Millions of liters of untreated sewage flowed into the sea in Wellington, New Zealand, following a wastewater treatment plant failure, prompting warnings for residents to avoid the water and local beaches. Meanwhile, a new report revealed that many smart motorways in England are failing to deliver the expected value for money, and former President Donald Trump signed a proclamation to increase US imports of beef from Argentina. These events, along with a viral ranking of restaurant cleanliness and concerns over the expansion of presidential power in the US, dominated headlines.
The sewage leak in Wellington was described as an environmental disaster by local authorities, according to The Guardian. Residents were advised not to enter the water, collect seafood, or walk their dogs on local beaches. Repairs to the wastewater treatment plant were underway, but the extent of the damage and the environmental impact remained unclear.
In England, a report from National Highways indicated that most smart motorway projects were not providing the financial benefits initially anticipated. Two schemes, involving sections of the M25 and the M6, were found to offer "very poor" value, according to BBC Business. The AA, representing motorists, called the schemes a "catastrophic waste of time, money and effort." While most projects delivered safety benefits as originally forecast, only three out of sixteen were on track to deliver the expected financial returns.
Former President Trump's decision to increase US imports of Argentinian beef sparked controversy. The proclamation, signed on Friday, aimed to lower costs for US consumers, but economists predicted it would have little impact on prices, according to The Guardian. The move drew immediate criticism from US cattle ranchers.
Elsewhere, a ranking by Affordable Seating, a Chicago-based restaurant furniture company, highlighted states with the most restaurant cleanliness complaints. The analysis of over 2.8 million TripAdvisor reviews across roughly 40,000 restaurants in 2024 identified establishments with low ratings, according to Fox News.
Finally, journalist Chris Hedges discussed the decline of the American empire and the expansion of presidential power in a discussion with Marc Lamont Hill on Al Jazeera. The conversation focused on the actions taken during Trump's second presidency and the challenges facing US democracy. The discussion raised concerns about volatile ICE raids and political pressure on the media.
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