Featured Stories
Raveena Khan Wins Honourable Mention Ph.D. Prize From the International Astronomical Union
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, July 1 -- The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics issued the following news release:
* * *
Raveena Khan wins honourable mention Ph.D. prize from the International Astronomical Union
The International Astronomical Union has awarded the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's visiting scientist, Raveena Khan, the 2025 IAU Division E (Sun and Heliosphere) Ph.D. Prize Honourable Mention.
Khan was awarded the prize for her doctoral thesis, Diagnostic Techniques and Instrument Concepts for Probing Transition Region and Coronal Magnetic Fields in India.
The IAU
... Show Full Article
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, July 1 -- The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics issued the following news release:
* * *
Raveena Khan wins honourable mention Ph.D. prize from the International Astronomical Union
The International Astronomical Union has awarded the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's visiting scientist, Raveena Khan, the 2025 IAU Division E (Sun and Heliosphere) Ph.D. Prize Honourable Mention.
Khan was awarded the prize for her doctoral thesis, Diagnostic Techniques and Instrument Concepts for Probing Transition Region and Coronal Magnetic Fields in India.
The IAUannual awards recognise outstanding scientific contributions and exceptional doctoral thesis research carried out by early-career astronomers across the globe.
Each of the nine IAU Divisions selects a winner and honourable mentions from among candidates whose theses represent the most remarkable and impactful work within their respective fields over the past year. Additionally, a Ph.D. Prize-at-Large may be jointly awarded by all Divisions to a candidate who performed their doctoral research under exceptionally challenging circumstances.
This year, the Divisions have awarded nine Ph.D. Prizes, one Ph.D. Prize at Large and 12 Honourable Mentions. In recognition of their achievements, the awardees will be invited to present their work during the Division Days at the IAU XXXIII General Assembly, which will be held August 10 - 19 2027 in Rome, Italy.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/news/raveena-khan-wins-honourable-mention-phd-prize-international-astronomical-union
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine: U.S. Needs New Drought Assessment Framework as Droughts Become More Severe and Unpredictable
WASHINGTON, July 1 (TNSrep) -- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued the following news release:
* * *
U.S. Needs New Drought Assessment Framework as Droughts Become More Severe and Unpredictable
Droughts in the United States are becoming more intense and unpredictable, and the nation needs to develop a new drought assessment framework to better understand and address them, according to a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The report urges the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the interagency National Integrated
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 1 (TNSrep) -- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued the following news release:
* * *
U.S. Needs New Drought Assessment Framework as Droughts Become More Severe and Unpredictable
Droughts in the United States are becoming more intense and unpredictable, and the nation needs to develop a new drought assessment framework to better understand and address them, according to a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The report urges the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the interagency National IntegratedDrought Information System, other relevant federal agencies, and partners in the drought research and policy community to develop a new framework that distinguishes between short-term operational needs, such as drought monitoring and emergency response, and long-term planning for water management, infrastructure, and climate adaptation.
Climate-driven factors are reshaping drought in the United States, and the changing nature of drought threatens national resilience, the report says. Aridification in some regions and rapid onset droughts across much of the country are becoming more significant challenges. The U.S. is experiencing its first multidecadal "megadrought" in the Southwest. While contemporary drought assessment models have been effective in the past, they are insufficient to meet current realities.
"Many of the drought tools we rely on today were built around the assumption that climate conditions and dynamics remain relatively stable over time. That assumption no longer holds, and drought assessment must evolve accordingly," said Jonathan Overpeck, Samuel A. Graham Dean for the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan and chair of the committee that wrote the report. "We hope our report will spark a new era of drought assessment innovation and resilience."
Researchers, farmers, infrastructure planners, emergency managers, and communities all depend on accurate drought assessments to make decisions about future risks and investments. Drought assessments designed to support immediate decisions, such as water restrictions, emergency management, and drought relief programs, require different information than assessments used for long-term planning, the report says.
To improve forecasting, the report recommends a two-pronged approach to allow decision-makers, researchers, and other stakeholders to address the immediate conditions while continuing to build future resilience. That approach should incorporate nonstationarity -- the statistical reality that the frequency, intensification rate, severity, and duration of droughts are no longer stable -- into drought assessment.
Understanding Drought Drivers
Given the difficulty in predicting drought, federal agencies and others involved in drought assessment should prioritize scientific research into drought drivers, dynamics, and aridification, the report says. Enhanced early warning capability and predictive understanding will also be important as flash droughts become more common.
Successful participation of all the partners essential to effective decision-making will be key to improved drought assessment, as will a high level of transparency in terms of how all elements of drought assessment are implemented. NOAA should consider forming a consortium that includes the research community, regulators, operational agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to share information and facilitate the development of common guidelines.
Data for Drought and Impact Assessment
The report recommends that federal agencies protect and strengthen the nation's drought monitoring infrastructure, including stream gauges, soil moisture networks, snowpack measurements, weather stations, and Earth-observing satellites. Long-term records from these systems are essential for understanding how drought is changing and for helping communities prepare for future conditions.
The committee also recommended updating the way drought is measured. Because climate change is altering what is considered "normal," agencies should evaluate drought conditions using multiple climate baselines rather than relying on a single historical reference period. The report also calls for greater transparency about how drought assessments are developed and how uncertainty is communicated.
A more consistent system for collecting and tracking drought impacts nationwide is also needed, the report says. Better information on impacts to agriculture, water supplies, ecosystems, public health, and local communities would improve drought assessment and help decision-makers target adaptation and response efforts. To support both adaptation and response, NIDIS should facilitate efforts to systematically collect, standardize, and integrate drought-impact information across sectors and regions, while developing best practices for incorporating those data into drought assessments, planning processes, and policy decisions.
Artificial Intelligence in Drought Assessment
Artificial intelligence and machine learning is likely to enable great strides in the improvement and utility of drought assessment, according to the report. Special care in the adoption of these technologies is advised, so as to prioritize transparency, reproducibility, and the avoidance of bias. The report also notes that good governance and ethical and sustainable use of AI will be important to ensure an overall benefit to society.
The study was undertaken by the Committee on the Future of Drought in the United States and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Interstate Council on Water Policy, the National Academy of Sciences Arthur L. Day Fund, and the National Academy of Sciences Maurice Ewing and Planetary Sciences Fund.
* * *
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, engineering, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.
* * *
View report here: https://www.nationalacademies.org/projects/DELS-WSTB-24-02/publication/29217
* * *
Original text here: https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/u-s-needs-new-drought-assessment-framework-as-droughts-become-more-severe-and-unpredictable
EPA to Host Roundtable on Paraquat This Summer
WASHINGTON, June 30 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
* * *
EPA to Host Roundtable on Paraquat This Summer
*
Agency to convene scientists, experts, and advocates to examine safety questions, solutions, and alternatives
WASHINGTON -U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced it will host a roundtable on the herbicide paraquat this summer, convening scientists, subject-matter experts, farmworker and community advocates, and other stakeholders to discuss the documented safety challenges associated with the chemical, examine the latest science,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 30 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
* * *
EPA to Host Roundtable on Paraquat This Summer
*
Agency to convene scientists, experts, and advocates to examine safety questions, solutions, and alternatives
WASHINGTON -U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced it will host a roundtable on the herbicide paraquat this summer, convening scientists, subject-matter experts, farmworker and community advocates, and other stakeholders to discuss the documented safety challenges associated with the chemical, examine the latest science,and explore potential solutions and alternatives.
Additional details, including the date, location, format, and information on how to participate, are forthcoming and will be announced in the coming weeks.
The roundtable reflects EPA's commitment to grounding every regulatory decision in the strongest, most reliable science available -science that protects the health of all Americans, including farmers, farmworkers, and fenceline communities. It also advances the Agency's pledge of radical transparency by creating an open forum where independent scientists, advocates, and affected communities can engage directly with EPA on the questions surrounding paraquat.
After reviewing a new vapor-pressure study, the Agency determined that greater uncertainty exists about how much paraquat volatilizes from agricultural fields than previously understood. In response, EPA issued a Data Call-In Notice requiring paraquat manufacturers to conduct a field volatility study under real-world agricultural conditions -moving the Agency's evaluation from modeled assumptions to actual field data. EPA has committed to making the resulting data, its methods, and its updated risk analysis publicly available and open for public comment.
"Americans deserve gold-standard science and radical transparency, and that is exactly what we are delivering on paraquat," said Administrator Lee Zeldin. "When new science raises questions, we will not look the other way. We are requiring manufacturers to prove that current uses are safe under real-world conditions, and if they cannot meet that standard, decisive action will follow. This roundtable is about bringing the best minds and most affected voices to the table so that whatever we do next is grounded in the best available gold-standard science."
The roundtable is expected to address the documented safety issues and inhalation-exposure concerns associated with paraquat, the state of the science informing EPA's ongoing reassessment, and the range of possible protective measures and alternative approaches. EPA has recognized the leadership of those who have called for stronger protections for workers and communities and intends for the roundtable to be a constructive, science-driven dialogue.
EPA shares a core goal with stakeholders across the spectrum: any pesticide on the market must meet the highest standards of safety, grounded in the best available science. Where accurate new studies reveal additional risk, EPA will be positioned -scientifically and legally -to tighten protections, require tougher rules, and limit uses as needed to protect workers, neighbors, and communities.
Further details on the paraquat roundtable will be released in the weeks ahead.
***
Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-host-roundtable-paraquat-summer
EPA to Host Open House for Vernal Pool Pilot Study and Public Input Opportunity at the GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Superfund Site
WASHINGTON, June 30 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
* * *
EPA to Host Open House for Vernal Pool Pilot Study and Public Input Opportunity at the GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Superfund Site
*
BOSTON (June 30, 2026) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold an open house on July 28, 2026, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to answer questions regarding General Electric Company's Vernal Pool Pilot Study and their recently submitted Vernal Pool Pilot Study Supplemental Information Package (pdf) (147 MB). To ensure the Vernal Pool Pilot Study work
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 30 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
* * *
EPA to Host Open House for Vernal Pool Pilot Study and Public Input Opportunity at the GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Superfund Site
*
BOSTON (June 30, 2026) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold an open house on July 28, 2026, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to answer questions regarding General Electric Company's Vernal Pool Pilot Study and their recently submitted Vernal Pool Pilot Study Supplemental Information Package (pdf) (147 MB). To ensure the Vernal Pool Pilot Study workcan begin this year, review of certain site preparation activities, such as mobilization and temporary road construction, must be expedited. This information is provided in Section 3 of the Vernal Pool Pilot Study Supplemental Information Package: Mobilization and Site Preparation Plan.
The Vernal Pool Pilot Study will determine the best method for remediating vernal pools throughout the Site. Methods included in the study include the removal of contaminated materials and the application of activated carbon amendments to sequester PCBs in the pools. Air monitoring for particulates (dust) and vapor phase PCBs will be conducted in all work areas.
During the Vernal Pool Pilot Study, 17 previously selected vernal pools will be remediated and/or studied. Five of the vernal pools will be remediated using traditional excavation and restoration, five pools will receive application of activated carbon amendments to sequester PCBs, and seven vernal pools will be studied as field control pools. The principal objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness and potential adverse impacts of removal-based and amendment-based remediation of the pools to inform selection of an appropriate remedial approach for the remaining vernal pools in Reach 5A as well as those in downstream reaches.
Continuous noise monitoring and air monitoring for particulates will be conducted during any work activities that may generate noise or dust, along with regular additional PCB specific air monitoring, as described in the approved Quality of Life Compliance Plan and the Ambient Air Monitoring Plan.
Community members are invited to stop by at any point during the two-hour open house, interact directly with EPA and General Electric staff, and ask questions. There will be no formal presentation.
What : GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site Vernal Pool Pilot Study Open House
When : July 28, 2026 from 5-7PM ET
Where : Berkshire Athenaeum, One Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield
EPA is requesting public input on Section 3 (pages 6-16) of this document be sent to R1Housatonic@epa.gov by Friday, July 10, 2026. Additionally, EPA is requesting public input on the entire document be sent to R1housatonic@epa.gov by Friday, July 31, 2026.
The document can be reviewed at: https://semspub.epa.gov/src/document/01/702600 (pdf) (147 MB).
Additional Site information available at: https://www.epa.gov/ge-housatonic.
Site Background
Beginning in the early 1900s, GE operated a large-scale industrial facility including the manufacturing and servicing of power transformers, defense and aerospace (ordnance) and plastics, and used numerous industrial chemicals at its Pittsfield facility. From 1932 through 1977, GE manufactured and serviced electrical transformers containing PCBs. Years of PCB and industrial chemical use, and improper disposal, led to extensive contamination around Pittsfield, Massachusetts as well as down the Housatonic River.
The Housatonic River is approximately 150 miles from its headwaters on the East Branch in Hinsdale, Massachusetts and flows through Connecticut into Long Island Sound.
Cleanup of PCBs and other hazardous substances in Pittsfield and the Housatonic River has progressed under an October 2000 Consent Decree entered into by EPA, Massachusetts, Connecticut, the City of Pittsfield, the GE Company, and the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority. Cleanup was required for 20 contaminated areas outside the river, five groundwater management areas, and three river segments-the Upper 1/2-Mile Reach, the 1 1/2 Mile Reach, and Rest of River.
The remediation of the 20 non-river cleanup areas and the first two miles of the Housatonic River are complete. GE is conducting all required post-cleanup site control activities, including inspection, monitoring, and maintenance activities.
Long-term monitoring is ongoing at three groundwater management areas (GMAs). At two of these areas, non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) recovery is ongoing and is anticipated to continue into the foreseeable future. GE is evaluating the treatment of groundwater at two GMAs.
The Rest of River cleanup is estimated to take 13 years of active remediation.
***
Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-host-open-house-vernal-pool-pilot-study-and-public-input-opportunity-ge
Brazil's Goias State to Enhance Fiscal Sustainability With IDB Support
WASHINGTON, June 30 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
* * *
Brazil's Goias State to Enhance Fiscal Sustainability with IDB Support
The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $90.4 million loan for the state of Goias in Brazil to strengthen fiscal revenue and public expenditure management.
This operation will finance measures to strengthen fiscal governance, upgrade technology, and operational processes, and build institutional capacity. The measures will modernize Goias's fiscal management, contributing to
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 30 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
* * *
Brazil's Goias State to Enhance Fiscal Sustainability with IDB Support
The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $90.4 million loan for the state of Goias in Brazil to strengthen fiscal revenue and public expenditure management.
This operation will finance measures to strengthen fiscal governance, upgrade technology, and operational processes, and build institutional capacity. The measures will modernize Goias's fiscal management, contributing toaligning systems and processes with the country's consumption tax reform as well as enhance the state's ability to deliver services and support sustainable economic and social development.
Goias will strengthen its public governance model, improve personnel management, modernize IT, and streamline procurement while boosting citizen engagement and accountability. The state will also overhaul tax, budget, and legal frameworks to improve revenue collection and expenditure and legal management of fiscal risks and liabilities.
This new operation is part of the third phase of the PROFISCO Program, a national IDB-supported initiative to strengthen fiscal sustainability at the subnational level in Brazil. These efforts will facilitate tax compliance in Goias and enable higher-quality public spending and support better public services for the population.
The loan has a 24-year maturity, a six-year grace period, and an interest rate based on SOFR. Counterpart financing totals $10.1 million.
* * *
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/brazils-goias-state-enhance-fiscal-sustainability-idb-support
Belize to Boost Public-Sector Efficiency With IDB Support
WASHINGTON, June 30 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
* * *
Belize to Boost Public-Sector Efficiency with IDB Support
The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a loan of up to US$8 million to improve the efficiency of the public sector and strengthen fiscal sustainability in Belize, enhancing public employment management and optimizing spending.
The program, which will be executed by Belize's Ministry of Public Service and Disaster Risk Management, aims to strengthen strategic workforce management and promote
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 30 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
* * *
Belize to Boost Public-Sector Efficiency with IDB Support
The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a loan of up to US$8 million to improve the efficiency of the public sector and strengthen fiscal sustainability in Belize, enhancing public employment management and optimizing spending.
The program, which will be executed by Belize's Ministry of Public Service and Disaster Risk Management, aims to strengthen strategic workforce management and promotea more efficient, transparent, and digitally enabled public administration.
Belize has made progress in strengthening its fiscal position, but a growing wage bill continues to constrain resources for priority investments. By improving public employment management, the program will help create space for investments in infrastructure, education, and health while supporting sustainable growth.
Among the key reforms, the program will introduce an integrated Human Resources Management Information System, strengthen payroll controls, and support workforce planning and compensation reforms. It will also invest in digital infrastructure, data management, and cybersecurity to improve decision-making and operational efficiency across government.
"This program will help Belize build a more modern, efficient, and transparent public sector, strengthening its capacity to deliver better services to citizens while supporting fiscal sustainability and long-term development," said Karla Gonzalez, IDB Group representative in Belize.
The initiative is expected to benefit approximately 16,000 public employees through improved systems, training, and more transparent practices. It will also enhance public sector workforce skills and improve the use of data to guide policy and management decisions across the public sector.
The program promotes inclusive public employment practices and supports Belize's broader digital transformation agenda, contributing to more responsive and citizen-centered service delivery. It aligns with the IDB's work to strengthen institutions and public management across the region.
The total project cost is $9 million, including $8 million financed by the IDB and $1 million in local counterpart funding, with a five-year disbursement period.
* * *
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries. Visit our website:
https://www.iadb.org/en.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/belize-boost-public-sector-efficiency-idb-support
Advocacy Helps Small Fishing Businesses Secure a Win From Changes to Squid Rules
WASHINGTON, June 30 -- The Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy issued the following news release:
* * *
Advocacy Helps Small Fishing Businesses Secure a Win from Changes to Squid Rules
The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) applauds the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) final rule to amend the definition of "shellfish" to include cephalopods, providing small fishing businesses simplicity and clarity.
Previous FWS regulations defined shellfish as "an aquatic invertebrate having a shell." However, cephalopods, including squid, cuttlefish, and octopus,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 30 -- The Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy issued the following news release:
* * *
Advocacy Helps Small Fishing Businesses Secure a Win from Changes to Squid Rules
The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) applauds the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) final rule to amend the definition of "shellfish" to include cephalopods, providing small fishing businesses simplicity and clarity.
Previous FWS regulations defined shellfish as "an aquatic invertebrate having a shell." However, cephalopods, including squid, cuttlefish, and octopus,have internal shells, reduced shells, or no shells at all. This has caused confusion over whether cephalopods qualify as shellfish for purposes of federal import/export, declaration, inspection, and enforcement regulations. As a result, small fishing businesses have lost business opportunities and been subject to unnecessary reporting fees.
"I am encouraged to see that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took into account the concerns of our small fishing businesses by finalizing this rule," said Everett M. Woodel, Jr., Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy. "I am hopeful that the updated definition will provide small fishing businesses with the much-needed clarity they need to succeed."
Advocacy worked with many fishing businesses to help bring attention to the real-world impacts of the confusion caused by the old definition of "shellfish." One of those businesses, Lund's Fisheries, explained how the updated FWS definition will help their business.
"On behalf of Lund's Fisheries, we would like to thank the Trump administration for a solution to a burdensome requirement that will save us time, money and administrative difficulties," said Wayne Reichle, President of Lund's Fisheries Inc. in Cape May, New Jersey. "This is a perfect example of numerous federal agencies working in cooperation with the U.S. commercial fishing industry to make our seafood competitive on a global scale and creating thriving business here at home."
Advocacy submitted a comment letter in support of the FWS's broadening of the definition of "shellfish" to include cephalopods on April 6, 2026. Advocacy estimates that fixing this regulatory issue could save impacted small businesses at least $2.8 million. The final rule will take effect on July 23, 2026.
The definition of squid is one of the many fishing-related regulations Advocacy has heard about from U.S. small businesses. In March, Advocacy added onboard observer requirements and the designation of marine sanctuaries and national monuments to its "Small Businesses' Most Wanted Reform" list. In a related development, SBA and Advocacy applauded President Donald J. Trump on June 12 for restoring nearly half a million square miles of U.S. commercial fishing access in three Pacific marine national monuments.
* * *
Created by Congress in 1976, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration is a voice for small business within the federal government. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy directs the office. The Chief Counsel advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policymakers. Economic research, policy analyses, and small business outreach help identify issues of concern. Regional Advocates and an office in Washington, DC, support the Chief Counsel's efforts. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, visit advocacy.sba.gov or call (202) 205-6533.
* * *
Original text here: https://advocacy.sba.gov/2026/06/29/advocacy-helps-small-fishing-businesses-secure-a-win-from-changes-to-squid-rules/
