Latest news with #BostonLoganInternationalAirport
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Retiree earns inspiring nickname after rescuing hundreds of owls from airport: 'They might be hiding or ... sleeping'
Since 1981, Norman Smith has rescued more than 900 snowy owls from Boston Logan International Airport, The Washington Post reported. The 73-year-old "Owl Man of Logan Airport" worked at Mass Audubon for nearly 60 years and continues to catch and release southbound snowy owls from the airport's runways. The retiree's involvement at Mass Audubon began when he was a teenager, the Post said. Most recently, he served as the director of the organization's Blue Hills Trailside Museum. He remains an expert on snowy owls, having made discoveries about the species through both his work at Mass Audubon and the airport. Logan Airport hosts the largest concentration of snowy owls in the Northeast, according to Mass Audubon. The birds migrate south from the Arctic when winter approaches, the Post explained, choosing the airport as their temporary home because of its resemblance to the barren Arctic tundra and abundance of food. However, snowy owls pose risks to planes, passengers, and themselves. Collisions between birds and airplanes can hurt everyone involved, and Logan Airport recorded the deadliest bird-related airplane accident in 1960 when a flight crashed because of a flock of starlings, killing all but 10 people on board. While policies to shoot birds at airports arose from accidents like this, Smith responded with a different strategy. He reached out to Logan Airport in 1981 and asked to humanely trap the snowy owls there, studying the birds before relocating them. For the past 44 years, Smith has rescued about 10 to 15 owls a year, according to the Post. He attaches transmitters to some of the owls as part of the Snowy Owl Project, allowing him and his team to learn more about the birds' locations and migration routes. His work also landed him in a documentary. "They might be just sitting there, they might be hiding, or they might be sleeping," Smith said about the owls. "They could be out on the salt marsh, roosting or feeding on a duck or a rabbit." Snowy owl populations are decreasing because of warmer temperatures, which cause habitat and prey loss, and Partners in Flight listed the species on its Yellow Watch List. Smith aims to protect the species by educating others about it and promoting care "for this world in which we live," Mass Audubon stated. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Harvard says Trump student ban is already causing harm despite judge's block
Harvard University said the Trump administration's ban on enrolling international students is already causing harm and spreading fear, even though a judge has temporarily barred the order from taking effect. US customs officials at Boston Logan International Airport ordered secondary screenings of Harvard visa holders — including a former head of state who's a fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School — immediately after the Department of Homeland Security issued the ban on May 22, a school official said in a court filing Wednesday. At least 10 students and scholars had their visa applications denied by US embassy officials, the university said. Harvard sued President Donald Trump's administration on May 23, asking the court to declare the ban illegal, and US District Judge Allison Burroughs temporarily blocked it about two hours later. But the damage has been done, according to Maureen Martin, director of immigration services in the Harvard International Office. 'Students and faculty alike have expressed profound fear, concern, and confusion,' Martin wrote in a statement to the court. 'Many international students and scholars are reporting significant emotional distress that is affecting their mental health and making it difficult to focus on their studies. Some are afraid to attend their own graduation ceremonies this week out of fear that some immigration related action will be taken against them.' Harvard lawyers filed the Martin declaration before a hearing Thursday in Boston federal court, where Burroughs will consider Harvard's request to extend her earlier order blocking the administration's move. The government wants to withhold Harvard's certification to enroll about 6,800 international students. About 27% of the student body comes from other countries. In a court filing Thursday morning, the US submitted a May 28 letter it sent to Harvard notifying the school that it intended to withdraw certification of its Student and Exchange Visitor Program and gave the university 30 days to respond. The letter asked the school to prove that it is in compliance. In temporarily blocking the ban, Burroughs said it would cause 'immediate and irreparable injury' if it went into effect. Harvard's president, Alan Garber, has said the prohibition 'imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars.' Harvard is the top target in Trump's campaign to force universities to crack down on antisemitism, remove perceived left-wing bias and eradicate diversity, equity and inclusion program. The US has already frozen more than $2.6 billion in federal research funding at Harvard. The school is suing separately over the funding freeze. In both lawsuits, Harvard claims the US is violating its First Amendment right to free speech, and the government failed to follow federal regulations. Trump cranked up the pressure on Wednesday, saying Harvard should cap foreign student enrollment at 15%. 'I think they should have a cap of maybe around 15%, not 31%,' Trump said at the White House. 'We have people who want to go to Harvard and other schools, they can't get in because we have foreign students there.' Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said last week that Harvard's responses to the government's requests to provide information about misconduct by foreign students were insufficient. In suspending the university's certification, the government said it would require existing international students to transfer or lose their legal status under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. To regain its program certification, Harvard was given 72 hours to provide several categories of information about foreign students dating back five years, including disciplinary records and video of those involved in protests. Foreign students collectively pay millions of dollars in tuition, although the school, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, offers need-based aid to undergraduate students based on financial circumstances. Harvard is the richest university in the US, with an endowment estimated at $53 billion. In her declaration, Martin said that the revocation notice has resulted in 'too many international students to count' asking about transferring to other schools. At least three enrolled domestic students 'have expressed serious interest in transferring rather than attend an educational institution without international students,' Martin said. On Wednesday, the state of Massachusetts filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of Harvard, saying the consequences of the ban are 'dire' and far-reaching. International students admitted for the coming school year 'face a calamitous choice of abandoning their education at one of the world's most renowned schools' or leaving 'their world-class education vulnerable to the whims of an Administration intent on targeting and punishing Harvard,' lawyers for Massachusetts wrote. The revocation 'threatens Harvard's ability to recruit and retain international talent as prospective students express concerns about visa stability, weakening institutional diversity and global competitiveness,' they wrote. Massachusetts also warned that the ban would 'irreparably harm the commonwealth's academic institutions and economic health.'
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Trump's student ban causing harm despite judge's block, says Harvard
Harvard sued President Donald Trump's administration on May 23, and US District Judge Allison Burroughs blocked the ban about two hours later Bloomberg Harvard University said the Trump administration's ban on enrolling international students is already causing harm and spreading fear, even though a judge has temporarily barred the order from taking effect. US customs officials at Boston Logan International Airport ordered secondary screenings of Harvard visa holders — including a former head of state who's a fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School — immediately after the Department of Homeland Security issued the ban on May 22, a school official said in a court filing Wednesday. At least 10 students and scholars had their visa applications denied by US embassy officials, the university said. Harvard sued President Donald Trump's administration on May 23, and US District Judge Allison Burroughs blocked the ban about two hours later. But the damage has been done, according to Maureen Martin, director of immigration services in the Harvard International Office. 'Students and faculty alike have expressed profound fear, concern, and confusion,' Martin wrote in a statement to the court. 'Many international students and scholars are reporting significant emotional distress that is affecting their mental health and making it difficult to focus on their studies. Some are afraid to attend their own graduation ceremonies this week out of fear that some immigration related action will be taken against them.' Harvard lawyers filed the Martin declaration before a hearing Thursday in Boston federal court, where Burroughs will consider Harvard's request to extend her earlier order blocking the administration's move. The government wants to withhold Harvard's certification to enroll about 6,800 international students. About 27 per cent of the student body comes from other countries. 'Irreparable Injury' In temporarily blocking the ban, Burroughs said it would cause 'immediate and irreparable injury' if it went into effect. Harvard's president, Alan Garber, has said the prohibition 'imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars.' Harvard is the top target in Trump's campaign to force universities to crack down on antisemitism, remove perceived left-wing bias and eradicate diversity, equity and inclusion programme. The US has already frozen more than $2.6 billion in federal research funding at Harvard. The school is suing separately over the funding freeze. In both lawsuits, Harvard claims the US is violating its First Amendment right to free speech, and the government failed to follow federal regulations. Trump cranked up the pressure on Wednesday, saying Harvard should cap foreign student enrollment at 15 per cent. 'I think they should have a cap of maybe around 15 per cent, not 31 per cent,' Trump said at the White House. 'We have people who want to go to Harvard and other schools, they can't get in because we have foreign students there.' Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said last week that Harvard's responses to the government's requests to provide information about misconduct by foreign students were insufficient. In suspending the university's certification, the government said it would require existing international students to transfer or lose their legal status under the Student and Exchange Visitor programmeme. To regain its programme certification, Harvard was given 72 hours to provide several categories of information about foreign students dating back five years, including disciplinary records and video of those involved in protests. Foreign students collectively pay millions of dollars in tuition, although the school, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, offers need-based aid to undergraduate students based on financial circumstances. Harvard is the richest university in the US, with an endowment estimated at $53 billion. In her declaration, Martin said that the revocation notice has resulted in 'too many international students to count' asking about transferring to other schools. At least three enrolled domestic students 'have expressed serious interest in transferring rather than attend an educational institution without international students,' Martin said. International students admitted for the coming school year 'face a calamitous choice of abandoning their education at one of the world's most renowned schools' or leaving 'their world-class education vulnerable to the whims of an Administration intent on targeting and punishing Harvard,' lawyers for Massachusetts wrote. The revocation 'threatens Harvard's ability to recruit and retain international talent as prospective students express concerns about visa stability, weakening institutional diversity and global competitiveness,' they wrote. The case is Harvard v. US Department of Homeland Security, 25-cv-11472, US District Court, District of Massachusetts (Boston).
Mint
6 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Harvard Says Trump Student Ban Is Already Causing Harm Despite Judge's Block
Harvard University said the Trump administration's ban on enrolling international students is already causing harm and spreading fear, even though a judge has temporarily barred the order from taking effect. US customs officials at Boston Logan International Airport ordered secondary screenings of Harvard visa holders — including a former head of state who's a fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School — immediately after the Department of Homeland Security issued the ban on May 22, a school official said in a court filing Wednesday. At least 10 students and scholars had their visa applications denied by US embassy officials, the university said. Harvard sued President Donald Trump's administration on May 23, and US District Judge Allison Burroughs blocked the ban about two hours later. But the damage has been done, according to Maureen Martin, director of immigration services in the Harvard International Office. 'Students and faculty alike have expressed profound fear, concern, and confusion,' Martin wrote in a statement to the court. 'Many international students and scholars are reporting significant emotional distress that is affecting their mental health and making it difficult to focus on their studies. Some are afraid to attend their own graduation ceremonies this week out of fear that some immigration related action will be taken against them.' Harvard lawyers filed the Martin declaration before a hearing Thursday in Boston federal court, where Burroughs will consider Harvard's request to extend her earlier order blocking the administration's move. The government wants to withhold Harvard's certification to enroll about 6,800 international students. About 27% of the student body comes from other countries. In temporarily blocking the ban, Burroughs said it would cause 'immediate and irreparable injury' if it went into effect. Harvard's president, Alan Garber, has said the prohibition 'imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars.' Harvard is the top target in Trump's campaign to force universities to crack down on antisemitism, remove perceived left-wing bias and eradicate diversity, equity and inclusion program. The US has already frozen more than $2.6 billion in federal research funding at Harvard. The school is suing separately over the funding freeze. In both lawsuits, Harvard claims the US is violating its First Amendment right to free speech, and the government failed to follow federal regulations. Trump cranked up the pressure on Wednesday, saying Harvard should cap foreign student enrollment at 15%. 'I think they should have a cap of maybe around 15%, not 31%,' Trump said at the White House. 'We have people who want to go to Harvard and other schools, they can't get in because we have foreign students there.' Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said last week that Harvard's responses to the government's requests to provide information about misconduct by foreign students were insufficient. In suspending the university's certification, the government said it would require existing international students to transfer or lose their legal status under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. To regain its program certification, Harvard was given 72 hours to provide several categories of information about foreign students dating back five years, including disciplinary records and video of those involved in protests. Foreign students collectively pay millions of dollars in tuition, although the school, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, offers need-based aid to undergraduate students based on financial circumstances. Harvard is the richest university in the US, with an endowment estimated at $53 billion. In her declaration, Martin said that the revocation notice has resulted in 'too many international students to count' asking about transferring to other schools. At least three enrolled domestic students 'have expressed serious interest in transferring rather than attend an educational institution without international students,' Martin said. On Wednesday, the state of Massachusetts filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of Harvard, saying the consequences of the ban are 'dire' and far-reaching. International students admitted for the coming school year 'face a calamitous choice of abandoning their education at one of the world's most renowned schools' or leaving 'their world-class education vulnerable to the whims of an Administration intent on targeting and punishing Harvard,' lawyers for Massachusetts wrote. The revocation 'threatens Harvard's ability to recruit and retain international talent as prospective students express concerns about visa stability, weakening institutional diversity and global competitiveness,' they wrote. The case is Harvard v. US Department of Homeland Security, 25-cv-11472, US District Court, District of Massachusetts . This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Harvard scientist Kseniia Petrova is granted bail but remains in custody on a smuggling charge
A federal judge on Wednesday granted bail to Harvard scientist Kseniia Petrova, who has spent more than three months in custody after failing to declare frog embryos upon arriving in the United States. U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss in Vermont said Petrova's continued detention by immigration authorities was unjustified and raised serious legal concerns about the government's actions. While the decision represents a significant development in the case, it will not result in her imminent release. The government has until Friday to propose terms of her release, according to the ruling. Petrova also faces a federal smuggling charge in Massachusetts, where she was stopped at Boston Logan International Airport on her way back from Paris. She remains in U.S. marshals' custody and cannot be freed unless the District of Massachusetts also authorizes her release in the criminal case. In granting Petrova's release from immigration detention, Reiss questioned whether immigration officers had the authority to revoke Petrova's visa over a customs issue and said Petrova had been held too long without court review. The judge found that Petrova posed no danger and that any flight risk could be managed with conditions proposed by the government. Petrova's attorney said he would update the court after hearing from the marshals, but no bail hearing date was discussed during Wednesday's proceeding. The Russian-born scientist was stopped at Logan airport in February with undeclared frog embryo samples. Her J-1 visa was revoked, triggering removal proceedings. She was later criminally charged and transferred from ICE to federal custody. Her attorneys argue the visa cancellation was unlawful. 'The Immigration and Nationality Act does not contain a provision that makes one inadmissible for committing a customs violation,' said Gregory Romanovsky, Petrova's attorney. He called the government's actions a product of "unlawful conduct by CBP' and said her repeated requests for parole were denied without proper justification. Reiss said Petrova could update her petition to reflect the new criminal charge and changes in her case. She expressed concern that the way the government handled Petrova's case may have left her without a fair chance to challenge what was happening to her. 'It was the government that revoked her visa,' Reiss said. 'And it's essentially saying, 'We revoked your visa, now you have no documentation, and now we're going to place you in removal proceedings.'' The court heard from multiple witnesses who talked about Petrova's scientific contributions and personal character. Dr. Michael West, a pioneer in regenerative medicine, testified that the frog samples were chemically treated, inert and nonhazardous. He said they posed 'no threat to anybody' and had 'no commercial value.' West told the court he had verified the preparation method with collaborators in France. Colleagues from Harvard described Petrova as kind, conscientious and devoted to her work. 'She is abundantly kind,' said Cora Anderson, a research assistant who worked closely with Petrova. Marc Kirschner, a professor who leads the lab where Petrova works, said she played a critical role in developing computational tools for microscopy. Government lawyers said that officials do not currently intend to rearrest Petrova if she is released from federal custody, and the judge said she would rely on them to hold themselves to that. Petrova's attorney warned that DHS may move quickly to re-detain her under an immigration hold. Reiss emphasized the need for judicial oversight. As the hearing concluded, Reiss said the case regarding her immigration detention would remain in Vermont. Both sides are expected to continue debating the legal questions surrounding her detention, even as the terms of her release are finalized and criminal proceedings unfold in Massachusetts. This article was originally published on
