanatical adherents. In her worldview, anything less is unacceptable.

    Trump seems to agree, which opens the way to more firings in the future. Sensing her opening, Loomer has declared that she will establish an organisation dedicated to investigating executive branch officials for suspected disloyalty to the president.

    Government officials will have to live in fear of being targeted, creating a chilling atmosphere in which pushing back against Trump’s whims becomes impossible.

    Loomer’s growing influence also suggests that the Trump White House is becoming more chaotic and unpredictable.

    The president’s aides have long claimed that the White House would be run in a controlled fashion this time around, with clear chains of command and questionable outsiders kept away. Loomer’s presence in the Oval Office – at Trump’s personal request – blows that story away.

    For her part, Loomer seems to have what she has always wanted: the president’s attention. Where might she direct it next?

    Andrew Gawthorpe 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. Far-right activist Laura Loomer cements her influence after White House firings – https://theconversation.com/far-right-activist-laura-loomer-cements-her-influence-after-white-house-firings-253870

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The ‘morning shed’: a brief history of the sometimes dangerous lengths women have gone to to look beautiful

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Louise N Hanson, PhD in Social and Developmental psychology, Durham University

    An advert for the tape worm pills.

    In TikTok’s latest viral beauty trend “the morning shed,” beauty influencers “shed” hair and skin products that have been worn overnight. These include hair styling items, skin masks and creams, and physical products such as chin straps and mouth tape, which are intended to help with breathing through the night and keep away the drooping of the jaw that happens with age.

    While this trend has come under fire for alleged unsustainability and over-consumerism, it is only the latest beauty fad in a long line of time and money consuming “hacks” that women have been undertaking for centuries. From tapeworms to tuberculosis, women have taken part in a laundry list of beauty hacks in order to meet appearance ideals, many of which have been dangerous, painful and even deadly.

    As far back as the ancient Egyptians, women ground up toxic substances to make eyeliner and eye shadow. These were dangerous when inhaled as a powder (such as during the grinding process) and could cause irritation of the skin when applied. And yet somehow, heavy metal poisoning is among the least dangerous of these historic beauty trends.

    Ready to make a change? The Quarter Life Glow-up is a new, six-week newsletter course from The Conversation’s UK and Canada editions. Every week, we’ll bring you research-backed advice and tools to help improve your relationships, your career, your free time and your mental health – no supplements or skincare required. Sign up here to start your glow-up at any time.

    In China, foot binding is an example of a painful and life altering treatment first recorded around the 10th century. The feet were usually bound before the arch of the foot had developed (aged four to nine).

    The process involved forcefully curling the toes towards the sole of the foot until the arch broke then the foot would be tightly bandaged to keep it in this position. Small feel were coveted at the time. Thankfully, this practice was banned in the early 1900s after almost 200 years of opposition from both Chinese and western sources.

    A Chinese woman with bound feet.
    Wikimedia, CC BY-SA

    In Europe, the Renaissance period saw a new wave of beauty hacks, from arsenic baths (which bleach the skin to a near translucent white) to Belladonna drops (literal poison) used on the eyes to induce an aroused or watery-eyed look. Many women who used these tactics ended up poisoned or blind.

    During the reign of Elizabeth I, the “English rose” look was all the rage. Women would blood let for a perfectly pale pallor, or paint their faces with “Venetian ceruse” or “Venetian white” – otherwise known as lead paint. The use of Venetian ceruse is one of the suspected causes of death of Elizabeth I.

    In the Victorian era and early 1900s, women often engaged in dangerous practices to achieve the coveted pale skin, red lip and small waist that was the height of fashion. This aesthetic could be achieved by contracting tuberculosis (a lung infection that was often fatal), taking tapeworm pills, consuming mercury to look forever young, or chewing arsenic wafers to make skin pale.

    My own research has shown that sociocultural pressures to look a certain way are experienced differently across the world. I found that white western women experience some of the highest appearance pressures, followed by east Asian women. Although these decline a little with age for white western women, they persist in Asian women and never reach the lower levels seen elsewhere. I found the lowest levels of sociocultural pressure and the highest levels of body appreciation in Nigeria.

    As the “morning shed” proves, women still go to great lengths to meet culturally shaped standards, particularly under conditions of higher economic inequality – something that is getting worse in many countries. For example, in the United States, cities which have higher economic inequality see higher spend on beauty products and services, such as beauty salons or women’s clothing.

    With the advent of social media, especially short-form content like TikTok, Reels and YouTube Shorts, the speed at which beauty trends rise and fall has been expedited and globalised. These trends range from the painful lip suction women undertook to get big lips like the celebrity Kylie Jenner, to the normalisation of botox and fillers, to laser hair removal of every unwanted follicle.

    The “morning shed” is just the latest evolution in skin care trends, which started as health-focused, with an emphasis on sun protection and moisturisation. It has since morphed into a study in over-consumption and over-commitment of time and money in the pursuit of staying ever youthful.

    Louise N Hanson 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. The ‘morning shed’: a brief history of the sometimes dangerous lengths women have gone to to look beautiful – https://theconversation.com/the-morning-shed-a-brief-history-of-the-sometimes-dangerous-lengths-women-have-gone-to-to-look-beautiful-253921

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Inaction from Brussels over the arrest of an opposition leader in Turkey may be a strategic mistake

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Seda Gurkan, Assistant Professor in European Studies and International Relations, Institute of Security and Global Affairs, Leiden University

    The European Union faces a pressing problem as it decides how to handle another major slide towards autocracy in Turkey. So far, the signs are not good.

    Over the past decade, core democratic institutions have been systematically eroded in Turkey, under the rule of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has been in power since 2003. Media freedom, independent judiciary and civil society have all been targeted. A major turning point came in 2016, when Turkey abandoned its parliamentary democracy in favour of a hyper-centralised presidential system. Since then, the national parliament has been marginalised and nearly all checks on executive power have been eroded.

    While elections in Turkey have not been fair for many years, they were at least free. According to the international observers, elections were not fair as President Erdoğan and the ruling parties enjoyed “unjustified advantage”. However, elections still could offer voters a “choice between genuine political alternatives” – providing citizens with a sliver of hope for democratic change.

    That era may have ended on March 19, with the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Istanbul’s mayor. İmamoğlu was on the cusp of being made the opposition’s presidential candidate and was widely seen as Erdoğan’s main electoral rival. He now looks unlikely to be able to stand for president. This is not just a blow to the opposition but potentially indicates the end of free elections in Turkey according to some observers.

    All this has been happening in the EU’s immediate neighbourhood. Indeed, it has been happening in a country that remains, at least nominally, a candidate for EU membership. Yet Brussels has largely remained silent. This silence may prove a strategic mistake.

    Why is the EU silent?

    The EU’s reaction to İmamoğlu’s arrest has been, at best, cautious. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, issued a carefully worded expression of “deep concern”. The spokesperson for the EU echoed a familiar refrain, saying that as a candidate country, Turkey must “uphold democratic values”.

    In their joint statement Kaja Kallas, high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy, and Oliver Várhelyi, commissioner for enlargement, struck a similarly cautious tone. They said Turkey is “expected to apply the highest democratic standards and practices”.

    Only the European parliament, long considered the flagbearer of the EU’s values, adopted a more direct stance. Several political groups openly criticised Turkey during the plenary session on April 1. A delegation led by the European parliament first vice-president Katarina Barley visited İmamoğlu in a symbolic gesture of support.

    But these expressions of concern and acts of solidarity with İmamoğlu have not been matched by any credible action or condemnation potent enough to have a deterrent effect on the Turkish government. As many observers have noted, the EU’s strategic interests have increasingly overshadowed its commitment to democratic principles.

    It is no secret that the EU has never had a coherent strategic vision on Turkey. In a prime example of the transactional nature of the relationship, the EU outsourced refugee challenge to Turkey in 2016 in exchange for financial aid to Ankara. It was a deal driven not by long-term goals but short-term pragmatism.

    Today, in an era of growing geopolitical instability, Turkey has only become a more critical partner for the EU. Ankara commands the second-largest army in Nato, boasts a rapidly advancing defence industry, and has ample experience in peacekeeping and out-of-area operations. These are all increasingly valuable as the US, under Donald Trump, retreats from European security.

    Turkey has also become a key player in Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. With strong political and economic ties to the new leadership in Damascus, Turkey started to play a central role in Syria’s reconstruction, as well as in its energy and defence sectors. Working toward the stabilisation and reconstruction of Syria is a shared interest for both Brussels and Ankara. For both sides, potential collapse of Syria involves major security concerns, including further refugee inflows to Turkey, and via Turkey to Europe, the proliferation of armed groups, jihadist terror and the spillover of regional instability.

    And while the containment of Kurdish groups in Syria is a priority for Ankara, the control of ISIS militants in detention in Northern Syria is a priority for the EU. Brussels has recognised Turkey’s “essential role to play in stabilising the region”, adding to the growing list of areas of common interest.

    Add in the fear of destabilisation in the EU’s immediate neighbourhood, and it becomes clearer why Brussels might prefer “stability” under Erdoğan over the uncertainty of post-Erdoğan period.

    The wrong strategy

    But failing to stand up to Turkey now is a mistake – and one with long-term consequences. The EU should care about what is happening in Turkey, not just for the sake of Turkish democracy, but for its own security. How it responds has implications for the credibility of the European project itself.

    Seeking closer security and defence cooperation with Turkey, in the absence of a shared understanding of fundamental values between Ankara and Brussels, is not realistic. As Hungary’s stance toward Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has shown, if there is no agreement on core values, aligning strategic interests becomes increasingly difficult. Turkey is a self-confident and assertive regional power, and it will not hesitate to follow a foreign policy that could ideologically diverge from that of the EU.

    Turkey’s recent foreign policy decisions illustrate this perfectly. Its actions in the eastern Mediterranean, northern Syria before Assad’s fall, Libya and the Caucasus demonstrate its readiness to pursue a more assertive path without consulting western partners. A prime example of this was Turkey’s decision to purchase S-400 missile defence systems from Russia, which created interoperability problems with Nato allies.

    Moreover, autocratic ideas tend to be contagious. When a country follows a more illiberal trajectory, it affects its wider neighbourhood. Turning a blind eye to Turkey’s authoritarian turn while cooperating on security and defence matters risks legitimising Erdoğan’s governance model. This could further strengthen the illiberal axis in the region.

    Finally, the EU risks alienating democrats and younger generations in Turkey. Despite the ups and downs in EU-Turkey relations, Turkish citizens have consistently shown strong support for the EU. Maintaining this momentum is not just an ethical responsibility or a matter of credibility for the EU – it is also a long-term investment in building a more democratic, trustworthy and stable neighbour.

    Seda Gurkan 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. Inaction from Brussels over the arrest of an opposition leader in Turkey may be a strategic mistake – https://theconversation.com/inaction-from-brussels-over-the-arrest-of-an-opposition-leader-in-turkey-may-be-a-strategic-mistake-253982

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: As Canada is threatened, it’s urgent to revisit Indigenous sovereignty and nationhood

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Frank Deer, Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba

    Early in his second term as president of the United States, Donald Trump began making explicit threats about Canada becoming the 51st American state.

    In the midst of his absurd and at times disrespectful rhetoric that’s also included a proposal to acquire Greenland and the Gaza Strip, some have argued Trump’s interest in annexing Canada is an imperialistic impulse.

    As a Kanienʼkehá꞉ka educator concerned with Indigenous language education, civic education and reconciliation, I believe it’s important to explore how Canadians should think about Indigenous nationhood with Canada’s sovereignty under threat. I also believe a U.S. annexation of Canada would be devastating for Indigenous Peoples.

    Re-asserting Canadian nationhood amid threats

    Trump has stated that Canada can be annexed through economic force while others have speculated a military invasion may be part of this conquest attempt.

    Although Trump’s threats against Canada seem ludicrous, many Canadians are taking them seriously and regard the ongoing imperialist rhetoric as a threat to Canadian sovereignty.



    Read more:
    Canada, Greenland, Panama, Gaza and now Ukraine: Wake up, world, Donald Trump is coming for you

    Canadian politicians, public intellectuals and members of the public have reacted strongly to this threat in ways that assert Canadian nationhood, sovereignty and identity. Some suggest a sense of national unity has been stoked in Canada for the first time in generations.

    However, that sense of unity that many may be feeling in Canada — and could affect how Canadians cast their votes in the forthcoming federal election — conceals the realities of nationhood in Canada. There are several aspects of nationhood in Canada that may merit conversation in terms of unity and the current American threats. But I’m particularly concerned that the nationhood that exists among First Nations, Inuit and Métis may be particularly threatened by an American annexation.

    Indigenous Peoples

    Canada is a nation state that occupies the traditional territories of many Indigenous nations, representing a broad diversity of cultural and language backgrounds. The Indigenous Peoples of these nations had served as stewards of the territories of North America far longer than the European colonizers who eventually seized control of the territories.

    Many of the Canadian government’s colonial and post-colonial activities, abetted by their partners (for example, churches of various denominations), were genocidal in nature.

    These colonial actions resulted in Indigenous communities becoming constituent parts one unified nation — Canada. Very little public discourse acknowledges that Indigenous Peoples had already established their own concepts of nation and nationhood. These were displaced by those who established control of the territories.



    Read more:
    Indigenous people invented the so-called ‘American Dream’

    Indigenous nationhood

    Indigenous nations have and continue to regard their communal connections and responsibilities through Indigenous nationhood.

    There are various key aspects of Indigenous nationhood: sociologist Stephen Cornell, who has worked with Indigenous nations and organizations in North America, Australia and New Zealand, observes five of them, including connections to the land, kinship and community, narratives and history associated with the land and culture, self-governance and collective well-being.

    For example, many Anishinaabe consider nationhood as being built on stories and traditions and shaped by relationships and communities. Views like these are enriched by the diversity among Indigenous Peoples.

    The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people share many stories, traditions and language that inform their concept of nationhood and their treaty arrangements (such as the Kaswentha). But the Haudenosaunee also consist of different Indigenous nations — including my own, the Kanienʼkehá꞉ka — with each having their own unique manifestations of Indigenous knowledge, heritage and consciousness.

    These different nations functioned in tandem with one another by forming allyships and sharing land.

    Canada not a single, homogenous nation

    Colonialist incursions by French, British and, later, Canadian authorities have disrupted how Indigenous notions of nationhood may be understood by Canadians.

    In ignoring aspects of Indigenous nationhood by exploiting land, dividing families and communities, reconstructing historical narratives, stymying self-governance and emphasizing individual well-being over the collective, the notion of Indigenous nationhood has been marginalized in mainstream public consciousness in Canada.

    Instead, the prevailing notion is that Canada is a single and somewhat homogenous nation. This might sound desirable to some and even idyllic, but it’s a myth.

    Legal implications, reconciliation journey

    Why does Indigenous nationhood have to do with an American president’s threats to Canadian sovereignty?

    Indigenous nationhood has not just been a part of Indigenous consciousness and ways of life for centuries, but is now closely tied to established and developing legal and constitutional principles in Canada.

    These principles are now, after generations of oversight and subjugation, finally allowing Indigenous nations to explore and enact approaches to self-determination and self-governance.

    Trump’s threats imply that existing Canadian legal and constitutional frames would be abolished. They also suggest that the cultural and linguistic mores of Indigenous nations would be endangered even more than they have already been. The reconciliation journey — one that has been informed by the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada — would almost certainly be abandoned.

    Treaty relations and 51st state?

    More specific concerns about nationhood emerging from Trump’s threats are connected to particular Indigenous nations. For instance, many First Nations have treaty relations with the Crown.

    These treaties codify the relationship that these First Nations have with the government of Canada. There is a lot of work being done to better understand treaties in modern times. Treaty arrangements and ongoing efforts to better understand them would be terminated should Canada become the 51st American state.



    Read more:
    Revisiting the Williams Treaties of 1923: Anishinaabeg perspectives after a century

    Much has been achieved by Indigenous Peoples — sometimes in partnership with non-Indigenous people — to enhance their well-being and their place in the world to determine their way forward.

    There is, of course, a lot of work still to be done. Poverty, for example, is still widespread among Indigenous Peoples, the languages and cultures of many are endangered and Indigenous women and girls continue to be treated horrifically. But the journey of Indigenous nations toward well-being and self-determination has led to achievements that can make Indigenous Peoples can be proud.

    Would this journey continue as a 51st state? I have my doubts.

    Frank Deer has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. As Canada is threatened, it’s urgent to revisit Indigenous sovereignty and nationhood – https://theconversation.com/as-canada-is-threatened-its-urgent-to-revisit-indigenous-sovereignty-and-nationhood-253199

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Health Board of Directors Honor the Success of World-Renowned Neurosurgeon Dr. Ketan Bulsara

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Ketan Bulsara, MD, MBA, the inaugural chair of the newly established Department of Neurosurgery at the UConn School of Medicine, has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious 2025 UConn Health Board of Directors Faculty Recognition Award. He will be formally honored during UConn Health’s 54th Commencement ceremony on May 12.

    A world-renowned figure in neurosurgery, Bulsara possesses elite expertise across an extraordinary spectrum of neurological surgical interventions. Having trained under pioneers of neurosurgery, he has contributed to both national and international guidelines and clinical standards. He is one of the initial neurosurgeons worldwide to have completed dual fellowship training in both skull base/cerebrovascular microsurgery and endovascular neurosurgery, a testament to his continued desire to advance his field.

    “It is my pleasure to celebrate and congratulate Dr. Ketan Bulsara on being prestigiously selected as the 2025 Board of Directors Faculty Recognition Award recipient,” said Dr. Bruce T. Liang, dean of the UConn School of Medicine. “His strong leadership, innovative clinical care, impactful research, excellence in teaching, and devoted service to the people of Connecticut have taken neurosurgery in our state and at UConn to new heights.”

    Dr. Ketan Bulsara in a surgical procedure in UConn Health’s high-tech hybrid operating room. (Kristin Wallace/UConn Health Photo)

    Bulsara joined UConn Health in 2017 from Yale as chief of the then Division of Neurosurgery. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to advance neurosurgery’s clinical, research, and educational initiatives.

    He conceptualized the newly created Brain and Spine Institute at UConn Health and partnered with the chairs of Neurology, Radiology, and Orthopedic Surgery. Since his arrival to UConn Health in 2017, Neurosurgery has seen unprecedented clinical growth.  In addition to that, he led the establishment of a neurosurgery residency program which is among only 2% of these elite training programs nationwide. During his UConn tenure, the medical school has successfully matched more medical students into neurosurgery residencies than in any of the previous decades combined. He also established a successful research collaboration with Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine.

    “I am humbled and grateful to receive this award.  UConn Health is a very special place where the faculty, staff, and leadership are committed to providing care second to none while also training the next generation of physicians and transforming healthcare for the future.  I am grateful to be a part of this exceptional organization,” says Bulsara. “I sincerely thank the UConn Health Board of Directors for this special honor.”

    Bulsara has published three books and more than 220 peer-reviewed articles in some of the world’s highest cited journals. His many scientific contributions include identifying the first proteins that lead to successful regeneration in the spinal cord and work on brain and spinal cord arteriovenous malformations establishing that these are not always congenital lesions.  He was inducted into Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society; elected the 43rd chair of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons Joint Section of Cerebrovascular Surgery; and elected to the American Academy of Neurological Surgeons (distinction given to top 1% of academic neurosurgeons), and the Society of Neurological Surgeons (top 1% of neurosurgeon educators). He is only one of 100 advisors in the U.S. to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Committee.

    Dr. Ketan Bulsara lecturing in the Academic Rotunda at UConn Health (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo).

    Born in India, Bulsara grew up in Central Africa (Zambia) and immigrated to the United States in 1983. He attended Duke Medical School, where at graduation, he was unanimously awarded the “Ideal Physician Award” by his classmates.  He completed his Neurosurgery Residency at Duke University Medical Center during which time he also did an enfolded fellowship in complex upper cervical spine disorder management at the University of Iowa.  Following graduation from residency, Bulsara did further fellowship training at the University of Arkansas whose faculty included the individual designated by organized neurosurgery as the father of microneurosurgery and Neurosurgery’s Man of the Century. Bulsara subsequently returned to Duke to train in endovascular neurosurgery, making him at the time among just a handful of neurosurgeons in the world with this dual training.  In 2017, he completed his MBA at the Yale School of Management prior to joining UConn Health.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Office of Congressman Donald Norcross Releases Updated Statement on Recent Medical Event

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

    CHERRY HILL, NJ — Today, the office of Congressman Donald Norcross released an updated statement on the Congressman’s recent medical event.

    “Last night Congressman Donald Norcross was transferred to Cooper University Health Care in Camden City. He is in intensive care and stable. He is tired but glad to be back in South Jersey. His condition is improving, and he is on his way to making a full recovery. Donald wants to thank everyone who has sent well wishes and prayers to him, his staff and family. He also wants to thank again all the medical staff at both UNC Rex and Cooper University Hospital.” 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: AI is making elections weird: Lessons from a simulated war-game exercise

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Robert Marinov, PhD Candidate in Communication, Concordia University

    A simulated exercise reveals much about the proliferation and circulation of AI-generated content. (Shutterstock)

    On March 8, the Conservative campaign team released a video of Pierre Poilievre on social media that drew unusual questions from some viewers. To many, Poilievre’s French sounded a little too smooth, and his complexion looked a little too perfect. The video had what’s known as an “uncanny valley” effect, causing some to wonder if the Poilievre they were seeing was even real.

    Before long, the comments section filled with speculation: was this video AI-generated? Even a Liberal Party video mocking Poilievre’s comments led followers to ask why the Conservatives’ video sounded “so dubbed” and whether it was made with AI.

    The ability to discern real from fake is seriously in jeopardy.

    Poilievre’s smooth video offers an early answer to an open question: How might generative AI affect our election cycle? Our research team at Concordia University created a simulation to experiment with this question.

    From a deepfake Mark Carney to AI-assisted fact-checkers, our preliminary results suggest that generative AI is not quite going to break elections, but it is likely to make them weirder.

    A war game, but for elections?

    Our simulation continued our past work in developing games to explore the Canadian media system.

    Red teaming is a type of exercise that allows organizations to simulate attacks on their critical digital infrastructures and processes. It involves two teams — the attacking red team and the defending blue team. These exercises can help uncover vulnerability points within systems or defences and practice ways of correcting them.

    Red-teaming has become a major part of cybersecurity and AI development. Here, developers and organizations stress-test their software and digital systems to understand how hackers or other “bad actors” might try to manipulate or crash them.

    Fraudulent Futures

    Our simulation, called Fraudulent Futures, attempted to evaluate AI’s impact on Canada’s political information cycle.

    Four days into the ongoing federal election campaign, we ran the first test. A group of ex-journalists, cybersecurity experts and graduate students were pitted against each other to see who could leverage free AI tools best to push their agenda in a simulated social media environment based on our past research.

    Hosted on a private Mastodon server securely shielded from public eyes, our two-hour long simulation quickly descended into silence as players played out their different roles on our simulated servers. Some played far-right influencers, others monarchists to make noise or journalists to cover events online. Players and organizers alike learned about generative AI’s capacity to create disinformation, and the difficulties faced by stakeholders trying to combat it.

    Players connected to the server through their laptops and familiarized themselves with the dozens of free AI tools at their disposal. Shortly after, we shared an incriminating voice clone of Carney, created with an easily accessible online AI tool.

    The Red Team was instructed to amplify the disinformation, while the Blue Team was directed to verify its authenticity and, if they determined it to be fake, mitigate the harm.

    The Blue Team began testing the audio through AI detection tools and tried to publicize it was a fake. But for the Red Team, this hardly mattered. Fact-checking posts were quickly drowned out by a constant slew of new memes and fake images of angry Canadian voters denouncing Carney.

    Whether the Carney clip was a deepfake or not didn’t really matter. The fact that we couldn’t tell for sure was enough to fuel endless online attacks.

    Easily available and free AI tools can be used to generate and promote misinformation at an overwhelming rate.
    (Shutterstock)

    Learning from an exercise

    Our simulation purposefully exaggerated the information cycle. Yet the experience of trying to disrupt regular electoral processes was highly informative as a research method. Our research team found three major takeaways from the exercise:

    1. Generative AI is easy to use for disruption

    Many online AI tools claim to safeguard against generating content on elections and public figures. Despite those safeguards, players noted these tools would still generate political content.

    The overall quality of the content produced was easy to distinguish as AI-generated. Yet, one of our players noted how simple it was “to generate and spam as much content as possible in order to muddy the waters on the digital landscape.”

    2. AI detection tools won’t save us

    AI detection tools can only go so far. They are rarely conclusive, and they may even take precedence over common sense. Players noted that even when they knew content was fake, they still felt they “needed to find the tool that would give the answer [they] want” to lend credibility to their interventions.

    Most telling was how journalists on the Blue Team turned toward faulty detection tools over their own investigative work, a sign that users may be letting AI detection usurp journalistic skill.

    With higher-quality content available in real-world situations, there might be a role for specialized AI detection tools in journalistic and election security processes — despite complex challenges — but these tools should not replace other investigative methods.

    However, detection tools will likely only contribute to spreading uncertainty because of the lack of standards and confidence in their assessments.

    3. Quality deepfakes are difficult to make

    High-quality AI-generated content is achievable and has already caused many online and real-world harms and panics. However, our simulation helped confirm that quality deepfakes are difficult and time-consuming to make.

    It is unlikely that the mass availability of generative AI will cause an overwhelming influx of high-quality deceptive content. These types of deepfakes will likely come from more organized, funded and specialized groups engaged in election interference.

    Democracy in the age of AI

    A major takeaway from our simulation was that the proliferation of AI slop and the stoking of uncertainty and distrust are easy to accomplish at a spam-like scale with freely accessible online tools and little to no prior knowledge or preparation.

    Our red-teaming experiment was a first attempt to see how participants might use generative AI in elections. We’ll be working to improve and re-run the simulation to include the broader information cycle, with a particular eye towards better simulating Blue Team co-operation in the hopes of reflecting real-world efforts by journalists, election officials, political parties and others to uphold election integrity.

    We anticipate that the Poilievre debate is just the beginning of a long string of incidents to come, where AI distorts our ability to discern the real from the fake. While everyone can play a role in combatting disinformation, hands-on experience and game-based media literacy have proven to be valuable tools. Our simulation proposes a new and engaging way to explore the impacts of AI on our media ecosystem.

    Robert Marinov received funding from the Center for the Study of Democratic Citizenship and Concordia University’s Applied AI Institute for this research.

    Colleen McCool received funding from the Center for the Study of Democratic Citizenship and Concordia University’s Applied AI Institute for this research.

    Fenwick McKelvey receives funding from the Center for the Study of Democratic Citizenship. Research has been supported Concordia University’s Applied AI Institute and the Technoculture, Art and Games (TAG) centre at the Milieux Institute.

    Roxanne Bisson receives funding from the Center for the Study of Democratic Citizenship and Concordia University’s Applied AI Institute for this research.

    – ref. AI is making elections weird: Lessons from a simulated war-game exercise – https://theconversation.com/ai-is-making-elections-weird-lessons-from-a-simulated-war-game-exercise-253433

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why tax literacy should be a national priority in Canada

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Esteban Vallejo Toledo, PhD Student in Law and Society, University of Victoria

    The last time Canada’s political parties campaigned during a tax season was more than a decade ago. This year, taxes are a hot topic, and for good reason. Shortly after the federal election was called, the political parties began rolling out promises of tax cuts to win over voters.

    At the same time, although Canada’s consumer carbon tax was scapped last month, debates about the industrial carbon tax are likely to continue.

    As the election campaign continues and political parties make more tax-related promises, approximately 3,520 tax clinics and 18,090 volunteers are doing their best to help people file their taxes until April 30. Some of the volunteers are struggling to help as many people as possible.

    No candidate has talked about a tax issue that is essential for life in free and democratic societies: tax literacy. If Canada is to maintain an informed, financially responsible and democratic society, tax literacy must become part of the national conversation.

    A longstanding idea with modern relevance

    The notion of tax literacy has been gaining traction in recent years, but it’s far from a new idea.

    One of the earliest advocates for tax literacy and education was Charles Montesquieu, a French judge and political philosopher of the Enlightenment.

    Portrait of Charles Montesquieu by an anonymous artist.
    (Wikimedia Commons)

    In his 1748 book The Spirit of Laws, Montesquieu argued for tax literacy and education for two key reasons.

    First, he was convinced that knowledge about taxation was necessary to defend oneself against the corruption and abuse that characterized private tax collectors, known at the time as tax farmers.

    Second, he believed education in democratic societies could enhance people’s sense of responsibility for public affairs and help hold authorities accountable for their actions. In his view, tax literacy and education were instrumental in how societies organized themselves for the common good.

    More than 275 years later, Montesquieu’s argument remains just as relevant.

    Tax literacy is neglected in Canada

    In Canada, tax literacy continues to be neglected despite efforts by tax agencies like Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Revenu Québec to promote it.

    There are important reasons to treat tax literacy as a national priority. It helps people understand and navigate federal, provincial and municipal taxes, recognize the social importance of taxation and responsibly exercise their rights. It also allows people to manage their financial affairs according to the law.

    Tax literacy is also instrumental in contesting economic populism, a political approach that claims to represent the interests of “ordinary people” against perceived elites, often by oversimplifying complex issues like taxation.

    It also helps counter the spread of of disinformation, misinformation and malinformation about taxes in the media, online and on social networks.



    Read more:
    The Canada Carbon Rebate is still widely misunderstood — here’s why

    In Canada, recent examples include misleading claims that Canada has the highest taxes in the world, mischaracterizations of climate tax policies, flawed analyses of the carbon rebate’s cost and other misconceptions about the carbon rebate.

    Tax literacy vs. financial literacy

    While Canada has done considerable work to further financial literacy since 2001, tax literacy has received far less attention from both authorities and scholars.

    In fact, only two peer-reviewed studies have examined tax literacy in Canada. Published in 2016 and 2020, these studies analyze tax literacy within the context of financial literacy and mostly in relation to the income tax.

    Similar to financial literacy, the authors of these studies define tax literacy as “having the knowledge, skills and confidence to make responsible tax decisions.”

    Canada’s federal and provincial governments, as well as non-profit organizations and tax preparers, tend to use a benefit-based narrative to promote tax literacy and encourage tax compliance.

    This narrative frames filing income taxes as positive because it allows people to receive direct payments from the government. In Canada, the income tax system is closely linked to the social support system that benefits everyone, particularly low-income people for whom filing taxes is the primary way to access benefits such as the Canada Child Benefit, the GST/HST Credit and the Canada Workers Benefit.

    The missing fiscal dimension

    While the benefit-based approach aligns with international standards and has clear advantages, it also has drawbacks.

    Most notably, it overlooks the fiscal dimension of tax literacy. This dimension highlights the role taxes play in raising revenue to support government programs, promoting collective well-being, regulating economic activity, addressing social inequalities, strengthening democratic institutions and advancing social goals like environmental protection.

    Taxes are far more than mandatory payments to government. Recognizing this enables citizens to actively participate in decision-making processes and hold governments accountable.



    Read more:
    10 things everyone should know about taxation

    The fiscal dimension also broadens public understanding beyond the income tax. On one hand, it helps people interact with tax authorities beyond the CRA, including those administered by provinces, municipalities and First Nations.

    On the other hand, it helps citizens better understand public budgets and recognize that while income tax is an important source of revenue, it is not the only one.

    The fiscal dimension also challenges harmful narratives that attempt to create social divisions by using the terms “taxpayer” and “taxpayer money.” It also counters the spread of wrongful stereotypes of Indigenous people. These narratives are often used in populist rhetoric to undermine democracy by excluding marginalized groups.

    What needs to happen now

    Tax literacy must become a national priority in Canada, and public institutions must lead this process. To move in this direction, Canada’s public institutions should:

    1) Adopt a holistic approach to tax literacy that includes both the fiscal and financial dimensions.

    2) Address misinformation and discrimination experienced by Indigenous people regarding tax exemptions. This is essential to honouring the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

    3) Offer long-term partnerships and support to teachers and educational institutions to integrate tax literacy into schools.

    4) Lead the production of education resources to ensure a holistic approach. Education resources produced or sponsored by the private sector tend to focus on individual responsibility and frame financial choices in moral terms without considering broader social contexts.

    5) Ensure tax literacy initiatives serve not only children and youth but adults as well, in line with UNESCO’s vision of education as a lifelong right.

    6) Ensure adult tax literacy resources follow the recommendations of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). They should be thorough but easy to understand, offered in multiple formats, concise and supplemented by additional resources. Public authorites should expand podcasts, learning platforms and tax initiatives.

    The history of taxes in Canada has been one of important developments but also of social and economic conflicts, wrongful discrimination and colonial racism. It must not also become a history of populism and missed opportunities.

    Now is the time for Canada to write a different chapter. By advancing tax literacy, both authorities and society as a whole can strengthen democracy and build a more informed public.

    Esteban Vallejo Toledo receives funding from the Law Commission of Canada Emerging Scholars Program. He has previously received funding from SSHRC, LFBC, and UVic.

    – ref. Why tax literacy should be a national priority in Canada – https://theconversation.com/why-tax-literacy-should-be-a-national-priority-in-canada-252722

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Canadians need to use the language of freedom in fighting American annexation

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Eric Van Rythoven, Instructor in Political Science, Carleton University

    Canadians looking for relief from the trade war launched by United States President Donald Trump are bound to be disappointed. The Trump administration has just announced it’s more than doubling Canadian softwood lumber duties, adding to an already punishing flurry of tariff actions.

    These tariffs are designed to squeeze Canada, pressuring us into giving up our sovereignty. And while Trump may have cooled his annexation talk lately — likely because of how it was resurrecting the Liberal Party’s fortunes in the ongoing federal election campaign — we cannot simply pretend this threat has gone away.



    Read more:
    Amid U.S. threats, Canada’s national security plans must include training in non-violent resistance

    In response, Canada must use every tool at its disposal. It should leverage retaliatory tariffs and target trade action at vulnerable Republican districts if Trump targets Canada with more tariffs.

    Canadian consumers need to continue boycotting American goods and Canada should ban American firms from bidding on public contracts. It also needs to revitalize trade and diplomatic relationships with reliable allies.

    But alone, even these measures will be insufficient.

    Public diplomacy like no other

    To succeed, Canada needs the most ambitious and energetic campaign of public diplomacy in its history. The target of this campaign should not be the Trump administration, but the ultimate voice of authority in U.S. politics — the American public. Canadian diplomacy should aim to convince
    American citizens that the idea of annexing Canada, already unpopular, is a toxic betrayal of U.S. values.

    Doing so, however, requires using the right language. Public diplomacy fails when it ignores the values of its audience, and especially when the audience has a strong emotional attachment to those values.

    This means that just because something sounds righteous to Canadian ears doesn’t mean it resonates with Americans. Protecting Canadian sovereignty certainly sounds good to Canadians, but this concept is too abstract and distant from Americans’ everyday lives.

    Likewise, Canadians are fiercely proud of our identity as “good neighbours,” but most Americans live far from us and do not know us. Nor can we invoke a shared history that the majority of Americans do not remember or have never learned.

    The value of freedom

    Instead, if Canadians are going to speak to Americans, then they must speak to their culture — and in U.S. culture, no value speaks more loudly than the value of freedom. As American historian Eric Foner writes: “No idea is more fundamental to Americans’ sense of themselves as individuals and as a nation than freedom.”

    For American cognitive psychologist George Lakoff, most of contemporary U.S. politics can be read as a struggle over different conceptions of freedom. From the Declaration of Independence launching a newborn United States into a war for its freedom to the bravery of the Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights Movement, there is no other American value that has the broad resonance and emotion appeal of freedom.

    If America has a civil religion, in fact, it is almost certainly a faith in freedom.

    Canadians need to embrace this language and speak it relentlessly at every opportunity. Americans need to know that Canadians want the freedom to choose their leaders and their laws. They want the freedom to trade without the interference of tariffs. They want the freedom to choose who enters our country.

    They want the freedom to speak different languages. The want the freedom to choose what is taught in Canadian schools, for women to choose, to criticize our government, to choose who we are and who we love. And if Canadians don’t have the freedom to say “no thank you” to becoming the 51st state, then they don’t really have any freedom at all.



    Read more:
    Canada a 51st state? Here’s how American annexation could actually favour Canada

    Putting Americans on the defensive

    Embracing this language does more than simply signal shared values, it puts advocates of annexation on the defensive. By claiming the mantle of freedom, Canadians can put pro-annexation voices on the back foot by forcing them into defending an unpopular position.

    Why should Canadians lose their freedom to elect their own leaders or make their own laws, lose their independence or bend the knee to an American president? Americans would never accept a similar choice.

    Advocates of annexation, including members of the Trump administration, need to be relentlessly challenged over why they think Canadians should be deprived of their freedoms and forced to become American subjects.

    The Trump administration has spent weeks suggesting Canadians have a stark choice: endure economic pain or submit to annexation. Fortunately, the American public knows that the choice between pain and submission is never a free choice, and that the denial of freedom is profoundly un-American.

    Canada needs to tell American citizens that is exactly what their government is doing.

    Eric Van Rythoven 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. Canadians need to use the language of freedom in fighting American annexation – https://theconversation.com/canadians-need-to-use-the-language-of-freedom-in-fighting-american-annexation-252366

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –