LaGuardia Airport in New York reopened Monday afternoon after a deadly collision on the runway closed the busy airport for several hours and disrupted hundreds of flights. The crash occurred late Sunday night, killing both pilots on board the plane and injuring dozens of passengers and crew members.The collision involved an Air Canada Express regional jet coming from Montreal and a Port Authority fire truck that was crossing the runway to respond to a separate incident. There were 72 passengers and four crew members on board the plane at that time.Officials say the crash happened around 11:40 p.m. on March 22 as the plane was landing on the runway at LaGuardia. The jet hit the emergency vehicle, killing both the pilot and co-pilot. More than 40 people, including two firefighters, were taken to hospital with injuries. Most of the injured have been released from care, although some remain in hospital for further treatment.In response to the accident, the airport was completely closed until approximately 2.00 am on March 23 to allow investigators and emergency crews to work the scene and assess the runway before reopening. The shutdown caused more than 600 flight cancellations and delays for travelers in New York and the surrounding area.

Have flight operations resumed?

Now with the runway opening, limited flight operations have resumed. Travelers are being warned to expect continued delays and disruption as airlines work to manage the backlog and hours of closures caused by the crash. Some flights have been diverted to other nearby airports, and passengers are advised to check with their carriers for the latest information regarding schedules and possible changes.Federal and national security officials are continuing a thorough investigation into the cause of the collision. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are leading the investigation, which will examine factors such as communication between air traffic control and emergency vehicles, runway procedures, and aircraft operations at the time of the accident.Officials also said that even after one runway reopened, LaGuardia’s capacity would be reduced until a full investigation was completed. This could mean further adjustments to flight schedules and continued delays for passengers in the coming days.The accident has drawn attention to safety protocols for runway crossings and coordination between ground vehicles and incoming flights. Investigators will evaluate whether standard procedures were followed and whether any changes are needed to prevent future incidents.

A recent example in which a space mission did not proceed as planned was that of a Russian cargo spacecraft en route to the International Space Station (ISS), which experienced a technical malfunction on its journey to dock with the ISS. The cargo spacecraft was carrying vital supplies for the astronauts who are part of the ISS crew. One of the mission’s most critical components experienced a malfunction shortly after launch. Although not dangerous, it was a mission that required experienced astronauts to take charge and manually operate the spacecraft.

what caused it ISS docking problem

The problem began with the launch of the Progress MS-33 cargo ship into orbit aboard a Soyuz 2.1a rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Shortly after reaching orbit, mission engineers noticed a malfunction in one of the KURS Automatic Docking System antennas mounted on the spacecraft. The KURS system is an automated system that helps safely dock a spacecraft with the ISS. according to NASA Live, “The antenna failed to deploy properly, meaning the cargo ship could not use its normal system to dock with the station.” The KURS system is a standard system that Russia uses to connect its spacecraft to the ISS.

Why was there a need for manual docking?

However, because the automated system was unable to operate at full capacity, it was decided to implement a manual docking process. It was assigned to ISS Commander Sergei Kud-Sverchkov. In this the commander will manually guide the spacecraft to dock at the station using a backup system.NASA explained via an X-Post that if the problem with the antenna persists, the spacecraft will operate using the TORU manual system. This system allows astronauts to manually operate the spacecraft from the station.It is worth noting that manual docking is not a new practice. This is what Oleg Kononenko, head of Russia’s Cosmonaut Training Center, has to say. “The manual approach…is routinely practiced by astronauts in training,” he said.

what was the spacecraft carrying

However, despite this technical problem, the Progress MS-33 spacecraft continues its journey towards the ISS with all other systems functioning normally.The goods in this shipment are of great importance to the day-to-day activities of the crew. Cargo includes:

The total cargo sent in this mission is approximately 2.5 tonnes.

Why is this event important for space missions?

Although the situation was managed properly, it is a reminder of one of the most important aspects of space exploration: redundancy and human skill are still of paramount importance.The spacecraft is quite advanced in terms of technology; However, always plan for unexpected machine failure. The ability to change from automatic to manual mode for docking is a testament to the robustness of the astronauts’ planning and training.This is also a proof of the experience gained over the years. The TORU system, being a backup, is something that Russian space technology has been using for quite some time.

A little mess, a strong system

In the complex world of space exploration, even minor technical glitches can have significant consequences if not properly addressed. However, in this case, the problem with the antenna was immediately identified and appropriately resolved.This case is a reminder that, despite the sophisticated technology involved in space exploration, it is the astronauts’ knowledge and preparation that will guarantee mission success, even if things do not go according to plan.

A new bill promises green cards for TPS holders in the US but the administration will never approve it.

Florida Representative Sheila Cherfilas-McCormick introduced a new bill, the Respect for Essential Workers Act, that would give green cards to people with Temporary Protected Status in the US. This status is for people from war-torn countries or countries affected by natural disasters who cannot remain in their home country and can seek ‘temporary protection’ in the US. The Donald Trump administration has already revoked this status for citizens of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Myanmar, Ethiopia and Yemen. The withdrawal of TPS means that the citizens of these countries will now have to go back to their countries. The U.S. Supreme Court on March 16 temporarily halted the administration’s plan to proceed with the deportation of approximately 6,000 Syrians and 350,000 Haitians who had been granted TPS.TPS holders cannot apply directly for a green card and must qualify for a green card separately. For example, if they are married to a US citizen, if they are sponsored by an employer, etc. Also, it is easier for a TPS holder who enters the country after inspection to qualify for a green card than those who enter the US illegally. The proposed bill states that there should be a set period after which TPS holders who may be classified as essential workers can apply for a green card. “More than 403,000 TPS holders in Florida keep our communities running by working in health care, manufacturing, food supply and other sectors. Protecting essential workers is the right thing to do for our communities, our economy and our future,” the Democrat leader said.

Is it possible?

Given the Donald Trump administration’s tough stance on immigration, both legal and illegal, it is extremely unlikely for the administration to grant any permanency to TPS holders. “TPS was designed to be temporary, and this Administration is returning TPS to its original temporary intent. We are prioritizing our national security interests and putting America first,” DHS previously said in explaining why the administration was withdrawing TPS status from several countries.

A California jury has ordered the veteran comedian bill cosby He has been ordered to pay more than $19 million to a woman who says he drugged and raped her more than five decades ago, in a civil trial that ended Monday in Santa Monica.The jury’s verdict found Cosby liable for sexual assault and battery in a case brought by Donna Motsinger, who says the incident occurred in 1972 while she was working as a waitress in Sausalito, California. The award includes approximately $17.5 million for past mental suffering and $1.75 million for future suffering. Jurors also determined that Cosby acted with “malice, oppression, or fraud”, which could have led to more punitive damages at a later stage.Motsinger, now 80, told the court that she met Cosby when he was a customer at the restaurant where she worked. According to her complaint, Cosby later invited her to a performance and gave her a glass of wine during the ride to the show. She said she began feeling unwell and was given aspirin, which left her faint and weak. The next thing she remembered, she said, was waking up partially naked in her home. But Cosby’s lawyers denied the allegations. She said she did not remember any sexual contact with Motsinger and that if any contact had occurred, it was consensual. He also denied that he gave medicines to Motsingar without his permission.The civil lawsuit began decades after the alleged incident, made possible by changes to California law that extended the time period in which victims could bring sexual assault cases to court. The decision comes as part of a series of legal challenges and lawsuits that Cosby has faced over the years related to sexual misconduct allegations.Cosby, 88, was once one of America’s most successful comedians and a household name with his long-running television show. But his reputation was deeply damaged by numerous allegations of sexual harassment over several decades. In 2018, he was convicted of aggravated indecent assault in Pennsylvania and sentenced to prison, but was released in 2021 after that conviction was overturned by the state Supreme Court due to prosecutorial misconduct.In addition to the Motsinger case, Cosby has also faced other civil judgments. In 2022, another jury in California awarded $500,000 to a different defendant in a case involving allegations dating back to the 1970s.After several hours of deliberations, the Santa Monica jury reached its verdict on Monday and returned an award of $19.25 million. While the current figure includes compensation for Motsinger’s suffering, more punitive damages could be determined in the next phase of the trial after the jury concludes that Cosby acted with malice.The decision marks a big moment in a long legal path for Motsinger, who has sought justice for more than 50 years. The award may provide financial compensation for his suffering, although it does not erase the decades that have passed since the events he describes.Cosby’s legal team has indicated plans to appeal the verdict, meaning the case could continue in the courts for some time before the final outcome is known.

Deep underground, in the temperate rainforests of Chile’s Alers Costero National Park, lies an ancient conifer called ‘Gran Abuelo’ that has been guarding a hidden secret for thousands of years. A recent study published in the journal Biodiversity and Conservation It turns out that a tree’s greatest value lies in what lies beneath its surface. Researchers examined soil samples taken from Gran Abuelo and found an unseen world of life within. By examining soil samples, they identified a community of more than 300 fungal species, many of which are unique to this ancient soil and not found anywhere else on Earth, forming a mycorrhizal network along Gran Abuelo. This mycorrhizal network not only provides Gran Abuelo with essential nutrients and water; It also serves as the foundation of the entire forest’s microbial ecosystem. All experts emphasize that if we lose one of these ancient trees, it can create a domino effect on the entire carbon cycle of the forest.

What exactly is ‘Gran Abuelo’

Gran Abuelo – or ‘Great Grandfather’ – is a giant Alers (Fitzroya cupressoides) tree located in Alers Costero National Park, Chile. Its height exceeds 60 feet and the diameter of the trunk exceeds 13 feet. Alers are native to the temperate rainforests of Patagonia and have existed for thousands of years. While some researchers still debate its age, the environment scientist jonathan barichievich Gran Abuelo has recently been estimated through computer modeling and partial core sampling to be approximately 5500 years old. This would make it older than the bristlecone pine ‘Methuselah’ located in California and perhaps the oldest living individual tree on Earth.

Incredible discovery beneath Earth’s oldest tree

The incredible discovery wasn’t just how old the tree was; However, how much it supports underground life! as written physioorgThe researchers used a genetic technique called DNA sequencing to map the ‘mycorrhizal’ (fungal) network around the Gran Abuelo tree. They discovered that the soil beneath this ancient giant was 2.25 times more biodiverse than the soil beneath other more recently grown trees in the same forest; In fact, they discovered over 300 species of fungi in this ‘microbial metropolis’, many of which you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

How a fungus kept the world’s oldest tree alive

This discovery shows that the Gran Abuelo tree is not just a plant but serves as the center of a biological support system. expert of Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew These fungi are said to form a mutualistic relationship with the tree – the tree provides sugar (carbon) to the fungus through photosynthesis, while the fungus acts as an extension of the tree’s root system by reaching deep enough into the ground to provide phosphorus, nitrogen and water to the tree during periods of severe drought. Therefore, it is likely that it is this ancient network that has kept this tree alive against fire, climate change and centuries of environmental stress.

30,000 year timeline

Although the tree is believed to have existed for about 5,000 years wwf It has also been said that the area served as an ‘Ice Age refuge’, allowing the soil biome to develop undisturbed for more than 30,000 years – long before Gran Abuelo took root; Thus, large underground networks were formed that store carbon dioxide within the Earth. If the ancient trees fall victim to climate change or human intervention, scientists warn that the loss of this 30,000-year-old carbon storage system would result in the release of vast amounts of greenhouse gases back into our atmosphere.

One of the pilots killed in the Air Canada plane crash at New York’s LaGuardia Airport has been identified as Antoine Forest, a 30-year-old aviator early in his career.Forrest was among two killed in Sunday’s late-night collision, which also injured dozens of passengers and crew members, in what authorities have described as a major aviation incident.

Young pilot at the beginning of his career

Forrest worked for Jazz Aviation, which operates regional flights under the Air Canada Express brand. He was part of the crew on Flight 8646, which had taken off from Montreal and was attempting to land when the accident occurred.Describing the damage, US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Brian Bedford said:“These were two young guys at the beginning of their careers so it’s an absolute tragedy.”The Air Line Pilots Association also paid tribute to both pilots, calling their deaths a “serious tragedy” and praising their dedication to passenger safety.

What happened at LaGuardia Airport?

The accident occurred late Sunday night at New York’s LaGuardia Airport when an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 aircraft collided with a fire truck on the runway.According to officials, both the plane and the emergency vehicle were cleared by air traffic control – putting them on a collision course.The plane carrying 72 passengers and four crew members collided with a truck during landing. The impact killed both pilots and injured dozens of people, including two Port Authority workers on the ground.The explosion of equipment inside the plane caused chaos, while photographs from the scene showed the plane badly damaged on the runway.

Injuries and emergency response

About 40 people were taken to hospital, most with minor injuries, and many were released by Monday morning. However, some individuals, including emergency responders, suffered serious injuries.Fire brigade and emergency services rushed to the scene, with multiple units deployed to control the situation and assist passengers.

investigation underway

Authorities, including the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), have launched a full investigation of the accident.Preliminary evidence, including air traffic control audio, suggests that confusion over runway clearance may have played a role. Experts say the main focus will be on communication between controllers and ground vehicles.Aviation experts note that such incidents typically result from multiple factors rather than a single cause.

Industry under scrutiny

The crash comes at a time when the U.S. aviation system faces increasing pressures, including staffing shortages and widespread safety concerns among air traffic controllers.The incident caused the temporary closure of LaGuardia Airport, causing mass flight cancellations and delays.Forrest’s death has been mourned by the entire aviation industry, with colleagues remembering him as a committed professional whose life and career were tragically cut short.

Concrete has been the backbone of construction for centuries. Roads, bridges, skyscrapers and they all rely on the same old inert materials. It is tough, durable and predictable. But a new material is quietly challenging that norm. It grows, breathes and even heals its own cracks. Scientists have created a living wall material that behaves more like a miniature ecosystem than traditional building blocks. It looks almost like science fiction, yet it has already been used in large-scale installations. Unlike regular concrete, this material continues to change over time. It takes in carbon, manufactures itself and responds to its environment. And while it may not replace concrete tomorrow, it signals a very different future for architecture.

Inside the Canada Pavilion: Walls that live, breathe and require daily care

According to ArchDaily, at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, visitors to the Canada Pavilion noticed something unusual. The walls were soft, textured, almost organic. They weren’t just for show, these structures, called picoplanktonics, contained living cyanobacteria. This meant that the installation required daily care. Light, temperature, humidity, it all has to be just right. If the germs failed, the structure itself would become weak. The pavilion was more like a greenhouse than a building. It seems strange to think that a wall needs attention, but that’s what makes this concept exciting. Architecture that lives. Architecture that breathes.So how does it actually work? Tiny cyanobacteria sit inside a printable hydrogel. They photosynthesize, converting sunlight and carbon dioxide into biomass. Over time, they grow and expand, gradually replacing the material around them. Within a month, the samples gained about 36% more mass than lifeless controls. That growth is the result of two processes. One is simple biological evolution. The second is microbially induced carbonate precipitation or MICP. Microorganisms create alkaline conditions that convert dissolved ions into solid minerals. Over time, those minerals accumulate and strengthen the structure from within. As we age, the walls actually harden.

The surprising role of carbon capture and size in living walls

This stuff does more than just self-repair. It captures carbon. According to research published in Nature, ‘Dual carbon sequestration with photosynthetic living materials’‘, Initial tests showed that the hydrogel absorbed about 2.2 milligrams of CO₂ per gram in the first month. This may not seem like much. But after more than a year, the total stored carbon reached about 26 milligrams per gram, mostly in stable mineral form. It works slowly. Experts note that industrial systems are faster, but they also require energy and chemicals. This living wall works on sunlight and wind. That simplicity can be valuable if it can be extended. Buildings can passively help fight climate change while still performing their normal functions.A surprising finding is that size affects performance. Flat blocks of hydrogel are not ideal. They block light, limit air flow and reduce bacterial activity. So researchers tried lattice structures, porous forms, even coral-inspired textures. Some designs increased volume while maintaining surface area. This gave the cyanobacteria present inside a chance to remain active and healthy. The pavilion’s unusual form was not just for aesthetics. Every curve, every hole was functional. Living materials require space, light, and exchange to survive.

Former Google executive Matt Brittin is set to become the next director general of the BBC, according to multiple media reports, including The Times, which says the broadcaster’s board has approved his appointment. However, there has been no official confirmation from the BBC yet.If confirmed, Brittin will replace Tim Davey, who is due to step down in early April, with an interim arrangement expected before Brittin formally takes over. His selection highlights a notable change for the BBC, bringing in a leader from a technology and digital background rather than traditional broadcasting.

A technology leader who has worked at Google for nearly two decades

Matt Brittin, 57, spent nearly 20 years at Google, joining the company in 2007 and rising through the ranks to become president of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) in 2014. In that role, he oversaw one of the company’s largest regional operations and played a key role during a period of increased regulatory scrutiny and rapid digital transformation.He resigned from Google at the end of 2024, describing the time thereafter as a “mini gap year”.Before Google, Brittin worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company and held senior roles at Trinity Mirror, one of the UK’s largest newspaper publishers.

Education and personal life

Born in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, Brittin was educated at Hampton School before studying land economics and geography at the University of Cambridge. He later obtained an MBA with Distinction from the London Business School.He was the first person in his family to go to university. Brittin married Kathryn Bates in 1995, and the couple have two sons. Known as a fan of classic British television and science fiction, he has previously cited shows such as Doctor Who as one of his favourites.

what does he say about himself

On his LinkedIn profile, Brittin describes himself as “tall, energetic, British” and humorously adds that he is “above average at the game of sitting.” He has also described himself as a “gap year student” and a “part-time athlete”.He has expressed interest in “tech for good”, particularly in the use of artificial intelligence for positive impact.After leaving Google, he said he planned to spend time reading, learning new skills, and even trying activities like scuba diving.

Sports background: Olympians and sailors

Brittin has a strong sporting background in rowing. He represented Great Britain at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and won a bronze medal at the World Rowing Championships. He also participated three times in the Historic Boat Race for Cambridge University.

Board roles and honors

In addition to his corporate career, Brittin has held a number of board and advisory roles, including The Climate Group, Media Trust and a non-executive directorship at Sainsbury’s. He is also associated with Guardian Media Group.In recognition of his contributions to technology and digital skills, he was awarded a CBE in the UK New Year Honours.

A different kind of BBC leader

If his appointment is confirmed, Brittin will be one of the few BBC directors general to come from outside the traditional media and editorial ranks. His digital and platform experience is considered particularly relevant as the BBC faces increasing competition from global streaming services and tech-driven platforms.His leadership will also come at a crucial time, amid debate over the BBC’s funding model, its future charter and its role in a rapidly evolving media landscape.