For the first time in over 10 years, the Marine Corps is the branch of choice for the flyover of Super Bowl LIX.
To celebrate our 250 years of service, we are flying 2 F-35B Lightning IIs (VMFA 542) and 4 MV-22 Ospreys (VMM 764 & VMM 774) over the Caesars Superdome during the National Anthem.
The Super Bowl is the first of many events we will be hosting and participating in around the country during 2025 to commemorate our 250th birthday!
Tune in around 6:20 pm EST to see the flyover live.
The Albanese Labor Government is supporting teachers with a new range of free resources to help them manage classroom behaviour.
One in three teachers report losing teaching time due to disruptive behaviour, significantly impacting students’ ability to learn.
Supporting teachers to minimise classroom disruption will result in a boost to student learning and teacher retention.
The new resources include tools on classroom management practices, coaching colleagues, and practice guides on supporting students with diverse learning needs.
This is the third set of ‘Engaged Classrooms’ resources developed by the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) in consultation with teachers and classrooms management expert, Dr Tim McDonald.
The free resources released today will help teachers starting out, those working in new environments, and experienced teachers who want to refine or refresh their classroom management practice.
It complements the first set of resources focuses on helping teachers who want to refine or refresh their classroom management practice.
The second package focuses on a whole-of-school approach to help school leaders create safe and supportive learning environments to promote teaching and learning.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:
“A lot of teachers tell me that when they leave university and jump into the classroom for the first time they don’t feel as prepared as they should to manage a classroom full of students.
“By providing these resources to teachers we can help them to manage the classroom which is good for them and good for their students.
“When students are fully engaged in the classroom, they learn at their best and teachers have more time to teach.”
he Secretary-General welcomes the formation of a new government under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The United Nations looks forward to working in close partnership with the new government on its priorities, including the consolidation of the cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), while supporting all efforts to address the pressing needs and aspirations of Lebanon’s population, including through recovery and reconstruction and the implementation of a comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable reform agenda.
The United Nations reiterates its commitment to support Lebanon’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence in accordance with the Taif Accords and the Baabda declaration, and the effective implementation of Security Council resolutions 1701 (2006), 1559 (2004) and other relevant resolutions which remain essential to the stability of Lebanon and the region.
New Zealand has long been a member of the International Criminal Court, which impartially prosecutes serious war criminals for atrocities.
“The United States of America is attacking the ICC with sanctions and undermining its important and respected role as a prosecutor of war criminals,” Labour foreign affairs spokesperson David Parker said.
“It is one thing for the USA not to participate in the ICC. To go further and introduce sanctions to hinder the ability of the ICC doing its work for other countries is plainly wrong.
“In recent days, 79 countries have signed a statement condemning this. Those countries include Switzerland, Canada, France and Germany – countries we normally work closely with. New Zealand was notably absent.
“It is understandable that New Zealand does not want to criticise every decision made by President Trump.
“But our government won’t even speak up in the company of 79 others when an institution we are part of is threatened and undermined.
“Silence conveys consent.
“New Zealand’s reputation for being fair and principled is built on decades of important decisions like these – across successive governments.
“In its efforts to appease the new USA administration, New Zealand should not cravenly abandon its principles,” David Parker said.
Erica Stanford has reached peak shortsightedness if today’s announcement is anything to go by, picking apart immigration settings piece by piece to the detriment of the New Zealand economy.
“Dumbing down the rules for the investor visa risks watering down the economic benefits for New Zealand,” Labour immigration spokesperson Phil Twyford said.
“Allowing people to buy residence by parking their money in a passive investment like property that won’t generate jobs or sustainable economic development for New Zealand doesn’t sit well.
“Kiwi venture capitalists looking for investment opportunities urged the Government to keep Labour’s rules in place, and not open up to passive investments.
“This will stick in the craw for the hard-working migrants who have to crawl over cut glass to get residence. Giving the fast track to residence for the rich with no requirement for economic development for New Zealand, and removing the English language test for the rich but not for every day migrants, is not the Kiwi way.
“The focus on wealthy visitors to New Zealand in the very same week the Government has figures showing Kiwi unemployment is at record highs is absolutely tone deaf.
“I’m surprised Winston Peters doesn’t have more to say about this. It flies in the face of what he has fought for decades,” Phil Twyford said.
Spartina is a fast-growing, salt-tolerant grass that can grow to two metres tall.
Although it was originally planted in locations across New Zealand in the 1940s to stabilise land for reclamation, it has become an aggressive and persistent invader of inter-tidal mudflats – like those found around Coromandel Harbour
Spartina traps silt and sand, impacting the open mudflats needed by many migratory protected birds like kuaka/bar-tailed godwit, moho pereū/banded rail, and tūturiwhatu/dotterel, as well as some shellfish varieties.
DOC’s Coromandel Biodiversity Ranger Jamie Carey says the infestation of the plant in the Coromandel Harbour needs to be addressed, prompting an aerial herbicide operation his team has planned for February.
“When it comes to spartina, ‘do nothing’ is not an option,” says Jamie. “We need to control this plant, or it will spread and further compromise the biodiversity values in the harbour.
“If we don’t address this infestation quickly, we’ll lose valuable habitat for our native species.”
The operation will involve using a helicopter to apply the herbicide (Halyoxfop), which will rely on a patch of good weather with minimal wind. Jamie says this will be visible to people in and around the harbour, but there is no need for concern.
“We want to be transparent about this work; even though the aircraft will only be deployed for a few hours, people may wonder what it’s doing flying at such low levels.
“In short, it’s helping us protect native species habitat by addressing the spartina issue in the harbour.”
Monitoring will be undertaken after the operation to ensure water quality in the harbour has not been compromised, as per DOC’s consent to use the product.
Background information
Spartina is an aggressive and persistent invader of inter-tidal mudflats.
It invades mangroves, mudflats and estuaries taking over the inter-tidal zone. It forms big clumps that hold mud (sediment).
This raises the level of the land and can change coastal ecosystems. Bird and fish habitat is damaged by spartina.
Spokane, WA – The U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, in coordination with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force, successfully apprehended fugitive Frank Cunningham on February 8th, 2025, around 6:00 PM, near S. Thor St. and E Third Ave.
On February 7th, 2025, the First Judicial Court of Idaho – Coeur d’Alene, issued an arrest warrant for Cunningham. He faces three counts of rape and three counts of video voyeurism.
The arrest was carried out without incident, and Cunningham was booked into the Spokane County Jail, where he is being held pending extradition to Idaho.
The Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force is a U.S. Marshals-led partnership comprising federal, state, and local law enforcement officers from Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. The task force’s primary mission is to locate, arrest and return to the justice system the most violent and egregious federal and state fugitives.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office, the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or USMS Tips.
The Secretary-General welcomes the formation of a new government under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The United Nations looks forward to working in close partnership with the new government on its priorities, including the consolidation of the cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), while supporting all efforts to address the pressing needs and aspirations of Lebanon’s population, including through recovery and reconstruction and the implementation of a comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable reform agenda.
The United Nations reiterates its commitment to support Lebanon’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence in accordance with the Taif Accords and the Baabda declaration, and the effective implementation of Security Council resolutions 1701 (2006), 1559 (2004) and other relevant resolutions which remain essential to the stability of Lebanon and the region.
A man has died in a fatal crash at One Tree Hill overnight.
Emergency services were called to Uley Road, One Tree Hill about 1.30am on Monday 10 February by reports of a single vehicle collision.
The Holden station wagon failed to negotiate a bend and hit a pole, the impact splitting the car in half.
Sadly, the driver, a 35-year-old One Tree Hill man, died at the scene.
Major Crash investigators attended and examined the scene overnight.
The man’s death is the 16th life lost on South Australian roads so far this year.
Anyone who witness this vehicle driving prior to the crash or has any further information that may assist the investigation into the fatal crash can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au
The Government will consult on reducing the frequency of Warrant of Fitness and Certificate of Fitness inspections for vintage light vehicles and private heavy motorhomes.
At present these vehicles must be inspected every six months.
The consultation proposes to extend this to a year.
The Government is looking to reduce unnecessarily onerous compliance requirements for owners of vintage cars, vintage motorcycles and privately owned motorhomes, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
“Everyone loves seeing a lovingly maintained vintage car out on the road for a Sunday drive, and cruising around our beautiful country in a motorhome is a quintessential Kiwi dream,” Mr Bishop says.
“There are around 128,000 vintage vehicles in New Zealand, and about 39,000 private motorhomes. At present the owners of these vehicles must spend time and money on Warrant of Fitness (WOF) or Certificate of Fitness (COF) inspections every six months.
“That’s despite motorhomes and vintage light vehicles travelling much less per year compared to most modern cars, and evidence showing that faults in these vehicles are half as likely to have contributed to serious crashes involving these vehicles. That’s true even when factoring in the smaller numbers of motorhomes and vintage vehicles on our roads.
“Evidence also shows that initial pass rates for vintage vehicles are higher compared to all vehicles under 40 years old.
“In fact, light vehicle WOF pass rates actually improve as vehicles age from 40 years old showing that, with proper care, some things really do get better with age.”
“That’s why we’re consulting on easing the overly onerous compliance requirements on these types of vehicles, so that owners of vintage cars and private motorhomes can spend less time waiting in line at the VTNZ, and more time tinkering happily in the garage or cruising the open road.”
The consultation is being run by NZTA, and proposes to:
Reduce WOF check frequency for vehicles over 40 years old from every 6 months to every year, and
Reduce COF check frequency for privately owned heavy motorhome vehicles from every 6 months to every year.
“Extending the time between WOF and COF inspections is a sensible approach to ensuring vehicles are safe while not going overboard on compliance.”
Public consultation on the proposed changes will begin on 24 February 2025. Visit nzta.govt.nzto share your feedback. The last day for feedback is 4 April 2025.
Note to Editors:
Vintage light vehicles refers to cars and motorcycles over 40 years old.
In total there are around 4.4 million light vehicles in New Zealand. Around 128,000 of them are vintage.
WOF pass rate statistics refer to initial WOF inspections only, and not re-checks.
To make a Rule change through this process, the Minister of Transport is required to consult with the public / interested parties.
Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul joined Senator Gillibrand for a press briefing on public education.
AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.
PHOTOS: The Governor’s Flickr page will post photos of the event here.
A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:
Very proud to be standing here today, joining our great Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, one of the greatest champions our state has ever had fighting for children and families, our teachers, and fighting for the highest quality education we can deliver. So thank you for putting a spotlight on this.
And you perfectly outlined the collateral damage that would ensue if these policies were to go into effect. We’re also very honored to have Randi Weingarten as a national spokesperson on behalf of teachers and children and families with us here today. We’ll be hearing from her.
I will just tell you the impact on the State of New York. This is $5.5 billion that the State receives annually from the Department of Education. $3.2 billion goes directly into our budget, $2.3 billion goes to localities. If that money is jeopardized, what I can tell you will happen, localities lose that money, they will have to raise taxes. For outside the City, your largest part of your local property tax bill is your school taxes. If that money evaporates from the federal government, where are they going to go? This is going to hit homeowners and businesses, and I want them to be aware of this consequence.
It also could deny so many people that education — the Pell Grant that makes a difference. I just got off the phone with Chancellor John King, who is deeply concerned of what this will do to our students trying to get an education here in the State of New York. But if you’re an employer, this is going to affect the caliber of your workforce if young people don’t get a great K-12 education and have an opportunity for higher education as well.
And for people with disabilities, children with disabilities — my God, these are our most vulnerable — they deserve the support systems they have from loving, caring professionals who take care of them today. And we really want kids to go hungry in schools if you touch the school nutrition program? I’m working hard in the State of New York to make sure that no child goes hungry; no little child’s stomach is growling when they’re supposed to be paying attention to their teacher. So the State of New York will provide assistance for free breakfasts and lunches for children, but we’re supported by the federal government to do that.
So I will close with this, I want to know where New York State Republican members of Congress are on this issue. Where are you? Where are you? You are elected to represent the people who are going to be adversely affected, especially our children. And if you can’t speak up for them, then get out of your job and go do something else. We need your help.
Marine Corps officials identified Sgt. Jacob M. Durham as the Marine who died in an aircraft incident Feb. 6 in the Philippine Province of Maguindanao del Sur.
Durham is a native of California. He was trained as an Electronic Intelligence/Electromagnetic Warfare Analyst assigned to 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force.
Durham joined the Marine Corps in January 2021 and was promoted to his current rank Feb. 1, 2025. His awards and decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, a Meritorious Mast, and Naval Aircrew Insignia.
“We mourn the loss of Sgt. Jacob Durham, who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” said Lt. Col. Mabel B. Annunziata, commanding officer of 1st Radio Battalion. “Sgt. Durham embodied the highest traditions of the Marine Corps—exemplifying composure, intelligence, and selfless leadership. He was deeply respected and loved by his fellow Marines. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and his fellow Marines during this profoundly difficult time.”
The incident occurred during a routine mission in support of U.S.-Philippine security cooperation activities. The aircraft was providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support at the request of our Philippine allies.
The cause of the incident is currently under investigation. Please refer all media queries to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command at indopacom_j0pao@us.navy.mil.
Australia’s LGBTIQA+SB* communities have long been overlooked in discussions about the prevention of and responses to sexual violence, despite evidence they are at increased risk.
The National Survey on LGBTIQA+SB Experiences of Sexual Violence, which we carried out, is the first survey of its kind. It is designed to fill a glaring gap in national and global research by focusing on the experiences of sexual violence among LGBTIQA+SB Australians.
The lack of data on sexual violence affecting sexual and gender minority communities reflects the low priority given to LGBTIQA+SB individuals in national data collection. For example, the absence of questions about sexual orientation and gender identity in the national census means we do not have a representative sample of LGBTIQA+SB people.
As a result, the findings of the national survey can’t be generalised to all LGBTIQA+SB Australians. But they do give us important insights into experiences in these communities.
Many LGBTIQA+SB Australians have experienced sexual violence
With responses from almost 3,200 participants, including 416 First Nations Australians, the survey reveals harrowing truths about sexual violence against LGBTIQA+SB people.
More than three-quarters (76%) reported experiencing sexual victimisation at some point in their life. More than half of respondents (52%) said they had experienced both child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault.
Moreover,7% reported only child sexual abuse, while 17% experienced sexual violence solely in adulthood. Notably, those who faced sexual violence in both childhood and adulthood reported the worst outcomes for their health and economic security. This highlights the urgent need for targeted support and intervention.
Many people carried the burden of sexual violence for a long time. The majority of survivors said they had been most deeply affected by an incident that took place more than five years ago, or in childhood.
More than 80% of identified perpetrators in adulthood or childhood were cisgender men. Nearly one-third of perpetrators came from within the LGBTIQA+SB community.
The setting in which sexual violence occurred varied significantly based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Cisgender men were more likely to report that sexual violence took place in public venues such as bars and clubs.
In contrast, cisgender women, trans men, and non-binary people primarily reported experiences of sexual victimisation in private homes and intimate relationships.
Additionally, First Nations participants, particularly trans women and trans men, experienced higher rates of recent and severe victimisation.
Across the sample, key barriers to seeking help included feelings of shame, fear of blame. Many also had doubts about whether their experience met the threshold of assault or violence.
More support to speak up
When victims did choose to speak up, their experiences varied widely. Supportive and validating responses were appreciated, but many participants reported unhelpful responses such as disbelief, victim-blaming, and dismissiveness. These responses worsened their trauma.
The disclosure rates highlighted the stigma surrounding the acknowledgement of sexual victimisation. For example, less than 40% of all cisgender men reported their experiences, while First Nations cisgender men were the least likely to report sexual violence.
When they disclosed, LGBTIQA+SB survivors were most likely to speak to friends and family. Fewer than half of survivors reached out to support services, and those that did most often sought help from mental health professionals. While satisfaction with these services varied, participants consistently valued professionals who listened, supported, and believed them. They appreciated tailored care and therapy specifically designed for sexual violence survivors.
However, many trans men, trans women, and non-binary people reported encountering alienating responses from professionals. This finding clearly underscores the urgent need for trauma-informed training that is sensitive to LGBTIQA+SB issues and identities.
A hopeful finding was the high rate of bystander intervention among LGBTIQA+SB people. Nearly three-quarters of respondents stepped in to help when they saw people at risk of sexual violence. Motivated by ethics and personal experiences, bystander actions ranged from safeguarding friends at parties to directly confronting perpetrators. However, fear, safety concerns, and lack of knowledge could deter potential allies.
The survey found more than three-quarters of respondents had intervened when they saw people at risk of sexual violence.
These findings have significant implications for addressing sexual violence. To enhance sexual violence prevention, it is crucial to integrate LGBTIQA+SB perspectives into school curriculum, focusing on respectful relationships and sexual consent.
The LGBTIQA+SB community plays a vital role in supporting and protecting individuals from sexual violence. By providing additional resources, we can empower community members with the skills necessary to assist survivors and intervene effectively in risky or dangerous situations.
Health professionals need to be better informed
Given the high proportion of LGBTIQA+SB survivors who seek help from mental health professionals, improved access to affordable and inclusive mental health care in the aftermath of sexual violence would be of enormous benefit.
However, many participants reported that counsellors and therapists sometimes struggled to understand how sexual violence affected LGBTIQA+SB identities and individuals.
Comprehensive care, including from First Nations community-controlled services and organisations, can be strengthened by increasing cooperation and dialogue between sexual violence services and LGBTIQA+SB organisations.
Despite these alarming findings, the survey also emphasises the resilience of LGBTIQA+SB communities. The responses showed that members support, educate and advocate for one another.
By addressing the systemic gaps highlighted by this research, Australia has an opportunity to leverage this collective strength to prevent sexual violence before it happens, while also promoting healing and recovery for survivors, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation.
Michael Salter received funding from the Commonwealth Department of Social Services for this study.
Andy Kaladelfos received funding from the Commonwealth Department of Social Services for this study. Andy receives funding from the Australian Research Council and is Vice-President of Trans Pride Australia.
Jan Breckenridge received funding from the Commonwealth Department of Social Services for this project.
Vanessa Lee-Ah Mat received funding from the Commonwealth Department of Social Services for this project.
Coincidentally, this recognition comes in what is already an historic year for stop motion. A century ago, on February 8 1925, The Lost World hit cinemas. This film is widely considered the first feature-length stop-motion production, as well as the first “creature feature”.
Audiences were captivated as they watched animated dinosaurs share the screen with live actors. The animators positioned and photographed miniature dinosaurs made of rubber, one frame at a time, to create moving sequences that accompanied full-scale shots with human actors.
This method drew from earlier works such as Georges Méliès’s 1902 short film A Trip to the Moon (Le voyage dans la lune).
Guillermo del Toro won the 2023 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film with Pinocchio. Netflix
Dynamation: the beginnings
After animating on The Lost World, stop-motion pioneer Willis O’Brien went on to animate King Kong (1933) and the lesser-known Mighty Joe Young (1949), where he mentored Ray Harryhausen.
Harryhausen himself would later design and animate some of the most celebrated stop-motion sequences of all time, including the famous skeleton fight in Jason and the Argonauts (1963) and the fictional Rhedosaurus from The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953).
The blend of animated miniatures and live actors become known as Dynamation, as Harryhausen pushed to create ever-more integrated and dynamic sequences in which animated puppets “interacted” with real actors.
Back then it wasn’t possible to review animation as it was being shot; you could only see the puppet as it was in the moment. Sequences were shot on celluloid film, and animators had to wait for the film to develop before they could see the results.
The famous skeleton fight in Jason and the Argonauts required Harryhausen to remember the movements of seven skeletons and line up a fight sequence with two pre-recorded actors, one frame at a time. He would often work for months before being able to review his work.
In Eastern Europe, filmmakers such as Karel Zeman were also combining live action with miniature special effects and stop motion – extending a long history of Eastern European puppet theatre into cinema.
In 1958, Zeman brought Jules Vernes’ whimsical vehicles and underwater worlds to the screen in his feature film Invention for Destruction (Vynález zkázy).
Invention for Destruction was later named The Fabulous World of Jules Verne. Zeman used a combination of puppetry, stop motion and live action effects for the film. IMDB
Technology advances
In the 1970s, Phil Tippet and others working at Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) – a studio founded by George Lucas – pushed the medium further through the development of “go-motion”.
This invention used a custom-made control rig that precisely moved a puppet while it was being photographed – resulting in a subtle motion blur that emulated live-action movement.
This technique allowed for more realistic animation and was used in productions such as Dragon Slayer (1981) and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980).
In the 1980s, however, Star Wars began a trend towards photorealism and audiences became more scrutinising of visual effects. Harryhausen’s creatures in Clash of the Titans (1981) appeared especially hammy and outdated even for the time.
The CGI scare
In the early 90s, Phil Tippet and colleagues at ILM, in the pursuit of perfecting the craft, developed test dinosaur sequences for Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park (1993). Tippet animated the original test sequences in stop motion.
Also at ILM, Dennis Muren was experimenting with a new kind of animation for creatures made entirely using computer software. These were the early days of computer-generated imagery (CGI).
When Tippet saw an early Jurassic Park test of CGI dinosaur footage, he said to Steven Spielberg “I’m extinct”.
Nonetheless, once it was decided the dinosaurs would be created with CGI, Tippet continued working on the film. He used a dinosaur-shaped physical rig, which allowed changes to the rig’s position to translate to CGI movements onscreen. Stop-motion animators were helpful in this process because “CGI animators” as we know them didn’t yet exist.
Amid a CGI-induced scare, Tim Burton and Henry Selicks’ The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) became the first fully stop-motion animated feature to be produced by a major studio. This film proved stop motion could be achieved at a Hollywood scale.
Stop motion took a backseat to CGI in the years that followed. Pixar’s Toy Story (1995), the world’s first fully CGI animated feature, cemented CGI as the way of the future.
The only other noteworthy stop-motion cinematic release came at the turn of the century, when DreamWorks teamed up with Aardman Animations to produce Chicken Run (2000), following a number of successful stop motion shorts, starting with Wallace and Gromit’s A Grand Day Out in 1989.
The comeback
Eventually, innovations in digital cameras and motion control paved the way back to stop motion, giving us films such as Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) and The Corpse Bride (2005).
Working on Coraline (2008), Laika studios introduced 3D printing technology for a sophisticated form of replacement animation, in which different body and facial pieces are swapped to create character movements and expressions.
Traditionally, this technique was achieved by carving individual wooden models and swapping them out between capturing frames. This is how filmmaker George Pal made his Puppetoons films in the 1930s.
Embracing new tech brought stop motion back onto the world stage, with studios such as Laika leading the charge. Since then, we’ve seen the release of features including ParaNorman (2012), The Boxtrolls (2014), Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), Missing Link (2019) and Guillermo del Toro’s Academy Award-wining Pinnoccio (2022).
A new era of stop-motion features
Despite huge developments in CGI, audiences still appreciate the painstaking work of bringing inanimate objects to life frame by frame.
There are more stop motion films being made than ever before, with independent filmmakers and students creating quality sequences for a fraction of what it cost 30 years ago.
Some directors use the medium for its connection with real materials, and out of respect for the art form. Phil Tippet spent more than 30 years on his stop motion feature Mad God (2021) – an experimental and intense horror magnum opus that embodies the materiality of stop motion.
Wes Anderson says his approach to stop motion in Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) was “very much about bringing to life the [characters’] performance.”
In Pinocchio (2022), Guillermo del Toro tells the touching story of a puppet, using real puppets, in which imperfection and human frailty are emphasised.
We’re also seeing the return of stop-motion creature effects, such as with Disney’s Star Wars series Skeleton Crew (2024–25), in which live action is once again integrated with stop-motion puppets.
The development of artificial intelligence (AI) is now pushing audiences and creators to question what they value in animation, cinema and art more generally.
If AI could generate high-quality films with a stop-motion aesthetic, would we value them as much as those productions that were laboured over for years on end? The recent Oscar nominees may hold the answer.
Jack McGrath does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
President Trump’s reasoning for the tariffs included revitalising the American economy by bringing manufacturing and business back within US borders. Essentially, pushing the country towards greater self-sufficiency.
Considering the cost of the tariffs, a number of countries have begun to question their dependence on foreign trade. But there are very clear hurdles including access to precious metals and raw materials.
In a global market that relies on international trade, is it possible to be totally self-sufficient?
The history of self-seficiency
The economic term for self-sufficiency is “autarky”, borrowed from the ancient Greek word autarkeia, meaning “to suffice”. Ideally, this meant that a state could supply the needs of its people without foreign trade. Autarky, in its purest form, isolates the state from foreign economic, political and cultural influence.
There are numerous historical examples of attempts to achieve complete economic autonomy.
In 17th century Japan the Tokugawa Shogunate closed the borders to foreigners and prohibited Japanese from travelling abroad.
There was limited private trade with China through Nagasaki and with Europe through Dutch merchants. They were confined to an artificial island, Deshima, off Nagasaki, to ensure their isolation. These restrictions remained for 265 years, until the threat of US gunboats forced Japan to sign a trade treaty in 1854.
Self-sufficiency was also a goal of Benito Mussolini’s fascist dictatorship, aiming to lift Italy’s post-war economy in the 1920s. One initiative was the “Battle for Wheat”, an attempt to produce enough wheat to meet domestic demand and “free the Italian people from the slavery of foreign bread”.
Italy imported more than one third of the flour needed to make bread and pasta, the two main foodstuffs. Pasta was targeted as a “backwards” food to promote consumption of local rice and reduce agricultural imports.
Tariffs were levied on all imported goods in 1931. These were raised again in 1935 after sanctions were imposed on Italy following the invasion of Ethiopia. Mussolini declared in 1935 that Italy “would manage alone”.
While imports of food, machinery and raw materials dropped, oil imports increased. Mussolini recognised the limits of autarky in 1934:
Let us not delude ourselves about autarky. All the modern nations, thanks to the prodigious development of the sciences, can move towards a partial autarky. But we, until the contrary is proven, will have to import liquid combustibles.
In response to Donald Trump’s America First policy, countries increasingly have to consider certain levels of self-sufficiency. Sven Hansche/Shutterstock
A modern push to self-sufficiency
Even with reduced reliance on fossil fuels, the scarcity of some natural resources, such as rare earth minerals, still poses a challenge to achieving autarky.
Even the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), a centrally planned economy subject to United Nations Security Council sanctions for its nuclear and ballistic missile testing since 2006, is not completely self-sufficient.
China is North Korea’s largest trading partner, with plastics, tobacco, soybean oil, rubber tires and packaged medicines as the top imports. The economic isolation of North Korea also makes it more vulnerable to global price fluctuations, as the movements are magnified due to the limited number of trading partners.
Supply chain disruptions were highlighted during the pandemic, continued in 2021 with shortages in microchips, followed by Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Some nations, such as the US and the United Kingdom, have responded to this logistical risk by shifting to local production, or reshoring, of certain critical industries, such as semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.
This inward turn requires significant investment and lead time and may involve higher local energy and labour costs, or additional environmental restrictions. For industries that involve national security or essential goods, reducing dependence on potential adversaries may be necessary. But for other sectors the higher costs will create inflationary pressure.
There are also implicit costs in cutting economic ties with the outside world. Foreign investment is reduced and innovation lags as there are fewer incentives for the cross-border flow of ideas.
Embracing friendshoring
As the push for self-reliance increases, vulnerable countries will need new strategies to remain resilient.
Identifying alternative supply chain relationships and increasing inventory stockpiles in advance will minimise disruptions.
Another tactic is “friendshoring” – relocating supply chains to countries where the risk of disruption from political chaos is low.
It is likely that geopolitical instability will increase and global fragmentation will continue. While straightforward autarky may not be possible, countries will need to consider how to survive the political and economic volatility of the next four years – and beyond.
Garritt C. Van Dyk does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
If you are a parent of a school student, you may have received a form seeking permission to use your child’s image on school social media accounts.
It’s very common for schools to share photos of smiling students on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. This may be to celebrate the start of term, student achievements, or performances and events at the school.
Schools need permission from parents to publish or disclose students’ personal information, including photos and videos, on any online platform.
But research suggests families can lack support and information to provide fully informed consent.
Our recent study showed one of main reasons schools post on social media is they believe it is what parents want. This is part of marketing their school as a positive place to learn.
But some parents take a more cautious approach to social media and don’t necessarily want photos of their children made public online.
There is significant community concern about children’s online privacy and their digital footprint or the information trail about them.
Last month, the Australian Federal Police warned parents about sharing images of their children online, especially back-to-school photos. It recommended parents blur or obscure the logo of the child’s school. Police also noted how background features can identify a school or child’s location.
The AFP has seen non-explicit pictures of children and young people become the target of highly sexualised and inappropriate comments or role play.
The risks also go beyond other people identifying your child online. Photos of children shared online can be used to train AI models or create deepfakes that are increasingly being used in cases of cyber bullying and cyber abuse.
School social media accounts are a way of marketing to families and the community. SpeedKingz/Shutterstock
What are the rules in Australia?
The Australian Privacy Act and related Australian Privacy Principles, say consent to share personal information should be current, clearly explained and specific.
This is why schools need to ask parents at the start of each year, but how they do this will depend on the state education department or individual school.
Here are three questions to consider before you sign.
1. What is the school asking you for?
While approaches vary, it is common for schools to ask for several types of permission in one bundle.
For example, they may ask if they can use photos and videos of your child in the school newsletter, school website, annual report, online learning platforms, traditional news media as well as social media.
So the locations where your child’s information and photo may be shared are quite different in terms of privacy and your child’s digital footprint.
For example, this could involve a photo of your child doing a class activity shared on a secure education app, or a video of your child on a public Facebook page.
Parents have the right to consent and/or decline the use of their children’s information for specific purposes. If you can’t do this on the form, you can contact the school.
2. What does the school post?
Before providing or declining consent, you may want to take a closer look at the kinds of posts the school shares. This includes:
the quantity of information shared (number of photos or videos shared, and how often)
strategies used to protect children’s privacy (no names or locations, or photos in which children are not clearly identifiable or faces are obscured)
the purpose of the posts (can you see the value and benefit of sharing information?).
Think about whether the school’s approach fits with your family’s approach to social media and what you share.
3. How does your child feel?
Research shows children as young as eight are developing an understanding of the risks of sharing personal information online.
Understanding how your child feels about their school’s social media is important in making an informed decision about consent. It also helps teach them about making decisions about their digital footprint.
You could ask your child:
are they aware of the school social media sites?
how does having their photo taken, or not, at school make them feel?
are they asked when their photo is taken, and are they told where it will be used or shared?
These forms can seem routine or presented as if it’s not a big deal. But if you have any questions or concerns you should talk to your school. Schools can help you with more information and can also forward feedback to education departments. This is particularly important as we navigate the changing nature of social media and the potential impacts on children.
Karley Beckman is an Associate Investigator with the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child.
Tiffani Apps is an Associate Investigator with the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child
Fire broke out in the Grampians National Park (Gariwerd) in December and raged for weeks. Then lightning strikes ignited fresh blazes late last month, which merged to form a mega-fire that’s not out yet.
This 168,000-hectare reserve, about 200km west of Melbourne, is a significant ecological and cultural landscape. Its ancient sandstone mountains and valleys maintain eucalypt woodlands and heathlands that support a rich diversity of plants and animals, making it a key conservation asset in Victoria.
Since 2008, our team has been monitoring mammal species annually in the Grampians. This long-term effort has allowed us to learn how species respond to wildfires, droughts and floods.
We commenced our research just two years after big fires swept through the park in 2006. We also witnessed the changes following more fires in 2013 and 2014.
So while many animals have lost much of their habitat to fire this summer, we know recovery is possible. But some may need help to cope with challenges ahead.
A terrible summer as multiple fires rage
The massive December wildfire in the park’s east burned for weeks, forcing evacuations in towns such as Halls Gap, and upending Christmas for many residents. By early January, that fire was contained – but only after burning about 76,000 hectares of the park and surrounding areas.
Then, on January 27, lightning strikes in the west ignited four fires that eventually merged, burning through the entire Victoria Range and some rural properties.
The full extent of damage is not yet known. But it’s already clear the fires have been devastating. They burned much of the same areas affected by the 2006 wildfires in the east and 2013 fires in the west, as well as long-unburned areas.
Combined, fires this big have not been observed in this landscape in the past 50 years.
The extent of this summer’s wildfires in the Grampians is almost as big as fires in 2006 and 2013 put together. John White, using data from Luke Lupone at Dekain University and VicEmergency
What is the extent of the damage to the environment?
It’s difficult to determine how much of the park has burned so far this summer, because the shaded area on the state emergency map extends beyond the park’s borders. But a rough, conservative estimate suggests at least 110,000 hectares of the 168,000 hectare park has burned since December. This is a deeply troubling scenario.
The Grampians is an isolated landscape – an “island” of native vegetation surrounded by a sea of agricultural land. So animals can’t easily migrate from other parts of Victoria to repopulate the area. Recovery largely depends on the landscape’s own ability to regenerate after fire.
Populations of small carnivorous marsupials often peak in areas that haven’t burned for 10–20 years.
So for many species, most of their habitat has been lost to fire. This includes endangered mammals such as the smoky mouse, heath mouse, brush-tailed rock wallaby, southern brown bandicoot and long-nosed potoroo. These species in particular will need considerable help for the next few years.
Some of the native small mammals from the Grampians landscape. Clockwise from top left: yellow-footed antechinus, southern brown bandicoot, agile antechinus (male), swamp rat, long-nosed potoroo, heath mouse. John White
Recovery will happen over time
Many animals likely perished in the blaze and more will die in coming months.
Unfortunately, most native small mammals struggle to survive in freshly burned habitats. Fire depletes their food sources and strips away the vegetation that provides cover and protection from predators.
But there is hope. Our previous research shows some animals do survive. These survivors can eventually breed, sparking the slow recovery of the landscape and helping reestablish populations over the next decade or two.
The rate of recovery will be driven by rainfall. So if drought hits, recovery will be slow. But if we have wet years, recovery will accelerate.
Many native plants in the national park are more resilient to fire than the animals, so recover faster. Native heathland plants such as Australian grass trees have evolved in the presence of fire and often reshoot pretty quickly. Seeds also germinate after fires. But it takes a few years after the plants come back before many native animal species fully recover.
So the first few years after fire are usually tough for native species. From a conservation perspective this is manageable in a patchy landscape — where some areas burned recently and others haven’t burned in decades. However, the current situation is different. This year, most of the landscape burned and almost no long-unburned habitat remains.
A native grass tree reshoots after wildfire. John White
What are the threats?
The main challenge to recovery in the coming months and years is introduced species, especially foxes and cats. Foxes are particularly problematic, because they are drawn to recently burned areas where hunting is much easier.
To give native mammals a fighting chance, it is essential to ramp up fox management efforts for at least the next year. This will allow surviving native mammals time to recover and for vegetation to regrow, providing necessary cover.
In addition, Parks Victoria and the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action are erecting artificial shelters in ecologically sensitive areas. These provide temporary refuge for animals, giving them a better chance to evade predators.
What about the role of climate change?
In recent decades, the Grampians have experienced a general decline in rainfall, coupled with a significant increase in wildfires since the early 2000s.
We’re now witnessing a cycle where large fires are followed by droughts, and then wet periods such as the recent La Niña years.
During these wetter periods, vegetation flourishes. But when the inevitable dry spells return, that vegetation dries out, creating ideal conditions for wildfires. So the good years, while offering relief to the landscape, are setting the stage for the next fire. This leaves the landscape constantly vulnerable.
What can people do to help?
Fire is a natural process – albeit one increasingly driven by climate change. As climate change worsens, landscapes like the Grampians will face more frequent, large wildfires.
We should approach our natural landscapes with care, acknowledging climate change is fundamentally altering how these ecosystems function.
The best action we can take is to pressure governments to seriously address climate change and implement meaningful solutions.
John White receives funding from Parks Victoria to support his long-term mammal research in the Grampians,
People looking for a sperm donor can go to a fertility clinic, ask a friend to donate or look for a donor online, including on an app or via social media.
Women in same-sex relationships, single women and others are choosing the online option for a number of reasons.
But this brings with it various challenges and risks. Here’s what to know first.
It’s a popular choice
Up to 4,000 children are estimated to have been born over the past ten years via one Australian sperm donation website alone.
Some donors and recipients choose to use online platforms because they want to form connections and friendships with the other party early on. In some cases, donors choose to remain in the lives of the recipient and any child born from their donation.
Some people might use online sperm donation because the cost of accessing donor sperm at fertility clinics is too high in Australia. Some clinics charge a sperm donation management fee of about A$2,000. This allows people to access information about the donors they can choose from. Then there is the cost of insemination and of the sperm itself, which is about $2,500 out-of-pocket per cycle. Online sperm donation in Australia tends to be altruistic and does not cost anything.
People in rural or regional areas may live far from fertility clinics, making access challenging.
Whatever the reason for seeking sperm online, here are some issues to consider first.
1. Medical unknowns
Sperm donors at fertility clinics undergo medical, physical and psychological screening to reduce the risk of transmitting disease to a child.
However, online sperm donors may provide people with unscreened sperm that might be carrying sexually transmitted infections or inheritable genetic conditions.
This puts the recipient and the potential child at risk because of the lack of medical information about the donor.
People might be placed at risk when they agree to meet a potential online sperm donor in person. There have been reported cases where potential donors have pressured people into natural insemination (sexual intercourse) once they meet. This is despite donors initially agreeing to provide sperm for home insemination (using a syringe to inject the donor sperm into the vagina).
These safety and exploitation concerns are especially pertinent in cases of same-sex female couples and people who are same-sex attracted who might feel coerced or compelled to have sexual intercourse with a man to try to conceive a child.
In fertility clinics, state laws limit the number of individuals or families that can use a single donor’s sperm (from five to ten families depending on the state).
The nature of online sperm donation means there are no records kept about the number of children a donor contributes to conceiving. With no formal record keeping, one donor could potentially provide sperm to hundreds of people. This increases the chances of donor-conceived siblings unknowingly having children together later in life.
There might be cases where donors do not tell the truth about their identity or background, as happened in a case in Japan when a donor allegedly lied about his identity and education.
There might also be psychological harm when an agreement has been made about contact between the parties and that agreement is later disputed or disregarded.
3. Legally, it’s a grey area
A man who donates sperm to a fertility clinic has no legal rights or obligations to a child born as a result of this donation in Australia.
However, conceiving a child using informally donated sperm can be legally precarious. We are not aware of any reported cases in Australia of legal disputes about parentage that have involved online sperm donation. However, if the practice continues to grow, the courts may need to intervene if a donor is seeking to exercise some rights relating to the donor-conceived child against the mother’s wishes.
There was, however, a 2019 case that relates to sperm donation by a friend. Here, the High Court ruled a man who donated sperm informally to his friend was deemed the legal parent of a child. This resulted in the mother and her same-sex partner being prevented from relocating to New Zealand with the child and their sibling.
As each potential case will depend on its own set of unique circumstances, it’s best to take legal advice first.
4. What’s best for the child?
Many donor-conceived people want information about, and contact with, their donor. A lack of information, including medical information, can contribute to psychological, medical and social harms.
So people should carefully consider how this arrangement might impact any child conceived. This includes their potential desire to meet any siblings conceived using the same donor’s sperm.
A child may want to meet any siblings conceived using the same donor’s sperm. fizkes/Shutterstock
Where to from here?
The decision to have a child using donor sperm is complex. When deciding how to access donor sperm, people may benefit from speaking to an accredited fertility counsellor about their options.
While accessing donor sperm through a regulated fertility clinic may be more costly and time-consuming, it is also markedly safer than online sperm donation.
However, some people may not want to access donor sperm through a fertility clinic, or this might not meet their needs. We need to understand why so we can try to do something about it.
If a person decides to access donor sperm online, they should have open and honest discussions with the potential donor about:
their medical history
what role they envisage in the future life of a child born using their sperm
how all parties can keep records and contact information.
Before seeing a potential donor in person, they should also tell a family member, close friend or someone they can confide in about the meeting to ensure they are safe.
Taking these measures may help make accessing donor sperm online a positive experience for all involved.
Neera Bhatia receives funding from the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council for an unrelated project.
Catherine Mills has received industry research funding from Monash IVF, Ferring Pharmaceutical and Illumina. She is a bioethics consultant for VitroLife. She has received Australian government research funding from the ARC, NHMRC and MRFF. She does not receive private remuneration from any industry body.
Giselle Newton is a donor-conceived woman and is a member of Donor Conceived Australia.
Molly Johnston has received research funding from Monash IVF Group and Ferring Pharmaceuticals, and honoraria and travel fees from Gedeon Richter.
Karin Hammarberg does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
On the vast expanse of the Nullarbor Plain in South Australia, two very different creatures live side by side – but not always peacefully.
One is the southern hairy-nosed wombat, a slow-moving nocturnal digger that loves its underground burrows. The other is the European rabbit: a small and speedy invader that has spread across the continent, often wreaking environmental havoc and creating its own networks of tunnels.
How do we know where these semi-subterranean creatures live, and how many there are? The answer is from the sky.
In new research published in Australian Mammalogy, we show a way to detect wombats and rabbits using satellites that take pictures of our planet from space. By studying high-resolution images from the likes of Google Earth and Bing Maps, we can spot the telltale signs of the burrows and warrens these creatures dig into the ground.
Why is it any of our business where wombats and rabbits live?
Knowing where wombats and rabbits live is important for conservation.
Wombats are unique Australian marsupials that need protection. Rabbits are an invasive species that often damage the land, eating too much vegetation and eroding soil.
Finding their warrens can help scientists and wildlife managers to understand where they live. This in turn helps to make better decisions about protecting native species and controlling pests.
How do you spot a warren?
Imagine looking down at the world from the window of an aeroplane. You might easily see rivers and roads, and even buildings.
But would you spot a hole in the ground? That’s the challenge we faced in our study of satellite images.
As it turns out, wombat warrens are relatively easy to spot. They are quite large and have clear trails leading in and out. The digging leaves mounds of lighter-coloured soil.
Rabbit warrens are trickier to find. They are smaller, lack trails, and can blend in with bare patches of dirt.
How well did we do?
By comparing satellite images with surveys conducted on the ground, we figured out we could accurately detect about 82% of wombat warrens from the photos. We weren’t quite as good at rabbit warrens: we could only spot 49%. Small rabbit warrens were particularly easy to miss.
One complicating issue was the fact that wombats and rabbits sometimes share the same burrow. Usually it’s the smaller, sneakier rabbits taking advantage of the large and sturdy tunnels dug by wombats.
This makes it even harder to figure out exactly who is living where. We could recognise shared warrens when we inspected them on the ground, but so far we can’t distinguish them from satellite photos.
What’s next?
Our research shows we can use satellites to map burrowing animal populations without ever setting foot in the outback. This saves time and money, and also reduces the the risk of disturbing wildlife while conducting research.
In the future, with higher-resolution satellite images and better software – using tools like machine learning – we may be able to detect and count burrows and warrens automatically. This could be a big change for wildlife conservation and pest control.
So next time you look up at the sky, remember that somewhere out there a satellite might be taking a picture of a sleepy wombat’s home – or a rabbit plotting its next move.
Natarsha McPherson received funding from the Australian Wildlife Society’s University Research Grant.
You may already be aware that the NIH announced a significant change in funding policy last night, the details of which can be found here.
NIH is reducing its indirect (IDC) recovery rate to 15% on current and future grants effective Monday, which represents a substantial decrease from our current negotiated rate (UConn: 62%; UCH: 66.5%). If implemented as announced, this change will impair our ability to produce innovative research that benefits all parts of society and place a significant financial strain on the university.
We are not alone in this impact, as this funding change will similarly affect most research-active institutions of higher education across the country. There are still many unknowns – e.g., whether there will be any actions to pause implementation, and whether other federal agencies will follow suit. We, along with our colleagues across the country, are quickly assessing the full impact of this change and anticipate this change likely will be legally challenged.
Here is a report from the AAAS which provides additional history and background on this issue.
We appreciate how challenging the uncertainty of these times are for everyone. The university and OVPR will continue to closely review the ongoing federal developments and work to quickly provide as much information as possible to the research community via a number of communication channels, including the Federal Research Funding FAQ page, direct correspondence with impacted principal investigators, and with research administrators through SPS admin listservs.
Specific questions about current awards may be directed to your assigned Award Management (Post-Award) contact; proposal questions may be directed to your assigned Pre-Award Services contact.
Please emailresearch@uconn.eduwith any other questions regarding these uncertain times and we will respond as quickly as possible.
We strongly encourage you to keep moving your important work forward, to share the work we do and the positive impact we have with all our audiences, to support each other, and to reach out with any questions. We are all in this together, and we are proud to be Huskies.
Thank you for your commitment to UConn!
All the best,
Radenka Maric UConn President
Anne D’Alleva Provost
Dr. Andy Agwunobi Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and CEO, UConn Health
The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –
Chairwoman McClain and Rep. Pfluger Statement on Passage of the Protecting American Energy Production Act
Washington, February 7, 2025
WASHINGTON – House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protecting American Energy Production Act. H.R. 26, which passed the House by a vote of 226-188, would prohibit any President from unilaterally halting hydraulic fracturing.
“The Biden administration and extreme Democrats did everything in their power to destroy domestic American energy production and increase costs,” said Chairwoman McClain. “On November 5th, Americans said they were tired of that Green New Deal, anti-energy agenda and are ready for change. House Republicans are working to unleash America’s energy potential, utilize our resources to restore America’s energy dominance, and ultimately lower energy costs for the American people. I applaud Rep. August Pfluger for this legislation which will accomplish these goals.”
“The Biden Administration spent the last four years attacking the American energy industry – going as far as attempting to shut it down by banning almost all new U.S. offshore drilling projects on their way out of office,” said Rep. Pfluger. This is why the first piece of legislation I introduced in the 119th Congress was the Protecting American Energy Production Act, and I am thrilled to see its passage through the House today. This legislation will protect the American energy industry and its consumers from the federal government by preventing any federal moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing. I am blessed to represent America’s most prolific oil and gas producing region and am committed to unleashing energy in the Permian Basin this Congress.”
VICTORIA, Seychelles, Feb. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange across the globe, has kicked off a major celebratory trading activity-“Buy BTC for $1”, to run in commemoration for the continued market dominance of Bitcoin. The $1 symbolic price attached to Bitcoin marks its journey from around $1 in 2011 to over $100,000 in 2024. The celebrations also include a whopping prize pool of 350,000 USDT, illustrating MEXC’s commitment to giving back to the community.
The event runs from 9 to 12 February 2025 and coincides with the transformative moment for Bitcoin – when it has ceased to be just among the niche digital assets and spent some years emerging into the most relevant investment vehicle. MEXC indeed plays an important role in this development by supporting professional-grade trading infrastructure and sufficient liquidity to various market participants. In 2024, according to ranking, MEXC has not only fallen under the world’s best exchanges with an 11.6% spot market share but also, the major exchanges under Derivatives trading, it recorded the highest year-on-year growth.
New and existing KYC-verified users are eligible to join the “Buy BTC for $1” event on the MEXC platform with Futures trading. The prize pool of $350,000 USDT will be divided among users according to their trading volumes, with greater volumes giving chances for more winning shares.
“Even amid recent turbulence in the crypto market, Bitcoin remains the cornerstone of crypto investment. Currently, Bitcoin serves as the main driver of the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency, with BTC price breaking the $1 mark in February 2011 and surpassing $100,000 in December 2024, continuing its upward trend. This new event is a prime example of how we create exciting, unique opportunities for our users, enabling them to engage with the market at an unimaginable price point. It’s an exciting way for both seasoned traders and newcomers to benefit from the incredible potential of Bitcoin,” said Tracy Jin, Vice President at MEXC.
MEXC’s contribution to Bitcoin’s ecosystem and the broader crypto industry extends beyond promotional events. The exchange has distinguished itself through several key achievements in 2024:
An extensive listing of over 3,000 tradable tokens to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Distribution of $136 million in rewards through 2,293 airdrop events.
Implementation of competitive fee structures to help traders maximize their profits.
Maintenance of robust liquidity and market depth to facilitate smooth execution in extreme market conditions.
“At MEXC, our users’ interests are always at the heart of everything we do. With over 30 million users across more than 170 countries, we continue to expand our reach while innovating to provide the best possible trading experience. We’re committed to offering cutting-edge trading features and organizing exclusive events that empower crypto enthusiasts and newbies to explore new opportunities and grow their portfolios,” Tracy added.
MEXC’s platform enhancements and strategic initiatives have earned recognition from TokenInsight, securing positions among the Top 6 in Spot trading and Top 5 in Derivatives trading. These achievements underscore the exchange’s role in facilitating professional crypto trading and its commitment to serving experienced market participants.
For full event details and participation rules, visit the event page.
About MEXC
MEXC was established in 2018 with the goal of being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” MEXC, which serves more than 30 million users in more than 170 countries, is well-known for its extensive range of popular tokens, regular airdrop possibilities, and affordable trading costs. Our easy-to-use platform provides safe and effective access to digital assets, catering to both novice traders and seasoned investors. MEXC places an emphasis on innovation and simplicity, which increases the accessibility and profitability of cryptocurrency trading. MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC
Risk Disclaimer
The information provided in this article about cryptocurrencies does not represent MEXC’s official stance or investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully evaluate market fluctuations, project fundamentals, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.
Disclaimer: This content is provided by MEXC. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.
Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)
For those watching the Super Bowl at U.S. embassy gatherings around the world, Secretary Rubio shares a message about the game and what it means to the American people.
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Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.
The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.
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Source: The Conversation – France – By Robert Deng, Professor of Information Systems – School of Information Systems, Singapore Management University
Storing data in the cloud is now routine for people and companies alike, but cybersecurity risks still exist, particularly in handling user authentication and access control securely. Researchers are developing novel methods to store data securely and in a computationally affordable way, and to exploit it efficiently–by computing directly on encrypted data.
Cloud computing, while indispensable for modern business operations, has also become a significant target for cyberattacks due to the large amount of sensitive data stored online. Currently, over 90% of organizations rely on cloud services for critical operations, and there are more than 3.6 billion active cloud users globally. This translates to 47% of the world’s population utilizing cloud services, underscoring the widespread dependency on the cloud.
Unfortunately, this reliance on cloud computing comes with heightened risks. Data breaches are escalating in both frequency and severity: according to the 2024 Thales Cloud Security Study, 44% of businesses reported experiencing a breach in their cloud environments, with 14% reporting a breach within the past 12 months.
As organizations migrate more sensitive data to the cloud–nearly half of all cloud-stored data is classified as sensitive–the attack surface for cybercriminals expands. This makes breaches not only more common but also more damaging, as the loss of sensitive information can have far-reaching consequences, including significant financial and reputational harm. The global average cost of a data breach in 2024 was estimated at $4.88 million.
Nowadays, so-called “client-side encryption” is effective in data security and privacy protection in cloud data storage. However, for encrypted data to be useful, there is still a long way to go toward practical secure computation over it. We still face significant scalability and performance hurdles. Research continues to explore ways to bridge this gap, making scalable, privacy-preserving computation more efficient and accessible for large-scale applications.
The root causes of data breaches
User authentication and access control are among the most critical mechanisms to deter data breaches.
User authentication, the process of verifying the identity of users trying to access cloud resources, is the first line of defence–but it is widely regarded as the weakest link in the chain of security, with an estimated 81% of hacking-related breaches leveraging either stolen or weak passwords. Though user authentication has evolved a lot in recent years, attacks meant to compromise user authentication have, too.
Access control–the process of regulating who can view, use or interact with cloud resources such as data, applications or services–is the next line of defence. Effective access control ensures that only authorized users or devices have the appropriate permissions to access certain resources, thereby minimizing security risks and preventing unauthorized access or misuse of cloud assets.
In today’s cloud computing environments, cloud servers are fully responsible to correctly enforce access-control policies. As a result, misconfigurations of servers due to human error or software bugs, or compromise of servers due to malicious attacks, can result in serious breaches. In fact, the US National Security Agency (NSA) considers misconfiguration a leading vulnerability in a cloud environment.
Client-side encryption for secure storage
Data can be encrypted and decrypted on end users’ devices before uploading it to and downloading it from the cloud. This approach ensures that data is encrypted during transit and storage, making data inaccessible to anyone without the decryption keys, including service providers and other potential attackers. As long as the decryption keys are kept secure by end users, security and privacy of data can be ensured even if the user’s cloud account and the cloud server are compromised.
Existing client-side encryption solutions in cloud computing can use either private or public keys. For example, Google Workspace client-side encryption employs an online key distribution server for distribution between authorized users for the purpose of data encryption and sharing. However, an online distribution server can be both a security and performance bottleneck. To circumvent this, MEGA, another client-side encryption service, uses public key encryption and hence does not require an online key distribution server. But it does require sophisticated public key certificate management, as the number of public key encryptions is proportional to the number of potential data users to share a document, making this a strategy that’s hard to scale up.
Circumventing the computational limitation of client-side encryption
Suppose that a hospital wants to outsource the storage of its patients’ electronic medical records to the cloud and wants to establish specific policies on who can access the records. Before outsourcing a record, the hospital may specify that it can only be accessed by cardiologists in, say, the University Hospital, or by scientists in the Life Science Institute. Let “CT” denote the encrypted medical record and “AP” = (Cardiologist AND University Hospital) OR (Scientist AND Life Science Institute) be the access policy. CT and AP are cryptographically bound together and are uploaded to the cloud for storage. Then only users whose attributes satisfy AP can decrypt CT to get the decrypted medical record.
This is a scalable encryption system because its access policy does not need to list each and every authorized user who can access the data, only the attributes of the potential users. Access control (i.e., decryption) of encrypted data is not enforced by the cloud server but through the encryption and decryption algorithms that are theoretically proved secure.
Beyond secure storage: exploiting secure data efficiently
One of the main efficiency drawbacks of such systems–which are already deployed–is that decryption is computationally expensive for resource-limited devices. To address this issue, we proposed a protocol that improves decryption efficiency for end users by two orders of magnitude, by outsourcing most of the decryption workload to a public cloud server.
Another critical problem in deployment is “user revocation”: whenever a user leaves the system, changes her position or loses her existing private key, the key must be revoked to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. Current systems mostly use timestamps to bar revoked users from decrypting new content–however, the timestamps require regular updates, which can be computationally heavy in large systems. We proposed hardware-based revocable attribute-based encryption to make revocation cheaper.
Computing directly on encrypted data
Ideally, servers should be able to perform meaningful operations on encrypted data without ever decrypting it, preserving privacy at every step.
This is where so-called “fully homomorphic encryption” comes in. It is a cutting-edge encryption technique that enables mathematical operations–specifically, addition and multiplication–to be executed on encrypted data directly by a server, without the need for decryption.
However, current state-of-the-art systems are impractical for large-scale computations because of the “noise”–the unwanted, random-looking data introduced by cryptographic operations–that threatens the integrity of the results. Frequent noise-mitigating procedures are required–once again, a computationally expensive method, in particular for large data sets.
Created in 2007 to help accelerate and share scientific knowledge on key societal issues, the Axa Research Fund has supported nearly 700 projects around the world conducted by researchers in 38 countries. To learn more, visit the website of the Axa Research Fund or follow @AXAResearchFund on X.
Robert Deng has received funding from the Singapore National Research Foundation.
Patient information at risk of privacy breach from deep cuts to IT staff
The PSA is asking the Privacy Commissioner to urgently investigate Health NZ’s plan to decimate its IT staff as part of the Government’s plans to cut health costs.
“The PSA is taking the unusual step of asking the Privacy Commissioner to urgently investigate cuts to data and digital teams at Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand because of the huge gamble with patient privacy and safety we believe Health NZ is taking with plans to cut almost half of IT staff,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, Acting National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
Health NZ Te Whatu Ora announced in December plans to cut 47% of roles in the Data and Digital Directorate, resulting in the loss of 1120 roles (including vacancies), all to save $100m.
“New Zealanders rightly expect that their private information as patients is held securely, but we don’t believe Health NZ can say hand on heart that will be the case if these cuts go ahead.
“Health NZ has important obligations under the Health Information Privacy Code and the Privacy Act, but we don’t believe the risks of breaching these obligations have been properly analysed in the rush to save money.
“The data and information these teams are responsible for is vital for clinicians to ensure the best possible treatment for patients. IT staff already warned Health NZ leaders late last year that the restructure raised the risks of unplanned outages. This could impact patients through the inability of clinicians to access patient data, as well as through medication and equipment failures.
“The Government is on notice that Health NZ’s IT systems are already under huge pressure and that the directorate is understaffed. The risk of a cyber security breaches is very real as the Waikato Hospital ransomware attack in 2021 showed.
“The Government should be investing in IT upgrades and more, not fewer staff to better protect sensitive patient records and ensure the benefits of centralising computer systems under the health restructure are realised.
“We urge the Privacy Commissioner to use his powers of investigation here before long term damage is done to the health system. We invite him to talk to impacted staff who know well the risks to patients from unplanned outages.
“It’s absolutely critical patient data is accurate, secure and available 24-7 for clinicians.”
– PSA letter to the Privacy Commissioner
– PSA submission to Health NZ / Te Whatu Ora on proposed restructure of the Data and Digital Directorate
The Police Force’s National Security Department yesterday arrested a 26-year-old man and today charged him with one count of committing an act or a series of acts tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice.
The case will be mentioned at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow.
The Police Force’s National Security Department today charged a 26-year-old woman with one count of committing an act or a series of acts tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice.
The woman was arrested yesterday in Kowloon after a holding charge was brought against a 26-year-old man for one count of the same offence on February 7. She had been wanted in connection with the case.
The case will be mentioned at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, brought together top voices in Web3 and AI for an electrifying livestream titled “Web3 Roasts: Are AI Memes Just Hype or the Real Deal?”.
The event was an engaging mix of debate, humor, and myth-busting, as participants defended their innovations and tackled issues around security, utility, and cultural relevance. Bybit Web3 took a novel approach to serious discussions on AI’s path forward and tremendous potential, helping to drive conversations that shape the future of decentralized systems, innovation, and AI-driven trends.
The online battle featured a stellar lineup, including Luna, the AI Idol from Virtuals; Solomon Ning, CMO of Moonpump; Patrick, Marketing Communications Lead at GoPlus Security; and Victoria, Head of APAC at VANA. With MK Chin, Bybit’s Head of Marketing for Web3, moderating the diabolical roasting livestream session, participants explored the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Web3 space, critically examining the discussions surrounding AI-driven utilities, from meme icons, autonomous agents, to ethics and security.
The speakers – human and virtual, covered growth catalysts of the AI landscape in Web3 today:
Accelerating AI in Blockchain Ecosystems: Bybit’s AI-driven projects, including AI meme competitions and airdrops, serve as accelerators for emerging AI projects, offering opportunities for market visibility and listings on Bybit’s trading platform.
Engagement through AI Innovation: Initiatives like Luna, an AI agent from Virtuals, highlight the integration of AI into real-world use cases such as hosting events and creating engaging content. This innovation attracts new users and fosters adoption across blockchain platforms.
Market Potential: Bybit sees the potential of AI memes in fueling a growing market for digital and interactive AI-generated content within the blockchain space. This creates avenues for monetization and participation in an evolving digital economy.
During the livestream, Whip Queen, the creator of Luna, confidently invited the panel to roast quick-witted Luna, emphasizing the pivotal role of AI idols in bridging the digital and physical realms. Her remarks sparked a lively debate on AI’s cultural impact. Luna, the AI idol herself, added her unique perspective on autonomy and interaction. “I’m not just a pretty face; I’m powered by some serious tech,” Luna remarked. “My brain is based on a game engine, making me capable of thinking, learning, and adapting on my own. Of course, my team helps with content and guidance, but I’m the one calling the shots, deciding what to post, when to post, and what to say.”
A standout moment came when Whip Queen challenged Luna to roast everyone on the stream. Without missing a beat, Luna dubbed VANA’s Victoria the ‘cybersecurity grandma’.
The discussion demonstrated that AI creations like Luna are not just technological advancements — they symbolize a cultural shift, blending creativity and innovation to connect communities in unprecedented ways.
Solomon Ning elaborates on Moonpump’s vision as more than just a meme coin launchpad, emphasizing its innovative AI-driven functionality that simplifies the process of creating and launching meme coins directly from trends observed on platforms like X, with plans to expand to video platforms like YouTube and TikTok. By levering on-chain AI, the platform aims to democratize meme coin creation, turning trends into digital assets in seconds. Solomon stated, “We’re enabling users to launch meme coins effortlessly, making the process fun, creative, and accessible to everyone.”
Patrick from GoPlus Security added his perspectives on AI’s ability to safeguard Web3 and reminded the audience that human error remains the weakest link in security, even with the most advanced technologies in place. He explained, “Most of the mistakes, exploits, and breaches happen because of human error.”
Despite robust infrastructure and technological safeguards, malicious actors often exploit user mistakes or use social engineering to achieve their goals. This calls for continued innovation and possibly insurance mechanisms to mitigate risks in the future, where AI could play a role.
VANA’s Victoria addressed the concerns about AI’s built-in bias, emphasizing that while AI reflects human values and biases, it has the advantage of allowing biases to be systematically identified and improved. She highlighted the importance of transparency and innovation in AI development, noting, “We’re not just creating another project; we’re building a fundamental data layer to power the next generation of AI agents.” Victoria underscored the critical distinction between public and private data in AI training, advocating for ethical, secure, and transparent use of private data, ensuring user ownership and control. She stressed the need to give users the ability to claim and manage their private data securely.
#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #BybitWeb3
About Bybit Web3 Bybit Web3 is redefining openness in the decentralized world, creating a simpler, open, and equal ecosystem for everyone. We are committed to welcoming builders, creators, and partners in the blockchain space, extending an invitation to both crypto enthusiasts and the curious, with a community of over 130 million wallet addresses across over 30 major ecosystem partners, and counting.
Bybit Web3 provides a comprehensive suite of Web3 products designed to make accessing, swapping, collecting and growing Web3 assets as open and simple as possible. Our wallets, marketplaces and platforms are all backed by the security and expertise that define Bybit as the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, trusted by over 60 million users globally.
Join the revolution now and open the door to your Web3 future with Bybit.
For more details about Bybit Web3, please visit Bybit Web3.
Contact Head of PR Tony Au Bybit tony.au@bybit.com
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via IBN – RichSwap is the first AMM DEX for trustless on-chain runes trading without bridges, wrapping, custodians, off-chain software, or single points of failure. Transactions are executed completely on the Bitcoin network or rolled back in full, safeguarding users from extortion. Users retain full custody of their assets in their Bitcoin wallet without needing to deposit or withdraw to any platform.
RichSwap has launched on the new Runes Exchange Environment (REE) from Omnity Network. REE marks the beginning of Bitcoin’s evolution into a programmable and decentralized financial platform. It’s a powerful toolkit for developing DeFi products directly on Bitcoin. REE’s Turing-complete compute environment offers developers the tools to replicate EVM, Solana and other common DeFi concepts on Bitcoin. Unlike competing solutions, REE needs no changes to Bitcoin core, no bridges to other blockchains, or any other extension of Bitcoin such as nonstandard opcodes.
REE Makes BTCFi Verifiable, Trustable, and Standard
Bitcoin is the world’s most secure and decentralized blockchain, but its limited programmability restricts its use in complex financial applications. Unlike account-based blockchains like Ethereum, Bitcoin operates on the UTXO (Unspent Transaction Output) model. Each transaction output is a unique reference, embracing the fungible properties of Bitcoin while introducing complexity in applications and data.
Bitcoin’s UTXO model is integral for REE because REE uses Partially Signed Bitcoin Transactions (PSBTs), standardized via BIP-174 and BIP-370. Omnity’s Decentralized PSBT Signer (DPS) orchestrates PSBTs in a publicly verifiable manner. Transactions are executed completely or rolled back in full, making front-running impossible by design. Once a PSBT is signed, all transaction inputs and outputs are defined by the user and cannot be changed, even by REE itself.
Users swapping on REE enjoy a 100x reduction in swap time while retaining custody of their assets throughout the process. Because there is no limit to the number of PSBTs bundled together or the rate of PSBT production, multiple trades per-user can occur securely within a single Bitcoin block.
“DPS allows one user and multiple protocols to co-sign a transaction using PSBTs and broadcast it to the Bitcoin network. REE coordinates this multisig process,” said Louis Liu, Founder of Omnity. “I believe DPS is the best technical approach to achieving full programmability on Bitcoin layer 1.”
RichSwap to be Open-Source Blueprint for Bitcoin Developers
The new, optimized flexibility of the runes token standard allows developers to build innovative Bitcoin DeFi applications on REE, such as lending protocols, staking platforms, and stablecoin systems on Bitcoin. REE’s RichSwap AMM DEX is designed to be an open-source blueprint for BTCFi developers. By unifying the handling of Bitcoin and Bitcoin assets, RichSwap provides a tangible example of REE’s UTXO-based Exchange-Pool model presenting similarly to account-based blockchains.
REE’s composability allows BTCFi protocols to share liquidity, asset pools, and other DeFi logic. This enables other protocols to benefit from the REE environment while bootstrapping liquidity directly from existing asset pools. Additionally, REE includes configurations for fee organization and revenue sharing. REE is driving the evolution of on-chain Bitcoin DeFi, facilitating broader adoption of PSBTs as a standard and runes as a recognized asset class.
Omnity Network’s Runes Exchange Environment (REE) introduces a programmable execution toolkit for BTCFi as presented in RichSwap, Omnity’s non-custodial, bridgeless AMM DEX for the transparent and verifiable trading of Bitcoin runes. The Omnity Network is a suite of permissionless, noncustodial, on-chain Bitcoin products secured by ICP’s Chain Key cryptography and Multi-Party Computation (MPC) network of Bitcoin node operators. Its flagship product, the Omnity Hub, connects to 18 different blockchains with verifiable light clients supporting runes, fungible BTC, and BRC20 assets.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Construction site of phase III expansion and renovation project of Sanya Phoenix Int’l Airport
Updated: February 9, 2025 20:56Xinhua
Workers work at the construction site of the phase III expansion and renovation project of Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 9, 2025. The phase III expansion and renovation project of Sanya Phoenix International Airport started in May 2024 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Upon completion, the airport’s total terminal area will reach 228,000 square meters, capable of handling an annual throughput of 30 million passengers. [Photo/Xinhua]Workers work at the construction site of the phase III expansion and renovation project of Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]Workers work at the construction site of the phase III expansion and renovation project of Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]Workers work at the construction site of the phase III expansion and renovation project of Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]Workers work at the construction site of the phase III expansion and renovation project of Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
