Gatineau, Quebec, July 25, 2025 – Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to advise the public that on July 30 and August 2, 6, 9, 13 and 16, the Alexandra Bridge will be closed and patrolled for safety measures during the event Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy, as per the following schedule:
closed to vehicles: from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
completely closed: from 8:30 pm to 10 pm
reopening:
to pedestrians and cyclists at 10 pm
to vehicles at 10:30 pm
Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use the centre lane between 7:30 and 8:30 pm.
Road signage will be in place, and flag persons will direct traffic.
PSPC encourages users to exercise caution when travelling on the bridge and thanks them for their patience.
FedNor funds are supporting and attracting businesses to the region and promoting sustainable development in the agri-food sector
July 25, 2025 – Temiskaming Shores, ON – Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario – FedNor
Today, Pauline Rochefort, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Rural Development), and Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming, announced $863,023 in funding to support local and regional innovation and economic development across Northern Ontario. This announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor.
Of the funding announced today, $702,713 will support the Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance (NOFIA) in strengthening the region’s agri-food sector.The initiative will improve local value chains, advance technology adoption, and promote sustainable practices. NOFIA will also assess key production and procurement challenges, and explore infrastructure investments to support aggregation, storage, and distribution. The project aims to expand market opportunities and increase demand for Northern Ontario–produced foods.
The project is expected to help expand and modernize 120 businesses, create 60 new jobs in the agricultural sector over three yearsm, supporting the development of nearly 2,000 acres of farmland. This will help to attract over $1 million in industry investment and economic benefits for the region.
Also announced was $160,310 in funding for the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM). The funding will allow FONOM to produce and distribute 12 bilingual videos to highlight business opportunities and promote the strengths and talents of Northern Ontario’s workforce, the availability and price of residential and industrial lands, and the benefits of the Northern Ontarian lifestyle.
Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
Bicameral First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act would help make homeownership a reality for young Americans amidst skyrocketing housing costs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and 10 Democratic Senators in reintroducing the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, legislation that aims to support middle-class Americans purchasing their first home. The Senators’ legislation would establish a refundable tax credit worth up to 10% of a home’s purchase price—up to a maximum of $15,000—for first-time homebuyers.
“Everyone should have a fair chance to experience the joy of buying their first home–it’s a pillar of the American Dream. But skyrocketing housing prices have pushed that dream out of reach for folks in red and blue states alike,” said Senator Welch. “Our legislation will provide a financial boost to first-time homeowners to give more hardworking Americans a fair shot at buying their first home.”
“Owning a home is at the core of the American dream, but too many young families have been priced out of homeownership in recent years because of the housing supply crunch. And Trump’s chaotic tariff regime has increased homebuilding costs, forcing developers to pause construction on much-needed new units,” said Senator Whitehouse. “Our tax credit for first-time homebuyers would help make the American dream a reality for more of the young Americans left behind in Trump’s billionaire-first economy.”
“Buying your first home is more than just owning property: It’s a source of pride, stability, and hope for the future. Unfortunately, buying a home is out of reach for many families right now. We’re changing that with my First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act,” said Senator Heinrich. “I’m proud to reintroduce this bill to ease the financial burden on aspiring homeowners and give every working family an equal opportunity to realize the American dream of owning a home.”
In 2022, the median sale price for a home in the U.S. was 5.6 times higher than the median income, a higher ratio than during the years immediately before the 2007 mortgage crisis, and the highest disparity on record. An NBC News analysis earlier this month found that the cost of building a single-family home could soon rise by more than $4,000 thanks to President Trump’s tariff agenda, which is expected to increase the costs of many of the materials used to build houses.
In Vermont, which faces a housing shortage and has the fourth-highest rate of homelessness in the country, an estimated 7,000 new homes will need to be built each year for the next 25 years to help alleviate the crisis. Nationwide, the shortage of affordable housing opportunities costs the American economy an estimated $2 trillion each year. High housing costs reduce disposable income and economic mobility, stifling economic opportunities for those who can no longer afford housing in their communities.
Housing unaffordability is especially harmful to younger Americans, who are struggling to reach the same milestones their parents did at their age. In 2024, the typical age of a first-time homebuyer reached a record high of 38, up from 29 in 1981. And first-time homebuyers, as a percentage of all homebuyers nationwide, fell from 38% to 24% over that same period, the lowest percentage ever recorded.
Under the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, taxpayers would have the option of receiving the credit at the time of purchase by working with their mortgage issuer. Alternatively, taxpayers could elect to treat the purchase of their home as occurring in the prior taxable year to receive the credit before tax season if they are unable to qualify for the credit at point of sale.
The credit phases out for those making above 150% of area median income and for those buying a house with a purchase price above 110% of the area median purchase price. Additionally, the credit is limited to home purchases financed through federally backed mortgages.
The First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.). U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) and Mike Thompson (D-CA-04) led the reintroduction of the legislation in the House of Representatives.
The legislation is endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Cooperative Credit Union Association, Mortgage Bankers Association, Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing, Rhode Island Association of REALTORS, RIHousing, Housing Network of Rhode Island, HousingWorksRI, Rhode Island Builders Association, Rhode Island Mortgage Bankers Association, Santa Clara County REALTORS, Santa Cruz County REALTORS, and Monterey County REALTORS.
Read and download the full text of the bill.
Faced with a wave of jargon and overwhelming choice, many Brits are giving up on researching TVs altogether – even though it’s often a significant purchase and the entertainment hub for the home.
New research from Samsung reveals that more than half of UK shoppers (54%) spend less than two hours researching a new TV and 8% admit to doing no research at all.
Normally, clarity would prevail around a major purchase, especially when 62% of people expect their TV to last more than six years. But instead, many consumers are switching off early, overwhelmed by complex specs and unfamiliar terms.
Nearly half (46%) of UK shoppers say they’ve bought a TV without fully understanding what they were getting. Even the most familiar term, HDMI – a technology used for more than 20 years – is only understood by four in ten people, despite being simply a connectivity port rather than something that affects the screen quality itself.
Worryingly, only one in four (25%) felt confident in their final decision, and just 26% described the experience as exciting – suggesting that for many, TV shopping feels more stressful than satisfying.
Apathy, confusion and lack of confidence are fuelling ‘TV tech fatigue’ and having a real impact on decision-making. This often leads to purchase regret, with one in three (33%) have regretted choosing a cheaper or lesser-known brand, while 45% have had to replace their TV sooner than expected.
“Most people want to make the right choice. They’ll read a few reviews, compare models, maybe watch a video or two, but it’s easy to feel overwhelmed,” says Jeremy Demont, Director of TV/AV Product Management at Samsung UK. “For something as important and long-lasting as a TV, that should be enough. But the jargon gets in the way. TVs are central to how we relax and connect. Buying one shouldn’t feel like sitting an exam.”
These findings are revealed just before a major football weekend – a period often resulting in a surge in TV sales. It’s the perfect opportunity to emphasise the importance of ensuring that consumers fully understand the technology they’re investing in.
While picture quality and content have never been better, many consumers are struggling to keep up with TV technology. As the leading global TV manufacturer for the past 19 years[1], Samsung is working to make it easier for people to understand the tech that shapes how we watch, share and connect.
Picture quality (47%) and screen type (30%) are seen as the most important factors when buying a TV but understanding of these is low. Only 33% of Brits know what 4K means, while just 18% re familiar with OLED and 14% with QLED – despite both of these being popular TV types.
Yet even with these knowledge gaps, few people seek support. Just 12% say they buy in-store so they can speak to a salesperson and only 17% believe that understanding TV terminology alone would give them more confidence.
The findings suggest that people want simpler, more intuitive ways to understand the features and how they benefit users, not just acronyms for technical terms.
“Consumers want a great viewing experience but often feel lost in a sea of acronyms,” says Jeremy. “We know the names can sound technical – QLED, OLED, HDR, 4K – but what matters most is how everything looks and performs on screen. That’s why we focus on delivering quality people can trust – and why we help shoppers cut through the complexity.
“Whether you understand the tech or not, you can trust that a Samsung TV will deliver long-lasting picture quality, intuitive design and the performance people return to us for. We are the global leader in TV for a reason, and we want to make it easier than ever to choose the right one.”
When it comes to choosing a TV, what makes the biggest difference day-to-day isn’t the jargon – it’s how the picture actually looks and performs. In fact, picture quality and screen type are the top priorities for shoppers. Samsung QLED TVs are independently certified as Real Quantum Dot Displays[2], delivering consistently vibrant colour and brightness that lasts.
The research also reinforces the emotional and cultural role TV continues to play in people’s lives. Despite the rise of streaming, the moments that stay with us are still those we experienced live, together.
When asked to name their most memorable TV moments, Brits picked major national events over entertainment: Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral ranked number one, followed by Princess Diana’s funeral (#2) and the London 2012 Olympics (#3) – ahead of any drama or comedy series.
Other top choices included Live Aid (#4) and the 1969 moon landing as broadcast on the BBC (#5). Powerful reminders that TV continues to bring people together.
“These findings reflect that TVs are more than just screens. They’re the backdrop to family film nights, shared sporting highs and moments that bring friends and generations together,” says Jeremy. “From daily rituals to national milestones, the TV remains a central part of how we connect. However as the technology evolves, the way we explain it must evolve too.”
Samsung’s QLED and OLED TVs are built for long-term performance and trusted by millions worldwide, offering the colour and brightness quality consumers expect from a premium TV.
If you’re looking to purchase a TV and want support on picking the best kind for you, Samsung has put together a set of easy, intuitive questions to help:
For optimal sports viewing:
I watch a lot of sport. What can you recommend that ensures whichever sport I’m watching stays clear without the ball blurring so I can stay as close to the action as possible?
For the best gaming experience:
I love gaming on my TV so looking for low-latency and strong processing?
I want to minimise the cables going into the TV for a ‘cleaner’ look, how can I do this?
For watching films:
Which TVs give the most cinematic experience with rich, lifelike colours and deep contrast?
What independent experts or organisations have verified the quality of the picture/experience?
To ensure you’re getting the best value for your budget:
What TV options offer additional features or services and are they free?
Will a slightly smaller sized TV be better for me in the long-run? (Will it last longer?)
For optimal viewing conditions:
My room is quite bright. What can you recommend for maintaining picture quality to minimise reflections in these conditions?
For longevity, value and future-proofing:
What’s the ultimate TV for future-proofed picture quality and does 8K really make a difference?
Is it better to invest in a higher-quality TV now rather than upgrading sooner?
You can find out more about Samsung QLED TVs here: Latest Samsung QLED TV | All QLED TVs | Samsung UK and for OLED information please visit 4K & 8K OLED TVs | Find The Best OLED TV | Samsung UK.
[1]Omdia: https://news.samsung.com/uk/samsung-electronics-marks-19-consecutive-years-as-the-global-tv-market-leader
[2]Certified by TUV Rhineland: https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-qled-tvs-earn-real-quantum-dot-display-certification-from-tuv-rheinland
School’s out for summer! As uniforms are folded away and school shoes tucked neatly into the cupboard, parents across Plymouth are beginning to wonder what will the next six weeks look like?
If you are looking for inspiration for things to keep the kids occupied and entertained over the holidays, we can help. We’ve pulled together a list of activities to keep children of all ages and interests entertained all summer long. From bouncy castles for the younger kids, to e-sports for teens, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Here’s what on this week:
Plymouth Libraries
Saturday 26 July – Children’s author visit
Central Library – 10.30am to midday – Free
Central Library will be welcoming former Plymouth Laureate, Thom Boulton to deliver an interactive session based on his exciting new book, Wild Children – a magical adventure about finding the courage to confront our fears and throwing off the masks we wear.
Suitable for children 7 years and over and their families. No booking required.
Monday 28 July – Story Garden: Craft activity
Crownhill Library – 11am to midday – Free
Efford Library – 11.30am to 12.30pm – Free
Join in every Monday for garden themed craft activities. Suitable to children aged 5 to 11 years and their families. This session is part of a series of activities supporting this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Wednesday 30 July – Story Garden: Bird mosaic hangers
Central library – 2pm to 3pm – Free
Garden themed craft activity – create a colourful bird mosaic hanger! Suitable to children aged 5 years and over and their families This session is part of a series of activities supporting this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Friday 1 August – Story Garden: Lego, craft and colouring
Estover library – 11.30am to 4pm – Free
Lego, craft activities and colouring every Friday in August at Estover Library. Suitable for children 5 years and over and their families. This session is part of a series of activities supporting this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Libraries across Plymouth host regular activities for children, including Lego clubs, Rhymetime and storytelling sessions.
Tinside say: We’ve joined forces with Community Alcohol Partnerships for one unforgettable evening: CAPFEST. Created by young people, for young people, CAPFEST is a free event for 11–17 year olds packed with summer vibes – think music, swimming, mocktails and a BBQ, all by the sea. There’ll be live music, a DJ set, food and drinks (non-alcoholic, of course), and full access to the lido – all completely free.
Every Monday during the school holidays – Tech club
9:30 to 3:30pm – £24 per day
Is your child a tech enthusiast? Our Tech Club provides young minds with esports gaming, augmented reality HADO, and hands-on STEM challenges using Sphero robots.
Tuesday to Friday – Football roadshow
9.30am to 3.30pm – £24 per day
Our Football Roadshows bring high-energy training, games, and match play to young boys and girls of all abilities – right on your doorstep. Our roadshows teach skills, drills, and teamwork led by qualified Argyle coaches. 5 to 15 years.
Tuesday to Friday – Multi-Activity Clubs
9.30am to 3.30pm – £24 per day
For young people who love variety, a lively mix of sports, gaming, and soft play to keep children active, entertained, and socialising. From active games and soft play, to console time and sports – all in one place.
Tuesday 29 July to Thursday 31 July – Craft sessions
10:30am to 12.30pm and 1:30pm to 3:30pm (Last entries at 12.15pm and 3.15pm) – Free
Try the drop-in craft sessions, ideal for children aged 4 to 11 years old and their adults.
Wednesday 30 July – Bugs at The Box
The Box/ Tavistock Place – 12.45pm to 1.30pm – Free
You can see a 6m high biomechanical insect sculpture on Tavistock Place with a special performance with a live soundtrack from 12.45-1.30pm – plus, they’ll have live big bug handing with the University of Plymouth. Come and see stick insects, giant snails, giant cockroaches, katydid, beetles, spiders!
Friday 1 August – Tell me a story – Free
Join The Box Plymouth every Friday morning for half an hour of storytelling – perfect for under 5s and their grownups.
Why not look around the exhibitions whilst you’re there and see Mildred the woolly mammoth? The Box is free to visit with lots of amazing artwork and fascinating objects to explore, so there’s something for the whole family. It’s open 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday and there’s no need to book.
Poole Farm
Wednesday 30 July – Animal hour at Poole Farm
9.30am to 10.30am – Free
Looking for a fun family activity this summer? Come and join us for Animal Hour at Poole Farm – every Wednesday during the summer holidays, starting this week (excluding the week of Wild & Well). Meet at: The Derriford Community Park sign near the cow field. Meet our friendly farm animals – say hello to our cheeky chickens and come and see our beautiful cows up close! Please wear sensible shoes – it can get a little muddy on the farmyard.
Community fun day
Wednesday 30 July -The Barn Family Hub
11am to 3pm – Free
Enjoy a bouncy castle, football, hockey, karate, pizza making, arts & crafts, and our popular Bike Space – Doctor Bike. That’s just the start – there’s plenty more to discover! We’ll have refreshments, community group stalls, and information stands, so you can connect, learn, and enjoy a great day out with your neighbours.
“Game on, Together!” is a dynamic family workshop designed to build teamwork, communication, and trust through high-energy cooperative games and creative challenges. This is aimed at Parents and Children aged 6+ up to 18. Parents/carers can bring a maximum of 2 children with them to each class.
Thursday 31 July – Family poetry workshop
1pm to 3pm
Unleash creativity and explore the joy of poetry together in this engaging 2-hour workshop suitable for all ages and backgrounds. This is aimed at Parents and Children aged 6+ up to 18. Parents/carers can bring a maximum of 2 children with them to each class.
Thursday 31 July and Friday 1 August – Crafting sessions
11am to 3pm
Get your craft on this summer and take home a beautiful piece of art inspired by the movies at Saltram.
Saturday 19 July to Sunday 31 August – Summer of play at Saltram
Saltram say ‘This summer, join us for our Summer of Play – Saltram on screen family trail and activities. Saltram’s garden will be transformed into a playful celebration of all things performance, imagination and adventure – perfect for young creatives, budding films stars or movie makers, and families ready to make magical memories in the summer sunshine.’
YMCA said: Enjoy a range of free, inclusive activities for children and young people with SEND, aged 0–16 at YMCA Plymouth. Sessions are led by trained, friendly staff in a safe and supportive environment, offering fun, sensory, and creative experiences for all abilities.
This area right on Plymouth’s doorstep have some fantastic activities all summer long! Here’s what’s in store:
Swimming Sessions: Try Swim Safe and Safe and Sound sessions at Tinside Lido.
Rockpool Safaris: Join expert guides as you explore the hidden world of rockpools.
Shark Month: Head to Royal William Yard during July for a month packed with shark-themed fun.
Water Sports: Fancy kayaking or paddleboarding? The Mount Batten Centre have sessions for beginners and pros alike, all set against the stunning backdrop of Plymouth Sound.
Walks, Talks and Art: Tag along for history walks and talks around Royal William Yard, for a foraging workshop around Ernesettle Creek/Devil’s Point.
Mount Wise Swimming Pools are a great place to spend a summer day swimming, sunbathing and enjoying fantastic views. The best things is, it’s free entry!
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation of the Aug. 26, 2025 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by wildfires occurring July 17–Aug. 21, 2024.
Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to PNPs providing non-critical services of a governmental nature who suffered financial losses directly related to the disaster. Examples of eligible non-critical PNPs include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.
EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
“SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 3.25% and terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.
Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than Aug. 26.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the heels of a heat advisory issued this week and extreme heat conditions rising across Wisconsin, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined her colleagues in introducing the Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act, legislation to protect the safety and health of workers who are exposed to dangerous heat conditions in the workplace.
“Far too many of our workers are being pushed to the brink in dangerous heat conditions – it’s wrong, and they deserve the dignity to be protected,” said Senator Baldwin. “As we continue to face record-breaking heat waves, we have to stand up for these workers and give them the protections that they need and deserve – and I am proud to work with my colleagues to introduce this bill that will do just that.”
The legislation would protect workers against occupational exposure to excessive heat by requiring the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to establish an enforceable federal standard to protect workers in high-heat environments with commonsense measures like paid breaks in cool spaces, access to water, limitations on time exposed to heat, and emergency response for workers with heat-related illness. The bill also directs employers to provide training for their employees on the risk factors that can lead to heat illness and guidance on the proper procedures for responding to symptoms.
The legislation is named in honor of Asunción Valdivia, who died in 2004 after picking grapes for 10 hours straight in 105-degree temperatures. Mr. Valdivia fell unconscious, but instead of calling an ambulance, his employer told Mr. Valdivia’s son to drive his father home. On his way home, he died of heat stroke at the age of 53.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2024 was the warmest year on record for the United States. The past decade, including 2024, was the hottest on record, marking a decade of extreme heat that will only get worse. Heat-related illnesses can cause heat cramps, organ damage, heat exhaustion, stroke, and even death. Between 1992 and 2017, heat stress injuries killed 815 U.S. workers and seriously injured more than 70,000. The Washington Center for Equitable Growth estimates hot temperatures caused at least 360,000 workplace injuries in California from 2001 to 2018, or about 20,000 injuries a year. The failure to implement simple heat safety measures costs U.S. employers nearly $100 billion every year in lost productivity.
From 2011-2020, heat exposure killed at least 400 workers and caused nearly 34,000 injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work; both are likely vast underestimates. Farm workers and construction workers suffer the highest incidence of heat illness. And no matter what the weather is outside, workers in factories, commercial kitchens, and other workplaces, including ones where workers must wear personal protective equipment (PPE), can face dangerously high heat conditions all year round.
A new analysis by the nonprofit group Climate Central finds extreme heat streaks are becoming more common across the state. In Wisconsin, the city of Milwaukee has warmed 3.4 degrees in the last 55 years and other cities like Wausau, Green Bay, Madison, La Crosse and Eau Claire have seen temperatures increase between 1.6 to 2.8 degrees during the same timeframe.
The Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act has the support of a broad coalition of over 250 groups, including: Rural Coalition, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, AFL-CIO, UNITE HERE!, Communication Workers of America, Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, Sierra Club, United Farm Workers, Farmworker Justice, Public Citizen, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Union of Concerned Scientists, United Steelworkers, National Resources Defense Council, American Lung Association, and Health Partnerships.
“Every worker safety rule in America is written in blood,” said UFW President Teresa Romero. “The UFW has been fighting for heat safety protections for decades. Over 20 years later, Asuncion Valdivia’s death still hurts. There are so many other farm workers — many whose names we do not know — who have also been killed by extreme heat on the job in the years since. Enough is enough. Every farm worker deserves access to water, shade, and paid rest breaks — it’s past time for Congress get this done.”
“For the Steelworkers Union, we represent workers in manufacturing settings and in a host of other areas where not only is it hot outside, but the areas that they work around are as hot as up to 3,000 degrees and they must wear protective equipment. The Asunción Valdivia Heat, Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act is important because it will provide a basic standard for not just outdoor, but indoor workplaces as well to ensure that there is proper rest breaks and the ability to stay cool. The Steelworkers are absolutely supportive of this bill and are going to work with Republicans and Democrats to ensure that heat illness is the last thing a worker should worry about,” said Roy Houseman, Legislative Director of United Steelworkers.
“Everyone deserves safe working conditions, but powerful corporations have not done enough to protect their workers from hot working environments, exacerbated by the climate crisis,” said Liz Shuler, President of the AFL-CIO. “Extreme heat is increasingly causing indoor and outdoor workers to collapse or even die on the job, and our union family has already lost too many members to preventable, work-related heat illness. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) must issue a strong heat rule, not a weak one, to ensure workers have specific protections they need and to be able to raise unsafe working conditions without fear of retaliation.”
“It’s long past time for meaningful legislation to protect Teamsters and other workers from the effects of prolonged heat exposure and dangerous heat levels while at work,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Paid breaks in cool spaces, access to water, and limitations on time exposed to heat are simple common sense steps that should be mandated immediately. Waiting to implement these measures is unacceptable and will result in the further loss of lives.”
The legislation is led by Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and co-sponsored by 21 of their Senate colleagues.
“The thousands of people seeking to return home are driven by hope, resilience and an enduring connection to their country,” said Othman Belbeisi, regional director of the International Organization of Migration (IOM).
While this development does offer hope, many of these people are returning to states and cities whose resources have been devastated by over two years of war.
Since conflict broke out in April 2023, over 12 million Sudanese have been forcibly displaced, representing the largest displacement crisis in the world.
One-third of these displaced people have fled into neighbouring countries such as Chad and South Sudan, which are increasingly struggling to support the influx of refugees.
“Not only do [the returnees] mark a hopeful but fragile shift, they also indicate already stretched host countries under increasing strain,” said Mamadou Dian Balde, the regional coordinator for the UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR.
‘A race against time’
IOM emphasized that for these returns to accord with international law, they must be voluntary and dignified. Most of the 1.3 million Sudanese returnees are heading to Khartoum, Al Jazirah and Sennar states where the impact of the conflict is still very acute.
In Khartoum specifically, many buildings — including the UNHCR office — are in ruins and public infrastructure, such as roads and power plants, has been compromised or destroyed.
“Without urgent action, people will be coming back to cities that are in ruins. We are in a race against time to clear the rubble and provide water, power and healthcare,” said Abdallah Al Dardair, director of the Arab States for the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
Additionally, Khartoum is already housing many internally displaced people and people who had formerly sought asylum in Sudan before the war broke out.
Returnees also face danger from unexploded ordnance and high rates of gender-based and sexual violence against women and girls. To address the psychosocial and protection needs of these women and girls, safe spaces have been set up in Khartoum and Al Jazirah states.
Key to recovery
In highlighting the hope that these returns signal, Mr. Belbeisi emphasized that returnees must be seen as active participants in the recovery of conflict-ridden Sudan.
“Those heading home are not passive survivors, they are vital to Sudan’s recovery. Yes, the humanitarian situation is dire, but with the right support, returnees can revive local economies, restore community life, and foster hope where it’s needed most,” he said.
However, humanitarian work in and around Sudan is drastically underfunded — only 23 per cent of the estimated $4.2 billion dollars needed for the next year has been received, meaning that life-saving services may have to be scaled back.
“More than evidence of people’s desire to return to their homeland, these returns are a desperate call for an end to the war so that people can come back and rebuild their lives,” Mr. Balde said.
class=”has-text-align-center”>By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
This Captive Nations Week, I offer my heartfelt support to every person living under a totalitarian regime and I reaffirm my commitment to advancing a new era of peace where freedom is cherished, sovereignty is respected, and every nation can live without fear of tyranny or oppression.
In 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower first proclaimed Captive Nations Week to counter the emerging threat of communism and declare America’s resolve to defend the fundamental rights of free speech, religious liberty, and self-government. As President, I continue that work today, as far too often, oppressive regimes still silence dissent and persecute their own citizens for practicing their faith.
The Religious Liberty Commission, the White House Faith Office, and the Department of State’s Office of International Religious Freedom are working together to expand and strengthen America’s efforts to defend religious freedom around the world. In the United States, we will always uphold the simple truth that our rights do not come from Government, but from God in Heaven. We believe that legitimate governments derive their power from the consent of the governed and that freedom of religion forms the foundation of free Government.
Guided by these truths, my Administration continues to work for a more stable and peaceful world. We remain fiercely committed to working with our allies and adversaries alike to pursue strong diplomacy, resolve conflicts, and forge lasting peace everywhere.
America stands with all people who resist tyranny, defend their faith, and fight for the God-given rights of every human being. We will continue to lead with strength, speak truth in the face of oppression, and advance the cause of peace, liberty, and human dignity across the globe.
The Congress, by Joint Resolution approved July 17, 1959 (73 Stat. 212), has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation designating the third week of July of each year as “Captive Nations Week.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 20 through July 26, 2025, as Captive Nations Week. I call upon all Americans to reaffirm our commitment to supporting those around the world striving for liberty, justice, and the rule of law with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
class=”has-text-align-center”>By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Since the earliest days of our history, our Nation’s future has been forged by skilled American hands and proud American hearts. From the settlers at Jamestown to the titans of industrialization and manufacturing, America has understood that, in order to be a great Nation, we must be a Nation that builds, creates, innovates, and fights for the needs of our own workers, families, and industries first. This Made in America Week, my Administration recommits to furthering this legacy — and we pledge to embolden our workers, reenergize our industries, and bring back those beautiful words: “Made in the U.S.A.”
Though the United States has long been a hub of manufacturing and an epicenter of ingenuity, over the decades, a globalist ruling class closed our factories, shipped away our jobs, and stripped our families and our communities of their homes, fortunes, and dreams. They hollowed out America as they built up China, and American citizens suffered as a result.
Every day, my Administration is once again reclaiming American sovereignty by modernizing and improving existing trade agreements, negotiating new deals based on the principles of fairness and reciprocity, and taking strong enforcement actions against trading partners that break the rules. We are putting our Nation’s interests first.
In March, I proudly signed an Executive Order to create the United States Investment Accelerator, establishing an office within the Department of Commerce tasked with facilitating investments higher than $1 billion in America. I also signed a Presidential Memorandum to bolster foreign investment while defending our national security interests. To further unleash domestic production, with the enactment of the historic One Big Beautiful Bill earlier this month, we delivered interest deduction for loans on new American-made vehicles, as well as 100 percent expensing for new factories, equipment, and machinery. These pro-worker, pro-family policies are leveling the playing field for American businesses and boosting production on American shores.
I have also directed the Federal Trade Commission to crack down on sellers who falsely claim their products are “Made in the U.S.A.” Americans want to support their fellow citizens rather than send their money overseas in exchange for poor-quality goods. The “Made in the U.S.A.” label is not just a slogan, but a sign that a product truly connects us with the ingenuity, quality craftmanship, and livelihood of our Nation.
As a result of my Administration’s leadership and America First vision, companies are lining up to do business with the United States. Already, we have attracted trillions of dollars’ worth of foreign and domestic investments — and our work is only just beginning. These historic investments are drastically increasing our domestic manufacturing capabilities, reinvigorating struggling industries, and unleashing a new wave of American innovation. Thanks to my Administration’s commonsense policies, for 4 months in a row, job numbers have beat market expectations, with American-born workers accounting for all of the job gains since I took office.
Together, we are rebuilding our Nation with American heart, hands, and grit. We are bringing back a culture of boldness and creativity that will empower the next generation of innovators, unleash the full strength of the American spirit, and ensure our economy, our culture, and our way of life remain the envy of the world. Above all, under my leadership, we are proudly building, inventing, and creating in the United States of America once again.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim this week, July 20 through July 26, 2025, as Made in America Week. I call upon all Americans to pay special tribute to the builders, the ranchers, the crafters, the entrepreneurs, and all those who work with their hands every day to make America great.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
From July 28 to August 3, Calgary’s Predator Bay is set to host the U21 Waterski World Championships. More than 110 of the world’s best waterskiers will compete for international titles showcasing the adrenaline-filled sport while highlighting Alberta as a premier destination for athletes and fans alike.
Alberta’s government provided $100,000 in funding through the Major Sport Event grant program to support the planning and execution of this event. This grant program provides financial assistance to support organizations in planning and hosting national and international sporting events in Alberta. The championships are expected to attract more than 40,000 spectators online and in-person and are projected to generate up to $1.3 million for Calgary’s local economy.
“Our government is proud to support events like the World Waterski Championships. This event gives Alberta’s waterskiing athletes the exciting opportunity to compete on home water in a world-class competition while also generating meaningful economic benefits for our local communities.”
“We are proud to welcome athletes, coaches, families and supporters from around the world to Alberta for the 2025 IWWF World U21 Waterski Championships. These young athletes have shown incredible dedication and passion for the sport to reach this point, and we are excited to support them as they compete on this international stage, representing their countries and pushing the limits of waterskiing.”
Elite athletes from more than 20 countries, including the United States, Italy, Morocco and Japan, will compete at Calgary’s Predator Bay on the Lakes of Kastynstone, including 11 Canadian athletes, three of whom are from Alberta. The three thrilling skill disciplines on display will include slalom, where athletes navigate a course of buoys at high speeds; trick, where athletes perform a series of acrobatic maneuvers; and jump, where skiers aim for maximum distance off a ramp.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – William Hernandez, 27, of Hawthorne, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possessing with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Hernandez is scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Midori A. Lowry at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida on July 29, 2025, at 2:15 p.m.
If convicted, Hernandez faces up to life imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Gainesville Police Department with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys James A. McCain and Adam Hapner.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – William Hernandez, 27, of Hawthorne, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possessing with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Hernandez is scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Midori A. Lowry at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida on July 29, 2025, at 2:15 p.m.
If convicted, Hernandez faces up to life imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Gainesville Police Department with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys James A. McCain and Adam Hapner.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)
WATCH:Sorensen remarks on Rock Island Arsenal during House Armed Services Committee
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is proud to announce major victories for the Rock Island Arsenal and communities across Illinois’ 17th Congressional District in this year’s national defense legislation, theNational Defense Authorization Act(NDAA). These wins will protect local jobs, expand benefits for servicemembers, and invest in key infrastructure and research in Central and Northwestern Illinois.
“These investments reflect our values—supporting those who serve, building strong communities, and creating opportunities right here at home,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen. “We’re strengthening the Rock Island Arsenal, supporting our National Guard and military families, and ensuring our local institutions like Bradley University continue to lead in innovation.”
Key wins for IL-17 and the Rock Island Arsenal include:
Congressman Sorensen’s Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act, which incentivizes private industry to partner with arsenals by giving preference to public-private partnerships in Army contracting, creating a more predictable, sustained workload to protect and create jobs.
The bill bans the Army’s funding to restructure the Rock Island Arsenal’s Army Sustainment Command (ASC) and Joint Munitions Command (JMC),until they provide a plan that includes a timeline and information about any job cuts and the impact to our readiness.
The Army will be required to provide more information about upcoming changes tied to its Army Transformation Initiative—ensuring communities like those around the Rock Island Arsenal are informed and prepared.
The bill authorizes funding for ongoing projects at Rock Island Arsenal and Bradley University, modernizing this vital defense facility and supporting research opportunities.
It blocks funding from being used to enforce President Trump’s ban on collective bargaining for DOD workers, directly supporting the rights of our union workers at the Rock Island Arsenal.
The Department of Defense is directed to explore public-private partnerships at arsenals and other key military industrial sites, opening the door to local innovation and economic growth.
The bill ensures the Air Force maintains at least 271 C-130 aircraft, preserving critical operations tied to the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria.
Big wins that benefit our servicemembers and communities include:
3.8% pay raises for all military personnel
Authorizes funding for new and improved barracks, dormitories, child development centers, and family housing
All National Guard members will have fees and copays waived under the TRICARE Dental Program—making it easier and more affordable for them to get the care they need.
Stronger alliances and partnerships to keep our country safe and promote peace
Congressman Sorensen also introduced an amendment to codify the current exemptions to the hiring freeze to ensure the Rock Island Arsenal can hire new workers, but it was blocked by Republicans.
The House Armed Services Committee approved the bill with a vote of 55-2. The bill now heads to the House floor where it will be considered in the coming weeks.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)
Congressmen Eric Sorensen (IL-17) and Zach Nunn (IA-03) reintroduced their bipartisanSafe Schools and Communities Actaimed at improving school safety programs in our communities. The legislation creates competitive grants at the Department of Education for school districts to prevent human trafficking, raise awareness about drug abuse, reduce gang activity, and eliminate community violence.
“When parents send their kids to school, they want to know they are going to return home safely,” said Congressman Sorensen. “We can make our schools and communities safer by equipping our teachers with the tools they need to raise awareness about keeping kids safe, preventing drug abuse, and eliminating violence among students. Too many of our neighbors across Central and Northwestern Illinois have lost a loved one to violence or addiction, and this bipartisan legislation will help put a stop to generational cycles of trauma and addiction.”
“I’m proud of the work we’ve done to crack down on traffickers through smart legislation like the HALT Fentanyl Act—but that’s only half the battle,” said Congressman Nunn. “This commonsense, bipartisan bill puts resources to work in our schools to give educators the tools to intervene early, support students, and prevent drug use, exploitation, and gang involvement before it starts.”
“Keeping our young people safe is a shared responsibility, and the Center for Prevention of Abuse (CFPA) is proud to work with more than 140 schools throughout Central Illinois to stop abuse before it begins through comprehensive, age appropriate, evidence-based prevention education,” said Carol Merna, CEO of Center for Prevention of Abuse. “We should all work together to arrive at the day when no young person will be lost to human trafficking and other forms of violence and abuse. The Safe Schools and Communities Act will equip schools with important prevention education resources. It is more than policy, it’s a bold affirmation that safety isn’t a privilege, it’s a right.”
“This legislation is critically important to begin to address the root cause issues that lead to long term trauma for our children,” said Demario Boone, Director of School Safety at Peoria Public Schools. “Minimalizing these traumas early on not only helps our schools, but our communities. It combats the traumas of human trafficking, drug abuse, gang activity and community violence. Prevention instead of reaction should be the primary goal of any legislation. This is it.”
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, crimes like human trafficking and drug use often stem from gang activity. Gang-involved youth are more likely to abuse substances and face long-term challenges such as dropping out of school, family instability, and difficulty finding steady employment.
Over 70,000 drug related deaths in 2021 were attributed to synthetic opioids other than methadone—primarily fentanyl. Fentanyl poisoning is now the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18-45.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)
Representatives Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Sharice Davids (KS-03) introduced their bipartisanLow-Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Establishment Act. The legislation would re-establish LIHWAP, the first-ever federal water assistance program, after funding for the program expired in 2022.
“The number one issue worrying my neighbors in Central and Northwestern Illinois is affordability – whether it’s putting food on the table for their kids or covering their high-water bill,” said Congressman Sorensen. “Here in Washington, we have the power to help families in Illinois-17 and across the country who are feeling the squeeze from higher prices by ensuring they have access to safe, clean, and affordable drinking water. The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program was an incredibly successful program that supported tens of thousands of families in Illinois at-risk of having their access to drinking water cut-off. My bipartisan legislation will help make it a permanent lifeline for those who need a helping hand.”
“Access to clean, safe water is not a luxury, it is a basic necessity,” said Congressman Bresnahan. “With water bills rising faster than inflation, more than 33% of Americans are struggling to pay their water bills. We have seen great success with energy assistance through LIHEAP, and it only makes sense to adapt it to water assistance for our most vulnerable. The LIHWAP Establishment Act will keep low-income households connected to clear water, ensure local utilities have the resources to maintain critical infrastructure, and invest in the long-term strength of our communities.”
“Every family, regardless of financial status, should have reliable access to clean water,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provided vital support to hardworking families in the Eighth District and across the country. That’s why I’m happy to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to restore LIHWAP assistance and help lower the cost of water and wastewater utility bills for those in need.”
“In the richest country in the world, every hardworking family should have access to clean drinking water,” said Congresswoman Kelly. “Too many families in Illinois and across the country, though, have to choose between higher grocery prices, higher rent and higher utility bills. I’m proud to help alleviate the burden of water costs and introduce a bill that would reestablish the successful Low-Income Assistance Program.”
“No one should have to choose between paying for water and putting food on the table,” said Congresswoman Davids. “I’m proud to support this legislation to help Kansas families stay safe and financially stable — because when folks can count on basic utilities, it makes it easier to care for their families and contribute to their communities. Simply, reliable access to water shouldn’t depend on your income or ZIP code.”
“Drinking water service is an essential lifeline, regardless of a person’s income,” said Tom Dobbins, CEO of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA). “Just as the federal government has long-established programs to support nutrition assistance and home heating and cooling service for households in need, theLIHWAP Establishment Actwould appropriately provide water assistance to low-income families nationwide. AMWA appreciates the leadership of Reps. Sorensen and Bresnahan to advance water affordability, and looks forward to building additional support for this critical legislation.”
“LIHWAP proved to be an essential lifeline, serving more than 1.6 million households who could not afford clean and safe water services,” said Adam Krantz, CEO of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). “NACWA applauds the leadership of Representatives Sorensen and Bresnahan in recognizing the need for a permanent federal water assistance program. This investment would help public clean water agencies make necessary infrastructure investments for their communities while protecting households in need. We look forward to working with these Congressional water champions to get this critical program enacted.”
LIHWAP supported more than 1.5 million households, preventing nearly 1 million disconnections of water service and reducing over 1.1 million water bills before it was shuttered. In Illinois, the program served 84,759 households, prevented 19,233 water disconnections, and helped 4,889 families have their water restored.
This bill would re-establish LIHWAP to continue helping working families afford clean drinking water and other wastewater services by subsidizing their utility bills. Funding will go from the state to the utility and be deducted from the household’s bill. The program will originate with the Department of Health and Human Services and then transition to the Environmental Protection Agency.
States may also use up to fifteen percent of funds to offset the cost of administering, determining eligibility of, and conducting outreach to low-income households.
In addition to the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, the bill is supported by the American Water Works Association, National Association of Counties, National Association of Water, National League of Cities, Rural Community Assistance Partnership, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Water Environment Federation.
You can read the full text of the billHEREand additional backgroundHERE.
A recently released What We Heard report highlights that B.C.’s Filipino community shares a vision for a provincial cultural centre dedicated to community spirit, recognition and representation, and programming that supports people in British Columbia to learn about Filipino culture and heritage.
The contributions of the Filipino Canadian community in B.C. are an important part of the province’s history, culture and success. That’s why government launched a public engagement survey on May 31, 2024, that invited people in British Columbia, especially those of Filipino heritage, to share their vision for a provincial Filipino cultural centre. The 10-question survey was open until Dec. 31, 2024, and received more than 1,200 survey responses.
“We are proud to recognize Filipino Canadians’ heritage and their vital contributions to B.C.’s success,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “We’re grateful to the many people who completed the survey and the communities who contributed to the roundtable discussions. We’re heartened to know that our work going forward will be community informed and community-led.”
As part of the engagement and to ensure meaningful collaboration, the Province hosted roundtable discussions with key representatives from Filipino community organizations in August 2023, September 2023 and February 2024. These roundtables provided an open forum for community leaders to discuss government’s commitment, the engagement process and the steps needed to advance the development of a cultural centre.
“This survey and report help ensure that we recognize Filipino Canadians’ impactful contributions to B.C. in a way that honours their needs and desires,” said Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives, mental health and addictions. “We look forward to continuing to work alongside the community to realize their vision and move forward in our collective goal of building a province that is more inclusive and representative.”
The Province did this work in collaboration with Mabuhay House Society, which helped in community engagement planning and raising awareness. The society formed partnerships with more than 30 community organizations and engaged in more than 30 events for this engagement.
With the community’s vision for a cultural centre reflected in the What We Heard report, government will continue to work with local Filipino Canadian organizations and communities to advance this project.
Quotes:
Mable Elmore, MLA for Vancouver-Kensington –
“The What We Heard report clearly shows the Filipino community’s dedication to the spirit of ‘kapwa,’ to embrace our shared identity, as participants expressed their need for a cultural centre that fosters connection and feels like home. I’m so proud of the Filipino community for how many people contributed to this engagement, and I’m looking forward to watching this project advance with the voices of the Filipino community leading the way.”
Lester de Guzman, chair, Mabuhay House Society –
“This report represents more than data; it reflects our dreams, our pride and our shared identity as Filipino Canadians. We commend the Province for its commitment to listening to our voices and making space for our stories. Through the incredible work and support of our volunteers, community members and organization, this report is a testament to a strong Filipino value of Bayanihan spirit, a spirit of communal unity and co-operation.”
Quick Facts:
Filipino Canadians are the fourth largest visible minority in B.C. and are expected to more than double by 2041.
The majority of B.C.’s Filipino population live and work in the Lower Mainland.
Metro Vancouver has the second largest Filipino population in Canada, with significant communities in Surrey, Vancouver, Richmond and Burnaby.
Filipinos have the highest labour force participation amongst all Canadians, with four out of five individuals above the age of 15 employed.
Learn More:
To read the What We Heard report, visit: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/sites/121/2025/07/Provincial-Filipino-Cultural-Centre-What-We-Heard-Report-July-2025.pdf
What you need to know: California is celebrating the fourth anniversary of the California Cradle-to-Career Data System, which connects datasets from multiple state entities to deliver information on education and workforce outcomes and help students reach their life and career goals.
Sacramento, California – In July 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to establish the California Cradle-to-Career (C2C) Data System within the Government Operations Agency. In the four years since, C2C has achieved exciting milestones, launching a first-of-its-kind informational tool to help students better understand their options for education and career planning in April 2025.
“Over the last four years, Cradle-to-Career has made massive strides in their work to connect available data and existing information to the students who can use it to leverage their careers. I look forward to what comes next and the achievements California’s future leaders will accomplish.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
“In just four years, California’s official data system became a model for inclusive decision-making, meaningful community engagement, and unprecedented collaboration,” said Mary Ann Bates, Executive Director at the California Cradle-to-Career Data System. “Californians deserve tools for their education and career planning that reflect their experiences. We started by listening first, and then building a dashboard based on what people said they needed. We continue to learn from the input people are sharing as they explore the Student Pathways data dashboard.”
Cradle-to-Career
The system is overseen by a 21-member governing board representing perspectives across the state, along with processes that ensure substantial public representation. The Cradle-to-Career Data System links existing education, workforce, financial aid and social service information to better equip policy makers, educators and the public to close opportunity gaps and improve outcomes for all students throughout the state. Public dashboards and other tools provide transparency into how students are educated and enter the workforce, along with corresponding insights into how policies and programs can better serve more students and families.
What comes next
Cradle-to-Career is providing timely, accurate, and reliable information on education and workforce outcomes. Hearing from researchers who are eager to dive deeper into the dashboard, C2C will launch the first phase of its Query Builder tool by the end of 2025. The Query Builder complements the Student Pathways Dashboard by providing users with the ability to explore the information powering the dashboard. The Query Builder rollout will occur in phases, with new features building on previous releases. You can learn more about that work HERE.
How we got here
Over the course of 2020 and the first half of 2021, more than 200 people from 15 state agencies and many educational institutions, research and policy organizations, and community groups worked together to design a blueprint for the California Cradle-to-Career Data System. You can learn more about their work HERE.
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What they’re saying:
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, original author of the Mental Health Services Act: “Twenty years ago, I never could have dreamed that we would have the strong leadership we have today, committing billions and making courageous policy changes that question the conventional wisdom on mental health. Now, with the passage of Proposition 1. California is delivering on decades old promises to help people living with brain-based illnesses, to live better lives, to live independently and to live with dignity in our communities. This is a historic moment and the hard work is ahead of us.“
Senator Susan Eggman (D-Stockton), author of Senate Bill 326: “Today marks a day of hope for thousands of Californians who are struggling with mental illness – many of whom are living unhoused. I am tremendously grateful to my fellow Californian’s for passing this important measure. And I am very appreciative of this Governor’s leadership to transform our behavioral health care system!”
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), author of Assembly Bill 531: “This started as an audacious proposal to address the root cause of homelessness and today, Californians can be proud to know that they did the right thing by passing Proposition 1. Now, it’s time for all of us to get to work, and make sure these reforms are implemented and that we see results.”
Bigger picture: Transforming the Mental Health Services Act into the Behavioral Health Services Act and building more community mental health treatment sites and supportive housing is the last main pillar of Governor Newsom’s Mental Health Movement – pulling together significant recent reforms like 988 crisis line, CalHOPE, CARE Court, conservatorship reform, CalAIM behavioral health expansion (including mobile crisis care and telehealth), Medi-Cal expansion to all low-income Californians, Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (including expanding services in schools and on-line), Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative, Veterans Mental Health Initiative, Behavioral Health Community Infrastructure Program, Behavioral Health Bridge Housing, Health Care Workforce for All and more.
More details on next step here
Press releases, Recent news
Recent news
Jul 24, 2025
News Governor Newsom praises the State Water Board for incorporating the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program into the Bay-Delta Plan What you need to know: The Newsom Administration’s innovative Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, which improves environmental…
Jul 24, 2025
News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today on a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit striking down California’s ammunition background check law, which was passed by voters in 2016: Strong…
Jul 23, 2025
News What you need to know: Through Governor Newsom’s support of local government efforts and state investments, California is reversing decades of inaction on homelessness. Last year’s 2024 point-in-time count showed California had outperformed the nation by slowing…
Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) sent a letter to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) requesting documents and communications about former President Biden’s declining mental and physical health over the course of his presidency. This letter follows Chairman Johnson’s requests to former Biden cabinet officials to voluntarily appear for interviews before his Subcommittee to discuss the former president’s mental and physical health.
A recent news report indicated that NARA provided “more than 27,000 records” to the White House Counsel’s Office, which is reviewing the effect of the former president’s health on official decisions.
“These allegations, which received renewed interest following the publication of a book detailing the former president’s mental and physical decline, raise serious questions about who was making key presidential decisions if the former president was incapable of doing so. One of these key decisions may have involved the presidential power to grant clemency or pardons — a matter that the White House Counsel’s Office, among other entities, are currently investigating,” Chairman Johnson wrote.
Chairman Johnson requested all records that NARA provided to the White House Counsel’s Office referring or relating to former President Biden’s mental or physical health decline, or the alleged coverup. Also requested were communications between White House officials, members of the cabinet, and staff referring or relating to former President Biden’s mental or physical health.
Read more about Chairman Johnson’s letter in Fox News.
Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released a new episode of ‘Unmuted with Marsha’ with American economist and author, Dr. Arthur Laffer, where they discussed the roaring economy under President Trump and how the One Big Beautiful Bill supports working-class Americans.
Click here to watch this episode of ‘Unmuted with Marsha.’
“Sometimes you will hear the Democrats say, ‘Oh, this is just a bill for the rich.’ But it’s blue-collar wages, hardworking American workers, their wages that are going to benefit the most. I know the Council of Economic Advisers had expected as much as $10,000 more in take-home pay,” said Senator Blackburn.
“Within this Big Beautiful Bill, there’s a lot of good spending cuts and good spending programs involved so we’re moving towards the North Star on spending… I have never been more optimistic in my life as I am right now about the prospects for the U.S. economy,” saidDr. Laffer.
School’s out for summer! As uniforms are folded away and school shoes tucked neatly into the cupboard, parents across Plymouth are beginning to wonder: what will the next six weeks look like?
If you are looking for inspiration for things to keep the kids occupied and entertained over the holidays, we can help. We’ve pulled together a list of activities to keep children of all ages and interests entertained all summer long. From bouncy castles for the younger kids, to e-sports for teens, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Here’s what on this week :
Plymouth Libraries
Saturday 26 July – Children’s author visit
Central Library – 10.30am to midday – Free
Central Library will be welcoming former Plymouth Laureate, Thom Boulton to deliver an interactive session based on his exciting new book, Wild Children – a magical adventure about finding the courage to confront our fears and throwing off the masks we wear.
Suitable for children 7 years and over and their families. No booking required.
Monday 28 July – Story Garden: Craft activity
Crownhill Library – 11am to midday – Free
Efford Library – 11.30am to 12.30pm – Free
Join in every Monday for garden themed craft activities. Suitable to children aged 5 to 11 years and their families. This session is part of a series of activities supporting this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Wednesday 30 July – Story Garden: Bird mosaic hangers
Central library – 2pm to 3pm – Free
Garden themed craft activity – create a colourful bird mosaic hanger! Suitable to children aged 5 years and over and their families This session is part of a series of activities supporting this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Friday 1 August – Story Garden: Lego, craft and colouring
Estover library – 11.30am to 4pm – Free
Lego, craft activities and colouring every Friday in August at Estover Library. Suitable for children 5 years and over and their families. This session is part of a series of activities supporting this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Libraries across Plymouth host regular activities for children, including Lego clubs, Rhymetime and storytelling sessions.
Tinside said: We’ve joined forces with Community Alcohol Partnerships for one unforgettable evening: CAPFEST. Created by young people, for young people, CAPFEST is a free event for 11–17 year olds packed with summer vibes – think music, swimming, mocktails and a BBQ, all by the sea. There’ll be live music, a DJ set, food and drinks (non-alcoholic, of course), and full access to the lido – all completely free.
Every Monday during the school holidays – Tech club
9:30 to 3:30pm – £24 per day
Is your child a tech enthusiast? Our Tech Club provides young minds with esports gaming, augmented reality HADO, and hands-on STEM challenges using Sphero robots.
Tuesday to Friday – Football roadshow
9.30am to 3.30pm – £24 per day
Our Football Roadshows bring high-energy training, games, and match play to young boys and girls of all abilities – right on your doorstep. Our roadshows teach skills, drills, and teamwork led by qualified Argyle coaches. 5 to 15 years.
Tuesday to Friday – Multi-Activity Clubs
9.30am to 3.30pm – £24 per day
For young people who love variety, a lively mix of sports, gaming, and soft play to keep children active, entertained, and socialising. From active games and soft play, to console time and sports – all in one place.
Tuesday 29 July to Thursday 31 July – Craft sessions – Free
10:30am to 12.30pm and 1:30pm to 3:30pm (Last entries at 12.15pm and 3.15pm)
Try the drop-in craft sessions, ideal for children aged 4 to 11 years old and their adults.
Wednesday 30 July – Bugs at The Box
The Box/ Tavistock Place – 12.45pm to 1.30pm – Free
You can see a 6m high biomechanical insect sculpture on Tavistock Place with a special performance with a live soundtrack from 12.45-1.30pm – plus, they’ll have live big bug handing with the University of Plymouth. Come and see stick insects, giant snails, giant cockroaches, katydid, beetles, spiders!
Friday 1 August – Tell me a story – Free
Join The Box Plymouth every Friday morning for half an hour of storytelling – perfect for under 5s and their grownups.
Why not look around the exhibitions whilst you’re there and see Mildred the woolly mammoth? The Box is free to visit with lots of amazing artwork and fascinating objects to explore, so there’s something for the whole family. It’s open 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday and there’s no need to book.
Poole Farm
Wednesday 30 July – Animal hour at Poole Farm
9.30am to 10.30am – Free
Looking for a fun family activity this summer? Come and join us for Animal Hour at Poole Farm – every Wednesday during the summer holidays, starting this week (excluding the week of Wild & Well). Meet at: The Derriford Community Park sign near the cow field. Meet our friendly farm animals – say hello to our cheeky chickens and come and see our beautiful cows up close! Please wear sensible shoes – it can get a little muddy on the farmyard.
Community fun day
Wednesday 30 July – The Barn Family Hub
11am to 3pm – Free
Enjoy a bouncy castle, football, hockey, karate, pizza making, arts & crafts, and our popular Bike Space – Doctor Bike. That’s just the start – there’s plenty more to discover! We’ll have refreshments, community group stalls, and information stands, so you can connect, learn, and enjoy a great day out with your neighbours.
“Game on, Together!” is a dynamic family workshop designed to build teamwork, communication, and trust through high-energy cooperative games and creative challenges. This is aimed at Parents and Children aged 6+ up to 18. Parents/carers can bring a maximum of 2 children with them to each class.
Thursday 31 July – Family poetry workshop
1pm to 3pm
Unleash creativity and explore the joy of poetry together in this engaging 2-hour workshop suitable for all ages and backgrounds. This is aimed at Parents and Children aged 6+ up to 18. Parents/carers can bring a maximum of 2 children with them to each class.
Thursday 31 July and Friday 1 August – Crafting sessions
11am to 3pm
Get your craft on this summer and take home a beautiful piece of art inspired by the movies at Saltram.
Saturday 19 July to Sunday 31 August – Summer of play at Saltram
Saltram said: ‘This summer, join us for our Summer of Play – Saltram on screen family trail and activities. Saltram’s garden will be transformed into a playful celebration of all things performance, imagination and adventure – perfect for young creatives, budding films stars or movie makers, and families ready to make magical memories in the summer sunshine.’
YMCA said: Enjoy a range of free, inclusive activities for children and young people with SEND, aged 0–16 at YMCA Plymouth. Sessions are led by trained, friendly staff in a safe and supportive environment, offering fun, sensory, and creative experiences for all abilities.
This area right on Plymouth’s doorstep have some fantastic activities all summer long! Here’s what’s in store:
Swimming Sessions: Try Swim Safe and Safe and Sound sessions at Tinside Lido.
Rockpool Safaris: Join expert guides as you explore the hidden world of rockpools.
Shark Month: Head to Royal William Yard during July for a month packed with shark-themed fun.
Water Sports: Fancy kayaking or paddleboarding? The Mount Batten Centre have sessions for beginners and pros alike, all set against the stunning backdrop of Plymouth Sound.
Walks, Talks and Art: Tag along for history walks and talks around Royal William Yard, for a foraging workshop around Ernesettle Creek/Devil’s Point.
Mount Wise Swimming Pools are a great place to spend a summer day swimming, sunbathing and enjoying fantastic views. The best things is, it’s free entry!
Built by generations of hard work and innovation, Nebraska’s ranchers are known worldwide for raising the highest quality, most nutritious, safest, and best tasting protein in the world.
Blessed by God to be home of the most productive farms and ranches in history thanks to our people, land, and water – our calling is to feed the world. It’s a big job, but we love answering the call. Frankly, it’s part of what makes Nebraska the best place to live and raise a family.
That’s a good life, and it’s worth defending.
Government doesn’t have many answers, but it can do the important work of protecting consumers by prohibiting unproven, blatantly dishonest products that are marketed as something they aren’t. That’s why I am proud we signed LB 246 into law, which bans ‘bioreactor,’ lab-grown fake meat from being made here in Nebraska or put on our grocery shelves. Recently, we celebrated the victory during a ceremonial bill signing at Shamrock Locker in O’Neill.
Other than not sounding appetizing, what is lab-grown meat? It’s a product created in a lab to mimic the attributes of real meat. We’re talking about companies taking cells from an animal, nourishing them with a “cocktail” of nutrients, and “coaxing” them into growing into a product that resembles protein.
That’s not meat. That’s a science experiment. It’s unproven, dishonestly labeled, and it won’t be for sale here in Nebraska.
I’m grateful to have partnered with Senator Barry DeKay, a farmer and rancher from north-central Nebraska, to get this legislation across the finish line. This is a big, big win for Nebraska producers – and a common sense, straightforward action that is good for our state.
Having spent my career raising pigs – and as the first Nebraska Governor to come from agriculture in over 100 years – this stuff hits close to my heart. We aren’t going to let the people of our state be duped into putting this junk meat onto our plates or into our stores. As one of the first states to lead this charge, we’re also showing the rest of the country what can be done to help protect consumers and our farming and ranching families.
This isn’t about limiting choices or sticking it to vegans. In fact, we aren’t at all talking about alternatives like patties made out of black beans or other plants. And we aren’t talking about products like almond ‘milk.’ While we know that these products aren’t the real deal, at least we know where they come from and how they’re made.
Simply, the age of ‘Making America Healthy Again’ doesn’t start with fake meat – it’s getting back to basics and starts by incorporating a balanced diet mainly of protein, fruits, and vegetables.
We can’t let our kids – in any part of the state – starve in the midst of plenty. Data show how important a healthy diet is for our youth to boost immunity, support brain development, and promote overall well-being.
On her visit to Nebraska, President Trump’s Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins approved a first-in-the-nation Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) waiver to remove pop and energy drinks from government-funded food programs. This is common sense stuff.
Research and technology have both changed a lot about how we eat and the way agriculture operates. That’s good news. But we must be proactive – and careful – about new products, especially foods, that haven’t stood the test of time.
Our agriculture industry supports countless families, jobs, and communities – both rural and urban. By signing LB 246 into law, we took a step to help defend our way of life here in Nebraska and are making sure we keep playing to our strengths.
We aren’t going to let lab work and misleading marketing undermine the legacy or the future of our state. We have been battling fringe ideas and groups that want a vegan society and claim all Nebraska agriculture is destroying our future. Truth is, we’re doing the exact opposite.
We feed the world – and save the planet. It’s time we stand up, defend our work, and keep buying the best meat that Nebraska – and the world – has to offer.
In-video advertisements that aim to increase ad revenue involve AI to tap into a users’ preferences. This means lots of individual videos with minor differences requiring additional processing scaled to the user’s streaming resolution.
But while Spotify used to publish data on its environmental costs, its reports have been incomplete since 2021. As American author and scholar, Shoshanna Zuboff points out in her book The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, many tech companies lack environmental accountability.
The Carbon Trust, a consultancy that helps businesses reduce their carbon footprints, works to globally promote a sustainable future and has calculated the European average carbon footprint for video streaming as producing 55g of CO₂e per hour. This CO₂e or carbon dioxide equivalent is a comparable measure of the potential effect of different greenhouse gases on the climate: 55g of CO₂e is 50 times more than audio streaming and the equivalent of microwaving four bags of popcorn.
As a music technology and AI researcher, I’m aware of the shift in responsibility that comes with Spotify’s video innovations. While companies’ significant role in generating emissions should not be diminished, the shift of responsibility fromt he platform to users and content creators means that better informed choices about their streaming devices and streaming quality settings larger screens need to be made. Streaming at higher resolutions becomes significant factors in increasing video’s carbon footprint.
This increased responsibility means that end users needs to make better informed choices about their streaming devices and streaming quality settings.
While companies’ significant role in generating emissions should not be diminished, this shift of responsibility to the end user means that larger screens and streaming at higher resolutions become significant factors in increasing video’s carbon footprint.
Location also affects how carbon emissions are managed. Germany has the largest carbon footprint for video streaming at 76g CO₂e per hour of streaming, reflecting its continued reliance on coal and fossil fuels. In the UK, this figure is 48g CO₂e per hour, because its energy mix includes renewables and natural gas, increasingly with nuclear as central to the UK’s low-carbon future. France, with a reliance on nuclear is the lowest, at 10g CO₂e per hour.
There is an absolute burden of responsibility on tech and media companies to reduce their carbon emissions and to be transparent about their efforts to do so. In fact, net zero cannot be achieved without commitments from the major technology companies, many of which are based in the US whose government has not ratified the Kyoto protocol and withdrew from the Paris agreement in 2020 which are both significant global efforts to combat climate change.
Eco-conscious music streaming
A French thinktank called the Shift Project advocates for people and companies to adopt “digital sobriety” (the mindful use of digital tech) to ensure efficiency and sustainability. For example, research shows that the UK could reduce its carbon output by more 16,433 tonnes if each adult sent one less thank you email a day.
Certainly aimless streaming should be avoided because video decoding can account for 35-50% of playback energy on user devices. However, music video is more than mere music. As I have argued in my own work, video “provides a layer of meaning making not present in lyrics or audio alone”.
Video can bring marginalised music makers, cultures and ideas to the foreground by tackling difficult subjects. Like the work of Syrian-American rapper, poet, activist and chaplain Mona Haydar’s Wrap My Hijab or UK grime rapper Drillminister and his critique of neo-liberalism and trickle-down economics Nouveau Riche.
To minimise the environmental footprint of your own music streaming, use Wi-Fi rather than 4G or 5G. If you listen to a song repeatedly, purchase a download to play. Use localised storage rather than cloud-based systems for all of your music and video files. Reduce auto-play, aimless background streaming or using streaming as a sleep aid by changing the default settings on your device including reducing streaming resolution. And turn your camera off for video calls, as carbon emissions are 25 times more than for audio only.
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
Hussein Boon does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Benjamin Selwyn, Professor of International Relations and International Development, Department of International Relations, University of Sussex
Global supply chains account for 70% of world trade. They are the arteries of global capitalism, moving goods and services across borders multiple times before reaching consumers.
Since the early 1990s — as part of economic globalisation — these networks have enabled mass consumption by delivering cheap goods made using cheap labour and shipped globally at minimal cost. But this convenience comes at a catastrophic environmental price.
The infrastructure that supports global supply chains — ports, highways, railways, data servers — has expanded dramatically, increasing the distance goods travel from production to consumption to disposal. These “supply chain miles” are a major contributor to ecological degradation.
Worse still, managing these sprawling networks depends on energy-intensive digital technologies, produced and distributed through global supply chains. Electronic waste is soaring, reaching 62 million tonnes in 2022 and projected to increase to 82 million tonnes by 2030.
Global supply chains have also driven the expansion of global markets. Argentina’s soy industry is a case in point: production surged from under 30,000 tonnes in 1970 to over 60 million tonnes in 2015, largely to feed the world’s growing livestock population.
As an expert on global supply chains, I study what can be done to remedy this environmentally damaging situation. My research shows that this problem runs deeper than logistics.
Global supply chains are a key part of the capitalist system that thrives on endless economic growth. Competitive capital accumulation (where profits are reinvested to generate more profits) drives this cycle.
While green technologies can hypothetically make supply chains more efficient, enhanced efficiency under capitalism often leads to more production, not less. Efficiency gains can reduce costs, make goods more profitable and stimulate greater investment. Energy-saving lightbulbs and digital tools, for example, have led to broader adoption and higher overall energy use, rather than a decrease in energy demand.
Better tech alone won’t reduce environmental harm. We need a shift toward a low-energy economy that prioritises human and ecological wellbeing over profit.
Public transport, healthcare, open-source software and urban food systems are examples of social provision that are often cheaper, more inclusive and more environmentally sustainable than their profit-orientated alternatives.
Greening supply chains
I’ve identified five practical steps that can reduce the environmental footprint of supply chains.
First, accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewables is essential. The Danish Island of Samsø went from fossil fuel dependence to 100% renewable energy by the early 2000s in the space of a decade by constructing and deploying on- and off-shore wind-power and biomass boilers. Scaling up such transitions could power cleaner supply chain infrastructure.
Second, the electrification of shipping means that battery-powered shipping is no longer science fiction. The Yara Birkeland, the world’s first fully electric cargo ship, recently launched with a 100-container capacity. One study suggests that 40% of container traffic could be electrified this decade using existing technology.
Third, by designing for durability and repair, digital and electronic products can be built to last and easy to repair. The “right to repair” movement advocates for consumer rights to fix and repair products rather than having to buy new ones and is gaining traction.
It is challenging corporate control over who can fix what. Six US states have passed laws giving consumers the right to repair their own devices. In the UK, a community initiative called the Restart Project is pushing for stronger regulations and promoting community-based repair initiatives and digital technology sharing.
Designing products that last and can easily be repaired helps create a more circular and less wasteful economy. Natali Ximich/Shutterstock
Fourth, urban transport needs a rethink. Road transport accounts for about 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions. That sector could be streamlined by shifting supply chains from manufacturing millions of cars to investing in efficient and affordable bus, train and bike networks. Car-free cities and expanded electric public transport networks could slash emissions from road transport. This is already happening in places like Ghent in Belgium, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Lamu Island in Kenya and Fes el Bali in Morocco.
Fifth, supply chains can be shortened by shifting diets. Reducing meat consumption could shrink the global feed-livestock chain the vast complex of animal feed production (such as soy) underpinning the burgeoning world cattle population and its associated transport emissions.
Countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark have already seen declines in meat consumption over the past decade as plant-based diets have gained popularity. The UK is also experiencing a fall in per capita meat consumption
These strategies are all tiny steps in the right direction. But, as the US author and environmentalist Bill McKibben says, “winning slowly is the same as losing”. We need much greater and more rapid transformations.
So, while parts of supply chains can become more sustainable, any efforts will be counterproductive as long as governments and firms continue chasing endless economic growth. What’s needed now is the political and cultural will to prioritise people and the planet over profit.
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
Benjamin Selwyn does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The alchemist’s dream is to make gold from common metals, but can this be done?
The physics needed to explain how to change one element into another is well
understood and has been used for decades in accelerators and colliders, which smash sub-atomic particles together.
The most notable present-day example is the Large Hadron Collider at Cern, based in Geneva. But the costs of making gold this way are vast, and the quantities generated are minuscule.
For example, Cern’s Alice experiment estimated it produced only 29 picogrammes of gold while operating over four years. At that rate, it would take hundreds of times the lifetime of the universe to make a troy ounce of gold.
The Californian startup company Marathon Fusion has proposed a very different approach: to use the radioactivity from neutron particles in a nuclear fusion reactor to transform one form of mercury into another, called mercury-197.
This then decays into a stable form of gold: gold-197. This process of particle decay is where one subatomic particle spontaneously transforms into two or more lighter particles. The team from Marathon Fusion estimates that a fusion power plant could produce several tonnes of gold per gigawatt of thermal power in a single year of operation.
Bombarding the isotope mercury-198 with neutrons leads to the creation of the
radioactive isotope mercury-197 – which subsequently decays to the only stable
isotope of gold.
The key is to have energetic enough neutrons to trigger the mercury decay sequence. If this could be made to work, then it is an interesting idea. But whether it could make a tidy profit is another matter.
To do this, a large neutron flux (a measure of the intensity of neutron radiation) is required. This can be generated using a standard fuel mix for fusion reactors, deuterium and tritium (both of which are forms of hydrogen), to create energy in the plasma of a fusion reactor.
Neutrons penetrate material easily and scatter off the nuclei (cores) in atoms, slowing down as they do so. Neutrons with energies above 6 million electron volts are required to transform mercury-198 into gold.
To come up with its estimates, Marathon Fusion has been using a fusion reactor’s “digital twin” – a computer model that simulates the physics of the fusion reaction and the resulting radioactive processes. A limitation of this type of work is that the digital twin needs to be validated against a real commercial fusion reactor – but none currently exist.
There are many challenges to overcome before scientists can realise a commercial fusion reactor. These include the creation of new materials for its construction, and understanding the science required both to operate the system to continuously extract power, and to develop AI systems that can help keep the plasma fusion reaction running.
Even some of the most advanced fusion experiments, such as the UK-based JET (Joint European Torus) project, could only generate relatively small amounts of energy. However, researchers in the UK have devised a new way to shrink the size of fusion reactors by changing the way the exhaust plasma is controlled. A prototype of this novel fusion reactor concept, called Spherical Tokomak for Energy Production (Step), aims to be ready by 2040.
Radioactive waste
On paper, it is possible to make gold from mercury in a fusion reactor. However, until commercial fusion reactors are realised, the assumptions used by Marathon Fusion in its digital twin studies will remain untested.
Furthermore, any gold produced at a fusion reactor would initially be radioactive, meaning it would be classified as radioactive waste – and thus need to be managed for quite some time after production.
As nuclear and particle physicists know well, it is very easy to forget to include important physical effects and critical details when creating a digital twin of an experiment. But while the processing of that waste into usable forms of pure gold would be a further challenge to address, it will not necessarily deter long-term investors.
For now, this remains an attractive proposition on paper – but we’re still some way off from kickstarting a new kind of Californian gold rush.
Adrian Bevan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
People are becoming more divided and ill informed. In January 2024, a report by the World Economic Forum identified misinformation and disinformation as “the most severe global risk anticipated over the next two years”.
As a result, it predicted “perceptions of reality are likely to also become polarised” – and that unrest resulting from unreliable information may cause “violent protests … hate crimes … civil confrontation and terrorism”. Many people would agree that something is needed to bridge the ever-widening gaps between ourselves.
In my view, this is not just a problem of alternative sets of facts, but a failure to perceive and empathise with that which is outside of our own experiences.
While the smartphone, with its capacity to provide users with sources from across the world, can provide endless opportunity to learn about other perspectives and experiences, research suggests social media increasingly cocoons users within their own interests.
This algorithmically encouraged self-importance means we are stuck in a feedback loop – the echo chamber – where our own experiences, values and desires are seen as the norm.
In contrast, by encouraging people to imagine beyond their own experience, reading poetry can serve as an exercise in seeing things from a different perspective.
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Poetry has always been political. The writer and civil-rights activist Audre Lorde argued it produces “a revelatory distillation of experience”. In other words, by distilling aspects of an experience, poetry can reveal powerful truths about reality.
Lorde’s poem Afterimages (1981) records her memory of turning 21 in the same year that 14-year-old Emmett Till was lynched in Mississippi. The poem’s revelation is a simple one. For black Americans, coming of age means coming to terms with the constant threat of extreme racial violence.
Poetry’s success often relies upon showing people aspects of the world which they might otherwise have ignored, repressed or simply missed.
Some poetry experiments with form itself to produce this revelatory effect. Estate Fragments (2014) is a long poem written by Gavin Goodwin, exploring the Bettws council estate in Newport. It juxtaposes quotations from academic writing alongside interviews with residents – a practice referred to as “found poetry”.
Goodwin attempts to consider the effect that seemingly abstract political decision-making and discussions have on a particular place and community. Take this stanza:
Increased inequality
ups the stakes
‘People that were younger than you
were more dangerous.’
The first two lines quote Common Culture by Paul Willis (1990), a sociological study in the cultures of young people. The latter are from an interview with a resident of the Bettws estate. Together, they tell a story: national economic inequality causes people in a working-class community to fear each other.
Looking closer and looking deeper
More conventional lyric poetry can still reveal sociopolitical realities. Canadian Métis Nation writer katherena vermette’s collection North End Love Songs (2012) explores the North End in Winnipeg, Canada. In a CBC interview, vermette discussed how the local community are:
The people that get picked on [and] blamed … but what I’m trying to do in my work is to go into looking closer and looking deeper … and seeing that they’re not what they seem.
Misinformation and polarisation cause social tension, as particular groups are generalised and blamed. Vermette’s poem indians explicitly explores the devastation caused by preconceptions of peoples and places.
The poem recalls vermette’s brother going missing, before being found in the Red River, a powerful body of water that moves through Winnipeg. It focuses on the apathy of Winnipeg’s police service, who tell the family that there is “no sense looking”, as the man will return when “he gets bored/or broke”. The authorities come to this conclusion not through investigation, but by reducing the speaker’s brother to racist stereotypes.
This is then contrasted with what the family “finds out”. Not only has the brother drowned, but the “land floods/with dead indians”. The speaker discovers the fate of her brother is also the fate of many other Métis people in Winnipeg. This personal experience of loss comes to speak for many other loses:
indians get drunk
don’t we know it?
do stupid things
like being young
like going home alone
like walking across a frozen river
not quite frozen
Vermette links grief to struggles against systematic apathy and oppression. The poem’s sense of politics, people and place are a central part of its poetics.
Such explicitness means the poem meaningfully connects to important political issues – drawing attention to the startlingly high number of missing people found and suspected to be in the Red River. As such, it can also link to important grassroots initiatives like Drag the Red, which aims to “find answers about missing loved ones” which might lie in the river.
While North End Love Songs was published two years before Drag the Red’s formation, the poem and initiative are clearly formed by the same kind of traumatic, sociopolitical events.
Newsfeeds increasingly silo us into comfortable ways of thinking and perceiving. Forty years on, Lorde’s declaration that poetry “is not a luxury” takes on a whole new meaning. Now, it might be a political necessity.
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Alex Hubbard is formerly affiliated with the Labour Party, and Aber Food Surplus, a community hub.
Cuba doesn’t have any beggars, according to the country’s minister of labour, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera. In a speech to the national assembly on July 15, she denied the existence of destitution in the communist country, claiming the problem was actually people “disguised as beggars”.
Her words were greeted by public outcry on social media. They also prompted a swift rebuke from her peers and the president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, who said leadership could not “act with condescension”. The next day, the Cuban government published an official note saying Feitó Cabrera had resigned.
The political vulnerability of the Cuban government explains the urgent need to respond to missteps such as Feitó Cabrera’s. The country is enduring an acute economic crisis, which has seen living standards plummet and over 1 million Cubans leave the country since 2020.
Cubans are leaving en masse:
A severe economic crisis in Cuba has prompted a mass exodus from the island. Oficina Nacional de Estadísticas e Información
The recession has severely strained the system of social protection that the government points to as one of its main achievements since taking power more than 60 years ago. Despite food subsidies and the efforts of welfare services, a growing number of people are now going hungry.
Public confidence in the government has been severely weakened as a result, particularly among young Cubans. The risk of escalating popular protest is magnified by the proliferation of social media channels, emanating from inside and outside the country.
These channels air the many complaints about daily frustrations in Cuba and highlight any failings or signs of hypocrisy on the part of officials. So when Feitó Cabrera’s speech went viral, it was met with inevitable public outrage.
Díaz-Canel’s reaction can be seen as urgent damage limitation. But it is also consistent with his broader approach to managing the crisis facing his country. He has worked tirelessly to try and defuse anger through engagement, touring Cuba for local meetings to search for solutions.
In his comments after Feitó Cabrera’s speech, he insisted that officials should acknowledge the scale of hardship being suffered, and “help, support and show solidarity” with the disadvantaged and most vulnerable.
This need to reach out was all the more important given the grim tone of the national assembly meeting where Feitó Cabrera made her remarks. Ministers appeared one after the other to present dismal reports on the state of almost all sectors of the Cuban economy.
The electricity system remains plagued by breakdowns caused by chronic underinvestment as well as difficulties in obtaining fuel and spare parts. The resulting daily power outages ensure that the sense of crisis is ever-present and frustrate all efforts to boost production.
Doubting official data
While full official national income data for 2024 has not yet been released, Cuba’s economy ministry estimates that real national income contracted by 1.1% in 2024. This leaves it more than 10% below its pre-pandemic level, and 2025 is not expected to show much improvement.
The decline in real disposable income for Cuban households since 2021 has, in reality, been far greater. The official inflation rate indicates that consumer prices have risen fourfold over the past five years. At this rate, living costs would have increased broadly in line with salaries.
Consumer prices have risen fourfold since 2020:
Official inflation data for Cuba. The spike in early 2021 was the result of a monetary reform, which involved a big jump in wages in December 2020 followed by a currency reform in January 2021. Oficina Nacional de Estadísticas e Información
But official figures systematically understate the actual increase in prices faced by Cuban households, due to the weightings used. In 2021, for example, research estimated the inflation rate to be between 174% and 700% – well above the government’s estimate (77.3%).
The rising market prices have put many essential goods beyond the reach of most people who depend on state incomes. This has forced many households to depend on remittances or the informal economy to survive.
Thanks to tight fiscal restraint, the official annual rate of inflation eased to 15% in June. But the wide gap between the increase in the actual cost of living and official inflation index continues to compound distrust of the government and the perception that the country’s leaders are out of touch.
A lack of transparency and long delays in the publication of economic data, together with restrictions on the scope for private enterprise, are widely attributed to the government’s incompetence and reluctance to enact liberalising reforms.
Recovery blocked by US sanctions
For these reasons, the government’s insistence that US sanctions are to blame for limiting the possibilities for economic recovery is increasingly regarded with scepticism. However, the constraint on economic growth imposed by US measures is real and severe.
It is also the deliberate aim of US policy. The unilateral sanctions not only block trade, as well as financial and international travel between the US and Cuba. They also severely hamper all kinds of transactions between Cuba and the rest of the world.
Every branch of the Cuban economy has been affected, including the health service, social safety nets, agriculture and industry. And the lack of hard currency has, in turn, limited the scope for the investments and reforms needed for economic recovery.
The easing inflation rate, together with some new investments in renewable energy, an improved fiscal balance and a recent small increase in pensions, may signal that the end of the economic downturn may be approaching. But neither the government nor the population have any confidence that the crisis will come to an end this year.
No one is expecting US sanctions to be lifted while Donald Trump is president. Before Trump first stood for the presidency he hadn’t given Cuba his attention, but as president he has aligned himself firmly with hardliners.
In his first term, Trump reversed the opening with Cuba initiated by Barack Obama. And his current secretary of state, Marco Rubio, is one of the architects and leading proponents of economic sanctions against Cuba. Trade and investment will thus remain depressed, while shortages, power cuts, a lack of transport and crumbling public services will persist.
But by demanding the resignation of the minister of labour, perhaps Díaz-Canel hopes to demonstrate that his government understands what that the economic asphyxiation means for a majority of Cubans struggling to survive.
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Emily Morris does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Cuba doesn’t have any beggars, according to the country’s minister of labour, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera. In a speech to the national assembly on July 15, she denied the existence of destitution in the communist country, claiming the problem was actually people “disguised as beggars”.
Her words were greeted by public outcry on social media. They also prompted a swift rebuke from her peers and the president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, who said leadership could not “act with condescension”. The next day, the Cuban government published an official note saying Feitó Cabrera had resigned.
The political vulnerability of the Cuban government explains the urgent need to respond to missteps such as Feitó Cabrera’s. The country is enduring an acute economic crisis, which has seen living standards plummet and over 1 million Cubans leave the country since 2020.
Cubans are leaving en masse:
A severe economic crisis in Cuba has prompted a mass exodus from the island. Oficina Nacional de Estadísticas e Información
The recession has severely strained the system of social protection that the government points to as one of its main achievements since taking power more than 60 years ago. Despite food subsidies and the efforts of welfare services, a growing number of people are now going hungry.
Public confidence in the government has been severely weakened as a result, particularly among young Cubans. The risk of escalating popular protest is magnified by the proliferation of social media channels, emanating from inside and outside the country.
These channels air the many complaints about daily frustrations in Cuba and highlight any failings or signs of hypocrisy on the part of officials. So when Feitó Cabrera’s speech went viral, it was met with inevitable public outrage.
Díaz-Canel’s reaction can be seen as urgent damage limitation. But it is also consistent with his broader approach to managing the crisis facing his country. He has worked tirelessly to try and defuse anger through engagement, touring Cuba for local meetings to search for solutions.
In his comments after Feitó Cabrera’s speech, he insisted that officials should acknowledge the scale of hardship being suffered, and “help, support and show solidarity” with the disadvantaged and most vulnerable.
This need to reach out was all the more important given the grim tone of the national assembly meeting where Feitó Cabrera made her remarks. Ministers appeared one after the other to present dismal reports on the state of almost all sectors of the Cuban economy.
The electricity system remains plagued by breakdowns caused by chronic underinvestment as well as difficulties in obtaining fuel and spare parts. The resulting daily power outages ensure that the sense of crisis is ever-present and frustrate all efforts to boost production.
Doubting official data
While full official national income data for 2024 has not yet been released, Cuba’s economy ministry estimates that real national income contracted by 1.1% in 2024. This leaves it more than 10% below its pre-pandemic level, and 2025 is not expected to show much improvement.
The decline in real disposable income for Cuban households since 2021 has, in reality, been far greater. The official inflation rate indicates that consumer prices have risen fourfold over the past five years. At this rate, living costs would have increased broadly in line with salaries.
Consumer prices have risen fourfold since 2020:
Official inflation data for Cuba. The spike in early 2021 was the result of a monetary reform, which involved a big jump in wages in December 2020 followed by a currency reform in January 2021. Oficina Nacional de Estadísticas e Información
But official figures systematically understate the actual increase in prices faced by Cuban households, due to the weightings used. In 2021, for example, research estimated the inflation rate to be between 174% and 700% – well above the government’s estimate (77.3%).
The rising market prices have put many essential goods beyond the reach of most people who depend on state incomes. This has forced many households to depend on remittances or the informal economy to survive.
Thanks to tight fiscal restraint, the official annual rate of inflation eased to 15% in June. But the wide gap between the increase in the actual cost of living and official inflation index continues to compound distrust of the government and the perception that the country’s leaders are out of touch.
A lack of transparency and long delays in the publication of economic data, together with restrictions on the scope for private enterprise, are widely attributed to the government’s incompetence and reluctance to enact liberalising reforms.
Recovery blocked by US sanctions
For these reasons, the government’s insistence that US sanctions are to blame for limiting the possibilities for economic recovery is increasingly regarded with scepticism. However, the constraint on economic growth imposed by US measures is real and severe.
It is also the deliberate aim of US policy. The unilateral sanctions not only block trade, as well as financial and international travel between the US and Cuba. They also severely hamper all kinds of transactions between Cuba and the rest of the world.
Every branch of the Cuban economy has been affected, including the health service, social safety nets, agriculture and industry. And the lack of hard currency has, in turn, limited the scope for the investments and reforms needed for economic recovery.
The easing inflation rate, together with some new investments in renewable energy, an improved fiscal balance and a recent small increase in pensions, may signal that the end of the economic downturn may be approaching. But neither the government nor the population have any confidence that the crisis will come to an end this year.
No one is expecting US sanctions to be lifted while Donald Trump is president. Before Trump first stood for the presidency he hadn’t given Cuba his attention, but as president he has aligned himself firmly with hardliners.
In his first term, Trump reversed the opening with Cuba initiated by Barack Obama. And his current secretary of state, Marco Rubio, is one of the architects and leading proponents of economic sanctions against Cuba. Trade and investment will thus remain depressed, while shortages, power cuts, a lack of transport and crumbling public services will persist.
But by demanding the resignation of the minister of labour, perhaps Díaz-Canel hopes to demonstrate that his government understands what that the economic asphyxiation means for a majority of Cubans struggling to survive.
Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox.Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.
Emily Morris does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
E3 Leaders’ Statement on the Situation in Gaza and the West Bank: 25 July 2025
E3 Leaders’ Statement on the Situation in Gaza and the West Bank.
The time has come to end the war in Gaza. We urge all parties to bring an end to the conflict by reaching an immediate ceasefire. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages who have been held captive by Hamas since October 7, 2023. A negotiated ceasefire is the best chance to bring the hostages home, end the anguish of their families and finally bring relief to the civilian population in Gaza. The disarmament of Hamas is imperative, and Hamas must have no role in the future of Gaza. We reaffirm our commitment to supporting the diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, and Egypt.
The humanitarian catastrophe that we are witnessing in Gaza must end now. The most basic needs of the civilian population, including access to water and food, must be met without any further delay. Withholding essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable. We call on the Israeli Government to immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid and urgently allow the UN and humanitarian NGOs to carry out their work in order to take action against starvation. Israel must uphold its obligations under international humanitarian law.
We firmly oppose all efforts to impose Israeli sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Threats of annexation, settlements and acts of settler violence against Palestinians undermine the prospects for a negotiated two-state solution.
We are committed to working together with our international partners including at the United Nations to develop a specific and credible plan for the next phase in Gaza that will put in place transitional governance and security arrangements, and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid at scale. This must be accompanied by the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the removal of Hamas leadership, as key steps towards a negotiated two-state solution.
We stand ready to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political process that leads to lasting security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region.
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) recently reintroduced the Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act, legislation to create a tax credit that will incentivize the capture and repurposing of methane emissions from active and abandoned mines.
“I’m proud to help reintroduce the Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act, which will help capture and utilize mine methane emissions as a fuel source from coal mines. This legislation will result in positive environmental and economic impacts, and create another step for West Virginia to continue to lead the nation in an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy approach,” Senator Capito said.
“This legislation takes a critical step in boosting Virginia’s efforts to address the harmful impact of methane when emitted into the atmosphere while simultaneously creating good-paying jobs and supporting economic growth,” Senator Warner said. “By incentivizing the reduction of methane emissions, we’re not only protecting the environment but also strengthening our energy independence, I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation.”
BACKGROUND:
The Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act would amend Section 45Q of the Internal Revenue Code – which houses an existing tax credit for carbon capture and sequestration – to create a Mine Methane Capture Incentive Credit. The new credit would be attributed to taxpayers based on the amount of qualified methane that is captured and injected into a pipeline or is otherwise used for producing heat or energy. Qualified methane includes methane which:
Is captured from mining activities, including underground mines, abandoned or closed mines, or surface mines;
Would otherwise be released into the atmosphere as industrial greenhouse gas emission; and
Is measured at the source of capture and verified at the point of injection or utilization.
