Latest news with #NorthPole
Sky News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News
The fight for the Arctic - where climate change is giving Russia room to manoeuvre
The twin threats of climate change and Russian malign activity in the Arctic must be taken "deadly seriously," David Lammy is warning. Sky News joined him on the furthest reaching tour of the Arctic by a British foreign secretary. We travelled to Svalbard - a Norwegian archipelago that is the most northern settled land on Earth, 400 miles from the North Pole. It is at the heart of an Arctic region facing growing geopolitical tension and feeling the brunt of climate change. Mr Lammy told us the geopolitics of the region must be taken "deadly seriously" due to climate change and "the threats we're seeing from Russia". We witnessed the direct impact of climate change along Svalbard's coastline and inland waterways. There is less ice, we were told, compared to the past. The melting ice is opening up the Arctic and allowing Russia more freedom to manoeuvre. "We do see Russia's shadow fleet using these waters," Mr Lammy said. "We do see increased activity from submarines with nuclear capability under our waters and we do see hybrid sabotage of undersea cables at this time." In Tromso, further south, the foreign secretary was briefed by Norwegian military commanders. Vice Admiral Rune Andersen, the Chief of Norwegian Joint Headquarters, told Sky News the Russian threat was explicit. "Russia has stated that they are in confrontation with the West and are utilising a lot of hybrid methods to undermine Western security," he said. But it's not just Vladimir Putin they're worried about. Norwegian observers are concerned by US president Donald Trump's strange relationship with the Russian leader too. Karsten Friis, a Norwegian defence and security analyst, told Sky News: "If he's too soft on Putin, if he is kind of normalising relations with Russia, I wouldn't be surprised. "I would expect Russia to push us, to test us, to push borders, to see what we can do as Europeans." Changes in the Arctic mean new challenges for the NATO military alliance - including stepping up activity to deter threats, most of all from Russia. In Iceland, we toured a NATO airbase with the foreign secretary. There, he said maintaining robust presence in the Arctic was essential for western security. "Let's be clear, in this challenging geopolitical moment the high north and the Arctic is a heavily contested arena and we should be under no doubt that NATO and the UK need to protect it for our own national security." This is also about distracting Russia, drawing away resources that could have been used in the war in Ukraine and deterring it in the future.
CNET
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Today's NYT Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for May 28, #1439
Looking for the most recent Wordle answer? Click here for today's Wordle hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles. We're going into summer, but today's Wordle puzzle answer may remind you of the ice and snow of winter. If you need a new starter word, check out our list of which letters show up the most in English words. If you need hints and the answer, read on. Today's Wordle hints Before we show you today's Wordle answer, we'll give you some hints. If you don't want a spoiler, look away now. Wordle hint No. 1: Repeats Today's Wordle answer has no repeated letters. Wordle hint No. 2: Vowels There are two vowels in today's Wordle answer. Wordle hint No. 3: First letter Today's Wordle answer begins with the letter P. Wordle hint No. 4: Bear down Today's Wordle answer is often associated with a species of bear. Wordle hint No. 5: Meaning Today's Wordle answer can refer to something relating to the North or South Pole. TODAY'S WORDLE ANSWER Today's Wordle answer is POLAR. Yesterday's Wordle answer Yesterday's Wordle answer, May 27, No. 1438 was SPORT. Recent Wordle answers May 23, No. 1434: SHUCK May 24, No. 1435: SUEDE May 25, No. 1436: GRIFT May 26, No. 1437: DRONE
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First Post
27-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Amid the Tej Pratap Yadav drama in Bihar, spotlight on Aishwarya Rai. Who is the estranged wife?
RJD chief Lalu Prasad's son Tej Pratap Yadav found himself at the centre of a controversy after sharing a now-deleted social media post about his long-term relationship with a woman named Anushka Yadav. The row has now escalated as his estranged wife Aishwarya Rai has criticised the Yadav family and dismissed the episode as 'drama' ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. Notably, Aishwarya had moved out of Tej Pratap's home just months into the marriage after alleging mistreatment and harassment by him and his family read more The row involving RJD chief Lalu Prasad's son, Tej Pratap Yadav, continues. It all started with a social media post, which has since been taken down, showing his 'partner', Anushka Yadav. Tej Pratap claimed they have been in a relationship for 12 years. Soon after, Tej Pratap was removed from the party for six years by his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav, who described his actions as 'irresponsible behaviour'. ALSO READ | Who is Anushka Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav's 'partner'? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the middle of all this, Tej Pratap's estranged wife, Aishwarya Rai, criticised the Yadav family, calling the entire episode 'drama' and just for show ahead of the elections in Bihar. She questioned, 'Why was my life ruined? Why was I beaten?' So, who is Aishwarya Rai, and what happened during her marriage to Tej Pratap? How did she respond to the controversy over Tej Pratap's social media post and his removal from the party? What details have come out so far? Here's a look at the situation in full. Who is Aishwarya Rai? She is the granddaughter of former Bihar Chief Minister Daroga Prasad Rai and the daughter of Chandrika Rai, a six-time MLA and former minister. Her grandfather, a Congress leader, served as Bihar's Chief Minister for a brief period in 1970. Aishwarya graduated from Delhi University and holds an MBA degree. In 2018, she married Tej Pratap Yadav in a grand ceremony held in Patna. However, the marriage did not last long. Within a few months, Aishwarya moved out of Tej Pratap's house, accusing him and his family of mistreatment. Aishwarya Rai has criticised the Yadav family and called the entire episode 'drama'. Screengrab/ANI The fallout between the two families quickly became public. Aishwarya was seen crying as she left the Yadav home. Speaking to the media later, she said she was mistreated during the marriage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She later made serious accusations against members of the Yadav family, including former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, Tej Pratap's sister and MP Misa Bharti, and Tej Pratap himself. According to an NDTV report, she filed a police complaint alleging harassment and assault. Rabri Devi also lodged a counter complaint, accusing Aishwarya of attacking and troubling her. Tej Pratap also spoke out, saying the two were not suited for each other. 'I'm North Pole and she's South Pole. There have been fights between me and my wife in front of my parents. I don't want to live with her anymore. There's no point in being unhappy and stressed,' he said. The political relationship between the two families also broke down. The 2018 wedding had brought both families even closer. Aishwarya's father, Chandrika Rai, had begun his political career with the Congress but later joined the RJD and grew close to Lalu Prasad Yadav. After Aishwarya's separation and the accusations that followed, Chandrika Rai quit the RJD and joined Nitish Kumar's JDU. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A divorce case is currently pending in court. 'Why was I beaten?': What Aishwarya Rai said on Tej Pratap controversy Aishwarya has strongly criticised the Yadav family amid the controversy surrounding Tej Pratap Yadav's alleged long-term relationship with a young woman. Reacting to Tej Pratap's expulsion from the RJD and the family for six years by his father Lalu Prasad Yadav, she said it was just a show meant to mislead people. #WATCH | Patna, Bihar: "... Why was my life ruined? Why was I beaten? Now they have suddenly had a social awakening. They are all together. They have not separated... The elections are near, that is why they have taken such a step and created this drama...," says RJD leader Tej… — ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2025 'Everyone knows what happened. If they (Lalu Prasad Yadav's family) knew the whole thing, then why did they get him married to me? Why was my life ruined? Why was I beaten? Now they have suddenly had a social awakening. I got information about my divorce from the media. All the information I got was through the media… I did not know what was going on,' she was quoted as saying by ANI. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She also pointed fingers at Rabri Devi, claiming that she may have been behind the entire act of expelling Tej Pratap while choosing to remain silent because of the approaching Bihar elections. Aishwarya questioned why no one in the family spoke up earlier when she was allegedly being abused. 'Rabri Devi must have gone yesterday and told them to stay quiet for now… since it's election time, that's why they're putting on this drama,' she said. Aishwarya accused Lalu Prasad Yadav of staging a political drama by pretending to take action against his son. She also raised questions over the family's talk of 'social justice' and said she would continue her legal fight. 'Now that it is out, he has had an affair for 12 years and blaming the woman is the easiest way out. When will I get justice? I will continue my fight,' she added. The row over Tej Pratap's 'relationship' The former Bihar minister caused a controversy after he posted on social media that he had been in a long-standing relationship with a woman named Anushka Yadav. Along with a photo of the two, he wrote, 'The one seen in this picture is Anushka Yadav. We have been known to each other for the last 12 years. We are in love and have been in a relationship for 12 years.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Facebook post claimed that Tej Pratap Yadav had been in a long-term relationship with a woman named Anushka Yadav. Image: News18 Shortly afterwards, Tej Pratap said that his Facebook account had been 'hacked'. He claimed it was an attempt to 'defame and harass' both him and his family. RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav reacted by expelling his elder son from the party for six years, calling his actions 'irresponsible behaviour'. He also said he was cutting off family ties with him. In a statement, he said, 'Ignoring moral values in personal life weakens our collective struggle for social justice. The activities, public conduct and irresponsible behaviour of the eldest son are not in accordance with our family values and traditions.' With inputs from agencies
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Recidivism, Chugach park access and school maintenance: Here are some of the issues lawmakers addressed in the final days of the session
May 23—Alaska lawmakers devoted much of their attention during the legislative session that ended Tuesday to the budget, education funding and policy and revenue measures. Some other priorities stalled in the final days of the session — like public pension and election reforms. But the 33 bills adopted by lawmakers in the 120-day session covered a wide range of topics, including updates to Alaska's insurance laws, establishing Women's History Month and extending certain boards and commissions. Here are three other bills worth noting that passed in the final days of the session. Giving prisoners access to tablets Lawmakers adopted a bill meant to reduce Alaska's recidivism rate, which is the highest in the nation, by giving prisoners access to technology while they are incarcerated. Alaska is one of the only states that does not have an established law giving prisoners access to tablets, which can enable inmates to further their education while they are behind bars, and access other services such as telemedicine. The Alaska Department of Corrections has for several years wanted to give prisoners access to tablets. Previous efforts to pass similar legislation have failed. "One of the main struggles that inmates can face is with accessing education as they are trying to get out of prison," said Sen. Robert Myers, a North Pole Republican. Providing inmates with access to tablets and the rehabilitative services they facilitate, he added, "is a proactive attempt to make our communities safer." "These tablets are not intended to be a luxury for prisoners. They facilitate connection to essential services and resources," Myers said. House Bill 35 passed the House with support from 28 representatives. Twelve House Republicans opposed the bill in its final form. It passed the Senate unanimously. Improving a road into Chugach State Park Lawmakers adopted a bill that will allow Anchorage to make improvements to Upper Canyon Road, which leads to Chugach State Park — the most visited park in Alaska. The road provides access to popular trails such as the Flattop Sunny Side Trail and the Rabbit Lake Trail. Currently, Upper Canyon Road jurisdiction is split between the local Anchorage service area and the park, making it difficult to maintain the route, which is often crammed with vehicles belonging to hikers or skiers. The bill would allow the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, which oversees state parks, to convey the land to Anchorage, giving the city the authority it needs to better maintain the road. "It's a wonderful opportunity to build on the resources and assets in the community," said Rep. Ky Holland, an independent lawmaker who represents an Anchorage Hillside district. Rep. Julie Coulombe, a Republican who represents another Hillside district, was also in support of the bill. She said roads leading to Chugach State Park trailheads were being "destroyed by a lot of traffic." "This situation is a win-win for the state. The municipality is taking over a section of road and the municipality is wanting to maintain that road," said Coulombe, calling the route in its current condition "super-super dangerous." The bill passed with support from 35 House members and 18 Senate members. Four House Republicans and one Senate Republican voted against it. The bill has been transmitted to Dunleavy, who must sign it, veto it or allow it to become law without his signature by June 7. Putting Mt. Edgecumbe High School on 'a level playing field' Lawmakers adopted a bill that would allow Mt. Edgecumbe High School — the only educational facility directly owned and operated by the state — to directly compete with other school facilities across Alaska for maintenance funding. The state education department every year releases a ranked list of maintenance projects after school districts across Alaska submit their desired projects for review. The list covers schools in urban and rural parts of the state but has historically excluded Mt. Edgecumbe High School, instead relegating responsibility for the school's campus — located in Sitka — to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, where it competes for funding against roads and bridges. The bill adopted by lawmakers would allow Mt. Edgecumbe High School to be ranked in the list against other schools instead. "A lot of our leaders and future leaders of the state are coming out and have come out of Mt. Edgecumbe, so what we're trying to do here is put Mt. Edgecumbe on a level playing field," said Sitka Republican Sen. Bert Stedman. "So when we at the Finance Table look at infrastructure improvements ... it would make it a fairer process." Sen. Lyman Hoffman, a Bethel Democrat, said that the transportation department project list — which includes a vast array of projects — is the wrong mechanism for a school to request funding. "This school doesn't belong on this list. It belongs on the list of the Regional Educational Attendance Areas," said Hoffman. "It's virtually impossible for them to rise to the top of the list of DOT." The bill passed the Senate unanimously and passed the House with support from 34 out of 40 lawmakers. Five House Republicans opposed the change. Alaska lawmakers this year showed renewed interest in funding maintenance of school buildings. But a structural deficit for years has prevented the state from addressing the full list of school maintenance projects. This year, lawmakers approved $38 million in school maintenance funding, enough to cover the top nine projects on the state's ranked maintenance list. Separately, lawmakers approved $2.7 million to replace dorm windows at Mt. Edgecumbe High School. The governor has yet to comment on the bill adopted by lawmakers, or about whether he will support the school maintenance funding approved by the Legislature this year. Dunleavy has vetoed tens of millions of dollars in school maintenance funding during his tenure, including more than $17 million intended for Mt. Edgecumbe School.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
How 600,000-mile-long solar eruption could impact Earth
In a post on X, formerly Twitter , aurora chaser Jure Atanackov predicted that the full force of this eruption could trigger a severe or even extreme geomagnetic storm, the highest level on official rating systems. Stunning video recorded by NASA 's solar observation satellites shows the moment that filaments of plasma 75 times larger than Earth peeled away from the sun in a pair of sweeping 'wings'. Most of the material was shot out of the sun's north pole, so it will mostly avoid Earth. Jake Foster, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told MailOnline: 'Loops of hot plasma can sprout up from the Sun's surface, following along its magnetic field lines, and occasionally they break free and shoot off into space at high speeds.' Sometimes this triggers an event called a coronal mass ejection, a wave of plasma and magnetic fields which is launched into space. It is the arrival of these coronal mass ejections (CMEs) which trigger geomagnetic storms and enhanced auroral activity on Earth. As astronomers observed, this is exactly what happened on Tuesday as two huge filaments became unstable and collapsed, triggering a huge CME. As the filament eruption tore away from the sun's surface, eagerly-watching aurora chasers were amazed by the sheer scale of the blast. Mr Atanackov wrote in a post on X that the blast 'dwarfs all the filament eruptions we have seen recently.' Likewise, Northern Lights photographer Vincent Ledvina said: 'Not sure what to call this eruption, maybe the "bird-wing" or "angel-wing" event? Either way, it is truly something to witness! Look at how large the blast is off the Sun's northern hemisphere.' In her solar forecast, space weather physicist Dr Tamitha Skov reported a 'massive dual filament launch that could give Earth a glancing blow.' When a filament eruption escapes the solar surface, it leaves behind a cool 'scar' on the sun, which shows up as a dark region in solar imaging cameras. While it initially appeared that most of the blast had been directed northward, away from Earth, the remains scars suggested that some of the eruption could be coming our way. Dr Skov said: 'You'd think this was just going northward. But, believe it or not, the scar from this thing as it lifted off the sun makes us think that maybe there's part of this that's Earth-directed.' It is considered likely that part of the CME or its wake will hit Earth tomorrow, causing a minor geomagnetic storm and lingering effects for a few days. Mr Foster says: 'These eruptions are huge collections of high energy solar particles, so when they hit the Earth's atmosphere they can cause a few different effects. 'With enough energy, they have the potential to cause a geomagnetic storm, temporarily blocking out radio communications and satellite navigation in certain areas. 'On the more serious end of the scale, they can cause an overload to electrical infrastructure, damaging the power grid and railway lines, and potentially even sparking electrical fires.' Additionally, as charged particles from the sun arrive, they are channelled towards the poles by the planet's powerful magnetic fields. These particles then collide with nitrogen and oxygen in the air, transferring their energy into the gases and causing them to glow, in an effect we see as the aurora. Since the Earth's magnetic fields protect us extremely well from these charged particles, auroras are only normally visible close to the magnetic poles. Although Dr Skov predicts a 20 per cent chance of a major storm occurring, the chances of significant geomagnetic activity are low. Stephen Dixon, Met Office spokesperson, told MailOnline: 'A coronal mass ejection could possibly glance the Earth later this evening and could lead to aurora being visible in northern Scotland, though there is low confidence in this. 'Should it occur, skies are relatively clear, but viewers might need to take a photo with a long exposure.'
