digital circus ragatha
digital circus ragatha
Are you a fan of stocks like I am? If you are, then it could be worth looking at the two ASX growth shares listed below. They have been named as buys by brokers and tipped to rise strongly from current levels. Here's what analysts are saying about them: ( ) Morgans thinks that NextDC could be an ASX growth share to buy for big returns. It is a leading provider of innovative data centre outsourcing solutions, connectivity services, and infrastructure management software. NextDC has been growing at a strong rate for many years and the broker believes this will continue for some time to come. This is thanks to the significant and ongoing structural demand for data centre capacity, which is being underpinned by the artificial intelligence megatrend. The broker said: Enjoying all the benefits of the AI growth opportunity with less volatility are the operators of data centres. Data centres are facilities that store, process, and manage the vast amounts of data foundational to AI, ensuring secure and efficient data flow, backup, and recovery. [...] Digital Realty recently reported a record sales quarter during which it sold double the data centre capacity of its previous high and about four times more capacity than it usually sells in a quarter. This reinforces our view that the significant demand for cloud computing and AI-related digital infrastructure is going to unpin attractive returns and long-term growth. [...] Our preferred exposure is NEXTDC. It has 17 operational data centres in Australia and nearly a dozen under construction or about to be built across Australasia and Asia. Morgans currently has an add rating and $20.50 price target on its shares. This suggests that upside of 25% is possible for investors over the next 12 months. ( ) Another ASX growth share that could deliver big returns for investors is Xero. It is a global small business platform provider with 4.2 million subscribers at the last count. Xero notes that its smart tools help small businesses and their advisors to manage core accounting functions like tax and bank reconciliation, and complete other important small business tasks like payroll and payments. While 4.2 million users sounds like a lot, Goldman Sachs notes that this is only a small portion of its total addressable market (TAM). It estimates this to be over 100 million subscribers across the globe, giving it a significant growth runway. The broker said: Xero is a Global Cloud Accounting SaaS player, with existing focuses in ANZ, UK, North American and SE Asian markets. We see Xero as very well-placed to take advantage of the digitisation of SMBs globally, driven by compelling efficiency benefits and regulatory tailwinds, with >100mn SMBs worldwide representing a >NZ$100bn TAM. Given the company's pivot to profitable growth and corresponding faster earnings ramp, we see an attractive entry point into a global growth story with Xero our preferred large-cap technology name in ANZ – the stock is Buy rated. Goldman currently has a conviction buy rating and $201.00 price target on its shares. This implies potential upside of 16% for investors.Met Office 'committed to learning lessons' of Storm Bert after criticismCANCUN, Mexico (AP) — Sam Hines Jr. scored 17 points as SE Louisiana beat North Dakota 76-60 on Wednesday. Hines also had five rebounds for the Lions (3-4). Brody Rowbury added 13 points while going 3 of 9 and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line while they also had eight rebounds. Jakevion Buckley shot 4 of 8 from the field and 4 of 6 from the free-throw line to finish with 12 points. The Fightin' Hawks (3-4) were led by Amar Kuljuhovic, who posted 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Treysen Eaglestaff added 13 points for North Dakota. Dariyus Woodson also recorded 11 points and two blocks. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Putin: 'Russia closer to achieving goals in Ukraine'
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Crop Protection Chemicals Market Growth Drivers, Latest Trends, Opportunities, Challenges, Recent Developments, Key Segments, Regional Insights, and Revenue Forecast 12-19-2024 11:48 PM CET | Arts & Culture Press release from: ABNewswire MarketsandMarkets� Crop Protection Chemicals Market by Type (Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides & Bactericides), Origin (Synthetic & Biopesticides), Form, Mode of Application (Foliar, Seed Treatment, Soil Treatment), Crop Type and Region - Global Forecast to 2029 The global crop protection chemicals market [ https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/crop-protection-chemicals-market-worth-101-0-billion-by-2029--exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-302181635.html ] is expected to grow from USD 79.3 billion in 2024 to USD 101.0 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0%. Climate change is altering weather patterns, resulting in new and more persistent pest and disease threats. For example, warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are expanding the range of pests like the Fall Armyworm, which has caused widespread crop damage in Africa and Asia. These emerging threats drive the demand for crop protection chemicals to safeguard agricultural yields. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 20-40% of global crop production is lost annually due to pests, emphasizing the need for effective crop protection. Governments worldwide are supporting the agricultural sector with policies and subsidies, such as India's Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), which provides insurance to farmers against crop loss from pests and diseases, indirectly promoting the use of crop protection chemicals. Additionally, regulatory frameworks ensure the safe and effective use of these chemicals, fostering their adoption. Image: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Images/crop-protection-chemicals-market.webp Crop Protection Chemicals Market Drivers [ https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/08/15/2931023/0/en/Crop-Protection-Chemicals-Market-Size-Share-and-Global-Forecasts.html]: Increasing Food Security Needs for a Growing Population As the global population rises, food demand is also increasing, necessitating higher agricultural productivity and efficiency. Crop protection chemicals are essential for maximizing yields by protecting crops from pests, diseases, and weeds, which can cause significant losses. Ensuring a stable food supply is crucial for addressing food security challenges, and the use of crop protection chemicals helps enhance crop resilience and productivity. This growing need for increased agricultural output to feed the population is driving growth and innovation in the crop protection chemicals market. Crop Protection Chemicals Market Opportunities [ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/crop-protection-chemicals-market-size-share-industry-overview-scott-ubfaf/]: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) offers significant opportunities for the crop protection chemicals market by promoting a balanced, sustainable approach to pest control. IPM combines chemical, biological, cultural, and physical methods, advocating for the limited use of chemicals alongside other control strategies to minimize environmental impact and prevent pest resistance. This approach is fostering the development of environmentally friendly and targeted chemical products that align with IPM principles, creating avenues for innovation in the market. Companies are increasingly focusing on formulating new products that meet the demand for sustainable and effective pest management solutions. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=380 Seed Treatment Segment Expected to Grow the Fastest Seed treatment, which involves applying crop protection chemicals to seeds before planting, aims to protect them from pests, diseases, and other stressors during germination and early growth stages. This method offers several advantages, including targeted application, efficient use of chemicals, and minimal environmental impact compared to traditional spraying methods. As precision agriculture and seed coating technologies advance, the popularity of seed treatments is growing. The method ensures uniform coverage, enhanced crop establishment, and improved yield potential, making it a cost-effective and sustainable solution. As farmers seek efficient ways to maximize productivity, the seed treatment segment is expected to grow significantly. Solid Formulation Segment to Grow Steadily Solid formulations, such as granules, pellets, and powders, offer several advantages over liquid formulations, including better stability, easier storage, and reduced risk of spillage during handling and transportation. Solid formulations are particularly effective in soil treatments and controlled-release applications, where precise application and long-lasting efficacy are critical. With ongoing advancements in formulation technologies, solid products are becoming more versatile and attractive to farmers seeking cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solutions. This steady growth in the solid segment reflects the preference for formulations that optimize agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impact. Asia Pacific Region to Dominate the Crop Protection Chemicals Market Share [ https://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/crop-protection-chemicals-market-insights-emerging-trends-competitive-dynamics-and-forecasts.html ]. The Asia Pacific region is expected to lead the crop protection chemicals market due to its large agricultural base and growing demand for enhanced crop yields to support its expanding population. The region is home to more than 60% of the world's population, with countries like China and India being major agricultural producers. Agriculture plays a crucial role in the GDP of these countries, making efficient crop protection solutions essential for ensuring food security and economic stability. The region faces significant pest and disease pressures due to its diverse climatic conditions, further increasing the demand for crop protection chemicals. For instance, the widespread impact of pests like the Fall Armyworm has prompted governments and farmers to invest in effective pest management solutions. Additionally, the adoption of modern farming practices and technologies, including precision agriculture, is further boosting the market for advanced crop protection products. Leading Crop Protection Chemicals Manufacturers [ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/crop-protection-chemicals-market.asp]: Key players in the crop protection chemicals market BASF SE (Germany), Bayer AG (Germany), FMC Corporation (US), Syngenta Group (Switzerland), Corteva (US), UPL (India), Nufarm (Australia), Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd (Japan), Albaugh LLC (US), Koppert (Netherlands), Gowan Company (US), American Vanguard Corporation (US), Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd (Japan), PI Industries (India), and Chr. Hansen A/S (Denmark). BASF SE (Germany) BASF SE Group operates globally with 234 production sites, including six Verbund sites, and relies on approximately 112,000 employees worldwide. Its operations encompass diverse segments such as Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care, and Agricultural Solutions. Offering a wide array of system solutions and services, BASF SE caters to industries ranging from chemicals, automotive, and building to agriculture, oil, plastics, electrical, electronics, furniture, and paper. Within its Agricultural Solutions division, BASF SE specializes in providing crop protection products. BASF SE, a leader in the crop protection industry, had a broad portfolio of fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, seed treatments, and pest control products. Additionally, the company provided biological crop protection products and solutions for improving plant health and nutrient management in the soil. Through its digital services, BASF SE helped farmers manage and interpret a wide range of farm and field-related information more efficiently, facilitating better crop management decisions. In May 2024, BASF introduced Cimegra, a new insecticide designed to offer Australian farmers robust, adaptable, and enduring crop protection. This insecticide delivers rapid and potent control over challenging insect pests, including the notorious Diamondback moth. By launching Cimegra, BASF strengthens its position in the crop protection chemicals market, demonstrating its commitment to innovation and providing farmers with effective solutions to safeguard their crops, thereby enhancing productivity and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. Syngenta Group (Switzerland) Syngenta Group, a leading player in the crop protection industry, operates globally with 150 subsidiaries and a rich legacy spanning over 250 years. With around 60,000 employees across 100 countries, the company is committed to advancing agriculture through science-driven innovations, aiming for increased productivity, food quality, and environmental sustainability. Embracing Regenerative Agriculture, Syngenta collaborates closely with farmers to enhance soil health, preserve natural resources, and promote biodiversity while enhancing farm profitability. Headquartered in Shanghai, China, with administrative offices in Switzerland, Syngenta Group comprises four main divisions: Syngenta Crop Protection, Syngenta Seeds, ADAMA, and Syngenta Group China. These divisions collectively offer state-of-the-art solutions to meet diverse customer needs worldwide. These divisions also provide a range of crop protection products to farmers globally. In February 2024, Syngenta Crop Protection, a pioneer in agricultural innovation, and Lavie Bio Ltd., a subsidiary of Evogene Ltd. and a prominent ag-biologicals company, announced a partnership to discover and develop new biological insecticidal solutions. This collaboration will utilize Lavie Bio's advanced technology platform to quickly identify and refine bio-insecticide candidates, combined with Syngenta's vast global research, development, and commercialization expertise. This strategic alliance enhances Syngenta's position in the crop protection chemicals market by expanding its portfolio with cutting-edge biological solutions, addressing growing demand for sustainable and effective pest control methods. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=380 About MarketsandMarkets Trademark MarketsandMarketsTM has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets Trademark is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore Trademark (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. Media Contact Company Name: MarketsandMarkets Trademark Research Private Ltd. Contact Person: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=crop-protection-chemicals-market-growth-drivers-latest-trends-opportunities-challenges-recent-developments-key-segments-regional-insights-and-revenue-forecast ] Phone: 18886006441 Address:1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 City: Florida State: Florida Country: United States Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/crop-protection-380.html This release was published on openPR..It’s autonomy in action under Mbah, says Royal father The Council Chairman of Isi-Uzo, of Enugu State, Hon. Obiora Obeagu has proposed a budget of N5.5bn budget estimates for the 2025 fiscal year to the Legislative Council of the Local Government Area, LGA. Obeagu noted that the estimates tagged Budget of Economic Growth and Transformation was an increase from the N4.153 billion 2024 budget and consistent with Governor Peter Mbah’s effort to ramp up the state’s economy exponentially from $4.4 billion to $30 billion through private sector investment and catalysation of productivity in rural areas. He said the 2025 budget would give effect to the Council’s 2025-2026 Rolling Plan that aims to produce more food to ensure food security; enhance employment opportunities; rehabilitate, equip, and intensify primary healthcare delivery facilities and system; develop and invest in tourism and market projects; improve in transportation system through rehabilitation of existing rural roads and the construction of new ones and enforce quality education and academic grants. He stressed that the budget funding would benefit from a significant improvement in the Council’s IGR predicated on ventures like the development of several markets, real estates, and plugging of loopholes in revenue collection, among others. Presenting the budget at the Council headquarters, Ikem, Obeagu said, “We have named it the Budget of Economic Growth and Transformation. It is a budget anchored on our firm resolve to open up the economic corridors and potentials of our landlocked local government in our determined efforts to move Isi-Uzo from a rural to a semi-urban LGA. “We have proposed N2,498,390,040 for recurrent expenditure. This is further divided into Personnel Costs/ Emoluments and Overhead Costs. Personnel Cost/Emoluments amounts to N2,248,390,040.00, while, Overhead Cost is summed to N250,000,000.00. Capital Expenditure takes N3,059,800,000.” Listing some of the key capital proposals, he continued, “In respect to proposed capital projects, Road and Bridges will get N860 million. This is a great increase from the previous budget and reflects our poise for quality human resources management and to open-up the rural communities and create hazard-free transportation of goods and services. “This is followed by Gender, Water and Housing, which is N285 million. Health is next with N226 million. This is followed by Power (Electrification) with N200 million. Agriculture is next with N181 million, representing a major increment from the previous budget. “A very smart sector of our human and capital development, Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) gets N180 million, while Education is next with N163.8 million. It must be thankfully emphasised here that the Governor Peter Mbah Administration has taken a huge burden off the LGAs through the Smart Green Schools initiative in 260 wards of the state. This major game-changer means that the government is investing over N1 billion in each ward. “Another seminal sector, Poverty Alleviation and Employment generation gets N40 million, in our Council budget for 2025. Our administration will also implement projects and programmes in areas such as Youths and Sports, Environment Improvement and Social Re-orientation.” He expressed confidence in the ability of the budget to improve the fortunes of the LGA, promising to courageously push forward despite the vagaries of inflation and other economic headwinds across the nation. “Our current budget proposal looks handsome by the standards of our Local Government Council. The 2025 budget estimates look as a progressive push-up from where we are to a new height that we want to attain. “We are not unmindful of the fact of inflation and depreciation of the value of the naira arising from the removal of oil subsidy and devaluation of naira. Costs of goods and services have risen while the purchasing power and value of the naira has dropped considerably. But in the midst of these intervening factors, we are determined to be creative and make progress boldly, following our governor’s example. “It is a bold step that is achievable. We want to sustain growth and transformation of Isi-Uzo as agents for change, progress and development in line with our governance mandate. “We promised that we would make a difference in the lives of our people. We are determined to walk our talk as demanded by our governor during our inauguration and in line with his determination to grow the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn.” Meanwhile, the Leader of Isi-Uzo Legislative Council, Hon. Irenus Nnaji, representing Mbu Ward II, commended the Council Chairman for his robust, accountable, and creative leadership of the Council, promising expedited consideration and passage of the budget. “We are equally ready and committed to supporting you in the implementation of the 2025 budget. I repeat, we will work closely with you for the development of Isi-Uzo because we believe in the selfless leadership you have provided so far. But if you deviate from your current trajectory, we will equally call you out,” he stated. Speaking to newsmen after the budget presentation session witnessed by leaders and key stakeholders of the LGA, the Chairman of Isi-Uzo Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Igwe Okey Ogbodo, an engineer by profession, expressed satisfaction with the road, infrastructural, and agricultural development thrust of the Council. He commended local government autonomy under Mbah, noting that the governor had been injecting huge funds to implement projects to cover areas that are ordinarily the constitutional responsibilities of LG Councils.
Packers' Alexander (knee) could miss more time
Trump promises a 25% tariff on products from Mexico and CanadaKyKy Tandy scored a season-high 21 points that included a key 3-pointer in a late second-half surge as Florida Atlantic roared back to beat Oklahoma State 86-78 on Thursday in the opening round of the Charleston Classic in Charleston, S.C. Florida Atlantic (4-2) advances to play Drake in the semifinal round on Friday while the Cowboys square off against Miami in the consolation semifinal contest, also Friday. Oklahoma State led by as many as 10 points in the first half before securing a five-point advantage at halftime. The Owls surged back and moved in front with four and a half minutes to play. It was part of an 11-1 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Tandy that made it 75-68 with 2:41 remaining. Ken Evans added 14 points for Florida Atlantic, with Leland Walker hitting for 13 and Tre Carroll scoring 11. The Owls went 35-of-49 from the free throw line as the teams combined for 56 fouls in the game, 33 by Oklahoma State. Khalil Brantley led Oklahoma State (3-1) with 16 points while Robert Jennings added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Cowboys, who hit one field goal over a 10-minute stretch of the second half while having three players foul out. The Owls were up by as many as seven points in the early minutes and by 13-10 after a layup by Carroll at the 11:32 mark of the first half. Oklahoma State leapfrogged to the front on Abou Ousmane's layup off a Brantley steal, fell behind again on a 3-pointer by Evans and then responded on a 3-pointer by Jennings to take a 17-16 lead. From there, the Cowboys stoked their advantage to double digits when Jamyron Keller canned a shot from beyond the arc with five minutes to play in the half. Florida Atlantic got a layup and a monster dunk from Matas Vokietaitis and a pair of free throws from Walker in a 6-2 run to end the half to pull within 39-34 at the break. Jennings and Ousmane tallied seven points apiece for Oklahoma State over the first 20 minutes, as the Cowboys led despite shooting just 33.3 percent from the floor in the half. Carroll and Vokietaitis scored seven points apiece to pace the Owls, who committed 11 turnovers that translated to seven points for Oklahoma State before halftime. --Field Level Media
A number of President-elect Donald Trump 's most prominent Cabinet picks and appointees have been targeted by bomb threats and “swatting attacks," Trump's transition team said Wednesday. The FBI said it was investigating. “Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them," Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. She said the attacks ranged from bomb threats to swatting, in which attackers initiate an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretenses. The tactic has become a popular one in recent years. Leavitt said law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted and Trump and his transition team are grateful. Among those targeted were New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations; Matt Gaetz, Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general; and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin , who has been tapped to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Susie Wiles, Trump's incoming chief of staff, and Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general whom Trump has chosen as Gaetz's replacement, were also targeted, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity as the investigation continues. Wiles and Bondi did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The FBI said in a statement that it was “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees" and was investigating with its law enforcement partners. The FBI added: "We take all potential threats seriously, and as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.” White House spokesperson Saloni Sharma said President Joe Biden had been briefed and the White House is in touch with federal law enforcement and Trump's transition team. Biden “continues to monitor the situation closely," Sharma said, adding the president and his administration “condemn threats of political violence.” Stefanik's office said that, on Wednesday morning, she, her husband, and their 3-year-old son were driving home from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence in Saratoga County. Her office said “New York State, County law enforcement, and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism.” The New York State Police said a team was dispatched to sweep Stefanik’s home on Wednesday morning in response to the bomb threat but did not locate any explosive devices. The agency directed further questions to the FBI. Zeldin said in a social media post that he and his family had been threatened. “A pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message,” he wrote on X. “My family and I were not home at the time and are safe. We are working with law enforcement to learn more as this situation develops.” Police in Suffolk County, Long Island, said emergency officers responded to a bomb threat Wednesday morning at an address listed in public records as Zeldin’s home and were checking the property. In Florida, the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office said on Facebook that it “received notification of a bomb threat referencing former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area" around 9 a.m. Wednesday. While a family member resides at the address, the office said, Gaetz “is NOT a resident.” No threatening devices were found. Gaetz was Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, but he withdrew from consideration after allegations that he paid women for sex and slept with underage women. Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said last year that a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him. The threats follow a political campaign marked by disturbing and unprecedented violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the then-candidate in the ear with a bullet and killing one of his supporters. The Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at Trump's West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a perimeter fence while Trump was golfing. Public figures across the political spectrum have been targeted in recent years by hoax bomb threats and false reports of shootings at their homes. About a year ago the FBI responded to an uptick in such incidents at the homes of public officials, state capitols and courthouses across the country around the holidays. Many were locked down and evacuated in early January after receiving bomb threats. No explosives were found and no one was hurt. Some of those targeted last year were Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. In Wu’s case, a male caller told police he had shot his own wife and tied another man up. When police and EMT responders arrived at the address given by the caller, they quickly realized it was the Boston mayor’s home. Wu, a Democrat, has also been targeted by many swatting calls since she took office in 2021. The judges overseeing the civil fraud case against Trump in New York and the criminal election interference case against him in Washington were both targeted earlier this year. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who recently abandoned the two criminal cases he brought against Trump, was also the subject of a fake emergency call on Christmas Day last year. Earlier this year, schools, government buildings and the homes of city officials in Springfield, Ohio, received a string of hoax bomb threats after Trump falsely accused members of Springfield’s Haitian community of abducting and eating cats and dogs. And in 2022, a slew of historically Black colleges and universities nationwide were targeted with dozens of bomb threats, with the vast majority arriving during the celebration of Black History Month. The U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement Wednesday that anytime a member of Congress is the victim of a swatting' incident, “we work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners.” The force declined to provide further details, in part to “minimize the risk of copy-cats.” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson called the threats “dangerous and unhinged.” “This year, there was not just one but TWO assassination attempts on President Trump," he wrote on X. “Now some of his Cabinet nominees and their families are facing bomb threats.” He added: “It is not who we are in America.” ___ Associated Press writers Alanna Durkin Richer, Colleen Long and Eric Tucker in Washington, Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, and Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York, contributed to this report.Vikings staying on track and in control behind Sam Darnold’s composure and confidence
Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin A Robin Radar system looks skyward to detect incoming drones. When Siete Hamminga, the CEO of Robin Radar, first heard that Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) had mentioned his company by name earlier this week at a press conference discussing recent reports of mysterious drones flying over the eastern U.S., he thought it was a joke. After all, Robin Radar, a drone detection company based in the Netherlands, is fairly unknown to American law enforcement, and to Americans generally. “We have only made our first steps in the U.S. market,” he told Forbes . The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate, the research arm of the agency, used Robin Radar earlier this year as a security measure in the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore (currently it’s being evaluated for further use). Schumer has advocated for the DHS to deploy systems like Robin Radar in response to the panic around what appeared to be drones of unknown origin, fueled by social media posts, that began in mid-November. The sightings have been documented across New Jersey, New York and other parts of the East Coast, and have fueled numerous bizarre conspiracy theories including that the drones are alien in origin or under the control of foreign adversaries. On Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration said the agency would impose “temporary flight restrictions” over 22 cities in New Jersey for the next month as a way to assuage concerns over the recent spate of purported drone sightings. That announcement came two days after the FAA, along with the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense jointly concluded that these drone reports do not “present a national security or public safety risk.” This week, Sen. Schumer pushed for new legislation that would allow local authorities to conduct their own drone detection, but the bill has been stymied for now by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who argued that these current drone sightings do not represent a clear threat to the United States. Robin Radar’s radar systems are not currently operational anywhere in the U.S., but that may change as the company offers its drone detection wares for different scenarios. “It goes from policing to private security, sporting events, and critical infrastructure,” Hamminga said. “I’m very convinced that a few years from now, every embassy will have its own drone detection, every prison.” The CEO declined to provide pricing, but said its hardware costs “less than $1 million” per installation, far cheaper than traditional military-style radar, which often has difficulty with identifying something as small as a drone. Robin Radar, which had an operating profit of just under $20 million in 2023, according to Pitchbook, has already made a name for itself in Europe. Earlier this year, the Dutch Ministry of Defense announced that it would purchase 51 radars and donate them to Ukraine, to support the war against Russia. In October, Parcom, a Dutch private equity firm, purchased Robin Radar for an undisclosed amount. Robin Radar’s “small but mighty” radar is a little white helmet-shaped device often mounted on a tripod or in a vehicle, which can scan up to five kilometers, or three miles, in every direction. The company initially began in 2010 working on a device to detect birds, but then expanded to drone detection. There are different ways to detect drones, which are often used simultaneously. The simplest way is visually, and another method involves scanning radio frequencies, the communications sent between a pilot and the drone itself. But that doesn’t work if a drone is flying totally autonomously. “With radar, it doesn’t matter,” Hamminga said, explaining that the company’s “micro-doppler” technique is designed to identify the distinctive motion of a bird’s wings, or a drone’s blades. “The advantage of a radar is that we have 360 degree coverage. It’s full 3D, so every target has height information, and it allows us to visualize 3,000 targets in real time.” It’s not clear exactly how Sen. Schumer came to be aware of Robin Radar, but it may have been as a result of a recent meeting between representatives from one of Robin Radar’s partners, Dedrone, and the New Jersey State Police. (Schumer’s office did not respond to Forbes’ request for comment. The New Jersey State Police referred Forbes to the governor’s office, which did not respond.) Dedrone is a subsidiary of Axon, a company that dominates the American law enforcement market and sells everything from body-worn cameras to tasers. It also makes a drone detection software platform that integrates with the physical radars made by Robin Radar and others. (Dedrone also declined to comment.) Even if drone detection systems like those made by Robin Radar were to become widespread across the United States, that still leaves an open question: if any drone poses a threat, what are authorities to do about it? John Michael Dahm , a senior resident fellow for aerospace at the Mitchell Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, told Forbes that there are ways to disrupt a drone by jamming it electronically. There are even more intense “kinetic” tactics, which can lead to a myriad of other questions and scenarios. “Do you want to shoot it with something? Do you want to hit it with another drone and make it crash? Do you want to shoot at it with a shotgun type weapon or with beanbags?” he said. “This raises the spectre of collateral damage. What if it crashes into a house and starts a fire?” But outside of military uses, it’s very difficult for state and local authorities to get permission to disable drones – after all, shooting at aircraft is a federal crime. So for now, local law enforcement likely will start with finding them first. “Even if you are not allowed to take [a drone] out, it is good to have situational awareness,” Hamminga said. Editorial Standards Forbes AccoladesNone
Firefighting foam from last summer’s spill at Brunswick Executive Airport floated on the wind in the days after the discharge. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer This article is the first in a series, A Fire Hose of ‘Forever Chemicals,’ which can be seen in entirety here . The series was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center’s StoryReach U.S. Fellowship Program, first appeared on the Maine Morning Star site . During 21 years working as a municipal firefighter, “I had hyper-exposure” to foam, recalled Jim Graves, director of training at the Maine Fire Service Institute. Graves entered the fire service at age 17 and was later sent to “foam firefighting school,” a week-long training in the selection and use of these chemical fire-suppression agents. Fires are classified by the material ignited, and only Class A fires – involving wood, cloth, rubber and some plastics – respond well to water. Class A foam is typically used on structural fires because it penetrates into materials to quell flames quickly. Class B or aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF, called “A triple-F”) targets flammable and combustible fuel fires, which water can spread. A cascading arc of AFFF, formed by mixing a small percentage of concentrate with a high volume of water, can slide quickly across the surface of a fuel spill, creating a thin barrier that effectively deprives flames of oxygen and suppresses fuel vapors. The efficiency of AFFF relies on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a vast class of thousands of synthetic chemicals characterized by nearly unbreakable carbon-fluorine bonds. First used in World War II, PFAS were subsequently added to hundreds of types of consumer and industrial products due to the chemicals’ ability to repel water and oil, resist heat, and reduce surface tension. Corporate documents reveal that chemical manufacturers like 3M and DuPont knew a half-century ago that fluorinated chemicals posed serious health risks. PFAS persist indefinitely in the environment and accumulate in bodies–potentially disrupting hormonal, immune and reproductive systems, and increasing the risk of various cancers. AFFF became a staple on military bases in the 1970s, not long after its development by 3M and the U.S. Navy. By 1988, the federal government mandated its use at commercial airports (a stricture that held until May 2023). Use of AFFF foam increased among Maine fire departments in the 1980s and 1990s, with 70% of departments in a recent survey reporting that prior to 2022 they used the foam, at least occasionally, primarily for combustible fuel fires, vehicle fires and routine trainings. Brendan Bullock/Maine Morning Star Some municipal fire departments, particularly those near highways, industry and airports, also kept stocks on hand for vehicular and other fuel fires and for use in periodic training. A recent survey of Maine fire departments (see sidebar) found that 70% used AFFF prior to 2022, at least occasionally, primarily for combustible fuel fires, vehicle fires and routine trainings. When military bases in Maine closed, they gave some AFFF (made to military specifications, high in PFAS) to municipal departments around the state. “Smaller departments always had access to that ‘mil-spec’ foam,” one fire chief observed. AFFF became a staple tool for many departments because it worked remarkably well. “It was a truly amazing chemical engineering accomplishment,” Graves said, “but horrible, as we have now learned.” NOT ‘SAFE AS DISH SOAP’ In 2001, a consultant told a technical committee of the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that the toxicity and persistence of two PFAS compounds that Class B foams can degrade into – PFOA and PFOS – could be a “death warrant.” Manufacturers changed methods to produce PFAS formulations with shorter carbon chains, and marketed those AFFF concentrates to fire departments as a “sustainable substitute.” But over time, many of the newer compounds proved to be just as toxic, and more mobile and persistent in ecosystems. States began to control AFFF use in 2019, and in 2021 Maine banned its manufacture, sale and distribution (temporarily exempting airports and oil terminals), and mandated containment and reporting of any use. Maine also banned AFFF in firefighter training, but through the preceding decades “we trained with foam because it was required,” Graves said, referring to the voluminous standards the NFPA sets for fire departments. “If we had known, we would have stopped using [foam] way earlier.” Firefighters were assured that AFFF was safe as dish soap, and the concentrate looked similar – a pale amber liquid stored in sparsely labeled 5-gallon pails, 50-gallon drums or translucent 250- to 330-gallon totes. The concentrate could become viscous at times, congealing around valves. Graves recalls once having to reach into a tank of AFFF concentrate up to his shoulder to release a clog. Convinced that all firefighting foams were harmless, departments used them – not only at live fires and trainings – but occasionally, when requested, for recreational purposes. Various foams (of unknown class) were spread for birthday parties and at parks for community events so that children could slide and romp in what seemed like a bubble bath run wild. Worker cleaning up foam concentrate from a spill at the former Naval Air Station in Brunswick on Monday, August 19. Ed Friedman/Friends of Merrymeeting Bay Recent research indicates that some legacy PFAS compounds like PFOA and PFOS may transfer readily into aerosol form. When the State of Michigan tested foam at a highly contaminated lake, it found PFAS levels as high as 220,000 parts per trillion (ppt). Yet little research has been done on health effects from inhaled particles of AFFF, according to a spokesperson for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “For many firefighters, AFFF may be the most significant source of exposure to PFAS,” a working group of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, part of the World Health Organization) concluded. In 2023, the IARC classified PFOA as carcinogenic and PFOS as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Cancer has become the leading cause of death among active firefighters. North America’s largest union of first responders, the International Association of Fire Fighters, reports that in 2023 occupational cancer accounted for 72% of the line-of-duty deaths among its U.S. members. Firefighters are 9% more likely than the general population to develop cancer and 14% more likely to die from it, a federal study found. A fire station sign reads: “You can’t train too hard for a job that can kill you.” Brendan Bullock/Maine Morning Star Through training, appropriate equipment and careful practices, firefighters work to minimize the hazards inherent in fires, smoke and diesel truck fumes. But they were never warned that chemicals in the AFFF spewing out of firehoses and blowing about them like snow could get into nearly all of their organs and remain for years. “It freaks me out so bad that the firefighters of Maine had no clue,” Graves said. “Honestly, I’m scared for a lot of my generation.” He has already lost many firefighter friends to cancer. Colleagues in the fire service share Graves’ sense of being trapped in what he terms a “bad lottery,” expecting not a winning ticket but a devastating illness: “Many of us are sadly waiting for the day that we get a diagnosis.” RISKS OF SCATTERED AFF STOCKS The threats posed by AFFF extend far beyond the fire service. “AFFF is responsible for some of the largest PFAS releases to the environment,” Washington State’s Department of Ecology wrote recently in a 260-page environmental impact statement. “These are also the most complex, costly, and difficult to investigate and remediate.” The longer AFFF concentrate sits at dispersed locations around Maine, Graves said, the greater the likelihood it will get spilled or dumped. Public awareness of that risk rose after a hangar fire suppression system at Brunswick Executive Airport malfunctioned last August, mixing water with roughly 1,450 gallons of PFAS-laden concentrate to fill the massive structure four to five feet deep in foam. That spill, which could affect the community and watershed for generations, was far from anomalous. Brunswick Landing, the converted compound of a former U.S. Navy air station, has had at least a dozen other inadvertent AFFF spills recorded during and after its military use, including another hangar spill in 2019 and a 2012 hangar spill of 2,000 gallons of concentrate discovered by the Brunswick Sewer District. The August 19 AFFF spill at Hangar 4 of Brunswick Executive Airport, the site of a former U.S. Navy air station, was one among at least a dozen other AFFF spills recorded during and after the military’s tenure there. Photo by Martha Spiess For 30 years ending in 1990, the former station hosted fire trainings (many of which likely involved foam discharge), according to an environmental assessment prepared for the Brunswick Armed Forces Reserve Center. The report also noted that “expired AFFF would be discharged to various grassy areas around [the Naval Air Station] from fire vehicles for routine maintenance.” In an assessment of airport fires at Department of Defense facilities nationwide, the U.S. Air Force found that just one fire had occurred over three decades (extinguished by a water deluge system) while chemical foam had discharged accidentally once every two months on average over 15 years, resulting in one death, 21 injuries and more than $24 million in “mishap” costs. Two months prior to the Brunswick accident, 800 gallons of foam concentrate spilled at an Air National Guard facility in South Burlington, Vermont. Fire suppression systems used in oil and gas storage and transport, many of which rely on AFFF, can also malfunction. Rack systems used to transfer oil and gas from storage tanks to trucks have built-in sprinkler systems that are prone to accidents, according to Philip Selberg, chief of the South Portland Fire Department. Oil terminals are subject to Maine’s AFFF law as of January 1, 2025, but to Selberg’s knowledge, only one local terminal has transitioned to a fluorine-free substitute. (That terminal owner, Global Partners, declined Maine Morning Star’s request for an interview.) Awareness of risks associated with AFFF has increased since the state restricted its use in 2021, but deliberate dumping of foam concentrate remains a concern. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has spent several years overseeing the remediation of a site where intentional dumping occurred in 2020. A U.S. Air Force Assessment found that chemical foam systems at military installations discharged accidentally once every two months on average over 15 years, resulting in one death, 21 injuries and more than $24 million in “mishap” costs. Foam from the recent Brunswick spill carried PFAS chemicals into surrounding ecosystems. Photo by Steve Walker During routine well monitoring at a closed demolition debris landfill in Gorham, DEP staff learned that the town’s public works staff had dumped 500 gallons of AFFF concentrate from the fire station into the landfill several months earlier. That discovery led to a protracted investigation and remediation (with costs borne by the municipality), involving multiple environmental assessments and removal of contaminated soil, according to agency records. AFFF can also be deployed inadvertently, due to confusion among firefighters (many of them volunteers) who face a vast and ever-changing array of foam formulations. In New Hampshire, contractors for the state recently identified about 250 AFFF formulations from roughly 40 manufacturers. Maine fire departments received clear guidance not to use AFFF in training and to report its use to the DEP, but they never got instructions on separating AFFF stocks and storing them carefully until they can be collected – to reduce chances of unintended use. Some AFFF containers in Maine far exceed the product’s long shelf life, which ranges from 10 years to 25 years. Plastic drums of PFAS-laden concentrate stored at the Brunswick Executive Airport (as of November 2023) had production dates in the mid- to late 1980s. NOT A SIMPLE SWITCH A wide range of fluorine-free foams (called F3) are now available, and two independent entities have tested some of these products to ensure that they are not – unlike earlier PFAS reformulations – “regrettable substitutions.” Anila Bello, a researcher with the Department of Public Health at the University of Massachusetts Lowell who surveyed fire-training facilities nationally, has observed how that earlier deception left fire professionals skeptical about current marketing claims. Having been told that shorter-chain PFAS were safe during the foam transition that occurred in the mid-2000s, “[firefighters] are very hesitant transitioning to F3 foam; they want it to be truly safe for human health and for the environment,” she said. “They’re concerned that they’ll be in the same situation 10 or 20 years from now.” A toxicological study of six PFAS-free foams concluded that the new formulations, when compared to earlier products with PFAS, “appear to have a lower likelihood of environmental persistence and bioaccumulation and to have lower oral human health toxicity.” However, the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council cautions that all Class B foams (including F3 ones) can be problematic “if the foam reaches drinking water sources, groundwater [or] surface water” with the potential for “acute aquatic toxicity” and “nutrient loading.” Even fire departments ready to adopt F3 alternatives can be slowed by the costs and the logistical hurdles of selecting appropriate foam, training staff in its use, and purging AFFF from existing equipment so it does not contaminate the new foam. Fire departments ready to adopt F3 alternatives can be slowed by the costs and the logistical hurdles of selecting appropriate foam, training staff in its use, and purging AFFF from existing equipment so it does not contaminate the new foam. Brendan Bullock/Maine Morning Star In South Portland’s case, the needed foam research took considerable time and expense, including sending staff members to different out-of-state product demonstrations to determine which new formulas might work best – knowledge that fire departments can’t derive from “white papers written for chemical engineers,” Selberg said: “It’s a bit of a leap of faith to be sure that what you buy is going to work for you.” The South Portland Fire Department recently settled on a replacement foam that Selberg has confidence in, but now the department needs to coordinate with seven oil terminals, each of which is mandated to keep a reserve of AFFF on-site but all of which rely on the city for fire services. The foam that terminals select for replacements, he said, “needs to be something we as a department are familiar with so if we respond to a facility, we can all work together.” One of the largest concentrations of AFFF still stored in Maine is in South Portland, where seven oil terminals along the Fore River are mandated to keep reserves on hand for the City’s fire department to use. Legislation that prevents oil terminals from purchasing new AFFF takes effect January 1, 2025. Photo by Alex MacLean Once departments acquire F3 foams, they need to rid foam equipment of residual AFFF. That process, typically involving a series of rinses, is complicated by the need to save rinse water for safe disposal (a process outlined in detail by states like Washington and Connecticut). Maine has no central clearinghouse for information on the foam transition so departments like South Portland’s have been fielding frequent calls since the August 19 airport hangar spill. “Brunswick has upped the ante for everybody: I can’t tell you how many calls I’ve gotten from departments wanting to know what to swap, how to swap,” Selberg said. “Suddenly, it’s a big deal. Honestly, it should have been a big deal for us five years ago, right? Until Brunswick happened, we’ve all been sitting around waiting to figure out if someone would take the lead. And sadly, we haven’t.” A MISSED OPPORTUNITY Five years ago, Graves and two dozen other individuals knowledgeable about Class B foam were invited to serve on an AFFF Working Group of the Governor’s PFAS Task Force, which formed to develop a strategic plan for the state’s PFAS response. The working group drafted recommendations, endorsed by the task force and published in January 2020, that could have set Maine on a path toward gathering and securing all remaining AFFF stocks, a step that might have prevented the Brunswick spill. The task force recommended in part “that all fire departments in the State of Maine be required to disclose the type and quantity of current inventory of Class B AFFF,” and that protocols be established for safe storage and routine inspection. It called for a state-level funding mechanism that would allow the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the DEP to “develop and execute a Class B AFFF takeback and/or replacement program that does not financially burden Maine fire departments or their municipalities.” The state-level funding mechanism, a prerequisite for many of the other working group recommendations, was never established. In response to inquiries from Maine Morning Star, spokespersons for MEMA and the DEP indicated that any progress toward an AFFF inventory and takeback (or buyback) program await funding. Even the mandated reporting of AFFF use is in essence “voluntary,” according to DEP spokesperson David Madore, because it was an unfunded initiative. “We do not have the financial resources or staff required to implement the program,” he wrote. Fourteen states have now taken action to limit uses of AFFF, according to the nonprofit Safer States, but few states have created the sort of dedicated revenue source that the Maine task force envisioned. Funded by a tax on tanker fuel transport, Colorado helps fire departments cover foam replacement costs by buying back AFFF at $40/gallon. The tax also supports a grant program that helps public water systems, private well owners and local governments sample waters for PFAS contamination, including those affected by past AFFF use. Connecticut appropriated $3 million to help fire departments transition off fluorinated foams, providing grants for disposal of AFFF concentrate and rinsate from decontaminating trucks and equipment. Manufacturers marketed AFFF to fire departments as being ‘safe as dish soap,’ so firefighters took few precautions handling the concentrate or the foam created when concentrate was mixed with high volumes of water. Brendan Bullock/Maine Morning Star Without a provision to cover municipal costs for foam replacement, budgetary pressures or the Yankee penchant to use things up before acquiring replacements could drive fire departments to retain their remaining AFFF stock. As South Portland has learned, the foam transition entails extensive labor and costs – in research, retraining and equipment cleaning – that extend beyond replacement foam purchases. Asked what the fire department would like going forward, Selberg replied: “The best-case scenario is the State comes in tomorrow and says ‘Inventory what you have, we’ll come down and get it, and we’ll credit you so you can buy what you need. Right now, that burden is going to be on our city to do all those things.” DETERMINING HOW MUCH AFFF IS IN MAINE The AFFF Working Group discovered during its 2019 research that completing a statewide inventory would prove challenging. An initial survey sent to 305 fire departments by the Office of the State Fire Marshal garnered just 61 responses. Among 20 “industry partners” with potential AFFF (like paper mills and oil terminals), eight responded. Incomplete state-level data complicates the work of undertaking an inventory. Maine currently lacks a comprehensive database of all the state’s fire departments, and only 259 out of an estimated 378 departments report to the state. MEMA and staff of the Fire Marshal both informed Maine Morning Star that they have no current contact information for industry partners. As of 2022, the Maine Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan documented more than 19,000 gallons of AFFF stored in just four communities. Former military bases represent another significant source, with an estimated 6,000 gallons of AFFF concentrate at Brunswick Landing alone (although numbers are still in dispute). Factoring in other military sites, airports, helipads, paper mills and fire departments, AFFF accounting becomes speculative. The DEP estimated the total volume statewide in 2022 at 48,000 gallons but that was simply an extrapolation from the limited responses to the AFFF Working Group survey. A recent survey completed by Maine Morning Star, which like the state’s 2019 survey had only a 20 percent response rate, reported roughly 4,000 additional gallons at municipal departments beyond those counted in the oil spill plan. A similar extrapolation, adding in the 25,000 gallons from industry and military sources, would total 45,000 gallons–close to the DEP’s original estimate. LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR COLLECTION For Maine to successfully gather back most of the remaining AFFF, it will need an accurate inventory of where the foam concentrate is stored. Achieving a high response rate on an inventory is clearly challenging – but not impossible. North Carolina undertook an AFFF inventory with roughly three times the number of fire departments Maine has (1,217 departments spanning 2,119 sites, when counting multiple stations) and achieved a 100% participation rate. Brian Taylor, the State Fire Marshal, said he knows what Maine is up against, given that his office typically gets a 10% return rate on surveys and both states have a high proportion of departments staffed entirely or mostly by volunteers. In North Carolina, Taylor said, the AFFF inventory was mandated and strongly supported with “boots on the ground” – regional resource people (affiliated with the North Carolina Collaboratory) who could help local departments compile the needed information. The state also has three “foam research analysts” to help gather and manage data, at an annual cost of roughly $300,000, according to Taylor. North Carolina plans to conduct an annual AFFF inventory until all remaining stocks are collected, with about 11% gathered and stored by the State to date). Its foam analysts are also helping gather data for a state investigation of water quality at wells located near fire departments and training areas. To make AFFF reporting easier, Taylor’s office encouraged the development of a new application within a software system already used to report fire incidents by many fire departments nationally. That AFFF management application is now available to any state at no added cost. Use of that reporting software is mandated in North Carolina but remains optional in Maine, according to State Fire Marshal Shawn Esler. It was given to departments in 2014 and 91 percent of reporting departments in the state now use that software, according to the Fire Marshal’s office. GETTING RID OF AFFF Following up on Maine’s AFFF law, the DEP delivered a progress report to the Legislature in March 2022 that identified obstacles to disposing of the foam concentrate stocks. The primary options at that time involved incineration or transport to a hazardous waste dump. Incineration of surplus AFFF by the Department of Defense had already generated PFAS contamination downwind of incinerators, indicating that temperatures in a typical incinerator do not fully break down PFAS (a concern confirmed by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidance document last spring). Transporting PFAS out of state to hazardous waste facilities in fenceline communities runs counter to the environmental justice provision Maine must apply in its own siting decisions regarding solid waste facilities. Landfills can contaminate groundwater and surface waters with PFAS from leachate and can emit PFAS in a gaseous form. Since 2022, experimental approaches to break down AFFF into relatively benign elements have advanced, with some methods now being piloted at a commercial scale. Two states, Ohio and New Hampshire, have sent their AFFF stocks to a new plant in Columbus, Ohio that uses superheated water to break apart the strong fluorine-carbon bonds in PFAS, a process known as supercritical water oxidation (SCWO). This highly energy-intensive process is still new and while it doesn’t appear to generate problematic PFAS byproducts, it does produce hydrofluoric acid, which the EPA notes “may require protections for worker health, emission controls, and reactor care.” A 2022 U.S. Government Accountability Office report noted that “maintenance can also be difficult and costly because of the intense heat, pressure and corrosive by-products generated during treatment.” New Hampshire’s contract to dispose of 9,924 gallons of AFFF using SCWO is costing roughly $500,000, according to Andrew Gould of the state’s Department of Environmental Services. Once the material is processed, the state will be provided per-batch confirmation of destruction to help protect the participating fire departments and airports from liability. (PFOS and PFOA are now listed as hazardous waste under the federal “Superfund” law, but the EPA has issued a policy explicitly stating that it does not intend to pursue entities such as fire departments, local airports and water utilities.) In its 2022 report to the Legislature, the DEP indicated that it “does not recommend pursuing long-term consolidated storage of waste AFFF at this time. Until the U.S. EPA provides final guidance on management of this waste stream, the Department recommends ensuring that existing stocks of AFFF are stored safely in place.” Nearly three years later, the EPA appears no closer to issuing final guidance, having just updated its “interim” guidance in April 2024. The August foam spill at Brunswick Landing undercut public confidence that remaining AFFF stocks can or will be “stored safely in place.” By mid-September, Maine Rep. Dan Ankeles (D-Brunswick) had submitted three bill titles to the Legislature, including ones that would mandate and fund both an AFFF inventory and a takeback program. Details are still being finalized in concert with the DEP and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The foam spill at Brunswick Landing last August undercut public confidence in the safety of dispersed storage of AFFF stocks. Photo by Steve Walker Maine could collect AFFF and store it until a thorough analysis of emerging technologies is completed. Now that oil terminals in Maine are becoming subject to the AFFF law, they will be transitioning off fluorinated foams. Staff of the South Portland Fire Department have been meeting with oil terminal representatives and are considering disposal options for the City’s remaining stocks of AFFF. “We don’t have the facilities to keep it other than how we keep it,” Selberg said. The department’s AFFF containers are stored in climate-controlled settings, but they’re not bermed off or protected with secondary containment to catch leaks. Planning for the removal and replacement of 3,000 or so gallons of foam concentrate, he adds, “the logistics and cost of that are pretty burdensome.” The city recently allocated $125,000 in federal American Rescue Plan funds to begin that transition. “I’ve been approached by some of the terminals here about going in with them and getting rid of [AFFF stocks] through one of the waste contractors,” Selberg said, “but I don’t really know where it’s going. So am I just sending it to some poor county in the middle of nowhere and making it their problem?” We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use . More information is found on our FAQs . You can modify your screen name here . 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Article content Coincident with Donald Trump’s electoral victory, increasing numbers of America’s corporations are backing off their DEI — diversity, equity, inclusion — programs. Recommended Videos Trump’s opposition to DEI is clear and JD Vance’s bold opposition to this agenda was one of the reasons for his selection as Trump’s running mate. As the Trump transition team completes its work bringing in the new leadership that will run the American government, it’s clear that a priority is to uproot the woke rules, directives and institutions that Democrats have implanted in the federal government. Efforts will be made to de-woke the military, the defence department and other major government departments and agencies. The justice department will work to use existing law to challenge the prevalence of woke rules that have so widely taken over the governance and operation of our universities. Walmart, one of America’s largest companies, has just announced it will end the Center for Racial Equity it launched in 2020 with funding of $100 million. The website of this centre describes its mission as working to “foster equitable outcomes for people ... (and) to address the root causes of gaps in outcomes experienced by Black and African American people in education, health, finance and criminal justice systems.” Walmart also, according to The Wall Street Journal , will “stop allowing third-party sellers to offer some LGBTQ-themed items on Walmart.com.” Boeing Corporation, per the same report, has also announced a similar winding down of these efforts. Whereas we can understand how a political agenda can find its way into government institutions, how does this happen in the private sector? What motivated these corporations that operate in a free marketplace and are owned and controlled by private stockholders to incorporate a political agenda into their business and operating practices, and what is motivating them now to back off these programs? Has the management of these corporations changed their minds regarding the business efficacy of these programs? Or did they put them in place initially to curry favour with a political regime once in power and now they are backing off to curry favour with a new regime? Let’s recall, again, how profoundly our culture has changed. If there was a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement, it was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech in August 1963. And if there was a defining line in that speech, it was King’s declaration that “I have a dream that one day my four little children will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.” The Civil Rights Movement was, in the grand scheme of things, about right and wrong. About good and evil. The movement succeeded because it was rooted in these truths. As King argued in 1963, the problem was not our Constitution but its implementation by human beings who permitted evil to find its way into our culture. Unfortunately, rather than following through with the true biblical spirit of the Civil Rights Movement, the nation took the path of politics to implement justice, making our country less free, rather than turning to King’s appeal to the Bible to improve our freedom, in the spirit in which the Constitution was written. We might consider that moment, when politics took over, the birth of today’s woke movement. The result has been a vast politicization of our country and our culture. My hope is we learn and don’t trade one political regime for another. Yes, we need to go back to a culture of free markets and merit. But it all starts with the choices free individuals make and those choices must start with a conviction of good and evil as defined by the Bible that King had in mind when he spoke that day in Washington in August 1963. Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education
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