Enforcement of environmental laws in the United States plummeted during the first year of Donald Trump's second term, according to a new report, while the 2026 Winter Olympics are embroiled in a scandal involving alleged performance enhancements. Simultaneously, a New York federal judge took the rare step of terminating a case due to a lawyer's misuse of AI, and an experimental surgery is helping cancer survivors give birth. In other news, a remote monitoring station in the Australian outback continues its crucial work of detecting nuclear tests.
A report from the Environmental Integrity Project revealed that civil lawsuits filed by the US Department of Justice, based on referrals from the Environmental Protection Agency, dropped significantly in the first year after Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025. The number of lawsuits filed reached only 16, a 76 percent decrease compared to the first year of the Biden administration, according to the report.
Meanwhile, the 2026 Olympic Winter Games are facing controversy. News articles reported claims that male ski jumpers may have injected their penises with fillers to gain a competitive advantage. The alleged practice aims to increase the surface area of their jumpsuits, potentially improving flight distance. A 2025 study suggested that even a small increase in fabric could make a noticeable difference in the sport.
In legal news, a New York federal judge took action against a lawyer for repeatedly misusing AI in legal filings. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla ruled that sanctions were warranted after attorney Steven Feldman submitted documents containing fake citations, and the filings were noted for their "florid prose," according to the judge.
On the medical front, an experimental surgical procedure is helping cancer survivors give birth. The procedure involves temporarily moving the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes out of the way during cancer treatment to protect them from radiation and chemotherapy. A team in Switzerland announced the birth of a baby boy, Lucien, after his mother underwent the procedure, marking the fifth successful birth using this method.
Finally, in the Australian outback, the Warramunga Seismic and Infrasound Research Station continues its vital work. The facility, operated by the Australian National University, is one of the most sensitive nuclear detection facilities in the world. As Hrvoje Tkalčić, who has directed the station for nearly 19 years, stated, "In the Australian outback, we're listening for nuclear tests. What we hear matters more than ever."
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