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Nearly 70 petrochemical companies across the nation, including 30 in Texas, are sending millions of pounds of pollutants into waterways each year due to weak or nonexistent regulations, according to a report published by the watchdog group Environmental Integrity Project. The report analyzed wastewater discharges from petrochemical companies that produce plastics across the U.S., finding that a majority of the facilities had violated Clean Water Act permits and few were punished. In addition, only a few states are regulating some of the hazardous chemicals or substances of concern, and there are currently no limits set from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for these contaminants in effluent water guidelines for the plastics industry. In the past 30 years, plastic production at petrochemical facilities has skyrocketed. The EPA estimates that plastic production in 1990 was at 17,130 tons, and by 2018 it had doubled, reaching 35,680 tons. Producing these plastics results in industrial wastewater discharges, some of which contain pollutants unregulated by federal wastewater guidelines. If the pollutant does have limits, they have been set by individual states. The report found the following pollutants: A majority of the facilities have poor compliance records. Out of the 70 facilities, 83% had violated the Clean Water Act at least once in the last three years (58 facilities violated permits, yet only 8 were penalized). Nearly 40% of the facilities were operating on water pollution control permits that are outdated, “but have been administratively continued by state agencies,” according to the report. The Clean Water Act, issued by the EPA in 1972, has historically been enforced through effluent water guidelines. The petrochemical facilities in the report are regulated under a category of guidelines for organic chemicals, plastics and synthetic fibers. “The (plastics) industry has experienced significant, rapid growth in recent decades and is continuing to grow,” lead author of the report and research director at the Environmental Integrity Project, Kira Dunham, told EHN . “But...wastewater discharges are being regulated by standards from over 30 years ago.”This category of guidelines Dunham mentions has not been updated by the EPA since 1993, despite requirements for the agency to “periodically” update guidelines in accordance with technological updates for pollution control. With 17 of the 30 facilities in Texas, the Houston area — known as the petrochemical capital of the U.S. — is the number one exporter of petrochemicals in the nation. Nearly one-third of these Texas facilities discharge wastewater into the Houston Ship Channel. Earlier this year, EHN investigated community member concerns about wastewater contamination potentially entering dredge material removed from the channel. Independent analysis from Healthy Port Communities, a collaborative of Houston-based environmental groups, noted high levels of dioxins in the soil surrounding dredge material. “Some of the places touched on in the (Environmental Integrity Project’s) report might have one major facility that has this... pattern of discharging pollutants into waterways,” Kristen Schlemmer, senior legal director of Houston- based water justice group Bayou City Waterkeeper, told EHN. “I don’t want to discount that ... but it at least makes it clear who you can focus on to address the problem. Whereas in Houston, we have so many different facilities that are polluting into our waterways, that it often just makes it seem like that’s normal, and that’s just the way things are going to be.” Schlemmer added that these concerns for pollution related to wastewater discharges are heightened by disasters, like this year’s derecho storm and Hurricane Beryl, in which water grows contaminated across large portions of the region. Beyond climate disasters, the Houston region is prone to chemical disasters and the state averages about one chemical release a week based on 2023 data . “I’m hoping through this work to show that this is not normal, and (to) raise the bar in terms of what our expectations are for the facilities that live in our backyards,” Schlemmer said. “If they’re not going to comply with the law ...I want them to ... know that they’re going to be facing legal action, either from us or for government regulators.” Earlier this year, the Environmental Integrity Project sued the EPA along with Bayou City Water Keeper, the Center for Biological Diversity and nearly 300 water justice groups in the Waterkeeper Alliance . In the original intent to sue, the group states that the EPA “has failed to perform its mandatory duty under (the Clean Water Act) ... to biennially submit state water quality reports and an analysis thereof ... to Congress.” Just last week, the EPA released its biannual preliminary plan for effluent limitations guidelines and the announcement states that the EPA plans to conduct new studies that will clarify the impact of discharges from certain industries on waterways. The plan is open for public comment here.World reaches $300 bn climate finance deal at COP29Vikings waive former starting cornerback Akayleb Evans in another blow to 2022 draft class

Marvel Rivals is a competitive game set in the multiverse, so it’s fitting that you play on a number of different maps . At launch, there are eight maps in Marvel Rivals , all inspired by locations from the Marvel Comics universe. You’ll play three modes across those maps. Developer NetEase Games says it will add more maps and modes via the seasonal model for Marvel Rivals . In this Marvel Rivals guide, we’ll walk you through each of the eight core maps in Marvel Rivals , alongside descriptions of the modes you’ll play on those maps. Marvel Rivals game modes There are three game modes in Marvel Rivals — Convoy, Domination, and Convergence — each played on specific maps. Here’s a rundown of the available game modes in Marvel Rivals as of season 0: In Convoy , your team will be randomly assigned offense or defense to start. As offense, your objective is to escort a cart or moving object through the map by standing near it, which the defenders will attempt to stop by killing you and your teammates. If the offensive team escorts the convoy to the end of the map within a time limit, they win. In Domination , your team and the enemy team will attack a single point on one of a handful of small maps. Whoever captures the point must hold it until it reaches 100%. Whoever captures the point will take the lead. The mode will then jump to another small map and repeat the objective. The first team to reach two captured points wins. In Convergence , your team will randomly be assigned offense or defense to start. As offense, your objective is to attack the first checkpoint on the map and secure it by standing inside. Defenders will be able to reach the point before you, and their job is to kill any offensive players trying to get in. If the offense successfully captures a checkpoint in time, they’ll move along the map to the next checkpoint. If the offensive team can capture three checkpoints in time, they win. Marvel Rivals multiplayer maps list There are eight maps in Marvel Rivals , all of which take place in five different regions of the Marvel Universe (pictured in the gallery above). There are multiple maps that take place in the same region, and maps are specific to the modes that are played on them — meaning there are no maps that you play both Domination and Convoy on. Here is the full list of core maps in season 0 of Marvel Rivals, and the modes associated with each one: Yggdrasill Path (Yggsgard) — Convoy Royal Palace (Yggsgard) — Domination Shin-Shibuya (Tokyo 2099) — Convergence Spider-Islands (Tokyo 2099) — Convoy Birnin T’Challa (Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda) — Domination Hall of Djalia (Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda) — Convergence Symbiotic Surface (Klyntar) — Convergence Hell’s Heaven (Hydra Charteris Base) — Domination For more Marvel Rivals guides, here’s a list of Team-Up abilities , plus the Marvel Rivals roadmap . Guides Marvel Rivals guides PC PlayStation Xbox

In a significant move to plug leakage, the GST Council on Saturday approved a proposal to implement 'Track and Trace Mechanism' for specified evasion-prone commodities , under which a unique mark will be affixed on such goods or packages to trace them throughout the supply chain. This is to insert an enabling provision in CGST Act, 2017 through Section 148A so as to empower the government to enforce the Track and Trace Mechanism for specified evasion-prone commodities. "The system shall be based on a Unique Identification Marking which shall be affixed on the said goods or the packages thereof. This will provide a legal framework for developing such a system and will help in implementation of mechanism for tracing specified commodities throughout the supply chain," the finance ministry said while listing out decisions taken in the 55th Council meeting here. "To clarify that in respect of supply of 'Online Services' such as supply of online money gaming, OIDAR services, etc. to unregistered recipients, the supplier is required to mandatorily record the name of the state of the unregistered recipient on the tax invoice and such name of state of recipient shall be deemed to be the address on record of the recipient for the purpose of section 12(2)(b) of IGST Act, 2017 read with proviso to rule 46(f) of CGST Rules, 2017," it said. With regard to the decision taken about GST rate on goods, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, the Council has decided to cut the rate on fortified rice kernel (FRK) to 5 per cent from 18 per cent and also exempted GST on gene therapy. Besides, she said, it was decided to reduce the rate of compensation cess to 0.1 per cent on supplies to merchant exporters at par with GST rate on such supplies and to exempt from IGST imports of all equipment and consumable samples by Inspection Team of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) subject to specified conditions. 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This fund is constituted for providing compensation/cashless treatment to the victims of road accidents including hit and run cases. In addition, she said, GST Council recommended no GST on transaction of vouchers as they are neither supply of goods nor supply of services. The provisions related to vouchers is also being simplified, she said, adding, the Council recommended to amend the definition of 'pre-packaged and labelled' to cover all commodities that are intended for retail sale and containing not more than 25 kg or 25 litre, which are 'pre-packed' as defined under the Legal Metrology Act, or a label affixed thereto is required to bear the declarations under the provisions of the Act and rules. It was also clarified that no GST is payable on the 'penal charges' levied and collected by banks and NBFCs from borrowers for non-compliance with loan terms. The Council too approved issuance of clarifications through circulars to remove ambiguity and legal disputes in certain issues. The panel recommended reduction of payment of pre-deposit for filing an appeal before the appellate authority in respect of an order passed, which involves only a penalty amount. Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is December 15, 2024. Click here to submit your entry for any one or more of the 22 categories and stand a chance to win a prestigious award. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )Stakeholders on Thursday said effective family planning services contribute to national development by curbing population growth and alleviating resource pressure. They said this at the ongoing eighth Nigeria Family Planning Conference 2024 in Abuja, themed, “Sustaining commitments for family planning within the Nigeria health sector renewal investment initiative, advancing progress towards achieving FP2030 goals,” organised by the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. In his remarks, a former Minister of Health, Dr Isaac Adewole, said an effective FP service can alleviate pressure on resources such as education, healthcare, and employment. Adewole, who is also the chairman of the conference noted that the role of FP as a cornerstone of the country’s health system and a key driver of national development cannot be overemphasised. He stated that Nigeria faces significant challenges related to reproductive health, including high maternal and infant mortality rates, unplanned pregnancies, and limited access to contraceptive methods. He said over 19 per cent of married women in Nigeria have an unmet need for contraceptives, leading to increased health risks. He noted that effective FP services can reduce maternal and infant mortality and improve quality of life and economic empowerment, particularly for women. To accelerate progress towards FP2030, Adewole emphasised that the government should focus on domestic funding, strengthen the supply chain, and integrate family planning into essential services. He also stressed the importance of providing youth-friendly FP services to empower young people, who represent over half of Nigeria’s population. “We need to provide adolescents and young adults with accurate information and accessible resources to make informed reproductive choices. “We also need to strengthen our partnerships with development partners, civil society organisations, and the private sector to leverage resources, expertise, and innovation to accelerate progress. “Furthermore, we need to ensure that our FP programmes are evidence-based, data-driven, and responsive to the needs of all Nigerians, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalised populations,” he said. He urged every stakeholder to seize this moment to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on our shared commitments. Related News FG gets $600,000 relief fund from Gates Foundation States banning alcohol shouldn't share VAT on beer -Ex-minister Two radiotherapy machines working in Nigeria – Ex-health minister “Together, we can transform FP into a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sustainable development agenda.” In his remarks, the Country Director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Uche Amaonwu noted that the theme of the conference reflects the foundation’s understanding of the critical importance of family planning as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s health sector transformation and broader development agenda. Amaonwu, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Family Planning at the Foundation, Rodio Diallo emphasised that family planning is more than a health intervention. “It is a transformative force for socioeconomic advancement, gender equity, and sustainable development. By empowering individuals, especially women and girls to make informed reproductive health decisions, family planning fosters improvement in education, productivity, and quality of life,” he said. Amaonwu emphasised the need to prioritise high-impact solutions, such as strengthening the supply chain, enhancing domestic financing, and fostering innovation in policy and service delivery. “Also, engaging communities in a way that supports and empowers women and girls while addressing social norms through culturally sensitive approaches is critical to achieving our goal. The Gates Foundation is proud to collaborate with the government of Nigeria and its partners to expand access, improve quality, and leave no one behind. “And to advance FP2030 goal, we must scale proven high-impact strategies and ensure family planning remains central to Nigeria’s health and development priorities. As we all know, family planning is not merely a health solution. It is a high-return investment, with every dollar invested generating up to $120 in health and socioeconomic benefits. “This conference is an opportunity to renew our commitment, share lessons learned, and inspire bold actions. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities and ensure family planning becomes a pillar of Nigeria’s health sector renewal and a cornerstone of its development. Let us seize this moment to strengthen partnerships and that will drive, and we all drive, scalable and impactful interventions,” he added. On her part, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on health, Dr Salma Ibrahm Anas, said although the nation has made progress in promoting FP, it still has a long way to go. “To address these challenges, we need to work together to create a future where every woman and girl in Nigeria has access to FP services. “We must also ensure that our conversations are inclusive and take into account the perspectives of all stakeholders,” she highlighted. She, however, advocated for a homegrown solution to solve FP challenges, noting that there is a need to develop strategies that are tailored to our unique context and needs. “Another challenge we face is the lack of awareness about FP so we need to invest in education and awareness-raising programmes,” she said.Netflix 'totally ready' for XMas NFL games, WWE

The BJP-led Mahayuti coalition has achieved a historic victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, securing or leading in over 230 of the 288 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alone has won or is leading in 132 seats, while the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has taken the lead in 57 seats, and the NCP helmed by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is set to capture 41 seats. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has extended his congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this significant triumph. He stated, "The public has placed their trust in the leadership of PM Modi." Sharma also expressed gratitude to Rajasthan voters for supporting the BJP in recent by-elections, emphasizing the party's commitment to Rajasthan's development and welfare. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari echoed this sentiment, highlighting the confidence within Mahayuti regarding their majority but acknowledging the unprecedented nature of the victory. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini praised PM Modi's vision and policies, attributing their success to the Maharashtra people's appetite for development under Modi's leadership. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), in stark contrast, have managed only 48 leads. (With inputs from agencies.)

Mid-inclination orbit provides more SAR-imaging opportunities at middle latitudes of the globe for ICEYE customers. HELSINKI, Finland , Dec. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ICEYE, the global leader in SAR satellite operations for Earth Observation and persistent monitoring, announced today that it has launched two new satellites to its constellation of SAR satellites. Both satellites expand the availability of ICEYE's latest imaging technology to deliver additional 25 cm imaging capacity. The satellites were integrated via Exolaunch and launched as part of the Bandwagon-2 rideshare mission with SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA . Both satellites have established communication, and early routine operations are underway. With today's launch, ICEYE has successfully launched 40 satellites into orbit since 2018, with nine satellites launched in 2024 alone. The new SAR satellites were launched into mid-inclination orbits; compared to a polar orbit, these mid-inclination orbits provide more than twice the collection opportunities at middle latitudes of the globe. ICEYE customers have many areas of interest in these middle latitudes (+/- 45 degrees), and these customers will benefit from increased persistence over these regions. Customers with imaging interests outside these middle latitudes will continue to benefit from the frequent revisit enabled by ICEYE's dozens of satellites in polar orbits. ICEYE's unique mix of mid-inclination and polar orbits provides its customers with deep revisit capabilities for targets all around the globe. The new satellites will serve ICEYE's commercial missions as part of the world's largest SAR satellite constellation owned and operated by ICEYE. Rafal Modrzewski , CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE said: "This launch marks another significant milestone in ICEYE's ability to provide our customers with a rich diversity of collection opportunities. We bolster our industry-leading SAR constellation and expand our customers' collection opportunities in the areas most important to them." Today's launch is another step forward in ICEYE's steady drumbeat of innovative breakthroughs in Earth Observation. This year alone, ICEYE has, for example, introduced Dwell Precise, a new 25 cm imaging mode that offers its customers the highest-fidelity 25cm imaging capability, and adds advanced capability to ICEYE's line of Dwell products; launched an API that allows customers to directly task its SAR satellite constellation; and launched ICEYE Ocean Vision to provide actionable intelligence for maritime domain awareness. About ICEYE ICEYE delivers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before. Owning the world's largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights, ensuring that customers have unmatched access to actionable high-quality data, day or night, even in challenging environmental conditions. As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries, ICEYE delivers intelligence in sectors such as insurance, natural catastrophe response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, enabling decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development. ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland , Poland , Spain , the UK, Australia , Japan , UAE, Greece , and the US. We have more than 700 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation. Media contact: press@iceye.com Visit www.iceye.com and follow ICEYE on LinkedIn and X for the latest updates and insights.NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump used his image as a successful New York businessman to become a celebrity, a reality television star and eventually the president. Now he will get to revel in one of the most visible symbols of success in the city when he rings the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday as he's also named Time Magazine's Person of the Year. Trump is expected to be on Wall Street to mark the ceremonial start of the day's trading, according to four people with knowledge of his plans. He will also be announced Thursday as Time's 2024 Person of the Year , according to a person familiar with the selection. The people who confirmed the stock exchange appearance and Time award were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. It will be a notable moment of twin recognitions for Trump, a born-and-bred New Yorker who at times has treated the stock market as a measure of public approval and has long-prized signifiers of his success in New York's business world and his appearances on the covers of magazines — especially Time. Trump was named the magazine's Person of the Year in 2016, when he was first elected to the White House. He had already been listed as a finalist for this year's award alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, X owner Elon Musk, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kate, the Princess of Wales. Time declined to confirm the selection ahead of Thursday morning's announcement. “Time does not comment on its annual choice for Person of the Year prior to publication,” a spokesperson for the magazine said Wednesday. The ringing of the bell is a powerful symbol of U.S. capitalism — and a good New York photo opportunity at that. Despite his decades as a New York businessman, Trump has never done it before. It was unclear whether Trump, a Republican, would meet with New York's embattled mayor, Democrat Eric Adams , who has warmed to Trump and has not ruled out changing his political party. Adams has been charged with federal corruption crimes and accused of selling influence to foreign nationals; he has denied wrongdoing. Trump himself was once a symbol of New York, but he gave up living full-time in his namesake Trump Tower in Manhattan and moved to Florida after leaving the White House. CNN first reported Wednesday Trump’s visit to the stock exchange and Politico reported that Trump was expected to be unveiled as Time's Person of the Year. The stock exchange regularly invites celebrities and business leaders to participate in the ceremonial opening and closing of trading. During Trump’s first term, his wife, Melania Trump, rang the bell to promote her “Be Best” initiative on children’s well-being. Last year, Time CEO Jessica Sibley rang the opening bell to unveil the magazine's 2023 Person of the Year: Taylor Swift . After the Nov. 5 election, the S&P 500 rallied 2.5% for its best day in nearly two years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 1,508 points, or 3.6%, while the Nasdaq composite jumped 3%. All three indexes topped records they had set in recent weeks. The U.S. stock market has historically tended to rise regardless of which party wins the White House, with Democrats scoring bigger average gains since 1945. But Republican control could mean big shifts in the winning and losing industries underneath the surface, and investors are adding to bets built earlier on what the higher tariffs, lower tax rates and lighter regulation that Trump favors will mean. Trump has long courted the business community based on his own status as a wealthy real estate developer who gained additional fame as the star of the TV show “The Apprentice” in which competitors tried to impress him with their business skills. He won the election in part by tapping into Americans' deep anxieties about an economy that seemed unable to meet the needs of the middle class. The larger business community has applauded his promises to reduce corporate taxes and cut regulations. But there are also concerns about his stated plans to impose broad tariffs and possibly target companies that he sees as not aligning with his own political interests. Trump spends the bulk of his time at his Florida home but was in New York for weeks this spring during his hush money trial there. He was convicted, but his lawyers are pushing for the case to be thrown out in light of his election. While he spent hours in a Manhattan courthouse every day during his criminal trial, Trump took his presidential campaign to the streets of the heavily Democratic city, holding a rally in the Bronx and popping up at settings for working-class New Yorkers: a bodega, a construction site and a firehouse. Trump returned to the city in September to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Manhattan tower and again in the final stretch of the presidential campaign when he held a rally at Madison Square Garden that drew immediate blowback as speakers made rude and racist insults and incendiary remarks . At the stock exchange, the ringing of the bell has been a tradition since the 1800s. The first guest to do it was a 10-year-old boy named Leonard Ross, in 1956, who won a quiz show answering questions about the stock market. Many times, companies listing on the exchange would ring the bell at 9:30 a.m. to commemorate their initial offerings as trading began. But the appearances have become an important marker of culture and politics -- something that Trump hopes to seize as he’s promised historic levels of economic growth. The anti-apartheid advocate and South African President Nelson Mandela rang the bell, as has Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone with his castmates from the film “The Expendables.” So, too, have the actors Robert Downey Jr. and Jeremy Renner for an “Avengers” movie and the Olympians Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin. In 1985, Ronald Reagan became the first sitting U.S. president to ring the bell. “With tax reform and budget control, our economy will be free to expand to its full potential, driving the bears back into permanent hibernation,” Reagan said at the time. “We’re going to turn the bull loose.” The crowd of traders on the floor chanted, “Ronnie! Ronnie! Ronnie!” The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed in 1985 and 1986, but it suffered a decline in October 1987 in an event known as “Black Monday.” Long reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report.

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Wrap Technologies relocates to Southwest Virginia, creating 126 jobsGST Council approves 'Track and Trace Mechanism' to curb evasionThe Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s Climate Action Cell unveiled a series of innovative initiatives on Saturday at a public meeting in the city. The CAC showcased its plans to advance Bengaluru’s climate agenda through collaboration, technology, and public participation. Key initiatives included the launch of “Nisarga,” a chatbot developed with CGI and the Bengaluru Political Action Committee (B.PAC) to provide easy access to the Bengaluru Climate Action Plan. Officials also introduced the Rooftop Solar Explorer Tool, created by CSTEP, which enables residents to assess solar energy potential on rooftops and align with renewable energy goals. “The updated BBMP Lake and Park Management Systems now offer a virtual platform to monitor the maintenance of Bengaluru’s 200 lakes and over 1,200 parks. A “Mapathon Guidebook” is also launched to engage citizens in identifying spaces for urban greening projects,” Preeti Gehlot, Special Commissioner (Forest, Environment and Climate Change), BBMP said. Further, the CAC announced the “BluGreenUru Awards” to honour exemplary sustainability efforts. A new social media platform, “@bbmplakesparks,” was also introduced to promote community engagement. Published - December 21, 2024 11:06 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit

& Applications to join ’s writing team in Lent 2025 are now open! Now is the time to take your place at the beating heart of Cambridge’s current discourse and history. Freshers, finalists, and anyone in between, no matter what levels of experience, are very welcome. is the oldest and only independent student newspaper in Cambridge, and one of only three in the UK. We hold institutions to account, representing the interests of students with integrity, ambition, and a creative edge. This tradition, which began with the paper’s creation in 1947, has seen break many historical and discourse-shaping stories. In 1953, we reported on Watson and Crick’s discovery of the structure of DNA. In the past year, we broke the controversy surrounding “race-realist” fellow Nathan Cofnas, and the news that Cambridge's veterinary course could lose its accreditation. With contributions from Amol Rajan to Charles III, Sylvia Plath to Jeremy Paxman, and Germaine Greer to J.G. Ballard, you have the opportunity to join an impressive lineage of journalists, writers, and creatives. is, however, much more than just news. We have space for your opinions, interviews, and investigations, as well as room for you to express your taste in fashion, music, or film and TV, and a section devoted to letting students have their say on the latest theatre productions in Cambridge. Most importantly, we are a training paper. We aim to nurture new talent, offering a working environment that can prepare you for the world of journalism beyond Cambridge, but is primarily social, collaborative, and encouraging. The Editors-in-Chief of in Lent term will be Sophie Denny (slmad2) and Wilf Vall (wv229). Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about the application process or what it’s like to contribute to the paper. Now is the ideal time to write for . Please see the information below for specific details on how to apply for each role. Applications must be submitted to by News correspondents News is the beating heart of the paper, unearthing the goings-on around Cambridge and holding the University to account. news stories are regularly picked up by national publications and, as a news correspondent, the next big scoop could be yours. You’ll be part of a dynamic and fast-paced team, pitching and discussing leads at the weekly news conference while learning from more seasoned student journalists. No experience is required: only a passion for, and commitment to, reporting on news in Cambridge. You'll learn everything from how to submit an FOI and send a right of reply to the basics of Media Law and news writing. To apply for the role of news correspondent, please complete the following tasks: 1) Suggest two leads (a piece of gossip or idea) that could be developed into a story. (max 200 words) 2) Pitch a long-form news investigation. (max 200 words) Features writers Features are all about building a story. Whether that be delving into the history of Cambridge's most obscure secret societies or chasing leads to add colour to a controversial news story, an engaging feature is – at its heart – investigative: you will be exercising all your creativity, tying together information from different sources and interviews to create perspective and intrigue. In past terms, staff writers have explored MI6 recruitment in Cambridge, investigated the EAMC’s failures, and narrated the history of C-Sunday. To apply as a staff writer on the Features desk, please complete the following tasks: 1) Pitch two potential features for next term. (max 200 words) 2) Re-write the opening and closing paragraphs to this feature: https://www.varsity.co.uk/features/28384 (max 200 words) 3) Pick a Feature from the website and tell us how you would improve it. (max 200 words) Comment writers Student voices need to be heard – and we’re committed to placing student perspectives at the centre of the conversation. Not all students see things the same way, so we’re looking to platform a balanced and diverse range of opinions. Staff writers will produce articles regularly on an array of topics commissioned by their editors or from their own pool of ideas. Staff writers should be ready to respond to breaking Cambridge news and have their finger on the pulse of local and wider news, whilst always holding true to their own specific viewpoints and opinions.To apply as a staff writer on the Comment desk, please complete the following tasks: 1) Pitch two article ideas. (300 words max) 2) Write a different 600-word Comment article responding to any news story we have published in the last term. 3) Pitch a column which would feature fortnightly comment articles on a consistent theme, topic, or persona. (150 words max) Interviews writers Interviews is one of our most diverse sections. Past writers on the Interviews desk have had conversations with Robert De Niro, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, the President of Armenia, and more. Interview writers will regularly reach out to important public figures and famous Cambridge alumni – and get the chance to meet fascinating people. It's also a great opportunity to explore the Cambridge community, allowing you to interview students and residents with interesting perspectives. This term, Interviews have been published with figures ranging from Alastair Campbell to Hacker T. Dog. To apply as a staff writer on the Interviews desk, please complete the following tasks: 1) If you could interview any (living) Cambridge alumnus, who would it be and why? What would you ask them? (300 words max) 2) Choose one student in Cambridge you would like to spotlight in an interview and why this article would be interesting to our readership. 3) Choose two interviewees, one for a long-form piece and one for a quick-fire interview. Pitch each idea, considering each subjects’ suitability to the different forms and their relevance to our readership. (max 300 words) Science writers Whether reporting the latest scientific developments, investigating the trials and tribulations of scientific student societies, or interviewing underrepresented industry experts, the Science section aims to deliver interesting content that is accessible to all readers. In this role, you will report on new research and scientific exhibits in Cambridge, or write features that highlight student-relevant tidbits in an informative and engaging way. To apply as a science writer, please complete the following tasks: 1) Please write a 600-word piece exploring a recent discovery, phenomena, or scientific venture relevant to a Cambridge-based readership. Examples can be found in the Science section. 2) How would you engage our readership in science through your articles? Consider interview subjects and areas of discussion that would interest a Cambridge student who does not study a STEM degree. (max 200 words) Sport writers Sport is a central component of life at Cambridge for many but this section is designed for everyone, not just those constantly sporting their Cambridge Blue gear. You can provide a variety of articles ranging from informative match reports to entertaining sports news events in or out of Cambridge. As a writer you’ll be responsible for covering key fixtures, but can also provide a varsity of articles ranging from interviews and profiles to commentary and behind-the-scenes features. To apply as a Sports Writer, please answer the following questions: 1) Outline three ideas for potential articles, including one interview based article. (max 400 words) 2) What do you like or dislike about the Cambridge sports scene? What underrepresented sports and societies do you think are worthy of featuring in ? (max 300 words) Arts writer From poetry to prose, architecture to art, from interviewing creatives to chatting crochet boobs, Arts is a beautifully dynamic and varied section. We’re looking for a team of writers to examine, and contribute to, the lively Arts world in Cambridge, as well as engage in broader cultural debates. Arts writing can involve interviews, reviews, or opinion pieces, or even putting together reading lists throughout the term. If you’re passionate about the art world, then we want you on board. To write for Arts, please complete the following tasks: 1) Propose two article ideas. These can be features, interviews, opinion pieces, or reviews. (200 words max) 2) Write a 600-word piece about any aspect of Cambridge’s artistic scene that is of particular value to you. Film & TV writer If your ideal Saturday night is in front of the TV catching up on your favourite show, or out, making sure you’re the first to see an exciting new release in cinemas, you belong in the Film & TV section. We’re looking for writers to discuss latest releases in film and TV with particular personal relevance to both themselves and our readership. The Film & TV section is also responsible for engaging with the Cambridge visual world, so writers will need to be excited about exploring the film scene at University. To write for Film & TV, please answer the following questions: 1) Propose two interviews/features on any aspect of the Cambridge student film scene. (200 words max) 2) Describe a time that a film or TV show has helped you in your time at Cambridge, which has relevance to our readership. (200 words max) 3) Pitch an article which reflects on or reviews a past film or TV show through a specific angle which would make it relevant to our readership (Examples can be found in our Retrospective column on the Film & TV page). (300 words max) Music writer Did your Spotify Wrapped make you feel superior? Are you always dragging your friends along to the latest student gigs? If you’re looking for a place to share your passion for music with like minded students, we’re looking for you to join our team. As a music writer, you will be able to discuss new album releases, interview student bands, examine the Cambridge music scene, and put together playlists. To write for Music, please complete the following tasks: 1) Which music societies or bands in Cambridge don’t get enough recognition, and what is the most important venue in the Cambridge music scene? Why? (300 words max) 2) If you were to contribute one song to Varsity’s Lent term playlist, what would it be and why? (200 words max) 3) Outline two article ideas for the section (200 words max). Fashion writer Addicted to charity shopping and want to put your years of experience sifting through bins of ugly jumpers for the perfect find to good use? We’re looking for writers who are able to do just that — pick out trends, tap into what Cambridge fashionistas are discussing, and work on photoshoots which can reflect and inspire both. If you are passionate about slow fashion or the speed of the trend cycle, or have an idea for a column, Fashion is the section for you. To write for Fashion, please complete the following tasks: 1) Propose three article ideas – please include one idea for a fashion shoot. (400 words max) 2) What is one fashion staple for your Lent term wardrobe? (200 words max) Theatre writers and reviewers Theatre is an important part of Varsity, producing not just reviews, but also features, interviews, and opinion pieces. If you have spent all your student loan on seeing shows, or speak in techie lingo your friends don’t understand, we want you on our team. Writers will need to be creative in looking for leads and working with editors on long term projects. You need to be open-minded, thoughtful, and reliable. As a reviewer, you will play an important role in the Cambridge Theatre scene, and you will need to write frankly, and with fluency. To write for Theatre, please answer the following questions: 1) If you could interview anyone connected to the Cambridge theatre scene, who would it be and what would you ask? (300 words max) 2) What do you think is the most underappreciated aspect/role in the formation of student theatre? (300 words max) To review for Theatre, please answer the following questions: 1) Write a 300 word review of the best show you’ve seen in Cambridge 2) Write a 300 word review of the worst show you’ve seen in Cambridge Lifestyle writer Lifestyle is a vibrant and diverse section, and one of the broadest and most popular in the paper. From restaurant reviews and Agony Aunts, to new experiences and personal reflection, we’re looking for a witty, creative, fun group of writers who can keep Lifestyle up to date with the unique, esoteric, and fast-paced Cambridge way of life. To write for Lifestyle, please complete the following tasks: 1) Propose three article ideas. (300 words max) 2) What are two experiences you would like to try out and review for the section? (200 words max) 3) What was your weirdest ever experience at Cambridge? (200 words max) Support is the independent newspaper for the University of Cambridge, established in its current form in 1947. In order to maintain our editorial independence, our print newspaper and news website receives no funding from the University of Cambridge or its constituent Colleges. We are therefore almost entirely reliant on advertising for funding and we expect to have a tough few months and years ahead. In spite of this situation, we are going to look at inventive ways to look at serving our readership with digital content and of course in print too! Therefore we are asking our readers, if they wish, to make a donation from as little as £1, to help with our running costs. Many thanks, we hope you can help!

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