Earth

Dangers Chasing Ontario’s Tornados and Waterspouts

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Another winter has come and gone, although perhaps slower than a lot of us would like.  But happily, this means that the storm season is once again upon us in Ontario. As usual I will be back out on the roads looking for the best images of lightning and searching for Ontario’s tornadic super cells.

My name is Spencer Sills, and I am a storm chaser, some of you may remember a few years back reading about my storm chasing adventures here at The Silo  and about journeys on the road to capture Nature’s fury through lenses. Not much has changed since then, still on the hunt for the elusive supercell and what fury may come with it.

“I have seen many storms in my life. Most storms have caught me by surprise, so I had to learn very quickly to look further and understand that I am not capable of controlling the weather, to exercise the art of patience and to respect the fury of nature”

Years ago my overall goal to capture a tornado in Ontario was successful. On July 7th  of 2014 I teamed up with Scott Burlovich of Restless Skies photography and his chase partner Harry for the day and we set out to capture some pulse storms that were flaring up in the afternoon, most of these cells were just rain makers but on the way back to my home I had noticed a wall cloud that was lit up by the sun, we pulled off to the side of the road directly South of Norwich and briefly documented a EF0 tornado in a farmers field before it lifted causing no damage since it was in a dry field. This was my only tornado of the year, in a busy season. I did however get to document several gorgeous storm cells throughout the year, including several beautiful stacked shelf clouds and a great Wall cloud early in the season that brought golf ball sized hail to the area.

A Wall cloud in SW Ontario approaches my location as the RFD cuts around with hail starting to fall.
A Wall cloud in SW Ontario approaches my location as the RFD cuts around with hail starting to fall.

What now? Well I hope to achieve a few goals, one of which is to continue to capture tornados in this province, hopefully in an open field away from any properties. I also have set my sights on some goals with lightning and capturing it in a different perspective, I can’t go into much detail but it will be a stunning sight if I can achieve it. As far as how I believe the season will go, I do believe it will be a slow start, April and May will bring the return of storms, but I don’t expect anything too severe until June and July once the humidity and warmth really have a chance to build in. I do however once again stress to leave chasing to the pros, if you’re interested in storm spotting, please look into Canwarn, the more spotters in the province the quicker warnings can be issued thanks to verified ground reports.

Lightning by Chapman

Part Two

I will be in close communication with good friends and fellow chasers, Spencer Sills and Scott Burlovich, as we tend to share a lot of information about the biggest potential storms before we go chasing. You’ll notice when you look through their photography collections that they are a couple of the best for chasing down the biggest storms in our province.

Chasing an actual storm

You might be curious on what we do when it comes to chasing the actual storm. Brian’s job is to be the driver. This is his first priority. Once we are parked and in a safe but photographic position for the storm, he is our main videographer. As for myself, I choose where I think the biggest storm will form from looking at weather models that meteorologists use as well as talking to fellow storm chasers in the area. I am also the main photographer. I do some video work and navigate us to the most photogenic side of the storm. This is usually right next to the most dangerous part of the storm but still in the safest position possible.

Rapidly Rotating wall-cloud photo being documented by Brian Chapman)
Rapidly Rotating wall-cloud photo being documented by Brian Chapman)

Over the years, our team has seen and recorded a number of funnel clouds, 2 confirmed tornadoes and 4 waterspouts. One of the tornadoes was near Arthur, Ontario and the landspout tornado was near Listowel, Ontario. The Arthur tornado was a really great one to document. It lasted for close to 15 minutes and we were able to see it from start to finish. The best part about it was the fact that  no one was injured and it caused very little damage. Those are the kinds of tornadoes we love to see because they allow you to enjoy the pure power and beauty that they possess but without injuries or major destruction.

Tornado by Chapman

A second storm tried to form!

Another thing that was interesting with the tornado that hit near Arthur was the fact that it tried to form a second tornado at the same time the first one was on the ground. If that funnel had reached the ground, it would have been called a satellite tornado. They are typically smaller and weaker but not always. In Pilger, Nebraska in 2014, two EF-4’s were on the ground at the same time. Sadly they hit a town, killing 5 people and injuring 19. Those are the days I dread as a chaser and hope I never see first hand. As for the second funnel near Arthur, it didn’t quite have the energy to make it the rest of the way to the ground. This probably wasn’t such a bad thing with so many people focusing on the main, larger tornado just to its north.

A Funnel Cloud
A Funnel Cloud

Fortunately, a lot of Ontario’s tornadoes hit open areas that cause little to no damage.

There have been some exceptions, as the tornadoes that hit both Durham, Ontario on August 20, 2009 and Goderich on August 21, 2011 showed, both killing one person in each of them. That is why many storm chasers as well as dedicated weather enthusiasts in our province have a direct line to Environment Canada that allows us to contact them when we see threatening weather approaching the area we are in. It can help Environment Canada confirm what they are seeing on radar so that they can issue the proper watches and warnings accordingly.  Lightning will also be a big focus for our team this year. We continue to work to get lightning photos as close as possible in order to capture the positive leaders that come up to meet the main negative current coming down from the cloud. The leaders can come from the ground, hydro poles, houses and even people.

Yes it is dangerous.

Although this may be risky and dangerous, we have worked out ways to minimize the risk to us. We stay in the car when lightning is close with the windows up. We also won’t park under a tree, not so much from the fear of a direct lightning strike but in case lightning hits and splits the tree causing it to fall on the vehicle. I remember seeing one like that when I was young and it has had an everlasting impression on me. One of the first big wind storms I chased along Lake Erie on November 1, 2013 knocked down a tree onto a woman‘s car and unfortunately she was in it and was killed. So debris is always a concern and something to be very aware of when it comes to storm chasing.

 

Earth

Happy Living With Canada’s Urban and Rural Coyotes

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Coyotes, like other wild animals, sometimes come into conflict with humans. Since migrating to Ontario and the eastern provinces from western Canada more than 100 years ago, coyotes have adapted well to urban environments and can now be found in both rural and urban settings. Coyotes can be found across Ontario but are most abundant in southern and eastern agricultural Ontario and urban areas.

Changes in land use, agricultural practices, weather, supplemental feeding and natural food shortages may contribute to more coyote sightings in your community.

Homeowners can take steps to make sure coyotes aren’t attracted to their property and to keep their pets safe. To reduce the potential for coyote encounters, the Ministry of Natural Resources has the following tips for the public:

Do not approach or feed coyotes

Coyote sightings reported in Kokomo parks, cemeteries | Local news | kokomotribune.comCoyotes are usually wary of humans and avoid people whenever possible. However, they are wild animals and should not be approached.

                • People should NOT feed coyotes — either intentionally or unintentionally. It makes them less fearful of humans and makes them accustomed to food provided by humans.
                • Aggressive behavior towards people is unusual for coyotes, but people should always exercise caution around wildlife. Secure garbage, compost and other attractants 
                • Do not provide food to coyotes and other wildlife. Properly store and maintain garbage containers to help prevent coyotes from becoming a problem.
                • In the fall, pick ripe fruit from fruit trees, remove fallen fruit from the ground and keep bird feeders from overflowing as coyotes eat fruit, nuts and seeds.
                • In the summer, protect vegetable gardens with heavy-duty garden fences or place vegetable plants in a greenhouse. Check with your local nursery to see what deterrent products are available.
                • Place trash bins inside an enclosed structure to discourage the presence of small rodents, which are an important food source for coyotes.
                • Put garbage at curb-side the morning of the scheduled pickup, rather than the night before.
                • Use enclosed composting bins rather than exposed piles. Coyotes are attracted to dog and cat waste as well as products containing meat, milk and eggs.
                • Consider eliminating artificial water sources such as koi ponds.
                • Keep pet food indoors.  Use deterrents and fences to keep coyotes away from your home and gardens
                • Use motion-sensitive lighting and/or motion-activated sprinkler systems to make your property less attractive to coyotes and other nocturnal wildlife.
                • Fence your property or yard.  It is recommended the fence be at least six-feet tall with the bottom extending at least six inches below the ground and/or a foot outward, so coyotes cannot dig under the fence.  A roller system can be attached to the top of the fence, preventing animals from gaining the foothold they need to pull themselves up and over the top of a fence.
                • Electric fencing can also help deter coyotes from properties or gardens in some circumstances. Clear away bushes and dense weeds near your home where coyotes may find cover and small animals to feed upon.
            • Install proper fencing.
            • As coyotes are primarily nocturnal, pets should be kept inside at night.
            • Keep all pets on leashes or confined to a yard.
            • Keep cats indoors and do not allow pets to roam from home.
        • Spay or neuter your dogs. Coyotes are attracted to, and can mate with, domestic dogs that have not been spayed or neutered.

If you encounter a coyote:

        • Do not turn your back on or run. Back away while remaining calm.
        • Use whistles and personal alarm devices to frighten an approaching or threatening animal.
        • If a coyote poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety, call 911.
        • Never attempt to tame a coyote. Reduce risk of predation on livestock
        • Barns or sheds can provide effective protection from the threat of coyotes preying on livestock.
        • Guard animals, such as donkeys, llamas and dogs, can be a cost-effective way to protect livestock from coyotes. Guard animals will develop a bond with livestock if they are slowly integrated and will aggressively repel predators.

Managing problem wildlife

  • Landowners are responsible for managing problem wildlife, including coyotes, on their own property.
  • The Ministry of Natural Resources helps landowners and municipalities deal with problem wildlife by providing fact sheets, appropriate agency referrals, and information on steps they can take to address problems with wildlife.

Sci-Tech

The Dawn of Artificial Intelligence: A Journey Through Time

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A feature about the evolution of AI written and composed by AI.

AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our daily lives, influencing everything from how we interact with technology to how businesses operate. But where did it all begin? Let’s take a journey through the early days of AI, exploring the key milestones that have shaped this fascinating field.

Early Concepts and Inspirations

The concept of artificial beings with intelligence dates back to ancient myths and legends. Stories of mechanical men and intelligent automata can be found in various cultures, reflecting humanity’s long-standing fascination with creating life-like machines1. However, the scientific pursuit of AI began much later, with the advent of modern computing.

The Birth of AI as a Discipline

The field of AI was officially founded in 1956 during the Dartmouth Conference, organized by computer science pioneers John McCarthy, Marvin Minsky, Nathaniel Rochester, and Claude Shannon2. This conference is often considered the birth of AI as an academic discipline. The attendees proposed that “every aspect of learning or any other feature of intelligence can in principle be so precisely described that a machine can be made to simulate it.”

Early Milestones

One of the earliest successful AI programs was written in 1951 by Christopher Strachey, who later became the director of the Programming Research Group at the University of Oxford. Strachey’s checkers (draughts) program ran on the Ferranti Mark I computer at the University of Manchester, England3. This program demonstrated that machines could perform tasks that required a form of intelligence, such as playing games.

In 1956, Allen Newell and Herbert A. Simon developed the Logic Theorist, a program designed to mimic human problem-solving skills. This program was able to prove mathematical theorems, marking a significant step forward in AI research4.

The Rise and Fall of AI Hype

The initial success of AI research led to a period of great optimism, often referred to as the “AI spring.” Researchers believed that human-level AI was just around the corner. However, progress was slower than expected, leading to periods of reduced funding and interest known as “AI winters”4. Despite these setbacks, significant advancements continued to be made.

The Advent of Machine Learning

The 1980s and 1990s saw the rise of machine learning, a subset of AI focused on developing algorithms that allow computers to learn from and make predictions based on data. This period also saw the development of neural networks, inspired by the structure and function of the human brain4.

The Modern Era of AI

The 21st century has witnessed a resurgence of interest and investment in AI, driven by advances in computing power, the availability of large datasets, and breakthroughs in algorithms. The development of deep learning, a type of machine learning involving neural networks with many layers, has led to significant improvements in tasks such as image and speech recognition4.

Today, AI is a rapidly evolving field with applications in various domains, including healthcare, finance, transportation, and entertainment. From virtual assistants like me, Microsoft Copilot, to autonomous vehicles and systems, AI continues to transform our world in profound ways.

A Copilot self generated image when queried “Show me what you look like”. CP

Conclusion

The journey of AI from its early conceptual stages to its current state is a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. While the field has faced numerous challenges and setbacks, the progress made over the past few decades has been remarkable. As we look to the future, the potential for AI to further revolutionize our lives remains immense.

2: Timescale 3: Encyclopedia Britannica 4: Wikipedia 1: Wikipedia

For the Silo, Microsoft Copilot AI. 😉

Sci-Tech

Pax Silica Coalition Aims To Advance AI Revolution But Why No Canada?

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This article is via friends at share.america.gov. As artificial intelligence fuels a 21st-century industrial revolution, the United States and partner nations are working together to advance technological progress and mutual prosperity.

In December, the U.S. Department of State launched the Pax Silica initiative , inviting countries that are home to advanced technology companies to adopt AI standards and governance models that will foster trusted digital infrastructure and secure supply chains while unleashing the full economic potential of AI.

“This is an economic security coalition built on the reality that our security is inseparable from our technological edge,” Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg said of Pax Silica, named for the Latin words for peace and the element central to modern technologies.

So far, 11 countries have signed on to the Pax Silica declaration along with the United States: Australia, Greece, India, Israel, Japan, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sweden, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Taiwan has endorsed the Pax Silica principles.

7 people sitting at table and holding up documents (State Dept.)
Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg, far left, joins international partners at the Pax Silica Summit in Washington December 12. (State Dept.)

A strategy to lead the AI race

Advancing diplomacy and security around future technologies is a pillar of the Trump administration’s AI strategy, Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan  (PDF, 509KB below). The strategy also aims to build U.S. AI infrastructure and accelerate innovation.

Americas-AI-Action-PlanDownload

In the 21st century, Helberg says, “power is measured by technology. The ability to design and manufacture critical components … The ability to secure and scale advanced systems. The ability to turn knowledge into production.”

Graphic highlighting key parts of the Pax Silica strategic concept (State Dept./M. Gregory)
(State Dept./M. Gregory)

Countries that have joined Pax Silica are among those already reaping the benefits of innovation. Since November 2022, when U.S.-based OpenAI released ChatGPT, countries that have now joined Pax Silica have averaged 3% to 4% economic growth , three times that of similarly developed nations, Helberg said in congressional testimony in February.

Opportunity for streamlined access

Pax Silica seeks to ensure signatory nations enjoy the benefits of future progress. The State Department is piloting a “concierge” service to streamline partner nations’ access to American-made AI products — including power, cooling, software and hardware.

In February, the U.S. State Department announced foreign assistance to deliver affordable, high-quality smartphones across the Indo-Pacific. This Edge AI Package will bring AI innovations to millions of people while ensuring future users run trusted operating systems.

“When it comes to AI, we will partner with our friends to ensure they take part in this unprecedented economic boom,” Helberg says.

Culture

5 Spring Cleaning Tips For Your Garage

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Another superbly helpful article from our friends at Hagerty– if you find yourself ‘shuffling’ things around without any real improvements in organization you are not alone. Read on……
Kyle Smith

Spring time means cleaning time?

Spring cleaning is a concept that has existed for centuries. It’s the annual reminder to take personal stock of what we have, what we need, and what might need a little bit of organization or clean-up. Whether you take it seriously or not, spring cleaning is something worth at least trying if your garage is also a workshop or DIY space for your automotive habits. Make your annual cleanup better than ever with these five tips, straight from my overflowing and disorganized garage, direct to yours.

Beware of the organization trap

mounting ice tires XR250R Kyle's Garage
I think I might have a tire problem.Kyle Smith

When I was young, I would spend the occasional Saturday morning piddling around the garage with my father, who described the time as “organizing,” but if I snuck upstairs for a mid-morning snack, my mother would ask how dad was doing “shuffling his shit.” I spend a lot of my time shuffling my shit, so I guess that might be genetic. Perhaps you got that same gene.

If you do, be warned. We are the particularly gifted type who regularly put five pounds into the 10-pound bag—often without drama. The bag is not a literal bag here, but instead the area on a shelf or under a workbench. Packing things in more tightly is technically organizing, but it does not make it easier to get work done. Spending time unburying a part you now need but know is tucked behind a bunch of other things is still a waste of time. Organizing should make things easier to retrieve and use, not just allow you to fit more into the same space.

Be honest, are you actually gonna get to that?

workbench height demonstration Kyle's garage
Maybe we don’t talk about how long the project hiding under that towel has been sitting there…Kyle Smith

Spring cleaning might be about returning your storage bench to a workbench, but it is also prime time to take stock of how much time you have against how many projects you have. This doesn’t have to be about getting rid of things. Instead, consider keeping the priorities up front and putting in a little extra effort to pickle and store the long-term projects better. This ensures that when you do get to them, they are how you left them—not a mismatched pile of parts that has been shuffled five times in three years, that’s also starting to rust.

Think forward

projects garage
Kyle Smith

While most of the thinking in the garage is very present-focused, it’s also important to think about the future and what projects might be coming up. Are there some things in the trash pile that would be useful for that project? A few things worth hanging onto just a little bit longer?

It can be easy to simply default to “throw everything away” or “keep everything.” Resist this urge and instead look at the discoveries you make while spring cleaning and honestly assess them against the to-do list or calendar that helps keep track of the projects and tasks you have on the docket. Some make sense to keep and keep track of due to an upcoming task. Let this help guide your selection of what stays and what goes.

Take out the trash

Motorcycle cables on garage floor
Every used cable I’ve taken off a project bike.Kyle Smith

It sounds simple, but actually throwing things away is tough. During an annual clean-out, a new pile will likely form in the garage, full of bits and pieces amassed during the colder months that you had every intention to throw out. It’s important to actually follow through.

The struggle—for me at least—is often that items in the trash pile do still have some small perceived value. For example, nearly every motorcycle I bring into the garage gets new control cables in the interest of safe operation. Some of the cables I pull off other bikes are still functional, just in less-than-desirable shape. Perfect spares, right? Yet I can easily find myself keeping all the cables “just in case,” which means I have a trash pile by a different name.

Create homes, not spots

parts storage Kyle's garage
A lot of parts, a little organization.Kyle Smith

Organizing is hard. Putting things down is easy. Be careful not to fall back into just piling things together. Instead, take the time to catalog—even if only mentally—the parts and pieces as they appear from the depths of disorganization. This holds for tools also; the items that get rare usage might end up in the same spot, but it’s not a good spot for them to live. Spring cleaning is the time to look at workflow and space to put things where they should be, rather than a place where they fit.

Here’s an example: The vise for my drill press often ends up living on top of a toolbox, meaning it has to move each time I open the box and again when I go to use the drill press. This spring, it’s going to get a better home.

Spring cleaning should feel refreshing when complete. That can be tough in a garage where we are often forced to confront the progress (or lack thereof) on a project each year. Whether life was good to us or not, taking a moment this spring to assess and get back on track can be powerful. If you have tips or tricks you use for your spring cleaning, be sure to leave them in a comment below.

For the Silo, Kyle Smith.

Sci-Tech

New Zealand United States Space Cooperation Strengthened

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Joint Statement on U.S.-New Zealand Space Dialogue

Post via US Secretary of State Office of the Spokesperson

Pursuant to the desire of the Government of The United States of America and the Government of New Zealand, the countries held a bilateral Space Dialogue in Washington, D.C. on March 23 and on March 26 to strengthen bilateral space cooperation. The Space Dialogue demonstrates the robust and growing cooperation between the United States and New Zealand in outer space.

The U.S. delegation was led by Valda Vikmanis, Director of the Office of Space Affairs of the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, and by Eric Desautels, Director of the Office of Critical Domains for the Bureau of Emerging Threats. The New Zealand delegation was led by Andrew Johnson, Deputy Head of the New Zealand Space Agency. Chris Seed, New Zealand’s Ambassador to the United States, delivered opening remarks that underscored priorities of strengthening commercial space ties, enhancing space security cooperation, and advancing scientific collaboration. Both delegations included whole-of-government participation.

The participants welcomed the holding of the Dialogue during a period in which the United States and New Zealand share a close cooperation on space which has had mutual benefits for both countries. In October 2024, New Zealand became the third most frequent launcher of orbital rockets, with U.S. headquartered and New Zealand founded company Rocket Lab propelling New Zealand to these new heights.

A significant focus of the Dialogue was the evolving role of the commercial space sector in supporting both economic growth and shared security interests. Discussions covered the changing role of government in enabling commercial activity and the expanding range of applications, with both sides expressing their intent to continue cooperation on spaceflight safety, launch, payloads, science and innovation, and associated technology security measures. Both sides also discussed opportunities for further cooperation to address space-related threats to shared security interests, including military space cooperation and managing the risks to ground-based space infrastructure.

The delegations recognized the potential for expanded cooperation on policy and regulatory interoperability related to commercial space, including space situational awareness, launch and reentry, and commercial remote sensing. They decided to work closely together to address regulatory constraints that hinder effective cooperation, commercial engagement, and mutual benefits.

Participants welcomed the open and productive nature of the Dialogue, which included discussion on space cooperation grounded in the principles of the Artemis Accords, to which New Zealand was an early signatory. Both sides emphasized the importance of promoting peaceful and transparent behavior in outer space.

Participants acknowledged New Zealand’s geographic advantages have enabled frequent and responsive launches for U.S. industry and government agencies, adding strategic resilience to launch capacity. New Zealand’s location has enabled hosting of ground-based space infrastructure to enhance both space situational awareness and communications with spacecraft. The United States noted New Zealand’s recently passed, world‑first legislation on the operation of ground-based space infrastructure, which strengthens its ability to protect New Zealand’s national interests and values.

New Zealand’s growing focus on space security has opened new avenues for cooperation, strengthening the United States and New Zealand partnership and advancing practical efforts to promote stability, resilience, and the responsible use of space.

New Zealand’s Space Scholarships program, where New Zealand funds post graduate students to complete a three-month internship at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, where they contribute to cutting-edge space technology projects, was acknowledged as a way to create enduring space connections between New Zealand and the United States.

Participants also welcomed the announcement of the first round of joint research projects between New Zealand research institutes and NASA centers, focusing on Earth observation. These projects lay the foundation for future collaborations in other research areas, including potential contributions to the Artemis program following the March 24-25 Ignition events and announcements at NASA headquarters.

Both countries resolved to continue working together in these areas and to explore other opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation, including facilitating bilateral commercial connections.

Culture

The Dangers Of Kissing And Aspartame- When Western Medicine Fails You

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The Diet Coke Of Relationships Things My Ex Said

What do you do when Western medicine fails to heal what ails you? 

Mitzi Mensch knows only too well what happens once doctors have exhausted their bag of tricks.  Through her writing, Mensch hopes to raise awareness of the dangers of Aspartame, challenge doctors to find answers – not simply mask symptoms – and to bring out the hopeless romantic in her readers.

Healthcare has turned into a multi-trillion dollar industry as patients around the globe are herded into doctor’s offices, only to leave with prescriptions in-hand for brightly colored pills.  But what happens when the pills don’t work and the doctor is out of ideas of how to treat your symptoms?  Mitzi Mensch knows first-hand the challenges this presents and has written about her experience in The Dangers of Kissing and Diet Coke:  What Your Doctor Doesn’t Know and Won’t Bother to Find Out, a neurological nightmare juxtaposed with a riveting love story.

This medical mystery has Mitzi playing dual roles of patient and detective all while embroiled in an intense affair with her long lost first love.

There was the “Go to Psych” doctor, the “We’re out of time doctor”, the “No, next” doctor.  Physicians pushed pills which turned her into an emotional zombie and didn’t work.  Alternative practitioners practiced protocols and provided potions which didn’t work.  As Mitzi muddled through the morass she searched for anything that claimed to cure pain, calm nerves, create somnolence.

Still her headache raged on, her tics escalated, she didn’t sleep.

Mitzi was determined to find out what was wrong and fix it. And then there is the power of first love, potent and compelling.  The Internet has made it so very easy for people separated by years and distance to rekindle what was long ago left smoldering.  But should they?  Much more than a self-help book, The Dangers of Kissing and Diet Coke sizzles, allowing the reader to voyeuristically experience an affair from the perspective of the ‘other woman.’

Yeah we know...it's an ugly picture- but so is Aspartame! Take that irony! CP

Mensch would like to help people through her writing.  “Even if one person’s health is saved by eliminating Aspartame, or one person is cured of constant headache, or one doctor will look beyond the obvious – my words will have meant something.  One thing I would like for readers to take away from this book is to be your own advocate when you get sick.  As for lovers who love down through the decades, sometimes it works.  They are the lucky ones. ”

Mitzi Mensch was born and raised in New England and attended college in Vermont.  An island girl at heart, she lives in Hawaii.

Available on Amazon.com, AuthorHouse.com and local bookstores. The Dangers of Kissing and Diet Coke:  What Your Doctor Doesn’t Know and Won’t Bother to Find Out By Mitzi Mensch Publisher:  AuthorHouse  ISBN-13:  978-1491814147

Earth

Samuel L. Jackson Champions Sanctuary For LA Elephants

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LOS ANGELES/TULSA, Okla. (March, 2026) — For more than 30 years, Billy the elephant was one of Los Angeles’ most famous residents. When the Los Angeles Zoo secretly shipped him and his zoo mate, Tina, to Oklahoma in the dead of night last May, it broke the hearts of Angelenos. Now, as Tina battles a serious, life-threatening uterine infection, Hollywood titan Samuel L. Jackson is stepping in to help bring them to the sanctuary they deserve before it’s too late.

Jackson, known for his narration of wildlife documentaries like African Cats and his recent visit to Kenya’s Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, has joined an international coalition led by In Defense of Animals pressuring the Tulsa Zoo to immediately release Billy and Tina. The Tulsa Zoo was recently named the No. 10 Worst Zoo for Elephants in North America for its high-mortality breeding program. 

“Billy and Tina have sanctuaries willing to take them in,” said the producer and one of the world’s highest-grossing actors, Samuel L. Jackson. “Continued exploitation and denial of their freedom is making them worse, and time is running out! Join me in supporting In Defense of Animals and urge the Tulsa Zoo to retire these elephants before it’s too late.” 

With Tina’s life in immediate peril, advocates say it is vital for the zoo to have her urgently assessed for transport and, if she is able to be moved, sent as soon as feasible to sanctuary. Two different sanctuaries have offered homes to Billy and Tina.

The movement to free Billy and Tina has rapidly gained global traction. Jackson is the latest of more than 10,000 people who have signed a letter to Tulsa Zoo President and CEO Lindsay Hutchison, urging her to release all the elephants, including Billy and Tina.

“It’s not surprising to any of us that Tina’s health is failing at the Tulsa Zoo,” said Courtney Scott, veteran elephant consultant with In Defense of Animals, the world’s leading international animal protection organization advocating for all elephants globally. “True compassion would be sending Tina and her longtime buddy, Billy, to an elephant sanctuary. This really is a no-brainer. Tina will receive top-notch medical care at a sanctuary, and peace which will have a direct impact on her health. Living in a large, stress-free environment is the best medicine for Tina. In fact, it’s the best medicine for all captive elephants.”

Billy and Tina are at the center of a bi-state controversy. Their clandestine move in May 2025 betrayed scores of Los Angeles activists, celebrities, city and state officials, and attorneys who fought for years to have the long-suffering elephants retired to a sanctuary. Instead, they were transferred to Tulsa to be used as commodities in a high-pressure breeding program that forces elephants into unnaturally early, rapid reproduction and invasive procedures.

Ignacia Fernández, Miss World Chile, has also joined the call, stating: “Zoos breed elephants into lives of impoverishment. Born as prisoners, treated as playthings and profit-drivers, they fade away without ever truly living… I stand with In Defense of Animals to stop zoo breeding and free elephants to sanctuaries.”

The Tulsa Zoo currently holds seven elephants, all of whom exhibit profound zoochotic stress behaviors. Video (above) captured by Elephant Guardians of Los Angeles reveals another resident elephant, Sneezy, attempting a breakout, while Billy and Tina display ongoing signs of brain damage caused by severe mental distress — swaying and bobbing endlessly.

At the Tulsa Zoo, Billy and Tina join Hank, a bull who was shuttled between four facilities and is now slated as a sperm donor for artificial insemination (AI). Billy himself has already been subjected to more than 50 sperm extractions in Los Angeles, and could face more at Tulsa. Bulls are restrained and subjected to highly invasive rectal procedures to extract the semen needed for a chance to make a ticket-boosting baby elephant.

Breeding loans are just as bad for elephants, spreading elephant TB, a leading cause of death in captive elephants. A new scientific review (see pdf below) shows frequent relocations, such as for breeding, cause transfer trauma and drastically raise the risk of premature death.

elephantreportffaDownload

“We are deeply grateful to Hollywood icon Samuel L. Jackson for supporting our efforts to free Billy, as well as Tina and all elephants begging for freedom from the Tulsa Zoo,” added Scott. “We cannot let Billy, Tina or the other elephants die in this place of suffering, loss, and broken lives.”

Tulsa Zoo has earned a place on the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants list for the second time. Its highly promoted 10-acre “preserve” was already inadequate before Billy and Tina arrived. Their visible zoochotic behaviors suggest conditions are even more harmful now — not only for them, but for the other five elephants already confined there.

“For Billy and Tina, the pattern is clear — and so is the solution,” said Fleur Dawes, Director of Communications and International Partnerships for In Defense of Animals. “Sanctuaries are waiting. The harm is ongoing. And the chance to do the right thing is slipping away. Billy and Tina should be immediately released from the Tulsa Zoo, where elephants are treated as commodities instead of living beings. True conservation happens in the wild, not behind bars. The only ethical path forward for Tulsa Zoo is to end captive breeding and move its elephants, starting with Billy and Tina, to a spacious, true sanctuary.”

2025 List of the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants:

  • Houston Zoo, Houston, Texas
  • Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita, Kan.
  • Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Omaha, Neb.
  • African Lion Safari, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
  • Denver Zoo, Denver, Colo.
  • Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Powell, Ohio
  • ABQ BioPark, Albuquerque, N.M.
  • Oklahoma City Zoo, Oklahoma City, Okla.
  • Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Fresno, Calif.
  • Tulsa Zoo, Tulsa, Okla.

Hall of Shame: Oregon Zoo, Portland, Ore.

Path to Progress Award: Louisville Zoo, Louisville, Ky.

Close-up photo of Samuel L. Jackson standing in front of a herd of elephants while on a recent trip to Kenya’s Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, the world’s first Indigenous community-owned elephant sanctuary. The Jan. 29 caption reads, “Me & da herd!”

Samuel L. Jackson shared multiple photos of his African adventure including this one of a mother and her baby in tow at the expansive Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in Kenya.

For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Feature image- Art Streiber.

Supplemental

In Defense of Animals’ list of the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants in North America has been featured in The New York Times, Esquire and theDaily Mail, and supported by celebrities including Bill Maher and Ricky Gervais. It draws global attention to how zoos condemn elephants to lifetimes of deprivation, disease, and premature death. Rankings are determined based on in-person visits and data analysis of elephant mortality, health records, transfer history and enclosure conditions. This year’s list heavily weighted the intensity of breeding programs and infant mortality rates. Explore two decades of rankings at idausa.org/10worstzoos

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a history of defending animals, people and the environment since 1983.

Earth

Underwater Bimini Road Suggests Advanced Ancient Humans

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There is something very strange about the crystal blue waters in the Caribbean Sea, dotted with white sand islands and coconut trees, that seems to attract unsolved mysteries.

But unless the minds behind Wikipedia or mainstream science have a change of heart, the ever-mysterious underwater highway known as Bimini Road will likely remain case-closed.

Thereby hangs a tale common to throngs of mysterious places in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Florida Keys wherein ships, divers, and other witnesses speak of the unexplained—only to be scoffed at, derided, and scorned.

As with the Bermuda Triangle, Atlantis, and the fountain of youth, the Bimini Road joined the list of Caribbean enigmas when, in 1968, Joseph Manson Valentine, Jacques Mayol, and Robert Angove dove 18 feet underwater about a mile off of North Bimini, some 80 miles northwest of the Bahamas, and saw what they described as “pavement” on the ocean floor.

Did Nature produce flawless straight line?

A host of roughly rectangular stone slabs, they reported, rounded like loaves of bread by the sand and current over centuries, formed a flawlessly straight line. Its main feature stretched over 2,600 feet and curved like a “J” at one end. There were two smaller line features. Megalithic in size, the blocks were each 7 to 13 feet wide with right angles and seemed laid level by human hands.

A satellite view of Bimini. (<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bimini_island.jpg">Public Domain</a>)
A satellite view of Bimini. Public Domain
A map of North Bimini showing Bimini Road. (Rainer Lesniewski/Shutterstock)
A map of North Bimini showing Bimini Road. Rainer Lesniewski/Shutterstock

The anomaly posed many questions to scientists.

How did it form? Was it made by man or nature? Could advanced civilizations have existed so early as to make this—in the Ice Age? Before the region sank beneath the sea 10,000 years ago? Or could nature have created something so fine-tuned? Thus began a clash of ideas.

There were two camps.

One dove down and saw a man-made road. Scientists and amateurs alike looked, and their eyes told them enough: this could not be natural.

The other camp was more skeptical. To avoid rocking the boat (figuratively speaking), they used science to explain the road to fit the foregoing research: it was natural.

As discoveries go, this one saw funded scientists fly in to investigate. Eugene Shinn from the University of Miami’s Department of Geology was foremost among them. Mr. Shinn dove down in 1978 and took radiocarbon core samples. Ultimately, he stated, it was beachrock—a mix of sand, shells, and cement—created by nature.

Megalithic blocks form a line on the seafloor off North Bimini. (FtLaud/Shutterstock)
Megalithic blocks form a line on the seafloor off North Bimini. FtLaud/Shutterstock

The so-called “consensus” of science that grew out of Mr. Shinn’s research, more or less, says this: Bimini Road formed under the surface of the island.

It was exposed by coastal erosion some 2,000 years ago. Its gaps at regular intervals were opened by natural jointing. This view is widely held and amplified on Wikipedia today.

The other camp is less uniform. Visiting Bimini Road, the notion was put forward: there was “overwhelming evidence that the road is made-made.” Their voices spoke from less lavish soapboxes: alternative media, websites, books, anecdotes. Much of it smacks of “New Age” and probably is sprinkled (or drenched) with misinformation to smear those brave voices speaking truth to orthodoxy. And there were voices whose minds changed.

Among the theorists, archaeologist William Donato suggested that Bimini Road isn’t a road; the line of stones forms a wall known as a breakwater, built to protect a prehistoric settlement from waves. This engendered its alter ego: Bimini Wall.

One of the strongest arguments for a man-made Bimini Road comes from Gavin Menzies’s (former British Submarine Commander and amateur historian) book, “1421: The Year China Discovered the World.” He writes: “Small stones are placed underneath larger ones, apparently to make the sea-bed level;” the structure “contains arrow-shaped ‘pointers’ that can only have been man-made;” and “some small square stones have tongue and grooved joints.”

Mr. Menzies, considered an outlier in both camps, believes ancient Chinese explorers anchored here and built the road as a slipway to repair a ship.

In 2022, British author Graham Hancock appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast to discuss the road. He said it was artificially “propped up” and “leveled out” with smaller rocks. “When you dive on it,” he told Mr. Rogan, “it’s impossible to believe it’s entirely the work of nature.”

And there have been accounts that got their wires crossed.

Stones ranging from 7 to 13 feet in width pave the underwater road at North Bimini. (FtLaud/Shutterstock)
Stones ranging from 7 to 13 feet in width pave the underwater road at North Bimini. FtLaud/Shutterstock

Ironically, both Wikipedia and Mr. Menzies offer polar opposite arguments but cite the same man.

Mr. Menzies noted David Zink, who explored Bimini Road in 1974, mentioning “small stones” under the larger ones being a second layer beneath the Bimini Road. Wikipedia also cited Mr. Zink but with a reversal: the conclusion about this second layer “was likely incorrect.”

Amid all the clashing, we managed to obtain exclusive insight into the debacle.

Bimini Road, also called Bimini Wall, is believed to have been built to protect a prehistoric settlement from waves. (FtLaud/Shutterstock)
Bimini Road, also called Bimini Wall, is believed to have been built to protect a prehistoric settlement from waves. FtLaud/Shutterstock

Psychologist Greg Little, author of “Edgar Cayce’s Atlantis,” revealed to the newspaper another flip-flop. He claims to have evidence of scientists altering core samples to support that Bimini Road was naturally formed. He says they admitted being pressured to do so by “all the craziness” surrounding Bimini Road, that it was “done for fun,” and it was done “to make a good story.”

To verify Mr. Little’s claims, the scientist in question was contacted directly who replied they were “not going to nit-pick over Little’s concerns.”

If true, the claim raises questions: Why would the orthodoxy mislead? What do they stand to gain by disproving ancient man’s involvement in the creation of Bimini Road?

This was posed to Mr. Little, who drew on psychology to explain:

“All contradictions to their beliefs are probably perceived as a direct threat to them professionally and psychologically,“ he said. ”The long history of science has countless examples of widely held beliefs that were proven wrong by research. But even in the face of incontrovertible proof that these beliefs were wrong, many so-called scientists refused to accept the new evidence.”

As for Bimini Road—whether it’s case-closed, as the “consensus” says, or mysterious as ever—there’s perhaps a way to know: Visit Bimini Road. Swim the crystal blue waters. Witness its wonders yourself with your eyes. For the Silo via Michael Wing & friends at theepochtimes.com.

Fashion

Raketa Releases New Model Of Iconic Big Zero Watch

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Raketa «BIG ZERO х Masha Yankovskaya»

Я (“I”) at the Center of Time 

Raketa watch manufacturer is releasing a new interpretation of its iconic Big Zero model. Time is a pivot theme in art, explored by many artists across various periods and artistic languages. Time is swift and relentless; some moments can feel like a quick instant, while others like a lifetime. For the Russian artist Masha Yankovskaya, time is a subjective inner experience. Time filters through people, social roles, cities, countries, lifestyles, fashion trends, and tastes as we live on. 

Our own “Я” (Ya, translated as “I”), our identity and personality, remains with us throughout the years. This inner “Я” is stronger than the course of history. Our identities linger on for many generations in artwork, for example.

A Collaboration based on fusion

The collaboration between Masha Yankovskaya and Raketa watch brand is a fusion of artistic expression and engineering tradition. While Yankovskaya’s art has an explicit female identity, it may be equally resonant with both male and female experiences.

The watch design features Masha’s signature red colour which is also symbolic for Raketa. The center of the dial features a rotating star drawn from the artist’s vivid visual language and referring to her Star painting from the Tarot series. 

As part of the Major Arcana, the Star is the 17th card that stands for hope, inspiration, and healing. In Raketa’s watch, this concept translates into the seconds hand, combining a  symbolic artistic dimension with the rhythm of time. The star also echoes the topic of outer  space, historically significant for the Raketa brand which emerged following Yuri Gagarin’s  triumphant flight.

Masha Yankovskaya’s signature “Я” replaces the 6-hour marker, emphasizing individuality and personality. “Я” is not only the artist’s initial but a conceptual gesture that underscores the egocentricity of Yankovskaya’s art, dedicated to inner experiences and reflections. Here, “Я” becomes the reference point centering our perception of time.

Limited Edition

The model comes as a limited edition of just 100 individually numbered watches. A red genuine leather strap matches the overall colour scheme. The set also includes a classic red or black alligator leather strap.

The heart of the watch is a Russian self-winding movement, manufactured from A to Z at the Raketa Watch Factory, one of the few manufacturers worldwide that still produce in-house movements.  The open case back cover reveals the movement and its rotor decorated with Neva waves.

What about the price?

The price of this watch is 2100 EUR (excluding VAT) / $3,355 CAD. For the comfort of customers,  Raketa watches are delivered worldwide free of charge by DHL directly up to the front door.

Specifications

  •  Factory: Raketa Watch Factory (Saint Petersburg)
  •  Movement: Calibre:2615
  • Functions: Automatic
  • Number of jewels: 24
  • Testing positions: 4
  • Average rate (s/d): -10+20
  • Average running time (h): 40
  • Frequency/hour: 18.000 / 2.5 (Hz)
  • Bi-directional automatic winding? Yes
  • Stopper of self-winding unit activated during manual? Yes
  • Winding: Decoration: Hand-made Neva waves + Print
  • Case: Material: Stainless steel
  • Size: 40 mm
  • Front glass: Sapphire
  • Back glass: Mineral
  • Crown: Ruby stone inside the crown
  • Water resistance: 10 АТМ
  • Dial: Enamel coating. Superluminova
  • Hands: Mountain shape
  • Strap: Material: Two straps: red genuine leather and black genuine alligator leather
  • Width: 20 mm
  • Sex : Unisex

For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Travel

The Top 10 European Ski Destinations

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Fancy staying on a home exchange this wintry Spring and stretching your skiing budget?

Here are the top 10 European ski destinations chosen by our friends at HomeExchange. Stay near or in a resort, borrow ski accessories for kids and save on accommodation costs. There’s really something for everyone, from Jacuzzis to sledges and beautiful views to hundreds of mountain chalets and apartments.

Val d’Isere, France

val-disere-franceThere’s a reason why Val d’Isere, at 1,850 meters, continues to be the top choice of European skiers each winter. It offers the perfect blend of challenging ski terrain for advanced skiers and learner-friendly beginners zones for those new to the snow. The resort center is lined with high-end shops, lively après-ski bars and fantastic restaurants, all housed within beautiful, stone-clad buildings.

Chamonix Les Houches, France

chamonix-les-houches-franceThe diversity on offer in Chamonix these days makes it impossible to review the whole resort as one destination. At 950 meters, Les Houches is one of the closest resorts to Geneva Airport and offers kilometer after kilometer of tree-lined skiing, making it the perfect destination for families and beginners. The resort center has a village feel and is an outstanding spot from which to take in the incredible views.

Cosy chalet near Mont Blanc, Les Houches – 10 minutes from Chamonix

Klosters, Switzerland

klosters-switzerlandWhile the ski area between Klosters (at 1,179 meters) and Davos offers lots to explore, Klosters is without doubt the more attractive base for your ski holiday. The village center is charming and affluent, but with a relaxed vibe, while the trails are popular with advanced skiers enjoying an abundance of easily accessible off-piste in the area.

Cosy chalet just 10 minutes from the ski lifts at Klosters

Les Gets, France

les-gets-franceA resort that’s been quietly minding its own business for years, Les Gets, at 1,200 meters, is now developing into a chic, family-orientated resort that offers quick and easy access to the 650-kilometer Portes du Soleil ski area. Several piste-side restaurants offer views of Mont Blanc so it’s easy to find a sunny spot on which to enjoy an après tipple or two.

Luxury mountain ski chalet – Exceptional view

Crans-Montana, Switzerland

crans-montana-swizterlandThere’s one thing that makes these two interconnected resorts stand out, and it may not be for everyone. Crans, at 1,500 meters, and its neighbour Montana are not villages; although right on the edge of a great ski area, they’re most definitely towns with a very urban feel. This is a very sunny spot in which to base yourself and there’s varied terrain to suit all ability levels.

Farm with beautiful views 10 minutes from Crans Montana

La Rosière, France

la-rosiere-franceWe love La Rosière, at 1,850 meters, not just because of its high elevation and snow certainty. The ski area offers two great experiences for the price of one when you cross over the Petit St Bernard pass into Italy. Wide pistes descend for kilometers into La Thuile over the border and getting back is no hassle at all. The main village is quiet but well stocked, and the views are exceptional.

Madonna di Campiglio, Italy

madonna-di-campiglio-italyItalian ski resorts are always authentic, traditional and charming, and Campiglio, at 1,550 meters, is no different. The car-free resort huddles on the valley floor and the center is stylish with several chic shops. The ski area spreads over 150 kilometers, and there have been several lift upgrades over recent years, making it quick and easy for you to cover a considerable distance on skis each day.

Luxurious apartment 5 minutes from ski lifts with fantastic view over the Dolomites

Courchevel Moriond 1650, France

courchevel-moriond-1650-franceRebranded way back in 2011 to recognize the differences between its more blingy neighbor higher up the valley, Courchevel 1650 is now an attractive, unpretentious resort with a stack of new facilities, including Aquamotion, a huge center for water sports that opened in December 2015. And let’s not forget: On your doorstep you’ll find the largest linked ski area in the world. The 600 kilometers of the 3 Valleys network never disappoint.

Selva, Val Gardena, Italy

selva-val-gardena-italySeasoned skiers, this one’s for you. At 1,563 meters, Selva serves up challenging ski terrain on both sides of a valley, accessed by both gondolas and quick chair lifts. The village center is packed with charm and character and there’s also a collection of well-maintained beginner slopes and progressive tree-lined runs enjoyed by families.

Geilo, Norway

geilo-norwayNo list of top 10 ski resorts is complete without mentioning Norway and the town of Geilo, at 800 meters. It is one of the country’s most popular resorts. It’s a small, well-equipped town that’s invested heavily in new runs, new lifts and new facilities. Between January and April you can also ski until 8pm on flood-lit slopes. Photo Credit: Geilo, Norway

For the Silo, Alexandra Origet du Cluzeau/ HomeExchange.

About HomeExchange

Founded by Ed Kushins, a pioneer of the “collaborative consumption” movement, HomeExchange has facilitated over one million home swaps since 1992. It was featured in 2006 in the cult movie “The Holiday” starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Jude Law.

Earth

Water Is Not For Sale- Say No To Privatization

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Tiger

Water Is A Fundamental Human Right…..Right?

I’m sure you’d agree that access to water is a fundamental human right. In Ontario, with our abundance of fresh water, it may seem that water security is not an issue. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

The province’s new Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act (WWPCA), which was shoehorned in omnibus Bill 60, paves a dangerous path towards water privatization in Ontario. While the province insists water privatization is not its intent, the Act has no limits on private ownership. In fact, the Act would enable the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to designate corporations under the Business Corporations Act to have control over water and wastewater systems.

Privatization Agenda?

These changes are yet another example of Premier Ford’s privatization agenda, prioritizing corporate interests over essential public services.

Water is a public good and a human right. We can’t sit back and allow this government to make it a commodity. Environmental Defence continues to urge the Ontario government to amend the WWPCA to ensure that water and wastewater services remain public. With your support, we will mobilize the public and raise awareness, calling on the provincial government to stop water privatization and safeguard water sources. How you can help us.

History shows the risk of privatization.

Since the early 2000s, hundreds of attempts to privatize water management worldwide have failed. Municipalities, including Hamilton, Ontario, have tried privatization before, resulting in significant environmental and financial consequences. Privatization often means less transparency and accountability, and could lead to higher water bills, contaminated drinking water, and polluted lakes and rivers.

Water privatization spells an uncertain future for water security in Ontario. Now’s the time to stand up and send a clear message that Water is Not for Sale!

For the Silo,  Rebecca Kolarich /Environmental Defence.

Transportation

Surging EV Interest Due To Rising Gas Prices From Iran Conflict

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Automotive retail analyst and EV authority Justin Fischer notes early data from CarEdge showing EV sales are trending up, but not yet to the extent that search volume has. Although searches for electric models are up 20% on CarEdge Car Search, the latest data on EV sales suggests that new EV sales are up 18% (excluding direct-to-consumer brands Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid), and used EV sales across all makes and models is up 10%. We’ll have a clearer picture in early April when March sales data arrives.

Data For the Post-Iran War Market

CarEdge estimates new and used car sales in the most recent 45-day window by tracking when listings appear and disappear from dealership websites. With the oil price spike beginning just over two weeks ago, only part of the latest data reflects the post-Iran War market.



This quick turnaround in the EV market comes right after several legacy automakers announced billions of dollars in write downs for failed EV investments. Ford, General Motors, Honda, and others have all canceled models and backtracked on future plans for electrification. One exception is Toyota. Toyota played the long game, having delayed the rollout of their EV lineup until years after the competition. In 2026, Toyota unveiled three new EVs with competitive pricing and specs. Toyota also leads in hybrid sales, and recently made the best-selling RAV4 and Camry exclusively hybrid-powered.

With fuel costs now front of mind for consumers, it looks like yet again Toyota’s corporate strategy was a smart move.

Why does this matter?

These negative headlines and model cancellations create consumer hesitancy. EV shoppers are thinking twice about buying a soon-to-be discontinued electric model. This could benefit the likes of Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid, whose all-EV strategy is seen as a safer alternative. With Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network and Rivian’s launch of the more affordable R2 this spring, we may see a more pronounced bump in sales for these OEMs.

May 2022- Canada gas prices surged to all time high. Will prices continue to rise and surpass the record?



The headlines are full of “surging EV interest” due to the Iran conflict, but there is a massive data gap between search interest and actual showroom sales. While gas prices have shot up nearly $1.00 usd per gallon in a month (37.4 cents cad per liter in a month) , internal data shows that January EV sales were actually down 30% year-over-year. We are at a critical “reinvention cycle” where consumers are weighing $5.00usd/gallon diesel against a new $55,000 usd EV.

Interesting Choices

  • The Hybrid “First Responders”: Shoppers are flocking to hybrids like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V first, viewing them as a “hedge” against both gas spikes and EV charging anxiety.
  • The $2,700 Math: A jump to $4.50/gallon (already a reality in California/Oregon) adds $750 to the annual cost of a standard SUV , effectively wiping out the “savings” of recent gas-vehicle incentives.
  • The 0% APR Battle: Automakers are currently offering 0% financing on EVs (like the 2026 Tesla Model Y) to prevent inventory from rotting on lots, and how long those deals will last if gas stays high
  • Used EV “Sweet Spot”: The real surge isn’t in new EVs, but in the used $25,000 market where buyers can actually see an immediate ROI on fuel savings.

For the Silo, Justin Fischer.

Culture

Top 5 Things that Make Finland Happiest Country For Ninth Consecutive Year

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People and companies tend to do well in similar surroundings. Here’s how Finland cultivates an environment in which personal happiness and business success are not at odds but grow out of the same ground.

Several things contribute to Finnish happiness, many of which also make Finland a great country to do business and invest in. We listed five reasons why Finland is a country where people experience a high quality of life—and which also make Finland a place for entrepreneurship and innovation that punches above its weight in many sectors.

1. Stable, functional, and predictable—everyday

In Finland, people experience a high level of personal freedom, public services are widely available, buses run on time, and things just generally work. Daily life can be almost boring in its predictability— in the best possible way.

Such stability also represents a competitive advantage. In the recent 2026 Finland Investor Confidence Barometer, 54% of Finnish-owned and 62% of foreign-owned company business leaders considered social stability and functionality to be among Finland’s key strengths.

2. People work well together in a high-trust society

Finland is characterized by a widely shared sense of trust among both neighbors and strangers. It is also characterized by people’s trust in the authorities and governing bodies. Corruption remains low (2nd in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index in 2025), and people and organizations don’t need to spend a lot of time and energy trying to work out who they can trust. This removes obstacles to collaboration, making for a happier, stress-free environment.

3. Work-life balance lifts both sides

Finnish society supports people’s ability to combine work with family life and the pursuit of one’s own interests and hobbies. Finnish policies support subsidized parental leave, infant health services, and daycare. This means people can both build a career and fulfill their dreams of a family without creating an undue burden on either. A big part of the Finnish dream is the accessibility of a fulfilling life for everyone.   

4. World-class digital infrastructure keeps you connected

Finland has long had a thriving ICT sector. So it’s no surprise it’s among the top countries in the world when it comes digitalization. As a country of long distances, Finland benefits from reliable high-speed networks that support working from home, as well as enjoying life and staying connected outside office hours. In the Finland Investor Confidence Barometer, approximately half the surveyed leaders of both domestic and foreign-owned businesses listed the country’s digital infrastructure as one of Finland’s core strengths.

5. Connection with and appreciation of nature

Even with great digital connections, Finns also know how to log off. Anywhere in Finland (even in the cities), you’re always within a 10-minute walk from a nature trail or park. The proximity of nature gives people a sense of calm—and people who are relaxed, recharged, and happy outside work are also happy and productive people when they’re in the office. Finland is also committed to preserving its valued nature with a credible climate policy. Carbon neutrality is a common target for many cities and municipalities, and the green transition is viewed as a major opportunity for businesses. 

The coming together of these factors contributes to the Finnish sense of happiness, both during and outside business hours. And it shows. The UN World Happiness Report surveys people from around the world annually, asking them to evaluate their current quality of life: on March 19, the report’s 2026 edition announced Finland as the world’s happiest country for the 9th consecutive year.

For the Silo, Salla Salovaara/ Business Finland.

ABOUT

Business Finland is the Finnish government organization that provides innovation funding and internationalization services, promotes travel and investments, and attracts talents to Finland. Business Finland’s around 450 experts work in 12 offices globally and in 15 regional offices around Finland. Business Finland is part of the Team Finland network. www.businessfinland.fi

Invest in Finland helps foreign companies identify business opportunities in Finland, produces information on Finland as an investment destination, and enhances and coordinates national efforts to attract investment by actively networking with regional and international entities. Invest in Finland also collects and updates information about foreign-owned companies in Finland. Invest in Finland is part of Business Finland. www.businessfinland.com

Travel

Yellowstone: The World’s First National Park

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People walking on boardwalk around Grand Prismatic Spring at Yellowstone National Park (© Vaa Eriksen/Adobe)
The Grand Prismatic Spring is among the Yellowstone sites created by underground volcanic activity. (© Vaa Eriksen/Adobe)

With its fluorescent natural wonders and diverse wildlife, Yellowstone National Park attracts 4.5 million visitors each year.

The world’s first national park was created on March 1, 1872, when President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act. The law decreed that the headwaters of the Yellowstone River be “dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” The decision led to the creation of the National Park Service, which now protects more than 400 sites  across the United States.

What are Geysers?

Sprinkled amid the hot springs are the rarest fountains of all, the geysers. What makes geysers rare and distinguishes them from hot springs is that somewhere, usually near the surface in the plumbing system of a geyser, there are one or more constrictions.

Geysers are hot springs with constrictions in their plumbing, usually near the surface, that prevent water from circulating freely to the surface where heat would escape. The deepest circulating water of the system can exceed the surface boiling point of water (199°F/93°C). Surrounding pressure increases with depth, much as it does with depth in the ocean. Increased pressure exerted by the enormous weight of the overlying water and rock prevents the water from boiling. As the water rises due to heating, steam forms and expands, increasing pressure in the constricted plumbing near the surface. At a critical point, the confined bubbles actually lift the water above the surface vent, causing the geyser to splash or overflow. This decreases pressure on the system, and violent boiling results. Tremendous amounts of steam force water out of the vent, and an eruption begins. Water is expelled faster than it can enter back into the geyser’s plumbing system, and the heat and pressure gradually decrease. The eruption stops when the water reservoir is depleted or when the system cools.

There are more geysers in Yellowstone than anywhere else on Earth. Old Faithful, certainly the most famous geyser, is joined by numerous others big and small, named and unnamed. Though born of the same water and rock, what is enchanting is how differently they play in the sky. Riverside Geyser, in the Upper Geyser Basin, shoots at an angle across the Firehole River, often forming a rainbow in its mist. Castle Geyser erupts from a cone shaped like the ruins of some medieval fortress. Grand Geyser explodes in a series of powerful bursts, towering above the surrounding trees. Echinus Geyser spouts up and out to all sides like a fireworks display of water. And Steamboat Geyser, the largest in the world, pulsates like a massive steam engine in a rare, but remarkably memorable eruption, reaching heights of 300 to 400 feet.

Vastness of Yellowstone

While mostly in Wyoming, Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres (8,900 square kilometers) extend into neighboring Idaho and Montana. The massive park covers an area larger than the U.S. states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined.

People watching geyser erupting (© Wasin Pummarin/Adobe)
Spectators watch an Old Faithful eruption. (© Wasin Pummarin/Adobe)

Yellowstone was established to protect an extraordinary collection of 10,000 thermal features, including geysers, hot springs, fumaroles and boiling mud pots created by underground volcanic activity. With 500 geysers, the park has more than half of all the world’s erupting hot springs.

While waiting for Old Faithful, the world’s most famous geyser, is a Yellowstone tradition, the park also boasts abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. With the largest concentration of mammals on the U.S. mainland, Yellowstone is home to bison — the U.S. national mammal — as well as black bears, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, moose and mountain goats.

You may also glimpse predators, such as one of the 1,000 grizzly bears known to inhabit the area, along with lynx, wolverines and wolves.

Bison licking calf (© Michael Underwood/Adobe)
A mother bison cares for her calf. (© Michael Underwood/Adobe)

Bird lovers will relish the opportunity to see 300 species of birds. The park service provides a checklist for bird watchers hoping to spot them all.

While Yellowstone offers something in every season, services are limited from early November through late April. Bad weather can change road conditions at any time, so check operating dates  and conditions before visiting.

For those unable to visit, Yellowstone’s 10 webcams  offer glimpses of the park. So whether you’re planning to feel the mist from an Old Faithful eruption or looking for a brief virtual escape, Yellowstone offers an experience unlike any other. For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Featured image- Daphne Zheng via Getty Images

Culture

How Meta and TikTok Turn User Rage into Revenue, While Pretending to Keep You Safe

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Whistleblowers from Meta and TikTok revealed that both companies knowingly allowed more harmful content, including violence, extremism, and exploitation of minors, on their platforms to win the algorithm-driven engagement race, prioritizing stock prices and political relationships over user safety.

Disclaimer- According to Kate Miller at The Fastest Media, the original source for this story, Cybernews, has been caught in significant inaccuracies.

Cyberbullying Enabled

These platforms also prioritize resolving complaints from politicians over those from vulnerable people, such as minors experiencing cyberbullying. 

“While platforms and lawmakers take their sweet time debating what borderline content is, people are left to deal with the psychological fallout of social media addiction. From the inability to tell right from wrong or fake from real, loss of concentration, sleep, and even sense of self, to radicalization, depression, and self harm – the consequences of companies toying with their algorithms to meet business goals are dire for humanity,” writes Jurgita Lapienytė, Editor-in-Chief at Cybernews. 

Profit Over Safety?

A new BBC report revealed what we suspected all along – big tech platforms turn a blind eye to harmful content for the sake of profit. Platforms allow so-called borderline content – misogynistic, sexist, racist, conspiracy-driven – that is harmful yet legal.

According to the report, based on accounts from a dozen whistleblowers and insiders, Meta engineers were instructed to allow more borderline content to compete with TikTok. Meanwhile, TikTok is said to have prioritized several user complaints involving politicians to “avoid threats of regulation or bans.”

Unsurprisingly, big tech platforms denied any wrongdoing, insisting that they do not amplify harmful content.

Algorithms are allegedly designed to better understand user interests and needs, and cater to them accordingly. Unfortunately, most of what a user “wants” turns out to be conspiracy theories, AI slop, deepfakes, and pro-Nazi content. Or at least the algorithm seems to think so – because most of this is so-called ragebait content, designed to provoke a strong response from the user.

And since users engage with it, the algorithm is tricked into “thinking” this is what people want. Humans behind the algorithm must clearly understand this is not the case, but clicks translate to cash. So why would Big Tech cut the branch it’s sitting on?

In 2024, Meta earned $16 billion, or 10% of its annual revenue, from scam ads and banned goods. The information comes not from a third-party analytics firm but from Meta’s own documents, proving that the tech giant is well aware of how much harm it can spread – and how much money it can make along the way.

While platforms and lawmakers take their sweet time debating what borderline content is, people are left to deal with the psychological fallout of social media addiction. From the inability to tell right from wrong or fake from real, loss of concentration, sleep, and even sense of self, to radicalization, depression, and self harm – the consequences of companies toying with their algorithms to meet business goals are dire for humanity.

It’s not only our mental health that’s at stake. Adversaries, well aware of algorithmic logic, abuse it to spread misinformation and straightforward lies, sowing division to influence elections all over the world – making us wonder just how much harm performative compliance has already done to democracy.

Cybernews is a globally recognized independent media outlet where journalists and security experts debunk cyber by research, testing, and data.

Cybernews has earned worldwide attention for its high-impact research and discoveries, which have uncovered some of the internet’s most significant security exposures and data leaks. Notable ones include:

  • Cybernews researchers found that Android AI apps leak Google secrets the most, 700TB of files already exposed.
  • Cybernews researchers discovered multiple open datasets comprising 16 billion login credentials from infostealer malware, social media, developer portals, and corporate networks – highlighting the unprecedented risks of account takeovers, phishing, and business email compromise.
  • The research team also studies over 19 billion newly exposed passwords, and found that most people use 8–10 character passwords (42%).
  • Cybernews researchers analyzed 156,080 randomly selected iOS apps – around 8% of the apps present on the App Store – and uncovered a massive oversight: 71% of them expose sensitive data.
  • Recently, Bob Dyachenko, a cybersecurity researcher and owner of SecurityDiscovery.com, and the Cybernews security research team discovered an unprotected Elasticsearch index, which contained a wide range of sensitive personal details related to the entire population of Georgia. 
  • The team analyzed the new Pixel 9 Pro XL smartphone’s web traffic, and found that Google’s latest flagship smartphone frequently transmits private user data to the tech giant before any app is installed.
  • The team revealed that a massive data leak at MC2 Data, a background check firm, affects one-third of the US population.
  • The Cybernews security research team discovered that 50 most popular Android apps require 11 dangerous permissions on average.
  • An analysis by Cybernews research discovered over a million publicly exposed secrets from over 58 thousand websites’ exposed environment (.env) files.
  • The team revealed that Australia’s football governing body, Football Australia, has leaked secret keys potentially opening access to 127 buckets of data, including ticket buyers’ personal data and players’ contracts and documents.
  • The Cybernews research team, in collaboration with cybersecurity researcher Bob Dyachenko, discovered a massive data leak containing information from numerous past breaches, comprising 12 terabytes of data and spanning over 26 billion records.
  • The team analyzed NASA’s website, and discovered an open redirect vulnerability plaguing NASA’s Astrobiology website.

For the Silo, Živilė Kasparavičiūtė.

Featured image via Cybernews- Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence (AI) firm xAI has said it is working to remove posts by its chatbot Grok that praised Adolf Hitler as the best person to deal with “vile anti-white hate.”

Finance

Over Fifty Nature Positive Investible Opportunities via World Economic Forum

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New Analysis Identifies 50+ Investible Opportunities Delivering Financial Returns

  • More than 50 investible opportunities, across 13 sectors, that are already generating revenue or cost savings for industry and investors have been identified by new World Economic Forum research.
  • Though more than half of global GDP is highly or moderately dependent on nature, capital continues to flow disproportionately towards nature-negative activities, leading to potential systemic risks and undervalued business opportunities.
  • From precision agriculture and sustainable cement to battery recycling and industrial water management, growing numbers of investment opportunities can both protect nature and deliver returns for investors.
  • Learn more about the report here.

Geneva, Switzerland, March 2026 – More than 50 investible opportunities could turn capital flows into lucrative nature-positive business practices and contribute up to $10.1 trillion in annual business revenues and cost savings by 2030, according to a new World Economic Forum report just launched.

The report, 50 Investible Opportunities for a New Nature Economy, developed in collaboration with Oliver Wyman, also highlights how nature risk and capital flow misalignment represents a growing systemic economic risk and a significant missed commercial opportunity for business.


This comes at a time when global capital flows remain deeply misaligned. According to the United National Environment Programme (UNEP), an estimated $7.3 trillion continues to be invested annually in activities that degrade ecosystems, compared to roughly $220 billion invested in nature-based solutions. The report’s 50 investible opportunities offer revenue-generating and cost-saving approaches to close this gap.

Who Is Falling Behind?


Similar to the Paris Agreement for climate targets, the international community is falling behind on biodiversity targets. Renewed action and novel strategies are needed to meet goals of halting and reversing nature loss by 2030.

“We need to transition towards an economic system that delivers prosperity within planetary boundaries,” said Sebastian Buckup, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. “Industries, including the financial sector, will pursue this not just as an act of corporate social responsibility or impact investing but because it makes good business sense to do so.”

As companies face increasing exposure to water scarcity, soil degradation, pollution and tightening environmental regulation, nature-related risks are no longer abstract sustainability concerns but material financial issues affecting long-term profitability.

Drawing on analysis of approximately 250 business activities, the report identifies 50+ investment-ready opportunities across 13 high-impact sectors to support halting and reversing nature loss by 2030.
From precision agriculture and sustainable concrete to battery recycling and industrial water management, these solutions reduce pressure on land, water and resources while generating revenue growth, cost savings and risk mitigation.

WEF_The_Future_Of_Nature_And_Business_2020Download

Case Study: Sustainable Cement and Concrete Blends


For example, the report looks at sustainable concrete blends as an investible opportunity. These blends reduce reliance on newly quarried raw materials by substituting a portion with recycled industrial byproducts or recovered construction materials. They provide similar structural performance to traditional concrete while helping companies meet regulatory standards and growing market demand for low-impact building solutions.

These blends also have an array of nature benefits, including reducing new quarrying, lowering pollution and reducing the energy intensity needed for new concrete.

While these products are commercially viable today and can often be integrated into existing production facilities with moderate capital investment, many sustainable blends retail at a higher price than conventional concrete, as the latter benefits from established logistics, economies of scale and similar factors that lower costs. As economies of scale are built and business models are derisked, sustainable concrete offers an opportunity for investors to put capital towards a business-ready, nature-positive solution that can generate returns.

“At its core, this is a capital allocation challenge,” said Derek Baraldi, Head of Sustainable Finance, World Economic Forum. “Financial institutions and businesses that integrate nature into strategy today are not just managing risk but positioning themselves for competitive advantage.”

The Role of Capital and Financial Institutions

Financial institutions can help scale these solutions by providing the capital companies need to invest in new production processes and facilities. They can also reduce risk through tools such as sustainability-linked loans, guarantees or blended financing, helping innovative materials reach the market faster.

To support financial institutions looking to invest in nature-positive solutions, the report outlines five priority actions for financial institutions to mobilize capital into nature-positive opportunities. By strengthening internal “nature fluency”, innovating financial products, building coalitions, improving data use and leveraging nature transition conversations to surface investible opportunities, financiers can build a robust pipeline of nature-positive opportunities to deliver both mainstream and sustainable finance.



Business depends on reliable water supplies, fertile soils, biomass and ecosystem services such as pollination and flood protection. Industry successes are already delivering value while supporting nature-positive goals, such as industrial water management to tackle water shortages and precision agriculture techniques that save farmers input costs while reducing fertilizer run-off into waterways. Realigning capital flows with nature-positive investments that protect biodiversity and offer financial returns is essential to safeguarding the natural systems which underpin the global economy.

More about Nature-Positive Transitions


The World Economic Forum’s Nature-Positive Transitions report series explores transformative pathways to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. Focusing on critical sectors, the series highlights the dual impacts and dependencies of these industries on nature, alongside the priority actions businesses can take to avoid and reduce negative impacts, mitigate nature-related risks, build resilience and unlock opportunities across value chains. Nine sectors have been involved: technology, automotive, cement and concrete, chemicals, household and personal care products, mining and metals, ports and offshore wind.

The World Economic Forum provides a global, impartial, not-for-profit platform and insights to support meaningful connections between political, business, academic, civil society and other leaders. (www.weforum.org).

For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Finance

Are You Thinking of Retiring? Don’t Miss These Crucial Steps

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Retirement is exciting to think about. After decades of work, the idea of having more control over your time… that’s something people look forward to, right? Many spend their working lives waiting until the day they retire – so if that’s you, you aren’t alone.

No matter how you imagine spending your retirement – traveling, spending more time with your family, or just enjoying a slower pace of life – it is a rewarding stage of life. But before you take the leap, there are a few important things worth putting in place.

A little bit of preparation now makes the years ahead much less stressful.

Create a Retirement Budget

You’ll have spent years earning a salary. One of the biggest changes you’ll go through after retiring is relying on savings and retirement income. Because of this, you must have a clear picture of your finances. That’s essential.

Even more so as Canadians now believe they require $1.7 million to retire. This is an increase from $1.54 million in 2025. So yes, having a budget is a must.

Begin with an estimate of what your monthly income will be. This might include pensions, investment income, retirement savings, or government benefits. Once you know what is coming in on a monthly basis, take a look at what typically goes out.

Many expenses will stay the same. Living expenses – groceries, mortgage or rent, utilities, and the like – don’t disappear when you stop working. At the same time, retirement also brings new spending. You might be one of the many retirees who travel more, take up new hobbies, or spend more time dining out.

Put everything on paper. This helps you understand whether your income comfortably supports your lifestyle. It’ll be easier to make adjustments before you retire if you notice a gap. 

Some people do find it helpful to speak with financial professionals who focus primarily on retirement planning. Firms – like Aleph Retirement Planners – work with individuals who want a long-term plan. Such forward planning helps manage income and expenses after leaving the workforce.

Plan for Long-Term Care

Another important part of retirement planning? Health. Most people hope to stay active and independent as they age, but it’s wise to consider what might happen if extra care is needed.

You might think it silly to consider this now. It isn’t. You need to be prepared, especially when there are numerous options. Long-term care takes different forms. Some people need occasional help at home, while others may eventually require assisted living. Depending on where you live, these services could be costly.

Think about these possibilities early. This gives you more options. You might explore long-term care insurance. Others might choose to set aside a portion of their savings specifically for future care needs.

Speak with family members, too. Discuss their preferences, if they have any. Sure, these conversations likely won’t be easy, but they do prevent confusion later on. Your wishes will be understood and followed.

Update Your Will and Power of Attorney

Retirement is a good time to review legal documents as well. There’s a chance your circumstances will have changed since you first created a will, particularly if you made it many years ago.

Maybe you’ve welcomed grandchildren. Perhaps you’ve purchased property. You might have experienced another major life change. Updating your will ensures your assets are distributed the way you intend.

Equally important is a power of attorney. This document allows someone you trust to handle financial or medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so. Again, you might not think this is necessary – but it might be. Without it, loved ones may need to go through complex legal processes just to step in and help you.

Review these documents periodically. Doing so keeps everything up to date and avoids unnecessary problems later.

To conclude, retirement is a life transition. A major one. It doesn’t need to overwhelm you, though. If you want to approach this next chapter with confidence, then you need to consider the above steps. 
This way, retirement becomes a time to enjoy everything you’ve worked hard for.

For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Art

Late Inuit Artist’s Work Named 100 Best Artworks Of 21st Century

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Annie Pootoogook’s drawing entitled Man Abusing His Partner was  selected as one of the best 100 artworks of the 21st century by ArtNews. 

Kinngait (Cape Dorset), Nunavut – A drawing by late Inuit artist Annie Pootoogook, who died under suspicious circumstances in 2016, has been named as one of the best artworks of the 21st century by ArtNews, one of the most trusted sources for news about the global art world and art market. 

Known for her drawings that depict contemporary Inuit life, her drawing entitled Man Abusing His Partner was selected as one of greatest artworks of the past 25 years.  

Annie Pootoogook works on her art on July 10, 2013, in Ottawa. The investigation into her 2016 death has stalled, sources tell CBC News. (Alexei Kintero)

The work on paper illustrates a haunting personal memory from Annie’s life during the early 1990s, when she was in an abusive relationship with a man in Nunavik.

The artwork depicts a  violent and threatening scene, with a male figure holding a piece of wood above his head,  directed toward a woman who lies defenseless on a bed. Initially, like many women facing  similar situations, Annie remained silent about her experiences, reflecting the broader social  stigma and silence surrounding violence against women. However, as she found her voice, it became clear that Annie possessed immense courage. She began sharing her story of survival as an Inuit woman, using her artwork as a powerful medium to communicate struggles with addiction, mental health, and intimate partner abuse. 

Sadly, on September 19, 2016, Annie’s body was found in the Rideau River in Ottawa. Police declared it a suspicious death, however no arrests were ever made. Annie’s story, which she often conveyed through her work, became a representation of the broader experiences of Inuit and Indigenous women, highlighting the ongoing impact of colonialism and patriarchy in their lives. Her drowning and the subsequent police investigation drew significant attention because of her status as an internationally renowned artist and Inuit woman. 

“This significant recognition of Annie Pootoogook is a testament to her enduring importance as a contemporary creator,” said West Baffin Cooperative President Pauloosie Kowmageak. “As we remember her significant contributions we also have the opportunity to look forward, knowing that her personal resilience and artistic innovation is inspiring new generations.’ 

Pootoogook was an artist member of the West Baffin Cooperative, Canada’s oldest Inuit owned and led social enterprise.

She was the third youngest in a family of ten children and grew up surrounded by artists, including both of her parents, as well as her grandmother, the renowned artist Pitseolak Ashoona (c.1904–1983), and her uncle, Kananginak Pootoogook (1935–2010). 

Influenced by them, Annie based her drawings on her personal experiences, including her struggles with addiction and domestic violence. Her work found fame in the larger art world and was showcased at the National Gallery of Canada, Art Gallery of Ontario, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, The Power Plant, Biennale de Montreal, Art Basel and Documenta 12, among other exhibitions. 

For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

About West Baffin Cooperative 

Established in 1959, West Baffin Cooperative has enjoyed an international reputation for the exquisite prints, drawings and carvings created by its Inuit artist members. In addition to operation of the Kinngait Studios at the Kenojuak Cultural Centre in Kinngait, the cooperative maintains a Toronto marketing division office, Dorset Fine Arts, which is responsible for interfacing with galleries, museums, cultural professionals, Inuit art enthusiasts and the art market globally. The mandate of West Baffin Cooperative includes public relations, promotion, advocacy, government relations and special projects relating to Kinngait Inuit art. Governed by an all-Inuit Board of Directors, the organization also maintains a local retail grocery/hardware store, a restaurant, rental properties and various utility contracts. As a community owned organization, practically all Kinngait adults are shareholders, profits are distributed back to the community in the form of annual dividends.

Featured image- Annie Pootoogook, Man Abusing His Partner, 2002 Coloured pencil and ink on paper, 51 x 66.5 cm
Collection of John and Joyce Price

Culture

What Are Mind Control Religions?

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Is Tom Cruise the poster boy for alternative religion?
Is Tom Cruise the poster boy for alternative religion?

In most western-world countries, laws protect consumers from fraud and unethical business practices. But to date, there are no laws on the books that recognize destructive mind control, much less prohibit the use of it by cult-like groups of religion. However, if my colleague Steven Hassan,  the pioneer of exit counseling for cult members and a critically acclaimed author, and thousands of  other ex-cult members have any say about it, that may soon change.

The mind, despite all of its strengths, depends on a stream of coherent information for it to function properly.

Put a person into an  environment where the senses are overloaded with incoherent information and the mind becomes numb. In this confused state, critical thinking skills don’t work and the mind becomes suggestible to those who would replace an individual’s self-interest with the group’s best interests.

Everyone, like it or not, is vulnerable to mind control. Everyone is looking for something better in life: more happiness, more meaning and more security. Recruiters prey upon these basic human needs. People don’t join; they are recruited, and more often than not, during a stressful time in their lives.

Mind-control religions use our fantasies of an ideal world to draw us in. The “love bombing” and the sincere, committed members that newcomers initially encounter prove far more attractive and convincing than the doctrines.

Recruitment doesn’t just happen.

“It’s a process,” Hassan says, “imposed on people by other people.”

During that orientation process—it could be a seemingly innocuous six-month Bible study—irrational phobias are placed in the potential member’s unconscious mind. The first is that no one can really be happy and successful if they’re not a member of that particular religion.

deprogram-definition

After they become members, life is about sacrifice and living in a fantasy world created by the group.

The need to live in the present is continually reinforced with warnings like “Armageddon is just around the corner,” giving members a sense of urgency about the tasks at hand. Those who begin to doubt will find leaving painful, as one of the penalties will be extreme shunning.

Children raised in these groups typically receive an inferior education, are taught that the world is an evil place controlled by the devil, and must rely on church leaders’ interpretation of reality.

Mind-control clichés like “we alone have the truth” or “all non-members will die at Armageddon” are continually reinforced, which puts up an invisible wall between believers and outsiders. This makes members feel special, believing they are counted among God’s chosen few.

Control. Control And Control.

Behavior control, Information control, Thought control and Emotional control (the BITE model) has great power and influence on the human mind. Together, these four control mechanisms are used by destructive religious groups to form a totalistic web, which can manipulate even the strongest-minded people. (Hassan provides a thorough explanation of how BITE works in his three best-selling books.) And if that’s not enough, mind-control religious members are required to proselytize; research in social psychology shows that nothing confirms one’s beliefs better than trying to sell those beliefs to other people.

Given freedom of choice, people will choose what they believe is best for themselves. However, the criteria for determining what is “best” should be one’s own, not someone else’s.

Freedom of choice is the first thing that one loses when one becomes a member of groups like Scientologists, Moonies and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Unchecked, these groups will continue to wreak untold psychological and physical damage on millions of people who have no idea of what constitutes unethical mind control. Unless action is taken to make destructive religious groups accountable to society for their violations of the basic civil rights of their members, in particular the children of members, they will continue to deceive the public into believing they are a harmless group of people, deserving the same constitutional guarantees as benevolent religions.

Grant money for research projects and treatment of mind-control victims is needed now. Reform within public education must be made to encourage people to think for themselves, to understand the psychological principles of mind control and to teach students to be suspicious of any environment that discourages them from asking critical questions. If you would like to help, go to www.freedomofmind.com.

For the Silo, Richard E. Kelly.

Art

Ben Miller Fly Cast Painting To Benefit Colorado River Native Tribes

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The Colorado River Indian Tribes include four distinct Tribes – the Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi, and Navajo. The reservation stretches along the Colorado River on both the Arizona and California side. It includes approximately 300,000 acres of land, with the river serving as the focal point and lifeblood of the area.

River Art Created Uniquely

Art honoring the Colorado River and benefitting the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) will be envisioned and created live during Scottsdale Art Week March 19-22 at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Artist Ben Miller, a Montana-based painter best known for his Endangered Rivers series, will travel to the Colorado River Indian Tribes reservation to paint a depiction of the Colorado River at the Ahakhav Tribal Preserve which will be created and featured during Scottsdale Art Week. A portion of the proceeds from the artwork will benefit the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT). This comes at a time when the life of the Colorado River is in danger because of drought and overuse. 

Ben Miller, in association with Gary Snyder Fine Art, has spent the past eight years painting the endangered western rivers of Montana, Washington, Colorado and Wyoming, and more recently the rivers of Chicago, New Jersey, New York, and Miami. On the end of a fishing rod, Miller attaches what he calls Fly Brushes, designed from wool, cotton, rubber, nylon and other materials, soaked in paint and cast onto clear plexiglass.

Ben Miller/ Gary Snyder Fine ArtMiller will bring his artistic vision to life during the art fair. His team will travel to CRIT’s Ahakhav Tribal Preserve to photograph and video the portion of the river that runs through the Preserve. On March 19 as Scottsdale Art Week begins, Miller will be on site at Scottsdale Art Week to begin Fly Cast Painting on a six foot by eight foot by one inch block of plexiglass weighing 300 pounds that will be on a special easel. Those attending will see Miller create the artwork as the painting emerges on the other side of the plexiglass. On Friday March 20th the finished work will be on display. A portion of sales will go to CRIT. Recently, CRIT has taken the bold step to acknowledge personhood status for the Colorado River which protects it under Tribal Law.
Miller said, “This year I will bring my vision of the Colorado River to life as Scottsdale Art Week begins. It’s only fitting that we do this as CRIT considers the River to be a living being which is why they acknowledged its Personhood Status.”
Now in its second year Scottsdale Art Week will feature contemporary and fine art from more than 120 galleries from 18 countries. It is America’s first art fair with an emphasis on indigenous expression.
The event will also host cultural seminars and innovative programming, including live music and a fashion show. For more information or for tickets and tables go to www.ScottsdaleArtWeek.com.

About Scottsdale Art Week Presented by Scottsdale Ferrari:

Scottsdale Art Week presented by Scottsdale Ferrari (SAW) is situated at the historical and cultural crossroads of the American Southwest, which attracted such art historical greats as Georgia O’Keeffe, Frank Lloyd Wright and major stars of the land art movement of the 20th Century. The largest new American fair of art & design in decades, SAW features an exciting combination of historical and contemporary works, welcoming well over 120 galleries from across the U.S. and around the world while honoring its home in Arizona by highlighting contemporary Indigenous artists.  

For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Fashion

Clothes From The Future- Indestructible Chinos Woven With Strongest Fibre On Earth

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While vollebak’s Indestructible Chinos look and feel exactly like the chinos worn by JFK and Steve McQueen, they’re woven with the strongest fibre on Earth, and are now our best-selling pants. Like most men’s clothing, chinos emerged from war. This time it was the Spanish-American one. They were slim-fitting, flat-fronted, functional, and most importantly… really really dependable.


 
By 1902, after heavy field-testing, they’d been made an official part of the US Army uniform. But once World War II was over, the guys who’d fought went off to college still wearing them, turning them into an instant hit on the Ivy League campuses.
 
And their reputation was only cemented as a staple of mid-century menswear when they became the standard issue kit for John F. Kennedy and Steve McQueen.
 
Which is why, 120+ years later, you still don’t need to mess with the design. So we haven’t.
 
Instead we’ve taken pants you’ve always been able to rely on, and woven them with the strongest fibre on Earth… so you can rely on them even more. 


 
Our Indestructible Chinos come in 2 colours. We’ve got a Sand edition (the lighter colour), and a Sandstone edition (which is the slightly darker colour).
 
While they look and feel like regular chinos, every pair of Indestructible Chinos is made with a blend of cotton and Dyneema – which is the same stuff used in body armour, arctic ropes and the sides of tanks.

CRAFTED WITH A 180-YEAR-OLD JAPANESE FABRIC MILL

To make the Indestructible Chinos, vollebak worked with Toyoshima, a 180-year-old Japanese textile company that has been certified as Japan’s first Dyneema® Premium Manufacturing Partner.

Of course you’d never know this just by putting them on.

And that’s because the Dyneema is woven in with the cotton during the weaving process, so you’ll only ever feel the softness of the cotton, not the strength of the Dyneema. And they’ve also been garment washed so they feel lived in from day one. So you’ll only ever know about the Dyneema when you suddenly need it.


 
Fit wise they’re similar to Equator Pants but with a slightly more relaxed cut. And if you want a hand with sizing you can get in touch with us here.  For the Silo, NICK AND STEVE TIDBALL.

Technical Details

  • Material made in Japan: 95% cotton, 5% Dyneema®
  • Highly abrasion resistant
  • Zip fly
  • 5 belt loops
  • 2 front pockets
  • 2 zipped rear pockets
  • Pocket lining: 70% cotton, 30% Cordura
  • Gentle machine washing 30°C
  • Constructed in Portugal
Art

What Interior Design Is All About

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Maybe you watch all the TV shows, follow the blogs, and read all the magazines (or perhaps just look at the pretty pictures) and still wonder what Interior Design really is, what a Designer does, and if you would benefit from working with one?  If so, then read on because here’s the nitty gritty on Interior Design and the passionate Designers working within it.

Interior Design is about providing “creative design solutions for interior environments and its clients.  It is the combination of technical and analytical skills with an aesthetic vision to achieve spaces that are functional, support the health, safety and well-being of users, enhance the quality of life of the occupants, and are visually attractive.

Balancing Factors

Interior Design can cover a variety of disciplines, including residential, corporate/workplace, retail, healthcare, hospitality, public, and institutional design.  Designers pay special attention to function, space planning, ergonomics, lighting, and of course the “pretty” surface elements such as colours and fabrics.  Interior Designers can be thought of as an “interior architect” and are skilled in the aspects of spatial planning, preparing technical drawings and documents, and can help design and renovate interiors from drawing up the initial floor plans to placing the last decorative accent.

How does an Interior Designer gets to be a certified professional? 

 It begins with 3-4 years of schooling, followed by a minimum of 2-3 years of work experience, and then certified by rigorous examinations facilitated by the professional bodies of ARIDO and IDC.  Designers are required to carry liability insurance, participate in ongoing professional development programs, and uphold a professional code of ethics and standards to maintain their credentials.

Interior Designers can be hired for remodels, renovations, redecorating, and new build projects.   They often work with architects, trades, and other design professionals to achieve the clients’ goals while following safety standards and building codes.  Designers are often involved with planning from the very beginning but can be brought in at any stage of the design and construction process.

The cost of hiring an Interior Designer may seem prohibitive for those on a tight budget, but the benefits are advantageous.

Those who don’t have the time or desire to plan, shop, select, and oversee their project will ultimately profit from hiring an expert.  An Interior Designer can prevent clients from making costly mistakes; whether it is with project management, decision-making, or providing savings on products and materials purchased.  Designers bring with them an array of professional contacts for trades, suppliers, custom fabricators, and favorite stores.  Regardless of the project size and needs, clients often have the option to choose from a variety of services to suit their budget.

interior design banner

If you are considering hiring an Interior Designer know what you want by determining your needs beforehand, and define your style through design and architecture magazine clippings.  You can find a Designer through word of mouth, web-based research, professional associations, or trade magazines.

Most of all- have fun.

Interview them to review their portfolio, determine that your personalities mesh, discuss your project scope as well as the designer’s fees and process.  Most important of all, have fun with the process – your interiors will thank you, and you will have made an investment into the enjoyment and functionality of your space. For the Silo, Ramee Cyr/ R Design Studio.

Featured image- Colwood house is a perfect mid-century nod to a modern Canada home designed by Erica Colpitts Interior Design.

Sci-Tech

The Pioneer Who Inspired America To Reach The Moon

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When Robert Goddard launched the first liquid-fueled rocket in a farm field in Auburn, Massachusetts, on March 16, 1926, it flew 2.5 seconds and reached only 12 meters (41 feet) in altitude.

The short flight 100 years ago would eventually earn Goddard (1882–1945) recognition as the father of American rocketry. But the significance of his work for space exploration was only fully recognized when the United States began sending astronauts into space in the 1960s and landed the first man on the moon on July 20, 1969.

Robert Goddard posing with rocket in workshop (NASA)
Robert Goddard is seen in his workshop in Roswell, New Mexico, in October 1935. (NASA)

In the years before his famous launch, Goddard’s theories that liquid-fueled rockets could operate in space and even reach the moon had drawn ridicule, with some mockingly calling him the “moon man.” The Clark University physics professor was secretive about his research and hid the news of his first successful rocket test.

Goddard’s critics argued that rockets needed air for propulsion and so could not operate in the vacuum of space.

Goddard’s first rocket used gasoline and liquid oxygen for propulsion, according to NASA .

Robert Goddard standing next to rocket inside frame in field (NASA)
Goddard launched the first liquid-fueled rocket on March 16, 1926. (NASA)

While Goddard’s theories made him a controversial figure, they also inspired people to believe in the possibility of space travel, says Michael Neufeld, a retired senior curator at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington. The museum holds the largest collection of artifacts from Goddard’s work.

“He does inspire people to assume that space travel is real and the rocket is the way to go,” Neufeld says.

Why Liquid Fuel Was So Innovative

Goddard’s pioneering use of liquid fuel led to more efficient rockets that could lift larger payloads. Notably, the massive Saturn V rocket that took U.S. astronauts to the moon burned liquid fuel.

While the moon landing came years after Goddard’s death, NASA historian Brian Odom says Goddard’s work “proved what we had known in theory to be true in practice … And [that] it could be scalable.”

The launch of NASA’s Apollo 11 mission to the moon led the New York Times, on July 17, 1969, to issue what observers have called , “one of the most famous newspaper corrections in history.”

The paper that once called Goddard’s theories “a severe strain on credulity,” now acknowledged that rockets could operate in the vacuum of space and said, “the Times regrets the error.”

For the Silo,  Charles Hoskinson/Share America.

Philanthropy

Daily Survival in Gaza Persists Post-Ceasefire: LIFE Continues Humanitarian Relief Amid Ongoing Needs

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Post-Ceasefire, Gaza Families Face Prolonged Hardship as LIFE Continues Delivering Life-Saving Humanitarian Aid

Despite the perception that ceasefires offer meaningful relief, conditions on the ground in Gaza demonstrate that humanitarian emergencies do not end when active conflict pauses. For civilians, the period following a ceasefire is often marked by continued displacement, damaged infrastructure, shortages of food and clean water, and limited access to essential services.

Life for Relief and Development (LIFE), a global humanitarian organization, has maintained an active presence throughout these periods, remaining one of the few international NGOs authorized to deliver aid inside Gaza. LIFE continues to respond to urgent, life-saving needs while navigating significant challenges.

Ceasefires Without Recovery

While ceasefires may reduce immediate violence, they do not restore stability. Families in Gaza frequently return to homes that are damaged or destroyed, seek refuge in overcrowded shelters, or reside in temporary tents without adequate protection. Water networks remain compromised, food availability is inconsistent, fuel shortages persist, and access restrictions continue to impede the flow of humanitarian aid.

Field reports from LIFE-supported operations indicate that displacement remains widespread, with families moving repeatedly in search of safety, food, and water. Even during ceasefires, civilians continue to face severe challenges, including:

  • Limited access to clean drinking water due to damaged infrastructure
  • Inconsistent food supplies and a lack of functional cooking facilities
  • Exposure to harsh weather conditions in makeshift shelters
  • Elevated public health risks stemming from overcrowding and poor sanitation

These conditions underscore the reality that a ceasefire does not equate to recovery or safety.

LIFE’s Ongoing Humanitarian Response in Gaza

Despite restricted access and operational risks, LIFE has sustained a multi-sector humanitarian response aimed at meeting immediate survival needs and preserving human dignity. Through coordinated interventions across North, Central, and South Gaza, LIFE-supported programs have provided:

  • Emergency food assistance through hot meals, family food packs, and large-scale food convoys
  • Clean drinking water via tanker deliveries and the rehabilitation of damaged municipal water wells
  • Emergency shelter materials, including tents and weather-resistant covers for displaced families
  • Winter relief, such as warm clothing and footwear for children and vulnerable individuals
  • Infant nutrition support to address critical shortages for families with young children

These interventions have reached hundreds of thousands of individuals across multiple phases of emergency response, including periods identified as ceasefires—during which needs remained acute.

Operating Under Constant Constraint

Providing aid in Gaza requires continuous adaptation. LIFE-supported teams have had to navigate border delays, limited fuel supplies, communication disruptions, and security-related restrictions. Daily adjustments ensure that relief reaches the most vulnerable populations, including displaced families, children, older adults, and households with no access to essential services.

By maintaining operations both during and after ceasefires, LIFE helps bridge the gap between temporary pauses in hostilities and the ongoing humanitarian needs that continue long after media attention subsides.

One beneficiary, Neama, a 38-year-old mother of four who has been displaced multiple times, described the uncertainty that continued beyond the ceasefire. Her family faced overcrowded shelters, a lack of cooking facilities, and severe food scarcity. Through LIFE-supported hot meal distributions, her family received freshly prepared meals over several days.

“The hot food meant more than nutrition,” she shared. “It restored dignity and gave my children a sense of normal life again, even in the middle of everything.”

Humanitarian Needs Beyond the Headlines

A ceasefire does not end the humanitarian crisis for families in Gaza. Many continue to face shortages of food, water, shelter, and basic services, with recovery dependent on sustained humanitarian support rather than temporary pauses in conflict.

“A ceasefire may pause active fighting, but it does not pause human need,” said Dr. Hany Saqr, CEO of Life for Relief and Development (LIFE). “Families in Gaza continue to experience daily challenges accessing food, water, shelter, and essential services. Our responsibility as a humanitarian organization is to remain present, impartial, and responsive, ensuring that assistance reaches civilians when they need it most, regardless of circumstances.”

For the Silo, Tasneem Elridi.

About Life for Relief and Development (LIFE)

Life for Relief and Development, headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, is a global humanitarian relief and development organization committed to assisting individuals regardless of race, gender, religion, or cultural background. LIFE is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and holds Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Art

Aird Gallery Toronto- ABSTRACTS 2025 Now Live

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ABSTRACTS 2025

ABSTRACTS 2025

Juried Online Exhibition and Catalogue

JUROR: LYLA RYE
DESIGNER: ELIZA TRENT RENNICK
FOREWORD BY ARNIE GUHA

Abstraction is not an absence. It is a decision.

To abstract is to strip away the familiar scaffolding of representation and ask a more difficult question: what remains when narrative recedes? What persists when image is released from obligation to describe?

The works gathered in ABSTRACTS, curated and juried by Lyla Rye, demonstrate that abstraction is not a single language but a constellation of methods. Across painting, digital media, photography, drawing, sculpture, and mixed media, the artists in this exhibition approach abstraction not as retreat, but as inquiry. Form becomes structure. Colour becomes an event. Gesture becomes argument.

Some works carve space. Some map pattern. Some lean into material process; others into digital construction. Some are quiet. Others declare themselves boldly. What binds them is not style, but intention, a commitment to exploring what visual language can do when it is freed from depiction.

In a moment saturated with image and immediacy, abstraction asks us to slow down. It resists instant readability. It rewards attention. It invites the viewer into a more active role: not decoding a message but participating in meaning.

Lyla Rye’s curatorial vision has brought together an expansive and diverse group of artists, each working from a distinct vantage point. The result is not a unified aesthetic, but a dynamic field of approaches; evidence that abstraction remains a vital and evolving force within contemporary practice.

This catalogue, designed with clarity and care by Eliza Trent-Rennick, extends the life of the exhibition beyond the gallery walls. It documents not only the works themselves, but the range of conversations that abstraction continues to generate.

The Aird Gallery exists to provide a platform for artists across Ontario to present rigorous, thoughtful work. ABSTRACTS reflect that mandate fully. It demonstrates that abstraction is not a historical chapter closed in the twentieth century, but an ongoing experiment — one that continues to expand, fracture, and renew itself.

On behalf of the Aird Board and our partner societies, I extend sincere thanks to Lyla Rye for her discernment and generosity in shaping this exhibition, and to all participating artists for the strength and depth of their contributions.

Abstraction endures because it asks us not simply to look, but to engage. Thank you for engaging with the Aird and with our shared commitment to the arts in Ontario.

Arnie Guha
Executive Chair

ABSTRACTS 2025 ARTIST LIST

Doug Adams, Maria-Bida Albulet, Sandra Altwerger, Hadeel Alzoubi, Jarrod Barker, Peter Barron, Peggy Bell, Leslie Bertin, Ioana Bertrand, Ilija Blanusa, Monica Burnside, Mike Callaghan, Jeannie Catchpole, Emily Conlon, Anne-Marie Cosgrove, Damon Couto-Hill, Edward Donald, Holy Dunlop, Agata Dworzak-Subocz, Azar Ebrahimi, Jill Finney, Saremifar Firouzeh, Julie Florio, Elissa Gallander, Monica Gewurz, Kathy Granger Tucker, Arnie Guha, Diana Hamer, Katherine Hartel, Katharine Harvey, Janet Hendershot, Leighton Hern, Ted Karkut, Hyunryoung Kim, Rupen Kungus, Em LeightonHern, Maureen Lowry, Dimitrije Martinovic, Lisa Mason, Claudia McKnight, Carole Milon, Leah Oates, Ovidiu Petca, Ann Piche, Fraser Radford, Leena Raudvee, Dale M Reid, Heather Rigby, Liz Ruest, Colleen Schindler, Pearl Sequeira, Sara Shields, Nancy Simmons Smith, Shawn Skeir, Alayne Spafford, Marisa Swangha, Karen Taylor, Sarah Thompson, Lorraine Thorarinson Bretts, Terry Torra, Margaret Wasiuta, Holly Winters, and Anna Yuschuk.

Download Catalog

BIOGRAPHY

Lyla Rye is a Toronto based artist who began her studies in architecture. She works in installation, sculpture, video and photography to explore our experience of architectural space. Rye studied at the University of Waterloo, York University and the San Francisco Art Institute. For over 30 years her work has been exhibited in galleries and screenings across Canada and internationally including New York, San Francisco, Adelaide, Auckland, Paris, and Berlin. She has exhibited at The Power Plant, The Whitney Museum of American Art, Prefix ICA, Southern Alberta Art Gallery, The Textile Museum of Canada and Olga Korper Gallery among others. She represented Canada at the Karachi Biennale, Pakistan in 2019. She has work in the public collections of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, York University, Cadillac Fairview Corporation, The Tom Thomson Art Gallery, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery and as part of Ways of Something at The Whitney Museum of American Art, NY.

Featured image- Liminal Space number 4 by Jarrod Barker.

Sci-Tech

The Space Fence Safeguard

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Space FenceLockheed Martin Space Fence Tracks Over 25,000 Orbiting Objects

Lockheed Martin continues refining its technology solution for Space Fence, a program that revamps the way the U.S. Air Force & U.S. Space Force identifies and tracks objects in space. The U.S. Air Force selected Lockheed Martin in 2015 to build a $USD 914 million / CAD $1.25 billion   Space Fence Radar to Safeguard Space Resources.

Lockheed Martin’s Space Fence solution, an advanced ground-based radar system, enhances the way the U.S. detects catalogs and measures more than 200,000 orbiting objects and tracks over 25,000 orbiting objects. With better timeliness and improved surveillance coverage, the system protects space assets against potential crashes that can intensify the debris problem in space.

“Space Fence locates and track space objects with more precision than ever before to help the Air Force transform space situational awareness from being reactive to predictive.”

Lockheed Martin delivered up to two advanced S-Band phased array radars for the Space Fence program. The Space Fence radar system greatly improves Space Situational Awareness of the existing Space Surveillance Network.

That's a LOT to track! [CP]
There is a lot to track and growing space debris every year.
Construction of the new Space Fence system on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands began in February 2015 to meet the program’s 2018 initial operational capability goal. With more than 400 operational S-band arrays deployed worldwide, Lockheed Martin is a leader in S-band radar operation. The Lockheed Martin led team, which includes General Dynamics and AMEC, has decades of collective experience in space-related programs.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 113,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

On 16 December 2002, US President George W. Bush signed National Security Presidential Directive which outlined a plan to begin deployment of operational ballistic missile defense systems by 2004.

The following day the US formally requested from the UK and Denmark use of facilities in RAF Fylingdales, England and Thule, Greenland respectively, as a part of the NMD Program.

The administration continued to push the program, despite highly publicized but not unexpected trial-and-error technical failures during development and over the objections of some scientists who opposed it. The projected cost of the program for the years 2004 to 2009 was 53 billion US dollars/ 72.2 billion CAD dollars, making it the largest single line in The Pentagon’s budget. For the Silo, George Filer.

Politics

Ceasefire Violations In Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Joint Statement from the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG) on the Situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Via our friends at the US State Department Office of the Spokesperson

March 6, 2026

The Governments of the United States of America, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, chaired by Sweden, issue the following statement on situation in the eastern DRC:

The ICG expresses its profound concern regarding the continued and recent violations in eastern DRC of the ceasefires upheld by the signing of the Washington Accords on 4 December 2025 and the commitment in Doha on 19 July 2025 to a permanent ceasefire and a permanent cessation of hostilities. Such violations include the use of drones in military attacks which also pose an acute risk to civilian populations. All parties involved should urgently and unequivocally recommit to ceasing the hostilities and return to negotiations.

There can be no military solution to the conflict.

We urge all parties to fully implement their obligations and commitments made under the Washington Accords and the Doha process and to comply with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 2773 and 2808, and the full respect of territorial integrity. The ICG commends the ongoing mediation by the AU-appointed mediator, Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Council of the Republic of Togo, and the Panel of Facilitators, as well as the crucial mediation conducted by the US and Qatar. We welcome the efforts by Qatar, the ICGLR and MONUSCO to establish a ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism. We recall the importance of creating conditions for an inclusive inter-Congolese dialogue with all key Congolese stakeholders – a necessary element for durable peace in the DRC – and welcome the consultations undertaken by the Republic of Angola.

We stand ready to support these efforts.

The ICG calls on all parties to honor their obligations to respect international humanitarian law and to ensure full, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to enable critical assistance to those in need. We welcome positive steps forward such as the commitments by governments and actors in the region to improve and facilitate humanitarian access, including following the visit of EU Commissioner Lahbib; the reopening of the border between the DRC and Burundi; and the use of the Goma airport during the recent visit to Goma by MONUSCO Interim Head and Special Representative of the Secretary-General van de Perre, which should lead to the sustained reopening of the Goma airport for humanitarian flights.

The ICG further calls on parties to stop incitement to hatred, discrimination or violence, including against Rwandophone minorities, and other actions that gravely endanger civilian populations and social cohesion.

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