Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) introduced the Revising and Enhancing Project Authorizations Impacted by Review (REPAIR) Act that would protect the permitting process for U.S. energy, manufacturing and critical infrastructure projects from frivolous litigation.
“Off-shore energy projects face stiff headwinds in America,” said Crapo. “As we move toward greater American energy independence, the REPAIR Act would reduce the threat of frivolous lawsuits during the permitting and review process for new projects that can tie up proposals for years. Advancing this bill is an important step in furthering President Trump’s domestic energy agenda.”
“Critical domestic energy, natural resource and manufacturing projects have been blocked by activist litigation for far too long, forcing the U.S. to rely on countries like China for resources available in our own backyard,” said Risch. “The REPAIR Act would close judicial loopholes and eliminate years of unnecessary litigation that have hindered our ability to harness our own natural resources.”
“Green activist groups have a pattern. They manipulate the legal system to keep infrastructure and energy projects in legal purgatory,” said Cassidy. “Let’s end this and get the project moving again. It’s the only way to unleash American energy!”
The REPAIR Act would make many vital changes to the judicial review of an approved permit by ensuring all laws related to permitting have the same review process, scope of adjudication, rules for standing and statute of limitations. The bill would remove the ability to file a suit based on the National Environmental Policy Act, instead focusing lawsuits on the statute for which the permit was issued. In the case of a judicial remand or other court action, the REPAIR Act would establish a mediation process that allows the project developer and the permit-issuing agency to directly address the challenge and enable the project to move forward. Additionally, the bill would increase transparency in ongoing court challenges to permits to highlight the unnecessary delays caused by the judicial process.
The legislation is supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Petroleum Institute, ClearPath, the National Mining Association and Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES).
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Letter Text (PDF)
Massachusetts has received more than 181,000 requests for heating assistance so far this fiscal year
Washington (April 14, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, led all members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation—Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representatives Richard Neal (MA-01), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Ayanna Presley (MA-07), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), and Bill Keating (MA-09)—in writing to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr., on the sudden termination of the federal staff responsible for administering the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the impacts to Massachusetts families who depend on the program to stay safe, healthy, and housed.
Massachusetts has received more than 181,000 requests for heating assistance so far this fiscal year, with more than 110,000 households already served through March 31. First-time applicants have also surged: more than 27,000 Massachusetts households applied for LIHEAP for the first time this fiscal year, 8 percent more than last year at this point. More than 58 percent of households served so far include at least one elderly member, more than 33 percent include individuals with disabilities, more than 6,500 include a veteran or active-duty military member, and more than 11,500 include young children under age five. Critically, Massachusetts is still waiting on HHS to release the remaining estimated 10 percent of FY2025 LIHEAP funds.
In the letter the lawmakers write, “Over the past decade, Massachusetts energy prices have risen two to three times more than the national average. This winter alone, rate increases in Massachusetts hit families hard, with some energy bills doubling over the heating season. In Boston, residents face some of the highest heating costs among cities nationwide. This means that many Massachusetts families are struggling to pay their utility bills.”
The lawmakers continue, “Although LIHEAP is structured as a block grant administered primarily by states, federal staff provide essential technical assistance—from calculating the complicated allocation formula and distributing block grant funds, to guiding new state LIHEAP directors, reviewing and approving state plans, and monitoring state program implementation. This is not red tape, it is essential governance. Despite serving more than 5 million households nationwide, the entire federal LIHEAP team consisted of only 25 staff—an example of efficient, high-impact federal support.”
The lawmakers request answers by May 1, 2025, to questions that include:
How does HHS plan to preserve the continuity of LIHEAP operations nationwide?
How does HHS plan to ensure that states such as Massachusetts can timely access the remaining FY2025 LIHEAP funds appropriated by Congress?
With the termination of the LIHEAP staff, who within HHS is now responsible for the program’s operation?
Does HHS intend to restore the terminated positions or provide an equivalent staffing structure before the 2025–2026 heating season begins?
What measures will HHS implement to ensure communications with state program administrators on vendor enrollment, rule changes, and reporting compliance?
Has HHS consulted — formally or informally — with state LIHEAP administrators or community action agencies about these staff terminations, either before or after they occurred?
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Note: The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports. SEL8
URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 138 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 325 PM EDT Mon Apr 14 2025
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of Central and Eastern Kentucky Southern Ohio Far Southwestern Pennsylvania Southwestern Virginia West Virginia
* Effective this Monday afternoon and evening from 325 PM until 1100 PM EDT.
* Primary threats include… Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2 inches in diameter possible A tornado or two possible
SUMMARY…Thunderstorms coverage is expected to increase over the next few hours along and ahead of a cold front pushing eastward across the region. Environmental conditions support strong to severe storms. An initially cellular mode will favor large hail and damaging gusts before a transition to a more linear storm mode favors primarily damaging gusts.
The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 80 statute miles north and south of a line from 30 miles west of Lexington KY to 60 miles north northeast of White Sulphur Springs WV. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU8).
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes.
&&
AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector 24040.
…Mosier
Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas. SAW8 WW 138 SEVERE TSTM KY OH PA VA WV 141925Z – 150300Z AXIS..80 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE.. 30W LEX/LEXINGTON KY/ – 60NNE SSU/WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS WV/ ..AVIATION COORDS.. 70NM N/S /21ESE IIU – 22SSE EKN/ HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS. MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24040.
LAT…LON 39188515 39747990 37417990 36878515
THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS FOR WOU8.
Watch 138 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.
Note: Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes
Probability of 2 or more tornadoes
Low (20%)
Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes
Low (5%)
Wind
Probability of 10 or more severe wind events
Mod (60%)
Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots
Low (20%)
Hail
Probability of 10 or more severe hail events
Mod (40%)
Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches
Mod (30%)
Combined Severe Hail/Wind
Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events
High (90%)
For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.
According to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive[1], prior to granting consent for such projects, it is up to Member States to determine whether an EIA is necessary, based on a case-by-case analysis or by setting specific criteria[2]. Such an assessment, if required, will consider the impacts of the projects on cultural heritage and environmental aspects.
The Commission does not verify whether individual building permits comply with the relevant national legislation. Without prejudice to the Commission’s role as guardian of the Treaties, it is primarily the responsibility of the Greek authorities to ensure that projects are developed in full compliance with EU law.
In parallel, the Commission prioritises its enforcement efforts on cases pointing to a systemic breach of EU law[3]. For instance, the Commission ensures that the national legal framework complies with EU legislation by checking the transposition of directives, which it has done for the EIA Directive.
The Commission also prioritises infringements preventing national judicial systems from ensuring effective enforcement of EU law or showing a persistent failure by a Member State to apply EU law correctly, with sufficient evidence of a general practice.
Funding possibilities are available under the EU Cohesion Policy Funds[4],[5]. Under the shared management and subsidiarity principles governing these funds, project selection and implementation fall under the responsibility of the Member State. No financial support has been provided by the Cohesion Policy funds for this project.
There is a relevant reform[6] included in the Greek Recovery and Resilience Plan[7]. There are also funding opportunities through the EU programme for the environment and climate action[8].
[1] Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, p. 1-21, as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014, OJ L 124, 25.4.2014, p. 1-18.
[2] such as the location, size or type of project.
[3] As set out in the communication of 19 January 2017 (EU law: Better results through better application — C/2016/8600, OJ C 18, 19.1.2017, p. 10-20) and in the communication of 13 October 2022 COM(2022) 518 final — Enforcing EU law for a Europe that delivers.
NREL Teams Up With iUnit To Advance Lower Cost Modular Housing
NREL researcher Shanti Pless introduces visitors to the NREL Research Block, which currently hosts iUnit Communities’ modular apartment prototype, shown behind Pless. Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL
Recently, Shanti Pless stood on a windswept hillside and listed some of the issues that come with leaky envelopes. While that phrase may conjure surreal images of damp greeting cards, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researcher was actually explaining the problems that arise when too much air can escape a building through its walls, windows, doors, and other openings.
“You’re paying money to heat and cool your space,” Pless explained. “A leaky envelope allows conditioned inside air to escape and outdoor air to enter. This makes it harder to maintain a stable indoor temperature, which leads to less efficient buildings and increased utility bills.”
To improve building efficiency, Pless and NREL’s Industrialized Construction Innovation (ICI) team have partnered with Virginia housing developer iUnit Communities, using iUnit’s modular apartment prototype as a testing ground. NREL hosts the 380-square-foot prototype, which features a supertight building envelope, high-performance heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and affordable appliances, on that windswept hillside on the laboratory’s South Table Mountain Campus in Golden, Colorado. Here, researchers conduct field tests to measure the prototype’s performance and efficiency. Through this research, the ICI team studies how methods like automation, factory construction, and prefabrication can deliver affordable, reliable, energy-efficient residential buildings—while enhancing the U.S. construction workforce.
Greater Performance, Lower Costs
The high costs of housing and energy are enough to keep many consumers up at night. Addressing these challenges requires innovative housing solutions that reduce costs and improve building performance.
“How do we create housing that is efficient and therefore truly affordable?” iUnit founder Brice Leconte asked.
That question inspired Leconte to found iUnit Communities, which develops and manages residential communities focused on smart living, energy efficiency, and modern design. iUnit’s first apartment community, Eliot Flats in Denver, consists of 40 studio and one-bedroom units. Each unit was built in a factory and fully integrated with energy-efficient HVAC and water systems, as well as the capability to access hybrid energy sources, before being delivered to the Eliot Flats site and assembled into a three-story apartment building.
iUnit’s approach is unique for several reasons: First, the iUnit community model can function as a microgrid, meaning the structures can be equipped to generate and store energy. This capability reduces reliance on the traditional grid, enhancing resilience against power outages and lowering energy costs for residents. Those energy-generating features are integrated into the unit when it is constructed in the factory, which means that each unit arrives on-site fully equipped and move-in ready.
The prototype on the NREL campus is the same type as those that make up iUnit’s first community, the 40-unit Eliot Flats in Denver. Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL
“Because we’re working in a controlled environment, we can deliver a turnkey product,” Leconte explained. “Much like a car rolls off the assembly line ready to drive, our homes are ready to use upon delivery.”
Finally, building the units in the controlled environment of a factory allows iUnit to standardize its construction processes, improve quality control, and reduce costs—which makes the homes more affordable to renters.
“By integrating modular design and factory-built systems, we can streamline construction, maximize savings, and boost housing supply,” said NREL researcher Nick Cindrich, who also works on the iUnit project. “This ensures more affordable, high-performance housing options for those who need them most.”
NREL and iUnit Join Forces
Around the same time iUnit built the Eliot Flats community, Leconte connected with Shanti Pless at a conference, and the two decided to join forces to use an iUnit studio as a testing ground for cost-effective, modular construction methods and energy-efficient housing. Leconte agreed to provide the studio—the same as those at Eliot Flats—and Pless and the ICI team agreed to conduct the research.
The iUnit prototype arrived at the South Table Mountain Campus in 2017 and was housed in NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF), where the ICI team studied the efficiency of the unit’s integrated heat pump system and advanced smart and grid-interactive controls. iUnit incorporated lessons from this research into production of newer studios. In 2019, the team moved the prototype out of the climate-controlled environment of ESIF to the campus’s Research Block. At this new location, the team has been performing field tests to understand how real-world conditions impact the prototype’s energy performance.
iUnit provided NREL with a 380-square-foot studio apartment prototype, shown here at NREL’s Research Block. NREL’s Industrialized Construction Innovation team uses the unit as a testing ground for innovative, energy-efficient building technologies. Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL
Most recently, the team investigated the iUnit prototype’s air infiltration and thermal performance—technical terms for determining the leakiness of a building envelope. Over the course of a year, the team pumped carbon dioxide (CO2) into the unit and used sensors to measure the CO2‘s decay, or how much the CO2 decreased, which indicated how much outside air leaked into the unit under varying weather conditions.
“If CO2 levels drop quickly, it means lots of outside air is entering and indoor air is escaping, indicating a leaky building envelope,” Pless explained. “If the level drops slowly, the space is more airtight, with less unwanted airflow. Data like this will give us valuable insights into how to optimize air barriers and improve our energy modeling tools.”
Inside the iUnit prototype, the ICI team is studying the unit’s air infiltration and thermal performance, which impact the unit’s air quality and energy efficiency. Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL
The ICI team uses the results of field experiments like these to help developers and factories adopt energy-efficient modular construction practices. These methods help improve energy efficiency, lower construction costs, and expand access to high-performance, affordable homes nationwide.
NREL is also developing and testing virtual construction training and testing spaces called Immersive Industrialized Construction Environments, in which workers and machines collaborate to make construction faster, safer, and more productive. By training workers in this immersive environment, the program makes learning about automation and energy-efficient construction more accessible, scalable, and safer.
A Win for Workers, Property Owners, and Residents
In addition to enhancing energy efficiency and affordability, industrialized construction has the potential to transform the construction workforce. By creating jobs in a factory setting, industrialized construction offers workers safe working conditions and new career options in a rapidly evolving industry. Factory-built construction offers a solution: Instead of battling the elements on a construction site, workers carry out their tasks in a controlled setting. That controlled setting facilitates standardized processes, enabling employers to offer training in advanced building technologies.
“iUnit exemplifies this approach by designing housing units that are fully equipped with heating, cooling, and energy systems before they leave the factory,” Pless said. “This not only streamlines construction; it creates demand for a skilled workforce trained in energy-efficient building, automation, and smart home technology. It’s a win-win.”
Visit ourIndustrialized Construction Innovation pageto learn more about NREL’s research.
[. Alberta’s government continues to allocate funding in a responsible way that respects taxpayer dollars, while putting Alberta on the global stage with cutting-edge research and innovation.
Through Budget 2025, Alberta’s government is investing $100 million over three years to turn the 56-year-old Biological Sciences Building at the University of Alberta into a world-leading STEM and life sciences research and education hub.
The Biological Sciences building will be transformed into the Life Sciences Innovation and Future Technologies (LIFT) Centre, a dynamic and shared laboratory complex where researchers, students and industry partners can work together to solve the most urgent problems facing Alberta and the broader world. The facility is expected to double much-needed laboratory spaces for hands-on experimentation and increase access to high-demand programs across the university.
“We are committed to strengthening our world-class post-secondary education system to ensure that the workforce we develop today can compete in the economic realities of tomorrow. This investment will double the Faculty of Science’s lab space, solidify the university’s reputation as top destination for students and researchers, and help prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.”
The project will be built in five phases and enable the University of Alberta to double the number of laboratory seats from 1,600 to 3,200, allowing for almost 2,500 new domestic students to access undergraduate programs in the faculties of Science, and Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences. There will also be about 700 additional graduate student spaces.
“This significant investment in the Biological Sciences Building will empower more University of Alberta students to enter the health and life sciences and STEM fields, which are in high demand in our growing economy. This new facility will foster cutting-edge research, collaboration with industry and innovative ideas that will help students build the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow.”
The complete redevelopment of the Biological Sciences Building will create Canada’s preeminent home for cutting-edge life sciences education, research, discovery and experiential learning, right here in Alberta. Through investments like the LIFT Centre, Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge of a growing population and building the workforce Alberta needs, today and in the future.
“This substantial investment will advance Alberta as a global leader in STEM and life sciences research and education. It’s an exciting time at the university, as this investment enhances our position as an internationally renowned centre of innovation and knowledge and increases our capacity to educate the next generation of leaders and changemakers.”
Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.
Quick Facts
The Biological Sciences Building has not received any major renovations since its construction in 1969.
The funding will include major retrofitting and updating of complex utilities, controlled environments and advanced safety features.
The scope of the project includes renovations on level 4, level 5, level 10 (including mezzanine) and level 11 (including mezzanine) within the Zoology Wing to transform the space into a wet laboratory space.
When completed, the newly named LIFT Centre is expected to double the number of lab spaces to 3,200.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Mark Alford (R-MO) alongside U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) led a bicameral group of colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, and Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Lee Zeldin.
In the letter, the lawmakers call for the use of sound science and risk-based analysis as the MAHA Commission finalizes its work, particularly on crop protection tools, biotechnology, and food- and feed-grade ingredients.
The lawmakers write, “We write to express our strong appreciation for your leadership and interest in working with each of you to ensure America has the healthiest people in the world. In recent decades, chronic illness rates have risen. This warrants our careful scrutiny to support better health outcomes. It is essential that policies supported by sound science and risk-based analyses are used to accomplish this goal.”
“We have concerns that environmentalists are advancing harmful health, economic, or food security policies under the guise of human health,” the letter continues. “Despite insinuations to the contrary, regular testing by FDA and USDA finds that more than 99% of all pesticide residues meet extremely conservative limits established by EPA according to the best available science,”
Read the full letter HERE or below.
Dear Secretary Kennedy, Secretary Rollins, and Administrator Zeldin:
We write to express our strong appreciation for your leadership and interest in working with each of you to ensure America has the healthiest people in the world. In recent decades, chronic illness rates have risen. This warrants our careful scrutiny and to support better health outcomes. It is essential that policies supported by sound science and risk-based analyses are used to accomplish this goal.
We also urge you to safeguard the work of the Make America Healthy Again Commission (Commission) from activist groups promoting misguided and sometimes even malicious policies masquerading as health solutions. The influence of these groups in the Commission would result in shoddy science; a less abundant, less affordable food supply; greater reliance on foreign adversaries for our food; diminished U.S. agricultural production and manufacturing; and, ultimately, poorer health outcomes.
President Trump recently stated environmental activists were holding the economic prosperity of our country hostage. We now have concerns that they are seeking to influence the work of the Commission to advance their agenda. For decades activist groups have tried to ban safe, well-regulated agricultural inputs by any means necessary. Without these products, yields and quality are negatively impacted by otherwise avoidable insects, fungus, weeds, and other pest pressures. This drives up food prices for American consumers and forces reliance of food imports.
The same groups have seized upon the Commission’s work as an opportunity to misrepresent the science on common food and feed categories or ingredients, such as plant-based oils. These inputs are subject to a robust, risk-based regulatory system which focuses on protecting human health. Unfounded accusations harm the U.S. farmers who grow our food, upend food and feed supply chains, and significantly increase grocery food prices – all without public health benefit.
We have concerns that environmentalists are advancing harmful health, economic, or food security policies under the guise of human health. Despite insinuations to the contrary, regular testing by FDA and USDA finds that more than 99% of all pesticide residues meet extremely conservative limits established by EPA according to the best available science.
We applaud the Commission’s desire to improve the health and well-being of Americans. We implore you to ensure policy decisions are grounded in sound science and risk-based analyses. With unity, we can protect American agricultural producers from environmental activists’ attacks on proven-safe inputs critical to their profitability and long-term viability while promoting positive health outcomes.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Garcia California (42nd District)
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) and Congressman Jay Obernolte (CA-23) announced the introduction of the bipartisan Cutting Lead Exposure and Aviation Relief (CLEAR) Skies Act to protect the health of communities near airports by reducing harmful lead emissions from aviation fuel and accelerating the transition to unleaded alternatives. The full text of the CLEAR Skies Act can be found here.
“As the former Mayor of Long Beach, we led efforts to create a more sustainable airport and supported federal efforts to lower emissions that impact neighboring communities,” said Congressman Garcia. “Harmful emissions from leaded airplane fuel continue to pollute the air in neighborhoods near airports, putting children and families at risk. This bill will help accelerate the adoption of cleaner and safer aviation fuel.”
“As both a pilot and a representative of a district that is at the forefront of aviation and technological innovation, I’m proud to lead the CLEAR Skies Act alongside Congressman Robert Garcia,” said Congressman Obernolte. “This bill is more than just a commitment to cleaner skies—it is smart policy that drives innovation and safeguards public health. By incentivizing the production of unleaded aviation gasoline, we are not only reducing harmful lead emissions but also empowering American businesses to lead in sustainable aviation technology. It’s a win-win for both our environment and our economy.”
The CLEAR Skies Act will support the aviation industry’s transition away from leaded gasoline by creating a federal production tax credit to reduce the cost of unleaded aviation gas. In November 2024, the City of Long Beach approved a new subsidy program of up to $200,000 in reimbursements to offset unleaded fuel costs for general aviation users, funded by airport revenues. The American Association of Airport Executives has endorsed this bill.
Congressman Garcia has been a strong advocate for climate and environmental justice and is proud to expand investments in sustainable technologies for the future. Last Congress, Congressman Garcia introduced a bill to address port pollution and champion environmental justice for local port communities impacted by shipping emissions. In October, Congressman Garcia sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to add Exide Technologies, Inc. to the National Priorities List (NPL) for a Superfund designation to facilitate a long-term comprehensive cleanup of the affected communities and to secure environmental justice for the residents of Southeast Los Angeles. As Mayor of the City of Long Beach, his signature ballot initiative, Measure A, launched the largest infrastructure repair program in a generation, promoting good-paying union jobs.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lauren Boebert (Colorado, 3)
WASHINGTON D.C.– Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04) and Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08) have introduced theConservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Improvement Actto help ranchers and farmers receive a fairer payment structure from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and responsibly manage water resources in agricultural areas. U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper of Colorado and Dr. Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran of Kansas will be introducing the bipartisan companion bill in the U.S. Senate.
As ranchers and farmers voluntarily retire farm acreage to comply with conservation requirements, the USDA has supplied CREP participants with payments to make agriculture leaders whole. The CREP Improvement Act makes adjustments to the payment structure that incentivizes more farmers and ranchers to participate and reforms the payment formula to apply retroactively to water and conservation agreements.
“Our ranchers and farmers are doing everything they can to conserve water while continuing to provide for their families and communities, but the current agreement with the USDA badly needs reform,” said Congresswoman Boebert.“Our CREP Improvement Act has support from both sides of the aisle and is driven by local stakeholders in Colorado who deserve a fair payment structure for retiring their land and ensuring a sustainable future for agriculture interests. This will be a win for ranchers and farmers in Colorado and across America, and I look forward to working with Rep. Evans, and Senators Bennet, Hickenlooper, Marshall, and Moran to pass this legislation through Congress.”
“The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Improvement (CREP) Act gives Colorado’s hardworking farmers and ranchers a path forward, allowing them the flexibility to voluntarily cut back on water use while keeping our working lands productive. This bill is a smart, bipartisan step toward protecting Colorado’s water and ensuring our agricultural communities remain sustainable for generations to come,” said Congressman Evans.
“The Colorado Farm Bureau welcomes the reintroduction of the CREP Improvement Act in the House by Congresswoman Boebert. By removing the $50,000 payment limitation, the playing field for additive water conservation and stewardship will be expanded. We’re grateful for the continued leadership of our Colorado delegation on this bill,” said Carlyle Currier, President of the Colorado Farm Bureau.
“The proposed improvements to the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program are a significant step forward for agricultural communities, especially in eastern Colorado. By increasing flexibility, enhancing incentives, and recognizing the unique needs of our region, this bipartisan legislation supports water conservation, strengthens rural economies, and helps ensure the next generation can thrive in agriculture,” said Rod Lenz, President of the Republican River Water Conservation District.“We appreciate our lawmakers’ continued leadership and commitment to working with producers to protect our most vital resource: water.”
“We support creating flexibility in the CREP program to reflect local environmental conditions and to meet unique regional conservation goals,”said Chad Franke, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union President.“These modifications will allow farmers and rural economies to better manage our most precious resource, water. We thank Senators Bennet, Marshall, Hickenlooper, and Moran as well as Representative Boebert for hearing our concerns and for bringing forward the CREP Improvement Act.”
The full text of the bill can be foundHERE.
Background:
The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Improvement Act addresses the unfair payment structure currently used by USDA to compensate ranchers and farmers who have voluntarily retired farmland from production to meet conservation goals and concerns. The bill also expands the types of crops that can be retired and eligible for CREP payments as well as increasing flexibility for how ranchers and farmers can utilize dryland CREP acreage where appropriate.
TheCREP Improvement Act includes:
Explicitly directing USDA to allow dryland agricultural uses on CREP acreage where appropriate;
Specifically adding dryland crop production and grazing to the list of appropriate conservation practices for the CREP program;
Allowing continuous cropping systems, like alfalfa, to be eligible for drought and water conservation CREP agreements;
Ensuring fairer payments to producers by stipulating that annual payments for drought and water conservation CREP agreements will be equal to the difference between the irrigated acre payment rates and the dryland acre payment rates, as determined by USDA. And ensuring that any drought and water conservation agreement that includes the permanent retirement of a water right receives the full irrigated acre payment rate;
Making the payment formula retroactive for existing drought and water conservation agreements;
Letting producers choose their payment allocations under the program, instead of a fixed payment per year for the 10-15 year contract period; and
Waiving CREP payments from the $50,000 annual payment limitation under the Conservation Reserve Program.
Supportive stakeholders include the Republican River Water Conservation District, the Colorado Farm Bureau, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, and the Rio Grande Water Conservation District.
Today, the Water Security Agency announced it would be proactively self-declaring the Westside Irrigation Rehabilitation Project (WIRP) for a provincial environmental assessment.
“The Water Security Agency is committed to ensuring the environment is protected as this project develops through the provincial environmental assessment process,” Minister Responsible for the Water Security Agency Daryl Harrison said. “We are committed to engaging with rights holders and stakeholders in an open and transparent way and this formalizes the work that we have started.”
Baseline data collection and the planning and design work will go into a proposal, which is then submitted to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment. Collecting feedback with rights holders and stakeholders through various engagements will help incorporate their input into the design of the project as part of the environmental assessment.
“Irrigation Saskatchewan is pleased to see this project moving forward and the government’s commitment to doing it in the right way,” Irrigation Saskatchewan Chair David Bagshaw said. “Our members are producers and strong stewards of the land they farm, and we believe in responsible irrigation expansion while protecting the environment.”
Announced in July 2024, the planning and engineering design work for WIRP is being worked on by Prairie Engineering Partners, a joint venture from Stantec and MPE engineering firms. Baseline work was commissioned as part of the environmental assessment field work for both aquatic and terrestrial components, including water quality and quantity.
WIRP has the potential to add 100,000 acres of irrigated land. A recent analysis of the 100,000 acre project was done by KPMG LLP. It shows an increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $5.9 billion while generating over 30,000 jobs (person years of employment) and 9,500 jobs during the construction phase.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)
MIDLAND, TX — On Tuesday, April 15th, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) will host U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Scott Mason, and Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (ND-At-large), a fellow member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, in the Permian Basin for an oil and gas site visit and roundtable with producers, local leaders, stakeholders, and EPA officials.
Following the site visit and producer roundtable, Rep. Pfluger will host a press conference to update the media on the efforts of the Trump Administration, Congress, and the EPA to cut the burdensome red tape previously imposed on the Permian Basin by the Biden Administration.
WHO: Congressman Pfluger, Congresswoman Fedorchak, EPA Regional Administrator Scott Mason, and other local leaders possible
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mark Alford (Missouri 4th District)
Today, Congressmen Mark Alford (R-MO-04) and Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04), along with Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Deb Fischer (R-NE), led a bicameral group of colleagues in sending a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. In the letter, the members call for the use of sound science and risk-based analysis as the MAHA Commission finalizes its work, particularly on crop protection tools and food-grade ingredients. The letter states:
“We write to express our strong appreciation for your leadership and interest in working with each of you to ensure America has the healthiest people in the world. In recent decades, chronic illness rates have risen. This warrants our careful scrutiny to support better health outcomes. It is essential that policies supported by sound science and risk-based analyses are used to accomplish this goal.”
“We have concerns that environmentalists are advancing harmful health, economic, or food security policies under the guise of human health,” the letter continues. “Despite insinuations to the contrary, regular testing by FDA and USDA finds that more than 99% of all pesticide residues meet extremely conservative limits established by EPA according to the best available science.”
In addition to Congressmen Alford and Feenstra, the letter was also signed by Reps. Mike Flood (R-NE-01), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Adrian Smith (R-NE-03), Michael Baumgartner (R-WA-05), Jack Bergman (R-MI-01), Mike Bost (R-IL-12), James Comer (R-KY-01), Troy Downing (R-MT-02), Jake Ellzey (R-TX-06), Gabe Evans (R-CO-08), Mike Ezell (R-MS-04), Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04), Mark Alford (R-MO-04), Vince Fong (R-CA-20), Michael Guest (R-MS-03), Dusty Johnson (R-SD-AL), David Kustoff (R-TN-08), Darin LaHood (R-IL-16), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), Frank Lucas (R-OK-03), Tracy Mann (R-KS-01), Mark Messmer (R-IN-08), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-01), Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), Mike Rogers (R-AL-03), Derek Schmidt (R-KS-02), Austin Scott (R-GA-08), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN-06), Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24), David Valadao (R-CA-22), and Ann Wagner (R-MO-02).
The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Jim Justice (R-WV), Jim Risch (R-ID), Todd Young (R-IN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Mike Rounds (R-SD).
Read the full letter here or below:
Dear Secretary Kennedy, Secretary Rollins, and Administrator Zeldin:
We write to express our strong appreciation for your leadership and interest in working with each of you to ensure America has the healthiest people in the world. In recent decades, chronic illness rates have risen. This warrants our careful scrutiny and to support better health outcomes. It is essential that policies supported by sound science and risk-based analyses are used to accomplish this goal.
We also urge you to safeguard the work of the Make America Healthy Again Commission (Commission) from activist groups promoting misguided and sometimes even malicious policies masquerading as health solutions. The influence of these groups in the Commission would result in shoddy science; a less abundant, less affordable food supply; greater reliance on foreign adversaries for our food; diminished U.S. agricultural production and manufacturing; and, ultimately, poorer health outcomes.
President Trump recently stated environmental activists were holding the economic prosperity of our country hostage. We now have concerns that they are seeking to influence the work of the Commission to advance their agenda. For decades activist groups have tried to ban safe, well-regulated agricultural inputs by any means necessary. Without these products, yields and quality are negatively impacted by otherwise avoidable insects, fungus, weeds, and other pest pressures. This drives up food prices for American consumers and forces reliance of food imports.
The same groups have seized upon the Commission’s work as an opportunity to misrepresent the science on common food and feed categories or ingredients, such as plant-based oils. These inputs are subject to a robust, risk-based regulatory system which focuses on protecting human health. Unfounded accusations harm the U.S. farmers who grow our food, upend food and feed supply chains, and significantly increase grocery food prices – all without public health benefit.
We have concerns that environmentalists are advancing harmful health, economic, or food security policies under the guise of human health. Despite insinuations to the contrary, regular testing by FDA and USDA finds that more than 99% of all pesticide residues meet extremely conservative limits established by EPA according to the best available science.
We applaud the Commission’s desire to improve the health and well-being of Americans. We implore you to ensure policy decisions are grounded in sound science and risk-based analyses. With unity, we can protect American agricultural producers from environmental activists’ attacks on proven-safe inputs critical to their profitability and long-term viability while promoting positive health outcomes.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine looks at CT scans and lifetime cancer risk in the USA.
Lynda Johnson, Professional Officer for Clinical Imaging and Radiation Protection, The Society and College of Radiographers, said:
“The Society and College of Radiographers (SoR) welcomes research into the harmful effects of ionising radiation and recognises the importance of balancing benefit and risk information to patients and the public.
“This paper articulates the complexities of large-scale dose estimation and acknowledges the many variables which influence an individual’s likelihood of developing cancer at some point in their lifetime. In the UK, the use of ionising radiation is governed by The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018). Central to the legislation and UK radiographic practice, as this paper rightly concludes, are the principles of justification and optimisation. Justification means that any exposures to ionising radiation for medical purposes must be demonstrated to provide a greater benefit than risk to the individual. Once justified, the exposure must be optimised, meaning that it is as low as reasonably practicable to provide the intended outcome, or answer the clinical question.
“Computed Tomography (CT) scans are undertaken by highly trained radiographers and nuclear medicine technologists who have met the educational and professional standards required to ensure all CT scans are appropriately justified and optimised. Considering the increased use of CT as an invaluable diagnostic tool, it is imperative that the risk of harm from potential misuse, poor quality referrals, or inappropriate exposure parameters continues to be managed effectively. This is achieved by safeguarding standards of education, training and practical experience, compliance with the regulations, and applying best practice quality standards such as The Quality Standard for Imaging.
“It is particularly important to recognise, as this paper highlights, the increased risk to children from unjustified CT exposures. Staff are trained to give special consideration to the justification and optimisation of CT scans for children and will assess the benefits and risks of using CT against alternative techniques that do not involve ionising radiation such as MRI and Ultrasound.
“Accurate communication around the benefits and risks of CT is essential to protect the public from harm. Focussing on risk alone is not helpful and, in some cases, might prevent a person from attending a scan that could provide early diagnosis of cancer. Anyone undergoing a CT scan must be provided with balanced, accurate and relevant information to enable them to understand what it means to them as an individual in terms of their diagnosis, treatment and potential long-term care.
“The UK Health Security Agency is responsible for undertaking dose audits and producing National Diagnostic Reference levels (NDRLs) for computed tomography. These inform local practices and employers must ensure their organisational doses do not consistently exceed the NDRLs. They are publicly available here alongside helpful dose comparisons here and benefit and risk information for patients here.”
Dr Doreen Lau, Lecturer in Inflammation, Ageing and Cancer Biology at Brunel University of London, said:
“This is a well-conducted modelling study using robust data from US hospitals and established methods for estimating cancer risk from radiation exposure. It provides a timely reminder that while CT scans are often life-saving and essential for diagnosis, they do come with a small but real potential risk of contributing to cancer over a lifetime, especially when used repeatedly, in younger patients, or when not clinically necessary.
“The findings don’t mean that people should avoid CT scans when recommended by a doctor. In most cases, the benefit of detecting or ruling out serious illness far outweighs the very small risk of harm. What this research highlights is the need to minimise unnecessary imaging and use the lowest dose possible, particularly in settings where CT usage is high. Where appropriate, clinicians may also consider alternative imaging methods that do not involve ionising radiation, such as MRI or ultrasound—especially for younger patients or when repeat imaging is anticipated.
“CT scan rates are much higher in the US than in the UK, where imaging is used more conservatively and with stricter clinical justification. That means the estimated risks in this study are likely to be much lower in the UK context, though the message about appropriate use still holds.
“Importantly, this study models estimated cancer risk from radiation exposure. It does not show a direct causal link between specific CT scans and individual cancer cases. These are projections based on population-level data and assumptions about radiation risk, not observed cancer rates. Although the model estimates a small increased risk with each scan, it does not prove that any one scan causes cancer. Other factors such as underlying health issues and clinical decision-making, may also influence who gets scanned and how often.”
Prof Stephen Duffy, Emeritus Professor of Cancer Screening, Centre for Cancer Screening, Prevention and Early Diagnosis, Queen Mary University of London, said:
“This paper reports on a very high quality numerical modelling exercise, estimating the likely number of cancers occurring in the USA as a result of 93 million CT examinations. The authors estimate that just over 100,000 cancers are predicted to occur as a result of radiation from these CT examinations. This amounts to around a 0.1% increase in cancer risk over the patients lifetime per CT examination. When we consider that the lifetime risk of cancer in the general population is around 50%, the additional risk is small. Doctors do not order CT examinations unless they are necessary, and it seems to me that the likely benefit in diagnosis and subsequent treatment of disease outweighs the very small increase in cancer risk.
“I would also remark that the estimates, while based on the best models available to the authors, are indirect, so there is considerable uncertainty about the estimates.
“Thus I would say to patients that if you are recommended to have a CT scan, it would be wise to do so.”
Dr Giles Roditi, Consultant Cardiovascular Radiologist and Honorary Clinical Associate Professor of Radiology, University of Glasgow, said:
“CT scanning is a powerful diagnostic tool and has become a bedrock of modern radiology departments, particularly for emergency department imaging. However, the paper by Smith-Bindman et al. is a timely reminder that with great power comes great responsibility. The paper makes the case that the rise in the utilisation of CT scanning is now at such a scale that its projected use could lead to scenario in which CT-associated cancer eventually accounts for 5% of all new cancer diagnoses annually in the USA. What should we do with this information and how does this translate to and inform practise in the UK ?
“Firstly, the evidence base is sound and there is little new as regards the basic assumptions that the paper is based upon but the authors have updated this with more modern dose estimates and data on the utilisation of CT scanning not only across different age groups but also stratified by gender and the exposure of different organs that have different sensitivities to ionising radiation induced damage. The authors are to be congratulated in the detailed breakdown of CT utilisation across these categories and how lifetime risk of cancer impacts across age and gender etc. as well as the modern dosimetric approach used plus accounting for multiphase CT examinations that inevitably entail higher dose.
“With all medical endeavours there is an element of risk. Risk is generally defined as a situation involving exposure to danger or the possibility that something unpleasant will occur. Furthermore, the use of the word risk often implies an element of chance, uncertainty or unpredictability. However, risk can often be well defined in any particular context as – Risk = (probability of an event) x (impact of event)
“Risk is thus different for ‘well’ versus ‘sick’ patients with the latter deriving greater benefit. This paper helps us better define risk at a population level by updating knowledge on the probable incidence of later CT-associated cancer. A potential limitation that could be levelled at the paper is that not all the risks associated with CT are included, only those related to later development of cancer diagnoses. For example, other relevant factors as a demerit to CT scanning could include the very small risks of anaphylaxis related to the use of contrast medium, used now in a large proportion of scans in Western medicine. Similarly, the small but potential other risks such as cataract acceleration are not mentioned.
“On the other hand, while the authors mention that ‘CT is frequently lifesaving’ they have not in my opinion really put the information in full relevant context. The authors context is that this is approximately 5% of new cancer diagnoses could be attributable to CT i.e. a figure of 100,000 cancers in the USA is where there were 1,777,566 new cancer cases reported in 2021 and 608,366 people died of cancer in 2022 (the latest CDC data available). This is because the natural incidence of cancer induction is 1 in 2 for adults. Hence, an alternative way of looking at this would be that although the figure of 100,000 cancers is alarming this is only a small additional risk over and above an individual’s lifetime risk of developing cancer i.e. a risk rising from about 50% to 52.5%. The authors also do not address how many of these cancer will be fatal although we presume based upon CD data it would be approximately one third.
“The main issue, however, is that the benefits of CT scanning are not more explicitly stated. This is likely because the benefits of most medical imaging in terms of morbidity & mortality have been very difficult to quantify with surprisingly little published in the literature. This is mainly because imaging has too often only been part of an overall therapeutic strategy where the main treatment outcomes depend critically upon the imaging but the imaging itself is not tested (e.g. treatments for stroke and cancer). However, there have been recent trials that provide some context, for example SCOT-HEART was probably the first major trial in which diagnostic CT was shown to save lives. In SCOT-THEART the patients were randomised to a conventional treatment pathway without CT scan or an investigative arm in which the standard care pathway was simply supplemented by a CT scan of the coronary arteries. This trial showed clear benefit for those patients that had CT with a significantly lower mortality rate and this has been shown to persist now up to 10 years following the end of the trial. Similarly trials of lung cancer screening have now shown positive benefit from CT scanning in the detection of early, treatable stage lung cancer in high risk patients.
“So how does this translate into the situation in the UK ? Firstly, there are significant differences in practise due to both cultural and legislative environments. In the UK we operate under the precepts of the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations last updated in 2017 which mandates that we apply the ALARA/ALARP principles and should opt for diagnostic imaging tests with the lowest radiation dose, or preferably an imaging test with no ionising radiation exposure (e.g. ultrasound or MRI) where this answers the clinical question. Culturally in the UK we also regard all requests for imaging as just that, requests that can be questioned through discussion. In the USA clinicians order scans and radiology departments have little room to manoeuvre when it comes to not performing or changing these orders, particularly since the imaging fees that accompany the scanning activity are the lifeblood of the department. Another issue in the USA in addition to the overuse of CT mentioned in the paper is the repeat imaging that is often performed in a fragmented healthcare system where it is easier (and more profitable) for an institution to simply repeat a scan on a patient referred in from elsewhere rather than seek out and transfer the original scans.
“In the NHS we have systems that allow image transfer between institutions and of course unlike the USA we are very capacity limited and often have long waiting times for scans. One side effect of this is that it tends to reduce demand such that tests unlikely to influence clinical decision-making are less likely to be requested. On the downside is that the CT scanner base in the UK is aging and we know that older scanners inevitably expose patients to higher radiation doses than modern systems for the same type of scan, often with less good image quality. Indeed, on modern generation systems with advanced iterative reconstruction algorithms and AI enhancements in the imaging chain then CT scans can be acquired at doses similar to (or little more than) conventional x-rays. These advances have largely been spurred by the drive to reduce dose in coronary CT scans but the benefits potentially reduce doses across all CT scanning. The paper by Smith-Bindman et al. reminds us that we must advocate more strongly to upgrade our CT scanners for the benefit of our patients.
“So what would I say to a UK patient scheduled to have a CT scan and worried by this paper ? In general terms I would strongly advise them not to worry as they are highly likely to benefit from a well indicated scan, this is particularly so in those who are unwell and in older patients (those > 55 years). For younger patients, particularly those of child-bearing age where the breasts and/or reproductive organs would be included and for those who are physically well then if concerned they can always ask to discuss the merits of alternative scans such as ultrasound and MRI. For example, in our own practise we image all our altruistic potential living kidney donors with MRI rather than CT since our own (unpublished) estimates indicate that if we used CT then 1 in 526 of these well people would have a fatal induced cancer, a risk eliminated by using MRI.”
Prof Richard Wakeford, Honorary Professor in Epidemiology, Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH), University of Manchester, said:
“Although it is not unreasonable to reiterate guidance on the potential risks to health arising from exposures to low levels of ionising radiation, such as the x-ray doses received from CT scans, considerable caution is required in providing quantitative estimates of the effects produced by such exposures. This is largely because of the substantial assumptions that must be made in applying risk models derived from epidemiological studies of populations briefly exposed to moderate and high doses, primarily the Japanese survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, to low-level exposure circumstances. For example, for the purposes of radiological protection, it is prudent to assume that the size of the additional risk is directly proportional to the dose received, with no threshold dose below which the risk is zero, and this is the assumption made by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) in making its recommendations. However, ICRP notes that these assumptions “conceal large biological and statistical uncertainties”, and cautions against risk projections based on large numbers of people receiving low doses.
“The direct epidemiological investigation of cancer incidence among patients who have been examined by CT is a worthwhile exercise, but substantial care is required in the interpretation of results – as with all medical diagnostic procedures, people are examined because they are ill, have been ill, or are suspected of being ill, and such selection for exposure leads to difficulties in obtaining reliable conclusions about the effects of radiation exposure from these studies.
“The “bottom line” of the paper is that ~103,000 cases of cancer (which does not include cases of non-melanoma skin cancer, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma) are estimated to result from CT scans conducted in the USA in 2023, an estimate that must be viewed with circumspection. This estimate of ~103,000 cases of cancer is, on the face of it, rather alarming, but it is also uncertain, to an extent that extends (well) beyond the uncertainty limits presented in the paper. ICRP emphasises that all medical exposures must be justified as doing more good than harm, and the potential risk from radiation exposure during a diagnostic examination clearly needs to be factored into clinical judgement about the need for a specific diagnostic procedure. The level of potential risk posed by exposure to low doses of radiation should be taken into account in reaching a balanced decision on whether or not a CT scan is clinically desirable, but this judgement should not be unduly influenced by large, but uncertain, projected numbers of cancers.”
‘Projected Lifetime Cancer Risks From Current Computed Tomography Imaging’ by Rebecca Smith-Bindman et al. was published in JAMA Internal Medicine at 16:00 UK time on Monday 14 April 2025.
DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.0505
Declared interests
Prof Stephen Duffy: I have no conflict of interest.
Dr Giles Roditi: Prof Roditi is a Past-President of the British Society of Cardiovascular Imaging/Cardiovascular CT, a Past President of the Society of Magnetic Resonance Angiography and a member of the SCOT-HEART investigators.
Prof Richard Wakeford: “I am, or was, a member of a number of national and international expert committees addressing radiation risks, such as ICRP, UNSCEAR and (previously) COMARE, SAGE, etc.. Details can be found at: https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/richard.wakeford
Dr Martin McMahon, a leading expert in 3D printing, has been selected by the Royal Society as one of its Entrepreneurs in Residence.
Dr McMahon, who will lead the cutting-edge Additive Anglia project at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), is one of just 15 business leaders, entrepreneurs and scientists from across the UK to have been selected for the prestigious scheme.
The Royal Society’s Entrepreneur in Residence programme aims to embed industry expertise within universities, improving awareness of the latest research and development advances while also addressing some of the scientific challenges faced by businesses.
In addition to his role at ARU, Dr McMahon is an independent consultant specialising in additive manufacturing, which is commonly referred to as 3D printing.
ARU’s new Additive Anglia project will be integrating 3D printing technologies into the university curriculum and establishing a 3D printing hub in the East of England.
The initiative involves forming a network with other universities in the region to allow easier access to these technologies for both academic and industry partners. The project also aims to enhance the quality of 3D printed parts, accelerate build rates, and minimise scrap rates.
“I’m honoured to receive the Entrepreneur in Residence award from the Royal Society. ARU’s Additive Manufacturing facilities are exceptional, and I intend to expand their use, raise awareness of the possibilities of 3D printing right across the university, and strengthen our connections with local industries and other universities.
“Over the past five years, 3D printing has become much more widely recognised and is now firmly in the public consciousness. The Additive Anglia project will establish ARU as a true centre of excellence for 3D printing, opening up this technology to various sectors and scales of business, including small and medium sized enterprises.”
Dr Martin McMahon
“I am delighted to welcome Martin to the University and am excited about how we can apply additive manufacturing across so many different disciplines. Crucially, ARU’s engineering students will also be graduating with the latest knowledge and skills needed by industry, meaning they continue to be employment-ready.”
Mark Tree, Head of the School of Engineering and the Built Environment, ARU
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the new Galaxy XCover7 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro, enterprise-ready devices designed to meet the demands of today’s fast-paced, high-intensity work environments. Continuing the legacy of Samsung’s ruggedised devices, these latest Pro models are versatile, optimised and secure — delivering enhanced durability,[1] steady performance and optimised workflow to empower frontline workers, from the office to the field and beyond.
With 5G connectivity,[2] an upgraded processor and increased memory, the XCover7 Pro and Tab Active5 Pro offer enhanced mobility and reliability. The XCover7 Pro features a powerful new stereo speaker system with anti-feedback technology, which minimises unwanted audio loops for clearer communication. Both devices offer enhanced battery capacity, with the XCover7 Pro equipped with a 4,350mAh battery for longer usage, while the Tab Active5 Pro comes with a 10,100mAh battery set designed to support demanding workflows. The Tab Active5 Pro also supports Dual Hot-Swap battery functionality, allowing workers to replace batteries[3] without powering down their devices and ensuring seamless operation even when battery levels are low.
With the ruggedised smartphone market expected to reach 4.46 million units and the ruggedised tablet market projected to hit 1.89 million units by 2028,[4] these devices can be increasingly essential in industries such as retail, government, logistics, healthcare and manufacturing. Reliable, high-performing and durable, they can be critical for ensuring seamless operations in any work environment.
“At Samsung, we understand that frontline professionals need technology that adapts to their fast-paced and demanding work environments,” said Jerry Park, EVP and Head of Global Mobile B2B Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics. “The Galaxy XCover7 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro combine ruggedised durability, enterprise-grade security, seamless connectivity and intuitive AI-driven features to help businesses operate efficiently in harsh conditions while maximising productivity and minimising downtime.”
Ruggedised Durability: Built To Withstand Any Environment
The Galaxy XCover7 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro are designed to thrive on the frontlines of all industries. Having undergone rigorous durability testing to ensure they withstand demanding environments, they are ideally built to offer reliable performance in the field. Both devices feature IP68-rated water and dust resistance,[5] helping to protect against dust ingress and exposure to water – making them a dependable choice for conditions where accidental splashes or occasional submersion may occur.
The Tab Active5 Pro’s S Pen — an essential tool for field professionals who annotate documents, sign forms or input data on the go — further extends usability by functioning even in certain wet conditions. Additionally, both devices have been tested for use with common workplace sanitisers, ensuring durability in environments requiring frequent cleaning.
Their MIL-STD-810H[6] certified designs help ensure resistance to drops, extreme temperatures and vibrations, while the Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®+ display on the Tab Active5 Pro helps provide enhanced scratch and impact protection. Those in retail, government and manufacturing settings can also depend on enhanced touch sensitivity in both devices, allowing seamless use with compatible gloves.[7]
Work Continuity: Staying Connected and Powered Throughout the Day
Clear communication is crucial in fast-paced work environments, especially for teams relying on walkie-talkie functionality in industries like construction and emergency response. The Galaxy XCover7 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro enhanced speaker technology with anti-feedback noise reduction, minimising disruptive sounds that can occur when multiple devices that share the same channel are in close range. With higher volume and improved clarity,[8] these upgraded stereo speakers help frontline workers stay connected and relay critical information without disruption.[9] The Tab Active5 Pro further strengthens communication with optimised audio tuning, boosting volume levels and incorporating intelligent sound processing to filter out background noise, making collaboration even more effective.
Both devices also offer Vision Booster, which enhances outdoor visibility by improving screen readability in bright environments. The Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro further builds on this with an upgraded display brightness of up to 600 nits — a notable increase from 480 nits in the previous model — ensuring clearer visuals even in challenging lighting conditions. Whether reviewing critical information on-site or navigating workflows outdoors, these upgrades provide better contrast, improved tone mapping, and enhanced visibility against strong illumination, allowing users to stay focused wherever the job takes them.
With extended battery life[10] and seamless power solutions, the Galaxy XCover7 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro support uninterrupted workflow. Both devices feature POGO charging interfaces, making it easy for workplaces with POGO docks[11] to charge multiple devices at once. For environments in which devices remain plugged in, the Tab Active5 Pro supports No Battery Mode,[12] allowing it to function when connected to a dedicated power source — ideal for in-vehicle setups, kiosks and workstations.
Seamless connectivity is also key to maintaining work continuity. The XCover7 Pro and Tab Active5 Pro both support 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E and network slicing to prioritise device communication even in dense network environments and ensure fast and stable network access. With dual SIM support (pSIM + eSIM) on the Tab Active5 Pro, workers can effortlessly switch between networks, keeping them connected in any environment.
The Tab Active5 Pro introduces front-facing NFC Tagging, enhancing usability in retail, hospitality and logistics environments where fast, secure interactions are essential. Enabling seamless authentication, asset tracking and mobile payments, the tablet can effectively be used as a mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) system[13] in retail stores and restaurants alike. Employees can quickly validate credentials, process transactions and manage assets without any additional hardware, enhancing efficiency in industries where speed and security are critical.
Maximised Productivity: Smarter Tools for the Frontline
Samsung’s latest ruggedised devices also introduce AI-driven enhancements, reinforcing Samsung’s commitment to expanding AI capabilities across its entire ecosystem. These intelligent features make everyday tasks more intuitive and efficient, helping frontline professionals work smarter and faster in dynamic environments while making advanced AI more accessible across a broader range of devices.
Equipped with high-performance chipsets, enhanced usability features and intuitive AI-powered tools, both devices enable workers to multitask with ease. Features like Circle to Search with Google,[14] Object Eraser, AI Select and Read Aloud allow users to complete tasks more efficiently, reducing manual effort and improving accuracy.[15] The Galaxy XCover7 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon® 7s Gen 3 Mobile Platform (4nm Octa-Core) chipset which optimises power efficiency and processing speed, while the Tab Active5 Pro, featuring the same chipset, delivers increased RAM and expanded storage options to handle demanding workloads.
Designed for professionals who need flexibility, both devices support Samsung DeX, allowing them to connect to a monitor or PC for a desktop-like experience. Whether managing field reports, performing administrative tasks or presenting data, users can transition seamlessly between mobile and desktop environments.
Additionally, programmable keys allow users to assign shortcuts to frequently used applications, such as barcode scanning, push-to-talk, integrated with Microsoft Teams[16], or emergency alerts. This customisation enhances workflow efficiency, reducing time spent navigating menus and improving responsiveness in critical situations.
Security remains a cornerstone of Samsung’s ruggedised devices, with Samsung Knox Vault[17] safeguarding sensitive data through advanced encryption and authentication to ensure compliance with enterprise security standards. Beyond that, Samsung offers a comprehensive suite of security innovations designed to provide strong protection, transparency and user control. Real-time Kernel Protection and DEFEX deliver runtime protection at both the app and kernel layers, while Samsung’s Warranty Bit detects tampering and restricts access to sensitive applications, such as Work Profile, helping to maintain a trusted device environment.
Availability
The new Galaxy XCover7 Pro (RRP £559) and Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro (RRP £769) will be available starting April 2025.[18]
For more information about Samsung’s latest Galaxy devices, please visit news.samsung.com/uk/galaxy or www.samsungmobilepress.com.
Galaxy XCover7 Pro & Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro Product Specifications
Galaxy XCover7 Pro
Display
6.6-inch*, 20:9, FHD+ TFT LCD, up to 120Hz**, Touch Sensitivity***, Vision Booster
* Measured diagonally as a full rectangle without accounting for the rounded corners. Actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and camera hole.
** Screen refresh rate varies depending on the app used, and certain apps may not support up to 120Hz. Adaptive refresh rate supports up to 120Hz, which adjusts motion smoothness automatically as needed, while Standard refresh rate supports a 120Hz screen refresh rate.
*** Touch sensitivity increases responsiveness for leather gloves 2mm or less in thickness, based on internal laboratory test results. Devices can be used in wet environments, but not fully submerged under water. Underwater touch is not available. Touch-responsiveness may vary depending on the material and thickness of gloves as well as other environmental conditions.
OS
Android 15
Dimensions
168.6 x 79.9 x 10.2mm (240g*)
* Weight may vary by market.
Camera
Rear
50MP (F1.8) Wide, 8MP (F2.2) Ultra-Wide, Flash
Front
13MP (F2.2)
Memory & Storage*
6 + 128GB, microSD up to 2TB**
* Actual storage space availability may vary depending on pre-installed software and by market, file size and format.
** MicroSD card sold separately.
Processor
Snapdragon® 7s Gen 3 Mobile Platform (4nm Octa-Core)
* Snapdragon is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.
Battery***
4,350mAh (typical)*, User Replaceable**
* Typical value tested under third-party laboratory conditions. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standards. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.
** Extra replaceable battery and POGO charging dock sold separately. In the case of extra replacea6ble batteries, only Samsung certified products are compatible for use.
*** Charger sold separately.
Connectivity**
5G (Sub6)*, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth® v5.4, NFC
* 5G services are only supported in 5G network enabled locations. Requires optimal 5G connection.
** Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, content provider, and user environment.
SIM
Dual SIM (pSIM + eSIM*)
* Embedded SIM availability varies by market.
Interface
USB 3.2 Type-C, POGO Pin (charging only)
Sensors
Accelerometer, Gyro, Geomagnetic, Light, Proximity, Fingerprint
GPS*
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS
* GNSS availability type may vary by market. Galileo and BeiDou coverage may be limited. BeiDou may not be available for certain markets.
Ruggedised Durability
IP68*, MIL-STD-810H**, Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®+, Tested for Sanitisers***
* IP6X: Dust penetration test (less than 50umx70um size) in dustproof chamber
* IPX8: Submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes
** MIL-STD-810H: Testing against specific environmental conditions including altitude, humidity, immersion, salt fog, dust, vibration, drop, etc. MIL-STD-810H is a standardised form of testing designed by the US military to accurately assess device limitations. Real-world usage may vary by specific environmental conditions used in the testing. Extreme conditions not guaranteed. Test specifications vary by device.
*** Tested Sanitiser: Liquid Ethanol, Ethanol Cotton, Clorox(Chlorine bleach), Medilox HCIO
Sound
Dolby Atmos®, Stereo (2 Speakers)
Security
Samsung Knox with Samsung Knox Vault, eSE
Biometric Authentication
Face Recognition, Fingerprint
Programmable Key
Customisation via Top Key and XCover Key*
* Key mapping support may vary by app. Programmable keys limited to select functions.
Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro
Display
10.1-inch*, 16:10, WUXGA, TFT LCD, up to 120Hz**, Touch Sensitivity***
* Measured diagonally as a full rectangle without accounting for the rounded corners. Actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners.
** Screen refresh rate varies depending on the app used, and certain apps may not support up to 120Hz. Adaptive refresh rate supports up to 120Hz, which adjusts motion smoothness automatically as needed, while Standard refresh rate supports a 120Hz screen refresh rate.
*** Touch sensitivity increases responsiveness for leather gloves 2mm or less in thickness, based on internal laboratory test results. Devices can be used in wet environments, but not fully submerged under water. Underwater touch is not available. Touch-responsiveness may vary depending on the material and thickness of gloves as well as other environmental conditions.
OS
Android 15
Dimensions
170.2 x 242.9 x 10.2mm (680g (Wi-Fi), 683g (5G)*)
* Weight may vary by market.
Camera
Rear
12MP (F1.8) Wide, Flash
Front
8MP (F2.0)
Memory & Storage*
6+128GB/8+256GB, microSD up to 2TB**
* Actual storage space availability may vary depending on pre-installed software and by market, file size and format.
** MicroSD card sold separately.
Processor
Snapdragon® 7s Gen 3 Mobile Platform* (4nm Octa-Core)
* Snapdragon is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.
Battery****
10,100mAh (typical)*, User Replaceable**, Dual Hot-Swap***
* Typical value tested under third-party laboratory conditions. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standards. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.
** Extra replaceable battery and POGO charging dock sold separately. In the case of extra replaceable batteries, only Samsung certified products are compatible for use.
*** Battery replacements are limited to one battery at a time. If a battery is removed while the device is turned on, the screen will be turned off, and certain features may be limited. After the battery is replaced, the screen will turn back on and all features will be reactivated.
**** Charger sold separately. Charger is included in select regions only, including North America, Europe and Latin America.
Connectivity**
5G (Sub6)*, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth® v5.4, NFC (Front Tagging)
* 5G services are only supported in 5G network enabled locations. Requires optimal 5G connection.
** Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, content provider, and user environment.
SIM
Dual SIM (pSIM + eSIM*)
* Embedded SIM availability varies by market.
Interface
USB 3.2 Type-C, POGO Pin, 3.5mm Audio Jack
Sensors
Accelerometer, Gyro, Geomagnetic, Hall, RGB Light, Proximity, Fingerprint
GPS*
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS
* GNSS availability type may vary by market. Galileo and BeiDou coverage may be limited. BeiDou and QZSS may not be available for certain markets.
Ruggedised Durability
IP68*, MIL-STD-810H**, Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®+, Tested for Sanitisers***
* IP6X: Dust penetration test (less than 50umx70um size) in dustproof chamber
* IPX8: submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes** MIL-STD-810H: Testing against specific environmental conditions including altitude, humidity, immersion, salt fog, dust, vibration, drop, etc. MIL-STD-810H is a standardised form of testing designed by the US military to accurately assess device limitations. Real-world usage may vary by specific environmental conditions used in the testing. Extreme conditions not guaranteed. Test specifications vary by device.
*** Tested Sanitiser: Liquid Ethanol, Ethanol Cotton, Clorox(Chlorine bleach), Medilox HCIO
Sound
Dolby Atmos®, Stereo (2 Speakers)
Pen
S Pen (IP68*, Inbox)
* IP68 rating: Water and dust resistant based on lab test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Rinse residue/dry after wet. Not advised for beach or pool use. Water and dust resistance of the S Pen is not permanent and may diminish over time because of normal wear and tear. Remove any excess water from the S Pen with a dry cloth or towel before using or attaching it to tablet.
Security
Samsung Knox with Samsung Knox Vault, eSE
Biometric Authentication
Face Recognition, Fingerprint
Programmable Key
Customisation via Active Key*
* Key mapping support may vary by app. Programmable keys limited to select functions.
*Specifications may vary by market.
*Functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice.
.
[1]Durability improvements are based on comparison with previous models (Galaxy XCover6 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro), with added testing for resistance to workplace sanitisers. Actual performance may vary depending on usage conditions and environmental factors.
[2]5G services are only supported in 5G network enabled locations. Requires optimal 5G connection. Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, content provider, and user environment.
[3]Extra replaceable battery and POGO charging dock sold separately. In the case of extra replaceable batteries, only Samsung certified products are compatible for use.
[4]Krebs, David. “2024 Mobile Hardware Dataset.” May 2024. Accessed March 25, 2025. https://www.vdcresearch.com/Coverage/emob/reports/24-Mobile-Hardware-Dataset.html.
[5]Resistant to dust and up to 1.5 metres of fresh water for up to 30 minutes (IP68). Rinse residue/dry after wet. Not advised for beach or pool use.
[6] MIL-STD-810H Certification: Testing against specific environmental conditions including altitude, humidity, immersion, salt fog, dust, vibration, drop, etc. MIL-STD-810H is a standardised form of testing designed by the US military to accurately assess device limitations. Real-world usage may vary by specific environmental conditions used in the testing. Extreme conditions not guaranteed. Test specifications vary by device.
[7]Touch sensitivity increases responsiveness for leather gloves thinner than 2mm or less in thickness, based on internal laboratory test results. Touch-responsiveness may vary depending on the material and thickness of gloves as well as other environmental conditions.
[8]Speaker improvements are based on comparison with the previous models (Galaxy XCover6 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro). Actual performance may vary depending on the environment and sound source.
[9]Walkie-talkie functionality requires a separate purchase of a compatible third-party solution. Availability may vary by region and provider.
[10] Battery life improvements are based on comparison with the previous models (Galaxy XCover6 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro), which respectively featured 4,050mAh and 7,600mAh batteries. Actual battery life may vary depending on usage patterns and network environment
[11]POGO charging dock sold separately. Battery charging times may vary depending on charging power supported on charging cradle. Battery capacity and performance may diminish over time.
[12]No Battery Mode needs to be turned on and requires a dedicated USB Type-C power source accessory supporting 9V and 2.3A or above, and PD 2.0 or above. No Battery Mode limits device CPU performance when enabled and reduces maximum volume, display brightness, etc. when enabled.
[13]Knox Platform for POS requires separate solution integration and may require license purchase for use. Availability may vary by market, model or payment solution.
[14]Accessible on any app that does not block screenshots. Requires internet connection. Results may vary depending on visual or audio matches. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.
[15]Results may vary based on the images and the object you’re trying to remove. Results may vary depending on shooting conditions including multiple subjects, being out of focus or moving subjects.
[16]Additional licenses may be required.
[17]Samsung Knox Vault hardware and/or software architecture may vary by model.
[17]Availability and launch timing may vary by region and market.
Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Deb Fischer (R-NE), with Congressmen Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04) and Mark Alford (R-MO-04), led a bicameral group of colleagues in sending a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. In the letter, the members call for the use of sound science and risk-based analysis as the MAHA Commission finalizes its work, particularly on crop protection tools and food-grade ingredients. The letter states:
“We write to express our strong appreciation for your leadership and interest in working with each of you to ensure America has the healthiest people in the world. In recent decades, chronic illness rates have risen. This warrants our careful scrutiny to support better health outcomes. It is essential that policies supported by sound science and risk-based analyses are used to accomplish this goal.”
“We have concerns that environmentalists are advancing harmful health, economic, or food security policies under the guise of human health,” the letter continues. “Despite insinuations to the contrary, regular testing by FDA and USDA finds that more than 99% of all pesticide residues meet extremely conservative limits established by EPA according to the best available science.”
In addition to Ricketts and Fischer, other signatories include Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Jim Justice (R-WV), Jim Risch (R-ID), Todd Young (R-IN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Mike Rounds (R-SD).
The letter was also signed by members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including Mike Flood (R-NE-01), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Adrian Smith (R-NE-03), Michael Baumgartner (R-WA-05), Jack Bergman (R-MI-01), Mike Bost (R-IL-12), James Comer (R-KY-01), Troy Downing (R-MT-02), Jake Ellzey (R-TX-06), Gabe Evans (R-CO-08), Mike Ezell (R-MS-04), Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04), Mark Alford (R-MO-04), Vince Fong (R-CA-20), Michael Guest (R-MS-03), Dusty Johnson (R-SD-AL), David Kustoff (R-TN-08), Darin LaHood (R-IL-16), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), Frank Lucas (R-OK-03), Tracy Mann (R-KS-01), Mark Messmer (R-IN-08), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-01), Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), Mike Rogers (R-AL-03), Derek Schmidt (R-KS-02), Austin Scott (R-GA-08), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN-06), Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24), David Valadao (R-CA-22), and Ann Wagner (R-MO-02).
Read the full letter here or below:
Dear Secretary Kennedy, Secretary Rollins, and Administrator Zeldin:
We write to express our strong appreciation for your leadership and interest in working with each of you to ensure America has the healthiest people in the world. In recent decades, chronic illness rates have risen. This warrants our careful scrutiny and to support better health outcomes. It is essential that policies supported by sound science and risk-based analyses are used to accomplish this goal.
We also urge you to safeguard the work of the Make America Healthy Again Commission (Commission) from activist groups promoting misguided and sometimes even malicious policies masquerading as health solutions. The influence of these groups in the Commission would result in shoddy science; a less abundant, less affordable food supply; greater reliance on foreign adversaries for our food; diminished U.S. agricultural production and manufacturing; and, ultimately, poorer health outcomes.
President Trump recently stated environmental activists were holding the economic prosperity of our country hostage. We now have concerns that they are seeking to influence the work of the Commission to advance their agenda. For decades activist groups have tried to ban safe, well-regulated agricultural inputs by any means necessary. Without these products, yields and quality are negatively impacted by otherwise avoidable insects, fungus, weeds, and other pest pressures. This drives up food prices for American consumers and forces reliance of food imports.
The same groups have seized upon the Commission’s work as an opportunity to misrepresent the science on common food and feed categories or ingredients, such as plant-based oils. These inputs are subject to a robust, risk-based regulatory system which focuses on protecting human health. Unfounded accusations harm the U.S. farmers who grow our food, upend food and feed supply chains, and significantly increase grocery food prices – all without public health benefit.
We have concerns that environmentalists are advancing harmful health, economic, or food security policies under the guise of human health. Despite insinuations to the contrary, regular testing by FDA and USDA finds that more than 99% of all pesticide residues meet extremely conservative limits established by EPA according to the best available science.
We applaud the Commission’s desire to improve the health and well-being of Americans. We implore you to ensure policy decisions are grounded in sound science and risk-based analyses. With unity, we can protect American agricultural producers from environmental activists’ attacks on proven-safe inputs critical to their profitability and long-term viability while promoting positive health outcomes.
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has welcomed Eskom’s recent issuance of a tender to establish a separate renewable energy business unit.
“This significant step reflects Eskom’s dedication to accelerating renewable energy deployment and supporting South Africa’s transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, consistent with the nation’s Just Energy Transition (JET) objectives and commitments under the Paris Agreement,” the Minister said on Monday.
On 31 March 2025, the Minister granted conditional emissions exemptions to Eskom’s coal-fired power stations, underscoring the urgent need for prioritisation of renewable energy integration.
“The establishment of this independent subsidiary, structured to operate with agility and encourage public-private partnerships, directly addresses those conditions.
“It positions Eskom to capitalise on South Africa’s abundant solar and wind resources, enhance competitiveness, and secure green financing, while contributing to improved air quality and reduced carbon emissions,” George said.
He acknowledged Eskom’s proactive approach and called for a transparent, competitive, and inclusive tender process that fosters opportunities for local and international expertise.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment will closely monitor the initiative’s progress to ensure alignment with South Africa’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the 2050 net-zero emissions target, as well as the stringent conditions imposed on Eskom on 31 March 2025 that support compliance with the Minimum Emissions Standards (MES).
The Minister further encouraged Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and the private sector to actively participate, driving innovation and investment to bolster renewable energy capacity.
“Through collective effort, South Africa can build a resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable energy sector that upholds the constitutional mandate to protect the health and well-being of all its citizens,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
Consultation on recovering costs for water company enforcement
Environment Agency launches consultation on cost recovery for water company enforcement activities.
Following the introduction of the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, the Environment Agency is now able to recover additional costs associated with regulating the water industry. This includes the cost of existing and new enforcement activities which were previously funded by government Grant in Aid.
The proposals – set out in a consultation seeking views from the industry, campaigners and members of the public – will see a levy on water companies.
Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:
The Water (Special Measures) Act was a crucial step in making sure water companies take full responsibility for their impact on the environment.
The increased regulatory powers introduced by this legislation, including cost recovery for our enforcement work, will allow us to close the justice gap, deliver swifter enforcement action and ultimately deter illegal activity.
Alongside these reforms, we are undertaking the biggest ever transformation to the way we regulate the water industry. By investing in people, training and digital assets, we are ensuring water companies better meet the needs of both people and the environment, now and in the future.
The consultation proposes a new levy to raise on certain water discharge activities and is designed to recover costs associated with the Environment Agency’s enforcement work directly from water companies. These cost recovery powers are set out under the Water (Special Measures) Act and all activities will be in line with the Environment Agency’s enforcement and sanctions policy.
The consultation will run until 26 May, and the new charging scheme to be finalised and implemented this summer.
Water Minister Emma Hardy said:
We promised that polluters would pay for the damage they cause to our waterways.
That’s why we’re making sure water companies – not regulators – bear the cost of enforcement action taken in response to their failings.
Through the Water (Special Measures) Act water bosses could face imprisonment for lawbreaking and regulators now have new powers to ban undeserved bonuses and bring automatic and severe penalties against polluters.
Today’s consultation takes us closer to shaping a water sector that delivers real and lasting improvements for customers and the environment as part of our Plan for Change.
New Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee named, as three board members reappointed
A series of appointments and reappointments have been made to the Board of the Environment Agency.
Jon Watts has been appointed as a Non-Executive Board Member, as well as Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. His appointment began on 1 April 2025 and will run for three years until 31 March 2028. The Committee provides essential scrutiny, challenge, and oversight of the Environment Agency’s risk controls and governance.
Furthermore, Stewart Davies, Lilli Matson, and Ines Faden da Silva have been reappointed as board members for second terms, all of which commenced on 1 February 2025 and will run for eighteen months until 1 July 2026. Ines Faden da Silva has also been appointed as the new Deputy Chair of the Board. All appointments have been made on merit and in accordance with the Ministerial Governance Code on Public Appointments.
The Environment Agency would like to thank Judith Batchelar, Robert Gould, and John Lelliott for their exemplary service and commitment as they step down from the Board.
Biographies
Jon Watts
Jon is a finance leader with a career spanning global businesses and the third sector. Jon is a trustee of the Eden Trust and chair of the Finance Audit and Risk Committee. He has held senior leadership roles, including regional Chief Financial Officer of Unilever Latin America, Director of Finance and Control at SABMiller, and as global Chief Financial Officer for Save the Children and for the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation. He currently advises foundations and NGOs on organisational capability and resilience.
Stewart Davies
Stewart is Chair of OPRL Ltd, which serves over 900 companies across the packaging cycle, collaborating to drive circularity and a transformation in packaging resource efficiency. He is founding Chair of the Bradford Sustainable Development Partnership. Stewart’s prior career was as an executive in regulated industries, including petrochemicals, steel, cement and waste management. He has served as Chair of the Environmental Services Association and as a Non-Executive Director on the board of Innovate UK.
Lilli Matson
Lilli has worked for Transport for London since 2006, currently as Chief Officer of Safety, Health & Environment, where she leads initiatives to enhance safety and environmental performance across London’s transport network. Previously, Lilli was a member of the UK Government’s Commission for Integrated Transport and ran her own transport consultancy, leading major projects on sustainable transport for a range of clients.
Ines Faden da Silva
Ines Faden da Silva is a part-time consultant at Tideway London, the company delivering London’s super sewer. She is a Committee Member of the Transition Pathway Initiative and Member of the Expert Panel for Accounting for Sustainability. Prior to Tideway, Ines worked for Citigroup where she advised and arranged financing for infrastructure and energy projects and later managed a portfolio of structured assets.
Notes for Editors
The Environment Agency works to create better places for people and wildlife, and supports sustainable development. It is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
The Environment Agency Board currently comprises a Chair and eight members.
(Joshua Quek and Edmund Tan, Operations Managers of Primech A & P)
SINGAPORE, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Primech Holdings Limited (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PMEC), an established technology-driven facility services provider in the public and private sectors operating mainly in Singapore, today announced its strategic transformation initiatives that are revolutionizing the industry through cutting-edge innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth strategies.
“We’re not just adapting to the future of facility services—we’re actively creating it,” said Mr. Kin Wai Ho, Chief Executive Officer of Primech Holdings. “Through our comprehensive integration of AI, robotics, and digital solutions, Primech A & P is establishing new benchmarks for efficiency, quality, and sustainability in the facility services sector.”
Pioneering Smart Cleaning Through Technology Primech A & P has invested significantly in AI-powered cleaning robots and IoT-enabled monitoring systems operating across high-traffic commercial spaces. These autonomous solutions ensure consistent hygiene standards while effectively addressing labor shortages in the industry.
The Company’s technological ecosystem includes:
Cloud-based workforce management systems for real-time operations tracking
Equipment health monitoring via software API to minimize downtime
Resource allocation optimization through performance metrics analysis
This digital transformation has enhanced service delivery while optimizing operational costs, directly benefiting customers through higher quality and more reliable facility services.
Excellence Through People and Performance Primech A & P’s market leadership is built on a foundation of workforce development and superior service standards. The Company has implemented comprehensive training and upskilling programs that equip employees with cutting-edge industry knowledge and technological expertise.
The Company currently maintains facilities at several of Singapore’s most prestigious locations, including:
Singapore’s internationally acclaimed airport
Premium commercial office buildings
Essential public spaces, including food courts
Private residential condominiums
Government housing developments
Strategic Expansion into High-Value Sectors As part of its growth strategy, Primech A & P is actively expanding into specialized sectors requiring advanced cleaning solutions:
Healthcare and Hospitals: Providing hygiene-critical cleaning for medical facilities, laboratories, and pharmaceutical environments
Road Sweeping Innovation: Conducting in-depth assessments to drive technological advancements in public infrastructure maintenance
High-Tech Environments: Delivering precision cleaning for semiconductor cleanrooms and cloud data centers
Luxury Residential and Commercial: Increasing market share in premium property segments
Environmental Leadership Primech A & P has integrated substantial eco-friendly practices into its operations, including:
Deployment of an electric vehicle fleet to reduce carbon emissions
Installation of solar panels at company headquarters
Development of sustainable cleaning methodologies
With a strong market presence, a commitment to AI-driven innovation, and a roadmap for expansion, Primech A & P presents an exciting investment opportunity. The Company’s leadership team continues to drive operational excellence, digital transformation, and sustainable growth—paving the way for the next era of smart cleaning and automation.
Primech A & P is not just shaping the future of facility services—it is revolutionizing the industry through technology, excellence, and forward-thinking solutions.
About Primech Holdings Limited Headquartered in Singapore, Primech Holdings Limited is a leading provider of comprehensive technology-driven facilities services, predominantly serving both public and private sectors throughout Singapore. Primech Holdings offers an extensive range of services tailored to meet the complex demands of its diverse clientele. Services include advanced general facility maintenance services, specialized cleaning solutions such as marble polishing and facade cleaning, meticulous stewarding services, and targeted cleaning services for offices and homes. Known for its commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology, Primech Holdings integrates eco-friendly practices and smart technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency and client satisfaction. This strategic approach positions Primech Holdings as a leader in the industry and a proactive contributor to advancing industry standards and practices in Singapore and beyond. For more information, visit www.primechholdings.com.
Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, for example, statements about completing the acquisition, anticipated revenues, growth, and expansion. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are also based on assumptions regarding the Company’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure that such expectations will be correct. The Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.
The porphyrin-based chemical nanocages remove more PFAS from groundwater than traditional filtering methods while keeping toxicity low
Researchers funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation have created a molecular nanocage that captures the bulk of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, found in water — and it works better than traditional filtering techniques that use activated carbon. Made of organic nanoporous material designed to capture only PFAS, this tiny chemical-based filtration system removed 80 to 90% of PFAS from sewage and groundwater during the study, respectively, while showing very low adverse environmental effects.
The study was led by scientists at the University at Buffalo and published in American Chemical Society ES&T Engineering.
PFAS are chemical compounds sometimes called “forever chemicals” and are commonly used in food packaging, nonstick coatings and other applications. PFAS do not degrade easily and are notoriously difficult to remove from water sources. Studies show exposure to PFAS may cause a range of negative health impacts, including decreased fertility, developmental delays in children and increased risk for some cancers. The safe and effective removal of PFAS from groundwater, sewage and other water sources is a national challenge.
Molecular nanocages have been previously suggested as candidates for pollutant removal, including for PFAS. Their sturdy structures provide capabilities to capture, remove and chemically deactivate hazardous substances like PFAS and many others. They could also potentially filter out noxious gases from the air, the study authors say.
Credit: Karla Sanchez Lievanos/Research and Education in Energy, Environment and Water Institute (RENEW), University at Buffalo
An illustration of porphyrin-based molecular nanocages that are engineered for selectivity, water stability and fast sorption. These nanocages achieve on average 90% removal of 38 PFAS compounds from mixed water solutions. The material shows promise for more efficient, safer and sustainable water remediation.
The researchers synthesized the nanocages from a group of organic chemicals called porphyrins. Previous studies have shown success with porphyrin nanocages in removing dyes, antibiotics, insecticides and chemicals that disrupt human hormone production from water.
The researchers then tested their nanocages’ ability to absorb 38 different types of PFAS, including GenX, a type of PFAS commonly used in nonstick cookware and other materials. The results showed the nanocages removed 90% of PFAS from groundwater and 80% from unprocessed or “influent” sewage.
The organic molecular nanocages also outperformed the PFAS-filtering abilities of activated carbon, particularly in unprocessed sewage. Activated carbon and other purification or filtration methods, such as ion exchange resins and reverse osmosis, tend to interact weakly with PFAS, the researchers note. They are also costly, high-maintenance and energy-intensive in comparison to nanocages.
“Porphyrin-based nanocages offer a potentially practical solution to the challenges of PFAS removal,” says Samy El-Shall, a program director in the NSF Division of Chemistry. “The material can also be mass-produced at scale, and the cages are modifiable to remove PFAS only while leaving other water contents alone.”
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Dmitry Patrushev visited Rostov Oblast on a working trip.
12 hours ago
During a working visit to Rostov Oblast, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting with Acting Governor Yuri Slyusar. The topics of discussion were the sowing campaign, as well as the implementation of national projects in the field of ecology and food security.
“Rostov Region is one of the strongest agricultural regions of Russia, which is traditionally among the first to begin spring field work. I ask you to ensure control over the pace of work and the provision of farmers with the means of production. In particular, equipment and mineral fertilizers. The agro-industrial complex plays a huge role in the region’s economy. According to the results of 2024, Rostov Region harvested the second largest grain crop in the country and the third largest sunflower crop,” Dmitry Patrushev noted.
The meeting discussed the participation of the Rostov Region in the events of the new national project “Technological Support for Food Security”. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the Government has allocated more than 3.5 billion rubles this year to support the agro-industrial complex and develop rural areas of the Rostov Region. The volume of gross regional product is increasing. Investments in fixed capital are growing.
During the meeting, the results of the implementation of the national project “Ecology” were also summed up. Almost 4.5 billion rubles have been sent to the region over six years. Within the framework of the national project “Ecological Well-being” until 2030, federal funding will amount to about 8 billion rubles – work will continue on creating a closed-loop economy, improving the condition of water bodies, preserving forests and other areas.
Dmitry Patrushev also got acquainted with the spring field work at one of the region’s farms. The Deputy Prime Minister checked the progress of work on the winter field and sunflower sowing. The farm specializes in the production and sale of agricultural crops (winter wheat, spring barley, peas, sunflower, oil flax). The farm widely uses seeds of domestic selection.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
The financial close for Quail Ranch includes $243 million of construction loans; COD is expected towards the end of 2025
Enlight’s three U.S. projects now under construction have a combined capacity of 1.4 FGW and are projected to generate total annual revenues of $135-140 million
TEL AVIV, Israel, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enlight Renewable Energy Ltd. (“Enlight”, “the Company”, NASDAQ: ENLT, TASE: ENLT.TA), a leading global renewable energy platform, announces the financial close for project Quail Ranch (“Quail Ranch” or “the Project”), located near Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. The Company, through its U.S. subsidiary Clenera Holdings LLC, has secured $243 million in construction financing commitments for the Project.
Combining 128 MW solar generation with 400 MWh of battery storage capacity, Quail Ranch is scheduled for completion towards the end of 2025. Offtake for both generation and storage volumes is secured by a 20-year busbar PPA with the Public Service Company of New Mexico (“PNM”).
The Project is an expansion of Atrisco, which commenced commercial operation in 2024. The shared infrastructure between the two sites accelerated Quail Ranch’s development and will reduce construction and operating costs. Both projects are situated on a desert plateau at an elevation of 1,800 meters, offering optimal solar generation conditions.
Quail Ranch’s financial close joins those of Roadrunner and Country Acres, two other projects now under construction in the U.S., which have achieved a total of $1.5 billion in financing over the past four months with the same consortium of lenders. The three projects have a combined capacity of 1.4 FGW and are expected to generate annual revenues of $135-140 million and EBITDA of $100-110 million when commencing operations in 2025-2026.
The financial close was led by a consortium of four global banks, including BNP Paribas Securities Corp, Crédit Agricole, Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking, and Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale (Nord/LB). Upon the Project’s COD, the construction loan is expected to convert into a $120 million term loan. The Project is expected to be eligible for the Energy Community Tax Credit Bonus, and the Company anticipates finalizing a tax equity transaction during 2025.
Gilad Yavetz, CEO of Enlight, said, “We are proud to have achieved the exceptional milestone of three significant financial closings within such a short timeframe, completing the funding for the second wave of Enlight’s U.S. projects. When operational, they will join Atrisco and Apex to generate combined annual revenues of approximately $200 million in the U.S. Quail Ranch completed its financial close after the administration announced its new tariff policy, demonstrating the project’s strength and the Company’s preparedness for this scenario.
“Additionally, Enlight is focused on advancing the development of two additional megaprojects in the western U.S. with a combined capacity of 2.6 FGW, and which are located in areas with some of the highest solar irradiation in the country. The new projects are part of the Company’s third wave in the U.S., and construction is expected to begin in the coming months.”
“I am very proud to partner with world-leading banks and complete a third major funding package this year,” said Adam Pishl, CEO and President of Clenera. “We continue to demonstrate our ability to bring high-quality projects banks remain excited about, despite market turbulence. Quail Ranch builds on our incredible success in New Mexico and will help meet the high demand for power to fuel American businesses and homes.”
About Enlight Renewable Energy
Founded in 2008, Enlight develops, finances, constructs, owns, and operates utility-scale renewable energy projects. Enlight operates across the three largest renewable segments today: solar, wind and energy storage. A global platform, Enlight operates in the United States, Israel and 10 European countries. Enlight has been traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange since 2010 (TASE: ENLT) and completed its U.S. IPO (Nasdaq: ENLT) in 2023. Learn more at www.enlightenergy.co.il.
Investor Contact
Yonah Weisz Director IR investors@enlightenergy.co.il
Erica Mannion or Mike Funari Sapphire Investor Relations, LLC +1 617 542 6180 investors@enlightenergy.co.il
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s expectations relating to the Project, the PPA and the related interconnection agreement and lease option, and the completion timeline for the Project, are forward-looking statements. The words “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “target,” “seek,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “contemplate,” “possible,” “forecasts,” “aims” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: our ability to site suitable land for, and otherwise source, renewable energy projects and to successfully develop and convert them into Operational Projects; availability of, and access to, interconnection facilities and transmission systems; our ability to obtain and maintain governmental and other regulatory approvals and permits, including environmental approvals and permits; construction delays, operational delays and supply chain disruptions leading to increased cost of materials required for the construction of our projects, as well as cost overruns and delays related to disputes with contractors; our suppliers’ ability and willingness to perform both existing and future obligations; competition from traditional and renewable energy companies in developing renewable energy projects; potential slowed demand for renewable energy projects and our ability to enter into new offtake contracts on acceptable terms and prices as current offtake contracts expire; offtakers’ ability to terminate contracts or seek other remedies resulting from failure of our projects to meet development, operational or performance benchmarks; various technical and operational challenges leading to unplanned outages, reduced output, interconnection or termination issues; the dependence of our production and revenue on suitable meteorological and environmental conditions, and our ability to accurately predict such conditions; our ability to enforce warranties provided by our counterparties in the event that our projects do not perform as expected; government curtailment, energy price caps and other government actions that restrict or reduce the profitability of renewable energy production; electricity price volatility, unusual weather conditions (including the effects of climate change, could adversely affect wind and solar conditions), catastrophic weather-related or other damage to facilities, unscheduled generation outages, maintenance or repairs, unanticipated changes to availability due to higher demand, shortages, transportation problems or other developments, environmental incidents, or electric transmission system constraints and the possibility that we may not have adequate insurance to cover losses as a result of such hazards; our dependence on certain operational projects for a substantial portion of our cash flows; our ability to continue to grow our portfolio of projects through successful acquisitions; changes and advances in technology that impair or eliminate the competitive advantage of our projects or upsets the expectations underlying investments in our technologies; our ability to effectively anticipate and manage cost inflation, interest rate risk, currency exchange fluctuations and other macroeconomic conditions that impact our business; our ability to retain and attract key personnel; our ability to manage legal and regulatory compliance and litigation risk across our global corporate structure; our ability to protect our business from, and manage the impact of, cyber-attacks, disruptions and security incidents, as well as acts of terrorism or war; changes to existing renewable energy industry policies and regulations that present technical, regulatory and economic barriers to renewable energy projects; the reduction, elimination or expiration of government incentives for, or regulations mandating the use of, renewable energy; our ability to effectively manage our supply chain and comply with applicable regulations with respect to international trade relations, the impact of tariffs on the cost of construction and our ability to mitigate such impact, , sanctions, export controls and anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws; our ability to effectively comply with Environmental Health and Safety and other laws and regulations and receive and maintain all necessary licenses, permits and authorizations; our performance of various obligations under the terms of our indebtedness (and the indebtedness of our subsidiaries that we guarantee) and our ability to continue to secure project financing on attractive terms for our projects; limitations on our management rights and operational flexibility due to our use of tax equity arrangements; potential claims and disagreements with partners, investors and other counterparties that could reduce our right to cash flows generated by our projects; our ability to comply with tax laws of various jurisdictions in which we currently operate as well as the tax laws in jurisdictions in which we intend to operate in the future; the unknown effect of the dual listing of our ordinary shares on the price of our ordinary shares; various risks related to our incorporation and location in Israel; the costs and requirements of being a public company, including the diversion of management’s attention with respect to such requirements; certain provisions in our Articles of Association and certain applicable regulations that may delay or prevent a change of control; and other risk factors set forth in the section titled “Risk factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and our other documents filed with or furnished to the SEC.
These statements reflect management’s current expectations regarding future events and speak only as of the date of this press release. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur. Except as may be required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
News Release – DOH Reports Sixth Travel-Related Dengue Virus Case of 2025
Posted on Apr 11, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom
STATE OFHAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA OHAWAIʻI
DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH
KA ʻOIHANAOLAKINO
JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR
KE KIA‘ĀINA
KENNETH S. FINK, M.D., MGA,MPH DIRECTOR
KA LUNAHO‘OKELE
DOH REPORTS SIXTH TRAVEL-RELATED DENGUE VIRUS CASE OF 2025
FOR IMMEDIATERELEASE
April 11, 2025 25-035
HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed a new travel-related case of dengue virus on Oʻahu, bringing the total number of dengue cases to six in the state in 2025 (one on Maui, five on Oʻahu). The affected individual in this current case was exposed to the virus while traveling in a region where dengue is common. This case is unrelated to the dengue case previously reported on April 10, 2025.
DOH teams have been deployed to conduct inspections and implement mosquito control measures in the affected area. The public is encouraged to follow best practices to help prevent local transmission, as outlined below.
Dengue virus is transmitted from an infected person to a mosquito, and then to another person. While Hawai‘i is home to the mosquitoes that can carry dengue, the disease is not endemic (established) in the state, and cases are currently limited to travelers. Several regions worldwide are experiencing higher-than-usual dengue activity.
Dengue outbreaks occur in many parts of the world, including Central and South America, Asia (including the Republic of the Philippines), the Middle East, Africa, and several Pacific Islands, such as U.S. territories like American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau. Many popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, are also affected.
In 2024, there were 16 travel-related cases of dengue reported in the state of Hawaiʻi. Cases reported travel to the following countries prior to symptoms onset: Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Philippines and India. All destinations listed are areas where dengue is known to be endemic.
Anyone who plans to travel to or has recently visited an area with dengue risk is vulnerable to infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises travelers to take standard precautions when visiting such areas. This includes using an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors, and sleeping in air-conditioned rooms, rooms with window screens, or under insecticide-treated bed nets. Some countries are reporting increased dengue cases, so travelers should review up-to-date country-specific travel information for guidance on dengue risk and prevention measures at least four to six weeks before traveling.
Travelers returning from dengue-endemic areas should take precautions to prevent mosquito bites for three weeks. If dengue symptoms develop within two weeks of return, travelers should seek medical evaluation.
Symptoms of dengue can range from mild to severe and include fever, nausea, vomiting, rash and body aches. Symptoms typically last two to seven days, and while severe illness can occur, most people recover within a week. Individuals who have recently traveled and are experiencing these symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.
In areas with suspected or confirmed dengue cases, DOH personnel from the Vector Control Branch (VCB) are conducting inspections and mosquito-reduction activities. Reducing mosquito populations lowers the risk of dengue transmission to others. In areas without reported dengue cases, eliminating mosquito breeding sites around the home is a helpful preventive measure.
Mosquitoes need only small amounts of standing water to breed. Common breeding sites include buckets, water-catching plants (such as bromeliads), small containers, planters, rain barrels and even cups left outside. Pouring out containers of standing water can significantly reduce the potential for mosquito breeding.
For more information, visit the Disease Outbreak Control Division (DOCD) and Vector Control Branch (VCB) websites.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Jointly organised by the Film Programmes Office, the Hong Kong Space Museum and the Hong Kong Science Museum of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, “Sci-Fi, Sci-Talk” will feature two popular sci-fi films, “Interstellar” (2014) and “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” (2001), which will be screened free of charge at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum at 2pm on April 20 and 21 respectively, leading audiences to reflect on the impact of technological advancements on human life.
Astrophysicist and Associate Professor of the Department of Science and Environmental Studies of the Education University of Hong Kong, Professor Chan Man-ho, and Research Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Principal Investigator of the CUHK Jockey Club AI for the Future Project, Professor Yam Yeung, have been invited as guest speakers for post-screening talks respectively to explore the scientific knowledge behind the films.
In “Interstellar”, the protagonist, Cooper, is pulled into a black hole while on a mission searching for habitable planets for humankind. He accidentally enters a five-dimensional space created by future humans, where he communicates with his daughter on Earth using gravity and helps her achieve a plan to save humanity. The film visually presents scientific concepts such as relativity, black holes and wormholes on the screen, allowing the audience to experience the wonder of science through the story.
In “A.I. Artificial Intelligence”, directed by Steven Spielberg, a robotic boy named David, endowed with genuine human emotions, is adopted by a human, Monica, as a replacement for her seriously ill son. Following her own son’s recovery and return home, David desperately searches for a way to become a real human in the hope of regaining Monica’s motherly love and care. The film profoundly explores the relationship between love, humanity and technology, making it a classic in the genre of sci-fi films featuring robots.
Both films are in English with Chinese subtitles.
Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. For programme enquiries, please call 2734 2900 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en/listing.html?id=74. “Sci-Fi, Sci-Talk” is one of the programmes of HK SciFest 2025 held by the Hong Kong Science Museum from April 18 to 27. For details about HK SciFest 2025, please visit the website at www.hk.science.museum/scifest2025/?lang=en.
Last week, I travelled to the historic city of Perugia in Umbria, Italy. With clear blue skies, wisteria hanging over ancient Roman walls, plenty of gelato and beautiful vistas from the hilltop, the setting was pretty special. More inspiring though, were the people I spoke to during my visit. Perugia is the home of the annual international journalism festival, a meeting of media movers and shakers from all over the globe. These are my five biggest takeaways.
1. In-person connections are irreplaceable
Yes, I see the irony of flying to talk about climate journalism, but sometimes face-to-face connections, impromptu chats and dinner table discussions are just impossible to replicate on a video call. I caught up with journalists from my Oxford Climate Journalism Network cohort. Run by the Reuters Institute, this six-month programme is proving invaluable, not only for seminars from guest speakers at the top of their game, but for the collaborations that are developing within the network. Learning from my peers working in Austria, Brazil, Canada and way beyond has opened my eyes so much to the diversity of challenges we all face – and the creative possibilities.
Kevin Burden (European media leaders fellowship project manager), Nina Fasciaux (director of Solutions Journalism Network) and Anna Turns. Kevin Burden, CC BY-NC-ND
During my discussions with colleagues from my European media leaders climate solutions fellowship visiting from France, Italy and the Czech Republic, I listened to the lightbulb moments others have had and reflected on my own progress – internally, in terms of what leadership means to me and how I can effect meaningful change, plus externally, in terms of supporting my own team and encouraging more collaboration within this organisation.
By sharing joys and worries over a margarita pizza or scoop of nocciola (hazelnut icecream – my favourite), I was struck that authenticity is the most important attribute. All else follows and every single one of those real, honest and open in-person connections deepens my appreciation for that.
2. Environmental journalism is thriving
So many early career journalists approached me, keen to chat and wanting to know more about how to immerse themselves in this specialism. When I first started out as a biology graduate, I worked in wildlife TV production and magazine journalism. Back then, environment coverage tended to be an outlier, an afterthought at best. Climate journalists were few and far between; willing mentors were difficult to find.
Anna Turns chatted to lots of environmental journalists after her conference event. Monica Rizza #IJF25, CC BY-NC-ND
That landscape has shifted so much over the past 20 years and I’m proud that this part of our industry is growing, and becoming richer for it. Now, people want to cover climate stories in so many creative formats and that’s invigorating.
3. Science doesn’t have to stay in silos
With growing misinformation, (both inadvertent misinterpretation and deliberate miscommunication) online, combined with widespread disengagement from mainstream news sources, social media has a big role to play in how we engage with climate, or not.
I hosted an event with Adam Levy about how to make climate science shine on social media. With a PhD in atmospheric physics from the University of Oxford, Levy now works as a science journalist and broadcaster, while producing jargon-free videos that make complex climate issues relatable and succinct.
Anna Turns interviewed Adam Levy at the International Journalism Festival. Monica Rizza #IJF25, CC BY-NC-ND
Climate communication is definitely not just about imparting facts. There’s space for nuance, even humour. We chatted about bridging the gap between science and storytelling, how to apply a rigorous journalistic approach to all forms of content and how integrity must be the top priority. That all builds precious trust and creates connection.
4. Time is ticking
The next UN climate summit (Cop30) is coming and we’re getting ready. One of my favourite sessions was a talk by Daniel Nardin, another solutions journalist member of the Oxford Climate Journalism Network. He lives in Belem, the Brazilian city that will be hosting Cop30 in November, where negotiators will continue to debate how best to tackle and adapt to climate change. But those strategies, frameworks and commitments can seem dry, dense and hard to digest.
Nardin’s publication, Amazonia Vox, platforms the voices of the people living in the Amazon, in forested, deforested and urban areas. He explained that the environmental, social and political issues in the Amazon are complex and full of nuance, which is why he makes local voices central to the narrative.
None of this is rocket science. But Nardin is proactively cracking on with it, because there isn’t time to wait.
Mark Hertsgard from Covering Climate Now (far left) talks about how newsrooms can make climate training effective. Alexa Cano #IJF25, CC BY-NC-ND
5. Newsroom culture is transforming
The Conversation is already highly respected. So many expert communicators, academics and readers told me how much they love what we do and what we stand for. Tackling misinformation in engaging ways is what we do best. Connecting you, our audience and community, with the most accurate and evidence-based knowledge is our purpose. We’re already bridging the gap between research and the real world. But there’s still scope to evolve and embrace change.
Looking ahead, The Conversation can help shift the way climate stories can be told. The climate crisis has gone way beyond being an environmental issue. It’s linked to all aspects of our lives, from health and education to business and democracy, as well as conflicts and culture. Newsrooms don’t have to function like they have done for decades. By being curious, we can experiment, find out what works and reinvent the norm.
At the New York Times, the climate team is physically in the centre of the office. At the French newswire Agence France-Presse, job titles such as “future of the planet, global editor” reflect big ambitions to integrate climate into everything. At CBC, the Canadian public broadcaster, the science and climate unit has made climate literacy training a top priority for all staff – not because it’s worthy, but because future proofing makes business sense.
As the executive director of Covering Climate Now, a media community based in the US, Mark Hertsgard said: “Every journalist in the 21st century will need to be a climate journalist.”
Now, my job is to turn Perugia’s inspiration into action. Watch this space.
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
On April 11, at the State University of Management, instructors from the Moscow City Branch of the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps conducted training for people with disabilities and for children and teenagers whose parents are disabled.
Participants were taught first aid skills and fire safety rules. The classes were held in a friendly and inclusive atmosphere, which allowed each participant to feel comfortable and confident.
The event was held on the initiative of the coordinator of the federal party project “United Country – Accessible Environment” in Moscow Natalia Prisetskaya and the deputy of the Moscow City Duma, head of the Moscow city branch of the VSKS, director of the Educational and training center for emergency response and basic military training of the State University of Management Maxim Dzhetygenov.
“We are pleased to join such an important project as “United Country – Accessible Environment”. The training, developed taking into account the special needs of the participants, covers a wide range of topics. The participants received not only theoretical foundations, but also the opportunity to practice the acquired knowledge. We are confident that the acquired skills will help the participants feel more confident and secure in everyday life. The “United Country” project plays an important role in creating an inclusive society, and we are proud to have the opportunity to contribute to this noble cause!” – shared Maxim Dzhetygenov.
When teaching first aid skills to rescuers, it was important not to help the training participants too much, but to teach them manipulations and techniques, to give them the opportunity to independently complete the actions, even if the wheelchair was in the way. Children with disabled parents were also taught resuscitation skills, studied first aid and, of course, asked questions of interest.
“For many years I have been working on the idea of organizing trainings where professional rescuers could show how people in wheelchairs can help save themselves and what techniques will be most effective, how to provide first aid to their loved ones, children, what can be done based on their physical condition, strength, skills. It is important to have an action plan so that a person in a wheelchair, even watching from the side, can manage the entire process of providing first aid. And it is very important for all of us to raise the level of safety culture together,” noted Natalia Prisetskaya.
The second part of the training was dedicated to fire safety. Many participants picked up a fire extinguisher for the first time in their lives and thought about the risk they expose themselves and their loved ones to every day by not following the most basic fire safety rules.
According to rescuers, trainings involve a full-fledged exchange. During practical training, it is possible to understand the approximate physical capabilities of people with disabilities and the nuances of different types of wheelchairs. Rescuers also learn more about personal boundaries and rules for comfortable communication with this category of people, and how best to interact with them.
In total, 40 trainings are planned to be held in 2025, in which more than 200 people will take part: both wheelchair users and people with other types of disabilities, their relatives and children.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/14/2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Recovery works are helping Daintree National Park (CYPAL) get back to business following recent weather events.
Repairs and upgrades are ongoing at key sites, returning the national park to a leading ecotourism destination.
Sites include the Kulki Boardwalk Lookout, Dubuji and Madja boardwalks, and sections of the Mossman Gorge walking tracks.
Ongoing repairs and upgrades across Daintree National Park (CYPAL) are on track to reopen key visitor infrastructure in time for the Easter school holidays, ensuring visitors can explore the world’s oldest rainforest and support local tourism.
The upgrades will help Far North Queensland get ‘back to business’ following the impact of weather events which caused significant flooding, debris and landslips on a number of sites and assets in the national park.
Work in Daintree National Park (CYPAL) includes:
Starting the $4.5 million Jindalba boardwalk upgrades – including accessibility improvements that are set to open mid-2025.
Mobilising construction on the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Bamanga Muruku Tourism Hub – allowing traditional owners of the world’s oldest rainforest to share their culture with visitors, set to open later this year.
Reopening the Kulki Boardwalk Lookout after repairs from debris damage.
Reopening the Dubuji and Madja boardwalks after cyclone debris removal and flood repairs.
Reopening Mossman Gorge walking tracks after repairing a damaged pedestrian bridge.
Progressing plans for the Walu Wugirriga Alexandra Range Lookout upgrade for enhanced views.
Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Deputy Director-General Ben Klaassen said they’re ensuring these wonders can be witnessed for generations to come.
“Our dedicated Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service team has been working hard to ensure visitors to the national park can truly enjoy north and far north Queensland’s wonderful natural environment,” said Mr Klaassen.
“Daintree National Park (CYPAL) protects one of the oldest rainforests in the world, which is teaming with diverse wildlife.
“Attracting visitors who appreciate this stunning environment allows the national park to play an essential role for the local economy, while showcasing unique biodiversity and rich Indigenous culture.
“We are forging ahead with a number of exciting projects to ensure ecotourism icons like the Daintree continue to support our vibrant state.”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen welcomed the recovery work and upgrades in Daintree National Park (CYPAL).
“These works are essential for preserving the region’s world-renowned natural beauty and ensuring a safe, enjoyable experience for visitors,” said Mr Olsen.
“This work is vital for tourism, helping to support local businesses, attract nature lovers from around the globe, and strengthen the region’s reputation as a must-visit destination.”
Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation CEO Joshua Paterson said the Daintree National Park (CYPAL) held deep cultural significance for the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people.
“This is part of our ancestral land, rich with sacred sites, stories, and traditions passed down for generations,” said Mr Paterson.
“Our partnership with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to protect and preserve the park’s cultural and environmental values, allows us to share our knowledge and heritage while safeguarding the rainforest’s unique ecosystems for all to experience and respect.”
Daintree National Park (CYPAL), a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its unparalleled biodiversity, featuring a rare convergence of reef, rainforest, and mangrove ecosystems that support unique species like the southern cassowary and Bennett’s tree-kangaroo.
The national park is under the joint management of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, whose efforts are focused on preserving the park’s cultural and environmental significance while promoting sustainable tourism.
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Alexander Demin, Nina Korsakova and Ekaterina Voznyak
In the exhibition hall of the architectural faculty of SPbGASU, the department of landscape architecture opened an exhibition of projects for the territories of schools and kindergartens.
Let us recall that the Department of Landscape Architecture was formed in the current academic year. It is attended by students who transferred from the Department of Architectural Environment Design and first-year students. Therefore, the exhibition was the first in the history of the new department.
As Ekaterina Voznyak, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at SPbGASU, noted, on the one hand, the Department of Landscape Architecture is young, on the other hand, it is developing most dynamically. In terms of the number of students, it is the largest in the Faculty of Architecture.
“Over the years, we have developed our own system and our own school of teaching landscape design: if the similar department of the St. Petersburg State Forestry University focuses on plantings, then we work with the architecture of space. In the presented projects, we managed to combine both architectural and landscape directions. All the works are impressive in their high level of execution,” Ekaterina Voznyak emphasized.
Acting Head of the Department of Landscape Architecture Alexander Demin explained that part of the exhibition consists of course projects by second-year students, and part consists of completed projects by department staff.
“The exhibition presents the first steps and first experience of students in designing public spaces. The sites of existing schools and kindergartens are used as a basis, where real problems of organizing adjacent territories and public spaces need to be solved. You can also see the completed projects under the program of the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services of the Russian Federation “Small Towns and Historical Settlements”, completed by the department’s employees. This selection of projects is not accidental: it symbolizes the construction of a single content line in continuity between professionals and students. In addition, projects of public spaces in the cities of Kommunar and Pikalyovo in the Leningrad Region, completed within the framework of the Russian competition “Small Towns and Historical Settlements” of the Ministry of Construction of Russia, are presented. They were completed by the employees of the landscape architecture department together with students, the Kremlin studio, the Competence Center of the Leningrad Region and district administrations,” said Alexander Demin.
The director of the design studio, chief architect of SPbGASU Svetlana Bochkareva noted the unique design of the exhibition in a single style, which speaks of the personal participation of the head of the department.
“For all of us, such a bright exhibition is a great gift and a bright, colorful event. For second-year students, participation in it is a kind of bonus, motivation for further professional activity,” Svetlana Bochkareva summarized.
Among the first visitors to the exhibition on April 10 were students from Secondary School No. 564 of the Admiralty District of St. Petersburg, with which our university has been cooperating since 1988. As Director Nina Korsakova noted, yesterday’s schoolchildren enter SPbGASU and subsequently successfully work in their profession.
“What is presented at the exhibition today is great! I hope that the traditions of cooperation established 37 years ago will continue. It is gratifying to see how the works of our graduates, and now your students, are being implemented here. Thus, in the two new buildings of the school, a large number of unique interiors were made according to the design projects of our students,” said Nina Korsakova.
Second-year student of the landscape architecture department Yulia Rozhkova admits that it is nice to see her project at the exhibition.
“This is my first time participating in an exhibition and my first time developing a project for the functional zoning of a kindergarten territory. I wanted to make modern playgrounds that children would like. Landscaping was also taken into account, new plants were added. Bright accents of the territory are color and paving. I believe that such a first experience will be a good step towards the profession,” said Yulia.
Ariadna Bobokova, a tenth-grader at School No. 564, is not yet familiar with landscape design and believes that an exhibition is the best way to learn about it.
“I plan to enroll in your university, but I am more interested in architectural design. Just the other day, a teacher at SPbGASU and I discussed that landscape design is not only flowers and plants, but also architecture. After looking at the work, I was convinced that this is really true: the projects present complex master plans,” Ariadna said.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
