Latest news with #PSP
LBCI
a day ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Walid Jumblatt meets Tom Barrack and US Ambassador to discuss regional developments
Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt received U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Tom Barrack and U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson at his residence in Clemenceau. The meeting was attended by PSP leader MP Taymur Jumblatt, as well as MPs Marwan Hamadeh and Wael Abou Faour.
L'Orient-Le Jour
2 days ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
End of fighting in Sweida: Joumblatt calls for dialogue and a ‘comprehensive political solution' in Syria
Lebanese Druze leader Walid Joumblatt called on Sunday for the opening of a dialogue among all groups in Syria under the leadership of the authorities, following the announcement of a cease-fire that ended a week of bloody communal clashes between Druze fighters and rival groups in Sweida. The Syrian government announced late Saturday into Sunday the end of fighting in the south of the country, which was immediately resumed by Druze groups. The violence between these groups and Sunni Bedouins, which began on July 13 in the Sweida region, has caused 940 deaths, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). A 'comprehensive political solution' in Syria Former Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader Walid Joumblatt emphasized the necessity of a cease-fire in Sweida as a prerequisite to advance the next steps of the process. He insisted that 'a comprehensive political solution is the only way to preserve the authority of the Syrian state and to address the legitimate demands of the inhabitants of the Druze Mountain,' calling for the opening of a dialogue among all religious, political and communal components under the aegis of the denounced 'any declarations calling for international or Israeli protection,' arguing that 'such proposals undermine Syria's sovereignty as well as the national and Arab heritage of Soueida.' Some voices within the Druze community, notably in Syria, have called for Israeli protection of the community amid growing anger against the authority of Ahmad al-Sharaa, who is accused of failing to protect the Druze of Soueida. Joumblatt urged 'an end to the escalation, lifting the siege on the affected areas, and serious efforts to avoid any new surge in tensions.' He also reminded that 'the Druze of Syria are an authentic component of the Syrian national and Arab fabric, and it is unacceptable to exclude them from their Arab identity or to treat them as foreigners in their natural environment.' Blocking the path to Israeli interference In a separate statement, the PSP called on the Syrian state, the people of Sweida, and the Arab tribes to 'work to consolidate the ceasefire, which is more important than any other consideration, including revenge, to ensure Syria's security, stability and unity.' The party urged the Syrian government to act seriously to regain control over the chaotic and unstable situation in the Sweida governorate and to end attacks on Druze villages in the Druze Mountain, thereby preventing calls for international protection or Israeli interference. After a government forces intervention in Sweida during the week, which led to killings in the region, the Israeli army carried out bombings and strikes against military headquarters in Damascus. Walid Joumblatt sharply criticized these Israeli actions, accusing the Israeli state of 'pitting the Druze against all components of Syrian society.'The PSP concluded: 'Consolidating the cease-fire is the gateway to the second phase, namely political dialogue aimed at integrating the Sweida governorate into the Syrian state and its official institutions.'Walid Joumblatt had already called for dialogue in Syria on Friday and requested a 'clear plan to establish security and then absorb armed Druze elements into the Syrian police or army.' He was the first Lebanese political figure to travel to Syria to meet the new leader Ahmad al-Sharaa on Dec. 22, 2024, just weeks after the fall of the Assad regime.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA Just Captured the Closest Images of the Sun Ever, from Inside Its Atmosphere
If you want to capture the majesty of the Sun, you should probably ask an artist, but if you want to capture its raw power, that's a job for a robot. While generations of artists have painted or photographed sunsets and poets have written sonnets to the Sun, NASA's Parker Solar Probe (PSP) just sent back the closest solar snapshots of all time. While our planet sits a cozy 93 million miles away from the fusion inferno of our star, Parker gets as close as 3.8 million miles, close enough to get inside the Sun's sweltering and chaotic atmosphere. The images put us inside the solar wind, electrically charged solar particles which race across the solar system at more than a million miles an hour. For More on the Sun Parker Solar Probe snaps closest images of the Sun ever taken SYFY's The Ark follows the crew of an interstellar spacecraft on a multi-light-year journey to the star next door. In the real world, NASA's Parker Solar Probe is doing the next best thing, having traveled 90 million miles from home to get up close and personal with the Sun. In addition to being infinitely cool, the data sent back by PSP helps scientists better understand space weather, including powerful coronal mass ejections (CMEs) which have the potential to damage spacecraft and Earth's electrical and communications systems. The probe was launched aboard a Delta IV rocket in 2018 and has been on a spiraling path, winding its way closer to the Sun ever since. It began its most recent approach in December of 2024 and completed its most recent flyby of the Sun from June 14 to June 24, 2025. It was the probe's 24th pass of the Sun and the third to reach an altitude of just 3.8 million miles. 'Parker Solar Probe has once again transported us into the dynamic atmosphere of our closest star,' said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, in a statement. 'We are witnessing where space weather threats to Earth begin, with our eyes, not just with models. This new data will help us vastly improve our space weather predictions to ensure the safety of our astronauts and the protection of our technology here on Earth and throughout the solar system.' Parker measures the environment around the Sun with an array of instruments. SWEAP, short for Solar Winds Electrons Alphas and Protons investigation, studies the characteristics of particles in the solar wind, while WISPR (Wide-Field Imager for Solar Probe) captures images in visible light. WISPR takes images of solar particles just as they're leaving the Sun and the new images showcase the interaction of multiple outflows. You can also see the place where three CMEs collide, forming a perfect storm in space, 90 million miles away. Scientists are hoping these images will help us to better understand and defend against CMEs in the future. When multiple coronal mass ejections pop off at the same time, it makes them harder to predict, can complicate their magnetic properties, and can accelerate charged particles, making them even more dangerous if they happen to come our way. 'In these images, we're seeing the CMEs basically piling up on top of one another,' said Angelos Vourlidas, the WISPR instrument scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, which designed, built, and operates the spacecraft in Laurel, Maryland. 'We're using this to figure out how the CMEs merge together, which can be important for space weather.' The future of the Parker Solar Probe is uncertain This was the 24th and final approach of Parker's planned primary mission. Its job is done, but it can't come home. As of June 22, 2025, when the probe checked in with the team at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, all systems were operational and healthy, so it can still do plenty of useful science. For now, Parker will remain in orbit and continue making observations, while the folks at NASA figure out where they want to go from here. 'Parker Solar Probe remains in excellent health, with both the spacecraft and its instruments ready to continue their groundbreaking mission,' said Arik Posner, Parker Solar Probe program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington. 'The spacecraft will keep exploring the solar atmosphere as the Sun enters the declining phase of its 11-year cycle, providing a unique opportunity to study how solar activity evolves and shapes the heliosphere during this pivotal period.' While we're waiting to see what's next for NASA's PSP, check out The Ark, . Solve the daily Crossword
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Kishan Reddy seeks CM Revanth's partnership to take up green energy plants under Coal Ministry
Union Minister of Coal & Mines G. Kishan Reddy has urged Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to partner with the Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) under his ministry, including Coal India Limited (CIL) and NLC India Limited (NLCIL), in taking up renewable energy projects, encompassing solar and wind power plants, Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). In an official communication to the Chief Minister, a copy of which was released to the media on Thursday, the Union Minister said these initiatives are projected to attract investments in the range of ₹10,000 crore to TG over the next three years. The proposals are for development of solar power plants utilising Telangana's high solar isolation zones, deployment of advanced BESS systems to enhance grid stability and energy reliability; pre-feasibility studies and implementation of PSPs to provide critical balancing capacity; and formation of joint venture models with State PSUs or on a standalone basis by the coal companies, to ensure faster project execution and maximize local economic benefits. All these proposals and projects would require support in the acquisition or allocation of land by the State Government. They would be instrumental in the reduction of carbon emissions, improved air quality, and sustainable natural resource management, he said. Mr. Kishan Reddy, also the Secunderabad MP, said that the proposals also offer substantial socio-economic dividends, including job creation, skill development, enhanced energy security, and affordable power access, driving inclusive growth and improved quality of life for all. To take these projects to fruition, he has requested that a structured and seamless coordination be established between the State Government and the CPSUs. This can be done with the Chief Minister's 'active and timely engagement' and interventions in ensuring swift and effective implementation of these projects. 'Your leadership in this matter can serve as a model for constructive Centre-State cooperation in building a greener and self-reliant future,' he said. Telangana's substantial renewable energy potential and the Central Government's unwavering commitment to green growth, offers an opportunity to accelerate the State's economic development and position the State as a key contributor to India's sustainable energy transition, he pointed out.
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: ProfitShare Partners calls for measurable impact standards in fintech AI
As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes Africa's financial services landscape, South African fintech ProfitShare Partners (PSP) is calling on the industry to shift its focus from potential to proof. The company is urging fintech innovators, investors, and regulators to adopt measurable, outcome-driven benchmarks that ensure AI genuinely expands access and impact, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) excluded by legacy systems. Andrew Maren, CEO and founder of ProfitShare Partners (PSP) 'There is a widening gap between what AI can do and what it is actually doing to serve real businesses,' says Andrew Maren, CEO and founder of ProfitShare Partners. 'Too many solutions are optimised for hype or investor traction. It is time to ask: who is the end-user, and what problem are we really solving?' Making AI accountable to outcomes PSP's call comes as the company continues to scale its own AI-enabled funding model, which provides fast, flexible capital to SMEs with valid contracts but limited access to credit. Since 2017, ProfitShare Partners has deployed over R1.2bn to more than 90% Black-owned businesses, using AI to assess behavioural risk, verify deal readiness, and unlock capital in near real-time. 'Our AI does not predict stock trends or optimise ads. It helps us decide whether an SME with a legitimate purchase order can be trusted to deliver, and then helps us fund them in days, not months,' explains Maren. Rather than replacing human judgment, PSP uses AI to enhance operational scale, reduce bias, and increase the speed of funding decisions. But, Maren warns, too many systems are being built in isolation from the markets they aim to serve. 'AI trained on irrelevant data or designed around first-world assumptions will not solve Africa's access problem. In fact, it may reinforce it. That is why we believe in setting practical benchmarks like jobs created, businesses scaled, and contracts fulfilled. These are the metrics that matter.' Calling the fintech sector to account With AI dominating the business agenda this year, Maren says the conversation must now move beyond capability and toward credibility. 'From predictive analytics to automated decisioning, we are seeing AI embedded into nearly every fintech pitch deck. But what we are not seeing often enough are results that justify the narrative. Inclusion cannot remain a marketing term. It must be measured,' he says. PSP is calling for: - Greater transparency in how AI models assess risk and recommend funding; - Standardised reporting on how AI tools improve access, reduce exclusion, and support underserved SMEs; - A sector-wide commitment to localising data inputs and validation frameworks to reflect African market realities. 'Everyone is talking about ethics, but we need to translate that into execution. If your AI helps one SME win one contract that puts food on the table and builds a track record, that is more powerful than any abstract benchmark of potential,' adds Maren. Building trust, not just tech PSP's position aligns with a growing call in the market for trust-first innovation. The company has advocated consistently for fintech that prioritises people, purpose, and provable results over speculation and scale for its own sake. 'Our vision is simple: build the tools that help entrepreneurs succeed. Let AI be part of that but let it be judged by what it enables on the ground and not just what it promises in theory,' Maren concludes. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
