Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mark Alford (Missouri 4th District)
Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) announced the schedule for his August 2025 Town Hall Tour. All events listed below are open to the Fourth District residents and the media.
“We made a commitment to be the most accessible Member of Congress,”said Congressman Alford.“With more than 100 public events and counting, we’re keeping our word. August 25-29, we will embark on one big, beautiful town hall tour—hitting 15 stops in 15 counties to hear directly from our constituents. I can’t promise we will always agree, but I will always show up to listen. We look forward to answering the questions Fourth District residents.”
Find dates, times, and locations below:
Monday, August 25th Counties:Cass, Bates, Vernon, Dade, Polk
8:30 – 9:30 am: Sapp Bros – Apple Barrel Restaurant 27603 SW Outer Rd, Harrisonville, MO
10:30 – 11:30 AM Veterans Visit American Legion Post 67 520 E Walnut St, Rich Hill, MO
12:00 – 1:15 pm: Lunch 54 Café 540 N Subway Blvd, Nevada, MO
2:30 – 3:15 pm: Ice Cream Social That Place 315 W Water St, Greenfield, MO 65661
7:00 pm: Evening Town Hall Southwest Baptist University – Meyer Center 1600 University Avenue, Bolivar, MO
Tuesday, August 26th Counties:Hickory, Camden, Laclede, Pulaski
8:30 – 9:45 am: Hickamo Cafe 18718 US-54, Wheatland, MO
10:30 – 11:10 am: The Funky Buffalo 498 W. US Highway 54, Camdenton, MO
2:30 – 3:30 pm: Afternoon Town Hall Cowen Civic Center 500 E Elm St, Lebanon, MO
7:00 pm: Evening Town Hall St Roberts Community Center 114 JH Williamson Jr Dr, Saint Robert, MO
Wednesday, August 27th Counties:Morgan, Benton, Boone
8:30 – 9:30 am: Bean Depot 520 N Main St, Laurie, MO
12:00 – 1:30 pm: Afternoon Town Hall “Bring Your Lunch” Warsaw Community Building 181 W Harrison St, Warsaw, MO
7:00 pm: Evening Town Hall: Harrisburg Lions Club 120 E Sexton St, Harrisburg, MO
Thursday, August 28th Counties:Howard, Saline, Lafayette
8:30 – 9:00 am: LaFayette on the Square 104 N Church St, Fayette, MO
Seminars organized by the Eritrean national committees in Kassel and Munich focusing on enhancing awareness on national issues and consular services were conducted on 13 and 21 July.
At the seminars, Mr. Teame Haile, Head of Public and Community Affairs, provided a detailed briefing on the sovereignty and legitimacy of Eritrea. He stated that Eritrea possesses clear and internationally recognized land, air, and sea borders that will never be compromised. He also called on nationals to strengthen their unity and active participation in national affairs.
Mr. Kibreab Tekeste, Eritrea’s Consul General in Germany, gave an extensive briefing on the objectives and procedures of consular services and called on nationals to fully understand and adhere to the guidelines and regulations.
A similar seminar was also conducted for nationals in the city of Wetter in Germany. At the seminar, Mr. Fitsum Sahle, coordinator of the national committee, and Mr. Medhanie Tesf’alem, member of the Promotion and Information Committee, gave briefings on the Afambo Boarding School project as well as on the progress of education in Eritrea.
In related news, Mr. Humed Yahya, Chargé d’Affaires at the Eritrean Embassy in Kuwait, conducted a seminar for nationals on the current situation in the homeland, as well as regional and global developments.
At the seminar, Mr. Humed provided an extensive briefing on the progress of national development programs and the active participation of nationals both inside the country and abroad.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a meeting between the National executive and the Northern Cape Provincial Executive.
The meeting, held under the theme “Unlocking the Northern Cape potential as a modern, growing and successful province”, was the sixth formal engagement that the national executive had with a provincial executive.
The meeting was also joined by Executive Mayors.
Previous sessions include meetings with the Executive Councils of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and most recently, the Eastern Cape.
These sessions have resulted in strengthening cooperative governance, breaking down silos and cooperative project planning that leads to collaborative execution.
As President Ramaphosa said during the Budget Debate last week, when the three spheres of government work together, the lives of the people of South Africa are improved.
It is envisaged that the National Executive would have met with the leadership of the remaining provinces over the next few months.
The President emphasised the importance of structured engagements between the national and provincial executives that assist government coordinate more efficiently, resolve challenges together and to plan smarter.
The meetings are also meant to facilitate innovative ideas and proposals to address service delivery and skills challenges.
The meeting discussed the ongoing roll out of catalytic economic development projects that require the deepening of cooperation between the national and provincial governments.
These include the Boegoebaai Harbor and SEZ development, revitalisation and expansion of Vaalharts, Namakwa SEZ and the development of the infrastructure masterplan.
The meeting further affirmed closer cooperation on issues of climate change mitigation considering the province’s vulnerability to erratic weather conditions.
The national executive pledged to continue working closely with the province in areas of Transport and Logistics, Basic Education, Water and Sanitation infrastructure development, Human Settlements, Tourism and Energy and Electricity.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova held the next meeting of the Russian Tripartite Commission for the Regulation of Social and Labor Relations.
The meeting considered and supported by the parties the draft federal law “On Amendments to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation”, developed on the instructions of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin with the aim of improving the provisions governing the apprenticeship contract. Thus, it was proposed to supplement Chapter 32 of the Labor Code with provisions specifying the status of apprenticeship contracts, the obligations of the parties, as well as the types of programs mastered during the apprenticeship period. In addition, it was proposed to include individual entrepreneurs in the circle of persons who are allowed to conclude apprenticeship contracts. For the apprentice, the bill provides for guarantees of employment, as well as the payment of a scholarship at the expense of the employer for the entire period of training. The employer, in turn, will be able to return the funds spent on training in cases where the apprentice has not fulfilled the obligations specified in the contract. In addition, the bill provides for a mechanism for co-financing the costs of employers at the expense of the budgets of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. It is expected that the expansion of the practice of using apprenticeship contracts will become an effective mechanism for training qualified personnel, which will help solve the problem of staffing, and will also become a social lift for workers, as it will open up prospects for successful employment, career growth and increased wages.
The commission members also discussed and supported the draft federal law “On Amending Article 1 of the Federal Law “On the Minimum Wage”, according to which, from January 1, 2026, the minimum wage will increase by 20.7% and will amount to 27,093 rubles. The adoption of the bill will lead to an increase in wages for about 4.6 million workers.
In addition, the members of the RTC were presented with reports on the activities of two regional tripartite commissions for the regulation of social and labor relations – the Leningrad Region and the Republic of Dagestan.
Other issues were also considered at the meeting. Among them:
draft federal laws “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation (in terms of optimizing the mechanism for the implementation by certain categories of citizens of the rights to receive social protection measures (support), state social assistance provided at the expense of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, as well as improving the activities of the Pension and Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation)” and “On Amendments to Article 138⁶ of the Budget Code of the Russian Federation”;
draft federal law “On the expected period of payment of funded pensions for 2026”;
draft federal law “On Amendments to Article 69 of the Federal Law “On the Fundamentals of Health Protection of Citizens in the Russian Federation” and the Federal Law “On Education in the Russian Federation”;
draft resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation “On Amendments to the Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation of March 30, 2022 No. 511”;
draft resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation “On the transfer of days off in 2026”.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Returning Officers for various subsectors of the 2025 Election Committee (EC) Subsector By-elections received a total of 23 nomination forms for candidates and one nomination form from designated bodies today (July 25). This has brought to 86 the total number of nomination forms for candidates and seven the total number of nomination forms from designated bodies received since nominations for the By-elections opened on July 22. The nomination period will end on August 4.
If there is a contested election for an EC subsector, a poll will be held on September 7.
The By-elections will fill a total of 93 vacancies in the membership of the EC to be returned by election involving 28 subsectors. The breakdown of nomination forms received for the relevant subsectors is set out below:
First Sector
Subsector
No. of nomination forms for candidates received today
Cumulative total
Catering
1
1
Commercial (first)
2
2
Commercial (second)
0
1
Commercial (third)
0
2
Employers’ Federation of Hong Kong
0
1
Hotel
0
1
Import and export
0
2
Industrial (first)
1
1
Industrial (second)
0
1
Real estate and construction
1
2
Small and medium enterprises
0
1
Tourism
0
1
Transport
1
1
Second Sector
Subsector
No. of nomination forms for candidates received today
Cumulative total
Architectural, surveying, planning and landscape
1
1
Chinese medicine
0
1
Education
2
2
Legal
1
1
Medical and health services
0
0
Sports, performing arts, culture and publication
0
1
Technology and innovation
5
5
Third Sector
Subsector
No. of nomination forms for candidates received today
Cumulative total
Agriculture and fisheries
1
1
Associations of Chinese fellow townsmen
1
7
Grassroots associations
4
8
Labour
0
3
Fourth Sector
Subsector
No. of nomination forms for candidates received today
Cumulative total
Heung Yee Kuk
0
0
Representatives of members of Area Committees, District Fight Crime Committees, and District Fire Safety Committees of Hong Kong and Kowloon
0
5
Representatives of members of Area Committees, District Fight Crime Committees, and District Fire Safety Committees of the New Territories
1
8
Fifth Sector
Subsector
No. of nomination forms for candidates received today
Cumulative total
Representatives of Hong Kong members of relevant national organisations
1
26
Total:
23
86
Besides, 10 vacancies involving five subsectors to be returned by nomination will be filled through supplementary nominations by designated bodies. The breakdown of nomination forms received for the relevant subsectors is set out below:
Accountancy
Designated body
No. of nomination forms received from designated bodies today
Cumulative total
Association of Hong Kong Accounting Advisors Limited
0
1 (3 nominees in total)
Sports, performing arts, culture and publication
Designated body
No. of nomination forms received from designated bodies today
Cumulative total
Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China
0
1 (1 nominee in total)
Hong Kong Publishing Federation Limited
0
1 (1 nominee in total)
Technology and innovation
Designated body
No. of nomination forms received from designated bodies today
Cumulative total
The Greater Bay Area Association of Academicians
1 (1 nominee in total)
1 (1 nominee in total)
Religious
Designated body
No. of nomination forms received from designated bodies today
Cumulative total
Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong
0
0
Chinese Muslim Cultural and Fraternal Association
0
1 (1 nominee in total)
The Hong Kong Taoist Association
0
1 (2 nominees in total)
Representatives of associations of Hong Kong residents in the Mainland
Designated body
No. of nomination forms received from designated bodies today
Cumulative total
Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China—Guangdong
0
1 (1 nominee in total)
Total:
1 (1 nominee in total)
7 (10 nominees in total)
Particulars of the nominated persons received today will be uploaded to the election website (www.elections.gov.hk).
Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced three appointments to various boards and one commission.
Edward C. Clausen, of Centertown, was appointed to the Conservation Commission.
Mr. Clausen is a partner at Newman, Comley and Ruth P.C., specializing in defending medical malpractice claims. Clausen is an active member of several organizations, including the Conservation Federation of Missouri, the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He previously served on the board of directors for the Friends of the Eleven Point River. Clausen earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law.
Belinda Farrington, of Saint Charles, was appointed to the Lincoln University Board of Curators.
Ms. Farrington is currently a human resources leader at Friendly Temple Church in St. Louis. For over 30 years, Farrington has helped establish comprehensive learning and development programs within St. Louis County departments and divisions. She sits on several boards, including Friendly Village Senior Housing, Robert Fulton Development Corporation, and the Lincoln University Alumni Association. Farrington earned her master’s degree in human resources development from Webster University.
Colonel Mark McCarter, of Wardsville, was reappointed to the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board.
Colonel McCarter is a retired U.S. Army veteran and currently works as a consequence management consultant for M2 Solutions. With almost 30 years of military service, McCarter served in several leadership positions, most recently as the director of plans, operations, training, and readiness before retiring from the Missouri National Guard. McCarter volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in Jefferson City and is a member of the Jefferson City Kiwanis Club. McCarter earned a master’s degree in national security from the National War College in Washington, D.C.
Lyle Rosburg, CPA, of Lohman, was appointed to the Missouri Health Facilities Review Board.
Mr. Rosburg is the chief financial officer for Williams-Keepers, LLC. He previously served in the same position at Jefferson City Medical Group. Rosburg volunteers for and is an active member of several organizations, including the Mizzou Alumni Association, Jefferson City Host Lions Club, and the Cole County Sheriff’s Department. Rosburg earned a master’s degree in business administration from William Woods University.
The Republic of Korea has developed a comprehensive and multi-tiered approach to managing extreme heat, integrating national policies, institutional frameworks, local government initiatives, and community-based actions.
National frameworks such as the Climate Change Adaptation Plan and the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Climate Change Response guide efforts to address extreme heat as part of broader climate resilience strategies.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) plays a key role by issuing heatwave warnings and impact-based heatwave forecasts , using an updated alert system based on Daily Maximum Perceived Temperature, which takes humidity into account to better reflect health impacts.
Additionally, the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), alongside the KMA, published the first ClimateHealth Impact Assessment Report in March 2022. In this report, published every five years, heat-related deaths and illnesses are identified as key health indicators to be monitored.
Collaboration among key institutions enables a coordinated response to heat risks across sectors-including health, industry, livestock, agriculture, and aquaculture-each managed by distinct governmental bodies, and consolidated guidelines have been given. Healthcare preparedness has been strengthened with the publication of the Climate Health Impact Assessment Report, which monitors heat-related illnesses and deaths. Hospitals and healthcare centres, particularly those with emergency services, have improved their capacity to manage heat-related conditions. Additionally, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Republic of Korea, has called for meetings with other governmental institutions across different sectors.
Local governments, especially in urban areas like Seoul, lead heat mitigation efforts through urban cooling strategies, public awareness campaigns, and the expansion of green spaces.
Initiatives include installing green roofs, promoting public transportation through the Climate Card programme, and constructing cooling stations in public areas to offer relief from heat.
Public-private partnerships have been instrumental in enhancing the country’s resilience to extreme heat. The Seoul Metropolitan Government collaborates with private real estate developers to implement green rooftops across the city, while telecommunications company SK Telecom partners with KMA to send real-time heatwave alerts to millions of subscribers.
Currently, emergency information about heatwaves is being provided through the cell broadcast service in Korea. Hyundai Motor Company collaborates with local governments in urban cooling projects, such as installing cooling stations in public areas. These stations provide cool air and water, offering relief to residents and visitors during heatwaves. LG Electronics partners with Seoul National University Hospital to develop and distribute advanced cooling technologies for healthcare facilities, ensuring hospitals are equipped with energy-efficient air conditioning systems that improve patient care during extreme heat periods. These examples demonstrate the impact of leveraging resources and expertise to enhance resilience to extreme heat.
On the international stage, the Republic of Korea partners with organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health, the Green Climate Fund, and the International Vaccine Institute-all located in the country-to advance knowledge and technical capacity for climate resilience. These collaborations contribute to their leadership in responding to extreme heat.
Through its coordinated approach involving national agencies, local governments, public-private partnerships, and international collaboration, the Republic of Korea has strengthened its ability to manage extreme heat. Key achievements include the updated heatwave alert system, localized urban cooling projects, and strengthened healthcare preparedness, positioning the country as a regional leader in climate adaptation.
Officially opened on May 23, 2025, the new Odienné camp is planned to house a specialized military engineering unit, responsible for important missions such as the creation of infrastructure, assistance with military missions, and contribution to civil-military activities. “This camp will actively participate in local development through the construction of bridges, roads, public buildings, and humanitarian actions,” says surveyor Serges Arnaud Bilé.
This structure underscores the State’s desire to renew its commitment to protecting citizens, ensuring security, and encouraging balanced development in adjacent territories. Its opening is ultimately part of a national dynamic aimed at modernizing and strengthening the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire (FACI).
“Since Odienné is a border area, this camp strengthens the strategic presence of the armed forces in the North. It will improve the army’s operational and logistical capabilities, address security challenges, and ensure the country’s stability,” says teacher Bertrand Singo Tia.
Much more than just a military installation, the Odienné Engineering Camp fosters collaboration between the armed forces and local populations in a spirit of unity. It also constitutes an essential lever for the economic and social development of the Denguélé region. “This camp will offer new training and employment opportunities for residents and will facilitate the construction of civilian infrastructure thanks to the skills of the Engineering units,” said Cissé Aboubakar, an Odiénné official.
The inauguration of this military center enabled the acquisition and delivery of more than 150 heavy machines and specialized vehicles.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Portail Officiel du Gouvernement de Côte d’Ivoire.
Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $6,000,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Maine after-school programs and child care in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee this week, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“Access to affordable after-school programs and child care helps promote financial stability for families while benefiting Maine’s small businesses and local economies,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would support the next generation of Mainers, helping to ensure students and their families have the skills, tools, and support needed to achieve their goals. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2026 THUD Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.
Funding advanced by Senator Collins is as follows:
Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maine– $3,000,000 to support the construction of the Bridge to Success Teen Center. The Center aims to provide teenagers and young adults from low-income family’s access to career and college-readiness programs. This funding would also support renovations to the Portland Clubhouse to accommodate a growing membership and expand services for elementary and middle school students.
Rumford Child Care and Community Center – $3,000,000 to support the construction of a child care and community center at the site of the Rumford Elementary School. The facility would support families in Northern Oxford County and Western Franklin County.
In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.
Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
Published: July 25, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that it will release the remaining formula grant funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 that states had anticipated receiving on July 1. The pause in releasing these funds risked the loss of nearly $28,000,000 for Maine’s public schools. This announcement comes in response to a letter sent earlier this month by Senator Collins and nine of her Republican Senate colleagues to Russell Vought, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), advocating for the release of these anticipated education formula funds. Senator Collins also personally spoke to Education Secretary Linda McMahon to advocate for the release of this frozen funding.
“These formula funds are essential to the operation of Maine’s public schools, supporting everything from classroom instruction to adult education,” said Senator Collins. “I am pleased that following outreach from my colleagues and me, the Administration has agreed to release these highly-anticipated resources. I will continue working to ensure that education funds are delivered without delay so that schools have adequate time to plan their finances for the upcoming school year, allowing students to arrive back to class this fall to properly-funded schools.”
Specifically, the letter — led by Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Senator Collins — requested that the Administration faithfully implement the FY 2025 Full-Year Continuing Resolution Act, which Congress passed and the President signed into law earlier this year. The letter was also signed by Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Katie Britt (R-AL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jim Justice (R-WV), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mike Rounds (R-SD).
Prior to today’s announcement, last week, Senator Collins announced that the ED will release funding to support 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which provide afterschool and summer learning opportunities for students. Earlier this month, Senator Collins also announced that the ED awarded a total of $4,981,867 in TRIO Student Support Services grants to 11 Maine colleges and universities following her questioning of Secretary McMahon on the proposed elimination of TRIO programs during an Appropriations hearing.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
July 25, 2025
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 60,000 public schools and about 30 million K-12 students were left without a dedicated civil rights investigator due to Trump’s cuts at ED.
Warren: “It’s disgraceful that Secretary McMahon is firing the people responsible for protecting our students with disabilities.”
Video of Exchange (YouTube)
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), in a forum held by Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), “Robbing Our Students’ Futures: The Indefensible Attacks on Public Education,” highlighted the consequences of President Donald Trump and Secretary Linda McMahon’s cuts to the Department of Education (ED) for students with disabilities and their families.
“It’s disgraceful that Secretary McMahon is firing the people responsible for protecting our students with disabilities,” said Senator Warren. “This forum is a valuable opportunity to speak out and stand up against these horrible cuts so we can start building a better future for our nation’s children.”
In the hearing, Senator Warren slammed Secretary McMahon for her broken promise to “make sure that our students with special needs are taken care of.” In March, Secretary McMahon fired half of the staff at ED’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR), which is responsible for protecting students facing discrimination in school, and closed down 7 out of OCR’s 12 regional offices, including the one in Boston. Nearly half of all OCR complaints involve discrimination against students with disabilities, and following these cuts, OCR has begun dismissing complaints at an unusually high rate.
Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, testified that due to the cuts at OCR, 60,000 public schools and 30 million K-12 students were left without a dedicated civil rights investigator, with OCR dismissing 30% more cases last year than in the previous year. She warned it would be “improbable, if not impossible” for OCR to sufficiently resolve incoming disability discrimination cases with staff cut in half.
Senator Warren also highlighted the story of G, a student with an intellectual disability whose mom filed a complaint with OCR after G was allegedly locked in a padded room at her school repeatedly, despite not posing a danger to herself or others. The Trump administration fired the lawyer assigned to investigate G’s case, leaving G without any support. Ms. Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, stressed the importance of making the public aware of the impact of cuts to public education by sharing stories like G’s. She described ED as an “opportunity engine” for providing educational oversight and funding for various education programs, which are crucial for students with disabilities.
“We are in this fight because we believe that the future of this nation lies with our children. We speak out, we fight back, and we do not pass budgets that leave the door open for more cuts for the education of our children,” concluded Senator Warren.
Senator Warren launched the Save Our Schools campaign in a coordinated effort to fight back against President Trump’s attempts to abolish the Department of Education:
On July 17, 2025, Senator Warren released a new 23-page report, “Education At Risk: Frontline Impacts of Trump’s War on Students,” highlighting warnings from 11 major national education and civil rights organizations on the impact of the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education (ED), slashing support to millions of American students, primary and secondary school teachers, administrators, parents, and student loan borrowers.
On July 15, 2025, Senators Warren and Sanders, along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, urging her to reverse the interest hike on student loan borrowers in the SAVE forbearance.
On July 14, 2025, Senator Warren joined a letter to the director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russ Vought, and Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, demanding that the Department of Education stop blocking nearly $7 billion in funds for K-12 schools, including for afterschool programs.
On July 3, 2025, Senator Warren led her colleagues in submitting an amicus brief for NAACP v. US, arguing to the United States District Court District of Maryland that President Trump’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education violate separation of powers and lack constitutional authority.
On June 10, 2025, Senator Warren met with Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and delivered over 1,000 letters to McMahon that the senator had received from people in all 50 states who were worried about the Secretary’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education.
On June 9, 2025, Senator Warren led her colleagues in pushing the Acting Inspector General of the Department of Education to open an investigation into new information obtained by her office, revealing that DOGE may have gained access to two FSA internal systems, in addition to sensitive borrower data.
On May 20, 2025, Senator Warren and 27 other senators pushed for full funding for the Office of Federal Student Aid.
On May 14, 2025, Senator Warren led a Senate forum entitled “Stealing the American Dream: How Trump and Republicans Are Raising Education Costs for Families,” highlighting the consequences of Secretary Linda McMahon’s reckless dismantling of the Department of Education and President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” for working- and middle-class students and borrowers.
On May 13, 2025, Senator Warren agreed to meet with Education Secretary Linda McMahon and promised to bring questions and stories from Americans across the country to highlight how the Trump administration’s attacks on education are hurting American families.
On May 6, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren highlighted the consequences of President Trump and Secretary Linda McMahon’s reckless dismantling of the Department of Education for American families in a Senate forum.
On April 24, 2025, Senator Warren launched a new investigation into the harms of President Trump’s attacks on the Department of Education, seeking information on the impact of the Trump administration’s actions from the members of twelve leading organizations representing schools, parents, teachers, students, borrowers, and researchers.
On April 10, 2025, following a request led by Senator Warren, the Department of Education’s Acting Inspector General agreed to open an investigation into the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education.
On April 2, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Mazie Hirono, along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon regarding the Department of Government Efficiency’s proposed plan to replace the Department of Education’s federal student aid call centers with generative artificial intelligence chatbots.
On April 2, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren launched the Save Our Schools campaign to fight back against the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and highlight the consequences for every student and public school in America.
On March 27, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) led a letter to Acting Department of Education Inspector General René Rocque requesting they conduct an investigation of the Trump Administration’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education.
On March 20, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders led a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon regarding the Trump Administration’s decision to slash the capacity of Federal Student Aid to handle student aid complaints.
On February 24, 2025, in a response to Senator Warren, Secretary McMahon gave her first public admission that she “wholeheartedly” agreed with Trump’s plans to abolish the Department of Education.
On February 11, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim sent Linda McMahon, Secretary-Designate for the U.S. Department of Education, a 12-page letter with 65 questions on McMahon’s policy views in advance of her nomination hearing.
Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
07.25.25
Cantwell, Colleagues Call For Investigations Into Deaths of Americans in Gaza
Lawmakers seeking accountability for the July 11 death of Saifulla Kamel Musallet, as well as updates into the deaths of 6 other Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined 28 of her Democratic colleagues in the Senate in sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Attorney General Pam Bondi calling for an investigation into the death of Palestinian-American Saifullah Kamel Musallet in the West Bank earlier this month, as well as updates into the investigations of other deaths in Gaza, including 26-year-old Aysenur Ezgi Eygi from Washington state.
“The Netanyahu government has failed to hold anyone accountable for any of these seven killings of Americans and the United States government has failed in its responsibility to protect American citizens overseas and demand justice for their deaths. These failures have made it more likely that more Americans and other civilians will be killed in the West Bank by Israeli security forces or violent settlers who can act with impunity,” the senators wrote.
“Following the Trump Administration’s sudden revocation of all U.S. sanctions against extremist settlers in the West Bank, the first five months of 2025 have seen the highest rate of settler attacks in years and the killing of another American. We urge you to pursue a different approach.”
Saifullah Kamel Musallet, a 20-year-old Palestinian American from Florida, was visiting family near the West Bank town of Sinjil on July 11 when he was beaten to death by extremist Israeli settlers. He is the seventh American killed in the region since Jan. 1, 2022 – a list that also includes University of Washington student Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was shot and killed by Israeli military during a peaceful protest against illegal settlements in September.
Following Aysenur Ezgi Eygi’s death, Sen. Cantwell sent a solo letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling for a full and independent investigation.
“The killings of these Americans in the West Bank have been met by a lack of accountability from the Netanyahu government and a pattern of indifference by the U.S. government. These failures have contributed to an unacceptable culture of impunity when it comes to killing of civilians in the West Bank, including Americans,” the senators wrote yesterday. “It is long past time for the U.S. government to demand accountability in these killings of Americans.”
The letter was led by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and is cosigned by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jack Reed (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Chris Murphy (D-CN).
Full text of the letter is HERE and below.
Dear Secretary Rubio and Attorney General Bondi,
We write with grave concern regarding the brutal killing of a Palestinian-American, Saifullah Kamel Musallet, near the West Bank town of Sinjil, on July 11, 2025. The U.S. government must conduct a credible and independent investigation into his beating death and hold all perpetrators accountable. Protecting and supporting U.S. citizens abroad is one of the foremost responsibilities of the U.S. government. The Biden Administration failed to secure accountability for the killing of respected Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, or any of the other four American citizens – Omar Assad, Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, Mohammad Ahmed Mohammad Khdour, and Aysenur Ezgi Eygi – killed in the West Bank while they were in office.[1] Following the Trump Administration’s sudden revocation of all U.S. sanctions against extremist settlers in the West Bank, the first five months of 2025 have seen the highest rate of settler attacks in years and the killing of another American. We urge you to pursue a different approach.
Saifullah Kamal Musallet is the seventh American citizen killed in the West Bank since January 2022 — and the fifth in just the last nineteen months. The killings of these Americans in the West Bank have been met by a lack of accountability from the Netanyahu government and a pattern of indifference by the U.S. government. These failures have contributed to an unacceptable culture of impunity when it comes to killing of civilians in the West Bank, including Americans.
Saifullah Kamel Musallet, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen from Florida, was visiting family in the West Bank when he was beaten to death by extremist Israeli settlers during a settler attack on the town of Sinjil. Reports indicate that ambulances could not reach the injured for more than two hours because settlers were blocking the area and the Israeli military refused to allow ambulances to pass.[2] In April of this year, a 14-year-old boy from New Jersey, Amer Mohammad Saada Rabee, was also killed in the West Bank. Amer was reportedly shot at the entrance to Turmus Ayya and the Israeli army pronounced him dead after detaining him. Reports suggest that Amer was shot a total of 11 times and two other Americans were also shot in the incident.[3]
Last year, three other U.S. citizens were killed in the West Bank, including two teenagers. Tawfic Abdel Jabbar and Mohammad Ahmed Mohammad Khdour were both 17-year-old U.S. citizens visiting their families in the West Bank when they were shot and killed in separate incidents. In both cases they were shot in the head while they were traveling in vehicles.[4] The third U.S. citizen gunned down in the West Bank last year was Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old American citizen raised in Seattle who was shot in the head by an Israeli soldier from a distance of 200 meters.[5]
The Netanyahu government has failed to hold anyone accountable for any of these seven killings of Americans and the United States government has failed in its responsibility to protect American citizens overseas and demand justice for their deaths. These failures have made it more likely that more Americans and other civilians will be killed in the West Bank by Israeli security forces or violent settlers who can act with impunity.
It is long past time for the U.S. government to demand accountability in these killings of Americans. To that end, we urge you to immediately launch an independent investigation into the brutal killing of Saifullah Kamel Musallet, including the circumstances that blocked ambulances from reaching him. We also ask that you provide us with an update on the status of any investigations into the killings of the six other Americans who have been killed since January 2022, and provide us with a briefing on actions you are taking to ensure accountability for their deaths and to prevent future killings of Americans in the West Bank.
We respectfully ask for a response within two weeks.
[1] Lucas, Ryan. “DOJ Silent as Families of Americans Killed in West Bank, Gaza Demand It Investigate.” NPR, 10 Oct. 2024, www.npr.org/2024/10/10/nx-s1-5106059/west-bank-gaza-israel-justice-department/.
[2] Levine, Heidi, et al. “Palestinian American from Florida Killed in the West Bank, Family Says.” The Washington Post, 12 July 2025, www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/07/11/palestinian-american-west-bank-death-tampa/.
[3]Ott, Haley. “American Teen Fatally Shot in Israeli-Occupied West Bank as Netanyahu Visits Trump.” Cbsnews.com, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-west-bank-palestinian-american-amir-mohammed-rabee-killed/.
[4] Yahya Abou-Ghazala, and Alex Marquardt. “Families of Killed Palestinian-Americans Demand Answers of US, Israel.” CNN, 23 Feb. 2024, www.cnn.com/2024/02/23/world/palestinian-americans-demand-answers-invs.
[5] Hubbard, Ben, and Gulsin Harman. “At Funeral in Turkey, Family Mourns American Activist Aysenur Eygi.” The New York Times, 14 Sept. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/09/14/world/middleeast/turkey-us-activist-killed-israel-west-bank.html.
Home Newsroom Labrador Letter: Standing With the Moscow Community After the Kohberger Sentencing
Dear Friends, This week, Bryan Kohberger received four consecutive life sentences for the November 2022 murders of University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. Under Idaho law, these fixed sentences mean Kohberger will never be eligible for parole and will die in prison. With this sentencing, a painful chapter closes in one of the darkest moments in our state’s history. Four young lives full of promise were stolen from us far too soon—from their families, classmates, friends, and all of us who came to know their names and stories. Their loss is immeasurable, and their absence is felt every day. There is no sentence that can bring true justice for this kind of evil. Nothing can undo the heartache or fill the empty chairs at family tables. But this outcome ensures that Bryan Kohberger will never harm another innocent life. For more than two years, my office worked side by side with Latah County prosecutors. While Prosecutor Thompson retained full authority over the case, including all plea negotiations, my Criminal Division provided crucial support by handling the complex legal challenges that could have derailed the entire prosecution. Criminal Division Chief Jeff Nye led my team alongside Deputy Attorneys General Ingrid Batey and Madison Gourley. Together, they fought off more than a dozen motions challenging the death penalty. They defended law enforcement’s use of investigative genetic genealogy—the first time this technique had been used in Idaho. When defense lawyers tried to throw out the entire case, my team protected the grand jury indictment. Each challenge they defeated kept this case moving forward. The genetic genealogy work that first identified Kohberger became crucial evidence. Their successful defense of this investigative tool will help Idaho law enforcement solve future cases. Most importantly, their focus on key legal briefing and arguments gave Latah County prosecutors the ability to concentrate on discovery and prepare for trial. Kohberger will spend the rest of his life behind bars at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna, where he belongs. I know that no matter the outcome this week, no words, legal ruling, or sentence from a judge can heal what these families have endured. My sincere wish is that they have not carried this burden alone and that Idaho never forget the names and memories of Madison, Kaylee, Xana, and Ethan. Please continue to keep these families in your prayers—not just today, but in the days and years to come. Their grief does not end with a sentence, and neither should our care for them. As Attorney General, I’ll never stop fighting to protect Idaho families. I stand with our prosecutors, law enforcement community, and our citizens to ensure justice is done. Best regards,
Home Newsroom Labrador Letter: Standing With the Moscow Community After the Kohberger Sentencing
Dear Friends, This week, Bryan Kohberger received four consecutive life sentences for the November 2022 murders of University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. Under Idaho law, these fixed sentences mean Kohberger will never be eligible for parole and will die in prison. With this sentencing, a painful chapter closes in one of the darkest moments in our state’s history. Four young lives full of promise were stolen from us far too soon—from their families, classmates, friends, and all of us who came to know their names and stories. Their loss is immeasurable, and their absence is felt every day. There is no sentence that can bring true justice for this kind of evil. Nothing can undo the heartache or fill the empty chairs at family tables. But this outcome ensures that Bryan Kohberger will never harm another innocent life. For more than two years, my office worked side by side with Latah County prosecutors. While Prosecutor Thompson retained full authority over the case, including all plea negotiations, my Criminal Division provided crucial support by handling the complex legal challenges that could have derailed the entire prosecution. Criminal Division Chief Jeff Nye led my team alongside Deputy Attorneys General Ingrid Batey and Madison Gourley. Together, they fought off more than a dozen motions challenging the death penalty. They defended law enforcement’s use of investigative genetic genealogy—the first time this technique had been used in Idaho. When defense lawyers tried to throw out the entire case, my team protected the grand jury indictment. Each challenge they defeated kept this case moving forward. The genetic genealogy work that first identified Kohberger became crucial evidence. Their successful defense of this investigative tool will help Idaho law enforcement solve future cases. Most importantly, their focus on key legal briefing and arguments gave Latah County prosecutors the ability to concentrate on discovery and prepare for trial. Kohberger will spend the rest of his life behind bars at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna, where he belongs. I know that no matter the outcome this week, no words, legal ruling, or sentence from a judge can heal what these families have endured. My sincere wish is that they have not carried this burden alone and that Idaho never forget the names and memories of Madison, Kaylee, Xana, and Ethan. Please continue to keep these families in your prayers—not just today, but in the days and years to come. Their grief does not end with a sentence, and neither should our care for them. As Attorney General, I’ll never stop fighting to protect Idaho families. I stand with our prosecutors, law enforcement community, and our citizens to ensure justice is done. Best regards,
During his campaign, President Donald J. Trump repeatedlypledged to end the irreversible chemical and surgical mutilation of our children: “We are not going to allow child sexual mutilation.”
For years, politicians have promised to end the barbaric, pseudoscientific practice — but President Trump is the only one who has actually delivered.
This week, Yale New Haven Health and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center announced they are ending their so-called “gender-affirming care services.” They join a growing list of health systems across the country following President Trump’s executive action.
Phoenix Children’s Hospital stopped providing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to minors.
Stanford Medicine ended sex-change surgeries for minors.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles closed its “Center for Transyouth Health and Development and Gender-Affirming Care.”
Denver Health suspended sex change surgeries for patients under 19.
UCHealth ended so-called “gender-affirming services” for patients under 19.
Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago stopped sex-change surgeries for patients under 19.
UChicago suspended so-called “gender-affirming care” for minors.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital stopped sex-change surgeries for minors.
Rush Medical Center halted gender-affirming care for new patients under 18.
In New York City, Mount Sinai and New York-Presbyterian both curbed so-called “gender-affirming care” for minors.
The Hospital of Richmond at VCU Health halted so-called “gender-affirming care” for new patients under 19.
Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters suspended hormone therapy and puberty blockers for gender-affirming care in children under 19.
Seattle Children’s Hospital stopped providing so-called “gender-affirming surgery” to patients under 19.
In Washington, D.C., Children’s National Hospital “paused” prescribing puberty blockers and hormone therapies for minors, while Northwest Washington Hospital did the same.
Kaiser Permanente paused sex-change surgeries for patients under 19 across all its hospitals and surgical centers.
School’s out for summer! As uniforms are folded away and school shoes tucked neatly into the cupboard, parents across Plymouth are beginning to wonder what will the next six weeks look like?
If you are looking for inspiration for things to keep the kids occupied and entertained over the holidays, we can help. We’ve pulled together a list of activities to keep children of all ages and interests entertained all summer long. From bouncy castles for the younger kids, to e-sports for teens, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Here’s what on this week:
Plymouth Libraries
Saturday 26 July – Children’s author visit
Central Library – 10.30am to midday – Free
Central Library will be welcoming former Plymouth Laureate, Thom Boulton to deliver an interactive session based on his exciting new book, Wild Children – a magical adventure about finding the courage to confront our fears and throwing off the masks we wear.
Suitable for children 7 years and over and their families. No booking required.
Monday 28 July – Story Garden: Craft activity
Crownhill Library – 11am to midday – Free
Efford Library – 11.30am to 12.30pm – Free
Join in every Monday for garden themed craft activities. Suitable to children aged 5 to 11 years and their families. This session is part of a series of activities supporting this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Wednesday 30 July – Story Garden: Bird mosaic hangers
Central library – 2pm to 3pm – Free
Garden themed craft activity – create a colourful bird mosaic hanger! Suitable to children aged 5 years and over and their families This session is part of a series of activities supporting this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Friday 1 August – Story Garden: Lego, craft and colouring
Estover library – 11.30am to 4pm – Free
Lego, craft activities and colouring every Friday in August at Estover Library. Suitable for children 5 years and over and their families. This session is part of a series of activities supporting this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Libraries across Plymouth host regular activities for children, including Lego clubs, Rhymetime and storytelling sessions.
Tinside say: We’ve joined forces with Community Alcohol Partnerships for one unforgettable evening: CAPFEST. Created by young people, for young people, CAPFEST is a free event for 11–17 year olds packed with summer vibes – think music, swimming, mocktails and a BBQ, all by the sea. There’ll be live music, a DJ set, food and drinks (non-alcoholic, of course), and full access to the lido – all completely free.
Every Monday during the school holidays – Tech club
9:30 to 3:30pm – £24 per day
Is your child a tech enthusiast? Our Tech Club provides young minds with esports gaming, augmented reality HADO, and hands-on STEM challenges using Sphero robots.
Tuesday to Friday – Football roadshow
9.30am to 3.30pm – £24 per day
Our Football Roadshows bring high-energy training, games, and match play to young boys and girls of all abilities – right on your doorstep. Our roadshows teach skills, drills, and teamwork led by qualified Argyle coaches. 5 to 15 years.
Tuesday to Friday – Multi-Activity Clubs
9.30am to 3.30pm – £24 per day
For young people who love variety, a lively mix of sports, gaming, and soft play to keep children active, entertained, and socialising. From active games and soft play, to console time and sports – all in one place.
Tuesday 29 July to Thursday 31 July – Craft sessions
10:30am to 12.30pm and 1:30pm to 3:30pm (Last entries at 12.15pm and 3.15pm) – Free
Try the drop-in craft sessions, ideal for children aged 4 to 11 years old and their adults.
Wednesday 30 July – Bugs at The Box
The Box/ Tavistock Place – 12.45pm to 1.30pm – Free
You can see a 6m high biomechanical insect sculpture on Tavistock Place with a special performance with a live soundtrack from 12.45-1.30pm – plus, they’ll have live big bug handing with the University of Plymouth. Come and see stick insects, giant snails, giant cockroaches, katydid, beetles, spiders!
Friday 1 August – Tell me a story – Free
Join The Box Plymouth every Friday morning for half an hour of storytelling – perfect for under 5s and their grownups.
Why not look around the exhibitions whilst you’re there and see Mildred the woolly mammoth? The Box is free to visit with lots of amazing artwork and fascinating objects to explore, so there’s something for the whole family. It’s open 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday and there’s no need to book.
Poole Farm
Wednesday 30 July – Animal hour at Poole Farm
9.30am to 10.30am – Free
Looking for a fun family activity this summer? Come and join us for Animal Hour at Poole Farm – every Wednesday during the summer holidays, starting this week (excluding the week of Wild & Well). Meet at: The Derriford Community Park sign near the cow field. Meet our friendly farm animals – say hello to our cheeky chickens and come and see our beautiful cows up close! Please wear sensible shoes – it can get a little muddy on the farmyard.
Community fun day
Wednesday 30 July -The Barn Family Hub
11am to 3pm – Free
Enjoy a bouncy castle, football, hockey, karate, pizza making, arts & crafts, and our popular Bike Space – Doctor Bike. That’s just the start – there’s plenty more to discover! We’ll have refreshments, community group stalls, and information stands, so you can connect, learn, and enjoy a great day out with your neighbours.
“Game on, Together!” is a dynamic family workshop designed to build teamwork, communication, and trust through high-energy cooperative games and creative challenges. This is aimed at Parents and Children aged 6+ up to 18. Parents/carers can bring a maximum of 2 children with them to each class.
Thursday 31 July – Family poetry workshop
1pm to 3pm
Unleash creativity and explore the joy of poetry together in this engaging 2-hour workshop suitable for all ages and backgrounds. This is aimed at Parents and Children aged 6+ up to 18. Parents/carers can bring a maximum of 2 children with them to each class.
Thursday 31 July and Friday 1 August – Crafting sessions
11am to 3pm
Get your craft on this summer and take home a beautiful piece of art inspired by the movies at Saltram.
Saturday 19 July to Sunday 31 August – Summer of play at Saltram
Saltram say ‘This summer, join us for our Summer of Play – Saltram on screen family trail and activities. Saltram’s garden will be transformed into a playful celebration of all things performance, imagination and adventure – perfect for young creatives, budding films stars or movie makers, and families ready to make magical memories in the summer sunshine.’
YMCA said: Enjoy a range of free, inclusive activities for children and young people with SEND, aged 0–16 at YMCA Plymouth. Sessions are led by trained, friendly staff in a safe and supportive environment, offering fun, sensory, and creative experiences for all abilities.
This area right on Plymouth’s doorstep have some fantastic activities all summer long! Here’s what’s in store:
Swimming Sessions: Try Swim Safe and Safe and Sound sessions at Tinside Lido.
Rockpool Safaris: Join expert guides as you explore the hidden world of rockpools.
Shark Month: Head to Royal William Yard during July for a month packed with shark-themed fun.
Water Sports: Fancy kayaking or paddleboarding? The Mount Batten Centre have sessions for beginners and pros alike, all set against the stunning backdrop of Plymouth Sound.
Walks, Talks and Art: Tag along for history walks and talks around Royal William Yard, for a foraging workshop around Ernesettle Creek/Devil’s Point.
Mount Wise Swimming Pools are a great place to spend a summer day swimming, sunbathing and enjoying fantastic views. The best things is, it’s free entry!
Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Florida House Democrats sent a letter to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier urging them to join the 25 states that have filed the lawsuit State of California v. McMahon, challenging the Trump Administration and the Department of Education’s illegal freeze of more than $5.5 billion in Congressionally-approved education funding. On June 30, the Department of Education notified states that it was holding over $6 billion in grants that were due to be disbursed on July 1. The Department claims to be holding the funds for a “review” geared toward “ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities.” While the Department recently released a small portion of the frozen funds, it is still withholding over $5.5 billion nationally, including $325 million from Florida schools for teacher training, academic support for students, professional development programs, and more.
“For Florida, this freeze is not theoretical—it’s real money being held hostage, with tangible harm to our school districts, working families, and children,” the Members wrote. “Programs are being delayed or dismantled. School districts have had to freeze hiring and may soon have to start laying off staff. Local leaders are left in limbo. While other states are taking action, Florida is conspicuously absent.”
Despite the hundreds of millions of dollars at stake for Florida, Governor DeSantis and Attorney General Uthmeier have yet to join the lawsuit.
“Florida’s children should not pay the price for adult politics,” the Members continued. “The Trump Administration’s action is a clear violation of the Impoundment Control Act, which prohibits the executive branch from withholding Congressionally-appropriated funds. It also threatens the Constitutional balance of powers and undermines public trust.”
“We implore you to put Florida’s interests first by joining State of California v. McMahon and demanding the release of the federal education dollars our communities were promised.”
Over the past several months, I have spoken with a variety of audiences about the recent and ongoing work of the Congressional Budget Office.
The conversations have allowed me to share insights about CBO’s role in the legislative process—including the reconciliation process—while reiterating the agency’s commitment to providing objective, nonpartisan, and transparent analysis.
From March through July 2025, I participated in the following events:
March 3: Discussed the U.S. macroeconomic and fiscal outlook during the 41st Annual Economic Policy Conference of the National Association for Business Economics.
March 5: Spoke at the Milken Institute’s 2025 Finance Forum about the state of the U.S. budget and economy.
March 27: Took part in a “fireside chat” at the ERISA Industry Committee’s (ERIC’s) Spring Policy Conference, where I discussed CBO’s role and ongoing work.
April 8: Met virtually with a class at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School to talk about the outlook for the U.S. budget.
April 16: Joined the Hoover Institution’s Jon Hartley for a podcast in which we discussed, among other things, CBO’s role and the value that the agency places on accuracy and transparency.
April 22: Participated in a discussion about the fiscal impact of the Trump Administration’s policies during a J.P. Morgan investor seminar.
May 5: Engaged in a panel discussion at the Milken Institute’s 2025 Global Conference in Los Angeles about the federal budget and national debt.
June 11: Delivered remarks and answered questions during the Committee for Economic Development’s Biannual Trustee Policy Summit.
July 15: Participated in a discussion about the fiscal implications of the 2025 reconciliation act (Public Law 119-21) during a J.P. Morgan investor roundtable.
July 15: Delivered remarks and participated in a Q&A session at the 22nd Annual Economic Measurement Seminar of the National Association for Business Economics.
I have also discussed CBO’s role in the legislative process more generally and emphasized our commitment to transparency and analytical rigor in recent interviews. (Those interviews appeared in the Wall Street Journal, on Bloomberg’s Big Take podcast, and on Bloomberg TV’s Wall Street Week.) As part of those discussions, I outlined the distinctions between CBO and the Joint Committee on Taxation, explaining how the two agencies differ and how we often work collaboratively to support the Congress.
I look forward to engaging with other audiences and topics in the months ahead.
Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Governor Tony Evers, and Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI-04) and Mark Pocan (D-WI-02) released the following statement after the University of Wisconsin (UW) announced they were forced to lay off 91 staff members who implement a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) initiative because of Congressional Republicans’ budget bill:
“Sadly, we are watching vital resources that Wisconsin families rely on to stay healthy and help put food on the table being stripped away – all so Republicans in Congress and President Trump could give out tax breaks for the wealthy. FoodWIse, and the dedicated staff behind it, have proven to be a good investment that helps tens of thousands of Wisconsinites stay well fed and live a healthy life. But today’s news means their work will be practically wiped out, and families will be left out to dry. While we hope Wisconsin’s Congressional Republicans who voted for this are prepared to answer to impacted families, we will continue to fight every way we can to make sure Wisconsinites have the food and tools they need to stay healthy.”
UW today announced that due to the elimination of SNAP-Ed funding in Republicans’ budget bill, UW-Madison’s Division of Extension laid off 91 employees who run FoodWIse, which implements important nutrition education programming across Wisconsin. FoodWIse supports direct education for over 35,000 participants annually, as well as broader community initiatives that reach more than 98,000 people across the state. Other affected Wisconsin grantees include: FoodRight, Inc., Hunger Task Force, Inc., Ho-Chunk Nation Health Center – ITO, Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC) – ITO, and Wisconsin Fit Families.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)
WATCH:Sorensen remarks on Rock Island Arsenal during House Armed Services Committee
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is proud to announce major victories for the Rock Island Arsenal and communities across Illinois’ 17th Congressional District in this year’s national defense legislation, theNational Defense Authorization Act(NDAA). These wins will protect local jobs, expand benefits for servicemembers, and invest in key infrastructure and research in Central and Northwestern Illinois.
“These investments reflect our values—supporting those who serve, building strong communities, and creating opportunities right here at home,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen. “We’re strengthening the Rock Island Arsenal, supporting our National Guard and military families, and ensuring our local institutions like Bradley University continue to lead in innovation.”
Key wins for IL-17 and the Rock Island Arsenal include:
Congressman Sorensen’s Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act, which incentivizes private industry to partner with arsenals by giving preference to public-private partnerships in Army contracting, creating a more predictable, sustained workload to protect and create jobs.
The bill bans the Army’s funding to restructure the Rock Island Arsenal’s Army Sustainment Command (ASC) and Joint Munitions Command (JMC),until they provide a plan that includes a timeline and information about any job cuts and the impact to our readiness.
The Army will be required to provide more information about upcoming changes tied to its Army Transformation Initiative—ensuring communities like those around the Rock Island Arsenal are informed and prepared.
The bill authorizes funding for ongoing projects at Rock Island Arsenal and Bradley University, modernizing this vital defense facility and supporting research opportunities.
It blocks funding from being used to enforce President Trump’s ban on collective bargaining for DOD workers, directly supporting the rights of our union workers at the Rock Island Arsenal.
The Department of Defense is directed to explore public-private partnerships at arsenals and other key military industrial sites, opening the door to local innovation and economic growth.
The bill ensures the Air Force maintains at least 271 C-130 aircraft, preserving critical operations tied to the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria.
Big wins that benefit our servicemembers and communities include:
3.8% pay raises for all military personnel
Authorizes funding for new and improved barracks, dormitories, child development centers, and family housing
All National Guard members will have fees and copays waived under the TRICARE Dental Program—making it easier and more affordable for them to get the care they need.
Stronger alliances and partnerships to keep our country safe and promote peace
Congressman Sorensen also introduced an amendment to codify the current exemptions to the hiring freeze to ensure the Rock Island Arsenal can hire new workers, but it was blocked by Republicans.
The House Armed Services Committee approved the bill with a vote of 55-2. The bill now heads to the House floor where it will be considered in the coming weeks.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)
Congressmen Eric Sorensen (IL-17) and Zach Nunn (IA-03) reintroduced their bipartisanSafe Schools and Communities Actaimed at improving school safety programs in our communities. The legislation creates competitive grants at the Department of Education for school districts to prevent human trafficking, raise awareness about drug abuse, reduce gang activity, and eliminate community violence.
“When parents send their kids to school, they want to know they are going to return home safely,” said Congressman Sorensen. “We can make our schools and communities safer by equipping our teachers with the tools they need to raise awareness about keeping kids safe, preventing drug abuse, and eliminating violence among students. Too many of our neighbors across Central and Northwestern Illinois have lost a loved one to violence or addiction, and this bipartisan legislation will help put a stop to generational cycles of trauma and addiction.”
“I’m proud of the work we’ve done to crack down on traffickers through smart legislation like the HALT Fentanyl Act—but that’s only half the battle,” said Congressman Nunn. “This commonsense, bipartisan bill puts resources to work in our schools to give educators the tools to intervene early, support students, and prevent drug use, exploitation, and gang involvement before it starts.”
“Keeping our young people safe is a shared responsibility, and the Center for Prevention of Abuse (CFPA) is proud to work with more than 140 schools throughout Central Illinois to stop abuse before it begins through comprehensive, age appropriate, evidence-based prevention education,” said Carol Merna, CEO of Center for Prevention of Abuse. “We should all work together to arrive at the day when no young person will be lost to human trafficking and other forms of violence and abuse. The Safe Schools and Communities Act will equip schools with important prevention education resources. It is more than policy, it’s a bold affirmation that safety isn’t a privilege, it’s a right.”
“This legislation is critically important to begin to address the root cause issues that lead to long term trauma for our children,” said Demario Boone, Director of School Safety at Peoria Public Schools. “Minimalizing these traumas early on not only helps our schools, but our communities. It combats the traumas of human trafficking, drug abuse, gang activity and community violence. Prevention instead of reaction should be the primary goal of any legislation. This is it.”
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, crimes like human trafficking and drug use often stem from gang activity. Gang-involved youth are more likely to abuse substances and face long-term challenges such as dropping out of school, family instability, and difficulty finding steady employment.
Over 70,000 drug related deaths in 2021 were attributed to synthetic opioids other than methadone—primarily fentanyl. Fentanyl poisoning is now the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18-45.
Would you dab perfume on a six-month-old? Paint their tiny nails with polish that contains formaldehyde? Dust bronzer onto their cheeks?
An investigation by the Times has found that babies and toddlers are routinely exposed to adult cosmetic products, including fragranced sprays, nail polish and even black henna tattoos.
While these may sound harmless – or even Instagram-friendly – the science tells a more concerning story. Infant skin is biologically different from adult skin: it’s thinner, more absorbent and still developing. Exposure to certain products can lead to immediate problems like irritation or allergic reactions, and in some cases, may carry longer term health-risks such as hormone disruption.
This isn’t a new concern. A 2019 study found that every two hours in the US, a child was taken to hospital because of accidental exposure to cosmetic products.
Newborn skin has the same number of layers as adult skin but those layers are up to 30% thinner. That thinner barrier makes it easier for substances, including chemicals, to penetrate through to deeper tissues and the bloodstream.
Young skin also has a higher water content and produces less sebum (the natural oil that protects and moisturises the skin). This makes it more prone to water loss, dryness and irritation, particularly when exposed to fragrances or creams not formulated for infants.
The skin’s microbiome – its protective layer of beneficial microbes – also takes time to develop. By age three, a child’s skin finishes establishing its first microbiome. Before then, products applied to the skin can disrupt this delicate balance. At puberty, the skin’s structure and microbiome change again, altering how it responds to products.
The investigation found that bronzers and nail polish were being used on young children. These products often contain harmful or even carcinogenic chemicals, such as formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate.
Even low-level exposure to formaldehyde, such as from furniture or air pollution, has been linked to higher rates of lower respiratory infections in children (that’s infections affecting the lungs, airways and windpipe).
Irritating ingredients
In the US, one in three adults experiences skin or respiratory symptoms after exposure to fragranced products. If adults are reacting, it’s no surprise that newborns and children with their developing immune systems are at even greater risk.
Perfumes often contain alcohol and volatile compounds that dry out the skin, leading to redness, itching and discomfort.
Certain skincare ingredients have also been studied for their potential to affect hormones, trigger allergies or pose long-term health concerns:
alkylphenols used in detergents and cosmetics may disrupt hormone activity
benzophenone is found in many sunscreens and some forms may act as allergens and hormone disruptors.
While many of these ingredients are permitted in regulated concentrations, some researchers warn of a “cocktail effect”: the cumulative impact of daily exposure to multiple chemicals, especially in young, developing bodies.
Temporary tattoos, particularly black henna, are popular on holidays but they aren’t always safe. Black henna is a common cause of contact dermatitis in children and may contain para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a chemical approved for use in hair dyes but not for direct application to skin.
Products marketed as “natural” or “clean” can also cause allergic reactions. Propolis (bee glue), for instance, is found in many natural skincare products but causes contact dermatitis in up to 16% of children.
A study found an average of 4.5 contact allergens per product in “natural” skincare ranges. Out of 1,651 “natural” personal care products on the US market, only 96 (5.8%) were free from contact allergens. Even claims like “dermatologically tested” don’t guarantee safety; they simply mean the product was tested on skin, not that it’s free from allergens.
Babies and young children aren’t just miniature adults. Their skin is still developing and is more vulnerable to irritation, chemical absorption and systemic effects: substances that penetrate the skin can enter the bloodstream and potentially affect organs or biological systems throughout the body. Applying adult-targeted products, or even well-meaning “natural” alternatives, can therefore carry real risks.
Adverse reactions can appear as rashes, scaling or itchiness and, in severe cases, blistering or crusting. Respiratory symptoms like coughing or wheezing should always be investigated by a medical professional.
When in doubt, keep it simple. Limit what goes on your child’s skin, especially in the early years.
Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox.Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.
Adam Taylor 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.
Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) probed three Tennessee universities –the University of Tennessee,Vanderbilt, andBelmont University–after staff members were caught on camera admitting to rebranding and concealing their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs to skirt the Trump administration’s executive actions to end these divisive, woke programs. A staffer at Belmont University also admitted to hiding illegal aliens on campus.
Click hereto download video of Senator Blackburn’s remarks during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about DEI.
Below are excerpts from Senator Blackburn’s letters urging these Tennessee universities to comply with President Trump’s executive action.
UTK Employee Says University is Still “Fully Committed to the Work of DEI”
“Leaked footage shows UTK employees discussing how the University is concealing woke DEI programs by renaming them while continuing to push the harmful content. In one video, a UTK employee said that the DEI programs had not been abandoned and, ‘[They have] been fully committed to the work of DEI.’ He goes on to say, ‘these committees and task forces were built back in 2020 and they’re still up and running… it’s just in terms of some of these bills… they know how to navigate the language within the bills to ensure that DEI is protected.’”
Vanderbilt Employee Says DEI “Naming” Changed Because Different Universities Were Under Investigation
“Leaked video footage shows Vanderbilt employees discussing how the University is concealing woke DEI programs by renaming them while continuing to push this harmful content. In the video, a Vanderbilt employee can be heard saying, ‘different universities were under investigation for their DEI practices… so that’s why I think the naming has changed… we have things that clue people in and let people know.’ Later in the video, when asked if they are engaged in DEI initiatives, she responded affirmatively. And, in another video, one employee exhibited blatant political bias, which raises questions about the extent to which such bias is forced onto the student body by certain activist employees.”
Belmont Employee Admits University Is Concealing Both Illegal Aliens and DEI Programs
“Earlier this month, leaked video footage shows a Belmont official explaining how your institution has schemed to reframe its DEI initiatives under different names in violation of President Trump’s executive order. In the video, In the video, the Belmont official can be heard saying, ‘we always try to just adapt to what’s happening around us, but that does not mean, like, what we’re focusing on completely stops, we definitely have to navigate very carefully and just cautiously.’ Later in the video, the Belmont official can be heard referencing enforcement operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to remove criminal illegal aliens from our communities, stating, ‘we do have undocumented students here,’ and ‘we don’t communicate to anybody externally who is undocumented.’ This administration has been very clear: postsecondary education programs funded by the federal government should benefit American citizens—not illegal aliens.”
Click here to read the full letter to the University of Tennessee.
School’s out for summer! As uniforms are folded away and school shoes tucked neatly into the cupboard, parents across Plymouth are beginning to wonder: what will the next six weeks look like?
If you are looking for inspiration for things to keep the kids occupied and entertained over the holidays, we can help. We’ve pulled together a list of activities to keep children of all ages and interests entertained all summer long. From bouncy castles for the younger kids, to e-sports for teens, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Here’s what on this week :
Plymouth Libraries
Saturday 26 July – Children’s author visit
Central Library – 10.30am to midday – Free
Central Library will be welcoming former Plymouth Laureate, Thom Boulton to deliver an interactive session based on his exciting new book, Wild Children – a magical adventure about finding the courage to confront our fears and throwing off the masks we wear.
Suitable for children 7 years and over and their families. No booking required.
Monday 28 July – Story Garden: Craft activity
Crownhill Library – 11am to midday – Free
Efford Library – 11.30am to 12.30pm – Free
Join in every Monday for garden themed craft activities. Suitable to children aged 5 to 11 years and their families. This session is part of a series of activities supporting this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Wednesday 30 July – Story Garden: Bird mosaic hangers
Central library – 2pm to 3pm – Free
Garden themed craft activity – create a colourful bird mosaic hanger! Suitable to children aged 5 years and over and their families This session is part of a series of activities supporting this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Friday 1 August – Story Garden: Lego, craft and colouring
Estover library – 11.30am to 4pm – Free
Lego, craft activities and colouring every Friday in August at Estover Library. Suitable for children 5 years and over and their families. This session is part of a series of activities supporting this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Libraries across Plymouth host regular activities for children, including Lego clubs, Rhymetime and storytelling sessions.
Tinside said: We’ve joined forces with Community Alcohol Partnerships for one unforgettable evening: CAPFEST. Created by young people, for young people, CAPFEST is a free event for 11–17 year olds packed with summer vibes – think music, swimming, mocktails and a BBQ, all by the sea. There’ll be live music, a DJ set, food and drinks (non-alcoholic, of course), and full access to the lido – all completely free.
Every Monday during the school holidays – Tech club
9:30 to 3:30pm – £24 per day
Is your child a tech enthusiast? Our Tech Club provides young minds with esports gaming, augmented reality HADO, and hands-on STEM challenges using Sphero robots.
Tuesday to Friday – Football roadshow
9.30am to 3.30pm – £24 per day
Our Football Roadshows bring high-energy training, games, and match play to young boys and girls of all abilities – right on your doorstep. Our roadshows teach skills, drills, and teamwork led by qualified Argyle coaches. 5 to 15 years.
Tuesday to Friday – Multi-Activity Clubs
9.30am to 3.30pm – £24 per day
For young people who love variety, a lively mix of sports, gaming, and soft play to keep children active, entertained, and socialising. From active games and soft play, to console time and sports – all in one place.
Tuesday 29 July to Thursday 31 July – Craft sessions – Free
10:30am to 12.30pm and 1:30pm to 3:30pm (Last entries at 12.15pm and 3.15pm)
Try the drop-in craft sessions, ideal for children aged 4 to 11 years old and their adults.
Wednesday 30 July – Bugs at The Box
The Box/ Tavistock Place – 12.45pm to 1.30pm – Free
You can see a 6m high biomechanical insect sculpture on Tavistock Place with a special performance with a live soundtrack from 12.45-1.30pm – plus, they’ll have live big bug handing with the University of Plymouth. Come and see stick insects, giant snails, giant cockroaches, katydid, beetles, spiders!
Friday 1 August – Tell me a story – Free
Join The Box Plymouth every Friday morning for half an hour of storytelling – perfect for under 5s and their grownups.
Why not look around the exhibitions whilst you’re there and see Mildred the woolly mammoth? The Box is free to visit with lots of amazing artwork and fascinating objects to explore, so there’s something for the whole family. It’s open 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday and there’s no need to book.
Poole Farm
Wednesday 30 July – Animal hour at Poole Farm
9.30am to 10.30am – Free
Looking for a fun family activity this summer? Come and join us for Animal Hour at Poole Farm – every Wednesday during the summer holidays, starting this week (excluding the week of Wild & Well). Meet at: The Derriford Community Park sign near the cow field. Meet our friendly farm animals – say hello to our cheeky chickens and come and see our beautiful cows up close! Please wear sensible shoes – it can get a little muddy on the farmyard.
Community fun day
Wednesday 30 July – The Barn Family Hub
11am to 3pm – Free
Enjoy a bouncy castle, football, hockey, karate, pizza making, arts & crafts, and our popular Bike Space – Doctor Bike. That’s just the start – there’s plenty more to discover! We’ll have refreshments, community group stalls, and information stands, so you can connect, learn, and enjoy a great day out with your neighbours.
“Game on, Together!” is a dynamic family workshop designed to build teamwork, communication, and trust through high-energy cooperative games and creative challenges. This is aimed at Parents and Children aged 6+ up to 18. Parents/carers can bring a maximum of 2 children with them to each class.
Thursday 31 July – Family poetry workshop
1pm to 3pm
Unleash creativity and explore the joy of poetry together in this engaging 2-hour workshop suitable for all ages and backgrounds. This is aimed at Parents and Children aged 6+ up to 18. Parents/carers can bring a maximum of 2 children with them to each class.
Thursday 31 July and Friday 1 August – Crafting sessions
11am to 3pm
Get your craft on this summer and take home a beautiful piece of art inspired by the movies at Saltram.
Saturday 19 July to Sunday 31 August – Summer of play at Saltram
Saltram said: ‘This summer, join us for our Summer of Play – Saltram on screen family trail and activities. Saltram’s garden will be transformed into a playful celebration of all things performance, imagination and adventure – perfect for young creatives, budding films stars or movie makers, and families ready to make magical memories in the summer sunshine.’
YMCA said: Enjoy a range of free, inclusive activities for children and young people with SEND, aged 0–16 at YMCA Plymouth. Sessions are led by trained, friendly staff in a safe and supportive environment, offering fun, sensory, and creative experiences for all abilities.
This area right on Plymouth’s doorstep have some fantastic activities all summer long! Here’s what’s in store:
Swimming Sessions: Try Swim Safe and Safe and Sound sessions at Tinside Lido.
Rockpool Safaris: Join expert guides as you explore the hidden world of rockpools.
Shark Month: Head to Royal William Yard during July for a month packed with shark-themed fun.
Water Sports: Fancy kayaking or paddleboarding? The Mount Batten Centre have sessions for beginners and pros alike, all set against the stunning backdrop of Plymouth Sound.
Walks, Talks and Art: Tag along for history walks and talks around Royal William Yard, for a foraging workshop around Ernesettle Creek/Devil’s Point.
Mount Wise Swimming Pools are a great place to spend a summer day swimming, sunbathing and enjoying fantastic views. The best things is, it’s free entry!
HOUSTON, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc.™ (NASDAQ: SKWD) (“Skyward Specialty” or “the Company”) today announced a change of its previously announced second quarter earnings call. The conference call and webcast will now be held on Thursday, July 31 at 12:00 p.m. EDT.
Skyward Specialty will issue its second quarter 2025 earnings results after the market closes on Wednesday, July 30. The earnings results will be available on the Company website at investors.skywardinsurance.com/ under Quarterly Results.
Investors may access the live audio webcast via the link on the Company’s investor site at investors.skywardinsurance.com/ under Events & Presentations. Additionally, investors can access the earnings call via conference call by registering via the conference link. Users will receive dial-in information and a unique PIN to join the call upon registering.
A webcast replay will be available two hours following the call in the same location on the Company’s investor website.
About Skyward Specialty
Skyward Specialty is a rapidly growing and innovative specialty insurance company, delivering commercial property and casualty products and solutions on a non-admitted and admitted basis. The Company operates through nine underwriting divisions – Accident & Health, Agriculture and Credit (Re)insurance, Captives, Construction & Energy Solutions, Global Property, Professional Lines, Specialty Programs, Surety and Transactional E&S. SKWD stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, which represents the top fourth of all Nasdaq listed companies.
Skyward Specialty’s subsidiary insurance companies consist of Great Midwest Insurance Company, Houston Specialty Insurance Company, Imperium Insurance Company, and Oklahoma Specialty Insurance Company. These insurance companies are rated A (Excellent) with stable outlook by A.M. Best Company. Additional information about Skyward Specialty can be found on our website at www.skywardinsurance.com.
In-video advertisements that aim to increase ad revenue involve AI to tap into a users’ preferences. This means lots of individual videos with minor differences requiring additional processing scaled to the user’s streaming resolution.
But while Spotify used to publish data on its environmental costs, its reports have been incomplete since 2021. As American author and scholar, Shoshanna Zuboff points out in her book The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, many tech companies lack environmental accountability.
The Carbon Trust, a consultancy that helps businesses reduce their carbon footprints, works to globally promote a sustainable future and has calculated the European average carbon footprint for video streaming as producing 55g of CO₂e per hour. This CO₂e or carbon dioxide equivalent is a comparable measure of the potential effect of different greenhouse gases on the climate: 55g of CO₂e is 50 times more than audio streaming and the equivalent of microwaving four bags of popcorn.
As a music technology and AI researcher, I’m aware of the shift in responsibility that comes with Spotify’s video innovations. While companies’ significant role in generating emissions should not be diminished, the shift of responsibility fromt he platform to users and content creators means that better informed choices about their streaming devices and streaming quality settings larger screens need to be made. Streaming at higher resolutions becomes significant factors in increasing video’s carbon footprint.
This increased responsibility means that end users needs to make better informed choices about their streaming devices and streaming quality settings.
While companies’ significant role in generating emissions should not be diminished, this shift of responsibility to the end user means that larger screens and streaming at higher resolutions become significant factors in increasing video’s carbon footprint.
Location also affects how carbon emissions are managed. Germany has the largest carbon footprint for video streaming at 76g CO₂e per hour of streaming, reflecting its continued reliance on coal and fossil fuels. In the UK, this figure is 48g CO₂e per hour, because its energy mix includes renewables and natural gas, increasingly with nuclear as central to the UK’s low-carbon future. France, with a reliance on nuclear is the lowest, at 10g CO₂e per hour.
There is an absolute burden of responsibility on tech and media companies to reduce their carbon emissions and to be transparent about their efforts to do so. In fact, net zero cannot be achieved without commitments from the major technology companies, many of which are based in the US whose government has not ratified the Kyoto protocol and withdrew from the Paris agreement in 2020 which are both significant global efforts to combat climate change.
Eco-conscious music streaming
A French thinktank called the Shift Project advocates for people and companies to adopt “digital sobriety” (the mindful use of digital tech) to ensure efficiency and sustainability. For example, research shows that the UK could reduce its carbon output by more 16,433 tonnes if each adult sent one less thank you email a day.
Certainly aimless streaming should be avoided because video decoding can account for 35-50% of playback energy on user devices. However, music video is more than mere music. As I have argued in my own work, video “provides a layer of meaning making not present in lyrics or audio alone”.
Video can bring marginalised music makers, cultures and ideas to the foreground by tackling difficult subjects. Like the work of Syrian-American rapper, poet, activist and chaplain Mona Haydar’s Wrap My Hijab or UK grime rapper Drillminister and his critique of neo-liberalism and trickle-down economics Nouveau Riche.
To minimise the environmental footprint of your own music streaming, use Wi-Fi rather than 4G or 5G. If you listen to a song repeatedly, purchase a download to play. Use localised storage rather than cloud-based systems for all of your music and video files. Reduce auto-play, aimless background streaming or using streaming as a sleep aid by changing the default settings on your device including reducing streaming resolution. And turn your camera off for video calls, as carbon emissions are 25 times more than for audio only.
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
Hussein Boon 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.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Benjamin Selwyn, Professor of International Relations and International Development, Department of International Relations, University of Sussex
Global supply chains account for 70% of world trade. They are the arteries of global capitalism, moving goods and services across borders multiple times before reaching consumers.
Since the early 1990s — as part of economic globalisation — these networks have enabled mass consumption by delivering cheap goods made using cheap labour and shipped globally at minimal cost. But this convenience comes at a catastrophic environmental price.
The infrastructure that supports global supply chains — ports, highways, railways, data servers — has expanded dramatically, increasing the distance goods travel from production to consumption to disposal. These “supply chain miles” are a major contributor to ecological degradation.
Worse still, managing these sprawling networks depends on energy-intensive digital technologies, produced and distributed through global supply chains. Electronic waste is soaring, reaching 62 million tonnes in 2022 and projected to increase to 82 million tonnes by 2030.
Global supply chains have also driven the expansion of global markets. Argentina’s soy industry is a case in point: production surged from under 30,000 tonnes in 1970 to over 60 million tonnes in 2015, largely to feed the world’s growing livestock population.
As an expert on global supply chains, I study what can be done to remedy this environmentally damaging situation. My research shows that this problem runs deeper than logistics.
Global supply chains are a key part of the capitalist system that thrives on endless economic growth. Competitive capital accumulation (where profits are reinvested to generate more profits) drives this cycle.
While green technologies can hypothetically make supply chains more efficient, enhanced efficiency under capitalism often leads to more production, not less. Efficiency gains can reduce costs, make goods more profitable and stimulate greater investment. Energy-saving lightbulbs and digital tools, for example, have led to broader adoption and higher overall energy use, rather than a decrease in energy demand.
Better tech alone won’t reduce environmental harm. We need a shift toward a low-energy economy that prioritises human and ecological wellbeing over profit.
Public transport, healthcare, open-source software and urban food systems are examples of social provision that are often cheaper, more inclusive and more environmentally sustainable than their profit-orientated alternatives.
Greening supply chains
I’ve identified five practical steps that can reduce the environmental footprint of supply chains.
First, accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewables is essential. The Danish Island of Samsø went from fossil fuel dependence to 100% renewable energy by the early 2000s in the space of a decade by constructing and deploying on- and off-shore wind-power and biomass boilers. Scaling up such transitions could power cleaner supply chain infrastructure.
Second, the electrification of shipping means that battery-powered shipping is no longer science fiction. The Yara Birkeland, the world’s first fully electric cargo ship, recently launched with a 100-container capacity. One study suggests that 40% of container traffic could be electrified this decade using existing technology.
Third, by designing for durability and repair, digital and electronic products can be built to last and easy to repair. The “right to repair” movement advocates for consumer rights to fix and repair products rather than having to buy new ones and is gaining traction.
It is challenging corporate control over who can fix what. Six US states have passed laws giving consumers the right to repair their own devices. In the UK, a community initiative called the Restart Project is pushing for stronger regulations and promoting community-based repair initiatives and digital technology sharing.
Designing products that last and can easily be repaired helps create a more circular and less wasteful economy. Natali Ximich/Shutterstock
Fourth, urban transport needs a rethink. Road transport accounts for about 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions. That sector could be streamlined by shifting supply chains from manufacturing millions of cars to investing in efficient and affordable bus, train and bike networks. Car-free cities and expanded electric public transport networks could slash emissions from road transport. This is already happening in places like Ghent in Belgium, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Lamu Island in Kenya and Fes el Bali in Morocco.
Fifth, supply chains can be shortened by shifting diets. Reducing meat consumption could shrink the global feed-livestock chain the vast complex of animal feed production (such as soy) underpinning the burgeoning world cattle population and its associated transport emissions.
Countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark have already seen declines in meat consumption over the past decade as plant-based diets have gained popularity. The UK is also experiencing a fall in per capita meat consumption
These strategies are all tiny steps in the right direction. But, as the US author and environmentalist Bill McKibben says, “winning slowly is the same as losing”. We need much greater and more rapid transformations.
So, while parts of supply chains can become more sustainable, any efforts will be counterproductive as long as governments and firms continue chasing endless economic growth. What’s needed now is the political and cultural will to prioritise people and the planet over profit.
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
Benjamin Selwyn 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.
Would you dab perfume on a six-month-old? Paint their tiny nails with polish that contains formaldehyde? Dust bronzer onto their cheeks?
An investigation by the Times has found that babies and toddlers are routinely exposed to adult cosmetic products, including fragranced sprays, nail polish and even black henna tattoos.
While these may sound harmless – or even Instagram-friendly – the science tells a more concerning story. Infant skin is biologically different from adult skin: it’s thinner, more absorbent and still developing. Exposure to certain products can lead to immediate problems like irritation or allergic reactions, and in some cases, may carry longer term health-risks such as hormone disruption.
This isn’t a new concern. A 2019 study found that every two hours in the US, a child was taken to hospital because of accidental exposure to cosmetic products.
Newborn skin has the same number of layers as adult skin but those layers are up to 30% thinner. That thinner barrier makes it easier for substances, including chemicals, to penetrate through to deeper tissues and the bloodstream.
Young skin also has a higher water content and produces less sebum (the natural oil that protects and moisturises the skin). This makes it more prone to water loss, dryness and irritation, particularly when exposed to fragrances or creams not formulated for infants.
The skin’s microbiome – its protective layer of beneficial microbes – also takes time to develop. By age three, a child’s skin finishes establishing its first microbiome. Before then, products applied to the skin can disrupt this delicate balance. At puberty, the skin’s structure and microbiome change again, altering how it responds to products.
The investigation found that bronzers and nail polish were being used on young children. These products often contain harmful or even carcinogenic chemicals, such as formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate.
Even low-level exposure to formaldehyde, such as from furniture or air pollution, has been linked to higher rates of lower respiratory infections in children (that’s infections affecting the lungs, airways and windpipe).
Irritating ingredients
In the US, one in three adults experiences skin or respiratory symptoms after exposure to fragranced products. If adults are reacting, it’s no surprise that newborns and children with their developing immune systems are at even greater risk.
Perfumes often contain alcohol and volatile compounds that dry out the skin, leading to redness, itching and discomfort.
Certain skincare ingredients have also been studied for their potential to affect hormones, trigger allergies or pose long-term health concerns:
alkylphenols used in detergents and cosmetics may disrupt hormone activity
benzophenone is found in many sunscreens and some forms may act as allergens and hormone disruptors.
While many of these ingredients are permitted in regulated concentrations, some researchers warn of a “cocktail effect”: the cumulative impact of daily exposure to multiple chemicals, especially in young, developing bodies.
Temporary tattoos, particularly black henna, are popular on holidays but they aren’t always safe. Black henna is a common cause of contact dermatitis in children and may contain para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a chemical approved for use in hair dyes but not for direct application to skin.
Products marketed as “natural” or “clean” can also cause allergic reactions. Propolis (bee glue), for instance, is found in many natural skincare products but causes contact dermatitis in up to 16% of children.
A study found an average of 4.5 contact allergens per product in “natural” skincare ranges. Out of 1,651 “natural” personal care products on the US market, only 96 (5.8%) were free from contact allergens. Even claims like “dermatologically tested” don’t guarantee safety; they simply mean the product was tested on skin, not that it’s free from allergens.
Babies and young children aren’t just miniature adults. Their skin is still developing and is more vulnerable to irritation, chemical absorption and systemic effects: substances that penetrate the skin can enter the bloodstream and potentially affect organs or biological systems throughout the body. Applying adult-targeted products, or even well-meaning “natural” alternatives, can therefore carry real risks.
Adverse reactions can appear as rashes, scaling or itchiness and, in severe cases, blistering or crusting. Respiratory symptoms like coughing or wheezing should always be investigated by a medical professional.
When in doubt, keep it simple. Limit what goes on your child’s skin, especially in the early years.
Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox.Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.
Adam Taylor 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.
Green tea and red wine may seem like simple dietary choices – but beneath the surface, they harbour compounds with remarkable medical potential. Scientists are uncovering how these everyday drinks might support cancer treatment, not by replacing conventional therapies like chemotherapy or radiotherapy, but by enhancing their effectiveness and reducing their side-effects.
The humble cup of green tea, first enjoyed in first-century China, has long been valued for its cultural significance and traditional health benefits. Tea has historically been used to combat ageing, protect the brain and heart, and aid weight loss. Today, researchers are uncovering a more profound capability – its potential to fight cancer.
The key lies in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a potent antioxidant found in this kind of tea. Antioxidants are protective molecules that help shield cells from damage caused by free radicals and environmental stress, but EGCG appears to do much more.
Cancer cells are notoriously disruptive, hijacking the body’s normal energy-systems to fuel their rapid growth. EGCG targets this very process, disrupting how cancer cells generate energy, and attacking the proteins that help tumours grow and divide. By targeting these proteins, it prevents cancer from multiplying, ultimately leading to cell death.
Even more promising is EGCG’s ability to enhance conventional treatments. Early studies suggest it could make cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, potentially reducing the need for high doses and their severe side-effects.
Red wine, too, offers compelling potential, thanks to a substance called resveratrol. This compound is found in red grapes, blueberries and peanuts, and has been shown to support the heart, liver and brain. Interestingly, resveratrol works through mechanisms distinct from EGCG.
Rather than targeting cancer cells directly, resveratrol focuses on the tumour’s environment. Cancer cells cleverly surround themselves with blood vessels and supportive tissue, creating a protective fortress that aids growth and spread. Resveratrol disrupts this structure, making tumours vulnerable to conventional treatments.
The compound also enhances the immune system’s ability to recognise and attack cancer cells more effectively. Perhaps most significantly, resveratrol prevents tumours from forming new blood vessels – the lifelines they need to obtain nutrients for growth. Without this blood supply, tumours become starved and eventually die.
The cancer-fighting compound resveratrol can be found in red wine. It is especially high in tannat wines. Nikolaj Sribyanik/Shutterstock.com
Beyond the glass
The potential of natural cancer-fighting compounds extends far beyond our favourite beverages. Apigenin, found in parsley, can slow tumour growth, while turmeric contains curcumin, which disrupts cancer-cell survival. And emodin, found in aloe vera and rhubarb, reduces inflammation and inhibits cancer growth.
However, scientists face a significant challenge: many of these natural substances are poorly absorbed by the body. Research in this area is currently focused on developing enhanced delivery systems, such as wrapping the compounds in tiny lipids called nanoparticles. This approach protects the substances and increases their effectiveness against tumours.
The absorption of natural substances are further improved by mixing compounds with each other such as piperine with curcumin. Piperine is found in black pepper and helps curcumin based nanoparticles to have better bioavailabilty in cancer therapy.
While the research remains in its early stages, the possibility that everyday foods and drinks could one day support cancer treatment represents a fascinating frontier in medical science.
So the next time you reach for a cup of green tea or a glass of red wine, consider this: you may be doing more than relaxing – you could be reinforcing your body’s natural defences against cancer.
Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox.Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.
Ahmed Elbediwy does 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.
Nadine Wehida 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.
There’s something oddly luxurious about a lie-in. The sun filters through the curtains, the alarm clock is blissfully silent, and your body stays at rest. Yet lie-ins are often treated as indulgences, sometimes framed as laziness or a slippery slope to soft living.
When the holidays arrive and alarm clocks are switched off, or are set later, something else emerges: your body reclaims sleep. Not just more of it, but deeper, richer and more restorative sleep. Anatomically and neurologically, a lie-in might be exactly what your body needs to recover and recalibrate.
Throughout the working year, it’s common to accumulate a chronic sleep debt – a shortfall in the sleep the body biologically needs, night after night. And the body keeps score.
On holiday, freed from early starts and late-night emails, our internal systems seize the opportunity to rebalance. It’s not uncommon to sleep an hour or two longer per night in the first few days away. That’s not laziness; it’s recovery.
Importantly, holiday sleep doesn’t just extend in duration. It shifts in structure. With fewer disturbances and less external pressure, sleep cycles become more regular, and we often experience more slow-wave sleep – the deepest phase, linked to physical healing and immune support.
The body uses this window not only to repair tissue but also to regulate metabolism, dial down inflammation and restore energy reserves.
Our sleep-wake cycle is governed by circadian rhythms, which are controlled by the brain’s master clock – the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus. These rhythms respond to light, temperature and routine. And when we’re overworked or overstimulated, they can drift out of sync with our environment.
A lie-in allows your circadian system to recalibrate, aligning internal time with actual daylight. This re-training leads to more coherent sleep cycles and better daytime alertness.
Holiday lie-ins also owe something to the drop in stress hormones. Cortisol, released by the adrenal glands, follows a diurnal pattern, peaking in the early morning to get us going.
Chronic stress – from work demands, commuting or constant notifications – can raise cortisol levels and disrupt this rhythm. When you take time off, cortisol production normalises. Waking up without a jolt of adrenaline allows the sleep architecture (the pattern of sleep stages) to stabilise, leading to fewer interruptions and more restful nights.
One of the more striking features of holiday sleep is a surge in vivid dreaming – sometimes unsettlingly so. This is because of a phenomenon called REM rebound. When we’re sleep-deprived, the brain suppresses REM (rapid eye movement) sleep to prioritise deep, restorative phases.
Once the pressure lifts – say, during a lazy week in the sun – the brain makes up for lost REM, leading to longer and more intense dream episodes. Far from frivolous, REM sleep is crucial for memory consolidation, mood regulation and cognitive flexibility.
Sleep also affects your body’s structure. When you lie down, your spine gets a break from the constant pressure of gravity. During the day, as you stand and move around, the intervertebral discs – soft, cushion-like pads between the vertebrae – slowly lose fluid and become slightly flatter. A lie-in gives these discs more time to rehydrate and return to their normal shape. That’s why you’re a little taller in the morning – and even more so after a long sleep.
Meanwhile, microtears in muscles, strained ligaments and overworked joints benefit from prolonged periods of cellular repair, especially during deep sleep stages.
Should we all be sleeping in every weekend? Not necessarily. While occasional lie-ins can help with recovery from acute sleep deprivation, habitual oversleeping –especially beyond nine hours a night – can be a red flag. It’s associated in some studies with higher rates of depression, heart disease and early death. Although long sleep might be a symptom, not a cause.
That said, the occasional lie-in remains anatomically restorative, especially when aligned with your body’s natural chronotype – a biological predisposition that determines when you feel most alert and when you feel naturally inclined to sleep.
Some people are naturally “larks”, who rise early and function best in the morning. Others are “owls”, who tend to feel sleepy late and wake later, with their peak cognitive and physical performance occurring in the afternoon or evening. Many fall somewhere in between.
Chronotype is governed by the same internal circadian system that regulates sleep-wake cycles, and it appears to be strongly influenced by genetics, age and light exposure. Adolescents typically have later chronotypes, while older adults often revert to earlier ones.
Crucially, chronotype doesn’t just affect sleep. It also plays a role in hormone release, body temperature, digestive timing and mental alertness throughout the day.
Conflict arises when social expectations, such as early work or school start times, force people, especially night owls, to adopt sleep-wake schedules that are out of sync with their biology. This mismatch, known as social jetlag, can lead to persistent tiredness, mood changes and even long-term health risks.
So if you find yourself sleeping in until 9 or 10am on the third day of your holiday, don’t berate yourself. Your body is taking the opportunity to repair, replenish and rebalance. The anatomical systems involved – from your brainstem to your adrenal glands, your intervertebral discs to your dream-rich REM phases – are doing what they’re designed to do when finally given the time.
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Michelle Spear 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.
