SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, a leading Web3 non-custodial wallet, has partnered with Cryptorefills to enable seamless crypto payments for travel. Users can now book flights, hotels, and other services using Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, USDC, and more, eliminating the need for fiat conversions and making digital assets more practical for everyday spending.
Cryptorefills is now accessible as a DApp within Bitget Wallet’s “Spend with Crypto” section, allowing users to pay for travel and other essential services directly from their wallets. Beyond flights and hotels, users can purchase gift cards, top up mobile credit, and access gaming services from major brands. This integration streamlines crypto transactions across global merchants, bringing real-world utility to digital assets.
As a global crypto payment platform operating in over 180 countries, Cryptorefills supports more than 5,000 brands across travel, telecom, and retail. “Our mission is to make cryptocurrency a seamless payment method for everyday use,” said Massimiliano Silenzi, CEO of Cryptorefills. “Partnering with Bitget Wallet extends our reach, allowing millions of users to pay for travel and other services directly with their crypto holdings.“
“Travel is a natural use case for crypto, offering a borderless payment experience,” said Alvin Kan, COO of Bitget Wallet. “This partnership with Cryptorefills accelerates our vision for PayFi, making digital assets more accessible and practical in the real world. We will continue expanding our ecosystem to drive the next phase of crypto-powered financial innovation.”
This partnership is part of Bitget Wallet’s PayFi strategy to integrate crypto earning, sending, and spending into a unified onchain financial system. PayFi aims to make crypto payments frictionless and widely accepted by building a network of merchants and payment partners across industries. Alongside in-app shopping and upcoming QR code and POS integrations, Bitget Wallet is advancing crypto payment’s role in mainstream commerce.
To celebrate the partnership, Bitget Wallet and Cryptorefills are launching a cashback campaign from March 17 to 23, 2025. Users who book flights, hotels, or buy gift cards with crypto via Bitget Wallet on Cryptorefills will earn 5% cashback, up to $5 per user, limited to 1,000 redemptions on a first-come, first-served basis.
About Bitget Wallet Bitget Wallet is the home of Web3, uniting endless possibilities in one non-custodial wallet. With over 60 million users, it offers comprehensive onchain services, including asset management, instant swaps, rewards, staking, trading tools, live market data, a DApp browser, an NFT marketplace and crypto payment. Supporting over 100 blockchains, 20,000+ DApps, and 500,000+ tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges, along with a $300+ million protection fund to ensure safety of users’ assets. Experience Bitget Wallet Lite to start a Web3 journey.
For media inquiries, please contact media.web3@bitget.com
About Cryptorefills Cryptorefills empowers people in over 180 countries to meet their everyday needs by purchasing products and services with cryptocurrency. From topping up mobile credit and purchasing gift cards from the world’s leading brands to booking flights across 300 airlines and stays across over 1 million hotels and properties, Cryptorefills offers a seamless blockchain-purchase experience. As an early adopter of the Bitcoin Lightning Network and the first ecommerce in the world to adopt Ethereum Layer 2 and scalable blockchain stablecoin payments, Cryptorefills is leading the innovation in decentralized payments. Headquartered in Amsterdam, Cryptorefills is a fast-growing fintech and a proud member of the Holland Fintech Association and Blockchain Netherlands Foundation.
For media inquiries, please contact media@cryptorefills.com
An Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) inquiry has found the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) systematically misused its investigatory powers while pursuing benefit fraud, unjustifiably intruding on the privacy of many beneficiaries.
The inquiry found MSD’s exercise of its information gathering powers to be inconsistent with legal requirements under the Social Security Act 1964 and the Privacy Act 1993. This failure has resulted in infringements of individual privacy, particularly in relation to the collection of information from third parties.
In the course of its inquiry, OPC interviewed beneficiaries and reviewed fraud investigation files provided by MSD. As a result, it saw cases where individual privacy was infringed. Examples included:
Failing to ask beneficiary clients for information before seeking it from a third party leading to inaccurate assessments of the information;
Overly broad requests leading to the provision of unnecessary and sensitive information (in one case a woman’s birthing records);
Disproportionate and inappropriate requests for information (in some cases, every text message sent and received by an individual over lengthy periods);
Mr Edwards says the inquiry reviewed MSD files that contained text messages between parties in a relationship, sometimes of a sexual, familial or otherwise intimate nature.
“In one instance, a beneficiary described to us how MSD obtained, from a telecommunications company, an intimate picture shared by that individual with a sexual partner. The photograph was then produced at an interview by MSD investigators seeking an explanation for it.”
MSD has powers under the section 11 of the Social Security Act (as regulated by a Code of Conduct) to collect “any information” about a person on a benefit in order to assess their entitlements – including retrospectively, as in the case with fraud investigations.
As well as the Privacy Act, MSD’s Code of Conduct required MSD to first seek information from a beneficiary client directly before seeking it from a third party, unless to so would prejudice the maintenance of the law.
A change in practice
But in 2012, MSD advised its fraud investigation staff they could bypass the requirement to seek information directly from a beneficiary and instead go direct to third parties. MSD believed that an amendment to the Code enabled this.
The 2012 practice change resulted in MSD using its powers to collect large amounts of highly sensitive information about beneficiaries from third parties without approaching beneficiaries first. The information collected included text messages, domestic violence and other Police records, banking information and billing records from a range of providers.
MSD investigates thousands of fraud allegations a year. Of these, a large proportion result in no formal finding of fraud.
Mr Edwards said since 2012, MSD’s failure to first ask beneficiaries for information before approaching third parties has likely affected thousands of beneficiaries.
“Due to poor record keeping practices and inconsistencies between fraud teams, we have been unable to establish whether the Ministry has been bypassing beneficiaries in all fraud investigations or only those categorised as ‘high risk’. It is disappointing that MSD does not keep accurate records of when and how many section 11 notices are issued by its staff.”
Mr Edwards also noted MSD is required to review the Code every three years but had not done so since 2012.
Recommendations
The report makes five recommendations including that MSD immediately cease its blanket application of the ‘prejudice to the maintenance of the law’ exception when issuing section 11/schedule 6 notices.
It also recommends MSD undertake a comprehensive review of the Code and to develop training material and guidance for all its fraud investigation teams.
View the Privacy Commissioner’s Inquiry into the Ministry of Social Development’s Exercise of Section 11 (Social Security Act 1964) and Compliance with the Code of Conduct report
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Boston (March 18, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, released the following statement after Trump fired the Federal Trade Commission’s only two Democratic Commissioners, Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya.
“For more than a century, the independent Federal Trade Commission has played a critical role in protecting American consumers and promoting competition. By attempting to illegally fire Commissioner Slaughter and Commissioner Bedoya, Trump is sending a clear message that he wants to Forget The Consumers and Fast Track Corruption. Make no mistake: These illegal actions are a sign of weakness, not strength. With the Trump administration imminently having a majority at the FTC, the only reason to fire the Democratic commissioners is to shut down dissent and hide his efforts to pad the pockets of his billionaire buddies. Trump is scared that the Democratic commissioners will unmask his radical and unpopular agenda.
“It won’t work. We won’t let the FTC stand for Favoring Trump’s Cronies—we’ll fight back against Trump’s unconstitutional actions to make sure the FTC can continue to protect all Americans from scams, fraud, and other online and offline threats.”
You might’ve heard too many eggs make you constipated. Influencers on Instagram claim it too. The United Kingdom has slang for it – being “egg bound”.
Eggs were once blamed for raising blood cholesterol levels, which turned out to be false. Did we get it wrong about eggs and constipation too?
Here’s what the mixed bag of evidence tells us.
Starting with constipation
Constipation means different things to different people, and there are many different types.
Let’s focus on “functional constipation”, when people have hard, infrequent and often difficult-to-pass bowel movements. This constipation isn’t due to a physical blockage of the bowel or from disease.
Several studies link eating eggs with constipation, but not necessarily how you’d think.
A 2002 study of 1,699 Japanese residents over 40 found Japanese women who ate eggs at least five times a week were less likely to be constipated. Eating eggs didn’t affect constipation rates in men. The researchers couldn’t explain the difference.
A later study involved 3,770 female Japanese university students who filled in a questionnaire about what they’d eaten over the past month. A Western diet high in foods such as processed meats and eggs was linked to more constipation than a traditional Japanese diet (which has lots of rice but not much bread or confectionary).
Another study looked at middle-aged adults in southern China who ate duck or chicken eggs as part of a Western diet. This was linked to a higher risk of constipation compared with the traditional southern Chinese diet, which has lots of refined grains, vegetables, fruits, pickled vegetables, fish and prawns.
However, such dietary studies mostly rely on participants remembering what they ate. People also don’t always fill in dietary questionnaires truthfully, and tend to under-report eating unhealthy food and over-report eating healthy food. So dietary questionnaires aren’t always accurate.
They also rarely look at a single food item (such as eggs) in isolation.
Even if these studies mention eggs, the population studied can vary in age, gender and ethnicity. So the findings may not apply universally.
How about other evidence?
Laboratory based experiments looking at how egg proteins are digested in the bowel may offer some clues.
When researchers fed constipated rats protein from egg yolk, their constipation improved. This could be due to an egg yolk protein called phosvitin. This retains water around itself in the colon (the large intestine) and makes the stool bulkier and easier to pass.
How about humans? As far as I’m aware, no specific research involved feeding people eggs to see if this cured their constipation or made it worse. But we know a little about what happens in the gut when people eat eggs.
Although eggs are quite a digestible food for humans, research shows even cooked egg proteins are not completely digested and absorbed in the small intestine.
A small amount reaches the colon where it is linked to increased numbers of good bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Prevotella. There’s often more Prevotella, in particular, in people with looser stools.
So some research supports the idea eating eggs improves constipation.
What about eating lots of protein?
Eggs are rich in protein. Could a diet with lots of protein cause constipation?
No, protein itself is not to blame, according to research involving adults and children in the United States.
That study found someone eating a diet low in carbohydrate was more likely to be constipated after eating extra protein (the equivalent of an extra two small eggs a day). That’s compared with someone eating a moderate amount of carbohydrate.
Why the difference? The researchers said low carbohydrate intake could be linked to less Prevotella in their stools, potentially making the stools firmer.
This makes sense. Fibre is a type of carbohydrate the body can’t readily digest. Low dietary fibre is linked to constipation.
If we have adequate fibre in our diet then eat extra protein, this won’t worsen constipation. It may actually improve it.
However, not eating enough fibre on a high-protein diet is very likely to increase the risk of constipation.
There’s also a type of functional constipation associated with kids’ food allergies.
A study from Greece tested children with chronic (long-term) constipation to see if they had food allergies.
The children found to have food allergies ate a diet without these foods (including eggs) for eight weeks. Constipation improved in most of these children.
How are food allergies in children and constipation related? A type of immune cell found in people with allergies – known as mast cells – can affect the bowels. These cells can contribute to bowel muscles not contracting well. Food is less able to move along, leading to constipation.
So if all other causes of a child’s constipation have been ruled out, and they have a food allergy, their constipation may be allergy-related.
However, it’s recommended to try healthy eating, with enough fluid and fibre first. If that doesn’t resolve the constipation, the child could try an elimination diet, under medical supervision.
What are we to make of all this?
Overall, there’s no firm evidence that eating more eggs leads to constipation.
Provided you eat a diverse diet containing fibre along with your eggs there should be no increased risk of constipation.
If chronic constipation doesn’t get better with extra fluids and fibre, talk to your doctor.
Vincent Ho 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.
Google said on Tuesday it has agreed to acquire Israeli cloud security startup Wiz for approximately 32 billion U.S. dollars, marking its largest acquisition to date.
The deal, which Google expects to close in 2026, represents the largest-ever exit for an Israeli startup, surpassing Intel Corp’s 15.3-billion-dollar acquisition of autonomous vehicle company Mobileye in 2017.
Wiz, headquartered in New York City with significant operations in Israel, confirmed the acquisition on its website.
Founded in 2020, Wiz rapidly gained traction in the cybersecurity sector, achieving a 1.7-billion-dollar valuation within a year. In May 2024, the company raised 1 billion dollars at a 12-billion-dollar valuation.
Wiz, which reportedly employs approximately 1,800 people, provides cloud security solutions that help companies detect and mitigate risks across various layers of their cloud infrastructure. Its platform scans cloud resources, including network structures and permissions, to identify configuration errors, vulnerabilities, and malware.
Google said Wiz will become part of its cloud business.
The reported acquisition follows a failed attempt in July 2024, when a planned 23-billion-dollar deal between Google and Wiz collapsed, according to media reports.
Workers work at the SAIC Motor-CP manufacturing plant in Chonburi, Thailand, Sept. 7, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
Chinese automaker SAIC Motor introduced a premium electric vehicle (EV) lineup under its MG brand in Thailand on Tuesday in a move to deliver cutting-edge and customer-centric technologies in the Thai automotive market.
The event highlighted the launch of the coupe electric SUV MG IM6, making the Southeast Asian country the first market to experience the right-hand-drive version of the model after its successful debut in China.
Available in both premium and performance variants, the new MG IM6 is developed under the concept of “Intelligence in Motion,” featuring an intelligent driving experience, futuristic safety technology, and advanced electrification.
Speaking at the launch event, Xu Yin, president of MG Sales (Thailand) and vice president of SAIC Motor-CP, said the company aims to set new standards for EVs in the Thai auto market and redefine the driving experience, as both objectives play essential roles in growth.
Xu said MG seeks to collaborate with stakeholders in Thailand to elevate the nation’s fast-growing auto industry to the global stage while advancing sustainability by introducing customer-focused innovations and technologies.
Since entering the Thai market in 2013, SAIC Motor-CP, a joint venture between Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) and Charoen Pokphand Group (CP), has achieved accumulated sales of 220,000 units. The company has also shipped 32,000 units manufactured in Thailand across the region.
Customers shop at a Target store in Rosemead, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, on March 4, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff strategy, including a universal steel and aluminum tariff of 25 percent and global reciprocal tariffs starting from April 2, has sparked widespread concern over its economic impact both domestically and globally.
A poll published by The Guardian on Monday showed that 72 percent of Americans are worried about tariffs, up from 61 percent in January.
The economic uncertainty is reflected across political lines, with 90 percent of Democrats and 57 percent of Republicans expressing concern. Many fear long-term damage, with 66 percent of Americans believing that the U.S. economy will take years to recover from Trump’s tariffs, the survey shows.
“There’s growing concern that tariffs could have a lasting and unknowable impact on the economy, regardless of whether they’re walked back soon or not,” said John Gerzema, CEO of Harris Poll.
Economist Kimberly Clausing said in a recent interview with The New York Times that high tariffs could reduce imports, harm U.S. production and cost jobs, calling the moves a “good starting point” of the goal to “weaken America’s position in the world.”
According to a recent estimate from the National Association of Home Builders, the rising costs of construction materials, including lumber, aluminum and steel, could add 9,200 U.S. dollars in costs for a typical home.
“Builders continue to face elevated building material costs that are exacerbated by tariff issues, as well as other supply-side challenges that include labor and lot shortages,” said Buddy Hughes, chairman of the association.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development released a report on Monday, suggesting Trump’s escalating trade tariffs will hit world growth and raise inflation.
Global economic growth would slow from 3.2 percent in 2024 to 3.1 percent in 2025, largely as a result of the trade tensions, said the organization.
In Canada, the U.S. tariffs have been met with a wave of patriotism, with some consumers and businesses boycotting American products.
“Right now, I’m a little angry. I don’t want to invest in American companies,” Joanna Goodman, owner of Au Lit Fine Linens, a Toronto-based bedding and nightwear company, told the BBC on Monday.
“It’s about having your eggs in one basket. And right now, that basket is very reckless and very precarious,” Goodman said, referring to Canada’s long-time economic dependence on the United States.
The China Banking Association and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce jointly issued a proposal on Monday, calling on banking institutions to improve credit access for private enterprises, offer better financial services for private technology companies and lower financing costs for the private sector.
The association said the proposal aims to drive banking and financial institutions to make more concrete endeavors to facilitate the high-quality development of the private economy.
Banking institutions are expected to support micro and small private enterprises for debut loans, rollover loans and credit loans, it said.
According to the proposal, enhancing financing services tools, such as intellectual property pledges and receivables pledges, is crucial to actively supporting technology-driven private enterprises in research and development, commercialization of innovations, and transformation and upgrades.
Additionally, banking institutions are expected to reduce the overall financing costs for private enterprises by increasing credit supply and streamlining processes to minimize intermediary expenses, it said.
The move comes amid stronger efforts by the nation to support the high-quality development of its private sector.
Lin Zeyan, deputy secretary-general of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, said that based on a financing assistance program tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises, which the federation has been engaged in over the past five years, the proposal aims to provide stronger support to and cover all private economic entities, and encourage broader participation from banks.
Xing Wei, vice-president of the China Banking Association, said the proposal will serve as a guideline for banking institutions to improve financial services for private enterprises, fostering the high-quality development of the private economy in the new era.
“In recent years, the financing environment for private enterprises has significantly improved, with loan interest rates steadily declining and financing accessibility markedly enhanced,” said Wen Bin, chief economist at China Minsheng Bank.
As of June 30 last year, outstanding loans to private enterprises nationwide reached 71.8 trillion yuan ($9.93 trillion), a year-on-year growth of 9 percent — 0.8 percentage point higher than the overall loan growth rate, according to the National Financial Regulatory Administration.
Meanwhile, the average interest rate on newly issued loans to private enterprises stood at 3.9 percent, down 0.58 percentage point from a year earlier and cumulatively decreasing by 3 percentage points since 2018.
At a time when the external environment is becoming increasingly complex and uncertain, and the foundation for economic recovery is not yet solid along with insufficient effective demand, China needs to make more efforts to support its private sector, Wen said.
“Addressing the financing difficulties and high costs faced by private enterprises, especially small and micro ones, remains a long-term and systemic endeavor,” he said.
Looking ahead, efforts should be made to deepen financial services for private enterprises, provide diversified and innovative solutions, and support growth in emerging sectors to further drive the development of the private economy, Wen said.
Headline: Over 10 Years of Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town: Opening Up New Possibilities Towards the Future
For more than a decade, since its grand opening in 2014, Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town (Fujisawa SST) has embodied a bold vision for life-centered, eco-conscious modern living. Presently some 2,000 people live in 566 smart town dwellings.
Designed as a model for the cities of the future, it integrates sustainability, resilience, and well-being into every aspect of daily life. By combining smart technologies, renewable energy, and community-driven initiatives, Fujisawa SST creates an efficient resident-focused environment that sets a new standard for sustainable residential development.
At the heart of Fujisawa SST is co-creation, where stakeholders actively shape the town’s evolution. From advanced mobility systems and sustainable solutions to wellness infrastructure, the town continuously refines how cutting-edge technology supports community values. This dynamic approach has made Fujisawa SST a real-world testing ground for future urban solutions, allowing it to scale innovations that enhance residents’ lives and serve as a blueprint for cities worldwide.
A Demonstration of Smart City Excellence
Since its opening, Fujisawa SST has successfully achieved its initial goals, fostering an expanding ecosystem of co-creation initiatives. The town has met its original environmental targets by reducing CO2 emissions by 70% (compared to 1990 levels) and household water consumption by 30% (compared to the 2006 standard of household equipment), while also achieving a renewable energy utilization rate of over 30% as part of its energy goals. Additionally, as part of its safety and security objectives, it has secured lifeline infrastructure for three days in case of emergencies.
Co-creation activities such as community building and business incubation have also expanded, with over 100 demonstration experiments and marketing initiatives, including mobility solutions, and 10 successful business ventures emerging from the project.
As a result, Fujisawa SST has earned high recognition as one of Japan’s leading real-world smart towns. It has received numerous domestic and international awards, and to date, has welcomed more than 41,000 visitors from 60 countries on study tours.
“From the very beginning, our approach wasn’t just about closing down a former factory site—it was about creating a new town and finding a fresh way to contribute to the local community,” explains Fujisawa SST Project Leader, Harumi Tanaka, Manager of Smart City Group, Business Solutions Division, Panasonic Operational Excellence Co., Ltd. “By incorporating environmental initiatives and cutting-edge technology demonstrations, we’ve attracted visitors not only from across Japan but from around the world. It’s exciting to see our vision for a sustainable and innovative town being recognized and appreciated.”
Expanding Renewable Energy and Circular Living
As Fujisawa SST enters its next phase of development, environmental sustainability remains a top priority. By 2034, the town aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% compared to 2020 levels, with over 60% of its renewable energy self-consumption rate striving towards the goal of producing and consuming energy at home. To achieve this, the town is continuously evolving its energy infrastructure, enhancing solar power networks, and adopting next-generation energy storage technologies and energy saving solutions.
One promising initiative in this transition is the deployment of Glass-based Perovskite Photovoltaic, which tested in a model home up to March of 2025. This next-generation photovoltaic offers not only high efficiency, but also flexibility in size, transmittance, and design, allowing for customization according to specific requirements, enabling power generation in places where conventional solar cells cannot be installed and making them ideal for urban environments. This so-called “energy-generating glass” aims to harmonize urban aesthetics with renewable energy generation, contributing to CO2 reduction and power resilience. By advancing such original technologies, Panasonic seeks to expand practical applications and drive the future of sustainable cityscapes.
Another pillar of the town’s sustainability vision is the Circular Town Project, which focuses on optimizing resource use and minimizing waste. Its goal is to analyze material flows within the community and identify ways to improve recycling efficiency and reduce raw materials consumption. For example, excess renewable energy generated by homes can be shared with town facilities, ensuring a balanced and consistent supply. Additionally, local businesses and residents can actively participate in reuse initiatives, fostering a circular economy that prioritizes sustainability.
Meanwhile, all single-family homes are equipped with a Home Energy Management System (HEMS), ensuring power and hot water supply through solar power and ENE-FARM (energy farming) systems in emergencies. Energy usage data collected via integrated HEMS in detached homes will not only help visualize the town’s environmental goals but also allow analysis of data tied to household demographics. This data-driven approach enables Fujisawa SST to evolve dynamically, ensuring a smarter, more resilient urban environment tailored to the needs of its residents.
Innovations in Disaster Resilience
Fujisawa SST was designed with resilience at its core, integrating advanced infrastructure and smart technologies to ensure stability in emergencies. The town’s disaster-resistant features include underground power and communication lines, earthquake-resistant gas pipelines, and decentralized energy systems that maintain reliable operations even during crises. Buildings incorporate passive design elements that enhance structural integrity while optimizing energy efficiency.
To further strengthen preparedness, Fujisawa SST looks ahead to leveraging digital twin simulations to enhance disaster response strategies. Such real-time virtual models can allow authorities to simulate emergency scenarios, optimize evacuation plans, and improve coordination. Additionally, interactive drills and training sessions will ensure the community stays well-prepared and ready to respond effectively in times of crisis.
Energy security is a key pillar of the town’s resilience strategy. The expansion of emergency energy storage solutions, including community power banks that store excess solar energy, will ensure a stable power supply during outages. AI-equipped drones will also be deployed for continuous risk management, monitoring environmental conditions, and optimizing crisis management efforts.
In the event of a disaster, Fujisawa SST is designed to remain self-sufficient. The town will sustain three days of uninterrupted essential services and maintain a seven-day stockpile of food and water, ensuring the well-being of its residents. By prioritizing self-sufficiency and proactive crisis management, Fujisawa SST sets a new standard for disaster-resilient smart cities.
Blending Smart Mobility with Community Well-Being
Fujisawa SST is dedicated to enhancing residents’ well-being by integrating smart solutions that promote health, community engagement, and sustainable mobility under the theme, “fostering life skills from ages 0 to 100 and beyond.” The Park Wellstate Shonan senior residence features AI-assisted healthcare monitoring to assist a resident’s daily routines while ensuring safety and independence. Complementing this, the Wellness Square serves as a multi-functional hub, combining serviced housing for seniors with pharmacy, nursery, and cram school, creating an intergenerational space that fosters health, welfare, and lifelong learning.
Active lifestyles and recreation also play a vital role in Fujisawa SST’s vision. The Mizuno Sports Plaza offers interactive wellness programs and community sports initiatives, encouraging residents of all ages to stay active while building social connections.
Beyond physical health, social and cultural engagement are central to the town’s identity. Fujisawa SST hosts regular workshops, arts and culture festivals, and technology showcases, bringing together residents and external collaborators. Programs like the Fujisawa Town Parent Project empower locals to organize events that welcome neighboring communities and deepen their connection to the town.
The town is also reshaping urban mobility to make daily life more convenient and sustainable. Electric vehicle-sharing services, AI-powered route optimization, and pedestrian-friendly urban design are reducing congestion and improving accessibility, while also participating in Japan’s first demonstration experiment of simultaneous operation of 10 remotely operated small vehicles in multiple areas as an operation center and driving implementation site. Looking ahead, Fujisawa SST plans to pilot low-speed electric transport for short distances and drone-assisted delivery services, further enhancing urban mobility.
By integrating smart health services, active lifestyle programs, cultural initiatives, and sustainable transportation, Fujisawa SST continues to set new standards for community well-being in the cities of tomorrow.
Expanding the Smart City Vision Beyond Borders
As Fujisawa SST celebrates its 10th anniversary, it stands as a global model for sustainable city planning. Over the past decade, the town has demonstrated how smart technologies, community-driven initiatives, and resilient infrastructure can create a thriving, future-ready urban environment.
With ambitious targets for carbon neutrality, disaster preparedness, and enhanced well-being, Fujisawa SST continues to push the boundaries of what a smart city can achieve.
Looking ahead, the next phase of Fujisawa SST’s evolution will focus on scaling its innovative urban solutions beyond its current boundaries. By refining its smart city model and collaborating with new partners, the town aims to establish a replicable framework for sustainable urban development that can inspire communities worldwide.
“With the opening of a residence for active seniors and a sports facility on October 1, 2024, we have completed the first chapter of Fujisawa SST’s development,” says Harumi Tanaka. “Now, as we enter the second chapter, we have restructured into the Fujisawa SST Consortium, welcoming new companies and organizations to further drive innovation.”
Beyond physical development, Tanaka’s group is focusing on enhancing the community experience by integrating new perspectives such as resource circulation and well-being. “With Environment, Safety and Security, and Health and Connection as our core themes, we are evolving our town services—including energy, security, mobility, wellness, and community—to expand and enrich Fujisawa SST for the future.”
It looks at Georgia’s climate commitments and narrows in on plans to build renewable energy power plants, implement energy efficiency reforms for new buildings, and overhaul intercity bus networks to reduce emissions. It weighs potential negative impacts such as higher costs for vulnerable groups against opportunities for job creation and improved services, and outlines ways Georgia can ensure its green transition is inclusive and sustainable.
Mexico is fast-tracking measures to protect local businesses from potential U.S. tariffs, Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Tuesday.
Addressing an event for the “Made in Mexico (Hecho en Mexico)” certification, Ebrard said the initiative aims to ensure fair competition and prevent unfair trade practices.
“We are accelerating the program to support Mexican companies that export, compete and innovate,” he told reporters.
The Mexican government is working with industry leaders to prepare a response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of broad tariffs in April, Ebrard said, warning that higher trade barriers will have significant economic consequences.
“Made in Mexico” is part of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Plan Mexico, which seeks to strengthen local businesses and prepare for global economic challenges.
Bitcoin reserve to be established with up to 100 BTC injection and premium-priced placement of DDC Class A Ordinary shares at $0.50 to $1.25 per share
NEW YORK – DDC Enterprise, Ltd. (NYSEAM: DDC), (“DayDayCook,” “DDC,” or the “Company”), a leading multi-brand Asian consumer food company, today announced a transformative initiative to adopt Bitcoin as part of its treasury reserves, alongside an announcement that brings seasoned Web3 and Crypto Assets Management Expert Alex Yang to DDC as Strategic Advisor. An investor group will inject up to 100 BTC in exchange for DDC Class A Ordinary shares at a range of $0.50 to $1.25 per share, representing a 100% to 400% premium to recent trading levels.
Strategic Alignment with Institutional Confidence
“This partnership is a testament to the shared conviction in DDC’s future and the value of Bitcoin and potentially other crypto currencies as a strategic asset,” said Ms. Norma Chu, Chairwoman and CEO of DDC Enterprise. “This strategic decision to launch a bitcoin reserve not only diversifies our balance sheet but also secures a premium-priced equity agreement that reflects our partner’s belief in our long-term growth. This move is the first of many that we will be making to integrate Web3 innovations to the DDC consumer community. Our next step is for the parties to enter into definitive agreements and then complete the initial Bitcoin purchase in the next 30 days.”
Key Terms of the Planned Arrangement
100 BTC Injection: Over the course of approximately 3 months, an investor group will contribute 100 BTC (valued at approximately $8,000,000 to $8,500,000 based on current prices) to DDC’s treasury reserves. Equity Issuance: DDC will issue shares to the investor group at a tiered premium pricing model starting at $0.50 per share to $1.25 per share every 4-6 weeks starting with an injection of the first 25 BTC at the initial closing Long-Term Commitment: Shares issued to the group will be subject to a minimum of 180-day lock up and performance milestones, underscoring the partner’s commitment to DDC’s long-term success.
Strategic Rationale
Balance Sheet Diversification: 100 BTC adds exposure to Bitcoin’s long-term upside potential. Premium Equity Pricing: The tiered share issuance model rewards DDC’s growth trajectory while protecting existing shareholders from dilution at undervalued levels. Institutional Validation: This new investor group’s participation signals confidence in DDC’s leadership and crypto-forward strategy.
Industry Veteran Joins DDC as Strategic Advisor
Mr. Alex Yang is a well respected veteran in the crypto and digital assets space. He is the CEO of Volmart, a market maker that cross trades among TradFi and digital assets on CME, Eurex, Bursa, and TFEX. Prior to Volmart, Mr. Yang was the CEO of Virtual Economy Tech Limited, a Blockchain service provider for CMI and CGSE. Mr. Yang is the vice chairman of Chinese Financial Association of Hong Kong, and Deputy Director of Innovation Center of Data Science, SUSTech. He is also a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
ABOUT DAYDAYCOOK
DayDayCook is on a mission to share the joy of Asian cooking culture with the world, offering a suite of accessible and healthy ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook, and ready-to-heat products that cater to the global palate. DayDayCook has evolved from a culinary content authority to a multi-brand powerhouse, curating a broad range of products that champion authenticity, nutrition, and convenience. The company’s growing portfolio includes DayDayCook, Nona Lim, Yai’s Thai, Omsom, MengWei, and Yujia Weng.
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Forward-Looking Statements
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In fact, Trump’s latest phone call with Putin seemingly didn’t amount to any substantive changes, except for an apparently short-lived Russian agreement to refrain from targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure — a concession that might actually benefit Russia.
The winter, when Ukraine is most vulnerable to Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure, is almost done. Russia’s dependence on energy exports to support its war effort, however, remains constant, and any Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy facilities will be framed as a breach by Russian authorities.
Russia exploiting Trump’s desire for peace at any cost will probably be an ongoing trend.
The U.S. is playing an important role in peace negotiations. Under former president Joe Biden, this was due to the fact that the U.S. provided Ukraine with arms and moral support.
This development places Zelenskyy in a political bind. The U.S. in the past provided most of the military aid to Ukraine and the relationship between the Ukrainian leader and Trump is acrimonious.
As such, even if Zelenskyy doesn’t agree with American ceasefire proposals, he must give the appearance of agreement or risk permanently alienating the mercurial Trump. Putin, in the meantime, will exploit any Ukrainian-American tensions.
Current military situation
The first year of the current phase of the Ukraine-Russia war was marked by mobility as both Russia and Ukraine made considerable advances and counteroffensives.
Many analysts argue that such a war favours Russia. Wars of attrition are defined by slow, grinding advances whereby large casualties are a necessary byproduct for success. Given Russia’s material and personnel advantages, it can afford to suffer higher casualties.
For the past several months, Russian forces have been making slow, steady advances against Ukrainian positions. Russia has suffered significant casualties in these advances, and they may not be sustainable over the long term.
Putin is gambling that Ukraine’s and the international community’s will to fight will be broken by the time this is an issue. Trump’s push for a ceasefire at any cost suggests Putin may have a point.
Any immediate ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine would leave Ukraine occupying Russian soil in the Kursk region, which Russia cannot accept.
Russia’s immediate goal
Ukraine’s 2024 incursion into the Kursk region provided the country and its people with a necessary respite from the war of attrition. Ukrainian forces, attacking an under-defended and unprepared part of the Russian front line, made significant advances into Russia.
Ukraine’s ability to maintain territory around Kursk has also proven to be an embarrassment for Putin and the Russian establishment.
Putin recently said Russian forces encircled Ukrainian forces in the salient, although Ukraine denies it. Regardless of the statement’s validity, it speaks to the importance both parties attach to the battle.
Russia’s reputation
This issue highlights a particular problem for the Russian leadership. Russia has done its utmost to frame its so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine as a success. An example is Russia’s formal annexation of four Ukrainian areas in 2022, despite not actually possessing the territory at the time.
Any perception of the invasion of Ukraine as a failure is a non-starter for a Russian government concerned about its domestic standing.
Ukraine possessing Russian territory, however, leads to questions in Russia about the war’s success. Ukraine, in exchange for relinquishing any Russian territory it seized during the war, would undoubtedly seek the return of Ukrainian territory.
Russia has not even achieved its minimal goals of seizing the four Ukrainian regions it’s officially annexed. Therefore, it’s unlikely Putin would ever agree to the exchange of the territory it has actually already seized in exchange for the Kursk salient.
Putin is following the Russian playbook of negotiating from strength. So long as Ukraine maintains Kursk, Russia will not negotiate in good faith.
While Kursk is the most prominent area of Russia concern, there are other conditions that will become important in the future as Putin seeks to improve Russia’s negotiating position.
It’s a lesson that Trump will soon learn, despite any and all efforts he or his administration make to frame things positively.
James Horncastle 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.
Li Xiaopeng, former Party chief and chairman of China Everbright Group, was on Tuesday sentenced by a court to 15 years in prison for accepting bribes. Li was also fined 6 million yuan (about 831,000 U.S. dollars), and all his illegal gains will be recovered and turned over to the state treasury, according to the verdict by the Intermediate People’s Court of Daqing City, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. Li was found to have taken advantage of his various posts at institutions such as the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and the China Everbright Group to assist others in matters such as loan credit, corporate financing and business contracting. In return, he accepted money and gifts worth over 60.43 million yuan. Taking into account mitigating factors, such as Li’s truthful confession after his arrest and the recovery of all his illicit assets and proceeds, the court handed down a lenient sentence.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Tuesday inaugurated an alliance aimed at gathering talents and resources from various sectors to create a conducive environment for the quality development of the city’s innovation and technology industry. The launch of the Hong Kong New Industrialization Development Alliance marked a significant milestone in the city’s journey towards high-quality development. Speaking at the launch ceremony, Sun Dong, secretary for innovation, technology and industry of the HKSAR government, emphasized that Hong Kong is at a critical juncture in its economic transformation, and promoting new industrial development is vital for the city’s future growth. He described the establishment of the alliance as another significant milestone in Hong Kong’s industrial evolution, hoping that the alliance will facilitate close collaboration among various stakeholders in the innovation and technology sector, including providing financing opportunities and fostering partnerships between newly listed companies and local universities to advance comprehensive industrialization in Hong Kong, ensuring seamless integration of the innovation chain and industrial chain. In his 2024 Policy Address, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee pledged to press ahead with the establishment of the Hong Kong New Industrialization Development Alliance to promote closer collaboration among the government and the industry, academia, research and investment sectors, building a cooperative platform for new industrialization in Hong Kong.
This photo taken from Jingshan Hill on Aug. 12, 2024 shows the skyscrapers of the central business district (CBD) on a sunny day in Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua]
China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said the country’s trade policies toward trading partners, including the European Union, have consistently been stable, and welcomed European companies to increase their investment in China.
Wang made the remarks on Monday during a meeting with Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury, according to a statement released by the ministry on Tuesday.
While the global economy faces severe challenges, the long-term positive trend of China’s economy remains unchanged as the economy enjoys strong resilience, huge potential, and vitality, Wang said, adding that China is confident in its ability to continue to achieve stable economic growth.
He said that despite changes in the external environment, China’s policies and expectations remain stable.
China will continue to advance high-level opening up, optimize the business environment, and vigorously encourage foreign investment, the minister said.
Wang expressed his hope that European companies, including Airbus, would seize opportunities to increase their investment in China and deepen industrial cooperation in a bid to contribute more quality products and services to both China and the rest of the world.
Faury said that Airbus has been in China for over 30 years and has been committed to developing its business and partnerships in the country.
As a multinational company, Airbus looks forward to stability and certainty in global economic development and does not wish to see uncertainties arising from any additional tariff policies, Faury said.
Airbus remains optimistic about the Chinese market and will continue to expand its investment and presence in the country for better development in the future, Faury added.
Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Zheng Zeguang has called on business communities in both countries to seize the opportunities presented by China’s continued stable development.
Zheng made the statement at an event hosted on Monday briefing the “two sessions”: the annual meetings of the National People’s Congress – China’s top legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
Zheng said this year’s sessions have shown the world that China is committed to advancing the country’s modernization with high-quality development. China will firmly act as an “enabler,” providing “more stability and positive energy for the world,” in areas such as economic development, sci-tech innovation, green transition, and global peace and stability, he added.
The “two sessions” also showed the success of China’s political system, the ambassador stressed, adding that it is “the secret behind the two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability” in China.
Highlighting the importance of a stable and constructive China-UK relationship in a chaotic and turbulent world full of challenges, the ambassador called on both sides to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, implement the outcomes of previous dialogues, and strengthen cooperation while properly handling differences between the two countries.
Sherard Cowper-Coles, chairman of the China-Britain Business Council, said that a Chinese government report released during the sessions responds to tackling serious challenges in a coherent and disciplined way.
“It talks about increasing consumption, putting more money in the pockets of the Chinese people, stimulating innovation and opening China up more to investment, and inviting visitors around the world not just commercial businesses, but the tourists and students as well, all very very important,” Cowper-Coles said.
Michael Mainelli, former Lord Mayor of the City of London, acknowledged that this is a pivotal moment for the UK in the relationship between China, and the global community. He said the sessions “have set the stage for policies that will influence not only China’s trajectory, but also its interactions with the world.”
As a global financial and technology center, London looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in finance, green finance, artificial intelligence and other fields, Mainelli noted.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
5th China Cross-Border E-Commerce Trade Fair opens in Fuzhou
Updated: March 19, 2025 08:49Xinhua
Visitors and exhibitors communicate during the 5th China Cross-Border E-Commerce Trade Fair in Fuzhou, southeast China’s Fujian Province, March 18, 2025. The 5th China Cross-Border E-Commerce Trade Fair opened here on Tuesday, attracting over 1,800 supply chain and service enterprises from various countries and regions. This year’s event coincides with the 2025 China Cross-Border E-Commerce Conference, which focuses on the upgrade of the cross-border e-commerce industry and seeks pathways for Chinese companies to expand internationally. [Photo/Xinhua]People visit the 5th China Cross-Border E-Commerce Trade Fair in Fuzhou, southeast China’s Fujian Province, March 18, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]People visit the 5th China Cross-Border E-Commerce Trade Fair in Fuzhou, southeast China’s Fujian Province, March 18, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]People communicate during the 5th China Cross-Border E-Commerce Trade Fair in Fuzhou, southeast China’s Fujian Province, March 18, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]People visit the 5th China Cross-Border E-Commerce Trade Fair in Fuzhou, southeast China’s Fujian Province, March 18, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Chinese independent director Jia Zhangke’s new film Caught by the Tides, now in select Australian cinemas, provides a unique vision of China’s rapid social transformation in the 21st century.
Using a combination of documentary footage and scenes shot by Jia over the past 20 years during the making of his earlier films, Caught by the Tides follows Qiaoqiao (Zhao Tao) and her boyfriend, small-time hustler Bin (Li Zhubin).
Bin leaves their small town to make his fortune working on the Three Gorges Dam and Qiaoqiao goes to find him, taking her on a journey through the changing landscape of contemporary China.
The film not only registers monumental changes, like the building of the dam, but the minutiae of everyday details from changing fashion to altered streetscapes.
Jia’s film is a quiet and meditative affair which dwells on the passage of time in a fast-paced world. The film not only captures 20 years in a rapidly changing China, but also offers a reflection on Jia’s career as a filmmaker.
Framing the provinces
Jia was born in 1970. He grew up in the city of Fenyang, Shanxi province, and came of age during Deng Xiaoping’s economic liberalisation and “opening up” of the 1980s.
He studied at the Beijing Film Academy before returning home to shoot his first feature Xiao Wu (Pickpocket) in 1997.
The films he made in Shanxi – Xiao Wu, Platform (2000) and Unknown Pleasures (2002) – have been dubbed his “hometown trilogy”.
Shanxi is known for its notoriously dangerous coal mining industry. Jia focused on the lives of those left behind by China’s “economic miracle” and life outside of the metropolis. His use of non-actors, preference for street shooting and slow minimalist style set his work apart from commercial Chinese cinema.
The second film in the trilogy, Platform, includes a mesmerising performance from Zhao Tao, then an unknown actor who has since starred in all of Jia’s later films. Zhao and Jia were married in 2012. Zhao is a key artistic collaborator whose portrayal of strong female protagonists is central to all the director’s later work.
Cinema and cultural memory
Jia’s international breakthrough came with Still Life (2006), shot in the ancient area of Fengjie on the banks of the Yangtze while cities were being demolished and thousands displaced to make way for the Three Gorges Dam.
Working on Still Life confirmed Jia’s belief in “cinema’s function as memory” which captures the present before it disappears. Still Life combined Jia’s early realist style with a new surreal approach, including a building taking off and a mysterious flying saucer zooming into the distance.
To Jia, this blend of realism and surrealism is essential for portraying China’s rapid historical transformation. He says the speed of development in China “has had an unsettling surreal effect”.
To represent this, he has experimented with all the possibilities of cinema blending documentary, fiction, animation, pop music, Chinese opera and digital images to create a stunning body of work.
Caught by the tides of history
Caught by the Tides continues Jia’s experimentation with cinema and history in his most ambitious work to date.
Production was influenced by the COVID pandemic, when Jia was unable to start work on a new film. Instead, he began to review footage he and his director of photography Yu Lik-Wai had shot since 2001.
Jia describes the process of reviewing the footage as “like time-travelling” as he returned to the beginning of the 21st century and his youth.
The film is partly composed of a collage of documentary footage which Jia and his collaborators spent over two years editing. We see excitement in the streets when Beijing is announced as the host city of the 2008 Olympic Games, before cutting to a montage of young people dancing in strobe-lit underground nightclubs.
This kaleidoscope of documentary footage is combined with scenes shot during the making of Jia’s earlier films. From this combination of archival footage featuring Jia’s regular stars Zhao and Li Zubin, a story emerges about China’s rapid change.
Jia began work on Caught by the Tides during COVID. MK2 Films
As Qiaoqiao guides the viewer through the chaotic transformations taking place in the country, there is something particularly arresting about seeing places and actors change before our very eyes.
The final scenes, shot with modern digital cameras, have a sleek and cold aesthetic in contrast to the pixelated early footage. It is in part a reflection of Jia’s own melancholic view of historical change in which the past is forgotten, and the everyday lives of ordinary people disappear from view. Yet as a whole, the film suggests cinema can preserve the past and give dignity and beauty to everyday experiences.
Caught By the Tides provides viewers with a refreshing glimpse of Chinese life from within. Cinema like Jia’s remains in a unique position to promote a more nuanced view of China’s complex and ever-evolving history.
Thomas Moran 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.
We all recognise the benefits of regular aerobic or cardiovascular exercise to support our heart and lung health. Being active is also good for our social and mental health. And strength training promotes strong bones and muscles.
But as we age, we also need to train our balance to avoid falls.
Around one in three people aged 65 and over have a fall each year.
Falls are a common cause of disability and loss of independence in older age and can lead to an older person moving from living independently into living in a residential aged care facility. More than 6,000 older Australians die each year from falls.
But many falls are preventable. So exercise that targets balance and strength is crucial.
How much do we need to do?
International guidelines recommend all older people exercise to prevent falls, even if they’ve never fallen. Prevention is far better than cure.
Other guidelines recommend people aged 65 and over do “functional balance and strength training” on three or more days a week, to improve their ability to do day-to-day activities, stay independent, and prevent falls.
Since balance starts to decline at around age 50, it’s even better to start training balance before the age of 65.
In order to increase our muscle strength, we need to progressively lift heavier weights. Similarly, to boost our balance, we need to practise activities that progressively challenge it. This improves our ability to stay steady in difficult situations and avoid falling.
Functional training means doing a physical activity that imitates everyday activities, such as standing up out of a chair, or stepping onto a step.
When you practise the everyday activities necessary for living independently, you improve your ability to perform them. This reduces the likelihood of falling when doing those activities, and therefore helps you maintain your independence for longer.
What exercises can you do?
The best exercises to challenge our balance system and reduce the risk of falling are performed while standing, rather than seated.
For example, you can stand with your feet close together or on one leg (if it’s safe to do so) while also performing controlled upper-body movements, such as leaning and reaching. This is a functional balance exercise and it can be made progressively more challenging as your balance improves.
Practise standing up from a seated position ten times every hour or so. See if you can do it without using your arms for support. To increase the balance challenge, place a cushion under the feet.
Heel-raises
Rise up onto your toes and hold the position for a few seconds. Hold on to a bench or wall for support if you need to but gradually remove the support as your balance improves. To increase the balance challenge, try doing this with your eyes closed.
Practise walking along an imaginary line, with one foot placed in front of the other. Hold on to a bench or wall for support if you need to but gradually remove the support as your balance improves.
Stepping in different directions
Practise quickly stepping forwards, sideways and backwards. Being able to move our feet quickly can help avoid a fall if you trip on something. If you are able, more challenging activities include stepping up or jumping onto a box.
Squats and lunges
Squats and lunges improve balance and leg strength. Add some hand weights to increase the challenge.
It’s important that balance challenging exercises are performed regularly, at least three times per week. The benefits of exercise are lost if you stop doing them, so ongoing practice is important.
People of all abilities can safely undertake balance training exercise, however extra guidance and support is recommended for people who have physical limitations, are frail, or who are at a higher risk of falls.
For younger or fitter people, agility activities such as rapid stepping, dancing and running are likely to improve co-ordination and balance too.
So next time you are carrying out your exercise routine, ask yourself: what am I doing to improve my balance? Investing in balance training now can help you avoid falls, and lead to greater independence in older age.
Anne Tiedemann receives research funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and from the Medical Research Future Fund of Australia. She has voluntary roles with the World Falls Prevention Society and with the Australia and New Zealand Falls Prevention Society.
Cathie Sherrington receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Medical Research Future Fund of Australia. She has voluntary roles with the Australian and New Zealand Fall Prevention Society, the International Society for Physical Activity and Health, the International Society for Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, the Fragility Fracture Network.
Geraldine Wallbank 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.
In fact, Trump’s latest phone call with Putin seemingly didn’t amount to any substantive changes, except for an apparently short-lived Russian agreement to refrain from targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure — a concession that might actually benefit Russia.
The winter, when Ukraine is most vulnerable to Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure, is almost done. Russia’s dependence on energy exports to support its war effort, however, remains constant, and any Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy facilities will be framed as a breach by Russian authorities.
Russia exploiting Trump’s desire for peace at any cost will probably be an ongoing trend.
The U.S. is playing an important role in peace negotiations. Under former president Joe Biden, this was due to the fact that the U.S. provided Ukraine with arms and moral support.
This development places Zelenskyy in a political bind. The U.S. in the past provided most of the military aid to Ukraine and the relationship between the Ukrainian leader and Trump is acrimonious.
As such, even if Zelenskyy doesn’t agree with American ceasefire proposals, he must give the appearance of agreement or risk permanently alienating the mercurial Trump. Putin, in the meantime, will exploit any Ukrainian-American tensions.
Current military situation
The first year of the current phase of the Ukraine-Russia war was marked by mobility as both Russia and Ukraine made considerable advances and counteroffensives.
Many analysts argue that such a war favours Russia. Wars of attrition are defined by slow, grinding advances whereby large casualties are a necessary byproduct for success. Given Russia’s material and personnel advantages, it can afford to suffer higher casualties.
For the past several months, Russian forces have been making slow, steady advances against Ukrainian positions. Russia has suffered significant casualties in these advances, and they may not be sustainable over the long term.
Putin is gambling that Ukraine’s and the international community’s will to fight will be broken by the time this is an issue. Trump’s push for a ceasefire at any cost suggests Putin may have a point.
Any immediate ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine would leave Ukraine occupying Russian soil in the Kursk region, which Russia cannot accept.
Russia’s immediate goal
Ukraine’s 2024 incursion into the Kursk region provided the country and its people with a necessary respite from the war of attrition. Ukrainian forces, attacking an under-defended and unprepared part of the Russian front line, made significant advances into Russia.
Ukraine’s ability to maintain territory around Kursk has also proven to be an embarrassment for Putin and the Russian establishment.
Putin recently said Russian forces encircled Ukrainian forces in the salient, although Ukraine denies it. Regardless of the statement’s validity, it speaks to the importance both parties attach to the battle.
Russia’s reputation
This issue highlights a particular problem for the Russian leadership. Russia has done its utmost to frame its so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine as a success. An example is Russia’s formal annexation of four Ukrainian areas in 2022, despite not actually possessing the territory at the time.
Any perception of the invasion of Ukraine as a failure is a non-starter for a Russian government concerned about its domestic standing.
Ukraine possessing Russian territory, however, leads to questions in Russia about the war’s success. Ukraine, in exchange for relinquishing any Russian territory it seized during the war, would undoubtedly seek the return of Ukrainian territory.
Russia has not even achieved its minimal goals of seizing the four Ukrainian regions it’s officially annexed. Therefore, it’s unlikely Putin would ever agree to the exchange of the territory it has actually already seized in exchange for the Kursk salient.
Putin is following the Russian playbook of negotiating from strength. So long as Ukraine maintains Kursk, Russia will not negotiate in good faith.
While Kursk is the most prominent area of Russia concern, there are other conditions that will become important in the future as Putin seeks to improve Russia’s negotiating position.
It’s a lesson that Trump will soon learn, despite any and all efforts he or his administration make to frame things positively.
James Horncastle 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.
Claire Anderson, Commissioner for British Columbia and Yukon Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
Check against delivery
Thank you for the introduction and the warm welcome. Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered here today on the territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. I understand that in the Sarlequun Snuneymuxw Treaty of 1854, the British Crown recognized Snuneymuxw self-determination and Aboriginal title, and that today, Snuneymuxw governance is rooted in Snawayalth (teachings), and this model of governance upholds the Nation’s self-determination and territorial sovereignty.
It is a real pleasure to be here with all of you today. I want to thank the Indigenous Connectivity Institute for inviting me to speak and for gathering us all together to discuss this important subject. The Institute is an important, Indigenous-led voice helping to tackle the challenges that affect our own Indigenous communities. This includes the digital divide that disproportionately affects Indigenous communities and affects their ability to fully participate in the 21st-century global economy.
As participants to this Summit, many or most of you have insight into what those challenges look like and how deep their roots grow. And that places you in a unique position to examine solutions that work best for your own communities.
Access to wireless frequency ranges, or spectrum as we have come to call it, is critical to any telecommunications service provider. Access to spectrum helps a company provide its customers with reliable and clear wireless services. So it only makes sense that as more and more Indigenous-led companies and community groups look to improve connectivity in their communities, they are increasingly interested in spectrum management and access to this vital resource.
Spectrum management and the CRTC’s role
This is why I was so happy that we all had the chance to hear this morning from Mark Saunders at Innovation, Science and Economic Development (or ISED). ISED is responsible for managing spectrum in Canada, including how spectrum is allocated through the auction system that Mark touched on.
Indigenous communities and companies who want to create local solutions to their community’s connectivity challenges need spectrum access. ISED’s ‘use it or lose it’ policy and, most importantly, its announcement of a new licensing framework for unused spectrum in rural, remote and Indigenous areas, should improve this access. This included, as Mark touched on, the ongoing development of the Indigenous priority window spectrum policy framework. I look forward to the seeing the results and the final policy when it is released.
At the CRTC, our work focuses on telecommunications companies and the services they provide over spectrum, as well as the infrastructure that facilitates access to these services.
Support structures, small cells and access
For example, one of our areas of focus in the recent past has been working on regulatory measures to make access to telecommunications poles and other forms of existing infrastructure easier and more efficient.
In fact, less than two months ago we released a decision designed to make it easier for companies to deploy new communications networks. It laid out the terms and conditions which will allow companies to access the poles, lines and other support structures controlled by large telephone companies, so that smaller competitors – such as Indigenous-led companies and co-ops – can deploy their own networks.
There are several more granular and detailed changes that were made, as part of this decision, which I won’t cover today. But I will point out that all were made with the intent of making this new access as smooth and as easy as possible for new competitors to enter new markets. It will improve competition, lower prices, and provide high-quality telecom services to communities across the country, while also supporting continued investment.
Building on this access, we are working on another decision concerning wireless attachments to these poles. Ensuring high-speed wireless connectivity on 5G networks and beyond will require the deployment of thousands of additional cell sites across Canada.
We are now in the final stages of a consultation on whether the CRTC should allow third parties to attach wireless equipment like small cells onto poles across Canada. As this is still a matter before the CRTC, I cannot hint at the details of any decision that the Commission might make. But what I can say is that we expect to release a decision soon.
Broadband Fund
As we work on these key regulatory issues, we are also a part of the Government of Canada’s larger effort to connect all communities to reliable high-speed Internet services. In 2019, the CRTC launched the Broadband Fund to help connect rural, remote and Indigenous communities across the country. The Broadband Fund’s focus is broader than our scope today, focusing on wireline broadband services in addition to wireless services.
To date, the fund has improved high-speed Internet and cellphone services in more than 270 communities, connecting essential institutions such as schools, health care facilities and community centres. We are wrapping up our evaluations of the projects proposed in our third call for applications – a call that garnered applications seeking more than $1.9 billion in funding. In the past year alone we committed funding that will better connect Inuit communities in northern Quebec and Nunavut, improve access along nearly 100 kilometres of major roads in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Ontario, and improve connectivity along roads and to rural communities in Yukon, northern Manitoba, and right here in B.C.
In addition to these funding commitments, we are also working to improve the fund itself. We want to make it easier for prospective recipients to apply for funding and make the evaluation process simpler and more transparent. And once an application is approved, we want to consolidate and simplify reporting requirements.
As part of this review, we are also looking at how we can better engage with Indigenous communities and facilitate their access to the Broadband Fund. This includes changing the way we consult and engage with Indigenous communities, and we have created our Indigenous Relations Team within the CRTC to help. Furthermore, we are in the process of developing a distinct Indigenous stream of the Broadband Fund. I look forward to sharing more details as it progresses.
Spectrum, telecom, and economic reconciliation
And as I continue today, I want to acknowledge the opportunities for reconciliation that are found through telecommunications. Historically, when we spoke about reconciliation, it seemed as though there was an expectation that one party to a relationship had to reconcile or compromise their values to serve a larger interest. But we are moving away from that understanding of reconciliation, and placing a stronger emphasis on hearing how Indigenous communities can heal from historically damaging colonial relationships.
I’ve been attending Indigenous connectivity conferences and learning from you about the opportunities that exist for communities to create revenue through telecommunications. The Commission has heard in multiple proceedings what communities stand to gain if they are included in the management and ownership of networks: jobs are created, skill sets are expanded, and relationships are nourished. Reconciliation is advanced through partnerships with existing telecom providers, but also when we have wholly Indigenous-owned service providers.
Often, Indigenous communities are on the fringes of society, geographically and, unfortunately, politically speaking. And a way for Indigenous nations to assert self-determination and sovereignty has been through ownership of major critical infrastructure, including telecommunications infrastructure and services. The importance of jobs in remote communities where services and employment opportunities are sparse cannot be overstated. Keeping money in the community can be a deciding factor in whether or not a family has food in the fridge.
One of the objectives of the Broadband Fund review that I mentioned earlier is to help advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. As we noted in one of our policy decisions resulting from that ongoing review, Indigenous groups told us of the barriers they face that discourage them from applying for Broadband funding. We have taken steps to streamline the application process and make it easier for Indigenous people to pick up the phone and call a point of contact in our Indigenous Relations Team instead of having to navigate our processes alone. We also are exempting Indigenous funding recipients from having to provide wholesale open access to transport infrastructure, because we believe they should have the choice to make that determination for themselves.
Additionally, we are providing funding for up to two years of technical training for Indigenous staff in communities that propose to serve as part of funded capital projects, and we aren’t requiring a 10% holdback on projects with approved funding of $5 million or less.
Furthermore, we are requiring each Broadband Fund applicant to obtain and show consent from any Indigenous community in which it plans to build infrastructure as part of its funded capital project. Meaningful consultation and community consent means that Indigenous communities are able to benefit from funded projects that happen on their territories.
These are measures that result in capacity training, job growth and economic opportunities for Indigenous communities and people.
Conclusion
I believe the Commission is on the right path of advancing reconciliation, because reconciliation is integral to the public interest, and at the CRTC, the public interest is at the heart of everything we do. In everything I have discussed today, from our regulatory work to our funding decisions, we are supporting continued investments in our networks while also putting the needs of everyone in this country first.
That includes our Indigenous communities. But while we can’t go back and change the past, we can ensure that the regulatory and funding decisions we make chart a course for a better future.
And everyone gathered here today can influence that future. Every decision we make is based on an extensive public record including consultations, hearings, and public outreach.
So I encourage you to get involved in our processes. Make your voice, and the voices of your community, heard. If you are unsure how to do that, get in touch with our Indigenous Relations Team or contact your regional CRTC Commissioner.
Because the only way we can build that brighter future is by doing so together.
If we have time for some questions, I’d like to invite any Indigenous youth to ask questions before moving on to questions from Indigenous participants and then all other participants.
Headline: Panasonic in Numbers: Small and Remote-Controllable Mobilities
Panasonic Holdings Corporation has become the first in Japan* to be granted approval for the simultaneous operation by a single operator of 10 small and remote-controllable mobilities on public roads.
The mobilities, known as “HAKOBO,” integrate automatic delivery robots with a remotely operated system and are designed for use in last-mile delivery, mobile vending, information dissemination, and other business scenarios. HAKOBO were operated in three regions (Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture; and Saga City, Saga Prefecture) during a demonstration experiment. Panasonic has developed an AI function that significantly reduces operator workloads, making it possible for each operator to manage up to 10 robots simultaneously.
Panasonic Group is committed to providing new services that enhance convenience in people’s lives, address labor shortages, and improve working conditions.
* Research conducted by Panasonic as of January 23, 2025
The ETS auction’s failure today is yet another clear sign that the Government is failing us all on climate action.
“Yesterday, the acting Prime Minister admitted that the Government’s climate commitments were the bare minimum. Worse still, today’s ETS auction failure shows that even the market the Government is relying on doesn’t trust them to deliver,” says the Green Party’s co-leader and Climate Change spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick.
“Luxon’s Government has put almost all of their climate eggs in the basket of market mechanisms like the Emissions Trading Scheme, and left a gaping hole in the basket.
“We must take forestry offsets out of the ETS to ensure it functions properly to actually cap emissions. We must end free allocation of credits to our largest polluters. We must price agricultural emissions – the only sector currently not priced.
“He Ara Anamata, our Green Emissions Reduction Plan, showed how we can reduce emissions five times faster than the Government’s plan, while reducing the cost of living and improving people’s quality of life.
“Our plan outlines an economy that supports people and the planet, instead of exploiting and exhausting both.
“That means a Green Jobs Guarantee, planting native trees instead of pine, efficient public transport, sustainable food production, restoring our wetlands, designing our cities better, distributed and resilient renewable energy, real just transition plans led by local communities and so much more,” says Chlöe Swarbrick.
Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
Published: 03.18.2025
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped lead bipartisan legislation to improve federal programs that help ensure rural and underserved communities have equitable access to broadband service. The Rural Broadband Protection Act – which Peters cosponsored with U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and John Curtis (R-UT) – would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to certify that federal funding goes toward companies and internet service providers with proven track records in deploying broadband in rural areas. The bill recently passed the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
“Access to affordable, high-speed internet is essential, whether it’s for school, work, seeing your doctor, or running a business, and I’ve been proud to secure robust federal investments in our state to help ensure every Michigander can get connected,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. “This bipartisan legislation would make sure these federal resources are awarded to organizations with experience in effectively delivering broadband service to rural and underserved communities who need it most.”
The FCC’s Connect America Fund (CAF) provides funding to ensure consumers in rural, insular, and high-cost areas have access to essential broadband services. In 2022, more than $8 million in fines were filed against CAF awardees who did not meet the requirements of their funding agreements to improve service in underserved areas. The Rural Broadband Protection Act would require future applicants, either under CAF or a new high-cost universal service program, to undergo a vetting process to help ensure broadband infrastructure investments are effectively implemented in the intended communities.
Peters is committed to expanding high-speed internet access across Michigan. In June 2023, he announced that Michigan would receive more than $1.5 billion in federal funding from the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, known as BEAD, to increase high-speed internet access. In 2023, Peters announced a more than $38 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support rural communities across Michigan, which was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure law. In 2024, he secured $27 million for Northern Michigan University to upgrade their Educational Access Network, enabling the university to expand broadband access beyond the thousands of students and families they serve in communities across the Upper Peninsula.
“Our planet is issuing more distress signals — but this report shows that limiting long-term global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius is still possible. Leaders must step up to make it happen — seizing the benefits of cheap, clean renewables for their people and economies – – with new National climate plans due this year, ” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
“While a single year above 1.5 °C of warming does not indicate that the long-term temperature goals of the Paris Agreement are out of reach, it is a wake-up call that we are increasing the risks to our lives, economies and to the planet,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.
The report said that long-term global warming is currently estimated to be between 1.34 and 1.41 °C compared to the 1850-1900 baseline based on a range of methods – although it noted the uncertainty ranges in global temperature statistics.
A WMO team of international experts is examining this further in order to ensure consistent, reliable tracking of long-term global temperature changes to be aligned with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Regardless of the methodology used, every fraction of a degree of warming matters and increases risks and costs to society.
The record global temperatures seen in 2023 and broken in 2024 were mainly due to the ongoing rise in greenhouse gas emissions, coupled with a shift from a cooling La Niña to warming El Niño event. Several other factors may have contributed to the unexpectedly unusual temperature jumps, including changes in the solar cycle, a massive volcanic eruption and a decrease in cooling aerosols, according to the report.
Temperatures are just a small part of a much bigger picture.
“Data for 2024 show that our oceans continued to warm, and sea levels continued to rise. The frozen parts of Earth’s surface, known as the cryosphere, are melting at an alarming rate: glaciers continue to retreat, and Antarctic sea ice reached its second-lowest extent ever recorded. Meanwhile, extreme weather continues to have devastating consequences around the world,” said Celeste Saulo.
Tropical cyclones, floods, droughts, and other hazards in 2024 led to the highest number of new displacements recorded for the past 16 years, contributed to worsening food crises, and caused massive economic losses.
“In response, WMO and the global community are intensifying efforts to strengthen early warning systems and climate services to help decision-makers and society at large be more resilient to extreme weather and climate. We are making progress but need to go further and need to go faster. Only half of all countries worldwide have adequate early warning systems. This must change,” said Celeste Saulo.
Investment in weather, water and climate services is more important than ever to meet the challenges and build safer, more resilient communities, she stressed.
The report is based on scientific contributions from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, WMO Regional Climate Centres, UN partners and dozens of experts. It includes sidebars on monitoring global temperature for the Paris Agreement and understanding the temperature anomalies in 2023 and 2024. It includes supplements on climate services and on extreme weather.
Three methods for establishing an up-to-date estimate of current global warming as of 2024, compared with the IPCC AR6 method, which uses averages over the previous 10 years and is representative of warming to 2019. The best estimate resulting from each method is shown as a dark vertical line, and the uncertainty range is shown by the shaded area.
Key Indicators
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
Atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, as well as methane and nitrous oxide, are at the highest levels in the last 800,000 years.
Carbon dioxide concentrations in 2023 (the last year for which consolidated global annual figures are available) were 420.0 ± 0.1 parts per million (ppm), 2.3 ppm more than 2022 and 151% of the pre-industrial level (in 1750). 420 ppm corresponds to 3,276 Gt – or 3.276 trillion tonnes of CO₂ in the atmosphere.
Real-time data from specific locations show that levels of these three main greenhouse gases continued to increase in 2024. Carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere for generations, trapping heat.
Global Mean Near-surface Temperature
In addition to 2024 setting a new record, each of the past ten years, 2015-2024, were individually the ten warmest years on record.
The record temperature in 2024 was boosted by a strong El Niño which peaked at the start of the year. In every month between June 2023 and December 2024, monthly average global temperatures exceeded all monthly records prior to 2023.
Record levels of greenhouse gases were the primary driver, with the shift to El Niño playing a lesser role.
Ocean Heat Content
Around 90% of the energy trapped by greenhouse gases in the Earth system is stored in the ocean.
In 2024, ocean heat content reached its highest level in the 65-year observational record. Each of the past eight years has set a new record. The rate of ocean warming over the past two decades, 2005-2024, is more than twice that in the period 1960-2005.
Ocean warming leads to degradation of marine ecosystems, biodiversity loss, and reduction of the ocean carbon sink. It fuels tropical storms and contributes to sea-level rise. It is irreversible on centennial to millennial time scales. Climate projections show that ocean warming will continue for at least the rest of the 21st century, even for low carbon emission scenarios.
Ocean Acidification
Acidification of the ocean surface is continuing, as shown by the steady decrease of global average ocean surface pH. The most intense regional decreases are in the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean, the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, the northern tropical Pacific, and some regions in the Atlantic Ocean.
The effects of ocean acidification on habitat area, biodiversity and ecosystems have already been clearly observed, and food production from shellfish aquaculture and fisheries has been hit as have coral reefs.
Projections show that ocean acidification will continue to increase in the 21st century, at rates dependent on future emissions. Changes in deep-ocean pH are irreversible on centennial to millennial time scales.
Annual global ocean heat content down to 2000 m depth for the period 1960–2024, in zettajoules (1021 J). The shaded area indicates the 2-sigma uncertainty range on each estimate.
Global Mean Sea Level
In 2024, global mean sea level was the highest since the start of the satellite record in 1993 and the rate of increase from 2015-2024 was double that from 1993–2002, increasing from 2.1 mm per year to 4.7 mm per year.
Sea level rise has cascading damaging impacts on coastal ecosystems and infrastructure, with further impacts from flooding and saltwater contamination of groundwater.
Glacier Mass Balance
The period 2022-2024 represents the most negative three-year glacier mass balance on record. Seven of the ten most negative mass balance years since 1950 have occurred since 2016.
Exceptionally negative mass balances were experienced in Norway, Sweden, Svalbard, and the tropical Andes.
Glacier retreat increases short-term hazards, harms economies and ecosystems and long-term water security.
Sea-ice Extent
The 18 lowest Arctic sea-ice minimum extents in the satellite record all occurred in the past 18 years. The annual minimum and maximum of Antarctic sea-ice extent were each the 2nd lowest in the observed record from 1979.
The minimum daily extent of sea-ice in the Arctic in 2024 was 4.28 million km2, the 7th lowest extent in the 46-year satellite record. In Antarctica, the minimum daily extent tied for the 2nd lowest minimum in the satellite era and marked the 3rd consecutive year that minimum Antarctic sea-ice extent dropped below 2 million km2. These are the three lowest Antarctic ice minima in the satellite record.
Extreme events and impacts
Extreme weather events in 2024 led to the highest number of new annual displacements since 2008, and destroyed homes, critical infrastructure, forests, farmland and biodiversity.
The compounded effect of various shocks, such as intensifying conflict, drought and high domestic food prices drove worsening food crises in 18 countries globally by mid-2024.
Tropical cyclones were responsible for many of the highest-impact events of 2024. These included Typhoon Yagi in Viet Nam, the Philippines and southern China.
In the United States, Hurricanes Helene and Milton in October both made landfall on the west coast of Florida as major hurricanes, with economic losses of tens of billions of dollars. Over 200 deaths were associated with the exceptional rainfall and flooding from Helene, the most in a mainland United States hurricane since Katrina in 2005.
Tropical Cyclone Chido caused casualties and economic losses in the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, Mozambique and Malawi. It displaced around 100,000 people in Mozambique.
Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the only Democratic Senator on both the Judiciary and Commerce Committees, released the following statement on the illegal firing of Federal Trade Commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya.
“This is outrageous. President Trump’s dismissal of Commissioners Slaughter and Bedoya is not only illegal but also hurts consumers by undermining an independent agency that Congress established to protect consumers from fraud, scams, and monopoly power. The Federal Trade Commission has carried out this mission in a bipartisan way for more than 110 years—including returning more than $330 million to consumers last year and taking on hidden fees—but today President Trump has threatened that critical work. Illegally gutting the Commission will empower fraudsters and monopolists, and consumers will pay the price.”
In fact, Trump’s latest phone call with Putin seemingly didn’t amount to any substantive changes, except for Russia’s agreement to refrain from targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure — a concession that might actually benefit Russia.
The winter, when Ukraine is most vulnerable to Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure, is almost done. Russia’s dependence on energy exports to support its war effort, however, remains constant, and any Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy facilities will be framed as a breach by Russian authorities.
Russia exploiting Trump’s desire for peace at any cost will probably be an ongoing trend.
The U.S. is playing an important role in peace negotiations. Under former president Joe Biden, this was due to the fact that the U.S. provided Ukraine with arms and moral support.
This development places Zelenskyy in a political bind. The U.S. in the past provided most of the military aid to Ukraine and the relationship between the Ukrainian leader and Trump is acrimonious.
As such, even if Zelenskyy doesn’t agree with American ceasefire proposals, he must give the appearance of agreement or risk permanently alienating the mercurial Trump. Putin, in the meantime, will exploit any Ukrainian-American tensions.
Current military situation
The first year of the current phase of the Ukraine-Russia war was marked by mobility as both Russia and Ukraine made considerable advances and counteroffensives.
Many analysts argue that such a war favours Russia. Wars of attrition are defined by slow, grinding advances whereby large casualties are a necessary byproduct for success. Given Russia’s material and personnel advantages, it can afford to suffer higher casualties.
For the past several months, Russian forces have been making slow, steady advances against Ukrainian positions. Russia has suffered significant casualties in these advances, and they may not be sustainable over the long term.
Putin is gambling that Ukraine’s and the international community’s will to fight will be broken by the time this is an issue. Trump’s push for a ceasefire at any cost suggests Putin may have a point.
Any immediate ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine would leave Ukraine occupying Russian soil in the Kursk region, which Russia cannot accept.
Russia’s immediate goal
Ukraine’s 2024 incursion into the Kursk region provided the country and its people with a necessary respite from the war of attrition. Ukrainian forces, attacking an under-defended and unprepared part of the Russian front line, made significant advances into Russia.
Ukraine’s ability to maintain territory around Kursk has also proven to be an embarrassment for Putin and the Russian establishment.
Putin recently said Russian forces encircled Ukrainian forces in the salient, although Ukraine denies it. Regardless of the statement’s validity, it speaks to the importance both parties attach to the battle.
Russia’s reputation
This issue highlights a particular problem for the Russian leadership. Russia has done its utmost to frame its so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine as a success. An example is Russia’s formal annexation of four Ukrainian areas in 2022, despite not actually possessing the territory at the time.
Any perception of the invasion of Ukraine as a failure is a non-starter for a Russian government concerned about its domestic standing.
Ukraine possessing Russian territory, however, leads to questions in Russia about the war’s success. Ukraine, in exchange for relinquishing any Russian territory it seized during the war, would undoubtedly seek the return of Ukrainian territory.
Russia has not even achieved its minimal goals of seizing the four Ukrainian regions it’s officially annexed. Therefore, it’s unlikely Putin would ever agree to the exchange of the territory it has actually already seized in exchange for the Kursk salient.
Putin is following the Russian playbook of negotiating from strength. So long as Ukraine maintains Kursk, Russia will not negotiate in good faith.
While Kursk is the most prominent area of Russia concern, there are other conditions that will become important in the future as Putin seeks to improve Russia’s negotiating position.
It’s a lesson that Trump will soon learn, despite any and all efforts he or his administration make to frame things positively.
James Horncastle 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.
During Australia’s winter sports seasons, hundreds of thousands of children will take to the field in contact sports like rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules and soccer.
Despite growing awareness and rule changes aimed at increasing safety, concussion rates in junior sport remain concerning.
Despite growing awareness and rule changes in some sports, concussion is still a risk to many athletes.
How bad is the problem?
Sports-related concussions account for a significant portion of emergency department visits and hospitalisations.
One in five concussion hospitalisations involve sport but this figure does not capture the full scope of concussions that are managed outside hospitals, such as those treated in general practice, by physiotherapists, or that go unreported.
children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable. Boys aged 5–14 had the highest rates of emergency department presentations for concussions, suggesting sports and recreational activities play a significant role in injury occurrence at these ages.
young men are at highest risk of severe concussion requiring hospitalisation. Males aged 15–24 had nearly double the hospitalisation rate for concussion compared to females in the same age group.
although men had more concussions, when adjusted for participation numbers, women had higher concussion rates in contact sports such as rugby and Australian rules football. This means women proportionally experience concussions at a higher rate than men.
Children and adolescents are particularly susceptible to concussions as their brains are still developing. This makes them more vulnerable to the effects of head trauma.
Most young athletes also have significantly lower neck strength compared to adults. This weakness, combined with a proportionally larger head size relative to their neck, leads to greater forces transmitted to the brain when an impact occurs.
While many sports have tried to lower concussion risks by implementing simplified gameplay and modifications to player-to-player contact, these approaches don’t directly boost an athlete’s physical capacity to withstand impacts.
Can neck strength reduce concussion risk?
One crucial yet often overlooked protective factor is neck strength.
Research suggests stronger necks can significantly reduce concussion risk by helping to stabilise the head during impact.
The reason appears obvious: a stronger neck helps stabilise the head during impact, reducing the acceleration forces transmitted to the brain.
Data from high school sports suggests athletes with stronger neck muscles can better control head movement during a collision. This essentially creates a more effective “shock absorber” system.
In soccer players, adolescents who performed neuromuscular neck exercises reported fewer concussions and possible concussive events. They also had less pain when heading the ball compared to those who didn’t perform the exercises.
A landmark study, which examined concussions in 6,662 high school athletes across multiple sports, discovered a direct relationship between neck strength and concussion risk. It found that if athletes developed stronger neck muscles, it reduced their risk of concussion.
This finding suggests even modest improvements in neck strength could yield significant protective benefits.
Fewer concussions mean less time away from sport, potentially reducing dropout rates and encouraging long-term participation.
This has implications not just for athletic development but for public health more broadly, as lifelong sport participation contributes to better physical and mental wellbeing.
For sporting organisations, implementing neck strength training represents a low-cost, effective intervention that demonstrates commitment to player welfare.
How to develop a stronger neck
Effective neck strengthening doesn’t require expensive equipment or extensive time commitments.
Simple exercises can be easily integrated into training sessions or warm-ups.
Isometric neck holds are a great starting point. Athletes place their hand against their forehead, temple, or the back of their head and push gently against resistance for 5–10 seconds. These exercises activate key neck muscles without requiring any equipment.
Over time, these exercises can be progressed using minimal equipment to increase the complexity and better mimic sports-specific movements.
The key is consistency. Performing these exercises two to four times weekly can produce meaningful improvements in neck strength and function.
An easy win
As the evidence mounts, one thing becomes increasingly clear: neck strength training represents a simple, effective strategy that may reduce the effects of concussion in junior athletes.
The minimal time and equipment requirements make it an accessible option in sports where head and neck injuries are a concern.
Parents, coaches and sporting bodies should consider making neck strengthening exercises a standard component of junior athlete training programs.
By doing so, we can help ensure our young athletes enjoy safer sporting experiences and healthier futures both on and off the field.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced nearly 73,000 Louisianans have already received a total of $566,209,833.81 in retroactive payments after the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). This comes after Cassidy successfully secured a vote in the U.S. Senate to pass the Social Security Fairness Act to repeal WEP and GPO. After the bill was passed, Cassidy urged the Social Security Administration to implement the new law as quickly as possible. Louisiana has now received the seventh most of any state in retroactive payments.
“$566 million has already been given back to Louisiana families, and there is more to come,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This is a great victory for every police officer, firefighter, nurse, teacher, and public servant who has waited so long. I’m grateful to the Trump administration for their quick work.”
SSA began depositing retroactive payments into bank accounts on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, and will complete nearly all retroactive payments by the end of March. Adjustments to ongoing monthly benefits will begin in April.
Before the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, around 94,000 Louisianans were unfairly penalized by WEP and GPO. WEP was enacted in 1983 and reduces the Social Security benefits of workers who receive pensions from a federal, state, or local government for employment not covered by Social Security. GPO was enacted in 1977 and reduces Social Security spousal benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers whose spouses receive pensions from a federal, state, or local government.
Background:
Cassidy played a pivotal role in getting the Social Security Fairness Act signed into law on January 5, 2025. Cassidy successfully demanded a vote on the Social Security Fairness Act. In July and again in December, Cassidy spoke on the U.S. Senate floor urging Congress to repeal WEP and GPO as part of his “Big Idea” to save, strengthen, and secure America’s retirement system. In June, Cassidy entered a statement into the record urging the repeal of WEP and GPO ahead of the U.S. Senate Finance Subcommittee field hearing on Social Security.
Cassidy is a long-time cosponsor of the Social Security Fairness Act in the Senate, being an original cosponsor since he became a Member of Congress in 2009. He led the introduction of the legislation in the 117th and 116th Congress.
Cassidy led a bipartisan working group to preserve and protect Social Security. He released the inaugural Bill on the Hill video where he asked Capitol Hill visitors from across the country their thoughts on the looming benefit cuts to Social Security and presented his “Big Idea.”
Last March, Cassidy grilled U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on President Biden’s plan to address Social Security, to which Secretary Yellen admitted “the president doesn’t have a plan,” to save Social Security.
