Putin Ends BRICS Summit that Sought to Expand Russia’s Global Clout but was Shadowed by Ukraine
AP News,
Russian President Vladimir Putin closed a summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, praising its role as a counterbalance to the West’s “perverse methods.” The three-day summit in Kazan was attended by leaders or representatives from 36 countries, underscoring the failure of U.S.-led efforts to isolate Russia due to its actions in Ukraine. During the summit, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a “just peace” in Ukraine and an immediate end to the fighting in Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan. Putin welcomed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s statements about wanting to end the conflict in Ukraine. The summit also addressed financial cooperation, alternatives to Western payment systems, and the expansion of the BRICS group.
Expedition 72 Back to Work as Crew-8 Heads to Earth
NASA,
Seven members of Expedition 72 remain aboard the International Space Station (ISS) after the departure of the four Crew-8 members in the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour. The Crew-8 team, led by Commander Matthew Dominick, is targeting a splashdown off Florida’s coast on Friday. Meanwhile, four NASA astronauts onboard resumed standard maintenance and research duties following Crew-8’s departure. Commander Suni Williams performed maintenance on spacesuits, while Flight Engineer Don Pettit inspected fire extinguishers. Human research studies were conducted to inform long-term living in space, and Roscosmos cosmonauts also engaged in their research and lab upkeep activities.
Italian Government’s Praise for El Alamein Troops Sparks Fascism Row
BBC News,
The Italian government faced backlash for praising soldiers who fought in El Alamein during World War II, marking the 82nd anniversary of the battle. The defense ministry’s social media post referred to the troops’ sacrifices as “heroic and tragic,” drawing criticism from opposition parties. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy party, distanced her party from its historical links to fascism, asserting it does not tolerate racism or nostalgia for Mussolini’s regime. The second battle of El Alamein is noted as a significant turning point in World War II, resulting in many casualties among Italian troops.
Saturn Gets Its 1st Confirmed Trojan Asteroid — But It Might Be Stolen
Space.com,
Saturn has acquired its first known Trojan asteroid, designated 2019 UO14, which it may have captured from elsewhere in the solar system. The asteroid’s orbit is unstable, suggesting it could be lost within about 1,000 years. This discovery prompts astronomers to search for more Trojan asteroids that share orbits with Saturn. The Trojan is estimated to be about 9 miles (15 kilometers) across, likely originating from the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune. Researchers emphasized the need to locate more asteroids to understand Saturn’s place among gas giants.
Thai PM Apologises for Crackdown that Killed 85 Muslims as Hopes for Justice Fade
Reuters,
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra apologized for the deaths of 85 Muslim protesters during a security crackdown in 2004, just hours before the statute of limitations expired. The Tak Bai incident, where protesters were crushed or suffocated in army trucks, captured international attention and led to widespread condemnation. Shinawatra expressed deep sadness over the event and vowed to prevent similar incidents in the future. Attempts to prosecute security personnel involved have failed, highlighting ongoing challenges related to the separatist insurgency in southern Thailand, which has claimed over 7,600 lives since it reignited in 2004.
Obscure Fungus Shows Signs of Rudimentary Intelligence
Futurism,
Researchers in Japan discovered that the fungus Phanerochaete velutina can recognize shapes and communicate information across its network. In experiments, the mycelium demonstrated decision-making abilities based on the arrangement of small wood blocks, indicating a level of intelligence. The findings suggest that fungal mycelia can recognize differences in spatial arrangements, which could provide insights into the study of primitive intelligence in brainless organisms and advancements in bio-based computing.
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