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Irish Independent
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Letters: Ukrainians just need to look to Crimea to see what reality of a ‘deal' would be
The leader of the pack agrees to stop assaulting you – if you let them keep what they have already taken. They may consider permitting you to install enhanced security measures in the future. Incidentally, life is hell for Ukrainians in Crimea. 'Special measures' and tribunals have been set up to deal with any dissent. How did we get it so wrong? Daniel Smith, Blackrock, Co Dublin The truth is that America keeps getting stronger the longer Putin's war goes on America is winning the war in Ukraine. Russia spends 7.1pc of its GDP on defence, double the US level. Russia has suffered a million casualties; the US arms industry is booming as Europe re-arms. Nato is buying US equipment to send to Ukraine. Russia has lost half its foreign income from oil and gas. The longer the war goes on, the more Russia is weakened and America is strengthened. John Doherty, Gaoth Dobhair, Co Dhún na nGall Expansionist dictators now have a roadmap to getting what they want Reports of Donald Trump's Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin, conducted not over hard diplomacy but filet mignon, halibut Olympia and green salad, ought to chill Europe more than amuse it. What is at stake is not the menu, but the spectacle of two men deciding the fate of Ukraine without Ukraine present ('As Trump bows to Putin, Europe must prepare for the worst', Irish Independent, August 18). The wider danger lies in the precedent. If borders and sovereignty can be redrawn in a dinner meeting, international law is reduced to table talk. The extrapolation is clear: once this becomes an acceptable mode of negotiation, other authoritarian leaders will be emboldened to test the same weakness. The prediction is bleaker still. A Ukraine carved up in Alaska may be only the first course. Moldova, the Baltics, even Taiwan, could follow as Moscow and Beijing take note of Washington's willingness to appease under the guise of expedience. Europe, then, must prepare for the worst. To dine with Putin is one thing; to digest his terms is quite another. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Co Armagh When you look at world leaders it's clear that the agenda is someone else's Watching world politicians waffling reminds me of what the British parliamentarian Pitt the Elder said: 'There is something behind the throne greater than the king himself.' John Finegan, Bailieborough, Co Cavan What's in a name? If you can inspire others by example, then quite a lot The recent death of actor Terence Stamp reminds me of his wonderful performance in the movie Far From The Madding Crowd. Sad indeed that fellow actors in that movie, Peter Finch and Alan Bates are also since departed. It's nice to note that the female lead, Julie Christie, is hale and hearty at 85. Indeed by his own admission, singer Tony Christie was so impressed by her, that he adopted her surname. Is there a greater compliment? Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9 Let's not forget – as some have – that the head of State is to remain neutral Fionnán Sheahan writes that should former minister Heather Humphreys decide to enter the race for the Áras, she might be called on to explain 'why she stepped away from politics' recently ('Heather Humphreys is a better candidate but Simon Harris is a liability to campaign', Irish Independent, August 18). One thing is certain, the response from the Monaghan woman will be straight and true. The office of president is 'above politics'. And rightly so. Though there are those who have lost the run of themselves while holding high office, causing no end of concern for our 'ordinary' political masters, as well as for the people they represent. Another contender, it's been widely reported, has expressed 'distrust' of the UK, France and Germany recently. Not a great start for an aspiring head of State. The incumbent has been known to 'cross the constitutional boundary' more than once during his almost 14 years in the Phoenix Park. Let's hope the next holder of the 'highest office' maintains some apolitical equilibrium, save for those times that necessitate presidential intervention. Peter Declan O'Halloran, Belturbet, Co Cavan Eating disorders are often complex to treat, so rising numbers are a big worry It was worrying reading last week that a study found that for under-18s with eating disorders there was a 121pc rise in hospitalisations between 2018 and 2022 – from 170 admissions in 2018 to 375 in 2022 – with a sharp spike during the pandemic. Eating disorders are complex medical conditions that not only affect the young person concerned but also their loved ones, family and friends. It strikes me that wraparound care is essential, requiring an increase in investment at a national level. Not every treatment will work successfully for every person that presents at a hospital, or is diagnosed with an eating disorder. If any reader, or professional working with young people, wants an insight into this issue, I strongly recommend Evanna Lynch's memoir: The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting. It is a harrowing, haunting, honest and unflinching account, and yet a beautifully crafted read that reflects the author's own journey with an eating disorder that she ultimately overcomes. Let us hope these figures do not continue to rise. Stephen O'Hara, Carrowmore, Co Sligo We must be careful of any language that fuels the fire under racist attacks The recent attacks on members of the Indian community are abhorrent. They are also, as noted by many commentators, puzzling, as the Indian community continues to contribute so much to Irish society. The fact that they are puzzling does not make them more abhorrent. All racist attacks are abhorrent, regardless of whether the target community contributes economically or not. Chants of 'Get them Out' at anti-immigration protests may legitimise and encourage these appalling attacks. We all need to be careful with our language and not tolerate any racism, taunts, slurs or 'jokes'.
Entrepreneur
05-08-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Earth Observation: A New Frontier of Resilience for European Entrepreneurs
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur Europe, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Our fast-changing climate is hitting businesses hard. Every three weeks, a billion-dollar extreme weather event hits, wreaking havoc on global supply chains and denting business for large and small companies alike. It's a risk that European business owners can't continue to ignore as Europe is the fastest-warming continent. The devastating floods that hit Spain late last year also put a huge strain on its economy, costing the Spanish more than 10 billion euros. Over a year's worth of rain hit in eight hours, creating a nightmare situation for businesses and residents alike, whose properties were destroyed. Entrepreneurs need to take a proactive approach to managing challenges like these. There's a clear business case for being prepared before disaster strikes: According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, every $1 invested in climate resilience saves businesses $13. That's where Earth Observation (EO) data comes in. EO is the science of using sensors found in satellites and other devices to unveil vital information about our planet's surface, such as climate change patterns, land conditions, marine life, security, and more. Governments around the world have been heavily investing in EO given its potential to solve a wide range of problems that plague us here on Earth. The EU's Copernicus is a globally leading EO programme, set to generate up to €131 billion for the European economy. The European Space Agency (ESA) has also made headway in its 'Space for Earth' initiative. Just last month, it launched its groundbreaking satellite, Biomass, to uncover new data on how much carbon is stored in our forests and to 3D map them for the first time. Using Earth Observation data to stay ahead of the curve Yet it's not just governments and big organizations that stand to benefit from the capabilities of EO. Entrepreneurs and smaller businesses can also leverage it to answer real-world challenges, like risks to operations and assets. In fact, platforms like Copernicus aren't off-limits for smaller businesses: It's freely accessible for commercial use, combining information from satellite and in-situ (non-space) sources alike. These tools are made of high-quality imaging technology that analyse topography and weather patterns in unparalleled detail, capturing resolutions of 0.3m². What does this mean for entrepreneurs who access these data sources? They can tap into insights to take pre-emptive action for risk management, such as forecasting an otherwise unexpected flash of heavy rain which could cause flooding and destroy warehouses in that area. "It's interesting to see the ways that AI is helping to support the development of Europe's space industry and how it plays a key role in underpinning the convenience and security of our lives on Earth," says Daniel Smith, founder of AstroAgency, a consultancy for the space sector. "Earth Observation data, which comes from sensors on satellites, provides insights to support our economies through business sectors like energy, finance, agriculture, maritime, forestry, and more, as well as broader environmental monitoring efforts." Let's take a look at that in action. An entrepreneur with a small wine company, for instance, can tap into crop yield data at scale via EO data, allowing them to better forecast how much fertilizer and water they will need ahead of the planting season. The European wine industry, as well as the agriculture sectors, is being hit by continent-wide droughts; the use case of EO technology in these industries could be highly useful for business owners shuffling budgets, planning logistics, and trying to predict harvest yield. A founder operating in construction can benefit from EO data, too. A small business owner specialising in recycled concrete for buildings relies on rail to transport materials between regions or even countries. However, a key challenge is keeping a pulse on transport progress and being notified immediately if there are any delays or disruptions so they can act accordingly. Here's where EO insights can improve business operations with satellite-powered radar technology to get instant updates on rail freight. Tapping into those insights also benefits SMEs from a financial standpoint. It's no secret that European banks have some of the most stringent standards for risk management, including climate impact, when issuing funds and loans. Business owners need to prove that they're aligning activities with sustainability goals, but often struggle to uncover the insights needed to guide their steps in doing just that. According to a report from Morgan Stanley, 77% of investors are interested in sustainable investing. That's where companies like D-CAT come in, providing monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) services via satellites and machine learning (ML)-powered platforms. They're helping businesses understand where they can make more sustainable choices and show investors how they're slashing risks like climate impact. Be strategic with EO data use While EO data is not an absolute necessity for all entrepreneurs—especially those just starting out—the insights it yields can give a significant competitive advantage. With that in mind, entrepreneurs should be intentional in terms of investing in and prioritising the use of such information. That means having a blueprint in place to guide how these tools are implemented' here's how to do that. First, map out business goals and weaknesses in existing processes. This will enable entrepreneurs to gauge which challenges and opportunities EO data and relevant tools will answer. Next, it's critical to get digital infrastructures ready. Too often, businesses are quick to adopt technologies like AI tools without addressing existing gaps in their digital ecosystem, whether that's poor data management or poor interoperability between existing applications. There's nothing more frustrating than investing time, money, and energy into implementing a new technology, only for it to cause more friction than benefits. Assessing these aspects will also mean business owners can narrow down the EO data tools and solutions most relevant to their business needs—ensuring they bring tangible impact, whether that's fortifying resource availability, safeguarding facilities that are otherwise at risk of extreme weather events, or strengthening risk reporting for investors' assessments. An economic opportunity orbiting overhead EO data could pave the way for a $3.8 trillion economic opportunity, transforming how businesses propel growth while empowering their ESG efforts for stronger risk management. What once was a field viewed as exclusively for astronauts and astronomers is now a frontline for tackling key challenges like climate change head-on. Entrepreneurs who tap into this latest frontier aren't just going to be resilient to risk, but ahead of it, too.
North Wales Live
31-07-2025
- Science
- North Wales Live
Sign up to our newsletter The Weird Science Drop
A brand new newsletter is bringing back crazy chemistry, bonkers biology and foolish physics in the shape of The Weird Science Drop. The newsletter goes where other, more-sensible publications fear to tread. Every week, it brings the overlooked, under-the-radar and, above all else, most madcap science news, views and research straight to your email. From the keyboard of Daniel Smith, The Weird Science Drop keeps a close eye on the latest scientific discoveries and research while also unearthing the little-heard strange stories from the past. Daniel is an experienced journalist who has worked for news websites on both sides of the Atlantic. Back in the furthest reaches of time somewhere near Watford he fancied himself as an astrophysicist but proved to be hopeless. So he put down the telescope and picked up a pen instead. Daniel was once the author of the Weird Science Blog - one of the top blogs in this media group - and is delighted to get back in the saddle. He said: 'It's been great to dust off the old white lab coat and bring Weird Science back but this time in a far better, more dynamic fashion with The Weird Science Drop. 'The newsletter will hunt out the choicest morsels of science goodness, where everything from the world's unluckiest scientist who inadvertently tried to end the planet twice to research showing monkeys are the world's best yodellers is put under the microscope. 'I'll try to keep people informed, amazed and astounded, while hopefully provoking the old smile along the way. 'So why not subscribe?' So what's in The Weird Science Drop? Each newsletter will feature regular sections such as Weird Science News, Photo of the Week, Infographic Magic, plus a rotating platter of goodness including… How do I sign up for The Weird Science Drop? The Weird Science Drop will be published on Substack, an independent platform with no ads, making for a cleaner reading experience than on many other websites. You can read there on desktop or the app, or simply from your email inbox. So not only do you not have to go searching for the news itself – or wait for the algorithm to decide this is what you might like to see – you don't even have to search for the newsletter. Once it's live it's sent directly to you to read at your leisure.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
13 responders graduate in latest Albuquerque Community Safety class
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Another class of Albuquerque Community Safety responders is ready to serve Albuquerque. A graduation ceremony was held Monday at the Albuquerque Museum, where city officials recognized the graduates. These trained professionals will respond to mental and behavioral health crises, connecting people with the care they need while also freeing up police and EMS. New nonstop flights added to Sunport during Balloon Fiesta 'There has been a lot of things throughout my life I've been, I mean, I'm sure, just a lot like my co-workers, we have all experienced hardships in life. Whether that is homelessness or lived experiences or drug, seeing people you love being on drugs or need help so its great to be able to go back into the community and help out with things that you have seen or experienced,' said Daniel Smith, who graduated from the program. There were 13 graduates who completed weeks of academy instruction and 240 hours of on-the-job training. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Gulf Insider
17-06-2025
- Gulf Insider
First View: Oil Tanker Erupts In Flames After Collision Near Strait Of Hormuz
Unconfirmed video circulating on X shows the crude oil tanker Adalynn fully engulfed in flames following a high-impact collision with the tanker Front Eagle. The footage suggests Front Eagle struck the Adalynn on the port quarter, resulting in a substantial breach to the hull and subsequent fire aboard the vessel. In the early morning hours of Tuesday, crude oil tankers Adalynn and Front Eagle collided in the Gulf of Oman, about 24 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates, just outside the critical Strait of Hormuz chokepoint. The maritime incident occurred amid ongoing regional instability and increased GPS signal degradation, most likely linked to broader electronic warfare surrounding the Israel-Iran conflict. According to a report from Bloomberg, maritime security firms Vanguard Tech and Ambrey have assessed the tanker collision as a navigational accident with no indications of foul play or links to the ongoing regional conflict. Both firms have classified the incident as non-hostile in nature, downplaying initial speculation of an attack. The Adalynn, a 23-year-old Antigua and Barbuda-flagged tanker with no known insurance and a history of Russia-India sailing routes, may be part of Moscow's 'dark fleet.' All 24 crew members aboard were safely evacuated by the UAE National Guard. The Front Eagle, owned by Frontline Plc and flagged in Liberia, also reported no injuries and is cooperating in the investigation. While traders initially feared a security-related event, which spooked oil and shipping markets, preliminary assessments so far indicate otherwise and likely just a navigational incident. Ambrey analyst Daniel Smith stated, 'At the time of writing, we can only confirm that it is not a security incident. We continue to investigate the cause.' Possible visual evidence of the incident, reportedly showing at least one of the involved tankers engulfed in flames, was circulated on X. The footage remains unverified but has been widely shared. There are unconfirmed reports that three ships are on fire in the Gulf of Oman. NASA Firms data shows three fires in the waters of UAE. Ambrey says it is aware of an incident "22 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan in UAE", as per alert lines up with Firms data — Faytuks News (@Faytuks) June 17, 2025 The maritime incident comes one day after widespread GPS jamming was reported across the Strait of Hormuz, scrambling navigation for more than 900 vessels. GPSJam—a site that publishes daily heat maps of GPS/GNSS disruptions affecting aircraft—shows multiple 'high-interference' zones clustered around the Strait of Hormuz. The broader concern is that critical maritime chokepoints—including the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Suez Canal—remain highly vulnerable to disruption should the Israel-Iran conflict escalate or proxy groups tied to Tehran become further entangled. These corridors are essential to global energy flows and commercial shipping, and any kinetic spillover or asymmetric activity in these waterways could have immediate consequences for energy prices and global supply chains.
