U.S. Orders Halt to Revolution Wind Construction Citing National Security Concerns

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business

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Image Source: Jestin Calma, via Getty Images

The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has ordered an immediate halt to construction of the Revolution Wind farm off Rhode Island, citing national security concerns and potential interference with other uses of the area.

The directive, issued Friday, comes despite the project being nearly 80 percent complete and fully permitted at both the federal and state levels. Revolution Wind, jointly developed by Ørsted and Eversource, was slated to begin generating enough clean energy to power more than 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut next year.

The order marks the latest setback for the Biden administration’s clean energy goals and underscores the broader uncertainty facing the U.S. offshore wind industry. Earlier this year, construction of the Empire Wind farm off New York was also paused under similar circumstances, costing developers an estimated $50 million per week before work was allowed to resume.

Ørsted said in a statement that it is “evaluating all legal options” in response to the BOEM decision. Local officials and renewable energy advocates have voiced concern that the suspension will undermine efforts to decarbonize the regional power grid and create jobs in the growing offshore wind sector.

The timing of the halt comes as U.S. electricity demand surges, driven by new data centers, domestic manufacturing, and the rapid adoption of electric vehicles. Offshore wind has been touted as a critical component of meeting that demand while cutting reliance on fossil fuels.

However, President Donald Trump has maintained a combative stance against wind energy, frequently criticizing its expansion and defending fossil fuel producers who supported his campaigns. His administration has argued that offshore wind projects may conflict with national security interests and military operations at sea.

Revolution Wind has already established a major construction hub at the Port of Providence, employing hundreds of workers and anchoring Rhode Island as a hub for offshore wind development. The halt leaves the project’s timeline in jeopardy, with developers warning that prolonged delays could lead to significant financial losses and threaten regional climate targets.

The BOEM order does not specify when or if construction may resume, leaving the future of one of New England’s largest clean energy projects uncertain.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe Granted Temporary Release on Medical Grounds

Jatinder Singh, Jadetimes Contributor

J. Singh is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: www.greaterkashmir.com

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested last week on allegations of misusing state funds, has been granted temporary release on medical grounds after being hospitalized with complications related to diabetes and high blood pressure.

Wickremesinghe’s arrest on August 22 marked a historic first, making him the only former Sri Lankan head of state to be taken into custody. He stands accused of misusing approximately Rs. 16.9 million in public funds during a 2023 trip to the United Kingdom, where his wife, First Lady Prof. Maithree Wickramasinghe, was awarded an Honorary Professorship by the University of Wolverhampton.

While critics argue the trip was a personal event, supporters maintain it was an official academic-diplomatic engagement, pointing out that the President met with university leaders to discuss student exchanges, scholarships, and academic cooperation. International media reported the event as a Sri Lankan achievement, not a private celebration.

Following his arrest, Wickremesinghe was admitted to Colombo National Hospital, where doctors recommended ICU care. His legal team confirmed that he will continue to face the court process, but under medical supervision.

Political Reactions

The case has sharply divided Sri Lanka’s political and public opinion. Supporters describe the arrest as political revenge, while government representatives insist it reflects the principle that no one is above the law. Protests have erupted in Colombo, with crowds demanding his release and highlighting his role in stabilizing Sri Lanka’s economy during its worst financial crisis in 2022–2023.

Wickremesinghe, credited internationally for securing IMF support and rebuilding reserves during the crisis, remains one of the most experienced leaders in Sri Lankan politics, having served six times as Prime Minister and once as President.

The Road Ahead

With his temporary release, Wickremesinghe has signaled resilience and determination to fight back against the charges. Supporters have rallied around him, echoing the sentiment that justice must be fair, transparent, and equal — applied consistently across all political leaders, not selectively.acy, or public service. But in these rare cases, they also stand as scholars and intellectuals who have earned the highest level of academic distinction. Their stories remind the world that the pursuit of knowledge can exist alongside the responsibilities of representing a country at the highest level.

Japan Faces Historic Population Decline Amid Aging Crisis and Falling Birth Rates

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia

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Image Source: Toshiro Kubo/he Yomiuri Shimbun/AP/File

Japan is confronting a demographic crisis of historic proportions, with its population shrinking by more than 900,000 people in 2024 the largest annual drop on record according to new government data released this week.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reported that the number of Japanese nationals fell by 908,574 last year, reducing the country’s population to approximately 120 million. This marks the 16th consecutive year of population decline, a trend fueled by a persistently low fertility rate, a rapidly aging population, and limited immigration.

Japan’s population peaked in 2009 at 126.6 million. Since then, it has steadily declined, reflecting deep-seated social and economic issues from the high cost of living and stagnant wages to gender norms that discourage family formation and parenting among younger generations.

The 2024 data highlights a growing imbalance between births and deaths. Only 687,689 babies were born the lowest since records began in 1968 while nearly 1.6 million people died, the highest figure ever recorded. This results in a natural population decrease of over 900,000, a figure that overshadows gains made through immigration.

Currently, nearly 30% of Japan’s population is aged 65 or older, while the working-age demographic (15–64 years) comprises just 59%, well below the global average of 65%, according to the OECD. This demographic imbalance is straining Japan’s pension system, healthcare services, and overall social infrastructure.

The Japanese government has spent more than a decade implementing various measures to counter the demographic downturn. These include childbirth incentives, housing subsidies, and promoting paternity leave to encourage gender equality in child-rearing. However, the measures have yielded minimal results in reversing the trend.

Despite the government's push, societal expectations around gender roles remain rigid. Women continue to shoulder most domestic and caregiving responsibilities, and single parenthood remains relatively rare. Experts argue that without deeper cultural shifts, financial incentives alone may not be sufficient to boost the birth rate.

One potential lever to slow the population decline is immigration historically a sensitive and controversial issue in Japan, which has long viewed itself as an ethnically homogenous nation. Foreign residents and individuals of mixed ethnicity have often faced social discrimination and institutional hurdles.

Nonetheless, the government has begun to soften its stance. New initiatives, including a digital nomad visa and skill-based migration programs, signal a shift in immigration policy. These efforts appear to be gaining traction: the number of foreign residents in Japan increased by over 10% in 2024, reaching a record 3.6 million.

Revised government projections from 2023 suggest Japan’s population could fall by 30% by 2070. However, the same models indicate the rate of decline may slow due to increased international migration.

Demographers emphasize that even a sudden and significant increase in fertility would not reverse the current trajectory in the short term. The population will continue to decline for several decades until a new generational balance is established.

As Japan grapples with the dual pressures of a shrinking workforce and an expanding elderly population, the country’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for other aging societies worldwide including neighboring South Korea and China facing similar demographic headwinds.