Latest news with #Uplift
Irish Independent
11 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
South Dublin council urged to stop use of controversial weedkiller glyphosate
A motion which seeks to ban the use of the controversial weedkiller by the council was passed yesterday at a special meeting of the authority. Glyphosate is used by the council and its contractors to control invasive plant species, along with weed control along footpaths and roads around the authority area. Introducing the motion, People Before Profit councillor Darragh Adelaide said: 'Over the last couple of years, there's been increasing evidence, study after study about the really detrimental effects on people's health of glyphosate. Not just related to cancer, but also neurotoxicity and damage to reproductive health.' "In testing actually done or funded by Uplift, every single person who they tested, all except one, had some concentration of glyphosate in their system,' he said. "Workers who are working full-time with glyphosate, they wear PPE, they have all sorts of protections, whereas regular people, we pick it up from food, we pick it up from being sprayed on the side of roads, and there's very little protection there.' Independent councillor Alan Edge said that it was 'quite clear' that glyphosate caused health issues. "What's clear as well is that glyphosate is being used by contractors who are doing verges along roadsides and footpaths. "One obvious fact is that you have gutters and gullies and they tell us that if you throw a cigarette butt or piece of chewing gum into one of those, you're effectively throwing it into the river or into the sea. 'We know that it has a negative impact on aquatic life, on amphibians, and when we are doing so much and leading as a local authority in terms of our biodiversity, I think we really do have to say that the time has come to put a stop to the use of glyphosate,' he said. Responding to the motion, SDCC senior engineer Leo Magee said that his understanding of glyphosate was that its human health impacts were 'not conclusive', but that the council was already reducing its usage. "Over the last three years we've achieved a 13pc reduction in the use of glyphosate,' he said. "What we're focusing on now, and it's set down in the road sweeping contract, is a condition within the terms of that contract that requires the service provider to achieve a 10pc reduction each year. "The road sweeping contract uses about 90pc of the use of glyphosate by the council and if we can reduce that by 50pc over the five years of the contract that will be a very substantial achievement'. Mr Magee said glyphosate was currently the only effective way of controlling Japanese knotweed, and that the council had trialled several other methods but those had been unsuccessful. SDCC elected members in 2017 passed a motion to ban the weedkiller within public parks, public gardens and public playgrounds.
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
New environmental guidance published for halted North Sea oil and gas projects
Major North Sea oil and gas projects halted by a Supreme Court ruling will be able to reapply for consent after the Government published new environmental guidance. The Supreme Court ruled last year that emissions created by burning fossil fuels should be considered when granting planning permission for new drilling sites, in a case that focused on an oil well in Surrey but reverberated through the energy sector. A challenge brought by environmental campaigners in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling, over approval for the Rosebank oil field north-west of Shetland and the Jackdaw gas field off Aberdeen, was upheld at the Court of Session in Edinburgh in January. Greenpeace and Uplift had argued the UK Government and North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) had acted unlawfully when granting consent to the projects, as environmental impact assessments did not take into account downstream emissions resulting from the burning of the extracted fuels. The Government has now published new guidance on how the environmental impacts of oil and gas – including their downstream 'scope three' emissions created when the fossil fuels are burned – are included in assessments. Officials said offshore developers will now be able to submit applications for consent to extract fossil fuels in oil and gas fields that are already licensed, which includes Rosebank and Jackdaw. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will 'consider the significance of a project's environmental impact, while taking into account and balancing relevant factors on a case-by-case basis – such as the potential economic impact and other implications of the project', the Government said. Labour has previously ruled out issuing new oil and gas licences for the North Sea, but Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the fuels will be needed for decades to come and indicated he would not 'interfere' with existing licences. But the green groups behind the legal challenge to the Rosebank and Jackdaw schemes said they were incompatible with the UK's climate commitments to curb the greenhouse gas emissions driving rising temperatures and dangerous weather extremes. The International Energy Agency has previously said no new fossil fuel projects should be developed beyond existing fields if the world is to stay below 1.5C of global warming, beyond which increasingly dangerous and irreversible impacts of climate change will be felt. Energy minister Michael Shanks said: 'This new guidance offers clarity on the way forward for the North Sea oil and gas industry, following last year's Supreme Court ruling. 'It marks a step forward in ensuring the full implications of oil and gas extraction are considered for potential projects and that we ensure a managed, prosperous, and orderly transition to the North Sea's clean energy future, in line with the science. 'We are working with industry, trade unions, local communities and environmental groups to ensure the North Sea and its workers are at the heart of Britain's clean energy future for decades to come – supporting well-paid, skilled jobs, driving growth and boosting our energy security.' The Government pointed to £200 million in funding for a project to capture and store carbon in Aberdeenshire and a pilot in Aberdeen, along with Cheshire, Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire, to help workers access jobs in new clean energy industries. Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift, said: 'The new rules mean that oil and gas companies will finally be forced to come clean over the enormous harm they are causing to the climate.' She argued Rosebank would not lower fuel bills or boost energy independence as most of the oil would be exported, and tax breaks would mean the public would cover most of the costs of development. She also said the extreme weather the UK is experiencing 'must be a wake-up call for this Government to stand up to the oil and gas firms'. Greenpeace UK head of climate Mel Evans said: 'It's only right for the Government to take into account the emissions from burning oil and gas when deciding whether to approve fossil fuel projects currently pending. 'Since Rosebank and other drilling sites will pump out a lot of carbon while providing little benefit to the economy and no help to bill payers, they should fail the criteria ministers have just set out. She said approving the projects would be a 'political sleight of hand' that would benefit oil giants while leaving the UK hooked on fossil fuels. 'Real energy security and future-proofed jobs for energy workers can only come through homegrown, cheap renewable energy, and that's what ministers should focus on,' she urged.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New environmental guidance published for halted North Sea oil and gas projects
Major North Sea oil and gas projects halted by a Supreme Court ruling will be able to reapply for consent after the Government published new environmental guidance. The Supreme Court ruled last year that emissions created by burning fossil fuels should be considered when granting planning permission for new drilling sites, in a case that focused on an oil well in Surrey but reverberated through the energy sector. A challenge brought by environmental campaigners in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling, over approval for the Rosebank oil field north-west of Shetland and the Jackdaw gas field off Aberdeen, was upheld at the Court of Session in Edinburgh in January. Greenpeace and Uplift had argued the UK Government and North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) had acted unlawfully when granting consent to the projects, as environmental impact assessments did not take into account downstream emissions resulting from the burning of the extracted fuels. The Government has now published new guidance on how the environmental impacts of oil and gas – including their downstream 'scope three' emissions created when the fossil fuels are burned – are included in assessments. Officials said offshore developers will now be able to submit applications for consent to extract fossil fuels in oil and gas fields that are already licensed, which includes Rosebank and Jackdaw. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will 'consider the significance of a project's environmental impact, while taking into account and balancing relevant factors on a case-by-case basis – such as the potential economic impact and other implications of the project', the Government said. Labour has previously ruled out issuing new oil and gas licences for the North Sea, but Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the fuels will be needed for decades to come and indicated he would not 'interfere' with existing licences. But the green groups behind the legal challenge to the Rosebank and Jackdaw schemes said they were incompatible with the UK's climate commitments to curb the greenhouse gas emissions driving rising temperatures and dangerous weather extremes. The International Energy Agency has previously said no new fossil fuel projects should be developed beyond existing fields if the world is to stay below 1.5C of global warming, beyond which increasingly dangerous and irreversible impacts of climate change will be felt. Energy minister Michael Shanks said: 'This new guidance offers clarity on the way forward for the North Sea oil and gas industry, following last year's Supreme Court ruling. 'It marks a step forward in ensuring the full implications of oil and gas extraction are considered for potential projects and that we ensure a managed, prosperous, and orderly transition to the North Sea's clean energy future, in line with the science. 'We are working with industry, trade unions, local communities and environmental groups to ensure the North Sea and its workers are at the heart of Britain's clean energy future for decades to come – supporting well-paid, skilled jobs, driving growth and boosting our energy security.' The Government pointed to £200 million in funding for a project to capture and store carbon in Aberdeenshire and a pilot in Aberdeen, along with Cheshire, Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire, to help workers access jobs in new clean energy industries. Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift, said: 'The new rules mean that oil and gas companies will finally be forced to come clean over the enormous harm they are causing to the climate.' She argued Rosebank would not lower fuel bills or boost energy independence as most of the oil would be exported, and tax breaks would mean the public would cover most of the costs of development. She also said the extreme weather the UK is experiencing 'must be a wake-up call for this Government to stand up to the oil and gas firms'. Greenpeace UK head of climate Mel Evans said: 'It's only right for the Government to take into account the emissions from burning oil and gas when deciding whether to approve fossil fuel projects currently pending. 'Since Rosebank and other drilling sites will pump out a lot of carbon while providing little benefit to the economy and no help to bill payers, they should fail the criteria ministers have just set out. She said approving the projects would be a 'political sleight of hand' that would benefit oil giants while leaving the UK hooked on fossil fuels. 'Real energy security and future-proofed jobs for energy workers can only come through homegrown, cheap renewable energy, and that's what ministers should focus on,' she urged.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Uplift Aerospace Launches New EdTech Division to Advance Immersive Education and Workforce Development
PARK CITY, UTAH / / May 16, 2025 / Uplift Aerospace (OTC:NRPI) announced today the expansion of Starborn Academy, its immersive STEM education platform, alongside the launch of a new EdTech Division focused on transforming both education and workforce development through virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI). Building on the success of Starborn Academy programs in Utah, Colorado, and California, the newly formed EdTech Division at Uplift Aerospace will develop and scale immersive learning modules for two critical domains: K-12 Education - Equipping students with the skills and inspiration to pursue STEM careers through hands-on, experiential learning. Workforce Development - Delivering training programs aligned with professional certifications to accelerate skills acquisition for trades, technical roles, and emerging industries. To lead this new EdTech Division, Uplift has brought together a specialized team of VR and AI experts who are designing personalized, scalable learning experiences for schools, trades training programs, and professional upskilling initiatives. These modules are intended to reduce training time and cost while increasing engagement and retention for learners of all ages. As part of this strategic expansion, Uplift Aerospace has launched a new Starborn Academy website: showcasing program details. Results from recent Starborn Academy programs in all middle school in the Salt Lake City School District underscore its effectiveness: 63% of students reported increased awareness of STEM careers 52% expressed greater interest in pursuing STEM-related jobs 43% became more interested in computer science These outcomes demonstrate the program's ability to bridge classroom learning with real-world application-preparing the next generation for future careers in science, technology, and skilled professions. A new video featuring testimonials from students, teachers, and administrators is available here, offering a closer look at the program's impact. For more information or to explore collaboration opportunities, visit or follow @upliftaerospace. About Starborn Academy Starborn Academy is the education and workforce development division of Uplift Aerospace. Uplift Aerospace (Symbol: NRPI) is a space technology company based in Park City, Utah, advancing workforce development through immersive education, scientific research, and commercial spaceflight. Its software division, Starborn Academy, provides education and entertainment solutions that integrate training simulations with real-world experiences to build proficiency through hands-on, problem-based learning. Uplift also supports research and flight operations through partnerships with universities and research institutions. Media Contact Uplift Aerospace: Emily Higgins - press@ Disclosures and Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements: This release contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Expressions of future goals and similar expressions reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the timely development and market acceptance of products and technologies, economic and market factors, successful integration of acquisitions, the ability to secure additional sources of financing, the ability to reduce operating expenses and other factors. The actual results that the company achieves may differ materially from any forward-looking statements due to such risks and uncertainties. The Company, its management, or affiliates, undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release. SOURCE: NRP Stone, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Malay Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Music4Good — An evening with ‘The Polymaths' — Vasanthi Ramachandran
MAY 8 — To be orphaned is a deep and life-altering misfortune, and to live with physical or mental challenges is difficult enough. But when these challenges are met with a lack of support, the impact can be deeply isolating. In a world brimming with voices and visibility, these children remain voiceless, distant from public attention and even farther from opportunity. They need all the help they can get. To be orphaned is a deep and life-altering misfortune, and to live with physical or mental challenges is difficult enough. But when these challenges are met with a lack of support, the impact can be deeply isolating. — Picture via Unsplash/Farhan Abas For nearly 3 decades, Raja Singham, Managing Director and Chief Future Officer of the BAC Education Group, has been an advocate, tireless champion for orphans, people with disabilities, vulnerable and marginalised communities, ensuring they are seen and heard, and their issues addressed Over the weekend, Raja Singham spearheaded Music4Good presenting The Polymaths — a powerful two-day celebration of love, hope and humanity, that successfully raised almost RM210,000 for two very meaningful causes. OrphanAid, a heartfelt nation-building initiative by the BAC Education Group and Uplift and the Society for the Severely Mentally Handicapped (SSMH), and a voluntary welfare organisation that provides specialised care, education, and therapy for children with severe mental and physical disabilities, many of whom require lifelong support. On Saturday, in a striking departure from convention, Music4Good opened with a transparent and meticulous breakdown of how every ringgit was used to fulfil items on the orphanages' wish list. Raja Singham announced how each table's contribution directly supported a specific home — funding everything from basic groceries to essential appliances like fridges, stoves, water heaters, rice cookers, essential groceries. Music4Good was amplified by purpose with the dedicated performers. Sudesh Kumar Nair, the bassist, leads Baycom Malaysia as its CEO. Sundara Raj Ramamurthy, the guitarist, drives digital innovation as Chief Digital Officer at PwC Malaysia and Vietnam. On drums, Siva Ramanathan brought his high-energy presence and leadership as Partner and Chief Growth Officer at Ksher, Azlan Shaharbi commanded the keyboards with the wisdom of three decades of musical experience, and Raja Singham himself, brought his signature energy to the stage as a vocalist and keyboardist. Adding a youthful spark on both days was Singham's daughter Alisha Raja Singham, whose presence reflects how purpose and passion can span generations Percussionist Edwin Nathaniel, Founder of the Aseana Percussion Unit and the RISE programme for children with special needs, also joined the group with heart and meaning, and backup vocalist Lathah, tied it all together with soul and grace. In an age where many chase titles and personal gain, Raja Singham and friends continue to build platforms, initiate movements, and break new ground, sacrificing their time and energy, in service of others. While BAC garnered the Asean Business Awards (Best in CSR) in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021, the Asean Business Awards for Combating Covid-19 in 2020, and Raja Singham was named Education Man of the Year by Brand Laureate, it isn't the accolades that drive him — it's the real, measurable impact on people's lives. At the heart of Raja Singham's mission is a bold ambition: to transform 10 million lives by 2030, with a special focus on education. This concert was one of many ways Raja Singham brings his mission to life, by blending what he loves with what truly matters. Sharing the stage with The Polymaths, a band of professionals who channel their personal passions into purposeful action, the night became a powerful testament to what can happen when people come together for something bigger than themselves. As they wrapped up each night with soul-stirring performances, The Polymaths reminded us all that when passion is paired with purpose, music becomes more than just sound — it becomes a movement. For many of us, signing a cheque offers a comforting illusion, we have done our part, fulfilled our duty, and can move on. But real charity doesn't end with a transaction. It begins there. True giving demands engagement, accountability and presence. Yet we often look away — not because we do not care, but because facing the full picture asks more of us. Perhaps, the next time we give, we should stay for the story, ask the hard questions, and ensure our giving reflects not just kindness, but involvement. * This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
