"US lifts restrictions on more detailed satellite images"

Now satellite image providers can supply up to 31cm resolution imagery for commercial or non military purposes. The previous pixel size was set at 50cm, so the quality of the imagery to be obtained from the data providers will be almost twice as clear as currently allowed. I am sure it will not be long before the public mapping sites like Google Maps, Bing Maps, etc. include these into their public online map services. Apart from just viewing, this will also contribute to even greater accuracy in Remote Sensing results.

See the full BBC article here - http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-27868703

Recently published SA critical skills list

The newly published “Skills or qualifications determined to be critical for the Republic of South Africa in relation to an application for a Critical Skills Visa or Permanent Residence Permit” – Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) – Section 19(4), to be read with Regulations 19(5), lists the following as being considered some of the critical skills.

The following specific geo-spatial related skills are listed:

• Land Surveyor
• Surveying Technician
• Geomatics Technician

Going through this extensive skills shortage list, there are many other occupations that depend on geo-spatial technologies listed here.

Please see the full article published by New World Immigration for the comprehensive list and details - http://www.nwivisas.com/nwi-blog/south-africa/new-critical-skills-visa-list-of-shortage-occupations-for-south-africa/#sthash.lDt9FLQM.dpuf

BBC Article - "The politics of making maps"

"Russia’s March invasion of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula has not just been a headache for diplomats: it has also been the latest in a series of problems for mapmakers. Should Crimea be shown as Ukrainian? Russian? Disputed?"

Read the full article here - http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20140602-the-politics-of-making-maps