Short Takes – 6-28-25

Department of Defense Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act. Federal Register DOD public notice. Summary: “The Army, Navy and Air Force are rescinding their NEPA implementing regulations in separate interim final rules. The Department will make the Department of Defense National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures (DoD NEPA Procedures) available on the website listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice on June 30, 2025.”

Trump just sent a 'dire warning' to the rest of the world: experts. NewsBreak.com article. Pull quote: ‘Trump initially signaled that he had a two-week timeline in which he would decide whether to approve an attack on Iran. However, some experts say that his decision to strike some of the country's nuclear facilities has reinforced the notion that American leadership is extremely temperamental and unpredictable, which could force other countries to rethink their relationship with the country.”

'She is the only person in the world compatible with herself' — scientists discover new blood type but it's unique to just one person from Guadeloupe. LiveScience.com article. Pull quote: “Together, the combinations of the ABO and Rh systems give us the eight main blood groups — but there are dozens of lesser known blood group systems, 45 of which were recognized by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) as of 2024. Now, Gwada negative has been recognized as number 48.”

Trump cuts off US trade talks with Canada, shattering optimism over tariff deals. Reuters.com article. Pull quote: “Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said that the negotiations with Canada would not resume "until they straighten out their act," adding that the U.S. holds "such power over Canada."”

Flu Shot in Pregnancy Tied to Fewer Infections in Young Infants. MedPageToday.com article. Pull quote: “Four randomized trials have shown that flu vaccination during pregnancy -- especially in the second half -- reduces the risk of influenza infection in infants by 30-63% during their first 6 months, and a pooled analysis of three of these trials reported a vaccine efficacy of 35% against laboratory-confirmed infection, the researchers noted.”

 

Mexico threatens lawsuit against SpaceX over Starship explosion 'contamination'. SpaceNews.com article. Pull quote: “But Sheinbaum contests that claim. In a press conference held on Wednesday (June 25), the Mexican president said there is a "general review underway of the international laws that are being violated" due to the fact that "there is contamination" stemming from Starship's explosion, according to Yucatan Magazine. The Guardian reports that Sheinbaum added that her government is looking to file "the necessary lawsuits" over the alleged contamination.”