The Israel-Palestine conflict is descending further into violence, with mounting civilian casualties in the West Bank and a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the UN’s top envoy for the region warned on Friday.
Sigrid Kaag, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (ad interim) briefed the Security Council on the latest report relating to resolution 2334 (2016), which calls for an immediate halt to Israeli settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
She detailed continued violations, escalating military operations and rising attacks against civilians, including deadly assaults by both Palestinian militants and Israeli forces.
Between 7 December 2024 and 13 March this year, at least 3,897 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, according to the enclave’s Ministry of Health, and 59 Israeli hostages are still being held captive by Hamas and other groups, according to Israeli sources.
In the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli military operations during the same period led to the deaths of 123 Palestinians, while 10 Israelis were killed in Palestinian attacks. Women and children were among the victims on both sides.
Israeli settler violence also continued to displace Palestinian communities.
“The Secretary-General is alarmed by the lethal attacks carried out by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, including sometimes in the proximity and with the support of Israeli security forces, as well as by Palestinians against Israelis,” Ms. Kaag said.
“All perpetrators must be held accountable,” she stressed.
Settlement expansion continues
She also reported that Israeli planning authorities advanced or approved about 10,600 housing units in settlements in the occupied West Bank, including 4,920 in East Jerusalem. Demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures also accelerated in the region.
“Citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible for Palestinians to obtain, Israeli authorities demolished, seized, sealed or forced people to demolish 460 structures, displacing 576 people, including 287 children and 149 women,” Ms. Kaag said.
Israel’s aid blockade of Gaza
Ms. Kaag further reported that the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to remain dire.
Though 57,000 metric tons of food aid were delivered in the first month of the ceasefire, Israel halted all humanitarian and commercial supply entries on 2 March, worsening food, water and medical shortages.
At least 600,000 Gazans now lack access to clean water after Israel cut power to a desalination plant.
In addition, between 12,000 and 14,000 people, including over 4,500 children, require urgent medical evacuation, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO).
Echoing the Secretary-General’s call for the urgent resumption of negotiations to reinstate a ceasefire, Ms. Kaag also underscored the need for unimpeded humanitarian access across the Gaza Strip and for the immediate and unconditional release of remaining hostages.
Two-State solution
Concluding her briefing, Ms. Kaag reiterated the UN chief’s call to establish a political framework that outlines tangible, irreversible and time-bound steps to be taken by Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
“The occupation must end as rapidly as possible,” she said, stating that a viable two-State solution – Israel and Palestine, of which Gaza is an integral part, living side-by-side in peace and security, “is long overdue”.
“The United Nations will continue to support all efforts towards that goal.”
What is your technology, what is innovative about it, and how will it change the world? These are the initial questions the innovation management team at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) asks researchers when they have new inventions with commercialization potential.
Researchers submit their innovative ideas as records of invention (ROI) or software records, thus initiating a collaborative review and discussion with members of NREL’s Technology Transfer Office and Office of General Counsel. Technologies that pass muster and show potential for measurable market impacts may move on to the multiyear process with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to secure the patent rights necessary to bring yesterday’s ideas into today’s practical use.
In Fiscal Year 2024, researchers at NREL submitted a record-breaking 294 innovations, representing potentially patentable inventions or copyrightable software. This remarkable level of innovation productivity resulted in 46 awarded U.S. patents and 12 NREL-enabled startup companies—an unprecedented amount of growth for this DOE laboratory focused on integrated energy solutions for an affordable and secure energy future.
To Eric Payne, licensing executive lead for the tech transfer office, NREL’s record year signals that researchers are more engaged than ever before in the commercialization process as a means for their research to have impact.
“NREL scientists are among the most inventive in the national lab system, and this record year reflects their continued dedication to having commercial impacts in the U.S. energy economy,” Payne said.
A subtle, yet crucial, distinction about patents, Payne explained, is that they are “a snapshot back in time” of the research NREL was conducting three to five years ago.
“Patent issuances are actually a lagging indicator of innovation, because if you think about the timeline, a researcher will first file an ROI. We typically file a patent application about six to 12 months after that, and then the patent application is pending within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for at least two to five years,” Payne said.
The process can sometimes take even longer, partly due to the volume of applications received at the U.S. Patent Office and partly due to the complexity of the technology itself. The more complicated the technology, the more time it takes for a patent application to be examined, with NREL’s team of patent attorneys expertly navigating the prosecution process. Because research at the laboratory is often early stage, researchers will typically use this waiting period to continue developing their technologies toward market readiness.
In the case of FY 2024, the “oldest” awarded patent originated from an ROI submitted in 2014, though most patents were initiated in 2019 or later.
So, what was cutting edge at NREL five years ago? In short: NREL’s origins as a solar research institute still shine, accompanied by advances in wind, hydropower, geothermal, and bioenergy fields. The patents overwhelmingly represent improvements in the efficiency of energy systems and manufacturing processes to make technology easier to scale and cheaper to use. New materials and advanced composites were introduced, and methods that reduce the amount of energy needed to power everyday lives were proposed.
Protecting Power Grids From Cyberattacks
With the rise of new technologies, power grids are becoming more vulnerable to advanced malware capable of infiltrating a utility company and toggling the on/off switch of electricity for millions of customers at once, remotely.
Joshua Rivera and Vivek Kumar Singh, two researchers at NREL’s Cybersecurity Research Center, aim to get ahead of these threats by exploring how modern cybersecurity concepts—like cloud-based programs, process automation, and even artificial intelligence—can be applied to the energy grid to make it more resilient.
This thought led to the Cybersecurity Research Center’s first patent, issued in February 2024, titled “Network visualization, intrusion detection, and network healing.” Rivera and Kumar Singh are coinventors along with NREL’s Adarsh Hasandka and Joshua Van Natta.
The patent proposes a system that detects, visualizes, and mitigates anomalies in power grids automatically. The system’s rapid response lies in the rule-based, model-based, and AI-driven methods it was developed with. By comparing incoming data to preestablished models, plotted by the team, the system can immediately trigger corrective actions when disruptions are found.
Vivek Kumar Singh (presenting) describes the NREL-patented tool for protecting power grids. Photo from Vivek Kumar Singh, NREL
The team’s ROI for the technology was initiated in 2019, “at the right place and the right time,” according to Rivera and Kumar Singh.
“In 2019, we were trying to capture the moment; we were forecasting that people were really going to care about AI,” Rivera added. “Terms like virtualization, software-defined networking, automation, and orchestration are common in IT and cloud security for ensuring resilience. So, we set out to adapt those philosophies with these new detection methodologies and apply them specifically to power systems. By combining them, we realized we could create something truly novel at the time.”
As electrical grids become more connected and vulnerable to online threats, cybersecurity is now a core component of energy systems rather than an afterthought. To refine and bring technologies like this patent to market, the team said that partnerships and collaborations will be essential.
“This patent required a diverse team of people with different domain expertise and different capabilities,” Rivera said. “The more collaboration and involvement we get from others, the more likely we can build something that will be successful.”
Matereal’s NIPU Foam Replaces Traditional Polyurethane
For retired NREL researcher Phil Pienkos, his renewable, nontoxic polyurethane product, trademarked as Polaris, came closer to commercialization in FY 2024 with a new patent for the technology.
Developed with Tao Dong and Lieve Laurens of NREL, Pienkos’ non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) foam can be made from readily available oils, such as linseed or soybean oil, as well as oils derived from algae or food waste. It is synthesized without petroleum-based chemicals and isocyanates: hazardous chemicals that are known to cause irritation, asthma, and severe lung issues. And its end product offers both recyclable and biodegradable options for polyurethane used in everything from textiles, automotive interiors, mattress cushioning, and more.
Phil Pienkos (right) holds a prototype of his non-isocyanate polyurethane material, while Eric Payne (left) holds the patent license agreement that helped Pienkos form his company, Matereal. Photo from Eric Payne, NREL
This latest patent, “Non-isocyanate polyurethane products and methods of making the same,” specifically addresses the method of making NIPU foam. By increasing the reaction speed between amines and cyclic carbonates, the building blocks of the material, researchers have made NIPU foam synthesis more comparable to conventional polyurethane production, which is crucial for uptake by industry partners.
“It’s got regulation push. It’s got market pull,” Pienkos said of the opportunities for commercialization. “It’s got everything.”
As of summer 2024, Pienkos’ startup company, Matereal, had completed a round of seed funding, raising $4.5 million to continue Polaris’ development after early partnerships with brands like Patagonia, the outdoor company, and Tempur Sealy, the mattress company.
Ocean Wave Energy Converters Make a Splash
Two patents issued in the last fiscal year centered on marine energy and the conversion of the ocean’s waves into “something more useful,” said Blake Boren, a senior engineer on NREL’s water power research and development team—be it electricity or desalinating seawater into drinkable fresh water.
Boren was a lead researcher on the patent titled “Flexible wave energy converter,” also known as a flexWEC, a device that can bend, flex, and/or stretch to generate electricity from ocean waves. Where traditional wave energy converters are typically rigid and move within one degree of freedom, a flexWEC is innately able to move in several degrees of freedom and can therefore interact with a broader range of ocean wave periods and frequencies than what would otherwise be directly possible. With many small energy transducers embedded across the device, instead of concentrated at central point, the flexWEC can better adapt to changing wave environments and continue operating even if some transducers fail.
A prototype of the inflatable pump Jenne built in his garage. Photo by Scott Jenne, NREL
“If a couple of the smaller energy transducers fail, it’s not ideal, but the overall energy conversion structure should largely still operate as intended, and in that way, flexible wave energy converters could be more robust than a more conventional WEC,” Boren said.
The flexWEC is an ocean wave energy converter based on distributed embedded energy converter technologies (DEEC-Tec), a new type of marine energy innovation that was patented in September 2022 by Boren and Jochem Weber, chief engineer for NREL’s water power program, also named on the new patent.
Dale “Scott” Jenne’s FY 2024 patent, “Inflatable pressure absorption wave actuated pump,” also described a wave energy converter, though based on a different mechanism than the flexWEC. After six years of working on desalination technologies, Jenne—a multidisciplinary research engineer on the water power team—noticed a common theme.
“Almost every wave energy converter that I had worked with or analyzed was, in some way, pumping a fluid. And a lot of companies earlier on were using what we call hydraulic systems: a piston that is pushing up and down, then that motion runs a motor, which can then run a generator,” Jenne said.
But hydraulic systems are expensive, prone to leaks, and rely on rigid parts like gearboxes that could break over time, leading Jenne to question, “How do you simplify that process and make a system that pumps water with the simplest mechanism possible?”
The result, a prototype Jenne built in his garage with $150 of supplies, is a modified version of a diaphragm pump that relies on the kinetic energy of a moving wave to pressurize a bag. Squeezing the bag then forces air through a column to generate electricity. The inflatable pump has no moving parts and reduces the complexity of mechanical systems with hydraulic seals. And the prototype’s low-cost build implies the technology could be scaled inexpensively.
NREL researchers Blake Boren and Stephen Chamot (from left to right), with Isabel Hess, a Ph.D. student from the University of Florida, do final checks to the distributed embedded energy conversion technology (DEEC-Tec) equipment before testing it in the Wave Tank at the NREL Flatirons Campus. Photo by Gregory Cooper, NREL
In December 2024, Jenne’s team applied for a Technology Commercialization Fund grant from DOE to advance the inflatable pump for high-pressure scenarios, like those needed for desalination.
In both cases, the flexWEC and the inflatable pump hold promise for generating energy from the harsh environment of ocean waves, particularly in areas affected by hurricanes or in remote coastal areas that lack reliable infrastructure. Ocean wave energy has unique advantages in niche applications like those, filling in gaps where wind and solar renewables are less effective. Demonstrating that WECs can succeed in smaller-scale systems—such as powering oceanographic sensors for data collection, desalinating seawater, or supplying energy to microgrids in island communities—could build momentum for larger-scale applications of marine renewable energy technologies in the future.
Solar Panels, Minus the Lengthy Setup
Innovations in solar energy technologies represented a majority of the patents NREL acquired in FY 2024, mirroring the growing role solar plays in the global electricity market at-large. As the most abundant renewable resource, solar is predicted to account for 40% of the U.S. electricity supply by 2035 and 45% by 2050.
One standout solar technology comes from researchers Bryon Larson and Obadiah Reid of NREL’s chemistry and nanoscience program. Their patent, “Microwave photoconductance spectrometer and methods of using the same,” describes a technique to analyze materials used in photovoltaics (PV) quickly and efficiently, without needing to build a full solar panel device first.
The device could help solar panel manufacturers implement real-time quality control monitoring on production lines and facilitate more efficient research on PV materials beyond silicon. Where traditional silicon solar panels have established metrics for quality, new materials, such as perovskites, are less well characterized and require more meticulous processing to achieve optimal performance.
Reid and Larson’s spectrometer works by aiming microwaves at a film of semiconducting material. When the waves bounce back, they are carrying information about the material’s quality at high speed, allowing manufacturers to adjust factors to improve the material’s conductivity in real-time. The spectrometer is built to incorporate into a future where solar panels are manufactured on a roll-to-roll press akin to a newspaper printing press.
“The technique is contactless, so you are essentially pointing a probe at a running web of material that is moving very rapidly,” Larson said. “The faster you run the printing press, the higher the yields in solar panel production—per hour, day, or year. That’s important because, in a manufacturing setting, the less downtime you have, the more likely you’ll be profitable.”
After the ROI was filed in 2018, DOE selected Reid and Larson’s spectrometer for its Small Business Innovation Research grants where industry competed to advance the technology. Oregon-based Tau Science Corporation adapted the team’s research tool into a commercial prototype, and along the way, Reid and Larson made the technology even better. Though their original spectrometer is 1,000 times more sensitive than traditional methods, today’s version is even more precise, enabling research into higher-quality perovskites, cadmium telluride, and other trending semiconducting materials.
Chemistry researchers Bryon Larson (left) and Obadiah Reid demonstrate a commercial prototype of their microwave spectrometer. Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL
Reid predicts that as the solar industry adopts roll-to-rolling printing—projected to be a $50 billion annual market in the next two decades—the microwave spectrometer will naturally transition to industrial applications.
“I have pretty high hopes that it will be adopted by research laboratories because it is super useful as a way of characterizing the material you’re making before going all the way to a full device,” Reid said. “If that happens, if the people developing the materials are trained with this particular technique, they’re going to want that same feedback in their systems when they join industry.”
These and NREL’s remainingpatents from FY 2024 have been added to an ever-expanding portfolio of technologies that Payne’s office is managing, including 750 patented technologies and 700 commercial and open-source software records. Each invention isavailable for licensingthrough NREL’s Technology Transfer Office.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is currently soliciting project proposals for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 grants on earthquake hazards science and is authorized to award up to $7 million. Interested researchers can apply online at GRANTS.GOV under funding Opportunity Number G26AS00244. Note that all proposals submitted to the FY26 open application period are now limited to 15 pages, maximum. Please review the application instructions found in the GRANTS.GOV solicitation for more information.
The grants offered through the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program (EHP) are a long-standing effort that contributes to the advancement of earthquake research. The EHP encourages the submission of new ideas that will provide more timely and accurate earthquake information, better characterization of earthquake sources, and a reduction in uncertainty for earthquake hazard and risk assessments. USGS also seeks proposals that will help to mitigate earthquake losses and better inform the public about earthquakes and earthquake safety, such as earthquake early warning or other scientific efforts that will lead to reduced risk. The complete list of FY2025 EHP science research priorities is included in the grant’s solicitation found on GRANTS.GOV, as well as the EHP External Grants website.
Every year, the USGS invites innovative earthquake research proposals from colleges and universities, state and local offices, non-profit organizations, private institutions, unaffiliated scientists, engineers, and foreign organizations. Past funded grant projects include:
Evaluating earthquake and tsunami hazard in the Cascadia Subduction Zone
Updating the subduction ground motion model for Alaska
Understanding responses to ShakeAlert-powered earthquake early warning
Improving 3D seismic velocity models in the San Francisco Bay region
Simulating the evolution of stress on the Wasatch Fault system
Analyzing GNSS Strain Rate and uncertainty in the New Madrid Seismic Zone
A complete list of previously funded projects and reports can be found on the USGS EHP external research support website.
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The annual ban on pruning elm trees in Saskatchewan begins April 1 and runs until August 31. The ban is in place to help stop the spread of Dutch elm disease (DED).
DED is a fatal tree disease caused by a fungus spread by elm bark beetles. As the weather warms, the beetles become more active and are attracted to fresh cuts on trees. Pruning during this time increases the chances of an infection and puts your elms at risk.
Pruning trees before or after the ban period helps keep them healthy and better able to resist all kinds of diseases, including DED. Pruning also removes the dead and dying wood where elm bark beetles breed, reducing beetle numbers.
Pruning incorrectly can damage your trees and spread diseases. If you hire someone to prune your trees, check their qualifications. Anyone who prunes elm trees commercially must have completed a recognized training program or be supervised by someone who has.
It is allowed to completely remove an elm tree during the ban period, but it’s important to dispose of all elm wood properly, as soon as possible. Contact your local municipality to find out where the designated wood disposal site is in your area.
Because transporting wood can also spread DED, as well as other insects and diseases, it’s illegal to use, transport, store or sell elm firewood. Provincial regulations also restrict the use, transport, storage and sale of elm logs.
For more information, contact your municipality, the Ministry of Environment’s Inquiry Centre at 1-800-567-4224 or visit: saskatchewan.ca/forestry.
Iranian Government Hired Polad Omarov and Rafat Amirov to Kill Masih Alinejad in Exchange for $500,000
A federal jury returned guilty verdicts yesterday on all five counts in the superseding indictment against Rafat Amirov, also known as Farkhaddin Mirzoev, Pᴎᴍ, and Rome, 46, of Iran; and Polad Omarov, also known as Araz Aliyev, Polad Qaqa, and Haci Qaqa, 40, of Georgia. The defendants were convicted of murder-for-hire and attempted murder in aid of racketeering charges, in a trial before U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon. Amirov and Omarov are scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 17.
“The Iranian regime’s brazen plot to silence and murder Americans will not be tolerated,” said Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “This verdict underscores the Department’s commitment to finding and holding accountable those who threaten our citizens and our freedoms. With the great work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, we are now one step closer to justice.”
“For years, the Government of Iran has attempted to silence an outspoken Iranian journalist, author, activist and critic of their regime through any means necessary, including harassment, violence, intimidation, and even attempted murder,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky for the Southern District of New York. “Chillingly, the plot to murder this Iranian dissident culminated over 6,000 miles from Iran, on U.S. soil, right here in New York, when a hitman with an AK-47 camped outside her home to kill her. I commend the career prosecutors of this office, and our law enforcement partners at the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division for their tireless work in bringing these defendants to justice. This verdict should send a clear message around the world: if you target U.S. citizens, we will find you, no matter where you are, and bring you to justice.”
“The defendants participated in a brazen plot to kill an Iranian American dissident in New York who criticized the regime in Iran,” said Acting Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “Thanks to the good work of the FBI and our partners their plan failed. This verdict demonstrates the FBI will not tolerate Iran’s attempts to threaten, silence, or harm American citizens.”
According to court documents, Amirov and Omarov were high-ranking members of an Eastern European organized crime group (the Organization) who worked with other members of the Organization to attempt to kill Masih Alinejad on instructions from high-ranking members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Alinejad has previously been the target of plots by the Government of Iran to intimidate, harass, and kidnap her for her work as a journalist, author, and human rights activist who has publicized the Government of Iran’s human rights abuses around the world. As recently as 2020 and 2021, Iranian intelligence officials and assets plotted to kidnap Alinejad from within the U.S. for rendition to Iran in an effort to silence her criticism of the Iranian regime.
After these brazen efforts to kidnap Alinejad from the U.S. failed, the IRGC turned to Amirov and Omarov to locate, surveil, and murder her. Beginning in approximately July 2022, Amirov sent targeting information—which he had received directly from IRGC officials in Iran—about Alinejad to Omarov. In turn, Omarov communicated this information to Khalid Mehdiyev, another member of the Organization who had been residing in Yonkers, New York, so that Mehdiyev could surveil Alinejad and murder her. In turn, Mehdiyev sent photographs and videos of Alinejad’s residence to Omarov, who shared these materials with Amirov and the IRGC officials who orchestrated the plot in Iran. Amirov and Omarov then arranged for a $30,000 cash payment to Mehdiyev, who used a portion of this payment to buy an AK-47 style assault rifle, two magazines, and at least 66 rounds of ammunition; as Mehdiyev boasted in electronic communications, a “war machine” he could use to kill Alinejad.
In late July 2022, Mehdiyev repeatedly traveled to Alinejad’s neighborhood to surveil her. Mehdiyev sent reports of his surveillance to Omarov, who passed them to Amirov. On July 24, 2022, Mehdiyev reported to Omarov from Alinejad’s residence that he was “at the crime scene.” On July 27, 2022, Omarov told Amirov that Mehdiyev was ready to kill Alinejad, writing “this matter will be over today. I told them to make a birthday present for me. I pressured them, they will sleep there this night.” On July 28, 2022, Mehdiyev sent Omarov a video taken from inside the car that Mehdiyev was driving with the assault rifle and a message reading “we are ready.” Amirov sent an image of the interior of Alinejad’s home to Omarov to be forwarded to Mehdiyev, writing “this is the house where she stays.” As Omarov continued to update Amirov about Mehdiyev’s readiness, Amirov cautioned Omarov “let him keep the car clean.” When Mehdiyev subsequently drove from where he was surveilling the residence, he was stopped after a traffic violation and, during a subsequent search of the vehicle, police officers found the assault rifle, 66 rounds of ammunition, approximately $1,100 in cash, and a black ski mask.
After Mehdiyev was arrested and placed into custody, Omarov contacted Mehdiyev’s mother and threatened to kill her and her other son if she did not locate Mehdiyev.
Amirov and Omarov were convicted on five counts: murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison (Count One); conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison (Count Two); conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison (Count Three); attempted murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison (Count Four); and possession and use of a firearm in connection with the attempted murder, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison (Count Five).
The FBI New York Field Office Counterintelligence-Cyber Division and the New York FBI Iran Threat Task Force are investigating the case, with assistance from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the NYPD Intelligence Bureau. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance. The Justice Department thanked the authorities in the Czech Republic for their assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Lockard, Jacob H. Gutwillig, and Matthew J.C. Hellman for the Southern District of New York are prosecuting the case with assistance from paralegal specialist Owen Foley and Trial Attorneys Christopher Rigali and Leslie Esbrook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Timothy Mollett, 34, pleaded guilty to Counts One, Six, Thirteen, and Fourteen of the Superseding Indictment before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan on March 19, 2025.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from in and around April 2019 to in and around July 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Mollett conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture of cocaine, 28 grams or more of a mixture of crack, and quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Mollett was intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of the drugs that he distributed to others. Further, in and around July 2021, Mollett unlawfully possessed a firearm as a convicted felon, and did so in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for July 24, 2025. The law provides for a total maximum sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Mollett. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Jimmy Franklin King, Jr., 35 of Charleston, has been sentenced to 115 months in federal prison for possessing seven firearms as a convicted felon, several of which were unregistered and untraceable “ghost guns.”
Evidence obtained during the investigation established that King imported firearms parts and components to his North Charleston residence from China, including an illegal silencer. A search warrant was executed on his home and agents discovered illegal firearms, ammunition, and 3D printed firearm components, including a machine gun conversion device, which is commonly used to convert a semiautomatic weapon into a fully automatic machinegun. Also located in King’s residence were two 3D printers and a computer that contained software programs for 3D printing machine gun conversion devices. As a result of these discoveries, King was arrested in September 2023. During his arrest, agents found two more unregistered firearms on his person.
United States District Judge David C. Norton sentenced King to a sentence of 115 months in prison—the maximum sentence called for by the United States Sentencing Guidelines. King’s term of incarceration will be followed by three years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cole Shannon is prosecuting the case.
SCRANTON– The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Eshawn Harrell, age 31, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 130 months’ imprisonment for possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on June 29, 2023, investigators executed a search warrant on Harrell’s residence and seized approximately 195 grams of fentanyl, 24 grams of cocaine, drug paraphernalia including sandwich bags, digital scales, glassine bags, vacuum sealer, $1,000 in U.S. currency, seven iPhones, 50 rounds of ammunition, and two loaded handguns. Harrell had previously been convicted of drug trafficking and was not legally permitted to possess firearms or ammunition.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, 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 Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
This matter was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police, the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Assistant United States Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted the case.
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Youngsville man was sentenced Thursday to 19 years in prison for armed drug trafficking of cocaine, fentanyl and marijuana. On June 10, 2024, Samuel McCoy Oakley, Jr., age 47, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and a quantity of marijuana, distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, in September 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in conjunction with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, initiated an investigation into a drug-trafficking organization (DTO) operating in the Eastern District of North Carolina (EDNC). Investigation through digital and physical surveillance, cooperating sources, and wire intercepts determined that Oakley and his co-conspirators were responsible for distributing various narcotics sourced from New York and New Jersey.
On multiple occasions during the investigation, law enforcement observed unidentified males, with bags, arrive at Oakley’s residence, stay for a brief period, and leave. Vehicles stopped after leaving Oakley’s residence were found with marijuana and cash. Wiretap interceptions included calls where Oakley was discussing the sale of cocaine and fentanyl with his co-conspirators. In one instance, in May of 2023, he discussed purchasing “knowledge,” which referred to fentanyl branded with that name. The next day, a man used by Oakley as a courier drove from Charlotte to Oakley’s house and stayed only a couple of hours before returning to Charlotte. The following day, the courier took a flight to New York. Geo-location data show that the courier was in New York and New Jersey for a couple of days before driving back to North Carolina where he was stopped by law enforcement. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a “trap” that contained 5,012 grams of cocaine and 600 grams of fentanyl. The packages of fentanyl were stamped with the word “Knowledge.”
On July 19, 2023, a search warrant was executed at Oakley’s residence and more than 2,000 grams of cocaine were seized from the attic insulation. In addition, two 9mm handguns, including one that was loaded, a semiautomatic rifle, several rounds of ammunition and more than $35,000 in cash were recovered.
Based on the investigation, between July 2022 and July 2023, law enforcement determined that Oakley was responsible for a total of over 168 kilograms of cocaine, over 7 kilograms of fentanyl, and approximately 4 kilograms of marijuana.
This investigation was an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The DEA, the Henderson Police Department, Franklin County Sherriff’s Office, and the State Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey L. Peaden prosecuted the case.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Speech
The UK opposes any attempt to forcibly annex land in Gaza or expand settlements in the West Bank: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.
We welcome this opportunity to discuss the evolving situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
First, I’ll address recent developments in Gaza.
This week saw more bloodshed return to the Gaza strip.
It is appalling that hundreds of Palestinians have been killed following Israeli strikes since 18 March.
We strongly oppose Israel’s resumption of hostilities.
Escalation and endless violence is in nobody’s interests.
We are outraged that a UN compound in Gaza was hit on Wednesday morning.
Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
There must be a full investigation into what happened.
We urge all parties to return to dialogue and to implement the ceasefire agreement in full.
This must include the return of the 59 hostages who have been cruelly held by Hamas for over 500 days.
As we said in the Council yesterday, Hamas must be held accountable for their depraved actions.
We also call on Israel to immediately restore humanitarian access and electricity to Gaza.
Refusing to do so risks breaching international humanitarian law.
Second, President, we must look to the future and redouble our efforts to secure long-term peace for Israelis and Palestinians.
This means a credible plan to allow Palestinians in Gaza to return home and rebuild their lives, with Hamas removed from power.
To be clear, we oppose any attempt to forcibly annex land in Gaza.
We welcome the Arab initiative of a recovery and reconstruction plan for Gaza and we urge all parties to engage constructively with it.
Sustainable peace also means addressing worrying developments in the West Bank.
We are seriously concerned by the scale of the Israeli miliary operation in the West Bank and the displacement of nearly 40,000 Palestinian refugees.
We recognise Israel’s right to self defence, but civilians must be protected, and Israel must ensure its operations are proportionate to the threat posed.
Israel must halt settlements which are illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and the security of both Israelis and Palestinians.
Violent settlers must be held to account.
The UK has introduced three rounds of sanctions on violent settlers and their supporters to bring accountability for abuses of human rights, in the absence of sufficient Israeli action.
We will consider all further options.
Reports of the killing of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, including children, are abhorrent.
The IDF must take all precautions to prevent civilian deaths, and must investigate civilian deaths thoroughly and demonstrate full accountability to the law.
The level of restrictions on Palestinian movement in the West Bank are crippling.
These only fuel further instability.
It is important, especially during the month of Ramadan, that religious freedoms are respected.
Restrictive visa and registration processes are also deeply concerning.
Israel must ensure the UN, including UNRWA, can provide essential humanitarian and service delivery in a safe and secure environment.
President, seventeen months on from the dreadful attacks of 7 October, we urge all parties to implement the ceasefire agreement in full and to work towards a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian State.
This is the best way to deliver a peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
Physics and poetry might seem like an unlikely pair, but both are rooted in structure, rhythm and precision. Both rely on clarity – distilling complex ideas into their simplest, most elegant form. And, as I explore in my latest book The Poetry of Physics, both seek to capture something fundamental about the universe.
Some physicists have embraced this connection. James Clerk Maxwell, the Scottish physicist and mathematician behind the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation, wrote verse about atoms, thermodynamics and imposter syndrome. Rebecca Elson, an astrophysicist studying dark matter, wrote poems that fused cosmic exploration with human fragility. Their work reminds us that physics is not just about numbers – it is about patterns, motion and meaning.
Writing poetry about science can seem daunting. But structure helps. Just as scientific experiments follow a method, poetic forms can provide a scaffold that can shape your ideas and guide your writing, giving you boundaries within which to explore.
Form matters. The structure of a poem can mirror the scientific idea it describes, making both the form and the content work together. A nonnet, for example, is a perfect choice for writing about loss, decay, or transformation.
A nonnet is a nine-line poem that starts with a line of nine syllables and decreases by one syllable per line, ending with a single-syllable word. This structure creates a natural sense of diminishing, making it ideal for exploring physical processes like entropy, energy loss, or the melting of sea ice. The shrinking lines do not just tell the story – they embody it, visually and rhythmically reinforcing the concept.
Take entropy for example. Entropy is a measure of disorder or randomness within a system. A system with high entropy is more chaotic, while a system with low entropy is more structured. According to the second law of thermodynamics, the total entropy of an isolated system can only increase or remain constant – it never decreases. This natural progression toward disorder can be creatively captured through a nonnet, a poetic form that mirrors the gradual decline of structure.
The tea cools, spreading its warmth outward
Molecules slow, drift apart, fade
Heat unwinds in quiet waves
Order gives way to chance
Each moment less still
Motion dissolves
Atoms hum
Time flows
Gone
The structure mirrors the process it describes – just as the syllables fall away, so too does energy, dissipating into the surroundings. The poem does not just explain entropy; it makes you feel it.
Writing your own physics poem
To start, choose a scientific concept with a natural progression – something that grows, collapses, fades or transforms. A black hole swallowing light. The cooling of a neutron star. The flickering of a quantum state.
Once you have your subject, let the structure guide you. The longest line should introduce the concept, setting up the movement that follows. Each line should shrink not just in syllables but in intensity, following the physical process you are describing. Keep the language clear and simple – both physics and poetry thrive on precision.
Most importantly, let the poem take its time. Writing is like experimentation – your first attempt is rarely your final result. Refine, adjust and revise until the form and meaning align.
Once you have experimented with a nonnet, you may want to explore other poetic forms. Different structures can emphasise different aspects of physics, shaping the way the subject is presented and experienced. Perhaps a haiku, a villanelle, or maybe even a sestina?
Eventually, as in physics, structure should not confine you. It should empower you. Just as quantum mechanics could only emerge after centuries of classical physics, free verse poetry becomes most effective once you understand the forms it is breaking away from. Poetic structure teaches control, rhythm and precision. It helps you learn how to balance content and form, just as classical mechanics teaches foundational principles that underpin later discoveries.
Once you are comfortable with structured poetry, try letting go. Write about physics with no predetermined form. Let the language shape itself. See where the words take you.
And when you have something you are happy with, why not share it? The Brilliant Poetry Competition 2025 invites writers from around the world to explore the connections between science and poetry. This year’s competition is themed around UNESCO’s international year of quantum science and technology, with prizes of up to £1,000 and entries accepted in English, French and Spanish.
Physics is already rich with poetry. Its rhythms are found in the orbits of planets, its symmetry is woven into the fabric of the universe, its surprises are hidden in the flicker of quantum states. Writing a physics poem is not about forcing science into art but about recognising the poetry that is already there. The universe is waiting. Now, all you need to do is write.
Sam Illingworth 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 cannabis-derived product CBD has been hailed “the wonder drug of our age”, offering potential health benefits without the high. From juices and coffee to truffles and ice cream, CBD products have flooded the market for consumers looking for an answer to health problems from anxiety to insomnia.
But with CBD products in the UK and EU falling under “novel foods” regulations rather than pharmaceutical standards, they aren’t subjected to the same rigorous safety and quality controls as drugs. The UK’s Committee on Toxicology has even flagged potential health risks, such as liver injury, leading the Food Standards Agency to issue safety guidance.
The regulatory gaps and health concerns of today reflect those of the 19th century when cannabis products were commercialised by the food industry.
In the 1830s, William Brooke O’Shaughnessy, an Irish doctor, discovered that cannabis was effective in treating muscle spasms and stomach cramps. French psychiatrist Jacques-Joseph Moreau later explored its potential for mental illness. This led many 19th-century doctors to champion cannabis as a cure-all.
It wasn’t long before patent medicine manufacturers began using cannabis as a common ingredient in their formulas. But soon, cannabis wasn’t just in pharmacies – it was in food.
Surprisingly, this shift was not driven by the food industry, but by the free church environment in Sweden as part of efforts to combat tuberculosis – a leading cause of death across all social classes in the country at the time.
Paul Petter Waldenström, leader of the Swedish Mission Covenant, wrote a letter to Svenska Morgonbladet about a woman reportedly cured of tuberculosis by a homebrewed gruel made with hempseed, rye flour and milk. His endorsement helped popularise the remedy and many started making their own “Waldenström gruel”, as it became known.
Sensing a business opportunity, entrepreneur J. Barthelson developed a powdered commercial version with the elegant French name Extrait Cannabis. He marketed it as a dietary remedy for tuberculosis, chest diseases and low energy. As demand grew, competitors quickly jumped on the bandwagon, using fearmongering tactics to persuade consumers that they were putting their lives at risk without it.
The rise and fall of Maltos-Cannabis
The most striking cannabis-infused product of the era came from the Red Cross Technical Factory. Their “health drink”, Maltos-Cannabis, was a maltose and cannabis blend marketed as both nutritious and delicious, especially when mixed with cocoa.
With an aggressive advertising campaign, the company raked in nearly SEK 290,000 a year (around £775,000 in modern money), opening factories in Chicago, Helsinki, Brussels and Utrecht.
A particularly dramatic advertisement depicted the Grim Reaper fleeing from the light of science, shining from a lighthouse. Meanwhile, a mother and daughter raised their arms triumphantly, symbolising victory over death thanks to Maltos-Cannabis. The tagline boldly claimed that the product had “a big future”.
Maltos-Cannabis advertisement, Hälsovännen, 1 February 1894. Wikimedia Commons
However, questions swirled about its legitimacy. Newspapers debated whether the product was a groundbreaking remedy or “a pure scam product”. While some critics called the craze an “epidemic”, others argued coffee was more harmful – a hot topic in Sweden’s parliament at the time.
In response, Red Cross published a half-page rebuttal signed by its executives, defending the product’s credibility. But scepticism persisted. After various lawsuits and growing concerns over its effectiveness and safety, sales of Maltos-Cannabis began to decline. By the 1930s, the product had disappeared entirely.
History repeats itself?
The 19th-century commercial cannabis market was able to thrive due to the absence of marketing regulations for both food and pharmaceutical products. Manufacturers freely advertised their products using pseudo-scientific claims and buzzword-heavy marketing – strategies we’re seeing again today in the thriving CBD industry.
This is because CBD is a “borderline” product, existing in a regulatory grey area that allows for marketing strategies to flourish without stringent oversight. Much like in the past, brands tap into consumers’ health anxieties with promises of a wellness revolution. Most worryingly, social media influencers are being used to endorse CBD, making it particularly appealing for younger audiences.
With the global CBD market valued at US$19 billion in 2023 and projected to grow by 16% annually until 2030, looking back at the broader, problematic history of commercial cannabis should serve as a cautionary tale.
Lauren Alex O’Hagan 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.
. Pillen Provides Update on Statewide Damage Assessment Following Blizzard
LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen is providing an update on the statewide damage assessment in the aftermath of Wednesday’s blizzard. Emergency managers continue to collect information to determine any local needs. Additionally, the Governor’s office has been in constant contact with leadership from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and continues to receive updates on needs and progress made toward storm restoration.
Numerous crews from other states have provided personnel to assist in repairing downed powerlines and restoring power, through mutual aid agreements. Gov. Pillen expressed his gratitude for their quick response and support. He continues to receive updates from utility companies as progress is made in restoring electricity.
If any additional resources are required to help manage impacts from the storm, the Governor will ensure they are acted upon quickly. Gov. Pillen plans to issue an emergency declaration upon NEMA’s recommendation, after initial damage assessments are completed.
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced yesterday to 121 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon and possessing a distribution quantity of marijuana.
According to public court documents, and evidence presented at sentencing, Demarcus Letrelle Culberson Jr., 22, possessed a distribution quantity of marijuana in his car and at his residence. At Culberson’s residence, law enforcement also found a loaded firearm. A shell casing found at the scene of an October 2023 shooting was identified as having been fired from the firearm found at Culberson’s residence. Culberson was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he is a felon.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Culberson will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man admitted to several firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses, U.S. Attorney John Giordano announced.
Carlo M. De Leon De Jesus, 28, of Newark, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch in Trenton federal court to an Information charging him with one count of dealing firearms without a license, one count of transferring firearms to an out-of-state resident, one count of firearms trafficking, and one count of conspiracy to distribute narcotics. De Leon De Jesus’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 28, 2025.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On multiple dates between July 2023 and September 2023, De Leon De Jesus sold firearms and narcotics to law enforcement, including one pistol, one semiautomatic handgun, one short barrel rifle, one AK variant style rifle, fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.
The count of dealing firearms without a license and transferring firearms to an out-of-state resident each carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The count of gun trafficking carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.
U.S. Attorney Giordano credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the leadership of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr., with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Field Division, under the leadership of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz, and Homeland Security Investigations, Newark Field Division, under the leadership of Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Taj Moore of the Narcotics/OCDETF in Newark.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Chen Reis, Associate Clinical Professor, Director, Humanitarian Assistance Program, & Director, Human Rights MA, University of Denver
A woman scoops up portions of wheat to be allocated to each waiting family after it was distributed in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia in 2021.AP Photo/Ben Curtis
More than 305 million people require lifesaving humanitarian aid today. Most of them live in areas wracked by conflict, such as Sudan, Gaza, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As scholars who studyhumanitarian aid, we are seeing not just a crisis of funding but also one that jeopardizes the credibility of the entire global system that provides this lifesaving assistance.
When conflict breaks out or a disaster like an earthquake strikes, people require emergency medical care, temporary shelter, food and water. In countries where the government is unable or unwilling to provide these services, humanitarian organizations and international agencies step in to fill the gaps. Humanitarian aid is based on empathy and the recognition that everyone has a right to live with dignity.
“Our biggest global competitor and adversary is delighted that we’ve handed them an opportunity to say to communities and countries around the world that we are not a reliable partner,” Coons said.
By highlighting geopolitical, security and economic arguments for humanitarian aid, in our view, they risk further hurting the sector’s legitimacy.
While needs have increased, humanitarian funding has been flat or declining for years, leaving millions of people who need food, health care, shelter and protection without the assistance they need.
Every year, the U.N. assesses humanitarian need for the coming year and issues what amounts to a global budget request to meet those needs. Government donors commit funds toward that budget request, and those funds are then distributed to U.N. agencies and NGOs that implement humanitarian programming.
Humanitarian groups have historically embraced a set of core principles that emphasize the alleviation of human suffering wherever it may occur while remaining independent, neutral and impartial.
In conflict zones, these principles are essential for gaining access to people who need help. Aid workers build trust and acceptance by not picking sides in a conflict and providing aid based on need.
Focusing on what benefits donor countries instead of what serves humanitarian needs in areas experiencing famine, disasters or conflicts is at odds with these principles. However, in January, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that U.S. interests would decide how aid is allocated.
“Every dollar we spend, every program we fund and every policy we pursue must be justified with the answer to three simple questions,” Rubio said. “Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?”
Since late January, the Trump administration has cut 83% of USAID’s programs, according to recent reports.
Transactional arguments
In March, the State Department sent a questionnaire to nongovernmental organizations and U.N. agencies asking how they will conform to President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy and distribute aid in alignment with foreign policy goals.
Governments always consider their own interests as one factor when making decisions about humanitarian aid. But, we are concerned that humanitarian organizations and the public are not pushing back on these purely transactional arguments.
Instead, some organizations seem to be falling in line.
“This investment pays dividends by preventing humanitarian crises, containing disease outbreaks, and countering adversarial influence in vulnerable regions,” stated InterAction, an association of U.S.-based NGOs that distribute humanitarian aid and development assistance. “That’s why foreign aid has maintained decades of support across party lines — it is vital for U.S. security and international stability.”
We also see in these comments signs that justifications for aid are changing.
When former Secretary of State Colin Powell called nongovernmental organizations a “force multiplier” in 2001, it stirred controversy because he suggested that they were an extension of the government and a pillar of U.S. strategy. Even still, he acknowledged that NGOs required independence from government to do their essential work.
An important choice
Humanitarian organizations are grappling with the financial and operational consequences of their reliance on a small number of donor governments that have cut off or cut back aid. As they adjust to the new reality, we believe that they must make a choice.
They can embrace the increasingly transactional agendas of the rich countries that have historically provided most humanitarian aid funding. Doing so may increase aid flows but compromise humanitarian neutrality and impartiality – potentially restricting their access to the places they need to go to do their work.
Or they can focus on people affected by crises – as recipients of assistance and as agents of change. This option would likely mean operating on an even smaller budget at a time when needs are increasing.
Either way, the decisions made today will have significant implications for the future of humanitarian action.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Betsy Sinclair, Professor and Chair of Political Science, Washington University in St. Louis
As Americans’ social worlds grow further apart, stereotypes intensify – driving an even deeper wedge between red and blue America.wildpixel/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Are you angry about politics right now? Seething? You’re not alone. According to the Mood of the Nation Poll by researchers at Penn State, 9 in 10 Americans can name a recent news event or something about American politics that made them angry.
Political scientists Steven Webster, Elizabeth Connorsand I have investigated what happens to people’s social networks – their friends, family and neighbors – when partisan anger takes over. For example, suppose your neighbor is a member of the opposite political party. You’ve always watered their plants when they go on vacation. Given the news these days and how angry you’re feeling, what will you say when they ask for help during their next trip?
We found that when someone is angry with the opposite party, they avoid people with those views. That can include not assisting neighbors with various tasks, avoiding social gatherings attended by people from the other side, and refusing to date people who vote differently. It means being disappointed if your son or daughter marries a supporter of the opposing party, and even severing close friendships or distancing yourself from close relatives.
We see that political anger disrupts ordinary life – coffee with a friend – as well as more major life decisions. Political anger breaks our social networks.
People rely on their relationships to understand our world – and to vote. The more we isolate ourselves from people who see things differently, the easier it is to misunderstand them, pushing us to separate even more.
Stereotype vs. reality
During the Obama administration, my collaborators and I asked a nationally representative sample of voters to describe their stereotypes about the opposite party. Our questions were intended to tap into perceptions of the other side’s lifestyles and cultural values, in addition to policy attitudes.
First, we wanted to establish each side’s actual views. Our 2012-2016 study asked around 1,300 Americans whether they agreed with statements that are often associated with one party or the other – including creationism, guns, taxes and eco-friendliness.
For example, 42.5% of all Republicans we surveyed agreed with the statement that “this country would be safer if every law-abiding citizen possessed a firearm,” versus 25.1% of independents and 14.2% of Democrats. Meanwhile, 38.7% of Democrats agreed that “this country would be better if every citizen drove an electric car,” compared with 22% of independents and 11.4% of Republicans.
Two months later, we went back to the same voters and asked them a different question: What percentage of Democrats and Republicans did they think would agree with these statements?
We saw dramatic evidence of stereotypes. For example, only 19% of Democrats agreed that all Americans should pay more taxes, but more than 80% of Republicans believed the percentage to be higher. The same pattern occurred with electric cars and firearms. Just over 42% of Republicans agreed that all “law-abiding” citizens should have a gun, but the typical Democrat believed the percentage to be 60%-80%.
Americans do not understand each other across the red-blue divide. Importantly, respondents with more ideologically extreme views themselves had less accurate perceptions of the other party.
Avoiding the Joneses
The more extreme our beliefs become, the harder it will be to understand our neighbors.
Suppose you are a Republican. You learn that your Democratic neighbors believe that everyone should drive an electric car, marijuana should be legal in all states, and universal health care should be available to all citizens. Or suppose you are a Democrat, and you learn that your Republican neighbors believe that humans and dinosaurs walked the Earth at the same time, that elementary school students should be required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance every morning, and that a fence should be built between the U.S. and Mexico.
Would you want to be friends?
These hypothetical neighbors have stereotypical beliefs – and most Americans say they do not want those neighbors in their social networks. Specifically, according to our 2023 study, they reported not wanting to become friends, not having this neighbor over for a family meal, and not feeling comfortable allowing their children to play with the neighbor’s kids, among other activities.
Stereotypes don’t just drive individual people and families apart; they make neighborhoods less cohesive. We ascribe stereotypical beliefs to people who are members of the opposite party – and then we react to these stereotypes, not to our neighbors themselves.
Cutting off those in-person relationships isn’t just a problem for safety and friendliness around the block. It’s a problem for democracy because Americans need relationships with people whose politics are different than their own.
A majority of Americans have social circles that are politically homogeneous. Even in 2020, 53% of Republicans said that their network was exclusively composed of Donald Trump supporters, and 55% of Democrats said that their network was exclusively composed of Joe Biden supporters.
In her book “Through the Grapevine,” political scientist Taylor Carlson documents that approximately 1 in 3 American voters mostly learn about politics from socially transmitted information: news they get from talking with friends or scrolling on social media. Relying on these sources is particularly problematic in social networks that are homogeneous, as exposure to information from someone in your own party can lead people to have more extreme positions. Carlson’s work highlights that voters who rely on friends to shape their views rely upon a resource that is heavily biased.
In my own book “The Social Citizen,” I investigated the influence peers have on political decisions, from voting and donating to identifying with a political party. For example, if a neighbor knocks on your door and asks you to turn out to vote, you are 4%-11% more likely to go cast a ballot than if a stranger knocked on your door.
Democracy in action
What can we do to remedy the fractures? We need to understand each other.
The U.S. has a long tradition of political dialogue. Indeed, after a brutal election tested their friendship, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson did not exchange letters for 11 years. But the pair resumed their correspondence in 1812 with Adams’ statement – later echoed by Jefferson – “You and I, ought not to die, before We have explained ourselves to each other.”
What Adams and Jefferson understood in the 19th century still applies to the divisions in American society today: Reconciliation requires understanding. These conversations are frequently painful and hard; data scientists have noted that Thanksgiving dinners with guests who cross party lines are frequently shorter. But as my own research shows, we are most able to persuade people with whom we have the closest ties.
Democracy challenges us to participate in more ways than simply by voting. It challenges everyone to understand those around us and seek what is in the collective best interest.
And we have the most influence over people in our social networks. So that friend you’re really angry with about their politics? It’s time to give them a call and have a conversation.
Betsy Sinclair does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Samuel C. Mahaney, Director, Missouri S&T Policy and Armed Forces Research and Development Institute; Lecturer of History, National Security, and Leadership, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Nor did he give an explanation for similarly ousting other senior military leaders, including the only women ever to lead the Navy and the Coast Guard, as well as the military’s top three lawyers – the judge advocates general of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
The president is the commander-in-chief of the U.S. armed forces. But since the days of George Washington, the military has been dedicated to serving the nation, not a specific person or political agenda. I know this because I served 36 years in the U.S. Air Force before retiring as a major general. Even now, as a lecturer in history, national security and constitutional law, I know that nonpartisanship is central to the military’s primary mission of defending the country.
If so, military personnel at all levels would face a crucial question: Would they stand up for the military’s independent role in maintaining the integrity and stability of American democracy or follow the president’s orders – even if those orders crossed a line that made them illegal or unconstitutional?
After the American Revolution, George Washington resigned his military commission and returned to civilian life. Herman Bencke via Library of Congress
Political neutrality from the start
Washington and other U.S. founders were very aware that a powerful military could overthrow the government or be subjected to political whims as different parties or factions controlled the presidency or Congress, so they thought long and hard about the role of the militia and the use of military power.
Julius Caesar, who used his army to seize power in ancient Rome, was a cautionary tale. So was Oliver Cromwell’s use of his military power in the English Civil War to execute King Charles I and rule England.
One of Washington’s most significant contributions to the apolitical tradition of the military was his resignation as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army after the American Revolution officially ended, in 1783. By voluntarily giving up his military power and returning to civilian life, the man who would become the nation’s first president demonstrated his commitment to civilian control of a military grounded in allegiance to the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, not allegiance to any one party, faction or person.
Washington’s act set a powerful example for future generations. A few years later, the founders embedded civilian control over the military in the U.S. Constitution. Article I, Section 8 gives Congress the power to declare war and fund armies, while Article II, Section 2 designates the president as the commander-in-chief of the military.
This check and balance ensures the military remains neutral and subordinate to elected leaders. It also solidifies the allegiance of military leaders to a principled document, not to the ebbs and flows of politics.
Polling consistently shows that the American people trust the military more than any other element of the U.S. government. In part that trust comes from the military’s professional dedication to political neutrality, which includes training its personnel to uphold values like duty, honor and integrity.
Military members up and down the ranks take their allegiance to the Constitution seriously. At the beginning of their service, at every reenlistment and usually during promotion ceremonies, all military members – officers and enlisted – swear to support and defend the Constitution. The enlisted oath also includes a promise to follow the lawful orders of the president and of the officers appointed above them.
This foundational oath ensures that if members of the military receive orders that they believe are questionable, they will not follow those orders blindly. They are taught throughout their career – during basic training, officer candidate training and in recurring sessions through the years – to seek clarification. If necessary, they are told to challenge those orders through their chain of command, or through attorneys associated with their units, or by contacting their branch’s inspectorgeneral.
Depending on their ranks, military members’ responses to questionable orders can vary. Senior officers, who have extensive experience and higher levels of responsibility, have the authority and the duty to ensure that any orders they follow or pass down are lawful and in line with the Constitution. When evaluating uncertain orders or navigating unclear situations, they often consult with legal advisers, discuss the implications with peers and thoroughly analyze the situation before taking action.
Junior officers and senior enlisted personnel often find themselves in positions where they must make quick decisions based on the information available to them. While they are trained to follow orders, they are also encouraged to use their judgment and seek guidance when they believe an order to be unlawful – including getting advice from people with direct access to attorneys.
Junior enlisted personnel, who make up more than 40% of the military force, are also taught the importance of the legality and constitutionality of orders. They have the right to seek clarification if they believe an order is unlawful.
The responsibility of scrutinizing orders falls on senior military leaders – admirals and generals, colonels and Navy captains. Junior officers and senior enlisted and junior enlisted personnel rely on their leaders to navigate the complexities of politics and ensure orders they receive are lawful and focused on national defense, not politics.
If senior military leaders fail in their responsibility, chaos could ensue: Units may end up following conflicting orders or ignoring directives altogether. This can lead to a breakdown in command and control, with some units acting independently or based on politically motivated directives. This would be a dangerous shift, making the military extremely vulnerable to operational failures and enemy attack.
President Lyndon Johnson, center, and Gen. William Westmoreland visit troops in South Vietnam in 1967. AP Photo
Such a situation has never happened in the history of the U.S. military. But some events have come close to crossing the line. For instance, during the Vietnam War, President Lyndon Johnson was determined to demonstrate American strength and resolve, famously stating, “I will not lose in Vietnam.” His pressure landed on the shoulders of Gen. William Westmoreland.
Westmoreland responded by publicizing the numbers of enemy personnel killed in battle, attempting to show that U.S. efforts were reducing the size of opposing forces. But historians have found that this emphasis lacked clear military objectives, meaning troops faced confusion and contradictory orders. The price was a longer war, and more deaths for Americans and for Vietnamese civilians.
Ultimately, Westmoreland was accused of manipulating enemy troop strength estimates to create an impression of progress – in service of Johnson’s political desire to avoid defeat. His decisions did not directly violate the Constitution or U.S. law, but they exemplify how political pressures can adversely influence military strategies, with devastating consequences.
Unbiased sources of information
In addition to senior military leaders’ responsibility to remain apolitical, leaders also have clear responsibilities to the civilians elected and appointed above them.
For example, the president needs factual and unbiased information about the military’s capabilities from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, based on their experience and professional opinions. If advisers are hesitant to speak freely about what is and is not possible in any given situation, and about potential consequences both good and bad, the president will miss out on the kinds of critical insights that shape effective strategies.
The bottom line is that when top military experts give advice and take action influenced by politics, they undermine the centuries-old system of military training and ethics. Some traditions are worth keeping.
Samuel C. Mahaney does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
When I taught research methods to undergraduates, I would start by asking whether anyone in the class had $20. Though harder to come by thanks to digital payment options, inevitably someone would produce a $20 bill. I would then ask whether they knew how the bill came to look the way it does. Students would take guesses – often rooted in history and counterfeiting concerns.
While valid, the larger font and picture designs that came about in the 1990s and early 2000s were also the result of research intended to make the bills more accessible for the 3.5 million Americans with low vision. One of those Americans with low vision was a researcher on the team designing the new bill, experimental psychologist Gordon Legge.
These changes made it easier for those low-vision Americans, their families and others around the world to read and use American dollars. In other countries, bills and coins come in different sizes that pertain to their value, making them much easier for people with low vision and the blind to use. Legge’s research saved Americans the cost of having to completely redesign the currency to come in different sizes.
My goal in talking about the currency redesign with my students was to show them how research has shaped their lives, often in ways they didn’t even realize.
Now, following President Donald Trump’s executive order on federal projects related to DEIA – diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility – many research initiatives similar to the bill redesign project will lose funding.
DEIA initiatives are projects that seek to reduce discrimination and promote equal opportunities and equal access in multiple spaces such as school and workplaces, as well as in legal, housing and medical systems.
While frequently focused on those who have faced long-standing barriers to these resources – for example, racial and ethnic minorities and people with disabilities – the results of research related to DEIA are often applied to help all people achieve their potential.
The Trump administration’s list of DEIA-related terms is so broad that it’s flagging non-DEIA related work for potential termination. I’ve heard many scientists discuss how their programs of research have been wrongfully included in the anti-DEIA sweeps because they use terms such as “biodiversity.”
However, research that would be considered DEIA work has made influential contributions to society over the past few decades – it raises the question of whether any flagging is actually right. The backlash to anti-DEIA research seems to have started with criticism of DEI-related human resources training in workplaces. But the word list goes well beyond what would appear in HR training.
DEIA research identifies the problems and proposes the solutions. Solutions such as translation services for the hearing impaired, parental leave for mothers and fathers, pay equity, time off for religious holidays and lactation rooms for nursing mothers all stem from what could be labeled DEIA research and advocacy.
For instance, lactation rooms came about based on research into what working mothers needed to ease their return to work after pregnancy. This included research into breast pumps and even architectural research on how to best design these rooms.
DEIA contributions
DEIA work is nothing new – just the label is. After all, it was DEIA research in the 1950s that psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark presented to the Supreme Court to argue that school segregation harmed children, leading to the banning of the policy.
This work continues today as new DEIA research reveals that schools are often still racially homogenous. That means many American students still go to schools where the student bodies are primarily white or primarily racial minorities. However, the reasons for these divides are no longer due to segregation being the law.
Just today, I received a news alert about scientific breakthroughs in the neurological study of postpartum depression. Because “women” and “pregnant people” are on the list of terms flagged as DEIA-related, studies on postpartum depression could be considered DEIA.
Some might say “of course DEIA research will show DEIA works,” but it is also DEIA research that critiques the limitations of training to reduce bias – such as human resources workshops intended to teach workers about inclusive language, cultural sensitivity or implicit bias. Other non-DEIA HR training also faces criticism.
Scientists discuss these limitations, and the scientific process is constantly self-correcting as researchers search for better solutions. Recommendations about better training are proposed based on new research.
For instance, racial colorblindness is an ideology that grew out of the civil rights era and a desire to treat individuals equally regardless of race. However, it has led to some problems where people say they ignore race when really they don’t. For instance, in one study looking at race and dating preferences, white people endorsing a colorblind ideology were actually more likely to say they wouldn’t date a Black person than those who didn’t endorse colorblindness.
Many experts say that colorblindness is a flawed approach to talking about and understanding race and discrimination.
Colorblindness can also make people feel uncomfortable bringing up race in any context. One study shows how young people, who are not yet wary of identifying people by race, can outperform adults, who avoid race, during a game of Guess Who.
For example, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott created executive order GA-55 to end DEIA policies and institute a “color-blind” approach instead. Texas public universities had to eliminate DEIA offices and practices but not legacy admissions and scholarships that studies show disproportionately benefit white students.
Meritocracies assume a level playing field and can ignore disparities, such as wealth, that may afford some more opportunities than others – social mobility between income levels is rare and can take generations.
Hard work or talent does not compensate for imbalances in society as much as many people would like to believe.
Where we stand
Despite the anti-DEIA rhetoric present in American discourse, most Americans do not have negative attitudes toward DEIA; 52% even still think DEIA in the workplace is good. Most Americans, including white people, men and Republicans, also do not report having been harmed by DEIA policies. Overall, studies report that Americans value inclusivity.
Stopping cancer research because cancer prevention training doesn’t always work and sometimes backfires won’t stop cancer. Ignoring disparities will not make them go away. DEIA-related science is an ingrained part of the scientific enterprise, and cutting its funding could mean missing out on important breakthroughs.
H. Colleen Sinclair does not personally have any DEIA-related federal grants but she has received foundation research funding for math education research that includes looking at how to close disparities in achievement. The statements and opinions included in this The Conversation article are solely the author’s. Any statements and opinions included in these pages are not those of the Social Research and Evaluation Center, the College of Human Sciences & Education, the Louisiana State University, or the LSU Board of Supervisors.
Imagine a world where the oxygen you need changes dramatically between day and night. Your world shifts from being rich in oxygen (oxic) in the day, so you have energy to hunt for food, to suffocatingly oxygen-free (anoxic) at night, which slows you down.
Now, picture early animals trying to survive in such an extreme environment. This was the reality for early animal life in oceans and seas about half a billion years ago. This was also the time when animal diversity boomed, in what is known as the “Cambrian explosion”.
My team’s new research suggests that these drastic oxygen fluctuations played a crucial role in this dramatic period.
For decades, scientists have debated what triggered this evolutionary burst. Many scientists have pointed to long-term atmospheric changes, where increasing oxygen levels supposedly drove a variation in the number of animal life forms. Over the last couple of years, however, the view on increasing atmospheric oxygen as a simple trigger for the rise of animals has been questioned.
Our new study reveals a different, often overlooked factor. Daily swings in oxygen levels on the shallow seafloor may have stressed early animals (the ancestors of all animal life today), pushing them to adapt in ways that fuelled diversification. Rather than good conditions driving the change, we argue that harsh conditions triggered this.
We used a computer model that can mimic conditions on the sunlit seafloor today. This model takes into account what life can produce or consume, but also how temperature, sunlight, and different types of sediment or water affect the overall conditions. Using this so-called “biogeochemical model”, we have shown that in warm, shallow waters, oxygen levels could fluctuate dramatically between day and night in the Cambrian (when oxygen was generally lower than today).
During the day, photosynthesis by marine algae produced lots of oxygen, creating a fully oxygenated environment. But at night, when photosynthesis stopped because there was no light, oxygen was instead rapidly consumed by the algae as they respired (using energy and oxygen to perform cell functions), leading to anoxic conditions.
This daily feast-and-famine cycle in oxygen availability created an intense physiological challenge for early animals, forcing them to develop adaptations to handle fluctuations in nutrients. For those that could deal with these fluctuations, adaptation gave them a competitive edge.
The shallow, sandy beach-like shelf environments in oceans around the world also expanded dramatically at this time because the super-continent – known as Rodinia – broke up into smaller pieces. This increased the total circumference of continental crust, creating more continental edges where sun, nutrients and life could interact. These new continents were also flooded, so shallow, sunlit seafloor zones expanded even further.
Sunlit marine environments tend to be the richest in nutrients. Species that had adapted to cope with daily oxygen fluctuations could more easily access the nutrients in this vast, shallow habitat. The stress-tolerant species would win the race to food.
How stress drives evolution
Physiological stress is often seen as an obstacle to survival. But it can be a catalyst for evolutionary innovation. Even today, species that endure extreme environments often develop specialist traits that make them more adaptable.
Our study suggests a similar pattern played out in the Cambrian. Animals evolved ways to cope with the stress of fluctuating oxygen levels on the smörgåsbord of the shallow seafloor shelves.
One key adaptation could have been the ability to efficiently sense and respond to oxygen fluctuations. This trait is regulated by a cellular control system – a molecular pathway that adapts how the cell responds to external conditions. The control system that may have emerged at the Cambrian explosion is known as HIF-1α (hypoxia-inducible factor 1).
In modern animals, this system helps cells detect and adapt to changes in oxygen conditions, controlling processes like energy metabolism and the coordination of a cell’s functions.
However, HIF-1α offers resistance to toxins such as hydrogen sulphide, a common byproduct of anoxic conditions. Our modelling suggests that animals with advanced oxygen-sensing mechanisms would have had a survival advantage in the fluctuating conditions of the Cambrian seafloor, allowing them to outcompete species without this capability.
From harsh environments to animal diversity
Today, biodiversity hotspots like tropical rainforests and coral reefs thrive under conditions of high biological competition and ecological complexity. However, in extreme environments where survival depends on withstanding harsh physical conditions rather than competing with other species, different evolutionary pressures come into play. Any adaptations against stress that led to increased survival would also be inherited efficiently, too.
The shallow seafloor environment is rich in nutrients but also a place of daily shifts in oxygen levels. Barbarajo/Shutterstock
The ability to cope with these rapid changes may have allowed certain animal lineages to thrive over others, leading to the emergence of more complex and adaptable life forms.
Today, all animals with tissues as we know them (several layers of cells) use HIF to maintain regular maintenance or steady state (known as homeostasis). This molecular pathway is critical for building tissues and healing tissues. These “control knobs” in cells are even suggested to be essential for how animal life could get as large and old as giraffes, elephants and humans.
This new model challenges traditional views that focus solely on large-scale geological changes as the primary drivers of early animal evolution. Local-scale challenges faced by individual organisms – such as surviving daily swings between oxygen-rich and oxygen-starved conditions – could have been just as important in shaping the course of evolution.
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, March 21, 2025 — The governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador have finalized a 10-year agreement under the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF).
Through this agreement, communities across Newfoundland and Labrador will be able to build or improve the critical infrastructure related to drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste – that will in turn help them build more homes. Newfoundland and Labrador will receive $123.1 million to address their housing-enabling infrastructure priorities.
Under CHIF, funding is available over ten years to support long-term provincial and territorial infrastructure priorities that will directly enable increased housing supply. Such initiatives could include projects that provide the critical infrastructure necessary to enable more homes or increase densification, provide the drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems required to support community growth, preserve existing capacity or increase reliability and access to drinking water, or implement waste diversion initiatives to reduce landfill use.
The CHIF agreement adds to existing federal and provincial investments in infrastructure providing services to communities across Newfoundland and Labrador. Through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, federal, provincial and municipal governments are also investing more than $86 million in 73 separate projects to build or upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure across the province.
By working together to invest in drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste projects across Newfoundland and Labrador, we are helping to ensure that communities have the capacity to support housing projects that meet the demands of a growing population.
One of China’s key scientific infrastructures, the Chinese Meridian Project (CMP), successfully passed national acceptance for its second phase on Friday. It will boost cutting-edge scientific research and provide key support for the country’s space weather forecasting services, according to the National Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The project, also known as the Ground-based Space Environment Monitoring Network, is the world’s first comprehensive ground-based monitoring facility to cover Sun-Earth space from the solar atmosphere to near-Earth space. The Solar-Terrestrial space is the main area where humans conduct space activities and utilize space. Catastrophic space weather can lead to significant risks such as satellite failures, communication disruptions, navigation deviations, and power grid failures. As a result, space weather forecasting and early warning services are of great importance. The project is led by the National Space Science Center. The CMP-Phase I started in 2008 and was completed in 2012, the CMP-Phase II began construction in November 2019. The project has over 30 observation stations, covering the country as well as the polar regions. The project realizes the end-to-end tracking and monitoring capabilities for solar storms from the solar atmosphere to near Earth space. It provides key and independent data for China’s space weather forecasting and early warning services and contributes to cutting-edge scientific research, including the overall change mechanism of the Sun-Earth space environment and the basic physical processes of space physics. The CMP-Phase II consists of a batch of advanced devices, including the Daocheng Radio Telescope that captures 3D coronal tomography with a 10-solar-radius field of view; a lidar array for continuous height-resolved detection of atmospheric metastable helium within a height range of 200 to 1,000 km; and the world’s first tristatic incoherent scatter radar system that conducts ionospheric computed tomography (CT) scanning and 3D imaging over distances of thousands of kilometers. The CMP-Phase II also features the Chinese Dual Auroral Radar Network (CN-DARN), a mid-latitude high-frequency radar array which achieves the large-scale continuous detection of ionospheric dynamics in the middle and high latitudes of the Asian region, filling the monitoring gap of previous SuperDARN; and the country’s first facility dedicated to reconstructing three-dimensional solar wind structures for interplanetary environment predictions. During the trial operation, the CMP-Phase II has already obtained observation data and shared them with the world. For instance, it captured the super geomagnetic storm event in May 2024 and recorded the entire process of the Sun-Earth space environment’s response to solar activity. Based on the project, China is launching the International Meridian Circle Program, with the goal of realizing an all-latitude, all-weather, and round-the-clock observation of the Sun-Earth space environment.
The TD550D coaxial unmanned helicopter system has received its type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the first of its kind to have obtained such certification in China, its developer said on Friday.
Its certification fills a gap in China’s airworthiness certification for unmanned helicopter systems, setting a reference standard for future unmanned helicopter certifications, said Tian Gangyin, CEO of the helicopter’s developer United Aircraft.
The system’s airworthiness certification process began in late 2023. To ensure the aircraft’s safety and reliability, the company conducted testing and verification across multiple areas, including the rotor system, power system, avionics and flight control. The process involved 29 compliance verification tests and more than 2,600 preliminary test flights.
According to the company, the TD550D boasts high payload capacity, long endurance, and strong high-altitude performance, making it well-suited for complex environments such as plateaus and islands.
The helicopter has a maximum takeoff weight of 640 kg at sea level and 550 kg at an altitude of 5,000 meters. Its maximum payload capacity reaches 200 kg at sea level and 120 kg at 5,000 meters, demonstrating its versatility in high-altitude operations.
The aircraft, designed for applications in emergency rescue, firefighting, and smart logistics, features emergency return, automatic landing, and forced landing capabilities in critical situations.
The certification comes as the drone industry in China is entering a stage of rapid growth. According to Yang Jincai, chairman of Shenzhen Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Industry Association, the number of drone operating companies nationwide has surpassed 20,000, with an annual output value reaching approximately 210 billion yuan (about 29.26 billion U.S. dollars), reflecting a 39.5-percent increase over the previous year.
As a major hub for the industry, Shenzhen is home to nearly 2,000 drone companies, contributing 107 billion yuan in output value for 2024, representing a 12-percent growth rate.
Climate efforts must be ramped up to reduce the risk of lasting damage
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Ongoing wildfires and warnings must serve as an alarm bell for Scotland’s climate, warns Scottish Greens MSP Ariane Burgess.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued several wildfire warnings across the Highlands, with further alerts being issued across the Lowlands as the weather gets warmer and people spend more time outdoors.
Ms Burgess, who is the party’s spokesperson for rural affairs, says our climate efforts must be ramped up if we are to reduce the risk of lasting damage through extreme weather events like wildfires.
“A lot of people are very worried about the threat of further wildfires, particularly in the Highlands.
“Scotland has some of Europe’s most iconic and renowned landscapes. But, with global temperatures rising, this natural beauty is under a very real and growing threat.
“Our environment and the safety of our communities hang in the balance. Wildfires can destroy habitats, and that has a knock-on effect for the rest of us. We cannot afford to let that happen.
“These warnings must be an alarm bell for our climate. We are on the frontline of the crisis. If we don’t pay attention and make conscious changes now there won’t be any nature or life left to enjoy.”
Ms Burgess added:
“Our fire-fighters are risking their lives to protect ours and to keep us safe.
“It is incumbent on the Scottish and UK Governments to ensure that all firefighters have the equipment and facilities required to keep as safe as possible, and to ensure we raise the awareness with the public about the increased risks and consequences of wildfires.”
Allow me to address you with the expression that in my country is reserved for the rectors of the university of the Coimbra, your sister university: Magnificus rectorus, magnificent rectors.
Thank you for your warm welcome, your very kind words and this significant honour. I am proud to accept it on behalf of the United Nations and remembering the women and men of the UN all over the world.
You will find them working everywhere and around the clock.
Building and keeping peace.
Delivering lifesaving relief in the most desperate places on earth.
Fighting poverty and standing up for the marginalized.
Advancing human rights and the rule of law.
And striving to realize the universal values that express the very best of the human spirit.
By bestowing this honour at this consequential time, you are sending a clear message.
A message of support for the noble mission of the United Nations —a message of solidarity to all those working to make it real – and a message of inspiration for us to keep up the fight.
On behalf of the United Nations — thank you.
Distinguished Guests, Dear Students, Ladies and Gentlemen,
You honour the United Nations as we celebrate a remarkable milestone:
The 600th anniversary of the University of Leuven, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning, today represented by the two universities that are together in this beautiful ceremony.
Six centuries ago, scholars lit a flame of knowledge.
Generation after generation have kept this flame alive.
Through times of turmoil and triumph.
In war and in peace.
From the Renaissance to the information age.
It is here at Leuven that Erasmus refined his humanist thought, teaching the world to see learning as a path to compassion and understanding.
It was here that Mercator mastered cartography, revolutionizing navigation and the way we see our world — opening new horizons across continents.
It was here that future Prime Minister and statesman August Beernaert began his intellectual journey that led to his bold vision of peace through arbitration, which was recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1909.
It was here that a young Georges Lemaître gazed at the stars and proposed what became the Big Bang theory — forever reshaping humanity’s understanding of the universe itself.
And it was here that Dominique Pire, a humble Dominican friar, developed humanitarian principles that would earn him the Nobel Peace Prize for working with refugees and bringing hope to the forgotten.
All of you are keeping this flame alive in the 21st century.
Your scholars have helped lead the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change — and the need for urgent climate action.
Your universities played a pivotal role in launching the Global University Academy — supporting higher education for refugees worldwide.
The Leuven Institute for Artificial Intelligence fosters knowledge-sharing and international partnerships on AI.
Your startup incubators and technology transfer efforts transform innovative research into tangible benefits for humanity.
And you are opening new doors to equality and justice through your Gender Equality Plan, and by actively participating in initiatives like the Belgian Women in Science Network to increase the number of female students and staff in science, technology, engineering and math.
This joint celebration — bringing together KU Leuven and UC Louvain — is yet another example of your spirit of common purpose and renewed partnership…
One that shines a light towards a better, more equal future for all.
Excellencies, dear friends,
We need that light more than ever.
I am here today to deliver a simple and stark message:
Multilateralism matters.
But it is under attack like never before.
We can and must overcome this threat together.
Now is the time.
Your 600th anniversary coincides with a moment of reflection for the United Nations.
2025 marks our 80th anniversary as an organization and as the epicenter of multilateralism.
Our founding Charter embodies the world’s conviction that by working together and adhering to shared principles and values, we can solve global problems.
Standing here in Europe, we know this same commitment to multilateralism is the beating heart of your own European union.
At home and around the world, Belgium and the European Union champion international cooperation, democracy, human rights and global solidarity.
Over the decades, Belgium has brought to life its motto of “unity makes strength” — contributing troops to UN peacekeeping missions, advancing peacebuilding and supporting lifesaving relief around the world.
Today, the European ideal stands as a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to the world’s most vulnerable people, and proof that isolationism is an illusion, never a solution.
A strong and united Europe is not just essential for the continent.
It is a fundamental pillar of a strong and effective United Nations.
Around the globe, the European Union and the United Nations work hand-in-hand:
Providing humanitarian aid to those in desperate need.
Building peace in fragile states and strengthening democratic institutions.
Defending human rights and dignity.
Supporting sustainable development and climate action.
And putting the spotlight on ending the scourge of domestic violence.
But these and other investments in international cooperation are under threat.
Deadly conflicts are multiplying and deepening, exacting a devastating human toll.
And a contagion of impunity is taking hold.
Poverty, hunger and inequalities are growing — while the wealth of a handful of men eclipses that of half of humanity.
The climate crisis is raging.
Vulnerable countries are often locked out of decision-making rooms.
Technology is outpacing our ability to protect people’s safety, rights and dignity.
We see a dangerous rollback of fundamental freedoms.
Women’s rights are under attack.
Minorities, refugees and migrants are demonized.
The voices of nationalism and isolationism are growing louder with a dangerous resurgence of strongarm politics.
And donors are dramatically scaling-back humanitarian and development support — while defense budgets soar.
It would be the cruelest of ironies for the poor to be made to pay for the weapons of the rich.
Last week, I was in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh during the holy month of Ramadan on a mission of solidarity with Rohingya refugees, and with the Bangladeshi communities that so generously host them.
The entire refugee population depends on humanitarian aid.
But with looming cuts, Cox’s Bazar is fast-becoming ground zero of the funding crisis, with money for basic essentials like food, running out.
And I am hopeful that what we are doing now with several donor countries will help us overcome this tragic situation, because without a reversal of these cuts in Cox’s Bazar and beyond — people will suffer and people will die.
Dear friends,
As the darkness spreads, we risk losing sight of Europe’s greatest gift to civilization — the Enlightenment.
Everywhere we look, the fruits of the Enlightenment are being challenged by the voices of irrationality, ignorance and isolationism.
Truth, science and knowledge are being questioned.
Expertise and experience have somehow become liabilities.
And the multilateral values that the United Nations embodies — collaboration, solidarity, united action and human rights — are being undone by mistrust and geopolitical divisions.
Excellencies, dear friends,
Anniversaries are about more than looking to the past.
At their best, they are about renewing for the future.
And renewal sometimes means asking hard questions.
Let’s be clear: The UN was never meant to be stuck in time.
The world has changed in fundamental ways — most notably the rise in economic influence and political power across the Global South.
How, can we justify, today, a Security Council without permanent representation for Africa — home to one-quarter of humanity?
How can we accept an unfair and dysfunctional global financial architecture that inadequately supports developing countries in their hour of need?
How can we passively accept that the great promise of Artificial Intelligence might be won at the expense of handing over our humanity to algorithms?
Renewal is the driving force of the Pact for the Future, agreed at the United Nations in September.
And multilateralism must be the engine of this renewal.
We need all countries working together — in solidarity — as we tackle the challenges facing our world.
In this spirit of renewal through multilateralism, I want to outline four areas where we can overcome today’s threats by standing as one and forging common solutions. First — we must find common solutions for peace in our fragmented world.
Around the world, peace is in short supply.
Look no further than Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — an open wound in Europe.
This brutal war is now in its fourth year and has claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions — including many who have found shelter here in Belgium — and challenged the very foundations of European security and international order.
It is time for a just and lasting peace. But a just peace means that it must be based on the UN Charter, international law and UN resolutions, including the respect for territorial integrity.
In Gaza, since the horrific terror attacks by Hamas on October 7, the ensuing Israeli military operations have unleashed an unprecedented level of death and destruction. I am outraged at this week’s Israeli attacks in Gaza, which killed hundreds of people.
I was deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the death of one of our UN staff members — and the wounding of five other UN personnel — when two UN guesthouses in Deir al Balah were hit in strikes.
And appallingly another 5 UNRWA humanitarians were also killed this week, bringing the death toll to 284.
The ceasefire had finally allowed some measure of relief to ease the horrendous suffering of Palestinians in Gaza — and relief to Israeli families finally welcoming home hostages after over a year of anguish and desperation.
All of that has now been shattered.
Escalation is not the answer.
There is no military solution to this conflict.
I strongly appeal for the ceasefire to be restored, for unimpeded humanitarian assistance to be reestablished and for the remaining hostages to be released immediately and unconditionally.
Beyond ending this terrible war, we must lay the foundations for lasting peace — through immediate and irreversible steps towards a two-State solution — with Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo — a country whose tragic history resonates so strongly here in Belgium — renewed fighting, fueled by external interference and armed militias, has devastated communities and plunged the region into a deeper crisis, naturally aggravated by the presence of Rwandan troops, violating the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In Sudan, bloodshed, displacement and famine are engulfing the country.
The warring parties must take immediate action to protect civilians, uphold human rights, cease hostilities and forge peace.
And domestic and international human rights monitoring and investigation mechanisms must be permitted to document what is happening on the ground.
Beyond these and other conflicts, we need to reform the global security architecture.
Drawing from proposals included in the New Agenda for Peace that we developed, the Pact for the Future calls for strengthening the machinery of peace by prioritizing the tools of prevention, mediation and peacebuilding.
The changing nature of conflict calls for a review of our global peace operations;
Enhancing coordination with regional organizations;
And the Pact includes also the first multilateral agreement on nuclear disarmament in more than a decade, even if we are still very far from a world free of nuclear weapons.
Dear friends,
Second — we can overcome threats to multilateralism by finding common solutions to reduce inequalities and ensure financial justice for all.
The Pact includes a call for a massive Stimulus to help countries invest in the Sustainable Development Goals.
It also urges bold reforms of the international financial architecture, including expanding the voice and representation of developing countries in institutions.
We must also substantially increase the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks to make them bigger, bolder and better.
And we must review the debt architecture to stop debt from bleeding countries dry.
No country should have to choose between servicing their debt and serving their people.
Our global economy also needs open, predictable and inclusive trade to spur broad-based prosperity and help developing countries to better link to global markets and supply chains.
The Pact also reminds us of a basic truth: societies can only thrive when all women and girls enjoy their full rights.
Investing in their education, economic empowerment, and social protection is not only fair — it is essential for a better future for all.
Third — we can strengthen multilateralism for the future by finding common solutions for climate action before it is too late. The climate crisis is costing lives, livelihoods, and billions in damages.
Record heatwaves scorch continents.
2024 was the hottest year — in the hottest decade in history.
Relentless storms ravage communities.
Rising seas threaten coastlines — including here.
And those least responsible are bearing the heaviest burden.
If we are to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees — essential to avoid the worst of climate catastrophe — the science is clear:
Global emissions must peak this year and rapidly decline afterwards. And we must recognize this challenge for what it is: a moment of enormous opportunity.
The benefits of the clean energy transition are clear.
Renewables renew economies.
They boost growth, lower energy bills, and help us all breathe easier with cleaner air.
This year — in advance of the UN Climate Conference, or COP30, in Brazil — every country must submit new economy-wide national climate plans that align with the 1.5 degree limit and seize the benefits of clean energy.
I am working closely with President Lula of Brazil to drive action by the biggest emitters.
The United Nations is also helping nearly 100 developing countries to prepare their national climate action plans.
And we will convene a special event to take stock of the plans of all countries, push for action to keep 1.5 within reach, and deliver climate justice.
I urge Europe to keep leading the way.
To set strong and ambitious emission reduction targets. And to put an end to the myth that fossil fuels are the future.
We must accelerate the renewables revolution which can lower emissions, boost energy security, create good jobs, and provide cheap and accessible power.
Throughout, we must continue supporting developing and vulnerable nations, by making good on long-standing promises and delivering on climate finance across the board. Climate solidarity is a moral obligation — and a matter of survival for us all. Fourth and finally — we can overcome threats to multilateralism by making sure technology upholds human rights and dignity for all.
The information age is unfolding at a dizzying scale and speed.
Artificial Intelligence holds great promise.
But today, those benefits remain concentrated in the hands of a privileged few.
And while some are racing ahead with record investments, most developing countries are left in the dark.
Without guardrails, AI risks deepening geopolitical divides and inequalities;
Humans must always retain control — guided by international law, human rights and ethical principles.
Technology must serve humanity, not the other way around.
That is the spirit of the Global Digital Compact also adopted at the United Nations last year.
It calls for closing the digital divide, so all countries can benefit.
It includes the first universal agreement on AI governance to bring every country to the table.
It calls for an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI that promotes a common understanding of AI risks, benefits and capabilities.
It proposes initiating a Global Dialogue on AI Governance — within the United Nations — to ensure that all countries have a voice in shaping common governance standards that help uphold human rights and prevent misuse.
And it urges support for helping grow AI tools and skills in developing countries.
I will soon present a report on innovative voluntary financing models and capacity-building initiatives to help all countries harness AI as a force for good.
Excellencies, dear students,
These are all ways that we can overcome the clear and present dangers to multilateralism in our time.
I am convinced that we can do it.
Every generation faces moments of decisive choice.
Yet none has possessed our tools, knowledge, and global awareness.
Today, we are celebrating history.
But history is also unfolding before our eyes — and I urge you to be on the frontlines for human dignity.
And for that you can draw, being inspired by the values these universities represent.
Dear students, I ask you today to draw strength and inspiration from your universities’ history.
Dear Rector Sels and Rector Smets,
I wish to conclude by reinforcing your opening words.
You recounted the powerful story of the University’s library — destroyed in 1914, and again in 1940.
In the midst of two world wars — and the rubble of this very city — the global shock and outrage that followed the destruction of a library sent a clear and powerful message.
These were not only attacks on books and manuscripts.
These were attacks on history, science, reason, knowledge and art.
These were attacks on the very hallmarks of humanity.
These were attacks on our common soul.
Twice the forces of ignorance tried to extinguish Leuven’s light of knowledge.
And twice the world answered Leuven’s call — and helped you restore that light brighter than ever.
Because in the aftermath of these attacks, we saw other aspects of humanity’s soul revealed and shining brightly.
We saw generosity, in countries providing funding to rebuild, and books to re-stock the library.
We saw the power of collaboration, in countries standing with Belgium and with Leuven to resurrect this library not once, but twice.
And yes, we saw humanity’s hunger for the eternal values that have guided your universities for 600 years — and the United Nations for 80 years.
Generosity, solidarity, renewal.
This is more than just your story — it is humanity’s story.
It shows that no matter the challenge, we can face down threats.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Heathrow Airport is closed today due to a power outage caused by a fire at a nearby electrical substation. The fire is having a significant impact on the local area with the airport closed, other businesses affected and homes left without power.
“I know this will be hugely frustrating for the many thousands expecting to travel to and from Heathrow today, the families who have had their power cut and the commuters who have had their journeys disrupted.
“I’d like to thank the emergency services who have been working hard overnight to tackle the fire, and I remain in close contact with them, as I have been overnight. Thankfully, there are no reports of any injuries.
“Electricity suppliers are working hard to restore power, but Heathrow Airport have said they will be closed all day and has warned of significant disruption over the coming days.
“Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport under any circumstances and I urge Londoners to follow the advice of emergency services and their travel providers.”
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
A group of student volunteers from the State University of Management traveled to Anapa to help eliminate the consequences of the fuel oil spill from the wrecked tankers.
Let us recall that in January, volunteers from the Moscow city branch of VSKS went on a similar trip to the Black Sea. Our heroes today do not have such professional skills and extensive experience, which is why it was all the more interesting to talk to them.
The following people helped to eliminate the consequences of the disaster: – Svetlana Savina, 4th year student majoring in Sociology; – Angelina Kolesnikova, 4th year student majoring in Sociology; – Nikita Seregin, 3rd year student majoring in Ecology and Nature Management; – Daria Siraeva, 1st year student majoring in Human Resources Management; – Artem Sikhimbaev, 2nd year student majoring in Global Economy.
— How did you find out about the opportunity to go to Anapa, how did you get there?
Nikita Seregin: Initially, there was a form that was sent out by our Department of Youth Policy and Educational Work. I was interested, I filled it out, and later the Department contacted me, we agreed on dates and went.
— Was there any training before the trip?
Svetlana Savina: We were offered to take trainings and courses before the trip to Dobro.rf, but we did not take them. There was a short excursion in Anapa itself, but without any special details.
— How did you get there, how did Anapa greet you?
Artem Sikhimbaev: It so happened that our train arrived in Anapa after the volunteer bus had left for the beach. And since we had some free time, and the coast greeted us with unprecedentedly cold weather for this time of year (the locals said that this had not happened for 10 years), I decided to rent a car and go to Krasnodar. We drove around there, saw the city, and immediately returned.
— What was the scope of work in general? What exactly did you personally do?
Angelina Kolesnikova: There are people there who clean up the fuel oil. This is what we were supposed to do initially. But we decided to self-organize and go to work at the headquarters. There you can go to the bird wash, to the hospital where they are looked after and fed, or directly to the headquarters, where there is an administration, a kitchen, a warehouse, and a utility room. Specifically, I was the administrator, I sat at the computer, answered phone calls, coordinated people, recorded arriving and departing volunteers, and determined the areas of their work.
Nikita Seregin: I initially worked in a warehouse, then I was sent to wash birds, but most of all I worked in the hospital, where we helped feed the birds, gave them medicine, changed diapers.
Darya Siraeva: I also worked in a warehouse, conducted inventory, accepted deliveries, and issued essential supplies. I tried working at the wash station – I washed two birds. And I also managed to try myself in the hospital, where we fed the birds and gave them medicine.
Svetlana Savin: I tried to gain as much different experience as possible. I washed birds, worked in a hospital, worked in the administration for a day, and went to the beach to clean up fuel oil. It was difficult to deal with fuel oil. Not physically, but because of its properties. Large frozen fractions were simply collected in bags. And the smaller ones had to be sifted through a mesh, but the fuel oil passes through it. It is impossible to take it with your fingers, it crumbles right away. The work is difficult, since you do not see the results right away. With birds, the situation is different, there the result is immediately noticeable. One day I washed two birds, took them to the hospital. Unfortunately, one soon died, but with the second one I saw how it was getting better. But the problem is that the cured birds are taken away far away and released, and they return to their usual habitats and again end up in fuel oil. Dolphins, dogs, and the entire ecosystem also suffer. And it can only get worse in the summer when the fuel oil melts, so you need to get rid of it as soon as possible.
Angelina Kolesnikova: We went to the central beach of Anapa and the sand there seemed to be clean. But when you start collecting shells, you can see that they are covered in fuel oil.
Artem Sikhimbaev: Considering that I had a rented car, I was put to work as a volunteer car driver, which gave me an incredible boost and understanding of what was happening. I visited all the headquarters of Anapa, drove bird catchers to the beach, drove caught birds from different points on the beach to rehabilitation centers. When the car rental ended, I moved on to washing. It consists of two stages. The first is beak treatment: they carefully cleaned it from fuel oil with cotton swabs. Then the beak was fixed in a closed position so that the birds did not clean themselves and did not pollute the beak again. The second stage of washing is quite simple – in a basin with cleaning agents. Volunteers came up with their own life hacks – they washed with fish oil and starch, which wash off fuel oil better. To understand, a standard wash of one bird took about two hours, and with starch and fish oil – about 40 minutes. Two people wash the bird: one holds it, the other washes it. I did both. I also worked in a rehab center. I was engaged in forced feeding using a tube. Inserting a tube correctly is also a certain skill. And you need to know what to give to whom, in what dosage. Therefore, when I was taught, I myself then taught seven more volunteers how to insert a tube correctly. But experience is still needed, each bird must have its own approach, each has its own character and habits. I managed to work in a warehouse and as a coordinator, I knew everyone and everyone knew me. In fact, I only did not catch birds and did not sift sand on the beach.
— Are there many other volunteers in Anapa?
Angelina Kolesnikova: Yes, a lot. But the problem is that they don’t come for long. We were only on the job for five days. And every time people have to be retrained. Once, during the night shift, there was a storm, and they brought us 120 birds at once. The management asked us to call everyone in a row, but the night shift is from 00:00 to 8:00, everyone is sleeping. The birds are dying, and you can’t do anything.
— Tell us about your daily routine.
Angelina Kolesnikova: I got up for the morning shift at 6 am, had breakfast at 7, then worked until lunch at 1 pm, and the shift ended at 4 pm. I took light and night shifts constantly.
Svetlana Savin: I worked 16 hours a day because I took two shifts. There were three of them: morning, evening and night, from 8:00 to 00:00.
Artem Sikhimbaev: I came in the morning and left when work was finished. You know, when it’s 00:00 and you still have 30 birds to wash, are you going to leave? Of course not. Once I came home at 5:30 in the morning. Thanks to that, I met people who have been working there for a long time, the so-called “legends” who don’t back down and go to the end, regardless of time and their desires.
— What was the most difficult thing?
Angelina Kolesnikova: Stress, psychological pressure. I almost never went near the birds because I understood that I wouldn’t be able to work with them.
Darya Siraeva: I agree that the hardest thing is to see this whole picture of the catastrophe, these poor birds, who are brought in all covered in oil. I felt very, very sorry for them.
Svetlana Savin: I recorded dying birds. They are also given names. People come to me and say, for example, “The cutie has died.” My birds, which I named, washed, and took to the hospital, also died. That was the hardest thing. In addition, you can bring equipment to the beach and speed up the process, but you can’t help with birds with equipment, people still have to do everything.
Angelina Kolesnikova: Besides, at the sea there is fresh air and the smell of fuel oil is almost not felt, but in the hospital with birds it is a closed room and it smells strongly.
Nikita Seregin: The hardest job was probably at the car wash. Because it’s dangerous to your health, you can get burned by fuel oil. Birds sometimes bit you. But otherwise, it wasn’t that hard physically. Although I wasn’t on the beach, many of my expectations about the work were confirmed. It wasn’t too labor-intensive, I can’t say that I was very tired during the trip, I could have easily stayed there for another week. And the hardest thing was to directly observe the environmental disaster. I’ve been participating in the volunteer movement for about a year and a half, but this is my first experience of participating in an event of this scale.
Artem Sikhimbaev: I can’t say that I experienced difficulties. I was simply obsessed with the idea of understanding the system, making my contribution, and somehow improving the processes.
— It is clear that the trip was difficult morally. But can you point out anything pleasant?
Svetlana Savin: It’s nice to watch the recovery process. When yesterday you were forcibly feeding a bird, and today it’s already eating on its own, you’re like: “Oh, you’re such a clever girl!”
Angelina Kolesnikova: Among the positive aspects, I can point out the people who work there. For example, Olesya, who trained us. She came for a couple of days the first time, and then took a vacation and came for a month. That is, some people realize how much human capital is lacking, and are ready to sacrifice their time and money to come and help. The heads of headquarters are all such caring people, with whom it is very pleasant to work. The main motivation for the work is compassion for the birds.
Nikita Seregin: In general, all the volunteers who were there were very responsive, friendly, ready to help, to give advice. This is encouraging, it smooths out a difficult situation. If I recall something else positive, then our day of arrival was free from work, and we went to the alpaca park, fed the animals, walked around Anapa and went to Krasnodar.
Artem Sikhimbaev: The most wonderful thing is that like-minded people with very different social ranks are in one place and doing one important thing. It brings people together and warms the soul. It is impossible to describe in words, it is simply harmony. I think that everyone should go.
— Can you somehow indicate the quantitative results of your work, name some figures?
Svetlana Savin: It’s hard to say. I looked after about 100 birds, that’s the number I can name.
Nikita Seregin: I washed and fed about 30 birds. For me, it was an important experience from a professional point of view, I am studying ecology. It was interesting and useful to look at the situation from the point of view of an ecologist.
Artem Sikhimbaev: I brought about 15 birds from the beach and washed about the same number. I fed at least twice as many. The main result of the work is probably not in the numbers. I learned a lot about this man-made disaster, understood a lot, learned a lot in such a short time. I talked to veterinarians and other specialists who worked there from the very first days. Since I managed to work on almost the entire chain of work with birds, I proposed several ideas for modernizing the system. For example, adding fish oil to the feed, because it helps get rid of fuel oil. And the problem of high bird mortality is that we cannot remove fuel oil from the gastrointestinal tract. Previously, nothing could be done about it. I hope that all of us were able to help at least a little.
Svetlana Savin: It seems to me that we need to introduce more volunteer activities at the State University of Management. This is useful from the point of view of management experience. We understand how the work of large groups of people is organized, we see the flaws of the system. For a management university, volunteering is a very good base. I had an existential crisis there, I am still thinking about the meaning of life. So the experience is bright and useful.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 03/21/2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Advance online booking for 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong – “Dancing Water Drops Exhibition” opens The exhibition features a set of large-scale “Dancing Water Drops” installations created by internationally acclaimed artist Simon Ma, using water drops as a core concept to symbolise inclusion and vitality. The installation has previously been displayed in Venice, Rome, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Dubai, garnering widespread cultural resonance. The installation comprises two giant water drop sculptures at heights of 28.8m and 18.8m respectively, as well as hundreds of small never-fall water drop sculptures, representing unity and inclusion. The small water drops represent children’s participation from different regions, fostering cultural diversity and inclusion.
Details of the exhibition:
Exhibition period:Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 1pm to 10.50pm Advance online booking through the event webpage is required. Each person is allowed to book no more than one session (lasting 20 minutes) at a maximum of five quotas each day. Visitors who have successfully made a booking should arrive at the venue within their chosen time slot and present the confirmation message to on-site staff for admission. They must follow the visiting route recommended by on-site staff. The entrance to the exhibition is located at Tamar Park, near the East Wing of the Central Government Offices. Members of the public are advised to use the footbridge outside the Admiralty Centre to access the venue.
If Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 is in force, with the likelihood of hoisting Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above, or if the Black Rainstorm Signal or extreme conditions are in force, the “Dancing Water Drops Exhibition” will be temporarily closed, depending on the situation. Relevant bookings will be cancelled automatically. Affected visitors are required to make a new booking for their visit. Relevant information will be released through the event webpage. Issued at HKT 12:00
Headline: Submit Debris Removal Right of Entry Forms by March 31
Submit Debris Removal Right of Entry Forms by March 31
LOS ANGELES – In order to have debris removed by the U
S
Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), a Right of Entry form (ROE) must be submitted to the County by the property owner
There is no out-of-pocket cost to have debris removed by USACE
The deadline for ROE form submittal is March 31, 2025
Debris cleanup for the catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles County began in January
FEMA assigned the U
S
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and USACE to survey, remove, and dispose of debris from properties burned by the wildfires
As part of this effort, Los Angeles County established a Debris Removal website with information and resources for fire-impacted residents to learn more about the debris clearance process
In Phase 1 of the process, which was completed on February 25, the EPA removed hazardous household materials (HHM) from private property
No action from the property owner was required for Phase 1 to be completed
HHM removal associated with properties where structural hazards precluded safe entry were deferred to USACE
Phase 2, conducted by USACE, consists of structural debris removal and requires an ROE form completed by the property owner, which is provided on the county website and available at Disaster Recovery Centers
Free private property debris removal by USACE is only available if the eligible property owner opts in by completing and submitting the ROE form
The ROE form is an agreement where property owners accept the conditions of participation in the debris removal program and give permission for USACE to access their property for cleanup activities
Signing up for the debris removal program via the ROE does NOT impact a property owner’s eligibility to apply for other FEMA disaster assistance If a property owner opts out of the USACE debris removal program, they become responsible for all permits, inspections and other associated debris removal requirements and costs
Coverage for debris and hazardous tree removal may be provided through your insurance policy
For information about insurance reimbursement, visit pages 3 and 4 on the ROE form
What is the Debris Removal Program? The Debris Removal Program has two phases: removal of HHM followed by removal of other fire-related debris and trees that are deemed a hazard or that a certified arborist determines are dead or likely to die within five years due to the fire
Phase 1: Removing Hazardous Materials On January 16, teams of experts from EPA and California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control began assessing properties in the burn areas to remove any HHM that could pose a threat to human health and the environment such as lithium-ion batteries, paint, cleaners and solvents, oils and pesticides
This phase was automatic and completed at no cost to residents
EPA only removed hazardous materials
Examples of devices that contain lithium-ion batteries removed in Phase 1 and include: electric/hybrid vehicles, power tools, power banks, home alarms, drones, and tablets
Phase 1 was completed on February 25
While most properties were cleared of HHM during Phase 1, some have been deferred to Phase 2 due to access and safety challenges
For more information, please visit: 2025 California Wildfires | US EPA Phase 2: Debris Removal On February 11, USACE, at the direction of FEMA, began removing fire-damaged metal, ash, and other general fire debris from residential properties
USACE will also remove foundations if property owners have opted to include foundation removal on the ROE
The collection of ROEs is a critical component of recovery operations because work cannot begin until a property owner opts into the program by submitting a completed form to the County
The ROE forms are available on the County’s website LA County Recovers
Follow FEMA online, on X @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA’s Facebook page or Espanol page and at FEMA’s YouTube account
For preparedness information follow the Ready Campaign on X at @Ready
gov, on Instagram @Ready
gov or on the Ready Facebook page
California is committed to supporting residents impacted by the Los Angeles Hurricane-Force Firestorm as they navigate the recovery process
Visit CA
gov/LAFires for up-to-date information on disaster recovery programs, important deadlines, and how to apply for assistance
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Anniversary Statement: Cessna 208B, G-CPSS
Engine fire after landing at Cranfield Airport, Bedfordshire 23 March 2024
This statement provides an update on the AAIB investigation into an accident involving a Cessna 208B at Cranfield Airport, Bedfordshire 23 March 2024.
In cruise the pilot noticed an abnormal smell and some smoke from the exhausts. The low oil pressure light illuminated, and the pilot diverted to Cranfield Airport. On shut down flames were noticed coming from the exhaust.
The investigation is ongoing and is focussing on potential factors related to the engine. A final report will be published in due course.
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