Midair Collision at Arizona Airport Claims Two Lives

The United States has reportedly refused to co-sponsor a UN resolution affirming Ukraine's territorial integrity, marking a significant shift in its diplomatic stance. According to diplomatic sources cited by Reuters, Washington's decision comes amidst escalating tensions between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and former President Donald Trump, who is advocating for a rapid end to the ongoing war. The resolution is set to be voted on by the UN General Assembly, which includes 193 member countries, and is sponsored by over 50 nations. It urges an immediate cessation of hostilities and calls for Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine. Previously, the United States has consistently co-sponsored similar resolutions since the onset of the conflict in 2022. In addition to the UN draft, the US is also objecting to language in a Group of Seven (G7) statement condemning Russian aggression. As diplomatic discussions continue, sources suggest that the US may seek alternative support, particularly from nations in the Global South, ahead of the UN vote scheduled for Monday.

The Trump administration has officially halted the participation of U.S. scientists in significant U.N. climate change assessments, according to sources familiar with the situation. This withdrawal is part of the administration's broader move away from climate change mitigation efforts and multilateral cooperation. The stop-work order affects personnel from the U.S. Global Change Research Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) involved with a critical working group of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Notably, this absence will prevent U.S. representatives from attending an upcoming IPCC plenary meeting scheduled in Hangzhou, China, where pivotal decisions will be made regarding the seventh global climate assessment. Delta Merner of the Union of Concerned Scientists expressed concerns about the implications of U.S. removal from the process, highlighting the importance of coordinated action among governments and global institutions. Kathryn Bowen, a climate expert, noted that this development aligns with Trump's previous decisions to exit the Paris climate agreement and diminish federal support for climate research.

A groundbreaking study, published in the journal Science, suggests that carbon can be effectively stored in building materials, potentially addressing global environmental challenges. Researchers from UC Davis led by Elisabeth Van Roijen estimate that utilizing materials such as asphalt, concrete, and plastic could sequester over 30 billion tons of carbon annually. The technique, known as carbon sequestration, hinges on the incorporation of biochar—a carbon-rich material derived from organic waste—into construction materials. Sabbie Miller, another researcher on the team, noted, "If 10% of the world's concrete aggregate production were carbonatable, it could absorb a gigaton of carbon dioxide." This method not only aims to reduce atmospheric carbon but could also foster a circular economy by repurposing waste. Some eco-friendly construction initiatives are already underway, including a project by Canadian company Light House, which focuses on recycling plastic waste for new building materials. The potential impact of these innovations offers optimism in the ongoing fight against climate change.