## ‘Miracle tree’ removes 98% of microplastics from drinking water, outperforming chemical alternatives

Authored by euronews.com

In a recent study, seeds from the ‘miracle’ moringa tree were found to match or outperform their chemical counterpart in filtering out aged PVC microplastics – one of the most harmful plastic types for human health.

The findings could pave the way for a greener alternative for treatment plants.

In 2024, the EU ramped up monitoring protocols for microplastics in drinking water.

Moringa’s wide range of uses, from treating malnutrition and diseases to water purification and anti-ageing products, have earned it the nickname of the ‘miracle tree’.

Currently, European countries use both physical and chemical methods to remove microplastics from wastewater.

Both coagulants work by neutralising the negative electrical charge that causes microplastic particles to repel each other and evade filters.

One drawback that the researchers say needs further scrutiny is the leaching of dissolved organic carbon during the process, which could complicate downstream treatment processes. »

### Someone Is Sending Ships Fake 'Safe Passage' Messages Through Hormuz. At Least One Got Shot At.

Authored by shatterbelt.co

Approximately 20,000 seafarers are stranded on roughly 2,000 ships in the largest maritime stranding since World War II.

The messages demand cryptocurrency, Bitcoin or USDT, in exchange for "safe passage" through the Strait.

Ships submit documents, the IRGC reviews eligibility, clearance codes are issued, and the vessel transits under escort near Larak Island. »

### PlayStation's Shuhei Yoshida was fired for not listening to Jim Ryan

Authored by eurogamer.net

Shuhei Yoshida, the former long-tenured leader of Sony's first-party PlayStation Worldwide Studios, has said he was fired from the role by Jim Ryan - the boss of PlayStation - because he didn't listen to him.

"Jim Ryan wanted to remove me from first-party because I didn't listen to him.

As Yoshida later remarked, he and Ryan were part of the same PlayStation generation so they knew each other well. »

### Virginia voters approve Democrats' redistricting plan, giving the party a midterm election boost

Authored by nbcnews.com

Virginia voters on Tuesday approved a Democratic redistricting plan that could allow the party to pick up as many as four new seats in the midterm elections, NBC News projects.

"Virginia just changed the trajectory of the 2026 midterms, Virginia Democratic state House Speaker Don Scott said in a statement.

"This basically says, 'Hey, Republican Party, we're not dead yet,'" said Brian Kirwin, a Republican strategist based in Virginia. »

### Trump extends US-Iran ceasefire indefinitely at request of Pakistan

Authored by theguardian.com

Donald Trump announced in a social media post on Tuesday that he was indefinitely extending a ceasefire with Iran at the request of Pakistan, which has been mediating talks, until the country responded to the United States’ negotiating positions or until talks reached a dead end.

The move bought time for the US and Iran to continue pursuing a nuclear deal to end the war.

“I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with,” Trump said. »

## In pictures

## Also in the news

#### US military service members will no longer be required to get annual flu shot

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#### Southern Poverty Law Center charged with defrauding donors with payments to extremist informants

#### Israeli soldiers using sexual assault to force Palestinians out of West Bank, report says

#### Palantir manifesto described as ‘ramblings of a supervillain’ amid UK contract fears