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Al Bawaba
a day ago
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
On its way to Gaza, the freedom flotilla faces unseen challenges
ALBAWABA - The humanitarian vessel Madleen, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, is now heading toward Egypt's northern coast on her route to Gaza, according to a statement released on Saturday by the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza. The ship is expected to reach a destination around 100 nautical miles from Gaza on Monday. Also Read Israel strike targets Gaza-Bound freedom flotilla near Malta With 12 international activists accompanying her, Madleen departed the Italian island of Sicily last Sunday with the intention of delivering aid to the Gaza Strip and calling attention to the dire circumstances there. Its passengers include French member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan. She urged the world community to ensure the ship's safe passage. From the ship, Hassan warned that any action or interception would be illegal under international law. The crew stated they had been shocked by surveillance drones that approached the ship on previous evenings, despite the fact that they reported a calm voyage. Human rights activist and flotilla member Yasemin Ager told Al Jazeera that the ship is delivering a crucial message to the world about the need to aid a people who have been going without food for the last three months. She said the mission's goals are to create humanitarian pathways and hold Israel accountable for its continuous embargo, which she says violates international law. The trip follows a failed attempt in May when a previous vessel was reportedly attacked by Israeli drones near Malta. Madleen is the 36th ship to be launched as part of the worldwide movement known as the Freedom Flotilla, which was initiated in 2010 to oppose the blockade of Gaza. Israel has often threatened and used force to halt flotilla activities. Ten Turkish people were murdered and the other activists were arrested after Israeli commandos assaulted the Mavi Marmara in 2010. Despite the risks, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition is committed to its humanitarian mission. Organizers said Madleen represents global solidarity with Palestinians and a new call to lift the embargo, which has been in place for more than 20 years.
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Receipt Of Applications For The 2025 Global Energy Prize Completed
In 2025, 90 nominations were submitted for the award from 44 countries and territories embracing all six continents of the world. In the end of April, the receipt of applications finished for the Global Energy Prize, one of the most prestigious awards given for significant scientific discoveries and technological solutions aimed at the rational use of natural resources and enhancing the environmental friendliness of the energy economy. In 2025, 90 nominations were submitted for the award from 44 countries and territories. Thus, versus the year 2024 when 25 states participated in the nomination process, the number of nominees has practically doubled. The biggest number of applications came from Russia (15), USA (11), China and India (8 each). For the first time in history Cuba, Palestine and Thailand presented their nominees. Besides, eight countries and territories have returned to the nomination process: Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Iran, Lithuania, Taiwan (China), Tanzania. Though these countries and territories were not present among the nominees, they made a tangible contribution to the extension of the competitive base having submitted their nominations. There is a large representation of Latin America, Asia and Africa. All in all, in the Traditional Energy nomination 25 applications were submitted, in the Non-Traditional Energy nomination 35 applications were registered. In the New Ways of Energy Application there are 30 applications. Such a large-scale nomination was the result of consistent efforts by the management of the Global Energy Association in order to promote the award and to actively expand its geography. ' When we announced the start of the 2025 nomination cycle in December last year I expressed confidence in the growing number of applications from the developing countries, particularly from South America, the world leader in the use of renewable energy sources, and Africa where there is still a high potential for the extraction of traditional resources along with the simultaneously growing demand for autonomous energy systems. Today we can see that these expectations proved true: the geography of participants has expanded, the number of projects presented has increased, while the quality of scientific solutions from the new regions are just admirable. I believe that it is a solid confirmation of the international significance of our award,' said Sergey Brilev, President of the Association. The finalised reception of applications indicates the completion of the first stage of the nomination cycle. Further on the applications will be evaluated by independent experts by a fixed set of criteria, including academic novelty, practical significance and potential of application. Based on the results of evaluating fifteen applications (five in each of the three nominations) that scored the most points will be included into a shortlist. Laureates will be selected by the International Committee chaired by Rae Kwon Chung, Nobel Prize laureate. ' Every year the geography of the award participants expands, and 2025 was no exception. This shows that scientific knowledge in the field of energy has a unique ability to unite people regardless of geopolitical borders. All participants, despite the differences in national and technological approaches, are united in their desire to achieve the main goal of science - to create a sustainable and affordable energy future for all mankind. I highly appreciate the level of solutions presented and look forward to the new stage of the nomination process,' said Rae Kwon Chung commenting on the first stage results. The names of the Global Energy laureates will be announced in the summer of 2025.
