U.S. and Ukraine call for 30-Day ceasefire
The U.S. and Ukraine called for a 30-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Russia on Friday. The goal is to allow humanitarian aid to reach war-affected regions and provide time for peace negotiations.
The ceasefire also allows the U.S. to resume security assistance to Ukraine, which had been paused over concerns that Russia was not honoring past agreements.
Additionally, the deal includes a key U.S.-Ukraine agreement on rare earth minerals, which Ukrainian official Rustem Umerov called a “positive signal” for their long-term partnership.
European and NATO leaders support the peace efforts, with sanctions against Russia under review based on its compliance. However, Russia’s response remains uncertain, and both Ukraine and its allies are preparing for the possibility that Russia may reject the deal.
Man lives 100 days with artificial heart
An Australian man became the first person to live outside a hospital with a total artificial heart. The BiVACOR device, developed by Dr. Daniel Timms, mimics human heart function without needing a donor.
The patient, suffering from severe heart failure, survived over 100 days with the device before receiving a heart transplant in early March.
BiVACOR uses magnetic levitation to maintain natural blood flow, offering a potential breakthrough in emergency care and long-term treatment. If widely adopted, it could provide a lifeline for heart failure patients worldwide.
Stand Up for Science rally
On Friday, scientists and healthcare professionals rallied across the U.S. and France against major funding cuts and policy changes affecting research.
The main event at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., drew 2,000 participants, with over 30 U.S. cities and several locations in France hosting demonstrations.
Speakers, including former National Institute of Health Director Francis S. Collins and Bill Nye, stressed the importance of federal funding for medical advancements.
Cyclone Alfred causes blackout in Australia
Cyclone Alfred made landfall in Queensland on Tuesday, causing widespread devastation across the region. The storm brought severe flooding, submerging entire neighborhoods and leaving over 500,000 residents without power, the largest blackout in the state’s history.
With winds reaching up to 93 mph, the storm caused massive flooding, downed trees and extensive property damage.
The government has pledged to provide financial aid to those affected, and plans for rebuilding infrastructure are already in motion. The nation’s focus is now on recovery and preventing further damage as the storm’s remnants continue to sweep through neighboring regions.
Greenland’s Demokraatit party wins election
Greenland’s center-right Demokraatit (Democrats) party won the parliamentary elections on Tuesday, securing approximately 30% of the vote. The party supports maintaining economic ties with Denmark while gradually moving toward independence.
Greenland’s Arctic location and rare earth minerals have drawn interest from global powers, including the U.S., China and Denmark. The new government plans to focus on economic growth, especially in mining and tourism, while balancing international pressure and the push for independence.
The election’s outcome could have significant geopolitical impacts, particularly in the Arctic.
lkelyman@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @procapture_productions, Instagram
